Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Ukraine
So we just left Ukraine and crossed the border into Poland. Ukraine had a strange effect on me, its a harsh but intriguing country plus everything is so cheap. We ate like kings and queens for pennies. Of all our countries visited this one also has the biggest "3rd world" feel but not surprising being former soviet. Maybe that was the feeling looking around L'viv seeing the rememnence of the former soviet stronghold.
Men and women worn lots of furs and great hats. And since there was so much snow parents pull their kids down the sidewalk on sleds instead of strollers so awesome!
Lots so 90s techno pumping on the radio and every once in a while beyonce belts out a tune. Man eastern Europe loves them some beyonce.
And why is it that every hostel around the world has that same hippy guy with the dreds?
Men and women worn lots of furs and great hats. And since there was so much snow parents pull their kids down the sidewalk on sleds instead of strollers so awesome!
Lots so 90s techno pumping on the radio and every once in a while beyonce belts out a tune. Man eastern Europe loves them some beyonce.
And why is it that every hostel around the world has that same hippy guy with the dreds?
Budapest
My favorite city so far has been Budapest hands down. It was freezing!!!!! Probably 15F but beautiful. The city was once two cities: Buda & Pest but merged some time ago in history. The Danube reminds me of the mighty mississippi but cooler. We crossed three bridges back and forth from the buda to pest sides. Climbed up to the highest point on Buda hill( or took a trolley car hehe) to the this magnificent view of the city. It felt like a movie snow gently falling while a kind hungarian man played the violin in the background. So special! We ate traditional Hungarian cuisine of goulash (stew)so divine
So if you get a change skip the typical euro cities and head straight for Budapest I will not disappoint.
So if you get a change skip the typical euro cities and head straight for Budapest I will not disappoint.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Eastern Europe
Greetings from the former soviet union!
We left the day after Christmas heading east in a 1999 VW polo. Snow was falling the morning after as we said goodbye to Gabrovka.
Countries covered so far:
Slovenia
Croatia
Hungary
Romania
Ukraine
Favorite fun cultural differences
In Romania the waitress asked if she could clear the table and I said yes. She then pulled out a DirtDevil vaccumm cleaner and proceeded to vacuum our table while we were sitting there
Crossing the border into Ukraine took 1.5 hrs! They grilled Dan in below freezing weather at night and when I offered to step out to the border guard said " Oh no you can stay warm in the car" in a soft kind voice, then continued his bulldog routine with dan for another 45 min. Chivilrous yet harsh
We left the day after Christmas heading east in a 1999 VW polo. Snow was falling the morning after as we said goodbye to Gabrovka.
Countries covered so far:
Slovenia
Croatia
Hungary
Romania
Ukraine
Favorite fun cultural differences
In Romania the waitress asked if she could clear the table and I said yes. She then pulled out a DirtDevil vaccumm cleaner and proceeded to vacuum our table while we were sitting there
Crossing the border into Ukraine took 1.5 hrs! They grilled Dan in below freezing weather at night and when I offered to step out to the border guard said " Oh no you can stay warm in the car" in a soft kind voice, then continued his bulldog routine with dan for another 45 min. Chivilrous yet harsh
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Museu de la Xocolate
http://www.pastisseria.com/en/PortadaMuseu
Check out the chocolate museum I went to!
Check out the chocolate museum I went to!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
MERRY CHRISTMAS
greetings from Slovenia!
I have made it to Gabrovka, Slovenia safe and sound for Christmas. After leaving Barcelona on Thursday I flew into Venice and arrived into the lagooned city by boat which was amazing. The city is a maze of great food and streets. I wandered from San Marco to the Venice train station where I met Dan on the steps. We boarded a train back to the mainland and zipped onto Slovenia.
Yesterday I saw Daniel's school he teaches at and met the teachers. It was the last day before Christmas break and the students were very excited. There was a dance with the song "Kung Fu Fighting" playing on repeat. Today we are on our way to Ljub to have brunch with some Americans and see the city all lit up.
I have made it to Gabrovka, Slovenia safe and sound for Christmas. After leaving Barcelona on Thursday I flew into Venice and arrived into the lagooned city by boat which was amazing. The city is a maze of great food and streets. I wandered from San Marco to the Venice train station where I met Dan on the steps. We boarded a train back to the mainland and zipped onto Slovenia.
Yesterday I saw Daniel's school he teaches at and met the teachers. It was the last day before Christmas break and the students were very excited. There was a dance with the song "Kung Fu Fighting" playing on repeat. Today we are on our way to Ljub to have brunch with some Americans and see the city all lit up.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Out of the cold
Only a few days until Christmas and what a beautiful city to be in. After dodging the UK blizzard my flight left Gatwick airport yesterday. Flying south was an advantage for sure. I spoke with many people who has been sleeping at the airport from a canceled flight two days before. They just hoped they wouldn't be opening up Christmas presents from out of a suitcase instead of beneath a christmas tree.
After hearing countless stories of people who had their christmas changes drastically, brought a new perspective to my few transportation delays I faces that morning. Yes i did miseThe excitement has built within me as this trip progresses because I have seen mother nature swiftly alter peoples lives. As We touched down to in Barcelona the whole plane shared a sense of relief, we were finally out of the clear. No blizzards would touch us in the balmy climate of Catalona.
