Day 14- First Real day in Rome

Today was our first real day in Rome. We began our day by meeting our tour group and heading into the City. We took the metro like system right into the city and started our walking tour with the Spanish steps They were pretty but not exactly quite I imagined. They were just steps but later at night I realized it was an awesome view of all the lights. After the spanish steps we walked towards the Trevi fountain. It was sooo much bigger that I thought. Nick and I took some pictures and continues on our tour. We forgot to throw coins in (but later we were able to a night).We then walked to the piassa novena (spelling?)Half the group had some Gelato and then we saw the Pantheon and had so Pizza right by it. The pizza was delicious, I got Pizza margarita and Nick got some broccoli pizza. Then we were able Upon advice from Jess we did her top things she recommended. After the Pantheon we met back up with the group and walked to the vatican. We thought that we would be able to just walk right up and go inside but we were very mistaken. The line to get into the museum was 1 hour long and had no shade. I thought we would be able to skip the line with the group but the 1 hour long line was the group line. After being offered many different hats,umbrellas and post cards we enter the building where it looks like a terminal for an airport with the amount of security there was. After we get through the gate we met up with our Australian tour guide to guide us around. The view was amazing. The amount of art and the intensity of the paintings was surreal. I was constantly taking photos and pictures every chance I could. We ended up taking about 300 pictures in the Vatican and we were not even allowed to take photos in some. The sistine chapel was beautiful. It was like better than I pictured it would be. The view and the story behind it was great as well. We finished up the tour and went to St.Peters basilica. That was another sight that I will not forget. After that I walked through the square and went off and bought some rosaries from the vatican before leaving. We ended up walking forever and went to back to the hotel to relax because we were meeting up with Ashley's friend Sarah. Sarah lives in Rome but goes to school with Ashley at UVA. We walked all the same places we walked earlier today but were able to get a local point of view. She showed up an amazing gelato place where only the local go and it was literally a hole in the wall. Jenny came with us as well. She is another girl on the trip so it was the 4 of us just walking the town. We threw coins into the Trevi Fountain. After that we went to Campo de Fiori. This area was full of bars and young people. It was the place to be. We went to a couple different bars to see the different locations. While we were sitting town a magician was doing a show and the show was soo funny. He kept saying "watch me" in Italian. The show was very cheesy and quite hilarious. His final trick was that he took off his toupee and everyone put coins into his hair. We relaxed and then went to a euro dance club with all the locals. I have never seen so many guys with tight jeans in my life in the club. We did not stay long and decided it was a good idea to go out and get crepes with nutella before we got a cab ride home. The night ended with a crazy cab driver getting us back to our hotel after driving speeds of 100km/hr. The night was over and Sarah went home.

Day 13- First Day in Italy

Well after we finally landed from the overnight ferry we took a nice 4 hour drive to Pompeii. When we were not sleeping we were able to enjoy the beautiful Italian country side and admire all the green a beautiful hills. We eventually got to Pompeii and began our guided tour of Pompeii. There we were able to see the enormous city that was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius. The city was huge, both Nick and I were amazed by how big it was compared to what we imagined. The volcano was a few miles away and the town was completely in ruins. It was very neat to be able to see the old center of town and the baths and fountains that still remained. The site even still had a body preserved there in glass, (well the remains of it). Then we finally got to Rome. After a full day of traveling we just relaxed in our hotel room.

Day 12- Leaving Corfu...off to ITALY!!

So today was our last day in Corfu so we decided to explore Corfu town. The central location of the island. We were able to see the ancient fortresses from our lunch table and do some shopping. We saw again tons of knock offs, it was amazing how many there were. We also got to try some of the famous Kumquat liquor and some Limoncello. Both not too bad. In Corfu town I bought a sterling silver ring with three little pearls that I love. Then Nick and I came back and hung in the lobby for a couple of hours downloading things off itunes to prepare of our 5 hour car ride AFTER the overnight ferry to Italy. Around 7 we loaded the bus and headed to our first ferry to the main island and then at about 1AM we boarded our overnight ferry. It was an hour late! I managed this ferry ride great! I was able to use the sea sick path and not be affected by the motion!

