Today was a day to relax and take for myself. I really needed it. Being on the road non stop and always feeling like there is something you need to see can get tiring. I know I have seen most of what there is to see here in Luzern back in 99' and I have already taken a quick refresher of the town. I still have another 4 days to see the major stuff. And for that, today wasn't exciting to read about, unfortunately. But it was exciting for me to do some shopping and get some gifts for the fam and Ellie. I hope you all like everything. I also got myself a sweet Swiss army knife. It is more of a souvenir, then for use, but sweet non the less. You would have to see it to appreciate it. Did some more walking around town and deeper through the streets and through old town. I heard some music as I was walking through the town and turned the corver to find the Swiss Army Band playing for a massive group of people. The music was awesome and the drum line was even more entertaining. It was a good, free, one hour show. I headed back to the hostel to have my spaghetti dinner once again, load more photos and post pictures to facebook. I hope you all enjoy them, even if it is a fraction of what I was able to experience.
Not a long blogg, but just a quick update. Talk to you tomorrow.
Kurt
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
August 22nd, 2010
I was woken up after my long night of partying at the festival, by the mats being picked up all around me.Apparently check out was 9am. Since it was Sunday and the last day of wrestling and the festival, no one would be staying in the gym another night. So they were kicking everyone out. The two girls (the reason I never say their name is because they are crazy Swiss names and can't pronounce, let alone spell their names) were still there and were slowly getting up aswell. I still don't have a hostel booked anywhere. The girls knew this and offered me a ride back to Luzern, where they both live. One of them knew of a good Hostel close in town that we could check out. How could I refuse this free ride with no worries on a train to catch or search for a hostel. We made the hike through the thousands of cars and I threw my stuff in.....I woke up in Luzern. It was great. lol. They called on the hostel and took me there to check in. I booked 3 nights, thanked the girls for everything and they were on their way. I had a full backpack of laundry to do and finally gave in to paying the reception 10 Franks for a wash and a dry (the Frank to Dollar is pretty much exactly the same). I napped in between cycles until it was time to check in at 4pm. After check in, I took a stroll down the road to see the town. My camera was dead though. It was great to see the beautiful Swiss town though.
I headed back to the Hostel after a bit and met the guy who was staying in my room. He had just been hiking up at Pilatus. He told me it was gorgeous. We then discussed how outrageous prices are here in Switzerland. We were both getting hungry for dinner, so we decided to take a walk into town to the grocery and make some dinner. He just grabbed some beer, while I bought spaghetti supplies. It came to 22 Franks. The noodles were 3 franks alone. The 1 lbs. of meat was 8 franks!! Crazy expensive. I cooked the whole batch that night and had left overs for 3 more meals. I had to put the left overs in 3 separate bowls, because they have nothing bigger here. It fed me for the next day and the following morning after that though. Nothing much more to say about this day, except IT IS GREAT TO BE A SWISS!!
Love,
Kurt
I headed back to the Hostel after a bit and met the guy who was staying in my room. He had just been hiking up at Pilatus. He told me it was gorgeous. We then discussed how outrageous prices are here in Switzerland. We were both getting hungry for dinner, so we decided to take a walk into town to the grocery and make some dinner. He just grabbed some beer, while I bought spaghetti supplies. It came to 22 Franks. The noodles were 3 franks alone. The 1 lbs. of meat was 8 franks!! Crazy expensive. I cooked the whole batch that night and had left overs for 3 more meals. I had to put the left overs in 3 separate bowls, because they have nothing bigger here. It fed me for the next day and the following morning after that though. Nothing much more to say about this day, except IT IS GREAT TO BE A SWISS!!
Love,
Kurt
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
August 21st, 2010
Like I mentioned in my last post, I didn't sleep too well. Probably because I was constantly worrying about missing my stop, even though the train wasn't going anywhere after the Zurich stop. When I arrived in Zurich, I knew I had to get to Frauenfeld. I also knew that mom had gotten Willi's phone number to his mothers house and that Nathan and I have been talking via Skype. But, since I was so rushed to make my train and no Internet on the trains, I could neither facebook Nathan, or skype mom. I was heading to Frauenfelt knowing nothing. I took the next train from Zurich to Frauenfeld. It was a short 45 minutes and I met some cool dudes that were in boy scouts and who swore it is not like it is in the States. I didn't believe them. lol. After they got off, I noticed a girl next to me wearing a shit that had Swiss wrestlers on it and said Frauenfeld 2010. I figured she must be getting off at the same stop as me. I need to get to the Schwingfest, the eidgenössisches! She said to follow her off the train, because there are shuttles that take people from the train station to the festival. I walked with her to the festival and told her how I have no where to sleep and that my plan was to just catch a train back to Zurich. But at the same time I would have to Lug my backpack everywhere. As we got closer to the entrance of the festival, I noticed tents everywhere! I asked if that's where she was staying, because she had a pack with a sleeping bag. She said she may, or she may not depending on what friends she meets there. I told her I had to tent, sleeping pad, or sleeping bag. She gave me option number two, which was that they were letting people sleep on the gym floor of a school.And the best part is, they supplied pads. She pointed me in the right direction to talk to someone about it. When I asked if there were sheets or a pillow with this pad, the best English he could come up with was that, "It is like a bed, but not a bed." haha. I mean, my fault for not knowing Swiss German while in Switzerland, but it was just funny. It cost 35Franks for a piece of real estate on the floor. With that as one of my options, I headed back to the train station to find Internet. The lovely lady at he information's desk was a sweetheart. when i told her I was American and here to watch some of my friends from back home wrestle, she knew exactly who they were. telling me that one of them was on TV. This was Nathan. I was pretty excited that people in the Town of Frauenfeld knew the American wrestlers. She then showed me where I could find Internet and also where to score free beer in the festival, although I never found the place. I B-lined it for the Internet cafe to get Willi's number and try to catch him before they left home. I had little hope though, since it was 12 noon. Of course Nathan wasn't going to reply to my FB messages that day, because he was wrestling. I decided I needed to just go back to the festival and get a spot on the gym floor. So I did.
