After Covid, I left my hometown of Belgium to travel by hitchhiking in Europe. I’ve been travelling this way around the world for 5 years now. When I set out, I never expected it to last this long.
Because I was working in theaters in Brussels and everything closed, there was no job for me. I was 25, smoking and drinking a lot and I’d never been in a country where people speak a language other than mine. So I was like, I need to do this experience.
There’s something that nourishes me and keeps me moving and exploring. I never stay in a place too long. It’s hard to box it into a simple concept. I can feel it when it’s there and it takes different shapes. Though sometimes, I can’t find it and question why I’m doing this.
Like when I arrived in Australia, I was really struggling to find meaning and I felt out of place. It was as if I was in a continuous show surrounded by conspicuous happiness. In cities people are often busy and distracted. It felt very unstimulating and it didn’t feel real.
Until I arrived here in Alice Springs, where I connected with the honesty of the place. Being here makes me realise things about the world in general. It teaches me about humanity and human behaviors such as joys, misunderstandings, sorrows. And the landscape is very beautiful.
As I’ve been travelling, I’ve met all kinds of people through the likes of volunteering, working, hiking, and everyday life. Our connections are often humorous, honest, warm, and temporary. I’ve learnt so much about life — how to speak different languages, many practical skills, and I’ve also learnt a lot about myself.