Secondi Giorno

We had an early morning today, starting with a visit to the grocery store.  We went to Super Conad to get some beer, some soft drinks, and some fruit.  Then we went to the Ghetto area to try some place to get breakfast, and some caffe. We then went to the Capitoline Museum in the pouring rain, so I couldn't get any good pictures of the Michelangelo statues on the staircase.

While I'm disappointed I never got to see the Caravaggio painting of Saint Jerome, they had a substitute on display.  It's always nice to see Commodus as Hercules, and the gigantic statue of Marcus Aurelius.

There was a special exhibition on Archimedes and Rome.  It had some cool inventions and stuff, but mainly stuff from Syracuse in the 2nd century BC.   Another part that sucked, was the gigantic head of Constantine was under wraps because of renovations to the building. However, I did get to visit the other side of the museum for the first time, and finally got to see the statue of the dying gaul and his 70's mustache.

After that, we chilled at the Roman forum.  We got to see some cool stuff, that our tour guide never showed us before. From the Vestal Virgins temple, to the gigantic Basilica of Maxientius.  We had fun making up history along with the actual historical facts of buildings, some people were actually listening in on our fake history.  Ezio Auditore di Frenze is from a videogame, peeps.

We also went to the Palatine hill for the first time.  It's a nice area, like the Peralta Hills of Ancient Rome.  We got to see things like Augustus's house and stuff.  And got some great views of the entire area. It would've been dope to watch the races at Circus Maximus here.

After that, we were dead tired and needed some lunch. We walked through some park near the Colosseum, and found some decent Roman restaurant.  What's funny was, some guy we randomly saw at a bar at our neighboorhood yesterday, was at the same restaurant.  We then went to the Colosseum quite late in the day, and skipped the line and laughed at the losers without a Roma pass or a reservation.  This time, the Colosseum was hosting an exhibition on Constantine.  So it was pretty neat seeing artifacts from his time, from the 4 tetraarchs to the Edict of Milan.

I got some more great views of the colosseum.  We spent a decent time at the colossseum before heading to the Arch of Constantine across the street.  You can get a pretty great view of the Caesar statues and the copy of the Marcus Aurelius statues.  We then took the subway to the Spanish Steps, and laughed at how lame they are.  It's probably the worst tourist spot in the world, with nothing to do.

So we walked down the street with all the designer stores, before we eventually ended up at the Giolitti, gelato shop, like the most famous one in Rome.  It's overpriced, it's nothing special, and the locals love to cut in line.  We finally made it to the Trevi Fountain, and got to toss our coins in the water there, so I guess its true, if you throw a coin in the fountain, you'll make a return trip to Rome.

 It was dumping by the time we were done there, so we walked to the Pantheon.  We were the only people on the Fountain with the obelisk taking pictures of the Pantheon because everyone was hiding. The Pantheon look pretty cool at this hour, it actually wasn't even that packed.  Got a good look at the Raphael and Vittorio Emananuel II tombs.

We then walked down the street to the Absinthe store, and got the original and oldest absinthe, that's made with the wormwood.

We were going to walk back to our hostel, but someone's big idea was to catch a cab. So we walked half a mile down for no reason to Piazza Venezia, where a giant protest was going on.  So there was zero chance at a cab, and we had to walk ALL the way back to our apartment.  We were dead tired, and our feet were really hurting, so we gave ourselves time to nap before we went to eat.  We we're going to try Dar Poeta, some famous pizza shop in the area, but it was too crowded, so we went to the restaurant right outside our door.  I got a primi, a secondi, an antipasto, and some wine for 13 euros. I guess Trastevere really is the place to eat.  We drunk some absinthe, and walked around drinking some beers in public and fit in with the locals. Trastevere is honestly the best place to stay in Rome, if you're young.  Ciao                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Primo Giorno

So people got pretty smashed for our last night in Munich.  Had a good time at the Hostel bar again, before going to another bar area.  We had to get up pretty early though, to check out, and leave.  Had some food and drink and Yarmas before boarding the Luftansa airport bus.  Made the mistake of getting off at the wrong terminal, and had a far walk to the other terminal.  We checked in a little too early though, because there is nothing to do on that side of the airport.  Except two crap airport stores and a small food stand we were forced to deal with.  This airplane was delayed, because the plane getting to Munich was delayed.  A common recurrence with us already.  We didn't have to go through customs or anything, so we didn't get any Italian stamps in our passports :(   Our driver was waiting for us, and whisked us away to Trastevere.  I don't get how these people drive their big vans like maniacs in very narrow streets, but they do, and boy are they aggressive.  We checked out our new apartment digs, which is a very nice two story flat, with two studio type suites on the upper floor area.  We explored our neighborhood a little bit, and got a panini since we were starving.  Then we were off to walk to St. Peters Square, only to find out the visiting hours were over, since a papal concert was at 8 or something.

We went to a Pizza by the slice place featured on Anthony Bourdain's "The Layover" for dinner, and I had some pizza composed of prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and tomato.

