Archive for January, 2010

Scatter Plot

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Slovenia is wonderful! You really get a grasp on the amazingness of a place, when huge stars come to play concerts. Take, for example, last night. I actually went to a concert of an american icon: Michael Bolton! Yes, I know, you can’t believe it. Neither can I. I mean, how super duper lucky could I get to be?! It couldn’t be true. But it is! I have photographic proof even! Needless to say though, I did happen to sneak in for free so actually I think it might have actually been worth it. Found an opening in the building, and went to the concession stand. Chris and I bought a beer, then followed a guy headed back to his seat. Just walked right past all the security and ticket checkers. Found seats right next to our friend who actually paid for a ticket. Then froze our toes off waiting around so she could get a photo with the guy. Ended up going to a casino afterwards (yes this is all happening around 2am, and it’s roughly 20° F outside). We all got 5€ free credit each since it was the first time visit. I, of course, lost all of it. But Mel and Chris actually won 65€ between the two of them. This is why I don’t gamble…

So Ljubljana is a lot of fun! Good little town. Actually it is the Capital of Slovenia, but 250,000 people really don’t make a city. It’s a town. Lots of history though! Dragon City! Jason and the Argonauts! What could be better? I’ve had many great nights, never seemed to get to sleep before 3am, no matter how hard I tried.

So now, I’m off to Salzburg. One must be thinking: Didn’t he just come from Austria? Does that boy know geography or logistics at all? Why would he go south to just turn around and go back north? Wasn’t he going East? Well, allow me to answer all those questions with this: I’m a scatter brain. Now that all that is settled, I’ll be getting on my train to go north. I hope those Hills don’t come Alive!

P.S.

Please take a look at http://www.clevelandhaitirelief.blogspot.com/, he’s a friend’s father. He’s gone down to Haiti to help out.

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Eastern Found

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Well, I wouldn’t necessarily call it going East. But it’s definitely not  true West.

I’m in Ljubljana, Slovenia currently. Just got in from Vienna. A lovely visit to Austria again. A friend from DC had some meetings in Vienna, so I got to hang out with Bill for a few days. Nice to have an American around. Made an impromptu visit to Budapest! Had a great evening there. Really wasn’t too much about sight-seeing, but I do know alcohol works the same way in Hungary, but lots cheaper!

I don’t have much to report this time. I just wanted to give a location update. After Slovenia, I’m still deciding, of course, but I should be here for the next 3 nights, and will be leaving sometime on the 24th. Will update once I’ve actually done something in Ljubljana to tell!

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Eastward Bound

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Well, it seems as though internet is a luxury these days. After spending all this time surrounded by it seems to have decided to become scarce and difficult to track down. I’ve got it now, so I’m updating at last.

Currently location: Vienna, Austria

Previous Locations: Berlin, Germany; Munich/Passau, Germany

Seems like forever ago, but it was only 10, I arrived in Berlin. I was lucky enough to stay with friends I met while in Venice. Small worlds. I called up to see if they were in town and turns out they were! I got to crash at Cornelius’ apartment, and I got two days of private tours around Berlin by Maria. What an awesome time. Lots to do and see there. Saw all the major sites of course, like the Wall and Brandenburg Gate. But also got to see other parts of the city such as little neighborhoods enclosing beautiful gardens. Lot of snow covered parks with children sledding. It was wonderful walking around so much. Granted, it was quite cold the whole time, but it wasn’t too horrible due to my finally breaking down and purchasing a proper winter coat while in London. Got out to some amazing clubs as well, even one with a quasi-Latino theme going on. I think we got home before 4am one of those nights… I’d always heard it was fun in Berlin, and I’ll be sure to keep spreading the truth.

