Having Fun in Third-World Countries

Just got back from Morocco and I think it's safe to say I will not be going back anytime soon. First of all it is not cheap at all. They just suffer from crazy inflation but it was fun to barter in the markets (Uncle Mike if you're reading this I got you a pretty neat Christmas present here, I excited to see what you think). The market they had in Marrakech had snake tamers, monkeys and pretty much everything else you would expect to find in Africa. On our day trip to the east Sahara we got to ride camels and visit old villages. But little on the trip went according to plan. But I'm back alive and did not get robbed, and now it's off to Brussels! Pics to come soon!

Becoming Cultured

Soccer and Bullfights

I think October has been the month to experience Spain. We have been on one trip to Alicante. And we have also explored what Madrid has to offer. The Retiro Park is like the Central Park of Madrid, a place that's a buzz on the weekends. Aside from that we have started to experience true Spanish culture:Bullfights and Real Madrid soccer. Bullfights are...interesting. It's a longer process than you would think and they kill about 6 bulls. Tickets were 2 euros so that's three bulls a euro (a pretty decent deal!). Last night we all went to a REAL soccer game. Real Madrid v AC Milan. Soccer in Europe trumps any sport in America it was unbelievable. Now we are taking it easy before November comes along, our big travel month. Morocco, Brussels and Rome in successive weeks. This is why I came to Europe!

Since it's been a while....

Sorry for the delay in the posts, it's been busy with classes and all the first week activities. The first weekend was great. We went on two day trips with the school, one to Segovia and the other to Toledo. Segovia still has original standing Roman Aqueducts, a couple of those pictures are up and I'm still trying to see if I can post whole albums on this blog but I'm not having a lot of luck doing so. Toledo is basically the kind of city you want to go to in Europe it's on a little river contains old architecture. I hope to get those pics on soon because that has been one of my favorites so far. This weekend I'm going to El Escorial and Valle de los Caidos with school. I love our group of friends because all we talk about is setting up trips...and then we never actually set them up. Next weekend we may or may not go to Valencia and then again the weekend after that we may or may not rent a smart car and go to Munich. One thing that is already on the books is the trip to Brussels with my Econ class. Ben and I get to go meet with lobbyist and European Union representative at the headquarters of the EU. This is (in my opinion) the most exciting thing I'll do this semester. And it only cost a cool $870 (you can't fully appreciate how much the dollar blows until you have to convert it from euros). I hope all is well in the states!

Segovia

SLU-Madrid

I have finally settled into my host family in Madrid and started classes. My host family is really awesome, the senora is super nice and her husband is hilarious. We are rarely at home though because there has been so much to do the first week of school. They make sure they keep us busy so we don't get into too much trouble. They have activities all day and socials during the night. These are really nice to meet different people. I thought the majority of the students would be from the main campus in Saint Louis but we have kids from all across the US and the world. Our roommate is from Ethiopia and there are a bunch of kids from Wake Forest. This weekend should be great because the school is taking us to Segovia on Saturday and Toledo on Sunday, these are our first big trips!

Paris

Ok well I'm actually in Spain now but the internet in Paris wasn't too good so this post had to wait  This was pretty much the last stop before school started and my 4 days in Paris were well spent.  If you're wondering if Paris is everything everyone says it is...it is.  If just the look and feel of the city isn't enough the the Eiffel Tower, Versailles and the Louvre will do it.  The arch in St. Louis can't even come close to comparing to the view from the Eiffel Tower.  I've been to Sears Tower in Chicago and the Empire State Building in New York and those can't even match the sight from the top of the Eiffel Tower.  Most of the people were helpful too.  The stigma that the French were rude kinda scared us but we only had one problem with any of the locals.  And Versailles if probably one of if not the coolest place we went to on the whole trip...it was HUGE! The pictures won't do it justice compared to real life.  If anyone wants to go to Paris I would suggest taking a whole day early in the vacation just to see the whole Palace because it is worth it. Also, the pictures should be up by the weekend!

Life on the River Liffey

The middle stop in my before school traveling is Dublin, Ireland.  The city honestly seems to drink away all the money they earn.  On Sunday night we walked around the city and everyone was out partying and in bars.  Imagine downtown after a Cardinals' post-season game and that was every night in downtown Dublin.  For the record, hop on hop off bus tours are huge money makers.  We have done that in every city so far and they are always filled with tourists.  In Dublin we did the Guinness tour which comes close to putting AB to shame in St. Louis.  We also saw the River Liffey, the Spire and a whole bunch of Irish history places, the picture will explain more.

First Stop...London

Alright, we made it to London and it's such an amazing city.  The buildings and history make feel unlike any American city I've been to.  One the first day we went to the Hard Rock for lunch and saw the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.  Thousands of people from around the world were on the streets around the Palace to see this, and it happens daily so I couldn't believe the turn out.  Tomorrow we are doing a tour of the city, Big Ben, LSE, Buckingham Palace and so on.  Pics will be up with in the next couple of days since I know that's all you guys care about anyways hahah.  Thanks for keeping up with everything guys! 

Getting Ready

Hey everyone it's getting really close and I can't believe it.  So basically some people have been on me about sending postcards, posting pictures on facebook, emailing and so on.  I figure this way I can stay in touch with everyone and everyone can stay in touch with me pretty easily.  My idea was to post pictures of the places I go answer questions and basically stay in touch with co-workers, family, friends and teachers.

For those of you who don't know, I leave on the 18th with my Uncle to do side traveling before school starts in September.  We are flying into London, then to Dublin, Paris and finally onto Madrid, Spain where I will spend the next year of my life.  I hope the blog serves its purpose so enjoy and wish me luck!