Unfortunately, check in wasn't untill 3. it was half past 12. He showed me on the map where this gym was and told me they might be letting people in early. I was desperate to dump my pack somewhere, anywhere remotely safe. I was tired of carrying it through the 90 degree weather. I walked over the river and around the bend like he said, but I saw no Gym.Or anything that was marked as something that was part of the festival. There were a lot of big buildings in this industrial like area, but nothing marked that I could see. I approached 2 Swiss Army fellas and figured they must know where it is, because I knew I was in the general area. Maybe a block away (I was. I was less than a block away). But he didn't know and looked on his military map and was trying to line the roads and river up with my map then pointed in a direction to give me his best guess. With no other option, I headed that way. I walked and walked. Comparing names on the map and the ticket I got for the gym with the signs on the road. Everything was in frickin Swiss German. Again, my fault, not theirs. But it got really frustrating, really fast. Nothing came close where I was now to a school gym. I stopped an elderly gentleman who was walking and asked if he spoke English.He said a little. He really meant a little. I pointed to the map, he gave me his Swiss German jibber jabber. I said ya ya. I was thinking, no no. Jibber jabber. Ya ya. Jibber jabber. LOST. He finally pointed and I told him thank you in German the best I could and waited for someone else to wal by. But I was in farm ville on the back streets and the outskirts of the festival. There was a car or two, but no walkers. I found some shade to wait. I waited. I sat. I waited. I leaned on my pack. I waited. I laid on my pack. I waited......Lights out. I was so tired, I had fallen asleep on the sidewalk against an old building in the shade. It felt so good. I felt so lost. I needed a little bit of sleep to escape the frustration.
I got up about an hour later and feeling a lot more energetic. I felt good. I was ready to give it another go. I walked across the street and back toward where I came from. I saw some sings on a post about 20 meters down that looked like they were part of the festival. i wondered down the driveway and figured out it was a parking lot for the festival. i walked a little further in and saw across the way, a building that looked like a gym. I thought to myself, no way did I pass that on my way in. My eyes must have been glued to the map. I headed for the building. Past a barn and around a tractor. I got excited when i saw someone closing the back doors to the gym looking building. He must be working there. I got around to the other side, and sure enough, that was it! I was so relieved. The guys there spoke really good English and were really helpful. I told them I had no sleeping bag and asked for a blanket. they had non, but they told me they would fine something. One guy came back with sheet and the other with a pillow. This was working out great!! I was set! I threw my pack down and tried out the pad. It was thick and very comfy. this was around 3:30. With knowing no one, having no ticket inside the wrestling stadium and after making a round through the festival, I went back to my pad to take a nap.
I was woken up at 5:00 by two girls loudly talking in Swiss German. I looked up and they blabbed something at me. I said, sorry, I don't speak German...English? They said ohhhhh.....what are you doing here. I told them them about how I Swiss wrestle back home and my friends are there and what not. I asked them, "What are you 2 doing here?" they said to drink beer. I said, really? you don't have a ticket to watch the wrestling? they said no. I thought perfect, and said, Me either. This couldn't be working out any better. They asked if I wanted to join them. I said of course, I don't know anyone and don't have a ticket either. I showered quick, dried off with my shirt (I forgot my towel at the last Hostel) and we were off. There were so many people drinking beer at this place under dozens of huge tents, I felt like I was at Octoberfest. It was a lot of fun. Drank some beer, had some Jager.
