Paris the city of love!!! I was finally able to go. It was AMAZING! I decided to take many risk while in Paris. The first day that we got to Paris we went to dinner and I had Fried DUCK!! Who would of thought I would have duck. It was good, but it was not for me. After having dinner we headed to river that runs through Paris for a River Cruise at Night. It was an amazing view. I got to see a lot of the things in Paris along that River. It was also interesting to see all the French people sitting around the river drinking and having fun. Drinking in public would had not been okay in America BUT in Europe it is perfectly fine. After our river cruise we headed to the Eiffel Tower. I had been able to see it from far, but not close. Once I got there it was an amazing view. We took pictures and mingled around it for a while then headed to a buiding near by to take a really good picture. After that we realized that we needed to head back to out hostel because the trains stop running and out hostel was not near the center of Paris.
On the next morning we woke up pretty early to get breakfast and head out to explore. The breakfast that the hostel provided was Cereal and a bread. Super fancy for Paris LOL. Our first stop was the Eiffel Tower. This time we were able to go up. We figured out that the cheapest way up is climbing the stairs so what did I do??? Climb the stairs!! I thought I was gonna die after climbing so many stairs, but I made it up and I do not regret it. It was an amazing view of the city. I can picture it as I speak. After our amazing experience in the Eiffel Tower we headed down to the Louvre museum. I was able to see the MONA LISA! I seriously expected something different. Before I used to think it was this huge painting, but after hearing that it was small through out the years I began to think it was this tiny image, but in reality it is a decent size. The museum was huge and amazing. Took pics with the pyramid. I learned why there is a pyramid outside of it.
Later, we decided that it was time to eat so we went to have a KEBAB! It was the first time that I had one and it was really good. After we crossed the bridge and went to NOTRE DAME! The oldest cathedral in the world. It was amazing. I really liked it that I returned the next day again. All the detail was amazing!! Especially on the stain glass windows. After the Notre Dame Cathedral we decided to go to the Arc de Triomphe. We first went to the shopping center between the Louvre and the Arc. I went into the Louis Vuitton Store and my jaw dropped even before I went in. This store was HUGE!!! You have to make line to even get in. There was also an Abercombie & Fitch that I was like wow! There is gates you enter and you pass a small gardern just to get to the store. First of all the store is located on a shopping street so for them to have it set up like this was amazing. After being amazed by all the shops which don't even include the car dealers. They had car dealers in the same street as all the other stores. It was not like any american car dealer. It was really cool. After we went to go have some Macarons at Laduree. They were really good. Best place to have them in Paris. Then we finally made it to the Arc de Triomphe, it was HUGE. As we walked through Paris we were able to see many different things that are not so known but are really nice. Not only did we walk but we also took the Metro and let me just say this. I though the metros in the US were bad. These were gross. At one point I just could not be in there due to this nasty smell of rotten milk. We decided that it would be best if we all tried Escargot which if you do not know what it is then you will now. It is snails that are cooked. Well I had some. They were actually really good. After our experience with the snails we decided to get some wine and head out to the river and chill for the night. It was really nice. After we headed to the hostel and awaited for our last day in Paris.
The next day we had to check out of our hostel by 10 am so we decided to pack up early and leave before 730 to be able to make it to mass in Notre Dame. We went to mass in French, we could not understand anything, but at times I was able to understand what they were doing because I am catholic and they do the same things. There was a girl singing and it was amazing. It was only her and it echoed through the entire cathedral. I am glad I went to mass after mass we went to Laduree to get more Macarons and then headed to a flee market. At this point I was feeling really sick. I did not know what was wrong. I was getting a lot of abdominal pain and I could not stand it. I really had not ate that day because I was not feeling well. After our last adventures in Paris we went to the Train station to wait for our group to get on the Eurostar. We all got into the Eurostar and the train was headed to London when suddenly it STOPS! in the middle of France. We were all confused. The announcers said that the train was experiencing technical difficulties. We were there for a long time. Then the train suddenly began moving but the WRONG way. We were heading back to Paris. We had to go back to Paris and board a different train that actually worked. We got a compensation for the major delay that we experienced. Once arriving to London we had to drive all the way back to Sussex. The funny thing was that we went on a DOUBLE DECKER bus!! It was cool because it was only us. I guess the company could not get a coach bus for us so they just sent that.
