Poznan: Traveling without a guide in Poland

When you travel the only thing you have to worry about is finding accommodation and point. The rest comes by itself. I went by train in Poland without a guide and I didn't need it. Well, until then I had not had the urgent need to have a Bibli Planet in my hands. From Gdansk I took a train in the direction of Poznan. It seemed an interesting destination on horseback between the north and south of the country and in turn seemed to be an important city.

The journey was long and heavy. In Poland, most trains run during the day and stop where they feel like it. I was lost all day wandering around the wagons and arrived in Poznan after 10 pm without a map of the city, without the slightest idea of ​​Polish and with one goal in mind: to find a hostel.

Poznan is one of the most important business cities in Poland and has little tourism. I discovered that later. Upon arrival at the station the information booth was closed so I ran out of a map to explore the city. I was walking around the city and at the first hotel I found I asked for a map and one of those city guides where hostels, bars, restaurants and all shops dedicated to leisure and tourism are listed. It served me little good. There was no hostel in the city. At least, listed on those pages. Wandering around the city I talked to some girls who indicated a residence for students - the closest thing to a hostel according to them. I arrived at the place but the door was not opened.

Finally, after speaking with an English expatriate I found on the street and, observing that it was already midnight, I saw that the only possible option to sleep that night was to take out the visa. So we gathered forces and headed to a three-star downtown. Nor was it for so much: 50 euros, warm shower and bed in conditions.

Traveling without a guide and tun-tun sometimes has those things. It is very possible - in fact it is totally true - that at that time you shit in the milk and on the day you came up with the magnificent idea of ​​planting in Poland without a guide in your hands and without planning the trip at all.

But now, looking back at those moments; the surprises awaiting the less suspicious street, the feeling of freedom offered to stop at one train station or the other - just the same! -, point your finger at a map to know what your destination will be the next day and, in Ultimately, each of the opportunities that open up before you and you take advantage happily because you do not ask the country for anything. All this makes that when you return home those are finally the best memories you treasure of your trip.