Out of Spain and Into Africa

Yo!!


After a night of sending off Dave and Kim to a week in France, I dove into my 8' x 8' room and caught up on some much needed sleep. I awoke around 9ish -- packed my bags and headed for the nearest laundromat. I actually ended up going to the Exact laundry center that I'd used 6 years ago (hell, I think I even stayed in the same Hostel). Nostalgia is like leftovers -- sometimes a little dry and musty -- but sometimes better than the day they were cooked. This stop in Barcelona was definitely better than the first. Between the monastery and meeting some faces, I really felt a special familiarity with this city a bit and I was able to enjoy again some of my favorite things about it for a second time. Barcelona continues to be one of my favorite cities.

I ate lunch at an Irish bar (a little break from the tapas) -- the bread was too good to pass up. It was pretty much close to heavenly (with a Clara of course).























I did a lot of my hiking around while my laundry was in the dryer. I hit the nearest travel agent to find out how to get to Madrid and the post office to off load some of my stuff to Guy (thanks buddy -- look for the package between now and February...I didn't think you'd mind that I sent it COD -- you're the man)!

I grabbed a taxi with a couple hours left until my train was to leave -- and hit the Sagrada Familia http://www.sagradafamilia.org/eng/index.htm. We actually had time to go into the Church and up to the top last time I was here -- but this time I just wanted to be close to it. It would be a shame for me to get this close to this church without coming here again. I think I always had the view that Gaudi was on severe drugs when coming up with this church. But now I realize more and more that it truly is an artists work. He is not defacing the church or any of the ideologies of Christian faith in any way. In fact, I think of it more as a testament to this region and the beauty of the Catalans. The arches actually look similar to the mountains of Monserrat, which is amazing to me (if he'd actually planned it like that)... I'm not a huge art guy and I haven't even hit a museum since I've been here, but I'd have to say that I will continue to be amazed by this particular place/work of art. It continues to be built long after Gaudi's death and is set for completion in 2026. I'll probably be back again before its finished.

I jumped on my train in Barcelona -- a 4-5 hour journey to Madrid and found my way to the airport (I didn't even have the opportunity to go into the city).

I cant really explain how I was feeling -- but mostly it was just nervous energy (I actually was able to catch up on my blog posting the Amsterdam stories that night). I had no clue what to expect once I'd hit Nairobi -- I didn't even do much more than book a room for my first night -- but I definitely knew that this trip could very well alter my life forever.






















More to come,



Neil



p.s. I took a shot of my yogurt jar just to prove to Guy that I don't eat the fruit (even when I'm continents -- OK, 1 for now -- away from home)!!

Barcelona: Catalan, Paella, Old Friends and New

Hola!

I flew into Barcelona, Spain on Monday, November 26th after spending the weekend in Eindhoven. Fresh off the plane (and a couple hours of sleep...) in Girona...groggy, grumpy and needing a coffee -- I walked into the Airport searching for a coffee stand. My Spanish is well...just a tad bit better than my Dutch (in other words, its god awful...). Frustration set in after about 3 minutes or so and I figured "screw it" (last time I was in Spain, i ordered a coffee and they served me a piece of toast); I hiked out of the Airport and down a country road on what I thought would be a casual 5-6km stroll towards the beaches of Barcelona. As I left the Airport grounds, taxis were honking, people were speaking (loudly) some non-Dutch foreign language towards me, and I was having second thoughts about my upcoming stroll. As I reached the top of the 2nd large hill, I finally got a view of my surroundings. The "beaches" were no where in site.

In actuality, Girona is about 102km (62+ MILES) from Barcelona. Finding my way back to the Airport, I jumped on a $10 bus ride into the city. (The good thing is...that probably a week or two ago I would've kept going...but I'm learning...slowly...)

Dave Crowley (a long time friend from my Frontier/Global Crossing days) was a couple of minutes (via taxi) away from the bus station...we'd texted during my bus ride and he was just about ready (as was I) for a beer. Ah, I know this one (and was craving it)..."Clara" -- part beer, part sparkling water. Thankfully Barcelona was about 10-15 degrees CELSIUS warmer than Holland (that's about a 30 degree increase to around a crisp 65 degrees).