I even watched a little bit of the wrestling highlights on the big screen. We went to this bar that served this hard coffee stuff. It was delectable. it was getting later and later. I watched people and rode a mechanical bull. That was a lot of fun. I was getting so angry with these people who rode it with both hands on the horn. Don't these hicks know you are supposed to put one hand in the air. I gave it my best shot with one hand and think I did pretty well. I got thrown off pretty bad so everyone could laugh. But that is the whole point of it anyways. I know I was laughing at everyone who got in that thing. Even the two girls who went double. The crowd went crazy for that. lol. Everyone whipping out their phones and cameras to snap a picture. We went to a club and danced all night before going to bed. I had such a great time. Met a lot of other random people on the way who I could barely tal to. Met some older folk that I needed to get translated for me. The older generation really gets excited when I tell them I am part Swiss (a guy told me today, the 25th, on my hike that I was a homesick Swiss. I told him exactly. He is visiting Switzerland, where he was born, for 3 weeks. He has been living in South Africa for the past 25 years). I had a great nights sleep on my pad, sheets, and pillow. It really was like a bed........... But not. The guy couldn't have been more right with his choice of English words.
It was scorching today during the festival. Another reason why I didn't need more than a sheet.
Hope all is well and you all have god weather back home as fall comes creeping in.
Love you all,
Kurt
Unfortunately, check in wasn't untill 3. it was half past 12. He showed me on the map where this gym was and told me they might be letting people in early. I was desperate to dump my pack somewhere, anywhere remotely safe. I was tired of carrying it through the 90 degree weather. I walked over the river and around the bend like he said, but I saw no Gym.Or anything that was marked as something that was part of the festival. There were a lot of big buildings in this industrial like area, but nothing marked that I could see. I approached 2 Swiss Army fellas and figured they must know where it is, because I knew I was in the general area. Maybe a block away (I was. I was less than a block away). But he didn't know and looked on his military map and was trying to line the roads and river up with my map then pointed in a direction to give me his best guess. With no other option, I headed that way. I walked and walked. Comparing names on the map and the ticket I got for the gym with the signs on the road. Everything was in frickin Swiss German. Again, my fault, not theirs. But it got really frustrating, really fast. Nothing came close where I was now to a school gym. I stopped an elderly gentleman who was walking and asked if he spoke English.He said a little. He really meant a little. I pointed to the map, he gave me his Swiss German jibber jabber. I said ya ya. I was thinking, no no. Jibber jabber. Ya ya. Jibber jabber. LOST. He finally pointed and I told him thank you in German the best I could and waited for someone else to wal by. But I was in farm ville on the back streets and the outskirts of the festival. There was a car or two, but no walkers. I found some shade to wait. I waited. I sat. I waited. I leaned on my pack. I waited. I laid on my pack. I waited......Lights out. I was so tired, I had fallen asleep on the sidewalk against an old building in the shade. It felt so good. I felt so lost. I needed a little bit of sleep to escape the frustration.
I got up about an hour later and feeling a lot more energetic. I felt good. I was ready to give it another go. I walked across the street and back toward where I came from. I saw some sings on a post about 20 meters down that looked like they were part of the festival. i wondered down the driveway and figured out it was a parking lot for the festival. i walked a little further in and saw across the way, a building that looked like a gym. I thought to myself, no way did I pass that on my way in. My eyes must have been glued to the map. I headed for the building. Past a barn and around a tractor. I got excited when i saw someone closing the back doors to the gym looking building. He must be working there. I got around to the other side, and sure enough, that was it! I was so relieved. The guys there spoke really good English and were really helpful. I told them I had no sleeping bag and asked for a blanket. they had non, but they told me they would fine something. One guy came back with sheet and the other with a pillow. This was working out great!! I was set! I threw my pack down and tried out the pad. It was thick and very comfy. this was around 3:30. With knowing no one, having no ticket inside the wrestling stadium and after making a round through the festival, I went back to my pad to take a nap.
I was woken up at 5:00 by two girls loudly talking in Swiss German. I looked up and they blabbed something at me. I said, sorry, I don't speak German...English? They said ohhhhh.....what are you doing here. I told them them about how I Swiss wrestle back home and my friends are there and what not. I asked them, "What are you 2 doing here?" they said to drink beer. I said, really? you don't have a ticket to watch the wrestling? they said no. I thought perfect, and said, Me either. This couldn't be working out any better. They asked if I wanted to join them. I said of course, I don't know anyone and don't have a ticket either. I showered quick, dried off with my shirt (I forgot my towel at the last Hostel) and we were off. There were so many people drinking beer at this place under dozens of huge tents, I felt like I was at Octoberfest. It was a lot of fun. Drank some beer, had some Jager.
I even watched a little bit of the wrestling highlights on the big screen. We went to this bar that served this hard coffee stuff. It was delectable. it was getting later and later. I watched people and rode a mechanical bull. That was a lot of fun. I was getting so angry with these people who rode it with both hands on the horn. Don't these hicks know you are supposed to put one hand in the air. I gave it my best shot with one hand and think I did pretty well. I got thrown off pretty bad so everyone could laugh. But that is the whole point of it anyways. I know I was laughing at everyone who got in that thing. Even the two girls who went double. The crowd went crazy for that. lol. Everyone whipping out their phones and cameras to snap a picture. We went to a club and danced all night before going to bed. I had such a great time. Met a lot of other random people on the way who I could barely tal to. Met some older folk that I needed to get translated for me. The older generation really gets excited when I tell them I am part Swiss (a guy told me today, the 25th, on my hike that I was a homesick Swiss. I told him exactly. He is visiting Switzerland, where he was born, for 3 weeks. He has been living in South Africa for the past 25 years). I had a great nights sleep on my pad, sheets, and pillow. It really was like a bed........... But not. The guy couldn't have been more right with his choice of English words.
