#15 Milk, Shower, Books

I don't have too much to report from the last week; really, not much has happened. I have been living at the same house with a bunch of kiwis that I didn't know and while being here half have moved out and new ones have moved in, but no one has been around all that much.

Being that I have been to london a few times and have done the tourist stuff I have just been laying low trying not to spend too much money since london is not known for being a cheap place to visit. My traveling plan is to be "Ballin on a budget" just like nappy roots say. In this last week I have gone for walks each day, read a couple of books (Angels and Demons-the prequel to The DaVinci code, and The Kite Runner). Both books were entertaining, if I had to pick one for others to read it would be the Kite Runner. I have watched a few movies and of course feeding myself every so often.
During this eating part of the week I have constantly been drinking milk with every meal. The milk I've had in Ireland and here in England has been just delicious. I really don't know what it is but it taste like what I've always dreamed of milk to taste like, full, milky and satisfying. It makes all the milk I've ever drank just seem artificial no matter whether it's been skim, 1/2 percent or 2%. All of it has never tasted like the milk I've had here. Not only that but milk is very cheap here. It cost less than bottled water. Why is this? I have no idea and no one I've asked can answer the question either and I've asked quite a few people and intend on finding out an answer, and will let you know when I do find out. I don't feel like people here drink milk like we do in the U.S. They have it with tea and coffee and maybe with cereal but you don't just see people drinking it. When I'm walking around town with my pint of milk and a big smile on my face I feel that I get a lot of weird looks; I know it might just be me getting the weird looks but I like to think it's the milk. Anyways, milk; strong bones, good teeth, right? The english aren't known for having the best teeth; Austin Powers? (except for my English friends, I love you guys). Enough about milk (Mike-your favorite blog yet)

I was watching a dvd version at the house of Miami Vice. In between when the camera gets someone walking down the aisle and putting a bag over the camera so we could only hear the sound because I'm guessing some security where the movie was being pirated came by, there were a couple of shower scenes. You know the shower scenes; it's where one is enjoying a shower like they've never showered before when how could it get any better but their love comes in to join in the shower and so on and so on. All I could think while watching this was that it could only happen in American movies. I don't know how many of you have traveled around Europe or maybe other parts of the world but the showers in general only shower you thanks to what many call gravity. These are not the full power, lots of pressure showers we are used to. You stand directly under the head which is often no taller than my shoulders and let the water get an inch of your body wet at a time. At first I thought that people here love taking showers which is why they are in there for an hour but then I realized it takes an hour to get the shampoo off every part of your body. This is why there couldn't be a shower scene in Europe. With two people in there they would do better spitting on each other. In fact, instead of a romance scene it is more likely that it would turn into a fight over the shower head scene. Enough about showers. (Now you may appreciate your shower a little more)

Living in this house with all people from New Zealand I have learned that when people sneeze and I say "bless you" they are thrown off. I was told they are not religious. Ok. We just say it. Since they are from New Zealand and have been calling me the yank all week I said it is sort of like if a farmer in New Zealand sees a sheep, they don't know why they get suddenly arroused it just happens. Nothing new, they've heard these types of jokes before. Then they asked "are we supposed to say thank you because I don't feel better since you said bless you so it is just a hassle to have to say thank you" which made me think of the "you're so good looking/sneezing Seinfeld. How did Bless You come about? Here is what I found:

Origins
There are many theories regarding the origin of this custom.

One traditional explanation for the custom is that it began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory I the Great (AD 540-604) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague in AD 590 (his successor succumbed to it). To combat the plague, Gregory ordered litanies, processions and unceasing prayer for God's blessing. When someone sneezed (seen as the initial onset of the plague), they were immediately blessed ("God bless you!") in the hope that they would not actually develop the disease.

Nevertheless the phrase bless you or god bless you in Greek literature predates the ascention of Gregory.

"Bless you, my dear!" he said, and "bless you, bless you!" at the second and third sneeze.
-- Apuleius, The Golden Ass, AD 150
[edit]

Superstition
Other theories are based on superstitions and urban legends about sneezing and what a sneeze entails. Some well known superstitions that may have contributed to bringing bless you into common use are:

The heart stops when you sneeze (it doesn't), and the phrase bless you is meant to ensure the return of life or to encourage your heart to continue beating.
A sneeze is the expulsion of some sort of evil, and the phrase is meant to ward off the evil's re-entry.
Your soul can be thrown from your body when you sneeze, and saying bless you prevents your soul from being stolen by Satan or some evil spirit. Thus, bless you or God bless you is used as a sort of shield against evil.
A sneeze is good luck and saying "bless you" is no more than recognition of the sneezer's luckiness.
Alternatively, it may be possible that the phrase began rather uninterestingly as a response for an event that wasn't well understood at the time.

