City Lights

Barcelona: Espit Chupitos

2012-02-04T14:39:00.002-05:00

Before coming to Spain, I'd never heard of a chupitos bar. I was traveling with my friend Jillian, who told me I was in for a wild night. That's pretty much what it was.

From the outside and even inside, Espit Chupitos looks nothing out of the ordinary. It sells cheap shots for just a few euros, but these aren't your ordinary well whiskey shots. The big difference is that there is a massive menu on the wall, advertising hundreds of types of shots. Most of them involve fire and big performances. These are the four that I tried:

1. The Harry Potter Shot: The bartender poured alcohol into the shot glasses and on the bar. He then set the whole bar on fire, catching the shot glasses on fire and sending sparks everywhere. Then we took the shot.

2. The Boy Scout Shot: The bartender gave us marshmallows, then poured alcohol into the shot glasses and on the bar. Again, he then set the whole bar on fire, shot glasses include, and we roasted the marshmallows in the fire. Then we took the shot and chased with the marshmallow.

3. The Lollipop Shot: The bartender made some syrupy, sweet shot and put a red lollipop in each one. We took the shot and chased with the lollipop.

4. Some Shot Whose Name I Cannot Recall: The bartender poured alcohol into the shot glasses and on the bar. We dipped our thumbs into our shots. He then set our thumbs on fire and we had to put our thumbs in our mouths to put it out. Then we took the shot. No chaser.

Our incredibly excited bartender. Forgot his name, but he was great.

We stuck around to watch other people take their shots. Other drinks involved extensive role play scenarios and bizarre sexual performances. Two guys dressed up as soldiers, got slapped around and beat up by the scantily-clad bartender (who was dressed up as some commanding officer), and then took their shots. The same bartender put shots in bubbles on a stick and rolled them around on girls' chests before popping them in their mouths. Things kept getting set on fire and sparks went off everywhere. I'm surprised no one caught flame. It was awesome. I wish I got photos of it all, but I got a little distracted.

Espit Chupitos, Carrer d'Aribau, 77, Barcelona, Spain

San Francisco: Smitten Ice Cream

2012-01-29T20:56:00.000-05:00

One warm January afternoon in San Francisco, Kenny and I accidentally stumbled upon an area known as Hayes Valley. We came across Hayes Valley because we first noticed a lot of people clustered around some stand. Turns out, they were clustering around Smitten Ice Cream. Perfect, because we were craving ice cream.

Smitten is an outdoor, patio-type ice cream shop that makes all of its ice cream in front of you with liquid nitrogen. They own the first liquid nitrogen ice cream makers in America. The four ice cream flavors change every day, and you can garnish your ice cream with all sorts of fun toppings (think shortbread, pistachio brittle, and lemon caramel). I had coconut ice cream with almond brittle. Kenny had creme fraiche with brown sugar caramel. Perfect for two people craving ice cream.

Added Bonus: Smitten Ice Cream is across the street from a cute little park, so we sat, ate ice cream, and watched little kids run around. It was very pleasant indeed. Hayes Valley is filled with cute children, chic 20-somethings, trees, parks, boutiques, sunshine, smiles, and all sorts of things that make the world go round. It easily became my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco.

Smitten Ice Cream, 432 Octavia Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Anywhere: Sound Bites by Eater NY

2011-11-30T01:04:00.001-05:00

As an avid food enthusiast, I'm constantly looking for new ways to indulge. So when an equally avid food enthusiast friend showed me Eater NY's Sound Bites, I was hooked. By pairing videos of chefs preparing signature dishes with up-and-coming songs, Sound Bites is the hip new food/music series for food and music lovers alike.

Below is my favorite video so far. Anthony Sasso of Caso Mano makes Belly With Urchin, complete with a side of Foster the People. Enjoy.

Anthony Sasso, "Belly with Urchin" from Eater NY on Vimeo.

Icy Strait Point: In Photographs

2011-09-08T00:28:00.006-04:00

Icy Strait Point, a part of Hoonah, Alaska, boasts a population of just over 800 as well as the longest zip line in all of Alaska. Jillian and I had the lucky pleasure of experiencing the 90-second zip line ride, whale watching at Point Adolphus, failed bear sighting attempts in Hoonah's rain forests, a weird beyond weird tour guide that wears her mother's ashes around her neck every day, and an unstoppable amount of rain. Icy Strait Point is incredibly beautiful, but if I ever lived there, I'm not sure if I'd hate the rain or the tour guide more. I suppose the hundreds of whales and stunning scenery would make things better.

Houston: Waterwall Park

2011-09-08T00:04:00.003-04:00

I once promised Jaclyn, one of my best friends from my Berlin adventures, that I would visit her in her hometown one day. I fully intended to fulfill my promise, but I figured it would be years before I made it to Houston (because why would I ever go to Texas?). Less than a year later, I found myself in steamy Texas and I had the lovely privilege of seeing one of her favorite places in all of Houston.

The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, also known as the Waterwall Park, is home to Philip Johnson's magnificent architectural beauty. The Water Wall is essentially a wall with water cascading down both the front and back. It's one of those pictures-don't-do-it-justice places, but the pictures are pretty cool too. Jaclyn recommends standing with your back towards the Water Wall and looking up. It's a vertigo-inducing effect that's dizzying and amazing at the same time. The Water Wall faces a quaint little grassy park, perfect for picnics and sun-soaking. Refreshing for hot Houston summers. I like it.

New York: Taboon

2011-03-16T17:30:00.001-04:00

One rare and wonderful weekend, my beautiful cousins Victoria and Teny came to visit New York. I was given the very important responsibility of selecting a restaurant for dinner on their last night. I don't mean to brag, but I'm sort of awesome at picking restaurants.

I love food. Therefore, I love the two times a year when Restaurant Week rolls around. Restaurant Week is the chance for poor college students like myself to eat like I'm not a poor college student. World class restaurants participating in Restaurant Week create a special three course menu. An appetizer, entree, and dessert are set at $35. Hundreds of restaurants participate every year. I'm sure you can see why it would be difficult to select just one for this very important night.

I decided to go with Taboon, a Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Hell's Kitchen. In addition to the appetizer/entree/dessert combination, Taboon's menu also included its famous House Focaccia (pictuerd above). This bread is perfectly toasted, seasoned, and served with three different dipping sauces.

My appetizer was a falafel plate and I ordered the lamb kebab entree. Both were full of flavor and phenomenal. For dessert, I had the Silan, which is their most famous dessert. It consists of vanilla ice cream with puffed rice, date honey, caramelized pistachios, and shredded halva. It looks hairy, but I swear it's good.

Our lovely party of nine had a great night. In case you don't believe me, here are pictures to prove it.

me, Victoria, and Teny

773 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10019

New York: Butter Lane Cupcakes

2011-03-10T20:54:00.000-05:00

Everyone who knows me also knows that I have a love for cupcakes unparalleled by any other baked good. This is not to say that cupcakes are my favorite dessert; I know myself well enough to know that I could never make that decision. However, I think there's something really exciting and fun about cupcakes. Eating a cupcake makes me feel like I'm five years old again.

Therefore, I am always on a quest to find new cupcake places. My roommate, Sonia, introduced me to Butter Lane Cupcakes, which may be my new favorite cupcake bakery. There's an adorable chalkboard menu that lists different types of cakes and different types of frosting, and you make your own cupcake combination! So many possibilities! They also have seasonal and pre-made cupcakes that change every so often. Sonia once came home with banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. And today, I tried a vanilla cupcake with strawberry frosting. It even had a little strawberry on top. The five year old in me is alive and well.

Added Bonus: There's a guy who works there on Thursday nights who enjoys playing games with customers that have their cupcakes to stay. His favorite game is 'Guess My Ethnicity.' Supposedly Sonia got it right on her first try. I would never have guessed though.

123 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10009; Butter Lane

New York: Popover Café

2011-03-05T16:58:00.000-05:00

And we're back in New York! As much as I love love love Berlin, there's nothing quite like New York City. Along the same lines, there's nothing quite like a warm popover for Saturday morning brunch. Enter, Popover Café.

Popover Café is your typical soups/sandwiches/salads kind of place, but they're famous for their popovers, which are anything but typical. Popovers are these flaky, hollow savory pastries that go great with sweet or savory foods. Plain popovers are served with strawberry jam or strawberry butter, but they're also available in all sorts of funky combinations. I ordered an Eggs Benedict Arnold, which is a popover split open served with ham, lemon hollandaise, and eggs. Heart attack on a plate? Maybe, but when I'm lying on my death bed, I certainly won't be talking about all the broccoli I ever ate.

551 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024; Popover Café

Berlin: 7000

2010-12-22T15:54:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning brunch is a really popular thing in Berlin. Many cafes and restaurants offer special brunch menus on the weekends, and they're usually pretty delicious. 7000 became our favorite brunch place in Berlin. Everything on their brunch menu is impossibly delicious.

7000 offers a "California-styled brunch" with menu items like huevos rancheros (pictured above), chocolate-chip macadamia multigrain pancakes, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. The restaurant itself is sunny, well-lit, colorful, and all around very cheerful. It's great to go with many people and start a lazy day with great friends and great food. I did just that on my last morning in Berlin.

I've had the best semester abroad for two reasons. Firstly, Berlin is one of the most exciting, youthful cities to be in. It's a place with so much history, culture, and diversity that anyone can find their niche in this big, crazy city. Before I chose to study abroad in Berlin, I never could have imagined how much I would fall in love with a city that I would only inhabit for three and a half months. And now, three and a half months later, I'm walking away with some truly incredible memories.

I'm also walking away with some of the best friends I'll ever know. Being able to spend my last morning with such intelligent, passionate, interesting people was a memory in itself. Seeing everyone talking and laughing over brunch, talking about Berlin, talking about their favorite memories, talking about future memories to come, was the perfect way to culminate a perfect semester. Thank you, everyone, for sharing this with me. Aufwiedersehen...niemals. Just kidding.

7000, Skalitzerstraße 54, 10997 Berlin

Berlin: Trinkteufel (Drink Devil)

2010-12-22T15:36:00.000-05:00

We spent our first night in Berlin at Trinkteufel, and ended our last night in Berlin at Trinkteufel.

The entrance to this bar says "Trinkteufel: Das Tor zur Hölle" translated as Drink Devil: The Door to Hell. So...yea. The inside is covered with skeletons, more skeletons, and other things reminiscent of Halloween and hell. The bartender is this intense, buff, scary girl. And the place draws a crowd of alternative punk, anti-Fascists with a lot of piercings, studs, tattoos, and leather.

Trinkteufel isn't the best bar in Berlin, but it was always an easy go-to place. And it will forever reside in my mind with fond memories. This is where I first met some of my best friends, and also where I met some of the weirdest people I'll ever know.

Added Bonus: They're famous for their Mexicana shots, which are some mixture of tequila, tabasco sauce, and tomato something. It tastes like alcoholic salsa.

Trinkteufel, Naunynstraße 60, 10997 Berlin

Berlin: Kaffeekultur (Coffee Culture)

2010-12-22T15:24:00.000-05:00

One of the absolute best things about Berlin is the Kaffeekulture. In the most touristy parts of the city, you can find a Starbucks or a Balzac, but search a little deeper, and you'll find hundreds of hidden treasure cafes. Each one is filled with character, mismatched furniture, interesting art, and very interesting people. Baristas come up to your table, ask for your drink, and deliver it to you personally. Some cafes have WiFi, some have food, and some turn into bars at night. Some are great for work, great for socializing, or great for both. Here are some of my favorites...

Plucinskys: Plucinskys has food, coffee, alcohol, and lots of space. There is no WiFi, but it's great for studying without the Internet. It's one of the few places in Berlin that has iced coffee, so that's usually my preferred drink. Also, the bathrooms are really cute and pink.

Plucinskys, Wörtherstraße 1, 10435 Berlin

Fleischmöbel: I love going to Fleischmöbel by myself and curling up with a book and a cup of tea. It's not such a great work space, but it's very cozy for spending a few quiet hours alone, with a good friend, or with a good book.

Fleischmöbel, Oderbergerstraße 2, 10435 Berlin

Dildile: One of my new favorite things is floor seating, and Dildile has just that. At night, it turns into a dark, romantic bar. We made the mistake of trying to get reading done there. We ended up having beers and talking about life instead.

Dieffenbachstraße 62, 10967 Berlin

Michelberger: Michelberger is a wonderful, multi-purpose cafe with a lot of personality. It's an enormous cafe located on the bottom floor of a hotel, and it's filled with vintage books, vintage magazines, vintage suitcases, and all sorts of vintage furniture. It also has free WiFi.

Michelberger Hotel, Warschauerstraße 39, 10243 Berlin

Cafe Jenseits: I once spent nine and a half hours at Jenseits writing final papers, and it was wonderful/torturous. Jenseits has food, dessert, coffee, and alcohol. In the course of nine and a half hours, I had a chai latte, a cheese omelette, a raspberry cheesecake, a hot chocolate, a club sandwich, and a cup of tea. It was glorious. Jenseits is my favorite cafe in Berlin because it's perfect for spending time with friends, with work, with a book, or with yourself. And the food is sehr lecker.

Oranienstraße 15, 10999 Berlin

Berlin: Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer (Memorial for the Berlin Wall)

2010-12-22T15:00:00.000-05:00

While the East Side Gallery is the longest stretch of the preserved Berlin Wall, the Memorial for the Berlin Wall on Bernauer Straße is the longest stretch of the original preserved Berlin Wall, complete with a guard tower, the death strip, and both sets of the wall. It is now a memorial honoring those who died under post-war Soviet oppression. It's a very powerful memorial, especially in the snow.

Through the cracks of the former wall, one can see into the death strip.

Added Bonus (sort of?): Adjacent to the memorial space is St. Sophia's cemetery. It's incredibly and hauntingly beautiful in the snow as well.

Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer

Berlin: Museum für Naturkunde (Museum for Natural Art)

2010-12-22T14:30:00.000-05:00

All semester, I meant to go to the Natural History Museum in Berlin, but I didn't make it until my second to last day in this beautiful city. And of course, it was as wonderful as I hoped it would be. Let me walk you through my favorite parts.

