London, UK

For some reason, I was always reminded of this clip when anticipating going to London. Notorious for their food, weather, and snobbish attitudes, the once reigning father of America, and in fact, half of the world. In one time or another, much of the world was ruled by this small island-nation, which serves terrible, flat, warm, beer.

But, not all is bad here in London. Okay, the food and the beer are terrible, but what about everything else? Well, there is much to see and the city in general is quite cool. Very clean, and very unique. Maybe it is the stereotypical red double-decker busses, or maybe it is all of the phone booths, but everything here is, well British -- very, very British.

As an interesting tid-bit, I have been living in Spain, which has ridiculous amounts of days off (including puentes, which are days off between holidays just because!), but this year, the Brits get to take the Royal Wedding as a holiday -- and next year, they will celebrate the current Queen's reign (as the longest reigning royalty in UK history) with days off.

I would expect nothing less from Britain than I am experiencing now. As with all of the countries in Europe, there is an extreme pride for your heritage. Everyone here is from their country, and often times, a region within their country (ie. Catalunya, Wales, Scotland, Provence, North Italy, etc) first. Americans erroneously have the view of the European Union as a "United States of Europe," but no people in the European Union will identify themselves as "European" because first and foremost they are "British" or "Catalan" and secondly, no one will be caught dead in the same country as the French, and the French wouldn't be caught dead with any of the "lesser europeans."

Delphi, Greece

Greece has thus far surpassed my every expectation. Yes, going into it, nearly everybody who has traveled here said that Athens isn't worth it; its sketchy, not much to see, and in general, not that fun of a city. Well, sometimes it is best to go out, and do it your own way. Athens, and Greece so far, haven't disappointed and have far surpassed everyone else's evaluations.

In a civilization that is the cradle of humanity and academic learning (seems fitting that I travel there right? Well, okay, that might be a stretch), they must know how to do something right. Although Greece is a PIGS country, Athenians have been living and carrying on their culture over 2500 years and 6 empires. So, in actuality, yes, the ruins may be more ruin than temple -- but that is why they are called ruins. Yes, you may have a grandiose vision of what the ancient Greece looked like, but it would be rather short-sided to assume the architects 2500 years ago were planning on how the ruins looked in 2010 for your benefit.

It is often the case tourists forget -- it isn't all about you. People once lived there (which is why you visited in the first place), but life goes on, and yes, people still live there. See the sights, but experience the culture that has lived on.

Yesterday, I took a day-trip to the ancient site of Delphi. Where oracles "foresaw" future events -- written through the interpretations of priests. In essence, it is now known, that the oracle would be placed in a room above a vent of hallucinogenic gas, would speak, and her discombobulated words would be interpreted into a dubious poem by 5 priests. This poem would depend not on your situation, but would depend on how you read the poem or emphasized punctuation. The oracle was always right.

More than anything, it was just cool old stuff. 2500 years later, this stuff remains. In America, you see a house that is from the 1800's or early 1900's and it is an "old house." Well, in Greece, a "new church" is a Byzantine church from the 1000's. Its a big world, and there are old cultures.

More Istanbul

Craziest place ever -- the Call to Prayer wakes me up every morning at 6 AM -- and keeps me on my toes throughout the day (5 times a day!). Beautiful, gigantic Mosques dot the landscape, minarets poking through the somewhat decrepit, gigantic city.

I love it -- and the food is amazing. Kebab, Durum, Doner, lots of tea. They certainly love lamb here -- and what isn't to love about lamb? Thats America's problem, the serious lack of lamb and eggplant in our diet.

Pictures today! Tomorrow I'm off to the Asian side of Istanbul -- not much to do there besides a market, and now being able to say I have stepped foot on the Asian continent.

Istanbul

Istanbul -- Not Constantinople. Its Istanbul, who cares about Constantinople? Well, say that to all of the past civilizations who once ruled over this gateway between Asia and Europe. Every great civilization has controlled Istanbul at one point or another, and it shows. East meets west, truly, here in this great city.

It is like nothing I have ever seen, or smelled, before. Maybe it is the combination of fresh roasted chestnuts, combined with the aroma of slow roasting lamb on a spit (Doner!), kebab, roasting corn, or the seemingly infinite amount of feral cats. It is something so different, so unique, and so great, from where I have been before.

