Good evening blogosphere, I plan on writing at least one closing blog to sum up the trip.
It's day 3 back in the states, and I've been resting a lot to get back on California time. I'm lucky it's summer for my job right now and I don't have to go back right away to school...definitely a blessing.
Still processing parts of the trip, but overall I had a very good time. I would do some things differently if I had to do it over again, but I've learned more about how I would like to do it next time, hoping that there is a next time. :)
Anyway, I'll write a little something about each place we went to.
Glasgow, Scotland-The night life was more happening than I anticipated, girls wear things that girls here in the states would not wear, like a lot tighter outfits, even if they aren't the slimmest. I thought it was kind of empowering, haha, even if that sounds odd.
Edinburgh, Scotland- a modern city with hints of history, like the castle up on the hill, the old bars...like The Last Drop. We had a drink there, it was where criminals would go for their last drink before they got hanged.
London, England- Great sites, such as Big Ben, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace..we saw the changing of the guards. Also a highlight for me was eating at a very authentic spanish tapas restaurant called "La Tosca" I believe. Got to speak Spanish with a guy from Valencia, Spain...a definite highlight.
Amsterdam, Netherlands-So much fun, a great city. Cool canals, architecture...We bought salamis, cheeses, bread there to make out first baguette meals of the trip. Also experienced the "coffee shops" and what they had to offer. :) Went out to a club and a couple of bars to experience the night life, very fun.
Dortmund, Germany- Great getting to see Matthias and having a personal tour of his city. Great food, company, and cool non-touristy town.
Berlin, Germany- Highlight-getting in late at night and riding the s-bahn with a bunch of drunk kids on a pub crawl. Hilarious, and we felt safe even though we got there late at night. Our hostal, The Generator, was a crazy huge building, and I don't know how they made it work, it was so enormous. Had a great German meal of Pretzel and Sausage for dinner.
Munich, Germany- One of my favorites. Took a walking tour of the city..saw The English Garden, nude people sun bathing there, old buildings...and then that night went on a great beer and brewery tour, where we ended at a Hofbrauhaus, for a great meal of goulash and liter beers. Loved our hotel and breakfasts in Munich, which added to the experience.
I will continue with part deux tomorrow or soon, don't want to overload the bloggy.
Good to be home, but now have to try to figure out what to do with my life!! oyE---that's for you dad, the E!!
Buenas noches!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Last night in Europe/UK
Coming home tomorrow!! We leave London Heathrow at 2:25pm. A lot has happened since last blog.
Amanda and I spent more time in France and then made our way to Belgium. Brussels is not a favorite of Amanda and I, but we made it work. After our first night in Brussels, we got up to find the hotel I thought I had made reservations at. We were off to the train station to catch the metro and a "brilliant" idea popped into my mind. Let's rent a car! So that is what we did. We rented a VW Polo from Avis and off we were to Brugge, Belgium. It was about an hour and 20 minute drive. This whole time it was raining, so when we got there, we quickly found a place to eat and stay dry in. We had some really great pasta and tea!
Brugge is my favorite place in Belgium for sure. It's like a mini Venice/Amsterdam with canals and cute shops. It is never too early f or a beer or ice cream there! Well, anywhere in Europe I suppose.
That day we drove through some more of Belgium and then went to find a place to sleep for the night. It's a really long story but it took us 4-5 hours to finally find a place to stay. A little rough, but we finally got a place. Yhe next morning we had breakfast in Brugge and then drove back to Brussels, returned the car, and waited for our Eurostar to London.
Wooo and now we're finally back in London. We met up with Jay and Spencer and went to a pub for some dinner and drinks. We're back at the hostal now, and gonna get ready to come back home! I am definitely ready. It has been great, but I'm ready to come back home for sure.
Thanks for checking my blog, it's been fun!
Cheers, Au revoir, hasta luego, auf wiedersehn, Ciao!
BESOS
Amanda and I spent more time in France and then made our way to Belgium. Brussels is not a favorite of Amanda and I, but we made it work. After our first night in Brussels, we got up to find the hotel I thought I had made reservations at. We were off to the train station to catch the metro and a "brilliant" idea popped into my mind. Let's rent a car! So that is what we did. We rented a VW Polo from Avis and off we were to Brugge, Belgium. It was about an hour and 20 minute drive. This whole time it was raining, so when we got there, we quickly found a place to eat and stay dry in. We had some really great pasta and tea!
