Whirlwind through Europe

Oct. 1, 2008

OK. Wow. I need to take a second to catch up. In the past seven days I have gone from London to Rome to Interlacken, Switzerland to Munich where I now write from a crowded hostel filled with drunken Oktoberfest kiddies. I have lots to say about all the places I´ve seen in the past week, but the constant forward movement and the thrill of meeting new people and seeing new places has kept me from my writing responsibilities. I apologize to you, my loyal readers (hi Mom and Dad!). But I´m also disappointed myself because keeping this up has allowed me to process everything I´ve seen and done.

Wow, traveling is awesome. But none of you wants to read about me bragging. Just to get on top of things, I´ll give a brief recap of the past week with photos and perhaps more elaboration to follow in the coming days.

London: The trip was more a chance to hang out in a comfortable place with a friend then go sightseeing and do the tourist thing. Did see all the sights but also spent lots of time playing Uno and drinking beer on a couch. It was hard to leave something that felt very close to home. But I guess the main point of travel is to get away from what is comfortable and familiar.

Rome: I came, I saw, I conquered in two days. Lots of beautiful old things to see. The thing which struck me most about all the artwork at the Vatican and within the Sistine Chapel is that all the Renaissance artists loved painting huge, bulbous muscles on every human figure. Men, women, babies, everyone. They were all fleshy, beer-bellied, bohemoths back in the day. Visited the Colleseum, Spasnish Steps and Trevoli Fountain all at night. Had tons of fun with two Americans and an Aussie I met walking the streets singing That´s amore. But Rome doesn't have much of a nightlife at all.

Interlacken: The two American guys I met in Rome talked me and a guy from Melbourne into ditching Italy and heading to the Swiss Alps. Such a good decision. Ended up spending more time in Interlacken then the guys who told me to go there. The water from the mountains is so fresh you can drink out of puddles. Interlacken, a small town between two lakes in the Jungfrau Mountains is known for its outdoor sports. People spend heeps to go bungee jumping, canyoning, sky diving, and partake in all sorts of other high adreniline activities. Met a guy from California who was "so stoked" to be hanging out in the "Swiss-fucking-Alps". I skipped all the expensive stuff and did my own adventuring with two Aussies yesterday. We took a train to Lauterbrunnen, a small town in the hills known for its waterfalls, and then embarked on a seven hour hike. Saw mountain goats, mountain cows and mountain children. Also saw some pretty spectacular mountains. Would´ve stayed longer in Switzerland but couldn´t pass up a free ride today to Munich and Oktoberfest. Totally rad!

Oktoberfest, night one: Went to Haufbrauhouse. Drank a liter of beer. Started too late to enter the tents. Still sore from seven hour hike through the mountains. But starting bright and early tomorrow. Should be a good day. Will write more when the hangover fades.