The first room you enter in the museum is The World of Dinosaurs. This is the skeleton of a Brachiosaurus brancai, otherwise known as a Brachiosaurus to normal people. The Museum für Naturkunde in Berlin houses the largest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the entire world, as recognized by the Guinness World Records.

This room houses The Wet Collection, which is a research facility that holds about one million marine animals preserved in hundreds of thousands of jars of ethyl alcohol for future study. There are all sorts of bizarre fish, eels, and other unrecognizable species. This room is really phenomenal.

These are mutated animals in more jars of ethyl alcohol. I really loved the plaque labeling these mutated species. It read: "...The word mutation is normally used negatively, since the formation of new traits means a deviation from the norm that often has negative consequences for the individual. Well-known examples of this are skin cancer caused by UV radiation, or Down's Syndrome, which occurs when there are three copies of the 21st chromosome rather than two. However, seen in terms of evolutionary history, mutations are the most important factor in change and innovation. Not all genetic changes have negative consequences; they can also represent innovations that then prevail throughout whole populations and contribute to the development of new species."

This is a stuffed model of a cracked-out leopard. I really don't know why it looks like that. The museum has a room called Preparation Techniques dedicated to explaining the process of preserving once-live animals for display in museums. There are many other stuffed animals in this room, but none of them look as crazy as this one.

This is Simon and Ben, being weird from the other side of the tank of some salamander-type creature.

Museum für Naturkunde, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin

Berlin: Stolperstein

2010-12-22T13:51:00.000-05:00

There are hundreds of Stolperstein not only in Berlin, but around Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and other countries in Europe. Most of them are located in Berlin though.

this one reads:

here lived

ELLY WAGNER

née Phillip

born 1900

deported January 19, 1942

Riga

died Feburary 5, 1942

In 1993, Gunter Demnig, a German artist, first developed the idea to memorialize Holocaust victims by placing these Stolperstein, or "stumbling blocks," at the doorsteps of their former homes. The first Stolperstein was placed in 1994, and now there are over 25,000 in the world.

The art project is very controversial because many people criticize Demnig for placing these stumbling blocks on the ground, where unaware people can walk all over them without consideration for what they resemble. I, however, disagree completely. The Stolperstein give more of an identity to individual victims than any other Holocaust memorial I've seen before. Others list victims' names, maybe where they were deported, maybe where they were born. But these list victims' names, their birth dates, their death dates, and the camps to which they were deported, and each stone marks exactly where each victim once lived. Also, each stone is made from a specific type of metal that becomes shinier each time it is stepped on. And they're virtually impossible to miss, even in the snow.

Berlin: Little Otik

2010-12-13T07:04:00.001-05:00

All semester, my friend Ben had been ranting about the "best restaurant in Berlin" and insisted on going, but we kept putting it off because we're lazy college students. Finally one fateful Saturday night, we decided to make reservations for a week later. Then, we realized that they were only open after 7pm, only open from Wednesday to Saturday, and only open until December 15. Which meant that that one Saturday night was our last chance to go, which inevitably led to the most frantic, rushed, spontaneous decision we've ever made aka the best decision ever.

Little Otik was founded by two guys from New York, a chef and a musician, who moved to Berlin and started hosting a supper club. Because their supper club was so popular, they decided to try to find a space to open a restaurant. It's been four happy months, and they're successful as ever. Little Otik was founded with the purpose of making fresh, delicious meals from organic, locally grown products. The menu changes a little bit every day, and you know because each menu is stamped with the date. Let the food orgasm commence.

We started with toast with an organic pork belly confit, apple salad, and spiced prunes appetizer (left) and toast with bone marrow butter, radishes, and grey sea salt (right). Amazing. The pork belly confit was perfectly tender and well-suited with the apple salad and spiced prunes. The combination of salty, tangy, and sweet was heavenly. And the bone marrow butter (which I've never had before) was salty but balanced out by the radishes.

Main course: organic duck ragu, polenta, and grilled raddichio. This reminded me of a dish I had in Romania, except the polenta was less thick and more soup-like, and the meat was hearty but not overwhelming. Ben had wild boar, braised cabbage, roasted parsnips, and mustard. Jaclyn had wild hare, white beans, kale, and olive relish. I thought my duck ragu was the best.

And for dessert, I had apple crumble with vanilla custard. Self-explanatory. Best meal I've had in a long, long, long time.

Added Bonus: They have these little dessert digestifs that are small, light, and sweet. I had ginger cream, Jaclyn had cinnamon, and Ben had nut. He was really opposed to having a nut-flavored drink, but his ended up being the best. They were all delicious though.

Little Otik, Graefestraße 71, 10967 Berlin

Berlin: Buchstaben Museum (Letters Museum)

2010-12-13T06:44:00.000-05:00

The last time I really thought about the font of something was probably some time in the fifth grade when I had an obsession with Comic Sans. Since then, I haven't really thought about the importance of typography. I have however, since realized how ridiculous Comic Sans is.

Then I met Jaclyn, who introduced me to the influence, value, and insanity of typography. One may call her mildly obsessive. So when she invited me to a launch party at the Buchstaben Museum, I had to go.

This place is so cool. It's still a developing museum in its early stages, but it's already so interesting and has the potential to be even better. It houses vintage and recent signs from former and current buildings, train stations, shops, and more. Some are neon, some wooden, some broken, and some in perfect working condition. I told her that it was kind of creepy being in a room filled with so many random letters. She told me I was crazy.

Added Bonus: There is a U-Bahn sign. I wanted to steal this and use it as a coffee table.

Buchstaben Museum, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 13, 10178 Berlin

Berlin: Stille Helden (Silent Heroes)

2010-12-13T06:33:00.000-05:00

I have found that the best museums are the ones that are very specific. For example, museum about the Holocaust? Yeah, that will be interesting. But museum about German people who aided the Nazi resistance movement by saving Jews and other victims of persecution through various methods of secrecy, false documentation, and hiding? Much better.

Stille Helden, or Silent Heroes, is a small exhibit found in the German Resistance Memorial Center complex dedicated to exactly what I mentioned above. In fact, all the exhibits at the Gedenkstätte Deutscher Widerstand, German Resistance Memorial Center, focus on some action of National Socialist resistance. Silent Heroes is very small and includes nine shadowboxes that honor nine acts of resistance. There are also interactive computers for more thorough research. This exhibit addresses the difficulty of resisting the Nazis and shows exactly how much dedication, courage, money, and influence it takes.

Added Bonus: There is a shadowbox pillar dedicated to Oskar and Emilie Schindler. For those who watched Schindler's List and for those who haven't, this includes one of the earlier lists that Schindler compiled as well as the ring that the Schindler Jews created for him after their liberation.

This ring was fashioned out of dental gold from their own teeth. The inscription reads "The preservation of a single life is tantamount to preserving a whole world."

Gedenkstätte Stille Helden, Rosenthaler Straße 39, 10178 Berlin

Berlin: Reichstag Building

2010-12-09T06:15:00.001-05:00

All semester, I've been meaning to go to the Reichstag, but I kept putting it off. Then, terrorist threats starting popping up everywhere, so the Reichstag was closed to the public, and I wanted to kick myself because this always happens to me. Lesson learned: Do not put things off till later, because it might not be available later due to terrorist threats.

Fortunately, a wonderful staff member pulled some strings and organized a private group tour of the Reichstag. And I've got to say, it's one of the coolest buildings in Berlin. The Reichstag was the former governing body of the Holy Roman Empire and of Germany up until 1945. Germany is now governed by the parliamentary Bundestag, which operates out of the former Reichstag building. The building itself has been through many architectural changes over the past century and is now a beautiful union of past and present.

When the Soviets invaded Berlin and liberated the city at the end of World War II, they stormed the Reichstag and scratched graffiti all over the interiors. The graffiti was unintentionally preserved and is still visible in many parts of the building. Soviet soldiers has scrawled their names, the date, and their hometowns. Only two pieces of graffiti had to be removed for offensive content.

The Reichstag has a room of worship, which honors every religion. The architect who designed the room incorporated elements of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

There are also artistic representations of each religion lining the walls. These are made with wood, nails, and paint. They're pretty stunning.

This is a sensory map of Berlin for the blind. Every surface has a different texture so you can feel for different buildings and landmarks. I liked the way the Spree River feels...and that doesn't sound creepy at all.

This is the main chamber where the Bundestag meets. Fun Fact: The chairs were originally supposed to be gray, but the architect decided that it would be too depressing to have gray chairs in a gray room with gray tables and gray floor. So when choosing a color for the chairs, he was advised to select a color without any political affiliation. Therefore, he created "Reichstag blue," a combination of blue and purple, specifically for the chairs of this chamber.

Added Bonus: Visitors can sit in on Bundestag sessions as long as you contact the visitor center beforehand. Angela Merkel, here we come.

Reichstag Building

Berlin: Musikinstrumenten-Museum (Musical Instrument Museum)

2010-12-09T05:47:00.000-05:00

When I was younger, my mom forced me to play piano. And because I was a snooty little child and only wanted to play with Barbies, piano quickly became the bane of my existence. So she gave me the option of quitting in 8th grade, and my snooty little adolescent self gladly quit. But after seeing my sister and my best friend steadily improving at the piano, I became secretly jealous and realized how much I loved playing piano. So I picked it up again, and my snooty little self has been very happy ever since. However, piano recitals are still the bane of my existence and I despise them like a fat kid despises non-cake items.

Aside from recitals, I still love piano, which is why I loved the Musical Instrument Museum of Berlin so much. It houses an incredibly beautiful collection of hundreds of instruments from the 16th century and onward. There are so many antique pianos, guitars, violins, and other instruments that I've never seen before. Below are some of my favorites.

Musikinstrumenten-Museum, Tiergartenstraße 1, 10785 Berlin

Madrid: Mercado de San Miguel

2010-12-07T17:14:00.000-05:00

While visiting my beautiful friend, Jillian, in Madrid, she kept telling me that she wanted to take me to this really cool market place. I didn't quite understand what it was and it didn't sound all that appealing, and even when I saw it from the outside, it didn't look that cool. Once again, my non-believing self was proven very wrong.

Mercado de San Miguel is SO COOL. It is an indoor market place that has all sorts of stands with food, tapas, desserts, and coffee. People can eat lunch in there or grab food to go. There's a huge variety of things, and I could've easily spent more time there. We experimented with some chocolate things and also got little cups of coffee. Mercado de San Miguel is also a pretty classy place. It's very clean and the people eating there seem pretty fancy. I liked it.

Added Bonus: There's a stand that sells raw fish, including this one. How cool/gross/weird is that?

Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza Oriente, 3, 28013 Madrid

Bordeaux: Chateau du Taillan

2010-12-05T13:45:00.000-05:00

Because I wanted to practice my mediocre French, I decided to go to France. And because I wanted to see Sonia since we haven't been together since May, I decided to visit her in Paris. And because we both wanted to get our drank on, we decided to go to Bordeaux.

Upon arriving in Bordeaux, we made an appointment to have a tour of the Chateau du Taillan vineyard in the Le Taillon Médoc region. The Chateau du Taillan dates back to the 16th century and specializes in red wines, although they make white and rosé wines as well. We were lucky enough to have a private guided tour of the vineyard, including a very educational explanation of wine terminology. The vineyard was absolutely beautiful, especially since all the leaves were changing colors. And I now feel much more knowledgeable about wine making!

Wines must be kept in barrels under ground where they stay away from too much moisture, light, and other natural elements before being sold. Each of these barrels can only be used three times before they're no longer good for storing wine. These barrels contain wine from 2007, and every few months, a taste tester checks the progress of the wine.

Sonia and I had a cute little wine tasting session, complete with local hors d'oeuvres and bread. Yums. My favorite was La Dame Blanche, which is a fruity white wine made primarily from Sauvignon blanc grapes. They make 12,000 bottles of La Dame Blanche every year and it's one of their most popular.

Chateau du Taillan, 56 Avenue de la Croix, 33320 Le Taillan Médoc

Bordeaux: In Photographs

2010-12-05T10:05:00.000-05:00

Berlin: Berlin-Grunewald, Gleis 17

2010-12-05T06:39:00.000-05:00

Berlin-Grunewald is an operating metro station in Berlin that functions like any other station in Berlin, except that it is also a train station from which many Berlin Jews were deported to concentration camps, mostly Auschwitz, Theresienstadt, Ravensbrück, and Sachsenhausen. Gleis 17 (track 17) has been transformed into a memorial site and lists every train that left the platform with Berlin Jews.

Berlin: Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium)

2010-12-05T06:28:00.000-05:00

The current Olympic Stadium was designed by Werner March for the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Adolf Hitler had a strong voice in the design process and many National Socialist aesthetics can be seen in stadium. The stadium has since been used for the 1974 FIFA World Cup and concerts by people like Tina Turner and Paul McCartney.

Olympiastadion, the main stadium, was built on a the former Deutsches Stadion, which was built for the 1916 Summer Olympics (which were cancelled due to a little event called World War I).

Maifeld is a huge lawn that was created Olympic games, but also for future political events and government celebrations. It is here that Nazi aesthetics are truly visible.

The Olympic Bell used to reside in the former Bell Tower, which was destroyed during World War II. The Bell Tower was used as an observation deck, but also as a Nazi archive. Although the tower was destroyed, the Olympic Bell was saved and now serves as a memorial.

We also had a little fun of our own.

Olympiastadion

Berlin: Stasimuseum (Stasi Museum)

2010-12-01T13:59:00.000-05:00

The Stasi Museum is located in a complex of buildings that were former Stasi headquarters in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The Stasi Museum seeks to educate people on the workings of the Stasi (secret police) of the GDR and the political culture of the time. The museum is more of an exhibit than an actual museum because it's pretty small. Sadly, most of the signage was in German and Russian, so I couldn't read most of it. What I gathered from this museum is that virtually anything can be turned into a spy device.

Exhibit A: These are scent samples. The Stasi would hide foam in chairs, collect "scent samples" (I'm not sure if it's even really possible), use trained dogs to track down the scent, and attempt to find and arrest the person who were guilty of sitting in the chair, or whatever it was that he or she did.

