beer beer beer

The crazy lederhosen-packed banquet hall.  A beer haiku for you.

Beer flows like water 

Big men fall over like trees

It is only 5 

munich

So we finally hit up good ol' Germany, thanks to our friend Keegan. Our first night consisted of a lot of good beer drinking in a crazy lederhosen-packed banquet hall. The next day we took full advantage of the warm sunny weather (despite our hangovers) and rented bikes. We rode all around the English Gardens, Munich's largest park. We discovered many wonderful things that day. For example, we found out Germans like to surf on rivers. Germans also like to start there morning with a pitcher full of dark beer, I think I kinda already knew that. Also they have some of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen. Munich was a nice change of pace from the quite little towns of Italy. With it's loud talking men, big pushy women, and oh! that accent. I loved every minute.

Siena e Firenze

Last weekend we met up with our friends, Liz and Malcolm in Siena. Liz and Malcolm have been traveling for about a year all around Europe and are ending their travels where they began, in Italy. We were fortunate enough to meet with them the first week we arrived in Milan. We had a great time eating delicious food, accompanied with good conversation. This time was no different.

We met in the main piazza of Siena and grabbed a slice of pizza and ate it basking in the warm sun. It was a calm evening of walking around the narrow streets and mostly just catching up with what we've all been up to. The next day we headed to Firenze (Florence) and walked around most of the center, being that it's not very big. Liz and Malcolm were able to show us around to all the nice areas, since they work only 20 minutes away from the center. The trip was a short and sweet tour of a couple Tuscan towns, with the inmost enjoyment from the time spent with good friends.

snow fun

So after hearing about all the snow and winter extravaganza's taking place in the Midwest, we decided to go on our own winter adventure. We headed up to Lecco with a few friends for a one day ski and snowboard trip. Waking up bright and early to catch a train at 8 am, we arrived in Lecco 45 min later. We then took a bus, shuttle, and gondola ride up to the mountain. After messing around with everyone getting rentals, we finally got on the slopes around noon. The weather couldn't have been better and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. We were completely surrounded by vast mountains, stretching as far as the eye can see. The runs themselves were decent, nothing special, but a good place for beginners and rusty folk like myself. I'm hoping sometime in the next month we will be able to head to the big mountains North of Torino for a few days. However, with this sunny 50 degree weather we're having, the snow might not be around much longer. (oh I'm so bad)

Torino

A few weekends ago we headed to Torino for a short day trip. We started the day with a quick bit to eat and then proceeded to get lost for the rest of the day, but saw a lot.

The End.

our travel tid bits

Just like any good city- the streets of Barcelona had a lot to offer. From the chain smoking prostitutes talking of tourist tainting its city's image. To I'll never soon forget the words " Oh my god its a angry mob!" and it was just that, with torches and all. Or how about the dining experience of a tanning bed as a back drop, couldn't really walk out it was Christmas day and the only restaurant that was open. Or how about have you ever traveled by gondola to the top of a mountain during a wind storm, you'd be surprised by how much they swing. We were like rubber balls, just kinda bouncing off the plexiglass.

Barcelona has to be one of the most beautifully designed cities I've ever seen. Every kind of design from graphic, interior, exterior, environmental, industrial, architectural, traditional and contemporary, has been strategically and organically placed throughout the city. The blinding white MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) with it's pristine wall of glass and open stone slab piazza was an impressive sight. Especially after wandering around dimly lit narrow streets. However, the MACBA is just one of many monumental staples within the city. There is all of Gaudi's works, from the famous Casa Mila, Casa Batilo and Parco Guell. To the famous Torre Agbar and Torre Montjuic, the list goes on and on. Even with seeing all these major sites, the everyday stores and restaurants were just as awe-inspiring. To me Barcelona is truly a city where no detail goes without artistic thought.

On top of Park Guell

On our last full day in Barcelona we walked a very long way (up hill) to the famous Park Guell. We didn't really walk to much around the park itself, but instead got sidetracked by a giant hill just off a main path. It didn't really seem like you were suppose to walk up it, since there were no paths anywhere, but there were no signs saying it was off limits either. So we trekked our way to the top, which was more difficult then expected. However, It was well worth it because at the top was the most amazing 360 view of Barcelona. You could tell it was one of those special secret places that most the tourist down at the park never see.

Barcelona Eats

We steered clear of any El Bulli alumni and tourist traps while in Barcelona and focused on the traditional. It's easy to fall for the Spanish style of cooking and eating - straight forward simple no fuss. Perhaps the perfect city with its cheap beer, cheap plates and no closing time. The good restaurants were always packed and worth the wait.

Some of the high lights had to be:

whole fried sardines in escabeche
of course seafood paella
dates, cheese and bacon(on these little crisp ladyfinger baguettes)
foie gras pate and Roquefort
duck confit with orange and pine nuts
Quarter sized rare mini burgers with sweet onions
fried hot peppers
chorizo and cheese sandwiches
eating al fresco

We even spotted several dunkin donut shops, which you have to be a little soft for after living in Chicago.

On top of Mont Juic

On are second day in Barcelona we headed up to the top of Montjuic via gondolas. Not having any idea of what was awaiting us at the top. The view was amazing as we sat on the hill sipping hot chocolate waiting for the city lights to come on under a full moon.

La Boqueria Market

This is the Mecca for food in Europe, the La Boqueria Market is the biggest and best. The outer rim of the market is full of small bars and restaurants. Once inside the market it's easy to get lost, the array of food is simply overwhelming. Tables of seafood so fresh they move, we made stops everyday to pickup fresh fruit. Basically if you can't find what you are looking for here it doesn't exist.

Up up and away- glimpses out the window on our trip to Barcelona. Enjoy

pretty lights

These pictures were suppose to be posted before the Holidays. However, like most people during this time, procrastination took over. Again.

Justice at last!

So after hearing about all these amazing Justice shows we kept missing, we finally got to see one for ourselves right here in Milan. It was at a venue called Magazzini Generali, which is a pretty big venue with an upstairs and a really nice bar. The kids definitely came out of the wood works for this show. We were suppose to meet five of our friends inside, but unfortunately it sold out before they were able to make it in. Justice came on around 11:15, and I gotta be honest I wasn't sure if Milan kids could get down, but to our surprise the place went absolutely crazy. This madness lasted about 2 hrs. and by the end my body felt like it just ran a decathlon. But just like any good Milan party, street food and more beer awaited us outside to make biking home more enjoyable.

Thanks Milano

So our friend Antonia had a little Thanksgiving get together at her apartment. Even though it wasn't actually on Thanksgiving, and we had to substitute turkey with chicken, and we weren't with our families, it still had the "feeling" of Thanksgiving (i guess). Half the people there were American and the other half were from all over the place. I guess you know something wrong when you finish your thanksgiving meal with jello shots.