My duties as an avid blogger have passed me by. Weeks ago. I apologize for anyone who might care. It is now the first of our last 3 weeks here, and the teachers decided that they probably should give us assignments. Cut to me having 4 papers, 2 presentations, and 3 finals. Word.
I need to fill everyone in about Venice and Istanbul (which was freaking amazing) at some point, but not sure when that will be. Guaranteed once I am back in Maine on the 19th and confined to my room for lack of money to go out with, I will write extensively on all of my adventures. Promise. But until then, I'm going to eat another can of peaches and glue my eyes to this Wiki page about the Velvet Revolution. Aye....
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
European Revelations
The most significant revelation having been discovered while sitting in my Contemporary Central European Politics class searching fruitlessly for some entertainment... until my wandering eyes happened to glance over at the map of Europe hanging on the wall in front of me. As my knowledge of Germany's insanity has increased since studying in Europe, I made this astonishing and poignant discovery...
Har har.
Irony. Our professor moves on to tell us about the numerous parties in the Czech parliament... "Socialist party, communist party, green party, Christian party, party of retards..."
...at which I find myself the only one laughing out loud and a slight silent pause afterwards. Great, I am now "that girl".
But in other news... I haven't really felt the blogging urge lately which is too bad because I've done a bunch of cool stuff that would be interesting (or not) to read about. Poland was cold, Brussels was expensive, Amsterdam was smoky, Maria is now broke. Well... not really but I might be eating with the peasants in Istanbul and fishing out of the canals in Venice and perhaps visiting the homeless shelter in Barcelona. Builds character.
Another one of my revelations was that this world is extremely tiny. I've had several "Wait, are you serious? The world is so small...." moments since being abroad. Strange things. I also need a hair cut but at the same time am torn between long or short hair. What a dilemma. Got to wear my Dirndl again last night for a Kolej costume party, that was nice. I have to wear it 68 more times to get my money's worth. Yikes. Maybe I'll consider moving to Bavaria.
Here's something to think about- having to study during study abroad? Who ever thought of something so crazy! Sheesh. How am I supposed to immerse myself in Czech culture when I've got three history tests to worry about. Or something.
I need to start eating healthy...
Har har.
Irony. Our professor moves on to tell us about the numerous parties in the Czech parliament... "Socialist party, communist party, green party, Christian party, party of retards..."
...at which I find myself the only one laughing out loud and a slight silent pause afterwards. Great, I am now "that girl".
But in other news... I haven't really felt the blogging urge lately which is too bad because I've done a bunch of cool stuff that would be interesting (or not) to read about. Poland was cold, Brussels was expensive, Amsterdam was smoky, Maria is now broke. Well... not really but I might be eating with the peasants in Istanbul and fishing out of the canals in Venice and perhaps visiting the homeless shelter in Barcelona. Builds character.
Another one of my revelations was that this world is extremely tiny. I've had several "Wait, are you serious? The world is so small...." moments since being abroad. Strange things. I also need a hair cut but at the same time am torn between long or short hair. What a dilemma. Got to wear my Dirndl again last night for a Kolej costume party, that was nice. I have to wear it 68 more times to get my money's worth. Yikes. Maybe I'll consider moving to Bavaria.
Here's something to think about- having to study during study abroad? Who ever thought of something so crazy! Sheesh. How am I supposed to immerse myself in Czech culture when I've got three history tests to worry about. Or something.
I need to start eating healthy...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Laundromat Revelations
Ahoj, ahoj.
Just returned from Poland for the weekend. As much as I'd like to share all about it I feel like I should probably maintain a chronological order to my blog since any other form of organization is seriously lacking. Also I feel as though I've been somewhat neglecting to write about my experiences IN Prague and have turned an unfair focus towards just my excursions. So first things first. Czechs are smelly. Reason: lack of laundromats. Well, at least that is one factor. What the hell CR, where are all your washers and driers!? Get on that Klaus, and join the EU already while you're at it.
After going a couple weeks without laundry, Jenna and I decided it was time to leave the comfortable confines of the Kolej to seek a mode to clean clothing before departing for Krakow. Cut to Andy's Laundromat, second to last stop on tram 22. Now a trip to the laundromat normally wouldn't warrant an individual blog entry, but this laundromat had something special. After putting all your clothes in, you were welcomed to sit in a lounge and enjoy complimentary coffee and tea. Still not too exciting- until I picked up a book off the coffee table. Entries dating back to 2003, this book held anecdotes, comments and praises of Andy's and clean laundry/Prague in general. I spent a good hour reading through the entire thing- people from all over the world, connecting within one medium, over dirty underwear and trousers. Genius.
