Western Europe: Netherlands (part 2)

Word.

Another day in NL. Didn't make it to the beach like we planned on account of the menacing rain clouds. However, we did take a day trip (via trian) to Rotterdam to explore the city. We ended up renting a couple of bicycles because, like all Netherland towns, it really makes it easier to get around the city (it's actually better than having a car or using public transportation). Tourist wise, there's really not a whole lot to do in Rotterdam, even though it is a fairly large city. So, we mostly ended up doing some more geocaching, which took us all around the city. My legs are in hella shape, and we got to do some great sight seeing.

After we got back into Amsterdam, we had to do the obligitory trip to the world famous Sex Museum. It was farking hilarious! The highlight was an animitronic guy who says "Psssst. C'mere." Then, he flashes unsuspecting people by revealing his goods and services.

Well, gotta run. So until next time...

Good times!

Western Europe: Netherlands

Howdy folks!

I'm back up in the good ol' Amsterdam, NL. As some of you may recall, I was here about 4 weeks ago with my tour group. However, we only stayed for one day, and that wasn't nearly long enough to really explore the city. So after London, I decided to meet up with my bro-in-law, Rod, in Amsterdam. After getting settled into our 5 star accommodations (check it out here), the city was our play ground.

First, we walked all over the "red light" district to get oriented around the neighborhood where our hotel is. My lawyer has advised me not to go into any further details about this.

Next, we decided to do some geocaching (see geocaching.com for more on this), which has taken us all over the city and has afforded us the opportunity for many activities. For instance, we took a canal boat tour that took us all over the city to find some coordinates for one of the caches. We also rented a water taxi to covertly explore under a bridge where another cache was hidden. Today, we rented bicycles and found several other caches.

A quick note about bicycles here: everybody rides 'em and its the most common form of transportation. In fact, there's bicycles lanes all over the place, and everything is within a 15 minute ride. Way to be eco-friendly, Netherlands!

Tonight, we're doing an organized bar tour. Basically for 20 euros (I think that's about 22.50 US dollars), the tour takes us to seven bars for a free drink at each, and I think there's some free shots included in there somewhere.

Well, that all the stuff I can remember that's happened in Amsterdam. I'll type at ya later if I think of some other stuff. So, until next time...

Good Times!!!

Western Europe: England

Hey hey hey!!!

Finally got some internet time, so I thought I'd post a quick update.

I'm feeling tons better since I've gotten some proper rest, a real breakfast, and some antibiotics. Met Rachel at the airport on the 22nd, and I've been showing her around London ever since. Apparently, she's always avoided this city while living in the UK, so we've been relying on my mad travel\guide skillz for enjoying this great town.

I've seen several great sites here, but I'll just go over some of my personal faves.

Winston Churchill War Room Cabinet Bunker was excellent. Its basically a bomb proof shelter where Mr. Churchill lived during WWII while planning Britain's war strategy. After the war ended, it was immediately abandoned and everything was left exactly how it was during the war. Basically, the place was sealed up and forgotten, only to be rediscovered again in the 70's. I've seen it several times on the history channel, but seeing it in person was spectacular.

Hyde Park was another notable place. Its roughly a 1 mile by 2 mile sized park with tons of opportunities for people watching. The area I liked the most was Speaker's Corner, which is a corner of the park where people can go to stand on a soap box to practice free speech and talk about anything they like. Several crowds were there attracted to various freaks standing on step stools while speaking about religion, politics, or anything in between. I saw one speaker nearly come to blows with some guy about Israel. Another speaker was on a step stool holding a sign that read 'Don't Believe Anything People Tell You, Including Me'.

I also got a chance to hang out with some locals. Rachel's friend, George, took a train from Reading to meet us for drinks in London. Later, we met up with Rachel's cousin, Emma, to join her for an after work gathering at St. James park for a soccer and beer social. Afterwards, we all went to a local pub (which there are tons of in London) for some fine pints of Ale. Everyone was extremely nice and laid back, and nobody seemed to mind that I was an American. :)

Another thing I've enjoyed about London is that is has the biggest cross section of cultures. English speaking Brits seem to be a minority here.

Welp, that's all the time I have for now to rant about London. So until next time...

Good times!!!

Western Europe: France

Howdy boys and girls!

Just finished my tour in France and said my tearful goodbyes to my fellow tour members. After spending 21 days with complete stangers, you tend to bond and form a family-like group. Thankfully, we all have each other's email addresses, and I think I've scored some free "couch time" around the States. Hopefully, these people know what they're getting into by letting an unemployed person like myself crash their homes. :)

The first night in France was spent in French Burgundy in a small town called Beaune. There I spent most of my time sampling wines and eating fine French food. It was a good introduction into the French culture and language. In fact, I started having flash-backs from high school about my not-so-great French teacher, Maddam Rankin. I did very poorly in her class as I never expected to use such a language in my life. To justify my less-than-steller performance, I committed to memory one French phrase for the remote chance I would visit a French speaking country: Je ne parle pas Français...which means "I don't speak French". My advice to you: don't slack in your foreign langauge class. You may need it someday.

