Tales of a Technogypsie

Every year, I take an epic saga, a sort of “living myth”. Following are the last two European quests that I had an “adventure of a lifetime” with. Enjoy! and please comment on these working sagas … Part 1: Lady of the Rhine, Quest of Ring: Chapter 1: Lady of the Rhine (4/1/07: Germany) Chapter [...]

Chapter 17: Part C Saturday, 11 April 2009Mons, Belgium Realizing the key has been discovered, Sir Thomas Leaf sat to ponder the new revelation that the key was not an ancient rusting artifact, but rather a gift of spirit, warmth, youth, Faerie energy, and a re-awakening that the Irish and English faeries he met unlocked [...]

Trolls et Legendes Festival 2009 – Day 2 – Concerts Lotto Mons Expo * Avenue Thomas Edison – 7000 Mons – Belgium * http://www.trolls-et-legendes.be/2009/index-en.htm Knowing its a shame that I could only attend 2 of the 3 nights of concerts, I was in extreme excitement about tonight’s line-up with the chance to see my second [...]

Chapter 17: Part B Saturday, 11 April 2009Mons, Belgium “Closer to the key, I can feel it …” Sir Thomas Leaf pondered. “It is the day for the revelations to be revealed.” Difficulties making conversation or getting around without knowing French was pretty prevelant for the duo, and it frustrated Princess Brea. Sir Thomas Leaf [...]

Trolls et Legendes vendorsphoto by Zoe Nicholls Trolls et Legendes Festival 2009 – Day 2 – the Market Lotto Mons Expo * Avenue Thomas Edison – 7000 Mons – Belgium * http://www.trolls-et-legendes.be/2009/index-en.htm Wandering around the vendor side of the the Festival, I was amazed by the incredible and amazing array of artwork presented. Paintings, books, [...]

Part A figures by Brian & Wendy Froud Saturday, 11 April 2009Mons, Belgium Today is the revelation of the key. Such as sacred day indeed. The adventurers awoke at the hostel, packed up their gear, and headed down for a decent breakfast. It was quite obvious many other Trolls-et-Legendes Festival-goers were there, as one could [...]

Part B Trolls et Legendes Friday, 10 April 2009Mons, Belgium Heading down to the Central Station, and getting a little turned around doing it, the adventurers finally found the info booth, and in half-english, half-french was directed round-a-bout to where they needed to find the C bus. Of course, none of the signs listed a [...]

Naheulbeuk Night Trolls et Legendes Festival, Night 1, 4/10/2009 – Lotto Mons Expo Center, Mons, Belgium Le Donjon de Naheulbeuk (France) presented the night with a role-playing parody that began originally as an audio saga. Apparently the group became immensely popular and diversified into a band, a series of comic books, novels, and soon a [...]

Trolls et Legendes – Day 1 Trolls et Legendes Festival 2009 – Day 1 Lotto Mons Expo * Avenue Thomas Edison – 7000 Mons – Belgium * http://www.trolls-et-legendes.be/2009/index-en.htm Day one of the infamous Trolls et Legendes festival at the Mons Expo center … evening only as they were to present some films and concerts from [...]

Part A Hunting for the hostel in Mons Friday, 10 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Mons, Belgium The adventurers had a pretty interesting night partying in Amsterdam with the pub crawl. Awaking early with a hangover was not the best start to the day that Sir Thomas Leaf could have. Onwards to check out from [...]

Part C Ultimate Party Pub Crawl Thursday, 9 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands After an afternoon’s rest, Sir Thomas Leaf and Princess Brea were ready to hit the bars and clubs – partying all night long. They hopped the bus to the meeting place at News Cafe on Korte Leidse dwarsstraat. With some time to spare, [...]

Part B Entering the Begijnhof Thursday, 9 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sir Thomas Leaf was inspired by the healing energies of the plaza that was mythologically known for its healing and the bread that doesn’t burn. From the crazy wild partying city of Amsterdam – a walk through a door to another dimension – into [...]

New Amsterdam free tour meeting place at the monument in De Dam square New Amsterdam Free Walking TourRain or shine this tour meets every day at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm in front of Centraal Station, and Starts at 11:15 am and 1:15 pm at Dam Square in front of the National Monument. It is [...]

Part A The Dam Monument Thursday, 9 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sir Thomas Leaf awoke shortly after Princess Brea disappeared down to the dining hall. Slowly rustling out of bed, Sir Thomas Leaf headed downstairs to join her and their new friend from Ireland, James for a pretty delicious continental breakfast and good conversation. Princess [...]

Part D New friends … Wednesday, 8 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Onward the adventurers met with the tour guide leading them through the Red Light District on a spectacular tour learning the history of the sex trade, industry, prostitution, and cannabis culture of Amsterdam. The adventurers met some amazing new friends from around the world [...]

