Xandra’s review of Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe > Likes and Comments

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message 1: by Ema (new)

Ema This book sounds like a lot of fun (and I like the way you are defending it). Have you really wandered aimlessly through Europe? Wow, I admire and envy you in equal parts! :)
Fun review, Xandra, I've really enjoyed it.


message 2: by Xandra (new)

Xandra Thank you, Ema! I went on that trip mostly because I was a mess of a human being. I suffered from fits of depression in high school and then in college (too much Cioran philosophy too early, I guess) and sometime during that period I stumbled upon Into the Wild (the movie and, later, the book), emphasized with the sentiments expressed there and for the first time I felt that life isn't completely meaningless. So one day, despite concerned advice on the contrary, I just took off and spent the next few months backpacking through Europe, making lots of friends and generally becoming a new, happier person with a more relaxed view on life. Took me some time to discover it, but traveling and talking to strangers is my little well of happiness.


message 3: by Ema (new)

Ema Xandra, your trip must have been one amazing experience. I've never had the courage to leave everything behind and travel the way you did. I guess I was taken aback by the thought that I don't have enough money for that. I admire you. You really tasted adventure, it seems!
I totally agree about travel, this is definitely my favorite thing in life. Also meeting new people - at some point I wanted to work at a hostel, just for the pleasure of talking to strangers from all over the world. So, if you ever come to Bucharest and feel like meeting a stranger, I'm the one. :))
(I haven't read Cioran, so I had a really cheerful state of mind as a young girl. I want that carefree feeling back!)


message 4: by Xandra (new)

Xandra It was something that I had to do and I felt that I would regret it later if I didn't. There's always the question of money, but I quickly got the hang of not spending too much and I didn't have anything else to spend my savings on anyway. Sometimes the people I met invited me over to their place or they offered to share a room. At first I was wary and refused, then I started trusting them and it was worth it. I still keep in touch with many friends I've made during those months.


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