Friday, October 9, 2009
Since coming to Europe in July I've either lost or discarded (mostly lost):
three pairs of sunglasses (but then I found a pair in an Italian post office which, three weeks later, I realize are Emporio Armani!); four hats; three jackets and hoodies; four pairs of pant; four dress shirts and a sport coat (I am a stylish man); two T-shirts; two pairs of footwear; three scarfs and sarong. And as if that wasn't enough for my grandmother to call me the absent-minded professor I just missed my return flight!!
Holy #%@!moly.
The former items' days were numbered anyway since I'm all about travelling light and would have put my rucksack on a strict diet before flying back to North America. But now the weather's changed back to chilly so...two days ago I bought a skull cap, a pair of jeans and a denim jacket. Hello!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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Staying at San Tomaso isn't much cause for writing home. It's not haute coutre and not hostel which means it is, apparently, somewhere in between.
I stayed one night here (25 euros)---my first day in town---and, honestly, the only things I can rightfully recall are: 1) the stingy Chinese woman who runs it, 2) it's located three floors below Hotel Kennedy and 3) the teeny-tiny ass elevator which is only big enough for one backpacker!
I have no complaints about my stay although if you don't have a laptop you will probably balk at the un-FREE computer and poor English speaking Asian staff. One receptionist is, I guess, English or Aussie, and speaks English and Italian very well. You'll notice her easily: she's an old hip chick who moonlights as a DJ! She's pretty funny to talk with.
Viale Tunisia 6 (3d floor)
Milano, 20124
+39 02.29.51.47.47
hotelsantomaso@tin.it
website
Staying at San Tomaso isn't much cause for writing home. It's not haute coutre and not hostel which means it is, apparently, somewhere in between.
I stayed one night here (25 euros)---my first day in town---and, honestly, the only things I can rightfully recall are: 1) the stingy Chinese woman who runs it, 2) it's located three floors below Hotel Kennedy and 3) the teeny-tiny ass elevator which is only big enough for one backpacker!
I have no complaints about my stay although if you don't have a laptop you will probably balk at the un-FREE computer and poor English speaking Asian staff. One receptionist is, I guess, English or Aussie, and speaks English and Italian very well. You'll notice her easily: she's an old hip chick who moonlights as a DJ! She's pretty funny to talk with.
Viale Tunisia 6 (3d floor)
Milano, 20124
+39 02.29.51.47.47
hotelsantomaso@tin.it
website
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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The Do Step Inn is only a couple of blocks from the Westbahnhof train station so is within walking distance and easy to notice by the huge banners which hang out front.
When I arrived there were a lot of people waiting in the lobby; or, rather, there were people waiting in the very small lobby. The Front Desk, though, kept her chin up and smile on and attended to everyone as best she could even fulfilling the gesture of pouring complimentary drinks to fresh arrivals. Impressive. Note: choose water or Coca-Cola or even crappy Fanta---Fanta is sooooo popular here---over the red wine (horrible!) but it's the thought that counts; and I emptied the glass.
I found the single room, albeit with television, private shower and toilet, too lacking for the forty-something euros it cost and immediately downsized to a dormitory. My new room was located around the corner and up the block. That's right: around the corner and up the block. So...depending on where you're bunking, Do Step Inn can become the Mucho Step Inn. But I was very satisfied with my 5-bed dorm. It cost 13.50 and was comfortable and preferable to the single room. The building annex has separate showers for men and women---the men's shower area consisted of two private showers---bathrooms separate from the showers, which appears to be a common design in the Old Country, and a wonderfully furnished kitchen and commons area.
What the hostel lacks in lobby space it makes up for in other areas of its buildings. Plenty of spaces for socializing and hanging out. And wi-fi access is available in the main building. No laptop? There are two FREE computers and the Internet connection is fast.
Felberstrasse 20, A-1150
Vienna
Tel: 0699.1923.2769
Fax: 01.982.3348
office@dostepinn.at
website
The Do Step Inn is only a couple of blocks from the Westbahnhof train station so is within walking distance and easy to notice by the huge banners which hang out front.
When I arrived there were a lot of people waiting in the lobby; or, rather, there were people waiting in the very small lobby. The Front Desk, though, kept her chin up and smile on and attended to everyone as best she could even fulfilling the gesture of pouring complimentary drinks to fresh arrivals. Impressive. Note: choose water or Coca-Cola or even crappy Fanta---Fanta is sooooo popular here---over the red wine (horrible!) but it's the thought that counts; and I emptied the glass.
Depending on where you're bunking, Do Step Inn can become the Mucho Step Inn
I found the single room, albeit with television, private shower and toilet, too lacking for the forty-something euros it cost and immediately downsized to a dormitory. My new room was located around the corner and up the block. That's right: around the corner and up the block. So...depending on where you're bunking, Do Step Inn can become the Mucho Step Inn. But I was very satisfied with my 5-bed dorm. It cost 13.50 and was comfortable and preferable to the single room. The building annex has separate showers for men and women---the men's shower area consisted of two private showers---bathrooms separate from the showers, which appears to be a common design in the Old Country, and a wonderfully furnished kitchen and commons area.
