Bonjour! Bonsoir! (Whichever time you happen to read this)
Well I apologize for the delay on this last post. As you can probably guess, I am already home, and have done quite a lot of sleeping and rejuvenating to my healthy self :) Today is the first day I have officially felt healthy, even though I can't sleep past 7AM! Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, I just wish it was light out haha.
Ok enough chitchat... now on to Paris! or back to Paris? :)
I had to take a later train from Amsterdam because they were pretty full, but I finally arrived around 9:30PM. Then, since it was my last opportunity to do so, I got lost getting to my hostel. Turns out I wasn't lost, I just missed the sign :) So lucky me, I was once again in a room full of guys. Which is no problem, but I seem to get stuck with the creepy ones. The guy sleeping below me on our bunkbeds made of popsicle sticks, was what I will refer to as the "Gorilla Man." Listening to loud music, drunk, and grunting like a gorilla. All night.
Regardless, I woke up early and hit the town! Took the metro to the Louvre which is the motherload of all museums I saw. Four floors of art ranging from Roman/Greek/Etruscan sculpture to Egyptian to Napoleon's actual fully-furnished apartments. This place is so big that I can't imagine there ever being a line to get in. The best part was that I could take pictures!! Breathtaking art from room to room, all on my camera :) So I guess I should mention that I saw the one, the only, Mona Lisa. Its so awesome to see her in real life. Also, Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory, and others by de Vinci, Michelangelo, and many others. It was like a marathon of art haha. They say that it would take weeks to read every caption on the 30,000 pieces of art! Needless to say I wasn't there for weeks, but definitely at least 4 hours easy. But so worth it!
The area around the Louvre was gorgeous. Beautiful buildings, the Arc de Triomphe (love the arches! haha) and the Champs-Elysees. As I walked toward the arc, out of nowhere, there it was! The Eiffel Tower!! Well pretty far away, but really awesome. So I grabbed a cappuccino and started my walk. There were lots of people right underneath the tower gathered around street dancers, who were really good and entertaining. So I snapped some shots, took in all the Eiffel Tower and all its glory, walked around the city a little more, and then headed back to my hostel. To my delight, when I got back, my room full of guys was replaced with some really friendly Aussies. Finally, a little rest :)
In the morning I woke up for my 7:15AM train back to Madrid. For some reason, I decided that my last train trip would be the one where I messed up military time. In other words, I missed my connection train by one hour. Thank goodness that I was in Spain and could communicate, and that there was a train leaving in 20 minutes. After 14 hours on a train (I'm not even exaggerating a little) I finally arrived in Spain where I had a police escort to Lara's apartment. Thank goodness, that there was a payphone, it worked, and Lara was still up. I asked the policeman directions, and he told me that I was in a pretty dangerous area, so he escorted me to her apartment. Like I've said before... love the Spanish!! And thanks Lara!!
The next morning I caught my flight, set my watch back trying to avoid jetlag, and failed haha. I was greeted by my mother, two sisters and brother-in-law with a welcome home sign and lots of hugs and kisses. Just the remedy for long travels!
Unfortunately, I was also informed that my 86 year old grandmother had passed away from lung cancer two days after I left for my trip. She was very sick when I left, so I expected it, but I still miss her dearly none the less. She was a wonderful lady who lived a great travel-filled life with great friends. She was always an inspiration to me and my biggest fan. I carried a picture of her in a locket around my neck all during my trip, and told her before I left that I was taking her with me. I believe she was always watching over me and keeping me safe. The memorial service of Ann Wright Burdett is tomorrow, Saturday 15, 2008. I hope you all will say a little prayer for her :)
On a happier note, I later went home and was warmly greeted by my Dad and stepmom. I chatted with them for a bit, tried to stay awake, and then succumbed to my accumulating exhaustion. I've been sleeping ever since! haha just kidding :)
I just want to thank everyone for reading and following me along my travels! I appreciate all the comments written and unwritten, and all the support along the way. This trip was the greatest trip of my life! Life changing, inspiring, and fulfilling. Everything and nothing I could have ever dreamed. I met so many awesome people, and am very grateful that I was able to have this opportunity. Livin' the dream :)
Signing off...
Hilary, the new World traveler :)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The land of the autobahn :)
Thats right... I went screaming down the autobahn at 200km/hour, roughly over 120 MPH!!! What a rush!! Ok, but let me start at the beginning of Munich...
