@roamingmaddie

Tag: germany

  • the cast of characters we met in munich

    the cast of characters we met in munich

    Kate and I have the very lucky ability to talk to anyone and make friends wherever we go. This was extremely helpful during our time in Europe together and led to many fun detours on our route. On our only night in at the hostel while in Munich, we went on a rollercoaster of personalities and characters.

    Our night started with kate and I relaxing on our bunks after dinner minding our own business. All of the sudden, a group of drunk girls with one especially drunk girl barge into the female dorm. They basically drop her off and turn to Kate and I and say “can you watch her?” and then leave.

    Obviously not our problem, but suddenly now something we are dealing with- we watched her stumble into (presumably) her bed and fall asleep. We kind of just hoped she would stay there until her friends came back and we left.

    We just went to the common space of the hostel where there was a small bar and lots of board games/ping pong/pool, etc. Kate and I order drinks and notice a particular man staring us down. Like uncomfortably staring us down. He makes a few advances that are shot down relatively fast.

    As we awkwardly try to enjoy our drinks, a Kiwi (RJ) approaches us and asks if that guy is making us uncomfortable. He quickly becomes an ally and joins our small party. The next time the onlooker (we’ll call him Mr. Hug… foreshadowing) approaches, RJ handles the situation politely and Mr. Hug disappears.

    We join a group playing cards in the common area. Of this group, we have Louise, the most unique Scottish woman I have ever met in my entire life. Kate and I started a shared note of the things she was saying, including:

    • “Conshume yer alchool”
    • “The last time I drank vodka I went to jail”
    • “I did five grams of cocaine” (we then asked, isn’t that like 30 lines) “no it’s more like 150”
    • “I told him please don’t send me dick pics while I’m on the bus”
    • “Whores “(often)
    • “All I’ve had to eat today was soup for breakfast”

    This was just a small glimpse of the big personality we were in the presence of. She was extremely determined to have us all participate in the various drinking games she knew. She was looking for any opportunity to force others (mainly herself) to drink as much as possible.

    2 girls in a bar in Munich
    Louise and I

    At one point, she randomly stands up and says she has to go meet her sugar daddy at the bar and leaves. Lol ok. And just our luck, Mr. Hug has returned from wherever he went and is back again to socialize.

    Mr. Hug does not know much English, but with the words he does know, he expresses how much he loves Kate. He asks her OFTEN for hugs, hence the name. We entertain his presence but are firm on the no hug rule.

    We played a few rounds of beer pong and everytime Kate threw her ball and it rolled away, he would chase after it to be able to grab it and touch her hand while handing it back to her. And maybe, she might even hug him as a thank you. He held his arms out with a curious look on his face each time in lost hope.

    2 people in a bar in Munich
    Kate and Mr. Hug

    Eventually it was honestly becoming too much. Even as we all tried to just have a conversation, every maybe 5 sentences he somehow looped it back to how he wanted to hug Kate. RJ was sooooo angry and giving up on trying to educate him on being a normal person.

    Once RJ gave up and left, Kate and I decided it would be best to stop engaging with this guy. We went back to our (thankfully!!! locked) all-female dorm room. Within maybe 5 minutes, he is knocking on the door saying he wants to apologize and how sorry he was for acting that way.

    We kept telling him to leave and he would not go away. We weren’t really scared or anything, but the only problem was that to get to the restroom we had to exit this dorm room and go down a corridor. We knew we would pass him if we went, but we both REALLY needed to pee.

    We decided to make a break for it and of course he follows us and is waiting outside of the bathroom. We are loudly discussing a game plan from the bathroom when our savior emerges and asks whats going on.

    Chloe is a lovely French girl who was staying in the same room as us and is a member of the French military. She was not going to play around with Mr. Hugs antics. She saw him and sternly told him to get lost and escorted us back. She was so badass!!!

    We invited her to join us for the next day as a thank you for her help. Then we headed to sleep dreaming all about the very unique personalities we had encountered that night.

    2 girls at a restaurant in Munich
    Chloe and I the next day

    I recently asked Kate if she had anything to say about this experience and her only response was “Dear God”. How lucky we are to get to experience nights like these!

