Euro Trip - Day Seventeen: The Journey Home…
Sunday, May 13th, 2007So with our bags packed and the two taxis loaded, we made our way to the Madrid airport to make our trip home..
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Archive for the 'Euro Trip 2007' Channel
Euro Trip - Day Sixteen: The Last Day…
Saturday, May 12th, 2007The last day in Spain was rather dull and uneventful (to which we’re somewhat thankful) to report on. James and Victor did some last minute gift buying while John (who hates shopping) tried to fit his life in Spain into just two suitcases and a dufflebag.
After John was packed up, we made another last minute stop into Tapon to get another final quick round of tapas and cervesas, then hit John’s favorite cafe to do some uploads and then went to an Italian restaurant for our last night in Spain which was really not that great food wise.
Later, we went to locate an Irish pub (in Spain?!?) that James had gone to when he was in Acala last. All in all, a great night for the three of us but like was said before, not very interesting to report on.
Euro Trip - Day Fifteen: James’ Paella is Sh!t…
Friday, May 11th, 2007Today the group had a very light day for rest and recovery. They were invited to John’s host-family’s home for lunch and Ana, John’s host-mother, made a feast beyond belief. The pictures do not even come close to showing how great the meal and company.
Later we went into Madrid to locate the New Rock store for James to try on the boots that he has been rambling on about for the last six years. After trying on several pairs, he could not find a pair that would fit over his leg braces.
We also tried to locate a Harley-Davidson store to get a shirt for Victor’s cousin Libby but the store closed before they were able to locate it.
But even though the group had a few disappointing quests, they saw more of the city that John and James had never seen before on their previous trips.
Euro Trip - Day Fourteen: Touring Madrid…
Thursday, May 10th, 2007The day began later than the previous days but the weary travelers needed the rest. Once they got about, they headed to Tapon to get some breakfast. It was noon so drinking beer wasn’t completely out of the equation. After breakfast the trio were off to catch a train into the city. First stop was the bullring where the band would be going later that evening. Some recon work and the appropriation of tickets were foremost. After haggling with a scalper Victor, John and James got back on the Metro and entered the center of the city.
Madrid is just like any other large city with it’s congested streets and throngs of pedestrians milling about. The heat of the day was the worst enemy for the travelers and keeping hydrated a primary concern. The group walked the streets and went to the Plaza de Major going into the various tourist shops.
The hour was fast approaching for the bullfight so the group re-boarded a train and headed to the bullring. After a light repast our travelers entered the building for what would be a true cultural experience.
Euro Trip - Day Thirteen: Vamos a Toledo!!
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007Today was our first full day in España. We started off the day going to the train station to catch the train to Madrid and make the connection for Toledo. For those of you who don’t know, there is a Toledo, Ohio, USA as well. No Moorish architecture though, just a baseball stadium (as far as PeaceKeeper knows).
Our train ride was smooth and we arrived in Madrid in about a half hour. After finding out the schedule we got our tickets and waited for the train. Once we arrived in Toledo we noticed the temperature was really getting up there. According to a sign in the rail station the temperature was 34 degrees Celsius, that’s like….hmmmm …really hot.
We caught the bus into the town center. The approach in to the town was amazing. Our first look at the buildings took our collective breath away. There was a castle on the hill and several ancient structures filling the city. There was even the remnants of a wall that encircled the hillside city.
We walked, and walked up and down the cobble stone streets. Each hillcrest brought with it something new to see; whether it was another building or a sword shop with massive displays.
Euro Trip - Day Twelve: On to Spain…
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007They never went to sleep after Equus, well that is to say Victor and James didn’t, they worked on website stuff; John needed to catch some ZZZZs. At 4:30 a.m. they loaded up the Panda one final time and headed to Gatwick airport. The drive was uneventful, sans for one missed turn and they made it in record time.
Gatwick is smaller than Heathrow and a bit more disorganized (if you can believe that). The merry band, which still was not all that awake, went to check in at the EasyJet counter (EasyJet is the bastard cousin of RyanAir, trust us on that). At check-in, the person said that James’ bag was too heavy and he would have to leave stuff behind. Ever the trooper, James managed to rearrange some things, pass things to his companions and load up his rucksack. His bag was now light enough. Funny thing was the woman then asked John, “Has anyone given you something to put in your bag?” This was after she watched them pass stuff around.