My train was late getting into Munich Central, but thank goodness Terry was still there waiting for me! I met her sister, Kathi (pronounced Cat-tee), and long time friend, Flor. We went back to her beautiful home where I met her parents, Austrailian sheppard, Lucy, and 8wk old kitty, Tiffany. We had a great dinner of salmon, veggies, and potatoes, and then we got ready to go out to a club! We drove to Munich and started the dance party. What a different scene than I'm used to, thats for sure. It was so much fun... German, American, and all kinds of different music blasted around us. We danced until 3AM :) One thing I noticed... those German boys like to dance, no matter how good (or bad) they are! Not most American boys :)
The next morning we sat outside in the beautiful weather and had breakfast. Then Terry and I took a walk and checked on their 2 horses. Then Terry, Cathi, their Father, and myself went in search of a castle built by Ludwig II. Cathi dropped some knowledge on us on the way there. Apparently Ludwig II built the Neuschwanstein Castle just for himself, so that he could be alone. It still isn't finished because he "died" (probably commiteed suicide) before it was finished. This guy was NUTS! he even had a cave built into one of the small walkways. Strange, but the castle was beautiful. While waiting for our turn to enter, her Dad treated us to some traditional German sweets... apple pancake and other things I don't know how to say in German haha. That night, the whole family, me and Cathi's friend Felina all went to dinner. Even Lucy came! (I love that dogs are allowed pretty much everywhere that the people are.) The beer (brewed by monks!) was soo delicious, and the food too :)
The next day, Terry, Cathi, and I went into Munich. What a beautiful city. It was nice and sunny out too! Saw the mayor's house, Frauenkirche (a big church), the markets, and many other sites. I tried to go to the German museum, but it was closed. So I did some shopping instead :) Then I went to the girls' cheerleading practice. Cathi had a bad fall and an ambulance had to be called, but she is ok and healing now :) Besdies that, it was fun to watch them. It reminded me of my one year go at it!
My last and final day, Terry, her Mom, and I went to what I will describe as a huge day spa. There were all different types of heated pools that you could either swim or just sit in. One had water from the Dead Sea! It was soooo super relaxing and great. I was sad to leave Munich later that night, but now I am in Amsterdam!
Yes, the land of the legal doobies. I know thats what you all are thinking :) Yesterday, I went to the Van Gogh museum and the Anne Frank house. Van Gogh museum was ridiculous. He was a self-taught painter, supported by his brother. I love to see how different artists go through progressions. Normally correlating to the locations in which they are living at the time. He liked to draw portraits, still-lifes, peasants, and the land. He loved living in the country and painting it. Eventually, he shot himself and died a couple days later at his brother's side. So sad :(
Then I walked through the Anne Frank house. I knew a little bit about her story, but it was seriously cool to walk through the house (which doubled as her father's work office) where her family and others were hiding from the Germans. They even had her diary on display. I have never read her diary, so I picked one up and am working on it now.
So today is icky and rainy, but I might go to a nearby town that has a small private museum collection with Van Gogh and others. (Another one of Blake's recommedations :) )
Before I go, I should describe Amsterdam. It is really, really beautiful. Old buildings, canals, and just water everywhere. Theres a beautiful palace, and a really pretty protestant church. Everyone... I mean everyone, rides bikes. Sometimes I think I'm walking on a sidewalk, but it is really a bikepath.... and then I almost get run over! haha It's funny that they have more of a right-of-way than people walking.
So I stay here tonight, and then I am off to Paris early in the AM! Two nights there, then a night with Lara in Madrid, and then.... HOME! It has gone by so quickly, but I am super stoked to come back and see everyone. Well, maybe sleep first :) and then see everyone!
I should insert a congratulations to Barack Obama... everyone was buzzing about it here. Let's fix our country, shall we? I did hear from Whit that gas is down to almost $2/gall? Thats awesome!!!
