Behind the Iron Curtin

Two weeks ago I made the trip to Prague. First off Prague is not in Czechoslovakia, it is now the Czech Republic...news to me. Also there isn't really a physical Iron Curtin separating eastern Europe from the rest of Europe buuuuut I already knew that. However the effects of communism are still easily seen in Prague. The rule of the communist was a very defining period for Eastern Europe and its effects have been lasting. The Czech Republic is still a developing country but they seem to be very motivated compared to Italians. It seemed that these people had learned to appreciate a free market economy and were trying to take advantage of their new (comparatively new) economic and personal freedoms.  This was just one of the many differences between The Czech Republic and Italy.

I meet my friend Shawn and his friends from his program in Prague. They came from Austria; I had to endure a 12-hour bus ride overnight to get there. However the overnight bus was worth it when I got to watch the sun rise over the Czech countryside, I didn't get a chance to snap any pictures of that or the Austrian Alps on the way home. But trust me when I say the scenery was exceptional.

As I said before Prague was completely different than Italy. Different culture, architecture, history, food, different everything. It was also my first time in a country where I had no basis of the language spoken there. Czech was like nothing I've ever seen. There was no way I could have began to grasp the language in a weekend. Thankfully English sufficed for the weekend.

Fun Fact: The Czech people drink more beer per capita than any other country in the world (Czech yourself Deutschland before you wreak yourself) and I can understand why. Every local fare that I tasted was very smooth and very delicious. Even the dark beers (beers as dark as Guinness) were very smooth and sweet. Its fair to say that wine fell about the wayside with the Czech people. But I assure faithful reader it is with good reason the Czech people stick to their brew. To go with their beers the Czech people enjoyed heavy foods. After 2 and half months of pasta and lean meats you know I was in heaven munchin on some sausages and dumplings. I even sampled some beef kulash, a traditonal Czech food...no complaints, but I'm sure I

 Recommend it. 

Prague was a city full of things to see; the St. Charles Bridge, the national museum, The Prague Castel and the Jewish quarter just to name a few. The gothic architecture was awesome, very unique and just a fresh perspective on what I have been seeing in Italy. I also spent some time in a Salvador Dahli exhibit. THAT was interesting. He was a very weird dude. I would argue to say that the hipster culture could find their roots in the character of Dahli. Just look at a picture of him and tell me I'm wrong.

In the end Prague was an interesting break from Western Europe. I enjoyed the Czech culture but can't say that it is really for me. What I can say is for me is the exchange rate from the Czech crown the to euro. It was 24 crown to one euro. An average beer cost 55 crown, you do the math. If you have the chance to see Prague I suggest you do. It is widely regarded as the gateway to Eastern Europe and it upholds that duty well. There are many things to see and do in Prague. But I must note this, if you have to choose between Austria and the Czech Republic I recommend Austria. I mean you can't wrong with the homeland of Adolf Hitler right???? I'm sure everyone in Austria would greatly appreciate you reminding them of that fact.

Be on the look out for a post about Montreux Switzerland. T'was a good trip and I’ll be a postin about it soon.

Bulls on Parade- Rage Against the Machine (very anti-government, goes with the anit-communism of Prague)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-58-36lSqG4

For those who aren't in to the 90's rock/rap group here is a famous former resident of prague

Piano Concerto no.21  - Wolfgang Amadues Mozart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df-eLzao63I&feature=related

A second Journey to the Five Lands

I have mentioned it previously on my blog but I will restate this fact. Studying abroad is not easy. You have to eat new foods, drink new drinks and you are forced to travel to far off lands. Unfortunately I was forced to revisit cinque terre. Like I said being abroad is not easy. 

The Trial up the mountain

Our over night trip to Cinque Terre with ISA was one of our ISA excursions and I wasn't about to complain that ISA was making me return to Cinque Terre. There are worse things in this world. This trip to Cinque Terre was slightly different seeing that I was with 30 other American student. I didn't do much the first day I was there. However on the second day I was recruited to be honorary male presence on a hike to vernazza. It was ten girls and me on this hike (there were only 4 guys on the cinque terre trip) I issued a no nagging policy before we hit the trail. 

Monterosso where we started our no nag hike

The hike we made was the only part of the Cinque Terre trails that Marcus and I didn't get to conquer while we were there. So it was all new to me, and it was an awesome section of trail. Wonderful views, slightly challenging at some points and the no nagging policy was not violated. So nobody got pushed off a cliff. We reached Vernazza which is the most famous of the five towns in about 2 and a half hours. We had lunch and relaxed in the Marina. To end the day we caught a ferry back to monterosso. It was an awesome experience. The weather was good and scenery was exceptional. What you expect from Cinque Terre. 

Sweet foot bridge

I also got another chance at some Cinque Terre wine. My recommendation: if you can find it in a store BUY IT. I have enjoyed the wine from Cinque Terre. TIP: don't look for a bottle that says: Cinque Terre, look for one that has a name of one of the five towns (riomaggore, manrola, vernazza, cornliga, monterosso) and you can't go wrong. I should be back in Cinque Terre next weekend, possibly meeting some old friends there. Again; studying abroad is tough stuff. 

doing my thang

Prague post coming soon. Also I’m still deciding on where to go this weekend. I have narrowed it down to Interlaken Switzerland, Trent Italy, or day trips in Tuscany. If you have a suggestion drop me a comment.

Behind Blue eyes- The Who 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfuWXRZe9yA

Throwing up this song for 2 reasons. I'm sure my followers over the age of 30 are getting sick of my new age hip hop, and mixed genre posts. So this is for my faithful over thirty. Also I say a guy playing this song in the metro in Barcelona. (guess who got some euro tossed his way!)

Capri Memory

So its been close to a century since I last posted. The past couple of weeks have been pretty busy with travel a small Internet crisis and the stealing of my beloved bicycle. I have decided to finish my spring break experiences with this post. Something short to hold you hungry barbarians at bay until i can really post about cinque (for the second time) and Prague.

Ceaser doing he thing

The day after Marcus and I hit Pompeii, we took a ferry to the island of Capri. Capri has been a resort island for thousands of years. The first settlements pre-date the Romans and Etruscans. I must say, whomever first decided to row their mammoth skin, saber tooth bone canoe to Capri might have been pre-homo sapiein but had excellent taste for a pre modern human. Capri got its infamous name from the Roman  emperor Nero who had his giants booze filled sex romps at this royal Villa on Capri. Also another emperor who loved capri so much he decided to move the imperial headquarters to capri for the duration of his rule.

misplaced boat


Now my last paragraph presents a valuable lesson; if your name in the history books throw an crazy party, push a few slaves off a cliff, then have all your scribes there with plenty of papyrus to record that crap. ANYWAYS Capri was a nice day overall. The weather was kind and the views were awesome. It was some what of a difficult place to get around by foot but the hikes were worth it. We missed our chance at seeing one of the main attractions of the island the blue grotto (google it) but we didn't take it too hard. Paying some dude named Massimo 22 euro to take us into a giant cave didn't seem worth it. In the end Capri was a great day trip and would be a great place to visit for a while (only if your over the age of 60). Glad I saw, I can mark another world famous site off my list of "things to do in a timely manner"

Be heads up for future posts about cinque terre, prague and wherever i go this weekend, which is currently TBD

Speaking of history books. I turned 21 today. Mark it in your history books. 6th graders will read of my reconquest of the Italian peninsula in one night. It will be part of state curriculum for years to come

Since its a lack luster post I'll give you an exceptional song. check this heat

Ellie Goulding - Lights- (Bassnecter remix)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUFCzL6aJKU