The end of the best

 

PC:  camwelchphotography.com

Move in day, JMAC, September 2011

Since middle school I've been writing "2015" as my anticipated college graduation date.  That always seemed like a far off date until IT HAPPENED! June 6, 2015 was the day I graduated from the University of Denver.  I graduated with 2 degrees (psychology and international studies), 3 minors (leadership, religious studies, and biology) and studied abroad in Vina del Mar, Chile and Florence, Italy and did it all in 4 years taking a full course load each quarter. If anyone had half the college experience I had they'd have the best time of their life.  If college is the best four years of my life, well they sure were incredible!

       I didn't graduate with a 4.0GPA, I don't have a job, and I'm not in a relationship. But what do I have? A passport filled with stamps from 16 countries traveled in 4 years, five thousand+ pictures, rocks from climbing 14,000 foot mountains, medals from winning ice skating competitions, journals filled with funny stories.  I have waterskied in Minnesota, ice skated at Dartmouth, played lacrosse coast to coast, been on the wrong side of the bridge in St. Louis, spent full days at Disneyland, been to 5 NHL games, watched the Broncos on a sunny day, shot guns in Wyoming, white water rafted in Aspen, skied at 15 resorts.  I've seen the sunrise multiple times, stargazed in the mountains, and snowshoed at midnight.  I've skied the Alps and bungee jumped at the highest bungee in Latin America. I got to coach lacrosse, ice skating and Girls on the Run. I've volunteered over 500 hours for organizations in Utah and Colorado including the presidential debate and Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation each offering unique and life altering experiences. I've tried curling and played on broomball and flag football teams.

Quandry Peak 14er, fall 2012

     But what I really graduated with are friends that will last a lifetime (mom always said your college friends will be friends forever) Friends who I've spent holidays with and their families have become like my own.  Friends who we've cried together with and laughed until we cried. Friends who have seen me at the ice rink on my worst days and my best.  Friends who know more about me after spending 4 years with me, than people I've known a lifetime.  Friends who are down to go on random drives, rollerblade to the grocery store at midnight to buy ice cream, or try out a new church on Sundays.  We've shared talks on the megabed till 3am, ate entire party pails of ice cream in a week, and baked goodies for the homeless.  I'm friends with the nerds, pot heads, athletes, alcoholics, outdoorsy, hipsters and everything in between and they've all been influences on my life.  I've had lots of firsts in college- seeing weed  (still have never tried it), stand up paddle boarding, NHL&NFL games, camping with friends instead of family, a cross country road trip.  I learned that even if people make decisions that I may never want for my own life, they're still great people and have something to share with the world.  People's actions don't make them a "bad" person; we're all here to pursue our own ideas of happiness.  Every one of you has taught me something about myself or the world and I truly could not be more grateful! You've shown me what unconditional love looks like. I mean-I still say hi to the people I met freshman year and people still seem to want to hang out with me even after I dance like a fool and snort at my own jokes!

Friends in town, winter 2013

     So thanks for the mems and the big hugs.  I came to a state where climbing mountains and rafting rivers are normal weekend activities. I came to a city where there are 7 professional sports teams and Rockies tickets are $4. I came to a school were I babysit for my professors and they take me out to coffee and watch my skating shows.  I came to a place where 25 students was a big class. I came to a place where it isn't a question of whether you study abroad it's a question of where you want to go. I came to a place where most of us had similar upbringings-sports, church, musical activities, traveling and working parents but we each have different enough experiences to make us unique. A school where there are students from all 50 states and 46 countries with 63% of the students not being from Colorado.

Winter Carnival 2013

     Thank you to all the roommates I've had who have put up with my schedule and have helped me day in and day out (even finding my phone buried in snow at Beaver Creek), thanks to cousin Maggie for taking me out to dinners to talk about life, thanks to the figure skating team for letting me be your president, thanks to professors for caring about my success. To the countless people who came to ice skating performances, celebrated birthdays, and drove me to and from the airport thank you.  Thanks for traveling with me abroad and sleeping in airports. Thank you for helping me with schoolwork and letting me cry on your shoulders. Thanks for keeping track of how many times you can make me snort in a night. Thanks to all the visitors who have come to experience my college life whether you stayed in JMAC, Nelson, Florence or Unit 3.
 
