Arles... Basically the Portland of France.

Arles is not exactly like Portland. Imagine if Portland was smaller and the Romans built it, then you have Arles. It I'd amazing here. The people are really nice compared to Paris. There is just a whole different atmosphere here. The hostel am staying at is empty. I am the only one here except for the staff, but they are really nice its ok. The frist night I got here the director (manager) of the hostle checked me in. While he was doing so he saw thay I was stayin stay in for 4 night, this surprised him and he asked if I just wanted to pay for 2 and then pay do the next two later. I was taken back, I got a little nervous. Why is that? I asked. He told me because it is very quite here. I said I didn't mind and was happy to have some quite compared to Paris. After I put my stuff in my room he offered me a free drink and I meet the few other people staying that night.

One of the people I met was another America. He has been living here for about a year and a half (he is the only other person here besides the staff, but he is basically one of them he works for his room). The fellow American is an artist, later today we are going out to paint. He is going to teach me how to use oil paints. The frist day I was here we went to the market together, in Arles they have huge farmers markets every wendsaday and Saturday. I tried cheese,  some sort of meat, olives, and tomatoes. And I like it all (look at me, I am growing up).

It is fantastic to paint here. Everything looks like it is a painting. I have done one water color and a fee sketches, hopefully I will get a few more done before I leave tomorrow. I will be heading to Nice after here, and then on the Italy.

I almost forgot to tell you guys about my last night in Paris. I went out with my great grandfather's cousin's daughter's best friend's son (Thomas). It was cool to meet someone my own age from a different county. We went to a few gay bars (I am up to three now, and still not gay) and had a few drinks. It was fun to talk about all thr differences between out cultures and the similarities. I had a good time. We said our goodbyes around 1:00 and went on our ways. Quick fact, the me to in Paris only runs to about 1 am. Another quick fact, it takes about 1 and a half hours to walk across Paris when only sorta know where you are heading and get lucky. I didn't get much sleep that night.

I hope you all are doing well. I have about 6 weeks left. I am finally starting to get into the swing of things. (Sorry no pictures this time).

New things

This whole trip is about trying something new and different that I have never done before. And I would say I have done a lot of that already and I kbow I am going to do a lot more. Here a few of the new things I tried in paris; eat duck liver, ate duck, had a glass of wine, met my great grandfather's cousin's daughter, got mistaken for a french artist...twice,and had french macaroons from France in France. Altogether Paris is amazing and I have to come back.

You might a few questions about some of my new things so here are a fee story's to explain...

The french artist:
I went to go see the Notre-Dame and was calmly trying yo do a quick sketch of it. I sat at a perfect spot directly the middle at the back of the plaza in front of the church. There was many groups there seeing the church, because it is kinda amazing. Their was a group of America students, by the look if it, next to me and when they left one of the girls came up and asked me something in french. Me being a ignorant American only know English so I had no idea what she say. I had to explain that I was from the usa and that I spoke know French, she was a little taken back and explained that I looked like a french artist so she assumed that what I was. That made my day.

Duck! :
My great grandfather is from paris so some of his family is here. I met one of my relatives, Sonia, last night. It was great, we had a nice time having a drink, going to dinner, and a walk afterwards. Sonia and I went to dinner at a very french restaurant, she had to explain to be what was on the menu because I couldn't read it (still don't know french). I was willing to eat anything,  I wanted to try something new. So we had duck liver for an appetizer. I am not going to say that I liked it, but on the other hand I did not dislike it. It was an interesting thing to try and I am happy I did. For my main cousre I had duck leg. It wasn't bad, it kinda taste similar to turkey or chicken but has a completely different texture. It is a bit heavier then other poultry, but it melts in your mouth instead of you having to chew it for an hour.

Speaking of relatives I also got to see my second cousin ones removed, Harry.  we had a nice bunch together at his apartment with his boyfriend and a few other guests. Afterward, his boyfriend had a book reading that we all went to, once again I didn't understand it (french) but still liked it.

I think next I am off you Nice.  I hope to get some get watercolors there.

I had to get mote watercolor paper because I was going to run put. On my adventure to find a store that sold thr paper I found a moleskine store. For any of you who are big art nerds you will know how cool that is, for anyone else you should go find out who moleskine is. That make great stuff.

The picture is of the out of this world, to die for, addictive, a perfectly good reason to come back, macaroons. They were good. 

Bonjour Paris!

I made it to Paris, found my hostel (after a long, getting lost, walk), and am feeling pretty confident. I have seen the Eiffel tower, wow is it amazing to see it in person. You see it all the time in pictures and in movies, but it is a whole different experience in person. I did a nice water color of it (I might put a picture of it), and took many photographs with my phone, sadly my camera ran out of battery. There is no outlets in my room at the hostel, but I do get free wifi in the lobby, where there are outlets, so that's nice.
Sorry not any interesting stories this time. I am going to try and be more adventurous and make some of my own. In the meantime I have been doing a lot of art, it is really calming.

