Stuff To Do in San Diego: Sarah's Smash Shack

The mention of San Diego usually conjures images of oceanfront beauty, historical missions, and of course, the nation's most popular zoo. But when I think of San Diego, I think of smashing. Yup, that's right: smashing, as in breaking, destroying, shattering. I have my friend, Emma, to thank for that. You see, she enlightened me to the absolute delight that is Sarah's Smash Shack.

Sarah's Smash Shack introduces an imaginative and innovative opportunity for people to express themselves in a safe and exciting new way. Customers are able to throw, smash, and destroy an array of breakable objects in two private rooms. It's a great way to release energies and emotions without fear of reprisal.

Founders, Sarah Lavely and Ed King, opened Sarah's Smash Shack with the hope of bringing a little levity to life's trials and tribulations. Their goal is to allow people to let go, let loose and go home with a smile on their face. The inspiration for the Smash Shack came to Sarah at an especially low point in her life. She literally woke up one day and thought "I wish I could just go somewhere and break some things. Hmmm...other people must feel this way, too. I should open a shop where people can come and break stuff!" And, so the Smash Shack was born.

Smashing sessions start around $25, which includes safety gear, use of a private "break room", and breakables. You can bring your own goods or order off the "Smash Shack Menu", which includes a surprisingly stylish selection of glasses, vases, plates, frames, and even glass flowers.

Get your "smash" on next time you're in San Diego! Visit SmashShack.com for more info.

Dining in San Diego.

One of the first things I want to know when traveling to a new city is, "what's the food like?" I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of restaurants in San Diego. If you're planning a trip, I recommend checking out SanDiegoRestaurants.com before you go. With so many selections and a restaurant for every pallette, it's worth reviewing your options and seeing what others diners have to say before deciding upon your dining destination.  

Living in LA causes serious pizza-deprivation for a native-New Yorker like myself. Desperate for a good nosh, Dan and I headed over to what we heard was "the best pizza in San Diego", Sammy's Woodfire Grill. Let me just say this: it's not NY-style pizza, but it's darn good! I'm still jonesing for seconds of the artisan pizza I had: kashkaval cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh basil with a delicate french bread crust - to die for! Other than pizza, Sammy's also has an extensive and eclectic tapas menu, a number of tasty looking salads, and a decent pasta selection. We enjoyed delicious food, great service, and a lovely setting at a very reasonable price. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Sammy's in LA.

Road Trip to San Diego for a Jimmy Buffet Concert.

While the Mystic one has been galavanting across the country, I've been getting familiar with parts of California that were once foreign to me. Behold the great city of San Diego!

I never had a reason to stop by San Diego until Jimmy Buffett paid a visit to the southwestern city for one of the last concerts on his "Year of Still Here" Tour. Determined to catch Jimmy and his Coral Reefer band, I made quick plans for an impromptu road trip.

Road trips may not be most people's idea of luxury, but for me, cruising down an open road in my ultra-comfortable Scion with the Laguna Mountains to my left and the Pacific Ocean to my right is the ultimate luxury! I shared the ride with my brother and fellow parrothead, Dan. 

We drove in early enough to explore the city before heading down to Chula Vista for the show. What we found in our explorations was some beautiful architecture, stunning scenery, and a slew of great restaurants. Details to come...

Lake Champlain Islands, Burlington Vermont

What a change of pace, from the heat and humidity of a smoldering summer day in Houston to a crisp cool cloudy late fall stroll around the lake. Ah twenty four hours can make all the difference. I left Houston behind and arrived in Burlington Vermont. A sunny 50 degrees when I arrived its now 38 and raining. Sitting in the living room at the cottage on the lake, the fog rolling over the water and the last of the fall color glimmering on the trees, and it is perfect.

Burlington is a little city by my L.A. standards and serious big time for Vermont. The largest city in Vermont, with a population at around 40,000, Burlington is home of The University of Vermont which contributes significantly to the population. Sitting on the edge of Lake Champlain, Burlington is between the Adirondack and Green Mountains.

Yesterday I took a drive up thru the islands. The Lake Champlain Islands are a string of islands in the middle of Lake Champlain on Route 2 that stretch from Burlington up to the Canadian Border. Quaint towns and rolling hillsides with great views of both mountain ranges make this a picturesque drive. There is also Grand Isle State Park, which unfortunately I missed as it was closed for the season.

