Post-college, Gabriel Escobar, embarked on an adventurous expedition, backpacking across 13 European countries. The 22-year-old infamously opted to rely on internet users for suggestions on where to go and what to do, a decision that led to many unexpected, delightful adventures—his most wild being a spontaneous shrimp harvest with strangers on a watercraft in Norway.
A short while after completing his collegiate studies, Gabriel set off to tour the world. With uncertainty hovering regarding his professional career path and preferred place of residence, he resolved a temporary, self-proposed solution: journeying through Europe, visiting as many places as possible. This intuition was the inception of a backpacking expedition, which began with a single ticket booking to Copenhagen, closely followed by a somewhat vague mapping out of his first month’s itinerary.
One of the most remarkable escapades of his travels occurred in Norway. Gabriel made it a habit to seek out recommendations from his online followers each time he arrived in a new location. This practice was instrumental in presenting him with unique, memorable experiences otherwise unknown to him. One day, while in Oslo, a message popped into his inbox from Færder Sjømat, a shrimp company, inviting him on a shrimp-catching venture, a peculiar proposal he immediately agreed to.
Upon accepting the invitation, Gabriel was offered sleeping quarters underneath the boat’s deck—an offer that made him experience a thrilling adventure. Beginning at dawn and proceeding for two hours was a journey up the fjord to the fishing spot trailed by the deploying of the shrimp net. Following the waiting period, an engaging conversation ensued between Gabriel and the father-daughter duo running the shrimp business. They delved into discussions about their lives and professions, an interaction that humanized his ‘side-quest,’ making it all the more meaningful.
From the shrimping adventure, he returned with a bounty of anecdotes, a few of which are a vivid recall of working alongside the shrimp harvesters; sorting through the 275 pounds of shrimp, isolating them from squids, smaller fish, and other marine animals swept up by their nets. This toil was rewarded with a traditional summer delicacy of Norway: toast, mayonnaise, shrimp, and a dash of lemon. For Gabriel, this bout was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, ranking as one of his fondest ‘side quests.’
Gabriel’s escapades were not limited to shrimping. His executable ‘side-quests’ varied from being backstage with the Norwegian band, Stavangerkameratene in the heartland of Norway to an invite to a farm visit. Always eager for new experiences, he observed that these ventures had him teetering on the edge of caution a few times.
However, as buoyant as this fascinating trip sounds, Gabriel was open about the not-so-glamorous part of his solo journeys. According to him, there were times of loneliness that were almost overwhelming, leading him to keep busy to distract his mind from the solitude. The responsibility of taking care of oneself while alone on a foreign continent was also heavy to shoulder at times. Feelings of weariness, sickness, and even hunger were frequent companions, teaching him to prioritize his wellness on the go.
With this, Gabriel advises solo travelers: decelerate and concentrate on self-care while on the road. Embarking on a solo journey does not necessarily mean rushing to explore everything in one shot. Enjoy the moments, value the experiences, and most importantly, stay healthy to make the most of your travelling adventure.