Thank you everyone (mostly juat my family) that has e-mailed me. It was nice to hear from you. Please anyone feel free to also do so. It would be great to hear how you are doing and what you think of my travels so far. e is my e-mail again    jmb.josh@Gmail.com    you can also use Facebook if you want, I will figure out how to use it. 

The first picture down below is also my profile pic on Facebook (omg josh is using a social network? I know it is crazy. It only took me to tries to do it). I have been putting my body through a lot on this trip so far, so here is where I am starting to "feel the burn" as they say...

Goodbye Belgium...Hello Paris!

I have have only one main complaint about Belgium, there public transportation system is not the best. It is hard to figure out and it is not easy to use. I have just stayed in Bruges for the last few days. My hostel was about an hours walk from the city (my feet hate me even more now). The hostel was small and quite. I had a room all to myself, which I liked very much. I have been feeling a little under the weather this past few days so this middle-of-no-where hostel was perfect for some relaxing. I am now on my way to Paris. I am planning on getting a few watercolors done there. The food I can't wait for. I try to treat myself to one nice-ish dinner for each place I go, I did this while in Bruges. I ordered waterzooei (or something like that) of chicken, which turns out is basically chicken soup. It was perfect for my cold.

It would be great to hear from some of you to see how you are doing or what you think of my travels so far. Please do not hesitate to send me an email at jmb.josh@gmail.com.

I am not shaving on this journey so I have started to grow a beard. Take a look...

Who said you couldn't do Brussels in a day?

Oh by the way I am in Belgium. My original plan was to stay in the uk longer but my activities at customs make me a bit nervous staying there any longer then I had to. So I decided to head to Belgium, and you guessed it, Brussels frist. I am only here for one night and then I am off to Bruges for three nights. Some how I managed to get a train from London to Brussels, then used the not-so-easy-to-use metro underground and made it to my hostel. And I didn't go the wrong way at all (I almost did). I saw the main square, the main park, and had waffles and fries for dinner (I am saving the Belgian chocolate for Bruges). Sadly there is not much else to do in Brussels in such a short time. It is a bit more difficult here because the main language is French but I am feeling more confident over all so I just keep going.

London

No worries guys (and gals) I am still here. In the uk they have a different wall outlet so I have been running on very low battery for the last few days but that is all fixed now. I found an adapter. On top of that because I am in a different country I have a different data plan so basically I have to use to do anything. That is why I am sitting in a McDonald's typing this. This is the only good thing I have ever come out of McDonalds' free wifi. Without anything further ado let me tell you about my time in London so far...

My flight was not that adventurous they had good movies to watch but not enough time to watch them all. Even with  the distractions I still managed to grab a few z's. But the really adventure started when I had go pass through customs. I got detained. Yes that's right they had some questions for me (more questions then they normally asked). Before I tell you the story let me say that you dont have to worry I made it through and I will not (hopefully) have anymore problems. The reason that they detained me was they were worried that I will not have enough money and try to get a job, or I am just going there to find a job the trip was a cover. WHICH IS NOT TRUE. I AM HERE TO JUST TRAVEL. (Incase cctv is watching). At this point there are two men asking me questions one is the head guy and the other is (I think) a newer employee. They asked where I was going, what I was going to do and how much money I had (more the better). My vague answers did not satisfy them so they told me that they where going to have to search my bag. I am ok with this, I have nothing to hide. Throughout this whole ordeal I stayed every calm(on the outside) and tried to be as helpful amd open as possible. At one point they even thanked me for it. The two men and I when through my whole bag both my day pack and my backpack. Before we started the search they asked me what I think they might be looking for. I had no idea so I guessed drugs (seemed like a logical guess). I was mostly wrong they where looking for resumes for anything else that looked like I was here to get a job. My Rick Steve's guide book was a big plus on my side. Ones we where one with my bags they asked to see my bank statements to see how much money o had in my accounts. They lead me to a bank machine and I put in my info and they stood far away so they would not see my pin. Because the bulk of my money for this trip was in a different account then one that one of my cards is connected to it looked like I did not have much. This was not good in my favor at all. There was one last thing they had to check before making their final decision to let me in or not. My amazing mother of mine put in my bag, without my knowledge, some notes with dates on when I was suppose to open them. While I waited in a separate room the two men open the notes and read them (sorry mom). They where so blown away with what ever they said that they let me go on to continue my journey.
Thank you mom so much! Somehow ever when you are on a different content you are still able to help me out in a time of need. Thank you so much I truly think without thoes notes my adventure would have been over before it could really get started.
I managed to find my youth hostel with ease even with been shaken up and running on low sleep. I had three roommates. One was a older fellow who was a stand-up comedian. We all just called him The Comedian. Next is Victor, who was from Germany in London on vacation after getting a PhD in material science. He was a cool guy. Last is Leon, was is from England but stay in a hostel during the week because we works in down in fashion.

