So We got home yesterday. We arrived at Ramstein (Germany) just after 9 pm. We went to eat at the Macaroni grill and then went to our hotel. There's a lot of construction on base so it was hard to get to. We finally got to go to bed around 11:30. The next morning we had to be up at 3:30 to be at the terminal at 4. We managed to get on the first flight out. Show time was at 4 am and the plane took off at about 6:45. We landed in Dover (Delaware) and our neighbor was there to pick us up. We got home just before noon.
So that is the end. All of my pictures are up now. Feel free to check them out.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Craziness
So I haven't updated in a few days simply because I haven't had time.
Thursday my parents finally arrived in Salzburg around 10:30 pm. I was basically sitting at the window watching for them.
We booked our hotel for Friday night and then headed to our hostel. We were starving and the only place open was mcdonalds so that is where we went. We went to bed around 1 AM and we were up again at 7. I showed them around Salzburg, all the main sights, and we had lunch at the market.
Then we hopped in the car for a nearly 4 hr drive to Vienna. Along the was we stopped in St Gilgen, a lovely little town right on the Wolfgang See. We walked around for a while and then hopped in the car for the 3 hr drive to Vienna. We got to Vienna a bit before 7. We stayed in the Allegro Hotel which had a treble clef as a G...it was exciting. Then we wandered around for a bit to find a beer garden. We finally found one and we had a lovely dinner. The waiter was very excited that I could speak German. He talked to me and I translated for everyone. It was fun.
So Saturday we wandered around Vienna. We saw St Stephans Cathedral and a variety of other buildings. We were going to go on a tour of the Schoenbrunn palace but the wait was over an hour and we just didn't have time. We walked around the gardens and then we got in the car once again.
We drove for an hour, into Hungary, and went to this cute little town. We saw a church and walked around for a bit and then took the 20 minute drive to Bratislava. Bratislava is an amazing city. It was so peaceful and pretty. The people are very friendly and it was just a lovely town. I definitely want to go back there someday.
After that we had a 5 hour drive to Krakow. Our road was closed and we had to go on a detour through the mountains and some very old and vacant towns. Luckily Sean-Sean (our GPS) got us through it. Later, after dark, we drove through some very dark and windy roads. It was a little scary but we eventually got back on to the highway. So we entered Poland and about 10 minutes we entered Poland. We were really confused. So in Europe rather than paying tolls, everytime you enter a country you have to buy a pass to use the roads. They are about $7/week. So we stopped at a gas station to buy a pass for what we thought was Poland. Later we realized it was actually the Czech Republic. Luckily, I have a board enough knowledge of languages that I could at least partially understand the people in the gas stations. No one in those regions speaks English or German so I was communicating with everyone in Polish in Czech. It was pretty cool. So once we figured out we were officially in Poland we learned that Poland doesn't have a highway pass. We did have to pay 2 tolls though. We panicked though cause we came to the first toll (about an hr into the country) and we realized that we didn't have any Polish Money (zlote). Luckily the people at the toll also took Euros.
So finally around midnight we arrived in Krakow. We went up to our hostel and they told us there was a mistake and they didn't have a room for us. So they made us a reservation at another hostel (which was awful). The room we paid for was supposed to have 4 beds, a tv, a private bathroom,a buffet breakfast, and wireless. Well the room we got had 8 beds, no bathroom (1 bathroom on the floor which was co-ed and had clear doors), our breakfast was a roll with jelly and butter and we had to clean our own dishes. We were not happy.
So the next day we wandered around Krakow which is really a lovely city. We went on a golf-cart tour of the city and saw all the sights in 30 mins. Then we found ourselves in the middle of a pierogie festival. There were about 20 booths all selling pierogies in different varieties. They had cheese and potato, mushroom, spinach, raspberry, and tons of other varieties. There's nothing better than experiencing a pierogie festival in the middle of Poland. Juli and I also got waffles with whipped cream and fruit on top. They were marvelous.
