Good morning from Durrës, Albania! I went freecamping on the north side of town at a quiet spot on a seaside hill. First I wanted to camp at the beach, but there were already some people there. So I climbed up to this flat space and pitched my glorified mosquito-net/inner tent layer, rolled out my sleeping bag, ate dinner, and went to sleep until sunrise happened again. The ferries from Italy were slowly rolling into the bay. And during the night I saw some cruise ships passing by on the Adriatic Sea. It was some real good alone time. Alone…Continue reading
Dogs of (Spontaneous) CouchSurfing (Tiranë, Albania)
I love it when my CouchSurfing – spontaneous or official – have pets, such as dogs! Look at this adorably small dog of my host in Tiranë, Albania. It’s so small and sweet and playful. As you might know, I grew up with a dog named Ashley, who is now a bit old but still doing great. I also recently hitchhiked with the humongous dog of my drivers in Romania, which was nice because it was cold until I received dog cuddles. Though getting into a car with a dog present is always a little scary. Will the dog like me?Continue reading
Hitchhiking from Montenegro to Albania: It’s Border Time!
I’m packed and ready to hitchhike from Montenegro to Albania! That’d be country #57 if you’re wondering. The last weeks in Kruče have been absolute bliss. Packing to cross a border is, however, a little bit unchill. But I did it and I’m ready. Aleksandra has been a wonderful host and I really love her life stories and passion for music. Sometimes you meet people with an openness that just blows you away. I’m definitely going to miss this, but it’s time to move on and see what the much-hyped Albania has to offer. Some people think it’s a scaryContinue reading
Tourist vs Traveler Debate: Don’t Be an Asshole
The tourist vs traveler debate is a real thing you’ll hear about often when on an extended trip. I think it’s a tiring, irrelevant debate that really bores me by now. So often you hear people self-importantly tell you at a hostel, hotel, or bar that they’re “not a tourist”. Is this a matter of feeling insecure? Apparently being a tourist is a bad thing, but why? Most of us who travel start out as tourists. We book a tour that includes a flight, hotel, food, and trips to the most important sights such as the Pyramids in Egypt andContinue reading
Literal Book Worm (Kruče, MNE)
This little fellah – a literal book worm – was reading along with me last night. I led the bendy boy off the page and onto a wall to not squish him. I’m reading the book The Price of Salt/Carol that Aleksandra had lying around her place by torchlight. It’s basically about two women on a road trip, which makes my thumb a little itchy to hitchhike on to Albania. I’m slowly preparing to leave Aleksandra’s elaborate hospitality here in Kruče. I didn’t meet her via CouchSurfing, but this has been my longest surf so far! Apparently, I arrived here on the 16th of May.Continue reading
Kruče: Happily Stuck in Montenegro
Just another beach day in Kruče, Montenegro with books, beer, buddies, and bloody awesome sunsets. [INSERT SILLY INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE] 😉 I can’t leave this place because it doesn’t want me to leave. I can’t be arsed to move further away than the nearest supermarket to buy the necessary supplies for another day of hardcore relaxation. The night is coming and there will just be my good friend, her dog, and me with candles, blankets, and conversation. Guitars and songs. Sometimes satisfaction and happiness come really close to each other. The last rays of the day are going, but I’ll beContinue reading
AMA: Did you have any major concerns hitching in Central America, such as Nicaragua?
A new question for my Ask Me Anything (AMA)! This person called Dave wrote the following message about hitchhiking in Central America (CA), in particular, Nicaragua: Iris, thank you so much for the very thoughtful and insightful response to hitchhiking in Central America, particularly Mexico. Very quickly, did you have any other major concerns hitching in CA (Nicaragua, ?) I followed your @Hitchhiker_Mind handle on twitter because I only signed up for Tumblr to message you. But thanks again, I really look forward to staying up on your travels in the future! Dave Here’s my response: Hey again Dave! NiceContinue reading
Decorations, Ajvar, and Seaside Shenanigans (Kruče, MNE)
Today we made some year-round tree decorations for Aleksandra’s place in Kruče. These trees overlook the Adriatic seaside here and the decorations catch the sunlight beautifully. I’m a fan of this idea of decorating. So far, I haven’t been bored. Perhaps I should have become an interior (exterior?) decorator or something. It’s nice. As you might have noticed, what started as a few days in Kruče has become more than a week already. Aleksandra has extended her invitation here and I feel very welcome. I’m reading a book called The Price of Salt/Carol in the sunshine and am enjoying it. We often walkContinue reading
AMA: What is sleeping alone like while wildcamping?
A new question for my Ask Me Anything (AMA)! This person wrote the following message in Dutch. I’ll translate it to English and put the original in Dutch below. The topic is: what is sleeping alone like while wildcamping? English translation: Yoooo! You’re Dutch I assume? Respect for your lifestyle anyway, few people hitchhike solo, great to see. I wonder: what is sleeping alone like? Is it always scary to some extent, or are you getting used to it? I am planning to hitchhike alone and go wildcamping soon and I am curious what I can expect! My response translated toContinue reading