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December 10th, 2011 Vote for my image!

2011-12-10T16:22:00.001-08:00

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August 13th, 2011 Losing Norrkoping

2011-08-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

I have traveled the world.
To Sweden, I flew.
I have seen places and faces,
A path to Norrkoping, I drew.

Trapped in the mist,
That moment feebly flickers.
My heart fears cold.
O You touched it so.

Still my tongued tied,
A frown let my sorrow show.
The flowers colored to tease me,
You stood by and let me go.

I smiled for a moment,
Don't hurt me, my love,
To haunt me to return,
You smiled back.

July 26th, 2011 The Best Cities of Northern Europe 2011

2011-07-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

City	Affordability	Cake	Food	Fun	Girls	Ice Cream	Night Life	People	Sights	Transportation	Overall
Lund Central	9	N/A	8	10	10	N/A	N/A	8	N/A	N/A	9
Cinque Terre, Italy	6	N/A	N/A	10	6	N/A	N/A	7	9	5	7.166667
Amsterdam, Holland	7	6	7	8	5	N/A	8	4	8	6	6.555556
Nice, France	6	N/A	6	6	6	7	N/A	6	6	8	6.375
Brussels, Belgium	6	N/A	9	7	5	N/A	N/A	5	6	6	6.285714
Cannes, France	6	N/A	N/A	5	6	N/A	N/A	6	6	8	6.166667
Strasbourg, France	6	8	N/A	6	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	5	6	6.166667
Sienna, Italy	7	N/A	N/A	6	5	9	N/A	7	6	3	6.142857
Arles, France	6	N/A	N/A	6	N/A	N/A	N/A	7	6	5	6
Pisa, Italy	7	N/A	N/A	7	5	6	N/A	7	6	3	5.857143
Lyon, France	5	6	7	5	5	N/A	5	6	4	8	5.666667
Koln, Germany	6	N/A	2	4	9	N/A	6	7	4	7	5.625
Florence, Italy	6	N/A	5	6	5	N/A	N/A	7	7	3	5.571429
Bruges, Belgium	5	N/A	4	7	N/A	N/A	N/A	4	7	5	5.333333
Turin, Italy	8	N/A	4	3	N/A	N/A	N/A	7	4	4	5
Hamburg, Germany	7	N/A	6	4	N/A	3	N/A	7	3	5	5
Stockholm, Sweden	5	N/A	4	5	6	N/A	N/A	6	4	5	5
Helsinki, Finland	4	N/A	6	5	5	N/A	N/A	6	3	5	4.857143
Geneva, Switzerland	3	N/A	4	3	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	6	7	4.833333
Monte Carlo, Monaco	4	N/A	N/A	5	N/A	N/A	N/A	5	5	5	4.8
Luxembourg, Luxembourg	5	N/A	1	5	4	5	N/A	8	5	5	4.75
Copenhagen, Denmark	2	N/A	4	5	6	N/A	7	5	4	5	4.75
Norrkoping, Sweden	5	N/A	N/A	4	5	N/A	N/A	6	3	5	4.666667
Ventimiglia, Italy	7	N/A	N/A	2	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	3	N/A	4.5
Basel, Switzerland	3	N/A	N/A	1	N/A	N/A	N/A	9	3	5	4.2
Hallsberg, Sweden	6	N/A	5	2	4	5	N/A	5	2	4	4.125
Rotterdam, Holland	5	N/A	N/A	1	N/A	N/A	N/A	5	2	5	3.6
Bergen, Norway	1	N/A	N/A	6	3	N/A	3	5	3	4	3.571429
Oslo, Norway	1	N/A	N/A	4	N/A	N/A	N/A	5	3	4	3.4

July 22nd, 2011 Lund Central

2011-07-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

Lunch Central
The rest are just a shade of you

Mjolby Station
Passing the Fjords of Norway
Knowing hope is away
Suffocated by the gushing wind
What a look could have meant
I have experienced contact
The worst kind
That leaves life behind

The sound of thunder
Edges the world until it tumbles
I long for Mr. Rain
Who was too to stop that train

Can't I just let it rest
Why must tears be shed
But it did
What was not said
Is that
Life that is rich
Comes with incompleteness in it
Those forget no longer young
Those brave will not
Not Lunch Central

July 22nd, 2011 Financial

2011-07-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

So the total comes out to be $1149.33. I venture to guess that I spent around 1200 in my 16 day trip.

