oooooo, i don't recommend sleeping in airports honestly. but it's not like i had another choice. caught a train back into madrid for my 7 am flight.. i tell you.. they don't make those concrete floors like they used too.. but other than comforts no worries. it's quite a nice airport as far as they go and by god have i seen a few by now
arrived in paris, to gloom and it hasn't improved. it's so cold, so cold, i have never been as cold, i'm braking out all the clothes, and it's so misty and miserable, but i'm still having a good time!
went to the pompaduo in the afternoon when i aarrived and i really enjoyed it, a lot, it has a lot of quirky stuff, plus some really good collections..
did some more socialsing as per normal and convinced some kids to come out to disney land with me, and i' m so glad, as i was originally just going to go with this jumped up marine crazy man but i thought better then nothing but a girl in my room came so it qas okay!! we ended up choosing the wrong park.. but we did get to go on space mountain! woohoo
went out last night to the latin quarter and found a really nice little bar, where students gathered and were playing live covers of beatles, hendrix and more, and then had a meal at 2am! well not me..
oh yes, my current finanical situation is at a loss. 12 euros now!! when will my money come through. tomorrow i hope. everythings good in europe.
i'll be home soon.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
granada
i think granada just overtook edinburgh in my favourite place. my only regret is not staying longer
it's the kind of place that does that to you though.. the atmosphere is just so fantastic, it's really bohemian, really hippie, layed back, beautiful place. i got the sunniest weather as well.. welll until i left!
it's full of these tiny streets that if you put your arms out you can touch both walls, it's white washed, with cobbled streets, and bakery's with 1 euro goods! it's cheap, and i mean it's got to be beautiful when you have soething like the alhambra looming over the city.
it feels small too, and i guess it is reasonably, but not much so.
spent my days, relaxing with people from the hostel during the day.. i hate to admit that it was a giant group of australians, with a rare american, or canadian, or french person on the side.. drank a lot of sangria every night but sadly we only found the good part of town to go into on the last night, but it was a really funky little bar packed with locals, smoke and booze. went and saw the alhambra and it's so amazing.. but got a little too much toward the end!
crazy, but inside the alhambra, is an art exhibition and the main part is from UNSW! crazy right.
smoked shisha in tea rooms and mellowed out.. and slept in complete darkness in the hostel! that's a first time.
it was a really great time.
it's the kind of place that does that to you though.. the atmosphere is just so fantastic, it's really bohemian, really hippie, layed back, beautiful place. i got the sunniest weather as well.. welll until i left!
it's full of these tiny streets that if you put your arms out you can touch both walls, it's white washed, with cobbled streets, and bakery's with 1 euro goods! it's cheap, and i mean it's got to be beautiful when you have soething like the alhambra looming over the city.
it feels small too, and i guess it is reasonably, but not much so.
spent my days, relaxing with people from the hostel during the day.. i hate to admit that it was a giant group of australians, with a rare american, or canadian, or french person on the side.. drank a lot of sangria every night but sadly we only found the good part of town to go into on the last night, but it was a really funky little bar packed with locals, smoke and booze. went and saw the alhambra and it's so amazing.. but got a little too much toward the end!
crazy, but inside the alhambra, is an art exhibition and the main part is from UNSW! crazy right.
smoked shisha in tea rooms and mellowed out.. and slept in complete darkness in the hostel! that's a first time.
it was a really great time.
madrid
hmmmm
i didn't really like madrid i must say. it might have been just because it was the constitution weekend and was crowed with thousands and thousands and thousands of people, and it was raining so it was thousands and thousands of umbrellas. i do not exagerate! you could walk for not being poked in the eye..
so it was reasonably gloomy, and so you couldn't see the aamzing, well, so i was told, views from the palace over all of the city.. and to me after seeing so many big cities they all start to look the same.. i don't mean to go down on madrid, because granted i did have fun there, met people, did my first pub crawl, but i think maybe the best thing about it is the muesuems and i missed out because of the constitution and being closed.. so damn
also, here's a grain of salt for your thoughts -- the spanish are nuts about the lottery, everywhere you go, lines.. i saw i line 5 blocks long! 5!
i didn't really like madrid i must say. it might have been just because it was the constitution weekend and was crowed with thousands and thousands and thousands of people, and it was raining so it was thousands and thousands of umbrellas. i do not exagerate! you could walk for not being poked in the eye..
so it was reasonably gloomy, and so you couldn't see the aamzing, well, so i was told, views from the palace over all of the city.. and to me after seeing so many big cities they all start to look the same.. i don't mean to go down on madrid, because granted i did have fun there, met people, did my first pub crawl, but i think maybe the best thing about it is the muesuems and i missed out because of the constitution and being closed.. so damn
also, here's a grain of salt for your thoughts -- the spanish are nuts about the lottery, everywhere you go, lines.. i saw i line 5 blocks long! 5!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
tapas, sangriia, beer, beaches, sun, warmth
barcelona. i had a great train ride, granted i slept bent over double crippled in those tiny excuses for a seat that cost 50 euros to reserve, and despite bad directions made it to my hostel unscathed, not robbed but ready for a shower.
this hostel was pretty good. it is in one of those most famous squares in barcelona.. plaza reale.. or something like that. barcelona is so different to everywhere else, architectualy it is stunning.. though i was disapointed to find out the sand on the beaches isn't actually spanish sand.. but broadwalks, palm trees, crazy mosiac lizards on top of a giant mountian in the park designed by gaudi.. some of my favourite things. it is rife with theft.. espicially if you're a man, you'll if not succesfully be attempted to be robbed about 20 times by prostitutes. it involved a lot of drinking and no sleep, but great company if not bad clubs. met really great people, hoepfulyl one i will meet up with in granada. now that place i cannot wait for.
