There is nothing like good friends, good beer, good weiners, and good weather. Especially after leaving the rainy days of Italy, the weather was greatly appreciated. My time in Germany could not have been much better.
~ Cheap train tickets on an overnight from Florence
~ Multiple free Starbucks upon arrival in the train station at 7:00 am
~ Interesting teenagers with milk crates of beer
~ Regensburg was absolutely adorable with friendly people
~ Great new drink, the Regensburg Creamsicle
~ Nice hostel in the center of Munich
~ Beer gardens
~ Visiting Dachau, the first concentration camp opened in 1933
~ Train ride to southern Germany with breathtaking views of the Alps
~ Fusson, another adorable German town surrounded by beauty
~ Neuschwanstein Castle was fairytale-esque
~ Wonderful German food with weiners, brats, and sauerkraut
~ Euro Sandwiches and cheap beer for dinner and lunch
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Italia
I went to Italy, sometimes I have to say it to remind myself it actually happened. After leaving Scotland, I traveled to Luton England to pick up Erin and her roommate Deanna. We left early Saturday morning the 22 of March for Rome. After a week in the chilly wind of Scotland, I was excited for the warm weather of Rome and the historical significances I was going to experience. Unfortunately only one of those 2 things happened. It rained. It rained almost the entire time we were in Rome. It was raining when we arrived, and it didn't really stop until Tuesday.
Within minutes of getting off the bus in Rome we were situated in a restaurant experiencing our first taste of real Italian Pizza. With our bags were stacked in a corner, we devoured our first of many Italian meals. From there we managed to catch the correct Metro and then Train to our hostel located about 40 minutes from the City Center. At first we were concerned about staying so far away from the city, but price dictated our stay. It was after all Easter weekend and there was no way we could afford even a run down hostel in the city center. We settled in and made plans for Easter, we were determined to see the Pope.
At 5:30 am we left the hostel and walked to the train station to catch the first train into the city. From there we walked towards Vatican City. There were already a good 3-400 people in line waiting to gain entrance. We did not have reserved tickets, but when they finally allowed entrance at 8:30 we quickly passed through security and made a run for the reserved seats close to the front of the square. Avoiding eye contact with the guards, and blending with large masses of people, we managed to slip into the reserved seats and claim a section 7 rows from the front. It was spectacular. Now all we had to do was wait. Mass was going to start at 10:30 with the Blessing at 12:30. About 9:00 it began to rain. At about 10:00 it began to rain even harder. Mass began on time but it was tricky to maneuver all the standing and sitting that occurs at a Mass with the thousands of umbrellas overhead. Despite the torrential downpour, people stayed. The Square was completely filled and people were lining up in the streets behind the square. We couldn't believe our luck in sitting so close to the Pope. I could see him with my own 2 eyes, pretty incredible. Definatley a once in a lifetime opportunity. It wasn't until about 1:30 when we finally made our way back to the hostel to warm up. We were completely soaked and chose to spend the rest of the afternoon warming up and plannig our trip.
The following day we wandered the city avoiding rain for most of the day. There is nothing like walking down a street with the Colliseum looming in front of you. I couldn't stop giggling, I couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of it. This was a common theme during my time in Italy. The Sistene Chapel, St. Peter's Basillica, the Roman Forum and Senate and many more historical places visited during my experience. While it cost us a fortune, we chose to invest in a guided tour of Vatican Museum, something I believe was more than worth the 40 euro it cost. We skipped a 3 1/2 hour line and were exposed to the hidden stories behind much of the art displayed in the museum. Fortunately the other historical places around the city were free at that time so we were able to compensate for the fortune we spent at Vatican.
We spent 5 days in Rome, catching a train to Florence on Wednesday. Florence was a drastic change from the busy setting of Rome. We enjoyed Steak Florentine and then wandered the city until about 3 in the morning. We had a friend Marco from Florence who spent the evening showing us the sights and explaining the history. We saw Duomo, an amazing church, Michelangelo's David, a copy, situated outside the building containing the original, and we traveled to a high point so we could overlook the city. It was a great way to experience the city with the streets completely bare. We had Florence to ourselves. Thursday was spent relaxing, reading adn wandering the city. We had already seen the important sights so we were able to take our time and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings. Drinking coffee, reading, watching, relaxing; all perfect things to do in Florence. It was a more than perfect way to spend our last day in Italy. That night we caught a night train from Florence to Germany. We said our goodbyes to Italy as we sat in the train station awaiting our train.
