In May 2024, I was lucky to go on a 3-week solo backpacking trip across Western Europe. The idea struck me on a random day late in September the previous year. At 23, I realized that such an opportunity might not come again, so why not seize it? Having never travelled alone, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and embrace something new. By October 2023, I had booked all my non-refundable flight tickets. The funny part? I wasn't even sure if I would get the Schengen visa or permission from my advisor and department for a three-week vacation. In hindsight, this risk added an exciting edge to my plans, even though it occasionally caused some stress.
Before booking the flights, I sought the help of friends and family to draft a rough itinerary. My plan was to start in Amsterdam for a few days, spend a week in Italy, head to Paris for a few days, and finally visit Norway for a week, where I had family. With this plan, I booked my flights relatively cheaply in October. By mid-March, I received formal permission from my advisor and department. I secured the Schengen visa from the Italian consulate in Houston. Although the visa process was a hassle, everything eventually fell into place.
Finally, on April 29, I set off for Amsterdam, beginning my backpacking adventure. The next three weeks in Europe turned out to be some of the best weeks of my life. I had an incredible time, made new friends, and learned much about different cultures and myself. The trip significantly boosted my confidence as I navigated travelling alone and connecting with new people outside my comfort zone. Planning the trip and ensuring I didn't encounter significant problems was also a considerable challenge. Still, everything worked out nicely, and I felt a sense of pride for managing it all.
I'll delve into the specifics of each place I visited and the stories associated with them in separate posts, as it's hard to capture all the details in one go. For now, I want to touch on a recurring observation I had throughout Europe. As I travelled, I noticed that the European lifestyle significantly differed from the American way of life. Europeans appeared more relaxed, prioritized enjoying the small things, and seemed less consumed by work. In contrast, it appears that most working middle-class people in the U.S. and India are caught in a relentless rat race. Many people strive to earn more money because education and healthcare are becoming increasingly expensive. In Western Europe, however, most countries offer free healthcare and education, so people don't need to save as aggressively unless they aim to send their kids to elite institutions like Harvard. This doesn't mean there aren't any problems in Europe or that everyone is happy. Still, it did seem that people there have a different approach to life, which was a refreshing perspective for me. These observations served as food for thought, as I grew up in an environment that perpetuated the rat race mentality. Experiencing a different way of life broadened my horizons and made me reflect on my own priorities and values.
As I look back on those three weeks, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow. I am also really thankful to my advisor, who allowed me to go and take a little break for myself .
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