1000 Pad Thai- BKK

Oh Thailand has been a trip so far! We had a red eye flight via Bahrain (where r suitcase were broken into) and landed around 9 am. Without too much trouble we got dropped off by Koh San Rd. which is the 'backpacker' hangout in BKK, found a place and got settled. After a much needed nap, i decided to sample the local fare and have a foot massage, all for like 5 dollars...Big Party for Halloween.

The next morning we took care of our travel arrangements for the Islands and in an effort to see some of the sights, tried to figure out where the f we were...this proved difficult as bangkok street signs are fucked. SOO we grabbed a tuk-tuk, which is directly translated to cheap-cheap and began the tour of many Budda and Tailor shop...taxi amd tuk-tuk drivers like to take you anywhere they feel you should go, or if there will be a coupon for them there. The tuk-tuk took us to this moutain view point which was quite lovely, however on our way down we discovered we had been left. Of course this did not sit well with Sarah Schulberg as she was already terrified of riding in some three wheeled rampshackle car. So the three of us got into a fight. yes. After much debacle we grabbed a taxi to make our way to the weekend market, of course on the way there we stopped at a Gem store, ya know more coupons...The market was awesome and had some really awesome goods and over 6000 stalls. I was really surprised at some of the Thai local fashion designers, i didn't hate it! I discovered banana pancakes and the night ended well!

The next day we packed out purses with the necessary dress for the palace and made our way to THE grand palace. Of course even after making an effort to dress appropriately, we were not allowed in and had to rent beautiful Hawaiian shirts and sarongs. Yes we were THOSE girls.

That night we caught the overnight bus to Koh Samui ( Thai island in the eastern Thai gulf). Thank god for the Thai pharmacy that earlier gave me an unmarked bottle of pills, when i asked for something to help me sleep, it defiantly did its job. the bus sucked, and there were cockroaches in the bathroom. Lets just say I was abit out of my comfort zone...

Prague and KRAKOW!

I left my heart in Krakow. I would live there. The city is beautiful and has an unbelievable amount to offer. Culture, cuisine, music, nightlife, i just loved it. This is the first European city I just really did not want to leave. It came at a perfect time when I was dealing with a blast of homesickness. I have been in Krakow by myself and its been lovely. The hostel in small just around 40 beds, so everyone is uber friendly and we have done everything together. The first night we went out to a few pubs, then i called it an early night. The next morning, my new friends, Kasha, Ursela, and Juliana walked around, took a horse carruage and generally enjoyed life. Then Ursela who is Polish took us to an amazing traditional polish lunch. I had Perogis they were wonderful. However I bypassed the lard that they spread in ample amounts on thier bread...ew. Afer lunch Kasha and I hopped on the bus to Aushwitz/Birkenau. I am glad I went to Dachau in Munich because it really allowed me to not get too overwhelmed by being there. Dachau is much smaller then Auschwitz. Birkenau which was a predominetly an extermination camp was massive and totally sick. There were a few groups of Jewish teenagers there singing, carrying flags and praying. It was wonderful to witness.

Yesterday I had a fabulous day again, Juliana and I went to a local market and bought some traditional polsih goods, like a beautiful hand made box and decorated eggs, this of course was then followed by more polish food, this time Potato Pancakes, delish. We parosed to the castle and frolicked in the dragons den. We dined together at an Italian place and then went to a Vivaldi Orchestra concert, held in St. Peters church. It was beautiful and so nice to spend time with an educated, wordly, co part. Juliana is a native of Brasil, but works as a translator in Dublin. I loved her. We hen met up with all the guys from hostel and went out to a few pubs and danced the night away. I am sad to leave :(

Prague was wonderful we only had a short time there. We have been so lucky with the weather.We found a great american resturant and refueled. Then powered through the city, hiking the castle visiting the markets, drinking starbucks...:)

I am no good!

I am not a good blogger. However I blame this one hundred perecnt on the fact that I have not be stationary long enough to write a reasonable post. This is in part due to that fact that if i did have the time to write I would have to give up a days meal in order to pay for the internet. NOW I am at a bomb hostel that will allow me to feed my internet addiction. So now I will touch on some of the most important events of the last couple of weeks, forgive me in I repeat myself.

