Before Sunset

Forget Thailand. After having watched and re-watched both Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, I have no doubt that Europe is the way to travel. Despite having little hope of meeting my very own Jesse on the way, I just can't get over this urge to experience the continent by means of a Eurailpass.

Magically, I got a glimpse of what could be a green light in the mail yesterday. I'm invited to attend a course conference at the University of Leicester for my MAMC program in February. Since starting my studies in April I haven't so much as been late to a class. There's really no reason why I should ditch a class now just because of a little distance. Especially when the conference is conveniently held just a few days before the three red days we have for Chinese New Year. Which means by taking only four days off work, I can take a 10-day vacation.

Started doing a little research today. Clicked into Eurail's official website, which I've kept in my bookmark for weeks now, and looked up the numbers.

That's when the harsh reality hit me like a ton of bricks. Because I would be 26 years and two and a half weeks old by the time of the conference, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the savings with the "Eurailpass Youth" plan, which translates to a US$174 difference.

Undeniably, the idea that in some parts of the world anyone under the age of 26 is considered as "youth" is flattering. At least it gives me something to feel good about for another month. But I can't make much sense out of why I should be spending a staggering US$174 more than the 25-year-old guy in the next seat, when he could well be more mature than I am, making more money than I do, and have a bigger body mass and hence occupying more space on the train than I would.

Then to think that in no time, I'll be officially "non-young", ouch.

But it's exactly because I'm entering another stage of life that I owe it to myself to venture something for no one else but me.