Brannon's Euro-Trip

I spent yesterday in Monaco and Monte Carlo with Cassie and Elizabeth (from California). We went to the aquarium... something I would have never done on my own. But it turned out to be really cool. We got to see the "largest green eel in the world". We don't know how they KNOW its the biggest eel. Surely all the green eels have not been tracked down and measured. It was neat to see the kinds of fish found in the Medterranian. Aquariums are a good place to see evolution in action. Did you know that if you blind a camoflauge fish it can no longer blend in with its background? And it only turns the color/texture of the bottom on the side of its body with the eyes. Yep, I learned it at the Monaco Oceongraphic Museo. Honestly I took the most pictures of the guy in scuba gear cleaning the tanks... the sweetest janitorial position ever.
Then we went up to see the Monte Carlo Casino... which was very posh. And quite a climb. We made dinner last night. Spagetti and veggies and bread with olive oil. Less than 4 euro a peice. I made the track from the grocery holding a baguette in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. I felt very French. They have a great glassed in kitchen area here. We ate outside on the patio. It was very nice.
I booked one more night in Nice. So I can actually check out the town of Nice today. I also need to do some cold weather clothes shopping before I go to Interlocken. I'm debating spending a day in Marseille and in Lyon with Cassie before heading to Interlocken. I had rationalized this to myself by thinking I will get to do a round about and train through different territory, instead of going there and back the same route. I'm a little concerned that I will start running out of travel days towards the end. But the detour would really only cost me 2 days. I'm doing a stay 4 nights pay for 3 in Interlocken. My plan right now is to go next to Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome, Corfu, Venice, Salzburg, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdaam, and then Frankfurt (just passing thru to see Josh in Schweinfurt which I believe is very close). From Frankfurt I can fly cheaply to London OR if I get ambitious Dublin. I've mapped this out very specifically but I'm sure it will change.
Last night I met a girl named Annie who is from D.C. and just graduated as a Theatre and Psychology major. She is only staying abroad a month because she got a job understudying in a new show in D.C. She says D.C. is the third largest theatre venue in the States (I guess behind New York and Chicago) so I may be coming to visit you, Carlyn. I think we are going to go out with her tonight. Elizabeth also did theatre in college (not as a major) and Patrick, it turns out, is a clown. He does juggling, and balloon animals, and balloon swallowing (much like sword), and balancing chairs on his chin. Crazy.
That's about it. I really like this hostel. I think its second only to Cat's. The computers are seriously tempromental but they have an all you can eat breakfast. With non-instant coffee and 10 different cereals to choose from. Excellent. I need to study up on my Italian. Ciao.

posted by Brannon @ 10:58 AM