Arrived back in Chicago yesterday. After 13 hours of travel, we were exhausted. Gabrielle went to sleep at 7 and I followed at 8 (after watching the Bears beat Seattle!).
Of course everything didn't go completely as planned. We took the Sheraton taxi (which to my surprise was a Mercedes) and got the Prague airport an hour and a half before our flight. Plenty of time right? Only if United properly ticketed you a seat on the Lufthansa plane! UGH, so we spent 15 minutes (at 1.50 a minute) on the phone trying to resolve the problem with United. Finally with 20 minutes to board we got the crucial ticket number Lufthansa needed to get us on the plane. After that everything was pretty smooth.
We arrived in Chicago around 3 and finally got home around 4:30. On the taxi ride home I just rolled down the window and breathed in the sweet Chicago air.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Papal Tease
Today as been pretty busy so far. This morning Gabrielle and I walked to the Prague Castle-- carefully avoiding the Charles Bridge (which was packed with tourists). On our way we passed the Church of Our Lady beneath the Chain and ran into a sea of people. Hundreds of people were lined up and after first thinking this was the line to the castle we soon discovered that the Pope was in town and would be coming this way!
I immediately started thinking about what it would be like to see the Holy Father coming down a street we had just stumbled on. So we waited 15 minutes and then the bells began ringing and the police started pushing people back-- off in the distance we could hear police sirans. This was it!
And then the motorcycles appeared, next a police car, then a black sedan, another black sedan, another black sedan, a van, another van and then...that was it. Police started walking away and a huge groan sounded through the crowd. I just started laughing. How silly to think that we would be so lucky!
I immediately started thinking about what it would be like to see the Holy Father coming down a street we had just stumbled on. So we waited 15 minutes and then the bells began ringing and the police started pushing people back-- off in the distance we could hear police sirans. This was it!
And then the motorcycles appeared, next a police car, then a black sedan, another black sedan, another black sedan, a van, another van and then...that was it. Police started walking away and a huge groan sounded through the crowd. I just started laughing. How silly to think that we would be so lucky!
Praha
We arrived in Prague (Praha) last night. The train ride was long, and though we had first class seats the train itself was old and gray (just what you'd think of if someone asked you to picture a communist made train).
The city however is out of this world. I really had no desire to come here, and after the train ride I was ready to really dislike Prague, but this city is just beautiful.
After checking into the Sheraton (we were upgraded again, and the room...wow) we went to get some food that Gabrielle could eat. In our Top 10 Prague book it mentioned a place called Jama that server really good Tex-Mex. Since it was close we decided to try it out. Boy was it a good decision. The food was delicious and the atmosphere fun. After we paid, the waitress asked us where we were from and subsequently told us that the Owner was from Chicago too! We ended up talking to Max briefly and he gave us an excellent guide book, Expats Survival Guide. He then recommended that we head to the Old City and walk the Charles Bridge. During the day this area is packed with tourists but at night the traffic is lighter and you can really see why this area is so poetic.
The streets are so narrow and cobbled stoned. The light reflecting off the water and stone buildings was awe inspiring. Unfortunately we are only staying here one day. We will have to come back here for a week
The city however is out of this world. I really had no desire to come here, and after the train ride I was ready to really dislike Prague, but this city is just beautiful.
After checking into the Sheraton (we were upgraded again, and the room...wow) we went to get some food that Gabrielle could eat. In our Top 10 Prague book it mentioned a place called Jama that server really good Tex-Mex. Since it was close we decided to try it out. Boy was it a good decision. The food was delicious and the atmosphere fun. After we paid, the waitress asked us where we were from and subsequently told us that the Owner was from Chicago too! We ended up talking to Max briefly and he gave us an excellent guide book, Expats Survival Guide. He then recommended that we head to the Old City and walk the Charles Bridge. During the day this area is packed with tourists but at night the traffic is lighter and you can really see why this area is so poetic.
The streets are so narrow and cobbled stoned. The light reflecting off the water and stone buildings was awe inspiring. Unfortunately we are only staying here one day. We will have to come back here for a week
Friday, September 25, 2009
Roll Out The Barrell!
Yesterday was so busy, I had no time to post. First we went to BMW Welt (BMW World). After seeing the new X5 M, M3, X1, and a decked out 7 series, I think I need a new car. :) It was really a neat place. Kirstyn reallz got into the architecture of the building. The building was really cool. Unfortunatelz all the English plant tours were filled. :( Guess we'll just have to come back!
After that our beer/wurst tank was running low, so after we arrived to go to the German Technology museum we stopped for food. Gabrielle was able to get a tuna salad which she had been craving for a while (for some reason all the saugage and meat didn't appeal to her like it did to me).
The tech museum was reallz neat. I got a ton of pictures. You could spend days in the place wandering around.
