Years Ago When I Was Backpacking Across Western Europe

My Eurotrip: A Tale of Baguettes, Blisters, and (Gasp!) Disappointments

Years ago, I decided to backpack across Western Europe. Everyone said it would be life-changing. Honestly? It was more like foot-changing, as in, lots and lots of blisters.

First stop, Paris! The city of love, right? I mostly remember dodging rogue scooters and paying 7 euros for a tiny cup of coffee.

And the Eiffel Tower? Impressive, sure. But have you ever tried taking a decent photo of it with approximately one million other tourists doing the exact same thing? Good luck with that!

Next up: Rome. Ancient history! Pizza! What could go wrong? Well, apparently, everything involving communicating with Italians who spoke approximately zero English and whose hand gestures were lost on me.

I swear, trying to order a simple gelato felt like performing interpretive dance. And don't even get me started on the crowds at the Colosseum. Seriously, people, personal space!

Then there was Barcelona. Beautiful architecture, amazing beaches… and pickpockets galore. I may or may not have spent an afternoon convinced I’d lost my passport, only to find it nestled safely in my money belt. Paranoia level: expert.

The food, though? I will admit, the tapas were pretty fantastic. Especially with a big glass of sangria. Maybe the pickpocket incident was worth it. (Just kidding... mostly.)

Okay, here's an unpopular opinion: Museums are overrated. I know, I know, blasphemy! But after the tenth Renaissance painting, they all started to blur together.

I much preferred wandering around random markets, trying weird street food, and people-watching. That's where the real adventure was!

The Hostel Life: A Mixed Bag

Hostels were... interesting. Cheap, yes. But also, often loud, cramped, and filled with the lingering scent of questionable socks.

I met some amazing people, though! A quirky Australian artist, a perpetually lost German student, and a retired librarian who was traveling the world on a shoestring budget. They made the questionable sock smell almost bearable.

One thing I learned quickly: Earplugs are your best friend. Trust me on this one.

Transportation was another adventure. Trains were generally reliable, if a little slow. Buses? A gamble. I once ended up on a bus that reeked of cheese and stopped at every tiny village along the way.

Flying was the most efficient, but also the most soul-crushing. Airport security lines are my personal version of hell.

The "Life-Changing" Realization

So, did my backpacking trip change my life? Probably not in the profound way everyone told me it would. I didn't suddenly discover my hidden talent or find inner peace meditating on a mountaintop.

But I did learn a lot about myself. Like, I really hate walking uphill with a heavy backpack. And that I can survive on bread, cheese, and questionable coffee for weeks on end.

More importantly, I learned that sometimes the best experiences are the unexpected ones. The wrong turn that leads to a hidden gem. The conversation with a stranger that makes you see the world in a new light.

Would I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing better shoes. And a personal cheese-smell eliminator. And a professional anti-pickpocket bodyguard. Just kidding! (Mostly.)

The real adventure, I realized, wasn't just about seeing famous landmarks or ticking off destinations on a list. It was about embracing the chaos, laughing at the mishaps, and appreciating the small moments of beauty along the way. Even if those moments involve questionable socks and overpriced coffee.

And honestly, I'll take that over a perfectly curated Instagram feed any day.