in madrid now, it's cold and raining and i have no money, but it is still all just so amazing.
this hostel was pretty good. it is in one of those most famous squares in barcelona.. plaza reale.. or something like that. barcelona is so different to everywhere else, architectualy it is stunning.. though i was disapointed to find out the sand on the beaches isn't actually spanish sand.. but broadwalks, palm trees, crazy mosiac lizards on top of a giant mountian in the park designed by gaudi.. some of my favourite things. it is rife with theft.. espicially if you're a man, you'll if not succesfully be attempted to be robbed about 20 times by prostitutes. it involved a lot of drinking and no sleep, but great company if not bad clubs. met really great people, hoepfulyl one i will meet up with in granada. now that place i cannot wait for.
in madrid now, it's cold and raining and i have no money, but it is still all just so amazing.
protest, snow capped rooftops, and alps
swizterland, to be more precise, bern.
i'd have to say, again, that i hate european trains. late, missed trains, granted i got to sit in snow for 2 hours waiting for another train BUT it was more amazing looking outt he window of the plane to see the italian alps stretching for miles.. then sitting in a big pile of it slowly freezing to death.
alright off the negative side of arriving late at night and my hands falling off from the cold i loved bern. it was my detox time. my relaxtion. i spent 5 days sitting, eating (though i can no longer afford that luxery) and watching films. there is no obligation to do anything in there it is great. it's a niceplace, even though i couldn't afford to eat fondue and those absolutley disgusting bear pits. they are so horrible. how is that allowed? a pit in the ground with a rock and a branch and gravel? while tourists thought stuff at it so it will face them so they can snap happy. it is so disgusting.
anywhoo. it made me quite angry. but. caught a train out to interlaken with some people from the hostel. it was quite amazing. with the mountains right there? so insane. covered in snow. damn cold, but beautiful. went to hooters over looking the mountains. crazy right.
and then i fell in love waiting for my overnight train to barcelona. crazy right. i can't believe it.
i'd have to say, again, that i hate european trains. late, missed trains, granted i got to sit in snow for 2 hours waiting for another train BUT it was more amazing looking outt he window of the plane to see the italian alps stretching for miles.. then sitting in a big pile of it slowly freezing to death.
alright off the negative side of arriving late at night and my hands falling off from the cold i loved bern. it was my detox time. my relaxtion. i spent 5 days sitting, eating (though i can no longer afford that luxery) and watching films. there is no obligation to do anything in there it is great. it's a niceplace, even though i couldn't afford to eat fondue and those absolutley disgusting bear pits. they are so horrible. how is that allowed? a pit in the ground with a rock and a branch and gravel? while tourists thought stuff at it so it will face them so they can snap happy. it is so disgusting.
anywhoo. it made me quite angry. but. caught a train out to interlaken with some people from the hostel. it was quite amazing. with the mountains right there? so insane. covered in snow. damn cold, but beautiful. went to hooters over looking the mountains. crazy right.
and then i fell in love waiting for my overnight train to barcelona. crazy right. i can't believe it.
italy.. prepared for a long read
it has been forever! but this is the first time in weeks i have been a postion where the itnernet prices didnt make my head explode.
italy. well, by far the has happened in italy, making it one of my favourite places. arived in venice, well treviso, a little outside of venice, where scott was supposedly going to meet me, but well, he messed that up and went to a different airport. oh well, it was the first time i've been completly without a clue as how to get somewhere but it was fine. easy.
venice is amazing. was only there for a night and day but it was still lovely. i think the best part is just getting lost in the side streets and alleys. and don't worry i ahve lvied up to the 2 gelato a day policy. that night we bought a lot of wine and drank in the courtyard of the hostel with a guy, also from australia. long long night full of pizza, and scotts first vomit from alcohol! interesting.
after feeling rather worse for wear after a good 2 hours sleep, and those 2 horus where spent wondering if it is still legal to not have safety rails on top bunks and that i could fall out at any second, we jumped on a train to florence. and man did i love florence.
hostel being a bit of a flop.. too big, bad bar, and i find it strange for a 400 bed hostel they can only have 3 cups in the kitchen.. anywhoo, met the loveliest little french canadian girl, gabrielle, clicked, and spent the next few days together. met some other girls from canada and australia that night that gabrielle had met previously in rome and spent the first part of the night at their hostel, drinking a giant 5 litre vat of red wine (yes, the teeth stains were horrific), met some more rather cool people, and went out to a few bars.
the next morning we awoke to a large stack of brownies on a giant plate in our room. interesting yes, i am going to leave it a mystery as to how they got there because that is much more interesting then the truth.. however it only took us a few seconds on contemplation before we ate them all..
that day we had some coffee with the people form the night before, and looked at some markets, went to the marble cathedral, of which i fell in love with. it is just so spectacular. and THEN that night we did a repeat of the night before but at our hostel and with spumonte.. yes, guys, they do sell it in italy.
on our final full day, gabrielle and myself fell in love with david. we marvelled at him for a good 3 hours before we dismissed the rest of the gallery. nothing compares to that right? he is just so amazing. completly. i can't really describe my feelings on the matter, but wow. and then we had another wonderful night of red wine and good company, before i spent all my money on the most amazing pair of boots you'll have ever seen and jumping on a train (the regional.. it may take a good 5 hours, but you can't beat 15 euros) to rome.
ohh i forgot to mention i am on the wanted list in venice now.. let's hope they don't track me down. i refuse to pay a fine when i had a ticket that expired 10 minutes ago. so i skipped the country.. well city.. i have not sinced skipped the country.
