Venezia

Photograph Posting VII: Cinque Terre II

Photograph Posting VI: Cinque Terre

Photograph Posting V: Munchen, Deutschland

Photograph Posting IV: Milano

Photograph Posting III: Paris, France

Photograph Posting II: London

Photograph Posting I: New York Layover

It is Never a Mundane Moment

..I am currently stuck in Milano, Italia, hopefully on my way to Paris safely soon, and I will be in London tonight, sleeping on my backpack (Perhaps not so peacefully) until my flights in the morning to NY, then Santa Ana.

Munchen - Deutschland with Tante Lilo and Jack

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I am currently stationed in Italia and write to you from Venezia. Cinque Terre didnàt have any internet cafes, except for one where the info station was, yet it was inaccessible for a few days (while I was there). I have only 2 more days in Europe and it has gone so incredibly fast. I àm sorry there arent more pictures, but I havenàt been able to upload and write of my travels in a very inexpensive way as Iàve been accustomed to in the last week. Deutschland is probably second to Paris, is what I will say. Munchen blew me away with its charm and history. Jack and
Tante Lilo (my grandmotheràs sister and her husband) were the most amazing people. I can never repay their kindness and hospitality. They were wonderful. Although I didnàt have a chance to upload Deutschland photographs, yet, I can assure you I have several (Of course I will post after I return home.) Jack showed me the plaza where the Reich used to meet with Hitler, in front of a beautiful church, which much of was destroyed during the war. (It was intense just to stand there.) My favorite thing was seeing the old mesh with the new in this city. Munchen still has buildings which have withstood the test of time, although they are seated next to some residences which are restored for even as few as 2 to 3 years old. Jack has the unique perspective as chief architect for the city for many years. He has restored a few churches, noble residences (the theatre was amazing), and several museums, including the Pinakotek de Moderne and the Alte Pinakotek. (I probably spelled incorrectly.) In any case, I left Deutschland in quite an altered state = I wished I had more time there and almost felt homesick for this land of which I know so little and should be blessed with more time, in the future, I hope. The picture I have here is one of my new hostel friends (I have quite a few now.), Tina, who I met in Milano, on the next stop. She is from Japan and quite interesting, as well as funny and smart. Her English was practically perfect! Tina and Alan were my buddies in Milano. I spent the first night skipping around town, not sure where to go, and the second day I toured the top of the Duomo, a huge church with brilliant towers and superb architecture. The night prior, Alan and I discovered the Duomo by accident when looking for a glass of wine. We sat directly in front and this church lit up so beautifully, it was like being in the presence of a thousand stars. Quite ethereal and it was entirely by coincidence that this was discovered. Pretty fantastic, eh...Iàll write more later and tell you about my travels in Cinque Terre. There is quite a bit more to say. Ciao.

Sint-Jan, Cafe Bruxelles & Night in Soho Kitchen

I've been staying with Tante Lorene since Wednesday and we relaxed the night I arrived with Tamarah. Then the two of them took me to a small town close to Lorene's House in Breda, where we toured the canals, had some ice cream, and climbed the high tower of a famous church, Sint-Jan's - Hertogenbosch. Picturesque views and good times with family made this day one I will cherish. I've been waiting so long to visit my aunt and cousins in their home country, it is hard to believe I finally am here. I am dutch, too, and it is strange to call this my home. Somehow, it is-- perpendicular to my California easy-going side. Perhaps it wouldn't be so hard to live like this. Again -- I am finding it more difficult to come home. I think I could get used to a culture that despite its distinction from my own, is such a part of my unique personal geography.



It was my last night in Breda, and one of my favorite cousins took me out to dinner, Arjan. I met his girlfriend, Petra, for the first time and we toured their house, (Three stories high and quite spacious for a European home.) Discussing dutch real estate pricing later, I thought about the incomparable expense of overpriced California residences at home. We walked through much of the town, through the nearby parks, and the shops, stopping for drinks at a cafe, then getting to know each other. We discussed their pending trip to California (The tickets to LA were bought this week -- Awesome!) and the differences between our two countries. We stopped at SoHo Restaurant for dinner and started with beef carpaccio and parmesan, followed by surf en turf, along with a trio of strawberries (fresh fruit, mouse, and ice cream. Voila!) to top everything off. Arjan was just as I remember from a few years ago. Bright, energetic, and quick to laugh. He is a kindred spirit, and I cannot wait to see both of them in a few months for Christmas in the States. Petra is bubbly and tempers his carefree humor and stories with her own wit and laughter. I loved being around such positive energy last night. Arjan and I rehashed memories from his most recent trip to the states just 5 years ago, and even perused pictures from 1993 when he was ten and I was pretending to learn dutch from him as a precocious 12-year old, who wouldn't learn a second language until the age of fifteen. (I now speak spanish, very little french, and that sums in total this particular moment.) Our conversations delved into a side note about graduate education abroad and living close to those you love. Reconciling my passion for the way life is in these European cities with people I really enjoy spending my time, this makes it difficult to come home. I feel myself here.