It was scorching today during the festival. Another reason why I didn't need more than a sheet.
Hope all is well and you all have god weather back home as fall comes creeping in.
Love you all,
Kurt
Monday, August 23, 2010
August 20th, 2010
When we got home around 7 in the morning, Meichy was telling Laura and Marcel that his friend game him 4 tickets to Berlin's Friday soccer match, which gives him an extra ticket. I spoke up and told him that if he needs someone to take it, I would! He offered it to me and we got to thinking about how I could make this work. I go to the game, then take the overnight to Zurich, then take the train into Frauenfeld for the huge Schwingfest! we checked the times and got it planned out. What I failed to book was a hostel back in Zurich where I could sleep sat night after the festivities. I wast worried though. I don't know how I had the energy at 7 in the morning, but I even squeezed in a video skype sesh with Ellie. With our plans set for tomorrow and a pad on the floor as my bed, it was lights out. We all slept till 3 in the afternoon. Before long, it was off to the soccer game. On our way, we stopped to check the details on my overnighter. It was a direct ride, which I was stoked about. I got my bed reserved and my ticket. We were good to go, and cintinued to the game. I was so so stoked to see a European soccer match!! Everyone was decked out in their Berlin Hertha gear. When we got to Olympic stadium, it was everything I expected and more. Chants and songs. Crazy fans. And an entertaining game with lots of goals, which gave everyone a chance to go nutty ballistic! Lol it was so much fun. I had a blast and was really starting to get sad about leaving Berlin and the great company I was in. But of course it had to come to an end, but not after a bit of excitement/adventure. So, of course on the way to the game Meichy was leading us everywhere. On the way back, he was still leading us everywhere but a different way. There were loads of people trying to cram into 2 different trains. It looked like we would be able to all fit in the next train. The next train arrived and Meichy kept telling me that I really had to push hard. We were all trying to get in one door and then we jumped over to the door next to is where there looked like there was some space. Keeping up mu aggressive attitude, I saw some space and took it. The 3 others hesitated and in that second, the doors closed behind me. I turned around and saw the only German speaking and the only person who knew where I was supposed to go, on the otherside of the glass. Meichy came running to the door and tried to pry it open. He made a small crack. With my help on the other side we made a bigger tiny crack in the rubber of where the doors come together. Usually a train leave pretty quickly after their doors shut. We got lucky though. The train delayed and we used that time to quickly communicate where I needed to go. He put his mouth to the crack and my ear presses against the other side when he told me to "get of at the @@&$8:$ station." I said what?!!! He told me this over about three times when I desperately asked him to spell it, spell it, spell it. I only caught the first 3 letters as the train pulled away and Marcel held his cell phone to the window and moved it infront of my face on the other side. I could not make out the small text.and with that, I was on my own. I only caught WAR. I was hoping very badly there was only one stop that started with WAR. luckily, there was. I was repeating to myself WAR WAR. When we arrived at my stop I recognized the station and knew I was in the right place. I was to wait for the rest of the group there. After three trains emptying their passengers, me having an overnight train to catch in one hour and no sign of the others. I started for Meichy's apartment. I knew the street the station put me on was the same street Meichy lives on. I knew what direction as well, so I hopped on the trolley in that direction. I was so nervous. What if they are waiting for me, looking for me. What if no one is home at the apartment to let me in to grab my pack, what if I miss my train to Zurich. After 3 stops and one to go, the greatest feeling in the world came to me. Mothers all over the world must experience this same feeling when finding their lost child. At that stop, Laura Marcel and Meichy all walk onto the trolly!! I was so relieved!! I gave out a hey!! OMG!!! Meichy threw his hands to his head as I threw mine in the air with my shoulders to my ears, then slapping my hands hard to my knees. We all then burst into laughter not believing what had happened and how it all worked out. It was a crazy experience. But we couldn't laugh for too long. I still had a train to catch. When I was frantically packing my bag, I regret to inform you, I dropped Jibb's head on the floor. It shattered into 5 little ceramic pieces with a bang. I was so sad. "Little sailor......I am so sorry," I said. I had to move on though. I set up Jibb's remains on Meichy's shelf in the kitchen so he could remember the great times we had. Now there is only 30 min left till my train departs. After quickly storing some directions to the dome and my hugs goodbye, I ran down the stairs. Ran to the trolly. Ran to the train station then ran to the correct platform of my train to Zurich.
