Merci Paris!

Time sure flies! I can not believe that it has taken me this long to complete this blog. I know my mom has heard from some of you and how antsy you all have been to hear the conclusion of our adventure. Well if you hung in there, I thank you very much. If not, as I'm sure are the majority, I understand that odds are you already talked to my mom and heard the conclusion. But here is my version!

First order of business was to settle into our Parisian apartment! That's right we had a two bedroom very spacious and roomy apartment in Paris (and I'm not being sarcastic about how big it was). Our first night in Paris Cari and her husband Benoit brought over Pizza Hut pizza, which was surprisingly yummy!


The next day I was awoken by an early (I think it was around 9:30am) phone call. It was Cari, and she wanted her mom. But Cari, I said, your mom is asleep. Wake her up, was Cari's reply, I cut myself in cooking school and am headed to the hospital. So wake her up is exactly what I did!


After Cari recieved a few stitches in her thumb we all met up at Notre Dame Cathedral. It was absolutely stunning. Even the detail on the outside of the church was so neat. The inside was, of course, beautiful as well. Then we had our first Parisian meal in a little cafe on the street. I got an omelet, that was absolutely delicious. So far the eating in this country was a lot easier than the last couple.


Then we took the metro to Montmartre. This is a hill that on the very top has this incredible church called Sacré-Coeur Basilica, or Sacred Heart church. We could see the church off in the distance from our apartment, and it looked incredibly fake. Up close, it still looked incredibly fake. However, this turned out to be one of my favorite places that we visited, because it is where they filmed the majority of the movie Amelie. I had suspected this while we were there, but did not want to say it out loud and seem like the obnoxious American who was relating a historical site to the only French movie she had seen. Still I was very excited when Benoit confirmed this a few nights later at dinner.

This hill is also where all the artists are set up. So after touring the church we walked to where all the artists where set up and scoped out the perfect piece to take home with us. Mom and I landed on an adorable older Frech artist, whose name was, you guessed it, Pierre. Pierre had a great little studio about five minutes away from the main area, and we had to go to it so we could pay with our credit cards. As he led me and my mom there, he would turn around every minute or so and tell us, only four more minutes, only three more, only two more, until we were there. It was so much fun.

Lastly, we walked down the other side of the hill and got to see the Moulin Rouge. We took some silly pictures in front of it and then headed back to the apartment. We were lucky enough to have a full kitchen so our resident chef (Cari), and her new sous chef (me), could prepare a delicious meal. And when I say sous chef I mean I stood around, in her way, in the kitchen and watched her work!


The next day was our big adventure day. We took the metro once the entire day, and then walked the rest. We saw the Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triumph (where we saw some of the most insane driving), we walked the Champs Elysee, toured the hospital de invalides (or something like that), where Napolean is buried, walked along the Seine River to the Louvre, and then toured some of the famous, and not famous art there. After twenty-five thousand steps (mom brought her pedometer) we sank into bed that night and slept great!






















The following day we took it easy and slept in. Mom and I went to the Rodin Museum, while Emily and dad stayed at the apartment because Emily wasn't feeling well. After the Rodin Museum we swung back at the aprtment, picked up Emily and Dad and met up with Cari and JoAnn at Anglina's Tea Room where we had afternoon tea. Then we did some souvenir shopping and went back to the apartment, where once again Cari prepared us a delicious meal.

The following day was very laid back. We slept in, and then picked up baguette sandwhiches and had lunch in the beautiful gardens by our apartment. It was truly a Parisian day. Or at least a tourist in Paris day!

Then came the traveling home day. It started with our cab picking us up very early in the morning. We flew from Paris to London, London to Chicago, and Chicago to home. We had some of the longest layovers, and actually were delayed a few hours in Chicago. Basically, if I put it in terms of the time at home we were traveling from 4:30 Friday afternoon, and arrived home at midnight Saturday night (or Sunday morning depening on how you look at it). But it didn't matter because we were finally home.

And guess what? That's the end, there isn't anymore.

Hello Berlin!