Within minutes of getting off the bus in Rome we were situated in a restaurant experiencing our first taste of real Italian Pizza. With our bags were stacked in a corner, we devoured our first of many Italian meals. From there we managed to catch the correct Metro and then Train to our hostel located about 40 minutes from the City Center. At first we were concerned about staying so far away from the city, but price dictated our stay. It was after all Easter weekend and there was no way we could afford even a run down hostel in the city center. We settled in and made plans for Easter, we were determined to see the Pope.
At 5:30 am we left the hostel and walked to the train station to catch the first train into the city. From there we walked towards Vatican City. There were already a good 3-400 people in line waiting to gain entrance. We did not have reserved tickets, but when they finally allowed entrance at 8:30 we quickly passed through security and made a run for the reserved seats close to the front of the square. Avoiding eye contact with the guards, and blending with large masses of people, we managed to slip into the reserved seats and claim a section 7 rows from the front. It was spectacular. Now all we had to do was wait. Mass was going to start at 10:30 with the Blessing at 12:30. About 9:00 it began to rain. At about 10:00 it began to rain even harder. Mass began on time but it was tricky to maneuver all the standing and sitting that occurs at a Mass with the thousands of umbrellas overhead. Despite the torrential downpour, people stayed. The Square was completely filled and people were lining up in the streets behind the square. We couldn't believe our luck in sitting so close to the Pope. I could see him with my own 2 eyes, pretty incredible. Definatley a once in a lifetime opportunity. It wasn't until about 1:30 when we finally made our way back to the hostel to warm up. We were completely soaked and chose to spend the rest of the afternoon warming up and plannig our trip.
The following day we wandered the city avoiding rain for most of the day. There is nothing like walking down a street with the Colliseum looming in front of you. I couldn't stop giggling, I couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of it. This was a common theme during my time in Italy. The Sistene Chapel, St. Peter's Basillica, the Roman Forum and Senate and many more historical places visited during my experience. While it cost us a fortune, we chose to invest in a guided tour of Vatican Museum, something I believe was more than worth the 40 euro it cost. We skipped a 3 1/2 hour line and were exposed to the hidden stories behind much of the art displayed in the museum. Fortunately the other historical places around the city were free at that time so we were able to compensate for the fortune we spent at Vatican.
We spent 5 days in Rome, catching a train to Florence on Wednesday. Florence was a drastic change from the busy setting of Rome. We enjoyed Steak Florentine and then wandered the city until about 3 in the morning. We had a friend Marco from Florence who spent the evening showing us the sights and explaining the history. We saw Duomo, an amazing church, Michelangelo's David, a copy, situated outside the building containing the original, and we traveled to a high point so we could overlook the city. It was a great way to experience the city with the streets completely bare. We had Florence to ourselves. Thursday was spent relaxing, reading adn wandering the city. We had already seen the important sights so we were able to take our time and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings. Drinking coffee, reading, watching, relaxing; all perfect things to do in Florence. It was a more than perfect way to spend our last day in Italy. That night we caught a night train from Florence to Germany. We said our goodbyes to Italy as we sat in the train station awaiting our train.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Reading, writing, coffee and more reading
My time in Scotland has been a relaxed experience, spending most of my day relaxing, reading, writing in my journal, and writing friends online while sitting in a magnificently comfy chair in the coffee shop Zest in St. Andrews. Matt and Alissa both travel into St. Andrews during the day and if we have plans in St. Andrews in the evening I have the pleasure of accompanying them to town at 9 or 10:00 that morning. We part ways with plans to meet up later, them to work and me to my coffee shop. Sometimes I leave the confines of the shop and wander the cobblestone streets to enjoy the sun, when the sun is actually shining. When we have no plans in St. Andrews I remain in the quaint Quill Cottage in Pittenweem and pass my time in a very similar fashion only at their house or the local coffee shop. The local coffee shop Cocoa Tree is greatly superior to Zest and I will miss their White Mocha with Soy when I leave in 2 days. Yesterday I indulged my desires and completed my day of leisure with fish and chips from the modest shop next to Cocoa Tree. It was a wonderful day.
