Well, here we go!!

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Well, after lots of research (and I do mean lots!.. like 30 guide books, countless internet hours combing various site and forums, asking people about places, etc) I'm finally starting my Eastern Europe(and Central Europe I suppose - I've noticed some people in certain countries are slightly resentful of being called eastern Europe) trip. Basically, I've got 3 months, about a little more than a thousand USD, one backpack and a sling bag (traveling this light will probably come back to bite me in the ass) and something like 13 countries (see map for vague route). I'm pretty sure I'll be able to survive for the first few countries after which, it's all up in the air. I suppose I'll just go home if I run out. A great thing is that I'll be couchsurfing so if all goes well, I won't have to pay for accomodation. I've got a route planned out (mostly so I will be able to contact my hosts before I descend on them) and side trips as well but we'll see how it goes. If something interesting comes up, I'm willing to go for it.

I'm flying out of Malmo Sturup Airport with WizzAir for about 20 something USD. Franky, it's not a bad price until you factor in getting to the damned airport from Copenhagen! Seriously, if I had known, I would have just left from Kastrup instead. First, I booked Swebus to Malmo (35 SEK). Unfortunately, I ended up missing it! If you know me fairly well, it isn't all that big of a surprise (I run on Asian time!). Let's just say that I got off at the wrong bus stop at one point and well, it was one bus stop too many since I literally just missed the Swebus - I was across the street when it pulled away 😞 Anyway, moral of the story kids: leave early enough that you'd still make it even with delays. I both love and hate how punctual everything is in Scandinavia. So, had to get a 78DKK one way train ticket (exactly what I didn't want to pay for in the first place!) and reached Malmo. I also have to get a Flygbussen ticket to the airport from downtown Malmo so that's another 79 SEK ( * according to the website, they don't take cash on the bus anymore so either book online or get it from the ticket machine...which I have yet to find). Honestly, it looked like a good deal but add it all up and I could have probably flown out from Copenhagen with less hassle. On the bright side, I managed to change my kroners for euro since the exchange was open 😊

So, I'm at the public library in Malmo where they have all the free internet you could want and they let you print too. Not sure how much it'll cost but whatever. Just head to Slottensgade and walk down it. You'll find it eventually.

So far, it hasn't quite been a great begining to what is supposed to be an awesome and epic trip. I'm not sure if that's an omen or not but I figure if it sucks at the start, it can only get better from here on. Since I'm oscillating between being both excited and terrified (and not a little nauseaus), pretending to be a little over optimistic is always a good thing 😊 I just hope I don't keep doing things like missing the bus and stuff - it's the little things that'll kill my already limited budget!

Anyway, hopefully I'll catch my bus and then my flight and get to Krakow in one piece. Laterz!

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Comments

[William Gan]

wow..
that's a long way to go. doesn't quite take you close to the uk though :p just realised i've been ignoring you for a while. good luck communicating and take care.