So, the day officially came. It was June 29th, my tenancy was running out and my finals were over. Having secured a job at an important investment bank in London, my summer was free from all the worry of job seeking. I was looking forward to travelling and seeing what Europe has to provide. After all, during the 4 years I studied in the UK, I never got the chance to really travel Europe, which had always been my dream ever since I grew up in a small town in rural USA. So much opportunities laid ahead!

So there I am, July 1st, standing with my massive backpack in front of the airport gate. Half an hour and I will be allowed to board. Add an hour and a half and I would be getting off in Amsterdam. The stories I had heard about it were absolutely phenomenal. There was no way I could have a bad time there and that is precisely why I chose it as my first stop. Start off the summer with a bang, right?

As expected, two hours later I am stepping down the plane ladder and walking towards passport control. As we wait around for a bit, I manage to go through some hostels on my phone. “The Prancing Pony”? A Lord of the Rings reference? Hell yes! That’s where I’m going to! It’s remarkably cheap, too!

As I get on the bus to Amsterdam’s centre, I can hardly keep my excitement under control. This will be so good, I can just feel it! This summer will be the best!