Sunday.
My last day on my study abroad. Time flies! Hopefully the next 145 days will fly by too :) I took more than 10 min to get ready today. Deanna even commented that she's never seen me take so long to put on my makeup. Haha it was nice to get a little dressed up today. We took the metro to the end of the line then walked another ten minutes to church. It was all in Italian today. That's something I'm not sure I'll miss. It's nice to understand whats going on for 3 hours of church.
I was in a tight pencil skirt thinking that I could change after church, but the director wanted a "where's Waldo photo" at the Spanish steps. Smart idea, but I was hot and sticky and chaffing...tmi? We found a little sandwich shop, grabbed a bite, then headed back to the hotel where I stripped down and took a nap in my tank top and my slip!
I woke up cause everyone was came back. It's totally fine cause I was ready for some gelato! My final one!! So so sad. I got a large with mint, coffee, and straciatella. I was a happy camper and you better believe I ate the whole thing!
It took me about an hour to repack all of my stuff. I pulled all the dirty and clean out of my suitcase and checked off everything off my list. I didn't loose anything! I'm so proud of myself! After packing though I realized I needed normal clothes for dinner...it shouldn't be another hour to repack...I hope. I skyped and hung out for a little while and then headed out to dinner around 7:30.
Took us a little while for 6 of us to be happy with our restaurant choice. We finally sat down, ate, and were off to the colosseum around 9:15. So I lied about my last gelato. I got another one with everyone after dinner but sadly it wasn't as good. Should have quit while I was ahead. We met everyone and shot lightening rockets vendors are always selling. Chilling at the the colosseum out final night. Nbd.
We were walking back to the hotel when we discovered the cannoli place was still open. I had to have a taste to end my night on a delicious dessert!! Haley and I split one and then we finally made it back to the hotel. It's now almost 11 and I have to wake up in 5 hours, but I'm not complaining cause I'll be in Washington DC in 23 hours!!
For those of you who have been following my blog on this wonderful experience...thank you! I really have had the best time and I've met so many great people that I want to share with as many people as possible. I'm sure my mama will be sick of hearing about it even just on the drive to our house!! I'm so grateful I was able to travel this much this summer and I can't wait to now travel with my handsome fiancé in the future. Off to get ready for bed! Happy Sunday!!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Day 29 Rome, Italy
Saturday.
Hooray for sleeping in! Didnt get out of bed until 9 today! Ate a croissant or two or three for breakfast, got ready (which consists of me putting clothes on, brushing my teeth, and throwing my hair up), and headed out with Erica, Caitlin, Nate, and jay.
We hit three different spots. First the Trevi Fountain. Then the pantheon. Then the Spanish steps. The Trevi fountain was beautiful and bigger than I was expecting! The pantheon was pretty neat and we even got to go in for free. The Spanish steps was in the nicest little area! Plus, I found my final Disney store haha. The steps were so wide and there was a cold cold fountain that I got to stick my feet it. Needed a much needed cool down. It was hot hot hot today.
After Caitlin found a good cannoli place by the colosseum. My first pod cannoli experience! The last one I tried was soggy and I thought that's how they were suppose to be. Nope! Then we found a little pizzeria, grabbed a slice or two and headed back to the hotel.
Nap time! I literally slept in my undies cause it is so hot in our room with no air conditioning. Luckily, I still got a pretty good nap! Caitlin then came in and was all ready for gelato. I was still stuffed from all the desserts earlier!! But I went anyway...only two more days of gelato! Then we all got on the subway and went to circo Maximo where Caitlin found a good bakery...more food! I got a flaky pastry that I love I just don't ever remember what they are called. We thought circo Maximo was inside a gate however its basically a large oval hole with dirt and a tree in the middle. But it is where the chariot races were held!
By this point it was around 6:30 and we all wanted to get out of the heat and just hang out at the hotel. Caitlin, jay, and I started 21 jump street which is rated R in front of Matt who we later found out is the son of a member of the first quorum of the 70. He did laugh at a few parts! Haha oh well. Then I skyped Dave for a few. Connection kinda stinks. Then it was time for dinner!
Four weeks ago today we all met up as a group at a pub in London. It is crazy that in about 36 hours I will be on a flight to the states. We ate dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant and just enjoyed each others company. Its amazing how much we have learned about each other and ourselves over these four weeks. It's not our final night but that was a great closer to this trip.
We got gelato...I'm getting closer to my final one. Then jay Caitlin and I finished 21 jump street- we put headphones in this time haha. Then I showered and now we are all hanging out before we go to bed! Pretty chill night filled with fun and laughter!! Last day tomorrow! Happy Saturday!!
Hooray for sleeping in! Didnt get out of bed until 9 today! Ate a croissant or two or three for breakfast, got ready (which consists of me putting clothes on, brushing my teeth, and throwing my hair up), and headed out with Erica, Caitlin, Nate, and jay.
We hit three different spots. First the Trevi Fountain. Then the pantheon. Then the Spanish steps. The Trevi fountain was beautiful and bigger than I was expecting! The pantheon was pretty neat and we even got to go in for free. The Spanish steps was in the nicest little area! Plus, I found my final Disney store haha. The steps were so wide and there was a cold cold fountain that I got to stick my feet it. Needed a much needed cool down. It was hot hot hot today.
After Caitlin found a good cannoli place by the colosseum. My first pod cannoli experience! The last one I tried was soggy and I thought that's how they were suppose to be. Nope! Then we found a little pizzeria, grabbed a slice or two and headed back to the hotel.
Nap time! I literally slept in my undies cause it is so hot in our room with no air conditioning. Luckily, I still got a pretty good nap! Caitlin then came in and was all ready for gelato. I was still stuffed from all the desserts earlier!! But I went anyway...only two more days of gelato! Then we all got on the subway and went to circo Maximo where Caitlin found a good bakery...more food! I got a flaky pastry that I love I just don't ever remember what they are called. We thought circo Maximo was inside a gate however its basically a large oval hole with dirt and a tree in the middle. But it is where the chariot races were held!
By this point it was around 6:30 and we all wanted to get out of the heat and just hang out at the hotel. Caitlin, jay, and I started 21 jump street which is rated R in front of Matt who we later found out is the son of a member of the first quorum of the 70. He did laugh at a few parts! Haha oh well. Then I skyped Dave for a few. Connection kinda stinks. Then it was time for dinner!
Four weeks ago today we all met up as a group at a pub in London. It is crazy that in about 36 hours I will be on a flight to the states. We ate dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant and just enjoyed each others company. Its amazing how much we have learned about each other and ourselves over these four weeks. It's not our final night but that was a great closer to this trip.
We got gelato...I'm getting closer to my final one. Then jay Caitlin and I finished 21 jump street- we put headphones in this time haha. Then I showered and now we are all hanging out before we go to bed! Pretty chill night filled with fun and laughter!! Last day tomorrow! Happy Saturday!!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Day 28 Rome, Italy
Friday.
What a much needed day. We got to sleep in a little and then we all put on our athletic shorts that we haven't been able to wear all trip and headed to the beach.
We all got to the metro and everyone was running and we were all thinking they were late for work. Then a lady at security said, "excuse me, do you know that there's a strike going on and the last train is coming??" oh boy!! We raced down and I've never seen a metro so packed in my entire life. So we bagged that idea but luckily the train station was only one stop away. The group split up and I was with three of the best navigators of our group. Oh yeah! We made it to the train station but we missed the first train. Got on the next one and were off to St. Marinella.
I stepped off the train and could already smell the salt water! It was fantastic. The beach was super crowded and mostly reserved, so we had to get an umbrella at the back. It made me so grateful for my free Bethany beach, and popster for always getting up and getting us close to the water!
We spent the day at the beach most of the day. The water was surprisingly cold but it felt so so good! Jay, Caitlin, and I went out and had our own little space then stripped! We were yelling at each other from each of our spots, "did you do it!?" The response was usually a bathing suit waved out of the water. Haha When in Rome! The sand was so stinking hot, I think I have blisters! But I also got some good sun I think. Such a great dayljust to relax and hang out.
We headed back on the train a little after 5. Got back. Took a nice cold shower. Then went to dinner at the same place we went last night and gelato at the same place. I was having déjà vu but they both were great so it was totally worth the repeat.
A lot of us wanted I watch a movie so some watched the notebook while others watched inception on my computer. I skyped my mama an Dave a little in between and now I'm ready for my good night sleep and I get to sleep in!! Woohooo!!
What a much needed day. We got to sleep in a little and then we all put on our athletic shorts that we haven't been able to wear all trip and headed to the beach.
We all got to the metro and everyone was running and we were all thinking they were late for work. Then a lady at security said, "excuse me, do you know that there's a strike going on and the last train is coming??" oh boy!! We raced down and I've never seen a metro so packed in my entire life. So we bagged that idea but luckily the train station was only one stop away. The group split up and I was with three of the best navigators of our group. Oh yeah! We made it to the train station but we missed the first train. Got on the next one and were off to St. Marinella.
I stepped off the train and could already smell the salt water! It was fantastic. The beach was super crowded and mostly reserved, so we had to get an umbrella at the back. It made me so grateful for my free Bethany beach, and popster for always getting up and getting us close to the water!
We spent the day at the beach most of the day. The water was surprisingly cold but it felt so so good! Jay, Caitlin, and I went out and had our own little space then stripped! We were yelling at each other from each of our spots, "did you do it!?" The response was usually a bathing suit waved out of the water. Haha When in Rome! The sand was so stinking hot, I think I have blisters! But I also got some good sun I think. Such a great dayljust to relax and hang out.
We headed back on the train a little after 5. Got back. Took a nice cold shower. Then went to dinner at the same place we went last night and gelato at the same place. I was having déjà vu but they both were great so it was totally worth the repeat.
A lot of us wanted I watch a movie so some watched the notebook while others watched inception on my computer. I skyped my mama an Dave a little in between and now I'm ready for my good night sleep and I get to sleep in!! Woohooo!!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Day 27 Rome, Italy
Thursday.
I'm really am getting excited to go home in 4 days. Ready for my own bed, ready for good water pressure, ready for air conditioning. It'll be nice.
