In the summer of 2018, I decided to take a road trip across Europe in my white Hyundai Solaris. It was a time when I wanted to visit as many countries as possible during my two-week vacation and experience a real adventure. I carefully planned my route, making sure to include a visit to Minsk, the capital of Belarus. This city holds a special significance for me, as my grandmother on my father’s side spent a lot of time there. Besides, my father is Belarusian by nationality, and it was important for me to see the city connected to his roots.
After visiting Minsk and enjoying its atmosphere, I continued my journey, heading toward the Belarus-Poland border. Everything was going according to plan until I was stopped at the border control and asked to present the “Green Card”—an international insurance required for entry. The problem was that I didn’t know it was necessary and didn’t have insurance. As a result, I was fined 90 euros, but they let me through.
When I finally crossed the Polish border, the relief didn’t last long. Once again, there were questions about insurance. The border guard pointed out its absence and politely asked me to step out of the car. He then accompanied me to a place where I could purchase insurance. Although I felt uncomfortable because of the delay, everything ended well. The people waiting behind me were clearly annoyed, but I was glad I could continue my journey.
After all these delays, I finally entered Poland, and my true European adventure began. I spent my first night in the car, parking somewhere in the woods, and in the morning set off toward Warsaw. Poland greeted me warmly, and it was only the first of many countries I planned to visit.
My journey through Poland passed quickly and smoothly. As I drove through its cities and villages, I enjoyed the beautiful scenery but didn’t linger anywhere for long. Warsaw was the only stop where I allowed myself to pause a bit and stroll through the historic center. The city, with its old streets, was truly beautiful. However, I soon found myself back on the road, eager to cross the border into Germany, where new experiences and adventures awaited me.
This time I decided to bypass Berlin, since I had already been there several times, and instead set out to explore other cities.
The first was Dresden, which immediately brought back memories of a trip with Masha. We had gone to see the famous “Sistine Madonna” back then, and this city still reminded me of those times—there had never been any quarrels there. Next, I decided to test my car on the famous German autobahns. With no speed limits, the autobahn is a real treat for any driver. I pushed my Hyundai Solaris to its limit, reaching about 180–190 km/h. Even though that seemed fast, a Lamborghini flew past me as if I was standing still. The autobahns are truly a unique experience.
After testing my car on the famous autobahns, I continued my journey, heading to the next cities. In Frankfurt am Main, I was struck by the contrasts: right in the city center, I saw many homeless people openly using drugs on the street. It was unexpected and shocking—like another world. Brothels, skyscrapers, and financial institutions existed side by side with poverty. As I learned, the center is mostly inhabited by the poor, hoping to get something from the wealthy, who prefer to settle in the suburbs in more prestigious areas like Wiesbaden.
Then I went to Wiesbaden—a city of expensive cottages and a peaceful atmosphere. This city added another interesting layer to my journey, especially because my favorite rapper St1m lived there after emigrating from Russia. I spent the night in my car, parked in a quiet neighborhood, enjoying the silence and feeling as if I were in a completely different world compared to noisy Frankfurt.
After a restful night in Wiesbaden, I headed to Cologne, the next stop on my journey. The city attracted me with its historical sights and rich culture, but it was an unusual adventure that left the brightest impression. When I saw the Rhine, I decided to take a swim, not thinking about the strength of the river. As soon as I plunged in, the current carried me downstream, and I managed to surface only on a nudist beach! Realizing where I was, I quickly left, trying not to draw attention.
Germany turned out to be a country of vivid contrasts and unexpected discoveries that will certainly stay with me for a long time. But my adventures didn’t end there. After Germany, I went to Belgium, where I enjoyed architectural masterpieces before heading to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. And it was there that one of the most unexpected events of my journey took place.
I parked my car somewhere in the city center and went for a walk along the narrow streets and canals. At some point, I wanted to try the famous Dutch joint. Using my phone, I started looking for a coffeeshop, and after wandering the streets of Amsterdam, I finally found one. Inside, I was amazed by the variety—the displays were full of all kinds of weed, joints, and other products for every taste. I bought a couple of joints, went outside, and smoked.
After a while, I realized that night had already fallen, and suddenly I was shocked: I had absolutely no memory of where I had left my car, and on top of that, I was high. Everything around me seemed strange and unfamiliar, and I couldn’t figure out how I had even gotten there. Panic began to rise. I decided to go down into the metro, but even buying a ticket became a problem—some random people helped me. When I finally bought a ticket and took the metro, a city map appeared before me. At that moment, familiar places started to surface in my memory—I remembered driving through the city by car and managed to get a rough idea of where I might have left the car.
