Hey now now
Saturday, August 6th, 2005 03:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meo_chanI'm back! Yayz! This is probably going to be the longest entry of mine, EVER. Naturally, it's going under a cut so all you uninterested people can just skip over it. Hurrah. I don't think anyone would actually read this whole thing anyway; I might not even do it. It's just nice to have it here. :D
I might add pictures and stuff in here later, not sure.
Adventures in Europe!
Ukraine
Day 1 (Monday July 4)
We got to the airport a couple hours early, so we just waited around for the plane. We flew with Lufthansa, the seats were SO freaking comfortable, and the food was really good. The flight was about 7 hours, and there was a lot of turbulence. We landed in Frankfurt, and then went to the other airport to fly to L'viv. Teta Mariyka was there with her friend and his daughter Anna to pick us up. I got held up there because I didn't have medical insurance (well, I did, but Oma had it and she didn't tell me), so they took my passport and signed some papers for the insurance when Oma came in and yelled at them (in Ukrainian). So we got that cleared up and we got outside. Mariyka's friend drove us all from the airport to a supermarket, cause Mariyka was going shopping. Anna and I went in too, and holy! The supermarket was HUGE! There were cars in there, and there were two floors! We bought a bunch of chocolates and a cake. Yum. We drove out of L'viv and into Ivano-Frankivsk where they all live. We stopped infront of a monument and walked up to Mariyka's house, we can't drive up there because the road isn't paved and its super uneven. Blah. When we got there Mariyka showed us our room, and we got all set up, and met everyone else there. We met her husband, his father, and one of the sons, Michajlo. They have another son, Volodiya, but he's in the military so he's not at home. Before dinner Michajlo took me up the street to a field that looks over a couple of the little villages there. So pretty. There were these haypiles up there too, they were so cool looking! I took like, five pictures of them. Michajlo showed me where his school is, and after I took a bunch of pictures we went back to the house.
Day 2 (Tuesday July 5)
There's a concert/festival thing happening tonight. Volodiya took a day off, so he was at the house the whole day. Anna came over after dinner, and we all left to go to the festival. It was already dark when we left, and it was raining too. Mariyka had Volodiya link arms with me because I couldn't see, it was kinda embarassing! About halfway down the road we met with Ala, who is one of Mariyka's students. We got to the monument at the end of the road, and there were a bunch of people there doing like, skits and things. We watched that for a little bit and then we left for the concert. Volodiya got a call on his cellphone so he talked, and the rest of us went ahead. We got to where the concert was, but there wasn't anything there! We found out it got cancelled because of the weather. We started walking back when Volodiya's friend Ihor (the same person who called) pulled up in his car, and offered us a ride back. Ihor looks like Sean Astin àlà 50 First Dates, I swear. So awesome.
Day 3 (Wednesday July 6)
Today we went to the forst with a bunch of Mariyka's friends for a picnic. Ihor drove Mariyka, Michajlo, Oma, Anna, and me there. Everyone was getting the food ready, so Anna and Michajlo took me to the river that was nearby and we wandered around there for a while, and I took some pictures. Went back to the picnic area and ate, there were so many mosquitos it was insane. It started to rain just as soon as we all finished eating, so we left. Later on Mariyka took us to this rock park thing. It's in the woods and theres a bunch of huge rocks and caves there, it was pretty awesome.
Day 4 (Thursday July 7)
Today I went to Anna and Ala's houses. We met at Mariyka's houe in the afternoon, and walked to the next village where Ala lives. We drank champagne, ate cake, and listened to Rammstein. She showed us a bunch of pictures, and then Michajlo showed up. He would've came with us earlier but he had to go shopping for Mariyka. We all talked and drank for about an hour or two, and then left to go to Anna's house. There we drank white wine and had these really good white chocolate things. We took a bunch of pictures of eachother. I showed Ala how to use the digital camera and she had fun talking pictures at random times. Ala and I became really good friends. We hugged eachother for a picture and her glasses got stuck in my hair and flung of her head, we both laughed our asses off at that. We drank a little bit more, and then went back to Mariyka's house. Ala's mom was there, she gave me three wooden hedgehogs and a bottle of champagne, and before she left Anna gave a funky wooden egg and a picture of her, and we exchanged addresses.