Woke up this morning and said goodbye to Patrick. It was super sad! After we gave him our gift, we headed to the U.S. embassy of the holy see aka the Vatican. We went through 3 different security checks before we had a presentation with a diplomat. I thought it was pretty interesting how rigorous the process is to become a diplomat as well as how much traveling they do. After we got to take a picture with the ambassador quickly before he got into his armored car!
5 of us grabbed lunch at a pizzeria. It was good however the cheese jiggled haha. A meal is not complete without a gelato. Basically we had two hours before our next visit so we had a nice leisurely lunch.
We walked over to caritas internationalis (our final vusiness visit!!!) which is similar to our humanitarian aid. We all hacked the wifi and were just iMessage each other back and forth. He talked way to much...one of those who answers a question with a 20 minute answer.
We toured the colosseum and the forum after. The colosseum was smaller than I expected but still spectacular! It's amazing that that building is still standing. And the forum truly made me feel like I was back in ancient Rome. The ruins are pretty fascinating. I would much rather see all that then paintings in a museum. Way cool.
After, we headed back to the hotel and I skyped with Maarja finally!! Haven't talked to her in forever so that was definitely a highlight of my day. After we headed to a cute little restaurant near town and I got carbonara that was pretty tasty. Ad of course the night wasn't over until we got gelato. Pretty funny stories at the gelateria. This Asian women raced me to a table and was so proud she beat me and then we saw hitler! Ok, he had the mustache. Trying to get a picture was a feat!
After that, I came back to the hotel, skyped my man, took a shower and now it's time to go to bed in my sauna of a room. Beach day tomorrow!!! Hallelujah :)
I'm really am getting excited to go home in 4 days. Ready for my own bed, ready for good water pressure, ready for air conditioning. It'll be nice.
Woke up this morning and said goodbye to Patrick. It was super sad! After we gave him our gift, we headed to the U.S. embassy of the holy see aka the Vatican. We went through 3 different security checks before we had a presentation with a diplomat. I thought it was pretty interesting how rigorous the process is to become a diplomat as well as how much traveling they do. After we got to take a picture with the ambassador quickly before he got into his armored car!
5 of us grabbed lunch at a pizzeria. It was good however the cheese jiggled haha. A meal is not complete without a gelato. Basically we had two hours before our next visit so we had a nice leisurely lunch.
We walked over to caritas internationalis (our final vusiness visit!!!) which is similar to our humanitarian aid. We all hacked the wifi and were just iMessage each other back and forth. He talked way to much...one of those who answers a question with a 20 minute answer.
We toured the colosseum and the forum after. The colosseum was smaller than I expected but still spectacular! It's amazing that that building is still standing. And the forum truly made me feel like I was back in ancient Rome. The ruins are pretty fascinating. I would much rather see all that then paintings in a museum. Way cool.
After, we headed back to the hotel and I skyped with Maarja finally!! Haven't talked to her in forever so that was definitely a highlight of my day. After we headed to a cute little restaurant near town and I got carbonara that was pretty tasty. Ad of course the night wasn't over until we got gelato. Pretty funny stories at the gelateria. This Asian women raced me to a table and was so proud she beat me and then we saw hitler! Ok, he had the mustache. Trying to get a picture was a feat!
After that, I came back to the hotel, skyped my man, took a shower and now it's time to go to bed in my sauna of a room. Beach day tomorrow!!! Hallelujah :)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Day 26 Rome, Italy
Wednesday.
Breakfast this morning was no bueno. I ate two large doughnuts and I felt sick for the rest of the morning. Once we all got dressed in our long skirts for the Vatican later we took the bus to our third Alsco visit. I think I could create my own laundry company after all of these visits. The did feed us a nice lunch of lasagna. There were two forks so most of us were hoping for dessert; however, we were highly disappointed when they brought out melon, prosciutto, and a ball of mozzarella. Dave has told me about 5,000 times that he loves melon and ham...so I had to try it. Wasn't bad, wasn't dessert! Haha
BTTB to head to the Vatican! I wish I was more into art history because the museum might have been more interesting. It was still pretty breathtaking! Vatican museum is apparently the largest museum with a private art collection in the world! We also went into St. Peters basilica (sp?)...possibly largest catholic church. Not sure if these facts are true though.
It was super hot walking around the Vatican in my long heavy skirt. It was very nice to finally get back to the hotel and change. However it was the last time getting off the elbobus! And we say goodbye to patrick tomorrow morning! :(
We got quite a bit of cash that wasnt spent from our tuition today so we all felt like a nice dinner was in order. We went to this restaurant and I got a spicy pasta dish with a sausage sauce. There wasn't a whole lot of sausage but the pasta was pretty darn tasty. Pretty sure you can guess what we did next! Gelato!! I tried so hard to eat it slowly because I've decided I eat things to fast. Finally, we made it to the colosseum!! What an awesome building. It's incredible how long ago that thing was built and that it's still standing. It's massive! We took lots of pictures that I will upload when I have more energy to sit in the hall way. I get just enough to blog from my room.
After taking lots of jumping pictures we came back to the hotel, I skyped for a little, took a shower (there's absolutely not pressure...it's a feat to take a descent shower), and now I'm in bed!! Happy Wednesday from Rome :)
Breakfast this morning was no bueno. I ate two large doughnuts and I felt sick for the rest of the morning. Once we all got dressed in our long skirts for the Vatican later we took the bus to our third Alsco visit. I think I could create my own laundry company after all of these visits. The did feed us a nice lunch of lasagna. There were two forks so most of us were hoping for dessert; however, we were highly disappointed when they brought out melon, prosciutto, and a ball of mozzarella. Dave has told me about 5,000 times that he loves melon and ham...so I had to try it. Wasn't bad, wasn't dessert! Haha
BTTB to head to the Vatican! I wish I was more into art history because the museum might have been more interesting. It was still pretty breathtaking! Vatican museum is apparently the largest museum with a private art collection in the world! We also went into St. Peters basilica (sp?)...possibly largest catholic church. Not sure if these facts are true though.
It was super hot walking around the Vatican in my long heavy skirt. It was very nice to finally get back to the hotel and change. However it was the last time getting off the elbobus! And we say goodbye to patrick tomorrow morning! :(
We got quite a bit of cash that wasnt spent from our tuition today so we all felt like a nice dinner was in order. We went to this restaurant and I got a spicy pasta dish with a sausage sauce. There wasn't a whole lot of sausage but the pasta was pretty darn tasty. Pretty sure you can guess what we did next! Gelato!! I tried so hard to eat it slowly because I've decided I eat things to fast. Finally, we made it to the colosseum!! What an awesome building. It's incredible how long ago that thing was built and that it's still standing. It's massive! We took lots of pictures that I will upload when I have more energy to sit in the hall way. I get just enough to blog from my room.
After taking lots of jumping pictures we came back to the hotel, I skyped for a little, took a shower (there's absolutely not pressure...it's a feat to take a descent shower), and now I'm in bed!! Happy Wednesday from Rome :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Day 25 Rome, Italy
Tuesday.
We left for sienna around 8:15 and got to our cooking class in sienna around 10:00. Sienna is beautiful and very hilly! The cooking class was awesome; it helped that we got to eat what we made. We made bruschetta, pasta, stuffed chicken, and tiramisu. All homemade! I even tried to tomatoes on the bruschetta...when in Rome! Or Sienna :) Surprisingly, I didn't love the pasta. The texture felt off and it was kinda doughy. The chicken was stuffed with a pepper/bread mixture that was so so good! It was also baked and not grilled which I like more. Tiramisu was my favorite. Of course, cause its dessert!
We all took a potty break then it was BTTB around 3 and off to Rome! I passed out for the next three hours and woke up just in time to see the temple site in Rome! Even though it was just the basic foundation and some of the wall structure it was still pretty climactic.
We saw the colosseum on our way into the city, and we made it to our hotel around 9ish. We literally drove around all of Rome, which has the tiniest roads of all I think. Poor Patrick. We got out of the bus about a mile away from the hotel. After we got all of our stuff in some of us needed food. All I wanted was a gelato-it's so hot! Brandon Tyler Erica and myself found a pretty cheap gelato place about two blocks from our hotel. Perfect I know! After that we made it back to our hotel and now I'm ready for bad.
Ps. 150 days today until I marry my best friend!!!!!!
We left for sienna around 8:15 and got to our cooking class in sienna around 10:00. Sienna is beautiful and very hilly! The cooking class was awesome; it helped that we got to eat what we made. We made bruschetta, pasta, stuffed chicken, and tiramisu. All homemade! I even tried to tomatoes on the bruschetta...when in Rome! Or Sienna :) Surprisingly, I didn't love the pasta. The texture felt off and it was kinda doughy. The chicken was stuffed with a pepper/bread mixture that was so so good! It was also baked and not grilled which I like more. Tiramisu was my favorite. Of course, cause its dessert!
We all took a potty break then it was BTTB around 3 and off to Rome! I passed out for the next three hours and woke up just in time to see the temple site in Rome! Even though it was just the basic foundation and some of the wall structure it was still pretty climactic.
We saw the colosseum on our way into the city, and we made it to our hotel around 9ish. We literally drove around all of Rome, which has the tiniest roads of all I think. Poor Patrick. We got out of the bus about a mile away from the hotel. After we got all of our stuff in some of us needed food. All I wanted was a gelato-it's so hot! Brandon Tyler Erica and myself found a pretty cheap gelato place about two blocks from our hotel. Perfect I know! After that we made it back to our hotel and now I'm ready for bad.
Ps. 150 days today until I marry my best friend!!!!!!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 24 Florence, Italy
Monday
Leather day! We woke up, ate breakfast, and drove the bus to pieriotucci leather factory. I didn't think I was a leather fan until today. We went and saw how they make all of their products all by hand! Then we got to walk around the store and see the prices...I saw a pretty red jacket: 650 euros. Lets just say pieriotucci didn't make too much money of us college students.
Back to the hotel to take a nap for an hour. It was a great nap. Then a bunch of us headed out for lunch. I bought a ginormous pizza and a much needed caffeinated beverage. We walked around the leather market and I got the cutest turquoise purse. I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on myself, but I felt like I deserved a nice souvenir.
