[traveler]

As I said I was probably one of the only non-arabic (oops want to make sure I don't start profiling) people on the flight but apparently there weren't enough americans on the flight to make us a worthwhile target. You guys are all sleeping as I write this but I just wanted to drop a line and say hi!

Had some time on my hands yesterday and drove a couple hours to Hamburg, have always wanted to see where the Beatles started out so did it/done. Big harbor town on the Elbe river and lots of boats (you guys would love all the floating things!!) Auditor said that he wasn't planning on auditing our U.S. facility before 2005 so essentially I just have to stay available and answer some questions and take a one week paid european vacation. I'm all over that!! Looking to make a run over to Hannover or the Netherlands (Arnhem and Nijmegan) Have always wanted to see the towns from the film "A bridge too Far". Anyway thinking of you guys with every bottle of beer I drink!!

Went "bowling" with some friends the other night and then to the club to dance but was absolutely wasted from the flight so called it an early night. These guys always want to take me bowling because they think we are all like "Homer Simpson" Oh je!!!
Auf Wiedersehen mein freunds!!
Mike

 

[traveler]

Been here at work 2 hours and haven't done squat! Could be a great week!!!

 

[NoMoreDrama]

Hi Traveler! Keep us posted on your adventures! Have fun!

 

[ThreeCrabs]

Have fun, Traveler! Post pics for us!

 

[Snowbi-Wan]

Helloooooooo!

Someday I want to get over to Germany. A lot of my favorite bands are from there. Vanden Plas, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Angel Dust, etc.

I'm just dying to check out the music scene.

 

[ThreeCrabs]

QUOTE(Snowmaker @ Jul 14 2003, 07:15 AM)Helloooooooo!

Someday I want to get over to Germany. A lot of my favorite bands are from there. Vanden Plas, Gamma Ray, Blind Guardian, Angel Dust, etc.

I'm just dying to check out the music scene.

JINKS! Posted at the same time, lol!

 

[traveler]

Sorry can't post any pics digital cam stolen in Mexico in April. Was gonna pick up one before I left but ran out of time. Bought a throw away and took some pix in Hamburg but not so interesting for everyone. It was a sunday and the Reeperbahn, (area where all the ladies of the night are) wasn't rockin. Too bad rerun and the gang would love to see that action. Some of the most beautiful women in the world at your fingertips for only $25 per hour. Wouldn't believe it unless you saw it!!! Went by the boat landings and the Otto von Bismarck memorial. Also interesting is the St. Nicholas church which still stands as an unrestored monument to the bombing of Hamburg during WWII. They have some very moving choral concerts actually in the ruins at night with dramatic lighting highlighting the people and the ruins. When you see things like these you begin to understand the German aversion to making war again!

 

[ThreeCrabs]

Any pic from any other country is always interesting

 

[traveler]

Was blasting down the autobahn at about 110-120 miles per hour yesterday in a rented Volkswagen Golf and feeling so good to be home again. Listening to the radio and remembering the things that really make me feel alive. Remembered why I spend so much time on the road and don't waste my money on purchasing, materialistic, petty "STUFF"! Realized once again that I have and always will be a collector. Used to collect stuff and possessions until I got out on the open road and realized the truly important things in life don't ever come in the form of material goods or possessions. Realized that I am still a collector of sorts, however I am a "Collector of Human Experience". Was driving into Lippstadt after 13 hours of traveling and took a turn against the light, thinking I'm still in U.S.A nearly ran over 2 friends who I spent last new years with. They first yelled at me then I rolled down my window and shouted "Hey arschloecher kuess mein aesse" (Hey A$$lickers, kiss my a$$) The look on their faces when they realized it was me made me realize how totally wonderful the feeling of true friendship can be. I'm fortunate that I have been able to make such wonderful connections intersecting between all cultural backgrounds and lines.

I've been criticized or at least questioned by people at times for not having enough stuff. (Not necessarily denoting what that stuff might be as it could be almost anything you place value on) All I can say to that is when you ask me that, I feel like the richest man in the world when I can say I've climbed the High Tatras on the Slovak Ukraine border, Stood in the tomb of Tutankhamen and Ramses the II in the Valley of the kings, Stood in Ancient egyptian temples waiting to watch the sun align with the architecture to cast a shadow in the image of a pharoah dead for over 3000 years on a wall, been on the periphery of a gangfight in the Dominican Republic while some 30 people were bashing each others heads in with coconuts and sticks hoping they didn't realize that there was a white guy standing around, partied with over 1.5 million people in Prague on New Years, stumbled through an Eddie Murphy movie shoot in Budapest (and got yelled at for ruining the shot hehehe), made love on the Devil's mountain in Moravia in a place they say the witches have come to make love with the devil for centuries, Followed the trail of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel on a pub crawl, had my teeth turn purple drinking crappy wine and french bread in Paris as well as many other uncountable experiences. When I reflect on those experiences I have a real sense of satisfaction of a life full of experience and excitement of the prospect of the road which lays before me. I hope you all feel that same excitement in whatever experience you value or that makes you truly feel alive. It's really great to be alive.

