Helsinki

As mentioned in the previous blog post, Timo took us all the way to Helsinki, or rather to the suburbs of Helsinki, where we met Hesse, an old friend from my Erasmus in France. I joined him playing football, confirming that I forgot it (haha! Bachova, wait for me!) while Johanna did som yoga. We Finished soon (that's so Finish) and went to Hesse's place, where we dropped the bags. If Števo and Ivka were living at the suburbs of Stockholm, Hesse (or his parent's place) was even further (I mean, further from Helsinki, but I think you got it. Ok Fero, enough of useless words. Ok!) and it took some time before we reached the centre. Our first goal was going for a pizza, because all three of us repeated "som hladny", and Hesse kept extending it into his favorite dialogue in Slovak ("ahoj, ako sa mas? Dakujem, dobre. Som hladny. Podme") which no longer sounds as if he was a bit slow, but took on a new, cannibal-like touch :)

But yes - we went for a pizza hunt! And thus I'll not talk more about the magnificient, tasty, fresh and blatantly utmost hot and crispy pies, and only mention that we used the bathroom, guided by the piece of wisdom Johanna took from her mother - "always use the bathroom when there is a chance". An interesting exercise for the reader is to find a analogy with another moral "cross the street only after a car had passed". I'll reveal the bijection upon request.

We continued the night in Hesses's "bachelor party" place, i.e. a place his company rents for actions like that. There I for example found out there exist quite big table football tables, or that I am not good at sumo wrestling.

We visited also a couple of pubs, but as the prices in Helsinki are not among the lowest, I skipped having a beer. Plus I don't miss it at all - drinking et al. I think a walk under the night sky, or a chat home by the dinner table are much better then going to a bar. 

The next morning, I woke up early, I mean, given the late time we went to sleep, and took off to the city centre with all my gear. I checked out/got a few recommendations the day before as to where to play and so I went for it, hungrier then usual, as the last time I did my whole setlist was still back in Bergen. I eventually tried 4 places along Alexandersgatan, with a pleasant sunshine and beautiful view on Senaatintori, or a very enjoyable place in one of the side alleys.

I did the whole setlist and then met one more time with Hesse and Johanna, to have some lunch. We first went to a pasta place, but after seeing the prices I suggested the hobo style :) - getting what we want from a supermarket and enjoy it on the sunny square by the train station. Much better :)

We sayed good bye, although I believe it's just for a while, and I headed for my final stop before flying back to Prague - a short visit to my cousin Janko and Laura, and their little boy Noel. Although a bit shy from beginning, he soon took up courage and started running around, or announced the sight of a train with the bluntness only children know ("vlaaacik!"). Perhaps we should take a lesson from them and lose barriers. And not only after drinking.

Helsinki and Finland - it was short, but lovely. I'll see you again.

Turku

The ferry to Turku took the whole day and it was a great opportunity for me to catch up - with sleep (hobo style, boom like that!), some reading, blog and emails, although the last two were quite a pain with the free ferry wifi, which was about the speed of late 90s dial up. But I had the whooole day.

It got sunnier later and I went up on the deck to see the parking manoeuvre at an island halfway to Turku. With the sky clear, it was actually warm and I considered Števo's advice, to try playing on the boat. Soon, however, the clouds came back, wind took up as we got back on the way and so I just strummed a bit on the guitar. There was not a good spot anyway.

Moving towards Turku, I got a message from Johanna, that I won't be the only couchsurfer staying with her, and if I mind to share a bed with a guy from New Zealand. No problem :P George was actually on the same boat and we spent the last hour of the sail together. He was also travelling for long time, several months already, and thus we had quite a few stories to exchange.

We met Johanna in the centre of Turku and went to drop our bags at her place, before shopping and cooking a delicious rizotto. Johanna also plays piano and sings, and George does some sort of free dancing. With me on a guitar, it was an interesting evening sharing our hobbies and passion. Plus Johanna has two cats and those took care of us not feeling bored (by doing impossible high jumps or chasing each other around), lonely (by always making themselves comfortable in our laps), or they simply looked cute. I think I start to like cats.

