Sunday, July 26, 2009
26/07/09 - Doolin Day 3
Our plans to go to the Aran Islands were foiled by bad weather!! The ferries aren't going out today since the wind is so strong. Oh no! What do we do?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
25/07/09 - Doolin Day 2
Walk along the seashore.
Update:
We woke up this morning at ~9:30, and head out. There is a "market" which was really just a few tables set up in their local community center. We walk down to the pier to see about getting to the Aran Islands. There is a weather warning up for tomorrow, so they might not be shipping! Hopefully we will be able to visit, otherwise Radey and I will be quite disappointed (Rome all over again?).
Near the pier is a rock cliff. Its a bunch of extruded rock, with large lateral cracks running through it. There are some sections with plants growing in them. On top of one area of the rock are walls, built from chunks of the very rock upon which the walls sit. Radey enjoyed the walk.
After this, we walk to the Doolin Cafe, and I have a delicious salmon salad, while Radey has a seafood chowder. Radey's sinuses are giving her issues, so we head back to the hostel, and she has a rest. I update the blog.
"Radey is in constant pain from her sinuses." - Radey
Update:
We woke up this morning at ~9:30, and head out. There is a "market" which was really just a few tables set up in their local community center. We walk down to the pier to see about getting to the Aran Islands. There is a weather warning up for tomorrow, so they might not be shipping! Hopefully we will be able to visit, otherwise Radey and I will be quite disappointed (Rome all over again?).
Near the pier is a rock cliff. Its a bunch of extruded rock, with large lateral cracks running through it. There are some sections with plants growing in them. On top of one area of the rock are walls, built from chunks of the very rock upon which the walls sit. Radey enjoyed the walk.
After this, we walk to the Doolin Cafe, and I have a delicious salmon salad, while Radey has a seafood chowder. Radey's sinuses are giving her issues, so we head back to the hostel, and she has a rest. I update the blog.
"Radey is in constant pain from her sinuses." - Radey
24/07/09 - Galway to Doolin Day 1
Take the bus from Galway to Doolin. Walk the Cliffs of Moher.
Update:
Bump into a person I worked with in Connecticut last summer in the morning. Small world.
We arrive in Doolin at 12:30, and check into our hostel. The owner, Karl, advises walking to/through/along the Cliffs of Moher. We take him up on his suggestion. Should have brought galoshes!!! The entire way is wet and muddy, and occasionally frightening. There is a fence you can cling to when the path gets too narrow, or even climb over to mingle with the farm animals. Unfortunately, right before we get to the really scenic spot, we reach a section of fence that Radey refused to cross, claiming an inability to do so. We walk up to the road, and walk to the Visitor's Center, which was only another 1/4th mile or so. We catch the bus back. The walk took around 4 hours, covering a significant portion of their local map.
Conclusion of the Cliffs trip: Wet and muddy. :(
We get back and visit the tiny grocery/convenience store. There is a very limited selection of goods there. I'm not sure what the townspeople do for food...
Update:
Bump into a person I worked with in Connecticut last summer in the morning. Small world.
We arrive in Doolin at 12:30, and check into our hostel. The owner, Karl, advises walking to/through/along the Cliffs of Moher. We take him up on his suggestion. Should have brought galoshes!!! The entire way is wet and muddy, and occasionally frightening. There is a fence you can cling to when the path gets too narrow, or even climb over to mingle with the farm animals. Unfortunately, right before we get to the really scenic spot, we reach a section of fence that Radey refused to cross, claiming an inability to do so. We walk up to the road, and walk to the Visitor's Center, which was only another 1/4th mile or so. We catch the bus back. The walk took around 4 hours, covering a significant portion of their local map.
Conclusion of the Cliffs trip: Wet and muddy. :(
We get back and visit the tiny grocery/convenience store. There is a very limited selection of goods there. I'm not sure what the townspeople do for food...
23/07/09 - Dublin to Galway
Rode a bus to Galway, takes 4 hours. Walk around galway, get some food.
Update:
The bus drives us through a lot of Irish countryside. It's pretty cool how all the plots are divided by low stone walls. After the bus ride, we are in Galway. We check into our hostel, and walk through the latin quarter, getting some stuff to eat. There is live music at some of the pubs in the evening, and we check out The Westin. It was alright, nothing spectacular. I guess the old days of entire bars singing together have long since past. :P
Update:
The bus drives us through a lot of Irish countryside. It's pretty cool how all the plots are divided by low stone walls. After the bus ride, we are in Galway. We check into our hostel, and walk through the latin quarter, getting some stuff to eat. There is live music at some of the pubs in the evening, and we check out The Westin. It was alright, nothing spectacular. I guess the old days of entire bars singing together have long since past. :P
22/07/09 - Dublin Day 2
Walked around.
Update:
We take a walk south, through Trinity College, and St. Steven's Park. There is a shopping area to the NW of St. Steven's, and we meander through that. We walk back up, past the hostel, and get our tickets to Galway at the bus station. Radey gets a stomachache, so we head back to the hostel. I think I was probably on the computer while she slept...
Update:
We take a walk south, through Trinity College, and St. Steven's Park. There is a shopping area to the NW of St. Steven's, and we meander through that. We walk back up, past the hostel, and get our tickets to Galway at the bus station. Radey gets a stomachache, so we head back to the hostel. I think I was probably on the computer while she slept...
21/07/09 - Dublin Day 1
Got to the hostel, walked around, went to sleep.
