July 2009

With less than 28 hours in Texas between landing back from Zurich and taking off for DC, it is been quite the whirlwind. A good whirlwind, but a whirlwind nonetheless. I haven’t fully recovered or reflected on the past two weeks. It is funny how that happens- how life moves so quickly.

All in all going to Europe was one of those experiences in life that I will forever look back upon in amazement that it actually happened. My mind is so full of the experiences of the past two weeks. But to truly reflect I would say that some of the things I’ll remember most were:

• Walking through the narrow streets of Rome and stumbling upon the Colosseum, coming up in front of me out of no where. To think of it this is basically how I saw everything in Rome- stumbling.
• How good gelato can taste after walking in the heat all day long
• Crying under the endlessly tall Gothic arches in a Barcelona cathedral
• Laughing after getting hit in the face with the salty waves in Mallorca
• Sitting on top of our hostal and looking over the sea and the Mallorca Cathedral
• Reading my mom’s highschool copy of Watership Down on the beach in Barcelona and having the first two hundred pages fall off
• The smell of the incense in the prayer chapel at St. Peter’s Basilica
• All the places I stayed,from the youth hostel in Rome where I had to shake the bottom bunk to get the drunk guy below me to stop snoring, to the Spanish hostal run by an English woman who had British satellite, to the Cathedral women’s hostal that I barely got into at 2 in the morning.
• The inspiration I felt after touring the International Red Cross and the UN
• How cold the river from Lake Zurich is, especially after being in the sunshine with a hundred of other people on the banks
• Imagining what La Sagrada Familia is going to look like when it is complete

Wow and so much more. It is funny because at the beginning of my trip in Rome I was talking to someone about the heat and they said to me that at the end of my trip that would all fade in my mind – how hot it was, the moments when I was lonely, how expensive everything is now that the dollar is so weak – that everything would fade over time except for the memories that mattered most. What a wise thought.

I am so happy that I took this trip. Not because of seeing such history or lying on such beautiful beaches (or reading such good books!). I’m so glad that I stopped waiting to go to Europe and actually went. And that I did it for myself. That I went by myself, I planned it by myself, and I paid for it by myself. Especially in a moment when I may have needed reassured that I could indeed stand on my own two feet. If nothing else I am so proud that I stopped waiting until I had the right person to go with, the right amount of money to pay for it with, the right reasons to go.

I think at the same time as proving to myself that I can, and do, stand on my own two feet, what going to Europe alone showed me most is that I am so blessed to have such amazing people who I WANT to share my life with. There wasn’t a moment in Europe when I didn’t have someone in mind that I wanted to share it with. Standing in front of the Trevi Fountain wishing Becca was there to tell me about swimming in it after Italy won the World Cup. Or wishing my sister was at the market in Barcelona to fully capitilize on the 2 for 1 fruit drinks. Or that my grandma was with me to stand in St. Peter’s Square. I’m so blessed that I can be independent and at the same time appreciate the value of leaning on and loving the people in my life who I care about. Because as impressive as the architecture in Barcelona or the clear water of the Mediterranean, or the infinitely tall ceiling at St. Peter’s Basilica, nothing meant more to me than hugging my mom when she picked me up at the airport. And better yet I’m so happy that I knew that was what truly mattered even before flying halfway across the world.

Last day in Europe and I can’t believe two weeks have already gone by. It’s kinda neat flying out of Zuricb where I first arrived, full circle! I took the train this morning and got in about 1, found a place to stay (yay free breakfast!), and headed back down to the river hangout Letten. There’s nothing like the fantastic weather during summertime in Switzerland. Plus I got ice cream AND a soft pretzel. Two of my favorites yum!

Been in bed this evening with a ridiculous headache so I guess even my body is ready to be back in the good ol’ US of A. With a bottle of Excedrin and complete silence. Maybe I should just grab some beer and more pretzels here instead? No the Excedrin definitely sounds better – yep that bad. Of course it could also be that the only English channel at the hotel other than CNN is MTV and I made the mistake of watching an episode of Rock of Love, that show would make anyone want to take their head off.

Goodbye Europe, Hello America. I can’t wait for some fast food, hugs and love, and getting away from the crappy dollar to euro exchange rate!!

