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Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Day 68 - Vienna, Austria
Vienna is a very classy city. It doesn't have the flash of Rome or Istanbul, but it is very comfortable and the people aren't as pretentious as advertised.
We are staying at what must be one of the best hostels in the world. I'm not really a Tracy Chapman fan, but her pianist is staying here at the hostel. It's been really nice having him here because he never leaves the piano. So nice to have world class music accompanying your breakfast and your beers in the evening.
The guests staying here are a fine example of the ladies and gentlemen of our generation. Everyone is so polite and social, creating a very warm atmosphere. We also me our friend Fraser here by chance. He was staying at the same hostel as us in the ghetto of Athens and we walked by each other on the street yesterday, then we ran into each other at the hostel here in Vienna. Very strange. I guess if you wander Europe long enough you're bound to run into some of the same travellers.
My wife is hilarious. We met a solo traveller from Korea, a young lady about 20 years old. Sue noticed that she was wearing a ring on her left hand. Sue proceeded to tell her that she's too young to wear a ring and that she should be sleeping around with all the men in Europe who are probably better than her boyfriend. Sounds rude, but she took off the ring immediately.
On a tip from my mother, we realized that there was an art exhibition displaying Art from North Korea. It turns out that this is the first time in history that the art has been taken out of Pyeongyang, so it was a unique experience. Making the viewing even more special for myself is the fact that I can read the Korean propaganda on the art and Sue can explain the significance of some of the messages. Some of the works were stunning in their beauty but horrifying at the same time. Images of Kim Jong-il and his father playing with smiling children in the sunshine; sometimes we can only hope that Hell exists.
We're off to Slovakia today, then we fly to Paris Wednesday!
chad
We are staying at what must be one of the best hostels in the world. I'm not really a Tracy Chapman fan, but her pianist is staying here at the hostel. It's been really nice having him here because he never leaves the piano. So nice to have world class music accompanying your breakfast and your beers in the evening.
The guests staying here are a fine example of the ladies and gentlemen of our generation. Everyone is so polite and social, creating a very warm atmosphere. We also me our friend Fraser here by chance. He was staying at the same hostel as us in the ghetto of Athens and we walked by each other on the street yesterday, then we ran into each other at the hostel here in Vienna. Very strange. I guess if you wander Europe long enough you're bound to run into some of the same travellers.
My wife is hilarious. We met a solo traveller from Korea, a young lady about 20 years old. Sue noticed that she was wearing a ring on her left hand. Sue proceeded to tell her that she's too young to wear a ring and that she should be sleeping around with all the men in Europe who are probably better than her boyfriend. Sounds rude, but she took off the ring immediately.
On a tip from my mother, we realized that there was an art exhibition displaying Art from North Korea. It turns out that this is the first time in history that the art has been taken out of Pyeongyang, so it was a unique experience. Making the viewing even more special for myself is the fact that I can read the Korean propaganda on the art and Sue can explain the significance of some of the messages. Some of the works were stunning in their beauty but horrifying at the same time. Images of Kim Jong-il and his father playing with smiling children in the sunshine; sometimes we can only hope that Hell exists.
We're off to Slovakia today, then we fly to Paris Wednesday!
chad
Friday, May 21, 2010
Day 65 - Budapest, Hungary
Tremendous city. Perhaps the most beautiful city we have ever been to. The parliament building along the Danube river is absolutely breathtaking. There is a beautiful walking path along the river which allows for great photos of all the architecture. Lovely city.
We had what should have been a train wreck of a day. Let's just say we learned not to play high stakes 3-card Monte the hard way.......I won't let being scammed by a few devilish men ruin our trip to Budapest, this city rocks and I highly recommend it. After the scam, Sue was is in shock. Luckily I have 10 years experience of losing money gambling, so we were able to weather the storm. It really is a great story, so I'm sure it will be told over a few pints down the road. An expensive story.
Now, to the situation in Korea. Firstly, this situation is for real this time. With much of the North Korean posturing and brinkmanship it's easy to just shrug off. This time, we have 46 dead South Korean sailors. It's like if someone smashed the windshield of your car and you have the video evidence, you show the culprit the evidence and they say, 'if you think that is me, I'm going to smash all the windows in all of your cars.' The North Korean leadership is filled with the biggest assholes in the history of assholes. A little retarded bully that accepts aid with further threats of war. I have family and friends living very close to the border and my two brothers in-law are in the South Korean army serving their mandatory two year terms.
