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August 7, 2002
“And I can order sandwiches in seven different languages, and every fucking city looks the same”
-Paul Kelly, “Every Fucking City”
Before embarking on this summer's tour of Europe, I spoke to many friends and relatives who told me I'd have the experience of a lifetime, and I would come home changed and remember this trip forever. At the time, I smiled and nodded, giving answers like "I know, I can't wait" or "That's why I'm going" but it didn't really register. I was too preoccupied with the planning, budgeting, packing, and preparing. Now that I'm home, however, I can safely say to all of them: you were right!
What is it about travelling that is so appealing and addictive? To be sure, there are plenty of day-to-day inconveniences and frustrations, from bus breakdowns to campsites with no air conditioning or toilet paper to delayed flights and lost luggage. Home still has that familiar appeal (and hot showers) that can't quite be matched elsewhere. But there's something about travelling . . .
The best definition I can come up with is that travelling involves an attitude shift. Everyone's so carefree and relaxed there, because "real life" doesn't exist on tour. It doesn't matter if lunch costs thirty euros, because we're on vacation! It doesn't matter if I've been wearing the same shirt for four days straight because there hasn't been anywhere to do laundry, or if hostel roommates look like something out of a movie on the 1978 punk scene, or if the toilets have no seats / have no toilet paper / are a mile from the cabin / are non-existant. Things that are extremely annoying or even unacceptable at home are just part of the experience while travelling.
And everyone's got such a friendly, open attitude. I've discovered that being a Canadian in Europe is a wonderful thing - a flag on a backpack is an instant way to make friends with random strangers in fourteen different countries.
To be sure, the places themselves were beautiful too. Paris's architecture, the snow-capped peaks of the Austrian mountains, the sandy beaches and clear blue water of Corfu, the waterfalls of Switzerland . . . scenery alone made for some great photo opportunities. Each place had sites to see, things to do, and experiences not worth missing. Whether it was white-water rafting in the Austrian Tyrol, paddleboating on Amsterdam's canals, or looking at priceless works of art in Venice, my camera got only slightly more of a workout than I did. Some days, we saw so much that I don't even remember what all the places were called.
Travelling with Contiki was amazing, too. The tour was just right, we had lots of free time, and there were no hassles in terms of planning accomodations or transportation or scheduling. It was great having 46 other people around too - it meant that everywhere we went, there were people to party with and hang out with. And while I didn't learn much Italian, Greek, Spanish, German, or Dutch, I did pick up quite a bit of Australian slang. I've heard friends rave about the solo travelling thing, and warn against tours, but for me it was just right.
So, what advice do I have for anyone who's contemplating taking a trip, be it to Europe or anywhere? First and foremost, DO IT! Do whatever is necessary to go and do. Beg, borrow, or steal to raise the funds. If that falls through, there are always work abroad options that make travelling possible on a budget. Sleep on the street if you have to, but go, by any means possible! If you'd asked me last year what I'd do if I won the lottery, I might have said something like invest the funds or start a business. Now I've changed my answer: I'd take a trip around the world. Because we only live once, after all.
Aside from that, I do have a few small pieces of advice. Bear in mind these are just my personal opinions, and you can ignore them all you choose:
- Pack light. I took a suitcase instead of a backpack and it's probably a good thing, cause there's only so much a 5'1" person like myself can carry on her back. But a lot of people were happier with backpacks, especially where there were lots of stairs. And, with either option, the hairdryer, sweatpants, polar fleece pullover, and seven tank tops were probably a bit much.
- Don't pack too light. Despite the above advice - and it's good advice - there were things that were absolute necessities. Running shoes, a rain jacket, enough t-shirts and underwear to last a week in hot, sweaty countries without doing laundry, and nicer stuff for going out. I found I didn't have enough dress clothes and I wish I'd thrown in that extra skirt. A pack pillow, flip-flops for showers, and a pair of quick-drying nylon shorts were other essentials, as was a sarong (it came in especially handy as "church dress"). And contrary to traditional wisdom, I'm pro-jeans and jean shorts on a trip like this. They're comfy, sturdy, and who cares that they take a long time to dry? They can go an awfully long time between washes.
- Go Ziploc-crazy. Anything that could possibly, potentially leak, will leak. It's Murphy's Law of packing. So bag it. And bring lots of extra bags - you'll need them, believe me. Unless you like wearing sunscreen-smeared pyjamas.