We landed in Berlin and were greeted at the airport with heat! Good old fashion sun shining summer heat! I was so excited. After having the season be fall all summer long, the sun felt good!

We then took a cab to our hotel (excellent choice), and settled in. The rooms were actually really nice, and it was just Emily and I sharing one, and we had a lot of fun in there!

Then we headed down to the hotel bar (where we actually spent a decent amount of time), and Dad and Ron had already made friends with the bartender, who was giving them directions on the map for good places to eat.

As we headed out of the hotel this crazy girl yelled after us "Hey! Were you going to leave without me?" We turned around and saw it was Cari! She surprised us Mellos and joined us in Germany. After dinner when we got back to the hotel, we learned that JoAnn had arrived also. We were all finally where we were supposed to be, and ready to roll.

The next day we went to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. It was one of the most amazing, interesting days I had up until that point. For those who don't know, I am really interested in reading and learning about the Holocaust so it was exciting for me (I know how wrong that sounds, but it's true) to get to see what I had been reading about for years. The camp was mainly for political prisoners, so it was not a death camp like Auschwitz, but it still had a gas chamber and a crematorium where they did mass executions. It was a really somber day to say the least.

The next morning we hit some more sites. We did the Jewish museum, and then Checkpoint Charlie. I found it so unbelievably how much the German people had to go through. First they get blamed for World War I and go into debt having to pay for it. Then World War II happens, and the Holocaust along with it. Then not long after the end of all that the Russians come in, and the Berlin wall goes up and families are separated literally overnight. It was so sad!

We then walked to a beautiful area called Gendarmenmarket. It was this cute square where there were two churches (facing eachother, and looking like mirror images) and the Opera. There were also a ton of little restaurants all over.

Then we walked over to Brandenburg Gate. It was neat looking.

Last but not least that day we saw the Holocaust memorial, and museum. (Thank you family for letting me see all that!) The memorial was so neat looking on the outside, and then was like a maze when you walked into it. It's hard to describe, but I have pictures!

The museum was small but amazing. They had one room where they would project a victims name on the wall, and then their story was told. They said it would take over six years to tell each persons story, even if it only took twenty seconds for each person. It was very moving.

The following day we tried to go into the parlaiment building but the line was over two hours long. So we said screw it and went souvenir shopping instead. We had had a lot of history in the past couple of days!

The next day we got on another plane, and when we landed...everyone spoke French!

What did I learn while "studying" abroad today? The German people rock. They are the nicest and friendliest to us foreigners. I can't wait to some day go back!

Bye London, I will miss you soooo much!

Sorry it has been such a long while since my last post. We went on traveling and I did not have access to the internet. Well...we did, it's just that I wasn't willing to pay thirty euros for an hour.

So on the advice of my mom I have decided to wrap up my summer adventure in three installments. "Goodbye London (the one you are reading right now)," "Hello Berlin," and "Merci Paris." The last two will pop up in the days to come.

So after crossing Abbey Road I took my parents to a pub and we all had fish and chips. All except Em, put she's not a fish eater. Anyway, I believe my dad had a good birthday!

The following day, the folks, and Auntie Karen hit Windsor Castle, while I hung out in my dorm room. Watched some Freeks and Geaks on surfthechannel.com. So Good!

Then they made the long treck from central London to my school. They got the grand tour (here's my room, there's the mansoin), and then we all went to my favorite Italian restaurant. How sad is this, our waitress (my third time in a row having her) remembered what I ordered and then gave me a hard time because once again I didn't finish my plate. I loved it...felt like home!

The following day we trained it out to Bath. We got to actually sit down and have tea at the Jane Austen Museum, and leisurely see all the sites. It was a great day.

That night Emily came out with my friends and I to the Zoo Bar. We shared a pitcher of Sex on the Beach and really bonded....it was another good night.

The next day was my last day. The family did the sites while I went with my friend Dorothy to take pictures of her crossing Abbey Road (since I am a seasoned veteran). We then stopped off at a Thornton's Chocolate and got ice cream. If ever in your life you get a chance, do it!

That night was the river cruise. Such a great last hoorah! We hopped on a little river boat and floated down the River Thames. We went under the tower bridge three times. It was magical!

