Oliver (Talinn, Estonia): “And remember, life is what you make of it. It’s not a big hunk of metal that you slowly shape to something. It’s more like clay, you take it to your hands and make whatever you want out of it. (Words of the greatest philospher alive.)”

Travelling all by myself for a couple of months seemed exciting to me and of course I was quite curious and even somewhat scared to see how well it would work out. Dealing with the world all by myself, without any backup, seemed a nice challenge… Luckily though I met many, many friendly people - a lot of people would just want to chat as soon as they noticed my backpack, a Brit who gave me a lift would offer me accomodation, a smiling woman with a camper would suddenly present me with a plate of food and someone who hosted me would give me her telephone number and urge me to call whenever I was in trouble. It made me realise that I wasn’t alone in fact, but that wherever I go I’d meet friendly people! It’s really an amazing feeling to be far, far away from your country and everyone you know, and then unexpectedly meet a nice interested person who gives you shelter and some human warmth. There really is an amazing lot of hospitality in the world!

These quotes are from my guest- and hostbook. A book in which I could read many uplifting stories from the people who I had hosted or who had hosted me. The book always provided great reading when my spirit needed some boosting - for example when being stuck on a forgotten Spanish road, on a chilly cloudless night when the cold goes right through your clothing and after discovering that, after all, you really didn’t have anymore food left.

Po Wen (Munster, Germany): “The weather was not very auspitious but the walking in the the mud experience was very unique, but the best is the warm shower after the wind chilled bones start to tremble.”

Dan & Ben (Washington state, USA): “Everything is quite nice here, especially all the bicycles.”

Wieke (Groningen, The Netherlands): “Don’t panic.”

Soizick (Paris, France): “Nice to see you in your long trip to a place unknown yet - hope you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

Lilly (Paris, France): “And befefit a lot from all your nice experiences and from all the nice people. Because the world is just as nice as you are!”

Ania (Poznan, Poland): “Don’t stop travelling and enjoy your life like you usually do. It is one of the best way to tasteing true life!”

Juste & Ieva (Vilnius, Lithuania): “Don’t forget to visit Lithuania before setting out for journey around the world!!!”

Catrin & Egor (St.Petersburg, Russia): “And: would you visit St.Petersburg someday? You’ll find you’re usual weather and a couple of friends there.”

Svetlana (Vladivostok, Russia): “Waiting for you to visit one day Vladivostok - not so far away, just another part of world.”

Jens (Paris, France): “Marocco isn’t far. Bon voyage!”

Joao (Sao Paulo, Brazil): “Remember you have a friend and a house in Brazil (Sao Paulo) anytime you want!”

Reeta (Nijmegen, The Netherlands): “Reeta in Lohja! Welcome!”

One day hitching from Poland to Groningen, I somehow got stuck inbetween, in Berlin, with a friend, Lauren from Canada. She told me we could very probably stay at the place of Timo, a really spontaneous guy. We did, and I got to know him as one of the most relaxed and flexible people I’ve ever met. In fact I needed to go back to Groningen, but the atmosphere was really good and someone convinced me to stay another day, and then yet another… The message quite well reflects the ad-hoc nature of my travels:

Timo (Berlin, Germany): Warning! I am sorry, but I really have to warn all you guys and girls who are reading this. Jurgen is a real dangerous person. Jurgen is popping up at houses of people he doesn’t know and he even didn’t contact before. He tells them that he wants to leave the next morning, so they somehow let him stay. The next day he pretends leaving - and when the host is coming back in the afternoon, he is still around. He doesn’t even ask if it’s ok to stay another night, but hangs around another day. Jurgen belongs to the dangerous species of HC members. They are characterized by their spontanity, flexible way of deciding about travels + life and their relaxed way of thinking. If you ever hosted one of this kind you will agree with me that you are not able to plan anymore, they are disturbing your daily life and the worst case - and here Jurgen is a really special case - you will never get rid of them again. I can only advice you to follow my warning, and be really careful with Jurgen and his kind.”
Currently I’m back in The Netherlands for a bit. I’m taking some coaching training, earning money and finishing the last three subjects of Artificial Intelligence. While I’m here, any friends wanting to meet up are, of course, most welcome!