Monday, July 27, 2009
The End..
Well after traveling Europe visiting over 6 different countries, 5-non speaking English countries, 2 continents, and Israel for a 1 1/2 months, today I say goodbye.. I'm met some of the most amazing people, visited places that seemed larger than life, and mostly, I will take back a priceless education that you can't learn from school and books. I will miss all of you that I have met on my journey, and you will always be remembered!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
In over my head??
So.. I've been to about 4 non-english speaking countries (including England, because trust me I speak English, and it definitely isn't what they're speaking there!), and drove through even more. I spent a total of 1 month exactly backpacking/driving/walking throughout Europe and my friends, I think it’s finally time to throw in the towel. I'm exhausted! My life this past month has been the life of a rockstar -- partying, meeting groupies, traveling, living out of hotels and a suitcase.
But it’s not over yet! Actually, it’s just beginning ;) I came in last night to Tel Aviv, Israel!! (You didn't really think it was over, did you?) And to be quite honest, throughout all of the countries I've visited, I have to say Israel is where it’s at. People have the wrong impression of it, they think they still ride camels and fly on magic carpets. Boy can you ever be more wrong! It is very Americanized, very advanced, and VERY happening. There is crazy real estate happening here, there night clubs make L.A's clubs look like Childs play. The lifestyle is not like American’s here. They are very warm, very polite, and very good-looking! ;) But seriously, best way to sum them up is that they're open arms. There is a saying about Israeli's that they're like a cactus fruit. Hard on the outside, but sweet on the inside, and it couldn't be more true. I don't know if they developed this hard outside shell from just living in a country that is surrounded by Arabs for over 60 years and living a hard lifestyle with wars, terrorists, etc. or just something genetic. To me it doesn't matter, I know their intensions are good, and that’s all that matters.
Anyways, I arrived last night and will be here until the 28th (2 weeks)
Shalom,
Danny.
But it’s not over yet! Actually, it’s just beginning ;) I came in last night to Tel Aviv, Israel!! (You didn't really think it was over, did you?) And to be quite honest, throughout all of the countries I've visited, I have to say Israel is where it’s at. People have the wrong impression of it, they think they still ride camels and fly on magic carpets. Boy can you ever be more wrong! It is very Americanized, very advanced, and VERY happening. There is crazy real estate happening here, there night clubs make L.A's clubs look like Childs play. The lifestyle is not like American’s here. They are very warm, very polite, and very good-looking! ;) But seriously, best way to sum them up is that they're open arms. There is a saying about Israeli's that they're like a cactus fruit. Hard on the outside, but sweet on the inside, and it couldn't be more true. I don't know if they developed this hard outside shell from just living in a country that is surrounded by Arabs for over 60 years and living a hard lifestyle with wars, terrorists, etc. or just something genetic. To me it doesn't matter, I know their intensions are good, and that’s all that matters.
Anyways, I arrived last night and will be here until the 28th (2 weeks)
Shalom,
Danny.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Marseille..
I've been residing in Marseille the past 10 days since I've last posted on my blog. I've pretty much been spending most of my time with my mom's side of the family since this is where they all live. I've met a ton of cousins/aunts/uncles which I've never met. If I were to discribe Marsielle I would say that everything in this city is small. Ranging from the cars, to the streets, to the houses, to the meal portions, small small small. Where in LA everything is BIG. Big homes, streets, cars, glasses hah.
I've been hanging out with my cousin Kevin who has been showing me around town.. we've hit the beaches, the disco-tec's, house parties, cafe's... its a very different lifestyle out here.. seems almost everyone is trapped in Marseille and can't see outside the box, almost like a prison. Where in LA sky is the limit for oppurtunity and you can literally have, and become anything or anybody you want.
Tonight I'm going to be having shabbat dinner at my aunts house and tomorrow I will be on my way to Nice and Monaco!
Ciao for now!
