Travel Blog Posts
May 6th 2007
I started writing this blog in Prague, but am finishing it weeks later in Stuttgart. So the contents have been edited to fit the time of posting. I arrived in Prague Thursday morning, April 19th (I think), after taking an overnight train from Frankfurt. I’m not totally sure that I arrived that Thursday, but at the time I thought it was a Wednesday and looking back Thursday makes more sense. This time my overnight train experience was much better because most of the time I had the whole cabin to myself and was able to spread across the chairs and put my feet up. Although, I did keep waking up with various limbs asleep because of the contorted positions necessary to get comfortable. I decided to stay at the Boathouse Hostel outside of the city because ... read more
Germany, Mallorca, and one hell of a morning in Barcelona
Published: April 20th 2007Europe » Germany » Hesse » DarmstadtApril 20th 2007
I know it’s been about 2 weeks since my last entry, but unlike my last hiatus this time I was really busy and had limited access to the Internet. Ok enough with the excuses…I have a lot to tell you. The ferry ride to France was interesting. At first I thought “man it will be so cool to spend 20 hours on this massive boat” and I ran around exploring all accessible areas. There were 3 restaurants, a bar, a “casino” (this was just some slot machines and 1 blackjack table), a dance floor, and a stage where a band was preparing for the night. Oh there was also a movie theater, a duty free shop, and some reading rooms looking out over the water. My cabin was a tiny room with no window and bunk ... read more
March 31st 2007
First and foremost, I forgot to mention in my last blog how hard it is to find WiFi in Dublin! The concept of offering free Internet in a cafe to attract customers so they buy your product is a revolutionary idea there and should be exploited by some ambitious entrepreneur. I also forgot to mention how all the complementary breakfasts in hostels are exclusively cereal and toast. After this trip I will refuse to eat toast unless it is with sloppy eggs (the only thing toast is good for is sopping up runny yolks). Hmm, I should open up my own hostel with free wireless and breakfasts with protein. Although I wouldn’t make as much revenue as a hotel, my operation costs would be so low I think the profit margin would be much higher. With ... read more
March 29th 2007
Well, I’m in Dublin, Ireland now and a lot has happened since I last left you. I flew out on Monday from Edin-bra (people keep pronouncing Edinburgh different ways, so I like to switch it up myself) and I had a lay over in London before coming here. When I landed in London I followed the signs to “International Departures”… pretty logical considering the Republic of Ireland is not part of the UK. I get to the first checkpoint and this English man looks at my tickets and says, “Where are you heading?” I respond “Dublin”, and then he looks at me skeptically and says, “Where are you coming from?” I say “Edinburgh (pronouncing the ‘G’ at the end)”. He looks at me and says “Edin-BRE?” and I say “yes, Edin-bur-eh”. Well after he so kindly ... read more
Two play pies anna unya un ah oh???
Published: March 25th 2007Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » West Lothian » LinlithgowMarch 25th 2007
I have never been more disoriented over such a long period of time in my life! When I got to London on the 11th, I set my cell phone 1 hour fast and 1 day early. The first hostel I checked into gave me a coupon for a free beer from 7 - 7:30 at the bar. Well I was finishing up dinner at Leicester Sq and looked at my cell phone to find 19:05 (it only displays military time which adds another dimension to my confusion). I quickly pay, run to the tube, and get off at my stop about 19:15 ACPT (Alex Cell Phone Time). Thinking I’m going to make it, I start briskly walking back to find I’m lost and need to console the map. Finally I get there at 19:32 ACPT panting ... read more
March 23rd 2007
Last night I completely bombed “I Get a Kick Out of You” on Karaoke. It was so bad the audience was in complete dismay over how to react to my performance. Well, at first they all stood there waiting for a sign on how to react, so I told them I knew it was going terribly and tried to make it funny by dancing. Then most of them just sang along with me and laughed, but these 2 guys who were talking to me before my fiasco sat there stunned contemplating how to console me when I return. It was absolutely ridiculous; after the song I apologized for subjecting everyone to it. Everyone in the bar applauded and told me it was awesome (I think they enjoyed the spectacle) except the 2 guys who were sitting ... read more
NYC, London, and Scotland
Published: March 22nd 2007Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Midlothian » EdinburghMarch 22nd 2007
Man, this catching up on my Blog is a lot of work. Instead of writing about what I have done, I want to start writing about what’s happening now. So I’ll sum up quick and get to the good part. On March 10th I went to NYC and stayed with some old college friends (thank you Tricia and Carol!) I saw Spamalot, and did all the typical tourist stuff. Then I went to London, and did some more sightseeing. I also saw Spamalot (yes again because I loved it so much, but Broadway’s version was much better), Wicked, Avenue Q, Cabaret, and Phantom of the Opera. There were some funny songs in Avenue Q, but for the most part it was terrible. I also did not like Cabaret; the London version had a lot of unnecessary ... read more
November 1st 2006
OK, I just posted a blog that I meant to do in OCTOBER, and here I am trying to sum up the last 4 and a half months. I’ll be surprised if I get many readers considering the long hiatus and inconsistent posting. I last left you at the Tiger Temple and Floating Market. The Floating Market was about a 2 hour drive from Bangkok; we met at 8 in the morning to be herd around like cattle. Our driver did not speak English very well, and did not see a reason to let us know what was going on, so we were directed into various vans depending on our trip (not everyone went to the Tiger Temple after the Floating Market). The Floating Market was in a village on a river, and the locals ... read more
Leaches and an Elephant at Khao Yai
Published: October 15th 2006Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Khao Yai NP
October 14th 2006
We just spent the last 3 days at the Khao Yai national rain forest. It is absolutely beautiful and full of wild life. We saw macat monkeys, Spoonbill birds, gibbons, a water monitor, barking deer, geckos, and millions of leaches! Ok, maybe not millions, but I flicked at least 20 off of me before they had a chance to bite. I hate parasites and think someone should study the benefit of wiping out all ticks, leaches, and mosquitoes then compare it to the environmental consequences. Finally someone should do a cost analysis to determine whether the benefits out weigh the negative ramifications. Last night Barbara, Wyatt, and I dropped Mom and Dad off at the hotel and headed up to the forest (Barbara and Wyatt live in a cabin with other researchers). On our way up ... read more
October 13th 2006
I apologize for not keeping on top of my blog, but nothing beats my last entry. I’m back in Bangkok and my parents left Saturday morning. While they were here we saw the worlds largest teak mansion (home of the royal family a couple generations ago). We went on a Dinner Cruise on the river and one night my Dad and I went to Radio City to see a Thai Elvis and Tom Jones. After my parents left Saturday, I checked into one of the sleaziest hotels I’ve ever seen. The lobby looked ok and it was on a main road, but the room was musty with torn carpet, rusty orange patched blankets, and dim lighting. I figured I would find another hotel later and enjoy the day, so I hopped on BTS (the sky train) ... read more
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