Do you ever feel like something never actually happened even though it has? It's like you know it did, you know you experienced, you know it changed you, and you'll never be the same because of it, but it feels like it was a dream or hasn't happened yet because although you are different now, everything around you is still the same. One's perspective is ever-evolving. It's a very ponderable state.
After a beautiful wedding, two weeks fabulously traipsing around a small piece of brilliant Europe, and two weeks visiting family and chasing around a highly rambunctious 20-month old, I have moved myself and my ragged suitcase back to the apartment. Miraculously, the laundry has been done and most everything has been put away!
My two weeks in PA were my "stay-cation" after my "vacation". haha! A bit of rest, a little relaxation, continuing to kick my little sister's butt at Scrabble, watching movies, Dad's birthday celebration, gaining back the few pounds I lost on my trip (go figure!), enough Handy Manny to last a lifetime, witnessing the beginning stages of Xander's potty-training (oy vey!), and shear exhaustion chasing the bugger around! He's a quick little imp! haha!
Gratitude 248
We also had a bonfire one evening. Roasting marshmallows, shooting the breeze, stargazing, drinking beer, Xander climbing everywhere and chasing the fireflies, and Jessi trying to convince me I should pee outside rather than walk the 50 feet to the house. (Needless to say, she didn't succeed, and I narrowly escaped the relentless tackling that preceded my sprint to the house. haha!)
Now, it is actually back to reality for real. What comes next? Absolutely not a clue. Am I going to be happy with the next year of my life? Don't really know for sure. Am I going to miss Europe? Well, duh! That's probably the only thing I know. Well, that and the fact that I'll continue singing. (Seriously, though, there's certainly worse I could do than spend another year studying with Lynn and living in an apartment with a terrace perfectly meant for occasional evening of sipping wine and late-night dinners with close friends. hehe!) But I suppose that 's part of the adventure of life...never knowing. Somehow, the organizational part of my brain finds that extremely annoying...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
One hand, one heart.
Although a month late, here are those photos from Katie and Bryan's happy day...
(The last three photo credits are not my own. They belong to my friend Jennie, my friend Caitie, and the wedding photographer, respectively.)
(The last three photo credits are not my own. They belong to my friend Jennie, my friend Caitie, and the wedding photographer, respectively.)
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Welcome to the United States of America. Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos de América.
After 25 hours, 3 flights, 3 passport controls, numerous security checkpoints, the flight attendant continually thinking that cutie beside me was my husband (unfortunately, he was already married to someone else...at least he wasn't a Mormon this time! haha!), my last flight time changing 3 times, and being frisked by the security guard in Philly, I am now home. Yesterday was quite the interesting day! (And in case you were worried, the wine and palinka bottles arrived unscathed. hehe!)
Obsevations from yesterday's adventures that I find somewhat amusing and/or hilarious:
It will never fail that if I have to go pee, we will hit turbulence. That's slightly irritating.
The U.S. welcome sign is in Spanish.
Security is "no laughing matter," yet the security guards and passport control officers were making jokes with us.
That I stood in "Welcome Home" customs for 30 minutes, got to my next gate at the exact minute the plane was supposed to be taking off to find no plane. After a few minutes of thinking I'd missed the flight but my luggage had probably taken off, I found out it had been delayed 2 1/2 hours. So I got something to eat and came back to find out the time changed again and was leaving in 20 minutes instead. Oy!
You aren't allowed to smoke in airplanes. Nonetheless, in the airplane toilets, there is a metal thing on the back of the door that is labeled in German and in English, "Ash Tray," and directly beside it is a sign that says, "No Smoking Permitted in the Lavatory," and another sign above the trash receptical that says, "No Cigarette Disposal." Okay, seriously, people? This plane is not from 1952; it is fairly new. Don't you think you would have thought that one through before you put those things there? The contradictions just made me laugh.
In the Budapest airport, they clearly realized the complete nonsense of making you take off your shoes when going through security. However, they haven't figured that one out in Philadelphia yet...
Date Night is a very funny movie. (I also watched How to Train Your Dragon, about 3 minutes of a Lego documentary until I decided it was dumb, Walt Disney cartoons...The Ugly Duckling is so sad!, listened to an Anna Netrebko recital recording and Diana Damrau's Coloratura Arias album, and watched about 20 minutes of Tosca but decided I really didn't like the voices so I couldn't get myself to finish it. Oh, the things that can be accomplished in an 8 1/2 hour flight! haha!)
Gratitude 247
Signs in airports that lead you to exactly where you need to be. :)
Obsevations from yesterday's adventures that I find somewhat amusing and/or hilarious:
It will never fail that if I have to go pee, we will hit turbulence. That's slightly irritating.
The U.S. welcome sign is in Spanish.
Security is "no laughing matter," yet the security guards and passport control officers were making jokes with us.
That I stood in "Welcome Home" customs for 30 minutes, got to my next gate at the exact minute the plane was supposed to be taking off to find no plane. After a few minutes of thinking I'd missed the flight but my luggage had probably taken off, I found out it had been delayed 2 1/2 hours. So I got something to eat and came back to find out the time changed again and was leaving in 20 minutes instead. Oy!
You aren't allowed to smoke in airplanes. Nonetheless, in the airplane toilets, there is a metal thing on the back of the door that is labeled in German and in English, "Ash Tray," and directly beside it is a sign that says, "No Smoking Permitted in the Lavatory," and another sign above the trash receptical that says, "No Cigarette Disposal." Okay, seriously, people? This plane is not from 1952; it is fairly new. Don't you think you would have thought that one through before you put those things there? The contradictions just made me laugh.
