Day 13; Berlin

Ok, first off, couchsurfing is such a marvelous thing. I have gotten to do some things because of couchsurfing that I never would have done had the people on that site not been so gracious with their homes and their generosity.

Today, was another one of those moments.

First off, we got to stay with Lilith from Berlin. She was also housing two other couchsurfers the same night and told us that there wasn't much room and that we would be sleeping on camping mats if we showed up....We were fine with that. (Couchsurfing.com needs more hosts like Lilith).

The other couchsurfers, Joel and Liz, were both on their own trips and were both from the U.S. and were both great. Lilith lived in the NE section of Berlin in an old apartment that predated WWII which is actually a rarity and a great gem to see considering much of Berlin was bombed and few of these apartments still remain.

The apartment had ceilings roughly 14 feet high and wood floors. The outside walls were also roughly 2 feet thick keeping the apartment temperature controlled year-round. It was another great historical "attraction" on my trip that I didn't consider.

The night I showed up (nearly midnight) ended after an improve dance party started by our host. :) It was hilarious. Lilith and Joel went to go brush their teeth when the cd turned to a loud dance beat. The two of them came out dancing like in a disco and we all joined. What a fun moment. I actually have it on video too. :)

The sleeping on the mats really wasn't bad because we were so exhausted from the previous day. I fell asleep right away but woke up early because of the sunlight and got up to do internet stuff anyway: video/photos.

Doug and I got up around 9ish and headed for the city center to walk around the gardens and see the Riechstag. Miraculous building. We decided that we were going to stay in a hostel tonight because we want to go to sleep early for an early wake up to catch a train to Prague so we scheduled a lunch with Lilith, Joel and Liz...but it was no ordinary lunch.

Now is the part of the story where my comfort zone went to the beach and left me at a neighborhood Vegan lunch buffet in Berlin. Let's just say the FDA and the Health Administration in the U.S. would not have approved of this luncheon.

The food, absolutely amazing. The atmosphere, one of a kind. The experience, one that I wish written words could describe. How about a photo? http://www.flickr.com/photos/30796964@N02/

With no tables or chairs and nearly 50 diners in attendance everyone found their eating spot in little groups on the sidewalk outside this little neighborhood gathering center. The feel of the environment was that of a large family reunion run by people speaking 4 different languages and many either having dredlocks or actually covered in actual paint (taking over an hour applying, yes, I asked them). They "did it just to do it." .........why not.

In order for us to even get a plate for the (2-5 euro meal...pay whatever you want between those two price ranges) we had to go into the communal kitchen and wash an already used plate. Yup, scrub with soap and sponge and then get in line (I am 100% not kidding). It was great. I was smiling the whole time and I fell in line as fast as I could.

I put heaps of food that I didn't recognize nor come close to pronouncing on my plate. I have never had a vegan meal but I actually went back and got seconds...it's ok, I put in the full 5 euros.

After the meal we all just kinda sat around and shared traveling stories and such. What a great time...let's see you do something like that by staying in your dull hotel. :)

I have many videos awaiting an upload but in 48 hours I'll be in Milan with a couple hours to spare. I plan on uploading all I can. :)

Stay Classy OKC.

Day 12; Berlin

Awake at 6:45 a.m., ugggh.

It is quite amazing how many "second winds" I have gotten throughout this trip already. Probably a sign that I should slow down a bit but it's so hard when I have to choose between the Brandenburg Gate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_Gate) and a nap.

We arrived today into Berlin, Germany after a long 6.5 hour train ride. The weather and the German terrain were beautiful all the way here but the train made a stop about every 45 min. waking everyone up so my iPod got a lot of use.

Upon arriving into Berlin I am starting to see my nerves easing up a little because as we arrived (3:45 p.m.) and having not secured a couchsurfing host yet (which we eventually did) and needing internet to search for a back up hostel...we decided to eat first instead. Great idea because we had some amazing genuine German brats and local beers. :)

Not really knowing where we were going, we jumped on a bus that everyone seemed to be taking (buses are so much better than metros for first time visiting because you get to see the city and not the inside of a stinky old metro cars).

