AwesomeTron

From Communist Times!

2008-04-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

I did a bad job keeping up with blogging the last few weeks in Europe so here is an extra awesome post to make up for it. Psyche, it is just the regular kind of awesome, but it is my last Europe blog and has pictures from Prague and Berlin (which I loved second best next to London).

Without further ado...

Found out how to get black and white photos on my camera so we took some on an extra long tube ride in search of graffiti in Prague.

Went glasses shopping here to add to my collection. Found some great frames from the communist times!

Obi Kanobi.

Looking for some dinner.

I kept trying to take pictures of myself in the kicky fur hat I bought. Try being the key word here.

Berlin was amazing and, some would say, almost too much fun. It was the last time we were all going to be together in Europe and we just wanted to go out with a bang I guess.

Went to the white trash bar...

This guy was the oldest dude at the white trash bar...but also the coolest. Learn from the wise yo.

The next day we went on a bike tour around Berlin. I was feeling pretty sick but the day was beautiful and the city was awesome.

Who I aspire to be someday...

This is the hotel that Michael Jackson hung his kid out of.

Guaranteed to Be Free of Bugs

2008-04-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Alright! I've been home since last week on Tuesday! I told my family that I was coming home two weeks later than I actually did. My mom connived and told the sibs they were going to catch my uncle at the airport during a layover. When I came off the plane in all of my "12 hours of traveling glory" I wish I would have had a camera. My brother was so surprised that he asked me if I could stay and my sister started crying and almost puked. Honestly the best welcome home I've ever had.

I already miss Europe but nothing compares to sleeping in your own bed (guaranteed to be free of bugs), eating homemade food and having no schedule whatsoever.

I realize I slacked a lot on posting to the blog, my computer crashed and basically became a piece of junk I had to haul around for the last couple of weeks. I wonder when I'll break the news to him that I'm saving for a Mac... I will still post some pictures of Prague and Berlin as soon as my body stops hating me (JET LAG).

(((((Peep the new haircut (inspired by the mullet girls in Madrid) and the new shades (inspired by Kanye).)))))

Stat.

2008-04-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Prague, Prague, Prague. After a long train ride with some very rambunctious British guys (who had smelly feet but helped me carry my bags) and a terrible attempt at gettting to my hostel on time I finally made it. Prague is probably the prettiest city we have been to so far which is why I didn't take any pictures of anything at all except graffitti and some horses. I have a ton of pictures but here are just a few from the very first day to start off. I'm too hungry to post more right now I need to get a frozen pizza stat.

Don't look guys.

Pancholicious.

Conan the pigeoun killer and his floral umbrella.

We made our own dinner in the hostel's kitchen. And let me tell you, it was a feast to behold: pasta with instant powder sauce and cheezy bread. There may have been a little boxed wine too. Always keeping it as classy as possible.

Posting more tonight....

Skinny Jeans in Any Color of the Rainbow

2008-04-04T04:47:00.000-07:00

How come you can't buy skinny jeans in any color of the rainbow in the U.S.?
C'mon America, its time to step up your game.

"Vun More Time"

2008-04-02T02:10:00.000-07:00

We were studying in Verona, Italy for the last week or so. Our hostel was a refurbished mansion from the 1400s. The room I was sleeping in was older than the United States. Puts things in a bit of perspective don't it?

Everyday was pretty much the same there: wake up, drink coffee from a bowl, walk around/explore/get on a train to anywhere/buy fruit, come back, eat a fairly authentic Italian dinner. Here are a few pictures of Verona...

Our Australian friend who we met at our hostel on the first day...and mysteriously never saw agian.

Like I said....just a few pictures.

While we were in Verona we took a day trip to Venice. Well, first we watched a depressing movie on how tourism is basically killing the city and how old people who still live there have to walk twenty minutes just to get a loaf of bread- then we went to Venice. Despite the fact that I felt a little guilty I did have a good time. It is a beautiful city with plenty of photo oppourtunities and though I usually like to steer clear of really touristy areas Venice is just one of those things that you have to see for yourself...

