Let me start with the fact that I was a nervous wreck when I said my goodbyes in the airport this morning. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was hit with a waterfall of emotions (literally). My family can attest to the fact that is very unusual behaviour for me. Could it be pre-travel jitters? I thought I had gone on enough trips and done enough flights by myself that I would not have felt that way – heck I travelled Cambodia alone when I was 20 years old! Here I am heading to a country that is not third world, speaks english, and is much like home! Needless to say, once I boarded the plane, I was fine.
Once I arrived at London Gatwick Airport, I needed to get myself to Brighton, because I had booked a night for myself at the Seadragon Backpacker’s Hostel ($38.50 CAD/night). I had not researched the route or train details ahead of time, but I was pleasantly surprised at how effortless it was to get there – minus the fact that it was high winds, so the train got delayed for nearly 40 minutes, which meant standing on the very blustery platform, freezing my arse off haha. I made friends with an Italian mom, who kept looking to me for reassurance that she was getting on the right train. She had a thick accent, and limited english, so I had to communicate in hand gestures and smiles.
Once I had settled into my hostel (found it without google maps, which is a feat for me!!), I went to go explore! There was nobody else at the hostel, so I went off on my own. Sometimes, I amaze myself with my directional awareness, but only when I am alone haha! Although, I am very independent, I become very dependent on others with directions when given the option, because I get lazy – need to work on that! All throughout the day, I felt oddly comfortable, almost like I was at home running errands. I looked in some shops, checked out the beach front, had some tea at ‘Cafe Pret a Manger’, which I remember from the last time I was in Europe. I then came back to the hostel around 6pm, and I met Nigel and Tiago who were my roommates for the evening. Both were solo travellers, here completing courses. The one guy, a 52 year old Scottish dad, clearly young at heart; and the other a 32 year old Portuguese bartender, living in Iceland! They offered me a spliff, and we drank a couple beers. Both polar opposite individuals, but equally funny characters! I mean, all three of us are very different, but that is the great thing about travelling; you become open to meeting and hanging out with people you’d might not cross paths with back at home. Nigel then proposed a trade offer: “I’ll give you 3 pancakes for your one banana”, in which I agreed. Cheers to banana pancakes!
I forgot how nice small hostels are, because everyone is so friendly! Overall, it was a very good first day and gave me some confidence in moving forward. Thankfully though, this is my last night rooming with Tiago, because I am writing this post at 3am. Maybe it’s the jet lag, but more than likely it’s his thunderous snoring keeping me up!
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