I know it has been well over a month (or 2?) since my last post. But to be fair, I have been a bit preoccupied with a little travel. At my univeristy here, we have a whole month for Easter holiday (we stretched to 5 weeks!) and what else are sheltered American girls to do but travel?! Thus, a Eurail Pass and hours of hardcore planning later, we began our travels April 1, 2009. It was a time in my life I will never forget, will be forever grateful for, and something I hope to share with everyone when I get home. Despite the exhaustion, hours on trains and ferries, challenges like dodgey hostels and stolen bags..... it was all well worth the experience and all we got to do and see.
It would be exhausting to you for me to share all I experienced and everything I loved about that trip (because I could go on for pages) so here's an attempt at a brief overview:
Grace (from Oklahoma), Kate (from Canada), and I started in Barcelona, Spain. We were trained here and quickly learned how hours of simply walking around cities would be the bain of our existence the next month. My favorite parts here were Parc Guell, Montjuic, Port Vell, Sangrada Familia, and Las Ramblas. I would like to explain everything, but again, trying to be concise for your sake! Took a train from there to Paris, France - AMAZING - and so surreal. We did everything there, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Arc de Triumphe, Champs Elysee, baguettes, wine, crepes (yum!), and more. Was surprised the French we met were actually pleasant and not as "anti-American" as I expected haha. Right, then to Nice, France in the south which was lovely (after the trouble with a friend's stolen bag and passport). No real notable sights, but a nice beach and park on top of a cliff, and a particularly interesting hostel with a Pink Lady ha. So then off to Venice, Italy which was so neat-a city of little islands and waterway roads. So beautiful as well, didn't take a gondola ride but did take too many bridge pictures and rode to other islands like Burano. We stayed just outside Venice at a nice B&B in Spinea, with such kind hosts, and were here for Easter Sunday. We then went to Vienna, Austria and stayed with a flatmate of mine back in England whose family lives in Vienna. I can't explain how nice it was to be in a home and do laundry! Vienna was gorgeous, such white buildings and a a vibrant atmosphere of a city (plus amazing gelatto!)
After Vienna, we had lots of travel, train to Rome only for a bit Kate split off from Grace and I to travel with friends visiting from home.Then a train to Bari, Italy (a port) where we barely caught the 15 hour ferry to Greece! A little more travel and we made it to Crete, the largest Greek island. Finally truly warm weather and a neat, different, less western European culture. We had a great hotel here but happened to be here for the Greek Orthodox Easter (a week after ours) so everything was closed! It didn't matter though, because we could walk to the beach and still got our Greek salad (which I am now a huge fan of). So another ferry back to the main island, stayed a couple days in Athens with an old friend from NC Governor's School about 4 years ago who was studying there. Athens was THE best smelling place ever, orange trees ans honey suckle allll over the city. Such a delight to just walk around. Saw the Acropolis and Parthenon, such incredible history. Last here was Santorini, another Greek island. Greece in general was my favorite country, but Santorini was SO fun and breathtakingly beautiful with cliffs of white houses going down to the sea, and the most incredible sunsets. We rented ATVs and rode all over the island, saw black sand beaches, did a boat excursion to volcanic islands and hot springs, rode donkeys up through the steep town (just like in Sisterhood haha) and got some sun too just like a real vacation. I miss the kebabs there too!
OK, almost done, promise. Another couple days of travel, and by the way, Greek trains were the worst but the ferries were so nice, almost luxury which was nice since the rides were so long. Spent a while in Rome, Italy which was also amazing. The history with the Coliseum, Palentine Hill, and the Roman Forums was so cool. Not to mention, our hostel was right across the street from the Vatican City, and of course we went to the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica, and even the Papal Audience (was literally within 10-15 feet of the Pope, I'm not even Catholic, but that was still pretty cool!). Also, the Spanish Steps and Trivy Fountain were pretty neat, and I definitely threw my 2 coins in the fountain following the rules - 1 for my wish, the 2nd to return to Rome again. After Rome, we spent 1 day in Florence, Italy, which was beautiful as well but a very different atmosphere than Rome. And finally, Pisa, Italy where we saw the Leaning Tower finally fall over. heh, just kidding, but it must soon, it was really leaning! By this time at the end of our journeys, we were so tired that we spent the day playing cards in the Park, and flying home that night.
I apologize for the length, but honestly had soooo much more to tell. The food, the people, the cultures, the trials, the learning, the fun language phrases, the train travel, the best company, and a great selection of European cities all made this trip one of a lifetime. I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me through it, especially my family, because I was in all honesty SO scared before flying out. England is a bit more of a comfort and I have never traveled on my own like that, in foreign countries and so much unknown. It was so exciting and truly an adventure that I would do over again in a heartbeat. The whole time my only wish was that my family and friends from home could be there to share it with me. I feel SO blessed and lucky (and hopefully at least a little more traveled and cultured!). I love you all and if you want to know anything about my Europe Trip please don't hesitate to ask, I just think I've already bored everyone enough about it! (sorry family, ha for the long Skype talks of my incessant babbling over it!)
Now I'm back to the actual school part of this 'study' abroad deal. Such a downer after such an adventure, but again, still worth it. Wish me luck in revision (their studying here)and exams. I'll be home June 15, GSO airport just after 7pm and cannot even wait to see everyone! xoxo -Krys
