EUROPE!!!

[Marvin D.]

so i feel slightly in the minority here since i live in Europe (mostly in amsterdam, although i did live in madrid last year), and i feel like most ToOers are either in the US or Canada (with the exception of aussie aio fan and Jennifer from Sweden, as far as I can remember), so given that this is probably the most active the ToO will be in a long time...

...what was your favorite european country that you've all been to?? has anyone been to amsterdam?

[Sparrow]

Europe doesn't exist. YOU'RE NOT REAL.

[Marvin D.]

Europe doesn't exist. YOU'RE NOT REAL.

she says, with a status using a german word IF EUROPE ISN'T REAL HOW IS WELTANSCHAUUNG REAL????

[Sparrow]

Europe doesn't exist. YOU'RE NOT REAL.

she says, with a status using a german word IF EUROPE ISN'T REAL HOW IS WELTANSCHAUUNG REAL????

I'm sick of all this "sensibility" and "logic" and "you're using a German word in your status!" Ridiculous, I say. Ridiculous.

However, if Europe were real I would naturally love to visit Germany. And Amsterdam, of course, where I would hope to receive free food and lodging and extensive and highly dedicated tour guide services offered by a certain ToOer.

[Marvin D.]

the first part of your post reminds me of Joey from Friends using air quotes far too liberally...such as when he says "'I'm 'sorry'!"

i'm honestly not the biggest fan of Germany, i've been in passing a few times since it's so close to the NL, and i went to cologne a few years ago. i was gonna go to berlin 2 months ago but then coronavirus happened

i actually do bike tours in amsterdam! so if you're here (and can handle a bike), you can get a tour

[Sparrow]

the first part of your post reminds me of Joey from Friends using air quotes far too liberally...such as when he says "'I'm 'sorry'!"

I made it about five episodes into Friends before realizing it was not the show for me, so this is an unfamiliar reference.

i'm honestly not the biggest fan of Germany, i've been in passing a few times since it's so close to the NL, and i went to cologne a few years ago. i was gonna go to berlin 2 months ago but then coronavirus happened

Yeah, I'd mainly want to visit Germany because that's where a lot of my family's originally from (though I don't know any relatives who still live there). I'd love to see Greece for similar reasons! I'm sorry you missed out on your trip to Berlin, though. I feel awful for everyone who missed out on travel because of COVID.

i actually do bike tours in amsterdam! so if you're here (and can handle a bike), you can get a tour

LIMOUSINE OR BUST, MAN. I want to see the city in style!

[Marvin D.]

why did you hate friends if i can ask? although over the years i don't like it as much as when i was younger tbf

ooh well it's not a terrible place either! i'm just hatin' but i loved cologne and bonn, and berlin is a must-see for sure even tho i haven't been yet >.>

WHEN IN AMSTERDAM, BIKE LIKE THE AMSTERDAMMERS here's a video of one of the busier crossing in amsterdam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqQSwQLDIK8 fun fact: the street running lengthwise is where i used to work, 200m up or so. this is also during rush hour so MOST OF THE CITY IS NOT THAT BAD, however this crossing is probably one of the worst

[Sparrow]

why did you hate friends if i can ask? although over the years i don't like it as much as when i was younger tbf

You know, it's been a while since I watched any of it, but probably it was just that I tend to have a hard time watching anything with a laugh track. I also remember not finding any of the plot points terribly interesting and thinking that everyone on the show was really loud when they talked, which I found quite unpleasant. Parts of it are funny for sure! But overall I didn't think it was interesting enough to watch more than a few episodes.

WHEN IN AMSTERDAM, BIKE LIKE THE AMSTERDAMMERS here's a video of one of the busier crossing in amsterdam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqQSwQLDIK8 fun fact: the street running lengthwise is where i used to work, 200m up or so. this is also during rush hour so MOST OF THE CITY IS NOT THAT BAD, however this crossing is probably one of the worst

I am a fragile country flower and I do not do heavy traffic, especially on a bicycle. I am sorry that it had to end like this but it seems like it must.