I've been hanging out with my cousin Kevin who has been showing me around town.. we've hit the beaches, the disco-tec's, house parties, cafe's... its a very different lifestyle out here.. seems almost everyone is trapped in Marseille and can't see outside the box, almost like a prison. Where in LA sky is the limit for oppurtunity and you can literally have, and become anything or anybody you want.
Tonight I'm going to be having shabbat dinner at my aunts house and tomorrow I will be on my way to Nice and Monaco!
Ciao for now!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
My apologies..
Sorry I haven't been updating my blog lately.. I've been caught up being a 'tourist' and haven't really had a chance to get on the computer.
Anyways, long story short... I arrived in Paris at my aunt's house, we visited the Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Chapel Notre-Dame, and of couse the Lourve.. spent about 4nights there.. Loved Paris, but you better come when the dollar is stronger because FUCK its expensive! People usually gain weight when vacationing, I on the other hand, lost weight. Lets just say I spent 8euro about $12.00 for 2 small scoops of icecream. Dinner, forget about it, you're looking at atleast 15-20euro for some bullshit plate with french fries and a small piece of chicken. Ok, I'm playing devils advocate, obviously as a tourist you have to expect to get robbed, but we did find a couple "local's" spots where the price was reasonable. You also have the remember that most of the local Parisien's don't need to own a car, free health care, no car insurance.. so I coming from L.A where all of what Paris takes care of, I have to pay for. So it's all relative to an extent.
Dislikes: Drive like madmen, have really bad B.O.
After 4 nights in Paris I drove 8 nights south to Marseille. Just the other night I went to my cousin's beautiful wedding on a boat out in the mediterranean, had an amazing time, met a lot of cousin's I never knew I had and just mingled. Good times..
I'm currenting still in Marseille, tonight I'm gonna hit the town with my cousin, perhaps a "disco-tec", and tomorrow the beach!! Weather has been hot!! we're talking 90degree's
Bon Voyage!
Anyways, long story short... I arrived in Paris at my aunt's house, we visited the Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Chapel Notre-Dame, and of couse the Lourve.. spent about 4nights there.. Loved Paris, but you better come when the dollar is stronger because FUCK its expensive! People usually gain weight when vacationing, I on the other hand, lost weight. Lets just say I spent 8euro about $12.00 for 2 small scoops of icecream. Dinner, forget about it, you're looking at atleast 15-20euro for some bullshit plate with french fries and a small piece of chicken. Ok, I'm playing devils advocate, obviously as a tourist you have to expect to get robbed, but we did find a couple "local's" spots where the price was reasonable. You also have the remember that most of the local Parisien's don't need to own a car, free health care, no car insurance.. so I coming from L.A where all of what Paris takes care of, I have to pay for. So it's all relative to an extent.
Dislikes: Drive like madmen, have really bad B.O.
After 4 nights in Paris I drove 8 nights south to Marseille. Just the other night I went to my cousin's beautiful wedding on a boat out in the mediterranean, had an amazing time, met a lot of cousin's I never knew I had and just mingled. Good times..
I'm currenting still in Marseille, tonight I'm gonna hit the town with my cousin, perhaps a "disco-tec", and tomorrow the beach!! Weather has been hot!! we're talking 90degree's
Bon Voyage!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Don't really know when I left off.. what a journey.
But I believe it was from me taking off from London to Amsterdam.
Well we finally arrived some 400 miles later to Amsterdam, and lets just say it felt like we went from riches, to rags! Coming from England such a "proper" country to Amsterdam was like day and night.
Amsterdam prostitution is legal, smoking pot is legal, drinking beers on the streets is legal, and a local even told me that smoking crack will only cost you a 50euro fine. However, fighting on the streets can end you 10 months in jail. Its a hippy town what do you expect, they want to keep it peaceful place.
We spent about 3 nights there, lets just say 3 nights too long. Anyone who wants to visit Amsterdam 2 nights is enough, unless your life revolves around pot/beer/whores. Which I dabbled into a little of everything.. smoked some pot, drank the local Heinekin brew, and did some window shopping ;)
I obviously checked out the Red Light District, the girls range anywhere from some what attractive to just down right disgusting.. but to each their own.
