Until I cross the Atlantic...

Alrighty folks...this is it. Yes, this is the last blog post, or at least for now. Right now I’m in the city of light, and each time I come here, it seems as though it grew more. This city is huge, and despite living off of baguettes and cookies, I’ve had enough energy to carry myself from one side of the city to another. Today, one of my dreams came true and I went to the Louvre to see none other than the Mona Lisa. The Louvre is chalk full of any kind of art you can imagine. There are centuries-old art pieces that are incredibly preserved, and it’s amazing that you can find your nose inches away from them. I saw Winged Victory, Le Venus de Milo, La Joconde (Mona Lisa), the Sphinx, etc., etc. The Louvre does wear you out because it’s so overwhelming. Nevertheless, I made sure I saw the highlights, and then I picked out my own favorites. From the Louvre, I traversed the city again (before, I did rest up in the nearby garden) and went to the Sacré Coeur Basillica. And, I must say, it was a fantastic view. Besides trying to be conned every five minutes (the old bracelet trick, and, my favorite, the lady who pretends to be deaf and distracts you while the other guy “keeps bumping into you”—yeah, it’s Paris and the pickpockets were out today), the view was spectacular and most Parisian. Here, you see the young couples kissing, drinking a bottle of wine, at the bottom of the stairs you see the French’s aspiring young artists, the old man walking by sporting a beret and smoking his wooden pipe, etc. And of course, let us not forget, there’s always the guy from Kenya giving you an awesome deal on a miniature Eiffel Tower. Needless to say, I stayed here for a while and quite enjoyed myself. I can’t believe that three months have gone by already and that I am back in Paris. I have a sleight hint of melancholy, but at the same time, I’m ready to come back home to see my family and comrades. I’ve learned a lot over the past several months. First, I learned a lot about patience. When you come to Europe, you have to have patience. There is a lot of waiting and time is different here (literally, it’s six hours ahead, yet six years in the past). People move differently, see differently, eat differently, talk differently, etc. And, you have to be patient with yourself and others in order to succeed at the other thing I learned about, which is: how not to panic. I’ve been in some rough situations here in Europe (some stories just won’t be told on this blog—they’re not meant for delicate eyes). But, I’ve learned how to not panic. Sure, I’ve been worried, but when you depend on yourself because you have A) No cell phone, B) zero money, C) no food, D) no internet, E) All of the above, then you cannot panic. It is not an option and it is never the right thing to do. Which leads me to: asking for help. One of my best revelations I ever had was in Germany. The epitome was simple. It’s the idea that all the people around me are never going to see me again, or they’re simply not going to remember me. I'm nothing more than a rock skipping across the water, in view for seconds until I sink below into the abyss. This idea gives you a sense of liberation; one is liberated from the idea of humiliation. That is, when you mess up, “these people” don’t know you or your background, nor do they know from or where you are going. Thus, making mistakes is okay and talking to these people (asking them for help, or if you’re curious of their life’s story) is no “biggie.” This also helps you cope after you have had yogurt thrown all over you by a crazy Frenchman in the suburbs of Paris. Not getting into this story. Now, I’ve also learned how much this world of ours revolves around money, and also, how much I HATE IT. Though, I've known this for quite some time. I’ve learned a lot about what it means to be an American and also a citizen of the world. I’ve heard the American stereotypes, and you know what, I love them. When Benjamin Franklin was ambassador to France (the first ambassador actually), he picked up on this. He would flaunt a squirrel hat to look like a “savage from the colonies” and the French ate it up. I’ve learned that stereotypes can give you a neat edge to things—because after all, they’re foolish. It gives you an insight into how your country is perceived, and how much you fit that perception. I would always nod my head proudly when asked if I eat cheeseburgers and corn on the cob (yes, and the airport in Chicago better have a Wendy’s, otherwise, I’m writing a letter). One thing that I love though is that despite our sincere cultural differences, I’ve learned that people can be stupid everywhere—Ron White says you “can’t fix it”, I say you can’t escape it. The same things that make people do stupid things exist in all the countries I’ve visited. I find it as a testament to our humanity because it reaffirms that not one country or one people is perfect. Therefore, I’ve learned that one should think of himself or herself as a citizen on this country of ours which I call the world. I pledge allegiance to the flag of my country where I was born, but I pledge my heart for the betterment of all people. Finally, I’ve learned that dreams can come true. I’ve taken the trip I’ve always wanted to take. I’ve lived life the way I wanted to live it for three months. I’ve accomplished goals that I set for myself years ago, and now, I find myself in a situation I haven’t been in for quite some time; that is, I have to set new goals for myself. (SPOILER ALERT: there may be a www.kylelostinAfrica.blogspot.com appearing one day soon). Nevertheless, in order for these dreams to come true, it takes determination, hard work, courage, great family members, great friends, and most importantly, love. I’ve learned that an abundance of courage and love combined render any and all obstacles ephemeral, it simply takes a dash of curiosity and a submission of yourself to the wind, and faith in what lies ahead, so that you may make what is now behind. Thus, despite being lost in France, my friends, I’ve found myself in ways that I had never expected. To that, I raise my eyes to the horizon, give a subtle grin, and fill my glass with what tomorrow brings. See you all soon :) Cheers.

