Berlin

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024450&l=d5ea9&id=14501905

Links to spring break photos

Ok here are the albums I have posted so far. I am doing it in the order of my trip, and each album is a different place... PLEASE BE ADVISED, my pictures do involve some drinking and a red light district here and there...

So first is Paris...

http://oxy.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024427&l=48a18&id=14501905

And here is Amsterdam...

http://oxy.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2024434&l=7c40f&id=14501905

The others might take a while

love

Back In Italy so much to tell!

I am back in Rome! I literally had such an amazing time on Spring break. It is hard to believe that I traveled to so many places and had so many amazing memories. I dont really remember what I wrote about so far, I think I left off in Berlin. So, I will basically some up the rest of my trip, which will be slightly hard, considering that I am writing on this little online journal. I am also in the process of posting some of my pictures, and it definitely wont be all of them, so when I get home, you will have to ask me to see the rest of them.

So, I traveled from Berlin to Prague... I loved Prague, I am pretty sure it was one of my favorite places that we went, which is kind of a hard thing to say, because I liked most of the places I traveled. I was so excited because I got to see my friend Ahuva in Prague, she is studying abroad there. It was really nice seeing one of my friends, especially because she and her friend were so welcoming and nice. They practically planned out the places Mindy and I should go, and showed us around the city. The first night we were there they took us to this really cool vegetarian food restaurant that was AMAZING! They also showed us their apartment, which was pretty exciting. The next day we went to the old city center of Prague, which is incredible! Everything is so cute and beautiful. It was also really nice because they were still having these little having a little easter festival. They had all these little booths and sold food and these decorated eggs, I am pretty sure Prague is famous for. Mindy and I went to an art museum, and then we went to all of the old synagogues, which was an amazing experience. I loved all of the old synagogues, they were so unique and gorgeous. Then we went on a little boat ride that toured the city by river, which was really fun, especially because it included beer and some strange cookie thing.  After that we basically explored the city, and went to see the castle on top of the hill. 

The next day we explored the city a little more, and visited with Ahuva and her friend Joel. They were a lot of fun. We also went shopping. We ended up staying the night at their apartment and watching some movie that was in German, that I fell asleep to. 

The next day we traveled to the small town of Czesky Krumlav, a town my mom and dad had visited, and recommended I go to. The town was just as incredible as they described. It is one of the cutest towns I have visited, fully equipped with  a castle guarded by big furry bears. All the buildings and the cobble stone streets were so adorable. The hostel we stayed at was really cute as well, and fit right in with the town. It reminded me of an old wooden cabin with little comfy beds we could cuddle into. The one problem with Czesky and Prague was that they were FREEZING! It continuously snowed leaving the towns wet, but not very snow covered...

There was not as much snow to see  as when  in Salzburg!!!!!!!

The drive to Salzburg was incredibly beautiful! We passes so many cute towns, and went through snowy mountain ranges. Salzburg was covered in snow. But, Salzburg was so amazing, and I know I say that about everything, but it truly was. I loved Salzburg. The architecture was incredible and the old town was so cute. On our first hald a day in Salzburg we went to see the Castle, which was incredible cool, and one of the biggest castles in Europe. We wandered the castle and played in the snow on top. The view from the castle was quite lovely. 

The next day, and please dont laugh when you hear this, because Mindy was embarrassed, I dont know why, but we went on THE SOUND OF MUSIC tour! It was sooooo cool! We went on a big bus painted with the Von Trap family and scenes from the movie. The tour was incredible, despite our extremely corny tour guide. It took us all over Salzburg and out to the lake district and countryside. We saw the most incredible views of the city and Austria. We also stopped in a small town, where the wedding scene was filled and ate apple strudel. I really want to see the Sound of Music movie now.

After our short visit to Salzburg, approximately one night and two half days, we went to Vienna, for only one night. Vienna was really cool as well, but we literally had half a day there. It was so sad that here, our little trip would come to an end, and we would have to fly back to Rome. 

I am so happy I went on this trip. I really want to go back to some of these places, because they were so exciting!!!!!! I had so many great experiences, and I can't wait to tell everyone all about them. I am sorry I can't include all the details, because literally, I cannot type that much! Ok well miss you!

so many many things

Hello! I am sitting in an internet cafe in Salzburg. There is so much to tell and so little time. I just wanted to say hi and tell you that I am having grand adventures! I saw amazing castles and towns. But, now I am tired. And it is my last few days on break, so when I get back I will tell you all about it! much love!

