I packed up all that I can carry and gave away everything else I could not. I hugged only a few of my dear friends and got on the next plane to Canada to enjoy my Christmas holidays with those who give me the most comfort and safety in such time, my family. It is very difficult to care about anything else when 2 adorable toddlers (my nephews) are discovering their own world for the first time. Therefore, the best remedy for 18 months of misery, is family :)
Once the holiday passed, I was excited about my next career opportunities. Work did not slow down in December and January for me. Instead, I continued applying for research grants and planning my next adventures. While a few promising opportunities lingered.....I took a deep breath and decided to finally visit Western Europe .....since as an Eastern Euro citizen....I have yet to experience the epicenter of my global career.
I have spent most of my late teens and twenties living between home and home and home. Brisbane, though temporary, could be considered home #4. Growing up between countries really just means that family members are sprinkled far and wide. While I consider Canada my due north, Hungary and Romania always remained a destination for reuniting with family. If I wasn't traveling to see family in Canada, I was traveling home, to see family in Europe. I managed to turn 30, and never experience Western Europe in this time.
However, 2015 was panning out to be different. From the infinite roadblock of 2014, I have made a pact with myself, that nothing, and I mean, nothing was going to stop me from visiting THE places which could advance my career and also fill the culture void I landed over time.
The plan: 17 cities in 77 days and on a budget of $4000 (roughly).
I imagined that traveling off season, staying with friends, and limiting my food intake to only local/traditional meals would help me accomplish this adventure without any issues.
Looking back, the only, and I mean only mistake I made was to have 3 sets of travel clothes with me: 1) for Uganda, 2) for business opportunities and 3) for recreational travel. What really ended up happening is wearing the same (1) yoga gear for nearly 77 days of my journey. Why, because I could :)
For business meetings, I was able to pick up a few things along my journey....and well, I did not end up scoring an immediate position.....so it was a waste. But, carrying such large cargo helped me discover Europe's cities which are tourist friendly and those which are not. I will elaborate on this once we get to transportation and luggages.
So, in summary, here are the places I visited and I will spend my next few posts describing each city and the activities I enjoyed (dates are a blur now but will add them in later):
1. Uganda - Jan 20-Feb 4
2. Amsterdam - Feb 4-5
3. Dortmund - Feb 5-7
4. Antwerp
5. Ghent
6. Brussels
7. Luxembourg
8. Paris
9. Geneva
10. Interlaken
11. Barn and Zurich
12. Munich
13. Prague
14. Budapest
15. Szeged
16. Oradea
17. back to Brussels and Amsterdam with a friend
Since completing this trip I managed to successfully qualify for a position in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut....which really is a continuation of my travels....but I will leave this bit of my travels for a later post. For now, I want to take you on a Western and Eastern Euro journey, as I absorb new cultures and taste foods which I have yet to enjoy.
I hope to capture my journey in a way which makes you feel as if you were next to me....however, if that is the kind of stories you are looking for then I suggest you travel directly with me next time. My mind works faster than my fingertips and may not do justice to all my sensory experience ....but let's give it a try.
- R :-)