OK time to explore! Hope everyone is doing great, and I'll post in a few days about Paris :)
Love and miss,
Hil
My train was late getting into Munich Central, but thank goodness Terry was still there waiting for me! I met her sister, Kathi (pronounced Cat-tee), and long time friend, Flor. We went back to her beautiful home where I met her parents, Austrailian sheppard, Lucy, and 8wk old kitty, Tiffany. We had a great dinner of salmon, veggies, and potatoes, and then we got ready to go out to a club! We drove to Munich and started the dance party. What a different scene than I'm used to, thats for sure. It was so much fun... German, American, and all kinds of different music blasted around us. We danced until 3AM :) One thing I noticed... those German boys like to dance, no matter how good (or bad) they are! Not most American boys :)
The next morning we sat outside in the beautiful weather and had breakfast. Then Terry and I took a walk and checked on their 2 horses. Then Terry, Cathi, their Father, and myself went in search of a castle built by Ludwig II. Cathi dropped some knowledge on us on the way there. Apparently Ludwig II built the Neuschwanstein Castle just for himself, so that he could be alone. It still isn't finished because he "died" (probably commiteed suicide) before it was finished. This guy was NUTS! he even had a cave built into one of the small walkways. Strange, but the castle was beautiful. While waiting for our turn to enter, her Dad treated us to some traditional German sweets... apple pancake and other things I don't know how to say in German haha. That night, the whole family, me and Cathi's friend Felina all went to dinner. Even Lucy came! (I love that dogs are allowed pretty much everywhere that the people are.) The beer (brewed by monks!) was soo delicious, and the food too :)
The next day, Terry, Cathi, and I went into Munich. What a beautiful city. It was nice and sunny out too! Saw the mayor's house, Frauenkirche (a big church), the markets, and many other sites. I tried to go to the German museum, but it was closed. So I did some shopping instead :) Then I went to the girls' cheerleading practice. Cathi had a bad fall and an ambulance had to be called, but she is ok and healing now :) Besdies that, it was fun to watch them. It reminded me of my one year go at it!
My last and final day, Terry, her Mom, and I went to what I will describe as a huge day spa. There were all different types of heated pools that you could either swim or just sit in. One had water from the Dead Sea! It was soooo super relaxing and great. I was sad to leave Munich later that night, but now I am in Amsterdam!
Yes, the land of the legal doobies. I know thats what you all are thinking :) Yesterday, I went to the Van Gogh museum and the Anne Frank house. Van Gogh museum was ridiculous. He was a self-taught painter, supported by his brother. I love to see how different artists go through progressions. Normally correlating to the locations in which they are living at the time. He liked to draw portraits, still-lifes, peasants, and the land. He loved living in the country and painting it. Eventually, he shot himself and died a couple days later at his brother's side. So sad :(
Then I walked through the Anne Frank house. I knew a little bit about her story, but it was seriously cool to walk through the house (which doubled as her father's work office) where her family and others were hiding from the Germans. They even had her diary on display. I have never read her diary, so I picked one up and am working on it now.
So today is icky and rainy, but I might go to a nearby town that has a small private museum collection with Van Gogh and others. (Another one of Blake's recommedations :) )
Before I go, I should describe Amsterdam. It is really, really beautiful. Old buildings, canals, and just water everywhere. Theres a beautiful palace, and a really pretty protestant church. Everyone... I mean everyone, rides bikes. Sometimes I think I'm walking on a sidewalk, but it is really a bikepath.... and then I almost get run over! haha It's funny that they have more of a right-of-way than people walking.
So I stay here tonight, and then I am off to Paris early in the AM! Two nights there, then a night with Lara in Madrid, and then.... HOME! It has gone by so quickly, but I am super stoked to come back and see everyone. Well, maybe sleep first :) and then see everyone!
I should insert a congratulations to Barack Obama... everyone was buzzing about it here. Let's fix our country, shall we? I did hear from Whit that gas is down to almost $2/gall? Thats awesome!!!
OK time to explore! Hope everyone is doing great, and I'll post in a few days about Paris :)
Love and miss,
Hil
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hallo!
Yep, pretty similar greeting, huh?
