Hey All,
Not much to post right now. Chris and I just arrived in Amsterdam and are looking forward to spending the next two days there before we head off to Berlin.
I can't believe that we are half way done! It actually feels like we have been across the pond forever. Hopefully the rest goes smoothly and we make it back in one piece.
Two things that Chris and I have done is walk around and had a few drinks. As we were walking in the streets we stopped by the many shops to see what they were offering. Many of the places had "crazy" biscuits, bongs, t-shirts with XXX, and the other touristy things. It was interesting to see what they had too offer. Maybe we will go to a cafe and have some of those brownies...ha ha.
As for the bar, we went in there to play pool, but it ended up being broken. So we took a seat at the bar and had a few drinks. The bar tender was a nice guy and gave us ideas on what types of beers are good around here and a few things we should try.
Things on the agenda for tomorrow: the Hienkien brewery, a few museums, the red light district and a few other places that we haven't fully decided on yet.
Talk to you all tomorrow!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Special Price for you my friend....
Hey all,
Happy New Years. Hope your year has started out better than mine....
December 31st
We made it to the Louvre at abotu 830am and stayed there for about 7 hours. It was amazing to see all the different photos, drawings, statues, decore, throwns, beds, etc. The funny part is that after spending that much time there we still did not see all of the Museum. It shows how large and how vast the work that is covered there. I forgot to mention that Chris and I had a multimedia tour, so we could walk it at our leasure and see everything we wanted. Of course, we saw some amazing artists to name a few: Da Vinci, Piccaso, Donatello, Michalangelo etc. Incredible works! We did get to see the Mona Lisa....and I have to say that I was a little dissapointed. This illustrates my lack of culture.
After the Louvre, Chris and I visited a few other places and walked up and down the Champs de lleze (sp?) We also feel in love with crepes....amazing...so good that we had to have two.
Close to midnight we headed over to the Effiel Tower which was colored like the European Union flag. It was a great sight to see. We also met a few Americans there, they were four sophmores from Annapolis. The girls seemed really nice and there family even gave us some champagne.
By the way, can you tell I am not using a french key board? ha ha.
January 1st, 2009
After midnight we headed back the the Champs de Lleze where it was out of control. They had riot police there and everyone was just walking down the middle of the road. Chris and I had our bags checked by the police (chris 2x). We decided at that point that there was no point of hanging out there so we headed back to Gar De Nord (trainstation).
We spend 4 hours there, except there was no heat and teenagers were running wild. It was a little scary. At one point some guy who was a rasta (I only say that cause his friend who stepped in told us that) was about to try and fight me...except he was like 5 feet. After feeling like crap we wanted to hop on the 655 train to get on the Brussels and just leave. Our experience overall here has been sub par.
Before we leave we realize that we have to validate the pass so we get in a ticket line, but we find some bad news...we have to reserve a ticket for this train, and the earlist one we can get on is 1025. Bummer, and to top it off, we have to pay more....this blows.
We wait other 3+ hours and get on the train and make it to Brussels. Once we get there we decide its a good idea just to spend the night here and then set up the rest of the train rides so we don't have this problem. We square away the hotel and then head to the ticket station.
The lady at the desk helps us through the whole process and askes for our global passes. Chris reaches for his in his book bag, and I reach for my book bag when.... ITS GONE!!!!! During out time at the ticket station some guy had asked us a question and he must have gotten someone to take it out from my feet. And out from my feet literally as it was between my legs. The good news is that I have my passport/credit cards/ etc. The bad news is that I have lost my global pass. So now I have to pay for all the train rides. And yes, I did try to talk the police. I waited at their office for 20 minutes and no one was there. I am mad to say the least, but happy he did not take my passport and credit cards. I would have been in much more trouble in that case. I think I paid 160 euros for the whole thing which is cheaper than the pass, so in retrospect we should have done that. Oh well.
Sick of that train station we left, and bought train passes for the metro. The guy told us that it was a special price, and we only have to pay for one...we did some research and found out that the metro is free today! I have been ripped off twice in 1 hour. I hate France and Belgium.