rome was amazing as well. i liked florence more, it is smaller, more charming. i hate italian men, making animal noises isn't going to get them anything. but other then getting clucked at every 2 steps it was great. spent the first night just drinking with people from the hostel. i mean you can't really beat a place that gives you breakfast and dinner.. however a total of 4 hours sleep left me pretty crazy the next day which led for a quiet night of watching gladiator to be cliched, but met monica, one of the australian girls from florence and we marvelled at the colessuem.. it is pretty wow to be walking down a street and then we like hold on.. is that the colessuem?
but i don't think it is nessacarily worth it to go in. more sites and more sites and more drinking and going to flea markets was what rome was all about, oh and not sleeping. but the best thing was on the 3rd day, i get a message from gabrielle telling me she is back in rome. i was so happy to spend the next couple of days with her.
and i'd have to say i made the right choice travelling by myself.
there you go, the shortened version of my italy!
italy. well, by far the has happened in italy, making it one of my favourite places. arived in venice, well treviso, a little outside of venice, where scott was supposedly going to meet me, but well, he messed that up and went to a different airport. oh well, it was the first time i've been completly without a clue as how to get somewhere but it was fine. easy.
venice is amazing. was only there for a night and day but it was still lovely. i think the best part is just getting lost in the side streets and alleys. and don't worry i ahve lvied up to the 2 gelato a day policy. that night we bought a lot of wine and drank in the courtyard of the hostel with a guy, also from australia. long long night full of pizza, and scotts first vomit from alcohol! interesting.
after feeling rather worse for wear after a good 2 hours sleep, and those 2 horus where spent wondering if it is still legal to not have safety rails on top bunks and that i could fall out at any second, we jumped on a train to florence. and man did i love florence.
hostel being a bit of a flop.. too big, bad bar, and i find it strange for a 400 bed hostel they can only have 3 cups in the kitchen.. anywhoo, met the loveliest little french canadian girl, gabrielle, clicked, and spent the next few days together. met some other girls from canada and australia that night that gabrielle had met previously in rome and spent the first part of the night at their hostel, drinking a giant 5 litre vat of red wine (yes, the teeth stains were horrific), met some more rather cool people, and went out to a few bars.
the next morning we awoke to a large stack of brownies on a giant plate in our room. interesting yes, i am going to leave it a mystery as to how they got there because that is much more interesting then the truth.. however it only took us a few seconds on contemplation before we ate them all..
that day we had some coffee with the people form the night before, and looked at some markets, went to the marble cathedral, of which i fell in love with. it is just so spectacular. and THEN that night we did a repeat of the night before but at our hostel and with spumonte.. yes, guys, they do sell it in italy.
on our final full day, gabrielle and myself fell in love with david. we marvelled at him for a good 3 hours before we dismissed the rest of the gallery. nothing compares to that right? he is just so amazing. completly. i can't really describe my feelings on the matter, but wow. and then we had another wonderful night of red wine and good company, before i spent all my money on the most amazing pair of boots you'll have ever seen and jumping on a train (the regional.. it may take a good 5 hours, but you can't beat 15 euros) to rome.
ohh i forgot to mention i am on the wanted list in venice now.. let's hope they don't track me down. i refuse to pay a fine when i had a ticket that expired 10 minutes ago. so i skipped the country.. well city.. i have not sinced skipped the country.
rome was amazing as well. i liked florence more, it is smaller, more charming. i hate italian men, making animal noises isn't going to get them anything. but other then getting clucked at every 2 steps it was great. spent the first night just drinking with people from the hostel. i mean you can't really beat a place that gives you breakfast and dinner.. however a total of 4 hours sleep left me pretty crazy the next day which led for a quiet night of watching gladiator to be cliched, but met monica, one of the australian girls from florence and we marvelled at the colessuem.. it is pretty wow to be walking down a street and then we like hold on.. is that the colessuem?
but i don't think it is nessacarily worth it to go in. more sites and more sites and more drinking and going to flea markets was what rome was all about, oh and not sleeping. but the best thing was on the 3rd day, i get a message from gabrielle telling me she is back in rome. i was so happy to spend the next couple of days with her.
and i'd have to say i made the right choice travelling by myself.
there you go, the shortened version of my italy!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
prague
wow, it has been a while!
prague was lovely. cold. 2 degrees at peak, but still nice. the bus even had a tv on it.. granted all the english speaking films were dubbed.. had a movie night with some of artu's friends the first night.. slept a lot.. next day.. bummed around saw james bond again.. oh and got fined. yes! my first european fine and bribe! exciting yes i know. my first and sadly not my last. it was easy peasy anyway.. they don't like taking you to the police staion because it is lots of work.. so i think artur bribed him with 200 crowns.. so like 8 euros.. sweet eh.
next day we went to these aweosme tea rooms, were you dirnk tea or coffee, smoke shisha.. they're dark and the very middle eastern looking. quite groovey. and then this awesome club.. it's just insane. it's hard to describe. it's very underground.. and literally underground.. like h.r giger desgined it on a bad acid trip.. whacked out sculptures.. lights that spin and look like spiders. so crazy. saw a really famous drum and bass gig there. good stuff...
after sleeping for 4 hours.. i wondered around the city and it is lovely.. didn't actually see any of these famous czech gypsies..
went to the castle and palaces and all around the next day i like it over there better.. when you look over the edge and the city is sprawled below.. tiled roofs, and castle tops. it's pretty amazing.
went to see this church... it kutna hora. a little place an hour out of prague. it has over 400 000 sets o fbones that decorate the church.. 4 stacks of bones. it could have been grimmer.. it was still very much the whole point was to try to puch god upon you.. but i met a nice aussie girl and we walked around and ate fried cheese.
alas and then to venice.. more to come.. give me time !
