Tour of St. Johns

Bonjour,

I don't know how I have it in me to do a blog right now, but I feel that I must.  Today has been one of the most intense days that I can remember for a long time.  As I stated in the last blog, nearly all of the international students got together and went on a tour of the city today.

The scenery in Newfoundland is breathtaking.

A lighthouse on Cape Spear--THE EASTERNMOST POINT IN NORTH AMERICA!

Here I am.  Truly at the Edge of America.

One of the best things about today is that I got to meet so many people from all over the world.  I really enjoy things like this.  I'm not sure how to explain everything that happened today, and I do not plan on it for the sake of time, but let me just say that people and places can never be contained in the box that we put them in.

I met two guys from Norway today!  This is one of countries that I have wanted to go to badly for quite some time.  Both of the guys were studying engineering that is concentrated in the oil industry.  One of them lives in a town of 70,000 people at the northern tip of Norway.  In the winter there, the sun is only out for 30 minutes, and in the summer, the sun is out all day!  It was so awesome to meet someone living in an area like this.  The town is primarily centered around oil, so he was pretty knowledgeable and passionate about the subject of oil, which I don't give too much thought too.

The Titanic crashed 375 miles from St. Johns

I met a bunch of guys from Germany today as well.  All of the German's that I have met are leaders.  I really like them.  I will be going on a hike with one of my German friends tomorrow (Sunday).  We will be hiking this trail that hugs the rocky eastern coast of Newfoundland.

I met some amazing girls from Sweden and Finland at the event today as well, and hung out with them the rest of the day after meeting them.  A friend from Germany and I went out on the town with them tonight and ate at this fairly nice restaurant called The Sprout in the downtown area of St. Johns.  We all had such a great time and learned a lot about each other and each others country.  Mainly, I learned a lot about Sweden, Finland, and America.  I feel that people from other countries know more about America than I do, especially when it comes to politics and our over consumption of goods.

Words can't describe this place

This is a good place to call it a night.  I am so thankful to be in the position that I am at where I can meet people from all over the world and share some of the same experiences with them.  I don't think that there will be many other chances in life when I can become so close with so many people from all over the world in such a short period of time.  What an opportunity to network across the globe!

Scandinavia--here I come,

Benjamin

The view from St. John's harbor before dinner.