It’s over.
I am currently sitting here on my four-hour layover in London Heathrow Airport to Philly. My last hours on European soil have given me the time to reflect upon my experience here. As I sit paging through old Eurail reservations, used metro tickets, and even my Czech student ID, it is hard for me to come to a grip that all of this is over. Sure I am anxious to be back home in a country where I am comfortable traveling and where I have a permanent place to sleep, a school to go to, a family near by, and a job. However, this European trip has been my first real crack at pure independence. Having parents six time zones, and thousands of miles away has made me appreciate how freedom truly feels but also the heavy burden of solitude. Even though I was not alone in Prague, I spent six of my ten days traveling afterwards by myself. This gave me time to sit back and just enjoy the views outside of my window, travel the routes I want to go, and spend time and money where I see fit. So to close this out I’ll do a short Q&A.
1. Would I do it over again?
——In a heartbeat, this study abroad has been the best experience of my life. I feel like I have learned a lot about myself as well as learning more about foreign cultures. Meeting people from countries all around the world has given me greater perspective on how they view Americans and how Americans view the world. This is the kind of worldly experience that can’t be taught in a classroom or simply read in a book.
2. Would you travel abroad alone again?
——Most definitely, I have very little fear of doing things on my own. Although others may worry about my safety, I think that I am pretty savvy and do what is necessary to get me from point A to point B. However, going abroad for over a month by myself would likely be less than ID. Having a travel partner is a great thing to have and gives you more options for things to do. Granted you don’t always have to do the same things but it was definitely nice when there was someone in the city I was visiting that I knew.
3.What was your favorite place?
——Without a doubt Prague is my new favorite place in the world. The city had so much to offer and I feel as though I could never get tired of it. It is definitely a place I would not mind calling home. There were tons of things to see and do and I never had a dull moment in that city. It also helps that it was incredibly cheap. In a close second and third are Berlin and Paris respectively. Berlin has incredible nightlife and is very beautiful city. Paris is probably the most beautiful city I have seen, is extremely expensive, and there is tons of stuff to see that you can’t possibly do it in less than three days there.
4. What is your next location you want to visit?
——Since I have done the Europe thing three times already. I think It is time to change continents. At this time I am thinking about South America due to its relative proximity and the fact that I have never been further south than Mexico. If I can’t get the money together, I would like to go on a 48 (or maybe 50) state tour. It’s a shame that I live in America and haven’t had a chance to see what all my country offers.
5. What is the biggest thing you got out of your experience?
——I think the most important thing I got out of my trip was through experiencing the Czech culture I learned a little bit about myself along the way. I took an outstanding literature class that allowed me to delve deep into what Prague under communism was like. I took field trips to Czech heritage sites, saw a Czech film, ate Czech food (amazing by the way), and got to live amongst Czech people. It allowed me to appreciate the subtle and sometimes not so subtle differences between our cultures. In the Czech Republic, I was a student; on my own travels after the program I was a tourist. It was during my time as a student that I was able to experience the most and ultimately time away from it all allowed me really focus on where I want to go in life. To have direction is something that I highly value and it is a weight off of my shoulders.
In a short conclusion of the whole thing, I’d just like to say that this has been one the best decisions I have ever made. You can only go to college and study abroad once, and I think I definitely made the right choice on the location. My journey has been unique and no one else saw the same things that I saw. I will hold on to these memories forever, and I anxiously await until the next time I can go travel.
Madrid days 1, 2, and 3.
So with all this time in the airport I think I will be able to do a double post for my final days in Spain and my trip back to the states. Where to begin?