Ok, so I will catch you up on Prague. What a great city. Very ecclectic people, lets just say. Kinga picked me up from the train station and I stayed in her cozy flat for 3 nights. Her roommates are histerical! Kinga is Hungarian, 2 Brazilians, and a guy from Poland. Great mix. Saw the Prague Castle the first day... in the rain. Freeeezing rain. ick. But I got my raingear and set out anyway. Got lucky that the guards were changing at the castle right when I was checking out the view of the city. Next day woke up late feeling sickly and tired. But I went out anyway and saw the astronomical clock (which the saints just happened to be appearing and the clock came alive!), and I walked the Charles bridge and around the river. The bridge is really awesome. True gothic style; cool sculptures and really cool in the dark. Sorry to say that I missed out on some of Prague because I was feeling under the weather. Which I think I still am, but I refuse to keep moving around and roaming cities :)
Got to Berlin today, and its a really cool city. As for my interpretation... take New York City. Shorten the buildings and make it older. Take away 99% of the taxis and insert bicycles. Lots of them! Take away the loud people, and add quiet German folk. Clean it up quite a bit, add some serious history, and there you have it. Berlin. The public transportation system is crazy insane. Finally I´m hearing some European music. I´m not kidding when I say that I have walked all around Europe and all I´ve heard is American music. From the Beach Boys to Spoon, they´ve got it all... everywhere! I walked to the Bebel Platz, where there was a crazy communist book burning by Nazi students in 1933. After being there a short moment, people dressed in red came carrying these multicolored kites that were shaped like people. I´m not sure what they represented, but it was interesting. Saw the former Royal library, also.
Then, I walked down to Checkpoint Charlie. When you first get there, there are lots of people reading the walls on either side that explain some of the war, the Berlin wall, and the checkpoint area. It´s cool because once you cross over the street, there is a sign saying that you are crossing into the American sector and there is a big poster of an American soldier and a Russian soldier. There is also a real guy at a post. Pretty cool.
Then I walked along where the Berlin wall used to be. Pretty chilling. Standing there in the middle of a city, it is almost hard to imagine that there used to be a giant wall dividing the country.
Ok, thats it for now! I leave for Munich tomorrow where I get to hang out with Terry! Pretty excited about it :)
Oh, by the way... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! It feels so strange that the only decorations I have seen are in my hostel. Apparently it is a religious holiday over here and all the kids have off school. I still feel the need to dress silly and eat lots of candy :) Hope everyone is enjoying it for me!!
I miss and love you all! I hope all is well!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Hil :)
Ok, so I will catch you up on Prague. What a great city. Very ecclectic people, lets just say. Kinga picked me up from the train station and I stayed in her cozy flat for 3 nights. Her roommates are histerical! Kinga is Hungarian, 2 Brazilians, and a guy from Poland. Great mix. Saw the Prague Castle the first day... in the rain. Freeeezing rain. ick. But I got my raingear and set out anyway. Got lucky that the guards were changing at the castle right when I was checking out the view of the city. Next day woke up late feeling sickly and tired. But I went out anyway and saw the astronomical clock (which the saints just happened to be appearing and the clock came alive!), and I walked the Charles bridge and around the river. The bridge is really awesome. True gothic style; cool sculptures and really cool in the dark. Sorry to say that I missed out on some of Prague because I was feeling under the weather. Which I think I still am, but I refuse to keep moving around and roaming cities :)
Got to Berlin today, and its a really cool city. As for my interpretation... take New York City. Shorten the buildings and make it older. Take away 99% of the taxis and insert bicycles. Lots of them! Take away the loud people, and add quiet German folk. Clean it up quite a bit, add some serious history, and there you have it. Berlin. The public transportation system is crazy insane. Finally I´m hearing some European music. I´m not kidding when I say that I have walked all around Europe and all I´ve heard is American music. From the Beach Boys to Spoon, they´ve got it all... everywhere! I walked to the Bebel Platz, where there was a crazy communist book burning by Nazi students in 1933. After being there a short moment, people dressed in red came carrying these multicolored kites that were shaped like people. I´m not sure what they represented, but it was interesting. Saw the former Royal library, also.
Then, I walked down to Checkpoint Charlie. When you first get there, there are lots of people reading the walls on either side that explain some of the war, the Berlin wall, and the checkpoint area. It´s cool because once you cross over the street, there is a sign saying that you are crossing into the American sector and there is a big poster of an American soldier and a Russian soldier. There is also a real guy at a post. Pretty cool.
Then I walked along where the Berlin wall used to be. Pretty chilling. Standing there in the middle of a city, it is almost hard to imagine that there used to be a giant wall dividing the country.
Ok, thats it for now! I leave for Munich tomorrow where I get to hang out with Terry! Pretty excited about it :)
Oh, by the way... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! It feels so strange that the only decorations I have seen are in my hostel. Apparently it is a religious holiday over here and all the kids have off school. I still feel the need to dress silly and eat lots of candy :) Hope everyone is enjoying it for me!!
I miss and love you all! I hope all is well!
Auf Wiedersehen!
Hil :)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Can you hear the music?
Ok, so to start, I´ll finish up Roma...
