Wow.
Sorry I didn't do my blog yesterday. I was soooo bloody tired because I got to bed at like 4.30 body clock time. So, yesterday quickly: Woke up, showered, checked out, went to the national History museum which was okay then went to the Airport and flew to Glasgow and here I am. Scotland. Finally. Haha. It was a lovely night last night hanging out with Jilly, Allan and the kids for a while. We had pizza and beer and talked for a while. Then Allan left and then I talked to Jilly for a while longer and had a bath and watched TV. It was wonderful BATH. First one in such a long time.
Yes, that was yesterday. So today is obviously the 19th of May otherwise known as my birthday. I woke up at 11 and then walked around looking for breaky stuff. Jilly was in bed and the kids had gone off to school. I then watched TV for a while and did not alot in the morning. Eventually Jilly came downstairs and we decided to go to a huge shopping center to look for an adapter and stuff that I need for here. An hour and a bit later, we were there walking around and doing stuff. It was cool and HUGEEE. HUGE! So I ended up getting a really cheap phone so I have a brittish one to save me money whilst I am here and yea, thats about it.
When I got back I did all my unpacking making my room, my room which was good. Its nice to have my place. I had tea with Jilly and talked to the kids for a bit as well. After, we had tea and watched TV and I perfected my room. OH! And I also got apresent from the family at home and Jilly and the kids also came in with a surprise cake and card and sang me happy birthday which made me smile and was good to have happy birthday sung to me.
As far as birthdays go, it was incredibly lowkey, but it was nice, easy-going and relaxing- as it should be. Also, my facebook page was SWAMPED with messages. I had over 85 notifications from Birthday messages. It made me happy. Very happy and remembered :D
So here I am, 19 on the 19th of May born in 1991. It doesn't seem right. I still look about 14 damnit.
Oh and I am watching an episode of the Simpsons. My first episode of it since I left Australia. Happy :D
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Part 85: The Grunge
Today is another day which is hard to explain/justify as being as good as it was. I'll do my absolute best, and hope that my seriously awful photography today gives you some idea. Today was a great day for photography but my eye just wasn't on so my photos kinda suck.
I woke up to the sound of snorring this morning and groaned. I hate snorring. I lay awake staring at the top bunk as one guy just snored and snored and then when he stopped, the other guy took over as if they were a tagteam and he started snoring. So annoying. Eventually though time to get up arrived and then, after a shower, I was down stairs waiting for the two brits who I met yesterday, a bit before the time we agreed to meet was. Time flew by and before I knew it I realised they had either slept in, forgotten or never wanted to see me again as I was there on my own a good 20 minutes after they were meant to be there. Oh well.
I got up chucked my stuff in my amazing backpack and set off into the city. I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to do, I was half keen on going to the History Museum for the morning and then taking either a Communist Tour or an Alternative Berlin Tour at 1pm or 2pm respectively. It was about 11.30 so I started off by going to the Reichstag which I saw yesterday but not very well so I went again and walked around the entire thing. Its huge. I was going to line up and go into the dome which is apparently pretty awesome but looking at the line I decided not to and instead sat and stared for a while. 
I then walked around some more making my way to the History Museum getting constantly destracted by souvenir shops. I dont even really like buying souvenirs I just enjoy looking at them- its so stupid. I go into every shop too! They're all exactly the same and sell practically exactly the same stuff but I love it. Stupid. by now, it was nearly 1. I dont really know where time went but it was too late to go to the History Museum so I made my way back to the meeting point for the Communist Tour only to decide I'd prefer to do the Alternative tour. I grabbed some lunch from a cafe and then made my way down to the meeting spot for the Alt. Tour which was a bit away so I arrived there with enough time to find an ATM and then go. The tour group was comprised basically all of Aussies all from Victoria. There was about 4 non-victorians in the entire group who where like Brittish or something. Anyway, the point is I still didn't talk to anyone because all the Aussies decided to group away because they all knew each other from either Aus or their hostel. I'm much too shy. Still, the tour was interesting and it was still cool having the Aussie accent around me and when I did either have to talk to them or asked them something when I missheard, it was good.
So the tour... Its... interesting. It went until 6.10pm so it was a good 4 hours of walking around 
learning about the history of Berlins Grafitti and such. It sounds a bit stupid but it was really amazing and opens your eyes to a whole other world in Berlin that is right in front of you, but if you weren't shown it, you wouldn't even notice. We learnt of some of the well known Graffiti artists in the area, whose real identity is anon. but there art is reknown by the underground of Berlin as being amazing. I really like the work of this guy 'Xooox' (pronounced Zuess) who does stencil work everywhere. Theres also this other artist who does 'Little Lucy's' everywhere who is a kid who has different ways of killing cats, it sounds horrible but its kinda cool.
