Europe 2015- In which I try to find a job

Post date: Oct 05, 2016 6:55:38 PM

I have long had a travel bug (one of my colleagues during my undergraduate said I have a travel tapeworm, it’s never satisfied), and I have considered moving abroad for a few years. As I finished my PhD, it was time to take my consideration and turn it into a reality. So I went to Europe, to present some work at ESEB (that conference again) and to look for a job. But as with most trips to Europe, it starts by visiting this asshole.

I arrived in London and decided I wanted to do something different. I have seen all the tourist sites, and most of the city over the many times I have visited and I often feel at a loss when it comes to things to do in London. But I love book stores. Love them. I’m a huge bibliophile. So I decided it might be fun to do a book store tour of London! I looked on Buzzfeed and it had a list of the best independent bookstores in London. I picked the best ones, and Nick and I set out! However, Nick has the attention span of a gnat and doesn’t share my love of reading. So after the second book store (where he was clearly bored), I asked “Nick, where is the nearest wine bar?” and he said “two blocks that way”. So we went on a wine bar tour of London instead.

Our first stop was one of his favorites, which is now one of mine, 10 cases. Their name provides truth in advertising. They only ever stock 10 cases, so their wine is constantly something new as they are trying different wines.

As we were chatting I noticed the guy at the table next to us kept looking over. I asked Nick “Am I being too loud” to which he responded “Loud American, isn’t that a bit redundant. Like “Tall skyscraper””.

Next we went to Gordons. It’s near Embankment, and is mostly awesome for it’s outdoor space. That and it’s wine. This was not the first time Nick and I went to Gordons, it’s one of my favorite wine bars.

At this point we were starting to get tipsy. So we decided that the couple sitting next to us, who were on a first date after meeting online, wanted us to chat with them about their date. Clearly they needed us. We obliged.

Finally we went to a random back room bar near Trafalgar. It was pleasantly dark, which was good because we had been drinking all morning on empty stomachs and by this point were pretty sloshed. It was not yet 6pm. This is a good day.

When Nick went to work Monday morning, I went on my book tour. And it was glorious. I mostly took buses around the city (public transportation in London is my favorite), so I got to see the city from the top of my bus. I got to see corners of the city I had never seen before, and walk around book stores (one of my favorite past times).

And along the way I walked past some of my favorite tourist spots, like Covent Gardens (this is one of my favorite spots in the entire world).

And this epic view of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Lovely.

London is one of my favorite cities and one of the few places in the world I could see myself settling down. The city is constantly changing, constantly someplace slightly different. It is full of life, so much so it almost has a heartbeat of it’s own.

I feel like I am my best person in this city, and although I am not ready to settle there yet, I hope to be some day.

Next stop? Italy! I flew into Milan and quickly settled into my excellent hostel. Rooftop terrace. Absolutely lovely. I met up with some ladies in the hostel, and we decided we wanted to stay in and drink wine. This is music to my ears, always. So we all went around the corner and bought bottles of wine, and sat on the roof terrace enjoying the breeze.

The next day I went to Il Domo with one of the gentlemen from the hostel. I have seen many churches and cathedrals around the world, but this. This was the most epic. By far. I walked to the top and could not stop taking photos. This one is my favorite, older gentlemen looking out over a modern city.

After the morning in Milan I was off to the really relaxing part of the trip, Lake Como. As with most of the rest of the trip, I traveled by train.

I found a hostel that was stupidly cheap on Lake Como near Mennagio. This is the view from my room. I was sweating like crazy, so immediately threw on my swimsuit and went swimming in the lake. Stunning.

After a lovely dinner in town, with a wonderful new friend, Angus (Australian farmer who made so much money he spends large chunks of the year traveling), I retired to my room.

The next day, I set off to what lonely planet calls “the swimming pool with the best view in the world” Apparently locals come to this swimming pool on the shore of Como. They serve wine at the bar by the pool. It was an awesome way to spend the day relaxing.

It also starts a series of photos which I’m going to title “view from my glass of wine”. I spent the rest of my time in Italy walking around and enjoying great views, good food and wonderful wine.

Finally it was time to go to Switzerland for ESEB. I have been to Switzerland many times, but I had never been to Lausanne. I. Loved. It. I wanted to start and end my search for a job here. I wanted to move in next week. It’s on the lake, it has wine, it’s a cute little city, sort of like the one I imagined myself moving into. Loved it.

We had Wednesday afternoon off for excursions, and I went in search of wine. What’s that? One of the oldest wine growing regions in the world is located right next to Lausanne? Don’t mind if I do!

I went to a local wine bar, and there was a couple near by (seen in this photo). I couldn’t tell if they were breaking up, or had decided to have a baby together. Seriously, no clue. This may be why I’m single.

The conference dinner was really spectacular. This is the most Swiss moment that has ever happened.

Followed by traditional raclette. The thing I love most about the Swiss is their love of cheese. This is just what it looks like, melted cheese on top of potatoes. Good job Switzerland.

I networked, I drank wine, I enjoyed the city, I presented my work. All in all the most successful conference to date.

No European job though. Yet.