We also checked out Lidesplain (don't think I'm spelling that correct) but its definitely a better area than the Red Light. More locals, more things to do than beer/pot/whores. We didn't find out about it till the night before we were gonna leave, so we did a little pub crawl with some tourists and locals, pretty fun.. definitely get your moneys worth on the alcohol. I'm glad we got to see that area, it left me with a little hope for the city of Amsterdamed
Oh and PS: if you ever visit that city, don't drive your $80k car there.. I mean I was shitting in my pants, I think I ended up on the train tracks and on on-coming traffic a few times by accident, the city is complete chaos!
Well we finally arrived some 400 miles later to Amsterdam, and lets just say it felt like we went from riches, to rags! Coming from England such a "proper" country to Amsterdam was like day and night.
Amsterdam prostitution is legal, smoking pot is legal, drinking beers on the streets is legal, and a local even told me that smoking crack will only cost you a 50euro fine. However, fighting on the streets can end you 10 months in jail. Its a hippy town what do you expect, they want to keep it peaceful place.
We spent about 3 nights there, lets just say 3 nights too long. Anyone who wants to visit Amsterdam 2 nights is enough, unless your life revolves around pot/beer/whores. Which I dabbled into a little of everything.. smoked some pot, drank the local Heinekin brew, and did some window shopping ;)
I obviously checked out the Red Light District, the girls range anywhere from some what attractive to just down right disgusting.. but to each their own.
We also checked out Lidesplain (don't think I'm spelling that correct) but its definitely a better area than the Red Light. More locals, more things to do than beer/pot/whores. We didn't find out about it till the night before we were gonna leave, so we did a little pub crawl with some tourists and locals, pretty fun.. definitely get your moneys worth on the alcohol. I'm glad we got to see that area, it left me with a little hope for the city of Amsterdamed
Oh and PS: if you ever visit that city, don't drive your $80k car there.. I mean I was shitting in my pants, I think I ended up on the train tracks and on on-coming traffic a few times by accident, the city is complete chaos!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Over London
Greetings and salutations,
So I've been here going on 3nights and to be quite honest, I'm over it. I guess since I come from LA I'm already overly exposed to large city life, and that is exactly what London is. It its way to crowded, its dirty, and expensive!!
Since most of my main events are done with (picking up my M3, Formula 1) today was a relaxing day. We paid 25pounds and did the whole tourist thing and got on a tour bus (The Big Bus) and toured most of the main attractions of London. Took some good video footage, that I'll be uploading later.
I got in touch with a good mate of mine from back in high school that now resides in London, we met up, did a little catch up then headed to a club in Piccadilly Circus.. hung out there for a couple hours got bored and hooked on the bus and headed back to the flat.
Anyways, tomorrow I'm going to try and make it to Stonehenge as my last tourist destination then back on the ferry to Amsterdam!
So I've been here going on 3nights and to be quite honest, I'm over it. I guess since I come from LA I'm already overly exposed to large city life, and that is exactly what London is. It its way to crowded, its dirty, and expensive!!
Since most of my main events are done with (picking up my M3, Formula 1) today was a relaxing day. We paid 25pounds and did the whole tourist thing and got on a tour bus (The Big Bus) and toured most of the main attractions of London. Took some good video footage, that I'll be uploading later.
I got in touch with a good mate of mine from back in high school that now resides in London, we met up, did a little catch up then headed to a club in Piccadilly Circus.. hung out there for a couple hours got bored and hooked on the bus and headed back to the flat.
Anyways, tomorrow I'm going to try and make it to Stonehenge as my last tourist destination then back on the ferry to Amsterdam!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
F1
F1 was was wicked!! took about 1.5hrs as I anticipated from London. There was an amazing air-show before the race and after. I've been to a few in L.A but this one definitely takes the cake. F1 being HUGE in europe they spend some good money to put on a good show! BMW didn't place first but did okay... not having the best of year. Anyways not much to blog about, but however; I did take some good video footage and pictures which I'll post later.