Exhibit B: This is a brief case with a really intense camera/microphone system inside. There were also buttons, jackets, car doors, and other random things that had all been transformed into spy gadgets. The East German citizens lived in a state of constant fear of surveillance, and it comes as no surprise since every object was probably a hidden camera/microphone/foam piece for scent samples.

Stasimuseum, Ruschestraße 103, Haus 22, 10365 Berlin

Berlin: Knoblauchhaus (Garlic House)

2010-12-01T13:44:00.001-05:00

Our lovely German professor decided to take us on a field trip to the Knoblauchhaus at 10:00 am on a snowy, 16-degree Fahrenheit Wednesday morning. I definitely did not want to go.

But I went, and loved it. The Knoblauchhaus is a 19th century apartment that survived the bombings of World War II. It has since been transformed into a museum with items and artifacts from the 19th century. It's called the Garlic House because the Knoblauch (Garlic) family used to live here.

Berlin is one of the best places to be to learn about history through museums, but more often than not, museums talk about war history and it can be rather overwhelming. And as much as I love military history, it was so refreshing to see a non-war museum. The Knoblauchhaus gives you a glimpse into the life of ordinary Germans prior to any world wars, and it definitely brings you back in time.

All the furniture and objects are so interesting and so different. The museum has a piano, writing desks, book shelves, original documents, paintings, clothing, a stuffed cat, and all sorts of other fun trinkets. And people know how much I love fun trinkets.

Knoblauchhaus, Poststraße 23, 10178 Berlin

Berlin: Kauf Dich Glücklich (Buy You Happy)

2010-12-01T13:29:00.000-05:00

My recent obsession has been waffles and anything you can put on a waffle. Kauf Dich Glücklich, loosely translated as "buy you happy," sells waffles and things you can put on waffles. I can certainly buy happiness here.

And it gets better. Kauf Dich Glücklich makes not only waffles, but also crepes, coffee, tea, iced coffee, and ice cream. The waffles are so fresh, warm, not too thick, and you can put virtually anything on it. I got mine with bananas and caramel.

The cafe itself is also adorable. The old, mismatched furniture, the squishy sofas, and the art in shadowboxes all add to this cozy little world, safe from the biting cold that has attacked Berlin. Whoever said you can't buy happiness definitely needs a waffle.

Added Bonus: There is a boutique in the back of the cafe that sells really cute clothes, purses, accessories, and shoes. It's a little pricey, but they have pretty incredible sales. I bought a purse for ten euros. Once again, happiness is for sale here.

Kauf Dich Glücklich, Oderbergerstraße 44, 10435 Berlin

Berlin: Topographies des Terrors (Topography of Terror)

2010-11-30T14:29:00.000-05:00

One of the many reasons why I wanted to study abroad in Berlin was to attempt to quench my insatiable thirst for Holocaust history. One of the many, many incredible accounts of Holocaust history is documented here at the Topography of Terror Museum.

The Topography of Terror Museum is dedicated specifically to the history of the Holocaust in Berlin. The museum is located in the former headquarters of the Gestapo and SS, which makes it that much more compelling. Many operations of terror and oppression were first developed in the offices of this building. The museum has a very extensive collection of photographs and primary documents, and it delivers a very thorough account of this period of history. Furthermore, it focuses on very specific aspects of the Holocaust in Berlin, such as the T4 Actions, concentration sites in Berlin, and the criminalization of sexual relationships between Jews and non-Jews. The Topography of Terror is definitely one of the best Holocaust museums I've ever visited because it is so specific, yet covers a wide range of topics. It's definitely a large space with a lot of information, so give yourself plenty of time to explore, and don't be surprised if you're absolutely drained afterwards.

Two photographs were particularly striking to me:

These are SS men and female auxiliaries who worked at the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. This photo was taken at a mountain retreat in Sola-Hütte, just thirty kilometers outside of Auschwitz. Look at how happy they are.

The caption of this photo reads "The private sphere in times of dictatorship: German vacation fun with swastikas." Make what you will of it.

Added Bonus: The museum is completely free.

Topographie des Terrors, Niederkirchnerstraße 8, 10963 Berlin

Berlin: Soviet War Memorial at Treptower Park

2010-11-30T14:02:00.000-05:00

Just when I started thinking that I knew Berlin and that I'd seen most of the big sites, the Soviet War Memorial decided to show up.

My Sociological Theory professor decided to take us to the Soviet War Memorial at Treptower Park (not to be confused with the Soviet War Memorial at Tiergarten) because we were studying Hannah Arendt, totalitarianism, and power complexes. The Soviet War Memorial was erected by the Soviets after they invaded Germany and claimed their portion of Berlin after World War II. The memorial honors all the Soviet soldiers that died in Berlin and definitely includes many Soviet totalitarian themes. 80,000 Soviet soldiers are buried at the memorial and in the surrounding areas of the park.

My lovely professor took us at 10:00 am on a chilly, quiet November morning and while I was initially put off at the thought of having to wake up early and schlep over to Treptower Park, I completely understand her reasoning. She enjoys the site most when there are few people around and when it is cold, wet, and quiet. The sheer size of the memorial is further magnified when the place is empty. And a very somber, reverent, and austere environment is present when you stand there alone, contemplating the millions of lives lost during World War II in the name of "democracy." The memorial is certainly a very controversial site, as many memorials are, because it commemorates a regime that liberated Berlin, only to occupy and oppress the German land and people. The Soviet War Memorial is definitely one of the most powerful and compelling sites of Berlin, and definitely one of my favorites places in the city.

Berlin: Mein Haus am See (My House at the Lake)

2010-11-24T14:40:00.002-05:00

Once again, my wonderful, coffee-loving friend, Jaclyn, has discovered another amazing cafe in Berlin. Behold...

there's Ben, looking sharp as usual

Mein Haus am See is a cafe by day/bar by night with one of the coolest set-ups I've seen in a long time. There's a set of mirrored stairs in the back of the cafe and people can sit on giant, comfy pillows on the steps. There's all sorts of interesting, bizarre artwork and lighting along the walls. A floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with books galore sits against one of the walls. It's a great place to work alone or to chat with friends. Definitely one of my favorite cafes in Berlin.

Added Bonus: There is free WiFi and it's open 24/7. What could be better?

Mein Haus am See, Brunnenstraße 197/198, 10119 Berlin

Berlin: Fortunato

2010-11-23T05:52:00.000-05:00

I am absolutely obsessed with crazy stationery. My friends can certainly testify to that because I am probably one of the last people on earth to still write handwritten letters, and I always use weird cracked- out stationery. It makes everything more fun.

So you can imagine my extreme delight when we stumbled upon this stationery/random knick knack store. Fortunato sells cards, journals, photo albums, postcards, and other fun things. The shop itself is so cute, and everything in it is even cuter. And many of their things are handmade by women in Tibet, which explains why things are little bit pricier than you may expect. I bought a journal and a gift for my sister.

Then we ended up having a lovely conversation with the sales lady. Turns out that one of her best friends lives in a small town in California about thirty minutes away from my small town in California. And she knew of my small town, and no one ever knows it. People from California don't know it, but this random lady in Berlin does.

Added Bonus: They also make the cutest personalized greeting cards and personalized boxes for random things. You can choose your own patterns and the words that go with it. After I found this out, I spent a good ten minutes thinking about all the things I could make into cards and boxes.

Fortunato, Grimmstraße 19, 10967 Berlin

Berlin: St. George's Bookstore

2010-11-23T05:25:00.000-05:00

Lucky for me, most people in Berlin speak English. This is good because I speak a minimal amount of German. Ja.

Also lucky for me, there is an adorable English bookstore in Prenzlauer Berg right near school. St. George's carries used and new books in every genre. Unlike many used bookstores, your chances of finding exactly what you're looking for are pretty high. And there is an enormous section on German history, all in English of course.

I bought The Company They Keep, but I bought it new for thirteen euros because I was stupid and didn't think about looking for a cheaper, used version. I kicked myself pretty hard after I realized. Used books usually start somewhere around five euros.

Added Bonus: The guy who works there is wonderful, so helpful, and has an awesome British accent. And he's funny.

St. George's Bookshop, Wörtherstraße 27, 10405 Berlin

Berlin: Eiscafé Napoljonska

2010-11-19T06:10:00.000-05:00

I have this thing where I'm really good at directions when I'm by myself and I have to find my own way around. But when I'm with other people, I never pay attention to directions because a) I'm engulfed in stimulating discussion, and b) they're usually paying attention to directions. So when I'm with other people, I seem completely directionally retarded, but I swear I'm not. But no one will ever know.

So that side note was relevant to the story because I got lost a billion times trying to find this place, but I swear I'm good at directions. Eventually I found it, and all the wasted hours spent wandering around Berlin were well worth it. Eiscafé Napoljonska was described to me as an adorable, dollhouse of a cafe. And that's pretty much what it is. It's a very cute, intimate cafe with coffee, waffles, crepes, and cakes. Everything is delicious and adorable. I had a cold glass of a milk and sugar and cinnamon crepe. Yums.

Kastianienallee 43, 10119 Berlin

Istanbul: Archaeological Museum

2010-11-19T05:42:00.000-05:00

You know when you agree to do something you don't really want to do and it ends up being awesome? And you know how that rarely happens? Well it happened...at the Archaeological Museum in Istanbul, to be specific.

The Archaeological Museum in Istanbul has a really great reputation, but I had pretty much no desire to go because I'm not really interested in archaeology or the type of old, classical art that would be present at the museum. But this place seriously phenomenal because it has so many really, really old things. Archaeological Museum, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

1. There is a statue of a lion that comes from the original Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. That building definitely doesn't exist anymore, but this lion still does.

2. There is a preserved human skeleton found in one of the many sarcophagi.

3. There are so many sarcophagi, and other sorts of tombs and burial storage units. They're hauntingly beautiful and incredibly crafted.

4. There are busts and statues of everyone who was anyone in Greek and Roman mythology and history.

Archaeological Museum

Istanbul: Topkapı Palace

2010-11-17T14:23:00.002-05:00

After visiting the Topkapı Palace, I fell in love with Turkish aesthetics.

The Topkapı Palace once housed four hundred years of Ottoman Sultan, his Grand Viziers, and all his other advisors. Yes, it sounds like Aladdin. Now, the Palace is just another place for tourists to run around in. It's on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (bonus points) for its stunning architecture as well as the many treasures it holds.

In addition to being big and beautiful, the Topkapı palace also has all sorts of trinkets, robes, manuscripts, and treasure. There is also a big fat diamond that is one of the world's largest diamonds, but was originally mistaken as an ordinary rock.

My favorite room was the Library of the Privy Chamber (fourth photo), which is this small, intimate room reserved solely for the purpose of storing books and reading them. Big, comfortable floor couches line the walls, there are many windows for natural light, and there is so much room for so many books!!!

Added Bonus: There are all these hollow trees on the palace grounds because they got infected with a fungus that eats away at the tree's innards. We had some photo fun with these trees.

Not-Added-Bonus: This place is so ridiculously crowded that you actually stand still for a few minutes at a time while waiting for all the Asian tourists to get out of your way. Definitely give yourself a solid amount of time to see the entire place and don't go while in a bad mood, or else you might throw someone off the terrace balcony.

Istanbul: Grand Bazaar

2010-11-17T13:04:00.000-05:00

The Grand Bazaar is one big fat, insane, claustrophobic, loud, labyrinth of a tourist trap. Go.

The Grand Bazaar is the largest indoor bazaar in Istanbul. It's certainly overrated, more expensive than one would imagine, and rather overwhelming. People stand outside their shops, yelling at you, telling you to buy their crap. And for Turkish natives, they know that the Grand Bazaar is not the best and cheapest place to go for your shopping.

With that being said, it's definitely worth seeing purely for the experience. And they do sell all sorts of unique and beautiful things, like jewelry, pottery, and other fun knick knacks. It's great for buying small presents for all those annoying cousins you might have. Just kidding, I love you guys.

Added Bonus: You can definitely bargain with shopkeepers. Don't buy anything for the original price.

Grand Bazaar

Istanbul: Hagia Sophia

2010-11-16T12:36:00.002-05:00

I remember learning about the Hagia Sophia in my 10th grade European History class. I also remember my naive, 15-year old self thinking, "So, I need to know about this building because I'm going to be tested on it, but [um/like] is it really that important? Because I'd really rather be at the beach right now." I'd like to think that I've grown up a little bit since then...

...because all of a sudden, I found my 20-year old self in Istanbul, staying in a hostel five minutes away from the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapı Palace, and so many other monuments that are regarded as some of the most culturally and historically significant in the entire world.

The Hagia Sophia was originally built as a church, was then converted into a mosque, and is now a museum. It took just under six years to build, but this building is enormous and so beautiful, especially from the inside. It was destroyed multiple times, reconstructed multiple times, and currently under the process of restoration again (hence the annoying scaffolding). The interior aesthetics are absolutely stunning, and all the color and details in every part of the building are truly phenomenal. The remaining mosaics are still partially intact, and they are so beautiful. Additionally, the Hagia Sophia has witnessed centuries of religious, political, historical, and social change, and it's still here... just five minutes away from my hostel.

I do have one complaint, but it's not even really a complaint because I don't really know how one would go about fixing it. Because the Hagia Sophia is such a popular and important destination, it is filled with so so so SO MANY PEOPLE. I left feeling like I had been herded around like a cow for an hour. Moo. And all the people inside really take away from the quiet, reverent ambiance that you would hope to find inside.

Bucharest: In Photographs

2010-11-09T16:53:00.000-05:00

Bucharest has only been a democracy for twenty years, so there is still much evidence of its communist past. This is one of the many reasons why I found Bucharest to be one of the scariest places I've visited. It's really not a tourist city and the natives aren't used to seeing foreigners, so we were definitely easy targets for cat calls and stares. We still managed to have a pretty great time though. See below...

Piata Charles de Gaulle

0 kilometer mark

Casa Poporului (Parliament Palace)

on the Parliament Palace balcony
where Michael Jackson stood

Memorial of Rebirth: honors the
1989 Romanian Revolution

Memorial of Rebirth

Brasov: In Photographs

2010-11-09T16:18:00.001-05:00

Brasov trying to be Hollywood?

Brasov: La Republique

2010-11-09T15:56:00.000-05:00

I will do pretty much anything for crepes. So when we had only one morning in Brasov and found out that there was a crepe place, that's pretty much all we committed ourselves to.

