Greece Holiday: "I'm on a boat"

*to all my dedicated and lovely followers (aka Mom, Rachel, and Natalie) sorry this blog is so long, but Santorini was so amazing it was hard to describe it in one paragraph. once again, it is not that great, it probably falls on negative side of the lame scale. My journal is much better-more desperate housewives like if you ask me- so if i love you(and i do) you can read it when i get back. love you lots. xoxo




February 28, 2009 Saturday: GREECE
So today we are heading to Greece! I am so excited, yet really nervous for some reason. I just think the intensity and length of the trip is making it worse. I was pretty much packed, so I didn’t have much to worry about like the other girls, who didn’t pack at all. Though, I am sure that I definitely over packed, but that is me, always over prepared! I have a new irrational fear of customs. It wasn’t even hard to get through Greece’s, but I am not looking forward to the UK’s. Damn, I just need to relax. The whole flight/train process went really smooth. I was surprised, easy jet wasn’t that bad at all. Yes, they didn’t give you food or a drink on the plane, but in a way it was almost better, because you didn’t have to be vigilant during the flight. We had a running joke at the airport that we were VIP’s because we were Americans and that you couldn’t touch us. We could do anything or be anywhere, all we had to do was flash our passport of American style id card and BAM. In line and in the airport lounge there was a screaming baby(the girls have way to much sympathy for bad parenting and crying babies) and of course she sits right across us. Damn, but she really didn’t cry at all. I slept most of the ride and took in the gorgeous scenery. I saw the coast of England and the alps. It was beautiful. I pretty much just chilled and listened to music. I just needed time to relax and the flight was perfect for it. I actually just dreamt about Barcelona and the first night I was there. Oooh, the coolest part was walking outside to the airport and running up the stairs to get a good seat, it was like black Friday (aka black Friday everyday on easy jet). It was fun, though I think I like the other way better, it seems more official. We made it through customs alright, but I got a little worried when our baggage wasn’t coming out, but It did in the end. That would have been horrible if they had lost it. I don’t know what I would have done, everything was in my suitcase. Athens was dark so we really haven’t seen much. It looks modern and contemporary, with a little old school too. It closely resembles Barcelona, followed by Paris. Of course all the classical European cities will look a bit like Greece, because they all duplicated the classic Greek architecture. Everyone was walking around wearing hats and a crazy costume, which we assume was for some carnival event, though lent has already started. We had to take a bus, without knowledge of a stop, but we found it with the help of a nice British guy. Then we headed to the metro, where the tickets are cheap and you pretty much do not have to purchase them. It is great. One of the stops smelled completely of fish, it was disgusting. Ahhh yuck! We need to avoid that place all together. Our hostel, Zorbas, is in a nice location. It is not the greatest of facilities, but it is what we need. It is located on a quaint square with lots of restaurants. We ate at a bistro, which had amazing little sammies. The dressing was super yummy, it was a little mustardy. The one thing I don’t like is that is mangy dogs running around, probably caring rabies or something. Ew, we need to stay away. Madison thinks they are cute, though I don’t agree.(though some really are, shhhh) We went back and talked to the front desk so we could find out where the bar scene was. He pointed us to a great direction where the carnival party was just ending. There were streamers everywhere and all the people were in such a great mood. It made me so happy and excited to be in that environment! All the boys and the little kids had these bam bam sticks and they kept hitting our asses. It was funny, and I thought it was great. It was just part of their festive, a part of their culture. We have to embrace it. Not to mention, many of the boys who were hitting our asses were kind of cute! Haha. We just walked around and stumbled into the Acropolis on top of the mountain. It was gorgeous. It was illuminated and set behind the black back ground. It was breathtaking. There were also so many old archeological sites. I can’t wait to see it all in the daylight! The streets that we were wandering were so old and tiny. There were many small cafes with gorgeous trees, lights, and table. It was scene from a movie. Ah, I can just imagine this place all lively and sultry in the summer (with a glass of sangria in my hand). We were on the search for some wine, but we failed, so we decided Gelato was a better choice anyway. OMG, it was hella good. I had the Ferro, and it was Ferro Roche. YUM-O. I want some more. I even said I wanted to come back tomorrow and get some, and the other girls looked at me like I was crazy. Gosh, we are on vacation, we can have ice cream everyday if we want. It got a little chilly, so we headed back home to our hostel. I just chilled and went on line. Of course, I got the shitty bunk, just like in Paris. But I guess that is what goes down, any way karma always comes back around. Oh, we have a roommate, he seemed super nice, but we never got his name. Oh well, he probably hated having to live with three girls. Or he liked it. He seemed kind of pansie-ish, he was from California. I slept pretty well, the other girls really didn’t. I am so glad I can sleep anywhere or on anything.

Sunday March 1, 2009: Greece
After getting a late start, which was kind of annoying, especially when we have limited time in Athens, we found a pastry shop called Evertts. It is chain place, but had amazing chocolate croissants So yummy! Though, I feel everything we do takes forever, because no one ever makes decisions, at all! So we took the metro(which is really cheap and really easy to double dip) to the port Pirreaius and it was a gorgeous day! All I wore was sandals and a little sweater. It was amazing and now I am looking forward to wearing sundresses and the summer. The sun was just amazing, hopefully I got a little color. I think that I am dark enough to pass as half Greek, though Madison and Danielle, give us away! The Metro’s here are really nice, clean and easy to use. I have yet to feel like I am going to pick pocketed which is good. The port was kind of trashy, but what port isn’t. There were many flea markets and scasty sellers. It was super chaotic, with people selling junk. We just had to find our tourist agency and our ferry tickets, which we did really easily. Once that was said and done, we went to find our port of call. The scenery surrounding the port was breath taking. It definitely matched that of a Caribbean island, kind of trashy but gorgeous. The whole landscape with the sun made it picture perfect. We then headed to the Acropolis area, which was straight up amazing. I can’t believe it is still standing after all the years. The background is amazing, with Mediterranean pines and rocks. The Acropolis is just there, sticking out like a sore thumb, but yet it blends so well into the area. We then took a daring climb up rocks that seem to have been glazed and saw a breathtaking view of the city. It was oh my god amazing. Everything was put together so well, I could have sat there for hours. I just felt that we as humans stood out and appeared so large compared to everything else, it was unreal. We were just trying to imagine what it would have been like to live in those times. What were the Greeks thinking when they built these amazing buildings. It was so neat to see the acropolis as ancient architecture juxtaposed to the classical 17th/18th century building. We then walked down a mountainous/garden path to ancient ruins. It was great. They were legit structures, of what was left when it was a bustling stoa. It was just amazing, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined being in Greece looking at the birth place of democracy! Wow. Though, I feel like only the ancient architecture is old, the rest is more modern and Caribbean like. The streets are narrow and have a Mediterranean flare. It is just not how I would have imagined Greece, though in my mind I am not sure if I ever really pictured Athens as a city. It is fun shopping down all the streets, it is classy but fun. Also, there is a month long holiday going on, so everyone seems in a great mood. People are dressed up and drinking, they just seem to be enjoying life! In general, I think they are more laid back here. People just relax and go along for the ride, and they are not in a hurry. It is a nice break from the uptightness of London. I have yet to meet a mean person (knock on wood)! We then headed to the Olympic stadium area which was gorgeous from the outside! Though, it was definitely falling apart. It only occurred over four years ago and they are not keeping it up or really seem to be using it. To me it seems like a waste of money and infrastructure. It is a gorgeous area that is rotting away. At least in Barcelona they are using it more. That is the trend that I have found in Athens though. There is tons of graffiti and building falling apart. It doesn’t seem dirty, it is just crumbling. They need to work on updating and making things appear friendly. Barcelona is a Mediterranean city, but it is so much nicer and more updated than Athens. Also, I need to keep in mind that Athens is much larger, like huge compared to Barcelona. We just walked along the streets of Athens, taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and weather. We decided to head back to the bottom of the Acropolis and eat some Gyros. After, trying a bunch of different places, we went back to the Ice Grill and had amazing Gyros and Sangria. It was kick ass. There is no better way to end a day in Greece than that. I freaking love that place, we are defiantly going back again. It was just straight up amazing. This mustard sauce they use is a drop dead killer. Ah, I love it and I am not even a mustard fan. Now, I want to go back for some more gelato too. The area that this located in is so cute too. The one thing I don’t like about Athens is all the mangy dogs, we have yet to know if they have owners or not, because they have collars. I love dogs to death, but not scary ones with flea bites. Icky. Next time Dewey is bad, we should threaten to send him to Greece. The boys here are pretty hot, they are so dark and they are really polite. It must be those good Greek families. I hope we meet some on Santorini. I just in general want to meet lots of people, here it was kind of hard, because we are not staying here long and it is not a tight-knit hostel, but I am feeling lucky in Santorini! Overall, I like Athens, it hasn’t been my favorite city, I loved Barcelona hands down more. Maybe that is just because I was with the best person in the whole and had a personal tour guide? I just feel like it is too big and unorganized for me. London is massive, but it is organized and laid out in certain ways. I feel like Greece, just grew uncontrollably. I would want to come back, but possibly with someone who knew the area and could speak Greek. I am just looking forward to the islands, which is how I imagined Greece. I am going to be chill there and not worry about a thing.

