Be Christopher Columbus This Summer
Summer is coming closer. People are running to the
sports center to lose weight and look better. It's time for diets,
beauty programs and all the stuff we do to pay our respects to summer
and welcome it as beautiful people. The rainy days still haven't left
us, but we know the sun will come and warm our bones....
But summer is not just about how you welcome it in
the beginning, it's also about how you spend it. You have three months
if you're lucky enough to not have to go to summer school or do an
internship. Well, if you think the way I do, in my last summer holiday
before I graduate, I should do something different, something just for
my own pleasure, but I should also challenge myself a little, and end up
with a good story to tell about my adventures.
I wrote about the Work and Travel program in a
past column and expressed the opinion that it's almost like a kind of
modern slavery. This week, I'm going to tell you about Interrail. I
would call an Interrail traveler a modern Christopher Columbus. Although
Interrail is my favorite program when it comes to student travel, I have
to confess that I've never had a chance to take advantage of it. Every
year before summer arrives, I look for opportunities to do so. Now, it's
getting late. I really should travel with Interrail before I'm over 26,
which is the age limit for their student pass.
Through Interrail, you can travel to 30 countries
in Europe. These countries are separated into 8 areas that you can
choose from. You buy a pass that you can use on most of the trains in
Europe. You can order your ticket up to three months before you travel.
The longest pass is valid for 30 days, while the shortest one is good
for 16 days.
It might take a long time to get all the visas you
need, since there are so many countries you can visit, but you
shouldn't let this be an obstacle in the way of your dream trip.
Including your hostel and food expenses, such a trip would likely cost
at least 750 euros.
If I'm able to go, I'm sure it will be the most
difficult trip I could imagine. I'll probably stay in dirty hostels,
I'll be carrying a bag on my back, and I'll be entirely on my own,
with no one I know. It won't be like a guided tour, where someone else
arranges where and when you go--with a map in my hand, I'll choose the
places I want to visit and just start walking. In other words, I'll be
in control and will be able to do what I want. It will be hard, but
fun.
One good thing is that there is a visa that is
called a Schengen visa, which allows you to visit the countries that
are members of Schengen. Another thing that people are always saying
can make your trip easier is not bringing too many clothes and
unnecessary things in your bag, since you won't be staying in just one
place during your trip.
Some additional advice: before you go, check what
festivals or special parties will be held in the places you're
planning to visit. A summer in Europe, the center of culture and
enjoyment, shouldn't be wasted. And to make the trip cheaper, you can
stay in hostels. So you know where to find them, you should get a map
of the hostels in Europe before you go. You may end up staying in the
same room with people you don't know, but this will be an interesting
experience, too. Also, hostels serve breakfast, so this will save
money.
Even though it will be hard to find time for it
during your trip, keeping a diary would be worthwhile. It will be fun to
read after you're back home. So many cities, so many countries, so many
faces--they all add up to so many memories in your brain. A camera to
take pictures with may not be enough to help you remember everything. If
you have a small diary, you can stick tickets, papers and other things
that will remind you of your trip in it.
Anyway, there are many things to do during that
whole summer you have
ahead of you. But if you're brave enough and ready for an adventure, I
think Interrail is the best choice.
Gülay Acar (COMD/III)
howtoreachgulay@yahoo.com
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