JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Brian Austin Whitney Blog Friday, April 20th, 2007

Hi Folks,

Okay.. so somehow it's already April 20th. Man has this year already flown. And once I hit the road, it will be even more of a blur.

The roadtrip dates are starting to come together. With over 40 stops in the US alone, it's quite an undertaking, but I am glad I am back in the saddle so to speak. To be honest, I am at my best when there's impossible stuff to do. Give me only a handful of things and I can barely get stuff done. Give me 10 people's jobs and I do much better. Anyone else out there like that?

I am also excited about getting over to Europe and now being able to add the UK since Linda was able to work out a trade with another Pharmacist to get an additional 2 weeks off. So we'll have nearly 7 straight weeks to travel and we plan to take full advantage. I've never been one to take a leisurely vacation. I want to see the world, not sit on a hot beach somewhere. I am not sure Linda agrees, so I will have to compromise a bit, but I am really looking forward to taking a million (and by the time I am done, that number may not be an exaggeration) and see every stereotypical tourist spot in Europe. (Ya gotta do it.. even though I am sure that Stonehenge won't be that exciting and Pompeii likely won't live up to my fascination I've had with it since 3rd grade). I hear Prague is a cool city.. nearly every film made based in Europe uses Prague. Just like in the US they use Vancouver.

So how about you folks.. what's your work ethnic like and how do you like to spend vacations?

Brian

Work ethic varies depending on how interesting the work is

Vacations? A good vacation is one I need a week to recover from

Tax the brain for 50 weeks a year and the body for 2

Scott

I spend my vacation - a month in the summer - at my Dad's place a little north from here. I run an open air gallery under the trees near his island cabin for the month, selling my Cds, art cards, jewelry, and artwork... sitting under the tree painting or playing the guitar while I wait for people to wander in. Meet folks from all over. It's a busman's holiday because I don't have holiday pay, being self-employed. I spend the spring getting stuff ready for the gallery... was just working on that today

Hey Brian,

I've been to Europe, I would definitely recommend making your way to florence, its an amazing little 'work of art' kind of a town, every step you take is greeted with amazing architecture and there are some great museums there. It's my favorite town of the countries I've been in over there (I did the tourist thing too). Didn't make it to prague but I've heard great things about it. And my favorite museum I visited would have to be the musee de orsay where they house many of the great works of French Impressionism. And the Vatican is very impressive. And if you can hop a flight down to Egypt it is amazing! Went on a tour of Cairo with the former heavywwight boxing champ of the country, he was a trip. Not sure how safe it would be nowadays though . I spend my working hours daydreaming about my vacation time lol.

Mike

Mike,

We actually thought of going to Giza to see the Pyramids (yes, I am a whore for generic tourist sites.. I confess.. I must see them all once in person). I also LOVE museums and art galleries. So how much and how long (ballpark is fine) is the trip to Cairo or Giza from Italy?

Brian

I would definitely try and make it there. I flew from Tunisia, can't recall how much it costed, it was over ten years ago. My guess is you could get there for 200-300 bucks, probably take an hour or two. The Egyptains are known for their sense of humor, when the plane landed the passengers broke out in applause. I took a camel ride around the pyramids, pretty cool but camel's are awfully ornery. Makes for a cool picture though, wrap a turbine around your head and set up in front of a pyramid there (at least that's what I did). Cairo is kind of a zoo, if you can make the time I would HIGHLY recommend a boat/cruise ship down the Nile, I did a four day one on a small cruise ship with air conditioning (important!). It stops at all the amazing temples along the way, this was my favorite part of the entire trip. (Including Europe). Try and book a flight arriving during the day I would suggest for safety's sake (mine arrived at midnight in Cairo, but then again I was young and stupid :))(do your best to ignore the locals in Cairo I would say). Just ask if you have any more questions,

Mike

The one thing I have heard about the tourist sites in Europe is a lack of cleanliness. I do seem to remember when we were docked in Cannes France the water seemed filthy. Do be sure to register your camera's with customs before you depart. Give us a report when you return.

Go by Westminister Abby and see if you can find my ancester's names in there.

Brian, I'm like you, always biting off more than I can chew.{and loving it!} I usually wind up on a beach on the gulf side of Florida {Destin this year} although going to Memphis and Nashville last year was very cool. {played The Bluebird open mic, and sat in 2 nights in a row with the house band at Blues City Cafe on Beale Street {so much for resting my voice!}