I suppose on any extended vacation there comes a time when you completely lose it. For me that came last night at about 1:30 am. My flight was a little delayed so by the time I got on the bus in Geneva to head from the airport to Place Nueve where according to the hostal lady I can simply “cross the street and head up to the Cathedral St. Pierre”. Cathedral – that’d big and obvious right? At 1:30 am I was still wandering the streets of Geneva with my suitcase. And contrary to the guidebooks NOT everyone in Geneva speaks English. Actually about 90% only speak French. And all the English speakers go to bed early. Finally found my hostal, typed in the code to the key box, and it’s empty. I TOTALLY lost it. I mean sobbing. I dragged myself to s $400 a night hotel around the corner and my pitiful state inspired a couple to offer to pay for my room there. Thankfully the reception guy knew my hostal’s emergency number, the owner gave us the emergency key code, and I finally crawled in my measily state into one of the bunk beds. I tried to hug the hotel reception guy but apparently the French don’t hug.

Today went much better. I treated myself to $10 Starbucks, walked through the park by Lake Geneva, and enjoyed the beauty of this city. It’s like Tahoe in summer. Sunny, hot enough for a swimsuit and cool enough for jeans, clear blue water, and plenty of people. I made my way to the International Red Cross and spent about two hours immersing myself in their incredibly moving exhibits. The one that almost broke my heart ws a recreation of a tiny concrete room where 17 prisoners at a time were kept for 6-90 days at a time. There were 17 pair of footprints in the concrete and I stood in one set and looked about at the others. It’s atrocious sometimes to think of our world. Thankfully the IRC also showed how people are also helping others and with it’s unbiased nature the IRC plays such an important role in disasters of man and nature.

From there I went over to the United Nations for a tour. What a great follow up! It was incredible to find out more about the UN and how it works. Did you know that the UN only has a budget of about $10 billion a year. That’s for ALL its programs. UNICEF, WHO, Human Rights Commission, Security Council, the whole of it – some 20+ programs supporting the world. Did you know that if you add up the military budgets of all the nations it’s over $1,000 billion. Makes you think a bit huh? It definitely rekindled in me my belief that I want to continue in nonprofit work and volunteering.

Tomorrow morning I take the train to Zurich and Monday morning it’s back to the USA. Stopping in Geneva was such a great ending to my trip and despite a bit of a breakdown I’m ready to take in the beauty of Switzerland, buy some chocolate, and head back to the people I love.

It’s my last day on the beautiful island before heading out to Geneva tonight. And considering it was apparently 41 degrees Celsius (so like 105 F) here yesterday I’m ok with going back to cooler Switzerland before returning to 105 degree weather in Texas. Although I still can’t believe it was really that hot because with the sea breeze it feels so much nicer than say … Houston. Ha!

Yesterday I headed to the beach with Halley, a girl I met from San Francisco staying at my hostal. She’s in Europe for six months working at different organic farms in Spain and Italy to help pay her way and traveling. What an SF type thing! We went to the “locals beach” which was nice and big and breezy to fight off the heat. The two people I met from Holland, Phaidra and Woodrow, met us there and it was nice to spend the day being bums and swimming in the big waves and getting out of the heat! Then last night we went for dinner (yum tapas and red wine!) and sat on the roof of out hostal enjoying the incredible view of the Cathedral. Perfect!

I am so incredibly glad I decided to come to Mallorca rather last minute. After so much sightseeing it was great to relax, meet some great people, enjoy the beach and watching sitcoms (in English!! Thank you British tv) in the afternoon. I am happy I listened to what I knew I would need instead of trying to push myself to see every cultural spot I could pack into my trip. As the Europeans would say I am on holiday afterall.

Today I’m checking out Bellver Castle, walking around Palma, and heading out to my cathedral in Geneva late tonight. Tomorrow is s day of political ventures (UN and International Red Cross museum – yes!). I can’t believe it’s almost time for me to head back to the US. Wow two weeks goes by quickly!

**update: while walking around Bellver Castle, specifically up the 300+ stairs to reach it, I realized it really IS over 100 degrees. I’m sorry Woodrow for ever doubting you!**

Or platja as they say here in Spain. It has been funny seeing the differences between the Latin American Spanish I learned and the Spanish here in Spain. For the most part I can understand and get my point across – but the spelling and words are a bit different. Kinda like the difference between American English and … well not British English but like Scottish English. Well now I’m just rambling.

