Spring Break 2012...
Upon my arrival in Florence, my roommate Kelly and I had heard that you need to book Spring Break trips early as they tend to fill up. I guess there is no such thing as too early because we booked it on February 6 through a program called Euro Adventures. I can still remember the second after we booked it, our power went out and we both had this look on our face like, "Thank GOD, that did not happen when we were paying for our trip."
The next few weeks seemed to drag on. The cold weather continued, visitors came in and out of our apartment for their various spring break trips and before we even had time to think, midterms wrapped up and we were headed to Spring Break 2012 the following evening!
Kelly and I spent hours attempting to pack. What would the weather be like? Hopefully warmer than Florence right? Do I need my puffer jacket? Will I read this book on the bus? The questions were endless. But, by far my favorite beginning memory of the trip was when I actually had to physically put my clothes in my suitcase. You see, our trip leader had specifically sent out an email saying "please do not bring large suitcases, which can hold 50 pounds of items, you don't need that much..you'll be re-wearing the same clothes.." Now, I'd be lying if I said I didn't overpack but, I also only brought one suitcase with me to Italy--you know the really large one that holds 50 pounds, so I really didn't have a choice. Sure, I had my carry on but, there was absolutely no way I could even fit a jacket in my carry on, let alone clothes for 12 days...
Thursday, March 15, 2012
So as Kelly and I wheeled our suitcases over the Ponte Thursday evening, receiving stares from the locals, I envisioned what our trip leader would say when he saw my GIANT suitcase.
"Did you not get my email," or "Well you're just going to have to leave some things behind because that won't fit on the bus." (Thank goodness I was NOT the only one with an extra large suitcase)!
After stopping at the bank, and going back to our apartment to retrieve a few things we had left behind (Trusty style), we finally made it to the train station, where we would meet our group to board the bus. Per tradition, Kelly and I both had a piece of train station pizza before leaving and heading to platform 13.
Prior to leaving, we made a quick stop in the bathroom before heading to the bus. As if it were a sign from my best, Swoj, the original "We Are the World" began playing as I was standing in line to go to the bathroom. Now, if you don't already know, "We Are the World" might as well be The National Anthem to Swoj and I. No matter the occasion, that song is always an appropriate addition to the playlist. So of course it was only fitting that it would be playing on the night I was leaving for Berlin. Berlin, but really Germany in general, to Swoj, is the equivalent to the feeling most people have towards puppies. You love them and you can't get enough of them.
As we headed down the ramp, we saw a row of buses and what looked like our trip leader. He introduced himself as Dave and said that Bruno would also be helping him out as well. As Kelly and I looked around to see this "Bruno" character, the only man we saw was this precious old man smoking a cigarette off in the distance. We looked at each other and made an executive decision that there was no way that the old man we saw was Bruno and boarded the bus.
Well, much to our surprise, that indeed was Bruno--Dave later introduced him on the bus before we left.
10 or 15 minutes later, we closed the bus doors and we were off for our night bus ride to Berlin, Germany!
Dave put in the movie Eurotrip, which he said was very fitting for our "Best of West" spring break. As each hour passed, the bus got quieter and quieter. Kelly and I fell asleep at some point and woke up around 3 A.M. but went back to sleep. We woke up the next morning to find ourselves not in Berlin but, right outside of Berlin. You see, we had hit a traffic jam of some sort..well I'm still not exactly sure what is was but, whatever it was, it was between me and Berlin! Our bus driver explained that there was only one way into Berlin from this direction so we had to wait it out. An hour or so later, the bus finally started moving again and we headed into the city.
Driving through Berlin, I had no idea what to think. The city was very "modern" if you will, yet, it contained so much history. I couldn't wait to begin our walking tour and see more of this incredible city.
Our Hostel was by far the nicest I've stayed in and was located right next to the main train station, which made it easy when traveling to places not in walking distance. We unloaded our belongings, changed and headed downstairs to begin our walking tour.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to Nigel, our tour guide. A ball of energy from England, but he's actually Scottish, Nigel contained more knowledge than an encyclopedia. He knew everything and everything. It was incredible!
(Only picture I could snag but how precious is he already?!)
Below you will find a few highlights from my time in Berlin!