Even at the tail end of the foliage season, Vermont is remarkable. Stop by the Vermont Tourism Office for more great trip ideas for any season.

Houston - The City of Water Fountains

I lived in Houston for a year in 2005. It was a great adventure getting to know the city. After LA it was a study in differences. Flat, water everywhere, politeness and different varieties of food. I never thought I'd live in the south. I loved Houston. And I still do.

It does feel a bit different. A bit more disheveled. Honestly, it feels like New Orleans used to...a mix of decrepit and posh just with a Texan flavor. I'm sure part of the reason is I'm staying downtown. And part of the reason is New Orleans moved to Houston, or at least a good chunk of it did. Then there's the remanents from Hurricane Ike. A visit with a local and I found out the are still people without power here. There was this huge building downtown with hundreds of its windows boarded up on the higher floors where Ike had blown them out.

I'm here for all of 36 hours for a trade show. Staying about a mile from the convention center, I walked over and back this morning. There's nothing like walking it to get the feel for a place. Houston has a modern rail system that runs thru downtown. On my meanderings I rediscovered one of my great loves in Houston - the water. Coming from Los Angeles, our glorious empire in the desert, water is an honored scarce resource. So the abundance of water and its grand use in the fountains of Houston just feels downright lavish to me. I adore lavish!



On one downtown street a whole block is taken over by water. The road itself (Main Street between Walker and McKinney) is closed to traffic. While the metro rail still runs thru this block it glides over open pools of water surrounded by geometric marble slabs that provide both planters and seating for passersby. Great geysers burst up towards the heavens. Just another splash of water in Downtown Houston.

Main St Fountains
Originally uploaded by Shay Haas

Once, before I lived in Houston, I was discussing my impending move with a shop owner in New Orleans. I'll never forget she said "Well, its definitely a well appointed state". That is absolutely true. On the walk to the convention center I passed thru Discovery Green which is an amazing park. Where again there was the ever present water in Houston. A small pond with carp and water lillies is set against the backdrop of the George Brown Convention center. I saw a beautiful Chinese dance ensemble at the Anheuser-Busch Stage.

Discovery Green, Houston, Texas
Originally uploaded by JWSherman

Then there's the interactive fountain where you can get a quick drench to stave off the Houston heat. Its almost November and it was definitely hot enough to join the fun today. There were about 10 people in this fountain when I walked by. And there's something different about the sunlight in Texas. It just made everything in the park glow. It was the perfect warm summer day right before Halloween.

It was a joy to be in Houston as always. Up next, for a nice change of pace: Vermont

Here's some more great water fountain shots in Houston:

Fountain at Discovery Green, Houston, TX
Originally uploaded by JWSherman

Children at fountain
Originally uploaded by GP(MPK)

Dandelion Sculpture - Houston, Texas
Originally uploaded by virgil4u

For more info please stop by:
Discovery Green
Visit Houston Texas

Mecom Fountain - Houston Texas

Thankfully this year the lights of glory came back to Mecom Fountain. In 2006, 246 lights that were used to light the fountain at night were stolen. On Feb 29, 2008 the lights were relit to great fanfare as the citizens of Houston got one of their iconic landmarks back.

Mecom Fountain is located outside Hermann Park in Houston at Main and Montrose.

Mecom Fountain Through the Trees
Originally uploaded by mtnguyd

Mecom Fountain Houston
Originally uploaded by Christoph Mendt

Houston's Theater District

Houston's Theater District
Originally uploaded by Notsuoh Photography

Ranked second in the nation for theater seat concentrations in a downtown area, Houston's Theater District is among the best. Get more info at The Houston Theater District Website and of course, there are more fountains. 

A few more great Fountains in Houston

Here's some more Water Fountains of Houston, including the Bob and Vivian Smith Fountain at Polk and Smith as well as some great night shots.

Bob and Vivian Smith Fountain at Polk and Smith
Originally uploaded by imelda

 

Fountain Houston Texas
Originally uploaded by PhotoByRonnie

Fountain of Houston
Originally uploaded by Michael (mx5tx)

Wortham Fountain - Dandelion Fountain - Houston Texas

Wortham Fountain HDR
Originally uploaded by DistortedReflections

The Wortham Fountain is located on Allen Parkway at Waugh,in Houston Texas 77019. The fountain is also known as the Dandelion Fountain. Its a great spot to cool down in the hot summers (ok, and most of the rest of the year) in Houston. Houston philanthropist Gus Wortham saw a fountain like it in Australia while on vacation and decided Houston needed one too. There's an urban legend that when he finally tracked down the designers of the original fountain it was a Houston firm. More more details check out the scoop at this Houston architecture site.