The next two nights were spent in the city of Paris. I didn't expect to like Paris, or France for that matter. In my mind, I thought it would be like the bigger city's in Italy: hectic, crazy, and disorganized. Instead, Paris was everything that you here people romanticize about. Furthermore, everything was impressive: The Louvre, The Orsay, The Eiffel Tower, The Champs Elyse, The Arc de Triomphe, and The Boat Tours. There was so much to see and experience in Paris that I'm kicking myself for not spending a few extra days there. I simply have to go back.

Well, I'm now in London, and I think all this traveling has taken its toll on me. I've had to dip into my cache of antibiotics because I think I'm developing some kind of cold or sinus infection. Its not bad, but it was enough to make me sleep most of yesterday when I got into England. Between the vitams, Airborne, and Z-Pack I'm hoping to feel much better by tomorrow.

Today I'm supposed to meet Rachel at Gatwick airport as she's flying in from a family reunion in Spain. It'll be great to see a familiar face from home! I can't believe I've been gone for only 3 weeks. It feels more like a month and a half!

Anyhow, until next time...

Good times!

Western Europe: Switzerland (part 2)

Hey kids!

Still in Switzerland. The tour I'm on is almost over, and I'm saddened a little. Although I'll be still traveling after this tour (London and Amsterdam), I'll miss hanging out with the peeps here. I promised myself I wouldn't cry (*sniff* *sniff*), but I just get so dang sentimental when it comes to goodbyes. I'll definately miss Chris and Michelle 'cause we've been hella tight, like the Three Musketeers, but way more cooler.



  


Today was a banner day. We took the gondola from Stechelberg to Gimmelwald, to Murren to Birg, and then all the way up to Schiltorn. For you James Bond fans, Schiltorn is where Her Majesty's Secret Service was filmed. Anywho, when you're up at 10,000 feet in Schiltorn, the view is breath taking. Literally. Simply walking in air that thin will make you feel like a fat, out of shape, 58 year old man. While I enjoyed the view, I was glad to eventually make it down to 5,000 feet, where oxygen actually exists.



  


After our jaunt to Schiltorn, we went back down to Murren, where one of the tour guides, Trina, and I left the rest of the group to have a nice little picnic while waiting for our 1pm appointment to go paragliding.



  


Ok folks. Paragliding in the Swiss Alps.....FLIPPIN' AWESOME!!!! Its basically the closest thing you can get to feeling like a bird. Flying without any form of propulsion or engine at 4,000 feet above ground in an aircraft resembling a parachute is the most gratifying experience in the world. We flew around in the valley for 24 minutes while enjoying some of the most gorgeous mountains scenery in the world. When Trina and I landed, all we could do is smile and screem at each other. I was so high from the experience that I still couldn't believe I did it. Everyone in the group was jelous that they weren't brave enough to try it. To be honest, I was barely brave enough to do it, but once in the air all worries are set aside to enjoy this most unique flying experience.



  

Western Europe: Switzerland

Howdy kids!

Just arrived in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. I gotta say, I FRIGGIN' LOVE THIS PLACE! The mountain scenery is amazing....even better than Austria. I feel at home again here in the Alps and hearing people speak German. I was so burned out on the complexities of Italian culture (i.e. don't order bread with risotto else expect funny looks), and its nice to here people speak a Germanic language (i.e. English, German, etc.). Not that I hated Italy, but after being in Germany, Austria, and now Switzerland, Italy is anything but cozy. Plus, you can get a descent beer here too, and that does not suck.

Tomorrow, we head to a mountain peak via gondola that is 10,000 feet above sea level. Afterwards, we hike down the Northface trail to about 7,000 feet. From there, one of the assistant tour guides and I were the only ones brave enough to sign up for paragliding the rest of the way down. Basically, paragliding is like hang gliding, but the aircraft looks more like a parachute. I can't friggin' wait!

My minutes on this computer are almost up, so until next time...

Good times!

Western Europe: Italy (part 4)

Hey kids!

My kingdom for a hamburger. The first thing I'm doing when I get home is going to Scotty P's for a great American greasy hamburger. I love the food here, but how's a brother to get some real animal protein up in this country? I'm carb'ed out.

Currently, I'm in Monterosso, which is in the area known as Cinque Terre (a.k.a. the Italian Riviera). This area is attributed to inventing pesto and foccacia bread. The restaurant we had dinner at last night gave us a demonstration on how to make pesto with a mortar and pestle. I'm totally making it when I get home.