[jelly]

I've been not-so-secretly in love with Denmark from afar for about eight years and I'm very, very excited to visit one day soon.

[snubs]

here's a video of one of the busier crossing in amsterdam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqQSwQLDIK8 fun fact: the street running lengthwise is where i used to work, 200m up or so. this is also during rush hour so MOST OF THE CITY IS NOT THAT BAD, however this crossing is probably one of the worst

So how many people get hit by cars on the reg? or are in bike accidents in general? Also, what is even the point of driving a car when the road was clearly made for the bikes! The cars look so awkward trying to get through. xD

They are also in need of some traffic lights, jeez, settle down.

[Marvin D.]

why did you hate friends if i can ask? although over the years i don't like it as much as when i was younger tbf

You know, it's been a while since I watched any of it, but probably it was just that I tend to have a hard time watching anything with a laugh track. I also remember not finding any of the plot points terribly interesting and thinking that everyone on the show was really loud when they talked, which I found quite unpleasant. Parts of it are funny for sure! But overall I didn't think it was interesting enough to watch more than a few episodes.

WHEN IN AMSTERDAM, BIKE LIKE THE AMSTERDAMMERS here's a video of one of the busier crossing in amsterdam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqQSwQLDIK8 fun fact: the street running lengthwise is where i used to work, 200m up or so. this is also during rush hour so MOST OF THE CITY IS NOT THAT BAD, however this crossing is probably one of the worst

I am a fragile country flower and I do not do heavy traffic, especially on a bicycle. I am sorry that it had to end like this but it seems like it must.

fair enough! i'm not a big fan of laugh tracks tbh, so i do get what you mean. and yes, they can be a bit loud. if i didn't grow up watching it i wouldn't have cared anymore.

well, it was a fun run while it lasted

I've been not-so-secretly in love with Denmark from afar for about eight years and I'm very, very excited to visit one day soon.

i still haven't been a good friend of mine is from there and could take us to copenhagen or aarhus but still no dice

here's a video of one of the busier crossing in amsterdam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqQSwQLDIK8 fun fact: the street running lengthwise is where i used to work, 200m up or so. this is also during rush hour so MOST OF THE CITY IS NOT THAT BAD, however this crossing is probably one of the worst

So how many people get hit by cars on the reg? or are in bike accidents in general? Also, what is even the point of driving a car when the road was clearly made for the bikes! The cars look so awkward trying to get through. xD

They are also in need of some traffic lights, jeez, settle down.

the city center is NOT car friendly at all, very few people own a car and there's no point to, honestly, unless you commute far out where there's bad public transit. none of my friends own a car, it's just not needed, and parking is upwards of 50 euros a day, so around 60 dollars, and a parking spot you rent out if you own a car would be a few hundred a month. accidents are very minimal! mostly tourists sometimes, but honestly everyone is used to how the flow of traffic is. most places do have traffic lights, just not that crossing. in the beginning it was overwhelming for me to cycle around but there haven't been any major incidents

[Danadelfos]

My favorites based off of memories are probably Bavaria, although not a country, I just love that area. I also really had fun in Belgium. Very pretty countryside. And then maybe Austria? We stayed at a farm, and I really loved the country feel.

In terms of cities, I think I liked Bern, I didn't really enjoy any of the big cities like London or Paris, however Roma is really interesting, and Praha is really beautiful! I just don't like busy and crowded cities. Most of my hobbies are outdoor/exercise related and not people related so I think that's a big part of it.

[Termite]

So far, I have been to Ireland and England. One of my good friends is a missionary youth pastor in the former, so I got to finally see her FIVE YEARS after graduation, and WOW what a place to have to visit, you know?? And, honestly, I know the rest of Europe is beautiful - the alps, the lakes; all the wonderful things - but Ireland will probably always be my favorite. To stereotype, it's so green. Heaven on Earth.