From Berlin took a train (I really do miss all my train-ing around, I much prefer that mode of travel over others) to Munich. Didn’t get a chance to stay in Munich long, got convinced to head down to a college town in Bavaria called Passau. Passau was great. The city is also known as the “Three River City”, due to the river Inn and the river Ilz meeting the Danube. It’s a stones throw away from the border to Austria and a typical college town of loads of young people and lots of fun things to do. One afternoon took a walk down the Danube, crossed over on a foot bridge into Innstadt, walked down for about 10 more minutes and I was at the German/Austrian border. I thought: “I should grab a quick meal in Austria since I’m here. I wonder what’s around?” I glance over to my left and I see a restaurant. What luck! As we round the corner to the front door, I notice some odd familiarity to this place. I tilt my head in confusion, and then my little dim light bulb of a brain realizes I’m standing in front of a Mexican Cantina! The smile that slides over my face must be a site because we’re inside with chips and salsa before anyone could blink. As I sit there, I glance out across the window seal of corona bottles and margarita paraphernalia and I see the German flag and Austrian flag waving proudly. You can’t make this stuff up…

While Passau was fun, I didn’t really get to see Munich. So my original plan was to head back and see the city. Then I got to the train station. Little did I know, the trains going back to Munich would cost me exactly one arm, one leg, and a euro size hole in my head. So I took a glance at the trains straight to Vienna. What do you know! Cheap! So, needless to say, my attempts to get to Munich (now and back in September) have failed miserably. It just isn’t my time to visit that city.

So now I’m back in Vienna, the origin of my trip. What am I doing here you might ask? He’s already been there, the big dolt. Well, as it turns out an ex-work colleague (Bill) was coming here, and I thought why not I’ll meet up and see someone from the states. Plus this is also a good location to jump off my eastward bound travels. In fact, I believe Friday afternoon I will be training my way to Budapest! Funny story though, I think I’ll be back in Vienna for a few days next week (I know I’m the most random traveler ever), but there’s people I’ve made plans with! I’m here, I’m close, I have no excuse. But then, I will be going East for definite. Although, as per my normal course of planning, I haven’t the faintest idea where I’m going yet.

So on that note!

auf wiedersehen!

Posted in Austria, Europe, Germany | 2 Comments »

Catch Up

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

Looks like I have to play catch-up on this blog-oh-mine.

It’s January 2, and Happy New Years Everyone! I hope everyone had an amazing night! I spent mine at London’s Trafalgar Square, watching the fireworks go off over the London Eye. A very memorable and amazing evening. At midnight it even started snowing as if on cue. How perfect is that!

Let’s see what else has been going on. From Edinburgh I spent some time in Glasgow. I took a day trip to Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands. I saw “Nessie”, she was nice. She even gave me a ride across the Loch. I was in a tiny group, just 5 of us and a guide. So it was a really enjoyable experience seeing Scotland.

From Glasgow, took a train to Manchester. I met some gents on the train and proceeded to enjoy a few cocktails on the train down. Ended up going to a pub with them, then to the Warehouse Project (a warehouse party) until roughly 6am. Had breakie then finally made it to my hostel around 10am-ish. Proceeded to sleep my induced state off for the next few hours, so I could wake up and have a quite evening at a pub with some other hostelers. Good time in Manchester, never really saw the city during the day, but I remember what it looked like at night!

From Manchester went to Auntie Gail’s for Christmas! Had an amazing time with David and Gail (again!) in Lincoln. Went down with them to Auntie Karen’s for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Got to see the whole English family for the holidays. Wonderful time. Spent a few more nights in Lincoln. I got a private tour of the English countryside, including Brigg! If you’re ever in northern Lincolnshire, Brigg is a must stop. Even walked across the 5th largest single span suspension bridge in world, the Humber Bridge. This is significant because Gail is deathly afraid of heights, much less heights over water. Fun times indeed. Was sad to leave, almost convinced to become their au pair. Alas, I took a train to London on the 3oth. But my holidays were made because of them.

London is amazing as always. Spent a great night at a pub with a few Brazilians I met in the hostel. New Years eve was spent partying around London with four German girls. What? There’s nothing dumb about me! Fireworks were quite spectacular, one of the best displays I’ve ever seen. Actually made a day out of the 1st, somehow. Saw some part of London I hadn’t seen before (which is very easy to do). Had a great day with the girls, I need to work on my German before I get to Germany! Now, I’m off to another joyous day in London! Oh wait… I have to figure out where I’m going after London. It’s a debate in my head right now. France (Lyon or Bordeaux) or Germany (Munich or Berlin) Looks like it’s Berlin! “Ich bin ein Berliner!”… Such difficult decisions I’m faced with… When did I say I was coming back to the real world again?

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