Brugge is my favorite place in Belgium for sure. It's like a mini Venice/Amsterdam with canals and cute shops. It is never too early f or a beer or ice cream there! Well, anywhere in Europe I suppose.
That day we drove through some more of Belgium and then went to find a place to sleep for the night. It's a really long story but it took us 4-5 hours to finally find a place to stay. A little rough, but we finally got a place. Yhe next morning we had breakfast in Brugge and then drove back to Brussels, returned the car, and waited for our Eurostar to London.
Wooo and now we're finally back in London. We met up with Jay and Spencer and went to a pub for some dinner and drinks. We're back at the hostal now, and gonna get ready to come back home! I am definitely ready. It has been great, but I'm ready to come back home for sure.
Thanks for checking my blog, it's been fun!
Cheers, Au revoir, hasta luego, auf wiedersehn, Ciao!
BESOS
Friday, August 6, 2010
Crazy noises in Tours, France
Bonjour from Tours! Amanda and I got in here yesterday afternoon and found a hotel and immediately went to go get dinner. We walked to a main boulevard and ate pizza and had some wine. It was still early after "dinner" and we didn't really feel like touring Tours ;) so we sat down at another restaurant and split some chocolat mousse and a bottle of red wine, how french of us, no?
After all the drinking we walked back to our hotel and I pretty much immediately fell asleep. This was at about 7pm. At 12:40 in the morning Amanda and I, and I'm pretty sure the rest of the city of Tours, were rudely awakened by a crazy french lady trying to start her really old car. At first I was really annoyed and like what the heck, I'm trying to sleep, but as the groaning of her car continued for at least 20 minutes, it just became funnier and funnier until Amanda and I were in absolute hysterics! We then added to the noise by flushing our toilet, which was way louder than an airplane toilet. Imagine an airplane toilet times 5! We were laughing so hard from all of these obnoxious noises that even our hotel neighbors knocked on our wall to get us to shut up! Oye, gotta love the french!
Definitely a night to remember!!!
Today we are heading to Brussels for a night and then off to London via the Eurostar. We fly back to the U.S. on Monday and get in late that night. We know you all will be anxiously awaiting with signs and roses in hand. HEHEH JK.
Anywho, off for now!
Lots of love,
Jess (and Amanda)
After all the drinking we walked back to our hotel and I pretty much immediately fell asleep. This was at about 7pm. At 12:40 in the morning Amanda and I, and I'm pretty sure the rest of the city of Tours, were rudely awakened by a crazy french lady trying to start her really old car. At first I was really annoyed and like what the heck, I'm trying to sleep, but as the groaning of her car continued for at least 20 minutes, it just became funnier and funnier until Amanda and I were in absolute hysterics! We then added to the noise by flushing our toilet, which was way louder than an airplane toilet. Imagine an airplane toilet times 5! We were laughing so hard from all of these obnoxious noises that even our hotel neighbors knocked on our wall to get us to shut up! Oye, gotta love the french!
Definitely a night to remember!!!
Today we are heading to Brussels for a night and then off to London via the Eurostar. We fly back to the U.S. on Monday and get in late that night. We know you all will be anxiously awaiting with signs and roses in hand. HEHEH JK.
Anywho, off for now!
Lots of love,
Jess (and Amanda)
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Wine tasting in St. Emilion
Bonjour amigos and familia. Today Amanda and I took an hour bus ride to an area outside of Bordeaux, called St. Emilion, which is known for its chateaus and vineyards. We took a tour of one and had some tastes and Amanda, being the wine pro that she is, bought a couple of bottles.
