It is time for a much needed update. But here's the deal, if I tell you, I expect an equal and opposite update from you. Its the law of reciprocity, whatever comes up, must come down. If I send something to you, you send something to me.
Deal?
Deal.
So right now I'm in Toledo, Spain. Its a gorgeous place, and is dying to be explored.
I just came from Ireland, having traveled in the United Kingdom,France, Switzerland, and Germany.
The cities I've been to in each of those places are: Berlin, Zurich, Interlaken, Bern, Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon, Paris, London, Beccles, Bristol, Bath, Brighton, Dublin, Stradbally, Madrid, and then Toledo (working backwards, respectively).
So since you're curious, let me tell you some wild stories that will entice the mind, soothe the soul, and invigorate the body. Thats right, you get all that without having to put a deposit down or anything. And you say I've never given you anything? Bah!
But I haven't told you the story yet. I get ahead of myself.
Onward and upward!
Germany:
I started my trip August 2nd, flying from Korea to Berlin. And upon my arrival who should I see but the wonderful, gleaming smiling face of my brother. We made quick work of getting to his apartment, dropping off my things, and moving onto the night scene which my brother is a master of, knowing the hippest and coolest of places. That night, despite my state of jet lag we went to a great ballroom dance night club that had tons of space, great music (disco, funk, latin, etc), and all styles of dances, including a new one I learned called disco-fox. Not for the close minded, I was asked by quite a few large men to dance. And I will say this: those men know how to lead. I was twirled back into my seat by a man with the strength of a thousands suns. After a brief moment, and not fully remembering how I got there, I thought to myself.
Hoochie Mama. There's no doubt about it; I was in Germany baby.
So from then on, my brother showed me a few of the more interesting (of which I later explored more indepth myself) monuments and places by bike. I could write a book on everything I saw in Berlin, but better than any book is just to go there yourself. I'll do the next best thing and post some pictures here! Also, I'm planning on writing that book so to give it away here would be a waste! After all, my time is valuable!
To my spectacular wonder, the ever so fabulous Laula Fritz of Berlin allowed me to stay rent free in one of her apartments for the week, with all the food I could not, wonderful bed, and a bicycle. Who could ask for more?
With that, I begin!
My first night began wth late night salsa and ballroom dancing.
It is right near the river the runs through Berlin, next to Museum Island, and it was a wonderful night. It can be seen below.
The next day, I explored Museum Island to nearly its fullest extent, of which the Pergamon is the most famous (for housing the ACTUAL Gates of Babylon). Seen below are a few shots from there, as well as a few highlights from the other historical museums
(Above left: Entrance to the Pergamon) (Below: the reconstructed Gates of Babylon that reside inside)
(Above: Different museums on Museum Island)
My favorite museum without question was the Hamburgh Banhof, the museum of Contemporary art housing works of Warhal, Picasso, and many others. Here are a few of my favorites (many of them are hard to capture as they're not just pictures but they have textures, sounds, etc.)
After that Banhof I stumbled upon what was perhaps one of the most beautiful places I've seen, studio 54 which in the back had a fantastic metal art gallery, surrounded by graffiti, treehouses, and paintings and murals. I knew there would be no way to recreate the experience, so I took a video that may capture it in the best sense (the music playing really did me in).
Unfortunately even after a week in Berlin I did not get to see everything I wanted. But I had a schedule to abide to. Zurich's infamous Street Parade, the largest technorave dance party in all of Europe, was August 8th. I think we can all agree it was an event that could not be missed and it was an event that could not be missed. So, as they say, outward and onward!
To Zurich!
Switzerland, Zurich
I arrived in Zurich in the morning to see the city bustling, preparing for the event. It was only 8:00 in the morning, and people had already begun purchasing their drinks, getting in the appropriate gear, and getting their groove on. I went to go find my Hostel, a quaint place with a beautiful rooftop terrace and a friendly staff, smack in the center of Zurich. I laid down my stuff, got dressed, and got ready to party.
By 11:00 this is what the city looked like:
Thousands upon thousands were in the streets, despite heavy rain, partying and dancing. I will say that I only made it to 10:00 at which point I passed out. I woke up at 6 AM to hear someone yell "DO THE ELECTRIC SLIDE MAN!" through my window drunkenly, and I decided I should go back to sleep.
The morning was an important time. Pretty much for the first time I met my relatives from Bern (the capitol of Swizterland), two of the most wonderful and lovely people I've met, Rina and Yosif Leiken. Once I saw how nice, friendly, and good looking they were I knew that they had to be related to me!
(above left: I had to put n this picture because not only is this the most wonderful shirt (read what it says, but I just so happen to have the same one!)