I did not do my Scottish visit justice on here. I had the most amazing time at my friend Julies house. We I got there we were celebrating her 21st birthday so her whole family was there. The following comments are totally out of love and admiration but inorder to do give you the most vivid picture i must describe in depth... So while I was having Rosee wine shoved down my throat I was first greeted by her grandma. Who had appointed her son her DD, Next was her auntie. (I am so mad at myself for forgetting names). She was dressed in a seethrough blouse and matching brassiere. Of course she also had teh matching pumps. Her daughter Diane followed. She was wearing nearly the same outfit as her mum. Who wouldnt think that tight white pants and a see through blouse is appropriate for a Sunday Family celebration. Please keep in mind these women were robust. We were then presented with the dinner spread. Pizza, Lasagne, Sausage Rolls, Curry, Knan Bread, Garlic Bread. Is it sick I remember that? So close to nine wine bottles later we then turned on the dessert cocktail foutain. GLORIOUS. Now everyone was getting drunk, which means time for the after supper game. Which is played with giant playing cards. Its basically high or low but you pool money, it is hard to explain the magnificence of this game, just take my word for it its Fabulous. Being a Pellicano I am extremly competitive, and love money so of course I loved this game. I loved it so much Julies mom insisted I take the jumbo cards back to the states with me, so GET READY to play. Her Aunt then slipped me a 20 pound note. At that point of the we were all best friends. I just love scottish hospilality and culture. Her parents were equally as wonderful and is Julie. Love them.

OK. Loved Interlaken, loved Cinque Terre (had the best meal thus far there), Venice was ok. Innsbruck was ok. MUNICH, here we go...

So we arrived mid-day why not go straight to the Beer Garden? We have had wonderful weather this trip. Really lucky. So we headed to Augastina one of the 5 Bavarian Beers. We walked in and were immediatley cat called from these 3 men. One my age, one slightly older, and one REALLY much older. Being the girls that we are look behind us as in a way of saying "who? not us..." and sat down to begin enjoying our beers. We quickly were made aware of the fact that u must eat when u drink that many ounces of beer at once. Thankfully Muncih has soft pretzels the size of my head. Ignoring those men did not last long as they decided to come over to our table. I am telling you the most ecclectic threesome ever. We quickly become aquainted, here is teh run down. Benny, 23, dental student; born and raised in Munich/ Toby,32, sales exec; from somewhere in Bavaria/ Karl 70 ish, retired?, Muncih Local and requenter of teh Hofbrauhouse. Here is the catch. They met the night before at a pub and had yet to go home, it was 1 pm the next day...
We drank and laughed, and made Karl call his wife and tell her where he had been for teh last 24 hrs. ha. Karl then took us to his table at teh Hofbrauhouse, he has is own stein and beer tokens, he is a big deal there. I got way to drunk that night and practically pasted out there. Classy.

My Birthday- Had a great day shopping, going to a movie, and eatting American food. All luxurys at this point. We drank at the local hostels with our friend Mat, then went to thsi club that Benny and Toby suggested the night before. Milch bar was OFF the HOOK. Firstly they rejected a Canadian for wearing Board Shorts, so obviously I fell in love. I love dress codes, though I wish i had a more extensive wardrobe at this point. So let me set teh scence. Tuesday Night, line to get in, full club, men just off work in there suites still, boys actually dancing...with one another. I call this the Euro Bopp. Its awsome. So we danced and danced till 430 am. At this point the Club was still full, remember this was a Tuesday night. Man I love Europe.

So we decided to bypass Salzburg cause we loved having 5 days in Munich to just chill which allowed us to go to Danchau, the science museaum and have a full day of recovery after my b-day.

It is hard to explain exactly what one feels whn they see a concentration camp. Having studied the holocaust pretty extensivly I was very glad i was given the opportunity to go there. I go to Aushwitz very soon. I will write more after that.

Vienna- well, i was feeling like I needed a day outside the city so after our first night Sarah, our new friend Matt and I signed up for a wine biking tour through teh countryside. One of my best days thus far, next to Canyoning in the Alps. ot was a full full day of great wines, schnapps, liquors and more wine. And a meal with three different kinds of meat. As a backpacker meat is a luxury, that is unless it comes in Kebab form... After the wine tour through the breathtaking scenery we went on a pub crawl. It was with 60 people from around teh world and was an amazing night out! When we were at the first bar they had this traditional Austrian drinking game set up. It consists of large blocks of wood and a hammer that has what looks like an ice pik on one end. That is the end you must hit the nail with, last one to get the nail in has to buy a round of shots. epic game, epic night. Not so epic morning...I STRUGGLED getting to the Viennas Boys Choir at 8 am. but amazing, the male soprano oh my god!

