Markus and Brian's Excellent European Adventure

Gardens of Beer, MMmm Beer

Hello everybody,

Yesterday was a good day. The sun was shinning and casting its glorious warmth across the green fields of the English Gardens, people were lazing about and soaking in what a slow Saturday afternoon had to offer them, and as we strolled through this earthly re-creation of Eden our ears were graced with the sweet sound of clinking beer mugs, boisterous laughter and, to bring it all together, some traditional German folk music. I'm sure that Brian would describe it even better than I, but unfortunately he passed out after the second liter of beer and hasn't yet remembered who he is or why he has some guy's phone number in his back pocket.

Nah, just kidding, we only drank one liter each since the beers cost about 5.80 euros per mug (That's about $9.50 Canadian), and although the mugs are one liter each, that's expensive beer. The experience was well worth that heightened price, however, and judging by how busy the place was, a lot of other people agree with us on that note. What really topped the day off for me was coming across a smaller Beer Garden within the park where the band was playing some high spirited jazz instead of Umpa Polka music. We had some ice cream and watched as the people on stage used those instruments to weave together some of the best Jazz Fusion that I've ever had the pleasure of listening too. The day was one filled with simple pleasures, but marvelous all the same.

On a more personal note, yesterday I also did something I told myself I would not do on this trip. I went out and bought myself a cheap discman along with some Weezer, RATM and the first 9 symphonies composed by Beethoven. The CDs were all on super sale, so it didn't cost me that much, but I was still hoping to get through this trip without having to resort to this. I thought that I would allow my horizons to be broadened by listening to the kinds of music that all these European countries have to offer, but after hearing 50 cent come on for the 1 millionth time I have decided that the world is being reduced to a state that doesn't include anything that even remotely resembles the words "good taste". There have been moments when good music I would never hear anywhere back home has come on, but alas I have discovered that I am an addict and since this is a vacation I have decided to get my fix.

Anyways, that's about it on my end. Brian and I have some great pictures for you that we'll post up later today.

Take it easy,

Markus

Posted by Markus at June 8, 2003 10:46 AM