EUROPE

 by Kaj Fjelstad

 

My sudden decision to travel led to two hectic days of buying, packing and planning. Two days and four plane changes later, I was in Luxemburg in a dream come true. I had a map, some money and no plans beyond attending the European convention the next week.

 

The convention turned out to be the best I've attended. I met lots of people from all over the continent and took down addresses. The next week I was with Vii Meister and Michael Bonnet in Wiesbaden. I realized the potential of supporting myself street performing so I began improving my show. It was tough enough to learn to solo after always working with a group, but there was also a language barrier. My background in German carried me through that county alright, but in France, Holland, Italy and Norway I did silent shows with just a few translated key phrases and some English.

 

The challenge of living on what I could make on the street was met in Germany, Paris and London. It also gave me lots of free time to make my trip a real vacation! I had the best luck in the German Fussgangerzone, the pedestrian malls in towns or at festivals. It was harder work in Paris and London because of the large number of performers there.

 

People were friendly everywhere, and even inspiring when I got lonely traveling by myself. I tried calling up jugglers in every city to get together and practice. Some went out of their way, and I attended regular meetings in Wiesbaden, Mannheim, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Berlin. The juggling brother/sisterhood shone brightest as I arrived in Copenhagen at 7 a.m. after a night train from Oslo. I called up Eric and Suzanne and said, "Hi, I'm a juggler. I was wondering if we could get together and practice while I'm here for the day?"