What the hostel lacks in lobby space it makes up for in other areas of its buildings. Plenty of spaces for socializing and hanging out. And wi-fi access is available in the main building. No laptop? There are two FREE computers and the Internet connection is fast.
Felberstrasse 20, A-1150
Vienna
Tel: 0699.1923.2769
Fax: 01.982.3348
office@dostepinn.at
website
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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In Innsbruck I couldn't find a hostel---even though HI has one there...somefuckingwhere---and, even more shocking, could not find wireless Internet anywhere. Hell, I barely found one Innsbrucker who knew what was 'wireless Internet'.
Finally found a 5-star hotel called the European Hotel or something like that which had wi-fi available in the lobby---for 3euros. Not bad. Except the Front Desk led me to believe it was free so long as I patronized the bar; so on top of my tab I had to pay for being online. Me no likey surprises.
Generally speaking, I have a low opinion of places that lack access to the Internet. And that's my two cents on Innsbruck.
In Innsbruck I couldn't find a hostel---even though HI has one there...somefuckingwhere---and, even more shocking, could not find wireless Internet anywhere. Hell, I barely found one Innsbrucker who knew what was 'wireless Internet'.
Finally found a 5-star hotel called the European Hotel or something like that which had wi-fi available in the lobby---for 3euros. Not bad. Except the Front Desk led me to believe it was free so long as I patronized the bar; so on top of my tab I had to pay for being online. Me no likey surprises.
Generally speaking, I have a low opinion of places that lack access to the Internet. And that's my two cents on Innsbruck.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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Having read an offhand reference to Linzer torte (also spelled as one word) in a recent email I was keen to try this regional delicacy.
Since I failed to go to any of the highlighted cultural attractions I wanted to leave with a Linzer experience. Plus I love sweets so it was easy to be adventurous in this regard. A slice of linzertorte was served to me with a side of whip cream (upon request). 
I had, at the same time, a slice of another Austrian invention---which the citizens insist means NOT GERMAN---apple strudel also served with a side of whip cream (upon request). I loves me some whip cream.
Didn't know what to expect from the Linzertorte. For some reason the taste reminded me of spiced Christmas carols. The strudel was not
pocketed in the crispy, though buttery, crust I had Mcmagined, uh, I mean imagined. Delicious, the both of them. However do I keep THIS jock figure eating such tongue yummy fattening goodies---->?
Mmmm I'll never tell.
Gosser Beer (Radler):
Am not a big drinker of beer but Gosser gets high marks from my taste buds. The Austrains have this concoction of lemonade and beer---not making this up---called Radler which has something to do with a bicycle rider.
In the olden days drinking and driving pertained to, well, riding and to keep within the law bicyclists---those cavalier road warriors!---diluted their beers with the ever wholesome lemonade drink thereby transforming it from an evil alcoholic intoxicant into a nice refreshing beverage. Oh brother! Anywho, the drink/drinker association stuck and now whenever I'm near the Austrian land I'll make sure to enjoy a radler (made with Gosser Beer) because I like the lemony sweetness that comes from Gosser.
Having read an offhand reference to Linzer torte (also spelled as one word) in a recent email I was keen to try this regional delicacy.
Since I failed to go to any of the highlighted cultural attractions I wanted to leave with a Linzer experience. Plus I love sweets so it was easy to be adventurous in this regard. A slice of linzertorte was served to me with a side of whip cream (upon request). 
I had, at the same time, a slice of another Austrian invention---which the citizens insist means NOT GERMAN---apple strudel also served with a side of whip cream (upon request). I loves me some whip cream.Didn't know what to expect from the Linzertorte. For some reason the taste reminded me of spiced Christmas carols. The strudel was not
pocketed in the crispy, though buttery, crust I had Mcmagined, uh, I mean imagined. Delicious, the both of them. However do I keep THIS jock figure eating such tongue yummy fattening goodies---->?Mmmm I'll never tell.
Gosser Beer (Radler):Am not a big drinker of beer but Gosser gets high marks from my taste buds. The Austrains have this concoction of lemonade and beer---not making this up---called Radler which has something to do with a bicycle rider.
In the olden days drinking and driving pertained to, well, riding and to keep within the law bicyclists---those cavalier road warriors!---diluted their beers with the ever wholesome lemonade drink thereby transforming it from an evil alcoholic intoxicant into a nice refreshing beverage. Oh brother! Anywho, the drink/drinker association stuck and now whenever I'm near the Austrian land I'll make sure to enjoy a radler (made with Gosser Beer) because I like the lemony sweetness that comes from Gosser.
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