Mosques a plenty, street hawkers, impoverished, greasy, Turkish. I love it.

The language is absolutely insane, and the people all look unfriendly. Few speak English, no one speaks Spanish, but they are all after the western tourists. Its great. I love it.

Istanbul has such a rich history; a crucial stop on trading routes since ancient time, a stronghold for the great civilizations, and a cultural capital of the world. It is brilliant, the food is outstanding (and cheap), and the coffee is to die for. I have a profound respect for cultures that understand the importance of good food (delicious roasted meat), and even better, motor-oil, strong, acidic, Coffee.

Barcelona, Catalunya

Oh Barcelona. My one love. A great city -- new meets old, land meets sea, strange meets weird, and a clash of one culture into the next. A beautiful city, a better language, good food, better bars, and some pretty good times.

I'm going to miss this city -- my first (and hopefully not last) European home. I've been living with a great family, who treats me like one of their own, to whom I am eternally indebted to, while living in a brilliant city. I am sad to be leaving, and don't know what else to say. So maybe, for once, I won't say anything, but instead just show pictures.

Montjuic. Home of the '92 Olympics, and 2010 Shakira Performance. I'm a fan.

Sagrada Familia

Camp Nou, and of course, Barca

IceBarcelona. Ice Bar. Barcelona. -13 celsius. Vodka drinks from ice cups. And dancing to keep warm. Andrew didn't even need the jacket, his beard sufficed.

La Boqueria market, you haven't seen a market 'till it stares you in the face

Oh, Herro.

HERRO!

Catalunya -- home to Caga Tio. You take care of it, beat it with a stick, and it poops gifts. Yes I'm serious. I love Catalunya.

Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.

Places I've Been

Places I've been (green), places I'm going (yellow), and places I want to go to (Orange). Too much of that map is orange and time is too short (on this trip). Why can't I make a living doing this? Moreover, why isn't anyone willing to pay me to do this?

Where to next (after Europe)? Well, I have lived in the United States my entire life, and at this point, I have seen more worldly cultures than my home cultures. The great American adventure is calling -- and It is one I feel I must take. As of now, I am convinced that the great states of America have absolutely no culture. So, America, bring it on -- show me some culture (if you have any!).

The great thing about traveling is that you can do it -- no matter what age, race, gender, or background. The world is there, and it isn't going anywhere. I have been to two continents, and I have 5 more to visit.

Cork, Ireland

This weekend -- Ireland. Well. What, I am following a trend -- visiting Europe's worst economies in a short amount of time, lovingly referred to as PIGS: Portugal, Ireland, Greece (not yet! In December though!), and of course my beloved Spain. Hazards to austerity and suckling from the great teat of the welfare state these countries go bust -- and they do it right.

Oh Ireland, somehow your leprechaun charm did not let me down. Maybe it was your accents, or perhaps the fact that you all drive on the wrong side of the road (and I always look the wrong way!), or perhaps it was the rainy afternoons spent drinking pints of stout, throwing darts, but it was a winner.

Well, it is always a winner when you don't get that late night drunken Kebab.

Ireland 1, Mike 0.

What else is there to do in Ireland? Well, to be honest, not much. Darts, pints, oh and of course the Jameson Factory Tour. One craptastic tour, followed by the most excellent whiskey tasting ever. We are now certified whiskey tasters -- you better believe it. That is one for the resume.

Lisbon, Portugal

Sorry for the late Blog post here, I have been busy, and this was sort of the last thing on my mind during the busy exam weeks.

Anyway, Portugal. Good food, strange weather, and the best hostel in all of Europe. If you ever find yourself stranded in Lisboa without a place to stay -- this is your place. Nice people, cheap local beer, and great home cooked meals every night!

Lisbon: Ghetto but beautiful. The town is decrepit and slowly crumbling. The local citizenry is about as old as the buildings (and most of them in the same shape). Because of the rent price ceilings, land lords are unable to fix up the buildings, so everything is covered in Graffiti.

Especially the graffiti of my favorite street artist, BluBlu. If you haven't already, check out his stuff.

The surroundings itself are quite beautiful, and everything in town feels a bit surreal.

When the language is impossible to understand, a smile and a point are always universal.