I ordered a savory crepe (cheese, peppers, ham) and a sweet crepe (chocolate, almonds, love). Chances are, you probably won't ever find yourself in Brasov, but in case you do, go to La Republique. That is all.

Republicii 33, Brasov

Budapest: In Photographs

2010-11-09T15:48:00.000-05:00

St. Stephen's Basilica

inside St. Stephen's Basilica

Memorial of the Hungarian Jewish Martyrs
at the Dohany Street Synagogue

Opera House

Soviet War Memorial

Chain Bridge

Buda

grabbing horse balls because supposedly it's lucky

Buda Palace

Parliament Building

conference hall in the Parliament Building

Buda Palace

UNESCO World Heritage Site: the view from Buda

Chain Bridge at night

Hero's Square

Szoda: a bar with crazy anime ceilings

Auguszt: cutest cafe ever

Budapest: Holokauszt Emlékközpont (Holocaust Memorial Center)

2010-11-09T15:03:00.001-05:00

To oppose the House of Terror, I present the Holocaust Memorial Center. Hands down one of the best Holocaust museums I've ever been to, and I've been to a lot of Holocaust museums. It kind of happens when you spend a semester in Germany...

The Holocaust Memorial Center honors Hungarian Holocaust victims, Jewish and otherwise. It does a fantastic job of outlining Hungarian history leading up to World War II and providing insight into Holocaust history specific to Hungary. Hungary was really abusive and abused during the 20th century. Anti-Semitism in Hungary arose even before the National Socialist invasion. And the country was liberated by the Soviets, only to be occupied again by its liberators. The Holocaust Memorial Center shows a very sad and very dark period of history in a country that is often overlooked.

This is one of the more gruesome and horrifying Holocaust exhibits I've seen. A large portion of the museum focuses on Auschwitz because many Auschwitz prisoners were Hungarian. Also, most of the museum is very dark with dark walls and dim lighting. The only part of the museum with white walls and bright lights is one section that tells stories of courage and hope in Nazi Hungary.

Added Bonus: When I visited, the temporary exhibit focused on Numerus Clausus, which was a law that prevented Jews from attending universities. It was one of the first anti-Semitic laws in 20th century Europe and the first in HUngary. Hungary's anti-Semitic tendencies progressed much faster than anywhere else in Europe, but most people don't know that.

Holokauszt Emlékközpont, 1094 Budapest, 39 Páva St. Hungary

Budapest: Terror Háza (House of Terror)

2010-11-09T14:33:00.001-05:00

I'm going to start by saying that I really didn't like the House of Terror. However, I'm very pleased that I went. Let me elaborate...

The House of Terror is located on 60 Andrássy, an address synonymous with one of Hungary's darkest periods of history. 60 Andrássy is the location of the former headquarters of both the Nazi regime and the communist regime in Hungary. Many cruel decisions were made in this building and many people were tortured in the underground chambers, which makes this building inherently creepy and historically significant.

Therefore, my biggest critique of the House of Terror is that it appeals to tourists too much by making the building gaudier than it needs to be. Because the building is already filled with so much terrifying history, it doesn't need to be made even more terrifying/tacky with loud music and red walls. The pure simplicity of being in the building alone while understanding what took place there is enough to frighten anyone. Don't make it cheesy. Additionally, many of the quotes and labels are in Hungarian but not in English, which made it very difficult for me to appreciate many parts of the museum.

Nevertheless, the House of Terror does a decent job of educating its guests on the many aspects of National Socialism and communism in 20th century Hungary. Also, because I felt that the House of Terror was so poorly done, it has made me really appreciate well-curated museums. It makes a world of difference.

Terror Háza, 1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 60

Budapest: Molnar's Kürtöskalács

2010-10-28T16:59:00.000-04:00

You know when you see free food samples outside some place and you desperately want to grab one or two or fifty, but too many people are shuffling around and you can't make a decision fast enough, so the opportunity passes and you hate yourself? Yeah, that happened.

But on the way back, we we made an effort to pass by the bakery that Jaclyn named the "Twirly Place" in order to sample their goods. And they were so delicious that we, once again, made a point to pass by the bakery to have a cup of coffee and a twirly. The things I do for food...

It turns out that what we called a "twirly" is actually a kürtőskalács, which is a Hungarian festival cake often eaten at weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations. It's a baked pastry covered in sugar, toasted on a wooden spit, and sprinkled with toppings like cinnamon, vanilla, and almonds. The pastry is soft and warm, the caramelized sugar makes a crispy crust, and the toppings add more sweetness. My favorite was the cinnamon kind.

Molnar's Kürtöskalács is wonderful because it is half bake shop, half coffee shop. We had cafe lattes with our fresh made kürtöskalács, which might possibly be one of the best food combinations of all time. Molnar's definitely made our Budapest highlights list.

Added Bonus: Through the store front window, you can watch a man making the twirlies. It looks pretty fun.

Molnar's Kürtöskalács, 1052 Budapest, Váci utca 31.

Budapest: Walk Up to Buda Castle

2010-10-27T13:11:00.000-04:00

The city of Budapest is divided by the Danube River into two parts, Buda and Pest. Buda is the hilly side and there are a number of ways to the top. You can drive up, bike up, take the lift up, or walk up. Being the cheap students that we are, we opted for the walk up. One of the better decisions we made...

This is the 0 kilometer mark from which all
distances in Budapest are measured.

Added Bonus: The view from the top is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Budapest: Széchenyi Bath

2010-10-26T14:30:00.002-04:00

We were definitely hesitant about trying a bath house in Budapest because we didn't know much about bath culture. Do we wear bathing suits? Do we go naked? Do men and women use separate baths? Do men and women use the same baths? Do we all have to be naked? Don't boys have cooties?

But we met a lovely little British family that highly recommended trying a bath. So one evening, we ventured off to the Széchenyi Bath, expecting the best and the worst.

Upon arrival, we bought tickets and found ourselves more and more overwhelmed. People in bathing suits, people naked, and people somewhere in between were running around everywhere. It took at least ten minutes to figure out how the lockers worked. And we didn't think to bring our own towels or flip flops. But once we stepped outside and into the beautifully lit pools, our silly worries floated away.

In the first outdoor pool, we got caught in a giant whirlpool and someone's bathing suit may or may not have come off. Then we found these bubbling patches that spew water from invisible vents. In the second outdoor pool, the water is so hot that you can see the steam rising from the surface and it looks like a smoke screen against dim lights. Then, there are indoor baths all set at different temperatures. We definitely preferred the outdoor pools because the indoor ones smelled a little funky.

Social interactions at the bath house are so interesting to watch. The baths draw people of all ages from all places. It's a very sociable environment, both romantic and friendly. We never once worried about hygiene or inappropriate behavior. And we wondered why America didn't have places like this, then realized that everyone would pee in the pools and it'd be gross.

The Széchenyi Bath House is the largest one in Budapest with 15 individual baths as well as spa services. I highly recommend going, especially after dark when the lights go on. It's so soothing to be in a steaming pool on cool, autumn night. Definitely one of my favorite memories of Budapest.

Added Bonus: The bath waters come from hot springs below Budapest. They're filled with all sorts of minerals that sooth aching joints, headaches, and other gross things.

Széchenyi Bath, 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 11

Budapest: Mozaik Tea House

2010-10-25T07:30:00.001-04:00

The best places are always the ones that you unexpectedly stumble upon and spontaneously decide to enter after an exhausting day of waltzing around Budapest without knowing a thing about it. This is how we discovered Mozaik Tea House.

We passed by this small hole-in-the-wall cafe that looked both tiny and boring. For the millionth time, how very wrong we were. The Mozaik Tea House is a small cafe with a dark, cozy upstairs seating area (my new favorite thing = upstairs seating). There are pillows on the floor for sitting, hookah pipes for smoking, and all sorts of unique teas and coffees for drinking. I had a marzipan tea and a coconut latte macchiato, both delicious.

The crowd is the artsy, intellectual, attractive type. The atmosphere is the intimate, relaxing, let's-talk-about-life type. The drinks are the yummy type. And there was also a dog walking around, asking to be loved. It couldn't have been better, unless the waiter handed me a million dollars.

Added Bonus: When paying at the counter, there's a set of die. If you roll three sixes, your entire bill is free. We got two sixes, which is already more than I could've asked for. And our entire bill came out to be about 2,000 Hungarian forints, which comes out to about 7.30 euros, which comes out to about 10.25 US dollars for four drinks. I love Budapest.

Mozaik Tea Haz, 1061 Budapest, Király u. 18.

Anywhere: If You Have Food In Your Fridge...

2010-10-24T16:58:00.000-04:00

Being accosted by gypsy children in Romania really puts your life in perspective. So does this poster...

Potsdam: Gardens at Sanssouci

2010-10-14T03:28:00.001-04:00

Yet another awesme day in the life of a study abroad student. With my architecture class, we traveled just outside of Berlin to Potsdam, where the Sanssouci Palace sits. The Sanssouci Palace was built by Frederick II aka Frederick the Great, who was known as a ruthless military leader as well as an intellectual and philosopher. He commissioned the palace and named it in reference to the French phrase sans souci, which means "without worries."

Our professor said that many people consider Sanssouci to be like an amusement park for growns-ups with all the fluff and grandeur, but he disagrees. He believes that Sanssouci is a true meeting point for all cultures. Frederick the Great recognized and appreciated the cultures of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Every building and every tree commemorates this worldly union in some way.

I still think the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen were those at Powerscourt in Dublin, but these at Sanssouci make a close second. It was a beautiful sunny day, the air was so clean and refreshing, and all the foliage made for an incredibly relaxing walk. I also found a doorway that fits me perfectly. I'm about five feet tall...more or less.

The palace itself (last photograph) is rather modest in comparison to other buildings on the palace grounds. It is only one story high, but set atop a stacked hill that is layered with fig trees and grape vines. The feeling of climbing up to the palace is meant to inspire awe in forcing the visitor to overcome himself before seeing the palace.

Berlin: Museum für Fotografie (Museum of Photography)

2010-10-13T05:15:00.000-04:00

I used to dream about working in the fashion industry until I got the chance to do so and decided that I couldn't spend the rest of my life stressing about jackets and shoes. Yet, I still love and very much admire the creative ability of those working in the industry, which is one of the many reasons why I loved the Museum für Fotografie.

The first permanent collection is titled "Helmut Newton's Private Property" and contains pretty much just that. Helmut Newton was a very influential and controversial fashion photographer who was best known for photographing nude women, adequately termed "porno chic." He died in a car accident in 2004, but his memory lives on through this exhibit. There is a very extensive collection of his personal belongings (letters, passports, clothing) as well as many of his published books, photographs, and communications with people like Anna Wintour. My favorite portion of the exhibit was the collection of condolence letters sent to his wife after his death. Definitely a must for fashion aficionados.

The second permanent exhibit is a collection of Alice Spring's photographs. June Newton, wife of Helmut Newton, often photographed under the pen name of Alice Spring. Less of a fashion photographer, she captured many of the most stunning portraits I've ever seen. While her subjects include many of fashion's biggest names (Andre Leon Talley, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent), she also photographed others, both celebrity and ordinary. She has the incredible ability of capturing her subject's personalities through photography. Every photo is a work of art, but together, they are a tour de force.

The final, temporary exhibit is titled "Mikrofotografie." By retracing the history of scientific photography of microscopic particles, the exhibit presents a fusion of art and science. My favorite photographs from this exhibit were a group of twelve photographs of different types of pollen. All are different shapes and colors, and are simultaneously geometric and organic (shown above).

Added Bonus: The museum shop is half museum shop and half bookstore. There is a pretty great selection of fashion books, photography books, and art books. Anything for the artsy-fartsy type can be found there.

Museum für Fotografie, Jebensstraße 2, 10623 Berlin

Berlin: Luzia

2010-10-10T11:53:00.000-04:00

We have officially decided that Luzia draws the best looking crowd in Kreuzberg. If that's not an attention grabber, I don't know what is. Read on...

Luzia is a cafe in the day time with outdoor street seating. At night, it transforms into a dimly lit and very romantic, yet fun bar. In the middle of the space, there is a tiny door that leads to a tiny room with just a few chairs and tables. In this tiny room, there is a tiny staircase that leads up to a tiny loft that has a normal sized bed...for sitting, I guess?

Someone told me that this loft was designed by a semi-famous set director that wanted to recreate the urban romance of Berlin in that loft. If this is indeed true, I appreciate and understand his attempt, but in my humble opinion, I think he sort of failed. The loft just looks like a sketchy room with an old bed that makes you not want to think about what has happened there. It's a very creative idea though.

Luzia tends to draw a diverse group of people, particularly foreigners, but not "tourists." In one night, we met people from Denmark, New Zealand, and Austria, and they were all a lot of fun to talk to. The people who frequent Luzia also seem to be more of the artsy type, intellectual and stylish. And yes, they're all good looking. The foreigners, the bartenders, all of them.

Added Bonus: The mojitos and white Russians are really phenomenal.

P.S. I apologize for the poor quality of the photo. It really doesn't do the place justice. I don't even know why I put it up.

Luzia; Oranienstrasse 34, 10999 Berlin

Berlin: East Side Gallery

2010-10-08T05:22:00.004-04:00

The East Side Gallery is a 1.3 kilometer stretch of the Berlin Wall that has been preserved and painted as a memorial. Over a hundred individual paintings decorate this part of the wall. The paintings were commissioned in 1990. The East Side Gallery was one of the first sites I visited in Berlin and I consider it to be one of the most hauntingly beautiful parts of this magnificent city.

East Side Gallery

Berlin: Hasir

2010-10-07T15:38:00.000-04:00

For everyone from California and everyone who wants to be from California: think about all the reasons why you love In-n-Out hamburgers. The döner kebap is basically the In-n-Out hamburger of Berlin. Enough said? I think so.

The Kreuzberg neighborhood in Berlin is home to many Turkish immigrants, who have brought along much of their local culture and cuisine. And lucky for us, their food is delicious. Hasir is one of the more famous Turkish restaurants in Kreuzberg, and their most famous dish is definitely the döner kebab.

