A short, speedy, very summarized update.
Since last time we have been to:
Zurich! A pretty town of great costs.
The Alps! Sheep-filled mountains that require you to tilt your head back at an angle usually reserved for sitting in the first row of the movie theatre.
Lyon! A town filled with beautiful parks and old buildings.
Paris! Where we are now, about to go out for the evening and see the Eiffel Tower.
The further along we get in our tri[, the crappier the computers are and the more expesive it is touse them, hence the lack of updates.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Bavarian Dream
Hello from Munich, the seat of old Bavaria! I would say that it is awesome, but as our British tour guide in Berlin told us, 'Awesome is a word North Americans use to describe anything that is slightly better than neutral.' Munich is far better than neutral, so perhaps I should find a more suitable modifier. Wonderful? Lovely? I'm as North American as they come so I think I'll stick with awesome for the time being.
When people think of Germany, they don't know it but they are thinking of Munich. Cobbled streets lined with old churches, beer halls, and shops selling liederhosen. Slightly touristy? Perhaps. Enjoyable? Immensely. Especially after leaving Eastern Europe, we greatly appreciate all the conveniences of Western Europe. Things like train stations that aren't filled with pigeon crap and words we can actually kind of pronounce make us happy, so westward bound we are!
Tomorrow we leave for Zurich in order to find ourselves some Apls. I'm practicing my 'Ricola' cry on the way there.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Pun goes here
Tomorrow morning we leave for Munich, and hopefully sunnier weather. It's been cold and a bit drizzly here, though not as much as in Stockholm. We're hoping Bavaria will bring us warmth, kraut, and good cheer.
An excellent thing we've noticed about Europe is the differences one experiences in going out to eat. In America, the drill goes something like this:
1. Get seated
2. Drink orders
3. "Would you like to hear our specials today?? Want to try the special Jack Daniels BBQ glazed honey baby back ribs appetizer sampler???"
4. Order.
5. Get food/immediate drink refill
6. Two minutes later: "Can I get you guys anything? Everything tasting OK?? YOU GUYS READY FOR SOME DESSERT??". Repeat this several times.
7. More drink refills, even if you're not done.
8. Get the check before you're done eating.
9. Pay and leave.
Here, it's more like:
1. Sit where you want.
2. Waiter comes eventually. You order.
3. Food comes. Eat it.
4. Make eye contact with waiter in order to get check/additional taste treats.
5. Pay and leave. Tip is included in total! Score!
Of course I'm making sweeping generalizations, but that's what I'm good at and it's my blog so DEAL.
'til bavaria,
lauren
An excellent thing we've noticed about Europe is the differences one experiences in going out to eat. In America, the drill goes something like this:
1. Get seated
2. Drink orders
3. "Would you like to hear our specials today?? Want to try the special Jack Daniels BBQ glazed honey baby back ribs appetizer sampler???"
4. Order.
5. Get food/immediate drink refill
6. Two minutes later: "Can I get you guys anything? Everything tasting OK?? YOU GUYS READY FOR SOME DESSERT??". Repeat this several times.
7. More drink refills, even if you're not done.
8. Get the check before you're done eating.
9. Pay and leave.
Here, it's more like:
1. Sit where you want.
2. Waiter comes eventually. You order.
3. Food comes. Eat it.
4. Make eye contact with waiter in order to get check/additional taste treats.
5. Pay and leave. Tip is included in total! Score!
Of course I'm making sweeping generalizations, but that's what I'm good at and it's my blog so DEAL.
'til bavaria,
lauren
Monday, May 19, 2008
Czech, please
Prague's number one export is frowns. Not that the people here aren't polite or friendly, it's just that smiles are notably absent from the pale faces of the Czech. We've noticed that the further East we go, the less happy people seem, the more popular grey is, and the cheaper booze is. The effects of communism upon the Praguians(?) seem to be longer lasting than Big Red gum. Nonetheless, the city is a gem of beautiful architecture, culture, and it's cheap to boot. Today we walked to the very very top of St. Vitus Cathedral, up a winding stone staircase about three feet wide and 10 stories up. Did I mention that both the up and down traffic had to share said staircase? It gave me dizziness and a leg cramp, but the views were more than worth it.