The next morning, it took us some time to wake up, but eventually we set off to the town and Johanna showed me a spot by the river where musicians often play. And what a good spot it was! Shame I only got to play for an hour or so, as we (Johanna joined me) planned to hitchhike that day to Helsinki. We said see you to George and walked to the hitchhiking spot that Johanna knew about, altough it was the first time to hitchhike for her. We waited about 15 minutes, which was quite a lot considering the amount of cars that passed by. But finally one stopped, and it couldn't be a better advertisement for hitchhiking :) A smiley half French, half Finnish guy named Timo took us straight to Helsinki. 

Do things hobo style? I'm not sure it should be called that way - there's simply many people who like to meet strangers and don't mind sharing apartment or a car. And why should they, really? It doesn't get better then meeting new people, making friends, getting new ideas and having fun. I'm sorry for all those cars who passed by, single driver behind the steering wheel, the rest of the car empty... As George put it - world is not such a scary place. There's scary things happening, but people, in essence, are good.

Stockholm

I arrived to Stockholm on Monday evening, a day after the longest day in the year. It was almost seven when I claimed my luggage, sorted out few things over the airport wifi and set off to the centre. I was staying with Števo and Ivka, but they were also flying back to Stockholm that day, arriving around 10 pm, thus I had a few hours to do some sightseeing.

Haha! Good joke Fero! Of course I went to play. The weather was nice and sunny plus I haven't played for some time and was keen to see how it works in my new destination. I walked around a bit, getting my bearings, and eventually found the street I was looking for - some sort of Stockholm version of Karl-Johans gate from Oslo, here named Drottinggatan. The city was a bit empty that evening, however, and my spot was also not the best one, with some works on a construction nearby. But all the same, it was fun and I enjoyed it, as well as some fans of Mark Knopfler who stopped by.

I then came to meet Števo at Spånga station, which was 3 stations away from the centre by a commuter train. It sounds as stone's throw away, but it was then when I fully appreciated the size of Stockholm - it's huge! Although Spånga is more then 15km away from the centre, it's still part of the city. There, the journey was not over yet, but Števo came to pick me up with a car, and thus began the hospitality unmatched during my trip, comparable only to the great taste of škvarky we had in Oslo!

Števo and Ivka live in a nice house in a quiet neighbourhood, and the only party they mentioned was a lawn-mowing party organized by the community and combined with a barbeque. It was truly very peaceful (the area, not sure about the party!) and after a good night of sleep, I felt recharged again and ready to play. Števo first mowed grass on his small garden and then we went together to the city, with a stop at a recycling station, which was full of automated robots compacting the different kinds of waste and I keep it open that it might have in fact been a settlement of extraterrestrial civilisation! Or perhaps Sweden is a country that simply works. Hmm.

We aimed for Gamla Stan, the historical centre, where Števo advised me on a spot by the Nobel prize museum. That one was, however, occupied, and we moved by the parliament - a beautiful spot on a small bridge and full of sunshine. Unfortunately, I managed only a single song, before being told I should move to a different place (just like in in front of the parliament in Oslo - there seems to be a pattern and perhaps I should confirm in front of the parliament in Helsinki!). We had to stroll bit down the street to Gamla Stan, as the competition seems to be high around here. First there was this guy who stands still (not sure how it's called) and who did not want a musician around. Then a minute away, I almost started to play when we noticed another guy playing on cups a few meters away. We finally found a cozy spot on a corner of a small alley, in a bit narrow part of the street. I haven't played like that yet, and it took me spome time to find a good balance of sounds. Števo was watching and helped a lot to attract people, or starting an applause after some songs. And took the pictures! 

It did not go too well, and Števo was interested how it would be if I play some more well known song. I thus tried Sultans, and that's when it took off finally. People started to stop by, and after Brothers in arms, I found around 10 people standing in the narrow street and watching, an audience I don't see often. As those were probably fans of Dire Straits, I continued with some of their songs before they dispersed and we played Tri Cunici with Števo :P Eventually it was a very nice gig, maybe the most enjoyable I played on this trip. 

We then went for a burger to Max, which I didn't know, but came to really like. The burgers are big and tasty, fries smell of potateos and it was all for a reasonable price, given we were in one of the most expensive cities in the world. 

We picked Ivka from work, did some shopping and made a great dinner - a salmon with mashed potatoes and a yoghurt salad, and some chocolate icecream after that, which "concluded us" and we went to sleep early. After all, Števo insisted on giving me a ride the next morning to the port, where I got on a biggest ferry I ever took. It's name is Grace, but it's sister just passed by.

