This familiar feeling of dread

When I arrive by myself in a new country, when I get off the plane and go looking for my suitcase, when I am tired and hungry, and I still need to go through immigration, look for a bus or a taxi and find out where my hotel is, I usually have the same familiar feeling, which could be categorised as a “what the hell am I doing here?” feeling. About a month before, when you planned for this trip it sounded like the best idea. But when you actually find yourself on your own in a foreign country and much less prepared than you wanted to be, suddenly you wonder why you are imposing it on yourself, again.

Usually, that feeling fades pretty quickly. A good night sleep, a smiling face in the street and you remember why you wanted to come here.

Well, I just arrived in Budapest. But strangely enough, the usual feeling of dread wasn’t here to welcome me this time. I arrived there smiling, as if I was about to see an old friend again. And when I passed by the train station in the shuttle, I thought of my surreal night train from Vienna to Budapest last spring, I though of the friend who was waiting for me on the steps outside, and I realised that yes, Budapest was a dear old friend of mine.

I already have a lot of happy memories here, of beautiful places and friendships made in a couple of days. I hope these next weeks will be filled with as many adventures and inspiring people to meet. One thing at least is sure, they’ll be filled with sketches!