4 flights. 5 weeks. 5 countries. 35 destinations/cities and more. 1 Eurailpass. Hundreds of train rides. One empty bank account. Thousands of pictures, laughs, smiles and memories that will last a life time.= PRICELESS
I am sitting here in the Paris airport with not a penny to my name, but a smile on my face that spreads from ear to ear. The last five weeks were a dream come true. A dream that I had to work very hard for. So many emotions are running through me right now. It is truly a bittersweet feeling! I wish I had endless funds that could leave me in countries and places I can only dream of, however, I am so blessed and fortunate to have seen the things I have seen and done during the past five weeks. Some people only dream of going out of the country. Some people only talk about going. But how many people actually go? I am filled with pride and accomplishment for making this trip happen! It is even more fulfilling knowing that I supported myself the entire way, minus a few very generous Marriott points from my Mom and Dad! I am not only thankful for the opportunity to experience all that I did, but also for a few people! Most importantly, my parents. Although they probably had trouble sleeping at night worrying about my safety, from day one they have encouraged me to take this trip. They helped push me out the door into places full of adventure! Also, my extremely supportive boyfriend, Casey. Even thousands of miles away, he always reminded me to make the most of my trip! It meant the world to me! And lastly, Ian. Although we probably wanted to kill each other at times, we worked as a team and navigated our way through unfamiliar countries and cities. I will forever cherish the memories!!!
As much as I hate to see this trip end, I am looking forward to being home with family,friends, and loved ones! I also look forward to where the next year will take me( hopefully employed! ha). But for now, I thank God for all that I have done and for all that I have. I feel very fortunate and blessed.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A Reflecton.
I could start this post like all the others and explain my most recent adventures in Brugge; but I’d rather dig a little deeper in this post. As my trip comes to an end, I’d like to take the time to do a little reflection. So bare with me for who ever is reading…
Over the last five weeks I have met many people. People from all over the world with different stories and experiences. Each with a different background and personality from the one before. I like to think I can read people and their style easily, or perhaps I can just pick up quickly on who I’d get along with. I’d say within the first five minutes of talking with someone, I can tell if I would like them or not. I may sound pretentious right now or like I judge people, but I like to think it is knowing who I am and what kind of people I prefer to hang around. Although I’ve hung around people and had conversations with people that were not my style, I gave everyone a chance. And I’m glad I did because through conversations where I agreed to disagree with people or saw eye-to-eye with them, I have learned and grown as a person. I think once you get pass the typical “ backpacker conversation” as I call it, you can find yourself in conversations with people that can be deep and intimate. Unfortunately, you make friends with these people for the night, and then in the morning you look over and their bunk is empty and they have left to their next destination. These people come in and out of your life just as fast as you met them. However, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a few select individuals who are from California, or better yet the bay area. You swap emails and wonder if they’ll stay true to their word and stay in contact.
In the end, I am so thankful that I took this trip. Of course the trip was for me to explore and see incredible places across Europe, but I gained much more than that. I got a better understanding of who I am as a person. Each day I learned something new about a person, culture, place, etc. while also learning something about myself. I look at the person I was 3 years ago in San Diego, and the person I am now. Completely different people. As I continue to meet new people and create friendships and relationships with people, I will continue to grow and hopefully become the best person I can be!
Although my bank account is almost wiped clean, I can truly say it was worth every penny. No one will ever be able to take this experience away from me!
Over the last five weeks I have met many people. People from all over the world with different stories and experiences. Each with a different background and personality from the one before. I like to think I can read people and their style easily, or perhaps I can just pick up quickly on who I’d get along with. I’d say within the first five minutes of talking with someone, I can tell if I would like them or not. I may sound pretentious right now or like I judge people, but I like to think it is knowing who I am and what kind of people I prefer to hang around. Although I’ve hung around people and had conversations with people that were not my style, I gave everyone a chance. And I’m glad I did because through conversations where I agreed to disagree with people or saw eye-to-eye with them, I have learned and grown as a person. I think once you get pass the typical “ backpacker conversation” as I call it, you can find yourself in conversations with people that can be deep and intimate. Unfortunately, you make friends with these people for the night, and then in the morning you look over and their bunk is empty and they have left to their next destination. These people come in and out of your life just as fast as you met them. However, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a few select individuals who are from California, or better yet the bay area. You swap emails and wonder if they’ll stay true to their word and stay in contact.
