4/19/2005

European Tour with the Riff Raff Kids

Oh my brothers, this was a the pinnacle of my exchange, the capping moment that every participating exchange student eagerly awaited. They assembled at the Mainz trainstation in Germany, excited, though stuffing the joy down down because we were indeed too cool for the Europe Tour 2005. At least at first, ey?



I was most looking forward to seeing my two good friends, Leah and Jay. Jay is pretty passive, and I can say he has a touch of Darien in him. Everyone hates Leah, but that is because they make rash judgments of her physical appearance, which I discourage. She is funny, and far from ignorant. She even managed to teach me a few much needed lessons over the course of the 18 days.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Here is Jay exhibiting a popular expression of exhaustion mixed with irritation. Sometimes it was just too much.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Leah and I on the bus that was on the TRAIN that took us underneath the English Channel. Hence, the Chunnel Train. (I am clasping my two hands together.)


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Here is the Main Chathedral of the Anglican Church in Canterbury, England. The country side was very green, and Katie(Canada) screamed, “We’re driving on the wrong side of the road!!”


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




So we finally got to London and the tour started prompt at 10 am. Our hotel was in Notting Hill, where supposedly, Princess Diana enjoyed her shopping. There was also a peace full demonstration against, what else, America. But it was too radical for me.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Oh, and how many of you knew that I have a sister? Well, I always knew but never really thought about it. Here she is, Elizabeth, my half sister. I don’t really see a resemblence, but she very bright and makes her brother proud. We met for lunch and then I spent the rest of the day by myself, which was nice.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




A nice Spanish lady took this one for me.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com






The London Eye is the largest Ferris Wheel in the world. 15 Pounds to ride. Nope.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The River Thames and the neon red is the famous London Bridge.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com


and off to Paris.



Here is the group that I led around Paris. I usually was the map man, and people would surprisingly follow me, though I managed to get us around well enough. We are on Montmatre.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The Louvre Entrance. I did go in, but only because the Palac d’Orsay was closed.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The Notre Dame was more spectacular in the Disney feature, with the sweeping views and birds and sliding around flying buttresses, but I think this thing is also older than most cathedrals. About 1000 years.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Something funny happened but Jay and I only ran back to see this. Still was hilarious.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




A girl named Dez took this photo of the Eiffel Tower. Better than the ones that I made. Used without permission, too.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Avignion, where the Popes temporarily relocated before the Great Schism. Something like that. Dez and Brigid (USA) on the broken bridge.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The Popes’ Palace.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com








You can tell I am wearing boots in this picture. Right is Erika from Canada.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Our very own perverted bus driver Ralph. Caio from Brazil with the guitar and Rebecca from Mexico.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




An aqua duct that really was one of the most impressive things we saw.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




On the beach in Cannes, where they have an annual film festival. It was raining, but I still dressed to kill.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Jay likes a lot of the same music as Ben and surprisingly, me.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




On the same day we were in Monaco, where you have to pay 10000000 Europs just to be able to live there (not including your apartment or house) and we had to pay 100 Euro just to park. But it was certainly chic. Here is a fountain park with a casino at the end. The casino’s parking lot was populated by a lot of Rolls Royces’.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Yachts. A pair with helicopters.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The next day we went to Florence. This was a Renaissance city, and had many important people as inhabitants at one time or another. Machiavelli, da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Dante. And there is this bridge and it has jewelry stores on it.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




I liked these supports.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




There is this fence with locks which hold a tradition for lovers and trust. It annoys the city, supposedly.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Shopping street.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




And Pisa was probably the most hilarious place. Jay and I certainly laughed the whole visit. Because of these people. These are just two, but there are Japanese and Americans all over the place doing these supporting poses.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com



Image hosted by Photobucket.com
(my Favorite!)



Surprisingly, the only picture that I have of all three of us together.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




On Easter Sunday, we were in Rome, which was well planned. In the morning we made it to the Vatican to see Mass. It was certainly very nice. No stress from the crowd, no pushing, everyone had plenty of space, and it was so quiet. Just the speakers(in many languages)…


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




…and immense cheering for the Pope, the little white dot in the open window.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Just a cool picture.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Stephani (Brazil) and I. She reminded me of Frankie Temple.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Katie from Canada. Who was very crazy and at first annoying but I really learned how interesting and friendly different characters can be.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




I think Jay was poked in the eye or something. In the back is Megan from Michigan.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com


A sign at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. Among other things, it forbid defecation on the stairs.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The monument for the unification of Italy in the 19th Century. My favorite site in Rome.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




They added a reconstruction of the wooden floor in the Coliseum, which I thought was very cool. Some people said the Coliseum was small, but they were idiots.




Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The Roman Forum, the main social point of Ancient Rome. The emperor had his palace there too.




Image hosted by Photobucket.com




Another view of the Vatican without all the people.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




And Peter’s Cathedral. The main cathedral of the Catholic Church. Was very big and very decorated. The Sistine chapel was closed.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




We left Rome and made a lunch stop in Assisi, where the Franciscan Monks originated. Allen Ginsberg paid a visit here too.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com



Image hosted by Photobucket.com




And to start Venice, here is a Venetian Mask shop. It smelled very good here.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The group in Venice. It was different and it was relaxing.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com






A Canal.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




We were on a Gondala! 60 Euro for 5 people and a half hour.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




The view of the main bridge from our Gondola, also covered in shops.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




A famous building in the city. I forgot the name.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




We also had a little party in one of our hotels. This is Diego from Argentina. And I am wearing a towel cape. Hmmmm.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




In Saltzburg we saw Mozart’s Apartment and all mutually decided that the world famous Mozart Chocolate Balls suck.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




And we ate at Mcdonald’s in every country. The winner? France, because they use meat from France, and not Mexico or whatever.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




And if you were wondering where Win was, here he is. Being teased by Leah. The tour was almost over, and there were certainly mixed feelings about that from me.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




On one hand, I really wanted to stay with all of these people, and the friendships were so rewarding. I feel like a slightly better person because I made so many friends and because I COULD make so many friends. I made a lot of pictures like these next two, but of course, there are just too much. Here is Jar, also from Thailand. Her smile was very cute.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




And Fiona from France, who always wore a scarf. I heard all French wear scarves to hide hickies. Oooooo.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com




And a picture to sum up the departure. It really was sad.


Image hosted by Photobucket.com






And that was it. I had to hurry up to put in the comments, but pictures speak more for them selves, I think. It was so great, and so overwhelming. I am still shocked at the things I have seen. And the people I have met and oh, I have to stop, it was too wonderful.



Next week my trip to Tuscany with the Germans. (very different)

8 comments:

Katy said...

I just knew that by the end the exchange would be totally worthwhile. Miss you. Glad it was everything and more.

Anonymous said...

um, miss you too? you already know that. i am going to eat a flower. to see if it tastes like apples.

<3 me

Anonymous said...

kool stuff.
who is it mr. oberst ?
mom

Anonymous said...

hey Kostya
I'm dissapointed that there is mention about me :(
noo, just kidding.
You have nice pictures here.
I miss you! And i hope everything is ok there.
with love,
Jenni, Finland

Anonymous said...

Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!
I have a accommodation holidays in majorca site.
Come and check it out if you get time :-)
Greetings.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed a lot! Body repair manual nissan maxima Cali car cover co propecia low price conference calling Drugs for anti depressant with anxiety

Anonymous said...

Very nice site! » »

Anonymous said...

Excellent, love it! » » »