Its 2am and a finish to a good night/stay in Dublin...stayed at Temple Bar and yet again met some incredible people. Tell more tomorrow..maybe...traveling to Florence, Italy so might not have time. Another leg to an incredible journey. If you haven't done anything of the sort then get off your butt and do it! Once in a life time experience to say the least and you will create stories and experiences that will last a lifetime!
h
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Dublin!
My 'no plans' trip just allowed me to purchase a last minute ticket to Ireland tomorrow morning! Another country under my belt. Tomorrow is the European Cup Finals in Rugby...invited to Lorcan's house party for the game! Sorry Caleb don't be Jealous. After 2.5 weeks of exploring countries where I do not speak the native language frustration has set in. I will never complain about the visa machines in the States asking me to chose English or Spanish again! Those of you who do complain need to spend an extended period of time in another country and you too will be ever so grateful when the visa machine has an English option, subway ticket dispenser has one (in France they don't have an English option...not fun), and menus have English written by the selections.
h
h
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Toulouse
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
A hurried drive from Bordeaux to Toulouse exposed some more culture that was enjoyable as well as stomach turning. I am now at the home of my new friends Franck and Sandra. They have welcomed us in with open arms and the stay has been as if we were part of the family (my preferred way of exploring other cultures). After trekking around the city of Toulouse 3 times and driving and extra 100km I finally found their home. Navigating around European countries has proven to be quite difficult as their maps and road signs are very different, and in my opinion terrible. The tolls that have been paid so far for the privilege to drive on the highways of Europe have summed up to approximately 50 Euro! I must say my tiny Peugeot is very economical on Diesel, but why wouldn't a car of 500lbs wet. So upon arrival a bottle of fine Champagne from the region of Champagne in France was opened welcoming Americans into their home. After the children were put down for the evening we went to the most authentic restaurant in Toulouse to enjoy some fine French cuisine. I have been craving some real food after the intestines, blood pudding, pig snout and brain that I have had set before me. Appetizers were ordered while we waited to be seated so I indulged in some.....well...who knows. By the shape I thought it was pig ears...after much teasing and laughter by Franck, Sandra and some French bystanders I found out I just just eaten Duck Heart!! Ugh..what is it with these Europeans and what they eat?? I struggled through another piece and quickly covered it up with some bread. We then had the most amazing dinner so far in my trek around Europe! Duck and 2 different lamb dishes...outstanding! This was followed by some incredible dessert and washed down with Armagnac from '79 then later '78. Wow!! incredible meal considering it started with duck heart lol. Today we divulged in another wonderful lunch prepared by Franck and shared with the entire family. I have been entertaining the children by trying to converse with them. None of us have any idea with each other is saying...I have decided I must learn French and Spanish! This evening the agenda is to join in a traditional birthday celebration for a cousin.
Friday, May 15, 2009
From the Beach to Bordeaux
Wednesday evening my unplanned drive brought me to San Sebatien, I beautiful beach t
own in Northwest Spain. The architecture was incredible as was the Atlantic Ocean. The drive brought me from the warm beaches of Barcelona through the snow covered peaks of the Pyrenees in France back down to the beaches of Spain but on the Atlantic side. The drive through France and Spain brought some interesting experiences as did trying to fill up with diesel at a station where only French was spoken. How embarrassing and frustrating that was lol. Yesterday morning Bordeaux France (the region of some of the worlds most fine wines) came into the horizon. I found myself at a quaint B&B in the heart of wine country Thursday night. Today will consist of some tastings and tours 
with a local gentleman before continuing on to Toulouse France in the evening. The vineyards are more then words can describe..with that being said I am out...gotta get on the tour-h
own in Northwest Spain. The architecture was incredible as was the Atlantic Ocean. The drive brought me from the warm beaches of Barcelona through the snow covered peaks of the Pyrenees in France back down to the beaches of Spain but on the Atlantic side. The drive through France and Spain brought some interesting experiences as did trying to fill up with diesel at a station where only French was spoken. How embarrassing and frustrating that was lol. Yesterday morning Bordeaux France (the region of some of the worlds most fine wines) came into the horizon. I found myself at a quaint B&B in the heart of wine country Thursday night. Today will consist of some tastings and tours 
with a local gentleman before continuing on to Toulouse France in the evening. The vineyards are more then words can describe..with that being said I am out...gotta get on the tour-h
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Off to the South of France....
