By: Julia Jungwirth 

For a total of six months I wandered with a truly amazing soul around the United Kingdom and Europe.  When home people will ask: how was your trip?, what did you see? and where did you go? All of these questions are valid, but more importantly how did the person you travelled with inspire and shape your journey?  

The invitation for travel came up over a few pints.  I responded with pure guttural instinct: the answer was yes without hesitation (even though she told me to sleep on it and respond the next day).   Think I did and the answer was still the same.  Little did I know that setting off into the unknown with someone would morph into a beyond beautiful experience.   

Danielle and I were friends prior to our departure and by friends I mean we worked together and frequented pubs together.  I quickly learnt that just because you drink together does not really mean you know each other well.  We went from knowing fragments of each other to knowing every facet.  This undoubtedly happens when you spend mass amounts of time together.

We became so familiar with each other that we knew when to give the other space or a solo day, because no one is meant to spend every waking moment together - lest this lead to insanity and sheer madness!  I was able to read her body language and her mine; it was comforting knowing someone knew me that well.  You’re not just hanging out with each other all the time either, as you’re discovering and meeting so many new people daily.

Meeting new people provides an opportunity for a little bit of a break from just chilling with your travel partner.  I was astounded by how many amazing souls I met with giant hearts and expanding open minds.  Backpacking becomes a breeding ground for practising the fine art of starting up random conversations with strangers and probably divulging life stories within seconds.  “What are your hobbies and interests?” comes to mind, as a prime starter example.  

The co-existence of a travel team relies heavily on each other’s strengths and weaknesses.  A couple sets of these goodies are bound to come in handy some where along the line.  Danielle was exceptional at quick grocery store, hostel, and transit math.  By quick I mean BAM shika BAM you owe this J!  On the other hand I was exceptionally good at cutting bread, which is an essential ingredient when making a proper sandwich.  As a whole we both did our fair share of deciphering exit strategies for shady situations.  Ultimately you feel damn lucky to have that person watching your back when an old creepy man is awkwardly staring you down in a dorm room, whilst wearing only tight black manties. (For the record that means man panties.)

Life became so simple jumping from place to place. With limited Internet access and no mention of a cellular device time seemed endless and I always had moments to write thoughts, formulate crazy ideas and live in the now.  When you cut out distractions it is amazing how focused one can be.

Everything and anything became about personal connections and communication.  When you’re with someone everyday, honesty is key.  We are but human and sometimes, we are just emotional for no reason.  If you’re up front about how you feel and what’s on your mind, people will know that it is not personal. For example if you received little sleep due to a rambunctious evening of Swedish hostel mates getting ridiculously busy right close to your bunk: you’re going to feel a little tired, odd and possibly scarred the next day. Or perhaps turned on…?

Hanging around the same city or town for several days we noticed we would frequent the same favourite food venues and hang out haunts.  Sometimes we would crave the familiar, subconsciously maybe it fulfilled our ‘we miss home’ quotient.  Telling stories was vital.  Telling stories on bunk-beds prior to sleep defined our existence.  The stories spanned everything: life, family, friends and the ones we missed and loved.  Life is one giant story. You meet someone new, they share a story about travel and then you share a story right back.  The exchange indefinitely begins!  

Over time we started writing little notes to each other for birthdays, holidays and events marking specific achievements.  It was a way to encourage each other and express our appreciation for one another through words.  In Berlin, Danielle got a nasty cold.  While we were just hanging out in the room, I decided to see if I could make her some tea without her knowing, however the kitchen was directly in front of her bed, which she was on.  I proceeded and ended up boiling the water and borrowing some tea and honey from the cupboard.  She had no idea until I walked it over.  Seeing the look of surprise on her face was comparable to getting a giant hug from a massive friendly man bear. 

Being sneaky then became a skill we both suddenly acquired.  How does one sneakily purchase a birthday gift for your backpack sidekick, while they are with you all the time?  Anything goes from hey check out these items over here, while I purchase this thing hoping the teller will wrap it discreetly and do it in warp speed time before anyone specific finds out.  Little things made all the difference. 

We came back to Newquay, Cornwall near the end of our trip before heading home.  We returned to familiar faces and met some new faces too.  One evening we were getting our lunches ready in the communal kitchen.  Danielle did not like cutting bread, so I was about to go ahead and cut some for our sandwiches, when suddenly I had the urge to pee.  Off I went and then quickly returned to find Danielle had cut the entire loaf of bread by herself.   As silly as that may seem, I was overcome with pride.  Cutting bread was no longer an issue.   You may not realize it, but the people you choose to have relationships with teach you endless astounding things.  

Traveling with someone can help you make leaps that maybe seemed unattainable on your own. You realize that you can really do anything.  Something about being outside all the time moving your body, your vessel, around the earth is such a rush.  I look back and sometimes think it maybe did not even really happen.  Like a dream.  So this one goes out to my platonic spiritual soul traveller: one giant high five to you my dear.  All the words in the universe cannot express how this all surmounted into one magical heap of greatness.  Each day I long for the simplicity that travel provided and the connection of countless warm souls.