  • 10 day winter europe itinerary

    10 day winter europe itinerary

    In January of 2024, my friend Kate and I embarked on our first trip abroad together around Europe! This was my first time staying in a hostel, backpacking, and hitting multiple countries in one trip. We did Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic

    Braving the cold of January in Europe was not for the faint of heart. We found just enough things to do to stay warm and moving! I highly recommend finding the space in your luggage for WARM shoes. My toes were freezing 100% of the trip.

    Girl posing in front of the Danube River

    days 1-3: budapest, hungary

    On day one, you’ll fly into Budapest and try your best to ward off jet lag by walking around to see the Budapest Opera House, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Chain Bridge. Call it a night early because we have an early morning tomorrow!

    Day two will start bright and early heading to the Szechenyi thermal baths. They are heated outdoor pools and so fun to paddle around in. Make sure you bring a way to store your wet bathing suits! Also be sure to explore the building to find the salt rooms and saunas.

    After the baths, seek out a traditional hungarian lunch (hearty!) and then make your way to Heroes’ Square and Vajdahunyad for the afternoon. By the time you’re done there, you’ll need to refuel with a pre-dinner chimney cake.

    To round out night 2, make your way to Szimpla Kert and Instant Fogas for iconic Budapest clubbing experiences. Szimpla Kert is more artsy/alternative with cool cocktails whereas the latter is a true club party vibe. Each floor of the club is a different music genre and scene.

    Day 3 starts a little later so you can recuperate from the long night prior. Head to Buda Castle for the view and vibe. Then walk towards Matthias Church and Fishermen’s Bastion. Take the afternoon to see the National Hungarian Museum (but hopefully the staff are nicer to you than they were to us…)

    Take it easy that night by finding a good restaurant. We opted for the BEST Vietnamese we just randomly stumbled upon. Close out the night with a beautiful nighttime walk along the Danube.

    Austrian National Library ceiling paintings and sculpture

    days 4-5: vienna, austria

    Begin day 4 with a quick breakfast before the train ride to Vienna. Be sure to reserve a seat with your train ticket (we didn’t, had to sit on our bags on the floor </3). Keep an eye out for moose throughout the ride!

    Austria is open described as the love child of Italy and Germany, so we searched for Italian food as soon as we settled into our hostel. After that, spend the afternoon at Belvedere Palace and around the gardens.

    In the evening, we opted to find cheap tickets to the Vienna Ballet for a classy change of pace. After our classy moment, we found Vienna sausages for dinner and then explored the techno clubbing vibe this city is known for.

    Day 5 will begin by visiting the Austrian National Library. We added in a quick stop at Cafe Sperl for lunch (made famous by the movie Before Sunrise). Finally, we rounded out our day at the Kunst Historisches Museum and the Parliament Building. Head to bed early before the early train tomorrow to the next stop!

    overhead view of Munich from St. Peter's Church

    days 6-8: munich, germany

    Once again, start the day bright and early on another train ride (this time you definitely remembered to book seats on the train… right?) When you arrive, head to the old city to rub a lion’s face, meaning you will return to the city one day!

    The Vienna to Munich train ride is a long one, so there wont be too much to do the rest of your day. If you plan the timing right, some of the evening Christmas markets might still be around and you can grab dinner and warm drinks there before bed.

    Day 7 starts with Nymphenburg Palace and the 1972 Olympic Park. It is COOOOOLD so bundle up!!! Head back to the Old City after this for shopping and climb to the top of St. Peter’s Chapel for insane views. For dinner, experience an authentic beer garden at Augistiner Keller Beer Garden. We loved trying curling here!

    Spend day 8 more pensively at the Dachau Concentration Camp. Don’t skip this incredibly heartbreaking experience, especially in the chilling winter. We unwinded after this by walking along the English Gardens and meeting many characters in our hostel bar that evening.

    memorial and castle in Prague in Europe

    days 9-10: prague, czech republic

    Catch your last train (this time you DEFINITELY booked the seats with the ticket.) Start your explorations in Old Town, being sure to hit the Astronomical Clock and Dog Bar for drinks. Unfortunately I was sick in Prague, so I didn’t get to do as much as I was hoping to.

    Day 10 is for Prague Castle and the National Museum and reminiscing on all of the amazing fun you’ve had in Europe!!! Don’t forget that beer is cheaper than water in Prague, so be budget-friendly!