They took me to the House of the Effingers, a beautiful castle situated in Switzerland's rolling hills that had existed for centuries. There I saw some incredible things, my favorite being a garden exposition in the back filled with some of the most poisonious and deadly plants in the world!
(Above left: The crosses are a chart that tells you how poisonous the plants are. The highest you can go to is three, it being lethal to the touch! Yowsa!)
Below are some artistic shots from and around the castle and its extraordinary parts. There were also a multitude of animals (tropical parrots and such) roaming the outside areas as well!
(Above right and left: ...what do these look? Post your responses on the comment board at the end!
(Above left: the wine cellar)
(Above, animals and garden)
Afterwards they took me to their home, where a fantastic barbecue ensued, followed by music and a look at our family tree (and seeing how we were related). There I discovered I was Rina's 2nd cousin once removed.
Practically brother and sister!
My next voyage took me to one of the most magical places in the world, a city situated between 2 glacier lakes in the Alps. It is known as the Adrenaline capitol of the world as more extreme sports are done there than practically anywhere else!
Interlaken
What an amazingly beautiful place. Here I stayed in a hostel filled with so many adventure geeks that I couldn't resist! The Hostel itself was truly magnificent, practically a small town residing within. There were hammock dens, 6 floors, beutiful views from the rooftop with terraces, etc. AMAZING!
Here are some shots:
Not being able to resist all the activities, I decided to indulge a bit and do the activity that was most unique to the area: Canyoning!
Some of you know that I enjoy jumping off of big rocks into large pools of water. Or out of planes. Well, this was a little bit like that. But more unbelievable. Here's a dose of it!
Meeting some great people on the trip, we then finished our day by relaxing by the glacier lakes.
I only stayed for one more day doing some work, reading and relaxing. But there was too much to do! I then began my journey to France by going Geneva (where I saw the largest water fountain in the world) and finally arrive in Grenoble to meet with a friend of mine.
Here's some pictures of the fountain (it literally blocked out the sun...thats how big it was), shooting approx 140 meters into the air. It was practically a firemans hose!
(The fountain goes approximately 140 m in the air. The picture above right is a shot of the fountain stream literally blocking out the sun, which you can't see at all.)
France
Grenoble. So this is where my journey gets interesting. You see, perhaps I didn't plan things as I should have, or perhaps it was fate. But I arrive in Grenoble ready to meet with a friend that didn't quite know I was coming. And with that poor planning, and arriving quite late at night, and the only places available being quite expensive hotels, I decided to do what any good backpacker should do.
I pitched my tent in the middle of a bustling city. It was time to put it to good use.
It was glorious. And quite frankly, very comfortable. I should have set up my own hotel! But for the sake of time, not being able to appropriately rate my tent on the 5 star hotel system, and because I wanted to go to Paris, I decided not to.
Instead I packed up my tent (seen below) and took the train to Paris!
(I camped underneath a bridge. This is in the morning, you couldn't see enough at night!
Paris
Ahhhh...
The city of love. Love was certainly in the air without question. After all, now I was in Paris (wink wink)!
Once arriving in Paris, I needed to find directions to my Hostel, and thus needed free wi-fi. This is an important point to note merely for the fact that I knew I could get it at McDonalds, and I think it is only appropriate that the first place I went to in France was McDonalds.
Thats right. Me, an American, upon entering the city of love and joy and wonder started the experience in a McDonalds. Now for those of you shaking your heads I will say this in my defense. I find it only fitting that this act is a representative, symbolic measure of the cultural smack to the face that I was about to experience. Leaving the McDonalds WAS that symbolic journey of moving from America to the culture of France, and really Europe as a whole, all in a wonderful burger-encrusted nutshell. When I stepped foot out of that McDonalds, it hit me harder than a peice of meat to the face that I was now in France. Heck, I was in PARIS.
I felt the need to tell that to you.
Now that I found my bearings, I moved to my Hotel, which was a refurbished private mansion that was converted into a hostel. My view from my bed was a beautiful stained glass church window from the 15th century. Extraordinary!
(Above right: the plaza just directly below. It was a wonderful area!)
Having a tremendous amount of area to cover I decided to begin with most important cultural aspects of France. When I was in Zurich, Switzerland, I received a recommendation of something that simply couldn't be missed. I heard it from a retired race car mechanic that I met during Street Parade. He was from Northern Germany, was about the size of Arnold Schwartzenager, and had a voice higher than Michael Jackson. Ja (yah).
He told me that legend had it that there was a cafe just outside of the Louvre that advertised as having the best hot chocolate in the world.
I now had a mission. Find the chocolate.
Upon further inquiry, I discovered that the name of this place was Cafe Angelina, and rumour went on to say that one cup of this famed hot chocolate could fill an empty stomach.
