中歐筆記 3｜同伴篇 Notes from Central Europe 3 | 珍惜你的同伴 Cherishing Your Companions
English Version Below
文／Cathy Chen August 3, 2026
夜裡，身體雖然躺在家裡的床上，一顆心卻彷彿飄回了中歐。腦海裡浮現的，依舊是深咖色的窗櫺，望出去那朱紅色的樓房，以及石塊堆砌而成的窄小巷弄。
這一路上，我遇見了許多形形色色的人。許多人說著帶有歐式口音的英文，也有不少人交談時用著捷克語、德語、匈牙利語……聽不懂怎麼辦？沒關係，因為微笑、禮讓、音樂與藝術，就是全球共通的語言。
眼前的異國人：恩賜的互相照亮
從餐廳裡的服務生、冰淇淋店的老闆，到當地國家的導遊、司機；從街邊商店的店員，到美術館、音樂廳的表演者，許多人毫不猶豫地向我們親切展現待客之道，讓我們這些美國人，在陌生的國度裡一次也沒害怕或感到被歧視過。
這讓我深深體會到，真正的和諧是雙向的：旅客能客隨主便，尊重地主的文化特色而行；而地主也能張開雙臂善待旅客，讓他們賓至如歸時，那份跨越國界的交流便顯得格外動人。我忍不住思想，今日許多混亂與撕裂，是否源自於這份默契的瓦解——人們之間的不尊重和防衛心使社會築起了高牆。在中歐的這幾天，這份純粹的「彼此尊重」，彷彿讓我看見人與人之間本該有的美好。
在捷克布拉格的街邊小店家，我接過燙手而散發肉桂香的煙囪捲。在德國慕尼黑，deli 小姐用利刃替我將表皮酥脆的德國豬腳，從骨頭對半剖開。在匈牙利布達佩斯嚐了一口他們端上桌的道地牛肉湯，才知道平日我用來燉牛肉湯的紅椒粉，竟然就是出自匈牙利——難怪兒子直呼：「這是媽媽的味道！」
在維也納聽音樂會，有幸坐在第二排的好位置，我能近距離觀察演奏者拉琴時不只動動手指，而是全身投入：從面部表情到肩膀的旋轉、腹部的收縮，轉身甚至跳躍，神情精彩萬分。在布達佩斯的馬加什大教堂，我站在管風琴樂師背後觀賞他飛快如舞的雙腿，這是彈鋼琴的我無法想像的——管風琴手不但要控制十根手指在鍵盤上快速移動，還得同時讓雙腳飛舞在複雜的腳踏板上。
是的，無邊無際的黑夜星空令人沉醉，但星空之下棋盤式整齊劃一的城市規劃，沿著河堤的柳樹，景觀設計師（exterior designer）和園丁所設計的花園，廚師烹調的料理味道、建築師的心血、音樂家的每一首曲子與每一個藝術作品，背後都堆疊了一代又一代人的生活、智慧、堅持與創意。
神的創造真奇妙，祂先創造了人類無法複製的自然景觀，再用其中發光發熱的人，來溫暖、照亮彼此的心房。
歷史中的異國人：權力與幽暗的撕裂
然而，這片美麗的土地，也承載了沉重而複雜的歷史。短短十一天裡，我聽到、也想起了很多可歌可泣的真實故事，看見人在歷史洪流中的各種面貌。
回顧這些名人：充滿藝術才華，卻被放錯位置，而以傳奇和悲劇收場的巴伐利亞國王路德維希二世；以及想當藝術家不成，最終卻成為殘暴獨裁者的希特勒；歷史無情地揭示，當一個人被吹捧，或者被內心的幽暗慾念所牽引時，生命會如何變調。人在權力底下會變成什麼樣子？
但在這份幽暗中，我們也看見了另一種選擇：本可安享榮華，卻為了堅持信念而毅然出走的 Trapp 一家人（《真善美》的故事原型）；還有那位寫下《做門徒的代價》的德國年輕牧師潘霍華。他原本已平安抵達美國，卻因放不下自己的同胞與教會，毅然返回德國參與抵抗納粹，最終在德國投降前夕遭到處決。人們會在混亂中，顯出什麼樣真實的品格!