In the end, I am so thankful that I took this trip. Of course the trip was for me to explore and see incredible places across Europe, but I gained much more than that. I got a better understanding of who I am as a person. Each day I learned something new about a person, culture, place, etc. while also learning something about myself. I look at the person I was 3 years ago in San Diego, and the person I am now. Completely different people. As I continue to meet new people and create friendships and relationships with people, I will continue to grow and hopefully become the best person I can be!
Although my bank account is almost wiped clean, I can truly say it was worth every penny. No one will ever be able to take this experience away from me!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Brussels, Belgium
The journey from Munich to Brussels was a long one. Took over 9 hours. Started at the train station in Munich around 1pm and didn't arrive and check into our hostel in Brussels until 10:15pm. The minute I stepped out of the train station in Brussels, I had a bad vibe about the city. It was ghetto and the area just looked sketchy. I didn't feel safe. Especially when I am exhausted walking around 10 pm with a heavy backpack trying to navigate our way to the hostel. However, I tried to remind myself to not judge a book by its cover and rather give the city a chance. The day was completely shot once we checked in.
The next morning was spent roaming around the city. The morning started off by going to a local flea market. A bunch of crap! But then again, one man's junk is another one's treasure. There was furniture, clothes, random paintings, jewelry, lamps, etc..you name it. Although it was a lot of junk, I think there was still some cool antique looking pieces that you could make very "pottery barn- ish looking". Maybe a cute lamp on a bed nightstand? I got my mother's eye for small detail...or least I like to think I do. Anyway, after the flea market the day was spent exploring. The city is actually quite dirty, another reason it wasn't one of my favorites. However, I did see the stock exchange building and the famous manneken pis statue (google it). It's very small! As well as tried the famous french fries with some garlic sauce on it! YUM!
The afternoon and evening was another whole adventure in itself. Around 4pm, we headed back to the hostel hoping to book another night with them. At this point, we didn't have a place to sleep for the night. Unfortunately, there was some big festival going on near Brussels causing every room to be booked! Somehow, someway Ian sweet talked the man and voila we have a room for the night at another hostel in town! Once again, we pack up our bags and trek over to the other hostel. Once there we meet some people from the hostel and decide to grab a beer at a local bar. Little did I know what the night had in store for me. The five of us are sitting here at this table at this bar talking. As the new "hostel roommates" start talking about something I can't relate too, I find myself in a conversation with a family at the next table. It was this American family who has been living in Germany for the past 3 years due to their job. The mom and dad with their two little kids and then another gentlemen who works with them. Immediately, I hit it off with the family! Come to find out we have quite a few similarities. The mom is even Chilean! The men immediately start ragging on me and call me "mexican" like they call her. Ah, I had felt at home instantly. My dad always gives my mom a hard time about being Chilean. He calls that side of the family the "mutt side". The parents got a kick out of this one. Thirty minutes or so goes by, and before you know it they bought me a drink and are inviting me out to dinner. Although I trust no one and am always watching my surroundings, it was an invite I couldn't turn down.
It was quite a sight to see. Here I am walking with this family who I feel like I've known for years to dinner, and their two kids are holding my hands . The parents were shocked at how easily the kids were gravitating toward me, when this is something they don't usually do. ( They even told me if I didn’t have a job in a month to come back to Germany and be their nanny! A compliment if I must say so myself, for having just met this family!) Dinner was amazing! The parents insisted on me ordering whatever I wanted since they knew what it was like to be a broke college student. Apprehensive about accepting their offer, the mom and dad tell me to order a steak! Calamari, wine, and a steak dinner later...I couldn't complain! After dinner the dad takes the kids back to the hotel and the mom and I go out for a drink. Here I am in bar with a woman I have just met having a heart to heart talk. It was a fresh of breathe air as I opened up to this lady. We talked about all sorts of things- marriage, life, kids, my grandma, my boyfriend, my morals and values, things you want out of life...you name it! I have learned to realize that sometimes I connect so much better with people older than me.