Day 11- Exploring Corfu

Today we went exploring the island. We decided to rent a car but it was definitely harder then it needed to be. Every place was sold out and scooters seemed to be the only form of transportation. Ashley and I felt that scooters did not seem safe by the way the Greeks seem to drive. We were correct because someone in our groups scooter broke down and had to get someone to pick them up. After going to all the rental places looking for a 7 person car we were out of luck. Two guys who were going to go with us decided to scooter so it went down to 5 total people. This allowed us to try again and look for a 5 person car. Ashley went into our first place with a mission and was able to get us a very nice 5 seater car with plenty of space for everyone for a great price. Because we were not used to the driving Ashley was the only one that drove the car. Luckily Ashley was able to drive stick shift because every car was manual here. Our first destination was the blue caves. It was on the other side of the island but only took 15 mins by car. As soon as we begin to pull closer to the water. The view was amazing. The water was crystal clear and a true deep blue. Also there were a great deal of caves that we were able to swim or get too. The five of us decided to rent a paddle boat and go exploring the water and caves. The paddle boat guy wanted Ashley. He asked if he could come with us and steer and paddle. We nicely declined the greek gentleman. We were able to explore the water and relax as well. We also explored a cave but also ran into some rocks. I took over steering because Ashley and Michael seemed to be having some trouble steering the boat. After the boat ride, we docked and went to lunch. We got a pizza and french fries with ketchup! It was quite exciting. Soon after lunch we went to Sisi's Palace which was the home and shrine for Achilles. The museum was full of great artwork and very beautiful outdoors as well. The gardens and statues were quite amazing as well. Also there was a picture of an epic battle seen too. The view of the sea was amazing too. I really loved the museum. We left the museum and went on a journey back to the hotel and it was quite the journey. We got lost 3 times and ended up passing a sheep herder along the way. Luckily I was able to navigate us back to the hotel safe and sound. Ashley returned the car and went to a nice itailian restaurant with live music and a great atmosphere. Ashley and I split a Hawaiian pizza and got dessert as well. After dinner we just relaxed in the hotel and played cards and spent time talking and uploading photos to the computer.

Day 10- Landing in Corfu

Well we landed in Corfu at 7AM after a long day of traveling we landed in Corfu. We had a nice breakfast at a cafe and then started to explore the island. We checked out the beach which on one side of the island is rocky (the side near our hotel). Then we shopped all around the little town of Gouvia. We have discovered that it is the island of knock offs. We had some super gyros (or at least Nick did, I just had a slice of bread) for lunch. Then we sat at a coffee bar and had some iced cappuccinos. We then had a some nice dinner at an restaurant called o2 where I could finally eat something I was not scared to eat. I had pesto pasta :) Nick had chicken fajitas it was a nice change from always eating Greek food since it is all we were eating for 3 days. At night, the whole group went out to a bar/disco which was fun but again full of smoke. I had to leave because after inhaling smoke I cannot breathe. Overall it was really fun. The day was long.

Day 9 -Delphi

We went started our morning by checking out of our hotel in Athens and driving to Delphi the temple of Apollo. And then it started to pour and we had to run soaking wet into Museum where we could get to see the partial chariot that was able to be recovered during one of the excavation. Then we loaded back into the bus and stopped at an impromptu beach stop which was beautiful but super cold. Then we took the terrrrrrrrrible boat ride to Corfu but I survived :) It was a major travel day.

Day 8- Athens

** Note the picture above icecream in Germany. Nick and I at the super windy beach near our hotel in Athens the wind was blowing our shirts.

Today we went to the downtown part of Athens but first we started the day off with a delicious Greek breakfast provided by the hotel and it included a great cheese, tomatoes and bread. After breakfast we went on a panoramic tour of the ancient part of the city to see the Olympic stadium as well as Zeus' palace and some old Greek architecture. We were able to get off the bus at certain locations and take up close picture and had a great tour guide from Greece to navigate us. After the panoramic tour we went by foot and climbed from the bottom of the acropolis to the top while we received information along the way. We also were able to take amazing pictures of the city and of the ancient stones at the top. It was really nice and the weather was perfect. After we finished with the acropolis we went into a work shop where they had jewelery and handcrafted pots and authentic greek design. After that we continued with the walk tour and saw more of the old district and saw many shops and statues. The scenery was quite amazing. We finished the walking tour and then went with a group of people to go eat gyros in Greece. It was amazing and much better than I thought. Ashley and I continued to walk around the shop and try and haggle for deals but we only bought small items and some art as well. After 3 hours of walking around we met up with the group and went on the tram which is a small train and it was packed. I felt like I was on a New York City subway. Now we are just relaxing and plan on going with the group for the Greece v Argentina World Cup game in the town we are in and probably grab some dinner before the game.

