This is it.
My last day abroad has finally arrived. It has come so fast yet crept up on me at the same time. I honestly could not see this day coming 7 months ago, as my plane took off out of LAX and my journey began.
In my first weeks I was filled with trepidation, anxiety, uncertainty about what I had done. I actually wrote the words down a few days in:
I hope I look back on this (my anxiety) later and laugh about it
Ha. Whew. Well, double 'Ha'. While the road to get here was not easy, or always comfortable, it has been the most rewarding thing I have ever been able to do. I can really say that the last months have been among the hardest and easiest I have ever experienced.
I left on the trip to escape real life; not to run from it, but to take a welcome break from normality. Knowing it would always be there upon my return, I felt I needed to take the opportunity to explore the world a little bit more. Sometimes living a normal life back home failed to inspire me, and I wanted to feel that again.
The last few months have been amazing. I have seen things that have put me in awe of the world. Things that I can take a picture of, but can hardly explain what it was like standing near. I have been filled with something in these moments, though i'm not sure what. It felt like pure happiness. I will remember this forever.
I have met people I am so lucky to have met. People from all over the world who have changed me in ways that they will never know. Ways that probably have not taken shape yet, but someday will. I have seen the world through their perspective and feel lucky to have done so. I look back at those times with a smile, and look forward to seeing them in the future.
I have spent countless hours in a state of complete uncomfortability. Sleeping in rooms with many other people at the same time, a "good night's sleep" is a thing of myth. Hearty meals are few and far between, and when you are lucky enough to experience one, it tastes like nothing you've ever tasted. And we're talking McDonalds here...seriously. I don't think I will ever look at bread the same again.
But you put up with it, because, well, you have to. And that's part of the deal. You accept those things in order to keep living in a world that seems like Never Never Land. A world that quickly becomes your life, your reality. I feel like I belong here, even though "here" is nowhere...or everywhere. While I am looking forward to being back home, I will always yearn to be...here.
So it is not an ending then. It is just another part of the storyline. And I am rejuvenated to experience life back home, and that is part of the point. To keep everything fresh. While I am leaving my nomad self behind for the time being, it is just a part of who I am, a part that influences the rest of me, but does not define me. I am excited for what is next...and that is exactly what I wanted.
That is all I can hope for. Wanting to see what is next. If I didn't feel that way, that would be the scary thing, wouldn't it? So bring it on.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Europe Pictures Part 2!!
One more week of intense traveling has produced the following pictures. We are relaxing in the eastern German citz of Cologne right now, staying with our friend Ella from New Zealands infamous Surf N Snow hostel. Had a tradition German Easter here, complete with an Osterzoo hunt of sorts...more blog to come soon...just sit back, relax, and point and click...
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| Prague |
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| Berlin |
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| Salzberg |
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| Munich |
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| Copenhagen |
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| Stockholm |
Sunday, April 5, 2009
European Vacation Thus Far...
After a 13 hour flight direct from Hong Kong, my European trip (and final leg) had arrived. Well, almost anyways. There was still the flight from London to Lisbon, Portugal to take...so make that a 16 hour trip...
Landing in Portugal, I was worried it might be a little chilly. Heaven forbid I experience any amount of frigid temps. Well, it turned out to be a wonderful day and a great way to start of the trip. Leaving my bags in the train locker, I left to wander the city, with a trusty Lonely Planet guide book to help navigate the way.
You see, the plan for this part is to hit as many cities and countries in the 21 days we have on our rail passes, to make the most out of it. Well, so far, so good.
Portugal was great. Beautiful, relaxed...a place to return to someday for sure. I will let the pictures do the talking. We got on the train that night (for the first of many long train rides) and headed to our next stop - Madrid.
Overnight train to Madrid was comfortable. Well, as comfortable as possible in a reclining seat. Arrived in the morning and with our bags on our backs, headed out into the city again. Madrid is the only city in Europe (and most anywhere) that has a Taco Bell as well, so we had to fit that into the agenda. Overall though, Madrid is a really nice city, and pretty big as well...unfortunately we caught some rain this day that thoroughly soaked my shoes...but pushed through it to get some decent picture time...
