Butter makes everything better...but eat your vegetables nonetheless!

Day 38: July 22nd, 2011 Thirty eight days, six countries and numerous unforgettable moments later and I am on my way back home. Was it hard leaving the enchanting Paris this morning at 4:50am? A little, but it helped that my bus didn't show up, then I didn't have enough coins to buy my RER ticket out to the airport so I had to go about asking people for change...I guess Paris was trying to make the departure a little easier. Thanks, I appreciated it. This trip definitely had its rough times. What with language and cultural barriers, stomach issues and sibling love but each moment was worth it. I've learned that I can take care of myself on my own, that I can go abroad and only lose a pair of glasses (which are easily replaceable). I can get totally lost and find my way back home. It's a really wonderful feeling to be standing in the pouring rain with no idea where to go and just start walking in a direction hoping it's the right one. Granted, I'm pretty sure 60%...

Waiting in the hostel in Tbilisi for Paul and Tom to return. It's been a very long last 8 days with a mixture of sickness, unfortunate travel situations and awkward housing. But, overall Georgia has been a good experience. We hiked to a waterfall outside of Tom's town and it was absolutely beautiful. Pretty enjoyable hike also, nothing compared to the pain in the ass trek while in Svaneti. After the hike Tom's co-workers threw him a Supra which is a traditional Georgian party/celebration. This one was not so traditional, seeming as Sandy and I were allowed to drink. We dined on freshly charred pork shoulder and tomato cucumber salad. It was a good way to wind down the day. Overall this whole situation has been tiring, but important to experience. I am so impressed with Tom for not giving up and just leaving this rather frustrating country. With out a doubt my brother has been influential in Langodehki (his town) even if he doesn't think so. Will this influence last? I ...

Day 27: July 11th, 2011 Went to Svaneti over the weekend, which is a small town/city in the north western area of Georgia. The town itself was charming and pretty tourist friendly compared to other places in Georgia so far. The venture up to Svaneti was made by a night train from Tbilisi, which was hot, muggy and long. From Zugdidi we had to take a marshuka up to Svaneti which took another 5 hours. Marshukas are 8-15 people vans that aren't pleasant to be in when it's warm and dusty and full. We arrived in Svaneti around 1pm and after having a bite to eat we went on a hike up to the nearby Glacier. It was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, and the the view at the end was gorgeous. Saturday was spent doing this 'day hike' up to this cross on one of the nearby mountains. It was hell. We couldn't find the path for the longest time, then once we did we realized we had in fact crossed the path at the beginning. Saturday was a very long day....so was yesterday. We wer...

Day 23: July 7th, 2011 No picture, using Peace Corps computer... No photo, no quote. Alright, well I have made it to Georgia. Landed at around midnight last night. I am sweaty, warm and very thirsty but am happy to have made it with all my luggage in tow and to have met up with Tom. I have no idea what the exchange rate is...I am going to guess it's finally going to go in my favor. Unlike Western Europe where, as a guy back in Barcelona so eliquently stated, "Whenever I take money out of the ATM it feels as if my genitalia is getting slammed in a locker door." It's true...it was so disheartening when I was paying for stuff out there...though Spain was a lot more affordable than Paris. Anyways, I guess I am going to go shower, now that I have the opportunity to. Then I think the plan is to go find some food. I haven't eaten since I left Barcelona last night, and if you haven't figured that is WAY too long for me to go with out food. I'll post more when I ha...

Day 20: July 4th, 2011 "Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." Ah the metro...I currently have a love hate relationship with this source of transportation. I was unfortunate enough to pay for a certain direction, then realized it was the wrong direction, then realized that I had to pay again to get on the side for the correct direction. WHAT THE HELL! Are you serious? Why isn't there a little pathway or something so when people make the mistake I made you can just walk across to the correct side? Well...I won't be doing THAT again. Boo...boo I say. But in all honesty I really enjoy the metro here in Barcelona and did in Paris too. It's so efficient! One comes every 4 minutes, and gets me to anywhere I want/need to go. The metro and the local bus system use the same ticket, which is also appreciated. Best way to go was buy a 10 journey ticket which saved me about 5E. Should have done it in Paris...I definitely will do so when I am th...

Day 19: July 3rd, 2011 "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." Alive and well in Barcelona, Spain's second largest city. The title of today's post comes from a postcard I've seen around here. Though to be honest, I am in fact on facebook while in Barcelona. Barcelona's not exactly what I was expecting...but then again that's my fault for having expectations in the first place. It reminds me of California, I am not sure why. The beach is sandy and beautiful, and full of locals and tourists on the weekends. I made it to the beach Friday and Saturday, but decided to hold off today because the clouds have found their way here. It seems as if the Pacific Northwest is following me around. Rain in Paris, rain in San Sebastian, rain and clouds for days in Bilbao...hoping it's just clouds in Barcelona. "What should young people do with their lives today? Many Things obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stabl...