Day 5 (Friday July 8)
We're leaving to stay with Mariyka's parents today. We said goodbye to everyone, and the neighbour nextdoor has a little goat, so Michajlo took me over there to see it. It was just about the cutest thing ever. As we were leaving it followed me! SO ADORABLE. Mariyka's brother Volodiya came over at dinner, and after he drove us to Kolomiya where teta Nastya and uncle Ivan live. Ivan is Dedo's brother. It took a couple hours to get there, and it was dark already so we set up our rooms and went to sleep after dinner.
Day 6 (Saturday July 9)
We went into town with Mariyka and Nastya to go shopping. There were a bunch of cool buildings and stuff. We went to one store there, I bought some little wooden eggs and a shirt for Kyle. We walked around some more and then went around the center of town where there is a egg museum with a giant painted egg infront of it, and there was a statue of a famous Ukrainian poet. After lunch we went to a market, I got two Ukrainian style shirts, one with red patterns and one with blue. We walked around some more, Oma bought a bunch of things and I got a little wooden frog keychain. After that we went to another market and as we were leaving I found 50 korun on the ground. Score.
Day 7 (Sunday July 10)
Today is sunday, so we went to church. Blah. We stood near the back, and a bunch of the old ladies kept looking at me. It was a little freaky. After church we went to Volodiya's house for dinner, and I met his two daughters Olya and Oxana. We stayed there for most of the night before going back to Nastya and Ivan's house.
Day 8 (Monday July 11)
We went to church again to have a special ceremony thing for Dedo. After church Olya and Oxana came over and I went to their house for a little while. In the afternoon I went to see teta Paraska, who is Dedo's sister. Teta Anna came over a little later too. Three of my second cousins were there too. Stamslav (Stas) is Anna's grandson, and Ihor and Vitaliy are Paraska's grandsons. Teta Anna braided my hair and kept fawning over me and hugging me. It was kinda weird. After that we went shopping in Kolomiya again. I got a little wooden goat. Awesome.
Czech Republic
Day 1 (Tuesday July 12)
When we landed in Prague, Oma's cousin Fany and her husband Pepek were there at the airport to pick us up. We drove from there to Pardubice where their apartment is. They have a big chow dog, and a bird. Their [adopted] son Romane lives there too but he works so he's not here too much. We spent the day inside, we got there a little late anyway. About an hour or so after dinner Romane came home and used a Czech-English dictionary to try and talk with me a little bit.
Day 2 (Wednesday July 13)
Fane took Oma and me shopping. We were going to go to an antique store, but it was closed until later in the afternoon. So we walked around and went to a bunch of other stores. Oma went to a photo place to get her film developed, and we went to the center of town where there are a bunch of statues of religious figures, old style buildings, and a huge clock tower. We went to a different antique store, and I bought a Nazi pin! The guy there spoke a little English, and he said we could take one of the coins free as a souvenir. I got an old one from 1860. We went to the apartment and ate some lunch, then went back to the antique store that was closed earlier. They had the coolest stuff in there! The guy who owned it was really nice, and he looked like a hippy. Oma bought a bunch of things, and he gave me a medallian thing from Rome that has Pope Leo XIII on it.
Day 3 (Thursday July 14)
We went back to the antique store, I bought a NAZI HELMET. Joy! It's from the Luftschutz (air defence), and it's got all the original chin straps and everything. It's just about the most awesome thing ever. We had to cover the Nazi stamp/label, so Ingres (the shop owner) covered it up with some black watercolour paint. He's an artist! And really good too. He took us to the back of the store that's blocked off and showed us a bunch of his paintings. After that we drove through the city to a small area where Fany and Pepek have a garden. They had a bunch of vegtables and things, not many flowers. There was this ginormous slug there too! It was abnormally large, but I guess there it's normal size? Fany took some of the flowers from the garden and we went to a cemetary where Pepek's parents are buried.
Day 4 (Friday July 15)
We went into the city to pick up Oma's pictures, and then we went to the bus terminal because we are leaving to stay with teta Maria now. The bus ride was about four hours, and it took us all the way from Pardubice to Manerov. Teta Maria showed us our room, and then she showed us around her garden and all that. The room we are staying in has a wall covered in deer skulls and they are all facing the bed. Very freaky.
Day 5 (Saturday July 16)
Had a little bit to eat for breakfast, just some tea and bread. I think they found it strange that I don't like sugar in my tea or jam on my bread. Oma and me walked around the village and went to the one little shop there. Around 12 I felt a little sick, so I just had some soup. We went to a cemetary later and then to the village where Oma lived when she was small. Went back and had ate bbq in the backyard and drank a lot of white wine.
