Let me start by saying, Thank you Jesus for getting me to Barcelona and keeping me safe. Barcelona is an incredible city, but every person I talk to ends up giving me advice on how to not get robbed or worse. No worries though…I’m a smart traveler
My digs here in Barca are unlike any I’ve been in yet. This is a real hostel. I’m in a room with 11 other girls, 9 of whom are all friends here on holiday and determined to have a big night, every night. Thankfully, they have been pretty quite coming home so far. I’m the one who is feeling guilty as I am still up coughing much of the night. I’ve been trying to stifle the noise in my pillow as much as possible, while being careful not to suffocate myself in the process. There is a great common room with FREE, unlimited internet access, something I have gone without for far too long! And the staff here is really great, helpful and friendly.
Yesterday I went exploring. Took a long walk down Las Ramblas, the main drag, and saw all sorts of things. The things they sell here made me laugh; anyone want to buy a chipmunk?? Or maybe a giant dragon costume would be more to your liking? Then I came across “El Marceta de Boqueria;” what can only be describes as a fruit lover’s (me) dream. I was surrounded by the most vibrant and exotic array of fruit I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t decide what to have first. After some serious consideration, I settled on a strawberry, kiwi, and mango plate; it was fabulous.
I continued my walk down to the harbor and ended up at the aquarium. I gawked at the funky fish and huge sharks for while in the much appreciated air conditioning. Then I did something I’ve tried very hard not to for the last 3 months; went to Starbucks for an iced Vanilla Latte and it was delicious. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing in laundry and catching up on all things viral at the hostel.
Today I planned on venturing to the beach, but alas, it’s been pouring rain all day. Determined to make this day count, I decided to do as much touristy things as I could. I started by climbing the HUGE hill to Parc Guell where there is a lookout over the whole city of Barcelona. It’s too bad it wasn’t a better day, the view was amazing. Then I followed the paths to the Gaudi Park. Gaudi’s artistic influence is visible all over the city, but particularly at this park. There are interesting monuments and mosaics everywhere.
Then I made my way to the main cathedral which is under construction and not very appealing at the moment. Not to mention, the torrential downpour that ensued just as I left the metro, ugh. I came back the hostel for dinner and just in time to watch Roger Federer power his way into the Roland Garros final. I watched with a German, and 2 Spaniards; it was really fun.
Tonight I went to the “Magic Fountain;” a water show that puts the one at the Bellagio in Vegas to complete shame!! It was so so so cool. On the weekends they have a pretty much continuously starting at 9:30, so I just went and sat for over an hour. The fountain is set to great music and incredible lighting schemes. I’m really glad I went.
Tomorrow is my last day here and I’m going to try the beach again. Only 3 more sleeps til I’m home in the States…wierd
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Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Apologies...
I’m so sorry for the severe lack of communication, for the 4 of you that read this blog, ha! I have been writing posts along the way when I have had time, but we have not had much internet access so I have been saving them.
So here they are; some stories of my travels from the last week and a half. I will be in Barcelona for the next 4 days before finally making my way back home…can’t believe it’s already that time.
So here they are; some stories of my travels from the last week and a half. I will be in Barcelona for the next 4 days before finally making my way back home…can’t believe it’s already that time.
Venezia
While I write this, Mom is flipping through the Italian TV and translating what she thinks it says. Apparently there is a “big problem” with trash in Italy, and people are very worried about it. There is also a “very big problem” in Verona with a man and his cat. If any of you have ever seen how my mom gets when she is laughing so hard that she cries and rolls around, you understand what I’m experiencing at the moment.
Our adventures in Italy started a bit rough. We woke up before the sun to catch the train to the airport and got in the longer than usual line for EasyJet. We still had no it reached the front of the line only 20 minutes before our plane was scheduled to depart, but an employee assured us that the plane would not leave until the line was gone. We got on the plane, took a nap, and landed in Venice without a hitch. The problem started at baggage claim when the belt stopped and about 25 people were left wondering where their luggage was. My mom got hers, but mine was missing. Everyone quickly got in line at lost luggage only to be told that an entire cart of luggage was just left at the airport in Paris and we would have to wait until the next day to have it delivered to our hotel.
So ok, just roll with the punches right? Well I really did try. We made our way into Venice and had a nice lunch on the canal while they got our room ready. The location of our hostel was fabulous, just off of St. Mark’s Square, and we spent the first evening exploring the tiny streets of Venice. This place is incredible, certainly the most romantic and picturesque place I have ever been. It was just quite unfortunate that we had to share the experience with about 2 million other tourists. It felt like a herd of cattle moving inhumanly slow through the tiny streets, all speaking different languages of course.
