(Editor’s Note: We learned that a young Gwinnettian, Daniel Forkner, was on a trek around Europe, and asked him to give us some insight into his trip. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Forkner of Duluth. We anticipate further dispatches on his journey.—eeb)
By Daniel Forkner | A native of Gwinnett, I rode my bicycle as a boy on the concrete foundation of Hull Middle School, which was across the street from our house. I’ve witnessed Gwinnett grow and evolve, and realize it has everything you could ask for in a vibrant community.
Daniel in Venice
I never ventured outside the county lines much on my own. Although the heart of Atlanta is just a 25 minute drive from home, it was not until I finished a degree in finance at the University of Georgia that I experienced Atlanta for the first time. I moved into a two-bedroom apartment with a friend from college not far from Piedmont Park, and began selling real estate, following in the footsteps of my dad and grandfather.
Despite the fact that I’ve stayed close to home most of my life, I have always dreamed of going out into the world with nothing but a sense of wonder and curiosity. I would hear friends describe trips abroad and question if I would ever have the courage to do something similar.
As I got a job in a real estate office, seeing potential for a long career right here in Georgia, it dawned on me that if I did not turn my dreams into a reality now, I might never get the chance again. So on January 20, 2016, I boarded a plane for Barcelona, Spain, terrified with nothing more than a backpack and an eagerness to discover the world.
One month into my trip, I know that my life has forever been changed. I’ve learned how to feed baby lambs, and how to skin a rabbit on a farm in Belgium. I’ve learned to avoid trouble on the streets of Amsterdam, and how to avoid getting ripped off by Hungarian taxi drivers. I’ve learned that Venice is an island, and that it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world (that I’ve experienced). In Barcelona I learned how to build relationships with hostel owners through my video editing skills.
Along the way I’ve been constantly amazed at the opportunities that have presented themselves. I’ve also been humbled time and again by the generosity of locals who have no reason to help a traveling American, but chose to do so out of the kindness of their hearts.
I have been surprised how affordable travel can be if you forgo certain luxuries. My expenses are sometimes less than $20/day. My advice for anyone who wants to travel is to choose a destination and schedule it. As the date approaches, your excitement, fears, and concerns will come sharply into focus, making the details much easier to address.
As I write this, I am on a train between Budapest, Hungary and Prague, Czech Republic. I cannot tell you what is in store for me next. I know that if I keep my mind open, and continue to cultivate the confidence, kindness, and interest in people that I’ve learned growing up in the greatest county in the country, I will be welcome wherever I go.
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