Another urban legend states that you cannot open your eyes while you sneeze, or if you manage to your eyes will pop out. This is, as stated, nothing more than an urban legend

That is my lesson for today.

I will be meeting up with friends from now until the middle of October so will have more stories to tell and you won't have to hear about my thoughts (you might still) and get my random facts that I come across.

Bless you all, relax, take a nice shower(alone or with a friend), get a book and enjoy a tall glass of milk!!

#14 Deep thoughts up to now

For the last few days I have been lounging around getting healthy, reading and thinking about the first few weeks of my trip.
I am staying in a friends room just outside of london; she is actually traveling now so I haven't seen her but her roomates whom I've never met are all here. There are 7 kiwis (people from New Zealand) who are living and working in London for a year or so. They welcomed me in and treat me like a friend from the get-go, gave me a key and trust me in there home.
The friends of theirs that I have met have all been other kiwis that live here. Why go to London to hang out with Kiwis? there is more traffic, it's not as beautiful by any means and much worse weather. They do make more money but then the cost of living is quite higher too. What I've learned is THAT's NOT the point. The point is it is something that they have a chance to do that is different; it is unfamiliar and exciting. I have found that they, like many others who are away from home for an amount of time tend to think of all the great things they have back home that they may have taken for granted while they were there. When they do end up going back an settling at home they will have a piece of mind. Living in london is just something they have to do, for the sake of their life and the sake of the people they interact with during the rest of their life because knowing there is a different way of life(not necessarily better or worse) will make people have a more open mind for when they meet people who come from somewhere else that is different from what we know.
Backpacking isn't just seeing different places, it for me, is learning how to interact with people and understand the bigger view. Backpackers for the most part have a bag, clothes, maybe headphones or a phone, but their possesions are few. We travel together and sleep in rooms of 10 or so together. These are people who have never met and usually come from all parts of the world.
I was told before I left by many not to be too trustworthy of people, but that is what I find most enjoyable about this lifestyle is that is what we have, trust. People won't take us to their fancy houses or drive us in their cars or give us THINGS they own because they won't do us good. The things that travelers do value from people they've never met are much more valuable: a smile, a hug, a compliment, an ear to listen or the biggest sacrifice of giving a part of themselves. I know it sounds very cheesy but I think about life in the US or london for that matter (big cities) As Biggie says, "Mo Money, mo problems", because the more you have the more you have to worry about people using you for what you have or them trying to take what you have in some way or another. While people with little, such as we learned about the country folk in Ireland who grew enough food for their families, had enough animals and tools to make life work and didn't have an overabundance because it wouldn't do them much good. But when someone had a rough time it was the neighbors who would lend a hand and be there to pull there fellow man up. Of course money is needed to be able to do certain things but the means of going about it can be a dangerous thing.

It amazes me how I can meet someone in a day or a few days that could very easily impact the rest of my life.
If you do what you've always done, you will know what you've always known.-someone famous said that.

I got a great email from a friend; Steve G who just got back from a great venture in Spain; I would like to share it with you.

Camino de Santiago, i'll download the rest in september. It was by far the best experience of my LIFE. 650+ miles, 37 days walking, 100+ degree temps, walking through deserts, forests, over mountains, bathing in ice cold rivers, without cell phones, computers, cars, TV's, radio, music, ipods, etc... you were just alive with yourself and the others that were around you in the middle of natures majesty. Nothing felt like your own, you shared everything, you lived in community with the other pilgrims. They were your family, your world and life was beautifully simple. On the camino I felt super close to God, closer than I've ever been. I could feel the Holy Spirit guiding me each day, transforming me, teaching me, challenging me. People refer to the Camino as a life changing experience. It was life changing in the way that you are exposed to the ESSENCE of life. You are stripped of most ALL your material goods - you have nothing but the contents in your pack. You rely on fruits, nuts, and crackers for daily energy and sustenation. And although you have "nothing" you are the happiest person alive because the camino helps you realize that the most beautiful part of life is to just "be" and love others, without the ficticious facades of worldly accomplishments, material possessions, or societal pressure. Society tells me that i am respectable once i have a certain job or degree or title, make a pre-determined amount of money, drive a particular car, wear a certain style of clothing, possess certain materials...
NO. I am only respectable through the fact that God created me and He loves me. My inheirent goodness does not fluctuate on whether I possess certain materials or jobs or how society responds to me. My goodness exists in God's constant love for me which no job or title or material possesion could ever change.
The camino shows you "the way" in order that you may continue it. "Being" will be my focus knowing that I will always be nothing more and nothing less than "Steve", a creation of God.


