Como se dice "nomad" en espanol?

Hello! I thought I'd update you on my travel plans seeing as how I have to stay awake to catch my 6 a.m. train to Lyon. Anyways, I'm heading out on a trip that will cover 4 countries: France, Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. I'll be gone 37 days in total. Obviously I'm going to pass through some incredible sights. I thought I'd show you my itinerary and the highlights that I plan to see.

Dec.23-26 LYON

 KT with the gamewinner

I'll be spending Christmas with my bro Kim in Lyon, France. He has a game on the 23rd I'm hoping to make it there just in time to see him kill it like the video! Anyways, his mom, dad, brother, and girlfriend and cat Tigrou will keep me company till the 26th when I head for Barcelona!!

Dec 26-30 BARCELONA

I'll get to Barcelona and get settled in. The following day I'm taking a day trip to the Salvador Dali Museum which he built for himself; I know a little pretentious but that's Dali. He was like Kanye of early 20th century painters. 

The rest of Barcelona will be spent hanging out with my friends Mario (from Barcelona) and Davood (from San Diego.) We plan on seeing the Picasso Museum and most of Gaudi's works including La Sagrada Famila.

Dec 30- Jan 3 VALENCIA

From Barcelona Davood and I head to Valencia to meet up with our friend Jose (from Valencia) and Bram (from London) to bring in the new years! We are missing a couple member of our Amsterdam "wolf pack" and I assure you they'll be missed. However, it will be amazing to get off the beaten path and party in some low-key Spanish clubs and pubs. We're also planning to see a lot of Valencia, including their world renown aquarium!!

Jan 3-8 MADRID

From Barcelona Bram and I head to Barcelona to meet up with another Spanish friend from Madrid, Santi. We'll eat some tapas, enjoy the pubs, and see the Museo Nacional del Prado of course.

After Bram leaves on the 5th I'll take a day trip to Toledo before I head to Marakesh, Morocco!

Jan 8-12 MARAKESH

Despite the worries of my parents I'm headed to Morocco. It's the first time I will have been in an arabic dominated country. I can't wait for the culture shock. Morocco draws me for its' medinas which are old, winding, historical sites containing the essence of a country and culture in a few square miles. I plan to do a lot of haggling while I shop for Moroccan made goods. Marakesh is also known for the entertainment within its' medina, which includes snake charmers!!

If time permits I'm planning to take a camel ride into the Sahara!

Jan 12-14 FEZ

Ever wonder how leather is died. When is Fez's Medina you won't have to look any further. 

Jan 14-16 MEKNES

Another ancient imperial city of Morocco, Meknes has just as much to offer as Marakesh and Fez. While here i'll visit some ancient roman ruins and enjoy a world renown mosque!

Jan 16-19 GRENADA

January 16 is going to be an interesting day for me. I'll take a train, ferry, and bus while crossing continents. This is going to be the most challenging day for me by far. Let's hope everything goes smoothly. As a backup I may end up having to spend the day in Tangier or Algeciras. 

Anyways, the main sight I plan to see in Grenada is the Alhambra. It's arguably one of Spain's most beautiful sights and brings in more tourist dollars than any other sight.

I remember learning about these columns and this famous courtyard in one of my art history courses. Who would have thought I'd be seeing it 3 years later!

Jan 19-21 CORDOBA

I won't spend too much time in Cordoba, just enough time to see one of the most amazing mosques in the world. Construction started in 600 ACE for this wonderful feat of architecture which houses over 850 columns. This mosque truly attests to Spains' moorish past.

Jan 21-24 SEVILLA

I'm going to finish my Spanish journey in Sevilla where I'll see La Catedral and the Plaza de Espana!

Jan 24-28 LISBON

I finish my trip in Lisbon and I couldn't have chosen a better city. My travel mentor Professor Mathison at the U of U told me this was his favorite city; after reading guidebooks I can understand why. The Castelo de Sao Jorge, Se Catedral de Lisbon, and the Torre de Belem will be the focus of this trip. Afterwards, it's back home to Amsterdam!

Anyways, this is sure to be a memorable experience. I'm salivating at the opportunity to travel and face new challenges and experiences. However, when I look at my Dutch map of Europe I realize that this is just part 1 of my European travels.....stay tuned for the rest. Hope your holidays are everything you expect and more!