In the Budapest airport, they clearly realized the complete nonsense of making you take off your shoes when going through security. However, they haven't figured that one out in Philadelphia yet...
Date Night is a very funny movie. (I also watched How to Train Your Dragon, about 3 minutes of a Lego documentary until I decided it was dumb, Walt Disney cartoons...The Ugly Duckling is so sad!, listened to an Anna Netrebko recital recording and Diana Damrau's Coloratura Arias album, and watched about 20 minutes of Tosca but decided I really didn't like the voices so I couldn't get myself to finish it. Oh, the things that can be accomplished in an 8 1/2 hour flight! haha!)
Gratitude 247
Signs in airports that lead you to exactly where you need to be. :)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Viszontlátásra.
Today was my last day in Hungary. :( For now... ;) I spent the first part of the day up at the Vár and the Castle District in Buda. Of course, I believe the only way to really see this place is to trek it up the steps cut into the hill that leads up to it. It was unbelievably smoldering today, and I thought I actually might have a heat stroke or something because my body was so overheated. However, there is no way I was spending my last day here not doing anything or going anywhere! So I quickly learned that if you try to walk in as much shade as possible, it is a lot cooler and a little bit breezy. :)
I really like the Castle District. It is one of my favorite places in Budapest because of the incredible view. :)
However, it is extremely overrun with tourists in the summer, as I discovered, and there was a TON of constructiong going on up there. :( They even blocked off the statue of dear ol' Kodály!! Nem jó!
Ventured my way back down to the Danube and walked a bit there and eventually took the Metro to Déak Ferenc tér and wandered through Pest, ending at a café overlooking the Liszt Academy. :) And an ice cream after lunch by the crazy Liszt statue.
Wandered some more, and then I just had to go back to Levi's and rest and cool myself down. So hot! Oy! Summoned the energy for a second outing in the evening...Vörösmarty tér, Váci utca, and the Promenade along the Danube...where I saw this boat, which, once again, reminds me that you are never far from home. haha!
Dinner at a lovely café called Bohemia, and it was so good! Highly recommended, and it was quite affordable, too! (I seem to have mastered the art of eating alone at a restaurant. It is actually quite nice to sit, unwind, and observe...and, of course, there's always a seat for Jesus at the table! hehe! Sorry...old joke from when I worked at Bible camp...)
Gratitude 246
Thank yous and your welcomes that are visibly genuinely appreciative. The waiters at both restaurants today were so kind and helpful. They loved helping me with my Hungarian as much as they could and added in English when I still didn't understand. Hungarian is like a fun, little game for me, and I really want to be fluent someday. Silly, I know, but I just find it charming and lovely to listen to...even many times when I don't understand what they are saying! haha! :)
Now finishing up making sure everything is ready for my flight tomorrow morning. My day of flying up and down, lugging bags, airplane bathrooms, and customs begins in just 8 short hours. (I make that sound terrible, but I really do enjoy feeling. However, it is still nerve-wracking, and the bad comes along with the good.) Perhaps, I should try going to sleep... ;)
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight, but I suppose it is time for me to go back to my other world... *sigh* I hate goodbyes, so it is only "Viszontlátásra" to my beautiful Magyarorszag. When I shall return is uncertain at the moment, but I will be back as soon as the wind will allow to blow me this way, again... No matter where I am, I carry you in my heart. :)
I really like the Castle District. It is one of my favorite places in Budapest because of the incredible view. :)
However, it is extremely overrun with tourists in the summer, as I discovered, and there was a TON of constructiong going on up there. :( They even blocked off the statue of dear ol' Kodály!! Nem jó!
Ventured my way back down to the Danube and walked a bit there and eventually took the Metro to Déak Ferenc tér and wandered through Pest, ending at a café overlooking the Liszt Academy. :) And an ice cream after lunch by the crazy Liszt statue.
Wandered some more, and then I just had to go back to Levi's and rest and cool myself down. So hot! Oy! Summoned the energy for a second outing in the evening...Vörösmarty tér, Váci utca, and the Promenade along the Danube...where I saw this boat, which, once again, reminds me that you are never far from home. haha!
Dinner at a lovely café called Bohemia, and it was so good! Highly recommended, and it was quite affordable, too! (I seem to have mastered the art of eating alone at a restaurant. It is actually quite nice to sit, unwind, and observe...and, of course, there's always a seat for Jesus at the table! hehe! Sorry...old joke from when I worked at Bible camp...)
Gratitude 246
Thank yous and your welcomes that are visibly genuinely appreciative. The waiters at both restaurants today were so kind and helpful. They loved helping me with my Hungarian as much as they could and added in English when I still didn't understand. Hungarian is like a fun, little game for me, and I really want to be fluent someday. Silly, I know, but I just find it charming and lovely to listen to...even many times when I don't understand what they are saying! haha! :)
Now finishing up making sure everything is ready for my flight tomorrow morning. My day of flying up and down, lugging bags, airplane bathrooms, and customs begins in just 8 short hours. (I make that sound terrible, but I really do enjoy feeling. However, it is still nerve-wracking, and the bad comes along with the good.) Perhaps, I should try going to sleep... ;)
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight, but I suppose it is time for me to go back to my other world... *sigh* I hate goodbyes, so it is only "Viszontlátásra" to my beautiful Magyarorszag. When I shall return is uncertain at the moment, but I will be back as soon as the wind will allow to blow me this way, again... No matter where I am, I carry you in my heart. :)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Kecskemét, Kecskemét! Állomás!
