Usually whenever I travel, I’m with my parents and sisters, who take care of everything for me. But on the last day of the tour, we had the opportunity to have 4 hours of free time to explore the Pike Place Market on our own. Knowing I had to navigate everything myself made it more nerve-wracking yet exciting. This experience offered more than independence, but also brought me closer to my friends who felt like my family in the absence of my own.
Buying souvenirs for my friends and family was truly a moment that stood out to me during this trip. Walking through the market and looking at the magnets and tote bags reminded me of all the places we explored in our time at Seattle. It was a moment of realization (not just of how much money I spent) of how much I gained from the experience. For my family, the souvenirs were a reminder of my independence, holding a deep meaning of how I took care of myself without them there to guide me. These little items reminded me of the gratitude I had for the time I spent with the orchestra and experiences in this state. It wasn’t just souvenirs that meant something, but it was everything that had led up to that moment, allowing for one last reflection before we return home.
By Evelyn Kim
