paris

I'm wrapping up the Paris leg of my trip right now. Typing this is odd because I'm using a French keyboard, so I keep messing up... but I digress (already).

Anyways, Paris has been amazing. I'm staying in a hostel fairly close to the Eiffel Tower, so that's convenient. I went up toi the top this morning with some friends I met here in the hostel. We also checked out the Sacre Coer this afternoon, which was quite impressive. I've also been to the Louvre, Notre Dame and walked around tons of the city.

It's been really fun, and tomorrow morning I head out for Venice. Tonight I'm going to check out the Tower at night one last time.

I have some good rude-French-people stories that I don't have time to get into, but will share later... funny stuff.

Later, all.

nothing, really

There's not really much new going on. I've been in Dusseldorf since Sunday waiting for the World Bowl and doing a little work in the meantime. The game is Saturday evening, and I'll head to Paris first thing Sunday morning.

Obviously, I'm looking forward to the solo travels, as well as getting back to Grand Rapids soon. Like I said, not much excitement, but at least I'm still alive at this point.

one and done

Well, I suppose it’s time for one last update before I go under the radar for awhile. Tonight is our final game of the season, and tomorrow everyone will head out of Berlin. Mostly everyone will head to Frankfurt and fly out on Monday.

But I’ll be hopping on a different train and cruising on down to Düsseldorf for the week. Next Saturday is the World Bowl, so I’ll be down there until the following Sunday (the 28th).

That day, I’ll head out for Paris and begin my two weeks going hostel-hopping across several countries. The amount of time I’ve spent preparing for a two-week trip is unbelievable. I’m hoping it all results in a relaxing and interesting time, which I’m sure it will.

I’ll hopefully be able to post once or twice from the road, though I won’t be able to post pictures until I’m back. I’m definitely not lugging my laptop all over the countryside.

I definitely am looking forward to the season being over and having the chance to just chill. Still, I’ve got mixed emotions about leaving. I’ve been around the same people every day for the last three-plus months, and all of a sudden everyone will be gone. I anticipate going through a little shock because of that.

Anyways, keep checking back now and then because I’ll be updating when I can. Obviously I won’t spend a ton of time on the internet while I’m traveling, but I’ll update when I have the chance.

Later, friends.

the hits just keep on coming

It’s been rather some time since I’ve written anything, so I’m not altogether certain anyone’s checking in anymore. That’s OK, though. On our final road trip of the season – to Cologne – we actually have internet in our hotel, a first for our away games.

After we arrived this afternoon, I went to check out the Cologne Cathedral. It was fairly amazing. We walked a narrow, winding staircase nearly to the top of one of the steeples. Cologne doesn’t have much of a skyline, but it was a nice view of the Rhein River.

Earlier this week back in Berlin, I finally made it to the Reichstag and went up into the glass cupola. That was brilliant. I can’t believe I almost left without going up there.

We play our final road game here tomorrow. The following Saturday will be the last game of the season for us. After that, I’ll work the week leading up to the championship game.

I’m certainly ready for the season to come to a close. It’s been a good experience, but the grind is catching up with me. Since I arrived in Tampa on February 8 or so, I’ve had all of three days off. And I thought the two days off a month I had in Cleveland was bad…

I am starting to get a bit restless to get home, but also know that I have another month yet here and about half of that will be vacation. I obviously want to make the most of the chance I’ve got to see some amazing things, so I’ll try to hold the homesickness at bay for awhile longer.

Of course, I still have no idea what exactly I’m going to be doing when I get back home. Hopefully I’ll find some outlet where I can be a productive member of our wonderful society.

i'm in a glass case of emotion

It’s really been quite some time since I’ve written anything, the reason being that nothing newsworthy has really happened.

We’ve lost our last two games on last-second field goals, thereby eliminating our team from postseason contention with three games yet to play. Let’s just say that makes motivation a challenge for everyone. On the locker room wall, the players have a countdown until the season is over with the message “Thank you Jesus” written below.

When a team is totally out of it, funny things start to happen. I’ve had some very enlightening conversations over the past few days with players and assistant coaches. It’s pretty interesting insight into the goings on of a pro sports team.

Our final game is May 20th, and then the championship game is the 27th. I’ll be over in Düsseldorf the 21st through the 28th to help out working the World Bowl. After that, my solo European backpacking experience will begin.

I’ll be making the rounds for two weeks before returning to Berlin for a couple days to hang out with my coworkers here and get my luggage together for the trip home. I’m really looking forward to getting home, but I think the vacation will still be well worth it.

I still have no job for when I get back to the States, so that’s causing a little stress. Also, my car crapped out over the weekend. That makes four cars in the last two and a half years, for those of you scoring at home. Automobiles hate me.

So at this rate, I’ll arrive home with no job, no car and no money. It’s quite the trifecta, I know. I’ve worked very hard to accomplish the feat, and you should all be very jealous of me.

It’s half past midnight, so I’m tired and cranky. I’ll update any of these situations if anything happens. I’ll also continue to whine about them if nothing happens.