Day 27-30 Paris

Our last stop is finally here... I cannot believe it. We don't have the time to be sad about it because we still have so much to see. I have yet to encounter a city, country, or even people I did not enjoy but many said France would be the first to change that. The French may have a reputation of being unpleasant, but I can honestly now say I know different from first hand experience.

Day 1

Did I mention I am over trains? Thankfully this is one of my last trips... a trip to Normandy in two days is on the agenda. We got to the station with intentions of being on the 1:30PM train but Amsterdam had other plans. Apparently Amsterdam to Paris is an extremely popular route especially on the last day of the Tour De France, one ticket attendant explained I needed to make a reservation a month early. Well she was blowing smoke and instead of taking a direct to Paris we hopped on a regional to Brussels. From Brussels we had to hop on the Thalys train, which is a high speed train with the most ridiculous supplement ever... 41 Euros.

We finally made it to Paris at 8PM and to our hotel by 9PM. Another half day of sight seeing down the drain because of train issues. Luckily we have three full days and I have plenty left in the tank!

Skyline from our hotel room (nothing special except the colors)


Day 2

We hit the ground running on day two, and for the first time in a sweatshirt, a move I would regret quickly as the rain stopped right when we began climbing the Eiffel Tower. This day would be one of the most challenging on the body as we walked an insane amount and our bodies were really beginning to feel the pain of the last month. On Day 2 we knocked out the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Sacra Coeur, and Notre Dame.

The Eiffel Tower is daunting, you obviously can't appreciate its size until you've seen it in person and climbed it by stairs! The Arc de Triomphe was also massive, the Paris Hotel in Vegas must scale everything down to 1/10th of the size. Notre Dame was beautiful but I have to say my favorite site in all of Paris was the Sacra Coeur. The Sacra Coeur otherwise known as "Basilica of the Sacred Heart" featured a climb twice as great as the "Spanish Steps", architecture that I'd expect to see in Turkey, and views that were unsurpassed. The inside was very plain but definitely still worth the visit.

Eiffel Tower


View of Sacra Coeur from the Eiffel Tower


Arc De Triomphe


Sacra Coeur


By the time James and I got back to the hotel, we weren't going anywhere. We loaded up the new Entourage and passed out soon after it ended.

Day 3

So today would turn out to be probably the most important day of my entire trip, and I ended up doing it all alone. This is the day I finally get to visit Normandy, Omaha Beach, and feel D-Day for real. As a kid I was fascinated with WWII especially the Allied Invasion.

I got up at 8AM and had to catch an early train as Normandy is a two and half hour ride from Paris. I made the train OK but I left my timetable in the hotel room so I'd have to figure out the return train another way. Once I arrived in Bayeux I had to figure out a way to get to the beach and I nearly made the mistake of paying 40 Euros for a tour and a ride that would have not given me the experience I wanted. So after an hour wait, some lunch, and a nice chat with a 70 year old french woman named Gemma, I hopped on the bus to Omaha.

Chills... and they wouldn't stop, the closer we got to the beach, the more intense they became. The countryside is just how you'd envision it, except I expected it to be less inhabited. Normandy is very beautiful. We went straight to the American Cemetery which looks straight over the landing sites, this also happens to be U.S. soil. Many people were here visiting specific grave sites, I can only imagine how much pride these people were filled with. Walking these grounds enables you to wholly appreciate the valor and sacrifice that so many men exemplified, acts that are incomparable to anything I have ever come across.



The Niland Brothers (Saving Private Ryan)



10,000 BRAVE souls rest here


American Memorial


Next I made my way down to Omaha Beach, it was a long walk from the top of the ridge so I can only imagine how tough it must have been for our troops to advance. Once I had reached the sands you couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. This is where tens of thousands died in the name of freedom, obviously no words can describe how much this should mean to us. I kicked my sandals off and dropped my bags as I made my way to the water, my trip was now complete. It probably sounds like I'm gushing, but I can honestly say I've dreamt about this in my life, this water that was once a blood soaked trap, is now crysal clear and seemingly never ending. I stood in the water for awhile and just let my mind run free, it would be impossible for me to adequately describe how special that feeling was. I walked the beaches for awhile and eventually parked it, I then began writing letters to my family, only one of which, my Mamma's, was I able to finish.