Day 6 (Sunday July 17)
Today after breakfast I had some green apple vodka, the brand name was "Boris Jelzin". HARHAR. I hope I'm not the only one who gets that. Anyway, my liver must hate me right now, because I drink in almost every house I go to. We all sat outside for a while, and then Maria's son and his wife came over, and they stayed for a while to talk. After they left we went to visit Maria's friend who lives a couple houses down. Her house had a really stale smell.
Day 7 (Monday July 18)
We went to Vyskov and went shopping. I bought a little porcelain elephant for mom, and a little gold clover for my necklace. It was a little expensive, but oh well. My spleen nearly exploded with joy when I bought it. In the evening we went to Maria's sons house for dinner. We had these really good dumplings that were filled with blueberries and covered with like, cocoa powder or something. Right about when we were leaving their son showed up from work, so we talked for a little bit, and then left. There was a thunderstorm all night so I hardly got any sleep. Arg.
Day 8 (Tuesday July 19)
During breakfast we watched a really funny movie called Unfaithfully Yours. In the movie they had a violin fight! So damn awesome. In the evening Loisek and his wife Hana came, and we went to stay where they live. We aren't actually staying with them, but with Loisek's mother, Julcha, who is another of Oma's cousins. I felt nauseus for most of the day, I wonder if I am getting sick?
Day 9 (Wednesday July 20)
Was lightheaded for most of today. Loisek came and took us into town for shopping, and we went to a museum of cars. It had a bunch of old cars and engines and things. We walked through the park and then went back to the apartment.
Day 10 (Thursday July 21)
Today Loisek and Hana took us to their house for lunch, and showed us around thier garden and everything. I totally found TWO FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS. Joy! After that they took us to a big castle that looks over the whole city. We could see all the houses and everything. We went back to thier house and Jirek and Jana came over in the evening. They spoke a little English, so wetalked for a bit. I think I might've cut my leg on something as we were leaving because it's all red and it really stings.
Day 11 (Friday July 22)
We went to Mirek's house today for about seven hours. He had this really strong drink called "slivovitz" (spelling?), that was 58% alcohol. Silly me shot it down and it felt like my lungs were on fire.
Day 12 (Saturday July 23)
Went over to Loisek and Hana's house again. Loisek tooks us to a historical village that had a bunch of old buildings and stuff, kinda of like Black Creek Village in Toronto. There was a band playing there! They sounded like folk-rock, and they were really good. There was a big group of peopledancing too. They were gypsies, according to Oma. Later we went to eat at a really good restaurant. Went back to Loisek's house, Jirek and Jana were there again and they helped us plan out how we're going to the airport in Prague. Leaving on Tuesday!
Day 13 (Sunday July 24)
Today we packed up our things and we're staying at Mirek's house because it's closer to the train station and he is driving us there. We ate outside in their gazebo thing, they have a little fireplace thing there and we had this really good pork thing. I felt kinda sick for most of the day, I hope I'm not catching something.
Day 14 (Monday July 25)
Mirek took us into Vsetin and we went shopping. His granddaughter Christinka came with us too. That kid absolutely adored me, it's hilarious. Oma went into about every jewellery store there was, I just bought some clothes; two black shirts and a long black skirt. Walked around and had some ice cream, then went back to the house. I think I'll go to sleep early tonight because we have to get up at 2:30. ARG.
Germany
Day 1 (Tuesday July 26)
Woke up at 2:30, Mirek took us to the train staton in Ostrava and helped us to get out luggage on the train. It was about four hours long, I slept for two of them. We left the train station and went to get a taxi to take us to the airport. Oma paid him extra to help us with our things into the airport. We flew by propeller to Munich. Dieter picked us up there and took us to his apartment where he lives with his wife Doris. We got our rooms set up and went to eat dinner at Doris' sisters house. Doris and Dieter's son was there with his friend. I with there might be something going on between those two, but I'm not totally sure.
Day 2 (Wednesday July 27)
They were totally together!! I knew it! I was assured of this fact when Oma mentioned to me that he was, ahem, "a fag". Yes, she actually said that. Shame on you Oma. We went into Munich for shopping, I bought some blackberries and we sat in a little eating area and drank beer and had a huge pretzel. We met with Doris when she got off work, and went into some stores, I bought a little silver fish for 13€. Then we went to the Hofbräuhaus, drank more beer, and are another huge pretzel. For dinner we went to a Chinese restaurant, then went back to the apartment. Oma went to sleep, but Doris, Dieter, and me went to a little pub down the street and drank some more. Some of the people there spoke English, and this one guy knew a bunch of jokes and dirty limmericks. Hilarious. My liver hates me so much right now.