ALEJANDRO

BRUGTOBERFEST

As October draws to a close I thought it was time for another addition of AG's world; and I just can't sleep haha. Anyways, much has happened since my last post: warm days have come and gone, my first session of classes is over, and of course I went on a few quick get-aways. So far I have traveled to Brugge, Brussels, Munich, Rotterdam and Leiden. Anyways, the best way to tell you about these experiences is to show you.(click on the pictures for better clarity )First up,
  Brugge!

 This is Ben and Jake, friends from SLC and my travel partners for Brugge, Brussels, and Oktoberfest. We went to Aalter by accident on our way to Brugge. It was the most residential area we could have landed in. We were probably the first and last tourists to be there.

 This is Brugge, the most magical place I have been. I felt like I was in a Disney movie the whole time. This canal side view was right outside our hotel!

 As if the stained glass wasn't enough, this church decided to throw a gigantic mural in front. Way to shoot for the stars Brugge

 This is the quintessential European house/alleyway. When I imagined visiting Europe I would visualize places like this. It was surreal, I couldn't believe it was real. It was like a movie set, except this one was built in the 14th century!!

Jake and Ben checking the old-school rides in Brugge.

Compared to the carriages this was a sharp contrast and caught us all off guard haha.

 One of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen from the 14th century. 

 I wouldn't dare mention Belgium without their savory chocolates.

And of course, their beer! The best in Europe ( so far) I should also note that Belgium waffles are an experience everyone should have. It will change your life. Needless to say, they live up to the hype.

Oddly enough, Brugge is also home to the greatest mullet of the 21st century. How do you say "white trash" in Flemish?

MUNICH/OKTOBERFEST!

After Brugge, we left for Brussels, stayed overnight, and made our way to Munich for the world-renown Oktoberfest! 

 Oktoberfest is like a smaller lagoon, with lots of beer, food, lederhosen and everyone is speaking German. This is a typical beer tent.

 You'd think of all places, Oktoberfest is the last place you'd want people standing on tables. Regardless, I was amazed at how many people were wearing Lederhosen. It's a sign of status in Bavaria and they can cost anywhere from $300-$1200 or more.

 They don't play games when it comes to their beer. It was huge, although Belgium still had the best beer.

 Soooo many glasses...Their dishwasher better make bank.

 Another beer tent, with hops hanging from the roof!

 This is one-half of Oktoberfest. This side contains a lot of rides and food. The other side has all the beer tents.

Anyways, i'm currently planning trips to Berlin and Lyon in November. During Christmas Break I'll spend the month of January visiting Nice, Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, Grenada, Fes, Meknes, Marakesh, and Lisbon. 

Time to get some sleep. Adios.

Alejandro 

The Uilenstede Life

                                                  (Amsterdam)

I arrived in the Schipol Airport tired from my 14 hour journey from New York. I had only  dealt with minimal culture shock before this. I traveled on Aer Lingus, so my first culture shock was hearing the emergency instructions with an Irish accent. Next, came my stop in Dublin. I went to buy a sandwich and realized I had only dollars, no euros. Thus I exchanged my dollars to euros and my cultural transition had begun. However, my baptism by fire was about to begin.

 I exited my plain at Schipol and was bombarded by signs and advertisements that I couldn't read. Shortly after a voice came on the intercom in a Germanic tongue. The monotonous Dutch reminded me of WWII concentration camps, or seeing video footage. And why not? In retrospect, t.v. has provided the most Germanic language I have been exposed to. I hastily made my way through customs and baggage claim to find the cabs. The worst was about to begin. I spoke to the first driver I saw while I showed him the address. He was rude, but seemed confident in his craft so I went with him. As we started driving he said "I can't find this address in the GPS." He then asked me to enter it; no luck. He tried to belittle me for not knowing my address. I "politely" suggested he shouldn't take jobs he can't handle. Within 30 minutes I was lost and in my first Dutch argument! I persisted he take me somewhere near the address I gave him. Luckily, after asking several pedestrians we made it to my complex. To add insult to injury, hurricane rain started to pour as I moved my bags to my room. My first look at my room was spent dripping as if I had just jumped in a canal.

