BIP (Bring It USA Promotions) tour team Alabama arrives in Munich, Germany and meets up with our tour guides, CJ, Cory and one of our coaches Jodie. After getting our bags and locating the Burger King we decide to attempt the S Bohn (the train) into the city. We get our tickets and we are off. We end up at Marien Platz, the center of Munich and make our way to our first stop-----the ATM machine! Euros are the currency here and we need a lot. Next stop lunch, we have sandwiches, sausages, and colas as well as the infamous fanta orange drink. We negotiate our way through the town and find Munster the huge cathedral in town. It is magnificent! After walking around inside, noticing the detailed carvings, flags, and intricate statues we see a gift shop. Inside the shop are pictures of the cathedral after World War II it is unbelievable what happened here. We are all amazed and shocked at the reality of the situation here at that time in history. We meet everyone at the S Bohn to head back to meet Cory and Jodie, the trip back is easy. On the Bohn the team meets up with some local students, after the normal “ hi, how are you” the basics of a conversation in English and German (courtesy of our two Carey and Tiffany who study German) we manage to ask the basics, name, rank (grade in school) and hometown. One of the boys says he is David Beckham, a real joker! They tell us that they play football, and it takes us a while to realize that they are talking about European football(soccer), not American football.

We meet back with Jodie at the Burger King, load up the bus, meet our new driver, and Cory tells us the game plan. We are going to be visiting the concentration camp, Dachau. This concentration camp was one of the many work camps. We look around at the memorials, the barracks, which were built to only hold 200 people, but ended up holding up to 2,000, and the crematorium. There is barbed wire, electric fences(no longer in use), and concrete walls surrounding the camp. We realize how terrible the poor, innocent people had to have felt while here. The crematorium consisted of a cleaning room, where the victims’ clothing items would be cleaned and hung up, a waiting room, where the victims were told that they were going to be allowed to take a shower, a “shower” room, which was really a gas chamber. Once in the chamber, the room would be filled with a toxic gas, Zyclon X. Then there was body room, where the guards would move the dead bodies.

We meet the bus and head to Innsbruck, Austria. The BIP tour team consists of many girls from various places all here for an adventure in history, culture and of course volleyball. The crew from Alabama: Meghan, Kamryn, Meredith, Keely, Maggie, Michelle, Sarah, Lauren, Carey, Andi, Bill, Catherene, and CJ the crew from Florida: Mandy, Amy, Linda and Dani, and the one and only South Carolina Belle: Tiffany, Our Georgia connection: Jodie and of course our Utah friends, Krista and Cory. By the time the tour is over this group will be bonded by more than one thing. Together we are discovering not only countries and cultures but friendships, fun, and memories to last a lifetime.

Day 2 – Innsbruck, Austria

July 6, 2003

By Carey, Alabama

Earlier today I was faced with a difficult decision; to go on a hike in the Austrian Alps or to experience the city of Innsbruck. I, along with part of the team decided to go on the hike. Cory told us that it would be a difficult thirty to forty-five minute hike, but it would be worth it.

The bus took us to the beginning of the trail partway up the mountain. Here, there were a few restaurants and some souvenir shops. Also, we took a group picture with the beautiful view of Innsbruck below us. Almost as soon as we had begun the hike, I became tired. Cory led the way as we trekked up the mountain on trails and dirt roads. The view and the food at the top were well worth it.

Lunch was wonderful. Cory suggested that we try the Kneel, a local dish. It was a sort of dumpling made with either cheese, ham, spinach or other ingredients, doused in chicken broth or served with salad. We were some of the few tourist that ever came to this restaurant; It was such a local, friendly place. After we ate, we looked at the view and started down the mountain again.

Our goal now was to walk back to hostel to rest. The only thing between us and our destination was the hour and a half hike. Cory allowed Andi to lead us down off the main trails to make it interesting. We ended up walking through trees, ditches and bushes. Once we did get back on the trails again, it was straight downhill to the city. Another thirty minutes in the city and we were able to crash on our beds in the hostel. The hike was a lot of fun and I am glad that I got to experience Austria like the locals might.