One night in Madrid, left in the morning for Barcelona. I loved the architecture in the city here, very archaic and stunning. Also, it is right on the water, so walking alongside it takes away the size of the city and makes it more person. It is hard to believe they had an Olympic games here, I suppose it is a deceivingly large city. Oh and the last picture is of the group of guys who were selling fake purses along the water...they are running from the cops.
Yada yada yada, overnight train to Switzerland. Arrived in Zurich at around 11am. Walked around for a bit...a little boring of a city, but some good pics. Hopped a train to Lucerne, a city more in the center of the country, surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Very nice! Amazing views and the city has such a cool feel to it. Castle, bridges, old Swiss buildings...loved it there. Then headed to Interlaken, which is a small town nestled, literally, between the Alps. It is breathtaking there on a clear day, and though we didnt get one, it was still nice to go there...I had actually did a skydive there 3 years ago, so it was cool to see all the things to remember. The train ride took us up into the mountains surrounded by snowy peaks and crazy cliffs...definitely the most amazing train ride ive ever taken...rivaled only by the New York City to Springfield, MA train. Umm....maybe not. Then our last train took us to the capital, Bern, where we walked around with a local tour guide (random kid who showed us around) until our next overnight train left to take us to Florence, Italy.
While it was definitely cold in Switzerland, it was amazing. We headed overnight to Florence and arrived at 6am. Another day of walking around...and let me just say that Florence is spectacular. It is right out of the 1500s but never feels too old. There is an enormous amount of history there and it is still so evident on almost every street.
Rome was next, and well...its Rome ), so it has to kick ass...
Venice was the next stop. Surprisingly serene and calm if you walk a little off the beaten path, it was a great day for moseying (yes, moseying) around and shooting pictures. The main square in San Marco is really a beautiful place and Venice would be a great place for a little vacation. Who am I kidding, of course it is. Also a fun side note is that we saw Bernie Bickerstaff here. Now, most people dont know who that is, but I do.
Onto the European leg, we hit Budapest the next morning. I had heard a lot of the city and was eager to check it out. Funnily enough, the city is divided by a river down the middle separating Buda and Pest. This is really true. Buda was pretty cool and hosts an amazing palace area...Pest...well, I was a little let down. Glad I went there, but I expected more.
Next stop was Vienna, Austria, to stay with our friend Igor who we had met while in New Zealand at the hostel. We finally got to relax a little bit, and for the first time we stayed somewhere more than 24 hours! We also got a personal city tour, and real food, courtesy of his mother and girlfriend. Some much needed energy and comfort boosters.
And now we are in Prague, Czech Republic. Barack Obama spoke today in front of 30,000 people right here in the city next to a castle. I got so close I could actually heard words being spoken from around the corner...yay I guess. But this city is very cool, i can tell already. We will be here for another day and a half and then likely headed to Berlin...and onto more crazy European cities. All this traveling is getting exhausting and I would be lying if I didnt say I was thinking about home with my arrival date nearing, but I wouldnt miss this for anything...
Landing in Portugal, I was worried it might be a little chilly. Heaven forbid I experience any amount of frigid temps. Well, it turned out to be a wonderful day and a great way to start of the trip. Leaving my bags in the train locker, I left to wander the city, with a trusty Lonely Planet guide book to help navigate the way.
You see, the plan for this part is to hit as many cities and countries in the 21 days we have on our rail passes, to make the most out of it. Well, so far, so good.
Portugal was great. Beautiful, relaxed...a place to return to someday for sure. I will let the pictures do the talking. We got on the train that night (for the first of many long train rides) and headed to our next stop - Madrid.
