a.k.a. cheap

I see London I see France I see some one’s underpants! When I think of Paris I think of French fries, French toast, French coffee, French kissing, Napoleon, Eiffel Tower and sidewalk cafes. I experienced it all except the French kissing! So there Sherlock Holmes put that in your pipe and smoke it! Such is life.

Some of you might not understand this but the Mellemas were not born with a silver spoon in their mouths (i.e. they had to be a.k.a cheap to survive)—we are survivors a.k.a. fighters). We are in Europe though—I wondered what Chester and Anna would think that we did this and did it together. I think they would be happy for us and would really enjoyed being with us. Chester and Anna were a.k.a cheap (i.e. they had to be)—I wonder where we got that from. Like my mentor says—we are programmed like a ‘puter.

Nutten is cheap in Europe, I mean nutten folks! And to make it worse, the dollar is not strong. I can understand why Europeans travel to the U.S. and buy much stuff (i.e. it’s a.k.a. cheap). I asked a Frenchman in Paris who was sitting next to us at the street cafe where we had dinner one night (i.e. he was waiting for his girl friend). He was drinking a little cup of coffee (i.e. I mean little) so I asked him how much that cost him—2.2 euros out on the side walk, 1.8 inside and if you go to the bar it’s one euro. Hey, when his girl friend came, they did the cheek-kissing thing. In Switzerland coffee was 3.80 Franks (i.e. about the same in $s). I noticed in Switzerland a big Mack was $11.30—that’s just the burger and not the meal—McDonalds is big in Europe). When we entered France, we stopped at an AutoGrill and I saw that coffee was 1.4 euros so I bought a cup a.k.a cheap—it was espresso and there was hardly nutten in the carry out cup (i.e. nutten like at Casey’s). It was an Igottcha. Hey, I’m no virgin, I have been “got” before SomeWiseGuy in our van said—That espresso aught to make you talk even more and faster! We tried to save some money by buying some stuff at grocery stores and having picnics when traveling. Hey, we’re Dutchman a.k.a. cheap! We did stay at very nice hotels strategically located, which were arranged by Arlene Humble at www.humbletravel.com She did a very nice job for us (i.e. we were in good hands!). Arlene has done work for us for many years (i.e. she’s a good one). If every you need some travel plans, try her. Tell her ervtheRiley sent you. Maybe she will give me a referral fee a.k.a. cheap! We didn’t travel like Queen Elizabeth does but we did okay. The trip cost a pretty penny but it’s only money folks. JoeDutchman says—You can lose what you never had it! Such is life.

I like experiences and opportunities and Europe surely is that. We got to look into the world’s door a little bit—it’s a big world out there folks but sooooooooo exciting! It’s way different than wearing ButlerCountyGlasses all right! The question is—when to save and when to spend. That is a tough decision sometimes. Decisions have consequences. Experiences to me are more important than a barn full of stuff (i.e. my opinion). When you do experiences that make you happy inside (e.g. making your world bigger like learning and experiencing other cultures) it enlightens a person’s life. TheFrenchGuy says—What’s exciting to one person is not exciting to another, ya got to remember that. Yabut FrenchGuy—What do I care what others think of my actions if it stimulates me in a way that makes me a better person? Besides a SmartNiceLady said—It says in the Book, things of this earth will pass away but…!

You ever see 6 Dutchman at a complimentary hotel breakfast buffet? They eat until they can’t eat any more and then they fill their purses and pockets for lunch (i.e. a.k.a cheap)! That’s why Dutch woman have such large purses and Dutch guys wear cargo pants! Ah ah ah ah!

European hotels force you to put your key card in a slot in the room to turn on the lights and have to remove the card when you leave which turns out the lights (i.e. a.k.a. cheap). Also in Paris our hotel had dim lights in our halls—you had to turn on the light to make it brighter (a.k.a. cheap). Paris was full of scooters (i.e. a.k.a. cheap). Many walkers and bikers in Europe (i.e. a.k.a. cheap). Traveling is physically enduring we found out. We walked many many miles almost every day (i.e. a.k.a cheap); Europeans do the same.

a.k.a cheap pictures! I saw zillions of pictures taken in Europe. Some really made me laugh—folks would be not happy but when they had their picture taken, it looks like they were real happy (i.e. fake). They all put on their church faces (i.e. much like a church directory). Such is life.

