Successfully arrived!
Some pictures:
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Museum of Natural History
Today Gabo took me over to Brooklyn, he dropped me by the 18th ave, where I took the subway to Manhattan. At Lafayette Broadway came a power outage, and the train stuck. Fortunately we were in a station. So I decided not to wait and walked all through the east village and then took another subway up to the west side where I visited the Museum of Natural History. This is one of the most amazing museums I have ever been. It covers tribe traditions from all over the World, including Natives, Mesopotamia tribes, Siberia, Africa, Inca and many more. Besides that I saw the exhibition of meteoroids which hit the Earth. Fossils of dinosaurs, a huge stuffed whale, and many other interesting stuff. I spent there more than 4 hours. After that I walked all around the West Side. In the evening I met Tomi, Josephine, and David for dinner on the 58th street in an excellent restaurant.
Tomorrow is just a half day, not enough to get in Manhattan, so I stay here. I leave around 6pm from JFK to Milan, and back home to Tel Aviv.
Pictures will come. Really. I promise.
Tomorrow is just a half day, not enough to get in Manhattan, so I stay here. I leave around 6pm from JFK to Milan, and back home to Tel Aviv.
Pictures will come. Really. I promise.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Central Park, Metropolitan Museum, MoMA and much more
The day before yesterday in the morning I took the Long Island Rail to Penn station. There I took the subway to Harlem. Not that I wanted to get there, but it just skipped on most stations, so I had to take another train back to 72nd street West side. There I saw the building in which John Lennon lived, and where he was murdered. Just opposite the house in Central Park I was the "Strawberry fields" and all other John Lennon related things and good atmosphere with guitars and singers. From there I walked up inside Central Park to the Belvedere Castle, from where I could see the most beutyful view of the whole park. Later on I visited the Metropolitan Museum, which was much bigger than I estimated. I think it requires a month or so to explore it, so I scanned some exhibitions in 2 hours. Then I met Tomi and Alexandra and we ate some cakes in Demo - a Wiener cafe. There was the huge Apple store just opposite the cafe, so there was no choice, I went there to see with about another 300 people in the same time. Then the Sony shop at 54th was the dessert.
Yesterday I visited the Intrepid, the huge aircraft carrier which parks on the Hudson river at 46th street. That was a great experience. I went all around the huge ship, up to the captain's deck, and down to the hangars. On the deck I saw many aircraft of which the carrier could take one hundred. Interesting film is shown in the theater about the history of the ship which served in the Second World War, and Vietnam as well. In the afternoon I went around Broadway, walked from 86th street all the way down to the Village. Bea came to meet me at 7, and we went to Caroline's comedy. The guy on the stage began with good jokes about Jews, and other people in New York, and then went over to some more sensitive stuff. After talking about the sensitive stuff 5-10 minutes he suddenly asked a girl sitting in the audience about her age. Guess what the answer was? 16! So he became very embarrassed, confused and switched to different topics. But this thing actually has ruined his show. But altogether it was funny.
Today I visited the Museum of Modern Art on the 54th street. That was a little too complex to me to understand this kind of modern art. But I enjoyed very much the exhibition on interior design as well as the museum shop at the end.
I also succeeded to buy pants, a pair of shoes and one t-shirt. Great success.
Tomorrow is my last whole day in the city. I hope to visit Guggenheim Museum and/or Fritz Collection and/or Natural History. I'll see how much I can do in one day.
I enjoy New York very very much. Pictures will be uploaded sometime. Please don't ask about this, please. Good?
Yesterday I visited the Intrepid, the huge aircraft carrier which parks on the Hudson river at 46th street. That was a great experience. I went all around the huge ship, up to the captain's deck, and down to the hangars. On the deck I saw many aircraft of which the carrier could take one hundred. Interesting film is shown in the theater about the history of the ship which served in the Second World War, and Vietnam as well. In the afternoon I went around Broadway, walked from 86th street all the way down to the Village. Bea came to meet me at 7, and we went to Caroline's comedy. The guy on the stage began with good jokes about Jews, and other people in New York, and then went over to some more sensitive stuff. After talking about the sensitive stuff 5-10 minutes he suddenly asked a girl sitting in the audience about her age. Guess what the answer was? 16! So he became very embarrassed, confused and switched to different topics. But this thing actually has ruined his show. But altogether it was funny.
Today I visited the Museum of Modern Art on the 54th street. That was a little too complex to me to understand this kind of modern art. But I enjoyed very much the exhibition on interior design as well as the museum shop at the end.
I also succeeded to buy pants, a pair of shoes and one t-shirt. Great success.