Day 3 – Bolzano, Italy

July 7, 2003

By Meredith & Catherene, Alabama

We woke up at the hostel to a beautiful morning. The last hostel I stayed in was in Vienna in 1972, we were awakened for breakfast to Cat Stevens – “Tea for the Tillerman”. No music this morning, but breakfast was the same bread and butter and coffee. I proceeded to go out after breakfast and catch up on my journal while the training team is doing their workout on the soccer field behind the hostel. Excitement of the day – they come get me – Meredith has gotten sick, oh well so much for catching up on my journal. Crisis over, the group is packed and back on the bus.

We are off – the Alps and Dolomite mountains are incredible, it was really hard for me to know where to look. We arrived in Bolzano, leave the bus and proceed to attack the city our groups. It is around noon so, our group – Meredith, Andi, Jodie and me were lead by our stomachs so we could have energy to shop later. Besides, the stores were closed until around three for their middle of the day rest period. Oh why can’t we do that at home. After much consideration we agreed to eat outside at the Cappelo di Ferro Evenhut. The menu was in German and Italian even though we were now in Italy, more specifically South Tirol. The city had a distinct German look and ancestry.

We opted to attempt to get a sale\ad and two pizzas to share. Our waiter was “Thomas”, he understood and spoke English well. Our lunch took most of our time because he was such a flirt. He told us he was Croatia and we discussed our upcoming trip to Croatia. According to Thomas, Risky is not pretty, but just south and beach is beautiful. We are very lucky, because it appears Cory must know this also, as we are staying at the beach just south of Rizeky. Thomas proceeded to ask where we were from and we told him Alabama and Georgia. He went to go get his business card and request we each send him a postcard. He collects them.

Jodie collects Coke memorabilia and she asked if she could buy her glass, as Enjoy Coke was in German/Italian. Thomas was again quite helpful, “No take it” he pointed to the big purse and pointed to his eye “Don’t let me boss see it”. I felt like he advised every table outside we were Americans, as he would say USA and they would proceed to ask. Lunch over, we are off, again our stomachs overruled the urge to shop and we went straight to the Gelato Stand, then we window shopped as the stores were still closed.

We got back to the Bus and met Ruth, Gerta and her boyfriend. They lead us to the Guest house. Ruth plays for Kent State. We traveled on to Merrano, the bus barely fit between the apple trees. The guest house was a classic Bavarian home with porches and window boxes,. The wood was dark on the outside but blond almost Scandinavian on the inside. Each room has porches, baths and down comforters. My view on the back on the house was of the gardens, pools, orchards and the mountains. Before dinner we met our hosts Ruth’s Aunt and Uncle. They live with the extended family at the Guest house. We later went to sit out back under the Trellis (by the way, boy does my husband have a project to copy) under the kiwi vines. They had grapes, plums and apples.

Dinner was at a restaurant with a very beautiful setting, not the easiest to get to, but worth the effort – “Untermossl Keller” we were served Coleslaw, Ribs and Kninoddles? It was a relief to recognize some of the food, unlike the night at the Hoffbrau House. The walk up the hill was such an incline Ruth attempted to save the adults, just let it be known a straight shift VW Golf cannot travel up a 75 degree angle with five adults in it, we proceeded to burn the clutch and roll backwards. We gave up and walked.

It was late when we got back, however, not ready to give up the adults and tour guides went out back, we had great fun and good conversation. Adventure #2 of the day – the local Volunteer Fire department decided to swim in the pool. It appears Ruth’s cousin Stephen – 18 was part of the group, as he lived there it seemed very reasonable. The peace of the evening was over at that time. After awhile they decided the college girls needed to swim, I understand much fun was had by all the language barrier was broken.

Day 4 – Bolzano, Italy and the lake

July 8, 2003

By Jodie, Georgia

This morning began for most around 8:00 when we met downstairs on the main level for breakfast: meat, cheese, bread, butter, and other spreads along with coffee, tea, and water. This is definitely the breakfast of choice here in Europe, which takes a little getting used to day after day. We were on the bus to head for the city of Bolzano around 9:00 in the morning. Being dropped off at the train station, we split up in groups to go shopping, sight seeing, eat lunch, and be back to meet the bus at the train station around 12:30. Unlike yesterday, many of the shops are open. Many people bought a couple souvenirs for friends and family as well as for themselves. The most fun part for me is to people-watch while walking around and see what the people from around the area are like. I also enjoy learning a portion of the history and culture by interacting with people in stores and absorbing all that I can while walking the streets around the town.. Lunch for some people consisted of pizza, salads, or lasagna accompanied by coke, sprite, fanta, or water. There were also a strip of fresh fruit and vegetable markets where several people in our group bought snacks for later before the match. Plus, junior tour guide Andi got a large sunflower that brightened up her day.