   

Mom and Dad, Rocky Mountain NP fall 2014

Most importantly thanks mom and dad.  Thank you for listening to me cry on the phone when I didn't know what to study. Thanks for for writing those tuition checks every quarter. Thanks for reading and editing my papers. Thanks for the care packages full of cookie cakes and random holiday decorations. Thanks for letting me travel the world and supporting me even if I was traveling alone on sketchy trains. Thanks for encouraging me to have internships instead of babysitting during the summers. Thanks for coming to visit and taking my friends to Park Burger and Koas pizza. Thanks for opening our home and cabin to my friends who you may have never met. Thanks for cooking a Thanksgiving feast for 20 of us in Chile. Thanks for coming to national lacrosse games and my final ice skating show.  I'll never forget you crying in the stands mom during my last performance knowing that you've been in ice rinks for 19 years watching your little girl perform alone on the ice.  Thank you for making me a book of stories and pictures complied from dozens of friends about our journey together (best gift ever). Thanks for believing in me!

The boys, Atacama Desert fall 2013

   I really hope you know how grateful I am for this expensive experience. I've gotten to do more things and travel more places in four years than most people experience in a lifetime.  I do realize that and hope I have made the most of opportunities that have come my way.  I may not know exactly what I'm doing in this world, but I go to bed every night happy with the person I am. I wake up excited for the day and all the adventures a new day brings. This is an exciting time in my life where I have no strings attached and all the freedom I could ever want.  I thank God for 4 years of learning and growing and can only pray that the next 80 years of my life is half as fun as the past 4 years.  So raise a glass of water, Fireball, or champagne and toast to an unforgettable 4 years!!! Cheers
 

Figure Skating and hockey team, spring 2015

Patagonia, winter 2013

Florence, Italy spring 2014

Jasmine and Laurel visit to Voodoo, winter 2015

Santa Barbara Lacrosse, 2015

Pioneer Leadership Program, spring 2015 

Unit 3 roommates, Spring 2015
PC:   camwelchphotography.com

Travel

December 10, 2014- 525,600 minutes ago I was flying home from Santiago, Chile carrying exhaustion, sadness and excitement in my bags, but more importantly memories and friendships that I knew would stick with me forever.  There hasn't been a single day during the past year that I haven't thought about my time in Chile because it really did change my life.  It solidified my love for adventure and my confidence to embrace seemingly scary situations.  Today I am flying home from San Jose, CA.  Maybe December 10 will just have to be an annual travel day!

Brandan Valdivia, Chile

    This past year has been so incredibly fun especially with the addition of new adventurers who have joined me in some way.  I am continuously inspired by my friends taking on new adventures.  Brandan is currently backpacking through Asia, Jake spontaneously books plane tickets and figures out how to make it work, Mario started tour company in Madrid.  The theme connecting these people is a love for travel and a passion to try new things and meet new people.  (Check out Mario's company if you're ever in Madrid because he's an awesome guy and would give a rad tour  http://www.showmemadrid.es/  both in English and Spanish).  Each of these friends has found something they love and I hope to travel with each of them someday.

Budapest

       I've learned to sleep on planes, trains, boats, futons, floors and everywhere else.  I've learned to go a full day without eating or eating 3 different cakes when your host mom makes you food. I've learned that it is possible to get from point A to point B even if you wind up making stops at C,D and E before getting back to B.   I still laugh at the times in Europe wondering which country we'd choose to sleep in that night and how we would get there.  I've learned that it doesn't hurt to ask for something, because the worst that can happen is the response is "no" (dad you've always told me this!).  But most importantly I've learned that there is so much hope and love in this world if you take the time to see it. If you take the time to sit next to someone on an airplane and form a connection and really, truly honestly listen to them.  If you take the time to sit down with someone and ask them about them self.  People love talking about who they are, what they do, what they like.  I am an extremely curious person who loves to ask questions (if you know me well you're laughing at this point).   That curiosity has led to conversations with Danny the taxi driver in San Francisco supporting his family in the Philippines,  the French teenagers on the metro at midnight in Paris with Angie, Maria the Australian wandering through Italy alone, Sally the ex CIA agent turned flight attendant and so many more.  All these people have contributed to my baggage that I carry with me. Everyone has a story so take the time to listen to it because you never know what you may learn about yourself or the world.