A perfect day in Kecskemét yesterday. :) I got up early to catch a train to the beautiful town to visit there and my friend Heather. Apparently, they are redoing the inside of Nyugati station, so I had a bit of a run-around to get my ticket because the ticket office was not where it used to be. (More on the ticket fiasco later...oy!)
It was a lovely train ride out. Just as I remembered it. And I felt like I was "home." I know it is silly, but Hungary, especially Kecskemét, is like a home to me now. Heather met me at the station, and we walked to her apartment. It was another hot day! Then, we just roamed around town for awhile...the wine shop, the Institute (When we walked in, my old room was open, so I got to see it, too!), a lemonade and cake at a cafe across the street (Teatrum is gone! *sigh* But Vincent's was lovely, too!), browsing around the infamous Málom, lounging on a green area in the town square, dinner at the csárda... At midday, we went to her place for lunch, and we gave dear ol' János a ring via Skype!
Gratitude 245
It was so great to talk to János! :) His voice booms even over Skype! haha! I was seeing if perhaps I could have a lesson with him while I was in the country, but sadly, he is now at Lake Balaton on holiday. Nonetheless, we talked for probably 15-20 minutes. :)
There was also some "Csipero" festival going on...supposedly some youth and children's thing, but I think there were more adults there having more fun. haha! ;) There was a lazer show and the most incredible fireworks spectacle I have ever seen! It was amazing! (Maybe fireworks are cheaper in Hungary. I don't know, but in the States, that would have been a pretty penny!)
I feared slightly for the historic buildings, though...they set them off from the steeple on the Nagytemplom!! Is that legal?! Apparently. haha! They were beautiful, though. A drink and chats at Otthon Mozi after and a little dancing at Amor. What a lovely end to a lovely day! :)
On the way back to Budapest this morning, I discovered a horrible mistake that I did not catch soon enough. When I bought my ticket in Budapest yesterday, I asked with the correct Hungarian that I wanted a return ticket. Well, clearly, they didn't ive me that, and I was stupid enough just to assume they'd actually followed my specific instructions. Idiot. Because I was fined 3000 Forints for being on the train without a ticket AND still had to pay for another ticket! Are you serious?! I was very angry. Well, what's done is done. Nothing else to do but fork over the $18. Could have been worse...they could have arrested me...and pretty sure that wouldn't go well! haha! Just irritates me because it wasn't entirely my fault. Argh!
Back in Budapest this afternoon, I went to the Gellért Baths for the afternoon. It was nice. Very Hungarian. haha! Probably something I would not do regularly, but I am glad I experienced it. Also, Europeans are clearly not afraid to let it all out! Saw way too much nakedness! haha!
I spent about two hours there and then decided I was pruny enough. The water felt so nice. It was very melty out today! I walked to the Széchenyi Bridge and crossed over to Pest there. How beautiful this city is! Nagyon szépen!
An ice cream and some water after a bit of wandering and winding my way through Pest back to Levi's apartment. There were little festivals going on at the end of the bridge and also on Erzebet tér. Something WAMP, I think it was called...some artsy something or other. Glancing at all the booths was fun. :)
I think I am beginning to realize that yes, I love Europe and miss it when I am not there, but I think even more so it is that I miss this specific country. (You don't think I grew a bit attached during my semester here, do you? hehe! Of course not! hehe!) I wish my stay in Hungary was longer, but I'll probably always wish that...and I feel I may have made a terrible mistake not to return in September...)
It was a lovely train ride out. Just as I remembered it. And I felt like I was "home." I know it is silly, but Hungary, especially Kecskemét, is like a home to me now. Heather met me at the station, and we walked to her apartment. It was another hot day! Then, we just roamed around town for awhile...the wine shop, the Institute (When we walked in, my old room was open, so I got to see it, too!), a lemonade and cake at a cafe across the street (Teatrum is gone! *sigh* But Vincent's was lovely, too!), browsing around the infamous Málom, lounging on a green area in the town square, dinner at the csárda... At midday, we went to her place for lunch, and we gave dear ol' János a ring via Skype!
Gratitude 245
It was so great to talk to János! :) His voice booms even over Skype! haha! I was seeing if perhaps I could have a lesson with him while I was in the country, but sadly, he is now at Lake Balaton on holiday. Nonetheless, we talked for probably 15-20 minutes. :)
There was also some "Csipero" festival going on...supposedly some youth and children's thing, but I think there were more adults there having more fun. haha! ;) There was a lazer show and the most incredible fireworks spectacle I have ever seen! It was amazing! (Maybe fireworks are cheaper in Hungary. I don't know, but in the States, that would have been a pretty penny!)
I feared slightly for the historic buildings, though...they set them off from the steeple on the Nagytemplom!! Is that legal?! Apparently. haha! They were beautiful, though. A drink and chats at Otthon Mozi after and a little dancing at Amor. What a lovely end to a lovely day! :)
On the way back to Budapest this morning, I discovered a horrible mistake that I did not catch soon enough. When I bought my ticket in Budapest yesterday, I asked with the correct Hungarian that I wanted a return ticket. Well, clearly, they didn't ive me that, and I was stupid enough just to assume they'd actually followed my specific instructions. Idiot. Because I was fined 3000 Forints for being on the train without a ticket AND still had to pay for another ticket! Are you serious?! I was very angry. Well, what's done is done. Nothing else to do but fork over the $18. Could have been worse...they could have arrested me...and pretty sure that wouldn't go well! haha! Just irritates me because it wasn't entirely my fault. Argh!
Back in Budapest this afternoon, I went to the Gellért Baths for the afternoon. It was nice. Very Hungarian. haha! Probably something I would not do regularly, but I am glad I experienced it. Also, Europeans are clearly not afraid to let it all out! Saw way too much nakedness! haha!
