Archive for Travel

Summer of Europe 2010: Part IV

// November 15th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Travel

Stan Bashmashnikov - SMB.com

BY STAN BASHMASHNIKOV — SMB.COM.

Barcelona — July 25th – 31st

I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my trip. España. A fabled, Spanish land bulging out of southwestern Europe. I’ve been hearing stories about this place my whole life – yet longing to actually one day visit. Hyping things up seems to be my style. Bartha, as the locals call it, was at the top of my list from day one. Something about their culture has always intrigued me. When I look back, I can confidently attest that there was slim, to very, little let down; Barcelona and Ibiza (next section) were the perfect cities to close-out my tumultuous trip.

Started in 1882. Set to be completed in 2026. The Sagrada Famiglia is Gaudi's most treasured creation.

At this point in the journey – I had seen and been through it all. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating. But I had a head full of stories and a heart full of ideas – all of which I brought back with me. Part of the reason why I am writing a couple months later is because nostalgic reflection and recollection has always been a more rewarding writing experience. A little selfish and slightly self-indulgent. But, I encourage you to try it. Let the events settle in your system for a while. Then, when everything digests, churn out more long-winded, inspired memories. I also procrastinated – but that’s neither here not there! All in all, 5 weeks had now flown by and for some reason – seemed like 5 years. London, where my travels began, seemed like ages ago. I couldn’t believe Barcelona was finally staring me in the face.

Overwhelmed much? Standard menu with over 60 tapas to choose from.

First order of business – Tapas. This is all I ate when I was there (as well as a random occurrence of McDonalds). My logic was simple: try as many different tapas as possible in a span of six days. You might have the opportunity back in the States – but surely, it’ll taste different. I won’t list them all out. Off the top of my head, some that stood out include Tortillas de Camarones (Shrimp Fritters), a Prawn, Artichoke, and Bacon concoction, and Lamb Meatballs – I forget the exact Spanish name but they had me balling. You get the picture. There were as many tapas bars there as there are fast food joints here. Sad but true – why is this nation obese again? Make sure to also try the Valencian-originated, customary dish Paella. Paella is a thing of genius. Simple yet complicated, coming in the form of either seafood, beef, or a blend of both. You are given one of these choices over cooked rice, vegetables, beans, delicious red sauce, and various exotic spices. Add sangria to illuminate your taste buds. The service was exemplary. For a skinny guy, you’d be surprised how much I fancy food – and this was a stellar dish.

Park Guell - Public park (by Gaudi) which is truly an abstract place where everything looks completely out of the ordinary.

Prior to visiting Barcelona, I had never specifically heard of Antoni Gaudi. I’m convinced the name must’ve brushed by me in history class. However – for whatever reason, I had no idea who this individual was. All I knew is that he was a god in Barcelona; one of those men who people admired and praised for decades. Before going, people told me to check out this, and that – all designed by him – and I casually agreed. Hell – what was I supposed to expect? Reserving judgment is something I’ve always been keen of. Trust that your intuition is honest enough to judge things for yourself. I must submit though – his work was truly remarkable.

Some of his best architectural creations include the Casa Mila, Park Guell, and Sagrada Famiglia, which is still unfinished. Let me put this in perspective. The scheduled completion date is sometime in 2026. I say again – 2026! I get anxious when I have to plan 6 months ahead. The Sagrada Famiglia is a massive Roman Catholic church and described as “Gaudi’s magnificent archetoric and religious vision.” The completion date is slated to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of his death. Building began in 1882. Do the math, then do the mental math. It will have been built in 144 years . The extensive amount of cultural, structural, and technological changes in Spanish society since construction began is utterly absurd! This being an incredibly ambitious project would be a complete understatement. Hopefully they make their deadline – the primary centerpiece chapel hasn’t even been started yet.

The Boy Scout: Marshmallow on a stick. Shot of Tequila. Bar on fire. Roast marshmallow, dip into tequila, eat marshmallow, take Tequila. Repeat.

What is an entry about Barcelona without mentioning the nightlife? Quite empty and lacking substance in my opinion. Well – what can I say about the nightlife in Barca – it is on par with NYC, if not better at times. Make sure you are up for it. If New York City is the city that never sleeps, Barcelona is the city the never stops. Seriously. Spanish people don’t eat dinner until around 10pm. And they eat for hours (most European cultures do). They don’t go out until sometime around 1am. And yes – the celebration goes all night. Clubs and Shot Bars rule the realm. Take my word for it – you don’t sleep at night in Barcelona over the summer. You catch up on sleep at the beach during the day.

FCB Stadium - the words translate to "More Than Just A Club."

And what a thing the beaches in Barcelona are. Beautiful, carefree, and extremely welcoming. They are typically very crowded – especially in the summer months. I found the majority of the people to be extremely friendly, contrary to previous destinations on my trip. This is the perfect getaway from noisy, touristy, Barcelona streets such as Las Ramblas. Kick back and stay comfortably-hydrated.