I'm not telling people how to live their lives; to each his own, but I will try to get the most out of my life whatever that turns out to be as I hope everyone does.

Thanks
Carpe Diem

#13 The Irish imagination is a dangerous thing

#13
As I sit and think about my time in Ireland on my last night many thoughts pass through this little brain.
I have learned so much about the history, problems, stories, beliefs and ways of life in Ireland during my adventure.
The fighting in northern ireland is real and it doesn't seem like it is going to end any time soon.
One thing came to me when we were learning about the fighting in the north between the Irish/English and the Protestants/Catholics: I'm sitting on a tour bus with 38 people that make up 8 or so countries. We all have heard generalities about these countries and know what a person from this or that country is supposed to behave like. Somehow that isn't the case; it is 38 people, that's it plain and simple. Everyone got along, treated each other with great respect and it was a group on a tour bus all trying to get the same thing out of it. I met some great people and it motivated me for my future travels with the hope of meeting many others that will become my friends and hopefully I can give to them as much as I learn and take from them.

Traveling in Italy, Spain and many other countries I've found that much of their history's revolve around religion and maybe a big war. Not to say that the Irish aren't big in religion, but their religion isn't necessarily what they believe, it is more just a part of who they are. To them it would be in the same category as having brown eyes; it's just something that is part of them.
Melted into the Irish way of life is tradition and stories. It is said that Ireland is the land of Saints and Scholors, I would like to add storytellers to that. The way Irish go about talking is less of a discussion and more of a story no matter what it is about.(Something as easy as asking for directions might turn into a lengthy story) Lots of the stories they tell about the history would fit in a category for us as something like Jack and the Beanstalk. They don't necessarily say that the stories are completely true, but they would never say they weren't true either because some of these stories and beliefs actually affect their lives. An example of this is you will see large fields that are farmed and in the middle of this field you will see a small prickly tree left alone. It is said that if this tree is removed, you will get bad luck from Fairy's because these trees are the ring of the Fairy. People won't really say there are fairy's but there is no way in hell they're cutting the tree down and taking a chance.

I really didn't know all that much about Ireland before coming here and I'm sure there is heaps I still don't know but my sister Chris was very interested in Ireland, good part because we are Irish and I have to say I was fascinated, a bit in awe and more than anything I can't believe how much I've learned already so early on in my trip.

When we arrived back in Dublin from our tour I was greeted by smiling faces of Shane and Jane, they are true Irish folk that I met a couple years back when I was travelilng in Australia.(We celebrated St Patty's day while in Australia and actually got our picture in the local paper-if that doesn't make someone a friend I don't know what will) They had told me that if I'm ever in Ireland to let them know and I'd have a place to stay. Little did they know that I'd actually come; you know how I can't pass on a place to stay with a meal thrown in. Anyways, not only were they nice enough to put myself up but also Brian, Caroline and Calvin. We all headed out for a wild night in the famous temple area of town and thrusted ourselves into the Irish life (drinking at a bar which could be said of most places in the world). This particular night however we knew in the back of our minds that the tour was over and we could sleep in as long as needed the following morning with no bus to jump on. (Needless to say we slept in for a while the following morning)(except for poor calvin who had an early flight). After finally awaking Brian, Caroline and myself headed to a hotel so I could give Shane and Jane a break from me and also since Brian and Caroline were heading out on a flight the next morning it was a good idea to get a good night sleep thought us.
The next day after seeing the two people I spent the majority of my Ireland time with off I met my Irish comrades for lunch before exploring the city of Dublin. I visited Trinity college, and then wandered for hours around getting a feel for the city. It wasn't until about 5 or so years ago that Ireland really had money as a country so there has been a big boom in the development since then and continues to go strong.

Shane and Jane- There is nothing like visiting friends in their actual country to see what everyday life is like; you spoiled me and I really do appreciate it;
Thank You!!! By the way- did you know Jeff Buckley is dead?