Then I went with two people to get my free gelato. We got separated from Tyler and Brandon and I knew I shouldn't have gone without them, but I had no idea where they went. So sad.
Then we walked around trying to find this store where jay tried on a leather jacket. We finally found it after a half hour and he didn't even like it. He apparently tried on another jacket at the market so we went back there and I became his and Caitlin's stylist. They got some pretty awesome jackets!!
After that we were all so done with spending money so we walked back to the hotel around 4:30 and just hung out in the AC. Its been super hot today. I took a nap until about 6. I seriously am burning out with still a week to go!
Caitlin and I then walked around, bought a croissant, and tried on some really hideous makeup. We had time to kill before FHE so we decided to put as much makeup on as possible. It was so darn funny. Afterwards, we met the group over the ponte vecchio bridge to get gelato for FHE. I tried a fruity flavor this time and it was pretty good! Still like my coffee though :)
Most of us headed back. Caitlin and I were dying to wash our faces and change our clothes. A few of us gathered together to try and find a concert that was suppose to be going on but we ended up at this bar with a dj where everyone was last night. Me, Erica, tyler, jay, caitlin, and Brandon just danced the night away. It was so funny how we were definitely the most sober group but at the same time we were the most loopy! So much fun!!
I went back to the hotel and tried skyping, but it's really frustrating at night cause the wifi is really backed up or something. We got in a few words and then I needed to shower and pack up my stuff. Finally move tomorrow to Rome! I cannot believe I'll be home in a week! Not going to lie...Im kinda ready. Still enjoying every minute!! Happy monday! Ciao!
Leather day! We woke up, ate breakfast, and drove the bus to pieriotucci leather factory. I didn't think I was a leather fan until today. We went and saw how they make all of their products all by hand! Then we got to walk around the store and see the prices...I saw a pretty red jacket: 650 euros. Lets just say pieriotucci didn't make too much money of us college students.
Back to the hotel to take a nap for an hour. It was a great nap. Then a bunch of us headed out for lunch. I bought a ginormous pizza and a much needed caffeinated beverage. We walked around the leather market and I got the cutest turquoise purse. I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on myself, but I felt like I deserved a nice souvenir.
Then I went with two people to get my free gelato. We got separated from Tyler and Brandon and I knew I shouldn't have gone without them, but I had no idea where they went. So sad.
Then we walked around trying to find this store where jay tried on a leather jacket. We finally found it after a half hour and he didn't even like it. He apparently tried on another jacket at the market so we went back there and I became his and Caitlin's stylist. They got some pretty awesome jackets!!
After that we were all so done with spending money so we walked back to the hotel around 4:30 and just hung out in the AC. Its been super hot today. I took a nap until about 6. I seriously am burning out with still a week to go!
Caitlin and I then walked around, bought a croissant, and tried on some really hideous makeup. We had time to kill before FHE so we decided to put as much makeup on as possible. It was so darn funny. Afterwards, we met the group over the ponte vecchio bridge to get gelato for FHE. I tried a fruity flavor this time and it was pretty good! Still like my coffee though :)
Most of us headed back. Caitlin and I were dying to wash our faces and change our clothes. A few of us gathered together to try and find a concert that was suppose to be going on but we ended up at this bar with a dj where everyone was last night. Me, Erica, tyler, jay, caitlin, and Brandon just danced the night away. It was so funny how we were definitely the most sober group but at the same time we were the most loopy! So much fun!!
I went back to the hotel and tried skyping, but it's really frustrating at night cause the wifi is really backed up or something. We got in a few words and then I needed to shower and pack up my stuff. Finally move tomorrow to Rome! I cannot believe I'll be home in a week! Not going to lie...Im kinda ready. Still enjoying every minute!! Happy monday! Ciao!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Day 23 Florence, Italy
Happy Sabbath!
I have woken up three times this morning. First was around 6:15 and I skyped Dave until about 7:45 then went back to bed until 8:30, ate breakfast then went back to bed until 10:15, went to catholic mass at the duomo until 11:00 then went back to bed until 12:45, had our own sacrament meeting then started my afternoon!
Our sacrament was held in the breakfast room of our hotel. We passed the sacrament on plates and in Dixie cups. Some of the girls sang come thou fount and it reminded me of my senior solo! Matt gave a great talk on obedience and how we should wake up in the morning and commit ourselves to being obedient. Every morning. Maybe sometimes we forget and we need that reminder to the start of our day.
Holy moly the rest of my day was crazy random. We went and got lunch at a sit down Italian place. I got spaghetti. It's super funny how none of us order drinks whenever we go out and because of my experience in Rhine valley, no one puts there water bottle on the table.
After some split off and went to go see the David. I got a picture of a life size replica and didnt feel like paying 15 euros to see a naked man even if his name is David. :) Tyler, brandon, and I became best friends for the rest of the day. We first went to a park and played MASH for about a half an hour. Brought back middle school memories. Then we got gelato and sat on some steps at a square. Started walking back to the duomo and I just felt like I needed to stop at this gelato place. Good thing I did! 2nd favorite gelato place (after amorino still)! And they gave us a coupon for a free two scoop. We are going back tomorrow!
Then we pretty much just looked at the map and said "lets go there! It looks significant!" haha Half the places we went to we had no idea what it was at first. Also, we learned the hard way not to get a character drawing of yourself in Italy...they make you look bad! I'm pretty sure we just walked around most of the day...having a hard time remember today! Doesn't seem like a lot was accomplished but I really liked hanging out with those two boys today. Chillin in the park, on bridges, in gelaterias having great conversations...Ladies, these guys are genuinely nice and both single! ;)
I came back to the hotel and had an interview with the director just about how the trip is going. Then I had the most frustrating experience trying to Skype with Dave. After about 2 hours of connection and then disconnection I decided to get my stuff organized and just get in bed. Until tomorrow! :)
I have woken up three times this morning. First was around 6:15 and I skyped Dave until about 7:45 then went back to bed until 8:30, ate breakfast then went back to bed until 10:15, went to catholic mass at the duomo until 11:00 then went back to bed until 12:45, had our own sacrament meeting then started my afternoon!
Our sacrament was held in the breakfast room of our hotel. We passed the sacrament on plates and in Dixie cups. Some of the girls sang come thou fount and it reminded me of my senior solo! Matt gave a great talk on obedience and how we should wake up in the morning and commit ourselves to being obedient. Every morning. Maybe sometimes we forget and we need that reminder to the start of our day.
Holy moly the rest of my day was crazy random. We went and got lunch at a sit down Italian place. I got spaghetti. It's super funny how none of us order drinks whenever we go out and because of my experience in Rhine valley, no one puts there water bottle on the table.
After some split off and went to go see the David. I got a picture of a life size replica and didnt feel like paying 15 euros to see a naked man even if his name is David. :) Tyler, brandon, and I became best friends for the rest of the day. We first went to a park and played MASH for about a half an hour. Brought back middle school memories. Then we got gelato and sat on some steps at a square. Started walking back to the duomo and I just felt like I needed to stop at this gelato place. Good thing I did! 2nd favorite gelato place (after amorino still)! And they gave us a coupon for a free two scoop. We are going back tomorrow!
Then we pretty much just looked at the map and said "lets go there! It looks significant!" haha Half the places we went to we had no idea what it was at first. Also, we learned the hard way not to get a character drawing of yourself in Italy...they make you look bad! I'm pretty sure we just walked around most of the day...having a hard time remember today! Doesn't seem like a lot was accomplished but I really liked hanging out with those two boys today. Chillin in the park, on bridges, in gelaterias having great conversations...Ladies, these guys are genuinely nice and both single! ;)
I came back to the hotel and had an interview with the director just about how the trip is going. Then I had the most frustrating experience trying to Skype with Dave. After about 2 hours of connection and then disconnection I decided to get my stuff organized and just get in bed. Until tomorrow! :)
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day 22 Florence, Italy
Saturday.
Woke up this morning ate some bland cereal and then skyped Dave again. I love that he stays awake even when he's exhausted to skype me. I'm so lucky. Anyway, we started our journey walking around using the trip advisor app...should have been using this the whole time.
We stopped at the second top gelato place in Florence. It was pretty good! Then we passed the Galileo museum, contemplated going in but it was pricy so we kept walking.
We headed to a market where they sold lots of purses, jackets, scarfs, ties, etc. I bought Dave two ties for 5 euros! Thought that was a pretty good deal. Then four of us grabbed a doner kebab...I don't really like them but luckily they also had pizza!
We all met up as a group and decided laundry needed to be done. Some went to the laundromat, I did it in my tub. I didn't think it was a terrible idea until Erica and I ran out of room to dry our stuff. I feel asleep for a little over an hour and woke up to a room smelling just damp and wet. All of our clothes are still soaking...we opened a window so hopefully the fresh air will help! Haha
Me, Jeff, Matt, Erica, and Tyler went and ate dinner at a pizzeria. I've been eating a lot of pizza. And then we got more gelato of course. Eating out in a country that is broke is not fun. They charge you a sitting fee and they get really mad when you don't even order water. But hey we are poor college students!
Everyone was meeting up at a palace of Michael Angelo's (I think that's what is was...) to watch the sunset. Of course, the best place to watch a sunset is on top of a mountain so we hiked and got our workout for the day! The sunset was beautiful and there were two couples on their wedding day! We thought we should add to the festivities so two people from our program proposed and it was the funniest thing all day. Haha
We just made our way back down and headed towards the hotel. Some of the others went and got gelato but i felt like 3 in one day is a little much! Maybe one day :) Now I'm back at the hotel, it's close to 10 so I think I'll shower, maybe Skype, then head to bed! Happy Saturday!
Woke up this morning ate some bland cereal and then skyped Dave again. I love that he stays awake even when he's exhausted to skype me. I'm so lucky. Anyway, we started our journey walking around using the trip advisor app...should have been using this the whole time.
We stopped at the second top gelato place in Florence. It was pretty good! Then we passed the Galileo museum, contemplated going in but it was pricy so we kept walking.