Spain was incredibly beautiful but it was also incredibly hot. On Monday, I did the Madrid sightseeing thing in which I cruised though the city seeing all of the local landmarks in almost record pace. My favorite spot was El Retiro, the park in the center of the city that has a lake where people can rent boats and take a break from urban life. The park itself was well maintained and had many statues and monuments to grab my attention. I also visited the Royal Palace, an Egyptian Temple, and took a stroll in the Plaza del Sol (the main shopping district). The city was inundated with pilgrims anxiously awaiting the arrival of The Pope who was coming to celebrate world youth day in Madrid. During my whole entire stay, the streets were filled with yellow hat wearing young people waving their respective country’s flag and participating in chants and songs in their respective languages. Even though , I am a Catholic I was a little bit annoyed by the sheer masses of young people that stayed up all hours of the night making noise and carrying on outside my hostel room’s window. Fortunately for me, the Pope’s big day in Madrid is not until Thursday where he will tour the streets and make a public speech in Ciebeles square addressing the youth and the copious amounts of problems they face in this ever confusing world filled with temptation.
Tuesday was a less busy day than Monday, as I only had to visit the city of Toledo, which is half an hour out of the city. This gave me a day to really take a break from the hectic speed of my journey and actually get some time to sleep, sit down, enjoy a meal and people watch. I did a pub crawl with my hostel the night before and slept well into 10am missing my original train to Toledo at 9, however, since I was in no rush I took a 1:30pm train. This was a tactical mistake as due to the time, it was reaching the hottest part of the day. Around 4pm it peaked at 109 degrees and trust me, I was suffering from the Hell like temperatures. Toledo is a very beautiful Medieval city with winding roads that make it extremely easy to get lost in. Without a map it is easy to be consumed by the narrow corridors and hilly streets. I returned to Madrid around 6:30 pm where I took a stroll into the Plaza Mayor, and some Paella with a glass of wine for dinner. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect meal to wind down my vacation. Following dinner I joined a pair of my hostel roommates at a bar where we had a few drinks and talked about our journeys. I went to bed around 2am only to wake up at 4sm to catch my ride to the airport.
Luckily, the hostel has connections with a private taxi company that gives a reduced rate for airport travel. Instead of paying thirty or more euros by taking a regular taxi, I was picked up at my hostel and only paid twenty euros to go to the airport. Barajas Aeropuerto security was little bit rough on my bag as I had to say goodbye to a toothpaste tube and half a bottle of scotch that I forgot I had since Prague. Frantically packing in the dark last night, I had completely forgotten about them and left them in my carry-on. Fortunately, their losses aren’t a big deal and can easily be replaced. So despite the unfortunate news, as of the time I am writing this, my plane is on time and I am at the right gate. Next stop, London.
Tour de Bordeaux
So I am currently on my train to the Spanish border. I am really fortunate that everything has worked out for me in France thus far. After starting the week unsure if I would be able to board my trains to Spain with 1st class reservations on my second class pass, I am now sitting comfortably in an extra wide seat and it only cost me 33 euros to make the upgrade. I may just have to go 1st class from now on. My only struggle had been finding an ATM in Bordeaux. There were zero in the train station and I was rather anxious to get some money because I had no money to pay for the 2nd upgraded ticket from Bordeaux to Irun, Spain. I had to go to 3 different ATMs because the first two were broken and I only had 40 minutes to find one and get back to the train station. Thank God all of my travels have worked out and have made all my trains.
Ultimately, I am glad that I skipped going to Biarritz and the French coast in favor of spending an extra day in Paris and Madrid. The weather outside the train along the cost is rather cloudy although the views of the ocean are breathtaking. Paris was an incredible time and it has been my second favorite stop after Berlin. The weather was nice, I was able to meet up with my friend both days and we saw the Eiffel tower at night. I was able to climb the Eiffel tower, see the Arc de Triomphe, Le Grande Arche, Notre Dame, the Louvre and many other sights. From 10pm-1am on each hour there is a 5-minute show where the tower “sparkles” and it is really beautiful. So myself, my friend Gary, and two other guys we met at Gary’s hostel grabbed some champagne and we chilled out on the Eiffel Tower lawn for 2 hours just drinking, people watching, and even witnessing a fight between rival groups of street vendors. I heard at lot of bad reviews about Paris in terms of the people not liking Americans but everyone I went to when I had a question or needed help was very helpful and Paris has been a very positive experience.
