Le Fin

56 cities in 16 countries, over 70 beds and couches, more than 350 shared meals with many different people but most importantly, countless unforgettable images and experiences that will accompany me for the rest of my life.

Some thought I was crazy, some feared for me. I was given a whistle, a bike lock and a secure pouch to put inside my shirt. I didn't use any of these. 

Europe is not dark alleys and vendors trying to rip you off, it's not overpriced food and stressful waits at airports and train stations. Europe is what you look for and what you make of it. I stepped foot on this continent with a positive outlook and have been blessed with nothing but positive experiences. Bad luck follows those with paranoia and fear. If you think too much you miss what is happening in front of you, if you worry too much you forget to live, if you don't step out of your comfort zone you will never discover this wonderful world we stand on.

Best Things in Life Don't Have a Price

I managed to survive today spending only 7.5 euros on accommodation and 1.5 on fresh fruit. 

How?

Here's how: hitchhiking, meeting locals and exploring nature that has been untouched by the greedy human brain where everything must have a profit. I travel up and down the coast of Morocco, either by foot with my thumb out or in someone's car hearing their life story. Either way works for me. Through these life stories you not only make friends and contacts that will last you a lifetime but you manage to discover the secret paradise that hides behind the forests and mountains. "Paradise Valley" we visited today. Holes of freezing clear water, five meter jumps, burning hot sun, women making oils and medicine from their botanical gardens on the side of a rural road, dust and sand, stones and trees. It really was paradise.

Now I walk to a locals house for some homemade Tagin. I love Morocco. 

Sahara Desert

When in Morocco you learn many things...

Sand dunes are very physically demanding to climb but there is no view of the stars as beautiful as on top of one. Camels not only smell bad but are quite uncomfortable yet it was one of the most anticipated parts of my trek. Moroccan tea is deliciously sweet and no one should ever see how much sugar is added to it. No matter how hard you haggle, the Moroccan sales man always wins. Air conditioning and deodorant should never be taken for granted. Water, water and more water.

After an unforgettable three day trek to the Sahara desert of little sleep and lots of drumming, I am happy to settle down at a beach on the coast of Morocco for the last few days of my trip.

Welcome to Marrakech

A city where everything has a colour and a smell.

People here grab you by the wrist and pull you towards their shops, promising you the best price in the market. I get shouts in Spanish and Italian. There's noise and movement, lights and colour. The smell of each stand promises great tasting food. Sweet mint tea and a leather something at every corner. Women covered from head to toe, tourists oblivious to dress code. Dark skinned men in white lab coats offering free drinks with the meal and kids trying to sell tissues and cigarets. It's 1am and the city is alive with trades and bargains, food, dance and music.

Wwoofing

"Willing Workers on Organic Farms". It's a great organization where you create a profile and are given access to many organic farm hosts. In exchange for room and board, you work at the farm. Not only is it wallet friendly but you get the amazing opportunity to meet real locals who love their country and do everything they can so that you love it too. I've met fascinating people and have been introduced to the beautiful culture of Irish families. This family has spoiled me to no end with great food and stories, and unforgettable company. I recommend Wwoofing 100% and can assure you this won't be my last time doing it.

Patricia

If you are reading this I must thank you.

I thank you for having faith in me and not deserting my blog like I did. For some reason you still follow it and this means a lot to me.

I feel inspired to write about the amazing day I had with a wonderful lady who reminds me of myself, the future Mila or so I hope. Her name is Patricia and she is 76 years old but in her kind age is as relevant as the dust under your bed; it can be ignored without causing damage. This lady climbed every peak of Giant's Causeway, walked all the way to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and took a shot of Bushmills Irish Whiskey with me. This woman has brought up a role model family with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all love and idolize her. This woman has travelled all around the world making her rich in culture and a great storyteller. This woman lives and loves, and has truly convinced me this is the secret to defeat everything negative that comes with aging.

