Interrailing gives a strong physical sense of travel across the landscape and across national boundaries. At the same time there is a noticeable and evolving psychological experience. It can be quite a roller coaster, especially initially.
I have been detached from the familiar, from loved ones and people who know and understand me. I have no responsibilities beyond securing food and shelter for me and my dog. I don’t even really have to catch that train – I could always get a different one, to a different place.
So much time is spent researching options and information. Several hours a day for someone like me who loves informed decisions and special destinations. Yet chance meetings with people often give the best tips.
I have a 3 month Interrail pass (limited by blasted Brexit rules, so I can only spend 72 days in the Schengen area as I was already in Europe earlier in the year). On the 3 month pass you can travel every day if you want, whether locally or long distance, in 33 countries. This gives a dizzying feeling of options.
For the first two weeks at least I struggled with feelings of pointlessness, detachment and guilt. Over time I have not become more meaningful, attached or valid, but I have adjusted to being a wanderer without purpose beyond exploring, observing, questioning, treading lightly.
National, regional and cultural differences and similarities have sometimes been surprising, sometimes clearly steeped in history. Some places feel so much more comfortable to my soul than others. So far Slovenia fits me the best. I could live there. Hungary never. The further south and east I go the worse being a person of colour or outwardly LGBT+ would be. It is sobering and sad.
I’ve learnt things about myself too. My scattiness (ADHD in modern parlance) can be a liability. Thus there is a need for constant strategizing, zips, strings and clips, to avoid losing things. I am now old enough, and my hair is grey and short enough, that I get very little hassle from men. This has made travel so much more relaxing than it was even a few years ago.
Baspie the Railway Dog brings me constant company and peace. I need people interaction for information and idea exchange, sometimes even transient friendship. Occasional calls and messages home are full of the nectar of love and connection. My cousin joining me in Romania for a week was wonderful, a real holiday from myself, and such good company.
Baspie is my continuous silent support and companion. I love him dearly.
I am currently half way through. Maybe I will have more to add when my time is up.
Railway Dog 