Day 3 (Thursday July 28)
Went to a hospital to visit one of Oma's friends. She is in there until October for hip surgury. We went to a little ourdoor café, talked a bit, had a beer. Then we went to see Doris at the kindergarten where she works. We went back to the apartment for dinner, then Dieter left for work. We went out on the veranda and Doris showed us pictures on her laptop.
Day 4 (Friday July 29)
Dieter drove us from Munich to Hörzhausen, where Frieda and Paul live. We walked through their garden, and sat ourside talking when it was cooler. We met their son and his wife, Siegfried and Christine, and their kids, Jonas and Lucas.
Day 5 (Saturday July 30)
Went to the city to a flea market, only it wasn't where it said it would be. So we drove around for a while until we found it. It was kinda small, I didn't buy anything there. After that we went to a big department store, I bought a little zodiac plaque thing.
Day 6 (Sunday July 31)
We went to another flea market today, this one was huge. I got a bunch of awesome stuff too. A handpainted glass, a piggybank with clovers all over it, a communist pin, a passbook from a Nazi soldier, some manga, and... a Nintendo. You heard me. This is the original NES system I'm talking about. Fucking SWEET. The one manga, "Agharta", has beautiful artwork, I just love it. In the afternoon Frieda and Paul's other son Christian, his wife, and their two sons Maximillian and Simon came over for dinner. They stayed for a couple hours, them we all walked around the town with Jonas.
Day 7 (Monday August 1)
Today Paul took us to a goat farm, it was so awesome. I took so many pictures, those goats were just so damn cute. In the afternoon Helga came to pick us up, we spent the night where they live in Schwabach. Its about a two hour drive there from Hörzhausen. We went to pick up Helga's daughters Miriam and Amelie from their dads house, then went to Helga's mother's place because Oma was staying there. The rest of us went to Helga's house, she showed me around, and then we went into town for a little bit and got some things to eat. We ate on her balcony, and drank red wine.
Day 8 (Tuesday August 2)
We went into Nürnburg today and walked around downtown. We went to a huge castle where the emperor used to live, and then we walked around the city hall and saw all the old churches and statues and things. We took a cable car back. Went to Helga's mom's again and had some cake, then we drove back to Hörzhausen.
Day 9 (Wednesday August 3)
Today we went to a big church called The Wies. It had a bunch of nice paintings and statues, but we weren't allowed to take pictures in there. After that we went to a huge castle where king Ludwig used to live called Neuschwanstein. We had a guide take us all around inside but we couldn't take pictures in there either, but I totally bought a postcard that's got some of the rooms on it. Ha. We went to eat, and an Italian guy gave me a free hat. Score. We got a little lost on the way home, but made it back before dark. When we got back we ate bacon-wrapped sausages.
Day 10 (Thursday August 4)
Today was a pretty lazy day. Packed up the suitcases, in the afternoon we went to a church and went shopping a bit. Ludwig Jr. and his girlfriend came over and we all talked for a couple hours.
Day 11 (Friday August 5)
Went to the airport, the lines were so long. I was really tired, but we didn't have to wait long to get on the plane. There was a bunch of turbulence though, so I couldn't sleep anyway. Watched the movies Fever Pitch (which was actually a very cute movie), and Batman. YES. We flew right over Greenland so I took some pictures out of the window. Got home, mom, dad, and Kyle were there waiting for us. We drove to Oma's house, Aunt Barb, Aunt Debbie, and Uncle Mike were all there too. We ate a little bit and we told them all about our trip. We stayed there for a couple hours, and then went home and unpacked.
So, now you're all pretty much up to date. Oh! My room is totally purple!! Squee! And I'm going to China Town on thursday, with $320 in tow! Oh joy! Oh rapture!!
And dude! Duuuude! I totally passed two of my courses!! Levely, the super-nice awesome guy he is, gave me a 50. Joy! The only reason I can think why I passed religion is my exam mark, I know I did really good on it. I failed math and geography, but that's ok. I already knew I was going to fail math, and the geo teach is a total bitch. I'm so glad she's not gonna be there next year (if she is I'm gonna stab someone... or at least start some voodoo, hehe).