prague was lovely. cold. 2 degrees at peak, but still nice. the bus even had a tv on it.. granted all the english speaking films were dubbed.. had a movie night with some of artu's friends the first night.. slept a lot.. next day.. bummed around saw james bond again.. oh and got fined. yes! my first european fine and bribe! exciting yes i know. my first and sadly not my last. it was easy peasy anyway.. they don't like taking you to the police staion because it is lots of work.. so i think artur bribed him with 200 crowns.. so like 8 euros.. sweet eh.
next day we went to these aweosme tea rooms, were you dirnk tea or coffee, smoke shisha.. they're dark and the very middle eastern looking. quite groovey. and then this awesome club.. it's just insane. it's hard to describe. it's very underground.. and literally underground.. like h.r giger desgined it on a bad acid trip.. whacked out sculptures.. lights that spin and look like spiders. so crazy. saw a really famous drum and bass gig there. good stuff...
after sleeping for 4 hours.. i wondered around the city and it is lovely.. didn't actually see any of these famous czech gypsies..
went to the castle and palaces and all around the next day i like it over there better.. when you look over the edge and the city is sprawled below.. tiled roofs, and castle tops. it's pretty amazing.
went to see this church... it kutna hora. a little place an hour out of prague. it has over 400 000 sets o fbones that decorate the church.. 4 stacks of bones. it could have been grimmer.. it was still very much the whole point was to try to puch god upon you.. but i met a nice aussie girl and we walked around and ate fried cheese.
alas and then to venice.. more to come.. give me time !
Sunday, November 16, 2008
steins, clouds, rain, no castles and steam
munich eh
i liked berlin more. but i think when travelling by oneself you do seem to judge places by the people you meet and how much you liked them. so in munich i had a high turn over of people that i spoke too...
at least, the hostel was easy to find, literally across the road from the main station, and surrounded by kebab and schnitzel shops, which i took full advantage of (twice daily) seeing as i didn't eat whilst being in dresden.
hostel was pretty funky, they had this outside garden which was indoors, which hammocks, been bags and stuff like that.. although my room was like the senior citizens room, which makes it really hard to meet people, but i went to the bar and used those social skills i've been perfecting and had a good first night.. did another of those free walking tours the next day after averging a rough 3 hours sleep. was good, they're a really good way of seeing a city, you meet people and see all the main sights, get your bearing so you can explore yourself.
wanted to see the castles the next day but alas raining, so i did nothing, and the next day rain again! so i missed out on seeing the famous fairytale dwellings.. it's not worth going for 30 euros if you are cold, wet and can't see anything, just to say that you went.. i probably should have gone out to dachau but i just really wasn't in the mood for something incredibly heavy. enough of that in berlin.. next time..
did a beer tour, which takes you to the famous beer halls, and you drink loads of beer, was pretty good, met people that i hung out with the next day and night so that's okay.. it's funny how when you travel 85% of people you hang out with are australian.. the other 10% are canadian, and the other 5% is filled with french, spanish, and the occasional cool american kid.
well that was munich.. in prague now... more on that later after i have some actual news.. flying to venice on thursday and hanging out with scott! from home! someone from home! i'm really excited.
i liked berlin more. but i think when travelling by oneself you do seem to judge places by the people you meet and how much you liked them. so in munich i had a high turn over of people that i spoke too...
at least, the hostel was easy to find, literally across the road from the main station, and surrounded by kebab and schnitzel shops, which i took full advantage of (twice daily) seeing as i didn't eat whilst being in dresden.
hostel was pretty funky, they had this outside garden which was indoors, which hammocks, been bags and stuff like that.. although my room was like the senior citizens room, which makes it really hard to meet people, but i went to the bar and used those social skills i've been perfecting and had a good first night.. did another of those free walking tours the next day after averging a rough 3 hours sleep. was good, they're a really good way of seeing a city, you meet people and see all the main sights, get your bearing so you can explore yourself.
wanted to see the castles the next day but alas raining, so i did nothing, and the next day rain again! so i missed out on seeing the famous fairytale dwellings.. it's not worth going for 30 euros if you are cold, wet and can't see anything, just to say that you went.. i probably should have gone out to dachau but i just really wasn't in the mood for something incredibly heavy. enough of that in berlin.. next time..
did a beer tour, which takes you to the famous beer halls, and you drink loads of beer, was pretty good, met people that i hung out with the next day and night so that's okay.. it's funny how when you travel 85% of people you hang out with are australian.. the other 10% are canadian, and the other 5% is filled with french, spanish, and the occasional cool american kid.
well that was munich.. in prague now... more on that later after i have some actual news.. flying to venice on thursday and hanging out with scott! from home! someone from home! i'm really excited.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
dresden
the last time i book a hostel more then ten minute walk away from my hostel i say. phew, 20 minutes with pack and bags.. it's more the bags.. but i wish the weather would make up it's mind, it's cold, but if you put a jacket on and a pack and walk, you do get mighty hot.
so i didn't spend much time in dresden, a quick 'pop in' you could say. nice little hostel though, free bikes, but sorry guys, i'm not quite ready to have a letter sent home telling my parents that i died in a bicycle accident run over by a crazed german.
it's a different city.. the new is separated from the old, and of course, because it was mightily bombed, all the historic buildings that were destroyed, they found old plans, and rebuilt them completely using the same stones. neat eh. but i guess you all knew this. well i didn't!
instead of walking around for a day.. i originally wanted to check out the 2nd hand shops as dresden is reknowned for it's alternative stores and shopping, but well german's back up shop on sundays and don't go outside.. so this columbian guy in my room told me about this place called 'saxon switzerland' which is an hour out.. half way to prague and is like this wonderland type place supposedly.. it's mountains, forests, woods, rivers, and castles.. did a massive hike for an hour, up this mountain, and i tell you, boy was it steep.. and then they charge you to get into the castle! charge! the nerve!
