A European Balloon Adventure.

FuDDx

United States5007 Posts

August 02 2015 19:37 GMT

I’ve been away from the family, the normal flow of things the comfortable...the complacent....

My travels started months ago when I found out about the chance to go and explore to "work" out and away across "The Pond" an adventure I had dreamed of and played over and over in my head....

Ill work when I’m not working explore Europe and hopefully come across the other side with opportunity and chances to grow and explore more . This will be great and wonderful and hopefully next time Ill take the family....

Telling anyone and everyone about it that would listen for two seconds Id babble on about the amazing chance to do something Im good at and love to do!! Not to brag (maybe a little

) But to, I had hoped, inspire others that if you keep looking maybe even someone like us can get something beautiful... I am truly blessed in this life to have a beautiful family, a woman who loves me and is the most amazing women ever and Ive found something I love to work at... Pursuing balloons is still my passion but I need to find a balance with balloons and family and I think a few balloon con/ networking adventures will not be happening for a while as I focus more on local stuff and family and less so on meandering journeys however fun they can be!

Twisted and rambling of a forward aside…. A journey begins..

**I want to thank James Lampkin aka Kennigit without him this whole trip would not have happened. The ESL folks flew me out and were able to book my flights return weeks later so I could do all this ballooning and traveling. *

June 18th 2015....

So many balloons...A large and overweight checked in rolling suitcase...A fully stuffed Adidas backpack, A converted Old Macintosh computer bag a tan color bursting with rolled balloons… And a murse…full of bits and bobs for charging phones and ecig batteries and random magic paraphernalia with assorted toiletries scattered throughout. I hope I get some of these balloons used...

(Second leg of the flight over Phoenix- Charlotte- Frankfurt.)

I got into Frankfurt...found a place to switch my sim card and contacted James. Trying to find out the details of the hotel. It was not long before I had the sim switched and had heard back and I was on my way to the hotel via taxi. (I would not think about it at the time but looking back and now having my car and driving it is/was strange to not be in control of any transport for the next 5 some odd weeks) Getting to the hotel I was checked in early (I neglected to check the check in time or ask) Thank you hotel staff!! And…. started the pre-build of some of the large DOTA2 figures i would be making for ESL Frankfurt 2015.

The actual event was a whirlwind. From getting the large figures finished, to starting up and working for a total of 23 hours over the 2 days was insane. It was pretty scary at first as the request came and the line grew...and yet it was so much fun and I was energized by the support and love as well as the challenge to create things on the spot from pictures held in hands glowing up from each person’s phone in line. The kicker for me was getting to connect and or reconnect with TL people like Kennigit, Hot-bid, and Nazgul. Both days had me busy till past the shuttles back and to the after party on the second day. Sad to have missed out on the after party I went back to the hotel had a beer and went to bed. The next day I was so tired I ended up using the extra night of accommodations the ESL folks generously had for me to sleep.

It was also time to get on to the next part of the Journey….To Bruges, Belgium and a stay with Tiny and his family.

Tiny is not a small guy. He would say he is 5 foot 18inches possibly an inch or two higher. With a heart of gold and a preference to evangelize to any and all who happen to meet him. He and his family opened up and let me stay with them for a few days where I was able to see such an old and amazing city, do a beer tour, eat my first Belgium waffle and fries, have a taste of Chocolaterie De Brug handmade chocolates, as well as being shown around by Tiny who during the week does walking tours!

Tiny his wife and two girls were lovely! And treated me to a couple home cooked meals! And wifi and friendship and not in that order. We went and had some delightful homemade ice cream dishes one night and managed to get some great photos of the town as well. And I would be seeing more of this wonderful family on my journey as Tiny and I would be working at the City Spectacular in Ireland a few weeks later.

Leaving Bruges I was sorry to leave friends behind and the views…. I was also very eager to continue on….To Amsterdam.

My time in Amsterdam was short, I do wish to take some more time there in the future. I spent my first day and night at the hotel. I had planned on staying with some balloon friends but it did not work out. Though I did meet two great people a garbage man who lived his whole life in Amsterdam (pointed me in the right directions and talked music and some festivals locally) and an Australian lady (who told me of a very cheap and nice hotel) who helped me get situated in the city for my couple day stay.