I spent about two hours there and then decided I was pruny enough. The water felt so nice. It was very melty out today! I walked to the Széchenyi Bridge and crossed over to Pest there. How beautiful this city is! Nagyon szépen!
An ice cream and some water after a bit of wandering and winding my way through Pest back to Levi's apartment. There were little festivals going on at the end of the bridge and also on Erzebet tér. Something WAMP, I think it was called...some artsy something or other. Glancing at all the booths was fun. :)
I think I am beginning to realize that yes, I love Europe and miss it when I am not there, but I think even more so it is that I miss this specific country. (You don't think I grew a bit attached during my semester here, do you? hehe! Of course not! hehe!) I wish my stay in Hungary was longer, but I'll probably always wish that...and I feel I may have made a terrible mistake not to return in September...)
***************
Tonight, Levi and I went over to one of his friends' place and watched the World Cup Final. Such a terribly booooring game! Spain won...if you don't already know, sorry to spill the beans. haha! The most exciting part was went they pulled a red card...Er hat die Aschkarte gezorgen! hehe! So then I could finally use my new sentence in its literal context. ;)
The company was a lot of fun, though. We sat out on a terrace watching the game on a little television set, drinking beer, and eating homemade pizza, cheesecake, and guacamole. A truly international crowd, 3 or 4 Hungarians, 1 Romanian, 1 Turk, and 1 American. I really enjoyed it. And they have such an adorable little flat, too! :)
Tomorrow...Buda and the Castle District and any ideas Levi may have for the evening. :) I love Hungary!
Friday, July 9, 2010
A Day in the Danube Bend and Pest
Today, I took a little trip to Szentendre on the Danube Bend. Szentendre is a lovely place! (And thank goodness for my Fodor's book for helping me figure out how to get from the train station to the town centre!) I wandered endlessly the many winding and uneven cobblestone streets exploring this little town along the Danube. So many cute little shops and galleries. Lots of tradition Hungarian things as well. (And I had some yummy cinnamon kürtös kalács! Mmm!)
I bought my gift for my mom there, and the little old lady shopkeeper spoke only Hungarian, so it was just like my time in Kecskemét trying all ways of communication. :) Some more wandering and met an adorable shopkeeper at a traditional Hungarian blue and white shop. (Not sure how to explain it in Hungarian or English...it's sort of a pattern of cloth that clothing, in the home, etc.) She called my broken attempts at Hungarian "charming" and told me the story of a good luck charm. An old man who owned another Hungarian shop chatted with me about Kecskemét, Hungarian cuisine, and pálinka. I also met a street artist who was painting in the main square.
I returned to Budapest mid-afternoon and found a shop called "Samantha." Yes, it really exists! My completely un-Hungarian name is the name of a clothing shop in Pest. Ironically, I would probably wear a lot of the clothes in there if they weren't so expensive. haha!
I then took the M3 to Déak Ferenc tér, where the little pashmina stand still stood. Different woman, same stand. So I just had to get another one for my pretty sparkly pashmina collection! hehe! I spent over three hours roaming around Pest, glancing in little shops and just soaking in Pest. Vörösmarty tér is quite different and rather bare without the Christmas markets there... My Hungarian is starting to revive itself, and I know Budapest a lot better than I thought.
It was very hot out today, and I walked myself ragged today. I enjoyed every moment, though! I love Hungary!! (And pretty sure I'd move here, too, in a heartbeat!) It is just like we'd do one a day trip to the city. Visited lots of the places we used to spend our weekends roaming around when I was studying over here. :)
I had been drinking a lot of water all day to keep from passing out, but I still felt dehydrated and faint from the sun, so I found a resting place next to Kálman for awhile. (I didn't know it was him till I'd been stitting there at least 15 minutes! They have bronzed Kodály and Kálman on benches...I wonder if Bartók, Liszt, and Erkel are somewhere like that, too! haha!) Some Hungarian walked by and made a comment about me sitting there. I have no idea what he said...whatever it was, he gave a good-hearted chuckle about it. I somehow even became a photo op for some tourists. Odd but whatever.
I chilled with Kálman for almost a half hour. Then, I wandered a bit more down Andrássy ut and found myself a table at a café/restaurant on Liszt Ferenc tér. A glass of fehérbor and a bowl of gulyasleves (goulash...It was long-awaited and did not disappoint!)
Gratitude 244
I love pedestrian-only streets, plazas, etc. :) Plus, you don't have to fear for your life crossing through traffic in those areas! haha! ;)
Kecskemét with Heather tomorrow! :)
P.S. It drives me nuts that my hair is disgusting in every picture because it is just so darn hot that I can't wear it down. *sigh*
I bought my gift for my mom there, and the little old lady shopkeeper spoke only Hungarian, so it was just like my time in Kecskemét trying all ways of communication. :) Some more wandering and met an adorable shopkeeper at a traditional Hungarian blue and white shop. (Not sure how to explain it in Hungarian or English...it's sort of a pattern of cloth that clothing, in the home, etc.) She called my broken attempts at Hungarian "charming" and told me the story of a good luck charm. An old man who owned another Hungarian shop chatted with me about Kecskemét, Hungarian cuisine, and pálinka. I also met a street artist who was painting in the main square.
I returned to Budapest mid-afternoon and found a shop called "Samantha." Yes, it really exists! My completely un-Hungarian name is the name of a clothing shop in Pest. Ironically, I would probably wear a lot of the clothes in there if they weren't so expensive. haha!
