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Oh the weekend...

Barcelona, Spain


Anyway, I am here in Barcelona sitting in the computer lab quitely listening to the hum of computers and the quite pecking my fingers are making on the keyboard. I had a hard time sleeping last night because of something I was listening to on radio. I don´t if any of you listen to This American Life (http://www.thislife.org/) with Ira Glass on NPR. If you don´t...you should. It was the most amazingly akward show I think that I have ever heard in all the years that I have been listening to it. It was about a man who as a child watched / heard the death and rape of his mother. Now, the gentleman is going around making a documentry about the killing in every aspect. It was so unbelievable to sit and to listen to this man recount perhaps the most painful 30 minutes of life over a 2 hours documentry. He said it was to bring closure, but if even he admitts that it just seemed to open up new wounds. What do you think? Do you think that you could go back and look back at the death of one the people you love most in your life? I am quite certain that I don´t think that I could. I am to reserved. Reserved is a funny world that I just tryed to apply to myself...Hahaha. I am not reserved, but I guess in this case I think I would have a reserved reaction. At least I hope that I would have that type of reaction.

Anyway, this picture is from two weekend ago when me and some friends went to San Sebastian to escape from the city for awhile. I mean Barcelona is great don´t get me wrong, but I am country boy at heard. I like watching sunsets unpolluted by the hustle and bustle of cars and smog. Granted, there can be a certain beauty in this hustle and bustle but normally for me it wears off. I think this time in Barcelona has reaffirmed something that I have been trying to hide for awhile. I like the city. I like the city alot. I like the country more though. I think the best outlook I can have on life is that to life somewhere out in the boon docks like my grandma and then commute to work every...Sorry enviromentalist. I will try to car-pool. My dad car-pooled for 20 years and then the man he car-pooled with stopped working...well retired I should say. I remember waking up in the morning hear the screaming of the coffe grinder and my dad was getting his morning brew ready. I would eat cheerio...I think I soley supported general mills for the first ten years of my life breakfast was ALWAYS the same. Cheerios, a little sugar, and Bananas with apple juice...weird combination...don´t hate me.

Anyway, I have been craving American food....Wait not american food in the sense of all that shitty McDonalds that they be pass'in off as food. I want Biscuits and Buttermilk Gravy with small chucks of bacon miked for breakfast. For lunch hot Potate Soup the fatting way...ie lots of cream! Then for dinner. Roast, Potatoes and Carrots. I would explode after eating of all that but then I would actually be able to stop thinking about. The food here in Barcelona is good. Its very good. I really like the use of lentil I am going to try to incorporate it more into my diet when I get back. Also, Tuna. I used to be on the minimalist side of the tuna affair now I am full-fledged national pride member of the group Tuna Lovers Unite.

Till Later...Parents are coming soon!



permalink written by  Patrick on November 13, 2007 from Barcelona, Spain
from the travel blog: The weekend adventures of the kids at Piedmont High
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Why did I even think about!

Barcelona, Spain


I don't know why I even started to think about it. So for you have been keeping a running tally on my blog. I was thinking about American food this morning. And, so what did I decide to do for lunch when my Senora didn't give something that was not filling enough...I went to them Golden Arches. Like a Dumb American. Can I have two small hamburgers please! I am so angry at my self!!!!

Till Later.

permalink written by  Patrick on November 13, 2007 from Barcelona, Spain
from the travel blog: The weekend adventures of the kids at Piedmont High
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News...Of the City

Rome, Italy


Hey! So today was day 1 of the three in Rome..We were really tied and I think that we didn't get at much done as we were hoping to get done...We did get to go Saint Maria Maggoria Chiesa...Which was AMAZING! If you have been to Monreale in Sicily it looks like the entire of that church because it is of the same special Siclian Style...Anyway, Today we met his really nice girl from Denmark in our hostel. We are going to go the Vatican Museum, San Pierto, Pantheon, Colosseo...And much more! It is going to be awesome! AWESOME! No?

So yesterday was the Turkey Day in the states...I missed everyone SO much...In am so excited to hear that everyone what have a good day and able to enjoy it. Enjoy it!

Patrick

permalink written by  Patrick on November 23, 2007 from Rome, Italy
from the travel blog: The weekend adventures of the kids at Piedmont High
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Looking for a name?

