On the Eve of Departure

"I been a long time leaving, but I'm going to be a long time gone."
--Willie Nelson

Tomorrow marks our leaving. On the first of July, the Yanks depart and already, as Twain but it,
"All was bustle and confusion. [I have seen that remark before somewhere.]"

I believe now would be as good a time as any to introduce the other players in this international farce. Along with I, John Ford Milton, and the already mentioned Christopher Craft there will be a revolving cast of characters that include blog contributor Hetty White (whose own prosaic dabbling you might peruse HERE), Ashley Payne (who is a new acquaintance) and her friend and traveling companion Stephanie Bozeman(whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting), and the one and only Shanerton Birnicus, alias Shane Birney. Mr. Birney is an accomplished world traveler in his own right and will be adding to his ever-growing list of countries visited by joining us in Spain, and then accomanying us in Scotland where we will indulge in the hospitality of his family in Glasgow.

There is a tale to be told in the formation of this trip, and in the oft tragic ways things developed and progressed to bring such a disparte group of individuals together for a few days in Europe (for at no point will we all be together at once.) However, the telling of said tale will have to wait for a later date, perhaps when I am stranded in Ohio tomorrow waiting to change flights to New York.

The Hooligans Abroad

"During that memorable month I basked in the happiness of being for once in my life drifting with the tide of a great popular movement. Everybody was going to Europe--I, too, was going to Europe."
--Mark Twain in The Innocents Abroad

The state of the world is such that, if one were to wait for the ideal time to do this or that, no one would end up doing anything. The economies of the world are in decline, and the great prosperity that was once synonymous with America has all but dissipated. Thus, to travel abroad (or even to the farther reaches of our domestic realm) would strike many as ludicrous, particularly to the Old World where a new shift is taking place towards the right and the currencies of the United Kingdom and the European Union both share a position of value significantly higher then the US dollar.

Perhaps then, in light of the facts, the travelers whose tales will be recounted herein are of that incorrigible sort that make there own way against adversities, and all the while turn back to laugh at the naysayers where they sit in their towers...napping.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Yanks are once again striking forth. You may recall, not much over a year ago, the two intrepid lads (of which this writer is included) who set out to explore the great, ancient continent of Australia--traveling half the world's circumference to reach said land. For those of you unfamiliar, the chronicling of that journey is to be found HERE. I, John Ford Milton, along with the inestimable Christopher Craft embarked on a most unconventional expedition to Australia and found the whole of the endeavor satisfactory.

Now, however, we have turned our sites on the lands of our forefathers. In sort, we are going to Europe. We are leaving in a little over a week and we will be seeking the sorts of enrichment that come with storied places of history and literature. Unlike the prior expedition to Australia, we will not be alone. For many legs of the journey we will be joined by others who will undoubtedly lend to the whole experience a wealth of varied perspectives. When the time comes, the other players in this globe trotting charade will be introduced.

For our part, Chris and I will be flying in (and out) of Dublin. From there we shall venture across the Irish Sea to Great Britain, where by train we hope to alight in that great jewel of the Empire, London. From London we will achieve powered flight down into the Kingdom of Spain, specifically Madrid. It is our aim to convalesce on the Mediterranean shores of Barcelona before seeing first hand the fabled St. Fermin festival in Pamplona--where men run from bulls as sport.

From Spain we shall journey North by train, over the chilly Pyrenees and into the very heart of France for Bastille day in Paris. Only a night shall we spend amidst our Gaulish cousins, for the very next morning we shall once more depart for Britain to rendezvous with friends in the fair heaths of Scotland. From bonny Caledonia it will be again into the air with us to carry us back to the Emerald Isle where we will round out our travels with a stop in wee Galway town.

All told, there are three weeks of exploration ahead, and we should be better equipted with technology and internet this time around. Videos and photos might very well appear on this blog while we are in country (as opposed to after, as was the case with Australia.)

Thus are our intentions laid before you, dear readers, as we Yanks go to travel...across the pond!