Europa 1977

This was the trip that started it all. Airfares had dropped bringing Europe into reach. A chance to see a bit of the world before settling down - little did I know that I’d see something better. Armed with a rail pass, I rolled between London, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Paris, Rome, Munich, Salzburg, Luxembourg and Zurich. Included was a cruise down the Rhine. I don’t know which was worse. Castle after castle under grey skies or the awful elevator music blasted on the boat. As sparingly as I was taking photos, for some reason I went snap-happy overlooking Bergen, Norway (so you’d better enjoy the view). My cheap pocket camera broke in Austria and Switzerland, so those images reside in my memory for you mindreaders out there. As all roads lead to Rome, guess where this show ends. The musical accompaniment is Tutta Va Bene by Camille Bazbaz.

Wandering Europa

Back in the early 80s, Europe was still a wild and untamed continent. Intrepid backpackers trailblazed the land armed with rail passes and thumbs powerful enough to stop a speeding vehicle for a lift. This particular journey began in the north of Norway above the Arctic Circle to the outback of Kiruna, Sweden. South to Stockholm, with a ferry excursion over to Suomi, the land of the Flying Finns. In Turku, there was Beatles memorabilia with a bust of Lennon and a flag saluting the song Back in the USSR. Helsinki built a church from an abandoned UFO. Heading west again to Copenhagen, just in time for the Folk og Land Fest, a rain storm and some artsy night shots. The trail went south to the Netherlands. Amsterdam and then the Cool Peoples Congress in Woerden. A meet-up with wild and crazy backpackers at a hostel in Paris. Then on to Switzerland for Basel + Allschwil, Romanshorn and Bulle before crossing the Great St Bernard Pass into Italy. Alas, all roads lead to Rome. The musical accompaniment is Wanderlust King by Golgol Bordello.