Daily Expenditure (USD)
28-Jun Florence, Sienna -50.76448
29-Jun Florence, Pisa, Turin -58.60469333
30-Jun Monte Carlo, Nice -19.79416
1-Jul Nice, Arles, Lyon -70.94290667
2-Jul Lyon, Geneva, Basal -77.48276667
3-Jul Strasbourg, Luxembourg, Brussels -80.71058333
4-Jul Bruges, Koln -67.918734
5-Jul Amsterdam -58.45090333
6-Jul Amsterdam -83.58527667
7-Jul Hamburg, Copenhagen -61.28208333
8-Jul Copenhagen, Hallsberg -84.55284667
9-Jul Bergen -206.37142
10-Jul Stockholm -67.58711667
11-Jul Stockholm, Norrkoping -37.46848667
12-Jul Helsinki -95.85488
13-Jul Amsterdam -27.958

July 13th, 2011 Amsterdam to Miami, Florida

2011-07-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

A Photo from the First Time Around

9AM I arrived at Amsterdam. My flight is not for another 6 hours so I hopped on the train to the Central Station at Amsterdam. My interrail pass had actually expired yesterday but I decided to wing it. After actually getting on the wrong train, I took the advice of a Dutchman to take the metro to get to the Van Gogh Museum that I missed the first time around.

11AM I toured the Van Gogh Museum in 2 hours. It was decent, the best part being some x-ray analysis of his painting. It was necessary because he reuses canvases. I bought tickets for another couple to get some EURs. I then went to the FOTO Museum, which is not as good and only took 20 minutes to finish. I had some more herring for prosperity.

1PM I had to return to the airport. Luckily, I was able to get back to the airport without problem. I waited an hour or so. This airport is unique in that the security check is outside of each gate so there was not a big line. The plane was full of tourists and they all cheered and clapped when the plane arrived at Miami. I am sure they were more excited than I was.

July 12th, 2011 Helsinki, Finland

2011-07-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

It is only poetic I am writing my 100th post for this very last day of traveling. I have visited 34 cities and 12 countries on this trip, Italy and Germany I have been to before. I shall have the financial soon.

Helsinki, Finland

Fisherman's Wharf

7AM I am at Turku.

8:30AM I met a few Estonian boys, who were photographers for the Viking Line. They were big drinkers but they were friendly and so I gave them my Obama photo.

Fried Herring Fish

10AM I reached Helsinki and purchased a 24 hour bus pass to get to Tanja's. I reached her place 15 minutes away from the center at around 11. At 12, she took me to the center. We had some reindeer meatball and herring fish for 19 EURs. We walked around some more. Helsinki is quite small so we ran out places to walk to at 4. We stopped for a couple of beers. I bought a round at 6 EURs. We then went to a small park before going to dinner. I had salmon sandwich in herring. That was very decent.

Salmon Herring

10:30PM I went to sleep.
4AM Tanja woke me up because my clock was still one hour behind. The buses 231 and 615t were both on schedule to get me to the airport at 5:25. Fifteen minutes was enough to get through both check-in and security.

6:30AM The plane took off for Amsterdam.

July 11th, 2011 Stockholm and Norrkoping, Sweden

2011-07-25T23:13:00.001-07:00

Stockholm, Sweden

5AM My alarm woke me. I changed 5 dollars for 30 SEKs so I could have my currency souvenir.

Royal Palace of Stockholm

6AM I left Minhaajs home and took the metro to the main station, where I meant to store my bag for the day. My visa did not work so I gave a helpful stranger 5 USDs and 12 SEKs for 50 seks for the 24 hr bag storage. It took me an hour to tour the old city slowly, which was excellent but with no particular surprises. I then walked from it to the train station in 20 minutes.

The best pictures are those that you cannot take, those whose impression kills. Whatever you see here, it is only a shade of what she is.

8:14AM I left for Norrkoping.

Norrkoping
The Red Church at Norrkoping

9:52AM I am at Norrkoping. It is just about how I imaged. A beautiful small town with the population of 130 thousand. I walked to downtown in a few minutes. The main street is about 1km long with shopping and restaurants just opening. The library was at the end of the street. I met sister Christy Dabb from an Utah Mormon church there. She tried to convince me to Christianity. I walked back and saw a 21 year old reporter. I told him what I was doing there and what happened to me at Vietnam. He shot 5 minute footage of me and I hope it will be on the evening news. He mentioned a place called Himmelstalundz, which is a pool where young people are. I walked there in half an hour but only found some kids. Some nice Bosnians living in Stockholm gave me a lift to the railway station.

1:46pm I am on my way back to Stockholm.

Park near Tranan

3:30PM I am at Tranan but they dont open until 5 so I moved to another suggested by the owner. It turned out Swedish pork is just a lot of bacon. They didnt start serving until 4. I ended up missing the boat to Helsinki at 4:45 by a few minutes. I ran hard for 15 minutes but was stopped by the security that let cars in. Viking was going to ask me to catch the same boat 2 hours out in Sweden. But I ended up getting the boat at 8 for 27 eurs and 25 eur refund. I ate my pork on the harbor. When I purchased a coke, some local high school girls asked me to buy them cigarrettes. I eventually bought it for them after my attempt to ask them to quit failed. I ended up getting some local currency souvenirs at the cost of having these girls getting cigarettes from someone else.

My Dinner: Swedish Pork

7:40PM I am almost boarding the Turku boat.

9PM The dinner buffet actually looked. But it was 30 EURs since I just ate, I opted to skip it. The people in Sweden, or all Scandinavia, are camera shy. I did not get many good photos. Therefore, I asked to sit down next to a girl, or I should call businesswoman. We chatted long over a couple of beers. I was pretty impressed with her work as an entrpreneur.