I didn't really enjoy any of the big cities like London or Paris, however Roma is really interesting, and Praha is really beautiful! I just don't like busy and crowded cities. Most of my hobbies are outdoor/exercise related and not people related so I think that's a big part of it.

I enjoyed London. My friend and I popped over there from Limerick, so we were only there a couple days, but I really liked walking around. Of course, we did more of the touristy thing, which is really all there is to do in London, buuut I still enjoyed it.

(it didn't hurt that the van Gogh exhibit was there and I spent two hours wandering around crying I was so happy)

We also spent a day out in the countryside with a mutual friend there; that was absolutely fantastic!

I am planning to be in France for three months at the end of this year working for a pastor there, and so that's exciting We'll be in easy reach of Switzerland and Italy. If things are a bit more okay in the world at that point, I'll be going over to serve and hopefully seeing the homeland, as well.

[Marvin D.]

i'm a HUGE london fan, although in general i love cities I really love the hustle and bustle, although living there long-term wouldn't work out because i wouldn't be a big fan of commuting on the Tube/Underground because it's so busy but there's a lot going on in London always and that's why I love it

dublin is probably the top place i want to go and yet still haven't made it after so long

also where in France will you be?

[Termite]

I definitely wouldn't like commuting, but I enjoyed riding the Tube while I was there #tourist
Of course, there isn't just tourism in London. I could have worded that a lot better, hah. That was all we could do for the few days we were there. I feel like I would need help from a local to get into the heart of the city without just the tourism aspect though, you know? I need more practice in finding my way around foreign cities.

And I went back and edited, because my friend is in LIMERICK not DUBLIN (in my defense sleep has been elusive these some weeks lolol)
I loved Limerick. I saw a bit of Dublin, but not a lot. Definitely on the exploration list the next time I get to Ireland. Also, if you can get out to the Ring of Kerry DO IIIT. So gorgeous.

(there's also a pub called The Shire in Killarney, and when I tell you I had the best tea I have ever tasted in my life there...)

I'll be near Douvaine!

[Marvin D.]

yeah again i don't mind it whilst i'm there, i also don't mind commuting here just cuz it's nowhere as busy or as spread-out (amsterdam is suuuuper compact). for a week i don't mind but if i had to commute 60 minutes one-way every day as my friends do, transferring a few times, i wouldn't like it. but i do get it, it's not just the tourism but if you're just visiting for a few days that's what it'll primarily be

if i do go to dublin i've got a few friends there so i'd be travelling around hopefully ive wanted to go for THREE years now but never made it

[Termite]

Bless them O.O that is a LOT.

there are castles and old churches (like the rest of Europe, I know, BUT STILL) and all cool things. You'll love it when you do make it over.

[Marvin D.]

the thing is it's just a huuuge city so people live all over the place and then considering how packed it is...i just cant be bothered to have to deal with that every day

[Danadelfos]

I didn't really enjoy any of the big cities like London or Paris, however Roma is really interesting, and Praha is really beautiful! I just don't like busy and crowded cities. Most of my hobbies are outdoor/exercise related and not people related so I think that's a big part of it.

I enjoyed London. My friend and I popped over there from Limerick, so we were only there a couple days, but I really liked walking around. Of course, we did more of the touristy thing, which is really all there is to do in London, buuut I still enjoyed it.

(it didn't hurt that the van Gogh exhibit was there and I spent two hours wandering around crying I was so happy)

We also spent a day out in the countryside with a mutual friend there; that was absolutely fantastic!

I am planning to be in France for three months at the end of this year working for a pastor there, and so that's exciting We'll be in easy reach of Switzerland and Italy. If things are a bit more okay in the world at that point, I'll be going over to serve and hopefully seeing the homeland, as well.

Ah, that's a good point. I did love the National Gallery and the British Museum. I generally love art museums, so I guess I liked the Louvre in Paris as well. I had forgotten about all this.

[Monty]

My favourite place was a small village in Switzerland. But as far as more traditional tourist places go, I really loved Berlin. Was only there two days, but I couldn't get enough.