Berlin to Prague

So I am leaving Berlin, which I am ok about and heading to Prague. At this momeny mindy is searching for the girl that is supposedly traveling with us, but has disappeared for two days. The girls phone is not working and she is not answering our messages. I wanted to leave her, but mindy went to go find her. whatever. i am excited about going to Prague because I get to see ahuva! and I am excited to see all the synagogues and such. Berlin is definitely not my place.

Berlin

For some reason I am in Berlin. The first day here I was extremely tired from spending the night in the airport....I am only bringing that up again becaused it sucked. But, I am over it. The next day we went on a tour of the city. I didn't really like it because every place they showed us would be like "Oh, and there is where Hitler shot himself, now it is a parking lot"..."This is where this building was, but it was bombed". So, basically the city was bombed, and no one would ever know unless some guide told you about it. At night I went on a pub crawl, which was cool because I met lots of people from all over. Today, I explored on my own to this castle town and saw a couple of palaces, which was exciting, but I didn't really see any old German Castles that I wanted to see, it was really hard to get around the town.

My favorite part of Berlin was going to the Berlin zoo, where I saw the famous polar bear KNUT! He was soooo cute, not as cute as when he was a baby, but I still wanted to hug him. For those of you who don't know, Knut was abandoned by his circus mom, and the yoo keeper of the Berlin yoo raised him. He was featured in People magazine a couple of years ago, and people came from all over to see him. Because most of you know, I am an avid polar bear lover, so it was exciting to see him in his older age. The Berlin zoo was very nice, there were lots of baby animals.

I don't really know how I feel about Germany. I wish I went to the smaller town or something. Berlin does not have the european town charm, and quite frankly Germans make me uncomfortable. But, I guess there were things to do here, and it was a good experience. The hostel we stayed at is pretty tight, altough we have some old man as a roommate tonight. Tomorrow I am off to Prague!

Amsterdam

So, I am going to do this in two parts, because I haven't had a computer in quite sometime, so I have a lot to talk about. Basically I am in love with Amsterdam. It was really a unique city. When I arrived, I had an  adventure of finding a hostel, because somehow we didn't have on booked. That was an adventure. We finally found a place, right before the red light district. We had to bring our suitcases all the way up these really windy, small staircases, which was possibly the worst experience ever, but we made it up to our little room of three beds. Then we went to Anne Franks house, which was very moving. It was incredible to actually see the bookcase and place she and her family lived, but I kind of wish they hadn't ruined the facade of the house and taken all the objects inside of the house. 

At night we met up with some friends of Daniela who live in Amsterdam, and they showed us around. We went to the red light district which was very interesting. It was a lot different then I expected, and slightly classy for prostitutes. I just couldn't believe the mindsets of these people, and how they live like this. The next day I to the Van Gogh museum, went shopping, and saw the Sex Museum. The shopping in Amsterdam was very funky and fun. I especially enjoyed all the touristy shops. I really liked Amsterdam because it was a very young and eclectic crowed, yet it still had a lot of charm due to it's older buildings and cute canals. I think I could have stayed at least another day. One of my favorite aspects of Amsterdam's food is that they have fast food shops that sale ONLY french fries. If you know me at all, fries are my favorite food, so I was pretty happy with this. 

That night we decided to sleep in the airport, which was possibly the worst experience EVER. It was cold, and I couldn't sleep and arrived to Berlin feeling discusting. I basically napped and went out to dinner that night, because I was pretty pooped. We went to a restaurant that had pretty American food, which was exciting because we got nachos, something I dont think I have had in more than half a year. I am staying in a hostel in a four bed room with mindy and two random boys. One is from Germany and the other from America, which is slightly odd, seeing that they are boys and boys scare me. But, the hostel is pretty nice and modern

Bonjour from Paris!

Hi from France! I am in Paris for four nights, which is absolutely incredible. At first I was a little skeptical...but today was really exciting. I am traveling with my friends Mindy and Daniela. I am staying in little hotel with Mindy, we are sharing a little bed. But, it is really cute. Today we went to the Lourve, which was fabulous, yet overwhelming. I saw the Mona Lisa, which was very exciting! After that, I went to see the Notre Dame, although we didn't go inside. Then we walked around and went out for dinner. It was really crazy. The food here is soooo amazing, yet quite fatty. Today I had an Omlette, crepe, and for dinner we had fondue. Fondue was interesting. There was basically a shit load of cheese. THe waiter decided I was his girl friend, and escorted me when I got up to go to the bathroom, he didn't come with me of course. It was really odd. Also, when we left the restaurant the host followed us out of the restaurant and hugged us and gave us kisses on the cheek, it was funny yet bizarre at the same time. After dinner we went to the Moulin Rouge to check out the lights. Paris is definitely a unique place. Overall, I would have to say the guys are a lot more aggressive than the ones in Roma. But, it is fun. I am excited for what is to come!