1:30AM I went to sleep.

July 10th, 2011 Bergen, Oslo and Stockholm

2011-07-25T23:02:00.000-07:00

American Traveler on Train

Viewpoint from Lina's Home

7AM I woke up Lina. I also realized that I had no local currency for souvenir. She did not want to go to the train station to break up her 500 DKKs. So shamefully, I asked for the twenty back since I only had large 100 dollar bills left.

7:58AM I got on the train and changed ten for 50 DKKs lost 1 dollar as a result. I do not think I would have given in on such bad rates had Lina not given me the 20 back. Shame on me.

12PM I am almost at Oslo, the train is at 3:30, which would leave me only an hour at Oslo. There is not much time but ill try my best.

2:17PM I arrived at Oslo and my train to Stockholm. Half an hour was just enough for a round trip to the royal palace. I was not able to take photos of national opera house. I got back to the train station at 310 and the bus for Lillistroem left around 330.

Oslo

10PM I arrived at Stockholm, which is a much bigger city than I thought. I walked around the central station for an hour to try find a decent restaurant. There was nothing but pubs open. I finally gave up and turned around to the train station, where I met some help from a Columbian girl, who studies genetics at Stockholm university, where my CS host lives. I searched for his contact again but he finally picked up. So I was in her lab for 10 more minutes and we left. I met Minhaaj, who gave up his own bed to me as I only realized in the morning. He also offered some delicious Indian food. It struck me that he also travels fast like me and we both have traveled almost all of Europe. I slept at 1AM.

July 8th, 2011 Copenhagen, Hallsberg and to Bergen

2011-07-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Christensen, Copenhagen

6AM I am up by 6:30 and left his home. Soon I arrived at Orenstun, instead of Orenstad, a place that supposedly has modern architecture. Instead, it was just apartment buildings near the river. I went to Orenstad as well. It, like Rotterdam before, is most disappointing. Fortunately, I only wasted half an hour. I proceeded onto Kongens Nytorv and Christensen for pictures.

10:33AM My train left for Lund Central before five other stops before Bergen. I was going to skip lunch but this was so much cheaper than Denmark I could not resist for a 85 SEKs coke meatball and potatoes.

3PM I arrived at the small town of Hallsberg. Having known how expensive Norway will be, I chose to eat dinner here. It is pretty American, salmon with potatoes and blended spinach. I had a ice cream for 22 SEKs. At 130 SEKs or 18 dollars, it will seem like a deal once I am in Norway. I left for Oslo at 6 because the train is late. Well, it's deja vu. I am unlocking these feelings now and I no longer know how to deal with them.

Salmon at Hallsberg

July 7th, 2011 Hamburg and Copenhagen

2011-07-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

Hamburg, Germany

7AM I arrived at Hamburg. Stephen, my host, was unreachable after 2 phone calls. Hence, I went on my own to the lake, followed by a walk to the red light district. The only person working in the morning is a 50-year old. I then searched for a restaurant at fisherman's market. I found a good one called Atlantic, which is also written in Chinese, claimed to attract Chinese by the owner. At 12:30 I left for the station. The train left at 1:28pm for Copenhagen.

Ferry to Copenhagen

6 The train really was 5 hours long, it was only six hours because it required a one hour ferry ride from Germany to Denmark. It was quite a walk to Stephen's place. I met him. He was kind enough to give me 100 DKKs for 10 USDs now and 10 later, which I received from a Chinese family from new york at the train station at 11pm.

Christiania

8PM I arrived at Christiania, which is a strange part of Copenhagen. It looks essentially like a druggie dump. I did purchase a frikadella which is.just meatballs there. It was not great with just the rye bread but for 35 DKKs, it is the cheapest one could get it. I then went to downtown and further for about 2 to 3 miles to see the little mermaid. As mentioned before, I was only able to obtain a change for the fifty dollar bill from a Chinese pedestrian. I did go to the FOREX central station, which was closed. I headed back to Christiania, which is the the same at night as it is during the day. I then headed to Kongens Nytorv for nightlife. Hopping from bar to bar, I did not find much too interesting. I even snuck into a club that cost 60 DKKs. They didnt want me to have my camera bag with me so I left after 10 minutes or so. I finally left around 2:30AM. I got back to stephen's at 4ish.

Some of my deepest and oldest feeling will be resurrected today.

July 9th, 2011 Bergen and Flam, Norway

2011-07-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Flam, Norway

Ukrainian Girl Studying in Norway

Traveling for me is not just an experience of the diverse surrounding. Is also my inner struggles, my self reliance independence and making mistakes. There is much time for self reflection, most of which must be done when one is alone. One's home environment does not provide that. Being alone allows it.