身邊的同行者：跨越藩籬的彼此擔待
帶著這些對歷史與人性的反思，我轉頭看向與我朝夕相處的旅行團團員。
有趣的是，我們當中有印度裔、巴基斯坦裔、韓裔、台裔、越裔、荷蘭裔，當然還有許多我不知道族裔背景的美國人。雖然成長經歷與文化背景各不相同，有些民族之間甚至曾在歷史上有過衝突與傷痕。然而，這些身分在此刻似乎不是那麼重要。
我們只有一個共同的目的：一起平安完成這趟旅程，若能留下美好的回憶就更好了。我們一起搭車、行路，一起聆聽歷史；我們一起品嚐特色食物，一起坐在教堂裡靜靜觀賞匠工的巧思。從鷹巢遠眺群山，我們一起為二戰那段殘暴的歷史唏噓不已，那一刻，所有人不言而喻地為人性深處的墮落感到極深的悲哀。
每一次共同的經歷，都悄悄縮短了彼此的距離。我們從互不相識的陌生人，到了手肘相碰也覺得自在的關係，甚至嘻嘻哈哈在車上唱起那些耳熟能詳的美國老歌。連跟著父母來的那些酷酷年輕人，看到父母輩這麼會玩，也忍不住露出微笑。
旅途中發生了一件小插曲。我們團裡有四位來自不同專業領域的醫護人員。有一天，在音樂廳外面突然傳來「砰」的一聲，接著四周響起一陣驚呼，一位女士跌倒在路旁。我正想轉頭看看行醫的先生是否要過去幫忙，沒想到一回頭，就看見那四位醫護人員早已全都睜大眼睛，身體微微前傾，一副隨時準備衝上去協助的樣子。
即使正在旅行，他們仍然本能地留意著可能需要幫助的人。多年專業培養出的敏銳與責任感，早已成為他們生命的一部分。
而這份對人的敏銳，也體現在我們的相處中。我性格其實比較內向，到了陌生的環境，要如何打破人與人之間的僵硬隔閡、輕鬆自然地建立關係，對我而言並不容易。但這次，我看見好幾位團員一派輕鬆，他們主動、溫暖、幽默，幫助我不知不覺卸下了心房。他們身上的美好，都是我仍然需要學習、被繼續塑造的地方。
朝著美好目的地同行
到了最後一天，我們和其中兩對夫婦交換了聯絡方式。若神願意，或許將來還能再見。
這趟旅行讓我體會到，人與人之間的距離，有時並不是由血緣或居住地點決定，而是由我們共同走過什麼，又是否擁有共同的願景。世界上有這麼多不一樣的人，我們能夠好好相處嗎？
在這個經常充滿對立與紛擾的世界裡，這台遊覽車上的縮影給了我些許的安慰。它讓我知道，即使我們帶著不同的膚色與背景，但如果人們真心感恩、不過份貪戀權位、少些惡性爭競、錯了就承認悔改、根據恩賜好好發揮、不嫉妒他人所有的、也不存心利用他人；當我們把身邊的人當成是旅途的同伴，那麼人與人是否能和諧一點？
人與人一同朝著美好的目的地前進，這個過程本身就極其美妙。說到底，在永恆的目光中，我們在世上不過都是短暫停留的異鄉人。我想起了聖經裡的應許，一幅眾人跨越藩籬、一起歡呼走向錫安山的美麗圖畫：
「靠你有力量、心中想往錫安大道的，這人便為有福！他們經過流淚谷，叫這谷變為泉源之地，並有秋雨之福蓋滿了全谷。他們行走，力上加力，各人到錫安朝見神。」 （詩篇 84:5-7）
願我們都能在時代與永恆之間，平凡與深刻之間，珍惜身邊的同伴，尋求真實的同行。
【 中歐筆記 · 全文完 】
Notes from Central Europe, Part 3:
Cherishing Your Companions
By Cathy Chen August 3, 2026
At night, though my body lies in my bed at home, my heart seems to have drifted back to Central Europe. Floating in my mind are the dark brown window frames, the red buildings seen through them, and the narrow cobblestone alleys.
Along the journey, I met all kinds of people. Many spoke English with European accents, while others conversed in Czech, German, or Hungarian... What do you do when you can't understand? It doesn't matter, because smiles, courtesy, music, and art are universal languages.
Strangers in a Foreign Land: Illuminating One Another with Our Gifts
From restaurant servers and gelato shop owners to local guides and drivers; from street vendors to performers in art museums and concert halls, so many people readily extended their warm hospitality. They made us Americans feel completely safe and free from discrimination in a foreign land.
This made me realize that true harmony is a two-way street. When visitors respect local cultural nuances, and hosts open their arms to make travelers feel at home, this cross-border exchange becomes incredibly moving. I couldn't help but wonder if much of the chaos and division in our world today stems from the breakdown of this very social contract—where disrespect and defensiveness build walls between people. During those few days in Central Europe, this pure "mutual respect" reminded me of the beauty that is supposed to exist between us.