Not knowing the busking laws and figuring worse case I plead the foreigner trying to get out of town card and hope for being moved along rather than jail or taking my gear. I took some balloons and went to the lawn near the Van Gogh museum. At first I walked around and checked to see where would be a good spot and make sure I was not stepping on anyone’s pitch. I did stop to watch an Aussie man setting up to do a circle show and figured I’d try my best to help building the circle and to see what this guy did. I should have moved along….I helped him with a lighter several times… threw him a few euros and suffered through a show with lines as old as he was and nothing to original or unique though he did manage to be more insulting (and not in a humorous way) than any of the other buskers I’ve seen so far. From the looks of it he managed to make what he deserved and insulted us all more as he packed his gear in order to move over for the next performers. I went to a bench to start making some balloons and decorate my bench.

Managing to only make 10 Euros in about 2-3 hours, I felt the need to walk around and check out some of the city. I made a hat and put all my leftover balloons onto it and headed out. I did run into a TL member who follows League of Legends and he knew it was me just from seeing the balloons, he was off on his way with some sort of pastries box in hand. Better luck was had selling some balloons while walking the city than I managed to make at the bench. As the day wore on I decided to visit a Coffee shop and call it a night. (Checking off the high schooler in me Amsterdam “trip”)

It was time to head to London and my one day balloon Lecture in Surrey!

London was great fun and once again I had a balloon family making room for another traveling balloon guy. Graham and his wife took great care of me while in London and even showed me around the city. Graham also was responsible for the balloon class I would be doing. He is quite involved in the balloon community, running a forum, a balloon store, as well as doing his own balloon and magic parties and events, and only he knows what other things this man gets up to. I found encouragement and kind words as well as sound advice from this man and feel forever in his debt as I do with all those involved on this journey of mine.

The balloon class went ok I think. I tried sharing all I could and hope that some of them were able to take something away that improved the balloons they do, or even the way they play/practice.
Exploring London with Graham a bit we managed to see a couple acts working the Covenant Gardens pitches. Nothing too noteworthy… Juggling, Unicycle, slack line, old lines new faces….We moved on to walking around and me taking photos of this and that. Managed to meet a French balloon guy working Bankside (As I would the next day) he was very friendly and I was glad to have stopped and talk with him. The next day found me working a bit and then later meeting up with Graham and another balloon artist/actor Danny for some more London city exploring and eating! Ginger beer was new to me and it was very tasty. As were bon-bons and getting my first 99 of the summer! I really had a great time in London all made possible by Graham and his lovely wife as well as Danny and all those who joined me for my class! It was time for me to move along and take my growing stinky laundry to Scotland!

Scotland…. Man oh man…. I have loved all the travel but I feel like this was a very special time for me.

Arriving very late into the train station having been stuck enjoying the Scottish country side while signals were being repaired and trains routed in the safest manner. All meaning I was sitting for a few more hours than was comfortable, having no air con in three of the coaches was the kicker for many on the train, I however was used to much hotter though it did get a bit stuffy. Pop and his roommate picked me up in the rain and we were off to get some Asian take away and to home for the next week and a half or so.

The first few days were spent in contacting Mohammad an amazing man from Bahrain who Pop had worked with in the past for festivals. As well as drive by tour of Edinburgh and some of the surrounding little towns and places of note in the city. We even had Mohammad running around with us. I worked a Tesco gig with Pop one day and had a blast, Working with someone you admire and look up to and can learn so much from is a great thing. The day after he had a special event at a hospital and a visit from the Queen as well which he was able to have some video proof of! While he worked that event in Glasgow I went wandering the City Center of Glasgow meeting a couple other balloon modelers and making my way to Tom Shepherds Magic Shop Run by the Walton family and Roy Walton still managing to man the counter and show off some of his favorite magic shop tricks! Having had the chance to meet Roy and even had him sign a copy of his first volume of 2 magic books was a memory I’ll have forever.

I’m not sure which day contained what but I was treated by Pop to my first visit to a real castle the Edinburgh castle we were joined by his daughter, granddaughter, and Mohammad. Meeting many of the buskers around the Royal Mile, eating out here and there sampling some curry and Thai food, Seeing the coast and rivers and lakes and the green on top of green was something so foreign to someone who spent his life surrounded by dirt and muted greens at the best tans and browns as a rule. I was able to do some busking in Glasgow with Pop and another balloon artist Chris, as well as busk by myself in Edinburgh. It was a whirlwind and wonderfully amazing. Also got to check out The Edinburgh Magic Fest Gala Show with John Archer as MC and my favorite act of the night Men In Coats!

