Pics of the day 6/30/11

Can't believe that it is almost July. I've been gone for almost three months but only seems like yesterday that I left. It has been a great ride up to this point.

I'm back in Berlin and picking up where I left off from a few years ago. I never took in the Berlin wall in true fashion last time, so I made my way there earlier today. Definitely puts things in perspective and the trouble this city and country have had over the past century.




The wall, in the foreground, which leads into the "kill zone" and is then followed by the hinterland wall, behind the guard tower. From where I took the picture, I would have been standing in west Berlin looking over to the east.



Part of the mural that shows how they literally drew a line down Bernauerstrasse to divide east from west.




Bernauerstrasse would have been west, while Ackerstrasse was part of east Berlin.

Hard to believe it just came down a little more than twenty years ago.

Tcshuss!!
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Location:Swinemünder Straße,Berlin,Germany

Pics of the day 6/26/11

I have found that it is pretty easy to slack off and not do any blog posts here in Munich. Too much to do outside, all of which involves going to some beer garden and enjoying a liter and a half of the best beer in the world. It has been a blast here and am going to miss it. An amazing city with amazing people. Off to Dresden tomorrow and then Berlin before making my way back west to Bremen!




Dachau Concentration Camp - was a truly sobering and humbling experience




Marienplatz, the main square in Munich





Sweet leg tat on the tuba player

Surfing in Munich?? Who knew!




Sampling some local goodies




The Chinese garden, in the Englischgarten


Munich, in a nutshell!

Auf weidersehen!

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Location:Senefelderstraße,Munich,Germany

Pics of the past week 6/18 - 6/22

As I'm sure these pictures will depict, I had an awful time in Crete. For the love of God, don't waste your time going there. Absolutely nothing to do, see, or enjoy.

I will just do it on your behalf. Remember how Leif Ericson told everyone back in Nordic land that there was nothing in Iceland and how amazingly beautiful Greenland was? (or something to that effect - I am in Munich and have beer gardens to visit people!! Can't waste time with trivial facts;) Yes, that is what I am doing for Crete so that I can enjoy it all to myself. Unfortunately, a few too many people have already found out about this incredible place...

So let's see... Balos beach was a two hour drive from Hania, where i was staying, on some asphalt, some gravel, and then a 2k walk past goats and sheep to one of the most amazing views ever.









Far and away the most clear water I have seen in my life

Yesterday was spent hiking through the Samarian Gorge, a 5+ hour jaunt that is unbelievable. My shoe selection was a bit suspect and am regretting that decision today, but made it nonetheless!



The start



Thought about a swim here...




Down into the Gorge


Hopefully those people in front of me give you some sense of the enormity of the place


The bridges




Leaving from the port to head back home

Sad to have left Greece. It really is a special place and I hope to get back one day. Soon.

But there is a lot of the Deutschland to explore. And this pic is for all those who went to Germany through the MBA program a few years back.




Good memories revisited!!

Ciao for now

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Pics of the day 6/17/11

So I've fallen a few days behind - the wifi is a little patchy in Mykonos - not that it is really a problem, to be completely honest, so I'm gonna cram a few pics in for today. Been soaking up a lot of sun and have been enjoying the island life. Taking off for Crete tomorrow and then heading up to the Deutschland next Wednesday. Munchen!!! Cant wait for some German beer!




Psarou beach, Mykonos




Sunset from dinner. Not too shabby!




A little bit of the city. Tiny, little streets and lots of alleyways. And some really overpriced restaurants. But what can you do - it's tourist season!

Ciao a tutti!

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Pic of the day 6/14/11

So I randomly met three fellow Americans in Santorini the other day and was invited to join them on a 12km walk from Fira, the main city, to Oia, the city on the northern coast. It was an amazing walk - two and half hours worth - with great sights, conversations, and most importantly, people. Something I will never forget. So here are some pics from Tuesday!


























You made it to the blog!!!

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Pic of the day 6/13/11

There are a lot of photogenic doors in Santorini!




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Pic of the day 6/12/11

Here are a couple from today!



The island in the middle is actually the volcano that formed Santorini, then later was submerged.



Dinner is served!



Santorini sunset
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Pic of the day 6/11/11

The Catholic Church in Fira




I have never seen a sky so blue as I have here in Santorini. Maybe it's because all the buildings are white so the blue really stands out?!? Whatever the reason, I approve.

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Pic of the day 6/10/11

See the clouds up top? They are covering a monastery and a lookout that I drove to on the ATV the previous night. Glad it was pitch black so I couldn't see the sheer cliff I was about to drive off of :-/

The good part was the view. You could see all of Santorini, which was incredible!

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Pic of the day 6/9/11

Ok this is going to be a multiple pic of the day. Spent all day driving across Santorini on an ATV and was 'effin fantastic. One of the best days of my trip, if not the best. Certainly top two. Started the day in Red Beach, worked up to Fira, the main city in Santorini, and then up to Oia, the most beautiful on the island, IMO.




The Red Beach



Fishing huts or dugouts on Red Beach



The port in Fira and yes, those are asses. And they had good reason to be used.



First gyro in Greece. Gotta love street food



Not sure what this is exactly, but it looked good. Right?



Was dubbed "The Stairway to Heaven" by my friend Kelsey. I think she might be right



Church in Oia



Oia, the most picturesque place I have been



And my favorite pic of the day!

All the best from Santorini!
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Pic of the day 6/8/11

Risotto with shrimp. Cooked on a hot plate with one main burner and one small one in my hostel room. Never tried that one before, but turned out to be pretty good!! About 4-5 servings for 10 euros total = not too shabby!




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Pic of the day 6/7/11

Ah, Greece!! Life moves at a different pace here and it is beautiful. Great food, people, beaches, and sunsets.




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Pic of the day 6/6/11

View from lunch in Santorini. Life is good.



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Pic of day 6/5/11

Last meal in Florence with the Aussies. Bistecca alla Fiorentina.




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Pic of the day 6/4/11

Planking. This is what I get for hanging out with Australians!




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Pic of the day 6/3/11

The Duomo, Siena


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