Give Jenny her morning coffee. Its not a rule...just a good idea.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Don't fight the law 'cos you'll never win
What is the number one problem when traveling?
Language barriers?
Thieves?
Bears?
No.
The number one problem travelers have is accidentally murdering their travel buddy.
Despite the awesome fun-times you have on trips-- the stress you experience is frightening in its magnitude. We had to figure out laws in an effort to preserve harmony on the trip. After being around someone for three months you have to take measures to make sure you don't kill them (even if that person happens to be your alpha friend).
The following are the laws that Mandy and I have adhered to on our trip and they have worked out pretty well so far.
1) Each traveler is obligated to have snacks on their person at all times
Hunger has torn many friendship asunder. The easiest way to cure crankiness is to stop and have a snack.
2) No weapons of any kind-- found or handmade.
Tensions can get high when traveling. Best not to have weapons handy. I think this rule can apply to most situations, though.
3) At no point in time is it to be implied that Mandy is anything but a redhead.
For some reason...people have been doubting the authenticity of Mandy's hair color. Its gotta stop. Mandy is a redhead, people.
4) No unkind word against Kelly Clarkson.
Kelly Clarkson unites us all. Only people who are mentally unhinged slander Kelly Clarkson-- and those people aren't allowed on our awesome adventure.
Language barriers?
Thieves?
Bears?
No.
The number one problem travelers have is accidentally murdering their travel buddy.
Despite the awesome fun-times you have on trips-- the stress you experience is frightening in its magnitude. We had to figure out laws in an effort to preserve harmony on the trip. After being around someone for three months you have to take measures to make sure you don't kill them (even if that person happens to be your alpha friend).
The following are the laws that Mandy and I have adhered to on our trip and they have worked out pretty well so far.
1) Each traveler is obligated to have snacks on their person at all times
Hunger has torn many friendship asunder. The easiest way to cure crankiness is to stop and have a snack.
2) No weapons of any kind-- found or handmade.
Tensions can get high when traveling. Best not to have weapons handy. I think this rule can apply to most situations, though.
3) At no point in time is it to be implied that Mandy is anything but a redhead.
For some reason...people have been doubting the authenticity of Mandy's hair color. Its gotta stop. Mandy is a redhead, people.
4) No unkind word against Kelly Clarkson.
Kelly Clarkson unites us all. Only people who are mentally unhinged slander Kelly Clarkson-- and those people aren't allowed on our awesome adventure.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
You win some, you lose some-- Tosca mostly lost
Traveling Europe for three months requires one to be thrifty. Despite being surrounded by some amazing things-- sometimes you have to skip them in order to maintain a healthy budget.
That being said-- I just saw an opera in Vienna. BAM!
The whole day we were being accosted by gentlemen dressed up like Mozart. At first I thought it was an effort to get us to go on tours-- but it turned out to be people trying to sell tickets to the opera. Usually we could deflect their advances with our standard, "We have no money." One man, however, was determined to get us to the opera.
He told us there was a standing gallery in the opera house. So, for just 3 Euros, we could see "Tosca" in the Vienna State Opera House. It was kind of awesome.
There were subtitles on tiny screens above us- so I was able to understand everything.
Best line of the night was the priests': "Women in the church smell of the devil."
Despite the priest's statements-- the men in the opera are really the scoundrels. The magistrate fellow (the bad guy) tries to persuade Tosca to trade her lover's life for... sexual favors. She agrees and gets him to sign papers that would guarantee her (and her lover!) safe passage-- then stabs him. As he dies-- she declares "Feel the kiss of Tosca!"
Tosca was quite the firecracker.
That being said-- I just saw an opera in Vienna. BAM!
The whole day we were being accosted by gentlemen dressed up like Mozart. At first I thought it was an effort to get us to go on tours-- but it turned out to be people trying to sell tickets to the opera. Usually we could deflect their advances with our standard, "We have no money." One man, however, was determined to get us to the opera.
He told us there was a standing gallery in the opera house. So, for just 3 Euros, we could see "Tosca" in the Vienna State Opera House. It was kind of awesome.
There were subtitles on tiny screens above us- so I was able to understand everything.
Best line of the night was the priests': "Women in the church smell of the devil."
Despite the priest's statements-- the men in the opera are really the scoundrels. The magistrate fellow (the bad guy) tries to persuade Tosca to trade her lover's life for... sexual favors. She agrees and gets him to sign papers that would guarantee her (and her lover!) safe passage-- then stabs him. As he dies-- she declares "Feel the kiss of Tosca!"
