http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Tory-Tompkins/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Tory Tompkins en-us Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:18:58 +0000 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:18:58 +0000 Slovak Starry Nights a weekend in the High Tatras mountainsSo this weekend I went on an impromptu trip with a group of friends to Zdiar Slovakia a lquaint village nestled among the stunning High Tatras mountains near the border of Poland and Slovakia. Three of the seven of us incuding myself decided to leave right after class as opposed to a night train that got there at 6 AM not recommende http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Slovakia/Presov-Region/Poprad/blog-415466.html Heading to Praha eh Tory's Top Ten TipsBelow are my top ten tipsthings to see and do in Prague based on my 6 weeks in and around the city. But even before this top ten the FIRST thing you need to do once you get settled into your hotelhostel is get a good map and study it. Identify the places you want to go and which tramsbusessubways you need to take to get there. Believe me this will sa http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-422343.html Kutna Hora The Bone Church and Silver Mine MemoirsSo the original plan for that particular weekend was to go to Cesky Krumlof but 2 days before I couldnrsquot get a ticket via bus or train there because of the huge yearly festival that was going on in Krumlof so I decided then and there at the train station to change my plans and go to Kutna Hora. All I really knew about it was that there wa http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Central-Bohemian-Region/Kutna-Hora/blog-418521.html Cesky Krumlov fairytales gyspy madness and Hostel 99Just back from Cesky Krumlov the fairytale village of South Bohemia it is called. I love it it had such charm with its cobblestone sidewalks babbling river not as innocently babbling on this trip I'll explain later colorful castle tower and hilly landscape. Though it is the second most visited place in the Czech Republic and has http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/South-Bohemian-Region/Cesky-Krumlov/blog-412930.html The Prague Zoo Skoda tour Laterna Magicka and tram calamitiesSo I'm a bit behind in my blogs here's a summary on what's happened the last week.1 Visited the Prage Zoo which was the most beautiful zoo I've ever scene. With rolling hills and reallife simulations of the animals' natural habitats like the Brazillian jungle and the Africa saranghetti it really was an amazing experience plu http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-410728.html Day 6 Czech out my pot.....No I haven't started smoking marijuana since I've arrived in Europe but it took me forever to find a cooking pot here. Today was pretty quiet still recovering from my illness. Started researching bands for United Islands next week. I'm familiar with absolutely none of them which is kind of exciting everything will be totally knew. I may go back to guitar s http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-408356.html Day 5 Wandering Old Town and CarmenSo I decided to stay in Prague for the weekend to try to get my bearings. Most of the people in my program are traveling this weekend a group in Barcelona some in Vienna Salzburg Poland. I've decided I want to concentrate most of my outside Prague traveling in the Czech Rebublic Poland and maybe Budapest. I'm likely going to Poland two weekends from n http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-408103.html Day 4The Jewish QuarterSo today I went to the Jewish Quarter with a group of people from my program. First we searched for lunch and I do mean searched even with a map Prague is somewhat difficult to navigate on foot and its easy to get disoriented as the streets are normally very curvy I really need to sit down with a map and enjoy some kava mleche coffee with milk in Czech. We finally fou http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-408100.html Day 3 June 9 2009Vysoka Skola economicka and the great guitar questTook the tram by myself to school this morning didn't get lost I've been shockingly not getting lost on the trams thus far quite pleased with myself ha ha. Was the first class today for the class being taught by the Vyosoka skola economicka school of economics professor. The class is called Doing Business in CenterEaste http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-406993.html Day 2The bar downstairsThis will be short. I got pretty sick I think because I havenrsquot slept as there is a bar located right underneath are room that parties and plays loud music until 5 AM morning and Irsquom a really light sleeper. Yes a bar in a dorm. F.Y.I. The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world about 40 L per person a year Had my first day http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-406980.html Day 1 June 7 2009The Rose WomanJetlag. Luggage is safe. Met the most fascinating couple on the plane a writer and a writercartoonist. They were both here for some kind of invitationonly writersrsquo conference that their agent sitting behind us described. The man the cartoonist just finished an animated copy of the Book of Genesis. The woman who was fluent in French and constant http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-406294.html Prearrival June 6 2009Hi my name is Tory and I am a student studying abroad in Prague. I am originally from Houston Texas the city of oil dreams and Enron schemes. Grew up there my whole life. But now I find myself in Prague ldquothe heart of Europe.rdquo I will be here for five weeks exploring meeting new people studying of course and playing music. I plan on keeping a daily b http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Czech-Republic/Prague/blog-406287.html