Étratat

This close your eyes and poke the map decision was excellent! I hope my Bavarian skate turns out so lucky!!  My host was so wonderful. I reallllllly love this one on one time with locals.. this is where the learning really happens... talking about life, politics of our homelands, education, culture and perspectives... and drinking regional beverages ;)

Surfers are out... edgy surfers because there are rocks everywhere!

The body of water is the English Channel

Lots of walking today. Lots of rain this time of year... only ALMOST ate it into the mud... or off a cliff... 

The hilarity of googly eyes is all over...

Support your league when out of the country and not your unknown home team, gasp!!! I almost decided to leave it home all together. But if I'm going to lose it a 4th time, it will have to be somewhere more exotic than Hawaii...

Neat! Monet musings

This looks official... I'll take a photo.  This was outside of a church/cemetery. Military.

Having lunch with Grandma on the beach. That cheese... it stinks.. I can't tell if it's my feet or the cheese now that I'm back in my room... but it tastes great!!

Little town, beautiful cliffs... and a golf course. You can walk everywhere.. skating would have been interesting to say the least.

Transatlantic flight monument here

Didn't Lindberg's baby get stolen and Dalí ostrasized for wearing a dead baby hat during the crisis?? Weird memory from high school Spanish class... time to look it up.

I'd befriend these dudes...

The original monument had their busts coming out of the structure... was bombed away though.

Cow....

There was also an exhibition up on this hill that showed photos of WWII-time Étratat.. it answered my questions about some of the weird terrain down by the water... there used to be buildings there...then they were all destroyed.

These were the barracks once upon a time

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose...

Had my financials violated and cancelled. I think about thieves... and all I think is...FUCK MONEY. Look what's it's done to the humans... I like that my money is "insured" so I don't dwell to long on the "you took my shit" factor... maybe they needed it... maybe they are living off that lifestyle... I do not know. But damn.... money and religion... take me to outer space!! (So my ideals can probably get violated again)... unattainable goals! That's where infalable dreams prevail.

Brussels

Our host recommended this place. He was apparently serious when he said you order based on recommendations of what you like in a beer... the thibg about keeping a beer diary on an abroad trip... is eff that! Not happening. But the beers were awesome and tastey. Strong hoppy beers were never as bitter as I'd expect. (My beers were all brewed in Belgium). The thing that really got me was the hangover or lack there of.... new feeling after a night of drinking.

I love sweet street art

Ride that bomb!!!

The Manneken Pis. Our host said keep your eyes open or you'll miss it. If not for the droves of tourists when entering that area... I probably would have walked right by it.

Zoom in or read wikipedia......

Id have used the she-wee for the photo if not for my surroundings....

Town Hall, La Grand Place. We ate breakfast in this square. Bag of a few mixed breads, some curry egg chicken salad spread and a jug of OJ. Yum!

Mansion du Roi, La Grand Place

Pixel style wheat paste art

We weren't in Brussels long.... but that's cool too. Had fun n saw some shit. Jake then went back to Vienna and I went on my own to France (and made it to my next stop too!)

Amsterdam

Since boarding the plane in Chicago.. Instantly I take notice of the majority of Europeans onboard, duh, but it got me giddy right off the bat. Amsterdam has been amazing. 

Our hostess, Maya, is a gracious, charismatic Polish born/ Isreali raised artist. We are similar on the house decor front...LOVE IT. So many trinkets and creative pieces (made by her) all over the apartment.

 

Coffeeshops with synthetic tobacco to roll a refreshing spliff. That no tourist law was never passed, FYI..

Today we found a coffeeshop that also served beer! It was a nice bar... and had old school rock n roll decor... then the bartender put on the best of Frank Zappa.. awesome!! He had to come verify we spoke English after witnessing us enjoying the tunes.. good times.

I wish I had a chocolate hat...

 Canal cat! 

Breakfast day 1

A tile on the street

Rembrandt

The Dutch Resistance museum. This was an enjoyable learning experience. This museum reminded me of just how the third Reich occurred...never forget that shit!! And if ya don't really know a specific answer, you need to read up. Ya know that DK song Kill the Poor??  Hmmm!!!!

I really enjoyed reading all the stories of people willing to do the things they did to help preserve their fellow man. Nice reminder that it is preferable to die on your feet than live on your knees. 

Just a door

Dark alley din din

Brain obviously failing... night night

Bon Voyage!

The past two weeks have been spent in sunny San Diego working at Isagenix's largest annual event, Celebration. 

At the SD Convention Center, this event spanned end to end.... much like Comic Con... All the union guys were really nice and I enjoyed hearing their raving reviews of working Comic Con.
If i had worn my pedometer it probably would have exploded! My feet did blow out on me at one point.  Oy... I had forgotten about the milage put on at the gig at the Aria in Vegas and Rollercon.  Around week 1 of Isagenix my ankle started to crunch... if that wasn't bad enough I rolled the other foot off a curb while walking around in the Gas Lamp District.. 

My awesome co-worker did me a solid and snatched a large serving bowl from catering so I could give those worn out puppies some wonderful ice bath time.
Needless to say I didn't strap my skates back on until load out day... until security once again put an end to my fun. They don't like you eagling full speed down loading dock ramps I guess.. hahahah

It's honestly been a really serene feeling knowing there is nothing in Houston to look back at.... I will miss my best pal Radium... but she is awesome and we will be having skype beers! I love that Peapo is safe and having the time of her life out in the GA mountains(still not scooped up by an owl) with my mom... Voyager is still guarding the home front at Anya's  (anyon!!) And I get updates now and then but it's good to just trust that they are in great, capable hands. Homeless when I return!! But back with my fur babies.

Staging Solutions has been so supportive and helpful towards me and my adventure :) I REALLY appreciate it. There is a fedex box with my laptop and seminar attending clothes ready to ship to Toronto when September rolls around to meet me at my hotel... all my other clothes and Isagenix products are stowing away on the carpentry truck heading back to Houston. So it's just me n my backpack now... roller skates, indoor wheels, clothes, action camera gear and a medical kit ;)

Best friend Jake will be the first interaction I will get in Amsterdam... been a loooong time coming... I'm so darn exited I could smash a can on my forehead...♡♡♡♡

Thanks for reading! I'm still open to recommendations and whatever you may want to share about anywhere I am heading.... seeing Europe by the seat of my pants!..kinda.

Last American meal!