Tosca was quite the firecracker.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Fetch me the blacksmith!
We are presently in Krakow, Poland. I can't say much about Poland yet because we had kind of a chill day and just stayed in the dorm to recharge. It probably would have been a terrible report anyway as it is cold and rainy. We are going to take a free walking tour tomorrow so we are hoping for better conditions.
Otherwise-- we had our first authentic Polish meal today. As far as we can tell-- we ate at a place called "The Hut." We learned that polish food is not healthy in any respect. Anything that could be considered healthy is boiled or fried to eliminate any nutritional qualities. It is still pretty good-- if you skip the sour milk (and whatever "Thug's Sausage" is). We got some delicious breaded chicken with rosemary potatoes. We are going back tomorrow for "Hunter's Cakes." We have no idea what it is-- but it sounds delicious.
Poland is a pretty religious place (as the liquor menu was just titled "Other Devils"). I think as far as they are concerned-- Pope John Paul II was the last legitimate pope.
Otherwise-- we had our first authentic Polish meal today. As far as we can tell-- we ate at a place called "The Hut." We learned that polish food is not healthy in any respect. Anything that could be considered healthy is boiled or fried to eliminate any nutritional qualities. It is still pretty good-- if you skip the sour milk (and whatever "Thug's Sausage" is). We got some delicious breaded chicken with rosemary potatoes. We are going back tomorrow for "Hunter's Cakes." We have no idea what it is-- but it sounds delicious.
Poland is a pretty religious place (as the liquor menu was just titled "Other Devils"). I think as far as they are concerned-- Pope John Paul II was the last legitimate pope.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
How do you solve a problem like Maria?
I thought I was going crazy in Salzburg. We were trying to find our hostel and we kept comeing back to the same point. When we arrived at the fountain for the third time (with no hostel in sight) I was at my wits end. I can read maps and it was supposed to be right there.
The next day-- we realized we were right. It was right there-- just 180m above our heads.
Of course.
On the upside we got to our hostel eventually and the view was beautiful. The hostel is situated on the side of a cliff behind fortress walls (so no need to worry about the security in the hostels, mom).
Pictures to follow.
The next day-- we realized we were right. It was right there-- just 180m above our heads.
Of course.
On the upside we got to our hostel eventually and the view was beautiful. The hostel is situated on the side of a cliff behind fortress walls (so no need to worry about the security in the hostels, mom).
Pictures to follow.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Video Post/ This is why I need to go to Belgium
We went to Salzburg, Austria and Mandy let it slip that she hadn't seen "Sound of Music." I found this while looking for "Sound of Music" clips. How awesome is this. People are literally flushed with joy upon just witnessing such an event.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Photo of the Day
Yeah...I bought lederhosen.The last entry about Prague was slightly deceptive. Prague is actually the fourth place we have been so far. In addition to Berlin and Prague, we have been to Nuremburg and Leipzig. Photos and stories will probably filter in later. In the meantime-- look at how awesome I look!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Czech Yourself! (I couldn't resist....)
Two statues on the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic
We are currently in the Czech Republic in Prague. We have been here for five days just because there is so much to do (and the hostel we are staying in is really nice).
We had our first introduction to Czech food yesterday. Czech food is nothing if not hearty and filling. They served it to us in a basin if that indication as to the portions in the Czech Republic. We had our minds set on roast duck and bread (BREAD!) dumplings but had to settle for an entire shank of pork in lieu of duck. It was delicious.
The Czech Republic is gorgeous. During World War II it managed to escape the war without being bombed so all the architechture was preserved. It is really pretty-- but every pretty building seems to have some sort of morbid/ traumatic tale attatched to it. St. James Church of Prague is probably the best example. It is a gorgeous baroque church that couldn't be more beautiful-- you wouldn't notice the GIANT PETRIFIED HUMAN HAND HANGING FROM THE CEILING if you didn't already know about it.
The Czech language is pretty foreign to me. We have managed to pick up the most random words, though (strawberry=jahoda, cigarette=cigarettey, and we can say Prague Castle in Czech due to our inability to navigate the Czech tram system). We did, however, order a crepe today using mostly Czech. We greeted the lady in Czech, ordered the crepe (in Czech...ish), and said goodbye to the lady in Czech...so.......TAKE THAT LANGUAGE BARRIER! Booya!
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