Zermatt and Beyond

Quiz question of the day: What is the name of the famous mountain behing me?

I´m glad everyone enjoyed the drunken philosophical dithering. It seems some of the best wrtiers in history were massive drunks (hemingway, dillon thomas) so for one night I indulged and tried both (writing + a few beers). Yes, Yes, I´m going back to my day job.

So after Florence, I traveled to Zermatt, Switzerland. It turns out it is one of the greatest ski resorts in Europe. This combined with me showing up on Friday almost guaranteed me that I was not going to get a room at the hostel..the cheapest hotel in town by a factor of ten. But, I took a chance and hung out around the hostel anyway and got lucky when one of the guests was a no show. I scored a 25 dollar bed instead of having to pay 200 for a 2 star motel.

Most of the ski resorts around europe are taking a huge hit due to the warm winter, but not Zermatt. It is in a higher elevation and has snow on every run. It was the most beautiful ski experience I´ve ever had. It took every once of skill I ever had to ski those powdered mountains though. Training on the Minnesota hills just doesn't cut it here.

The views were amazing. On top of the mountains, you could see, in some parts, the end ski run you were on. Looking down a mile and a half to where you´re going to end up, was surreal---you could see skiers at the end of the run and they looked like tiny stick men. It felt like the game I play when I'm on a airplane with the window seat--how long can I still make out people--then cars--buildings etc.

Some sections on the mountain were just exhilarating. One section was a ridge that had a straight drop off of probably a thousand feet. I skied along the ridge and was awestruck at the sight and also being five feet away from death if I happen go sailing over the edge. Another section had a ski run that bored through the mountain. For about five hundred feet you skied through a hole in the mountain that had diameter of about 7-8 feet (2.5 meters). There were no lights either, so all you could see is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

Next time though, I bring something better than yellow leather work gloves and rental boots that are 2 sizes two small. The hands were near frostbite, the feet blistered, but the pain was worth it. Also bring goggles--very important for mountain skiing I guess.

I learned first hand that half the fun of mountain skiing is when the slopes close at four and everyone crowds into the smalltown bars. In fact, some bars were outside, and the people loved it.The town was raucous, spirited, and full of mainly people who only spoke english. Austrailians, south americans, canadians, and british somehow all converged on that spot to ski all day and party all night.

I went out with an entourage (10 of us) that included people from argentina, bulgaria, austrailia, swiss, and good ol´ usa. The other american there worked security for diplomats and visiting presidents/senators. The reception guy went out with us (ended up hooking up with one of the canadians too---jerk.)--and I was asking him questions like, How does one end up speaking five languages? cause he did--english, german, french, russian, and chinese. The mad language skills must turn on canadians.

So we went to a country bar (that was the name too--Country Bar) that played OK music. Can you imagine a swiss band that plays country music? Probably not, and your´re not missing anything either. We then took off for somewhere that was more lively. The club we went to had a cement pedestal with different tiers (like a wedding cake). We noted that the drunker one got, the higher they went, and the funnier they fell off. Sadistic, but good times nevertheless. So we danced, did some shots and then we did a drunken march back to the hostel. Not a bad way to end one´s vacation.

So now I enter the daily life again of the employed-working for a living crowd. You must all feel so sorry for me. I have a lot to learn though--like the german language--cause it is getting just a little frustrating at not understanding all those around you. I have to find an apartment too. Once again, not so easy in a foreign language. Either is dealing with the german beaucratic offices for visas, tax cards, worker status, etc etc and the constant forms they give that I dont understand.. A tiny voice in my head keeps reminding myself that I asked for all this--and I kindly tell it to shut the hell up.

So after traveling by oneself for a month, with nothing but three changes of clothes, a purple toiletry bag, small digital camera (once replaced), and a microfiber blanket my mom sewed into a sleeping bag (Thanks MOM!..it was great!) you learn things about oneself ...and others. Things that you half suspected before, or denied and are forced to confront.

I learned I can go it alone, depend on myself and even force myself to have a good time all by myself.

But I don´t want to do it again.

Maybe I had a withering image of myself--the lone traveler--seeing the sights of the world like a rough and weathered hitchhiker. Work for awhile, take a month and go visit a continent by yourself. Fuck that. Traveling by yourself sucks.

When I saw the sunset over the ocean in Zadar, listening to the whale-like music of the sea organ, it was serene, slow motion and perfect. But you need someone--I needed someone, to look over and say something like,''Well holy shit, wasn´t that cool?'' A friend, a brother, a girlfriend..all would have worked. Instead I was taken out of my wonder by slurping sounds-- damn those croatian couples.

I learned that after a month of traveling, with a different city every two or three days, I´m done. No more for me. I don´t care if its all expenses paid. New cities and crazy hostels where all the people snore and have bad smelling feet get on your nerves. Next time I travel, I pick a city and stay there for the week.

I learned you can make friends almost instantly when you buy a cold six pack of beer, offer one to a fellow traveler and ask where (s)he´s been and where's (s)he's going. Keep doing that all night long and soon you have 6-10 crazy people looking to go party like they were all best friends for a lifetime. That was the most enjoyable part of the trip.

I met people from different countries and strange backgrounds who would give the shirt off there back and rent you a boat, even though it was illegal (for both of you). Then I met some americans who were so self-centered, they wouldn´t speak five words to you.

I learned, of the travelers I met, Austrailians were always the most outgoing, and the Chinese would rarely would be socialable. I learned that Indians and Turks are in every country running Internet/call shops and Gyro/Kebab stands. And they are usually friendlier and more honest than the locals. I once left 20 dollars in change at the Indian run Kebab stand--I was so hungry I took the gyro and left without my change back. I went back an hour later realizing what I had done. I figured the chance was small he would admit what I did. But, as soon as he saw me, smiled and gave me my correct change. I tried to give a dollar tip and he wouldnt take it.

I learned I missed my family and friends a great deal, and surprisingly enough, my job doing research. Traveling is great, but it lacked a substantial purpose for me. Traveling around just for the sake of 'seeing it all' was fun, but somewhat baseless. I found more interest in the locals and the people traveling, than most of the tourist attractions.

That wraps up my trip around eastern europe, and the few stops I did in Italy and Switzerland. I´m still trying to get an apartment and am currently sleeping on a cot in the lab and using the communal kitchen for meals. Its not comfortable, but its cheap. Tomorrow (Thursday) is my first official day in the lab. I had to sign contracts today that promised I wouldn´t sell secrets nor make explosives in the lab. I had such big goals too.

So come around every couple of days and I will give the latest frustrations and weird quarks that abound here in Marburg, Germany.

My video from Zermatt, Switzerland is here:

http://www.mosteal.com/video/zermatt.wmv

Pictures can be found at the website:

http://photos.yahoo.com/mosteal

Auf wiedersehen!