...AMAZING!
Sorry everyone, I have been slacking, but I'll catch you up (even though becca has done a good job of keeping you filled in) So far we have done Copenhagen, a quick stop in Frankfurt, then on to Prague and now Rome. Tomorrow we leave for Florence. So I'll give you a little of each!
COPENHAGEN
With Copenhagen being our first stop, and not really knowing what to expect, we of course were keeping an open mind. We landed, got on the trAin to our hotel, took some roundabout way to the hotel which allowed us to see the area a little bit and we quickly discovered that we were staying in a *liberal* part of town ... If ya know what i mean!
We checked into Hotel Abs Elon which was endearingly decorated with yellow and green floral curtains, carpeting and bedding, and had a white and orange color scheme going on in the bathroom. We dumped the bags and hit the streets. We walked past Tivloi, the amusement park, said we'd go back, although we never did, and went to Streckers. Silk, our bartender, was very sweet and served us our first carlsburg followed by a beer tasting of five different draughts. Yumm. Day one was pretty relaxing.
Day two we took a bike ride led by Steiner/not sure what his Danish name is butnhe said it meant stone or rock. Someone else called him Peter so really any of the above. I honestly don't think he cared what we called him. He was an anarchist, keen to hear our thoughts about 911 and bin ladens death. We didnt have ,much to say but he was a good guide for the day. The Danish bike around Copenhagen as a way of life he said they are determined people, even in the winter. He tooknus to see some of the monuments, the opera house, the royal residence, Christiania (a magical place), and the little mermaid statue.
That pretty much sums up a lot of Copenhagen.
FRANKURT
We stopped over in Frankfurt for a night before we took a train to Prague, we stayed by the airport to make transportation convenient. We were surprisingly impressed with the campgrounds across the street from our hotel. Mustafa, our concierge, hooked us up w a free glass of prosseco at Tomassi a little Italian hut on the camp/farm grounds. The food was delish! Then we worked up the motivation to work out. We ran around one square of the farm about five times. One time we thought that two men carrying fishing poles actually had rifles? Why, I'm not sure but maybe bc there were no bodies of water in sight. So we had a great day but hit the hit road real quick.
PRAGUE
We got off the train to Prague and had to find the next train to our hotel, got off of that train and spent the next two hours walking around this park clueless as to how to orient ourselves and find our street. I swear, the signs and arrows point in all the wrong directions and everything is 200 meters away; except not.
After all that though we had the best time. We hit up this Cuban bar that was recommended on the web and by our concierge called La Bodeguita del Medio. Oh yah, and don't worry we went all three nights. Apparently Czech waiters love to have an American girl flirt w them (maybe I'll try being so forward w the American boys). Jirka (pronounced Yerka, but w a Czech accent) was actually our favorite. He was some kind of manager and he looked sooo serious but after seeing us for three nights there was no doubt that the love was mutual.
Night two in Prague was the best, we hung w the locals, thanks Marek and Filip for taking us out til 5 or 6 in the morning it wad great to see the local dives. But, they can't hang; we went back to say goodbye on our last night and found that everyone had showed up to work late that day, or in one poor girls case not at all. She probs got the boot! I know, I know, I'm not perfect either but these ppl don't work til 4 pm!!!
In also can't write about Prague without at least mentioning the little Spanish man who goes to bodeguita every night and dances the night away with all the young girls. Good for him. At first I thought creepy then realized he's harmless and so much fun!
ROME
Now were in Rome and it's been great, but not what I expected at all. We got tons of good tips from everyone so thanks for that! We have avoided a lot of tourist traps ... Except for Becca's wooden turtle that she bought off of Willy on night one. Woops. But the food is great, the gelato is ... Well we're up to two a day now :/ that's embarrassing. Hazelnut is by far the best, but I couldnt find the heavenly honey fig flavor that Charlie and Areti have been raving about. We frequent Beebops which is across the little street from our humble fountain that we found where the locals hang out and drink beer. We haven't made any friends here like we did in Prague but were okay with that because Italian men are ... Different. And aggressive.
We have lots of pics put on FB so keep your eyes peeled!