A döner consists of a toasted thick flat bread filled with lamb meat, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, a yogurt sauce, and a curry sauce. At Hasir, a döner is 2.50 euros. It's yums. And we go around saying, "I really want a döner right now" and it sounds kind of inappropriate, but it's totally not. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Hasir, Adalbertstraße 10, 10999 Berlin

Berlin: House of the Wannsee Conference

2010-10-04T07:35:00.006-04:00

One of the best things about studying abroad is the easy access to so many important historical and cultural sites. This means plenty of incredible field trips. For my 20th century German history course, we took a morning trip to Wannsee (pronounced vahn-zay) to visit the house-turned-museum where the Wannsee Conference took place.

The Wannsee Conference was the 1942 conference where many high-ranking Nazi officials decided the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question." By then, many concentration camps had already been established. At the conference, Nazi officials really focused their strategy and made sure that all senior officers knew exactly what was going on so no one could claim ignorance of the subject later.

After World War II and starting 1965, a former Auschwitz prisoner named Joseph Wulf pushed for the establishment of a museum at the Wannsee house. After 18 published books on the subject and years of fruitless efforts, he killed himself because of his frustration with Germany's reactions to the Holocaust. It wasn't until 1992 that the house became a museum and a Holocaust memorial.

The museum is intriguing because it presents the Holocaust mostly from the point of view of the perpetrators. It has an extensive collection of Nazi documents, film and audio clips, and photographs from camps and ghettos. Ironically, the Wannsee house itself is very beautiful and located in a stunning neighborhood. It is one of the best Holocaust museums I've ever seen.

At the end of the museum, there is a small gallery called "The Presence of the Past" dedicated to Holocaust victims. The walls are lined with quotes from specific individuals. My personal favorite was said by Primo Levi, a very famous Jewish-Italian writer who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp.

"I felt as if everyone should ask us questions, read from our faces who we were and humbly listen to our story. But no one looked us in the eye, no one took up the challenge. They were deaf, dumb and blind, shut inside their ruins as if in a fortress of deliberate ignorance, still strong, still able to hate and to despise, still trapped and caught up in a web of arrogance and guilt."

Haus der Wannsee-Konference, Großen Wannsee 56-58, 14109 Berlin

Munich: Oktoberfest

2010-10-04T06:59:00.006-04:00

I will be completely honest and say that I spent all of about thirty minutes at Oktoberfest. So my assessment of the event may not be very fair, but here goes.

Oktoberfest can go down in one of two ways:
1. You have the time of your life drinking beer, eating sausage, meeting random Germans, singing, dancing, laughing, and other things you might have seen in Beerfest.
2. You don't have the time of your life because it's so crowded, dirty, drunk, loud, and other things that make you develop claustrophobia.

My personal experience was a little closer to option two, which is why we only stayed for thirty minutes. However, I know plenty of people who experienced option one, so I do believe that the experience is definitely worth the effort. Oktoberfest is the largest tourist attraction in the entire world, attracting about six million people every year. There has to be a reason why people keep coming back.

Oktoberfest is like one giant carnival, filled with rides, food, drinks, and so many people. The festivities spill outside of the fair grounds to the train stations, the restaurants, and all public spaces in Munich. Anywhere you go, you can find big groups of people wearing lederhosen and drinking liters of beer.

One thing I really liked about Oktoberfest is the Lebkuchenherzen tradition. Lebkuchenherzen are gingerbread heart cookies (see above) usually decorated with romantic phrases. People give them to their sweethearts and wear them around their necks. After seeing them everywhere, Simon and I decided to buy one because we really wanted to eat it. After discovering that it tasted like styrofoam, we learned that these gingerbread hearts are meant to be saved over time, not eaten. So we were left with a sad, disgusting, partially-eaten cookie. This is probably why I didn't like Oktoberfest.

Munich: BMW Museum

2010-09-29T07:08:00.009-04:00

I went to the BMW Museum with my friend, Simon, and we had a great time for two reasons. One, we used almost every car/motorcycle/chair/table/inanimate object to practice our modeling skills (see below). Simon was much better than I was. Two, we spent a decent amount of time following around a very good looking boy, who was probably twice our size and half our age. Just kidding, but not really.

Because the BMW Museum is indeed funded by BMW, it's less of a museum and more of a life-size advertisement for BMW. That being said, it's a pretty epic "museum", even for people who don't love cars. The BMW Museum holds vintage cars, motorcycles, engines, and that sort of thing. Additionally, there is the BMW Welt, which is a showcase of all the current European models. It's really cool seeing all these sleek, expensive cars right next to older models. The architectural and interior design of the museum is pretty stunning. The use of interactive technology is also very impressive.

My only wish is that the museum discussed more on how the company was affected by 20th century events. It mentioned briefly that the BMW factory used forced laborers, including concentration camp inmates, during WWII, but did not at all elaborate on this fact. Instead, every exhibit mentions something about BMW creating an identity through luxury, design, class, and some other vague marketing terms. I bet if they added a BMW dealership next to the "museum," it would make bank. I also think they should start using us in their advertising campaigns.

this is a Sharon-sized car

Added Bonus: There is also a BMW Factory, which is supposed to be epic. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go because tickets must be reserved in advance.

BMW Museum, Petuelring 130, 80809 Munich

Mittenwald: Hiking

2010-09-29T06:44:00.006-04:00

While visiting Munich, I stayed with a friend in Mittenwald, which is a quintessential German village two hours outside of Munich. It was like being on the fictional, animated set of Snow White. We were walking around, saying, "IS THIS REAL LIFE?!?!?!," David-after-the-dentist style.

Mittenwald (population approximately 7,500) is historically famous for violin making because the altitude is perfect for growing trees that are strong enough for violins. Now, the town imports wood from around the world, but still produces many skilled violin makers.

The name "Mittenwald" literally translates as "middle of the forest." Mittenwald is located between mountains and is surrounded by trees. This means beautiful hiking trails and stunning views. The natural life and scenery in Mittenwald is so incredibly breathtaking, it was like walking through a calendar. Once again, IS THIS REAL LIFE?!?!? While there isn't much else to do in Mittenwald, the hikes and violin history are enough to draw tourists from all around.

Interesting Fact: Even though Mittenwald is so beautiful and adorable, it actually has a rather high suicide rate.

Berlin: Zur Letzten Instanz (For the Last Instance)

2010-09-20T16:31:00.004-04:00

As silly American students wanting to integrate into local culture, we're always in search of so-called "authentic" German cuisine. I give kudos to my friend, Jaclyn, for noticing this average-looking German restaurant on a small street near Alexanderplatz. Turns out it's not so average after all.

Zur Letzten Instanz is the oldest pub in Berlin, dating back to 1621. The restaurant and the building in which it's located both have a rich history. For being the "oldest pub in Berlin," it hardly draws attention by advertising itself in that way. And there were no tourists there, except for us, of course.

Even richer than its history is its food. Lunch here was one of the best meals I've had in Berlin so far. I strongly strongly strongly (yes I said it three times) recommend the Verhandlungs-Pause, which consists of a meatball with gravy, cooked vegetables, and fried potatoes. Every bite is filled with so much flavor and the all the parts complement each other so well. It's very filling and rather heavy, but so delicious. For dessert, they gave us these coconut cream cake things, which were perfectly light and sweet. Major food baby at the conclusion of this meal. It was such a great find that we had to take millions of pictures of everything we ate. So much for integrating into local culture.

Added Bonus: In the summer, they open up an outdoor seating area that my friends deemed a worthy "date spot," but appropriate for all of course!

Zur Letzten Instanz, Waisenstrasse 14-16, 10179 Berlin

Weimar: Buchenwald

2010-09-19T12:08:00.002-04:00

Buchenwald is one of the largest Nazi concentration camps in Germany and the first to be liberated by American troops. Approximately 56,000 people were killed here.

Buchenwald is located just outside of Weimar, a small town south of Berlin. Weimar is considered to be a German cultural center because it was once home to some of Germany's greatest artists and intellectuals, including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Johann Sebastian Bach. It is now a place of irony because no where else in Germany are pride and humility so closely located.

I've been to one other concentration camp before, but there are three things that I found particularly specific to Buchenwald. Firstly, after Buchenwald was liberated, the American troops forced 1,000 Weimar inhabitants to march through the camp to see the atrocities that had taken place. The Weimar locals were well aware that a camp was located within reach, but there is much debate and controversy regarding the extent of their knowledge. Our tour guide told us that he had once met a woman who was one of the thousand that was forced to see the piles of human bodies. However, she said that these people were just killed and Buchenwald had already been liberated for three days, so she claims that the American troops had killed more prisoners after liberating the camp for the purpose of further guilting the local residents. I don't know whether or not this is true, but it was the first time I had heard this story.

Secondly, Buchenwald also has a small exhibit that displays the artwork of prisoners. Art was difficult to come by because the prisoners lacked art supplies and specific renditions of the camp could be dangerous and risky. I didn't know that camp prisoners made art and this was the first time that I had seen any drawings or paintings like this. Most pieces are portraits, and they are phenomenal and beautiful but haunting.

Thirdly, the entrance gate to Buchenwald is marked by the words "Jedem das Seine" (second photo), which can be literally translated into "to each his own." However, the phrase connotes "everyone gets what he or she deserves."

Buchenwald Memorial

Berlin: Tranny Olympics at Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke

2010-09-19T11:36:00.003-04:00

I have no idea how my friends heard about this event, but all week we've been talking about going to the so called "Tranny Olympics" at a karaoke bar in Berlin. And this is how I ended up chilling with trannies.

I don't know what Monster Ronson's is like at any other time, but on this fateful Saturday night, it was hosting the Tranny Olympics. Those dressed in drag got in for free. There were several Olympic events: eating contest, wet t-shirt contest, lip-syncing contest, and sprinting in heels. So the night begins...

My friend Simon won the eating contest. I don't know how many cupcakes he consumed. My roommate, Nicole, participated in the wet t-shirt contest. The other "guy" competing in the wet t-shirt contest got completely naked. We thought he was a girl, but he was definitely a guy. There was a pole dancer covered in glitter and his hair was blue. Some people may or may not have pole danced with the glittery, blue-haired pole dancer. Some trannies were absolutely terrifying, especially one with out-of-control eyebrows and a half shaved head. Three of my friends got their faces painted with crayon. And I met a nice tranny named Marcel who claimed to be the world champion at Mario Kart. Good night, I would say.

Monster Ronson's Ichiban Karaoke, Warschauer Strasse 34, 10243 Berlin

Berlin: Flohmarkt am Mauerpark (Flea Market at Mauerpark)

2010-09-19T11:02:00.003-04:00

While at the enormous, endless Flohmarkt, I came across a stand that was selling tote bags, notebooks, etc that all had the same design on it. The caption reads "money can't buy happiness" and there is a picture of a little rabbit sitting in a kiddie ride, sadly looking at the coin dispenser without any coins. Lesson learned: money can't buy happiness, but it can buy kiddie rides and a lot of stuff at a flea market.

Every Sunday, hundreds of vendors set up shop at the Flohmarkt at Mauerpark (the same park that hosts Bearpit Karaoke). Some people have companies that sell specific items, but most vendors are just random people with a lot of random stuff to sell. And they're definitely open to bargaining.

Most of the vendors sell a variety of antique things, like old cameras and vintage purses. There's all sorts of clothing, jewelry, shoes, furniture, bicycles...pretty much everything. Some of the items are really cool and there are some really great finds for very cheap. Other items are really cool and completely useless, but still fun to look at though. I have no idea how they accumulated so much old junk.

The Flohmarkt can get very crowded and it's pretty exhausting walking around it all day, but well worth it if you find something you love. I bought a very pretty embroidered camera case for three euros. Win.

Flohmarkt am Mauerpark, Bernauer Strasse 63-64, 13355 Berlin

Berlin: Oststrand (East Beach)

2010-09-19T10:26:00.004-04:00

Let me paint you a picture. It's a 70-degree day and you're sitting on a bench, your feet buried in sand and Corona in hand. You're looking out on the water while a live band with a really chill lead singer plays music. Oh hey, you're in Berlin.

After wandering along the longest remaining portion of the Berlin Wall (East Side Gallery), we accidentally stumbled upon this beachy outdoor bar along the River Spree. I'm not sure if it counts as a beer garden, but outdoor drinking is certainly the theme. There is an incredible view of the river and on a warm day, there is not a more wonderful place to be.

Added Bonus: If you return your empty bottle to the bar for recycling, you get .50 euros back. Good for the environment and your wallet!

Oststrand, Mühlenstraße 24, 10243 Berlin

Anywhere: Apple 'Think Different' Commercial

2010-09-17T18:38:00.003-04:00

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire. They push the human race forward. Maybe they have to be crazy. How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? Or sit in silence and hear a song that’s never been written? Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels? While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Berlin: Bearpit Karaoke

2010-09-17T18:12:00.004-04:00

It was a beautiful 75-degree Sunday and my friend Austin wanted to go some karaoke thing at the beautiful Mauerpark (a former location of the Berlin Wall). It turned out to be a weekly afternoon event that brings together about 2,000 people to sing their favorite songs. Everyone is so excited and encouraging of the performers, even when they suck (which they don't). And all 2,000 people are completely united in their love for music and there's so much energy in the amphitheater. Such a feel-good moment!

Some of my favorite moments from my Bearpit Karaoke experience:
1. A 10-year-old girl (or something around that age) sang Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl." And she only really knew the chorus.
2. A Philippine man sang "Hey Jude" and the crowd went wild. There wasn't a single person who wasn't singing along.
3. A girl in the crowd that my friend Simon and I dubbed Drew Barrymore because she looked like Drew Barrymore. She seemed to be someone who so genuinely loved music because she knew the words to every single song. She was also wearing a weird/cool hat and BIG headphones.
4. One guy sang some song I didn't know, and four girls ended up joining him on stage to dance. I bet it was the best day of his life.
5. A super dorky yet endearing guy who sang "Final Countdown" except the song doesn't really have words, so he mostly just danced.
6. Two guys sang "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" and were joined by three other dancing people, including the dorky/endearing guy from Number 5.