This guy had some pretty intense dreads.

There are tons and tons of mask shops in Venice because of the Carnivale. Most of them looked pretty much the same except for these ones that I found which are pretty amazing.

Took some time out to people watch...

"Eef you step on zee back uf my shoe vun more time more time Sasha I sver I vill smack you upside uf your tiny head."

The only car in all of Venice.

When people look like their dogs. Or visa versa.

You can't tell from this picture but the tower in the background was sinking to the left, pretty trippy to see in real life. The picture seems pretty lame now.

Johnny Cash God's Gonna Cut You Down

2008-04-02T01:07:00.001-07:00

Pretty amazing.

Sans Weens

2008-04-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

A couple girls and I took a weekend trip to Rimini sans weens (if you don't' get that then just understand its probably for the best). Rimini is a beach town on the coast of Italy and I guess it was named as one of the fifty greatest places to travel by the New York Times. Here is a map for your viewing pleasure.

Basically we walked around all day people watching and window shopping. Good times and much laughter as always.

I just heard that MN got a ton of snow this weeks so I feel a little guilty posting these pictures of the beach...but then again...

A local celebrity: Rimini's orange turtle neck wearing man and his sidekick the world's most giant dog.

Disgusting.

I just don't think that Bob Marley would like this very much.

Too bad this place was closed, I mean I've never had James Brown pizza but I hear its pretty good.

The Luxury of it All

2008-03-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

While we were in Nice we took a day trip to Monocco, one of the world's most expensive cities. While we were there I tried to buy a magazine for 6 euros (expensive, I know, but it was a really great magazine). When I brought it to the counter the cashier rang it up as 9 euros. When I asked her why it cost so much she said, "You're in Monocco," and then she laughed. I left without a magazine and a damaged pride. Hah, Monocco...

There were privately owned yachts, just lined up along the shoreline.

Free oranges.

I would have paid 9 euros for these though...

...or these.

Jen and I were pretty close to chasing these roller bladers down to ask them where they got their cotton candy.

Another privately owned yacht. At this point the paradox between being jealous and sorrowful for the fate of the world was too much and my head exploded.

This picture was taken by a really creepy guy who wouldn't leave us alone.

Monocco's famous casino. Most of the tables have a 75 euro (about 110 dollars) betting minimum. Needless to say, we didn't even step foot inside.

If the Mona Lisa were a shoe it would be this Prada heel.

Here I am trying to act really cool in Monocco.

Looking like some weird mix between an emo angles shot and an American Apparel add.

Worn out from luxury of it all and on our way home.

On Training Cats to Sit on One's Shoulders

2008-03-16T05:56:00.001-07:00

Hey there kids, let me tell you about a little place called Nice (pronounced neeeeeice). After waking up on the night train from Paris to Nice we were greeted to some of the most gorgeous landscape I have seen in awhile. Hills, mountains and ocean; perfect sun, perfect water, sailboats and even whales. We got picked up by our hostel's van service (if you know about traveling to hostels then you will understand the glorious convenience this is). The driver was blasting Amy Winehouse. I thought gee whiz! Whales, Ocean, my beloved Amy...how could Nice get any better? And then I ate the hostel's Nutella cereal.

After Paris was all museums and homework Nice is well recieved relief. Since we arrived I have been buzzing with happiness.

Our hostel is a refurbished monastary. Here is the view from our window.

Not my dad's Honda Shadow.

I guess if I was bummin around France I would also train a cat to sit on my shoulders...

...or maybe a rabbit.

The water wasn't warm, everyone on land was wearing a jacket. Almost cool, but mostly just insane and uncomfortable.

True love is... wearing matching denim hot pants.

Nothing is More Gangster Than Gold Tinsel

2008-03-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

...don't have a lot to say. Just a few more pictures of Paris.

Because nothing is more gangster than gold tinsel.

Anti-climatic?

Venus de Milo

True love is....traveling all the way to Paris and falling asleep in the Louvre.

