Side note……We went to sensation and it was the most epic thing ever. More pics and stories to follow
need to update something since its been so long. Sitting in a hostel room in barcelona and what can I say? Europe is incredible, funny to think Ive been here since February and cant imagine leaving now seems way too soon. Europe is amazing Ive been to six countries so far and loved every one of the.
This update makes no sense on its own but Ive been backpacking since june 1st and its now the 17th. Im in Barcelona and its amazing
Alerts to Threats in 2011 Europe
There seems to be some argument whether this is John Cleese or not John Cleese. Whoever wrote it, it’s funny. The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada. The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years. The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability. Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.” The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbor” and “Lose.” Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels. The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy. Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be alright, Mate.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is canceled.” So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level. – John Cleese – British writer, actor and tall person
Went out with a group of Americans from this past Tefl course this weekend. Standing in a bar one of the American kids gets into in argument and starts yelling back and forth with a group of guys at a table. The next thing I hear him yelling is:
“Oh yeah!?!? 1776 who won that one? huh? 1776 who won that one!?”
The guys at the table were Australian haha…..I swear this is why people from other countries think Americans are idiots
The experience of traveling and living abroad has definitely been one of the most profound of my life. Traveling opens up whole new worlds not just physically but mentally as well. Becoming an expat and adapting to a foreign culture broadens your horizons in ways you would never think possible. Its been an amazing experience to enter the expat culture and discover that there are people who have simply been traveling for years, moving from one place to the next. People who reject the American mindset that you must have a 9-5 job in order to achieve some sustainable quality of life and whole countries where work has simply taken a backseat. Instead, they spend years overseas establishing new lives seeing incredible things and becoming citizens of the world rather than just citizens of America. Travel forces you into situations and to have experiences with people that you might never have associated with at home. Often you may be separated by social circles, interests or simply just geography but you come together in a foreign place with a shared interest for travel and a shared need to learn how to get by in a new society. Travel also teaches you camaraderie, often the people you meet and live with are facing some obstacles in your new environment, whether it be trying to function on a shoe string budget or trying to find a job or a place to live. This means that you help one another with problems, perhaps by sharing food or giving a friend a place to crash until they get up and running or by helping one another find jobs and navigate through the thick bureaucracy of your new home. Possibly the best thing about travel is that you end up in places you never thought you’d be seeing sights you never could have imagined. Whether it has been standing on the cliffs of bali at the sunset temple watching the sun descend into the ocean or staring out at the green copper and red clay roofs of the Prague skyline I find it amazing to think of where I am standing and equally as amazing to think that so many people in the world, in fact most people I know, will never get the opportunity to see these places and the majority have no idea what they are missing.
Its been a while since Ive posted anything. Ive been keeping relatively busy and finally found my camera charger so I can start taking pictures again. Prague is really amazing in the spring its a complete transformation from the winter. Europe is great because its so much of a slower pace. In the US everyone is in a rush and here everyone is so much more relaxed. They make great use of their parks and you can always find them full of people. Ive managed to get to a few more tourist attractions, I made it to Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle which was amazing and the Petrin Tower an Eiffel Tower like structure that overlooks the entire city. Also checked out the debate club at Charles University with Kev and met some really cool Czech students. Started Crossfit with kev yesterday which is a ridiculous outdoor exercise program, Im pretty sore sitting here writing this but it was worth it. I’ll take some time to throw up some pics because I really havent put up any at all.
been having strange dreams since Ive been here. Vivid dreams about my grandparents who passed away, kinda wondering what they mean. Havent dreamed about them in years…strange how these things come back into your mind