Angie, Almalfi Coast, Italy

          I hope I never lose the kid in me that still loves watching airplanes fly. I hope when I'm 90 years old I'm still traveling and meeting new friends, finding things that scare me. Angie has tried to live the motto "do something that scares you everyday" and I really like that. Go somewhere different each day, try a new food, meet a new friend and you'll be amazed at how diverse and exciting this gift of life is!

Jake, Santa Clara, California

"If man is to survive, he will have learned to take a delight in the essential differences between men and between cultures. He will learn that differences between ideas and attitudes are a delight, part of life's exciting variety, not something to fear." -Gene Roddenberry

Erin the intern

The summer before senior year is often a time for people to have an internship. This is the norm and the thought is to have a leg up on your counterparts when applying for jobs (not sure how I feel about it). We'll see how this goes in the next year but I followed right along like most of my friends this summer. I wasn't doing it for credit, since I would've had to pay for that, I wasn't paid, and I wasn't required to have one because of my major.  As I deemed myself a "glorified volunteer" here is my experience from the 3 months I spent as the Competition Programs&Events intern at the National Ability Center in Park City, Utah.

The National Ability Center is a non-profit located in Park City that is committed to providing recreational opportunities to people of all abilities. They have a campus which allows for horse back riding, archery, ropes course rock climbing, and cycling. Off campus there's the ability to take people paddle boarding, kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding and in the winter alpine skiing and other winter sports. The largest population we serve are veterans and those on the autism spectrum.  The organization is 25 years old, but still up and coming. They've expanded to programs overseas as well and people from around the world come to Park City for these opportunities.  Check out www.discovernac.org for ways to get involved!

I got involved when I was 16 and helped out some participants water ski. Helping a paralyzed participant water ski and watching his huge smile with the wind blowing in his face made me want to be involved more. This summer, after I decided to come home I applied and then started my summer!

I've always said that sports have the power to change people's lives. I've seen this throughout my life. After freshman year I was an intern at Cooperstown Dreams Park in NY in the baseball operations department, sophomore year I worked with a team and helped the Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation share their story and spread adaptive awareness, while in Italy I did a cross cultural comparison on sports between Italians and Americans, so this summer it seemed fitting to do something related to sports.

The beginning of June brought about special olympics where I helped coach a participant in the cycling program. The next three months were spent planning and preparing for the annual Summit Challenge benefit ride for the National Ability Center. My role was to recruit adaptive athletes from around the country and make sure they were supported along the ride.  I also helped out with all the little details from finding sponsors, making raffle baskets, planning a short ride to showcase adaptive cycles, securing vendors and rest stops sponsors, preparing the swag bags, and a million other little tasks that come up when planning an event for 600+ people.   I've always loved organizing and planning events, but this was the biggest event I've been instrumental with.

August 23 came in with a thunderstorm drenching much of Salt Lake and Park City. As 3:45am came and I drove up to Park City I was nervous the weather would put a damper on the whole event. After a couple of hours setting up in the rain it cleared! The mountains were snowcapped and it was beautiful! The sun came out and didn't impact the event as much as we anticipated.  The day was busy trying to make everyone happy. Of course when you're behind the scenes you think of everything that should be happening or was supposed to be happening and it's easy to get caught up in and forget that the majority of the participants are having a great time and don't know all the things going wrong.  One smile from a blind participant or hug from a child with autism changes everything. Watching a veteran who has fought for our freedom ride 52 miles on a hand cycle at over 6000ft is impressive, but seeing them come in and thank you for empowering them and giving this opportunity is something that will stick with me forever.  We had 100 adaptive riders who all rode for free based on the 500+ able bodied riders who participated.  Watching people who never thought they could ride 18 miles because they don't have the use of their right side come across the finish line with a smile and a Tiger Woods fist pump is phenomenal. What sticks out the most to me is hearing from participants "I never thought I'd ride a bike again till I came across this organization and event." That day I knew I had helped make the lives of many people better, but what I didn't realize is how much better my day was because of them.  Thank you to my family and friends who helped out with the event in some way or another. Cole, Jake, Carol, Tom, mom&dad, Allison, and Mary you help make the world even better :)


   


