There is a plethora of beach-side clubs and perfectly tucked away shot bars to choose from. Begin the night at the shot bars – they are super laid back and provide a very welcoming atmosphere. Plus, you’ll want to gradually get into party mode before you hit the clubs. I highly recommend one called Gato Negro. Don’t ask me the address. Once again – ask the locals, they’ll know exactly where it is. This was, by far, one of the coolest places to be. One shooter was called the Boy Scout: you are given a marshmallow on a stick and a shot of Tequila.  Bartender pours out some lighter fluid and lights a  small section of the bar on fire. Roast your marshmallow on the fire, dip it into the tequila, eat the marshmallow, and take the Tequila! Honestly – just one big sugar rush. Those that cringe at the sight of Tequila – this completely diminishes the taste, believe me. There were more too. Lets just say that the bartenders in Barcelona like to get creative with fire when serving you drinks. Don’t forget – moderation always. Undoubtedly something you can’t pass up.

Ibiza — August 1st – 4th

Pulling into Ibiza City harbor at 6am following an overnight ferry from Barcelona.

Ibiza is the European version of Las Vegas. This coming from someone who hasn’t even been to Vegas. However, this was the general consensus among those “in the know.” When it comes to culture and rich history – there really isn’t anything notable to speak of. If I recall correctly, the land was overtaken by Spanish conquerors many, many years ago. In today’s day and age, Ibiza is known primarily for one thing: the club scene. The city’s economy rises and falls as a function of the revenue from the clubs. It’s remarkable that this little island, 6 hours southeast of Spain, is home to the largest, most prolific clubs in the world. Over the summer, the resident DJs (meaning they play at least once a week at a specific club) are David Guetta, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren,  Paul Van Dyk, Swedish House Mafia, and others. For those that don’t know – these five are ranked in

Cafe Del Mor - popular dinner location where large crowds gather to watch the sunset.

the top 10 for DJs in the world. It costs anywhere from 40-70 Euro a night for a ticket. Comparatively speaking – and for a lack of a better example (lets use Rock) – imagine if Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Metallica, U2, and Sublime (who were all big at the same time in the early 1990s) all played weekly at a specific location. That never happens. Nor will it ever. Techno, Trance, and House Music is probably the only genre of music where this can plausibly work. But that’s beside the point. Point being – the island is truly an electric place.

Let’s back up a little. Throughout my journey, most of my travel was done by train. Day, night, overnight, day-bleeding-into-night – it always seemed to be a long and arduous journey. Call me corny – but I was ecstatic to take an overnight 6-hour ferry to Ibiza. Me and my travel buddies, who I had only met in Barcelona, decided it would be a good idea to sleep on the top level of the deck outside. Well – it was a good idea. Sure the temp dropped overnight. Sure, comfort on folding beach chairs isn’t ideal. But when else do you get to wake up to a sunrise  atop of a massive ship, coasting into the harbor of a remote Spanish utopia? There was no dissent amongst the group.

We stayed in the area of Sant Antoni – which is 15 minutes north of Ibiza City. Truthfully – it doesn’t matter where you are geographically situated on the island. Everything is accessible by cab – as most of the major clubs are awkwardly located between the major cities. Taking cabs, unfortunately, is the only way to go (unless you rent a vehicle). It gets very expensive, very quickly. Even after a few days, you’ll be very surprised by how thin your newly acquired, European leather wallet feels. And no, it’s not because the wallet is a slim fit. Make sure you are going in with a decent amount of spending money.

DJ Tiesto. Ibiza. Self-explanatory.

Armin Van Buuren. Armin <3's You.

Roger Sanchez - on the opposite side at Amnesia.

The beaches. What more can I say? I highly stress – do not miss your opportunity to visit Ibiza’s stunning beaches. Spanish beaches, in correlation with their people, are breathtaking and like nothing you and I have probably ever seen. I am proud to say that I went to the best beach I’ve ever been to in my life, thus far, called Cala Conta. The locals treasure this place because it is yet to be “touristerized.” Words don’t do it justice. But I can try – follow along imaginatively. You are walking down an old, lightly color dirt path. Looking directly ahead – you see nothing. You see desert road and blue skies. But – there’s a cliff in the distance. You begin to see cars parked – one after the other.  As you approach closer and closer, you are able to overlook what is beyond the cliff. People. And not in an overwhelming, get-me-out-of-here-it’s-crowded sort of way. Ridiculously attractive ones, at that. Crystal water. Perfect sand. Mojitos made on the spot. Lukewarm water. Swimming with families, and their families, and their families of exotic fishes. Seriously – this place is probably where Microsoft found those default Windows wallpapers that come pre-stocked with your computer. I’ve dreamt of this place ever since, but eventually always seem to wake up.

Cafe Del Mor overlooks the bay - boats, cruise ships, para-sailing.

The clubs. Once again – this is just one of those things where words inevitably fall short. Monday night – we bought tickets to see DJ Tiesto at Privilege, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest club in the world. Yes. It was massive. I may be wrong but instinct is pushing me to compare it to the size of a football field. I recall watching old concert footage from places such as the Meadowlands or Wembley Stadium. The scope of the crowd was quite similar to this scale. Regardless, there were people everywhere – in the corner’s corners of your eyes. Dancing, jumping, wailing, falling – this was energy to the max. He put on an incredible show. The following night, we saw Armin Van Buuren at Amnesia. Not as big of a club, but not small by any stretch of the imagination. Such a surreal experience – one night followed by another. There isn’t much to say except to submit and acknowledge that every club in Ibiza is worth the expensive price of admission. Don’t miss out.

