Last Blog of the Trip!

This is it folks.  It's been one heck of a trip.  I recommend traveling abroad to anyone just to open up your eyes/mind.  It's a big world, might as well check it out! :)

Day 56 Marseilles, France > Lyon, France > Nancy, France

Today my plan was to hitchhike from Marseilles, France to wherever north.  I was leaning towards either Paris, Germany, or try to get to Amsterdam.  I received a ride after only waiting about 5 minutes just outside of Marseilles, France from a French dude and his two kids.  He was a nice guy who took me to Lyon which was about 4 hours straight north.  It was funny listening to his 2 kids basically saying "Are we there yet?" in French over and over again.  Reminds me how much "fun" kids can be on a long road trip.

He dropped me off at a truck stop right outside Lyon where he had to go see his family.  I waited at the stop for about an hour then a Dutch trucker stopped for me.  Here is how the conversation went.

Me: "Where you heading to?"
Trucker: "Luxembourg"
Me: "Alright cool."

In Europe there is a 10 hour drive time limit in a day for a trucker.  It might be the same in the States, I'm not sure.  So we drove 2 hours then stopped outside of Nancy, France.  His final destination was actually about an hour outside Amsterdam.  So I figured what the heck I'll just ride it out.  I slept in the bunk bed of his truck that night.

 

 

Day 57 Nancy, France > Luxembourg > Germany > Leiden, Netherlands

 

We woke up at 4 AM and hit the road for Holland.  This truck driver has lived a pretty amazing life. He has travel all over the world, but he enjoys South East Asia the most.  He is fluent in English, Dutch, and Indonesian.  Also he paid for my meals and give me free beers!

 

 

12 hours later we reached the Netherlands after passing through the rest of France, Luxembourg, and Germany.  There were great Fall views along the way.

 

 

 

The truck driver dropped me off at a truck stop an hour away from Amsterdam.  About 3 hours later of waiting I received a ride from a nice lady who dropped me off at a nearby train station.  I met a dude (I'll call him Jay) two months ago at a Hostel in Istanbul who I reconnected with and said I could stay at his place in Leiden if I wanted to.  So I took the train and made it to his place that night. 

 

Jay is one of the most interesting people I have ever met.  He only travels by hitchhiking, and has done some 40 + trips around the Eastern hemisphere.  He has a plan of hitchhiking to South America by working on a cargo ship and in return gets a free trip.  I stayed a night at his place then headed 20 minutes away in Amsterdam the next day.  Thanks for the hospitality dude! 

 

All in all in the matter of 3 days I hitchhiked from Barcelona to Amsterdam.  Which was about 2000 Km (1200 miles). 

 

Day 58 Leiden, Netherlands > Amsterdam, Netherlands

 

Amsterdam is the craziest city I have ever been in.  Stop aside Vegas, New York City, Miami, Barcelona, Istanbul etc.  I have never seen a city with a more free and open society.  Which can be good and bad. :) The "Red Light District" is insane.  I wouldn't suggest bringing your kids here. :)  One night in this area was enough for me.  It's too crazy!

 

 

 

 

There is more to Amsterdam than all the partying and craziness.  It has more bicycles on the streets than cars.  It also has several canals similar to the look of Venice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have two days left then fly home!  Peace out Europe, thanks to all the great people and new friends I have met! 

 

What am I going to do next?  I still want to pursue a Rescue Swimmer job.  Since I wasn't able to get an opportunity with the Air Force (still had a great experience though), Coast Guard is what I'm thinking for the next option.  This trip has just motivated me even more to go for it.  If I don't get the opportunity then maybe firefighter.  Or I just start the next journey... "Crushing Asia"!  Thanks for joining on the ride. Travel!!!

 

 

 

 

   



Crazy Week

Day 49 Thessaloniki, Greece> Macedonia > Thessaloniki

Tanner and I were set to leave Greece and hitchhike our way to another country.  Where ever it may be.  We still have a box of 350 ties, which is not an easy thing to carry. 

 



 

We decided to try to get to Macedonia, since it was the nearest country with the border being only an hour away.  After waiting about 4 hours we finally get a ride from a guy who was heading straight north.  As we are going over the Greek-Macedonia border, our car is randomly searched by the Macedonia border patrol.  Apparently you can't just bring 350 ties across a border :).  There was a tax would have had to pay, probably 300 Euros or so.  Our other option, head back to Greece.  We ended up taking a taxi and going back to our couchsurfers place in Greece.  Time for a team meeting.

