Western Europe

Venezia, as was a picture-perfect. I was oscillating between the excitement of being in a tourist resort and the tension of travelling alone. Many people enjoyed riding gondolas, they were common tourists. It turned out, I didn’t ride it, because I couldn’t afford the ticket. This was exactly like a student backpacker.

BTW, I planned to travel around Europe by train. At that time, there was no mobile phone so I had to get useful information after arriving there, especially about Hotel. *1/9/99

It was still only the second day but I couldn’t find available rooms in Bologna. First, I got a list of accommodations at the Tourist Information Center (TIC). I visited them based on their price, but I finished all the hotels under two-stars. I couldn’t take this anymore! Finally, I got a classy 3-star hotel, the hotel rate was twice higher than my plan. I was on the verge of crying because of how comfortable that bedroom was!

BTW, TIC was crucial in the days without mobile tools. *2/9/99

Next, I went to Firenze. Historically speaking, various craftsmen came from all over Italy. So artisan crafts are famous such as jewellery made of gold, pottery and leather products. Actually, there might be a deep heritage to this city. But I was a student and had a poor sense of these things, I just looked around at visible the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. Still, I felt that the present day was in history. I stayed in a youth hostel with a cloister.

BTW, I didn’t enter the Uffizi due to a long queue. *3/9/99

All roads lead to Rome. At last, I was in Roma. I left my bag at Termini Station, and then I soon went around famous sites. Excitedly, I walked all in a trance, but I wasn’t tired. Naturally, I became a naive tourist. I was sure everyone thought so, it was as if I was inside a film. I really wanted to eat gelato on the Spanish Steps like Audrey Hepburn. The next day I also enjoyed the Vatican and took my first overnight train abroad solo to Genoa.

BTW, had I known the history, would enjoy Rome more. *4-5/9/99

Arriving in Tolino early in the morning, I transferred trains to Genova. I thought I got used to travelling or maybe Genova was cosier than Roma, so I could really unwind by walking around. Next, I crossed the border of France and stayed in Menton (See La Stanza del Figlio). This town is facing the ocean of Côte d’Azur. The view from the hillside was really great! I thought it was much more charming than famous cities such as Nice and Monaco.

BTW, I felt my journey had begun, as I entered France.*6/9/99

While I was here, I went swimming at 7am. Nobody was there, so I had the Mediterranean all to myself. Next, I went to Monaco to find the F1 circuits, as I was a fan of Prost. On the way to Marseille, I had a small incident on a train. Shabby men with dogs came into my carriage and I was scared, so I moved to another car by pretending to get off. But I left my book behind, I ended up going back. Finally, I arrived in Arles, which I had longed for.

BTW, at that time, Euro hadn’t been introduced. *7/9/99

I love Vincent Willem van Gogh, especially since I met ‘Cypresses’ in NY. He lived there and painted many pictures. I could find a guide plate at every location where he painted, such as ‘Cafe Terrace at Night‘, ‘Starry Night Over the Rhone’ and ‘The Langlois Bridge’ at Arles. In fact, the red roof hotel I stayed in was in the picture ‘The Yellow House‘. Anyway, anyone who loves Gogh will thoroughly enjoy this place.

BTW, except Gogh, I can’t remember much else.*8/9/99

I wished I could live in Arles with all its cosiness. I took a day trip to Avignon from Arles. I thought Avignon was famous for the song Sur le Pont d’Avignon. I walked and tried to dance on the bridge named Pont Saint-Bénézet. This bridge had collapsed halfway. However, the imperfect appearance was actually more attractive.

BTW, I still remember that day clearly even now. Nothing in particular happened, but I was aware of things all day and every numeral in the date was nine. *9/9/99

I hastily decided to change my itinerary. My original plan was to go to Barcelona via Nimes, but I fully enjoyed France. In addition, I was able to book a night train from Genève to Cerbère near the Spanish border, so I went once to Genève via Lyon. After using lira and Francs, I needed Swiss Francs. I couldn’t adapt to the different currencies. Although France and Switzerland share a border, the prices went up in Genève like water a jet.

BTW, I didn’t mind not showering for the next 3 days.*10/9/99

Arriving in Cerbère at 6am, the connection to the border at Portdou was bad due to the weekend. Actually, it was still cool and comfortable for summer during the 2 hours I spent waiting on the platform. I finally reached Barcelona at 11am. I didn’t plan ahead and wandered the city eagerly only on foot. I enjoyed especially the Picasso Gallery and the view from the top of Sagrada Familia.

BTW, I ran into a backpacker who I already met in Genova. He asked me to go see Barça play in Camp Nou. *11/9/99

I watched RCD Espanyol’s game on TV at the station while I waited for the night train to Madrid. I still remember Figo getting a red card. Then, after I arrived in Madrid, I went to the Prado Gallery. I would have liked to explore more. Unfortunately, I didn’t really have good memories of this city, because there were many choking robberies targeting tourists. I can defend myself from a pickpocket, but not a mugger, so I’m infuriated at such crimes.

BTW, I got a night train that day too. Well, the third time.*12/9/99

At last, I reached my final destination in Lisboa. This trip seemed long but it was actually quite short. I decided to come here when I read Midnight Express. He chose Cabo de São Vicente for the climax of his journey, but I didn’t have much time left, so I went to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost cape in Eurasia. Finally, I stood at the ends of the earth. It was so moving for me.

BTW, Camões said Onde a terra acaba e o mar começa. (Here, where the land ends and the sea begins.) *13/9/99