Brett v. World Round 1

Traveling is undoubtedly the best way to discover oneself. While this may not be a fact, it is certainly applicable to myself. Sorry. I promised I wouldn't get too cerebral on the first blog I've ever created.

Hello Everyone!
Its been exactly one month as of tomorrow since I left home. And I realized today that maybe I haven't done the best job of keeping in touch. Occasional drunk Facebook profile updates or lonely sentimental emails don't even come close to expressing how much I have enjoyed this trip thus far. One month. Beginnig in New York City (which feels like a foreign country to me) to Amsterdam, to Brussels, to Paris, to Berlin, and I leave for Dresden tomorrow (assuming I finish this blog today).

Originally I did not intend to spend so much time and money in Western Europe, but like most things in life, things change. The capriciousness of travel contributes to most of the fun. However, it also contributes to getting lost somewhere in Amsterdam by yourself for 3 hours while tripping mushrooms. Like I said, most of the fun.


I arrived into Amsterdam only to find myself located in the heart of The Las Vegas of Europe. Although with time this analogy proved less and less valid, there was no doubt an overwhelming feeling of PARTY upon arrival. So with that in mind, it didn't take me long to find myelf wandering around drunk with approximately 10 other British tourists in the Red Light District,... "window shopping." I had no idea prostitutes were so dam hot. Luckily I experienced this at the beginning of my trip; lonliness hadn't really set in. Anyway, upon blacking out I luckily woke up next to a "married" British chic. It was free, don't worry.

Lets see.... oh yeah drugs. People apparently come to Amsterdam to do drugs. Skipping ahead a little, 25 euros worth of mushrooms later and I'm roaming seemingly aimlessly around the streets of Amsterdam by myself. After throwing up twice (they were tasty mushrooms) I eventually made it back to the two Dutch girls' house that I was staying at and watched Dutch TV until about 7 in the morning. Not the craziest trip ever, but there is something exhilirating about throwing up in the streets of Amsterdam from purposefully poisoning your body- surrounded by drunk 18 year old British kids who smoked too much "AK-47" and ask slurringly "whoa man... you alright?" I'm pretty classy so its alright.

As for the town (not really a city) of Amsterdam, it was GOD amsterDAM beautiful. Both Judy and Kelly, the Dutch gals I stayed with were amazing. We went to the Anne Frank House Museum. Wow, that is one articulate little 13 year old Jewish girl. After reading some of her diary and seeing where she hid from the Nazis for 2 years, I immediately went back and reread my "Man Journal," (diary sound too gay). It consists of a list of all the beers I've drank so far, what girls from which countries are the hottest, and attempts to account for all the nights I've partied so far. Let's just say there will never be a "Brett Lewan's Diary Museum," in which elementary school kids are subjected to my lack of articulate introspection. Anne Frank, I salute you.

It was very difficult to leave Amsterdam- I had a free place to stay, awesome Dutch girls to hang out with, and a beautiful town. However, Brussels, Belgium proved to be an amazing experience. Amsterdam felt like the Boulder of the USA, all beautiful blonde people riding their bikes everywhere to go drink Heineken, obstensibly not bound to any 'work' (shit even the bums were bilingual... it makes it tough to not give money). Anyway, Belgium was much more cosmopolitan- there were actually black people there!

Outside of drinking Stella Artois, eating waffles, and eating chocalate I really enjoyed Belgium. I found a nifty parking garage that was free to go to the top. Drinking beers on the top of a parking garage with one Mexican guy and one Turkish guy, watching the sunset was incredible. I also checked out the European Parliament and Commission.

Moving on, I get to Paris. It's in France. Considering how much history I studied in college, I have never been so appreciative of the French rolling over and taking it in the ass by Nazi Germany. Because of this almost all of the city was preserved with minimal damages after WWII. Paris is an absolutely beautiful city. Unlike Berlin, you don't have to be drunk to realize this (which is a good thing because a pint of beer at a bar was on average $12 US).
It was difficult to experience the nightlife of Paris because of the extreme prices. Honostly, getting drunk at a bar is COMPLETELY out of the question. I would have spent my entire budget in the 5 days I was there.

