Like the Robert Frost poem, I tookk path less traveled adn that made all the difference.

So yesterday I decided to take a different path back from the library. There is this city wall, but with an opening close to the library. I figured I had a good enough sense of direction that I could go throught it and eventually find a path back to the dorm. It was almost amazing. On the other side of this wall there was a creek with ducks, a small zoo (saw some deer and other birds). The bike path follows this creek through a park. Very picturesque and is not much of a detour at all. It made my day.

So I made an interesting discovery this week. There is no midnight in Europe. Europe uses military time, something that took me a little bit of time to get use to. So back to this whole midnight thing. Clock ticks.....23:58...23:59...0:00. At that moment I thought for a moment that time does not exist. Now there is no parallel universe that forms, but it really just doesn't look right when you are staring at those red LED lights. I was talking to my roommate, and I was like we should go crazy right now, put cooking pots on our head and bang pans with wooden spoons and go up and down the halls. All the while yelling of course. This wasn't the first time such thoughts had gone through our heads. A couple weeks back the power went out and we didn't know what to do. I would have been an interesting character in the Lord of the Flies

Last night had a French girl cook us a 4 course meal. It was good. I think I am going to start cooking more when I get back to Texas. I really should find a cooking for singles/bachelors course because I'll be on my own before I know it. If anyone knows of such a thing offered at A&M let me know.

Since I leave on a trip sometime next week I decided to find some books for the train. I found this cool bookstore that had a lot of used paperbacks in English. They were listed by author, and since I dont know that many authors I would mainly look at the cover, if it interested me I'd read the back of the cover. Bestsellers, Pultzer prize winners are a plus too.

What else...I dont know if I ever mentioned it in the journal, but there is this dead bird still stuck between a wall and carving at a church. I don't really know how it got there. Its a pretty big church, but then there it is. Kind of disturbing and I see it almost everyday.

So the big news of the week. Right before I could drop my class, I went ahead and did so. I used a Q drop, my first. While doing so is very Aggie of me, one of my goals was to go through A&M without using one. Our group was never that effective from the beginning, I wish that wasn't the case. Part of me even has the desire to retake the class so that I can learn from my failure. Part of me never wants to work with a group of Dutch students again. I guess I have that hard working American ethic. So if I do have any more projects hopefully I will be with a group of Germans. Anyways I talked to my professor and he had no words of encouragement. Basically he had no words, wasn't a help at all. Oh wait, just like all faculty and employees here in lovely Maastricht no help. I know I'm being negative, but it is meant to be taken light heartedly. You become accustomed to what you are use to, and I'm use to A&M. However I have adapted I guess you could say. I am working on my final now for the other class. It is two essays. You have to cite sources and so on. Funny, 3 and a half years as a Business major at A&M haven't written a paper. So this should be some good practice. Library is closing and I wish I had access to the computer for longer. Its hard to do these papers without them. Youd think during finals they would extend the hours. Nope, library open only 7 hours a day on the weekend, and closes at 10 at night on the weekday.

I love and miss my friends back in College Station. Definitely looking forward to the times back in the ol apartment

I've started to realize my online journal entries aren't as regular as they once were. This should be taken as a good sign for I guess it means I'm busy and have other things to do. Still everday here is amazing in it's own little way. Everyday I learn something, experience something new, am in a situation where I can't help but smile, and go through a range of emotions. In the two months I've been here I have learned so much about myself, others, and how I view both of them.

Side note...I voted today online for A&M positions. Funny, I vote for people who might make a slight difference at our school, but have never voted in a state or national election. All honesty, a pretty sad statement. It is a privledge to vote, and one in which Im very grateful of. I need to change my actions.

I was planning on writing about nice the weather has been, sunny, temps in the 60's', but then today its sort of the opposite. Somewhat cold, cloudy, and will probably rain. Still, playing outside has been nice.

I have finally started to cook a bit more in Guesthouse. What use to be a staple diet of sandwiches(PB&J and Grilled ham and cheese) has now changed. Yesterday I went grocery shopping and bought chicken, pasta, a lot of vegetables, eggs, and yes some sandwich bread. A change none the less. Another complaint about Europe; the 1 and 2 euo coins. For some reason, probably due to the fact I've become accustomed to 1 dollar bills I despise these coins. Since I hate having change in my pocket I always spend them rather quickly. Whats worse is yestderday they were out of these coins at the cash register. So I got about 5 euros worth of coins in 20 cent and 50 cent pieces....great. After I bagged my groceries (another complaint) its back to the Guesthouse. Grocery shoping becomes a workout all together. I have my backpacked filled with groceries and then two plastic bags(heavy duty ones I might add) in each hand. By the time I'm in my room after the 10-15 minute walk back, all blood is drained from my fingers as they are as white as can be.

