So I wanted to make this a real wiz-bang of an email since Thanksgiving is tomorrow. So, here it goes I hope you all like it. :)
When I wrote last I was in Vienna. Since then I have gone across 7 different countries, stopped in 9 different cities and spent more cash than I intended to. But it was definitely the most beat experience of my entire life. So I set off from Vienna on an overnight to Warsaw Poland. I'm not sure if it was the overnight train that was at least 90 degrees in the compartment or whether Warsaw really isn't that nice but I only stayed two hours there before I caught a train to Krakow.
Krakow is pretty cool. The whole city is pretty much under construction though so its difficult to get around. I went around the town when I got in and saw all the sights. They have the most fantastic castle there and very delicious pastries. The entire city was very wonderfully communist, and in turn depressing. No bullet holes in the walls of the buildings like Berlin, but maybe I didn't look close enough. For some reason I decided I needed to buy some aviators so I looked around. Soon enough I found the biggest mall ever. Each floor is about the size of Cottonwood mall, and there's three of them. three floors of crazy junk nobody needs. And no aviators. Maybe I didn't look hard enough. It's probably the latter. I had wanted to come to Krakow for Auschwitz. It's something people told me had to be seen in person. That night I went to bed relatively early after watching some cartoons. The first cartoons since I left the states that were in English. What a ball! haha. In the morning I hopped a train to Auschwitz. It was a sad place and what I was told was most certainly correct. It has to be seen in person. The rooms filled with discarded shoes, hair brushes, pots and pans and human hair. The gas chambers and crematoria. There was nothing abstract or circumstantial about it all. The very form, not even delving into function, simply the very form of Auschwitz and its successive camps was indeed evil. The double walled electrified barbed wire. I wont go on and get you all depressed. Not that my writing is of sufficient quality to influence emotion. But if someone ever tells you that Auschwitz is something you should see in your lifetime and see it in person, then I would believe them.
\n \nBack to Krakow. Hour and a half bus ride with two Polish guys sitting behind me kicking my seat. I wanted to turn around and call them a really bad name or maybe tell them to go jump out the window but all I could think to say was less intimidating. I got up my courage, turned around and said, "You live in Poland!" and then I turned back around, moved one seat further down the aisle and sat back down. Got \'em good. :P\n\n \nI learned that evening that a night train for over 100 euro was the only was to get to Praha (Prague) which was my next destination. Since I had heard stories that the night train from Krakow Poland to Prague, Czech Republic was notorious for having its passengers gassed and property stolen: I figured out another route. So I flew to Frankfurt Germany. Cool place. Six hour layover, and a night train to from Frankfurt to Prague only ended up costing me 80 euro. good deal. Prague.\n\n \nAh Prague. What a magnificent and amazing city. I got in around 8, slept until 12 and had a look around. I saw the crazy clock in the town center, the Charles Bridge I think its called and the town square. I also got some Christmas shopping done at the Prague market. Secrets. I stayed the night in Prague and woke up early to go see the Prague Castle. Really glad I decided to do that. The climb up the old stairs was hard but I made it to the top. The fog of Prague, it\'s a sight to behold. Pictures. The cathedral INSIDE the castle was amazing. About the size of Notre Dame in Paris and what made it extra-ordinary was that it was inside a castle. haha. cool huh? gotta see it. gotta see it. Jumped a bus to Cesky Krumlov. Met a Frenchman. talked EU economics. and arrived in a city to shame Prague, Paris, Berlin, Brussels and any of those. \n\n \nCesky Krumlov. I wish I could be there now. Minus the bed bugs. It takes about 15 minutes to walk across the main city of Cesky Krumlov but you could spend a lifetime there and never learn every street\'s secrets. And secrets they have. You could spend two lifetimes there and never have the time that I did. You could spend three lifetimes in Cesky Krumlov and well, we should all be so lucky. The first day I arrived late and pretty much went straight to bed. There were two girls staying in the dorm who were both teaching English in Prague. They were very nice. My first full day in Krumlov the Frenchman and I wandered around the city streets, admiring the uniquely painted buildings kept by magic as they were well over 300 years ago. Then we went up to the Castle. I\'m not going to tell you about the time I had with the Frenchman because the time I had with the American Girls I met the next day was far more fun! Not that the Frenchman wasn\'t entertaining. he was. slightly. only slightly. What a story. I hope I don\'t leave anything out. I\'ll try not to.\n",1]
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Back to Krakow. Hour and a half bus ride with two Polish guys sitting behind me kicking my seat. I wanted to turn around and call them a really bad name or maybe tell them to go jump out the window but all I could think to say was less intimidating. I got up my courage, turned around and said, "You live in Poland!" and then I turned back around, moved one seat further down the aisle and sat back down. Got 'em good. :P
I learned that evening that a night train for over 100 euro was the only was to get to Praha (Prague) which was my next destination. Since I had heard stories that the night train from Krakow Poland to Prague, Czech Republic was notorious for having its passengers gassed and property stolen: I figured out another route. So I flew to Frankfurt Germany. Cool place. Six hour layover, and a night train to from Frankfurt to Prague only ended up costing me 80 euro. good deal. Prague.