However, I had a great time with Elizabeth and her friend Keely and we explored copious museums, sites, and churches, all of which fully revealed the intense history of the country. Napoleon, while maybe an egotistical, imperialistic, maniac, would have been a great dude to get a beer with (as long as he paid).

Paris was beautiful, but I think Harry from Dumb & Dumber puts it best, 'I don't know Loyd, the French are assholes'.... and for the most part they were.

Finally I get to Berlin, my current and favorite city thus far. Berlin feels like the true connector between East and West Europe, and a major marking point in my travels. Electronic, Rock, Metal clubs combined with some of the hippest locals I have seen thus far make for an extraordinary experience. Graffiti. Such a contrast to Paris. The pictures on my camera go from beautiful historic buildings like the Louvre and Notre Dame to graffiti-ridden run down buildings that were bombed during WWI, rebuilt by Hitler for some Nazi glorification project, bombed again in WWII, and half rebuilt during the splitting of Berlin by the wall... and now they serve as some hipster night club. Fucking amazing city. I took an hour walk to the bus station in the rain and decided that this was my favorite city.

Anyway, for those of you still reading, thank you, I realize this is longer than any of us expected (myself included). I will attempt to continue updating, so please check back. Although I have only been traveling for 1 month, I feel like I have learned more about myself than the last 23 years combined. When you subtract your surroundings, home, friends, family, and belongings it really strips you down to the very basics of who you are. As Chuck Palahniuk says, it's only after you've lost everything that you are free to do anything. Although I'm nowhere near as badass as Tyler Durden, I certainly can relate to this quote. I really can't even imagine coming home.

However, I MISS EVERYONE SO FUCKING MUCH! Friends and family are the only difficult aspects of home to get over. With that in mind, please keep in touch and let me know what is going on at home and in your lives. I will really appreciate it. If your feeling even more ambitious, buy a plane ticket to pretty much anywhere in Europe or Asia and I will meet you there. I love everyone and miss you all.



A few personal notes:

Casey, I read your blog, it sounds great. Thanks for motivating me to finally start one.

Chase, Im looking forward to sleeping on your couch for a month and celebrating Chinese New Years with you. I'm having serious BGII withdrawals, I never got to finish my quest.

Tommy, I witnessed the reelection of Chancellor (president) Angela Merkel here in Germany, the whole city was watching a projector of the results at the park and celebrating everywhere, pretty rad politics.

Jake Fartzell, When I was wandering around lost, tripping on shrooms in Amsterdam a thought crossed my mind when I realized I might have to sleep somewhere random.... WWFULJD
What would fucked up lost Jake do? surely he would find somewhere to sleep.

Kat, Don't worry, my pooping has been regular and solid. I hope yours was too on the raft trip.

Cole, all the beer out here tastes the same, I actually miss our Twisted Pine Kegerator.

MVDB, my number is only at 2. Sorry, Ill try harder, the hostels are tough.

Kronisch, ... nice. That tattoo always cheers me up.

Bocker, Go Rockies! keep me posted.

Plummer, I really need someone here to say 'party' to in most situations, when are you meeting me?

Adrienne, I hope the new job is working out well, my Mario undies are still my fav.

Krause, Sorry there is very little TV out here.

Judy & Kelly, Thanks again for the hospitality. Cinnamon roles just aren't the same with anybody else. Happy Birthday

Sam, Your skateboards are in my parents' garage. party on.

Kenzie, I will be seeing you in China sometime in 2010.

Joey K, WINGS!

Hailey, I hope you're holding down the fort in Boulder. I'll be meeting Melissa in Prague next weekend, we shall drink on behalf of you.

Illegal Pete's, There is absolutely no burritos or any Mexican food out here, please send me a burrito. (I actually have been craving IP's... sad)

Rybo, The (Berlin) Wall never forgets. I'm buying a plane ticket for you, send me the dates you want to meet me.

Mom & Dad, It was great smoking weed with you in Amsterdam. I Love You.

And to everyone (Im sure I forgot a lot of people, sorry!) I miss you.

I'm going to go drink about 10 beers at the hostel and then head to the Berlin bars, over out.