Took the overnight train to Vienna (Wien) and it didn´t leave until 19.10 (7:10PM), so I got to hang around the city. Tried to go to a museum but they were sold out for the day. Walked through the park and then ended up just hanging out at one of the Piazzas. It was a gorgeous day out! Met these two older Canadian ladies and talked politics with them haha. PS I´ve learned how little us Americans know about other countries, and how everyone is up on everything that is going on in the USA. I´m learning tho :) The one lady told me to watch BBC news. They left, and then moments later an Italian boy who spoke very little English came up to me. I´ve learned that I have to slow down my speaking. (Whit... no one would be able to understand you here! Maybe you should come over to slow things down a bit ;) ) Anyways I hung out with him and his friend and they bought me coffee and then I was on my way! Really got to enjoy Rome for the day without doing a whole lot.
The night train... I slept with two other girls and felt very safe. Pretty comf too... well kinda.
First impression of Vienna. COLD COLD COLD!!!!! I felt as if I went from 75 to 30 below in 11hours. Brrrrr!! But, on a good note, the German people are very very nice. Also, they are quiet. Coming from Spain, Italy, and France they seem like church mice. It´s cool though. Being half German I see how I relate to them, as silly as that sounds. But I also relate to the Irish :)
I had a really awesome day here!! First, I went to the Schloß Schönbrunn. This great big palace was the place where Mozart played one of his first concerts when he was only 6!! So of course I had to see it :) Walked around a park and saw the Strauss Monument. Then I went to the Haus der Musik, "where music meets science." Had some really cool science/sounds stuff, in addition to tributes to their famous Viennese composers like Strauss, Beethoven, Haydn, etc. Even had some of their batons (Sheldon would love it!) Spent lots of time there, and then went to the Albertina museum. This is the first time I got lucky in Vienna. Why? Because they had Van Gogh on exhibit!! Really really really awesome. So sad that he went crazy as some artists do. The rest of the museum was OK.
Second way I was lucky... I decided that since I was in one of the greatest music cities, that I needed to see a concert. Turns out I saw Le Nozze Di Figaro at the Vienna State Opera house!!!! And guess how much it cost me.... 3 stinking euros!! They have tickets for "standing room" in the back of the balcony. Couldn´t see much at first, but I scoped out some open seats and took one front and center in the balcony for the second half. So so so so cool. Small pit orchestra, only 3 cellos. But it was such a great performance. They have little screens in front of you to provide translation into English or German. I just got back, so I´m still shocked that I got to see that kind of performance, that specific performance, and for so cheap. I love Vienna!!
So tomorrow I leave early for Prague to stay with Kinga. I´m excited!!
Side note... I got my facebook fixed. Well hopefully!
Of course I love and miss EVERYONE... i´m at the half way point!
Love love,
Hil
Took the overnight train to Vienna (Wien) and it didn´t leave until 19.10 (7:10PM), so I got to hang around the city. Tried to go to a museum but they were sold out for the day. Walked through the park and then ended up just hanging out at one of the Piazzas. It was a gorgeous day out! Met these two older Canadian ladies and talked politics with them haha. PS I´ve learned how little us Americans know about other countries, and how everyone is up on everything that is going on in the USA. I´m learning tho :) The one lady told me to watch BBC news. They left, and then moments later an Italian boy who spoke very little English came up to me. I´ve learned that I have to slow down my speaking. (Whit... no one would be able to understand you here! Maybe you should come over to slow things down a bit ;) ) Anyways I hung out with him and his friend and they bought me coffee and then I was on my way! Really got to enjoy Rome for the day without doing a whole lot.
The night train... I slept with two other girls and felt very safe. Pretty comf too... well kinda.
First impression of Vienna. COLD COLD COLD!!!!! I felt as if I went from 75 to 30 below in 11hours. Brrrrr!! But, on a good note, the German people are very very nice. Also, they are quiet. Coming from Spain, Italy, and France they seem like church mice. It´s cool though. Being half German I see how I relate to them, as silly as that sounds. But I also relate to the Irish :)
I had a really awesome day here!! First, I went to the Schloß Schönbrunn. This great big palace was the place where Mozart played one of his first concerts when he was only 6!! So of course I had to see it :) Walked around a park and saw the Strauss Monument. Then I went to the Haus der Musik, "where music meets science." Had some really cool science/sounds stuff, in addition to tributes to their famous Viennese composers like Strauss, Beethoven, Haydn, etc. Even had some of their batons (Sheldon would love it!) Spent lots of time there, and then went to the Albertina museum. This is the first time I got lucky in Vienna. Why? Because they had Van Gogh on exhibit!! Really really really awesome. So sad that he went crazy as some artists do. The rest of the museum was OK.
