gigamatic

My friend kriskelly just got back from a 3-week honeymoon in Europe. This is a quick list of some of her observations.

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Once outside of Germany, train times become approximate if at all. It is amazing how well the German trains run and you simply cross a border and the you can just throw time tables out the window. Traveling by train is way cool, just don't get bent out of shape if you don't get to all your locations on time.

We had not one person speak ill to us once discovering we were Americans. I wasn't sure what the feelings would be over there. We did however see various posters and shirts that were very anti-Bush, but not anti-American. I'm hoping this means most Europeans can tell the difference.

Germany is a very nice vacation. All of our German destinations were inexpensive compared to the other countries. Your money goes a lot further there. We're talking Athens like prices on beer, good ass German beer.

It is acceptable to drink beer at 9am in the morning on a train in Germany.

Everyone smokes.

In London the cartons of cigarettes have in large type, "Smoking will cause you a painful, early death" and yet everyone smokes.

The English countryside is a must see. More enjoyable to us than London.

London is freakin' huge. Possibly largest city I've ever visited. Not sure where it stands when compared to LA, but you need many, many days to see it all. We have to go back.

Europe is where all the lost 80s hits went to.

Amsterdam- the city that has it all. Three days in Amsterdam and each day was something completely different. One day spent admiring architecture and canals, one day spent exploring the red light district and all kinds of eateries. One day spent at various museums.

Despite possible ridicule I will admit my favorite day in A-dam was the museum day. I have never in my life seen in one day so many wonderful pieces of art and originals to boot. If you are an art fan you must go.

Seedier side of A-dam only got me thinking. Perhaps if I was a hot blooded American male this area would thrill me, but instead it made me sad.

Overall I have to say Amsterdam was pretty dirty. My husband went in '96 and said he didn't remember it being so dirty. Hotels are expensive so we stayed in a so-so one where our toilet broke on our last day and I was awoken the last morning by the guy in the room next to us wretching violently. Perhaps ideal vacation during my college days, but this city was not one of my favorite honeymoon experiences. I've seen it, don't think I ever need to go back.

Side note, marijuana is legally sold through out Holland. If this is a big deal to you and you have a desire to explore (perhaps the more real Holland) outside of Amsterdam we found coffee houses outside of Amsterdam most specifically in Tilburg.

Do not eat anything called Prawn Pie. You will regret it.

Eat pancakes (pankuekens) in Holland. yummmmmy.

Eat waffels in Belgium. yummmmy.

Tried pate in Belgium. It was I'm most certain the first time pureed chicken liver has broached my lips and its not bad.

Cheese in America is clearly some kind of imposter

There is such a thing as Eurotrash and I have seen it.

An English barteder was confounded at our thirst for English beer. He quite casually admitted to being a huge budweiser fan. Go figure.