Rome, Italy


Hello! So my parents are coming in about a week...I cannot wait, but I need something to call this adventure. We are going to Spain, France, and the UK! I need help. GIVE ME IDEAS!!!!


permalink written by  Patrick on November 23, 2007 from Rome, Italy
from the travel blog: The weekend adventures of the kids at Piedmont High
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GOOD BYE...Rome. La Cíta Eterna.

Rome, Italy


So Guys...Tomorrow we leave the Eternal City. This is my third time to Rome, and I am still in love with it! I couldn't believe how much more there was to see on this third visit. This time new...I went to Bascilica San Giovanni Laterno and Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore. They both have their own distinct set of features. Sante Maria Maggiore is a 5th century Romanasque church. The inside is brillant. It has some many little naves which were amazing! Also, the style is very similar to Monreale in the north of Sicily close to Palermo. Also, we went to Bascilica San Giovanni Laterno. AMAZING. It was the papal palace until the late 14th Century when Saint Peter's was completed and then began to house the pope. It's inside was full of mosaics which is amazing. Also, the cloister was amazing. It had all these old artifacts from the church and everything which was associated with it. It was built by Constanstine which is just cool. The only thing which is annnoying about the church is that...It is cool and almost equally cool to Saint Peter's but they are doing little to keep it up...If the restored the cloister and everything it would be so amazing. It would incredibly amazing. Also, I went back to Saint Peter's this trip. It is still moving. You feel something each time that you go inside...It just so immensly large and tribute to one the eternal Powers of the world. No matter you opinion of the Catholic Church. I think that I have to feel some respect for somthing so awe-inspiring. Also, we went to Trevi fountain...many other things. Also, we went to see this FREE choral concert (check out: www.40concierti.it) it was good. I think they have many throughout the year and is definetly worth of time! We are going HOME!


permalink written by  Patrick on November 25, 2007 from Rome, Italy
from the travel blog: The weekend adventures of the kids at Piedmont High
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Time.

Barcelona, Spain


So my days in the great city of Barcelona are starting to wind down! I am sad and excited at the same time and it has given me the ability to make some final reflections about the city that I hav called home for about three months. Barcelona is GREAT, but its the city that the guide books and people make it out to be...I came here think that Barcelona was the Rome inquivalent of the Milan / Rome complex...no. Barcelona is a HUGE busiling metrolopis where Spanish isnt the primary languare. I think that this one of the things that was most frustrading...You want to watch the new ehh? We it is generally in Catalan which as it is similar to Spanish isnt closely related to where you can understand it...

Also, the city lacks something that for me turned out to be more important that I ever though...Green Spaces! They dont have them her...they have brown spaces, but that arent green and when they have green spaces they are not for laying in, taking naps in, playing in...all things that us Knox students grow accosted to in the smalled levels.

Also, the city has some great museums...I didnt like the quote "popular museums" I really liked the Museum of Egptology and the Museum of Martimes which were so cool...I think that La Sagrada Familia is over-rated and ugly. Sorry Dali...Also, I think that Picasso Museum could be a moving work but intested is to pale and white like classical museum..Sorry travel guides....

Let's see...Palacio Nacional is amazing! It has some of the best art in all of Barça. Also, I was thinking that ever one here should SKIP the way croweded strees of Passeig de Gracia and instead wander through the street of Gran de Gracia if you REALLY want to Knox what Barça life is like...Also, lets see. If you get a change the going to this one bar to this one bar called Catedrá its on the corned of Gran Via and MontBau...IT IS AMAZING! Make sure that you Suizo or Irish Coffee...Or 43 and coke! MMMmmmHHHmmm...Lets see. There is more....You have to go Chupitos! WOW! Go on a Th cause Fri. it is so full of people and smoke you think that your eyes might fall out of your head...Also, if you got the need to "to pop lock and drop it" you have to go to Catwalk or Bikini...so good! Bring your A game though or you won´t make it through the door.

Also, Tibidabo is waste.

Montjuic is cool and you can spend a whole day just wondering around the old Olympic Park and everything...I think its better than Parc Gruel just cause there is SO many less people...Also, I was def recommend getting coffee at this bar place called....mmm...Midnight Something...It is good!

So Barça overall you are like 7.5 Stars out of 10. It´s not you falt that the city is lame. I blame Catalan in sweet loving sort of way while I quite try to take off of this planet.



permalink written by  Patrick on November 28, 2007 from Barcelona, Spain
from the travel blog: The weekend adventures of the kids at Piedmont High
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No.

Barcelona, Spain


HI!