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And there you have it. This concludes the Summer of Europe 2010. Thanks for reading – and as always, stay tuned for future articles in the Travel section.

Stan Bashmashnikov runs stanmichaelbash.com, focusing on industries such as creative marketing, online media, and social networking. Please visit the Contact Me link at the bottom of the page for more info.

Summer of Europe 2010: Part III

// October 11th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Travel

Stan Bashmashnikov - SMB.com

BY STAN BASHMASHNIKOV — SMB.COM.

Prague — July 14th – 18th

Paris was breathtakingly memorable. Amsterdam was an experience unlike nothing else. Prague was an unexpectedly, pleasant surprise of architectural, cultural, and historic beauty.

Upon mine, Chris, and James’ arrival to the city – we were part of a truly luxurious European train travel expedition. I’m exaggerating slightly – we rode second class. But this speed-demon was nothing like the one from Amsterdam to Berlin. The air was perfectly cool, drowning out the summer day. There were dozens of empty seats. No crying babies on board to disturb your rest. But the icing on the cake? The three-course Czech meal consisting of beef goulash, and other various edibles. The meal could’ve easily been on Top Chef – it was that good. Needless to say, this was starting off on the right foot.

One of the reasons why the Stare Mesto looks like a scene out of a movie at night.

Most people are unaware of the hidden treasure that is Prague, Czech Republic. Typically referred to as the most westernized city in Eastern Europe, it was practically unharmed during World War II. Because of this, most of the old architecture, dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries remains standing. This is remarkable considering that nearly every major city in Europe was bombarded during the war.

First things first – walk down to the Stare Mesto (Old Place) and take in the city’s town square. Out of all the town squares on my trip, I found this one to be one of my favorite. You will find the Orloj, or Astronomical Clock, at the forefront winning over the tourist masses. At the top of every hour, the “The Walk of the Apostles” occurs where puppets, figurines, and other moving sculptures signify the changing of the hour. Every tour guide said the same thing to us – “You will most likely be disappointed with it.” Sure enough, the build up, waiting among the crowd, camera in hand – was much more exciting than 30 seconds of watching toys move around. It’s worth to see – but just to say that you saw it.

Prague Castle at dusk across the river is like nothing you've ever seen before.

Looming across the Vltava River, its hard to miss the city’s most noticeable landmark – the Pražský hrad, or Prague Castle.  And what’s even better? You’ll be mesmerized by the quality, precision, and preservation of the statues lining the Charles Bridge (the bridge that connects the city to the Castle District). This was quite surreal for me. The words ageless and priceless are are an understatement. The golden-embroidery on every statue is something  rarely found anywhere in the world. Whether it be philosophers, poets, and religious figures – the subtle gold lining entrenched within the stone is an instant crowd-pleaser.

We were sure to visit Karlovy Lazne, supposedly regarded to be the largest club in Eastern Europe. I hated this place. Remember high school dances? Remember how awkward and cheesy they were? This place had 5 floors of that. I can guarantee that the overwhelming majority of the people here were teenagers. Talk about a tourist trap. Don’t believe the hype. This place also charged a hefty cover – all for a major let down. Again – consider going here, but just to say that you went.

The Old Jewish Cemetary is a must see. No longer in use, the oldest headstone reads Avigdor Kara, 1479.

Don’t forget to eat. Two of my favorite meals of the trip were here. The country’s national dish is Roast Duck Neck (and other crazy variations of Duck). Now, depending on how big of a Duck fan you truly are – you still have to appreciate the delicious goodness the Czech prepare. One night – we ate this specialty dish in front of the Astronomical Clock. Again – a Top Chef nominated dish, in my opinion. On a completely different night, after the guys had left – an even better meal. Tucked away in a small, village-like street, me and my friend Donna found a Russian restaurant. Completely authentic; I felt like my mom was cooking. They even asked me what my last name was. We feasted with a traditional Russian lunch – complete with Bouillon Soup, Pelmeni, and Ribs.

Praha  houses a very prominent Jewish district in the northwest part of town. Above all, the Jewish Cemetery immediately blew me away. In addition to the fact that it is literally hundreds, and hundreds of years old, all the graves are stacked atop one another. A designated path takes you on a walking tour through generation after generation of deceased souls. The headstones are breathtaking, leaning atop one another like spectators at a concert. They are surprisingly well preserved for something so old. It was truly an eerie feeling walking through there.


Budapest — July 19th – 21th

I wasn’t even supposed to go to Budapest.  The initial plan was to visit Vienna. I couldn’t really associate Vienna with anything right off the top of my head. Don’t let this be your reason for visiting a place. It was just mine – at the time. Upon heavy contemplation, via Google Image search, in addition to a few intriguing conversations  – I decided I was going to pull the proverbial travel-trigger and take an evening train to Buda. Here is the story.

The Baths at Budapest - the picture doesn't do justice to how massive this place was.