P.S. Camera ran out of batteries so I only got photos of Mauerpark but not the karaoke event itself. I'm sorry =[

Bearpit Karaoke, amphitheater of Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg

Berlin: The Jewish Museum

2010-09-17T17:24:00.004-04:00

I'm taking a museum class this semester and on the first day, the professor asked to hear about our best museum experiences. Most students had stories about how certain museums "changed their lives", and I didn't really understand it until I went to the Jewish Museum. This is the first time that I've ever felt like a museum has taken my breath away.

The Jewish Museum is dedicated to the entire history of Jews in Germany, but the first floor (and the most provocative floor) is devoted to the memory of Holocaust victims. The architect who built the museum, Daniel Libeskind, designed the building to resemble a zigzag. This is especially evident on the first floor, which is divided into three corridors called the Axis of the Holocaust, the Axis of Exile, and the Axis of Continuity.

On one wall, the Axis of the Holocaust is painted with the names of concentration camps. The other wall is lined with every day items once belonging to Holocaust victims. These artifacts can be traced to their exact owners, whose exact stories are also told. These stories are both so inspiring and so heartbreaking. The hallway ends in the Holocaust Tower, which is an empty concrete vault of a room that is unheated and unlit save for a sliver of a window in a corner. The feeling of being in that room was unreal -- cold, lonely, and hopeless, except for that tiny ray of light.

The Axis of Exile is painted with the names of cities where Holocaust victims escaped to in order to avoid deportation. This corridor ends in the Garden of Exile, which is reminiscent of the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, but on a much smaller scale. The Garden of Exile holds forty-nine tilted columns that stand on very uneven ground. Walking amongst these columns is very disorienting, almost nauseating. While those who fled managed to escape, they were still forced to leave their homes, only to find themselves lost and alone in another foreign city. The Garden of Exile is meant to commemorate that feeling.

I don't want to spoil all of it, but the rest of the museum is incredible at retracing German Jewish history and the architecture of the building is integral to the story of the museum. I've always felt that the mark of a good trip/book/film is one that makes you feel every range of emotion, and the Jewish Museum did just that. Afterwards, I felt enlightened, educated, and enriched in so many ways.

Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstrasse 9-14, 10969 Berlin

Berlin: Graffiti

2010-09-13T05:47:00.009-04:00

Welcome to Berlin. This is a city filled with urban romance, where you can watch the swans swim by on the River Spree while pounding as many beers as your happy heart desires (thanks to the open bottle law). Being a very street chic city, Berlin is home to truly incredible graffiti, both tasteful and edgy. I've never seen such provocative street art anywhere else in the world. People will tag park benches, apartment buildings, and any empty wall space that hasn't yet been splattered by someone else's creative juices. Below are some of my favorites.

Siem Reap: Temples

2010-08-28T00:15:00.006-04:00

After visiting about a million temples in one day, we were sweat-drenched and exhausted. So when our tour guide told us we were seeing a few more, my very sarcastic aunt said, "Aren't you so excited to see more temples?!" Then it started raining...

Cambodia is home to some 8,000 temples, most of which have yet to be excavated. These are reminiscent of Indiana Jones temples, and like those temples, these have a certain mystique that make them so beautiful. These are some of the most notable/my favorite:

Angkor Wat: This is the largest and most famous of all the temples. The sheer size and intricacy of the temple is incredible. So much detail goes into every aspect of the temple, and the moat around the entire thing makes it that much more stunning.

The Bayon: This temple made me feel like I was trapped in an endless maze of Buddha faces. There are just so many of them.

Ta Prohm: This temple is famous for its "creepers," as in trees, not people. The roots of these trees creep into the temples and are slowly destroying them, and but it makes the temple very unique.

Added Bonus/Tip: A lot of little children will try to sell you things for ridiculously cheap prices (ex. 10 postcards for $1, 10 bracelets of $1, 10 of anything for $1). If I learned anything from this trip, it's that if you wanna buy something, buy it from a little child in Siem Reap. It'll be cheaper than anywhere else and you'll be giving money to poor little kids who really need it. Everyone wins.

Siem Reap: Tonle Sap Floating Villages

2010-08-28T00:11:00.003-04:00

The idea of the visiting the floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake as a tourist site is somewhat insulting, in my humble opinion. With that being said, these floating villages also provide a glimpse into the life of local Cambodian people, which is vastly different from anything I've seen before. This was my favorite part about Cambodia.

Every year during the monsoon season, the Tonle Sap Lake expands in size. People living in the area have built floating houses that can move with swells of the lake. Visitors can take motor boats down the lake and see the local villagers and their homes.

My first trip down the lake was a slap in the face. The villagers have a rather low standard of living. Their floating houses are small and squat, and a few of them have tiny televisions. People do all their business in the brown lake: swim, bathe, wash vegetables, brush teeth, etc. It was very humbling to see these people bathing in brown waters when I can shower only if I have the perfect amount of water pressure.

My second trip back up the lake was much more reassuring. I noticed that, while the villagers were slender, they were by no means starving. Also, our tour guide informed us that all the villagers send their extra money to the local temple; it appears that they have very strong spiritual lives, which is something I certainly do not have. A lack of cellphones does not equate a lack of happiness, and this was reconfirmed by all the happy children at the local school, which I only noticed on the way back. We also saw one happy little boy playing with a python, and that's not something you see every day.

Added Bonus: Our tour guide took us to a rest stop, where visitors can see fishing tools, captured animals, and local products. There is a huge pit of alligators (alligators are one of my favorite animals, which is why I enjoyed this). However, these alligators are all bred to be later made into leather products, which is not as enjoyable.

Siem Reap: Angkor Palace Hotel

2010-08-26T01:53:00.006-04:00

My family and I had no idea what to expect when we decided to visit Cambodia, so we were sort of expecting the worst. Imagine our amazement when we walked into this gorgeous hotel in Siem Reap, followed by a mad dash to discover all the other wonderful parts of the hotel.

There is a massive pool and outdoor area, which includes a poolside bar, a lily pad garden, and lots of wild frogs and lizards. The bedrooms are breezy and welcoming. And there are two things in particular that are especially unique...

First, the lobby is beautiful. The entire space is open and without windows, so the breeze comes straight through and you can hear/feel the rain. We had tea on one warm, rainy afternoon in the lobby and it was incredibly refreshing.

Secondly, the hotel restaurant, Soriya, is incredible. My friends think I'm weird for saying the best food I had in Cambodia was at a hotel restaurant, but I swear it was the best. In addition to Western food, they serve a wide variety of Cambodian and Asian dishes. We had pad thai (best pad thai I've ever had) and fish amok, which were both amazing. My personal favorite was this steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves served with coconut rice. Oh Soriya, how I miss you.

Added Bonus: The staff is unbelievably courteous, welcoming, and hospitable. They are eager to help at every opportune moment. I never knew strangers were capable of being so wonderful.

www.angkorpalaceresort.com

Taipei: Din Tai Fung

2010-08-19T21:38:00.007-04:00

Going to Din Tai Fung is always a little tiny bit overwhelming because the location we usually go to is tightly packed and everyone is running around really quickly. But then the food comes and we all remember that life is very good.

Din Tai Fung serves very traditional Chinese cuisine. It's most famous for its xiao long bao, which are these little meat dumplings with soup inside. There is a wide variety of xiao long bao, and they're all delicious.

A second favorite of mine is this thousand-layer cake, which is a very mildly sweet dessert. It's a very doughy cake with lots of layers, hence the name. There's only the slightest hint of sugar. In fact, I'm not even sure if I'd consider it a dessert. More like a pre-dessert in preparation for real dessert. But it's still really yummy.

Added Bonus: There is full view of the chefs in the kitchen. They wear caps, aprons, and mouth covers, and while they're busy leaning over their cooking tables, it kind of looks like they're performing surgery. It's very entertaining to watch.

www.dintaifungusa.com (There are locations around the world)

Taipei: Mister Donut

2010-08-16T09:31:00.008-04:00

We happened to stumble across Mister Donut one day because it replaced our favorite cream puff place. I'm not a huge fan of donuts, so I wasn't incredibly enthusiastic about trying it. I'm still not a huge fan of donuts, except for donuts from Mister Donut. I just used the word "donut" three times in one sentence, and now the word is starting to look weird.

Mister Donut donuts are different from regular donuts because they have a very interesting texture. The dough is kind of chewy, very light, and not too sweet. Chinese cuisine is rather sensitive to sweet food, so the donuts aren't overwhelmingly sweet. Just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. I just used the word "sweet" four times in these paragraph, now five.

My favorite is the original glazed donut, which is what I always order (third photo, donut to the right). I would also like to point out the donuts in the shape of a bear (first photo, donuts on the top shelf). I haven't tried those yet, but I bet they're delicious, not to mention super cute.

Added Bonus: They have stamp cards, and after purchasing several dozens of donuts, there is always some cute little prize. My aunt and cousin ate donuts every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an attempt to consume enough donuts to get one of these prizes. Who doesn't like massive amounts of donuts and free stuff?

www.misterdonut.com.tw
www.misterdonut.com.ph
(There are locations around the world, so I included the website to the ones in Taiwan because it shows the aesthetics of the Taiwan brand. I also included the link to the Philippines' site because it's in English. You're welcome)

Taipei: Bellini Pasta Pasta

2010-08-16T09:07:00.004-04:00

Once upon a time, my family and I were obsessed with this chain restaurant called Bellini Pasta Pasta, which is an Italian place right by our apartment. We always made a concerted effort to make at least one trip, and every time we went, it was completely unchanged and delicious. Then one day, we returned to Taiwan to find that the location by our house had closed. Imagine the horror.

Fortunately and unfortunately, there are still several locations in other parts of Taipei. This is fortunate because we still get our Bellini fix. This is unfortunate because the other Bellini's are kind of awful. Yet we return every time in hopes of rekindling the Bellini spirit.

Italian restaurants are very rare in Taiwan, but this one is very popular. They serve all the traditional Italian dishes (pizzas, pastas) with absolutely no Asian influences. This is great for the few times that I need a break from so much Chinese food. I highly recommend the bruschetta.

And although we no longer love Bellini as much as we used to and it doesn't quite compare to Italian restaurants in America (or Italy), it's still a pretty great place to try.

Added Bonus: The lemonade is AMAZING for three reasons. 1) It is blue-green, 2) it is bottomless, and 3) it is the best lemonade I've ever had.

www.bellinipasta.com.tw

Los Angeles: The 2010 VH1 Do Something Awards

2010-07-12T18:52:00.007-04:00

As a happy intern of the Do Something office in Los Angeles, I feel obligated to enlighten you about our growing cause and biggest event yet. Behold, the 2010 VH1 Do Something Awards!

Yes, that may or may not be my face poking out from behind the sign. DoSomething.org is a nonprofit organization that encourages young people to make a difference through social action. This year, they partnered with VH1 to host the first ever Do Something Awards, which will honor five nominees under 25 who each have a chance of winning a $100,000 grant for their causes. Their causes include human rights in Rwanda, public health in Haiti, theater programs for disabled children, sustainable development in Ohio, and social programs for the impoverished in Kibera. Amazing, right? And all five of these have such stunning smiles =] Go to the website and see for yourself.

Additionally, the show will also honor celebrities like Lady Gaga and Leonardo diCaprio, who have also made noble efforts to partake in a cause worth fighting for. Celebrity categories include most-causey movie star, tv show, music artist, and athlete, among others. Vote for your favorites here.

Finally, the show will include live performances from Natasha Bedingfield, Lifehouse, and Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars. Tune in to VH1 on Monday, July 19th. The Do Something Awards will air live from 6pm - 8pm from the Hollywood Palladium. Get ready for a starstudded, cause-lovin' night.

Added Bonus (or Best of All): The show will be hosted by Jane Lynch, also known as the politically-incorrect-but-always-hilarious Sue Sylvester from Glee. Check out one of her four promos for the show. (I was lucky enough to watch this promo being shot, and she is just has funny in person as she is on TV, if not more).

The 2010 VH1 Do Something Awards @ the Hollywood Palladium; July 19th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Los Angeles: Diddy Riese

2010-07-02T16:54:00.004-04:00

I cannot begin to count the number of times that I have begged my UCLA friends to take me to Diddy Riese. And they, being experienced Westwood inhabitants, have already visited that place often enough to be eternally filled with cookies. Yet, we always end up going anyway because Diddy Riese is everything a college student wants in a snack shack: it's cheap, delicious, oh so satisfying.

Diddy Riese is famous for its cookies and ice cream. Cookies are $1.00 for three and ice cream is $1.00 for a scoop. But, if you get two cookies and a scoop of ice cream, they'll make it into an ice cream sandwich and charge you $1.50. Beautiful.

I always get strawberry cheesecake chunk ice cream sandwiched between two white chocolate chip cookies. There isn't a huge variety of cookies and ice cream, but there are enough options to make 120 different ice cream sandwich combinations.

Added Bonus: Diddy Riese is open till midnight and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Yessss

926 Broxton Avenue, Westwood, CA 90024; www.diddyriese.com

Los Angeles: Aroma Coffee & Tea Company

2010-06-30T16:15:00.004-04:00

Someone once told me that this place is perfect for a date night with the boy of your dreams, but since most of us have yet to meet that person, I'm just going to say that's it's perfect for a date with the boy of average reality. And for those of us that have yet to meet that guy, just got with your girl friends and you'll have just as much fun.

Aroma is a small cafe that serves all sorts of sandwiches, wraps, salads, burgers, breakfast foods, coffees, and drinks. It's great for any meal of the day, be it a sit down lunch with friends or a coffee to go.

The best seating is outside in this adorable little garden area, and at night, they turn on tea lights and candles. And although it is a sweet date place, it's definitely not a mostly-couples place. It's perfect for friends and family too.

Added Bonus: Aroma shares a space with Portrait of a Bookstore, which is one of those cute little bookshops filled with hidden treasures. For those indie, artsy, intellectuals: buy a book, grab a coffee, and spend the afternoon being indie/artsy/intellectual.

4360 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604; www.aromacoffeeandtea.com

Los Angeles: Pink Taco

2010-06-29T18:44:00.003-04:00

My friends enjoyed a night of in depth people watching while at Pink Taco on a Friday night. This led to a thorough analysis of awkward minglers, a gaggle of gold diggers, and an incredibly strange and mismatched couple. But no one's judging...

