24 Hours' Notice

By Tomas Love

This book takes place in the year 2000. Do you remember the world back then?

- I was the only person to walk completely from Heathrow to Gatwick airports (London).
- I stayed with a doctor family for two weeks because of necessary surgery. I never knew them before I went to their front porch.
- I met a famous girl pop group. That I liked.
- I went to a fashion week show because I was in the area.
- This is a random journey in 4 different countries where I had to survive and live wild.
- I sent usual e-mails to friends and family and this was the year 2000.

This trip to Germany, Netherlands, England and France changed my life forever, for the better. It is a great book for young people who want to travel and see the world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tomas Love
• Release date: Mar 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458091468

Tomas Love

artist

Book preview

Never been done before.

–viktor–

It was an age of optimism.

–JKD–

Everyone is a little bit curious.

–Tomas–

24 Hours’ Notice

by Tomas Love

copyright 2011 Tomas Love

Smashwords Edition

One 19-year-old, 24 hours' notice, one handheld computer, one keyboard, one knapsack, one sleeping bag. Three months, one thousand miles on foot, ninety-two nights of sleep.

Tomas flew to Europe with no connections, but met many who sent him home a changed man. These journals were written as they happened.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is dedicated to you.

Table of Contents

PART ONE - Not walking on the Autobahn

PART TWO - Saying Hello to weed

PART THREE - We don't have charcoal, but we do have milk

PART FOUR - Putting my feet up

PART FIVE - Stars in tents and other VIP events

PART SIX - Got chocolate bread?