Every night Pop and I would sit and chat a bit over some wine for him and some beer for me. He would impart knowledge and advice and share in laughter and funny facebook video links. I hope my presence in his life is even a little to the meaning he has brought to mine. (I’ve been lucky to have quite of few Pops in my life…My wife, Ed, Pop, Tiny, Michael, Brendan, Lorcan, Graham, all these teachers and friends my life has been enhanced or changed by them)
As I left Scotland and Pop behind, he would not be joining our group as he did last year he had bookings locally and in Saudi and could not make it, the time away from the family was starting to really wear on me.

And still I was so excited to head off to Ireland 2 weeks and then home!!

Leaving Edinburgh by train, catching a ferry to Belfast and then a taxi ride to the train station to head to Dublin was a long journey due in part to missing one train and having to wait 6 hours for the next one in Belfast. Getting in around 12:30 am and waiting for a ride to collect myself after collecting Ed (another balloon guy who lives in AZ) from the airport. We were on our way to our accommodations for the next 8 days or so and the weekend including the dates for the City Spectacular in Merion Square Dublin. It was a nice spot if a bit dirty and having no wifi was something that was not fun to deal with but we were able to work through it with hotspots via Ed and Michael who I shared the flat with. We bought food and made dinners and snacks and loads of coffee with an electric kettle (I love those!) And were able to jam and even see the Minion movie.

Having the time of my life for sure, and yet the wear of being away from the family and trying to make money to cover the costs of the accommodations (should not have worried so much) but as I got closer to the time to come home the pressure to bring some money back instead of spending it mounted….And it ended up being a cloud over me for the last week or so. Please do not take it wrong I knew I was leading a special life of adventure and could not put a price on the experiences and connections I was making while traveling…it was starting to wear me thin and my easy going nature was in danger of cracking and might have clouded others time if I am to be honest. I am truly sorry if it did and if not I am glad. Ill not be making the same mistakes as I did this time and would not want to create any trouble with my friends and mentors.

All of the things I did in Ireland were just the tits (don’t want to over use amazing, great, wonderful) I got to Busk in Galloway work Dublin and Cork as well as sample and make sushi, do the Guinness tour. I walked around GlendaLough and sampled more curry fries and 99’s.

The last few days in Ireland were spent in a guest to guest accommodation a house in BlackRock…You step out and are looking out to the water!! It was amazing. I did a bit of gift shopping and had some food and beer with some of my Irish friends before heading out on a morning flight from Dublin to Charlotte and then to Phoenix where I met my wife and son (daughter was visiting with friends) and we meet up with Ed (he was in Ireland with me for the City Spectacular and lives in Phx) for some sushi! And then home. I also got the amazing honor and privilege to take a flight with Michael's dad in his plane over Dublin!! So cool!

I feel very lucky and blessed to be able to do this trip and to be able to reconnect with friends and peers. 5+ weeks is a bit too much of a trip without the family but to be honest I would do it again if I could make it work relationship wise and financially. I also hope I was a good representative of the balloon world, as well as a good guest in other countries. Thank you to everyone who put me up or put up with me on my journey and I hope to see you all and more some day soon!!

FuDDx

United States5007 Posts

August 02 2015 21:06 GMT

FO-nTTaX

Johto4908 Posts

August 02 2015 21:26 GMT

Some nice photos, cool blog

Geisterkarle

Germany3257 Posts

August 03 2015 06:31 GMT

Hei FuDDx!
Well, nothing like being at home after that long time!?

It was really great to meet you at ESL One and getting "my" figures done! You are an incredible guy, so good luck to you in your balloon quests

If you missed them, here are (some of) my photos from ESL One of you:

[image loading]

Nyovne

Netherlands19129 Posts

August 03 2015 09:28 GMT

Cool write-up thanks! Had quite a few laughs :D. Glad to see you had a great time! Shame Amterdam was such a disappointment, but then again it has been for me my whole life and spending a few days there is always as much as I can stomach.

How was the homecoming?

FuDDx

United States5007 Posts

August 03 2015 16:16 GMT

Getting to meet and make balloons for the ESL event was amazing! My only regret is not making it to the after party. I really wanted to be there!

Thank you for the photos!! and the kind words! The Frankfurt event was such an awesome challenge and I am pretty happy with the results! Hoping to be a part of more events in the future.

Nyovne the city was great and the people were so friendly....Just not as willing to part with monies for balloons hahaha. And to be honest the one and only coffee shop I stopped in was not very inviting...Again friendly counter lady but not a very nice feeling from the place itself if that makes sense. I also envy the amount of space for biking and the amount of people using bicycles as transport as well as leisure and recreation.