So, I am done with all my tests and I came all the back to the University just to write a blog entry. This time with out have the internet in Piso...SUCKS! Haha...Sort of make me lame that I feel this way, but hey what you can you do..I dont know. My parents are coming in less than a week! I AM SO EXICTED. I am not certain what all we are going to do while they are here I just know that we are going to have an awesome! So, tonight we are going to Chupitos. It should be amazing! It´s this all shots all the time bar in Barcelona...WOOT!

Today, was sort of a bad day also...I made someone cry. I feel really bad about though. Some friends and I were joking about this event that had happened when she freaked out and started crying. It was terrible. We are just wishing that she would have said something earlier when didnt know that she found what we said iretating. I mean we had talked about this several times before. IDK...

So, I am in the early planning stages of a trip to India. It should be awesome. Any Ideas of where I should go?

permalink written by  Patrick on November 29, 2007 from Barcelona, Spain
from the travel blog: The weekend adventures of the kids at Piedmont High
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We have ARRIVED! Sorta...Mom's Entry

Madrid, Spain


MOM:

Well hello everyone, me and David have made it. The trip was fine and very long Me and David did a little searching around before Pat arrived. Ellen and Jo you will like this they have the same concept here as I do Park were u can, my god they were right up on the bumpers in the lined spots.
The weather here was a little foggy when we landed cleared up by mid day and it was sunny. Beth I will ask this a hundred times I am sure....how are the cats? Me and David ventured to eat out while we were waiting for Pat his plane was late. We set down and the waiter speaks no english i am asking for a hamburger David is asking for the type of beer they have the waiter is looking at us like we have 2 heads we are going ok ok god knows what we would have ordered THANK GOD pat showed up I am thinking the waiter was to he hadd the deer in the headlight look like how did i get these people? We had a great dinner some great wine and we then promptly went right upstairs to our room, we were tuckered out...till next time

permalink written by  Patrick on December 3, 2007 from Madrid, Spain
from the travel blog: The Misadventures of Family in Europe for a Month of "I don't Knows" and "What did he say again?"
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We have ARRIVED! Sorta...Patrick's Entry

Madrid, Spain


HI ALL!

So, we have finally reunited as a family! It feels great! I was thinking about it the other day and it has been like more than five months since I have seen all my friends and family because I was only back in Jerseyville for less than a month after I finished my internship! I don't think that I want to keep the time that short ever again. I mean I guess that I have realized that I like Jerseyville, but what I really like about Jerseyville is all the people that are inside. It's almost like there is this part of me that could take a part of Jerseyville with me wherever I go! I me Internet makes easier, but not that easy. I don't what I would have done with out skype! I mean clearly it has made things a whole lot easy. THANK YOU SKYPE! I don't know if they heard that but ohhh what the hell...We are staying a very nice hotel here in Madrid and we had a good dinner. We have some Cava (Spanish Champagne) to celebrate that we were all together it was great! I think that I arrived just in the nick of time though because my parents where trying to order some food, and God bless them...but they don't know a lick of Spanish...I think that the waiter was actually sweating for the conversation (oh internationalism!). We are together and that is the most important part...At the end I was really getting antsy to see them again! More things...Tomorrow we are off to Madrid. It is going to be awesome! AWESOME! I am so excited to see Reales Alcázares, Torre del Oro, and Los Archivos de Indias! Dad's already asleep...You guys should all chastise him for not be internet savy!I took a picture for proof! Well...Till Later!

Also, AirEuropa = GREAT AIRLINE! (www.aireuropa.com)

Till Later,
Patrick

permalink written by  Patrick on December 3, 2007 from Madrid, Spain
from the travel blog: The Misadventures of Family in Europe for a Month of "I don't Knows" and "What did he say again?"
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here it goes

Granada, Spain


We have walked a million Miles probably not that much but my footies feel like it. we visited Alhambra today what a wonderful temple. we went up into the sierrie neveda mountains yesterday they had got the first snowfall and all the skiers were out. the terrain is somewhat like the southwest very arid and mountainess and some great peaks in the valleys. we are at the lady gaudaloupe hotel it is nice the wifi is down so i am working on a different computer so bear with the mistakes. We are headed out to another location i dont remember i will have to look at my list. gotta go
talk again soon love the cavins


permalink written by  Patrick on December 8, 2007 from Granada, Spain
from the travel blog: The Misadventures of Family in Europe for a Month of "I don't Knows" and "What did he say again?"
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