PART SEVEN - It's an Atomic world

The following takes place in the year 2000.

~~~~ PART ONE - Not walking on the Autobahn ~~~~

day 00: 5:20 p.m.

The adrenaline is pumping. I have just learned that in twenty-four hours, I'll be on a flight from Toronto to Frankfurt, Germany. I need to make many preparations and quickly. I've been planning this trip for a while, but my sister thought her plane ticket was set to expire August 5. It turns out the flight is July 20, 5:30 pm–tomorrow.

I love this rush. My sister’s name on the ticket shouldn't pose a problem, but I can only bring a carry-on knapsack. I'm glad I already have my list of what to take. There is no time to waste–this is chaos!

day 01: 6:30 p.m.

It's all happening–the plane is taking off! My sister checked in and now I'm flying for free. I had no troubles getting through airport security. There are only two checkpoints: one where they search for weaponry and one prior to boarding.

I have everything I need with me, from toilet paper to a little spoon. This Palm Pilot V handheld computer is my only electronic device. Damn, I’m missing a compass.

I have left everyone behind, including my old self. I look forward to meeting beautiful ladies. I look forward to walking.

I'll arrive in Frankfurt at 7:00 am local time. The first question is, what will I do when I leave the airport? I'll start with buying water and a couple of loaves of bread. At all times on this trip I want to have bread readily available.

I completely forgot to eat today. After dinner, I’ll grab a nice long nap so that I'll be ready to soak up Frankfurt . . . here come the drinks!

day 02: 8:00 a.m.

My first impression here in Frankfurt airport is that this place is rich. The interior is sweet. I just saw someone with the skinniest laptop ever. Some dudes just rode by on bicycles! This spot is packed with unconditional hotness. The fancy business lounge is full of super-expensive TVs. I’m getting a few looks as I type on my folding keyboard.

The Travel Value! store in front of me has no doors. You can enter and exit anywhere around the perimeter.

I see lots and lots of White people.

I made it through customs by not saying a word, by just whipping out my Canadian passport. The officer just looked at me and stamped the thing.

4:30 p.m.

They all laughed at me when I asked how to walk to downtown Frankfurt. I was determined to start my trip off right. I popped a caffeine wake-up pill and got going.

There is a forest between the airport and the Zentrum; only the highway goes into the city. Initially, I walked on that highway until I noticed a nice forest pathway off to the side. I hopped a barbed-wire fence and wandered along for a long time. It was clear that nobody ever went there–it was very secluded. I continued along several more paths and ended up on the outskirts of the city.

It seems like everyone here drives either a BMW, Mercedes, VW or Audi. Taxis are Mercedes. Ambulances are Mercedes.

My $5 US dollars/day budget isn’t easy. At the airport, I had to buy a phone card for 12 marks (I called my sister to let her know I arrived safely). Then I reached a residential neighbourhood and bought a loaf of bread for 0.99 marks.

I met a girl named Xena filming cloud reflections off a skyscraper, and told her how hot she was. We chatted for about 15 minutes (she was liking me). She suggested I get to the top of a blue circular building in the downtown because it has a peerless view of Frankfurt. It sure does have a beautiful view, but it cost me three marks. At least my voluntary spending today has been under five bucks.

From the top of this skyscraper I can see which way I'll head to find a good place to sleep tonight. Then I'll leave tomorrow towards Amsterdam, since it will take a while to walk there. I feel I've seen Frankfurt in its entirety from street perspective.

I need a better German map. I looked for one today, but couldn't find anything decent. They were all magnified little sections of Germany. I also couldn't find the adapter and volt changer I need for my Palm cradle. I tried ten stores: one had a big one for 60 marks, but they didn’t have the little one they usually carry for 20 marks. I need to pray that this Palm battery lasts me to Amsterdam.

There is no free online access anywhere in Frankfurt; I'll have to check the university I'm heading towards. My bread and water intake is working well, but I’m almost finished my loaf.

I saw some skateboarders and a good BMXer practicing in the downtown. Everyone passing by seemed to treat it as the normal thing to do.

I see mountains in the distance–it must be the direction of Amsterdam.

9:25 p.m.

I promised myself I'd find a place to sleep tonight before 9:00 pm. I went to talk to two old people living in a small house to ask if I could sleep on their property. Here’s some advice: Never talk to old German people who don’t speak English if you don’t speak German. They understood a little, but it did more harm than good. I wasted 15 minutes.

I was eyeing a farmer’s field when I came upon a space filled with tent-like structures, thinking maybe it was a campground. This is where I am sleeping. Not under some flimsy covering on grass, but on a nice hard table under a real roof with loads of blankets. Those were courtesy of the nice people I met here by chance. They took off with their dogs and will be returning at 9:00 am tomorrow, so I have peace. I feel safe because all the gates are locked and I am completely out of sight–it's a deserted area. I hid all my belongings under blankets. I stashed my super-important stuff in my sleeping bag. I have no idea how the mosquitoes will be or even if there will be any.

I just aired out my feet and, boy, do they reek. I think I have just walked the most I have ever walked in my life today. If I grab 11 hours of sleep tonight, I'll be ready to take off for the next destination: Limburg. If I get there by 7:00 pm tomorrow, I'll be right on schedule.

When people are willing to help, they are willing to help all the way.

day 03: 10:00 p.m.

I awoke in the middle of the night. Sleeping outdoors last night was not as enjoyable as I thought it would be. I usually need to sleep on my side or my stomach, but with the hard board beneath me, sleeping on my back was the only comfortable option.

The first people to arrive in the morning were an old man and a lady, who asked me to leave. I couldn’t explain to them that I was welcome there. When I finished packing ten minutes later, the nice woman from the previous evening arrived, happy to see me. She took me to the back of the building where, with a huge smile, she showed me a shower. When I went to say goodbye, she insisted on giving me ten francs.

I felt weak hiking up Highway 8 towards Limburg. Apparently, it is 60-70 km away from Frankfurt, not 50. My shoulders were hurting from the knapsack; my shin was aching.

I was looking for a place to go swim. Somebody recommended a pond, but it was too dirty. So I asked a few more people, and ended up at a swimming pool. I chatted with some locals about finding sleeping accommodations. One nice man offered to let me sleep on his property. It's a beautiful home in Schoßborn, a nice town in the mountains.

His name is Peter; his wife is Birgit. Birgit is a housewife who works part-time helping the elderly and Peter works around town delivering goods. They have one son and one daughter who are both adorable. Birgit speaks English and Peter doesn’t, so I'm talking to Birgit a whole lot. We were chatting about my trip. When I mentioned I was walking to London, Birgit joked that I could walk through the Chunnel. It's long and they only allow trains to go through it.