It was the furthest East my journey had taken me. And for about an hour – I was questioning it. Let me elaborate. My train arrived around 23:00 (11:00pm). Now – I arrived late-night in both Paris and Brussels – and had no problem getting comfortably acquainted with the general surroundings. People were out and about. Lampposts illuminated narrow, dark streets. The shadiness factor was minimal. But for some reason – Budapest was slightly different. The Keleti train station gave off a deserted, Wild West aura. Honestly, the place felt completely deserted. Once the remaining passengers scattered, I swear I must’ve been alone with a handful of homeless people, who were asking for money in this extremely wide open terminal. The bus stop was right outside. I finally made my way to my hostel. Surprise, surprise! They overbooked me. The owner, an older, lanky man in his mid-50s with a thick Slavic accent, drove me to a sister hostel. The kind gesture was much appreciated – really couldn’t be picky at this point. I felt a little uncomfortable though – and he was driving a BMW 6 series. Really? Is the Hostel business really that good? He pulled up to an old, project style building and walked me in. No lights. No elevator. A putrid, dark staircase. We were going to the 6th floor. My guard was undeniably up at this point. He opened the door and I let out a huge sigh of relief – an American receptionist greeted me and I saw other, young travelers watching an episode of The Office in the background. The moral here? Not sure – but it definitely had me on edge.

The view from Buda - Parliament Building across the Danube River.

Onto the history! The sheer size of Budapest amazed me right off that bat. The city is divided into two parts: Buda and Pest. Buda lies west of the Danube River, while Pest lies east. Geographically, the layout reminded me of Paris and London. An enormous river running through a massive area of land. While the city is united and sovereign – the general feel in both areas is vastly different. Buda sports a country-side, hilly vibe. Quaint villages and narrow hillside pathways sprawl across the mountainous region. Buda Castle is located here – and is definitely worth hiking up to for the incredible views. Expect nothing but peace and serenity from an area called Buda. Pest is more urban, city-dweller, business district-esque. Consider it the central area for everything finance, government, and economics. Noisy and urban.

Stunning Church located directly in Pest.

Out of all the things to check off your “travel list” – spending a day at the Turkish baths unmistakeably takes precedent. Budapest is very well known for having exquisite baths. They don’t play around. An all day pass ranges anywhere from fifteen to twenty-five euro. With all the amenities and cool side sections (whirlpool, sauna, hot/cold jacuzzi, etc.) – it pays for itself. This was the perfect break for my trip. Backpacking, you are walking five miles every day – at the minimum. Assuming you go during the summer, you are sweating through your clothes for the majority of the time. This wears you down – mentally and physically. And personally, you can only see so many town halls, grand squares, churches, and bridges before it gets repetitive. Not to say that you won’t appreciate it – by god, you still will. But – it loses its novelty. Anything that will take you away from being an obvious tourist, do it! Thank me later.


Munich/Dachau– July 22nd – 24th

Center city in Munich, down the street from St. Michael's Church.

Bavaria is an experience in and of itself. Much like Budapest, my stay here was short but sweet. The southern German city is primarily known for one thing – Beer. Lots of it. I forget the exact statistic – but during Oktoberfest, they consume a lot of it. Enough to fill lakes, rivers, and oceans. Wormholes in space. If it were water, it would cure malnourished children in Africa and put out fires in Los Angeles. You get the picture. So it goes without saying that the vibe here, when compared to Berlin, is vastly different. It would be like comparing Apples to Antelopes. Conservatives to liberals. America to Europe. There is a huge difference.

A visit to the famous Hofbrahaus goes without saying. Hitler and the Third Reich frequented Munich’s most famous beer hall, complete with 3-floors and over 700 seating locations. Everything is still vintage – from the carvings on the tables to the Liederhosen worn by the staff. Although it has become very touristy, most visitors will still be in for a great time. Talk about instant friends. As soon as you sit down – you’re family. Like Olive Garden but it doesn’t absolutely suck. Sorry Olive Garden – you can’t turn grandma’s old

Food and drinks at the world-famous Hofrahaus - no words, just delicious thoughts.

Italian recipes and mass produce them. Me and my new friends took a seat amongst hundreds. We feasted on delicious bratwursts, frankfurters, wiener schnitzels – you name it, we had it. And of course, the house brew in a liter mug was a home run. Try it all or you will regret it!

In terms of the nightlife, check out Osterpark Ost on Graffingerstrasse. That sounds confusing – I know. The cab drivers and locals know where it is. Essentially, it is a sectioned off street, weaving in and out of itself, consisting of an absurd number of Bavarian clubs, bar, and lounges. I’m talking 20+ here – all tightly knit into a relatively small space. The street runs rampant with debauchery, yet still feels very well controlled. Europe does a good job in figuring this out. I compare it to Bourbon St. with a clubby, Bavarian twist. Did I just coin Bavarian St? Maybe.

Dachau Memorial put up in 1997 - words not seen here read "Never Again" in Hebrew, French, German, Russian, and English.

Now, I’ve probably overused the word “sobering” throughout my writings. I believe it justifies itself. The overall theme of the trip seemed to shift day-by-day. A day at the beer garden followed a night out can easily be overshadowed by one expierence of culture and history. Obviously – Dachau was this. This was my 2nd concentration camp of the journey, Sachenhausen (outside of Berlin) being the first. Officially opened in 1933, it was the first of its kind. Many of the forthcoming camps were modeled after this one. Needless to say – it made me feel the same way as Sachenhausen. For a lack of being wordy – it was, once again, appalling to see the grounds. And hear the stories being told by the guides. It rained too. Lot of very elderly people too. Made me wonder – a lot. Kind of brings you down to Earth, or just down in general. But that doesn’t matter much. What matters is the memory that will resonate with me for a long, long time. Dachau is a sobering place.

