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

Business as Usual

With the weather warming, the clouds retreating, and the first signs of spring beginning to appear here in Brussels, I find myself shedding layers of clothes and creeping from the depths of the cave my roommates and I out lasted the winter in.

Since my return from Cologne life has been business as usual. The beginning of the week was host to a test in all of my classes (conveniently enough).

Thursday afternoon, with temperatures reaching upwards in the 60s, my roommates and I decided to put on a good ol southern fashioned BBQ with a charcoal grill that I recently acquired. Grilling steaks, hamburgers, brawts, and chicken over an open flame was a great change of pace from our usual budget meals.

As I write this, I'm sitting under the overhang of our front porch swinging slightly in my Eagle Nest Outfitters hammock. The weather has changed so dramatically (and for the better) over the past 2 weeks that Brussels has taken on an entirely different appeal for me. Shortly put, I find this place much more desirable under a little bit of sun light and warmth.

My family will be arriving within the next week and soon I'll be on my way with them for a whole new array of adventures.

Wishing everyone the best!

All good; all the time,

Thomas

Trinken Wir!

Our second day in Cologne was much like the first. Andrew and I wandered the streets aimlessly just taking it all in.

We did make our way back across to the city to the Dom Cathedral only to find it was yet again in service for a noon mass. We got in the lobby (which was still as large as many churches back home) and managed to get a short look around.

Afterward we headed to a crafts section of the market where I purchased a Bier Stein. Its pretty cool looking and actually wasn't overly expensive either.

Not too long after I found a coin shop and bought a German mark minted in 1934 that would have been used during the 3rd Reich under Hitler. The front shows Hindenburg and the opposite shows the Nazi gold eagle grasping the swastika. Interestingly enough, the merchant told me that Hitler never had any coins minted with a bust of himself. His plan was to win the war and then implement a world currency system with his face on all currency (obviously this never happened) ergo no Hitler coins.

The German people themselves are very American like. They primarily speak German but I have yet to meet a citizen who couldn't string together some basic English sentences. On a whole they are more than happy to help you and answer your questions. They're pretty curious and generally want to know your story and why you're wandering through the Rhineland.

Cologne was a great trip and highly recommended as a weekend destination for any who care to experience some German culture.

I'm currently back in Brussels and preparing for a week of testing and finalizing some plans with my family for Easter Break!

All good; all the time,

Thomas

Cologne, Germany

My bus pulled up at the Cologne bus & train station around 8:00pm Thursday, March 19th. Andrew and I walked less than 2 blocks before we came across a Longhorns Steakhouse, KFC, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, Starbucks, and Wrangler Jeans outlet. We looked at each other, both utterly confused and thinking the same thing, "Are we even in Europe?"

Cologne is the fourth largest city and Germany. Seated directly on the Rhine river, it has significant historical and present value as a major trade city. Founded in 38 B.C. by the Holy Roman Empire, the city has undergone numerous territory changes throughout the ages.

The city's trademark structure and architectural landmark is without a doubt the Dom Catholic Cathedral. The building underwent the beginnings of it's construction in 1284 A.D. but was not fully completed until 1880 A.D. (those dates are correct, feel free to do a double take). Andrew and I first saw it last night on our walk to the hostel from the bus station. It is fully illuminated all day every day giving it a really eerie appeal in the dark of night. We came back first thing this morning and made the 90 something meter climb to the top (which is a narrow spiral staircase aside from 4 flights at the tip top). Situated on the banks of the Rhine river, the view from the top is absolutely incredible. It provides a birds eye view of quite literally the entire city.



The Gothic structure is the seat of the Arch Bishop of Cologne who is currently Cardinal Joachim Meisner. In 1996 the structure was added as a World Heritage Sight and is stop to millions of visitors annually. The structure was hit on 70 different occasions by Allied bombers during World War II. Pilots eventually realized that it was a valuable landmark and towards the conclusion of the war decided to leave it be for navigational purposes.

