not just a dream

Do you ever wonder what happened to the people you'd once sat down with to exchange some ideas and dreams? Do you wonder if they have realized what they were planning or it was just their fantasy? Well, you don't have to wonder anymore, because I am bringing you back together with one of our old TEA guests, Eszter. Six months ago we got to know a young Hungarian vagabond, who was then working in a bar in Scotland. Her goal was to earn enough money to go on a longer trip to South America in the following year. She told us that she was not going to spend her entire life working: half a year of working and half a year of travelling is what she wants. Nice dreams, we might have thought. Well, believe it or not, she is not (just) a dreamer: she made it. I caught her for a catch-up interview the week after she returned from a 3-month round-trip over the Atlantic.

 Hola, Eszter! Where were you in the last 6 months?

Hi, TEA drinkers! Well, it's a long story. I resigned in December, came home for the winter holidays, then in February I flew through London to Havana, Cuba. I spent 10 days there, then went to the indigenous villages of Mexico and Guatemala. After that came Lima and the mainstream Peruvian track, which led me to Bolivia and Northern Chile. Finally, I stayed in Argentina and flew home a couple of weeks ago.

Wow, quite a lot of places! How did you manage to cram this many locations in three months?

Well, yeah, I had to hurry. In Havana I spent 10 days, while in Buenos Aires 5 – these were my favorite cities. In the other locations, it was even less. But, honestly, I couldn't imagine to spend more time in these cities. Except, of course, if I had more time… The capitals are not so nice as, for example, in Europe – which is why I would say I liked Toledo and Madrid, two Spanish cities I visited on my way back, even more than most of the Latin American metropolises. Latin America, I feel, is more about nature, the oases, the lagoons, the endless white soil and horizons, than the urban experience.

And was this what you had expected?

I don't know really what I expected. As for the sights, yes, they were exactly like what I had expected. Next time, however, I will try to move away more from the mainstream and check the less popular places.

You know, I think what I expected was the sensation of freedom, to be able to do what I want. To do different things every day. And this I got perfectly. I loved being with fellow-travellers who share this lifestyle and mindset. I must say, though, that we are a weird minority – because few can afford having a 9-month holiday. 

Probably it is not just about who can afford this but also who wants this. Why did you decide to go on this trip?

Because I like travelling. I want to travel around the world. I started in Latin America because, first of all, I haven't been there, and second of all, I wanted to see Cuba before the Castro regime collapses, because then Cuba loses its charm. I regret, though, not to have stayed longer in Mexico and having missed Costa Rica and Colombia.

Now let's turn to more practical issues. These are all non-English speaking countries. How did you manage with communication?

I learned a bit of Spanish beforehand, acquiring a 100-word vocabulary. I tried to use this as efficiently and creatively as possible. It was important to know certain words and phrases, like I want to get off here, or numbers, directions, meals, while, for example, I couldn't talk about my family in Spanish. I also had a very useful dictionary application on my phone. I must say, these were all necessary but not sufficient, because firstly very little percentage spoke English, and secondly, the Spanish they used was not Castillian but local indigenous variations. So I had difficulties but I always managed somehow.

Also, what was a great help is that I used CouchSurfing. I contacted a number of local CouchSurfers, mostly young and intellectual people, who spoke English. They took me to places and helped me understand local customs. CouchSurfing is a very good way to get to know like-minded locals.

Talking about local customs, how did you feel as a young woman in such distant and different cultures?

I didn't feel it mattered I was a woman. Actually, there were great many (single) female travellers. If you are attacked, it's not because you are a woman. The point is that you just need to follow certain basic rules, like don't go out in the dark alone, avoid certain areas, don't wander around drunk, etc. These countries do have dangerous parts but they have touristic, thus, safe, parts as well.

Did you ever feel alone and lonely in the middle of a foreign and constantly changing environment?

Well, only once, in Peru. I was very high above sea level and my body just couldn't handle it. It was hard to breathe, I had constant headache and fever. I couldn't eat. It was then that I felt I need to get out of here. Other than that I always enjoyed being out there and among new acquaintances.

Can you recall one memorable experience then?

It's hard to pick one.  But for example the Oasis of Huacachina, Peru. It was a village for gringos (tourists), a pond in the middle of the immense sand. On one evening we went sand-boarding. It was so weird! I mean, I hadn't seen the desert before. It was amazing. It is not covered with sand, but it is made of sand! So, firstly, this sand experience was totally new for me. Secondly, the oasis, with the pond, the water-bikes, the Cuba Libres, and the sunset, was breath-taking. Then, we had this sand-boarding trip in the evening. We were playing like children, in the sand, in the sunset. The whole desert was our playground. This was complete freedom!

Sounds amazing indeed. Now, after this awesome period of 3 months, what's next for you?

Now I stay in Hungary for a couple of months still, going to concerts like Aerosmith and Rolling Stones, then a bit of family vacation here and there. From September, then, I'd like to get a job in Scotland again, now in a normal bar, not in a country-side hotel. Then in February, my plan is again to go on a bigger trip, either to South-East Asia or to Northern America.

So be it. Good luck! See you in the TEA room next year. :-)

Deal!