And it was awesome. I was going to blog at least a time or two while there, but the internet connection in the hostels were not always the best. But, what I did do was journal each day. Sometimes I got behind by a day or two but each day had at least two pages and a half. It showed me that I could definitely keep up with writing each day if I set the time aside.
Some highlights from the trip (at least the things I feel are not typical like going on top of the Eiffel Tower at night (which was amazing too)) include finally meeting my aunt and one of my cousins that live in Austria. Walking by a guy just as he pulls his pants down to take a picture in Brussels. Meeting a Finnish guy in Madrid who happened to know people that went to UT (I didn't know any of them but still) and then freaking out when he mentioned Half Barrel. Getting off at the wrong stop on the tube in London causing me to practically memorize the map. Going to The Elephant House, the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter, and being seated facing the window looking out at the school that inspired Hogwarts.
In short, there were so many times that I was truly awe inspired and even more times that I was geeking out so much on the inside that I was shocked that I was functioning as a normal human being. And I was able to keep track of it through writing, pictures, and videos.
I am really glad that I did journal each day because it was getting to a point when things were running together. It was a month long trip, which some people may consider a long time, but I considered it not that long especially because I ran into so may people that were doing 4, 5, 6 months or even more. But the feeling I had at the end of the trip was that it was too short and at the same time it felt long. I remember being in Paris and thinking back that it was three weeks when I was in London. Those three weeks felt like such a long time because I had done so much during those three weeks. I visited 5 different cities. I saw something new almost each day. I met so many different people from all over the world. Essentially, when I was thinking back on just three weeks time, I realized I had done more then than I had in probably two or three years in terms of seeing and doing different things.
And I still feel that way, except now it feels more intensified. When I sit and think back that I was in Austria exactly a month ago or that I spent my first day in London 6 weeks ago, it blows my mind that it was so close when it feels so far away. While I was there, I had a hard time believing that I was actually in Europe. I almost had to keep reminding myself that I am not at home or anywhere that is close to home because it seemed so unreal that I was finally doing it. By the time I hit Spain, and especially in Madrid when it hit me that it was my last stop, I did not want to leave. It was not just because I would be going home and not seeing new places. I had become so used to all of the traveling that it felt normal. It felt like what I should always be doing.
I also knew that I would be going back to a routine and I hated that idea. The fact that I spent a month without a set routine and I could do whatever I wanted felt amazing. And yes, seeing that I am at home and without a job or school, I could do anything but it is not the same feeling as being out on your own. I realized that is the feeling that I want to keep. Ideally, I would be constantly traveling, but that is not realistic (at least not financially). I think I can keep that feeling by setting up goals that will force myself to do new things or at least break out of the routine.
Mostly though, I need to get out on my own and break away from being dependent on others, whether it is my parents or a school system.
Also, never spending money so I can save enough money to travel for a few months a year.
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