The Landing sites from Omaha to Sword


Looking out to Sea



Finally made it


Facing back toward the ridge





I made my way back towards the station for the 640PM train, which had me back in Paris at roughly 9PM. Obviously this was a long and meaningful day so I was content to let it end here. One more day until home!

Day 4

So the last day is finally here... and even still we have plenty to see. I can't help but be extremely sad, if someone wanted to bankroll me I could keep traveling for another month! James and I set out relatively early and began our day the Luxembourg Garden. The Garden is Paris' largest park and it is filled with lots of statues, monuments, fountains, and small ponds where people sail small model boats. The French Senate still resides in the Luxembourg Palace.

Luxembourg Palace


Fountain


From there we did a fly by of the Pantheon, which was massive, and for the sake of time we didn't go in. I regret this already, but I will be back to Paris. We then moved to the Rodin Museum where we saw a ton of really great sculptures including the two most famous "The Thinker"and "The Kiss".

I'm thinking, I'm thinking.


The Kiss


After the Rodin it was time to finally hit the the Louvre, one word of advice, don't save the Louvre for last if you have been traveling for a month. You need energy to make it through this beast. We only lasted about two and a half hours but again you could visit this place ten times and still not see everything. Many people had stressed that they didn't appreciate the Mona Lisa much but personally I was impressed, reading the history behind it helps beforehand. The Venus de Milo was very impressive as well. All in all I think the Louvre is too jam packed, my brain was on overload after we walked out!

Mona Lisa


Venus de Milo


To cap off the trip we headed back towards the Arc de Triomphe. James and I grabbed dinner just down the street as we wanted to make the climb to the top of the Arc once it was dark. This turned out to be a great idea as the views of Paris at night from here are one of a kind. Champs-Élysées was all lit up as well as all the main streets cutting out from the Arc. Most impressive however was the Eiffel Tower all lit up against the stormy night sky. James and I hung out at the top for awhile as I think we weren't ready to accept the fact our trip was over. This was definitely a great way to end it. My camera died while up there as well, but not before I got enough pictures =). The only pic I wasn't able to get was the flashing lights on the Eiffel Tower... you will all have to see it first hand one day!

Champs-Élysées


Eiffel Tower before it lit up


Wow... it is over. No more cities, sights, or drunken nights to blog about. I am back home now but part of me still feels like I am traveling, ready to hit the next city hard. Paris was absolutely beautiful, and I look forward to a return trip someday as there is still plenty left to be seen. Thank you all for following my blog, I did this not only for myself and my memories, but also so all of you could live vicariously through me or become inspired to take a trip and see what your heart desires! Love you all!

The Four Amigos back in the States

Day 24-26 Amsterdam

So it is finally time for the infamous Amsterdam, we have two days, hopefully enough time to have our fun but also enough time to not get in any trouble. Sal and John have been in Amsterdam for a few days remember so now it is time for our reunion!

Day 1

From Prague Jamesy and I had to take an overnight train from 6PM til 10AM the next morning, at first I thought it was going to be the ride from hell. Although it could have gotten a lot worse it still was not very pleasant. We got stuck on the tracks for a few hours while we waited for a storm to pass but the good news is we still had a cabin to ourselves at this point. We were in a 6 bunk room that we were praying wouldn't fill up. Well it did, at 3AM we were awoken by 4 Hungarian guys getting on the train in Berlin. They spoke English pretty well and turned out to be pretty cool.

Jamesy in the bunk


We finally made it to Amsterdam by 10AM and we were greeted by pouring rain! I was in boardshorts, a t-shirt, and sandals! Pretty sweet.

Day 2

THE LOST DAY

Due to the desire to avoid self incrimination in regard to myself and the others this day will be referred to as "the lost day" as we strongly invoke the 5th amendment.