The only other thing I can think to talk about is fear. Lately a lot of people have become worried about traveling here in Europe. Now I do understand that there is conflict in the world, but I do not see a direct threat where we are at. I honestly believe that if you start changing your daily habits, your routine, then the opponent has one. You can not let fear control your actions. My one roommate is heading back to New York after this first block, but hasn't booked his ticket yet because of concerns of the war. He has a better chance of getting into an accident taking the taxi home from the airport than he does on the flight. You have to live life the way you want to live it. Not the way others want you to live.

Oh, my project management groups is worthless. There are a few guys who have missed more class than have attended. Once I meet up with the professor this week (this is if I can, with him not having office hours of any sorts) I will probably drop the class.

It's Saturday and I'm not traveling. This is a first. Finals are about to begin so I have decided to just take it easy this weekend and stay in Maastricht. Who knows maybe I will go for a bike ride and try to become more acquainted with the area. In parts I still don't have a clue where I am going. Not much else is really new here.

Last night my roommate and I had a French girl cook us dinner. It was a good time. She taught us on how to taste wine, what to look for, etc. We had a bottle of South African wine, and she thought it wasn't too bad, but was skeptical at first. It was fun to have her over because even though we know how her country views the war we were able to joke about it. Talked about Freedom Fries, and she made fun of our fast paced way of life. Living in this international dorm really gives me hope about the world in the future. Here we are confined to a few hallways and yet many ethnic groups are not only to tolerate, but enjoy ones company.

The only other story is that I went to a Pimp and Hoes party at a local club. I honestly think this club has some of the worst music, and its American music. The songs aren't that great for dancing. Anyways I found it hard to dress like a pimp, I guess I left those clothes back home. However some people obvisiouly packed them. It was a funny sight.

Weekend Update.

Friday, a friend and I decided to take a day trip to Bruge, Belgium. Nothing is really all that special there, its just your typical quaint town. Picturesque kind of thing. Took some photos, saw some old churches, climbed a tower, and then headed home. While I was there, I finally purchased some Belgium chocolate. It is good, but now and then a Snickers really hits the spot.

The next day morning I left for Germany. Frankfurt to be exact. I was to meet up with an old friend, one I hadn't seen in over a year. They were to meet me at the train station. They figured I could get there by noon, but being on the budge I am I usually avoid the fast trains because of the extra cost. So I left the Guesthouse around 1 and probably got in around 1:15ish. This was the same time they decided to leave the meeting place. One quick note, the train ride from Cologne, Germany to Mainz was incredible. It's very hilly and follows the Rhine river. I saw castles, now how exciting is that.

So Im trying to get a hold of Kathy using her cell phone, but I have no luck. I would later find out that when in Germany and calling a cell phone you have to add a zero before one of the series of numbers. I decide to head to the hotel. I make it there after much confusion. I had to take some local trains and one was under construction. So when it started going the opposite way at one of the stops I became much confused. So I went up to this guy and did the whole American thing of saying Spechlizine zee English, or something along those lines. Turns out it was very fluent and helped me quite a bit. Once Im at the hotel I am finally able to reach her on the cell phone and we meet up at the train station. It ended up being a quite a long day.

The next day we rented a car and followed some Germans that my friends mom knew. I realized it was my first time to ride in a car since I've been here. Again, the country side was amazing. However I enjoyed catching up with my friend more than anyting else. The next moring I woke up at 5:30 so I could make it back to Maastricht. I didn't get in till slightly after 1. I should just pay for the faster trains.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to watch Bush's speech last night, because of the whole time difference. It looks like war is going to happen and I wish it wasn't. Now I realize I don't have all the information and that it is best to put my trust in our government, yet it seems so hard to do. Innoncent lives will be lost. There is no need for that. I find it funny that before Bush became president the only country he had ever been to was Mexico. Maybe if he saw the world he would realize we are all the same he would think about the consequences of war a bit more. We all have hopes, fears, and go through emotions. Sure on the outside we may look differnet and speak a different language, but we are all humans. I kind of wish Bush would head over to Iraq and see what he is about to destroy. Don't get me wrong, I realize Saddam is not the best leader. I know he has committed genocide. I wish we could snipe the guy. However you have to sit down and ask yourself why Iraq. I know for a fact there are leaders in Africa who violate human rights. We don't go after these, maybe if they had oil we would. So even though war is going to happen, I hope its well planned out and citizen deaths are kept to a minimal. No family deserves to break up, no kid deserves not to grow up without a mom or dad taken away by war.