Secondly, the situation in North Korea is too intense. The North Korean people are getting poorer and poorer, their leader may be dying of cancer, and they may be quickly losing support from their only ally in China. I don't think there will be a peaceful solution to this mess, but I don't expect South Korea to have any difficulty winning a war. A lot of people slag-off the American troops in Seoul, but how many of them want the Yanks to leave now?
I'm almost hoping for a non-peaceful resolution to this conflict because I think that this whole mess needs to be cleaned up. Sanctions aren't going to improve anything because it will only affect the very poor in North Korea, which is most of the population. Every year that passes without the North Koreans having access to the Internet is another year where they fall further and further behind. I'm not talking about keeping up with friends on Facebook, I'm talking about information and evolving ideas.
Off to Vienna tomorrow, then Bratislava on Monday.
chad
We had what should have been a train wreck of a day. Let's just say we learned not to play high stakes 3-card Monte the hard way.......I won't let being scammed by a few devilish men ruin our trip to Budapest, this city rocks and I highly recommend it. After the scam, Sue was is in shock. Luckily I have 10 years experience of losing money gambling, so we were able to weather the storm. It really is a great story, so I'm sure it will be told over a few pints down the road. An expensive story.
Now, to the situation in Korea. Firstly, this situation is for real this time. With much of the North Korean posturing and brinkmanship it's easy to just shrug off. This time, we have 46 dead South Korean sailors. It's like if someone smashed the windshield of your car and you have the video evidence, you show the culprit the evidence and they say, 'if you think that is me, I'm going to smash all the windows in all of your cars.' The North Korean leadership is filled with the biggest assholes in the history of assholes. A little retarded bully that accepts aid with further threats of war. I have family and friends living very close to the border and my two brothers in-law are in the South Korean army serving their mandatory two year terms.
Secondly, the situation in North Korea is too intense. The North Korean people are getting poorer and poorer, their leader may be dying of cancer, and they may be quickly losing support from their only ally in China. I don't think there will be a peaceful solution to this mess, but I don't expect South Korea to have any difficulty winning a war. A lot of people slag-off the American troops in Seoul, but how many of them want the Yanks to leave now?
I'm almost hoping for a non-peaceful resolution to this conflict because I think that this whole mess needs to be cleaned up. Sanctions aren't going to improve anything because it will only affect the very poor in North Korea, which is most of the population. Every year that passes without the North Koreans having access to the Internet is another year where they fall further and further behind. I'm not talking about keeping up with friends on Facebook, I'm talking about information and evolving ideas.
Off to Vienna tomorrow, then Bratislava on Monday.
chad
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Day 63 - Prague, Czech Republic
Prague was one one of my top destinations prior to the start of this trip. I had seen so many pictures and heard a few stories, so I was very excited to arrive. The weather has been very grey and rainy which has made it a little difficult to see the city as it should be seen, but it stil remains absolutely stunning.
We left Berlin for Dresden on Monday afternoon. I didn't really have any high expectations for the city, but it turned out to be one of our favorite stops. We couldn't find our hotel to begin with. This was very frustrating as nobody could give us directions and there weren't as many English speakers as in Berlin. Finally, we recieved directions on how to get near our destination which required taking two different trams and walking through some side streets without a map. After coming to a street with a similar name to our hotel's, we realised that we were lost and needed more help. We saw a smiling face on the street so we asked for help. This kind young man ran home and got a city map and showed us where our hotel was located. We walked to this new address and were greeted at a signless entrace by some dude in his tighty whities. Wrong address again, it seemed. We went back to the guy's house and he made some phone calls. Finally we found the hotel, and he came with us to make sure everything was fine, then proceeded to give us a full walking tour of the city at night!
Dresden was absolutely stunning, perhaps even more so than Prague if you can believe it. Barack Obama came to Dresden to watch an Opera, so that may tell you about the class level of the city. Great destination if you are coming through Germany.