I found my car, cabin and bed with no problem. Some others had a little more trouble. I noticed a bunch of ruckus from the cabin next door and peaked my head I. 5, 19year old guys traveling back home to Zurick. Swiss dudes. I was stoked. I told them how hungry I was and a couple of them gave me their left over burger and fries. I was satisfied. One of the guys and I started talking about how we wanted to hit the bar. We did just that. I made my bed and we hit the bar, on a moving train, headed for Switzerland. I was so pumped. We stayed up til about one thirty talking about all the things men talk about. It was a blast, but I had to get some sleep eventually. Zurich was the last stop and from there I am going to Frauenfeld to watch real Swiss wrestling at the worlds largest schwingfest. Keep in mind I have no idea where I am staying. Tonight I will not sleep well, but some sleep in a bed is better than non. Next is Frauenfeld and yet another adventure. I hope you are all doing well. I miss everyone and my own bed. Weather was hot today. Talk to you soon.
Sincerely,
Kurt
I found my car, cabin and bed with no problem. Some others had a little more trouble. I noticed a bunch of ruckus from the cabin next door and peaked my head I. 5, 19year old guys traveling back home to Zurick. Swiss dudes. I was stoked. I told them how hungry I was and a couple of them gave me their left over burger and fries. I was satisfied. One of the guys and I started talking about how we wanted to hit the bar. We did just that. I made my bed and we hit the bar, on a moving train, headed for Switzerland. I was so pumped. We stayed up til about one thirty talking about all the things men talk about. It was a blast, but I had to get some sleep eventually. Zurich was the last stop and from there I am going to Frauenfeld to watch real Swiss wrestling at the worlds largest schwingfest. Keep in mind I have no idea where I am staying. Tonight I will not sleep well, but some sleep in a bed is better than non. Next is Frauenfeld and yet another adventure. I hope you are all doing well. I miss everyone and my own bed. Weather was hot today. Talk to you soon.
Sincerely,
Kurt
Sunday, August 22, 2010
So I am now in Luzern. I know I have not wrote to you all in a while so I am going to hit on a few things briefly but also have some good stories and easily tell you about the funnest experience of possibly my life. So I will take you back to berlin now.
The pub crawl was awesome. Like always. Unfortunately I did not make it to the last pub because I hot sepperated from the group. The next day I was up by 9am and met my tour group to see the concentration camp. The only think I can say is that you will never believe it till you see it. I think everyone needs to see one at least once. This particular camp was not a death camp, although thousands were killed. A death camp is a place where execution was it's only purpose. This was after a while of concentration camps existing. The holocaust became worse and worse over time. There were 60k people at this huge camp at one point. The property is huge, but there are not a lot of bunks. There was also a prison for soviet soldiers at this camp where torture was used in attemp to gain intelligence from these people. People because there were not only soldiers here another man was someone who tried to assassinate Hitler. They thought he was a British spy, therefor they did not have him killed. There was one particular piece of torturing that was terrible. There were 3 poles in the open area outside the barracks. This pole had a piece of metal poking up at a slight angle from being exactly perpendicular to the pole. Mens hands would be tied behind their backs and hooked on this piece of metal while standing on a stool, then the stool would be kicked out and he would fall, dislocating both shoulders immediately. I also saw the ovens where all the prisoners were burnt after being executed or dying. After the concentration camp tour was over and I got home, it was dinner time. I got to talking with 3 other girls that were in the room. We all went out for dinner and then to the grocery store to get beer. It was so funny to me that none of the beer came in cases, just singles. We had a little basket full of Becks. It was a funny sight. My friend Laura, who I met in high school during her exchange, is visiting her cousin Meichy in Berlin with her bf Marcel. I met up with her and we were planning on going out for my last night in Berlin,but we ended up talking about German history till 4 in the morning. Miechy told me that i absolutely HAD to stay another night so we can go to a disco tech. He offered me to stay at his place. best descison of my life. After thanking him in advance, I got a cheap cab back home and was up and showered ready to check out by10. I then plugged in all my devices and fell asleep on the couch till about 1 in the afternoon. Lol. I made my way over to meichy's around 2 or 3, still without eating anything all day. After resting for a bit in the apartment I walked across the street to get some lunch. The lady there spoke no English, but luckily she could translate bratwurst. I ordered two with fries. It ended up being a currywurst, nut I ate all of it anyways because I was so hungry. I just scraped off the curry ketchup. I even bought some ice cream when I was done, which was amazing. The language barrier is starting to get to me more and more. I was spoiled in Ireland and england. After my filling lunch I headed back up to the apartment to see what the game plan for the day was. We headed out to walk around east Berlin. Meichy showed us his stomping grounds and his favorite party street. As we were walking we came across this small little beer shop. Marcel asked if I wanted a beer, and of course I did. They popped the cap and proceeded to walk down the street drinking their beer. I had to ask if it was legal, because there was no way I was getting in any trouble over seas. They both gave me a confused look followed with a chuckle and asked me if I was serious. I said, of course I am serious. We cannot do this in the states. I