learning about the history of Berlins Grafitti and such. It sounds a bit stupid but it was really amazing and opens your eyes to a whole other world in Berlin that is right in front of you, but if you weren't shown it, you wouldn't even notice. We learnt of some of the well known Graffiti artists in the area, whose real identity is anon. but there art is reknown by the underground of Berlin as being amazing. I really like the work of this guy 'Xooox' (pronounced Zuess) who does stencil work everywhere. Theres also this other artist who does 'Little Lucy's' everywhere who is a kid who has different ways of killing cats, it sounds horrible but its kinda cool. It was bizarre going through places I'd already seen but suddenly recognizing the work of different artists in the area and trying to find ones looking in places I would never have thought to look before. Twas cool. There is a really well-known guy in who paints the number 6 everywhere. What it really means, dunno, but seriously. There is apparently over 40 thousand 6's painted all over Berlin. Its crazy because you'd never really notice it. So cool. We also made it to the largest remaining 
part of the Berlin wall which has been covered in graffite which is premitted to be there. Some of it is very powerful and others are just cool. The tour is, I think, I must do for young ones touring in Berlin and anyone interested in Art.
part of the Berlin wall which has been covered in graffite which is premitted to be there. Some of it is very powerful and others are just cool. The tour is, I think, I must do for young ones touring in Berlin and anyone interested in Art.After the tour finished my feet where killing me so I just came back to the hostel (after going and actually buying some things I saw this morning and realised I should just get now to get it out of the way and getting some dinner) Its now 9 and I dont really know what I'll do now or tomorrow. Luckily, so far, my flight has NOT been cancelled.
All is well.
Berlin photos are on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=232487&id=667554767&l=162e2e7060
Enjoy!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Part 84: *Mind Explodes*
Good evening one and all,
So I am in a much better mood now then yesterday as today I actually did something!! It was a long day though but totally worth it. People are right- Berlin is an amazing city.
Hm, I woke up this morning to the sound of people moving. Over night my room had completely
filled up and now, we were 8. There were two old people bumping around in their underwear looking for towels and clothes and had no sense of quiet. At all. This was at 8am so I lay in bed only to then realise the guy in the bed perpendicular to mine was listening to really loud music on his iPod and that the other guy on the top bunk above him was snorring. I dislike sharing a room with one person, let alone 7. Anyway, at 9, I got up and had a shower then went downstairs and had some form of breakfast and then by 10.15 I was waiting to start the free walking tour the hostel offers.
10.20...10.25...no one. There were 2 girls also standing around but I was far to shy to talk to them and see if they were doing the tour too so I just rolled my eyes becuase no one rocked up and then decided to go find the tour myself (you see, its
not the hostel who runs it, its just they take you to the meeting point of it). I grabbed a map and then jumped on the trains making it up as I went along. Amazingly, I found it straight away. It began just under the famous gate Brandenburg and there were people with signs, so it wasn't that hard really. I stood in line oly to notice the two girls from before had just arrive, with a guide who must've been running late. This time, I wanted to double check everything so I asked them if I was in the right spot. They ended up helping me and they became my buddies for the day.
So, rather than bore you with the details of ALL of the tour I'll just do a checklist of things I saw in Berlin then go in to details if I have something to add.
Brandenburg Gate
Holocaust Memorial
The Reichstag
Above Hitlers Bunker in which he commited suicide. Theres a carpark there now.
The Nazi Book Burning Memorial
Checkpoint Charlie
Postdamer Platz
SS Headquaters
The Wall
Museum Island which includes the church in the above pic.
I think thats it... I dont remember OH! The same hotel where Micheal Jackson dangled his child.
Really, its hard to explain Berlins sights. Its really remarkable and changes so quickly. I think the Holocaust Memorial was just bizarre. Its just a huge amount of grey blocks which you can get lost in like a maze. Checkpoint Charlie was kinda stupid, I mean, I get what it was for and how important it is but the site now is quite retarded and a bit of an anticlimax. The whole Hitlers suicide place is quite amusing because well, its the ugliest carpark I have ever seen and theres just a sign that shows you where the bunker is. You cant go in there or get close but you can stand on top of it and not even realise it.
The buildings in Berlin are so nice too. So old looking even though they have been destroyed completely. Its mindboggling. Berlin is mindboggling.
I learnt SO much today as well. I mean, I had a brief history on Berlin and Germany in y head but holy shit. Its quite amazing. Its interesting how the Germans decide to remember somethings how they do and forget others completely. Its...amazing. At the end of the tour we heard the full story of why and how the wall got destroyed and that in itself is just such a story. One guys lack of knowledge accidently changed all of Germany completely.
Anyway, after the tour finished I was invited to go to a fleamarket with the 2 girls who I should
mention were named Emma and Lauren and where from London. So we caught a train where we meet Nate, an American who was on the tour with us and wa going to the Fleamarket too. He was really cool and the 4 of us chatted for ages until sadly, he got lost in the fleamarket which was massive and full of people. It was quite phenomenal. The now three of us did find a beach bar and had a beer in the sand then we made our way to the Sony Centre, famous for its modern design and shopping area. There, we watched a play on TV while having another beer from the WORST Australian bar ever. I say worst because of the service, not because of their Australian take-off. That wasn't half bad. Anyway, by this time it was 8 and they had a play to go to so agreeing to meet tomorrow and see what each others plans are, we said fairwell and I was alone again.
