Our last full day of pre-travel has been spent in Geneva. We finish out our excursion here tomorrow morning and then fly into Athens tomorrow night. The day after we start our orientation!
It is amazing how quickly these two weeks went by and it makes me realize how quickly my time spent abroad will go by! In the past two weeks I have formed friendships and learned more about people than I have learned in months with other friends! It is exciting to get to know new people and in these next few months I am sure I will learn so much more!
This morning we left beautiful Interlaken by train to get to Geneva. In Interlaken they mainly speak German, here however, they mainly speak French. It is interesting to see how different parts of the country communicate. We are staying at the City Hostel in two rooms. One for 4 people and one for 2 people so at least we are all fairly close together! Staying in all of these different hostels makes me truly appreciate bathrooms and beds back home. We are all so excited to be able to unpack in athens and stop living directly out of our suitcases.
Once arriving in Geneva we checked in at our hostel and then took the bus to the United Nations. After some picture taking we walked towards what we thought was the visitor entrance, but ended up stumbling into a porcelain and glass museum. Quite a surprise for us! One thing that was cool is that a sculpture that is in Pride and Prejudice (the one of just the woman's veiled head in Mr. Darcy's home) is in there I believe! There was no sign next to it to say what it was but it looked just like it!
After our little adventure we went into the Old City of Geneva and walked around the shopping district. We went into St. Paul's Cathedral and then walked by the big fountain and the flower clock.
Tonight we cooked again in our hostel. We made a delicious pizza and had some more swiss chocolate. We are finishing the night playing card games and packing for our flight to Athens.
Tomorrow morning we have a chocolate tasting set up! I am super excited about that since I love chocolate!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Last Day in Interlaken
This morning I got to do a little exploring on my own while the rest of the group went canyoning. I took the scenic walk down by the river the the lake. It was very peaceful and nice to have some time to myself to go at my own pace and take lots of photos. There were lots of older couples out walking together and people biking along the path. Other than that the town of Interlaken is very quite.
After enjoying the scenery I went back into town and enjoyed some lunch and stopped in a little wood carving shop and found a beautiful carving of Interlaken that I purchased. My first true souvenir aside from postcards!
During lunch I was able to sit and watch paragliders landing in the middle of town which was a really cool view!
Then I met up with the rest of the group and we enjoyed some ice cream and then did a little more souvenir shopping together. Unfortunately, it started raining in the middle of our shopping excursion so we all got a tad soaked but we were able to warm up at dinner.
Tonight we ate cheese fondue at a restaurant called Des Alps and enjoyed hot chocolate! Yummy!
Now we have to pack and get ready to head to Geneva tomorrow! Can't wait!
After enjoying the scenery I went back into town and enjoyed some lunch and stopped in a little wood carving shop and found a beautiful carving of Interlaken that I purchased. My first true souvenir aside from postcards!
During lunch I was able to sit and watch paragliders landing in the middle of town which was a really cool view!
Then I met up with the rest of the group and we enjoyed some ice cream and then did a little more souvenir shopping together. Unfortunately, it started raining in the middle of our shopping excursion so we all got a tad soaked but we were able to warm up at dinner.
Tonight we ate cheese fondue at a restaurant called Des Alps and enjoyed hot chocolate! Yummy!
Now we have to pack and get ready to head to Geneva tomorrow! Can't wait!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Switzerland Day 2
Today was a wonderful second day in Switzerland! We got to sleep in a little bit before heading out to take the train up to the top of one of the mountains we are currently surrounded by. On the way to the train we had a little bit of time so we thought we would walk towards the lake. Unfortunately, we ended up not quite making it to the lake but it was fun to see the residential are and all the cute swiss cottages.
After getting on the little red train we rode up to the top of Harder Kulm, and enjoyed the breathtaking view of the highest point in Europe (Jungerfrau). For lunch we got the best bratwurst I have ever had ( at a little grill) and then we all split some ice cream sundaes at the fancy restaurant that is part of the hotel on top of the mountain. We hung out for awhile and enjoyed the view and the small playground.
After riding back down we headed all the way across town to the far lake to go paddle boarding. But it was randomly closed today which is unfortunate so we didn't get to stand up paddle board. However, we did get to hang out and swim in the crystal clear lake which was amazing and freezing cold.