So now in Budapest and my hand is cramping all I can say is I loved everything about it here. Most notiable thing, someone shitting in the termal baths while we were there...ha. we are going out tonight so more to come!

Switzerland and Italy

I loved! Switzerland. It was absolutley beautiful, especially since the leaves where just turning and the Alps had just had there first dusting if snow. We were staying at Balmers Herbage which is THE place to be in Interlaken. During summer i am sure that place is off the hook, because even in the "off" season it was packed. The hostel was just like a mini resort Chalet. We met a whole group of great people while we were there. Balmers also seemed to be very popular amoung the Asians. I was not fond of how they cooked feasts and never offered to share and they used all the dishes. Poor hosteling manners.

The first day we got there we met a group of boys from WSU. At first we thought they were cool but, as the evening progressed, as did my level of soberity I realized that in fact they WERE NOT cool. So instead I befriended a cooler group of boys,however Sarah and Sarah were not as lucky. Thus trying to keep up with them at the bar...the next day they were struggling abit. Turns out those guys from WSU puked all over there hostel room. Damn Americans always talking the talk. That day it was raining abit so Sarah Sumpter and I just walked around the main town. The town looks like many of the small ski villages in the US and made me REALLY excited to strap those skis on!

Interlaken in known as a place were adreline is thriving. They offer a numer of extreme sports, but because we were coming later in the season our choices were limited...and it was freezing. BUT dispite the cold we went Canyoning which to those of you who are not familiar with it, its repelling down the canyon walls of the alps, three wet suits deep and submerging yourslef into teh ice cold water, then you follow the river down the moutain and have to get over whatever obstacle is in front of you, aka jumping 40 feet down a water fall ect. Sometimes you had a 1 meter square u had to jump in or u had to jump on your back because of the rocks.I am glad we all did it, even Sarah Schulber who is afriad of heights.

Oh and I had fondue, it was really expensive but OMG it tasted wonderful. Gimmelwald we spent one night, its really far up the moutains and was amazing, more tp follow!

London, Scotland, Paris, Switzerland...OH MY

I dont have much time- so here it does...

Was great catching up with old friends in the UK. Steph and Laura were great we saw Wicked, and did a whole lot of nothing, which I really needed. I washed my clothes which is clearly very exciting. Those few days were great, but I was anxious to get to Scotland. I have fond memories of Scotland and all that the country innuendos.

Rob ( friend from camp hilltop circa 2004) picked me up in Edinburgh. He nearly missed me due to his frantic antics to get to his next Vet course ( that turns out wasnt even his course). He hasnt changed a bit - Londoner stuck in Scotland, loves to be proper, but can be a total arse. I love him. I do not however love his Dalmation. He too loves Rob and whenever he would leave I had to deal with his whimper. Rob and I contemplated love and life, he was afraid he was never going to find someone...he already has, that damn dog. Oh and he shit in teh house twice.

Craig (friend from hilltop circa 2004 and fellow roomate of Robs) is also excatly the same. He stands a mighty 5`4, and thinks he is Justin Timberlake. I love him too. Why cant i live in Scotland? Oh AND he was blaring Defying Gravity (from wicked) multiple times during my visit. Clearly the way to my heart ;) He is traveling starting in Feb. so maybe some of you will be lucky enough to meet this gem of a man. So for two nights the three of us ate, drank and caught up. It had been four years so it felt great to catch up.

So from Edinburgh Rob drove me to Glasgow where I met Natalie Corr (friend from highschool, who is scottish american) we tooled around Glasgow and walked EVERYWHERE. Of course, true to scottish form I was shown all 4 seasons in one day and a nice Glasweigian asked if he could bit Natalies ass. Class pure Class. She lives just outside now in a renovated cottage, so cute! We had a great brunch and then I headed into the city center to meet Julie ( Camp Mataponi circa 2007, 2008)

Jules had all her family over for a Sundaz feast. I LOVE her family and it was such a display of scottish hospitality and their talents in consuming massive amounts of liquor. I am running out of internet time so I will write more about that night later- it def deserves its own post!

So from Glasgow I flew to Paris. I met Sarah and Sarah there and we did a massive walking tour trying to hit all the major sites in our short span of time. It was fashion week in Paris so we managed ti sneak a few peaks her and there. It had been 10 years since I had last been to France. I loved being able to use my limited French and of course the cusine. We had beautiful weather, and the hostel was amazing. Yesterday we arrived in Interlaken after a long train ride. This place is AMAZING. I would love to be here in the winter and ski. We met a great group of guys her and drank local beers last night at a whoppping .65 swiss france a piece. What a steal. We sampled some of the local hotspots and one of my friends had alittle too much fun, thus spending today in her bed :(. We have three more days in Switzerland then off to Northern Italy. Time is flying!

