Europe '81: The Arrival

My first trip to Europe in 1981 was a 3-week tour through Italy, Austria, Germany and France. I still have my travel journal, although most of the entries are terribly brief. At the time I believed I'd never forget the details of such an amazing experience. Hah! Thank goodness I still have my slides and a few souvenirs. And now, using these meagre memory aids, I'll attempt to recreate my journey.

On August 30, 1981 I flew solo out of Toronto, armed with a Eurail Youth Pass and the guidebook Europe on $20 a Day. My itinerary was a little haphazard because I'd originally planned a 6-week tour (including a cruise of the Greek islands) but just prior to departure my father passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly. I cancelled my flights and cruise but later decided to carry on with half of the itinerary I'd planned.

When I arrived in Amsterdam on August 31st there was no time to tour the city as I was due to catch a 2:49 p.m. train to Rome (via Basel). According to my journal I got a brief look at canal houses. Also charming towns along Rhine - castles illuminated. I'd booked a couchette (a compartment with bunks) for the 24-hour journey and remember the train stopping at the Swiss border in the middle of the night.

I did take detailed notes on my expenses, in both local currency (there were no euros until 2002) and the equivalent in Canadian dollars. I paid 6 Dutch guilders ($3) for the airport bus and 12 guilders ($6) for a train snack. The couchette was priced in Italian lire: 9,800 ITL ($10).

On September 1st my journey continued on through Italy where I noticed tall, narrow trees (cypress?) shown in Italian paintings (like the Renaissance painting by Leonardo da Vinci below). The train arrived in Rome at Termini Station at 2:05 p.m and the temperature was warm. By this time I was exhausted from lack of sleep and I'd never consider such an itinerary again.

The Annunciation, Leonardo da Vinci
Uffizi Gallery, Florence

I checked in at the Pensione Esedra for five nights at a rate of 9,000 ITL per night ($9) including breakfast. My journal notes: small but clean room, friendly (but B movie soundtrack). I think I meant porn. I remember very little dialogue and a lot of heavy breathing coming from a cinema nearby.

My first two days in Rome were a blur due to jet lag and fatigue and all my journal tells me is that I saw the Fountains of Esedra and got pinched. I also bought some postcards and a map.

By Day 3, things were getting better. I visited Santa Maria Maggiore, the Baths of Diocletian and Piazza dei Cinquecento. My dinner (wine & porchetta) was a bargain at 1,000 ITL ($1) but I don't remember any of this.

Next time I'll continue with more of Rome. I'll even have a few photos – and some memories!