When I arrived back at school I had to walk across campus to my flat. It was freezing cold. I was shaking. In Paris it was HOT in Sussex it was COLD really bad combination. When i got to my flat I could not stop shaking. I had to sleep with double shirt, swearter, sweats, and double socks. I had a huge headache and really bad abdominal pain and I was not feeling well at all. The next morning I could not even get up from my bed and had to due to the bad abdominal pain. I decided to go to the doctor the next day and I had Food poisoning. It is about to be a week and i have only had 3 decent meals since I got sick. Almost all the meals have made me feel sick but i am surviving day by day.
SORRY FOR NOT PUTTING PICTURES ON HERE! Interner on my laptop is not working. Therefore, I cannot put any because I am on a campus computer.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The traveling continues!!!!
The places I've been the people I have met have all been part of this new found love for traveling and discovery. The discovery of who I am and what I want to do has been difficult. All my life I have been faced with the question who am I? I can say that being away abroad in a different country has allowed me to learn a bit more about myself. The stuff I like, the people I like to surround myself with. It has been a great experience. These last couple of weeks I have been to a few places.
I went out to the Marina in Brighton to have dinner and went Bowling with some friends. It was really fun. We ate at an Italian Restaurant. The food was okay, not the best Italian food I have had.
I went into London on Saturday, August 6 to get a tour of Buckingham Palace and The House of Parliament. Our first stop was Buckingham Palace. We were not able to take picture inside the palace, but it was gorgeous inside. They had Kates Wedding dress on display and they even showed how they made it and I was amazed at how much detail it had and how much time it took to do it. Her shoes even had lace that was put by hand. Her cake was so detailed as well. I stood in the same place they were at when they took their wedding pictures inside the palace.
Our next stop was the House of Parliament. It was very interesting to learn how they govern and what the queen can be involved in. It was really nice in there. I wish I would had taken picture of both places so you guys could see. The queen had a special room just for her to get ready and she even had a private restroom that was hidden behind a bookcase it was cool. There were a lot of cool things that we got to see. I loved this trip. I ate at a park and got attacked by a bee. It was funny! We were running away from it and I think some guys thought I was crazy.
The next day I went to Oxford, Windsor and Eton. Oxford was amazing the school is really pretty I really liked it. I was able to go into the church where they filmed parts of Harry Potter it was really cool being there. It was the highlight of my trip. At Windsor the castle where the queen comes for her weekend vacations is there. She was not there that weekend. You can tell by the flag that is on the castle. We ate there and walked around. It was a fun trip. Realized how small the world is. Met a girl who knows my cousin. She is in the same program as me.
I decided to go watch Billy Elliot in London. Due to it being in London and the Riots going on the staff needed to make sure that we were all safe. We all had to eat at London Victoria Station instead of all over the city due to the danger. We were given instructions if anything were to happen what we had to do. It was very depressing passing by all the stores that were looted. Nothing happen! We watched the show and I loved it! It was an amazing story and I loved everything about the show.
I began to get sick the morning of August 13, which sucked because it was the day that I was going to go to Brussels. I did not sleep anything. I tried sleeping the night before and when it hit 3:45 am and I had to be at the meeting spot I had gotten no sleep. I tried sleeping on the way there but I just could not. It was horrible. The weather in Brussels was Bipolar. It was sunny then it rained , then sunny again then rain again. I ended up getting fever throughout the whole day. Not fun at all. Even though I felt horrible I tried my best to have fun, which I did and I was able to have some Belgium Waffles, some Frites, and buy a bunch of chocolate.
After a long day at Brussels we headed back to England. I was exhausted, but still could not sleep. I had to be up and out of my flat by 7:45 am the next day because I was going to Cambridge. I think I got about 1 hour of sleep that night not enough after not sleeping an entire day. I went to Cambridge and what can I say I loved it! I wish I was a student there. It is really beautiful and students basically live in mansions and they get housing all three years that they are doing their undergrad. Cambridge has a lot of history. A lot of famous people went there. We went punting it was really cool and fun. We also went to this restaurant that was weird they had like everything Indian, English, Italian, etc. Food was not that good all I likes was the hummus and pita bread. But overall I loved Cambridge! a very beautiful and amazing school.
Tomorrow I will be heading to London and this weekend I will be doing my last trip to Paris before I head home the following weekend! Excited and sad to be going home.
I went out to the Marina in Brighton to have dinner and went Bowling with some friends. It was really fun. We ate at an Italian Restaurant. The food was okay, not the best Italian food I have had.
I went into London on Saturday, August 6 to get a tour of Buckingham Palace and The House of Parliament. Our first stop was Buckingham Palace. We were not able to take picture inside the palace, but it was gorgeous inside. They had Kates Wedding dress on display and they even showed how they made it and I was amazed at how much detail it had and how much time it took to do it. Her shoes even had lace that was put by hand. Her cake was so detailed as well. I stood in the same place they were at when they took their wedding pictures inside the palace.