Oh... also, Zoro died. He died a couple days after I left. Something inside him ruptured or something and he was internally bleeding. I can't believe this happened again. Fuck.
I might add pictures and stuff in here later, not sure.
Adventures in Europe!
Ukraine
Day 1 (Monday July 4)
We got to the airport a couple hours early, so we just waited around for the plane. We flew with Lufthansa, the seats were SO freaking comfortable, and the food was really good. The flight was about 7 hours, and there was a lot of turbulence. We landed in Frankfurt, and then went to the other airport to fly to L'viv. Teta Mariyka was there with her friend and his daughter Anna to pick us up. I got held up there because I didn't have medical insurance (well, I did, but Oma had it and she didn't tell me), so they took my passport and signed some papers for the insurance when Oma came in and yelled at them (in Ukrainian). So we got that cleared up and we got outside. Mariyka's friend drove us all from the airport to a supermarket, cause Mariyka was going shopping. Anna and I went in too, and holy! The supermarket was HUGE! There were cars in there, and there were two floors! We bought a bunch of chocolates and a cake. Yum. We drove out of L'viv and into Ivano-Frankivsk where they all live. We stopped infront of a monument and walked up to Mariyka's house, we can't drive up there because the road isn't paved and its super uneven. Blah. When we got there Mariyka showed us our room, and we got all set up, and met everyone else there. We met her husband, his father, and one of the sons, Michajlo. They have another son, Volodiya, but he's in the military so he's not at home. Before dinner Michajlo took me up the street to a field that looks over a couple of the little villages there. So pretty. There were these haypiles up there too, they were so cool looking! I took like, five pictures of them. Michajlo showed me where his school is, and after I took a bunch of pictures we went back to the house.
Day 2 (Tuesday July 5)
There's a concert/festival thing happening tonight. Volodiya took a day off, so he was at the house the whole day. Anna came over after dinner, and we all left to go to the festival. It was already dark when we left, and it was raining too. Mariyka had Volodiya link arms with me because I couldn't see, it was kinda embarassing! About halfway down the road we met with Ala, who is one of Mariyka's students. We got to the monument at the end of the road, and there were a bunch of people there doing like, skits and things. We watched that for a little bit and then we left for the concert. Volodiya got a call on his cellphone so he talked, and the rest of us went ahead. We got to where the concert was, but there wasn't anything there! We found out it got cancelled because of the weather. We started walking back when Volodiya's friend Ihor (the same person who called) pulled up in his car, and offered us a ride back. Ihor looks like Sean Astin àlà 50 First Dates, I swear. So awesome.
Day 3 (Wednesday July 6)
Today we went to the forst with a bunch of Mariyka's friends for a picnic. Ihor drove Mariyka, Michajlo, Oma, Anna, and me there. Everyone was getting the food ready, so Anna and Michajlo took me to the river that was nearby and we wandered around there for a while, and I took some pictures. Went back to the picnic area and ate, there were so many mosquitos it was insane. It started to rain just as soon as we all finished eating, so we left. Later on Mariyka took us to this rock park thing. It's in the woods and theres a bunch of huge rocks and caves there, it was pretty awesome.
Day 4 (Thursday July 7)
Today I went to Anna and Ala's houses. We met at Mariyka's houe in the afternoon, and walked to the next village where Ala lives. We drank champagne, ate cake, and listened to Rammstein. She showed us a bunch of pictures, and then Michajlo showed up. He would've came with us earlier but he had to go shopping for Mariyka. We all talked and drank for about an hour or two, and then left to go to Anna's house. There we drank white wine and had these really good white chocolate things. We took a bunch of pictures of eachother. I showed Ala how to use the digital camera and she had fun talking pictures at random times. Ala and I became really good friends. We hugged eachother for a picture and her glasses got stuck in my hair and flung of her head, we both laughed our asses off at that. We drank a little bit more, and then went back to Mariyka's house. Ala's mom was there, she gave me three wooden hedgehogs and a bottle of champagne, and before she left Anna gave a funky wooden egg and a picture of her, and we exchanged addresses.
Day 5 (Friday July 8)
We're leaving to stay with Mariyka's parents today. We said goodbye to everyone, and the neighbour nextdoor has a little goat, so Michajlo took me over there to see it. It was just about the cutest thing ever. As we were leaving it followed me! SO ADORABLE. Mariyka's brother Volodiya came over at dinner, and after he drove us to Kolomiya where teta Nastya and uncle Ivan live. Ivan is Dedo's brother. It took a couple hours to get there, and it was dark already so we set up our rooms and went to sleep after dinner.
