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It has been too long since i wrote last, so i will try and catch up with where i have been these past few months. I have backdated the date of the post just for ease of reference, even though i am writing this in February.
I left off last time on my way to Munich for Oktoberfest, and it was amazing!
After arriving at my hostel, only two blocks from the grounds, i immediately joined the festivities on the patio outside one of the huge beer tents (as they were all full inside) with an aussie from my hostel. Drinking beer from large 1 L steins we quickly joined in conversation with our friendly neighbours from all over the world.
The next day i spent exploring the grounds and a bit of munich and getting ready for a full day in a beer tent the next day. To get a seat in a beer tent one must arrive early, before the tents open at 10. So we arrived at 830 and were among the first into the Haufbrau house tent. We started drinking (and eating) and spent the rest of the day in the tent as it got more animated. As the tent fills up the band, in a raised platform and in traditional bavarian clothing, plays traditional bavarian music. Frequently people stand up on their tables to finish what is left in their steins (usually over 3/4 full) and are booed relentlessly if they don't manage to finish it or cheered like a hero if they do. Men and women both do it, and one guy drank beer out of his friends shoe! Throughout the day new people were joining our table and everyone in the tent ends up standing on the benches, singing, drinking and talking to everyone.
After an amazing day i managed to make it home as the tents were closing. First, however, i decided to go on a ride that is kryptonite for drunk people haha. All that is involved is stepping on to a fast moving conveyor belt that inclines sharply. While it sounds simple enough, most people get flipped backwards or sideways, with only a few managing to make it up the 10 meters on their feet. All the while a huge crowd of (often inebriated) revelers laugh and jeer at (definitely inebriated) suckers trying their best to not make a fool of themselves. With plenty of liquid courage on board, feeling invincible, i decide it was my time to shine. It was simple right? Just hop on and lean forward, can't be that tough right? With the plan going through my slightly clouded brain i stepped up to the belt and hopped on. In a flash my plan disintegrated as my brain and body were trying to do different things. My body, in what i assume was an attempt to catch up with the speed of the conveyor belt began to run backwards, and lean backwards as a result. My brain, after realizing whats going on attempts to make my body lean forward, to no avail. After a couple of seconds of utter confusion, i receive a sharp shove in the back from a supervisor on the ride. While it sounds harsh it is exactly what i need as i am finally able to lean forward and, thankfully, get to the end of the conveyor belt, on my feet. There may or may not be video evidence ;)
From Munich i travelled to Prague, a beautiful city with a lot of history. In Prague i explored much of the city, its castles and streets, museums, bars, pubs and even, believe it or not, its famous beers.
I did this with another aussie (they are everywhere in Europe, at least half the people in every hostel is Australian) from the hostel. When we walked around the medieval castle we were given quite the surprise. We were going through the old castle talking, oblivious to what was behind us, and as we walk through a main gateway our conversation comes to a startling end as we hear a loud "CLEAR AWAY!!!" right behind us. As we clue in to the noise of boot steps we turn and move to the side just in time to avoid the marching soldiers and the changing of the guard. Without flinching they march within inches straight by us. We both decided that was the end of sightseeing for the day, and found a pub.
From Prague i took a bus to Cesky Krumlov, to the south. A beautiful town with ancient buildings, picturesque views, beautiful walks and bears in the castle moat.
My first full day i decide to walk around the large hill (small mountain) to the north, passed a couple of castle ruins and then up the hill from the opposite side of the town and down towards Cesky Krumlov. The scenery was amazing, and the path very little used. At several points there was no path and i just walked in the direction i thought i needed to go. Passing the ruins, through sheep fields, forests, and towns that still look like they are in the 70s communist era. It was a beautiful walk, but i soon realized it was going to to take too long as i wasn't going to have enough sunlight to get back! I quickly made it to the top of the mountain and into the observation post, where i hurriedly snapped a few pictures of the incredible surroundings, as the winds really picked up and the dark clouds roiled overhead. With not much sunlight left, and after 6 hours of hiking, i ran down the mountain - the entire way.
45 minutes later and in near total darkness i made it into the town, tired and sore, but relieved to not be stuck hiking in the dark.
The next day i was more than a little sore, so i had a nice relaxing day. With a couple of people from the hostel (no aussies this time) we rented a small rubber boat and were driven up the river that goes through the middle of the town. For the entirety of the day we slowly paddled, relaxed and drank a few great Czech beers in the beautiful autumn day. As we flowed down the river the color of the trees was a rich mixture of red, bronze, yellow and green. We passed by beautiful forests, abandoned derelict communist era factories, beautiful cottages and towns. A great way to finish up my time in the Czech Republic.
Next (and i will write it soon) was Bratislava, and the castles and mountains of Slovakia.
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