Pink Taco is a trendy, loud, busy restaurant/bar that's great for eating, drinking, and general mingling. The overall atmosphere is really fun, vibrant, and busy. And the outdoor seating is great for summer nights.

The food is affordable and there is a wide variety of tacos, salads, and entrees, all of which are very satisfying. And the complimentary chips served prior to dinner are incredibly delicious. I would also recommend making a reservation in advance, as the place gets crowded pretty quickly, especially on a weekend.

Added Bonus: All summer long, they have Last Shot Sundays from 2 pm until dusk. This entails $5 drinks and tequila shots, pinatas, raffles, and a live DJ. Fun times.

10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90067; www.pinktaco.com

New York: La Esquina

2010-06-28T17:14:00.003-04:00

I know the photo below makes La Esquina look like a sketchy back street diner that caters mostly to crack dealers and traveling salesmen, but photos can be misleading.

Located in the heart of SoHo, La Esquina is some of the best and cheapest Mexican food you'll find in New York. It's a small place with limited seating inside (in the summer, there's some outdoor seating) but it's mostly great for a quick bite before running off somewhere else. And, it's open until 2 am, which means late night taco runs are always possible.

The soft tacos are pretty phenomenal. I usually order the Aguacate con Queso (avocado and cheese) tacos. Two tacos are just $7, and that's plenty filling. I also highly recommend the Moros y Cristianos (side of black beans, white rice, pico de gallo, queso fresco).

Added Bonus: There is some secret nightclub/lounge/crack dealing center (just kidding) in the basement below and the entrance is inside La Esquina. You need some secret password/ need to be on the guest list/need a reservation to get in, but the place doesnt' have a name or phone number or website. It's just an anonymous, secret place that everyone wants to get into. So it's always funny seeing people trying to get in when they can't.

114 Kenmare Street, New York, NY 10012; www.esquinanyc.com

Anywhere: "Hi from Heidi"

2010-06-21T13:39:00.008-04:00

This piece is a bit old, but still good. For all Hills fans and non-Hills fans, Heidi Montag will forever be a perplexing but unending source of ridiculousness and fascination. Paul Rudnick wrote this imaginary but likely prayer by Heidi for The New Yorker. And as a Hills fan (guilty), I found it incredible humorous.

Heidi Montag was actually so cute when the show first aired many many years ago. And now, she's actually so scary. Scary like if I were in a creepy dark room by myself with her standing in the corner, I would be terrified because her eyebrows are so high up on her face that they might just jump off and attack someone. Compare the two photos: she looks like two entirely different people. Actually she looks like three entirely different people in all three photos.

I don't personally know Heidi Montag so I cannot really judge her behavior based on the ever so reliable sources that feed me information about her life. But based on what I can assume, I would like to say that this girl's life is so sad. Her "friends" don't like her, her family doesn't like her, the music industry is appalled by her, and the fashion industry isn't a fan either. All she's got is Spencer Pratt, who is the equivalent of a gorilla (ugly and useless with a nasty temper), and apparently she doesn't really have him anymore either, but that might be another cheap reach for fame as well.

So Heidi, if your solution to all these problems was plastic surgery, then I'm sorry to say that your life is an epic fail because not only are you husband-less, friend-less, family-less, and career-less, you now you look like a psychopath. And I would not want to be in a room alone with you.

Los Angeles: Millions of Milkshakes

2010-06-17T16:08:00.002-04:00

I love milkshakes, and if you're a human like me, you do too. Therefore, you should shimmy on over to Millions of Milkshakes.

At Millions of Milkshakes, you have the freedom to create whatever milkshake your heart desires. They have a wide variety of candy, fruits, and other add-ins. There is also a selection of pre-made milkshakes to choose from. I created a vanilla milkshake with brownies, cookie dough, and bananas. Yums.

The place also prides itself in its celebrity fans. They get celebrities to make their own milkshake concoctions, and these recipes get put up for normal people to try. These milkshakes change every few weeks. My friend tried the "Aaron Carter", which she quite liked. I personally find him rather weird.

Added Bonus: There are TVs and photos everywhere to show off all their celebrity encounters so you have something to look at while you're waiting.

8910 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069; www.millionsofmilkshakes.com

Los Angeles: O Bar

2010-06-14T20:13:00.003-04:00

The only time I've been to O Bar was New Year's Day 2010 and I must admit that my experience was slightly flawed because I was not feeling my best (for reasons to be assumed). Nevertheless, I had a fantastic time.

Uber trendy restaurants are only fun a few times and not regularly because they are expensive and the food is a little strange. This applies to O Bar as well, but I loved the place. The interior decor is absolutely stunning and very interesting; there's always something new to look at. The restaurant/bar also tends to draw a gay crowd, but all are welcome.

We split appetizers four ways, and it was definitely filling enough for dinner. I strongly recommend the Hummus Plate (hummus with all sorts of fun sides) and the Smoked Salmon Flat Bread. The service is a little questionable, but I bet our waiter was recovering from New Year's Eve festivities also. Overall, it's a great place to go for a semi-dressy dinner with a few close friends and fancy food.

Added Bonus: When we went, there was a bartender who was so good looking/distracting that no one could keep a proper conversation going.

8279 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046; www.obarla.com

Los Angeles: Chocolatine

2010-06-11T14:26:00.005-04:00

My friend, Ben, once told me that Chocolatine was founded by a French guy who got really rich from some business venture, quit the company, and spent the rest of his days living the dream as a French pastry maker. Ben also exaggerates sometimes, so I don't know how much of this is true, but it's a nice story.

Chocolatine is a chocolate shop/bakery/cafe not unlike the one found in Chocolat. Their chocolates are really unique with flavors like rose, violet, and chili. The pastries are always changing, but always delicious. We once had one that was some sort of chocolate lava melted cake swimming in some sort of vanilla sauce, and it was amazing.

For real food, there are sandwiches, soups, and crepes. They also really pride themselves in their homemade jams. I don't love jam, so I've never tried it, but I'd imagine that jam lovers would enjoy them.

Added Bonus: The owner is this French guy (perhaps same French guy as mentioned above?) who is really, really nice. He's always willing to help Ben and I when we have panic attacks in front of the chocolate counter because we want everything.

2955 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; www.chocolatine.net

Los Angeles: Melting Pot

2010-06-10T16:42:00.003-04:00

Warning: If you are in a big hurry to find something quick and cheap because your life is so packed that you don't have the time to sit for a really really, reeeaaallly long meal, then don't go here.

Melting Pot is for people who have a lot of time (and preferably money as well) on their hands. The main course and dessert come out to about $25 per person and takes about two hours. So if you've got both, then I highly recommend this fondue restaurant.

There are three courses. The first is the cheese fondue appetizer, which I personally find revolting, so I never order it. Then comes the main course, which consists of raw meats and veggies cooked in a delicious soup. There are several dipping sauces for these meats and veggies too. I feel like the main course is underrated and most people don't love it, but I think it's incredible

Finally comes dessert, which is definitely the best part. There are strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, cheesecake, sponge cake, and other things to be dipped in your choice of chocolate confections (smores, oreos, caramel turtle, etc.). Everything is shared between two people, and dessert is pretty much a battle to the last strawberry.

Added Bonus: If you register as a birthday club member, you get a free chocolate fondue for two on your birthday!

3685 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (there are other locations in LA as well); www.meltingpot.com

Los Angeles: Yamato Westwood

2010-06-08T15:52:00.002-04:00

When you first walk into Yamato, you would think it's a fancy, expensive, luxurious restaurant that would charge a ridiculous amount for two pieces of California roll. But you would be wrong.

Yamato has some of the best, most reasonably priced sushi. I've never been anywhere with such delicious and cheap food. They have such a wide variety of options and I'm never disappointed when I try something new. I highly recommend the baked lobster sushi and crunchy sushi.

The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the atmosphere is extravagant, but relaxed. There used to be a huge statue of Darth Vadar at the entrance also (don't ask me why), but sadly, it's no longer there. It's a great place to go for a quiet lunch or a big dinner in preparation for an even bigger shindig later.

Added Bonus: Happy hour is from 5pm to 10 pm every single day, and all sushi is half price. It's astonishing how much you can shove into your stomach for less than $15.

1099 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Anywhere: Interview with Patricia Field

2010-06-03T20:48:00.007-04:00

I have several problems with Sex and the City 2. Four of them, to be exact.

1. There is no continuous plot line, no narrative, no story. Yes, I just said the same thing three times to further emphasize how much of a story line there is not. Samantha gets almost hassled for public kissing, but not arrested. Carrie kisses Aidan but then Big buys her a huge diamond. Charlotte's nanny doesn't wear a bra. Miranda quits her job, and then gets another. Um, so? Their stories don't parallel each other. Random things happen then quickly get fixed. There are no long term issues. The entire movie takes place in just over a week-long span. Why do they even have to go to Abu Dhabi? Which brings me to my second point...

2. It's called Sex and the City, not Sex and Abu Dhabi. I would understand if they stayed there for a week and it took up about 20 minutes of the film (like Mexico in the first film), but this is not what happens, and therefore I do not understand. Where is New York?!

3. The entire film is just a little too over the top. I'm all for glam, but this was just too sparkly, too glittery, too luxurious, and overall too much. Swans at a wedding? Personal cars for each girl? Too much, too much.

4. The clothes are out of control.
Exhibit A: Can we talk about what Samantha's wearing? Where do you even buy something like that?

Exhibit B: If I were about to about to ride a camel through triple-digit degree weather, I would not be caught dead wearing any of this. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing any of this in normal degree weather. Seriously, take a closer look.

I think the reason Sex and the City appeals to so many women is because viewers get a glimpse into the life of four glamorous women who dress well and have pretty hair, but are still essentially ordinary women with real world problems. They struggle with rent, deal with male egos, work stressful jobs, and face the realities of being middle-aged women. The shiny shoes are a fun addition to the series, but not the central theme. Yet, the second movie is just a smorgasbord of color, fabric, and diamonds. So much so that it takes away from the non-plot of the film.

In a brief interview with the New York Times, Patricia Field (the costume designer for all six seasons and both films) answers the question of fashion catastrophe. Read the answer to, "Do you ever worry that the characters' fashion sense is too over the tope for fans to relate to?"

I strongly believe in Patricia Field's ability and eye for style (she did Ugly Betty and The Devil Wears Prada as well) and I also believe in the power of clothes to convey personality, but I think all of that is lost in the film. The dresses are just so extreme that I can't even understand the desire to possess any of it. The series is about typical women with incredible taste, but when their clothes become unrealistic for both New York and Abu Dhabi, they no longer appeal to other women. The clothes were best when all four women looked stunning yet believable as middle-aged New York women with careers, men, and good friends.

Dublin: Phoenix Park/Dublin Zoo

2010-06-01T16:44:00.003-04:00

Phoenix Park is the perfect place to have a nice picnic lunch on a warm summer day and think about how cool it is that you're in Ireland, land of all things green and not sober.

I guess there's nothing especially special about Phoenix Park. It's just your ordinary wide stretch of green lawns and flowers and trees, but there's so much space that you won't get crowded by other people. Plenty of room to lay out, run around, and take ridiculous photos.

Unlike your ordinary stretch of green lawns, Phoenix Park is a bit of an infamous place because two important Irish politicians were stabbed to death here. Lord Frederick Cavendish (the Chief Secretary) and Thomas Henry Burke (the Permanent Undersecretary) were assassinated by Irish radicals in the 1882. So, it's a pretty fun place to be.

Added Bonus: The Dublin Zoo is located in Phoenix Park, so if you get too relaxed from laying around in crime zones, head over to the zoo. Plenty of cute animals, including an big fat orangutan that demands food from the visitors. Not kidding.

Dublin: Christ Church Cathedral

2010-05-31T23:18:00.005-04:00

I'm not at all religious, but I always find really old churches to be especially creepy in a very intriguing way. Since they've been around for hundred of years, I always think about all the people that have walked through their dark, creepy halls.

Christ Church Cathedral is the largest, oldest, and one of the most famous of churches in Dublin. The interior is really spectacular and beautiful, but the real gem is the crypt.

The crypt is the largest in all of Britain/Ireland and it's just shy of a thousand years old. Creepy carved statues sit in the corners. Being underground, it's very eerie and quiet. It's definitely not a place I'd want to be trapped in alone, but walking around is somewhat calming.

Added Bonus: One of the more famous parts of the crypt is the "Cat and Mouse," which is exactly what it sounds like. A cat and mouse got caught in the church's organ and were mummified and preserved over time. After being extracted, the church get the body of these two and put them in the crypt.

Christchurch Place, Dublin 8; www.cccdumb.ie

Anywhere: "Oxford Tradition Comes to This: 'Death' "

2010-05-28T16:36:00.005-04:00

In this world, there are certain earned labels that imply lifelong respectability, regardless of what happens after. Several of these include Academy Award winners, Olympic athletes, and American presidents. Regardless of what these individuals do after their shows/competitions/terms finish, they will always be regarded with esteem. (ex. It's been years since Roman Polanski directed a film, but his past Oscar wins are so influential that many want to pardon him for his sexual abuse accusations, among other reasons.)

A fourth label that I find especially fascinating is students of higher education, particularly the Ivy League and Oxbridge educated. Even if their lives amount to little, they at least have their Harvard bragging rights, which is quite an accomplishment in itself. So, upon coming across this New York Times article about an Oxford college entrance exam, I jumped with excitement. I know, my life is exciting.

All Souls College, one of the many colleges of the University of Oxford, has employed a rigorous entrance examination that has often been considered one of the most difficult exams in the world. However, one of the most famous and feared obstacles of this process include the "Essay," which is exactly what it sounds like.

The "Essay" is a written exam based on a single word. Applicants have three hours to craft an exposition based on one word. Past words have included "style," "chaos," and "miracles." This portion of the exam has been offered only since 1932, but it quickly became both a notorious nightmare and a source of excitement. Non-students would wait outside the doors of the exam hall, waiting to hear what the word of the year was.

While this one word essay has become one of the more anticipated tests, the board of All Souls has decided to end this portion of the exam because many educators believe that it doesn't accurately reflect the intellectual abilities of its prospective students.