Miss you all!! Xx
G
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
GERMANY
So after we left Copenhagen we spent one day in Germany. We went to the Holiday Inn Express by the airport and had a jet lag day where we recovered from the time differ de. Across the street is this amazing camping ground area (the hotel is off the highway in the middle of nowerhere). In the middle of the camping area is an amazing little restaurant called Tomasi - highly highly recommend it to anyone who's going to Frankfurt anytime soon haha. They use natural local ingredients and are so AWESOME. Our concierge gave us coupons for free champagne and we sat outside in the sun and enjoyed the day! Livin the life haha
Then we napped and went back out to the camp grounds to work out! It was sweet we did a jog/sprint workout through these feilds and saw a big herd of sheep (even a black one) grazing in this huge field like area with a creek. It was beautiful. After we did some workouts on these cut down stumps that were outside.. We really had to sit back and appreciate that we were making nature our own personal gym haha despite the stares of locals while we were doing squats and lunges.
Seriously though, being in Europe makes me feel like a fat American. They don't super size ANYTHING here. We order a sandwich or some kind of meal, and it's not served with a huge side. It's kind of nice. At hotel breakfast, it's all mini food served with small plates and small juice glasses. Little pre served packages of Nutella, small bread slices. It's still filling and yummy and makes our diets a little bit easier - let's be serious we aren't trying to gain a thousand pounds!
Later in the night we got ready to take the overnight train to Copenhagen. Let me tell you - nobody had any idea where the EU rail station was and we were FEEAKING out, but ended up finding an info desk and got it all worked out. Overnight trains are brutal - do not recommend that to anyone traveling haha. We had these big half moon/ alien chairs and the train wasn't til 1 am so everyone in the cabin was already sleeping when we got in. It was a funny experience but if you want a good nights sleep definitely do the train bunk bed option.
Made it to Prague safely. Will update more later. Oh, and still trying to get Grace to blog!
Then we napped and went back out to the camp grounds to work out! It was sweet we did a jog/sprint workout through these feilds and saw a big herd of sheep (even a black one) grazing in this huge field like area with a creek. It was beautiful. After we did some workouts on these cut down stumps that were outside.. We really had to sit back and appreciate that we were making nature our own personal gym haha despite the stares of locals while we were doing squats and lunges.
Seriously though, being in Europe makes me feel like a fat American. They don't super size ANYTHING here. We order a sandwich or some kind of meal, and it's not served with a huge side. It's kind of nice. At hotel breakfast, it's all mini food served with small plates and small juice glasses. Little pre served packages of Nutella, small bread slices. It's still filling and yummy and makes our diets a little bit easier - let's be serious we aren't trying to gain a thousand pounds!
Later in the night we got ready to take the overnight train to Copenhagen. Let me tell you - nobody had any idea where the EU rail station was and we were FEEAKING out, but ended up finding an info desk and got it all worked out. Overnight trains are brutal - do not recommend that to anyone traveling haha. We had these big half moon/ alien chairs and the train wasn't til 1 am so everyone in the cabin was already sleeping when we got in. It was a funny experience but if you want a good nights sleep definitely do the train bunk bed option.
Made it to Prague safely. Will update more later. Oh, and still trying to get Grace to blog!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Biker's Paradise
First stop: Copenhagen, Denmark!
We were welcomed to Copenhagen by a really sweet Danish security officer. She directed us to our hotel once we got off the train, and we walked right into what seems to be Copenhagen's sex district. There are "free sex shows" and stores that sell dildo's all around us, and we were quite surprised! But we were excited about being in a new place.
The hotel is really located in a central area (besides the whole sex thing) it was so easy to get around especially by foot. We are right next to Tivoli, an outdoor amusement park that has tons of different little restaurants and beer gardens inside. We were on our way there when it started pouring rain so we ran into a bar across the street called Streckers. We met our bartender, Silke, who is the definition of a Danish beauty. Then we did beer tasting and Grace and I got a liitttllleeee drunk. Apparently the alcohol content in Danish beer is higher...who knew? (hahaha) It was an early night for us.
Today we went on a bike tour all around the city and saw lots of different parts. People here ride bike EVERYWHERE. There are separate lanes on the sides of the roads for bikers and something like 36% of the population uses biking as their main way of getting around. We biked through all these historic landmarks and we also visited Christiania which is sort of an anarchist neighborhood. This group of people moved in to old military barracks and created their own neighborhood within a city. They are secluded and sell pot down the main street. It was SWEET and there was tons of graffiti everywhere. After 3 hours of biking our butts were so sore! We ditched the bikes and ended our night with a stroll in Nyhvnd (new hound, a beautiful harbor near the central city.