Below are some noteworthy entries that I wanted to share:
"Never thought I'd be here but I love it. The cab driver threw Zain's bags onto the street because he took him to the wrong location. Bangu is chill as hell. We go back in seven weeks to the states. I don't want to leave at all. Don't really miss anybody except my ferret Amelio."
-Ryan, Raleigh, NC, USA
"Didn't actually wash my clothes. But I watched."
-Tim, Australia
"I like hockey, squares, and this laundromat."
-Simon, Quebec, Canada
"Time to wash and think
Moments to write and drink
Sunshine for newly-weds
Who have the hardest time gettin' out of bed
Reflections from a tram window make it hard to say, 'we have to go'."
- Paul and Becky, New Orleans, LA, USA
"Cheers to all the travelers and explorers of life."
-Jim W., Bishop, CA, USA
" We arrived here a horrible, smelly punk rock band. Now we're just a horrible punk rock band. Cheers!"
-Meggers, THE CASUALTIES, NYC, USA
"They say if it ain't clutch, it ain't much. But then I found this laundry place. Excelente!"
-Felix, The Netherlands
"You're a great fisherman."
-Anon
Reading these entires made me unusually happy. There were words in so many languages written by people from so many different countries around the world- even ones from Maine. If the two loads I washed hadn't cost upwards of $15, I might've said that this is the best laundromat in the world just for having this guest book. Now that I've put all these thoughts down on virtual paper, I promise that my next two entires will include accounts of an epic adventure in the mountains of Bad Schandau, Deutschland (out of chronological order, woops) and of course my trip to Poland, land of the Po.
Just returned from Poland for the weekend. As much as I'd like to share all about it I feel like I should probably maintain a chronological order to my blog since any other form of organization is seriously lacking. Also I feel as though I've been somewhat neglecting to write about my experiences IN Prague and have turned an unfair focus towards just my excursions. So first things first. Czechs are smelly. Reason: lack of laundromats. Well, at least that is one factor. What the hell CR, where are all your washers and driers!? Get on that Klaus, and join the EU already while you're at it.
After going a couple weeks without laundry, Jenna and I decided it was time to leave the comfortable confines of the Kolej to seek a mode to clean clothing before departing for Krakow. Cut to Andy's Laundromat, second to last stop on tram 22. Now a trip to the laundromat normally wouldn't warrant an individual blog entry, but this laundromat had something special. After putting all your clothes in, you were welcomed to sit in a lounge and enjoy complimentary coffee and tea. Still not too exciting- until I picked up a book off the coffee table. Entries dating back to 2003, this book held anecdotes, comments and praises of Andy's and clean laundry/Prague in general. I spent a good hour reading through the entire thing- people from all over the world, connecting within one medium, over dirty underwear and trousers. Genius.
Below are some noteworthy entries that I wanted to share:
"Never thought I'd be here but I love it. The cab driver threw Zain's bags onto the street because he took him to the wrong location. Bangu is chill as hell. We go back in seven weeks to the states. I don't want to leave at all. Don't really miss anybody except my ferret Amelio."
-Ryan, Raleigh, NC, USA
"Didn't actually wash my clothes. But I watched."
-Tim, Australia
"I like hockey, squares, and this laundromat."
-Simon, Quebec, Canada
"Time to wash and think
Moments to write and drink
Sunshine for newly-weds
Who have the hardest time gettin' out of bed
Reflections from a tram window make it hard to say, 'we have to go'."
- Paul and Becky, New Orleans, LA, USA
"Cheers to all the travelers and explorers of life."
-Jim W., Bishop, CA, USA
" We arrived here a horrible, smelly punk rock band. Now we're just a horrible punk rock band. Cheers!"
-Meggers, THE CASUALTIES, NYC, USA
"They say if it ain't clutch, it ain't much. But then I found this laundry place. Excelente!"
-Felix, The Netherlands
"You're a great fisherman."