Update:
So we flew into Dublin bright and early, and take a bus from the airport to the city. After we arrive, we drop off our backpacks at the hostel (check in is at 2) and wander the streets of Dublin, grabbing some bagels at a local shop. We attempt to visit the two theaters listed on our map, but the one we could locate was not playing Harry Potter. We walk past Trinity College, and look through a bookstore.
Eventually it becomes time to check in. We get some food from the local supermarket, check in, and eat lunch. The reception lets us know where we can find the larger theaters, and we head out that way. Arriving at one theater, we miss a screening by 10 minutes, and have an hour or so to burn. We walk towards the other large theater, but get sidetracked by a large mall. Wandering through the mall, we come out on a large pedestrian only street, lined with shops. We go through it, go back to the theater, and find out that
SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!
Then we go back to the hostel, and sleep, as we've been up since 5 in the morning.
Update:
So we flew into Dublin bright and early, and take a bus from the airport to the city. After we arrive, we drop off our backpacks at the hostel (check in is at 2) and wander the streets of Dublin, grabbing some bagels at a local shop. We attempt to visit the two theaters listed on our map, but the one we could locate was not playing Harry Potter. We walk past Trinity College, and look through a bookstore.
Eventually it becomes time to check in. We get some food from the local supermarket, check in, and eat lunch. The reception lets us know where we can find the larger theaters, and we head out that way. Arriving at one theater, we miss a screening by 10 minutes, and have an hour or so to burn. We walk towards the other large theater, but get sidetracked by a large mall. Wandering through the mall, we come out on a large pedestrian only street, lined with shops. We go through it, go back to the theater, and find out that
SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE!
Then we go back to the hostel, and sleep, as we've been up since 5 in the morning.
Monday, July 20, 2009
20/07/09 - Namur to Charleroi
Woke up, packed up, ate breakfast, sat around in the train station playing pinball on my computer, took a train to Charleroi, took a bus from the station to the airport, took a shuttle from the airport to our hotel, checked into the hotel, and here we are.
Radey still isn't feeling too well, but I think she's a bit better than yesterday. Hopefully she'll be well tomorrow.
Oh, I caught a glimpse of The Citadel, one of the sights to see in Namur. It is like a fort, built into a hill. It's pretty cool, but my camera was in my backpack. :(
Radey still isn't feeling too well, but I think she's a bit better than yesterday. Hopefully she'll be well tomorrow.
Oh, I caught a glimpse of The Citadel, one of the sights to see in Namur. It is like a fort, built into a hill. It's pretty cool, but my camera was in my backpack. :(
19/07/09 - Namur Day 1
Radey is sick sick sick. :( We actually had an "incident" today, if you want to put it dramatically.
So this morning, Radey is not feeling well, and wants to stay in bed. The map shows a supermarket nearby, so I go out to get her some ginger ale and chicken soup. The map is a liar.
Failing to locate the nearby supermarket, I find a convenience store a few blocks further down. They tell me there is a market in the city center, and even further south. I start walking, eventually running into some people with grocery bags, who say I'm headed in the right direction. At this point, I've been gone for about an hour. I thought Radey would be okay, as she should have been asleep.
When I finally make it back from the supermarket, Radey is not in the room. (I'm kind of angry at her for leaving it in the first place! >:|). The key to our room is at the reception, and the lady behind the counter said we were not allowed to be in our rooms from 10:00 to 4:00. What kind of people kick a sick girl out of her room, especially when it didn't need cleaning or anything? I guessed that Radey went out to look for me, but I have no idea where she would have gone. The city is a bus ride away, and she couldn't have known that I had walked to the other supermarket. I walk through the nearby park, looking for her, and failing to find her, go back to the hostel and wait for her to return. I was pretty worried, and started praying.
Radey shows up about two minutes after I prayed. Sometimes (or all the time!), God is super cool about answering prayers. Apparently she had fallen asleep on a bench in the park. I must have walked right past her! Happily reunited, we have some of the chicken soup I bought, and Radey goes back to bed.
Yeah, so we did not really get to see much in Namur...
So this morning, Radey is not feeling well, and wants to stay in bed. The map shows a supermarket nearby, so I go out to get her some ginger ale and chicken soup. The map is a liar.
Failing to locate the nearby supermarket, I find a convenience store a few blocks further down. They tell me there is a market in the city center, and even further south. I start walking, eventually running into some people with grocery bags, who say I'm headed in the right direction. At this point, I've been gone for about an hour. I thought Radey would be okay, as she should have been asleep.
When I finally make it back from the supermarket, Radey is not in the room. (I'm kind of angry at her for leaving it in the first place! >:|). The key to our room is at the reception, and the lady behind the counter said we were not allowed to be in our rooms from 10:00 to 4:00. What kind of people kick a sick girl out of her room, especially when it didn't need cleaning or anything? I guessed that Radey went out to look for me, but I have no idea where she would have gone. The city is a bus ride away, and she couldn't have known that I had walked to the other supermarket. I walk through the nearby park, looking for her, and failing to find her, go back to the hostel and wait for her to return. I was pretty worried, and started praying.
Radey shows up about two minutes after I prayed. Sometimes (or all the time!), God is super cool about answering prayers. Apparently she had fallen asleep on a bench in the park. I must have walked right past her! Happily reunited, we have some of the chicken soup I bought, and Radey goes back to bed.
Yeah, so we did not really get to see much in Namur...
18/07/09 - Brugge to Bruxelles to Namur
Yeah, we did a bit of travelling today. Each ride took us about an hour.
