Prague!

I know I know...a delayed blog...again! So here's my adventure in Prague...the land of beer.

I went on friday night via an overnight bus...which was not so comfortable, as you could imagine. But I'm sure I was far more comfortable than my friend Matt, who stands 6'5...and said he didn't sleep at all. I was at least able to catch some hours of sleep...before we arrive at the main train station in Prague at 5am...Before the sun was even up! We roamed around the town and found the only place open; McDonalds. Seemed to be a safe haven for drunkards! It was packed with people passed out on tables, stumbling in line to order food, loud club music was blasting in the speakers...the bathrooms were lit up with neon blue lights...yes, this is McDonalds in Prague at 5:30am. Shenanigans!

So we get on a subway and make our way to the Chili Hostel, but check in is not until 2pm, but we're able to hang out in the lobby...Matt immediately passes out on the couch and I spend an hour planning the next couple days based on some friends recommendations on what I need to see/do...Matt wakes up and we're off to our first destintion; the National Museum...which was more interesting in terms of architecture and sculptures than anything else. It was a standard museum...rocks, bones, taxidermy...etc...but the paintings on the walls, the sculptures and the windows were beautiful!
Then we made our way to a traditional Czech restaurant and had some good Czech food and beer...great beer! We made our way down the river to an amazing Cathedral that was perched on a high hill overlooking all of the city; it was beautiful. We spent a few hours just walking around the grounds and admiring the views...breathtaking views. Walked through a beautiful but very creepy cemetery...then made our way back to the hostel..we were spent.

Back at the hostel...time to relax, or so I thought. Matt wanted to go out in town a little more so he left he hostel and ended up falling asleep on the tram, ha...guess he didnt see too much more of the city. I stayed back, and met some crazy travelers...some Australians and Germans...who would be the death of me on that trip! ha!

So they started playing a drinking game...some Ausie game...I joined and never looked back...ha! By the end of the game, which was around 8pm, I had drunk more beer than I care to share...they thought it was some sort of miracle because I had gotten so "unlucky" during the game...meaning I kept pulling the "finish your beer" card...everytime I'd open a brand new .5L beer...shenanigans.

After that game, I needed substance, so I made myself a delicious dinner; which they again couldn't believe how well I could cook after downing so much beer...don't know if that's a good thing or not! haha, Anyway...around 9pm we headed out to a pub crawl which is like 20 bucks and you get 2 hours at a bar for all you can drink beer, shots and wine, then go to 3 more shot bars and 2 clubs all inclusive in the 20...pretty good deal...oh, and you get a tshirt :). Well I made it to the first bar...and decided it was time to go home...as you could imagine after that damn game! Ha, luckily Prague is a small town...and after about an hour of wandering aimlessly, I stumbled into the Hostel...home sweet home.

The next day we woke up and went on a free walking tour all over the city..seeing all the main tourist spots...learning about the history of Prague and the Czech Republic..it was 3 hours of good history and amazing landmarks...definitely worth it and I'm very glad I went on it...This was supposed to be our last day in Prague...we both had class on Monday. Overnight bus back to St. Gallen on Sunday night...or not?! Matt went back...I stayed one more night...Way too much fun in Prague..besides, only had one class Monday and the prof never deviates from the slides anyway...I can read them on my own. So I get one more day and night in Prague...epic!

I think The Ausies and Germans were more stoked for me to stay than I was! Ha...I tried my luck again with the game and didn't drink half as much as the night before..thank God. And this time, the pub crawl started at 8pm cause there was a guy performing live in the bar...he was really good! And he took requests...Beatles, Led Zepplin, Doors..it was awesome...good beer, good (new) friends and good music in Prague! An epic night...and it's just beginning...then we went to another bar for some shots then off to a 3 story club!! It was so much fun...different music on each floor...different ambiance...almost like 3 different clubs. Then after the club off to a dungeon bar, which is a basement bar very popular with Czech locals...it was pretty cool inside...another great ambiance. Then back home to the hostel for some sleep...one more day in Prague.