I hope to post som videos soon, it is exciting to see the Christmas spirit here!
After hearing countless stories of people who had their christmas changes drastically, brought a new perspective to my few transportation delays I faces that morning. Yes i did miseThe excitement has built within me as this trip progresses because I have seen mother nature swiftly alter peoples lives. As We touched down to in Barcelona the whole plane shared a sense of relief, we were finally out of the clear. No blizzards would touch us in the balmy climate of Catalona.
I hope to post som videos soon, it is exciting to see the Christmas spirit here!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Walking in the snow
It was so great to see Megan and experience the snow together. The sense of familiarity we brought one another was refreshing. We met at Trafalgar Square in the morning before the snow came down. It is fun trying to connect with people without a cell phone, brings me back to the days when I relied more on my wits. At first there was this internal expectation that I would fail to find her. But when I came around the corner and saw her all my doubts smothered under victory! After coffee we trudged through the blizzard of 2010 with Megan as my tour guide!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Winter chaos! I'm glad I flew in thursday
view from the flat
After the jet lag has worn off I awoke to a sprinkling of snow. Winter has begun! I am adjusting to the cold weather and my body has fought off a near fatal cold that tried to compromise my fun. But I overcame it and triumphed with hot British tea and plenty of vitamin C courtesy of Ed and Chris my gracious hosts. The neighborhood I am staying in is called Bethnal Green, google it if you like. A very cosmopolitan hood with Bangladeshi, Pakistan, Irish, British young professionals, West African and many more.
My favorite new Brit word of the day: "dodgy"
That pizza looks a bit dodgy Sam, why don't we throw it back in the oven.
My favorite new Brit word of the day: "dodgy"
That pizza looks a bit dodgy Sam, why don't we throw it back in the oven.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Day 1: Tuxedo, cupcakes, and Christmas cheer
I'll post a video asap of thE generous man passing out cupcakes on Hethrow. What a way to start a vacation! Sadly, most people Believed it to be too good to be true and decline Christmas goodness in their bellies.
Jet lag hit me on the Tube very hard, I was nodding off but fought through with a cappinchino and a chocolate fix this afternoon. Just finished a delicious dinner with my new friEnds Ed, Chris and Anna. I finlly know what Bangers and mash taste like...amazing! Who started the dirty rumor Brits can't cook? Also I learn the Brits love them so juice did you know tropicana makes orange watermelon juice?!?
Fun fact of the day: chunky pulp is called juicy bits.
I,ve gotten complements on my boots already, "you came prepared." (thx Jen)
Tomorrow I'm going to hit the streets hard and get touristy
Dodgin out,
D
Jet lag hit me on the Tube very hard, I was nodding off but fought through with a cappinchino and a chocolate fix this afternoon. Just finished a delicious dinner with my new friEnds Ed, Chris and Anna. I finlly know what Bangers and mash taste like...amazing! Who started the dirty rumor Brits can't cook? Also I learn the Brits love them so juice did you know tropicana makes orange watermelon juice?!?
Fun fact of the day: chunky pulp is called juicy bits.
I,ve gotten complements on my boots already, "you came prepared." (thx Jen)
Tomorrow I'm going to hit the streets hard and get touristy
Dodgin out,
D
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Goodbye dirty south
Im in the Carlotte airport about to board. I successfully snuck my pepper stray thru TSA security , hmmm I don't know if I should be concerned by that....regardless it's time to connect in the 8mile before jumping the pond.
What is a blog?
For the sake of clarity, I must confess I do not even know what the word "Blog means." I created this site as an excuse to use my video camcorder and come into the 21st century with all the blogger and technology advancements. Hope you enjoy what I can capture through the videos!
Blog: a blend of the term web log.
Profound, they left out the "we" and kept blog.
Blog: a blend of the term web log.
Profound, they left out the "we" and kept blog.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
What is Eurotrash?
The urban dictionary definition:
A human sub-phylum characterized by its apparent affluence, worldliness, social affectation and addiction to fashion. Males are characterized by a semi-slovenly appearance (including half-shaven faces), greasy hair, rib-hugging shirts, tight jeans and loafers worn without socks. Women are easily distinguished by anorexia, over-bleached hair, gaudy jewelry, plastic surgery (particularly breast-enlargement) and their attachment to the male species. Both sexes greet each other with “air kisses,” immediately speak of their last trip (often Paris, Rome, Majorca), spend hours at “see-and-be-seen” restaurants and exhibit a world-weariness and pained sense of irony.
How accurate is this?
A human sub-phylum characterized by its apparent affluence, worldliness, social affectation and addiction to fashion. Males are characterized by a semi-slovenly appearance (including half-shaven faces), greasy hair, rib-hugging shirts, tight jeans and loafers worn without socks. Women are easily distinguished by anorexia, over-bleached hair, gaudy jewelry, plastic surgery (particularly breast-enlargement) and their attachment to the male species. Both sexes greet each other with “air kisses,” immediately speak of their last trip (often Paris, Rome, Majorca), spend hours at “see-and-be-seen” restaurants and exhibit a world-weariness and pained sense of irony.
How accurate is this?
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