Did I mention?

That we also made a trip to Amsterdam in the last few months? We're just traveling fiends in the winter.

Yep, yep. Amsterdam. Although for a square like me I don't know if it is as exciting as it would be for other people. nudge, nudge.

We tried out airbnb for the first time on this trip and it was a good experience. We were in a great location and a typical Amsterdam home. Check out the stairs!

If you haven't tried airbnb you should give it a whirl. You can rent a private space and not just a room and many of the locations are much better than some hotels. So enough advertising, but here's a picture of me in the place we stayed at as well as a view from our window.

Do you know what they have a lot of in Amsterdam? Bikes! Tons. I mean you hear that people bike in Amsterdam but the sheer number of bikes all over town is INSANE.

And do you know what drunk danish people do? Throw bikes into the canals. So many bikes that the government has to organize canal clean up or boats would get caught on all the bikes.

Bike removal in progress

So that is what I learned in Amsterdam. To get drunk and throw bikes in the canals. And that Stroopwafels are yummy. And that I miss sushi. And that I could live in Amsterdam.

The red house? Apparently the skinniest in the WORLD!

Nerds on a boat tour

Ahhh! We're in Amsterdam!

It's Christmas! Or it was....

in Munich.

G Unit and went on a trip to Munich a couple of weeks ago. We spent 3 days in the city of München drinking glühwein, sampling stollen, eating candied nuts (G Unit's favorite) and buying christmas decorations.

It was a great few days. We relaxed, ate lots of great food, drank at Hofbrauhaus. Took a mid afternoon nap after Hofbrauhaus. And generally got into the Christmas spirit.

While we miss home, and boy do we, it's these trips that we're able to take together and share that are unthinkable back in the States and allow us to get a little peak into another culture that make me glad that we took this leap of faith and moved abroad. I don't want to be here forever and it's not the perfect fit I hoped for, but it's these memories that I will remember and make me glad we're here. Man that was long winded. On to the pictures!

ZiGarren

Where are we?

The place with beer as big as my head!

All this food is making my face look fat.

View from the top of our hotel towards the Alps

Kisses from Munich!

And now a little video. Merry Christmas!

About Belfast

Just a few comments on my quick trip to Belfast:

I have never in all my life be so full of liquid. Between the beer and tea I could barely eat. Or move.

Chinese food was ordered for dinner. It actually came with a bowl full of chips

The accent is so soothing to me. Even when I can't make all the words out. Or when the only words I can make out are f***. It's strangely comforting.

Thanks for the quick trip Belfast. Going to try to come back again soon.

Because, Because

We're off on another adventure. To Moravia to do some wine tasting. To Mikulov and the surrounding area to be exact. Wine and castles people, wine and castles. Hope to be good and drunk and sick of wine by Sunday.

See you soon.

Delay, but finally

Whew. So where was I?

Oh yeah. Italy. After making it to the coast and spending the 1st afternoon at the camp site we headed to Cinque Terre the next day to catch these 5 fishing villages we had always heard so much about. We had a bit of a problem though as in my head we were always going to hike between at least two of the villages, cause that's what you do in Cinque Terre but because G Unit was starting school we had to lug the computer around with us as there was no where to leave it securely.

So we made it to Cinque Terre and did the Via dell'Amore which is the shortest of the trails, well paved and easy. We got to Manarola went down near the water and had some lunch.

G Unit may or may not have taken this video of me well and the view too I suppose.

One of the best things in Cinque Terre was watching all the tourists. And as I noted in the video, man was there a lot of them. The best example was a family of four who walked by us as we were eating.

The teenage daughter walked by first as she texted busily on her phone (who allows their child to text internationally? i ask you) with the mother walking by next saying, "Are you ever going to get off that thing? We're in Italy!" and the younger brother walked by saying "We could throw it in the ocean" and trailing them was dad who walked by us while rolling his eyes. GENIUS! Is this what my future looks like? I don't think I'm taking kids to Europe until they can afford to pay for it themselves. They're stuck with camping and Native American museums for their summer holidays. Fisher Family Shout-out!