was so surprised and excited. I wanted to drink a beer everywhere it is illegal in the states. So that is what we did on our way back from visiting the Berlin wall and buying me a patch. We went into the grocery store to buy a cheap 4 pack each. The first thing when I got out if the store was crack my beer. I am very excited and pumped. I just could not believe what I was doing. We had to catch a tram back to the apartment but before we got on, I asked if I could drink my beer on it. They all laughed and said yes. Marcel even told me that I could go to the grocery store, buy a beer, crack it open and drink it while doing the rest of my shopping. As long as I pay fir it in the end, it is totally legal. With that said, I suggested we do it with a very excited voice. They again just laughed, but when we got back to the apartment, we did just that. It was awesome. Laura has pictures off it all, so when she sends them to me, you will see them on facebook. We all had spaghetti and beer. Then when 12 rolled around, we headed off to the club. I am nit sure who had the idea to grab the flat volleyball that was sitting outside the door, but we kicked it all the way there. There were a few times we almost lost it on balconies or over fences, but it survived the journey. Meichy asked the door man if he could watch it for us, and sure enough, after 5 hours of partying and the sun coming up, it was waiting for us when we left. It was soo great. I kitterally parties till the sun came up. As we were kicking the ball back home in complete day light, some English men joined us. We were passing, then guarding, then keeping away and it started to get a little competitive. We agreed we needed to play a game, but this is in the industrial district with nothing but concrete buildings and steel. That does not get in the way of a good old 3 on 3, German vs England bout. We found a huge patch of a concrete slab that was the foundation and floor of some warehouse. I was a guest player for the Germans and after throwing our shirts, coats and backpacks on the groud as goal posts, the game was on. Meichy and Marcel did work And scored goals up front, while I held it down in the backfield. It felt like was in a dream. It was so awesome, so much fun, I was pinching myself. With the game set to the first to 3 and us up 2-1, the pressuere was on. Just one more and we can celebrate in our jeans next to the graffitied walls. I unfortunately let one past me to tie up the score at 2-2. I was so nervous. I did not want to let my friends down and I wanted to be on the winning team as an American. Meichy had a misses shot on goal, but not to worry, for Marcel has his opportunity and slammed one in for the win. I went crazy. I was so excited that We beat a team of English kids who live by this game. I was so blown away. One of the greatest moments of my life. Who plays a pick up game of soccer, on concrete, at 5 in the morning, after partying all night, in a warehouse, IN BERLIN!!!! so awesome.
There is much more I need to tell you, but I also need a break from typing. I will post this for now so you all have something to read. Need to run some errands. Enjoy
Kurt
The pub crawl was awesome. Like always. Unfortunately I did not make it to the last pub because I hot sepperated from the group. The next day I was up by 9am and met my tour group to see the concentration camp. The only think I can say is that you will never believe it till you see it. I think everyone needs to see one at least once. This particular camp was not a death camp, although thousands were killed. A death camp is a place where execution was it's only purpose. This was after a while of concentration camps existing. The holocaust became worse and worse over time. There were 60k people at this huge camp at one point. The property is huge, but there are not a lot of bunks. There was also a prison for soviet soldiers at this camp where torture was used in attemp to gain intelligence from these people. People because there were not only soldiers here another man was someone who tried to assassinate Hitler. They thought he was a British spy, therefor they did not have him killed. There was one particular piece of torturing that was terrible. There were 3 poles in the open area outside the barracks. This pole had a piece of metal poking up at a slight angle from being exactly perpendicular to the pole. Mens hands would be tied behind their backs and hooked on this piece of metal while standing on a stool, then the stool would be kicked out and he would fall, dislocating both shoulders immediately. I also saw the ovens where all the prisoners were burnt after being executed or dying. After the concentration camp tour was over and I got home, it was dinner time. I got to talking with 3 other girls that were in the room. We all went out for dinner and then to the grocery store to get beer. It was so funny to me that none of the beer came in cases, just singles. We had a little basket full of Becks. It was a funny sight. My friend Laura, who I met in high school during her exchange, is visiting her cousin Meichy in Berlin with her bf Marcel. I met up with her and we were planning on going out for my last night in Berlin,but we ended up talking about German history till 4 in the morning. Miechy told me that i absolutely HAD to stay another night so we can go to a disco tech. He offered me to stay at his place. best descison of my life. After thanking him in advance, I got a cheap cab back home and was up and showered ready to check out by10. I then plugged in all my devices and fell asleep on the couch till about 1 in the afternoon. Lol. I made my way over to meichy's around 2 or 3, still without eating anything all day. After resting for a bit in the apartment I walked across the street to get some lunch. The lady there spoke no English, but luckily she could translate bratwurst. I ordered two with fries. It ended up being a currywurst, nut I ate all of it anyways because I was so hungry. I just scraped off the curry ketchup. I even bought some ice cream when I was done, which was amazing. The language barrier