As I was discussing with my good friend Kyle the other day via chat on the internet how ''Free'' is a great concept. It is especially great when you are a poor college kid spending all your money on traveling. Although free does not always mean quality sometimes it really does. Some people would argue ''The is no such thing as a free lunch.'' which may be true but at least it is a heck of a lot cheaper than the full price lunch.
So why all this talk about freeness? Well it just so happens that Berlin offers a free city walking tour and it was GREAT! The ''no free lunch part'' came at the end when we felt obligated to tip the guide because after all we did not pay for the tour (which was 3 hours and amazing). But still, it was way cheaper than similar activities so hooray there.
Our tour of Berlin was amazing and our guide (an English German, don't ask) really knew his stuff. He drug us all around the city to show us the historical and down right cool sights. According to Bryan, his history was legit. Berlin is a cool city because everything that we saw was modern history with a large part of it occurring during my lifetime. That was way more interesting to me than 1200-year-old ruins.
We saw the Berlin gate, Check-point Charlie, walked across where the death strip was, saw some of the remaining wall, stood on top of Hitler's bunker where he killed himself, saw the new Jewish Holocaust Memorial (very cool), heard escape stories to West Berlin from East Berlin, learned how the fall of the Berlin wall came about and much much more. All and all it was very good. I most definitely recommend the almost free tour of Berlin! :)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Vienna is Cool?
When I used to hear about Europe it was London this or Paris that. Italy is so rich in history and great food or the Spanish beaches are beautiful, yada, yada. But jeez, who knew that ol' Vienna was so cool?
For those history nerds who walk among us, the city is seeped in an interesting royal history that just ended less than a century ago. The buildings are beautiful and historic while also leaving room for the modern growth of the 21st century.
Everybody here speaks German (this language is becoming more handier by the moment) and appears in good spirits. We toured the royal apartments and it was the first time that I have ever been to a museum dedicated to someone from that country that did not portray them in some gleaming, all too perfect light. The information about Sisi (the Princess Diana of the late 1900's) stripped all the glory from her legend. Included on this tour was the royal silver collection (Bryan was so excited....). We also visited the Natural History Museum which I would say is what we would consider a Smithsonian.
Later at night we went to a classical concert as Vienna is known for their music and we needed to pretend like we got some culture on this trip. We also walked along side the canal that runs through the city where I took about a million pictures of graffiti. (For a school project as a I assured Bryan.)
At night we walked through the main parts of town which are wide open and watched street performers. My favorite was probably the guy making bubbles with a string tied to two giant sticks. He had a pack of 5-year-olds running beneath him, all trying to pop the bubbles first which was quite hilarious considering that most of the bubbles were bigger than them. He had to make the bubbles way above their heads so that the bubbles would last for at least a few seconds. It is amazing to see soapy water bring such enjoyment.
I wish we were staying longer because I think Vienna (or Wien pronounced Veen by the locals) has a lot more to offer but alas, we are off to Berlin.
For those history nerds who walk among us, the city is seeped in an interesting royal history that just ended less than a century ago. The buildings are beautiful and historic while also leaving room for the modern growth of the 21st century.
Everybody here speaks German (this language is becoming more handier by the moment) and appears in good spirits. We toured the royal apartments and it was the first time that I have ever been to a museum dedicated to someone from that country that did not portray them in some gleaming, all too perfect light. The information about Sisi (the Princess Diana of the late 1900's) stripped all the glory from her legend. Included on this tour was the royal silver collection (Bryan was so excited....). We also visited the Natural History Museum which I would say is what we would consider a Smithsonian.
Later at night we went to a classical concert as Vienna is known for their music and we needed to pretend like we got some culture on this trip. We also walked along side the canal that runs through the city where I took about a million pictures of graffiti. (For a school project as a I assured Bryan.)
At night we walked through the main parts of town which are wide open and watched street performers. My favorite was probably the guy making bubbles with a string tied to two giant sticks. He had a pack of 5-year-olds running beneath him, all trying to pop the bubbles first which was quite hilarious considering that most of the bubbles were bigger than them. He had to make the bubbles way above their heads so that the bubbles would last for at least a few seconds. It is amazing to see soapy water bring such enjoyment.
I wish we were staying longer because I think Vienna (or Wien pronounced Veen by the locals) has a lot more to offer but alas, we are off to Berlin.
Everyone can comment now!
