Thomas Hurst

Ever since I took my first step on to an airplane, I have been obsessed with traveling. Whether I am visiting family in Canada, going fishing in Colorado, or traveling through the southern part of the United States, I have loved traveling. But for me, traveling took an exciting turn during the summer of 2019. My high school friends and I decided to go on an excursion through Europe, which turned out to be a life changing experience. Landing in Paris, my jaw dropped as I laid my eyes on the Eiffel Tower from the airport-shuttle window. I tried new foods that were unheard of in the Western Hemisphere and was introduced into culture I had never seen before. Leaving Paris, I took my first train ride to Barcelona. Although it was hectic, railway travel was new to me and was an enjoyable experience nonetheless. Barcelona was filled with gypsies, criminals and street fights, and I loved every second of it. The Spanish food was mediocre, but eating it was necessary to get the full Catalonian experience. After Barcelona, my touring posse headed through Switzerland, witnessing some of the craziest views on this planet. After Switzerland we headed to Innsbruck, Austria, where I learned how not to gamble. This trip not only made me a more cultured person, but also solidified my love for travel.