Last day in Zurich - Budapest here I come

Grüezi! (pronounced grooetsi, means good day in swiss german)

It's my last night in Zurich and have been having a great time. Alas, it's time for me to move on to another country. Tonight I will have the pleasure of taking an overnight train to Budapest Hungary. All the sleeping compartments were full, so I get a reclining seat airplane style. Woo!

Gonna check at the last minute to see if there were any cancellations in the sleeping compartments... otherwise, I'm gonna be dead tomorrow in Budapest.

BTW, I'll be at the Goat Hostel in Budapest. Currently scheduled to arrive tomorrow and stay for 4 nights. Yes. It's called the goat hostel.

Yesterday's day trip to Gruyeres was amazing. I can't even begin to explain how awe inspiringly beautiful this country is, but there are so many times where I round a corner (be it on foot, or in the train) and gasp at what I see. Whether it's the rolling hills, or the looming alps, the lakes... this is the best country I've been to if you like the outdoors. The day trip wasn't without it's issues as I missed a very tight bus connection in Fribourg to Bulle and screwed up my whole itenerary. Luckilly, when you buy a ticket to a specific destination i atter what means you use to get there, so you can substitute a train for a bus or vice-versa. What this did give me was an hour to explore Fribourg which was an great little city. The town is built into a mountain and is 2-tiered with a large part of the city in a lower valley.



Random fact: you're daily tram/bus pass in Zurich can even get you on the river boats! Now you know.

So, a 2.5 hour journey to Gruyere ended up taking 4 hours, but it was so worth. Gruyere is like something out of a fantasy novel (think Tolkien). Here's a picture (but honestely, it doesn't do it justice)



That's the small town in the upper right.

This is the picturesque, admittedely very touristy, but no less charming, town:



There's a small fairy tale-esque chateau on the far end of the town, worth visiting. And smack dab in the middle the small town in the middle of south-west Switerland, where it has no business being, is the HR Giger Museum!



12 Swiss Francs to get in, and well worth it. Most Giger's key works are housed here, as well as a large section devoted to his designs for the Alien movies (natch!). They were missing a few of the ones that I know (like the one they used for Danzig III), but beggars can't be choosers. Next door to the Museum is the Giger Bar were I enjoyed a fine swiss beer. Very cool place based on his designs. On one wall was a ceramic version of the baby face landscape. I was very happy they didn't have a ceramic version of his "Penis Landscape", which was at the museum BTW, but behind a curtained red-light area for adults only. Very sick man. I loved it! (which I guess makes me a sick man too... oh well)



Had myself a tastii croque monsieur made with Gruyere cheese and bought myself a small bottle of authentic Absynthe from the distillers who claim to have invented it. This is the real stuff, made with wormwood. Absynthe party at my place when I get back. Now I need to lug the bottle for 2 weeks in my backpack.

By the way, I can't explain how nice it was to be in the French speaking area of Switzerland, and to be able to actually converse!

I got back to the hostel at around 9PM, changed, and joined Dave, Anita, Dalia and the rest of Swiss based Huber clan at Huberfest 2007. I got there just in time for desert and the hired band, and had a great time.

Speaking of which, a special thanks to Berny and Ariane for their hospitality and for making me feel welcome. I'll never forget that.

Random bits (including some stuff I forgot to post before):
- When in Zurich, go to Sprüngli for quite possibly the best swiss chocolate and pattiseries. I warn you, it's pricy, but worth the visits. Try their Luxemburgerli's.
- Dave and I went to Lucerne on Friday. Had a great time in a picturesque small town. I think I've used the word picturesque too much, but you can't help it here in Switzerland.
- I love the fact that you can drink anywhere you want in most of these countries. For example, before a train ride, you can grab beers at the grocery store and drink them on the train. Last night, there were kids drinking beers on the public tram. Not sure that would work so well in Montreal...
- I spent a long time trying to figure out how to say 'sorry/excuse me' in german as I arrived in switzerland. Had a good laugh when it turns out that the word in Swiss German is "Sorry". Swiss German is an interesting variation of regular german (or high german as it's referred too). Much less agressive sounding.

There's probably other stuff I've forgotten to mention, but I'll cover it later. This entry is long enough as it is.

Next post will be from Budapest. Til next time.


(from the top of the chateau in Gruyere)

Zurich Day 3 (I think.. time flies when yr having fun)

A real quick update...

All's well in Zurich. Having a blast. Berny and Ariane (Anita's brother and girlfriend) have been amazing hosts, and it's great to be able to spend time with friends during this European trips. Dalia is cute as a button (she's sitting right in front of me as I type this).