After F1 we got back to the flat, changed and headed to the town. We hit up piccadilly circus (soho) which looks and reminds me a lot of Time Square in NY. Lots of pubs, restaurants, clubs, cafe's. I went to a club called Yates which was recommended by the locals along with (Oxygen and Zoo club) nothing special, reminded me alot of the clubs in Tijuana. Smelly with all the dirty indian's, arabs, and blacks. Bar tender walking around trying to get people drunk by giving them shots, and the music was just horrorable.
Long story short, the night wasn't the best.. didn't know that the Underground closed at midnight so I ended up roaming the streets for an hour trying to find a bus that goes to Bayswater (where my flat is). Finally someone actually knew, I ended up taking the double decker bus about 3miles shy of my flat and had to walk the rest still pretty intoxicated... Roaming the streets of London at 3am was not the way I anticpated the night would end up.. But never the less, thats what makes a eurotrip, a eurotrip!
Cheers!
After F1 we got back to the flat, changed and headed to the town. We hit up piccadilly circus (soho) which looks and reminds me a lot of Time Square in NY. Lots of pubs, restaurants, clubs, cafe's. I went to a club called Yates which was recommended by the locals along with (Oxygen and Zoo club) nothing special, reminded me alot of the clubs in Tijuana. Smelly with all the dirty indian's, arabs, and blacks. Bar tender walking around trying to get people drunk by giving them shots, and the music was just horrorable.
Long story short, the night wasn't the best.. didn't know that the Underground closed at midnight so I ended up roaming the streets for an hour trying to find a bus that goes to Bayswater (where my flat is). Finally someone actually knew, I ended up taking the double decker bus about 3miles shy of my flat and had to walk the rest still pretty intoxicated... Roaming the streets of London at 3am was not the way I anticpated the night would end up.. But never the less, thats what makes a eurotrip, a eurotrip!
Cheers!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Long day..and Hello London!
So we left Nurburg this morning around noon and made our way towards Calais, France. Finally arrived about 4hours later (~300miles). Lots of construction and traffic in Germany!
We made it to the port of Calais and put my car on the Ferry. I pretty much slept the whole ferry ride to Dover, England. Ferry ride was about 1.5hrs so I caught up on some sleep..
After taking my car off the boat and entering England it was pretty crazy since they drive on the other side of the road. The most confusing part about it is the "turn-abouts" we don't have these in the US so they're pretty confusing, even the locals get confused.
We finally got to London and checked into our flat. The place is pretty small, guess thats london for you.
Anyways, I've got Formula 1 tomorrow in Silverstone, England about 1.5hrs north of London so I'll let you know how that goes once I get back!
Sorry..
Sorry I haven't been keeping up with my blog as promised... all I gotta say is internet/wifi in germany blows! Everyone charges to use it and its like $15 US...
I'll do my best to keep you guys posted. But as for today I am in Nurburg Germany. Home of the world famous Nurburg Ring which is the world's biggest racetrack (17mi.) The whole point of coming here was to be a tourist obviously but to take my new M3 on the track, except last night we got cought in a mess of traffic and didn't make it on time :( So now we can only be spectators of the event that is going on right now.
Anyways, about to leave Nurburg, Germany getting ready to drive to Calais, France to take my car thru the English Chunnel to London for F1 tomorrow. Wish me luck on driving on the other side of the road!
I'll do my best to keep you guys posted. But as for today I am in Nurburg Germany. Home of the world famous Nurburg Ring which is the world's biggest racetrack (17mi.) The whole point of coming here was to be a tourist obviously but to take my new M3 on the track, except last night we got cought in a mess of traffic and didn't make it on time :( So now we can only be spectators of the event that is going on right now.
Anyways, about to leave Nurburg, Germany getting ready to drive to Calais, France to take my car thru the English Chunnel to London for F1 tomorrow. Wish me luck on driving on the other side of the road!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Day of pickup..