After a relaxing swim we headed back into town and stopped at the local grocery store to get supplies for dinner. At the hostel we cooked spaghetti and enjoyed vegetables and swiss chocolate for dessert. It was our first cooked meal together and certainly not our last over the next four months.
After a long day outside we are headed to bed. Tomorrow the rest of the group is going canyoning but for me and my back we are going to relax in town a bit and meet up with them afterwards for a fondue dinner and some souvenir shopping. On Wednesday we leave for Geneva and then on Friday we leave for Greece to start our studies! These pre travel days have gone by so fast!
After getting on the little red train we rode up to the top of Harder Kulm, and enjoyed the breathtaking view of the highest point in Europe (Jungerfrau). For lunch we got the best bratwurst I have ever had ( at a little grill) and then we all split some ice cream sundaes at the fancy restaurant that is part of the hotel on top of the mountain. We hung out for awhile and enjoyed the view and the small playground.
The view of Jungfrau (the highest point in Europe) from the top of Harder Kulm.
After riding back down we headed all the way across town to the far lake to go paddle boarding. But it was randomly closed today which is unfortunate so we didn't get to stand up paddle board. However, we did get to hang out and swim in the crystal clear lake which was amazing and freezing cold.
The group after our swim in the lake!
After a relaxing swim we headed back into town and stopped at the local grocery store to get supplies for dinner. At the hostel we cooked spaghetti and enjoyed vegetables and swiss chocolate for dessert. It was our first cooked meal together and certainly not our last over the next four months.
After a long day outside we are headed to bed. Tomorrow the rest of the group is going canyoning but for me and my back we are going to relax in town a bit and meet up with them afterwards for a fondue dinner and some souvenir shopping. On Wednesday we leave for Geneva and then on Friday we leave for Greece to start our studies! These pre travel days have gone by so fast!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Welcome to Switzerland!
We arrived in Switzerland this afternoon and I have to say it is absolutely gorgeous in Interlaken! The train ride had some excellent views and it was well worth it. For those of you that watch Big Bang theory I now understand why Sheldon loves trains:)
We are staying at the Balmers Hostel and we lucked out by getting a 6 person room so it is just us in our own room. It is one of the famous hostels of Europe and the oldest in Switzerland.
You walk into town and you know you are in Switzerland with the wood cottages and the green shutters with the Swiss flags fluttering in the breeze. The air feels fresh and clean compared to the large cities we have been in more recently. It is exactly what we needed after all of the busy cities!
After we relaxed a little and found some lunch we decided to explore the city. Since it is Sunday many of the shops were closed or closed early so we just window shopped. After checking on some of the possible attractions we could do during the few days we have here we decided to take a hike through the smaller hills of the mountains.
The views are stunning and the water is crystal clear. Some of the tops of the mountains were covered with fog and several are snow capped.
Our hike allowed for some great pictures but I have to say my favorite part was when we stopped at a lookout point over the town and heard all of the church bells around town chime and echo through the mountains. It was something I don't know that I will ever get the opportunity to experience again but it was absolutely perfect!
I can't wait for tomorrow morning! I hope everybody at CSB/SJU enjoyed move in day today!
We are staying at the Balmers Hostel and we lucked out by getting a 6 person room so it is just us in our own room. It is one of the famous hostels of Europe and the oldest in Switzerland.
You walk into town and you know you are in Switzerland with the wood cottages and the green shutters with the Swiss flags fluttering in the breeze. The air feels fresh and clean compared to the large cities we have been in more recently. It is exactly what we needed after all of the busy cities!
After we relaxed a little and found some lunch we decided to explore the city. Since it is Sunday many of the shops were closed or closed early so we just window shopped. After checking on some of the possible attractions we could do during the few days we have here we decided to take a hike through the smaller hills of the mountains.
The views are stunning and the water is crystal clear. Some of the tops of the mountains were covered with fog and several are snow capped.
Our hike allowed for some great pictures but I have to say my favorite part was when we stopped at a lookout point over the town and heard all of the church bells around town chime and echo through the mountains. It was something I don't know that I will ever get the opportunity to experience again but it was absolutely perfect!
I can't wait for tomorrow morning! I hope everybody at CSB/SJU enjoyed move in day today!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Last Day in Paris!