Leaving Germany :( Sunday and Monday

** note from Hamburg... Anna said the reason the Croc store is next to D&G, and Hugo Bass was because Rich women like to garden :)

So Sunday was a nice last day. We relaxed at Anna's had a huge icecream that Nick and I barely made a dent into. And then a delicious dinner of fresh German noodles and curry chicken. Anna's mom made the noodles from scratch. She also made candied almonds which we took with us and have as a nice snack!

So Monday super duper early we left Anna's. Needless to say it was an awesome and best first week ever! Anna made a little scrapbook for me which I love of our trip. When then got on a kind of rocky flight to Athens. But the view from the airplane was incredible once we got close. We then landed and found our group leader. My gosh was it a huge temperature change I was melting in my jeans. We then meet half the group and took a bus to our hotel where we then got some lunch with two kids from CA. Then checked out the local shops in Glyfadia, Athens. We are about 30min outside the center city. We took a stroll around the beach which is about 100 yards form our hotel. Around 8 the other half of the group arrived. We had a brief orientation and welcome drink where Nick and I tried Mythos a local beer which I really liked. It was an early night because 90% of the group was jet lagged.

Day 5

Yesterday we started our day quite early, we took a a day trip to hamburg. It took us about 4 hours via car because the autobahn had lots of traffic and construction. Nick and I did not really experience a huge culture shock until we got to Hamburg. It was probably the most touristy city we have been to so far. We did the typical tourist tour and went around the city on a double-decker bus and It was about a two hour tour which traveled the whole city. I really liked Hamburg but there is no way I could live there it was way to city like. They had the super duper nice parts and the amazing warehouse district which had old fashioned buildings which were really pretty. We have about 100 pictures of buildings after that bus tour.

After the bus tour we went walked around Hamburg going into little shops. Anna and I went into a place where you can make your own jewelery. I made two necklaces and Anna made some really nice earrings. We then had some coffee because Germany is COLD. We then walked to the town square and then took a train to the reeperbahn. That is were it was a culture shock times 10000. There are prostitutes that line the street. They all were little belly bags that is how you know they are for sale. Then they have a street that is blocked off for men only where they can walk down the street and see women in the windows and then pick which one they want.

We then had some juice at a little pub in the red light district. We then took the long trek home.

Day 4

Day 4 we went to the public viewing of the Germany vs Serbia game in Dortmund. There was probably 10,000 people at the public viewing and all were loud, tall , Germans. The game was at 1:30pm but we arrived around 10am to center city and there were already people drinking and singing about the game. Every person had someone with Germany's colors on. Many people used the flag as an article of clothing which sometimes was too revealing. The venue was huge. They had big screen tv and a huge stage for people to go up and get the crowd started. I learned many Germany songs and sang along for part of it. One thing that I did notice was that everyone there smoked. It was like they preferred smoke than air. We only stayed for the first half because Ashley being shorter than the Germany people could not see. We decided to go and watch the second half at Anna's University. The bar/coffee shop was packed with students but we were still able to see the last 15min of the second half. Domick, who went to UVA as an exchange student also, came to meet us at the coffee shop and we watched the first half of the USA before going to explore the University. After we went to another part of Dortmund for dinner and Ashley and I split a pasta meal and ordered nachos. The nachos were nothing like the ones at home the salsa was more like a tomato paste and the chips were seasoned so it was backwards. After dinner we went to a Tapas bar for coffee and returned to the University for a concert event at the school. The bands were crazy german rock bands but most of their songs were America covers. The event was sponsored by Jagermiester and because we were from America the Jager sponsor took Polaroid picture of the group and we also got lanyard as well. We listened to the music while trying to figure out what song they were covering and because we were such good people we received free white sunglasses and hats by Southern Comfort and Bacardi. I have never seen a school sponsored event sponsored by alcohol and it was quite different to see. We hopped on the train and returned home after a very long day.

** The public viewing was crazy, if you were at all uncomfortable with crowds, you could not attend you were always getting pushed. That day for lunch I had a nutella banana crepe and Nick had brawtwurst and I tried some of Kurrywurst which was brawtwurst with seasoning on top.