The flight was OK though there was a screaming baby for most of it. John slept, Victor attempted sleep and James listened to music and wrote out postcards. They landed in Spain and began the last leg of their lightning tour of Europe.
Before they caught a cab into Acala de Henares, John was approached by two police officers who began to question him. One of the cops turned to Victor and James and asked if he was with us and Victor said, “Yes!”, so they apologized and let John go. That’s all Victor and James needed was to lose their translator. James can speak very little…he can order food and find the bathroom.
Once they got to the hostel (which is quite nice), they took a siesta and ventured out into the city. Acala is a beautiful little town with giant storks that nest on the tops of buildings. It is a surreal sight to see.
(The audio file is rough, unedited and possibly offensive…)
Euro Trip - Day Eleven: Equus the play…
Monday, May 7th, 2007
While on our Euro Trip, the merry band take a sobering stop on the path of madness. We went to see Equus, a play written by Peter Shaffer back in 1973. This play has seen a revival on the London stage. Originally this was produced back in the 1970’s as a Broadway play and a movie. The play is about a disturbed young man named Alan Strang, played by Daniel Radcliffe, who mutilates six horses for apparently no reason. He is sent to a mental institution for evaluation by a psychiatrist named Dysart, played by Richard Griffiths. The play is performed on a stark, round stage that uses lighting and shapes to convey the setting.
We take a look at the play and the meanings behind the disturbing images that were presented in the two-hour performance. Listen in on what we saw and how we deciphered the images before us…
(The audio file is rough, unedited and possibly offensive…)
Euro Trip - Day Eleven: Touring London…
Monday, May 7th, 2007After 2 days apart the travelers met up in London to get ready for a night at the theater. Victor and John had arrived in London on Sunday and did the tourist thing-whilst James met up with Leyla on Saturday and was making his way for the rendezvous. Victor and John left their hostel and went to Piccadilly Circus. John was keen to map out the path to the Doc Martin store but they took their time getting there. James had a leisurely lunch of lamb and potato leek soup with his friend.
Much to James’ surprise the store had closed (hell it was six years ago) but they all managed to meet. With a handshake and a hug James and his friend parted ways and the trio went forth to find the theater to pick up the tickets for the play. After a pint they went back to the hostel to prep for Equus.
Euro Trip - Day Ten: Travel to London and Seeing Some Sites…
Sunday, May 6th, 2007While James was on his solo trip, John and Victor drove into London from Reading. The trip was somewhat dull but ask John about the green lorrie sometime. They got lost a few times and got directions from a bobby named Robert. After they finally found the guesthouse they were staying at, they went into London central to see some sights…
Tomorrow the group reunites…
(The audio file is rough, unedited and possibly offensive.)
Euro Trip - Day Ten: Travel to London and Seeing Some Sites... [33:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadEuro Trip - Day Nine: The Bell’s Inn…
Saturday, May 5th, 2007The day after the beerfest, we had planned on touring a local Wiccan area but decide the drive was too long. Instead, we headed to Nev and Sarah’s home and did some quick laundry before heading out to one of Sarah’s favorite pub’s in the countryside outside Reading for lunch. The drive was pretty neat but hilly…
James split from the party to go off on his own to meet a friend in London Saturday night…
Nev, Sarah, John and Victor meet up with the group from the beerfest the night before and had dinner at Sarah’s favorite pie shop in Reading, Sweenty and Todd, which is ironically next to a barbershop.
Then we all went to see Spiderman 3, which got mixed reviews from the group. We were all way to tried to record a podcast so we all said good-night and left our seperate ways.
(The audio file is rough, unedited and possibly offensive…)
Euro Trip - Day Eight: The Reading Beerfest…
Friday, May 4th, 2007Nev, from the Does My Geek podcast, picked us up from our hotel at 10:30 AM to head to the Reading Beer and Cider Festival…
Nev and Sarah!! Woot!