Frustrated and tired Chris and I are at the Hotel now...and the best part is....today is a national holiday so everything is closed.
Don't take this as my being in a bad mood, cause in truth, I am just thankful to be alive and have my passport. Things could be so much worse.
Hopefully I will have better news tomorrow!
Matt
P.S. Chris wanted me to tell everyone that some guy in the streets was talking to us and said "You're american? Do you want some crack or weed?" Who does that?
Happy New Years. Hope your year has started out better than mine....
December 31st
We made it to the Louvre at abotu 830am and stayed there for about 7 hours. It was amazing to see all the different photos, drawings, statues, decore, throwns, beds, etc. The funny part is that after spending that much time there we still did not see all of the Museum. It shows how large and how vast the work that is covered there. I forgot to mention that Chris and I had a multimedia tour, so we could walk it at our leasure and see everything we wanted. Of course, we saw some amazing artists to name a few: Da Vinci, Piccaso, Donatello, Michalangelo etc. Incredible works! We did get to see the Mona Lisa....and I have to say that I was a little dissapointed. This illustrates my lack of culture.
After the Louvre, Chris and I visited a few other places and walked up and down the Champs de lleze (sp?) We also feel in love with crepes....amazing...so good that we had to have two.
Close to midnight we headed over to the Effiel Tower which was colored like the European Union flag. It was a great sight to see. We also met a few Americans there, they were four sophmores from Annapolis. The girls seemed really nice and there family even gave us some champagne.
By the way, can you tell I am not using a french key board? ha ha.
January 1st, 2009
After midnight we headed back the the Champs de Lleze where it was out of control. They had riot police there and everyone was just walking down the middle of the road. Chris and I had our bags checked by the police (chris 2x). We decided at that point that there was no point of hanging out there so we headed back to Gar De Nord (trainstation).
We spend 4 hours there, except there was no heat and teenagers were running wild. It was a little scary. At one point some guy who was a rasta (I only say that cause his friend who stepped in told us that) was about to try and fight me...except he was like 5 feet. After feeling like crap we wanted to hop on the 655 train to get on the Brussels and just leave. Our experience overall here has been sub par.
Before we leave we realize that we have to validate the pass so we get in a ticket line, but we find some bad news...we have to reserve a ticket for this train, and the earlist one we can get on is 1025. Bummer, and to top it off, we have to pay more....this blows.
We wait other 3+ hours and get on the train and make it to Brussels. Once we get there we decide its a good idea just to spend the night here and then set up the rest of the train rides so we don't have this problem. We square away the hotel and then head to the ticket station.
The lady at the desk helps us through the whole process and askes for our global passes. Chris reaches for his in his book bag, and I reach for my book bag when.... ITS GONE!!!!! During out time at the ticket station some guy had asked us a question and he must have gotten someone to take it out from my feet. And out from my feet literally as it was between my legs. The good news is that I have my passport/credit cards/ etc. The bad news is that I have lost my global pass. So now I have to pay for all the train rides. And yes, I did try to talk the police. I waited at their office for 20 minutes and no one was there. I am mad to say the least, but happy he did not take my passport and credit cards. I would have been in much more trouble in that case. I think I paid 160 euros for the whole thing which is cheaper than the pass, so in retrospect we should have done that. Oh well.
Sick of that train station we left, and bought train passes for the metro. The guy told us that it was a special price, and we only have to pay for one...we did some research and found out that the metro is free today! I have been ripped off twice in 1 hour. I hate France and Belgium.
Frustrated and tired Chris and I are at the Hotel now...and the best part is....today is a national holiday so everything is closed.
Don't take this as my being in a bad mood, cause in truth, I am just thankful to be alive and have my passport. Things could be so much worse.
Hopefully I will have better news tomorrow!
Matt
P.S. Chris wanted me to tell everyone that some guy in the streets was talking to us and said "You're american? Do you want some crack or weed?" Who does that?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Paris
This posting will be short due to my lack of patentice with this key board. The letters are changed and the shit key is needed everywhere, even to make period.
Three things we saw today.
