Loaded Up and Headed Out

Tomorrow morning marks the beginning of my final European excursion. With exams all finished, my lease run up, and bags packed, its all a-board for Barcelona, Spain!

The past two weeks were rough. We had our final round of testing followed by finals that ultimately determined our academic standing for the semester. Ensuing many late nights of studying, multiple upon multiple pots of coffee, and last minute cram sessions we finally finished. The sophomore year of my college career has come to a close and with it, the beginning of summer.

Brittany Hall, Charlie Sipple, Andrew Blayton, and I all head out early tomorrow morning for the white beaches of Barcelona, Spain. We're meeting up with a fellow Clemson student, Brittany Clinton, who spent her semester studying Cantonal in Barcelona. A practical native of the city, she'll be a great asset to our vacation in Espana.

Where we go from there is still a bit of a mystery. Due to complications from the Icelandic Volcano we still aren't sure of our following travel arrangements. We will hopefully find means of transportation to take us south to the Italian boot, however, if all else fails we may be making an early departure back to the United States of American from Barcelona.

I'll do my best to keep the world posted now that my time is a bit freer due to lack of school work. Keep an eye out for soon to come pictures of Spanish beaches, and Mediterranean sun.

All good, all the time,

Thomas

Final Call: Departure for Barcelona

A semester abroad, half a world away from everything we know as home, finally comes to an end.

Last night marked the closing ceremony for the Spring class of 2010 Clemson University Brussels Center. With a smorgasbord of mixed emotions, we bid each, other as well as the CUBC faculty and staff farewell. Having come to appreicate Brussels and the memories gained while studying abroad, we found the ending of the semester bitter sweet. Many of us are anxious to return home but we know that deep down, in all reality we'll miss the place we've called home for the past half a year.

As I've said before, its hard to explain what study abroad is truly like. Its one of those adventures in life you actually have to partake in to really understand. You develop a newfound respect for the world outside your own little bubble, but you also begin to realize how much you truly love home.

I'm ready for my return to the states, but there is not a doubt in my mind that we will all miss Brussels very much in our own ways. I thank those that helped get us here, and I wish everyone the best.

All good; all the time,

Thomas

Problems of Volcanic Proportions and Nature

With over a week of delays and backlogs, Europe is now full of tens of thousands of stranded travelers which has ultimately cost airline companies over 1.7 billion dollars. Is the worst of the trouble over or yet still to come?

I've mentioned my intentions to spend the two weeks following the conclusion of the academic semester traveling through Spain and Italy before returning to the states, however the recent volcanic activity in Iceland that has sent the European travel infrastructure into a tizzy is presenting some unforeseen obstacles. I've spent the past five days visiting the Brussels Midi train station in attempts to purchase railway tickets and reservations for my planned travels. Regardless of my attempts, the backlog of travelers in the airports has put considerable strain on the railway systems and to be quite honest, they are inept at handling this influx of demand. There is such a high demand for tickets that train stations have been unable to handle any booking outside of the current working day. Yesterday was the first opportunity they've given travelers to begin buying advance tickets. By the time I reached the booking counter, the train schedule I wanted was already over booked and unavailable. The railway worker ultimately helped us find an alternate route but not without serious layovers and rail changes.

Train stations throughout Europe have been experiencing this increase in volume of travelers. The result has not only strained staff and availability, but also strained the railway network and servers. We are unable to book any connections or trains outside of the current country network. This means that although we're trying to travel through Italy, we're unable to book lodging accommodations because we cannot guarantee where we'll be or when we'll be there.

On top of this obstacle, seismologists have reported increased seismic activity in the region and are concerned about the possibility of renewed volcanic activity, and which could re-cripple European airspace travel.

So where does this leave myself and fellow comrades?

We really just aren't sure. We are currently deliberating and toying with the idea of an early return home. With flights booked and paid for currently set to fly out of Venice on the 13th of May we question the possibility of if we could even get to Italy on time and by reasonable manner.