After the first night in our hostel, we ventured out towards the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. At 2p.m., my bag still had not arrived, and I was quickly becoming the most unpleasant person in Venice. Thankfully, I received a call saying it had arrived at about 4 and after a long shower and clean clothes; I was an infinitely happier Hannah. The rest of our time in Venice was fairly uneventful, although we did take a guided tour of St. Marks Basilica which was incredible. It’s so hard to get an understanding of historical time living in America. Everything in Europe is just so much older and full of history. We also visited Murano island, where all the famous Venetian blown glass is made.
So this is what Italy means to me; surreal scenery, distinctive culture, monstrous tourists, fabulous fresh pasta, and gelato unlike any other. I will certainly be back…
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=264958&id=501285626
Our adventures in Italy started a bit rough. We woke up before the sun to catch the train to the airport and got in the longer than usual line for EasyJet. We still had no it reached the front of the line only 20 minutes before our plane was scheduled to depart, but an employee assured us that the plane would not leave until the line was gone. We got on the plane, took a nap, and landed in Venice without a hitch. The problem started at baggage claim when the belt stopped and about 25 people were left wondering where their luggage was. My mom got hers, but mine was missing. Everyone quickly got in line at lost luggage only to be told that an entire cart of luggage was just left at the airport in Paris and we would have to wait until the next day to have it delivered to our hotel.
So ok, just roll with the punches right? Well I really did try. We made our way into Venice and had a nice lunch on the canal while they got our room ready. The location of our hostel was fabulous, just off of St. Mark’s Square, and we spent the first evening exploring the tiny streets of Venice. This place is incredible, certainly the most romantic and picturesque place I have ever been. It was just quite unfortunate that we had to share the experience with about 2 million other tourists. It felt like a herd of cattle moving inhumanly slow through the tiny streets, all speaking different languages of course.
After the first night in our hostel, we ventured out towards the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. At 2p.m., my bag still had not arrived, and I was quickly becoming the most unpleasant person in Venice. Thankfully, I received a call saying it had arrived at about 4 and after a long shower and clean clothes; I was an infinitely happier Hannah. The rest of our time in Venice was fairly uneventful, although we did take a guided tour of St. Marks Basilica which was incredible. It’s so hard to get an understanding of historical time living in America. Everything in Europe is just so much older and full of history. We also visited Murano island, where all the famous Venetian blown glass is made.
So this is what Italy means to me; surreal scenery, distinctive culture, monstrous tourists, fabulous fresh pasta, and gelato unlike any other. I will certainly be back…
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=264958&id=501285626
Ah, Paris…we meet again.
It’s been a very long day. It started with the midnight ferry from Santorini to Athens, then an hour long bus to the Airport, then a 3 hour flight to Paris, a 30 minute bus ride, and then about 2 hours of aimless wandering. This is the second time that I have been so mad at French people’s directions that I could scream. The taxi’s wouldn’t take us because the think it’s too close, but an hour later, still no hotel!
This trip has had one major setback. Unfortunately, my mom’s sudden onset of a deep chest cold the day she left Mammoth, has put a damper on things. Anyone who really knows me, and I am the first to admit this, knows that I am not the most gracious or pleasant person when I’m sick. I fought it off for a while but finally succumbed on our last night in Greece. This has made for nights awake with hacking attacks and days exhausted and feverish, not good.
The entire reason for including Paris in this trip was Roland Garros, The French Open. I have become quite the tennis enthusiast in the last few years and going to a grand slam event was something I could not pass up. We had tickets for 2 days there. The first day included some great double matches, and an up close encounter with Andy Roddick. Mom and I got seats 3 rows from the court behind the player’s chairs. We could hear how he loudly exhales every time the other player hits the ball and when he hits it, it really annoyed me actually. Grant even told me that he saw half of my face and mom’s hair on sports center that night. It was a great match.
The second day, was slightly less exciting for me since all the best matches were being played in the center courts that our tickets didn’t have access too. However, the day was redeemed when I got a seat on the floor directly behind the Williams Sisters for their 3 round doubles match. I could hear them talking. There was drama on the court because Venus had lost earlier that day to one of the girls on the other team, but they proved that they work so well as a team and won in 3 sets. Sadly, no close encounters with Rafa this time….
The rest of our time in Paris has been spent walking. Our hotel was right in the middle of town so we were able to see most things by foot; The Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, Luxemburg Garden…etc. We also took a river boat tour on the Seine which was a beautiful way to see the city.
It’s been fun watching my mom. She is so happy to be back in France, although her heart really longs to go back to the country; the Loire Valley, Provance, and Canne where she lived 35 years ago. Her French is coming back slowly which is a huge help since my Spanish does nothing here. She gets excited about everything and can’t help but tell many stories about her own memories and adventures. Now we are on to Venice…yum gelato and bellini!!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=264953&id=501285626
This trip has had one major setback. Unfortunately, my mom’s sudden onset of a deep chest cold the day she left Mammoth, has put a damper on things. Anyone who really knows me, and I am the first to admit this, knows that I am not the most gracious or pleasant person when I’m sick. I fought it off for a while but finally succumbed on our last night in Greece. This has made for nights awake with hacking attacks and days exhausted and feverish, not good.