Brian- We didn't know each other that well before this trip, I think it's safe to say we will be friends for a long time (whether you like it or not) with great memories and stories (some we'll keep between us) that we had made between the green hills and misty seaside of Ireland. How quickly you picked up the backpacking lifestyle amazed me along with your great photography skills.

Caroline- You are a very patient and sweet person for putting up with me all week. You remind me of a babe, the babe with the power, the power of voodoo, the youdoo.
It is nice to know that I have another friend for life even if you are on the other side of the world; it just makes the world that much smaller. Be nice to Calvin even though he is from sydney.

Calvin- Thanks for talking to the stewardess while I fell asleep mid conversation. Now that I know you better I can't believe it wasn't you that fell asleep. Also, you look like a Jap.

Thanks to all of you that continue to care about what I'm doing or just feel obligated to reading this.

I posted the Iceland Pics link with the iceland journal.

I'm going to spend the next few days getting over this cold and try to get my hearing in my right ear back after the most recent flight; at least that's the plan.

Link for Ireland Pics: http://tinyurl.com/oa3ea

#12 To Hostels...my first and last experience

#12
This blog is by Brian, not Steve.

In a fashion similar to Fonzie showing up on a "Laverne and Shirley" episode, I've been afforded the opportunity to do a "guest spot" on the World by Steve blog, and I'm going to seize this opportunity; this is comparable to my reaction when presented the option of joining the aforementioned Mr. Howson on a short leg during his trip around the world. The thought of frollicking around the Emerald Isle while my cohorts at home were stuck in an office was simply too much to pass up. So, instead of preparing for the start of the 06-07 school year, I spent the last week + some appreciating a beautiful land during the day, and numerous beautiful pints in the evening. I'll paraphrase Conrad, our tour driver extraordinairre, when he stated that just because the Irish head down to the corner pub on a nearly nightly basis, and consume multiple pints of Guinness, this does not, I repeat, does not, make the Irish a land of alcoholics. Indeed, Conrad, indeed. The Irish are simply "social" individuals who appreciate a beer with fellow social humans rather than in the company of crap television.

I'm not going to present this in a journal form, where I recreate what was done on a day to day basis. Truth be told, it would be impossible to recapture the number of moments where I looked up at the sky, at the Atlantic Ocean, the drunken Paddy in the corner, or the Irish lass across the bar and simply smiled in full appreciation for this grand time. Instead, I'd like to make a few observations...so, rather than a "What I did on my Summer Vacation"-type entry, I'm going to present a few funny moments and those that made this expedition so worthwhile.

I anticipated being the oldest member on this journey, and I was prepared for this. However, thanks to the Russian lady who never went out to the bar, the two women from London, and the Canadian lady who threw a fit when forced to sleep in a room with other men, and the lovely Lisa (one year older) I was not quite the oldest traveler, however I was referred to as dad on more than one occasion. This was fine. My experience in age was cancelled out by my immaturity, lack of knowledge about anything pertaining to hostels and backpacking, and inability to take a picture with one of those newfangled digital cameras without it either turning out to be a 5-second movie with a bunch of idiots smiling aniticapting an actual photo being taken, or it being taken a second too late. Essentially, I think I fit in very well on this journey. For the most part, I was not a dirty old man preying on younger female travelers, nor was I an immature man trying to recreate a lifestly ten years too late...I was just right.

The tourism stuff was great. Having been to Ireland five times previous, I had a feel for the joint; however, I had never seen the entire republic. It is more beautiful than I remember. I learned a great deal of Irish history, and have a much greater understanding of the conflicts that have long held this nation back. However, the highlight of this trip was no doubt the people: both those whom I spent days on the bus, and those small town and city people who make one wonder why everyone across the ocean simply cannot be this nice.

So, a toast to the following:

To the people here, who use the word fuck like it's going out of style. In fact, I'm convinced that if I asked an Irishman who the son of God was, he'd reply, "Ahh, tis fucking Jesus, isn't it?"

To Johnny, my "roommate" in Galway who, after stumbling home from the bar minutes after and much drunker than I, proceeded to commence a 15 minute diatribe in which he condemmed both me and the American government for banning him from traveling the states. In his mind, America's insistence that he have a "fucking credit card" is all that is keeping him from appreciating the land of the free.

To Frank, my other "roommate" who, despite his admission that he was a recovering alcoholic, still told me to enjoy my pints before I went out to the bar.

