That time of the year is coming, when I look back at everything I've achieved, all the great people I've met, those who have taught me how to deal with complicated situations, the places I've visited, the experiences I've had. I had it planned for some years, I wanted to explore the world, buy a ticket to Germany and figure out what to do with my life. After months of planning, trying to get myself around the idea of getting a job in another country, I bought a one-way ticket. I was happy, 2015 was going to be THE YEAR! My New Year's resolutions came down to just one: grab my backpack and travel. Suddenly the idea of working abroad changed into just traveling.
Many questions were asked, specially by others, what was I going to do? How much money would I need? Where was I going to travel? How was I going to make it? To much of these questions I didn't had an answer to. I really didn't care about having one, my inner self was determined to just do it, I felt that I just needed a little push, once facing myself in Free Falling, I was sure I would spread my wings and fly. Of course I decided not to share this idea with most people, doubts will be raised and they might made me change my mind.
The first three months went by so quickly. Suddenly I was on a plane heading to Germany. My first stop was Frankfurt, where I would meet a lovely Hungarian friend I met during my semester abroad in Germany. I remember being at the airport, trying to reach her to figure out the meeting point. I had a big backpack and an even bigger suitcase. When I saw her, just like in the movies, I ran towards her, leaving the suitcase for a while. It was magical. She drove me to Mainz, where I was going to stay with a girl who soon become part of my travel-family (people who I consider part of my family and have met them during my travels). But more about her later.
The next destination was Marburg, from which I've only heard from a German who studied in Mexico. It was a really nice place. I stayed two weeks on a Summer Camp, where I volunteered and improved my German. It was an amazing experience. I met people from Mexico, Russia, France, England, Korea, Japan and Italy. This was the first time doubts came to my mind. What was I doing? What the hell was I thinking? Leaving Mexico just like that? Could I survive with the money I had? I thought I needed to
go back and just give it up. But I already had told everyone I was going to be out of Mexico for some time, so going back felt like a failure, I had set up my mind and I knew this was just that moment when things slowed down and I had time to process the idea that this was something new, something I wanted, something good.
Staying in Marburg allowed me to met another travel-relative, a sister. We had tons of things in common, it was as if I've known her from before. After that I traveled to Konstanz and Munich to visit some old friends. I lost my phone, which was a very unlucky moment. Sometimes is good to meet people from your past, they remind you what home is like, and that it can be found anywhere.
I went back to Mainz, having some family there, seems logical to visit, plus it was a good stop before flying to Finland. A funny fact about my trip, I left Mexico, a warm country, to go to Germany, where spring was beginning, therefore a bit colder than Mexico. As it became warmer, I decided to fly to Finland, where it was colder than Germany. Seemed as if I was getting away from the heat.
Finland was great! I mean, it was cold, but I have many friends there. Seeing them after many years and talking like time had not gone by was a reminder that friends will be friends no matter the distance or the time. It was also good to have friends in another city, allowing me to visit more than just Helsinki.
The next part of the trip was a bit of an improvised one. A Polish friend, another good friend from my semester in Germany, and I had planned to go on a trip together. The idea was to travel to Spain from Poland. So I had to come up with a way of traveling to Poland from Helsinki. Maybe a bus, about 20 hours or something close enough. The bus was from Tallinn to Warsaw, making a stop in Riga. It made sense to stay there one or two nights to explore. But if I was already exploring the Baltic region, Vilnius was a must. So the goal became
3 days, 3 cities, 3 countries. It also helped me understand some about the history of these countries, which I barely remember from history class.
I fell in love with those countries, definitely will explore them in the future. But it was just a quick trip at the moment and in the blink of an eye I was in Poland. Again, no time had passed. I explored the city with my friend, had a lovely evening near the river. Party like old times!
Next stop was Spain. It was a challenging trip since this time I had a travel buddy. My crazy no-plan plan became a mess and soon we found ourselves struggling to make some last minute change of plans. We manage to explore Barcelona, staying there more than the original plan, but for me it was a normal day walking around, I was used to carry a big backpack over my shoulders (the big suitcase was sent back home at Munich). My friend wasn't. After spending a week getting tanned, going to parties and talking about life, boys and future plans, we went our different ways. She went back home, I continued travelling.
