Futzing about Europe
This blog began as a vehicle to create long-form content for Mono, a lifestyle brand for modern nomads. But, as I have more conversations with other nomads doing their thing.
I recognized the value in a real story.
You can read more about my early days exploring Europe here on Mono’s World, and you will quickly understand how I genuinely believed I would never have the time to go to Europe, let alone to have a futz.
futz
/fŭts/
noun
1.(vulgar, colloquial, dialectal) Female genitalia, especially the vagina
2.(vulgar, colloquial, dialectal, derogatory) An objectionable woman
verb
1.To experiment by trial and error
1.(vulgar, colloquial, dialectal) Female genitalia, especially the vagina
2.(vulgar, colloquial, dialectal, derogatory) An objectionable woman
verb
1.To experiment by trial and error
Estonia
When I met Sander Gansen he was at the same Bored Chili, my favorite group of Bored Apes in the Yacht Club, party in Hong Kong at ApeFest 2023. Honorable mention to Vera, without whom I would have never become the person I am today.
At the time, I was freshly denied from participating in the first MadeByApes (the only MBA I will ever need) Bodega. It was meant to be the first public appearance of Mono products and believe me, the showcase was epic. Why was I denied? I was still learning the apparel industry and mistimed my commitment in the application, no big deal. Good news? Mono is not only in the MBA Bodega this year for ApeFest 2024, but slotted for a sellers booth at Marvila which will be open to the public.
Are you an Ape and want something unique but only for Apes? Depending on when you are reading this I just put out pre-orders for what I call the APE CUSTOM.
I read Virgil Abloh used to just be another guy in the LA Party scene until he came out with his first pieces. He happened to be going to parties at Drake’s and one day just gave Drake a t-shirt that he liked. The rest is history. Sander may not be a multi-platinum recording artist yet, but I do not for a second put it past him. I watched him bring Apes from all over the world to a place most of us had to google in order to find on a map. Thanks to him I saw William Entriken (the guy who made NFTs) singing karaoke until 3am at the coolest Irish bar I’ve ever been to. I made my debut on a speaking panel as the guy behind Mono, and even got to celebrate all things MBA alongside legends like Dim and Chantalle. It was there that Dim announced the alpha launch date for ApeChain, something that I think will reshape consumer adoption of web3 and blockchain technology at large over the next decade. I also do not think of myself as Virgil Abloh and really still feel like the kid who told his mom he just wants to drive a big green tractor someday.
I read Virgil Abloh used to just be another guy in the LA Party scene until he came out with his first pieces. He happened to be going to parties at Drake’s and one day just gave Drake a t-shirt that he liked. The rest is history. Sander may not be a multi-platinum recording artist yet, but I do not for a second put it past him. I watched him bring Apes from all over the world to a place most of us had to google in order to find on a map. Thanks to him I saw William Entriken (the guy who made NFTs) singing karaoke until 3am at the coolest Irish bar I’ve ever been to. I made my debut on a speaking panel as the guy behind Mono, and even got to celebrate all things MBA alongside legends like Dim and Chantalle. It was there that Dim announced the alpha launch date for ApeChain, something that I think will reshape consumer adoption of web3 and blockchain technology at large over the next decade. I also do not think of myself as Virgil Abloh and really still feel like the kid who told his mom he just wants to drive a big green tractor someday.
Recommendations
My buddy Tyler taught me that there really is no limit to how good food can be if you look, just trust me when I say to eat something. Breakfast at the Park Inn is a great start to the day. Go to Olde Hansa in Old Tallinn for lunch, and just walk the old city. Go to Tchaikovsky for a special night, Russians can prepare a mean borscht. Follow me on Instagram for more foodporn.
**If you read nothing else from this entire post, read this: Go to Tallinn, Estonia and go to a place called F. Burger**
My version of a Drake Party
It’s guys like Sander who you later find out have beautiful families looking up to them, and you just get floored by the humanity in the world. That’s what the
Bored Ape Yacht Club is all about to me, and it is a true privilege to be bored.
Bored Ape Yacht Club is all about to me, and it is a true privilege to be bored.
Special thank you to Veronica, LC, Kuan-Ning, Victor, Nizzar, Elgin, Dr. Kim, Ethan, Pascal, Jacob, Sven, Lauren, Ryan and Chey, Jennifer all of the Swedish Apes (you know who you are), Dimitri and anyone else who may not be listed here but still holds a very dear place in my heart. Thank you Paul Vahur, for teaching me a new way of life.