To the people of Dingel, for simply living in a town named Dingel.

To Lisa, the smartest Australian dream interpreter/civil engineer I've ever met.

To Calvin...you're always welcome in Detroit.

To Caroline, the wee sister I've never had.

To the German girl...and it will be left at that.

To the Kiwi on the bus, who looked like the bad guy in the Bourne Supremacy and everyone else on the Paddywagon...you're all good peeps.

To the Hostels...may I never set foot in one of you again.

To Shane and Jane...thanks for your wonderful hospitality, your tour of Dublin bars, and for being great people. Plus, your names rhyme, and that's cool.

Especially, though, I'd like to thank young Mr. Howson, a truly nice human being, fun guy and great travel companion. I hope to one day hit another part of the globe with you.

What have I learned from this journey? That if buying a smaller home, driving a Saturn, and being satisfied with my normal 32 inch television means I'll get to enjoy further worldly journeys such as this, then so be it. Because seeing the world with good people and making wonderful new friends is truly a key cog in the happiness machine.

Cheesy enough? Heading home tomorrow, Spartans kick off in less than 2 weeks. All is right with the world.

Cheers,

Brian

#11 Irish-The works, may the road rise to meet you.

#11
After flying out of Iceland I missed my flight in London and had to sit at the airport for quite a few hours, luckily I hung out with these two cool guys from the US (they were brothers). I finally got on a plane with nothing but my wallet due to tight security in the airport.
Please, please, if you are ever in an airplane or bus for that matter remember there is one exit and that is the door that people have to leave out of. I say this because as soon as the plane lands and the no seatbelt sign goes off people jump up in the aisle only so they can stand there and wait for everyone to get out first; where are they going to go? All that getting out of the plane quick will do is allow you to be first in line to wait for your luggage at the claim area.

I finally got to Ireland and met a girl in my dorm, Caroline from Australia. We find out that we are on the same tour and go grab dinner, my first real meal that I paid for; it was delicious.
Brian McDonald a friend from home came to meet me in Ireland and monday morning we departed on our 6 day bus tour around the whole island. Brian had never shared a rooom with any strangers before let alone 8 in a hostel.
Ireland is beautiful, we have seen the Cliffs where they filmed the part in princess bride where he is climbing up the huge cliff at the beginning of the movie to dual the man looking for the 6 finger man. Beautiful lakes, ocean, beaches, small towns, big towns, the works.
We also learned that in parts of the world kids have a nickname; a skinner. How did this originate? It is because kids haven't hit puberty yet and there for have no hair in certain places which in turn makes them skinners. The joke on the simpsons is that Seamore Skinner (see more skinner) is what that originated from.
The Irish accent is thick, I like it, they also love dropping the F bomb here.
All around the countryside there are huge rock walls; these are for privacy, however they are not called privacy walls, they are known as: Fuck-Off walls.
I think this should be started around home. I could only imagine in Grosse Pointe a neighbor putting up a fence and the next door neighbor come over and inquire of what's happening and instead of just saying they are putting up a fence for a little more privacy they tell them they are putting up a Fuck-off fence which is truth what it really is; if anyone tries this let me know.
Brian has been good company and is slowly addapting to the backpacker culture. He does however go to a restaurant with people who order whatever is the cheap special of the day and he proceeds to order a steak along with like 8 sides. I don't think he really wants all the food, he only does it to spite everyone else.
We have to share rooms with others in the hostels but we have a little core (Brian, Caroline, Calvin, and me) that has been rooming together. There is also a great group of people on the tour from all over the world. Anyhow, we gave Brian the job of getting off the bus quick and going to sign us in together with the rest of our group before other people steal the rooms and we would get his bag. By the time I got into the hostel everyone else was somehow in front of him. Within 5 minutes I had gotten us all keys while carrying his bag along with mine as he is still at the back of the line.
He has told some great jokes and we have had some great laughs, for instance.
What did the 3 legged dog say when he came into the bar?
I`m looking for the man that shot my paw (pa).

What's brown and sticky?
A stick.

I have had trouble downloading pictures but will get them up for iceland and ireland by sunday or monday.
I am being rushed so will write more about Ireland soon.
If you want to check out the tour we are on it is:
http://www.paddywagontours.com/viewtour.php?id=5&&day=17&&month=08&&year=2006
Hope all is well.