 Yes, during my internship I did make coffee and copies once in awhile, but every employee was there to help out one another and sometimes that means making a fresh pot of coffee. I did sit at a desk with a computer, but I also got to have meetings while walking around outside. Yes sometimes I was bored or unsure of myself, but I gained confidence. I knew I was capable of planning and running organizations and events, but I didn't know how much of difference I could make within an organization. I learned how to be "forcefully remindful" and how to remind people they are here to help you. I saw a variety of leadership styles and was trusted to perform tasks.  I wore my "Erin intern" nametag proudly, but laughed when people came to me with questions and I'd say "I'm just an intern." They'd respond with "never say you're JUST an intern." I loved working with committed people and that really makes a difference in an organization or business. I never heard anyone complain about taking a Wounded Warriors group to the airport at 5am or working 16 hour days. Every staff, intern and volunteer was really committed to helping others. So my advise to every student is if you're going to have an internship find one that supports your passion. The late nights at the office and lack of pay float to the back of your mind when you have your passion and goal in mind. Find your passion, find your goal and find an organization that supports you!

21st birthday

Birthdays come once a year and it's a day to feel loved by all those exciting people in your life.  Facebook has turned birthdays into casual "HBD" posts on your wall.  It allows people to remember your birthday though.  Thanks to all my friends and family for the phone calls, texts, emails and cards. You made my day!

My present from my parents was a trip to Denver to celebrate my 21st.  The trip to my other home was incredible.  I spent 3.5 days wandering around DU and seeing friends. I have never had a homecoming quite like this. One of my favorite things in the entire world is hugs.  I LOVE hugs and some of the best hugs of my life occurred this week.

I haven't seen most of these friends in a year. We reminisced how a year ago at this time we were saying goodbyes, a little weary and nervous about all going abroad, but excited for our adventures. It does not seem like that long ago.

I got to celebrate my birthday with so many people and even though it was 40 degrees with some snow on the ground we had fun.  I got to roller blade, ride bikes, get waffle fries at Chick-Fil-A and truffle fries at Park Burger, watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eat red velvet cake, make chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, go to Trader Joes and Sprouts, eat lunch at Illegal Pete's and several meals with different friends, walk around the park and spend nights out way past my usual bed time!

Friends would call or text me and I would walk around catching up with people here and there.
Catching up with friends whom I've literally traveled the country and world with was so fun.  Each one makes me proud. Proud when people from home ask what my friends are doing this summer and I say they're "interning with Merrill Lynch, hiking Switzerland, researching environmental impacts of diving in Caribbean" They're inspirational, but still 20/21 year old kids always ready to have fun.

I'm so excited to go back to DU in the fall for senior year.  Three years ago I was debating between attending Loyola Marymount University, Gonzaga University, and the University of Denver. I was so undecided and after this year I can surely so I'm incredibly happy with my decision to attend DU. The people are adventurous, kind, compassionate, intelligent and happy to be alive!

So thank you to all who made my trip fantastic. To old friends and some new ones thanks for celebrating my return to the US and my 21st birthday. Thanks for caring about me and being genuinely interested in my life. Thank you for the hugs, dancing, singing, sleepovers, rides to/from the airport and the cakes. It was definitely a birthday to remember (yes I remember my entire 21st!)

coming home

The journey home back to the US of A. The country that  I truly love the most. These past four months have been an experience and adventure that's for sure. The journey really began June 5, 2013 when good friend Mur and I set out from Denver with Boston on our minds and 6 days to get there.  That's when I really learned the importance of friendships and calling people up to stay with them. That's the trip I learned to say "yes" to new experiences. I think my favorite word this past year has been "adventure". Approaching each day as an adventure means that you're always sure to have a different experience. You approach a task with a new mindset; you embrace the good, the bad, and the ugly. When you say the word "adventure" it sounds like you're a little kid in search of gold at the end of the rainbow.  It just has a positive ring to it.  I'm home now and hope to keep saying "adventure" on a daily basis.

No one will ever truly know what you have experienced unless they are there with you. I've already had people ask "you slept in hostels? were they dirty and gross?" and "you spent nights at an airport?" and "you traveled alone?". Well yes I did and I loved my adventures.  One day when I'm older maybe I won't be sleeping on trains or in airports or staying in hostels, but for now I'm content with my sleeping accommodations.