Part II: Deutschland

So, my trip in Germany was one of extreme ups and downs. But, I had a blast and I survived the bumps in the road along the way. Despite having banking trouble, a delayed flight, and being on the verge of missing my train to bring me back here to Avignon, I was able to have one of the best times of my life. I'm not releasing all details or photos; I have to have some cool surprises for you guys when I return back home (which is in two weeks! That's crazy!).
It's summer time here in Provence, the pool is open and the beer is cold. The French flows much easier off the tongue now, and in all ways, I see ma vie en rose. I hope all of you are enjoying yourselves in the States and that you're all preparing for an all-American cheeseburger coming home party :) Until my next post, here are a couple of pictures of Bavaria and Munich. Ciao!

Meine Heimat und mein Abenteuer in Deutschland: Part I

Part 1
This is a two part blog series on my adventure in Germany. As I write this I am currently in Füssen, Germany. However, let me start at the beginning. I arrived in Munich yesterday at 17:30. The plane ride in was absolutely amazing. As I was flying in, I looked out the window and saw what I thought to be at the time, hundreds of white castles. I kept thinking to myself, "I don't remember Munich having this many castles." As the plane descended towards the earth, I noticed that it wasn't castles I was looking at, it was the snow-capped mountain tops piercing through the clouds. It was kind of a "duh" moment, but it was absolutely stunning and I will admit, it took my breath away. Upon landing in Munich, I found myself in a huge German city with no mountain views, but beautiful German architecture nevertheless. I had no map; I did have directions to my hostel, but lo' and behold, I had no idea which way was north or south--in other words, I stuck true to this blog's URL, kyle was lost in Germany! However, after a google map phone conversation with my mother, she, as she always does in my life, helped me find the right path. Once I made it to the hostel, it was time to explore; I had a map this time, so getting lost was fair game.
I went straight to the Hofbräuhaus, for reasons I'm sure you can guess. I explored as long as I could before it was pitch black and I forced myself to go back to my hostel to get some sleep. Munich was an okay first impression, but Füssen has sealed the deal (or mainly the train ride in). I believe all of you are going to have to book a flight and come kidnap me if you want me back because it is completely beautiful here. This is the land some of my ancestors came from and thus, in some way or another, where part of me is from. The climate feels just right, the air is fresh, there are plenty of mountains to satisfy a mountain goat like myself, and the beer--oh!--don't get me started. It's probably a good thing the Lederhosen is 300 Euro, otherwise, I would buy an outfit and be hiking around in it. I'm not joking. But, with everything aside, it's fulfilling to finally visit a place I've dreamed of for a long time. My aunt and uncle can tell you how many times I would pump them for stories about Germany, etc. It's also fulfilling to see a glimpse of where your ancestors came from. Sure, this isn't the exact spot, but it's close enough for me to feel at home, at peace, and ready for my adventure to continue with tomorrow's sunrise.

Lazy day far away...

So, I put this countdown clock on here to remind myself that I need to spend my time more wisely. This weekend I had fun, but it was an extremely lazy weekend where I did not travel nor did I do anything in town. I do have a good excuse. What is it? One word: Germany. I leave this Thursday; I'll be flying out of Paris (back to Charles de Gaule) and land in Munich around 17h30. I haven't been this excited since I first arrived; I feel like the adventure is starting all over again, which is something I've never felt in the United States. I'm traveling alone, which I'm really excited about. I prefer traveling alone because I can move at my preferred pace and I can do whatever I want to do. I have some great stuff lined up in Germany, as I should because it's (pause) my last big adventure in Europe. After Germany, I only have an excursion to Pont du Gard and then I'll be staying in Paris for a couple of days. After that, it's back on the big plane saying the two words that I hate thinking about, "au revoir." (INSERT SAD FACE)
Nevertheless, just reflecting on all I've done, I think I've done this continent some justice, but I can't make this statement official until my voyage in Germany is complete. Skype is an incredible thing, but it has made me extremely homesick--keep calling me guys, I enjoy it very much. My uncle and I took online chess to a level I don't think has been done in the history of mankind (we're proud of that one). Seeing the little princess and hearing her mumble "mmmmm" is fantastic. Wishing my mother a happy mother's day was ideal, as well as seeing my father (who always has my back, on holidays and non-holidays alike). Seeing my grandfather and being able to tell him about Chamonix and Mont Blanc. And of course, finally seeing ma chérie and getting to hear her voice. Thank you, Skype.
And as always, I love reading comments on the blog and I'm glad you all are enjoying your time on this trip as well. Please continue commenting and stay tuned because as of right now I have four weeks left and I have no intention whatsoever of wasting them. Prepare for the record books folks, we have some getting lost to do...

~Kyle,
l'un qui s'est perdu en France

Cote d'Azur...pourquoi pas ?