I am sleeping in the basement on a rug with my sleeping bag. I have a morning shower to look forward to. This is the nicest young couple ever.

I sent out a group e mail this morning from a hotel in Höchst. I drank mineral water while surfing the web on a big flat screen. The polite and helpful Concierge photocopied a map for me and showed me which direction to walk in.

My swim at the pool earlier today was relaxing. I challenged a dude who looked really damn good at ping-pong to a game. The outdoor table had a cool metal net, instead of mesh. He beat me three games, usually about 21 to 10. I asked his mom how often he played. She said he played multiple times a day: at home with his dad, at school during breaks and at the pool. This guy was a pro and he was probably 16.

I forgot to write about the scariest building I have ever entered. While still in the city of Frankfurt searching for somewhere to sleep, I eyeballed a deserted bridge about a mile long and decided to cross it. It spanned over 100 train tracks, the most I have ever seen in one place. This long industrial-looking bridge was about three feet wide at my feet and about six feet wide at my head. It was dark green and resembled a corridor. I neared the end when I saw that it led directly into a building. Then I saw a man looking out at me–from the inside. I prayed the door was open. It was, so I went in. I headed straight downstairs so I could leave, but the main exit was locked. It was completely dark inside. I went through an open door and down a pitch black corridor, trying to open every door along the way. I opened one, but it was a closet full of custodial supplies. I headed up to the second floor to try more doors. They too were all locked. I knocked on them, but no one came. I flickered the light switch repeatedly, trying to get someone to come help me escape this ghostly building. I headed down a small stairway and turned left. A door to the outside! I didn't expect it would open, but it did. I was so relieved. It was my first day in Germany and I didn’t want to be killed in there by some psycho.

day 04: 12:25 p.m.

I’m in this town of Esch sitting at a picnic table, eating bread and drinking mineral water. I see a sign that shows Limburg is 27 km away. I figure I’ll follow a pattern: One day I'll walk far, and the next day I'll take it easy. Today I'll have to walk hard to enjoy Limburg. Then I am trekking to Cologne. I could pass through a town called Bonn, but absolutely everyone I have spoken with frowns upon it. There is nothing to see in Bonn, It is boring and You don’t want to go there is what I have been hearing. I take their word for it since citizens know best.

I woke up today at about 9:30 am and took a shower at Peter and Birgit’s. I've showered every day in Germany so far. Since today is Sunday and generally everything closes in Germany on Sundays, I’ll probably grab a loaf of bread in Limburg in the morning.

I passed through a big forest today to get to a small countryside highway. The view is just awesome. I can see why people enjoy living in the country more than in the city, although I am still 50/50 on my view of city life compared to country life.

I lost my sweater yesterday. It was around my waist at the pool the last I remember. Peter returned this morning to ask if anyone had found it, but no one had. He also searched along the road I had walked to get to his place, but no luck. I may need to cut a hole in the Air Canada blanket I lifted and wear that when I get cold.

I heard something about rain tomorrow. I sure hope I don’t get any rain on this trip, but I probably will.

I’m going to fill up my water bottle and take off. I specifically need to ask for stillwater because twice now I got bubbly water. I enjoy it, but I have to drink it right away without closing the lid. For the road, tap water is a must.

10:00 p.m.

I got to Limburg at 8:00 pm and immediately started looking for somewhere to crash. I came upon this campground and decided to sneak in and look around for people who had canopies attached to their trailers. One dude offered me the tent in his car, so we set it up in front of his trailer.

Then he mentioned something about paying. I told him I couldn’t pay because it’s out of my budget. Well, he made me pay. He went to the front desk to report that I was staying here. Everybody pay, he said. The damage was 12 marks. I handed the guy ten and he paid two. He only got ten out of me because I am tired and this tent is already set up. I will worry about cleanliness in the morning. I want my marks' worth of shut-eye.

day 05: 2:30 p.m.

I’m sitting at a damp picnic table. I see a Geilnau town sign. I don’t see this town on the map, so it must be miniature. I am trying to get to the Rhein, a huge river that runs up to Cologne.

It rained last night while I slept—splendidly—in the tent. I misjudged the guy who helped me with the tent and wanted me to pay. He is a good person. He is here from Cologne, camping with his family for three weeks. He woke me up at 9:00 am with bacon and eggs waiting for me. He even gave me a coin for a four-minute shower. This was a nice washroom! I was especially keen on how the stall walls are just three inches off the ground, but over seven feet high. It’s private, but I decided not to shower and keep the trendy coin as a souvenir.

Afterwards, this guy showed me his dingy boat with a 5 hp motor on it. I may want to stick to walking this whole trip, but I also never pass up a good thing. We travelled about 4 km out of Limburg by river to the town of Diez. He dropped me off and gave me ten marks. I pay for your camping.

I wandered Diez looking for a supermarket. Instead, I found a store displaying knives in the window. I went in and bought one for 12,95 marks. The blade shoots straight out and then straight back in. I’ve always wanted one and couldn’t say no to the price. I also bought a loaf of bread and a one-litre, ten-flavour fruit juice.

I’m not sure if I will get to Koblenz today because this river is winding. I am walking on the road, but a car passes only every five minutes, so it's enjoyable. It's nice scenery: mountains and hills and horses.

4:10 p.m.

I am now in possibly the most chilling place in Germany. I was walking along the river when I arrived at a dock. I asked some people how to follow the river since I want to get to the Rhein. They pointed to a small path and said I had to follow it over the mountain to the next town and then on to another town, which has a bike path leading to the Rhein.

I started hiking up the mountain. I'll bet no more than two people a week use that road. My sweaty shorts aren't worth a hoot and a holler for climbing since they constantly rub against the back of my knee, but I did reach the top. I had two choices. I could go right onto dirt, or I could go left onto a grassier road.

I chose left. When I turned past a corner of trees, I discovered a lookout tower. As I got closer, it looked more and more like a treehouse, about 20 feet off the ground. I climbed up the wood ladder and got inside.

I am now enjoying a 180-degree view of foliage. There is a small town in the distance. I almost wish that if it were to rain today, it would rain right now, so that I could just rest in here.

The most difficult, out-of-the-way detour has led me here. Amen.

9:35 p.m.

I am sleeping tonight under an overhang on a hotel patio here in