Ah Prague. What a magnificent and amazing city. I got in around 8, slept until 12 and had a look around. I saw the crazy clock in the town center, the Charles Bridge I think its called and the town square. I also got some Christmas shopping done at the Prague market. Secrets. I stayed the night in Prague and woke up early to go see the Prague Castle. Really glad I decided to do that. The climb up the old stairs was hard but I made it to the top. The fog of Prague, it's a sight to behold. Pictures. The cathedral INSIDE the castle was amazing. About the size of Notre Dame in Paris and what made it extra-ordinary was that it was inside a castle. haha. cool huh? gotta see it. gotta see it. Jumped a bus to Cesky Krumlov. Met a Frenchman. talked EU economics. and arrived in a city to shame Prague, Paris, Berlin, Brussels and any of those.
Cesky Krumlov. I wish I could be there now. Minus the bed bugs. It takes about 15 minutes to walk across the main city of Cesky Krumlov but you could spend a lifetime there and never learn every street's secrets. And secrets they have. You could spend two lifetimes there and never have the time that I did. You could spend three lifetimes in Cesky Krumlov and well, we should all be so lucky. The first day I arrived late and pretty much went straight to bed. There were two girls staying in the dorm who were both teaching English in Prague. They were very nice. My first full day in Krumlov the Frenchman and I wandered around the city streets, admiring the uniquely painted buildings kept by magic as they were well over 300 years ago. Then we went up to the Castle. I'm not going to tell you about the time I had with the Frenchman because the time I had with the American Girls I met the next day was far more fun! Not that the Frenchman wasn't entertaining. he was. slightly. only slightly. What a story. I hope I don't leave anything out. I'll try not to.
\n \nAfter walking around for a few good hours the Frenchman and I went back to the hostel. Hostel 99 was its name and sanitation was not always its game. A few bed bugs to be sure, but, surprisingly enough that didnt put a downer on the experience at all. That night we watched a documentary on the making of The Dark Side of the Moon. It was way chill. Then we went to bed. Well the Frenchman went to bed. I got the sudden impulse to get up and get a glass of water from the kitchen. And who should I find but two of the kindest most beautiful girls I\'ve ever had the pleasure of spending a day with. I talked with them slightly a day or so before in Prague but only in passing. We sat in the kitchen and played Uno for a while. I told them of my plans to leave the next day with the Frenchman. Stay! They said. So I did. haha. Didn\'t take much convincing.\n\n \nThe next day I went with the Frenchman to the bus station and said my farewells and my gratefuls for his companionship. I went back to Hostel 99 and grabbed some chocolate cereal. What delicious cereal! And good milk too! Everything is cheaper in Czech Republik. The angels, Katy (not Paris Katy, different Katy) and Britney, hadn\'t woken up yet. I read a new book a nice Canadian guy gave me called Neverwhere which is turning out to be really good! Where to begin? ok. So the girls woke up around 12 and we headed out for the Castle of Cesky Krumlov. The Castle itself sits atop a high cliff overlooking the city of Krumlov. At night it is all lit up and splendiforous. The city itself is lined with shops selling jewelry and all sorts of objects of wonder. Katy, Britney and I headed up the castle walk and admired the view. We took lots of silly photos along the way. In the middle of the castle, a bunch of Japanese tourists asked Katy "Picture?" "Why not she said?" and reached for the camera. Misconception. They wanted to take a picture OF her. And with her too. haha. the cutest old men, flirting with a girl who\'s smile charmed the sky. We pressed on up the Castle walk. Then we came to the gardens. The gardens are my favorite part. It reminded me of Versailles, but not nearly as grand. No these gardens were far more personal considering Katy, Britney and I were the only ones in them. Acres and Acres of hedges, neatly kept. Rows and rows of ancient trees planted in uniform precision. The trees might have seemed dead. Its just that they didn\'t have any leaves. Maybe they were dead. Maybe I didn\'t look close enough. Go play in the fountain Britney told Katy and I. So we did. There wasn\'t any water in it, but we pretend to be taking a bath in the gigantic stone fountain. Maybe in summer they have water in it. I bet they do. Still, I loved it then. It was cold so we kept moving on toward the back of the gardens. There was a pond back there. The funniest pond I\'ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. It was perfectly square. Perfectly pondish, with an island in the middle and a little boat in one corner. It was all bordered by a trim of tall tall leafless trees. We started taking bets of who would jump in first. It was so cold. haha. Nobody ended up taking the plunge, but I think Britney was pretty close at 1000 Csech dollars(approximately 50$US). Fun times. We took pictures playing in the piles of leaves someone had so careful spent hours piling up. We didn\'t make too big a mess though. We left quickly. \n",1]
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After walking around for a few good hours the Frenchman and I went back to the hostel. Hostel 99 was its name and sanitation was not always its game. A few bed bugs to be sure, but, surprisingly enough that didnt put a downer on the experience at all. That night we watched a documentary on the making of The Dark Side of the Moon. It was way chill. Then we went to bed. Well the Frenchman went to bed. I got the sudden impulse to get up and get a glass of water from the kitchen. And who should I find but two of the kindest most beautiful girls I've ever had the pleasure of spending a day with. I talked with them slightly a day or so before in Prague but only in passing. We sat in the kitchen and played Uno for a while. I told them of my plans to leave the next day with the Frenchman. Stay! They said. So I did. haha. Didn't take much convincing.