On my first few day I walked everywhere. And I went a lot of places. Well at least I tried, I got lost a lot (mostly due to the fact that I was looking at my map upside down). With all of thia walking my feet have died. Sorry feet when we get back to the usa you will be treated like kings. I say this because I am only at the beginning on my journey and it will only get worse for them. Throughout my time here I have been to just about every free museum possible. I got to some of Van Gogh's painting at the national gallery, including his sunflowers. They where amazing.

On Thursday nights is when the partying begins in London. It is the start of their weekend. So of course I went out. Originally I was going to go on the pub craw that the hostel was hosting but instead I when with my room mates, Leon and Victor, to meet up with some ladies from Argentina. And we went clubbing. It was a very interesting experience. I had my frist shots and other drinks. I did not get drunk or have a hangover the next day. I would count myself lucky for my first time drinking. Along with it being my first time drink and going to a club/bar we also went to a gay bar. It was kinda strange at frist but I got used to it.
Clubs in there simplest form at large rooms with a bar at one end and deafening music throughout. It is impossible to hear anyone who talks to you, especially if they have a think accent. You basically just nod your head and say yes. If they look at you confused just shrug your shoulders and act like you dont care what happeneds next. We got into two out of the three clubs for free (the gay bar was the one we had to pay at).

My next stop is going to be Brussels in Belgium. I am leaving tomorrow (for me the 16th). I had a great time in London, I would love to come back someday with my family or friends.

I am still a little home sick but that is expected. I know this is thr start of my journey but I can't wait to get home (in a good way). I will try to keep you guys updated more in the future.

Thr frist photo is proof that I got detained. The second is a water color I did.

I am off

I am almost off on my journey. I am at JFK waiting for two hours for my plane to leave so that I can go fly to London and start my adventures. Thank you to everyone who housed me on my journey across the USA. I had a great time going to the museum with you. It was good practice for all the museums I am going to go to on my grand adventure across Europe. I wish I could have spend more time with each and everyone of you but I have to stat my journey.

I am excited and nervous for my adventures ahead. I am sure I am going to do things that I have not done before or that I might not be completely ready for but that is half the fun. I am exited to learn more about myself and about the new cultures I am going to see. I want to come back from my trip not changed or different but a better person a more experience person. Experience are the stories of our life's. They make us who we are.

Because I am not at home and can not celebrate with my good friends... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! ETHAN AND NICKEY!!!

Just another day in the big apple

Hello world,

New york is an amazing city. You can go from having bagels for breakfast to the largest church in the usa (I think) to having Thai food then going to a Blue man group concert can then finish up with dinner and desert. Well at least that it's what I did today. Tomorrow I hope to go the the national history museum planetarium with my favorite aunt. Starting Tuesday I am going to be on a new continent off on my adventure. I will try to get one more post out before I leave but if I dont there will be one for sure Tuesday evening.

Me in nyc relaxing with a cat and a pear:

Part 2 of 3

I am off on to the second part on my journey and the last part in the United States. I on the mega buss on my way to new York city. While I was in Pittsburgh I went to the Carnegie international, an art exhibit with strange modern art. There was an exhibit about James bond that great. I am looking forward to my time in the Big Apple and then on to the adventures in Europe.

One last thing. I have been thinking recently would I rather be able to smell color or hear color? Each would have its ups and downs. Food would probably taste different or you would experience paintings in a whole new way. Which would you want to have smell color or hear color?

Here is a Ted talk about someone who is completely color blind. He sees everything in a gray scale. But he now has a device that he is able to hear color. Would you want this? Does this change your mind of wanting to smell color? You can vote down below. (Sorry not available for mobile)
http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_harbisson_i_listen_to_color

First day.

Hello world,

I have started my journey. I am off to traverse Europe for the next two months. It is a bit strange to actually going on this trip. I set this the journey as a goal for myself back in June when I graduated high school and decided to take a gab year. So far this year has been a journey of its own. In some whirlwind of jobs and smaller tips I have ended up here on an air plane on my way to Pittsburg to visit family (well a least when I am  writing this). When I set this journey for myself I did not think I would ever be going. It has always been in my mind a kinda ridiculous goal for me to achieve in my gab year. I have never been the person to go out on great exciting adventures, especially on my own. But I guess this trip will show what I am capable of and make me become the person I want to be.

Packing fun!

Hello world,

I am about to embark on a journey to travel Europe for two months. I have never done anything like this before, so this is going to be a great learning experience for me. This blog is going to be about my travels and the fun stories that will happen to me.

I like to pack. It is fun to try and out how to put everything that you will need for the next how-ever-so-long into a space that was probably meant for less items. It is like first person Tetris. I have done research of what to bring and how much and here is what I am bringing: