the europe perspective

THE

EUROPE

PERSPECTIVESeptem XII-Novem XII, MMXII

Tyler Smithson

ALONE BUT NEVER LONELY

Over two months during the Fall of 2012 I travelled to Europe with little more than a backpack, camera, camping gear, and a journal. This album chronologically depicts the places that I went, the people that I met, and the adventures along the way. Beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Barcelona; my journey took me to twelve countries (Holland, Belgium, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Italy, Vatican, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany,!and Catalonia, Spain) where I traveled over 3500 miles by bus and train, while hiking over 600 miles in the process. This was a trip of contrasts; from historical cities and pristine wilderness to three course meals and freeze dried trail food. I encountered an undefinable mix of diverse cultures, confusing languages, foreign customs, and alternative perspectives that opened up both my pocket book and worldly view. I am deeply grateful for the countless friends and family who I met along the way and encouraged me to follow my dreams who opened to me their homes, pantries, and free time without asking for anything in return. This is a trip of calculated risk devoted to exploring both natural and human environments based upon a "no reservations" ideology. I am alone but never lonely in the wilderness that we call earth. The world is yours, if you can experience it.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - The city of bikes, canals and cafes.

PARIS, France - 'The City of Light'

Egyptian Obelisk, Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower at sunset.

FOUNTAINEBLEAU, France - Where 'bouldering' was invented.

TOUR DE MOUNT BLANC - Hiking in 'Glorious Solitude.'

Refuge Masion Vieille, Pyramids of Stone, Glacier de Bionnassy, Aiguilles at Sunset

My future mountain cabin in the Alps, Col de la Croix, more cow bell!

Bear tracks in fresh snow, Ruins, Rock Cairn at summit of Col de la Croix

MENTON, France - 'The Pearl of France'

Cemetery in Nice, Hilltop village, Via Ferrata 'La Escale,' Medieval Trail, Menton Harbor

Bronze Spartan Statue, my hiking buddy, Saint Agnes, France

FINALE LIGURE, Italy - Limestone Climbing at its best.

Castle above Finale Borgo, epic limestone, Grotta dell'Edera

CINQUE TERRE, Italy - Manarola, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore

ROME, PISA, FLORENCE, Tuscany, Italia with hosts Lucca and Sabrina

ROMA, Italia - Colosseo, Roman Fourm, Pantheon

TIVOLI, Italia - Villa d'Este, Hadrians Villa

Venezia, Italia - 'The Floating City'Gondolas, Piazza San Marco, Masks

13th International Architecture Exhibition called the 'Common Ground'

DOLOMITI, Italia - Golden Eagle, epic self portrait, valley near Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Cow enjoying view, rocket ship, brisk morning in Dolomites, Tyler under waterfalls

VIENNA, Austria - 'City of Music'

Famous weinersnitchel, frescos in Karlskirche, Volksgarten

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia

PRAGUE, Czech Republic - 'City of a Hundred Spires'

MUNICH, Germany - Biergartens, Castles, and Autobahn with Christoph and Ruth

Light peers into monochrome church, farm, Neuschwanstein Castle

BARCELONA, Spain - Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and Park Guell

MONTSERRAT, Spain - Monastery on the jagged mountain.

THE EUROPE PERSPECTIVE

September 12, 2012 to November 12, 2012