Birthday Celebrations

A couple of weeks ago I celebrated my birthday with some of my friends here in Europe. Although 21 isn't quite as big a deal here in Europe, I still had a great time with everyone! They surprised me at work with flowers, wine, and cake, which was so lovely of them. Later that evening we had dinner at an African restaurant and had a great time talking and laughing. It was definitely a wonderful birthday!

Amsterdam & Some News

Hello, hello! Ok, I realize it's been insanely long since I last posted. In my defense though, I spent the last week in Nice and London! I had an amazing time, and can't wait to tell you all more about it later!

So, for those of you who weren't already aware, I head back to the U.S. in less than a week! Yup, May 2nd is when I head back. I can't believe it's already been 3 months. I'm sad to leave all my friends here in Europe, but am so so so excited to be reunited with all my family and friends in the U.S! And speaking of heading home... I'll be spending the summer in Blacksburg! I was offered and accepted a communications internship in Roanoke, which I'm really excited about. Plus, after a semester away, I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and catching up! I should be back around the 8th of May :). Less than 2 weeks!

However, all this talk of going home has made me realize just how far behind I am on posting about my trips here in Europe! I am determined to be caught up on my blogging before I head back, although I realize that's pretty unlikely... So, here's my first attempt at getting back on track with these blog posts!

At the beginning of the month I went to Amsterdam for the weekend with my friend from work again. Definitely an interesting city. I feel like it sort of has an identity crisis. On the one hand, you have this really lovely and charming city, full of beautiful canals, flowers, and markets. On the other hand, you have the city that's (in)famous for it's red light district and coffee shops - which, fyi, don't sell coffee. Memorable moments included:

• taking a cruise along the canal
• passing a drunk man who'd fallen into the canal
• checking out the Anne Frank House (amazing, btw)
• checking out the red light district, including the girls in the window (and being told girls were welcome to the "live porn show" too)
• seeing the flower market
• seeing a drunk guy with his friends walking around without pants. Or boxers.

Like I said, definitely an interesting city. Anyone else have any memorable moments from Amsterdam?? Or any other city?

neVer forgeT

"While 32 of our friends and classmates are in Heaven trying to explain what a Hokie is, I stand here sure in the fact that I wouldn't want to be anything else."

Today is April 16th. We'll never forget the ones we lost. Although I may be 4000+ miles away, know that all of my fellow Hokies, whether here or in heaven, are in my heart and mind today. Love you all <3.

Berlin

Brandenburg Gate

A few weeks ago I took a trip to Berlin with a friend of mine from work. With so much history surrounding the city, I was definitely excited to pay it a visit. I have to admit though, once I was there I definitely felt like I needed to brush up on my Berlin history!

We made sure to check out all the really big historical sites, including one of the last remaining sections of the wall, Checkpoint Charlie, and Brandenburg Gate. We also made time to go check out the Berlin Zoo on Sunday and pay our respects to Knut's family (the bear died only a week before we visited). Not gonna lie, I thought it was kind of funny that people were upset enough to create and leave items for a memorial, especially after all the city has been through in the last 100 years...

Although I wish I could've stayed longer than just the weekend (there's so much to see!), I still really enjoyed seeing the beautiful and historic city.

What about you? Would you ever want to visit Berlin?

Berlin TV Tower

Section of the Berlin Wall

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie

Memorial to Knut the Polar Bear

Knut's family at the Berlin Z00

Munich

View of the city
A few weeks ago I took the train up to Munich to stay with a friend. Although I enjoyed seeing the city, I have to admit that it didn't really stand out to me as somewhere I'd particularly like to go back to. Then again, the chilly temps may have worked against the city, since from what I hear the city is lovely in the summer, with its many beer gardens and parks (and of course, let's not forget the wonder of Oktoberfest in the fall).

Still, I liked seeing the city, and especially enjoyed visiting two of its palaces. It's incredible seeing just how ridiculously wealthy these people were. One of the most interesting parts was King Ludwig's "Gallery of Beauties," a collection of paintings of the women he decided were the most beautiful in the world, several of whom he had affairs with (maybe the 19th century version of Charlie Sheen's goddesses?). I also got to see the famous "glockenspiel" - a large clock on a tower in the main square with animatronic figures that dance.

Overall, I had a good time visiting my friend and checking out the city. What about you? Would you ever want to go to Munich?

Rathaus-Glockenspiel
Schloss Nymphenburg Palace
Gallery of Beauties
In the main hall of the palace

In Bruges

Apparently "In Bruges" is a movie that came out a few years ago with Colin Farrell. Although I've never seen it, I kind of want to now that I've visited the city. Three weeks ago I took a day trip to the city, about an hour away from Brussels. I loved its canals, gabled buildings, and moss-covered walls, and found it to be absolutely charming. Although it didn't seem to be the most exciting place, I thought it was perfect for a breezy spring Saturday.

Carnevale in Venice

More than three weeks later, I am FINALLY posting about my visit to Venice during Carnivale. If you've never visited the city, go. I thought it was absolutely beautiful, with charming streets and the loveliest canals running through it (the perfect weather didn't hurt either).

However, if you're actually trying to see the city, Carnevale might not be the best time to go. The entire city, from the train station to the Piazza San Marco, was completely packed. Don't get me wrong, I loved getting to see Carnevale for the first time since I lived in Italy as a kid. It was so much fun seeing the bright colors and elaborate costumes every one had. I even bought a mask of my own to get into the spirit :). However, if I ever go back to Venice (which hopefully I will!), I think I'll probably go at a different time of year haha. Regardless of the crowded streets though, I had an amazing time checking out the city and being surrounded by the festive spirit of Carnevale.

Nostalgia

Childhood home

For those of you who didn't already know, I actually lived in Vicenza, Italy for three years as a kid (ages 6-9). Although I was too young to really realize how cool it was to be living in Italy, I was old enough that I still remember my time there. While I was there I was able to swing by my old house, the base I went to school, and my family's favorite ice cream place, as well as visit with old family friends we hadn't seen in years and years. Seeing it all definitely brought back memories :).

Family friends I stayed with
Amusement park of old
Favorite gelato place
Just like a kid again
Old family friends in front of my old street

Il Bacio

I came across this statue while in Italy. It's called "Il Bacio," or "The Kiss." Beautiful.

Northern Italy

Two weeks ago I visited some old family friends in Vicenza, Italy for the weekend. I had SUCH a good time running around Northern Italy, eating amazing Italian food, and taking an obscene number of pictures (Seriously. Couldn't even fit them all into a facebook album). We crammed soooo much into the two and a half days there that I think there will have to be several posts dedicated to this trip :).

The first day and a half I was there was spent checking out several darling little Italian towns that were nearby, including three along Lago di Garda (Lake Garda). This lake is supposed to be absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately the weather prevented me from actually seeing these beautiful views, but I still had a lovely time wondering around the little towns.