Rick Steves' Europe

Various commentary/musings related to Rick Steves:

Carly just met Rick Steves in Italy, where she traveled with her dad for Spring Break.

I was looking up information on Turkey on Rick's website and came across this writing gem: "High above on the hillside, the lone but happy song of a goatherd's flute plays golden oldies. 'Why do you play the flute?' I asked the goatherder. He said, 'So the goats know they are loved.'"

I asked my host parents if they knew who Rick Steves was, and they had no clue.

I was thinking about if a European DID recognize Rick Steves, they would most likely categorize him as the almost-too-friendly American traveler who wears khaki shorts and practical shoes everywhere, with a gaggle of American tourists asking him for an autograph.

Long time, no see

I haven't seen or talked to my intercambios (spanish language partners/friends) in a long time, so this email that Carlos, my under-the-table intercambio from the English school, made my day.

First in Spanish, then I translate...

Hola Melissa!
Primero de todo, siento haber tardado tanto tiempo en escribirte y
quedar contigo!! He estado muy ocupado con el trabajo y la universidad,
apenas he tenido tiempo de nada.
Si te apeteciera alguna tarde quedar para practicar un poco de
inglés-español, me lo dices. O bien si prefieres que te acompañe y te
enseño algun pueblo o ciudad cerca de Alicante que no hayas visto, como
Elche por ejemplo. Lo que te apetezca y cuando tengas tiempo, sin
compromiso.
Un beso y lo siento de nuevo!


Hey Melissa!
First of all, I am sorry for letting so much time pass before writing you and hanging out! I have been very busy with work and school, and I haven't had time for anything.
If you'd like to hang out some day to practice a bit of english-spanish, let me know. Or, if you'd like, I can go with you to one of the neighborhoods or towns around Alicante that you haven't seen yet and show you around, like Elche (a town nearby Alicante) for example. Whatever you want and whenever you have time, no questions asked.
Kisses and again, I am so sorry!


Isn't that so sweet! At first I was not looking forward to these "dead days" of my 18 day (!) spring break when my parents left and I returned to Alicante without a USACer in sight, but I think I'll use the time to hang out with my intercambios that I haven't seen in forever!

Swiss efficiency

"So the clock tower chimes 9am, then you hear all these doors opening...the doors to all the shops. Fucking Swiss and German people with their efficiency. Damn."--My dad, on this lovely Swiss morning.