The Bay Area - Day 2 - 8/26/11

Hey chowder heads,

Hope this email finds you all well.  I reached the Bay Area from Seattle safely last night.  I figured now would be a good time to give you a holler.

The day before I left Seattle I decided to get in a few last things.  The tour guide from the other day reminded me there was a Nirvana exhibit at the EMP (Experience MusicProject) Museum.  Being a huge fan since way back in the day I didn't want to miss it.  After that, I took the Monorail into downtown and walked up a hilly street to the Capitol Hill area.

Got to San Fran in about 2 hours and then took the train to North Berkeley where my friends Dave and Lynn picked me up.  I hadn't seen them in over 3 years.  We went to a local microbrewery in town and had some dinner.  

I finally gathered enough strength to get out the door and grab a bite to eat before making my way out to San Francisco.  Saw Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf.  

I made my way back to catch the train.  Before that I took a ride on an old-fashioned streetcar. 

Finally back at Dave and Lynn's writing you this letter.  I think I'll check out Downtown Berkeley tomorrow and see where the day takes me.  

Fahad

EMP Museum

One of Kurt Cobain's guitars

Alcatraz

Pier 39

Seattle - Day 3 - 8/22/11

Hello all you little chickadees,

My friend Claudia took the ferry over from Port Townsend, WA and met me at Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle.  We had lunch and a little later went on a tour of Underground Seattle.  I forget everything except there were these seamstresses who were actually prostitutes and one of them was a man.  Apparently they funded a large portion of the rebuilding of Seattle through their taxes after the city burned down.  I bid Claudia farewell as she took the ferry back and returned to my hostel for some much needed sleep. 

Today I got up and my way over to the Space Needle.  I took the Monorail back to downtown and went on the Sub Seattle Tour.  I did see the house where Kurt Cobain spent his final days which was kind of weird but interesting.

I had some dinner and went to Can Can before returning to my hostel. 

I have one more full day in Seattle and then will be heading out to San Fran Wednesday afternoon.

Fahad

In front of the first Starbucks

Pike Place Market

Claudia & me

Catching Claudia off guard and looking cute!

Ray, our tour guide for Underground Seattle, showing us a crapper

"Seamstresses" - notice the one to the right in the black dress

Ecstatic at the Space Needle

House where Kurt Cobain died

"Black Sun" - inspiration for the Soundgarden song "Black Hole Sun"

Hendrix sculpture in Capitol Hill

Seattle - Day 2 - 8/21/11

Hello all my lovelies,

It's Day 2 of my time in Seattle.  Last night was a bit of a wash.  I was going to work myself up for an exciting Saturday night but being on East Coast time unfortunately deemed me exhausted.  I had a burrito for dinner, returned to my hostel, and went to bed.

Going to meet up with my friend Claudia over at Pike Place Market and hopefully get some grub.  

Talk to you soon.

Fahad

Buddha at my hostel

The Needle

Disease covered Puget Sound

Bus from Hempfest

Seattle & The Bay Area Trip 2011

Hey folks,

Well, it's that time again.  Your old pal Fahad is doing a little travelin'.  I'll be staying in the US this time around and will only be making two stops, Seattle first and then San Francisco.  There is a possibility I will venture into Vancouver but I hear the Wendigo has been menacing Canada these days so it is unlikely.  Will be seeing some friends this time around as well.  I'll try to keep you posted on all my exploits and misadventures. 

I leave tomorrow and will be in Seattle around noon.  I reach San Francisco on the August 24th and will head back to Jersey on the 29th.

See or talk to you soon.

Fahad

Back home - 9/24/10

Hey everyone,

Back from my travels.  Got in the door just a little while ago.  Hope you enjoyed my stories.

Talk soon.

Fahad

St. Stephen's Basilica

Heroes' Square

Homebound

Town in Hungary as seen from train

Budapest - Day 3 - 9/20/10

Went on a walking tour my first morning here which was excellent.  Afterwards I went to the Labyrinth of Buda Castle, one of the seven "Underground Wonders of the World”.  Ran into a pleasant fellow American from California.  We crossed the Chain Bridge to the Pest side of the city a little while later.

Afterwards, we moseyed over to a club called Godor which plays electronic music.  Unfortunately it was a slow night since it was Sunday and most people around here stay home apparently.  

Today I went to the Great Market Hall which was excellent.  Best place in Budapest to buy authentic Hungarian food and decently priced souvenirs. 

Afterwards I saw the Great Synagogue and Holocaust Memorial in the Jewish Quarter.

Going to check out the WestEnd City Center.  Tour guide said they had a great food court there.  Only had 1 meal today so I'm sure I'll be hungry.

Fahad

Walking tour

Carving from labyrinth resembling Paul Newman

Arrival in Budapest - 9/18/10

Hey everyone,

Made it to Budapest OK.  Train ride was a long 10 hours but thankfully I slept through most of it or at least it felt like I did.  Chilling out at my hotel for the moment and will likely go out a bit later.  I'm near Buda Castle which is nice.  Hoping to have a great time here.  Talk to you all soon.

Fahad

Last Day in Krakow - 9/17/10

Hey everyone,

Today is my last day in Krakow.  Will be taking the night train for my final stop in Budapest.  My time here has been fantastic.  This is a great city.

Will talk to you when I reach Budapest.

Fahad

Kielbasa

Wawel Castle

The Pope

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Auschwitz

Krakow - One of the greatest nights ever - 9/15/10

Arm Wrestling!

Karaoke!

Eva, Maria, & Marcia

Maria & Marcia, my new friends from Krakow

Dancing!

Krakow - Day 3 - 9/15/10

The weather in Krakow is beautiful, sunny and warm.  Going to go check out Wawel Castle in a little while.  Tomorrow I'm doing a tour of Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Fahad

Main Market Square

Arrival in Krakow - 9/13/10

Hey everyone,

I have arrived in Krakow.  I'm currently at my hotel.  Of course it's not the hotel I originally booked since that one had “a problem with the toilet".  I'm at the Hotel Regent for now and will return to the other one tomorrow.  

Plan on getting some rest since it didn't happen on the train and will likely check out the town later.  I'm not too far away from the action thankfully.

Do not worry my friends of Polish origin, I will take plenty of pictures.

Talk again soon,

Fahad

On the train.

Prague - Day 4 - 9/11/10

Howdy folks,

So far I'm having a great time.  Saw the amazing castles here.  I'm feeling quite sore from all the walking around so I decided to stay in for most of the day but I'll definitely be going out tonight.

I plan on seeing the Pinkas Synagogue tomorrow which is a memorial to the Jewish Czechs who were lost during the Holocaust.  

I'll be taking an overnight train to Krakow tomorrow night and am very excited.

Fahad

My favorite cathedral in Prague

John Lennon Wall

Miles Davis