I had one more week in Spain before going to Morocco. I decided to explore southern Spain, where I could visit another friend I made in Mexico. My plan was to stay at this place in Sevilla and do nothing but rest, he insisted I needed to visit Cordoba and Granada. He had some friends there who might be able to host me. I went, he can be very insistent and there's was not much to do in Sevilla, days were getting warmer and I couldn't stand the heat.
I had a plane ticket to
Morocco. The idea was to stay there for a month, get out of the Schengen States so I could travel a bit longer in Europe after that. I looked for something to do, some work or something. That's when I started a profile in
Workaway. It was here where I met another travel buddy, an Argentinian girl with a story similar to mine. We traveled a bit, exploring the country together. She went back to Europe and I kept on travelling. I went to Essaouira, where I worked at a Hostel. Not a great experience, but at least I met some great people, whom I met further along my journey.
One of the greatest experiences of my trip happened in Morocco. I went to a Maroon 5 concert. It was one of those moments that life gives you as a surprise, a very nice surprise. One of those stories I'll tell my children, like my dad's story of how he got a better seat at a concert in the UK because he forgot his ticket at the Hotel.
The next destination was a farm in Wales, where I was going to volunteer for two weeks. Again I had the destination but the way to get there was a bit uncertain. I have a friend in London. I met her in Mexico, in the weirdest way possible that involves an urban bus, Trajineras, Xochimilco, a stranger house party, a bottle of Mezcal, some rain and about 40 different people I've never seen in my life. I decided to try to find some job opportunities in London, and Google turned out to be the best tool to do so. I applied for a Volunteer position, helping the homeless. Time would tell if I would get it or not.
To get to St Davis, the Britain's smallest city; I made a quick stop in Cardiff. I must admit I was very ignorant, so I found out this was Wales capital as I arrived there.
Working at a farm I learnt new skills. I had always consider myself not to be a plant person. A plant was something I avoid having since I knew it wouldn't have a long life with me. Suddenly I felt connected to agriculture. I loved seeing, weeding (well not so much loving as just being ok with it), watering, harvesting... It was also a plus that I had worked at a Tractor company back in Mexico, which by the way, was the farmer's favorite brand. I stayed one week longer, it was one of those places you don't want to leave, but you know there's something else waiting for you.
I got an email from the Organisation I applied for in London. I was in! I only needed to get a Visa, so next stop: Germany. As you've learnt by now, my destinations are not direct, and from St Davis I had one more place to go: Bristol. This was the first
CouchSurfing mayor event I was going to go. Back at home I went to many of these events, but while travelling it was a bit difficult to coordinate my plans with the ones in the website. It was a great way to meet new people, most of them I met with in different occasions. I'm still looking into the possibility of coming back for next year.
It started in Germany, and there I was once more, as if this country was my base. There's something about this country that keeps dragging me back. The idea was to travel a bit, visiting some friends. But there was a guy, I guess it had to be, there's always a guy. I found another CouchSurfing event in Berlin, it was close to where he lived. It made sense, something about him interested me. Maybe it was the way he looked at me, maybe it was the moment. There had been a guy earlier in my trip, but I continued without much hesitation. Thoughts of going back came to my mind, but it was just a moment, some sort of affair. This was different, at least it wasn't a diversion, I was going to stay in Germany for a month, sorting the paperwork for my Visa.
Suddenly it all worked out. Remember my friend from Mainz? She was going to Berlin as well, to a Healing Festival, and apparently they were looking for volunteers to help them out. So it all worked out, leading me to a new adventure. I knew it could be a mistake, I was just curious about how everything would work out. I knew I was going to stay in London, without much chance of travelling, money was running low; I knew it wasn't meant to be, but I had nothing to loose.
It turned out to be the greatest decision! The Festival was really a Healing place. I met amazing people, I felt I had found another home. Work wasn't hard, I enjoyed washing dishes, being a waitress, painting walls, cleaning rooms. I stayed there for three weeks. Time came to say Good-bye. I found a family, a community where people just are. I felt peace, I felt love, I felt ready to move along. Next stop: London! Six months of volunteering were waiting for me. As for the guy, all I can tell is that is wasn't a mistake, I had a good time, maybe we'll meet again. At least I got a penfriend.
