Weather-Pest

Forty degrees centigrade. Thats about 100 for all you farenheiters out there. That is what thermometer read this morning when we ventured out into the beautiful city of Budapest. Seth and I grumbled for a bit, but we really can't complain much because we are on vacation. As we walked down the Danube River, which separates Buda from Pest, we took in the town. Drinking our carbonated water (which would have been regular flat water had it not been for the terrible translation/guess on our parts) we walked to the center square to meet up with our free walking tour.

There are free walking tours in many major cities in Europe. The guides work off of tips, the tours are more of a pay what you can rather than free, and are generally very knowledgeable. This guide was no different. The one thing that Seth and I could not stop giggling about was that the guide had what were obviously pre-planned jokes and as he would tell them he would just plow right through the punch lines. No delivery, no change of tone to set you up for the punch line. I compare it to the post office for myself. You hand the guy an important letter and he takes it without even acknowledging that you are alive. You know what, that was an unbelievably bad analogy. Well, you know what I mean.While we were on the tour the clouds piled up ominously. Seth and I looked at each other and immediately knew that the torrential rain was coming, and fast. Not more than thirty minutes later did the heavens open and let out more appocolyptic rain. The wind was howling, the rain pouring, and it was only by chance that Seth and I were inside the castle and could seek refuge, or "refugee" as our guide put it. Luckily the rain subsided enough for us to make our way back to the hostel. A couple of other guys staying at the hostel showed us a video they took of a tree falling down literally right in front of them from the wind today. Seth and I did something to piss off the weather gods apparently. The temperature when we got back to the hostel was 14 degrees celsius, or about 60 degrees farenheit. It was an interesting weather pattern today.

Travel While Traveling

Traveling is always an interesting affair. Travel within my home country is good enough, what with delays, baggage charges, traffic, crappy ineffecient rail systems, but adding a language barrier and frustrated pesonnel brings a new dimension. I understand why the workers are not that receptive to tourists. I challenge anyone to work a job where you are constantly asked if you speak any of a hundred different languages and then people get frustrated with you if you say no. We got to the train station in Prague just in time for the 11am train to Budapest. What we didn't find out until we got to the station was that there was no 11am train, but a 12:30 one. No problem.

We got on the right train, sat down, and enjoyed one of the hottest train rides ever. I have never lost so much water weight by just sitting in a chair. To add to the experience we were treated to a Czech group and their dog. Train ride aside, we made it to Budapest. We are actually staying the Pest region, no joke, I just found out that there is a Buda section and a Pest section.

We arrived at our hostel and it is a hostel. Bunk beds and communal living will be our living situation. It has been so nice knowing people where we have stayed, so it is a little sad not living with a local, but this will do. We are just bidding our time until they finish cleaning our room at the Four Seasons. Oh, and on a side note, Seth and I figured out why Europeans aren't fat. It is the soda. You get an 8 ounce soda for a $1.50 and no refills or ice. In the states, a small is a large and there are always free refills. USA! USA!

I'm Krumov-ing It!

Hi all,

Seth here, writing my first blog entry. As you can see I have grown some silly facial hair. I was inspired by the great Jewish philospher Hillel--if not now, when? So, we are about t0 leave Prague. First of all, I must thank David Chacon, who graciously hooked us up with our host Richard. And Richard for housing us of course. It has been such an amazing stay.

So, today we had an adventure. We convinced our new friends--two Irish guys and a Candian who we met on the train ride from Berlin to Prague--to join us in renting a car and driving to Czecy Krumlov. Rick Steves said that if you see only one city outside of Prague, see Krumlov.

The rental car agent smirked as he handed Sean the keys. "You guys got the mini-porsche."

Here is said Porsche

along with Warren, Cormac and Cami. You know the two studs in the front. The Chevy Spark has .8 liters of raw power. Manual transmission and manual airconditioning (open windows, stick head out). Warren, the tallest of us five, ended up in the middle seat in the back. All the foreigners managed to fall asleep on the drive over as Sean and I enjoyed the countryside. Sean, by the way, is a rock star driver, weaving his way in and out of the streets of Prague. I am not quite the best navigator. ("That street doesn't exist! Where the hell is Czarlkyts!). Somehow we managed to get on the highway, where we learned that Czech drivers have a death wish and no highway patrol. They were going at least ninety on two lane roads and we were passed by everyone but the scooters. Granted, we pushed the Spark to it's limit and it only got up to about 70...downhill, windows up, pedal to the floor.

We made it to Krumlov cramped and hot, but ready for our day. It was a beautiful small town, much like Prague but quieter and quainter. We sat down by the small river that runs through the town and had some more delicious delicious pivo (Czech beer). I don't think I will ever be able to drink Budwiser again. I ordered the smaller size and felt a little silly. Here's the bar and the beer (only 1 dollar!)

