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Well I am off to Belgium today, and do to a mistake on the ticket time on my end I will miss the Tour De France in Paris. I am kinda bummed about that it would have been cool to see but there is always next time.
So, Q and A.
I am still planning on picking something in France or Italy and right now its looking like Italy and for the olive harvest. The time of October and November is when my tourist visa would expire and so if I get to Italy by then I can stay there for a month picking olives and then after that look around Italy with no problem because I am in the country. I will be using one of two websites to do this HELP X and WOOFING both give you the opportunity to email the host and ask questions and see pics of the farm before you go, and yes they would include lodging and food.
When I was in Spain for the World Cup it was a mad house people going crazy and so, yes Linda I totally was involved in the partying going on their.
The clymers, love to hear about Deneila's party sad that I missed it. Good to hear all is well.
Sharon--The running of the bulls was great and there was an older guy that would protest the fights and yell crazy stuff in Spanish, but I did not see or hear about a Minnesota girl who was protesting. That is cool to hear about Belgium I will take lots of pics of the chocolate for you Sharon : ) I could not agree with you more on the how small the world really is….this transitions nicely into……
My thoughts on the trip THUS FAR, I am having a great time I have seen many a cool places and met many tremendous people. It truly is amazing how similar we all are with our wants and needs in life. Hanging out with friends and enjoying our own cultural similarities is universal. The world I have seen THUS FAR has truly been small.
The things I have enjoyed the most have been conversations with my couch surfers. From how they view America, their perceptions of their country in the world, their cultural history, the country history, and just all around good conversations with them. It has been really fascinating listening to their perspective on life.
Things that are really funny and similar to Europe and the United States, in France and Germany there is illegal immigration and it is a hot political issue for France the immigrants are from North Africa, for Germany they are from Turkey. The people I have spoken with have the same complaints about the immigrants having their own neighborhoods and not assimilating to the dominant German/French culture… like not speaking German or French…etc. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Ahah. The stories are equally as bad of why people immigrate so it has been interesting to hear that it's a problem around the world and that people around the world are just trying to make money for to send home. I can understand both sides especially now that I see that it is world wide.
I have yet to find anyone that dislikes America, I think for the most part the countries I have been in have had plenty of American influence and likes of America from the food to music, movies, and Grey's Anatomy... and other tv shows but they love Grey's Anatomy well the girls do. We all are getting so connected it is so funny.
This trip has been really easy thus far and for anyone thinking of doing it this really is not hard. I have spent around $1,100 dollars thus far with the biggest cost hands down being the transportation… its killer. I will be done with the major cities for a while like London and Paris where the money really goes quick, so this should help but I should be plenty good through the rest of Europe…dam transportation.
I only start to miss home when I get bored and am waiting around… then you really miss it, but I know this is a once and a lifer kinda trip so I continue to press on and not think about home. I am thinking about my return whenever that is and about Ethiopia I am working on some ideas with Getch, but still in idea phase. I think no matter what happens in Ethiopia I will return to the US and start a business of my own… I just have to figure out the what.
I have figured out during this trip that when I do return to work its gotta be something I love and enjoy to do. While traveling I see and meet people that love what they do and those that don't and I know I have the ability, energy and passion to find a career that I can enjoy. I am having time to think about that and am starting to figure out more each day what I would like and not like to do.
Again, thank you to everyone for their comments I read them all and will respond to Q's as often as I can.
MUCH LOVE AND THANKS
Kevin
- comments
Katie I'm wondering where you are going in Italy. My brother is there right now and would probably love to show you a good time...
Aunt Karen Oh, Kev....I am so glad you have been safe 'n healthy/sound! You are a great photographer! Proud of you for seeing Normandy and your blog. I bet that Riveria was beautiful. Have you enjoyed all the different food? I know you will be a success no matter what you do. Hope you have been informed of your dad's health. He is just tired of it. MY dad's health, too. At least he hasn't had a broken hip or anything. In & out of hospital and nursing home. Home with home health care for awhile. GOD BLESS & LOVE, aunt katie
alberto Hi kevin, I just read your posts, it´s a shame you miss the tour in Paris, another spaniard won (THIS IS OUR YEAR!!!!!). It´s funny in spain the inmigrants are from south america mostly from Peru and Bolivia, in this case they don´t have problems with the lenguage. There are people from north africa too but they have more problems with the lenguage and to get into our culture, but as you said they just are tying to earn some money and send it home. I´m going to the south of spain in a few weeks for hollydays, I can´t wait to go to the beach and relax for a while. I can´t wait to read your next post, take care