WEEK 9-CROSSING COUNTRIES

ALL ABOUT EUROPEAN TRAVEL With just a few weeks left on this side of the world, I’d like to reflect on the imperfections of my adventures. I’m quite aware that one can’t expect things to go their way all the time, though I plan vigorously to avoid mishaps as much as possible. But the last month surely has been a sobering experience for me! I’ve included a burst of some moments I faced while traveling throughout Europe: * BARCELONA- budget airlines can be a hit or miss, I’ve learned. We planned to leave in the middle of the week so we can maximize our time. The best flights available were either really early in the morning or late at night so we opted for the earlier flight. Though I didn’t take into account that the metro doesn’t open until 5:00 and our flight departs at 6:00…at ORLY AIRPORT (At least 30 minutes away by car). ALSO- we signed up to see an opera the night before, leaving very little time to pack. I don’t regret going to the opera, I just regret not packing early. So with this situation, we thought it’d be best if we just called an Uber at 4:30 and hope that our Airbnb host will let us check in early so we can nap. Unfortunately, the odds were not in our favor. We arrived in Barcelona at 8:00 and roughed it out until 14:00, when our room was ready for us. * ITALY- Visiting 5 cities in 10 days sounds challenging… which it was. But perhaps the most challenging time was between the hours of 1:00-7:30, when our bungalow at Camping Serenissima (in Venice) felt like an icebox and I’d wake up because my body was so cold. I’d have to wake up several times to remind our puny space heater to do its job as it often shut off by itself. What’s more is that when I’d wake up to a full bladder, I’d have to run into the frosty air for about 150 feet into the cold restrooms to relieve myself. Not to mention the bugs that crept into our bungalow. Watch out for really cheap accommodations, you get what you pay for. * AMSTERDAM-This has to be one of my most memorable hostel stays because it is one of the most bizarre things to happen to me. We were staying in a train lodge which is basically an old train that’s been turned into a hostel, with rooms up to 6 beds stacked on top of each other. It has most of its original furnishings and you almost feel like an Amsterdamian Harry Potter. Points for atmosphere and great heating. We were sharing a room with 4 other girls but we didn’t mind since we’d only be staying for but a night, we really just needed a place to sleep. Little did I know that not even my place of sleep is safe from odd occurrences. I’m a light sleeper, so when I felt something land on the duvet covering all but my head, I assumed I had dropped something of mine by Sarah’s side and she was just tossing it back to me. It was well into the night and dark in the room save for the city lights in the distance and occasional train running by. I went back to sleep. A few hours later I was awoken by an incoming FaceTime call and lifted my head out of the duvet and picked up my phone. The light reflected off the device illuminated the space in front of me and I see something strange. I pick up this piece of fabric and examine it further. I focused the light on the object and to my horror, a pair of panties… THAT WEREN’T MINE! I immediately tossed the offending fabric as far away from me as possible but not too far or it would have landed on Sarah’s unsuspecting face. I escaped the room and went straight to the bathroom to wash my hands. I was extremely puzzled at how one of the other girls could have dropped their undies on me since I’m on the very bottom bunk- you’d have to stick your hand in my little cubicle in order to accomplish this or aim your throw precisely. Still puzzled. * LILLE (& BUSES IN GENERAL)-On the way to Lille, we took a OuiBus on a Wednesday evening. Thankfully, not too many people were journeying with us so even though we had assigned seats, we were free to move around the megabus. But as soon as we were seated, a really stinky BO smell plagued us for what seemed like the entire trip (that is, until our sense of smell got accustomed to the stench and we stopped noticing). It was quite an intense smell, not like your normal metro BO smell. And to top it off, it was stuffy and hot. The air conditioner did not turn on once during the 4 hour ride and somehow, our bodies got used to it too. Despite this though, I enjoyed the silence of having only a few people on the bus. I loved watching the scenery pass by me as the sun left to shine elsewhere. Sadly, no other bus rides have been comparable to this one. The bus to Amsterdam was absolutely miserable and I would never do it again in my life. It was a double decker bus and not only was it stuffy, it was crowded and smelly and eventually got way too cold. A lady sitting behind me kept talking loudly in her sleep and shook my seat. It was an awful 8 hour ride but at least it was cheap. Again, you get what you pay for. Tomorrow I will be embarking on my last European trip to Belgium and despite not having checked off all the countries I desired to visit, I am actually extremely content with the countries I have visited and can’t imagine going beyond that… it gets to be quite trying! And also, I’m here for France so I get a bit “second-homesick” and I start to miss my window view of the quietly rippling St. Martin Canal. But I am so happy I got to dabble in some European country hopping, there’s so much to discover- and I’m only on one side of the earth! So I will embrace the hiccups and unexpected events that will surely come during this Belgium trip- I know they make for sweet memories, eliciting giggles and stirring up nostalgia for the years to come.