Prague's number one import, on the other hand, is Japanesetourists. I say it's one word because they travel in giant, interconnected packs like some kind of bizarre symbiotic organism covered in expensive camera equipment and Hello Kitty accessories. There is usually a leader to each of these packs, leading the confused, huddled mass around with a hello kitty/flower/bright thing on a tall stick. It's impossible to walk 10 feet through Prague castle without ending up in one of their bajillions of photos.
On the plus side, the keyboards here are qwerty, just like home!
Prague's number one import, on the other hand, is Japanesetourists. I say it's one word because they travel in giant, interconnected packs like some kind of bizarre symbiotic organism covered in expensive camera equipment and Hello Kitty accessories. There is usually a leader to each of these packs, leading the confused, huddled mass around with a hello kitty/flower/bright thing on a tall stick. It's impossible to walk 10 feet through Prague castle without ending up in one of their bajillions of photos.
On the plus side, the keyboards here are qwerty, just like home!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Don't panic
Our hostel is loosely themed upon 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. They even sell towels.
We've been spending a lot of time on the train. It's 12 hours from Stockholm to Berlin, even with some high-speed legs mixed in. Between the passes of the snack cart, running from platform to platform in stations in towns I've never heard of, a lot of idle time is created.
Top six things to do on the train:
6. Sleep
Sleep comes sporadically in hostels. Sometimes you sleep like a baby. Sometimes 4 rowdy Italians burst into your dorm at 3am when you have a 6am train. Sleep is good.
5. Stare out the window
This usually leads to sleeping. There are tons of windmills in the N. Euro countryside, and they're fun to count.
4. iPod video
Thank you again mom and dad. This is saving my life.
3. Read
I found a discarded British murder mystery book in Paris. At first I hated it, but now I'm 300 pages in and ENTHRALLED. Go figure
2. Talk
Either with other travellers or just me and the Madster, the art of conversation can make time fly. A Swede today thought it was hilarous that all college students have IKEA furniture. They think it's junk too!
1. Sleep
Trains really aren't that exciting
Just got into Berlin. We like it already. It's warmer than Stockholm: a plus! Tired though. You guys are lucky I'm devoted to this. I'm learning a different keyboard layout in every country. The Y and Z are mixed up here. I've had to retype many sentences many times. The @ is always hard to find. Here, it's ALT+q. Why?
til later,
L
We've been spending a lot of time on the train. It's 12 hours from Stockholm to Berlin, even with some high-speed legs mixed in. Between the passes of the snack cart, running from platform to platform in stations in towns I've never heard of, a lot of idle time is created.
Top six things to do on the train:
6. Sleep
Sleep comes sporadically in hostels. Sometimes you sleep like a baby. Sometimes 4 rowdy Italians burst into your dorm at 3am when you have a 6am train. Sleep is good.
5. Stare out the window
This usually leads to sleeping. There are tons of windmills in the N. Euro countryside, and they're fun to count.
4. iPod video
Thank you again mom and dad. This is saving my life.
3. Read
I found a discarded British murder mystery book in Paris. At first I hated it, but now I'm 300 pages in and ENTHRALLED. Go figure
2. Talk
Either with other travellers or just me and the Madster, the art of conversation can make time fly. A Swede today thought it was hilarous that all college students have IKEA furniture. They think it's junk too!
1. Sleep
Trains really aren't that exciting
Just got into Berlin. We like it already. It's warmer than Stockholm: a plus! Tired though. You guys are lucky I'm devoted to this. I'm learning a different keyboard layout in every country. The Y and Z are mixed up here. I've had to retype many sentences many times. The @ is always hard to find. Here, it's ALT+q. Why?
til later,
L
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Hej då, Stockholm
Let me tell you about Stockholm! It's an old, elegent, and austere city. The severe angles of the buildings are defied by the washes of saffron and pink that the Swedes have seen fit to paint them, as well as by the hidden swirls of wrought iron that dimple the exterior walls. It's beautiful.
