If you had to guess where I am and what I am doing, would you say “drinking along in the basement of a hostel in Prague?” Because if you did, you would be correct. I am such a loser.
Actually, the truth is, I realized it’s been an incredibly long time since I updated this website and felt it was necessary to do so. And why not drink a few beers while I’m at it. They’re “cheap” here.
The last time we spoke, I was on a ferry coming from Greece to Venice. Oh wait, I have to interrupt this and tell you about my dinner tonight. I spent 4 Canadian on gruel from a homeless shelter. No joke. I didn’t realize what was going on until it was too late. I was sitting down eating my “food”, and I looked around at the clientele’s meth scars and stained sweat pants and was terribly frightened. I am such an idiot. I thought Prague was supposed to be cheap? Whatever. Back to the story.
The ferry to Venice was terrible. Two nights on a ferry. Thirty-four hours. One of the nights was outside. The other was in a room full of people walking around and coughing. Add in two and a half bottles of wine. Messy night, messy morning. All in all, by the time I arrived in Venice I was Grumpy McGrumpster, and was not in a good mood (duh). The water streets were cool, but I think the only time I smiled the entire day was when I stumbled into some court yard place and there was a guy singing Italian opera with the most impressive voice I have ever heard. No joke. He could have shared the stage with anyone - if his teeth weren’t so ugly.
Anyway. Venice was neat, and it was cool to check it out.
You guys also voted for me to go to Vienna. I always get Venice and Vienna mixed up. But I went to both. Vienna was a really cool city. It was clean, and nice. I’m glad I got to go, even thought it was a short stay (two nights). I walked around with an Australia and saw the sights. I also spent an incridble amount of time looking for a travel alarm clock, but had no luck. I must have looked in at least 20 stores. *sigh*.
Vienna was followed by two nights in BUDAPEST! Super cool! I went there, and left, before you even knew I was gone. I really need to get better at this whole updating-the-website thing. But the city was really cool. It’s actually split in two. Buda is the walled up city of coolness, and pest is on the other side of the river. I stayed in pest. Obviously. I watched Ocean’s 13… which was cool. And I also spend a considerable amount of time longing around in the thermal baths. Super cool. There were these saunas that was super hot, but the entire time I was there I was thinking about toxic spores from other people’s bodies and I had to evacuate. I was already sick. I’m not getting sick again.
And now I am in Prague. Three nights. Then three nights in Berlin. Then down to the places in Switzerland you guys suggested. Then I have a few more days before I head up to Amsterdam. Any ideas of where I should stop before I go to my final destination?
In Australia and NZ I am going to get a cellphone and update the site on the fly. In real time. When I do something stupid, or see someone with a mullet that I just want to cut off, I’ll let you know immediately. IMMEDIATELY! Also, I really want to take the sight to the next level and let you vote on EVERYTHING. My friends, my job. My clothes. I post how much money I’m making, where I’m spending it. Blah blah blah. Crazy? Yes. But it should be fun.
8 comments ↓
How about Brussels — chocolate & beer — sounds like a good combination to me.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/ben/brussels.htm
I still say go to Bratislava.
I dunno bout this whole “Ill let you decide my life” bit but here’s one to chew on. Another challenge. How long can you go on this trip without drinking?
Now THATS a challenge!
Detox (and rehab) is the zeitgeist so it would be totally in line if you tried it.
I worry youll get too drunk. Not a good thing to be when alone and on the road.
I agree about the drinking and being alone at the same time. However this is not new news. This is the history of this website and its adventures. Perhaps it is exaggerated just to provide drama to the adventures. I hope so.
I think you should go to the cook islands. there are hot women there, with little clothes. do it. you know you want to.
You have to hit Asia. Anywhere. Really.
Hey dude. I love it. I saw your bit on CBC News World this morning, and I think the choose your adventure thing is outstanding.
If your headed to Amsterdam, you ought to look up my buddy Koen Jansen. I met him in Darwin, Australia when I backpacked around the world and he was one of the nicest fellas you’d ever hope to meet. That was 1999, but he put me up on a couch when I stopped by in 2001. He’s probably married with kids now…but he’d be worth looking up anyway. I’m not going to post his email here but if you’re interested, drop me a line and I’ll pass it on.
If you want to stretch your dollars…get out of Europe! I think you should travel overland to Moscow, and on through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, fly from Tajikistan to Lahore Pakistan and continue overland to India. Try to get to India for February and March. Shiva Ratri is a festival in February and is heaps of fun (Nepal & India hindu festival) and Holi is at the beginning of March when all of india takes part in a nationwide waterballoon fight. Careful what you wear though…The balloons are filled with colourful dye.
Good Luck!
Oh ya, here’s a handy tip… when (if) you leave Europe for developing countries, you’re going to meet local police, especially if you’re ever driving yourself. The polite, almost legal way of asking if they’ll take a bribe is “Is there a fine I can pay immediately?” Whether it’s traffic violations or just a dodgey officer who says you’ve broken the law, there is always a fine you can pay immediately.
You’ve got a number of options between Switzerland and Amsterdam. Brussels, as Gail has suggested, is a worthwhile choice. It’s a big, lively city with lots to do. You could also check out Bruges, Gent and Antwerp as you pass through Belgium.
Alternatively, you might like to spend a bit of time in the Black Forest, in Germany’s south-west (and maybe visit Strasbourg in France, while you’re in the area).
There’s also Cologne and Dusseldorf, both of which have a lot going on.
Luxembourg is worth a visit. The city is fairly small and quiet, but it’s a really nice place.
Cheers,
Paul
I vote you go back to that hostel with the naked snorer.
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