One of the highlights of this trip, byyyy faaar!
I arrived the evening of the 15th and got a total buzzkill. I was planning to get there in time to see Municipal Waste, but while setting up my tent, some lady said the place I was pitching at was reserved or something. That means, pack everything up and roll my luggage through MUD. Not easy. I eventually found a spot and took a couple minutes to set my shit up and with my head/stomach ache, I ran to the stage and ran around in a circle for three MW songs. Since it was still early, I hung around for the next band, Bullet. I was hearing them for the first time that night and I enjoyed them for the most part. At this point though, my head was pounding and I was exhausted, so I turned in for the night, almost having to throw up. As I was laying there, I heard people say as they passed by "What the hell fits/sleeps in that size of tent?" and stuff like that. It stormed so bad, that I thought (in my half asleep daze) that someone was physically shaking the tent!
I woke up early to the sound of people getting drunk and ridiculous rain. After my breakfast and grocery store run, I headed to the stages! Between the bands, I found people, swapped drinks, etc. And I made some friends at the end of the night... more like people walked past my tent and took me with them. Works for me! I still had my headache, but people gave me pills and beer for that!
-Manegram - fun, Swedish viking/pagan metal
-Darkest Hour - The hardcore-ish shit I listened to a lot more when I was in high school, but it was still enjoyable
-Everytime I Die - Another high school era band, more or less. Horrible, horrible pit. The kind where hardcore dancers mix with circle pitters in one. Otherwise, it was alright. I kinda lost my liking for them when I got old.
-Alcest - A beautiful, ambient French metal band. I made a new friend during this set! Except due to our small talk and my inability to plan out bands properly, I missed most of Iced Earth.
- Die Apokoliptischen Reiter - Fun as always, but I spent most of my time watching for crowd surfers and staying alive rather than watching them. I noticed two years ago at Wacken that the Deutsch don't mosh too much, unless it's DAR.
-We Butter the Bread With Butter - Death/elecroXcore is the best way I can describe them. Some fun kids songs, so love songs, whatever. I've been waiting to see these guys and I was impressed.
-Subway to Sally - Another band I was seeing for the first time, because my new frands wanted to and because they're popular among Germans apparently. Not too bad..
Next day, I was woken up by drunks and heat. During breakfast (me sitting in my tent alone... eating cereal) my neighbors invited me to be friends with them! We spent our free time drinking and playing drinking games. I taught them Kings Cup, which is weird to play in German. Bands of the day...
-Toxic Holocaust - Thrash metal that gave me a bruised knee. I normally don't listen to them, but I enjoyed myself
-Heidevolk - More viking/folk metal! Great stage energy
-Black Sun Aeon - More ambient metalish musica. I really liked
- Insomnium - I started getting drunk and forgetting things
- Immortal - Awesome, energetic black metal. They were a blast to watch and I personally liked how they sounded live
- Corvus Corax - Celtic bagpipe metal with costumes and everything. Love love loved it
- Menhir - Middle High German pagan metal, singing fairy tales from 1000 years ago!
Next day, woken up by a trumpet... Yes, a trumpet. Bands of the day wereeee:
- Betontod - Pop punk group drinking anthems, similar to Die Toten Hosen. Awesome sauces
- Tanzwut - Same members as Corvus Corax and similar music, but more metal. Also very enjoyable. Also lost my top in a crowd surf. Not sure if anyone saw my ladies.
-Shining - Depressive black metal, which I enjoyed in my very drunk state of mind. This was after many rounds and beers...
- ASP - I started getting drunk and forgetting things again
- Amon Amarth - We all know this viking metal band. I was just sad that no one was running around!
-Mambo Kurt - This man is crazy. King of the Heimorgal (sp?) aka little piano thing. What a way to top off the Breeze.
Leaving was the worst. I always get more attached to the people I meet when I travel than my friends. I suck. I belong at festivals and tents. Now, off to see the fam and swim around in Croatia!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Schwarzwald - Ihre Seele wäscht mich rein
^ Some lyric from Imperium Dekadenz, a fun German black metal band that I had the pleasure of seeing two years ago at Wacken. I spent one night camping in the depths of the Black Forest in Germany. I went for one relatively short evening walk through the... let's call it the ground level since I was sorta tired from the trip and it was close to getting dark and I didn't bring my little flashlight with me. This is ACTUAL woods with the only lights in the camping area. I also got to test out the tent my pal Dustin let me bring! It took only a couple minutes to set up and surivied the little rain that night.
