Welcome to my blog!

Conventionally, travel behaviour theory considers travel as a derived demand. This means that travel occurs just because we want to reach a destination and participate in an activity there. In other words, it is the final goal and the benefits to be got from it, that motivates us to make the trip. But is this always true? I am pretty sure that the first who would disagree with this theory, which has significantly defined the development path of contemporary cities, would be Constantine P. Cavafy with his most known poem “Ithaka”: "As you set out for Ithaka hope the voyage is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery ... Arriving there is what you are destined for. But do not hurry the journey at all. Better if it lasts for years, so you are old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you have gained on the way, not expecting Ithaka to make you rich". 

In my case, I would probably agree more with Cavafy, than the rigorous theory of the scientific field I am seeking to explore. Really interesting... I feel that the path to the completion of my research project in the framework of the Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF), has an equal value with the research results I will deliver (my destination). The trip then… For this trip I will write in this blog sharing my thoughts, and describing the events and activities at both my host universities/cities: UC Berkeley (US) and TU Delft (The Netherlands). Welcome aboard!