Today was our last day in Paris which is sad for me because I think I have loved Paris the most! On our last day we started by touring the catacombs. It is around a 45 minute tour of only 1/800th of the entire catacombs below the city of Paris. Over 6 million Parisians are buried there!
From there we ate lunch at a french bakery named Paul which seems to be in many places in Paris. I had a salmon and spinach quiche, some Orangina, and an apple tart.
After that we walked through the Luxembourg Gardens. There is a cute fountain area where people can rent small sailboats and race them in the water. It was fun seeing the kids try to do that!
From there we toured the Orsay Museum and saw many famous works by Renoir, Degas, Manet, Monet, and Van Gough. Kayla is an art minor at CSB so she was able to give us a lot of the history behind the paintings which was really cool. We had our own personal tour!
After the Orsay we walked across the lock bridge and saw a Paris wedding couple taking wedding photographs while locking a lock on the bridge and throwing away the key. They were very cute!
We tried to go to the Orangerie museum as well to see Monet's water lilies but it was too close to closing so they wouldn't let us in:(
After that we walked back to St. Germain street and had dinner at a wonderful street cafe and got creme brulee for dessert!
From there we walked past the Pantheon and into the Latin Quarter to explore before heading back to the hotel.
It has been a great 4 days in Paris and I can't wait for Switzerland tomorrow!
From there we ate lunch at a french bakery named Paul which seems to be in many places in Paris. I had a salmon and spinach quiche, some Orangina, and an apple tart.
After that we walked through the Luxembourg Gardens. There is a cute fountain area where people can rent small sailboats and race them in the water. It was fun seeing the kids try to do that!
Luxembourg
From there we toured the Orsay Museum and saw many famous works by Renoir, Degas, Manet, Monet, and Van Gough. Kayla is an art minor at CSB so she was able to give us a lot of the history behind the paintings which was really cool. We had our own personal tour!
After the Orsay we walked across the lock bridge and saw a Paris wedding couple taking wedding photographs while locking a lock on the bridge and throwing away the key. They were very cute!
We tried to go to the Orangerie museum as well to see Monet's water lilies but it was too close to closing so they wouldn't let us in:(
After that we walked back to St. Germain street and had dinner at a wonderful street cafe and got creme brulee for dessert!
From there we walked past the Pantheon and into the Latin Quarter to explore before heading back to the hotel.
It has been a great 4 days in Paris and I can't wait for Switzerland tomorrow!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Paris Day 3
We got up extra early again this morning because we wanted to go up in the Eiffel Tower! We only ended spending about 10 min in line to get our tickets and then another 10 before we went up to the top. We definitely beat the rush although it was already busy at the top when we got up there. I chose to take the elevator up to the top which saved my back and some extra time because it drops you off at the second tier where you meet up with those who have taken the stairs. For those up us that had bought the ticket to the top we didn't have to wait in a second line to get the ticket from that tier to the top. We were able to walk around a little bit on that floor before deciding to head up to the top! The view from the top was spectacular! It was lovely to walk around and look at Paris. It helps you understand the layout of the city much better than any map could. We spent almost an hour on top of the Eiffel Tower just enjoying the view before heading on our way.
One view from the top of the Eiffel Tour of the gardens/fountains we ate lunch by!
We ate lunch at the fountains across the street (trocadero i believe). I ate a ham and cheese crepe which was another good meal choice in Paris! From there we headed to the Arc de Triomphe.
Along the way we stopped at a French bakery and got chocolate eclairs!
We went up to the top of the Arc and enjoyed another great view of Paris. We could watch the people walking down the Champs Elysees and the street dancers rocking it out on the streets of Paris. It was much quieter on the top of the Arc than compared to the top of the Eiffel Tower which was really nice. After heading back down we happened to see the changing of the guards over the grave of the unknown soldier underneath the Arc.
View from the top of the Arc de Triomphe of the Champs Elysees.
Then we walked down the Champs Elysees and enjoyed all the really expensive stores. We went into the Mercedes Benz store and saw some incredibly expensive cars! We also walked past Louis Vitton, Hagen Daz, the Disney store, the gigantic McDonalds, Cartier, Hugo Boss, and many others.
Afterwards we went to the famous opera house where the Phantom of the Opera is based on. The opera house is beautiful as well but what isn't crazy beautiful in Europe?!
After touring the Opera house we headed to Sacre Coeur. Unfortunately no photos are allowed on the inside but we were able to snap a few of the outside between the rain showers.