Mallorca is beautiful. Honestly the water is just gorgeous. When I got in yesterday I checked into my hostal and explored the town of Palma a bit. The cathedral here is just across from my hostal and is breathtaking. It is very Gothic in style so just the sheer height of the ceiling in the nave is incredible. Although I don’t think anyone was killed there during the Inquisition (sorry Pat) it has a pretty neat history.

The hostal I’m staying at is pretty homey so it’s been a great place to relax! It’s run by an English woman so there’s a free English breakfast (awesome!) and a nice little living room area with couches and a tv. I met a brother and sister from Holland so when it is really hot in the afternoon we’ve been hanging out, switching between watching the Tour and whatever sitcoms are on. The channels are from England and the commercials are so depressing! We always laugh when another one comes in ” for just two pounds you can save this one legged kid from dying in the next day”. The Dutch kids are fun and it’s cool finding out our differences. Like this awesome electric tweezer thing they have for girls to use instead of shaving. Awesome.

I took the bus over to Illetes about 20 minutes west of Palma to go to the beach. Rough life huh? I rented a chair and read with my dorky sun hat on for a few hours, ate raspberry sorbet, swam. The water is so clear and cool, although super salty. Seriously it’s so easy to float, which is awesome, but when you get out of the water it’s so gross and sticky. Ugh pool where are you when I need you? Wow I can’t believe I’m daring to complain!

Tomorrow it’s back to the beach, then perhaps tapas! Now it’s off to do some research in going to the castle up on the hill here on Friday. Oh ya and Skype with my mom at 11. Ahh thank you Skype for iPhone! I talked to Pat for like an hour today without dropping the call once. Seriously great. Plus one week from today I’ll be headed to the Northeast to hang out with the two cutest kids in the world. Life is good!

Second day in Barcelona and I slept in until 10! Hey I’m on vacation right? The nice thing about traveling alone is that I am choosing a completely laid back attitude of seeing what I can but not stressing about seeing it all, taking the time to sleep and sit by the water to sit, and realizing that anything I miss will be another reason to come back some day!

Once I got up and moving I headed to the market for some fruit and bread for breakfast and to save for a snack and hopped on the city bus over to Parc Guell. I’m glad that in both Rome and here in Barcelona I’ve used public transportation at least a couple times. I mean obviously it’s cheaper but also it’s a different way to get to know the city.

Gaudi’s Parc Guell is an awesome, sprawling park with fun architectural additions throughout. Of course it wasn’t quite the same cause it was the perfect park for exploring with a dog and it made me wish I had Glory with me! Part of one of the mosaics on a stairwell was being worked on too so that was cool to see.

Then it was on to souvineer shopping, which I hate to admit was a complete failure. The earrings I wanted to get a couple pairs of were nowhere to be found so I came home empty handed. Guess I’ll have to find something in Mallorca or else everyone will just have the joy of my return for a souvineer. Ha!

Back to the beach where the crowds were a little less (not much), the people were just as nude, and there were at least 5 or 6 dogs romping around. A huge Mastiff was there playing fetch in the water after a mini soccer ball. It wad incredible! I’ve never seen a dog that big and with that much skin go swimming and swim quite far too! Nothing as exciting at the beach today as the naked guy with tattooed on underwear from yesterday (seriously) although there was a naked guy with one leg sitting on one of the benches. Note to self – be cautious about sitting on benches near nude beaches.

Not sure that there is Internet at my hostal in Mallorca. Surprisingly at the convent/women’s hostal in Geneva there’s free wifi so if all else fails I’ll just save my posts until then. Yes I am staying at a cathedral in Geneva. Might as well get as many different types of hostal stays in as possible. Tomorrow it’s an “old Spanish style hostal” in Palma de Mallorca. We’ll see!

Adios Barcelona!

Aiy me gusta Barcelona! Today I took Barcelona by force. First of course I went to go to the market for breakfast but SURPRISE it’a Sunday (who knew?) and being in a predominantly Catholic country means no market on Sunday. I hate to admit it but instead I went to Dunkin Donuts, which was so unSpanish and way more expensive than the US. But nothing starts the day like a chocolate iced donut! Then I headed over to the old Roman/Gothic area of town and stumbled upon Parc de la Ciutadella, a huge park, garden, and zoo. Then to Santa Maria del Mar, a beautiful church. I walked past Museu Picasso but decided to save my money for Gaudi. I checked out the city’s cathedral but it’s in the midst of rennovation so the exterior was being worked on and not as picturesque as usual.

