Monthly Archives: October 2012

Tri Stoleti

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Charles Bridge Prague

Charles Bridge, to the right Tri Stoleti. Pretty, eh?

We wanted a solid Czech meal while walking through the castle of Prague. Authentic was the mindset, the word we had been told to seek out and consume. The Castle itself has only two real food options: touristy small-time vendors selling overpriced doner and romantic outdoor chairs next to hill-side vineyards selling super expensive decent meals. Neither was our thing.

By the time we reached the riverbank we were hungry. Ready for our authentic Czech meal, if we could only find a place. For this particular outing (I’m getting there I promise), we took a hint from TripAdvisor. It pointed us (literally) to a nearby restaurant called Tri Stoleti. It was tucked away among the small wandering streets, just a moments walk from the Charles Bridge, a major landmark in Prague.

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The Stag Moat

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The Royal Garden Flower Bed Prague Castle Pražský hradThe Prague Castle is the definition of a tourist attraction.  As well it should be.  It has churches and parks, it has a concert hall and fountains.  Peacocks strut the grounds and hawks stand tethered to low-lying branches.  The castle is a labyrinth of unique grandeur—the modern understanding of a royal palace.

But if you are like me, and I assume you are—because, well, I’m really cool—then you will want something to do that is less crowded.  Nobody likes a sea of contracting lenses  flashing in no-flash areas or large umbrellas intended  to herd tourist groups that, in reality, block your view.  Don’t get me wrong, the castle and its wonders should be viewed in full (especially the iconic St. Vitas church), but you can get away from this loud poshy area right inside the palace grounds.

Yes. You can dip in and out—you can tour and stroll—ike a visitor and citizen, all at once. Continue reading →

Meats and Sweets in the Czech Republic

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There are many amazing things to see and do in Prague: bridge strolls at night, the castle at sunset, innumerable amounts of theater in epic churches. But the most satisfying of Prague delights is the food! Yes, really, the food! From savory to sweet there are a few edibles that we stumbled upon in the Czech Republic that cannot go unannounced!

Drink

Unfiltered Beer, Prague Czech RepublicI love beer. Mostly light, lime-oriented Mexican Lager (California girl). I would not call myself a connoisseur because most beers are too dark, too hoppy, and too bitter for my taste, so when we discovered unfiltered beer in Prague I approached it with an open mind, but a weary eye. It is a bit unsettling to see foggy beer. Yellow, foamy, and served in the largest glass you have ever seen (Thor sized?), it initially looked like quite the beverage. But upon tasting it I was surprised! A powerful smell, thick body, and incredible flavor all led me to another half-liter. Unfiltered beer may not look normal, but it is incredibly tasty. Our amazing hosts let us know that unfiltered beer is actually quite common in Prague and made me a true convert in one outing. Continue reading →

Sanssoucci

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The New Palace Postdam, Germany

They say it’s like the German Versailles. But smaller.

So, you’re in Berlin. You like it: the food, the people, the general way in which the streets bustle and hum. All the green. I get it, I know. But you get tired after some days; you become weary of the long avenues and historic sites, of long walks through the mile-wide parks, of endless drunken raves into the night. Time to mellow out. But where to go?

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The Berlin Wall: A City Rebuilt

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Berlin Wall Germany

“The Kiss.” Of fame and legend.

Berlin.  The East-side gallery, AKA the “Berlin Wall.”  Rainy and overcast, I have three coats on and my hood is up.  Here before me stands the most physical remnant of a city with a serious history, with a bloody and confused story.  This wall is a living symbol of all that happened in the Holocaust, the Cold War, the stark division of a society that has thrived for hundreds of years.  It is monumental in the eyes of the world, in the history lessons taught throughout schools in Europe and the U.S.

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Café Cinema

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Berlin is filled with coffee shops and more coffee shops. It’s a caffeine culture, one could say. Yes Starbucks is present, just like everywhere else, but the more enchanting experiences come from the more native joints. Locals gather to chit chat, double-fisting cappucinos and .5lt beers, and take a much needed break from the cold busy city. Travelers have a chance to warm up, recharge, and write their travel blogs (cough cough). The best spot we found for coffee and tea is Café Cinema.

Food

From the street, tasty tasty.

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Green Fairy, Anyone?

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Absinthe Depot Berlin Germany liquor

Care for a drink? How ’bout some Absinthe?

The Absinthe Depot is a must-do in Berlin if you have a slight interest in Absinthe or want to pick up a bottle of your favorite liquor. They have a huge selection of gleaming bottles, from St. Germain’s elderflower buzz to neon green bottles of Cannabis Absinthe (yes, they make that), the Depot will leave you feeling like you know a thing or two about spirits. Warm and cozy with old-fashioned golden wallpaper and a cheerful Brit welcoming you, this Absinthe bar emits a romantic and slightly risqué feel. Continue reading →

The Shins in Tempest

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They walked on stage like art-gallery attendees, little skinny jeans and old button up shirts, curious and quiet. There were six in total, the new lineup after a three-year hiatus, all of whom brought their own little flare to the old Shins songs, and a whole lot of dopeness to the new ones.

Right from the start they were on. James Mercer, my idol and manly soul mate (little does he know), picked up that faded-white Les Paul Jr. and that hushed persona vanished.

“Called to see, if your back was still aligned, and your sheets were growing grass all on the corners of your bed.”

The Shins Live
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