In December, we thought Stockholm was a bit cold, not only temperature-wise. Now, I don't think that anymore - in either sense. I guess what you need is just to find the right people. Thanks to Števo and Ivka for everything. And although they're not original Stockholmers, it does not matter. After all, an original Stockholmer will come soon. Good luck with that! ;-)

The SAS and airport mess

I came to Prague airport a bit later then I'm used to. It was less then 90 minutes to the departure and I had to check in my big rucksack. First, I went to buy some food as I was starving and I wanted something for the rest of the day - after all, I was going to Stockholm where everything would be 3 times more expensive..

After that I quickly reorganized my stuff, took out the amp from the rucksack and went on to find the check-in desk. Sooo, 250-252, hmm, where can it be? Hey whats that funny queue of people? Is Justin Bieber having a concert at the airport or what? Unfortunately (fortunately?) not, and disbelieved, I joined the queue's tail. It was moving more slowly then ever, since SAS decided that the poor three desks are enough for hundreds of passangers travelling on several of their flights that were to take off in next few minutes. I used the time to somehow eat something, using feet to push my luggage and the amp and balancing guitar on a shoulder, while dipping a piece of bread in a cheese sauce. I could probably add juggling with chainsaws, but I'll save it for the next time I'm flying with SAS. When they finally called for passangers of our 13:15 flight to overtake everyone else in the queue, it was less then half an hour to the take off. 

Although I was flying to Stockholm, the flight was to Copenhagen where I had 50 minutes to change the planes. However, already in Prague, I smelled delays and problems. Will they have enough time to reload my baggage to the second plane in Copenhagen? And will they not mess it up? At the time of writing this, I don't know yet.

When I finally checked in amongst the last passangers, I was told to run on the Fast track as the boarding has already started! So I did, run like hell. But the fact that the plane was due to take off in 10 minutes meant nothing to the security, where I was stopped for special control right upon entering the fast track. A sleepy guy slowly went over my guitar and amp, asking about its number of watts as if we were two street playing friends meeting over cup of coffee on a sunny afternoon. Finally free, I run for the normal Fast track security, which seemed to me actually slower then the normal one, but maybe that was just my feeling. Anyway, to make it more interesting, I beeped and holding with one hand my loose trousers (which would otherwise fall down as the belt was in the security check box), I was told to remove my shoes which were re-sent for the rontgen check.

Allright! Check them better twice! You never know what's in there (actually, few days ago, I found there about 10 super sharp pins. Heaven knows how they got there). I finally put them on and resumed my sprint to gate C7, where I was tooooo.... early.

What? Yes. The flight was delayed 15 minutes, meaning I could have taken it easy, if someone told me, of course.. ;) but I was not too happy about it either, as that could mean trouble getting the connecting flight in Copenhagen.

We eventually delayed a bit more then 15 minutes, but finally the engines started and we moved... like 20 meters. Then we stopped, waited 10 more minutes before the pilot shut down the engines again and told us there's a technical problem. But no worries, the problem was fixed - in a time that was just enough for me to miss the connecting flight in Copenhagen!

In the middle of this craze I was lucky to get another flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm, that was just half 50 minutes later then the original one. On the other hand, this meant exercised my sprinting abilities also in Copenhagen's (quite huge) airport - to the transfer desk and to a gate, to make it in time. 

I did, and so far all is ok on the flight. We will see about the luggage. I hope to play today, so I kindly ask SAS: please, don't mess it up any more.

Ps: yeah! The luggage came! Let me simply somment it as: wow.

The second Prague

There's not much to say really. I didn't come to Prague to street-play massively. It's nice to have a break. The weather probably thought the same and it often rained here and there. Bergeners would say it does not rain, but I knew better. All in all, I managed just one, about one hour long street gig by Prasna brana, a nice spot where I have seen musicians before. And it was great, enjoyable not only for me, but obviously also for the many people who stopped by, listened a bit or danced around. The only downside was that right after I finished, another street player came and told me two things: it's not officially allowed to play where I did, and it might soon be banned in the whole of the city. Hope it does not go through, as it would be very sad. True, the street music can be annoying, if e.g. someone abuses it and plays the same song over and over again for half a day at the same spot. But then there are people who do it for the love of performing for others. And to get them out of the streets, that would be a shame.

As I said, there's not much to say - about street play. But these five days were much more then that, and I will keep them in mind forever. All thanks to God, and the most beautiful heart I've found. Indeed, a golden heart.

