Back in the States now and looking forward to the big Independence Day celebration going on at my house. Farewell Europe. The trip was life-changing.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Home
Whew - been home for a few days and needed to close this blog out! Our tour through Germany was amazing - Arthur in Cologne was so cool, and Laure/Sacha in Berlin were incredible. What a wonderful time...it all just feels like a dream.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Utrecht
Ah what a great place! We're here in Utrecht, and have been here for a few days. Elizabeth found 3 couches for us in the lounge of her dorm, so that's been our home for now. Quite fitting if you ask me =) It reminds me of Stout.
The first night we were here they opened the student bar for us and we had an incredible night! We stayed at the bar for a bit and then went back to the house of one of the "Chiefs" (RAs), who was also one of Liz's friends. There we stayed until about 4AM when we came home and crashed in our humble little room.
The days since have been filled with daily missions to get groceries and enjoy Utrecht. We've walked down to the center and had a couple of nice days around town. Next we're thinking about going to the national park nearby and biking around.
Cheers!
The first night we were here they opened the student bar for us and we had an incredible night! We stayed at the bar for a bit and then went back to the house of one of the "Chiefs" (RAs), who was also one of Liz's friends. There we stayed until about 4AM when we came home and crashed in our humble little room.
The days since have been filled with daily missions to get groceries and enjoy Utrecht. We've walked down to the center and had a couple of nice days around town. Next we're thinking about going to the national park nearby and biking around.
Cheers!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Overveen
Alright so let's see where we left off.
After our last wonderful night in Belgium, wherein we sat for hours and hours drinking good beer with great friends at a place quite similar to the Stonewall, we said goodbye. Jasper, Karen, and all of the exceptional people that we met have made quite an impact on me. It's so refreshing to truly see that genuine, caring humans exist everywhere in the world.
Two days ago we arrived in Amsterdam and met our next host, Jelle. And he is yet ANOTHER amazing host. He lives in a...kind of warehouse - but it's nothing short of cozy. We spent the first night with he and his friends at the house, and since then have met various other friends, gone to the Sub Focus show, and relaxed on the beach. The friends were, as you would expect, great people. The show was a blast, and the beach was especially pleasant!
I'll have to elaborate in person. One more day in Amsterdam and then to Utrecht.
After our last wonderful night in Belgium, wherein we sat for hours and hours drinking good beer with great friends at a place quite similar to the Stonewall, we said goodbye. Jasper, Karen, and all of the exceptional people that we met have made quite an impact on me. It's so refreshing to truly see that genuine, caring humans exist everywhere in the world.
Two days ago we arrived in Amsterdam and met our next host, Jelle. And he is yet ANOTHER amazing host. He lives in a...kind of warehouse - but it's nothing short of cozy. We spent the first night with he and his friends at the house, and since then have met various other friends, gone to the Sub Focus show, and relaxed on the beach. The friends were, as you would expect, great people. The show was a blast, and the beach was especially pleasant!
I'll have to elaborate in person. One more day in Amsterdam and then to Utrecht.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Rainy Gent Evening
Nothing could be better. I've got a warm pot of pasta and bolognese sauce in my lap, and I'm listening to all 4 "What Does Your Soul Look Like" chapters while enjoying the gentle thunder and light rain outside. I just purchased Pre-Emptive Strike on vinyl and so the sound is undeniably warm and smooth. I really, really under-appreciated the album when I was younger. Jonathan, you are right, this album is nearly perfection.
Jasper is doing a bit of work in the living room, and unfortunately Brian and Shannon are at the laundromat. Hopefully there is a break in the rain when they can make it home safe and dry. I will say a prayer =)
It's so nice to be here.
Oh and to top it off, I think that we are going to watch Princess Mononoke when Brian and Shannon return!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jasper is doing a bit of work in the living room, and unfortunately Brian and Shannon are at the laundromat. Hopefully there is a break in the rain when they can make it home safe and dry. I will say a prayer =)
It's so nice to be here.
