TRAVEL JOURNAL 4
6-4-09 12:05 AM We just got to Frankfurt and are leaving tomorrow, er, technically today, but I'll call yesterday today because today has only been five minutes
After I left off, Elita and I spent the night taking advantage of free hostel internet! I'm not sure she appreciated it as much as I did, considering she had gotten a couple earlier internet opportunities while I was performing important human functions like hydration and sleep. But, more importantly than internet, we had a delicious homemade pasta dinner, which we offered to the rest of the hostel. We even made enough to save another meal's worth, even though the only method available was to create a jiggly, warm, and altogether loathsome quart baggie full of pasta. But, no matter how it was stored, it was still delicious. Sorry, that I seem to be making a big deal out of food, but when you have limited funds and credit card issues, every meal you manage to pay for is a triumph.
Yesterday was rather uneventful, mostly plane and train travel. The first plane ride was full of terrible children screaming and kicking seats, but th second one was fine.
Oh, before that, we had an awesome breakfast, free at the hostel, full of smoked fish and chocolate milk and some wierd sweet buttermilk thing. But that wasn't noteworthy- noteworthy was our adoradle roommate from Taiwan, who we conversed with, mostly about travel. I forget all of what we discussed, even, but she was just a very pleasant person to talk to.
I had to go to the fishmarket once more before we left, probably annoying Elita in the process because she actually paid attention to eating at breakfast, rather than teaching our roommate how to make chocolate coffee.
But, mmm, salmon.
But, uh, yeah, plane rides. nothing much.
Getting to the train sure was interesting. First, there was freakout at not being able to use the ticket machine. Then, freakout because we can't ask the German people for help. Finally, relief when a reiendly English-speaking frequent traveler helps us figure everything out and explains that the ticket machine is really touchy and sort of broken.
First impression of Germany was that it smells really bad in Frankfurt. Then, I realized that it smells no worse than Chicago, I'd just grown accustomed to the clean Norwegian air and lack of smokers.
You know, if there's really one thing I miss about American culture, it's that there's a stigma surrounding smoking. Crowded areas in Europe suck so much for somebody with an allergy to cigarettes, but it's all okay because there are not really too many crowds.
At risk of sounding like I don't like the place, I'll also mention that the language barrier is much more profound here for me. I can read and understand Norwegian to a small extent, enough to get the gist of what's going on or what somebody's saying. Here in Germany, I rely more on Elita.
That being said, Frankfurt is a handsome city, even if it's much more manmade that I usually like my locations. For the purposes of my sightseeing, this basically means that there is far less plant life and the pretty churches are replaced by even more beautiful churches. The whole city is charming in its own way, all stufftobuy stands and floating restaurants.
Domkirken, complete with museums, was simply amazing. I knew the early Catholic church was full of pretty and ornate business, but it doesn't really hit you until you see the garments embroidered with faithful reproduction of paintings, chalices coveres in gold filligree, or plenty of other decorative items made of precious metals and stones. Also, this particular place ws the church of St. Bartholomew, my favourite saint.
There continue to be amazing musicians on every street corner.
You know what's awesome? Mezzo mix, beer, and trashy MTV shows. And now, MTV movie awards, We are totally soaking up the European experience. Not. Oh well, we're having fun.
After I left off, Elita and I spent the night taking advantage of free hostel internet! I'm not sure she appreciated it as much as I did, considering she had gotten a couple earlier internet opportunities while I was performing important human functions like hydration and sleep. But, more importantly than internet, we had a delicious homemade pasta dinner, which we offered to the rest of the hostel. We even made enough to save another meal's worth, even though the only method available was to create a jiggly, warm, and altogether loathsome quart baggie full of pasta. But, no matter how it was stored, it was still delicious. Sorry, that I seem to be making a big deal out of food, but when you have limited funds and credit card issues, every meal you manage to pay for is a triumph.
Yesterday was rather uneventful, mostly plane and train travel. The first plane ride was full of terrible children screaming and kicking seats, but th second one was fine.
Oh, before that, we had an awesome breakfast, free at the hostel, full of smoked fish and chocolate milk and some wierd sweet buttermilk thing. But that wasn't noteworthy- noteworthy was our adoradle roommate from Taiwan, who we conversed with, mostly about travel. I forget all of what we discussed, even, but she was just a very pleasant person to talk to.
I had to go to the fishmarket once more before we left, probably annoying Elita in the process because she actually paid attention to eating at breakfast, rather than teaching our roommate how to make chocolate coffee.
But, mmm, salmon.
But, uh, yeah, plane rides. nothing much.
Getting to the train sure was interesting. First, there was freakout at not being able to use the ticket machine. Then, freakout because we can't ask the German people for help. Finally, relief when a reiendly English-speaking frequent traveler helps us figure everything out and explains that the ticket machine is really touchy and sort of broken.
First impression of Germany was that it smells really bad in Frankfurt. Then, I realized that it smells no worse than Chicago, I'd just grown accustomed to the clean Norwegian air and lack of smokers.
You know, if there's really one thing I miss about American culture, it's that there's a stigma surrounding smoking. Crowded areas in Europe suck so much for somebody with an allergy to cigarettes, but it's all okay because there are not really too many crowds.
At risk of sounding like I don't like the place, I'll also mention that the language barrier is much more profound here for me. I can read and understand Norwegian to a small extent, enough to get the gist of what's going on or what somebody's saying. Here in Germany, I rely more on Elita.
That being said, Frankfurt is a handsome city, even if it's much more manmade that I usually like my locations. For the purposes of my sightseeing, this basically means that there is far less plant life and the pretty churches are replaced by even more beautiful churches. The whole city is charming in its own way, all stufftobuy stands and floating restaurants.
Domkirken, complete with museums, was simply amazing. I knew the early Catholic church was full of pretty and ornate business, but it doesn't really hit you until you see the garments embroidered with faithful reproduction of paintings, chalices coveres in gold filligree, or plenty of other decorative items made of precious metals and stones. Also, this particular place ws the church of St. Bartholomew, my favourite saint.
There continue to be amazing musicians on every street corner.
You know what's awesome? Mezzo mix, beer, and trashy MTV shows. And now, MTV movie awards, We are totally soaking up the European experience. Not. Oh well, we're having fun.