Well after a drink and our heart to heart talk, we hit a local waffle stand and chow down on it in this main plaza as we gaze up at the church! What next? DANCING! We find a local bar and start dancing the night away. Now might I add I am wearing yoga pants and backpack- total tourist looking! Ha! If you had asked an onlooker, one might have said we looked like best friends. GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN!! The night ended with us meeting up with Ian and other people from the hostel.
All in all, it was a night I will never forget. As well, as a family I will never forget. I plan to stay in touch!
The next morning was spent roaming around the city. The morning started off by going to a local flea market. A bunch of crap! But then again, one man's junk is another one's treasure. There was furniture, clothes, random paintings, jewelry, lamps, etc..you name it. Although it was a lot of junk, I think there was still some cool antique looking pieces that you could make very "pottery barn- ish looking". Maybe a cute lamp on a bed nightstand? I got my mother's eye for small detail...or least I like to think I do. Anyway, after the flea market the day was spent exploring. The city is actually quite dirty, another reason it wasn't one of my favorites. However, I did see the stock exchange building and the famous manneken pis statue (google it). It's very small! As well as tried the famous french fries with some garlic sauce on it! YUM!
The afternoon and evening was another whole adventure in itself. Around 4pm, we headed back to the hostel hoping to book another night with them. At this point, we didn't have a place to sleep for the night. Unfortunately, there was some big festival going on near Brussels causing every room to be booked! Somehow, someway Ian sweet talked the man and voila we have a room for the night at another hostel in town! Once again, we pack up our bags and trek over to the other hostel. Once there we meet some people from the hostel and decide to grab a beer at a local bar. Little did I know what the night had in store for me. The five of us are sitting here at this table at this bar talking. As the new "hostel roommates" start talking about something I can't relate too, I find myself in a conversation with a family at the next table. It was this American family who has been living in Germany for the past 3 years due to their job. The mom and dad with their two little kids and then another gentlemen who works with them. Immediately, I hit it off with the family! Come to find out we have quite a few similarities. The mom is even Chilean! The men immediately start ragging on me and call me "mexican" like they call her. Ah, I had felt at home instantly. My dad always gives my mom a hard time about being Chilean. He calls that side of the family the "mutt side". The parents got a kick out of this one. Thirty minutes or so goes by, and before you know it they bought me a drink and are inviting me out to dinner. Although I trust no one and am always watching my surroundings, it was an invite I couldn't turn down.
It was quite a sight to see. Here I am walking with this family who I feel like I've known for years to dinner, and their two kids are holding my hands . The parents were shocked at how easily the kids were gravitating toward me, when this is something they don't usually do. ( They even told me if I didn’t have a job in a month to come back to Germany and be their nanny! A compliment if I must say so myself, for having just met this family!) Dinner was amazing! The parents insisted on me ordering whatever I wanted since they knew what it was like to be a broke college student. Apprehensive about accepting their offer, the mom and dad tell me to order a steak! Calamari, wine, and a steak dinner later...I couldn't complain! After dinner the dad takes the kids back to the hotel and the mom and I go out for a drink. Here I am in bar with a woman I have just met having a heart to heart talk. It was a fresh of breathe air as I opened up to this lady. We talked about all sorts of things- marriage, life, kids, my grandma, my boyfriend, my morals and values, things you want out of life...you name it! I have learned to realize that sometimes I connect so much better with people older than me.
Well after a drink and our heart to heart talk, we hit a local waffle stand and chow down on it in this main plaza as we gaze up at the church! What next? DANCING! We find a local bar and start dancing the night away. Now might I add I am wearing yoga pants and backpack- total tourist looking! Ha! If you had asked an onlooker, one might have said we looked like best friends. GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN!! The night ended with us meeting up with Ian and other people from the hostel.
All in all, it was a night I will never forget. As well, as a family I will never forget. I plan to stay in touch!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Travel Days
Today may be one of our longest travel days of 9hrs and 2 different trains from Munich, Germany to Brussels, Belgium. Although I hate the thought of spending the day on the train when I could be out exploring and seeing the sites, I do enjoy travel days. Not only do I get to kick back my feet and rest as I take in the views from the train car window, but excitement runs through me as I head to another new destination or country. The best feeling is when I am on a regional train that has windows that can be opened. I always push the window down and stick my head out the car train with the biggest grin on my face. The feeling is completely indescribable. I’ve never felt so free!!! Some of the best views were on the trains coming from Lake Como in Italy and heading to Switzerland. The views of the mountains and lakes is breathtaking, all while the sun is shining and the wind blowing in my face…ahh after a month of being gone, I still have to pinch myself reminding me that I am in EUROPE!