I then took the M3 to Déak Ferenc tér, where the little pashmina stand still stood. Different woman, same stand. So I just had to get another one for my pretty sparkly pashmina collection! hehe! I spent over three hours roaming around Pest, glancing in little shops and just soaking in Pest. Vörösmarty tér is quite different and rather bare without the Christmas markets there... My Hungarian is starting to revive itself, and I know Budapest a lot better than I thought.
It was very hot out today, and I walked myself ragged today. I enjoyed every moment, though! I love Hungary!! (And pretty sure I'd move here, too, in a heartbeat!) It is just like we'd do one a day trip to the city. Visited lots of the places we used to spend our weekends roaming around when I was studying over here. :)
I had been drinking a lot of water all day to keep from passing out, but I still felt dehydrated and faint from the sun, so I found a resting place next to Kálman for awhile. (I didn't know it was him till I'd been stitting there at least 15 minutes! They have bronzed Kodály and Kálman on benches...I wonder if Bartók, Liszt, and Erkel are somewhere like that, too! haha!) Some Hungarian walked by and made a comment about me sitting there. I have no idea what he said...whatever it was, he gave a good-hearted chuckle about it. I somehow even became a photo op for some tourists. Odd but whatever.
I chilled with Kálman for almost a half hour. Then, I wandered a bit more down Andrássy ut and found myself a table at a café/restaurant on Liszt Ferenc tér. A glass of fehérbor and a bowl of gulyasleves (goulash...It was long-awaited and did not disappoint!)
Gratitude 244
I love pedestrian-only streets, plazas, etc. :) Plus, you don't have to fear for your life crossing through traffic in those areas! haha! ;)
Kecskemét with Heather tomorrow! :)
P.S. It drives me nuts that my hair is disgusting in every picture because it is just so darn hot that I can't wear it down. *sigh*
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Vienna waited for me.
Clearly lots of catching up to do...and I assure you my life has been everything but boring the past few days! haha! Let's start at the very beginning. That's a very good place to start:
Tuesday, I went on the free walking tour of Munich offered by the same company as the Neuschwanstein tour I went with. It was definitely worth the time. Not only did you get an overview of the city center, but you also heard lots of explanations of the places, anecdotes, and historical facts...it was like an interesting history lesson. haha! It was a three-hour tour. (Three-hour tour...do do do do do do do do do do do do do...yes, I'm obsessed with Gilligan's Island!)
The tour began at the Glockenspiel, noted the second most disappointing travel wonders. We were observing the "excitement," and a couple of American college boys (very gay, too) and I decided one of those groups that stages the big song and dance coos should set on eup in Marienplatz. How hysterical would that be? Instead of the bells that everyone is standing around waiting for, it chimes and then huge speakers just start blasting Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and people just come out from all around in the funky outfits and do the whole routhine like on Glee. haha! That would be fantastic!
After the tour, I grabbed myself a Kaesebreze (cheese pretzel) and found my way via die U-Bahn to the Asamkirche, a church that every Munich guidebook I have seen goes on and on about. It was gorgeous! So ornate! Much smaller than I imagined it would be...it was along a row of shops and didn't stand alone.
Mailed some postcards, too. However, I have no idea if anyone will get them...I had a battle with the stamp machine in the German post office...if not, I tried, and we'll blame the German post! ;)
I got all prettied up and headed to the Bayerische Staatsoper and waited around for 45 minutes to snag a student discount ticket to the production of Mozart's Don Giovanni. I got a 100-some Euro ticket for only 10 Euros!! Nuts!
At first, I wasn't sure about thsingers or the staging, but as the evening went on, I changed my mind about the singers. The Leporello was fantastic! And the Donna Anna beasted the terrifyingly difficult Act 2 aria! Gotta love Mozart! Simple and easy on the ears, technically and physically a great challenge for the voice. (I saw a quote by Diana Damrau on a window in Salzburg that said, "Mozart is medicine for the voice." I like it!)
The staging of the opera was whacked, though! Whoever designed that had to have been tripping out on something! I had no idea what was going on. One girl in camping gear, a guy in a tux, Giovanni in a shiny gold suit, pole dancers, people practically stripping on stage, some psycho man that kept showing up in weird outfits doing stupid stuff like walking funny dresses as a bird (he reminded me of that weirdo from Notting Hill), hanging dead cows...all weird and not sure how most of it had anything to do with the music. Also, the German way is very odd...they made us leave the theatre during intermission and wouldn't let us back in until it was time to start again. Strange.
Wednesday morning, I was up early to catch a morning train to Vienna for my dinner plans with Katrin and Martin. That day turned into a slight disaster. I was supposed to be in Vienna at 1:30pm, and instead, I arrived at 5:15pm. My 4-hour train ride turned into 8 hours when the train decided to come to a complete standstill in the middle of nowhere...for THREE HOURS!! Ugh. The first hour: Okay. This is fine...just as long as we start moving soon so I can get to Vienna in time Two hours later: Is this for real?! I was bored, restless, and getting frustrated. The one day of my trip that I have a specific time set for something, and it becomes a bit of a mess. When we finally started moving, they took us backwards to catch another train to Vienna. Beautiful. A kind girl let me borrow her cell phone to call Katrin, so I could let her know I'd be late. It wasn't really a terrible day, but it sucked up nearly my entire day.
