Sick of writing about Bilbao

When the founder of Hasidic Judaism, the great Rabbi Israel Shem Tov, saw misfortune threatening the Jews, it was his custom to go into a certain part of the forest to meditate. There he would light a fire, say a special prayer, and the miracle would be accomplished and the misfortune averted. Later, when his disciple, the celebrated Maggid of Mezeritch, had occasion, for the same reason, to intercede with heaven, he would go to the same place in the forest and say: "Master of the Universe, listen! I do not know how to light the firse, but I am still able to say the prayer," and again the miracle would be accomplished. Still later, Rabbi Moshe-leib of Sasov, in order to save his people once more, would go into the forest and say, "I do not know how to light the fire. I do not know the prayer, but I know the place, and this must be sufficient." It was sufficient, and the miracle was accomplished. Then it fell to Rabbi Israel of Rizhin to overcome misfortune. Sitting in his armchair, his head in his hands, he spoke to God: "I am unable to light the fire, and I do not know the prayer, and I cannot even find the place in the forest. All I can do is tell the story, and this must be sufficient." And it was sufficient. For God made man because He loves stories.

- Elie Wiesel, 1966

Nothing much, really. Just updating...

Only want to let you know I'm still alive.

I filled up my memory card yesterday so I put them all on my computer. Frankly the internet in hostels is too expensive to waste time putting them up.

Right now I'm traveling through Europe on Spring Break. I spent 8 amazing days in Paris. That city is really built for 20-year-olds, let me say. It also helped that my friends were students at the Sorbonne who spoke all the French necessary. One interesting night we went to Inside the Dark. An absurdly expensive restaurant with one twist: you eat in the dark. Complete darkness. You can't see anything. And your waiters are all blind. You get to the restaurant, tell the people working there about any food allergies. Then you can buy expensive drinks or cigars to wait. When a table is ready a blind waiter finds their way to you, tells you to make a chain of one person's hand on the person in front of them's shoulder. Then you enter the main hall which is enveloped in darkness. Then you eat. As you might've guess, you really appreciate the other senses... namely, taste. (Might I add that the establishment confiscates any lighters, cameras, phones... anything with a light). Afterward you get to see photos of your food. Very very well done masterpieces that you never get to see live. Still, the place was too fancy for me and I prefer greasier, cheaper diner food to this.

Right now I'm out of Paris and spent the day and yesterday in Riems and the Champagne region. My friend Katie and I are spending the night in a youth hostel. Katie bought a 30 euro bottle of Champagne (probably between $75 - $100 back in the States). Thanks, Katie, it was fantastic. Tomorrow I'm out of here for Luxembourg. On Sunday night I should be in Berlin and meet up with another friend named Jette Hubschmann. She grew up in the eastern side of Berlin and does various acting and voice-work for films and radio in Berlin (although she just got accepted to a prestigious photography school). After Berlin I'm looking to either Stockholm or Vienna. If I visit Stockholm then I'd head further north to endure the tremendous northern Arctic wind and ice for a chance to see its equally tremendous natural beauty (so I am told). If I go to Vienna then I'd visit Innsbruck and Salzburg.

My wisdom tooth is driving me crazy. It must be infected.