6AM I finally reached Bergen at 6AM. The buses apparently go near the fjord but not necessarily having a view of it. so I got the bus ticket but then returned it once that was realized. I ran into an American couple, who had purchased a 1200 NOK ticket for a day trip. I wanted the same one but wanted to go to Oslo instead of coming back to Bergen. I got it for 930 NOK ticket with all the interrail discounts. It is still expensive

10AM we are taking the train to Flam, a small village in the fjord. I bought a couple of sodas there for 17.90 NOKs. I am sick so its better to be hydrated.

Flam, Norway

2PM I confirmed that there is no night train from Bergen to Oslo as it is Saturday. Therefore, I must stay here for the night and leave at 7:30AM tomorrow morning.

8:40PM We finally reached Bergen. The ride was stunning at many parts. However, the repetitious valleys makes one think that the 930 NOK trip should be cut down to one hour and at 1/3 of the price. The nice tour guide told me the locals use cars to drive around the fjord. I actually think that is much better. One would have a foreground instead of just looking as if one is far away, or detached. It is very difficult to photograph the magnificence of the fjords. My photographs might not do it justice.

An Irish Friend Living in Australia

9:15pm I met Lina, who was my CS host. She made me dinner and we went to a so called dub step dance club. The club entrance fee was 100 NOKs, which I paid Lina with twenty dollars. It was pretty empty at first so I visited Lille, Downstairs, and a couple other ones whose name I cannot remember. I came home at 2:30 and slept until 6:30.

July 6th, 2011 Amsterdam to Hamburg, Germany

2011-07-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

Amsterdam

7:30AM I left on the train to Rotterdam.

10AM I am on my way back. This is absolutely the worst city I have been to. Its historical site are destroyed. I walked to the port and took the tram back. The best part about that city is the Crumpler Flagship store that was closed when I got there. It did not open until 11.

Delicious Raw Herring Fish

Canals

12PM I finally got back and had myself some raw herring fish and smoked eel. I stored my luggage at the Italian cs guys pizza shop. So they do have some kind of cuisine. I then went to the dungen museum, which is totally for teenagers, followed by a boat tour. I then took bus 14 to the Jewish quarter and finished my tour around six. The ham and chicken pancake was more or less too dry.

7PM I left for Hamburg.

July 5th, 2011 Koln to Amersterdam, the Netherlands

2011-07-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

5AM I rose and left's home to Amsterdam.

English at the Dam

10AM I am here. It almost looks just like it did in Diamonds are Forever. The canals, the buildings are all there. I went to the address the CS host gave me. The man insisted that it was only for those with reservations. I panicked slightly and messaged the CS emergency board with a dinner offer. A few hours later, I had two responses, one of which comes from Robert, a photographer.

Anne Frank Museum

1PM I toured the Anne Frank Museum, which brought tears. this city is full of museums that are oddly interesting, shall I say. I might go to the dungeon museum or the Van Gogh museum tomorrow.

7PM I arrived at Robert's home. We talked about photography for some while until 9, when I treated us to dinner. We had some fusion chicken kebobs.

11PM I left Robert's home. His bike without handbrakes was too challenging for me. I went to the red light district. To be honest, there is an initial rush but then it was just lame after half an hour of walking seeing so much of the same thing. I then went to Lindeplein. For 3 EURs, you could enter and get a beer. The floor was somewhat small. Later, I met this African dutch who took me to Rembrandsplein, it was much more happening and I walked home in an hour's walk by foot.

July 4th, 2011 Bruges, Belgium and Koln, Germany

2011-07-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Bruges

6AM I got out and caught a bus to Grand Central.

7AM I am taking the 30 min train to Bruges. Bruges seems like a petite and sweet version of Strasbourg. I got a waffle ice cream, which is mocha flavored. I found it too hard and somewhat expensive at 5 EURs. When I came back, I got the Cherrylicious juice at the station for 4.40 EURs and a sprite for 1.60 EURs.

Old Town in Bruges

Belgian Scout

11AM I am on the train and met this girl who is going camping in a farm. She is also vegetarian who is very concerned with what is feeding the animals. I also gave my s to some friendly German girls from Aachen on the way back from the Netherlands.

German Girls at Train to Koln

4PM I arrived at Koln, or cologne. I do not understand why it took Supa more than one day here. But the cathedral viewed from the rail station is definitely sight. I then went to the shopping street, beneath which is the old town. I am having some bloody sausage as I am writing this at ZS Gilden im Zims. It was gross and I know the locals do not eat this anymore.

Outside the Train Station

Koln, Germany

Bloody Sausage at Old Town of Koln

7PM I am basically finished with the main parts of the city. The cathedral leads to the shopping area, which leads to the old town and the Rhine River, where I got some mediocre ice cream and a coke.for 1.6 and 1.8 EURs, respectively. I then went to the church, which was closed and over the bridge to the other side. The view of the city from the other side is slightly better but it was against the sun. I did meet a group of six climbers who were climbing the bridge.

I met the Norwegian Women's soccer team on route to Group A matches of the World Cup, who unfortunately lost in the first round of the World Cup, I believe.