Monday March 2, 2009: Greece aka the ferry to Santorini…
So we woke up early today after a pretty good night! Madison and I went on the prowl to find some booze after hours. We asked the front desk about where to “find snacks” for the ferry ride and he pointed us in the direction to the Kiosks. We scanned the whole kiosk perimeter and all we found was overpriced Heineken and Amstel Light. Icky, so we looked a little harder and found the everything shop. A place that sold Huka, Beans, and wine. What else do you need, it has all the essentials. We took it back and just chilled. This bottle was HUGE! It was only 4.50 for tons of yummy ness. We met our new roommate Abraheeeeeeeeeem. We are really not sure what his name was but he was kind of awkward and called us Gossip Girls along with 16. What a loser, he will probably be our roommate again when we get back to Athens. YIKES! Any way, we left early and hit the metro, after getting two croissants from Evertts. So good! I was terrified on the metro (my irrational fears of terrorist and crazy people….) because this guy who had this weird pack on under his shirt was mumbling and walking around pacing. Of course we were the last stop, and he was getting off at the last stop. Oh gosh I was freaking out; because the metro was going so slow I thought he was going to blow it up! Damn, I am lame! Haha. Luckily there was a Greek lady sitting next to us who was kind of comforting us, she could tell we were all sacred. Yikes. I need to work on my irrational fears, such as rabies or getting sick from food. Damn. But we made it to the ferry, we were in economy class, so we had to sit on these random tables by the food court. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We were sitting next this nice couple, who were actually was from Wisconsin and went to Mankato. It was cool. I slept for about twoish hours, which wasn’t too bad. I couldn’t find an outlet, which was sucky, because I wanted to write my paper. Oh well. I just chilled and wrote a bit of an outline. The sights on the ferry were gorgeous. We saw three different Greek islands before we came to Santorini. Greek islands do not look as they do in the movies. It is so different, but they are still amazing. The ones we have been seeing our big and mountainous, with little trees. The buildings our white and blue, like in the movies, but it is less compact. Though, it is great and amazing. I love the view. The water just looks so clean and refreshing, ahhh. It is just so rocky; I kind of compare it to the rocky mountains/black hills but with the sea. After seeing a bunch of islands and giving them new famous people owners we landed in Santorini. It was gorgeous. I loved it. The mountains and the air, everything just put together made it great. I feel in love. Haha. I guess I do that every time though! Yes, I have a problem, I fall head over heels for everyone and everything. Why do I do that???? Haha. We met Poppy’s husband at the port ( Poopy is the Minos Villa’s hostel owner). I had a skewed view and thought we would be the only ones but there were three other parties as well. He was so nice, and the bus/car ride to the top from the port was breathtaking. Gosh, I feel in love with Santorini even more. The island is so gorgeous, yet so foreboding. It crosses your mind, why would anyone, truly want to build on the island. What was going through their mind to actually do that. In the end the architecture was amazing. Everything just fits so nicely on top of each other. It is so quaint and cute! We arrived at Minos Villa and met Poppy. She is so nice, it is a great establishment. The rooms and complex is all colored stucco, ah I love it. I want to leave here forever, at least with my family and sister. I could never live without them. We have a gorgeous balcony that overlooks the water and the mountains. All of this for 11 Euros a night, what a great deal!!!!! It is about a 15 minute walk to town, so we decided to explore! The walk is kind of scary, because of the cars and some tight spots, but we made it alright. The town of Fira is so sweet. It is built up so you can keep taking the winding paths up to the top. We first hit up the blue star travel company so we could book a trip to the volcanoes and the hot springs; it was only 20 Euros, which wasn’t bad! After we just meandered around looking at places to shop and eat. We came across this great wine store, it was kick ass. He kept giving us free samples, and we fell in love with this Santorini desert wine! Ah it was yummy. After walking around, I started noticing a lot of American boys, I mean tons! They all had the same short crew hair cut and I placed them as the military. We first thought they were on vaca and then we noticed that there was a ship (later found out that the ship was named the USS Sanantonio, and there were 800 marines/navy personal. Come on people what is that divided by 3 girls. That equals about 250 men to each one of us, a lot of stares, free drinks, and all guy bars. Haha. We loved it and we didn’t even know this was going to happen. Any ways we ate at the Lava café, which was below Murphy’s which was kind of an American bar stocked full of men. It was great; I have a new love of club sandwiches. We didn’t take showers and in the future learn to regret this, but I guess the next night it just made us more hot. We ran in to some creepy army men, and we decided to head to Murphy’s and buy a drink. We went there and we were instantly a minority. We were the only girls beside the bartenders. We bought a blue drink and it was good. After that we didn’t pay for one more drink. Haha. It was so much fun, we just danced and chilled. We talked a lot and just mingled. We pretty much danced our asses off! Woohoo. Gosh, it is my love. A big conversation was about where we were from. They loved that were Americans and that we were friendly. Also, it was great meeting them; they were all so polite and nice. We just wanted to make their stay fun, they only had about a month left on the boat, so we might as well make it fun. The only bad thing that I didn’t like was that they had tattoos and they smoked, which was icky icky, I am not fan of either. I also feel that many were history majors, maybe they were just saying that, but who knows. After many a free drink and lots of laughs, not to mention pictures. I do not even know how many pictures were taken of me and I looked so bad. We should have taken showers, all we kept saying was how bad we looked and what now. We were icky and grimy, no shower in like two days=gross, at least we knew that they appreciated us then. Omg, I just can’t get over how much fun we were having. I was in complete bliss, I was talkative and outgoing! We then decided to head over to the Koo Club, which was fun. It was more of a dance scene. We kind of ended up getting matched up. I was with Will, the 6 foot 5 funny guy according to Danielle? But Danielle was with Nick, who was the doctor and older, he was nice; he gave me pocket watch from Cairo. Madison had Aaron from Wisconsin. We had such a great time. I met so many wonderful people; I may have to disregard what my mom said about Marines being wife beaters. haha They were just so caring and fun, I felt safe being around them. We just had a good time in general. It was slightly romantic, being in Santorini with a man in uniform! Just like in Officer and a gentleman! Haha. Mom would be jealous! I just hoped that we could all met up again tomorrow for their last day on the island. It just makes me smile thinking about all them. This was like a one in a life time chance, meeting all these people! It was every girl’s dreams, we got to live it out in Santorini on our spring break, and gosh the other girls will be jealous. We ended up peeing in pretty much all male bathrooms, because the girls was always busy, even with the very little amount. We had to hover over toilets, the boys were mad at first but after we told them it was us they were super nice and didn’t care. I even yelled at the first Lueitendent, who was being mean to Danielle and got mad at me for doing my hair in the boy’s bathroom. Haha oh well I didn’t care. And I am not in the military, I am just a college student. We made it home just fine. A dog, who we nick-named Sarge, pretty much led the way home, it was so cute, just like Lassie. We had a great time chilling in the room, we accomplished Foot to Mouth and we stretched. The pictures look ridiculous. Haha, we are now officially famous, probably. Why not support the troops, we did! We definitely made their deployments better! This was definitely one of the best nights of my life, hands down! Who knew that so many boys could be in one area at one time! Oh the joys of single life! Haha. Santorini, I love you!