We decided to jump off the bus whenever we spotted the Brandenburg Gate and eventually pawned some internet off the nearby Starbucks. Reading about all the Brandenburg Gate really made me realize how little I knew about Berlin and especially the Berlin wall (I was only 4 when Reagan said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" and today stood in that spot).

I read up more about the Berlin wall at the Checkpoint Charlie Museum (http://tinyurl.com/nn7rld, http://tinyurl.com/myl2r9) and headed back over to the Brandenburg Gate to visualize what I just learned. :)

The couchsurfing host we have for tonight is so great. There are actually 2 other couchsurfers here; one from Washington state and the other from Iowa. They're quite interesting. Aimee left for OKC yesterday and Doug will be here through Berlin and one day in Prague. Then off to Milan.

I should have some more videos coming soon but a few have already been posted, thank you everyone over at Newsok! I'm having lots of fun writing and taking all these videos. Just hope I can keep it for the next 2 weeks!

Gotta go, we're all about to have a tooth brushing dance party in the hall.

Day 11; Amsterdam

After a great night's sleep (I usually get one after traveling earlier that morning) we headed to the Anne Frank House (http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=2). If anyone ever goes to this museum please, I kid you not, get your tickets online before you get there! We walked up (Doug and I) to the "Internet online purchases" ticket window as the second and third person in line. Not pre-purchasers were in a line close to 150 people long.

Now, this line could have been attributed to Anne's 80th birthday today (which was so great to see) but also could been due to poor planning. Plan ahead!!!

The museum was absolutly great and so professionally done. "No photos" as I was told and definitely felt like that was understandable and kept the camera in the pocket. We did, however, get to actually walk through and see the entire attic/annex that anne and the other 7 (including some family) that were hidden in that small space. It was a very tasteful and well done museum.

Not only did the house provide chilling details and actual exerts from the diary but also allowed the witness (me) walk through the doorway covered with the fake bookcase, and stand inside Anne's small room that she shared; with original "wallpaper" in the form of pictures and book cut-outs pasted to the wall. It displayed photos taken from that room out the window of other jewish families taken from their homes and onto concentration camps.

Yes, WWII stories and concentration camps can stir some emotions but actually being in that old 10' 8" room stirs some emotions that are deep and only felt by touching the walls and seein the diary itself...in its red and yellow rustic hardback display.

After visiting the treasured Anne Frank House Museum and walking and grabbing something to eat, crepes, we headed towards the Van Gogh Museum (http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?lang=nl). The Van Gogh Museum was everything I hoped it would be...200 Van Gogh paintings and not much else.

I went to that museum hoping to learn a lot about Van Gogh and was hoping it wasn't just a lure to get tourists there to see 4-5 Van Gogh's and 100's of other artists...It was great. So may Van Gogh's with some great back story on his emerging talent and transformation into modernistic art. Van Gogh is vastly catching my top artists...his color schemes and brushstrokes up close are captivating.

After the Van Gogh Museum we saw the famous " I AM STERDAM" sign (http://photos.igougo.com/images/p213817-Amsterdam-I_amsterdam.jpg) and took some photos but pretty much just went shopping for tshirts and socks to get me through another backpacked week of Europe.

Tomorrow - Berlin. I have NO idea what to expect but I've heard it's great but Amsterdam is one hard city to follow.

Day 10; Amsterdam

I really didn't what to expect when I arrived into Amsterdam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam). I have heard many stories of the liberal city but nothing is ever really true unless you experience them for yourself. I arrived and let me tell you, so far, all the stories are true.

It's really too bad that Amsterdam only gets noticed for its liberal behavior and has the "Las Vegas of Europe" nickname because Amsterdam has quickly moved up the list on my all-time favorite cities because of the entire city itself, not just the relaxed rules/laws.