More updates soon! Pictures aren't working for some reason but we will try and get that all figured out soon.
BECCA
We were welcomed to Copenhagen by a really sweet Danish security officer. She directed us to our hotel once we got off the train, and we walked right into what seems to be Copenhagen's sex district. There are "free sex shows" and stores that sell dildo's all around us, and we were quite surprised! But we were excited about being in a new place.
The hotel is really located in a central area (besides the whole sex thing) it was so easy to get around especially by foot. We are right next to Tivoli, an outdoor amusement park that has tons of different little restaurants and beer gardens inside. We were on our way there when it started pouring rain so we ran into a bar across the street called Streckers. We met our bartender, Silke, who is the definition of a Danish beauty. Then we did beer tasting and Grace and I got a liitttllleeee drunk. Apparently the alcohol content in Danish beer is higher...who knew? (hahaha) It was an early night for us.
Today we went on a bike tour all around the city and saw lots of different parts. People here ride bike EVERYWHERE. There are separate lanes on the sides of the roads for bikers and something like 36% of the population uses biking as their main way of getting around. We biked through all these historic landmarks and we also visited Christiania which is sort of an anarchist neighborhood. This group of people moved in to old military barracks and created their own neighborhood within a city. They are secluded and sell pot down the main street. It was SWEET and there was tons of graffiti everywhere. After 3 hours of biking our butts were so sore! We ditched the bikes and ended our night with a stroll in Nyhvnd (new hound, a beautiful harbor near the central city.
More updates soon! Pictures aren't working for some reason but we will try and get that all figured out soon.
BECCA
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Five Star Backpacking
So, it will be my fourth time leaving the United States (outside of Canada ... what is that anyways?!), but the FIRST time I will be making it to 12, maybe 13 destinations, all in one go! My head is spinning thinking about it! In just a few short days we will be shopping in Europe, eating the best food in the world, visiting ancient historic sites and of course participating in the modern cultures of our various destinations.
I'm not quite sure how to prepare for this; we're departing this weekend with just the bags on our backs and each other. Stilettos and other fabulous accessories are not invited; yeah, we're roughin' it! NOT! I think we'll be okay as long as we don't get sold into slavery for a couple of camels or arrested for unlawful gum-chewing. People here tell me they like when I come back ... so we'll do our best not to be detained, but I can't promise I wont fall in love with the local culture, or maybe just the locals (oops, btdt) and stay voluntarily.
But I'll stop bragging ... until we get there ;)
Until then, I cannot wait for happy hour on Thursday to say farewell to all of my wonderful coworkers (SUCKAHHHHS!) And, of course since my boss promised everyone I'd be taking souvenir requests, I sure will listen to them, but after all those drinks I'm not too sure I'll remember them!
G
I'm not quite sure how to prepare for this; we're departing this weekend with just the bags on our backs and each other. Stilettos and other fabulous accessories are not invited; yeah, we're roughin' it! NOT! I think we'll be okay as long as we don't get sold into slavery for a couple of camels or arrested for unlawful gum-chewing. People here tell me they like when I come back ... so we'll do our best not to be detained, but I can't promise I wont fall in love with the local culture, or maybe just the locals (oops, btdt) and stay voluntarily.
But I'll stop bragging ... until we get there ;)
Until then, I cannot wait for happy hour on Thursday to say farewell to all of my wonderful coworkers (SUCKAHHHHS!) And, of course since my boss promised everyone I'd be taking souvenir requests, I sure will listen to them, but after all those drinks I'm not too sure I'll remember them!
G
Sunday, May 15, 2011
5 More Days!!
Soooo.... five more days until we finally leave!! It is so surreal that the trip is almost here. I know that this week of work is going to be FUN but also creep by sooooo sooooo slowly.... My mom gets here Wednesday to help me pack and get all organized logistically! She wants me to have everything organized so that when Grace & I return, I am all set to move into my new apartment with the one and only Gwendolyn (and hopefully Emily K too!!)
