What's there to say, its Venice. Although prices were high and the end of February in northeast Italy on the water isn't terribly pleasant, Venice was picturesque. When we arrived at the train station after a long and uncomfortable overnight train ride from Vienna we knew we had made the right decision. The small narrow sidewalks were filled with confetti from the night before because little did we know we arrived for the last night of Carnivale (although most of the festivities were cancelled because it rained that night).
Two hours of walking aimlessly around, walking down dead-end after dead-end we finally arrived at our hotel and once again I (Corey) flooded the bathroom after a shower. After a week and a half of traveling, during our second day in Venice, the sun made its first appearance. A few hours of contemplation on whether we should steal a boat like James Bond and go on our own tour we decided it was a better idea to just walk the streets and get lost in the city (the bottle of wine at 11:30 in the morning also helped). The city is small but it is easy to get lost because you are constantly making sharp turns and crossing bridge after bridge.
All in all, Venice was a great time to relax and enjoy the surroundings...and drink lots of wine.
Highlights:
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wien
Vienna was the heart of the Austria-Hungarian empire and the streets are adorned with the architecture to prove it. One of the largest old cities we have seen so far, it is also host to very youthful neighborhoods. We spent the days exploring the ancient culture of the city and spent the nights in the 'Bermuda Triangle' the hot spot for night culture in Vienna. We met some crazy Canucks who were traveling, all separately may I add, and who we went out on the town with.
The hostel that we stayed at was of a higher quality than any other hostel we have stayed at so far. They we're relatively inexpensive but for a slight bit more, here and there, you had access to all luxuries. I did my laundry here (for the first time, don't judge) for more Euros than I hoped to spend, but in the convenience of the hostel.
The hostel that we stayed at was of a higher quality than any other hostel we have stayed at so far. They we're relatively inexpensive but for a slight bit more, here and there, you had access to all luxuries. I did my laundry here (for the first time, don't judge) for more Euros than I hoped to spend, but in the convenience of the hostel.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Praha
The very first impression of Prague was not good. We showed up late in the late evening and the temperature was approaching freezing. While walking to the hostel, we discovered just how difficult of a language Czech is. Hungry, thirsty, tired we made it there and left straight for dinner.
Prague is awesome. A meal of friend cheese, goulash and Czech pilsner changed our opinions on Prague very quickly. For the next two days we toured the city, experienced the nightlife and ate the food. Prague is a modern city with a medieval charm.
We also tried Absinth. It's crazy.
Highlights:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
München
We landed first early Friday morning in Munich, a southern Bavarian city of Germany. The backbone of Bavarian culture is bier and wurst, so we fit right in. The kraut is good too.
I have a friend in Munich who graciously took us out on the town to live and eat as the locals do. Unfortunately for us it was our first night in Munich, so our jet lag did not allow us to stay out in the clubs until 4 or 5 or 6 a.m. as the Germans are used to doing. And I thought America was crazy. Thank you Sandra, for showing us a great weekend. It was great to see you again, we had a blast.
Munich is a great city. Vibrant, young, modern, diverse and very friendly. It was not terribly expensive to stay either with nights in the hostel ranging between 12 to 18 Euro and meals as cheap as 4 Euro. We saved more money by walking everywhere while also getting exercise.
Highlights:
I have a friend in Munich who graciously took us out on the town to live and eat as the locals do. Unfortunately for us it was our first night in Munich, so our jet lag did not allow us to stay out in the clubs until 4 or 5 or 6 a.m. as the Germans are used to doing. And I thought America was crazy. Thank you Sandra, for showing us a great weekend. It was great to see you again, we had a blast.
Munich is a great city. Vibrant, young, modern, diverse and very friendly. It was not terribly expensive to stay either with nights in the hostel ranging between 12 to 18 Euro and meals as cheap as 4 Euro. We saved more money by walking everywhere while also getting exercise.
Highlights:
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Brief Outline and the Preparation of My Trip
On Feb 2, I will land in Indianapolis Indiana, where Corey and I will meet and our trip will begin. We plan on spending some time at our Alma Mater, Indiana University, and the remainder of the time in the U.S. in the northwestern Indiana/ Chicago area. On Feb 10th, we embark for Munich, Germany.
For three months starting Feb 10, Corey and I will be backpacking all throughout Europe. We discovered a great deal in transportation (which we will also occasionally use as night's lodging in between countries) and that is the Eurail pass. I am bringing along, courtesy of my brother Ben, a Flip camera. Prepare yourself to become envious of our trip not simply from descriptions in writing from our Blog, but with stunning 720p full color (and color-commentary) from our Vlog. (See what I did there with the b and the v? Cool, huh.)
As mid-May rolls around, Corey and I will part ways, well versed in the language of European Rail travel. I will proceed further in my travels to Tel Aviv where I will be spending the next three months living/working/breathing on a Kibbutz. As of now, I do not know which, and will not know which Kibbutz will become my home. This news will become known to me probably on the ride there. And probably means either in the car ride there or at the office in Tel Aviv right before the car ride there. I really have no preference of which Kibbutz I will stay.
You may be wondering, "say Eli, can I come too?" The answer is, "Yes. But we're leaving very soon. Pack quickly." The next question may be, "How do you plan on packing for SIX WHOLE MONTHS?" Another good question. As mentioned earlier, Corey and I are backpacking, but given that I will spend equal time in the cold winter of the northern hemisphere as I will in the dry, arid and hot summer in the land of Israel (Eretz Israel) I have to plan every piece of clothing that I will bring. A lot of time and thought went into the planning of what to bring and only time will tell whether it will be enough (or too much).
Countdown? 6 days...
Eli
For three months starting Feb 10, Corey and I will be backpacking all throughout Europe. We discovered a great deal in transportation (which we will also occasionally use as night's lodging in between countries) and that is the Eurail pass. I am bringing along, courtesy of my brother Ben, a Flip camera. Prepare yourself to become envious of our trip not simply from descriptions in writing from our Blog, but with stunning 720p full color (and color-commentary) from our Vlog. (See what I did there with the b and the v? Cool, huh.)
As mid-May rolls around, Corey and I will part ways, well versed in the language of European Rail travel. I will proceed further in my travels to Tel Aviv where I will be spending the next three months living/working/breathing on a Kibbutz. As of now, I do not know which, and will not know which Kibbutz will become my home. This news will become known to me probably on the ride there. And probably means either in the car ride there or at the office in Tel Aviv right before the car ride there. I really have no preference of which Kibbutz I will stay.
You may be wondering, "say Eli, can I come too?" The answer is, "Yes. But we're leaving very soon. Pack quickly." The next question may be, "How do you plan on packing for SIX WHOLE MONTHS?" Another good question. As mentioned earlier, Corey and I are backpacking, but given that I will spend equal time in the cold winter of the northern hemisphere as I will in the dry, arid and hot summer in the land of Israel (Eretz Israel) I have to plan every piece of clothing that I will bring. A lot of time and thought went into the planning of what to bring and only time will tell whether it will be enough (or too much).
Countdown? 6 days...
Eli
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