Tomorrow is my last whole day in the city. I hope to visit Guggenheim Museum and/or Fritz Collection and/or Natural History. I'll see how much I can do in one day.
I enjoy New York very very much. Pictures will be uploaded sometime. Please don't ask about this, please. Good?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Baltimore, DC, New York
Finally posting. Yesterday Mark, Alina, Yonatan and myself visited the Baltimore Aquarium. This is one of the biggest aquariums of the World. Excellent dolphin show, big sharks, and many other funny creatures. The exhibition of the jelly fishes was the most interesting. We walked all around the inner harbor of Baltimore, ate sushi creating some ecological imbalance in the sea.
Today Alina helped me in some shopping, I bought two shirts, and I finally know what is my size! I am however still completely unable to buy jeans or dockers, I am a complete misfit. Alina dropped me at a bus station in Reston. The bus took me to Falls Church where I took the metro to DC. In DC dropped my backpack in a locker, and went for a walk next to the Capitol Hill. Then I saw the Postal Museum, which was the closest museum to Union station. This was very interesting. Another non-boring museum, you know, one of those few. It introduced the history of the US Post and mail services. A very special point of view on the American history.
At 4 I took the Amtrak to New York Penn Station, where Gabor picked me up, and we went to the 42nd Street tower bar, up on the 48th floor. This is a restaurant which turns around in 360 degrees in one hour. So we saw Manhattan at night all around. On the napkins there was the map of the important buildings on the view illustrated, so we could identify most of them. Too late now for pictures. But they'll come.
Today Alina helped me in some shopping, I bought two shirts, and I finally know what is my size! I am however still completely unable to buy jeans or dockers, I am a complete misfit. Alina dropped me at a bus station in Reston. The bus took me to Falls Church where I took the metro to DC. In DC dropped my backpack in a locker, and went for a walk next to the Capitol Hill. Then I saw the Postal Museum, which was the closest museum to Union station. This was very interesting. Another non-boring museum, you know, one of those few. It introduced the history of the US Post and mail services. A very special point of view on the American history.
At 4 I took the Amtrak to New York Penn Station, where Gabor picked me up, and we went to the 42nd Street tower bar, up on the 48th floor. This is a restaurant which turns around in 360 degrees in one hour. So we saw Manhattan at night all around. On the napkins there was the map of the important buildings on the view illustrated, so we could identify most of them. Too late now for pictures. But they'll come.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Washington DC and Reston
On Friday morning I checked out really early from the hostel on 11th street in New York. I walked in the chilly morning to 4th West subway station with my backpack and trolley. It was still dark, late night pub visitors were spread out making their way home. I took the A train to Penn Station 34th street and took a train at 7:17 to Washington DC. The ride took three and a half hours, well, this is the disadvantage of the cheapest ticket. We run over Philadelphia and Baltimore before arriving to DC. DC's Union station is one of the most wonderful stations I have seen.
As you can see I began taking shots. I met Mark and Alina who picked me up at the station. We went to a walk in DC parks. We saw the monument of the second world war, and climbed up to George Washington Memorial.
Today we have visited the Air and Space museum. There are actually two of these. One in DC itself and the other is next to Washington Dulles airport. We went to the second one where the Enterprise space shuttle is exhibited. I sat in a simulator which simulates the Enterprise liftoff and landing. That was amazing. Now heavy rain outside, and the evening is yet to come!
As you can see I began taking shots. I met Mark and Alina who picked me up at the station. We went to a walk in DC parks. We saw the monument of the second world war, and climbed up to George Washington Memorial.
Today we have visited the Air and Space museum. There are actually two of these. One in DC itself and the other is next to Washington Dulles airport. We went to the second one where the Enterprise space shuttle is exhibited. I sat in a simulator which simulates the Enterprise liftoff and landing. That was amazing. Now heavy rain outside, and the evening is yet to come!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Washington square
It's the second evening when when I put the final chord on my day with some guitar music. All kind of spontaneous players sitting all around the square with the big marble arch on the side and an illuminated fountain in the middle. People just start playing something and then others come to join them for singing, drumming or playing another guitar. Others just walk by, and stay for one song or two. While playing and singing it's really hard to think about that the square once served for public executions. [for clarity: I didn't play. I just sat there and enjoyed how others played.]
Today I explored Queens with a friend of mine who lives there. He took me to Kew Gardens, Jamaica Hills and many other neighborhoods of Queens where the Jews rule. In some places there is a majority of Jewish shops, restaurants and residents. Then came back, ate a huge lobster on 6th avenue, and hung out in the village in some bars with live music. This is to compensate the kosher part of the day ;-)
Tomorrow I'll be off to Mark and Alina in Reston, VA for the weekend. Keep tuned!