We took Rick's recommended tour and enjoyed the beautiful day. The ride home was smooth, I redeemed myself with improved navigating skills, and we dropped the Irishmen off at the train station and Cami at her hostel. We hope to meet up with them again in Croatia. So here's one final picture of Prague's beautiful church for your enjoyment.

Today was our day to visit Prague's Castle. The castle sits atop a hill across the river from the city's main square. There is a gothic church that juts up from the center of the castle, ominously looming over the entire city. It is a truly "savage" building as Cormac, our new Irish friend, would say. Our Frommer's guide book told us that the walk to the castle should only be attempted by those in good condition, or avid walkers. Seth and I braved the cobbles and made the trek over to the castle.

The church at the center of the castle is perhaps one of the most intricatley ornamented structures that I have ever beheld. I never knew that you could fit so many gargoyles on a building, but apparently you can put a gargoyle on top of a gargoyle on top of a gargoyle. There are a shit load of gargoyles on that church. The castle itself is neat, but it is the view of the city that really makes the castle prime real estate.

Seth and I explored the Little Quarter near the castle and ended up having a romantic pizza dinner in a little Italian restaurant at the base of the hill. We were both starving and as we ordered we looked around and realized that we were the only couple in the restaurant that wasn't a couple, if you know what I'm saying. We made sure to abide by all the "Bro Laws" and not eat off each others plates or anything.

Seth and I spend most of our days walking around the city just gabbing about how amazing this place is. At first the massive amounts of tourists was a bit off putting, but I have learned to love the crowds seeing as there are always new people to meet. Just today as I was walking down the street I passed an older gentlemen who was carrying a trumpet case. I said to,"trumpet huh? I play trumpet as well." He looked at me and asked me where I was from. When I told him Los Angeles he started to name off some of his favorite L.A. trumpet players and I would finish the names he would start to say. After swapping our favorite players I asked him who he plays with in Prague and he told me, very nonchalantly,"I am theco-principal in the Prague Symphony Orchestra." My only reply was a big grin, so I shook his hand and asked him if he was tired of playing Dvorak to which he just laughed. Dvorak is the most famous Czech composer, and I know that the Prague Orchestra plays his pieces quite a bit, so I know he got the joke.

The people, the castles, the churches, this city has all kinds of tricks up it's sleeve when it comes to surprising me with greatness. Seth and I have had a great time, even if we did have to take a tram up a hill only to not have enough cash to get up the observation tower which led to a 30 minute wild goose chase in search of an ATM. It was worth it, though, if nothing else for the museum dedicated to the man voted "Best Czech of All Time". His name was Jara da Cimrman and he never existed. He was created by two comedians in the 60s and has since become a piece of Czech folklore. So much so that when a poll was taken a few years ago as to the greatest Czech, Cimrman won the voting. What kind of citizenry votes a made up guy the best of their country. Funny stuff.

Welcome to Czech Republic

As we got the subway the other day, we looked at the prices for the various subway passes. The three day pass was more expensive, by a noticable amount, than a one day pass, which made no sense to Seth and I. In the U.S. when you buy something in bulk you tend to get a discount because you are paying more up front. In the Czech Rupublic, however, the it seems to be the other way around. When we asked our new Czech friend why this is, he merely shrugged his shoulders and said, "Welcome to the Czech Republic," in his Czech accent. I couldn't help but laugh.

This country has an interesting history. Seth and I took a walking tour through the city and it was fascinating. The Czech Republic has an incredibly lengthy history, over one thousand years, yet they only have about twenty years of independence. The benefit of this, is that much of their buildings and man made structures are still in tact, which leaves a city that is hundreds of years old, and looks every bit it's age.

Prague, in particular, has an interesting history. There are Protestant and Catholic churches, opulant structures that they are, right across the street from one another. There is a water line on nearly every building in Prague where the flood of 2000 came through. Prague and the Czech Republic have an interesting history, mostly because of their location. They are the only country in what is considered Central Europe. This geographic uniqueness has made the Czech Republic kind of a trading card between power hungry empires that have tried conquering Europe. In 1989, after the Soviets left, Czech, Czechoslovakia at the time, was finally granted independence.

Prague has a few interesting pieces of history, like their Defenestrations. Defenestration is a word used when someone is killed by being thrown out of a window. Prague natives have used this tactic a few times in their history, the latest being in 1947 when throwing Communists out of a window. Although this mob punishment tactic is not limited to Prague, it just so happens that it is a staple of their history. The funniest defenestration, or attempted defenestration, was in the 1600s when a mob of Protestants descended on the Kings rescidence when the King had ceased construction of a Protestant church. The protestants were looking for the King to throw out a window, but could not find him because he was hiding after he caught wind of the uprising, so instead the mob through a couple of Governors and a secratary out of the window. The window the mob chose, however, was one that lead to an embankment, which had a pileof manure at the base of it. The defenestrees (I'm not sure if that is a word, but you know what I mean) landed unharmed. I just think it that is a funny story, plus my brother Bryan gave me the heads up to look for that story, which was mentioned on the tour. An interesting piece of Czech history is that the Czechs gave us the microwave, so thank the Czech Republic next time you heat up a Hot Pocket filled with melted chees and gooey goodness. Thanks Czech Republic.