I woke up and got moving...just had a lazy day wandering the city and visiting and revisiting spots I had been to the past few days...went to the Prague Castle again, which is the Largest castle in the world...and with the oldest gothic style cathedral in Europe. Beautiful. Did some more walking and such...more site seeing....had good brot and hot wine for lunch and made it back to the hostel sometime late afternoon to relax and see the gang one last time before I took the dreaded 9 hr overnight bus back to St. Gallen...

The bus ride wasn't as bad this time around for some reason, maybe cause I knew what to expect. Not sure why...but funny story at the Swiss border...the border patrol came on board and checked everyone's passports..etc...and when they came to me...they requested I bring all my stuff with my to their office and they unpacked everything and searched me! Ha, I guess I look sketchy...but luckily they didn't find all my drugs and guns!! HA! just kidding, they found em! Ha, no...I didn't have anything but a bottle of Czech wine which they didn't even glance at..They said it was standard "random" procedure...just held up the bus for 25 minutes...oh well. I guess it's good they do that...better they at least try to find these types of things...than not at all. So I arrived in St. Gallen at 8:55 only to go straight to my 9:15 Matlab programing class...then back home at 12:00...finally.

An epic journey to Prague. Saw amazingly beautiful sites...learned a great deal of the Czech Republic and their freedom. Met some awesome Travelers...Had some great times..made unforgettable memories...and made it back alive, in health, and with everything accounted for (except for a mitten I left in the hostel :/ haha). Thank God for the opportunity to experience this life. And be able to share them with all of you.

More blogs to come. Happy Halloween!! I am heading to party in Zurich tonight with some friends...should be a crazy time...Zurich always is!!

Until next time, God Bless and I hope you are all living well. Enjoy.

Nick

Barcelona!!

So far, the reoccurring theme of my trips has been that the journey getting to the final destination is always a crazy adventure and Barcelona with Berto was certainly no exception!!

So our plan was to catch the 7:01 train to Milan, via a few different connections...then take a bus to the airport in Milan, sleep at the airport, catch our 8:15 plane to Girona and take a bus to Barcelona..standard! ha!
We made our 7:01 train, with time to spare, so far so good. Celebratory beer is in order...cheers, Berto! Then made our first connection, again, so far, so good...cheers Berto. Now off to Chiasso then Milan...ahh, but we missed our connection in Chiasso, and the next train to Milan, 5:17am...looks like were sleeping at the train station...eeeep! Berto and I wrapped our bags around our arms and tried to sleep. The benches were actually pretty comfortable, I didn't mind them...but it was a bit cold, and apparently berto had to shew away some creepers standing over me, thanks berto! Needless to say, he didn't sleep much. Ha, and then we realized, halfway thru the night...hmm, there are benches inside, and im sure its much warmer...genius!
5:17am couldn't have come sooner! Yes, our train is here. to Milan!! We get off at the wrong station, there are like 4 Milan stations, take another train to the right station, just barely make the hour long bus ride to take us to the airport. So the gates close at 8:15 am, its now 7:15 and the bus takes 55 minutes to get there...Please drive fast...Please no traffic. In God's hands now.
We arrive in 50 minutes, get through security and make it to our gate (14) to see that its closed...Oh wait, our gate is 12!!! yes! not closed...WE MADE IT! Thank God! Girona (Barcelona) here we come...on a sketchy Ryan Air plane called "Bye Bye Baby"...not sure if I like that name..ha!

We land, safely...with some nice bumps...exhausted. Get on an hour bus ride to Barcelona from Girona...We made it to the central station and take a train down to the marina to meet up with Dean at the Christopher Colon Statue...After some phone tag, we meet up with Dean and Javi (his friend from Madrid)...Off to get a beer and some food...we were starving! We went to the Travel Bar and had a couple beers with Dean and Javi...catching up...It was good times!

Then off to the Hostel for Berto and I...Shower, change, relax...ahh nice. The hostel is more like an apartment, it was great...except it was about 30 mins by train outside the main station...but very close to Sagrada Familia, one of Gaudi's beautiful Cathedrals! It is incredible!!