We woke up, did some minor grocery shopping, bought some chocolates, and went to the station. When we arrived in Brussels, we mostly walked around, and took in some of their sights. I don't remember anything particularly interesting.
Radey was not feeling too well, her cold having taken a turn for the worse. When we arrived in Namur, we checked into our hostel, and Radey slept as I browsed the web. Heh, there is a new game I want to play when I get back. XD
Nothing too exciting, sorry guys.
We woke up, did some minor grocery shopping, bought some chocolates, and went to the station. When we arrived in Brussels, we mostly walked around, and took in some of their sights. I don't remember anything particularly interesting.
Radey was not feeling too well, her cold having taken a turn for the worse. When we arrived in Namur, we checked into our hostel, and Radey slept as I browsed the web. Heh, there is a new game I want to play when I get back. XD
Nothing too exciting, sorry guys.
Friday, July 17, 2009
17/07/09 - Bruges Day 3
We had to switch rooms today since we originally only booked for three nights. There was some confusion as to whether we were put in a room with enough room, but it turned out one of the guys who was not planning to check out hadn't told the staff yet. Riiiight.
For breakfast, we had apple pie and apple strudel and cappuccinos. Belgians don't actually have waffels for breakfast. :(
After that, we went to Ghent, a city about half an hour away from Bruges. They have a partially restored medieval fortress and a bunch of other old buildings...like some sort of clocktower and a church. I don't know, European stuff.
Update by Allen: I created a Photostream here for some of our other Bruges pictures. Check them out if you're bored.
For breakfast, we had apple pie and apple strudel and cappuccinos. Belgians don't actually have waffels for breakfast. :(
After that, we went to Ghent, a city about half an hour away from Bruges. They have a partially restored medieval fortress and a bunch of other old buildings...like some sort of clocktower and a church. I don't know, European stuff.
Update by Allen: I created a Photostream here for some of our other Bruges pictures. Check them out if you're bored.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
16/07/09 - Brugge Day 2
Woke up, looking for waffles. Finding the waffles, we visited the Church of Our Lady, which contains Michaelangelo's Madonna and Child.
Walking around some more, we found more waffles. We also walked through a park that was greatly overrated. Headed back to the hostel, looking up Harry Potter. Decided to wait to see Harry Potter in Ireland. Updated blog. Sentence fragments?
Update by Radey:
We had some ice cream (I had the rose flavor, Allen had strawberry) and then we had fries for dinner. After that, we got some more ice cream. I had a mysterious fruit flavor and Allen had watermelon.
The map of Bruges at our hostel marked "Places to Kiss" with little hearts, so we decided to go to all of the hearts on the map.
Walking around some more, we found more waffles. We also walked through a park that was greatly overrated. Headed back to the hostel, looking up Harry Potter. Decided to wait to see Harry Potter in Ireland. Updated blog. Sentence fragments?
Update by Radey:
We had some ice cream (I had the rose flavor, Allen had strawberry) and then we had fries for dinner. After that, we got some more ice cream. I had a mysterious fruit flavor and Allen had watermelon.
The map of Bruges at our hostel marked "Places to Kiss" with little hearts, so we decided to go to all of the hearts on the map.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
15/07/09 - Bruges Day 1
Brugge is small and walkable. Cheap food. Lots of chocolate and beer. Loud bells.
Update:
Wednesday is a market day. This means a lot of people drive enormous truck-like stalls into Marketsquare, and set up shop. We walked through, looking at all the fresh produce, and various dairy products. We grabbed two waffles, and ate as we walked.
At some point, we decided to go up the belfry, which was a rather treacherous climb.
At the top, there was an awesome view of... everything?
There were marks on the window sills pointing to various cities, and giving the distance.
Apparently Paris is 290 mysterious units of distance away. Radey was surprised by the loud hammerings on the bell, as the tower began to play some song. As we were about to head down, we were both surprised by the very loud gonging of the hour.
Back on the street, we walked down Geldmuntstraat, which contains many stores selling many differnt things. Radey demanded some chocolate sea shells, and I got a chocolate hedgehog. At some point, I also got a cone of fries. Wandering southwards, we found "The Beer Wall" which is a wall displaying the 500+ varieties of Belgian beer, which were all sold in their shop. I got a Leffe 9, and Radey got two fruit beers.
I forgot to mention that I caught whatever Radey has/had, and was pretty tired. We crashed back at the hostel for a few hours, afterwhich we went back downstairs (which is a bar), and Radey got a cherry beer. She liked it. We then went out and got dinner at The Hobbit, which had decent and plentiful pasta. We went for a stroll, taking a few night shots of Bruges and retired for the evening.
Update:
Wednesday is a market day. This means a lot of people drive enormous truck-like stalls into Marketsquare, and set up shop. We walked through, looking at all the fresh produce, and various dairy products. We grabbed two waffles, and ate as we walked.
At some point, we decided to go up the belfry, which was a rather treacherous climb.
At the top, there was an awesome view of... everything?
There were marks on the window sills pointing to various cities, and giving the distance.
Apparently Paris is 290 mysterious units of distance away. Radey was surprised by the loud hammerings on the bell, as the tower began to play some song. As we were about to head down, we were both surprised by the very loud gonging of the hour.
Back on the street, we walked down Geldmuntstraat, which contains many stores selling many differnt things. Radey demanded some chocolate sea shells, and I got a chocolate hedgehog. At some point, I also got a cone of fries. Wandering southwards, we found "The Beer Wall" which is a wall displaying the 500+ varieties of Belgian beer, which were all sold in their shop. I got a Leffe 9, and Radey got two fruit beers.
