Why did I tell you I was going to Shanghai?

After a fair amount of consideration I have decided to postpone*, not cancel, my trip to China. When I initially had the idea of going to the olympics in Beijing (it was just after Torino in 06) I thought it could be like Barcelona in 1992: city changing, memorable, potentially infamous, and an all out party to celebrate China's entrance on to the world's stage. Unfortunately for China, the earthquake and the Tibet crackdown (of course, they had control over that one) are taking the shine off a bit.


China is also cracking down on visas much to the chagrin of businesses and would be tourists. They are terrified of massive protests with the world watching. More and more applicants are getting denied for somewhat arbitrary reasons. Me being a 25 year old student going solo would almost certainly raise an eyebrow or two. Additionally, I would be VERY reluctant to buy a non refundable airplane ticket when it is possible my visa would be rejected which in turn may make them more likely to reject my application. The visa isn't cheap either (roughly $200) and nor does it appear to be refundable.

As I did a little more research, I got equally excited about seeing the Yellow Mountains, Guillin, roaming around the Bund in Shanghai, soaking up the Cantonese sardine can of Hong Kong, taking a boat down the Yangtze to Chongqing, and even possibly seeing Tibet. A lot of those areas are considered to be malarial zones at this time of year. Touring China during the summer is the worst time to visit (much like Florida).

So the question became, how important was seeing the games? It went from being a major reason to visit to just a reason. I came to the conclusion that I would rather do this trip in April or May than July and August. The one remaining question mark was, "Will I have another opportunity to visit China for a prolonged period of time?"

Saying that I can do it after I start working as a few have said was, in my opinion, way too optimistic. One advantage of having worked in the real world is that I recognize how much anguish people (well, Americans anyway) go through to take 2 consecutive weeks off. This is especially true if you are married with kids. Between coordinating your schedule, her schedule, the kids' school and making sure you insulate yourself again possible "emergency deadlines", going on vacation can be exhausting. When I went to Japan, it was only for 10 days, which is pretty short considering how long it takes you to hop the pacific. If this the only time I will have a month to travel, then my saddest-words-of-tongue-and-pen weltanschauung compels me to seize the day... but I don't believe that to be the case. After grad school, I will likely be able to arrange a month off before I start work full time or possibly I will be able to do it between semesters.

That doesn't mean my backpack will be collecting dust for too long, I may be leaving elsewhere fairly soon.

--Joey

*much to the relief some in my family

Accommodation Roundup

Over a few months in Europe I stayed in a variety of places that ranged from personal homes, rented apartments, buses and bus stations, trains, hostels and even a couple of hotels.

In order of usage:

The Generator - London -- In the Russel Square area, cheap party hostel. You either love it or hate it. Personally I felt the police coming every night was a bit excessive. I wasn't a huge fan but under different circumstances I would likely feel differently.

The Globetrotter - London -- In the Ravenscourt Garden area, was a bit quiet back in January. Fairly social (I believe there was a bar downstairs) but it was out in the suburbs in Zone 2. I personally got a better deal by booking online than what they offer at the desk (6.50 GBP vs 19GBP)

Hostal Suizo - Seville -- I think this Hostel was also an Hostal. Centrally located off Plaza Nueva right near Calle Sierpes. It was fairly decent but there are better options

Hostal Santa Maria de la Blanca - Sevilla -- A one star pension on la Puerta de la Carne. Right on the edge of Barrio Santa Cruz closest to Mendez-Pelayo. It was about 40 Euros which is roughly the price for two people at a local hostel. a decent bet for people that want a cheap well located hotel in an authentic setting for poco dinero.

Samay Hostel - Sevilla -- One of the nicer youth hostels I have ever stayed in. Nice deck upstairs with a great view of the Giralda. Best kitchen I have seen. Two thumbs up. Around 18 euros a night. The only downside is that between the deck, kitchen and common room it divides the meeting place up a bit.

Rising Cock Hostel - Lagos -- This may be the best hostel in the world...it is definitely my favorite. Mama's crepes, comfortable clean hostel, with an impressive movie, TV show collection and a big screen plasma. Great eats in the neighborhood. Nanabar (Toucan burger! I recommend ordering it Medium Endangered), chicken man etc. Awesome city, cool beaches, and ubersocial common room make this place top most people's list.

Hotel Olissippo Marquês de Sá - Lisbon -- A kick ass 3 star hotel gotten for us by the Tios. Centrally located (5-10 minutes to two metro stops). Just down the street and to the left (keeping the hotel behind you and on the left) is a tasty Chinese restaurant (I went with lucky #127 on the menu).

Sant Jordi Arago - Barcelona -- Right off of Passeig de Gracias, you can't get a better location if you tried. Small hostel run by a friendly trio. Only downside is the ratio of beds to showers is a little tight so you may have to wait.

