Today marks exactly two months since I arrived in Europe. It´s amazing to think back on what all has happened in two months. In a way it feels like I just got here yesterday but mostly the feeling is that it must be more than two months. Somehow I´ve managed to cram at least two years of experience in that short amount of time.
So far it´s been an amazing adventure with plenty of stories I´ll be able to tell for the rest of my life. I´ve hitchhiked (so far) 1500 kms and stayed in the homes of 20 wondefully gracious strangers with the help of various hospitality websites. I´ve watched the sun set not knowing where I would sleep. I´ve stuck out my thumb hoping for a ride and not caring too much which destination it was driving to. I´ve put complete trust in the hands of strangers who have opened their doors to a traveler, but, of course, a complete stranger with a friendly smile. I´ve seen amazing sites in great cities across the continent, including a number of UNESCO world heritage sites. Quite often I´ve awoken in the morning unsure of what city or even country I´m in today. I´ve done all of this and loved it.
Traveling like this is, obviously, quite full of adventure but at times it takes it´s toll. After a stressful couple of days last week I was about ready to pack it in and end my trip. I was feeling especially lonely and completely exhausted. I had enough fun for a while and I was looking at airfare prices. But I decided to put those thoughts on hold for a few days and see what happened. I´m glad I did.
This last week has brought with it a wealth of personal understanding. I´m not going to go into it all (at least not now) but I´m happier than I´ve been in a while. Where before I had a hard time enjoying being alone, now I feel a quiet calm before me. I don´t remember the last time I spoke to a native english speaker and I don´t care anymore. Last night I spent over an hour with a guy from a mentally handicapped group staying in my hostel where he was asking me "Do you know Metallica?", the only english he knew. I would nod my head, smile and say "ja" and he would do the same. "Do you know Linkin Park?" Smile, nod, ja. He was one of the only people I talked to all day yesterday. Only now is that even occuring to me.
I´m having a wonderful time out here traveling like I am. I´m starting to feel again like I´m going to run out of money well before I´m ready to stop traveling. I like having that feeling again.
Posted May 25, 2004 08:05 AM @ (GMT - 6)
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two months huh. Wow it seems like such a long time, yet such a short time. I'm so happy for you. You sound really good. It was really neat reading about the handicap person. Doesn't it feel so good just to brighten someones day even if it is just a smile and a ja.