After lunch we headed on the train to the next village, Corniglia as the path was closed. We had a drink in Corniglia and then decided to walk the path between Corniglia and Vernazza. I did check to make sure G Unit was ok with this plan what with the computer on his back and all. I think he knew I really wanted to do it though, so maybe he didn't give his real answer. So we started off in the muggy afternoon and three hours later we made it to Vernazza.

I can't say G Unit had a nice time, but I made him take some pictures and try to appreciate the scenery. It wasn't an easy hike but it was pretty. And hey we went hiking on the Italian Coast!

That's Corniglia behind me. I don't think we were even half way

G Unit was hot and sweaty and not happy but took
a picture to commemorate the hike with me anyways.

The End! That's Vernazza behind us. Don't we look invigorated?

After wearily climbing down into the town, we hung out at the harbor just to relax. About that time the sky decided to open up and the tourists were making a massive exit for the train back to town. G Unit and I had some drinks, met some Americans and then headed to dinner. We had some seafood and gnocchi with pesto. Nothing earth shattering but a nice end to a long day. Then we headed to the train as we had to get back to town and to our campsite before they closed the gates. And I end with a the photos as we waited to get on the train.

Yep we came from WAY up there

Looking tired

And Bored

Attack

Hee-Hee. I'm so tired I'm funny

Back from Italy

A few words to sum up our Italian Camping Trip

• Hot
• Sticky
• Gorgeous
• Yummy
• Did I mention hot?

And a few words from the beginning of our trip:

The car that G Unit was complaining about? See it here in all it's glory. Dubbed Panda said in the "baby Alby" voice. I'm holding the prized Austrian Vignette which cost a total of 7.50 EUR so that we could drive across Austria without getting a ticket. 

Most countries in Europe either have toll roads (Italy, France) or Vignettes (Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic). I'm not sure which is better. A guess a set fee is better, although the Swiss only let you buy a year pass instead of a 10 day pass as the Austrians did, as the toll roads (read the Italians) we had to pay every time we got on the motorway. As American I find it weird to pay to drive on the road. Bridges? Ok. But roads....

Also a picture of our first campgrounds, Camping Maralunga, close to Cinque Terre (one of my listed Travel goals!) where we had a view of the sea and access to jump straight into the water. Or fall. Or half fall, half jump. I'm not sure what I did. For some reason I was scared of hitting the bottom. Or the rocks. Or really just making myself bloody. Besides that, it was gorgeous. Terraced with good facilities and peaceful. We often said during our trip we should have stayed on the coast where we could jump in anytime. It was HOT. Yes we came from California and yes we lived in Morocco but I think we've gotten to used to temperate (read cold) Czech Republic.

Lerici is also where we had our first thunderstorm. Our last was at the end of our trip in Austria. Camping with a thunderstorm was definitely an experience and always in the evening thankfully, but it was an experience that G Unit didn't enjoy too much. He startles easily when he's sleeping. 

More to come....

Virtual Coffee

Family shout out

If we were really meeting for coffee today I'd invite you over as we just had the apartment cleaned today and it always looks so fresh after someone else has spruced it up. I am happily so spoiled.

So a week has passed and G Unit is still working. I think he's happy in the new job. It seems as if there is a lot to learn and I feel that can't be a bad thing in terms of experience. It may not be his end goal in terms of an employer or type of work but I don't think any experience is ever wasted.

I've been getting back into cooking with G Unit back at work. We're learning to share the kitchen. Or maybe it's taking turns. He's been used to doing things his way and he has become an amazing cook in the last two years, but previously before this whole grand adventure I was used to cooking my way with him asking my opinion when he cooked. Now we both have our own opinion. So far no one has died.

Work wise, this past week has been interesting for me. There is going to be some changes in the management above me. So there is a new boss on the horizon. Hopefully this will be a positive change, but change is always a little scary and uncertain.

For me personally there is a new work challenge. This is not definite yet, but I've been asked to help set up the reservation systems for a new sister property opening this summer.

Hells to the yes. I wanted to do a trip to the city of lights next month. Looks like work is going to pay for me to go for two weeks. fingers crossed. And it will be work but I'm hoping G Unit can join me for at least one weekend and the rest of the time I'll spend going to museums and pastry shops. Bye-bye weight watchers. Anyone want to hop on a plane and come see me?