saw james bond that night.. oh yes, for the first time, my total is now 2.. and how many times have you seen it? oh wait.. it is yet to come out in australia. ahhhha.
then off to munich on another massive train ride. sigh.
so i didn't spend much time in dresden, a quick 'pop in' you could say. nice little hostel though, free bikes, but sorry guys, i'm not quite ready to have a letter sent home telling my parents that i died in a bicycle accident run over by a crazed german.
it's a different city.. the new is separated from the old, and of course, because it was mightily bombed, all the historic buildings that were destroyed, they found old plans, and rebuilt them completely using the same stones. neat eh. but i guess you all knew this. well i didn't!
instead of walking around for a day.. i originally wanted to check out the 2nd hand shops as dresden is reknowned for it's alternative stores and shopping, but well german's back up shop on sundays and don't go outside.. so this columbian guy in my room told me about this place called 'saxon switzerland' which is an hour out.. half way to prague and is like this wonderland type place supposedly.. it's mountains, forests, woods, rivers, and castles.. did a massive hike for an hour, up this mountain, and i tell you, boy was it steep.. and then they charge you to get into the castle! charge! the nerve!
saw james bond that night.. oh yes, for the first time, my total is now 2.. and how many times have you seen it? oh wait.. it is yet to come out in australia. ahhhha.
then off to munich on another massive train ride. sigh.
everything that hasn't been said
i'll head back to berlin, because i haven't written in a week or so, busy busy times.
i don't know what it is about berlin, that makes it that good. maybe because it isn't that expenisve, because even if you get a fine for not buying a ticket on public transport (which you never buy) they are so far in debt they can't make you pay, or this little german pub we frequented for quality german food, how you can't smoke in bars, but in rooms adjacent with no windows, or just how it continues to move forward past everything that happened in it. i don't know. but i really did like it.
i particulary liked to jewish memorial.. it's quite new so i don't know if anyone has seen it.. i'll post photos, that's the only way to describe it, is to see it.. quirky fact, the stones are covered in anty grafiti paint, (because every building in berlin is coated in some good, mostly bad street art) and the company that supplied this coating, was the very same company that supplied the gas for the gas chambers that killed or the jews in ww2. hm. strange isn't it.
berlin has these awesome art squats. i wish i had photos to show, but the girl i was with accidently deleted them all.. but they are just abandoned builings, litterally wall to floor to ceiling covered in grafiti, and artists squat, working, selling work, and outside are metal workers, who make the most amazing quirky sculptures. it's amazing just to have seen.
sigh, that's berlin. meeting people and saying good bye to them.
i don't know what it is about berlin, that makes it that good. maybe because it isn't that expenisve, because even if you get a fine for not buying a ticket on public transport (which you never buy) they are so far in debt they can't make you pay, or this little german pub we frequented for quality german food, how you can't smoke in bars, but in rooms adjacent with no windows, or just how it continues to move forward past everything that happened in it. i don't know. but i really did like it.
i particulary liked to jewish memorial.. it's quite new so i don't know if anyone has seen it.. i'll post photos, that's the only way to describe it, is to see it.. quirky fact, the stones are covered in anty grafiti paint, (because every building in berlin is coated in some good, mostly bad street art) and the company that supplied this coating, was the very same company that supplied the gas for the gas chambers that killed or the jews in ww2. hm. strange isn't it.
berlin has these awesome art squats. i wish i had photos to show, but the girl i was with accidently deleted them all.. but they are just abandoned builings, litterally wall to floor to ceiling covered in grafiti, and artists squat, working, selling work, and outside are metal workers, who make the most amazing quirky sculptures. it's amazing just to have seen.
sigh, that's berlin. meeting people and saying good bye to them.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
berlin
berlin in a great city! very different and very strange.. and yes it is illegal to do the one handed salute..
been spending the last days not doing to much. met some great people in the hostel and we went off on various activities.. did the walking tour.. free musuems on a thursday evening, bit of night life and saw a film 'der baader meinhof komplex' quite intense.
not much else to be said, more soon, off to dresden in an hour.
been spending the last days not doing to much. met some great people in the hostel and we went off on various activities.. did the walking tour.. free musuems on a thursday evening, bit of night life and saw a film 'der baader meinhof komplex' quite intense.
not much else to be said, more soon, off to dresden in an hour.
Monday, November 3, 2008
all the rest
so so so
i think i left you on thursday night...
friday was halloween.. not that much happening i didn't dress up.. but the hostel went to awesome lengths to make the place look really cool. decked it out in decorations. that day i wondered a little and went to the rikjsmusuem.. or however it is spelt.. bit of a let down, if i'd gone the next day i would have been able to see the damien hirst exhibition which would have been interesting but alas, when i went, half the gallery was closed...
that night hung out a little bit, was feeling a little lonely, but met a girl from san fransisco, so it's okay okeydokie.
next day i trekked out to den haag and i could have been ANGRIER. i pay 18 euros for a train ticket and i get to the damn musuem.. which i'm really looking forward to because one of, it might even be, my favourite painting "the red tree"and the whole mondriaan collection is closed. CLOSED. and it said nothing of this on the website. so i spent 40 or somehting euros that day. i could afford to go see "girl with a pearl earing"after that. and it was pouring rain so i didn't even really see the city.
BLAH
alrighty moving on, that night, final night, hung out with some more people. yeah yeah yeah.
sunday i got on a train out to hertogenbosch and am now with Maja. Walked around the town.. and hey guys, it feels a lot like stars hollow.. everyone knows everyone. Nice place. Went out to dinner last night, Maja's lovely.