Hermann Park - Houston, Texas

Hermann Park is another example of Houston's charm.

Here's a list of 101 Fun Things in Hermann Park
(brought to you by Hermann Park Conservancy)
Have a picnic.
Watch and enjoy nature.
Meet Inda the Orangutan at the Houston Zoo.
Go for a two-mile run on the Hermann Park Jogging Trail.
Lounge on the Moroles Bench on the north side of McGovernLake.
Play Frisbee.
Enjoy a free show at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Count the number of cypress trees around the Lake.
Take a nap under a big old tree.
Ride the miniature Hermann Park train with your favorite person.
Visit Bayou Parkland to learn about Brays Bayou watershed and how you can help keep Houston's bayous clean!
Play in the Hermann Park Conservancy's annual golf tournament at the Hermann Park Golf Course.
Stand at the dock of McGovern Lake plaza and get sprayed by the geyser.
Tour the ecological habitats at the future site of the Green House in Bayou Parkland.
Visit the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Roll down Miller Outdoor Theatre Hill after finding the sculpture of Oliver Twist.
On a hot day, run through the water works at the Playground for All Children.
In the Japanese Garden, look for the koi fish with markings in the shape of Hermann Park or of the Sam Houston monument.
Get an award from Houston Happy Hikers for doing a Run 10K walk through Hermann Park.
Ride your bike along one of the City's longest bike trails.
Stop and smell a rose at the Houston Garden Center.
Expand your olfactory horizons by stopping by the Fragrance Garden donated by the Herb Society.
Play catch ball on the raised lawn at the Lake Overlook.
Take a picture of the gorgeous live oak allees bordering the Reflection Pool.
Do pull-ups at the Marvin Taylor Exercise Station.
Identify some of the 202 species of birds in Hermann Park.
Learn how to bongo at the Friday evening drum circle.
Take a shaded stroll under the promenade along the Reflection Pool.
Celebrate the friendship between Japan and Houston at the Japanese Garden.
Say hello to the sculpture of George Hermann.
Honor your mother on Mother's Day by donating to the Hermann Park Conservancy Tree Conservancy Fund Endowment in her name.
Get married at the Garden Center.
Watch a Snowy Egret chase fish in Brays Bayou.
Watch fireworks while listening to the 1812 Overture from the hill at Miller Theater on the fourth of July.
Find all of the monuments in Hermann Park.
Hike through the Urban Forest in Bayou Parkland (the paths are wheelchair accessible).
Skip around the Sam Houston Monument.
Take pictures by the Mecom-Rockwell Fountain and Colonnade.
Stand on your head by a tree and watch the park upside down.
Visit the Pioneer Memorial Log House Museum.
Relax and listen to music under a tree.
Learn to use a map and compass with the Houston Orienteering Club.
Go to the zoo, but look at the plants. There are two Harris County Champion Trees on the Zoo's horticulture tour.
Touch a Kugel Ball at the Playground for All Children, or the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Ride the pedal boats on McGovern Lake.
Look at the wildflowers on the Fannin side of McGovern Lake.
Check out the historic sculptures at the Garden Center.
Take a picnic lunch to Bayou Parkland.
Volunteer with the Natural Guard on a Saturday morning.
Ask an Urban Ranger what the best part of his/her job is.
Listen for woodpeckers.
Count how many different-colored pigeons you can see.
Pick up trash on the ground and throw it in a garbage can. Then give yourself a big pat on the back for helping to keep your Hermann Park blue, green and clean!
Look for the little guys- try to discover the smallest insect in Hermann Park.
Dangle your toes in the newly restored Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool.
Lay on the raised lawn at the Lake Overlook and cloud watch.Read your favorite book while sitting on a park bench.
Count the different kinds of fish you can see in McGovern Lake.
Practice your acting skills onstage at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Get a snow cone by the Hermann Park train station.
Roller blade along the hike and bike trail.
Eat at the Golf Course Club House located at the corner of Almeda and McGregor (they have excellent grilled cheese sandwiches and french fries!).
Sit in the Enchanted Throne located in the Urban Forest in Bayou Parkland.
Drive your remote-controlled car around McGovern Lake.
Sign up for a scout program at the Houston Museum of Natural Science or with Hermann Park Conservancy.
Check out the cancer survivors' information at Bloch Plaza.
Count the number of baby ducks at McGovern Lake.
Run through the four interactive fountains at the Molly Ann Smith Plaza.
Discover the significance of the stone lantern in the Japanese Garden.
Watch an IMAX movie at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Look for the Yellow-Crowned Night Herons and snapping turtles at the Bayou Parkland teaching ponds.
Go fishing at Bob's Fishing Pier on McGovern Lake! (You must be under 12 years old or over 65 years old and bring your own equipment).
Visit the dinosaurs at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Climb the portable Trojan Bear statue near Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Look for butterflies in the wildflower meadow at McGovern Lake.
Stare at a squirrel until he chatters at you.
Look for rabbits (some of their favorite places are the zoo and Bayou Parkland).
Enjoy a performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Have your next party at the Judson Robinson, Jr. community center.
Enjoy the peace and quiet in the cool shade of the Chinese Pagoda.
Wave at people riding the Hermann Park train.
Sit at the Lake Overlook and watch the pedal boaters.
Learn Tai Chi every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7 am in Bayou Parkland.
Relax on the benches at the Arbor in the Pines near the Reflection Pool .
Take a picture in front of the African Elephant sculpture at the Zoo West Entrance.
Buy a membership to the zoo or Museum of Natural Science so you can enjoy special discounts and events.
Read the inscription on the Pioneer Monument Obelisk.
Have an Easter egg hunt on the hill at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Take a moonlight stroll with your friends and family around McGovern Lake.
Look for mosquito fish and tadpoles at the water garden in the Garden Center.
Count the number of statues at the Houston Zoo.
Walk all the way around the Jones Reflection Pool. You've just walked the length of five and a half football fields!
Take a nap on the raised lawn at the Molly Ann Smith Plaza.
Fly a kite!
Skip around McGovern Lake (that's quite a workout!).
Stop by the Hermann Park Conservancy office (6201-A Golf Course Drive) and share your favorite Hermann Park memory with the HPC staff.
Look for the star-shaped garden at the Garden Center.
Watch the turtles at McGovern Lake.
On a rainy day, bring an umbrella and enjoy the park while it's less crowded.
Sign up as a volunteer on the HPC website - www.hermannpark.org.
Run or walk in the annual Park to Park Fun Run, held every year in February.
Stand in your favorite spot at the park, and remember how important it is to protect and care for Hermann Park so that your children will have as many special memories of it as you do.