So then we got in the car for a 1.5 hr drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau. We walked around the camp for a while. It was a much different experience from Dachau. At Dachau the gas chamber and crematorium and all that are still standing so you can see them but the dorms have been demolished. At Auschwitz the dorms and quarantine areas are mostly still there so we could see the real living situations but the gas chambers were all destroyed in the war. So I got to see both sides.
Then we got back in the car to continue our drive to the Czech Republic. However, as we were driving we realized that we still had 300 Zlote and we needed to spend it. 300 zlote is about $100. So we stopped to get dinner and then we stopped at a grocery store. This grocery store was huge. It was like a giant warehouse and it was almost like a mall. There were little stores within the grocery store. So we got some bread and cheese and pasta for dinner, and we bought some eggs and cheese for breakfast and we got some drinks and snacks for the car. We also got gas. We ended up with 9 zlote left after all that so we decided that wasn't so bad (being left with $3 in a foreign currency is not a big deal). So we entered the Czech Republic.
We arrived in Prague at about 9 pm. We are staying in an apartment at the US embassy so there is lots of security. First we had to go through a check-point where they looked through our car, in the engine, and under the car with special mirrors. Then they let us go through. We pulled up to the embassy and the guard standing there didn't speak any English. He sent us up this narrow windy road which dead-ended at a gate. So we had to turn around in this tiny little road...that was interesting. So we drove back down the hill to the embassy. I got out of the car to see if I could communicate with this guard in German (many people in Prague speak German) but when I got there I found it was a different guard...he spoke English. He let me into the embassy and we got our key. Then he showed us to our apartment. We unloaded all of our stuff and had to carry it up to the 3rd floor (no elevator). Once here we found it to be quite nice (a big step up from the night before). We have a kitchen, a bathroom (with separate toilet), laundry, a bed room (for the parents) and a living room. Juli and I are sleeping on the sofa bed which is more comfortable than any bed I have ever experienced. We have wireless and a TV with several German channels plus BBC and CNN. So then the nice guard showed us where to park. We made dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
This morning we did some laundry and then went out into town. We walked up and down some hills, saw some churches, and wandered around the old town. Then we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. It is my goal to go to everyone in the world (oh we also stopped by the very newly opened hard rock in krakow-opened in July). Our waitress was so excited that we were American. She is Czech but lived in Chicago for most of her life.
After that we came back to our apartment. We got to go into the embassy. We had to go through security and leave all of our electronics at security while we went in. I was allowed to keep my inhaler but they wouldn't let me take my epi-pen. I probably could have argued that but I didn't really care. So we went to the little commissary (gorcery store type thing) which had all American food (so exciting!!). No we have been relaxing in our room and in a few minutes we are heading back out. It was so hot today and the city was so full of tourists so we needed a break. Well that's all for now.
Tomorrow we may be going back to Germany to see about catching a flight or we may stay in Prague for one more night.
Maybe I'll update tomorrow and I'll try to load pictures tonight.
Comments!
Thursday my parents finally arrived in Salzburg around 10:30 pm. I was basically sitting at the window watching for them.
We booked our hotel for Friday night and then headed to our hostel. We were starving and the only place open was mcdonalds so that is where we went. We went to bed around 1 AM and we were up again at 7. I showed them around Salzburg, all the main sights, and we had lunch at the market.
Then we hopped in the car for a nearly 4 hr drive to Vienna. Along the was we stopped in St Gilgen, a lovely little town right on the Wolfgang See. We walked around for a while and then hopped in the car for the 3 hr drive to Vienna. We got to Vienna a bit before 7. We stayed in the Allegro Hotel which had a treble clef as a G...it was exciting. Then we wandered around for a bit to find a beer garden. We finally found one and we had a lovely dinner. The waiter was very excited that I could speak German. He talked to me and I translated for everyone. It was fun.
So Saturday we wandered around Vienna. We saw St Stephans Cathedral and a variety of other buildings. We were going to go on a tour of the Schoenbrunn palace but the wait was over an hour and we just didn't have time. We walked around the gardens and then we got in the car once again.