Oh and to top it off, I think that we are going to watch Princess Mononoke when Brian and Shannon return!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Quick Update
Just a quick one this morning. We've spent the last few days with Jasper, doing pub crawls in Gent and then travelling with him to Ostend. We're right by the North Sea right now and the air is quite clear. It's wonderful here!
We're going back to Gent now, and stopping through Bruges on our way. Then we'll head to Netherlands, to Haarlem and Amsterdam. Haarlem is where a big drum n bass show is on June 13th, so we're going to try our hardest to make it there. The hold up now is finding a place to stay, but messages have gone out. Now all we can do is wait and hope that somebody will have us.
Sorry this can't be more elaborate! Big day today.
We're going back to Gent now, and stopping through Bruges on our way. Then we'll head to Netherlands, to Haarlem and Amsterdam. Haarlem is where a big drum n bass show is on June 13th, so we're going to try our hardest to make it there. The hold up now is finding a place to stay, but messages have gone out. Now all we can do is wait and hope that somebody will have us.
Sorry this can't be more elaborate! Big day today.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Belgium
I have a strange feeling that I died in Paris.
Let me expound on this theory.
Last night we met two angels, one named Jasper, and one named Karen. With open arms Jasper greeted us at the train station and immediately took us to a shop with more beer than one man could ever drink. He filled a crate with a brilliant selection and then led us to a flat where there were three spare beds. The flat has tons of room, a turntable, a multitude of records, chocolate, pastries, and warmth. We dropped our packs here and then went to the corner for Belgian fries. This is really when my current theory started developing. We were treated to a giant plate of fries and various meats, which was perhaps the most satisfying meal possible for our empty stomachs.
After the fries we went down to a pub to wash it all down. The streets of Ghent presented us with mind-blowing architecture and friendly faces. A plethora of early-late medieval architecture surrounded us, and a huge castle glowed on the horizon. The first pub led to a second, and a third, and pretty soon we found ourselves on Jasper's "pub tour," a blessed pilgrimage. Karen and Jasper led us from one pub to the next, each with its own delightful character and specialty beers. We spent hours savoring one beer after the other while conversing with two of the kindest souls that I will ever have the pleasure of knowing.
At one of the last taverns we got a special treat - jenevere, a special fruit-based alcohol. Every flavor imaginable was on the list. We opted for strawberry, raspberry, apricot, blood orange, and chocolate. All were delicious, and the old, round bartender served them with a smile.
The night was unforgettable. And the strangest thing is that I woke up this morning and the flat, Jasper, the chocolate, the beer, and everything else is still here. This means I wasn't dreaming and that either I am now in heaven or my life just got unbelievably good. I still can't decide.
Let me expound on this theory.
Last night we met two angels, one named Jasper, and one named Karen. With open arms Jasper greeted us at the train station and immediately took us to a shop with more beer than one man could ever drink. He filled a crate with a brilliant selection and then led us to a flat where there were three spare beds. The flat has tons of room, a turntable, a multitude of records, chocolate, pastries, and warmth. We dropped our packs here and then went to the corner for Belgian fries. This is really when my current theory started developing. We were treated to a giant plate of fries and various meats, which was perhaps the most satisfying meal possible for our empty stomachs.
After the fries we went down to a pub to wash it all down. The streets of Ghent presented us with mind-blowing architecture and friendly faces. A plethora of early-late medieval architecture surrounded us, and a huge castle glowed on the horizon. The first pub led to a second, and a third, and pretty soon we found ourselves on Jasper's "pub tour," a blessed pilgrimage. Karen and Jasper led us from one pub to the next, each with its own delightful character and specialty beers. We spent hours savoring one beer after the other while conversing with two of the kindest souls that I will ever have the pleasure of knowing.
At one of the last taverns we got a special treat - jenevere, a special fruit-based alcohol. Every flavor imaginable was on the list. We opted for strawberry, raspberry, apricot, blood orange, and chocolate. All were delicious, and the old, round bartender served them with a smile.
The night was unforgettable. And the strangest thing is that I woke up this morning and the flat, Jasper, the chocolate, the beer, and everything else is still here. This means I wasn't dreaming and that either I am now in heaven or my life just got unbelievably good. I still can't decide.
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