What Paris is and is Not

2008-03-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

I have been in France since Friday and it has been raining everyday since. I guess when I thought of Paris I imagined something like me stepping off the train to a lot of gardens and mimes passing out baguettes and bouquets of flowers. Maybe I just watch too much tv. It has the potential to be a really great city in my book but the weather and sad looking pigeons are trying to bog me down.

I went to see the Eiffel Tower but I'm not gonna post any pictures of it because there was too much mist to catch in its full Parisian glory. But...a couple of friends and I did go to a hip-hop show last week and I'm just gonna go ahead and give it the prize for my best night in Europe so far. It opened with The Carps, a duo band from Canada. We talked with them a bit before and after their show and I like to think we connected over our northern roots. After that a couple of electronica/techno groups and then The Cool Kids, who were far beyond amazing.

The Carps

Ray Bans and afros.

This guy was dancing so hard in his leather jacket.

Actually, a lot of people were dancing pretty hard.

The Cool Kids.

I don't know who this guy was but he wins the best t-shirt ever award.

Me, Mikey and Jen.

Its Acting Up a Little Bit So Far

2008-03-11T14:54:00.001-07:00

After a hectic process I finally got my computer shipped here from the U.S. Its acting up a little bit but so far and after a little bit of frustration I finally got some pictures uploaded onto Flickr.

These ones are from Barcelona which is a fantastic city. Everyday there was pretty much t-shirt weather and we got to go to the beach (I almost feel bad for letting any MN kids read that). I was in Madrid the week before but I honestly can't think of anything to write about that place because Barcelona blew it right out of the water. Anyway, here are a few pictures...

What Spain is not Spain without: street performers.

This girl's bicycle is number one.

I don't think the danger this guy was in is conveyable in a photograph.

My main food staple: baguettes and brie.

This picture pretty much sums up the haristyles of 47% of the guys in Spain...one sad dread.

Cool Life

2008-02-28T07:52:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted much lately other than pictures. Sorry about that, Madrid has been mostly homework and sleeping for me. But I will be in Barcelona tomorrow and it should be a completely different story.
I am still doing quite fine though, here is some proof...

Also, I got a new camera so I'll be able to post pictures of my own really soon.

After Punch Dancing Out My Rage

2008-02-24T15:59:00.000-08:00

The requirements for being a great country are as follows:
1. good, cheap food
2. traditional naptime

Madrid has both so I give this country a thumbs up.

My camera broke in Stratford. Until I find a solution to my pictureless existence my friend Brad is letting me use some of the photos he takes. Luckily, he is a pretty good photographer as well as a pretty nice guy.

After punch-dancing out my rage I took a long and painful fall down this hill.

Train.

This picture just looks like a bunch of trees. But really its a picture of a bunch of trees and a tiny dog.

Minnesota:land of 1o,ooo lakes::Spain:land of 10,000 fountains

Me must have spent days playing and taking pictures on these car-blockin' stumps.

Pizza & Pita where we eat pretty much everyday and every night. Yo quierro una pizza y los papatas fritas por favor. O y une agua. Gracias.

Camera Update

2008-02-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

My camera doesn´t have a little view-hole-thing.

Sorry About the Boring Post

2008-02-19T14:41:00.000-08:00

Earlier today I was in Dublin, Ireland and, traveling fiascos aside, it was a wonderful place. Before I got there I imagined rolling green hills and sheep (and like, lots and lots of potatoes)...ya know, movie Ireland. But Dublin was a city with an insanely busy night life and the absolute nicest people I have ever met. Forget the midwest because "Irish nice" is the new "Minnesota nice" and that is that.

Now I´m in Madrid, Spain and so far it is quite the experience. Our hostel is far beyond comfortable, brand new and more like a gorgeous hotel than what I have experienced in the way of hostels so far (i.e. The Brewery). I don´t have much to write yet, everyone including myself, is cramming homework in tonight since class starts again tomorrow. I´ll write more later.

