OH and i forgot to mention - it SNOWED in london for like the first time i think since the 80's
It was so weird!
Luckily its getting "warmer"
Its funny how temperatures in the 60's = shorts and sandals weather for londoners.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
The Big Trip
I really don't have the time to elaborate on my trip with William, but i'll try and summarize briefly!
We were gone for about 10 days... we went to 3 different countries that spoke 3 different languages with 3 different currencies on 4 different airlines!
Czech Republic - Prague
Prague is a really pretty city - which is probably why Koreans made a drama that took place here! That said, it seemed very asian-tourist friendly. Although by the end of my trip I got sick of people asking us "are you from china? korea?" NO america!
Honestly, theres just a lot of old stuff - Prague castle being the main attraction.
Sweden - Stockholm
It was about 2 degrees celsius here. But otherwise, the weather was good. Stockholm is cool because it's built on I think 17 different islands of varying sizes. There's a lot of water surrounding everything so it's nice to take a boat tour (which we did).
Although Stockholm (well, scandinavia in general) is REALLY expensive (i'm talking London expensive, maybe more) it's a fun place.
We saw scandinavian animals like reindeer, moose, bears, wolverines...
We saw a VERY large sunken ship recovered from Stockholm harbour
We had really good meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberries!
Poland - Krakow
Krakow is probably Poland's biggest tourist destination. It's a pretty small city but it has lot of interesting city. First of all, it was founded (according to legend) by Prince KRAK who defeated the fire breathing dragon that was taunting the city ... hmmmm
We saw Oscar Schindler's factory but it was closed for remodeling so we couldn't go in.
We climbed this random mound where prince krak was apprently buried.
I think the best part though was the side trip we took to Auschwitz/Birkenau.
Auschwitz (which is really the german name ... its liek Ochweicm in polish)
It was SO eerie visting this place. Auschwitz itself is made up of a lot more concentration camps - Birkenau being the largest.
You walk first under this gate that says Arbeit Macht Frei (~ work sets you free) where prisoners had to march under back from work everyday. Its so cruel, knowing that work certainly DIDN'T and could NEVER set them free.
We had a guide who showed us around - we saw rooms full of human hair ( they cut off prisoner's hair to make textiles... disgusting!), eye glasses, plates, shoes... and a lot more
Then she told us a lot about the evil things that went on there - very depressing.
We walked into a small gas chamber (because the other ones had been destroyed by the germans when they knew they were going to lose the war) which was really scary.
It's really a place everyone should experience. It makes you realize that seemingly normal people are capable of the most horrific things.
Anyways, Poland was pretty cheap - we had lunch for like 3 dollars or something at this "milk bar" which were instituted during communist times. Overall though, the country really isn't that well developed and just looking at it makes you think of communist times...
One thing that happened that still kind of disturbs me - we were just walking in the city minding out own business and these random polish men come up from behind us and say "you are in poland, white power!" Its just so sad... in this day and age racism like that still exists.
We were gone for about 10 days... we went to 3 different countries that spoke 3 different languages with 3 different currencies on 4 different airlines!
Czech Republic - Prague
Prague is a really pretty city - which is probably why Koreans made a drama that took place here! That said, it seemed very asian-tourist friendly. Although by the end of my trip I got sick of people asking us "are you from china? korea?" NO america!
Honestly, theres just a lot of old stuff - Prague castle being the main attraction.
Sweden - Stockholm
It was about 2 degrees celsius here. But otherwise, the weather was good. Stockholm is cool because it's built on I think 17 different islands of varying sizes. There's a lot of water surrounding everything so it's nice to take a boat tour (which we did).
Although Stockholm (well, scandinavia in general) is REALLY expensive (i'm talking London expensive, maybe more) it's a fun place.
We saw scandinavian animals like reindeer, moose, bears, wolverines...
We saw a VERY large sunken ship recovered from Stockholm harbour
We had really good meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberries!
Poland - Krakow
Krakow is probably Poland's biggest tourist destination. It's a pretty small city but it has lot of interesting city. First of all, it was founded (according to legend) by Prince KRAK who defeated the fire breathing dragon that was taunting the city ... hmmmm
We saw Oscar Schindler's factory but it was closed for remodeling so we couldn't go in.
