Friday, June 26, 2009

I missed a bus on this trip. Woke up after two hours sleep proud that I would make it. I took the right bus in the wrong direction. Cost me 25euro. Count your losses. I didn't sleep last night. My plane left at 11am (I thought it was ten) and so to save myself from sleeping through it, I packed my things in a pitch black room full of 20 bunkbeds and headed out through the streets of Barcelona a little before 6 am. Apparently there are three airports in Barcelona. I played rock paper scissor and ended up at the right one. Fell asleep on the floor of the airport because I didn't know there were seats a stone's throw away. I can't remember my password, so I haven't been able to check my account balance this entire trip. For certain I have 50euros in my pocket. It's russian roulette every time I use an ATM. I haven't slept on the street this entire trip. In Nice a hostel was full, so two girls snuck me into their room and let me sleep for a few hours before my train left at 5am. I've eaten the best food of my life on this trip. I've eaten some of the worst as well. I've taken to eating cucumbers and tomatoes the way most people eat apples, and I make a mean baguette with meat and cheese. I haven't booked hostels more than a day in advance. Mostly I show up and sometimes they have room. When they don't I wander. Sometimes I come back. It doesn't take a smart person to travel. I've lost a few things and missed brushing my teeth a few days, but I'm surviving just fine. In fact, I'm alive here. I'm on a tight budget so I only pay for museums that I can't live without. I almost went back to Picasso and paid again. There is enough to do if you're curious. It isn't necessary to see all the sights and pack your days with lists and things to check off. It's holiday and some days it's okay to go to the beach instead. My camera ran out of batteries three times. I'm not buying anymore, so there won't be more pictures. But I won't forget this trip. I won't forget the prostitutes on La Rambla and I won't forget the cathedrals in Salzberg. Travelling isn't for the few. It isn't something that lucky people get to do. It's just a choice, or for some, it's more of a pull and less of a choice. But it isn't impossible. If you want to go somewhere, go. If it sounds impossible it's because you're not hearing me right. Every job gives time off. If you have enough money for food, you have enough to save up for travelling. I'm getting closer to the end of this and I wish so many of you could have been in so many of these places. There is still time. If you're reading this, you know me. You know I'm not always put together and I don't usually think ahead. If I can do it, you can do it.

2 comments: