Boom-sh-boom! Czech It Out!

Ok,
So Prague is incredible. I can't begin to explain everything that we have seen and done, but here is a bullet list:

-Saw so many events/exhibitions/performances associated with the Prague Quadrennial (the main reason for coming to Prague..it is a HUGE theatre festival that happens once every four years). We saw Peter Handke's, Offending the Audience and a show called Me Here, You There which was a kind of accordian dialogue/duet/lighting experience.
-Met up with a friend from high school who now goes to CMU.
-Took an awesome walking tour of the city.
-Went on a pub crawl.
-Attended a screening of an experiment (part of the Quadrennial) where 12 people stayed in the basement of a building where they used to print the Communist newspaper. Then we met the participants IN the building, saw where they slept, and got to chat with them a bit.

We also did much more (such as dressing up as a cheerleader and a slutty Mrs. Clause (photos to come) as part of the PQ...), but time is short as it is our last night in the city and I am paying for internet right now.

We are off to London tomorrow. Our trip is nearing its last leg. It is kind of sad, but also exciting. In a weird way it is the same excitement that I had before coming to Europe. It is interesting though. I guess it is because once I get back there will still be adventures to have, but adventures that more immediately contribute to what I want to do (Where am I moving to in NYC? Who am I living with? When am I moving? Where will I work?....you know the drill...."the times, they are a' changing," and that is really exciting.)

-Brandon

Hamsterdamned

In Hamsterdam we saw the Hamster-combs which differ from the cat-acombs because they are made from hamsterbones and not cat bones. We also went to the heineken factory and the beer there tastes better than heineken in the states because the water comes from the Hamstel river so it's ham flavored. The museum of the one-eared Vincent was exciting although it was overcast so we didn't get to see any starry nights. We biked through the countryside to the north of Hamsterdam, ( gerbilmill) There were some crafty windmills in Gerbilmill, as well as beautiful cows and windy flats. Our butts got sweaty from the seats of our bikes so we dropped trau in the middle of a field.

There was a live Jazz club with a CRAZY old man. At first this man seemed like the 90 year old version of Brandon and I. Dancing like a lunatic and making strange faces, then it became apparent that this man was being effected by some sort of hard drug. He danced with Brandon, pointed at peoples boobs and spat in someones beer. Nevermind that when he pointed at there boobs he also made a face as if he'd been mortally and morally offended and let out a huge scoff.

Brandon always wanted to walk, I always wanted to sit and look at the map- Amsterdam is a world of puzzles. WE got called "pussies"by a prostitute, which I thought was hilarious... Oh, come on boys don't be so shy ( as we walked by)..." sorry,"I said in a manner suggesting disinterest. "Come on pussies ( Wink)" ..... at that moment she won my heart!! I said HOW Much Delila! and she said 50 Euro" My little heart fluttered and I gave birth to a beautiful butterfly, then she turned into an ogre and I fell into the Dam...... Hamster bones surrounded me . WHAT!!! The HAMSTERCOMBS ARE IN THE DAM!!! I then flew to the nearest grocery store to get some garlic so I could fend of the zombie Hamsters.

To make a long story short, the Battle could have ended the world had I not been so tactful as to wear a disco shirt.



Where did my camera go?


Goodbye 600 photos.


I didn't really like Amsterdam that much, It was dreary and the air had an aroma of apathy that I found disconcerting.


Josh

Amsterdam

So a lot of people (mainly my parents) are asking for a new post. Well Amsterdam.....happened. The Van Gogh Museum was great, as was the Heineken Experience (btw, Heineken tastes WAY better here). We rented bikes and saw windmills in the country side, and stood on one of the many bridges and watched the full moon light up the canals (two things that the presence of women would have made a bit more romantic). We also went to a jazz club and ended every night with a walk through the Red Light District (it is actually really sad). Other than that, if you want stories, you will have to ask me in person, but those were the highlights (pun intended).

We are in Nijmegen now (another city in Holland) and we go to Prague for the Prague Quadrenial in a few days. If you don't know, the Quadrenial is a HUGE theatre festival that happens once every four years, bringing in thousands of people from all over the world. Needless to say, we are excited!

Love,
Brandon

Pissing boys (and girls!), Waffles, Beer, and Mussles

Brussels, Belgium.

They speak French and Dutch and German. The city is awesome. It is totally and uniquely its own thing. Supposedly Brussels is the capital of Europe...? We saw the Mannequin Pis (the little boy peeing) and he is literally the size of a baby. Then we went down a side street and found the little girl peeing (she is squatting, yes). Godiva is from Belgium and it is completely different than what we get in the states (different formula), and take my word, It is INCREDIBLE. I have had the best chocolate I have ever had in my life. Every block has at least three chocolate stores, and they are all amazing. These stores are just like jewelry shops; special lights to make the chocolate look good, intricate displays, workers dressed nicely, quiet environment... It really is a craft that people pride themselves on...and I love it.

Also incredible, are the waffles. Belgian waffles, also on every corner, are the most gooey, warm, thick, tasty waffles I have ever had. You can get a wide range of toppings, but you don't need any besides the powdered sugar, because the batter is more like balls of dough, and then they top it off with a caramel glaze!!

