A couple thousand experiences folded into one image.

After nine months...

it's back to work.

I started work this week, by teaching two students who arrived from Lengerich (45km away). They both work for a company that builds large scale printers. The company thought the two could benefit from a week of intensive English training and they ended up with me. I had finished a couple months of teacher training, but this week I was finally able to teach. It was a good opportunity to prepare for next month where I will be teaching full time.

January 2nd I will start the contract I was hired for. I will teach with around 15 other teachers, classrooms of around 10 students. These students will arrive from all over Germany to learn what we call 'Customs English.' We will be teaching English to students who are, or will become customs officers throughout the country. We have material that is specialized to them and we will spend 120 hours per month, per group for the next six months (five total groups) teaching it.

Not everyone will know what this means, but, I am fulfilling my Quaal obligation of being a teacher.

R.I.P. Christopher Hitchens, the world will miss you.

Happy Birthday Olga!!

Last night was Olga's birthday and what a great time it was. At one point Jason Reuter (Brad's older brother) took me outside to show me his Mercedes. Then asked me if I wanted to drive it. Of course I did.

We drove through Münster and onto the Autobahn. As we got into some pretty open area I got a chance to floor it, reaching 230km/h (142mph). Awesome!!

One more written off the bucket list.

Six Months

Six months ago today I landed at the Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland. My little adventure had begun. I remember the feeling when I stepped outside of the airport at 6:00am. A light cold rain coming down and I just laughing to myself to what I had got myself into.

Since Iceland I have traveled to and through Germany, France (twice), Belgium, The Netherlands (twice), Switzerland, Czech Republic, Croatia, and Bosnia. If the rest of this trip is anything like the first six month it will be exactly what I had intended it to be.

Finally some pictures from Münster

This past Friday was a beautiful, warm fall day. I spent the day walking throughout Münster and finally taking some good pictures of this fine city.

Quick update

Like before I have not been keeping up with the blog. Since getting my work visa, moving into my apartment and training for work there is not as much to talk about, but here is a couple stories from the last couple weeks.

Three weeks ago, Brad asked if I was interested in taking a long bike ride to Enschede. Enschede is a town just over the German boarder in The Netherlands. On the map it is about 60 kilometers, but on a bike it ended up being closer to 90 (55 miles). Since my bike (The Amsterdam) was made in Holland, we said "we're taking the Amsterdam back home."


We started at 5:00pm and arrived around 11:00pm with no real agenda, no intention of getting a hotel, just arriving and hanging out. We shot some pool, met some cool people and checked out the town. Around 6:00am we found a park and slept under a tree before heading back home.



Last weekend we took another bike ride, this time to a friends house in Hager which is a pretty short ride from my place in Gievenbeck. We played fussball at his house until 3:00am and on the way back home decided to have a roadside jam session.


This past Sunday, I was drinking some coffee outside on my patio when a neighbor walked up. He said something in German that I didn't understand and I told him I speak very little German. He says "oh, no problem I am an Ice Hockey coach and have to speak English for training." I told him I was a hockey player and coach and he invited me to join him yesterday to coach some young kids and play in a late night drop-in game. A completely random conversation was all it took to get me back on skates, the first time in seven months. I was a little rusty and using unfamiliar equipment, but it was great. The kids had a blast and it was really fun to play with Germans, Dutch, British and Bulgarians. It looks like I will be able to coach a little and definitely play at least once a week.

My new home

On Friday I signed a lease for a apartment in Gievenbeck. When work begins, it will be a two minute walk to work.

Croatia

When planning this trip, Croatia was on the top of the list. And I knew going in that it would be a difficult task. Being so mountainous, there is no real train system at all. So that means travel between driving, flying or busing.

Because of my Visa situation, I booked a flight in preparation of staying for several weeks. And being that my Visa got worked out before I left, I was able to go as a vacation rather than a short-term home. I decided I would book a hostel in Split, and find a way there when I arrived in Zadar.

The trip would start at 1:00am, taking a train from Münster to Duisburg and waiting until 3:20 for a bus. The bus would take me to a very small airport outside of Düsseldorf for a 7:00 flight to Zadar. Once in Zadar, I would take a taxi to the main bus station, buy a ticket for a bus to Split and four hours later, I would arrive. I was not sure where my hostel was, so I took a long walk and finally arrived around 4:00 or 5:00pm.