We headed to a market where they sold lots of purses, jackets, scarfs, ties, etc. I bought Dave two ties for 5 euros! Thought that was a pretty good deal. Then four of us grabbed a doner kebab...I don't really like them but luckily they also had pizza!
We all met up as a group and decided laundry needed to be done. Some went to the laundromat, I did it in my tub. I didn't think it was a terrible idea until Erica and I ran out of room to dry our stuff. I feel asleep for a little over an hour and woke up to a room smelling just damp and wet. All of our clothes are still soaking...we opened a window so hopefully the fresh air will help! Haha
Me, Jeff, Matt, Erica, and Tyler went and ate dinner at a pizzeria. I've been eating a lot of pizza. And then we got more gelato of course. Eating out in a country that is broke is not fun. They charge you a sitting fee and they get really mad when you don't even order water. But hey we are poor college students!
Everyone was meeting up at a palace of Michael Angelo's (I think that's what is was...) to watch the sunset. Of course, the best place to watch a sunset is on top of a mountain so we hiked and got our workout for the day! The sunset was beautiful and there were two couples on their wedding day! We thought we should add to the festivities so two people from our program proposed and it was the funniest thing all day. Haha
We just made our way back down and headed towards the hotel. Some of the others went and got gelato but i felt like 3 in one day is a little much! Maybe one day :) Now I'm back at the hotel, it's close to 10 so I think I'll shower, maybe Skype, then head to bed! Happy Saturday!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Day 21 Parma/Florence, Italy
Friday.
Woke up this morning to no Internet :( sad day. But breakfast was pretty awesome! Lots of croissants but they also had doughnut holes. After we ate we packed up the bus and headed to parmigiano reggiano.
This warehouse is where all the Parmesan in the world is made! We walked inside the first station where all the cows milk is brought in and curdled...I thought I was going to die. It smelled like old milk left in a room that had no AC. It was pretty neat how they get the cheese out, but the smell was just overpowering all of my learning. Plus, we were also wearing a plastic lab coat that was causing my body to heat up another 10 degrees.
The big basins had all the milk in them and some extra protein....flies. That was gross and made me nervous to try the cheese offered at the end. The aging room was definitely the coolest part. Huge room with rows and rows of cheese. I learned I will not be entering the cheese business any time soon!
We then went to Padua ham and saw how the pigs were slaughter...just kidding. We did see what they do to the legs once they are sent from the slaughter house. It was surprisingly more interesting and less stinky than the cheese. They had close to 150,000 hind legs. And those are just the legs that are ready to be sold. They have to be cured for at least 12 months. They also had a room just for the USA hams because we require more curing time- we are special :)
After that we stopped by a little shopping mall, bought some lunch, saw some pretty interesting toilets, then it was BTTB and off to Florence! (the toilets were holes in the ground and yes I took a picture)
It took us forever to get to the hotel. I think we finally made it around 9...a three hour trip that took six. However we finally made it and guessed what was right under our hotel a Disney store!! Yeah it's awesome and I think it's the 4th one I've seen this trip! Well, Erica and I just got back from our gelato dinner (and we are finally roommates and we are obviously in the more expensive part of town...10 euros for three scoops) and now I'm hoping to Skype my boy! He's finally a graduate from LDAC and he's on his way back to Provo.
Woke up this morning to no Internet :( sad day. But breakfast was pretty awesome! Lots of croissants but they also had doughnut holes. After we ate we packed up the bus and headed to parmigiano reggiano.
This warehouse is where all the Parmesan in the world is made! We walked inside the first station where all the cows milk is brought in and curdled...I thought I was going to die. It smelled like old milk left in a room that had no AC. It was pretty neat how they get the cheese out, but the smell was just overpowering all of my learning. Plus, we were also wearing a plastic lab coat that was causing my body to heat up another 10 degrees.
The big basins had all the milk in them and some extra protein....flies. That was gross and made me nervous to try the cheese offered at the end. The aging room was definitely the coolest part. Huge room with rows and rows of cheese. I learned I will not be entering the cheese business any time soon!
We then went to Padua ham and saw how the pigs were slaughter...just kidding. We did see what they do to the legs once they are sent from the slaughter house. It was surprisingly more interesting and less stinky than the cheese. They had close to 150,000 hind legs. And those are just the legs that are ready to be sold. They have to be cured for at least 12 months. They also had a room just for the USA hams because we require more curing time- we are special :)
After that we stopped by a little shopping mall, bought some lunch, saw some pretty interesting toilets, then it was BTTB and off to Florence! (the toilets were holes in the ground and yes I took a picture)
It took us forever to get to the hotel. I think we finally made it around 9...a three hour trip that took six. However we finally made it and guessed what was right under our hotel a Disney store!! Yeah it's awesome and I think it's the 4th one I've seen this trip! Well, Erica and I just got back from our gelato dinner (and we are finally roommates and we are obviously in the more expensive part of town...10 euros for three scoops) and now I'm hoping to Skype my boy! He's finally a graduate from LDAC and he's on his way back to Provo.
Day 20 Parma/Padua, Italy
Thursday.
My alarm didn't go off this morning but I woke up around 6:40! Good thing it doesn't take me too long to get ready. I raced downstairs with all my stuff hopped on Skype and called Mr. Bracero and...HE ANSWERED! Happiest girl alive right here :D it's been so hard not to share every detail of this trip with my best friend, but that short 25 minute call was just what I needed.
We drove to a little town called Padua. Before our planned tour we just walked around, some of the girls got some sun dresses. I so proud of myself that I've bought just two shirts this entire time! Kinda crazy what these other girls have bought. We also bought a gelato...that will be mentioned a lot from here on out haha.
We had a tour of a chapel called "musei civici cappella delgi scrovegni" The paintings are painted like a comic book style of Christ's life, so it's big paintings all in a row around the chapel. What's interesting is that this chapel started the renaissance era but it took the rest of the world a few years to catch up. Kinda cool. We weren't allowed to take pictures though :/
After, I went with some people to a little market to grab some lunch (I bought more carrots! Hallelujah for veggies) and then we all met up as a group and went to the bus! 2.5 hours to Parma.
Parma is farm land. It's probably the most barren out of all the places we've been in. We arrived at the hotel and realized the wifi was down. Probably won't be back up until tomorrow after we have left. No Skype time :(
Some of the group wanted to go to the pool near by and some wanted to go to the mall. I went to the mall, got
my second gelato of the day (huge cone for 2 euros), got stared down by some creepy-drunk-Italian men, and then we felt that was a good time to go.
I got back to the hotel and used their fitness facility that consisted of a treadmill, a bike, and one of those hand bike machine things. Never again will I go this long with out working out. It felt so good but at the same time I felt super sluggish.
I was hoping for some wifi just to send a email to dave to not wait up for me if it doesn't work tomorrow morning, so we got a group to head to the mcdonalds. I skyped my mama which was nice minus the fact that she's at the beach! Once we were all done with the Internet we walked back, I showered and now I'm in bed.
Overall experience in Parma...little town, can't say I'd be dying to come back here. Maybe swing through for some original parmesan. (they have Parmesan burgers at mcdonalds haha) Well! Until tomorrow- happy Thursday :)
My alarm didn't go off this morning but I woke up around 6:40! Good thing it doesn't take me too long to get ready. I raced downstairs with all my stuff hopped on Skype and called Mr. Bracero and...HE ANSWERED! Happiest girl alive right here :D it's been so hard not to share every detail of this trip with my best friend, but that short 25 minute call was just what I needed.
We drove to a little town called Padua. Before our planned tour we just walked around, some of the girls got some sun dresses. I so proud of myself that I've bought just two shirts this entire time! Kinda crazy what these other girls have bought. We also bought a gelato...that will be mentioned a lot from here on out haha.
We had a tour of a chapel called "musei civici cappella delgi scrovegni" The paintings are painted like a comic book style of Christ's life, so it's big paintings all in a row around the chapel. What's interesting is that this chapel started the renaissance era but it took the rest of the world a few years to catch up. Kinda cool. We weren't allowed to take pictures though :/
After, I went with some people to a little market to grab some lunch (I bought more carrots! Hallelujah for veggies) and then we all met up as a group and went to the bus! 2.5 hours to Parma.
Parma is farm land. It's probably the most barren out of all the places we've been in. We arrived at the hotel and realized the wifi was down. Probably won't be back up until tomorrow after we have left. No Skype time :(
Some of the group wanted to go to the pool near by and some wanted to go to the mall. I went to the mall, got
my second gelato of the day (huge cone for 2 euros), got stared down by some creepy-drunk-Italian men, and then we felt that was a good time to go.
I got back to the hotel and used their fitness facility that consisted of a treadmill, a bike, and one of those hand bike machine things. Never again will I go this long with out working out. It felt so good but at the same time I felt super sluggish.
I was hoping for some wifi just to send a email to dave to not wait up for me if it doesn't work tomorrow morning, so we got a group to head to the mcdonalds. I skyped my mama which was nice minus the fact that she's at the beach! Once we were all done with the Internet we walked back, I showered and now I'm in bed.
Overall experience in Parma...little town, can't say I'd be dying to come back here. Maybe swing through for some original parmesan. (they have Parmesan burgers at mcdonalds haha) Well! Until tomorrow- happy Thursday :)
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Day 19 Venice, Italy
Wednesday.
What a start to a day. I woke up around 7:30 and just decided to check my Facebook. Got a wall post from Dave!!!!!!! He said he would have his phone from 7am to 1pm my time. I went from 0 to 100 in about 2 secs, raced downstairs and got on Skype. After trying for 3 hours...every type of communication possible...nothing. That boy is impossible to get a hold of apparently! And you'd think I would be the difficult one being in Europe and all. What a downer. Good thing we have a long bus ride so I can sleep and basically have a second morning :( off to Venice!
Totally conked out for the first 3 hours of the trip. I didn't even wake up when we first stopped...that usually never happens. The second stop I went over to the gas station while everyone went into this restaurant attached to the hotel at the rest stop. The potty at the restaurant was 50 cents...gas station...free! Well, it was technically 30 cents but no one was sitting there...so I quickly went in and went out :) don't judge. Peeing is a priviledge!