Mur and I at the CNN tower in Toronto, CAN

Another common comment-"you must've met a lot of really cool people". Oh if only I could successfully convey all the amazing people I've met and give glimpses of their lives. We all learn not to talk to strangers, but I tend to make some exceptions to that rule while still following my instinct. If I wouldn't have talked to strangers then I wouldn't have left my room.

Another common question-"so did you actually go to school or what'd you did the past 9 months?"  Yes. I really promise, but pictures from school just aren't as cool as pictures from the Eiffel tower or on top of a volcano. I earned 49.5 credits to be transferred back to DU. I did have homework (maybe 80 hours in total including studying for finals). I earned A's and B+'s.  I learned some in the classroom and actually enjoyed studying philosophy and the Italian language, but I learned a whole lot more in my larger classroom....the world.

One major thing I've learned is our dependence on one another. We depend on the bagger at the grocery store and the mail man to bring us our mail. We depend on our friends to listen and laugh with us. We depend on our family to love us. We depend on the taxi driver, pilot, conductor to take us to our destination safely.  And because we depend on one another we should help each other out. Someone once asked me how I try and live my life and I said that I try to treat others how I wish to be treated. If I needed help with directions I'd hope I could ask someone and they'd try to help because I would do the same for someone else. Let me get this point across-YOU ARE NEVER TOO BUSY TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED.  If the 15 people in Munich hadn't helped us we wouldn't have Angie's phone, if people on the bus and in the streets in Salerno wouldn't have directed us to the train station we would've been out $70 and missed our train. If the workers at the Patagonia store in Prague hadn't taken out a map to help me to get my hostel I would've continued walking in the opposite direction.  I've really realized how much we need one another and I'm not afraid to ask for help-for someone to give directions, let me borrow their phone, or take a picture for me.

Chile core 

I hope this is not the end of my time abroad. I hope that I have to opportunity to work or study abroad again because talking to strangers and becoming friends is one of my favorite things.  After reading my blog you might never want to travel with me, but if you're up for an adventure and flying by the seat or your pants then I invite you to come along!

Things I learned: 

-I like eggplant, avocado, chorizo, schoopwaffle and zucchini 

-it is possible to fall asleep with headphones in your ears and country music playing

-most strangers don't want to hurt you 

-it's possible to run through large crowds, dog pooped streets and taxi jams

-if you miss a train/bus, there's always a next one

-16 hour bus rides aren't as bad as they sound

-sometimes people don't love Americans, but most of the time they do and it's okay to be proud to be an American (plus owning being American is better than trying to conceal it)

-most dogs don't want to attack you

Julie and I in Prague

Things I'll remember from my travels:

-love, happiness, and kindness are universal

-everyone laughs in the same language

-NOTHING will go exactly as planned

-facebook can be the best address book ever (or provide one time waiters a way to ask you on a date)

-maps are not as popular as they once were, but there are lots of free map apps on smartphones

-your friends and family will be there when you get home, you don't need to spend all day snapchatting, facebooking, texting, instagraming or twittering to stay up date date

-but technology can make you feel so connected and happy and that is perfectly OKAY

-breathe right strips are key to a good night sleep if you're stuffy

-I'm pretty good at interpreting handsignals  

-sometimes non-Americans have really insightful opinions about America

-when a group of you are trying to figure out what a native is saying, you can't all pretend to understand

-we might have to pay a lot for health care in America, but it is pretty nice

-people love having their picture taken and sharing their stories

My little brother has always loved the motto "whether you think you can or you think you can't you're right" and there have been many instances where it was crucial to think that I could.  Like the time I tried escargot, or sprinted to catch a train in Switzerland.  Your mind really wants to help your body succeed to what you've set out to do.