On a side note we have noticed that there are a lot of people trying to scam/rob tourists outside of metro stations and at major tourist attractions. There were not any in London that I noticed but in Paris there have been a lot. Beware of them if you ever come to Paris!
Sacre Coeur is not too far from Moulin Rouge so we walked past the Moulin Rouge before heading back to a cafe by our hotel.
For dinner I had Steak Frites which is something we grew up pretending to order in French class. It is probably one of the best meals I have had yet!
Tonight we are heading in early because we have definitely reached our exhaustion point. Lots of sore feet, blisters, and lack of sleep catching up with us. Only one more day left in Paris and then on to Switzerland!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Paris Day 2
On our first full day in Paris we decided to head out to Versailles! We got up extra early to catch the metro and beat some of the rush. Unfortunately, it was already slightly crowded when we arrived. After picking up our audio guides we started our tour. We saw the Hall of Mirrors, Marie Antoinette's bedroom, and many famous paintings. The architecture is amazing and always remember to look up at the ceiling so you do not miss anything! Sometimes the coolest part of the room is the ceiling!
After our tour we headed into the gardens and ate lunch at a cafe in the gardens. For dessert we tried a nutella and banana crepe and a strawberry tart. Both of them were delicious! From there we continued touring the gardens and ended up lounging by the lake for awhile watching the people row around and feeding the fish. It was nice to relax for awhile! The only unfortunate part aside from the crowds was that none of the fountains were running:(
It was nice to start early this morning because we didn't end up leaving Versailles until mid-afternoon. However, we could have spent much more time there, so if you are planning a trip reserve a big chunk of your day.
After Versailles we headed to the Louvre and I saw the famous Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. We spent several hours looking at all of the artwork and it was amazing!
After the Louvre we walked through the Tuileries gardens and spent a little time sitting and enjoying the gardens.
From there we went on a hunt to find a great french bakery so we could have a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tour. We found fresh baguettes, meat, cheese, and fruit. Plus we had to try Perrier and Orangina while in Paris. We ate in front of the Eiffel Tower on the green until the tower lit up and the sparkled at 9pm. It was an amazing site to see and probably the highlight of Paris so far for me!
After our tour we headed into the gardens and ate lunch at a cafe in the gardens. For dessert we tried a nutella and banana crepe and a strawberry tart. Both of them were delicious! From there we continued touring the gardens and ended up lounging by the lake for awhile watching the people row around and feeding the fish. It was nice to relax for awhile! The only unfortunate part aside from the crowds was that none of the fountains were running:(
It was nice to start early this morning because we didn't end up leaving Versailles until mid-afternoon. However, we could have spent much more time there, so if you are planning a trip reserve a big chunk of your day.
After Versailles we headed to the Louvre and I saw the famous Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. We spent several hours looking at all of the artwork and it was amazing!
After the Louvre we walked through the Tuileries gardens and spent a little time sitting and enjoying the gardens.
From there we went on a hunt to find a great french bakery so we could have a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tour. We found fresh baguettes, meat, cheese, and fruit. Plus we had to try Perrier and Orangina while in Paris. We ate in front of the Eiffel Tower on the green until the tower lit up and the sparkled at 9pm. It was an amazing site to see and probably the highlight of Paris so far for me!
A strawberry tart in the gardens of Versailles!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Paris Day 1
This morning I rode the chunnel from London to Paris! I can check that off my bucket list!
After arriving in Paris we started to figure out the metro system and headed to our hotel. It is so nice to be staying in a small hotel vs a hostel! Having a bathroom where you know all the other people who are using it is so much nicer that 15 people you don't know. Plus we each get our own bed that isn't bunked!! We feel like we are staying at the Ritz:)
After arriving at our hotel we found a little street cafe where we had lunch. I tried a ham and cheese omelette which was delicious!
From there we took the metro into the city and toured Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle. We happened to be at Notre Dame at the end of the day when a small service was taking place. It was really lovely to see/listen to. The singing was incredible. After touring we walked outside to feed the birds. We met an interesting gentleman who helps all the tourist feed the birds. He said we were the smartest Americans he had ever met (not sure whether to be insulted or happy or both)!
