backpack through Europe, but don't forget the cards

Two of my friends are traveling to Europe this summer, and therefore I need to insert a plug for a truly must-see hostel in Berlin, Germany.

See webpage for details that I cannot give you.

Why is this hostel so awesome? For starters, open your eyes and look at the frickin picture! It's clean, and it's not only new and fresh looking - it has style. How many hostels can you say that about? (notice the American flag and t-bone steak picture on the wall in the back)

The Circus in Berlin was also where we had our most ridiculous experience of the trip... we were chased by German undercover police... at least, we think they were. Long story short, always buy your tickets for the underground. It also doesn't hurt to have a travel buddy who can cry on command and has the face of a new born baby.

Later in Florence, Italy, when a group of American teeny boppers on a bus ask you whether or not they should buy their pass, and you relate your whole German-undercover-police-chasing-extravaganza, and they still don't buy their ticket, and the Italian undercover police go after them because they obviously didn't listen to your story... know that they aren't very bright, and that you are probably have some public transportation curse.

Further, do not go to Europe without UNO cards; people of all countries can relate to UNO. Notice the motley crew below UNOing the night away in Paris, France. Even guys like the one on the far left, who left his home in New Zealand to crush grapes for cash in France, likes UNO. When asked if he planned on being in France for a long time, he answered, 'I guess so, I bought a car.' There you have it... such levels of intimacy may be reached during an UNO game.

The girl on top thought that she could use the moment to impress our friend from New Zealand, by repeating her undying love for all things from the country... to which our friend replied, 'I don't really like New Zealand.' So, even though UNO will work wonders for your social life in Europe, if you are lame in America, you're probably still lame in Europe (possibly more lame).

Go to the Circus (Rosa-Luxemburg), and bring UNO.