I am here in the library, writing a paper on my favorite song and how it applies to my identity. Basically it''ll just be a lot of bullshit. I have chosen a song by Jackopierce and have included some general background information. Well the group is back together and will be perfroming in College Station in a week or so. I wish I was there for that.

3 flights, 13 trains, 8 bus rides(including a double decker tour of London), and utlizing 2 city subways my journey comes to an end.

So Saturday morning I woke up in the hostel, left my pack in a closet and did some more exploring. The weather was great and I was able to see a few more sights. Then it was off to London.

London, dont know really what to say about it. I didn't see much of it. However I was able to stay with some A&M friends and it was truly great to hang out with some people from back home. I got in Saturday night and my friends were all jet lagged. I didn't care to do anything else for I was just tired of all the traveling. However I did have some KFC and that was nice. The next morning we woke up, checked out a couple markets and did some exploring. That afternoon we took one of those double decker bus tours. It was a good way for me to see the major sites. Pretty much took photos, for not much was open on a Sunday. However the Tower of London was. It has ravens, those big black birds. Ugly, straight out of Edgar Allen Poe's poem. Anyways they have clipped wings, because it is rumored if they were to ever leave London the city would fall. I wanted to take a picture next to one. So I lean up against this pole. Not too close to the bird. Well it walks over. Im thinking, oh it knows how to pose. No, it knows how to bite. It bit my arm. The next thing I could think of was my eyes are going to be pecked. So I got out of there.

That night we ate the Hard Rock Cafe. Its the original so that is nice. Our waitress honestly vanished, so that wasn't nice. The next morning I woke up and made it back to the airport and eventurally after some trains and buses back to Maastricht. Did some laundry and studying and called it a night.

Forgot three things
1. I love Gelatto. Pretty much ice cream, yet different.
2. I'm tired of pizza and pasta. I did the McDonalds thing today
3. I haven't been pick pocketed yet. Talking to other traverles it sounds really common over here. All I'll have for them is a fist in their face.

Whirlwind Italy trip update.

Last Saturday, March 1st I believe, Todd and I began our adventure. An adventure it has been. It was Carnaval break in the Netherlands and we were out of there. We were to catch our flight the next day out of a small airport by Brussells. Armed with a few maps and my good sense of direction, at least I think its good we left. We had our backpacks on and money or I should say euros in our pockets. Bus to train station. Train to Leige, Belgium. Switch trains, now to Brussells. I've heard there wasn't much in Brussles, but the town square is nice. Well it took us a while to find. Basically we were loss for 2 hours or so. Now dont get me wrong, even though I am a guy, I'm willing to ask for directions. We were given wrong ones. Anyways we found the square and a couple of side streets that were really nice. We ate mussells in Brussells. Cute huh. Ok, so its getting dark time to get going, but where you ask. We didn't know either. We took a train to Chariolla(spelling is wrong, but the story goes on). From the train, took a bus to a desolate airport. Ryan Air is the only one who uses it. Its a cheap airline, thankfully. Looks like we are spending the night there. We stayed up, played some chess (Im now 2 and 1, so go me). Got a little goofy trying to entertain ourselves in this two gate airport. There were others spending the night, including one Italian who offered us anything he had. Food wise. Mister Cash( the ATM machine) the tourist brochures, and our conversations were getting dull. Time to sleep. Todd locked his bag to himself. I tied knots to mine and put the shoulder straps through my legs. No one was going to steal my stuff. No one did, but the metal chairs that made my bed killed my back.

