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NOMADIC LIFESTYLE, EARTH, United States
After getting my first passport in 2006 and traveling to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania my life changed. I began the process of getting rid of all my possessions and traveling the world. Traveling to over 125 countries and all 7 continents, hostels have been my home. This "new life" has taught me what is important and it was NOT accumulating money or possessions. Traveling is the best education. I hope my blog will encourage others to travel. My World Tattoo was a way for me to express my PASSION FOR TRAVEL.

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BELGIUM, Bruges

October 29, 2006




I caught the 11:45 pm night train from Milan to Paris. They were sold out but someone advised me to go to the conductor of the 1st car and ask if there was room. For cash there was, 45 euros got me a bed in the sleeper car. I arrived in Paris the next morning and got another train to Brussels to catch the Bruges connection. Bruges has one of the most beautiful old city centers that I have seen in Europe. Belgium is famous for beer, lace, chocolate and frites {french fries} , except they use mayo rather than ketchup. The fountain had soap bubbles in it.

ITALY, Siena

Friday September 29, 2006

After walking through Tuscany I headed back to Siena. Sienna is a university town and there were beautiful women everywhere. Lots of expensive shops in the best preserved medieval city in Italy. The Piazza di Campo is shaped like a bowl. In the best it was the meeting place for the city and today it is still a great place to meet friends, get a bite to eat or just bask in the sun. I climbed the gate tower to get a good view of the city including the duomo. Nice statue of Romulus and Remus.



































































ITALY, Santa Margherita

September 25, 2006

I originally had no plans to visit Santa Margherita but I overheard some girls talking about how incredible it was and I decided to take the train and do a day trip. It was only an hour from Riomaggiorre. There was a real interesting building as you will see in the picture.

































ITALY, Cinque Terre





























ITALY, Cinque Terre, Vernazza







I only got to spend a few hours here but it is really beautiful especially the view from the trail. I will try and stay here a few days next trip.

ITALY, Leaning Tower of Pisa




Saturday September 23, 2006

I left Florence early this morning to go to Cinqueterre. On the way I stopped in the town of Pisa to take pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Tower is the only reason to visit here so my entire trip lasted one hour. 20 minutes to the tower, 20 minutes at the tower, and 20 minutes back to the train station.

ITALY, Cinque Terre, Riomagiorre

Saturday , September 23, 2006

I left Florence early this morning to go to Cinque Terre. On the way I stopped in the town of Pisa to take pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Tower was my only reason to visit here so my entire trip lasted one hour. 20 minutes to the tower, 20 minutes at the tower, and 20 minutes back to the train station. Then to Riomaggiore,  one of the 5 villages that are called Cinque Terre. 

In my RICK STEVES guidebook he mentioned Cinque Terre and that he was reluctant to mention this jewel on the Mediterranean which was mostly unknown in 2006. Upon arrival I fell in love with these colorful villages. Trains run to all the villages which are only minutes apart. There is also hiking between the villages.

Today I began hiking the trails between the villages. A lot of up and down on the cliffs along the Mediterranean. The views made it all worthwhile. Unfortunately I did not spend enough time in the other 4 villages.





















ITALY, Florence, Piazzale de Michelangelo Views






















September 22, 2006

Florence was my favorite city in all of europe. I went to the Academia to see the Statute of David and I also went to the Uffizi Gallery. There was a 2 hr. wait in line at both. My favorite thing was sitting in the piazzas, grabbing a bite to eat, having a glass of wine and watching the people go through their every day lives. I especially love the Piazzale de Michelangelo which overlooks Florence from a high hill. Many tour buses go there especially at sunset. There is also a copy of the Statute of David there. It is just a very beautiful city and the piazzas are washed with soap from street machines every night. There is also great music and street performers in the piazzas and in front of the Uffizi at night.
























ITALY, Florence, Statute of David























September 21, 2006

The Statute of David picture (above)  was taken in the Academia. You are not allowed to take pictures but I carefully snapped a few pictures without being noticed. The other statutes were in various piazzas.