(Infamous "Iamsterdam" sign)

Fortunately enough, I'm alive and living in Amsterdam; well not exactly. I actually live in a suburb of Amsterdam called Amstelveen; Although they are pretty much the same thing. Amstelveen is like Murray or Holladay of Salt Lake City. Within Amstelveen I live in Uilenstede; this is a large complex filled with flats that are set to accommodate students. Uilenstede is like a student United Nations. I have met people from all over the world, from the smallest island to the largest country.

(Amsterdam)

My flat at Uilenstede has exceeded my expectations. I thought I was going to have a fold-out bed and share a bathroom. Turns out, I have a bigger room than back home and a private bathroom. Seeing my bathroom was like a child opening and unexpected gift on Christmas; simply magical. I patrolled the room, checked my view, and started unpacking. Anyways, here's the room...

 (Intense Studying as always)

 (Ajax Soccer Stadium)

 (Planes flying over Uilenstede)

These planes fly over Uilenstede 2 or 3 times a week. At first it was horrible. You could be mid-conversation with someone and lose have the conversation as a jet flies over you. Luckily, I have grown accustomed to them. I now embrace their sound like the waves of the ocean; we have to make the best of it after all.

 (My bathroom)

Somehow they managed to fit everything inside what many Americans would consider a walk-in shower type of space. However, it isn't glamorous but it works, which is all I can ask for.

(My Ikea plant)

I got this plant from Ikea to help liven my room up. At first my room looked like a prison cell, yet with some special help from Ikea, my Dutch friend Manon, and her dad's car we turned the place into something Martha Stewart would be proud of.

(Martha's Prison Cell)

The last few weeks have been filled with "orientation" parties. In other words my first weeks in Holland have been spent partying and meeting new friends. Time has been spent eating and drinking with new friends while we all get accustomed and set-up in our new environments. However, our lifestyles are about to change as school starts this week. In many ways i'm looking forward to a more regular schedule with time to see the city and of course study. Hey if nothing else, maybe I'll make it to bed before 0400.

New Amsterdam

Hello!! Well I left for Amsterdam about a week ago. I decided to visit my family (Janet, David, and Marian ) in New York on the way. I wanted to understand the Dutch on a deeper level, and concluded there was no better way than visiting their former colony. In actuality, it bears little resemblance of a small trading colony. New York is a phenomenal place, a destination I will always consider a second-home. The contrast of flying from Salt Lake and arriving in Manhattan is sharp. One scene is highlighted by mountains, the other contains pillars of steel and glass towering over you.

(SLC)

(My view underneath the Brooklyn Bridge)

The art of people watching is always at its' best in NYC as well. Luckily enough, I came across a fantastic character in the Subway.

(Blankman)

I approached him with an accent saying "picture", while I held my camera up. He bashfully obliged and asked me if I was from Ukraine. I shook his hand and he began telling me about the world's biggest problem called "sins" Here are a few highlights...

• SIN is a cluster of amino acids in the retina of the eye, they block the bright light of life.
• Jesus Christ shed his blood to dissolve these amino acids.
• The bright light is blocked, causing it to fall to the ground in the form of acids.
• LuciFer (Fe) is the melanin, pigment under the skin. 
• Without God's light to block the LuciFer (Fe) and SIN, millions of free radicals form
• These free radicals cause cancers, diseases, aging, and death.

He is developing ways to defeat all this with the Chinese and Russians by the way. He kind of reminded me of   Damon Wayans in Blankman too haha.

(Wayan's on the left)

We parted ways and I headed towards my favorite pizza in the world, Grimaldi's. It's a real simple place, under the Brooklyn Bridge (Brooklyn end) and short walk from the subway. There is always a line of at least 15 people outside waiting to get in. In turn, there is a "Soprano's look-a-like" running the line; he skips the pleasantries, and gets right to business, " and for that we thank you."

(Original- Tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and garlic)

(Grimaldi's)

On my last day in the city I met a very nice and intelligent Columbia student named Alexis. We were both walking block after block to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Normally, it's hard to pin-point another among the thousands on NYC's 5th avenue. However, as we headed uptown the crowds thinned and it was just her and I. Anyways, we ended up seeing the met, meeting up with her friends, seeing an off-Broadway play, and eating Vietnamese sandwiches in Washington Square. 

(Alexis showing her "museum pose")

Expect an update of The Netherlands soon, and welcome to the blog.