Over the years, I’ve been quite a champion at being independent: I've lived all by myself for over 5 years, I’ll go to parks by myself, I’ll go to book reading with people half my age or almost twice. I go running alone at 3 am on the streets. Et Cetra. But taking this leap felt much different. Traveling to a couple of countries, all by myself. To travel solo.
I had three very solid reasons to do a solo trip.
One, I wanted to take the biggest plunge out of my comfort zone and challenge everything that I've known about the world and myself by now. Two, rediscover myself- how have I changed as an individual (on a time-lapse basis) in last decade. How will I react to awkward or interesting or intimidating situations and people when I won't have anyone to judge me, guide me or protect me. I wanted to become stronger, braver and more responsible. Three, to give myself the gift of time and space.
So while you will manage all the info from the well-travelled bloggers on Tripoto, here my trip across Europe in video-postcards and fond pictures from the trip :)
Postcard 1
Arrived in Amsterdam. Everything appeared just as I'd imagined. Magical! Met a friend, Jan, who happened to work at the airport. He helped me buy the I Amsterdam card, helped me reach the train station and guided me with the route.
Learning: Buy the I Amsterdam card. It will help you in more ways than one!
Postcard 2
I saw pretty much all of the touristy things with the I Amsterdam Card. The city has museums for practically everything. And well, I went and spent good enough time in most of them. The canal tour was fascinating. And with the weather getting dewy and rainy, walking by the city became all the more fun :)
Learning: Amsterdam has museums for everything. Make sure you visit all of them. Well, at least try doing most of them!
Postcard 3
Of the many places that I went in Amsterdam, this memory sort of topped them all. More so was the Bruce Springsteen song- You can't start fire without a spark!⭐️
Learning: Don't leave Amsterdam without eating Currywurst and Stroppwaffles. It's criminally yum!
Postcard 4
BlumenMarkt is the only floating flower-market in the world. Its hard to even imagine so many tulips at a time, at a place, in a frame :)
Learning: This is the best place in the city to pick souvenirs. Also, there are a couple of cheese shops where you can taste all the varieties- guiltfree and FREE. Don't miss it
Postcard 5
Met a dear friend Jan at a happy little bar. We then waked around places like De Diuff, Portuguese Synagogue, the Hermitage..all the way up till Dam Square.
Learning: Carry a pretty umbrella with you all the time. It can rain here anytme. Even when the sun shines bright and mighty!
Postcard 6
Meet Sir Oliver. Custodian and part owner of the wonderful hostel that I stayed at, in A'dam. We bonded over our shared love for abstract art and frivolous escapism. And obsessively strong coffee and leftover pretzels, till wee hours :)
Learning: A dog has a master. A cat has staff!
Postcard 7
The next stop was the port city of Hamburg. This also happened to be one of the sunniest days that Hamburg saw, and the locals couldnt be happier. More so, I got to watch the Ger vs Ireland match at a really cool bar in the Old Town of the city. The Match that Germany won (obviously!)
Lesson: There are 3 things that you never say anything remotely close or critical to a German about. Their Beer. Their Food. Their Bread
Postcard 8
The Townhall- Rathaus reminded me of a lot of buildings in Harry Potter movies. So ornate. So tasteful, and so magically colorful.
Learning: Don't forget to eat at the Mai Mai stall :)
Postcard 9
In progressive Berlin, the old buildings of Mitte gracefully coexist with the modern Reichstag. This city not only made my visions everything that I've read about Germany come alive, and reminded me of the trip to Istanbul.
I also happened to be reading 'Bridge of Spies' when I was there. And it was amazing to see remnants of the USA- USSR war times. But the experience of going up the glass dome and seeing the Parliament down there and the skyline of Berlin was amazing.
Learning: Just join any free walking tour Bradenberg Gate- German, French, Dutch. They'll still take you around the places worth seeing. I joined a 'free' walking tour in German..and except for the strage looks for my blank expressions, everything went well :)
Postcard 10
My wonderful friends Pedran and Amelie walked me around some of the prettiest sights of Berlin. Best part of the entire evening was the amazing homemade icecream, the massive expresso shots and the Turkish dinner. I have NEVER eaten such delicious food in my life. Ever!
Learning: Spend time at the East Side Gallery. Every bit of street-art has a message it conveys. It will leave you thinking, for the world that we're living in
Postcard 11
Revamped photo booths that last saw the light of day in the late 1970’s are popping up all over Europe, but it was Berlin that gave birth to the trend. You're not a Berlin Hipster if you haven’t taken your picture in one of these machines.
Learning: This is the BEST souvenir you could take from Berlin. Make most of it :)
Postcard 11
All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words 'Ich bin ein Berliner! ~ John F Kennedy
Postcard 12
The Olympic Run. Shut Up Legs! We got this.