Ah Hoy!

We arrived in Prague today. The best part about Prague is saying hello. To say hello it is "Ah Hoy." I am guessing that all pirates are from Prague, and for the whole time I am here I am going say hello just like a pirate. I am sure the novelty will wear off, but for now it's a pirates life for me. What a great country the Czech Republic is. You get to say Ah Hoy everyday, how cool is that?

Our mode of travel into Prague was the train. It was an interesting experience as we did not have a reservation for a seat, which meant that we would snatch up a seat on a first come, first serve basis. Although it was not the mad dash that I expected, there was a good deal of eyeballing from those walking by who were not lucky enough to grab a seat. They would look at us and, in the most polite manner possible, we would give them the non-verbal "can't sit here" body language. Seth and I completely lucked out and were placed in a little cubicle, which seats 6, with two Irish guys, a girl from Canada, and a girl from South Korea. Seth and I had planned to sleep the five hour train ride to Prague away, but instead we had a blast chatting it up with our train mates. It really made the time fly from Berlin to Prague as we all shared stories of the different sights in Berlin. The Irish guys were great too because their accents are just brilliant. Sometimes I can barely recognize their English, but I still would chuckle just because they sound like a Lucky Charms commercial.

When we got to Prague our host, Richard, met us at the train station. He had train passes for us and took us straight to the subway and to his apartment. Seth was very appreciative of this, as was I, since it meant not having to listen to Seth bitch about how his back pack weighed as much as a humpback whale. After settling down, we headed back into the city center where we were treated to perhaps the most beautiful city that Seth or I have ever been to.

Walking on the cobblestone streets you turn a corner and are treated to grand buildings, medieval architecture, and just some of the most awe-inspiring castles that I have seen. I had no idea that anything like this existed outside of Disneyland or fairy tales. As far as first impressions go, Prague has been the most stunning. I can not wait to explore more tomorrow.

Karoke

You haven't experienced American pop music until you have been assaulted by the sonic waves of German karaoke being thrown at you. Today Seth, Jose, our amazing host while staying in Berlin, and I headed to the flea market near the soccer stadium. On Sunday most businesses are closed, which drives those craving to consume to the flea market. Jose was kind enough to take us to the flea market so that we could get a taste of the not so touristy side of Berlin. It was well worth it.

The flea market portion was like any other flea market, with cheap, old stuff that I am amazed people buy. Who needs a broken extension cord? Apparently, someone does, because the guy selling it wouldn't sell it if it didn't sell. I liked my man Seth's observation of the Captain America comic book transalted into German. The irony being that Captain America's chief purpose in the early issues was to fight the Germans. I think Seth and I were the only one's chuckling at that, but it just goes to show that capitalism knows no boundaries.

As we made our way through the market we stumbled upon an outdoor festival. There was a grass embankment with hundreds of people sitting, watching a stage so we moved in for a peek. As we got closer we realized that the singing was slightly off key and the tune was familiar. The scene had all the familiar markings of karaoke, including alcohol. I might mention that Germans drink beer. I don't mean that they drink it with dinner, or in bars, they drink on the subway, walking across the street, waiting for the bus. There is no open carry law in Germany so anyone who wants a drink has one, and usually takes it to go. This is alien to me, being that in the states you can hardly transport a closed container of alcohol from point A to point B.

As we grabbed a patch of grass, we sat and listened to the talent-less talent show. I must say that there are some songs that are least more entertaining, although far more painful to listen to, when being performed by someone who speaks not a lick of English. My favorite of the day was a German guy's rendition of James Brown's ""I Feel Good." The guy was not that bad, but he got the crowd into it, and I'm a sucker for a performer. (note from Seth: I don't think Sean has imparted to you the way this place felt. There were perhaps 1 THOUSAND Germans cheering their heads off at some 15 year old's rendition of "Since U Been Gone." Like Bruce frikkin Springsteen was rocking the house down. Insanity. I still can't get over it).

The festival was a great place to people watch. I heard a surprising amount of English as we walked through the crowds. There were a few guys playing basketball, kids playing on a jungle gym, and groups of people everywhere, just enjoying the lazy Sunday afternoon. Seth, Jose, and I all had a great time relaxing with the Berliners. Seth even found a messenger bag to replace his ridiculous fanny pack. Seth contends that the fanny pack is making a comeback, but I insist that is impossible because it was never in. The popped collar, however, seems to be alive and well in many parts of Europe.