May 27- After sleeping for a few hours, we came to the quick conclusion that nothing was open in Berlin on Sundays. We ran to the TV tower, just to see it, and then met some people at our hostel to have a quiet night of cheap food, good coffee, and a tame bar. We really had an early night in (compared to most) because we got back to the room at 3am. 

Berlin (is crazy and I love it), Germany. 

3 days ago · 1 note

May 26- I slept a good 8 hours on the train (out of 10) on the way from Vienna to Berlin. It was clear to me that all the travel was finally catching up with me. The second we got to Berlin, I fell in love with the city. There is an exciting energy that is young and excited. The city certainly is not clean, there is graffiti everywhere, but you can tell that its just getting started. Well, we heard a lot about the nightlife, so we decided to give it a try. After leaving the hostel at midnight, we did not find ourselves coming home until 7:30am the next morning. The dance halls in Berlin are crazy and when we left at 6am, people were asking if we were okay and why we were going home so early. All of this, lead to being at the Berlin wall (East gallery) at sunrise, which I wish I had my camera for, though so happy is wasn’t with me all night. Still, Berlin could definitely be a place for me. Berlin, Germany.

May 26- I slept a good 8 hours on the train (out of 10) on the way from Vienna to Berlin. It was clear to me that all the travel was finally catching up with me. The second we got to Berlin, I fell in love with the city. There is an exciting energy that is young and excited. The city certainly is not clean, there is graffiti everywhere, but you can tell that its just getting started. Well, we heard a lot about the nightlife, so we decided to give it a try. After leaving the hostel at midnight, we did not find ourselves coming home until 7:30am the next morning. The dance halls in Berlin are crazy and when we left at 6am, people were asking if we were okay and why we were going home so early. All of this, lead to being at the Berlin wall (East gallery) at sunrise, which I wish I had my camera for, though so happy is wasn’t with me all night. Still, Berlin could definitely be a place for me.

Berlin, Germany.

3 days ago · 1 note

May 25- Brigid and I were even lucky we caught the train. After a late start in the morning, cause of the late night before, we ran to the train to luckily catch it in time to travel to Vienna. We met her friend and sat out overlooking Vienna as the sun set eating pasta and drinking wine. Things couldn’t get any more perfect until we did a bit of exploring of the rest of Vienna, by night, and going to some of the nightlife. Tomorrow we will head to Berlin (we were only in Vienna for a night to store Brigid’s luggage, similar to mine in Amsterdam) and I’m excited to finally stay in a city more than one night. 

Vienna, Austria. 

4 days ago · 1 note

May 24- Arrived in Prague today around 12pm to be picked up by Brigid, Joe, and Price. After packing a picnic to eat on a hill that overlooked the city (wine included), we climbed the highest point in Prague and then did some paddle boating. The paddle boat, I have to say, really made this day. Something about the water, the sun, the friends, and the good cheap beer we were drinking, suddenly reminded me that its summer and that I’m alive. And really, how luckily am I? To have such good friends and be able to travel to such amazing places. Later, we had a delicious dinner and chased it with cheap delicious Prague beer (by far the best I’ve had) and karaoke. Good night? I think so.

Prague, Czech Republic. 

4 days ago · 0 notes

May 23- I clearly was not in Paris long enough. Not nearly long enough at all. I took the overnight to Paris to mainly meet Meg for the day before overnighting-it to Prague to pick up Brigid for the next two weeks of out trip. I was so happy that I was able to meet up with Meg. Meg has a heart that is the most genuine of any person I have ever met. So, it was great to meet her and catch up. After hitting all the touristy attractions, Meg, Marie, and I went around in search of ice cream, good food, and cider. All of which was incredibly successful. After, we met their couch-surfing host and sat on a boat drinking wine to cap of the day. Needless to say, I need to go back to Paris. 

Paris, France.

1 week ago · 4 notes

May 22- The weather completely cleared up in Nice and my time really just begun. I do say, I think I can mark a turning point in my life of when my feet first touched the Mediterranean Sea. It really makes me never want to go to a beach that isn’t in the Mediterranean. Then I walked around and used my little French in the Old Town to ask for the best socca. I don’t know quite what socca is but someone recommended that I try it while I was here. So, after asking locals their favorite place for it, I got the most delicious lunch for €2. When you go to Nice one day, its a must try.

Nice, France.

1 week ago · 1 note

May 21- After an overnight through Switzerland, including with the sunrise over the Swiss Alps, and a few connections in France, I finally made it to Nice. Boy, am I glad I did!  Nice is the perfect combination of French culture- good food, good wine- and the Mediterranean lifestyle. Despite my hostel being overbooked and running around looking for a place to sleep for the night, I could not help but fall in love with Nice. I went down toward the water and climbed the chateau that overlooked the entire city and then stopped by the farmers market to get some food. Check out these zucchini flowers! My grandparents would go mad. 

Nice, France. 

1 week ago · 0 notes

May 20- So I was not in Amsterdam for long. All I was doing was dropping off my luggage from the semester in a storage unit so I could only have my backpack while traveling. However, after getting my Eurail Pass validated and storing my suitcase, I got to run around the city for a little bit before hopping on overnight train to Nice. It really is an incredibly beautiful city and I cannot wait to come back and do Amsterdam properly!

Amsterdam, Netherlands. 

1 week ago · 1 note

May 19- The embark has begun. I got on a coach from Victoria station to Amsterdam Amsel at 7:00am and arrived at 8pm. As I think of the amount of time I will be traveling, and the amount of time I will be traveling alone, I got incredibly excited and incredibly excited. After going through the ‘chunnel’ on my coach, I realized shortly that English would not be the native language on any place I travel to. That was a frightening realization. I took out the rock my sister got me for Christmas and put it in the front pouch of my backpack. It is a heart that says ‘strength’ that I am supposed to remember the family by. As frightening as it was, I am so ready for this trip. Coach from London-Amsterdam

May 19- The embark has begun. I got on a coach from Victoria station to Amsterdam Amsel at 7:00am and arrived at 8pm. As I think of the amount of time I will be traveling, and the amount of time I will be traveling alone, I got incredibly excited and incredibly excited. After going through the ‘chunnel’ on my coach, I realized shortly that English would not be the native language on any place I travel to. That was a frightening realization. I took out the rock my sister got me for Christmas and put it in the front pouch of my backpack. It is a heart that says ‘strength’ that I am supposed to remember the family by. As frightening as it was, I am so ready for this trip.

Coach from London-Amsterdam

1 week ago · 2 notes

May 18- Commencement BBQ with free beer, wine, and quirky signs referencing Meet The Parents. While I’m totally not okay with the amount of good-byes I had to say, I am so thankful for the friends I have made here. This semester has been by far one of my favorite semesters. I wouldn’t give it up for anything. And the best part, I know I’ll keep everything from my growth as a person, to the friends I have made. Cheers London to our last full day together.

Bedford Sq., London, England. 

2 weeks ago · 1 note