Today we take a train to Prague at 12:44. We're all packed and ready to go. I reallz wish we could stay longer in Germany though.
Aaron, what beer am I supposed to try in Prague?
Sorry for any mistakes in the post, I'm using a European style keyboard -- driving me crayz!
After that our beer/wurst tank was running low, so after we arrived to go to the German Technology museum we stopped for food. Gabrielle was able to get a tuna salad which she had been craving for a while (for some reason all the saugage and meat didn't appeal to her like it did to me).
The tech museum was reallz neat. I got a ton of pictures. You could spend days in the place wandering around.
Today we take a train to Prague at 12:44. We're all packed and ready to go. I reallz wish we could stay longer in Germany though.
Aaron, what beer am I supposed to try in Prague?
Sorry for any mistakes in the post, I'm using a European style keyboard -- driving me crayz!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
"You should get lost"
Today we woke up early, 8am, and met up with Mark and Kirtyn and got lost in Munich. It was a lot of fun. We found a wonderful outdoor market, then Gabrielle navigated us to an amazing chocolate shop. Then we went to the Oktoberfest and it was awesome. So much meat and beer. :)
We had a reservation at the Hippodrom. 3 hours later we had finished 7 liters beer and eaten 2 whole chickens.
Now were back at the hotel, I'm using my friend's Mark dell mini computer. I think we're going to head back to our hotel and go to sleep.
Tomorrow we're going to go to the BMW Museum and the German Technology Museum.
PS Mark is also keeping a blog here.
We had a reservation at the Hippodrom. 3 hours later we had finished 7 liters beer and eaten 2 whole chickens.
Now were back at the hotel, I'm using my friend's Mark dell mini computer. I think we're going to head back to our hotel and go to sleep.
Tomorrow we're going to go to the BMW Museum and the German Technology Museum.
PS Mark is also keeping a blog here.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Man Heaven
Where can you get sausage, mustard, fried potatoes and sauerkraut? What is Germany.
We were in Cologne yesterday. The Cologne Dom (cathedral) is beautiful! We had a wonderful time, excellent food and beer. unfortunately the museums were closed because it was Monday.
Today we arrived in Munich. After a wonderful 1st class train ride, we met Mark and Kirstyn and went to the Augustiner Keller -- a very nice beer garden for the locals.
The hotel is very nice, and we were upgraded to a suite again. We are located across the street from the train station.
Unfortunately, we only have less than 15 minutes to post this blog for free. Thus, this one is short!
Don't forget -- the German food is AWESOME.
We were in Cologne yesterday. The Cologne Dom (cathedral) is beautiful! We had a wonderful time, excellent food and beer. unfortunately the museums were closed because it was Monday.
Today we arrived in Munich. After a wonderful 1st class train ride, we met Mark and Kirstyn and went to the Augustiner Keller -- a very nice beer garden for the locals.
The hotel is very nice, and we were upgraded to a suite again. We are located across the street from the train station.
Unfortunately, we only have less than 15 minutes to post this blog for free. Thus, this one is short!
Don't forget -- the German food is AWESOME.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
I AMsterdam
This morning we woke up a little later than usual and, because we were trying to meet Mark and Kirstyn, we didn't get a chance to work out.
We first took the trolley to the Van Gogh Museum campus. We found a nice place to eat breakfast outside. I had ham filled pannenkoeken, which was delicious, and Gabrielle had a fruit bowl.
We then went to the museum which was amazing. We got the audio tour tape and that helped alot. We even bought a print to bring home.
Next we went to the Heineken Experience which was quite neat. We learned all about how the beer was made. I asked a guy about Heineken Light, and he told me that it all gets shipped to the US--"Nobody drinks that here."
Then we got dinner at another horrible Mexican restaurant. If you're in Amsterdam, avoid mexican food--they don't seem to know how to make it here.
Finally we just got done with a very nice wine and cheese evening boat cruise. The weather is cooling down but it was still fun to be on the water. We are both exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep.
Tomorrow we leave for Cologne, Germany at 10:30. I am excited to head into Germany!
We first took the trolley to the Van Gogh Museum campus. We found a nice place to eat breakfast outside. I had ham filled pannenkoeken, which was delicious, and Gabrielle had a fruit bowl.
We then went to the museum which was amazing. We got the audio tour tape and that helped alot. We even bought a print to bring home.
Next we went to the Heineken Experience which was quite neat. We learned all about how the beer was made. I asked a guy about Heineken Light, and he told me that it all gets shipped to the US--"Nobody drinks that here."
Then we got dinner at another horrible Mexican restaurant. If you're in Amsterdam, avoid mexican food--they don't seem to know how to make it here.
Finally we just got done with a very nice wine and cheese evening boat cruise. The weather is cooling down but it was still fun to be on the water. We are both exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep.
Tomorrow we leave for Cologne, Germany at 10:30. I am excited to head into Germany!
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