Finally, at 10 pm we roll into Madrid. 13 hours later, I have crossed 1 and a half countries and have gone from 75-degree weather to 96. Even at midnight it is 86 degrees! I did a brief half an hour walk of the area and it was lovely. Can’t wait to see more of it tomorrow in the daylight. 3 more days in Europe and then I return to the states for a month of summer and then starting my senior year…. SCARY!
Interlaken=Inter-Lovin-it (well for the most part)
Man I tell you the German Rail Company, Deutsch Bahn, doesn’t like me. My train that is supposed to go to Interlaken, isn’t going to Interlaken, instead I am going to have to find my own way there from Basel. Not exactly the kind of news I want to hear/ deal with again. Typically when you buy reservations on a train, you would think that they would honor the fact that you need to get there and will actually take you there. Traveling by myself has been both a blessing and burden. I like being able to do what I want, but I absolutely abhor having to figure out all kinds of travel issues.
As usual I have ended up on a reserved train in a reserved seat without a reservation. However, at least I am in Switzerland and on a train to Interlaken. Couldn’t really ask for better scenario considering I had to boy scout my way on this train. Swiss Alps await.
Interlaken and the Swiss Alps have been gorgeous and the hassle of getting to Switzerland has been well worth it. I engaged on six-mile hike to see the mountain tops reflect off a lake high in the mountains. (picture above)Unfortunately my hostel has been less than adequate. The hostel staff has been apathetic to my questions about what to see, and anything besides my bed has to be paid for. No wonder this is the cheapest place in Interlaken. Tonight I am going to see the sunset on Lake Thun and then probably go to bed. There isn’t much nightlife here, and my non English-speaking roommates aren’t exactly the party crowd. Either way this trip was meant to be a relaxing and rather sedate excursion compared to my previous travels.On tap for tomorrow: Visiting Thun and perhaps Bern for the day. It all depends how early I get up, and how I really feel. Perhaps I may just even read a book.
My second day was a bit more laid back as I woke up late, enjoyeda nice breakfast and went to Lake Thun around noontime. After soaking up some solar rays, and taking in the sights I decided to visit the capital city of Bern and scope out what it is like. Bern was beautiful as it had beautiful fountains in the middle f o the streets, all kinds of street vendors, and was really had a leisurely atmosphere. I even watched a game of chess played with pieces that were waist high and a board that was approximately 10x10 ft. After Bern I went back to Thun to watch the sun set and for dinner I met up with my friend from Drexel that was in the area. We went to a bar and had a few drinks and talked about our respective trips. I had a 7am train to Bern and a 8:31 connector to Paris and made both with ease. I am just glad I am no longer in the forsaken location known as the River Lodge Hostel. Last night when I came back, my glasses fogged up when I entered the room because it was so hot and humid in there. No wonder why it has been difficult to sleep in Interlaken! Once I get to Paris I will be meeting up with another friend from Drexel and we will be doing Paris BIG! I am very excited. Switzerland, you were great, but I think I will have an even better time in France. 5 Days until back in the states, can you believe it?
Quick update on Paris, it is very lovely, I wish that I spent more than two days here. Weather has been great. Sorry I don’t have enough time to describe everything but once I get on my train to Spain I will write more about it. Much love, Grant
Two “day” trips, one day? Impossible? Not to Grant “Mr. Efficiency” Holland. Thanks to my endless amount of train time, I can write my blogs during the day and post at night. Makes my life a lot easier and the time go by faster. But I digress. On to today’s solemn and not so solemn activities.