From there we went to Saint Chapelle. The stained glass was even more amazing than Notre Dame in my opinion! We all stopped at the top of the stairs and just stood in awe. Part of it is being restored right now but the rest of it was very cool.
After our tours we went to another local street cafe and I tried croque madame which was delicious as well. Afterwards we walked along St. Germain Ave and stopped in Maison Larnicol and bought french macaroons and chocolate and all tried everything. Such a delicious end to a great day in Paris.
Tomorrow we are heading to Versailles!
Goodnight!
After arriving in Paris we started to figure out the metro system and headed to our hotel. It is so nice to be staying in a small hotel vs a hostel! Having a bathroom where you know all the other people who are using it is so much nicer that 15 people you don't know. Plus we each get our own bed that isn't bunked!! We feel like we are staying at the Ritz:)
After arriving at our hotel we found a little street cafe where we had lunch. I tried a ham and cheese omelette which was delicious!
From there we took the metro into the city and toured Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle. We happened to be at Notre Dame at the end of the day when a small service was taking place. It was really lovely to see/listen to. The singing was incredible. After touring we walked outside to feed the birds. We met an interesting gentleman who helps all the tourist feed the birds. He said we were the smartest Americans he had ever met (not sure whether to be insulted or happy or both)!
From there we went to Saint Chapelle. The stained glass was even more amazing than Notre Dame in my opinion! We all stopped at the top of the stairs and just stood in awe. Part of it is being restored right now but the rest of it was very cool.
After our tours we went to another local street cafe and I tried croque madame which was delicious as well. Afterwards we walked along St. Germain Ave and stopped in Maison Larnicol and bought french macaroons and chocolate and all tried everything. Such a delicious end to a great day in Paris.
Tomorrow we are heading to Versailles!
Goodnight!
Stained glass at Saint Chapelle
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
London!
On our 3rd day in London we toured Westminster first thing and it was probably the highlight of my adventure so far! It was absolutely beautiful inside and we got a guided audio tour so we knew the stories behind the tombs. The history of the building is amazing! We got to see the resting places of Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton, and the room where Harry and William sweated it out before he got married to Kate! We also saw the coronation chair and the diamond jubliee room in honor of the queen with photos of her throughout the years.
From there we jumped on a river cruise which took us down to the Tower of London. We saw the olympic rings on the bridge but unfortunately they are not hanging they are tucked underneath. We then toured the tower and saw the crown jewels. We went into the Bloody Tower and the White Tower where the royals used to live. Our tour guide was amazing and loved telling stories about the history of the tower. A guided tour was definitely worth it!
After that we headed over the Millennium Bridge to Shakespeare's Globe Theater where we went on the tour as well. It was quite interesting and since we were on the last tour of the day the cast was in the theater with us warming up for their evening performance.
For dinner we ate at The Anchor which is a very old pub located along the river. We enjoyed a long dinner after so much walking it is nice to just sit. From there we took the tube back to Buckingham Palace and found a lovely spot for tea and dessert along Picadilly.
We enjoyed late night tea and a great chocolate cake before heading back to the hostel for bed.
On our last day in London we started by heading out to Abbey Road. We took the famous pictures just like the Beatles! From there we headed to Regents Park and stumbled across the famous London Zoo! Several of us went in to see the amazing Penguin exhibit! We also saw giraffes, monkeys, and some birds. The penguins were by far the cutest and they have the largest exhibit I have ever seen. Many of them were swimming around putting on a little show for us, it was very cool!
From there we walked to Camden Lock and saw the Camden Market. The market was really cool to see, so many people and stands and food!
We walked back through Regents Park to the Queen Mary Gardens and sat in the gardens. After a little rest we went to Baker Street and saw the Sherlock Holmes house.
For our final London dinner we had traditional fish and chips at Seashell on Lisson Street. It was the best fish and chips of the trip thus far!
Lastly, we saw Hamley's which is the worlds largest toy store! Very cool!
Tomorrow we are onto Paris! Can't wait!
From there we jumped on a river cruise which took us down to the Tower of London. We saw the olympic rings on the bridge but unfortunately they are not hanging they are tucked underneath. We then toured the tower and saw the crown jewels. We went into the Bloody Tower and the White Tower where the royals used to live. Our tour guide was amazing and loved telling stories about the history of the tower. A guided tour was definitely worth it!