is starting to get to me more and more. I was spoiled in Ireland and england. After my filling lunch I headed back up to the apartment to see what the game plan for the day was. We headed out to walk around east Berlin. Meichy showed us his stomping grounds and his favorite party street. As we were walking we came across this small little beer shop. Marcel asked if I wanted a beer, and of course I did. They popped the cap and proceeded to walk down the street drinking their beer. I had to ask if it was legal, because there was no way I was getting in any trouble over seas. They both gave me a confused look followed with a chuckle and asked me if I was serious. I said, of course I am serious. We cannot do this in the states. I was so surprised and excited. I wanted to drink a beer everywhere it is illegal in the states. So that is what we did on our way back from visiting the Berlin wall and buying me a patch. We went into the grocery store to buy a cheap 4 pack each. The first thing when I got out if the store was crack my beer. I am very excited and pumped. I just could not believe what I was doing. We had to catch a tram back to the apartment but before we got on, I asked if I could drink my beer on it. They all laughed and said yes. Marcel even told me that I could go to the grocery store, buy a beer, crack it open and drink it while doing the rest of my shopping. As long as I pay fir it in the end, it is totally legal. With that said, I suggested we do it with a very excited voice. They again just laughed, but when we got back to the apartment, we did just that. It was awesome. Laura has pictures off it all, so when she sends them to me, you will see them on facebook. We all had spaghetti and beer. Then when 12 rolled around, we headed off to the club. I am nit sure who had the idea to grab the flat volleyball that was sitting outside the door, but we kicked it all the way there. There were a few times we almost lost it on balconies or over fences, but it survived the journey. Meichy asked the door man if he could watch it for us, and sure enough, after 5 hours of partying and the sun coming up, it was waiting for us when we left. It was soo great. I kitterally parties till the sun came up. As we were kicking the ball back home in complete day light, some English men joined us. We were passing, then guarding, then keeping away and it started to get a little competitive. We agreed we needed to play a game, but this is in the industrial district with nothing but concrete buildings and steel. That does not get in the way of a good old 3 on 3, German vs England bout. We found a huge patch of a concrete slab that was the foundation and floor of some warehouse. I was a guest player for the Germans and after throwing our shirts, coats and backpacks on the groud as goal posts, the game was on. Meichy and Marcel did work And scored goals up front, while I held it down in the backfield. It felt like was in a dream. It was so awesome, so much fun, I was pinching myself. With the game set to the first to 3 and us up 2-1, the pressuere was on. Just one more and we can celebrate in our jeans next to the graffitied walls. I unfortunately let one past me to tie up the score at 2-2. I was so nervous. I did not want to let my friends down and I wanted to be on the winning team as an American. Meichy had a misses shot on goal, but not to worry, for Marcel has his opportunity and slammed one in for the win. I went crazy. I was so excited that We beat a team of English kids who live by this game. I was so blown away. One of the greatest moments of my life. Who plays a pick up game of soccer, on concrete, at 5 in the morning, after partying all night, in a warehouse, IN BERLIN!!!! so awesome.
There is much more I need to tell you, but I also need a break from typing. I will post this for now so you all have something to read. Need to run some errands. Enjoy
Kurt
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 17th, 2010
August 17th, 2010
So this morning I got up around quarter to ten. Showered and got ready to hit the walking tour. On the way I popped into this little cafe that served fresh sliced ground pork that came off a huge block on a rotisserie. It was shoved in this grilled flat bread along with veggies and bigMack like sauce. Needless to say, it was bomb and kept me going till 5 o'clock while walking around all day. The motherload cost only €3!!
The walking tour was so much fun. Our tour guide was full of energy and knew what he was talking about. It was a lot easier for me to comprehend and understand German history because it is all so recent. I love the german history. I was eating it up. We walked through the lost Jews of Berlin memorial, which was honestly somewhat of an emotional experience. From there we saw multiple other significant structures from the parking lot to where Hitler's bunker stood and what is left of the underground portion, which is a lot, has been filled in. To the berlin wall. The underground portion of he bunker was so strong that after they bombed the bunker twice, all they got was the roof to collapse. Now, like I said, it is a gravel parking lot with a path running down the middle. It is the most common path fir dig walkers, because everyone knows what dogs do on their walks. Seeing the wall and hearing some of the stories how people got in to western Berlin and over the wall was breathtaking. One particular story is hilarious. Two men hand made a cow suit and literally mooed their way into western Berlin. Lol awesome. After our guide finished with the story of how the wall came down, a bunch of us headed to a restaurant to get a good, cheap German meal. On the way I met a guy from the group who just graduated UW, played lacrosse with a good friend of mine and knows Mindi. His name is escaping me now, but I will meet him on the pub crawl tonight. And on that note, I need to change and head out to our meeting spot. Fwi, I just came back to my room, loaded photos and took a nap. I will write you all tomorrow after I visit a concentration camp up north. Today was mild with some sun breaks. Hope all is well.
