Montreal, Quebec, Canada
G'day my friends.
I'm Alison, an eccentric Canadian with a restless soul who's finally making her way to Europe. This is my first time leaving my home continent - and let's be real, I've barely left Canada either, save for one very hot, but vibey trip down to New Jersey and back where my first time in the ocean happened in Connecticut, and I've learned Cape Cod has a special place in my heart. But we're here to talk about Europe.
I will preface this now by saying I'm not overly interested in visiting most high-tourist attraction areas, so if you're looking for insight on more popular cities... maybe try back in a few months when I'm back in Europe for the next round. For this trip, I'm looking more at lesser known things, to explore communities that might seem boring to others but have an underlying resonance. I'm looking for character and ultimately to just... wander. If that's not your cup of tea - bagged or leaf - then no worries here. I'm not doing this for the views. It's mostly to document my travels, and also so my loved ones at home know I'm still alive. Hi Almonte, Ontario, I'm still kicking.
Today (in just a few hours), I'll be boarding my flight to Germany, where I will land in Berlin after a layover in Frankfurt. I can't recall ever having a flight with a layover before... so we'll see what that's like. I believe it's only about a 2-hour layover, so I'll likely just tour the airport and grab what will be a much-needed coffee. It'll be my first authentically European coffee! And one of a great many. Watch it be like a crappy vending machine sludge haha. But hey, caffeine is caffeine, am I right? Especially for someone who only managed about two hours of decent sleep because of the tumult of "did I pack this?" and "don't forget that!" whirling around in my already very active stream of consciousness. But I'm a night owl by nature and sleep isn't something I regularly get much of anyway so, nothing out of the ordinary here.
However, I do want to share a very heartwarming experience I had going through airport security. Typical of someone who hasn't flown in... well over a decade, I forgot my water bottle was still in my coat pocket when I put it through for scanning. What a n00b, eh?
Naturally, my bin was flagged and I had to wait for a very nice man to call me over while he checked the results. He (nicely) scolded me about the water bottle, to which I said, "I completely forgot it was in my pocket, I'm so sorry."
He then started going through my small backpack and pulled out a pouch that had a few things in it. He asked if I had "quins," I wasn't quite sure what that meant. But he made a nod of confirmation when he pulled out a baggy of some necklaces I'd brought. He looked at them, then at me: I was positive he was about to tell me I'd have to leave them or throw them out, and my heart was sinking.
Until he grinned and held up my necklace that's shaped like a big key.
Him: Is this the key to your heart?
I instantly broke out into a smile. "Yes! Thank you! Y'know, not enough people talk about love nowadays."
He then started singing a song I hadn't heard before called "The Key." I couldn't make out the name of the artist he'd said, but if I find the song, I'll retroactively add it here. Something with "Arts" in the title, I think.
It was just a reminder for me that sometimes you can have the best interactions when you keep yourself open to kindness, and/or love in all forms. Old me would have just tightly smiled and nodded, too much in my head to interact. I liked this exchange so so much better.
Trip-wise, I'll be in Germany for 6 days, then Scotland for 8 days, followed by England for 6ish days. then Ireland for 7 days. My aim is to make one post a day chronicling my travels, along with pictures. I made sure to clear out my phone last night (mostly), so I should be able to take a plethora of them. Though ye be warned, my camera is 6 years old - I figured it wouldn't be wise to travel with a brand new phone. Plus, this one used to be my dad's and I'm not yet ready to replace it.
For those reading who have visited the countries named above, I would absolutely love any recommendations you have! What resonated with you? What places stuck in your heart? What maybe felt like home? What did you try in any of them that is a must-do (even if it was awful)? Let me know and I'll do my best to incorporate it!
I believe a truly fulfilling life is built on experiences, and I intend to have a great many of them. Life is both short, and also the longest thing we'll ever do, so why not enjoy it?
I also want to take a moment to share a reflection I had earlier while wandering (yes, lost) around the airport, figuring out where I was supposed to go. Airports always make me think of the opening and closing scenes in Love, Actually (yes, I DO love that movie, and I'm not afraid to say it), specifically Hugh Grant's narrated quote "If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually IS all around." So I'm looking around this airport, seeing people reunite, or parting. Seeing kiosk agents helping others even when they're tired. And seeing complete strangers connect - including a connection I made with a woman travelling to LA while bussing to the airport. She's good people, and we had more in common than I'd thought. Love actually is, all around. Though I would argue you don't even need to look for it. In fact, I've found it's when I'm not actively looking, but have been open to it, that I've felt the deepest love - either from/for myself, or around me.
My ongoing post sign-off is going to be a line I've come to really like - I'm sure you can tell why - as said by one of my favourite Camp Lau-Ren people (thank you, Flick):
Remember when we all loved each other?
Much love, Alison
Song of the Day: Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra. I went for the live version at the Kiel Opera House. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2rDb4Ur2dw&list=RDY2rDb4Ur2dw&start_radio=1
