Europe Diary – Antwerp, Kinderdijk, LCD Soundsystem, etc.

Hard to admit, but I am enjoying boredom a lot more lately, because it’s so rare now that I get to sit around and soak in my own lethargy. There’s so many errands to run, places to explore and school, of course. So forgive me if this is rather condensed compared to my last entry.

It’s nice that I can go to another city in an hour on whim and it’ll cost less than a tank of gas. So I went to Antwerp with Jeff. Arrived late in the evening, so not much to do, but had some of the best beer and food in my life. Primavera pizza (baked eggplant and zucchini) is incredible and Belgian waffles are my crack. Also, don’t forget Belgian chocolate – it’s not world famous for nothin’.

Europe Diary Week Uno

TOUCHING DOWN

Flying never feels real to me. For the first time, instead of feeling superior, looking down on all the people, cars and buildings slowly shrinking, I felt small. I felt like a spec in the eye of God. Nothing.

I think it was the sleep deprivation. Sure, we’ll blame that. I had two hours before arriving at the airport at 4 a.m. and I can never sleep on planes. I guess that adds to the surrealism. Without sleep, the world becomes white static, I drift through the day like molasses and I feel mummified. Without some kind of upper, caffeine, nicotine, what have you, I can’t function at all.

Country Leaver

My flight is booked, my room is reserved, in little more than two weeks I'm leaving.

Breda is going to cost me a lot of money. Thankfully, school pays for the bulk of it, but cost isn't going to be easy. So I want to thank all the awesome people I hung out with this summer for sharing drinks and smokes with me and understanding I was completely broke. I won't forget any kindness and I hope I'll be able to return the favor tenfold.

College sucks. The last three years have not been a non-stop party like you were maybe imagining. If college is really supposed to be the best four years of your life, I want a refund. I wish I hadn't left behind Phoenix and lost connections with so many people. Thankfully, I had this summer. It's been one of the best and brightest thus far.

Breda is the only thing making NAU seem worthwhile. And yeah, college did change who I am. So will the next four months in Europe.

When I was in high school, I was jealous of all the people who were taking trips to Europe. Now I finally get one and I'm not gonna be some tourist or whatever. I'm going to make the most of this. And I'm gonna miss everyone. So there.

I'm going to leave off with this song. It's perfect for the occasion.