Today has been relaxing. Our tour guide mentioned that this would be our vacation from our vacation. So far, I've slept till noon, had lunch, walked on the beach, picked up my laundry, hit a Bancomat (ATM), and took several needed naps. I feel recharged. After walking 5 to 8 miles a day, its nice not to have to do any physical activity.

Well, I'm about to head out and meet some folks at the bar down the street. So until next time...

Good times!!!

Western Europe: Italy (part 3)

Ciao!

These last few days have been crazy.

Seeing Michelangelo's David in Florence was amazing! Pictures do not do this work of art justice. Seeing it in person really conveys how bold and bigger than life Michelangelo wanted the subject to appear. Its almost indescribable. Although they didn't allow pictures, I risked confinscation of my camera for a few covert snap shots. Looking back, it was probably pointless as it wouldn't be the same as viewing it in person. Still, I now have the evidence that I was there.

We arrived in the heart of Rome yesterday afternoon, and it's been non-stop stimulation ever since. This city is crazy as it evokes every emotion possible: confusion, adoration, disgust, wonder, sad, happy and list goes on. Italians are definately a different breed of people. They work on their own time frame as you cannot count on posted hours of the local shops. They are friendly with an attitude. They are both confident and laid back. When they say "ciao" (pronounced 'chow') it seems to roll off their tounge like buttah. When men wear sports jackets here, they're above having their arms through the sleeves as they just let the garmet hang off the shoulders like a cape. In fact I saw a guy doing that this morning with a neon yellow taxi vest.

Yesterday we toured the ancient ruins of the Colosseum and the Forum with our wonderful local tour guide, Franchesca. Today we spent our morning touring the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, and our early afternoon in St. Peter's amazing cathedral, which was friggin' enormous. I was excited to see Michelangelo's Pietà in person (in aforementioned cathedral), as it is one of my favorite works by the famed artist. In case you're not familar with this one, the sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary holding the deceased Jesus Christ in her lap. It is so amazingly intricate (even in the photos), and I still wonder how he chiseled the delicate folds in Mary's robe without the marble cracking. Amazing.

On a side note, I'm almost burnt out on pizza and spaghetti and can't wait for French food later in the tour.

So until next time....

Good times!

Western Europe: Italy (part 2)

Hi all!

Guess what....finally got pics!!!! Check it out:



  

  


The first picture is of our tour group in Bacharach Germany. The second pic in Venice Italy. I'll post more soon!

Western Europe: Italy

Buon giorno!!!

I made it to Italy! We arrived in Venice on the 8th and stayed for two days. Let me tell you, it's just like the pictures. There are water canals everywhere, and we rode a gondola the first night we arrived. The entire town is an island, and exploring the city is like walking through a maze. I managed to get lost on several occasions. Fortunately, the hotel was near the Academia bridge (a major landmark), so I was never lost for more than 30 minutes at a time. Last night, I watched Italy win the world cup while in Italy! How cool is that? The people here went absolutely friggin' nuts!!! As I was walking through the city during the game, I could hear the game blasting on TV's in apartments and bars everywhere. Every self respecting Italian citizen was hooting and hollering in unison throughout the city whenever a good play was made. People take soccer waaaaaay too seriously here.

Ok, just a little housekeeping before I move on. I noticed several of you have been gracious enough to leave me comments.....and I can't thank you enough for that (keeps me from getting home sick)!!! However, please sign your name to the comment at the end if you're posting comments anonymously. Ok, got that out of the way.

So today we arrived in Florence, and I'm still getting used to this city. It's not as picturesque as Venice, but there are some great sites to see here. Tomorrow, we are scheduled to visit several museums, and I'll get to finally see Michelangelo's David in person.

The hardest part about Italy is trying to refrain from using my German phrases in lieu of the newly acquired Italian phrases. The first day I was here, I said "danke" instead of "grazie" on several occasions. Fortunately, most of the Italians here knew German anyway and responded appropriately.

One of my favorite parts of Italy is being able to have a proper espresso for a mere 80 cents (and getting to speak Italian to order it). Plus, this is wine country, so a good red is usually cheaper than a soda or bottled water.

Guess what? I don't have my camera with me and this computer has a USB port. DOH! No worries. I had a shop in Venice make a backup of my camera's memory cards onto CD (in case it gets stolen here in the pick pocket country of the world), so I can use my hotel's computer later tonight to post pics, so stay tuned!!! Woohoo!!! I promise I'm not holed up in some hotel in NYC or anything....I'M ACTUALLY IN ITALY!!!! :)

So until next time...

Good times!!!

Western Europe: Austria (part 3)

Hello!

Ok, I've ranted enough about scenery and such. Allow me to talk about the people I've encountered.

Everyone on the tour has been super cool. We've turned into one giant big 23 member family since the tour has started. One of the kids who is 11 years old organized a big foosball tournament this evening. Needless to say, I got my ass handed to me by our bus driver, Juan. I'll look forward to getting everyone's email address and sharing pictures with fellow tour members.