We climbed this random mound where prince krak was apprently buried.
I think the best part though was the side trip we took to Auschwitz/Birkenau.
Auschwitz (which is really the german name ... its liek Ochweicm in polish)
It was SO eerie visting this place. Auschwitz itself is made up of a lot more concentration camps - Birkenau being the largest.
You walk first under this gate that says Arbeit Macht Frei (~ work sets you free) where prisoners had to march under back from work everyday. Its so cruel, knowing that work certainly DIDN'T and could NEVER set them free.
We had a guide who showed us around - we saw rooms full of human hair ( they cut off prisoner's hair to make textiles... disgusting!), eye glasses, plates, shoes... and a lot more
Then she told us a lot about the evil things that went on there - very depressing.
We walked into a small gas chamber (because the other ones had been destroyed by the germans when they knew they were going to lose the war) which was really scary.
It's really a place everyone should experience. It makes you realize that seemingly normal people are capable of the most horrific things.
Anyways, Poland was pretty cheap - we had lunch for like 3 dollars or something at this "milk bar" which were instituted during communist times. Overall though, the country really isn't that well developed and just looking at it makes you think of communist times...
One thing that happened that still kind of disturbs me - we were just walking in the city minding out own business and these random polish men come up from behind us and say "you are in poland, white power!" Its just so sad... in this day and age racism like that still exists.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/world/asia/27seoul.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp
this is really... disturbing?
Studying has commenced and it's very painful!
this is really... disturbing?
Studying has commenced and it's very painful!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Berlin
Ugh, Ryanair is horrible. ALWAYS delayed. I dont understand how they advertise that they the "ONTIME AIRLINE!"
Anyways, I wasn't really that excited about going to Germany, but it ended up being really fun!
I still dont really understand the public transportation system there.. its like S-BAHN U-BAHN... but i guess it is pretty efficient.
The hostel we stayed at was just opened a few months ago so it was really nice and a good location.
The first day we started at Brandenburg gate - which is the really famous gate, symbol of the cold war. Then we walked over to the Reichstag which is their parliament building. we waited in line for 2 HOURS to go inside and go up an elevator. At the top they this glass dome thing that you can look out from. I guess it was worth the wait... especially because it was free.
After that we headed over to the Jewish Museum. It was a really well put together museum - lots to see! Their audio guides were Ipods! anways, the museum basically just outlined the history of the jewish people from the waaaay beginning. There were memorials to the holocaust that were really interesting. Like this one room was full of these faces that were carved out of iron. There were probably like thousands on the ground and when people on top of them it makes this eerie clanking noise. They also had this weird room powered solely by natural light.
After that we went to checkpoint charlie - which is the famous border between the east and west when the wall was there. it has that sign that says "You are now leaving the American sector" and there's like dressed up guards and things. We walked further down and saw this part of the berlin wall that had an exhibit about the SS and Gestapo. These like Turkish people or something kept bothering us. They'd come up and ask ENGLISH??? and then they would make you read something and it would be sad story about their father or something and then ask for money.. so we kind of hurried through that part and went back to our hostel.
The next day we saw the best preserved part of the wall. Where the graffiti of the two old men kissing (i'm not really sure who they are.. but i think they were political figures...) and then the car that smashed through the wall. The wall is really covered in Graffiti everywhere and its kidn of cool to walk alongside it.
Then we saw the Holocaust memorial which is just a lot of rectangular columns of different sizes (i'll post pictures later) We walked down Unter den Linden which is a main street in Berlin and made our way to the "Museum Island" and went into the Pergamuseum. It had this reconstruction of a big alter from Greek times from asia minor (turkey). They also had this big gate from Babylonian times that was reconstructed. It came with a free audioguide so I think I got a lot more out of it.
Anways, after that we got Bratwurst and then later I got this Curryworst which is a Berlin creation. pretty good! We also tried schnitzel - which is just breaded pork.
I think we all got a kick out of listening to the German language in general.. it just sounds funny. I dont know why. Amy had these peopel come up to her and ask Sprechen Sie Englisch?? - NEIN! Which is funny because those were the only phrases we had learned how to say. Also there were a lot of asians there! it seemed quite strange.
Anyways, I wasn't really that excited about going to Germany, but it ended up being really fun!