I have had an amazing weekend. This weekend I explored the French Riviera and all its glory. The scenery is absolutely stunning--mountains, crystal clear and bright blue water, sunshine, Pastis, etc. It's probably one of the best experiences I have had in my life. In a period of four days I've been to Cassis, Marseille, Antibes, and Monaco. Did I hike in Cassis? Yes, I did. Did I drink Pastis and eat mussels in Marseille? Of course. Did you gamble in Monte Carlo? Absolutely (I lost five euro and called it quits; I don't understand people's obsession with gambling. I have a beautiful trashcan in my room if you want to throw your money in it. But, you can't go to Monte Carlo and say you didn't gamble, in my opinion). Cassis is beautiful. The water is stunning and the hike I went on was absolutely gorgeous. Amazing views of the Callanques, the sea, the boats and mountains--I believe I'm going to retire here one day. Marseille on the other hand was different. Marseille has a bad reputation; it's not very clean, there's hundreds of pickpockets, and it's definitely a place you don't want to walk around at night. Nevertheless, I entertained myself at Marseille by hiking up to the cathedral and taking in the amazing views of the city and the Vieux Port, as well as the islands made famous by the Comte de Monte-Cristo. I then ventured to Antibes, a beautiful city along the Cote d'Azur, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the sea. When it started raining the next day, I followed my philosophy of Pourquoi pas ?, or "why not?", and hopped on a train for Monaco where I saw the ritzy boats, the bourgeoisie's get away homes, the casinos, and also, Napoleon's famous hat and some of his drawings (which I snuck a quick photo of for all of you to enjoy). Enjoy the pictures and stay tuned because next weekend it's Alps time with Chamonix and another surprise location. Stay tuned!
>From the guy lost in France, who has no idea how he's going to get home

Mi aventura española!

“Hopping on the bus is an exercise of liberty.” –AV

So this blog is called Kyle’s European Travels, thus this weekend, I stayed true to the title and the purpose of being in Europe, I continued exploring and hopped on the bus to go to none other than Barcelona, Spain. As the capital of Catalonia, it is Spain’s second largest city with two official languages: Catalan and Spanish. Do I speak either of these? No, I do not. This adventure was something else; it was the first time I felt like a foreigner in Europe. Thankfully, I took one year of Spanish in high school, and somehow all of my vocabulary came back to me. I survived using these simple words/expressions: “Sí, no, Me gustaria..., Donde estan los baños?/ Una cerbeza por favor/ Muchas gracias, zumo de naranja.” I was very proud of myself; going to Spain proved to me that Germany will (hopefully) be a piece of cake. I hopped on the bus Friday afternoon, and after crossing the Pyrénées (the first snow-capped mountains I’ve ever seen, by the way) and a seven hour drive, I was dropped off in the middle of the hustling and bustling of the Spanish/Catalonia city at night. Now, this may be hard for some of you to understand, but instincts are amazing. For example, back home, I am terrible with directions (or at least, I use to be), after three hours in Barcelona, looking at the map, memorizing landmarks, I knew the city. You can ask me where something is today, and I bet I could tell you how to get there from my hostel. I knew that I could not get lost (because I didn’t have the ability to ask someone where I was, or how to find a certain place). My instincts kicked in and I had the city memorized in no more than three hours of being there, I was quite impressed. That’s the power of instinct for you. Saturday was my day of exploring. Did I ride a bike? No. Did I take the metro? No. Did I take a bus? Are you kidding? Did I walk? You bet your companion lost in France I did. I walked all over this city. I saw everything one could in Barcelona. I started at eight in the morning and walked all day with nothing but my shoulder bag, two cameras, and a curiosity to see what Spain had to offer me. I toured the Sagrada Familia, a huge testament to modern art, to the Spanish religiosity, and to nature. The cathedral seems to be growing out of the ground. It’s a piece of organic art that is completely unlike anything I have ever seen. Every brick, every door, window, etc., had been designed by a Catalonian architect named Antonio Gaudí. His presence in Barcelona is everywhere. It almost seems that he designed the entire city. The architecture in Barcelona is quite stunning and bizarre at the same time. You’re constantly turning your head and saying, really? I also went to an awesome garden called Parc Güell, which as far as I know, was at one time Gaudí’s residence. The garden is stunning, and it’s on the side of a mountain, even better. It offers spectacular views of the city, and the sea. It’s worth the entire trip. It’s very tropical as well: palm trees, orange trees, cactus, lilac, etc. There’s such a huge diversity of vegetation. Of course, after walking all day long, I found my way to the beach. The Mediterranean is simply amazing, and the coldest, yet clearest water. I fell asleep on the sand and woke up with my face on fire. I have a raccoon face now because I left my sunglasses on, mais c’est la vie, n’est-ce pas? Anyway, here’s a healthy round of pictures from my adventure in Barcelona. I hope you guys enjoy them, and as always, stay tuned because I am doing a lot of traveling this week and weekend to come. It’s an awesome dream, and we still have plenty of time until we wake up :) À bientôt!