Because we were visiting so many places in such a short amount of time, I was unable to do everything each city has to offer! I took that as an excuse to come back to each and every one of them one day...
Friday, March 16, 2012
(WWII Memorial)
(Holocaust Memorial)
(Checkpoint Charlie)
(East and West Berlin)
(One of the most famous pieces of the Berlin Wall)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
(Berlin Zoo)
(Berlin Zoo)
Other highlights from Berlin:
- Trying my first currywurst--similar to a bratwurst but with ketchup and curry powder--one and done!
- Went to a Berlin Bar crawl--let me tell you, big, burly, beer drinking men pretty much sums up my experience
- Ate an authentic soft pretzel WITH mustard :)
- Went to an authentic german restaurant called Deponie with my roomies on the trip and stumbled upon the cutest frozen yoghurt place for dessert, where I found this quote hanging on the wall:
"This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't like your job, quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop. They will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, all emotions are beautiful. Life is simple. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heard to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often' getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion."
Pretty powerful stuff...really makes you think!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Off to Amsterdam!
After leaving Berlin later than anticipated, our arrival time in Amsterdam was pushed back even further--we were supposed to arrive around 4 P.M. but instead, we arrived to a rainy and dreary Amsterdam around 8 P.M.
After receiving my room assignment, but not my key, I waited for everyone to clear the lobby so I could retrieve my enormous suitcase, which had been pushed to the back of the room. I gathered my suitcase and headed for the elevator. After a few minutes the doors opened and I pressed floor 4. The doors opened again and I wheeled my suitcase out to floor 4 only to find that I needed my room key to actually get through the door onto the floor. So, not only could I not get through the door but, I was trapped in this little room keyless. After thinking that somehow the door would magically open, I took the elevator back down to the lobby to get my key, which of course had been given to my other roomies but, "if I ran fast enough, I could catch them on the next elevator to the 4th room." If you're thinking that I "couldn't run fast enough" with my giant suitcase, you're right. I was stuck yet again. However, this time in the spacious lobby.
I finally saw Kelly and was able to get to the 4th floor and drop of my luggage before eating dinner. That night, Kelly and our good friends Javie and Butters (nicknames of course) decided to hit up the town. After taking the light rail to the city center, we found ourselves surrounded by the strong smell of marijuana.
Dorthy, we're not in Berlin anymore....
We decided to go to a bar/smoke shop called "Smokey's." And, like its name, Smokey's was just that, a bar filled with anything but cigarette smoke--but hey, it was part of the experience right? Soon Americans won't even be able to enter places like this. Upon our arrival, we were asked to show our ID's to prove that we were over 18. It was the first time, I had used my driver's license in over 3 months!
We stayed for about 15 minutes and then decided to head home. We had a long day of touring ahead of us and wanted to get some rest after the exhausting bus ride!
Monday, March 19, 2012
The following day, my friends Aimee and Dan teamed up with me and decided to spend the day together touring the lovely city of Amsterdam! We visited the VanGogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and the Heineken Museum/Experience.
What a difference light and day can make. In the daytime, Amsterdam was anything but the weed capital of the world. The architecture was stunning and the atmosphere was lovely.
(Lovely canal)
Me and Aimee)
(Beautiful architecture--very dutch)
Our first stop was the VanGogh Museum, which we accidently did backwards--I take full responsibility for that one too. I, for some reason, had in my mind that you started from the top and worked your way down, which was not the case. We actually started from his last painting and ended with his very first self-portrait, but hey, A Van Gogh is a Van Gogh, am I right?
While, we weren't allowed to take pictures in the museum, here a few of my favorite! Once again, thank you google images.
(Irises)
(Sunflowers)
After leaving the VanGogh Museum, we took the light rail to the Anne Frank House. After waiting in line for about 15 minutes, we finally made it to the front and purchased our tickets. We picked up the info packet, in English of course, and made our way upstairs. Each room had an excerpt from Anne's diary on the wall that corresponded with the room and what it had been used for during that time. There were also models placed in the room to illustrate what the room had looked like before.
It was not until I saw the actual bookcase, which had been made to disguise the hidden door, so many years ago, that everything really hit me. I wasn't walking in a replica of Anne Frank's house. I wasn't walking in just any house. This was the house that Anne Frank and her family hid in to avoid being captured in the 1940's, and I was walking in it. It was absolutely incredible.