Gratitude 243
I am very thankful that the German trains say everything in German and then in English. I get as much as I can in the German, and then hearing it in English fills in the missing pieces of info, so I not entirely wandering aimlessly! ;)
When I finally made it to Vienna, the mess wasn't over quite yet. I found my hostel fairly easily but then had to wait about 20 minutes to check in because a huge tour group had just arrived there. Ugh. I was on the verge of tears because I was just so frustrated. Threw my stuff in the locker, quickly changed, and rushed through the U-Bahn, making my way to the Museum Quarter. (Thankfully, I had at least a slight familiarity with the city to navigate it without too much difficulty.) I was only an hour and half late for dinner, and honestly, I just have to laugh at the ridiculousness of that train endeavor.
It was so wonderful to see Katrin and Martin again, and I also met Katrin's family and Martin's brother. Her parents are so sweet...her mom is the most adorable little Austrian lady I've ever met! :) After dinner and drinks, we went to T.G.I. Fridays (yes, the American restaurant! haha!) to watch the Fussball game of Spain vs Germany. The game was actually fairly interesting. Spain won 1-0. They were happy; the Germans were crying. (Glad I wasn't still in Germany during that!) When I didn't understand something, Katirn would explain it to me with the salt and pepper, mustard and ketchup, and an empty beer glass. Oh, Katrin! I even learned a new German sentence: "Ich habe die Aschkarte gezorgen." Literally, It translates to "I pulled the ass card" and refers to the red penalty card, which is kept in the back pocket of the referee. It is now also a colloquial phrase meaning one had bad luck.
After a few hours, we got the bill and headed out. Katrin was feeling ill, so she went home, and I went out with "the boys" for a bit (Martin and his brother Thomas). hehe! We went to an Irish pub for a beer and chatted for awhile. It was a lovely night! And the weather was cool as well! :)
This morning, I arose early to soak in as much Vienna as I could before my train in the early afternoon. Ah! I love that city! With total seriousness, I could spend forever there. I would be in total bliss if I lived there...someday, somehow, someway... :) I roamed around Karlsplatz, the opera, Stephansplatz, Stadtpark, Michaelerplatz and had lunch in the MQ. Time actually somehow plassed slowly, so I could breathe in the beauty.
Now, I am in beautiful Magyarorszag (Hungary). How I've missed this place! My friend Levi's boyfriend Gabor picked me up from the train station and took me over to Levi's flat. I got the quick overview of the place and a set of keys, and then Levi and Gabor had to leave right away for Balaton and won't be back till Saturday. No worries. Lots of things to do in this wonderful city!
Once I figured out exactly where I was in relation to the rest of the city, everything started coming back to me. It is almost as if I never left...except for my greatly suffering Hungarian! haha! A lovely glass of Hungarian white wine and a much-needed, hearty Hungarian meal of beef tips and gnocchi. :) Walked around a bit, chatted with a Cambridge professor on Liszt Ferenc ter, and then stopped into the grocery store for a Milka bar and some muesli for breakfast. :)
Hard to believe I am in the last portion of my trip already. I am thankful for the two weeks that I have been given here in Europe, though. I have realized, though, that my favorite way to experience other places is living there for at least a short bit. Then, you learn about the culture and truly experience it.
To bed...and more Hungarian adventures in the morning! :)
(Also...this post took a very long time! Getting behind during travels is costly! haha!)
Tuesday, I went on the free walking tour of Munich offered by the same company as the Neuschwanstein tour I went with. It was definitely worth the time. Not only did you get an overview of the city center, but you also heard lots of explanations of the places, anecdotes, and historical facts...it was like an interesting history lesson. haha! It was a three-hour tour. (Three-hour tour...do do do do do do do do do do do do do...yes, I'm obsessed with Gilligan's Island!)
The tour began at the Glockenspiel, noted the second most disappointing travel wonders. We were observing the "excitement," and a couple of American college boys (very gay, too) and I decided one of those groups that stages the big song and dance coos should set on eup in Marienplatz. How hysterical would that be? Instead of the bells that everyone is standing around waiting for, it chimes and then huge speakers just start blasting Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and people just come out from all around in the funky outfits and do the whole routhine like on Glee. haha! That would be fantastic!
After the tour, I grabbed myself a Kaesebreze (cheese pretzel) and found my way via die U-Bahn to the Asamkirche, a church that every Munich guidebook I have seen goes on and on about. It was gorgeous! So ornate! Much smaller than I imagined it would be...it was along a row of shops and didn't stand alone.
Mailed some postcards, too. However, I have no idea if anyone will get them...I had a battle with the stamp machine in the German post office...if not, I tried, and we'll blame the German post! ;)
I got all prettied up and headed to the Bayerische Staatsoper and waited around for 45 minutes to snag a student discount ticket to the production of Mozart's Don Giovanni. I got a 100-some Euro ticket for only 10 Euros!! Nuts!
At first, I wasn't sure about thsingers or the staging, but as the evening went on, I changed my mind about the singers. The Leporello was fantastic! And the Donna Anna beasted the terrifyingly difficult Act 2 aria! Gotta love Mozart! Simple and easy on the ears, technically and physically a great challenge for the voice. (I saw a quote by Diana Damrau on a window in Salzburg that said, "Mozart is medicine for the voice." I like it!)
The staging of the opera was whacked, though! Whoever designed that had to have been tripping out on something! I had no idea what was going on. One girl in camping gear, a guy in a tux, Giovanni in a shiny gold suit, pole dancers, people practically stripping on stage, some psycho man that kept showing up in weird outfits doing stupid stuff like walking funny dresses as a bird (he reminded me of that weirdo from Notting Hill), hanging dead cows...all weird and not sure how most of it had anything to do with the music. Also, the German way is very odd...they made us leave the theatre during intermission and wouldn't let us back in until it was time to start again. Strange.