I don't know about you, but this sounds like something Indiana Jones worthy. Perhaps he should have been searching for this instead of the Crystal Skull. Well, maybe for the next one Harrison Ford, eh?
Walking outside and around the Louvre was a journey in itself. Without even getting to the inside of it and all the unbelievable artwork (which, according to statistics, is said that if you devoted 30 seconds to each piece, ignoring the time taken walking from one work to the next, it would take about thirteen 24 hour days to see each piece), it is truly an amazing place. Below, since you could write a book on everything that's in the Louvre, I compiled a collage that has a few interesting things from when I went into the Museum as well as a picture of an extremely good looking man standing just outside of the Louvre's famous glass pyramids.
(If you enlarge the collage above left, there are some interesting things, and additionally a few strange things. I'll tell you what they are, but see if you can find them.
1: Could that be Indiana Jones' Famous Crystal Skull? Maybe not, but it is the real deal and completely made of Diamonds. Wow
2: The sword that killed Napoleon. Pretty cool, eh?
3: And to top it off, Napoleon's chair! Perhaps its a bit too high up for him...
4: Lastly, my own addition to the Louvre. And yes, its exactly what you're thinking it is. Didn't take too long either!)
Anyway, after about a half hour walk around the area, and much asking, I had arrived at Cafe Angelina. After being shuffled in by the clearly French Cuisine trained staff, they asked what I would like.
I didn't get beyond "Hot Choco..." before I was plunked down and a platter was placed before me containing all of the essential elements required for the experience.
I will say everything that was said about it was true. I went in on an empty stomach and left full. When it entered my mouth, my taste buds began a party of indescribable proportions. A rave ensued, and with every spoon the ensued the chocolate crowd surfed my tongue until the crowd of taste buds could hold it no longer.
All I can show you is my deliciously finished platter. You will all have to go to France to have the experience for yourself.
There is one more thing I can do to describe its taste. I happened to notice another man, sitting across me from, alone, who seemed to be having an certainly battling himself while having the hot chocolate. Fortunately my camera was handy, and I videotaped his facial expressions.
Have a look at the internal battle that is happening within. With every bite, an internal storm is occurring. First, he doesn't know how to respond. His face contorts in different directions, reacting instinctually to this foreign substance. However you'll notice that at some point something clicks and he almost looks around as if to say...did anybody else FEEL that? The incredible taste of CHOCOLATE!
It is at that point he washes it down, goes for more and scarfs down the whole thing. Truly a testament to the wonder of this chocolate.
This is how my experience of Paris started. After settling in, I explored the Pompidou for 4 hours, an architectural wonder (the building looks as if its been turned inside out!) as well as a unbelievable museum of modern art. Afterwards I headed to the unbelievable Louvre, the
Here are some of my favorite pieces (as well as the exterior of the museum). Enlarge the picture to get a better look at them!:
(Above left: If you look at a few of the pictures (these are some of my favorites from the Museum) you should see a few liars in the bunch. Do you know what I mean by this?)
(Above right: the exterior of the building)
Being atop the Notre Dame was unbelievable, but the process going up was just as cool. Did you know that it sits in the middle of the largest and busiest rotary in the world? 14 streets come off of it, and an accident happens an estimated every 30 seconds (fender benders count). Going up though, I experimented with the camera a bit on the unbelievable staircase!
Part of the Saint Chappelle and the glorious windows that tell the story of the bible in more than 1,000 small images!
Last but not least, I'll put a few more pictures of a few cool things that I captured that I either thought were funny, beautiful, or just worth capturing (maybe experimenting with my camera. This should be enough to take in for now. I'll be doing another update of England, Ireland, and Spain soon!
Germany:
(above left: The Holocaust Memorial. Something doesn't look unreal, as the experience being thereis just that)
(above left: no Berlin picture would be complete without the TV Tower)
(Above right: one of the murals of particular interest on the East Gallery of the Berlin Wall, which is being revamped)
(Above left: reflection of construction near the Pergamon) (Above right: a beautiful peice of graffiti work that I particularly like for its texture)
(below: Sunset at museum Island)
France:
(above left: street grafitti in the subway)
(above right: atop the Arche de Triumphe there must always be security guards. Here the glass chamber is where they sit in the winter. And whats loniliness, right?)
(Above left: One of my favorite sculptures in France. His expression is unbeatable. I imagine that he has encountered a foul odor of some sort)
(Above right: one of my favorite advertisement. There were two other similar matching dogs of different styles, but this guy seems the most intelligent)
(Above: On my way to the Eiffel tower I looked up trying to find it and this is what I saw was there to greet me. I figured that I should share the experience with you as well)
(Below:...There is no reason for this, but its just how you have fun when you travel alone. Enjoy!)
Switzerland:
(another shot of Interlaken)
(above: Bern, where my relatives lived near)