We drove for an hour, into Hungary, and went to this cute little town. We saw a church and walked around for a bit and then took the 20 minute drive to Bratislava. Bratislava is an amazing city. It was so peaceful and pretty. The people are very friendly and it was just a lovely town. I definitely want to go back there someday.
After that we had a 5 hour drive to Krakow. Our road was closed and we had to go on a detour through the mountains and some very old and vacant towns. Luckily Sean-Sean (our GPS) got us through it. Later, after dark, we drove through some very dark and windy roads. It was a little scary but we eventually got back on to the highway. So we entered Poland and about 10 minutes we entered Poland. We were really confused. So in Europe rather than paying tolls, everytime you enter a country you have to buy a pass to use the roads. They are about $7/week. So we stopped at a gas station to buy a pass for what we thought was Poland. Later we realized it was actually the Czech Republic. Luckily, I have a board enough knowledge of languages that I could at least partially understand the people in the gas stations. No one in those regions speaks English or German so I was communicating with everyone in Polish in Czech. It was pretty cool. So once we figured out we were officially in Poland we learned that Poland doesn't have a highway pass. We did have to pay 2 tolls though. We panicked though cause we came to the first toll (about an hr into the country) and we realized that we didn't have any Polish Money (zlote). Luckily the people at the toll also took Euros.
So finally around midnight we arrived in Krakow. We went up to our hostel and they told us there was a mistake and they didn't have a room for us. So they made us a reservation at another hostel (which was awful). The room we paid for was supposed to have 4 beds, a tv, a private bathroom,a buffet breakfast, and wireless. Well the room we got had 8 beds, no bathroom (1 bathroom on the floor which was co-ed and had clear doors), our breakfast was a roll with jelly and butter and we had to clean our own dishes. We were not happy.
So the next day we wandered around Krakow which is really a lovely city. We went on a golf-cart tour of the city and saw all the sights in 30 mins. Then we found ourselves in the middle of a pierogie festival. There were about 20 booths all selling pierogies in different varieties. They had cheese and potato, mushroom, spinach, raspberry, and tons of other varieties. There's nothing better than experiencing a pierogie festival in the middle of Poland. Juli and I also got waffles with whipped cream and fruit on top. They were marvelous.
So then we got in the car for a 1.5 hr drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau. We walked around the camp for a while. It was a much different experience from Dachau. At Dachau the gas chamber and crematorium and all that are still standing so you can see them but the dorms have been demolished. At Auschwitz the dorms and quarantine areas are mostly still there so we could see the real living situations but the gas chambers were all destroyed in the war. So I got to see both sides.
Then we got back in the car to continue our drive to the Czech Republic. However, as we were driving we realized that we still had 300 Zlote and we needed to spend it. 300 zlote is about $100. So we stopped to get dinner and then we stopped at a grocery store. This grocery store was huge. It was like a giant warehouse and it was almost like a mall. There were little stores within the grocery store. So we got some bread and cheese and pasta for dinner, and we bought some eggs and cheese for breakfast and we got some drinks and snacks for the car. We also got gas. We ended up with 9 zlote left after all that so we decided that wasn't so bad (being left with $3 in a foreign currency is not a big deal). So we entered the Czech Republic.
We arrived in Prague at about 9 pm. We are staying in an apartment at the US embassy so there is lots of security. First we had to go through a check-point where they looked through our car, in the engine, and under the car with special mirrors. Then they let us go through. We pulled up to the embassy and the guard standing there didn't speak any English. He sent us up this narrow windy road which dead-ended at a gate. So we had to turn around in this tiny little road...that was interesting. So we drove back down the hill to the embassy. I got out of the car to see if I could communicate with this guard in German (many people in Prague speak German) but when I got there I found it was a different guard...he spoke English. He let me into the embassy and we got our key. Then he showed us to our apartment. We unloaded all of our stuff and had to carry it up to the 3rd floor (no elevator). Once here we found it to be quite nice (a big step up from the night before). We have a kitchen, a bathroom (with separate toilet), laundry, a bed room (for the parents) and a living room. Juli and I are sleeping on the sofa bed which is more comfortable than any bed I have ever experienced. We have wireless and a TV with several German channels plus BBC and CNN. So then the nice guard showed us where to park. We made dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
This morning we did some laundry and then went out into town. We walked up and down some hills, saw some churches, and wandered around the old town. Then we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. It is my goal to go to everyone in the world (oh we also stopped by the very newly opened hard rock in krakow-opened in July). Our waitress was so excited that we were American. She is Czech but lived in Chicago for most of her life.