1) effiel tower
2) arch de triumph
3) norte dame
tomorrow is the luevee or however you spell it...
this keybord is killing me.
bye.
Three things we saw today.
1) effiel tower
2) arch de triumph
3) norte dame
tomorrow is the luevee or however you spell it...
this keybord is killing me.
bye.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Another day in London
Another day in London, and not much has changed. Chris and I spent most of the day walking around trying to see as much as possible. Legs and backs are sore but its going well for the most part. I am not looking forward to carrying the heavy backpacks tomorrow.
Abby Road- First stop was Abby Road. Chris and I went there early this morning. For some reason Chris is not the photo happy character and has decided not to be in any pictures so I got one of myself crossing it. Chris didn't even try to cross it! He saw it and just wanted to turn around...that's Chris for you.
Arsenal FC- Next stop was a great stadium for Futbol. Yes Gary, I went into enemy territory and I enjoyed it! I also got a scarf, from the team so now I have ManU and Arsenal...not bad.
Westminster Abbey- This took almost an hour to get into, but much worth the wait. We saw where Kings and Queens were buried along with Sir Issac Newton and the famous Darwin. The amount of time and money spent into it was incredible. So much gold etc.
Tate Modern- Great Museum, actually it was just ok. I think the only part Chris and I really enjoyed was the fact that it was free. It was a little too modern for my taste and didn't have too much too offer. Maybe I am just not artistic enough to appreciate it.
Shakesphere Globe theater- We stepped in and realized that it was going to be twenty pounds just to pop our heads in for a little bit so we decided not to go in....I think we just wanted to see it and thats about it
Harrods- One of the biggest department stores I have ever seen, one of the most expensive too. I was looking at scarves and bags, nothing was cheap. I mean, it was like £165 a pop....and it was on SALE! 40%.... too expensive for my taste.
At the moment, we are chilling at a web cafe typing on the blog. I think we are going to head to a bar next and have a "few" drinks...the only problem is that we have a 655am train ride to Paris and we have to hit the ground running.
By the way, I can't believe that we didn't make it into the playoffs with an 11-5 record....that is probably better than half the NFC teams and we don't get in...I can't be mad though, its out of our control for the most part...yes we could have won more games, but 11-5 is still good.
Cheers from England,
Matt
Abby Road- First stop was Abby Road. Chris and I went there early this morning. For some reason Chris is not the photo happy character and has decided not to be in any pictures so I got one of myself crossing it. Chris didn't even try to cross it! He saw it and just wanted to turn around...that's Chris for you.
Arsenal FC- Next stop was a great stadium for Futbol. Yes Gary, I went into enemy territory and I enjoyed it! I also got a scarf, from the team so now I have ManU and Arsenal...not bad.
Westminster Abbey- This took almost an hour to get into, but much worth the wait. We saw where Kings and Queens were buried along with Sir Issac Newton and the famous Darwin. The amount of time and money spent into it was incredible. So much gold etc.
Tate Modern- Great Museum, actually it was just ok. I think the only part Chris and I really enjoyed was the fact that it was free. It was a little too modern for my taste and didn't have too much too offer. Maybe I am just not artistic enough to appreciate it.
Shakesphere Globe theater- We stepped in and realized that it was going to be twenty pounds just to pop our heads in for a little bit so we decided not to go in....I think we just wanted to see it and thats about it
Harrods- One of the biggest department stores I have ever seen, one of the most expensive too. I was looking at scarves and bags, nothing was cheap. I mean, it was like £165 a pop....and it was on SALE! 40%.... too expensive for my taste.
At the moment, we are chilling at a web cafe typing on the blog. I think we are going to head to a bar next and have a "few" drinks...the only problem is that we have a 655am train ride to Paris and we have to hit the ground running.
By the way, I can't believe that we didn't make it into the playoffs with an 11-5 record....that is probably better than half the NFC teams and we don't get in...I can't be mad though, its out of our control for the most part...yes we could have won more games, but 11-5 is still good.
Cheers from England,
Matt
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Got to Love Buffalo!