The hotel staff has been bad ass. I just got done sharing some locally made schnapps made by his uncle and we talked about life and traveling at great lengths. His hotel is so cozy that I forget to shut my door sometimes because I feel like I've been staying at a relative's house. I love this place!

So until next time...

Good times!

Western Europe: Austria (part 2)

Hey kids!

Still in Austria. We hiked in the Bavarian Alps in the rain this morning and crossed the Austria-Germany border in the mountains. The scenery was beautiful and the rivers were this emerald colored because it comes from glacial runoff. The forests here as so majestic. We saw several salamanders as we walked the hiking path.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, we were supposed to do the luge sled thing today, but alas it is raining. owever, we still visited the castle I mentioned in the last post. Oh, as it turns out, I was wrong about it belonging to a Kaiser. The castle was built by "Mad" King Ludwig and its called the Nueschwanstien.

This afternoon and this evening should be fairly relaxing, so I'll be catching up on laundry, shopping, and meeting some friends from the tour at the bar later. The next 6 days will be super busy in Italy, so I don't know if I'll have time to answer many emails or update this blog much.

So until next time...

Good times!

Western Europe: Austria

Howdy kids!

Just got into Pinswang, Austria this evening, which is in the Bavarian Alps on the border of Germay and Austria. The view from my room is friggin' amazing! I have an excellent view of the mountains, and it is so green here. The hotel I'm staying in is so wholesome that it makes me want to braid my hair and climb the hills to go yoldeling. Seriously, I thought this kind of stuff only existed in movies like The Sound of Music.

Before Austria, we stopped in Munich for three hours. We got to drink beer and eat a pretzel in one of the city's largest beer gardens. Even as a major city, I wasn't expecting it to look so historic, but I was pleasantly suprized. Just looking around, you could still tell that you were in Germay. I loved it! If all goes according to plan, I will be coming back to Munich for Oktöberfest '06.

After that, our group went to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. I've always heard that Germans do not speak of the horrors of WWII, but our tour guide quickly put this myth to rest (she grew up in Germany). The memorial is as powerful as anything I've seen or read about the halocaust.

This evening, we enjoyed a gourmet buffet of several food items I could not identify. In spite of that, this was probaby the best meal I've had in Europe so far. I'm certain that I've lost 5 pounds so far (from all the intense walking), but tonight's dinner probably changed all that. Tomorrow we go hiking into the mountains to visit a famous castle of one of the last Kaisers in Germany, and then we're supposed to go luge sledding if the weather permits. Should be fun!

Ok people, I know I keep saying this, but I promise I'll upload some pics at some point. None of the computers I've encounter so far have USB ports for connecting my camera. WTF Europe?!?!?

So until next time...

Good times!

Western Europe: Germany

Howdy folks! I know, I know....it's been awhile since I posted. I've been crazy busy these last 3 or 4 days, so allow me to give you the Reader's Digest version of what I've been doing.

Finished my tour of the Netherlands, which included Haarlem, Amsterdam, and Anhern. Haarlem is a mini version of Amsterdam, which I think has more character than the later. Anherm is a border town that had this really cool open air museum demonstrating early Dutch culture. At any rate, the Netherlands is definitely on high on my list of 'must see places in Europe'.

On July 3rd, we arrived in Bacharach, Germany, which is a very picturesque town in the Rhine valley. Words cannot describe how beautiful this area is. I was looking forward to Germany on this trip, and this town sealed the deal. Every quaint picture you've seen of Germany is embodied by the appearance of this town. Blissful...

Today, July 5th, we arrive in Rothenburg, Germany. Still quaint, but a bit more touristy. I spent most of the day sight seeing, and the evening was spent drinking lots of libations at a local carnival. Henceforth, I'm slightly polluted as I type this.

Ok, I've promised pictures in several of my last posts, but I've yet to encounter a computer that has an accessible USB connection for my camera. So, you'll just have to wait to see what Europe looks like through the eyes of Kapernicus!

Well, it's very late here, and I've got an early morning tomorrow. So, until next time....

Good times!!!!

Second day in the Netherlands

Well, after a good night's rest, food, and some fine beer (Palm, never heard of it, but it was tasty nonetheless), I'm feeling more adjusted to my new surroundings. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the culture shock (combined with sleep deprivation) was a bit overwhemling. The hardest part was trying to function in surroundings where everything is not written in English. For instance, I had the worst time trying to figure out the buses here. You pretty much have to be reliant upon the citizens here to help an old Yank like myself navigate this place. And forget trying to remember street names. Everything has strange spellings like Hjuuulkenkking and crap like that. Well, that wasn't an actual street name, but it may as well been for my ethnocentric mind. Eitherway, it's a humbling experience.

Well, my minutes are running out on this computer, so untill next time...

Good times!