Edit: Getting home was great to see the family. Though there are many things to catch up on...even still. Being away for that long gave the lady a load of time to think about things and to reevaluate they way I am running (or not running) the biz. So I have much to work on!!

Also Forgot to mention I did see an amazing magic show in Edinburgh The Gala show from Magic week. The best performers were Men In Coats!! And the compere John Archer!

WonnaPlay

Netherlands912 Posts

August 04 2015 09:37 GMT

On August 03 2015 04:37 FuDDx wrote:
I did run into a TL member who follows League of Legends and he knew it was me just from seeing the balloons, he was off on his way with some sort of pastries box in hand.

Ouch that hurt!

I don't follow LoL at all!!
I had to go to a BBQ with friends in The Hague, in the pastry box was some huge fancy cake we got from a client that day

I was a bit in a hurry unfortunately,since i had to travel for 1,5 hours and the bbq already started.

Very nice post and seems like you had great fun overall!

MrBalloonatic

Ireland1 Post

August 04 2015 09:55 GMT

Hey Fudd,

It was great having you as a both a guest and a representative of your country and the ballooning world. As always it was a great pleasure to work with you and I look forward to working with you again in the future (assuming that is possible)

Can't wait to see what you get up to next!

Michael

FuDDx

United States5007 Posts

August 04 2015 16:35 GMT

WonnaPlay!! I am so sorry!! I meet another fellow at Edinburgh castle and he was the LOL player.. T_T Trying to keep things sorted did not go so well. I was super excited to meet you and I was very curious what was in the box haha.

MrBalloonatic!!! Is the Man that brought me to Ireland last year and invited me back this year! Could not have done the Ireland trip without him! Thanks man for everything!! Your a rockstar and great friend!!

y0su

Finland7871 Posts

August 04 2015 19:10 GMT

#10

great pics! sounds like a great time!

ZeroCartin

Costa Rica2390 Posts

August 04 2015 19:42 GMT

#11

My God what an awesome trip! :D Glad you shared, make me want to travel SO much!

Liquid`Nazgul

22427 Posts

August 04 2015 23:44 GMT

#12

you are the man

looknohands119

United States815 Posts

August 05 2015 04:04 GMT

#13

On August 05 2015 08:44 Liquid`Nazgul wrote:
you are the man

ya! FuDDx is da real MVP

zatic

Zurich15317 Posts

August 05 2015 15:23 GMT

#14

I was looking for you at ESL One but couldn't find you

Looks like a great time though, and nice pictures from your trip!!

FuDDx

United States5007 Posts

August 05 2015 16:44 GMT

#15

Thanks everyone!!

Naz you sir are the Man!!

What Zatic....You could not find me?? Ahhh Looking at the stage from the stands I was in the left side tent with the airbrush tattooer, Need for Seat was in the back and in front of me was the jousting inflatable thing. Sad we were not able to say hi.

Looking like Ill be at the ESL super weekend event in New york October 3rd and 4th!!

http://www.esl-one.com/dota2/new-york-2015/news/balloon-artist-daniel-fudd-ravia-to-return-to-esl-one-at-new-york-super-week/

Cascade

Australia5405 Posts

August 06 2015 10:58 GMT

#16

Just skimmed through the photos, but you look so happy in every one of them!!

Heartwarming by itself. I'm happy to see other people happy.

And your balloons are impressive ofc, but you know that already.

Froadac

United States6733 Posts

August 08 2015 10:11 GMT

#17

Looks pretty damn awesome! :D

Blazinghand

United States25550 Posts

August 08 2015 17:36 GMT

#18

Wow, looks like a great trip!

FuDDx

United States5007 Posts

August 08 2015 18:17 GMT

#19

Thank you Cascade!! I appreciate the kind words my family always say I do not smile real smiles enough...

Frodac and Blazinghand it was an amazing time and I feel so lucky and blessed to be doing this balloon thing and the opportunity I have enjoyed! I hope it is a small inspiration to others to keep searching for new things to do and try who knows when youll find your dream!!

Thank you everyone that has had a chance to take a look and who have rated my blog! And a big thank you for all those who have responded with a comment it means quite a bit to me! Thank you !

hp.Shell

United States2527 Posts

August 09 2015 00:37 GMT

#20

+ Show Spoiler +

Wow, those pipes, though!

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