Best pig-on-a-bun ever!!!!
James and Matt kept everyone in stitches the whole day.
We left the beerfest about 8:30 PM and went back to Sarah and Nev’s where Sarah made chili and we watched some Spaced DVDs. Awesome time. Best day on the trip!!! Well, until Day Nine…
Euro Trip - Day Seven: Traveling to Nev and Sarah…
Thursday, May 3rd, 2007We got a bit of a late start on the road today but we were on a way from Edinbough, Scotland to Reading, England to meet up with Nev and Sarah from the Does My Geek podcast.
Here’s some random photos of the English country side…
We made a resr stop in Nottingham for a tour of Nottingham Castle…
At the foot of Nottingham Castle is a pub called Ye Trip to Ole Jerusalem which is built into the rock cliff the castle sets on. It’s the oldest pub in England and dates back to the crusades…
After dinner, we got back on the road, heading to Reading. We missed the roll to find the short cut to Reading and wound up not getting into our hotel until about 11:30 PM after out 10 hours of traveling.
Euro Trip: Day Six: Touring Edinbough, Scotland
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007We started out the day by moving from the St. Christopher’s hostel to the Travelodge near The Royal Mile. Sometimes a bargin is not a bargin…
Then James and Victor set out on The Royal Mile (which is High Street between Holyrood Abbey and Edinbough Castle) for some shopping and stuff while John did a self-guided tour of other sites in Edinbough.
Victor bought a killt but deleted all the photos James took of him trying it on.
Meanwhile…John saw…
Calton’s Hill had four unique monuments…
Later, John met up with James and Victor to tour Edinbough Castle…
Later, after failed attempts to up load some photos at an Internet cafe, we went to The End of the World pub and meet this couple from Columbus, Ohio who were on a tour with thier retirement community. They had some interesting advice for John.
James ordered some hagus for Victor and John to try…which is not bad if you like goose-liver-favored oats.
Then we went to this pub and had a few pints…
Back at the Travelodge, we had a few pints with Not-Mark (the bartender was named Alistair but his name tag said Mark) and John took control of the iRiver…
(The audio file below is rough, unedited and possibly offensive…)
Euro Trip - Day Five: The Party Takes a Break…
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007On the drive to Edinburgh, Scotland, Tangent needed a break so we stopped a bit and got a drink. We decided to do a review of the drinks like Sarah and Nev did on their Does My Geek Look Big in This? Podcast except we reviewed sodas instead of beers and we were in a sheep meadow…
Euro Trip - Day Five: The Long and Winding Road…to Edinburgh, Scotland
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007It is appropriate to quote a Beatles song when in England. We left Newcastle-Upon-Tyne this morning or should I say afternoon.
We tried to get to the University of Newcastle to find an Internet café but decided after much searching that we would just head to Edinburgh, Scotland. This wasn’t originally part of our trip but we thought that it looked close on the map…well, it really wasn’t that close.
There were a couple of stops along the way. The first stop was a beautiful manor house called, Belsay Castle. The castle was closed but we spent some time looking at the grounds and the sheep. We also tried some interesting beverages, non-alcoholic of course since we were driving.
After our stop, we got back on the road headed for Scotland. Another sign that grabbed our interest was one that said, “Forest road to castle.” We thought that this sounded like a great adventure. Besides it was only 12 miles. Who makes up these frickin’ signs for gods’ sake? I mean seriously the drive took 40 minutes because it was a non-paved road with rocks the size of Knight Ranger. Granted it was beautiful but the sliding and the conditions made us think that the castle better be amazing to make the trip worth it.
Once we got through the forest we made it to the umm…castle. There was a gift shop and a diner and well that was pretty much it. There were very helpful people in the shop and Knight Ranger made friends with a Springer Spaniel. After another brief stay for exploratory purposes…
… we got back on the road. Right back down the dirt trail that brought us there.
At 8:30 we made it to our hostel. Tomorrow the next adventure begins….
And another working podcast…(which reminds me to mention that this is raw, unedited and possibly unintensionally offensive).