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I am not moving. I know with Prague I went off for a few weeks and then stayed indefinitely, but they already have someone in my position at the new hotel. I'm just going to help. And gorge myself on pain au chocolat. Hopefully. I feel like I'm jinxing this by telling you all before tickets are bought.

News about this trip came when I was obsessing about my closet. I always feel so unfashionable, so blah. Yeah going to France is seriously not going to help that feeling of inadequacy. I have been saying for years want a personal shopper. I want someone to tell me what to buy and what I should be wearing with what. Ok I want a personal stylist AND a personal shopper. I've even asked my sister to send me things she thinks I should buy when she's shopping for herself. And I tried to see if I can find someone in Prague who does wardrobe consultations, like my friend Tracy. (Who I would so ask to re-haul my closet if I was back home.) I was that frustrated. Course I have this freakout at least twice a year but then when I realize how much clothing costs I back off again after buying a few things. Which I did when JCrew posted a 30% final sale. Hopefully after a few years of careful buying I might have a wardrobe I like. Nope. I still think I need help. One day. I bought these in case you were curious.

Dress of which I can use for work and play! Right?

Blazer of which I have none. Score.

If we were really meeting for coffee I would shut up now. I have a problem with babbling and I'd let you catch me up on your week while I finish the rest of my Tim Horton's coffee. Hey it's virtual coffee I can get anything I want, even if I do have to go all the way to Canada.

Finally I'd look at the clock and realize that it's getting late here in Prague and time for me to go to bed. I'm so glad to have this weekly chat and can't wait to see you all again next week!

Catch up with other Virtual Coffee posts at Amy's!

Vienna & Back

Mom asked for more pictures.

So I present a few of the ones we took in Vienna. The truth is we didn't do much. We hopped on a train from Prague to Vienna at the ungodly hour of 6am. This crazy hour was offset by the fact that I do heart trains and the view was relaxing. And there was a nun! On the way to Vienna! I'm sorry all I can think about when I think of Austria is the Sound of Music. Hence excitement over nuns. We will make it to Salzburg soon. I must experience the Sound of Music tour.

And then Kept Man went and took his test. Which he dominated by the way, if you were not aware. And I hung out in the hotel and caught up on TV. I know, I know. But I was tired people! And I had the whole night and next day to explore with KM. So I vegged. And loved every minute of it.

Then we went to dinner at the Biesl and managed to miss the cut off hour for dessert at a cafe.


The next day involved sleeping in and sight seeing. We visited a food market (what else?) and made a stop at Oberlaa for coffee, pastry and macaroons! I love macaroons. We should have bought MORE macaroons. sigh. After that we mostly walked around the inner stadt and looked at all the pretty buildings. I also attempted to shop. But very badly. Apparently the older I get the less patience I have to look for anything not on the internet that can be delivered directly to my door. We had lunch at a seafood chain restaurant Nordsee because well....it had fried shrimp. Eventually we made it to the Hofburg Palace and we had a look around.


After getting enough walking time in we headed to a restaurant called Meierei which translates to Dairy and/or Milk Bar. It's a beautiful little restaurant in the park that specialized all things dairy such as milk, hot chocolates, cheese, etc. I had a hot chocolate and Kept Man had wine and then we ordered an insanely sized cheese plate that we were unable to finish. You can see pictures from a food blogger here, which is how I found out about this place. I highly recommend it. I'd love to go back to try breakfast.

Later that evening we caught a movie. Cause we are party animals and that is how we roll. Later we had a late night snack of currywurst and french fries from a street vendor. Currywurst gets two thumbs up. Kept Man has raved about it since Hamburg and I have to say I agree with him.

We were up early again the next day and had coffee and pastries at Aida before catching a Student Agency bus back to Prague. Weird thing apparently getting to Vienna via train is cheap but heading back is super expensive. Thankfully the Student Agency buses are comfortable, cheap and easy and took about the same amount of time as the train.

And now here we are back in Prague thinking we might need to plan one more weekend trip before it gets really cold here in Eastern Europe. Any suggestions?

Wiener Schnitzel wha?

Kept Man and I went to Vienna for the weekend. We walked, we gawked and we did what we do best, we ate.

