Hamburg, Dresden, Prague

Hamburg was nice enough, though with the saving of money I wasn't upto much other than the usual wandering around. I ventured into the town and watched a bit of the Polizei(sp?) band playing some jumpy numbers before they packed it in when the rain started to sprinkle.

Dresden was beautiful. I enjoyed the Altstadt (old town) side of the bridge more than the Neustadt side, though the new town did have the golden horserider. Bet that's worth a pretty penny. Twas t-shirt-clingingly-hot again.

Following that I was out of Germany and into Prague to give it a proper once over this time, and it didn't disappoint.

Though obviously suffocated with tourists during most of the day, there is too much in Prague to pass on. Yesterday I spent a good 6 hours walking around the Old Town attractions including the Cathedral, the Old Town Hall, the Astronomnical Clock and of course Charles bridge (which was sadly half covered in scaffolding). The main square had a nice array of various food stands, from Jewish cuisine to chicken kebabs on a skewer... and of course pints of draught beer for less than a quid. Didn't take me too long to figure out the currency (1€ = 25Kc), can't wait until the denominations get ridiculous...

I've been gradually getting into meeting people in hostels again, though I was perhaps slightly indifferent at first (the conversations can tend to be a bit samey). Today a very talkative and upbeat chap introduced himself when I was sat alone like a plum, eating breakfast I'd bought, when unknown to me, it was provided free in the hostel. 

Anthony was another Couch Surfer and he spent a good amount of time showing me the ins and outs of the system. All I need to do now is pluck up some courage to give it a try, apparently at least 2 weeks in advance is a good time if you're looking for a couch to sleep on. 

Before rushing off to catch his plane back to London, Anthony showed an interest in meeting me in Turkey inbetween September 20th and October 20th, which would be cool.

After he he disappeared I got myself lost on the way into town. Might have had something to do with getting the tram in the wrong direction! This time amongst the beer drinking I caught the Jubilee Synagogue and Prazsky Hrad (Prague Castle) and more pavement pounding. 

Tomorrow is going to contain at least 15 hours of trains, aswell as a disgusting 840 start from Nadrazi Holesovice train station so I treated myself to a nice meal this evening, totalling about 200Kc / 8€ / £7someting. I had a good old beef goulash with a side of grilled veg and a pint of cold Gambrinus lager.

I've come to understand that its only reading books that keeps me awake on long train journeys. Music, computer and view gazing all do little to prevent the inevitable slip into daydreaming some 20 or 30 minutes after departure. Little bit irritating to be fair.

Anyway I can't believe tomorrow it will be a week already since I left home... time flies. Going to short my clobber out then try and get a good night's sleep.

Just a quick one..

Well...

Since Valencia there was 3 days in Barcelona, 1 night in Baden-Baden, Germany (next to / in the Black Forest). After that it was Berlin for 2 nights, then Warsaw, Poland... then Krakov for 2 nights.

I've discovered that the 3 months I was going to spend in Western Europe, was actually far too much time and that I was eager for some uncharted territory, so begun my meandering to Central Europe.

Baden-Baden was a quaint little town, surround by trees and lots of expensive hotels. It was a Wednesday evening when I arrived, so there was little opportunity / energy to do much.

As I was arriving without prior accommodation plans and the Tourist Information Office was just closed, I headed towards the signs with pictures of beds on them. Eventually it became apparent that I was getting lost, so I asked the first guy to pass for directions.

This turned out to be Euger (Yooger), the old building restorer with the carefully crafted handlebar moustache, that was thick in the middle, and spiralled into thinner extremities at either end. He was really considerate and a great start insofar as my meeting of a German local.

So we went to his car, where he had a map, and he found that the nearest Youth Hostel was at the other end of town, so low and behold he tells me to get in the car and he gives me a lift! Awesome luck! I could tell straight away he wasn't the stabbing / axe-murderer type, just by the way he giggled to himself when he'd say something in English.

So he was nice enough to take me to the hostel, which, even though a Hostelling International Hostel, I was gladly willing to settle for - it was comfortable enough and I'd been travelling all day pretty much. I put my stuff away, attempted a cold-water shave and went off for a couple of beers.

That evening I got to know my sole roomate, Bob, a bit, and the next morning I let him drive me around a bit. We eventually got to a castle on the hill and then he drove me to the train station.

He was the youngest 47 year old I'd ever met, from Colorado. He had been laid off from IBM and was working freelance for computer / administration companies (at least I think he was, may have just forgotten and be making stuff up).

Earlier in the morning he showed me some fascinating, yet incomprehendable pictures of the 3rd fastest computer in the world from his webspace, after I'd booked a hostel bed in Berlin and found out train times. It also turned out he was friends with a few members from some Metal bands I know, which was cool.


I've spent 8hours or so on trains today to get to Prague and just had a nice meal in a little, local place around the corner from my hostel. Unfortunately I'm quite tired now, so going to cut this post a little short, but don't worry! There will be another not too far away!