More Than a Tourist Spot: Experiencing the Anne Frank House

Normally, when I travel, I try to avoid the touristy areas and tourist traps to have a more authentic experience within the country I’m visiting (part of the reason why I started this blog🤍).

Often, tourist spots cater to stereotypes of a country rather than its true identity.

However, when in Amsterdam, there are definitely experiences everyone should have, and one of them is visiting the Anne Frank House.

Photo of Anne Frank (Source Unkown)

In the United States, it’s common for middle school students to learn about the Holocaust through reading The Diary of Anne Frank. Although my English class was assigned I Have Lived a Thousand Years (another very powerful and moving book), Anne Frank’s story remains one of the most famous and widely read.

Her story, while highlighting the experience of living in hiding, also served as a powerful reminder that she was just a girl with thoughts, dreams, and aspirations.

“You are constantly reminded that this is not just a story from a book; this was her life. This is where she lived, slept, ate, and, most importantly, hid for her life.”

Walking into the house adjacent to the canal, the wind was cold, and the dropping temperatures were a sharp contrast to the warmth felt once inside. I grabbed one of the audio tours and began walking through the offices.

Every visitor walked in silence, moving in a single file through the narrow annex, taking in the information displayed on the walls and streaming through the speakers of the audio tour. The silence wasn’t ominous or uncomfortable; it was a shared, unspoken acknowledgment of the history and importance of this place.

The old wooden floors creaked beneath my feet, and the steep staircases — more like ladders — made me wonder how a young girl could be confined in such a small space with so many people.

Her posters are still on the wall, and the heights of Anne and her sister are marked on the wallpaper. You are constantly reminded that this is not just a story from a book; this was her life. This is where she lived, slept, ate, and, most importantly, hid for her life.

It was a chilling yet humbling experience, a reminder of how lucky we are to have even the smallest conveniences in life. The fact that I can freely go to school, work, and move about the world is something I often take for granted. But visiting the Anne Frank House also made me reflect on how, even today, the world is still not a safe place for every race and religion.

It left me wondering when true equality will be achieved and what role I can play in helping make that happen…

If you plan to visit the Anne Frank House, make sure to check the schedule and get your tickets weeks in advance — they are very likely to sell out. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss if you are in the city even just for a day.

Purchase tickets here: https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/tickets/

Stay tuned for more Amsterdam recommendations🌷

Photo credits

Photo 1: https://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/secret-annex/

Photo 3: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/anne-frank-s-room-in-the-secret-annex-allard-bovenberg/kAHP7XqswgMtsg

A Tale of Two Dreams

Going into this year, my plan was to write on this blog weekly about rural and unconventional travel. But if you’ve been following along, you’ve probably noticed that it’s been a while since my last post.

Mary in New York City, November 2024

Attending graduate school is both a curse and a blessing. On one hand, I feel so fortunate to have this incredible opportunity to further my education. On the other, I feel that all of my time is consumed by it. As a first-generation college student, I don’t take that for granted. But I often struggle when I see my friends making money in their careers, getting promotions, and establishing themselves—becoming fully financially independent, even purchasing homes or moving in with partners/spouses.

I look at where I am and feel a sense of being behind. I’m still in school, have no clear idea of where I’ll work after graduation, and often wish I could know where my place in the world will be. But I also have a deep passion for science and a thirst for learning more about it.

When pursuing two dreams—furthering my education and career in science, and traveling the world to discover new places—I often feel pulled in two directions. Am I making the right decisions? One thing I’ve learned, or hope to learn, is that there will always be decisions to make. And you’ll never truly know what could happen if you don’t take those chances.

Although this post isn’t about travel, I think it’s important to address these kinds of things. It’s also crucial to recognize that chasing dreams comes with sacrifice. Often, we need stability in our careers and education before we can fully chase other passions, or we may have to sacrifice one dream to chase another.

I just hope that, one day, even though I may always face tough decisions, I’ll find a balance between feeling fulfilled in my life and doing what’s ‘necessary’ to maintain stability.

What ‘Sojourner’ Means to Me

Mary in Kenya, August 2023.

When I first heard the term "sojourner," I had no idea what it meant. Curious, I quickly researched its definition and origin, and to my surprise, it resonated deeply with me.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the world—fascinated by cultures, landscapes, and cities so different from my own. Yet, despite my curiosity, my anxiety disorder often held me back from acting on the dreams and ambitions I held so close. Traveling felt like an unattainable goal, something that other people did, but not me.

Then, I came across a quote by one of my favorite YouTubers: “Feel the fear, and do it anyway.” Around the same time, I heard another: “Learn to starve your fear with your soul’s hunger.” Those words stayed with me, encouraging me to confront my fears, one step at a time. With support and encouragement from my friends and family, I eventually found the courage to board a plane by myself and traveled to visit family friends in their home country. That first journey, almost nine years ago now, changed everything.

Mary in Prague, May 2022.

The more I reflect on the concept, the more I realize how closely it aligns with my faith as a Catholic. In the Bible, the term "sojourner" translates the Hebrew word gēr.

“sojourner” is an individual or group residing in a community that is not originally their own. It conveys the idea that the sojourner relies on the good of others for their time in a place that is not theirs. Christians are often described as ‘sojourners of the earth’—temporary residents called to live by the values of their home in heaven.

This understanding has added an additional layer of meaning to my travels and my life. To me, being a sojourner is about more than just exploring new places; it’s about the journey of life, learning from others, and embodying the values of faith and gratitude. As I continue to travel, I hope to live as a true sojourner—grounded in my faith, yet open to wisdom this world and the people I meet along the way have to offer.

 

My First Journal Entry

Mary in Bozeman, Montana

Nestled on a snowy road in Carrabassett Valley sits a cozy A-frame cabin, surrounded by string lights against the backdrop of snow-covered pines. The scene feels like stepping into a postcard, instantly wrapping me in the warm nostalgia of my college days.

Back then, I would spend nights at the Maine Outing Club Cabin, just down the road from this very spot, after unforgettable days with friends at Sugarloaf Mountain. Those weekends were more than just escapes—they were moments that shaped me, filled with laughter, adventure, and a growing love for the kind of life I wanted to live.

This quick weekend getaway has given me the space to reconnect with myself, find inspiration, and reflect on the places and moments that made me who I am. It’s reminded me of what I truly love and what I’m eager to experience more of as I continue the journey of life.

Stay tuned as I share my journal entries along the way, tracing my steps from here to wherever life leads. My dream is to someday find my way back to Maine… <3

But for now, my story begins as a graduate student in Montana—and it is a place that’s just as wild as the dreams I’m chasing.