Backpacking Adventures: Europe Part I

1. Introduction

Welcome to Backpacking Adventures: Europe. I'll admit, in my head, this seems like a weird pivot for my third book. Most authors generally stick to one subject or try to stretch out one expertise to 10 different books. Why profit from one text when you could do so from 10, right? Especially when you're using acquired knowledge from your field. But am I doing that? No way, José. I'm covering genres like a lawnmower cuts grass. One line at a time until the entire area is mowed.

So, what is this book about? It's a travelogue comprised of tales that I feel ANYONE can enjoy. Some have laughs, others have lessons, and a few provide just the right amount of drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a compilation of my greatest stories from traveling Europe.

Each chapter will focus on a different destination and the adventures I experienced there. It will detail excursions, accommodations, and those wacky one-in-a-million stories that every traveler inevitably picks up. In fact, the structure is revolved around stories. This is to give you a better understanding of my point of view. I want you to picture yourself in the same situations I encountered. Use that big lump of grey mush in your head to imagine yourself in my shoes.

Furthermore, all the stories in this book are personal. The experiences I discuss can either help you learn something, or make you laugh in my face. Either works. You'll read about some of my smartest AND dumbest moments.

However, I wasn't traveling alone for any of these trips. I had some help along the way. And by "some help," I mean lots of help. Although, I did navigate the entire Barcelona airport by myself at age 17. Considering how oblivious I once was to the world, it's one of my finest accomplishments.

I also recognize that I haven't traveled everywhere around the planet. As of this publication, I've been fortunate to explore four different continents. North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. It's a good start, but there's plenty more to see... and much more to write.

I think travel is an extremely important part of our existence. Every culture has a different way of life, oozing with history and knowledge. I wholeheartedly believe that if you can understand other cultures and use their wisdom to better yourself, it will enhance your life. If you don't understand the world, you'll always be trapped in a singular way of thought. A little bit of diversity never hurt anyone. And it opens our minds to expansive views.

They say in business that a diverse boardroom is a great boardroom. I 100% agree with this statement. Incorporating ideologies from different cultures will offer ideas that would have never presented themselves otherwise.

And while diversity is helpful, learning about different cultures for yourself is necessary. There's no substitute for an enhanced understanding of the world. And traveling is one of the best ways to acquire this profound wisdom. We should always look to extend our horizons and expose ourselves to more lifestyles. Too often, we're trapped inside our views when the answer could be outside the proverbial cave. You know what I say? Screw the cave. Let's go exploring instead.

I hope these stories inspire you to start traveling or continue further. When you do, feel free to send me a message to tell me about it (hint: handwritten letters are my favorite). I love hearing people's travel stories because it makes me want to experience that new corner of the world. There are always new places to see and new people to learn from. The more you travel, the more you realize how true that last statement is.

Everyone has that one unique travel story that consistently blows people's minds. It might come from almost missing a flight, a chance encounter with a stranger, or an unexpected adventure. But what we have in common is our ability to thrive through the stories we tell. And what is travel, if not the vast accumulation of excellent tales? It may be important to tell these stories, but it's even more important to hear them. So, without further ado... let's get into some of mine.