Today I explored Queens with a friend of mine who lives there. He took me to Kew Gardens, Jamaica Hills and many other neighborhoods of Queens where the Jews rule. In some places there is a majority of Jewish shops, restaurants and residents. Then came back, ate a huge lobster on 6th avenue, and hung out in the village in some bars with live music. This is to compensate the kosher part of the day ;-)
Tomorrow I'll be off to Mark and Alina in Reston, VA for the weekend. Keep tuned!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Ray's pizza and others.
I must inform the reader with great disappointment that the famous Ray's Pizza 6th avenue corner 11th street doesn't rock at all. It's a big big slice of pizza with tons of oil on it. I really don't understand why is that so famous.
Anyway. To the point.
Yesterday evening I was hanging out quite a bit. I began in a Cuban Restaurant in the east Village where I wanted to order:
- Excuse me, Sir, what is a paella del choriros?
- It's just like paella de vormachinez but a little more spicy.
- Which is?
- Oh. sorry. vormachinez is with crullos and fartios, you know sir, fish!
(Oh, fish I know that!)
- Ok, that will be fine.
That was a fantastic paella. Rice with kinds of fish. Tons of primiadilez and kelisavertos in it ;-) or something similar. Next place was a live music bar, in a basement of a building. Good music, much fun. Then the Fat Cat also with live music.
Today I went to "track and trails", a sports shop in the downtown. I finally bought a couple of things: a small backpack, a raincoat, and fast-dry pants.
I ate lunch at Balthazar on Spring street, quite close to Broadway corner. That was a fantastic place. If you don't like gourmet food, turn to the next paragraph. Entree: Oysters: 6 fresh oysters samples: 3 from the West- and 3 from the East-coast. All of different types. Then I ate a huge beef steak fillet made medium-rare which tasted awesome. That was really delicious. Dessert I choose Pavlova with warm berries. That was the best Pavlova ever in my life, including all New Zealand and Australia. Fantastic.
After having eaten all these I went to Wall Street's museum of American Finance. All about stock-, bond- and commodities exchange, their history. The dollar, notes and interesting facts about them. This is one of the few non-boring museums which I rarely see.
Later on I walked all the way up to Chinatown and Little Italy. Chinatown is just like Hong Kong, Chinese occasionally tempered by a little bit of English. Amazing markets selling unknown fruits, and all Chinese stuff. Just one street ahead I crossed to the other side and found myself in Little Italy, where the best Italian restaurants are located.
Anyway. To the point.
Yesterday evening I was hanging out quite a bit. I began in a Cuban Restaurant in the east Village where I wanted to order:
- Excuse me, Sir, what is a paella del choriros?
- It's just like paella de vormachinez but a little more spicy.
- Which is?
- Oh. sorry. vormachinez is with crullos and fartios, you know sir, fish!
(Oh, fish I know that!)
- Ok, that will be fine.
That was a fantastic paella. Rice with kinds of fish. Tons of primiadilez and kelisavertos in it ;-) or something similar. Next place was a live music bar, in a basement of a building. Good music, much fun. Then the Fat Cat also with live music.
Today I went to "track and trails", a sports shop in the downtown. I finally bought a couple of things: a small backpack, a raincoat, and fast-dry pants.
I ate lunch at Balthazar on Spring street, quite close to Broadway corner. That was a fantastic place. If you don't like gourmet food, turn to the next paragraph. Entree: Oysters: 6 fresh oysters samples: 3 from the West- and 3 from the East-coast. All of different types. Then I ate a huge beef steak fillet made medium-rare which tasted awesome. That was really delicious. Dessert I choose Pavlova with warm berries. That was the best Pavlova ever in my life, including all New Zealand and Australia. Fantastic.
After having eaten all these I went to Wall Street's museum of American Finance. All about stock-, bond- and commodities exchange, their history. The dollar, notes and interesting facts about them. This is one of the few non-boring museums which I rarely see.
Later on I walked all the way up to Chinatown and Little Italy. Chinatown is just like Hong Kong, Chinese occasionally tempered by a little bit of English. Amazing markets selling unknown fruits, and all Chinese stuff. Just one street ahead I crossed to the other side and found myself in Little Italy, where the best Italian restaurants are located.