Amsterdam truly is out of this world. Pot can definitely be found on every corner, even still it does not stand up to the quality of California's. Heineken flows like water. You can purchase magic mushrooms from the store just like your groceries, sex shops are more frequent than pharmacies, and 75% of traffic is on bicycles. The canal systems were also nearly as abundant as the streets in city centre. If you want the nitty gritty of our Amsterdam Day 2 adventures you will have to ask us individually.



Given our state I was surprised we fit in any sight seeing even though the only place we saw was The Hash, Hemp and Marihuana Museum. I truly believe we are in a defining age for marijuana similar to what those experienced during the 1920's in regards to alcohol. I don't care to jump on my soapbox but our current stance on the drug in the U.S. just isn't working.



Day 3

So "The Lost Day" definitely took its toll on the other members, so the one man show would resume for another day. I definitely got my sleep in though as I didn't leave the room until 2PM. My first stop was the Rijksmuseum where I found most likely is my favorite piece of art from the entire trip, Rembrandt's "The Night Watch". Rembrandt was a revolutionary in terms of using specific shading and light to depict movement, you really felt his painting coming at you.

The Night Watch


Next I moved on to the Van Gogh Museum, that man was intense. Van Gogh was as brilliant was he was self critical. He had a mental illness which eventually drove him to suicide, generally he considered himself a failure, if he could only see today the love people have for his work. After the Van Gogh Museum I made my way to the Heineken Museum and Brewery where I got to learn quite a bit about one of my favorite beers and taste it straight from its source.

You got what I need!


I Amsterdam


My second to last stop was one of my favorites for the entire trip, the Anne Frank House. I can remember the first time I heard the story of Anne Frank, I always felt impacted by her because when things were tough for my family when I was 8 or 9 I remember writing and writing because it was the only thing that made me feel any better. If any of you take a trip to Europe I strongly urge putting this one on your list, Anne's stunning ability to articulate her emotion lets you feel like you are living her situation as you stand in the house.

Anne Frank


Anne Frank House (where she hid is actually on top and in back)


My last and final sight was The Red Light District. I imagined it being much different, desolate and dangerous, instead it was packed wall to wall with people, shops, and restaurants. It was strange to see prostitution considered such a norm. The women in the windows were intensely aggressive, they would pound on their windows, or yell things to you, and occasionally come outside at which point you had to lower your head and book it. It was funny to see some young guys getting stuck in super awkward situations that they were far too drunk to deal with, I saw one guy getting dragged into a room by a black woman 3 times his size.

Overall I was truly impressed with Amsterdam, it has caught a terribe rap but I believe if you look for trouble you can find it anywhere. I'd like to visit again and see more of the surrounding areas as I've heard good things about the countryside as well.

Day 22-23 Prague

So another bittersweet goodbye, Munich was hard to leave after just two days. Good news is we are headed to Prague which has been the most hyped up city on our entire schedule. I hope it lives up to it!

Day 1

Excluding Barcelona to Monaco we haven't had much trouble with train travel, all of that is now out the window. Sal and John had been itching to get to Amsterdam and between our train switches those two decided to skip Prague and head straight for The Netherlands. Those two got on their train OK and that is when the trouble began.

James and I waited... and waited... and waited some more for a train that never came. Apparently it was running hours behind and other people at the station said it flew right by us. We ended up sitting at the station from 2PM til 7PM, not a very pleasant wait. We met a bunch of English lads that were absolutely hilarious and made some of the time go by.

Schwandorf train station


We finally caught our train at 7PM and we were wiped out from sitting in the sun all day. James passed out most of the ride while I slept for a little and then I couldn't keep my head or camera in the window. The Czech Republic is gorgeous... beautiful green as far as you could see with random dense forests straight out of the movies. I expected to see Russian troops marching through with AK-47's at any second. The landscape reminded me of Gettysburg but obviously more mysterious.

Czech landscape


Jets flying straight into the sky


We finally made it to our hotel by just after midnight and when we arrived the hotel had booked all rooms with our double bed preference... so instead James and I got a suite with a bedroom, a living room, and two bathrooms. It must have been karma for being so patient all day! We got in the room, made some phone calls, and passed out!

