experiences

It’s been over four weeks since I returned to Australia. After spending the first few weeks adjusting to ‘hot’ weather again I’ve now taken some time to reflect on my four months in Europe & North Africa and have devised a list of my top ten experiences!

10. Musical November

November was a great month for music. I saw five different gigs across three different countries, seeing artists such as Muse, Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys and Eagles of Death Metal. Live music is one of the best expressions of our unique culture. It transcends borders, it unites in the face of religious and political differences. Simply put music brings us together! Muse was probably the stand out gig, although seeing Lily Allen live was right up there. P.S I might have a wee crush on Lil

Image Courtsey of Djfiesta

9. Playing in the Snow

I’d never seen snow in an urban environment before, certainly not on the scale required to officially have a ‘white Christmas’. I figured though if I was giving up beach cricket, bbq’s and the beach then the least England could deliver was a white Christmas! Thankfully it delivered, the ‘worst’ winter in over 40 years. The term worst is of course entirely subjective, for me it was absolutely awesome. I was regularly told I was a big kid because of the amount of snow fights I had with the younger family members. As I explained, I had 26 years of catching up to do!

8. Becoming a Writer

There is a certain amount of irony around the fact that writing this post I was plagued by a case of writer’s block. I was going to start off by saying that the more I write, the easier it has become! Despite this latest blip I definitely feel more comfortable writing now. One question that a lot of writers seem to be asked is ‘how do I become a writer?’. The same answer was always forthcoming, ‘just write!’ I’m pleased to report it really is that simple!

7. Walking from Bath to Bristol

One of my major goals was to walk the El Camino De Santiago. Unfortunately I didn’t get to fulfill that ambition this time around but I did make strides towards it. In November I walked the 26km from Bath to Bristol, a typical day’s walk on the El Camino. An absolutely rewarding experience, there is something about walking amongst nature that causes some serious reflections. I can understand why the El Camino is now regarded as one of the foremost spiritual experiences on the planet. My next trip to Europe will begin with the El Camino!

6. My first Manchester United home game

I fulfilled a life long dream in November by attending my very first Manchester United home game. I was pinching myself on multiple occasions as I seen the likes of Giggs and Rooney strut their stuff infront of me! As much as I’d like to say Old Trafford had an atmosphere to live up to it’s billing as the theater of dreams I have to say it was a little flat, especially in contrast to the Bundesliga game I went to in Berlin! Despite that it was still an amazing experience to finally see United play at home!

5. Hiking in the Atlas Mountains

Taking a lead from my earlier experiences walking from Bath to Bristol, I was keen to get up into the Atlas Mountains and explore a region that is famous for it’s traditional Moroccan lifestyles and cultures. Whilst the 20km hike was a tough one, it only served to make the experience that much more rewarding. Sitting down for lunch with a traditional Berber family for a tagine dinner was an experience I will never forget.

4. Berlin

Looking back I still can’t believe that I didn’t go to Berlin during the 2006 World Cup. What was I thinking! Berlin is one of the most vibrant and interesting cities I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. So much history packed into one city, it’s amazing and the people are so welcoming and friendly. Some of humanity’s darkest moments happened in Berlin, but the flipside is that in this darkness we saw some of our brightest moments, as people fought back. If you are planning a trip to Europe make sure Berlin is included. There is no city and no experience like it.

3. Christmas with family

I’ve mentioned before the incredible way my English family took me in. Christmas was the culmination of that. I couldn’t have asked for a better festive period, I even got some presents! Connecting with the English side of my family meant a lot to me and whilst coming home meant reconnecting with my family here it also meant saying goodbye to my new family I was leaving behind. Stepping onto that plane was in that sense a bittersweet moment.

2. Marrakech

Once I decided I was going back home I knew I had to visit Morocco before I left. My interest in Morocco started with Paulo Coelho’s epic novel ‘The Alchemist’. He painted a picture filled with mystistim and cultural treats. I wasn’t disappointed. Marrakech offers an experience different to anything you’ll experience in Western societies. It may have taken until my final week to get an experience that was truly different to Western life, but it was well worth it.

1. Meeting great people

What makes a location memorable? Unique architecture? Rich history? Great food? Sure all of these things help, but all of these things have one common denominator. People. Without a doubt the highlight of my trip was the great people I met and the great experiences I was able to share with them. Ice skating in Edinburgh, picnics in Hyde park, drinking cider at Munich’s Irish bar, night clubbing in Marrakech! Those and many others are the experiences I will take away from the last four months, the experiences I’ll cherish forever.