Our next stop was the House of Parliament. It was very interesting to learn how they govern and what the queen can be involved in. It was really nice in there. I wish I would had taken picture of both places so you guys could see. The queen had a special room just for her to get ready and she even had a private restroom that was hidden behind a bookcase it was cool. There were a lot of cool things that we got to see. I loved this trip. I ate at a park and got attacked by a bee. It was funny! We were running away from it and I think some guys thought I was crazy.
The next day I went to Oxford, Windsor and Eton. Oxford was amazing the school is really pretty I really liked it. I was able to go into the church where they filmed parts of Harry Potter it was really cool being there. It was the highlight of my trip. At Windsor the castle where the queen comes for her weekend vacations is there. She was not there that weekend. You can tell by the flag that is on the castle. We ate there and walked around. It was a fun trip. Realized how small the world is. Met a girl who knows my cousin. She is in the same program as me.
I decided to go watch Billy Elliot in London. Due to it being in London and the Riots going on the staff needed to make sure that we were all safe. We all had to eat at London Victoria Station instead of all over the city due to the danger. We were given instructions if anything were to happen what we had to do. It was very depressing passing by all the stores that were looted. Nothing happen! We watched the show and I loved it! It was an amazing story and I loved everything about the show.
I began to get sick the morning of August 13, which sucked because it was the day that I was going to go to Brussels. I did not sleep anything. I tried sleeping the night before and when it hit 3:45 am and I had to be at the meeting spot I had gotten no sleep. I tried sleeping on the way there but I just could not. It was horrible. The weather in Brussels was Bipolar. It was sunny then it rained , then sunny again then rain again. I ended up getting fever throughout the whole day. Not fun at all. Even though I felt horrible I tried my best to have fun, which I did and I was able to have some Belgium Waffles, some Frites, and buy a bunch of chocolate.
After a long day at Brussels we headed back to England. I was exhausted, but still could not sleep. I had to be up and out of my flat by 7:45 am the next day because I was going to Cambridge. I think I got about 1 hour of sleep that night not enough after not sleeping an entire day. I went to Cambridge and what can I say I loved it! I wish I was a student there. It is really beautiful and students basically live in mansions and they get housing all three years that they are doing their undergrad. Cambridge has a lot of history. A lot of famous people went there. We went punting it was really cool and fun. We also went to this restaurant that was weird they had like everything Indian, English, Italian, etc. Food was not that good all I likes was the hummus and pita bread. But overall I loved Cambridge! a very beautiful and amazing school.
Riots in London just part of the adventure. Italy for a weekend.
RIOTS!!! Yes, there is some riots going on in London. Thank god I am about an hour and a half away from it. Even though it ruined some of my traveling plans I will still enjoy myself. As you know I recently had a trip to Italy. Well how can I begin this. I decided to take a trip to Italy because that has been one of the places that I have been wanting to go since I was a kid. I had an opportunity to go this summer and the best part was that I was able to experience it with the most amazing friends. I spent five days in Italy. I left England on July 28 and landed only 2 hours later in Pisa, Italy. When arriving to the airport it was a culture shock because I knew no Italian and everyone around me was speaking it. Thank god the guy at the ticket booth understood English.
Even though the girls gave me clear instructions I failed on following them lol. I forgot to ask the man what platform I was in. I met some people waiting for the train as well to head to Florence and they knew what they were doing so I just followed them. I got to Florence and I was nervous but excited at the same time to see the girls. I remember spotting a purple and pink jacket and I immediately knew it was Marta. I had made it to Florence without getting lost. The girls gave me a small tour of Florence as we walked to their apartment.
Andrea and Eli came to visit me at Martas yey! They stayed all week there just for me :) The instant they got into the door what does Andrea tell me "Get ready we are going out" lol... We went out and she bought me the most gross drink that I have ever had in my life. Thanks Andrea for the drink and for making me drink it too fast. lol We were at the place for not a long time due to the fact that we all just wanted time to talk. We talked all night which was cool. On Saturday Andrea, Eli, and Virginia had class in the morning so Marta took me around Florence. I had my own personal tour guides. I had some Gelato with Marta. It was the first time having it and I loved it. I think I had Gelato a few times that weekend :) After the girls got out Marta went to class and I went with the girls to get more Gelato. Andrea and Eli left to get ready for the dinner we were going to have that night and to go out. I stayed with Virginia, Jackie, and Betsy and we got cake for Andreas birthday and went to go buy stuff to make food. I made Guacamole and these girls devoured it. I felt like I was home and I finally had a decent meal thanks to the girls. They cooked amazing food. I ate so much!!! I took advantage because I sure do not get this type of food in England.