Going to Berlin tomorrow.. scary whole new city.. just as i get used to a place, the boat surges forward..
love you all
i think i left you on thursday night...
friday was halloween.. not that much happening i didn't dress up.. but the hostel went to awesome lengths to make the place look really cool. decked it out in decorations. that day i wondered a little and went to the rikjsmusuem.. or however it is spelt.. bit of a let down, if i'd gone the next day i would have been able to see the damien hirst exhibition which would have been interesting but alas, when i went, half the gallery was closed...
that night hung out a little bit, was feeling a little lonely, but met a girl from san fransisco, so it's okay okeydokie.
next day i trekked out to den haag and i could have been ANGRIER. i pay 18 euros for a train ticket and i get to the damn musuem.. which i'm really looking forward to because one of, it might even be, my favourite painting "the red tree"and the whole mondriaan collection is closed. CLOSED. and it said nothing of this on the website. so i spent 40 or somehting euros that day. i could afford to go see "girl with a pearl earing"after that. and it was pouring rain so i didn't even really see the city.
BLAH
alrighty moving on, that night, final night, hung out with some more people. yeah yeah yeah.
sunday i got on a train out to hertogenbosch and am now with Maja. Walked around the town.. and hey guys, it feels a lot like stars hollow.. everyone knows everyone. Nice place. Went out to dinner last night, Maja's lovely.
Going to Berlin tomorrow.. scary whole new city.. just as i get used to a place, the boat surges forward..
love you all
Thursday, October 30, 2008
canals, red lights, coffee shops, and flying pigs
alrighty, sorry about the lack of posts for a few days.
got to amsterdam on monday night around 10 after a hellish day of travel. didn't end up going to belfast on the sunday night due to it was all booked out except for some dodgy place where everyone said it had bed bugs.. so i got up early, caught a bus to belfast at 11, which was meant to get there at 1:30, got there at 3:00, then caught a bus to the airport.. got there an hour early before check in began and then waited 3 hours to board. i felt like shooting myself in the head. anyway.. got to amsterdam... got on the wrong train.. waited for 40 minutes in the freezing cold for another train.. got to the hostel and i'd booked for sunday night, so i had lost my reservation and luckily there was a bed available.. the next day however, no bed.. but the lady was so nice, and was like if i don't find you one, i'll put a mattress on the floor. but they found me one, and one until sunday. woo hoo.
so not great first experiences. oh well, it improved.
went to the van gogh musuem on tuesday, which was great, it's so big, so much to see. and it was raining, which makes motivation to do anything come down to about nill. worked on my socialisation skills on tuesday night, met some australian guys, and then met more people from australia, some cool kids, had some drinks at the hostel and then went out to see the town for a little while then head home relatively early.
breakfast here is awesome! it's such a good hostel.. chocolate serial.. come on now that's quality.
on wednesday got together with the australian's and english again and headed out across amsterdam and just walked around, took many many photos, had ollie bollie, chips with mayonaise and tomato sauce, checked some shops, of all kinds.. then had an interesting night chilling out.
i'll have to post the photos there are some really good ones.
today went to the sex musuem which was relatively interesting, if not, it was only 3 euros so i'm not cutting a loss... spent a lot of money.. bought a few things... an amsterdam amsterdam amsterdam bag to rival lizzie's paris paris pairs bag.
tonight i'm buggered so i'll just chill here.
tomorrow's halloween however.
most people left today, and tonight, which is always a downer, meeting people and then having to parting.. but i guess it is all part of travelling...
until next time,
got to amsterdam on monday night around 10 after a hellish day of travel. didn't end up going to belfast on the sunday night due to it was all booked out except for some dodgy place where everyone said it had bed bugs.. so i got up early, caught a bus to belfast at 11, which was meant to get there at 1:30, got there at 3:00, then caught a bus to the airport.. got there an hour early before check in began and then waited 3 hours to board. i felt like shooting myself in the head. anyway.. got to amsterdam... got on the wrong train.. waited for 40 minutes in the freezing cold for another train.. got to the hostel and i'd booked for sunday night, so i had lost my reservation and luckily there was a bed available.. the next day however, no bed.. but the lady was so nice, and was like if i don't find you one, i'll put a mattress on the floor. but they found me one, and one until sunday. woo hoo.
so not great first experiences. oh well, it improved.
went to the van gogh musuem on tuesday, which was great, it's so big, so much to see. and it was raining, which makes motivation to do anything come down to about nill. worked on my socialisation skills on tuesday night, met some australian guys, and then met more people from australia, some cool kids, had some drinks at the hostel and then went out to see the town for a little while then head home relatively early.
breakfast here is awesome! it's such a good hostel.. chocolate serial.. come on now that's quality.
on wednesday got together with the australian's and english again and headed out across amsterdam and just walked around, took many many photos, had ollie bollie, chips with mayonaise and tomato sauce, checked some shops, of all kinds.. then had an interesting night chilling out.
i'll have to post the photos there are some really good ones.
today went to the sex musuem which was relatively interesting, if not, it was only 3 euros so i'm not cutting a loss... spent a lot of money.. bought a few things... an amsterdam amsterdam amsterdam bag to rival lizzie's paris paris pairs bag.
tonight i'm buggered so i'll just chill here.
tomorrow's halloween however.
most people left today, and tonight, which is always a downer, meeting people and then having to parting.. but i guess it is all part of travelling...
until next time,
Friday, October 24, 2008
the question on everybody's lips
I KNOW YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR THIS
ARE ALL THE DOORS IN DUBLIN DIFFERENT COLOURS? YAY OR NAY?