Tuesday March 3, 2009: Santorini
We woke up at a decent time and the girls were kind of hung over, as usual I wasn’t. Thank you lordy. I just don’t know what has gotten into me. I feel like I am drinking a lot (and I am), and I know I am drunk, because I am outgoing and everything, but I just don’t really feel tispy or have gotten the spins. Oooh maybe my drinking style has changed??? Hopefully it has! Haha. The day looked gorgeous and amazing. We all wore dresses and looked so pretty. Madison was the sand, Danielle the water, and me the fruity drink. We ate at Villa Minos, and it was uber good. Poppy and her husband are just great people. We then ran to the grocery store, stocked up on water and snacks and caught the bus to one of the beaches. We really couldn’t understand the man that well, but we just nodded in agreement and he took us there. It was a lovely bus ride, except the bus driver smoked. Haha. Europe and there smokers. Yikes! The bus ride was an amazing tour, we saw much of Santorini, and got a great view. Everything is just so sparse, yet beautiful. The buildings are so clean and tidy. I love the blue and white scheme. We made it to the beach, but sadly it is not exactly what we had in mind. The sand was huge black/red volcanic rocks, but it was still gorgeous. The sun was out and the Mediterranean was sparkling. It was picture perfect. We just wandered around the beach and the hills, taking in all of Santorini. We were just being casual and having a great time. I am really thinking we are all connecting. We were just munching away and I threw my apple, I totally swung up and everything, but I missed and it smashed onto the ground. It doesn’t seem too funny know, but it was then. We waited a good while for the bus, all the while I had to pee. I would have attempted to squat somewhere, but I am way to slow and the minute that I would have done so, the bus would have came. Immediately after I begun thinking about it, the bus did come, and of course it was the same driver. We just chilled on the super long bus ride, listening to some crazy Greek music. There were so many instances where I thought we could have killed a dog or children. Yikes. I would never ever ever attempt to drive there. Come on I can’t even drive in Tomahawk Wisconsin without almost killing someone or something or getting lost and needing to call my Mike Mike. I give those people credit. We came across another beach, but we weren’t feeling it though, especially after last night. Gosh, it was like a scene from the real Cancun or Girls gone wild MTV edition. This beach was flat with smaller black rocks/sand. It was definitely a good laying out beach. We just wanted to go home and get ready for our new American friends, our men in uniform! We came back and we just got all pretty. I decided to wear the same dress, but add tights, because I didn’t want my ass showing to the world (ps actually I did, haha jk). It took me forever to decide if I wanted to wear a dress, because I didn’t want to look all dressed up. But you know me, I love to dress up! It is what I love to do. I just didn’t want to look douchie. Haha and I am really bad at making decisions. We then had some time, so we just relaxed on our balcony and read. It was super chill! I am reading this weird book called Secret Letters, and it is kind of awkward, because it is about Marylin Monroe and Jackie Kennedy. They keep talking about bikini waxing and how JFK liked Monroe shaved. So creepy. Haha. We then headed up to Fira to eat. We found this yummy pasta bar and had some great pasta. Ohh, Tortellini, so good. But not as good as the one from Sainsbury‘s. Ohh I want some! We were all nervous to go out at night, because we were afraid of what might go down. Would it be awkward after those make out sessions and dancing? We went to Fira, and it was like a never ending walk of shame. I felt like everyone knew us and was staring at us. It was freshman year all over again. It was either because they did, or they had heard about us, or were just looking at us! A whole bunch of boys who just got finished playing the Santorini basketball team (they lost), I think JB a boy we met the night before was in that group. We broke two forks,damn. We are way too strong for our own good and need to stop pumping iron. We left, because once again we felt super awkward and that everyone was starring at us. We kept trying to dodge people. It was just like the frats. Yikes. We then decided to buy champie and drink it at our sunset spot, though after awkwardly asking the man if you can drink on the streets of Santorini. He looked at us like we were complete idiots. Haha. It was so romantic! Just drinking champ, watching the sun set in the beautiful Santorini! Madison popped the bottle! It pretty much went flying and split, but it was all good. We just chilled and watched the amazngness of the whole scene. Boys were chatting with us through the window and next to us. The others were annoying, because they kept listening in on our conversations. Lame betches. We walked back down to the street, where of course we run into the boys. It was definitely awkward in the beginning, but they were kind of drunk. In the beginning I felt like it was just a onetime deal and that we were kind of making fun of our drunkness (I was kind of embarrassed). Turns out they had sex on the beach shots, we all freaked out and had a girl moment. It got better as the night went on. We just chatted and laughed.. We just hung out all together and went to Murphy’s. Nick bought us shots, he got us two free t-shirts too. We just had such a good time. They kept saying how everyone knows us on the boat and how we are pretty much famous. Haha. I love it. I can see it, though it is kind of scary to think about. I don’t even want to know how many random pictures will be on the internet. Yikes. But no worries! After all why should we have fun with them, they are our age, Americans, nice, caring, fun, and it is our duty as American citizens and to the home front. Gosh, I can’t believe how lucky we were to meet these boys. They are all so casual and there was no need to impress them at all. It was nice just to be ourselves and laugh. I thought I was very outgoing! We randomly met some capa girls the bar, which once again proves how small this world is. We went to go and pull out money from the atm. It turns out the boys paid money so they could come back out tonight. Wow, I feel bad and special at the same time! We then went to the Koo Club, and danced some more. They played the Cupid Shuffle, it was great. I was just having a blast, dancing with people and wearing their sunglasses. All the boys had an early curfew that night (it is like middle school all over again) so we walked with them back to the bus. We actually had a good conversation. We talked about how I was the tall girl as they called me. Haha! I don’t even think I am that tall. I just had a great time. He then said he would have loved for us to go back to the ship, and damn I would have loved it too! They said that we could have gotten a tour, if we would have asked earlier. Darn it! Oh well. We all should go and visit them in North Carolina, or at least I could go and visit Nick in Tomah! Haha. It was so weird just hanging out with them at the bus; we were like the only girls. It was definitely sad. I didn’t think it would be at all. Why was I sad? When we were walking back we meet some of the boys we knew, they were so nice. We gave them hugs and joked around. They are just all so nice, they are probably like this with everyone they meet, but it is nice. Ahh, once again a break spring break and night in Santorini.

Wednesday March 4, 2009: The VOLCANOE!
We had to get up a little earlier today, because we had our tour to the volcanoes and the hot springs. We knew the night would be kind of slow, because the boys left. Too bad Madison and I could have achieved in blowing up the boat (that was our scheme to keep them here, or we decided to follow them around to their next stop) it may have been better. We walked into Fira, and it was bustling with many locals. You can tell they were preparing for the summer season. It was nice to see them all out and about. The weather was also gorgeous. We made it to the town and we found a bakery, and had a kick ass croissant. I am addicted, I must stop! It turns out the place where we watched the sunset was where right near the port steps. We nixed the idea of trams or donkeys(the donkeys were cute but they smelt icky and we felt bad for them, it made me think of Rugrats and them getting excited to ride donkeys to the bottom of the grand canyon), so we walked the million bajillion steps down. The angle was so awkward that my legs were shaking at the end. It was some good exercise though, also the view was amazing. We could see the bay and the volcano, along with the town of Fira. It was definitely a picture perfect moment. We made it to the port, and had time to relax and watch the water. Pretty much everyone who rode on the ferry, and the girls from capa were on the boat. We saw a jelly fish in the water, Madison was worried, because she was allergic to them. I was pretty sure it was dead. The boat we rode looked like a mini pirate ship. It was so cool. We sat on top and sailed to the island. Once again, we were stunned by the beauty of islands; just being there makes you never want to leave. We made it to the Volcano Island and it was amazingly steep, but awesome. The ingenious rock (woohoo geology and the cinema) were fantastic! We even stole one or two, shhhhhh. It was a tough climb, but we made it to the top. This reminded me of Montana (everything does here) with the hill and sulfur smell, along with the little flowers. It was gorgeous, but in a unique foreboding way. I can’t believe we were standing on the volcano! We got some amazing pictures, it was great. I just want to go back there and take it all in. You could see everything from there. We just wanted to have a picnic up there. We then got back on the boat, after sunning ourselves for a while. The boat then sailed around the island to the natural hot springs. It turns out we had to jump into the Mediterranean and swim about 50 yards in the cold water to the springs and then back around the ship to the ladder. Oh geez. We didn’t know if we wanted to do it, but I decided we needed too, because who knew when we would be back to Santorini. So I got all the girls together and we went down. I jumped into the freezing cold water, after much terrified deliberation. The minute I hit the water, I lost control of my senses. I mean I was in the Mediterranean! I really couldn’t breathe or move my muscles, not to mention I swallowed tons of salty water. Ick. Everyone said that at that point, they didn’t they were going to ever make it there or back, and I agree. We thought we were dead meat. My senses kicked back in and I hauled ass (Marian would be proud) to the springs. There were many icky and slimy rocks that were everywhere; I should have worn my tevas out there. We made it to the springs, but they weren’t really that warm at all. We were kind of bummed. You could tell the difference in water temperature, but it wasn’t like the water in Montana. There goes the Montana comparing thing again. I think I have an obsession. We just floated and tried to stay as warm as possible, after all we did have to head back. Damn. We pretty much became instant friends with everyone who did it, because we were so cold and chilly. We swam back; once again I sprinted at a Michael Phelps pace. At that point, I didn’t even think the temperature was that bad, because I was used to it. It was fun and I couldn’t stop smiling. I got out and went and found the towels, it seemed so warm on board compared to the water. We were all just happy, I am so glad we did that. It was so worth it. I did get a battle wound from the rocks! We then just chilled on the top of the boat, with some girls from George Town. All we wanted to do was dry off! We made it back to the port and decided to walk up the gigantic and steep hill. Damn, it was rough. Though, I wasn’t really tired or sore, I guess I am in pretty good shape. We almost got trampled by the stinky donkeys, who have diahrerra, trust me it is icky, because some were going up and others were going down. At the top we decided to eat at this café overlooking the bay. It was so unbelievably perfect and amazing. You couldn’t ask for a better place to be. We did shopping part one and are planning to go again tomorrow. I was just so tired and am still. We did so much today, not to mention the sun wears you out! It was just a great day. So chill and relaxing, though full of Santorininess. We do miss the boys so much, all we ever do is talk about them, but we should, because they were great. I feel like I got some sun today, my face is a little hot! I probably did, yes! Which means summertime here I come. So the lights went out in our hostel (baby when the lights go out….you know the song), it was kind of freaky. We think we ended up blowing out the fuse, because we had a lot of things plugged in. whoops. We tried to fix it, but we couldn’t, so we hid the evidence and got Poppy. Her husband wasn’t there, so we just chilled in the room with Madison’s mini book light. I was just like we were at a sleep over. It was kind of fun. Haha. Though, in the end Poppy’s husband came and fixed it. He fixed it in a second. Damn men and there handiness. I did the exact same thing and it didn’t work for me. Shucks! He is so funny, he was like OK! BYE! Jus tike what I used/ still do on the phone. Haha, good memories. He must think we are douchie, because we couldn’t find the stair case to our room. Wow, were great! It has been decided that we are going out triple tomorrow for our last day here. Tonight we are being lazy, I am ready to go to bed and it is only nine. We had a long day though. I am just pumped for tomorrow! : )