Then Dean and Javi came over and we took a walk to the cathedral...and again, getting hungry. Javi had a motorcycle with an extra seat, so Berto opted to take a ride on that, and Dean and I planned to meet them at the main square, which wasn't the best plan considering the main square is HUGE. and it was raining, and Dean only had about an hour before he had to catch the train back to Madrid to fly out the next morning...So Dean and I couldn't find Berto and Javi...Oh well, we went and had a beer and caught up, said our goodbyes then I'm on my own. I head back to the Travel Bar per Dean's suggestion as there are a lot of "travelers" that go there and its a good place to meet people. Indeed it was. I met a guy from Jersey, chatted and had a beer with him, got some good suggestions for restaurants from him and the bar tenders.
Met a british guy that was very strange, ended up trying to avoid him later that night...ha.

Left the travel bar and ended up passing by Chupitos, a place both Trang and Ben told me to check out...its a Shot bar with the most creative and ridiculous shots. I tried to get a BackDraft per Ben's suggestion, but the bartender just looked at me funny...no dice. I told him just gimme something with fire, he poured all kinds of alcohol into a glass and blam! up in flames...I have to drink that now? ha...ok here we go! Not too shabby...I'll have another! Then I'm off...gotta catch the train before they stop running...We need a new hostel.

Came home to berto sleeping, 1st day in Barcelona, success.

Morning came and we had to check out and find a new hostel. We looked up a few online and headed to Las Ramblas, the main street, and luckily stumbled on a hostel we didn't even know was a hostel. it's location was incredible...33 Las Ramblas!!! Epic!! only 22 euro a night too...very nice! With a window overlooking Las Ramblas!! Moving on up!!!

So Berto and I leave and get a coffee and look for a place to eat, We go to Casa Culleretes on one of the Bartender's request. It's the oldest restaurant in Spain and 2nd oldest in all of Europe...founded in 1876. It was amazing. One of the best meals of my life, bread and cheese, followed by steamed spinach and shrimp, followed by a chicken and broth soup, followed by a whiskey tart and and espresso...all accompanied with delicious red wine!! Bellies full, now we were off to the Van Gogh Exhibit...It was awesome, but of course, no cameras allowed so no pictures. But they wouldn't do them justice. His work is amazing, and very strange! haha.

Then Berto and I went back to the Hostel to rest up for a Flamenco show later that night, per Trang's suggestion. Thanks Trang, it was an incredible show...Sangria, Spanish guitar and dance...amazing! Then off to a Tapas bar to eat again :) Tapas are delicious. Then off to a few more bars and back home for the night.

Now it's Saturday...GAME DAY FOR BARCELONA! We got our Jerseys and were ready to go...but first, we did a bus tour of the city and of course, Gaudi exhibits...Which is like a fantasy land. Gaudi's architecture is incredible. We walked around the exhibits for about an hour...then back on the bus...next stop...Camp Nou, Europe's Largest stadium...IT was spectacular. After about 30 minutes of haggling, we managed to get tickets for about 30 euro...great price for great seats right behind the goal!! The stadium was packed and it was truly incredible to be apart of that ambiance!!

After the game, Berto and I headed to get some meat and cheese tapas at a little restaurant by our hostel...where Berto polished off a bottle of wine, and I had the biggest beer I have ever seen...1.5L...Ahh it was amazing! But It came, and I conquered!! After that, we were pretty beat...long long day :) so we called it a night and headed back to the Hostel.

Sunday was our last day in Barcelona...Definitely wasn't enough time. We went to the bus station to make our final arrangements to get to Girona that night so we could catch our 6:30am flight to Memmingen, Germany...where we'd take a train back to St. Gallen. We had until 7:15pm in Barcelona, so we roamed around. We made our way to a park and stumbled upon one of the most beautiful fountains I have ever seen, just tucked away in a city park, with people jogging and walking their dogs, like it was nothing spectacular...Berto even commented, "Could you imagine, just taking your daily morning jog through this beautiful park and seeing these incredible pieces of art, and that's normal!" I would love to.
Then we made it back to Las Ramblas and down to the Marina, ate some Paella, and made our way over to the Olympic Center. It was pretty awesome to see all the stadiums and history of the '92 Olympics.