I toured the city some more looking into more detail at some of the sites I had previously seen and looking in souvenir shops just to see what I could buy. I'll go back. At 10, I made it back to the hostel, had tea and then came and typed this blog. Good times.
So I am in a much better mood now then yesterday as today I actually did something!! It was a long day though but totally worth it. People are right- Berlin is an amazing city.
Hm, I woke up this morning to the sound of people moving. Over night my room had completely
filled up and now, we were 8. There were two old people bumping around in their underwear looking for towels and clothes and had no sense of quiet. At all. This was at 8am so I lay in bed only to then realise the guy in the bed perpendicular to mine was listening to really loud music on his iPod and that the other guy on the top bunk above him was snorring. I dislike sharing a room with one person, let alone 7. Anyway, at 9, I got up and had a shower then went downstairs and had some form of breakfast and then by 10.15 I was waiting to start the free walking tour the hostel offers.10.20...10.25...no one. There were 2 girls also standing around but I was far to shy to talk to them and see if they were doing the tour too so I just rolled my eyes becuase no one rocked up and then decided to go find the tour myself (you see, its
not the hostel who runs it, its just they take you to the meeting point of it). I grabbed a map and then jumped on the trains making it up as I went along. Amazingly, I found it straight away. It began just under the famous gate Brandenburg and there were people with signs, so it wasn't that hard really. I stood in line oly to notice the two girls from before had just arrive, with a guide who must've been running late. This time, I wanted to double check everything so I asked them if I was in the right spot. They ended up helping me and they became my buddies for the day.So, rather than bore you with the details of ALL of the tour I'll just do a checklist of things I saw in Berlin then go in to details if I have something to add.
Brandenburg Gate
Holocaust Memorial
The Reichstag
Above Hitlers Bunker in which he commited suicide. Theres a carpark there now.
The Nazi Book Burning Memorial
Checkpoint Charlie
Postdamer Platz
SS Headquaters
The Wall
Museum Island which includes the church in the above pic.
I think thats it... I dont remember OH! The same hotel where Micheal Jackson dangled his child.
Really, its hard to explain Berlins sights. Its really remarkable and changes so quickly. I think the Holocaust Memorial was just bizarre. Its just a huge amount of grey blocks which you can get lost in like a maze. Checkpoint Charlie was kinda stupid, I mean, I get what it was for and how important it is but the site now is quite retarded and a bit of an anticlimax. The whole Hitlers suicide place is quite amusing because well, its the ugliest carpark I have ever seen and theres just a sign that shows you where the bunker is. You cant go in there or get close but you can stand on top of it and not even realise it.
The buildings in Berlin are so nice too. So old looking even though they have been destroyed completely. Its mindboggling. Berlin is mindboggling.
I learnt SO much today as well. I mean, I had a brief history on Berlin and Germany in y head but holy shit. Its quite amazing. Its interesting how the Germans decide to remember somethings how they do and forget others completely. Its...amazing. At the end of the tour we heard the full story of why and how the wall got destroyed and that in itself is just such a story. One guys lack of knowledge accidently changed all of Germany completely.
Anyway, after the tour finished I was invited to go to a fleamarket with the 2 girls who I should
mention were named Emma and Lauren and where from London. So we caught a train where we meet Nate, an American who was on the tour with us and wa going to the Fleamarket too. He was really cool and the 4 of us chatted for ages until sadly, he got lost in the fleamarket which was massive and full of people. It was quite phenomenal. The now three of us did find a beach bar and had a beer in the sand then we made our way to the Sony Centre, famous for its modern design and shopping area. There, we watched a play on TV while having another beer from the WORST Australian bar ever. I say worst because of the service, not because of their Australian take-off. That wasn't half bad. Anyway, by this time it was 8 and they had a play to go to so agreeing to meet tomorrow and see what each others plans are, we said fairwell and I was alone again. I toured the city some more looking into more detail at some of the sites I had previously seen and looking in souvenir shops just to see what I could buy. I'll go back. At 10, I made it back to the hostel, had tea and then came and typed this blog. Good times.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Part 83: From Paris to Berlin
In every disco I go in, my heart is pumping for love!
Problem: I am bored on a Saturday night in Berlin THE city where you go out. So really, I cant sing the title reference because I haven't actually been in a disco... Reasons: I am much too shy to go out all alone. I am staying in Generator Hostel which I find out is the PARTY hostel and still I manage not to meet anyone. I am so bad on my own. No seriously! I am in Berlin sitting in the main room surrounded by groups but I dont mind really I can people watch and at least pretend I am cool by grabbing a beer and sitting down looking like I am doing something very important on my laptop. OccasionallyI'll look up and keep typing, because all the cool kids and touch type these days. Then when no one acknowledges me I'll sip my beer raise an eyebrow and some nonsense behaviour to feel included and then look back down. Focused. On my blog. Man. I am so cool, not only do I frost glass I crack it I'm that cool.
