PULP TRAVELS: Your Guide to the Lead Up of European Summer
By Emelie Watkins
It’s STUVAC, which means one of two things. If you’re an Arts student, this means that the semester is pretty much over so, congratulations! But, if you’re literally anyone else at uni, it means that it’s time for last-minute cramming and heaps of dm’s to your group-chats saying, “tbh Europe is the only thing getting me through right now”.
Let’s be real, with just a few weeks until Euro-Summer begins, you could not be more excited! And that’s so fair! Half the fun of the trip is the hype-up before you go. So, to help you channel that excitement, here’s a comprehensive guide to your gap-month lead up:
1. Complaint Emails
I’m sure you’ve already done it, but step one is emailing your lecturers/ UOS co-ordinators/ student support/ dean of faculty/ anyone in power complaining about how exam timetables are released too late for you to be able to book your Europe flights at a decent price. Chances are you booked before timetables anyway, leaving you with one of two dire consequences:
1. Your flight is before an exam (rip)
2. You have 10 days between your last exam and your flight, which could have meant 10 more days on a beach in Europe (devo)
2. Add That Countdown to Your Insta-story
Time to scroll back through your camera roll and find a pic from your Europe trip 3 years ago, or screenshot and crop an influencer’s post from Santorini 2018. Chuck it on your story, select the countdown function, call it “EURO SUMMER *map emoji* *globe emoji* *plane emoji*”, pop in your departure date, share. Await the love heart react emojis. Here’s an example of mine from a few days ago. Be inspired, learn, copy.
3. Check the Expiry Date on Your Passport
“FML, just paid $500 to get my new passport express sent”, was the exact message I received 2 days ago. My friend’s passport has just expired, and after nearly an hour of paperwork and headshots at the post office, she got hit with that $500 surprise. How good is that for the budget!
4. Book the Final Flights and Accommodation
PSA: Double check that you’re booking the correct month. June and July are easier to mix up than you think. Last week my Europe chat exploded in laughter when one of us bought a flight from Paris to Portugal for June 3 instead of July 3. A flight in 3 days’ time! Whoops! I laugh, but it’s all fun and games until you’re standing in a tiny Portuguese airport trying to make yourself understood by the airport staff with your Year 10 Spanish skills.
5. Post a Pic With the Departures Sign at Sydney Airport
Put one hand on your suitcase handle and the other hand in the air (peace sign optional but recommended). Make sure the whole gang is there or own the moment alone if you’re travelling solo. Cue mums crying, cue someone panicking looking for their passport, cue someone’s name being called over the loudspeaker during the final boarding call.
Do all of these things, plus pulling an all-nighter to pack before your flight, and you’re finally off! Pop your headphones in, see how many movies you can churn through during the 23-hour flight, and get ready for the summer of your dreams.