-Anon
Reading these entires made me unusually happy. There were words in so many languages written by people from so many different countries around the world- even ones from Maine. If the two loads I washed hadn't cost upwards of $15, I might've said that this is the best laundromat in the world just for having this guest book. Now that I've put all these thoughts down on virtual paper, I promise that my next two entires will include accounts of an epic adventure in the mountains of Bad Schandau, Deutschland (out of chronological order, woops) and of course my trip to Poland, land of the Po.
It is winter. Hope everyone is well. Clean clothes abounding.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Big Wall- My Berlin Experience
So... I realize I have been slacking on this whole blog thing. But between not having classes until 1:00 three days a week, it's been hard to find the time.
Naht.
Not too much has happened since Oktoberfest- thought I got my identity stolen, found a great deal on some boots, discovered Ramen with egg, took a train to Germany and saw someone shoot up heroin for the first time. That was weird... apparently heroin is a problem in Prague. Haven't these people seen Requiem for a Dream?! Damn. But all is well... identity still mine, boots still cool, and although I'm becoming a lard, the Ramen w. egg was a great discovery. My next endeavor is Ramen with peanut butter and hot sauce... think of it as the hobo's pad thai. Yes please.
Got back from Berlin yesterday afternoon... a few of us hopped on a train Friday morning and headed to the Deutschland. What a cool trip. Firstly, the train was probably the best investment ever as we saw some pretty amazing countryside en route.
Not to mention that Jenna and I felt pretty regal as we sipped Macchiatos in the dining car.
Our arrival in Berlin proved to be somewhat hectic as we realized we didn't have the address to our hostel... until thank GOD Max saved the day by remembering that he'd written it down. We proceeded to scan the UBahn map for Picadilly Square and Charlie St.
Isn't that in London?
Yes.
Back to square one... thankfully Anna was able to look it up for us on the Google machine and give us directions. Our hostel was more of a warehouse with beds but at 18€ for the weekend, who's complaining? It had a bar in the lobby and included breakfast. Perfect.
Creepy...
We lucked out the first full day we were there because the weather was pretty nice- we even saw sun in dreary Berlin! Blue skies seemed like a foreign concept. Hopped on a bus tour that allowed you to get off and explore every so often. Cut to Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust memorial (they better), Jenna and I in love, some wall, and other cool looking buildings.
After some serious sightseeing, we decided to do some car shopping and hang out with bears.
Jenna much preferred this one over the Bentley.
When the night started to fall and the bears went to sleep, we decided what a perfect opportunity to visit Rapunzel.
But she was out at the clubs so we had to turn back. Good thing the hostel offered its own alien spaceship to hang out on and have weird extraterrestrial shots.
Can't really tell you much about what happened after that... but I'm pretty sure I'm now missing a kidney.
Then there was this weird thing:
I think it was the ship's rubbish... they were really big aliens. Now that I have no idea where to go from here, enjoy these other shots from Berlin.
Voila! There we have it. Berlin in a microcosmic, bear friendly, fairytale-like nutshell. I should probably start writing my Graffiti paper due Wednesday. Will I? Probably not till tomorrow around this time. Hope everyone is well and that the US is working on its economy because this exchange rate is KILLING ME...
figuratively.
Naht.
Not too much has happened since Oktoberfest- thought I got my identity stolen, found a great deal on some boots, discovered Ramen with egg, took a train to Germany and saw someone shoot up heroin for the first time. That was weird... apparently heroin is a problem in Prague. Haven't these people seen Requiem for a Dream?! Damn. But all is well... identity still mine, boots still cool, and although I'm becoming a lard, the Ramen w. egg was a great discovery. My next endeavor is Ramen with peanut butter and hot sauce... think of it as the hobo's pad thai. Yes please.
Got back from Berlin yesterday afternoon... a few of us hopped on a train Friday morning and headed to the Deutschland. What a cool trip. Firstly, the train was probably the best investment ever as we saw some pretty amazing countryside en route.
Not to mention that Jenna and I felt pretty regal as we sipped Macchiatos in the dining car.
Our arrival in Berlin proved to be somewhat hectic as we realized we didn't have the address to our hostel... until thank GOD Max saved the day by remembering that he'd written it down. We proceeded to scan the UBahn map for Picadilly Square and Charlie St.
Isn't that in London?
Yes.
