Germany and Czech Republic.....AWESOME!!!!

So, I know I have been lagging on my blog, but life as a traveler has been crazy, exciting, and always adventurous. For the past 2 weeks we have really been discovering both the north and the south of Germany, as well as Prague and other regions of the Czech Republic.,....and with all the adventures, I have had little time to blog or email or pretty much do anything but eat, drink, explore and sleep...but it is a great life!!!

AS of about two weeks ago, we left Amsterdam and the beauty of Holland, to venture south to Frankfurt and Geissen, which sits on the western side of Germany. We stayed there with a friend of Jessie's for a few days, and then headed northeast to Braunschweig, which is just east of Hannover....to stay with a good friend of mine, who I grew up with but havent seen since college. Braunschweig was definitely a sanctuary. We spent 4 nights there and ate and drank the local grub and grog everyday. I can officially say that I think I have tried every kind of sausage and German delicasie...including a makority of the German beers...which are delicious. After a great time in Brauschweig, we headed east to Berlin, where we had a bit of a layover in trains...then headed on one of the most beautiful trains rides I have ever been on down to Prague (or Praha). The train ride alone was spectacular. The majority of the time we crusied along this beautiful ride and small little villages all the way down to the Czech Republic...which is like no place I have ever been to. Once we arrived in Prague and got settled in our hotel, we cruised the city, looking for a good buddy of mine who runs the Prague Pub Crawl. Now, if any of you really know me...Im not a big club person...but these clubs in Prague are crazy. We went to the first couple of bars and tried the local beers, then headed to a couple of bigger clubs...that were fun...but at about 2 or 3 am...i was exhausted from traveling all day. We headed home and on the way home got one of the best Gyros I have ever had. It was deeeliiiicccciooous!

For the next few days, we explored every bit of Prague by foot. We visited the city center, walked up to the castle that overlooks the city, ate wodnerful food...including a delicious goolash and local roasted pork plates. Wow...the Czechs love good food. Then...on our last day in Czech...we took a day trip to a small town called Cesky Krumlov...that was absolutely beautiful. The town and the river that runs through town is spectacular...and the castle that over looks the city is unreal...also, they have bears and a waterfall in the mote of the castle....Only in Czech.

The next day we got an early train south, back into Germany, and about 3 pm we arrived in Munich! WOW:....i love this place. We have one more night here and we are going to the Hofbrauhaus again...we visited there on the first night as well as a local brewery...but if you have never been to Munich...then you have never seen a proper beer garden. These places are massive!!! The food is delicious, the beer is even better...esp. b\c all you can order are liters of beer...and these gardens can hold up to 10,000 people, including grandparents, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc....absolutely awesome! oh ya...I also got to surf while I was in Munich. They have this massive English Garden that has a big river running through it and there is a standing wave. There were a handful of people surifng it...so I asked to borrow a board and gave it a go. I ate shit a couple of times...but I did briefly surf it...before slamming my shouldeer into the ground. Oh well...atleast I can now say that I have surfed in Germany.

Today we got up early and took a tour out to Dauchau...the Nazi concentration camp...which was very interesting to see. Not the most upbeat place...but definitely a place worth checking out and to learn about the culture, the propaganda, and the history of Germany. As of tomorrow, we are heading south into Switzerland, where we are staying at some mates houses...then heading to south Swiss, where we are going to celebrate their indepence day...it looks to be a great time!! After that...Jessie is heading south to Italy, and I am going to go explore the Swiss Alps by myself for a few days. Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to climb the Alps....so when in Switzerland. Who knows...maybe ill even climb or visit the Materhorn. Anyways, after Switzerland, I am heading to Italy, where I am meeting Chasa in Venice...and I am absolutely STOKED!!! We are going to spend the last 2 weeks of my trip together, traveling around Italy, including, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terra, and then Rome. I am sooo excited to share this experience with Chasa, and I am very excited of rekindeling a great love in what better place than Italia. ANyways, I hope I will be able to continue to blog throughout my trip...but if not...just know that I am doing wonderful and exploring every bit of this planet that I can. Until next time...wish me luck in the Alps and great adventures through Italy. Much love to all and PROST from Germany!