While I would certainly be terrified of the "Essay" (what if I didn't know what the word meant?!), I do not believe that it is dispensable. Three hours, one word, and infinite freedom requires students to be creative, intelligent, and interesting. They must be able to think on their feet, quickly and accurately. They must have a strong idea to present. They must be able to explain it eloquently and intellectually. And they should definitely know what the word means.

Even if the "Essay" is not considered the most reliable measure of capability, it certainly displays a student's creativity under pressure and without preparation. I can only think of one other way of testing instant creativity, and that's freestyle rapping. In my humble opinion, that's much more intimidating than a one-word prompt.

Dublin: Temple Bar

2010-05-28T15:39:00.006-04:00

Temple Bar can refer to one of two things: the neighborhood Temple Bar, or the bar Temple Bar, which is the most famous bar located in the neighborhood. Both are lots of fun, but I'm going to refer mostly to the neighborhood.

Temple Bar is a neighborhood filled with bars, restaurants, and clubs that swell up at nighttime with both tourists and locals (but mostly tourists). Every bar gets extremely crowded with all sorts of people and although it can be slightly claustrophobic, it's definitely worth it. Most bars have live music and it is not uncommon for the entire bar to drunkenly sing along to some American pop song. And don't just stay in one place, explore them all.

One thing I learned about Irish people in general is that they're always happy to socialize. Even the tourists are happy to socialize. Everyone is just extremely friendly and eager to have a good time. The nightlife is truly unparalleled. Endless possibilities for ridiculous shenanigans (added bonuses implied). No need to rehash details, but this is what happened to my friends:

Where they got those sunglasses, I do not know, but I want a pair.

Dublin: The Merry Ploughboy

2010-05-28T02:33:00.004-04:00

Even though I'm a fan of tourist places in far off countries, I'm also a fan of authentic local experiences, especially those involving food. Naturally, we asked around about an authentic Irish pub for authentic Irish food. This is how we found out about the Merry Ploughboy.

Since I'm not Irish, I guess I can't really verify whether or not this place was really genuine, but I'm really hoping the Merry Ploughboy is the real deal because it's an awesome place. The atmosphere inside is very homey and cozy. The walls are filled with all sorts of photos and memorabilia.

The food is phenomenal. Every dish is literally so full of flavor that you have to make that Oh-My-God-This-Is-So-Good face after every bite. Main dishes include a variety of stews, meats, and vegetables. For dessert, I got bread pudding (I LOVE bread pudding) and it was probably the best bread pudding I've ever had. I just used the words "bread pudding" three times in one sentence. That's how much I love it.

Added Bonus: During the weekends, there is live music and dancing. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go on a night with music and dance, but I hear it's ridiculously fun.

Edmondstown Road, Rockbrook, Dublin 16; www.mpbpub.com

Dublin: Powerscourt Estate

2010-05-26T15:32:00.005-04:00

Being at the Powerscourt Estate was like being on the set of Pride and Prejudice or any of Keira Knightley's other films.

Powerscourt was originally built in the 13th century as a castle, but now serves as a tourist attraction/golf course/restaurant/cafe/Ritz-Carlton hotel.

Powerscourt is definitely one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited in my entire life. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and they never end. There's a Japanese garden, a pet cemetery, miles and miles of green hills, and so many flower gardens. Every time you turn, there's something new to see. It's like a endless maze/bottomless pit of green things.

Added Bonus: The cafe is really pricy but they have millions of varieties of cakes and pies, and they're absolutely phenomenal. A great snack after an arduous day of trekking through the gardens. And in case you haven't noticed, food is a major selling point for me.

Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow; www.powerscourt.ie

Dublin: Kilmainham Gaol

2010-05-25T17:16:00.005-04:00

Necessary tourist trap, round two. For some reason, I always find prisons incredibly fascinating and always worth a visit. Something about their dark stories and hallways...

Kilmainham Gaol (gaol = jail) is the largest jail in Dublin and was home to many political prisoners of the Irish rebellions for freedom and the potato famine. It is now the largest unoccupied gaol and serves as a museum.

Kilmainham Gaol was built with the intention of experimenting with two methods of imprisonment. The first was to give prisoners mindless activities (like untwisting threads of rope for hours) to do in order to keep them from committing other crimes.

The second was to keep them isolated and give them the feeling of always being watched. So in every prison door, a peephole is carved in for guards to look in. On the other side of the door, from the prisoner's point of view, there is an eye carved around the peephole to give the feeling of constantly being watched.

Added Bonus: The Victorian Wing (pictured above), the most famous part of the gaol, is actually quite beautiful in a haunting, eerie sort of way.

Inchicore Road, IRL-8 Dublin

Dublin: Guinness Storehouse

2010-05-24T18:45:00.004-04:00

I know it seems like a touristy, overrated thing to do, but it has to be done. And chances are, if you're visiting Dublin, you're probably a tourist anyway. So don't be pretentious and go do the touristy things.

The Guinness Storehouse is the site of the Guinness factory, the Guinness museum, and the Sky Bar where you can get a free pint and look out at the city.

I must admit that the museum part is a little dull. There is an entire section dedicated to the craft of cask-masking. And I left knowing more about barley than I ever really cared to, but you do learn a lot about Guinness, which is a really unique drink with a lot of history behind it.

The one thing I learned that really stuck with me is that the guy who invented Guinness was so sure that his ale would be successful that he signed a 9000-year lease on the property where he would build his factory.

Added Bonus: Free drinks, enough said. But also, they show some of their advertising and marketing campaigns, which are always interesting and provocative:

121 James's St, Dublin 8, Ireland; www.guinness-storehouse.com

Anywhere: "The Secrets of Dressing Michelle Obama"

2010-05-21T19:03:00.004-04:00

I love Michelle Obama for many reasons, one of them being her elegant fashion choices. So when I came across this Daily Beast article about how Michelle Obama selects her clothes, I had to share.

Basically, it's a long, unpredictable process. Boutique owner Ikram Goldman handles the entire procedure of selecting pieces for Michelle's public appearances . Because the first lady enjoys the aesthetic of young, new designers as opposed to those older, more established ones, Goldman is always looking out for fresh designers with something new to share.

After Goldman reaches out to a designer, he or she is given very little instruction or direction and basically has to create an entire look based on nothing. So if you create a full-length gala dress and Michelle needs something for a planting-trees-event, then sucks for you, and your dress is rejected. Selected designers are never told whether or not Michelle will wear their pieces; they find out with the rest of the world while watching television.

I once heard a girl criticize all the attention focused on Michelle's clothing instead of her intellect and ability, and I wanted to smack her. For one, people are paying attention to Michelle's noble causes, including her campaign against childhood obesity and support for the use of organic food in the White House kitchens.

But additionally, when was the last time that anyone cared about a politician's wife's clothes? It's so incredibly refreshing to see an Ivy League-educated, well-accomplished wife and mother who is also beautifully dressed and perfectly put together. There are so few people who are recognized and admired equally by politicians, ordinary citizens, activists, and fashionistas alike.

People care about what she wears because she sets standards for the modern American woman now. It's very much possible to be intelligent and beautiful at the same time, and that is the appeal of Michelle Obama. She makes fashion respectable without compromising anything else.

New York: Rice to Riches

2010-05-21T15:31:00.003-04:00

I understand that rice pudding looks kind of strange and feels kind of weird. Rice to Riches makes it even stranger and weirder by adding interesting flavors.

They claim to give rice pudding a "makeover," which is pretty accurate. In addition to regular rice pudding, they have varieties like "sex, drugs, and rocky road" and "pope pina colada II." For the extra adventurous, there are also toppings with names like "cloud 9" (whipped cream) and "blessings" (coconut).

The smallest portion size is still pretty large (enough for two people to split, or one person to have leftovers), which is great because I always have leftovers for the next day.

Added Bonus: There are fun, entertaining signs everywhere. Here's one:

37 Spring Street, New York, NY, 10012; www.ricetoriches.com

New York: Ferrara Bakery and Cafe

2010-05-19T13:45:00.003-04:00

The first time I went to Ferrara with two of my girl friends, we happened to get a really attractive waiter. He was blonde, Italian, and new to the place. It was so endearing when he couldn't answer any of our questions.

Ferrara is an Italian dessert place in Little Italy. They have the widest selection of Italian pastries, desserts, and coffees I've ever seen. They have recognizable items like tiramisu and chocolate cake, but also chiminees (a chocolate tower) and lobster tails (flaky pastry filled with Bavarian cream). I'm never disappointed when I go to Ferrara and I always have a good time, no matter who I'm with.

Added Bonus (more like, Best Part Ever): Ferrara is its own little soap opera. We noticed this the first time when the Hot Waiter told us that he had only been working there for two days. Waitress With Blue Scrunchy really likes him because he's so fun and charming, but he's way out of her league. All the other young waiteresses were definitely gossiping about him. After his shift, Hot Waiter kissed Hostess on the cheek and she nearly fainted. After that, all anyone could talk about was his dreaminess. Oh, life.

195 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013; www.ferraracafe.com

New York: Pommes Frites

2010-05-18T13:55:00.002-04:00

BELGIAN WAFFLE FRIES.

There are two reasons for which you will love Pommes Frites.
1. They sell one thing, and one thing only: fries. For $6.25, you get a large cone of beautiful, crispy, golden fries.

2. I lied, they sell something else: dipping sauces. For an additional dollar, you get a dipping sauce. For $2.50, you get three dipping sauces. Some of my favorites are Pesto Mayo and Sweet Mango Chutney Mayo. Basic, boring sauces like ketchup and mustard, are free.

The fries here are ridiculously delicious. The dipping sauces are ridiculously delicious. Everything is even more ridiculously delicious at 1 am after a night of stumbling around St. Mark's Place (it's right around St. Mark's Place). I know you think you understand what I'm saying, but you don't until you've tried these fries.

Added Not Bonus: The place is usually pretty crowded (especially late at night), there isn't much sitting room, and there is often a long line out the door. But it's all worth it, I promise.

123 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003; www.pommesfrites.ws

New York: Amici II

2010-05-17T14:19:00.003-04:00

If you walk down Mulberry Street in Little Italy, hosts stand outside their Italian restaurants and call out to you, attempting to lure you into their lairs. Usually, you ignore them, but one time, we decided to pick a restaurant based on the best host. This is how we found Amici II.

All he had to do was mention the sangria, and we were in. It's a cozy, one-room restaurant that's always bustling with hungry people. The food is delicious, but nothing too unexpected or unique. It's just your classic, Italian restaurant with a variety of pastas, pizzas, etc. I highly recommend the stuffed mushroom appetizer.

Now, about this sangria. One pitcher (about eight glasses) is $27. The wine isn't cheap-tasting at all and the fruit-soaked pieces are always delicious. It only takes about two glasses to work its magic...

Added Bonus: If you celebrate your birthday there, your waiter will get the entire restaurant to sing for you. It's pretty humiliating.

165 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10013; www.amici2.com

New York: Washington Square Park

2010-05-14T17:15:00.005-04:00

One evening in Washington Square Park, a man wheeled in a piano and started playing. With the music, the fountain, and the evening breeze, it was like a scene straight out of a romantic chick flick had it not been for the crazy man to my right who would not shut up about his girlfriend who stole his "joy" but making off with his guitar, his tambourine, and his songbook. He also would not stop complaining about how his girlfriend would not stop complaining about being fat. Music to my ears.

As the unofficial center of New York University, Washington Square Park will always be home to thousands of wide-eyed college students, myself included. As the unofficial center of Greenwich Village, it's also home to thousands of other New Yorkers and a lot of really cute dogs.

The park is gorgeous, especially in the summertime when the fountain is on (you can sit in the fountain, put your feet in, run through it, anything you like). There are always several street performers, anything from guitar players to acrobats. It's the perfect place to relax between classes, read a book, or just sit and listen to people complain about their fat girlfriends.

Added Bonus: The park is always the best for people watching. Since you get such a wide range of people, there's always someone interesting to listen to or see.

New York: NYU's Strawberry Festival

2010-05-10T16:00:00.002-04:00

I usually embrace my small stature, but every once in a while, I get really fed up with how short I am. This usually happens at concerts, busy streets, and other places/events that are really filled with people that are mostly taller than I am. I spend most of the time staring at people's stomachs.

With that being said, NYU's Strawberry Festival is SO FUN minus all the tall people getting in my way. Strawberry Fest is an annual street fair that includes all sorts of fun games, activities, and free stuff. It gets pretty crowded, so I would recommend going later, but they might run out of free stuff by then.

This year, there was strawberry ice cream from Cold Stone's, strawberry tattoos, and shaved ice with strawberry syrup, among other things. You can get your picture taken with a man in a strawberry costume (see above). You can also stare at tall people's stomachs, but that's an activity reserved only for people of my size.

Added Bonus: "New York City's Largest Strawberry Shortcake" is always in attendance. It is a really large strawberry shortcake. And it tastes delicious.

LaGuardia Place (every April); no website

New York: Momofuku Milk Bar

2010-05-07T12:34:00.001-04:00

On yet another wild dessert hunt, a friend recommended these incredible red velvet milkshakes at Momofuku that actually have the texture of a real red velvet cake. I believe his exact words were "It's a milkshake, but it ACTUALLY FEELS LIKE A RED VELVET CAKE. IT'S CRAZY." And because I love red velvet and I love milkshakes, it sounded heavenly. Too much of a good thing is a great thing.

How disappointed I was when I arrived and saw that there was no red velvet milkshake. The menu items must have changed or something, so I settled for a blueberry muffin milkshake, which wasn't really settling at all because it was delicious. Who knew blueberry muffins make for yummy milkshakes?

For milkshakes, you can pick one ice cream flavor and one milk flavor, and the two combined make a milkshake. (Mine was blueberry muffin ice cream with cereal-milk-flavored milk, if that made any sense.) The other ice cream flavors are cereal milk, cinnamon roll, and zucchini bread. The zucchini bread flavor sounds questionable, but someone must like it.

Added Bonus: Even though the milkshakes are apparently quite famous, there are also a variety of other dessert options, including pies, cakes, and cookies. I got to try a bit of the grasshopper pie, and it was yums.

207 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003; www.momofuku.com