Day 83 - What I've learnt from the trip

1) Open your eyes big big and you'll be safe.
Like those women outside the Mezquita giving out some branch of herbs. I didn't accept it, but I suspect if you do, they will over charge you. Or the person who solicit donations for disabled children outside the La Sagrada Familia - how come your organisation got no logo or proper letterhead on your sign up sheet? Where's your license? Why are you so persistent at tourists but not locals? Or the fake police with pathetic cloth badges.

Open your eyes big big when you travel and you'll be safe.

2) Spanish Meal Timings - I can't get use to it.
Lunch at 2 or 3pm? That I can get use to. But dinner at 9pm? I can't. But it's an interesting food culture.

3) There is a life outside work
Like the shop owners who close for 2 hours to go home for lunch. Life still goes on what, despite the small inconvenience that wouldn't cost a life. I learn to be more appreciative of others' effort to balance their life with work.

4) Spain is very very very diverse
Like some of the travellers at the hostel in Córdoba put it, it's more like the United States of Spain. Each region is different, and the regional identity is so strong, even though they all speak Spanish, their local language is still very much in use in everyday life (and appreciated if you could attempt to speak some instead of Spanish). Especially in Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonia region - Catalan language is used as frequently as Spanish in everyday life. I was told that Catalan language is a lot closer to French than Spanish. I also hear that the regional identity at San Sebastian is very distinct, and fiercely protected.

5) Know where Spanish dishes come from and where not to eat it
Different regions produced different food habits and food culture. Like tapas came from the Andalusia region, so you're better off not eating tapas at Barcelona as it is likely to be more touristy. I was told that tapas in San Sebastian is very different from what's served in other parts of Spain. Paella, as much as it is seen as a "Spanish dish", is considered a Valencian regional dish (southeast region), but you'll see it everywhere in tourist traps.

Day 44 - So how was the first solo trip?

1) Planning
Yes, the planning stage sucks. Comparing prices, unable to book ferry tickets because of strange web system, checking out all types of time tables, some in foreign language etc. But it was worth it.

2) Maps
Yes, I'm a map freak. I must have map for every place I go. Even in Singapore, I would search Streetdirectory.com for the shortest route to the place I want to go. But it was in Field Studies, where we were thrown into small places without maps, did I realise that it is very much possible to survive without a map. And yes, it doesn't mean you would lose your way or waste a lot of time taking 冤枉路. Especially in chaotic Fira in Santorini - I didn't lose my way back to the bus terminal as I thought I would.

3) Confidence
I wouldn't be confident to take a solo trip if not because of Field Studies. Serious. But now, I have even more confidence in planning or taking trips

4) Talking
One thing about solo trips - it makes you talk to others more. I get to know more people, instead of mostly among your friends. I met a Swedish, Italian, Greeks, American-working-in-UK, etc. The most memorable one was this uncle at the Acropolis toilet, who despite his very limited command in English, tried to verify some mathematical expansion formulas and Socrates quotes with me. His desire to learn and his friendliness is something I will remember.

Although the attractions in Athens and Santorini is quite tourist-ified, the people are not. That is, what I think, one of the greatest charms of Greece that is most overlooked.