What I'm Looking Forward To Most...
- Jill
- Sep 6, 2017
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2020
So here we are at T-minus 3 weeks and counting until I leave the country (and live Drumpf-free for almost two weeks!), and I've been thinking about what I'm most looking forward to in each of the cities I'll be visiting. Here's a peek:
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Anne Frank house (Anne Frank Huis in Dutch :-)) When I was a little kid, my two favorite books were about Helen Keller (can't remember the name of it, but it taught you the alphabet in sign language and I still remember how to sign them. My friends and I would have whole conversations during those boring educational films in class using it) and Anne Frank. While Helen Keller grew up to have some questionable beliefs, Anne Frank sadly never had the chance to grow up (and as a result, cannot possibly disappoint me). I almost wonder if I'll need a couple of hours afterward to collect myself. I've read one site that said it is a good idea to do some sort of palate cleanser after, like eating a Dutch pancake, or going to the zoo to look at the pretty animals.
Brussels, Belgium: Nope, not the sprouts. Or the waffles. I'm excited about the pomme frittes. Yup, what we call "French" fries were actually first created in Belgium...and apparently, they are the masters. But don't ask for ketchup--mayo is the dip of choice (although you can choose from tons of others).
Munich, Germany: Actually, looking forward to my side trip from here to Dachau to visit the former concentration camp. Another place that I will probably need a palate cleanser for afterward. I hear Germany has some beer or something?
Salzburg, Austria: One word: Mozart. This is his town, and there's a lot of Mozart stuff to see. And I fully plan on doing the laugh from Amadeus at some point.
Vienna, Austria: There's more Mozart here..and Beethoven...and Freud...but I'm most looking forward to seeing the Street Art Passage that lives behind the Museum of Modern Art. A long wall filled with street art...and I think you know how I feel about that :-)
Budapest, Hungary: The Danube River. This actually flows through a few of the cities I'm visiting, but it is central here. Also, apparently, the "world's most beautiful McDonald's" is found in a train station in the city. I'll be the judge of that.
Prague, Czech Republic: lots of Kafka stuff here and interesting artwork...but most of all, the Lennon Wall. According to Wikipedia, "In 1988, the wall was a source of irritation for the communist regime of Gustáv Husák. Young Czechs would write grievances on the wall and in a report of the time this led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police on the nearby Charles Bridge. The movement these students followed was described ironically as "Lennonism" and Czech authorities described these people variously as alcoholics, mentally deranged, sociopathic, and agents of Western capitalism." Today, it is filled with artwork, poems, flowers, and Lennon lyrics.
Berlin, Germany: Two words: 1. GUMMY. 2. BEARS. This is the only country that knows how to make them right. Oh...and maybe "berlin wall" or "brandenburg gate" or "checkpoint charlie" could be the two words...
Copenhagen, Denmark: The "Forgotten Giants." Artist Thomas Danbo created six giant statues out of recycled wood, hidden around the outside of the city. The goal was to get people to see areas of nature they wouldn't normally visit. If you go to his website, he has creative maps that help you to find them. I know I won't get to all of them since they are too far outside the city for someone relying on public transportation, but I plan to find at least one of them. Check out his website at http://thomasdambo.com/works/forgotten-giants/ and tell me you wouldn't want to go looking for those cuties.
When I do my individual entries for each city...I'll be able to give more detail about what my visits to each city were like (and if my anticipation for these things was warranted or not!).
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