Farewell Europa

Colourful Copenhagen

There is general overwhelming feeling that overcomes me when I think back on the last four momentous months of my life. It was a journey that challenged me to the core and left my mind expanded, my spirit inspired and naturally my body quite tired and somewhat neglected. And while my journey takes me East, very Far East, I cant help but look over my shoulder westwards in fond memory of a time which has taught me so much about Life.

Inside The Reichstag in Berlin

In my relatively lengthy, highly ambitious adventures in Europe I have been to the Coast of the Mediterranean in Spain, France and Italy, traveled as far East as Hungary and the Czech Republic and as far North as Sweden and Norway. With so many mixed impressions left in my heart and mind there are only superficial insights which I can offer any inexperienced readers; for if there is anything I have learned on my journey it is that our notions of the world are almost never accurate. Only experience can lend truth and even then there is an extraordinary gap between whistle stop post-card collecting tourism and meaningful observant traveling.

Hanging out at the Cannes Film Festival

My post card perceptions of Europe, which I remind you are entirely subjective, are that the north of a country is usually more conservative that the south, the Mediterranean is more traditional place while the North seems more progressive, The most Beautiful cities to visit are Venice, Prague and Stockholm ( and form what I have heard Lisbon), the most historically fascinating are Rome, Vienna and Paris, most fun and raucous are Barcelona, Nice and Budapest. But my favourite cities, and by that I mean cities I would consider living in are Copenhagen, Berlin and Amsterdam. Copenhagen because it is homely and expressive, Berlin because it is modern and progressive and Amsterdam because it combines the characteristics of the previous two in a way that is unique and charming.Of the locals I have to say that stereotypes are largely true on the surface, the Italians are hedonistic, the French idiosyncratic,the Spanish abrasive in their expressiveness, Austrians are quiet, Scandinavians drink alot, the Dutch are tirelessly punctual and the Germans are pragmatic without exception. But luckily human beings are not caricatures and my adventures have been filled with colourful characters who both support and contradict the superficial notions of the world we have.

A slice of Heaven in the South of France

Of other travelers and tourists I have met I have to say that The Americans are easier to tolerate when within their own boarders, British are more tolerable abroad, Australians are generally friendly and curious and South Africans are rare to find. My favorite people and by that I mean like minded, were South Americans who are warm and coming from the developing world have the same level head world view as South Africans that is neither imperialistic or overly skeptical.

Things I did not expect to discover being a girl traveling on my own are that passport control is more likely to be flirtatious with and ask what your name means than check your itenary.And in fact while most people hold great reservation to the issue of safety for solo female travelers, my experience is that locals are usually equally concerned and therefore generous and helpful.

Segrada Familla, Barcelona

My notions of Europe before I arrived, were in retrospect, largely superficial. To me it was the birthplace of Civilisation and indeed the only place in the world where society still made sense. But in the wake of my experiences I find Europe a place filled with contradictions. Sweden is a perfect example, renowned as one of the places on the planet with the best standard of living, 60% of Swedish women will suffer from depression during the course of their lives and i assure you it is not purely because of the weather. Indeed no one stops to think that a Utopian Society would encourage perfectionism in its citizens and provoke a mindset which is intolerant of failure and hence encourages self deprecation.

Muse live, at the Roskilde Festival

My adventures in Scandinavia gave me the opportunity to see some incredible bands at the Roskilde Fest, despite the unprecedented heavy rainfall. I also got to touch base with home by visiting fellow South Africans in Norway and with family I haven't seen in eleven years in London, to celebrate my 21st with in the safety and presence of loved ones. I am only nearing a halfway point in my journey and already I can say that my person will never be the same, touched by impressions beyond my imagining, my outlook is radically transformed and yet my Being ever more the same.

Distinctly London

There world out there is an overwhelming place with diversity beyond all human comprehension. And as my year as a Back packer will take me extensively between the East and West, my next conquest being India, Nepal, Tibet and China, I am aware that there are countless places I have not even touched, but this is both a humbling and an exciting notion.