Europe 21

“There’s nothing better than just bucking trends and saying yes I’m going to do that. Because really, it doesn’t matter. No one else gives a damn.” ~Wise words from a wise person. In this case, she was referring to my recent decision to go solo across the seas, to the undulating capital of Lisbon, Portugal. I was rolling along reluctantly on the 59 bus to work, wincing at the concept of another gruelling shift tackling the relentless post-Covid tsunami. The thought of going ‘back to Europe’ sprung into my mind; I immediately grabbed the thought with both hands before it could fly off. Clasped with a tight grip, I found some cheap flights to Lisbon and booked. There. Done. Eek. Yay? All before I got off the bus at Waterloo. Fast forward two weeks; hostel booked, four night shifts done and I’m in the queue for my warm Prêt tomato and cheese croissant at Stansted. My pre-flight routine (we all have one) was dusty, and the first mouthful of that deliciously calorific pastry brought back in...