My Favorites/the best In Europe:

-big city: Amsterdam

-small city: Bruges, Belgium or Bled, Slovenia

-airport: Schipol, Amsterdam and Vaclav Havel, Prague

-train station: Antwerp Central

-pizza: Gusta Pizza in Florence

-pasta: prosciutto and cheese tortillini with truffles at ZaZas in Florence

-train ride: from Zermatt to Lucerne Switzerland

-car ride-from Lake Garda to Cinque Terre Italy

-stranger turned friend: Mario, met in Budapest

-hostel: 5 Terre Backpacks in Corvara, Italy and Castle Hostel Bled, Slovenia

-church: Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi, Italy

-gelato: caramelized pear flavor at Garden Tea Room in Florence

-nicest people: the French

-best food: Hungary, Amsterdam and Krakow

-best metro system: Paris

-most walkable city: Prague

-oldest city: Agrigento, Sicily 

-best brownie: Coffe Heaven Krakow 

-non-European food: Nam Nam Thai in Munich

-ski resort: Mont Blonc Chamonix, France

-museum: Anne Frank Amsterdam, Netherlands

-coastal town: Portofino, Italy

Kelly, Jen, Meghan and me at the dunes

embrace life

Brittney wrote me a letter last year before I left and said "You have more faith than anyone I know-not just in God but in life. This experience is going to reinforce your faith in life." It's safe to say the past year has definitely reinforced my faith in life and I'm forever happy and grateful.

So thank you from my whole heart. To Emily, Constantine, Max, Sascha, Leah, Alex, Sam, Clayton, and Matt for housing me at some point this past year.  To the countless new friends I have for experiencing life and adventures with me. To my friends from the states who provided stability, support and love from abroad. And to my family for supporting this journey and never getting too mad even if I traveled alone.

Hannah and I in Patagonia, Chile

casual selfies with Rob at Machu Picchu 

Mom's road trip around Italy

Dad had given mom a trip to Italy for Christmas and we thought coming at the end of my semester made the most sense.  So she and cousin Maggie came on Good Friday.  I met them in Rome at the Hilton hotel by the airport. I found them getting ready to take naps. No people you can’t take a tap; we’ve got places to go, things to see, and pizza to eat! So we rallied and headed to the city center and wandered around. Now most people have never been to Rome in their lives or have gone once, but this was my fourth time in 3 months. Rome is a cool city don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t quite have the curiosity or excitement that I had during my first visit.  The pope held Stations of the Cross at dark at the Colosseum and that was just awe inspiring.  We only stayed for a little bit because we were exhausted.  Saturday I had eggs for breakfast paired with a nutella croissant of course, but people I got scrambled eggs after several months. Yippy! We toured Rome some more and went to the Vatican.  What a pretty place it is.  There are two simple requests when in the Sistine Chapel-no photos and no talking. People just love to find ways to do both. You know those people who try and sneak their phones up their sleeves to get a picture. It’s so much more beautiful in there when it’s silent and people can follow two simple requests.  We had to get gelato before we got on the bus back to the hotel and thought we’d indulge on the bus, but the bus driver had another idea for us-throw it away! No sir we can’t just throw good gelato away, we’ll scarf it down in two minutes instead.  Sunday, Easter, one of my favorite holidays. We were up before 5am to head to the Vatican. We dressed in our Easter dresses and headed through the parking lots, over barriers, dodging cars and made it to the bus.  We arrived outside the St. Peter’s Square gates at 7:15 and they opened at 8.  Imagine day after Thanksgiving shopping, but times 10 worse and people speaking just about every language imaginable. When the gates opened you are forced to push them, hug them, dance on them to survive.  My hands couldn’t even go down to my sides.  But we made it, and found seats. You are supposed to fax in a letter to the Vatican office 2-6 months before the service to get tickets to special masses. It’s not completely necessary though as lots of people who came early enough got seats. We were to the right of the stage only 15 rows back.  There were over 150,000 people in the square all the way back to the river.   It was a perfect day with not a cloud in the sky.  On my life list has been to attend Easter or Christmas mass at the Vatican and it did not disappoint my hopes. Papa Francesco is so loved all around the world and it was evident in the crowd with different nationalities represented and many young people in attendance. Ah it was just perfect. An experience of a lifetime.  Being there and actually understanding some of what Papa Francesco was saying and seeing him wave around in his convertible pope mobile was awesome. We wandered around Rome the rest of the afternoon as did about 2 million other people. It wasn’t quite like my first trip there in January where you didn’t have to wait in line for things.  