Thursday March 5, 2009: Santorini
We were so lazy today. We went to bed by like 10:30 and slept to like 9:00. It was brilliant, I probably haven’t got this much sleep in a long time. It was almost too much sleep. We just took it slow and bummed around. We woke up to howling winds that kept rattling our door, so we weren’t too excited to head out to Fira today. After dressing up in our warmest clothes, we headed out. To our surprise, it wasn’t that bad, just super windy. We went to a traditional Cretan bakery for a quick breakfast. I once again settled for a croissant, because I couldn’t read Greek or tell what the others were. Some of the pastries sacred me because they were uber fried or seemed to be leaking of olive oil. We continued into town and went to the 24/7 internet café. It was actually pretty cheap. I had way to many emails, after all haven’t been online in forever. I am addicted to the internet. Mom had sent me quite a few, which I really liked. I just want to watch the Bachelor now, because she said it was an OMG ending. Damn it! I am just so excited that she is coming to visit in four days. Rachel said that Tomahawk is now having a tumble in the tundra, which is a mud wrestling competition. Haha I can’t wait for it next year. I want to mud wrestle, I’d probably kick some ass too Haha. We then just walked around the town, looking for places to shop, but most were closed because of the weather or because it is not high season. Hopefully tomorrow the place with the elephant is open, if not I will be sad. I am debating weather to get the wine or not. I think I want to, and my mom would really like it, I think. I also want a donkey wine stopper, it would be great! I just wish more things were open, or that it was warmer. I need to see Santorini when it is in on high season. It would be crazy with all the shops, and the Mediterranean heat. It would be amazing. The dogs that roamed the town were crazy today. They kept following us around and being a pain in our asses. I mean I love fur people, but not these. They are crazy and or leachy. Dogs in London are definitely better. I am enjoying my time with the girls. We can just joke around and say the most random things. Last night we were going crazy about the Twilight books and sex scenes. Haha. It was awesome. Danielle was waiting for them to have sex and have a baby. We decided that she probably would never have sex, because the author is a Mormon. Good times. Good times. I think tonight we are going to head back to Fira and eat at this restaurant where we can hopefully get free wine, yum! Ahh, I just want to shop. I feel like I can never find the perfect gifts, and that people will be bummed with what I get them. I need to stop worrying and just focus on my time here. Everyone will like what I get them in the end; mom will just be excited to be here. And I can’t wait to see her either. : ) “It’s the second week of deer camp and all the boys are here, we eat, we drink, we sing a lot, blah blah-blah blah-blah” I have no clue why I have this song stuck in my head. Before deer camp came on I had Thirrty point buck stuck in my head, and none of girls had heard it before. Wow, they live a sheltered life, or I do. When we get back, I am definitely showing them this song. They will love it; it will give them a little taste of Northern Wisconsin. After lounging around for a while we headed back into Fira, where we went to Naossau, which was recommended by some girls we met in Santorini. They said that we need to go, because the prices are reasonable and they give you free dessert and wine. Of course, we couldn’t pass it up, and I am glad we didn’t because it was fabulous. The staff was wonderful, the cook took our order and recommended the Chicken in lemon, and it was great. It was so light, yet amazing. How we love Greek/European food. I had a fanta orange soda, which was wonderful. I have been craving it for years, pretty much. Darn, it hit the spot. We just sat and chilled, and the cook gave us complimentary wine (two actually) and dessert, which was hands down sinful. I don’t even know what it was. It had a cinnamonie/spice cake taste, yet it was cheese cakeish. Oh, how wonderful. This was a perfect way to end our heavenly Santorini holiday. Wine and desert along with Greek music. We just sat and relaxed for three and half hours. I love just all sitting together and talking. It was really nice. We then walked past Murphy’s, which was completely dead(ahhh we miss the boys), but the doorman wanted to know the names of the actors who played in Zoolander and the Love Guru, of course it was Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler, respectively. We immediately new these facts, because we are American of course, and in retribution he gave us a free shot! How nice of him. Madison and I also tipped the waitress from the first night, because she worked so hard with the guys. Ah, how much we love Santorini, all the free drinks. Haha, I have never gotten so much free alcohol in my life before. Now we are spoiled, and it will be hard to return to London or even the United States. We are going to miss Santorini so much, no one will understand what we did or experienced. I am so glad I went with the girls, because now we will always have this Greece connection, something no one else has. Yes, we can explain to everyone what we saw and did, but they won’t be able to grasp the pure bliss and happiness that affected us during our spring break. This is definitely one for the books or even the movies! Hollywood here we come! Haha. I just never want to leave, because we are in a fairy tale world, it still hasn’t even hit me that we are in Greece, let alone Santarini. I just feel so lucky to be able to do this; so many people just do not get the chance. To see the sunset on the cliffs of Fira, set against the houses built on terraces, is one of the loveliest and breathtaking sights I have ever seen. How, at the age of 20 am I able to do this? Only two generations ago, girls my age were married, and stay at home moms with two kids. I just can’t believe I am here, and I will repeat this until I leave. We still have another day here, and one more in Athens, but it seemed so short. It flew by, just like London has, after all we are over half way done. It will be so difficult to go back to class and focus! Gosh, it will be icky. All of us just get along so well here, there isn’t tension like back in London. That one night was bad, but we were all pretty drunk. Otherwise, it has been amazing; we just are always laughing and joking, but at the same time really opening up to each other. Such as with Twilight again, the only problem with the story is that the doctor should not have his medical licenses after hundreds of years. How does he keep practicing? Nothing is wrong with the fact they are vampires, can see in the future or that they are werewolves, it is just the medical licenses. Haha! Damn, this trip was fabulous!

Friday March, 6, 2009: Last Day in Santorini
Happy Birthday Mom! We are actually on the ferry right now and I got an outlet! Wooo-hooo. People are trying to creep out my outlet, but they can’t have it. Heck no. I am watching them, watching me, eyeing it up. Today was our last day in Santorini. It was really sad; we all didn’t want to leave. I just love it here and the island. It is hands down amazing. We were trying to think of ways to stay, I betcha Fosy would have covered for me in the end. I am so glad we went to a small, unpopulated place. I really do miss small towns and communities. Everyone seems to know each other and people are friendlier. In the end, I think it is easier to meet people. People just want to talk and know things about you. There is no ulterior motive, and you don’t have to worry. People are definitely not rude or over bearing. Being in Santorini made me miss tomahawk so much, and during the summer I am planning to actually appreciate it, hopefully. We once again took the day at a very lazy pace. We just hung around and got ready to check out. I wore my chill/relax outfit for the ferry, it is so comfortable. I love my lazy day clothes. I look like a bum, but I like it. We walked around Fira, doing a bit of shopping and taking in the sights one last time. More of the shops were open, but the one I actually needed wasn’t. Damn, the one gift that was perfect for Rachel I couldn’t get. Though, I did get a donkey cork, I am excited! Europe has turned me into wine-o! I feel like that is all I drink, which isn’t a bad thing. Now when we have family functions, I am going to be like, “give me wine!” The Janz’s may think it is odd, but I will fit right in with the other side. I can’t drink red wine though. Yes, I may like white and sangria, but arbor mist and boons farm will always have a place in my heart. The weather today in Santorini, was definitely better that yesterday. It was actually really humid, but it was hazy and cloudy. As the day progressed, the wind picked up, making us nervous for the ferry. Right now it is a little rough, but before I wasn’t that bad. I just love being on the water. I love cruising, ferry riding and even just living on the water. It is amazing. A cruise would be fabulous right now! It was so nice just sitting at our sunset place, aka our place, and watching the water and Fira. Imagine if you could look at that every day. The atmosphere of Santorini, is just so relaxed and calm. How couldn’t you love it? It was about time to walk back, so we took our customary 20 minute hike back to Minos Villa. I can’t believe we didn’t get hit by car. Gosh, they are such crazy drivers. Poppy and Evangalist gave us some complimentary wine why we played cards with lures of the past and just chatted in the lovely weather. Then Poppy made us a yummy, traditional Greek snack, that we figured was dough friend in Uzzo, which is a Greek national drink. (Don’t worry I brought some home for you to try). Pretty much those are three amazing things put together. It was time to say our goodbyes, which ws so sad. We had such an amazing time, it is hard to leave. Now all we have left is our memories and we must go back to London reality. I just love it here. Damn, I get attached to things so easily. We then just relaxed at the port and waited to board the ferry. I was on my mission to get the outlet and I did. I wrote my paper, which makes me feel lighter, because when mom is here, I know I won’t get things done. I am excited about going back to Athens, but it is just so overwhelming. It is just so crazy busy and out of control. Minneapolis and I get along because it isn’t that bad, just like Barcelona. But Athens, whooahhhhhh. I have enjoyed my time there, it is something different than I totally expected, but it is definitely not my style. I can see myself in the future island hoping and experiencing the different Greek isles. I need to return to Santorini, and I plan on it. (haha right now I am listening to Abba, which makes me think of Mamma Mia, which is set in Greece. Yay!) This is where the ferry ride turned to hell. I would consider myself an experienced sailor and I could barely handle this. We were pretty much on a water rollercoaster ride. It was up and down, up and down for like the last three hours. Chairs, luggage and people were flying all over. There was one massive wave that forced Danielle to slide away, because we were at such an angle. Though, I wasn’t really going anywhere, because I am so beefy. I seriously contemplated throwing up. I had to stop typing, and just lay there with my head down listening music. To get through it, I just thought about all the good times back at home with Natalie and Rachel. This is how you know you have such great friends. If just thinking about them could get me through this, they could get me through anything. I was just glad when the ferry landed in Athens. Though after, all these god damn annoying cab drivers kept approaching and touching us about taxi rides. They were even lying. I was getting pissed, it was like 12 and they were just being too overbearing. We are not that dumb, we obviously know what we are doing. The metro ride wasn’t that bad, but we weren’t looking forward to going back to Zorbas. Trust me; it isn’t a cherry place like Zorba Pastor on Public Radio. We were in the same room, but with a different man (thank goodness) named Ben. He was really nice and kept to himself, and he didn’t call us 16 year old Gossip Girls. I just went on my computer and wished mom a happy birthday and took care of some internet business. Mom wrote back about the boy thing and she was so funny. She said it was just like her in Hawaii! Gosh, I love her. She is so much fun and knows exactly what we are up too! I can’t wait to see her soon. I am kind of in the mood just to leave Athens and go home. I shouldn’t be, but I am exhausted and just want to see my mom. Though we are going to enjoy our last day of holiday!

