Europia!

By the time I reach 34 years old, I will have officially step foot on 20 different countries and two sovereign American territories (Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).  While it would be nice to become the youngest person to have visited every country in the World, I am still very appreciative of the amount of International travel I have done up to this point.

Heading to the Airport for my first Europe trip!

What surprises me the most is the amount of International travel I have done as I thought I would never get to do this much when I was a teenager.  It was that fear I had at the age of 15 that influenced me to take my first trip to Europe.

Touring the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

Growing up in a small town, my high school only had about 500 students at the time.  As such, it was much easier to get to know your fellow classmates and teachers on a more personal level.  Such was the case with my French teacher whose classes I took throughout my high school career.

Group shot in front of the Parthenon

Every year he would organize an annual Spring Break trip to Europe, which would typically include a few days in Paris followed by a few days in some other major European city.  The trips were open to any student in the school, but the 10 day tours usually cost around $2,000 CDN.  Let’s just say most 15 year olds do not typically have $2,000 readily available in their bank accounts.  I know I certainly didn't have the money at the time, so my goal was to save up enough to be able to go on this class trip at least once in high school.  There was no way I could go on more trips than that.  Or was there?

Group tour of Delphi, Greece

One day as I was walking past my French classroom during one of my breaks, my teacher had just stepped outside in the hallway and greeted me.

“Ray, old buddy!  Old pal!  How are you?” he would typically greet me with.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he asked me if I was interested in going on the Europe trip that year, which included a few days in Athens and a few days in Paris.  There were still a few spots open, and being one of his top students in class, he thought I would appreciate this opportunity.

Halfway up Chambord Castle in Loire Valley, France

“Well, I'm actually thinking about going next year when I have some more money saved up.  So, unfortunately I can’t go this year since I don’t have the money,” I replied.

“Hmm … have you tried asking your parents to see if they might be able to help?” he asked.

While my parents have always been supportive of my interests, I wasn't sure if they would have $2,000 to loan me for this trip.

“Well, you can always try asking and see if they might be able to help.  Doesn't hurt, right?”

Posing in front the Eiffel Tower

That’s a good point.  What’s the worst that could happen?  My parents say no because they can’t.  That very same day when I came home from school, my parents asked me how my day went.  I told him about the conversation I had with my teacher.

“Well, how badly do you really want to go?” they asked me.

“It’s not the end of the world if I don’t go since I plan on saving up to go next year, but it would be nice.”

After a few moments of silence, my parents agreed to pay for this trip on the condition that if I decide that I want to go again in high school that I pay for it on my own.

Posing for a photo in beautiful Monaco

My jaw literally dropped at that moment.  Never in a million years would I have expected my parents to do that for me!  They already did so much for my Brother and I at that point in our childhood by paying for our sports leagues, clothes, and family trips to Disney World -- among other nice luxuries around the house – and I know they don’t make a lot of money to begin with.

Backpacking in Ventimiglia, Italy

We agreed to those terms, and I promptly went to my teacher the next morning to pick up the registration form for this trip.  Little did I realize at that moment how much this experience would change me.  It was during this trip that the notorious travel bug bit me!

Munich, Germany

Fearful that I would never get these types of opportunities again in the future, I not only lived up to my promise of paying for my trip in Grade 11, but I also saved up enough money to go to Europe again in Grade 12.  Within two years of high school, I had already been to Europe three times whereas most people never get there at all.

"Hitch-hiking" at the Germany-Austria border

France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Monaco, Italy and Greece were all names I was familiar with in the World Almanac that I had as a child or by watching the Olympic Games through the years.  But, I never imagined I would set foot in all of them before I became an adult.  Lichtenstein was the only country I never knew existed until my third Europe trip during Grade 12.

Spice Girls sighting in Liechtenstein

How did I do it?  Through dedication and hard work!  After that first trip, I ended up getting a part-time job at a local restaurant washing dishes and busing tables.  I picked up as many shifts as I could – including working double shifts on the weekends or in the Summer when I could – and only used the tips I made as my weekly spending money.  It was pretty difficult to spend money to begin with when you are working every weekend or playing sports most week nights.  But, nothing was going to stand in my way to visit Europe as much as possible in high school.  And that dedication and passion for travel has stayed with me today.

Lucerne, Switzerland

As I sit here patiently counting down the days to my 2014 World Cup trip, I now realize it was that brief conversation with my French teacher in the hallway that lead me to where I am today.  Without his encouragement nor the support of my parents, I don’t know if I would even be writing this blog.

Group photo atop Mount Pilatus in Lucerne, Switzerland

If you are reading this and have children of your own, then please consider encouraging them to go on these types of class trips if they are available.  It’s more than just a trip as you can tell by the life skills I developed as a result.  I don’t know how to properly thank my parents, but I will pay it forward to my own children one day.  That I can promise you!