Wow! Okay, August 1st... hmmm, long time since I posted anything! Now its November 4th....
Well, time I give a vague idea to people what I have been doing, or even thinking.
Generally the summer went good. Working at the camp ground was great fun and was nice to be outside.
Can't quite remember all the trips, but got to Slovenia for a few days and had great fun in the capital, Lubeeeonjjjya... whatever. And even had a quick trip to Zagreb too while there. It was quite weird to go back to Zagreb after so long, but the trip turned out to be worth it.
I think if I recall went to a local fest here and donned the Lederhosens once again. Though I did the strongman competition in Garmisch, I didn't do it across town the next time. Speaking of which, I did get to Oktoberfest too! Though I went alone, after an hour of walking around I did find an English speaking German and an Aussie that was talking to him. So, 5 hours later and after getting drunk in some great sunny, even warm weather, I got back to Garmisch.
But back to trips. In late August I got down to Pula Croatia... I think...Or it was early September. But what a great town! So much there history related with the main focus on the Romans. Great to walk around the old town and find my favorite Rajika! Its strong stuff, but I love it!
Met some good people yet again and really loved getting the fresh tasty food from the local market. Was really nice to take a break from everything here.
Everything else inbetween is rather mundane. Might go to the pub or hang with people for an hour or more, but its pretty standard. My group of friends are limited, though of good quality at least. Life is fun and nice, though, I feel stuck. I'm 24 and everyone wants to re-live their college or even high school days. 26 going on 18... that's sad.
So, I work, get back, do a few things, and go off again to do the next thing, or travel. I've really love the last bit. Seeing old friends and re connecting has been wonderful. I feel as Europe, or at least England, seems like home. I'm sad every time I go back. I'm not sure how I'll handle being back in the states. This will put me 3 years overseas in 6 years.
My love life, well that's been pretty horrible. Americans here, well, safe to say, I've had horrible luck with. Much as I try, I don't know these people and makes dating hard. There will always be a certain distance I'll have. I've done so much in the my, and I have such different view points that are more mature and European, and I lack a certain personality, a certain draw to me. Charisma I think is it. Though I have it around European/Brits and more mature Americans, I utterly lack it with younger people it seems. Ahh, life, I don't understand it. The European with the dating, its been better, but it's been bumpy or confused, either with age gaps or me not having a real work permit for Europe, but still, its been better and gives me hope at the same time it depresses me.
Anyway, now enough of that for now.....
Next post will be all about October and November!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Adventures in Europe and fests!
Wow! Well, I've been up to plenty here lately so need to have a bit of a long write up.
So, I'm basically coming up to 3 months here. Work is going well, but soon I'll get transferred somewhere once the summer ends. So, we'll see where that takes me at the resort.
Now since I last wrote I've been doing many fun things.
Just a couple weeks after my Croatian trip I was able to squeeze a trip into Hungary before Lilla, a Hungarian friend of mine near Gyor Hungary. The night train wasn't the best, but had a good conversation with an ethnic Hungarian, but who was from Romania. I later learned that this really was pretty common interestingly.
Once I arrived in Gyor I was taken to my friends house and treated to a wonderful breakfast of potatoes and a mix of everything else.... including Palinka, a borderline moonshine related to Rakija and is about 50% too boot. So, yeah, strong! AND it was at 8 AM! Oh boy! Oh and for each meal after for 3 days I have booze. Safe to say I was drunk to some degree the whole time I was there!
A nice trip to Gyor, the local big city, happened after lunch... and more Palinka.
After seeing the local sites and the bizillion war monuments from WW1 and the 1848 revolutions, we went shopping for my niece. Gladly Lilla made a good translator in the store. I went ahead and bought a full traditional Hungarian girls dress along with a few other tid bits. Lilla was quite thrilled that I took the effort to buy something so Hungarian as that.
To finish off the town tour went to have some tasty fisherman soup, saw a church with a statue mask thing from the first King of Hungary. Had a tour through some neat old buildings, but being Gypo part of town was kinda dumpy and foul words in Hungarian being shouted from person to person. Gladly we weren't the brunt of the language, but wasn't going to stick around either!
The rest of my time was spent chatting with Lilla, seeing the local countryside, buying up stuff like crazy and just generally relaxing. It really was nice to be in a house even just for a little time. But, had to go back to work after just a couple days. Twas a fine break though.