I woke up and had some cereal for breakfast before embarking on the real hike. I didn't bring my phone with, so I had no idea how but it was a few hours in the woods and up some hills and motuntains. Eeep, I wish I had brought my music with.. good walkin times. When I thought I should get going, I headed back down, took down the tent, unmelded myself and took a series of many busses and trains to the highlight of the trip, that is Summer Breeze Open air!
I woke up and had some cereal for breakfast before embarking on the real hike. I didn't bring my phone with, so I had no idea how but it was a few hours in the woods and up some hills and motuntains. Eeep, I wish I had brought my music with.. good walkin times. When I thought I should get going, I headed back down, took down the tent, unmelded myself and took a series of many busses and trains to the highlight of the trip, that is Summer Breeze Open air!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Landshut, Land of 3 Helmets
This trip is not only about sightseeing, but about seeing family I haven't seen in 15-20 years. This time, I saw a cousin who is only three and a half years older than me, so we're both fuzzy on memories of each other.
The town itself is pretty cutesy, your typical little Bavarian old town. This place is known for the 4-day long wedding celebration from the 1400s. etcetc.
My time here was short and sweet. I walked around the town and, as always, climbed a big hill to a castle called Trausnit. Gave me a pretty neat view of the city and such. The next day after a hearty breakfast, it was go time in a deeper nature - Schwartwald
The town itself is pretty cutesy, your typical little Bavarian old town. This place is known for the 4-day long wedding celebration from the 1400s. etcetc.
My time here was short and sweet. I walked around the town and, as always, climbed a big hill to a castle called Trausnit. Gave me a pretty neat view of the city and such. The next day after a hearty breakfast, it was go time in a deeper nature - Schwartwald
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Berlin round II
This time around, a weekend in Berlin defeated me, as it should. The first night was easy going as it was only Thursday and I had my luggage to schlepp around. So a good old time at the Berliner beer garden was in store.
Friday, festivities began. I met up with some of Caitlin's friends at a sweet bar called Cake, which has this shot called "Slutty American". So gut! The bar across the street had a special.. 1€ per tequilla shot for an hour. They did charge extra for the lime, so I chased with some honey found on the table a few times. Then the quest to find Caitlin was...long and adventureous. The place was packed, but we got some free foosball out of it and I tried some sort of shot with vodka, grenadine and TABASCO sauce. Never again. I wanted to vomit. We left that place very late and got a 5AM dinner at a cheap Turkish place, where we called some former IESers and decided we were going to Skype when we returned to the WG. For us Berlin, it was about 7AM, for them about 9PM or so.
The nap lasted a few hours, after which I went to the market for some cereal and milk. I finally got a hold of my host mom, so we went on a few little rides and got caught up on life. She took me to this little garden/restaurant/cafe called Princess something or another. Lots of dogs and alternative people. Just how I like it.
When I returned, I napped for another couple of hours. And following the nap, we went to Alex Platz. I love love looking at the Fernsehturm at night. We eventually went to a gay club called Propoganda, I believe. Good times, lots of dance and some not very dressed mens. After this ordeal, we got back at about 6AM, and I had to wake up at about 830AM. Of COURSE the bus I was looking for two minutes early, right as I was crossing the street with all my shit. So I missed the first train. I eventually did well with trains, until a platform change in Munchen. I did learn that I can sleep on trains if I don' t sleep well for two days. After many hours, I finally arrived to Landshut!
Friday, festivities began. I met up with some of Caitlin's friends at a sweet bar called Cake, which has this shot called "Slutty American". So gut! The bar across the street had a special.. 1€ per tequilla shot for an hour. They did charge extra for the lime, so I chased with some honey found on the table a few times. Then the quest to find Caitlin was...long and adventureous. The place was packed, but we got some free foosball out of it and I tried some sort of shot with vodka, grenadine and TABASCO sauce. Never again. I wanted to vomit. We left that place very late and got a 5AM dinner at a cheap Turkish place, where we called some former IESers and decided we were going to Skype when we returned to the WG. For us Berlin, it was about 7AM, for them about 9PM or so.
