Thursday, March 23, 2006

Wien, Vienna


Vienna was also very nice, and also very cold the first couple days. After a four hour train ride from Prague I checked into my hostel and walked through the center of town. It starting getting dark and much colder when I arrived at Stephansplatz (the center of the Altstadt) so I didn't stay long. Here's a few pictures of Stephansdom and Platz:


I stayed at a really cool youth hostel called Wombat's which is considered one of the best in europe and the cleanest. Though it's not quite as fun as the Flying Pig Hostel it's nice and very clean. I met a lot of cool people there. Here's Rico from Argentina, Mina from Düsseldorf, and I. Rico was quite funny because the only german he knew was from Rammstein lyrics. Nevertheless he did try to speak with Mina and I in german... with limited success.

Someone put this funny white hat on me.

Here's the manager (left) and some guy. The Manager was really cool and told me he had studied business in college and hated it so he's now studying philosophy.

The next day I walked through the Hofburg Palace and Josephs Platz. Here's a video and a few pictures:




The next few days I tooke it easy on the walking since my feet were a bit sore. But I did walk some more through the Altstadt and through the Stadtpark. Here's a few more pictures:



So I still have about three weeks free before the next semester begins and I'll probably take one more trip but I'm not sure where. I think a couple of friends of mine are thinking about traveling a little so I'll probably just go wherever they decide.

Bis bald... tscühss!

Praha, Prag, Prague


Well I'm back in Mainz after my trip to Vienna and Prague. When I arrived in Prague it was very cold and the streets were covered with snow and ice. Everyone said it was very unusual for march. As a result I really didn't do much my first day because it was just to hard to get around. But the next day the sun was out and though it was still a bit cold the majority of the snow began to melt so I walked around a bit. I went to the Wenceslas Square and then took the metro to the Staromestske Square where the famous Atronomical clock and town hall are. Here's a few pics:






And here's the Astronomical clock which every hour puts on a "show". People cram into the area in front of the clock every hour to see what this huge clock is going to do. It's not quite as disappointing as KU basketball... but close. I'll post a video soon.


After a few days in Vienna I returned to Prague to catch my flight back to Mainz. Fortunately the weather was much better so I went all the way over to the St Charles Bridge and got some nice pictures around sunset. Here's a few:



Sunday, March 19, 2006

NCAA Tournament

So I thought it was going to be unbearable to not be able to see any of the NCAA tournament but as it turns out I think it was a blessing. BOTH of my teams blew it big time!... but then maybe it's because I'm out of the country that both my teams choked...coincidence?...hmmm...

Anyway, I'm in Vienna right now and it's really great. I'm staying at a really cool hostel and I've met a lot of cool people. I'm heading back to Prague soon to catch my flight back to Mainz. Hopefully it will be warmer in Prague when I go back. It was so cold and snowy last week... very unusual for march. I can't post any pictures yet since they don't have wireless internet here but I will try to soon.

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Videos of Venice

Here's a couple of videos I took in Venice of the Piazza San Marco.
Piazza San Marco:

Attack of the pigeons:

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Parte due de Venezia


Monday was an absolutely gorgeous day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the temp was about 50. After breakfast I headed off into the Carnnaregio district (northern) which is full of markets and shops. Here’s a few pictures from along the way.







I walked down to the Ponte di Rialto and took a water bus down to the western part of the San Marco district and slowly made may way towards the Piazza San Marco passing through the Piazza San Stefano. Here’s a few pictures from there.


Along the way to San Marco:


And here’s the Piazza San Marco once again.


And here’s a few pictures as the sun was setting.


Well tuesday was my last day but my flight wasn’t until 10:00 pm so I had plenty of time to see a little more of Venice. I decided to ride a water bus around Venice and then over to the neighboring island to the south called Lido. Once again the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. I took some nice pictures of Venice along the way. Here’s a few.





And here’s the view of Venice from Lido.


Lido is a long island but it’s not very wide (only about a quarter of a mile) and on the other side is the Adriatic Sea so I decided to walk there and have a look. As you can see I think it was well worth the walk.






I then took a water bus back to the mainland and headed for the southern part of the San Polo district (central), which was one of the few places I hadn’t really seen yet. Here’s a couple pictures from the water bus:



And here’s a few of the San Polo district where I slowly made my way toward the Piazzale Roma where I could catch a bus back to the airport.




I arrived back in Mainz late last night and was completely wiped out. Unfortunately I was greeted by snow and a cold wind chill... a stark contrast after spending a sunny afternoon at the beach. Well I’m very glad I went. Venice certainly is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Venezia è semplicemente bella! In my opinion I’d have to say it’s a tie for me between Prague and Venice for the most beautiful city in Europe (with Brugge a close 2nd). And speaking of Prague I’ll be there on monday. I’ll probably only spend a day or two there (unless the weather is really good) and then I’m hopping a train to Vienna. I’m sure I’ll have lots more pictures then. Arrivederci!