The Brussels train station is now not only my least favorite place visited in Europe, but also the place I hate the most in Europe.

Favorites List

I've added my "Favorites" list on the right side of the blog.

A few things to note:

This is a favorite to least favorite list, in that I certainly have not totally disliked any place we've visited, despite having some conflicts with the specific cities here and there.

The list, for me at least, considers these four things:

1. Quantity, yes, but mostly quality of sites we saw (there was plenty to do in Rome, but little to do in Munich, yet I loved every single second in each)

2. The consideration of the potential of being able to live in the city (a reason why Florence, Amsterdam, and Munich are high and, say, Prague and Budapest, despite their immense qualities, are lower)

3. The cleanliness of the city (this consideration is a major factor as to why Athens and Naples are low, yet is another reason to Munich's status)

4. The price of living in and/or visiting the city (Venice is breathtaking, but this reason is paramount to its location on the list)

The issue of the welcoming and friendliness of the city's locals is not considered, because, frankly, I don't like dealing with tourists in Chicago, either - so I don't blame them

Jess will post her list soon. Stay tuned...

like Olbermann - a special comment

I shall refrain from Keith's patented style of fire damnation. However, I do feel it my duty to inform of special note that while in Europe, in Amsterdam, to be exact, we saw one of the best things yet. No, I'm not talking about dizzyingly red girls or Van Gogh. This more ranks up with the Colosseum of Rome, the David of Florence, the twisty canals of Venice, Guell Park of Barcelona, the Acropolis of Athens, the Glockenspiel of Munich, the castle of Prague, the Hungarian baths of Budapest, the Palacio Real of Madrid, the Vienna Opera, the black sand beach of Santorini, and even the ruins of Pompeii.

Yes, tonight we saw something just as monumental and equally unforgettable. Honestly, words cannot do it justice.

Indeed, this just might surpass everything else to date.

And, along with our trip to the US embassy in Prague, it was without doubt the closest we've come to America in 7 weeks, which in itself is wonderfully refreshing.

Tonight, for the first time in Jess' life and the first time for myself in 18 years... we saw Indiana Jones on the silver screen.

It was nice to be a kid again, to be flooded with memories of my own "adventurer" days as a young Indiana Jones protege with my whip, plastic pistol, fedora, and Indiana T - remembering clandestinely (and sometimes not so!) tracking down my invisible Nazi enemies and doing battle. It was great to remember the late nights with my family, curled warmly with blankets, soda, and popcorn on the couch, following Indiana's every move on the TV. It was great remembering: "I want to be Indiana Jones when I grow up". And it was really special to experience it with Jess for her first time.

And this movie's really good, too!!

Now back to our present day adventuring in Europe

I suppose we never really "grow up" entirely. Or at least not yet. I think that's nice. I take comfort in that.

In Vienna right now.  Very beautiful and clean, although I miss the hawkers trying to sell me Gucci and Prada knock-offs that permeated this cities we have seen so far.  Have noticed, in every city since and including Munich, there is a wonderful sense of pride in one's community.  No trash, no grafitti.  Just beauty and respect for the city and country you live in.  How do we bring that to America, and not just the artificial culture?

Oh, I know:

Obama '08

Anyways, political agenda aside, we are having a fantastic time.  Croatia was the most "out-of-our-comfort-zone" country so far.  Very little English anywhere, but really nice people and beautiful countryside.  And super cheap ice cream!  

Gearing up for the 2nd half of our trip.  Can't believe so much time has gone by and yet, we still have so much to see.  Unless Chris drags me back to Munich. In which case, we may never get back.  May have to hold the proverbial carrot (i.e. Dublin) to get him to leave!  Wish me luck!

-Jess

Oh Bavaria...

I see Jess made reference to my recent exposure to Bavaria. Allow me to briefly elaborate:

While in Munich, I immersed myself devotedly to Bavarian culture.

Hour 1 - Arrive into Munich

Hour 2 - Chris consumes 1 liter of lager, 3 sausages, sauerkraut, boiled potatoes, potato salad

Hour 8 - We sleep

Hour 19 - We see the Glockenspiel

Hour 20 - We visit English Gardens

Hour 21 - Chris consumes 2 liters of dark ale, 3 sausages, 1 dumpling, potato salad

Hour 23 - We nap in English Gardens

Hours 30-32 - Chris consumes 3 liters of dark ale, 3 sausages, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes

Hour 33 - Chris takes a couple sips of whiskey - chooses to stop

Hour 34 - Chris' stomach gets angry with him...

Hour 35 - We sleep

Hour 43 - We depart for Zagreb

And there you have it: our brief yet thorough 43 hour visit to glorious Munchen! I'd say we did it perfectly.

* - meal 1 at Paulaner Brewery

** - meal 2 in beer garden in English Gardens

*** - meal 3 at the Hofbrauhaus

Chris and Jess have updated the itinerary, finally (located at bottom of page). This is fairly etched in stone... for now.

I've lost Chris!

We finally made it to Munich.

But, sadly, I have now lost Christopher in a vast sea of delicious Bavarian beer.  I don't expect I'll ever see him again.

Let us all mourn for Chris.  He was a good man.

As for me, I'm heading back to Santorini.

-Jess