The nap lasted a few hours, after which I went to the market for some cereal and milk. I finally got a hold of my host mom, so we went on a few little rides and got caught up on life. She took me to this little garden/restaurant/cafe called Princess something or another. Lots of dogs and alternative people. Just how I like it.
When I returned, I napped for another couple of hours. And following the nap, we went to Alex Platz. I love love looking at the Fernsehturm at night. We eventually went to a gay club called Propoganda, I believe. Good times, lots of dance and some not very dressed mens. After this ordeal, we got back at about 6AM, and I had to wake up at about 830AM. Of COURSE the bus I was looking for two minutes early, right as I was crossing the street with all my shit. So I missed the first train. I eventually did well with trains, until a platform change in Munchen. I did learn that I can sleep on trains if I don' t sleep well for two days. After many hours, I finally arrived to Landshut!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Brussels
This city was not what I was expecting, at all. For one thing, it is way more poor/ghetto than I thought and not very white at all. The old city was like most old Euro cities, but of course the specialty shops focused mostly on beer and chocolate.
Our first stop after settling into the hostel was the Cantillon brewry. This beer was like none other since it's made by spontenious fermentation or something. It's not one bit bubbly or carbonated and almost tasted like wine. Mmmms. After that, we headed to this bar that serves over 100 different beers and I had some sort of Deleruim Tremens. I think the Noctornal one. Again, mm. More walking around the squares, city, etc before heading back to the hostel to meet people at the bar with a decent happy hour downstairs. There, I tried Hoegarten, a pale, hoppy beer. Met Austrians, Norwegians, one American, Canadians, drank a lot and went to bed at an ungodly hour to wake up just in time for a still drunk breakfast... after which, I realized I was still sleepy and napped until the wardens kicked us out for the lock out. More walking, went to a history of Brussels museum, ate a waffel, bought chocolate, saw the little peeing man (Makeen Piss) and went to the hostel for a wee bit. I found a map that included a lot of the less touristy things.
My first stop was to try finding this rock/metal club, but that was a fail. Since it was supposed to be near a canal, I walked along there and saw the outdoor bars, etc. Since Brussels is mostly city stuff, the peeps there made a little farm IN the city. So that was cool and different to see. I eventually made my way back to hostel in order to get a couple hours of rest and sleep before my trip to Berlin the next day.
Our first stop after settling into the hostel was the Cantillon brewry. This beer was like none other since it's made by spontenious fermentation or something. It's not one bit bubbly or carbonated and almost tasted like wine. Mmmms. After that, we headed to this bar that serves over 100 different beers and I had some sort of Deleruim Tremens. I think the Noctornal one. Again, mm. More walking around the squares, city, etc before heading back to the hostel to meet people at the bar with a decent happy hour downstairs. There, I tried Hoegarten, a pale, hoppy beer. Met Austrians, Norwegians, one American, Canadians, drank a lot and went to bed at an ungodly hour to wake up just in time for a still drunk breakfast... after which, I realized I was still sleepy and napped until the wardens kicked us out for the lock out. More walking, went to a history of Brussels museum, ate a waffel, bought chocolate, saw the little peeing man (Makeen Piss) and went to the hostel for a wee bit. I found a map that included a lot of the less touristy things.
My first stop was to try finding this rock/metal club, but that was a fail. Since it was supposed to be near a canal, I walked along there and saw the outdoor bars, etc. Since Brussels is mostly city stuff, the peeps there made a little farm IN the city. So that was cool and different to see. I eventually made my way back to hostel in order to get a couple hours of rest and sleep before my trip to Berlin the next day.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Amsterdam boats
Another ferry ride, this time to Amsterdam! Time to see a family friend again. The night was spent making dinner, doing laundry, reading and relaxing. The next day, we basically walked around, it rained like fucking hell off and on in the morning.
We had to walk about a mile to get to town from my friend's place and once we got to town, we just went into a coffee shop to hide from the rain. Once that died down, we walked the canals and around town (typical day for these tourists!) Then our friend had some Mittagsfrei (when the workers have about two hours off work) and brought us to his friend's boat house. We played dominos and she told us about the Gay Parade that we missed by a couple hours the night before. Big mess was left, but it sounded like a better parade than Minnesota's.
