The 30-year-old Spaniard Nil Cabutí actually wanted to travel from Barcelona to Singapore by bike, but the corona virus thwarted his plans, as the newspaper "El Pais" reports. Just a few days after the start of his journey, the borders were closed, Cabutí was stuck in Italy. The Spaniard explained that he had to adjust his routine by closing restaurants and hotels.
Instead of going to Singapore across Europe
He spent the first hour of each day looking for accommodation. Finding something to eat was also difficult at times. “One day a man had to give me a few cans of tuna and toast at a gas station because supermarkets in Italy close on Sundays. I couldn't buy anything! ”Says Cabutí.
He quickly realized that his planned trip to Singapore might not succeed. Instead, the 30-year-old, who took a six-month leave of absence from his job as a civil engineer for the tour, traveled on through Europe. He noticed how different the countries are dealing with the pandemic. In Scandinavian countries like Sweden, "it seemed like Covid didn't exist," Cabutí said.
Stopped in France and sent home
Nil Cabutí told the newspaper that people looked down on the virus. "They thought it was like the flu and only affects the elderly," he said. "And they didn't even take my temperature on the train."
In France, however, he was stopped by the police. The officers allegedly asked him to return home, to which he replied, "I'm going home." In fact, Cabutí was on his way home to Barcelona – but his home was just under 1000 kilometers away.
"I've missed a lot"
Ten months, 25,700 kilometers and 43 countries later, Cabutí reached Barcelona again on December 28th. Although the trip was pleasant, it also left a bitter feeling. "I missed a lot," said the Spaniard. He still wants to travel to Singapore – but if possible without Corona, please.