We arrived at the Cathedral today right as mass was about to begin and we thought it best not to disturb it so we have yet to walk through the grand isles of the Cathedral (the tower ascension is located in an entirely different area of the structure).

After wandering down to the Rhine river itself we headed to a preserved Gestapo Prison Museum. For those of you who don't know, the Gestapo were essentially the secret police of Germany under Hitler in the 3rd Reich. (The German equivalent of the K.G.B.)

It was pretty cool and really made you think about how awful it would have been being locked up in such a place. Most of the literature on the walls was in German so I don't have a ton of information on it. I plan on doing some research on it later and I'll post some of my findings in the coming days.

We walked through the market (new one and old one) just taking it all in. Its hard to imagine this city 60+ years ago following the devastation of World War II. Many of the buildings seem so new and modern when compared to the rest of Europe and we figured this is partly due to the fact that Allied forces essentially leveled the city.

At this point we're craving some food and a Bratwurst feels appropriate.

Check out the rest of the pictures here at my Study Abroad Website.

All good, all the time;

Thomas

Two Months Abroad: A Look Back.....

I remember stepping out of terminal A23 at B.R.U. and the feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and excitement I experienced back on January 8th with my arrival into Belgium. I knew not a lick of French (or Dutch for that matter), no clue how to get to my new residence, and was hence forth on my own in nearly every aspect of the next 5 months as an expat. Was I a bit scared? Let the record state that I was not, but in all reality, I was a tad bit uneasy about the whole experience that lay before me.

So 'where the heck is Thomas McGuire'?

I'm currently cruising at an altitude of 31,000ft, traveling approximately about 650mph while transcribing my thoughts onto the back of a partially shredded Ryanair boarding pass.

I've been to a lot of cool places and I've met a lot of really interesting people.

I am frequently asked, "Hey Thomas, whats you favorite place to visit? Whats the coolest thing you've seen?" And a variety of other similar questions. Its usually pretty hard for me to come up with answer. Not because I don't have an opinion or a preference but just because Europe is so diverse, it makes comparison across borders very difficult. The E.U. is so diverse in quality, culture, architecture, music, tradition, creativity, and innovation that comparing one to another is essentially impossible.

Regardless, as I am a study abroad student and people will always be inherently curious about what I'm up to, I've created a short evaluation of each of the places I've been as well as what I thought.

BRUSSELS

• The Good: Political and business center of Europe. Most culturally diverse place I've ever been. Large variety of people to meet.
• The Bad: Cold enough to make a polar bear dream of warmer climates. Also, if you don't speak Dutch or French, you're S.O.L.

PARIS

• The Good: Parisians have more style and class than anywhere else I've been. The cuisine, if you can afford it, is a sensory overload and the national monuments are a must see.
• The Bad: Parisians are definitely not looking to make friends. If you're not French, they really want nothing to do with you. Also, very very expensive (for everything). Street gypsies out the wazoo.

NETHERLANDS

• The Good: Intensely rich in history and architectural uniqueness. Offers essentially every pastime you could think of (including some you probably don't want to think of). A very laid back gear towards life and the most welcoming society to outsiders as of yet. Heineken factory is a must see!
• The Bad: Things can get a little weird at times. Enough said.

PRAGUE

• The Good: Very old, great food, great prices.
• The Bad: You'll probably spend too much money since everything is so cheap just to indulge.

BRUGGES

• The Good: Town looks like it was frozen in time during the Medieval ages. Great day trip.
• The Bad: Pricy food. I love food and if you charge me too much for it, I'll dock you favor points. Also, once you walk around the town once, you've seen everything (like I said, great Day trip).
  

CANARY ISLANDS

• The Good: Warm. Sun. Sand. = European Paradise
• The Bad: Caters to the elderly, and I mean the elderly elderly. Basically the Florida of Europe. Also, you will be haggled by street vendors once every 5 steps you take. Get used to it.

I currently have plans to travel to Dublin, Venice, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and a return trip to Paris with my family during the Easter Holidays. On top of those destinations, I'm sure I'll visit a few more places before its all said and done, further expanding my horizons.


