Mary Eiserloh is a college student at St. Edward’s University and is currently a Religious and Theological studies major with a Writing and Rhetoric minor. She was born in New Orleans but due to hurricane Katrina her family moved to Baton Rouge where she grew up. As the daughter of two adventure-seeking parents, Mary has had her fair share of international trips. This trip is her second time in Paris and her umpteenth time in Europe. Below, Mary delves into her love for travel and what she considers the true excitement behind travel.
Q: Would you consider yourself independent?
A: I would say I am independent, there are of course still things that I struggle with but the older I get the more I learn about myself. My parents have taught me that I must do things for myself, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t supportive or there for me. Through them, I have learned that if I don’t do something for myself then it will not get done. I am also an introvert at heart which is the inspiration behind my new life motto: “I am going to make a decision for myself and like that’s okay I don’t need to be making decisions for other people”.
Q: What is the most spontaneous/independent thing you have ever done?
A: I skipped my high school prom with my friend, and we took a trip to New Orleans for a music festival. We didn’t have a plan or tickets, so we tried to sneak in but couldn’t find any way. Eventually, we bought tickets at a reduced price from two ladies who were leaving for the day. It is one of the best memories I have from high school.
Q: How many solo and friend trips have you been on?
A: I have been on two friend trips that really stick out to me. One was a spring break trip through west Texas and the other trip was in Tennessee. So far, no solo trips but usually when I travel “I’m gonna wanna go experience it with someone” which is part of the reason I believe it is not where you go but who you go with.
Q: What kind of traveling have you done? Tell me about where you have been.
A: In terms of out of country I’ve been to Canada, Ireland, Austria, Germany, and France. They have been a mix of family trips and friend trips. My family typically travels with another family of five which are long-time family friends. As far as the France trip goes, that was a high school trip to Paris. I got to spend it with my closest friends and we were able to do all the touristy attractions in Paris.
Q: How has your family influenced your love for travel?
A: It has definitely given me a basis but I’m always excited to travel and I don’t think it is something I necessarily got from taking family trips.
Q: What is your experience in Paris so far? How does your comfort level compare to your first trip to Paris?
A: I love my experience in Paris so far. I could not compare these trips together as they are so different and I love different things about them, however, my comfort level was higher during my first trip. We had our teachers planning everything out, I was around some of my closest friends, and the language barrier wasn’t that noticeable as people quickly noticed our group of fifteen girls was American and spoke to us in English. For this trip I love the independence I have and how I can be my own person in Paris, however, the awkward interactions I have with people assuming I’m French and talking to me in French does put my comfort level lower for this second trip. Despite this, “I’m not as uncomfortable as I thought I would be”.
Q: Where does your excitement for travel come from?
A: It is the people, “like I could be in a shithole with the best people in the world and have an amazing time or I could be in Monaco with like by myself and not enjoy it, you know? So, the people to me are like the only thing we really have in this world so it’s all about them.”