Salvia Hotel - Andorra la Vella -- A three star hotel at a hostel double room price. Right in the middle of town (although pretty much any hotel would be). Recommended

Wira Hostel - Hamburg -- Cheap place (10 euros?) but massive refundable key deposit (50E!?!). It is more or less central. Em and I were literally there for a day so the nearly absolute silence and sterile atmosphere wasn't too important.

Circus Hostel - Berlin -- Practically inside the Rosenthaler Platz metro station. In the former East Germany, 24 hour eateries abound some for less than 3 euros. The hostel itself is clean and modern, shared bathrooms are plentiful. There is a bar downstairs with things like a Wii , Karaoke etc. A great option for those wanting to hit up Berlin.

The Wombat City Hostel -- Munich - I have always wanted to be able to say "Everytime I come go to Europe I stay at "X" " The Wombat ist meine haus in Munchen. It seems to be showing slight signs of wear over my last visit but still among Europe's best. The Wombar is usually pretty hoppin downstairs although I didn't use it much on this past stay.

Sir Toby's Hostel - Prague -- Out in Prague VII so you are 30 minutes from the old town and Wenceslas Square (imo a bit overrated) by foot. The hostel itself has great breakfasts for 100 CZK, and a cool basement/bar area.

Flamingo's Hostel - Krakow -- We went from being far from everything to being on top of everything. 50m at most from the main square. Smallish hostel with a TV with cable (handy for those days where it rained from morning until evening) everything is clean, board games the usual. Nice place...

Hostel Ruthensteiner's - Vienna -- We stayed at the Summerhouse but the original is equally nice (if not nicer). Right down the street from the Wombat Lounge and across from Mozart Stuberl.

Hippo Hostel - Budva, Montenegro -- Very cool place along the Adriatic. The hostel is relatively tiny (20 beds?) and like Lagos, the main attraction is the beach and old town so you tend to hang out with the same people all day. Kotor is a good day trip. One of my top 5 hostels for sure. It is a seasonal place and as of now Dave and Nadya appear to be closing shop in November 2008 for good. Get there while you can!

Palmer's Lodge - London -- Big "sleep factory" style hostel (not that there is anything wrong with that). Clean, convenient to Zone 2 metro station Swiss Cottage. 15 minutes or less to Green Park.

--Joey

Back in Tampa

I am still behind on my posts from Kotor, a little of Rome etc. So just a quick update for the time being. We got back safe and sound, the last 48 hours for me was a whirlwind that involved Bosnian cab drivers, Montenegrin border control guards, hitchhiking, sleeping in a Croatian bus station, getting detained in Gatwick, and having the best damn curry of my life. I wouldn't have it any other way.

It has been great to catch up with everyone. Kim had us all over for chocolate fondue and a slideshow. We picked up Dad at the airport and he got to see my scruffiness first hand.
Publish Post
Not sure how long I will be stationary (we are all going to Jacksonville in two days) stateside or internationally for that matter but for the moment I am enjoying the best hostel of all.

Zai Jian,

Joey

Yo Adriatic, it's rocky

I hopped the night train from Rome to Bari in a three person couchette. The sleep on a night train is always hit and miss, if the ride is more than 8 hours you have a reasonable chance at a full night's sleep but when you get one that is 6 hours it just makes you tired. So I walked out of Bari Centrale at 7:30ish and waited for a McDonald's to open so I could sit and rest a little. After three hours I had had enough and walked down to the port to find out about ferries to Corfu, Dubrovnik or to Montenegro. The Corfu ferries start during the high season, Montenegro runs on alternating days so I pinned everything on the Dubrovnik ferry which runs regularly...unfortunately for the company.

I believe there were no more than 12 people on board. I skipped getting a room in favor of sleeping on the deck but I met a few Canadians and Americans so we just stayed back drinking and bsing most of the night inside.

We arrived in Dubrovnik around 8a where I was swamped by older people wanting to rent me their rooms (the cheapest way to stay in Dubrovnik). From the port I headed off to the bus station to catch a ride to Budva, Montenegro. It has a lot of what Dubrovnik offers such as beautiful waters and beaches, a picturesque old town and the like but with two main causal advantages: fewer tourists and lower prices.

The drive in is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is like Scandinavian scenery, Iberian weather, Mediterranean architecture and Chinese prices. What's not to love? I ended up staying at the Hippo Hostel, Montenegro's only hostel and planned on staying put for 2-3 days. Turns out I liked it so much I decided that I am not moving until the 8th. We barbecue nightly with finds from the local butcher. Really high quality premarinated steak kebabs, chicken wrapped with bacon, baked potatoes, and local veggies all for 6-8 euros...roughly the cost of a McDs value meal in Rome.

It is also a real convenient place to depart from if you want to visit Croatia, Bosnia, and other cities in Montenegro such as Kotor which I may end up doing tomorrow. All I have to do is get myself to Split on the 9th so with the next 4 days...who knows? My next entry will probably be when I return home, see you all in about a week.

--Joey

On the Road in Munich

The late video is about 100 seconds of our time in Bavaria. Enjoy :)



--Joey