It might be because it's June and all the trees and flowers are blooming but this has to be the prettiest city I've ever been to. Yes, I think it even beats out Venice although Venice has a different kind of beauty. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30796964@N02/

Madrid, Segovia, Toledo and Paris don't hold a candle to the language intelligence of the people here. The saying, "Everyone speaks English in Europe" seems to be the most true in Amsterdam. The people here seem to all be at least trilingual; Dutch, English and either German or French and a lot more Spanish than they like to admit. When I say they speak these languages I mean they speak them fluently. I haven't had to repeat myself to anyone, even when I just randomly walk to someone and start talking. It's amazing. It REALLY makes me want to buy the Rosetta Stone language program when I get home...anyone else?

Today, we all kind of just soaked up the surrounding areas going in and out of all the shops and markets and walking down all the beautiful canal sidewalks and over the many bridges. One major difference here than anywhere else I've been is the amount of bikes. They are everywhere!! Everyone seems to be on a bike and now when I cross the street I have to be on the lookout for San-Francisco-stylestreetcars, regular cars and also bikes...all three of those going both directions. It's not all that tough considering none of them are traveling more than 15 MPH but it's still an extra thing not to get hit by.

Yes, we did walk down the Red Light District. Yes, all the stories are true...ummm, just look it up. Yes, we ONLY walked the street. :) This place is crazy.

Also, if you come to Amsterdam, don't walk into a "Coffee Shop" because they don't serve coffee, they'll give you a laminated menu with many other "herbs" and prices which is sure to make you blush and walk out of the store laughing at the realism in the history of Amsterdam.

Regardless, such a wonderfully beautilful city. The people are all soooo kind and helpful and don't ever give off the assumption that you're "just" a tourist and all take the time to go the extra mile in showing how to get somewhere or give you some history of Holland. I'm actually kind of sad I'm only staying 48 hours but Europe is big, ALMOST big enough for me. :)

Tomorrow - Anne Frank House Museum, Van Gogh Museum and the Heinekin brewery.

Day 9; Paris

Rise and shine, 11 a.m. and put on yesterday's clothes (an I "heart" London shirt covered by a grey hoodie) and go to the Louvre. The building itself is a work of art (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre). I've been to many sporting events/concerts/crowded schools where people are too crowded they can't move...long lines etc..not here. There must have been 40,000 people in that museum with us but every line went at almost walking speed. Definitely a well-run and very well-prepared organization. In the Louvre is the treasured "Mona Lisa." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:La_gioconda.jpg) Fighting through the hundreds in front of it and snapping photos (which I didn't know was allowed) I took some video. The room was a mob-scene. I had always heard that the room was crowded but since it was a museum the crowd would be understandably quiet and photos (especially with a flash) would not be tolerated. Maybe the rules just didn't apply on June 10, 2009 because it was as if a celebrity was in the room. Lots of shouts and yells with a flash going off every 1-2 seconds...people shoving left and right with Mona Lisa herself just sitting there smiling and posing as she's done for the past 500 years.

Aside from the "Mona Lisa" the museum offered a few other Da Vinci's "Virgin on the Rocks" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_of_the_Rocks) and "John the Baptist." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_the_Baptist_(Leonardo)) I was in art heaven. The building had thousands and thousands of priceless works of art and sculptures and statues as well. Another few of my favorites were the "Venus de Milo" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_de_Milo) and the "Code of Hammarabi" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi) stone. Time to head out.

After leaving the museum and finding a stair to rest on a bit, we noticed a small gathering of people next to a braed stand in one of the many luxorious gardens. We head on over and notice that all the birds (I mean even the small ones that are usually to frightened to come near a human) are flying up into people's hands and eating out of them. (I did it and have video, it was very cool) It was so much fun that I got caught up in the birds enough to forget about the Lourve and its infamous pyramid 100 meters behind me. The Eiffel tower off in the distance. The Gold Dome (Napoleon's tomb) off to my left and the Arc de Triomphe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_de_Triomphe) straight ahead. The Arc was still a mere 2 miles away but could still be seen quite easily because of its size. What a moment.

