Eurolicious

Europe is old. Europe is a place full of layers and full of people. It is a rat maze of contrasting nationalities, born from the sweat of mediation, the ding of hammer and broadsword. During the summer season, it is a place swarming with tourists—at a glance wayfarer’s looking for the new and fresh piled on the old. From the stolen Egyptian monoliths of a Roman square, to the shiny steel glass fortresses of the post war city, it is a place worthy of wander, easy glances on hard stone, and reverent…restless…study.

My inner circle of dad, mom, and two brothers spent the last two weeks in this place of places. Now, upon my return, with graduate entrance exams now looming, I am hard pressed for time. Guilt reduces my free moments to a smoking pile of rubble, as all leisurely activities diminish into study.

As I adopt the creed “I cram therefore I am” (wow that’s terribly corny), this entry will have to follow the minimal labor clause (less words more pictures). So here then is a snippet of my trip, told through film, a thousand words packed into few, of heart and mind and all the rest.

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Putt putting around in our lil' villa da Charmey

The family gathers to celebrate my grand parent's 80th birthdays.
All manner of nationalities are represented. French, Dutch, Portuguese,
and English--all battered around like the table helpings.

The secret to the magnificence of Swiss chocolate
and cream? Flowers. We pamper our high alpine cows
with fresh greenery and many of these little pretties.

The final product is a milk rich with taste, a real
taste bonanza reproduced by no other.

Consuming the consumables. A little smile pre-mealtime.

My god the beauty. What inspiration a hike through the Swiss
Alps can bring.

Small town Swiss German cemetery just a few miles
up the road from our village.The grave markers were all hand
carved and were designed to communicate the profession/hobby
of the deceased. Twas quite a beautiful patchwork of local color.

Jumped out to Scion for lunch with friends who
were staying at this mountain chalet, a deceivingly old structure
that dated back to the 1600's. Every piece and plank
of the house was hand wrought, and luminous with age.

I can honestly say I ate the most delicious tomatoes of my
life for lunch. There's something about good food and wine
which vaults one most contentedly into a little
explorative craziness.

My dad. Upside down cake.

My lovely white European family.

Even the second time around, Prague was freakin' awesome.
The city is cheap ($1.20 1000ml beers!) even during the
high season. A monument to what Europe would look like
if not for World War I & II, the city boasts an astonishing
array of medieval and renaissance structures. Shem and I
happened to stumble on a Tai massage place near the end of
our stay. I can honestly say there are few things more
stimulating than having a little Tai women crack my
bones and rub me down with oil. Much recommended
if anyone hasn't tried it.

This is the old Jewish cemetery in the Jewish Quarter.
Many of the headstones, allwritten in Hebrew, date back
to the 1200's. It is said that in most areas of the cemetery,
bodies are buried 12 deep.

Charles Bridge, Prague, Night Crawl.

Much of Europe consisted of meeting fellow hostelites
and breaking out into the city. Apparentlty, the sun never sets

on badass.

Ah yes, and maps. Walking. And lots of maps.

In my opinion the St. Vitus cathedral in Prague is one of
the most stunning churches in all of Europe. It took over
six centuries to build and exhibits the very pinnacle of my favored
Gothic style. Truly, words cannot describe.

Tower view.

When in Rome, do as the Leo's do. This includes walking
around for hours in the oppressive summer heat, eating
ridiculous amounts of pizza, and staring oh so lovingly at
the beautiful olive skinned women. Maybe throw in a few
unofficial pub crawls, hanging out with some Aussies, an Indian girl,
and hordes of roaming brits. All so much fun.

The Parthenon. Incredibly well preserved.

To drink and to think. Hard won glories at the Alessandro bar.

Some day companions.

And then there was Ireland and lots of Guinness. Frothy,
thick, and milky smooth. With a dash of danger of course.
Somehow we managed to land in podank Ireland, one
of the most notoriously criminal of cities, known as
Limerick or "stab city", because of all the knife fights.
I mostly ran into alcoholics, and a surprising amount of
unattractive overweight people. But what the hoo,
the beer was good.

Did I mention they have good beer.

This ends the dinner theater with Eurolicioius.
I hope you have enjoyed our little journey.