We walked to the Vatican entrance, chilled before it was our reservation.  And then we were off.  It's just amazing how empty it was, when you first get in there. Not hordes of people, lots of comfortable room to see pieces of history.  The Egyptian museum collection it whatever, but the Villa Excacvations at Tivoli, showing Hadrian as a Pharoah/Roman soldier statue's were cool.

We actually stopped in the Belvedere courtyard this time, so I got to see my Laocoon and his Sons sculpture.  It's just astounding seeing all the historical sites and stuff.

Whether its the Belvedere Torso, or the famous Discuss thrower statue.

 But this time we made sure to visit the Raphael Rooms, and boy do they not disappoint.  I thought they we're going to be small or something, but the paintings are ginormous and cover the whole wall.  From the Room of Constantine, to the room featuring the School of Athens, the detailing by Raphael and his assistants is insane.

We blazed through the Borgia apartment, and the Collection of modern art before we could get to the Sistine Chapel.  The first you notice, was how empty the chapel was.  Of course all the seats are taken, but instead of dealing with 200 people on the floor all looking up and bouncing each other, you are on the floor with less than 50 people.  The guards don't have to yell as much, but they like to tell. They also love scolding people for using their cameras.  After this, everyone was really sleepy and we needed a taxi ride back to the apartment.  It's kind of sad that we're essentially staying in the loud and party part of the city, and today is the only day without rain, and that we're all in bed before midnight.  But that's life I guess.

Arriverdeci

Day Zwei

 So after drinking a lot of beers last night, I thought we'd wake up a little hungover, but nahh, we were all good to go.  We started our day by going to Yarma's at the Hauptbahnhoff (Train Station), and getting some drinks and some food at a nearby stand. Props to David, Jeremy, and Julian for having a beer and a brat for breakfast.   Then we got on the tram to Schloss Nymphenburg. We explored the gardens and pretty much walked around the whole backside.
We were lucky to complete this before the rain started.  Then after it started raining, we walked to Hirschgarten.  The biggest beer garden in Munich.  We had some delicious sausages/sauerkraut.

Then after that, we decided we were going to eat lunch at the Viktualienmarkt, but when we got there, it was closed.  The Germans are scared of the rain.    So after that, we decided to go up the tower of St. Peters church, to get the best views of Munich.  

Then it was getting near lunch time, so it was time to go to the Hofbrauhaus.  We sat with these awesome German people, Hans and Marie from Hannover.  Enjoyed our Beer, Bretzns, and Wienerschnitzel with them.

We were pretty drunk then, so we had to drop Jeremy and Julian off at the Hostel to rest and relax.  David and I then went to Theresienwiese, where the Oktoberfest is hailed.  It's pretty massive, and neat to see empty.  We visited the Statue of Bavaria, and walked around the hall of famous Munich's busts.

 After that, it was time go get some dinner.  I wanted to go to Paulaner Keller, since the Brauhaus is closed for renovations, but the tram that takes you there was out of commission, so we had to pass.  We instead went to Loewenbrau. It was pretty cool there, I enjoyed my burger once again.  While everybody else got some sort of sausage sampler dish.  After that, we headed to our hostel for a nightcap, and met up with our friend Hans.  He had to tell us that you drink Jaegermeister after a meal, and not as a shot.  But we enjoyed some radlers, lemonade/vodka, and other drinks with him.   Munich has been really chill, it's just a bust that everything has been closed.  So I can't wait to get to Rome tomorrow.

Auf Wiedersehen.

Day Eins

Day One.  Getting to the airport at LAX was fun.  Everybody in their adidas sweats, and Nike AIr Max 90s, everyone thought we were some sort of team.  Our flight to Vancouver was a little delayed, but everything worked out. Vancouver international airport is a very nice place.  Once we got on our Luftansa flight, it was a good time all around.  Warsteiners, Scotch, Gin, and Wine, and we were GUT.   The old bitch in front of me was annoying though, me and this Canadian dude didn't understand her deal.  Once we landed in Munich though, it was very easy to catch the Luftansa airport bus.  Then we got into Munich, and it was very exciting and refreshed my memory of the city.

Our hostel was dope, very fun, and nice people.

But the weather was rainy when we got in, so we went to the Englischer Garten expecting to have some brews at the beer garden(s) there, but nope, they were all closed.   So we just chilled at the Greek temple monument.

After that, we went to Augustiner Keller, and had the no.1 beer from Germany.

The beer garden was closed, but the restaurant wasn't.  It trips me out how little kids playing their Nintendo DS's are also drinking beers.  I had the Schweinhaxe, David had the Schweinbrauten (Roast Pork), and Jeremy had the Wienerschitnizel (Veal cutlet).  Our waiter from Albania was dope, and enjoyed speaking English with us. After that, we went to Sendlingor Tor to look for the cool bars, but we didn't find any we liked so we went back to our hostel street.  We partied at Wombats CIty hostel, met some very cool Australian people from Canberra.  Had cheap drinks, and then we went to our Hostel bar.  There we had another great time, met some locals.  And had shot after shot with them.  Talked about skateboarding, soccer, and surfing.  Day 1 was good, everyone got drunk and had a real good time.
Tschuss.

