Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 31, 2008 in
Preconceived Notions With the capital of Germany in our rear view mirrors, Chris and I have arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark. Like many of the cities along our journey, I do not have very many preconceived notions about this city of 1.5 million. I have read about its high standard of living, high degree of government involvement, and its socially liberal attitudes. In my mind there seem to be several parallels with Zurch, Switzerland.
It is our first official foray into what can be considered Northern Europe so Chris and I prepared to pile on the layers as we may be the only people who head north in the winter months. We have also been told by several travelers that Copenhagen can get expensive, however while thumbing through our guide we have seen several free activities we can do while there. Additionally we were lucky enough to have a local host us while couchsurfing, so by luck Copenhagen may be one of the cheapest cities we visit.
Also, on the ride here, we suddenly realized that our train had pulled into a ferry for a 45-minute trek between two Danish islands. Being little kids at heart, we immediately ran to the roof.
Tags: copenhangen, couchsurfing, denmark, Video
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 26, 2008 in
Podcast 
Click to play.
Sean and Chris talk about some lessons they’ve learned riding the rails and backpacking Europe.
Tags: Austria, eurorail, Trains, Video, Vienna
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 24, 2008 in
Experiences Unless we can con some bar into staying upon until 6 a.m. it is very unlikely we will be able to watch the Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series. Something awfully tough for me, as I’ve posted before. We are resigned to something a little less exciting to check the score. Below has become our morning routine ever since the Phillies made the NLCS.
Tags: baseball, Philadelphia, phillies, tampa bay rays, world series
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 23, 2008 in
Plans 
Although on the surface this may appear to be a two man operation, we have to confess we have a camera man. And a producer. And a critic. And whatever else we need him for.
My brother Brian has been tagging along with us for the middle portion of the journey and has been a great resource for WDSTL. He is kind enough to help out when asked, and has waited patiently as we edit video before sight seeing.
But today, we split paths as he leaves to return home to the States. We hope when he gets home you guys all make fun of the slight British speaking inflection he has acquired. He has since been replaced by a tripod.
Here he is getting serious in a night spot in Brussels, Belgium.
Tags: brian blanda, middle child, tripod, Video
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 22, 2008 in
Commentary 
I was doomed from the start.
The byline of this post will read “Sean” but it almost wasn’t so. My mother, an ardent fan of all teams Philadelphia, nearly named me Reggie after a Flyers winger. She also considered naming me Seth after an Eagles defensive end. In the end, my father’s protests became too much and they settled with my current moniker. Although she lost the name game, my mother did make sure that I would bleed orange and black. Or midnight green. Or whatever Philadelphia team was in season. My first word was supposedly “hockey” as the Flyers were riding Ron Hextall all the way to losing to the Edmonton Oilers. Being a young sports fan, that was only one missed championship opportunity, surely there would be others, I would just have to wait.
So when Joe Carter hit a Mitch Williams pitch out of the park, I waited.
Read more…
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 21, 2008 in
Foreign Perspectives 
If you compared Ian Fulguirinas’ trip to ours, it would look like we took the easy way. Thats because this Kiwi has eschewed conventional transportation and lodging methods to rely solely on hitchhiking and the generosity of others. In Brussels, my brother Brian was fortunate enough cross paths with Ian when he went Couch Surfing.
On the morning before we left for Paris, we talked to Ian about his thoughts on American politics and why he doesn’t like rugby.
Apologies for the background noise, the Brussels street repair crew decided 8 a.m. was perfect jackhammering time.
Tags: Belgium, Brussels, hitchhiking, New Zealand, rugby, Video
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 20, 2008 in
Podcast
Sean and Chirs show you why going with the flow is a necessity for traveling.
Tags: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Video
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 20, 2008 in
Travel Tips 
This book can cost you as much as $8 a page.
Your big day has finally come. With your trusty backpack and a map you prepare to leave on your journey and then you realize you may have done something stupid. You forgot your passport.
There is nothing more important to your travels than your passport - or as the United States Government says : “With Your U.S. Passport the World is Yours!” Unfortunately, a passport often takes weeks, sometimes months, to get. If you have an emirgency trip to make, or you put off applying for one, it may appear at first glance that your options are limited.
Fear not my fellow Vegabond, it is possible to get you passport in a manner of hours. Just be prepared to pay for it.
Read more…
Tags: last minute, passport, passport agency
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 19, 2008 in
Travel Tips 
A well balanced meal is key to a good day's travel
We are fortunate enough to have just arrived at city number six. That’s one bus, one plane, and four train rides if my count is correct. While each city has it’s own quarks and character our routine of getting oriented and finding where we are staying remains the same. Here is what we do to make sure that our travel days are smooth ones:
Two nights before:
- Research the train ride we will take using the Eurail timetable. Determine if the train needs a reservation and find the name of the train station we will be arriving at.
- Look up how long the ride is expected to take to we can maximize our time in every city.
Read more…
Tags: arriving, Eurail, packing
Posted by Sean Blanda on Oct 19, 2008 in
Preconceived Notions
- Budapest used to be split into Buda and Pest. They have only existed as a single city since 1873. Hopefully, St. Paul and Minneapolis can just get it over with and do the same one day.
We arrived in Budapest yesterday.
It may be slightly unfair to write any preconceived notions on the Hungarian capital. My youngest brother was assigned to Hungary when he signed up to be an exchange student, and has been residing in the country for the past several months.
One thing I am told by everyone who has visited there is that the city is simply jaw-droppingly beautiful. Most acknowledge that the hot springs are it’s most unique characteristic. Apparently, you can sit half naked next to total strangers in naturally warm water for relaxation. According hot spring aficionado Tim Wu, they are a can’t miss.
Predictably, the residents of Hungary speak Hungarian. Hungarian, however is one of the most unique languages in the world and because of this is often heavily studied by linguists and is difficult to learn. Nouns can have up to 238 forms each.
Other than the hot springs, Budapest is just a big question mark and that’s what makes visiting it so exciting. In the States we don’t hear much about the happenings in Budapest, so keep an eye out for WDSTL’s take when we release our Budapest episode. Lord knows you wont see anything about this gem on American television.
Budapest courtesy of Flickr user zsoolt
Tags: Budapest, Hungary