Day 2

Since our entire day was wasted yesterday for travel, we now must fit all of Prague's sights into one day. Not impossible but rough. We were recommended a restaurant around the corner and we loved it so much we ate their twice. We ate lamb knuckle, beef shin goulash, and drank lots of Pilsner Urquell which was cheaper than water!

Pilsner Urquell


Prague or "Praha" really lived up to the hype, architectually Prague featured a heavy blend of baroque and gothic touches. At this point we had seen so many churches they all blended together but Praha offered a new twist in the interior and even the exterior of some of its churches, brass. Some of our early highlights included climbing the Powder Gate, Tyn Church, Old Town Square, and the Astronomical Clock.

Powder Gate


Tyn Church


Astronomical Clock


Next we moved on to Charles Bridge which was awesome but unfortunately was under heavy construction and smelled like nail polish which kind of ruined some of its appeal. We crossed the bridge into Lesser Town which we thought was a strange way to label a part of town, St. Nicholas Church was our next stop and this church featured the most brass of them all including the main altar being dominated by it.

View off Charles Bridge


St. Nicholas Church Altar


Our last stop of the day was actually a bunch of stops at the Prague Castle. The Prague Castle included a bunch of sites including the Old Royal Palace, New Royal Palace, Powder Tower, Golden Lane, Wenceslas Vineyard, several gardens, and most importantly St. Vitus' Cathedral. St. Vitus Cathedral contained probably the most impressive stained glass we have seen yet, and from the outside was right up there with the Basilica Fiore in Florence.

Front gates of castle


Stained Glass


St. Vitus Cathedral


A cool place we saw on our way out of the castle was Daliborka Tower, which was actually used as a defense tower and jail. The tower was named after its first inmate who was a young knight named Daliborka. The phrase "to fiddle" or "change your tune" was derived here when Daliborka would confess to crimes while undergoing torture. The reason they may have called it to fiddle was Daliborka mastered the violin while jailed and citizens would gather around the jail to listen to him play from the inside.

Daliborka torture tools


View of Prague from Castle


I wish we had more time to spend in this city, we didn't get to check out the nightlife or even drink the ABSINTHE! I definitely will be returning here when I make my Eastern European adventure.

Day 20-21 Munich

So it is goodbye to Athens and hello to Beer, I mean Munich. Maybe now James will stop using his ridiculous German accent he has been using this entire trip, probably not. I’m stoked to see Germany for a bunch of different reasons but one I know all of us are looking forward to is cooler weather!

Day 1

We took an early morning flight from Athens to Munich, just another flight in the books. From the air we could tell we were in for a big change of pace. Lush green land stretched as far as the eye could see, windmills, lakes, snow topped mountains, and storm clouds! All things we hadn’t seen in quite awhile.

Patiently awaiting departure


Entering the Deutschland


Because we took an early morning flight our hotel wasn’t ready for our check-in so we had time to burn. We left our bags in the deposit and headed for the subway or the “tube” as everyone else seems to call it. The concierge told us about a street fair so that was our destination. The fair was in the Freiheit area and it was called the Leopold Street Fair.

The street was lined with all the beer, food, and worthless junk you could ever imagine. There were live bands playing and street performers walking the streets, I must say what some find amusing out here I find intensely frightening. I drank several different beers all claiming to be Germany’s finest and ate three different kinds of bratwurst’s… I could live off this stuff back home.

These things will haunt my dreams


One of the bands (Makes us miss our favorite rockstar Michael Morris)


After a few hours at the street fair and enough beer to put me into a bit of a coma we headed back to check-in to the hotel for real this time. We all relaxed in the room for a bit and took what we intended to be a power nap. However time got away from us a bit and we slept for a few hours. So we all popped up and headed into city center for dinner, drinks, and just to walk around. We didn’t last too long and we were going to need rest because we are doing a bike tour tomorrow! Gotta get my Lance Armstrong on.


Day 2

With some handy BlackBerry work I was able to locate the #1 rated bike tour in all of Munich which started at 11:30AM. James and I got up and headed downstairs for breakfast and I must admit I have been craving cereal. So I loaded up on a bowl of Alaska Flakes, high class Frosted Flakes I guess. We geared up and headed for Marienplatz, the city center of Munich and home of the new town hall.