Gwen and I went searching for apartments today and found our dreaaaaam one.. only $10,000 a month. Dad? Please? Yeah I won't hold my breath for that one. Hopefully we find something good to lease so we have a place to live!! Anyways, I think I've figured out trip clothes so far, Grace and I narrowed it down today. The list is short no worries: 2 pairs of jeans (1 blue, 1 white), assorted tops, every pair of underwear I own, socks, 2 workout pants, assorted workout tops, 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals, and my sparkly Tom's. SOOO little. Wedges will be purchased upon arrival to some amazingly beautiful shoe store in the middle of the world - can't freaking wait.
More updates soon!
BECCA
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Pre Trip Thoughts by Becca
So it is officially less than two weeks until we leave for our amazing trip around the world! I am beyond excited and I think everyone I have encountered is really excited for us too! If I had a dollar for every person who has asked me what our stops are...... I'd have a lot of spending money going into this trip! My friends and family were beyond generous for Graduation and I really did acquire a little sum of cash to take with me and get some souvenirs on our trip. I am taking requests now.. haha
I really do have to send a huge thank you to my amazing parents who have planned and excecuted this trip from the very beginning. It has been a long and tedious process, but it has been a learning experience to say the least (I think either of them could be ATW trip planners now) and hopefully they will come meet Grace and I at some point on our travels.
Another person whom I do need to acknowledge is my ATW travel partner, Gracie :) I knew from the very beginning that I couldn't have picked a better partner to embark on this long journey with! Keep hounding me to work out (so we don't gain 1.000 pounds) and to keep being excited.. I know we both have a keen sense of safety and a huge desire to explore so I know we will make the very most of this trip.
Soooooo the age old question (for the past 5 months) is how on earth do I pack for this trip?! 60 days abroad but what do we bring????? I have narrowed it down to a North Face Packing bag and 1 (yes, just one) rolling bag that is carry on size and will fit in an overhead. The goal is to pack beyond light in order to never have to check our bags (i.e avoid losing our luggage, spending more time in airports waiting for our luggage, etc) and also leave a little room to bring back clothes and such from everywhere we go! And yes, if you know me I WILL be doing lots and lots of shopping! We've also purchased packing cubes by suggestion of other ATW blogs I've been searching on and those should help minimize wasted space and keep everything well organized. And my Mom is coming up to help with phase 1 of packing (bless her soul) and then Dad will join her here to see Gracie & I off at the airport! AHH!! So soon!
Countdown: 11 Days until departure!
Check back on our blog for more pre-departure thoughts and updates, and during our trip for lots of pictures! (and get ready to see us both in LOTS of the same outfits, due to our limited clothes selection - its going to be veeerrryyy tough)
BECCA
I really do have to send a huge thank you to my amazing parents who have planned and excecuted this trip from the very beginning. It has been a long and tedious process, but it has been a learning experience to say the least (I think either of them could be ATW trip planners now) and hopefully they will come meet Grace and I at some point on our travels.
Another person whom I do need to acknowledge is my ATW travel partner, Gracie :) I knew from the very beginning that I couldn't have picked a better partner to embark on this long journey with! Keep hounding me to work out (so we don't gain 1.000 pounds) and to keep being excited.. I know we both have a keen sense of safety and a huge desire to explore so I know we will make the very most of this trip.
Soooooo the age old question (for the past 5 months) is how on earth do I pack for this trip?! 60 days abroad but what do we bring????? I have narrowed it down to a North Face Packing bag and 1 (yes, just one) rolling bag that is carry on size and will fit in an overhead. The goal is to pack beyond light in order to never have to check our bags (i.e avoid losing our luggage, spending more time in airports waiting for our luggage, etc) and also leave a little room to bring back clothes and such from everywhere we go! And yes, if you know me I WILL be doing lots and lots of shopping! We've also purchased packing cubes by suggestion of other ATW blogs I've been searching on and those should help minimize wasted space and keep everything well organized. And my Mom is coming up to help with phase 1 of packing (bless her soul) and then Dad will join her here to see Gracie & I off at the airport! AHH!! So soon!
Countdown: 11 Days until departure!
Check back on our blog for more pre-departure thoughts and updates, and during our trip for lots of pictures! (and get ready to see us both in LOTS of the same outfits, due to our limited clothes selection - its going to be veeerrryyy tough)
BECCA
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