Many Love Locks at the Bridge

Climbers

Andrea

Sunset of Koln

Lovers

Old Friends

10PM After talking to a Belgian girl I found that I could have gotten into the cathedral and climbed to the top. It looked like a tall task at 500 something steps. But there is nothing that Ethan Yang could not do. It was just closed and he would have to come back. Afterward, I arrived at Barbarossaplatz to met Martin, my host. He showed me around a little bit of nightlife in Cologne. Even on a Monday, there are people coming out for beer. He bought me a beer and then I had another one at 1.4 EURs.

July 3rd, 2011 Basel, Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels

2011-07-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

Luxembourg

4:40AM I got up and left for the train station. On the train, I changed the 2 CHFs for 2 EURs with an old man in his 60s , who also offered me to go to his home. I politely declined.

7:30AM I arrived at Strasbourg. Its a island surrounded by canals. Touring it reminds me a lot of Sofia. Perhaps it is because I bought deserts twice the same shop at both places. The first was a soda for 1.5 EURs and a cake for 2.6 EURs. Later, I returned to the same store, Aux Saveurs for a mousse cake for 2.6 EURs a coke for 1 USD at a convenience store.

Strasbourg

9AM I returned to the train station but have to wait until 10:03 for it to leave for Metz and then Luxembourg. The women here are oddly all having dark hair and I thought it would get more blond the more north one goes in France. But things are certainly cheaper than Nice and Lyon.

Fish at Luxembourg that would cost 65 EURs

12PM I arrived at Luxembourg. It was first what I expected, a boring city like everyone described. It was mostly that. I bought what was supposed to be Gelato but tasted like ice cream for 2 EURs. At their international food market, I found the food native to here, fried potatoes in the shape of a burger kind of like the veggie burger with onions. It was 4 EURs. I did discover the old city at grund. There is no entree fees there and there was an art festival. I met a photographer who gave me a few tips and she took a photo of mine as well. I got on the train to Brugge at 320pm.

Potatoes and Veggie Burger of Luxembourg

The Old City at Luxembourg

5PM I decided to go directly to Brussels because I would be back in Brussels at 10 or 11.

Brussels Train Station

7PM I arrived at Alex's home. His home is awesomely decorated by industrially styled furniture and swiveling doors. Furniture were mostly from Ikea. He did not want to go out so I went ahead myself.

Brandenburg Gate of Brussels

9PM After the Brandenburg Gate of Brussels, I finally arrived at the Central Plaza. I found some small street where tourists go for mussels. I had wait so long to be seated I went out to take more pictures. I came back and met a Chinese couple from New York. The mussels were the best I have had. The beer the Chinese guy recommended could be avoided at 3.5 EURs. I had another coke at 1 EUR. I met a Lithuanian woman, who asked me to help take her pictures. Her mussels were not that good from another restaurant. We walked around a while before Jon Nahas found me. We walked around the city for an hour until 12 before I left. Luckily I caught caught the last bus this time. Alex is a java web enterprise engineer for IBM. He is most understanding. I took a shower and set the alarm for 5:30am.

July 2nd, 2011 Lyon, Geneva, Basel

2011-07-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

9AM The Brasserie finally opened and I was about to get my rasberry cake desert at 6.5 EURs. 12PM The trip took much longer than thought: I did not get there until 12. Everything is expensive here. I bought an Orangina for 2.5 EURs. I also had salad, bread, desert and an appetizer. All that was $15.02. The south end of the lake is quite beautiful with white swans. I then bought a ticket good for an hour (3 EURs) from someone who erroneously bought two. After taking the train to the border of France and Switzerland, I reached the telelift at 7.6 EURs to see the entire lake at over 1000 meters. I bought another Orangina for only 1.3 EURs. There were some paragliders there. I considered it but it looked like they were doing this for half an hour or more, which I could not spare. I returned to find the big fountain of Geneva was turned off. But I did finally receive my luggage. I was to be tonight at 11 until the 5:37AM train to Strasbourg Ville.

Lunch at Switzerland

Geneva

The Lake

From the Top

11PM
Well, what do you know, I was saved by a man, who first offered to lead me to the busy area of the town and then a bed at their home. It was a scene directly from Les Miserable. He offered me potatoes and syrup water and anything I liked in the kitchen. He is from England with American parents and lives with his wife in the third story of a house near the center of Basel. He even offered to pay my bus ticket and 10 EURs for snacks. He made the bed for me and offered me shower. I left him 20 USDs.

Les Miserables in Basel

July 1st, 2011 Nice, Arles and Lyon

2011-07-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Breakfast at Nice

6AM We were up. Apparently my luggage was still in Geneva as of yesterday. I bought some breakfast 3.3 EURs for us and then waited for the train. I did not believe the man at the door that what he pointed to was the train and it was 3 hrs to Arles. But yes, it is and that mistake that cost me an hr. There is no direct train to Arles and you would have to go through Marsailles, which I did not visit as someone on the train told me it is like Naples.

Colosseum

12pm I got to Arles, no one seemed to know where it is. Perhaps it is a tourist trap. I paid a visit to Babbet, who is supposed to be my cs host. I liked it overall. But having seen so many ruins, another one may seen dull. The entrance fee was 4.5 EURs the amphitheater and the Colosseum. The French have really impressed with their manners and reminds me of Cambodia.