#10 Iceland-I didn't see gnomes or the most amazing girls on the planets which is what they say they have.

#10
First stop out of the country: Iceland.

Link to Iceland pics: http://tinyurl.com/oa3ea

Little sleep on the flight there but before the flight I met two very nice girls from NYC, Lauren and Erica who I would hang out with for a bit of my time in Iceland.
I had an idea that things were going to go well when the trip started off that I was offered a ride to the city by a guy on the plane I met; Thorsten. Thorsten drove me right to the hostel and on the way explained that he was a photographer. He dropped me off and we planned on meeting up later in the week. During the next week as I walked around town I saw billboards of pictures he had taken and his name all over the place. I also walked past a bookstore which had a big advertisement out front for a book he made called `Coulors of Iceland'. You can check out his website at image.is
Anyways, I stayed in the salvation army hostel right in the heart of Reykjavik (Reykjavik means Smokey Bay-that is because there are more active volcanoes in Iceland than anywhere else so because of all the natural steam coming out of the ground when they first saw the place they mistaked it for smoke.)
I spent the first day walking all around the city getting a feel for it and as dinner time came around I found a place that was a youth group kind of place that offered free internet and snacks for a couple of hours. However, since I was there when they were getting ready to close shop they asked if I would eat the rest of the food so it wouldn't go to waste; you know how I hate to argue with locals. Suffice to say I managed to not buy a meal my entire time in Iceland, which by the way is the most expensive country in Europe. This happened because there were other backpackers who were leaving and gave me their extra food.
I roomed with two Finish guys (from Finland) and they told me an expression that is common in Finland. We know we will get hungover but we decide when it will happen.
The next day I went on a full day bus tour and visited the Geothermal plant (The largest geothermal heating plant in the world due to all the natural hot water in the ground. We also visited the largest waterfall, Geysers, the largest lake in Iceland (scuba divers a warned of a fear of height in this lake because it is so clear they can see up to a mile so often people freak out because of this.
The North American plate and European continent plate meet in Iceland which causes all the volcanoe activity and many earthquakes; I got the chance to walk between the plates.
That night I met some locals who invited me to a houseparty where they busted out a guitar and we jammed and sang along for hours into the night.
Icelanders all know how to swim and are forced to learn in school and many continue to swim throughout their life. I visited one of the cities very popular pools which has all different hot tubs each at different temps; the hottest reaching 111 degrees, after a couple minutes beside my body being red I thought I was going to faint.
That night the NYC girls and I met up with Thorsten for a while before I headed to another local party that I was invited to the previous night.
Icelanders don't go out during the week, but to make up for it friday and saturday night they go to the bars and stay until around 8 in the morning and they don't get drunk, they get absolutely belligerent and are very proud of it.
The best way to learn a country is to spend time with locals so at 8 in the morning I headed back to my dorm and slept until 4 in the afternoon. When I got up half of my butt was so sore; I'm guessing I was trying to show off dance moves or something and it didn't turn out how I had planned. I can tell you it had nothing to do with the Gay pride parade which was coming through town.
I wandered around town the rest of the day until heading to Thorsten's house where he and his wife Loa had us over for dinner. Thorsten also used to be a cook so we ate like kings. Barbequed chicken, home made mashed potatoes, caramalized carrots, spinich soup; my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
I learned many other interesting tidbits about Iceland during out dinner and after their house we headed to a bar to dance for the next 5 hours until I headed to the airport at 5am to head to london and eventually arrive in Ireland.
Thank you Thorsten and Loa for your hospitality and kindness, I am looking forward to ordering your book when I return home; everyone should check out his stuff.
Lauren, Erika, good times were had, enjoy the rest of your trip, sorry if I got you in trouble with the guy that ran the house you were in.
Totti, Christjan, and all that took me out, it was a great time; you guys are crazy!!

Icelanders do believe in Gnomes, Elves, and trolls.
The last name of a person is their fathers first name with daughter or son added to it and never changes, even when they get married.
It would be pretty easy to be famous in Iceland since there are so few people, so if you have a great idea move to Iceland and then release it.
Everyone should visit there but stop at duty free first.

