Europe: Sterile and Lovely Like a Really Fancy Retirement Home
So far the trip is European - i.e. refined, comfortable and picturesque.
This is not the kind of material you´re paying good money to read so I´ll keep this update brief.
Noteworthy bulletins include:
* I had crepes for three meals in one day and ate two Italian dinners in one night. I had chocolate pastries for breakfast three days in a row and yesterday, I spent 5 euros on candy. That´s right, my friends. 5 euros.
* I´ve worn the same pants for 10 days in a row. And I´m frighteningly ok with that.
* The snotty Italian business woman I roomed with on a train from Paris to Venice mocked me for speaking only English fluently. And when we rode past Vicenza she sneered, ¨Don´t you even know where we are?,¨ even though I was still half asleep. I wish I´d lied and told her I knew Chinese and Russian and sign language, just to make her feel dumb. And I wish I´d stole her food when she went to the bathroom. Just to even the international score.
* I think the Champs-Elysees is a bit overrated and the Louvre is one of the loveliest most reverent places on earth, better even than everyone says. Except for the Mona Lisa, which was great but somehow just too common….like seeing a really nice photo of your dad meticulously framed and admired by hundreds of rabid tourists.
* Like some silly six year old, I absolutely loved feeding those plentiful pigeons in San Marco square right out of my hands…until a little boy I befriended put seeds on my jacket and the crazy birds landed all over my head and back. And I really wanted to be cool, but instead I screeched like a girl and ran away. And it was great.
* Barcelona ought to get more credit than it does for being a real beautiful, alive city. People actually laugh and slowly walk with their families for hours. And wear tennis shoes. Everyone wanders the night away and stops to watch street performers and applauds lustily, even if they´re actually from here. And there are palm trees and castles. What more could you ask for?
In all, I am having an amazing time. I have loved the luxury and beauty and history, and all jokes aside feel truly lucky to have seen some incredible things….like the medieval labyrinth of Venetian alleys and canals and the way the Seine evolves in the hour of dusk, and ancient Spaniards kicking their feet up and tipping their heads back in some elaborate dance they all seem to know instinctively.
But I am also ready to head to places where high fashion and gourmet meals are less present and far less relevant.
My friend Christine arrives tonight and we´ll spend the next three weeks exploring Spain and Morocco. I couldn´t be more excited to hit the road and see what lies around the next bend.
I want to thank all of you who took time to post comments - you spurned a dozen smiles and I´ll take your advice (note to self: avoid groping). I hope you´ll keep it up….someone has to produce some decent writing on this blog, after all.
- erica
Tags: Travel
January 7th, 2006 at 9:17 am
Er- could not agree with you more…..Louvre awesome- Mona Lisa….well, at least that is how I felt the first time I visited. The second time it was very early in the day and the crowds had not yet gathered. A few moments alone with her made a world of difference!
Should you wander towrd Malaga Spain let me know in advance. Our friends Carmen and Wim spend a fair amount of time there on their boat. They would show you wonderful things like places to buy a steak dinner for $5. You would find them delightful and visa versa. I would call them if you should you wander that way.
Keep on keepin on girlie—10 days in the same britches. I LOVE it!!
January 7th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Reading your words makes me imagine I’m there with you. (aka: shut up about the “crappy writing.” We both know you are too humble and wonderful at writing! Ok…well, maybe just me then). It sounds like you are having an absolutely WONDERFUL time and I’m insanely jealous that you are out there seeing the world while I’ll be here staring at the same whiteboard in class, the same “mocha” walls of the ICU, and the same handsomely meddlesome green eyes of a 7 month old Murray. (Ok, so maybe that last one isn’t bad at all and I take the last comment back)
Remember to take lots of pictures and keep blogging. I LOVE the installments. Miss you and for the record, I do not believe there is ANYTHING wrong with spending 5 euros on candy. Heck…next time, make it 10! 
January 7th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
I haven’t spent some time with snobby Italian business women in quite a while. Needless to say I’m a tad bit jealous. So how many people have you offended yet? Don’t disappoint me on this one. It obviously sounds like you’re having a spectacular time. Myself, I had to stand at attention for an hour straingt yesterday (We’re living such similar lives!) Take care, take pictures, and here’s hoping you and Christine don’t get arrested in Spain!