Bergen

Cold. About 10 degreess, all the termo layers on me already and still I feel cold. Bergen is not so lucky with the weather this year. But even in the middle of this "unluck", I am lucky to see the sun and not a rainy sky.

I played yesterday the whole day as my Couchsurfer Morten was free only from late evening. It rained a little in the morning, just enough to make me pack again all the gear, which I thus pulled out just for one song. The next spot I found was on a little square by Torgallmenningen and I made sure it's covered a bit in the case of another rain, although it was unnecessary. The spot turned out a very nice one and I returned there for another street play this morning, so far the best one. The second "street gig" was on a nice open square by the lake in the middle of Bergen (picture). A less frequented, but very enjoyable place to play, and thus I came back there today too. I think the best places for playing, at least for me, are those where it is quiet enough for the music to be heard and where people pass by, but can stop to listen, e.g. on a bench. Find a place like this on a sunny day, and it's a joy to play.

I also settled finally he setlist and the order of the songs. I'll try to film each of them till the end of the trip and put the videos on the youtube in the final post, so far just the list:

Darling pretty - MK

Daily ride - my own

What it is - MK

Let's go fail - my own

Boom like that - MK

Devil baby - MK

Local hero - MK

Golden heart - MK/my lyrics

Happy home - my own

Feel like going home - The Notting Hillbillies

Bluff - my own

Sultans of swing - DS

Summer breeze - my own

Tunnel of love - DS

Are we in trouble now - MK

Coming back to life - Pink floyd

Vices - my own

Money for nothing - DS

Where do you think you're going - DS

Six blade knife - DS

Private investigations - DS

Layla - Eric Clapton

Brothers in arms - DS

Telegraph road - DS

African bird - my own

Speedway at Nazareth - MK

Going home - DS

During this trip I've noticed one thing. I often feel tired and weary of playing at the end of a day. When I finished yesterday, I thought I won't take guitar into my hands again. I was cold, my fingers hurt, and dead tired I mustered the rest of my strengths, picked the heavy backpack and came to Morten's house, on a little hill outside of Bergen. Morten is a math teacher at Bergen university and an experienced couchsurfer - I was surprised to hear he has a couchsurfer staying almost every day this time of the year! Lucky that he could host me. We spoke some French (he also did his erasmus in France) and although light outside tried to trick us, it was getting late and I soon fell asleep dead.

The funny thing is that when I woke up the next morning, and I felt like playing again. And not just felt - FELT. Don't know how this recharging works or if it will stop some day. Hope not. I don't feel like I want to be musician by profession. But what I don't want is to lose the joy from playing.

Morning from Bergen

The train to Bergen left close to midnight, but as it happens here on the north, there is no such thing as darkness in June. The sky on the north looked like early morning and the eye mask came in handy. I opened the can of beer from Ondro, and had a few slices of pizza we made for lunch. Very nice dinner. Mmmmnam.

I fell asleep soon. The NSB trains are not cheap even with minipris, but they're worth it and an overnight train fortunately does not mean you end up all broken after a sleepless night. There's plenty of legroom, extra blanket and the quiet rocking of the train nicely puts you to sleep.

Until you wake up at something past four and look outside to see the familiar white thing - about half a metre of snow. Then you start to understand those two weird guys who brought skis into the train in mid June. Well, the train goes through some higher points and as far as I remember, this was one of the highest (Finse, about 1200m above sea level). The thermometer in the train was also a funny joker, and I made sure that before I left the train in Bergen, I had my long trousers with swimming dress underneath as an extra layer (now who's weird). But ok, here it's a bit warmer, and let's hope for some sunshine. But I hardly see myself having 15 first-price icecreams, as we had with Roman in Oslo:)

I had a nice last (for some time) street play in Oslo yesterday evening and found out I enjoy it even more! And that people enjoy it even more then too! What a realisation... 

All right, time to play. And then go for my first couchsurf on the trip :) good morning fra Bergen!

Oslo

I came to Oslo early on Tuesday and it took some time till the city woke up, just like in Copenhagen. In the meantime, I slept a bit hobo-style on the station till security woke me up with that it's not safe to do so. Sometimes it's fun to do things hobo-style :). Eat bread with jam on a bench in a park and not shower for couple of days. Life is a bit more then going from hotel to hotel and it is my opinion one should see both sides of a coin. You then appreciate more what you have, and have better respect for those, who have to live this way.