In between my leisurely activities we have enjoyed many entertaining nights and afternoons with each other and with friends. Friday night we celebrated a friends birthday with dinner at a Pub in St. Andrews. Saturday we traveled into Dundee to buy Matt and Alissa a new car and then to Edinburgh to hike Arthur's Seat and have a magnificent dinner at a Tapas Restaurant. Sunday was Palm Sunday and after church we had an outstanding Sunday roast of leek and potato soup, fresh bread, smoked salmon, roast lamb with potatoes, cheese, wine and bread and butter pudding. 16 of us filled the quaint restaurant in Pittenweem. Monday was the day of Matt and Alissa's friend Jen's viva, or the defence of her PhD along with St. Patrick's Day. We celebrated with Pizza followed by a great evening of drinks in Jen's favorite Pub. Tonight I am excited to experience 'The Vagina Monologues' a play I have been wanting to see for quite some time. Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday and an evening of Matt's famous Sangria and Cheesecake. Unfortunately it is also my last evening in Scotland as I travel back to England Friday afternoon where I will meet Erin. While I am filled with excitement at visiting Rome, and Easter Sunday in Vatican City, I am sad to leave Scotland and more importantly Matt and Alissa. I have been blessed with amazing family and am so thankful we are so close as siblings, despite living in different parts of the world. I look forward to the next time I see them and will miss them when I leave.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Scotland
Here I am in Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland. After a long and emotionally draining day of travel, I have arrived at my brother and sister-in-law's cottage in Scotland. Leaving Spain was one of the hardest things I have done, I was not ready, nor do I feel my time in Spain is completed. I am determined to return. I began my traveling yesterday at 2:00 in the afternoon and completed my journey about 2:00 this morning, 13 hours of travel including 1 subway, 2 buses, 1 train, 1 plane, and 1 car. I became quite famous on my plane, maybe notorious is better fitting. After checking my bagage I had to pay a fee for checking 2 bags which required me to wait in yet another queue along with about 20 other passengers on the same flight. After rectifying the matter I made my way through security to the plane. Oddly, I heard my name being announced overhead, the plane was waiting for me. I quickly jumped the line, went through security and ran for the plane. I handed my boarding pass and passport and made my way down the steps onto the tarmac. The plane had already closed its doors and was backing away! I stood there shocked, not quite knowing what to do. One gentleman took pity on me and signaled the plane to stop. I saw the door open and the stairs unfold as a flight attendant stuck her head out the door. I quickly boarded the completely full plane, apologized immensely to the passengers and quickly took a seat, not sure if it was mine or not. The passengers gave me a quick hello, a few even clapped, possibly out of annoyance possibly out of amusement. Needless to say it simply added to my desire not to leave the people, city, and country with whom I have fallen in love. As if leaving Spain wasn't hard enough, my body was quickly reminded I was no longer in the warm Mediterranean climate as the rain and clouds consumed me when I stepped off the plane. The cold, something from which I have been sheltered the last 7 weeks.
Despite my difficult trip and the cold, I truly am excited to be back in Scotland. Driving through St. Andrews at 1:00 this morning brought me back a year and a half ago when I first visited. I am excited to wander the quiet closes and wynds once again. The architecture is incredibly contrasting with that of Barcelona but it carries its own beauty. Drinking coffee, reading books, catching up with Matt and Alissa, taking pictures, and staring at the ocean will consume my next week. It is the beginning of the end of my travels in Europe, it marks my last 3 weeks abroad; last 3 weeks this time around. I will be back.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Almost time to say goodbye.
I am only in Barcelona for one more week and am terribly sad to say goodbye. I am determined to return.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Apparently it takes awhile to fix a hot water heater.
We have no hot water, or heat. We haven’t for about 1 week now. The worst part was it happened right when I was getting sick and all I wanted was to curl up in a warm bed after a hot shower. I had the shivers, was achy, and had a sore throat. Of course when I arrived home from school I was informed of the broken water heater. The apartment was frigid, well it probably wasn’t that bad but remember I was sick. After all, it is Spain. So I now sleep in pants and 3 blankets and have been showering at a friend’s house. This entails me loading up my shower things in a back pack, along with a towel, and either walking 35 minutes or taking the metro to their house to enjoy a quick but warm shower. Luckily I was able to sleep most of Friday and recovered from my minor sickness rather quickly. But I am told it will actually be fixed this Friday, we’ll see. Again, it is Spain and they tend to work at their own pace.
