Gabin FORCIER: a look back at the start of his journey to meet young Esperantists

Every month, it will be our pleasure to bring you some news from Gabin FORCIER (year of 2023), who has gone in search of young European Esperantists. 

“I’ve now been gone for almost a month, hitchhiking, by myself, in search of young people who speak a little-known language: Esperanto.

On 1 January, I headed south, with my thumb up, stars in my eyes and gloves on my hands.

A day and a half later, I had crossed France and shared my journey with 9 strangers. Then, I arrived in Barcelona. It is a bubbling city that really draws you in. The beach, the sunshine and the mountains just down the road give the city an irresistible charm. But I had to keep going, as my goal is to find Esperantists, so I continued southwards, with a little more difficulty this time round. Hitchhiking in Spain is really not a picnic.

First I pass through Valencia, a city that seems to be in the midst of a transformation, then Almeria, where I meet Jordi, a Spanish Esperantist who speaks 9 languages!

We chatted about his relationship with the language and about the large number of travelling Esperantists that he had hosted. I find it fascinating the way travellers still use the Pasporta Servo*, which was created almost 50 years ago!

After spending a long time travelling, he is now enjoying life in this city in southern Spain, where it rains only 20 days a year!

It feels like summer! Except when I have to sleep in my tent and I wake up with my water bottle and my nose both frozen.

I am now continuing my travels in southern Spain.

See you next month for the next chapter in my adventures! 

*The Pasporta Servo is a free accommodation service for Esperanto speakers. This system was created in 1974 and its members can offer lodging or homestays to other members.