Now, before I move on, please promise me that if you ever go to Amsterdam, you will fork over the 9 Euro and visit the Anne Frank House. It's absolutely incredible and one of the coolest place I have ever been to!
(Anne Frank House)
(268)
...................
And of course, no trip to Amsterdam is complete without taking the infamous photo in front of the IAMsterdam sign...
We decided to take a brief stop at the sign before heading to the Heineken Museum!
(Me and Kelly)
(M is for Meggie)
...................
Hello Heineken! While, I'm not a huge fan of Beer, it was on our list of things to do while in Amsterdam so I couldn't resist. I will say though, fresh Heineken wasn't all too bad!
(Right before our tour with Dan and Aimee)
(Cheers!)
Other highlights from Amsterdam:
- Getting stuck in a revolving door at a random hotel with Kelly, while trying to ask for directions
- Walking through the Red Light District--very different than I had imagined but, none the less...an experience, one and done.
- Running into my friend Vaughn, who is also studying in Florence, at the Heineken Museum in Amsterdam
- Eating these waffle carmel cookies, which were sold in nearly every bakery--too bad they are not sold in America!
- Testing my beer pouring skills at this interactive stand at Heineken, only to find out that beer pouring is not in my future..I was told to "Pour more and spill less."
- Taking a shower in darkness because the lights in our hostel were on a timer...
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Off to Paris! But first, a quick stop in Brussels from some Belgium Waffles and Chocolates! While we only spent 3 hours in Brussels, Kelly and I made sure to make the most of our time there. We dined at Mokafe, which supposedly serves the best Belgium waffles in town for only 3 Euro. We decided to split the original, which was simply topped with powder sugar. And, before you could even say,"waffle," we had each had our share of the light and fluffy waffle and were ready to go chocolate shopping!
We wandered around the city for a little while, not wanting to venture too far from the bus and decided to stop at this cute little shop on the corner near Mokafe. The woman working there was lovely and had the cutest french accent! As Kelly and I stared at the counter, our mouths watering at the endless possibilities of chocolates, the woman asked if we wanted to try anything..how could we resist? We gently pointed to the round chocolate ball, which was filled with carmel and said in unison, "that one please."
The next 5 minutes were filled with one chocolate after another. Every time our eyes even looked at a chocolate, the cute woman working there was practically throwing them in our mouths. Kelly and I finally had to call it quits after we took an entirely too large of a bite out of a chocolate covered butter ball.
Feeling guilty, we felt the need we needed to purchase something..but what? I literally thought my stomach was about to explode and Kelly was practically dying form the butter ball incident (I felt like Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka when she turns into a giant blueberry). After some debate, we each decided to purchase 2 carmel chocolates. We would have one now and save one for the road. Turns out, the woman working there had the same idea and threw in an extra chocolate for each of us saying, "here's one for the road."
Oh Belgium, you're too kind!
Practically crawling up the hill, we made our way back to the bus with minutes to spare. When the rest of group finally arrived, we made our way to the bus and began our journey to Paris, a part of the trip I was most looking forward to!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
That evening, after being dropped off what felt like 10 miles away from our hotel, we finally made it to Paris. Our hotel arrangements were quite interesting and already, I could feel the memories brewing...
The hotel lobby was no bigger than a smart car, and there were no elevators. Hey, no problem, I'm claustrophobic anyways, this will be great exercise AND I can finally burn off the Michael Phelps diet of chocolate, which I had consumed only hours earlier. Piece of Cake.
HA!
The so called stair case was about as narrow as they come...oh and they spiraled. Why oh why did I bring such a giant bag. It took all the strength Kelly and I had to just lift that sucker up 3 flights of stairs, but we made it.
As we turned our old fashioned key into the lock and opened the door, our door swung open hitting a bed, which had somehow been placed smack dab in the middle of the room. A room that comfortably and should really only sleep about 4, was now about to sleep 7. Kelly and I decided to take the bed in the middle in leu of sleeping on bunk beds--neither of us wanted a top bunk.
Well, perhaps it was Karma because our bed happened to be broken in the center and the both nights we slept there, we found ourselves rolling inward toward the center and practically sleeping on top of each other. Of course, I would have it no other way and will always remember that small cramped room we shared in Paris.