We had lunch in the quaint, romantic area; and we were actually able to get tap water because I was able to point to someone elses. SHWING. Our waiter was nice also, helping correct our mispronunciations of our attempts at French. :)
On another note, finding public restrooms in Europe is always an adventure, and Amanda and I had two such adventures today. It took us forever to find a place before catching the bus to St. Emilion, and I thought for sure we were going to miss it. We made it though, with a few minutes to spare. When we were in St. Emilion, I had to go this time and we finally found a public, outdoor restroom that cost €.50. Amanda and I had to scrounge for change. We came up with the brilliant (I am sure never used before) method of keeping the door open after one use so we did not have to pay twice....way to work the system, right???...You know you would have done the same!
Anyway, we had a late lunch so maybe just an apple for dinner. Free breakfast in the morning at our hotel, which is called Hotel Du Faisan....I wonder what that means...
We leave Bordeaux tomorrow at noon and train to Tours, France. More french countryside, here we come, at least I think it might be countryside.
Au revoir for now lovers. CIAO
PS for Amelie fans around the globe...Colignon down the john, Colignon dead and gone!!!!OUI OUI!
We had lunch in the quaint, romantic area; and we were actually able to get tap water because I was able to point to someone elses. SHWING. Our waiter was nice also, helping correct our mispronunciations of our attempts at French. :)
On another note, finding public restrooms in Europe is always an adventure, and Amanda and I had two such adventures today. It took us forever to find a place before catching the bus to St. Emilion, and I thought for sure we were going to miss it. We made it though, with a few minutes to spare. When we were in St. Emilion, I had to go this time and we finally found a public, outdoor restroom that cost €.50. Amanda and I had to scrounge for change. We came up with the brilliant (I am sure never used before) method of keeping the door open after one use so we did not have to pay twice....way to work the system, right???...You know you would have done the same!
Anyway, we had a late lunch so maybe just an apple for dinner. Free breakfast in the morning at our hotel, which is called Hotel Du Faisan....I wonder what that means...
We leave Bordeaux tomorrow at noon and train to Tours, France. More french countryside, here we come, at least I think it might be countryside.
Au revoir for now lovers. CIAO
PS for Amelie fans around the globe...Colignon down the john, Colignon dead and gone!!!!OUI OUI!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Bad news, but bonjour from Bordeaux
So, sadly, I have to tell you guys that Spain is not in the cards for Amanda and I this trip. I am really bummed, but logistically it was just not going to work out. It was going to take a really long time to get there and cost a lot, and we dont have the time or money. Needless to say, I am super bummed about it, but, sé la vie, arent I in Europe anyway??? So I have to kind of look at it like that. Next time Spain, next time.
Anywho, last night we couldnt get on a train to Spain so we ended up having to stay in Zurich, Switzerland. We werent there long and it was pretty, but also VERY expensive. OYE, so expensive it was painful. So this morning we left for Bordeaux and got in at 9pm. We want to do some touring of the city and perhaps some wine tasting. It is a bigger city than I imagined and luckily we were able to find an adequate place to stay very quickly.
So, France it is. Au Revoir for now. Sorry to disappoint about Spain. :(
CIAO CIAO
Anywho, last night we couldnt get on a train to Spain so we ended up having to stay in Zurich, Switzerland. We werent there long and it was pretty, but also VERY expensive. OYE, so expensive it was painful. So this morning we left for Bordeaux and got in at 9pm. We want to do some touring of the city and perhaps some wine tasting. It is a bigger city than I imagined and luckily we were able to find an adequate place to stay very quickly.
So, France it is. Au Revoir for now. Sorry to disappoint about Spain. :(
CIAO CIAO
Monday, August 2, 2010
Guten Morgen!
Still in Salzburg, folks, we have a couple of hours until our train leaves for Spain via Zurich, Switzerland. Salzburg is definitely one of my favorite places we have traveled. I would come back here in a heart beat!!
Our train ride to Madrid is over 24 hours...haha this will be interesting, as long as Iäm able to sleep for some of it I will be fine. Traveling is exhausting, but in a good way, I have passed out so quickly everytime I hit the pillow to go to bed at night. LOVELY.
Beautiful, beautiful place. Unfortunately, we have not been able to do a lot of the bigger touristy things here because we do not have much time but it just makes me realize that I want to come back!
People have been friendly and helpful, and I think the boys are having a completely different experience in that way. I think girls might have an easier time getting help from others.
