So now back to Europe, Switzerland to be exact. It’s Christmas Day and I’ve decided to climb the foothills of a mountain to perch somewhere and reflect on the full year. I packed some bread, wine, and calamari in American sauce, my go to for a growling stomach and bored headspace. The foothills were open … Continue reading Switzerland – The Other Fellow First
Tag: Backpacking Europe
Rome – Bending the Rules
I haven’t left the boundaries of Michigan for more than five days in over fifteen years and I have no plans to do so. Writing about my trip to Europe is really reliving my glory days when I was more spontaneous, adventurous, and brave. Rome was the most glorious of all places I’ve been because … Continue reading Rome – Bending the Rules
Athens – Introducing Hypnagogic’s
Did you know that morning glory grows out from the cracks of sidewalks and buildings in Athens? I only know this because a Brit strolled up to me asking me a slew of questions about where I’ve been, then determined I am from Michigan, and showed me how to seek and process and consume the … Continue reading Athens – Introducing Hypnagogic’s
Greece – Embracing Conflict
The train clattered down the coast of Greece towards the South Peloponnese with seemingly loose rails as we managed tight curves upon cliff tops. I wondered how in the hell would we make it to the beach without rolling down the high, steep hills at a fierce angle following the train engine, whipping the caboose … Continue reading Greece – Embracing Conflict
Amsterdam II
So as the jokers would want, I began to listen and watch at a tertiary level the bazaar that was before me. I was not an active participant nor was I applauding. I was enjoying the whole experience as an outside observer because that is where I was coming from, out of my normal self. … Continue reading Amsterdam II
Amsterdam I
There came a point when I had to stop doling out wine and bread for sustenance, as hat-money was not covering our feverish pace. Okay, bread was not the issue, but that I had found comfort in Micky. For me to be protected from harm and stupidity I would have to pay him back with … Continue reading Amsterdam I
Dresden, Germany
As a young man I broke away from my sheltered upbringing by leaving the lakes and beaches of home, heading to the ruins of Dresden with a notebook and a backpack sized for a mule. I met a premature mentor carrying a guitar and possessing a shaky voice. With the promise of hat money, and … Continue reading Dresden, Germany
Francis Erich McElroy 