The entire reason for including Paris in this trip was Roland Garros, The French Open. I have become quite the tennis enthusiast in the last few years and going to a grand slam event was something I could not pass up. We had tickets for 2 days there. The first day included some great double matches, and an up close encounter with Andy Roddick. Mom and I got seats 3 rows from the court behind the player’s chairs. We could hear how he loudly exhales every time the other player hits the ball and when he hits it, it really annoyed me actually. Grant even told me that he saw half of my face and mom’s hair on sports center that night. It was a great match.
The second day, was slightly less exciting for me since all the best matches were being played in the center courts that our tickets didn’t have access too. However, the day was redeemed when I got a seat on the floor directly behind the Williams Sisters for their 3 round doubles match. I could hear them talking. There was drama on the court because Venus had lost earlier that day to one of the girls on the other team, but they proved that they work so well as a team and won in 3 sets. Sadly, no close encounters with Rafa this time….
The rest of our time in Paris has been spent walking. Our hotel was right in the middle of town so we were able to see most things by foot; The Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, Luxemburg Garden…etc. We also took a river boat tour on the Seine which was a beautiful way to see the city.
It’s been fun watching my mom. She is so happy to be back in France, although her heart really longs to go back to the country; the Loire Valley, Provance, and Canne where she lived 35 years ago. Her French is coming back slowly which is a huge help since my Spanish does nothing here. She gets excited about everything and can’t help but tell many stories about her own memories and adventures. Now we are on to Venice…yum gelato and bellini!!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=264953&id=501285626
Greek Life
Our 4 days on Santorini were jammed packed with fun, memories made for sure. We started by exploring the town of Fira, the newly determined capital of the island. Anywhere you stand has an incredible view of the caldera and the cliffs. The second day we took a traditional Greek sail boat tour. We first had to walk down about 800 steps down the cliff, my calf’s were immobilized for 3 days after.
The first stop was the active volcano in the middle of the caldera. I was not aware that our sail would include a 2 mile hike to the top of an active volcano in flip flops, surprise! Then we were taken to a smaller island where there are thermal hot springs, and we finally got to get in the water. This is when a family of Germans stripped down naked in front of everyone to put their swim suits on. And may I point out that these were typical German body types, insert mental picture here.
After that was a trip to Thirassia, the oldest village of Santorini, which is actually on a separate island since the big earthquake in the 50’s. Here we had some time to lunch and rest. I had my first real Greek Gyros (pronounced “yeero”) here and it changed my life! The tour ended with a sail to Oia ( “Ia”), pictured in “the sisterhood of the traveling pants” and then back to Fira. We wisely opted for the donkey option for getting back up the cliff. My donkey, who I lovingly named Nick, ala Big Fat Greek Wedding, was the lead donkey and refused to let anyone pass. This was a great memory.
Day 2 was lay by the pool day. The pension (hostel) we were staying at had a beautiful pool. After sufficient sunning, we took the bus to Ois (“Ia”) for dinner in the most amazing setting ever. Oia has become famous for it’s sunsets, so we stuck around to watch it with about 200 other people. It was beautiful though.
Days 3 and 4 were spent exploring the island via motorcycle. This was so fun, and a great way to see the whole island. I’m starting to understand why my dad loves to rent Harley’s so much when he is in a new place.
Greece was truly a gift to me; a piece of my heart will be there always
The first stop was the active volcano in the middle of the caldera. I was not aware that our sail would include a 2 mile hike to the top of an active volcano in flip flops, surprise! Then we were taken to a smaller island where there are thermal hot springs, and we finally got to get in the water. This is when a family of Germans stripped down naked in front of everyone to put their swim suits on. And may I point out that these were typical German body types, insert mental picture here.
After that was a trip to Thirassia, the oldest village of Santorini, which is actually on a separate island since the big earthquake in the 50’s. Here we had some time to lunch and rest. I had my first real Greek Gyros (pronounced “yeero”) here and it changed my life! The tour ended with a sail to Oia ( “Ia”), pictured in “the sisterhood of the traveling pants” and then back to Fira. We wisely opted for the donkey option for getting back up the cliff. My donkey, who I lovingly named Nick, ala Big Fat Greek Wedding, was the lead donkey and refused to let anyone pass. This was a great memory.
Day 2 was lay by the pool day. The pension (hostel) we were staying at had a beautiful pool. After sufficient sunning, we took the bus to Ois (“Ia”) for dinner in the most amazing setting ever. Oia has become famous for it’s sunsets, so we stuck around to watch it with about 200 other people. It was beautiful though.
Days 3 and 4 were spent exploring the island via motorcycle. This was so fun, and a great way to see the whole island. I’m starting to understand why my dad loves to rent Harley’s so much when he is in a new place.
Greece was truly a gift to me; a piece of my heart will be there always
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