Day 6 (Saturday July 9)
We went into town with Mariyka and Nastya to go shopping. There were a bunch of cool buildings and stuff. We went to one store there, I bought some little wooden eggs and a shirt for Kyle. We walked around some more and then went around the center of town where there is a egg museum with a giant painted egg infront of it, and there was a statue of a famous Ukrainian poet. After lunch we went to a market, I got two Ukrainian style shirts, one with red patterns and one with blue. We walked around some more, Oma bought a bunch of things and I got a little wooden frog keychain. After that we went to another market and as we were leaving I found 50 korun on the ground. Score.
Day 7 (Sunday July 10)
Today is sunday, so we went to church. Blah. We stood near the back, and a bunch of the old ladies kept looking at me. It was a little freaky. After church we went to Volodiya's house for dinner, and I met his two daughters Olya and Oxana. We stayed there for most of the night before going back to Nastya and Ivan's house.
Day 8 (Monday July 11)
We went to church again to have a special ceremony thing for Dedo. After church Olya and Oxana came over and I went to their house for a little while. In the afternoon I went to see teta Paraska, who is Dedo's sister. Teta Anna came over a little later too. Three of my second cousins were there too. Stamslav (Stas) is Anna's grandson, and Ihor and Vitaliy are Paraska's grandsons. Teta Anna braided my hair and kept fawning over me and hugging me. It was kinda weird. After that we went shopping in Kolomiya again. I got a little wooden goat. Awesome.
Czech Republic
Day 1 (Tuesday July 12)
When we landed in Prague, Oma's cousin Fany and her husband Pepek were there at the airport to pick us up. We drove from there to Pardubice where their apartment is. They have a big chow dog, and a bird. Their [adopted] son Romane lives there too but he works so he's not here too much. We spent the day inside, we got there a little late anyway. About an hour or so after dinner Romane came home and used a Czech-English dictionary to try and talk with me a little bit.
Day 2 (Wednesday July 13)
Fane took Oma and me shopping. We were going to go to an antique store, but it was closed until later in the afternoon. So we walked around and went to a bunch of other stores. Oma went to a photo place to get her film developed, and we went to the center of town where there are a bunch of statues of religious figures, old style buildings, and a huge clock tower. We went to a different antique store, and I bought a Nazi pin! The guy there spoke a little English, and he said we could take one of the coins free as a souvenir. I got an old one from 1860. We went to the apartment and ate some lunch, then went back to the antique store that was closed earlier. They had the coolest stuff in there! The guy who owned it was really nice, and he looked like a hippy. Oma bought a bunch of things, and he gave me a medallian thing from Rome that has Pope Leo XIII on it.
Day 3 (Thursday July 14)
We went back to the antique store, I bought a NAZI HELMET. Joy! It's from the Luftschutz (air defence), and it's got all the original chin straps and everything. It's just about the most awesome thing ever. We had to cover the Nazi stamp/label, so Ingres (the shop owner) covered it up with some black watercolour paint. He's an artist! And really good too. He took us to the back of the store that's blocked off and showed us a bunch of his paintings. After that we drove through the city to a small area where Fany and Pepek have a garden. They had a bunch of vegtables and things, not many flowers. There was this ginormous slug there too! It was abnormally large, but I guess there it's normal size? Fany took some of the flowers from the garden and we went to a cemetary where Pepek's parents are buried.
Day 4 (Friday July 15)
We went into the city to pick up Oma's pictures, and then we went to the bus terminal because we are leaving to stay with teta Maria now. The bus ride was about four hours, and it took us all the way from Pardubice to Manerov. Teta Maria showed us our room, and then she showed us around her garden and all that. The room we are staying in has a wall covered in deer skulls and they are all facing the bed. Very freaky.
Day 5 (Saturday July 16)
Had a little bit to eat for breakfast, just some tea and bread. I think they found it strange that I don't like sugar in my tea or jam on my bread. Oma and me walked around the village and went to the one little shop there. Around 12 I felt a little sick, so I just had some soup. We went to a cemetary later and then to the village where Oma lived when she was small. Went back and had ate bbq in the backyard and drank a lot of white wine.