Deciding to walk toward the Arc and taking the route of the famous Champs-Élysées (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champs-Élysées the finishing street for the Tour de France) We took our time. It was th middle of the afternoon and the rain/drizzle had finally let up. We took a couple detours off the path for a rest a drink but kept our eyes on the Arc (the center of the largest round-a-bout; 12 streets merging into one). Roughly 100 people were standing around/on top of the Arc so we knew we could get to it but it took awhile to find the undergound tunnel that led to it. Crossing the street wasn't an option unless you thought it would be fun to play frogger with the 100 cars flying around the Arc.

We got to the center of the Arc but once we did it started raining again and the 9 Euro it costs to take the stairs to the top to stand in the rain with a view that was cut down about 90 percent (because of the rain) didn't really seem like an enjoyable thing we were anxious to do, despite the fact that Doug and Aimee both bought $3 umbrellas from a side vender (Aimee lost the handle to the umbrella before even getting to the Arc).

One more stop on our voyage in Paris, Mont Marte (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmartre) and the Sacre Coure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilique_du_Sacré-Cœur,_Paris). Catching a North bound subway to Mont Marte was one of the treasures I didn't really know about until I got there but quickly became one of my favories. The rain had stopped for a moment as we left the subway and stared up at the Sacre Cour (sacred heart) church. Lots of stairs, big shocker, but upon reaching the summit of that hilly climb the view was great. Another stunning view across Paris for another 3-4 min before more rain but as the sprinkles started to hit us Aimee's umbrella turned inside-out and more laughter and videos were made.

Heading inside the church was a great end to our quite adventurous day. A sit, a pause and good reflection on the trip itself and a reminder of how fortunate I am to do this. I think about all the time and am oh so very thankful for all the right circumstances, people, luck and determination it took to get this trip started. Day 9 complete. 18 more to go. (As I'm writing this, I'm on the speed train to Amsterdam, just stopped in Brussels and can see a gothic-style cathedral. All is good.)

Day 8; Paris

I'm starting to realize that if I didn't have to lug this bag around from city to that I could travel all year long. The biggest pain I endure is directly related to the weight and size of my bag. Granted, it's just one backpack but this computer's weight combined with all my possessions for a four week stay can be quite an annoyance to my already exhausted shoulders.

Since that is my only complaint, I pressed on in search 8 Rue de Mai. No, that address in Paris is not one to a couchsurfing house yet to a Holiday Inn...Paris couchsurfing failed me. :( I tried roughly 25-30 different people and nobody had an open spot. Traveling with 3 people in the peak of "couchsurfing season" can make it difficult to find a host that can accommodate but I'll try again in Amsterdam.

Anyway, now that I was leaving London and officially starting my 2nd leg of this adventure, what better way to do it than to rise at 6:00 a.m. and head to the train station. The early hour seemed to be the most inconvenient part of the train ride as the 180 mph train and the short 2hr 15min ride were smoother than a Ray Allen jump shot.

Upon exiting Eurorail Car 18 seat 56 and greeting Paris with a warm smile we found our first struggle; everything is in French. I've always heard that people in Paris all speak English as well and that it's easy for tourists to get around...surprisingly that is not the case. After wandering frantically around the Paris train station trying to find a way to buy some subway passes with only a visa card (needed to get Euros fast, still only had pounds from the UK) we finally found a kiosk, letting out a big sigh of relief from me. Bring on the Paris sunshine!

Our first destination (sure that our hotel wouldn't let us in til a reasonable noonish-2 p.m. time) was the all-empowering Notre Dame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_Paris). Notre Dame was free of charge, a huge delight to someone trying to save on a 28-day trip. I looked for Kwazimoto but I don't think he lives there anymore (http://tinyurl.com/c7tdeq).

Now, on to our hotel. After searcing for roughly 20 min in an area in which we knew it was, we came up empty handed. That's it find a cab and just have him take us there. Found one. He refused to take us there citing, "It is stupid to take a cab because it's so close." So he gives some generic point to the location and drives off. My shoulders hurt from this stupid bag. That's it, let's just eat some lunch. While eating, Aimee pulls out her iPhone and uses her English-French translator (We didn't have internet so we couldn't look it up) and after the waiter drops off my 4 Euro ($5.80) Diet coke Aimee asks him where it is and he points down the street and Aimee found it while I ate some gross shrimp and avocado mixed cocktail.

