Germany 2006

We were in Berlin during the quarterfinals of the World Cup 2006. While Germany was playing. In Berlin. The city was insanely packed, but insanely fun. We went to the World Cup fanfest in the city's central park with a million of our (new) closest (literally) friends. We also saw some cultural things, but that was less fun.

Checkpoint Charlie, the old border checkpoint between East and West Berlin. Sadly, it is now a privately owned tourist trap.




At the fanfest during the Germany/Argentina quarterfinal match. Official tally, 1 million people in the park.

Belgium and The Netherlands 2006

I'm combining these countries into one post because we only had a train layover in Brussels. Amsterdam was a lovely place to visit, I'd love to go back. Cars are almost unheard of, people ride bikes everywhere, as if the entire city is a college campus. I love it. The museums there are quite nice, and the Heineken Brewey tour is great.

Mannekin Pis, a famous fountain in Brussels of a little boy, well, you get the idea.

I AMsterdam sign outside the Rijksmuseum. Probably my favorite public art piece ever, plus you can climb all over it.

France 2006

I'll be honest, I can see why people love to come to Paris and why it's called the City of Love, but frankly, it just wasn't for me. I did enjoy the architecture and the historic nature of much of the city. And I rather enjoyed visiting Normandy, even though my parents had the brilliant idea of walking to the beach from the train station, through the entire rain-soaked town.

The Pompidou Center. The architectural design is inside out, that is in fact an escalator on the outside of the building. The inside is equally screwy.

The Arc d' Triomphe. Taken from the middle of crosswalk, Parisians sure don't like that.

Inside an old German artillery battery in Normandy. I'm surrendering to Dan, definitely don't look ridiculous.

Racing to the Atlantic Ocean. I won.

England 2006

The first leg of our "grand tour" of Europe, as my dad put it. London was an amazing city to visit. Sure it was a bit cramped, but the entire city felt so lively and connected. It seemed like the entire city was watching the World Cup and pulling for England. That's the kind of universal camaraderie that I rarely see.

Good ol' Honest Abe. To his left is Winston Churchill. In a park in London. Okay

Picadilly Circus. My initials up in giant lights. I like it

Banff 2006

We had an 8 hour layover in Calgary (yes, Calgary) before our flight to London, so we drove to Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta to kill time. We had lunch at a very nice resort, which happened to have a statue for some reason. I, of course, could not resist mugging for a picture.

Dan, unfortunately, chose to make me look ridiculous by comparison. Thanks Dan.