What can we say? We loved Dresden. After originaly planning to only stop here one night before heading onto Prague, desperate to avoid the world cup mayhem, we totaly got hooked to the place...
A nightview of Dresden.
The Church of our Lady, which was only rebuilt recently after the damages of World War II.
Tom calls this "The Boob Shot" because we can't remember the name of the building. So there it is!
We slept at Hostel Die Boofe, which literally means a natural shelter in Saxony Switzerland's climbing region where one can stay during a storm. Owned by the coolest and most eccentric of characters, Danilo, this hostel and all her staff and residents were heartwarming and welcoming. Seeing Carole was definitely the most anticipating moment of the morning because she's got a spunky attitude and makes the best cup of coffee this side of the Berlin wall.
Carole, Kyle from Northwestern University and Zhenia display their morning churpiness.
During our stay, Dresden had a 3-day music festival in Neustadt (translated as "New Town" but is actually the older side of modern-day Dresden) that began in 1990 as a demonstration against capitalism and luxury reconstruction of the area. Neustadt has been celebrating itself ever since. One street of the festival was set up for children and had a large merry-go-round and puppet theatre. While all the children were completely in awe of the hand-puppets in the box, one girl stood up and walked over to the theatre box. Zhenia captured the moment as she is yanking the poor puppet out. 
During this time, we met Storm and Warren from New Orleans who were also staying at the hostel. For the next 4 days it was impossible to separate us. 
While relaxing on the bank of the Elbe river, Zhenia started chatting with a German couple, Nina and Jorn, and before we could say "Prost!" or "Cheers!" they invited us to their apartment for dinner and football. The below picture was our first experiment with the timing setting on our camera. 
From top left: Jorn, Warren and Tom; from bottom left: Storm, Zhenia and Nina.
On the day that Germany was to play Ecuador, there wasn't a single bar in town that wasn't packed with people. We stumbled on "La Rue", a French and Jewish restaurant owned by the curious Moushka who handed us a free bottle of Cider and said "Say Hello to Brooklyn for me!" on our way out. Here, Warren and Tom are victorious with the new gift.
On the night of the 20th, while Tom watched the England vs. Sweden game at a local English pub, Zhenia took a Night Tour with Anna, the guide and Dresden's personality extraordinare, to experience the culture and history of Neustadt. When we arrived back at the hostel, there was a welcoming committee waiting for us to begin the party that was to last until 5 a.m.
Zhenia, Anna, Danilo and Jason begin the early part of Zhenia's birthday celebrations.
Our final thoughts on Dresden: YOU MUST GO AND EXPERIENCE DRESDEN AND STAY AT HOSTEL DIE BOOFE!!!
4 comments:
You must be having a great time because you both look so great! Will you go to Krakow or Warsaw next?
After reading all this am definitely going to tag along when dad goes to his Dresden meeting in November.mumx
Actually we will be heading to Wroclaw first and then Krakow. Any suggestions/advice/recommendations,Jerry?
Hy Zhenia,
I found your blog, nice compliment.
I´m now a dad from paulina-leonie.
You will found a blog of here as well here.
Maybe we are in contact next time, danilo
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