In Bruges

(My last blog broken up into 4 pieces)

Bruges was very nice. On the first day, I walked through the entire town/village and found my hostel. When I arrived, the first person I made friends with was also the very first Kiwi. But he wasn't native since he was born in South Africa but had lived in New Zealand for 10 years. He was actually celebrating the 10 year anniversary while traveling. We sat down for drinks in the hostel with a guy from Napa and then 2 New Yorkers who had just started their trip.

Unfortunately, the woman got in an accident while on a bike ride earlier that day. She fell so hard that she needed 6 stiches. I was just bummed for her since it had happened at the beginning of her trip. Anyway, she was interesting. She was a high school teacher in NYC. So I asked her what it was like to teach in the urban schools because I always hear mixed messages. She said it doesn't matter where the kids are coming from, income-wise. They're all going through the same stuff, teenager-wise, so the teaching isn't that much different. Honestly, she just seemed like a bad-ass. Fell, 6 stiches, still going.

The next day, I rode my bike up to the North Sea, which was awesome.

It was such a peaceful bike ride and felt great. It was also great seeing the North Sea but I didn't go in the water because it was just plain cold. Fortunately, in the time I was there, the cold and clouds that had been following me since Dresden burned off to reveal a fantastic sun. Oh right! It's the summer in Europe!

I biked into a beach community and walked along the boardwalk. It was one of those beach towns with the beach shacks to protect beach dwellers from the wind.

I still find those so funny. After eating my mandatory Belgian waffle and fries (unfortunately, missed out on the mussels because of price) and then taking a siesta on the beach in the sun, I hopped on my bike to ride around a bit more before heading back home.

My ass was absolutely KILLING me. I could barely bike without wincing. In fact, I could barely control my bike. At one point, I was going through narrow road construction and lost control of my bike. I avoided a grandfather, a grandmother, and a 7 year old boy but unfortunately, bumped into a poor 4 year old girl. Even though it was just a tap, she just BAWLED!! (probably out of fear) and I felt awful! I said Sorry and excuse me in as many languages as I could think of. Miscuzee, entschuldigung, es tut mir leid, Escuze moi, Day so lay. Everything was just rapid apologies. Unfortunately, they spoke Flemish and just stared and smiled. I motioned that I would offer to buy some ice cream but the grandfather and grandmother didn't seem too upset. I think they could see how apologetic I felt and waved me on.

Hitting a small child signaled my riding days were over for the day. So, I rode back, which was unbearable for my ass. At times, I wasn't sure if I would make it back to Bruges.

And then, I randomly ended up there. So relieved. I spent the evening chatting with the Kiwi, a Californian and two Londoners, where we talked like... guys? vulgar, sharing stories and just hilarious. (Although, at times, I was slightly shocked with what I heard. But I "learned" a lot, like if a guy takes you out, don't pick the most expensive sushi restaurant unless it's a more committed relationship). The guys, especially the Californian, worshipped this asshole guy. I can't remember his name but he wote a book about his adventures called, "I hope they serve beer in hell." Listening to them talk was interesting. It was like a sense of pride with guys to say, without question, that you're an asshole and do what you want. That would never work with a female because we would just be a bitch. Plus, we have a conscience and would guilty if we were mean. At least I would feel guilty.

Quick note on the hostel. It was fine. Well-stocked. However, the shower was hilarious. I had to pull on a chain to run the water. If wasn't pulling on the chain, the water would stop running. This resulted in me standing with one arm almost always raised while I took a shower with one hand. definitely a funny experience. But I know that it's not that bad. At least there was running warm water. It wasn't as bad as my Amsterdam hostel, where , for some reason, had unbearably freezing water when I took a shower.

So that was my last night in Bruges. Unfortunately, I didn't see the famous tower from In Bruges but I did get to see the North Sea, try some tasty Belgian beers and meet some interesting Americans, albeit most of them were Americans, who were probably inspired to go there from the movie.

Currently, Im in Amsterdam, waiting for my hostel to accept checkins. Their website says 2... I have to wait till 3... and I think I might have pissed them off because I took a slight snooze in the lobby. Whoops. My bad. Im kinda tired. The past 15 or so hours have been a bit funny. Around 9pm, I randomly decided to double check my night train to Amsterdam from Berlin... realized it said 7.07... meaning it departs at 7.07 at 00:32... meaning tonight...well last night and I had to do a late check out of Wombats and kinda sorta race to the train station. I meant to book it for leaving the night OF 7.07... actually meaning 8.07. Oh well, only out 21 euros that I paid for Wombats and didnt stay there... and then, I had to frantically find a cheap hostel in Amsterdam for one night. Staying pretty far out of town at the hostel where I cant sleep in the lobby.... and check in is at 3. Also, I dont know Dutch.... its surprisingly similiar to German but not quite.. >P

Anyway, its been great. After Stuttgart, I hopped in a organized hitchhiking ride thing to get to Dresden. It cost 25 euros.. MUCH cheaper than the train and was super interesting. Two Polish people were driving back from an interview, there was a Ukrainian girl sitting next to me studying in Nurnberg and then a guy from Cameroon visiting his friend in Dresden. Very international.

