london calling

            The solo travels have begun. It is a strange feeling traveling alone in Europe (well me and a huge backpack). The first week I was with family friends in Biarritz (probably one of the nicest places I’ve been to up to date), so that didn’t really feel like “backpacking”. On September 5^th I set off for London. 

            London wasn’t quite what I had expected. It was a bit “newer” than I had thought, but nonetheless.. I lovedddd it. Such a great place, so busy, so many things to do and see, and quite beautiful (and the people have great fashion sense.. the shopping killed my bank account-- obviously).

            Though, the real interesting part of being in London for me was that fact that I was there by myself, with absolutely no agenda. It is a liberating feeling to be able to do what you want, when you want in a different country. Never worrying about anyone else or what they want to do or see. I loved being able to walk down the Southbank by myself, grab a coffee on a street side café and saunter back to my hostel when I chose to.

The intimidating part, at first, was meeting people. I am by no means a shy person, but you really have to put yourself out there when staying at a hostel by yourself. Despite making me nervous, I met some pretty interesting and amazing people. The first night I was there I just went to a bunch of people drinking in the common room and asked if I could join them and we ended up drinking the night away and dancing in the bar attached to our hostel. The next night a lovely 19-year old Aussie girl asked if I’d eaten, I said no, and we ventured into Borough Market area and found this fabulous seafood and sushi restaurant. It’s fascinating getting to know a person you have just met when traveling. We didn’t exchange last names, or emails, we just had a great night of dinner then drinking at the bar, meeting some Brits, then parted ways. Sometimes you don’t need more than that though, it’s a mere encounter that you will always remember.

The main thing I learned, after feeling nervous that I wouldn’t meet anyone while in a hostel alone my first few days in is that: If you put yourself out there, and are open to meeting new people, you realize that everyone traveling is just in the same boat at you are.  It’s good to push your boundaries and comfort levels every once in a while, because the more you do, you will end up meeting some of the most fascinating people, with such great stories to share, while also learning a lot about yourself. 

full circle

This past year has been both the most influential and best year of my life. August 24th last year I was on a plane moving to France for a semester abroad. On Tuesday I was on a train leaving my home for the past two months in Switzerland to begin my travels, starting in France.


In this past year I can say I have learnt more than I could have ever imagined about who I am as a person and what I want out in life. I think that is the beauty of traveling, it let’s you find your true self while losing yourself in different cultures and ideas. Things you thought before you began traveling might end up not being as true as you once thought; and things you never thought you could do, you can. You always surprise yourself when pushed outside of your normal comfort zone.

I have realized that one of the toughest things to do while traveling, or living abroad, is saying goodbye to the people you meet along the way. Whether they’re in your life merely a few days, or months, it never gets easier. Though what I have also come to realize is that time goes by so quickly. Whether you see these people again, or not, they have had a major role in your life and helped shape the person you are, even if the tiniest ways.

I am so grateful for the people that I have met over the past year. I am also so lucky to have an amazing group of friends back home in Canada, all of whom have been nothing but supportive of me, yet I have also been more than lucky to meet some of the most interesting, inspiring, and like-minded people while exploring Europe.

Even though saying goodbye is never easy, I never thought that a mere 4 months after moving home to Canada after living in France that I would be back in Europe living in Switzerland for 2 months, then traveling around visiting friends for 5 weeks. I guess we always come full circle eventually. So goodbye is never really goodbye, it is simply “see you”.

All being said, I am sure that in the next 5 weeks I will continue to meet people that will somehow play a role in my life; and nothing excites me more.