European Adventures

Ok wow so much to tell you! For the last 10 days I have been traveling around Europe making stops in London, Rome and Munich. I will try my best to summerize all the events as best I can without boring you but we did cover a lot in 10 days so hopefully this doesnt drag on too long!


London

The trip started with me flying to London to meet up with my sister and her friend Evan. Evan lives in London as a chef so me and Carly bunked up in his rather small apartment for two nights before giving him a little more space and staying at a hostel the third night. The first full day I was there we took the tube to Westminster Abbey. In Westminster Abbey there is a lot of famous dead people (including Newton, which was a MUST see according to Carly) and other cool things like the anogoration chair and a small war memorial. At first I didnt really want to go because I didnt know what it was but after getting inside and looking around I was very happy Carly and Evan took me along! After Westminster Abbey we took a look at Big Ben, the London Eye and Parlament before heading back to Evans apartment where he cooked us a delicouse meal (remeber he is a chef! so me and carly were very lucky!)

The next day in London was spent at Tower hill. This is a large fortress that had been turned into a muesum. Although all the rooms and towers were cool the best part was seeing the Crown jewels of the Royal family which they house at this location. Unfortunitaly you are not allowed to take pictures of the royal crowns but after seeing their splender they are not something you will forget quickly. All the real diamonds, jems and gold were overwhelming and although a tad over the top were still gorgeous.

After leaving Evan to some peice an quiet (Carly and I hadnt seen each other for 5 months so we were pretty much talking none stop) we checked in at our hostel and after sleeping there one night went out to the British Mesuem in the morning. Here we got to look at more jewels and jems of royalty past and after I bored Carly a tad by reading 90% of the information cards provided in the Mueseum we moved along to the Camden Markets. The Camden Market is a group of outdoor shop stands with clothes and jewlery beside the Camden boat locks. Even though it was a little rainy, it did stop us for looking through all the shops and stands and even buying a few items oursleves!

As our time in London came to an end we choose to spend our last night in a hotel close to the airport as we had a very early flight the next day.

Rome:

We arrived in Rome midafternoon and had the unfortuate surprise of having our luggage lost. Not wanting to waste the day we headed to our hostel and droped off what little we didnt want to carry and went to visit the Colosseum (in hopes our luggage would be found later that day).

The Colosseum went above and beyond any expectaion. No mater how many pictures you see, it is nothing compaired to standing inside the giant stadium or even just seeing it as you walk by a few days later. It is so inspiring and intimidating all at the same time. Its hard to put into words but Im sure Carly can atest to the awe inspiring view the Colosseum will give you.
The first night in Rome was new years and all there really is to say about the over anticipated night was that we got lost for a very long time (not because we were drunk but because I am terrible with a map) and had the lovely time of getting hit on by drunk italian men!

For the next four days we visited numerous Piazzas and churches,the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the spanish steps and so much more. Special mention go to the AMAZING gelato outside the vatican muesum with scoops larger than life, and the outdoor flee market, that although we were advised not to go because "thats not a nice place" was one of the coolest parts of the trip. At the flea market we only heard english once in 3 hours proving we had escaped from a touristy place and, after getting a few bargain deals, also proved we had hit a real jem of a place to visit.

Rome was definitaly amazing and it was so great to be able to spend this time with my sister. But I will be honest after 8 days I was ready to get back to Germany and be in a place where I can speak the language (kinda) and know my way around.

p.s Our bags came on the third day, so we got to have some fresh clothes and we didnt have to worry any more which was nice!

Munich:
We arrived in Munich around 6 and quickly dropped off our bags (which thankfully were not lost again) at the hostel before rushing to meet up with a Beer and Food tour of Munich. On the tour we learned all about Munichs beers and Bavarian food and ofcourse got to try them all. On the tour we met another pair of siblings and a newly married couple who we enjoyed a few more beers with after the tour, chatting and swaping travel stories. We ended up in bed around 1 and enjoyed a long sleep in the next morning after a busy day of traveling, eating and drinking we needed it!

Dorndorf:
The next morning everything was closed because of a holiday that we don't have back in Canada, so our plans of wondering the streets of Munich came to a quick halt. Instead we headed back to the farm early so I could show Carly a grand tour of where I live while it was still light outside. Once at the farm we did some laundry, checked our email and lazed about. My host family had been away on vacation so they only came later that night and after a short dinner and chat me and carly headed upstairs to laugh over 30 rock before going to bed.
On the last part of my trip, and Carly's second last day, I drove Carly to the train station where she would head to Munich all by herself and explore downtown with the shops all open. I would have loved to have joined her but I needed to head back to work so we sadly parted ways and my trip came to an end.

Alright that was my trip I hope I summerized it well enough with out boring you about small details. A quick update on my life to come: I am moving placements on Feb 4 and will be working in a kitchen cutting fruit and vegitables and washing dishes. As this will be a bit of a transition I dont have any traveling planned for the near future but I will try and keep you updated on my life regarless.

today: oddly homesick, new plaid shirt, appel cake

p.s I know my spelling is horrible but the spell check on blogspot is not working.