February newsletter

Ayyyyyy I’m back y’all.

It’s only been a month… but it honestly feels way longer.

Last we left off, I was in a hostel in England. Since then? Yeah… a lot happened.

Beatles Tour

The day after the hostel stay, we did a Beatles tour. We went to:

• Abbey Road

• Eleanor Rigby’s tombstone

• John Lennon’s house

• Paul McCartney’s childhood home

• Penny Lane

Seeing all the places that shaped one of the most influential bands ever was actually so cool. Just standing there thinking, “Dang… this is where it all started.”

Driving on the Left Side of the Road

In Scotland, I was driving our manual car on the left side of the road.

(🤫 keep that on the DL for the rental car company)

Immediately it felt wrong. Like, deeply wrong. Like I should not be on that side of the road.

Also… UK roads are TIGHT. Cars pass each other with like a foot of space. I genuinely don’t know how I didn’t hit anything or stall the car.

I miss driving so much 😭

🇫🇷 MISSION CALL!!!

I GOT MY MISSION CALL.

Lyon, France baby!!!

I was NOT expecting that at all. I was honestly shocked. I figured with all my traveling experience I’d end up somewhere super remote. Like, “drink the tap water and catch three diseases” type mission.

Instead, I’m going to one of the most beautiful missions ever.

The Lyon mission covers:

• The lower half of France

• Parts of Switzerland (Geneva 👀)

• Andorra

• Monaco

I’m actually so excited. I love the architecture, the food, the people, everything about France. I can’t wait to head to the UK MTC at the end of June.

Life is crazy.

Lighthouse in Madeira

We went to this beautiful lighthouse lookout in Madeira.

I’ll let the photo speak for itself.

20-Minute Pitch Black Tunnel Hike

We did this massive hike that STARTED with a 20-minute walk through a pitch-black, skinny tunnel.

No light. Just darkness.

After that, it opened up into this insane jungle/forest landscape. Waterfalls everywhere. Unreal views. So many photo spots.

Worth it? Absolutely.

Cow on Top of a Mountain

There was this lookout at the top of the island that was just stunning. And somehow I sniped a photo of a cow mid-bite.

I’m actually so proud of that pic.

Also… cows just casually standing in the road here. Normal behavior.

Carnival

So Carnival (Car-nee-vall) is basically Brazil and Portugal’s biggest party of the year.

Think of it like the 4th of July for us ‘Mericans 🦅🇺🇸 but way more dancing.

On our last day, we went to the parade and saw all the acts. So much energy. So loud. So fun.

Going to Bulgaria… On Accident

Okay this part sucked.

We flew from Madeira to Porto, Portugal for a few days, then were supposed to fly from Porto to Romania.

Then mid-flight Romania gets hit with the biggest snowstorm they’ve had in over a decade.

So what happens?

Emergency transfer.

To Bulgaria.

A completely different country.

We had to sit in that airport for HOURS. At first I thought it was funny. Then they “rage-baited” us and said we’d have to wait even longer.

Bruhhhh.

I ended up sleeping on the airport floor and got sick 🥰

Love that for me.

Dancing With a Stranger in Romania

We finally make it to Romania (we went because my Dad has a friend there).

That night we go out to dinner. I’m running on like 2 hours of sleep in 36 hours.

Some random dancer girl walks up and asks me to dance.

I suck at dancing. No way to sugarcoat it.

Especially on zero sleep.

So yeah. That happened.

Honestly though? Super funny.

Romania Is Beautiful

The castles are unreal.

We went to Dracula’s Castle (Bran Castle), and it was actually amazing. I’m just gonna throw up a bunch of photos because it’s too pretty not to.

Getting Buff

Just me and Elli (my little sister) right after hitting the gym.

That’s about it 😂 

Armenia Is Awesome

We’re currently in Armenia and it’s actually amazing.

The people are so nice. It feels super non-touristy and authentic. Just pure culture and history everywhere.

(Please don’t ruin it, Instagram.)

Headed to Georgia Tomorrow

We’re headed to the country of Georgia tomorrow.

(No peaches for Justin Bieber if you get the reference.)

I’ve heard so many good things about Georgia. What I’m most excited for?

Skiing.

I’ve only gone skiing once about a year and a half ago, and I absolutely loved it. So I can’t wait to go again.

That’s about it for this month.

Now that I know where I’m going, I’m locking in on my French.

See y’all next month ✌️
Michael