Musical Week
Enjoyed some great music last week.
On Wednesday, I went to a hardcore show at Klub 007 Strahov. Two Czech bands opened up for Death By Stereo, an American group. These Czech punks love to dance and scream. It was a really fun show and I'm glad I took the trip all the way out to Praha 6. Afterwards, I went to M1 with some Fins, who were probably the most bizarre people I have met in the past few months.
Thursday night was Thursday night. Nebe. Best music and dancing in all of Prague. Igor went with me again, along with some naive Japanese girl who was introduced to a very different world than she has even known. Although I tend to stick to beer, a group from the UK I had met the previous night at M1 bought a couple rounds of vodka, so I can't say I remember all that much about the evening.
And then it was Friday August 11. The day I'd been waiting for for weeks: Love Planet. I went to the open-air festival around in the afternoon with Petr, an Italian guy who is staying at the hostel. After a light afternoon shower, we had great weather for the rest of the night. On Friday, I saw an eclectic line-up of artists: Vypsaná Fixa (a Czech alternative rock band), Polemic (Slovakian ska), Ministry (an American industrial metal band with an awesome politically-charged video show), Art Brut (English indie), Franz Ferdinand and Pet Shop Boys. Following the concerts, there was an all-night rave in a nearby exhibition hall, where I saw Satoshi Tomiie, Hernan Cattaneo, Dave Seaman and Loutka & Tráva. It was the first time I literally danced until the sun came up. It was after 9am by the time I got home. Went to sleep for a few hours, woke up and then did it all over again. On Saturday, I saw Priessnitz (Czech rock), 100°C (Czech indie), Loonaloop (bad Aussie music), Body Count featuring Ice-T (he kept screaming that he was from South Central LA mother fucker, but I asked a Czech and he had no idea what that meant), The Rasmus (bad Finnish rock and roll) and I Am X.
I stand before my last few days in Prague. My only plan is to see an independent Czech film - with English subtitles - at an arthouse this afternoon. I'll probably just wander around the city and hang out in the hostel.
Musical Week
Enjoyed some great music last week.
On Wednesday, I went to a hardcore show at Klub 007 Strahov. Two Czech bands opened up for Death By Stereo, an American group. These Czech punks love to dance and scream. It was a really fun show and I'm glad I took the trip all the way out to Praha 6. Afterwards, I went to M1 with some Fins, who were probably the most bizarre people I have met in the past few months.
Thursday night was Thursday night. Nebe. Best music and dancing in all of Prague. Igor went with me again, along with some naive Japanese girl who was introduced to a very different world than she has even known. Although I tend to stick to beer, a group from the UK I had met the previous night at M1 bought a couple rounds of vodka, so I can't say I remember all that much about the evening.
And then it was Friday August 11. The day I'd been waiting for for weeks: Love Planet. I went to the open-air festival around in the afternoon with Petr, an Italian guy who is staying at the hostel. After a light afternoon shower, we had great weather for the rest of the night. On Friday, I saw an eclectic line-up of artists: Vypsaná Fixa (a Czech alternative rock band), Polemic (Slovakian ska), Ministry (an American industrial metal band with an awesome politically-charged video show), Art Brut (English indie), Franz Ferdinand and Pet Shop Boys. Following the concerts, there was an all-night rave in a nearby exhibition hall, where I saw Satoshi Tomiie, Hernan Cattaneo, Dave Seaman and Loutka & Tráva. It was the first time I literally danced until the sun came up. It was after 9am by the time I got home. Went to sleep for a few hours, woke up and then did it all over again. On Saturday, I saw Priessnitz (Czech rock), 100°C (Czech indie), Loonaloop (bad Aussie music), Body Count featuring Ice-T (he kept screaming that he was from South Central LA mother fucker, but I asked a Czech and he had no idea what that meant), The Rasmus (bad Finnish rock and roll) and I Am X.
I stand before my last few days in Prague. My only plan is to see an independent Czech film - with English subtitles - at an arthouse this afternoon. I'll probably just wander around the city and hang out in the hostel.
Weekend in Budapest
Just returned from a nice weekend in Budapest (which I learned in pronounced "BudaPESHT").
Although I planned to leave early Friday, a late night on Thursday kept me from getting to Hungary until 8pm. I had some difficulty finding my hostel and needed to get a bite to eat, so it was after 11 by the time I was settled in. I was set to call it an early night but instead spent another few hours talking to a guy from Florida who was staying in my room.
We buddied up to explore the city on Saturday. Budapest is actually three cities (Buda, Pest and Old Budda), split by the Danube and slightly different architectual styles. We headed over to Pest and made up our own tour which took us to the Parliament building and some other sights. We mostly just hiked around town to get a feel for the place. After he left to catch a train, I got dinner by myself and then headed out for some nightlife. I wandered around the city, stopping into bars and cafes and getting a drink at each one. I wanted to find a dance club, though, so didn't stay too long anywhere. Finally, after I had more than a few drinks in me, I happened into a club. At first glance, it seemed perfect: good music, nice seats, people on the dance floor. It wasn't until after I had gotten a drink and sat down that I noticed there was not a woman in sight. No problem, though, as gay Hungarians are far friendlier than their straight counterparts.
On Sunday, I headed over the Budapest's largest bath house. Although I ended up paying a 2500FT fine on the way over for illegally riding the subway, I had a great time. The house, which is decorated with Roman statues, has thermal pools, saunas, showers, fountains that give the best massages imaginable, and a couple of huge outdoor swimming pools. It was very relaxing and really calmed me down about the fine. I spent nearly five hours and would have stayed longer if they hadn't shut down!
Caught the train today and made it back to Prague all in one piece. I have an exciting week ahead (Love Planet on Friday!) and I'll keep you posted.
Back in Prague
Got back to Prague last Saturday. Our plan to stay with Ray for a few nights was disrupted when that selfish fool got himself put in the hospital with appendicitis. Fortunately, he is recouperating well. Unfortunately, Alyssa and I had to put up a couple more korunas than expected for accomodation.
We checked into Sokolska Youth Hostel, where I stayed when I first arrived to this city and on other occasions. Its a quiet, clean place with free internet and satellite television.
Our first night back, we went to Cafe Blind Eye. A few months ago, I met a DJ at Nebe who recommended what he called the "speak easy-style club." You walk up to an unmarked door in an out-of-the-way part of town and ring a doorbell. A few minutes later, a girl lets you into an apartment house foyer. Just follow the sounds to another inconspicuous door and enter a great indie club, frequented mostly by American and British expats. We had a good evening of beer and conversation with Igor (who has been at the hostel since before I arrived), Alejandro (a Texan student who loves his state and his weed) and an Australian couple.
Alyssa and I spent Sunday, our last day together, in some of my favorite sections of the city. We got some great Czech pub food for dinner and then relaxed in the hostel.
I saw her off Monday. Constantly being with the same person for about two months can get frustrating, but I was sad to see her go. She's back in Baltimore now and tells me that things are pretty much the same.
I've already gotten back into my Prague routine: enjoying some coffee, reading the papers, hanging out in parks. I've been back to the movies twice already and had a great time at M1 Secret Lounge last night (the beers are only 20CZK now!, less than $1US). I'll head to the best dance night in town tonight and then spend the weekend on a trip to Budapest.
One more thing: I happened across an organic grocer that sells soy-meats, like hot dogs and sandwich stuff. Its made lunches and dinners much better. And I finally feel as though I'm getting adequate sodium intake here in Prague!
Stay tuned for a post on my weekend in Budapest.
