Prague
Prague is quite possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been too.
A few weekends ago Laura and Alicia (from Columbus) stopped in Darmstadt to kick off their quick Euro tour. After picking them up at the airport we went to the Ratzkeller for happy hour where they met a bunch of our friends. We also introduced them into the cheap meal known as the doner kabap. Found in little stands everywhere, but we have recently found what I am sure must be the best one in Darmstadt. Laura, Alicia, Joanna (OSU Industrial design), Holly (Aus), Amanda and I then took a night train to Prague. When we arrived we had some trouble getting in contact with the lady who was renting her vacation apartment to us. Our friend Pavel, from Prague, saved the day. When we called he told us exactly from our location how to get to the A+ hostel where his friend worked. It ended up working out for the best. All 6 of us got our own room and we were walking distance from everything.
Prague is just enchanting everywhere you turn. Highlights include:
The view of the city at dusk from the top of the Astronomical Clock tower. The breathtaking view of the castle and city from Charles Bridge. Dancing to the live music with a fun stranger on the bridge. "Getting weird" on Alicia's birthday. This of course included hanging out with 30 irishmen. There had to be at least 3 for each of us and they divided and conquered systematically.
Prague was amazing. Beautiful city and tons of laughs with the girls.
Zürich
Amanda, Grace and I all visited Katie in Zürich for the weekend. She's interning at Designalltag for the quarter. Katie played tour guide all weekend. It's always great to see the OSU design kids. It's nice to catch up and just refreshing to see good friends.
Amanda and I had trouble both getting to and from Zürich. Our mitfahrgelegenheit fell through on the way there. This is a carpool where people put their name on a website when they are going somewhere and you can ride with them for 20 euro. It sounded adventurous! We ended up having to take a train because there was a train strike so we couldn't meet the mitfahr on time. When we got into Basel and switched trains to Zürich, we immediately knew we were in Switzerland. A few Swiss boys sat by us and they were friendly and just all around jolly! We were not in Germany! :P We finally got there at 1:30am then took a 40 min hike/night tour to Katie's rotary house. The next day Katie and her Swiss friend Patrick showed us around. We saw the Museum Für Gestaltung, the Swiss National Museum and the view of Zürich from several different locations which usually included riding cute little trams up a hill. We also ate plenty of chocolate.. experience the culture :) Honey chocolate, pistachio chocolate.... Later we had a little Thanksgiving dinner with Katie's housemates from all over the world. The one from Canada ran the event, and for the others it was their first time. It's always so sweet how excited people are to celebrate our holiday. The next day we found a playground over looking Zürich and did some swinging :) Then we had afternoon Swiss raclette. This is a social meal similar to fondue. There are several trays under a grill in which you each melt a block of cheese. Veggies, meat and whatever your heart desires goes on top. Then the melted cheese is poured over your veggies/meat. mmmm delicious! Later that night Amanda and I hung out with Katie at the Designalltag studio and did some homework. (Hopkins: Zürich) The Mitfahr (same one as before) ended up not getting back to us... so we had to stay the night again. Being stuck in Zürich isn't so bad, especially when you have somewhere to stay :) The next day we found a new Mitfahr and finally got home to Darmstadt. Christian, our ride, a cute, young architect was very nice. It was kind of weird being in a car again.
Overall great weekend. I really liked Zürich. The city has this lively spirit. People are always out and about. and of course cheese, chocolate, mountains...
**new pictures under Prague, Zürich and Weihnachtsmarkt (the xmas market pics I've been taking for my photo class)
Berlin, Nürnberg, around Darmstadt—Coming soon!
Tschüss!
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