I still dont really understand the public transportation system there.. its like S-BAHN U-BAHN... but i guess it is pretty efficient.
The hostel we stayed at was just opened a few months ago so it was really nice and a good location.
The first day we started at Brandenburg gate - which is the really famous gate, symbol of the cold war. Then we walked over to the Reichstag which is their parliament building. we waited in line for 2 HOURS to go inside and go up an elevator. At the top they this glass dome thing that you can look out from. I guess it was worth the wait... especially because it was free.
After that we headed over to the Jewish Museum. It was a really well put together museum - lots to see! Their audio guides were Ipods! anways, the museum basically just outlined the history of the jewish people from the waaaay beginning. There were memorials to the holocaust that were really interesting. Like this one room was full of these faces that were carved out of iron. There were probably like thousands on the ground and when people on top of them it makes this eerie clanking noise. They also had this weird room powered solely by natural light.
After that we went to checkpoint charlie - which is the famous border between the east and west when the wall was there. it has that sign that says "You are now leaving the American sector" and there's like dressed up guards and things. We walked further down and saw this part of the berlin wall that had an exhibit about the SS and Gestapo. These like Turkish people or something kept bothering us. They'd come up and ask ENGLISH??? and then they would make you read something and it would be sad story about their father or something and then ask for money.. so we kind of hurried through that part and went back to our hostel.
The next day we saw the best preserved part of the wall. Where the graffiti of the two old men kissing (i'm not really sure who they are.. but i think they were political figures...) and then the car that smashed through the wall. The wall is really covered in Graffiti everywhere and its kidn of cool to walk alongside it.
Then we saw the Holocaust memorial which is just a lot of rectangular columns of different sizes (i'll post pictures later) We walked down Unter den Linden which is a main street in Berlin and made our way to the "Museum Island" and went into the Pergamuseum. It had this reconstruction of a big alter from Greek times from asia minor (turkey). They also had this big gate from Babylonian times that was reconstructed. It came with a free audioguide so I think I got a lot more out of it.
Anways, after that we got Bratwurst and then later I got this Curryworst which is a Berlin creation. pretty good! We also tried schnitzel - which is just breaded pork.
I think we all got a kick out of listening to the German language in general.. it just sounds funny. I dont know why. Amy had these peopel come up to her and ask Sprechen Sie Englisch?? - NEIN! Which is funny because those were the only phrases we had learned how to say. Also there were a lot of asians there! it seemed quite strange.
Spain
So this is pretty long overdue, but I was in spain over Easter weekend until that Wednesday.
First of all, our plane was delayed a pretty long time because the aircraft was delayed getting to the airport.. and then the pilot wanted the engineers to check something about their plane. So by the time we got into Alicante it was pretty late... although not at all late for spanish standards.
Took some bus to the city center and found our hotel (yes, hotel! not hostel)
We had booked this hotel in Alicante because there weren't any hostels I think... but anyways it ended up being the same price as hostel because the three of us shared a two person room... we kind of sneaked in one person late at night when the receptionist changed!
Spanish life is kind of weird. First of all, their big meal of the day is lunch and you can buy these set menu's where you get a first plate, second plate, and then a dessert. Then for dinner, they dont eat until at the earliest 8pm. Like restaurants are NOT open at 6. Then the clubs and nightlife STARTS around 2am. I was talking to my friend who is studying abroad in Alicante, and he was just like "yeah the bars open maybe around 11, the clubs open at 2 and don't close until maybe 8AM" Thats just really weird.
It was Amy's birthday on Easter sunday, the 23rd so we stayed out a little on saturday night
Anyways, on sunday it was easter. Alicante is pretty small city. They had a parade and confetti flying from this building. It was a nice day and Alicante has a really nice beach. We were going to catch a train to Barcelona that afternoon, but when we went to go buy our tickets, the man said there were no more... apprently we should have bought them the day before. We already had housing arrangements in Barcelona, so we went to the bus station, and they luckily had tickets left for a bus that left a 10 that night. (it was only 4). So we just sort of relaxed for a few hours... but it got really cold! The bus was 8 HOURS just like the bus to scotland! We were not pleased. We stopped in like valencia for a little bit, and these new people got on and caused some sort of BRAWL on the bus and the bus driver got really angry and this like Witch like lady was causing lots of problems. So i was trying to sleep, and all these Spanish people were like YELLING about i dont know what.