Saturday March 7, 2009: Last Day in Greece
So it is our last day, we are all really sad, but at the same time ready to get home. Traveling and vacation is just stressful. Also, I feel like being lazy, and didn’t want to get out of bed. The night wasn’t that good. I was freezing and had a crappy pillow, but that is what Zorbas gives you. The workers and guest were so loud too. They kept talking, playing music, and watching movies right outside of our door. I am a great sleeper and can sleep through anything, but I was wide awake. I also kept tossing and turning, so I am exhausted. I can’t wait to sleep on the plane! I checked my email and I was sad that no one had replied. That is when you can tell you are ready for home. Though, my day was brightened when I found out there was a Gloria Jean’s right next to Zorbas. Oh, how much I love Gloria Jeans. Yummy. I had the coffee of the day, which was fantastic and a muffin. I wanted a coconut mocha chiller, but I knew I had to save my money for shopping. We headed back to the Acropolis to do some shopping and we did. I found an even better present for Rachel! I am excited. I am also addicted to the Greek eye and am planning on mosaicing a table, hopefully this summer. Shopping was also fun with the girls. We just walked on the streets and stores, it was relaxing. The weather was also fantastic, it was good last day. We bumped into some Capa people who lived in Kilburn while shopping; it is so weird when that happens. What a small world. I am so glad we didn’t travel all over like they did, how stressful would that have been. We then headed back to the Ice Grill for some yummy gyros and fries. How much do I love this!!!! Oh so good. I am pumped for the Gyro bus. We just sat and chilled, like the Europeans do. We were also watching MTV Euro, which made us homesick. Gosh, we miss American Music. Yes, much of it is the same, but at the same time it is really different. We just miss turning on KDBW and hearing our music. Ahhh, good old home. It was nice day in Athens. It was crazy busy though. It kind of turned annoying when we were trying to use to metro and people kept pushing us. I have never been so crammed. I got pissed too, when people were trying to pick pocket us. Seriously. Why do people even do this? I would never ever ever be tempted to act this way, but they are. It disgust me. I want to invent an object that you can place in your bags so it bites people who try and pick pocket. Or put poop in my bag, so when they reach in they get all shitty. Haha. After that, I just felt really unsafe in Athens. I just wanted to go home to London and home home. Just being targeted like that freaks you out, even when you know everything is safe. They are picking you out and using you. Damn they. Karma will come back around, hopefully. We went back to Zorbas for the last time and used the internet. We listened to some American music, and felt even more homesick. We decided that being on vacation makes want to me home more than just being in London, because we are traveling and broke our routine. I am just so happy I get to see my mom soon. I am flipping out!!!!! Once again when we were traveling on the metro with all our luggage people tried to pick pocket us. God damn those bastards. Never in my life have people done this at such a pace, not even in Barcelona. What is up with them? I just wanted to get out and go somewhere less chaotic. I just don’t get it. The British are so nice, and helpful. Even on Santorini I felt safe. It was great; people were so nice and friendly. We walked around so much and never once felt threatened or used. People went out of their way to help you. I just that atmosphere, it was so me. I love small places and towns, where you can feel like a little community. I miss Santorini so much! Luckily, the bus wasn’t crowded, so we just relaxed the whole ride to the airport. We actually got a lovely view of Athens, one that was less busy. The actual landscape of the whole city and area was gorgeous. It was all very lush and hilly. It seemed so different than the Athens we grew to understand. Though, I was happy to be leaving the crazy city. I just wanted to go back to Santorini. At the airport we saw guys who were over 7 feet and we figured they were part of a basketball team. Maybe the ones who played the American boys? The airport wasn’t stressful at all and then even had a Sbarro, damn I want one. Everything now seems to be reminding me of America, which isn’t good, because I want to be back. Though, I can’t think that way, I only have a month and a half left so I have to enjoy as much as I can! The flight back wasn’t too bad. Mother fortune once again smiled upon us when we sat across from another baby. Though, I shouldn’t complain, the flight could have been horrible. Customs was so easy this time, I was worried for nothing. She was the nicest lady and didn’t even care about the visa thing. Thank goddess, because it definitely raised my view of customs. It is weird being back, I almost don’t want to be. I think it is just really hard, because my mom will be here soon. I just need to get back in the groove! I miss Santorini so much, I really do. It was great and I definitely need to return really soon! The whole atmosphere of the island, the landscape, and the people, just make it fabulous. Once you go there, you really never want to leave.

