A Solo Journey Through Europe: Travel, Civic Sense, and Everyday Systems

For anyone in Kerala with a love for travel, Safari TV holds a unique and deeply respected place. Under the leadership of Santhosh George Kulangara, the channel—and especially his trademark programme Sancharam—has shaped the travel imagination of generations of Malayalis. It has set a benchmark for how journeys are observed, documented, and narrated, earning a level of credibility and trust that few travel platforms command.

Appearing on a travel programme on Safari TV was never something I consciously aspired to; it was not even part of my imagination as a traveller—until that distant idea quietly became a reality.

These two episodes of Aa Yatrayil on Safari TV document my experiences from a 17-day solo backpacking trip across Europe in 2017, covering Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and Italy. What began as a solo European journey gradually became an experience that reshaped how I observe cities, people, and public systems while travelling.

Episode 1: Switzerland and the United Nations

The first episode traces my entry into Europe through Switzerland, where I was based in Cham with friends. The country left an immediate impression through its orderliness, cleanliness, and civic discipline. Everyday systems—such as paying for waste disposal by weight—naturally encouraged recycling and personal responsibility.

Using the Swiss Travel Pass, I explored Mount Rigi and Mount Titlis, experiencing snow and the cliff walk suspension bridge. Beyond the landscapes, simple observations stood out: vehicles stopping instinctively for pedestrians, public transport systems operating on trust, and cities designed with people rather than vehicles at the centre.

As a doctor, one journey felt particularly symbolic—travelling to Geneva to visit the United Nations and see the World Health Organization headquarters, institutions that had long been part of my professional imagination.

Episode 2: Germany, Spain, and Italy

The second episode moves through Germany, Spain, and Italy, offering sharply contrasting experiences.

In Munich, a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp was deeply unsettling, serving as a reminder of how systems can be used for both progress and profound cruelty. Before leaving Switzerland, I encountered an unmanned “honesty shop”—a small farm stall where customers pay without supervision—an experience that highlighted the depth of social trust embedded in everyday life.

Spain brought lighter moments. In Mallorca and Menorca, inspired partly by Rafael Nadal, language barriers led to humorous confusion while ordering food—small, memorable moments that often define solo travel more than landmarks.

Italy was a mix of art, warmth, and caution. In Florence, I stayed at a hotel run by a Malayali nun, who helped me secure a ticket to see Michelangelo’s David. In Pisa, while admiring the Leaning Tower, I narrowly avoided a scam involving a man posing as a UN representative seeking donations—an encounter that reinforced the need for awareness and vigilance while travelling.

Reflections Beyond the Journey

Across both episodes, a recurring reflection emerges: civic sense matters. High-trust environments allow societies to function smoothly, while the absence of trust creates constant friction. Clean streets, safe public spaces, and efficient systems are not sustained by governments alone—they depend on everyday choices made by citizens.

This journey was not only about destinations visited, but about understanding how societies organise themselves—and what those systems quietly reveal about collective responsibility.

Watch the episodes:
Episode 1 – Switzerland and the United Nations
Episode 2 – Germany, Spain, and Italy