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| From Lisbon |
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| From Lisbon |
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| From Lisbon |
Overnight train to Madrid was comfortable. Well, as comfortable as possible in a reclining seat. Arrived in the morning and with our bags on our backs, headed out into the city again. Madrid is the only city in Europe (and most anywhere) that has a Taco Bell as well, so we had to fit that into the agenda. Overall though, Madrid is a really nice city, and pretty big as well...unfortunately we caught some rain this day that thoroughly soaked my shoes...but pushed through it to get some decent picture time...
 |
| From Madrid |
 |
| From Madrid |
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| From Madrid |
One night in Madrid, left in the morning for Barcelona. I loved the architecture in the city here, very archaic and stunning. Also, it is right on the water, so walking alongside it takes away the size of the city and makes it more person. It is hard to believe they had an Olympic games here, I suppose it is a deceivingly large city. Oh and the last picture is of the group of guys who were selling fake purses along the water...they are running from the cops.
 |
| From Barcelona |
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| From Barcelona |
 |
| From Barcelona |
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| From Barcelona |
Yada yada yada, overnight train to Switzerland. Arrived in Zurich at around 11am. Walked around for a bit...a little boring of a city, but some good pics. Hopped a train to Lucerne, a city more in the center of the country, surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Very nice! Amazing views and the city has such a cool feel to it. Castle, bridges, old Swiss buildings...loved it there. Then headed to Interlaken, which is a small town nestled, literally, between the Alps. It is breathtaking there on a clear day, and though we didnt get one, it was still nice to go there...I had actually did a skydive there 3 years ago, so it was cool to see all the things to remember. The train ride took us up into the mountains surrounded by snowy peaks and crazy cliffs...definitely the most amazing train ride ive ever taken...rivaled only by the New York City to Springfield, MA train. Umm....maybe not. Then our last train took us to the capital, Bern, where we walked around with a local tour guide (random kid who showed us around) until our next overnight train left to take us to Florence, Italy.
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| From Switzerland: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Bern |
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| From Switzerland: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Bern |
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| From Switzerland: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Bern |
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| From Switzerland: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Bern |
While it was definitely cold in Switzerland, it was amazing. We headed overnight to Florence and arrived at 6am. Another day of walking around...and let me just say that Florence is spectacular. It is right out of the 1500s but never feels too old. There is an enormous amount of history there and it is still so evident on almost every street.
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| From Florence |
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| From Florence |
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| From Florence |
Rome was next, and well...its Rome ), so it has to kick ass...
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| From Rome |
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| From Rome |
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| From Rome |
Venice was the next stop. Surprisingly serene and calm if you walk a little off the beaten path, it was a great day for moseying (yes, moseying) around and shooting pictures. The main square in San Marco is really a beautiful place and Venice would be a great place for a little vacation. Who am I kidding, of course it is. Also a fun side note is that we saw Bernie Bickerstaff here. Now, most people dont know who that is, but I do.
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| From Venice |
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| From Venice |
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| From Venice |
Onto the European leg, we hit Budapest the next morning. I had heard a lot of the city and was eager to check it out. Funnily enough, the city is divided by a river down the middle separating Buda and Pest. This is really true. Buda was pretty cool and hosts an amazing palace area...Pest...well, I was a little let down. Glad I went there, but I expected more.
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| From Budapest |
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| From Budapest |
Next stop was Vienna, Austria, to stay with our friend Igor who we had met while in New Zealand at the hostel. We finally got to relax a little bit, and for the first time we stayed somewhere more than 24 hours! We also got a personal city tour, and real food, courtesy of his mother and girlfriend. Some much needed energy and comfort boosters.
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| From Vienna |
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| From Vienna |
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| From Vienna |
And now we are in Prague, Czech Republic. Barack Obama spoke today in front of 30,000 people right here in the city next to a castle. I got so close I could actually heard words being spoken from around the corner...yay I guess. But this city is very cool, i can tell already. We will be here for another day and a half and then likely headed to Berlin...and onto more crazy European cities. All this traveling is getting exhausting and I would be lying if I didnt say I was thinking about home with my arrival date nearing, but I wouldnt miss this for anything...
Friday, April 3, 2009
European Pictures...take a seat
Ok...so after an extremely fast paced and exhausting week to begin in Europe, I finally have the proof that I am here. Below you find the links to the first 9 or so albums. Hope you take some time to take a look!! A real blog should follow soon enough...
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| Lisbon |
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| Madrid |
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| Barcelona |
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| Switzerland: Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Bern |
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| Florence |
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| Rome |
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| Venice |
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| Budapest |
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| Vienna |
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