I spent two days in Split, walking around and enjoying the consistent daily temperature of 90 degrees, and 70 at night. On my third day, I woke up and stopped at a cafe for a cup of coffee. The coffee came with a glass of water, I finished them both and hopped on a bus to Dubrovnik. Twenty minutes into the trip I begin to feel sick. The water. I would spend the next five hours trapped on a bus as sick as I have ever been. Later in the trip I would learn of two others that had become sick from the water in Split.

When I arrive in Dubrovnik, my goal is just to get to my hostel and sleep. I took a taxi 12 kilometers out to the village of Zaton. It's a small village that is pretty popular among Italians and Croatians, but otherwise pretty unknown. The following day I would ride into old town Dubrovnik and walk the fortress wall and throughout the old town square. The rest of my time would be spent taking long walks down the coast and hiking in the area. I had booked the hostel for three nights, but decided last minute to stay for a fourth. Having made that decision, I would have to find a way to Zadar in one day. It's eight and half hours by bus, and while talking about it, my roommate in Zaton showed some interest when I brought up the idea of renting a car. I looked into it the next morning and booked the smallest car they had. Thursday morning we ride into Dubrovnik and pick up our car. It was supposed to be a small car, but instead they gave us a nice four door 308 Peugeot.


At 8:00am we leave for Zadar. It would take us all along the Dalmatian coast, through Bosnia and back into Croatia, through Split and ultimately Zadar. While cruising north, there would be mountains to our right and island after island to our left. Absolutely the most beautiful drive I have ever taken. And much more enjoyable this time, because I was't sick. The trip finishes with just one night in Zadar, but it was enough.

The reward was well worth the effort because Croatia is now my new favorite European country. Although I have seen enough male beach thongs for a lifetime.

My pictures of Split can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157627358673789/

My pictures of Dubrovnik can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157627359151441/

My pictures of Zaton can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157627484161232/

Bosnia

Mario

I met Mario while walking down the coast, stopped him and commented on his fine choice of jersey. I told him I'm from Minnesota, and we talked for twenty minutes or so. He was walking around town posting flyers about an American football league that he plays in. At one point he says, "I remember in 1998 when Brett Favre threw a touchdown to Randy Moss. He jumped through two guys and caught it with one hand." I didn't correct him.

A Croatian Vikings fan. How great is that?

Split, Croatia

Completely unexpected...

This morning Olga and I went through the steps of 'preparing' my Visa application. I was told that after making a few arrangements and sitting down with local Visa representative, I would be sending off my application for review. We sit down, Olga translates for me, and he tells us he would call us back in the room shortly. A half hour or more passes and I begin to wonder what could possibly be taking so long. All he needed to do was enter a few pieces of information into the computer, how long could that take? He would leave the room and come back, finally calling us back in. He tells me I need to pay 60 euros and he asks for my Passport. He finds a couple open pages and sticks the adhesive Visa into place.

I almost couldn't believe it. This changes everything. I was wondering what exactly I was going to do in Croatia for 6 to 8 weeks and now I will just go for a week to 10 days and scope out a country that has long intrigued me. This also opens the door to further travel through Europe. I still have not made my way to Scandinavia, and now it should happen sometime this fall.

...completely unexpected

Crushed it!!

I arrived at Inlingua a little nervous but prepared for anything. I meet with Patrick and tell him of my travels so far and my interest in teaching at Inlingua. Of course he knows what I am going to ask but in the beginning I skirt the issue. Telling him about my morning walks through town, around the Promenade, playing guitar in the park and my general interest in Münster as a whole. Before I tell him I only have 8 days left on my Visa, I tell him that I have enrolled in a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) course and show him my resume. At this point we had been talking for twenty minutes or so and he is sold. I got the job.

The problem however, is that getting a work Visa can take up to 8 weeks. The rules were changed in May of this year and instead of getting a work visa in a couple days, it now takes 6 to 8 weeks. So we fill out the necessary paper work and send it off. With that, I need to leave Germany and return as soon as the paper work is complete. I have booked a flight to Zadar, Croatia on Monday the 8th and will spend two nights in a hostel there before heading to Split and ultimately Dubrovnik. I am not sure how I will do it yet, but I plan on spending at least the next 6 weeks in Croatia or somewhere nearby. I would have liked to stay, but you will not hear me complaining about spending 6 weeks on the Adriatic Sea.

Tomorrow is a big day...