 

Days 50-52 Thessaloniki, Greece

Tanner and I discussed options for selling ties.  After a lot of thought, I was over the idea of selling them on the streets or to businesses.  We still plan to sell them over the internet in the US soon so stayed tuned!  Since I am running out of money, I basically figured I have 2 weeks to a month left of funds.  So I looked up a cheap flight to anywhere and found one to Barcelona.  As I head out on my travels alone, I had to thank Tanner for motivating me to do this trip.  He is just going to keep on going around the world. I have had a lot of firsts on our time traveling together.

First time I have:

-Traveled abroad...
-hitchhiked
-been stuck in between 2 country borders ( this has happened twice now!)
-backpacked
-stayed at a hostel
-hand washed my clothes and hung them out to dry
-couchsurfed
-been sick from drinking dirty public water
-climbed a big statue
-sent a postcard
-been the "smelly guy" on a public bus (maybe I was before but one day it was awful!)
-ate octopus
-been in bathrooms that have no toilets, you just squat with a hole underneath you.
-tried selling ties in the streets
-thrown a football on top of a helicopter pad while on a ferry boat in the middle of the ocean

Cheers to more adventures!

Days 53 and 54 Thessaloniki, Greece > Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is like the Miami of Europe.

 

 

 

 

Day 55 Barcelona, Spain > Marseilles, France

 

I was staying at hostel while in Barcelona and I met 8 Croations who have been traveling around Europe in a van they rented.  They had to head back to Croatia so I asked if I could hop in with them.  They gave me a ride from Barcelona to this coastal city called Marseilles in France.  This place is probably the most amazing city I have ever seen.  Castles, water, mountains, churches, everything!!!  I guess my plan is get up tomorrow and try to hitchhike to Paris.  Either way I am wanting to head north to Amsterdam so I may just go through Switzerland and Germany instead.  I guess it all just depends on who ever picks me up and where they are going!  Prost! :)

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 

We have the ties!

 

 

Day 44 Thessaloniki, Greece

 

We made it back to Greece.  As we stopped in at our Couchsurfers house, we found out our 350 tie shipment would not be available until Monday.  With our backs against the wall, as we have been saying for a month now, Tanner and I planned out how we would go to businesses and try to make some sales as well as do some research.

 

Day 45 and 46 Thessaloniki, Greece 

 

We hit the streets and talked to businesses about our ties.  Which is pretty crazy considering if we made a sale we don't have any paperwork, contract, or anything in writing to actually sell these ties in bulk.  I guess we were just going to wing it.  This trip has been all about taking risks, so why not give it a shot.  We had no luck!  I guess skinny ties are in these days in Greece.  Super lame!

 

Day 47 Thessaloniki, Greece

 

Finally we have our ties!!!

 

 

 

 

Tanner and I get to fulfill our dream of selling ties on the streets in Europe.  We went to four different spots around Thessaloniki and we couldn't have had a worst first day.  No one came over and looked at the ties, I talked to two old men about politics,  a bird crapped on my shirt, and we made zero sales.

 

 

Day 48 Thessaloniki, Greece

 

After a team meeting, we decided maybe this city isn't our best option for sales.  The next plan is to head to Macedonia and Albania.  So hopefully we will have better luck.  Also, it's time to start hitting up some more countries!

Climbing to the Top

A lot of ups and downs this week.  We just arrived back in Greece today....yeah I didn't think we would come back here either.  Crazy how things work our.  Lets recap...

Day 36-38 Naples, Italy

Listen up Donald Trump, I have come up with a reality show that is across between "The Apprentice and "Rat Race."

5 two-person teams have one month to make the most money overall selling a product, lets say silk ties, on the streets.  Here are the rules:

-Each team is dropped off in a foreign country where most people don't speak your language.
-They will have to find an apartment/place to live for the month.  Each team is only given 600 Euros (roughly $750) total for the apartment (super low budget).  The apartment has to be a month-to-month or pay as you go contract.  No long term commitments.
-All the ties are in the same factory and ready to be shipped but the only way a team can ship them is if they have a location or address to ship them to.  Once you have the address, call your shipping guy.
-Since it may take a few days for the ties to come,  the team should research out rules and regulations of selling on the streets.  Also figure out how much you are going to sell them for, where the best location is, and talk to businesses to figure out more information.
-Once a team has the location and makes the shipment (which the tv show will pay for) then they have to sell the ties on the streets.
-At the end of the month whichever team has the most money wins!