I forgot to mention that I caught whatever Radey has/had, and was pretty tired. We crashed back at the hostel for a few hours, afterwhich we went back downstairs (which is a bar), and Radey got a cherry beer. She liked it. We then went out and got dinner at The Hobbit, which had decent and plentiful pasta. We went for a stroll, taking a few night shots of Bruges and retired for the evening.
14/07/09 - Amsterdam to Bruges
Traveled to Bruges. Had a lovely dinner.
Update:
We took a train out of Amsterdam and went to Bruges. After wandering for a while, we finally located our hostel, and checked in. We walked around town, getting waffles, and our bearings. For dinner, we went to a place called The Passage and I got mussels and fries, and Radey had a Waterzooli (or something, a chicken vegetable soup). It was quite yummy, and we had the restaurant practically to ourselves, as it was quite late when we arrived. We walked through lamp-lit lanes back to our hostel, and went to sleep.
Update:
We took a train out of Amsterdam and went to Bruges. After wandering for a while, we finally located our hostel, and checked in. We walked around town, getting waffles, and our bearings. For dinner, we went to a place called The Passage and I got mussels and fries, and Radey had a Waterzooli (or something, a chicken vegetable soup). It was quite yummy, and we had the restaurant practically to ourselves, as it was quite late when we arrived. We walked through lamp-lit lanes back to our hostel, and went to sleep.
13/07/09 - Amsterdam Day 1
Wandered around Amsterdam. Took a walking tour.
Update:
Our hostelmates were pretty cool. It was two guys from Swizterland and the sister of one of them. We walked across Amsterdam to get to the meeting place for the free walking tour.
The tour took us through Amsterdam. There was the Red Light District, the Anne Frank house, the narrowest house in Amsterdam (in which one cannot fall completely over sideways), and various other sites. There were a few amusing facts, like how some prostitutes have a cup of urine to throw at tourists who take their picture while they are windowing. Also, New Zealand has the highest percentage of weed users.
After the tour, we wandered around, debating whether or not to take a boat tour, which we decided against. We had some nice pizzas for dinner, and retired early.
12/07/09 - Copenhagen to Amsterdam
Spent all day traveling.
Update:
Radey was still sick. We had to transfer a few times, and the trip took forever. We wanted to take the overnight, but when we attempted to reserve one in Berlin, they were already full. We arrived at around 9:00, found something to eat, and went to bed.
Update:
Radey was still sick. We had to transfer a few times, and the trip took forever. We wanted to take the overnight, but when we attempted to reserve one in Berlin, they were already full. We arrived at around 9:00, found something to eat, and went to bed.
11/07/09 - Copenhagen Day 1
Walked around Copenhagen, marveling at how bloody expensive everything is.
Update:
Radey was sick. We went to the National Museum, which was a great deal (as it was free). They had exhibits of prehistoric man, with many artifacts and even a small exhibit of runestones. Also had Viking stuff.
And this cool cylinder perspective:
We walked up and down the Strogan (sp?), the longest shopping street in Europe, and bought $11 "soft ice" which Radey had covered with rainbow sprinkles. >.> Radey got fussy and we went back to the place we were staying, and took a nap.
After we got up, we went to Tivoli Gardens, and walked around. There was a jazz festival in town, and Dee Dee Bridgewater was performing with the Tivoli Symphony Orchestra outdoors. Radey had promised me fireworks, but there weren't any. She's a butt.
Update:
Radey was sick. We went to the National Museum, which was a great deal (as it was free). They had exhibits of prehistoric man, with many artifacts and even a small exhibit of runestones. Also had Viking stuff.
And this cool cylinder perspective:
We walked up and down the Strogan (sp?), the longest shopping street in Europe, and bought $11 "soft ice" which Radey had covered with rainbow sprinkles. >.> Radey got fussy and we went back to the place we were staying, and took a nap.
After we got up, we went to Tivoli Gardens, and walked around. There was a jazz festival in town, and Dee Dee Bridgewater was performing with the Tivoli Symphony Orchestra outdoors. Radey had promised me fireworks, but there weren't any. She's a butt.
Friday, July 10, 2009
10/07/09 - Berlin to Copenhagen
Today was full of shenanigans. We wake up, and are ready to go, leaving the hostel at about 10:40 to catch an 11:25 train to Hamburg, then to Kobenhavn, arriving around 6:30, we'd drop off our stuff, and check out the local amusement park. That was the plan.
We drop by the local grocery store to pick up a few things to tide us over on the trip. A couple Rittersport bars, some pastries and milk for breakfast, and a carton of iced tea for lunch, which would be consumed with some leftovers for lunch. We walk to the S-bahn stop, and ride it to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. When we get to the station, it is about 11:10, and there is a train waiting for us at the specified platform. We get on.
As you've probably guessed, this was the wrong train. We got on, looking for our seat numbers. Seat 82 is missing for whatever reason (thank God, or we might not have made it to Copenhagen today), and a couple locals ask us where we're headed. We tell them Hamburg.
Cinematic moment:
Them:"This train is headed for Frankfurt!"
Me: "So this is the wrong train then?"
Them: "Yes."
*Lurch*
Us: "Crap."