Marienplatz “St. Mary’s Square” and the New Town Hall


After browsing around a bit we were able to locate our tour guide Jolly, the name fit this Aussie perfectly. We had what he said was his largest group ever, at around 30 I’d say, which made for an interesting ride especially after the biergarten or beer garden.

Jolly the guide


The bike tour was definitely the best way to see Munich. We got to see so many things, all the while having a guide with us and plenty of people to befriend. We basically saw the entire city but a few places stuck out to me the most.

My favorite was Odeonsplatz which is a major square in Munich that holds the most beautiful church in the city as well as the Royal Palace. In the 1920’s before Hitler was in power he marched his troops through this square and an altercation broke out with Police in which 16 Nazi’s were killed, Hitler was jailed soon after and this is when he wrote Mein Kampf. Once Hitler reigned over Germany he returned here and erected a huge swastika in Odeonsplatz and everyone was to salute it. Bavarians were resistant however and would walk down a back alley called “Evader’s Alley” or “Dachau Alley” after the first concentration camp to be liberated by the Allied Forces in WWII.

Odeonsplatz Monument (the far left opening is where the swastika stood)


“Evader’s Alley” (Notice the golden snake)


My next favorite would have to be the Hofbrauhaus, which is supposedly the world’s greatest pub. Hitler used to drink here and give speeches, Bavarian crests cover the walls where swastikas used to lay. Some other cool places include the Chinese Biergarten and the English Garden which makes Central Park look like a playpen. Oh and another spot that holds a special place especially for James and I is called the Surf Spot, obviously there is no ocean close to here but the locals make due with water that comes raging out of a dam and creates a pretty intense little swell. I almost forgot to mention James kicked my mudflap in after we drank at the beer garden and my bike came to a complete stop while the pedal cut my leg open and left a gnarly bruise… I didn’t feel much at the time.


Hofbrauhaus


Chinese Biergarten (beer garden)


Surf Spot


Some other spots I really enjoyed in Munich included the Olympic Village and Stadium and seeing in person all the places involved in the kidnapping of the Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympic games. Another spot was the monument to the leaders of the White Rose Movement, which was an anti-nazi propaganda campaign. Their names were Sophie and Hans and instead of fleeing when discovered Hans ran to the top of the university and tossed every pamphlet he had left down on the Gestapo and students who had gathered due to the commotion. Oh and I have to mention the BMW Museum, I wish I had more money!

Munich Stadium


White Rose Monument


My next purchase BMW HP2 Sport


So day two has been pretty jam packed and you’d think it is over right? So did we. James and I made a last second decision to just go straight to the Hofbrauhaus and instead get a beer and dinner. One beer turned into two and soon enough we had met an intensely drunk Austrian named Ansgard (spelling?) followed by meeting an entire pub crawl of people from the UK, Australia, Spain, Ireland, and two kids from San Francisco. We ended up joining the pub crawl and befriending a few English girls who are convinced life in California is exactly like The OC. When I told them I played sports and dated a cheerleader in High School they were absolutely fascinated.

James and Ansgard (sorry for drunk photo)


First cheers on our new pub crawl


So now you really think the night is over… again so did we. Everyone from the pub crawl dispersed and James and I somehow met a group of Germans in the subway station as we discovered the subway was closed. So we headed with them towards a taxi and they talked us into heading to another bar with them. These six Bavarians were the coolest Europeans we have encountered our entire trip, they took us to the most underground dive bar I have ever seen and we didn’t pay for a single beer all night. I honestly felt like we were in a bat cave with not a single tourist around but at no time did we feel uncomfortable at all. This was the absolute best day hands down of the entire trip.

The Germans


My favorite wouldn’t let me take a picture!


Schwabinger 7 (entrance)


James passing out like a baby after terrorizing everyone while blacked out


Munich was and probably will remain the greatest time we’ve had while in Europe. We couldn’t find a bad beer if we tried, the people were all awesome, and the history certainly applied more to a WWII buff like myself.