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YAY!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
back 5 days
oppsadaises..
i missed out on 5 IMPORTANT days... hm.
went to bath.. hannah's dad picked us up (thank god, excuse the pun.. but my bus ticket back because i foolishly didn't buy iit online, cost £18), and they have no furniture left in their house so i spent the night on a leather lounge in front of the radiator, with my coat as a jacket... it was ok.
just walked around the next day and then held a garage sale sign for the russel's in the afternoon. bath is beautiful. but a day is enough.
caught bus back into london.. stayed one more night and the trundled over to Rob and Lou's. Headed to camden markets which were great.. wwithheld myself.. but i did buy a dress (shock horror) and a jumper which i needed.. Rob and Lou then treated me to large amounts of wine. Following that the next day Lou and i went to the tate britain.. a bit to far along in the period scheme for my taste but some stuff was quality..
had lunch, good lunch, a good burger
did you ever notice when you were travelling that all you want is candy and ham burgers? at least i get some vegetables on one.. don't ask me how many i've had since coming here
that night watched some movies.. next day wondered around the parks, and then caught a plane to dublin. successful flight. here for when a plane is on time they play that bum bum baba bum baba you know.. that song when the queen comes.. something like that..
alrighty
up to date!
i missed out on 5 IMPORTANT days... hm.
went to bath.. hannah's dad picked us up (thank god, excuse the pun.. but my bus ticket back because i foolishly didn't buy iit online, cost £18), and they have no furniture left in their house so i spent the night on a leather lounge in front of the radiator, with my coat as a jacket... it was ok.
just walked around the next day and then held a garage sale sign for the russel's in the afternoon. bath is beautiful. but a day is enough.
caught bus back into london.. stayed one more night and the trundled over to Rob and Lou's. Headed to camden markets which were great.. wwithheld myself.. but i did buy a dress (shock horror) and a jumper which i needed.. Rob and Lou then treated me to large amounts of wine. Following that the next day Lou and i went to the tate britain.. a bit to far along in the period scheme for my taste but some stuff was quality..
had lunch, good lunch, a good burger
did you ever notice when you were travelling that all you want is candy and ham burgers? at least i get some vegetables on one.. don't ask me how many i've had since coming here
that night watched some movies.. next day wondered around the parks, and then caught a plane to dublin. successful flight. here for when a plane is on time they play that bum bum baba bum baba you know.. that song when the queen comes.. something like that..
alrighty
up to date!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
clover leaves and expensive beer
so first night in ireland..
and it was awesome.
at first i thought it was goig to be terrible. i navigated myself from the airport OK and got to the hsotel, and i'm in a 16 bed room, with 3 people in it.. 2 girls speakign another language involved in themsevles and some canadian that just got herself knocked up (however back home and has to go home to be with the father.. oh yes details) so that was a bit off putting..
and after having dinner by myself.. it's really offputting when everyone is in these big groups and you have to break into them..
but yeah, went outside, and merged myself in.
it was good, had some drinks with 10 or so people at the hostel, including staff which are awesome, and went out to an irsh bar and had a drink.. literally, it is so expensive here. i'll save my pennies for the weekend.
well that's my news. not so scary now.
i'm off to find out if the doors are different colours.
and it was awesome.
at first i thought it was goig to be terrible. i navigated myself from the airport OK and got to the hsotel, and i'm in a 16 bed room, with 3 people in it.. 2 girls speakign another language involved in themsevles and some canadian that just got herself knocked up (however back home and has to go home to be with the father.. oh yes details) so that was a bit off putting..
and after having dinner by myself.. it's really offputting when everyone is in these big groups and you have to break into them..
but yeah, went outside, and merged myself in.
it was good, had some drinks with 10 or so people at the hostel, including staff which are awesome, and went out to an irsh bar and had a drink.. literally, it is so expensive here. i'll save my pennies for the weekend.
well that's my news. not so scary now.
i'm off to find out if the doors are different colours.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
back in acton
after 6 days in Edinburgh i've returned to the mother country to have a day of relaxation.. which feels really good just to sit down and watch tv.. eat.. oh i miss eating.
so Edinburgh was great. i didn't do very much touristy stuff.. i did the walking tour, which was good and had a look at the castle from the outside, but it is so expensive to go in, and i figure there will be cheaper ones, that look more amazing.
it rained when i arrived, and clouds came over as i left, but other than that the sun was shining everyday... but i tell you, i made a mistake leaving my jacket in London, because it is FREEZING there.
met some cool girls in the hostel.. hung out for a while. it seems everyone i meet is from Australia?
so my first hostel experience was OK, the hostel was really quite institutionalised and HUGE which made it hard to meet people and i wasn't always around, but i'll see how it pans out when i head to Ireland :)
saw a gig, CSS.. i haven't heard of them but apparently they're quite big.. it was good anywhoo.. experienced some more night life --- and now i'm back to the ever so quiet hannah's house..
i think i'll head to bath tomorrow, because Rob and Lou's on sunday. i want to hit the markets.
sorry about the terribly boring blog, but i haven't been doing anything too interesting!
stay posted.
so Edinburgh was great. i didn't do very much touristy stuff.. i did the walking tour, which was good and had a look at the castle from the outside, but it is so expensive to go in, and i figure there will be cheaper ones, that look more amazing.
it rained when i arrived, and clouds came over as i left, but other than that the sun was shining everyday... but i tell you, i made a mistake leaving my jacket in London, because it is FREEZING there.
met some cool girls in the hostel.. hung out for a while. it seems everyone i meet is from Australia?
so my first hostel experience was OK, the hostel was really quite institutionalised and HUGE which made it hard to meet people and i wasn't always around, but i'll see how it pans out when i head to Ireland :)
saw a gig, CSS.. i haven't heard of them but apparently they're quite big.. it was good anywhoo.. experienced some more night life --- and now i'm back to the ever so quiet hannah's house..