Day 17, July 1st, 2011 "Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own." Ok, it's not just going to be pictures...but now that you are reading this, you might as well finish? Or skim through the rest of the photos...either own I got your interest so HAH. I used the above quote because it's been such a long time since I've been in such a generous culture. Maybe it was just the small group of people I was able to be around, but I am pretty sure as a whole the Basque people are kind, intelligent, and very very generous. Also a tad big stubborn, but I of all people can respect that. No is not an option, if they want you to have something you take it. And if you say no, you are being more disrespectful than cordial. It makes one realize how much people have that can be shared, and how little many people offer to others. "Food is my thing. I do not smoke or drink, so food is my vice." The air is full of cigarette smoke, all the t...

First off, sorry for the numerous typos in the last post...there will probably be several in this post too...even if I attempt to edit it. The spanish keyboards are similar, but not the same and I don´t want to monopolize the computer because it´s not mine. Anyways, I went to the Bodega Belezos and Bodega Estraunza. Before the bodegas though we made a pit stop at small town up in the hills of the Logrono region. Very old, where everyone knew everyone. I suppose here, under ground there are some very old bodegas? The translations were sort of getting lost, my translator was tired and no one else knew english so...I am guessing that was the situation. After that we continued onto Bodega Belezos. Both of the bodegas that I visited today are in the Rioja Alavesa region in Logrono. At work we sell the crianza of Belezos, but I had the opportunity to day to try one of their 2010 award winning bottles. Not sure exactly what it was, but I´m thinking it was at least a Reserva from out it taste...

Day 14: June 28th, 2011 Well, I just got back from one of the best meals I´ve ever had. Yeah, I know, you all keep getting to read that as I slowly make my way through Spain, but for realz...wow. First I will let you all know that I am currently having the privilege of staying with with my mom´s foreign exchange student´s family who live in a lovely apartment in Bilbao. Oh, by the way they also own a small bodega in the Rioja region which I am visiting tomorrow!! Anyways, they took me out to dinner tonight, and I started seeing their wines everywhere. Bodega Estraunza. I had the crianza tonight, fruity as a crianza should be, oaky like a good Rioja, and very pleasant vanilla notes. I remember when I first started learning about wines my GM told me that a good wine is one that carries the characteristics it should. Meaning, a good Rioja shouldn´t drink like a good Priorat. Doesn´t mean you shouldn´t like that wine, and doesn´t mean it´s not a delicious wine, but it does mean that it isn...

Day 12: June 26th, 2011 Spent most of yesterday in bed zonked out from the 'benadryl'. Why was I taking 'benadryl' yesterday? Because, when I woke up my face was swollen. Not just a little...but considerably, everywhere, swollen. So, after a little trouble hunting down the Spanish Benadryl I took it and slept for most of Saturday. It was sad, and frustrating but I am on my way back to satisfactory condition, so it's all good. I made it out this morning before the 95 degree heat and picked up some Nurofen (Ibuprofen) and got some breakfast pintxos and made it to the beach for a little sun. As my boss said, it's not a true foreign experience with out having to deal with medical issues in a different country. So, take that allergic reaction I beat you (hopefully) and I did so with out speaking the damn language! I am going to venture out later tonight, so maybe more photos then. As for now, know that I'm still alive and getting better!

Day 10: June 24th, 2011 I know, I know. I'm sorry for not having any pictures for today, but I decided to leave the camera in the hostel and wander with out it. You'll just have to close your eyes and create paradise with your imagination today. Remember the last post? When I mentioned a spa? Well, it was delightful AND affordable, and we all know how much I enjoy deals! I paid 30E for 3 hours and a trendy little head cap (mandatory while in the pools). It was a Thalassotherapy spa, meaning most of the pools if not all utilized salt water. There were all sorts of different pools, with different temperatures. Some had jets targeting certain areas on the body like the shoulders, lower back etc. Others were warmer and just for relaxation. Another pool was at a lower temperature and had cardio equipment in it. Then there were dry saunas and wet rooms, AND a rather chilly pool of salt water that you dive into after being in the extreme hot rooms. All in all? It was worth the splurge...

Day 9: June 23, 2011 "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." The morning started off cloudy again but the sun finally broke through. Laid on the beach for a few hours sans sunscreen (don't worry parents, I bought some on my way back to the hostel this afternoon so I'll have it for the rest of the trip). Even with the clouds the temperature was quite nice, and if I hadn't been so comfortable just laying on the golden sand reading then I probably would have jumped into the jade blue water. I arrived at the beach around 10:30, after stopping at another random pintxo bar for breakfast. There were a surprising number of people already out, and many surfers were sitting patiently on their boards waiting for that perfect swell. Do people here work? If so...how do I get a job where I can be on the beach at 10:30am on a Wednesday? It was difficult to concentrate on my book, so I soon gave up and just laid back and enjoyed the situation. After...