I saw a sign on a taxi that said—Make your plastic fantastic in Paris (i.e. a.k.a. not cheap folks). I saw another sign that read—Shop where your emotions start (i.e. definitely not a.k.a. cheap folks). Oh Paris! Ya we did all the attractions I think. We climbed the tower to get an eye full! The buildings are all the same color and are old!  Actually I walked as far up as they would let me and then took the elevator the last ways. I have now walked up the Eiffel tower, Washington Monument, and the Statue of Liberty a.k.a. cheap. Next Mr. Everest—not! That is the Life of Riley folks. Actually one of our tour guides (i.e. my brother-in-law went to the “rack of crap” as he called it and we went from there--picked our medicine for the day). I tell you what this Napoleon guy sure built a lot of stuff. What was his motive anyway I wonder! Did he want folks to remember him or what? I’m no Napoleon and never will be—I’m not a has been but a never was! I tell you what – that Cathe’drale Notre-Dame de Paris is no cheap place (i.e. a.k.a not cheap). Man that was an expensive place to build I bet. We have an acquaintance who told us she lit a candle for us one time (i.e. she said it was a blessing for us). I lit a candle for her there. It cost 2 euros and then I went a little farther and there were more candles for 5 euros. I don’t know if they were better or not but I got by a.k.a cheap! I wanted to see the hunchback but he was out of town I guess. The le Tour de France ended by the Arc De Thiophi Etoile in Paris when we were there. We saw Alberto Contador of Spain win that sucker—that was sorta kinda cool to see. Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole! That’s no a.k.a cheap deal folks (i.e. it’s all about money let me tell you). I wanted to rent a bike and ride the last couple of miles with the boys but they wouldn’t let me. It sounded like fun.

a.k.a cheap! Many of the bathrooms in Europe you had to pay 50 to 70 euros. There were even ladies in the men’s bathroom (i.e. nothing is as private). That is the biggest moneymaker there is folks—ya gottogo! Another huge massive moneymaker is the tolls—holy molly they add up. Like our driver said—We euro-N-8-ed @ the auto-bonds’ toll booths! We drove 3, 914 km or 2,442 miles together in our Mercedes 9-passenger Vito (i.e. that’s a lot of bonding with your sisters and brother-in-laws folks).

We took the ferry back over to Dover (i.e. a.k.a cheap compared to the tunnel—besides we no longer had a car). I enjoyed the experience and opportunity. Dover is a small town driven solely by the ferry and the tunnel the taxi driver told me. Our motel was on the edge of Dover so Arlene and I went for a walk in the country. We walked on this single lane road about a mile and half where we met an English couple who just popped out of the woods on this little trail. They suggested we take the trail through the woods which will come out to a field with a little trail through the field, to a farmer’s place, and then into Whitfield (i.e. a little village next to Dover). It was a hoot! The wooded trail did come to a wheat field (i.e. about 80 acres) with a little 2-foot wide trail right through the wheat. After the 80-acre field, we came to a hedgerow and gate. There was another 80-acre field with the trail being now about a foot wide. Then we came to another hedgerow and gate and entered another 80 acre wheat field and finally to the farmers place and walked between his house and his barn. We did talk to a local who actually worked for the Euro Tunnel and suggested we eat at the Wittiwake. He said it was a Carver (i.e. a buffet that carved meat). He said it was very reasonable a.k.a cheap. It was 5.99 pounds a.k.a. cheap and no tip a.k.a. cheap! The carver was the assistant chief and had traveled to Florida. He liked the twikes of the U.S. That was his highlight it sounded like. Our taxi driver who took us to the train station the next morning told me that the English are bloody soft with the Islamic folks. Much of Europe has outlawed the burke but not England (i.e. bloody soft he said). I heard this concern a lot in Europe. I asked him what the #1 problem was—social drugs; a kilo of cocaine use to cost 100 pounds but now 30 (i.e. a.k.a. cheap); many more people using the drug but in reality more money is being made (i.e. it’s all about the money folks). I read in the London Daily Telegraph on the plane home that Jackie Cobell, age 56, was a world-beater in that she swam the Channel in the longest time ever—28 hours and 44 minutes (i.e. that’s from Dover to Calais). It took us about an hour and half by ferry. Wow! She was not hot-doggin’ it folks!