Then onto GAUDI! I walked past Casa Batllo but for 16.5 euro I decided to wait for the next stop (since most Gaudi buildings other than the park cost to enter). I did go into La Padrera, which was much darker and more centered on architectural forms than decoration. I figure I’ll get the decoration, fun Gaudi style at Parc Guell tomorrow. Then I hiked over to Gaudi’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, a huge cathedral started in 1882 and not scheduled to be complete until 2020. It’s incredible – the architecture is based on forms found in nature. The ceiling has sculpted modernist flowers. The columns are tree-like forms, starting as a trunk and branching out at the top. Some of the stained glass has been added but there’s more to come! The exterior sculptures were added early on, especially one of the nativity scene because Gaudi wanted the future construction to have the reminder of the building’s purpose. I’m definitely coming back when it’s complete!

I got back about 4, put on my swimsuit, and headed to the beach. It was packed!!! People were towel to towel in all states of dress (or more like undress). After a little girl near me peed in the sand I moved down to the far end of the beach where there was a little more room (and less craziness!)

Tomorrow I’m off to Parc Guell to see Gaudi’s Dr. Suess-like park, do some shopping for souvineers, and perhaps hit the beach again. Oh ya – and check out another market I heard of. Umm I love the fruit bebidas they have here!

Well off for some Skype calls, reading, and AC comfortable sleep.

Que buena!

After an hour delay and a flight where seriously the seats were closer together than on any other airline I have ever experienced (thanks Vueling!) I finally made it to Barcelona. And the fact the there is a nice breeze, my own room including AC, and a fabulous and huge open air market near my hostel have already made me happy. I’m staying on the street Las Ramblas which is a long street with shops on either side and down the middle are street artists, flower stalls, jewelry and craft booths, and people playing music and dancing and dressed up in strange costumes. Mom I wish you were here you’d love it!

I walked around down to the water and along by the boats for awhile. The water is beautiful and there were many people coming back from the beach nearby or else just laying in swimsuits in the grass near the boatyard. I swung up by a church and all of the sudden found myself in a parade of sorts. Leading it was a group of drummers, then a bunch of old ladies with flowers, then six or so guys carrying a huge (probably 5 feet) statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus up in their shoulders. Everyone kept yelling “Viva!” and they marched out across the street and down along the walkway by the water. Did I mention there’s quite a lively atmosphere here?

Tonight I plan to shower and rest my continually weary feet (ouch) since tomorrow I’m taking Barcelona by storm and seeing as much Gaudi as I can stand. I’m starting to get a bit homesick too so a good night’s sleep will be just what I need

Buenas noches!

It’s my third and last day in Rome and I’m wrapping up with seeing everything I missed when stumbling upon sights and ruins in the city on the first day. I found my way to the Pantheon today and it was by far my favorite thing I have seen here so I am glad I saved it for the last day. It is unfortunate that at one point in history it was used as a church because the addition of altars, pews, and religious paintings really does take away from the pure architectural beauty and marvel of the building itself. But thankfully looking up it is all still the same. The sculpted ceiling and giant oculus are so incredible. Really it is one of those things I think has made the trip to Rome completely worth it all on it’s own. Thanks Agrippa.

I walked around a bit more picking up a few extra sights like Santa Maria Maggiore and getting some fruit at a little market on the street. Now resting out the worst of the afternoon heat before grabbing some food tonight.

Rome has been one of those “must do” experiences where I have seen in just three days some of the most well known and impressive monuments and works of art. The gelato has truly been incredible enough to keep raving about. The hostel experience has been quite the experience with 6 in a room in bunk beds, hostel bar, noise, young people, and plenty of foreigners from all over. Three days has been great but now I’m ready to fly to Barcelona and experience something new! Plus I decided to cancel on Madrid and head to Mallorca instead on the 21st. After over a week of doing the city tourist thing and walking my feet off I think a trip to the beach islands and some hiking and kayaking will be just what I need.

Ciao for now!

This might be a long one but it’s as much for my own keeping as any so I’m holding nothing back.

