Advice from Anthony Bourdain

Unsurprisingly, my favorite Travel Writer/ Foodie/Blogger/Sometimes Asshole is Anthony Bourdain.  While I often take the sarcastic life advice he provides in his books and on his television show with a grain of salt (even more so after my horrific foray into Czech cuisine in Prague), he does provide kernels of unoffensive wisdom (only once in a while).  Bourdain advises "If you're 22, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel - as far and as widely as possible".  
Ok....so I may only be 21 but I figure that is a minute detail in the grand scheme of life and in Bourdain's message.  I often get so overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of Paris life as well as my seemingly constant stream of rigid French exposes and dissertations to complete that I forget how fortunate I am to be provided with the opportunity to see other parts of the world.  When Anthony Bourdain jokes about how Rachel Ray is the scum of reality television or how he dropped out of college because he took too many drugs, I laugh, of course. On the other hand, his dry sense of humor is not what makes him my favorite best/worst human being...it is the fact that he allows himself to be open to so many cultures and experiences them without fear or apprehension. So, in the same vein as Bourdain I have decided that my second semester in Europe should be more about enjoying experiences than moping because I don't have ready access to peanut butter.

Here's an update on how my new mantra is going...

Scotland : 
A weekend trip to Scotland was the perfect remedy for anything and everything that was getting me down about being so far from home and living in a city that can often seem miles away from friendly.  Paris may have a place in my heart, the baguettes, the constant barrage of amazing visual arts and even that annoying dog biting my feet while I am trying to drink my café crème all constitute a true parisian experience. However, I have to say that I haven't felt truly at home anywhere in Europe until I went to Glasgow.

Loch Lomond

 What started out as quick trip out of continental europe to see a concert (in an english speaking country!) turned into one of the best weekends possibly ever.  Sometimes you can forgot how much a quick mountain view or stroll on the shore of a lake (oops I mean loch) can improve your mood.  Paris, while beautiful certainly lacks for accessible green space.  Sure, there are gorgeously landscaped parks  but they're all so manicured that it still feels somewhat artificial.  Scotland is the antithesis, the Highlands have looked the same for hundreds of years and probably will for many more. There is something refreshing about visiting a place that bears no trace of modernity.

Growing up in a dilapidated city like Detroit has made me feel more at home in cities that seem to be a bit underrated/have a grungier edge.  The only way to describe Paris is pretty, the architecture, the way food is presented and even the way people present themselves is pristine (except the metro....which smells like urine 24/7).  I love the attention to detail in Paris, but sometimes it makes me feel like an alien. I'm used to graffiti and abandoned buildings not statues and elaborate window displays.  Glasgow, while still infinitely nicer than Detroit (love ya D-Town) gave me back a bit of that feeling.  It was funky, down to earth and filled with fantastic people....not to mention I have never had such an amusing time waiting in line for a taxi, everyone should meet a drunk Glaswegian before they die.
Its safe to say that Scotland stole my heart....but France still has my stomach.

Afternoon sun at Loch Ness