Rockstar/Pope Benedict XVI

Hmm... Zagreb was kinda boring to be honest. I think the most eventful thing to happen was my trip to the Canadian Embassy and my decision to seriously change my plans for the following 90 days. Apparently this whole "Schengen area" thing is kinda a big deal. When I left Hungary into Croatia I left the Schengen zone. Since I had already over stayed my 90 days of 180 days within Schengen I would no longer be able to re-enter into Italy (a Schengen country) without being deported, fined, or both. So instead of leaving Croatia for Italy on June 16th as I had planned, I found a Workaway on an island in Croatia in Korcula starting on June 10th. I will have to stay within the Balkan countries until the first week of September, when I can go back to the Schengen zone.

   Anyways, back to my unexciting stay in Zagreb. Turns out the Pope was in town during my stay. He seems to be quite the rockstar. There were billboards and posters up promoting his visit and when he finally arrived the whole city shut down and was taken over by crowds of people singing songs, chanting in the streets, wearing matching t-shirts and carrying big signs. I think it was a bigger deal then if Jesus himself had returned. I chose to opt out of the pope spotting, since it seems you had to have a ticket to enter certain areas just to see the old guy. Instead I wandered, avoided the random rain down pours, and sat watching the thunder and lightning from my hostel. It was a good chance to relax and get a few things sorted out.

 Mr. Rockstar himself.

 The Museum of Broken Relationships - Best museum I've been to. Definitely the most original. It was so interesting to read about the ways other peoples relationships have ended. The sad, the bad, and the mad.

 BUREK!!!! Frickin delicous. I ate so many.

Hometown glory!

Speed up-dating.

So I realize I am ridiculously far behind on updating my blog. So I'm going to bring you a little more up to date as quick as possible. Im just going to post a ton of photos and give you a little info about each. Here I go!

Vienna

 I ate a lot of pastry in Vienna. Sitting in a coffeeshop just taking in the passing faces, beautiful buildings and lovely weather was something I did a lot of!

 Just laying in a park was also a wonderful past time in Vienna.

 I made it to the Spanish Riding School to see amorning exercise... not really worth the 12 Euros if you aren't really into dressage but I absolutely loved seeing the horses and riders technique.

 Aussie pals and I after a long journey to find the palace and gardens. We had a nice little nap in the gardens before heading back to the hostel to share a tub of ice cream. Yum!

So many amazing statues, beautiful buildings, and parks that I could wander around all day just looking at the sights. In fact, thats basically all I did the whole time to be honest!

Budapest

 I spent a day at the thermal baths with Priya and Scott (who I also ran into in Amsterdam and Prague). They ranged from about 20 - 45 degrees. I just laid around the pools all day and in the pools.

Paprika Chicken and egg gnocchi... freakin delicious!!!!

A few bucks just for you Lew!

Peko made an appearance again. Hi Peko!

Pécs

 Mosque converted into a church. Pécs (pronounced Pay-ch) was full of beautiful, colourful buildings.

 SERIOUS love locks!!!!

 Flash down pour. We hid in a doorway until the rain let up a bit.

Abby from NWT. My partner in tourist crime for a few days.

 Ambers turn on the hookah. We found an awesome little caffe-bar that also had hookahs. We tried the two apple flavour. Yum!

 Projection on the wall at the caffe-bar.

 Simon and Amber, my lovely, new, free spirited Aussie pals.

Tasty breakie in the morn.

 Abby found an awesome veg restaurant. They made amazing food and the family that owned it were SO lovely!! They chatted with us and made us feel so welcome. I went back the next day with Amber and Simon. (Home made bread roll, spiced musky potatoes, sweet tomato sauce, veg soup)

Under that tomato sauce there was homemade cheese steaks. I would do anything for another one of those yummy bits. (Ginger and bean soup, spiced pineapple, barley balls, cheese and tomato)

I'm almost up to date now. I am currently in Croatia in Korcula doing a Workaway at a hostel. I have been in Croatia since June 3rd. I will update you on the last couple weeks in a day or two. :)

It is no longer called Czechoslovakia

 Thats right. The Czech Republic. We learned about it as Czechoslovakia in school but that changed... oh, 9 years ago. Its just funny to me how many people still refer to it as that.

   My first stop in the Czech Republic was touristy, but beautiful Prague. It was surprising to me just how many tourists there were in Prague. There are crowds almost everywhere. It was very unexpected. However, no matter how many tourists, it is still such a beautiful city. Lovely buildings, gorgeous river, amazing castle on the hillside, great parks, and delicious food! I had such a nice time wandering in Prague.

   At my hostel, I ran into a couple, Priya and Scott, that had been staying at my hostel in Amsterdam. We got to talking and ended up spending a day or so wandering Prague together. Its just so funny how many people take similar routes in Europe. Its fairly common to run in to people more then once because of this. As it so happens, Prague wouldn't be my last chance meeting with Priya and Scott!