There are many fries stands that offer 20+ toppings/sauces. NEATO! DELICIOUS CALORIES. But fries in Europe (as with all fast food) taste better than in the states.
We went to the Sex Museum I forgot about, to the Torture Museum, a hookah bar, and eventually made our way back to the apartment where I decided to eat fruit and healthy-ish things.
Next day, off to Brussels we go!
We had to walk about a mile to get to town from my friend's place and once we got to town, we just went into a coffee shop to hide from the rain. Once that died down, we walked the canals and around town (typical day for these tourists!) Then our friend had some Mittagsfrei (when the workers have about two hours off work) and brought us to his friend's boat house. We played dominos and she told us about the Gay Parade that we missed by a couple hours the night before. Big mess was left, but it sounded like a better parade than Minnesota's.
There are many fries stands that offer 20+ toppings/sauces. NEATO! DELICIOUS CALORIES. But fries in Europe (as with all fast food) taste better than in the states.
We went to the Sex Museum I forgot about, to the Torture Museum, a hookah bar, and eventually made our way back to the apartment where I decided to eat fruit and healthy-ish things.
Next day, off to Brussels we go!
Copenhagen, Denmark
About time to meet up with Liam, the travel buddy again. Off to the islandish town of Copenhagen we go!! Did you know that they can put TRAINS on FERRY BOATS? My mind was blown. At least I got a nice wiff of frische luft (fresh air) and a nice view on the water. We stayed with a friend of Liam, who I had met once before in Berlin two years ago. We played Risk (my first time and I basically won) and that sorta turned into somewhat heavy drinking. We walked to a couple bars, played some pool and just chilled basically.
The next day was more of a sightseeing day. We started with a nice big Danish family lunch (lots and lots of fish) and then went to the Kronborg castle, on the border of Sweden. I waved to Sweden without going there! The castle itself was decent, it's part of Hamlet's castle or something. There is a god/warrior sleeping in the statue waiting for a war to start. He'll then wake up and fight for the land! Then there was a beach visit and a big Danish dinner. After that, some people came to the apartment, played some cards and went out into the night life. A good night life it was, too. I learned not to use a Danish cash machine whilst intoxicated. The late night lead a morning of sleeping in and an easy going, city walking, little mermaid searching rainy day.
Next up... Amsterdam, brah.
The next day was more of a sightseeing day. We started with a nice big Danish family lunch (lots and lots of fish) and then went to the Kronborg castle, on the border of Sweden. I waved to Sweden without going there! The castle itself was decent, it's part of Hamlet's castle or something. There is a god/warrior sleeping in the statue waiting for a war to start. He'll then wake up and fight for the land! Then there was a beach visit and a big Danish dinner. After that, some people came to the apartment, played some cards and went out into the night life. A good night life it was, too. I learned not to use a Danish cash machine whilst intoxicated. The late night lead a morning of sleeping in and an easy going, city walking, little mermaid searching rainy day.
Next up... Amsterdam, brah.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Arm aber (noch) Sexy - Bierlin
After a year and a half, I return to the place I originally studied abroad. Even as I entered Sudbahnhof (before Hauptbahnhof/Central station) I started getting giddy because I could see the sign for the gym I used to frequent (McFit, reppin'!) next to a big Ikea sign. Just grins all the way to Hauptbahnhof and all the way to Friedrichstrasse, where I met up with Caitlin (lady from program!). After hugs, we went to the hookah bar (Kleopatra) we used to frequent and met up with another program lady. Re-reunions all around.
The next day I took a walk/bahn ride of memories. I started off at Potsdamer Platz and walked a lot. A whole lot. From there, to Unter den Linden, through the Judische Denkmal (Monument for Murdered Jews - still as eerie as the first time I walked through it), and down the line where the wall used to be (obviously not the whole line, that's an entire day of walking!) until I found the other main street again, Friedrichstrasse.You know what intersects that street? Johanesstrasse.. which is where my school is. Unfortunately, the semester ended last week and none of the teachers were around for me to harass besides the administrative staff. Who sort of remembered me. Having short hair did not help them remember me.