After that we headed over the Millennium Bridge to Shakespeare's Globe Theater where we went on the tour as well. It was quite interesting and since we were on the last tour of the day the cast was in the theater with us warming up for their evening performance.
For dinner we ate at The Anchor which is a very old pub located along the river. We enjoyed a long dinner after so much walking it is nice to just sit. From there we took the tube back to Buckingham Palace and found a lovely spot for tea and dessert along Picadilly.
We enjoyed late night tea and a great chocolate cake before heading back to the hostel for bed.
On our last day in London we started by heading out to Abbey Road. We took the famous pictures just like the Beatles! From there we headed to Regents Park and stumbled across the famous London Zoo! Several of us went in to see the amazing Penguin exhibit! We also saw giraffes, monkeys, and some birds. The penguins were by far the cutest and they have the largest exhibit I have ever seen. Many of them were swimming around putting on a little show for us, it was very cool!
From there we walked to Camden Lock and saw the Camden Market. The market was really cool to see, so many people and stands and food!
We walked back through Regents Park to the Queen Mary Gardens and sat in the gardens. After a little rest we went to Baker Street and saw the Sherlock Holmes house.
For our final London dinner we had traditional fish and chips at Seashell on Lisson Street. It was the best fish and chips of the trip thus far!
Lastly, we saw Hamley's which is the worlds largest toy store! Very cool!
Tomorrow we are onto Paris! Can't wait!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Ireland / London
Our last night in Ireland we went on a musical pub crawl. It was super informative we learned a lot about traditional Irish Folk music and we saw a couple different pubs including the Ha'Penny Inn.
The next morning was our last in Dublin and we walked to St. Patricks Cathedral, passing Christ Church on the way. We did not tour the inside of St. Patricks Cathedral but we got to see the gardens which were where the first Catholics were thought to be baptized.
After seeing the lovely cathedral we jumped on a plane to London!
We are staying at the Walrus Hostel which is under 5 minutes from Westminster and Big Ben. Our first evening we had a picnic by Westminster and heard Big Ben chime! We then road the London Eye at night which was beautiful. Definitely worth it to see the city all lit up!
Our second day in London was jam packed! I think I have walked more in the past 4 days than I have in a long long time.
We started our day out in St. James Park and then walked over to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard ceremony. It was packed at Buckingham Palace so it was a little difficult to see everything but we managed to get a decent view. From there we walked to Traflagar Square and saw the fountains and the lions. There are lots of Olympic signs all over the city as the prep for the next round of olympics. We stopped for lunch at Garfukels Restaurant and missed the afternoon rain shower which worked out perfectly!
From there we caught the tube to Kensington Palace and Gardens. There were four exhibits one for Princess Diana, one for the Queens, one for the Kings, and one for Queen Victoria.
From there we walked through the gardens to Hyde Park and then to Harrods the famous department store!
We ate a traditional british pub to eat fish and chips and then headed over to the Wellington Arch, and Buckingham Palace again when it was less busy. We were able to walk right up to the main gate and see the guards. After that we walked to Picadilly Circus and saw all square all lit up at night.
After a busy day I am ready to sleep and rest! Miss everyone at home!
The next morning was our last in Dublin and we walked to St. Patricks Cathedral, passing Christ Church on the way. We did not tour the inside of St. Patricks Cathedral but we got to see the gardens which were where the first Catholics were thought to be baptized.
After seeing the lovely cathedral we jumped on a plane to London!
We are staying at the Walrus Hostel which is under 5 minutes from Westminster and Big Ben. Our first evening we had a picnic by Westminster and heard Big Ben chime! We then road the London Eye at night which was beautiful. Definitely worth it to see the city all lit up!
Our second day in London was jam packed! I think I have walked more in the past 4 days than I have in a long long time.
We started our day out in St. James Park and then walked over to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard ceremony. It was packed at Buckingham Palace so it was a little difficult to see everything but we managed to get a decent view. From there we walked to Traflagar Square and saw the fountains and the lions. There are lots of Olympic signs all over the city as the prep for the next round of olympics. We stopped for lunch at Garfukels Restaurant and missed the afternoon rain shower which worked out perfectly!
From there we caught the tube to Kensington Palace and Gardens. There were four exhibits one for Princess Diana, one for the Queens, one for the Kings, and one for Queen Victoria.
From there we walked through the gardens to Hyde Park and then to Harrods the famous department store!