We washed our clothes in the sink a.k.a. cheap! Most of the hotels had a clothes line which you could string over the bath tub to hang your clothes. There must be others who are a.k.a. cheap! Such is life.

I asked our family – When I say Winston Churchill, what response do you have? I guess they said—He was the statesman who got England through WWII. Here are a few statements of him that a friend sent me. The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison," and he said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it." ~ "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." ~ "A modest little person, with much to be modest about. " ~ "I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... if you have one." -- George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill -- "Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one." -- Winston Churchill, in response.

My big sister wanted to see St. Paul’s (i.e. I think that’s where Princes Diana got married) before we left London. I wasn’t very excited about it as I saw 3 churches already but walked along. It was going to cost 12 pounds so I wasn’t going in (i.e. a.k.a. cheap). She went in and said—It’s free. they are having a service in there—so I went in and listened to the service. It was just like at home—some folks listened and some slept! But it was a.k.a. cheap! The tube (i.e. subway) I thought was a.k.a cheap. We rode it to and from the airport, train station and general travel around the city. We bought an Oyster Card (i.e. pre paid card) for 25 pounds and when we got done they redeemed it and we got about 6 pounds back. I think that was a.k.a cheap! That’s my opinion folks.

The conclusion of the matter is…I really enjoyed this opportunity and experience (i.e. it was a good holiday as they say in Europe). I was very relaxed and peaceful (i.e. just a way good feeling folks) and slept like a rock every night (i.e. now that tells ya something). I had no expectations and had no ticky-tacky agenda (i.e. just went with the flow). I tried to pick my time to talk and my time not to talk; the time to lead and the time to follow. It appears to me that some folks all over the world enjoy life more than others (i.e. mainly attitude I think). I have asked many of you—sooooooooo what was your highlight? Well mine was definitely the over view of Europe (i.e. that was my mission and I feel I have really accomplished it). I found that people are nice all over the world and that the ones I talked to all want world peace and they hang their underwear on the line to dry all over the world. I think Americans are more wasteful than Europeans and that space is limited more in Europe (i.e. everything is way older in Europe). I learned that you have to be patient when traveling in other countries (i.e. as my FriendJean says—Patience and Persistence win the day). I learned that you need to be strong physically to travel (i.e. anyway the way we did a.k.a. cheap). I learned that traveling is easier than I thought it would be (i.e. people are just sooooooooo much fun and helpful). I learned that they sell trinkets every part of the world (i.e. it’s all about money folks). The Visa card is accepted everywhere! Like I said when I started this trip—Many of you have done much more traveling than our little opportunity/experience and you know much more than I but we surely enjoyed this opportunity/experience. When Iowa wins a football game at home in Kinick Stadium, the students sing—In heaven there ain't no beer that’s why we drink it here…! My kid sister said this to me on top of the Eiffel Tower—My prayers are for wisdom and not stuff; that I may live wisely; stuff is just stuff but opportunities and experiences are priceless (i.e. that might be a little erv’s-paraphrase). A friend gave me a tape to listen to and I listened to it again on my i-Pod while riding the train—the basic thought of it is—Stuff is stuff and in the end (i.e. when the game is over) it all goes back in the box (i.e. including our bodies). Soooooooooo maximize every moment of your life. Such is life.

We traveled a.k.a cheap but it was in the Entrepreneurial Class (i.e. pretty darn exciting). When we purchased those Oyster cards, they gave us a little carrier to put it in. On it was written this—Travel is a means to an end. Home.

I read this at the Globe Theater in London—If you can’t understand my agenda and declare, “it’s all Greek to me” you are quoting Shakespeare! It was a bloody good trip chap! Cheers!

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

KR's thought of the day—Don’t save so much for rainy days that you can’t enjoy the sunny ones.
TheProfessor’sPithySaying—Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. Oscar Wilde