Arrived in Dresden yesterday after FIVE trains from Berlin (the cheapest is not always the most convenient). Walked around a lot today and looked at new buildings that were designed to look like old buildings because somebody thought it was a good idea to firebomb this nice little city.
Also went to the laundromat today and accidentally bought 40 minutes of ironing instead of drying. Bügelbrett or trocknen? How am I supposed to know the difference? Then, I buy some food to make at the hostel kitchen and a bottle of red wine. Then I taste the red wine and it's really sweet, and I ask someone who speaks German about it, and it turns out it's grape juice. But it had a date on it (2004) and was surrounded by wine (at least I think it was wine) at the store. If only I could read German I would have saved myself at least 6 euros today.
It's been somewhat difficult to escape this tourist bubble and seems to surround me. I'll admit, it's my choice that I stay in big cities and hostels and take tours, but sometimes I feel like I'm not really experiencing a city. Last night though, I went to this free concert/flea market, and I'm pretty sure I was the only non-local there. The band was a drummer and guitarist (plus electronic beats) and they would randomly shout English phrases. My favorite song was 'Shopping Center', and it went like this 'shopping center, shopping center/put things in the cart/put things in the bag'. And that was the chorus.
Prague tomorrow! Too bad my Czech is worse than my German.
Wow! Tracey - I was in Dresden in 1974 and there were a LOT of bombed out buildings. Bet it looks very different today. We also went to Prague - I loved the countryside in Czechloslovakia and Poland. Sounds like you're having a blast - take care and have fun!
ReplyDeleteGood Blog Tracey! Grape juice ... I guess cheap isn't always best. Too Funny! Did you iron your clothes dry? Have fun in Prague ... thinking of you, love Mom
ReplyDeleteyour blog works Tracey .. because you've found a great mix of cute, poignant and brief but mostly because the voice is so much you .. thank you .. miss you
ReplyDeletethose lyrics remind me of TLW.
ReplyDeletesounds like you're having quite the adventure... at least grape juice has antioxidants!
LYLAS
I really like the sound of that band.
ReplyDeleteShopping cart! shopping cart!
put groceries in the cart! put groceries in the bag!
I like reading this.