Second way I was lucky... I decided that since I was in one of the greatest music cities, that I needed to see a concert. Turns out I saw Le Nozze Di Figaro at the Vienna State Opera house!!!! And guess how much it cost me.... 3 stinking euros!! They have tickets for "standing room" in the back of the balcony. Couldn´t see much at first, but I scoped out some open seats and took one front and center in the balcony for the second half. So so so so cool. Small pit orchestra, only 3 cellos. But it was such a great performance. They have little screens in front of you to provide translation into English or German. I just got back, so I´m still shocked that I got to see that kind of performance, that specific performance, and for so cheap. I love Vienna!!
So tomorrow I leave early for Prague to stay with Kinga. I´m excited!!
Side note... I got my facebook fixed. Well hopefully!
Of course I love and miss EVERYONE... i´m at the half way point!
Love love,
Hil
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Roma!!
Ok, I have to first say that apparently my facebook account got hacked into, even though I never clicked on anything. grrrrrrr!!!! I always log out and I can't log into anything now. So anyone with any info on how I can get it back, I would appreciate it! As for now... sorry for the wall posts and no more facebook for me :(
Ok, so first I went to Pisa and held up the tower :) Pretty cool watching everyone else do it too haha. Then I spent 3 hours on the train to Roma!
Rome is awesome! Dirty, but awesome haha. When I arrived two nights ago, I went to dinner with the two girls in my room. It was delicious! I traveled around with them the next day. We went to the Vatican, St. Peter's Bascillica, and the Sistine Chapel. Sooo ridiculous! It took Michaelangelo 10 YEARS!! to paint the chapel. Apparently he suffered some serious neck and eye injuries in the process. It is covered with paintings of Genesis, and it is gorgeous! St. Peter's Bascillica was probably the most beautiful building I have every seen. Extremely ornate and just breathtaking. Someone was getting married there, too! Pricey wedding, I assume. We walked through the Vatican Museum which was also really awesome. Then we went to the Colloseum. Walked right out of the metro, and there it was! So crazy to see it in real life!! Then we called it a day and I took a nap before we went on a bar crawl. Really fun, but I was pretty hungover today... ick. Before we crawled we went and saw the Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain. Both really awesome. I threw a coin into the fountain, so apparently I will be visiting Rome again soon!
But today I went back to the Colloseum to walk through the Roman Forum that contains the oldest road in Rome and the Arch of Titus. I love arches. There are so commanding and beautiful. Then I walked down to the Fori Imperali that doesn't have a whole lot left to it except Trajan's Column. I learned about it in my art history class and was super stoked to see it. It has reliefs (engraved pictures) twisting all up it. So cool :) Then I went to the Pantheon. It has a perfect half sphere dome, with no support in the middle. It was once a temple to the Roman gods, but is now a Christian temple. Really cool to think that it was built around 20BC, and I was standing in it.
Tonight, I treated myself to a really delicious Italian meal. Probably one of the most delicious meals of my life! Spaghetti al pomadoro, mussels, tiramisu and Chianti. Not to mention some seriously cute waiters :) Always a plus!
So tomorrow I'm going to the four fountains, Galleria Borghese, and other random sights. Then off to Vienna on an overnight train!
I can't wait to show everyone my pics and videos!
Love and miss,
Hil
Ok, so first I went to Pisa and held up the tower :) Pretty cool watching everyone else do it too haha. Then I spent 3 hours on the train to Roma!
Rome is awesome! Dirty, but awesome haha. When I arrived two nights ago, I went to dinner with the two girls in my room. It was delicious! I traveled around with them the next day. We went to the Vatican, St. Peter's Bascillica, and the Sistine Chapel. Sooo ridiculous! It took Michaelangelo 10 YEARS!! to paint the chapel. Apparently he suffered some serious neck and eye injuries in the process. It is covered with paintings of Genesis, and it is gorgeous! St. Peter's Bascillica was probably the most beautiful building I have every seen. Extremely ornate and just breathtaking. Someone was getting married there, too! Pricey wedding, I assume. We walked through the Vatican Museum which was also really awesome. Then we went to the Colloseum. Walked right out of the metro, and there it was! So crazy to see it in real life!! Then we called it a day and I took a nap before we went on a bar crawl. Really fun, but I was pretty hungover today... ick. Before we crawled we went and saw the Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain. Both really awesome. I threw a coin into the fountain, so apparently I will be visiting Rome again soon!