This game idea is basically our life right now and has been a crazy few days!  Who knew running a black market business in a foreign country could be so difficult???? :)

Day 39 Naples, Italy

Today I basically hit a low on this trip and seriously considered cutting our losses and heading home.  Tanner then went out, got some Grappa (Google it), and brought it back to the hotel room.  We had a couple drinks, he gave a motivational speech that was a mix between Matt Foley and John Blutarsky, we talked business strategy, and just like that my mind was changed.  Because we still don't have ties (and I like to rage) I am low on finances.  Tanner said he would help me out then I will pay him back once we finally start selling. Perfect!

Day 40 Naples, Italy

We stayed at an awesome hostel and met another group of great people from around the world.

 

 

 

That statue in the background of this picture is the setting for a video of me climbing a statue.  If you want to "Crush Europe", you have to climb a public statue!  I had a lot of people doubting I would actually climb it, so it felt really good to prove them wrong! :) FYI : Mom I was not arrested. Tanner started a dance revolution. And we almost convinced the crowd to skinny dip in the port. Basically, another stellar night.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-tGj-47-hU&feature=youtu.be

 

 

 

 

Day 41 Naples, Italy

 

Highlights of this day:

 

-Tanner comes up with the Idea that will head to Greece and go get our ties that have been stuck in customs.  So we booked our flight!

 

-We're just walking down the street in Naples, Italy then all of the sudden we see a mass group of teenagers outside of a hotel. Turns out Justin Beiber is in town.

 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10102518711009889&l=7875878105528376195

 

 

 

Day 42 and 43 Naples, Italy> Rome,Italy> Thessaloniki, Greece

 

Spent these two days traveling by train and plane making our way over to Greece.  We said good bye to our friend Chuck, who after 10 days with us is heading back to Iowa.  Chuck is ready to go home but I can tell he had an incredible time.  It's been inspiring to see someone handicapped travel half way around the world and experience so many different things that a lot of people are too scared to do!  Thanks for coming Chuck and safe travels!

 

In the mean time we are back staying with our Couchsurfer in Thessaloniki, Greece hoping we can pick up our ties.  It is time to start selling!  We also plan to head north to start knocking out a bunch of countries ( Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Romania, etc.). Peace out Italy!

Italy!

 

 

We just got to Naples, Italy about an hour ago.  I haven't been able to write this blog because we have been on limited Wi-Fi.  Here's a look back of the past week...

 

Days 28 and 29 Rome, Italy

 

Of course we had to check out the Vatican and the Colosseum.  Tanner's Aunt was with us in Rome for these 2 days then she headed back to the states.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days 30-34 Rome, Italy

 

 

Tanner and I had a couple days to relax before his friend, Chuck, would fly into Rome.  So we found incredible deal at a camping hostel just outside of Rome.  This place is called "Plus Roma" and it was only 10 Euros (roughly $13) a night.  Amenities included a pool, bar, and travelers from all over the world.

 

 

 

We met people, who are now great friends, from the U.K., Australia, Poland, Switzerland, Holland, Hungary, Germany, and many more countries.  It was like one big international party for like 5 days.  This has been my favorite place we have been to in so far. :)

 

 



 

 

Tanner's friend Chuck showed up on day 32.  Chuck is a pretty inspiring story.  15 years ago he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.  He had to have life threatening brain surgery.  Today he is still able to do a lot of things but is handicapped.  It is amazing that most people are too afraid to travel to other countries, yet he is handicapped, and willing to explore a foreign country!  It sounds like he will be with us for another two weeks to a month.

 

Day 35 Rome > Naples, Italy

 

Tanner, Chuck, and I enjoyed our staying at the camping hostel for 4 days but decided it's time to finally get to work.  We took a train from Rome to Naples where we are now apartment hunting.  The plan is to get an apartment for a month or so and sell ties in the streets black market style.  Video will be coming up soon in the next blog or too.  In the meantime, we have to find a place and get the ties shipped here.

 

Ciao!

 

 

 

 



 

 

Greece to Italy

 

 

 

Ciao! That's hello in Italian and I say it to everyone now whether they want to talk to me or not.  Let's hit up some quick updates first. 

 

-Europe rules!

 

-We still don't have our shipment of ties.

 

-We are creating Youtube videos now. I'm posting them on my Facebook wall and the "Crushing Europe" Facebook page.