Hanging out
Yesterday I took the subway all the way down to the financial district. The first thing I saw was Century 21. I went in, which turned out to be a mistake. So cheap. On the other hand they don't even have fitting rooms. Strange. I left the zone of Century 21 quickly. I saw the are of the ground zero, and the memorial. I walked all around Wall street and other small streets of the neighborhood. Then I took the Staten Island Ferry from the terminal. Not that I had something to do on Staten Island, but it goes quite close to the statue of Liberty. So I saw it twice. I saw New York from a very special view from the sea. In the afternoon and evening I walked all over the streets of the village and Chelsea.
Today first thing in the morning I went up to Empire State Building. I was there at opening. So I didn't wait in any queue. Now I saw how big and tall actually New York is. The building itself is amazing as well.
Later on I walked around the east side of the Midtown. In the after noon I took a bus to the Jersey Gardens Outlet. This was quite a disappointment. It's a huge area of bullshit with a few good stuff inside. The thing is that in order to reach the good things you have to jump into all that other stuff. The reader can replace some words with others. I don't want to violate bolg regulations. So I ended up with 3 pairs of socks. That's the whole deal. In general I can say the the sellers in NY don't know even their own stuff. The mix real shit with valuable goods, and sometimes it seems that even they cannot differ between them. Then I returned to the hotel to search the Internet for some sports stuff. It pointed out some stores here in Manhattan which are supposed to sell those things. When I called them to ask if they have it they just said "Eh? What? Huh?". So it works. I hunted some strawberries from the deli, which I'm going to eat soon. Then I'll be heading out for dinner.
One more strange thing. New Yorkers don't wait for the green light when crossing a street. They just walk. Even when cars are coming they cross if there are enough cheeky people who cooperate for red light crossing. Sometimes a policeman stands in the middle, but it seems to me that he defenses the cars from the walkers more than the walkers from themselves.
Today first thing in the morning I went up to Empire State Building. I was there at opening. So I didn't wait in any queue. Now I saw how big and tall actually New York is. The building itself is amazing as well.
Later on I walked around the east side of the Midtown. In the after noon I took a bus to the Jersey Gardens Outlet. This was quite a disappointment. It's a huge area of bullshit with a few good stuff inside. The thing is that in order to reach the good things you have to jump into all that other stuff. The reader can replace some words with others. I don't want to violate bolg regulations. So I ended up with 3 pairs of socks. That's the whole deal. In general I can say the the sellers in NY don't know even their own stuff. The mix real shit with valuable goods, and sometimes it seems that even they cannot differ between them. Then I returned to the hotel to search the Internet for some sports stuff. It pointed out some stores here in Manhattan which are supposed to sell those things. When I called them to ask if they have it they just said "Eh? What? Huh?". So it works. I hunted some strawberries from the deli, which I'm going to eat soon. Then I'll be heading out for dinner.
One more strange thing. New Yorkers don't wait for the green light when crossing a street. They just walk. Even when cars are coming they cross if there are enough cheeky people who cooperate for red light crossing. Sometimes a policeman stands in the middle, but it seems to me that he defenses the cars from the walkers more than the walkers from themselves.
Monday, September 21, 2009
a less formal day
Yesterday I didn't post, but here it goes now.
In the morning I walked around Whashington Square, when came the phonecall from Szilvia, a very good childhood friend, who invited me to come to visit them. So I took the subway to Grand Central and then the train to Croton Harmon. They live in a very nice house with a garden. We went to soo the Pow-Wow not far from their place. Native americans (Indians) were dressed and were dancing their traditional folk dances. All kind of native handicrafts were sold, I liked the fox-faces, but no, I didn't buy one. The fox was inside.
Then a bried BBQ in the garden and I hopped on the train back to Grand Central. That was a very nice day. In the evening I went to the Commedy Cellar where all kind of commedists showed up on the stage making a really good time for the audiance. It was really funny, not that I can citate any of their jokes.
In the morning I walked around Whashington Square, when came the phonecall from Szilvia, a very good childhood friend, who invited me to come to visit them. So I took the subway to Grand Central and then the train to Croton Harmon. They live in a very nice house with a garden. We went to soo the Pow-Wow not far from their place. Native americans (Indians) were dressed and were dancing their traditional folk dances. All kind of native handicrafts were sold, I liked the fox-faces, but no, I didn't buy one. The fox was inside.
Then a bried BBQ in the garden and I hopped on the train back to Grand Central. That was a very nice day. In the evening I went to the Commedy Cellar where all kind of commedists showed up on the stage making a really good time for the audiance. It was really funny, not that I can citate any of their jokes.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Stand clear of the closing doors, please!