Berlin and Amsterdam

WHOA- fast 5 days! Now that we have officially begun backpacking, times flies...mostly due to the fact that the majority of your time is spent in transit. I really enjoyed Berlin and wish I would have had more time there. We stayed in the most lush hostel. It Felt like the four seasons of the hosteling world, large rooms, feather pillows, swanky reception and cafe. OH MY GOD you should have seen the spread they had as a brunch buffet. My mouth was watering just from looking at it. The best part was that it was only 19 euro a night, oh and the buffet...5...for all you can eat! Oh I was a happy girl. 

We had a very rough night the evening before we got to Berlin- this was in due part to the fact that I got reprimanded for sleeping in the airport. I understand certain places has certain regulations in place, but i still have no idea why I was the one chosen out of the thousands sleeping amongst the stinky floor and uptight chairs to be told of these said regulations. The security man basically told me he would be watching me from cameras to make sure i do not 'make a bed' for myself, whatever that means. Anywho the Sarahs (2 girls that I am with the rest of the trip till Thailand) and I sat in McDonalds all night. I would have rather slept outside. 

We fought back our needs to collapse in bed to join the hostel for a 6 hour walking tour of Berlin. We saw all the main sites and enjoyed the crisp fall air ( it was 35'C in Athens when we left, 15'C in Berlin...)  We had a great dinner of Brats and big soft Pretzels. It was great to have a change of cuisine, I was rather sick of Greek food.

The following day I went and got all my tickets situated (I am coming home 20 days early, too much fun = spending too much money :) Then we went to the topography of terror exhibit that was set up in old Gestapo headquarters. It also happened to be right in the West side of the Berlin wall and the last remaining bits of the wall are right behind the exhibit. It was quite powerful. We also went to the Reichstag- we wanted to go in, but the line was as long as the line for Splash Mountain circa 1995. I left early the next morning for Amsterdam.

I went from the Four Seasons to the most unsanitary place ever. It was disgusting. I procrastinated a bit on reserving my hostel so was left to bare minimums. The location was key so that was ok. One of my roomates was a hippie from Spokane, and was studying in Tel Aviv (sp?). I was in Amsterdam by myself so wanted to acquaint myself with someone quickly. He was great, his entire bed was spread with food. Granola, Raisins, Pita, Peanut Butter, really typical. Oh and he had one pair of underwear for a month...

We went to the Anne Frank house that night. Words really can;t describe the deeply profound effects that that house had over me. I distinctly remember in the 5th grade going to Mrs. Fox's reading closet and selecting the Diary to read. I have been waiting to see that house since then. 

I popped a few sleeping pills to distract my mind from thinking too much about my surroundings and passed out.

The next day it was absolutely gorgeous out! I signed myself up for a bike and boat tour of the city (free Heineken included). That was a great way to see the city. I met some awesome people and really got to enjoy Amsterdam on my last day! Now I am in Staines, England right outside London with my two good girlfriends from Mataponi. Steph hasnt left for Uni yet so we are at her parents house. I AM LOVING IT. Her mom is so nice and is cooking lovely meals and I get to do my laundry and sleep in a real bed. Today we went to Windsor Castle. It was nice, but just nice. Next is London, Edinburgh and Glasgow then on to meet up with the Sarahs in Paris!

Arrival Back in Athens

I fell. In a Metro station that would be equivalent to the subway stop at 42nd street and Times Square. Totally packed. I hopped off the train with my Ruck Sack, Day Pack and purse tightly secured. You see as I was trying to make an effort to fit in I bought a pair of authentic hand made gladiator Greek sandals. They have no friction on the sole which is not a good match for perfect seamed marble floors. I took one step and bam, into the splits- but because I had so much weight on my back, I flew backwards and was upside down like a turtle. Flayling, in a packed subway. Cecelia was too far in front of me to hear me and there I was left to my own devices. No one was helping me. It took ALL my ab strength to pull myself up. Which obviously was a stretch considering my fabulously fit physique. With that embarressment behind me we headed to our hostel.

Today we visted our old school and saw all our old teachers. They are fabulous and made me miss this place. I have no idea why I have such a fondness to it, but I cant help it. I guess its really just the people that makes Athens feel like home to me...even though no one helped me up.