Easter mass at the Vatican

If you’re going to go to Rome, or Italy for that matter go November-February even though you won’t have great weather. It’s worth it! Monday we rented a little Fiat Punto and headed out to the hills.  I was impressed with mom’s driving; navigating through crazy aggressive drivers, bicyclists and whatever else may be on the road. We went to the city of Viterbo which looked like a little Italian ghost town. The day after Easter is a holiday in Italy and we probably didn’t see more than 100 people in town. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of lasagna with at least a pound of cheese and some sort of red vegetable.  And chocolate cake for dessert of course.  Maggie headed back to Rome to continue her trip to Greece and mom and I continued to Siena.  The drive was beautiful around a huge lake. We stopped in Siena and wandered for a while. I can see why my friends loved studying abroad there.  We then continued to Florence back to my pensione to pick up my luggage. 

mom's experience at Gusta Pizza 

We ended up spending the night there because our Air B&B place didn’t come through.  I’ll never forget that smell of cat pee as you walk in the building.  Tuesday was spent touring Florence-seeing David, my school, getting mom’s daily cappuccino, walking up Piazza Michealangelo, eating gelato twice, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, the leather market and one last trip to Gusta Pizza. I think that was at least my eighth trip there and it’s definitely a must eat in Florence.  Again Florence was crowded but it was nice to run through the city one last time.  We headed off toward Padova in our little Punto.  After a few missed turns (because who needs a real paper map when you have a couple of pictures and your own brain) we finally made it to our hotel in Padova just after 1am.  Wednesday we headed to Venice. Think of what you picture Venice to be. Maybe it’s only what you’ve seen at the Venetian in Vegas or maybe you’ve seen glorious photographs. After a day spent wandering around the canals a and islands of Venice I can say that looking at those glorious photographs is better than a visit.  Our experience was walking around graffitied streets with tons of people. Just when we thought we’d seen it all we turn around and there’s a massive cruise ship coming into port. We spent some time at the island of Murano, famous for glass blowing, to watch a demonstration and consequently buy some glass.  If you’re looking for that romantic gondola ride make sure you bring 80Euro and you don’t mind your 25 minutes being spent along side motorboats. 

Portofino

Thursday was a pleasant drive to Lake Garda spending time lounging by the lake with fresh OJ and a croissant.  The lake is a beautiful mix a beautiful Mediterranean hue and snow capped peaks in the background.  We then continued on to Portofino on the coast for dinner.  Such a beautiful town and definitely worth the visit.  After taking a dirt, one-way road we made it to our hostel.  Yes, mom stayed in her third hostel in a year at the age of 52. Pretty cool right?  It was an awesome place that looked like a home from Lord of the Rings.  The stars were brilliant and we enjoyed catching up with world travelers.  Friday we set out to hike the five villages of Cinque Terre.  The coastal trail was closed and probably will be for another year. Mom was a little anxious that we hadn’t planned much but quickly learned, yet again, that most times when you try to plan something in Italy it just doesn’t go the way you thought it would.  We took the ferry to Riomaggiore and began our trek up stone stairs, along the highway and down through forests.  We stopped in Corniglia, my favorite of the towns, for a pesto lasagna lunch.  The popular town of Vernazza was definitely popular that day. We were amazed at the crowds.  The last leg to Monterosso was along the coastal trail that was another but a walk in the park.  Overall the hike was beautiful. I’d suggest going during the week in the off season, sometime after the trail opens next year.  Find out which town is your favorite.  Gelato was our reward in Monterosso before we began the three hour drive to Turino.  Upon arrival in Turino we didn’t have a hotel so we drove around for a while before finding one. Saturday we explored the 2006 Olympic city of Turino nestled at the base of the alps. Beautiful city as was the little town of Susa.  Ahhh Susa I could live there.  After fueling up on cheese bread, apples and chocolate we headed to George Clooney’s home. Okay not actually his home, but Lake Como where he does have a house.  Lake Como is stunning right along the Switzerland boarder. Nice and peaceful watching float planes take off and couples enjoy strolls along the shore.

