I am finally going to realize one of the biggest dreams of my life in a few days from now. Going to Europe with friends is on the wish list of every person who is not born on that continent. After all who can resist the many temptations on offer! Ergo, all my savings will be put to some good use on this pleasure trip (So what if it is a cost saver, eh? - I will still have the time of my life!). If you’d like to know the places we’re going, have a look at the SOTC link, http://www.sotc.co.in/CSEurope/CSAllEuropeHigh.html.
Now that we (Chandana, Philomena, and me) have announced our trip to family and friends, lots of tips and travel suggestions seem to be pouring from all directions. Initially, we were surprised at the mixed responses by way of bitter-sweet comments. Some friends and family were thrilled to no extent and happy that we are actually fulfilling our travel plans, while others were skeptical. Some people even asked us why we are bothering to go to Europe by ourselves as the propah time to travel is after one is married. Three single girls traveling to a different continent itself was a fact hard to swallow for them and of course, there were also those who thought we are probably eloping away with boyfriends!
When we signed up for the trip, we had no clue that this vacation would require us to fill in so many forms, visa applications, et al. In fact, we started looking travel brochures in December and it is almost 4 months now. Anyone who is planning a similar trip, one word of advice—Patience! It is this virtue that you shall require the most. From sweet talking travel agents to loan agents (in case you are applying for a personal loan, that is). It is truly a test of the human spirit!
By the way, one thing that struck me the most was that if you are a single woman, you need to provide No Objection Letters (NOC) from your parents to ensure visa authorities that you have sought their authorization for travel. However, men do not have to fuss around with such menial things. In this day and age, I find this discrimination totally unnecessary. All these hurdles are a thing of the past now and hopefully, once the final payments are done we would have at least a few pleasant things to remember of this entire ordeal.
God willing we shall have a great trip and come back with the happiest memories of our lives! The magnificent cathedrals of Rome and Vatican, the amazing Eurotunnel experience, the snow-filled glaciers of Mt. Titlis, the renaissance art of Florence, the romance of Paris and Venice, here we come!
