This is a week of lasts. I first had to say goodbye to one of my favorite traditions this past Saturday, the market. If I am in Leiden on a Saturday I always make my way over to the market where I buy fresh fruits and vegetables, a hot stroopwaffle, and occasionally some flowers. I really couldn't believe that this was the last time that I would walk along the canal and see all the booths set up. On Saturday I also visited Amsterdam for the last time, which wasn't hard to say bye to ha! The cleaning workers have been on strike for a few weeks so the streets were covered in garbage...it was disgusting. Sarah Shimon, Chels, Will, TJ, and I got to have the "Heineken Experience" and visit the Anne Frank house.
Today I had to say bye to C1000, the grocery store right down the street that I have been going to since the first week I arrived. I remember walking in the first time unaware of where anything was located yet alone what anything said since it was all in Dutch. I had no idea that you were required to bring your own bag to carry your groceries in or that the store doesn't stay open 24 hours. Now it just seems normal; I know where everything is located and what it means, I understand the cashiers when they ask me in Dutch if I want the receipt, and I have even become faster in loading my groceries in my backpack. I also had to say goodbye to the local bakery I go to get fresh bread. I am really going to miss the fresh bread I have become so accustomed to. This evening I had to say goodbye to Jackets, an amazing potato restaurant that we have been going to every Monday night for the past month. It was last month that we found out they give students discounts on Mondays and wish we would have been going a lot longer.
I only have two more days left with Rusty, my faithful bike. Though he has lost the rear tire cover and most of the power to its brakes, it would not have been the same experience without him. I have loved having a bike and am already looking into getting one when I return home. Later on Wednesday we are having our last dinner as a program.
I really can not comprehend that I will be boarding a plane this Thursday. It really does just feel like yesterday that I was getting everything ready to come to Leiden. I was anxious and unaware of what the semester would entail. Now I can not imagine not spending a semester abroad. I have learned so much about myself and it is bittersweet to leave a place that feels like my second home.
Monday, May 17, 2010
What could be better than waffles and chocolate?
My last trip planned was to Belgium May 5-7 with my entire program. I had just finished up three of my classes at Webster University the day before so I was thrilled to only have one final left before completing my junior year.
We took a 2 hour train ride to Brussels and checked into our hostel, The Sleep Well. I stayed in a three person room with the two Sarah's. After settling in, a few of us took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat and of course try a Belgian waffle before our planned activities began. The waffle was delicious and lived up to everything I had expected. That afternoon we had the opportunity to listen and ask questions to an American Diplomat who was working in Brussels. It has been interesting learning so much about the European Union and its relations with America. We then proceeded to take a tour of the city and then had some free time to explore ourselves.
We took a 2 hour train ride to Brussels and checked into our hostel, The Sleep Well. I stayed in a three person room with the two Sarah's. After settling in, a few of us took the opportunity to grab a bite to eat and of course try a Belgian waffle before our planned activities began. The waffle was delicious and lived up to everything I had expected. That afternoon we had the opportunity to listen and ask questions to an American Diplomat who was working in Brussels. It has been interesting learning so much about the European Union and its relations with America. We then proceeded to take a tour of the city and then had some free time to explore ourselves.
On Thursday we went inside a few churches and then later that afternoon visited the EU Parliament. Early Friday morning we packed up and took a train to Brugge. Unlike Brussels, Brugge was a quaint small town and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We went to a few museums and I finally had the chance to buy some Belgian chocolates. We were all pretty exhausted by the end of the trip!
RANDOM FACTS
1) Belgian Waffles can be messy- The more toppings you add the more likely you are to either spill it on your shirt or get it all over your face.
2) Museums- All museums start to look alike after visiting close to a 100 and lose its appeal fairly quickly.
3) Trains- Some times there are more people than seats available. In these situations you can either sit in the aisle or squeeze in a sit with a fellow friend.
RANDOM FACTS
1) Belgian Waffles can be messy- The more toppings you add the more likely you are to either spill it on your shirt or get it all over your face.