After that we came back to our apartment. We got to go into the embassy. We had to go through security and leave all of our electronics at security while we went in. I was allowed to keep my inhaler but they wouldn't let me take my epi-pen. I probably could have argued that but I didn't really care. So we went to the little commissary (gorcery store type thing) which had all American food (so exciting!!). No we have been relaxing in our room and in a few minutes we are heading back out. It was so hot today and the city was so full of tourists so we needed a break. Well that's all for now.
Tomorrow we may be going back to Germany to see about catching a flight or we may stay in Prague for one more night.
Maybe I'll update tomorrow and I'll try to load pictures tonight.
Comments!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The waiting is over (almost)
So it's Thursday, the 5th day in a row it has been pouring in Salzburg.
So let's see. Yesterday I decided to go back to being a tourist for a little while. I went to the Salzburg Museum which won the European Museum of the year award in 2009. It was interesting. There was a great rainbow exhibit with all these pictures of rainbows. The second floor is all about important people in the history and culture of Salzburg. Every year they choose like 8 people and feature them on this floor. I think that's cool.
So then I took a walk down the river to find out where this hostel is. It took a while to get there and the people there were rude. Oh well. It was a lovely part of the city. Apparently it's the rich section. There is very nice park there. I wish I had learned of it sooner.
After that I went to Mozart's birth house which was quite nice. I took a picture when I wasn't supposed to and this guy yelled at me. So I turned off the camera and put the lens back on and then he came back over and said "no pictures!" I was like yeah I got it. Anyway. There was this cute little girl there. She was maybe 2, and we were sitting in the listening room, a room where you sit and listen to Mozart music. Well this little girl had just 1 finger up and she was conducting along to the music. It was so cute. On the other hand, it never ceases to amaze me how rude people can be. I was reading a sign on the wall about the history of Mozart's family and I wasn't standing too close cause I wanted other people to be able to read it too. So all of a sudden this French guy comes up stops right in front of me and then calls 6 other people over and proceeds to run his finger along the words while translating it to French. So now only could I not see around him but I also couldn't read it cause his hand was covering the part I was trying to read. I don't understand how Europeans can say that Americans are rude.
After that I went back home. Then I went out to the Augustiner with Peter-Paul and some of his friends. 2 of his friends studied at Eastman (music school) and one of them is American. They were very nice and we talked about music for a while.
Then I came home and slept.
Around 5 am this morning I woke up to call my parents and I found out that they were getting on a flight. They have been trying to get out since Saturday now and finally they are coming.
So today I went to go make us a reservation at a hostel for tonight and then I went to Oberndorf, a small town north of Salzburg. It is the place where Silent Night was written. Unfortunately the chapel where the song was performed for the first time was destroyed in a flood. Now there is a very cute memorial chapel dedicated to the song and the people who wrote the song. I wish I could be there at Christmas time. Thousand of people gather there on Christmas Eve and sing Silent Night in their own language. I think that would be pretty cool to experience.
So then, as usual, it started raining and I came home. Now I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my family. They should be here any minute now, so we shall see.
Tomorrow we're heading to Vienna! I'll update again next time I have internet.
Sarah
So let's see. Yesterday I decided to go back to being a tourist for a little while. I went to the Salzburg Museum which won the European Museum of the year award in 2009. It was interesting. There was a great rainbow exhibit with all these pictures of rainbows. The second floor is all about important people in the history and culture of Salzburg. Every year they choose like 8 people and feature them on this floor. I think that's cool.
So then I took a walk down the river to find out where this hostel is. It took a while to get there and the people there were rude. Oh well. It was a lovely part of the city. Apparently it's the rich section. There is very nice park there. I wish I had learned of it sooner.