We did our souvenir shopping and had a nice cigar down by the docks...watching the seagulls and taking in our last couple hours in this crazy wonderful city...then time to eat again!! We found an "All-you-can-eat" Tapas for 14 euro...Berto and I put them to the test! Ha, all you can eat...you don't know who you're messing with...Give Nick Crossman unlimited access to cheeses, meats and wine...stand back and be amazed!! The only thing was We HAD to catch the train at 7:00 to catch our 7:15 bus...Bullocks!! I could have done so much more damage! But don't fret, I definitely cleaned up shop! haha...They were impressed :)

So we made our train, bus and arrived at the airport with 9 hours to spare...we're not missing anything this time! haha. But we can't go to the terminal until an hour before our flight...so we get to sleep in the main part of the airport, with everyone else...on very uncomfortable seats (I was missing the Chiasso Train station benches, even with the creepers!!)

After some very very strange dreams, We woke up at 4:50 and made our way through security, to board yet another sketchy Ryan Air plane, this time, with no name on the side...which is better than "Bye Bye Baby!" haha...We take off, sleep, land in Memmingen, Germany! We have 2 hours to kill here in this tiny German town...and It was freezing, for us SoCal boys...we were bundled like it was snowing while the residents were walking the streets in skirts and shorts! Well we did see a mother with her baby and her baby was equally bundled as berto and I...sure, that makes us feel better! Ha! Anyway, we enjoyed a coffee and then boarded our train to St. Gallen...Here we come!!

Arrived in St. Gallen, safely around 2pm...I got home then off to class at 4pm; Energy Finance! Exhausted. But I have to save my energy, it's Oli's birthday today and he wants to celebrate when he gets back from class at 8pm...No sleep for the wicked!!

We enjoyed some beers, some laughs, stories...it was good times. As he was getting more drunk, the realization of being older was setting in...and we got into some really good conversation. Oli is a great guy and good friend. I'm thankful for being placed as his roommate.

Now it's passed midnight, he's officially 27, time for bed for me...MatLab programming at 8am...Maybe some sleep for the wicked ;)

More blogs to come! I'll be more regular with the posts...Let's say, once a week, on Sunday/Monday permitting my travel schedule.

I love you all and am very fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family to share my life with. Thank God everyday for your blessings! And never lose sight of what really matters in life. Improve yourself everyday. and Enjoy everything.
Love. Laugh. Live.

until next time...

Nick

Oktoberfest!!

Again, a bit delayed on posting. But here it is....Adventures of Oktoberfest. The journey there...was half the battle!

So Oli and I left our apartment at 5:15 am to get down to the train station, meet our friends and catch the 5:59 train. So then it took us about 20 minutes to figure out which tickets we needed to buy and where we needed to go, on a german machine with only 2 german speaking people, trying to buy for 10 people.
Ha! Success, with 1 minute to spare, we all ran to get on the train...but made it!! Success!! Then we cracked open our first beer, 6am... breakfast of champions!
So now we have 30 minutes to figure out how to get our ticket at the next station for 10 people in 2 minutes, we have a 2 minute window and needed to buy "special" tickets that allow us to travel all through Germany in a 24hr window...but we don't know which "special" ticket machine we have to use. So we send Patrick (1 German speaker) and Jaime (non German speaker) to try to run to the other platform and buy the tickets...in 2 minutes!!! Well as you may have guessed, they were not successful in purchasing the tickets in 2 minutes, we missed our connection...Bullocks!
(HA! GREAT SUCCESS, I JUST KILLED A FLY, WITH MY LIGHTING REFLEXES, THAT WAS BUGGIN ME WHILE IVE BEEN WRITING THIS...IM VERY HAPPY NOW!)