Febuary 16-22, 2009! Tuesday-Sunday: Rachel in London

So I didn’t do much this week, because I was preparing for Rachel and her friends arrival to London town. Like usual, I was over reacting, and freaking out about not having anything too do. Yikes. I need to chill out major, because everything turned out so well, or at least as well as I could expect it. I need to relax and not be such high strung hostess. I am so mom like, I just need to go with the flow and let the chips fall where they may, there is no need to worry about little things, because people won’t judge and if they do they are not worth your time I guess it is just me, I am just like mom and the hostess she is. But in the end it all turned out well. Tuesday and Wednesday I got to go to the cream tea for capa. It was fantastic, Elle and I were super sneaky and we got to go twice with Fosdal, the best teacher on this side of the pond. We pretty much ate our weight in egg salad sandwiches(so good, it is my new favorite yummy food), little sandwiches (cucumber ones of course), a fatty platter(as in super amazing deserts, and we are going to jank that), scones and English muffins with cream and jam, and tea of course. It was my first tea in Britain and I really liked it. It was so amazing, we felt so posh going to a tea party. It was so London of us, and it was free at the Regency. What an amazing deal. I am making such great friends in classes, like Elle. I love her. We get along, she is my neighbor and she is from the U. She is great, we are going out on Tuesday to the Sports Café for sure. ( I am glad I am meeting new people, because the whole roommate situation is getting more dire as the weeks go on.) Yikes, is all I can say. It just may seem like it is getting worse, because I have now experienced Rachel and I know that we are perfect roommates. Ahhh, it is almost worse seeing her than not seeing her. Now I need to go a whole three weeks with out seeing her, it will be tough, but for a week of it I am in Greece and the other I am with my mama sita! But anyway, I went to the airport on Thursday to pick up Rachel, I was 15 minutes late! Damn tube ride to Heathrow, could it take any longer. Ahhhh. She was kind of freaking out a bit, but it was all good. It turns out there was big fiasco with Rachel’s other friends. Steve got left in Madrid and we didn’t even know if he would make it, the others had some baggage problems. We ended up seeing the boys randomly at the airport, though of course I made a fool of myself. Damn,, but what else would you expect from jazz the spazz.cSo we rode the tube home, and I showed Rachel my place. She really liked it. We went to Sainsbury and what not, I just got her familiar with my area and gave her a tour. I made dinner, we had mac n’cheese, chicken, and bread. It was so good. After, Rachel and I went to the Westbury, and she loved it. She thought the bar tenders were hot, which they are. They are exactly their style. They also make such strong drinks. It is amazing, the place is amazing. She met some of my neighbors and friends, so it was good. We then took a hike to Piccadilly and walked to Parliamentary square at night, which was gorgeous. We even heard big ben ring at 11, it was a scene right from Peter Pan. I just could imagine Peter Flying with the Darling children across the clock face. Ah, everything is always so much better a night, no matter what. Just how the buildings were lit up and reflecting on the water. Gosh, London is gorgeous, and Rachel helped me realize it. We just work so well together, it is great. Everything is always perfect, the moments, scenery, just everything. I definitely have to take mom down to the square at night! We ended up getting a call from Steve, and he was going to met us at Piccadilly. After we met up, it turns out he got on the wrong flight, and he luckily got another flight. We got up early the next day and did the whole touristy thing. We headed down to Westminster, and Big Ben, along with Buckingham. We saw Trafalgar square, and Piccadilly, the Arc de Triump, St. James park, tower bridge, pretty much everything in that area. They loved it so much, that makes me so happy that they were enjoying everything. If not I would have been sad, but by them adoring it, I loved it more. I now saw the things that I had been ignoring. We went to the Lamb and Flag in Convet Garden and it was so amazing. I am taking mom and Nicole there for sure, it was so cute and traditional. It was tiny and there was great home cooked food by old ladies. It was just what they were looking for, they kept calling it sick. We toped of the lunch by having a pea throwing constant into my shirt. Steve won, though after many tries. Haha. I loved it so much too, I need to go back there as soon as possible. Convent garden was also super cute and posh. I am going back there for pancake day, I need to check it out! We then to a walk down Soho, Liecster square, and china town. It overall was a great day, we just chilled and talked. We also got chestnuts that they cook by the river Thames, they are so yummy. How London like of us, too bad it wasn’t snowing. Just kidding. Stay away snow, spring here we come. We had a running joke about saggy old men, Asian eyes and peace signs, big asses, and so on. It was good bonding time. We went to the old bell for diner, and they loved it. Steve said it was perfect and it was just what he was imagining for a pub. I am so glad they like it. That night we walked for ever next to regents park to get to Alex’s(aka Isaacs roommate and that is who they were staying with) apartment Kings Cross. I didn’t know they knew those people. The world is so small, it makes me smile. The apartment had a great view, but it is stuck in the middle of no where. You have to take a bus and then a tube to get anywhere, how lame is that. It was boring at there house, so Rachel and I wanted to go back to Piccadilly. Before we ended up chilling at Bakers Street, where we stumbled upon Sherlock’s holms house and museum. It was so much fun, just doing random things with Rachel. We then went to Piccadilly, found some pie and headed back down to the Thames and sat in front of the eye eating it. It was so romantic, once again the perfect evening. The sights there are so gorgeous and lovely, they are truly breathtaking. I wish I had a view of that. We just did a very large square across the Jubilee bridge and parliamentary bridge. We then went back, because we wanted to catch the tube. We met the boys at Cinnabon( Yes they have one in Britian. You can pretty much find any American food you want here. I never realized how lucky I was, but I do love Barca food, especially tuna and Falafles), it was Jordans 21st birthday, so they made him a Cinnebon cake and what not. It was cute, too bad I didn’t have the candles I usually keep in my purse. That is twice now where they could have come in handy. Damn it, the minute I am going back to the States, I will always have candles with me. We just hung out for a while. Alex is so nice, I need to really hang out with him more here. He is great and so much fun. I wasn’t feeling the greatest, so we headed back home, we wanted to catch the tube anyway. I blame my cold on Bridget and her unsanitary conditions, such as not covering her mouth, leaving dirty Kleenexes everywhere, and lounging around the living room. Rachel and I had a great day planned already, so we needed to do that and we need to ditch Steve, no offense to him , but he was dragging us down. So we said we were shopping the whole day. Steve and Rachel always have there little cat fights and what not, there is so much sexual tension going on the. Haha. I just don’t get guys with girlfriends, that don’t act like it at all. Come on, if you obviously loved them you wouldn’t be talking about macking on or having sex with other girls, in front of people or at least other girls. Keep it to yourself or your best guy friends. . Gosh guys and there girlfriends, how lame is that. I always seem to pick the wrong ones to like. What is my problem. It is disease! Having people stay with me made me realize that I must enjoy every little minute of my experience, because the next thing I know it will be gone and I will be back home. The next day Rachel and I left really early and hit up so many tourist places and discovered so many great places. We first went to Abby Road and did the whole Beatles thing. We took tons of pictures and I laid in the road and I almost got BBmacked by a double decker bus. We took the traditional walking pictures, and added some modern flare with cell phone poses. It was fun. The whole area was really cool. All the walls were signed, we were living in music history. We found a cute little Café called Abby Café, were I definitely think I need to go sometimes. I really love Madia Vale tube stop, there is great places to eat and hang like a coffee shop with free wireless! And it is only one tube stop away from me. We also went to Marylebone tube stop, were the song I Wanna hold your hand was inspired. It was cute. Warrick avenue was great, we saw little Venice with all the canals. It was nice, now I can’t wait to see the real thing and eat tons of Italian food. We went back to baker streets and took a picture in front of Sherlock holms house. We just went into the gift shop, which in the end is always the best thing to do when visiting places you don’t want to pay to get into. We just snooped around and acted crazy. Pretty much what Rachel and I are good at doing. When we are together, we are truly unstoppable. We went to regents park, and climbed the horrible steep Primrose hill. And Rachel, yes Jazz the man was having trouble, it was my hot calves that were paining me from all the running I am doing! haha