This week’s food for thought . . . flocking to Europe.
It seems to be an ingrained common rite of passage for the youth of Australia to flock to Europe at any given chance. I’ve just noticed recently that everyone I hold a conversation with, that comes under the youth age bracket, is gearing for an adventure half way across the world; albeit for a little as 3 weeks for some! I myself run the risk of sounding hypocritical as I too felt the sudden urgency to pack my life up into one small suitcase and swap continents for 6 months. But where did this fascination spur?To begin with, I’d argue the media is guilty of perpetuating the idea of Europe as this sort of mythical place – ‘Euro-topia’ - an escapism that permits us to leave the woes of everyday life realities behind. This, along with being constantly bombarded with cheap airline offers that are too good to refuse. Chasing some motherly wisdom on the subject matter, I quizzed Pauls her on why her generation didn’t flock in droves. Her response was issued with a blank stare, and a response along the lines of “because we were focused on securing a job and gathering enough money for a deposit on a house.”
This idea of security seems to have been lost in translation over the years, as this doesn’t seem to be resonated in the attitudes of generation X. Instead of embarking on our chosen career path after slogging it out at uni for three years plus, we’re too busy working 3 jobs and scanning the pages of Contiki brochures and the likes and convincing ourselves it is perfectly reasonable to be earning a measly 5 pounds an hour working in an English pub; at the end of the day you’re in Europe. Students who defy the norm really have no excuse for not finding jobs as its most likely that half of their graduating class has scraped together what few dollars they have and are busy drinking sangria in Spain or destroying brain cells in Amsterdam. But while yes it may destroy you financially, it’s hands down the best experience I’ve ever had. So here are my tips for a European hiatus:
- · Get your hands on some Valium or sleeping pills, 20 hours in an aeroplane can be soul destroying –even for the seasoned traveller. I’d also suggest a neck pillow.
- · Get a handle on your jet lag straight away, as it can put you out of sorts for a while.
- · Ensure you have the correct travel insurance - this is a must.
- · Splurge out and buy yourself a proper backpack. European architecture seems to have a fascination with stairs and nothing is worse than lugging a suitcase up 8 flights of stairs. Wheels don’t come in too handy.
- · Read hostel reviews very closely and be prepared be sharing a room with 12 other strangers.
- · Furthermore, be prepared to be woken up at all hours of the night as your fellow roommates stumble in (as those poor girls in Ireland learnt after I woke them up asking for a plastic bag after my mate projectile vomited on the back of a fellow patron, and all down the front of his clothes).
- · Pack some earplugs, as you’re most likely to come across a snorer. Thongs for the shower wouldn’t go astray either.
- · If you’re travelling to a country where English isn’t their first language, learn the basics. I learnt the hard way in France trying to order a bottle of water. A lot of blank looks were exchanged after I attempted to explain it to her in what started to look like a game of charades. Its ‘l'eau’ in case you’re wondering… and no I ended up with a bottle of sprite instead.
- · Ensure you have the correct train tickets and do not end up on a high-speed train when you haven’t paid for it. As you may run the risk of being taken to a Dutch police station.
- · And lastly, but most importantly, smoke and drink and much as your dwindling bank balance will allow.
Anyway that’s my two cents worth for this week. To any of the lucky ones migrating to Perth International Airport in the coming weeks, have a smashing time and say hello to my good friend Europe for me. I look forward to hearing your stories.
Bye for now,
Cuttsy
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