Anyway, so yea...now we have to wait about an hour to catch the next train, but luckily there's a little market so we get some snacks and of course, more beer! we have to prepare for oktoberfest!! So we catch the next train to the next station, then get on the wrong train, but luckily get off in time before it leaves, then someone says its the right train, so we get on, but only half of the group...it was actually the wrong train, and we barely get off in time...but the German women that told us it was the right train, and got on, did not get off in time and were trying to get out as the doors close and the train took off, it was pretty funny experience. So we end up on the right train...with beer in hand....success!

Then we arrive in Lindau...a little German "Island" on Lake Konstance...And this is where the party was! Ha, we met some German guys that were having a Bachelor party at Oktoberfest...and the soon-to-be had to wear a dress!! haha...they were wasted, gone, smashed...at 9:30 in the morning, with a loud speaker, screaming German chants and cheers. Hilarious. And of course, all the others were dressed in authentic Lederhosens, and drinking from their wooden clogs...yup, the smelly things they have on their feet...pouring beer into and sucking it out...mmmm. Apparently, this was the right way to drink beer at Oktoberfest...Damn, I forgot my clogs, I guess I'll just have to drink it out of the can...
So we stayed on this train to Munich main station, about 2 hours of drifting in and out of sleep between the screaming Germans...rough morning, but We arrived in Munich, all 10 of us...safe and fairly sober.

Now we start heading in the direction of the crowds, assuming they know where to go...safe bet. We see the first sign of a carnival, a huge superman like ride! We're here! We got some carnie snacks and then start looking for beer tents. We had a list of suggestions from people, but of course, getting 10 people into the most popular tents seemed a little more difficult than we anticipated...we'll settle for some weiss bier. First beer at Oktoberfest...delicious!
Wait, where's Joao?! Ahh we already lost someone? Ahh...Joao! haha. Send out a search party...another beer while we wait? Jaime found a wallet on the ground...we searched high and low to find the owner, no luck...but he found us. Jaime put him through a round of 30 ?s...he passed and won his wallet back! Jaime got a 5 euro reward for his good deed, another beer? :)

Joao's Back!!! Let's go to a new beer tent, no more expensive weiss bier...let's get some liters! Off to Lowenbrau! First, and second liters here...Oli, Pat and I stand in line representing the group of 10 to try to get into the tent...not possible. We'll just drink our beer on the patio...fine with us...:) There was great atmosphere of drunken Germans screaming, standing on tables, chugging contests...beerfest!
Off to wander around the fair, get some snacks, loose Joao again! I don't know how we lost him so much...he's like 6'5!

So then we make it to the next tent, and this time, after a litre or two, managed to weasel our way into a table! Ha, great success...we can sit and drink now!! Awesome! Round after round of liters ...keep em coming. We sat at the table for a couple hours, round after round, mingling with Germans and munching on snacks, taking pictures, screaming, cheersing, chugging...it was beerfest! It was Awesome.

So around 5:30, we realize we're pretty drunk, and We could catch the 6:15 direct train back to St. Gallen, or wait and catch the 7:05 non-direct (have to change 4 times) train back, or we can sleep in the park and catch the morning train. Oli and I opted for the former, 6:15 train, the others picked the 7:05...I'm very happy with my selection. I got on the train, fell asleep, woke up at St. Gallen!
The others, not so lucky...one of their train was late, which made them miss all the other connections, so they had 2 options, hail a taxi from Austria, or sleep there and wait till the morning, they choose the former and paid for a taxi from Austria to St. Gallen, comfy ride I'm sure...but comfort and convenience at a price! But I'm glad they made it home, safely!

Everyone survived. No one got sick. No one got arrested. No one got left behind. Everyone got drunk and had an amazing time. Great Success...OKTOBERFEST 2009!!!

Post # 2

Hey all,

So I know I've been very bad about keeping up to date with this blog!! I always think about it during the day when I'm in class or what not...but then I forget at night when i have time to...

So I went to Zurich this last weekend and toured the city during the day, then the pubs and clubs at night...besides the expensive cover charges, it was incredible!!! Such an epic night life...and the sites, were...well...beautiful. We visited some churches, did a boat tour and had their famous bratwurst, of course!! Our friend Thomas was our tour guide!!