Maddy and I ate salmon and reindeer for lunch today. What do you think of me now, Santa Claus?
We also saw the changing of the Swedish royal gurad. Let me tell you, those dudes are AWESOME. They do a slick little scoot scoot move that made me and Maddy burst out in loud, American laughs. It's ok though, because the English guy behind us totally thought it was funny too. After that, we saw the Nobel museum, which rocked. We watched aabout 15 biographies of former Nobel laureates, including Yeats, Curie, Nelson Mandela, and Schröedinger. I saw Yeats's letter-opener! Too much excitement for one day. They also had an excellent exhibition called 'Science4Design', which any Bachelor of Science student would be all over. An example: textiles designs which artfully incorporate the structure of hemoglobin. Too wonderful!
Though this city is wonderful and inviting, it's COLD. We're told the snap happened the day we came in. Go figure. Due to the 40-degree(!) weather, we're heading out a day early to check out the German countryside and the fine town of Berlin. Does anyone remember that song by the band Berlin that talks about riding on the metro? It might be called 'riding on the metro', or maybe just 'metro', or maybe something completely different because I'm really not too familiar with the song altogether. Anyway, it was stuck in my head in Paris, and now its stuck there again. I need a better song to play over and over and over in my skull.
til Berlin,
Lauren
ps we appreciate the comments. they bring us good ol' american cheer!
Maddy and I ate salmon and reindeer for lunch today. What do you think of me now, Santa Claus?
We also saw the changing of the Swedish royal gurad. Let me tell you, those dudes are AWESOME. They do a slick little scoot scoot move that made me and Maddy burst out in loud, American laughs. It's ok though, because the English guy behind us totally thought it was funny too. After that, we saw the Nobel museum, which rocked. We watched aabout 15 biographies of former Nobel laureates, including Yeats, Curie, Nelson Mandela, and Schröedinger. I saw Yeats's letter-opener! Too much excitement for one day. They also had an excellent exhibition called 'Science4Design', which any Bachelor of Science student would be all over. An example: textiles designs which artfully incorporate the structure of hemoglobin. Too wonderful!
Though this city is wonderful and inviting, it's COLD. We're told the snap happened the day we came in. Go figure. Due to the 40-degree(!) weather, we're heading out a day early to check out the German countryside and the fine town of Berlin. Does anyone remember that song by the band Berlin that talks about riding on the metro? It might be called 'riding on the metro', or maybe just 'metro', or maybe something completely different because I'm really not too familiar with the song altogether. Anyway, it was stuck in my head in Paris, and now its stuck there again. I need a better song to play over and over and over in my skull.
til Berlin,
Lauren
ps we appreciate the comments. they bring us good ol' american cheer!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Stockholm syndrome
We arrived here in Stockholm not too long ago. The train station was ripe with bustling Swedes. Its a bit cold and rainy, much as I imagine it being back home. Our hostel is on a boat for our stay here, I keep finding myself thinking that I'm drunk, not taking into account the fact that there is no solid ground beneath my feet. The view of the harbor is wonderful. Boats and steeples abound. This computer has a USB port, by the way. Maybe later if you're lucky you'll get some pictures!
Needless to say, Maddy and I are hungry. We're about to begin our quest for some excellent Swedish food. I haven't had much experience with it outside of the Ikea cafeteria. Maybe they'll have 1kr plates of meatballs? I won't count on it.
til later,
Lauren
Needless to say, Maddy and I are hungry. We're about to begin our quest for some excellent Swedish food. I haven't had much experience with it outside of the Ikea cafeteria. Maybe they'll have 1kr plates of meatballs? I won't count on it.
til later,
Lauren
Monday, May 12, 2008
The train keeps on rolling
Hostels are great. We're in a room with 8 other people. Most of them are awesome, except for the guy right above us who snores like an earthquake is ravaging is sinus cavity. It's painful to listen to and it's why I'm up at this godawful hour of 6:30. You saps at home are probably enjoying Conan O' Brien right now and getting ready for bed. GUESS WHAT! I'm tired. And they don't have Conan here.
