This American's Basketball Career in Europe

So, I've lived in Germany, Belgium, Spain, and have visited many of the countries in Europe. But how did I come to live in Europe? Basketball. 

For those too lazy or uninterested to read the entire post, here is an infographic that sums it all up:

Read More

Berlin, Germany: Freundschaftsbezeigungen

Synopsis: Stephanie and I decide to road trip it to Berlin, Germany on die Autobahn. Only a 7 hour drive to Checkpoint Charlie and the history-laden city. (Author's note that transcends time and space: This was our epic first trip, that spawned several other amazing adventures!).

Trip Overview:
Day 1: Drive into the heart of Berlin and drop off stuff at the hotel. Immediately head out into the city to check out the Topography of Terror and a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. Head down to Postdamer Platz and there are exhibits and markets set up all around. Continue down the road and see the Holocaust Memorial and then on to Brandenburg Gate. After working up an appetite from all that tourism, we grab some dinner. On the way back to the hotel, stop by Checkpoint Charlie and take some photos.

Thoughts: The nice thing about where we are staying, is you can walk in any direction, and you are going to see something historic, interesting, or worth stopping to take a peek at. Brandenburg Gate is definitely the main hub for Berlin tourism. Nighttime is the best time to go to Checkpoint Charlie, because the crowds are gone and you can get a good photo without being rushed and having 20 strangers in your picture.

Two of us in two places at once, so like, we are in four places at once

Read More

Multi Throwback: Germany, Italy, France, England, Austria, Spain, Malta, Belgium, Czech, and the Netherlands

Synopsis: I did quite a bit of traveling from 2008 to 2012, but I only have a few photos and sporadic memories. So, here are some pics from each trip and the random memories I have that serve as captions.

Trip Overview:

Speyer Cathedral, Germany - Dec 2008 - Then go to the Speyer Technical Museum

---

Skiing in Garmisch, Germany - Jan 2009 - Dad has a bad fall and pulls a muscle in his chest

---

Rothenberg, Germany - Feb 2009 - Quaint little fortified town where I learn about medieval living and torture

---

Read More

European Road Trip: Summer 2009

Synopsis: My mom has invited out my god-brother and god-sister, along with two of my cousins, to come experience Europe with us for two weeks. She has planned a road trip around Germany, France, and Italy. My dad will be taking off to provide us excellent chauffeur support, and I will be the witty narrator of videos and photo-taker. 

Trip Overview:

The whole gang in Stuttgart, Germany ready to roll

Read More

Strasbourg, France: Français First Hand

Synopsis: I just moved to Germany and I have been trying to get to France to test my American-school French. Mom recommends a day trip to Strasbourg, France, just the two of us. Sorry, Pop! In Strasbourg, they speak french and german, so I'll get to butcher two languages in one try! This is also my first road trip anywhere in Europe.

Trip Overview:
Day 1: Hop on the tour bus and head toward Strasbourg. We stop at a rest stop in Germany, to use the bathroom and get drinks. I go to use the restroom and there is a lady in front of the door with a sign that says "W.C. ,50€" Wait, what, the bathroom costs? Hearing that I had to pay for the toilet was like Spongebob when he found out Squidward didn't like Krabby Patties.

After the whole toilet fiasco, we get back on the bus and drive to Strasbourg. Upon arrival, it doesn't look like what I thought France would look like. It has a fairy tale look, I imagine because of the german influence, but also a dutch feel, especially when walking through the Tanner's District. Of course, my years of architecht history and world georgraphy knowledge (from cartoons and stereotypes) are how I know what this place looks like and what it should look like, being a french town.

Our guide takes us throughout the city and we see the major monuments like the covered bridges, the Cathedral, the Tanner's House, and much more. We do all this by foot, as there are no cars, or streets big enough for cars, in the center of the town. On the way back to the bus, we stop at a grocery store to get some snacks and I buy the food using the colorful euro that I got in Germany, and engage in my first french conversation with the cashier. Jump back on the bus to Stuttgart, fired up for my next trip to France.

Thoughts: This is amazing and everything is in french and german. I am reading the signs in french and hearing the people talk french, and I'm just overwhelmed. This is not like class at all. I have no idea what they are saying, unless they talk directly to me.

So, my first cathedral. The first of hundreds, that I will see. I see there will be quite a bit that I will need to adapt to living here. My first french interaction went well and I was able to communicate, despite all the butterflies and sweating. I think I'm really going to like Europe.

My first rest stop in Germany

Our german, french, and english speaking tour guide

Strasbourg Cathedral, the world's tallest building in the 1700's

Mom and I in the Tanner's District

Pont Saint-Martin in La Petite France

My first interaction speaking French with a real native

Nice government building

All tuckered out after a long day

Read More

Stuttgart, Germany: My first time in Europe

Synopsis: My parents called me and told me my dad was taking a job in Europe, and invited me to go with them. I have been saving for a couple of years, so I could move to France next year and pursue my dream of pro basketball in Europe. Why not move there a year earlier and get a head start on the competition?

Trip Overview: We land in Stuttgart, Germany in the middle of the day and we are met at the airport by some of my dad's colleagues. We get on the autobahn, and it is just a highway. I don't know why, but I thought it was either a dirt road akin to what the motocross racers ride on, or it was a super futuristic highway like Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 64.

We get to the hotel and walk down to the imbiss (snack shop) and notice that the "american burger" has egg on it, since we do that in America all the time. We see the kino (movie theatre) across the street and they are playing films in english with german subtitles.

Back at the hotel it is about 10:15 in the evening and I notice the sky is still blue and I can actually still see the sun. Wow, never seen that before.

Going to our new place

Moving in is always new and exciting

Final Thoughts: Over the course of the next 21 months, I traveled in and out, and all around Germany and Europe. This move was the catalyst for the experiences that you will read about in my blog.

Read More