PS congrats justin about Santa Cruz! (sorry for the wrong spelling, i wrote this at 2am)

hello and goodbye!

I realize I have been MIA...but I just wanted to do a quick little update. Tomorrow I am leaving for my spring break! AND I AM SOOOOO EXCITED (slash a little nervous)! I literally cannot even explain how incredible it is going to be to go to so many places I have never been before. I am leaving for Paris tomorrow, and then I am going to Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, and Austria. It was crazy how mindy and I planned this all on our own. And we are staying in hotels/hostels...and it is going to be so exciting! so i am once again trying to back as light, as possible...which is always a struggle. but, anyway...hopefully I will be able to give you little updates on my trip, I know mindy is bringing her computer, and there will probably be internet cafes. so send me lots of emails, and I shall send you a postcard! If i haven't sent you a postcard yet, it is because I dont have your address so email it to me! xoxoxooxoxox

why hello again!

Why hello! It is one am my time, but i just wanted to say a quick hello, and let everyone know i am alive, although i dont know how after this week. So, here's the deal... i came home from venice, and started studying immediately for midterms. AHHHHHH! basically my city of rome class took over my life the entire week. the test was IMPOSSIBLE! i had to memorize the entire map of rome, the city from ancient times to early renaissance, all the popes, and much much more. but i am happy it is over! and the day that test was over, thursday, i had to cram for my italian midterm. and then my computer pretty much caught on fire and i had to track down an apple store to buy a new charger. so yes, here i am now! but  i am happy it is the weekend! 

Tomorrow is women's appreciation day in Europe, so if all goes the way it is planned, all museums in rome should be free for women! which is soooo exciting, because they literally charge ten euros to get into those museums!

one more week until spring break! and i am so excited! oh, by the way, this is stanley, the fill in dog until i see my cute little dust again! i miss dusty so much. he is too cute for words. and he is so snuggly and happy to chase squirrels, which btw they do not have here in any shape or form, just sick looking cats! DDDDDUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Venice please dont SINK!

Just one more day in Venice would be quite splendid!

I just got back from my Venice Field trip, which was really exciting. Venice was a four hour train ride, which was actually not too bad. I tried to get as much sleep as possible this weekend, because I have midterms this week, which is pretty stressful. Although we were in Venice for only a short amount of time, I did a lot. We had a lot of group tours, mainly to churches, and one art museum. I know Italy's history concerns a lot of art and churches, but it is somewhat disappointing that they don't take us on any other tours. Basically, the weekend field trip so far have been art history based. But, I was really excited to find that around the corner from our little hotel (our little dumpy hotel) was the Peggy Guggenheim museum, which was completely AMAZING! I just had contemporary art history last semester, and I literally saw every artist I studied in that class. I had seen many of the works only in books, so seeing them up close and personal was quite the experience, plus for some reason I am more drawn to modern art than art about Jesus. Anyway, the museum, or in the past, Peggy's mansion, contained works by Duchamp, Picasso, Maz Ernst, Pollock ughhhhhhhhhhhh i loved it! I can't believe I saw some of these works! 

Anyway, I also decided to take Saturday afternoon off and return to this small island town that I went to with my parents on our Italy trip. The town is called Burano, and it is the cutest town I have ever seen. Each individual house is painted a vibrant color, in order to make up a rainbow of a town. I think I am in love with this town, you will see it in my pictures, although I am pretty sure I took one hundred. I was so excited and lucky that I got to go. I went with my hungarian RAish type friend, who works at the program. We shopped around at the little glass and lace shops. And then we went over to Murano, where they actually make the glass. By that time it was pretty late, so most of the shops were closing. But, we got to see these big lit up glass statuish things...which were really cool. 

I literally cannot believe I made it back to Burano, and I saw those painting. Well I could tell you more, but I am exhausted. I was just thinking about how excited I am to discover new little towns when I am on spring break! Two more weeks! Love you and miss you!

--> here is my new photo album!

http://oxy.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023568&l=821f2&id=14501905