UrbanBackpacker.org

Muses of backpacking the globe and other activites of a few outdoor, travel, and adventure loving urbanites. Including travel info on locals we've been to.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Location: Roma, Italia

Subject: Drunken Soccer in memory of the holocaust.

To everyone who is reading, some words of advice about going to holocaust memorials. Don't go out drinking at private after-hours clubs for 5 hours before kickoff. Especially with the team captain, a DJ, and a local bartender. Now you may ask yourself, who the fuck is this? What in the world is he talking about? And why is he telling us this?
While I'd love to elaborate on the final details of this event at the present time, I am about to use up all of my 2 euros worth of time at this internet station. So folks, you're just going to have to wait until tomorrow to get the skinny, if you even give a shit. I think you will. Who can resist a story that involves a sleepless night, finishing a bottle of bacardi before noon, nuns, DJs, private clubs, girls, a Serie C (minor league) soccer player, big macs, and a nationally televised (Italy) soccer game played in memorium of the holocaust?

So....until domani regazzi, ciao bella.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Please welcome our newest team member!



I would like to take a few moments to welcome our latest member to the UrbanBackpacker team, Andy Jackson. Andy comes to us from Boston and holds a degree in journalism. He has recently made the move across the pond to Rome, Italy and will be posting some of what’s happening in the Eternal City these days. Based a few blocks from the Vatican he has already begun to infiltrate the American ex-patriot community.

Thanks Andy and keep us posted.

Cheers, Turtle

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Happy Birthday to Motzart


Born in 1762 in Salzburg, Austria Amadeus Mozart the child prodigy has been part of humanity ever since. By age 8 he seamed to carry the wisdom of someone 40 years his age someone once remarked. He rose to his peek in the 1780 by promoting himself all the way along.

While Beethoven was a subtle political satirist Mozart was a devout Catholic. This is certainly tied to his home town of Salzburg. During the Hundred Years War the Pope sought to prop up a strong hold in the north for Catholicism. With the Bishop the Italian influence was brought along as well. This can be seen in the Italian style plazas and the abundance of churches throughout the city (if you are relay good see how many of the Papal Keys you can find on buildings through out the city).

A brief walk down the Getreidegasse Street in Salzburg will bring you right past Mozart’s old apartment. The street is one of the most picturesque in all of Europe. Local interest has seen to it to preserve the medieval aesthetic through strict building ordinances. This can be seen in signage. Even McDonalds has had to comply with its medieval arches. While still holding its charm with a gloss of commercialism painted over it Mozart’s home has both a Mango (Gap like store) across the street and the cheesy gift shop with a fake manikin of the man him self.

But in all fairness to the late great composer he hated Salzburg he longed for Vienna and other more cosmopolitan places and couldn’t wait to get out. One Salzburg native even went as far as encouraging us to skip any and all Mozart attractions. We dutifully complied, and took the cheesy Sound of Music tour instead.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Space Mountain - Google Video



Not quite the real deal, but a good computer mock up.

Monday, January 09, 2006

HK Disney Reosrt Firework - Google Video

It isn't my vidography. I simply am just biting off of some one else on Google Video. Any way it isn't a half bad depictaion of the show.

Granted the ones we scoped out on New Years wern't even close. I will see about getting the video compiled form the previous year. I might have to wait since my camera at the time didn't record any sound. So it realy ming get spiliced into some thing else as stock footage.

My favorite thing about this show at Disney is that all you see in the foground are the LCD screans for every ones camecorder. Its realy hard to miss it from this angel but, live it realy is funny.

Any way enjoy the show!

Disney World Stewie - Google Video

Sorry Folks the clip seems to have been found by the copy right thought police.

Too bad.

Basicaly its Stewie flipping out over disney land after sourerly complaining about the long flight to Florida


Disney World Stewie - Google Video