Now speed up to the near present, which is only like 2 weeks.
Fest season is starting up here and I had only a hat of Bavarian style. So, went to the first day of fest with just the hat. Oh I stood out so much with just the hat, but the lederhosen aren't cheap either. Hmmm.
The next day I went to the shop to just have a quick look, but not to buy.
Once I went in the shop I knew I'd be buying something more than likely. Someone then helped me try on everything, picking the correct size for me. Once I was all decked out in my clothes, 2 guys from work came in, saying the same thing I had thought before... and that night we all had lederhosens!
That night, I decided that I really wanted to enjoy my new clothes, and, oh! What better way than enter the strong man competition! 300 Kilo /600 pounds of stone. Easy peasy! Well, I knew it'd not be, but I wanted to prove to myself that I COULD do it, even a tiny bit, and do it in front of hundreds. Why, who else could say they've done that? Nae few, that's what! Oh, then I, along with 2 other guys, Managed to accidentally join in with a slap dancing group. Safe to say, all 3 of us were drunk'ish and didn't do well, but all fun as well!
Also got a free beer and won a coffee maker for trying to do lifting too. So, a good deal I think!
But after 3 nights of the fest, which is gladly in walking distance, time to take a break until the last days!
So, I'm basically coming up to 3 months here. Work is going well, but soon I'll get transferred somewhere once the summer ends. So, we'll see where that takes me at the resort.
Now since I last wrote I've been doing many fun things.
Just a couple weeks after my Croatian trip I was able to squeeze a trip into Hungary before Lilla, a Hungarian friend of mine near Gyor Hungary. The night train wasn't the best, but had a good conversation with an ethnic Hungarian, but who was from Romania. I later learned that this really was pretty common interestingly.
Once I arrived in Gyor I was taken to my friends house and treated to a wonderful breakfast of potatoes and a mix of everything else.... including Palinka, a borderline moonshine related to Rakija and is about 50% too boot. So, yeah, strong! AND it was at 8 AM! Oh boy! Oh and for each meal after for 3 days I have booze. Safe to say I was drunk to some degree the whole time I was there!
A nice trip to Gyor, the local big city, happened after lunch... and more Palinka.
After seeing the local sites and the bizillion war monuments from WW1 and the 1848 revolutions, we went shopping for my niece. Gladly Lilla made a good translator in the store. I went ahead and bought a full traditional Hungarian girls dress along with a few other tid bits. Lilla was quite thrilled that I took the effort to buy something so Hungarian as that.
To finish off the town tour went to have some tasty fisherman soup, saw a church with a statue mask thing from the first King of Hungary. Had a tour through some neat old buildings, but being Gypo part of town was kinda dumpy and foul words in Hungarian being shouted from person to person. Gladly we weren't the brunt of the language, but wasn't going to stick around either!
The rest of my time was spent chatting with Lilla, seeing the local countryside, buying up stuff like crazy and just generally relaxing. It really was nice to be in a house even just for a little time. But, had to go back to work after just a couple days. Twas a fine break though.
Now speed up to the near present, which is only like 2 weeks.
Fest season is starting up here and I had only a hat of Bavarian style. So, went to the first day of fest with just the hat. Oh I stood out so much with just the hat, but the lederhosen aren't cheap either. Hmmm.
The next day I went to the shop to just have a quick look, but not to buy.
Once I went in the shop I knew I'd be buying something more than likely. Someone then helped me try on everything, picking the correct size for me. Once I was all decked out in my clothes, 2 guys from work came in, saying the same thing I had thought before... and that night we all had lederhosens!
That night, I decided that I really wanted to enjoy my new clothes, and, oh! What better way than enter the strong man competition! 300 Kilo /600 pounds of stone. Easy peasy! Well, I knew it'd not be, but I wanted to prove to myself that I COULD do it, even a tiny bit, and do it in front of hundreds. Why, who else could say they've done that? Nae few, that's what! Oh, then I, along with 2 other guys, Managed to accidentally join in with a slap dancing group. Safe to say, all 3 of us were drunk'ish and didn't do well, but all fun as well!
Also got a free beer and won a coffee maker for trying to do lifting too. So, a good deal I think!
But after 3 nights of the fest, which is gladly in walking distance, time to take a break until the last days!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
This'n that
Well! Busy here in Germany! Been up to much lately. Always something going on here in town.