We passed over into Italy! Our final country! I'm in italy!!!! We past a few cruise ships and I was dying to get on one! Then we trekked all of our suitcases up and over Venice until we found our hotel. It's so darn hot, I drip whenever I step outside. Also our hotel doesn't have an elevator. We just laughed but it's hard to pull a suitcase while laughing.
After settling our stuff we realized it was already 6:30 and we wanted to meet at 7 to get out and see Venice! In that 30 minutes, I got on the wifi and got the best present ever!!...
I got the best email from Dave. (he told me he fell asleep this morning but the email totally made up for it) Here's an updated from Dave:
I did ok on the PT test (274/300), almost perfect on LANDNAV (day-8/8 and night 4/5), and out of my six leadership evaluations I received 4 overall E's (E= excellent, S= Satisfactory, N= no go). After putting it all together in my counseling with CPT Gonzalez, he gave me an overall E at camp! So I did pretty well.
I'm just such a proud fiancé right now! What's funny is I can tell he's exhausted even through an email. His full email made me cry in front of my roommates...and I'm not even embarrassed! Just so happy! He says we can Skype tomorrow morning so I'm hoping that will be in my blog post tomorrow!
That was my second wind! I was ready to go. We started walking through Venice and I literally feel like I'm in a dream! Italy is awesome totally different than the places we went to before. (also carrying our suitcases over all the bridges was definitely a new and painful experience haha)
We stopped at a little restaurant and got some pasta dishes of course! We were all just so happy even though its so flippin hot!
Next stop gondola ride! It was getting late and we really wanted to get one before dark cause they charge more. However we still ended up paying 100 euros for 6 people. Lame. But we had a very nice driver who told us some interesting facts along the way. No singing, apparently that ended 20 years ago.
After, we went to st. Marcos square and got some yummy gelato, listened to some Italian bands, and just hung out! It was a very relaxing night in Venice but at the same time exciting! All the streets are super narrow, there's water everywhere, and unlike all the other cities things stay open longer than 8!!
What else, it's super hot and I've been sweating all day and all of us girls have to share one bathroom. Awesome! Not sure if I'm going to get a shower tonight :) but I get to talk to my boy tomorrow!! Unless he falls asleep again...little stinker! Ok happy Wednesday!
What a start to a day. I woke up around 7:30 and just decided to check my Facebook. Got a wall post from Dave!!!!!!! He said he would have his phone from 7am to 1pm my time. I went from 0 to 100 in about 2 secs, raced downstairs and got on Skype. After trying for 3 hours...every type of communication possible...nothing. That boy is impossible to get a hold of apparently! And you'd think I would be the difficult one being in Europe and all. What a downer. Good thing we have a long bus ride so I can sleep and basically have a second morning :( off to Venice!
Totally conked out for the first 3 hours of the trip. I didn't even wake up when we first stopped...that usually never happens. The second stop I went over to the gas station while everyone went into this restaurant attached to the hotel at the rest stop. The potty at the restaurant was 50 cents...gas station...free! Well, it was technically 30 cents but no one was sitting there...so I quickly went in and went out :) don't judge. Peeing is a priviledge!
We passed over into Italy! Our final country! I'm in italy!!!! We past a few cruise ships and I was dying to get on one! Then we trekked all of our suitcases up and over Venice until we found our hotel. It's so darn hot, I drip whenever I step outside. Also our hotel doesn't have an elevator. We just laughed but it's hard to pull a suitcase while laughing.
After settling our stuff we realized it was already 6:30 and we wanted to meet at 7 to get out and see Venice! In that 30 minutes, I got on the wifi and got the best present ever!!...
I got the best email from Dave. (he told me he fell asleep this morning but the email totally made up for it) Here's an updated from Dave:
I did ok on the PT test (274/300), almost perfect on LANDNAV (day-8/8 and night 4/5), and out of my six leadership evaluations I received 4 overall E's (E= excellent, S= Satisfactory, N= no go). After putting it all together in my counseling with CPT Gonzalez, he gave me an overall E at camp! So I did pretty well.
I'm just such a proud fiancé right now! What's funny is I can tell he's exhausted even through an email. His full email made me cry in front of my roommates...and I'm not even embarrassed! Just so happy! He says we can Skype tomorrow morning so I'm hoping that will be in my blog post tomorrow!
That was my second wind! I was ready to go. We started walking through Venice and I literally feel like I'm in a dream! Italy is awesome totally different than the places we went to before. (also carrying our suitcases over all the bridges was definitely a new and painful experience haha)
We stopped at a little restaurant and got some pasta dishes of course! We were all just so happy even though its so flippin hot!
Next stop gondola ride! It was getting late and we really wanted to get one before dark cause they charge more. However we still ended up paying 100 euros for 6 people. Lame. But we had a very nice driver who told us some interesting facts along the way. No singing, apparently that ended 20 years ago.
After, we went to st. Marcos square and got some yummy gelato, listened to some Italian bands, and just hung out! It was a very relaxing night in Venice but at the same time exciting! All the streets are super narrow, there's water everywhere, and unlike all the other cities things stay open longer than 8!!
What else, it's super hot and I've been sweating all day and all of us girls have to share one bathroom. Awesome! Not sure if I'm going to get a shower tonight :) but I get to talk to my boy tomorrow!! Unless he falls asleep again...little stinker! Ok happy Wednesday!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Day 18 Salzburg, Austria
Tuesday.
Goodbye Germany! Hello Austria...for a night. Woke up this morning ate breakfast and we were on the road by 7:30.
We got to salzburg and we headed off the the Hellburnn castle. The bus system here stinks if they are trying to make money. I had no idea where to pay slash there were so many people I rode the bus for free. The castle was pretty cool. The king or whoever lived there made trick fountains that shot water at his guests. Super funny to watch people get surprised after you've been through. The gazebo in the sound of music was also in the gardens! Deanna and I almost died on the playground too. There was a spinny thing and the closer you pull yourself in the faster you go and you can't let go or you fly off. Basically you hang on for dear life hoping it slows down!!
On our way back we stopped at this nice pizza place. The poor lady was running it all by herself and she even split mine and ericas pizza in half...when most places just give you and extra plate. Plus, we got a spinach pizza and it was delicious!
We were back at the hotel around 3 to move into our rooms then a bunch of us headed to the castle. Holy sweat. I basically took a shower walking up to the castle. It's on a huge cliff and you basically walk straight up. Good work out. In fact Erica and I continued our work out and ran back to the hotel. We were already dripping so why not! Haha
The castle had some pretty awesome views of Salzburg. I wast planning on going but I'm so glad I did.
After, we met back up at the hotel (3rd time today) and headed out to a "pub" that Matt said was really good. It was a bunch of random stands with food that looked super foreign and not edible. I got a baked potato and then some ice cream on our walk back. You really can't go wrong with ice cream.
Now it's 10:15 and I'm showered and ready for bed. I pulled out 150 euros and hoping it'll last me the rest of the trip. I hope!! Must be frugal. :) 2 days tomorrow!!! I love David Bracero! And Salzburg Austria :) such a good day cause I also skyped my mama :D happy tuesday!!
Goodbye Germany! Hello Austria...for a night. Woke up this morning ate breakfast and we were on the road by 7:30.
We got to salzburg and we headed off the the Hellburnn castle. The bus system here stinks if they are trying to make money. I had no idea where to pay slash there were so many people I rode the bus for free. The castle was pretty cool. The king or whoever lived there made trick fountains that shot water at his guests. Super funny to watch people get surprised after you've been through. The gazebo in the sound of music was also in the gardens! Deanna and I almost died on the playground too. There was a spinny thing and the closer you pull yourself in the faster you go and you can't let go or you fly off. Basically you hang on for dear life hoping it slows down!!
On our way back we stopped at this nice pizza place. The poor lady was running it all by herself and she even split mine and ericas pizza in half...when most places just give you and extra plate. Plus, we got a spinach pizza and it was delicious!
We were back at the hotel around 3 to move into our rooms then a bunch of us headed to the castle. Holy sweat. I basically took a shower walking up to the castle. It's on a huge cliff and you basically walk straight up. Good work out. In fact Erica and I continued our work out and ran back to the hotel. We were already dripping so why not! Haha
The castle had some pretty awesome views of Salzburg. I wast planning on going but I'm so glad I did.
After, we met back up at the hotel (3rd time today) and headed out to a "pub" that Matt said was really good. It was a bunch of random stands with food that looked super foreign and not edible. I got a baked potato and then some ice cream on our walk back. You really can't go wrong with ice cream.
Now it's 10:15 and I'm showered and ready for bed. I pulled out 150 euros and hoping it'll last me the rest of the trip. I hope!! Must be frugal. :) 2 days tomorrow!!! I love David Bracero! And Salzburg Austria :) such a good day cause I also skyped my mama :D happy tuesday!!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Day 17 Munich, Germany
Monday.
Such a great morning! I slept in until 9:30, went and had breakfast before it closed, went back to bed until 12! It was a beautiful thing. I got dressed for the business visit then uploaded smoe photos while everyone was off the Internet. We left for BMW around 1.
The first part of the BV was with a member of the church who has worked for BMW for many many years it seemed like. It was very interesting to hear about the differences between BMW and other American or Japanese cars. Also learned that Europeans buy mercedes to show off the car, but they buy BMWs to enjoy the car. It's not a social climber car out here.
We toured the plant which I wish I had pictures of it but I wasn't allowed. We saw how a BMW was made from start to finish. I wanted to know more about the technology but it was still awesome. The robots thez use act like people...opening doors, welding parts, moving parts, etc. They charge the paint and the metal so the paint is attracted and 95% is made onto the car. The final test is the honking of the horn!! I thought that was funny. haha. Overall, the tour was really long and really hot...Germans don't believe in AC. But it was probably my favorite so far!
We traveled back to the hotel where we changed our clothes and started our scavenger hunt FHE. My group didn't reallz do the hunt, but we bought pizza and ice cream! Two scoops of ice cream was double the pirce for a single scoop...makes sense...so I got two singles so I got 2 cones!! Brilliant!
We found the biggst pub in Europe and it was hoppin! After we met the rest of the group at the English garden which was very large and pretty!! I bought a huge pretzel that was 3.70 euros that was kind of a disappointment. Note to self: don't buy food if you aren't hungry...it won't taste as good.
