Samstag, 3. Oktober 2015
Back in Business
durhamfamily, 21:06h
We are back in business, everybody!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTL5cbMPfyw
I have missed the last two weeks of blog posts due to our Prague vacation. I will try to make up for lost time here today. I will try to cover everything, leaving out as many unimportant details as possible.
Our first stop on the train trip to Prague was Weiden, Germany. Elizabeth graciously spent one day here so that I could participate in a random marathon, called the Freundschaftsmarathon. I wasn't exactly prepared, but I wasn't reckless either. I spent the last 3 months running 30 to 40 miles per week. My goal these next few years will be to participate in several European marathons without getting injured. So far so good.
In a pleasant twist, the Freundschaftsmarathon was primarily a team race. Most people were either in a 4-person relay team or they were part of a bike-run team (where you take turns running and resting on a bike). The distinct disadvantage brought out the more competitive side in me, and it kept me going strong throughout the race.
Huge thanks have to given to Elizabeth. While I was running, she was stuck hauling our luggage all around Weiden, waiting for me to finish. For the rest of our trip, I carried all of the luggage in return, but I don't think that we're even quite yet. I was surprised that no one stopped to offer her help!
We hopped back onto the train and arrived in the Old Town of Prague. Prague is a beautiful place. Too bad it's crammed full of so many people! We enjoyed our visit, but the large crowds really did a number on Elizabeth's anxiety. Look at that leer she's giving me in the Grand Cafe Orient.
We went on a city tour, which lasted 4 hours. We went on a ghost tour, which lasted another 4 hours. We went on a brewery tour, which lasted 6 hours. And of course I had us walking all around the city during our spare time. After 2 or 3 days of that nonsense, we looked as exhausted as this poor, chubby baby:
We took a brief trip to Kutna Hora in the middle of the vacation. It was a nice, relaxing break from all of the tourists. We stayed right down the street from the St Barbara's Cathedral, enjoying the silence. And, also, the skeletons. Good times.
We headed back to Prague after we recovered, this time to the Castle District. If it wasn't for the hilliness, I think this would have been Elizabeth's favorite part of the trip. All of the streets were old cobblestone. The giftshops were fancy, the food was super cheap, and there was plenty to look at. Take the Lennon Wall, for example:
I can't exactly say why it exists. However, it is busting at the seams with artwork, and there is always a person or two in front of it singing our Beatles favorites.
Last but not least was our day-trip to Stuttgart for the Cannstatter Volksfest! We chose to take Germanwings from Prague because it was cheaper and (supposedly) faster. Unfortunately, our first flight was delayed an hour, causing us to miss our second flight. We were pushed to the next available flight, which was 4 hours later than the original. And then, of course, that flight was also delayed an hour. Needless to say, that was a day lost to the airport. At least now we can say that we've eaten airport sushi before!
Our day in Stuttgart was wildly fortuitous. Lydia, from the US, just happened to be in Stuttgart that day. She met up with us in a local dirndl shop, and then took us out for a quick drink. We were lucky to have her around. She even taught us how to properly ride the subway, haha.
Anyway, we got changed and ran out to the fest (which was amazingly close to the hotel). We walked into the first giant beer tent we saw... and walked right back out. At 4:00 pm on a Monday, we weren't expecting much. However, this place was particularly dead.
So we tried another. "Sonja Merz". This one at least had a live band playing. We sat down and ordered our enormous beers. The beers only come in 1-liter glasses, and they aren't exactly are favorite types. After finishing them off, we were still convinced that we could do better. So the search continued.
Our 3rd place was a success. "Göckelesmaier". There were lots of people but still some tables on the edges that were empty, which kept Elizabeth from getting claustrophobic while she warmed up to the big party idea. You can see her here with a look of reserved excitement:
Still not completely satisfied, we made one last attempt at finding the best party. We walked into "Schwabenwelt" and were blown away. The place was packed, and everyone was already standing on their tables and singing along to the band (it's not a party until you're standing on the tables!). Two beers down, we were in the perfect condition to jump right in with the festivities.
Yada yada yada, we got back to the hotel safe and sound, with takeout döner and Thai food in hand.