As of now I have no answers, only questions. I'll do my best to let every one know what happens when I can.

All good; all the time,

Thomas

Not Your Everyday Excuse

Wednesday morning my roommates and I were packing for our departure to Dublin, Ireland when suddenly all of our email accounts Buzzed simultaneously with an update from Ryanair concerning the status of our pending flights across the English Channel. They had been canceled. Earlier in the day, a volcano in Iceland erupted spewing gas, ash, and debris as far as Germany causing the E.U. to close all airspace affected by the dangerous conditions. This is my second attempt to visit Ireland, but yet again my efforts were thwarted by circumstances outside my control.

I've heard some seriously far fetched and creative excuses before. Heck, I myself have even daringly chanced a few personally constructed tails, but never before have I heard anything about a volcano disrupting a person's plans. It sounds ridiculous honestly, however scientists predict that the volcanic activity could disrupt flight patterns for up to several weeks.

What does this mean for myself and my fellow study abroad comrades?

Well many of my classmates are currently scattered throughout the E.U. without a means of transportation back to Brussels or back to the states for that matter. All non emergency air traffic has been grounded which has resulted in clogged bus and railway systems. I have been unsuccessfully trying to book train passage to Spain and ultimately Italy for the past 4 days to no avail. The train stations are so overflown with stranded passengers that services for future bookings are not even being currently offered. With no reliable prediction as to when air traffic will resume, prospects are not looking good for those of us who still have travel arrangements to be made.

Could I be stuck in Europe for a longer duration than planned?

While I sure as heck hope not...its starting to look like a possibility at this point. Only time will tell.

All good; all the time (except if I spend my summer stuck here)

Thomas

Workin' Hard or Hardly Workin'?

My family flew out of B.R.U. in the early morning hours of this past Monday morning with near 100 lbs of extra luggage than they arrived with. We had a great time and Switzerland as well as France trying to cram in as much as possible in the short time available. Being around them for the past two weeks kind of stuck me with a bit of renewed homesickness as my mind wanders to summer activities back on the shores of Carolina. With less than a month to go until my return to the states I find myself more and more anxious about returning to the southland.

This week is shaping up to be an academically demanding one as I prepare for my third round of tests following rapidly by finals. I'm currently researching and writing a position paper on gun control and law for my American Law 322 class, which precedes work for the three tests I have on Monday and Tuesday of the coming week.

With all that being said, and myself quite occupied with academia over the next couple days its probably best not to expect another post until this weekend. Its getting to the breaking point and I know what needs to be done. Academics.

However, I am headed off to Ireland this coming Friday and you can be sure that I'll have many a tale and picture to share upon my return.

Hope all is well!

All good; all the time,

Thomas

Sky High Skiing

What do you get when you mix 6 inches of fresh snow, an essentially deserted ski resort, and put it all together in the Alps of Switzerland? A darn good time, that's what you get.

My family and I skied a full two days at Engelberg's Titliss ski resort. With new snow fall everynight totaling plus 6 inches, it goes without saying that the conditions were perfect.

I personally haven't skied in over 2 years as a result of an accident during my Senior year high school spring break that involved myself, a tree, high speed down hill skiing, and over confidence in my abilities. However, after a few hours on the slopes and one or two humorous 'sudden stops' I was back on the slopes shredding it up.

The part that made this skiing experience so unique and memorable (aside from the fact it was in Switzerland!) was that there are absolutely no slope boundaries. Meaning, that if I think my skis can take me there, nothing is going to stop me from exploring every inch of snow covered terrain. 'Danger, Avalanche Warning' signs did little to deter such exploration and in fact seemed to encourage everyone in the park to actually ski beyond it (of course I personally headed such notices...)

Rachel managed well with slow and steady skiing despite her leg's handicap. She of course couldn't pull the daredevil card this trip, but she atleast managed to get out on the slopes and enjoy the experience.