After that I went to Mozart's birth house which was quite nice. I took a picture when I wasn't supposed to and this guy yelled at me. So I turned off the camera and put the lens back on and then he came back over and said "no pictures!" I was like yeah I got it. Anyway. There was this cute little girl there. She was maybe 2, and we were sitting in the listening room, a room where you sit and listen to Mozart music. Well this little girl had just 1 finger up and she was conducting along to the music. It was so cute. On the other hand, it never ceases to amaze me how rude people can be. I was reading a sign on the wall about the history of Mozart's family and I wasn't standing too close cause I wanted other people to be able to read it too. So all of a sudden this French guy comes up stops right in front of me and then calls 6 other people over and proceeds to run his finger along the words while translating it to French. So now only could I not see around him but I also couldn't read it cause his hand was covering the part I was trying to read. I don't understand how Europeans can say that Americans are rude.
After that I went back home. Then I went out to the Augustiner with Peter-Paul and some of his friends. 2 of his friends studied at Eastman (music school) and one of them is American. They were very nice and we talked about music for a while.
Then I came home and slept.
Around 5 am this morning I woke up to call my parents and I found out that they were getting on a flight. They have been trying to get out since Saturday now and finally they are coming.
So today I went to go make us a reservation at a hostel for tonight and then I went to Oberndorf, a small town north of Salzburg. It is the place where Silent Night was written. Unfortunately the chapel where the song was performed for the first time was destroyed in a flood. Now there is a very cute memorial chapel dedicated to the song and the people who wrote the song. I wish I could be there at Christmas time. Thousand of people gather there on Christmas Eve and sing Silent Night in their own language. I think that would be pretty cool to experience.
So then, as usual, it started raining and I came home. Now I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my family. They should be here any minute now, so we shall see.
Tomorrow we're heading to Vienna! I'll update again next time I have internet.
Sarah
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Back in Salzburg
Well it seems at his been a while since I last updated, so let's see what I have to tell you.
Slovenia is a scary country, never go there alone. It does have some nice buildings, and the cathedral is amazing but it is shady and very much still an Eastern European type country.
So Saturday I went to Postojna. It is also a scary town. I went to see the caves but the website only gave directions to the train station. So I got off the train and was like "now what?" Of course the train station is really old and run down and surrounded by old abandoned factories which of course made me feel so much safer...So I started walking. I found some signs that seemed to point towards the caves and the castle but after about 15 minutes of walking they disappeared. So I went into this hotel where I figured they should at least speak one of the languages I know and asked how to get to the caves. The lady there told me how to get there but told me it would take me 50 minutes to walk. She got her numbers mixed up cause it only took me about 15 minutes. Once there I had to wait 50 minutes for a tour of the caves. It was fun but not anything too special. They had tours in Slovenian, English, German, French, and Italian. I thought about going on the German tour but it was just as crowded as the English tour so I just went on the English tour.
Then I wanted to go to the castle in the cave but the sign told me it was 9 km away and I was not walking that far in some strange place. But I found out there was a bus that would take me there for free. However this bus only runs every 2 hrs so I wouldn't have been able to see the castle without missing my bus. So I just went to the castle, took a picture, and got right back on the bus, which then took me to the train station. So I had about 40 mins to my train which quickly turned into 70 mins as the train was late. I don't particularly like the trains in Slovenia...they are old and not well cared for. And the people that work on the trains only speak Slovenian and all the announcements are in Slovenian. So I always felt like I was on the wrong train or like I was going to miss my stop. So that was delightful. I spent the rest of the evening in my hostel.
So my 5 hour trip back to Salzburg was not as bad as expected. I was thrilled to be back on an Austrian train with announcements I could understand.
So once I arrived I found my way to my host's house. Peter-Paul is a wonderful host. I have my own room and he lets me use his wireless and he let me do my laundry. He has also made me dinner twice and he invited me out with his friends twice. He is an excellent cook and makes me wonderful meatless foods. He is also very smart. He knows so many interesting facts about Salzburg and just in general so it is so interesting to talk to him.