Upon meeting the bus at the train station in downtown Bolzano, we headed for the lake. At the lake, being the modest Americans that we are we asked the men to step off the bus so that we may change into our bathing suites instead of having to find a restroom or a water closest to go change in especially since we would have to pay for this luxury. Once again, there was a comment made about the American modesty. Cory then stated that we had a short walk to the other side of the lake where there was a rock to jump off of, but of course, Cory’s minutes are a little longer than the standard. Once we got to the other side, Linda found her spot in the shade to read, Catherene, Meredith, Mandy, Krista, and I found a place to relax on the rocks in the sun while the rest of the group decided to go swimming in the lake with the fishes. After a while CJ and a couple others had made their way over to the rock and investigated the area to make sure it would be a safe adventure. Although there were a few that were timid of jumping off of the 30 foot rock, everyone that went swimming made the plunge into the water, and some even made the jump twice.

After a couple of hours we headed back to the guest house to relax for a few hours before the first match of the tour against the South Tyrolian team. The gym was a typical European gym with no air conditioning. Some of the girls were not used to it, but learned how to play in this environment. We, the coaches, split up the girls into two teams, green and white. Danni, Carey, and Tiffany played on both teams since we only have eleven players. After a rusty warm-up, it was apparent that we had not played together very much, and a few girls had not touched a ball in a while. The other team consisted of older players that had more experience, and they played well together. Before the match, the teams shook hands, exchanged miniature BVC balls for apples, chocolate, and wafer cookies from South Tyrol. Although a few of the volunteer fire fighters showed up to cheer for the team and the coaches, we did not win the match. The scores of the match were 25-16, 25-14, 25-11, and 25-10, none of which were in our favor.

We then headed to dinner at a local pizzeria with the other team. The individual pizzas were about the size of a medium pizza in the United States with unique toppings and a thin crust. It was interesting to sit with the other team, and learn about their culture and how they were trained to played volleyball. Once we finished the typical long dinner we returned to the guest house to hang out on the back porch for a while. A few of the coaches, parents, and the tour guides hung out on the back porch with some of the natives until about 1:00am. Three of the volunteer fire fighters had come back to the meet and visit with some of the girls in the kitchen until curfew at 2:00am.

Day Four, Editor’s note:
Team Alabama played SV Lana; a local team from Lana, Italy comprised players aged 16 to 27. One player, Ruth Ladurner-Schnitzer, plays for Kent State University. The match was a good first match for the young team from Alabama as it allowed them to start learning first hand the different styles used by the majority of International teams. Alabama played well, however they just could not match the experience of SV Lana. In the end they fell in four straight games.

“Beautiful Tyrolian Alps”

Day 5 – Venice, Italy

July 9, 2003

By Mandy, Florida and Lauren, Alabama

The day started with an early breakfast of BREAD in Auhof and soon after we were on our way to Venice. After a three hour drive, we arrived in the outskirts of Venice. We broke off into our groups and all plotted our paths through the city. Our group (Mandy and Lauren’s group) consisted of Michelle, Amy, Sarah, Dani, and Linda Flannigan. Our group decided we should take a ferry around the Coast of the city to the popular destination, the Piazza de San Marco. After a crowded, hot and smelly ride, we arrived to witness the beautiful architecture of the Piazza. Immediately after we docked, we all purchased bird food to feed the infinite flocks of pigeons surrounding the church. We learned very quickly how hungry Venetian pigeons are and how they would stop at nothing to claim whatever food people had.

We set off through the narrow streets and endless glass shops of Venice. We stopped in a sandwich shop for a quick bite to eat in order to savor every minute we had, for we were allotted a miniscule amount of time by Corey, the evil time nazi. We continued through the streets stopping ever so often at a bridge just to admire the unique waterways of Venice. However, our main goal was to reach the most prominent bridge in Venice, the Per Rialto bridge.