After a rough day on the beach and another late night on the town we have decided to take a car today for a week tour through the south of France. Tim, Kate and I are going to share a car meant for two but they say can fit four and a lifetime experience as we cruise through the villages that make up the wine country in the South. Tonight's stop is Toulouse where the french couple we met has offered their rooms for us to stay in. After that who knows...stop in random villages where tourists never go and English is never uttered? Incredible experiences are soon to be had that I have always dreamed of. Internet access may be spotty so will update whenever I can. I know my posts are brief, but sitting on the computer typing is not on the top of my list while culture is on the other side of the door. So until the next Adios-h
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Tapas Bars
A traditional style of Spanish food is Tapas...amazing! Last couple nights have been spent with locals the first night and a French couple the following evening eating some incredible Tapas then spending hours at local hangouts until 6am....this habit since I have arrived is taking its toll on my sleeping requirements! lol. The French couple I met last night from the south of France have offered their home for my travels which is quite amazing. The culture over here is so warm and welcoming, which I have not been accustomed to. This evening I must lay low and catch up on some rest. An adventure through the south of France is fast approaching where I will need my rest to try and drive from village to village stopping wherever I decide to stop. I am kind of excited for my arrival back in Barcelona. A new Spanish friend has offered to take me golfing.
Side note...why is the plumbing and sometimes the electrical running on the outside of the walls rather then within? weird
Friday, May 8, 2009
Primera Noche
So the first evening in Spain has proven to be a bit eventful to say the least. 
Wednesday evening at the hostel was dinner and a Football game between Barcelona and Chelsea (a riot broke out later that I found myself in the middle of) After the game we had to burn up a few hours until the taxi came to take us all to the club at 1:45am, they start late. I proceeded to learn some English drinking games with some English ladies I met earlier..interesting. We then cruised down to the club, that wasnt all that great, so we walked back (not the best choice). Rounded a corner to find ourselves confronted by the riot police! An experience I wont forget soon, cops running at me with clubs out shoving me with their shields and yelling in Spanish lol. Wow! We had to retreat, or run should I say, so they would back off. I could smell the remains of tear gas as we caught the tail end of 
the riot being shut down! Potted plants broke in the streets, tables and chairs over turned, trash everywhere, was crazy. Football in Europe for you I guess. I caught some footage of it all. Here are a couple pix of the hostel.
Wednesday evening at the hostel was dinner and a Football game between Barcelona and Chelsea (a riot broke out later that I found myself in the middle of) After the game we had to burn up a few hours until the taxi came to take us all to the club at 1:45am, they start late. I proceeded to learn some English drinking games with some English ladies I met earlier..interesting. We then cruised down to the club, that wasnt all that great, so we walked back (not the best choice). Rounded a corner to find ourselves confronted by the riot police! An experience I wont forget soon, cops running at me with clubs out shoving me with their shields and yelling in Spanish lol. Wow! We had to retreat, or run should I say, so they would back off. I could smell the remains of tear gas as we caught the tail end of 
the riot being shut down! Potted plants broke in the streets, tables and chairs over turned, trash everywhere, was crazy. Football in Europe for you I guess. I caught some footage of it all. Here are a couple pix of the hostel.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Barcelona!
Three movies, a couple shows, amazing airline food, and a few hours of sleep I finally touch down on Barcelona turf. A couple more hours wondering around a city where I can’t understand the street signs and limited English is spoken and fighting off a couple thieves I finally arrived to my first Hostel experience! My plans changed, well I really didn’t have plans, but I packed only a backpack for the month here. I downsized to nearly half so I can carry my life on my back instead of roll it around like a tourist. The architecture already has me amazed. This city is Incredible! After a full belly a nap was a must since it was technically 2am for me so no pictures have been taken as of yet. Tomorrow I will have plenty to share as I start my trek around the city. The Hostels are quite nice I must say. Even though my feet hang off the end of the bed and fall asleep it is still a clean comfortable hang-out spot with a bar, pool table, tunes, etc. I have decided being short would actually be good for some things in life-airplanes and hostels…Oh and there is 2 for 1 happy hour and free dinner. Where can you stay and get this? Only in Europe. Enough computer time for now. Lots to be seen…I will check back in later with some pictures and hopefully stories. -h
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