Just South Of Amsterdam...Is A Small City (Breda)

Dutch Pancakes! And Van Gogh

Pancakes and a Touch of That Sting. Yes, Breakfast is a Serious Ordeal.




Got Futbol? Got Spirit!


Tobias and The Look

Day (2) in Amsterdam and we went biking, again. This time, we didn't cycle as far because of how much territory we covered the prior evening. Tamarah and I trekked to the Dutch House of Pancakes for lemon/sugar pancakes (She ordered bacon). These are flat, and doughy with slight crisp on the edge. Delicious! I cannot get enough of the fresh fruit and bread --The Vincent Van Gogh Museum was next, which was such a treat. Dad -- We even took the audio tour!! This is something I could even help with - biographical and even psychological analysis of an artist and his/her body of work as interpreted by artists and critiques alike. What I wouldn't give to work on this in the future! I purchased a small print of "The Sower" for 8,00 euros, soon to be lost very soon after, along with my only jacket, and my hostel confirmations (Thank goodness for family -- printers galore!)...Yes, I lost my first few important items on this trip. Considering that it was a personal souvenir, it wasn't too much of a loss. All of the rest of you have your trinkets in tact in my suitcase. Blessed are you! We spent the evening at Vondel Park having a picnic for dinner (very much like Central Park in NY where crowds relax around the ponds and paths)..The end of the day we celebrated a friend's end of her educational internship. Proost! A beautiful day.


The Girls: Tamarah, Carlein, Anneflor

Cycling in Crazy Streets with No Direction Home

Reading and cards home on the trein from Paris to the Netherlands




Streets of Amsterdam

I meant to mention on my last blog, two new friends I met, one an Aussie who is living in Paris, Marcus, the second a Danish, Jesper, both musicians, both travelers well=versed in Paris culture by now, I am certain. I spent the evening mainly with the Danish hobo (That's what he calls us travelers - I like it!). I have to say this was one of my favorite nights so far...I love a good conversation and I was swimming in liters of murky philosphical and opinionated discussions until well after 2:00am, it was another long night in Paris, although I spent it sitting in the lobby of the hostel after dinner with Nicole. Funny, you say? C'est increyable...but 'tis true, my friend. And -- I hope to have more soon. I detoured to the Netherlands for visiting with family, which was a welcome departure from dirty showers and sweaty laundry. I spent the last two days in Amsterdam with my sweet cousin, Tamarah and her boyfriend, Tobias, who I encountered for the first time. From the evening I arrived, I was put on a bicycle and asked to maneuver through the unusual streets of the city. When I say unusual, I mean dangerous! The city has laws I'm sure, for bicycles and four-wheeled vehicles alike, but I didn't see signs clearly posted. Instead, you "biked"for it, ran out of the way if you were a pedestrian, or tailgated cyclists on your way left and right in shiny BMWs. We had dinner at a nice Middle-eastern/Turkish restaurant and it lightly rained later when we drove to a cafe for drinks along the canals. Drinks by the Reine turned out to be my favorite pasttime. Whether it was Juliper, Heineken, or un cafe ...Wonderful time to spend a few hours with friends.






Cycling in Vondel Park

Champ De Mars et Hostels in Paris

Sò beautiful. Gorgeous. I spent Sunday going to Le Louvre and the Champ De Mars for La Tour Eiffel. The whole day presented no difficulties and I enjoyed spending the entire time looking at art, playing in the fountain outside Le Louvre and enjoying the delicious formage - French cheese - while people-watching. There was no one to tug on my arm to get more souvenirs and take cheesy photos. Just myself, listening to all the dialects, languages, couples and idosyncracies of each culture. Some things were disappointing. For example, the crowds of silly tourists surrounding the Mona Lisa. How can I enjoy something when I can't even see it? I'd rather go in the middle of a blizzard when no one wants to see Le Louvre. Le Tour Eiffel was impressive, although the walking guards from the French Republic Army were imposing and quite an austere combination with their machine guns staring at me. I took in the sights of the local scene when checking in to my second hostel. This one was more fun than the first because although I had my own room, I didn't truly have an ëxperience as I met no one at Hotel Richard. Not the case this time. Within 5 minutes I had met the hostel "concierge", Guillermo at the front desk. (2) women from Denmark who I shared a room with, Charlotte and another girl I can't pronounce her name - Filjk? My first American tourist friend, Nicole, arrived from a trip to Belgium/Netherlands as my third roommate right after my check-in. We shared some wine and french food nearby and I discovered a person who was living my dream. Nicole finished her masters in Gender Studies at Dublin just a month ago, I believe, then decided to apply for a masters degree at a small town outside of Paris

Le Louvre and La Turet Eiffel

Mon Cherie / Je Taime Paris

First Night in Europe. First Night in Paris. Crepe Sucre et un cafe.