I realized I was heading in the wrong direction and switched to another train. When I got to the district that seemed familiar, I got out and started searching again. Still not knowing where I was, I saw tram stops and decided to use the maps there. Little by little, I began to approach the place where, according to my guesses, my car could be. Finally, I saw a building I remembered, and behind it stood my beauty—my long-awaited car. I was so happy to find it!
Still in Amsterdam, I found a secluded spot, parked, and decided to spend the night in the car. The next day I wanted to try something new—mushrooms. I had never tried them before and was curious about their effects. I bought mushrooms and, after returning to the car, ate them. Half an hour passed and nothing happened. I started thinking it was all a scam, or maybe the effect was so weak that I didn’t notice it. But after another 10 minutes, something changed.
I got out of the car, and the world around me came alive. The trees started to dance and breathe as if they were living beings. Everything around me resembled a fairy-tale forest from cartoons, where every element of nature was full of life. And at one point, I distinctly saw my car wink at me. I was completely stunned by what was happening—the mushrooms turned out to be really strong!
These incredible sensations lasted for what felt like an eternity. I enjoyed the moment until the effect gradually wore off. When it was over, I spent the night in the car and the next day headed on—to France.
I crossed the border and went straight to Paris—the nearest big city. Upon arrival, I checked into a hotel and decided to stay for three days. It was the only city in my whole trip where I spent so much time. On the first day, I just relaxed, and the next day I dedicated to walking around Paris, enjoying its atmosphere and sights before continuing my journey.
In Paris, I decided to eat the rest of the mushrooms I had left from the Netherlands, but nothing happened. Later, I learned that you shouldn’t take such things more than once a week, otherwise your body just stops responding to them. However, this didn’t spoil my mood. I strolled through Paris, walked up to the Eiffel Tower, and a special moment was visiting the places I had once been with Masha. A wave of nostalgia hit me, and I mentally returned to those times when Paris wasn’t just another stop on our journey, but the place of our first major quarrel. It was here, under these very skies, that our differences reached a breaking point, and for the first time, I felt that a breakup was only a matter of time.
Walking along the familiar streets, I remembered how the tension between us back then had been building up, like a spring ready to snap. Paris, which could have remained in my memory as a city of romantic moments, became a reminder that even the most beautiful places cannot save a relationship if cracks have already begun to show. My time in the city flew by, as if finishing another chapter of my memories, and I realized that I was now ready to move on.
After Paris, I decided to head out of town to the famous Disneyland. As I approached, I was impressed by the huge parking lot, which was an attraction in itself. I walked around, and although I didn’t go inside the park, what I saw from outside was enough to feel its atmosphere. However, my visit to the park never happened—I arrived after three o’clock in the afternoon, and Disneyland requires a whole day to fully immerse yourself in its magic.
Leaving the Disneyland area, I continued my journey on the French highways, heading to Marseille—a city that had long attracted me, especially after watching the movie “Taxi,” which I always loved. On the way, I encountered an unexpected problem: the highway was a toll road and only accepted cash, which I didn’t have. As a result, I was fined, but I didn’t let this incident ruin my trip and soon was already enjoying the atmosphere of Marseille.
This city, located on the Côte d’Azur, amazed me with its heat and unique vibe. The azure sea, with its characteristic deep turquoise shade, added a special magic to the place. The hilly landscape, with roads going up and down, gave the city a special charm. I managed to swim in the warm sea, enjoying its cleanliness and the beauty of the local beaches. At some point, I thought how nice it would be to walk here with someone close, like a friend such as Nadya or Anya. Marseille evoked many pleasant emotions and left a deep mark on my soul.
The next destination on my route was Italy. I entered the country along the coast, between the shoreline and the Alps. It was an unforgettable journey as I drove along the majestic mountains, enjoying stunning views. Bright memories remained in my mind of how the road wound along aqueducts and through long tunnels connecting the mountains. Every turn revealed new panoramas, which I happily captured in photos and videos.
The first major city on my way was Rome. I left my car by the Vatican walls and went for a walk around the city. Despite the heat, which exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, I managed to enjoy the sights of this ancient city. I walked around the Vatican, visited St. Peter’s Basilica, saw the Colosseum, and other historical landmarks. Time was short, but I tried to see as much as possible in those few hours.
After Rome, I headed to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower. The impression of this place was no less vivid. I not only saw the tower from the outside but also climbed up to feel its full grandeur and instability. It was a special moment when history literally came alive before my eyes.
