I've managed to keep my procrastination down to one month this time! These past few weeks I've been doing a bit of running around in Europe. Over the Easter break I headed off to Prague and Dresden with Patrick. Both were wonderful. Prague is an interesting mix of very old architecture and remnants of the communist occupation. The people were very friendly though and I haven't heard so many American voices in one spot for a very long time. We spent about five days there and had a wonderful mix of weather. Sunny then snowy with rain and an overcast sky mixed in. It was very impressive though and it was interesting to be somewhere where I don't speak the language again. It probably felt a bit like it did for Jared in Italy!
After Prague we hopped a train for Dresden and spent about 3 days there visiting museums and seeing some friends from Münster who were in town as well. Dresden is located in the former East Germany and had a very different look to it. So much of that part of Germany had to be rebuilt after the Reunification that it now has a very modern look, much more so than in Münster.
Here are a few pics from that trip.
Prague at dusk.
The main square.
Charles' Bridge.
Patrick and I.
An awesome looking hotel.
I recently had a visitor from the Big Apple! His name is Phillip and he attended OU with me. I visited him one time in New York and when he expressed an interest in coming to Germany I jumped at the opportunity to show him around. Phillip actually spent a few years living in Germany as a child, but as an adult it's of course a different experience. He was very taken in by the German language and I spent a good part of the trip being his dictionary, but it was great to have someone here who was as excited about the language as I was!
We decided to spend part of his trip in Amsterdam. That was my second trip there and it was a great time. Amsterdam is one of the most unique cities I have ever seen. Being extremely liberal and accepting, they have a huge immigrant population and a variety of things that are shunned in other parts of the world. The most famous of these being of course drugs and prostitution, of which they are very tolerant when it doesn't cause a disturbance. It made me realize a bit, that we Americans sometimes let things bother us that really have no bearing on our lives. The Dutch are also some of the best English speakers you'll find in Europe. Not only do they speak absolutely perfect English (usually without an accent), they really enjoy it and are glad to help you when you need it or just chat with you in general.
Some pics from the 'Dam.
A nice canal.
Tulips!
Phillip looking awfully pleased to be in the Netherlands.I guess it's time for another list. Los geht's.
10 things I have learned from my recent travels.
1. If you look for a timetable from trains/trams in Prague, expect to miss your connection.
2. Although people who speak both German and English have a very easy time reading Dutch, trying to pronounce it is a surefire way to get laughed at.
3. In Dresden, located in Saxony, they have a very different dialect of German. The most peculiar part of which is the word "Noa", which means both yes and no. You're expected to figure it out from the contex,t which does nothing but cause unending confusion.
Example:
Tourist: Does this tram stop at the main train station?
Dresdner: Noa...
Tourist: ???
4. The charming canals of Amsterdam have no railings, which I find to be somewhat counterproductive in a city known for nightlife and drug use.
5. The prostitutes do NOT think it's funny when you try to take a picture of them in their booths. I saw a British chap find that out first hand.
6. Spanish tourists are loud and energetic and travel in herds of at least 20.
7. The Communism Museum in Prague is very interesting, but ironically located between a McDonalds and a casino. The times they are a-changin'....
8. Czech is a difficult language and the only phrase we managed to master was, "příští zastavit" which means "Next stop". Not overly useful, but you gotta start somewhere, right?
9. Crossing a street in Amsterdam is like crossing five. Bike path, car lane, tram, tram, car lane, bike path. it's possible to have to stop in between these on a little island in the middle of the street while you wait for the next light. Terrifying.
10. Amsterdam is expensive. Prague is cheap!
That'll do it for now I think. Mach's gut!