At a small street stall in Prague, I received a piping-hot, cinnamon-scented chimney cake (Trdelník). In Munich, a woman at a deli expertly used a sharp knife to halve a crispy pork knuckle right through the bone. In Budapest, I took one sip of authentic Goulash and realized that the paprika I use for my beef stew at home comes straight from Hungary—no wonder my son always exclaims, "This tastes like Mom's!"
At a concert in Vienna, I was fortunate enough to sit in the second row, close enough to see that the musicians weren't just moving their fingers; their whole bodies were invested. From their facial expressions to the rotation of their shoulders, the contraction of their cores, and even their turning and leaping—it was absolutely mesmerizing. At Matthias Church in Budapest, I stood behind the organist and watched his feet dance rapidly across the pedals. As a pianist, I couldn't fathom controlling ten fingers flying across the keys while simultaneously keeping both feet dancing on a complex pedalboard.
Yes, the boundless, starry night sky is intoxicating. But beneath that sky, the grid-like city planning, the willow trees along the riverbanks, the gardens crafted by landscape designers and gardeners, the flavors crafted by chefs, the lifeblood of architects, and every piece of music and art—all of it is built upon generations of life, wisdom, perseverance, and creativity.
God's creation is truly marvelous. He first created natural landscapes that humanity cannot replicate, and then He used the people shining brightly within it to warm and illuminate each other’s hearts.
Faces in History: The Tearing Power of Darkness and Ambition
However, this beautiful land also bears the weight of a heavy and complex history. Over just eleven days, I heard and recalled many poignant true stories, witnessing the many faces of humanity in the river of history.
Looking back at historical figures: King Ludwig II of Bavaria, a man full of artistic talent but placed in the wrong position, whose life ended in legend and tragedy. Or Hitler, a failed artist who ultimately became a brutal dictator. History ruthlessly reveals how life can become distorted when a person is excessively flattered or driven by the dark desires of their own heart. What do people become under the weight of absolute power?
Yet, within this darkness, we also saw another choice: The von Trapp family (the real-life inspiration for The Sound of Music), who could have lived in comfort but resolutely fled their homeland to stand by their convictions. And the young German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, author of The Cost of Discipleship. He had already safely reached America, yet, unable to abandon his people and his church, he returned to Germany to join the resistance against the Nazis, ultimately being executed just before Germany's surrender. What true character is revealed in times of chaos！
Companions by My Side: Bearing with One Another Across Divides
Carrying these reflections on history and human nature, I turned to look at the tour group members I was spending my days with.
Interestingly, our group included Indian Americans, Pakistani Americans, Korean Americans, Taiwanese Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Dutch Americans, and many others whose ethnic backgrounds I didn't know. Though we had different upbringings and cultural backgrounds, and some of our ethnicities even shared histories of conflict and deep scars, those labels hardly seemed to matter here.
We shared a single, common goal: to complete this journey safely and, if possible, leave with beautiful memories. We rode the bus together, walked the streets together, and listened to history together. We tasted local delicacies and sat quietly in churches, marveling at the ingenuity of craftsmen. Looking out at the mountains from the Eagle's Nest, we collectively grieved the brutal history of World War II. In that moment, an unspoken, profound sorrow over the depravity of human nature united us all.
Every shared experience quietly shortened the distance between us. We went from being complete strangers to feeling perfectly comfortable rubbing elbows, eventually laughing and singing familiar American oldies together on the bus. Even the "cool" teenagers who tagged along with their parents couldn't help but smile when they saw how much fun the older generation was having.
A small incident occurred during our trip. We had four medical professionals from different fields in our group. One day, outside a concert hall, there was a sudden "thud," followed by gasps from the crowd. A woman had fallen on the sidewalk. I was just turning to ask my physician husband if he should go help, but when I looked back, the four medical professionals were already locked in on the scene, eyes wide and bodies leaning forward, ready to sprint into action at a moment's notice.
Even on vacation, they instinctively looked out for anyone who might need help. The sharpness and sense of responsibility honed through years of professional practice had become an inseparable part of who they are.
This sensitivity toward others was also evident in our interactions. I am naturally quite introverted. In an unfamiliar environment, breaking the ice and building relationships naturally doesn't come easily to me. But on this trip, I saw several group members completely at ease. Their initiative, warmth, and humor helped me lower my guard without even realizing it. The beauty they carry is something I still need to learn—areas where I am still being molded.
Comments
Post a Comment