Wednesday morning, I was up early to catch a morning train to Vienna for my dinner plans with Katrin and Martin. That day turned into a slight disaster. I was supposed to be in Vienna at 1:30pm, and instead, I arrived at 5:15pm. My 4-hour train ride turned into 8 hours when the train decided to come to a complete standstill in the middle of nowhere...for THREE HOURS!! Ugh. The first hour: Okay. This is fine...just as long as we start moving soon so I can get to Vienna in time Two hours later: Is this for real?! I was bored, restless, and getting frustrated. The one day of my trip that I have a specific time set for something, and it becomes a bit of a mess. When we finally started moving, they took us backwards to catch another train to Vienna. Beautiful. A kind girl let me borrow her cell phone to call Katrin, so I could let her know I'd be late. It wasn't really a terrible day, but it sucked up nearly my entire day.
Gratitude 243
I am very thankful that the German trains say everything in German and then in English. I get as much as I can in the German, and then hearing it in English fills in the missing pieces of info, so I not entirely wandering aimlessly! ;)
When I finally made it to Vienna, the mess wasn't over quite yet. I found my hostel fairly easily but then had to wait about 20 minutes to check in because a huge tour group had just arrived there. Ugh. I was on the verge of tears because I was just so frustrated. Threw my stuff in the locker, quickly changed, and rushed through the U-Bahn, making my way to the Museum Quarter. (Thankfully, I had at least a slight familiarity with the city to navigate it without too much difficulty.) I was only an hour and half late for dinner, and honestly, I just have to laugh at the ridiculousness of that train endeavor.
It was so wonderful to see Katrin and Martin again, and I also met Katrin's family and Martin's brother. Her parents are so sweet...her mom is the most adorable little Austrian lady I've ever met! :) After dinner and drinks, we went to T.G.I. Fridays (yes, the American restaurant! haha!) to watch the Fussball game of Spain vs Germany. The game was actually fairly interesting. Spain won 1-0. They were happy; the Germans were crying. (Glad I wasn't still in Germany during that!) When I didn't understand something, Katirn would explain it to me with the salt and pepper, mustard and ketchup, and an empty beer glass. Oh, Katrin! I even learned a new German sentence: "Ich habe die Aschkarte gezorgen." Literally, It translates to "I pulled the ass card" and refers to the red penalty card, which is kept in the back pocket of the referee. It is now also a colloquial phrase meaning one had bad luck.
After a few hours, we got the bill and headed out. Katrin was feeling ill, so she went home, and I went out with "the boys" for a bit (Martin and his brother Thomas). hehe! We went to an Irish pub for a beer and chatted for awhile. It was a lovely night! And the weather was cool as well! :)
This morning, I arose early to soak in as much Vienna as I could before my train in the early afternoon. Ah! I love that city! With total seriousness, I could spend forever there. I would be in total bliss if I lived there...someday, somehow, someway... :) I roamed around Karlsplatz, the opera, Stephansplatz, Stadtpark, Michaelerplatz and had lunch in the MQ. Time actually somehow plassed slowly, so I could breathe in the beauty.
Now, I am in beautiful Magyarorszag (Hungary). How I've missed this place! My friend Levi's boyfriend Gabor picked me up from the train station and took me over to Levi's flat. I got the quick overview of the place and a set of keys, and then Levi and Gabor had to leave right away for Balaton and won't be back till Saturday. No worries. Lots of things to do in this wonderful city!
Once I figured out exactly where I was in relation to the rest of the city, everything started coming back to me. It is almost as if I never left...except for my greatly suffering Hungarian! haha! A lovely glass of Hungarian white wine and a much-needed, hearty Hungarian meal of beef tips and gnocchi. :) Walked around a bit, chatted with a Cambridge professor on Liszt Ferenc ter, and then stopped into the grocery store for a Milka bar and some muesli for breakfast. :)
Hard to believe I am in the last portion of my trip already. I am thankful for the two weeks that I have been given here in Europe, though. I have realized, though, that my favorite way to experience other places is living there for at least a short bit. Then, you learn about the culture and truly experience it.
To bed...and more Hungarian adventures in the morning! :)
(Also...this post took a very long time! Getting behind during travels is costly! haha!)
Monday, July 5, 2010
A Day in a Fairytale Storybook Castle...and the adventures of yesterday!
First of all, Happy Belated 4th to my fellow Americans! And now for a bit of catch up...I'll start with yesterday, so it is chronological. :)
Yesterday, I set out to explore museums. First the Deutsches Museum and then the Alte Pinakothek. The first museum I wasn't so sure about, but it turned out to be really cool. There is practically everything there. My little sister Becca would have had a blast there! I learned how photos work, how they make mirrors (I have always wondered that!), saw engines of airplanes, all sorts of musical instruments through the ages, the different way things are printed, and....what it's like in a mine...
At first, I thought, "This is cool" Then, as I was led down stair that took me further and further below ground with no one in sight or hearing distance, I started to psych myself out, claustrophobia set in, and I started panicking because I couldn't find my way out. Well, that was fun! haha! An adventure, at least.
Once I finally calmed down and got myself out of there, I then headed to the Alte Pinakothek. Per usual, I turned the wrong way on the street and ended up walking in a giant circle. Tired, hungry, and frustrated, I couldn't find food, but I eventually made my way to the museum where I was so thankful for the tomato and mozzarella sandwich in the cafe! I then surmounted the giant staircase and wandered through the galleries of 14th through 18th century art. I even saw da Vinci's "Virgin and CHild" and one of the largest collections of Ruben's works. Pretty cool.
(The dude in the second pic looks likes Ed Begley, Jr.! haha!)