Then we went back to school where they had the bar open and the DJ grooving. But no one danced. Everyone was sitting...sadly. It was such a sad night, filled with lots of tears. The summer camp on alcohol was comng to an end, and we were all going our separate ways. It was so sad.

The next morning (far too early) I met my family at their hotel, and then I took my last tube ride to the airport. So long tube, I will not miss you. Although I loved the tube, and how efficiently it got me everywhere I needed to go, after six weeks, I was ready to ride above the ground where you can breath.

We got to the airport, and then loaded on to the plane. And then like magic Ron Cymanski came sauntering down the aisle and sat down behind us. We were on our way to Berlin!

What did I learn while "studying" abroad today? I can't wait to see everyone from the program at our reunion in Vegas next year!

Oh the fun we will have!

What did I learn while "studying" abroad today? I had really missed home!

The day that home came to me!

Today was an exciting day. I got up and went to the airport. I went and looked around and didn't recognize anyone. I got a coffee from Starbucks, and when I went back I saw two smiling faces, and a few steps more I saw two more smiling faces. Finally, my mom, dad, sister, and Aunty Karen were here!
They drooled over my coffee so that was our first stop. We then navigated the tube station to their hotel, and were met by their two teeny tiny rooms. Fortunately, I don't think it will matter...those grumps are going to sleep good tonight! (I can only write that because they don't have access to a computer and can't read what I write about them. HA! HA! I feel drunk with power!)
We slowly mosied around Hyde park. Got a late lunch, early dinner on the water. Then walked to Buckingham Palace. My fourth time visiting, and I'm still in pictures.
Just a heads up, today was not the day that Prince William saw me and fell instantly in love. I still have four and a half days to make it happen, though, so, no sweat!
Then I sent them on their way back to the hotel and caught a movie. I saw The Edge of Love with Keira Knightly, Sienna Miller, and Cillian Murphy. It's not out in the states yet, so that's how I can get away with seeing it here and feel like i'm still doing something that I can't do at home!
Now I am off to bed. I'm meeting up with the folks after they tour St. Paul's Cathedral. I don't need time to try and cross the Millenium Bridge again!
Then we are going to take a Beatles walking tour, and visit Abbey Road. This was requested by dad, and what better day to do it than on his birthday?

What did I learn while "studying" abroad? Once again, flashing the windows of Buckingham Palace did not lure the prince out. I guess I'm just going to have to be more aggressive!

While on my travels...

Well, turns out I didn't have access to the internet while on my travels, so I guess this will just have to be a long blog in order to update everyone on what I have been up to.

Last Sunday, Sarah, Will, and I hopped on a train to Edinburgh (pronounced Edinborough), Scotland. And guess who got kicked off public transportation again?! You guessed right! I told Sarah and Will that they should have known better than to travel with me. We were chuggin' right along, when we hit a stop, about an hour into our five hour train ride and an announcement is made that the train is terminating there and we all had to get off. We quickly went across the platform to another train, and to oblige all of us immigrants, the train made a special trip to Edinburgh for us.

Once again the bathroom has a funny story associated with it. (Why can't I just have a bigger bladder?) So because two trains had merged there were not enough seats for everyone, and there were bodies everywhere! In between two cars, where my closest bathroom was, a group of young, hot, drunk Scottsman were camping out. I was unaware until it was too late and I was committed to using the restroom. They all made hooping and hollering noises when I came into the room and opened the electric door for me. Once I got in, they were all shouting how I need not worry because the walls were sound proof. Right. The funny/creepy/scary part was the way the batroom was set up, you had to press a button to lock the door. It took me a few minutes to find it (I did have an audience outside), but once I pressed it, a collective aaaaagh, was sighed outside, followed by an "it's a good thing you did that!" I was laughing nervously, could hardly pee, and held it the rest of the trip.

We made it to town, and the first day was a day in. We didn't have much time, so we just ordered room service for dinner, and crashed early. By the way, Will snores. Constantly. All...night...long.