European Climate

Okay, for any of you that have been following this blog even somewhat less than religiously as I'm sure my mother has, you've no doubt picked up on the slight cynicism I harbor with regards to the European climate.

Essentially I'm just not a fan of -5 degree Celsius temperatures mixed with constant snow/rain/sleet.

I grew up in South Carolina, USA; I enjoy my sun and 105 degree Fahrenheit temperatures (maybe not quite that hot, but just anything that gives me an excuse not to wear a shirt). If you h ave future ambitions to travel Europe, I strongly encourage you to book your plans around the Euro addition of the farmer's almanac, if such a thing exists. You'll enjoy the experience much more if you're aren't shaking in your duck books.

Luckily for me the temperatures here in Brussels have begun to cap the freezing point. Although it was snowing upon my return to the E.U. capital, as I look out my window now, its actually quite sunny. By the end of the month temperatures will be hovering around high 40s and low 50s (F) which in comparison will be quite pleasant.
Recap: Sun - a.k.a. Canary Islands = Awesome; Snow with no access to 4x4s and/or ATVs = Miserable.


Life Abroad

If there's one thing this experience has thus far taught me, its accountability. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I was ever a person greatly lacking in such principal but traveling/studying abroad has taken life's education to another level.

My fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, focuses heavily on this virtue during the initiation process and with good reason. We teach that being accountable for ones self is above all else, the most important of self maintained ideals. It connects everything together and is the foundation of making a person truly responsible in life.

Such personality behaviors are learned through experience and personal mental reflection. I am of the opinion that far too individuals ever learn, comprehend, or practice being accountable. People are in general (myself included) too quick to point fingers and lay blame elsewhere when in reality taking control of the situation and working with what you've been dealt would essentially be more cohesive.

The high road is rarely the easy road.

Please don't misunderstand me. I am in no way trying to misrepresent myself as an all righteous, egotistical prick. We all have our days and sometimes life just pushes too hard. We find ourselves upset whispering, "Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"

At this point I've ranted and raved long enough where you're probably thinking how in the world does any of this relate back to studying abroad?

Being here, being away from friends, family, and all familiarity, it change's a person's perspective. At first I resented it. I wasn't trying to be adaptive, but I soon realized its part of the experience. Everything I do, every action I embark upon, every decision I make - its all on me. Mom and Pops are 4600 miles away and if I ever needed physical help, the most instant action of assistance I would receive would be a crackly 'sorry' voiced via skype. I know that this is probably scaring the bajeezes out of my mother right now, but its true. There is very little anyone can do for me here and that just causes me to undertake that much more personal responsibility.

Personally that sort of knowledge is empowering. And I love it.


I'm making my own decisions, living my own life, and creating my own experiences. No one teaches study abroad students how to go about life outside of their native areas. Its all about trial and error. We figure it out on our own.

I remember experiencing some similar thoughts back when I first started college but being abroad tops that 10:1. The choices I make, for better or for worse, are my own. There's no two ways about it. Ergo, a person must be accountable.

Anyone that knows much about me will concur that I personally am a creature that learns through experience. I prefer hands on as opposed to simply learning the theory. Studying abroad is in all meanings of the phrase, a 'hands on experience'. The situations you find yourself in while abroad, some good some bad, all ultimately teach you something new and give you one more piece to life's puzzle. While I am enrolled in school as well, there is no doubt in my mind that learning I've done while traveling trumps the previous.

This is the type of real world application and experience you take with you for the rest of your life. Its applicable everywhere. Granted, there are still many times when I miss home, but ultimately I feel that coming here was probably one of my best decisions.

I was nervous when I first arrived in Brussels. I had a lot of questions, very few answers, and really no where to turn for help. I'm over half way into my study abroad tenure and have zero regrets about my choice to come here. I am no more certain about what the future holds than when I first arrived; the only difference between now and then is I have 100% confidence in myself that I can take whatever comes my way.

Bring it on life.

All good; all the time,

Thomas