Tomorrow I have an appointment with Inlingua here in Münster . As of now, I have 9 days left on my Visa and either I get a job (work Visa) or I need to leave (this part of) Europe for three months. Inlingua is an international English learning service and I would like to pursue a job with them. I really hope everything here pans out, but there is a very real possibility that come tomorrow, I will be have to travel to another non Schengen Treaty country. The Schengen treaty allows (in my case) American visitors to travel easily through 25 countries in Europe. However, after those 90 days, a next destination must be found. I have been searching for work for over a month, but in reality I have been dragging my feet a little bit and now need to prepare for another move. If this meeting does not go as planned, I need to book a ticket out of the Schengen Treaty countries jurisdiction. Most likely Croatia would be the choice, but I sure hope it pans out.

I have returned to Germany after 5 rainy days shared with mostly Canadians and Australians. Of the places I have visited on this trip, Prague is the funnest city to walk, next to Paris. The highlight of the week was definitely the hostel.

I have posted pictures here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157627137446279/

Hostel ELF

St. Charles Bridge (Prague)

Prague

Olga and Brad in Osnabrück

Münster

Amsterdam

Brad and Christoph (Amsterdam)

Brad is not impressed with the accommodations (Amsterdam)

Christoph and I heading back from Amsterdam

I have not been the best about keeping up with the blog lately, so I will post a few pictures from various parts of the trip so far. Even though I have spent a lot of time in Münster , I do not have very many pictures from here. That will change, but in the meantime I will post a few.

Tomorrow I hope to catch a train and head off to Northeim with my bike. Once there I plan on riding about 12 miles to Katlenburg-Lindau. Lindau is the town I lived while visiting Germany in 1996 with the Nastroms. Assuming the weather cooperates of course.

Monday I will leave for the Czech Republic. For years I have wanted to visit Prague and finally I will get my chance. I have booked my hostel and will stay from Monday to Friday.

Münster

Chateau Domaine De Valmont

After spending over two weeks in Münster and a failed attempt to get to Estonia, I was on my way to France again. This time for a wedding. I had been invited to join my friend Todd, for Nick and Claire's wedding. Todd and I coached a hockey team in Fort Collins this past winter and along the way I was given an invitation to join them in France.

Monday (June 14) I caught a train to Paris, spent two days there, before heading to Bordeaux. A group of six of us took an hour taxi ride to Barsac, a small town in the heart of Bordeaux wine country. The wedding and reception would be held in Barsac, for a truly unique experience. The wedding started at 4:00pm and the reception ceremony would continue until 2:00 or 3:00am at least, with dancing until 5:00 or 5:30am. It is not a rushed process by any means. Plenty of champagne, wine and hors d'oeuvres of course, but the several course meal would be spread over three hours. The tradition of a French wedding is much different than that of an American wedding.

The next day it was off to Cap Ferret, an Atlantic coast vacation spot. We spent our two days on the beach playing soccer, cricket, swimming and just laying out. The first day was a little chilly, but the second day was pretty hot. Jumping in the ocean every hour or so was a nice refresher.

I got a chance to meet great people and share in an unbelievable experience I will never forget. The best wine, the best champagne and the best coffee. The french get it good, and I got a chance to get mine.

I have some pictures posted here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157626896599887/


Thanks to Todd and the best of luck to Nick and Claire.

I might not know much about art, but that was pretty special!!

I bought the ticket in my mom's basement about two months ago, and after a little hassle with shipping, the ticket arrived at Brad's apartment in Germany. I booked a cheap hostel in Paris and took the 6 hour train ride.

I would arrive in Paris and have two or three hours before I could check in. The walk from train station to hostel took about an hour and half, and would I end up waiting around until 5:30 before getting checked in. I quickly showered and took the subway to Bercy.

The venue is not huge, around 17,000 capacity, but the place is packed out. I found myself about twenty rows back and just right of center. As the show begins the band is playing between an opening in the wall, and as the show goes on the wall is slowly being built until at intermission the wall consumes the stage.

All the while the wall acts as a projector screen for the imagery of "The Wall." Very intense artwork that Roger and Pink Floyd had developed around the time of writing the album and later the movie. Some of my pictures can be seen here:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157626874661146/


I may not know art, but that was pretty special.

Thank You Roger.

Over the top of Lake Thun. Huge thermals (warm updrafts) would send us straight up in the air. The conditions would have allowed for us to stay for hours. Absolutely surreal!!