See more at Hermann Park Conservancy and give generously

Getting to Downtown Houston from Bush International Airport IAH

Its always an adventure getting from the airport into the downtown of any area. Today we're exploring the options in Houston from Bush International Airport.

There are four options. First is regular bus transit. $1 and about an hour

Second is the Metro Airport Direct non-stop bus service. $15 will get you from Terminal C to Houston's Downtown Transit Center at 815 Pierce Street in a half hour. Here you can connect to Metro's extensive line of bus and rail transportation for easy access to destinations throughout Houston. Details available at ridemetro.org or call 713-635-4000.

I went for easy this trip and got SuperShuttle into downtown. The rate was $24 one way and $44 for roundtrip. It was about a twenty minute wait and then there were the usual million stops around the airport picking up other passengers before we got on the road. More info is available at supershuttle.com or call 1-800-BLUEVAN.

I was told the taxi flat rate into downtown is $50.

I'll be back next weekend. Maybe I will try the Metro Airport Direct for the fun of it.

Getting to London from City Airport

In case you've arrived in London via a non-Heathrow airport. We're going to give you a quick update on how to get into central London from City Airport. Your options are twofold. You have expensive and flexible by taxi. Then there is the rail line.

The joy of taxis is, of course, door to door. It's easy and no hassle. Of course this is your most expensive option. The time on a taxi ends up about half an hour. As always be sure to ask your driver costs before you get in the taxi. At City Airport you can just follow the signs to the taxi line in the Arrivals Hall.

Docklands Light Railway connects to the Tube at Bank, Canning Town and Canary Wharf Stations. From the Tube stations, you can get a taxi to your hotel direct or jump on a connecting tube or a bus line. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes and its a quick 30 minute trip into town. For updated rates and info stop by tfl.gov.uk

Whichever method you choose - Enjoy London!