2) Museums- All museums start to look alike after visiting close to a 100 and lose its appeal fairly quickly.
3) Trains- Some times there are more people than seats available. In these situations you can either sit in the aisle or squeeze in a sit with a fellow friend.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Playing "Catch Up"- 2nd Germany
I knew I wanted to make a trip to Germany when I finalized my plans for study abroad. As a Rulketter I felt it was my duty to visit my where my family came from (thought you would like that Mom). I spent the weekend of April 20- May 2 with Sarah Shimon and Sarah Schmidt. We took an early flight so we had the whole day to spend in Munich. We knew it was going to be a great vacation when KLM provided us with free drinks and a snack, which was a luxury since most European flights, well cheap European airlines that we have flown with, charge for this. We checked into our hostel, European Youth Hostel, and then grabbed a map to go explore. Our first stop was Dachau concentration camp, which was only a 30 minute train ride from the city. It unreal to be at a concentration camp such as Dachau and enter in a place that cause so much pain. We were able to have a conversation with a woman whose uncle was a survivor and was actually with ten others visiting the camp that day. She told us stories that he went through and it really put it into perspective for us what an awful place this was. After Dachau we did some shopping and saw the square which contained the largest Coo Coo clock which Sarah Schmidt informed us we had to see. We walked around the European Gardens where we saw surfers using the fresh water from the alps, and then we went to the infamous Hofbrauhaus. There we experienced some real German food, music, beer, and the locals. It was an experience I will never forget!
On Saturday I celebrated my 21st birthday by going to the Neuschwanstein Castle which was the inspiration for Cinderella's castle in Disney Land. The castle is located in the Alps and is only about 20 miles from Austria's border. The castle was so beautiful and we had a wonderful time. Later that night we went out to eat and celebrated. It was a wonderful birthday :)
On Sunday we experienced Munich by bike, the only real way to experience a city anyway! It was a great way for us to see areas we hadn't been able to explore yet, and learn some history about Munich and the rise of Hitler.
RANDOM FACTS
1) A local informed me Rulketter was not German- He said he had never heard of it so I could just pretend my last name was Mueller. bahah!
2) The Coo Coo Clock- Was very large and very boring- It lasted 5 minutes, but we had enough after 2 minutes. So glad we saw it though :)
3) The English Gardens- There is a nude section in the gardens, and many people will pose and ask for money.. awkward to say the least.
On Saturday I celebrated my 21st birthday by going to the Neuschwanstein Castle which was the inspiration for Cinderella's castle in Disney Land. The castle is located in the Alps and is only about 20 miles from Austria's border. The castle was so beautiful and we had a wonderful time. Later that night we went out to eat and celebrated. It was a wonderful birthday :)
On Sunday we experienced Munich by bike, the only real way to experience a city anyway! It was a great way for us to see areas we hadn't been able to explore yet, and learn some history about Munich and the rise of Hitler.
RANDOM FACTS
1) A local informed me Rulketter was not German- He said he had never heard of it so I could just pretend my last name was Mueller. bahah!
2) The Coo Coo Clock- Was very large and very boring- It lasted 5 minutes, but we had enough after 2 minutes. So glad we saw it though :)
3) The English Gardens- There is a nude section in the gardens, and many people will pose and ask for money.. awkward to say the least.
Playing "Catch Up"- 1st Paris
This past month has been so eventful that I haven't had time to blog about all the experiences I have been having. Now that I am officially finished with my junior year of college, I have some down time to play catch up before I head back to the states. I'll start with Paris..
I went to Paris with four other students from my program during April 9-11. We decided to take the Euroline, like a Greyhound, to save some extra money. We took off from Leiden at around 5:30 a.m. to make it to Amsterdam to catch our bus. We were able to take in all the sights for a good nine hours before finally arriving to Paris. We took the metro to our hostel (the Aloha Hostel), checked in, and then wasted no time to experience some real Paris food. I am all about trying new things so I ate escargot, which took some effort to swallow, french onion soup (AMAZING), and duck. We then walked down a little ways to see Notre Dame, where gypsies eagerly greeted us. They asked one of the boys if he spoke english. He shook his head. While we were leaving, she overheard us speaking english and shouted "You lie, you lie!" We picked up our pace to avoid a run in with her. We explored more of Paris that night and witnessed a breathtaking sunset.