F.Y.stinkingI. My camera decided to up and crack its own LCD screen. Brand new and just sitting cozy in my purse and now its short life has come to an end. So I don´t know what I am going to do for pictures until I figure out how to change the function so I can look through the little camera hole thingy.

Good Luck.

Tweed Suit

2008-02-14T06:21:00.000-08:00

Nothing better than an old English gentelman with a tweed suit and great sense of humor. Notice anything...a little off?

73% Cleaner, Warmer and More Wonderful

2008-02-14T05:57:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from Stratford, where we are staying for the rest of this week. Sorry they aren't too thrilling but they reflect the town perfectly. I guess English countryside is wonderful for movies and such but in reality it is just as boring as American countryside. However, I am still in Europe so I really can't complain.

This is my bed at the new hostel (which is about 73% cleaner, warmer and more wonderful than the hostel we stayed at in London. More like a hotel with bunk beds and community bathrooms than anything else.) You can see here we have a cameo from Cleadius Cleadis (kisses, I love you Sadie).

At the train station I got this apple strudel, mostly because it was the cheapest thing in the display case and mostly because I was hungry out of my mind. Turns out it is the most delicious apple pastry in the entire world. I took a picture half way through so I could document one of the rare moments in my life that I can honestly say was nothing but perfect.
Two years ago in South Africa, I found a drink called Grapetizer (also available in Peartizer and Appletizer). It can´t be found in the United States and little bottles of it have been dancing around in my dreams ever since. Well guess what, they have it here and I'm buying up the entire country's stock of tizer.

"Shakespeare's House" though it probably isn't really his house. Just a hoax from some guy in the 1600s who thought he might be able to make a pretty pence by advertising to people with an affinity for iambic pantameter.
Swans, and lots of em. Romantic in the U.S. but here they are as plentiful as ducks. Maybe like deer in America and kangaroos in Australia.

They're mean too.

Guam

2008-02-10T02:36:00.000-08:00

Alrighty I´m in a new hostel and it is in Guam. Well, really it is in Greenwich but it takes about a a half hour by train to get into the heart of London. Our hostel, though, is a welcome relief with huge rooms and spotless showers. The owner is this Jamaican lady named Yvonne. She calls me sweetie whenever I tall to her. Usually I don't like stuff like that but today she is going to cook us a traditional jamaican dinner so she can call me whatever she wants. We were supposed to meet some friends at a reggae club last night but we got lost so they ditched us (living without cell phones is a brand new experience). But when we got back to the hostel there was a birthday party going on and everybody was Jamaican and the music was reggae so we had our own club anyway.

Did I mention that this hostel has free wifi? Well it does. And I've been having an Internet binge since I got here.

Spam-A-Lot

2008-02-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

I splurged some money today...and I don´t regret it, nuh uh, not one bit. I bought a ticket to Spam-a-Lot, the Monty Python musical based on the Holy Grail movie. It was fantastic and the absolute funnest thing I have done since arriving here. I am almost certian I must have six pack abs after laughing so much.

A few more pictures...

Throwing out some "litter." Notice the mid-air bottle action shot. Brilliant.

A picture of me going to Hogwarts. Cheers.

WANTED

2008-02-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

A hostel.
Requirements:
-clean shower
-free WIFI
-breakfast
-NO weird Aussies

A Mixture of Bewilderment

2008-02-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

Ugh finally I have some photos to put on here. But man am I a bad photographer. Most of my pictures are like fuzzy and taken from terrible angles. I guess highschool photography class was a waste in my hopeless case. Nevertheless...

Here is a lovely picture of out Hostel room. Yes, they are tiny. But so far I've had some of the greatest, most restful nights of sleep in my life.

This is some graffiti we saw near the National Theatre. It was on a 'community wall' so basically anybody could come and say whatever they felt like. Also, there was a dude break dancing and trying to video tape himself on a razr phone. It was pretty ridiculous but gave me a good laugh.

I thought all the girls from home would really appreciate this. It's an H&M and its three stories tall. I went inside and wanted to cry but instead I bought a gray sweater.

