So I'm going on a trip. A little two-month solo backpacking excursion through Europe in January and February. Bananas!Here's a tentative plan: Reykjavik 1.9-1.11 London 1.11-1.20 Gent and Brussels Day Trip 1.20 Amsterdam 1.20-1.25 Berlin 1.25-1.28 (Dessau Day Trip) Prague 1.28-2.05 Vienna 2.05-2.07 Istanbul 2.07-2.12 Vienna Day Trip Zagreb 2.12-2.16 Venice Day Trip Basel 2.16-2.19 Blah Blah Blah do whatever Frankfurt 2.25 Reykjavik 2.25-2.27
I google mapped "Europe" and made a little route. I feel like that is a dumb way to plan a trip, but here we are.
Liz, why? Why why why? It's partly a John-Mayer-esque quarter life crisis, sure. But I also never did the backpacking thing after college, and I feel like it's now or never. I started to question the whole thing, so I promptly quit my job and booked my tickets.
I'm also a fan of forcibly shoving yourself out of your comfort zone.
By Yourself? I'm doing it by myself because I really can't expect anyone else to want to spend tons of $$$ to go freeze their tuchus off with me. I'd love to have a friend join me, but I didn't want "find travel companion" to turn into another excuse. I also think traveling solo will result in a totally different experience. Like in a good way. (?)
I'm usually pretty good at meeting people, so I do hope to make some friends while over there. Otherwise this trip will be thousands of instagram selfies.
It's WINTER! I'm aware. Not exactly ideal. However, I'm 23 and going to be unemployed for two months. Everything will be cheaper! The eurail pass is 20% off, and I'll roll around in giant empty hostels. Maybe jump around from bunkbed to bunkbed? Also, I think locals will take pity on me and talk to me and tell me interesting things. And buy me drinks.
What're You Going to DO? I want to draw a lot. I'm not planning on bringing a computer or my nice camera. I just want to see cool things, meet different people, and document that. It's a pretty selfish trip, being honest. Write and draw, draw and write. It's my young adult pilgrimage.
What About After? I'm going to stay in Brooklyn (I'm subletting while I'm gone), work on my portfolio, and start my job search. I'd also love to design a book about my trip, but that may be a bit ambitious. Let's just see how it goes first.