Day 6 (Sunday July 17)
Today after breakfast I had some green apple vodka, the brand name was "Boris Jelzin". HARHAR. I hope I'm not the only one who gets that. Anyway, my liver must hate me right now, because I drink in almost every house I go to. We all sat outside for a while, and then Maria's son and his wife came over, and they stayed for a while to talk. After they left we went to visit Maria's friend who lives a couple houses down. Her house had a really stale smell.
Day 7 (Monday July 18)
We went to Vyskov and went shopping. I bought a little porcelain elephant for mom, and a little gold clover for my necklace. It was a little expensive, but oh well. My spleen nearly exploded with joy when I bought it. In the evening we went to Maria's sons house for dinner. We had these really good dumplings that were filled with blueberries and covered with like, cocoa powder or something. Right about when we were leaving their son showed up from work, so we talked for a little bit, and then left. There was a thunderstorm all night so I hardly got any sleep. Arg.
Day 8 (Tuesday July 19)
During breakfast we watched a really funny movie called Unfaithfully Yours. In the movie they had a violin fight! So damn awesome. In the evening Loisek and his wife Hana came, and we went to stay where they live. We aren't actually staying with them, but with Loisek's mother, Julcha, who is another of Oma's cousins. I felt nauseus for most of the day, I wonder if I am getting sick?
Day 9 (Wednesday July 20)
Was lightheaded for most of today. Loisek came and took us into town for shopping, and we went to a museum of cars. It had a bunch of old cars and engines and things. We walked through the park and then went back to the apartment.
Day 10 (Thursday July 21)
Today Loisek and Hana took us to their house for lunch, and showed us around thier garden and everything. I totally found TWO FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS. Joy! After that they took us to a big castle that looks over the whole city. We could see all the houses and everything. We went back to thier house and Jirek and Jana came over in the evening. They spoke a little English, so wetalked for a bit. I think I might've cut my leg on something as we were leaving because it's all red and it really stings.
Day 11 (Friday July 22)
We went to Mirek's house today for about seven hours. He had this really strong drink called "slivovitz" (spelling?), that was 58% alcohol. Silly me shot it down and it felt like my lungs were on fire.
Day 12 (Saturday July 23)
Went over to Loisek and Hana's house again. Loisek tooks us to a historical village that had a bunch of old buildings and stuff, kinda of like Black Creek Village in Toronto. There was a band playing there! They sounded like folk-rock, and they were really good. There was a big group of peopledancing too. They were gypsies, according to Oma. Later we went to eat at a really good restaurant. Went back to Loisek's house, Jirek and Jana were there again and they helped us plan out how we're going to the airport in Prague. Leaving on Tuesday!
Day 13 (Sunday July 24)
Today we packed up our things and we're staying at Mirek's house because it's closer to the train station and he is driving us there. We ate outside in their gazebo thing, they have a little fireplace thing there and we had this really good pork thing. I felt kinda sick for most of the day, I hope I'm not catching something.
Day 14 (Monday July 25)
Mirek took us into Vsetin and we went shopping. His granddaughter Christinka came with us too. That kid absolutely adored me, it's hilarious. Oma went into about every jewellery store there was, I just bought some clothes; two black shirts and a long black skirt. Walked around and had some ice cream, then went back to the house. I think I'll go to sleep early tonight because we have to get up at 2:30. ARG.
Germany
Day 1 (Tuesday July 26)
Woke up at 2:30, Mirek took us to the train staton in Ostrava and helped us to get out luggage on the train. It was about four hours long, I slept for two of them. We left the train station and went to get a taxi to take us to the airport. Oma paid him extra to help us with our things into the airport. We flew by propeller to Munich. Dieter picked us up there and took us to his apartment where he lives with his wife Doris. We got our rooms set up and went to eat dinner at Doris' sisters house. Doris and Dieter's son was there with his friend. I with there might be something going on between those two, but I'm not totally sure.
Day 2 (Wednesday July 27)
They were totally together!! I knew it! I was assured of this fact when Oma mentioned to me that he was, ahem, "a fag". Yes, she actually said that. Shame on you Oma. We went into Munich for shopping, I bought some blackberries and we sat in a little eating area and drank beer and had a huge pretzel. We met with Doris when she got off work, and went into some stores, I bought a little silver fish for 13€. Then we went to the Hofbräuhaus, drank more beer, and are another huge pretzel. For dinner we went to a Chinese restaurant, then went back to the apartment. Oma went to sleep, but Doris, Dieter, and me went to a little pub down the street and drank some more. Some of the people there spoke English, and this one guy knew a bunch of jokes and dirty limmericks. Hilarious. My liver hates me so much right now.
