Before I left on this trip the only proponent of Berlin was Hilary (who is my college friend Matt’s wife, for those of you that haven’t heard of her). Several of other comments I had received about this place were along the lines of “it’s just another big city”. Man, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Welcome to Dresden, Now Leave
This morning I hopped a two-hour train from Prague to Dresden, Germany. As some of you may know, my original plan was to see Krakow, Poland before I made my way to Prague to see Brian. But, seeing as my plans were always flexible, Brian suggested that I come a weekend earlier so he could host another guest the following weekend. Fine with me, I thought, I’ll skip Krakow and add a few destinations in Germany to my plan.
Czech Replublic, Flood Tide
As the water level rises and the waves crash upon the shores of my mind I feel the stress and depression being drawn out with them. If only there were more than a metaphorical ocean in Prague which I could dangle my feet, I think that I could accellerate this healing even quicker. But in place of warm summer waters, I have cold beer and good company.
Czech Republic, Low Tide
I have plenty of good things to say about Prague and the Czechs but I’m not going to right now. I have emotionally hit a low-point due to some over-indulgence at last night’s Paul Van Dyk “concert”. I’m going to vent now and hopefully come back in a better mood on another day.
Protected: Sunday Night
Slovenia Pictures
Last night was another of those unexpected raging parties. I must have walked all the way across Buda last night in a drunken stupor. The description of my destination, company, and eventual resting spot will have to wait for another day. But since its raining outside and I need the rest, I’m doing some reading and blogging today.
Sight, Smell, Taste, Touch, Sound
I wrote down the following journal entry as I was sitting by myself in a park next to the Danube during St. Stephen’s day. I liked what I wrote, so I decided to share it here.
St. Stephen’s Day
As usual, I’ve got a complete backlog of topics to write and no time to write them. Budapest has been quite fun so far but the time gained by my slightly-decreased amount of partying has been consumed by the terrific increase in local events. As it turns out, I happened to show up the day before St. Stephen’s Day, which may be Hungary’s biggest party of the year.
Slovenia
Today I’m finishing up a three-day stint in Slovenia from which my base of operations has been its capital, Ljubljana (LYOOB lyana). As I’ve moved further northeast I’m starting to see more of the Europe that I recognize as western. But Slovenia is still undiscovered and the bars and restaurants are filled with more locals than tourists and Americans continue to be scarce. But I have met four of them in this country, which is four more than I met in Bulgaria and Serbia combined.
24 Hours
The following list typifies my average travel day. Having just finished my third of such days, I am seeing this pattern.