Hummus. I just finished a heaping bowl minutes ago.

I know what you're thinking....golly is that Big Ben?! And it is.
Ok, remember when I said that I almost met the queen (and by almost met the queen I mean I was in the same square mile as her). Well, here is flag flying to prove it.

And here is a terrible picture of me sitting in an English pub on our very first day in London. If you look closely in my eyes you can make out a mixture of bewilderment, exhaustion, longing for a hot shower and a realization that, dude, I am in London.

Where the Street Markets and Weirdos Are

2008-02-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

Homeskillets. I'm still just trying to do my best over here in London. Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, its been difficult to find internet that doesn't cost a whole bunch of pounds. I mean it is really hard to find anything to complain about when you are in London, but if I could pick something it would be how weak the US dollar is....which, you know what? Its not even the UK's fault, its Bush's fault. So boo on you Bush, you made my Subway sandwich cost eight US dollars today.

Here is a picture of me at St. Paul Cathedral (I'm the one on the right...). We did a pretty bad job of composing the picture, I mean we didn't even get the stinkin' cathedral in there. But at least you can see that I am alive and well...and in the habit of wearing orange moccasins with leopard print pants. This came from Brad's camera. I'm trying with a decent amount of effort to get my own pictures on here, but its gonna be a process.

Today we crashed Camden Town where the street markets and weirdos are... think Venice Beach in California but with more punks and really tiny cars. Here is a short list of things you can purchase in CT: british flag boxer shorts, gothic novelty pants, lime green skinny jeans, bowties and Chinese food. Too bad I forgot to get money out of the ATM, right?

For my Minnesota readers: The other day we went in to a clothing store in Comstock and just as we walked in Prince began to sing over the store speakers. It was super awesome. We asked the shop owner if she knew Prince lived in Minnesota. She said no. AND THEN LATER...when we were in Camden Town scoping some 80's windbreakers, Atmosphere (an indie rap group from the MN) was playing. Perfection really. I almost got homesick...but mostly it just reminded me how much music I forgot to put on my iPod.

Actual Keyboard

2008-02-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

AHH! yea i can write this on an actual keyboard instead of the tiny touchscreen on my ipod touch (not that i don't love that little ipod with wall my heart). but for some reason capitalizing letters is especially awkward on an english keyboard, so for now i'm just going to skip the good grammer and editing. my apologies.

last night we went on a jack the ripper tour. we had this hilariously outgoing tour guide and we went into these alleyways and old buildings, to where jack's victims lived and were found. it was a little creepy but just my style (i kept thinking that sadie would like this very much). after that we hit up the ten bells, a pub where all of jack's victims were frequent customers. it was old and shabby and so so great. the bartender was this irish guy who wouldn't stop dancing, he said he could dance however he pleased because he had been managing the place for six years.

after that we came back to the hostel where they have like a little club thing. we met people from italy, argentina, paris and germany. it was so fun trying to understand their english, and trying to get them to understand our english (or in my case, really, really bad french). everyone dances really different and listens to really different music, so basically we had the time of our lives getting stared at.

all the girls out here wear boots. i left mine at home. bad news bears for me, right? i guess that means i will just have to buy some new ones in Oxford Circus, what a bummer. psych, i totally planned that so i would have to.

im having a wonderful time, snapping pictures of old buildings, meeting locals and eating hummus (yes it is still my favorite place). cheers loves.

57% Better Than the Day Before

2008-01-30T13:31:00.000-08:00

I'm in London! I arrived here about nine AM England time after flying all night. And despite feeling really jet lagged and starving after getting off the plane it has been an amazing day. We started out by exploring the city a bit when we were supposed to do a scavenger hunt. We saw Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, The British flag was flying so that meant the queen of England was home. Talk about close encounters with royalty. However, I think that if my stomach had been full at the time I would have enjoyed it a lot more.