We got to Barcelona around 7 am.. and found our hostel which was really far from the city center. From this point, we had 3 days left in Barcelona so we just sort of took our time with everything.
We walked down Las Ramblas and saw all of the fun street performers. They sell the most random things on that street ... like PIGEONS, FERRETS, rabbits, flowers...
Its like the main street of barcelona and its ALWAYS full of pedestrians and a prime spot of pickpocketing!
The next few days we saw the gothic cathedral of the city and this museum that uncovered a lot of the Roman past of the city with a lot of the original foundations on display. Then of course we saw La Sagrada Familia - the famous cathedral by Gaudi that is still under construction. It was really interesting to see up close. The inside is so far from being completed its kind of surprising. We payed 2 euro to go to the top via elevator (that carried 4 people at a time!!!) We waited like an hour. Gaudi's work is so fun!
From there we went to Park Guell which is basically this big park on a hill where a lot of Gaudi's works are on display. On the way there, there's escalators in the middle of the street because its so steep! The main thing at the park is this little lizard mosaic. But you get to see a lot more of Gaudi's work. So much of it is inspired by natural elements like he modeled stairways after seashells, and this walkway was modeled after an ocean wave (pictures make more sense hahaha)
While we here we accomplished our list of things to do: tapas, sangria, paella, churros! the only thing we didn't do was drink horchata.
Honestly though, I think I liked Spain the other time I came. It might have been just the cities I went to. Barcelona was a lot of fun, but Alicante when the weather isn't hot.. wasn't that fun. I watn to go back to andalucia!
First of all, our plane was delayed a pretty long time because the aircraft was delayed getting to the airport.. and then the pilot wanted the engineers to check something about their plane. So by the time we got into Alicante it was pretty late... although not at all late for spanish standards.
Took some bus to the city center and found our hotel (yes, hotel! not hostel)
We had booked this hotel in Alicante because there weren't any hostels I think... but anyways it ended up being the same price as hostel because the three of us shared a two person room... we kind of sneaked in one person late at night when the receptionist changed!
Spanish life is kind of weird. First of all, their big meal of the day is lunch and you can buy these set menu's where you get a first plate, second plate, and then a dessert. Then for dinner, they dont eat until at the earliest 8pm. Like restaurants are NOT open at 6. Then the clubs and nightlife STARTS around 2am. I was talking to my friend who is studying abroad in Alicante, and he was just like "yeah the bars open maybe around 11, the clubs open at 2 and don't close until maybe 8AM" Thats just really weird.
It was Amy's birthday on Easter sunday, the 23rd so we stayed out a little on saturday night
Anyways, on sunday it was easter. Alicante is pretty small city. They had a parade and confetti flying from this building. It was a nice day and Alicante has a really nice beach. We were going to catch a train to Barcelona that afternoon, but when we went to go buy our tickets, the man said there were no more... apprently we should have bought them the day before. We already had housing arrangements in Barcelona, so we went to the bus station, and they luckily had tickets left for a bus that left a 10 that night. (it was only 4). So we just sort of relaxed for a few hours... but it got really cold! The bus was 8 HOURS just like the bus to scotland! We were not pleased. We stopped in like valencia for a little bit, and these new people got on and caused some sort of BRAWL on the bus and the bus driver got really angry and this like Witch like lady was causing lots of problems. So i was trying to sleep, and all these Spanish people were like YELLING about i dont know what.
We got to Barcelona around 7 am.. and found our hostel which was really far from the city center. From this point, we had 3 days left in Barcelona so we just sort of took our time with everything.
We walked down Las Ramblas and saw all of the fun street performers. They sell the most random things on that street ... like PIGEONS, FERRETS, rabbits, flowers...
Its like the main street of barcelona and its ALWAYS full of pedestrians and a prime spot of pickpocketing!
The next few days we saw the gothic cathedral of the city and this museum that uncovered a lot of the Roman past of the city with a lot of the original foundations on display. Then of course we saw La Sagrada Familia - the famous cathedral by Gaudi that is still under construction. It was really interesting to see up close. The inside is so far from being completed its kind of surprising. We payed 2 euro to go to the top via elevator (that carried 4 people at a time!!!) We waited like an hour. Gaudi's work is so fun!