Panama Hats sold to tourists

3:54PM I got on the train to Lyon.

8PM It was not until 8 that I arrived. Lyon is the second largest in France. There was nothing particular to see. The French women have seen today are fashionable and several exceedingly pretty.

Opera House at Lyon

10PM I am at the very famous Brasserie Georges from 1836, recommended by the French girl Astrid on the plane to Paris. She mentioned the brasserie near the station. I figured it had to be this one. It is well known to many, including the young man I met on the train. I ordered Quenelles (flour, egg and cream dumplings), which was disappointing. Maybe I just do not the acquired taste yet. It was 15.9 EURs and 4 EURs for the coke.

The very famous Brasserie Georges

12AM I arrived at hotel station and found their bars to be so small.

2Am I am at Vieux Lyon, the old town I was meant to visit in the morning. The river has a strip of clubs and inside they have many bars. The problem is that the bars were closing soon and some of them were private. I was approached by a girl, whose boss said she was 100 EURs. I left this place to walk back to the train station. I caught myself walking with a couple of friends from England studying in France. I had just missed the last train as a result of walking too slowly with them. It was a good walk though.

4AM I walked around 8 km for almost 2hrs to reach Lyon Perrach. What was meant to be 20 minutes ended up being an eternity. I wanted to give Brasserie Georges one more chance. Someone at the hotel next door let me stay inside until the train station opened.

June 30th, 2011 Torino, Ventimiglia, Monte Carlo, Cannes, Nice

2011-07-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

1AM Geneva apparently has my bag.

650AM We left Piero's home around 650 and reached the station 5 minutes before departure at 7:38.

11AM The train did not get to Ventimiglia until 11ish. I got a 1 EUR and left the town. It did not seem like there was much going on there.

Monte Carlo

12PM The train finally got to Monaco at 12ish. I eavesdropped on a question and Jardin Exotique seemed to be the highest point here. The ticket was 3.5 EURs students and it overlooks Monaco. Monaco Ville, the old town, was a bus away. It is peninsula for the royals of Monaco. There was the cathedral, museums and palace. Incidentally, the prince is marrying this weekend. As a result, this city is even more decorated. Flags were out.

2PM I left the casino, having been caught to pay the final fare as my contribution to Monaco tourism. I waited from 2:25 to 3:13 for the train to Cannes.

3PM I got to Cannes. it was somewhat of a bore except the arena for the film festival. Incidentally there was a gaming developer conference there. Cannes is a nude beach.

7PM I got to Nice. Loic was there to take me around. The walk uphill exhausted me. It was my third city of the day. He bought me some socco, which is just flour I think. I then asked to go to a seafood restaurant. His Indian friend Mini came, followed by her friends. Dinner was pretty expensive at 30 eurs. But hey, I was in nice. I gave 100 dollars to Loic to get all the euros on the table. I then treated everyone to gelato 3.5 EURs x 5= 17.5 EURs.

Socco in Nice

They were very nice. After we left, Loic and I took the tram to out to his truck. We then went to his home at La Colle. He offered his bed but I insisted the couch.

June 29th, 2011 Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, Turin

2011-07-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Morning in Florence, Italy

5:30AM The bus driver charged 5 EURs for going to the airport. I just had to try it again in an hour and spent that time taking some pictures in the morning. I took the w one and just could not get around It. I paid it and waited for the airport luggage office to open for about half an hour. Apparently they still have it at Geneva. I asked to have it transferred to Torino by tomorrow or otherwise let it stay in Geneva until I get there. I bougbt a coke for 55 EUR cents near the station.

9AM I left to arrive at pisa at 10AM. The walk was much longer than expected. I got to the tower and it was worth the half an hour walk. I stopped by several banks but none exchanged without a fee less than 10 eurs. On the way back, I gave a lady 1.45 eur and a penny that went for 5 cents. I then purchased a coke at 0.70 EURs and departed for Cinque Terre.

Pisa, Italy

Cinque Terre, Italy

12AM I stopped by the second fourth and fifth city before taking off for Torino and transfering at Geneva. The girls I met at Sienna were right. There was no way I could have made it to San Gimignano. I couldn't even finish Cinque Terre.

5pm I left on a 4 hr train to Turin. The train stopped two stops before Port Susa, where I was meant to meet my host, Pierdo, due to strikes. There was a liver transplant surgeon, Dr Francesco Lupa that I met who walked me across a huge skybridge to reach a subway beside the mall. He even paid for my train ticket. I met Pierdo at 9:30 but we were too late to reach Eatalia for dinner. He then drove me to this summer festival for 7 EURs sausages and 2.5 EURs beer. We then toured the city square for a bit before getting very good gelato at 1.5 eur each. I gave him 20 USDs. He is really interested to tell me about Turin and Italian history. We got back home around midnight.