After dropping our bags off (HOORAY!!!!!) we head on over to the 2nd most amazing thing I've seen (Colliseum #1) the Eiffel Tower. Holy cow that thing is amazing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30796964@N02/3616876244/) . After spotting the Eiffel we then saw a gold dome/cathedral-looking building and when I asked Doug what it was and he looked at the map and said, "Well, it says Napoleon is buried there." Ok, everyone, it's time to take a detour. Holding back the adrenaline rush of seeing the Eiffel Tower yet going elsewhere wasn't an easy thing to do but please...Napoleon?!?!?

The "shrine" of a dome to Napoleon ( is larger than anyone deserves. Absolutely enormous. His "statue-thing" in the center was kind of odd but my photos will prove that it was a little powerful just looking at it. Ok, ok, I kinda liked it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tumba_de_Napoleon_Bonaparte.jpg). Trying to hold that back. Moving on!

Exiting the dome and heading for that 80-story steel structure off the Saine river and getting that addrenaline rush again (http://www.flickr.com/photos/30796964@N02/3616876244/)...let the camera shutters unload! (Cue Sufan Stevens' "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!" - http://blip.fm/~81q3o)

Amazing. there is a park that is roughly a mile long that leads up to the structure so the goosebumps and joy have about 20 more minutes to grow.

After getting to the Eiffel Tower (and nearly falling over at thinking if its history and beauty) Doug and I decide we're gonna stair-it to the mid-level elevator...roughly 35 stories. Bring it on! (and it brought it on...remember, I've been walking now roughly 12 miles a day for the past 7 days and my legs are a lil wobbily). Nonetheless, arriving at the mid-level elevator and paying the very deserved 8 Euro to ride the elevator we got to the top. Breath-taking view. 360 degree view of Paris. A definite must-do in anyone's lifetime. Stayed 20 min. Took more photos and on back down. From there not much else happened except finding a chinese food dinner at a really nice mom-and-pop chinese store. Day 8...success.

Day 7; London

Oh Yes! The bliss of sleep!

Today was another great day and it started with a full 9 hours of sleep and that is probably no coincidence.

After we woke up and showered and packed and told Jen (our couchsurfing host) more thank-yous (she really is awesome) we headed to the British Museum (http://tinyurl.com/khvpx). This museum is huge. It should be huge from the way they filled the museum. As England "took over" soooo many countries and dynasties and empires they would then ship all the coolest stuff back to London (Parthenon sculptures, Roman relics, paintings...) and keep them there for their own true citizens. So, the museum has lots of great artifacts, I mean, I got to see the Rosetta Stone (http://tinyurl.com/yugsde)!

Anywho, after cruising through that museum we headed to another, the National Gallery (http://tinyurl.com/5de6dr) where my amazement truly jumped at the site of seeing some great art...and when I say great I'm talking about guys like Da Vinci, Rafael, Michelangelo, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Renoir and Reubens. All the greats. I ate it up like crazy.

We headed on our biggest journey of the evening after that and trekked on out to Camden to try and find Abbey Road. Yes, I'm a dork. After studying numerous worthless maps, taking 2 Underground trains and two buses, we decided to start asking people and it took about the 4th or 5th person to finally give us any kind of good answer. We even got one lady to ask us what it was...(insert British subtitles) "No, I don't know what that is but it's the 2nd time today someone's asked me for directions there...what is it?" Good Grief. Found it. Walked it. videoed it. Loved it...and that's all you need.

I will hopefully have all the videos wrapped up and sent to Newsok.com by tomorrow night for a 1st week wrap-up...here's hoping! :) Goodnight OKC.

(Oh, and I bought one of these today http://tinyurl.com/nsntz3)

Next stop Paris.