Goodbye #2

Published on Sept. 11, 2003 in United States

[The following I wrote in the U.S., to sum up my trip]

I finally arrived in Munich and quickly caught a train to Venice.  While in Venice early in the morning I met Christy, and we wandered around all day long.  She showed me her hostel (which was nice but expensive), and showed me the rest of the town.  One thing that I was surprised by was how dirty Venice was.  I thought it was going to be a lover's capital type of place, but although the canals were amazing it just felt, dirty.  Not Amsterdam dirty, but not really clean.  I caught a train with Christy to Milan (where she ended up missing her plane, but regardless...)  However, while in Venice I found out that there were no hostels available all the way from Rome up to Germany.  I needed to be in Zurich at 9:00 the next night, so couldn't stray too far.  I decided to go back to Interloken and sleep by that beautiful lake.  Unfortunately (I guess), I took a wrong turn (on the train) and ended up in some town, heck, I didn't even know the name of the town.  It was late at night and so wandered into the hills, found a big field, and just simply crashed.  One of the best sleeps I ever had!  This field had poof grass, and was just so amazing.  I slept great.  Eventually I woke up the next morning and, although it was raining, wandered down to the train and made my way to Zurich.  I spent the day wandering around, buying a few last things, and eventually got on the plane.  I arrived in London around 10:00pm, and really wanted to see Ana one last time (she was at a hostel downtown).  I found where the hostel was, and (in addition to being kicked out of the airport) made my way downtown.  I went to Compton Place (even though the hostel was on Compton Street) and walked around until 1:00 in the morning.  The hostel was no where to be seen, and sleeping was looking unfortunate.  I examined a few bushes – possibilities.  I then was talking to some lady (she was about 23 or so) who gave me some tips.  Then she said: “if you need a place to stay, here is my number.”  At about 1:30 I gave her a call and she let me into her house.  I curled up on her couch and slept like a champ, again.  The next morning she took me out to breakfast (she was pretty cute too – but even though no commitment existed I had to remain loyal to Ana!) And I went to the airport.  I arrived rather early, and started to check in.  When asked “where did you stay last night” all the troubles started.  I was selected for extra scanning – scanning that would have stopped a pin from getting on the aircraft.  What was extra-humorous though was when the saw a few of the books I had (whereas I will not specify the titles now) – but the girl gave me some interesting, well, good-interesting looks.  Everything was scanned, of course I didn't have anything, and they checked my bag finally.  None of this would have mattered, except that Ana was awaiting her plane as well (I planned her plane trip to leave just an hour before mine).  I RAN to her gate, somehow got through security quickly, and they were already boarding!  She was about to get on, but said “I knew you would come!” We waited until the “last minute boarding call” and had one of the most romantic goodbye's ever.  You know how those go, kisses and hugs and tears and I love you's.  It was nice.  She got on the plane and left for Madrid.  I ran back to my gate and got on my plane to St. Louis, then to Portland.  After a while of traveling I arrived back home, and Casey picked me up at the airport.  I finished another book on the plane, but was home.

So, that was my trip to Europe.  Adventurous? Of course.  Entertaining? You bet.  Life changing? Certainly.  I'll go back again and spend more time over there.  I still am in contact with a few of the people, including Ana and my friends from Sweden.

Tagged As: Travel | Notes on Life | Europe

Comments are currently closed for this entry.