Hamburg, the city that never sleeps/Potsdam superstar

I am combining Hamburg and Potsdam into one post. I would have posted them back to back, instead they are just one.

Hamburg:
Hamburg the city that never sleeps

At least for one night it (I) didnt. The rest of the time Hamburg is a normal city. This post will be all about that night/days (it was the major thing I did there).

It started with me meeting some guys at the hostel (isn't that how all my stories start). One was from south Africa and the other was from Romania but was living in Denmark. During the day we took a free troupe of the city, it was kinda boarding. The one funny part was that the tour guide said that Hamburg had more bridges then Venice and Amsterdam combined. It seems like every city says they have the most bridges. What is the definition of a bridge anyway? (Ok this isn't as funny as I thought now that it is written out, I don't care, laugh anyway, trust me it is funny). We spilt up in the afternoon, I found my way to a park, did some painting and took a nap (this came in handy later). That evening is where the fun started. We where going to do a pup crawl that the free tour was putting on, instead the Romanian found a group going to a 80's 90's party. He found the group through couch suffing ( I should try that some time, I have hear great things about it). The party was good, I liked the music. We didn't stay too long there, after a fee hours we left and went to the red light district of Hamburg. It is not like Amsterdam, it is just where all the sex shops are and where most of thr prostitutes are. (I think it was about 3 in the morning at this point). We found a smaller club and went in. I made 3 discovery in there over the next 2 and a half hours; men are pigs, women are smart, and people are funny (this are only true in club/bar setting. Maybe other times too, but mostly then). After the red light club (not it's recall name) we went to the fish market. The market is Sunday morning from 6am-9am. But I think my favorite part of that night was that morning. Most people see sunsets, and yes they are beautiful, but a sunrise is 10x more spectacular. I am not sure way I sure way but I really like them.

Postdam:
Potsdam superstar

I was in Postdam for a few days. It was a nice break from the craziness of Hamburg. I did a lot of painting while there.
At the hostel I was staying at there was a group are school German children. I was realizing outside one day painting. I could see out of the corner of my eye little heads watching me from a window. Eventually a whole group of them came down and was surrounding me as I worked. I was doing a piece of the kids looking out the window watching me. When I finished I gave it to one if the kids (Sadly I forgot to take a picture of the painting to show you guys). It felt kinda strange having all these people watch me work. As I now think about it I am reminded of something Van Gogh said (paraphrasing, not actually quote). He said that

I only have a little bit of time left so more posts will becoming soon (I know I am behind). Sorry no painting this time, maybe a few next time. I would just like to say      HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!!!
I hope you have a great day, I can't wait to see you.

Here is a picture of the sunrise (I forgot I took a picture of it).

Freiburg fun

2 weeks! I only have two weeks left. I wish I had more time, but I also can't wait to get home.

I am in Germany, right now on my way to Hamburg. I was just in Freiburg for the last few days. I had am amazing time. Freiburg is a college town in the south west of Germany, I went there because I met someone from who is living there when I was in Florence. The hostel I found was about hour's walk outside the city (again). I was planning (the hostel only had room for me) to say 2 nights, but I was able to stay longer thanks to my new friend letting me crash at her place. Thank you for much do that!

For a day trip I went to ------ with some people I met (one was from Portland, that is 2 now). For thoes of you who don't know ------- is a very famous castle in Bulgaria Germany (it is the castel that the Disney one is modeled after). To see the castel you had to (of course) by tickets, but you also got a tour (mandatory) with it. The castle and tour itself was not that impressive, personality I don't think it is worth the money. But what made the castle tour worth it was our tour guide. He made the tour very interesting, not in a good way. The tour was not entertaining, but he was. Just picture, if you can, a germaphobic (afraid of germs, so doesn't like to touch others or be touched), agoraphobia (fear of crowds) Dracula from Germany (Dracula is originally form Romania). That is the simplest way to explain it.

Another great plus was I got some get sketches, I finished one should be at the bottom,  and was saw an amazing sunset.
Here are some water colors i have finished...