Fortunately, the train wasn't a high speed direct one to Frankfurt. We hopped off at the next stop, and there is another train to Hamburg from the station (the name escapes me) leaving at 12:25. At this point, Radey discovers that she left the rose we'd bought in Prague at the hostel. :(
Needless to say, we missed our reserved connection to Kobenhavn (8 euros wasted!), and have to catch the 3:25 one, without seat reservations. It wasn't crowded, and no one evicted us from our seats, which was good...
...Except when we had to all get off the train due to "technical difficulties," ride a bus to the next nearest station (20 minutes of driving through the Danish countryside), which has the train to take us the last 40 minutes to Kobenhavn Hbf.
Danish Countryside:
We arrive at 8:40. The "hostel" we are in is pretty nice. It's a Danish woman's home converted to allow large numbers of guests.
Oh, did I mention they loaded the train onto a ferry?
We drop by the local grocery store to pick up a few things to tide us over on the trip. A couple Rittersport bars, some pastries and milk for breakfast, and a carton of iced tea for lunch, which would be consumed with some leftovers for lunch. We walk to the S-bahn stop, and ride it to Berlin Hauptbahnhof. When we get to the station, it is about 11:10, and there is a train waiting for us at the specified platform. We get on.
As you've probably guessed, this was the wrong train. We got on, looking for our seat numbers. Seat 82 is missing for whatever reason (thank God, or we might not have made it to Copenhagen today), and a couple locals ask us where we're headed. We tell them Hamburg.
Cinematic moment:
Them:"This train is headed for Frankfurt!"
Me: "So this is the wrong train then?"
Them: "Yes."
*Lurch*
Us: "Crap."
Fortunately, the train wasn't a high speed direct one to Frankfurt. We hopped off at the next stop, and there is another train to Hamburg from the station (the name escapes me) leaving at 12:25. At this point, Radey discovers that she left the rose we'd bought in Prague at the hostel. :(
Needless to say, we missed our reserved connection to Kobenhavn (8 euros wasted!), and have to catch the 3:25 one, without seat reservations. It wasn't crowded, and no one evicted us from our seats, which was good...
...Except when we had to all get off the train due to "technical difficulties," ride a bus to the next nearest station (20 minutes of driving through the Danish countryside), which has the train to take us the last 40 minutes to Kobenhavn Hbf.
Danish Countryside:
We arrive at 8:40. The "hostel" we are in is pretty nice. It's a Danish woman's home converted to allow large numbers of guests.
Oh, did I mention they loaded the train onto a ferry?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
09/07/2009 - Berlin Day 1
Allen was up half the night playing a stupid flash game online (ot was super fun -Allejn), so we got a late start. There was a long line for the Reichstag, and it started raining/being windy while we were waiting.
Eventually, we were let inside, and after a thorough security check, went up the elevator and received a free audioguide that pointed out and explained the city sights as well as the history/architecture of the building. It uses lots of "green" type technology to heat itself and even collects rain water through a hole in the center of the dome.
We spent the rest of the day outside, which was kind of bad for Allen since his coat went missing in Prague. Either he left it there, or it was stolen. Personally, I think the asshole Canadians staying in our room took it/hid it, since they also took his sheets.
Anyway, we were outside because we were looking at the Topography of Terror, an exhibit detailing the Nazi regime. The building that will house it won't be completed until 2010.
Next, we walked to Checkpoint Charlie, a place that documented the escapes of people over the Wall. There was a lot of information about the Wall there, most of it depressing (people shot trying to escape), though some of it was more humorous (a guy who randomly escaped by walking out of sight next to a bus passing through a checkpoint).
Now we're back at the hostel and there are some loud, obnoxious Americans staying here. Naturally, they're from California.
Eventually, we were let inside, and after a thorough security check, went up the elevator and received a free audioguide that pointed out and explained the city sights as well as the history/architecture of the building. It uses lots of "green" type technology to heat itself and even collects rain water through a hole in the center of the dome.
We spent the rest of the day outside, which was kind of bad for Allen since his coat went missing in Prague. Either he left it there, or it was stolen. Personally, I think the asshole Canadians staying in our room took it/hid it, since they also took his sheets.
Anyway, we were outside because we were looking at the Topography of Terror, an exhibit detailing the Nazi regime. The building that will house it won't be completed until 2010.
Next, we walked to Checkpoint Charlie, a place that documented the escapes of people over the Wall. There was a lot of information about the Wall there, most of it depressing (people shot trying to escape), though some of it was more humorous (a guy who randomly escaped by walking out of sight next to a bus passing through a checkpoint).
Now we're back at the hostel and there are some loud, obnoxious Americans staying here. Naturally, they're from California.
08/07/09 - Prague to Berlin
This morning, we headed to the train station. The wrong train station.
In this post, I will leave in all my crummy typoes, to show you how bad my typing skills are... starting... NOW!
We spent the rest ouf our coronas on belgium chocolate truggles, where were delicious. Having spent all our koronas, we had to go to the convenience store to swap 2 euros for 40 kc, so that we could ride the metro to the CORRECT train station, to get our butts to bverlin. The train ride was uuneventful. We watched underworld Rise of the Lucans. Radey was not impressed.
In Berlin, we hung out at the hostel, and did not go on a pub crawl. :( We also worked out figuring out exacllty what we wanted to do. Which we know now. :D
In this post, I will leave in all my crummy typoes, to show you how bad my typing skills are... starting... NOW!
We spent the rest ouf our coronas on belgium chocolate truggles, where were delicious. Having spent all our koronas, we had to go to the convenience store to swap 2 euros for 40 kc, so that we could ride the metro to the CORRECT train station, to get our butts to bverlin. The train ride was uuneventful. We watched underworld Rise of the Lucans. Radey was not impressed.