Back to Prague, we are currently sitting in our hotel room having a couple of Czech beers. Oh, almost forgot. When we arrived here yesterday, the Canada-Czech game was on TV! Every bar in the city was playing hockey! Ok, I'm not the biggest fan anymore because following the Raptors takes up enough of my time, but I don't mind some international hockey. The game was pretty much shit for a Canadian. The Czechs out-shot Canada and the Canadian players seemed to be playing a little dirty. The Czechs at the bar were very vocal during the game and you could tell immediately that hockey is the pride of the nation. I was outnumbered drastically by a large number of tough looking Czechs, so I was practicing my Texas accent just to be prepared for any introductions.
Had a very romantic dinner last night. We actually paid to eat at a nice restaurant and it was fantastic. Always great to dine under candlelight with the love of my life. Off to Budapest tomorrow!
chad
We left Berlin for Dresden on Monday afternoon. I didn't really have any high expectations for the city, but it turned out to be one of our favorite stops. We couldn't find our hotel to begin with. This was very frustrating as nobody could give us directions and there weren't as many English speakers as in Berlin. Finally, we recieved directions on how to get near our destination which required taking two different trams and walking through some side streets without a map. After coming to a street with a similar name to our hotel's, we realised that we were lost and needed more help. We saw a smiling face on the street so we asked for help. This kind young man ran home and got a city map and showed us where our hotel was located. We walked to this new address and were greeted at a signless entrace by some dude in his tighty whities. Wrong address again, it seemed. We went back to the guy's house and he made some phone calls. Finally we found the hotel, and he came with us to make sure everything was fine, then proceeded to give us a full walking tour of the city at night!
Dresden was absolutely stunning, perhaps even more so than Prague if you can believe it. Barack Obama came to Dresden to watch an Opera, so that may tell you about the class level of the city. Great destination if you are coming through Germany.
Back to Prague, we are currently sitting in our hotel room having a couple of Czech beers. Oh, almost forgot. When we arrived here yesterday, the Canada-Czech game was on TV! Every bar in the city was playing hockey! Ok, I'm not the biggest fan anymore because following the Raptors takes up enough of my time, but I don't mind some international hockey. The game was pretty much shit for a Canadian. The Czechs out-shot Canada and the Canadian players seemed to be playing a little dirty. The Czechs at the bar were very vocal during the game and you could tell immediately that hockey is the pride of the nation. I was outnumbered drastically by a large number of tough looking Czechs, so I was practicing my Texas accent just to be prepared for any introductions.
Had a very romantic dinner last night. We actually paid to eat at a nice restaurant and it was fantastic. Always great to dine under candlelight with the love of my life. Off to Budapest tomorrow!
chad
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Day 60 - Berlin, Germany
I'm sorry to anybody who actually reads this blog who may feel like I'm withholding my experiences of Berlin, but if you've been here than you can understand why I've been so secretive. I really think that a lot of people look to beaches and warmth for holiday destinations, but most of these places are only beaches and warmth. If you have a little dough, just go to Berlin. Come to this city, get a cheap hotel and just wander the streets drinking big bottles of beer. I still won't poop on this city by describing my experiences in great detail, but it is the best city I've been to hands down.
We got here on a Sunday and just sat around our hostel with some Aussies having a few pints. On Monday I had some time to gather entertainment magazines and flyers to gauge the scene a little. Man, there are parties everywhere here. We found some party at a club called, King Kong Klub. They advertised the night as having French Electro, Post Punk and Indie. So, we wandered in; the only two people in the bar. No worries, the DJ kept spinning tunes while we downed fresh Czech beer. A little later a couple came in to the bar. The lady was from Paris and the man was from Berlin. Together with Sue and me, the four of us went hard on the dance floor! I remember the DJ playing this Joy Division re-mix and I really felt like I was a kid in a candy store. A boy from the Stonetown dancing with three others from Berlin, Paris and Seoul. I know how to crank a wrench and drive a front-end loader, but I can also dance at 3am in Berlin. ;)
Sue is probably going to kill me for this, but German girls seem to dig my style. I'm used to men hitting on Sue non-stop, but generally speaking, I only have a random girl here and there hit on me. Germany seems to be good to Chad because a few girls have been looking my way. Of course, I have the best woman in the world (no need to switch to a Porsche when you have a Hyundai like mine), but it is nice to get some attention from the opposite sex. Am I so wrong? Fill a club with hot ass German and Korean girls and you've got some of God's best creations together sexifying a dance floor.