Day 3 cont

So today after breakfast we went to a mining museum and got to go underground and have a tour of the mines, it was quite chilly. Nick Really liked it though, that engineer in him was fascinated. Then we got to go all the way up and see a view of another city. Unfortunately we are not going to get to visit Steffi because it is about a 7 hour car ride so instead we are taking a day trip to Hamburg!! Woot woot I am pretty excited! We also got to go to a super market and got to buy some grapefruit beer and some candies which we will try later tonight. Tonight we are staying in to prepare for the big Germany football game tomorrow. Below is a picture of Nick and I at the top of the mining tower and another of him and I in a mining hole.

While we were at the mining museum, there was a Spanish lady and the tour guide asked her where she was from and she said she was from Chile. Immediately when went to talk to her in spanish but she did not understand us! Her spanish was definitely not up to par. Also the public transit system is quite crazy as well. We switched three different trains and chased a train as well.

Day 3

So last night, Nick and I accomplished something great... we got the TV to work. It only took about one hour to get the TV and figure out how to play a movie. Needless to say we watched American Pie haha very German. It is odd how bright it is outside, it will be like 10pm and the sun will be setting. Sometimes they go to bed and it is still bright outside.

Last night we went to the college town which was really fun and met some of Anna's friends. We went to an irish pub and Australian bar. The first bar I had this amazing hard cider and Nick had becks which was not bad. We then climb this bell tower and had an overlook of the whole city. It was like 30 stair cases it took forever. We were lucky because it was technically closed but one of Anna's friends said it was a special occasion because they had Americans and they let us go up but said because we were the last ones up to lock the door. When we walked up the stairs there was another couple and they proceeded to leave before us. So when I went to pull the door open it was locked and boy did everyone think we were stuck up in this super high bell tower... but Anna tried and the door pushed up and they all laughed.

In the Australian bar I had a bubbly apple juice drink and Nick had a Bionade...

Okay so I decided to order a healthy drink and Bionade is a healthy lemonade. It was ginger-orange flavor.... It was very odd and every sip tastes different. It also caused a huge problem in the bar because they didnt have the right flavors.Now I know that I will never order Bionade Ginger flavor again.

Day 2

Today we woke up and had a nice breakfast at Anna's house. We bought nice fresh bread from the bakery down the road and had juice, coffee and bread with jams and cheeses.
Then we went to Munster and shopped for a bit and then now we finished dinner and are going to Dortmund to go out with Anna's friends all in our new shoes we bought.

Day 1

Today was day full of delays and new things. Even before I left my eye caught something in the terminal. A chipotle that sold breakfast. I couldn’t believe my eyes and was so sad that I was not able to try it. Both flights of the day were delayed but I found out that the delays are not very uncommon. On the flight to London the guy sitting next to me was going to the world cup! I told him to do something crazy so I can see him on TV and root for USA. Airplane food is not good and it is very difficult to sleep in airplane seats. London’s terminal was full of expensive stores and the first overseas meal was a NY style bagel place and right after we started our morning with a shot of champagne. Anna picked us up and showed us her home and great hospitality. We had a Hungarian dish for dinner and then after went to visit our first castle. The castle was amazing and beautiful and then we finished the night watching the world cup as I drank a Bavarian white beer. Great way to start the trip off.


Well we learned that delays sucks so do long distance plane rides…from now on I want to fly at least business class one step up from coach. There was a crying baby, this old woman in front of me insisted on laying back as far as she could and I could not sleep at all. Around 3 am home time they served us dinner…. Boy that was a mistake… I did not feel good after they feed us something they call chicken. Nick and I then after a rocky tiring ride landed in London. London is expensive the US dollar goes nowhere compared to the pound. Nick and I had two bagels with cream cheese and a juice for 8 pounds roughly 11 US dollars. It was absurd. We then took a nice short flight to Dusseldorf where Anna picked us up from the airport. We took about an hour and half car ride to where we are staying, we are staying in a family friends apartment it’s cute and small but really nice. We drove on the autobahn to get to Anna’s small city. It was quite pretty drive but just like home a little trafficey. We then had an amazing dinner outside in her backyard, with some wine (Nick stuck with water) and fresh bread. Anna, Nick, Anna’s mom and I then went to see our first castle; it looked right out of an Ever After movie. On our way home we stopped by and had a beer at this old German pub, it was very old fashioned, if you could imagine a pub in Germany than this is what you would imagine. I had a delicious beer with strawberry and syrup, might sound odd but it was actually sooo good

4 Days until we leave

So Nick and I have four days until we start our European adventure! We will leave here at night at arrive in England in the morning then transfer to Germany where Anna will be coming to pick us up at the airport.