the boys are gone. now it is mateo vs. the UK! the financial situation is a bit tricky now - i was pretty good travelling, spent a bit more than i'd like, but i still didn't dip into my savings...yet. i guess it all depends on when i start working/start actually getting paid. the sooner the better, i'm just worried because i'll be arriving in edinburgh during the festival, definately sounds like the type of thing that i could spend some £££ in. speaking of the £, fuck, the US dollar is WEAK right now. it is really suprising. five years ago the rate was £1.00 = $1.50 or so and about 1 euro = $1.00. Now it is about £1.00 = $1.85 and 1 euro = $1.50. money definately doesn't go as far as it does in the US. hopefully will be able to save up some cash here, that will definately help me get back on my feet when i move back to the US.

some contentental highlights:
*another american learning (first hand) to hate paris and french-ness in general
*muliple episodes of public urination
*meeting & staying with the female version of me
*being overfed by dustin's aunt
*e.german goth club & bad (no, REALLY bad) dancers
*absinth & the lingering aroma/phantom taste of black licorice (bleagh)
*inability to roll joints
*speaking entirely in spanish for a good hour
*re-discovering my desire to teach
*many many hot guys riding scooters & motorcycles together (doesn't happen in the states...but it is hotness)
*crepe in spanish/french border town
*the entire paris to barcelona train ride (i think many peoples' mood is improved as they are leaving France)
*dustin using me as bait

a more detailed account later