Wiener Schnitzel is probably the most well known traditional Viennese dish. Now being an uncouth American with no real prior knowledge of wiener schnitzel do you know what I automatically thought of? You get a prize if you yelled sausages. Most Americans would because of this lovely chain of fast food restaurants.

But here's the thing, true wiener schnitzel doesn't even involve sausage. Nope. It involves veal being breaded and deep fried. So while not sausage wiener schnitzel is still pretty tasty (and fun to say). I didn't try the traditional wiener schnitzel. I had the hausschnitzel at a traditional beisl we visited (although I've just learned it's also called a Salzburger Schnitzel) which instead of veal was pork with the added benefit of being stuffed with cheese, onions and bacon and then breaded and deep fried. I like to really go for the calories when I'm out on the road. I also got a nice side of boiled potatoes.

Our Vienna food tour also involved beer, wine, cheese, hot chocolate, coffee, macaroons, and curry wurst, but sadly no cake. But more on all that later.

Destroyed

A weekend in Barcelona equals good food, decent weather, great friends, mini reunion with my husband of one year, amazing gelato and painful feet.

Either I didn't expect to walk so much or my flip flops really just hate me. Blisters and a possible streched tendon were my prize. Don't worry Christine, I don't think it's actually streched or skewed or really hurt it at all. I'm ok. Not even limping anymore. I swear. My feet are only starting to forgive me for abusing them, and only because I have avoided the blister loving shoes since returning to Prague, but the weekend was worth it.

Want recommendations? I've got them!

Amorino Gelato - They shape the gelato into a flower people. And you can have as many flavors as you want. Genius!
Ciutat Comtal- mmmm Razor Clams and Champagne based Sangria
La Bouqueria - I love you Spanish Iberico Jamon. LOVE YOU
Park Guell - Gaudi is not boring

And as usual I need a vacation from my vacation. One of these days it will be a lay on the beach and only roll over for booze or food kind of vacation. One of these days....

Hopefully Kept Man will provide you all with photos. He has the camera.

Extra Time

Kept Man and I are back in the States. We made it! After a delay in departure in Madrid and a mad dash to our connecting flight in Newark, we are back in California. It has already been a mad whirlwind of non stop eating and visiting. I'm loving every minute of it (even with my cold) but I secretly wish that we were able to take more time. Two weeks just doesn't seem like enough.

But today is the first day where there is no where to run off to. Nothing that needs to get done. TV watching and lounging around are on the agenda. So I thought I would do a little blog catch up. Especially since I have internet connection.

As I mentioned previously Kept Man and I did a weekend mini-break to Cesky Krumlov with a couple of friends while we were in the Czech Republic. Cesky Krumlov is a Unesco World Heritage site and has the second largest castle in the Czech Republic. It's a charming little town which sits in the middle of the bend in the river with lots of outdoor restaurants along the river and old fashioned warm indoor medieval style eateries. Here as in Prague there are many bars and restaurants which are in old cellars or converted buildings. It's all very gothic and cozy. (Can gothic be cozy?) We happened to go a weekend when the weather was on the colder side so we didn't get the chance to do a lazy float down the river, but we did get a chance to drink mead, see bears, eat at an outdoor grill and party at the local bars. Side fact about the bears, apparently the Rosenberg family who owned the area/castle back in the day added bears to their coat of arms to tie them to the noble Italian Family Orsini (orsa meaning she-bear in Italian) and then later went so far as to keep bears to support the supposed family tie. So there are bears hanging out at the castle. They were pretty awesome.

My favorite portion of the trip was the dinner we had at Restaurace U Dobraka. The food was all grilled on an open fireplace and all the tables were outdoor picnic tables. Every other restaurant we had tried to get a reservation at in town was booked solid but this place was relaxed with full of only locals. We couldn't figure out why it wasn't busier, but we were glad to have made it.
We had a great time with our friends Alex, Tony and their dog Sophie. My only wish is to back when the weather is nicer so that we can enjoy the outdoor activities that the city has to offer. If you're in the Prague and are looking for a day or weekend trip I would highly recommend the city. It's small, but with lots of cute B&Bs, rustic food, great views and outdoor activities it a welcome break from the city live in Prague.