In Berlin, we hung out at the hostel, and did not go on a pub crawl. :( We also worked out figuring out exacllty what we wanted to do. Which we know now. :D
07/07/09 - Prague Day 1
Hmm...
We walked up and down cobblestone streets all day. It was pretty hot. I forgot my camera.
But seriously. We went walked from our hostel out to the castle. Along the way, we visited the Museum of Torture Instruments. They had displays of the various things the Church used to hurt people with during the Inquisition/witch hunts. I didn't find the displays to be as informative nor as interesting as they could have been. Radey seemed to enjoy it though.
After the museum, we (or I) got suckered into a concert in one of the churches in Prague. I think this one was held in the church of St. Salvador. The concert did not start til 6, so we proceeded across a big, impressive bridge and towards the castle. Inside, most of the exhibits required separated entrance fees, so the only thing we really saw was a big church. There was a lot of stained glass. One of our hostelmates felt that the outside was prettier than the inside. She might be right, not sure.
We ate lunch in a small bagel place, where the server constantly asked patrons "was good?" The food was alright.
We wandered around Old Town until it was time for the concert. It was nice, though I did not feel the accoustics were very good inside the church. The programme was a bunch famous classical music, like vivaldi, bach, mozart, and others.
We had dinner at a Czech restaurant that had some sort of arrangement with our hostel, netting us 15% discounts. Mairead had chicken stuffed with salmon, and I had a "Czech meal" of duck, potato, and cabbage. It was good and filling.
We walked up and down cobblestone streets all day. It was pretty hot. I forgot my camera.
But seriously. We went walked from our hostel out to the castle. Along the way, we visited the Museum of Torture Instruments. They had displays of the various things the Church used to hurt people with during the Inquisition/witch hunts. I didn't find the displays to be as informative nor as interesting as they could have been. Radey seemed to enjoy it though.
After the museum, we (or I) got suckered into a concert in one of the churches in Prague. I think this one was held in the church of St. Salvador. The concert did not start til 6, so we proceeded across a big, impressive bridge and towards the castle. Inside, most of the exhibits required separated entrance fees, so the only thing we really saw was a big church. There was a lot of stained glass. One of our hostelmates felt that the outside was prettier than the inside. She might be right, not sure.
We ate lunch in a small bagel place, where the server constantly asked patrons "was good?" The food was alright.
We wandered around Old Town until it was time for the concert. It was nice, though I did not feel the accoustics were very good inside the church. The programme was a bunch famous classical music, like vivaldi, bach, mozart, and others.
We had dinner at a Czech restaurant that had some sort of arrangement with our hostel, netting us 15% discounts. Mairead had chicken stuffed with salmon, and I had a "Czech meal" of duck, potato, and cabbage. It was good and filling.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
06/07/09 - Munich to Prague
We didn't manage to catch the early train, so we got on the one that left at 12:44. It was a six hour ride with a transfer in Schwandorf. Allen watched Slumdog Millionare and Mosters vs. Aliens on his laptop while I read Anna Karenina and tried to memorize some Czech phrases (I didn't succeed).
When we arrived in Prague, it turned out our directions were severely flawed and we had no idea where our hostel was actually located. It took about an hour of walking around to finally find it. Luckily, while we were wandering around, we found an ATM where we could withdraw some money since we didn't have any koruny.
We got some food from the convenience store across the street, ate it, and went to sleep. CITRON WATER!
When we arrived in Prague, it turned out our directions were severely flawed and we had no idea where our hostel was actually located. It took about an hour of walking around to finally find it. Luckily, while we were wandering around, we found an ATM where we could withdraw some money since we didn't have any koruny.
We got some food from the convenience store across the street, ate it, and went to sleep. CITRON WATER!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
05/07/09 - Munich Day 3
Today was interesting. As we were heading out, Radey commented that it looked like rain, so we grabbed an umbrella. Oh boy did it rain! My shoes and socks are still drying. Hopefully they will be okay by tomorrow.
Today we saw the two museums that we missed yesterday. Radey seemed like she had a good time in them. The older museum had a facination with hunting scenes, which got a bit droll after the upteenth painting. There were also a few twisted renditions of Hell. The more modern museum had a few Van Goghs, some Delacroix on loan, and a few Monets. Radey can probably give you the details later.
After sloshing around the museum in our soggy shoes, we had lunch around Marienplatz. The wursts I had were delicious! For 5.50, they were probably the best value I've gotten for food in Europe.
After lunch, we walked a little more, and then went back to the Tent. Watched Role Models, which was pretty funny. Hardy har har. Today was pretty relaxed, which was nice. Had goulosh (sp?) for dinner, and Radey had a cucumber salad. We're going to try to get on the 8:40 train to Prague tomorrow, but seeing as how I haven't woken up before 9:30 yet, I don't know how likely this will be.
Today we saw the two museums that we missed yesterday. Radey seemed like she had a good time in them. The older museum had a facination with hunting scenes, which got a bit droll after the upteenth painting. There were also a few twisted renditions of Hell. The more modern museum had a few Van Goghs, some Delacroix on loan, and a few Monets. Radey can probably give you the details later.
After sloshing around the museum in our soggy shoes, we had lunch around Marienplatz. The wursts I had were delicious! For 5.50, they were probably the best value I've gotten for food in Europe.