 On my last day in Prague I had the choice between doing a day trip to Cesky Krumlov or Terezin concentration camp. I chose the latter because I was not sure whether I would be able to see another camp on my trip and I thought it necessary to pay my respects to the lives lost. It was a bit of a gloomy day but very eye opening. I did not realize just how many different nationalities were forced into concentration camps under the Nazi reign. All in all I felt my experience at Terezin was necessary but I don't think I would want to see another former camp in my life time.

 Bramborack and sauerkraut

 Astrological clock

 John Lennon memorial wall

 Cathedral at the castle

  Inside the cathedral. Probably one of my favorites so far. The stained glass was unlike anything I've seen! 

Terezin Concentration Camp -

I was really confused by the fact people were taking photos inside the camp. Am I the only one that thinks that is really disrespectful?

   From Prague, I headed to Brno. It is the second largest city in the Czech and hometown to one of my favourite people! Its a pretty unassuming city but after tourist filled Prague it was a breathe of fresh air. I really enjoyed wandering the city, eating good food, and seeing the sights. Truthfully, there isn't much to be seen. However, the castle was great! It offers a very thorough history of the castle, which turned into a prison and was later used by the Nazis as a prison also. I was one of very few people at the castle so I didn't feel rushed to see things and I took my sweet time browsing the exhibits. At one point the bells started playing... to the tune of Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On" but horribly off key. I wished I had another Canadian there to laugh with me because I had a really good laugh all by myself. 

   Another interesting site in Brno was the Capuchin Crypt. The crypt is home to a number of well preserved, mummified bodies that were laid to rest in the basement. You can see the bodies up close and it really was interesting to see real mummified humans. Rach, I think you would have loved it! One of the bodies they think must have been buried alive. The most interesting part for me was at the back of the crypt. They used to lay the bodies of the Capuchin monks along the floor by removing the bottom slat from the coffin and letting the body settle on the floor. This way they could reuse the coffins. The monks bodies were laid side by side and you can still see them today. You can also still see parts of the robes, belts and rosaries. I was completely fascinated. However, I was one visiting the tomb and by the time I made it to the end I had creeped myself out so much I ran out of there! Of course, not enough to keep me from seeing the crypt in Vienna...

The red church

 For all you hockey fans... I guess I mean, for all you Canadians.

Langos! Also popular in Austria and Hungary. Its basically a deep fried bread pancake. Topped with cheese and ketchup. Yep, its pretty much pure awesome.

   While I was in Brno, I made a trip to Olomouc, pronounced like Ola-moats if you are wondering. Its a pretty historical little town. It has lots of nice museums that are virtually free. For the equivalent of a few Canadian dollars I got admission for both the Modern Art museum and the Archdiocesan Museum. Both were interesting. However, I started to get kind of upset in the Archdiocesan Museum looking at all the jewels and fancy things used in Catholic services and ceremonies. Why does a church need so many riches and shiny things in order to even have just a simple Sunday service? And does the bible not say something about it being much easier for a poor man to make it to heaven then it is for the rich? If thats the case, I think the Catholic church is going to have a hard time getting through the pearly gates with their pockets so fully loaded with material goods. Just a thought...

How Czech! Beer, steamed bread, potato dumplings, duck, and cabbage!

The astrological clock had its figures replaced with "workers" during the Communist Era.

Berlin

   I don't even know where to start with Berlin. The tragic history, the present "poor" status of Berlin, the young vibe, and the fact that it was built to accommodate about 10 million people but currently only houses less then 4 million. Berlin is a truly awesome, and very unique city. After being virtually the epicenter of not only the First and Second world wars, but also the Cold war this city is bathing in the glory of its new found freedom. It has a young, liberal, laid back vibe that resonates through every aspect of Berlin. The best example of this can be found in the abundance of street art that paints almost every wall or building in the city. The art scene is abundant, colourful and fascinating. Artists from around the world come to leave their mark on Berlin.

   I had the chance to take part in a street art tour through the city and a stenciling workshop. On the tour the history of street art, graffiti and tagging was explained, as well as information about some of Berlin's (and Europe's) most infamous artists, most of whom like to remain anonymous. At the end of the tour we were able to make our own stencils and spray our own art on to canvases. I enjoyed having the chance to express some of the inspiration I had built up while viewing Berlins art scene.

  In addition to the street art, The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin wall that has been transformed into an outdoor art gallery displaying works created by artists from around the world. All of the pieces express a sense of hope, peace, and unity for all of the worlds nations that is symbolic of the fall of the wall in 1989, when East and West germany were reunited.

   I fell in love with Berlin and everything that it stood for. I hope that some of my photos can do justice to the inspirational nature that I felt in this city.

Be one with the shiny boobed sculpture.