My first stop was a place that no one on Earth can be mentally prepared to go. Dachau was the first real concentration camp, and served as the model for all future concentration camps scattered throughout central Europe. Over 200,000 inidividuals spent time there and of which more than 40,000 perished at the hands of the Third Reich. Walking through the crematoria and gas chambers was the most emotional part of the day, seeing where up to 150 jews, political prisoners, and other ethnic groups would be promised a shower but receive death through Zyklon B gas was tough. Just standing in the facility gave me an uneasy feeling. Then next door was a room where the bodies would be stacked to be burned was also very hard to bear. Finally, a trip through a reconstructed barracks showed how the original barracks which had a max capacity of 200 was made to fit 2000 prisoners. The fact that the camp was only supposed to support 6000 prisoners but held over 30,000 was rather disturbing. Overall, I am very glad I went and had to the chance to see first hand what kinds of atrocities humanity is capable of. Reading books, or watching film cannot do the proper emotional justice that stepping through the gate in Dachau gave me.
Despite, my morning consisting of terrible sadness and a deep hatred for those who subjected these prisoners to the ultimate form of torture, I did not let it dampen my day and continued on to see the “Disney Castle” in the alps. Leaving at 3 oclock in the afternoon with a two-hour train ride would only give me an hour and a half to see the castle before having to take another two-hour train ride back. I heavily debated whether it was worth my time and I knew that I might never be back so I decided to do it anyway. Upon arrival, I took a few photos at the base, which were lovely enough and would have the trip worth it but I decided to hike up to the top. Despite the advertised 45-minute hike, I thought I could do it in less if I hurried. I ended up making in a little less than 25 minutes, and was greeted with the most stunning views this trip. The castle had a waterfall at the base and truly lived up to its “Disney” hype. Best of part of it was, that I got to see the sun set over the Bavarian alps, couldn’t ask for a better.
I originally came to Munich with the intention of seeing either Dachau or Neuwanstein Castle, not both in one day and still get back before 10. Granted that I had to get up at 8 to leave for the first stop, it was all worth all trouble of coordinating trains, busses and a restricted time schedule. You are only on this planet once and any opportunity you waste may come back to haunt you. My only wish would be to share every moment, view, person I meet, picture, and video of my trip with you. I know I can’t do that but I will surely try.
Munich!
I know this is cheating because I am not in Munich yet, but I at least thought I would start my next blog entry because I always seem to rush them and I have a really complicated story. My second day in Berlin started at 11am, I don’t know why I didn’t sleep in more because it was a dreary day, but then again, I only had a few hours of Berlin left and a lot more sightseeing to do. Overall in this city, I had acquired 9 hours of sleep in two days, not good considering I had a 6:30 am train to Munich (I’ll get to the details on that in just a bit). So I left off my last entry with going to the beer festival which I had an incredible time drinking and catching up with my 4 other friends that came to Berlin. And afterwards I had my farewells with them and planned on going home, on the way back I ran into my British roommates who were going to this bar called “Du Pong”, I thought I’d tag along with them for a little bit before going back to get a decent night’s sleep before my train.
This is where my story gets interesting. Little to my knowledge, this bar is a ping-pong club and all they do is play round robin. My roommates said that they play table tennis for fun and they ask me if I ever played, and I tell them no. I’m thinking to myself that I am going to be this ringer and will show these Europeans how the USA does table tennis. This is where I made my fatal error, imagine round robin games with 30 people, but they are all extremely good. All able to put whatever spins they want, make backhand slams, and somehow get to all the hard shots. I was perhaps the worst person there; even so it soon became this rivalry, the English speaking 4 British guys and 1 American vs. 25 Central Europeans. The furthest any one of us got is the round of 4 on one occasion and the furthest I made it was with six people left. The rounds with three people were incredible to watch, we are talking 5 minute rallies of each player just returning perfect balls back and it truly proceeded like a merry go round. The finals were even more amazing with long rallies of smashing returning, doing all kinds of nasty spins on the ball that I could not even dream of doing. I was having so much fun with everyone, it was soon 2am and I knew that I couldn’t stay any longer for fear of not being able to wake up for my train.