This was my first whole day in New York. It's easy to get around, I don't even need the map. I toured over the village, drunk a terrible lemonade for which I even payed 3 dollars. Went up to the Times Square, then walked back to Union Square. Great sunny weather, a simple t-shirt did it. I had lunch in an Italian restaurant serving gorgonzola cheese with portebello style mushrooms and excellent salads. At the nearby table an old man was eating colorful candies for dessert which he pulled out from his jacket's pocket. :-)
I saved my eating capabilities to the evening. It was worth it all.
At 6 I went over to Tomi's and Josephine's home on east 70th street. They are very kind people. The jacket was on place, good that I bought it with me. I was glad to see that not everybody was wearing a tie. There were 17 guests which were served by 2 housekeeper ladies who were hired for this purpose.
The evening began in the hall of the kitchen where we drunk some wine, ate some cheese and other stuff. Then we went over to the piano room where Sarah - one of the guests from Boston - played Chopin in remembrance of the 200th birthday of the composer. Then we went up to the dining room where the table was already organized. The guests were from the Goldman Sachs (Josephine's work), from the UN, and other respectful employers. Tomi and Josephine sat on the opposite sides of the long table (actually of the room). On the walls of the dining room remarkable paintings were hanging. I thought it was a nice two stories house, until Tomi decided to show me around.
Ok, dear reader, just sit back. This house has six floors. Each floor serves different purposes. A floor where Tomi works, 2 floors for sleeping and bathrooms, one for the living- and dining room, one for the kitchen and the piano, and one... I forget, but there were six. The floors are connected with a wooden two staircases and an elevator, which was the original elevator of the building dating back to its construction in 1910. By the way the house is located just opposite of Woody Allan's house.
Some words about the menu: Soup with traditional kneidelach, then meat with meet: roasted lamb, duck breast, chicken items, salads, potatoes, etc...
The dessert was made of 5 courses: pears with cinnamon, Pavlova, honey cake, and another 2 kind of cakes.
We killed'm all :-)
Then we were sitting in the living room where the impressive china collection is located with Herendi chinas all around, and paintings on the walls.
I have never been in such party in such castle in my life. That was an real experience for me.
Shana Tova!
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I was walking around without my camera, which turns out to be a great fun. For photos of New York use Google. They are far better than the ones I make. So I decided to get rid of the camera for the first days.
I saved my eating capabilities to the evening. It was worth it all.
At 6 I went over to Tomi's and Josephine's home on east 70th street. They are very kind people. The jacket was on place, good that I bought it with me. I was glad to see that not everybody was wearing a tie. There were 17 guests which were served by 2 housekeeper ladies who were hired for this purpose.
The evening began in the hall of the kitchen where we drunk some wine, ate some cheese and other stuff. Then we went over to the piano room where Sarah - one of the guests from Boston - played Chopin in remembrance of the 200th birthday of the composer. Then we went up to the dining room where the table was already organized. The guests were from the Goldman Sachs (Josephine's work), from the UN, and other respectful employers. Tomi and Josephine sat on the opposite sides of the long table (actually of the room). On the walls of the dining room remarkable paintings were hanging. I thought it was a nice two stories house, until Tomi decided to show me around.
Ok, dear reader, just sit back. This house has six floors. Each floor serves different purposes. A floor where Tomi works, 2 floors for sleeping and bathrooms, one for the living- and dining room, one for the kitchen and the piano, and one... I forget, but there were six. The floors are connected with a wooden two staircases and an elevator, which was the original elevator of the building dating back to its construction in 1910. By the way the house is located just opposite of Woody Allan's house.
Some words about the menu: Soup with traditional kneidelach, then meat with meet: roasted lamb, duck breast, chicken items, salads, potatoes, etc...
The dessert was made of 5 courses: pears with cinnamon, Pavlova, honey cake, and another 2 kind of cakes.
We killed'm all :-)
Then we were sitting in the living room where the impressive china collection is located with Herendi chinas all around, and paintings on the walls.
I have never been in such party in such castle in my life. That was an real experience for me.
Shana Tova!
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I was walking around without my camera, which turns out to be a great fun. For photos of New York use Google. They are far better than the ones I make. So I decided to get rid of the camera for the first days.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
I made it!
Successfully arrived to JFK with Air France via Charles De Gaulle. I even slept a little bit on the plane. From JFK I took the Air Train to Howard Station where I bought a train ticket together with a one-week subway ticket. During the ride I figured out where to get off. I came up at West 4th street where I asked two girls for directions. Where is north, east, etc. They told two totally different things and they started to discuss with each other that if north is there then the opposite direction cannot be west, it must be south. Anyway, I figured out the directions alone. Found the hotel on 11th street between 5th and 6th avenues. Nice place. I went out to grab some food. I found a place named something like "7-day open food restaurant", ate some fish and now I am back to the hotel.
