Fall Break is done
Take nine days, throw in six people, and establish one goal: tour three of the coolest cities on the planet! Okay, maybe that’s just a bit presumptuous, but the places we went were fantastic.
As you know we started off in Budapest, and as I predicted a bit prematurely at the beginning, it was my favorite city of them all. The streets and sidewalks were clean and wide, the buildings were great to look at and the people were extremely nice. I tried traditional dishes, such as goulash, Hungarian pancakes which they stuff full of meat, and cold fruit soup. They basically make everything with sour cream and paprika, their main export from the country. We were in the city right when they were celebrating their independence day of when the Soviets left Hungary, so there were celebrations all over the place, but luckily we missed out on the riots. I did have a riotous time when Kim and I went out dancing one night. Ah, Budapest, I miss you. Luckily at the end of the week we had to take a train from Vienna back to Budapest in order to fly back to Athens. I’m glad I had a few more hours to spend there at the end of the trip.
This is the Parliament building. It looks like a Gothic Cathedral
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006020.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Here I am, sitting on the Pest side of the Danube, and behind me is Buda
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006023.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
People in Hungary are a bit mad at the Prime Minister for being a big fat liar
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Moments before the choir came out to sing Baroque, I stole this picture
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
This is the National Gallery, unfortunately it was closed and I couldn't see the Caravaggio (Carravagio?) exhibit
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006040.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
An imitation ice rink
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006044.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Found this cool sucker at the store
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006072.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
The art of our hostel owned by some boys
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006073.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Remembering 1956
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006076.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006080.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
When we arrived in Prague after an over night train trip, we couldn’t check into our hostel so we decided to walk around the city and buy the train tickets for our next ride. We then decided to go on a two hour tour of the city with a very nice lady who smiled a lot. Unfortunately we were all so tired that we practically fell asleep while standing. I didn’t get many pictures of the city, and I had long decided I liked being in Budapest much better. This city did have a lot to offer though, and I really liked walking across Charles Bridge even though it was crazy full of people. After a nap Kim and Matt went with me to a jazz bar and we listened to some old men play some really good music. The next night everyone did their own thing before sitting down together at a funny little restaurant for dinner. We listened to a man play some strange instrument while the waitress acted like we were the biggest annoyance she’s ever encountered. Later that night we went to the Rock Café where we listened to two local bands play, who are called Rusty and Pankix, and I met some of the members afterwards and hung out with them until nearly 6 AM. Oops. :P
There aren't many photos of Prague, but here we go...
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006090.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Ooh! My favorite style of art and it's the style of this building (Rococo)
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006093.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Making Czech friends at the Rock Cafe, and I promise there was another girl, she took the picture
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/happyboysedited-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Up front is Darryn, and in the back from left to right is Matt, Mari, Kalenga and Kim
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006101.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Then we have Vienna. I wanted so badly to go to the opera or something else nifty like that, but just as Budapest had their holiday, so did Vienna. Almost everything was closed down, but it was alright because it gave me a chance to look at things without huge mobs of people EVERYWHERE. Instead they were just in concentrated areas. It was neat to be a part of the festivities though, they have a fun local culture. The only main touring I did of Vienna was going to the palace where the Hapsburgs would spend their summers when they occupied the area. It was HUGE! The gardens were gorgeous and the trees were cut extremely weird. They were made to be flat and vertical, and some of them curved overhead to make a canopy. It was so relaxing walking through the area, especially with all the fall colors that I pretty much had to miss when I left home. I’m glad I had the chance to see.
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006106.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006110.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
I found this sculpture smashing :P
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006120.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
I hate window pictures, but this server from Demel is made of chocolate, and he has antlers...
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006124.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Street, er, monument performer
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006125.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
This man can sing all the great rock classics
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006133.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
A skinny punk band, screaming about sex and being good people, yada yada
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006134.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Hapsburgs liked to spend time in this here palace. I wish I wasn't standing so close to it at this moment
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
The funky trees
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006155.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
I wish our ravens looked like this
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006172.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
One of the views from the gardens behind the palace
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006175.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
I am so going to cut me a bush like this (Outside the Palm House)
http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank">
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g123/christinanator/FallBreak2006176.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">
Now I’m back in Athens and I’m bunking with Darryn and Kalenga for a few days while my roommate’s boyfriend takes over my bed. I had to experience a red roach on my arm, and I have SO many mosquito bites that I end up spending a good amount of the night waking up to myself scratching. Bah. It’s good to be back in Athens though, I don’t like feeling like I’m on “vacation” for too long. It’s better when I was the excuse of spending four days in the Peloponnese for four days for school. :P That’s where I’ll be heading this upcoming weekend, and I’ll be sure to take a special picture for Ben at Olympia.
P.S. Darryn taught me how to French braid! Cassandra, I need your head here so that I can show you!!