Day 3 (Thursday July 28)
Went to a hospital to visit one of Oma's friends. She is in there until October for hip surgury. We went to a little ourdoor café, talked a bit, had a beer. Then we went to see Doris at the kindergarten where she works. We went back to the apartment for dinner, then Dieter left for work. We went out on the veranda and Doris showed us pictures on her laptop.
Day 4 (Friday July 29)
Dieter drove us from Munich to Hörzhausen, where Frieda and Paul live. We walked through their garden, and sat ourside talking when it was cooler. We met their son and his wife, Siegfried and Christine, and their kids, Jonas and Lucas.
Day 5 (Saturday July 30)
Went to the city to a flea market, only it wasn't where it said it would be. So we drove around for a while until we found it. It was kinda small, I didn't buy anything there. After that we went to a big department store, I bought a little zodiac plaque thing.
Day 6 (Sunday July 31)
We went to another flea market today, this one was huge. I got a bunch of awesome stuff too. A handpainted glass, a piggybank with clovers all over it, a communist pin, a passbook from a Nazi soldier, some manga, and... a Nintendo. You heard me. This is the original NES system I'm talking about. Fucking SWEET. The one manga, "Agharta", has beautiful artwork, I just love it. In the afternoon Frieda and Paul's other son Christian, his wife, and their two sons Maximillian and Simon came over for dinner. They stayed for a couple hours, them we all walked around the town with Jonas.
Day 7 (Monday August 1)
Today Paul took us to a goat farm, it was so awesome. I took so many pictures, those goats were just so damn cute. In the afternoon Helga came to pick us up, we spent the night where they live in Schwabach. Its about a two hour drive there from Hörzhausen. We went to pick up Helga's daughters Miriam and Amelie from their dads house, then went to Helga's mother's place because Oma was staying there. The rest of us went to Helga's house, she showed me around, and then we went into town for a little bit and got some things to eat. We ate on her balcony, and drank red wine.
Day 8 (Tuesday August 2)
We went into Nürnburg today and walked around downtown. We went to a huge castle where the emperor used to live, and then we walked around the city hall and saw all the old churches and statues and things. We took a cable car back. Went to Helga's mom's again and had some cake, then we drove back to Hörzhausen.
Day 9 (Wednesday August 3)
Today we went to a big church called The Wies. It had a bunch of nice paintings and statues, but we weren't allowed to take pictures in there. After that we went to a huge castle where king Ludwig used to live called Neuschwanstein. We had a guide take us all around inside but we couldn't take pictures in there either, but I totally bought a postcard that's got some of the rooms on it. Ha. We went to eat, and an Italian guy gave me a free hat. Score. We got a little lost on the way home, but made it back before dark. When we got back we ate bacon-wrapped sausages.
Day 10 (Thursday August 4)
Today was a pretty lazy day. Packed up the suitcases, in the afternoon we went to a church and went shopping a bit. Ludwig Jr. and his girlfriend came over and we all talked for a couple hours.
Day 11 (Friday August 5)
Went to the airport, the lines were so long. I was really tired, but we didn't have to wait long to get on the plane. There was a bunch of turbulence though, so I couldn't sleep anyway. Watched the movies Fever Pitch (which was actually a very cute movie), and Batman. YES. We flew right over Greenland so I took some pictures out of the window. Got home, mom, dad, and Kyle were there waiting for us. We drove to Oma's house, Aunt Barb, Aunt Debbie, and Uncle Mike were all there too. We ate a little bit and we told them all about our trip. We stayed there for a couple hours, and then went home and unpacked.
So, now you're all pretty much up to date. Oh! My room is totally purple!! Squee! And I'm going to China Town on thursday, with $320 in tow! Oh joy! Oh rapture!!
And dude! Duuuude! I totally passed two of my courses!! Levely, the super-nice awesome guy he is, gave me a 50. Joy! The only reason I can think why I passed religion is my exam mark, I know I did really good on it. I failed math and geography, but that's ok. I already knew I was going to fail math, and the geo teach is a total bitch. I'm so glad she's not gonna be there next year (if she is I'm gonna stab someone... or at least start some voodoo, hehe).
Oh... also, Zoro died. He died a couple days after I left. Something inside him ruptured or something and he was internally bleeding. I can't believe this happened again. Fuck.