Thankfully (at $300 a night) there were no rooms available in Dave's hotel (although I was pretty exhausted and I probably would have auctioned the Avalanche for a room) but they were more than gracious to hold my luggage for me, since I had friends staying in the Hotel. I ditched my gear at the front desk and they invited me upstairs to the lounge. I was there a few minutes before Dave and without hesitation I ordered "Una clara, por favor"...wow, it worked -- no Toast ;) This one was served with Lemonade as a substitution for the Soda water. Dave (with similar mannerisms and likes/dislikes to my Uncle Bob) was having "none of that" and ordered himself a Heineken. After only 10 days on the road, I'd have to admit -- its good to see friends. And in Spain, with Dave, man...I felt for a minute like we were home.

Dave's company was throwing a kickoff reception for a big Internet Convention that kicked off on the 27th. So for the next couple of days I had the big time pleasure of getting to know Dave's crew, along with just (enough to be dangerous) about what they did as a company. I forgot how much I loved Barcelona, the food, the surroundings...we had a blast. AND most importantly, I want to thank all of them for taking me in...as one of their own...I absolutely had a blast. Out of laundry and with a tiny bed booked in Hostel down the road, Denver (Dave's boss) took me in like a brother (hell, I even showered in his room one night -- no Dave, not together) and literally, handed me the shirt off his back. Thank you Big time, my friend.

We took a day to go up to the Monastery atop Montserrat http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montserrat_(mountain) -- its pretty amazing and an awesome hike. Denver wanted to go up and see the Monastery since it provided the backdrop to a pretty kick ass Bond movie. He's a pretty big fan -- and goes whenever he has the chance to some of the famous locales that the 007 man has been. The four of us had a blast -- it was a pretty killer hike (I slept the whole car ride home...)

Thanks to a buddy that I met at the conference -- not all was left untold. After a late night feast of Turkey bacon club sandwiches (yum!!) and a couple of other various tapas...Neily took a nighty night. Ha! Somehow I managed to wake up a few minutes later and rejoin the festivities.

Of all of the stories and good times from that 4 day stint in Barcelona, I'd have to say that Dave, his wife Kimmie, Denver, and many of the new people I met re inspired (is that a word?!?) me to journey to Africa. I was kind of down when I got to Spain but the crew reinvigorated me and challenged me to take my next step. Thanks to all of you, especially to you Dave, Kim, and Denver for helping me to realize how important a place like Africa would be to me. It was great to make so many new friends, practice a little "salesmanship," and to hear some American English voices.

Peace out for now,

Neil

A Happy Little Town Called Eindhoven

Howdy!!

Ok...so this is one of those catch up posts -- so that I can fill you in on a cool place that I've been (that I truly believe was more influential to me than Amsterdam). If you didn't guess already...I pretty much just "partied" like it was my Freshman year in college. And honestly, with just about as much abandonment and immaturity -- if not more (common, Greg was there when I was 18 yrs old and roaming the streets of Pullman). Regardless, I left in a cab on a mission to hit Eindhoven for a flight to see my new found friends in Ireland. Got all the way to the airport (two hours away...) on time...and when I went to the check out stand -- realized that I did not have my passport (NOT AAAAGAIN)...yup, back in the safe at my Hostel (hey, I actually did learn my lesson the first time...and now...it was time to learn another). I really, really, really wanted to go to Ireland...and as most of you know...there's not much that can stop me when I "want to" do something (vastly immature).

Got a cab -- round trip from Eindhoven at around 1pm-- flight to Ireland leaves at 7pm (had to check in at 6pm). 2 hours back to Amsterdam...ran into the Hostel grabbed my passport -- back to the cab...3 1/2 hours of rush hour traffic later...I arrived at the airport (hey...at least I saw a ton of windmills on my way...htthmm). Regardless, the folks in Eindhoven weren't budging with 22 minutes left til my flight departed.

FINALLY, reality settled in and I realized that I wouldn't be sitting on an Ireland bar stool in the middle of the country, ordering a "wet one" (aka a Pint of Guiness) with my boys. (sorry guys...maybe St. Pat's Day)... I asked my cabbie (who waited for me...) where the nearest reasonably priced hotel was ...and we made off for it.

I know, man...when will I ever learn?!? (Eccentric...no not me...)