Learning: You're filming in a prohibited area and suddenly you see two drones hovering on top. Acknowledge their presence, smile & wave to ease things down, wrap up, and walk away like a hopeful tourist⭐️
Postcard 13
Nest stop was the majestic city of Prague. And it begain with the Classic Isha Kashyap Catastrophe. Watch the video and you'll know :)
Learning: This situation appeared delightful in Jab We Met. But in reality, it took me a lot of courage to sail through this! And exactly why I chose to travel alone. You have no choice but to find a way- all by yourself!
Postcard 14
Roughly the size of seven football fields, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world. Built and renovated during 13 centuries, the complex includes churches, gardens, alleyways and royal residences that would take days to appreciate. Don't miss the St. Vitus Cathedral.
Learning: You will need 5-6 expresso shots to walk up the castle with all your might and more importantly, keep patience with the hundreds of couples doing their wedding shoots there. I did 8 . Beat that!
Postcard 15
I spotted some really good-looking swans and seagulls swimming and laying around in the grass by the Vlatava River. They simply floated around, dipping their heads into the cold water and posing for the photos being taken.
Learing: These swans have a thing for rye bread. Be very careful while feeding them. They might just snatch your fingers. I learnt this the hard way
Postcard 16
I got lost so many times in Prague and with each time I discovered something magical about this city and its wonderful people.
And because English wasn't known to many, interacting with the locals became all the more fun. Praha! I'm leaving a part of me with you⭐️
Learning: Eat lots and lots and LOTS of Trdelnik..with cinnamon, a criminal amount of Nutella and the traditional homemade cheesecake ice cream
Postcard 17
I saw an onlooker taking my picture while being caricatured. I decided to walk up to him and ask his whereabouts. Turns out he was a photo-journalist from BBC. I requested him to take my picture, the way he saw it. He obliged.
Learning: Walk up and speak to strangers. Walking up and talking to strangers is the social equivalent to sky-diving :)
Postcard 18
For 3 straight hours/ times, I ran up to the Astronomical Clock and waited for the ritualistic procession of the 12 Apostles who appear from the sides of the clock. Plus, the Old Town Square had so many versions of dark chocolate- SO MANY.
Learning: No wonder that Czech Republic consumes more beer per capita, than any other country in the world. You need to stay drunk to live with so much of beauty around!
Sinful, sexy and surreal. Prague
Postcard 19
Petting my peev against rain & sun's co-existence at the zoo. It was 40 degrees for the first half of the day, and it rained cats & dogs in the latter half. Special thanks to Tirth .He kept all his patience with me, while I got lost countless number of times in the city, took all possible wrong trams, and did massive antics of fearing to drown while crossing the river in the boat (to reach the zoo). I was convinced we would be dinner to the 6 feet alligators in the river. Like, bloody convinced!
Learning: I sincerely wish that either humans better the condition of our forests so that the mighty animal kingdom can live in peace, or to make more of paradises like the Prague Zoo , so that they dont miss their forest life much.
Postcard 20
The last city on the trip was Budapest. And after experiencing this city, my definition of beauty stood redefined. In plain words, Budapest blew my mind!
The Central Market Hall is the largest indoor market in Budapest. arge selection of sausages, meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. On the second floor, there are food stands and plenty of vendors selling handicrafts, clothing, embroidery, chessboards and other souvenirs. Paprika and Tokaji are also sold here. In the basement, there is a fish market, a small Asian grocery store, a supermarket, and a small drugstore.
Learning: If not for anything else, visit this place for its food court. It serves up some of the most spectacular Italian, Hungarian, French and German cuisines- you can ever find.
Postcard 21
The Chain Bridge is one of the best known landmarks of Budapest. The picturesque historic stone bridge straddles the Danube between Széchenyi Square on the Pest side and Clark Ádám Square in Buda. You can walk across it from Buda to Pest and back – an excellent way to absorb the World Heritage-protected sights and panorama and to take wonderful photos.
Learning: The place shows you more filters at a time than Instagram could ever hope to. Spend most of your time here. The place is a delight, both during the day, and/or by night :)
Postcard 22
The Spa Day! I shuttled between the hot and cold pools so many times. The Hungarians know how to chill and how!
Learning: Carry your swimwear, sunblock and flip flops..everywhere. Just. About. Everywhere
Postcard 23
The last one. This trip on the trampoline sums up my 15 days of solo travel across Europe. I have never felt happier, in-control, braver, prouder and more responsible than I did in these 15 days. I know myself more than I ever did. I'm more independent and gutsier, than I have ever been. I came back, as a changed person. A much better storyteller
Learning: ALL GIRLS..DO A SOLO TRIP NOW. I cannot emphasize on its benefits and how much you need it enough!
I hope you all liked traveling with me through my video postcards :)
Best,
Isha