Lately I went out with the British Army soldiers staying at the camp ground section I work at. There were a few groups in and I met with the last 2. Although I was unsure about the group, I found them to be very nice once we got to know each other. Most the night involved eating and drinking, but plenty of good talking. We were able to get to the hot tub and the bar at the lodge, though I doubt we were the favorites of the staff as the Limeys got carried away some! Also went to the Karaoke night there, which everyone seemed to join in, which was really pretty fun. Some, myself included, were signed up for some pretty bad songs though!
It'd been a long while since I'd had good conversations with people and I'd forgotten how I'd missed European and the different people. I really found I'm not sure where I really belong however. Though I got along with the Brits, I still was kinda the "American" but around the Americans here, I feel kinda outa sorts even more.
Now after the Brits I had a very good trip to Croatia just recently. I had been working very very hard the weeks leading up to it, and barely managed to book the time off. Took the very discount train ticket with beds down to Rijeka to where my good friend Jasna lives. In the city there we did a quick tour and did some shopping. Also learned the city has a saying that is very much there's, "Sta Da?" Which directly translates to What Yes?, but really means "Oh really?", said just when another person is talking.
So after brushing up on my Southern Slavic and trying to learn some new words, we headed down the coast for other little trips, most involving beach time and more shopping. And so on and so forth. Beach time, touring, eating interesting food and drinking some lovely booze!
Though thats over and I'm back to work. Not sure where the next out of country trip is, but hopefully it'll be in Hungary in July. Otherwise saving up for MAYBE the following-
Ukraine in September in the Crimea for an event. 4-8 day trip
Israel, MAYBE if the political climate isn't too bad, do that between October and February. 5-7 day trip
The UK at least once or twice soon enough! Without a doubt, AFTER the Olympics. 4-7 day trips
Greece is on the list and many tours of the local area, but we'll see what else happens. Just wanting to get to new nations, or old nations to see friends.
Keep watching here for new posts as they come in!
Lately I went out with the British Army soldiers staying at the camp ground section I work at. There were a few groups in and I met with the last 2. Although I was unsure about the group, I found them to be very nice once we got to know each other. Most the night involved eating and drinking, but plenty of good talking. We were able to get to the hot tub and the bar at the lodge, though I doubt we were the favorites of the staff as the Limeys got carried away some! Also went to the Karaoke night there, which everyone seemed to join in, which was really pretty fun. Some, myself included, were signed up for some pretty bad songs though!
It'd been a long while since I'd had good conversations with people and I'd forgotten how I'd missed European and the different people. I really found I'm not sure where I really belong however. Though I got along with the Brits, I still was kinda the "American" but around the Americans here, I feel kinda outa sorts even more.
Now after the Brits I had a very good trip to Croatia just recently. I had been working very very hard the weeks leading up to it, and barely managed to book the time off. Took the very discount train ticket with beds down to Rijeka to where my good friend Jasna lives. In the city there we did a quick tour and did some shopping. Also learned the city has a saying that is very much there's, "Sta Da?" Which directly translates to What Yes?, but really means "Oh really?", said just when another person is talking.
So after brushing up on my Southern Slavic and trying to learn some new words, we headed down the coast for other little trips, most involving beach time and more shopping. And so on and so forth. Beach time, touring, eating interesting food and drinking some lovely booze!
Though thats over and I'm back to work. Not sure where the next out of country trip is, but hopefully it'll be in Hungary in July. Otherwise saving up for MAYBE the following-
Ukraine in September in the Crimea for an event. 4-8 day trip
Israel, MAYBE if the political climate isn't too bad, do that between October and February. 5-7 day trip
The UK at least once or twice soon enough! Without a doubt, AFTER the Olympics. 4-7 day trips
Greece is on the list and many tours of the local area, but we'll see what else happens. Just wanting to get to new nations, or old nations to see friends.
Keep watching here for new posts as they come in!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Of Germany...
Well! It has been a long while since I posted!
Traveling has been light since the Grande round the world trip of 2010/2011.
I've basically been working, starting a tour company, getting in the news, hosting friends from all over the world. Had health issues for a long time, but gladly over the past few months I'm more or less cured. Makes life far easier and fun!
Now I'm in Germany however. I work now at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. A resort designed for the US Armed forces and NATO forces as well. We are right next to the Marshall Center as well, the largest conference center in Europe. Designed to foster relations for different nations, usually military related. Oh and Richard Strauss is buried literally right next door here.