#9 I took a big bite out of the apple

#9
So off to church we went in NYC. Why should things be normal? The service we ended up seeing was in Spanish. The good thing about this is that now we have an excuse for not understanding what´s being said up there. I did also learn that my brother Mark is a mouth taker; this is when you go to take communion that instead of putting your hand out and letting the priest put it in your hand you tilt your head back and open your mouth so he can place it on your tongue. I´ve thought a lot about this and don´t understand it, the only thought I could come up with was that since he was the youngest in the house we always had or tried to have him serving us (alright, us is more me) getting us food, the remote control that my arm wouldn´t reach and anything else that would save me energy and remind the younger brother of my dominance (don´t worry, he caught on long ago). Because of this however, he figured it was his time and where else to start but in line in the church.
Mark, my Mom and I stayed in Manhattan with Uncle Lou; if you meet him that´s what you call him but he really is my uncle. Uncle Lou moved to NY years back and lived a life as a professional opera singer, if you get talking about war he´ll tell you how he won the war (ww2), and one of his favorite foods is peanut butter and onion sandwiches; don´t knock it till you try it, I still haven´t tried it. He lives in the Ansonia which also housed Angelina Joline at one point along with lots of other people that I don´t know much about.
We went on a stanton island ferry which takes you for a good view in front of the Statue of Liberty and when you get to Stanton Island you get off and get right back on because there is nothing there, that´s true not funny. This ferry ride is free by the way (thanks cole-man-do). We ventured through Chinatown, midtown, walked down 5th avenue by all the fancy shops; if you haven´t been to NY, 5th ave is between 4th and 6th.
We had lots of great dinners cooked by mother but one night we had a great dinner (Lou, Mark, Mom and I) where mark and I tried to live like Uncle Lou starting by trying on his glasses (see pic). Mark doesn´t like seafood but tried his first octopus. Now in general I just can´t decide if I want people to like the food I like (I know, I like all food), more so the food I really like. It´s a double edge sword, you can´t go to certain restaurants with someone if they don´t like that kind of food, but if you´re at a party and it´s limited you don´t want others to like it because that is less for you; any thoughts on this? whatever you think, stay away from my food.
We also had the chance to meet up with my cousin Jaclyn, her husband Aaron and their daughter Kaylin who happened to be in NYC while we were there. We strolled one morning through central park and thought outloud, 'why are all of these people out, shouldn´t they be at work?' I guess we weren´t working and there was a good chance that everyone else was thinking the same thing; as I sit in a cafe in iceland I´m really wondering why those people aren´t working.
Alright, I´ll get it out of the way, I shared a pull out couch with my mom while in NYC, it wasn´t what it was hyped up to be but it wasn´t that bad either, the only real time I was freaked out was when she couldn´t stop singing the Shakira line 'my hips don´t lie' I asked her nicely to not mention hips while we are next to each other and then punched Mark as he laughed while on his blow up mattress.
When I got to the Airport to leave to Iceland, they said I could have an exit aisle. When I said I wanted it they asked me if I was comfortable with the door. I told her I handled it alright the last time we went down so I thought I could do it again no problem, weird question huh?
toodaloo


NOW, to view my photos you click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/oa3ea

#8 But it's only the beginning

#8
As I rode on my 5 hour bus trip from DC to NYC I thought to myself, why was I so happy about ending my last night in DC kissing a girl? Was it because she was very attractive, cool to talk to, or didn't get mad when I continually forgot how to say her name (half the reason I kept forgetting was because it was an unusual but very cool name, sorry Siobhan it won't happen again. That is a Irish name by the way)
Those were the reasons I was happy at the time but the next morning waking up on Tom's couch I found myself to be just as happy; no she wasn't next to me. Tom came down stairs and said "I don't know what happened, but I ended up in Brendan's bed." At that I asked where Brendan (his roomate) slept. Brendan also slept in Brendan's bed. Hmmmmmmm. I would be worried but Tom did still have on all of his clothes and shoes from the night before; well that and he has a girlfriend. Brendan was interested in a lady the night before as well. Before you start picturing someone in your mind let me describe this lady.
Before we headed out for the night Tom said we were going to one of his friends apartment and a girl that would be there is nicknamed "fight club". This is because after a couple of drinks she starts fights with everyone. She is 39 yr old who hangs out most weekends with a bunch of guys in their 20's. I'm not saying this is bad; when I'm 39 I wouldn't mind hanging out with a bunch of girls in their 20's so long as they don't call me fight club. When we got to the apartment I saw who fight club was. She is about 6'4" and a strong looking girl. (relax footer, it's not gonna happen) Anyone who's reading this blog I want you to get yourself and one other and Fight club and I will take you on. (When I say that WE will take you on, I mean SHE will take you on and I will stand by and watch). The night was one for the books (or blogs) and will always be remembered.
The rest of my time prior to this in DC was spent walking around, getting slurpees, finishing a book; Bringing down the House which is a great book about a group from MIT who took Vegas for millions counting cards in blackjack. I also managed to watch about 18 episodes of Entourage which I am hooked on now.
Tom and Brendan were great hosts especially because I didn't have to wake up to either of them. Tom also cooked a gourmet meal for me; why I deserved it I have no idea, actually I'm sure I didn't deserve it, he was just being nice.
I am now in NYC with my brother, mother and my Uncle Lou who lives here in Manhattan; I've only been here a day and he keeps asking me when I'm leaving; ahh family.
During the preparation to my travels and now I'm finding during my travels people like to ask me if I'm trying to find myself. To this I answer (I like to pretend that I'm very clever and thought of this on my own, but the truth is I read it from something on my sister's wall) Life isn't about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself.
I hope everyone's having as much fun as I am.
Thanks again Tom, Brendan and Siobhan, DC was great.

