Prague, Czech Republic

I had no plans to take anymore trips this summer, but I decided there was just no point hanging around Holland so I went to Prague this weekend. Unfortunately, I am completely jaded. Prague to me is just another 'pretty' European city that I've seen enough of. I don't even think it's one of the prettiest cities in Europe, and it's so over-hyped. The famed Charles bridge was so over-crowded with tourists that I couldn't even see the bridge when I was on it. The Brugge trip last weekend was somewhat nicer if just for the fact that I got some delicious chocolates out of it. I figured Prague wouldn't excite me so much, but nevertheless, it's my goal to see as much of this world as possible.

The first half of Saturday was spent mostly around the Prague Castle. We saw the St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George Basilica, and some galleries. Everything was ho-hum until I stepped into the Daliborka Tower and came across their collection of torture instruments. I found it so fascinating that the next day I actually went to another Medieval Torture Museum in the city center. It was definitely worth the visit. I learned a lot about different torture methods that you normally would not hear about (probably because it's too disturbing for public television or Hollywood movies). The museum claims the worst torture to be impalement. While the museum's image of impalement did draw the biggest gasp out of me, I thought sawing was quite nasty too.

The rest of the time in the city was spent mostly walking around and meeting up with a friend from college. We wanted to check out the Technical Museum there, but it was closed for renovations. We went instead to their National Musuem, which was more like a natural history museum. I found the Natural History museums in NYC and at Smithsonian much better tho (and not just because it's in English!) We were tempted go check out the Sex Machines Museum instead, but we were too short on time :(

Tips for Weather Forecasting?

I am going to Prague this weekend and wanted to check the weather so I would know what kind of shoes to take. I checked couple of websites, only to find that their forecasts were not similar at all. So I went on to check several more websites only to find that none agreed with another. The forecasts varied from no rain to 70% chance of rain. Some websites expected some sun on one day, while others expected some sun on the other day. How is it possible that these weather forecasts can be so different? Since I have no idea which site is the most reliable, I have no freakin' idea what the weather is going to be like. Stupid useless sites....

Brugge, Belgium

On Sunday I took a day trip with some friends to Brugge. It's about a 2.5 hour drive from the Hague. I've always heard it's a nice place, but I assumed it was just like any other 'nice' city - meaning nice pretty houses that to me now are just normal. Perhaps because my expectations were low, I found it to be quite nice. The city has a medieval look to it, and it's on the UNESCO world heritage list. It's not too big to walk around and see the sights. The canal boat trips are also popular though we skipped it. Aside from walking around and seeing the nice buildings, we enjoyed bradwurst, waffles, frites, and chocolates. Mmm....

Pictures are here.

Aveda in the Hague

If you're looking for a good place to go get your hair cut in the Hague, check out Aveda Lifestyle Salon. I have a tendency to get my hair butchered when I go to any old salon, so I try to stick to brand name salons (I've never had a cut go wrong at Toni & Guy). I tried Aveda for the first time on Saturday, and it was not a bad experience and the price is not much different from the salons you'd find elsewhere in the Hague. For starters, the cut takes place on their second floor so that passerbys outside can't see you getting your cut. Then, they start you off with a short head, shoulder, and back massage. I've been to places that do head massage, but I've never had shoulder and back included. It's just too bad the girl I had was weak and sucked at the massage part. Next, they wash your hair like any other salon. The difference here is that you get a bed to lie on instead of one of those chairs that kill your neck when you get a wash. I requested a stylist (you can get a Jr. stylist, stylist, Sr. stylist, or a top stylist), and she was okay. She didn't ooze creativity or lavish skills, but she was very text book and took her time cutting my hair. After some of my past experiences, I much prefer that than someone who is scissor or razor happy. So overall, I think it's a good place to go. Also, they have tons of nice products. You could probably ask for a sample or two of something new to try. They are also open on Sundays, and it's not difficult to get an appointment, even on a weekend (I got mine the day before). The stylist I got was 48 euros, and I think there's about a 10 euro difference between the each level of stylist. Check out their website (link above) for contact info (they are located in the center).

Simon the Apprentice

In the UK, they have a version of the game show The Apprentice. In the US version, contestants vie for a chance to work for Donald Trump, one of the most successful business persons around. In the UK version, it's Sir Alan Sugar. Today, I've just been informed by a friend of mine that this guy Simon Ambrose, who we were hanging out with for about a week or so in Cape Town back in the fall of 2003, was the winner of the latest show in UK. I thought... what a small world. Too bad he wasn't one I'd kept in better touch with. What's more unbelievable tho, is how unexpected someone like him would win a show like that. Basically, my friend describes our last memories of him as being "pissed and moon walking in the bar in Cape Town." Actually, that's all we remember about him... being drunk at the Ashanti hostel just about every night. Crazy world....

Simon in 2003:

Simon after winning the Apprentice:

24

This year there is no summer in Holland. It's been rainy and cold most of the days. Given that and the fact that I've just about seen and done everything I want to in Holland, I'm not ashamed to admit that I've managed to spend yet another week watching TV. This time, the show is Fox's hit show 24. I just finished watching season 1 and will begin season 2 soon. Considering they're about to air season 7 in January, I am waaaay behind the bandwagon and an intro to the show probably is not necessary. For those who aren't aware, however, the show is about a day in the life of Counter-Terrorist Unit (CTU) Agent Jack Bauer. Each episode represents an hour in the day, and there are 24 episodes in a season, one for each hour in the day.

Season 1 was mostly about preventing an assasination attempt on a presidential candidate and saving Jack's family from the same terrorists who try to kidnap them for leverage. It's got a totally unexpected ending and I'm looking forward to season 2.

Heroes

I just finished watching Season 1 of Heroes. I was so hooked it took me just about a week to finish watching all 23 episodes (42 minutes each). The show is about these people who begin to discover that they have super powers. Naturally, some try to take over the world while others save the world. Yeah, it sounds like it should be a comic book but hey, did you not like the movie version of Superman, Batman, or the X-men? Heroes is also much better made with its complex plot cleverly revealed in each episode. Not to mention there are several hotties in the show. Yeah, the above is my fav - Milo Ventimiglia, who plays Peter Patrelli. He also played Rocky's son in Rocky Balboa.