Mitchellfhit

C'est La Vie! Au revoir Paris!
Finally back home! 22 days (6 Countries/Cities) later, we had our flight in Chicago canceled so we had to stay a night in Chicago. They gave us room at the Westin so it wasn't bad. I was tired, sick and ready to be home though.

Anyway, our last stop was Paris. We spent 4 days there and went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and went to the Louvre and got to talk to Kam about art and certain paintings and sculptures I loved and why I wanted to see them. He really just wanted to see the Mona Lisa and that's cool too. But we had some convos about the Egyptian sculptures and why I felt their noses were all broken. And no others in the museum were! Anyway, we Walked around the city, got a pouring rain soon as we got to the Arc De Triomphe. With the rain came the cold front and then I got sick with it. We still moved around as normal and walked our normal 5-8 daily miles but I wasn't feeling good so we cut the last night short and missed going to Montmarte. We ate at Senegalese restaurant and then headed back.

Overral it was a good trip. Boys got to see so much and see people that looked like them speaking 3-6 different languages. We Made friends and broke bread with kids from all over and spoke with people from many different walks of life. That made it a good trip. Opened up to music, food, culture, people of different backgrounds and sexes and orientations and we all just sat around and laughed and spoke of where we were from and learned from each other. The world is small but big and why we see and learn here in the U.S. isn't what's really out there. We enjoyed Madrid, Spain - Tangier, Morocco- Amsterdam, Netherlands- Brussels, Belgium- London, England and Paris, France.

So we rolled into London for a few days, and the first stop was Camden Town to see the Queen's statue and home. Anyone who knows me knows Amy Winehouse is my favorite singer, so we stopped in Camden first. While walking back to the tube/subway station, we passed a barber. I had been wearing my KC hat because I rep KC, but also because I was looking bad around the head and my clippers shorted when I plugged them into the Euro outlet. Robbyn wanted Kam to get a cut, then asked the owner Steve if I could get one too 😂. They were gracious enough to cut us both, even though they were closing. Last haircut i got from a barber was the day of our wedding 12 years ago. Have always cut my own hair unless it's a big event. Steve is from Jamaica, so we chatted and then he walked us over to Roger's Kitchen and spoke to the owner for us, and he gave us a table. The curry goat, rice and peas, and plantains were great. Kam didn't breathe while eating his bream.

Anyway, we did all that oligarchy tourist stuff (Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abby, etc.) the next few days and also did the London Eye, Shrek, and Sea Life for Kaiden, along with the bus top tours. Again, I love history and architecture so London is a dream for all of that. Their History is crazy interesting and the buildings and stories behind it. Overall, London was cool. The people were cool AF.

This was the 2nd to last stop of our Euro/N. Africa tour

Forgot to post these .. So anyway, we did a day/night in both Amsterdam and Brussels. We're just out there meeting and talking to random folks from around the world from all different backgrounds and ways of life. Explaining to my kids history (the good and bad), culture, art and architecture (baroque and gothic) and learning things myself as well.

Robbyn had to reel me back in because after Kam's soccer camp I planned the trip and I was wanting to add more days and stops. It's so easy to travel over here. I still wanted to hit up 3-4 other countries/cities. I wanted to see cities and buildings I have read about or seen in movies and TV. So I have a list of cities and things i want to see in those cities. Anyway. Both these cities have some good history but some dope buildings/architecture. Food has been cool too but nothing like Madrid or Tangier.

And oh yea (someone will ask) the red light District was literally the next street over from our hotel. So of course I went. I had to go check it out. 🤷🏾‍♂️

We have never been to Africa so since we were so close we decided the next leg of the trip would be Tangier, Morocco. I can finally say i have been to Africa. We flew from Madrid to Malaga and then we found out our ferry from Tarifa was cancelled because of wind. So we had to go to Algeciras which allowed us to see and leave by the Rock of Gibraltar. But that was an adventure because getting on the ferry was a scene and just a preview of what it would be like to get off. It was a a literal push to get in line to get on buses but finally got a taxi and 12 hours after landing got to our hotel. The staff was super nice and the city has been good as well. Different vibe than Madrid for sure but it's good. The people speak mostly Arabic but also French and Spanish. So in one place 2-3 people may speak one or the other or all 3.

No tipping culture in Madrid unlike the US. Here it's about 10%. A lot of folks come up trying to sell or just ask for money. I was like man it's odd seeing folks sell small packs of tissue. I was like why? Then i had to go to the bathroom while out and found out. 😂luckily i carry Clorox wipes, toilet covers and tissue with me.

We rode camels, a pony, buses, cars and planes. Went around the city on a tour, got in the ocean a couple times (water is hella cold). Explored the markets and purchased some items. Hung out with the locals since our hotel is in the middle of the market kabash. Met some traveling friends and had an overall good time.

In Madrid for Futbol camp for Kam. And they are playing local teams. First game yesterday. Kam had a couple goals and so did his teammate from KC. Today they played an older team and well, it wasn't the best but I love when he plays older kids. Makes you tougher and better and you learn. These kids are good! But They have been enjoying themselves more games to go. We were able to check a box for me by going to a La Liga game. Atletico vs Girona and it was Griezmann's last game so they had the ceremony after so that was cool. We looked like Semi and Hakeem (Coming to America) when they first got to NY with all of our gear on 😂 like we are super fans or something. Robbyn, Kaiden and I have been exploring Madrid by walking, bus and subway eating all the food and seeing all the sites. Definitely high on my list of cities world wide. Still more to explore.

Some morning home total body work. Featuring a sleeping Xena

My oldest graduated and now has his welding certification and we are proud of him. Now it's time to find that position so if you know or have any leads for welding jobs/apprenticeships please let me know!
Kaiden had his 4th bday last week and i feel we had 4 different bday events for him 😂.

Robbyn and I got out later and attending the Jack & Jill gala.

And of course Kam and Kaiden had games and activities. This wknd per usual .

A true milestone and blessing. My grandma Bertha made it to 100 years old and we celebrated her birthday. Everyone within a few block radius of 36th and Montgall at some point hung out on the block and probably bought some candy or pop from her.

Also through some pics and videos from
This week. Kaiden started basketball. Kam had some singing events at school and also Easter Pics.