I then went to get some food and finally started to play at Karl-Johans gate something past 9. Shortly, however, I had to stop when a lady from the parliament building told me there was a meeting in progress. Eventually, again, I tried many other places, the one that turned out to be the best being further down the street, almost at National theatre. There, a funny thing happened, when a small boy (perhaps 8 years old) joined me for a jam, plugging in his electro acoustic guitar. He was really good, especially given his age, and we even did a little version of Sultans of swing. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture, but wish young mr. Tord lots of luck on his guitarist career awaiting him :)

In the evening, I went to see my "home" Toastmasters club and was amazed by the attendance and the quality of the meeting, as well as happy to see many old faces. And after the meeting, one more old friendly face - that of Ondro :)

That evening, I was literally dead - after three days of playing, travelling, sleeping on overnight buses and getting used to the cold Scandinavian weather, I really welcome Ondro's hospitality, his great soup and segedin and a good night of sleep after which I felt like human again. Thanks man!

In the morning, I met also Roman and we were set to go for the day we gathered here for - 10th of June and a concert of Mark Knopfler in Frogner park. We managed a quick street jam, as well as meeting old colleagues in Rubrikk before, and then we went to the park, joining an allready big queue at the entrance gate. 

Long story short, Mark played the best concert I've ever seen him play. He and his band clearly enjoyed themselves and the sunlit atmosphere of a crowd of several thousands. The amazing Hillfarmer's blues, Sultans, Song for Sonny Liston, all the encores and many others have made it clear that he still plays and sings at the very top level - with the latter I would even say better then ever before. 

We concluded the day with having some škvarky and bacon that Roman brough, and that almost matched the quality of Mark's playing (if you can compare that to škvarky) but that also caused funny dreams, such as that of a big green snake chasing Roman in some appartment (I mean, that was his dream, I was playing ice hockey with some of my AIMS students from Ghana). 

Inspired by Mark, we jammed with Roman the following two days by National theatre, till our fingers almost bled. Playing the whole day, I repeat myself, is tough work. But its also lots of fun, e.g. when 5 Norwegians came and said "you are Mark Knopfler right" and took several pictures with me:D or when another musician named Benjamin stopped by and sang a couple of his really good songs. The guy has left high school for music and has recently signed with a label - an example of  someone who's bet all on it, but it pays out eventually. I guess it won't be my case, but there's something in the music, that keeps me dragging back. Writing lyrics, suddenly getting idea for music, funny combinations that occur in unpredictable manner and come from, well, a different world. And then of course, closing your eyes and playing. If there's one thing I'll never fully understand, it's music. But then, I guess I don't really want to.

Still to come in Oslo is another jam, going for a swim, pizzas and a mega-super-kick-ass-turbo party at Aiesec - at least that's the way its usually presented. In reality, it can never match any of the adjectives.. At least not for me - "Party" has been redefined for me - by discussing quantum at Aims, street jammig at Karl-Johan's gate or having midnight škvarky with Ondro and Roman. You know, having fun :-)

Next stop - extending horizons in Bergen. Howgh

Copenhagen

I came to Copenhagen early, when barely anything was open. It was cold, about 10 degrees and the dark sky did not look promising. But it rained only very little and I decided to use the nothingness of the morning for a walk to the very centre. Not a long walk, but not the most enjoyable either, due to the 30 kilo on the back plus guitar.

I found a supermarket that opened at seven, got something to eat and then went for a cup of coffee to MacDonnalds. I mean, cup of coffee, internet, power socket and toilets ^^ otherwise the 15 dkk would be a bad deal for the weak cup of coffee. I stayed inside till nine, when the city looked like woken up and then got to the streets. I eventually played at 6 or 7 different places, mostly down the main promenade and streets around. And it was really nice. Except for thumbs up, coins and great atmosphere on the streets, I was e.g. "Interviewed" by one girl who's travelling and writing a book about street music. Or an older man came and told me about his streetplaying from years ago. And one more musician offered me tips on how to take it to another level, by studying one book about mind. But most of all I enjoyed the nice, eventually sunny day, which made it enjoyable to play. Still, however, playing the whole day is hard work, and I have a new respect for people who make a living like this. I guess the only way to do it, is to actually like it : -)

I took another overnight bus from Copenhagen to Oslo. And if the lesson from the previous one was "take earbuds and eye mask", now its "take lots of warm clothes". Here on the north, the summer has yet to come (or this is the summer) and the temperature in the morning was just over 6 degrees, and it was not much warmer in the bus. I managed, but took the lesson.