Part C Candles in a cafe Wednesday, 8 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Looking over the maps, the weary travellers decided against hiking across town to the City center. Sir Thomas Leaf bought the pair some 24-hour Metro tickets so they could hop the bus and trains unlimited for the next 24 hours. The hostel recommended [...]

Part B Atop the ferris wheel in Amsterdam Wednesday, 8 April 2009Amsterdam, The Netherlands Arising early and calculating his paycheck, Sir Thomas Leaf spontaneously decided to take Princess Brea to Amsterdam for an excursion enroute to Belgium. Rental motor carriage arranged and lodging set at a hostel in Amsterdam, routing was figured out and plans [...]

Part A Sir Thomas Leaf with a heavy heart …atop the ferris wheel in Amsterdam Wednesday, 8 April 2009Dusseldorf, Germany – Amsterdam, The Netherlands Let the quest for the sacred key of life to pause for a moment, to reflect on some great spirits who have moved on to the other realm. Sir Thomas Leaf [...]

Part A Various Roman and Medieval keys at Xanten, Germany Tuesday, 7 April 2009Duesseldorf, Germany This particular morning Sir Leaf McGowan, Explorer and Adventurer from Colorado, awoke with visions. Clarity to the understanding of what exactly it is this key that the adventuring party seeks. Even though many keys had presented itself during the expedition [...]

Castle Marionburg, Germany Fortress Marienberg / Castle Marionburghttp://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/wu_fest.htm* Festung Marienberg * Nr. 239 * 97082 Würzburg * Telephone (09 31) 3 55 17-50 * Festung Marienberg is a humongous fortress along the Main river in Wurzburg, Germany. A fort since ancient times, it is one of the most prominent landmarks along the Main. Originally a [...]

Entering Wurzburg Wurzburg, Germany Wurzburg is a Franconia city in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. It is located on the Main River approximately 120 kms from Frankfurt and Nuremberg by road and it is a center for culture, exports, trade, and commerce. It is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Unterfranken. It is a German [...]

Part B View of Castle Marionburg from the bridge in Wurzburg Monday, 6 April 2009Wurzburg, Germany The adventurers made it to Wurzburg. Wandering around the streets and exploring the artistic architecture, statues, and sights. The adventurers were in awe of what a beautiful city Wurzburg is. Sir Thomas Leaf, Lady Vanssa, and Princess Brea crossed [...]

Part A Leaving Christian’s Family’s Farm Monday, 6 April 2009Ansbach, Germany Rustled up by Lord Christian the explorers got their gear together and departed the farm. Today was the road trip to Wurzburg and the Castle Marionburg to accomplish the quest for the sacred key. Sir Thomas Leaf having some revelations overnight is realizing insight [...]

Part C Keys in the mural decoration Sunday, 5 April 2009Ansbach, Germany From the Veste Lichtenau, the weary travellers headed over to Ansbach. It was quickly discovered that “Sir Christian” was indeed not just a knightly “Sir” but rather a “Lord” as we soon met his family and their estate. A new family member recently [...]

Part B Sunday, 5 April 2009Nürnberg, Germany The adventurers had a chance to sleep in a little bit … up and out by 11:00 am. The crew met with the gamer group out on the back patio and it was decided that before parting ways, breakfast at a local cafe waa in order. Packing up [...]

Part B Saturday, 4 April 2009Nürnberg, Germany From the Nibulengenmuseum, a brief hike back to Lady Vanessa’s motor-carriage, with a pit stop at at the fish stop and bakery for some travel munchies, the adventurers were on their way to Nürnberg to meet up with Lady Vanessa’s and Sir Christian’s gathering of friends who periodically [...]

Section A The Sacred Key of Worms Saturday, 4 April 2009Worms, Germany iWorms comes from “Lindwurn” or “Dragon slain by Siegfried under the linden tree.” “Yet more I know of Seigfried that well your your ear may hold. Beneath the lindeu tree he slew the dragon bold; Then in its blood he bathed him, which [...]

Friday, 3 April 2009Worms, Germany The adventurers got off to a late start on their travels as they were taking a road trip in Lady Vanessa’s motor carriage to “Worms” to see the mythical band “Faun” in hopes that the music will shed some light about this “sacred” key they are questing for. Along the [...]

Thursday, 2 April 2009Dusseldorf – Duisburg, Germany The adventurers slept in past noon, as they were up late and didn’t get to sleep but until the wee hours of the morning. Sir Thomas Leaf was up to 4:30 am alone. Around noon, the party did laundry and a late breakfast. Lady Vanessa off on an [...]

, Late Afternoon/Evening Wednesday, 1 April 2009Koln, Germany Our exploring Duette heading down along the Rhine from the Chocolate Museum to explore some of the river-side cafes, streets, and parks. Then on to the German Roman Museum that Sir Thomas Leaf ventured into and Princess Brea, not being into museums, went to the Starbucks around [...]