Day 7 & 8

Day 7

Well, we know many of you were wondering when it was going to happen, but today was officially the firstaste of the difficulties of traveling. Not surprising to 2 people who like to take advantage of an opportunity when they see one, we decided to squeeze in Vienna for the day between leaving Prague and heading to Budapest. After a really great weekend in Prague we got up at 5am to take a 5 hour train ride to Vienna. We slept on the train and woke up groggy and very hungry. Firstly, the Vienna train stop was the first weve encountered that you need to take a train to get into the city. We put our bags in a locker and take off into the city. Tim was determined to find a restaurant he read about in the guide books and while yes we did find them, they were either closed or not there. After an hour of walking around in desperate need for food and coffee and trying to avoid over priced touristy restaurants we sit down at an Italian restaurant...then Tim pulls out the guidebook and convinces us to make one last attempt to find a restaurant in the book, which makes it seem only 5 minutes away. So we leave the restaurant, minutes away from ordering a big bowl of homemade pasta and walk not 5 minutes but 20 minutes to finally find the cafe. We sit down and out comes a waiter in a full nice waiters outfit to hand us menus where the cheapest thing listed was coffee for 5 euros. Exhausted, hungry, hot, and frustrated we managed to keep it together and ate at the cafe. But, by the end of the meal, we managed to laugh and realized today was the first real test.

For those who love Vienna or have special ties to Vienna, were sure it's a beautiful city, but based purely on our moods, we decided together that we did not like it there and spent the day counting down the minutes until we could leave that evening. We did, however, find St. Peters church, which is absolutely beautiful and an amazing choir concert was going on.

That evening we made it back to the train station, missed the 6:00 train to Budapest, but met 2 really friendly American backpackers and 2 European girls who we made plans to go out with tomorrow night. Got on the next train, found our hostel (with the help of our new American friends), which at first impression was a little sketchy, but are safe, showered, and happy we passed our first travel test.

Day 8

Realizing we needed to take it slow today and recharge the batteries we grabbed breakfast from the grocery store across the street and then headed towards the Szechenyi Baths. These were about 7 subway stops away located in large city park. These baths are the largest in the world and have every type you can think off large--small, hot, cold, inside and outside. Tim made us go in the sauna 55 degrees celcius then directly into the coldest bath, 18 degrees celsius....that was an experience. For over the next fours hours we hoped in and out of bath but finally settling on a large outdoor pool that was a very comfortable 27 degree Celsius making it even enjoyable in the rain showers of the afternoon. We saw our American friends John and Carly by chance at the baths and planned to meet up with them for dinner. Tim also showed off his otterbox, waterproof case, where he made several new friends, mainly because they thought we were crazy for taking an iphone in the pool. NeverthelessTim was exstatic that we were making new friends and could talk about his iphone at the same time.

We decided to meet John and Carly outside a certain store, but we both went to different ones and thought we both were standng each other up. Finally, we met up with the and since this was Jon's second time to Budapest so he acted as the tour guide. Taking us down to the river front walking for a few hours finally grabbing a few starters and drinks at a cafe. Jon and Carly had made plans with the two local girls they met on the train and we decided to join and headed towards the club. Realizing by 3am that the club was never going to close and Kate was about to fall asleep we left the group and grabbed a cab back to the hostel--well Tim did find a gyro shop before we got in the cab.

 

Day 5 & 6 Photos

Day 5

Day 6

 

Day 5 & 6

Day 5

We got up bright and early for a run around Munich before the city was awake and were able to see the city center completely empty a pretty cool sight. We took a 7:40 train to Prague and experienced the best countryside during the journey. Arriving in Prague train station we walked to our Hostel checked and walked around the city with dinner recommendations. We walked for over two hours through Centeral Square, Old City, New City, The Charles River Bridge, and Jewish section. We ened up eating outside and enjoying a few beers a .5 liter much was only $2! After a long day of travel we were exhausted and quickly feel asleep to prepare another day.

 

Day 6

With no planned acitivties and litte sleep the day before we did not leave the hostel till nearly 11, luckily the late start did not hold us back. We grabbed bagels and coffee and rented bikes. This was clearly Tim's favorite activity as he took the lead draggung Kate behind her as she tried to keep up. We biked down and up it along a river walk way, finally crossing it to ride up the huge hill over looking Prague. We came across a Red Bull sponsored BMX bike competition where Kate convinced Tim to enter...he ended up placing 5th! (just kidding, we just took pictures there).