It was a gorgeous and amazing view. Oh and the day was amazing in general. It truly felt spring like. For most of the day, I didn’t where a coat. The day was pretty much a pastry day. We found a pastry shop on the way to Camden market, because we needed something to wash down our cappuccino. We then got to Camden Market, and Rachel fell in love, like I knew she would. It was so amazing shopping there with her. We had such a great time, going in stores, listening to the great music (like Fly on the Wall-Miley, and Hanson, we all know we love Miley Cyrus, she is the shit). We ate the great pastry’s that they have there, omg, so amazing. Rachel ended up getting Chinese food and I had a slice of pizza. I need to go back there and shop for gifts and such. I also want some really cute clubbing ware. We spent a really long time there, and after awhile we left, though both of us didn’t want too. We went to Nottinghill and Portobello Road, which was horribly busy. It is such a cute and posh area, it is amazing to think it used to be a place where black market goods were sold. We ended up finding another pastry place and had an apple strudel. It was great. I don’t think Rachel like Portobello road as much as Camden, but it is still a great place. We stumbled across the book shop in Nottinghill the movie. It was great. We took tons of pictures and pretended we knew Huhg Grant. Too bad he really didn’t live there. After, this busy adventure and me almost getting hit by a car we went to Hyde’s park and took a stroll admiring the hot football players. It was such a perfect day to be walking around the park. We just meandered around taking in the sights, and then we met a nice British family who said we should probably go to the globe and then to a pub called Waxxy’s O’Connor’s. We went to the Globe theater and took picture for Ms. Balda an Mrs. Herbison. It was so cool, I wish we could watch a production and go inside. There were some dirty ice cream trucks there, which was very entertaining. We then hiked it all the way back to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square where we went to Waxxy O’Connor’s. It turns out that I already had been there, but I was drunk. It was so cool inside, it is such a tall building with tons of levels and a tree inside. I can’t believe it used to be a church. The pubs in Britain rock, I just need to get better at exploring them! We weren’t feeling the whole atmosphere, though, so we left and then stumbled upon Ed’s Diner. It was an American style diner with classic 50’s 60’s music. They had thick shakes and cheese fries(real ones). They played great music. It just overall rocked, we had so much fun singing to music and chilling. This was our style. After, we went to buy post cards from my favorite post card shop, 16 for one pound. We returned home after a long day, ready to drink and a have fun. I made a drink at home and we just chilled, doing each others hair, just having good old girl time. (and dancing to Miley Cyrus of course. What would be night or day for that matter with out Miley). We then wrote Steve a great note about saggy balls, his cat pawz and what not. On our way to the Old Bell, We ran into the boys. It was nice. They at least saw us going out to have fun and be chill. The old bell rocked, we got strong bow and just hung out on the couches. We made a spice girl video and were just being the sisters we are (haha we had a photo shoot and saw spice buses). The strong bow definitely made us tipsy, so we headed home after one and continued drinking after purchasing chocolate and orange juice from Tesco’s. Ohh and I was definitely drunk after all the vodka, though I finished my bottle! Yay! I am now obsessed with strong bow and orange juice and vodka, though not together. We just chilled and Steve came over for second to chat. After he came over though our door did something crazy, it locked from the inside and I couldn’t open it, we were locked in! I would have been panicking, but I way too drunk. Elle and Emily, who we were chatting with outside through the window(one of the great things of living in a courtyard flat), I just love that girl, were going to come in, but they were locked out. I had to work on it for like 10 minutes. We kept passing keys through the mail slot, and finally fixed it. Though, no boy came to the rescue of a damsel in distress. This shows the character of the modern boy. Lame. Haha. In the mean time, Jordan decided to pull out the spare mattress in our garden area and have Rachel and Steve jump out jokingly. It was hilarious. Everyone was jumping around on it. I went out of the window and he was begging me to jump out. Then Jake was trying to jump on the mattress into our apartment. It would have been great if it would have worked. Too bad, my apartment has too many floors. We finally made it to the tube and Steve was pretty much flirting with police at the stop. The tube ride was great, it was so much, sometimes I just want to ride the tube instead of doing anything else. Those are the best nights. We just joked around on the tube, it was great. Our first stop was at Cinnebon, so they could get one. Goodness, Barcelona must have some crappy food. Most of them went down to pee in the basement, right in the corner. Those Barcelona kids, no class what so ever. They need to learn some manners. Haha. I probably would have done it anyway. I am northern girl, we are not baby’s. We had to block Alex, right in the street so he could pee, it was hilarious. At cinnebon, Alex and Jake were both feeding me some of their bun, it was great, and he was feeding me some milk. It was truly amazing, it made me think about all the MOA moments in Minneapolis. Great times, Great times. Then we made our way to Waxxy O’Connor’s and we just chilled. We tried working our stuff and getting free beverages, but it didn’t really work. I shouldn’t have left the Barca kids, but I did oh well, I just have to explore. I met this one man, he asked me why American girls were so beautiful. I don’t even know what I replied, something probably ridiculous. Next time I need to work it, by saying why are British guys all so hot or sexy or something. I need to get better at working my goodies and words. So, I am starting my practice regime. . It made us mad that Steve said never truly accept or believe anything that boys do when they are drunk, because it is probably not what they really want. How lame is that, I firmly believe that when you are drunk you are at you most truthful state. Boys are just are all man whores, who are looking for the easiest hook up or at least boys at this day. The bars closed at 12, so we ended up heading back. I wanted everyone to come back to Kilburn and play drinking games, but they didn’t. How lame, it could have been fun. Oh, well there loss. The next day we got up kind of early again, we went to regents park and took a walk and then hit up Camden for orange juice and pastries. Yum, we went back to Abbey Road, took a few more picture, but we were bummed because Abbey café was closed. That is definitely on my list of things to do. We then went home and got Rachel ready, and then attempted a bunch or restaurants, but they were all closed. In the end, we decided to get Rachel’s stuff and then eat at Fuldham Broadway. This area turned out to be super sweet. It is right next to the Chelsea stadium, and had tons of sports bars. It was great. We found a cute pub, where we had amazing fish n’ chips. Probably the best on the trip. It was a good last meal with Rachel. I was pretty much crying when she left, it just keeps getting harder and harder. I just can’t stand not living with her, It is so much fun, we just work. I even said I don’t need to journal anything bad about her, because I’d rather just say it to her face. We just always have such a good time, we work. Ahhhh. I miss her, this will be such a long three weeks. I need to think positive, and just have a rockin time all the time! : ) I just know she is the perfect friend, even Steve said it would be funny to us marry brothers or twins. It would be hilarious. Gosh, us and our farting and belching. We poop like hard core when we are together. We even joked about blowing holes into chairs. Oh and “stop being such a baby butch” or “butch baby” either way we had a great time, and laughed our asses off all the time. I don’t even know how and why we are so close. I know some many other sisters and twins, no one is as close us. I just feel amazing when we are together, like was are invincible or ontope of the world. We could be doing the most mondain task, and it would be a total blast. We have to study or travel together again. I regret not studying with her, but it in the end it was supposed to happen that way. Imagine, Rachel and I living on a beach. It would be tv show worthy. We could have tv show, we would probably clean house at the Emmy’s. My roommates are becoming more and more difficult to stand. The icky girls left all there dishes dirty and in the sink over the weekend, they didn’t even rinse them. Not cool. Then they took my sugar, used half of it and didn’t put it back, all with out asking. Then Emily was all snippy about me having Steve over, and how I didn’t tell anyone it was boy, though I strictly did and Madison, Bridget, and Danielle all stood up for me. She compared it to the other girls bringing random boys home, so not true. I have know Steve for like two years, and he is pretty much rach’s best friend in Barcelona. Gosh. Ahhh, I just can’t wait for next years living situation, it will be fabulous. So amazing and fun. No bitches or hoes, just us! Well maybe bitches and hoes, but the good ones. It is has been decided that Barcelona and London are the best cities In Europe, hands down. : )