In the restaurant I heard an excellent joke, which was told at the table next to mine.
- Wh*&^*$#)%&*@)( the parrots and $(&#*(&$#@ so then the man came and said (*&$(*#&%*@&*(#$&
- hahahaaaa!
Good one, ain't it?
Now crashing to bed.
In the restaurant I heard an excellent joke, which was told at the table next to mine.
- Wh*&^*$#)%&*@)( the parrots and $(&#*(&$#@ so then the man came and said (*&$(*#&%*@&*(#$&
- hahahaaaa!
Good one, ain't it?
Now crashing to bed.
Friday, September 18, 2009
zero sleeps
two so to say irregular things in my backpack:
- a sport jacket
- a made-in-china colorful big farm tractor
New York, here I come!
- a sport jacket
- a made-in-china colorful big farm tractor
New York, here I come!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
23-25 July, Riga
3 whole days I had to explore Riga, I enjoyed it very much.
Air Baltic has absolutely no problems with the service on board, because there is no such. 4.5 hours without a glass of water!
But the upcoming 3 days were a real compensation to the inconvenience.
Enjoy the next slide show!
Air Baltic has absolutely no problems with the service on board, because there is no such. 4.5 hours without a glass of water!
But the upcoming 3 days were a real compensation to the inconvenience.
Enjoy the next slide show!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Going to Riga, Latvia for the weekend!
Yeah, traveling again to the duty free!
Leaving Tel Aviv with Air Baltic on Thursday early morning, landing in Riga around 10am. Then come 3 whole days in Riga. Flight back home the night between Saturday and Sunday.
No, I don't take the laptop with me, I'll be on HOLIDAY (even if it's short). Photos will be uploaded on next Sunday, after getting back home.
Some maps for the curious reader, who is waiting for the stories and photos impatiently :
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Leaving Tel Aviv with Air Baltic on Thursday early morning, landing in Riga around 10am. Then come 3 whole days in Riga. Flight back home the night between Saturday and Sunday.
No, I don't take the laptop with me, I'll be on HOLIDAY (even if it's short). Photos will be uploaded on next Sunday, after getting back home.
Some maps for the curious reader, who is waiting for the stories and photos impatiently :
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Thursday, April 16, 2009
16 April 2009, Barcelona, Milano, Budapest
In the morning I went for a walk in the city, without any particular purpose, just so. I bought about 1.5 kg chocolate, ate 4 grilled squids on the market, drunk some fruit juice, went back to the hostel, took then metro to Catalunya station, and from there I took the Aeropuerto bus to the airport. At the airport I checked in with the Lufthansa automatic checkin machine, which scanned my passport, understood my name, let me choose seat, and printed out two boarding passes. Inside I discovered that they owe me 17.5 euros of tax return. So I went back out, convinced the officials to stamp and sign on the form, took the money at the counter, and went back to the transit. Short connection in Milano, and back to Budapest now.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
15 April 2009, Barcelona
After yesterday´s pub it was a complex decision to wake up at 9, but I managed it. At 10 I was already in the Guell Park, the most marvelous park I´ve ever toured. Gaudi´s house is also there, which was designed by himself. Pictures talk more than words.
I also visited today the Museum of Catalonian Art. The permanent and temporary exhibitions include Baroc, collections, Modern Art with some masterpieces of Picasso, and a photo exhibition from the period of the Spanish civil war.
For lunch I went back to the market, where the best food is. I ate seafood, of course; I hardly touch meat, because the seafood is so good and so fresh that it somehow always wins.
In the afternoon hours I visited the Casa Batllo. This building is one of Gaudi´s masterpieces, a legend of art. The guided tour, which costs a fortune (16.50 Euro!), took me over a discovery tour inside the brain of one of the genius architects of all times. See pictures!
I also visited today the Museum of Catalonian Art. The permanent and temporary exhibitions include Baroc, collections, Modern Art with some masterpieces of Picasso, and a photo exhibition from the period of the Spanish civil war.
For lunch I went back to the market, where the best food is. I ate seafood, of course; I hardly touch meat, because the seafood is so good and so fresh that it somehow always wins.
