Europe N00B 2 week tour: Boots on the ground, but NO BIER FOR YOU UNTIL NOON! :nobannned: (1 Viewer)

[higgins]

Update?

 

[msommer]

Finally got here. Man those “ATM’s” are rapey at the airport.... GB Bank Of America’s arrangement with Deutche Bank for no fees.

Naturally card was declined for suspicious activity despite me calling BOA to put a travel advisory on. Then they want to text me to verify. Uh, no... that phone doesn’t have international coverage.. hit my work phone up. No? Okay. Finally was allowed access to my money by naming every previous address and slicing my hand open for a blood sacrifice into the card slot. First of many quirks for n00b like me I’m sure.  

WORST NEWS OF THE DAY: Germany can’t sell beer before noon?

WTF? So now I’m drinking a coffee planning my morning (because I can’t get into my room till 12 or 2). WTF does one do to kill time other than drink?

Off to wander Sachsenhausen and pick up a Doner Kebab at Koylü-Doner I suppose. 

Another fun thing to note, my GPS accuracy is astonishing... it has me 2 streets over and has a “margin of error” circle that covers all of downtown area  

Yay Frankfurt so far! 

Onward and upward! 

Pity you're a ten hour drive away - but enjoy your stay. 

You will likely be underwhelmed by the currywurst (all but the Germans are) but it's a must try.

Stay away from the mass market pilsners and try out the local styles

 

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Bounced around Sachsenhausen mostly yesterday. Got blasted watching Bundesliga in a sports pub...ate Doner Kebabs. All in all was a nice first day.

Woke up this AM and feel pretty well acclimated to local time (though I am an early riser normally). Key I think is not napping, forcing your body to stay up to your normal bedtime, then forcing yourself to get up rather on local time than sleep in.   Lag doesn’t seem to be much of a concern. 

I can definitely see how Frankfurt could be considered “Boring” as it feels like a fairly “generic” city, though Sachsenhausen’s winding cobblestone streets definitely have a Bavarian vibe. 

 

[msommer]

Bounced around Sachsenhausen mostly yesterday. Got blasted watching Bundesliga in a sports pub...ate Doner Kebabs. All in all was a nice first day.

Woke up this AM and feel pretty well acclimated to local time (though I am an early riser normally). Key I think is not napping, forcing your body to stay up to your normal bedtime, then forcing yourself to get up rather on local time than sleep in.   Lag doesn’t seem to be much of a concern. 

I can definitely see how Frankfurt could be considered “Boring” as it feels like a fairly “generic” city, though Sachsenhausen’s winding cobblestone streets definitely have a Bavarian vibe. 

Did you do the concentration camp tour?

I've done Dachau, Auschwitz and Birkenau - the two latter are like a sledgehammer between the eyes

 

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Leaving Amsterdam for Birmingham now. 

Had a fantastic time in Amsterdam... Rotterdam was pretty damn cool (Hotel New York), Hielberg was awesome to hit a 300yr old college bar at the foot of Heidelberg castle. 

Anyone know anything about the castles around Dublin? Considering Dracula castle but wondering if it’s a total tourist trap or pretty cool. Definitely hitting Dublin and Drimnagh Castles later this week. 

Some pretty zen moments Through the first week.  I’m just a n00b but Europe has been a very welcoming place this far. I can easily see how many Americans and English have bad reps abroad.