Sarah was our tour guide throughout the journey because she had ventured the complicated sidewalks prior to this visit. At the beginning we thought she was a gem to have in our group, but not even the “know it all” bookworm could confidently tell us where we were in reference to our out of date map. Thanks to a few lucky guesses and quite a few circles, we found our way to the glorious bridge. There stood endless vendors trying to persuade us to buy anything they had to offer, but we held our own and shopped wisely. After hours of fighting off persistent vendors and rude streetwalkers, we stopped to buy fresh fruit and ease our tourist tension.

We then faced the journey back to the parking deck on the opposite side of the city; however, we had only one hour until our meeting time. We fought our way through the endless maze that is Venice and finally we surrendered to the ferry ride back. As we loaded the ferry we noticed that it had never been quite this boisterous or crowded. So, we snuck onto the ferry and enjoyed a free ride back to our salvation. Before we stepped off of the ferry, we were already bragging about the fact that some things were free, but a few swift blows from Ms. Paranoid (Sarah) put us in our place. We started off walking again and noticed that God had punished us and set us back a 20 minute walk from the sinister parking lot. After an endless walk we were led by Z-mans smoke signals from behind the bus. We piled on to the bus despite the heat and popping joints, for we knew that we had experienced a day and a culture we would never forget. God bless America!!

Day 6 – Izsola, Slovenia

July 10, 2003

By Maggie, Alabama\and Sarah, Alabama

After a long night of no air-condition or nevertheless a breeze, we awoke to another day of bread. When everyone was done with their bread and hot milk, we loaded up and awaited our host, which we later found out her name was Evana. She was 15 and spoke four languages fluently… we were all pretty impressed. Our activity of the day was going to the Slovenian beach. There was no beach as we know it… it was all rock and concrete! It was pretty odd and most of the beachy feeling wasn’t there, but we had our fun anyway. Our bus driver, nicknamed Z-man, was the first of us to swim in the Adriatic Sea, while the rest of us basked in the scorching sun and people-watched, which was slightly frightening because of the number of topless women, naked children, and old men in speedos. We ate lunch at the beach, a hamburger and fries affair. There, we found out CJ and Bill had rented the team a paddle boat with a slide attached. The boat was smaller so we had to split up groups, but after a lot of pictures and salt water, both groups had a blast. When the second group returned we left to go back to the dormitories we were staying in. Our options were to stay there and rest or walk to the town and explore. Most of us did a mixture of both. After our exploring, we packed up and left for the gym. The team we played was mostly comprised of 15 and 16-year-olds who were pretty good, but not nearly as good as the first team we’d played. They beat us in three out of four games… their go-to power hitter was a 6’2” goliath who consistently hit over our blocks. After our humiliating match, we showered at the gym and walked to dinner at a fish restaurant. We had sushi appetizers with three kinds of fish and some calamari, and a fish filet with awesome seafood pasta for the entrée. Sushi is an acquired taste, but most of us tried it at least and some people really liked it. After dinner we walked back to the bus and drove back to the dorms for another night of breezeless heat. Tomorrow we go on to Croatia and their legendary beaches.

Day 7 – Travel to Kraljevica, Croatia

July 11, 2003

By Princess Michelle, Alabama as dictated to Amy, Florida

The beginning of Michelle’s like as the princess of Croatia started when the coach of the team we were playing came over to CJ and told her that “your number 14 is exotic in my country”. CJ, still laughing, went and told Michelle what the coach told her. They both sat on the bench and laughed. Later that night we got dressed to go to dinner, and being Michelle, she dressed to kill. For dinner, we went into a small town. As soon as she got off the bus, all eyes were on Michelle. Mandy and Michelle were walking to the nearest restaurant, when a Croatian man came up to them and gave Michelle a high five. After that, they started to notice that EVERYONE was looking at them. People would turn around backwards to look. They gathered friends around for the sight of the only black person in the country. On their way out, a little boy ran up behind them and touched Michelle on the back of the leg and screamed something in Croatian. He then ran back to his dad laughing.

This is how the Croatian’s exotic, Nubian goddess was treated on July 11, 2003.

Day Seven, Editor’s note:
Team Alabama played against Drenova, from Rijeka Croatia tonight. The entire team from Drenova was comprised of players ranging from ages 15 to 18. Drenova is a very talented young team as last season they were in the first division of Croatia using mainly players under 18 years of age. Last season Bring It USA placed two Americans in Drenova, Heather Olmstead from Utah State and Katie Sherwood from Radford University. Having Heather and Katie play in Drenova last season made the match very interesting as most of the young Croatia players were excited to have more players visit their club and city.
Drenova won sets one and two, then team Alabama won set three and then Drenova finished the match in four.

