Belgium Boredom (Brussels & Bruges)

I went to Brussels after Amsterdam hoping for a nice, relaxing chocolate, waffle and beer (or any other Belgium stereotype) experience. However, Brussels did not fulfill my image of Belgium at all. The city was dedicated to the European Union and did not have the character and culture I now expect in European cities. Even the free map created by locals reads, “Brussels is an ugly city that people hate when they first arrive. But year after year, you slowly start to fall in love.” What?!

I took a day trip to Bruges, Belgium while I was staying in Brussels. While I enjoyed Bruges more, the city was too expensive (a margarita pizza cost thirteen euros [my unit of currency has become a margarita pizza]). There was far more character in Bruges, and I would recommend spending an afternoon exploring the city while traveling between Amsterdam and Paris. 

Amsterdam: The City of Love

With the blatant sex stores and marijuana houses, Amsterdam seems like a caricature of an actual city—a show performed every day for the thousands of tourists. The most ironic aspect was the time required to get out of the show…a mere five minute walk in certain directions. The canals that carve through the city provide an elegant accent for an already attractive city. Amsterdam is a city that can appeal to a tremendously diverse group of people: from the sex tourists desiring a quick thrill to the elderly just aiming for a nice, relaxing city to admire over coffee. Amsterdam can provide basically anything you are looking for…assuming you find the correct street of course.

Prague Part 2 (Only Photos)

German Pit Stops (Stuttgart, Munich, Nuremberg, Dresden)

On my way from Riel to Munich, I decided to spend the day touring Stuttgart. I have rarely taken advantage of the free opportunity to visit cities that stand between my destination and my starting point. If you have a global EURail pass, you can board most trains without a reservation (especially in central Europe). I highly recommend leaving your starting point early in the morning, stopping at a city halfway through, then proceeding onward toward your destination. Most train stations have lockers to store your luggage for a few euros. I took my own advice in Stuttgart and was able to see a little of the city, get yelled at by a German environmental activist, and tour the Porsche Museum.

I only spent 24 hours in Munich, but from start to finish, Munich was the most educational, social and fun city on this trip. I took the free tour sponsored by the Wombat’s hostel and it was fantastic. The majority of free walking tours contain a premeditated script and a sales pitch for various products that you do not really want. This one however, from start to finish, was nonstop information, opinions (not all of which I agree with but…no worries) and learnings. 

Instrumental stage for the Nazi party (Munich)

On my way to Dresden, I decided to spend the night in Nuremberg. It is a smaller city, one I was able to see in half a day, and it was inexpensive. Dresden, while larger than Nuremberg, was a similar quick experience (both of these towns were devastated in World War 2). These smaller German towns are really difficult to fully enjoy when you do not speak the language or know anyone that lives in the city. I am sure they are great when you live there and speak the language; however for the passing tourist, a quick stop is all you really need.

View from bedroom in Nuremberg

Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg, Germany

Dresden, Germany

Dresden, Germany

Climbing Mountains in Innsbruck

When I arrived in Innsbruck, the sun had already fallen out of view and darkness concealed the surrounding mountains. I ambled my way from the train station to my hostel; frequently, although unsuccessfully, trying to glimpse the purpose for my revisit to Austria...the Austrian Alps.

That evening, while one of my roommates and I were talking about Oregon, he mentioned his desire to “go to the top” before he left Innsbruck. Being uninformed exactly what that entailed (I had yet to even see a shadow of the mountains), I casually agreed to accompany him on his journey. I awoke the following morning (Sunday), walked down the stairs and out the front door. As my lungs filled with the crisp, cool air, I starred straight at the mountain range I had agreed to climb. Oops! We walked into town, ate breakfast at McDonalds—the only restaurant in Austria open on a Sunday—and started the assent.

Four hours, thousands of steps, and several extra gashes in my shoes later, we were standing at the base of the last gondola looking up at the summit. Ahead of us lay the final hour of the climb—the stretch that was formed by basketball sized, razor sharp rocks that would slice any contacted skin or clothing and come crashing down the mountain if a climber was careless with his/her footing. After a few minutes to recover and mentally prepare ourselves, we headed up.

There is always a decisive point during an ascent where the rewards (views) begin overwhelming the struggles—the climb starts to “make sense.” That point of understanding materialized about halfway up that last gondola ridge. I turned around, looked over the city below, and “it” just made sense. In those moments, the energy boost received is staggering. Especially because you know that from that point forward, with each additional step, the views are only going to get better and better and better.

We reached the summit, greeted by several others in flip-flops, and enjoyed our accomplishment. While the majority of people that were joining us on the summit arrived via a cable car, I believe we were able to enjoy and appreciate the scenery more than the others. Our sweat, hard work and determination had propelled us to the top, not a machine.