Weekly Media – Travels through Europe:

Richard

I pen this article from a small room in Ljubljana, Sloevnia. There is a rather romantic tinge to the name, conjuring Eastern bloc linearism combined with new Western influx. In fact its just rather gorgeous here with huge rolling hills leaning far back into the distance and remarkably picturesque buildings sitting prettily on the banks of the river that flows through the centre. This is the third country so far, the seventh city. It has been eleven days of flowing from one place to the next in a stream of continuity. Night and day have lost much of their meaning now, I just eat when im hungry and sleep when i’m tired. We leave for Venice this evening, aiming to arrive the next morning. Now that sounds romantic.

I’ve experienced most of Germany, Austria and Switzerland through a train window, disembarking where possible and exploring round. So far, I’ve stayed in Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg and Ljubljana. I’ve seen the Alps in all stages of light, the Danube, the Rhine, all the rivers oh yes. Next up is the coast, navigating down the Italian shoreline on a hopefully winding route, finding our way down to the beauty of the Amalfi Coast and Capri, then perhaps across to Brindisi and Greece. Two weeks left of adventuring, money fast dwindling. However its a very content state of mind to be in.

I’ve encountered many other travellers on similar sorts of pilgrimages, making the European rounds. Emails have been traded, stories swopped, drinks exchanged. Each memory of a city or place has been coloured by the people i have met there, Munich by Dan the Canadian who was a football jock typified but great fun with it, Tony the musician in Vienna who performed inpromtu for the entire hostel and Robbie in Salzburg. Without him, we would have never made it to Slovenia, his descriptions resulted in us changing all plans on the spot, forsaking Swiss maidens for Slovene godesses. The joys of Interrail.

It has also been a cultural mesh, a bubbling hotpot of crossover. The epitome of this was one evening in Vienna. It began in a pub, travelled across the city to the Rathaus where an open air classical concert was being put on in the shadow of the immense Hofburg Palace and then culminated in a sleazy scuzzy underground indie club full of writhing girls, where we stayed until 4am. That my friends is an evening. South German beer halls, Austrian schnitzel bars where food is served by the wheelbarrow and Slovene parks where every girl is enough to turn the head and drop the jaw. Seriously, they are that gorgeous. It must be something in the water.

Well i hope i’ve inspired some envy on your part, or maybe you are having a far better holiday than i am. Either way, this is one of the best experiences of my life, no boundaries, no rules, i do not have to be anywhere for anyone and plans can change at the drop of a hat. The main change is the pace in life. No one goes out until at least 9pm, if not later. Most clubs open at 12, perhaps 1. Its much more staggered, there is no rushed drinking and everyone is much nicer for it. Well must dash, Italy awaits.