Anyway, I joined some clubs at school. I joined the "Trader's Club" which is a club for students interested in ... yup, you guessed it, Trading in financial markets. It's a great club. We had our first Trader's Lounge last night where we met at the Einstein Hotel & Bar ( the fanciest place in St. Gallen :)) and drank free beer and wine, munched on peanuts and discussed trading derivatives and financial markets. Everyone is brilliant but so down to earth...its amazing! I wish i got to study here for more than one semester, I'd be so enriched with knowledge. Don't get me wrong, I love Claremont...But St. Gallen is in a league of it's own!!

But yea, I joined a few more clubs to meet students and what not. Should be really fun! I found out I live NEXT DOOR to a yoga studio!! German Yoga is awesome!! haha. I love it! Been doing it once a week on Wednesdays! I am also going to be teaching conversational English while I'm here to make a little $$$ and meet some more students...it should be fun.

I'm going to Basel tomorrow for a city tour and a tour and tasting of their famour brewery!! Ahh, I can't wait. Then off to Oktoberfest in Munich for the weekend!! But I'm going to try my hardest to call you guys and take a shot of Jager for the BIG Uncle Mike!!

I had a dream last night that God all gave us another day with him, it was very vivid dream, and I knew I was dreaming. So we could do whatever. It was a very interesting experience. I was half awake the whole time. And guess what we did on the extra day God gave him to us...We had a party at the house, of course...and Justin, Mike and I went to a mexican food place and ate carne asada burritos and drank a couple beers while "sis" coooked the real dinner..haha...just like old times. It was the best dream I've had in a long time. But it was more than a dream. He was there. I felt him. Anyway, I'm looking forward to celebrating everything with you guys!! Just how he would have wanted!

Hmm, what else...I saw my derivatives professor on the news, apparently he's on TV all the time...I knew he was a derivatives genius, but didn't know the whole country listened to him! haha...and um..oh yea, I'm going to Barcelona, Spain next week to meet up with Deano for a few days...that's gona be epic! Then Prague and Czech the following weekend...then probly Italy and Greece for a little more than a week...so October looks pretty good on my side :) haha...

But yea, Im gona call it a successful post now, cause at least I got some stuff down! I'm gona go have a beer with some friends in town, to get my palate ready for Liter Beirs and endless Bratwursts!

I love you all and don't be shy...drop me a line from time to time...Prost!!

-Nick

First Post!

The first few days in St. Gallen have been, well surreal. I can't believe I'm here...and for another few months...I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to grow myself in another culture. Everything is so beautiful and the people are so friendly, happy, healthy, fit...it's like a Utopian Society. I belong here! haha

This post will be short as I'm finishing my glass of Cabernet and will be meeting some friends in town for dinner and drinks...I just wanted to get this up and running before the days end.

I am taking an intensive German class this week before my real classes start...to try to pick up some helpful phrases and what not...It's been fun learning German. English has germanic roots so its not impossible...like Chinese!!! My roommates are chill; Oli from Germany and "Justin" from Singapore. They're both laid back guys and it should be a good semester with them.

The weather is actually very pleasant at the moment...about 73 deg F at 7:30 pm...it's sunny and warm with a slight cool breeze. My university is also very modern and beautiful. I love the facilities and classrooms so far...there are some renovations going on...but that's been a reoccurring theme with every school I've ever gone to since CHS!

This truly is an amazing time in my life and I can't belive I'm here...I walk around, absorbing everything and think...this is the life I was meant to live. This is the experience I was meant to have. I've never been so alive. Never been so excited to wake up and explore...I just wish I didn't have to waste time sleeping...I'll figure that out soon though!

The only thing missing is my loving family and friends. I love you all so much and wish we could experience this together. But one day, sooner than we can imagine, we will experience more incredible adventures in life.

There are plenty more posts to come, for now, my wine is done and my appetite is craving some brots and bier.

Until next time...Zum Wohl
(To your health/Cheers)

Much Love,

Nick