But today I went back to the Colloseum to walk through the Roman Forum that contains the oldest road in Rome and the Arch of Titus. I love arches. There are so commanding and beautiful. Then I walked down to the Fori Imperali that doesn't have a whole lot left to it except Trajan's Column. I learned about it in my art history class and was super stoked to see it. It has reliefs (engraved pictures) twisting all up it. So cool :) Then I went to the Pantheon. It has a perfect half sphere dome, with no support in the middle. It was once a temple to the Roman gods, but is now a Christian temple. Really cool to think that it was built around 20BC, and I was standing in it.
Tonight, I treated myself to a really delicious Italian meal. Probably one of the most delicious meals of my life! Spaghetti al pomadoro, mussels, tiramisu and Chianti. Not to mention some seriously cute waiters :) Always a plus!
So tomorrow I'm going to the four fountains, Galleria Borghese, and other random sights. Then off to Vienna on an overnight train!
I can't wait to show everyone my pics and videos!
Love and miss,
Hil
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ciao bella :)
Cheesy title, but people do really say that here!
Ok, so Florence... :)
What a great city! So many things to see, lots of people, and plenty of mozzarella, proscuitto, and gelati to go around!
Yesterday I went to Academia, got lost on the way (weird? NO haha) and stumbled upon a beautiful cathedral. (Annunziata?) Got some great pics... saw a real Italian priest and everything. He made me feel bad for taking pictures haha. (Side note... for all you who know Marian aka Sister Teres, I thought I saw her and thought of her <3)
Then I went to the Duomo. Waited in line for like 20 mins and I climbed the thousands of stairs (ok, less than 500) up to the dome. It was like those old movies where you see people walking down to a dungeon, except I was walking up. One lady was hyperventilating! The inside of the dome was ridiculously beautiful. The entire dome was painted in the theme of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. Huge stained glass windows framed the bottom. Then, I finally got to the top. WOW. A 360 view of the whole city. Funny thing... there was a massive riot going on in the streets. Young kids, so I didn't feel uncomfortable walking through them.
Finally, got to Academia. Walked in, looked at some sculptures and paintings, and then I turned the corner, and there he was. David. I seriously said WOW outloud. He's very tall and his head and right hand are unproportioned. I learned later that Michaelangelo had finished the work of others before him, thus the unproportionality. Coolest thing I've seen yet.
As for today... lets just say I'm exhausted.
1st- Museo del Bargello. Kinda an accident haha. Pretty cool.
2nd- Bargello Cathedral (what I was looking for when I ran into the museum first). Very much worth the 5€. Connected to the Medici Chapel, which was also beautiful. Went to the tomb room (Thanks for the recommendation, Blake!) and it was awesome to see all the tombs. So beautiful.
3rd- Uffizi Galleria. 10€ to be surrounded by some of the most intense and breathtaking art. More famous artists than I could name. Hundreds of sculptures and ridiculously ornate paintings.
Finally- Giardino de Boboli. Gorgeous view as I walked across the river to get there. HUGE gardens with fountains and beautiful sculptures. Probably prettier when the plants are in bloom, but definitely still worth it. Got lost, like in Alice in Wonderland, and then I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and I dragged myself onto a bus and into my hostel. Where I ate spaghetti :) what else, right? haha
Ok gotta pass out (it's 930PM here)... headed to Pisa for the day to hold up the tower, and then down to Rome for a few days. I apologize in advance for the extra long posts in Rome. So much art and culture there, I might die. Ok, maybe not :)
Ciao ciao!! Love and miss...
Hil :)
Ok, so Florence... :)
What a great city! So many things to see, lots of people, and plenty of mozzarella, proscuitto, and gelati to go around!