So far I have arrived after a 5 hour journey all up to my hostel. I have toured around the area and had some dinne. Thats about it. There is a bar and theres soccer on in the other room. There was a pub crawl that started at 7.45 except I cruised past eyeing it out but everyone was in groups so I was a bit to 'solo' for it so, that was a no-go. I cant wait to start touring tomorrow and being touristy but I am a bit ashamed that my lack of confidence and partytude stops me going out and clubbing in theclubbing capital of the world. Ahhh well.
Bus trip here was wonderful though. It was a double decker and I was on the top floor. Germanys landscape is a bit repetitive but you know, cool.
Yep.
Problem: I am bored on a Saturday night in Berlin THE city where you go out. So really, I cant sing the title reference because I haven't actually been in a disco... Reasons: I am much too shy to go out all alone. I am staying in Generator Hostel which I find out is the PARTY hostel and still I manage not to meet anyone. I am so bad on my own. No seriously! I am in Berlin sitting in the main room surrounded by groups but I dont mind really I can people watch and at least pretend I am cool by grabbing a beer and sitting down looking like I am doing something very important on my laptop. OccasionallyI'll look up and keep typing, because all the cool kids and touch type these days. Then when no one acknowledges me I'll sip my beer raise an eyebrow and some nonsense behaviour to feel included and then look back down. Focused. On my blog. Man. I am so cool, not only do I frost glass I crack it I'm that cool.
So far I have arrived after a 5 hour journey all up to my hostel. I have toured around the area and had some dinne. Thats about it. There is a bar and theres soccer on in the other room. There was a pub crawl that started at 7.45 except I cruised past eyeing it out but everyone was in groups so I was a bit to 'solo' for it so, that was a no-go. I cant wait to start touring tomorrow and being touristy but I am a bit ashamed that my lack of confidence and partytude stops me going out and clubbing in theclubbing capital of the world. Ahhh well.
Bus trip here was wonderful though. It was a double decker and I was on the top floor. Germanys landscape is a bit repetitive but you know, cool.
Yep.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Part 82: Danke, Ellerau
My time in Ellerau has drawn to a close already and tomorrow I head off to Berlin. Unfortunately. I was invited to go out tomorrow night by a bunch of people, figures that happens just as I am leaving, but I'll get to this.
Today was really a good last day in the Hamburg/Ellerau area with the day beginning by Jette and I going into Hamburg to check out the Customs museum I had been meaning to go to. We arrived there and paid the 2Euro fare and then toured around the interactive museum. Most of it was in German which was a shame but there were some English boards here and there and Jette would translate sometimes which was great. We stayed there for just over an hour before making our way into the main city section of Hamburg to go in search for a new backpack for me and some shoes for Jette. It was fun cruising the streets and what was awesome was that finding the perfect backpack was really easy. Its an ugly thing, but man is it practical with a laptop compartment and all. My old one broke so I needed a new one quick smart for my Berlin journey tomorrow!
Eventually Eiva (I think thats right, maybe not, pronounced ee-va) Jettes sister, and Fredericke, Jettes mum met us in town to pay for Jettes shoes and then Jette, Eiva and I toured Hamburg some more and Fredericke wet back home. It was cool touring around with them because between them they knew some things to point out and also this cool non-touristy place to go in Hamburg. Its a really 'posh' area but whats odd is that it doesn't look it. It looks quite the opposite but thats, I think, part of the charm. Its bizarre. We bought some lollies and then looked at the massively grafitted houses etc. for a while before slowly making our ways back home. It was a nice time in Hamburg and we got back around 5ish.
Back home, I went and computered while Jette and Eiva did there own things. Jette had a girls-night out to go to tonight so Eiva invited me to go hang ot with her and her friends for a games night thing that her and her mates were having. I packed all my stuff and by 9.30 we were there. At first I got mixed reactions for being there. My presence meant that they would have to speak a little bit of English here and there and some people where stoked and others well...weren't. I did say that if they didn't want to speak English it was fine but the Eiva sad they had to so eventually everyone, except one girl, spoke English a fair bit which made it great.
We started playing some game where you draw, explain or act out a word to move foward. It was interesting because sometimes it would be English, others German and then when it was my turn the card that I drew was passed around to all my non-team mates to find the perfect translation. A few drinks later we ended up changing the game because two people had to go home making the teams uneven. We then played red-faces which was really good fun and everyone enjoyed the challenge of doing it in English. It was cool and they all were an awesome group of people. There was 12 of us all up and I ended up coming second being 'Pamela Anderson'.
Eventually though, I had to go home, it was 1am and I have to be up and out by 9 tomorrow morning. When I was leaving they were all saying I should go to Kiel tomorrow where Eiva is having a party. It would have been awesome but I have booked everything and I am in Berlin so I cant make it :/ Still! It was good hanging out with them. I think they were all about 22ish except one girl who was my age and she was good to talk too :) Good times.
Now I really should get going to bed as I do have to be up early tomorrow so I will leave you and apologise for the rushedness of this blog!
Night!
p.s. Danke - Thanks. Special 'danke' to the Merkels for hosting me these last 10 days!