- Everything's more expensive than you budget for so take lots of spending money. Traveller's cheques were pretty convenient, because American Expresses were in all major cities and the cheques could be changed there commission-free. Some people went the ATM route and that seemed to work out fine too. Credit cards were fine for purchases but expensive for cash advances. Most of Europe's on the Euro now so that makes currency a lot easier between countries. But take twice the amount of money that you think you'll need, because there's always tons of unanticipated expenses.
- Get lost. I mean, don't get so lost that you'll never get found again or anything. But don't be afraid to wander off the beaten path, because that's where you'll likely have the most fun and see the most interesting things.
- Talk to locals. There's no better way to get a sense of a country's culture than by mingling with the locals. If you speak the language, even better - just strike up a conversation at a bar or restaurant or bus. Even if you don't speak the language, a few key phrases will often get one going in English, since many people around the world speak it quite well.
- Pack optimistically. Size-wise, I mean. Pack those jeans that are just slightly too tight but you were hoping to get into after miracle diet #171. Touring is an active, energy-consuming passtime. You'll be eating less, drinking more water, and walking absolutely everywhere. If you take clothes that fit just right now, they'll be falling down by the end of a couple of months on the road.
- If you'd be heartbroken to lose it, leave it. Pack stuff you would be able to throw out without shedding tears. That way if it gets lost, stolen, or comes back shrunken, fuzzy, torn, or orange, then you won't care that much.
- A word about souvenirs. Before leaving, I decided I was going to be really disciplined about souvenir shopping, and buy very little. That worked well for about the first half of the trip, but I kind of went a little nuts in the second half. Bottom line: if it's something that you can get at home for cheaper, it's probably not worth it. If, however, you'd regret it if you didn't buy it, then go for it. After all, when are you ever going to get back there? Just remember that if you invest in anything bulky or heavy, you've got to lug it around the rest of the trip. The souvenir locker on the bus came in very handy!
- Stay away from those McMeals. Why go all the way to Paris to have a Big Mac, when you're surrounded by baguettes and pastries and croissants? Travelling is about having Italian pasta, Greek gyros and souvlaki, and Viennese coffee. If you want North American food, well, save yourself a few thousand bucks and go down the street.
- Timing is everything. An hour and ten minute flight from London to Dublin really takes about ten hours, when you factor in travel to and from the airports, checking in, baggage claim, customs, and the million other delays. Leave time. Lots of it.
- It's not wrong, it's just different! Our tour motto, and printed across the back of our tour t-shirts. Thanks Kristy! And yes, while it may seem "wrong" to have toilets that you can't flush the paper down, or bars that close at 11pm but are open since 10am, or cover charges at restaurants, or to be charged for the plastic bag at the supermarket, well, remember that to them, our way is the "wrong" way. That's half the fun, right? (Of course, that guy walking up and down on Paradise Beach, well, that was just plain WRONG).
- Have a great time! That's really the only advice here that's worth a damn. Just have a blast, and be sure to show me your pictures when you get home.
On our last day in London, I sat in Heathrow Airport waiting for my flight home, and wrote in my journal:
I miss the tour so much already. And it struck me how lonely home is going to feel, not being around everyone. Aside from the obvious financial reasons, it makes me wonder why I'm going home at all. I've definately caught the travel bug and I can't wait for my next trip, wherever it is.
Earlier, while waiting for Elie's flight, she and I were listing all the places we went to and neither of us could believe it. Yes, there were times when things didn't always go right, but they were far outweighed by all the amazing things we saw and did and amazing people we met. This trip was an overwhelming success and I'm so glad I went.
What awaits at home? What other new experiences are in store? If I learned anything this summer, it's that sometimes you have to get lost, change your mind, have plans go awry, or simply do something totally different in order to have a really great time.
So much in Europe was so beautiful. A lot was ugly as well. But that's part of it too. And while a lot of the cities started to blur after a while, each place we visited was unique. This truly was the trip of a lifetime and I'll remember it forever.
Re-reading that now, two weeks later, I think that's an accurate summary of my thoughts about this summer. Now that I'm home and back to reality, I've got to face those real-world issues like job-hunting. But the pictures and journal entries will help me to accomplish my goal of always remembering this summer. I can't wait to go back one day!
“It’s something unpredictable, but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life”
-Green Day, “Good Riddance”
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