In the afternoon hours I visited the Casa Batllo. This building is one of Gaudi´s masterpieces, a legend of art. The guided tour, which costs a fortune (16.50 Euro!), took me over a discovery tour inside the brain of one of the genius architects of all times. See pictures!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
14 April 2009, Barcelona
I began my day with the huge church of Sagrada Famila. This impressive architectural creature´s building began in 1884 by Gaudi, and is still far from its end. I was queuing up for about an hour, and then got up with the elevator to one of the towers of the temple. In the basement all the miniatures of the plans are exhibited. Those towers are by the way appx 170 meter high.
Then unfortunately I found the main street of shopping. That terrible mistake cost me a fortune. But money was spent for the best things, believe me! I explained myself that anyway I´d have to buy something for the summer... So I did it here.
In the afternoon I expored the market of La Rambla. Colorful, tasty stuff. Ate some fruits, and some grilled squids.
In the evening I went to España square were I found amazing view on the city by sunset. Tomorrow I´ll have a busy day, it´s my last whole day here. Enjoy some pictures of today, another beautiful, sunny day in Barcelona.
tapas!
sagrada familia
one of Gaudi´s creatures
market!
my squid, just a moment after removing it from the grill
Plaza España
Then unfortunately I found the main street of shopping. That terrible mistake cost me a fortune. But money was spent for the best things, believe me! I explained myself that anyway I´d have to buy something for the summer... So I did it here.
In the afternoon I expored the market of La Rambla. Colorful, tasty stuff. Ate some fruits, and some grilled squids.
In the evening I went to España square were I found amazing view on the city by sunset. Tomorrow I´ll have a busy day, it´s my last whole day here. Enjoy some pictures of today, another beautiful, sunny day in Barcelona.
tapas!
sagrada familia
one of Gaudi´s creatures
market!
my squid, just a moment after removing it from the grill
Plaza España
Monday, April 13, 2009
13 April, 2009, Barcelona
In the morning hours...oh...I was sleeping :-)
Around 11 I left the hostel and explored the Gothic quarter of the city. The amazingly narrow streets, lead me to very interesting places. The city was conqered many times during its history. This time by the German tourists. I visited the Placa Reial, the big Catedral - Casa de L´arcadia, and an ancient synagouge. Wonderful plazas are untouchable, and many of them are closed to veichles traffic. I made my way down to the seashore promedare, which is full of excellent fish and seafood restaurants. They are quite expensive. Finally I found a cheaper one. There I ate the best paella. A pan of rice with excellent souce with some fish and seafood baked in it. Real joy for the tounge. Beatuiful, sunny weather today :-). I saw the Arc de Triomf, the Ciutadella, and finally ended up in the Museum of Picasso. This museum is dedicated only to Picasso´s works who lived in Barcelona for some years.
A picture is hanging on the wall over my monitor in the internet cafe, the guy on it has four eyes. I think I´ll move to another computer... But this has nothing to do with Picasso.
Done. Much better.
Now heading for some tapas bar dinner.
Barcelona is great! Just the spellchecker doesn´t work here. I mean it does, for Spanish. 95% of the words in this post are disspelled! hehe. Picures:
La Rambla, next to the hostel
Kind of breakfast
Old city
Next to the seashore
port and restaurants
a typical starter
this is paella
sand-art
Around 11 I left the hostel and explored the Gothic quarter of the city. The amazingly narrow streets, lead me to very interesting places. The city was conqered many times during its history. This time by the German tourists. I visited the Placa Reial, the big Catedral - Casa de L´arcadia, and an ancient synagouge. Wonderful plazas are untouchable, and many of them are closed to veichles traffic. I made my way down to the seashore promedare, which is full of excellent fish and seafood restaurants. They are quite expensive. Finally I found a cheaper one. There I ate the best paella. A pan of rice with excellent souce with some fish and seafood baked in it. Real joy for the tounge. Beatuiful, sunny weather today :-). I saw the Arc de Triomf, the Ciutadella, and finally ended up in the Museum of Picasso. This museum is dedicated only to Picasso´s works who lived in Barcelona for some years.
A picture is hanging on the wall over my monitor in the internet cafe, the guy on it has four eyes. I think I´ll move to another computer... But this has nothing to do with Picasso.
Done. Much better.
Now heading for some tapas bar dinner.