Today was really a good last day in the Hamburg/Ellerau area with the day beginning by Jette and I going into Hamburg to check out the Customs museum I had been meaning to go to. We arrived there and paid the 2Euro fare and then toured around the interactive museum. Most of it was in German which was a shame but there were some English boards here and there and Jette would translate sometimes which was great. We stayed there for just over an hour before making our way into the main city section of Hamburg to go in search for a new backpack for me and some shoes for Jette. It was fun cruising the streets and what was awesome was that finding the perfect backpack was really easy. Its an ugly thing, but man is it practical with a laptop compartment and all. My old one broke so I needed a new one quick smart for my Berlin journey tomorrow!
Eventually Eiva (I think thats right, maybe not, pronounced ee-va) Jettes sister, and Fredericke, Jettes mum met us in town to pay for Jettes shoes and then Jette, Eiva and I toured Hamburg some more and Fredericke wet back home. It was cool touring around with them because between them they knew some things to point out and also this cool non-touristy place to go in Hamburg. Its a really 'posh' area but whats odd is that it doesn't look it. It looks quite the opposite but thats, I think, part of the charm. Its bizarre. We bought some lollies and then looked at the massively grafitted houses etc. for a while before slowly making our ways back home. It was a nice time in Hamburg and we got back around 5ish.
Back home, I went and computered while Jette and Eiva did there own things. Jette had a girls-night out to go to tonight so Eiva invited me to go hang ot with her and her friends for a games night thing that her and her mates were having. I packed all my stuff and by 9.30 we were there. At first I got mixed reactions for being there. My presence meant that they would have to speak a little bit of English here and there and some people where stoked and others well...weren't. I did say that if they didn't want to speak English it was fine but the Eiva sad they had to so eventually everyone, except one girl, spoke English a fair bit which made it great.
We started playing some game where you draw, explain or act out a word to move foward. It was interesting because sometimes it would be English, others German and then when it was my turn the card that I drew was passed around to all my non-team mates to find the perfect translation. A few drinks later we ended up changing the game because two people had to go home making the teams uneven. We then played red-faces which was really good fun and everyone enjoyed the challenge of doing it in English. It was cool and they all were an awesome group of people. There was 12 of us all up and I ended up coming second being 'Pamela Anderson'.
Eventually though, I had to go home, it was 1am and I have to be up and out by 9 tomorrow morning. When I was leaving they were all saying I should go to Kiel tomorrow where Eiva is having a party. It would have been awesome but I have booked everything and I am in Berlin so I cant make it :/ Still! It was good hanging out with them. I think they were all about 22ish except one girl who was my age and she was good to talk too :) Good times.
Now I really should get going to bed as I do have to be up early tomorrow so I will leave you and apologise for the rushedness of this blog!
Night!
p.s. Danke - Thanks. Special 'danke' to the Merkels for hosting me these last 10 days!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Part 81: Sixty-Two
Dear All,
I hereby would like to inform you that today I rode 62km on a bike.
Sincerely,
Douglas
Thats right! Me, whose idea of excersize is seeing how many words I can type in a minute or running to the nearest Maccas to get a cheeseburger quicker, rode a total of 62 kilometers by bike. A real bike, no tricks or gimicks, a real cycling bike. Theres not really much of a blog in this but still - 62 bloody kilometers. I am surprised at myself that I made it.
This morning I woke up bright and early (10.30 or something ridiculous like that) and made my way to the shower and then downstairs to find the family all preparing a big breakfast. I offered to help but by the time I was there it was mainly all done anyway (phew!) so I just had to sit down and enjoy. We were having bread rolls with fruit salads and yogurts and lots of stuff - I even ate the fruit salad, and don't tell anyone, but I enjoyed it too. So breakfast was lovely. We were graced by one of Jettes sisters about half way through and I say 'graced' because she made me coffee. I like coffee. We allsat around and they explained to me that today we were going on a little bike tour around town and happy to be active and spend time with Jette and some her family, I smiled and said 'excellent' At this point though, I didn't know what 'a little bike tour around town' really meant...
We left at 1ish after making packed lunches and rode to a trainstation at a nearby town named Alveslohe. On the way was the worst bit of the day- I was riding along sie Jette chatting away when I heard someone yelling in German. I looked up to see that there was a guy coming on a bike towards me so I slowed down so that I could pull in behind Jette so he could pass only to feel a huge WHACK on my arm and then next thing I knew, I crashed into Jettes bike and then flipped over onto the ground cutting my chin. The bastard punched me whilst we were riding, not lightly either, I have a bruise on my arm and he was a LOT bigger than I am. I got up and yelled expletives when Jettes sister rushed after him cutting him off and started asking him 'wtf, dude?' but he explained that I was deliberately ignoring him and trying to get in his way to attack him and so he tried to brush past me and accident;y bumped me. Probably fortunately, I didn't understand that that was what he was saying becuase if I did, I would have argued there and then that that was NOT the case. Only later when I heard this did I reveal the bruise and explained what actually happened. I was so shocked and annoyed and now I have this stupid cut on my chin and some little cuts on my legs and a bloody bruise on my arm. Bastard.