On Saturday we went all over the city trying to explore as much of Paris as we could. It did not feel like I was truly in Paris until I saw the Eiffel Tower early that morning. We hit all the touristy destinations such as the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Moulin Rouge, The Louvre, and finally the Eiffel Tower. The most memorable experience was climbing the Eiffel Tower. We climbed the stairs until we were required to take the elevator, which I gladly accepted. The view was incredible and was well worth the wait. Later that night we bought some wine and bread and took it to the park right by the Eiffel Tower, and waited for the light show that happened at the top of every hour. It was a packed day, but so enjoyable.
We checked out of the Aloha Hostel early that morning and with Big Bertha on my back (the name for my super large bag) we set off for the Jardin de Luxembourg, the largest park in Paris. We spent a few hours there before grabbing another crepe, and taking the metro to the euroline.
RANDOM FACTS
1) The metro randomly decides to break down- We experienced this multiple times in Paris. We would wiggle our way into the crowded cart after getting situated, the lights would turn off and the metro would be broken down for 5-10 minutes each time. At this point you have to decide to stay on the hot cart or squeeze your way out to find another route.
2) Paris is stinky- I have never smelled so many indescribable odors in my life, and they weren't ones I hope to smell again.
3) Don't speak English loudly- You will be asked for money if you do
4) Individuals in Paris think bathrooms are anywhere- We saw a man using a small garden area as a restroom. The ironic part was that a porta potty was right next to him.
5) Crepes are amazing :)
I went to Paris with four other students from my program during April 9-11. We decided to take the Euroline, like a Greyhound, to save some extra money. We took off from Leiden at around 5:30 a.m. to make it to Amsterdam to catch our bus. We were able to take in all the sights for a good nine hours before finally arriving to Paris. We took the metro to our hostel (the Aloha Hostel), checked in, and then wasted no time to experience some real Paris food. I am all about trying new things so I ate escargot, which took some effort to swallow, french onion soup (AMAZING), and duck. We then walked down a little ways to see Notre Dame, where gypsies eagerly greeted us. They asked one of the boys if he spoke english. He shook his head. While we were leaving, she overheard us speaking english and shouted "You lie, you lie!" We picked up our pace to avoid a run in with her. We explored more of Paris that night and witnessed a breathtaking sunset.
On Saturday we went all over the city trying to explore as much of Paris as we could. It did not feel like I was truly in Paris until I saw the Eiffel Tower early that morning. We hit all the touristy destinations such as the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Moulin Rouge, The Louvre, and finally the Eiffel Tower. The most memorable experience was climbing the Eiffel Tower. We climbed the stairs until we were required to take the elevator, which I gladly accepted. The view was incredible and was well worth the wait. Later that night we bought some wine and bread and took it to the park right by the Eiffel Tower, and waited for the light show that happened at the top of every hour. It was a packed day, but so enjoyable.
We checked out of the Aloha Hostel early that morning and with Big Bertha on my back (the name for my super large bag) we set off for the Jardin de Luxembourg, the largest park in Paris. We spent a few hours there before grabbing another crepe, and taking the metro to the euroline.
RANDOM FACTS
1) The metro randomly decides to break down- We experienced this multiple times in Paris. We would wiggle our way into the crowded cart after getting situated, the lights would turn off and the metro would be broken down for 5-10 minutes each time. At this point you have to decide to stay on the hot cart or squeeze your way out to find another route.
2) Paris is stinky- I have never smelled so many indescribable odors in my life, and they weren't ones I hope to smell again.
3) Don't speak English loudly- You will be asked for money if you do
4) Individuals in Paris think bathrooms are anywhere- We saw a man using a small garden area as a restroom. The ironic part was that a porta potty was right next to him.
5) Crepes are amazing :)
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