So I finally made it out to the country that is synonymous with creating the deep fried mars bar, deep fried pizza , well deep fried anything pretty much. It is also known for kilts, haggis, and whisky.
While in Scotland, my main areas of focus were in Edinburgh and St Andrews. Actually the reason for the trip was to visit a friend and also support them in their poetry slam.
Edinburgh - ehhhh I wasn't too impressed unfortunately. St Andrews however was stunning- I absolutely loved it - especially the scenery. This place is up against the sea - cold- but this does nothing to lessen its beauty . I remember saying I could live there for four years- none of my friends believed me. I do wish I had taken more shots of St. Andrews itself :(
Friday, 4 May 2012
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Dunni!!!!!
So a great friend of mine decided to pop into town on her worldly escapades and pay me a visit in 2012. That person is the also the title of this post- Dunni.
It was great to see her and catch up. We went out for dinner at this delicious modern french eatery, where I was privy to the effect of a Gigondas red on my amiga, her weakness for hot chocolate, and insatiable appetite for all things twitter. Haha if she ever reads this I am sure I will be feeling the wrath of her response - :)
It was definelty great seeing her; I miss her and hope to see her soon again!
It was great to see her and catch up. We went out for dinner at this delicious modern french eatery, where I was privy to the effect of a Gigondas red on my amiga, her weakness for hot chocolate, and insatiable appetite for all things twitter. Haha if she ever reads this I am sure I will be feeling the wrath of her response - :)
It was definelty great seeing her; I miss her and hope to see her soon again!
Xmas markets in Germany
After Xmas - I headed to Cologne In Deustchland to view some Xmas markets with the wolfpack minus a member or two.
The experience was cool. Xmas markets are generally places you frequent to pick up little hobnobs, drink delicious hot cider , and stuff your face with whatever edible treats are available/ within reach- whichever comes sooner. Fortunately I was able to accomplish all three. I also drank several of their famous kolsch beer mini pints, visited a nespresso store ( those things are so not a good deal) and yea I headed to the Lindt factory .
The Lindt factory is either a little kids dream or a willy wonka enthusiast dream. The place is filled with chocolate at every turn , whether they are making it, packaging it , or doing whatever they do with that stuff
Pics below :
The experience was cool. Xmas markets are generally places you frequent to pick up little hobnobs, drink delicious hot cider , and stuff your face with whatever edible treats are available/ within reach- whichever comes sooner. Fortunately I was able to accomplish all three. I also drank several of their famous kolsch beer mini pints, visited a nespresso store ( those things are so not a good deal) and yea I headed to the Lindt factory .
The Lindt factory is either a little kids dream or a willy wonka enthusiast dream. The place is filled with chocolate at every turn , whether they are making it, packaging it , or doing whatever they do with that stuff
Pics below :
Xmas In Barcelona
This past christmas, I did something a bit different. I decided to take an amigo on a trip - basically because they are awesome. It is just that simple!
The amigo or Amiga to be pc , Terina , and I headed to Barca just before Christmas 2011. We actually managed to do quite a bit, even travel outside of the city and head to a monastery on top of what the Spanish call a hill , but the rest of the world call a mountain.
A few things I like about Barcelona :
1. The W hotel for cocktails.
2. Las Ramblas especially when Santa and his helpers have Harleys.
3. Food by the beach.
4. Melia hotels and their lounge floor.
5. Architecture.
6. Public transportation system - it is so much better than London's.
Below are a few pics of the experience - it is definitely a worth while city to visit.
The amigo or Amiga to be pc , Terina , and I headed to Barca just before Christmas 2011. We actually managed to do quite a bit, even travel outside of the city and head to a monastery on top of what the Spanish call a hill , but the rest of the world call a mountain.
A few things I like about Barcelona :
1. The W hotel for cocktails.
2. Las Ramblas especially when Santa and his helpers have Harleys.
3. Food by the beach.
4. Melia hotels and their lounge floor.
5. Architecture.
6. Public transportation system - it is so much better than London's.
Below are a few pics of the experience - it is definitely a worth while city to visit.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Das Boot!!
So in rolls October of 2011, and I finally made the pilgrimage to Munich to celebrate a Bavarian tradition, Oktoberfest. This was an extra special celebration as a good amigo and line brother made the journey across the pond to join me in the celebratory libations.
For those that haven't been to Oktoberfest - go! For those that are on the fence about going to Oktoberfest - go! For those who have been to Oktoberfest - go again!
I am in the last category of the aforementioned. There is no way to express the experience in words, as they have yet to create vocabulary within the English vernacular that would accurately capture the buzz of Munich during this great festival. That being said I will simply recount a fraction of the experience .
Devon ( my lb) and I arrived in Munich in the early evening . The rest of the guys we were supposed to meet, aside from one ( who was coming from Austria ), had already began enjoying the festival and were successfully on their way to a heightened state of inebriation.
As they were under the influence, their directions were not the best, and my iPhone was not working as it should have at the time. We finally deciphered their code like messaging and understood that we were to meet them at Oktoberfest; exactly !
Either way Devon and I figured we will make the best of it and explored Munich on our own, I mean we pledged right, so how difficult could it be. Sidebar, any time adversity rears its majestic head, I take pride in reiterating the Greek mantra " we pledged right " , there is some comfort in knowing that phrase is supposed to assuage any mental trepidation, although in actuality a person pledging is not directly correlated with overcoming any hardship that life presents; however like a young child to excited to recount a single event of their schoolday and instead choosing to bombard you with several, and what seem as unrelated facts - I digress.