Next morning. We are awake and have to wait for our flight. The reason we wanted to be near the airport on Sunday was we didn't think we could catch our flight if we took an early train on Sunday. Now off to Rome. Last check in for the hostel is 2:30. So land in the airport, find a bus to the main train station. Hop on a subway for free. The machines wanted exact change, something neither of us had so we followed some people right past the police. Hey, when in Rome right. Now we are walking trying to find the hostel. We just couldn't. So we get to a hotel, they call and to find out the street number I thought I had, was the city code, the place was across the street. Drop off our stuff and go explore. We did Rome like it was nothing. We walked a ton. We were like hey the colloseum, click of the cameras, hey fountains of tri veni, click again, and kept on walking. Its hard to believe we were there. I dont want to get into details of every day. Overall a lot of fun.

Next morning, the Vatican. The Sisteen chapel is nice, but you know what, so is every other ceiling in that museum/chapel. I was amazed by the whole thing. My favorite thing/monument/whatever though was St. Petersburg cathedral. Amazing is how I'll sum it up. So to be cheap we were now off to Florence to stay with Todds friends. So back on the subway to the train station. On a train to Florence. Arrive in Florence at night, find the place. Sleep.

Next day explored Florence. Beautiful city. Its what I picture Spain to look like. Pastel colors and red tiled roof kind of things. We saw a lot, held hands, ok not really, but we felt like a couple doing everything together. Next day, saw the statue of David, the typical Florence thing. I snuck a picture of it, even though its banned to do. Also took one of the sisteen, another banned place. They were just asking for it. Well we walked, I can't stress to you how much we have walked. Its ridicolous. Finally saw my first Ferrari in Italy. Went to a peace rally too. Italy, another country who just doesn't want war. Can't blame them. We didn't stick around. The Communists flags flying grabbed my attention though.

Now its Thursday, Todd and I say our half closed eye goodbyes. He is heading back to Netherlands later to meet his girlfriend. I'm bumming around Italy. Not a bad place to bum around. I had to leave the apartment at 5:45 in the morning to catch my train to Cinque Terre. Walking around at 5:45 in a foreign town is kind of funny. Its dead quiet, and you know you stick out. Still I made it. Took a train to La Specia. Got off and got on a train to Manarola, one of the five towns of Cinque Terre. Its along the upper west coast of Italy. I am thinking it might be the most beautiful part of earth I've ever seen. I can't explain, it was just awesome seeing these houses built along cliffs along the Mediterrean. These 5 towns are connected by walking paths. That are over a hour and a half between each town. I dropped off the bag at the hostel and grabbed the camera. I saw three towns, so I was happy with myself. The walk back was horrible. I was just beat and all this up and down walking was killing me. Obvisiously I made it for here I am talking about it. Spent a good 6 hours or so going up and down. Ok, so a small world thing. Well I thought hostels were just for young people. Some might be, but I've seen a lot of old people. Like families. Anyways small world thing. I was talking to two guys in my room. Both from Texas, and one of the guy always goes up to Billings. He talked about the Brew Pub, and to myself I was like I've been there.

So tomorrow I head off to London to meet up with some A&M friends. Im exicted, but realize I need to be relatively close to Rome so I dont miss my flight. Cinque Terre is about 7 hours away. I decided to spend a night in Rome. I looked at a map and thought why not take a detour. Pisa. Well sure enough the tower leans. Click of the camera. Walk back to the train station. A lot longer walk than I thought it would be. Back on the train to Rome. The train was packed, I was right by the bathroom, sort of between cars with a few other people. After a few stops though, some chairs opened up. Now trains in europe are torture. They are nice, easy to use, and the rocking motion just makes you want to sleep, especially after you have been hiking and what not. Well can you sleep. Not really, because you have a good chance of getting your stuff stolen. So I keep switching between reading and listening to music.

Arrive in Rome and go to the closet hostel that is listed in my book. Its full, Im afraid this how it is going to be. I like to be spontaneous and kind of find things. Traveling europe, it really isn't the best thing to do. They send me to the tourist office that closes in 20 minutes. I get there, they book me a room. That is where I am now. Its actually an alright place for not needing a key to get in a room. I just wish there wasn't someone in my room because I need to make my bed and repack. I dont want to turn on the lights. Well the weary travel is going to be awaken in about 15 minutes because I need to get some stuff done.

The plan tomorrow is to check out a few sights I still want to see and then take the bus to the airport. Fly to London. Sometime next week I should write part 2. I'm growing weary and am looking forward getting back to Maastricht. Words I never thought I would really say.