After visiting and skiing in such a manner, state-side east coast 'ice skiing' is pretty much going to seem pointless. I'm spoiled.

As far as the location and scenic side of everything...its hard to put into words. I posted a good many pictures taken by all family members and you simply need to look at them. Aruba is probably my favorite beach location but Engelberg, Switzerland now holds the distinguished award as my favorite mountainous region.

We're currently headed back on our Eurolines 'scenic' rail bound for Brussels Central. I'm happy to report that the sun is out and that the temperatures are breaking 60 for the 2nd time here in Belgium. I'm hoping that such weather will stay because now that my snow skiing adventures are finished for the season I feel the need to sport nothing aside from a bathing suit and sunglasses here on out.

Thursday, following a Finance exam, my family and I are bound for Paris. This will be my second time in the 'City of Lights' and hopefully I'll see a slightly different side of the culture as my budget extends a bit further as my parents are currently covering the check.

Hope all is well!

All good; all the time,

Thomas

ReUnited, No thanks to United

I groggily arose from sleep at 6:55 AM after Andrew, my roommate, yelled at me to cut my alarm off. I donned my workout gear and continued about my morning routine of starting the coffee pot. I was preparing myself mentally for an early morning jog when I decided to check the flight status of my family's Atlantic flight to Brussels. The flight status nearly made me drop my mug when I read 'arrived' flashed across the screen...2 hours early.

I quickly dialed the United Airlines number via Skype connection and asked for operator assistance in determining if in fact flight 5620 had landed almost a full two hours early. She confirmed it. I pressed the escape button, ending the call and stared blankly at my computer screen for a few seconds. I was trying to think. What to do? I quickly threw on a different set of clothes, stomped on my Georgia boots, and flew out the door in a desperate attempt to get to Brussels Central Platform before my folks.

As luck would have it, the United operator was so far off target with her estimate that it caused me to spend 3 hours wandering aimlessly between platforms 2,4, and 6 of Grand Centarale station of Brussels.

Ultimately I was reunited my family and not a moment too soon.

We headed to my apartment, dropped of some of their gear, and went out in search of a bite to eat before our departure to Luxembourg.

Walking through the city, catching up, and onlooking as my family experienced many of the same initial culture shock moments that I went through upon my arrival was as much as I'd hoped for. I've been greatly anticipating the their arrival and was just as excited to see them as I think they were to see me.

Later in the afternoon we boarded a high speed train destined for Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

Upon our arrival the sun had already set and it was raining (what else is new?). We checked into our regal hotel seated not far from many of the European Union buildings located in the capital city. Due to the late hour many of the businesses and food establishments were closed so we opted for some oriental and took our time to continue catching up with each other.

We turned in early and got a jump on our trip to Engelberg, Switzerland.

As the high speed train pulls us closer and closer to the Swiss Alps I can feel my excitement to do a little skiing growing.

Can't wait to see what comes next!

All good; all the time,

Thomas

Planete Chocolate

"To respect a tradition of Belgium chocolate making; to offer a new product with genuine design, and to offer an impeccable service to our customers"

This is the motto and mantra of one of Belgium's finest chocolate producers, Planete Chocolate. The C.U.B.C. class was offered a chance to take a walk through their establishment as well as take an active role in the production of the world's most favored sweet, chocolate.

Mere hours before the start of our second Law exam, my fellow classmates and I found ourselves wandering into the confines of Planete Chocolate's operational home. After a short instructional video and interactive trivia quiz (contestants were rewarded for correct answers with chocolate) we headed back into the kitchen, sterilized our clothes/hands, and scrubbed up to hands on with some traditional chocolate making.

The tour was short in duration but very informative and enjoyable for myself and my fellow classmates.

Just another factor in Belgium's overall international standing [chocolate, waffles, and beer].

All good; all the time,

Thomas