Berlin, Bye to sis and Barack

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It has been far too long since I have posted, it has been surprisingly difficult to secure solid internet time, and when I have it has been for scrambling to find hostels. Right now I am still in Berlin, My sister left to go back to Colorado two days ago. It was so amazing to have her as a travel buddy, and we had a great time. Her travel style definitely wore me down, who knew standing and looking at artifacts could be so exhausting! But we saw some amazing artifacts, especially at the Pergamon Museum where Laura finally saw the gates of Ishtar, and we saw the famous bust of Nefertiti (at a different museum, forget what it was called). Before Berlin we toured around Dresden which had a beautiful old town skyline and architecture, one part is referred to as "the balcony of Europe" (according to Laura's guide book). Me and Laura both really liked the feel of Dresden, and we met a cool guy at the hostel we were staying at and spent an evening hanging out with him. Getting to Berlin was a bit of a challenge, as we missed a train because the station by our hostel was closed for some reason. So we trammed down to the main station to find an enormous kids festival/concert in full swing outside and inside the station. After navigating through screaming kids and balloons we found a train to Leipzig, were we transferred to Berlin. Upon arriving at the hostel in Berlin we instantly hit it off with our roommates, two from the states and one from the UK. Nice Pizza for dinner (despite Laura and Joe, one of the Americans, ordering peperoni pizza and getting what I would call peproccini peppers, not round sliced meat) and some hilarious conversations put a calming end to a hectic travel day. Two days of sightseeing, learning about the fascinating history of Berlin, WWII, the wall, walking tours and museums and it was time for Laura to leave. I have been pretty much just hanging around Berlin since then, and I bought a small laptop, as well as went and saw Obama speak. Who knew that halfway around the world I would get a first hand slice of the US Presidential race. It was crowded but had a great setting, and I was astounded how many people came out to support a candidate they can't even vote for. Tomorrow my friends Danielle and Shannon, whom I met in Prague and went rafting with, are coming into town tomorrow, so I will spend three more days in Berlin with them, and then head to Amsterdam and Eindhoven to meet up with my good friend Ross. After I plan to meet back with Shannon and head to Spain, finally leaving the Germany area to see more of Europe. Now I go to change my laundry, which was much needed, and get settled in my new hostel, which really means seeing who I can meet and maybe go out with. Cheers!

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Photos

Double cone
A little miss communication with the ice cream vendor and Laura ended up with two cones instead of two scoops. I don't think she was too heartbroken

Balcony of Europe
Me and Laura standing on 'The Balcony of Europe' in Dresden

Me and Dresden
We got to know each other a little

There they are!!
Laura finally seeing the Gates of Ishtar, if you can't tell she was pretty excited. I got in trouble for taking this picture, no photo! no photo!

The wall
I thought the 'madness' graffiti was pretty powerful

Obamabuddies
Some guys I met while we waited f0r the speech. I overheard them say 'man if only we had some cards...' which I did.

Obamamania
He was standing just to the right of the column, but we parked it in front of the screen to try and avoid some of the crowd

Comments

[Marcin]

Be a part
Hello.. I would be a part of your story :):). I didn't mention - that I would be marry Aug 2. CU

[Katie Rowan]

Great Blogs
Hi Grant! Just wanted to drop you a note to say I am enjoying your blogs. It sounds like you are having a great time and meeting a lot of great people. What an adventure!! I'd love to see your pictures of the Disney Castle when you can get them posted. Also, Alison is enchanted by the story of Nefertiti so if you have a picture of her bust, I'm sure Alison would be thrilled. Keep up the blogging when you get a chance for those of us living vicariously through your travels!

[queue_t]

very cool travel blog
I have been going back in search of the photos- today! they are all great, I am enjoying your trip. I work with Katie and I am the castle obsessed one !