Looking towards Lake Brienz.

Before lift off.

A light jog for about ten steps and airborne. That is about all the instruction there was.

Paragliding over Interlaken

Interlaken

Interlaken by train, from Münster, is about 8 hours. I boarded and headed on my way. A change in Dortmund and a change in Mannheim. I left around noon and pulled into the Interlaken West train station around 8:00pm and took a short walk. Then off to the hostel.

The Lazy Falken Backpackers Hotel is a pretty decent place with an amazing view from the terrace. I got checked in and walked into the lounge/bar area. Met a couple people and later a few of us found our way to the "High Life". A rocker bar.

On tuesday I met up with Eric, from Sweden. One from the group that went out on the town the night before. We had talked about bungee jumping, but I later convinced him to go Paragliding instead.

My pictures from Interlaken can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157627658940695/

Münster

I arrived in Münster on May 14th after meeting up with Brad. Brad is a friend from high school who has been living there for several years. We had spoken a couple times in the previous months and he convinced me to join him. I will probably stay in Münster off an on over the next month or two. So after two days in Koblenz, it is off to Münster, a three hour train ride.

Münster is a slower paced city of around 270,000 people. It's almost directly east of Amsterdam (three hours by train). And like Amsterdam, it is a huge biking city. Brad and I 'acquired' a cruiser bike, and I have been rolling around on that.

The first couple days I got a little situated and familiar with the town. A couple days in, I found a music shop and bought a guitar. A Fender acoustic with a travel bag. Since then, assuming it's not raining, I normal get on the cruiser and go to the park and play.

The apartment that Brad rents is pretty small and his girlfriend Olga is living there right now as well. So, with the three of us sharing a small apartment, I think it's important for me to leave from time to time. Sunday (May 22) I decided that I would travel to Interlaken, Switzerland.

Koblenz

This picture was taken from the fortress at the "German Corner." This is where the Mosel and Rhine rivers meet.

The freshest air in the world.

Well it was only two days, but it was a great time. I arrived in Reykjavik Wednesday morning at 8:00 am and my room was ready and waiting. I dropped off my bags and went for a walk. I followed the coast and made my way into downtown Reykjavik. A very clean and cosmopolitan city that feels a lot like Portland. I was getting hungry so I found a little bar on a side street downtown and sat down. The server took my order, a bread bowl and an Icelandic beer named Gull. The food was great and the server was really concerned with how I liked the meal. I kept seeing him look out the window at me to see if I was enjoying it.

I continued walking until I met a couple of Polish girls. They asked if I wanted to jump rope with them and some friends. I followed them a couple blocks and about ten or fifteen others and I jumped rope together for a short while. Kind of weird but why not?

I ended up walking all day. I threw away my map and got lost on purpose. I saw parts of that small city that a typical tourist would not. Everything was so well kept. It was 70 degrees and sunny all day and the city was buzzing.

The following day I woke to the sun coming through my window and I figured it was probably 9:00 am. I looked at the clock and it was only 6:00 am. Being that Iceland is so far north, the sun in early May is out for over 18 hours a day. I felt like doing something out of Reykjavik so I booked a ticket to the Golden Circle. The tour would consist of Gullfoss (a glacier melt waterfall that is the largest in Europe), the geysirs and Þingvellir National Park. It was great and pictures can be seen at this flickr location:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffkittleson/sets/72157626603640727/

I returned from the golden circle trip and had dinner with two girls from Montreal. I had met them that morning when I was waiting for the golden circle tour van. We shared a bottle of wine and I had a raw and cooked salmon meal at that apartment kitchen and it was great.

Next stop Frankfurt.

Gullfoss. The largest waterfall in Europe. I took a day trip called the Golden circle which is Gullfoss, the geysir and the Þingvellir National Park.

Now it's official!!

I bought my plane ticket and it “IS A GO!!” With over a year in planning my dream has come true. All this time I had been considering my options and deciding where to start my trip. After a week of searching flights and watching oil prices on the rise recently, I knew it was my time. I have chosen a start in Reykjavik, Iceland. With one-way flights approaching $800 I choose Iceland for $545 and a three day layover before heading to Frankfurt, Germany. After booking my ticket, I found an apartment for two nights at a cost of $38 a night. I have yet to decide what to do with those two full days, but being a 15 minute walk to the city square I think the nights have been decided.