American Brat

See anything wrong with this picture? I'm in Sagres, Portugal, and there's this hot dog stand selling bratwursts. American bratwursts. Soo, let me get this straight...an American take on a German foodstuff with a Portugeuse salespitch? Good? Who knows? I opted for some grilled sardines caught that morning only twenty yards away from this crazy stand.

Specks of Spain

One day in Bilbao and one day in Madrid do not an understanding of a country or culture make. For that matter neither does one month, one year, or one lifetime. Let's just say I wouldn't mind going back. Maybe it would inspire more Bob Marley parodies.

The big green monster

No, we're not talking Red Sox. Looks like someone forgot to hedge...on purpose. If they were really clever, they would have 'gardened' some pixelated images like these.

Don't look down

Ouch. This is from my room on the top floor of this building, the biggest hostel I've ever seen (or at least the tallest.)

Can you imagine being able to open a window like this in the states? I doubt you could even build one even if you wanted to. And no, it wasn't just big enough for my hand and the camera. This window was large enough to chuck out the whole bunk bed.

LudiCris Rating of 3

Three Little Pigs

¯Three little pigs
On my butcher block
A'waiting the deft blow
A chop that's swift and true
Saying ''This is my message to you-hou-hou...

Don't worry
About a thing.
'Cause every little bit's
Gonna be quite tasty now.''¯

And tasty it was. I bought three different types of chorizo, some manchego cheese and a crusty loaf for dinner my one night in Bilbao. Emeril had one thing right...

...pork fat rules!

4 Slurrps

Special thanks to Bob Marley for the melody for this post.

Guggenheim

Some people like Gehry, some people don't. Personally, I feel his firm's designs are hit or miss. The Guggenheim Bilbao is an unquestionable hit. The reason this building is so striking, so beautiful, so utterly breathtaking - it's the perfect design for the space. The curves of the building match the arc in the river match the way the panels bend light, time, and imagination.

Eye on England

1 - Look kids! Big Ben, Parliament. Going on foot sure makes getting oneself lost a lot more difficult to achieve. Bus #88 for the win!
2 - So many beers...so little variety? There are a few gems, though. If you get a chance, try the Hobgoblin. (warning: link requires age disclosure)
3 - London is ridiculously expensive. I mean like ridiculously ridiculous. Off the ludiCris scale, even. This isn't news to anyone, but the blunt force trauma to the wallet certainly doesn't help make it easier to take.

The Millingtons

Met this lively bunch walking down the Portsmouth shore. One of them saw me carrying my full pack and implored me to come sit down at the Spice Island pub and have a pint with them. In need of a rest, some interesting company AND a beer, I happily obliged. It happened to be a happy occasion. Pearl, on the right, was celebrating the third anniversary of her husband's death. The rest are pretty much her blood, by marriage, and 'adopted' children. Every one was a character and a half. Pearl, the ringleader, was telling wartime stories of how she used to fill up American soldiers' helmets with beer, and in return they used to fill up her skirt...wait for it...with cigarettes, gum, and chocolate from their rations. She also was singing at the top of her lungs (wonderful voice) any number of British, Irish, or American folk songs. What great fun!

One and a quarter pints later we all got kicked out. It will be debated for all time why exactly this happened. The prevailing theory is that Sharky (on the left...no I'm not making that name up) said something insulting to the manager. The official word was that the group had had too much to drink. I'm sure there will be a few conspiracy theorists who will publish a more in-depth account, so I'll skip the details of the investigation into the matter. Turns out there was a very similar bar across the street. We got up to move, in low spirits. As it turns out, though, all the Spice Island patrons overheard what happened and moved en masse with us! Solidarity, my brothers. Long story shorter, one of the clan put me up for the night on a very comfortable pull-out cot. I woke up the next morning refreshed and energized from another great adventure.

Cheers Pearl!

LudiCris Rating of 5

Cajuns in JOE

Jolly Olde England, London to be specific, Clapham Common to be exact. Pictured are Dave, a great friend of mine from high school, and his lovely and hospitable wife Mandy. They put up with me and a mutual high school friend, Kevin (famous for his fish 'n' chip reviews), in their flat for nearly a week. If you want to stop by and see just how gracious they are for yourself, do so soon. They are moving back home to Louisiana in June. On second thought, you might as well wait. You'll save a lot of money and eat better.

World's Tastiest Doorstop

The best root beer in the world just got better. (What?! Step away from the comment button, haters. This includes Stewarts, IBC, A&W, Mug, Hires, etc.) Did you know Barq's can be used as a doorstop as well? So versitile! I had no idea British shopkeepers were so creative.