Anyway, thats about it story-wise. We trained from Alveslohe over to another town named Elmshorn and then from there we bike rode West over to Gluckstadt (what a great name!). The ride was sooo painful in my thighs but it was so scenic and very cool to see this side of Germany. There, we quickly had a coffee and lunch and then toured the town before proceeding to go down alongside the river there and then around back up to Elmshorn station. This took ages and was exhausting but again, the views were incredible. I also started to ride with no hands... I still cant do that very well... but I am learning now! Haha.
Eventually we made it back to the train station, rode back and listened to many drunken boys singing and shouting and then made the journey back home. I think all up it took like 6 hours or something and yea, Jettes dads thingo clocked up 62kms. Win. Then I had MSN time while Jette went somewhere then tea then shower then blog. I am tired.
Cool.
I hereby would like to inform you that today I rode 62km on a bike.
Sincerely,
Douglas
Thats right! Me, whose idea of excersize is seeing how many words I can type in a minute or running to the nearest Maccas to get a cheeseburger quicker, rode a total of 62 kilometers by bike. A real bike, no tricks or gimicks, a real cycling bike. Theres not really much of a blog in this but still - 62 bloody kilometers. I am surprised at myself that I made it.
This morning I woke up bright and early (10.30 or something ridiculous like that) and made my way to the shower and then downstairs to find the family all preparing a big breakfast. I offered to help but by the time I was there it was mainly all done anyway (phew!) so I just had to sit down and enjoy. We were having bread rolls with fruit salads and yogurts and lots of stuff - I even ate the fruit salad, and don't tell anyone, but I enjoyed it too. So breakfast was lovely. We were graced by one of Jettes sisters about half way through and I say 'graced' because she made me coffee. I like coffee. We allsat around and they explained to me that today we were going on a little bike tour around town and happy to be active and spend time with Jette and some her family, I smiled and said 'excellent' At this point though, I didn't know what 'a little bike tour around town' really meant...
We left at 1ish after making packed lunches and rode to a trainstation at a nearby town named Alveslohe. On the way was the worst bit of the day- I was riding along sie Jette chatting away when I heard someone yelling in German. I looked up to see that there was a guy coming on a bike towards me so I slowed down so that I could pull in behind Jette so he could pass only to feel a huge WHACK on my arm and then next thing I knew, I crashed into Jettes bike and then flipped over onto the ground cutting my chin. The bastard punched me whilst we were riding, not lightly either, I have a bruise on my arm and he was a LOT bigger than I am. I got up and yelled expletives when Jettes sister rushed after him cutting him off and started asking him 'wtf, dude?' but he explained that I was deliberately ignoring him and trying to get in his way to attack him and so he tried to brush past me and accident;y bumped me. Probably fortunately, I didn't understand that that was what he was saying becuase if I did, I would have argued there and then that that was NOT the case. Only later when I heard this did I reveal the bruise and explained what actually happened. I was so shocked and annoyed and now I have this stupid cut on my chin and some little cuts on my legs and a bloody bruise on my arm. Bastard.
Anyway, thats about it story-wise. We trained from Alveslohe over to another town named Elmshorn and then from there we bike rode West over to Gluckstadt (what a great name!). The ride was sooo painful in my thighs but it was so scenic and very cool to see this side of Germany. There, we quickly had a coffee and lunch and then toured the town before proceeding to go down alongside the river there and then around back up to Elmshorn station. This took ages and was exhausting but again, the views were incredible. I also started to ride with no hands... I still cant do that very well... but I am learning now! Haha.
Eventually we made it back to the train station, rode back and listened to many drunken boys singing and shouting and then made the journey back home. I think all up it took like 6 hours or something and yea, Jettes dads thingo clocked up 62kms. Win. Then I had MSN time while Jette went somewhere then tea then shower then blog. I am tired.
Cool.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Part 80: Hamburg is Illuminated
Guten Tag!
Wow, so I warn you, depending on the stamina of my fingers and brain, this could turn out to be a long blog - we'll see!
So, I got up this morning at 9 and pondered around the house talking to Jettes sister and Dad about our plans for the day. They invited me to go swimming with them, but due to my genuine dislike of water and also the fact that its freezing and it was an out door pool, I politely declined and told them of my plans to check out the Customs Museum in Hamburg. I got dressed and ready to go and then by 11.16 I was on the train riding into Hamburg with book in hand and iPod in ears. Its a good way to travel.
When I arrived, I walked up to the museum which was easy to find because it was close to the Miniatur Wunderlan one I went to yesterday, but just a bit further down the road...well, a lot further. I walked for ages and then eventually found out that it was unreachable at the moment because of construction work in the area. Disappointed, I thought of going home but then realised, my ticket costed 5.40euros and what a waste that would be if I went home now. Also, I hadn't actually toured Hamburg yet, just sorta seen this and that so I thought, why not do it now?