So apparently you had to be a google user (aka have a gmail account) to leave a comment. Well this is true no longer! I believe that I have finally set it up so that anyone can leave a comment!
(Keep your fingers crossed though as I am not known for my computer skills...)
(Keep your fingers crossed though as I am not known for my computer skills...)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Spelunking in Austria
After surviving Austrian platforms and buying first-aid creams based on the picture on the front of the box because we do not speak German, we headed off to the small town of Hallstatt on the Hallstatt lake.
The town was pretty cool and we had to reach it by boat. It was a nice change from the big cities though it did rain most of the time we were there. It actually kind of reminded us of Oregon.
Since our first plan of swimming in the lake was foiled due to thunder showers, we decided to go spelunking (aka caving up in the mountains). It was not as hardcore as it sounds because the caves are open to the public and you have to go in with a guide. It was pretty fun though all the same.
We visited the giant ice cave and another cave that is over 80km long (divide by 5 and times by 3 for miles). The guide was really nice and gave the tour in German and in English for us. It was pretty funny because she started out in German first and then asked if anyone spoke English. Since it was just us, she made us come to the front (it was like Moses parting the waters or people I should say) so that should could explain everything to us in English.
The caves were freezing cold (literally) and dripping wet from the snow melt. It was pretty slick and Bryan almost slid down the path once (karma for laughing at me I think).
After that we booked it for some hot choclate which was well worth it!
The town was pretty cool and we had to reach it by boat. It was a nice change from the big cities though it did rain most of the time we were there. It actually kind of reminded us of Oregon.
Since our first plan of swimming in the lake was foiled due to thunder showers, we decided to go spelunking (aka caving up in the mountains). It was not as hardcore as it sounds because the caves are open to the public and you have to go in with a guide. It was pretty fun though all the same.
We visited the giant ice cave and another cave that is over 80km long (divide by 5 and times by 3 for miles). The guide was really nice and gave the tour in German and in English for us. It was pretty funny because she started out in German first and then asked if anyone spoke English. Since it was just us, she made us come to the front (it was like Moses parting the waters or people I should say) so that should could explain everything to us in English.
The caves were freezing cold (literally) and dripping wet from the snow melt. It was pretty slick and Bryan almost slid down the path once (karma for laughing at me I think).
After that we booked it for some hot choclate which was well worth it!
I should have paid more attention in physics class!
There is some law in physics about a body in motion and what not. As it turns out, I should have paid more attention during that lecture because I learned that lesson first hand.
Here is the recap:
Here is the recap:
- We are riding on a train out to the middle of no-where Austria and the stops are not marked well.
- Suddenly we discover that we need to get off the train and scramble for our bags and the exit.
- The train starts moving again (and yes, we are still on it).
- Oh, no! We are going to have to jump! (You can probably see where this is going.)
- Kim jumps off the train and onto the platform.
Bryan's Point of View:
- Kim jumped off the train and now I have to too, crap! I saw her hit the ground then she disappeared. I only have about a three foot window to look through though. At least I know that sh is on the platform.
Kim's Point of View:
- I was looking at the platform when I jumped and then I was looking at the platform from a different angle. I am laying on the ground and I am sure that I look like a turtle that has been tipped on its back. My first thought, jeez I hope that Bryan jumped off too. Then I looked up and see him standing on the platform. Second thought, WHAT THE HECK?! Why is he standing? Slight hope, Maybe he fell and hopped up really quickly.
The Reality:
- Kim has massive scabs on her elbow and shin on her left side.
- Bryan is laughing hysterically at the situation.
Lessons Learned:
- When jumping off a train... KEEP RUNNING! Bryan did because he remember that they did that in a movie once. As it turns out, it works!
- Do not jump off a train while wearing a huge backpack. As it turns out, it screws up your momentum and will throw you to the ground. Bryan did not have enough time to put his on and jumped off with his backpack in his hand. (Lucky)
- Crashing into pavement is like a cheese grater to the skin, ow.
- They make it look easier on TV (big surprise).
- Carry more band-aids if planning to do crazy stunts.
- Pay more attention in physics class from now on!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Rest of Munich
Thank the Lord for clouds. Munich was much more our style when it came to the temperature. Despite having fun, Bryan wanted to go on an educational jaunt so we headed out to the Dachau Memorial.