3rd Year Going Back.

This will be my third time going to Europe in a row this summer. This is the first time I'll be traveling with friends.  I'll be voyaging to Munich, Rome, Croatia, and back to my old stomping grounds, Florence.  I've been missing a proper lager, seeing a Renaissance master's piece daily, and avid soccer fans.  We're going to be hitting the ground running hard, and seeing all the sights I want to see again, and all the ones I didn't have time for.  Cheers to the crew.

Yo

Since I post blog updates, from day 1 to day 9, I guess you should start with Erste Tag (Day 1), and work backwards to the ninth day.  Other than that, I pretty much posted our itinerary of our Bavarian vacation.  I don't know when I return to Europe, but other cities in Germany such as Cologne, Berlin, etc our higher on my priority, but I would love to return to Munich. Since you can't really get Augustiner beer here, since they really don't export it.  I still also want to go to other places such as Prague, Brussels, and most definitely, a return trip to Rome.  I definitely miss the public transportation of Munich already, and how you pretty much never need to drive in the city itself.  From the trams to the S-bahn, to the U-Bahn, to the bus system, and to using the train to get to other cities.  I don't mind all the walking we did, because it's healthy exercise, and it helps work off what you eat/build an appetite for you.  It's crazy how much people bike in Munich, and I definitely would bike everywhere if I lived there.  Never really did much public drinking in Munich besides at the beer halls/gardens, but you're definitely allowed to do it.  I'm not going to miss the "heavy" German food, and I probably won't eat it again until Oktoberfest here, but it won't be as good. I won't ever get as good Wienerschnitzel, Bratwurst, Schweinshaxe again.  This vacation, and the return to Europe at a cheaper rate, was an awesome vacation. 9 days, almost felt way too short!  But this is more time than most people spend in Munich.  Auf Wiedersehen, until I return on my own dime in the hopefully near future (5-10 years??) Oh yeah, you can click pictures to enlarge them. Encase that wasn't clear. 

Neunte Tag. das Endspiel. The final day of Munich

Today we had the morning to do whatever we wanted, so I only wanted to go take a picture of the gate I didn't get to, the Siegestor gate near the University and the English garden.  It was a pretty packed U-bahn ride to get here, since you take the university stop, so it was filled with college students. Once I got my pictures, there is a nearby statue of King Ludwig the 1st, on the mile long walk from Siegestor gate to Odeonsplatz.

From there, we walked to the Marienplatz, so we could get our final shopping in. Davis at H&M, me at Muenzinger sport.  Davis dropped over 100 euros at H&M on this trip, on some European fashion stuff you can't get in Brea.  After this, we went back to the hotel and checked out.  Our car service Mercedez van was already parked in front, ready to take us back to the airport. Our driver this time, Stephen, was cool, and acted sort of as a guide on the way back. From talking about the speed limit, to different factories in Munich, to different architectural landmarks.  He told us to stop by Airbrau before we left, but it was definitely already on our itinerary.  How many airports have an Audi dealership and a beer garden in their airport?  Well Munich does.  Airbrau is actually one of the cheapest places in our whole trip, but the food and beer was just as good as the other places.  I had to have one helles beer before we left, and some more bratwurst.  After lunch, I then got some last minute shopping in at the Bayern Munich fanshop. 

Then we had to go through security at the terminal. You don't have to take your shoes off, they just scan them.  A much more efficient thing to do.  And they check and wand you, like you're at a concert. Then there is like a whole mall in the airport terminal. We got to cruise through some of it, before we had to go to go upstairs and go through passport checks to leave the country.  The line was pretty long, but moved decently quick enough.  We then had to walk to our gate, but we had to go through ANOTHER security check. This was, was just to make sure you had your ticket and were going to the right terminal. Completely pointless, and frustrating, but whatever.  Then once we got through our gate at the terminal, we got crammed into a bus to get to our plane.  Our bus was too packed, they had to bring a second bus to the plane.  The plane ride back, was easier then the plane right there, even though it takes longer.  Maybe because I was a little tired from the beer at lunch. The same crappy movies I already watched we're on, so I got some shuteye in.  Going over Greenland was cool, because you can see all the glaciers and stuff.  Then I actually slept the whole time we were going over Canada, because it takes forever to get over Canada, and woke up over Montana or something.  They served us our meal at like 1 hour before we landed, so that was weird.  And kind of stupid.  Then once we landed in LA, they had advertisements for Commerce casino in Chinese on the way to the passport check. Really, Commerce Casino?!  Going through passport thing was pretty fast, but they kept some Indian kid there by himself for like 20 minutes, or the whole  time we were in line, sucks to be him. And they denied some dude, probably for not having a Visa?  Anyways, once we got our bags we had to wait in another security line for customs. Once we got to the guy it was fast as hell.  But man, some of those Europeans have crazy amounts of baggage with them.  Like a family of 4, had like 15 things of luggage. Presumably for shopping, since America is cheaper, but Jesus.  Took a while to get our car, but we're home I guess.  :(