Two years ago I embarked on a solo journey to Europe. A friend of mine couldn’t make it so I ventured alone.
I flew out on Christmas Day from Detroit, Michigan. From there I flew to Chicago where I had a small layover. I sat down at a nice restaurant and had some dinner( and some drinks). My goal was to have enough to drink so I could sleep on my long 7 hours flight.
As I’m eating I hear my name over the airport intercom. Instantly I freak out, leaving my food and drinks. As I got to the gate it was just them checking to see if my friend was flying with me.
As I boarded the plane I took a picture of the empty seat next to me and sent it to my friend who couldn’t come. This happened on many occasions throughout the trip.
We take off at 9pm. I want to sleep so bad but I can’t. So I turn on the goonies. Good way to kill and hour and a half! Still can’t sleep even after being up for 20 hours. I eventually entertained myself until we laid. Welcome to Ireland!
Adrenaline took over as I landed. I was almost there. I was beyond excited. I found a Starbucks and a chair....5 hour layover and was still unable to sleep after being up for 32 hours.
I board my last flight, this time to Berlin, Germany! My hearts racing but I’m still awfully tired. The flight was short and upon my arrival the first thing I see is a “Welcome to Berlin” sign. My tiredness instantly went away. I was running on full blown adrenaline I never felt in my life before. I made it, I made it to Berlin. All my dreams were coming true. It was almost unbelievable.
I found my way to the hostel I was staying in and took a quick shower. I should have slept the night away but I was ready to see Berlin. It started in the basement of my hostel. There was a small micro brewery there...and the unofficial David Hasslehoff museum. I didn’t believe it but it was there!
After that I found another micro brewery. As I was sitting a lone at the bar I was approached by a women. She asked where I was from and if I was alone. We mingled a little bit and she invited me to her table. This doesn’t happen in America. I joined her and found out it was a group of volunteers who just got back from a mission. Six people from all over the world. Denmark, Canada, Britain and Poland. It felt good to be invited to their table. People who care about other people!
It was a great night with my new friends. I had to cut out early as I had to board a train to Prague, Czech Republic early in the morning. I managed to return to my hostel after being up for 40 hours. I crashed hard aa Prague was my destination for the next day.....to be continued!