We leave for Stockholm later today. First to Copenhagen, then we switch trains there to take us to Sweden. I'm looking forward to meatballs, minimalist design, and more stereotypes! It should be fun.
In response to the requests for pictures: most of these computers we've been using are 1) shitty. they're all slow and at least 5 years old and 2) don't have USB ports, which makes it difficult to share. Cross your fingers and hope that Sweden is a bit more modernized.
We've seen so much here. Amsterdam is an amazing city. I want to move here and live in a houseboat and eat nutella on toast all day. That will be my life, and you are all welcome to come visit.
'til stockholm,
Lauren
We leave for Stockholm later today. First to Copenhagen, then we switch trains there to take us to Sweden. I'm looking forward to meatballs, minimalist design, and more stereotypes! It should be fun.
In response to the requests for pictures: most of these computers we've been using are 1) shitty. they're all slow and at least 5 years old and 2) don't have USB ports, which makes it difficult to share. Cross your fingers and hope that Sweden is a bit more modernized.
We've seen so much here. Amsterdam is an amazing city. I want to move here and live in a houseboat and eat nutella on toast all day. That will be my life, and you are all welcome to come visit.
'til stockholm,
Lauren
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Where do stoner pigs go?
Hamsterdam.
Everyone here is the nicest person in the world. The canals are awesome and filled with boats and baby ducks. We saw the Van Gogh Museum and enjoyed the unending and abundant sunshine. The noodles are good here. Pretty much everything is good here.
In the words of our train operator today:
"If you're happy and you know it, say goodbye"
Goodbye.
Everyone here is the nicest person in the world. The canals are awesome and filled with boats and baby ducks. We saw the Van Gogh Museum and enjoyed the unending and abundant sunshine. The noodles are good here. Pretty much everything is good here.
In the words of our train operator today:
"If you're happy and you know it, say goodbye"
Goodbye.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Mornin
Its 5:30 am here in Paris. I still cant find the apostrophe on this keyboard. Luckily, they have a µ though!
We have a train bound for Amsterdam in an hour. We spent our last night in paris eating lots of cheese and confounding our poor waiter with questions about the distinction between ravioli and raviole. Fascinating stuff, I tell ya.
The dead people Maddy was alluding to yesterday were the bones in the catacombs. We say catacombs, but I much prefer the word ossuary.
We have a train bound for Amsterdam in an hour. We spent our last night in paris eating lots of cheese and confounding our poor waiter with questions about the distinction between ravioli and raviole. Fascinating stuff, I tell ya.
The dead people Maddy was alluding to yesterday were the bones in the catacombs. We say catacombs, but I much prefer the word ossuary.
PARIS!
Bonjour all you loseres back in the states :) Kidding, well kinda. I am happy to report that we have awaken to another perfect day in Paris. The sun is shining, the baguettes are baking, and the wine a flowing. Today I believe we are going to go look at some dead people, but Lauren can offer more insight into that. Lastnight we enjoyed our first real parisian meal. AMAZING! We both enjoyed a three course meal and bottle of wine for a total of 40euro. Not bad if you ask me, considering it blew away any '' french'' meal I have had at home, except from the kitchen of Mr. Doug Nathan, of course :) And for all of you cheese lovers out there, which I also happen to be, Paris is the place to be. While walking around yesterday we past many cheese shops, each wafting the sweet smell of the strinkiest cheese I have ever had the plesure of smelling. Well thats all for now, the computer is the last place I want to be, im gonna head out and enjoy what this amazing city has to offer.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Salut
After a 9-hour plane ride and the most inedible food in the sky, we're in Paris. We spent the morning walking around the left bank and sunning ourselves in front of the Sacré Coeur. Upon landing we saw a Frenchman eating a baguette when he SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORKING or at least entertaining us. Just kiddin' y'all. His windshied was covered with orange sticky notes though. What do you think is up with that?
Anyway, we're going to recharge our batteries. This backpacking business is hard work.
bisous,
Lauren
Anyway, we're going to recharge our batteries. This backpacking business is hard work.
bisous,
Lauren
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