Europe 2019- Strangers that became family

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The best things that you can get from the places you visit are the people. So yes, this article is going to be about the people I met who fortunately became my family. You become friends not with just the locals, but also with travelers from other countries. This is the best part of traveling solo.

So let’s start-

• Marco from Mexico

I landed in Budapest and was craving to meet new people. I never knew that something amazing was awaiting me. Next day I took a walking tour. It was raining and I forgot about my Umbrella and Raincoat. So I was standing under the shed of Starbucks. Suddenly a guy joined me and he told- Shit, I forgot my umbrella and I told same here. This was the only conversation we had then. Then we both went our ways. I stayed in Budapest for 4 days and moved towards my next destination- Bratislava.  I took a tour there too and coincidently this guy was taking the same tour. He came towards me and told me-“Hey you remember we met in Budapest!” and that’s how we started talking and ended up spending the whole evening together. We also discussed our travel plans and realized that we were going to Vienna and Prague on the same dates. So we decided to travel together. That is how our friendship grew and by the end in Prague, we were brothers. Marco is fun and an easy going guy. He with a true traveler spirit is open to accept new culture and food. Once I got to know him, I realized that I can count on him. He made me realize that Mexicans and Indians are 99% the same, the only difference is the nationality and language. Thanks, Marco for coming and talking to me in Bratislava, and if you wouldn’t have done that, I wouldn’t have gotten a brother in Mexico.

• Smit from the Netherlands

Smit doesn’t seem like an Indian name but yes he is a Gujarati boy from Rajkot, studying in the Netherlands. I met Smit on a walking tour in Vienna. Marco and I went together for a tour. Smit was also among them. He was traveling solo and he wasn’t talking to anyone except one guy from the Netherlands. After the tour, some guys from the tour planned to go for a drink. Then we started talking to each other. At first, I was talking to him in English but when I got to know him we started talking in our local language. He was new to traveling so he was a bit excited as well as reserved but then the next day we were like buddies and were talking to each other like old friends. He is a nice guy and is open to explore new things. When he sees something new or does something for the first time there is a glow on his face which is so pure and real. Thanks, Smit for being such a wonderful person. I hope you always remain that way and do explore as much as you can.

• Shreya from Poland

Yes, Shreya is an Indian Girl, who I met in Wroclaw and she happens to be the wife of my dearest friend and philosopher The Great Pavan. She is an amazing person. When I met her for the first time, it felt like we were old friends. She is fun to talk to and can drink more than I can. I immediately felt at home with her. She is a great cook. This was the first time I got along so well with my friends’ wife and we became friends for life. She loves shopping and has a really good fashion taste. Her eyes see things that neither you nor anyone will see. Soon they are moving to Barcelona. Pavan and Shreya, you guys made my trip so wonderful, will see you soon in Barcelona. Always be happy and loveable.

• Ulla from Finland

I placed a request to her asking her to host me in Helsinki and Bingo. She agreed. We talked a bit and I realized her love for India. And I guess that was the sole reason she immediately said yes. I was going to meet her on the last days of my tour. I was damn excited and she was too. On the day I reached her house as per her instructions. She came down to pick me up. I was a bit tensed as I was meeting her for the first time. I met her son and daughter. Then we started talking about general things, her son also joined the conversation. It was like a family discussion. On the same day, she got her Barbeque, so she decided to use it. We went to the supermarket and we bought veggies for Barbeque.  We talked a lot on the way and I got quite comfortable with her. Then we went to the riverside and enjoyed the barbeque. The moment was full of happiness. I connected with her immediately and it became my second home. Even our dreams matched. She took me to some of the amazing places and I was totally amazed to learn so much about Finland. And the way she was raising her children was really commendable. She was the first person in my life after my dad who had really inspired me. Ulla, I really owe you big time. You are a great human being. Hope you get all the happiness in the world because you deserve it. I still remember her last words to me- “Wherever I live in this world, it’s your home too.” It was a very emotional moment for me because for the first time I was getting so much love and she also made me realize that people like us are totally normal but a bit different.  I’ll miss her a lot. I wish that you always stay happy.

I met a lot of other people like Shareef from Saudi, Saleem from Malaysia, Hugo from the Netherlands, Alina from Jurmala and Tomas from Vilnius. Solo travel is all about getting inspired and hoping to be an inspiration.  Thanks, guys for making my trip so wonderful. I will cherish each and every moment I spend with all of you.

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