After losing my bag in Kiruna, Sweden, I found myself back in Copenhagen. I slept well for a few nights, worked out, and rode bicycles around the city. Rested up and ready to get back on the road, I knew I had to shake things up a bit. I don’t know what it is about pushing limits but something inherent draws me in. The idea of doing something “a little whacky” seems to lure me into sporadic, impulsive, spur-of-the-moment decisions. It’s the same reason why I prefer hiking through the night to catch the sunrise in the alpine rather than roll out of bed at a reasonable hour like everyone else. When I set my mind on a more “twisted” plan, it’s like a jolt of energy; I’ve developed an addiction to the natural caffeine-like feeling that accompanies executing a plan most people would consider absurd.
So, last night at about 1 a.m., I was perusing Google flights and Rome2rio.com trying to plan my next two weeks, including the remaining days on my Eurail Pass. I had been somewhat paralyzed by the overwhelming number of options and directions I could go. Switzerland? Back to France and Calais? Another tour of Eastern Europe, Prague, Salzburg, and Croatia? In the end, warm weather and spectacular outdoor beauty was too much to turn down. So I booked tickets for a 7 am flight to Malaga, Spain.
I departed my friend Derek’s place at 4:15 AM. Walk, bus, train, flight, train, walk. Simple as that. The new digs: a Hostel in the heart of Malaga, Spain.
My six years of skirting by in Spanish class are finally paying off. Although I butcher most of what I say, the fact that I am somewhat able to comprehend the language is extremely refreshing. People’s reactions are more positive and warm after a solid attempt, even if it’s wrong, than just strolling in, blurting out a bunch of English, and expecting the other person to understand. I can see why places like Paris would be awesome if you spoke French…
My plan is to get out of Malaga tomorrow morning, spend a night in Seville, then train north to Madrid Friday. I’m itching to get to the mountains but I have only 4 days left on the Eurail pass, so I can wait. I am unsure whether I’ll head to Portugal or spend the next 2 weeks in Spain. Planning day by day, truly living in the moment is the best feeling in the world.
Kyle Huber 