My departing flight took me to Paris where I met a young Dutch couple who had once traveled overland to India. My conversation with them inspired me to cash in my remaining ticket and purchase transport on the legendary Orient Express, which travels from Paris to Istanbul.

I had very little knowledge of the geography in this part of the world, but the prospect of adventure (and to be honest, according to the Dutch couple - hashish in Afghanistan) secured my decision. I had no clue what countries lay ahead, nor what documentation aside from my passport was necessary for this kind of travel. Nor did I know how I would proceed beyond Istanbul. However, I naively assumed that I could just go for it and that my continued good fortune would somehow deliver me to my destination. Though not without incidents, I eventually made it.