Stay Tuned for Part IV concluding my travels with Barcelona and Ibiza.

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Stan Bashmashnikov runs stanmichaelbash.com, focusing on industries such as creative marketing, online media, and social networking. Please visit the Contact Me link at the bottom of the page for more info.

Summer of Europe 2010: Part II

// September 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Travel

Stan Bashmashnikov - SMB.com

BY STAN BASHMASHNIKOV — SMB.COM.

Amsterdam — July 7th – 11th

Amsterdam. Still gives me chills when I say that word. The mix of culture, architecture, and eclecticism certainly sets the city apart from any other place I’ve ever been to. Talk about liberal and free-spirited individuals – they certainly practice what they preach. You always hear about it from your friends, but nothing compares to experiencing it first hand.

For this portion of my journey, two of my good buddies from home, Chris and James, flew over from the States. Thanks. Although maybe I shouldn’t say thanks – how can you even question passing up an opportunity to travel Europe!? Traveling alone is great – the sheer independence builds so much character, but after a while, you miss being around those that know you best. Guys – you couldn’t of picked a better time to visit.

The Old Church, conveniently located right across the Red Light District.

I’ll begin by saying this: Amsterdam is a modern day Pirate Town. Funny right? Everybody I met generally agreed with this statement. Seriously – “You take what you want, and you give nothing back.” Think of it as organized lawlessness. In most cities, anarchy would ensue. Yet, Amsterdam has brewed (pun intended) the formula to keep literally everybody happy. No wonder the Dutch control the largest port in the world southwest in the city of Rotterdam. I bet back in the olden days, Jack Sparrow and company called this place a permanent residence.

Amsterdam is very safe. We didn’t come across any particularly shady areas, or witness absurd acts of violence. We witnessed absurdity – but that’s neither here nor there. Indulge in my philosophy for a moment: Law and order exists here, but very, very loosely. Consider “the law” as an underground practice: it exists but isn’t necessarily visible to you. Because of their incredibly liberal, hands-off approach in government, people are naturally good and as long as they are happy, are not susceptible to doing anything stupid. More simply put – the stress-free, care-free vibe of the city prevents any need to riot, murder, or misbehave. It is truly a democracy. You have to love the Dutch.

Expensive Dutch Townhouses - traditional architecture at its finest form

The architecture is another facet that cannot be ignored. The traditional, rounded top townhouse style that fills the city at nearly every street corner truly sets Amsterdam apart from anything else in the world. If and when you visit, you will immediately notice that some of these buildings are leaning forward. It’s hard to miss – trust me. Way back when, a genius architect decided to design the buildings to lean a few feet forward. The intention was that when furniture was being rope-lifted up using the pulley mounted at the top, it would be further away from the house and thus, not hit anything on the way up. Ridiculous theory. Somebody clearly more intelligent came along and proposed to just make the pulleys longer. Longer pulley = no more leaning houses. That’s why some lean, and some don’t (and a few lean because of water erosion). The more you know.

The canals and the unique architecture set this city apart from most.

I have to talk about the Red Light District. After all, how can I not. You always hear about it but like most things in life, seeing is believing. The concept works so well for the Dutch. These ladies rent out “windows” and “beds” to advertise themselves to potential clients. Notice how I tried to keep that as PC as possible? You walk up to them and negotiate a fair price. If she finds the price to be right, the magic happens. If you try and act out, well, watch out. We witnessed an individual take pictures with his camera. Immediately, the lady chased him down, smashed his camera to pieces, and poured urine on his head. True story – they take their job seriously. But I digress. I’m in Marketing and let me tell you – some of them need to take Branding 101. This is a business! Some are texting on their cell phones while others gossiping with their next-door neighbors. Forgive me for sounding like a pimp here… but lady, you’re working in Amsterdam during tourist season – show some effort! We figured out a subtle, yet effective, correlation: the narrower the alleyway, the more attractive the female was. This makes sense too. Less traffic, more safety, and some privacy: this was the only part of the business model that actually made sense.

World, this is where your Heineken comes from.

I haven’t forgotten about you, World Cup 2010. Yes, I was in Amsterdam during the world cup final match between Netherlands and Spain. My attempt to put it into words will undoubtedly fall short. You just had to be there – it was the single, greatest mix of culture, entertainment, and sports that I have ever been a part of. The Saturday before the final, and the Sunday leading up to the match at 20:30PM(8:30PM) – the city was electric. These videos will hopefully offer up a thousand words. Imagine a city engulfed in orange everything: buildings, cars, lamp posts, restaurants, kids, dogs, cats, etc. Even the escorts in the windows sported Van Persie and Robben jerseys! Everywhere you turned – you were either blinded by the orange decor or deafened by the orange Vuvuzelas, which I ended up purchasing. The city set up 5 enormous TV Screens in Museumplein, a huge outdoor field located next to the city’s two most famous museums, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Can you beat this view?

Now, describing the environment at this field is truly something out of a movie. I look at the pictures and still smile. Chris, James, and I were able to get atop a 4-story makeshift building for a better look. The view was breathtaking – something that will never fade from my memory. These videos pretty much sum up what 300,000 people, from all over the world I might add, look like rooting for their team on the biggest day during the largest, multi-cultural sporting event in the world.