WEEK 8- AMSTERDAM

With the final weeks of our European stay upon us, I thought there is no time to waste and thus proceeded to book trips for all weekends remaining in November... first stop? Amsterdam.

I underestimated my own ability as I contemplated why I thought it was a good idea to take a night bus (approx. 7 hour journey) to our destination. In a particular moment of weakness that looked like shivering in all layers (3) of clothing, discomfort within the confines of my seat, and zero hours of sleep gained- paying a bit more just for a good night's sleep and quicker journey would have been worth it. But this thought all but dissipated as the sun rose while walking to the train hostel. I was facing the direction in which the sun was rising among other pedestrians on this walkway that seemed to cut through right in the middle of what seemed like a busy part of town... at the time, it was quiet due to the early hours. It was a most magnificent sight and instantly I was filled. Anticipation wracked me and excitement coursed through me in an effortless wave. It was beautiful. And perhaps even worth the horrible bus ride.

I felt like I did so much yet only scratched the surface of discovering Amsterdam. I took a Microbiology course over the summer that was all-consuming and challenged me to no end- I grew an immense respect for the subject as a result. When I found a microbiology museum called Micropia on Yelp, I just knew it would be good. And I am pleased to say that it was! I was able to really enjoy the fruits of my labor in that museum, appreciating how applicable my studies were in the real world.

Besides Micropia, a thorough visit to the Van Gogh Museum was obvious. 3 stories of impeccable artwork, an hour per floor. It was nothing short of awe-inspiring. I got to see my favorite Van Gogh piece and some great works by Toulouse-Lautrec.

Walking to and from destinations and sights, I was struck by how almost every picture I took was a good one. Amsterdam is so photogenic! The city is just so visually appealing and pleasing. I felt an instant attachment right away, growing stronger with each day I was there.

I have to mention our last two nights there were especially eventful as I enjoyed a most pleasant canal ride through the city and educated myself on the infamous Red Light District at the Museum of Prostitution. But particularly, the place we were staying at was a wonderful experience all on its own. I booked two nights at HotelBoat Fiep and it's exactly what you think... a boat named "Fiep" that doubles as a hotel! And it's not a dingy boat either, it doesn't even FEEL like one (which is great news to someone like me who is susceptible to motion sickness). The one-woman show running the whole thing was kindness overflowing. She cooked breakfast everyday and with such thoughtfulness and care. The place itself was warm and extremely comfortable, with two decks to get some fresh air and look out onto the body of water and of course, the beautiful city deserving of appreciation. Amsterdam was full of adventure and on the 8 hour bus ride back, I was grateful for the opportunity- even if it meant some suffering on the way there.

~DOUBLE WHAMMY WEDNESDAY~

Ciao readers! Fall break just ended and I have procured a video to show you my adventures in Italy. I managed to conquer 5 cities in just shy of 10 days. It was a wild ride! So because I did not post last week, I decided I would make this video especially immersive and special. It contains all the highlights of the endeavor and the amazing sights I got to witness. Hope you enjoy!