I grounded myself officially and stayed in the hotel for about 2 days. Catching up on sleep and long forgotten Brat Pack movies (I've seen them again -- so you don't need to...). Finally, my last night I hit the town (via my own two feet -- bout a 5 mile walk) and actually had a really good time. Some of the pictures follow -- but I have to say...I've taken myself down a notch since arriving in Amsterdam. There's something about a small little town to bring some grounding. I found the Catholic church (hey, it's sort of like going to Mass...right?),

a "locals" coffeeshop (totally reminded me of the Lion's Lair in Greenlake -- I think I even hung out with Weire)

I had some dinner in the place with the "Heineken" sign...and had a couple flutiers of Bavaria stout (by far my favorite beer in Holland) on Stratumseind.

If I was to continue my journeys as negligently as I did in Amsterdam and my crazy cross Netherlands trip -- I'd either A) be back in Seattle for Christmas OR B) be telling Joel to sell some stocks. Neither of which is an option.

You're immaturely, impatient "big timing" 32-year old is growing up...I promise...However, I will definitely visit Eindhoven again. It's my new "time out" zone.

Neil

p.s. The stairs to my hotel were so small -- its a very dainty place -- the Netherlands that is -- for such TALL people. Crazy. I think they are on the Guy Dahlke diet.

p.s.s. As I was taking the picture of the well decorated Stratumseind Street...I pulled a total "Neil" and wandered into a pole that was perfectly positioned at a 6'2 guy's shin. This is how the real picture turned out. Needless to say, I definitely didn't get "away" with it. You'll be happy to know that a (gorgeous, Dutch - ok, same thing really...) Mother and Daughter combo walked by and could barely contain their laughter. In fact, they didn't. Even as I did a seat role and got back to my feet -- they were laughing for a solid 5 minutes as I tried desperately to limp it off. (It really f-en hurt)... I turned around and tried to play it off...to which they replied with even more laughter (I took a bow and tried to laugh with them...to no avail) I definitely need to bone up on my Dutch...

p.p.s -- Congrats again to the Cougs on whooping the Huskies!! (Totally worth the $30, Joel -- even though people had no clue who the "Cougars of Wash State" were -- I told them it was a Rugby team and wore it with pride).

"Kiiiitttttaaayyyy"

So in reality (for you and I) its really been over a week since the Minus the Bear show. Thanksgiving is long past...the Cougs whooped the Dawgs (ok with 34 seconds left...but it was in Husky Stadium). And in actuality, I'm sitting in an Amsterdam (via Madrid) airport waiting to fly to Nairobi (in about an hour). But I guarantee I'll be dead tired tomorrow night...scared of what's outside at night (common, my first day in Africa...you would be) and I will have time to get caught up on the last week's trip to Eindhoven and Barcelona.

For now, I'll leave you with this. I woke up the day after the Minus the Bear show to see this cat literally hanging out the window trying to launch itself at the ducks below in the canal. I thought I was going to be the witness to a kitty-cide and I could only picture Tyler running around in the morning calling "Kitty...Here Kitty...Mr. Pickles..." as the cat was getting ready to make its last leap of glory.

Thankfully, the gal in my room assured me that the owner opened the window frantically to save the cat later in the day. But, I kept this image as my screen saver for my last few days of Amsterdam.

Oh yeah, i forgot to share a picture of the shoes -- Shut up -- they're cool. And comfortable. Like little dancing shoes (made for a size 14 foot)...

Amsterdam wore me out -- but it was a good lesson learned.

Hope all is well and that you all are having fun doing what you do. I miss home a bit...but I think its more just the final shock of being in Africa. Everyone (included my conscience) has assured me that this will be a trip of a lifetime.

More to follow...

-Neil

Nightlife -- Greg, Moe and Minus the Bear

So I get into Amsterdam on my very first day...find the place that I'll be staying for the next week and I'm dying to get out. A couple of good friends selected the first place where I should go -- and I went to find a cool little club called the "Jolly Joker". Very nice place...probably been there for 200 years or more...and an instantly welcoming place. As I'm sitting at the bar, trying to adjust to the scenery, (quietly minding my own business...right?) a wonderful guy named Greg from the Canary Islands befriends me and begins telling me of some of his favorite places in Amsterdam.