 

-Thanks to anyone that has sent me donations.  It is much appreciated.  Especially my buddy "Tree Trunk" who sent me the last $8 on his Paypal account.  Which basically means I'm drinking the finest beer on tap in Rome tonight!  When in Rome, right Mat???!!! Rage!!!!

 

-I'm averaging about 5 USA chants per day at various locations since I've gotten to Europe. If you are wearing the American flag/USA on this continent, I will find you!

 



 

Day 21- Day 23 Thessaloniki, Greece

We kept hanging out in this town hoping our shipment of ties would come.  Unfortunately the ties are still processing somewhere in Greece.  We still don't have the ties :(!  So not a lot happened these days except planning for our Ferry to Italy!  But first we had to head down to Athens to meet Tanner's aunt and hang out for a night. 

Day 24 Thessaloniki> Athens Greece

We hitchhiked down to Athens today.  It was Tanner, our couchsurfing friend, and myself.  Lets get some video going!  Here's our list of 10 Hitchhiking Essentials for Europe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpH0dGSBrx8

We then made it to Athens and met Tanner's Aunt late that night.

Day 25 Athens, Greece

Today we did the tourist scene and hit up a museum and the Parthenon.  Then at night we went all around the city and sat at the steps of the Congress building of Greece.  This is where I had a dance-off! 

 

(Parthenon)

 

 

 

Dance-off video...

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDO93EZPvNU

 

 

Day 26 and Day 27 Athens, Greece> Patras, Greece> Bari, Italy > Naples, Italy

 

We woke up the next day in Athens and took a 2 hour bus ride to a port town called Patras.  Tanner's Aunt, Tanner, and myself are taking a ferry to Greece!!!

 

Here's video....

 

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10102480286727459&l=75923241020983179 

 

Day 28 Naples, Italy> Rome, Italy

 

Today I had spaghetti for breakfast, pizza for lunch, then went to a volcano. Italy! Italy! Italy! Tanner and I like Naples and may consider getting an apartment here next week for like a month or 2 and sell ties on the streets.  Tanner's Aunt has been great to us!  Helping us pay for lodging, transportation, food, etc and I think is enjoying the trip :)  She leaves in 2 days and then Tanner's friend meets us in Rome on Tuesday.  We just got to Rome via train tonight.  I love this country already!!!

 

 



Not exactly "Crushing Europe"

Days 16-20 Thessaloniki, Greece

Things aren't really going as well as planned.  Things are looking pretty grim!  It has been an awesome journey so far but I'm going hard hit on some negative points (and a few positives).  This isn't for sympathy but for your entertainment.  Enjoy!

Negatives  

1. Tanner is sick.  His diagnosis: an ulcer and he has been burning up for a week.  My diagnosis:  I think he has at least 2 or 3 holes in his stomach from sleeping on one too many filthy floors in India.

This morning he basically was lying in death bed.  As our host and I told him we are heading to the market, he gave me these last words: "Get some peaches, the fuzzy ones."

2.  I've been sick since I got to Europe.  Mostly it's been an annoying cold and fortunately has gotten better but it's still frustrating.

3.  Our ties are still stuck in the mail!  We have a black market tie business that we played to sell in the streets and is key to the fundraising of  this trip.  A week ago we sent for 350 ties to come to our location in Greece in 3-5 business days but we still have not received them.  We need them here before we had to Athens on Saturday. 

There is not much other options to get money in Greece as the unemployment of this country is like 60%.  Our best ideas are washing windows on cars at stoplights or donating plasma.  We need those ties! 

4.  Energy levels: low.  We have been sleeping in until noon the past 5 days and are pretty worthless.

Motivation levels: surprisingly high for me after watching the first 3 episodes of "Game of Thrones" but overall they are low.

Moral: low.

Optimism: Always High



5. Football. Iowa lost, the Vikings lost, Adrian Peterson is out, and my fantasy team is looking rough.  What happened??!! It's week 2!!! I'm not supposed to be giving up on the season until like November.  This is ridiculous!



Positives

1. We are hitchhiking down to Athens on Saturday.We bought a ferry ticket from Greece to Italy for next Monday, so we are going to Italy!

2. Our host has been awesome!  She introduced me to "Game of Thrones", has been a great cook (we have also cooked) a great tour guide, and has gotten plenty of enjoyment/laughs out of our current negative situation :).

3. Played a great board game called Ubongo.  It's a little bit like Tetris.

** Final note:  I think most people in our situation would cut there losses and book their flight back to the US (USA! USA! USA!).  Not us, we'll catch our break. Just need to keep our eyes open!