 

[Snowbi-Wan]

Geeesh!

Did work pay for all those trips too?

 

[Shandog]

"made love on the Devil's mountain in Moravia in a place they say the witches have come to make love with the devil for centuries"
~ COOL!

"Followed the trail of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel on a pub crawl"
~ COOLER!

Great experiences you've had Traveler...you're a lucky man for sure!

 

[traveler]

QUOTE(Shandog @ Jul 14 2003, 07:23 AM)"made love on the Devil's mountain in Moravia in a place they say the witches have come to make love with the devil for centuries"
~ COOL!

Forgot to detail it was during an ice storm with dense fog all around and the wind howling through the trees. Girlfriend said (in thick czech accent) it was the sound of the witches screaming as they made love to the devil. Couldn't see but 20 feet into the fog all around. Was a wild creepy experience will tell you all about it sometime. Something happened up there which was inexplicable!

In answer to Snowbi's question, yes I am getting paid as we speak and can't believe I have nothing better to do than sit here and talk to you guys. It's great. In 2.5 hours though I will be at the biergarten fo sho!!!

 

[Shandog]

Yes - you will have to tell me more sometime about that experience Traveler. Damn that sounds totally cool.....

 

[traveler]

Man I miss you guys wish you were here. We'd initiate them LSCN style. Been to a lot of fests you all would fit right in!!!

 

[Adios]

QUOTE(traveler @ Jul 14 2003, 07:00 AM)Was blasting down the autobahn at about 110-120 miles per hour yesterday in a rented Volkswagen Golf and feeling so good to be home again. Listening to the radio and remembering the things that really make me feel alive. Remembered why I spend so much time on the road and don't waste my money on purchasing, materialistic, petty "STUFF"! Realized once again that I have and always will be a collector. Used to collect stuff and possessions until I got out on the open road and realized the truly important things in life don't ever come in the form of material goods or possessions. Realized that I am still a collector of sorts, however I am a "Collector of Human Experience". Was driving into Lippstadt after 13 hours of traveling and took a turn against the light, thinking I'm still in U.S.A nearly ran over 2 friends who I spent last new years with. They first yelled at me then I rolled down my window and shouted "Hey arschloecher kuess mein aesse" (Hey A$$lickers, kiss my a$$) The look on their faces when they realized it was me made me realize how totally wonderful the feeling of true friendship can be. I'm fortunate that I have been able to make such wonderful connections intersecting between all cultural backgrounds and lines.

I've been criticized or at least questioned by people at times for not having enough stuff. (Not necessarily denoting what that stuff might be as it could be almost anything you place value on) All I can say to that is when you ask me that, I feel like the richest man in the world when I can say I've climbed the High Tatras on the Slovak Ukraine border, Stood in the tomb of Tutankhamen and Ramses the II in the Valley of the kings, Stood in Ancient egyptian temples waiting to watch the sun align with the architecture to cast a shadow in the image of a pharoah dead for over 3000 years on a wall, been on the periphery of a gangfight in the Dominican Republic while some 30 people were bashing each others heads in with coconuts and sticks hoping they didn't realize that there was a white guy standing around, partied with over 1.5 million people in Prague on New Years, stumbled through an Eddie Murphy movie shoot in Budapest (and got yelled at for ruining the shot hehehe), made love on the Devil's mountain in Moravia in a place they say the witches have come to make love with the devil for centuries, Followed the trail of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel on a pub crawl, had my teeth turn purple drinking crappy wine and french bread in Paris as well as many other uncountable experiences. When I reflect on those experiences I have a real sense of satisfaction of a life full of experience and excitement of the prospect of the road which lays before me. I hope you all feel that same excitement in whatever experience you value or that makes you truly feel alive. It's really great to be alive.

AWESOME DUDE !!!!! ENJOY YOURSELF !
BE SAFE AND SEE YA SOON.....

 

[Madmax]

Did You go to St Pauli ??

 

[Milord]

To live the life of Traveler! Sounds like a blast man. Be safe and have fun.

 

[NoMoreDrama]

Tue Jul 15 05:41:51 2003

It's almost 6 am in Germany...soon we will get to read some more Traveler adventures

 

[ania25poland]

Big smile for Traveler. I guess you are not far from me
Love to read about your experience, I totally agree with that value of live. Great to see and touch (by fingers, eyes and soul) so many things in live. What a wonderful life... can't wait to hear more...))))))))))

 

[traveler]

QUOTE(ania25poland @ Jul 15 2003, 01:45 AM)Big smile for Traveler. I guess you are not far from me
Love to read about your experience, I totally agree with that value of live. Great to see and touch (by fingers, eyes and soul) so many things in live. What a wonderful life... can't wait to hear more...))))))))))
Hey Ania how is everything? Weather is good here but it's gonna get hot today I think! Still waiting for people to audit our business plan but apparently I'm not as important as I thought!! That's ok I've found that the less you say in these things the better. Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!!