This morning was an absolute bear, since I didn’t want to wake up my roommates I packed in the dark after only 3 hours of sleep and made my way to the train station. I got there with 20 minutes to spare and waited at platform 1 where it was supposed to come. Then with a minute before its arrival the platform gets changed to 13, and the Berlin Train station is an absolute nightmare to get through, then after waiting for three or four minutes the platform gets moved to 11, where I learn it was delayed for an hour. All and all the train ended up coming to platform 12 and my constant fear of missing my train had been abated. Since they were making these platform announcements in German, I had to pay attention for “Train neun eine fumpf” and then “abfahrt” and then another German number. Since this is a 6 hour train, I was able to catch about four hours of sleep and I woke up to the lovely Bavarian alps passing by my window. Here is where the story gets really good, our train stops in Nuremburg, and everyone gets off, I stay on because I’m going to Munich which is the terminus or supposed to be. The conductor goes up to me and says train not going to Munich and says get off the train. I start to panic because If I don’t get to Munich, where am I going? How will this impact all my travel plans? Luckily I found this German couple that had the same issue and pointed out that a train was going to Munich in a different platform but it was reserved so we have to look for an open seat otherwise we going to stand or be kicked off the train. So here is where I go into ruthless mode, with two seats left and six or seven people, I move as fast as I can trying to get around people putting their luggage away, and I make it to a seat, for the unfortunate others, I see them hopelessly look for a seat. Typically I am compassionate person, but the only thing I cared about was getting to Munich and not if anyone else does. I wonder what ever happened to that couple that helped me find this train?
Finally at 3pm, I made it into Munich. Sightseeing today and the Hofbrauhaus tonight, Dachau and maybe Newanstein Castle tomorrow.
So finally I have had some time to make a decent post. Bad news first, last night I was denied entrance to Berghain at 4am which was very disappointing. I did everything right, but they turned me away. Regardless, it has not made my time here any less enjoyable. Yesterday and today, the world’s largest beer festival has been taking place in the city and I have had the privilege to try many of the different beers that Germany has to offer, the food is great, the beer is great, the people are great, and I really enjoyed it. I also had a chance to see the Berlin wall’s few remaining sections and was able to get a very tiny piece of it to take home as a keepsake. The exhibit on the wall was very well done and made the trip a little more emotional. The city itself is quite lovely too. My hostel is extremely nice, and my roommates in Berlin are certainly an entertaining lot. Going to Berlin was definitely worth it. Tomorrow will be a long day as I travel across the country to Munich to do some more “beer tourism”. More details to come. 10 more days in Europe, wow time has flown.
August 6, 2011 at 5:17pm
Notes
No title for now
To all my loyal followers, I have made it to Berlin and the first 12 hours in this city have been incredible. International beer festival, lovely views, and even a parade have captivated me. Unfortunately, my camera has had zero battery so I have been unable to take photographs, but I will make up for it tomorrow when I go out. Tonight: I will be heading to the infamous club known as Berghain, hopefully I get in and will have a story to tell. That will not be until 5 am however, so time for a nap before we go hard like there is no tomorrow. Gonna be a fun night.
July 28, 2011 at 1:15pm
Notes
Here is a letter from Former President Vaclav Havel to our culture series presenter Jostka Stalnik right after the fall of Communism in 1989. “I thank you, and history thanks you.” -Vasek (Vaclav’s nickname)
Here is a lovely picture of the Charles Bridge at night. So far this week, I have completed 1 300 page novel, wrote a 3 page paper, and met one former President Havel’s advisors. Not bad for one week and its only Thursday. On tap for tomorrow: Visit to the Cerny Palace, former Baroque home of one of the richest men in Prague in the 1800’s. Then off to a soccer match between local rivals Slavia Praha and Bohemians 1905. I am super excited for my first European top flight soccer match. Saturday I am venturing into the town of bears and beer, Cesky Krumlov. A small town that is comprised of a castle complex. Afterwards, one more week and I’m on my own, in Europe. Talk about scary
1.