Sorry, I've lost my train of thought thinking about Heidi Klum and Lee Hyo-ri having an argument in lingerie.
chad
We got here on a Sunday and just sat around our hostel with some Aussies having a few pints. On Monday I had some time to gather entertainment magazines and flyers to gauge the scene a little. Man, there are parties everywhere here. We found some party at a club called, King Kong Klub. They advertised the night as having French Electro, Post Punk and Indie. So, we wandered in; the only two people in the bar. No worries, the DJ kept spinning tunes while we downed fresh Czech beer. A little later a couple came in to the bar. The lady was from Paris and the man was from Berlin. Together with Sue and me, the four of us went hard on the dance floor! I remember the DJ playing this Joy Division re-mix and I really felt like I was a kid in a candy store. A boy from the Stonetown dancing with three others from Berlin, Paris and Seoul. I know how to crank a wrench and drive a front-end loader, but I can also dance at 3am in Berlin. ;)
Sue is probably going to kill me for this, but German girls seem to dig my style. I'm used to men hitting on Sue non-stop, but generally speaking, I only have a random girl here and there hit on me. Germany seems to be good to Chad because a few girls have been looking my way. Of course, I have the best woman in the world (no need to switch to a Porsche when you have a Hyundai like mine), but it is nice to get some attention from the opposite sex. Am I so wrong? Fill a club with hot ass German and Korean girls and you've got some of God's best creations together sexifying a dance floor.
Sorry, I've lost my train of thought thinking about Heidi Klum and Lee Hyo-ri having an argument in lingerie.
chad
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Day 58 - Berlin, Germany
I refuse to poop on this city. I have so much respect for this place and I've had such a memorable time, that I don't want to share my experience through a blog. If you meet me for a drink or dinner sometime, I'll talk about Berlin at length. I don't think that there is a better city in the world. I haven't been to London, San Francisco, New York or Paris, but I would put money on Berlin as the hippest.
We are staying with my friend Ryland. We met him in The Philippines last year and we stayed in touch. I told him that he's the only man that's allowed to run away with my wife; that much respect.
On Monday we're taking a bus down to Dresden. That will mark our 9th day in Germany without having left Berlin. We want to see a little of Germany outside of the capital. The next day we're going to Prague, then Budapest, over to Vienna, back track to Slovakia, then we fly to Paris, head up to Amsterdam, back to Brussels, then fly to Ireland, onto Scotland, onto England, onto CANADA!(in exactly 1 month) Jesus!
I'll be attending my brother Jeff's wedding a few days after I arrive in Canada and I can't wait for that. I know a few of my very best friends will be there as well and I'm so sure love will be flowing. I am very homesick. I've been away from my hometown for 5 years, and haven't visited for 2 years.
I have some crazy stories about this place and I feel like a kid in a candy store, you'll just have to meet me for a pint to hear the tales.
chad
We are staying with my friend Ryland. We met him in The Philippines last year and we stayed in touch. I told him that he's the only man that's allowed to run away with my wife; that much respect.
On Monday we're taking a bus down to Dresden. That will mark our 9th day in Germany without having left Berlin. We want to see a little of Germany outside of the capital. The next day we're going to Prague, then Budapest, over to Vienna, back track to Slovakia, then we fly to Paris, head up to Amsterdam, back to Brussels, then fly to Ireland, onto Scotland, onto England, onto CANADA!(in exactly 1 month) Jesus!
I'll be attending my brother Jeff's wedding a few days after I arrive in Canada and I can't wait for that. I know a few of my very best friends will be there as well and I'm so sure love will be flowing. I am very homesick. I've been away from my hometown for 5 years, and haven't visited for 2 years.