Riomaggiore

Turino

  This is the second time I’ve gotten to take a trip with just one of my parents. When I was 16 dad and I went to Ireland for 9 days and drove around the Emerald Isle. Pretty cool to be able to travel like that; to live on the road in a foreign country and to be with your mom or dad. My warning to anyone driving in Italy-be ready to pay lots of tolls and practice your aggressive and defensive driving. Go to Italy in the off season if you can or find little towns away from all the crowds, unless you’re into that sort of thing. Rent a car and let your mind and body wander. Stay in hostel, talk to a stranger and try a new food!

thanks for coming momma

the land of chocolate and tulips

Bruges

    All semester I had wanted to see the tulip festival in Holland. I had gotten several laughs at this, but I was stoked to make this little dream a reality.  I left for Brussels (yeah that's not in Holland, but I might as well make this into an extended trip) on Wednesday night and arrived at the Hello hostel. The taxi driver told me to watch out for prostitutes at night so that was a nice little welcome.  Thursday I left early to catch a couple of trains to go to Bruges. There were a few girls speaking English before we got on the train so I asked where they were going and they invited me to join since I was alone. Bruges was a fairytale. It was absolutely stunning. I felt like I was walking around scenes only dreamed about but not actually real places. I had a Belgian waffle and fries for lunch, classic.  The day was spent walking around the canals with Medha, a new friend from Clemson. Bruges is famous for beer, lace and the singer Gotye.  It is the most charming European city I've visited. Check out the movie "In Bruges" and you'll see why I loved the city so much.  Look for the dog who is claimed to be "the most photographed dog in the world" because he perches out a window along a canal all day long.

Bruges, Belgium

 









 

Meredith and I at the Autonium

 I met up with Meredith and her friends in Brussels Thursday night. I haven't seen Meredith in almost 5 years since we met at HOBY WLC in Washington DC after sophomore year of high school. We go to schools on the opposite side of the country, but she is studying in Spain

Julie and I at the Keukenhof Gardens

for the semester so we worked out a trip together.  She's one of those people who you don't have to talk to more than a couple times a year, but you know you'll be friends for life.     We spent Friday touring a chocolate factory, taking pictures at the Atomium (CNN named it Europe's most bizarre building), and walking around the city center.  Brussels is a nice city. I think it'd be a very livable, international city as it the houses the European Commission and pretty much everyone speaks English.  No trip to Brussels is complete without going to the Manneken Pis, better known as peeing baby statue, which has been a landmark since the early 1600s. For 25Euro I took a series of trains for 3 hours to Amsterdam! The train ride was beautiful through the Dutch country side.  Julie and I met up at the train station and headed to Leah Smith's apartment.  Leah was gracious enough to let us stay with her for the weekend and she made an excellent tour guide.  We indulged in Stroop Waffles, Bitterballen, and french fries. Of course we had to see the Red Light District. it's an interesting experience to see women selling themselves and to watch men walk out after a session.  I don't really know how I feel about it, but when in Amsterdam.

land of all things Dutch

    Saturday was tulip day!!! We took a trip outside of town to the Keukenhof Gardens. We joked this was like an adult Disneyland, because besides kids with their parents we were the youngest ones there. The gardens were immaculate. I was soooo happy to see the hundreds of different types of tulips and other flowers. We found an open field of tulips that we ran through only after we successfully jumped across a canal.  There are tulip festivals around the world, but the source of many of those bulbs comes from Holland.  If you ever get a chance, go check out the tulips in the Netherlands.  Of course we took pictures at the seemingly random but famous "Amsterdam" sign and then had Dutch pancakes at Leah's favorite restaurant, The Pancake Bakery. I opted for one with cheese and chorizo thinking back to the endless amounts of chorizo we ate in South America. It certainly was tasty.  Julie and I toured the Anne Frank house that night. Another place I've always dreamt and read about. I think I've read Anne's dairy at least 3 times and she continues to be a source of inspiration to me.  The museum was simplistic and well done really taking you back and imagining what her life was like.  Definitely a must see in Amsterdam.

Julie, Leah and I

   Sunday was spent walking around town and then catching our flight back.  Amsterdam is my favorite big European city. It's liberal, but has something for everyone. The canals make the city's design intricate and like a maze. The food is incredible both sweet and savory and the people are happy go lucky.  The also have peanut butter and cookie butter (which I learned is called Speculous)That was my experience there and in the future it is one place I think I could live.  I know you're all wondering if I smoked weed in a coffee shop and the answer is.......no. haha But if you are someone who is into that there are plenty of opportunities for you.
    What a great weekend it was especially right before finals.  Three of my worlds collided; Meredith from HOBY WLC, Leah from High School, and Julie from abroad.  How fortunate am I travel to beautiful places with beautiful people?    

"Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin,

but in truth it is a city of freedom.

And in freedom, most people find sin."John Green, The Fault in Our Stars