After spending two days-ish in Budapet -- walking tour, Hungarian food, beautiful sights, Christmas markets, and freezing temperatures, we took a bus to Prague.
Along the way, we stopped in Slovakia and experienced a nice snow!
Ironically, we all really wanted a white Christmas but the only place it didn't snow was Prague. Lolz.
Oh wells! Prague is absolutely one of my cities ever..... Ridiculously gorgeous, amazing architecture and sights, delicious food, tasty beers... the possibilities seem endless here.
Christmas was lovely! Not only are Christmas markets big here but with my sister having joined me on my travels, we woke up early on Christmas day and enjoyed an amazing breakfast, following our family tradition.
Also, we stayed at Madhouse Prague which i highly highly recommend. Such friendly and amazing staff.
Can't spend too much time blogging... Next up, Zurich then London!
Happy holidays and Merry Christmas everyone!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Pre-Paris Traveling and Update!
Even though my study abroad program in Paris ended on the 15th, I will continue to use this blog until I return back to the States.
T-minus 20 days until I return home! I just returned from an amazing, unrealistic 5 day vacation in Marrakech, Morroco. In just a few hours, I'll be back on a plane to Budapest for 3 days! Then Prague, Zurich, and London.
Traveling is ever so wonderful but also stressful. An endless stream of travel money would be ideal.
And a life with no complications would be even more ideal.
My song for the time being:
***
Marrakech in summary: Amazing hostel with amazing staff and free shisha, camel riding across the Sahara (a lot more painful than I thought), food for dayyyyyyys (so much couscous and chicken tangine), souvenirs and earrings and new boots! (My rainboots have lasted me quite an adventure, but our time together has come to an end).
It's almost Christmas! Happy holidays!
T-minus 20 days until I return home! I just returned from an amazing, unrealistic 5 day vacation in Marrakech, Morroco. In just a few hours, I'll be back on a plane to Budapest for 3 days! Then Prague, Zurich, and London.
Traveling is ever so wonderful but also stressful. An endless stream of travel money would be ideal.
And a life with no complications would be even more ideal.
My song for the time being:
***
Marrakech in summary: Amazing hostel with amazing staff and free shisha, camel riding across the Sahara (a lot more painful than I thought), food for dayyyyyyys (so much couscous and chicken tangine), souvenirs and earrings and new boots! (My rainboots have lasted me quite an adventure, but our time together has come to an end).
It's almost Christmas! Happy holidays!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Last week of UC Paris
In all honesty, I'm not sure what happened these past few months. Where did they all go? How did time fly so fast?
I still have many things I wish I had done but there's no point in dwelling in regrets. I still have a few days to go and a few more adventures left in Paris: souvenir shopping, the Hobbit premier, the Pantheon, perhaps the Catacombs?
This week is the last week of the fall UC Paris program and it is hectic as any other finals week chalk full of last-minute studying, study groups, in-class exams, essays, but also, with a side of fun.
Even if I am stressed out as ever, I need to check myself because HELLO, I'M IN PARIS!
During finals week, there is nothing as re-assuring to me as reading the following love letter:
I still have many things I wish I had done but there's no point in dwelling in regrets. I still have a few days to go and a few more adventures left in Paris: souvenir shopping, the Hobbit premier, the Pantheon, perhaps the Catacombs?
This week is the last week of the fall UC Paris program and it is hectic as any other finals week chalk full of last-minute studying, study groups, in-class exams, essays, but also, with a side of fun.
Even if I am stressed out as ever, I need to check myself because HELLO, I'M IN PARIS!
During finals week, there is nothing as re-assuring to me as reading the following love letter:
Breathe in, breathe out.Remember: It is a book. It is a test. It is a paper. That’s it. That’s all.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Returned home from my last adventure!
This past weekend, I ventured first to Brussels, Belgium for a class trip -- we had a neat tour of the European Commission and the European Council... pretty neat and very informative.
The city itself was pure loveliness -- it was rather pricey for the housing, but it was the cheapest available (22 euros/night -- I highly recommend Grand Palace Hostel). We were able to catch the Christmas markets which were full of goodies and the beautiful Christmas light show. (Pics and video to be uploaded later).
I also had quite a bit of Belgium beer, chocolates, and fries... and 1 waffle. Unfortunately, my appetite was not too great this weekend so I missed out on some eating opportunities, but overall, the trip was a pure delight!
We saw Manneken Pi, the famous peeing cherub fountain/ statue... much much smaller than I thought it would be... The city itself was rather small so Amy and I were able to travel quite well by just walking. We met a much older couple who were adamant on walking from where we were at our second hostel to the city centre (roughly 20 minutes?)
We wanted to take advantage of the weekend to travel elsewhere so we then hopped onto the train to Luxembourg on Saturday afternoon. We were lucky enough to be hosted (I recommend checking out couchsurfing.org if you haven't heard of it before). Our host, Marthe, was just beyond amazing. Not only did she give us a lovely tour of the city, she also pointed out all the best spots to visit.
Again, we explored the Christmas markets but boy was I not prepared for the weather. Even though it was lovely, Saturday night was by far one of the coldest nights of my life (zero degrees celsius maybe?) In any case, I was so cold I thought my ears would fall off.
Sunday morning, we visited the Bazar which happens once a year in Luxembourg. It was delightful! There were several stands, each one representing a different country and their famous foods and snacks. It was clearly the place to be.
I also experienced my first snow this year in Luxembourg! It was amazinggggggg.
Perhaps I will elaborate further tomorrow and post pictures. For now, I have much sleep to catch and homework to complete.
&&&
My program ends on December 15th.... Two weeks. That's just pure insanity.
The city itself was pure loveliness -- it was rather pricey for the housing, but it was the cheapest available (22 euros/night -- I highly recommend Grand Palace Hostel). We were able to catch the Christmas markets which were full of goodies and the beautiful Christmas light show. (Pics and video to be uploaded later).
I also had quite a bit of Belgium beer, chocolates, and fries... and 1 waffle. Unfortunately, my appetite was not too great this weekend so I missed out on some eating opportunities, but overall, the trip was a pure delight!
We saw Manneken Pi, the famous peeing cherub fountain/ statue... much much smaller than I thought it would be... The city itself was rather small so Amy and I were able to travel quite well by just walking. We met a much older couple who were adamant on walking from where we were at our second hostel to the city centre (roughly 20 minutes?)
We wanted to take advantage of the weekend to travel elsewhere so we then hopped onto the train to Luxembourg on Saturday afternoon. We were lucky enough to be hosted (I recommend checking out couchsurfing.org if you haven't heard of it before). Our host, Marthe, was just beyond amazing. Not only did she give us a lovely tour of the city, she also pointed out all the best spots to visit.
Again, we explored the Christmas markets but boy was I not prepared for the weather. Even though it was lovely, Saturday night was by far one of the coldest nights of my life (zero degrees celsius maybe?) In any case, I was so cold I thought my ears would fall off.
Sunday morning, we visited the Bazar which happens once a year in Luxembourg. It was delightful! There were several stands, each one representing a different country and their famous foods and snacks. It was clearly the place to be.
I also experienced my first snow this year in Luxembourg! It was amazinggggggg.
Perhaps I will elaborate further tomorrow and post pictures. For now, I have much sleep to catch and homework to complete.
&&&
My program ends on December 15th.... Two weeks. That's just pure insanity.
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