A.... traveler

Maybe, the selfish traveler?

I spent that last 10 days traversing due south of my current abode. With grueling train rides, sweltering heat, and what felt like days at a time without a good shower.
It was great to share the experience via facebook, foursquare and even email letters with my mom. Traveling alone has all that comes with it, the introspective look, the self pacing, discovery and self discovery - though i hadnt set out for the self discovery part. And its so hard to share that, to share anything about the feeling of excitement and the touch and feel of the world around. I came out thinking that theres still so much more to see and i've only touched the surface.

I began on a wednesday afternoon, to vejle, picking up a travel towel and a water bottle, both essential travel tools. Like the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy, never leave without a good towel. I had two. From there was a beeline to Venice. Flensburg was interesting at night, I wanted to explore it more, but the train was coming. Vending machine soup saved my ass and so did some tea crackers (which i had with me the entire trip!). I had a few hours in Fulda, a charming town with some really cool churches and sculptures. It was a city that was upgrading and getting some modern touches. Then waking up in Munich to take that last bit over through italy. Here I got to appreciate the Austian alps, they were fantastic.
Venice was as ive seen it in so many books and travel ideas. But as a tourguide said it, its a fading city, soon to be a themepark. Still absolutely beautiful with majestic panoramas and the charming streets where one could get so easily lost. It was a great first stop.
Verona was just a comfortable city, busy enough to have the noise that i like, but easy enough to get around with lots of charm, beautiful women and a fantastic live swing band. I have to return, if only to see the opera and of course greet the hosts that held me there for a few hours.
Rome reminded me of new york, It reminded me about how mundane some of our NYC sights have become to me, yet how grand they still are. But for the locals of Rome, could they be any less mundane? How could it be to let those things be just second nature. "Hey guys lets meet at the Trevi fountain, get drinks.?" but the vatican was as gaudy as they say and this ridiculous arch commemorating the beginning of Christianity'.. I bet my Non denominational friends would love to put something else there haha! The history is just mindboggling, and so was the heat. Rome is best seen with cooler weather for sure. And damn, there were so many filipinos!
A train strike, and me being over cautious sent me over to Grossetto. My host, and fellow MCP, toured me around this fortress town and the following day to the Mediterranean sea with its warm waters and strong breeze.
From there to Milan, which most reminded me of New York's shopping areas. Everything was (even too) easy. Expensive shops and model like women. It was mistimed though, one more night and i could have been at the crazy fashion night. No bowtie, though i held 4 in my hand before i left. I left my bank card in a automatic ordering machine at mcdonalds(!) perhaps a good thing, it kept me from spending more money than i had.
To Laussane, with its breathtaking views, the unexpected (at least for me) Olympic museum and just amazing air. If you wanted an introspective moment, it was here. The train ride reminded me of popping out of the tunnel and seeing seattle. I had that wow moment when seeing those mountains and the lake in between. That was just stunning.
And then the Fairy tale castle, high above the mountain, should i ever come across the means, i'd love to make a room in the castle and then tear out the underground and build my voltron fortress. There were places for each of the lions!
Shopping in munich, and drinking at the famous Hofbrahaus!
Berlin, with its relevant history. It was a growing city..and 'the newest' one I've gone to. And then seeing the colleagues and friends on the train back.

Even this short narrative cant bring the emotions and the feelings of grandeur. I'll keep those to myself. There was a time in rome, when i wanted to stop taking pictures and just enjoy it, just be in the moment. To just be a traveler, passing through these cities to eat, to drink, to experience just a bit of what it is to live there. Maybe i wanted to feel like a local.
So, the experience is mine, no matter how much i can tel you. If you really want to know what its like, come with me on my next adventure..and you'll get a taste of it.