The next day I went with the Frenchman to the bus station and said my farewells and my gratefuls for his companionship. I went back to Hostel 99 and grabbed some chocolate cereal. What delicious cereal! And good milk too! Everything is cheaper in Czech Republik. The angels, Katy (not Paris Katy, different Katy) and Britney, hadn't woken up yet. I read a new book a nice Canadian guy gave me called Neverwhere which is turning out to be really good! Where to begin? ok. So the girls woke up around 12 and we headed out for the Castle of Cesky Krumlov. The Castle itself sits atop a high cliff overlooking the city of Krumlov. At night it is all lit up and splendiforous. The city itself is lined with shops selling jewelry and all sorts of objects of wonder. Katy, Britney and I headed up the castle walk and admired the view. We took lots of silly photos along the way. In the middle of the castle, a bunch of Japanese tourists asked Katy "Picture?" "Why not she said?" and reached for the camera. Misconception. They wanted to take a picture OF her. And with her too. haha. the cutest old men, flirting with a girl who's smile charmed the sky. We pressed on up the Castle walk. Then we came to the gardens. The gardens are my favorite part. It reminded me of Versailles, but not nearly as grand. No these gardens were far more personal considering Katy, Britney and I were the only ones in them. Acres and Acres of hedges, neatly kept. Rows and rows of ancient trees planted in uniform precision. The trees might have seemed dead. Its just that they didn't have any leaves. Maybe they were dead. Maybe I didn't look close enough. Go play in the fountain Britney told Katy and I. So we did. There wasn't any water in it, but we pretend to be taking a bath in the gigantic stone fountain. Maybe in summer they have water in it. I bet they do. Still, I loved it then. It was cold so we kept moving on toward the back of the gardens. There was a pond back there. The funniest pond I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. It was perfectly square. Perfectly pondish, with an island in the middle and a little boat in one corner. It was all bordered by a trim of tall tall leafless trees. We started taking bets of who would jump in first. It was so cold. haha. Nobody ended up taking the plunge, but I think Britney was pretty close at 1000 Csech dollars(approximately 50$US). Fun times. We took pictures playing in the piles of leaves someone had so careful spent hours piling up. We didn't make too big a mess though. We left quickly.
\n \nI\'m afraid that\'s all the time i have today. Its been a long week and I\'m in Rome now. Rome!!! crazy huh? I love it. If anyone wants to they can eat an extra turkey leg for me. Oh and an extra slice of pumpkin pie. I love pumpkin pie. I also love chocolate pie. Oh! And mashed potatoes too! and gravy!!! You can skip on the cranberries sauce thingy. Oh! And you could also watch Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Cuz that\'s my favorite movie right now cuz it reminds me of Ireland. And it\'s just an awesome movie. And if anyone gets really crazy they cold eat extra turkey, pumpkin and chocolate pie and mashed potatoes while watching The Lord of the Rings. That\'s what I would do. haha. Ay me.\n\n \nTad\n \nToday I would like to thank Katy and Britney and the Frenchman for being awesome and letting me syphon their personalities and enjoy their company. They made the trip worth it. Even with the Bed Bugs.\n-- Micah 7:8 \n\n",0]
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I'm afraid that's all the time i have today. Its been a long week and I'm in Rome now. Rome!!! crazy huh? I love it. If anyone wants to they can eat an extra turkey leg for me. Oh and an extra slice of pumpkin pie. I love pumpkin pie. I also love chocolate pie. Oh! And mashed potatoes too! and gravy!!! You can skip on the cranberries sauce thingy. Oh! And you could also watch Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Cuz that's my favorite movie right now cuz it reminds me of Ireland. And it's just an awesome movie. And if anyone gets really crazy they cold eat extra turkey, pumpkin and chocolate pie and mashed potatoes while watching The Lord of the Rings. That's what I would do. haha. Ay me.
Tad
Today I would like to thank Katy and Britney and the Frenchman for being awesome and letting me syphon their personalities and enjoy their company. They made the trip worth it. Even with the Bed Bugs.
