In May 2008 I made the most of a favourable exchange rate (and hopefully beating fuel-related airline price hikes) and went to Europe for a fantastic 5-week holiday. Big thanks to all my hosts for helping me have a terrific time; it is so nice to be met at the airports (even when all the flights are late!), and to have you all put me up, go out of your way and skip work to take me places and to share with me the secrets of your hometowns. It was a real highlight to travel as a guest primarily and a tourist second.
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Themes: There were lots of differences from place to place, eg which side of the road/tracks/escalator you travel on, power points, languages & accents, currency (the Euro was nowhere as ubiquitous as I'd expected!), and how taps work.
There were a few constants though: particularly the languages of Swing Dancing and Football. And there wasn't much summertime, the trip was mostly under grey skies - but that was OK (I heard of a Norweigan saying: 'there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!). And, it was always a challenge to budget my cash to run out just as I left each country; I did pretty well returning home with Kr2.50 Norweigan and 10c Singaporean. Just about everyone I met identified with multiple places/homes, 'I'm Swedish but I live in Edinburgh', or 'I'm from California but I live in Leeds', or 'I'm Vietnamese but I was born in Melbourne and I live in Glasgow'. Badminton was a common theme, and every flight was late... except for the one where my luggage went missing!
For next time: Kew Gardens & the National Library, Kew Bridge Steam Museum, also spend more time in Regent Park and Hyde Park. Perhaps swot up on 101 Dalmations first? Go back to my old stomping ground (maybe Harrow/Wembley Lindy Hop at Preston Road). Also I'd hoped to meet up with Laura in Manchester; and I'd like to get to Cornwall, Iles of Scilly and the Cotswolds, and visit some of my other friends around Europe. Eurostar? Norwegian train? Louisa recommended that I should go to Underground Edinburgh. I missed going to Raffles and I'd like to see a bit more of Singapore. Having said all that, I feel I made the most of just about of every minute of the trip - it was awesome!