So Devon and I walk around following throngs of people before we cross a bridge and end up in front of a gargantuan sign that has the words emblazoned in Neon lettering : OKTOBERFEST
The place had to be several hectares in size, and on both sides of the road that split this whale of a place are tents the size of football ( GO NY GIANTS) fields. And not just one or two tents on either side , but several - more than my absolutely ecstatic and hyper mind could count at the time . Devon snapped a pic of the sign , we took one more look at the sight before us to let sink in, and with that first step in - so began our Oktoberfest.
For those that haven't been to Oktoberfest - go! For those that are on the fence about going to Oktoberfest - go! For those who have been to Oktoberfest - go again!
I am in the last category of the aforementioned. There is no way to express the experience in words, as they have yet to create vocabulary within the English vernacular that would accurately capture the buzz of Munich during this great festival. That being said I will simply recount a fraction of the experience .
Devon ( my lb) and I arrived in Munich in the early evening . The rest of the guys we were supposed to meet, aside from one ( who was coming from Austria ), had already began enjoying the festival and were successfully on their way to a heightened state of inebriation.
As they were under the influence, their directions were not the best, and my iPhone was not working as it should have at the time. We finally deciphered their code like messaging and understood that we were to meet them at Oktoberfest; exactly !
Either way Devon and I figured we will make the best of it and explored Munich on our own, I mean we pledged right, so how difficult could it be. Sidebar, any time adversity rears its majestic head, I take pride in reiterating the Greek mantra " we pledged right " , there is some comfort in knowing that phrase is supposed to assuage any mental trepidation, although in actuality a person pledging is not directly correlated with overcoming any hardship that life presents; however like a young child to excited to recount a single event of their schoolday and instead choosing to bombard you with several, and what seem as unrelated facts - I digress.
So Devon and I walk around following throngs of people before we cross a bridge and end up in front of a gargantuan sign that has the words emblazoned in Neon lettering : OKTOBERFEST
The place had to be several hectares in size, and on both sides of the road that split this whale of a place are tents the size of football ( GO NY GIANTS) fields. And not just one or two tents on either side , but several - more than my absolutely ecstatic and hyper mind could count at the time . Devon snapped a pic of the sign , we took one more look at the sight before us to let sink in, and with that first step in - so began our Oktoberfest.
House Festival!!
So in July 2011, I went to my first festival. A good friend of mine would argue that this was not a true festival as it did not last 3 days, include tenting, shabby showers, and all the other hoopla that comes along with "true festivals".
Anywho- this festival was awesome. It is thrown by the Soho House in London, and I just found out that they throw one in the US as well- my recommendation - get a ticket! The festival was sold out in Feburary of this year in London.
Soho House call it a festival for grown- ups; but i think it is more than that. The place has great artists, unlimited food, unlimited delicious cocktails, and most importantly no pushing around when you are trying to see artists!
Check out the link below !
Anywho- this festival was awesome. It is thrown by the Soho House in London, and I just found out that they throw one in the US as well- my recommendation - get a ticket! The festival was sold out in Feburary of this year in London.
Soho House call it a festival for grown- ups; but i think it is more than that. The place has great artists, unlimited food, unlimited delicious cocktails, and most importantly no pushing around when you are trying to see artists!
Check out the link below !
Koninginnedag Part ! & The marriage of Kate and Wills
So in May of 2011, when Prince William and Lady Kate decided to jump the broom in front of millions, I was in Amsterdam with some new friends, in fancy dress, celebrating the Queens of the Netherlands birthday.
Koninginnedag as it is referred or in the beautiful language of Will and Kate , Queensday! The celebration was absolutely crazy; there were Heineken tents everywhere, DJ's everywhere, and just too much fun for our own good. Mind you we were supposed to be in Orange the entire time, but the amigos were completely consumed with honoring their own royalty.
I have named a portion of this post Part I , as I returned this year with the "Wolfpack" to reign havoc on their festival of Electro music, smiles, Orange color and just clean fun.
Well below are two pics of my time at the celebration in 2011 as well as link to more info on Koninginnedag in case anyone else who reads this blog may be tempted to join me on a trip next year.
http://www.koninginnedagamsterdam.nl/queensday.html
Koninginnedag as it is referred or in the beautiful language of Will and Kate , Queensday! The celebration was absolutely crazy; there were Heineken tents everywhere, DJ's everywhere, and just too much fun for our own good. Mind you we were supposed to be in Orange the entire time, but the amigos were completely consumed with honoring their own royalty.
I have named a portion of this post Part I , as I returned this year with the "Wolfpack" to reign havoc on their festival of Electro music, smiles, Orange color and just clean fun.
Well below are two pics of my time at the celebration in 2011 as well as link to more info on Koninginnedag in case anyone else who reads this blog may be tempted to join me on a trip next year.
http://www.koninginnedagamsterdam.nl/queensday.html
"Money Talks Bullsh*it Runs The Marathon Charlie"
Finally back to adding another entry to the travel diary. Took me long enough. The phrase in the title basically sums up my time in Manchester UK for New Years. I certainly plan on traveling throughout the UK more this year in order to learn more of what makes up Ol' Britannia. Actually my next trip is a few weeks to ESSEX!
Things I remember about Manchester:
Pic of the group below
Things I remember about Manchester:
- Northerners are nice
- Drinks were cheap
- 24 hour pizza place
- Kegs in an awesome apartment
- Great Accents
- Very good apartments for the Value
- Overall good town - great value for money- good alternative to London
Pic of the group below
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)