On an overnight train to Prague... Lessons learned from a trip through Europe

By Ilene Davis

Hi Friends

Well seeming as February is all weird with that 28-day thing, my deadline crept up on me rather quickly. So instead of a political tirade in which I was to express my thoughts on the recent minimum wage increase (or lack thereof) and the fleeing of young people from this bustling metropolis of Cape upon graduation, you get this instead. You'll just have to hold your breath until next month for the soapbox spiel.

Europe! I have been lucky enough to hop over the seas a few times, much to the dismay of my bank account, but life is short, eh? Anyway, my most recent jaunt was the summer of '05. I enrolled in a study abroad program in Maastricht, a town in the southernmost part of the Netherlands. It was only a four-week program, but I planned on scouring the grand continent for a month or so post-class. Well, for a month or until I ran out of money.

Prior to my departure, several of my friends as well as family members expressed a slight degree of concern because I was traveling alone and, of course, had no plan. Jeez, they act like I am scatterbrained or something. Really though, how can you possibly have a plan and enjoy yourself? The only way to completely experience such a stellar trip is to hop on a train and hop off when you feel inclined. Sure, at times it proved a bit unsettling when strolling around the Czech Republic and wondering why creepy Gypsy woman is yelling at you. Oh but really, that is just all part of the ride.

I shipped out early May and flew into Amsterdam. And no, I won't be telling you any of those stories in print form in case I run for office someday. Initially, I must admit I was a tad nervous, though the sheer thrill of being in a foreign country by myself quickly took over. Of course wouldn't you know the trains were on strike the day I landed? I couldn't get to the University and was stranded in Amsterdam for the night ... gosh, how rough.

Fast-forward a few weeks. During my stay at the University in Maastricht I was thrown into a big spicy stew of culture including the Dutch, Canadians, Mexicans, Norwegians, Australians, etc. It was fascinating to develop relationships with people my age from all over the world. I still keep in touch with some of my Mexican buddies as well as the snowboarder dudes from Canada.

One of the coolest parts of traveling is sitting down for a chat with the locals. I met an older gentleman at a pub in Maastricht who was a well-known local painter. He sketched a picture on a napkin for me. Myself and a few other kids from the U.S. talked to this man for hours absorbing all kinds of stories about the Netherlands, the culture, European viewpoints on the U.S. President and the people living in the States.

Forgive me for reneging on a previous statement of "having no plan" but I did have one country I was going to come hell or high water: Italy. The postcard, romanticized, beautiful summary of the country I had concocted in my head proved to be true. Even the people were as gorgeous as I expected. And the gelato ... well lets just say thank goodness I walked everywhere for two months.

While I was in Berlin I met up with a friend I'd met a few years ago. He drives a Mini Cooper, a car I drool over, by the way. Lars picked me up from the train station and proceeded to drive to his house ... like a loon. Apparently it is the norm to drive 90 with no hide nor hair of any form of traffic sign. I think I held my breath the entire drive and I don't think I ever appreciated Mr. Bean enough until that moment.

July 29, 2005 2:27 a.m., in transit to Praha

"Currently I am hiding on a sleeper car on this overnight train to Prague. I'm sharing a car with four dudes from Canada who are also "stealing" a trip ... if you will. Five of us in here with big backpacks and three snowboards proves to be a very tight fit. What fun to meet so many people from all over the globe. It is so amazing I'm not sure how to write it properly."

Yes, I made it to Prague without getting thrown off the train. Point of the above journal quote: it is truly fascinating to be exposed, at 21 years of age, to such a vast array of life. To me, it is experiences like these, regardless of what continent you happen to be on, that will be the most influential and pertinent encountered during our lives. There is an endless quantity of knowledge to be learned from various cultures and people. Hm, was that too Lifetime movie-ish?

Of course nothing is entirely flawless. Yes, the gypsies will try to rob you, pickpockets nearly knock you over in crowded train stations and paying to use the restroom isn't always the most enjoyable affair, but one cannot focus on the negatives. It is too exhausting.

Anyway, my experience was undeniably one of the greatest of my life thus far. Of course I look forward to many more such experiences be it here or there, wherever here or there may be. There is always that itch in me to travel, to learn, to be painfully cliché to you and say "live life to the fullest." But, really, is there any other way?

Thanks for reading.