#7 And they're off!!

#7
I am now officially living out of a backpack.
As we all know it's been a little more than warm around the US, including my first stop in DC where it reached over 100 degrees on my first day. What better to do on a day like that then walk around for hours sightseeing.
I did arrive last night to the open arms of the first person I will mooch off of during my trip; Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Tom L. (we'll leave his last name as that in case we end up getting into some trouble which if you know who I'm speaking of know it's a good possibility).
While Tom went to work today I decided to see our nations capitol since I've never been to DC before.
My first stop was a the US Capitol building where I was told to go into another building because our Senator Levin from Michigan might have his office open and then I could get special passes which others could not get. After picking up my passes I headed to the entrance where I was directed for the next 10 minutes through security and put into a group to follow a leader. After following this leader and the group for another 10 minutes we entered the building on a different level that people we could see from below couldn't get too or haven't gone to their senate's office yet. As soon as we entered, a large man in a uniform told me to come with him and that I was not supposed to be there. He then asked me a lot of questions on how I got there; I think he was dissapointed when I could only say I've been following that group like a cattle in his herd. The large man kindly brought me to where I was supposed to be which was in the Senate Gallery which is the area that is shown on TV; you know the channel we quickly pass on the way to something better; a soap, a movie, even a dull commercial. Is it better in real life you ask? Not at all!!! There was a senator talking non-stop with more stuttering than the poor kid in Billy Madison. There were only 3 other senators in the room and two of them were talking to each other during the whole thing. The President (not THE president) of the meeting who he was addressing didn't look like he cared to much about anything today, he was reading notes, talking to other people who came in and out of the room, and I think daydreaming about something good; at least better than what this guy was going on about.
I'll tell you what did impress me. It was the guy who stands and listens to every word that everyone says, not because he's interested but because he has to type the whole thing as they talk. He can't sit and type, he must stand like 6 feet in front of the person and facing them with straps around his neck and this computer in front of him not missing a beat; and all I could wonder was if he writes the stutters when they talk. He often finished typing what they said before they finished saying it.

Museums. I'm not a museum guy, I find it boring overall; I'm sorry I just do. I do like that they have air conditioning though. I don't think most people like them overall, I just think that it is something to do to fill their day while they are on vacation and that way they have something to say they've seen and only have to use real simple words to describe it. It was cool, neat, impressive; you get the idea.
Maybe I just wasn't in the right state of mind, but these museums that they said was good just didn't do much for me, they weren't necessarily bad either. (By the way: they said goes right along with I read somewhere, or someone once told me. These are all very vague and I feel people say these things only when something is unsure or could be bad so they can't get blamed. If it were great and there was no doubt people would want credit for the info or idea and therefore would make sure the person knew where the information came from)

By the way, I won't be writing everyday of the trip, but today was a big day.

When I was getting closer to see the White House I was suddenly following a path with many others and there was no getting off the highly secured path that led you to the gate at least a quarter mile from the white house but where you could see it from the front. Once in front everyone there was mobbed around to take pictures and trying not to get strangers heads in their photos. While I was standing there looking at this large white house with a huge front yard, a large fence around it and plenty of security in the area two ladies walked up to me from that path that we all followed and asked me if THAT was the white house. On that note I had had enough touring and went home (home being Tom's home).

I hope I offended noone who loves museums. Or anyone who saw the white house and didn't know what they were looking at.