By this point we were all tired so we walked back to the hotel. And I think I'm going to take a shower and head to bed. Tried skyping you Mom but the internet kinda stinks at this hotel...In fact, I'm typing this on the hotels computer and the keyboard is totally different. The z is in the y's spot along with a lot of other differences so...hopefully I didn't butcher this blog post.
Crazy I'll be home in 2 weeks from today! And even more crazy that my boy will be back in 4 days!!!!!!!! It's almost like Christmas is coming. (insert smily face..can't figure out how to type it haha) Off to salzburg in the morning!! Happy Monday!
Such a great morning! I slept in until 9:30, went and had breakfast before it closed, went back to bed until 12! It was a beautiful thing. I got dressed for the business visit then uploaded smoe photos while everyone was off the Internet. We left for BMW around 1.
The first part of the BV was with a member of the church who has worked for BMW for many many years it seemed like. It was very interesting to hear about the differences between BMW and other American or Japanese cars. Also learned that Europeans buy mercedes to show off the car, but they buy BMWs to enjoy the car. It's not a social climber car out here.
We toured the plant which I wish I had pictures of it but I wasn't allowed. We saw how a BMW was made from start to finish. I wanted to know more about the technology but it was still awesome. The robots thez use act like people...opening doors, welding parts, moving parts, etc. They charge the paint and the metal so the paint is attracted and 95% is made onto the car. The final test is the honking of the horn!! I thought that was funny. haha. Overall, the tour was really long and really hot...Germans don't believe in AC. But it was probably my favorite so far!
We traveled back to the hotel where we changed our clothes and started our scavenger hunt FHE. My group didn't reallz do the hunt, but we bought pizza and ice cream! Two scoops of ice cream was double the pirce for a single scoop...makes sense...so I got two singles so I got 2 cones!! Brilliant!
We found the biggst pub in Europe and it was hoppin! After we met the rest of the group at the English garden which was very large and pretty!! I bought a huge pretzel that was 3.70 euros that was kind of a disappointment. Note to self: don't buy food if you aren't hungry...it won't taste as good.
By this point we were all tired so we walked back to the hotel. And I think I'm going to take a shower and head to bed. Tried skyping you Mom but the internet kinda stinks at this hotel...In fact, I'm typing this on the hotels computer and the keyboard is totally different. The z is in the y's spot along with a lot of other differences so...hopefully I didn't butcher this blog post.
Crazy I'll be home in 2 weeks from today! And even more crazy that my boy will be back in 4 days!!!!!!!! It's almost like Christmas is coming. (insert smily face..can't figure out how to type it haha) Off to salzburg in the morning!! Happy Monday!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Day 16 Munich, Germany
Sunday.
Happy sabbath! I always have interesting experiences right before I go to bed after I blog so I'll tell you today.
I had to wash my undies yesterday and washing them in a little sink was quite the experience. I can't promise that they are 100% clean but at least they smell like tide now haha. My roommate was out at a movie that a bunch of people went to and I was asleep when she came home. Im sure it was a pleasant surprise coming back to my underwear scattered all over the room haha.
This morning, it was extremely hard to get up. I slept really well which is great but makes getting up difficult.
We walked to church this morning. Professor godfrey said it would take 45 min on the metro...we got there in 20 walking. We were a little early, but a nice missionary greeted us! We started with relief society...in German. German is not a very romantic language. To me every other word sounds like a bad word in English or like they have something stuck in their throat. Trying to sing in German was also pretty humorous.
Holy moly!! Best day ever! Patrick our bus driver took us to the most beautiful place today. It's in the area called Tirol, Austria. It's about 2 hours away but it was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Its like the Austria you picture after watching the sound of music...but better. Dave, some anniversary we are coming here!!
We had the funniest experience sneaking around this dock and jumping on the wooden posts...taking pictures that are pretty funny! The mountains are covered with greenery. The hotels and streets are just the cutest. I'm currently writing this on the shore listening to the water. It's unreal! None of us want to go back to munich haha.
BTTB to head to our dinner. The directors made a reservation at a restaurant called brixnerwirt. It very went from beautiful weather to torrential downpours with large hail the size of a quarter. We had schnitzel. Not bad! It was nice to just have a sit down dinner and not have people worrying about paying too much (director paid...probably with our tuition money...$ and we just all hung out.
The bus ride home was longer than expected but we entertained ourselves very well. We played the iPod game, just sang to music, listened to Doh sing half sleeping then turned his name into a song hahah. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Video will hopefully be up soon.
That was my exciting day! I love Austria...love love love! Also, 5 days until I talk to my handsome fiancé. I honestly cannot wait!! Happy Sunday!!
Happy sabbath! I always have interesting experiences right before I go to bed after I blog so I'll tell you today.
I had to wash my undies yesterday and washing them in a little sink was quite the experience. I can't promise that they are 100% clean but at least they smell like tide now haha. My roommate was out at a movie that a bunch of people went to and I was asleep when she came home. Im sure it was a pleasant surprise coming back to my underwear scattered all over the room haha.
This morning, it was extremely hard to get up. I slept really well which is great but makes getting up difficult.
We walked to church this morning. Professor godfrey said it would take 45 min on the metro...we got there in 20 walking. We were a little early, but a nice missionary greeted us! We started with relief society...in German. German is not a very romantic language. To me every other word sounds like a bad word in English or like they have something stuck in their throat. Trying to sing in German was also pretty humorous.
Holy moly!! Best day ever! Patrick our bus driver took us to the most beautiful place today. It's in the area called Tirol, Austria. It's about 2 hours away but it was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Its like the Austria you picture after watching the sound of music...but better. Dave, some anniversary we are coming here!!
We had the funniest experience sneaking around this dock and jumping on the wooden posts...taking pictures that are pretty funny! The mountains are covered with greenery. The hotels and streets are just the cutest. I'm currently writing this on the shore listening to the water. It's unreal! None of us want to go back to munich haha.
BTTB to head to our dinner. The directors made a reservation at a restaurant called brixnerwirt. It very went from beautiful weather to torrential downpours with large hail the size of a quarter. We had schnitzel. Not bad! It was nice to just have a sit down dinner and not have people worrying about paying too much (director paid...probably with our tuition money...$ and we just all hung out.
The bus ride home was longer than expected but we entertained ourselves very well. We played the iPod game, just sang to music, listened to Doh sing half sleeping then turned his name into a song hahah. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Video will hopefully be up soon.
That was my exciting day! I love Austria...love love love! Also, 5 days until I talk to my handsome fiancé. I honestly cannot wait!! Happy Sunday!!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Day 15 Munich, Germany
Saturday.
Fire alarm went off last night. Fire department came and everything! No fire though. We left this morning around 8 am and made it to Dachau concentration camp around 12:30. I think I have mastered the art of sleeping on a bus. I do take over the floor but it works!
The concentration camp was truly unbelievable. A lot of the buildings weren't original but just the fact that we were on the grounds was hard to believe. Sounds cheesy, but it made me so grateful for my life. I can't even imagine. What was interesting was that they don't let you go into the guard towers, so they just want you to have the perspective of the prisoners. Overall, this place is recommended stop if you're going to Munich.
I also think I had one of my first hot meals at the visitors cafe. It was lasagna and it was yummy! I also got a chocolate muffin/cupcake and I made it into a cupcake sandwich like I always do and it fell apart. I got made fun of, but I didn't care because it tasted so good! Ok side tracked...
We loaded the bus back up around 3:30 and headed to the city where our hotel was. Same brand of hotel as last night. It took us forever to figure out what to do. Pool, movie, town...we finally decided to walk into town but then no one could decide what to do/what to eat. I'm making a plan tonight with my travel Europe book! I do not like having a plan.
6 of us decided to eat at this restaurant called Maredo. I love America. I love chips and dip for free. I love tap water. I DO love how you don't have to tip here. Just seem disappointed everytime I eat at a sit down restaurant. Never disappointed with ice cream :)
After wandering around, and taking random pictures in a department store... I had to go to the bathroom and things started closing down, so we made our way back to our hotel.
It's amazing how tired I am by the end of the day. I like Germany so far-cant wait to maybe live here in the future :) I'm sure I'll get a different feel being in one place permanently rather than traveling almost every other day. Pretty much at the half way mark of this trip. Crazy! Happy Saturday :)
Fire alarm went off last night. Fire department came and everything! No fire though. We left this morning around 8 am and made it to Dachau concentration camp around 12:30. I think I have mastered the art of sleeping on a bus. I do take over the floor but it works!
The concentration camp was truly unbelievable. A lot of the buildings weren't original but just the fact that we were on the grounds was hard to believe. Sounds cheesy, but it made me so grateful for my life. I can't even imagine. What was interesting was that they don't let you go into the guard towers, so they just want you to have the perspective of the prisoners. Overall, this place is recommended stop if you're going to Munich.
I also think I had one of my first hot meals at the visitors cafe. It was lasagna and it was yummy! I also got a chocolate muffin/cupcake and I made it into a cupcake sandwich like I always do and it fell apart. I got made fun of, but I didn't care because it tasted so good! Ok side tracked...
We loaded the bus back up around 3:30 and headed to the city where our hotel was. Same brand of hotel as last night. It took us forever to figure out what to do. Pool, movie, town...we finally decided to walk into town but then no one could decide what to do/what to eat. I'm making a plan tonight with my travel Europe book! I do not like having a plan.
6 of us decided to eat at this restaurant called Maredo. I love America. I love chips and dip for free. I love tap water. I DO love how you don't have to tip here. Just seem disappointed everytime I eat at a sit down restaurant. Never disappointed with ice cream :)
After wandering around, and taking random pictures in a department store... I had to go to the bathroom and things started closing down, so we made our way back to our hotel.
It's amazing how tired I am by the end of the day. I like Germany so far-cant wait to maybe live here in the future :) I'm sure I'll get a different feel being in one place permanently rather than traveling almost every other day. Pretty much at the half way mark of this trip. Crazy! Happy Saturday :)
Friday, July 6, 2012
Change Of Pace
After I posted my blog last night I found a picture of my boy on facebook! I don't think I have ever been so happy! I know he's still alive hahaha Just that little bit of contact can get me through the next few days. So here's the photo...I had to document it cause I'm so proud! Plus, he sure looks like he's having fun ;) Now for some breakfast and then off to Munich!