Yesterday I went to Academia, got lost on the way (weird? NO haha) and stumbled upon a beautiful cathedral. (Annunziata?) Got some great pics... saw a real Italian priest and everything. He made me feel bad for taking pictures haha. (Side note... for all you who know Marian aka Sister Teres, I thought I saw her and thought of her <3)
Then I went to the Duomo. Waited in line for like 20 mins and I climbed the thousands of stairs (ok, less than 500) up to the dome. It was like those old movies where you see people walking down to a dungeon, except I was walking up. One lady was hyperventilating! The inside of the dome was ridiculously beautiful. The entire dome was painted in the theme of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. Huge stained glass windows framed the bottom. Then, I finally got to the top. WOW. A 360 view of the whole city. Funny thing... there was a massive riot going on in the streets. Young kids, so I didn't feel uncomfortable walking through them.
Finally, got to Academia. Walked in, looked at some sculptures and paintings, and then I turned the corner, and there he was. David. I seriously said WOW outloud. He's very tall and his head and right hand are unproportioned. I learned later that Michaelangelo had finished the work of others before him, thus the unproportionality. Coolest thing I've seen yet.
As for today... lets just say I'm exhausted.
1st- Museo del Bargello. Kinda an accident haha. Pretty cool.
2nd- Bargello Cathedral (what I was looking for when I ran into the museum first). Very much worth the 5€. Connected to the Medici Chapel, which was also beautiful. Went to the tomb room (Thanks for the recommendation, Blake!) and it was awesome to see all the tombs. So beautiful.
3rd- Uffizi Galleria. 10€ to be surrounded by some of the most intense and breathtaking art. More famous artists than I could name. Hundreds of sculptures and ridiculously ornate paintings.
Finally- Giardino de Boboli. Gorgeous view as I walked across the river to get there. HUGE gardens with fountains and beautiful sculptures. Probably prettier when the plants are in bloom, but definitely still worth it. Got lost, like in Alice in Wonderland, and then I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and I dragged myself onto a bus and into my hostel. Where I ate spaghetti :) what else, right? haha
Ok gotta pass out (it's 930PM here)... headed to Pisa for the day to hold up the tower, and then down to Rome for a few days. I apologize in advance for the extra long posts in Rome. So much art and culture there, I might die. Ok, maybe not :)
Ciao ciao!! Love and miss...
Hil :)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Nice is really nice :)
Bonjour!!
... and I should say ciao! I got into Florence yesterday from Nice, so both greetings are appropriate :)
Ooooh Nice... definitely my favorite place so far! The pictures and videos I took hardly do it justice. I walked down to the "beach" (kinda rocky for a beach) and walked up Le Chateau. Le Chateau is the ruin site from the war, but it is right on the coast of the riveria, so it gave an incredible view! Seriously breathtaking. I hiked up to the top where there was a beautiful park, and then down the back to the huge port with multi-million yachts. The water was perfectly blue. Then I just walked around town, and went to the contemporary art museum. Pretty cool stuff in there. The next day, a new friend and I went to the Matisse museum. It was nice that they had his classical art along with the contemporary.
On the train yesterday, these two girls sat down across from me and we clicked and are now staying in an AWESOME 3 person room with a really nice shower. Things I have learned not to take for granted! We walked around last night (they've been here before) and we ran into the Duomo. Holy crap. I stopped right in my tracks. Even at night this huge architechural beauty stood out clear as day. I can't wait to see it in a couple hours!
Ok I'm off to see the David... yes, the DAVID STATUE ahhh I can't wait! Gotta go!
Love and miss,
Hil :)
... and I should say ciao! I got into Florence yesterday from Nice, so both greetings are appropriate :)
Ooooh Nice... definitely my favorite place so far! The pictures and videos I took hardly do it justice. I walked down to the "beach" (kinda rocky for a beach) and walked up Le Chateau. Le Chateau is the ruin site from the war, but it is right on the coast of the riveria, so it gave an incredible view! Seriously breathtaking. I hiked up to the top where there was a beautiful park, and then down the back to the huge port with multi-million yachts. The water was perfectly blue. Then I just walked around town, and went to the contemporary art museum. Pretty cool stuff in there. The next day, a new friend and I went to the Matisse museum. It was nice that they had his classical art along with the contemporary.
On the train yesterday, these two girls sat down across from me and we clicked and are now staying in an AWESOME 3 person room with a really nice shower. Things I have learned not to take for granted! We walked around last night (they've been here before) and we ran into the Duomo. Holy crap. I stopped right in my tracks. Even at night this huge architechural beauty stood out clear as day. I can't wait to see it in a couple hours!
Ok I'm off to see the David... yes, the DAVID STATUE ahhh I can't wait! Gotta go!
Love and miss,
Hil :)
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