After lunch, we walked a little more, and then went back to the Tent. Watched Role Models, which was pretty funny. Hardy har har. Today was pretty relaxed, which was nice. Had goulosh (sp?) for dinner, and Radey had a cucumber salad. We're going to try to get on the 8:40 train to Prague tomorrow, but seeing as how I haven't woken up before 9:30 yet, I don't know how likely this will be.
04/07/09 - Munich Day 2
This morning, we woke up and went to Karlsplatz. It was pretty crowded the whole way to Marienplatz, which is down a street lined with shops and restaurants. A band was playing. We heard Smoke on the Water and the James Bond theme. I bought 250 grams of strawberries on the way. They were only 1 euro!
In Marienplatz, the mechanical clock was chiming out a freaky little tune while the automatons twirled around.
When we had had enough of that, we went in Peterskirche and had a look around. Supposedly, it's the oldest church in Munich. There were bones and they scared Allen.
It was time for lunch after that. We walked over to Viktualienmarkt and ate some tasty soup. I had a fish soup and Allen had beans and weiner soup. We washed it down with a mixture of freshly squeezed grapefruit, orange, and lemon juice.
We went to the Alte Pinakothek (an art museum), but decided to visit tomorrow (Sunday) instead, as it is only 1 euro on Sundays.
So, we visited the BMW Museum instead. It's everything you've ever wanted to know about BMW! The best part was the cars on display. They had the cars from Golden Eye and The World Is Not Enough--the actual ones that Pierce Brosnan drove for the movies.
Allen ran into his friend outside the museum. I guess he was from the CS department at the UW. We saw some of the Olympic Park.
After we ditched Allen's little friend, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant. I know, I know...we were just in Italy. But I really wanted some Italian food...
In Marienplatz, the mechanical clock was chiming out a freaky little tune while the automatons twirled around.
When we had had enough of that, we went in Peterskirche and had a look around. Supposedly, it's the oldest church in Munich. There were bones and they scared Allen.
It was time for lunch after that. We walked over to Viktualienmarkt and ate some tasty soup. I had a fish soup and Allen had beans and weiner soup. We washed it down with a mixture of freshly squeezed grapefruit, orange, and lemon juice.
We went to the Alte Pinakothek (an art museum), but decided to visit tomorrow (Sunday) instead, as it is only 1 euro on Sundays.
So, we visited the BMW Museum instead. It's everything you've ever wanted to know about BMW! The best part was the cars on display. They had the cars from Golden Eye and The World Is Not Enough--the actual ones that Pierce Brosnan drove for the movies.
Allen ran into his friend outside the museum. I guess he was from the CS department at the UW. We saw some of the Olympic Park.
After we ditched Allen's little friend, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant. I know, I know...we were just in Italy. But I really wanted some Italian food...
Friday, July 3, 2009
03/07/09 - Munich Day 1
We took the night train from Venice to Munich. I barely slept because it was so incredibly hot in our compartment. It must have been 100 degrees, so I ended up out in the corridor for several hours. I don't know how anyone else could stand it.
At 6:30 AM, we arrived in Munich and headed for The Tent. It's exactly what it sounds like: a tent. A giant tent. Two giant tents, in fact, that apparently hold 250 people between them. The staff are all really nice here and speak English.
A lot of people in Munich seem to speak English, actually, though several have assumed that I am German.
After checking in and picking out bunks and a locker, we got on the tram to Schloss Nymphenburg, only a few stops away. It is a large palace in the middle of Munich, built by Ludwig I and modeled after Versailles.
It's definitely not Versailles, but the gardens make a huge effort. It's like a park, complete with people jogging down the paths. There were some older baby ducks following their mom in a pond and another duck came and starting chasing them around. It was pretty funny.
The best part of the Schloss was the Gallery of Beauties. Ludwig was obsessed with feminine beauty and had various portraits painted of women he liked. Allen thought they were "alright" except for the one that looked like a man. That one wasn't alright.
Our next destination was the Deutches Museum. We stayed there until it closed at five o'clock, so probably around four hours. There was so much to see there, and we didn't even see it all. There were six floors packed with educational exhibits about everything from the history of boats to computer science.
Highlights include the recreation of an alchemy lab and a cave...which I don't recall the name of, and the cross sections of ships. Allen liked the U-1 submarine--the original!
At around two, we noticed it getting a bit stormy outside. It began pouring down rain and continued to thunder and lightning for a good two hours. It was still raining by the time we left the museum, and we still hadn't taken showers since riding the train, so we headed back to The Tent. For dinner we went to a grocery store and got sandwich fixings and some Ritter Sport chocolates. Allen wanted me to mention that I pulled out his first white hair (he insisted I pull it out so he could look at it). We did laundry in an actual washer and dryer for the first time since arriving. It's all quite exciting.
At 6:30 AM, we arrived in Munich and headed for The Tent. It's exactly what it sounds like: a tent. A giant tent. Two giant tents, in fact, that apparently hold 250 people between them. The staff are all really nice here and speak English.
A lot of people in Munich seem to speak English, actually, though several have assumed that I am German.
After checking in and picking out bunks and a locker, we got on the tram to Schloss Nymphenburg, only a few stops away. It is a large palace in the middle of Munich, built by Ludwig I and modeled after Versailles.
It's definitely not Versailles, but the gardens make a huge effort. It's like a park, complete with people jogging down the paths. There were some older baby ducks following their mom in a pond and another duck came and starting chasing them around. It was pretty funny.
The best part of the Schloss was the Gallery of Beauties. Ludwig was obsessed with feminine beauty and had various portraits painted of women he liked. Allen thought they were "alright" except for the one that looked like a man. That one wasn't alright.
