The birthplace to out beloved governor, The Sound of Music, and the highest bad street performer per capita in Europe*, Austria has it all. The spread out city has an incredible historic building at every turn, which I regret not taking a tour since I don't know what any of them are, but they were easy on the eyes. Museums are a dime a dozen as Vienna was the musical capital of the world back in the day.
There was also a two month long free outdoor film festival in front of this amazing catholic church** which was free and had amazing food and beer vendors everywhere. Not a bad way to spend a Monday night.
Highlight of Vienna: biergartens + outdoor film fest + late night cheese filled bratwurst = awesome. Also watched several episodes of How I Met Your Mother until the early hour of the morning, an added plus.
*source: CIA Factbook 2009
**the supposed catholic church could have been a Souplantation
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Czech Me Out
Walking around in Prague was like being in a touristy version of one of the Bourne Identity films. They really should make a Bourne Identity tour, i think its a million kruno idea. Throw in some reenactments of the fighting scenes, I think this idea might have legs.
All of the narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful riverside waterfront sidewalks and Old Town Squares littered with churches, statutes and castles really made Prague the epitome of what a capital in Europe is supposed to encompass.
The one (quite substantial) element missing from Prague was Czech culture and the people. My guidebook says that during the summer months, the tourist to local ratio is approximately 9:1, and I would venture a guess that it might be even higher. The Czech food felt more German or Hungarian instead of anything uniquely local, but I guess that is the way it is when you're a small country sandwiches by two much bigger ones. I will have to say that the beer was great an fairly cheap to boot. It was odd to drink a Budweiser (non-US version) and actually savor the flavor.
Highlight of Prague: Drinking cheap good beer along the Danube river enjoying the scenery
Low point of Prague: Paying 92 krunos ($5 US) to try fried shrimp at a McDonald's then going to the National Museum of the Czech Republic - easily the worst museum I've been to. Ten rooms dedicated to rocks from other countries, most from the US.
All of the narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful riverside waterfront sidewalks and Old Town Squares littered with churches, statutes and castles really made Prague the epitome of what a capital in Europe is supposed to encompass.
The one (quite substantial) element missing from Prague was Czech culture and the people. My guidebook says that during the summer months, the tourist to local ratio is approximately 9:1, and I would venture a guess that it might be even higher. The Czech food felt more German or Hungarian instead of anything uniquely local, but I guess that is the way it is when you're a small country sandwiches by two much bigger ones. I will have to say that the beer was great an fairly cheap to boot. It was odd to drink a Budweiser (non-US version) and actually savor the flavor.
Highlight of Prague: Drinking cheap good beer along the Danube river enjoying the scenery
Low point of Prague: Paying 92 krunos ($5 US) to try fried shrimp at a McDonald's then going to the National Museum of the Czech Republic - easily the worst museum I've been to. Ten rooms dedicated to rocks from other countries, most from the US.
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