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Ep. 7 - Back Home. Philadelphia, PA
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 8, 2008 in Podcast
Sean and Chris are back hone in Philadelphia. They go over their regrets and give you advice for your own Eurotrip.
Ep. 6 - Accomodations. Stockholm, Sweeden
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 4, 2008 in Podcast
Sean and Chris discuss hotels, hostel, and Couchsurfing with tip on each.
When abroad, the quality of American food may vary
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 4, 2008 in Commentary
Yep, we're all that and a bag of chips.
As mentioned before, I love me some Coca-Cola.
Despite trying to avoid consuming the same food and drink products I would in America, sometimes it is unavoidable (i.e. I cave in to the craving for Doritos). However, while many American food products have made the jump across the pond that doesn’t mean you will be getting the same Uncle Sam taste.
Doritos, Coca-Cola, Hamburgers, French Fries, and Pizza are all classic “American” items that taste just different enough to notice. As we experienced in Brussels (PUT IN VIDEO), sometimes all you want is a little taste of home only to be disappointed.
How to keep a budget while on the road
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 4, 2008 in Travel Tips
The pain of figuring out the budget
Today, Chris and I bit the bullet, dumped out the receipts and figured out who owes who what. After all, it is a cold Monday night. Up until now, we had alternated who took cash out of ATMs and tried to split big purchases such as hostels or train tickets.
Bad idea.
How to get an ISIC card, even if you’re not in college
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 3, 2008 in Travel Tips
The ISIC card (that’s International Student Identity Card) can be your gateway to a hefty student discount on flights, trains, and other travel necessities. The commonly used STA travel agency requires the ISIC card for all of its student rates and getting a card is easier than you think. In fact, it’s so easy that you really don’t have to even be in college.
Read more…
Ep. 6 Accommodations. Stockholm, Sweeden.
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 2, 2008 in Podcast
Unfortunately, because of Internet problems Episode Six currently exists in two parts. In this episode Sean and Chris discuss the differences between getting a hotel, hostel, or couchsurfing with advice on all three.
Part One
Part Two
How Europe fuels my Coke habit
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 2, 2008 in Travel Tips
Why, I think I will attractive 50s woman.
I used to be bad. Really bad.
As a teenager I would often drink four to five cans of Coca-Cola or Pepsi a day. Of course, one visit to the dentist changed that habit. However here in Europe, I find myself drinking more soda than ever.
In Europe, even the mannequins are good looking
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 2, 2008 in Experiences
It’s no secret that Europe and America have different moral compasses when it comes to sexuality. Nudity is allowed on the BBC while on American television you’re one wardrobe malfunction away from millions of dollars in fines. In Europe we’ve seen billboard advertisements leaving nothing to the imagination, and even passed an art gallery in Berlin where the paintings in the window would be considered pornographic in the States (lets just say, shopping carts were involved).
In Eastern Europe this was especially true in store displays as the plain faced American mannequins became seductive life sized models, complete with nipples and a seductive look. If you have bad vision you may think you’ve wandered into the Red Light District all over again. The following were seen in Vienna:
Watching the World Series in foreign lands.
Posted by Sean Blanda on Nov 1, 2008 in Commentary
Sadly, no roiting in Berlin. (Jessica Griffin / Inquirer Staff Photographer)
Like many events in my life, I had pictured it much differently. I thought I’d see the Phillies win it all somewhere in Philadelphia surrounded by red and white-clad die hards. Instead it was Chris, a Canadian, and I in an empty bar in Germany.
But, hey, I’ll take it.
The pros and cons of the pub crawl
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 31, 2008 in Commentary
On a pub crawl, things can often get ... out of hand.
There seems to be two sides to the backpacker culture that Chris and I are weaving in and out of. On one hand you have a group of young, open minded travelers attempting to absorb a culture that is unlike their own. On the other, you have an international group of under 20-year-old with a nearly limitless amount of free time and a little bit of discretionary spending at their disposal.
In many hostels we have stayed, the latter half of the backpacker culture often manifests itself in the form of the pub crawl/tour combo offered by local companies. If you never have had the privilege, a pub crawl is when a group of people are led from one drinking establishment to another often receiving discounts and free entry. In most cities, Chris and I would glance at the flyers and not think twice. However, in Berlin we decided to change our routine up a bit and tag along with NewBerlin’s pub crawl. The change in routine had several pros and cons:
