Europe & the ex-smoker

My backpacking experience obviously does not come without issues. Smoking, in particular, waves a giant flag.

Jesse Taylor. Smoker: YES. European: NO. In Europe: NEIN.
This is my only available "smoker" pic at the moment.

"Everyone smokes in Europe, Carlo. I had quit smoking and was good for a few days or so until I finally gave in." My good friend, BU, told me as I wolfed down the last few bits of this awesome Turkish dinner he had prepared the night before my departure.

I'd been smoke-free since March 2007, very happy about it (thank you, Allen Carr!), and honestlly have since not craved a single cigarette. As Mr. Carr book promised, I did not suffer any withdrawal symptoms. I do, however, have these weird dreams of smoking.

In each dream, I don't realize I'd been smoking until I throw my cigarette away. Then I freak out so much that I wake myself up. So even though I feel far from "weak" I have this very conscious fear that it could still happen.

Ever since I started this trip, my fears have elevated. Like most ex-smokers set on staying smoke-free, I fear reverting due to:

• peer pressure
• sheer boredom
• intoxication
• mild tipsiness, heavy second-hand smoke inhalation
• sheer weakness (see last 4 items)
  
• stress and anxiety
  
• any other unforseen issue that may arise
  

I'm within the second week of my trip and at my 9th European city (Prague). So far, no moments of weakness, about 4 of "those dreams" and zero cigarettes smoke.

I can only hope for the best. If I fail, it will just have to be another journey back to being smoke free. But this is my chance to prove something to myself. This may also perhaps inspire BU himself.

Here's hoping I will succeed.