Forget the jet lag and the reality I had to face when I came back. I have to say, unequivocally and with oh-so-great conviction, that this trip was the best experience I’ve ever had. There were no real disappointments to speak of, and you will have a hard time getting me to pick my most favourite place I visited.
And it wasn’t just the places per se; it was the fact that I was in Edinburgh during festival season; I dipped my toes in Atlantic waters; I’ve been inside buildings far older than anything in Canada or the USA. It was that I immersed myself in the local culture, and got an appreciation for how people lived an ocean away.
How about the people I’ve met along the way? From the proprietors of the places I’ve stayed, to the travellers from all over the world with whom I’ve shared rooms or generally just chatted, and especially my Contiki tourmates who made London and Paris that much more fun to explore: it goes to show that a smile and a “hiya” can go a long way.
And me personally? I know this trip has changed me, possibly in small ways that even I don’t recognize, or will recognize over time. I do believe that I should must continue to take trips like this. Life is just too short to see the world, and I truly intend to see as much as I can as the opportunities arise.