You really can’t beat that. Such a rare opportunity, and yet, it was the perfect storm of European summer travel, a world cup finale, and the most laid back city in the world. Visit – you’ll come back with stories, guaranteed.

Berlin/Sachenhausen — July 12th – 13th

The Brandenburg Gate is clearly the centerpiece to this stoic city.

Following what had to be one of the most miserable 6 hour train rides, mainly due to the fact that there was no AC on our 100 degree train, we arrived in the German capital of Berlin. Right off the bat, the city felt desolate and deserted. The words eerie, still, and lifeless first came to mind. Berlin is actually underpopulated; the city is built for 5 million people but only inhabits less than half of that. Plus, it was scorching outside.

Although the war is over, Berlin still breathes as two distinct cities: East and West Berlin. Sure, the wall came down nearly twenty years ago. But the remnants – both culturally and physically – still remain. West Berlin boasts most of the financial sector and generally feels very Westernized, in terms of restaurants, shops, and general population. On the other hand, East Berlin is more grungy, alternative, and eclectic; the majority of the buildings sport graffiti and the inhabitants were definitely much more “unique.” Honestly, I loved both areas. I never shy away from cities that offer up something for everyone. Its just mind-boggling to think how different the residents in both areas were.

Holocaust Memorial; starts out shallow and low - the deeper you go, the lower the ground is and the taller the columns are. Clearly, a visual metaphor for what happened.

Berlin isn’t just different geographically. The city, during the day, is as proper and stoic as they come. Much like London, statues and memorials commemorate fallen generals of past. Everywhere you turned – you could see a statue in your sights. Being a Jewish male, walking through the Brandenburg Gate for the first time – I must admit there was a sense of apprehension and uneasiness. I remember watching old Leni Riefenstahl propaganda films in my general education classes where the Third Reich would parade in on their old Rolls-Royces through those gates. Incredible to think I actually walked through 70 years later.

And the famous Berlin nightlife scene. You never would think so if you only saw the city during the day. The city is home to very posh, exclusive clubs – most of which I forget the name of. Somebody mentioned that celebrities from the likes of Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan, and Colin Farrel frequent Berlin for these specific venues. Who knew – I never would have guessed. Although we only had one night to experience, it really does live up to expectations – highly recommend checking it out. Just ask the locals and they’ll tell you all about where to go.

Prisoners were shot if they stepped onto the "Neutral Zone." It was common for prisoners to be killed this way, not because they attempted to escapes, but because they viewed it as the quickest, simplest end to their suffering.

The culmination of this leg of the trip was an hour away in Sachenhausen – the 2nd Concentration Camp that opened following Dachau in 1933. To say this was a sobering expierence would be an understatement. Again – I reiterate – Jewish male, holocaust family history, first time visiting a concentration camp. Definitely a surreal experience. Makes you appreciate everything tenfold.

As I was first walking in, listening to the tour guide provide a general background of the location, I couldn’t help but imagine the thousands of families being marched on the same ground I was now standing on. The entrance to the camp is a large iron gate with a clock at the top. The clock reads 11:07 – the time the camp was liberated in 1945. As all concentration camps did, the gate has the words “ARBEIT MACHT FREI” inscribed, meaning “Work Will Set You Free.” This was the Nazi’s way of falsely legitimizing the camp – declaring it as a prison where “hard work” and “due diligence” lead to reward and eventual restoration of rights. Fittingly, they called this “Station A.” The gas chamber/crematorium they called “Station Z.” You went from A to Z.

"Station Z" - the last station.

I can describe so much more – but I think most people get the idea. Walking around these was definitely not easy. Stepping onto those campgrounds made me cherish everything I have back home. It sounds cliche, but I realized something: how lucky I was. No matter your religious preference – it deserves a day’s worth visit.

Stay Tuned for Part III including Prague, Budapest and Munich.

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Stan Bashmashnikov runs stanmichaelbash.com, focusing on industries such as creative marketing, online media, and social networking. Please visit the Contact Me link at the bottom of the page for more info.

Summer of Europe 2010: Part I

// August 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // Travel

Stan Bashmashnikov - SMB.com

BY STAN BASHMASHNIKOV — SMB.COM. It’s hard to put into words what my six weeks in Europe were like. My go-to, responses have been to the effect of incredible, eye-opening, sobering, culturally-shocking, and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. These are all strong words and statements. I know this sounds cliche, but sometimes, words don’t necessarily do enough justice when trying to convey, to both your friends and loved ones, just what you experienced. And yet, all of them seem to encompass what the trip was like – and much more.

I kept a travel journal throughout the trip. Mine had a specific catch. Not only does it contain my personal entries, but also those from the people I met along the way. The concept came about when I realized that I wanted to create something authentic that I can take back and reflect from this trip. Souvenirs and gifts are great, but they only go so far. With my “black book,” I can look back to specific days and bathe in the nostalgia. Living in the past is no good, but when it comes to visiting Europe, I mean c’mon, I think most would make an exception. Whoever I met and shared an experience with, I would ask to write in my book.  I’m sure I uttered the words “Do you want to write in my book?” at least a hundred times. While some people were completely turned off to the idea, the majority embraced it. Trust me – there are very good entries. They are confidential of course. Special thanks to those who were able to be a part of it.