Then, it was a rest and off to dinner and Diana Damrau's song recital...and you already know about that. ;)
Today, I forked over the money to do the Neuschwanstein Castle Tour. Even though it was a lot more money that I should have spent, I am glad I did it. I thought about going on my own but definitely glad I didn't! It was a bit of a mess in the beginning...trains were late, not running, etc.And It was gloomy and rainy. :( We were stranded at a station somewhere in the middle of the trip because we were forced to switch trains, and the trains were so full that a bunch of us had to stand most of the time. Ugh. I was starting to wonder why I had paid so much for the disaster that was occurring as my day.
When we finally arrived, though, it was totally worth it! How can you not like the Bavarian Alps?! Beautiful views! I was warned it was a bit of a "hike" to the bridge and the castle...why do I never believe it when I am told this? Oy vey! (I am going to be buff when I return home next week! haha! Not! Way too out of shape for this...it is like you need to train for a marathon before you come to Europe to travel! haha!) Againh, though, I would have missed out on a lot of wonderful views if I hadn't toughed it out and hiked it up. And at the top...definitely worth the workout! The castle was absolutely stunning. It was like I walked in to a fairytale storybook. Sadly, I was not allowed to take any pictures inside, but pretty much everything you imagine to be quintessentially castle is inside. The guide even let me test the acoustics of the singer's hall with a couple of quick notes! :)
Although practically a shrine to the operas of Wagner, it is also the castle that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beuaty Castle, and many of the decor details, I believe, do appear in the movie. Of course, as we left the castle, the sun came out, and the skies cleared up! Oh, well. The rain certainly did not put a damper on the beauty of the castle. Met some cool Canadians...and yes, Dad, they said "eh" all the time! haha!...and a bunch of other people, too.
Also...I saw this poster out side of the train station yesterday...hysterical! haha! :
Gratitude 242
I am thankful that for this one day, someone else was in charge of my where to be when...I love traveling, but sometimes, I need a break from being in charge of my life. haha!
I am so unbelievably blessed to be in Europe! Yes, it's tiring, stressful, and quite lonely at times, but this is an incredible opportunity to be here at any point in one's life. The adventure of a life time. Carpe diem! :)
Yesterday, I set out to explore museums. First the Deutsches Museum and then the Alte Pinakothek. The first museum I wasn't so sure about, but it turned out to be really cool. There is practically everything there. My little sister Becca would have had a blast there! I learned how photos work, how they make mirrors (I have always wondered that!), saw engines of airplanes, all sorts of musical instruments through the ages, the different way things are printed, and....what it's like in a mine...
At first, I thought, "This is cool" Then, as I was led down stair that took me further and further below ground with no one in sight or hearing distance, I started to psych myself out, claustrophobia set in, and I started panicking because I couldn't find my way out. Well, that was fun! haha! An adventure, at least.
Once I finally calmed down and got myself out of there, I then headed to the Alte Pinakothek. Per usual, I turned the wrong way on the street and ended up walking in a giant circle. Tired, hungry, and frustrated, I couldn't find food, but I eventually made my way to the museum where I was so thankful for the tomato and mozzarella sandwich in the cafe! I then surmounted the giant staircase and wandered through the galleries of 14th through 18th century art. I even saw da Vinci's "Virgin and CHild" and one of the largest collections of Ruben's works. Pretty cool.
(The dude in the second pic looks likes Ed Begley, Jr.! haha!)
Then, it was a rest and off to dinner and Diana Damrau's song recital...and you already know about that. ;)
Today, I forked over the money to do the Neuschwanstein Castle Tour. Even though it was a lot more money that I should have spent, I am glad I did it. I thought about going on my own but definitely glad I didn't! It was a bit of a mess in the beginning...trains were late, not running, etc.And It was gloomy and rainy. :( We were stranded at a station somewhere in the middle of the trip because we were forced to switch trains, and the trains were so full that a bunch of us had to stand most of the time. Ugh. I was starting to wonder why I had paid so much for the disaster that was occurring as my day.
When we finally arrived, though, it was totally worth it! How can you not like the Bavarian Alps?! Beautiful views! I was warned it was a bit of a "hike" to the bridge and the castle...why do I never believe it when I am told this? Oy vey! (I am going to be buff when I return home next week! haha! Not! Way too out of shape for this...it is like you need to train for a marathon before you come to Europe to travel! haha!) Againh, though, I would have missed out on a lot of wonderful views if I hadn't toughed it out and hiked it up. And at the top...definitely worth the workout! The castle was absolutely stunning. It was like I walked in to a fairytale storybook. Sadly, I was not allowed to take any pictures inside, but pretty much everything you imagine to be quintessentially castle is inside. The guide even let me test the acoustics of the singer's hall with a couple of quick notes! :)
Although practically a shrine to the operas of Wagner, it is also the castle that inspired Walt Disney's Sleeping Beuaty Castle, and many of the decor details, I believe, do appear in the movie. Of course, as we left the castle, the sun came out, and the skies cleared up! Oh, well. The rain certainly did not put a damper on the beauty of the castle. Met some cool Canadians...and yes, Dad, they said "eh" all the time! haha!...and a bunch of other people, too.
Also...I saw this poster out side of the train station yesterday...hysterical! haha! :
Gratitude 242
I am thankful that for this one day, someone else was in charge of my where to be when...I love traveling, but sometimes, I need a break from being in charge of my life. haha!
I am so unbelievably blessed to be in Europe! Yes, it's tiring, stressful, and quite lonely at times, but this is an incredible opportunity to be here at any point in one's life. The adventure of a life time. Carpe diem! :)
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