“Another great team meal”

Day 8 – Beach at Malinska, Croatia

July 12, 2003

By: none

Everyone was at the beach today. Nobody wanted to take away from their time enjoying the Adriatic coast by writing in the journal. It was a great day. Will talk again tomorrow.

Day Eight, Editor’s note:
Team Alabama played a very talent youth team from Crikvenica, Croatia tonight. The team was one of the top 15 and under teams in Croatia and it was a great match. Crikvenica is right on the Croatian coast and most of the players had been playing beach volleyball the entire day. In fact, most of them coming the match straight from the beach in swim suits. Alabama played very well tonight, in fact their best match so far in Europe. Team Crikvenica had a couple of very talented 15-year-old players who are going to be very strong in the future. All sets were very competitive and in the end Crikvenica won 30-28 in the fourth set. This was by far the best match of the tour. In addition it was a very big deal for the town of Crikvenica, as the following day there was an article in the local paper and a lot of very loud Croatian fans showed up for the match.

Day 9 – Travel to Klagenfurt, Austria

July 13, 2003

By Dani, Florida and Keely, Alabama

Today we got up around 8 am, and ate breakfast at the hotel. We actually had something new other than bread; we had ham, eggs, bacon, and drinks. Then we packed and left around 10 am for our 3 hour trip to Slovenia. Down the road from our hotel we picked up some hitch-hikers and took them closer to town so they wouldn’t have to walk all that way. Then later when we got to Slovenia, we stopped and ate lunch at a rest stop. We had ham, turkey, salami, cheese, and mustard sandwiches. Also, our lunch included crackers, pretzels, cookies, fruit, and a orange fizzy drink. The bathrooms were horrible because they were pretty much a hole in the ground, so nobody went to the bathrooms. So, a couple of kilometers down the road we stopped at a gas station to use the bathrooms there. Everyone was happy! We continued our long drive to Veldin, Austria to stay in a hostle. We got there around 4. A lot of us went on bikes into town, while the other half of us slept and read books. It was very relaxing and fun. Around 6:30 pm, we drove to our match. We played four games that night and won 3, lost 1. They were really exciting games to watch and play. After our games, we took showers and got ready to go to dinner. We ate dinner at nice restaurant. We had all kinds of Knodles. They were filled with fruit, cheese, potato, spinach, and tomato. They were awesome tasting. After dinner, we went back to the place we were staying and had a relaxing good night sleep.

Day Nine, Editor’s note:
Team Alabama played one of the top club teams from Klagenfurt, Austria today. Klagenfurt hosts a huge FIVB beach tournament the first week of August and volleyball is very popular in this city. Team Alabama continued to improve and beat Klagenfurt 3-0 behind some very solid play of many of the players. I think after nine days Team Alabama is getting used to being in Europe and playing against International teams as they are really starting to play well together as a team.

Day 10 – Salzburg, Austria

July 14, 2003

By: Lauren, Alabama and Kamryn, Alabama

We left Croatia and traveled to Salzburg, Austria where the “hills are alive with the sound of music”. Kamryn, the youngest member of the tour, was on a mission to see the fountain of the horses, (the scene in the movie when the famous Julie Andrews splashed the horses). So Kamryn’s group traveled to the cathedral and purchased “The Sound of Music” keepsake book that provided a map of main attractions from the movie. When Kamryn’s group found the fountain she asked her dad to videotape her splashing the water onto the horses. It was truly a memorable experience for Kamryn. Later, Kamryn’s group went to the cemetery where the Von Trapp family hid towards the end of the movie. Also, they traveled to the nunnery and saw the gate that Julie Andrews once stood behind after telling the Von Trapps that she had become a nun. Kamryn truly appreciated Salzburg because of her appreciation of the movie and her memory of familiar scenes of the musical.

