My trip back to Europe in ONE word (Part 2/2) - Coronavirus

As I was about to leave Munich behind (read how I got to this point), I still remember very clearly boarding that 8pm Flixbus. I also distinctively remember thinking about whether I would ever come back to this lovely city. A few days prior, I had such a good time with a church friend taking me out for dinner and telling me all the wonderful things there is to do in Munich, and it was too bad that I had to leave so soon. 

This is Kai, the warm-hearted brother who took a chance on me and imprinted such a love for Munich and its amazing food.

This was (and still is) one of my favourite dishes. Käsespätzle (german version of Mac and Cheese).

At this point, I hadn't thought through the journey ahead. The only thing I knew was that a plane or train ticket was too expensive and I needed to keep a tight belt on how much I spend. 

The only thing I decided to do was buy enough snacks and drinks that will allow me to sustain my journey until I reached Lisbon. I knew we will have a few stops along the way, but I also knew coronavirus was on the prowl. One false move by touching things you should have left alone, now the only African man on the trip is coughing and sweating (I didn't know much about covid then)... 

This was the bus route of my trip. Just short of 3000 km and the border crossing of 6 countries. I get shivers every time I look at this map. And it's not shivers of joy!

So the trip was, in one word: EXHAUSTING. By this point, the first leg of the trip going through Austria/Switzerland back to Milan, was very familiar. I was so happy that the bus wasn't full though. Given this point of the coronavirus pandemic, I decided to pretend to have a slight cough so that the seat next to me was going to remain empty throughout the trip (silly, I know. But it worked!). 

We then proceeded to cross the French border passing through Monaco. The mountainside was so beautiful and I got to see a glimpse of the rich and famous. I remember having memory flashes of the Monaco Grand Prix and the legendary races of the early 2000s with Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen in the McLaren. It is too bad we didn't have a rest stop here. 

Passing through Monaco. In the far distance, a glimpse of how the rich and famous spend their money, was evident for everyone to see.

The first long rest stop was in Montpellier, France. At this point in time, I wish I was already at my destination. My whole body was sore and I couldn't believe that an actual bus trip of the magnitude was actually legal. It wasn't a long pause, probably 10min, and we were on our way again. 

We then proceed to our interchange and lay-over destination: Barcelona. It was just surreal arriving at the town that hosted the best football player in the world, Lionel Messi and had the most iconic stadium in the world, the Camp Nou. Sadly, this trip will not allow me to see neither.

The Barcelona train station. I remember being greeted by the crisp Spanish evening with so many people walking and spending time outside and not really minding cold.

I remember sitting on this bench and with everything I owned next to me. Munich felt so far away at this point. Seeing the various families together made me miss my family but I also knew the opportunities awaiting us, if indeed this trip was the beginning of our move back to Europe.

One funny story while in Barcelona. 

Given I was quite tired of the snacks/pies, I decided to find a small restaurant where I could get a proper meal before my next leg of the journey. So pulling my luggage through the unevenly paved streets, I couldn't help but notice that most Chinese/Asian shops were either closed or broken into. 

Anyway, in a great fashion of defiance, I decided to find the first Chinese restaurant I could support. Once I made my order, I asked if I could use the bathroom. I got into this makeshift closet and I remember being so tired that I forgot to wash my hands properly and I started rubbing my eyes. 

The next thing I know, my eyes swell up and I can barely see. So I try to play it cool not to alarm anyone in the restaurant that there was something really wrong with me. I remember asking to have my food as a takeaway, with me barely being able to pay for my meal and stuttering to the bus station with one eye-open and trying to not look "covid-infected".

My son Samson back in South Africa. Wearing a mask on my behalf. At this time the covid-19 was still just a buzz word in South Africa and it deemed a problem that would affect only certain parts of the world. How wrong were we, again?

The drive over the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Entering Lisbon and I remember feeling so excited that I was going to see my sister after over two years of not seeing each other.

So after 40 hours journey, I arrived at the Lisbon bus station. It was such a stark difference from the bus station in affluent Munich. The building was run down, so many people looking like they were ready to ask for some money (actually It only took 15min before the first person mustered the courage to ask me for some money). I quickly realized that the stories of Lisbon (and Portugal at large) being a poor country were not over-exaggerated. It was clearly evident.

Reunited with my sister Rita at Lisbon train station. I couldn't believe that my sister (who is 8 years younger than me) was navigating life in a foreign land and succeeding. It gave me so much courage and comfort that indeed everything will be just fine if you hold on.

I remember feeling so proud seeing my sister at this point. I immediately had flashbacks of my father asking that I greet her on his behalf. I felt so relieved that I would once again reconnect with one of the most important women in my life. 

This is the part of the journey where I became the backseat person. I felt weird relinquishing control to my sister especially after such a long time trying to stay alert and not become a victim of lost or stolen valuables. I remember the train ride to where my sister lives in Vila Franca de Xira, which is a few kilometres outside Lisbon. I felt so blessed to have a loving family member in this part of the world. 

  

The view from my sister's apartment balcony. The first time I walked into that apartment, it was the first time in a long time that I felt I was surrounded with so much love and support. I was so amazed at how grown up my little sister had become!

My sister made me feel so much at home. Although at this point I was missing my wife and son terribly, she went out of her way to make me feel so special and valued and if felt so good reconnecting with my sister. This is one weekend where I participated in my sister's favourite pass time: eating good food!

Rita and I exploring the fauna and flora around her place. The temperatures were getting higher and we were able to take hiking trips. 

Exploring the streets of Vila Franca. The impact of covid19 was evident. All the shops were closed and those open were unwelcoming. This is me trying some of my photographic skills to capture the quaint streets paving and building architecture.

If a picture could talk. Merci (thank you) Rita for making this journey back to Europe end on such a high note. 

More to come...

With coronavirus firmly gripping the world, another chapter of my life was about to begin. I was only due to stay in Lisbon for two weeks and then return home. But my trip got extended for another 5 months!!!!  But that deserves a separate blog. Until next  time!