After that, I wandered a bit (Wanderlust, Fremdweh) and eventually took the Bahn over to Alexanderplatz to walk around, yet some more. There was some sort of festival going on with people doing stunts and so on so I watched that go on for a bittybit until it was time to go to my old Bezirk/district of Tempelhof. I wandered around the airport with Daryl for a long time (because I forgot how big that place really is) and then walked down to my host mother's old house on Eschwegerig. I see a new family with a baby moved it, so I didn't want to snap a quick photo of it, but damn, did I love my room there.. and of course to the Aldi down the street.
I met up with Caitlin again after that (she has Praktikum 9-5, I am on lockout once I leave the Studentenwohnheim) for her friend's birthday at a jazz club - something I usually don't do, but okay. And I see someone from a different program I was part of 4 years ago in Munchen. Small world, indeed.
Yesterday, I took a another memory lanes walk to Hermannstrasse 18. Unless you were in the IES program, you wouldn't understand why that's important or awesome. Lots memories and parties and forgotten memories and stuff. What an excellent apartment that was. It is being rented out. Darn. Also, I managed to forget how easy it is to get lost due to the streets changing names randomly! But I somehow walked to the Turkischer Markt (one of the top things I did when I lived in Berlin) and bought fruits and fruits and yums before my trip to Sachsenhausen to see one of the biggest former concentration camps. Me being stupid, couldn't FIND the camp at first, even though it's right the train station (down a really narrow road) so I walked to some outskits somewhere.. So my time at the camp was shortened because I didn't know the times the trains left etc, etc. But it's eerie being there - silence, lots of empty space, clouds. Set the mood good. Getting back took a long time, but it was birthday number two time so we did that. Got ID'd for the first time since I got to Europe for buying booze. Neat.
Today I plan on being lazy and doing almost nothing. Peace. Tomorrow, to Copenhagen!
The next day I took a walk/bahn ride of memories. I started off at Potsdamer Platz and walked a lot. A whole lot. From there, to Unter den Linden, through the Judische Denkmal (Monument for Murdered Jews - still as eerie as the first time I walked through it), and down the line where the wall used to be (obviously not the whole line, that's an entire day of walking!) until I found the other main street again, Friedrichstrasse.You know what intersects that street? Johanesstrasse.. which is where my school is. Unfortunately, the semester ended last week and none of the teachers were around for me to harass besides the administrative staff. Who sort of remembered me. Having short hair did not help them remember me.
After that, I wandered a bit (Wanderlust, Fremdweh) and eventually took the Bahn over to Alexanderplatz to walk around, yet some more. There was some sort of festival going on with people doing stunts and so on so I watched that go on for a bittybit until it was time to go to my old Bezirk/district of Tempelhof. I wandered around the airport with Daryl for a long time (because I forgot how big that place really is) and then walked down to my host mother's old house on Eschwegerig. I see a new family with a baby moved it, so I didn't want to snap a quick photo of it, but damn, did I love my room there.. and of course to the Aldi down the street.
I met up with Caitlin again after that (she has Praktikum 9-5, I am on lockout once I leave the Studentenwohnheim) for her friend's birthday at a jazz club - something I usually don't do, but okay. And I see someone from a different program I was part of 4 years ago in Munchen. Small world, indeed.
Yesterday, I took a another memory lanes walk to Hermannstrasse 18. Unless you were in the IES program, you wouldn't understand why that's important or awesome. Lots memories and parties and forgotten memories and stuff. What an excellent apartment that was. It is being rented out. Darn. Also, I managed to forget how easy it is to get lost due to the streets changing names randomly! But I somehow walked to the Turkischer Markt (one of the top things I did when I lived in Berlin) and bought fruits and fruits and yums before my trip to Sachsenhausen to see one of the biggest former concentration camps. Me being stupid, couldn't FIND the camp at first, even though it's right the train station (down a really narrow road) so I walked to some outskits somewhere.. So my time at the camp was shortened because I didn't know the times the trains left etc, etc. But it's eerie being there - silence, lots of empty space, clouds. Set the mood good. Getting back took a long time, but it was birthday number two time so we did that. Got ID'd for the first time since I got to Europe for buying booze. Neat.
Today I plan on being lazy and doing almost nothing. Peace. Tomorrow, to Copenhagen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)