At the top of the mountain the view was incredible and decided to take the Bishop out to see the sights as well. After a grueling bike ride, we found ourselves in the middle of the largest Mideveal castle in the world. By this time our two hours of rental were nearly up and flew down a hill Lance Armstrong style without the drugs. We then ran back through the city so we could catch a 3 hour free walking tour of the city. Our guide Tijo was from the Netherlands and did a fantisic job really bringing the city alive. At the end of the tour, in a park surrounded by homeless people smoking weedm Tijo gave us a great suggestion for an authentic Czech dinner. The restaurant brews and serves their own beer, which Tim claimed was his best beer ever (and admitted it was kind of a chick beer) there house beer. We also has Budweiser Budvar beer, which surprisingly is not at all related to Budweiser and was delicious as well. That night Kate was tempted to get the "Czech me out!" tshirt, but we settled on some postcards instead and headed back to the hostel.

Photos to come later!

 

 

Day 3 & 4 Photos

Day 3

 

 

 

Day 4

 

 

 

Day 3 & 4

Day 3

We got up and started our day early to catch a train from Wiesbaden to Rudesheimer to take a boat tour on the Rhine river. We were cutting it close to make the train on time and definitely looked like the classic frantic don't know what we're doing tourists. Made it and got on a boat for a 6 hour cruise up and down the Rhine. It rained almost the whole ride, very Cleveland like weather, but it didn't stop Tim from waving to every boat we passed...he even got a few waves back. There were about 11 different towns on the water each with a castle which were all absolutely beautiful. When we returned to Rudesheimer we squeezed in a gondola ride overlooking the Rhine where Tim continued to wave at each gondola we passed, click here for the view from the top of the gondola station. Had a nice relaxing evening back at Billy and Savannah's where we managed to plan our next steps in the trip.

 

Day 4

We packed up our things and hopped on a 12:30 train to Munich both sporting our OWU tshirts. We took a commuter into Frankfurt then transferred to the high-speed ICE train towards Munich. Arriving in Munich we headed to the hostel which was in a Turkish neighborhood of the city. We dropped our packs off and headed towards the center of the city about a mile walk. Tim found his first apple store of the trip which made him very happy. The center of the city had a beautiful center square. Tim took another 360 degree photo click here to view. We walked over to the to the Vikutalienmarkt a shopping market with a open beer garden in the middle for dinner where Kate stepped out of the comfort zone embracing true German culture grabbing a kielbasa then walked around the city for about an hour. Heading to bed early at 22:30 with the sunsetting over Munich.

 

Wifi is not the best pictures will be up later.

 

Day 1 & 2

Day 1


So if you haven't heard by now, yes we are traveling Europe together for the next 5 weeks, or next 38 days. Some of you know the whole story, some of you know parts, and some of you are part of the story. Nevertheless in summary, we both just happened to be two people who enjoy each others company, both wanted to travel Europe, and as of now think we have the funds to do it (if not expect a phone call Mom and Dad).

 

We met in NYC to get in as much America as we could and ate at the Trailer Park lounge to get some quality American grilled cheeses, tots, and beer. Then we headed to the airport to check in where immediately after getting into the check in gate Tim got overwhelmed with all the people...he powered through though like a true traveler. We made our final phone calls, a few tweets, and headed off to Frankfurt. Kate tried to sleep while Tim couldn't stay away from the movies and iPad.

 

Day 2

Landed with no problems and Kate's cousins, Savannah, Billy, and their kids Queintin and Liam picked us up who live on a military base in Wiesbaden. After getting a home cooked meal, shower, and a private tour around Wiesbaden, we realized we might be starting at the top in terms of lodging...so the rest of the trip should be interesting in comparison. Savannah took us to an old church and drove around the city which Tim constantly kept commenting on the efficiency of the Germans and their nice cars. Colin all the cabs are Mercedes, don't worry I took pictures. That night went out to dinner at a Scottish restaurant (Tim got a club sandwich..typical American) but hoping to get some schnitzel later in Germany. It was a fun night and it's been so nice having great people and a great place to stay to start ours journey.