Well here I am sitting in 54A of the Singapore Airlines flight that is taking us on to the first stop of our European Adventure - Munich, Germany. Holy shit, I can hardly believe I can finally say that and actually mean it. It has been a long time coming to get here I tell ya! For as long as I can remember I have listened to people tell me about their amazing experiences in Europe. Hearing about the different cultures and customs only increase my eagerness to explore this glorious continent. Oh, and lets not forget about the food - my favourite topic.
I’ve heard the advice and the warnings - “It is not the best place for a wheelchair’ or “You’ll find it hard getting around, everywhere is cobblestones” and even “Definately not a wheelchair friendly country”. I know that the people who say this don’t do it to be mean or to act as a handbrake for my travel hopes and dreams, but it does make you really think if it will just be too hard to navigate your way through. I mean I have to be realistic as far as my independence goes and my abilities right?
There are so many unknowns when you are travelling with a disability. Am I going to be able to have the same level of independence that I want? Who can I ask to help me whilst I am over there? Will these countries uderstand the medical impacts of my disability if get sick or need to see a doctor? If I hit a bump and stack it, will anyone stop to help me, or will they just walk around me? Dude I could write a few pages of questions that are running through my head right now, but in the sake of not boring the shit out of you I’ll keep it to a minimum!
I didn’t get to experience international travel until I was in my 20’s. I guess I just never had the chance and again, those unknowns were always at the forefront of my mind and moving travel into that ‘scary’ space in my mind. However since my first overseas holiday I have had it - that very expensive but life changing bug that plagues so many of us. So in January this year - I was talking to my girl Trish about my love of travel and my fear of the unknown, when suddenly we looked at each other and said ‘fuck it, lets do it!’. So after 8 months of talking and planning here we are.
Yes, there are so so many unknowns, for both Trish and myself, but we are ready for the challenges, and sure as shit they will come - but we got this! We cannot let the impacts that we face determin what we want out of life and what we get enjoyment from doing or seeing.
My wish is to share as much as I can with all of you, so sit back, grab a coffee - or a wine - and join me as I set out on the biggest adventure yet EUROPR 2023!
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