I have some crazy stories about this place and I feel like a kid in a candy store, you'll just have to meet me for a pint to hear the tales.
chad
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Day 49 - Ibiza, Spain
As strange as this may sound, we're just taking it easy in Ibiza. We must be getting old or something as it took us until the fourth night of being here to actually head out to the bars. To our credit, the tourist season hasn't really started, yet. We also have a kitchen at our place, so we've just been recharging the batteries.
One thing that I've learned from my travels, is that Canadians don't party as hard as they think they do. Being at a small club filled with Brits, Scots and the Irish will slam home that reality right quick. I watched some small little girl down 12 shots of vodka at once last night, without that much difficulty. Perhaps we can claim to be the best beer drinkers? Who cares anyway?
I should write a little something about our first tour of Italy. Rome was incredible; right up there with Istanbul in its ability to steal breath. We found a place to sleep right away and from there we could walk to all the famous destinations. One of the most memorable moments was when I handed a bottle of wine to our hotel's manager. He seemed like the type of guy that wouldn't even crack a smile if he was tickled, but when I showed up with a bottle and no means of getting to the sweet nectar, he grabbed the bottle from my hands with delight. Then he held the label up to the light to legitimize it, then cracked it open in about 10 seconds uttering some delightful Italian. A little moment, but I'll remember it forever.
We took the train up to Pisa after that, and did all the typical tourist stuff at the leaning tower. We'll head back to Italy for a few days this Sunday. Next Thursday, we fly to Berlin!
chad
One thing that I've learned from my travels, is that Canadians don't party as hard as they think they do. Being at a small club filled with Brits, Scots and the Irish will slam home that reality right quick. I watched some small little girl down 12 shots of vodka at once last night, without that much difficulty. Perhaps we can claim to be the best beer drinkers? Who cares anyway?
I should write a little something about our first tour of Italy. Rome was incredible; right up there with Istanbul in its ability to steal breath. We found a place to sleep right away and from there we could walk to all the famous destinations. One of the most memorable moments was when I handed a bottle of wine to our hotel's manager. He seemed like the type of guy that wouldn't even crack a smile if he was tickled, but when I showed up with a bottle and no means of getting to the sweet nectar, he grabbed the bottle from my hands with delight. Then he held the label up to the light to legitimize it, then cracked it open in about 10 seconds uttering some delightful Italian. A little moment, but I'll remember it forever.
We took the train up to Pisa after that, and did all the typical tourist stuff at the leaning tower. We'll head back to Italy for a few days this Sunday. Next Thursday, we fly to Berlin!
chad
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Day 47 - Ibiza, Spain
Sorry for not updating since Greece.
The blog skipped right over Italy. It might be a sign of how much we liked the country, or the lack of WIFI.
We loved Rome! Fantastic city to stroll through. We saw some nice things in Athens, but it just isn't the right time to visit the Greek capital. Even on a good day though, I don't think Athens can hold a candle to Rome. Such a sleek city! We arrived in the mid afternoon and by 5:00 we were drinking wine downtown overlooking the Colosseum and all the other ruins, cathedrals and historic buildings.
I can't write a huge blog today, but Italy seems like an unbelievable country to get lost in. We're in Ibiza now, but it isn't the tourist season. I don't think we'll be hitting up any of the super clubs because they don't open until June! My guess is that there will be at least a couple medium sized clubs running nights, so we'll go out for some dancin' later this week.
Also, Italian food hasn't made me faint from being overly delicious, but it wasn't bad either.
chad
The blog skipped right over Italy. It might be a sign of how much we liked the country, or the lack of WIFI.
We loved Rome! Fantastic city to stroll through. We saw some nice things in Athens, but it just isn't the right time to visit the Greek capital. Even on a good day though, I don't think Athens can hold a candle to Rome. Such a sleek city! We arrived in the mid afternoon and by 5:00 we were drinking wine downtown overlooking the Colosseum and all the other ruins, cathedrals and historic buildings.
I can't write a huge blog today, but Italy seems like an unbelievable country to get lost in. We're in Ibiza now, but it isn't the tourist season. I don't think we'll be hitting up any of the super clubs because they don't open until June! My guess is that there will be at least a couple medium sized clubs running nights, so we'll go out for some dancin' later this week.
Also, Italian food hasn't made me faint from being overly delicious, but it wasn't bad either.
chad
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