So now I am in Salzburg awaiting the arrival of my family. They have been trying to get a flight for 4 days now with no luck. Planes keep being canceled or leaving with no passengers it is sad. They are going to try to catch a 4 am flight tonight, which sucks for them but works well for me as I will be awake by then.
Tomorrow I might go to the lakes nearby or I might go to Mozart's birthhouse cause I haven't done that yet.
Well that's all for now.
All of my pictures are up now.
Sarah
Slovenia is a scary country, never go there alone. It does have some nice buildings, and the cathedral is amazing but it is shady and very much still an Eastern European type country.
So Saturday I went to Postojna. It is also a scary town. I went to see the caves but the website only gave directions to the train station. So I got off the train and was like "now what?" Of course the train station is really old and run down and surrounded by old abandoned factories which of course made me feel so much safer...So I started walking. I found some signs that seemed to point towards the caves and the castle but after about 15 minutes of walking they disappeared. So I went into this hotel where I figured they should at least speak one of the languages I know and asked how to get to the caves. The lady there told me how to get there but told me it would take me 50 minutes to walk. She got her numbers mixed up cause it only took me about 15 minutes. Once there I had to wait 50 minutes for a tour of the caves. It was fun but not anything too special. They had tours in Slovenian, English, German, French, and Italian. I thought about going on the German tour but it was just as crowded as the English tour so I just went on the English tour.
Then I wanted to go to the castle in the cave but the sign told me it was 9 km away and I was not walking that far in some strange place. But I found out there was a bus that would take me there for free. However this bus only runs every 2 hrs so I wouldn't have been able to see the castle without missing my bus. So I just went to the castle, took a picture, and got right back on the bus, which then took me to the train station. So I had about 40 mins to my train which quickly turned into 70 mins as the train was late. I don't particularly like the trains in Slovenia...they are old and not well cared for. And the people that work on the trains only speak Slovenian and all the announcements are in Slovenian. So I always felt like I was on the wrong train or like I was going to miss my stop. So that was delightful. I spent the rest of the evening in my hostel.
So my 5 hour trip back to Salzburg was not as bad as expected. I was thrilled to be back on an Austrian train with announcements I could understand.
So once I arrived I found my way to my host's house. Peter-Paul is a wonderful host. I have my own room and he lets me use his wireless and he let me do my laundry. He has also made me dinner twice and he invited me out with his friends twice. He is an excellent cook and makes me wonderful meatless foods. He is also very smart. He knows so many interesting facts about Salzburg and just in general so it is so interesting to talk to him.
So now I am in Salzburg awaiting the arrival of my family. They have been trying to get a flight for 4 days now with no luck. Planes keep being canceled or leaving with no passengers it is sad. They are going to try to catch a 4 am flight tonight, which sucks for them but works well for me as I will be awake by then.
Tomorrow I might go to the lakes nearby or I might go to Mozart's birthhouse cause I haven't done that yet.
Well that's all for now.
All of my pictures are up now.
Sarah
Friday, August 07, 2009
Country number 5
So I have reached the last stop on my alone journey. I am now in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I am starting to get tired of traveling alone and the loneliness is really starting to hit me. Meeting the locals is fun, but I miss being around the people I really know.
So let's see. Wednesday night I took and overnight train from Zurich to Graz. It was interesting. First they put me in the wrong room (a nicer room than I was supposed to be in) and I didn't know so I went to sleep. Then they came and woke me up and told me I had to move. So I moved to this really uncomfortable bed. My ribs hurt when I woke up. Plus I didn't really sleep all that well anyway...train motion is not great for sleeping.
So I arrived in Graz and spent the day wandering the city. I saw lots of buildings and structures...nothing too exciting. Then I met a bunch of couchsurfers for dinner at a traditional Austrian beer garden. It was fun but I was tired and just wanted to sleep.