The next day rocked. We went to the Castle, the Whiskey museum place, and walked the Royal Mile. That night we did a ghost walk around the town. It was scary, because they took us into the Vaults, which were old, creepy cave like structures. The tour ended at this really weird bar that we ended up having an awesome time at, because the musical entertainment rocked!

Did I mention that Will snores?

The next day we took a bus tour of Loch Lomond, the country side, and Sterling castle. Scotland is so pretty. It's just as magical in real life, because of all the magical mist and fog.

Another early night spent listening to Will snore.

Wednesday we packed up and flew to Ireland. Our hotel ended up being off the beaten track, so we just grabbed some Burger King for dinner, and then Sarah and I stayed up and had a girls night in her room. The TV was awesome. Sex and the City, junk food, and girls only really rocked!

I shared a room with Will. A room that had no air conditioning, so it was also hot while I listened to him snore.

The next day was the longest, and the most fun!

We started out by taking a tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Sarah then left us to meet her friend who would be staying in Ireland with her. So Will and I hit Ha' Penny Bridge (the first foot bridge to cross the river). Then the Guinness Factory, which turned out to be way more interesting than I thought it would be. And the beer wasn't bad either!

That night the four of us (Will, me, Sarah, and her friend Caitlin) did a musical pub crawl. Basically two musicians took us to three bars and played tradtional Irish music, and joked around with eachother and us. It was a ton of fun. If you're ever in Ireland, do a musical pub tour.

That finished at ten, so we went back to the first pub, where we were lucky enough to run into a bachelor party (or stag party, as they call it here)! All these hot guys had matching green, collared shirts on that had the rules of the night on the back, and their name and duty, on the front. For example, one of the guys was the "challenge master." Throughout the night the guys had to do different challenges, and whoever lost, the challenge master was in charge of their punishment. Best job ever right? No, because if he loses, the rest of the group determines his fate.

I skipped the best part, though. Their bottom halves were loosely wrapped in cloth, which they continually pulled up throughout the night, to expose their thong that had an animal in the front to cover themselves...kind of.

Once again, I have video of this, however, I am so not putting it up on this sight...I don't want to get in trouble. But if you come over when I get home and let me bore you with all my pictures, and video, I'll treat you to that video!

It ended up being an extremely late night, where I only got two hours of sleep. I was set to get four, but at this point the snoring was unstoppable. I sadly said goodbye to my 'mates, and one taxi drive, airplane ride, bus ride, tube ride, and another bus ride later, I am back in the dorms. Cereal for dinner, and heading to bed soon. I have to get up early tomorrow to go meet my family at the airport. I can hardly wait to see them!

What did I learn while "studying" abroad this week? Although, Edinburgh was a cuter town, Dublin had the cuter guys!

Who can it be now?

So, Obviously, Thursday night was the decades dance. And hopefully it's also obvious that I dressed as the eighties. The dance was kind of a flop, not a lot of people were there, and those who were there weren't dancing. Which basically meant a whole lot more room for me and my friends to boogy down. I personally had a great time that night. How can you not have fun when you look like a twelve year old from the eighties?

Friday I worked on my second paper all morning and got it done. My papers are not my best work, but considering I had to call my mom so she could talk me into actually writing them, something is better than nothing.

That afternoon Sarah and I finally went to tea at the National Gallery. It was delicious!

Today we went to Brighton. Once again it was only a small group who went becausee a lot of people are either traveling, or still working on their papers. I guess some people actually did come here to study. way to make the rest of us look bad!

Anyway, Brighton is an adorable beach town, similiar to the Boardwalk, but different. The beach is actually rocks. And not just pebbles, but rocks. It was fun, though. They have a pier with rides, so Will and I rode the log ride, and got cotton candy. It was a good day.

Tomorrow, Sarah, Will, and I are off to Scotland for a few days, and then to Ireland. Hopefully I'll be able to write a few short updates while I'm away. If not, I'm sure that I'll have a lot to say when I get back!

What did I learn while "studying" abroad today? Dont't have tea before a two and a half hour bus ride back to campus, it just makes for an uncomfortable ride.