After that adventure we were able to get into our hostel rooms which are tiny, and colorful and very very cold. But they are clean! (The bathrooms are not and that is all I am going to say) It was a good day, about 57% better than the day before. I mean, I ate fish and chips, saw a Rolls Royce, and got to ride in a subway train. Tonight I'll just be happy to get some sleep and have some good dreams. I already miss everyone and I can't wait to be able to call home.

By the way, if you ever happen to be in the London area (which I truely suggest you make a point to do) then you should stop by Hummus Bros. The sign outsides says that it is first hummus bar in London, but it should also say that it is the best and most delicious hummus in all the world. I´m gonna go ahead and urge you to try a large bowl of guacamole and chicken with brown pitas and a ginger mint lemonade.

Long live the queen, or something like that.

Goodbye

2008-01-29T07:16:00.001-08:00

Synced my I-Pod with the music I can't live without for three months...check

Ate last egg sandwich (courtesy of dad)...check

Overpacked to the maximum extreme...check

Prayed with Peju....check

Ok I got most of the important stuff done, which is good since I'm going to be leaving in about an hour! Last night we had family dinner with my grandpa. Most of the conversation was us reciting lines from our new favorite movie Hot Rod. (Which if you haven't seen it, please do, your life might just be changed.)

So this post is my farewell! I'll see everyone soon, well, I'll see you in May. And I promise I will try to post on here as much as I can. I'll be in London tonight (which will be tomorrow there).

Goodbye! (Also, will anyone who sees my mom just make sure to give her a hug and tell her its going to be okay?)

"Pack-o-Rama"

2008-01-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I hate packing. I mean, I've lived in a different house for every year of my life. I'm just sick of it. So I have dubbed the next seven days "Pack-0-Rama" that way it seems like more fun. My theory is it will work the same way as the word "extreme" does. You know, like "EXtreme Puzzling!" or "EXtreme Knitting" it just automatically makes any activity less boring and more awesome. That's my theory anyway.

Okay, so day 1 of Pack-o-Rama. I got a really sweet rolly suitcase for Christmas, now I just have to distinguish what to fill it with. Our professors told us to bring as very little as possible...and then they gave us a three page packing list. Here are some of my favorite suggestions:

1. jacknife with a corkscrew

2. fork

3. a door jam

4. a map of the U.S.A.? (maybe, so we know how to get back home)

5. ear plugs (because apparently people "snore" in youth hostels)

6. a leotard

Which, for some reason, I already have...and enjoy wearing over my normal clothes on a regular basis. (sorry about the rather disturbing picture.)

To be sure, one thing I will not forget is chapstick. Anyone who knows me, knows how serious I am, gosh darmit. I might just bring fifty sticks of it. I mean who know if the kind my lips have become accustomed to is even available in merry ol' England!? Or whether they even have chapstick at all?! I mean, maybe Europeans just have naturally moist kissers and they don't even sell chapstick anywhere!!!! That almost escalated into a full-blown chapstick-induced panic attack.

As For the Kid With the Turtle

2008-01-22T21:14:00.000-08:00

Ok...what's the date? The 22nd. So, seven days until I leave for Europe! That's incredibly awesome and totally terrifying at the same time. You know, sort of like a haunted house (it makes sense to me, ok?). Anyway, I will be gone from January 29th until sometime in May. Pretty awesome, I know. And though I will be having unparalleled adventures I can't even imagine how much I am going to miss everyone back at home. Which brings me to why I am creating this ultrafantastic blog. I need to be able to communicate with you guys somehow, but if I get any phone access at all it will cost me an arm and a leg (and I have grown rather fond of all my appendages). Soooo...this will be my main way to communicate with all you Americans.

I'll post pictures and interesting stories about cool stuff I get to do and fantastic Europeans I meet. Leave me some comments about how much you miss me being in your lives. That way, I won't feel so lonely.

Also, I have no idea what "awesometron" means. I was just sitting here at my computer and it came to me. I guess if I had to push it to get a meaning, it is the name I would choose for myself if I was a Transformer. I don't know, it has nothing to do with the trip or anything.