Eurotrip 2006


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Frequently asked questions

Did you really go to Europe for two weeks with that tiny backpack?
If you are referring to the backpack shown on the first picture of Amsterdam, then the answer is yes, absolutely. Inside the bag, I had four changes of shirts, shorts, sleeping clothes, five boxers and six pairs of socks, plus the clothes I was wearing and that black zipper sweater you always see me with. I would wash my clothes in the sink of my hotel room. I could also fit loads of other things like my Let's Go 2003 Western Europe travel guide, an alarm clock, a battery recharger and Europlug adapters. Inside the bag, I could even fit a small daypack containing my iPod, my digital camera, and of course, Solo!
Did you feel lonely while travelling alone?
Several times, yes, especially when having a coffee or dining out, or seeing something funny or touching or simply interesting and not having someone to tell immediately. This is why I felt the need to constantly e-mail my friends. However, the advantages of travelling alone often balance it out: I could do what I wanted, without having to ask anyone. Heck, if I wanted to take a nap in the middle of the day, I could!
Isn't two weeks too short for so many cities?
Not if you're travelling alone. I maximized my time and I think that few of my friends could have kept up with my pace. See previous question.
How did you travel between cities, once in Europe?
By train, with my Eurail Pass. It was an excellent deal that was much cheaper than buying tickets one by one, and more flexible too!
Why did you stay in hotels instead of youth hostels?
A youth hostel, with its noisy dorms and sometimes uncomfortable mattresses, would have been acceptable for a trip of a few days. But two weeks, at a fast pace? That won't do. I know my sleeping habits. Besides, the ho(s)tels I stayed at were all two stars for under 60.00 EUR a night. I obtained fairly good prices by booking early, except of course for Cologne/Bonn and Berlin/Potsdam, as Laura and Robert were happy to oblige.
How did you meet Laura and Robert?
Laura has been my penpal since 2000. We met through a website known back then as Penpals.com. Although we don't write as often as we did before, we're still good friends. I met Robert in Berlin, in 2003, during a cocktail held by the Canadian Embassy. My whole class was invited. We kept in touch after I left, and became closer friends once we realized we played for the same team!
What was the highlight of your trip?
There are many! I would say the bicycle ride in Amsterdam was one, even if I scraped my thumb badly. Witnessing an impromptu marathon in Bruges was another memorable moment, even if I got lost in the middle of the runners at one point. In Munich, I found out what it was like to be shaken by extreme winds. As surprising as it may sound, it is sometimes the worst moments of a trip that are the most memorable. In the field of more pleasant moments, I can certainly include the street musicians I listened to in Vienna and Munich.
How much did the trip cost you?
It was priceless. And no, it doesn't mean it was "free"!
How quaint. Can you at least say how much getting there cost?
The Air Canada ticket, which was an open jaw (Montréal-Amsterdam, Munich-Montréal) was 809.39 CAD, taxes included. The Eurail Selectpass Youth cost 332.00 CAD, which included an insurance in case it was lost or stolen.
Where are you going next time?
I think I'm going to Asia or Oceania. And with someone!

Any other questions?

Drop me a line!