We went out that night and I had an amazing time hanging out with all the girls. Had a nice talk with Andrea and totally loved spending time with my LS Marta. Of course there had to be one thing that ruined the night. GUYS in Italy are like dogs not all but some are. Totally would not leave us alone, but overall I had a great night. The next morning we decided to go to the beach. Going to the beach that we wanted to go FAILED we took the wrong train, but ended up near a beach that was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! It was the first time experiencing such a beautiful sight. The ocean was BLUE! CLEAR! I could see myself in it. It was amazing we stayed there for most of the day and the headed back to Florence after. The dome was still open and Andrea came with me to go inside it. After we went back to the apartment and showered and got ready. Andrea took me out to have an Italian dinner. It was really good. 3 types of pasta, Pizza and Wine! It was really good.
The next day was ROME!!!!!! It was a really nice city not what I expected but I loved it. I went inside the Vatican, it was beautiful inside. I called my mom to tell her and she was glad that I went. At first she did not believe that I had actually went. Rome was an interesting experience. We did not spend a lot of time there but it was worth the trip.
Unfortunately, I got 33 mosquito bites and got an allergic reaction that made my foot swell up and the bites look very disturbing. I went to the doctor when I got back was not a very good week. Spent most of the time sleeping due to the medicine. It sucked!!! One night I just started crying and I did not know why. The medicine gave me a bunch of side effects, but I am all normal now.
Even though the girls gave me clear instructions I failed on following them lol. I forgot to ask the man what platform I was in. I met some people waiting for the train as well to head to Florence and they knew what they were doing so I just followed them. I got to Florence and I was nervous but excited at the same time to see the girls. I remember spotting a purple and pink jacket and I immediately knew it was Marta. I had made it to Florence without getting lost. The girls gave me a small tour of Florence as we walked to their apartment.
Andrea and Eli came to visit me at Martas yey! They stayed all week there just for me :) The instant they got into the door what does Andrea tell me "Get ready we are going out" lol... We went out and she bought me the most gross drink that I have ever had in my life. Thanks Andrea for the drink and for making me drink it too fast. lol We were at the place for not a long time due to the fact that we all just wanted time to talk. We talked all night which was cool. On Saturday Andrea, Eli, and Virginia had class in the morning so Marta took me around Florence. I had my own personal tour guides. I had some Gelato with Marta. It was the first time having it and I loved it. I think I had Gelato a few times that weekend :) After the girls got out Marta went to class and I went with the girls to get more Gelato. Andrea and Eli left to get ready for the dinner we were going to have that night and to go out. I stayed with Virginia, Jackie, and Betsy and we got cake for Andreas birthday and went to go buy stuff to make food. I made Guacamole and these girls devoured it. I felt like I was home and I finally had a decent meal thanks to the girls. They cooked amazing food. I ate so much!!! I took advantage because I sure do not get this type of food in England.
We went out that night and I had an amazing time hanging out with all the girls. Had a nice talk with Andrea and totally loved spending time with my LS Marta. Of course there had to be one thing that ruined the night. GUYS in Italy are like dogs not all but some are. Totally would not leave us alone, but overall I had a great night. The next morning we decided to go to the beach. Going to the beach that we wanted to go FAILED we took the wrong train, but ended up near a beach that was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! It was the first time experiencing such a beautiful sight. The ocean was BLUE! CLEAR! I could see myself in it. It was amazing we stayed there for most of the day and the headed back to Florence after. The dome was still open and Andrea came with me to go inside it. After we went back to the apartment and showered and got ready. Andrea took me out to have an Italian dinner. It was really good. 3 types of pasta, Pizza and Wine! It was really good.
The next day was ROME!!!!!! It was a really nice city not what I expected but I loved it. I went inside the Vatican, it was beautiful inside. I called my mom to tell her and she was glad that I went. At first she did not believe that I had actually went. Rome was an interesting experience. We did not spend a lot of time there but it was worth the trip.
Unfortunately, I got 33 mosquito bites and got an allergic reaction that made my foot swell up and the bites look very disturbing. I went to the doctor when I got back was not a very good week. Spent most of the time sleeping due to the medicine. It sucked!!! One night I just started crying and I did not know why. The medicine gave me a bunch of side effects, but I am all normal now.
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