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txubergeek - James Young

For years, I've wanted to take some time and travel. Sure, there has been the limited 1 or 2 week journeys to the major sites, but I wanted to go away for a while. Well, In 2009 I'm getting my chance. With the economic downturn, I have been able to negotiate a 6 month leave of absence from the job, and will parlay that into pursuing some of my interests. I am looking to do some farm work through the WWOOF program and get away from the connected lifestyle that is both a blessing and a curse. I'm not sure how often I will update this blog, but will try to keep it fairly up-to-date.

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Joined on: May 12th 2009
Last Login: November 14th 2009

Blog Entries: 26
Photos: 151

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Blogs & Travel Journals

by txubergeek, order by Date newest first.

By txubergeek
October 26th 2009

A Masterpiece of Italian Engineering Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

The duomo
The duomo with the tower in the background

Florence, Italy Monday, October 26, 2009 As I sat on the steps of the Duomo in Pisa and watched the people milling about the leaning tower, I started thinking about engineering. You see, the leaning tower of Pisa wasn't designed to sit at that angle, but through a series of engineering mishaps and miracles it has ended up that way. What started out as a simple bell tower for the town's church turned into the symbol of a town that you probably would have never heard of without it, as well as one of the most popular sights in Italy. What [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
October 11th 2009

If You Can't Stand The Heat... Europe » Italy » Campania » Sorrento

Pompeii
Statue at Pompeii

Sant' Agnello, Italy Sunday, October 11, 2009 What a change it is to be out on the road with no major scheduled events for the next few weeks. It's quite a change from the farm lifestyle, where I had a farm engagement setup a week or more in advance and basically had some idea of where I was going. Now, though, I usually figure out what I want to do after I wake up in the morning. With 13 nights booked into a hostel in Sant' Agnello, I've pretty much run the course on what there is to do here in [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
October 2nd 2009

Somewhere In My Youth Or Childhood, I Must Have Done Something Good Europe » Italy » Veneto » Venice

Opera
My view from the cheap seats at the Vienna Opera House (3 euro, and there was no seat...standing room only). However, Madame Butterfly was fantastic.

Venice, Italy Friday, October 2, 2009 I'm alive, readers. Yes, there has been quite a pause in updates, but with good reason. The main reason is a lack of internet access. But another reason that is almost as important is the fact that I have been city-hopping like a grasshopper on steroids. I have finally gotten a taste for what the usual backpacker does, and while it can be fun I think I really enjoy having a base to work from for a week or more. Since last updating, I've visited Vienna, Salzburg, Munich and Venice. I've stayed in two hostels, [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
September 21st 2009

Bohemian Rhapsody Europe » Czech Republic » Prague » Old Town

Old Town Square
Stare Mesto Old Town Square

Prague, Czech Republic Monday, September 21, 2009 Oh, Golden City, how you can enchant a simple country boy from North Carolina. I speak, of course, of Prague, the former capitol of Bohemia and current capitol of the Czech Republic. As part of this rest break, I decided to break out of my comfort zone (countries where I can at least halfway read the signs and know enough language to muddle about) to venture into some new territory. Since the 1990s, Prague has been a big hit on the backpacker circuit both because of the mystery of it being a former Soviet [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
September 16th 2009

The City So Nice They Split It In Half Europe » Germany » District of Berlin » Berlin

Saying Goodbye
On the platform at Bremervorde

They say that all good things must come to an end, and so it was with my time in Grossenhain. The final weekend was full of folk music and a bit of sadness, as I knew the time I had on the farm was coming to an end. But looking back on the 3 weeks I spent there, I could honestly say that I helped to make a difference. The list of accomplishments was pretty impressive: * Gathered apples for, juiced and bottled over 120 liters of apple juice * Made and put up all the hay for the year - [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
September 5th 2009

Let's Party With The Townies! Europe » Germany » Saxony » Großenhain

Champion
Only champions can drink their beer from trophies

Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of working on farms is the meeting of various and sundry characters along the way that you wouldn't have otherwise met. Traveling in cities can be nice, but when you stay in a hostel then more than likely you'll be meeting fellow travelers. Most of the folks I've met in hostels have been British, Canadian or Australian. If, on the other hand, you get the chance to live amongst people in a smaller town or village, you can get to know them a little better and really learn more about the country you're staying [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
August 30th 2009

Gear Review 2 Europe » Germany » Saxony » Großenhain

Tinker
The boss of the farm

How shocking it is that autumn in Europe seems to arrive overnight. Just the other day Angelika was commenting on how hot it was in the loft. Today she asked me if we were freezing up here because the weather had taken a chilly turn. I suppose it's a bit funny for me to be walking around in August wearing a fleece while Sara is riding the "Hotter Than Hell" bike tour back in Texas. But one of the reasons I came here this summer was to escape the Texas summer, and I've certainly accomplished that in spades. The weekends here [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
August 27th 2009

There's A Reason It's Called Hay Fever Europe » Germany » Saxony » Großenhain

Beatles-Platz
The best thing about Hamburg...I really didn't care for that city.

Loyal readers, I must confess something: I hate my birthday. Never have liked celebrating it, could really do without any of the hullaballoo that usually surrounds it and honestly would prefer to have money spent on my presents spent on people who need it more than I do. I know that sounds a bit self-righteous, but honestly I could do without the birthday. So this year, one of my nefarious goals was to be absent for the time surrounding the birthday. I couldn't be much more absent than here in Grossenhain, Germany. As you might have guessed (given the backdating of [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
August 22nd 2009

BONUS ENTRY!!! Europe » Germany » District of Hamburg » Hamburg

Lesson Learned: Don't drop a railroad tie on my foot if I have footage of you dancing like an idiot [View Full Entry]

By txubergeek
August 19th 2009

You're Here Now And It's Hard To Leave Europe » Germany » Hessen » Gießen

Birthday Party
The Love Parade takes a wrong turn into Green Acres

Hofgut Bubenrod Near Koenigsberg, Germany Wednesday, August 19 2009 OK, so I know the last entry was somewhat half-assed. I've been trying to make up for it the past few days, but just haven't had either the opportunity or the words until now. My apologies, loyal readers, I will make this one a bit better. And I'll even throw in some bonus pictures from the party. What a party it was... Well, life here on the horse farm is quite stable nowadays (rim shot). Perhaps I didn't mention it, but Bubenrod gets most of it's revenue from either renting out land [View Full Entry]

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txubergeek - James Young

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