Barcelona is great! Just the spellchecker doesn´t work here. I mean it does, for Spanish. 95% of the words in this post are disspelled! hehe. Picures:
La Rambla, next to the hostel Kind of breakfast Old city Next to the seashore port and restaurants a typical starter this is paella sand-art
12 April, 2009, Madrid, Barcelona
In the morning I checked out from the hostel, and took the metro to Atocha station. I locked my backpack in an automatic locker and went to visit the nearby Museum of Reina Sofia. This museum is dedicated to modern art. They have a remarkable collection of Salvador Dali, and many other artists, most of are not in the understandable category. But that´s art. At 12:30 I took the fast renfe train from Atocha station and after about 3 hours I was in Barcelona Sants. This supersonic :-) train´s speed was always between 280 and 310 km/h. On the way I saw small villages passing by in the constantly changing landscape occasionally interrupted by beautiful castles, and also by footprints of evil industries. In Barcelona I walked down on the La Rambla street to my hostel. My room is actually in an appartment on the 5th floor. There is an elevator in which I didn´t fit in with my backpack. Yeah, good food in spain :-) .
In the afternoon I saw the wax museum, and evening hours I went for a walk in the small streets of the old city, until I saw that a classical spanish guitar concert it about to begin in a nearby church. Without a second of hasitation I payed 15 euros for the ticket, which made the evening one of my best experiences in Spain. Manuel Gonzalez, the famous guitar player played pieces of various Spanish compositors. Fantasia Española, Siutes of Isaac Albeniz, Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Dreams from Alhambra) were just a few of them. That was *really* fantastic.
A nearby tapas bar put the final chord on the day with excellent drink and food, tempered by most meaningful discussions about the financial crisis with some British and American guests. After solving all problems of the World I went back to the hostel.
Inside Atocha Station, Madrid.
Renfe train at the Atocha station
I met some old friends in the Wax Museum of Barcelona
Rain in Barcelona
In the afternoon I saw the wax museum, and evening hours I went for a walk in the small streets of the old city, until I saw that a classical spanish guitar concert it about to begin in a nearby church. Without a second of hasitation I payed 15 euros for the ticket, which made the evening one of my best experiences in Spain. Manuel Gonzalez, the famous guitar player played pieces of various Spanish compositors. Fantasia Española, Siutes of Isaac Albeniz, Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Dreams from Alhambra) were just a few of them. That was *really* fantastic.
A nearby tapas bar put the final chord on the day with excellent drink and food, tempered by most meaningful discussions about the financial crisis with some British and American guests. After solving all problems of the World I went back to the hostel.
Inside Atocha Station, Madrid.Renfe train at the Atocha stationI met some old friends in the Wax Museum of BarcelonaRain in Barcelona
Saturday, April 11, 2009
11 April, 2009, Madrid
Today in the morning hours I've visited the Museo Nacional del Prado. I saw the permanent exhibitions of this huge museum. Well, could not cover all of it, but I did see the most important masterpieces of Bosch, Francisco de Goya, Diego Velázquez, Peter Paul Rubens and some of Rembrandt. Ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. From the Prado I walked through the Praque del Retiro, a huge park with lakes, modern statues, and tons of squirrels in it. I saw the used-book sellers, I walked via Puerta de Alcala, Banco de Espana and Calle Gran Via. For lunch I entered one of the most famous and authentic tapas bars: the Malaspina. I ate some of those tasty tapas with cheese, meat, anchovies, and other toppings.
In the evening hours I walked all around the small streets of Calle Mayor, and Calle de Segovia. This area is located between the Palacio del Real and Plaza Mayor. Wonderful streets with excellent restaurants. I went back to Plaza del Mayor, one of the amazing places of Madrid. I entered two places tonight. Both of them were authentic pubs where I ate mussels and giant shrimps and drunk beer. Heared football game broadcasted by the radio, standed and sat with all the locals. I also discovered that when I speak French with pronouncing out all the vowels and consonants it simply becomes Spanish and they understand me. Hm. So I ordered in Spanish. Some pictures of today.
book sellers. cheap!
the park
modern art statues in the park
Banco de España
tapas at Malaspina
inside Malaspina
an avarage restaurant on Plaza del Mayor. Yami...
and another one...
In the evening hours I walked all around the small streets of Calle Mayor, and Calle de Segovia. This area is located between the Palacio del Real and Plaza Mayor. Wonderful streets with excellent restaurants. I went back to Plaza del Mayor, one of the amazing places of Madrid. I entered two places tonight. Both of them were authentic pubs where I ate mussels and giant shrimps and drunk beer. Heared football game broadcasted by the radio, standed and sat with all the locals. I also discovered that when I speak French with pronouncing out all the vowels and consonants it simply becomes Spanish and they understand me. Hm. So I ordered in Spanish. Some pictures of today.
book sellers. cheap!
the park
modern art statues in the park
Banco de España
tapas at Malaspina
inside Malaspinaan avarage restaurant on Plaza del Mayor. Yami...
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