The final two days at my stay in the oh so posh hostel along the coastline of Italy were some of my finest. At night I was one of the regulars, meeting new arrivals as they found the hostel bar all while having a good old banter with the manager and staff as we partied away into the wee hours of the morning together.
During the day I ventured to Sorrento where the tourists mingled and around Sant’Agnello where the only traffic on the sidewalk was a locals dog and some kids heading home from school. The food was good, the sun warmed my soul and the views left me speechless. If I’d have died here, well it would have been hard to work out where earth ended and heaven begun.
The only let down was some rough seas that cancelled my day trip to Capri and the surrounds. I substituted with a walk down to a beach only locals visited where I could relax. Wading around in the water I spent hours there, just me and my thoughts to reflect on the ending of a grand solo backpacking journey around Europe.
In my blissful state over these final days I even managed to finally hit purchase on that flight from Naples to London. There was no nerves like there had been days before and like when I was buying that one way ticket to Paris that got me started.
I’d just backpacked through 13 different countries all over Europe and I was confident. I was no longer that shy computer nerd that chose to stay in rather than go out with friends, I didn’t shy away from talking to people and most of all I was happy just being ME.
As I packed my gear to head back to Naples for my final day in Europe I was the most independent and content I could ever have been. I was excited to see London and forge a new life miles from my home and family. I missed them of course but if I was to really prove to myself that I can do anything, then I needed to conquer London.
my fave bits:
it would have been hard to work out where earth ended and heaven begun
I was happy just being ME.
beautiful post. but, you spelled “realize” wrong 🙂 🙂
Thanks for the comment Erin. As for the spelling well I’ll put that down to your american heritage, we all know the English way is best 🙂
Kudos hommie! I can’t believe you were shy. Kinda cute. And keep in mind there are craploads of travel bloggers from London. Hopefully you get to play with some of them and hopefully we get to hear about it.
Congrats on growing up and realizing beer and friends can be far more fun than computer and quiet time.
haha Lindsay. You do know I’m already in London right?? I’ve made some great friends here and coming up soon will be all my adventures about living in London. So much to telli don’t know how I’ll do it.
Glad you were feeling confident when you arrived in London! You would’ve needed to be – it’s a bit of a warts n’ all type of city! Good to hear you are happy in your own skin too.
Liv very true and as I get into telling of my London adventure you will see how it almost zapped all of that confidence out of me
Wow you really have been racking up the countries, congratulations. So very jealous of all your Italian stories.
Ayngelina mate I got to see a lot and enjoyed every damn moment of it. Best thing I’ve done was travelling.
Looks like Amalfi was a wicked way to finish off your trip mate. I’m super jealous and I think I’ll definitely have to go down there this summer.
Am glad we met up for some tins that night, has been good traipsing around London with you since you arrived.
Justin mate we need a boys trip down there its freaking awesome. I know I’m finding time to go back this year.
London wouldn’t have been half as much fun so far without having you as a drinking buddy. Can’t wait for summer drinks 🙂
Heard a lot of good things about Amalfi…I should definitely put that in my must visit list! =) And well, nothing like a solo adventure to break out of the shell, and have fun!
Is that the hostel where you stayed? That yellow building by the cliff?
hey mate, I wish that was my hostel or better yet my house what a view. My hostel was a little bit further along the coast. You can find out all about the hostel here http://www.sevenhostel.com
Really great post mate … good glimpse into the thoughts behind your travels. I’d say you’ve conquered London eh? Good on ya!
Thanks Matt. maybe not conquered London yet but I’m sure giving it a run for its money.
Well written. Your travel experiences are awesome! I wanna conquer London too. As for the only traffic being some children from school on a street, how i wish that was the story in my city but alas!
Great insight into the mind of a fellow solo traveller.. Its great to read everything on your pages mate! I fly into Rome in a few weeks solo and spend 10 days in Italy before flying across to the greek islands – i have the first 2 nights booked and really want to get lost in some culture, great pasta and vino.. where would you reccomend? I also am moving too London early october as my visa was posted to me today! Will be looking for accomodation, i read your blog and it sounds a bit daunting but i have a job waiting for me, just need a pad. Any tips on that one?