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Getting Lost and Making Memories

Meeting new people is a great perk of travelling.

While travelling, I’ve found that just as often as a new place makes an impact on me, so do new people. Backpackers are an interesting breed as they are always willing to lend travel advice, swap stories or share a bottle of wine. Dinner conversation in hostels can turn to any topic under the sun - where you've been, where you're going and who's waiting for you back home.

Being undecided about my exact plans for school next year, it's been really helpful talking to travellers from all walks of life. The majority of friends we've made in hostels are college grads. They are between degrees or unsure of their future career plans. We've met people in the process of applying to med schools, men and women on career breaks and even fellow Canadians on one and two year trips around the world. When I get asked what I do in life, my perfunctory answer is always, "I haven't quite decided yet!" Contrary to the responses I got from a few people before leaving on this trip, other travellers have always reassured me that not rushing into school was a perfectly fine decision.

Likewise, most locals we've had the pleasure of talking to have been unfailingly kind. We talked about music with the owner of our hostel in Liverpool for hours - I had no idea we would have so much in common! He even explained rugby to us! In a small French town called Bayeux, a baker offered to drive us to our hotel that was 25 minutes away. Many times in many cities, passers-by have stopped and offered us help. It's easy to lose your sense of direction over here, but more often than not, you'll meet good people who will help you find your way.