So I would like to introduce you to a feature I'll be running for a few weeks about my travels in Europe, a lot of people that know me in real life have been asking me to do a blog about my experiences while I was backpacking, so I thought I might as well, it is really the only interesting thing that I have ever done!
Firstly, I suppose I best explain what I did and why I did it. Starting in August of this year I headed off to Europe by myself, with only a burger print backpack and some vague plans about where I might like to go. Before I decided to go on this trip I was in a bit of a rut, working in a call centre in Sheffield, believe it or not, I actually really enjoyed my job, the people that I worked with were...mostly mental but in the most awesome kind of way, but I lived alone and realised that, after a year I had almost entirely isolated myself from any sort of social life. I spent my time either at work, asleep, eating sushi or buying things I couldn't really afford online to cheer myself up.
One day I woke up and realised that I wasn't happy and there was something I could do about it, I needed adventure. I had been talking about backpacking around Europe since I was 16, getting as far as planning out schedules with friends, but it never panned out, either they didn't have the money, or couldn't get the time off work, or didn't want to leave their boyfriends...any number of reasons. Looking back on it, I was using their reasons not to go as an excuse as to why I couldn't, "well I can't possibly go alone, I'll just have to wait until they can go..." while deep down knowing that I wouldn't.
So, once my mind was made up I started planning and booking, the theory I was working on was the more I booked and paid for, the harder it would be to hand my notice in. I did a lot of research, a lot of pouring over maps, reading page after page of information about cities and countries and currencies and crime rates, making loads of colour coded notes in brand new note books. I handed in my notice at work, gave up my flat and moved all of my stuff up to my parents house in preparation.
On the 18th of August 2014, at 1:30am I boarded a Megabus in Newcastle for the 17.5 hour journey to Paris, France, which was to be my first stop. I was terrified, completely petrified actually. From the rough plans I had set up, and the interrail tickets I had purchased, I knew I would be away from England, and anyone I knew for at least 8 weeks.
Next Time; All about Paris, 6 million skeletons, macaroons & getting used to the travelling life.
Much love!
lakencake
lakencake
xo
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