The next city was Venice. I left the car outside the city and set out on foot to explore its unique canals and narrow streets. St. Mark’s Square, with its Gothic architecture and view of the canals, made a deep impression on me. The city literally breathed history and romance.
After Venice, my route took me through Austria. Driving through this country, I couldn’t help but admire its green hills and mountain ranges. Austria impressed me with its natural beauty, but I was so preoccupied with thoughts of my upcoming visit to Prague that I started to rush. I drove quickly, and at some point must have exceeded the speed limit, which was 100 kilometers per hour in that area.
Unfortunately, there was no time to visit Vienna, so I decided to keep moving and get to Prague as soon as possible.
Suddenly, I noticed a police car with flashing lights behind me. At first, I thought it wasn’t for me, but when the police car started to follow me, it became clear that the signal was for me. I pulled over, and the police stopped behind me. The officer who approached asked where I was rushing to. I replied that I was heading to the Czech Republic, and he told me that I had exceeded the speed limit and would have to pay a fine.
At that moment, they took my driver’s license and asked me to follow their car to the nearest station. I followed them, feeling a mix of anxiety and annoyance at myself for such a mistake. But there were other emotions as well. Despite the unexpected situation, I had to admit it was a new experience—and in some ways, even interesting. After all, the Austrian police are something else. I had come from Russia, and such an interaction with law enforcement abroad was unusual for me.
Moreover, I found it fascinating to speak English. Despite the stressful situation, I liked being able to explain myself and interact in a foreign language. This gave me a sense of confidence, as if I was testing myself in new conditions.
When we arrived at the station, they brought out a terminal for me to pay a 100 euro fine. After paying, they returned my license, and I was able to continue my journey. This experience left me with mixed feelings: on the one hand, the trouble with the fine; on the other—a sense that I had become part of a new and interesting interaction, which I might remember for a long time.
Finally, I arrived in the Czech Republic. In Prague, I decided to spend some time getting to know the city better. I parked my car in the center and went for a walk toward the famous Charles Bridge, which I had heard so much about. Once on the bridge, I watched the tourists with interest and enjoyed the splendid views of the Vltava River and the cityscape.
When I returned to where I had left my car, it was gone. The initial shock quickly turned to panic. I started running around the nearby streets, trying to find at least some clue that my car was close. But it was all in vain. Thousands of thoughts raced through my head: “Maybe I didn’t park here?” “Maybe it was towed? If so, what then?” My legs were shaking, and every minute felt like an eternity. I didn’t know what to do—my phone was about to die, and all my documents, charger, and belongings were in the car.
Every step down unfamiliar streets added to my anxiety. I kept replaying in my mind exactly where I might have parked, but doubts clouded my judgment more and more. In the end, I realized I couldn’t handle it alone and asked passersby for help. They advised me to go to the police and pointed me in the right direction.
When I got to the station, it was closed. Some time later, an officer showed up, who told me it wasn’t within their jurisdiction and directed me to the city police. My anxiety grew, especially since my phone was almost dead and all my documents and things were in the car. The walk to the city police was a long one, but when I finally got there, they told me they had no information about my car. My panic increased, and they suggested I file a report for a stolen vehicle.
In confusion and distress, I decided to go back to the place where I had left my car. On the way, I saw a tow truck carrying someone’s car and suddenly realized that maybe mine had been towed. Returning to the spot, I noticed a sign indicating the nearest police station. However, when I got there, I was met by an intercom and a message saying it was a non-working day.
I was about to fall into complete despair when I suddenly came across two police officers. As soon as I mentioned losing my car, they immediately understood what I was talking about and asked, “With Russian plates? A white Hyundai?” Relief washed over me when they confirmed they knew where my car was. It turned out it had been towed to an impound lot, and I needed to pay a fine to retrieve it.
Relieved, I went to the impound lot where I finally saw my car. Realizing that the day was already lost, I decided not to rush and just took a walk around Prague while my car was safe. Later in the evening, I retrieved it and, deciding not to spend the night in the city, headed further on, spending the night somewhere on the road to Krakow.
In Krakow, I met up with a colleague from Innopolis who had once decided to leave his studies and move to work in Poland. We spent a few days together; I stayed with him for a couple of nights, and during that time I had the chance to ask him about life and work in Poland. This conversation inspired me—seeing how he had found his place abroad made me start thinking about trying to work in the West myself. It was a valuable meeting that gave me much food for thought and pushed me toward the decision to work abroad.
After Krakow, I headed back to Moscow, full of new impressions and memories of my two-week journey across Europe.