Getting to London from Stansted Airport

In case you've arrived in London via a non-Heathrow airport. We're going to give you a quick update on how to get into central London from Stansted Airport. Your options are similar to Heathrow less the Tube option. You have expensive and flexible by taxi. Then there is mid-range cost and fast speed with Stansted Express. Last but not least there's the bus lines.

The joy of taxis is, of course, door to door. It's easy and no hassle. Of course this is your most expensive option. The time on a taxi ends up about an hour. As always be sure to ask your driver costs before you get in the taxi. At Stansted you can just follow the signs to the taxi line in the Arrivals Hall.

Stansted Express goes direct from Stansted to Liverpool Street Station in central London. From Liverpool Street Station, you can get a taxi to your hotel direct or jump on the tube or a bus line. Trains run every 15 minutes and its a comparatively quick 45 minute trip into town. There is no faster way to get into central London from Stansted. For updated rates and info stop by stanstedexpress.com

Last but not least is the bus. The main bus service is operated by National Express and takes about an hour and a half. Stop by nationalexpress.com or call 0870 575 7747 for more info.

Whichever method you choose - Enjoy London!

Getting into London from Gatwick Airport

In case you've arrived in London via a non-Heathrow airport. We're going to give you a quick update on how to get into central London from Gatwick Airport. Your options are similar to Heathrow less the Tube option. You have expensive and flexible by taxi. Then there is mid-range cost and fast speed with Gatwick Express. Last but not least there's the bus lines.

The joy of taxis is, of course, door to door. It's easy and no hassle. Of course this is also your most expensive option. The time on a taxi ends up about an hour. As always be sure to ask your driver costs before you get in the taxi. At Gatwick you can just follow the signs to the taxi line in the Arrivals Hall.

Gatwick Express goes direct from Gatwick to Victoria Station in central London. From Victoria Station you can get a taxi to your hotel direct or jump on the tube or a bus line. Trains run every 15 minutes and its a quick 30 minute trip into town. There is no faster way to get into central London from Gatwick. For updated rates and info stop by gatwickexpress.com

Last but not least is the bus. There are two bus stops. The first is located at the North Terminal, the second is located at the South Terminal. The main bus service is operated by National Express and also takes about an hour and a half. Stop by nationalexpress.com or call 0870 575 7747 for more info.

Whichever method you choose - Enjoy London!

Jack the Ripper Tour

I didn't actually go on this tour. Not enough time allowed for all the fun it seems. However, it looked cool so I thought I'd share. Here's the info from the flyer:

A Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Meets every night of the year

At Tower Hill Tube Station

Make sure your guide is Kevin, Ken, Steve, Dickie, Simon or Mark

For additional information

Email: jackfromhell1888@aol.com

Website: jack-the-ripper-tours.com

Tel: 07813 559301

Come along on the trail of Jack the Ripper, visit the murder sites or where the victims disappeared from, hear the story and fell the fear as you walk the streets, Jack the Ripper made his own, by striking fear and terror into Victorian London in the year 1888. Your guide is an expert, who belongs to an historical body of men, this historical Body of Men have been guiding in the area for centuries, each of your guides has been delivering presentations for over 25 years and uses his skills perfectly to tell you of the mystery of Jack the Ripper. Dining before the tour, try the Liberty Bounds pub on Tower Hill or the Tower Cafe in the vaults of the Tower of London, both do Fish and Chips at a very reasonable price and are close by so you can rest before going on the trail of Jack the Ripper.

Tourist Information Office London

One of the best things about traveling in Europe is the Tourist Offices. On this trip we flew into Prague where we had a two day hotel reservation and left from London where we had a one night stay already booked. For the nine days in between, we were winging it. We'd land at the airport ask for directions to the Tourist Office and take it from there.

The Britain and London Visitor Center is located at:

1 Regent Street, London, SW1Y 4XT (200 yards from Piccadilly Circus tube station)

The services available include: Accomodation Booking Free Bureau de Change (currency exchange) Theater and event tickets Public transport ticket sales (for London & across Britain London Pass card purchase Internet access Free brochures & maps They are open 7 days a week Monday 9:30am to 6:30pm Tues-Fri 9am to 6:30pm Sat 9am to 5pm (Jun-Sept) Sat 10am to 4pm (Oct-May) Sun 10am to 4pm For more info visitbritain.com and visitlondon.com

Getting into London from Heathrow Airport

It's time to visit all the glory of centuries of history and all the modern trends and conveniences in London. You've just arrived in London Heathrow, the busiest international airport in the world. How do you get into downtown London?