Our next destination was the Deutches Museum. We stayed there until it closed at five o'clock, so probably around four hours. There was so much to see there, and we didn't even see it all. There were six floors packed with educational exhibits about everything from the history of boats to computer science.
Highlights include the recreation of an alchemy lab and a cave...which I don't recall the name of, and the cross sections of ships. Allen liked the U-1 submarine--the original!
At around two, we noticed it getting a bit stormy outside. It began pouring down rain and continued to thunder and lightning for a good two hours. It was still raining by the time we left the museum, and we still hadn't taken showers since riding the train, so we headed back to The Tent. For dinner we went to a grocery store and got sandwich fixings and some Ritter Sport chocolates. Allen wanted me to mention that I pulled out his first white hair (he insisted I pull it out so he could look at it). We did laundry in an actual washer and dryer for the first time since arriving. It's all quite exciting.
02/07/09 - Venice Day 3
Bleeeeeh. Wandering around the streets of Venice with 100000000 pound backpacks is lovely. We felt disgusting.
Since we didn't do much, here is my reflection on Venice: Nicest place we've been so far. There are no cars nor bikes, so to get anywhere, you either take a boat, or walk. We hear locals greeting each other often, with cheerful "Cia-oooo"s. The pacing of life just seems more relaxed and carefree. I would love to retire to Venezia one day. Crusing along the canal, there was a kind of solomn tragedy about the abandoned buildings, once so grand, and now slowly sinking away.
Cute moment: A couple in a gondola were being serenaded by their gondoliers, while drifting under a bridge. A girl standing on the bridge chimed in sweetly.
Not so cute: Massive bite on my arm:
The outer discolouration spread further after this picture.
Since we didn't do much, here is my reflection on Venice: Nicest place we've been so far. There are no cars nor bikes, so to get anywhere, you either take a boat, or walk. We hear locals greeting each other often, with cheerful "Cia-oooo"s. The pacing of life just seems more relaxed and carefree. I would love to retire to Venezia one day. Crusing along the canal, there was a kind of solomn tragedy about the abandoned buildings, once so grand, and now slowly sinking away.
Cute moment: A couple in a gondola were being serenaded by their gondoliers, while drifting under a bridge. A girl standing on the bridge chimed in sweetly.
Not so cute: Massive bite on my arm:
The outer discolouration spread further after this picture.
01/07/09 - Venice Day 2
Was previously left blank, update:
In retrospect, we did not really do much except ride the vaporettos. We started off visiting San Marco's Basilica. Photography is not allowed within, so we have no pictures of the interior to share with you. Suffice it to say, I was once again amazed by what people do with mosaics.
After a brisk walk through the dark and dank interior of San Marco's, we headed out to Lido. Lido... is basically Italy's California. The coastline was all sandy beach, and lazy, leathery Italians. It was beautiful. We took the bus up then down the long island. There was supposed to be a shipwreck somewhere near the island, but we were unable to locate it. Off to Murano, an island famed for its glass artisans.
Getting to Murano was a pain. We boarded the wrong vaporetto, which took us several stops in the wrong direction before we realized our error. When we finally arrived, we were unable to actually locate anyone blowing glass. It was a huge disappointment. We wandered up one of the streets, window shopping, and then headed back to the hotel, to retrieve our EuroPasses in order to book seats to Munich. We ended up with reservations for an overnighter leaving the next day at 22:50, and arriving at 6:30.
After booking our seats, we took a short nap in the hotel, and headed out to the vaporettos again, this time with the objective of doing some sightseeing on them. Riding the number one to the top of the canal, we got front seats for the trip back down. Night was falling rapidly as we made our winding way, snapping horribly blurred pictures of grand faces of the buildings lining the canal.
We arrived in San Marco's Piazza a while after dark, to the sonorous song of Andrea Bocelli, who was in concert that evening. We were seranaded all the way back to the hotel, catching a few strains of famous operas.
In retrospect, we did not really do much except ride the vaporettos. We started off visiting San Marco's Basilica. Photography is not allowed within, so we have no pictures of the interior to share with you. Suffice it to say, I was once again amazed by what people do with mosaics.
After a brisk walk through the dark and dank interior of San Marco's, we headed out to Lido. Lido... is basically Italy's California. The coastline was all sandy beach, and lazy, leathery Italians. It was beautiful. We took the bus up then down the long island. There was supposed to be a shipwreck somewhere near the island, but we were unable to locate it. Off to Murano, an island famed for its glass artisans.
Getting to Murano was a pain. We boarded the wrong vaporetto, which took us several stops in the wrong direction before we realized our error. When we finally arrived, we were unable to actually locate anyone blowing glass. It was a huge disappointment. We wandered up one of the streets, window shopping, and then headed back to the hotel, to retrieve our EuroPasses in order to book seats to Munich. We ended up with reservations for an overnighter leaving the next day at 22:50, and arriving at 6:30.
After booking our seats, we took a short nap in the hotel, and headed out to the vaporettos again, this time with the objective of doing some sightseeing on them. Riding the number one to the top of the canal, we got front seats for the trip back down. Night was falling rapidly as we made our winding way, snapping horribly blurred pictures of grand faces of the buildings lining the canal.
We arrived in San Marco's Piazza a while after dark, to the sonorous song of Andrea Bocelli, who was in concert that evening. We were seranaded all the way back to the hotel, catching a few strains of famous operas.
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