Day 14 Heidelberg, Germany
Friday.
One more week until I get to talk to my boy! We took off to Rhine valley around 9:30 this morning. The valley is super pretty!! It was apparently created by a glacier and theres a river that runs through. We took a boat tour for an hour. Got some good pictures.
We ate a sit down lunch for once! I got chicken sticks though haha. Also, I feel like I keep getting into trouble in foreign countries. I drank from my water bottle and the waitress started yelling at me in German. I assumed I wasn't suppose to drink my water.
I bought some yummy chocolate. It started to melt so I felt like I just had to eat it all :) we departed from Rhine valley around 2:30 and headed to heidelberg.
We made it into the hotel and then none of us were sure what to do...including our director (study abroads are very different because of directors!) We heard that a little area called altstadt had lots of little things to do. Deanna Tyler and I bought some goodies and hung out in the Starbucks. Then we walked by the river and saw some motor boats.
After contemplating if it was against the rules or not we went for it. It was super fun and oober slow but i thought we made the most of our time. However, I've decided that mean people ruin my day. I need to not care, but the owner made us pay 4 euro extra for being 4 minutes late "that makes me happy!!" He was just a big jerk about it...your boat goes about mph!!!!! Anyway, we headed back to our hotel and it's 9:04 and I'm ready for bed :) happy friday!
Ps. I only have wifi in the lobby so pictures may or may not be uploaded today.
One more week until I get to talk to my boy! We took off to Rhine valley around 9:30 this morning. The valley is super pretty!! It was apparently created by a glacier and theres a river that runs through. We took a boat tour for an hour. Got some good pictures.
We ate a sit down lunch for once! I got chicken sticks though haha. Also, I feel like I keep getting into trouble in foreign countries. I drank from my water bottle and the waitress started yelling at me in German. I assumed I wasn't suppose to drink my water.
I bought some yummy chocolate. It started to melt so I felt like I just had to eat it all :) we departed from Rhine valley around 2:30 and headed to heidelberg.
We made it into the hotel and then none of us were sure what to do...including our director (study abroads are very different because of directors!) We heard that a little area called altstadt had lots of little things to do. Deanna Tyler and I bought some goodies and hung out in the Starbucks. Then we walked by the river and saw some motor boats.
After contemplating if it was against the rules or not we went for it. It was super fun and oober slow but i thought we made the most of our time. However, I've decided that mean people ruin my day. I need to not care, but the owner made us pay 4 euro extra for being 4 minutes late "that makes me happy!!" He was just a big jerk about it...your boat goes about mph!!!!! Anyway, we headed back to our hotel and it's 9:04 and I'm ready for bed :) happy friday!
Ps. I only have wifi in the lobby so pictures may or may not be uploaded today.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Day 13 Cologne, Germany
Thursday.
After waking up in my queen size bed we had the best breakfast yet!! Novotel gets the award so far.
Loaded up the bus around 7:30 and we headed to Cologne! I slept...are you surprised?? Then Erica and I had a silent rave while everyone was sleeping. A lot of the drives remind me of the drive to the beach. Lots of open fields. Very pretty! :) We hit some traffic but we finally made it to Alsco around 11 for our business visit.
The visit was actually pretty cool. They treat us like royalty in central Europe!! Lots of food. Tours of the entire plant. Probably my favorite business so far...still planning on keeping my major though.
After the BV we went to the hotel. Addison and I are roommates for tonight and we collapsed on the bed. A group was meeting to go to the cologne cathedral...I was so tired, but I'm on a study abroad to see things! Not sleep.
We rode the tram for free :) into the city and we ate at this greek place that had a kabap which is what professor godfrey ate all the time on his mission. I was not a huge fan. So I grabbed a Ben and Jerry's. I needed something familiar haha.
Allison and I managed to make our way back to the hotel without a map! I did a quick workout...I need to do more sit-ups and pushups...took a shower and now I'm in bed waiting to Skype my mama. :) looking forward to some of the bigger cities in Germany and to talk to my boy in 8 days!
After waking up in my queen size bed we had the best breakfast yet!! Novotel gets the award so far.
Loaded up the bus around 7:30 and we headed to Cologne! I slept...are you surprised?? Then Erica and I had a silent rave while everyone was sleeping. A lot of the drives remind me of the drive to the beach. Lots of open fields. Very pretty! :) We hit some traffic but we finally made it to Alsco around 11 for our business visit.
The visit was actually pretty cool. They treat us like royalty in central Europe!! Lots of food. Tours of the entire plant. Probably my favorite business so far...still planning on keeping my major though.
After the BV we went to the hotel. Addison and I are roommates for tonight and we collapsed on the bed. A group was meeting to go to the cologne cathedral...I was so tired, but I'm on a study abroad to see things! Not sleep.
We rode the tram for free :) into the city and we ate at this greek place that had a kabap which is what professor godfrey ate all the time on his mission. I was not a huge fan. So I grabbed a Ben and Jerry's. I needed something familiar haha.
Allison and I managed to make our way back to the hotel without a map! I did a quick workout...I need to do more sit-ups and pushups...took a shower and now I'm in bed waiting to Skype my mama. :) looking forward to some of the bigger cities in Germany and to talk to my boy in 8 days!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Day 12 Luxembourg
Wednesday.
Happy fourth America!! I'm so sad I can't be in the states to celebrate but I'm thinking about this wonderful holiday! I'm so proud to be from the states (especially now after experiencing other cultures!) and I'm so proud and excited to be an army wife. Hope everyone has a happy fourth of July and eat lots of hotdogs and hamburgers :)
We started our 7:00 journey with "I'm proud to be an American!" and all the people that wanted to sleep probably want to kill us. The best part...
Jay said, "if only the windows were down!"
Deanna:"then all the machine guns will come out."
Jay:"no, they don't have the right to have guns!" haha
I fell asleep for most of the bus ride. Usually I have the hardest time sleeping I'm anything that's not a bed, but when I sprawl out on the floor of the bus I can! It also helps that I'm probably sleep deprived. I woke up when my fingers started falling asleep.
Caitlin had bought some potato chips and she shared with me and Erica. I turned to Erica and we both decided that we are salt deprived after all the carbs for the past week and a half. Haha
We arrived at the Novotel Hotel around 1:00 and we had to leave for out business visit at 1:15. So we quickly hurried up to our room, which has two queen size beds for just two of us- too bad its only 1 night, changed our clothes and headed to a little market.
I has my first croque monsieur! I don't think it was the best one I could have tried. At least not after Dave described them, but it was still yummy! I also had a chocolate croissant...my fav :)
The business visit was at the Degroof bank and it was super long. They did give us free drinks though! I put a coke bottle in my pocket cause jay was too scared to take another one haha. After we finished playing a few rounds of hang man we went BTTB, made a quick pit stop for pictures, then to the church building.
We had a cheese tasting that was put on by professor Godfrey's sister-in-law. I tried some Munster, Brie, goat, abundance, and Gouda. Don't ask me which ones I liked cause I don't remember which was which.
We headed back to the hotel and made a music video to "I'm proud to be an American" pretty darn funny! It was on a play ground with a see-saw of death! I seriously fell off 4 times. It was a time filler for the night. And we have a group music video to remember this day in Luxembourg! Ps. I love Luxembourg, it needs to get more credit!
Now I'm in my queen size bed watching old videos of Dave. I miss my boy on this American holiday. Just hope he's doing well and can't wait to talk to him in 9 days!!!! Off to Germany tomorrow :)
Happy fourth America!! I'm so sad I can't be in the states to celebrate but I'm thinking about this wonderful holiday! I'm so proud to be from the states (especially now after experiencing other cultures!) and I'm so proud and excited to be an army wife. Hope everyone has a happy fourth of July and eat lots of hotdogs and hamburgers :)
We started our 7:00 journey with "I'm proud to be an American!" and all the people that wanted to sleep probably want to kill us. The best part...
Jay said, "if only the windows were down!"
Deanna:"then all the machine guns will come out."
Jay:"no, they don't have the right to have guns!" haha
I fell asleep for most of the bus ride. Usually I have the hardest time sleeping I'm anything that's not a bed, but when I sprawl out on the floor of the bus I can! It also helps that I'm probably sleep deprived. I woke up when my fingers started falling asleep.
Caitlin had bought some potato chips and she shared with me and Erica. I turned to Erica and we both decided that we are salt deprived after all the carbs for the past week and a half. Haha
We arrived at the Novotel Hotel around 1:00 and we had to leave for out business visit at 1:15. So we quickly hurried up to our room, which has two queen size beds for just two of us- too bad its only 1 night, changed our clothes and headed to a little market.
I has my first croque monsieur! I don't think it was the best one I could have tried. At least not after Dave described them, but it was still yummy! I also had a chocolate croissant...my fav :)
The business visit was at the Degroof bank and it was super long. They did give us free drinks though! I put a coke bottle in my pocket cause jay was too scared to take another one haha. After we finished playing a few rounds of hang man we went BTTB, made a quick pit stop for pictures, then to the church building.
We had a cheese tasting that was put on by professor Godfrey's sister-in-law. I tried some Munster, Brie, goat, abundance, and Gouda. Don't ask me which ones I liked cause I don't remember which was which.
We headed back to the hotel and made a music video to "I'm proud to be an American" pretty darn funny! It was on a play ground with a see-saw of death! I seriously fell off 4 times. It was a time filler for the night. And we have a group music video to remember this day in Luxembourg! Ps. I love Luxembourg, it needs to get more credit!
Now I'm in my queen size bed watching old videos of Dave. I miss my boy on this American holiday. Just hope he's doing well and can't wait to talk to him in 9 days!!!! Off to Germany tomorrow :)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Day 11 Paris
Tuesday
Deanna and I felt pretty crappy this morning so we didn't go with the group to Versailles. Awesome decision. We started our food adventure with the Godfrey's, Patrick, Jeff, and Nate at 12. We slept until 10:30!