Elizabeth planned everything in this trip, and it was a total blast. But we have learned that we are not made for these European vacations! They just sooo long. It took all of our willpower to go outside before noon towards the end. Still, I can't wait for the next one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTL5cbMPfyw
I have missed the last two weeks of blog posts due to our Prague vacation. I will try to make up for lost time here today. I will try to cover everything, leaving out as many unimportant details as possible.
Our first stop on the train trip to Prague was Weiden, Germany. Elizabeth graciously spent one day here so that I could participate in a random marathon, called the Freundschaftsmarathon. I wasn't exactly prepared, but I wasn't reckless either. I spent the last 3 months running 30 to 40 miles per week. My goal these next few years will be to participate in several European marathons without getting injured. So far so good.
In a pleasant twist, the Freundschaftsmarathon was primarily a team race. Most people were either in a 4-person relay team or they were part of a bike-run team (where you take turns running and resting on a bike). The distinct disadvantage brought out the more competitive side in me, and it kept me going strong throughout the race.
Huge thanks have to given to Elizabeth. While I was running, she was stuck hauling our luggage all around Weiden, waiting for me to finish. For the rest of our trip, I carried all of the luggage in return, but I don't think that we're even quite yet. I was surprised that no one stopped to offer her help!
We hopped back onto the train and arrived in the Old Town of Prague. Prague is a beautiful place. Too bad it's crammed full of so many people! We enjoyed our visit, but the large crowds really did a number on Elizabeth's anxiety. Look at that leer she's giving me in the Grand Cafe Orient.
We went on a city tour, which lasted 4 hours. We went on a ghost tour, which lasted another 4 hours. We went on a brewery tour, which lasted 6 hours. And of course I had us walking all around the city during our spare time. After 2 or 3 days of that nonsense, we looked as exhausted as this poor, chubby baby:
We took a brief trip to Kutna Hora in the middle of the vacation. It was a nice, relaxing break from all of the tourists. We stayed right down the street from the St Barbara's Cathedral, enjoying the silence. And, also, the skeletons. Good times.
We headed back to Prague after we recovered, this time to the Castle District. If it wasn't for the hilliness, I think this would have been Elizabeth's favorite part of the trip. All of the streets were old cobblestone. The giftshops were fancy, the food was super cheap, and there was plenty to look at. Take the Lennon Wall, for example:
I can't exactly say why it exists. However, it is busting at the seams with artwork, and there is always a person or two in front of it singing our Beatles favorites.
Last but not least was our day-trip to Stuttgart for the Cannstatter Volksfest! We chose to take Germanwings from Prague because it was cheaper and (supposedly) faster. Unfortunately, our first flight was delayed an hour, causing us to miss our second flight. We were pushed to the next available flight, which was 4 hours later than the original. And then, of course, that flight was also delayed an hour. Needless to say, that was a day lost to the airport. At least now we can say that we've eaten airport sushi before!
Our day in Stuttgart was wildly fortuitous. Lydia, from the US, just happened to be in Stuttgart that day. She met up with us in a local dirndl shop, and then took us out for a quick drink. We were lucky to have her around. She even taught us how to properly ride the subway, haha.
Anyway, we got changed and ran out to the fest (which was amazingly close to the hotel). We walked into the first giant beer tent we saw... and walked right back out. At 4:00 pm on a Monday, we weren't expecting much. However, this place was particularly dead.
So we tried another. "Sonja Merz". This one at least had a live band playing. We sat down and ordered our enormous beers. The beers only come in 1-liter glasses, and they aren't exactly are favorite types. After finishing them off, we were still convinced that we could do better. So the search continued.
Our 3rd place was a success. "Göckelesmaier". There were lots of people but still some tables on the edges that were empty, which kept Elizabeth from getting claustrophobic while she warmed up to the big party idea. You can see her here with a look of reserved excitement:
Still not completely satisfied, we made one last attempt at finding the best party. We walked into "Schwabenwelt" and were blown away. The place was packed, and everyone was already standing on their tables and singing along to the band (it's not a party until you're standing on the tables!). Two beers down, we were in the perfect condition to jump right in with the festivities.
Yada yada yada, we got back to the hotel safe and sound, with takeout döner and Thai food in hand.
Elizabeth planned everything in this trip, and it was a total blast. But we have learned that we are not made for these European vacations! They just sooo long. It took all of our willpower to go outside before noon towards the end. Still, I can't wait for the next one.
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