Hey all,
So I am writing you from Palmers Lodge, which is located in the section of London called Swiss Cottage. Its this huge house/hotel that feels like an old dorm room. Any way, Chris and I had a great time today in London, minus losing luggage (I will get to that later).
Today we visited Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Churchill's War Museum, Museum of Natural History and the Underground. Took pictures of everything, but we still have plenty to see! I want to see Arsenal's Stadium and a few other places, maybe go up in the Eye.
So, the interesting part of this whole trip so far has been our travel to get to London. We took and 855 flight out of Boston to Toronto. First, I got sick on the plane. Two differen times I kneeled before the plastic toliet and tried to puke my brains out. Nothing happed except more turbulance. Around 1030 the Captain explains that we are going to land in Buffalo first, due to fog. At first I am happy that we can land because it gives me a few minutes to stop my stomach from getting worse. After waiting 2 hours I realized this was not going to be good. 3 hours after this incredible revilation we were finally able to take off...but did we have enough time? Yes! Some how we got on our connector and were off to London.
On the trip Chris reminded me how the attendant at the front desk had told me she had put the tag on my luggage wrong and now I wasn't going to have anything to wear for the next two weeks. The funny part is, that when we got to the luggage claim both of our back packs were missing! Some how we were lucky though in that they showed up at the hostel tonight, so we don't have worry about how we are going to travel across Europe on one set of clothes.
Anyway, that is all I have for the moment, talk to you later!
So I am writing you from Palmers Lodge, which is located in the section of London called Swiss Cottage. Its this huge house/hotel that feels like an old dorm room. Any way, Chris and I had a great time today in London, minus losing luggage (I will get to that later).
Today we visited Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Churchill's War Museum, Museum of Natural History and the Underground. Took pictures of everything, but we still have plenty to see! I want to see Arsenal's Stadium and a few other places, maybe go up in the Eye.
So, the interesting part of this whole trip so far has been our travel to get to London. We took and 855 flight out of Boston to Toronto. First, I got sick on the plane. Two differen times I kneeled before the plastic toliet and tried to puke my brains out. Nothing happed except more turbulance. Around 1030 the Captain explains that we are going to land in Buffalo first, due to fog. At first I am happy that we can land because it gives me a few minutes to stop my stomach from getting worse. After waiting 2 hours I realized this was not going to be good. 3 hours after this incredible revilation we were finally able to take off...but did we have enough time? Yes! Some how we got on our connector and were off to London.
On the trip Chris reminded me how the attendant at the front desk had told me she had put the tag on my luggage wrong and now I wasn't going to have anything to wear for the next two weeks. The funny part is, that when we got to the luggage claim both of our back packs were missing! Some how we were lucky though in that they showed up at the hostel tonight, so we don't have worry about how we are going to travel across Europe on one set of clothes.
Anyway, that is all I have for the moment, talk to you later!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
First Posting
Hey All,
This is the first posting on my blog....
I have never blogged before so I don't know how it is going to turn out, nor do I know how much I am really going to be blogging the next two weeks. The limited time we have in each city, combined with all the travel, it is going to be hard to keep posting blogs.
My reasoning behind my blogging is to keep everyone up to date on what is happening over the next two weeks. Aka this is a way for Kayla to keep Chris in check over our crazy vacation! Ha ha.
By the way, feel free to make some comments. I would love to hear from anyone how the Pats game unfolds this Sunday and if we made it into the playoffs.
Anyway, wish Chris and I safe travels! My first posting will be on the 28th...when we are in London!
Cheers,
Matt
This is the first posting on my blog....
I have never blogged before so I don't know how it is going to turn out, nor do I know how much I am really going to be blogging the next two weeks. The limited time we have in each city, combined with all the travel, it is going to be hard to keep posting blogs.
My reasoning behind my blogging is to keep everyone up to date on what is happening over the next two weeks. Aka this is a way for Kayla to keep Chris in check over our crazy vacation! Ha ha.
By the way, feel free to make some comments. I would love to hear from anyone how the Pats game unfolds this Sunday and if we made it into the playoffs.
Anyway, wish Chris and I safe travels! My first posting will be on the 28th...when we are in London!
Cheers,
Matt
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