Pre-departure rant

Last Friday I was at Carrefour to buy some stuff for my backpacking trip, which starts tomorrow. Judging from past experience, I can't consider myself the type who is fond of shopping, especially if this occurs under pressure a few days from the date of departure. The whole experience of walking back and forth inside the mall, of spending much of your thought power on which size, design or color to pick, is something I find too time-consuming. Perhaps contrary to shopaholic testimonies, I think it is quite stressful.

I went to Carrefour because everything there is cheap. It is actually a supermarket that sells everything from food, clothes, domestic appliances, kitchenware, books to furniture. I was in no position to negotiate for a shopping spree at El Corte Ingles, because my financial state had been rather shaky, and scrimping seemed the only logical decision. Trying as quickly as possible to get my shopping errands over with, I forced myself to finish it all in two days, the outcome of which was a pair of grey pants, two colored shirts, a long-sleeved undershirt and a formal polo shirt for the night-outs. These are probably the cheapest clothes I will ever buy. Since Carrefour was on sale season, prices hit rock-bottom - I got two shirts at 2 euros each. With that, I could otherwise buy a couple of ballpens, or a bottle of cheap shampoo.

Then, I also got to buy a few extras: a pair of sunglasses, a hand-made bracelet and a beaded necklace for ethnic effect. A few hours from now, I have to stuff them in my mountaineer's backpack, and test whether my baggage-reduction skills have improved any since the last time I did a tour. Then, I'm ready to go.

The trip will take a little over three weeks. I have always wanted to do it longer - two months for example - like some travellers I've met at youth hostels before, but then time and money have always been rather scarce. Add to that the fact that travelling non-stop for two months is pretty exhausting. During the first and second week, we will cover France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, but from the third week on, I will be hitting the train tracks of Germany on my own. My travel partner, a Spanish guy I met over the Internet, is going home earlier.

I'm very excited about this trip since unlike before, I'm now travelling with someone. And that should make things more enjoyable, and easier. Well, we shall see...

Europe, here I come!!!