June 28th, 2011 Florence, Sienna, Italy

2011-07-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Sienna, Italy

3PM I arrived at Florence at about 3PM but took nearly an hour to straighten things out and finally got on the 410 train to Sienna. I lucked out on getting an Interrail ticket by saying I was staying in Bulgaria. Fortunately, I had stamps all over my passport. I pointed to one that I believed to be Bulgaria to the old ticket officer. I am not sure if it would work again. The train ride ended up being a 2-hour ride rather than just 1.

Sienna

5PM An international student from Nanking took me to the town quare and then I was on my own to get to the tower. Buildings were pretty cool not as old as I thought.

7PM I went to Il Gelato for gelato flavored in something Sicilian, Tiramisu and something else I do not recall for 3 EURs. I also went to a small shop for a coke. It was 2 EURs but I only paid 2 dollars since I did not have EUR cash and she did not want to pay the visa fee.

8PM I dont think I have time for San Gimignano. I am heading back to Florence.

2AM At a Turkish Restaurant, I and purchased a 2 dollar coke, I gave the man 20 usd and he gave 13 EURs, which is about right. I got back to the train station at 3ish and slept until the bus came at 5:30AM for the airport.

10PM I bought tripe for 9 eurs and 2 for tabling fee. I then toured the city, eventually reaching the old bridge and Piazza Microangelo, which is sort of like Lover's Lane. There were many parties going on, the one that stood out was this bar in the what seemed like dried river. They had some water and a little bit of sand. It was so hot and I was very thirsty. You would miss the free water that you would get in America now. I asked to change dollars for Euros with this guy from Florence. He kindly bought me water.

Tripe from Tuscany

2AM At a Turkish Restaurant, I and purchased a 2 dollar coke, I gave the man 20 usd and he gave 13 EURs, which is about right. I got back to the train station at 3ish and slept until the bus came at 5:30AM for the airport to retrieve my bags.

July 22nd, 2010: Financial

2010-07-21T15:20:00.001-07:00

		Daily Expenditure in USD
19-May	Frankfurt	-4.69452
20-May	Istanbul	-121.86639
21-May	Ephesus	-53.8776
22-May	Istanbul	-22.41645
23-May	Sofia, Plovdiv, Sofia	-38.227054
24-May	Sofia, Skopje, Ohrid	-55.33872
25-May	Sofia, Pristina	-33.10306
26-May	Budva, Podgorica	-50.03883
27-May	Sarajevo, Mostar	-36.241
28-May	Debrovnik, Split	-49.5724
29-May	Zagreb	-41.85046
30-May	Venice	-56.00084
31-May	Munich	-39.953744
1-Jun	Vienna	-47.7513
2-Jun	Budapest	-46.00267
3-Jun	Belgrade	-7.543915
4-Jun	Novi Sad	-28.09744
5-Jun	Belgrade	-43.7356
6-Jun	Belgrade	-23.60878
7-Jun	Bucharest, Brasov	-30.95668
8-Jun	Budapest, Bratislava	-35.833696
9-Jun	Warsaw, Krakow	-36.113804
10-Jun	Prague	-41.1347
11-Jun	Prague	-36.726935
12-Jun	Prague, Berlin	-53.89037
13-Jun	Berlin	-25.4457

So I spent about 11-1200 USD on this trip.

	EUR	TRY	BGN	MKD	BAM	HRK	HUF	RSD	RON	PLN	CZK	USD
Total Withdrawal	690	0	450	0	0	500	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total Expenditure	-463.47	-17.2	-440.14	100	0	-485.5	550	1574	12	10	119	-162
Expected	226.53	-17.2	9.86	100	0	14.5	550	1574	12	10	119	-162
Actual	180.9	0	10	100	10	10	500	100	10	10	100	-162
Actual Expenditure	-509.1	0	-440	100	10	-490	500	100	10	10	100	-162
Average Rates	1.2234	0.633104	0.626123	0.020012	0.625712	0.168815	0.004381	0.011958	0.292504	0.298	0.047581	1
Actual Expenditure in USD	-622.8329	0	-275.494	2.001154	6.257115	-82.7195	2.190442	1.195769	2.925038	2.98	4.758077	-162
Total Expenditure in USD	-1120.739

July 20th, 2010: City Rankings

2010-07-20T20:57:00.003-07:00

After much deliberation, I have come up with the following ranking of European cities that I have visited.