January 7th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
I am so excited that we get a blow by blow of your adventures! We miss you here! But I suppose we can get by without you for a little while! You have fun!
January 9th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
10 day old pants.
Constantly eating.
Covered in birds.
Hot.
January 9th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
I absolutely love reading your amazingly descriptive & hilarious notes. You share more in a sentence than most of us could convey in a long narrative. Every contact with you in person or in writing is full of authenticity & charm, and probably why I want to claim I’m related to you! It is a huge treat to get a small glimpse into your travels, thanks for including us!! I can’t wait to sit in Barnes & Nobel & read your book next year! I’ll send the address of our Senegal friends to your email. Missed your sweet face on Sunday, think of you daily!!
January 10th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
I hope you and Christine have a great time in Spain & Morocco. These last updates have been great, I can’t wait to hear more stories of adventure in mysterious lands. And, I’m with Jodi - I know you can do better than 5 euros on candy
Take care!
January 12th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Miss America –
I am sooo disappointed you left France — I heard that it is the winter sale and you missed it !!!
Even though you aren’t shopping I still hope you are having fun!
January 14th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
To:Erica Ann Ulstrom
From: Harold M Brown
Subject: Your Car
Erica- I have tried to be patient but, I do have my limits. We have checked your blog and email everyday and I can’t take it any more. I regret to inform you that your car is currently parked on the bank of the river and I am going to give you one more chance before I release the emergency brake and push your car into the icy water!
In short–
I WANT PICTURES!!!
and STORIES!!!
DETAILS!!!
We are trapped in gloom of a cloudy, dull and boring winter and we need rescued–Please! The life of your car depends on it!
Love, Dad
January 17th, 2006 at 11:52 am
I totally agree with your dad we want to hear more about your trip!!! I hope you and Christine are having the time of your lives. I can’t wait to hear all of your stories. Hope to hear from you soon. Take care.
Michelle
January 21st, 2006 at 3:01 pm
Erica,
WOW! It sound like your having the trip of a life time. Thanks for the updates and say hi to the world for us! Maybe I’ll see you someplace along the way. When do you hit Foley?
Dave
January 23rd, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Erica -
You should write a book about your adventure after your trip is over. You are such a descriptive writer - your expressive writing teacher from college would be duly impressed! I love the fact that you tell it like it is - don’t hold back.
I can’t wait for an in person tell all from Christine when she gets back to the good ol’ USA. I’m sure she’ll have lots of juicy stories to tell about your adventures in Morrocco & Spain. :>)
Foreign Smooches!!
Amy
January 23rd, 2006 at 11:11 pm
hows it going slick, hope you are staying out of trouble. I feel like you are in a movie or an episode of a bad television show where they travel to europe and have to rescue a hot blonde from a millionare business tycoon before he marries her atop the eiffel tower or something to that effect guest starring someone like Charo and Whilford Brimley. I guess what i’m trying to say is look kids Big Ben, Parliament! Well hope you are having a spec-freekin-tacular time.
January 25th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
You know those memories that make you laugh out loud ? I know you are making new ones each day. Send news. Love you!
Mam`ma
January 26th, 2006 at 11:55 am
I do believe you could fund your next trip by charging poeple to read you blog. I laughed for quite some time at the picture in my head of a snooty Italian woman coming out of the bathroom to find her meal gone. Oh the lovely tension that would create. You should have asked her if she was fluent in manners or kindness or even just basic civility. (is that a word?)
January 26th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Hey guys - thanks for all the comments, encouragement to continue my candy addiction and laughs. I love the feedback!
Branden - If I’m played by Willford Brimley, you’re dead.
Mr. Mayor - if I can find a Supratour bus from Casablanca to Foley, I’ll buy you lunch.
Booze and Amy - Christine used a squat toilet! And didn’t even cry.
Jod - There’s always room for one more on my camel. Talk Todd into bringing you over for a second honeymoon in Mali - it’ll be lovely, I promise.
Miss you guys!!!
- Erica