After showering, we headed to the grocery store to buy ingredients to make sandwiches for our picnic under the Eiffel Tower and began our trek to the bus stop, which would become our "Duomo" of Paris, our central point if you will.
Now before I tell you about this oh so lovely experience, keep in mind, we are a small group of 40 twenty-somethings. We're loud. We're excited. We're on spring break.
So to begin, a bus ticket to the Eiffel Tower is around 1.40 Euro but, of course, you'll need one back so let's just round up and say roughly 3 Euro round trip per person. Well as most can attest, not everyone has exactly 3 Euro. I know I didn't. The smallest bill I had was a 10 and that was lucky...most people had a 50. So, as you can imagine, it was taking everyone quite some time to purchase a ticket (especially trying to purchase one in french), get change, validate their ticket, get on the bus. So, by the 10th or 12th ticket, the french we're getting angry. That's when good ole Bruno stepped in and purchased a mass quantity of tickets for everyone so we could speed up the process. I knew I liked him!
And just like that, we were off to the Eiffel Tower for a romantic picnic!
(Kelly and I--ahh I love "instragramed" photos)
(Go Gamecocks! Kelly, Mike and Me)
There's something magical about Paris at night. Maybe it was the light show at the Eiffel Tower, or the picnic we had as we stared aimlessly at the magnificent Eiffel Tower, a monument that I had only dreamed of seeing after watching Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's movie "Passport to Paris" and going to Paris in Disney World's Epcot, or perhaps it was the oh so romantic proposal that Kelly and I witnessed by chance as we turned around to look behind us.
However, despite our crazy hotel accommodations and near disaster at the bus station (I was envisioning Marie Antoinette saying, "Let them eat cake"), Paris was absolutely spectacular and I couldn't wait to explore the city the next day!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The previous night we had talked with our good guy friends and planned to meet them the following morning in the Hotel lobby to climb the Eiffel Tower. Once we arrived, the line was an an hour and 45 minutes to take the elevator up but, the line to walk 3/4 of the way up was only 30 minutes. The choice was obvious as we made our way to the shorter line and munched on croissants and coffee, which the boys had so generously offered to buy. The climb up was not as bad as we thought, however Matt, our "gentle giant," had to walk up the stairs sideways, seeing as he was so tall. Once we made it to the top, the view was breathtaking and we could not have asked for a more perfect day to see Paris.
Here are a few of my favorite pictures!
(Kelly, Matt and Javie starting the climb up)
(At the top!)
(Me, Javie, Kelly, Connor and Matt at the top)
(No trip is complete without at least 1 edgy picture...)
(Finally..safely on the ground)
We continued our adventure around Paris and decided to stop and have lunch near the Arc de Triomphe. I of course ordered my very first "real" Croque Monsieur, a ham and cheese open-face sandwich, which is broiled in the oven. I had been dying to try one the minute I got to Paris and seized the opportunity when I saw it on the menu. Aside from my mom, no one can top this Croque Monsieur. It was absolutely delish!
Next, we headed toward the Arc de Triomphe to take a few pictures and continued to walk down The Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
(Arc de Triomphe)
Around 4'oclock we headed over to the Louvre. While we had not planned to actually go in the museum, knowing that the lines to get in would be sheer madness, we had decided to go so I could take a picture in front of the infamous pyramid!
(Louvre)
(Inside the Louvre)
Well... it must have been my lucky day because there were no lines! Yep, not a single one. I literally walked right in, went down the escalator and purchased my ticket at a ticket kiosk by the Sully Wing--we later found out that if we had shown our student visa, we would have been able to get our tickets for free.
Because we had not accounted to spend any time here, we decided that if we had to pick just one painting to see in the short amount of time we had, it had to be the Monna Lisa...and boy was Monna looking extra lovely that day!
(Thanks to Matt, I was able to get a picture without a thousand heads in the way!)
Now, I know what everyone is thinking..how can you go to Paris and not do the entire Louvre Museum. I thought the same thing too BUT, then I think about all the other things I was able to see in Paris.. AND I still had time to see the Monna Lisa, pretty impressive right?
Again, an excuse to go back to Paris!