So this morning I woke up at 6 and went to the train station. I walked through some shops and just wasted a few hours until my train came. It was scheduled to depart at 10:36 but it didn't actually leave till 11. I got to ride another Harry Potter train. It was just me and and this cute little old lady in my car. She kept talking to me but I was listening to my ipod so I had to ask her to repeat herself a lot. I don't think she realized that I wasn't German/Austria. It was entertaining. Then she got off and I had my own car for the last hour of the trip (3.5 hrs total).
So then I arrived in Ljubljana. I'm not such a big fan of this country. Most people don't speak English or German so I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to communicate. It's also a little shady and just makes me nervous. I think I will remain indoors during the dark hours.
So today I just wandered around the city a bit and went into what may be the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen. It was amazing.
Then I came back to my room and I have been talking to people and researching things since then.
Tomorrow I am going to the caves and the castle in Postojna. It should be fun. Then I am meeting a couchsurfer and we are hanging out. Then I'll be back here to be in contact with my family and see if/when my family is coming.
Well I really must sleep now. I have to get up in like 10 hours and I haven't slept well in a few nights.
Pictures will hopefully be up soon. Comments please!
Sarah
So let's see. Wednesday night I took and overnight train from Zurich to Graz. It was interesting. First they put me in the wrong room (a nicer room than I was supposed to be in) and I didn't know so I went to sleep. Then they came and woke me up and told me I had to move. So I moved to this really uncomfortable bed. My ribs hurt when I woke up. Plus I didn't really sleep all that well anyway...train motion is not great for sleeping.
So I arrived in Graz and spent the day wandering the city. I saw lots of buildings and structures...nothing too exciting. Then I met a bunch of couchsurfers for dinner at a traditional Austrian beer garden. It was fun but I was tired and just wanted to sleep.
So this morning I woke up at 6 and went to the train station. I walked through some shops and just wasted a few hours until my train came. It was scheduled to depart at 10:36 but it didn't actually leave till 11. I got to ride another Harry Potter train. It was just me and and this cute little old lady in my car. She kept talking to me but I was listening to my ipod so I had to ask her to repeat herself a lot. I don't think she realized that I wasn't German/Austria. It was entertaining. Then she got off and I had my own car for the last hour of the trip (3.5 hrs total).
So then I arrived in Ljubljana. I'm not such a big fan of this country. Most people don't speak English or German so I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to communicate. It's also a little shady and just makes me nervous. I think I will remain indoors during the dark hours.
So today I just wandered around the city a bit and went into what may be the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen. It was amazing.
Then I came back to my room and I have been talking to people and researching things since then.
Tomorrow I am going to the caves and the castle in Postojna. It should be fun. Then I am meeting a couchsurfer and we are hanging out. Then I'll be back here to be in contact with my family and see if/when my family is coming.
Well I really must sleep now. I have to get up in like 10 hours and I haven't slept well in a few nights.
Pictures will hopefully be up soon. Comments please!
Sarah
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Switzerland day 3
So I wasn't supposed to post till Friday but since today was so amazing and I have time, I decided I would.
Today I went to Luzern. I was there for about 30 minutes and then I got on a boat. I spent 90 minutes riding around Lake Luzern, which is an amazing, huge lake surrounded by mountains. So after 90 minutes I have to go wait in a long line for about an hour. Then I got on the steepest cogwheel train in the world and traveled up to the top of Mt Pilatus. It was beautful.
When we made it to the top I walked around for about an hour and climbed up to a slightly higher peak. The view was amazing. I could see for miles and I felt so distanced from the earth. The clouds were crazy though. One minute you'd be able to see these amazing mountains and then next all you could see was clouds....there are pictures to demonstrate. It was amazing.
Then I took 2 gondolas down to the bottom and returned to Luzern by bus.
By then it was like after 5 so I decided I should come back to Zug so I could pack and make sure I was ready to catch my train to Zurich.
So it doesn't sound like much cause there was a lot of sitting on boats and train and buses and a lot of waiting in lines. But it was still amazing. Hopefully I will have pictures up soon.