Bonjour Americanos! Getting my first international phone card at the London King's Cross (That's where Harry Potter gets on the train at Platform 9 and three-quarters!!! No - I didn't meet Hermione Granger. That would have been too good to be true.) I checked in and the customs official, who smiled and said, "Is this your first time in Paris?" with a distinct french accent. I shly said yes and he met me with a wink and "Well, this will be quite special for you, then. Surprisingly, as soon as I stepped through that customs gate with the France stamp on my passport, it was a different world. The counter staff in the gift shops and cafes in the terminal all spoke French and I could see some of them trying not to laugh at me. There's something to be said for being an American. French, especially, seem to assume you don't know anything. Or, that there is always a smile playing just behind their face. Hard to tell what they are thinking. (Intelligence, I think, is another way of putting it. They are quite sly.) I met a 14-year old Parisian who started speaking French to me right away and this is only because I had used a few words. "Bonjour" and "Comment tal y vous?" were some of the basics. Fourteen years old and traveling with a summer group to London! This is what I'm talking about --traveling internationally at such a young age. What a wonderful experience. She was friendly as soon as I explained I spoke very little. Sweet girl. Her and I had issues with our ticket so we had to wait inbetween cars until we could get a "tip up" for cancelled seats and get an actual seat on the train. Interesting how that works. I also met a Parisian on the train, when I sat down. She was originally from London, though, so she spoke to me in English quite easily and helped me find the correct rail to get into the part of the city I needed for my very first night's stay in Europe. I was quite a bit tired and I guarantee I looked like a jack-in-the-box on the double decker tour and on the Eurostar train to Paris - but all of it added up to a certain amount of sleep so I dragged my but to the metro for travel by Ligne une (Line 1) to (9) for exit at Voltaire. My new Parisian friend also introduced me to her husband and he handed me a ticket for the metro. Didn't even have to buy one. What luck!

As I was catching my metro from Gar De Nord to Ligne Une, I peeked outside and saw a few of the distinct lamplights Paris is known for. I couldn't help but light up inside. I cannot believe I'm here, I thought. It was a moment where I felt tears of happiness fill up inside. I didn't cry but I had that sensation creeping up to my throat where I felt a lot of emotion at once. I don't think London quite hit me in the same way because a) They speak English, b) It has character, but somehow reminded me of New York (In a good way...but still not quite the shock I was expecting). I hopped on the lignes and made it safely to Voltaire, although once I hopped up the stairs, only to discover I couldn´t find my bus `46` to ´Japy´. It was getting darker, so instead of panicking, I walked around the same block twice trying to find the stop. On the second turn around, carrying all of my heavy baggage, I found my bus, pulling away. I ran after the bus, as well I could with my extra weight pulling on my shoulders, and the bus driver turned to me long enough to shake his head, as if to say, `No, no, no, mademoiselle. I don´t think so. You, American, you!` I turned right around and decided to make my way to ´Japy`, even though I had directions on no kind from the hostel. Just a sign pointing a certain way. The french locals were trying not to laugh as I passed the same 2 cafes three times, at least. Made it to Hotel Richard, pronouned o/tel Ree/sh/ah, and checked in. Decided I couldn´t wait to jump in the shower, and made my bed. I´m so glad I brought my sheets with me! Pleasantly surprised to discover that although I was on the third floor, I wasn´t sharing with anyone but me. A whole room to myself. Tres bon! In Europe, The third floor means 4 floors up from the ground on a very narrow staircase. I´ve already become accustomed to this on my third day here.) Couldn´t wait to eat something and made my way to the same cafe in which I´m sure my American navigation skills were witnessed. The bartender-server provided me with un cafe et crepe sucre. Not only did I observe a wonderful meal /I love pastries for a late lunch°dinner. Whatever~ A frenchman offered to buy me a drink, and he ended up buying me dinner. Voila! So salade fous de gras later and I met some good/looking frenchman in the second restaurant we went to. Picture below~ and then went to Rue de Lappe for some dancing. I end up coming home late, but safely, and met my first friends from the hostel. The conversations were of very little substance as it was after 2am. Nonetheless. A great first day.

The Bridge, The People...London

London Calling

Arrival in Dublin was nice. Pairs of blue eyes and dark hair were everywhere. Why was I leaving? However -- I did get right back into another plane and landed in England not even an hour later. Taking the Heathrow express directly into the city, I discovered I could get a discounted double decker bus tour by purchasing through the train station for 18 pounds. It is a good thing, too. The pound is worth twice a US dollar. Spent the next 45 minutes eating carnation chicken on foccaccia at a lovely internet cafe (No, my alternator didn't work as an outlet for my laptop.) Spent the next few hours on a double decker bus seeing Buckingham Palace, The London Bridge, the Parliament Building, hearing about The Globe (No - we couldn't see it from the bus) and the Eye of London. I must say, the disappointing thing is that the main reason for visiting Shakespeare's town was just for ...a reason to see Shakespeare in his home country. Staying in New York did take away the distinct pleasure, but on the other hand, being able to see all of that city at once was special. I really wanted to take the river cruise on the Thames, but it just wasn't possible as I had to catch a train to ...The City of Lights.