Our first stop was a chocolate shop called fouquet. I had a butter caramel and a chocolate covered caramel. Starting small :)
Second stop was pierre herme. The cakes looked flawless! I got a salted caramel macaroon. Melts in your mouth. So worth the 1.95 euro. :)
Third stop was another chocolate shop but it was a little more pricy so I held off for some lunch. We separated from the Godfrey's and headed towards the Latin district again. We stopped to grab some ssndwiches and I got a chicken, lettuce, cashew, and guacamole wrap!! The flavors were good just not wrapped well so I'm going to try when I get home!
We showed Jeff and Nate our favorite ice cream place and yes, Deanna and I got our third cone in 72 hours. We just weren't sure when we'd ever get it again!! (they do have one in new york :D)
This sounds oober lame but we all headed back to the hotel, took some naps, and just hung out for the rest of the night. I repacked my suitcase for our early morning journey to Luxembourg tomorrow! Also took my daily second shower while here in Paris! Haha oh! Deanna Erica and I went to go find a little evening snack and we ended up in the ghetto! We were in Utah mode thinking the city is a grid...wrong! Luckily the metro stops help you navigate but I could have gotten a nice weave and some wigs while I was there! Haha scary, but now we can chuckle about it.
Paris, it has been real. Thank you for being the home to some spectacular landmarks! However, I'm ready to leave and to not feel so dirty every time I walk out of my hotel. Again, im so glad I'm having this experience! It's making me very excited to do lots of traveling with my sweety pie :) 10 days until I get to talk to him! Happy Tuesday!
Deanna and I felt pretty crappy this morning so we didn't go with the group to Versailles. Awesome decision. We started our food adventure with the Godfrey's, Patrick, Jeff, and Nate at 12. We slept until 10:30!
Our first stop was a chocolate shop called fouquet. I had a butter caramel and a chocolate covered caramel. Starting small :)
Second stop was pierre herme. The cakes looked flawless! I got a salted caramel macaroon. Melts in your mouth. So worth the 1.95 euro. :)
Third stop was another chocolate shop but it was a little more pricy so I held off for some lunch. We separated from the Godfrey's and headed towards the Latin district again. We stopped to grab some ssndwiches and I got a chicken, lettuce, cashew, and guacamole wrap!! The flavors were good just not wrapped well so I'm going to try when I get home!
We showed Jeff and Nate our favorite ice cream place and yes, Deanna and I got our third cone in 72 hours. We just weren't sure when we'd ever get it again!! (they do have one in new york :D)
This sounds oober lame but we all headed back to the hotel, took some naps, and just hung out for the rest of the night. I repacked my suitcase for our early morning journey to Luxembourg tomorrow! Also took my daily second shower while here in Paris! Haha oh! Deanna Erica and I went to go find a little evening snack and we ended up in the ghetto! We were in Utah mode thinking the city is a grid...wrong! Luckily the metro stops help you navigate but I could have gotten a nice weave and some wigs while I was there! Haha scary, but now we can chuckle about it.
Paris, it has been real. Thank you for being the home to some spectacular landmarks! However, I'm ready to leave and to not feel so dirty every time I walk out of my hotel. Again, im so glad I'm having this experience! It's making me very excited to do lots of traveling with my sweety pie :) 10 days until I get to talk to him! Happy Tuesday!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Day 10 Paris
Monday.
Slept pretty well last night. Got to wake up around 9:15. Ate some cereal and met Patrick, Erica, and Brandon with Deanna to do some sightseeing. Patricks favorite saying is "I think..." he thinks he knows where it is. He thinks it's this way. Let just say it took awhile to get to the pantheon and the Luxembourg palace and gardens. But when we got there is was worth it. I ate a yummy ham and cheese sandwich that went through me very quickly, still say it was worth it!! (tmi??)
Deanna found the same ice cream place as yesterday!! We had to stop and get another one :) I got speculos, coffee, and tiramisu flavored.
We had just a little bit more time before we were suppose to leave for our business visit, so we found Lafayette..this huge shopping mall. Someone compared it to Walmart...not even close. They have this huge dome top that had pretty stained glass it looked like. Almost closer to a Nordstroms.
We were really low on time we thought so we went back to the hotel to change and I put my head down for 10 min. Much needed. We had to take another metro system called the RER and it seemed really confusing until we got there. We didn't have to buy a new ticket like our professor said. Also, it didn't take an hour like he said it would! We found cisco in Versailles in a half hour so we were an hour early.
Each business visit has just solidified my decision not to be a business major haha. It's too complex for me. And I want to be doing something where I feel like I'm helping someone... not just about making money.
After, Deanna and I went to champs de élysées again and just walked around for a little. I found a Disney store again! I'm just so excited! (165 days until my wedding!) this study abroad has also made me really excited to do all of this traveling with Dave throughout our marriage.
After taking some photos, Deanna bought a pizza and I had a slice just to try it. Its not as heavy as American pizza which was nice. Gross ending: We were on our way back from champs when we saw a guy grab a beer can out of the trash and drink it...then the homeless guys outside our hotel peed in their sleeping bags...or at least that's what it smelled like! It was just an interesting walk home.
Deanna and I randomly craved chocolate after eating some pizza and I think our whole study abroad group thinks we are crazy. I begged Tyler for a cookie and I traded him a back scratch for one. He didn't specify how long...haha
Overall successful day. Happy Monday!!
Slept pretty well last night. Got to wake up around 9:15. Ate some cereal and met Patrick, Erica, and Brandon with Deanna to do some sightseeing. Patricks favorite saying is "I think..." he thinks he knows where it is. He thinks it's this way. Let just say it took awhile to get to the pantheon and the Luxembourg palace and gardens. But when we got there is was worth it. I ate a yummy ham and cheese sandwich that went through me very quickly, still say it was worth it!! (tmi??)
Deanna found the same ice cream place as yesterday!! We had to stop and get another one :) I got speculos, coffee, and tiramisu flavored.
We had just a little bit more time before we were suppose to leave for our business visit, so we found Lafayette..this huge shopping mall. Someone compared it to Walmart...not even close. They have this huge dome top that had pretty stained glass it looked like. Almost closer to a Nordstroms.
We were really low on time we thought so we went back to the hotel to change and I put my head down for 10 min. Much needed. We had to take another metro system called the RER and it seemed really confusing until we got there. We didn't have to buy a new ticket like our professor said. Also, it didn't take an hour like he said it would! We found cisco in Versailles in a half hour so we were an hour early.
Each business visit has just solidified my decision not to be a business major haha. It's too complex for me. And I want to be doing something where I feel like I'm helping someone... not just about making money.
After, Deanna and I went to champs de élysées again and just walked around for a little. I found a Disney store again! I'm just so excited! (165 days until my wedding!) this study abroad has also made me really excited to do all of this traveling with Dave throughout our marriage.
After taking some photos, Deanna bought a pizza and I had a slice just to try it. Its not as heavy as American pizza which was nice. Gross ending: We were on our way back from champs when we saw a guy grab a beer can out of the trash and drink it...then the homeless guys outside our hotel peed in their sleeping bags...or at least that's what it smelled like! It was just an interesting walk home.
Deanna and I randomly craved chocolate after eating some pizza and I think our whole study abroad group thinks we are crazy. I begged Tyler for a cookie and I traded him a back scratch for one. He didn't specify how long...haha
Overall successful day. Happy Monday!!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Day 9 Paris
Sunday.
I slept great last night, but I'm still tired!! Dave and I gave up something until the wedding (I don't even know if he's still doing it haha) but I gave up caffeine. I might have to cave in this month to get through this trip. Because after 9 hours of sleep I'm still falling asleep in sacrament meeting. It didn't help that it was in french and I didn't understand a word. Haha I tried singing in French, but my spanish kicked in and I'm sure I was pronouncing everything wrong. Luckily, Sunday school was in English for a nice break. Then back to French for relief society. They had head sets and translators, but it was hard to get a good signal through the head set.
Professor Godfrey paid for our lunch at a sandwich stand that was actually really yummy! They were paninis and I got a coke. I caved cause I needed caffeine.
Lots of sight seeing after that. First Norte Dame then St. Chapelle then the Louvre. Lots of pictures on facebook.
We were hungry again by this point so we walked around and managed to end up in the latin district. They had this Italian gelato place. So darn good! And they shape the gelato into a flower on your cone. Best part of my day I think. My feet were on fire so we hung out at the cute ice cream shop for awhile before we headed back to the metro.
A lot of people went to this place where you can see the sunset really well, but Deanna and I were ready to head back.
I had a bad experience on the metro today...and let's just say I was beyond happy to finally get to talk to my mama today. I'm not home sick at all. Just needed to make contact with home!!
Sorry for being a little short today. Just ended on a bad note and I'm ready for bed.
I slept great last night, but I'm still tired!! Dave and I gave up something until the wedding (I don't even know if he's still doing it haha) but I gave up caffeine. I might have to cave in this month to get through this trip. Because after 9 hours of sleep I'm still falling asleep in sacrament meeting. It didn't help that it was in french and I didn't understand a word. Haha I tried singing in French, but my spanish kicked in and I'm sure I was pronouncing everything wrong. Luckily, Sunday school was in English for a nice break. Then back to French for relief society. They had head sets and translators, but it was hard to get a good signal through the head set.
Professor Godfrey paid for our lunch at a sandwich stand that was actually really yummy! They were paninis and I got a coke. I caved cause I needed caffeine.
Lots of sight seeing after that. First Norte Dame then St. Chapelle then the Louvre. Lots of pictures on facebook.
We were hungry again by this point so we walked around and managed to end up in the latin district. They had this Italian gelato place. So darn good! And they shape the gelato into a flower on your cone. Best part of my day I think. My feet were on fire so we hung out at the cute ice cream shop for awhile before we headed back to the metro.
A lot of people went to this place where you can see the sunset really well, but Deanna and I were ready to head back.
I had a bad experience on the metro today...and let's just say I was beyond happy to finally get to talk to my mama today. I'm not home sick at all. Just needed to make contact with home!!
Sorry for being a little short today. Just ended on a bad note and I'm ready for bed.
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