Despite mine and my grandfather’s (his more than mine I think) worry I made it to my plane in Atlanta and managed to make it across the Atlantic safe, with a little bit of sleep, a Zac Efron movie (17 Again anyone?), and both dinner and breakfast. When I got into Zurich I immediately took on my number one difficult European task – buying a train ticket. And then it was off to explore the city. The Zurich section in my Lonely Planet book wasn’t too huge so I figured there wasn’t an overwhelming amount to explore. Instead I wandered over to Lake Zurich, then to some churches, up into an old belltower which included about 300 wooden stairs, and then over to the riverside hangout called Letten that I read about. It was awesome and I just wished I had some girlfriends with me to go lay out and swim. As it was I laid by the river, read my book, and laughed at all the Swiss boys pushing one another into the river. I’m definitely going back to swim more when I’m back in Zurich to fly out.

AND THEN … on to Rome. The train was pretty great. Considering I was absolutely exhausted I slept almost the entire trip. There were two really sweet girls from Indiana who I talked to for awhile in the morning. It’s kinda fun to meet people along the way who you think “wow if we lived in the same city and not just randomly meeting on a train in Europe I could totally be friends with these people”.

I got to Rome, checked in to my fantastic hostel (and by fantastic I mean there’s a great bar, free Wifi, and it’s clean), and went off to explore. Here’s Rome for you. I figured “oh I’ll just walk around a bit today – I can plan to see the sights in the next few days”. And then I stumbled upon the Colosseum and Roman Forum. And the National Museum gardens. And Trajan’s Column and Hadrian’s Forum and so on and so forth. And then I got terribly lost in the extreme heat and just when I thought I was going to fall over and pass out I got vanilla and strawberry gelato and all was right in the world again.

I also went into the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli earlier in the day and saw they had a 6 pm Italian Mass so I decided to go. Even though I couldn’t understand many words (other than the standard Senori and Christo) it was a beautiful service and I was able to follow along well. Plus there is really nothing more incredible than going to an Italian Mass in an old beautiful basilica here in Rome. Last night I ate an entire pizza on my own, which really was the best pizza I have ever had in my life. Then I walked around some more, stumbling upon more statues and fountains, before coming to rest with a few glasses of wine here at Yellow Bar at my hostel. A good but exahausting and ridiculously hot first day in Rome.

Today I woke up early, managed to Skype Pat (thanks iPhone), and was on the Metro heading to the Vatican by 9 am. And thank goodness I did because I managed to get into St. Petet’s before the crowds hit. And before it reached 100 degrees. I remember learning in college that St. Peter’s square is designed to feel as if you are being held in someone’s arms and it truly accomplishes that task. Even though the crowds are immense it felt as if I had the entire square to myself. Of course the basilica was incredible. Grand and impressive and yet each square foot has so much detail you wonder how it was ever planned. The Pieta is there and it really evokes such emotion. Several near me were brought to tears.

I had the great opportunity to go into the prayer chapel at St. Peter’s as well to say prayers for my family and friends. The smell of the chapel was unreal – it just smelled holy and put me in awe. There were a number of nuns knealing as well and I really felt like I was in such a holy and special place for so many people over such a large amount of time. It is such an incredible part of Christianity to be somewhere that makes you feel such a part of something worldwide and timeless.

Then time for more gelato (vanilla again – seriously it is so refreshing) and then over to the Vatican Museum. I will admit with quite a bit of shame, especially as an art history major, that I was less impressed than I expected with the Sistine Chapel. Maybe of course it had to do with how PACKED it was and that it was so tiny compared to St. Peter’s. I mean it was beautiful but less awe inspiring than I excpected.

The two “art” moments I have had thus far where I have been much more impressed than expected was today at the Vatican Museum seeing Raphael’s School of Athens, which is so much larger and more breathtaking than I expected. And of course as dorky as it may be I loved seeing Trajan’s Column. I wrote a research paper on it in college and how it was utilized to inspire you to circumabulate the column as part of a ritual of remembrance. Let’s just say I was disappointing that you can only go halfway around now because of barriers. Poor Trajan – he would be so disappointed.

Ahh so Rome is wonderful. It is really really really hot. And my feet are killing me. But all in all I’m loving being here, loving the gelate of course, seeing so much, reading so much, journaling and thinking and just enjoying life. I know that when it is time to go home I’ll be happy to be doing so but as for now I’m just soaking in as much as possible. Time to rest up a bit before Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps later on! Ciao!