Other groups started the day in a large square of vendors in the center of Salzburg. Many groups branched off from that large site so our group (Lauren, Sarah, Amy, Mandy, Maggie, Dani, Linda, and Michelle) chose a random street that looked somewhat promising. After walking two or three blocks we found a small café and we sat down to a familiar American dish of grilled ham and cheese and French fries. After lunch we continued to drone down the streets while admiring the beautiful castles and churches that towered over us. Occassionally we stopped here and there for knick knacks and souvenirs for the fam but all-in-all it was a very relaxing trip. We did our best to find our way back to the bus in hopes that Corey would praise us for our memory and attention skills that he claims we don’t possess. We made it back just in time and took the bus to our next hotel in Vilsbiburg.

We arrived in Vilsbiburg at about seven and left for dinner at a restaurant somewhat near the city. The restaurant was adjacent to a creek and the atmosphere was very casual and quiet. There was a fixed menu of either Weinerschnitzel or chicken salad and although many chose the salad, most were envious of the enticing plates that the others had ordered. I ordered a chicken salad and a rattler (to reminisce on the shnooli’s nites) and had a very enjoyable night. We met the coach of the other team and his daughter. His daughter is pregnant and is in better shape than me, plus, she looks just like a high school teammate of some of the players. We left the restaurant and then made our way back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

Day 11 – Vilsbiburg, Germany

July 15, 2003

By: Andi, Alabama

Breakfast surprised the majority of us this morning. We had an awesome selection of food from different meats to different rolls, a first for the tour. We left for town at 9:30 this morning for a full day of shopping. Vilsbiburg is a beautiful city that reminded me of Innsbruck. The group split up into small groups to explore and shop. The most famous church we visited today was called St. Martin. The church was intriguing but was amazed me the most was the spiral staircase that lead to the original church that was built in the early 1200s. The architecture of the city of Vilsbiburg was unique also with its use of architectural facades that were all different. Brilliant pastel colors lightened the entire town. At 1:15 we met back at the bus to fix sandwiches for lunch. We had turkey, salami, spicy mystery mustard and cookies. After finding a few girls that left for the petrol station to use the bathroom we headed back to the guest house to get ready for our match. We played the same club as last year, TSV Rote Rabens. We played differently tonight by splitting into two teams and playing at once. Although we did not win we had fun and that is all that matters. We hurried to take our showers and headed back to the same restaurant as the night before. We had a choice between spaghetti and wiener-schnitzel. The team joined us and enlightened us with their lifestyles in Vilsbiburg. The junior tour guide, me, and Jodie then stood up to hand out award to sum up the tour. Everyone laughed at all the memories and even the German girls understood some of our stories. We left the restaurant and sang all the way back to the guest house. Kamryn led us in the Sound of Music songs and Lauren finished with a beautiful solo from Casper, “Remember Me This Way.” Back in our rooms we finished packing and exchanged e-mail addresses as well as telephone numbers. It still hasn’t hit me that the tour is wrapping up so soon.

Day Eleven, Editor’s note:
Team Alabama played against a very talented youth team from Vilsbiburg, Germany tonight. Most of the players were between 15 to 18 years of age and they are a very strong German team. The coach, Milos Zik is a former Czech coach and player and his daughter, Zuzana Zikova coached at the University of Utah for two seasons. Vilsbiburg was too strong for Alabama as they won in three straight sets.

Day 12 – Munich and home

July 16, 2003

By: Tiffany, South Carolina

I cannot believe that it is time to go home. I feel that many of us are ready to see our family and friends but not ready at all to leave this experience. I think I speak for most of the team by saying this has been an experience of a life time. Never having flown much less left the country, I totally naïve have found a true passion for flying and experiencing different cultures. Throughout the whole trip, we all stuck out like a soar thumb. Each culture in different countries reacted towards us in different ways. I have been called a stupid American to being told I was very fortunate to live in America. Europe has possibly been one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. I have always pictured Europe being like the war pictures I see in me text books, However, Europe was not like that at all. Overall, many Europeans were very nice and understand towards us. Most of us are either excited to be leaving or wishing they could stay longer. For me, I am ready to return to the states with the knowledge I have gained. When I was in Croatia, I learned for a local that America is not as free as we think it is. To many Europeans, if you take away America’s military and luxuries, America is no better than many other countries. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to listen to the different opinions of America. Living in the little town of Aiken gives you no chance to really see what a big world we live in. Many things are very different in Europe than America. From the food to all the walking, it was hard adapting to the culture. Right when I felt like I could be a European, we have to leave