44 days until Brexit

What I know for sure

Dreaming of an EU Exit

Basically, I don’t know anything for sure (does the Maybot herself?!). But look, if there’s one thing I can guarantee, is that I’ll get the answers from our neighbours soon.

The rationale

I don’t like surprises or spontaneity. Those words suggest I throw caution to the wind and that I’m comfortable with uncertainty. I’m definitely not like that. My family lived quite a nomadic life when I was a kid (that’s putting it mildly), so I’m not interested in it now.

So much so, that apart from one school trip to Paris, I avoided travelling abroad until university. So far I’ve been to Ireland, France, Portugal, Malta and Spain. The epitome of ‘Brit Abroad’. Despite studying Anthropology and speaking 6 languages, I’m not the gap yah type.

I’ve always thought I would travel when I had the disposable income to really make the most of it. But because of one life changing vote, I’m reconsidering my ambitions to eat, pray, love aged 50.

Not to use Theresa May’s own words, but I’d like to think I’m strong and stable and prefer a world like that too. So when Brexit was announced I was worried. I changed industries based on rumours that I wouldn’t be able to make it in my chosen craft. I’m reaping my rewards now, but regrettably.

Today’s a bit different though. I was scrolling through Facebook and spotted someone was selling tickets to Brussels. Without much hesitation, I thought: “There’s no reason to sit by and feel sorry for myself, might as well make this Val day a bit different.”

So I bought a 4-day return ticket for £50.

Leaving the UK to reminisce about the EU

Taking one risk at a time

I recently set myself a goal. I said, if I get made an offer for a new job before 1 March, I’ll go to the continent and: “do the EU”.

I met my goal a lot sooner than I expected. And I’m so grateful, the role it’s exactly what I want to do and for all the right reasons.

So then I thought: “Why wait until 1 March to start my exploration of the mainland?”

Over the next few days, I’ll blog about Brussels and Amsterdam. Giving you some of the reasons why Brexit might or might not work.

After that, I’ll be doing one bumper trip around the continent. I’ll be covering the points of view from people who don’t have their voices heard. And also explaining some of the reasons why I’ve decided to do this just before Brexit date.

Stay tuned! And, if you have recommendations of things to do in the following cities let me know. (Creating this list was the most Googling I’ve done in a long time) Catch me in the comments or on Twitter @asmattub!

It’s only fair I see what the Netherlands has to offer too

• Austria — Vienna
• Bulgaria — Sofia
• Croatia — Zagreb
• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic — Prague
• Denmark — Copenhagen
• Estonia — Tallinn
• Finland — Helsinki
• Germany — Berlin
• Greece — Athens
• Hungary — Budapest
• Italy — Rome
• Latvia — Riga
• Lithuania — Vilnius
• Luxembourg — Luxembourg City
• Poland — Warsaw
• Romania — Bucharest
• Slovakia — Bratislava
• Slovenia — Ljubljana
• Sweden — Malmo