Lyndsie (my mentee) and I wanted to take a break from campus. Since Sarah (my roommate) has her car at OSU, she suggested that we complete the Explore Columbus Assignment as a group. We decided to adventure to German Village because Lyndsie, Sarah, and Dana (Sarah’s mentee) had never visited before. We were looking forward to an afternoon filled with holiday cheer, and I could not wait to see the girls’ reactions to this beautiful part of town.  Sparkling lights and garland would be decorating the streets.

I knew we were approaching German Village when the the car started bouncing and bumping over a brick road. The sensation reminded me of the historic roads in my hometown. I could also tell that the stores were ready for holiday shoppers and tourists. Our first stop, a short walk from the car, was a warm and welcoming cafe called Pistacia Vera. Here they serve macrons, cakes, and pastries. I picked out macrons called Toasted Coconut, Raspberry Fig, Buckeye, and Holiday Peppermint. The cafe was so busy that we could only find a table outside. Luckily, we were all bundled in big winter coats, so the chilly weather felt comfortable. After finishing our sweet treats, we stopped at a store that sold very expensive dishware. We did not spend a long time browsing around because one wrong move could cause something to break, and none of us would be able to pay for it. Relieved to be out of that danger zone, we trekked onward. The entrance-way to our final destination was decorated for Christmas. We had arrived at The Book Loft, a group of pre-Civil War era buildings that houses a maze of books. Each of the 32 rooms is dedicated to a different genre. We grabbed a map to help us navigate through the narrow halls. We started downstairs in the Young Adult Literature area. I recognized all the books I had to read for a class I took this semester. One room led to another and and another. Dana and I found some unique items which we purchased. The item I bought as a gift for my friend was a hand-made journal with a colorful peacock embroidered on the cover . There were many notebooks similar to this. I loved looking at all the books signed by their authors, too. Once we had our fill of discounted novels and creative knickknacks, we tried to find a way out. After mindlessly wandering through the Loft so long, it was hard to get our bearings and locate the exit. I even lost track of how much time we had spent there. Fortunately, we returned safely to the car.

I would love to return to German Village soon and would highly recommend it to my family and friends. There are many novel restaurants to choose from. In addition, all the shops are just a short walk from the parking spots. I especially enjoyed German Village when I visited in the spring and fall because the warm weather allowed shop owners to maintain vibrant flower gardens. With all the options in German Village that suit a variety of interests, anyone could enjoy a visit to this magical place!

During our trip to German Village, I learned about the atmosphere of a small town. Although they saw many customers that day, all of the workers were kind and friendly. I worked at Bath and Body Works during Christmas break a couple years ago, and I know how crazy a Saturday morning can be. The shops must have hired extra workers for this holiday shopping season.

I think exploring a new city takes patience because small problems may occur. Problems can include getting lost, waiting in long lines,  and not being able to find parking.  Moreover, I learned to not explore under time restraints. Doing so may be stressful due to the unforeseen circumstances of an unfamiliar place. Having an open mind is the best way to gain new experiences because, without this, the experiences will feel forced. Furthermore, learning about the new city can allow personal and social growth. I feel more relaxed each time I visit German Village because I am getting to know the area better. Next time I go, I will bring other friends or family members who have not gone to German Village before, so I can help them explore the town for themselves.

This assignment was a success, and I am glad Lyndsie, Sarah, Dana, and I were able to share the experience together!