Great news is, you've options. Bad news is if you're coming from the states everything costs twice as much right now. That's the first thing to keep in mind. If the price says 15.00 pounds that's 30.00 dollars. Of course with the global banking crisis and meltdown of the financial markets who knows what this ratio will look like by the time you travel. Be sure to check the exchange rates so you know what you are spending. A good site for a Currency converter.

So back to your transport options. You have expensive and flexible by taxi. Then there is mid-range cost and fast speed with Heathrow Express. Last but not least there's as cheap as you are going to get and a long ride on the metro system. The metro system in London includes the Tube (which is the name for the subway system) and bus lines.

The joy of taxis, of course, it door to door with no hassle figuring out which bus lines or tube lines you need. It's easy and no hassle. Of course this is your most expensive option. The time on a taxi ends up about the same as the time on the tube at about an hour. As always be sure to ask your driver costs before you get in the taxi. At Heathrow you can just follow the signs to the taxi line in the Arrivals Hall.

Heathrow Express goes direct from Heathrow to Paddington Station in central London. From Paddington, you can get a taxi to your hotel direct or jump on the tube or a bus line. Trains run every 15 minutes from Terminal 5 and its a quick 21 minute trip into town. There is no faster way to get into central London from Heathrow. Trains run seven days a week from 5:07am until 11:42pm.

Current rates (in pounds) are:
Express Class - Single 16.50 Round Trip 32.00
First Class - Single 26.00 Round Trip 50.00
Be sure to by your ticket before you get on board as there is a 3 pound surcharge for buying your ticket on the train. For updated rates and info about discounts stop by heathrowexpress.com

Last but not least is the Tube. It cheaper and more complicated unless your hotel happens to be off the Piccadilly tube line which is the line that runs from Heathrow. Heathrow has two tube stations one serving Terminal 1, 2 and 3, another serving Terminal 4. The tube departs every five to ten minutes and takes about an hour to get into town. It is crowded which is not a lot of fun with luggage. The good news is you can get a day pass for the London metro system that will get you into the city and give you all day access to the tube and the train lines. When I got into town it was later in the day so I got the half day discount. So for 7 pounds I got to run rampant on the tube and the bus lines for the rest of the day. The upside of public transport is a more thorough view of the city. I got to talk with London natives, see parts of the city I would never have seen otherwise and experience what to me is true London. If you're not up for all that its only 4 pounds for a one way from Heathrow into town on the tube. More info at tfl.gov.uk

The Central Bus Station is located near Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The main bus service is operated by National Express and also takes about an hour. Stop by nationalexpress.com or call 0870 575 7747 for more info.

I was traveling light on this trip with one bag. So although it was crowded on the tube, I enjoyed the experience. Next time, however, I will probably fork up the extra cash and go for speed and ease on the Heathrow Express. Whichever method you choose - Enjoy London!

Prague Budapest Cesky Krumlov Vienna London and Austrian keyboard differences

Traveling is never what I expect and always a treasure. This is the first European trip I've had in a really long long time that didnt involve constant internet access. So the grand plan of bloggin my way around eastern europe dissolved into the mist. So instead, I've gone old skool and written it all down in pen and ink. Ok, so I didnt really write it all down. I scribbled notes and a log of sights I saw and ideas and future ramblings to share with you.

The first of which is the fact that on Austrian keyboards the y and the z are reversed. So if zou see some funkz spelling then please forgive me as I have not properlz adapted. :) There's also a few new keys: Ö Ä Ü and of course the very necessary €. Also for those of you who would like to use the @ to write out an email addy.... its conveniently located on the Q key and you will need to use the Alt Gr key.

So originally we had grand plans for Lisbon on the front end of this trip and I dont even remember what else. Oh yes, rail passes.. I was surprised how cheap rail tickets are over here. I think we saved money by not getting passes. And then there was the bus - cheap cheap cheap but not so good over 3 hours I'd say. Anyhoo its the middle of the night and I'm rambling.

Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know all sorts of fun and useful information is coming your way. The majority of the goods will be about Prague, Budapest, Cesky Krumlov and Vienna. Off to London tomorrow for a whole whopping 20 hours so I'm not sure what kind of goods I will dig up for you there.

So stay tuned for your handy eastern europe update. Happy Travels!