Seems like forever, right? It had only been five months since I was saying farewell to my family and friends back in Mexico. It was time to settle, no more travelling. Just about time, my bank account was screaming it was time to GO BIG OR GO HOME. This was it, my experience working abroad. But it wasn't a regular job. It was about making a difference. I decided to apply because of my smile, a smile like the Sun, that's how someone described it. A smile that warms people's hearts up. So why not take this smile to people who might need some hope, a friendly face to remind them they are not alone.
I wasn't alone either. My friend from Mexico introduced me to her friends. It was as if I've known them for a while back. Partying was great, dancing just because, talking about whatever. It was also great to know that a friend from High School was living in London. Big reunion after 10 years of being apart. I was afraid my birthday would go by unnoticed, I had made my mind that I wouldn't celebrate. But I joined a party, celebrated along side this new friends.
I've been pushed to the limit. I've been challenged by this job with no apparent structure, where there are many exceptions, where defining lines are more blurry than defined. I've cried, felt left alone, felt challenged, laughed, felt confused, felt included... I've discovered myself. I found myself in those who I've helped. I've experienced motherhood, parenting, I've visited people at the hospital, called ambulances, being interrogated by police, gone to a TV show, experienced death; but most importantly, experienced acceptance.
As my holidays were approaching (Two weeks of after 13 weeks of work), I felt my wings were not working anymore. I felt desperate, sad, confused. I had been sucked into an emotional spiral tearing me apart. I survived and made it to The Netherlands. It was a two-week holiday, away from all.
I started in Amsterdam, walking for hours with my backpack again on my shoulders. This time something was different. I saw the homeless in me. Walking all day with their belongings on their backs, looking for a warm place to rest, looking for food. I remembered, when I travel, I'm
homeless. Somehow I felt connected more than ever with my place back in London, my home.
Once more, I found a CouchSurfing event. Party, travelers, rough sleeping. That was what I needed. Back to my roots, back to my nomadic way of life. At least for the holidays. It was going so well until my past caught up with me. I tried to avoid it, continue travelling and made my way to Utrecht. I had some trouble with a molar tooth, it became a crown some years ago and suddenly something went wrong; it ached. Fortunately I stayed at my friend's place, a friend I made in Berlin, working at the Hotel, a sister.
The next stop was Brussels, but my tooth wouldn't continue the journey and suddenly I felt drawn back home, drawn back to London to find a dentist, all because for the first time I didn't get a travel insurance and it was cheaper to go back than to stay and have it checked out. I also needed my community. That group of people who somehow became a weird concept of a family.
I was ashamed, ever since I lost it a few years back, it was my best kept secret. Known by only those who needed to know. People who I made swore secrecy. and now there was no hiding. My first day back in London I tried not to talk, to avoid people staring at me. Yes, most homeless have no teeth, but I'm not homeless. I grew up in a society where good looks and aesthetics are quite a big deal. I fought against it, but still wouldn't accept me being toothless.
Suddenly I realized, this is the place where I won't be judged. The Community that I was now part of was created to support those who needed support. Suddenly it became clear why I was there, why I wanted to go back home. So I went to my friend's place for a Christmas dinner. I told her about my problem to which she replied that she didn't notice, even though I wasn't doing anything to hide it. Later I found out how some others had the same problem, and their lives are, well, lives. I experienced acceptance, not from others, but from me. Surprised?
It has been the hell of a ride. This year, has been a life changing moment. It all happened so fast. I know I'm not the same as I was a year ago. Once more, looking back at everything I've achieved, I can say I'm ready to embrace the New Year, I'm ready to see what life has to offer. The journey has just begun.
Reino Unido e Irlanda no entran en los estados Schengen, pero puede que te pregunten cuánto tiempo planeas quedarte y te pidan prueba de salida del país. En ocasiones, el oficial de migración podrá determinar el tiempo de tu estancia. Cuando yo entré no tuve problemas. Ahora estoy trabajando en Londres. Para eso necesito una visa, aunque sea trabajo voluntario. De hecho para poder trabajar con WorkAway o WOOF es necesario contar con la visa o no decir en migración tus planes. Sólo puedes trabajar por 30 días, incluso si es un trabajo por el cual no recibas un pago. Es muy sencillo tramitar una visa, puedes hacerlo sin necesidad de volver a tu país de origen.