Day 8: June 22, 2011 "I am not a glutton, I am an explorer of food." This my dear friends, as some of you may know is a pintxo (pee-n-chyo) bar. What is a pintxo you might ask? Small bites of food, served before and between the larger meals, more or less...This is a pintxo bar I hopped into while waiting for my room to be ready at my hostel this morning. I had three items, the total was 8E including a glass of Txakoli (chya-co-lee) simply put, it's a very affordable way to eat. The three small bites I had were a bocadillo with jamon (fist sized sandwich), a little crostini with anchovy salad and then a little sandwich with...I wasn't sure what was in it. All three were good, the anchovy bite was the best. Seeming as my favorite white is Txakoli, I'll be in heaven for the next week. But Mara, what is this Txakoli you speak of? It's a slightly effervescent white wine that is quite refreshing and found abundantly in the basque region here in Spain. "The only...

Day 7: June 21st, 2011 "Meat isn't murder, it's delicious." I have never doubted my brother's girlfriend's opinion, even if she is a pescetarian (I say that lovingly Sandy, if you are reading this). But I have no words to properly thank her for sending me to my interpretation of heaven on earth according to 'grocery stores'. The gourmet food section of the Galeries Lafayette behind the Opera house in Paris is astounding. I didn't want to leave. In fact, I'm pretty sure I walked in circles for at least 30 minutes just looking at the random little counters of deliciousness. Including this wonderful jambon counter. I've enjoyed the salty, smooth scrumptiousness that is Jamon Serrano and Jamon Iberico, but these lovely meats I tasted gave those two a run for their money. I first enjoyed a lovely soft boiled egg with chorizo dish, then my trilogy of meats. It was a simple preparation. Sometimes though, often times, simplicity is the closest one ...

Day 6: June 20th, 2011 "Art is the proper task of life." Guess where we went today! That's right, the Louvre. This museum makes SAM look like an outhouse...no offense SAM...I love you and all but step it up a notch, ok? We had a map and still continued to get lost. Anyways, we walked what seemed like a mile and a half through out the museum, going through all sorts of art exhibits. It was pleasant, but WAY too many people in a warm confined area. You'd think our favorite part was seeing the famous Mona Lisa but it wasn't! In fact that was a little disappointing...don't get me wrong, I still took pictures of it so you all can believe I actually saw it in person. "Every artist was first an amateur." These were my favorite parts. The gorgeous ceilings were crazy beautiful. No picture could ever do them justice. It made me happy we continued to get lost, because every once in awhile we'd look up and see one of these lovely pieces of art. I guess sma...

Day 5: Sunday June 19th, 2011 "Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn." This morning started with some left over baguette, goat cheese and salami. After that we headed out towards the Marais Quarter where we were hoping to find some boutiques that were supposedly open on Sundays. On our way there we came across a public market taking up 3-4 blocks of space in the middle of Bastille. There were the usual trinkets, toys, and poorly made purses but there were also delightful aromas of fresh made breads, open creamery stands, and cured meat booths. The produce was exquisite. Tomatoes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Green beans galore, and everything was so fresh and colorful. It was a great way to start the morning adventure. From the market we found our way (eventually...may or may not have gotten a little lost) to the Jewish Quarter of Paris where most of the stores are open on Sunday unlike most everywhere else. We popped in and out of cute little stores, all of ...

Day 3: Friday June 17th, 2011 "I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage." Don't worry mom, this wasn't the first thing I ate this morning. Not that you can object to such a spectacular vision. Chocolate and vanilla gelato smeared into the shape of a rose? Gelato on the cone is just like cereal...the cone is the cereal and the gelato is the milk...so if this were the first thing I ate...anyways, moving on. This beautiful creamy goodness is found at Amorino, near the Notre Dame. There's another store in the Bastille Quarter, which we discovered tonight after wandering around trying to find some food. Best gelato I've had? Probably...though I have never been to Italy so that may or may not be saying much. "I'm happy to report that my inner child is still ageless." As you can see we came across a very adorable shop on our way to the Notre Dame. There was a whimsical utensil for every thing! Serrated alligator knives, lady cheese grat...

Alright, I've decided to attempt a blog...we'll see how well this goes. I've already been in Paris for three days and have fallen in love with this delicious city. Barbara and I have devoured almost half a pound of butter just at home, along with two containers of goat cheese and several packages of jambon. Look at me, throwing in random french words...it's probably a good thing none of you are witnessing me butcher this rather lovely language. Anyways...I guess I'll post photos/comment on what we're doing/say something sarcastic/witty and then move onto another picture...it'll be the easiest way to keep my attention and yours too I am guessing. Here we go! Day 1: Wednesday June 15th, 2011 "When one has tasted it he knows what the angels eat." This was the first thing Barbara and I ate in Paris. We went on a hunt for the nearby grocery store called 'Monoprix' and bought a six pack of white kinder bueno bars, wine, tomatoes, goat cheese, but...