Our last stop of the day was Notre Dame. Kelly and I managed to take this picture before we both wobbled and practically fell on the ground. It's hard to balance two people on a small narrow pole!
(Notre Dame)
(The Seine)
Other highlights from Paris:
- Eating my first and real Chocolate Eclair
- Enjoying a long casual dinner with Kelly, while the cafe blared "The Best of Whitney Houston"
- Taking a Taxi .3 miles to the bus station (Our "Duomo" remember) because Kelly and I got lost going to the ATM and having the taxi driver laugh in our face
- Eating my first french macaroon--don't worry Mom, Paris has tough competition, they don't even have mint ones here...
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Today, we had a half day in Paris before embarking on our last stop, Barcelona, Spain! That morning, we decided to take the optional trip to Versailles for the remainder of our time in Paris. Unfortunately, as you will find out later, my camera suffered some slight trauma and my pictures from Versailles were lost.
Looks like you and me will both be making a trip back to Versailles...
Later that afternoon, we packed our bags and loaded the bus and began the last leg of our trip. We traveled through the evening once again, which always makes the trips go by so much faster. We awoke the next morning around 9 A.M. to the bright sun of Barcelona!
Friday, March 23, 2012
After dropping off our bags at the hostel, we began our walking tour of Barcelona, which is where the story of my camera fiasco begins. We began our tour at the famous outdoor market on La Rambla called La Boqueria Market. The market had everything from fresh Sangria to fresh fruit. They even had assorted nuts and every candy imaginable. As I was walking around the different stations, camera in hand--and on my wrist I might add, I was doing everything right--I leaned over to see if it was fruit juice or a fruit smoothie and then it happened. Before I even had time to think about what had just happened, I was fishing my camera out of a giant bucket of water, which was conveniently located underneath the stand (And, it was fruit juice by the way, not a smoothie). As tears began to well up in my eyes, as I thought about all the pictures that I thought I would never see again, my friend Aimee ripped the camera out of my hand, immediately took out the memory card and battery and began to stick her scarf in the battery slot to dry it. She placed my memory card in her camera and assured me that my pictures were all still there except the most recent Versailles ones--Phew! What a relief. I can breath again! Thank goodness for friends like Aimee!
Our tour continued to some of the main hot spots in Barcelona, where you could leave at any point in the tour. Kelly and I decided to leave a little bit earlier so we could have time to shop but promised each other we would go to La Segrada Familia the following day, since we had skipped that part of the tour.
Here are a few pictures I took along the way:
(Hello Barca!)
(Barcaelona)
(Olympic Village)
(Me and Kelly at the Olympic Stadium)
Saturday, March 24, 2012
(Le Segrada Familia)
(Kelly and I found this cute little park across the street, where we were able to get a better view)
(Barca Beach--Barceloneta)
(Palms--ahh take me back!)
Later that night...
(Boy Scout shot at Chupitos)
(Me and Kelly at Catwalk, a club in Barca)
Other highlights from Barcelona:
- Turning a 20 minute walk home from the beach into 2 hours..I've never been so happy to see the statue of Christopher Columbus in my entire life!
- Enjoying a churro dipped in chocolate :)
- Having Sangria for the first time--and what a place to try it, right?
- Watching my friend Matt get sucked into buying a 5 Euro massage on the beach, with a picture to prove it:
(Makes me laugh every time...)
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The following morning, we began our 13 hour bus ride home to Florence. While, I slept on and off for majority of the trip, I was awake as we drove past the French Riviera. I'm not sure if any trip will ever be able to top this one. This past summer, I spent my days interning at a Advertising Agency in Charlotte and saved up almost every single one of my paychecks to have some extra spending money for my trip abroad. I can honestly say, I paid for this entire spring break trip on my own, which made the trip even better!
Well...the souvenirs might have been funded by a man named Mr. Trusty but...aside from that....
Of course, thank-yous are in order, as always. I would not have been able to go on this lovely spring break trip if it weren't for my loving parent's, who so generously allowed me to study abroad in Florence! I am so blessed to be here and thank God every day that I am fortunate enough to spend a semester in such an amazing city!
So here's to you, M&D, Thanks a mill!!
XOXO,
Meggie
To see more pictures, you can look at my Facebook album, "Amnesia."
PS: If you think my entire spring break trip revolved around eating...you're right :)