Sarah
Today I went to Luzern. I was there for about 30 minutes and then I got on a boat. I spent 90 minutes riding around Lake Luzern, which is an amazing, huge lake surrounded by mountains. So after 90 minutes I have to go wait in a long line for about an hour. Then I got on the steepest cogwheel train in the world and traveled up to the top of Mt Pilatus. It was beautful.
When we made it to the top I walked around for about an hour and climbed up to a slightly higher peak. The view was amazing. I could see for miles and I felt so distanced from the earth. The clouds were crazy though. One minute you'd be able to see these amazing mountains and then next all you could see was clouds....there are pictures to demonstrate. It was amazing.
Then I took 2 gondolas down to the bottom and returned to Luzern by bus.
By then it was like after 5 so I decided I should come back to Zug so I could pack and make sure I was ready to catch my train to Zurich.
So it doesn't sound like much cause there was a lot of sitting on boats and train and buses and a lot of waiting in lines. But it was still amazing. Hopefully I will have pictures up soon.
Sarah
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Switzerland day 2
So today was kind of a random day. I couldn't decide what I wanted to do but I knew that I didn't want to be on the train for hours. So, that somewhat limited my options. So first I went to the Rhinefalls, that biggest waterfall in Europe. The big-ness is based on volumes of water not like height. It was pretty but there were way too many clueless tourists. They annoy me.
I did however meet these adorable Swiss/German children on the train ride there. They were small and speaking German which I think is so fun.
So I walked down like 100 steps to get to the river and then took a boat across the river and to this little rock island in the middle of the waterfall. It was nice.
The I hopped on a few trains and made my way to St Gallen. I stayed there for all of 30 minutes and then got on a train to this little town, the name of which I cannot remember. So I arrived in this town to go to the Maestrani chocolate factory but when I got there, the bus wasn't running for another 2 hrs. This is not the kind of town you can spend 2 hrs in, so I was not about to wait around for the bus for 2 hrs. However, I was also not going to leave without seeing the chocolate factory. So I walked. It took me about 40 mins and part of the way there was no sidewalk...and it was like the middle of farms. These small towns are fun though cause that is where no one speaks English. So I made it to the factory and walked through it, watching them make the chocolate. Then I visited the factory store and bought some chocolate that I cannot eat anyway. Then I took the bus back to the train station.
I arrived home and went to meet Lindsay and her co-workers at this little bar. We were there for a few hours and then we came home. And now we are at now.
Tomorrow I am going to spend the day in Luzern and maybe walk around Zug a bit. Then I have to go back to Zurich to catch my train to Graz. It's an overnight train. I'll be in Graz all day Thursday and Thursday night and then I am heading to Slovenia. I may not update again until Friday, so I thought I'd give you a rough schedule of events.
More pictures to come.
Sarah
I did however meet these adorable Swiss/German children on the train ride there. They were small and speaking German which I think is so fun.
So I walked down like 100 steps to get to the river and then took a boat across the river and to this little rock island in the middle of the waterfall. It was nice.
The I hopped on a few trains and made my way to St Gallen. I stayed there for all of 30 minutes and then got on a train to this little town, the name of which I cannot remember. So I arrived in this town to go to the Maestrani chocolate factory but when I got there, the bus wasn't running for another 2 hrs. This is not the kind of town you can spend 2 hrs in, so I was not about to wait around for the bus for 2 hrs. However, I was also not going to leave without seeing the chocolate factory. So I walked. It took me about 40 mins and part of the way there was no sidewalk...and it was like the middle of farms. These small towns are fun though cause that is where no one speaks English. So I made it to the factory and walked through it, watching them make the chocolate. Then I visited the factory store and bought some chocolate that I cannot eat anyway. Then I took the bus back to the train station.
I arrived home and went to meet Lindsay and her co-workers at this little bar. We were there for a few hours and then we came home. And now we are at now.
Tomorrow I am going to spend the day in Luzern and maybe walk around Zug a bit. Then I have to go back to Zurich to catch my train to Graz. It's an overnight train. I'll be in Graz all day Thursday and Thursday night and then I am heading to Slovenia. I may not update again until Friday, so I thought I'd give you a rough schedule of events.
More pictures to come.
Sarah
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