The food and beer here is amazing... but way too expensive. Me and Dave went to a beer hall a couple of nights ago and had a somewhat traditional Swiss meal. Dave had the Veal Schnitzel and I had this amazing dish of sauteed veal with mushrooms in a white wine sauce. Both served on a massive rosti (shredded potato, like hash browns, fried in a massive amount of butter). So rich and so good... just keep the defribulator close by. Just the mains were 30 swiss francs. Mind you, this was an expensive restaurant but looking at other menus around town, this is about average.

So... yes, you pay a lot here. But the quality and the service is outstanding. I think it's a good tradeoff.

The swiss chocolate is as good as always. As is the cheese. Did you know that your average person is Switzerland eats over 11 kilos of chocolate a year... the highest per capita in the world. awesome.

Whenever Dave wakes up from him wine induced coma, we're supposed to head over to Lucerne for the day.

Tomorrow, I'm planning a solo day trip to Gruyere (as in, where they make that cheese). Main reason: The H.R Giger Musuem!!! I can't wait.

A couple of pictures:

Me and Dave went for Bratwurst and beer at a outdoor terrase called Bellevue. Amazing.



Dalia in her pillow fort:



That's it for now. Til next time.

Me, Mom & Morgentaller Reunion!

A quick post on a completely different topic. Me, Mom and Morgentaller are reuniting for 2 shows in November. If yr interested,`I'm going to the thursday show.

Well caffeinated in Zurich

Greetings from Zurich. Just had 2 (amazing) cappucinos and feeling a little hyper (woo!). Another country and another keyboard to get used to. Excuse the lack of accents. At least I'm getting used to the fact that 'y' and 'z' are swapped (Although that'll probably screw me up once I'm back in Canada)

Took the overnight train last night from Berlin to here. Compartments were a little cramped - 6 bunks, 2 sets of 3 with about feet of head room. Luckilly I didn't smash my head which I though I'd do. Bunks were rock solid and the pillow was pitifully small... but somehow (with the help of some earplugs) I managed to get an alright nights sleep.

Got to the hostel and like I suspected, the reservation never went through. I was suspicious that I never received an e-mail confirmation, and thought of calling/e-mail-ing, but never did. Even though they were fully booked, they managed to find a space for me in a 5-bed dorm for all 4 nights. It that had failed, the hostel manager had some space at his apartment. Did I mention that Anita's brother and sister-in-law manage the big hostel here in Zurich? Helps to know people in high places! Waiting to get my room so I can take a well need shower and will then wait a few hours for Dave, Anita and Dalia to arrive and I think we're meeting Berny and Ariane.

My last day in Berlin was cold and rainy (I guess you can't expect summer conditions all the time in late september) but it was somewhat productive. I once again screwed up my timing and missed the New Berlin tour which was at 1PM at Brandenburg gate. Reason being is that I went to the holocaust memorial at 11AM not knowing how long it would take. Waited 30 minutes in rain to get in due to very high security... stricter than an airport. Bags through a conveyer, metal detector and full body sweep. Supposedely the jewish museum has similar security practice... and I can understand exactly why. The presentation underneath the holocaust memorial was very well done and I highly recommend it, but give yourself at least 2 hours to go through it. Even though it's only 4 rooms, there's alot to read and soak in. The holocaust never fails to boggle my mind... how so much hate and bigotry could occur. There's an on-going effort to chronicle the victims of the holocaust, in the jewish tradition of remembering the dead: http://www.yadvashem.org/. There are quite a few Leitman's in the list, and I haven't the foggiest if I'm related. Hard to tell because we have an assumption that my last name was changed when my great-(great?)-grandfather emigrated to Canada. I gotta talk to my family about that...

Blink and you miss Hitler's bunker. There isn't anything to tell you where it is, but I think I found it. Nor should there be anything marking it (although I kind of expected some sort of marker, or information display)

Was going to go up to the glass dome of the Reichstagg (parliament) but didn't want want to wait an hour. So I wandered arond East Berlin fo a bit, marvelled in the Communist style apartment block, found an amaying park and hung out reading (rain had stopped by this point, but it was still cloudy and cold). Went back to the Hostel, had a couple of Becks (2 for 3 euros... not bad), watched Canada vs. Japan in the Rugby world cup (what a messed up sport) and met a guy from Hamilton.

Went to a Thai/Vietnames place around the corner called Mister Vuong, and had the most amaying Chicken Satay. The chicken was breaded schnitzel style, covered in satay sauce, on a bed of ride and red peppers. Amaaaaaazing.

Waited too long and rushed to the main train station, almost missing my train (old habits die hard) and that brings me up to date.

