Well... I never really got around to writing these final posts and am starting work next Monday so in all likelihood will never be able to write adventures in those great places. But looking back on this trip, besides going to all these places to see the sites, eat the food, taking pictures, more importantly, I have gained a deeper appreciation for life, both good and bad. Freedom of true independence. Being extremely lost, hungry, and tired. Hospitality of strangers. Sheer chaos of an epic party.
It's this appreciation for all of that that I will carry on for the rest of my life, that makes travel so wonderful, when you can really explore. Doing things like forcing myself to meet people I have nothing in common with and gain a mutual understanding over some drinks or a meal. Simply put, overcoming the fear of going into the unknown and having nothing turn out the way you expected it to. But that's a full life of constant adventure and discovery, not perfect or without risk, but full of experiences high and low.
With each trip, you can begin to know more about yourself and learn where your values lie. Because when you're out of your element, removed from a familiar place and people you know, you begin to really think about life and who you are.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
So plan some, but just keep living, and know that Life Plan A never works out quite exactly as planned.
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Addendum:
1) A guy I met on this trip is keeping a blog himself, and this fellow nutso is traveling a whole 80 days. I like the points he makes about traveling alone, which I recommend everyone do because it's a whole new travel experience. Some of his words about pros of traveling alone: "Without a doubt, traveling solo is the best way to go. It’s total freedom. Go where you want to go. Do what you want to do.
Feeling lonely? Meeting people is easier when you’re stag. Fellow backpackers going it alone are more approachable. Intrigued by the lone traveler, groups want to take you in like a stray puppy."
2) Also, there is a book I downloaded for free from the Amazon Kindle store and recommend to read if you've been through Europe before. A young traveler back in 1923 visited Europe on a shoestring budget and has some great stories to tell about his passage through Europe. I certainly had a kick reading it.
http://www.amazon.com/How-See-Europe-Cents-ebook/dp/B004T2LKMC
---FB posts I made while in Europe, capturing brief snippets of my journey that my posts may not have---
WARNING: when going to pubs and clubs in Berlin one may 1) finally run into Rice alumni & 2) enjoy dangerous levels of fun with ridiculous characters from around the world.
July 3 at 6:02pm
New level of confusion yesterday when my high-speed train was all of a sudden rocking back and forth on a ferry in the Baltic Sea.
July 1 at 8:31am
heavy thunderstorm while at the beach, skinny dipping in the ocean, and... probably the best 15-minute excursion with 6 strangers i will ever partially remember.
June 28 at 4:14pm
Discovered the perfect cure to a Belgian beer hangover with some very cool ladies from New Brunswick. Now onto eating brownies on beaches outside Amsterdam.
June 28 at 12:29pm via Facebook Mobile
Hopefully will be In Bruges tonight! Don't want to try my traveling luck.
June 27 at 1:59am
Free FUNK concert at La Defense! RER line A. George Clinton FTW.
June 26 at 10:26am
After eating the best tapas in Spain, it is onto Paris! Talia can attest to this. #foodmakesmehappy
June 23 at 2:51pm
Even 45C (113F) weather won't stop me from drinking my mid-day cervezas!
June 22 at 8:02am
Finished a 3.5 hour free walking tour. Saw giant group of pre-teen girls crowding a black SUV in front of a nice hotel, big bodyguards, and then celeb popped out. He was rushed into hotel. Clueless to who it was, I asked one of the few girls who wasn't crying. It was a Jonas Brother...
June 20 at 7:33am
Got out of the train station. Pulled into a massive swarm of people protesting for the next two hours. Found my hostel. Welcome to Madrid!
June 19 at 7:50am
Jam session with strangers from Morocco, France, Britain, Canada/Mexico, Cameroon, a drunk dog, and Mary. Another fantastic night on Barcelona beaches, life is truly amazing.
June 17 at 6:38pm
I don't even know how to describe my first 24 hours in Barcelona. Bizarre, awesome, and ridiculous?
June 14 at 11:53pm
España para los próximos 10 días! Emocionado! Barcelona. Madrid. Toledo. Sevilla. Grenada. Y más?
June 14 at 2:35am
Roughing it in Rome. Seriously, sleeping on the ground in a house under reconstruction.
June 4 at 9:47am
So many policemen are out in Athens, it reminds me of Half-Life 2.
June 2 at 9:54am
Crunk in Croatia (Zagreb) and wasted in Vienna. I hope I don't rolf in Rome.
May 28 at 4:05pm
First 8 hours in Budapest yesterday = Took a shot of my host's homemade palinka upon arrival, went to a famous bathhouse and met a bunch of Canadians, got really lost, and saw some of the most breathtaking views of my life (Budapest at night from Gellert).
May 26 at 7:47am
My Austrian hosts are too awesome. Climbed a mountain last weekend and wakeboarding this weekend! #holyshitsoexcited
May 24 at 10:58pm
Loves that they list the weight of your meal in the Czech Republic. 1 kg, please!
May 24 at 9:30am
Off to Salzburg, Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Zagreb! Hopefully, Capital One let's me withdraw my money soon or else I will be broke and homeless in Eastern Europe.
May 21 at 3:44pm