Anyway, I put in for this around January or sometime round then. Got an interview in February. Made a road trip out of getting there too with my English friend Philip. Louisville is a long ways from Tennessee!
4 days after the interview, found I had the job and here I am.
However, I will try to give everyone an idea of everything around here.
Start with lodging and walk you toward the work areas.
Lodging here is rather simple, but nice. We are at about 700 meters here and in a valley with the Alps all around us. The housing building is an old Nazi hospital with propaganda paintings all over. There are 2 stories and dorm style housing and bathrooms. Generally everything is clean too.
The area is well secured and safe as we are on government property. Everyone that works here, myself included, is a Department of Defense Civilian worker, under the Army. So fancy title! I rather like it though and I embrace it.
So, as you leave the housing area you'll pass guards and such and head to the south. The local town of Garmisch is very quaint and very German. There is a fine mix of old fashion and modern. On Sundays you'll see the old men in Bavarian folk outfits and sometimes women. Bikes and nicer cars rule the roads, and as usual leaves the person on foot left somewhat out. Right now my bike is in the shop so I must deal with it best I can. There are several ways to get to work. Along the stream in town, the main road or both.
It really is fun to walk or bike to work, enjoying fresh air and listening to chickens clucking and cows mooing.
So once you get closer to the work areas, it becomes modern again. Once at the check point you HAVE to show ID to get in. Security is taken damn serious, so I must end there about all that jazz. Except on base I can get cheap tax free stuff! Woohoo!
Anywhoooo. All my co-workers are good people to work with and I have a room mate who is a top notch guy. Oh and German food and beer is great. And the Alps are awesome! Yup, gonna be fun year here!
Well, keep posted for more of my adventures in Europe!
Traveling has been light since the Grande round the world trip of 2010/2011.
I've basically been working, starting a tour company, getting in the news, hosting friends from all over the world. Had health issues for a long time, but gladly over the past few months I'm more or less cured. Makes life far easier and fun!
Now I'm in Germany however. I work now at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. A resort designed for the US Armed forces and NATO forces as well. We are right next to the Marshall Center as well, the largest conference center in Europe. Designed to foster relations for different nations, usually military related. Oh and Richard Strauss is buried literally right next door here.
Anyway, I put in for this around January or sometime round then. Got an interview in February. Made a road trip out of getting there too with my English friend Philip. Louisville is a long ways from Tennessee!
4 days after the interview, found I had the job and here I am.
However, I will try to give everyone an idea of everything around here.
Start with lodging and walk you toward the work areas.
Lodging here is rather simple, but nice. We are at about 700 meters here and in a valley with the Alps all around us. The housing building is an old Nazi hospital with propaganda paintings all over. There are 2 stories and dorm style housing and bathrooms. Generally everything is clean too.
The area is well secured and safe as we are on government property. Everyone that works here, myself included, is a Department of Defense Civilian worker, under the Army. So fancy title! I rather like it though and I embrace it.
So, as you leave the housing area you'll pass guards and such and head to the south. The local town of Garmisch is very quaint and very German. There is a fine mix of old fashion and modern. On Sundays you'll see the old men in Bavarian folk outfits and sometimes women. Bikes and nicer cars rule the roads, and as usual leaves the person on foot left somewhat out. Right now my bike is in the shop so I must deal with it best I can. There are several ways to get to work. Along the stream in town, the main road or both.
It really is fun to walk or bike to work, enjoying fresh air and listening to chickens clucking and cows mooing.
So once you get closer to the work areas, it becomes modern again. Once at the check point you HAVE to show ID to get in. Security is taken damn serious, so I must end there about all that jazz. Except on base I can get cheap tax free stuff! Woohoo!
Anywhoooo. All my co-workers are good people to work with and I have a room mate who is a top notch guy. Oh and German food and beer is great. And the Alps are awesome! Yup, gonna be fun year here!
Well, keep posted for more of my adventures in Europe!
Friday, April 13, 2012
New posts soon, one day!
Okay, been WAY bad bout posting. Will do soon again. Wrists are screwed up now and can't write much. Things been busy here. Loads of fun. Big Shiloh Reenactment was ACE and the 150th tours at Shiloh were great as well! Anyway, off to Germany in one month for a job at a US armed forces resort,. So should be posting again, as this IS a tour blog, centering on Europe. Anyway, be back before then on here!
Sean
Sean
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