Other than the heat, I have had a great past couple of days. My TEFL course has begun and I am enjoying the people and the teachers. Class begins at 9:30 every morning until 12:30. Then we break for lunch and if we are teaching that day we lesson plan at 1:30 and teach at either 4:00 or 6:00. We teach a total of 6 days during our 4 weeks. Those days are long, but the others we are free to do as we please after 12:30. Half of our class time is spent learning English grammar: present simple, present continuous, present perfect, present perfect continuous and repeat in past and future tenses. Combined with learning gerunds, participles, and conditionals, I feel well informed on the English language. The other half of class is spent on teaching methods, pedagogy. Fortunately, they are teaching the same styles as UCD during my licensing. While it makes it extremely repetitive, I am trying to stay positive and think of it as helpful reminders as I prepare to apply for jobs at home. The only other downside to these lessons is the other people in my class. God bless them they are wonderful and intelligent people, but those who have gone through education courses once can agree with me that going through education courses twice, with fellow classmates who have no education background, well, it makes it slightly annoying. But the teachers are very knowledgeable, professional, and skilled which makes learning from them a blessing.
Many of my afternoons have been spent wandering the city, enjoying the architecture and marveling at the city. The main park in Barcelona, housing the Arc de Triomf, the zoo, and the Catalan Parliament is breathtaking. There are parrots roaming the trees, at times acting more like pigeons than parrots. The flowers are in full bloom, something I would be missing at home right now. I enjoy wandering the park, reading, admiring, watching. The laid back atmosphere has been a blessing, while I moved here expecting to be filled with the busy city life, I have found the opposite. Spaniards love to take their time. They may go out with friends all night long, but rarely do they have set plans and have usually spent a lazy afternoon before ever meeting up with friends. I spend more time reading, writing, and reflecting here than I have in a long time. This is combined with the increase in social life at night. It seems like an oxymoron but somehow the Spaniards have found a balance between personal relaxation and socialization. I hope to find this balance when I return home in 6 weeks.
Other than the heat, I have had a great past couple of days. My TEFL course has begun and I am enjoying the people and the teachers. Class begins at 9:30 every morning until 12:30. Then we break for lunch and if we are teaching that day we lesson plan at 1:30 and teach at either 4:00 or 6:00. We teach a total of 6 days during our 4 weeks. Those days are long, but the others we are free to do as we please after 12:30. Half of our class time is spent learning English grammar: present simple, present continuous, present perfect, present perfect continuous and repeat in past and future tenses. Combined with learning gerunds, participles, and conditionals, I feel well informed on the English language. The other half of class is spent on teaching methods, pedagogy. Fortunately, they are teaching the same styles as UCD during my licensing. While it makes it extremely repetitive, I am trying to stay positive and think of it as helpful reminders as I prepare to apply for jobs at home. The only other downside to these lessons is the other people in my class. God bless them they are wonderful and intelligent people, but those who have gone through education courses once can agree with me that going through education courses twice, with fellow classmates who have no education background, well, it makes it slightly annoying. But the teachers are very knowledgeable, professional, and skilled which makes learning from them a blessing.
Many of my afternoons have been spent wandering the city, enjoying the architecture and marveling at the city. The main park in Barcelona, housing the Arc de Triomf, the zoo, and the Catalan Parliament is breathtaking. There are parrots roaming the trees, at times acting more like pigeons than parrots. The flowers are in full bloom, something I would be missing at home right now. I enjoy wandering the park, reading, admiring, watching. The laid back atmosphere has been a blessing, while I moved here expecting to be filled with the busy city life, I have found the opposite. Spaniards love to take their time. They may go out with friends all night long, but rarely do they have set plans and have usually spent a lazy afternoon before ever meeting up with friends. I spend more time reading, writing, and reflecting here than I have in a long time. This is combined with the increase in social life at night. It seems like an oxymoron but somehow the Spaniards have found a balance between personal relaxation and socialization. I hope to find this balance when I return home in 6 weeks.
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