There was a massive black spire sticking out from behind all these buildings a fair hike away that looked interesting so I decided to walk there and go check it out. As I made my way I saw some pretty cool buildings and such and when I arrived at the spire I was impressed at what it actually was. There seemed to be some sort of ruins all around it, I mean not ruins but walls that didnt full join up and had no rooves etc. It turned out I had made it to the St. Nicholas (?) Cathedral. This particular Cathedral had been destroyed many times in its history and then after a huge raid in 1942 or 43, the Cathedral was not rebuilt and all that remained was the spire and some random walls. Its quite beautiful all the same. There are all statues and stuff in memorial for the destruction of Hamburg during the war. It costed me 2Euro, but you can go up the elevator in the spire and get a pretty ace view of Hamburg so I did that. Up there, there was lots of pictures of what Hamburg looked like after the raids and they were laid out so you could see what it looked like then while looking at it now. It was really eerie but very cool. It also had various info on the spire and why it stands etc.
Next, I made my way to the town hall, by accident actually, I was looking for something else, but there was a huuuuuge crowd of people yelling and singing because I am assuming, there was some footy match or something today because they were all dressed in colours and stuff and it was pretty funny to walk around there listening to already drunken men babbling on about whatever in German whilst others shouted out random cheers. I made my way through the crowd to find Saint Petris Church. Saint Petris in just down the road from the town hall and to me, the building itself isn't all that impressive (however, it was originally built in 1342 and then destroyed and then rebuilt so.. you know.. has an excuse) but all the same I thought I should check it out. I went in and explored and saw a counter where you could pay 2euro (everything-2euro!) to go up the spire which is 123m high. I was all, yea cool quick view of the town WRONG. The way to get up the spire is with the 544 stairs. 544! Bah. It had various floors where you could look at different things and it was cool to check out but god it was exhausting, and by the time I was reaching the top, petrifying. The stairs would shake slightly and creek and they were windy and narrow and bleargh. Still it was fun and reaching the top made me feel like I achieved something. Haha. Best. Achievement. Ever. The views up there were through portholes and there was about 2 square meters of floor space which I shared with and elderly couple who were so happy when I offered to to their photos :)
I then went down and had some lunch before making my way to a shopping center and exploring for a while. Then I decided to go find the Planetarium, which is apparently amazing. I caught the trains out of the center of Hamburg and made my way to it. It took ages to find and I got... not lost because I knew where I was but... put off course a few times before an hour and 40 minutes later finding and making my way. In that hour though, I did go through an amazing park thing which was so green and pretty to walk through. I think I walked for like an hour rather than half an hour because of my detour, but it was worth it anyway until I got there. I went in and they were all like.. we dont speak English and I was all like... Pooh you. I could have spent that 1h40 doing things that achieved things but no! I walked here and then you sucked. Still, the building was cool and the walk there really was very nice, so I shouldn't complain. It was good to see the non-city part of Hamburg too. Really see Hamburg for what it is not just as a city...Yeeeah.
So I made my way back to the city part, which was a lot quicker and easier and then checked out Reeperbahn. For those who dont know Reeperbahn is a huge redlight district famous for legalised prostitution and sex shops. Its also the best nightlife area of Hamburg apparently and you can see why, it looked pretty cool but being a solo tourist who looks like a 12 year old school kid, especially with my backpack I didn't hang around long I basically walked from one train stop to the next then left. I am so cool I frost the windows.
So, by this time it was like 6ish and so I made my way back to Ellerau arriving home at 7ish where Jette was sitting around NOT studying. I nearly died from a heart attack! (Not really, I should stop making Jette out to be some snobby person who just studies all the time. Jette really is an awesome host who just has the pressures of school to worry about! I totally get that and so please, if I say something about Jette studying, I dont mean it to be mean about her! She's fantastic and very helpful) Right, so we talked for a while then I booked all my Berlin trip with the help of Jette and her sister who left this morning but before she did, researched and printed a few pages of Berlin info including prices and ways to get there, hostels and things to see and do. I was stunned at the effort she put in, it was SO nice and incredibly useful. Hostel, Bus and Plane trip to Glasgow are all booked and out of the way!
I then had tea and then Jette and I watched this really weird movie called 'Everything is Illuminated' with Elijah Wood. I really recommend it, its bizarre but very interesting and good. I wont babble on about it because it will ruin it if you watch it but yea, good film. I want to see it again just to see what I missed.
Then Jette went to Arvids place, but we made plans for tomorrow and then I came and typed this. I'm going to Facebook the photos now because theres too many important ones to blog them.
Cheerio!
Wow, so I warn you, depending on the stamina of my fingers and brain, this could turn out to be a long blog - we'll see!
So, I got up this morning at 9 and pondered around the house talking to Jettes sister and Dad about our plans for the day. They invited me to go swimming with them, but due to my genuine dislike of water and also the fact that its freezing and it was an out door pool, I politely declined and told them of my plans to check out the Customs Museum in Hamburg. I got dressed and ready to go and then by 11.16 I was on the train riding into Hamburg with book in hand and iPod in ears. Its a good way to travel.