The beer gets another two thumbs up. This is beer heaven. I can't praise it enough. We have become temporary regulars at a bar called Delirium, which has over 2000 beers to choose from (a handful of which are Trappists beers (brewed by monks))! Delirium consists of about four rooms and four other bars (a vodka bar, a rum bar, a tequila bar, and an absinthe bar).

We went to a musical instruments museum today! They provide you with headphones and as you walk through the four levels of global instruments ranging from ancient to modern, you get to hear a recording of a song featuring the instrument as you walk up to each.

Tonight we are going to a bar called Madame Mustache, supposedly frequented by "freaks." it is apparently awesome, and there seems to be awesome live music.

Amsterdam on Sunday. More to come then!

-Brandon

Freedom, Beauty, Truth, and Love!

Imagine looking out the window of your sixth story hostel window and in the distance, situated perfectly between buildings is the Eiffel Tower. Then imagine walking the 3 miles to the Eiffel Tower, decide to take the stairs up, and look out over the city. Later, you see the Moulin Rouge (just the outside....a show is FAR too expensive), conveniently located down the street from your hostel, and make your way to the Lapin Agile, also right down the street. The lightning starts and the thunder is rolling. You don't know exactly where you are going as drops begin falling, and you know you have about three minutes before it starts pouring. You make it over a hill and finally see your destination. As you run down the hill, the door opens and a man takes your money, pulls back a red curtain and whisks you into an intimate room, occupied by about 40 other people, all watching a woman singing traditional French music while accompanying herself on the accordian. You hear the drops pounding on the ceiling. As the night progesses, free drinks are brought to you, and the cabaret acts change about every twenty minutes. Later you realize that you are indeed the only two english speaking people in the whole place. You laugh, you cry, you realize that this is perhaps the most fun you have had all trip. This is real, raw, rare. A true Parisian experience. And that was just our first day.

Today we went to the Catacombs. Miles of floor to ceiling human bones far underground. Incredible. I also had my first taste of Absinthe. Brussels tomorrow.
PS, We also ate a lambs head.
-Brandon

Last day in Germany!

Ok,
So we stayed with Rachel Gill and her family on post in Heidelberg. Her family is AWESOME! (as well as herself) We were immediately treated like family, her mom found all of this stuff for us to do, we were treated like kings, didn't have to air-dry getting out of the shower, have done laundry twice (wow!), made some new friends, were carted around whenever we wanted, were left chocolates next to our beds, and ate, drank, and were very very merry.
I cannot thank Rachel and her family enough.
E Coli is a MAJOR problem here (in Germany) right now. 17 people have died and over 1,000 have been hospitalized. I think we are alright though.
Heidelberg is a lovely little town with pretty much one strip of shops and restaurants. We took a day trip to Trier yesterday, which was really cool because it is the oldest town in Germany.
Last night we had a beer with the highest alcohol content in all of Germany. It was wretched. I am glad I can say that I drank it, and even more glad to say that I never will again.
Tomorrow it is off to Paris. Absinthe, The Lapin Agile, Eiffel Tower Wedding Party (everyone should read that play), The Moulin Rouge, and plenty of other shenanigans to get into.
Love,
Brandon

Since Rome

Well friends,

I last left you after I went to the Colosseum, much has happened since. I'll give you the highlights

Florence-

We were in Florence at the same time as the TV show known as " the Jersey Shore." We actually didn't end up seeing them, but EVERYONE ELSE that we were with did. The beginning of that night we were with some FSU students who ended up seeing them later. ( But we left to find our hostel roomates before then) and then When we went to go find the FSU'ers again, our hostel roommates saw Jersey shore. So oops. But yeah.... The best part of that night was me falling over. After 2 bottles of wine, I thought it would be a great idea to run quickly through small holes. ( Brandon and another FSU'er were walking close together, so I attempted to jump through them) As I passed them, with infinite glory and a large smile I tripped over my foot. I fell. My hand and left knee hit first. To my suprise, the co-eficcient of friction on the pavement in Florence is rather low, so I slid. First onto my side and then onto my rump. I was so shocked by this that I actually did a full sit up while sliding. The total linear distance I traveled was about 15 feet. I came out with 5 bruises and 3 scabs... and a hole in my pants. Oops, but it was hilarious.

So that story was rather uneventful.

Next- Brandon and I go fossil hunting, we found ancient clams!!!!

Next- I learn about myself. I learn that adrenaline can keep me awake for SO long. I was asleep for 12 of the last 48 hours. I saw Manon, at the Staatsoper Wien ( Vienna Operahouse) for 4 Euro=6dollars. and an Incredible Ballet choreographed by Jerome Robbins with music by Philip Glass and Chopin.

I had quite a bit of fun observing how women perceive my dancing at dance clubs. Brandon was in sick so I did my best impression of crazy legs in his memory. There were several cute girls who would look over, giggle (their German giggles) and then catch themselves giggling at something SO repulsive as a socially outcast dancer, and then scoff and look away. Of course I would find them once again shortly after. This was an interesting phenomena that occurred throughout the night.

ugh. This post is surprisingly uninteresting. I'll try again later. there are many more stories that are just escaping me now. However. I promise that they will be great.

Next up.

Josh poops his pants walking home at 6 in the morning..... about that.

Almost,

Josh