Quick Facts:
Dachau (or Dakau to the english speakers) was the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany. Officially, it was for political prisoners and those in protective custody. It served as a model for the many camps to come after it across eastern Europe. As we all know, there was a little bit more to it than the basic description. Although people were not sent to the gas camber there (they did have one), they were worked to death, expirmented on, and starved. The grounds where the camp once stood now serve as a memorial. Visitors are ushered in, shown photographs, videos, and read horrific stories. The words ''Never Again'' are on the outside of the main building in several different languages.
My Question is this:
Are people inherently good? bad? weak? or is in just survival or the fittest?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a lighter note....
SNEAK PEAKS ROCK!!
We found this awesome theater that shows films in their original language. Every Friday night they have something called a sneak peak. They show a new movie that could come out next week or maybe in three months. The catch is that no one knows what it is until it starts so it is a surprise for everyone. People get very excited and it was a lot of fun. We ended up seeing GI Joes (think of a cheesy blend between x-man and star wars) which was a big deal because I guess that it is not coming out for a while. I wish Corvallis had theaters that did a surprise sneak peak. Maybe I will start one...
Quick Facts:
Dachau (or Dakau to the english speakers) was the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany. Officially, it was for political prisoners and those in protective custody. It served as a model for the many camps to come after it across eastern Europe. As we all know, there was a little bit more to it than the basic description. Although people were not sent to the gas camber there (they did have one), they were worked to death, expirmented on, and starved. The grounds where the camp once stood now serve as a memorial. Visitors are ushered in, shown photographs, videos, and read horrific stories. The words ''Never Again'' are on the outside of the main building in several different languages.
My Question is this:
Are people inherently good? bad? weak? or is in just survival or the fittest?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a lighter note....
SNEAK PEAKS ROCK!!
We found this awesome theater that shows films in their original language. Every Friday night they have something called a sneak peak. They show a new movie that could come out next week or maybe in three months. The catch is that no one knows what it is until it starts so it is a surprise for everyone. People get very excited and it was a lot of fun. We ended up seeing GI Joes (think of a cheesy blend between x-man and star wars) which was a big deal because I guess that it is not coming out for a while. I wish Corvallis had theaters that did a surprise sneak peak. Maybe I will start one...
Sledding in Trees
That was not a misprint my friends. Not through or around but in....
We are a little museumed out (hey, it happens to the best of us) so we decided to take a little adventure in Munich, aka high ropes course!
For those of you who do not know what this is, I will try to give you a little background info. Ropes courses are suppose to be challenging and fun. There are different courses, usually between trees, called elements. An element can consist of many different things but usually involves wire cables, balancing, and getting from point a to point b. The place that we went to had elements 20 to 40 feet up in the air so we were also harnessed into a cable that was conneted at all times.
It was so much fun and all of the elements were very different. They had ziplines, skies hanging that you had to walk across, a tarzan style swing, hanging milk crates to walk accross, a tunnel, and much much more.
My personal favorite was the sled. They had this sled hooked up on wire cables that ran between two trees for about 30 feet. It was old school and I had to hunch over and everything. Bryan like the tarzan swing the best and was excited to go ziplining for the first time.
It was really funny watching the people who worked there trying to explain the directions to us (it is a self belay system) beacuse they did not speak very much english. I kept filling in vocab words for them like harness and cable until eventually they said just watch and demonstrated instead. All and all is was great fun (even for Bryan who is not so keen on heights...)
We are a little museumed out (hey, it happens to the best of us) so we decided to take a little adventure in Munich, aka high ropes course!
For those of you who do not know what this is, I will try to give you a little background info. Ropes courses are suppose to be challenging and fun. There are different courses, usually between trees, called elements. An element can consist of many different things but usually involves wire cables, balancing, and getting from point a to point b. The place that we went to had elements 20 to 40 feet up in the air so we were also harnessed into a cable that was conneted at all times.
It was so much fun and all of the elements were very different. They had ziplines, skies hanging that you had to walk across, a tarzan style swing, hanging milk crates to walk accross, a tunnel, and much much more.
My personal favorite was the sled. They had this sled hooked up on wire cables that ran between two trees for about 30 feet. It was old school and I had to hunch over and everything. Bryan like the tarzan swing the best and was excited to go ziplining for the first time.
It was really funny watching the people who worked there trying to explain the directions to us (it is a self belay system) beacuse they did not speak very much english. I kept filling in vocab words for them like harness and cable until eventually they said just watch and demonstrated instead. All and all is was great fun (even for Bryan who is not so keen on heights...)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
