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...