Back to square one... thankfully Anna was able to look it up for us on the Google machine and give us directions. Our hostel was more of a warehouse with beds but at 18€ for the weekend, who's complaining? It had a bar in the lobby and included breakfast. Perfect.
Creepy...
We lucked out the first full day we were there because the weather was pretty nice- we even saw sun in dreary Berlin! Blue skies seemed like a foreign concept. Hopped on a bus tour that allowed you to get off and explore every so often. Cut to Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust memorial (they better), Jenna and I in love, some wall, and other cool looking buildings.
After some serious sightseeing, we decided to do some car shopping and hang out with bears.
Jenna much preferred this one over the Bentley.
When the night started to fall and the bears went to sleep, we decided what a perfect opportunity to visit Rapunzel.
But she was out at the clubs so we had to turn back. Good thing the hostel offered its own alien spaceship to hang out on and have weird extraterrestrial shots.
Can't really tell you much about what happened after that... but I'm pretty sure I'm now missing a kidney.
Then there was this weird thing:
I think it was the ship's rubbish... they were really big aliens. Now that I have no idea where to go from here, enjoy these other shots from Berlin.
Voila! There we have it. Berlin in a microcosmic, bear friendly, fairytale-like nutshell. I should probably start writing my Graffiti paper due Wednesday. Will I? Probably not till tomorrow around this time. Hope everyone is well and that the US is working on its economy because this exchange rate is KILLING ME...
figuratively.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
From Budapest to Oktoberfest...
Ahoj! or... Gutentag!
Despite my blogging hiatus, I am still alive and breathing after our wild Oktoberfest adventure... barely. What a whirlwind weekend. It all began on Friday, where we met our German friend at her workplace to take off for Munich. As the four of us followed behind her to the parking lot, we joked that the silver compact car/roller-skate in the first spot was hers. She brings us to the silver compact car in the first spot and we load up our backpacks. She introduces him as Oscar, and the German speaking GPS as Sheila (although we are warned that Sheila is not so bright). The tight squeeze made us a little more acquainted with each other but just enhanced the adventure nonetheless. Especially when I caught sight of her ME bumper sticker! She loves Bar Harbor, visited last year... what a small world. Five hours later, we pull off the Audobahn and arrive in Munich at our mysterious Ukranian School. And so it begins....
We arrive in front of the Hofbräu tent around 9:00 as it is the last Saturday of Oktoberfest and the tents are packed. Pregame with an orange capri sun while we wait in the massive crowd slightly resembling a line.
After about 30 minutes, we hear several whistles blow and the gates are opened. Let me give you a visual:
Right. So we got in. I don't really know what else to tell you besides maybe a few facts and my photos to explain my trip.
The Hofbräu-Festzelt is the largest beer tent of the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
During Oktoberfest 2007 (16 days), there was a total consumption of 6,940,600 liters of beer and 700,000 whole roast chickens.
The center of the Hofbräu tent is known as "The Pig Pen". For obvious reasons.
SO- With that being said, here are some photos of our experience on Day 1: Hofbräu.
I decided to take a quick break to do some weight training since I've been feeling rather lazy lately.
Har har har. Moving on.....
Ian, Jenny, Jenna, Mike and Jenny's friend. We decided that after our third liter we'd need a nap before continuing on further. Grabbed a quick bite to eat, stole a mug, made some friends with Aussies, and back to the room.
We actually made it with only one break to take a quick snooze on the grass. Thank God for Mike.
Round Two! Oktoberfest at night. Half-chickens galore.
An insider's tip for future Oktoberfesters: Get your cute blonde friend to make friends with the security guard so that you get VIP access to come in and out as you please. And no waits for restrooms!
So that was day one. Now, it was great, but something was missing. The official outfit of Germany/Oktoberfest is Lederhosen for the men and Dirndls for the ladies. Basically ALL of the locals were sporting these cool outfits and we simply felt like frauds without them. So we fixed that problem for day two.
Best €45 I ever spent.
Made friends with some (fifteen year old) locals.
After all the excitement, we had to head back to Prague for school on Monday. Overall, probably one of the best weekends I've ever had. As my friend said, "This is like Disneyworld for college kids." Can't go wrong there. Well, I guess you might feel a little wrong the next morning- but with lots of veggies and water, it's a price I am willing to pay.
Friday, October 2, 2009
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