When I arrived, I walked up to the museum which was easy to find because it was close to the Miniatur Wunderlan one I went to yesterday, but just a bit further down the road...well, a lot further. I walked for ages and then eventually found out that it was unreachable at the moment because of construction work in the area. Disappointed, I thought of going home but then realised, my ticket costed 5.40euros and what a waste that would be if I went home now. Also, I hadn't actually toured Hamburg yet, just sorta seen this and that so I thought, why not do it now?
There was a massive black spire sticking out from behind all these buildings a fair hike away that looked interesting so I decided to walk there and go check it out. As I made my way I saw some pretty cool buildings and such and when I arrived at the spire I was impressed at what it actually was. There seemed to be some sort of ruins all around it, I mean not ruins but walls that didnt full join up and had no rooves etc. It turned out I had made it to the St. Nicholas (?) Cathedral. This particular Cathedral had been destroyed many times in its history and then after a huge raid in 1942 or 43, the Cathedral was not rebuilt and all that remained was the spire and some random walls. Its quite beautiful all the same. There are all statues and stuff in memorial for the destruction of Hamburg during the war. It costed me 2Euro, but you can go up the elevator in the spire and get a pretty ace view of Hamburg so I did that. Up there, there was lots of pictures of what Hamburg looked like after the raids and they were laid out so you could see what it looked like then while looking at it now. It was really eerie but very cool. It also had various info on the spire and why it stands etc.
Next, I made my way to the town hall, by accident actually, I was looking for something else, but there was a huuuuuge crowd of people yelling and singing because I am assuming, there was some footy match or something today because they were all dressed in colours and stuff and it was pretty funny to walk around there listening to already drunken men babbling on about whatever in German whilst others shouted out random cheers. I made my way through the crowd to find Saint Petris Church. Saint Petris in just down the road from the town hall and to me, the building itself isn't all that impressive (however, it was originally built in 1342 and then destroyed and then rebuilt so.. you know.. has an excuse) but all the same I thought I should check it out. I went in and explored and saw a counter where you could pay 2euro (everything-2euro!) to go up the spire which is 123m high. I was all, yea cool quick view of the town WRONG. The way to get up the spire is with the 544 stairs. 544! Bah. It had various floors where you could look at different things and it was cool to check out but god it was exhausting, and by the time I was reaching the top, petrifying. The stairs would shake slightly and creek and they were windy and narrow and bleargh. Still it was fun and reaching the top made me feel like I achieved something. Haha. Best. Achievement. Ever. The views up there were through portholes and there was about 2 square meters of floor space which I shared with and elderly couple who were so happy when I offered to to their photos :)
I then went down and had some lunch before making my way to a shopping center and exploring for a while. Then I decided to go find the Planetarium, which is apparently amazing. I caught the trains out of the center of Hamburg and made my way to it. It took ages to find and I got... not lost because I knew where I was but... put off course a few times before an hour and 40 minutes later finding and making my way. In that hour though, I did go through an amazing park thing which was so green and pretty to walk through. I think I walked for like an hour rather than half an hour because of my detour, but it was worth it anyway until I got there. I went in and they were all like.. we dont speak English and I was all like... Pooh you. I could have spent that 1h40 doing things that achieved things but no! I walked here and then you sucked. Still, the building was cool and the walk there really was very nice, so I shouldn't complain. It was good to see the non-city part of Hamburg too. Really see Hamburg for what it is not just as a city...Yeeeah.
So I made my way back to the city part, which was a lot quicker and easier and then checked out Reeperbahn. For those who dont know Reeperbahn is a huge redlight district famous for legalised prostitution and sex shops. Its also the best nightlife area of Hamburg apparently and you can see why, it looked pretty cool but being a solo tourist who looks like a 12 year old school kid, especially with my backpack I didn't hang around long I basically walked from one train stop to the next then left. I am so cool I frost the windows.
So, by this time it was like 6ish and so I made my way back to Ellerau arriving home at 7ish where Jette was sitting around NOT studying. I nearly died from a heart attack! (Not really, I should stop making Jette out to be some snobby person who just studies all the time. Jette really is an awesome host who just has the pressures of school to worry about! I totally get that and so please, if I say something about Jette studying, I dont mean it to be mean about her! She's fantastic and very helpful) Right, so we talked for a while then I booked all my Berlin trip with the help of Jette and her sister who left this morning but before she did, researched and printed a few pages of Berlin info including prices and ways to get there, hostels and things to see and do. I was stunned at the effort she put in, it was SO nice and incredibly useful. Hostel, Bus and Plane trip to Glasgow are all booked and out of the way!
I then had tea and then Jette and I watched this really weird movie called 'Everything is Illuminated' with Elijah Wood. I really recommend it, its bizarre but very interesting and good. I wont babble on about it because it will ruin it if you watch it but yea, good film. I want to see it again just to see what I missed.
Then Jette went to Arvids place, but we made plans for tomorrow and then I came and typed this. I'm going to Facebook the photos now because theres too many important ones to blog them.
Cheerio!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
