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12 - Budapest
Hi Everyone! Budapest went off with a BANG!!! When I got here, everyone in the hostel was gearing up to go on a party boat up and down the Danube. Naturally I decided to go along and I'm glad I did. All of Budapest's major buildings and architecture are along the waterfront and they all light up at night - what a view! The party itself was also loads of fun - it was an excellent way to get to know my fellow hostel mates super quickly. I had me some authentic Hungarian mea
Eric Youd
Apr 16, 20242 min read


11 - Bratislava
Hope I'm not going to offend anyone with the following (trigger warning)... Bratislava was kind of lame. Dirty place, cool castle. Generally unfriendly people. Horrible food. Felt a bit like a missing sense of true identity - like leftovers from the fallen USSR that Czechia even didn't want to keep around either. Certainly the most eastern/closed mindset so far on my trip. There were shines of positivity though throughout. Cute little families taking their kids out and
Eric Youd
Apr 14, 20241 min read


10 - Vienna
Hi Everyone, Was in Vienna for the past two days. A lot more quiet of a leg this time 'round. My little "Vienna Boutique Hostel" was a bit of a ghost town. I made the most of it though and put on 37,000 steps yesterday alone! The city was once one of the cultural epicentres for opera, music, art, education, etc. and still lives up to this in many ways. It's very much a destination university town for artists and musicians. Of the people that were in the hostel, some were
Eric Youd
Apr 12, 20241 min read


09 - Prague
Hi Everyone, I just go into Vienna after a wonderful 3 days in Prague. Laszlo, you were absolutely right, Prague is such a beautiful city. The medieval architecture is extremely captivating. Prague is an ancient city built to be protectable and is situated on a giant assed series of hills that kicked my butt several times having to climb. Wanna see the beautiful Pražský hrad (Prague Castle)? It's to over there and up about a bajillion stairs. How about the Petrin Tower,
Eric Youd
Apr 9, 20242 min read


08 - Berlin
Hi Everyone, Berlin was so cool. Great food and grand sights to see. I stayed at my first large hostel - St. Christophers. It had some pros and cons. Everything is very laid out and super easy to understand, but it felt a bit like nickel and dimming you and trying always to get in your pocket. You want a late check out? that's easy just 5 Euros. Don't have a padlock? Need a towel? 2 for 1 drinks... at OUR bar downstairs. Etc. Breakfast was only 5 Euros a day if bought
Eric Youd
Apr 6, 20244 min read


07 - Amsterdam
Hi Everyone, Well Amsterdam was a blast. Arrived into Amsterdam Centraal station which really is the central hub of the city. From there I rented a bicycle to help me get around. Amsterdam has a very distinct combination of smells, it's like fresh baked bread and weed fused together. This was the first boutique or smaller business hostel that I stayed at thus far - Coco Mama. They did a great job of making me feel welcome and included, met some good people and made some go
Eric Youd
Apr 3, 20242 min read


06 - Brussels
Rain and drizzle all day, but I made the most of it. My little drone is also holding its own with the weather. Oodles of history here in Brussels - and lots of delicious chocolate! Easter is apparently a good time to be here I guess. 23,738 steps so far today. I think I got a lot of good shots with today's video. I tried to include more labelling on the specific locations and points of interest that I stumbled my way into. Heading to Amsterdam tomorrow for 3 sleeps. I wi
Eric Youd
Mar 31, 20241 min read


05 - Trains & Monuments
Hi Everyone, This one is a bit shorter than the last two. I've mostly been travelling. Went from London to Lille, France. Rented a car, 2-door Fiat standard transmission - just my size ;). Took the car to see Vimy Ridge and Tyne Cot Cemetery . It was very moving to stand in those places and to take it all in. After just one sleep in Lille, I was off on the trains again heading towards Brussels in Belgium. Here now in my Brussels hostel I have the free time to catch you
Eric Youd
Mar 29, 20242 min read


04 - London, UK - Part 2
Hi Everybody, Today was another early day for me. Started by visiting the Sky Garden + Lounge at the top of 20 Fenchurch Street. Afterwards I decided to take a walk in the famous Hyde Park. To get there I happened to pass through Piccadilly Circus, and the end of that walk landed me at Kensington Palace. Such amazing sites along the way - this place is such a combination of old & new and is truly multicultural. 21,000+ steps all totalled today. Many of those were sneaky
Eric Youd
Mar 27, 20241 min read


03 - London, UK
Hi Everybody! I landed safe and sound. Got off to a great start, and with over 18,000 steps, I feel I have put a pretty solid dent into seeing the sights of London. Highlights for me were the Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey. 2 sleeps and 1 full day left to check this place out some more, then it is off on the train to the mainland of Europe. Tired now - it's well past my bed time. Please take a look at my first real edit of this trip and let me know what you think. I've
Eric Youd
Mar 26, 20241 min read


02 - Leaving on a Jet-plane
Hi Everyone! The day has finally arrived. I'm sitting here in Calgary airport having successfully gotten this far. Kamloops to here was relatively uneventful after my wonderful mom & dad dropped me off - love you guys. Figured y'all would like to hear from me, so here it is... my Europe 2024 adventure has finally begun! Just a short 8 hour and 40 minute flight to go. By Ozzy standards that's a blink of an eye :). Anyway, I hope you all stay tuned and are looking forward
Eric Youd
Mar 24, 20241 min read


01 - Packing for my trip
Hello! If you're reading this then you are one of the few who have chosen to follow me on my journey. Firstly, thank you. It's a pleasant feeling to know that there are at least a few people who care about what's going on in the world of Eric. Secondly, strap in! This is truly going to be an adventure of a lifetime- my lifetime. I'm going to live in the moment, challenge myself, but also take it easy and enjoy the precious and fleeting moments. I'm ready.
Eric Youd
Mar 19, 20241 min read
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