Pittsburgh to Cadiz - What's the Difference?

The first book of series, the adventure leaves from Pittsburgh, PA. The year is 1998, (just before cell phones and social media). Long days mean nothing when there’s a reason. After painting all summer, Mitch and his coworker Kevin head to Europe. With one-way tickets, the only way to commit, they wait a couple days at Kevin’s buddy’s flat in NYC, before at last landing in Luxembourg. After getting lost in Amsterdam, they then wait for the final leg in Manchester, England. Contracted to harvest Christmas trees, of all things, Mitch's twenty-seventh birthday is on the same day they leave for the Highlands of Scotland. A hard, cold place. A dark humor, with stark personalities, Mitch battles with his traveling partner, the weather, and his penchant for drugs and alcohol. He’s searching for the difference in life and the real meaning of art. He has a guitar, a camera, a snowboard—nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone does this, right?