Greg is a singer...a swooner in the classic sense of the word (even his card says it -- "The sexy voice of Barry White; Silkie as Nat King Cole; Crazy as Seal") and next thing I know, I have plans to come to watch Greg sing at an awesome Pasta/Wine bar called Pasta e Basta http://www.pastaebasta.nl/. So I went shopping (also as Travis had suggested), bought some new kicks (below) and a jacket (I was wearing it on a previous post). Craziness...instantly I'm having people come up to me on the street asking me for directions (HA!).

Regardless, Greg and the staff at Pasta e Basta welcommed me in like family. The waiter speacial cooked me my favorite dish "Penne all'Arrabbiata" (how the hell we worked that out in Dutch -- I have no idea -- he actually said "Angry Pasta" -- "yep, that one"...hot spicy pasta). Next thing I know everyone in the restaurant is locked hand on hip and dancing in a big line throughout this fancy restaurant (talk about a first night in Amsterdam)...

However, somewhere between saying goodbye to Greg and his good friend Robert (a painter -- yes, that's what he actually gets paid to do), and getting safely back to my hotel room...the gizmo clipped onto me to hold my passport and wallet went away. I know what you're gonna say -- "Dumbass!!" But honestly, for me, it was the best thing that could have happened for the next three days.

I was out of money (and patience) for about two days -- honestly, if that's the worst thing that ever happens to me (from here going forward)...I lead a rather charmed life. Not suggesting it to anyone (let me be your example) but it was good. People offered me coffee, I read an entire book, and I even lost a couple belt notches :)

I still had 20 euro that I'd stashed away and a pre-paid ticket to see a band called Moe during my 2-day stint of roughing it. Moe played at "the Milky Way" (MilkWeg -- in Dutch). http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/moe/albums/album/13099325/review/13232038/the_conch
and absolutely tore it up.

I've never seen "Sixties ballroom San Francisco" (as their sound is suggested to come off) but this is how I imagine it- Blue-sy and Groovin -- and I am very glad that i went.

On the 21st, was the Seattle-based "Minus the Bear" http://www.myspace.com/minusthebear show at an awesome venue called the Paradiso. http://www.paradiso.nl/index2.php. They played in the upstairs of the club in a little room that held about 150 of us. I had more than one person tell me that this amazing place has been the first place in Amsterdam that many a "big hit" US-band has played...and these guys went off! Probably my favorite show of 2007.

The last picture is of a picture of a Perfect tree...(wow, I'm not too big on this whole picture taking thing...but you have to agree...no?)

Onto Eindhoven, in the South of Holland to catch the plane to Ireland...

Neil

Amsterdam, my only friend...the end...?

Wow -- nearly two weeks have flown by since I left. So its time to do a bit of catch up work. So much to tell...well here goes. Amsterdam was purposefully my first stop as it was purely for vacation sake. I remember a video that they showed on the plane the first time we stopped over there heading to Spain. I instantly put Holland near the top of my to do list.

It was everything I expected and more. The food was fantastic...the women were eye level...and the water was Everywhere. However, its a great place to speak Dutch. Its almost an arrogance (as it is in the states) to speak the native language. So I quickly tried to pick up on as much as possible.

Here are a couple of my favorites (please don't hold me to the correct Dutch spelling)

- "Halo" -- greeting -- usually said loud and merrily (by everyone - I speak softly in this city...go figure)
- "Fluiter" -- Small bier -- Grandpa Eger would have loved this place -- you can drink these all day, its about 6-8 oz max in a specially shaped glass (they actually have over 15 sizes of beers -- all with a different name - its fricken nuts)
- and my favorite Dutch expression "Duiey, Duiey" -- bye bye (also said loudly and usually with about 17 other words and forms of saying goodbye, see you around, til later, and oh, I'll beat you up if I ever see you here again -- so much arrogance)

Yep, that's what I learned. "Hello...small bier...bye bye" Again, the beginning of my vacation.

I've attached a couple of random pictures of mostly the canals, a really cool tree along one of the canal streets, Holland at night, and lastly, my three Ayyy-rish brothers (from another mother). I did my absolute best to get up to Dublin and out to Naven to have a "wet one" (in their words) but it wasn't possible (I'll have to do that trip in the Spring). They loved how much pride I took in my 12.5% Irish heritage and that I drank Guiness like it was chocolate milk.

Hope all is well there!

-Neil