From there we went to Park Guell which is basically this big park on a hill where a lot of Gaudi's works are on display. On the way there, there's escalators in the middle of the street because its so steep! The main thing at the park is this little lizard mosaic. But you get to see a lot more of Gaudi's work. So much of it is inspired by natural elements like he modeled stairways after seashells, and this walkway was modeled after an ocean wave (pictures make more sense hahaha)
While we here we accomplished our list of things to do: tapas, sangria, paella, churros! the only thing we didn't do was drink horchata.
Honestly though, I think I liked Spain the other time I came. It might have been just the cities I went to. Barcelona was a lot of fun, but Alicante when the weather isn't hot.. wasn't that fun. I watn to go back to andalucia!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Greece Pictures
This is the Stadium for the first contemporary olympic games in 1894.
This is a view of athens from Lykavittos hill. It looks like it goes on forever! It was a sunny day, but it looked like there was this layer of SMOG all over the city. Athens wasn't the cleanest city.
I thought this was amusing. It was "JAPAN DAY" in athens and these ladies walked around posing like this! Um, why are there so many japanese in GREECE?
Ruins - leading into some theatre right near the acropolis.
Changing of the guards... it was unique. They make lots of motions with their shoes.
Ok, so we tried to take a picture with all three of us and when we went up there, he STOMPED HIS GUN to the floor and then the attendant guy and yelled at us "ONLY TWO!!!!" It was scary.
Stuffed tomatoes, dolmades, pork slouvaki. yum!
The sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, on the the most important and ancient sanctuaries in Athens was built by Deucalion the first ancestor of the Greeks as a tribute to Zeus for his salvation after the deluge.
It was erected in 515 BC.
View of the acropolis. You can see part of the parthenon. The arch there is Hadrians arch
This is in the ancient Agora (marketplace) you can see how HIGH the acropolis actually is!
Athens from on top of the Acropolis - that big hill in the background is Lykavittos hill
Parthenon. ughhhh scaffolding!!!
This is on the way to Sounion where the Temple of Poseiden is. You can see it in this picture. It was so pretty!
Temple of Poseiden - So it was erected for Poseiden the god of the sea or something. Apparently in ancient times this temple was the first thing that sailors coming into Greece would see. So the wives of sailors would come here and pray for the safety of their husbands while at sea.
THIS is why you need to go to greece!
Scotland Pictures
We went on this free walking tour ... and the only worthwhile thing we learned from it was about this heart in the middle of the street. It was built associated with some building people hated so everytime they walked by they would SPIT into the heart to mark their disgust. When the building was taken down, the heart remained and natives still walk by and spit into it. So... if you ever find yourself walking down Royal Mile ... don't step on it.
This is Hamish the highland bull. We stopped at this rest stop and he lives there... people can feed him vegetables and things.
This is haggis - the scottish 'specialty" (its the middle one) served with turnips and potatoes. I was kind of sad it didn't come in the stomach thing I saw pictures of. I dont really know what it is... but it tasted like ssundae
waterfall - it was raining.
Glencoe (glen is the scottish word for valley with steep sides).
This is Loch Ness (loch is just the scottish word for lake) It is so deep you can fit ALL of the people in the world in it apparently. impressive!
It rained so much that day this dam was working at full capacity!
Edinburgh - you can sort of make out Edinburgh castle.
View of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat . I didn't realize how close to the ocean it was!
Arthur's Seat. After you climb that, there is more.
I climbed that. This is "arthur's seat" which is this really big hill. It was actually really dangerous bec there was intermittent raining, VERY POWERFUL wind, and at one point hail. The path is these stone steps that got pretty slippery - my friends wouldn't come with me... hahahaha
At the top it was SO WINDY I had to stand at a 45 degree angle with the ground just to stay still. I like couldn't breathe it was so windy. do you SEE how small those people are in that picture!
People in kilts. hahahahahaha
Edinburgh castle - it was raining. a lot. Honestly the castle really wasn't that impressive and not really worth the 11 POUNDS it costs to get in (NO DISCOUNTS TO STUDENTS!!!) But maybe it was bec. it was like ALL OUTSIDE and pouring and cold...
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