This morning we had breakfast of bread, jam, orange juice, and coffee, and we stopped at a grocery store SPAR for some train snacks. I got a fresh pretzel, some cracker mix, an apple, and an iced tea, all for less than €4. Definitely a good way to save money is to shop at the local stores.
Last night after a dinner of schnitzel (basically like a fried chicken), we walked around and went to a WEIN (wine) bar. Later we got gelato/ice cream, and it was our second of the day. Weather has been warm here during the day and perfect at night.
I wish I knew how to upload some pics off my camera here, but I am not sure how to do so, so you all will have to wait until I get back!!
I hope people are reading this blog!! Leave a comment or two, will ya!?!?
Hehe, love you guys and cannot wait to tell you more and share pics when we get back. Amanda is doing well and really looking forward to flamenco dancing in Spain and wine tasting in Bordeaux, excuse the spelling.
Besos! Auf Wiedersen!
Our train ride to Madrid is over 24 hours...haha this will be interesting, as long as Iäm able to sleep for some of it I will be fine. Traveling is exhausting, but in a good way, I have passed out so quickly everytime I hit the pillow to go to bed at night. LOVELY.
Beautiful, beautiful place. Unfortunately, we have not been able to do a lot of the bigger touristy things here because we do not have much time but it just makes me realize that I want to come back!
People have been friendly and helpful, and I think the boys are having a completely different experience in that way. I think girls might have an easier time getting help from others.
This morning we had breakfast of bread, jam, orange juice, and coffee, and we stopped at a grocery store SPAR for some train snacks. I got a fresh pretzel, some cracker mix, an apple, and an iced tea, all for less than €4. Definitely a good way to save money is to shop at the local stores.
Last night after a dinner of schnitzel (basically like a fried chicken), we walked around and went to a WEIN (wine) bar. Later we got gelato/ice cream, and it was our second of the day. Weather has been warm here during the day and perfect at night.
I wish I knew how to upload some pics off my camera here, but I am not sure how to do so, so you all will have to wait until I get back!!
I hope people are reading this blog!! Leave a comment or two, will ya!?!?
Hehe, love you guys and cannot wait to tell you more and share pics when we get back. Amanda is doing well and really looking forward to flamenco dancing in Spain and wine tasting in Bordeaux, excuse the spelling.
Besos! Auf Wiedersen!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Greetings from Salzburg, Austria
Hi all! Amanda and I arrived in Salzburg this afternoon and it is an absolutely lovely little town. So much beautiful architecture and sites to see. A river runs through it and the water is a gorgeous greenish color...we just want to dive in!
We found a place to stay that was relatively inexpensive for what we saw the trend to be. It is like a student resident but super comfortable and roomy. We were able to wash some of our clothes in the sinks, so hopefully they will be dry by the time we have to leave.
The boys went their separate way to Venice and then next time we see them will be at Heathrow to leave. It was bittersweet leaving them. They are fun to travel with.
Yesterday we were in Munich, Germany, and my favorite part was taking a Beer and Brewery tour. Lots of different beers to try. We ended up at a Hofbrauhaus for dinner and Amanda, Jay, and Spencer ate pig`s knuckle (shoulder) and liters of beer, and I had a delicious pork goulash with dumplings. The Germans really know how to eat and drink!
Tomorrow we are Spain bound and it will take us a while to get there, unfortunately, but hopefully it will be worth it!!
Until next time, Chüss! :)
We found a place to stay that was relatively inexpensive for what we saw the trend to be. It is like a student resident but super comfortable and roomy. We were able to wash some of our clothes in the sinks, so hopefully they will be dry by the time we have to leave.
The boys went their separate way to Venice and then next time we see them will be at Heathrow to leave. It was bittersweet leaving them. They are fun to travel with.
Yesterday we were in Munich, Germany, and my favorite part was taking a Beer and Brewery tour. Lots of different beers to try. We ended up at a Hofbrauhaus for dinner and Amanda, Jay, and Spencer ate pig`s knuckle (shoulder) and liters of beer, and I had a delicious pork goulash with dumplings. The Germans really know how to eat and drink!
Tomorrow we are Spain bound and it will take us a while to get there, unfortunately, but hopefully it will be worth it!!
Until next time, Chüss! :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)