	Affordability	Cake	Food	Fun	Girls	Ice Cream	Night Life	People	Sights	Transportation	Overall
Novi Sad, Serbia	9	N/A	9	7	8	7	N/A	7	6	3	7
Krakow, Poland	8	N/A	6	8	9	4	N/A	8	7	5	6.875
Plovdiv, Bulgaria	8	N/A	N/A	7	6	7	N/A	9	7	4	6.8571429
Venice, Italy	6	N/A	3	7	8	8	N/A	6	9	7	6.75
Warsaw, Poland	8	N/A	N/A	6	7	N/A	N/A	7	6	5	6.5
Istanbul, Turkey	4	8	7	8	6	3	N/A	7	9	5	6.3333333
Vienna, Austria	4	9	4	5	5	9	N/A	6	7	8	6.3333333
Berlin, Germany	5	2	5	9	7	4	8	6	7	9	6.2
Beograde, Serbia	8	N/A	9	5	6	6	8	6	4	3	6.1111111
Budapest, Hungary	6	N/A	5	6	6	6	N/A	6	7	6	6
Zagreb, Croatia	4	N/A	3	5	8	6	8	8	5	5	5.7777778
Munich, Germany	4	N/A	N/A	4	5	4	N/A	7	6	9	5.5714286
Prague, Czech Republic	4	6	4	6	6	4	N/A	5	8	6	5.4444444
Brasov, Romania	8	N/A	N/A	6	5	5	N/A	7	5	2	5.4285714
Sarajevo, Bosnia	7	N/A	9	4	5	1	N/A	7	5	5	5.375
Ephesus, Turkey	4	N/A	6	6	6	N/A	N/A	7	6	2	5.2857143
Sofia, Bulgaria	8	4	4	3	6	6	6	9	2	4	5.2
Skopje, Macedonia	9	N/A	N/A	3	2	7	N/A	8	2	5	5.1428571
Pristina, Kosovo	8	N/A	8	2	4	6	N/A	8	1	2	4.875
Bucharest, Romania	8	N/A	5	3	4	N/A	N/A	6	3	5	4.8571429
Dubrovnik, Croatia	3	N/A	N/A	7	4	N/A	N/A	3	9	3	4.8333333
Bratislava, Slovakia	4	N/A	1	3	7	6	N/A	7	4	5	4.625
Ohrid, Macedonia	9	3	1	3	2	N/A	3	9	6	4	4.4444444
Kotor, Montenegro	4	N/A	N/A	7	4	N/A	N/A	2	7	2	4.3333333
Split, Croatia	3	N/A	1	6	4	6	N/A	3	8	3	4.25
Mostar, Bosnia	6	N/A	N/A	6	3	1	3	5	6	2	4
Frankfurt, Germany	2	N/A	N/A	1	N/A	N/A	N/A	6	1	8	3.6
Podgorica, Montenegro	4	N/A	N/A	2	4	6	N/A	4	2	2	3.4285714
Ljuljana, Slovenia	4	N/A	N/A	3	N/A	N/A	N/A	4	3	2	3.2
Budva, Montenegro	4	N/A	N/A	4	2	N/A	N/A	2	6	1	3.1666667
Villach, Austria	1	N/A	N/A	1	N/A	N/A	N/A	3	2	2	1.8

This was actually surprising since none of the big tourist places ended up in the top 3 and Poland holds 2 spots of the top 5 and Serbia holds another 2 spots in the top 10. Well, any comments are welcome. Please do not take it personally! Ethan

June 14th: Goodbye Berlin, Goodbye Europe!

2010-07-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

June 14th, 2010
3AM Mara got me to a hookah club called Zera so I could watch the Laker-Celtic Game 5 of the NBA Finals. They lost and I left around 5 in the morning to the airport.

June 13th, 2010 Berlin: Last Day in Europe

2010-07-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

2AM I wonderred into a techno club in the market ruins (6 EURs). I actually did not enjoy it immensely because how the people dance and interact. I was even punched in the mouth by a drunkard.

4AM I got a kebab and coke 0.33L for 4 EURs. I then walked 3 kms to home.

Vanilla Coke and Curry Wurst

10AM I left for the city center and arrived at Friedrich Strauss, which is just next to the Permagon Museum. I tried the famous curry sausage, which is worse than the one I had yesterday. The Permagon is one of the most impressive museums I have seen. I would almost take the phrase “one of the” out since nothing I have seen matches the indoor scale of the babylonian wall and the Greek altar in this museum.

2PM I tried the most expensive cake in Europe for 4 EURs. It was too thick. I then had another ice cream on the way to Branderburg Tor.

3:30PM I started waiting in line for the Reichstag Building. The admission was free to the roof terrace of this Parlimentary Building. However, the wait was long, almost 1 hour. Afterward, I went back to the Jewish Memorial and spent 15 minutes there before heading to Potsdamer Platz.

5PM At Potsdamer Platz, there are many restaurants, along with theatres and a large Sony Style Store, which are all contained within the Sony Center.

6PM I got back to Mara’s place. She spilled on my headphones but it was a piece of junk anyway. We chatted for about 1 hour before she left for the soccer match between Germany and Australia. I then took off to the memorial for the Soviet Soldiers and the Men in the River Statues.

East Germany Memorial for Soviet Soldiers

10PM I finished and proceeded to the way back. Mara was not there. I bought a coffee-flavored coke (1.2 EUR) and two Fruit candies (0.9 EUR each). I was smart to have gotten back into my hostel and waited on the sofa for Mara’s return.

Berlin's Sunset

11PM I was able to get the key back for the hostel in case Mara does not return. But she did and treated me to a glass of whiskey. I also found out that she is a doctor working in England. I thought that was interesting as she treats her home like a vacation home away from the work place in another country.