Next stop - Oslo. It looks like sunny and nice day :-)

Ps: if you ask why don't I put some pictures from sightseeing, its simply cause I dont do any - the bag is a bit too heavy for that, and plus I have already been in these places. 

Berlin/Potsdam

Ok, I haven't played in Berlin eventually. But I did in Potsdam, which is a separate city to the west of Berlin, still within the reach of public transport. 

I arrived to Berlin ZOB late on saturday evening. That day, there was the champions league final in the Olympic stadion few stops away from the station (and starting in like 15 minutes), thus the city was full of policemen, but at the same time empty, as people were already in front of their TVs. I went straight to meet Sebastian who was at a pre-wedding party of his friend, by Wannsee, a big lake between Berlin and Potsdam.

After a nice evening, good night of sleep and perfect breakfast in a French style, made by the most hospitable people in the world (Sebastian and Caro), I had enough energy to play. Finally again, after a break for a day, during which I let heal my fingers from a little cut made by the strings. I first planned to go straight to Berlin, but then Sebastian made a good suggestion - why not try in Potsdam? The city has several hundred thousands of residents and a very nice and historical centre on its own. The best street to play on would surely then be Branderburger strasse. Ending at Branderburger gate of Potsdam, it is a nice promenade full of restaurants and small shops and obviously a popular spot for street artists. I was not alone, and had to search a bit for a suitable spot outside of the range of other musicians. 

Eventually I found one on a junction of the streets (picture above) and played my first 30 minutes. The rule here (as one street vendor told me) permits only that much at a single spot, probably so as to make it possible for all street artists to have a go. After that, however, you can simply move 30 meters, and continue. This way, you get a nice experience of playing all the way down the street (at least if you're here just once), perhaps ending at the Branderburger gate, as I did.

I came back to Sebastian's place, which now hosted a barbeque with the most tempting smell of a grilled meat. I can't help it, but after visiting it couple of times, Potsdam has become a synonym of a good food for me, especially all kinds of meat, kebabs or hamburgers. The nice food, atmosphere and a funny game of viking chess kept me on the barbeque a bit longer then I planned and when I left for Berlin, it was already half past 7. My plan was to play some half an hour in Berlin, just for the experience, before going back to the bus station for an overnight bus to Copenhagen (writing from there) at eleven. The advice I got from the Berlin street play site was to try it in Mauer park or at Warschau strasse. I chose the latter, but was surprised to find how long it took me to reach it from Podstdam. It was already past nine, and although there was still daylight, I decided rather not to try it. Being short of time and unable to find a good spot, I turned back and headed to ZOB. And though it could be my prejudice, I also did not feel like the locals - mostly people with a drink going for a party, or shouting hobos - would be into my music, so I left Berlin unchecked on my list of cities to street play in...

Next stop is Copenhagen. In between two overnight buses, I hope for a nice weather. You know, I love playing.

Prague

Student agency is great. The nice, inexpensive yellow buses, with internet and power sockets make it possible for me to type up my first blog post right in the bus from Prague to Berlin. 

Prague was a very nice first stop. Apart from staying with Tinka, it was sunny and warm all the time, which made ideal weather for my first street play on Vaclavske namesti. I have quite a few new of my own songs, plus new covers I want to include, thus sometimes I felt more like practicing. I dont like to play like that, but there was simply no time to practice in those barely 3 days between coming home from Ghana and leaving again. And it will improve, and I am sure that by the time I reach Oslo, I'll get into it.

In Prague, you cannot play anywhere, following some restrictions made couple of years ago. The map on the picture is what I guided myself with and although the best spots are forbidden, you can find a solid place for the performance. Apart from halfway up the Vaclavske namesti, I've also tried briefly place by Namesti republiky, both nice spots to play on (green on the map)

I had considered hitchhiking to Berlin, but Im not so sure it would be a good idea. My backpack is a bit more heavy then I expected - carrying the amplifier, microphone, all the cables, batteries and, of course, clothes and food, it might be close to 30 kilograms. Some days will be interesting :-)

Next stop - Berlin and a visit to Sebastian. Howgh