Forget me not Venice

(I went so long without a post so here are two only a day apart). I only a spent a day in Venice. I am not going to say that was enough but I did get a good feel for thr place (the main feeling being expensive). Originally I was not going to go there, due to the fact I couldnt find a hostel,  but I met some one how found one so I tagged along (that was explained poorly, you can read the beginning of my previous post "Florence friends" if you want clarification).

I would like to say that I did not get lost once while in Venice (most people see this as a go I thing,  I see it as a bad. I just didn't have the time to get lost). I can also cross off another accidental surcumstance goal,  stay at an iffy hostel. That makes it sound like it was worse then it really was, if was basically just someone's apartment.After we dropped our stuff off we grabbed some lunch at a market outside our hostle,  I had arancino (corn bread ball filled with cheese and meat), treccia (good, not sure how to describe, kinda like a soft pretzel), and a panzerotto (like a calzone). the rest of the day we spend with some people from Mexico that the Canadian had met earlier. All together it was fun, but I wish I had more time there. It was just so expensive I couldn't this trip. I did get a good sketch in so hopefully that will turnout.

I am working on several water color pieces now, I might have one or two done that I can show you next time. Sorry I don't have any finished now I am trying a different style that takes more time. 

Here we have a picture of the view from my hostel in Villach, Austria. And a beard update. What do you guys think of it? Should I keep it when I get back? (Please vote at bottom of page, sorry mobile versions unavailable, you can switch to web version to vote). Also I think have gotten a bit of sun, like my watch tan?

Florence friends

The city of Florence is beautiful, but that is not what has made this one of my favorite stops on my trip yet, it is the friends I have made. Sorry for the long time without a post, I have haven't had a lot of time of write (so be prepared for a long post).

I spent just about a week in Florence, not because of the sights (which where nice) but because of the people I met. There was two Germans, a a few Americans,  a few Canadians, a Chilean (from Chile), and an Aussie (from Australia). I have so many stories to tell I am not sure where to start, these stories might nit be in order, I might start backwards (also to be respectful I am not going to use anyone's real name).

After Florence:
I am on my way to Venice now. Originally I was planning of going there but couldn't find any youth hostels, and if I could they where expensive. Because of this I was going to go to Venezia Italy, it is a small town with some old Olympic stuff. Then there was a train strike (who knew there was train strikes in Italy?). This derailed my plans, so I stayed in Florence a few extra days. (The next story might because about that night). I am happy I stayed, I met some get guys and we went to Pisa and the Cinque Terre. It was great I met then the night before, they where planning on going to I just joined in. (I went with a German, American, and a Canadian who I am still travelling with). It was a great spontaneous trip. Our train to the Cinque Terre stopped off in Pisa,  so we decided to spend an hour there and grab the sterotipcal phone of the leaning tower (photo at bottom). Afterwards we were off to Manarola in the Cinque Terre. We did a small hike and saw some great sights, I got a few good sketch out of it that I am doing water colors of. For dinner we had some pizza in a small hole-in-the-wall place, maybe the best pizza I have had in Italy so far. On the day trip I completed one of my accident goals (goals thay can only be completed in an accidental surcumstance), we had to run for our train. I know it doesn't sound that exciting, and it maybe wasn't, but in my mind that is one thing that if you don't do your European trip is nt complete. (I hope that made sense, if not I am just weird, which is still true anyways). The Canadian and I are now on our way to Venice. He is only staying for one night, I think I might stay for a few more, we will see.