The last few days were spent in Munich, Germany.( Munchen= city of monks) It was a nice change from the previous small, quiet town Fussen. As usual, we arrived at our hostel, dropped our bags, and then hit the town immediately. Unfortunately, the weather was wet, cold, and rainy the entire time we were there. As we were roaming around the town it started down pouring, along with thunder. Of course, no umbrellas. A little rain never hurt anyone, right? I saw the Marienplatz, which is named after the column of the Virgin Mary. The square is famous for its neo-Gothic town hall. It is here where the Glockenspiel plays. Once we had walked around for a few hours, we decided it was time to head to the famous Hofbrauhaus to get out of the rain and have ONE beer before dinner. Well one beer turned into 2 liters of beer! Let’s just say I was on a liquid diet that night and drank my dinner! Ha. The experience though was amazing as the building was jam-packed with people drinking steins of beers, some singing along to the songs that played by the band! It is actually here at the HB on the second floor where Hitler held some of his first speeches. The building is about 100 years old. Very cool!
The next day Ian and I went our separate ways, seeing as we wanted to spend the afternoon exploring different things. It is really unfortunate being in places for only 2 nights, making you be choosey on what you see since you are so limited on time. However, I really wanted to go to one of the concentration camps while in Germany. So as Ian did a walking tour of Munich, I spent the entire morning and afternoon at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. The camp was set into operation two months after the Nazis seized power in 1933. The camp served as a labor camp. However, nearly 43,000 people died there, mainly from starvation and diseases. The camp was created to hold only 3,000 people there, but when it was liberated by the US over 30,000 people were there. That is just one camp! I can’t even begin to go into depth and explain the 5 hour tour in a few sentences in this blog, but let’s just say it was very educational, yet very sad.
On a happier note, I will be spending the next 4 days in Belgium. First two nights in Brussels and the next two in Brugges. I am excited to see what this country has in store!! Keep reading….only a few more blog posts until I am back in the USA!
The last few days were spent in Munich, Germany.( Munchen= city of monks) It was a nice change from the previous small, quiet town Fussen. As usual, we arrived at our hostel, dropped our bags, and then hit the town immediately. Unfortunately, the weather was wet, cold, and rainy the entire time we were there. As we were roaming around the town it started down pouring, along with thunder. Of course, no umbrellas. A little rain never hurt anyone, right? I saw the Marienplatz, which is named after the column of the Virgin Mary. The square is famous for its neo-Gothic town hall. It is here where the Glockenspiel plays. Once we had walked around for a few hours, we decided it was time to head to the famous Hofbrauhaus to get out of the rain and have ONE beer before dinner. Well one beer turned into 2 liters of beer! Let’s just say I was on a liquid diet that night and drank my dinner! Ha. The experience though was amazing as the building was jam-packed with people drinking steins of beers, some singing along to the songs that played by the band! It is actually here at the HB on the second floor where Hitler held some of his first speeches. The building is about 100 years old. Very cool!
The next day Ian and I went our separate ways, seeing as we wanted to spend the afternoon exploring different things. It is really unfortunate being in places for only 2 nights, making you be choosey on what you see since you are so limited on time. However, I really wanted to go to one of the concentration camps while in Germany. So as Ian did a walking tour of Munich, I spent the entire morning and afternoon at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. The camp was set into operation two months after the Nazis seized power in 1933. The camp served as a labor camp. However, nearly 43,000 people died there, mainly from starvation and diseases. The camp was created to hold only 3,000 people there, but when it was liberated by the US over 30,000 people were there. That is just one camp! I can’t even begin to go into depth and explain the 5 hour tour in a few sentences in this blog, but let’s just say it was very educational, yet very sad.
On a happier note, I will be spending the next 4 days in Belgium. First two nights in Brussels and the next two in Brugges. I am excited to see what this country has in store!! Keep reading….only a few more blog posts until I am back in the USA!
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