This article, along with Parts II and III (coming soon) are meant to be both a personal account and a rough-guide for Western Europe. Some parts you may not agree with. Other parts may not be relevant to you in any way, shape, or form. Hell – I began the trip nearly eight weeks ago and here I am, sitting at my desk, trying to recollect everything using just my memory and my book. Take it for what it is. Just know the underlying message I am trying to convey — everybody needs to take an extended trip like this at least once in their lives. You will not regret it.

London — June 24th – 28th

Have you ever been to New York City? London is a smaller NYC with a really cool accent. It seriously felt like I never left Manhattan. The city is divided into neighborhoods that all have their own, unique little personalities and vibes (The West End, Uptown, etc.). Much like NYC, there is a theater district, grunge scene, art district, etc. Then you have your very own Times Square called Piccadilly Circus. Okay, its not as over-the-top annoying as the real times square, but it still gets the award for an awfully large, touristy area with an abundance of pickpockets. Wallets in your front pockets at all times. For this portion of my trip, it ironically didn’t feel like Europe, but merely an extension of back home.

London Eye in the background, along the River Thames.

I don't normally take pictures of Telephone Booths, but when I do, I prefer London Telephone Booths.

The actual city and what is most popularly known as London is actually divided between the City of London and the City of Westminster. All of the major tourist sites reside within these two cities. The free walking tours offered by Sandeman’s New Europe are the best. You get an enthusiastic, witty tour guide who takes you and a group around the major sites. If you are traveling alone, make sure to take these tours and make some new friends.

Can you say Monarchy? Buckingham Palace.

London is very serious when it comes to maintaining their security. There are over 40,000 CCTV cameras positioned in every street corner imaginable. The police presence is unmistakable. You will always know Big Brother is watching. Be careful — because they are very strict about almost everything, and out of all of the cities I visited, were the least lenient when it came to “fun.”

Big Ben looms in the distance accross the River Thames.

One of the highlights of this part of my trip had to be when England v. Germany was broadcast. The city was a ghost town – every living soul crowded the local pubs in town. Me and an Australian buddy of mine, James, visited a place uptown. What an experience. Talk about the definition of the word “rowdy brit.” English football fans live and die by their team. Although their team was eliminated from the World Cup playoff round, they still celebrated. We walked to Trafalgar Square where dozens of fans jumped in the fountain and began singing. London 2012 anyone?

The nightlife scene was fairly standard for a major city. I say this because it was well within the comfort zone. I’m used to the bars and clubs in Manhattan and this was no exception. The higher-end places demanded strict dress codes. You had your college bars where 2-for-1 drink specials encouraged playing tonsil hockey with somebody you had met about an hour ago. The hole-in-the-wall dive bars welcomed you with pints, and pints, and more pints of their finest house brews. Truthfully, it was nothing out of the ordinary. NYC is a little more classy, which suits my preference. But hey, to each his own. My only complaint – everything shuts down around 1am. You win again, NYC, and remain far ingrained in my heart.

St. Paul's Cathedral at sunset.

I must say – London is a good starting point for Americans planning on traveling through Europe. It’s almost unfair to travel to Europe and be in a city where English remains the most common language. The adjustment is subtle but still enough to force change. Be prepared to see the sun set at 10:30pm and rise at 4:00am over the summer. Also, don’t get turned off when the British scorn at your American accent. And please, attempt to speak with a British accent as often as possible. While you may get some looks and ruffle a few eyebrows — it’s so worth it! Some tension may still exist several centuries later. But over a pint, everyone becomes each other’s best friend.

Paris/Versailles — June 29th – July 3rd

Ah, Paris. You weren’t even supposed to be part of my trip. I visited you back when I was a wee-lad in my 13th year of life. Ireland was supposed to be the next stop. Yet, how glad am I to have so spontaneously changed my mind – because this was potentially my favorite city of the whole trip. Everyone should visit Paris.

The actual city itself is huge. It is so spread out that it took me a good 20 minutes on the subway everytime I needed to get to a major destination. Every train is local. The concept of “express trains” really doesn’t apply here. As most urbanized, metropolitan city dwellers know, these big cities get really humid in the summer time. Paris was no exception – I don’t weigh much, but I swear I must’ve sweat out a good five pounds over six days. Every day, walking around with a travel backpack on, logging at least 5 miles a day — there will be sweat. Additionally, be prepared to get harassed by street vendors selling.. you guessed it.. designer handbags, sunglasses, and watches! I mean, its got to be real Gucci if they say it is right!? Just walk by and ignore – it will save you valuable time.

Spain v. Portual + Eiffel Tower = C'est Bon.

But on to the good stuff. My trip consisted majorly of lodging in Hostels. Some of you may have cringed when you saw that word. Others maybe immediately thought of the movie. It’s completely not what you have been conditioned to think. For those unfamiliar with the concept, Hostels offer limited amenities, much  like Motels do here in the States, but make up for it with a great social environment (lounge, on-site bar, game room, etc.). Remember when you lived in those crammed college dorms your Freshman and Sophmore year? Imagine that, but people from literally every corner of the world. Plus, everybody is also traveling, thus is in the same adventurous mindset. Great experience. If you’re a twenty-something traveler and you like meeting new people, don’t think twice. This is easily the way to go.

