1437 Miles Later

6 Countries, 8 cities, 1 island and 2 National Parks is what our trip to Eastern Europe came down to. We managed to stay on the ground again (though not as many hours as last time), using buses and trains to transport ourselves from one city to another. For the most part, cities blended together quite nicely, each country adding subtle gestures and rich history, distinguishing themselves from their ever-so-close neighbors.

Vienna certainly carried the torch for the most beautiful and accessible city we spent time in, while Prague was the most disappointing. Sarajevo surprised us and the aqua clear waters of Croatia never got old. The unexpected visits to the countryside villages of Telc and Eger became some of our favorite places.

In the end though, as it usually goes, the most treasured aspect of our trip was the weeks we spent with travel companions Paul and Brooke. Late night frisbee golf in city parks. Playing cards into the am. Exploring unfamiliar cities, side by side. Endless conversations over margherita pizzas and gyros. Nights spent in tiny cubicles, bunks stacked on top of one another. These are the memories burned into the mind, as much as any historical building or national landmark.

Eastern Europe Journey:



Final Pictures:

Croatia [September 3-11]

We spent time in Split, Trogir and Brac Island - which were all beautiful in their own regard. But the highlight of Croatia were her National Parks and most of these pictures come from one of the several we went to, Plitvice Lakes.







The rest of the pictures from Croatia are here.

Bosnia [August 29-September 2]

And finally, after 2500 sneezes and days on end of itchy eyes...just asking for a little sympathy.


A few more pics of Sarejevo here.

Hungary [August 22-28]

Fifteen more photos of Hungary here. We went to Slovakia for two nights as well, but didn't take many photos worth posting (you can see them here if you're interested).

Austria [August 16-21]

Twenty more photos from Vienna here.

Czeck Republic [August 11-15]

Czeck Republic "word" of the week: Murdalize

Mur-da-lize: One of the better words in the English language that isn't really a word. Stems partly from murder, as in lighthearted annihilation. If you're prone to exaggeration or to overwhelming desires or to unrealistic goals, this is the word for you. For example, if you were really really hungry, you might say, "Dude, I could totally murdalize that pork roast." Created by Brooke, used by all.

Some pictures from the Republic...







The rest of the Czeck pictures can be found here (only 32 more).

Eastern Europe

Ten months after returning from our last trip, we're off again. Only this time it's for five weeks and we're heading to the developed world of Eastern Europe. We fly into Prague tomorrow and out of Split, Croatia on September 11. The plan is to spend most of our 33 days walking around some of the great European cities: Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade and Sarajevo. Our final week is reserved for a beach in Croatia, but of course, all this is subject to change as we haven't planned anything beyond a hostel in Prague.

Though the unequivocal best part about this trip is that we're sharing much of it with best friends Paul and Brooke. And after needing to con and manipulate random strangers into being our friends on last years world tour, you can imagine our relief this year.

Adios Los Angeles, Ahoj Prague.