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blanko1324
Created : 05 October 2007
 

Euro-Trip (Part II)

...almost forgot.
Thoughts on a Ferry:

I'm now in my bunk, in a cabin with three other people, in a ferry that looks more like a cruise liner, sailing across the English Channel on my way to England. The ferry is huge. It has a bar, two stores, and an arcade. It sucks. It doesn't even feel like I'm on a boat. I like to feel rocking, and hear creaking, but it's all very solid. I'm disappointed.

Thoughts on a Plane:

All right, so I'm on the plane back to the states (United Airlines 919) after a crazy twenty-one days across West Europe. London was great, but didn't have much to write about. It was the most realistic city we visited, meaning most livable, and not completely geared toward tourists.

Everyone on the plane is quiet, watching "Blades of Glory" or "300" on the little screens attached to the backs of chairs. I turned "300" off about forty-five minutes in because it was completely boring and stupid. So sue me...

I bought a copy of "The God Delusion" at Heathrow's Border's Bookstore.

While not reading it, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to think about the past three weeks during this seven and one half hour flight. Here are some things I maybe forgot to mention or forgot I mentioned already and need to be repeated:

Full On:

...Totally forgot about them. We met up with this New Zealand based ... thing in Assisi. They reminded me of those crazy religious cults that seem all nice and merry, with their mission set on raising your self-esteem to levels you never thought you could reach, but then they offer you funny smelling fruit-punch and you think it's just an exotic fruit mix, so you drink it and die.

But in reality, they were just hyper New Zealanders that were nice and merry, and had their mission set on raising your self-esteem to levels you never thought you could reach. No fruit punch at all. We played thinking games and scaled down a 100ft tower. No big deal.

McDonalds:

Yes, they are here too, and it sucks.

Anyway, while on this plane ride I was made to fill out a survey on how I felt about the overall experience, and also my attitude toward the delegation leaders. That was the fun part. All of them got good reviews from me, except for a certain someone that I mentioned in Part I. His description was:

Unfair, completely oblivious to anything going on, and just plain dumb. No way in hell is he recommended.

I'm not sure if there is anything left to write.

Thoughts on Hotels:

Jumping from hotel to hotel is really quite enjoyable. It's always different. Getting into a new shower for the first time is always exciting because there is a chance it could be really nice or be only two feet wide and completely suck balls.

Living out of a suitcase is fun too, in a weird way. I had good roommates every time and most of the guys got together at night to play Hold'em. I lost a lot.

There was one event which took place in a hotel just outside of Assisi, where we were being really loud, and to top it off, somebody pushed a shopping cart (where this person got it, I don't know) down a flight of stairs. The Italian manager went completely nuts...

What I Learned:

Sure, I learned a lot of stuff on historical monuments, which I've now forgotten, but I think that, more importantly, I've learned about people. I learned that a lot of people my age are complete idiots and that if I never see some of them again, it'll be too soon.

I also learned that, just because people come from different countries and don't speak your language, they are still people, and basic communication can still be made with gestures and smiles.

During homestay, we went to a basketball court and were quickly joined by two Spanish boys and a Belgian one, who were all-around nice people. We played 3-on-3 and my group won 10-8 or something like that. That was a great time.

I learned that other countries are real places, not amusement parks. America is not the only place were real life happens. The world is bigger than I thought...and it's amazing.

 

Comments
Saturday, 06 October 2007, 00:56
power mousey
 		what!??

I thought with Bush in office..and some of our other govermental officials, USA is becoming more of a amusement park and as the laughing sock(stock..but sock sounds better ) of the world.

Time for the sheep to look up!

sounds like you had a good and fun time
in Europe, blanko. And that it was a learning experience and eye opener for you too. Which is good. I may go to Europe next year myself.
I have never been outside the United States...except for a few times across the border in Mexico, once in Baja or lower California, and twice been to Ontario, Canada.
And a few times to Vancouver Island...loved the water skiing.

cheers
power mousey