Paris was my first realization of how truly lucky I was to be traveling Europe. And additionally, how perfectly convenient that it was also during the World Cup! The Spain v. Portugal match was on later in the day and a group of new friends and I decided, why not watch it? Wouldn’t you know – there was an enormous TV screen set up in front of the Eiffel Tower. It wasn’t until I was sitting there with my new friends – with our bottles of Merlot, at least 6 different types of cheeses, baggetes, crepes, assorted cold cuts — watching Spain score that first goal amidst a crowd well over 100,000, and the Eiffel Tower in the background. Hearing “Waving Flag” and “Waka Waka” play while people were waving their countries flags and dancing like Shakira. Yeah – that was one of those moments I will definitely not forget for a long, long time.

The Royal Palace at Versailles

Gardens at Versailles - the French are very good at controlling nature.

A day-trip to Versailles is a must. I hear visiting Normandy an hour outside of town is too, which I unfortunately didn’t get to do. Bear in mind, you will be doing a lot of walking through the gardens at Versailles. Fun history facts for you history buffs (Yes – I still remember these off the top of my head). Versailles is where France was ruled during most of the 18th and 19th century by King Louis XIII and later on, the XIV. The country was essentially a monarchy. The palace at Versailles is comparable to Buckingham Palace where the Queen “rules” in England. It is also where the Treaty of Versailles was signed that ended WWI. And last but not least – back in the late 1800s, a document was signed that created Germany in the Hall of Mirrors. Let me say this again – Germany was created in France. No kidding right?

The Sacre C'Oeur atop Montmartre.

Hopefully the brief history lesson didn’t bore you. It’s okay if it did. Onto more stories. A great place to go at night is, believe it or not, anywhere along the River Seine. Try and get close to the Cathedral de Notre Dame. Hundreds of people come out to sit by the water and listen to these mini-concerts that go on. I went with a friend on a Wednesday evening and the river was alive. Believe me when I say, sitting near the water with the cathedral directly in front of you, observing the French culture with your bottle of.. you guessed it.. wine: little sappy, but memorable nonetheless. Another memory is my last night at the Sacre C’Oeur (Sacred Heart). The Sacre C’Oeur is less popular than Notre Dame, but once you see it, you immediately appreciate it. It sits atop a hill in Montmartre. During WWII when Paris was bombed from the sky, legend has it that numerous bombs were dropped all around the church but not one soul perished. It feels like the most peaceful part of the city. Watching the sunrise on the steps of this place with the opposite sex was something out of a movie. I’m extremely classy. If you have the chance – stay up and make some memories at the Sacre C’Oeur.

A view from the inside of the Louvre.

You’re probably asking yourself, well what about the touristy stuff Stan? I want to be a tourist. You’ll need to spend a good amount of time at the Louvre. I forget the exact fact, but it goes something like this: If you were to spend 30 seconds on every painting and sculpture in the Louvre, you would be there for 25 days. The place is enormous. Know what you want to accomplish, grab a museum map, and go. I spent about four hours there and was thoroughly “museumed-out” afterward. Obviously, you’ll want to climb Tour de Effiel. You can muscle it and walk up to the halfway point like I did. Or you can take a lift to the tippy-top, which I didn’t have time to do. Either way, it’s best way to catch a panoramic glimpse of this beautiful city. Some other notables include Museum D’Orsay, where you will find Van Gogh’s famous self-portrait. Moulin Rouge is a good show to catch if you are willing to spend 90 Euros. For authentic French culture and cuisine, climb to the Montmartre district. It’s easy to find – the Sacre C’Oeur (Sacred Heart) Church is the centerpiece.

Brussels — July 4th – 6th

Chocolate and Beer. Seriously, these are literally the only two reasons to visit Brussels. I’m not trying to sound closed minded, but the culture and sense of nationalism seemed to be absent here. But the former two words? The city thrives on it! Any street corner or local store that you turn to, you are immediately being enticed into purchasing either a chocolate something or a nice, cold, delicious, Belgian ale. I can’t blame them. The chocolate comes in various shapes and sizes, ranging from little, bite size truffle candy to 3 foot candy bars. I bought a waffle, strawberry, banana, raspberry, chocolate syrup concoction that left me in a sugar coma for a good half hour. Don’t forget to bring some back home, or your parents will be very angry with you.

It tastes just as good as it looks - awesome.

The Grand Place, where you will find the best chocolate and beer vendors in town.

Belgian beer is a thing of beauty. I fell in love with blondes all over again – Blonde Belgian Ales such as Duvel really go down smoother than anything back in the States, and taste phenomenal. Leffe also sticks out in my mind as something that I recall being really great tasting. Trust me, you can’t go wrong walking into a Belgian pub and getting a pint of whatever is on tap.

The Atomium, built for the '58 Worlds Fair.

Brussels' most famous statue: Mannequin de Pis, or "Little Peeing Boy."

A 20 minute subway ride north is The Atomium. Built for the 1958 Brussels Worlds Fair, it provides the best view of the city. You walk through the different spheres on your way up, learning about the history of the city. Personally, it was interesting but only for a few minutes. Still worth it to go.

Stay Tuned for Part II including Amsterdam, Berlin, and Prague.

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Stan Bashmashnikov runs stanmichaelbash.com, focusing on industries such as creative marketing, online media, and social networking. Please visit the Contact Me link at the bottom of the page for more info.