Sincerely,
Kurt
So this morning I got up around quarter to ten. Showered and got ready to hit the walking tour. On the way I popped into this little cafe that served fresh sliced ground pork that came off a huge block on a rotisserie. It was shoved in this grilled flat bread along with veggies and bigMack like sauce. Needless to say, it was bomb and kept me going till 5 o'clock while walking around all day. The motherload cost only €3!!
The walking tour was so much fun. Our tour guide was full of energy and knew what he was talking about. It was a lot easier for me to comprehend and understand German history because it is all so recent. I love the german history. I was eating it up. We walked through the lost Jews of Berlin memorial, which was honestly somewhat of an emotional experience. From there we saw multiple other significant structures from the parking lot to where Hitler's bunker stood and what is left of the underground portion, which is a lot, has been filled in. To the berlin wall. The underground portion of he bunker was so strong that after they bombed the bunker twice, all they got was the roof to collapse. Now, like I said, it is a gravel parking lot with a path running down the middle. It is the most common path fir dig walkers, because everyone knows what dogs do on their walks. Seeing the wall and hearing some of the stories how people got in to western Berlin and over the wall was breathtaking. One particular story is hilarious. Two men hand made a cow suit and literally mooed their way into western Berlin. Lol awesome. After our guide finished with the story of how the wall came down, a bunch of us headed to a restaurant to get a good, cheap German meal. On the way I met a guy from the group who just graduated UW, played lacrosse with a good friend of mine and knows Mindi. His name is escaping me now, but I will meet him on the pub crawl tonight. And on that note, I need to change and head out to our meeting spot. Fwi, I just came back to my room, loaded photos and took a nap. I will write you all tomorrow after I visit a concentration camp up north. Today was mild with some sun breaks. Hope all is well.
Sincerely,
Kurt
August 16th, 2010
August 16th, 2010
Well I have been riding trains for 7 hours now. Emily and I got up early at six to shower and pack our stuff. We had a nice breakfast then got all our rain gear on to head outside and catch the underground to Midi station. Emily is heading to Bruges for the night before meeting her mom in Paris tomorrow. Her train leaves every half hour and is a one hour train ride. I got my rail pass validated and got itinerary for Berlin. I have 3 lay overs, non being longer than an hour. I was on the train fir 9 hours total, well including waiting at the train stations. When I got off the train, it was super easy to find. The hostel is vey vey nice. Probably the nicest I will see while on my trip. Huge lockers in the rooms along with a separated shower and toilet, also in the room. As soon as I got all my stuff unpacked, I headed down to the bar and met a guy who was over in Ireland for a bachelor party last weekend and the wedding is not till this upcoming weekend. So he headed off for the week by himself. He is a nice guy and we shot the shit for a while before sitting down to watch the Manchester united vs. Newcastle game. After the game, I headed up to the room to grabb my computer and jumped on to video chat with Ellie for the first time. It was so nice to be able to see her while we chatted. I went into the hall to avoid keeping my roommates up when a couple French dudes who were passing by on their way out invited me along. We caught the train to one of their hostel's for a bit and then hoofed it out to this underground bar that was super small, but very unique and was playing some hard hitting, base throbbing electro music. Everone was smoking down there and after a while, I just couldn't take it anymore and caught a cab home. It was raining all the way to and from the club. It was called edelweiss, by the way. Thought that was cool. Tomorrow is the walking tour, then pub crawl. Should be a good day. I love the whole feel of Berlin already. Talk to you all tomorrow!!!
Kurt
Well I have been riding trains for 7 hours now. Emily and I got up early at six to shower and pack our stuff. We had a nice breakfast then got all our rain gear on to head outside and catch the underground to Midi station. Emily is heading to Bruges for the night before meeting her mom in Paris tomorrow. Her train leaves every half hour and is a one hour train ride. I got my rail pass validated and got itinerary for Berlin. I have 3 lay overs, non being longer than an hour. I was on the train fir 9 hours total, well including waiting at the train stations. When I got off the train, it was super easy to find. The hostel is vey vey nice. Probably the nicest I will see while on my trip. Huge lockers in the rooms along with a separated shower and toilet, also in the room. As soon as I got all my stuff unpacked, I headed down to the bar and met a guy who was over in Ireland for a bachelor party last weekend and the wedding is not till this upcoming weekend. So he headed off for the week by himself. He is a nice guy and we shot the shit for a while before sitting down to watch the Manchester united vs. Newcastle game. After the game, I headed up to the room to grabb my computer and jumped on to video chat with Ellie for the first time. It was so nice to be able to see her while we chatted. I went into the hall to avoid keeping my roommates up when a couple French dudes who were passing by on their way out invited me along. We caught the train to one of their hostel's for a bit and then hoofed it out to this underground bar that was super small, but very unique and was playing some hard hitting, base throbbing electro music. Everone was smoking down there and after a while, I just couldn't take it anymore and caught a cab home. It was raining all the way to and from the club. It was called edelweiss, by the way. Thought that was cool. Tomorrow is the walking tour, then pub crawl. Should be a good day. I love the whole feel of Berlin already. Talk to you all tomorrow!!!
Kurt
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