Coming to Dresden was great. My hostel was in the New City, so it had a younger vibe. In my hostel, I met a guy who had just finished studying in Vancouver but was from China. We went hiking in the Saxony Switzerland area the next day, which was GORGEOUS. Theres these gorgeous limestone mountains and theres a bridge from the Crusades, I think. Ill post pictures when I get a chance. What was really cool was a thunderstorm was happening right above our heads the whole time, yet there was no rain. Craaazy! After that, I explored the old city - very cute and picturesque.

Then, I took a train to Berlin. Great city. and I really liked the hostel too.. oh Wombats. Clean sheets. yay. There were these very nice Londoners w/ a Australian transplant in my room. We hung out for a little bit, went to the Berlin Zoo one day where I saw a DANCING POLAR BEAR. Pictures will be uploaded. Future Youtube viral video? Possibly! I also went on a free walking tour and met some kids from Indiana. The Free Walking tour was fantastic and made me kinda sorta fall in love with Berlin. Its such a city in transition and its imperfections...all the graffiti, etc... make it so interesting. Its just amazing how itll look so much different in 10 or 15 years from now. I also met an Argentinean who was in a band and he was very interesting. We went out for coffee and talked about art and culture and just... ya.

Then, I took a night train to Amsterdam. There was an extremely nice Dusseldorf mom in my room who was just VERy excited. She had gone on an adventure with one of her friends and they went to Prague for the weekend. I also met a guy going to Cologne and we talked for a bit.

So ya, meeting people everywhere. But Right now I just kinda want to sleep. it is cool how even though Im traveling alone, I'm not REALLY alone.

Just thought Id quickly update. Ive been keeping a more descriptive better handwritten journal. This is just a quick update because the ticking clock here is making me ansy.

First Drive on the Autobahn

Oh! and Today was my first time on Autobahn! yay! Everyone does drive fast but it reminds me of New Jersey or Mt.Vernon. Though it's not often that I hit speeds between 140 and 180 (88-99mph). would've been nice to feel that in in sportscar. Makes me want to do a roadtrip in a nice car. Or just rent cars and go fast.

The German countryside was also very nice. Green and lost of hills, like Austria and...the USA. There are so many vineyards though. I talked to the Cameroon about the US and his country. Apparently, Senegal has respect for Bush. I wonder what he did.

Well, I'm glad I made those changes in my itinerary. I'm really looking forward to Berlin. I hope my hostel in Berlin is great. Especially for meeting people but that's its reputation. I think I'll be meeting a lot of people in Berlin, Amsterdam and London. When I break it down by cities, its like I don't have enough time. But really, I have 21 days = 3 weeks. 3 weeks = 7 cities, 5 capitals.

I've got to go back to Germany.

First night in Dresden

I just arrived in Dresden and I'm so happy to be outside of Stuttgart. I ended up finding a ride to Dresden for only 25€ through a ride share with a Polish couple (the guy was there for a translation interview), a lady from Ukraine going to Nürnberg and a guy from Cameroon studying Agriculture in Stuttgart and visiting a friend for a month in Dresden. Collectively, we spoke Polish, Ukraine, English, German, French and Spanish. The ride was great. I was extremely nervous too. Everything worked out perfectly. They were super nice, drove fast and it was so diverse! I'm happy I did it. Plus, it saved me 105€.

Also, I recalculated. I only lost 65€ yesterday from my wallet. Not bad at all. I also opted to cut out Baden-Baden and the many days in Köln and Düsseldorf. Instead, I switched those days to more time in Berlin, which I'm sure is where I'll need it. Instead, I'll be taking a 69€ sleeper train to Amsterdam. Those DB Fahr tickets are amazingly helpful. If I have time, I want to use them to purchase my super cheap ticket from Köln (or Düsseldorf) to the Frankfurt airport.

So, I arrived in Dresden. Looks like a nice town. Wish I had more time to explore it. But I hardcore want to go hiking tomorrow. Maybe I'll wake up early and walk around? Or do that when I get back. It stays light here till about 9:30pm, so it definitely seems do-able. Going to go try and find the common room in this hostel. It's so clean!