Merry Christmas !: NATE, 2008

This year has been pretty good for the middle child.
That would be me, Nate. I had the privilege of going to Europe this past June. I also went out west with the family to Yellowstone, and I started school at Winona State in the fall, to name only a few of the major highlights of the year.

In June, I realized my travel dream. I finally got to travel to Europe. And this wasn’t your grandmother’s trip to Europe either. I discovered a tour company online, through a friend, that caters specifically to college students. Meaning it was cheap. We were able to see a ton of places, multiple countries, had a full-time tour director, and our tour mates were a bunch of other college students my age.

On my trip, I traveled to London, England, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Brussels, Belgium, Paris, France, Florence, Assisi, Rome, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii Italy, Delphi and Athens, Greece. The trip was just short of three weeks and it was absolutely amazing. Our trip included everything from airfare to hotels, plus entry into all the major museums and attractions. It also included breakfast every morning! There was a nice balance of free time and scheduled tours. I met many new friends, and still keep in contact with them. Recently I had the chance to meet up with some of the group to talk and hang out.

My favorite places were London, Paris and Vatican City/Rome. In London we went up in the London Eye, the huge ferris wheel in the center of the city. We also saw Abbey Road, and walked the crosswalk portrayed on the Beatles Album, Abbey Road. In Paris we got to see a show at the Moulin Rouge, which was probably just about the most amazing show I’ve ever seen. It was spectacular to say the least. We also visited the Paris Catacombs and saw the millions of bones put there during the Bubonic Plague when the cemeteries in the city ran out of room for the bodies of the deceased. In Rome, we saw everything that you would think of when you think of Rome, from the Colosseum to Trevi Fountain. We also got to see the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica --my all time favorite place we visited in Europe.

All in all it was a life-changing trip and I am already looking into other trips provided by the same tour company, and have even gotten a job with them (EF College Breaks) marketing and selling their trips on my campus (Winona State). If you’re curious, the site is efcollegebreak.com.

In July, another trip for me! Yellowstone National Park is another place that I’ve dreamed of visiting. Granted, it was a side trip after my cousin’s wedding -- which was also enjoyable since I got to see my dad’s side of the family who I hadn’t seen in a while.

To put it simply, Yellowstone stunk, literally. I have yet to smell something as bad as some of the places in that park smelled (think sulpher). Thankfully, it didn't smell bad everywhere. Inspite of the putrid smells, it was still a lot of fun, especially seeing it with my family.

(Although beautiful, these caldera's smell strongly of sulpher)

(Visiting Danae at her apartment on campus has many benefits)

In August I started my third year of college --- this time at Winona State University. My first first year away from home. I think it’s awesome. I can’t believe I didn’t leave home right away, it’s been so much fun. I’ve met a ton of new people and made friends with most of them. I am also regularly attending (and enjoying) Winona’s Inter-Varsity chapter. . I managed to snag two classes with Danae, by total accident.. We didn’t realize we were in the same class until just before classes started! Having a class with my little sister was a lot more fun and enjoyable than I expected, and was slightly disappointed when we weren’t able to have a class together for the spring.

So that’s about my year in a nutshell. Hope you enjoyed reading! For your viewing pleasure....following are a few other photos from my year.

Merry Christmas!