Sachsenhausen

We set foot on the grounds where thousands of people were starved, tortured and killed for nine years. We stayed for over 5 hours reading, thinking and feeling the place; dead silent yet so crowded with thoughts and emotions. Ironically, the sun beat down on us and the birds chirped enthusiastically as we walked over the same stones victims walked 70 years ago; same stones yet completely different steps.

I have little words to describe what I experienced today; all I can say is I am unbelievably lucky to stand where I do.

Orange Peeling

People all over the world peel oranges and eat them. Today was a fantastic day where I got to be one of those people. But my experience was a little different, or maybe the difference is that I stopped and looked around for a minute. I was sitting in the middle of Old Town Square in Prague, I had a live jazz band playing in front of me and the sun selflessly feeding my skin. I had a smile on my face and no one could have taken the happiness I felt during that moment.

Why was this moment so important? Well today is the three month birthday of my trip as well as the beginning of the last month. I have seen, felt and changed immensely. What I am having trouble with lately is focusing on today, the moment I am living, the present. This moment in Old Town Square made me realize how important living in the present is without worrying about how little time I have left, or how much I miss home.

I peel some oranges for today because tomorrow is a different day.

Total Isolation

It seems as though Canada was a different universe altogether. The things we learn, the lifestyle we live, the history we have... It's all relevant to us. This enriches our culture and helps us be aware of the mess that happens in our own backyard but leads us to total ignorance towards the mess in our neighbour's.

Yes we are all aware that there's a war in Iran or Iraq or whatever those far away countries are called but no people we know are directly affected and so it's just news; we read a little, hear a little and go no further. It's different when you see the buildings that were bombed during these "far away" wars, when you talk to the girl who had to hide in her basement due to danger of roaming the streets, you see the face of locals twist when the name of their enemy is said, this enemy whom they loved so much a separation was more hurtful than the worst of breakups. They say the separation of Yugoslavia was messy and emotionally tearing. Why? Well imagine your dad dying, leading to your family falling apart. Your new enemy, the soldier standing on the other side of the battle field, was once your cousin or brother-in-law. People did not know on which side to fight, what they stood for.

It's hard to listen and impossible to understand what these people went through and what they have to deal with daily. Meanwhile we sit in front of "the box" playing war games and laughing at movies with violence in total ignorance.

Touristic Propaganda

When you expect too much, life has very little to surprise you with. I stepped in the country of Montenegro without a clue of what it had to offer me and found paradise. The little country has a long dynamic history, people with emotions and strong opinions about their neighbours, beautiful beaches and islands, delicious food and beer, and great fortresses and mountains to hike. I sound like a travel guidebook but I think it is important for people to know that you don't need to be popular to be beautiful; a country without much touristic propaganda can and usually is more beautiful and real than those with it. Montenegro your history, buildings, music and people have pleasantly surprised me and I hope to give you all the touristic propaganda I can as thanks for these wonderful days for which you have hosted me.

Homeland War

Today we visited Fortress Imperial, an uphill hike from the city center of Dubrovnik. This fortress was one of the many buildings that witnessed the Homeland War during Croatia's independence from Yugoslavia, 20 years ago. From here we got the best possible view of Dubrovnik's walled city, where King's Landing was filmed in the popular tv series Game of Thrones.

Before the hike up, locals warned us to stay on the path. They are aware that land mines are still present in the forest. On the way to the trail, we witnessed many buildings with holes on the walls and doors. This made us realize how real and recent this war was.

In the fortress there was a museum that explained the war in detail, accompanied by pictures; pictures of bombs and fires, pictures of soldiers and civilians, pictures of destruction and desperation. The most interesting part of the day was walking inside the old city walls again, this time being able to compare the pictures we saw with the renovated buildings standing in front of us. If you keep your eyes open you notice the craters left behind by rockets used in 1992 on old stone walls throughout the city. It's my first time visiting a city that has gone through a recent war; I was left open mouthed.