Luxembourg
The beauty of nomading around the world is once you get outside of the continental U.S. you realize how easy it is to get around on a few hundred bucks.
The beauty of nomading around the world is once you get outside of the continental U.S. you realize how easy it is to get around on a few hundred bucks.
I celebrated 2024 in Bolivia where I spend most of my time lately. It was there that I met my uncle Nacho for the first time, big family, and he said if I was ever in Europe to look him up. Never tell me that. I am not like most people, I will show up at your door. It’s who I am. If you do want to hang out somewhere, DMs are always open.
I arrived in Luxembourg after I overslept my first flight out of Tallinn. It was getting late but I spent a day in Trier, Germany which is the birthplace of Karl Marx. Technically that was Germany but along with a top-secret location in Belgium the day trips become part of the bigger journey. Back to Trier.
If you have never heard of German food being hyped up there’s probably a good reason for it. Whatever that reason is, I disagree wholeheartedly. Bitburger is a staple of German culture and beer but god forbid you try and substitute anything on the menu in Germany. I remember we had to get an entire extra order of sausage because the only way they would serve us the mashed potatoes was with the dish it came with. If you do not like pork most traditional German dishes are out the door, however, if you are able to try at least one schweinshaxe in your life it lends good perspective. Breakfast in Luxembourg was fresh-cut speck, apple juice, yogurt, a croissant and sides of marmalade and butter. Luxembourg is known as the bank of Europe and the location of a large part of the governing body of the European Union. Places like Schengen mark the historic sites of unity. Landmarks including the WWII memorial sites of both Allied and Axis powers each carry somber reminders of the bloodshed that less than 100 years ago changed the world.
The beauty of a place like Luxembourg to me is the castles and the air of royalty about the place. You can walk into casual bakeries and enjoy a nice croissant and
coffee. You can also walk to Oberweis, recognized as a Fournisseur De La Cour. They and other certified purveyors are official suppliers to the Grand-Ducale in Luxembourg. Yes, they serve Apes. While Luxembourg was one of the places in the world I felt truly surrounded by excellence, it is important to note the suicide rates in
the city. At the top-tier of business, notably banking, that takes place here the stakes are high. For some it may be stress, a sense of isolation against the current,
who knows. Take a break if you are still with me and send someone you love a message to let them know they are on your mind. Sometimes we never really know what others are going through.
coffee. You can also walk to Oberweis, recognized as a Fournisseur De La Cour. They and other certified purveyors are official suppliers to the Grand-Ducale in Luxembourg. Yes, they serve Apes. While Luxembourg was one of the places in the world I felt truly surrounded by excellence, it is important to note the suicide rates in
the city. At the top-tier of business, notably banking, that takes place here the stakes are high. For some it may be stress, a sense of isolation against the current,
who knows. Take a break if you are still with me and send someone you love a message to let them know they are on your mind. Sometimes we never really know what others are going through.
And, in stark contrast to a Fournisseur De La Cour, the single best meal I had during my time in Luxembourg was a home cooked meal with family.
I will never forget that first bite of braised beef and the crunch of the steamed pak choi over rice.
Spain
One of the only countries with a direct flight to Bolivia is Spain. Madrid, might very well be one of my favorite places on earth. It helps that much of Latin American major cities all have similar street names. But, until I went to Madrid I did not recognize the level of influence Spain holds over it’s former colonies. For example, the streets in Madrid around the main plaza have the same names as the streets around the main plaza in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
It was also refreshing to be in a country where I could understand both primary languages (even if Spaniards really lean into the ‘th’ sound instead of an ‘s’ sound). The other culture shock was the double kiss on the cheek. I was used to the one side in most of Latin America. Fair warning for any Latinos that think they only have one coming so you turn your head and hopefully avoid a catastrophic first encounter in Spain.
Recommendations
La Dichosa for tapas, get the tartar, she will come out and help you prepare it if you look lost long for more than a minute. Find one of the e-bike rental stops and
jump on for a tour of the city. Start with Parque de Retiro and work your way to the main plaza or let the roads take you. One of my claims to the modern nomad
lifestyle is having e-biked in three continents and 5 majors cities including Madrid. Hit LTJ on the way back to your hotel. Salamanca is a beautiful zone to stay and shop if you need retail therapy. You cannot go wrong with a meal at BIBO by chef Dani Garcia, the oysters are an experience.