Final impression of the hostel of the hostel in Berlin (St-Christopher's Inn) was that it was nice and clean, but not overly social for those traveling alone. Oh yeah, there was a guy there that was a dead ringer for Hugo on Lost... again, didn't mention anything as, again, not much of a compliment.

So far, my impression of Zurich: Very nice, but sooooo expensive. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is right now, but by my estimate, a grande coffee at Starbucks was about 3 dollars canadian. I think this country is gonna break the bank a bit... but oh well, ya only live once.

I have some great pictures, but once again, no USB-in... so hopefully next time.

Til next time. Auf Wiedersehen.

Apologies for the formatting

I can't figure out how to format these blogs properly in the short amount of time I have to post them. Sorry 'bout that.

Berlin - Day 3

I'm writing this a few blocks away from Checkpoint Charlie and the former SS command offices on Wilhemstraßa.

This is me taken a few minutes ago in from the western side of the largest chunk of the Berlin wall still standing. Sorry for the lack of smile, but after reading about the third reich for an hour, you'd look pretty grim too. I think it was Indiana Jones who succintly put it: "Nazis... I hate those guys"



I blew my timing this morning and missed the New Berlin tour related to the communist occupation. So I went it alone with the help of newly purchased, and overpriced copy of Lonely Planet Central Europe (which covers the countries I'm visiting not in the Eastern Europe book)

After buying my train ticket to Zurich at Alexanderplatz (I'm now taking a direct overnight train tomorrow night and will be arriving about 9AM on the 26th), took the S-Bahn (which is the above ground train, as opposed to the U-Bahn which is underground... duh) to Kuffurstendamm which is a major shopping area.

It's also there where the bombed out remains of a chuch from WWII, left in it's current state as a monument for peace.



Successfully hunted down the book I needed, and then went to a couple of records shops. Nothing much to speak of (sorry dad... not much beatles). Grabbed a quick lunch (chicken schnityel and pototoes, washed down with a coke... in a bottle!), and walked to Checkpoint charlie.

So that's about it. It doesn't sound like much, but there's a huge amount of displays in this area explaining the surrounding area. Takes a while damnit.

Gonna try again for the New Berlin tour tomorrow, but I'm starting to think I'm not going to get the most of Berlin. This city is so rich in history, culture, nightlife... and I've barely scratched the surface. Already planning on my next trip to europe, whenever that is.

Since I haven't posted many pictures in the last few days, and I'm (finally) at a well equipped internet cafe, I'll make it up by posting a bunch now.

(Note to self: Bring laptop next time. There's free wifi everywhere)

The TV Tower at Alexanderplatz:



Brandenburg Gate:



Knut!



A panda, eating a bavarian pretzel, in the berlin zoo. Fitting ja?



Checkpoint charlie:



That's it for now. Probably won't be an update tomorrow as I'm travelling but we'll see.

Til next time.

Berlin - Day 2 - Part 2

Alright, where was I?

Oh ya. So I walked from my Hostel this morning (which is in East Berlin - Near Alexanderplatz and the big TV tower - which was a huge communist propaganda thing from what I understand) to the Brandenburg Gate. A relaxing walk, on an amazingly warm fall day, through the Tiegarten to the Siegessaule (The Berlin Victory column). Beautiful stuff.

A little more sombre was the holacaust memorial. What I only found out later is that there is a (supposedely amazing) museum underground. Might have to check that out.

Made my way to the zoo, which was a little expensive (18 euros), but well worth it. Besides Knut, the monkey section and the aquarium were amazing. I can't even remember the last time (if ever) that I've been to a zoo.

Was pretty proud of myself when I ordered a Bratwurty sandwich properly in german. "Einz Bitte" - of course, it helped that it was the only thing they were serving.

(This hating this &%$§ing german keyboard. Keep mixing up 'y' and 'z' constantly. That and all the shift characters are mixed. Scheiza!)

Couldn't find good schnitzel, but had some tasty thai instead. Maybe tomorrow, but this area I'm staying in is not known for traditional fair I don't think... more of an upcoming student area. Reminds me of the plateau a bit.

Tomorrow I continue the hunt for an good english guide book to Berlin and will be taking a free tour 0f Berlin. I think tomorrow's theme is on 'Red Berlin'. Tuesday is the 'Third Reich' tour.

Otherwise, thing I'm going to leave Berlin Tuesday night and take the overnight 12 hour train to Zurich. Why waste a full day travelling?

BTW. Kicking myself for not going to Munich. A friend in Duseldorf was going for the day and I could have met up. Could have put my bags in storage and enjoyed the day. Oh well...

I'm tired, and the 2 Beck's I just had are knocking me out. I'm hitting the sack.

Til next time.