6/16/09
After tossing and turning all night and going to bed hungry I couldn't sleep. I knew that they were going to start serving breakfast in the hotel at 7:30a.m so I woke up at 5:00a.m (jet lagged) and watched the clock until it stroke 7:30a.m and went to the lobby and grubbed!! I took down at least 2 plates of food, and it was delicious! One thing I always remembered about europe is the food and how tasty it is, something we don't get in the U.S. Everything is pretty much 100% organic out here. The tomato's are a beautiful red color, the oranges are actually ORANGE, and and apples are, actually green? Go figure..
Its pathetic that in the big, beautiful, U.S of A we have been brainwashed to thinking that its okay to pay for overpriced food that in-turn isn't even actually food. Just food that is put in a blender and they slap a label on it and call it a sausage. And we wonder why we have such a high rate of cancer, diabetes and all sorts of illness. Bon Apiete, you are whatcha eat!
TO BE CONTINUED..
Day of arrival, and what a day it was..
6/15/09
Well after a very long 10 hour flight to Munich, Germany, I finally arrive. I proceed to baggage claim to find out that they lost our luggage container. After an hour wait, they finally find our container. So I proceed outside to get a shuttle to my hotel, wait another hour, to find that one doesn't exist. At this point I am so mentally and physically exhausted that I say fuck it, and I end up having to take a taxi which costed about 50 euro.
The cab ride was about 25 minutes from the airport to the hotel. Along the ride I was glued to the window trying to take in all of the country side as we drove thru it. It was definitely something I've never experienced nor seen before except on The History Channel about pre/and post WWII documentaries. So much greenery, and the history of Germany just almost overwhelms you are you drive thru it. Everything looks very WWII still.. from the railroad tracks, to the signs, fire trucks, and I even saw what appeared to look like a WWII watch tower that was still standing.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Eurotrip itinerary
For those that are interested in knowing my itinerary as I tour europe for 30days, its as followed:
Pretty soild driving schedule thus far to give you an idea of whats goin down!
Munich, Germany -> Frankfurt, Germany = 238mi (June 15th - June 19th)
Frankfurt, Germany -> Berlin, Germany = 354mi (June 15th - June 19th)
Berlin, Germany -> London, England = 659mi (June 19th - June 21st)
London, England -> Amsterdam, Netherlands = 307mi (June 22nd - June 26th)
Amsterdam, Netherlands -> Paris, France = 320mi (June 26th - June 30th)
Paris, France -> Marseille, France = 503mi (July 1st - July 7th - Attending family / Wedding)
Marseille, France -> Venice, Italy = 505mi (July 7th - July 10th)
Venice, Italy -> Paris, France = 712mi (July 10th - July 14th)
Total miles driven: 3,598
-- THE END --
** and then I'm departing from Paris to Tel Aviv, Israel for 2 weeks **
I will not be bringing my laptop, for fear that it might get lost/stolen, so I'll be updating it via iPhone -- I will do my best on a daily basis to keep up to date with all of my endeavors as I embark on this adventitious once in a lifetime journey!!! :)
Pretty soild driving schedule thus far to give you an idea of whats goin down!
Munich, Germany -> Frankfurt, Germany = 238mi (June 15th - June 19th)
Frankfurt, Germany -> Berlin, Germany = 354mi (June 15th - June 19th)
Berlin, Germany -> London, England = 659mi (June 19th - June 21st)
London, England -> Amsterdam, Netherlands = 307mi (June 22nd - June 26th)
Amsterdam, Netherlands -> Paris, France = 320mi (June 26th - June 30th)
Paris, France -> Marseille, France = 503mi (July 1st - July 7th - Attending family / Wedding)
Marseille, France -> Venice, Italy = 505mi (July 7th - July 10th)
Venice, Italy -> Paris, France = 712mi (July 10th - July 14th)
Total miles driven: 3,598
** and then I'm departing from Paris to Tel Aviv, Israel for 2 weeks **
I will not be bringing my laptop, for fear that it might get lost/stolen, so I'll be updating it via iPhone -- I will do my best on a daily basis to keep up to date with all of my endeavors as I embark on this adventitious once in a lifetime journey!!! :)
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