2 weeks before the end of the sabbatical, my sister-in-law asked me "Did it bring you what you were looking for?" After about 17'500 km and my last hike to the Puy de Sancy, I started thinking about it on the way home
And the interesting thing is, after trying to come to terms with myself for 4 weeks in April, I still can't answer this question spontaneously in September.
A few thoughts went through my head
- The Balkans impressed me most. Up to my old age 😉, I was only in the CZ and PL <professionally> and HU in 2021. I hadn't wasted any thought on vacationing in the Balkans or just going there. What a mistake!!!!!
- I had sleepless nights in the days before crossing the border to Albania. It's true that I had to get used to a few things. But still, the country inspired me so much and also alienated me to a certain extend.
Super friendly and helpful people, a great landscape and delicious food.
Yes, there are opposites! Rich and poor meet here so obviously. Mercedes S-Class and donkey-drawn buggy! Also for me the country with the most rubbish on the beaches. But I will definitely go back to Albania - Greece... despite the stunning blue sea, beautiful beaches and thousands of years of culture, I was unsatisfied! On the coast, tourism is king with all its side effects and consequences. In the back country, a little away from mass tourism, this touch of authenticity comes up every now and then... far too rarely
- I took the opportunity to talk to those who wanted to talk to me or who spoke a language that I also speak. Was amazed how many people in the Balkans speak English or German. Communication wasn't really a problem.
It was completely different in France... in no other country have I had so little contact with the locals as in France! - Bulgaria and Romania were my top highlights on the tour. And I only saw a fraction of the countries. I'm still amazed at how differently 2 countries can develop since they joined the EU.
- There are also mountains outside of the Alps. And with definitely less hikers and tourists. And I haven't even been to the Rhodope Mountains or the Carpathians.
The Low Tatras or the Malá Fatra inspired me more than the High Tatras, which have been developed for tourism.
I was also amazed at how many motorbikes and vans are on the road in the western Alps <and that in September>.
For me it was my first encounter with the Pyrenees and I was fascinated by the region <be it Spain or France>.
The Massif Central, the big brother of the Black Forest. Just sit and enjoy.
Many of the prejudices I still had in March 2022 have vanished... but I have formed opinions on other topics
- In Greece I saw pure vanlife for the first time. Boondocking is all well and good, but shitting and peeing around the pitches is a mess. Folks, there are various toilet solutions, or a break in a bar when required, or when push comes to shove, a spade to bury it. But please don't leave it lying around in the trees behind the parking space!!!
- Off-road boondocking is awesome if you stick to a few rules. I really don't understand why I see so many offroaders on Instagram flattening the last piece of nature with their heavy duty vehicles. And also find it cool. In some cases, it is already demanding enough to only drive a camper on the marked roads and to park on pitches that only a dirt road leads to.
Why does it have to be a remote creek far away from the next road. This is one of the reasons why there are fewer and fewer places to stand freely.
Coming back to the question... I had realized before that quite often I get in my own way when so called "circumstances" prevent me from doing something. That's why I wanted to distance myself from everything and think about it.
I did it! Sabbatical objective accomplished. And by the way I had great 6 months 🥳
