So I know I haven't posted in more than a month, but I have been so so busy since then! Classes have really picked up and midterms were in full swing, increasing my stress and decreasing my immune system.
Valentine's Day weekend I made my first trip out of the country to Amsterdam. We left on a mid morning flight and flew into Schiphol right after lunch time. After figuring out how to navigate the train to our hostel, we found Hansel and Grettle Cafe, were we had Burgers and french fries. The fries came with mayo and ketchup and after much debate we decided both condaments mixed together was tasty.
After took the tram downtown to the red-light district (!) and looked for a quaint coffee-shop for our first Amsterdam experience. After a quick stop, we continued our way through the red-light district and into one of the city's sex museums. Talk about over stimulation.
We had a hilarious dinner at an Argentinian Grill (understatement of the year) and had desert at a waffle and pancake stand. The dutch love their pancakes.
The next day we went to the Heinkien Brewary. After an hour through the museum, and a beer tasting, I have a new appreciation for this dutch beer. Next was another coffee shop and to the Riiksmuseum, with an extensive collection of the Dutch Masters. Seeing some of the huge Rembrants were absolutely breathtaking, and I am so glad that I am able to see these famous masterpieces.
Dinner on Saturday was an excursion because of the date: Februrary 14th. First we tried an Indonsian restaurant, but since Tessie was allergic to nuts the hostess told us to leave. Next we tried a Greek restaurant. After 25 minutes a waitress finally came over and Tessie asked about the special. The waitress replied, " The special is listed outside."
Tessie: "I understand that, I was just wondering what came with it."
Waitress: "I don't have time for this!!" So we left our second restaurant. We made our way to another Argentinian Grill, and managed to eat. We checked out the Red Light district again, and I really have no words for this area. Except maybe "out of control".
On Sunday we woke up early to go the Anne Frank House (where I ran into a middle school classmate). What a powerful place...I am so glad I got to see such a historic landmark. We attempted to get into the Van Gogh museum (which I really wanted to see) but the line was over an hour long and we never would have made our flight.
The following weekend a majority of my roommates and I went to Venice for Carnivale. Kyra and I took a 12:45 a.m. train on Friday morning, getting in around 8:00 a.m. We had the compartment to ourselves, turned the seats into a mattress and cuddled. Haha.
Carnivale was absolutely out of control. People were dressed up everywhere, in these crazy masks and costumes, and soon we realized we wouldn't be able to truely experience Venice. We went with the flow, bought masks, and just balled out for Carnivale. We did get to tour St. Marks and go up into the bell tower though, which were both awesome.
When we ventured out at night (where drinking in public was not only acceptable but encouraged) we would stumble onto a mini rave in the middle of a piazza. Hundreds of people just dancing to awful techno beats, drinking, and going overboard with public displays of affection. Definitely not a place to bring the kids. Overall, Venice was pretty great, although a hard hit on the wallet.Leah came to Rome the next weekend, so I got to finally see all the touristy things with her: The Vatican museum, St. Peter's, The Collessuem, etc etc. It was so nice to have a little slice of home in a place where I literally feel disconnected to everyone at home and school. I hope she had as good of a time as I did.
The following weekend I ventured to Florence with my "Michelangelo in Rome" class. As part of our grade we had to go to 18432941237 museums and luckily, Kyra allowed me to drag her around to all these different art places. We did get to go shopping, and I bought this fabulous leather bag, which is now the love of my life.
Florence is one of my favorite cities I have visited... from the art, to the food ( I tried tripe!) to the people, I instantly fell in love with this old city. It is one that I know I will have to go back to, if nothing else to bask in the sun, the art, and amazing gelato.
I know this has been more brief than most of my updates, but I think you can get the basic jist of my trips!
My next update will be soon ( I hope) and then I can tell you all about my Spring Break trip to London, Dublin, and Paris!
Bacci!