Strike night:
This was the best night I had in Florence. (Not to say all the other nights were bad that just this one was very unexpected and lots of luck was had so it wins only by a small amount). The whole day started with me leaving Florence, I checked out from my hostel and stared to walk to the train station. It was sunday so a lot of things where closed. I went to the train station closest to my hostel, a smaller one in the suburbs. I had to buy a reservation for train, but the ticket booth was closed. I didn't think much of it because it was sunday and maybe because it was a smaller station the ticket booth wasn't open on Sundays. So I walked to the main station (only an hours walk). Once there I stared to stand in the extremely long line for the one person at the ticket booth. I was a few people before the window when I over heard (my guess) an American family talking about getting money back. I was confused and curious so I asked why, his answer was that there was a train strike and that moat of the trains where not running. Well that changed all my plans. I quickly left the line, popped on the interwebs (internet), canceled my stay in Venezia, booked a room back at thr hostel I was just at, and then waited. I had a few hours to kill before I could check back into the hostel. I went to a small plaza and did some water colors of it (possible photo at bottom). Little known fact, water colors to not do so well in the rain, they are much harder to deal with. It started to rain so I had to stop sitting in 10th plaza and find a place inside to finish my painting. I walked the hour walk back to my hostel. I have done that walk about 6 times (my poor feet). Back at the hostle I happen to meet a fellow American who was studying abroad in Paris and was in Florence for a few days on spring break. We went out to dinner thst night together. Our night started by walking to town, we did not go my normal way by through the suburban neborhoods. This was a great idea. We stumbled across a block party (I think it was for Palm sunday). It was fun, we tried some small pastries, had amazing gelato,  and listen to some music. Did you know that YMCA is a universal song? It is playing at any and every party. By the time we made it to down the sun was settin, it was an absolutely breathtaking (attempted water color with be shown at a later date). To eat we whent restaurant hopping (well only two restaurants). I tried a few new things (sorry can't remember the names now). It was all delicious. To get home we caught the last but of the night. Over all it was a great night.

First Florence friend:
Thank you to my new German friend. I had a great time hanging out with you. Thank you for putting up with me for 5 days. I hope to see you again soon. I had a lot of fun walking around the city with you and you explaining what things were.

The pictures are of my trip to pisa (the tower in the background might have given that away), and of some espresso I share with my German friend in a tiny plaza. (Waste color pictures will be coming later, they are not done yet).

Last Leg...ish

It is more like the last both legs and half of the torso. What I am trying to say is I have only one month left. It is strange to think I am already half way through my journey. It still feels like only a week ago I started, I have have done so much in that week. I have been detained, gotten lost countless times, seen just about every famous painting (if I haven't seen it yet I am going to), met some great people, done some art of my own, eat some new things, experienced new cultures, and other things that I can't remember now (go read my last posts for derails, sorry none of that was in order). Plus I know there is more to come. In am in Florence now,  ready to add a few things to that list.

Nice turned out to be nice after all (it was just waiting for me to complain about it). The last few days I was there it was bright and sunny, and hot. I spent my tome at the beach and park relaxing, and no sunburn, yeah!  (That is lucky for me).

10 hours. Thats how long my train ride from Nice to Florence was. I like trains, but that was to much. Luckily I didn't make any mistakes and make it to Florence. While on the train i did meet some fellow travels who where going on the same trains as me.

The hardest part of my trip so far is still trying to find my hostel after I get off my train. I have to figure out where I am, then my orientation in the city, lastly start walking (hopefully the right way). The walk to my hostel here, in Florence, was not long, that was the good part.  But it was raining and dark. By the time I made it to the hostel I felt like a blade of grass in terms morning,  Bu instead of morning dew on me it was 70% sweat. But at least my room is nice, the rest of hostel is pretty crowded, there are lots of school kids here (lots of noise).

Today am going to explore the city, I might get a few stories out of it. If I don't I will at least get a few good drawing/painting out of it. In the meantime here are a fee of the water colors I did in Nice...

Nice is nice

(You can say the title how ever you want). Well it is not all the way nice here, It has rained the past two days. The museums are ok, but small free museums can only get you so far. Hopefully the weather will brighten up and I will be able to wander around outside more. Besides 10th weather Nice is good. I looks and feel like Italy but everyone talks in french and all the signs are in french, it is kinda strange.

I had a great last day in Arles. I wish I could have stayed longer but the hostle was filled up. Other American, who was staying at the hostle and I when painting. If you know the painting of van Gogh's with the yellow cafe we painted it but from the opposite direction. So if you where standing inside the painting of van Gogh's, and was looking toward him. It was my first time using oil paints. I really enjoyed it. I had a get teacher, so that helped. I also did a water color of the same scene,  I had a little more time to work on it so it has more details but you can still compare the two...

Sorry for thr shorter post not too many interesting stories to tell, but I will make sure to get some more for next time. I am going to be going to Florence on Tuesday next.