Well, Ive changed my flight to the 4th.

More than halfway through our Europe trip I finally find the time to blog. Im sitting in the Ibis hotel lobby of Prague, in the Czech Republic. Brad and I, opting
 for a few hours of doing 
nothing, skipping a river cruise on one of the canals of the
city, where the majority of our contiki group stuff their faces
 with a buffet lunch.

We've done alot of travelling in the past 14 days. From London, we went straight to Paris, where both of us would agree that Paris is perhaps one of the most beautiful, 
structured and amazing citys of the world.
From Paris we went to Lucerrne. A major city of Switzerland, that to our surprise, was perhaps just as beautiful as Paris. A lot smaller, but surrounded by snow capped mountains, with a running river that divides the town with crystal clear, blue tinged fresh water.

After Luccerne, we went back to France to a place called Lyon. I tried frog legs and snails. Despite what people say - I wouldnt rate them. Stick to chicken nuggets. At Barcelona, we night clubbed (despite my resistence) and actually had a pretty good time. Next it was Nice (also France). We went to what was described to us, as one of the best pubs in all of Europe. called Waynes Bar, a band started kicking, and we moved from dance floor to table, and didnt step down for another 4 hours (except to buy drinks.)

From there we went to Rome which for me was a major dissapointment. Dirty, unsafe, lots of crime, shitty hotel. Ancient Rome, which I was really looking forward too (I had 
the image of 
Gladiator in my head) was basically non-existent, and rarely seen - but always talked about. However, we ate perhaps the best pizza of my life (Square pieces not Round) and saw the pope speak from his comfortable deck-chair. Viewed the Cisteen chapel and Michaelangelos paintings. Accidently used the name of Christ in vain because I was so impressed with 
what I was seeing. Eg. "JESUS!" 
and then I'd realise what I just said, and follow it up with "GODDAMM!" which is equally just as bad.

Venice was incredible. The water in the canals is a light Green, and doesnt appear to be polluted in the same way Londons "Thames" is. There are pigeons everywhere. And thy're honestly just as bad as the rats of london. Brinn and Chad actually kicked some across the courtyard. This is one of the places in the world, where you will see hundreds of pigeons jumping on each other in the attempt to eat the seed below them, and 
where people are 
covered from head to toe in squirming pigeons, 
being photograhed by amused
parents or partners. I walked into the crowd of pigeons, amidst probably 2000 of them, and the overwhelming smell was that of wet dog.

Vienna was like a smaller Paris. Beautiful and clean. We had coffeee, trying to escape the cold. There I saw a Mozart concert with Brad and the majority of our tour. It was fantastic. A woman Opera singer performed with a voice christened by God. Vocal Acrobatics. Incredible.

Then to Munich, where we visited a Beer Hall. They serve the beers in the fmous Steins (1 litre glasses) I had three, missed the bus, and had to catch a taxi home with Will, a new mate of mine. Along the way we got distracted, and ended up walking into a Strip joint. And there...well, all I could drink was water.

From Munich, we've arrived in Prague. And the weather here is colder than Kevid Rudds sense of humour. I amlost lost toes last night. The plan tonight is to have a drink or two tonight. As Czech republic have thier own currency, it means its heaps cheaper to drink. Isntead of payin 6-9 Euros for a beer. Its only 2.

From here its Berlin, then after Berlin, Amsterdam, where the general idea is to see the infamous Red Light district and sit in one of the alternative cafes there. And then London, where Ive arranged for my flight home the very next day, and where Brad I believe is organising to stay in London before he hits up some Jobs.

We are well. A little smelly (our room smells like socks apparently,) and excited about the things to come. I look forward to seeing all of my family and friends very soon. Its an exciting prospect.

With all the love in Paris, Joel.

The name of our carer: Contiki.

After finishing our 2 months of work at Fort William, Scotland. Moving forwards, to better things, we stayed approximately a week at Edinburgh, the beautiful captial city of Scotland - relaxing, drinking, eating out, reading - collecting ourselves after too long a time working under stressful hospitality conditions.

Its Friday (we're a day behind Australia) the 9th and we've moved to London, taking an 8 hour bus journey to get here, we're spending our last night in London before taking the Contiki tour-bus to Paris early in the morning.

We're with Brin and Chad. Two mates we met while working at the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William. As I know I have mentioned before, they're coming with us. Or we're going with them. Depends upon whether you look at the glass half-full or half-empty.

Our Eating habits since leaving the Alexandra has perhaps dropped only slightly. We're wiser now, you see. By doing the backpacker thing for the first month and a half, has given has invaluable experience and where to go to eat. Where to stay. Where to go when we're lost. Carting the backpacks around today from Picadilly to....um, well, another place in London (4 - 5 k's) with significant less pain and discomfit, its good to see that we've grown. Become more resilient, more worldy, stronger.

I remember my Dad saying to me before leaving for University in 2006 "I think we're going to see so much difference in you. Uni's going to make you stronger. You'll come back changed. But after University, when I returned home, I think the change was very subtle, perhaps dissapointing. Comparatively with this trip, I think the difference will be profound. 2007's the year Dad. Im not sure about Brad, (we all take our own inner journey), but after nearly 4 months away, moving from place to place, forcing yourself to talk to people, socially and for survival, work expeirience, knowing when to bite your tongue, there's a larger difference. A good one. A change.

Im really looking forward to home. SometimesI think of how much Im enjoying my self here and the idea of home sounds ridiculous. Scary even. But other days it seems like the best thing in the world. I think of all the friends I'm missing so much and the lack of time I have to contact each and everyone of them, even though its my time they deserve. I have best friends I havent been able to talk to since being over here. And some of my other thoughts revolve around how exactly they will all take to me when I return. It's naive to think that everyone and everything is going to be the same when I return, even though change is actually a good thing (despite how I feel about it), I wouldn't really mind if Laurieton, Camden Haven, Port MacQuarie, the Mid North Coast just went on hiatus until I returned.

Hi Boys and Girls

Hey Hey Everyone!

Sorry its been a while since the last post, i have been too lazy, surprise surprise!

At the moment we are in Edinburgh and we DON'T HAVE TO WORK! Woohoo! Its such a good feeling being able to bum around again! Love it!

We are in Edinbourgh for the next week, which is a great place to be. Such an awesome city with a fair bit of stuff to see and do. We are back in an awesome hostel aswell, although after staying in a hotel for 2 months it takes a bit of getting used to again. Arrgh people getting up at 7am! Its a time for sleeping not walking around the room packing at 10000decibells!

I have an annoncement to make as well! I bought a jumper, no more coldness for me! haha!

But really there isn't too much to say, we head to London on the 8th of November with Brin and Chad, two of the Aussie guys we meet in Fort William, and from there we start our Contiki tour around Europe which should be good fun!

Thats about it from me, just a quick one to let you know we are still alive! Ill leave you with a photo of Joel i took the other day, he hasn't changed too much...

Take care everyone!