i think i'll head to bath tomorrow, because Rob and Lou's on sunday. i want to hit the markets.
sorry about the terribly boring blog, but i haven't been doing anything too interesting!
stay posted.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
escapism
well now i'm in edinburgh and i have to say it is much better then london!
my friend sam came and met me at the bus depot and i must say he's pretty much taken the place by storm, he knows everyone..
so i spent the night with some of his friends as he had to work, experiencing edinburgh's night life. awesome.
my friend sam came and met me at the bus depot and i must say he's pretty much taken the place by storm, he knows everyone..
so i spent the night with some of his friends as he had to work, experiencing edinburgh's night life. awesome.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
long steps,high hills and animals
i walked for a really long time yesterday as well. i walked over to primrose hill which i amso impressed tha i did not get lost! for a while it was touch and go but i got there. it took a bit over an hour but the view was wll worth it. they were shooting a film up there too.
and then, as i was so close to it, i though i must.. soaftrbeing extorted by ridiculous prices i entered the zoo and spent a couple of hours walking around chilling out with the animals. nice, it's a nice little zoo.
i then though, well my feet are about to all off but what the hell i'll trample up the the national gallery and walk around there. albeit is was not as long as i wanted t stay there because my feet were about to fall off, but brilliant all the same.
edinburgh tomorrow!
and then, as i was so close to it, i though i must.. soaftrbeing extorted by ridiculous prices i entered the zoo and spent a couple of hours walking around chilling out with the animals. nice, it's a nice little zoo.
i then though, well my feet are about to all off but what the hell i'll trample up the the national gallery and walk around there. albeit is was not as long as i wanted t stay there because my feet were about to fall off, but brilliant all the same.
edinburgh tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Rain clouds and art
Well yesterday was a typically english weather day with the sun sneaking through the clouds for but a moment before being followed with a deary drizzle of rain. i mean come on! that's not even real rain!
I braved london on my own, catching a tube over to the tate modern, which was fantastic, really amazing to see all those artworks in real life. it's something else.
i then wondered the wharf.. bought some overpaid all youcan eat lunch but i didn't eat all i could eat... then i went to the movieum which was THAT great bit of a downer for the £7 entry but it was interesting maybe just because i was sleepy sleepy sleepy... it had lots of props from star wars, jurassic park ... good for if you're studying film.
went to sleep early again last night... but this morning i'm feeling great. and guess what
THE SUN IS SHINING
I braved london on my own, catching a tube over to the tate modern, which was fantastic, really amazing to see all those artworks in real life. it's something else.
i then wondered the wharf.. bought some overpaid all youcan eat lunch but i didn't eat all i could eat... then i went to the movieum which was THAT great bit of a downer for the £7 entry but it was interesting maybe just because i was sleepy sleepy sleepy... it had lots of props from star wars, jurassic park ... good for if you're studying film.
went to sleep early again last night... but this morning i'm feeling great. and guess what
THE SUN IS SHINING
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
aeroplanes, tubes and feet
DISCLAIMER: this key board is terrible.. bear with me
planes hey.
i really don't understand why people loath them so. it was pretty much 20 hours of darkness which left me free to sleep and watch films... (sorry dave no games) i can only remember 2 of the 3 films i saw... crazy i think and all they do is feed you... 'hey it's 3am feeding time'
Well i almost got rejected from the country i think that is the most exciting part about my plane trip ohh and drown my ipod and passport in those damn automatic taps in bangkok (it's okay ipod dried out and is working AOK and well i'm slightly discoloured now)
So i didn't have hannah's address to put on the boading pass and here's me thinking that's ok.. however it is NOT ok.. she detained me for abot 15 minutes while she asked every possible question she could and look at all my cards and claim it's all for my safety
but it's okay, i'm here now.
and Hannah has AMAZING view of all of london.. she's a 10 minute walk from kings cross station..
i'll post a photo blog
She took me on a massive 6-7 hour walk today ALL over london and i mean everywhere, you name it I saw it.. however if you'd like to give me a foot transplant that' be swell.
saw the british mueseum very briefly... i'll go back and have more of a look and check some places tomorrow all by my lomesome.. see how that goes. it ws great having someone take me everywhere..
OH i saw the queen, yep whipping by in the car surrounded...
so i think i am doing fantasticly with the jetlag... up since 4am england time.. no sleep for the wicked!
planes hey.
i really don't understand why people loath them so. it was pretty much 20 hours of darkness which left me free to sleep and watch films... (sorry dave no games) i can only remember 2 of the 3 films i saw... crazy i think and all they do is feed you... 'hey it's 3am feeding time'
Well i almost got rejected from the country i think that is the most exciting part about my plane trip ohh and drown my ipod and passport in those damn automatic taps in bangkok (it's okay ipod dried out and is working AOK and well i'm slightly discoloured now)
So i didn't have hannah's address to put on the boading pass and here's me thinking that's ok.. however it is NOT ok.. she detained me for abot 15 minutes while she asked every possible question she could and look at all my cards and claim it's all for my safety
but it's okay, i'm here now.
and Hannah has AMAZING view of all of london.. she's a 10 minute walk from kings cross station..
i'll post a photo blog
She took me on a massive 6-7 hour walk today ALL over london and i mean everywhere, you name it I saw it.. however if you'd like to give me a foot transplant that' be swell.
saw the british mueseum very briefly... i'll go back and have more of a look and check some places tomorrow all by my lomesome.. see how that goes. it ws great having someone take me everywhere..
OH i saw the queen, yep whipping by in the car surrounded...
so i think i am doing fantasticly with the jetlag... up since 4am england time.. no sleep for the wicked!
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