We ate a traditional british pub to eat fish and chips and then headed over to the Wellington Arch, and Buckingham Palace again when it was less busy. We were able to walk right up to the main gate and see the guards. After that we walked to Picadilly Circus and saw all square all lit up at night.
After a busy day I am ready to sleep and rest! Miss everyone at home!
The changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Ireland!
Wow I feel like we have packed so many activities into the past two days that we have already been in Dublin for a week!
I hardly slept on the plane so I am glad I am still functioning so well haha! The flight was fine and we landed around 8:00am Dublin time and started our day right off the bat!
We are staying at the Times Hostel which is right across the street from trinity college. We walked all around the beautiful college and then to St. Stevens Greens. We took a photo on the bridge we think was in the the movie Leap Year with Amy Adams! From there we walked around Grafton Street and stopped at a bar called Davy Byrnes for lunch. From there we walked and stopped into a church where a man was having his piano recital. A nice place to sit for awhile before continuing our walking.
From there we stopped at the Dublin Castle and then went to the Guinness Storehouse and got the official tour plus you free pint of Guinness, I have to say not all of us here are Guinness fans...
Then for dinner we stopped at the Brazen Head which is the oldest pub in Ireland for dinner.
After a long first day we were all so tired and decided just to walk back to the hostel and crash for the evening.
Today we took the Dart to Howth which is a fishing city by Irelands Eye. It was lovely! We took a long walk along the cliffs and stopped at The Summit Inn for lunch. By then we were all ready for a break it was over a 6 mile hike on some rough terrain. I am so glad my back is holding up well otherwise I would have missed the wonderful view! We also walked to the Howth Castle and then stopped at the Bloody Stream and I tried my first Baileys Irish Coffee! I really liked that drink!
Tonight we are headed out on a musical pub tour in the Temple Bar area! It should be lots of fun!
I hardly slept on the plane so I am glad I am still functioning so well haha! The flight was fine and we landed around 8:00am Dublin time and started our day right off the bat!
We are staying at the Times Hostel which is right across the street from trinity college. We walked all around the beautiful college and then to St. Stevens Greens. We took a photo on the bridge we think was in the the movie Leap Year with Amy Adams! From there we walked around Grafton Street and stopped at a bar called Davy Byrnes for lunch. From there we walked and stopped into a church where a man was having his piano recital. A nice place to sit for awhile before continuing our walking.
From there we stopped at the Dublin Castle and then went to the Guinness Storehouse and got the official tour plus you free pint of Guinness, I have to say not all of us here are Guinness fans...
Then for dinner we stopped at the Brazen Head which is the oldest pub in Ireland for dinner.
After a long first day we were all so tired and decided just to walk back to the hostel and crash for the evening.
Today we took the Dart to Howth which is a fishing city by Irelands Eye. It was lovely! We took a long walk along the cliffs and stopped at The Summit Inn for lunch. By then we were all ready for a break it was over a 6 mile hike on some rough terrain. I am so glad my back is holding up well otherwise I would have missed the wonderful view! We also walked to the Howth Castle and then stopped at the Bloody Stream and I tried my first Baileys Irish Coffee! I really liked that drink!
Tonight we are headed out on a musical pub tour in the Temple Bar area! It should be lots of fun!
View from the cliffs of Howth!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Last Day in the USA
Needless to say the last day at home is bittersweet. The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity including packing, shopping, goodbyes, and now it is all coming to an end. But fortunately, that also means a new beginning, a new adventure, and many things to look forward to!
This past weekend I had a Bennie/Johnnie reunion party that gave us a chance to say goodbye to one another.
Today has been mostly spent packing and a few more last minute goodbyes. It makes leaving tomorrow that much more real! It is quite a challenge fitting your life into a suitcase for 4 months! You realize what you really need and what you can live without, a very eye opening experience to say the least.
Tomorrow afternoon a group of 7 of us will fly out of Minneapolis into Chicago and then catch another flight into Dublin. We will spend the first few days of our trip in Dublin before flying to London this coming weekend. I am very excited to explore Europe because I have never travelled out of the country before!
Keep checking back for more updates and pictures. Thanks to everyone for all the support in getting me this far (letters of recommendations, scholarships, well wishes, etc)! I promise to make the most out of this once in a lifetime experience:)
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