"All in all it's the perfect scene and there's not anywhere that I would rather be and it's now, now or never when we're chasing our dreams and oh we're getting close now, don't turn away"

p.s. once again Rachel's blog kicks my blogs ass. I don't know how she is so good at this. what a details person. So sorry if it is painful to read, just refer to Rachel's for details. Oh, and Rachel stop being so good at everything, you are making me look bad! :P

Thursday February 12, 2009 to Monday February 16, 2009 Barcelona

I was anxious all day today. It was so hard to focus, but I got through it. I got up early and went to Capa and did not last minute printing, then I went to Piccadilly circus and did some magnet shopping for Rachel’s senora. It was so gorgeous out. The sun was shinning, and it didn’t seem that cold out. Days like that are when you appreciate London. It is so hard to love something when it is cold and rainy (and snowy). But I enjoyed the weather and I can’t wait until the spring, when it will be nice all the time and everything is in bloom. We ended up having to meet in Covet Garden for popular culture. It was so gorgeous, I had never been there before and I plan to go back. Years ago, it used to be the main agriculture center for all of England, so sellers would bring all there good there, also it used to be big fine arts area. Currently, there are bunch of cute and trendy boutiques, along with street sellers. It looks so interesting and amazing. I can’t wait to go back. Down the side streets there are a bunch of used book shops, and there is even a store that sells American food like fruit loops and pop tarts. Madison and I really want to go there, it will be so much fun. Our teacher is so random, he takes us to these random places and just talks and talks. He compared acid to math, and said you get a better trip with mathematics. He also talked about the days at film school (he probably was high through all those days). In London, I never realize how close everything actually is. Covent Garden is seriously right next to Trafalgar square, which is right next to Leicester, which is right next to Piccadilly. So amazing. We went to the National Gallery, because it was supposedly too chilly, but we didn’t know what he was talking about it. It was gorgeous out, the sun was shinning. He is just way too crazy. The gallery wasn’t too bad, we saw some interesting paintings this time. It is just hilarious to hear him bash these institutions and painting, and see the workers and other peoples reaction. He just doesn’t care what people think about him at all. Which is really nice, because I think we get the best out of our education. We saw the famous picture of the pregnant women getting married in the green dress and the picture of the naked women that was slashed to pieces by a feminist. After all this we went back and ate. I got ready. The ride on the tube seemed to take forever, but I was so excited. We passed Hanslow, and all I could think of was Bend It like Beckham, it was great. I got through customs and security just fine. It was kind of nerve racking, but it wasn’t too bad. I just asked people and they were all really nice. I didn’t know what gate I was in so I asked two different people, and they were amazing. The British airlines man, told me to eat and drink as much as I want on the plane, because it is free. The flight was delayed because they were gritting one run way, because of the snow. Thank goodness to good winds, because we got there only like 20 minutes late, after waiting for like 45 minutes. We had sandwiches on the plane, ham and cheese and pickle, and tuna and corn. So good. I was at first skeptical, but they were amazing. I want one right now. I sat next to two Spanish people, one could only speak English, but we talked for a long while. It was nice to interact, but he thought that Rachel was more advanced intellectually, because she speaks another language, but I corrected him and told him I new sign. So there, suck it people, I am still enlightening part of my brain. There was this man behind me, who kept giving me a creepy eye, icky. Damn Spanish men, gross! I am not a fan. Haha! British men are so much more polite and refined. I am definitely more of an English person, it fits my personality. This is were the fiasco starts. (oh the lady on the plane said my bag probably wouldn’t fit, but ah ha, it did, I am so good). I told Rachel I was meeting her at terminal B, but I was dropped off at terminal A instead. I walked around for two hours along with attempting to use my computer which crashed three times. It was so scary, I was frustrated, so I ended up eating rach’s chocolate. Haha. After making like a thousand circles and walking to the metro, I finally found her. I just started crying. I was just frustrated. I really have rotten luck. But we were reunited. It was nice. The rocky start was ok, it was a joyous meeting. It still makes me smile, thinking about how I was such a softy. Oh well, Rachel ended up eating the chocolate she got for me too. You can so tell we are sisters. We ended up taking the buses and Metro to her place. Barcelona was so nice, the weather was comfortable, though she may beg to differ. My first impression of Barcelona was great. It is gorgeous, especially with the mountains in the back ground. It is like an upscale Caribbean Country. I loved it. The streets are old, yet they are new. It is nice. I was so nervous to met Rachel’s Senora, it seemed almost worse than meeting a Boyfriends parents. I lucked out and she wasn’t there. The apartment she lives in is so cute and quaint. It is definitely European. Of course it is small, but it has four bedrooms. Rachel’s room is nice, it even had a trundle bed, but of course we slept together instead. Rachel and I just got cleaned up, so we could go out on the town. I was so excited. We walked over to Rachel’s friend Katie’s apartment. After tons of chocolate, Magdalena’s(which are amazing muffins), and bread and jam, we went to a pre-gaming bar, where you are given the bottle of alcohol and a chaser and you make your own drink. Pretty much you just fill your drink with alcohol all the way and then just drink the chaser. The alcohol is watered down, I am pretty sure. But it still was enough to get me drunk. They also had American popcorn, Danielle is going to be jealous. Haha. It was super fun there, I met most of her friends, I definitely started opening up. Next we headed to Sutton’s and it was amazing, probably one of my best nights studying abroad. We danced the whole time, first just with the girls in the bar, and then the boys joined us and after hours we went to the dance club. It was a blast, so fun. Steve ended up showing up, I was drunk at this point and I gave him a big hug. We just all danced together, a little bit of fun/Spanish/grinding dancing. We did a lot of Janz sister sandwiches. We had a good time dancing with Erin and imitating the Chris Brown and Rhianna fiasco. After getting soaked with sweat, gross, I know, we went to the bathroom, and I dried my hair with the hand dryer. I went back out and danced the rest of the night away with Jake. Over all, it was amazing night. The dancing was just great! It still makes me smile. I just can’t wait to go back and dance my ass off. I just love it. It is so much, it is definitely something I need to do often. It is just so sexual and passionate. It makes you smile. Now that is all I am craving, is dancing. The next day we had to get up early, it was the earliest I had to get up on a Friday for class. It was ok, we got some pastries, so it was yummy. After, we went and toured the city. It is so gorgeous. We went to las ramblas and looked around at the market place. They had everything for so cheap. There was tons of fresh fruit and veggies, chocolate, bread, and meat. The meat was gross, but it was so cool, no matter how disgusting that sounds. We went to the port and walked around too. That is what you do in Barcelona, walk around. But it is the best, the weather is gorgeous and it is so nice out. I love it. I just feel so refreshed outside, the sea air and breeze. Amazing ahhhh. I love it. I just keep thinking about it. It is so different than London, so causal and fun. It is crazy at the same time relaxing. We took a traditional siesta and just wandered around town. We got ready to go, and beforehand went to Mexican restaurant with Rach’s friends. Oh my gosh, and was it good. It was perfect and it hit the spot. After we purchased wine out of a box, we headed down to the beach club scene. We didn’t exactly know where the club was, so we picked our language(English was the one) and asked a couple of boys. The club was gorgeous, it was so trendy and posh, not to mention it was located right on the ocean and you could see the beach from the deck. We got in free and also got a complementary glass of sangria. So amazing. I love sangria so much, it is my new drink of choice. We just ended up dancing, which was a blast. The boys then came and we all just danced. There was a major creeper giving me the eye and following me everywhere, so Steve rescued me. We had such fun dancing experience. It was so cute, we were doing a mix of salsa and spins. Ahhh, I miss dancing already. It was fabulous. Rach and I took a cab home, and I pretty much fell asleep in the taxi. The driver even asked about me saying why is the pretty lady so tired? He agreed on the fact that London is not as hard core as Barcelona. We got up at a good time, and headed to the beach. It was so gorgeous, and I think I got a little sun burn. I loved it. We just walked around and met up with the boys for lunch, where I experienced my first Barcelonan tuna. Yum. All four of us, Jake, Steve, Rachel, and I, headed to a palace- type thing(Rachel can you help me out) created my Goady. It was so pretty, everything was mosaic, and it had an amazing view of the city. We just chilled there and talked, while watching a little kid and a dog terrorize a flock of pigeons. It was hilarious. It was just a good time overall, really relaxing and historic. The perfect day. Rachel and I just went out, ourselves that night. It was great sister bonding time. We ate a pizza place, had tuna pizza, and drank 83 cent wine again. We then went to the Fairy bar, which was so cool. It was like being in Lord of the Rings. They had waterfalls, rocks, caverns, and greenery. It was right up my alley. We just chilled in the corner, talked and drank Sangria. So perfect. After, we headed to the shot bar, where they made the most creative shots ever. Like the Harry potter, or boy scout. Most involved fire, sugar, and fruit. It was so much fun. I really want to do the boy scout, where you roast a marshmallow. We met some Irish boys here, who bought us shots and then took us to a bar called Manchester. It was super fun, I asked them what religion they were and they were Catholics. I really have no idea why I did that. Also we talked about the band, rumblestrips, “pop music”, the south, Kansas, skiing, Tiajuna and so on. They boys bought us beer, oh how great it is to meet boys. You can pretty much go out free any night. The next we just went out and explored the Olympic area, and a gorgeous garden. We had so much fun, just the two of us. We took crazy pictures, laughed hysterically so many times. It was nice and relaxing. We just chilled, ate falafels, which were amazing. We saw the fire parade, where people had crazy fire works and walked around the tiny gothic streets. It was so cool. I wish London had culture like this or even MN or WI. It would be so much fun, and it would you something to do. This summer we are for sure hitting up all the local events in our area. After, we went and chilled on the beach. It was like a scene from a movie. We just watched the waves and talked. I really, really, really didn’t want to go home at this point. The next day we woke up early and I just sat at a cute café, and did some homework. It was nice. After, we ate some pizza and then went to the port. We found a super cheap adorable store, where I bought two dresses. We went to the aquarium and took pictures inside of the shark’s mouth. Now, we know it is physically possible. We went back to her school and hung out with rach’s boys. It was so much fun. I was way more relaxed and actually talked. It was great. We were making plans about London and what to do there. It was nice and really miss just hanging out with boys. I was really glad that I made a last good impression. I pretty much ate my weight in chocolate croissants and chocolate in general. It was so good. I am also in love with fresh orange juice. I feel like everything is so fresh there. I can’t wait to go back. I just felt so safe and cozy there, I never felt threatened. Not that London isn’t safe, it is just so big and there is so many people. I didn’t even realize the size difference until I flew over the city on the way home. London has 12 million people total and 7 million people in the city center, compared to Barcelona’s 3 million and 1 million respectively. Only once did I worry about pick pocketing, otherwise I feel so safe. I definitely had a tainted view of Barcelona and Spain in general. But, now that has all changed. I can’t wait to go back, I feel the need to actually live on an ocean for awhile. It is just so calming. I want to study abroad again, but I don’t know where, somewhere on a beach and with Rachel. I am trying to convince her. She said maybe graduate school, which I could agree with, maybe. Also, I am having feelings that I should have study abroad with her, it would have been perfect in all ways. Oh well, there is a reason why things ended this way, now we each have a city that we can take each other too and live like locals.

ps. Rachels blog is probably way more kick ass than mine. I can't help that she is a masta blogger. It is pretty much her career, or at least the internet is. I am better at emo poetry. Oh, and this is definitely not as good as my journal, so if I like you enough(*cough, not you rachel, jk) you can maybe read it when i get home! <3

Friday-Sunday February 6-9, 2009: PARIS

This was our first big holiday! It was really exciting, especially after coming off of a rough Thursday. Getting up at 3 am wasn’t that bad, I thought I would have been tired, but I was actually wide awake. It must have been the excitement. I have now lost faith in the London’s taxi cab services; they kept misplacing our bookings and giving us different numbers. After many calls, we finally ended up with four taxis, when we only needed two. Oh well, at least we got where we needed. It was their fault anyway. St. Pancreas/Kings Cross Station was so cool. It looked like a mini airport. Yes, this is where Harry Potter gets on his train to Hogwarts, except we were in the Eurostar terminal. It was so much easier dealing with the train than the airport. You can quickly get through baggage and passport control. I slept pretty much the whole way to Paris; I missed the Chunnel and everything. It was different hearing a language other than English. French is not really that pretty of a language, it is kind of throaty and flemy, not very pleasant. We arrived in Paris at like 9 am. It was so gorgeous out. The weather was lovely and the sky's were clear. It was so much nicer than London. You could tell we were in continental Europe. Paris is an amazingly beautiful city. The architercture is gorgoues, though really only in the touristy parts. Other than that, it is kind of run- down, and the nicest. There are also so many beggers. They are everywhere and are of every possible kind of person. I have never been so assaulted in my life with beggers. This then raises the question of why there are not many in London. I have never been appoarched in London, but in paris is was all the time. Especially in the Metros, attractions, and train stations. It was very frustrating. Our first stop in Paris was a café. The man (I feel as if France is a very chauvinistic society) who waited on us was so rude. He was not nice at all. I understand we are Americans, but we are ordering from your restaurant, be helpful. Though, the coffee was fantastic. We walked all the way to Notre Dame and ate lunch. Once again, this weird person kept approaching us and touching me. I was really offended actually. What gives random people the right to be touchy feely. I don’t know you, give me some personal space. Once again, Europe, especially France, disregards personal space. I think it is a culture thing, but I am appreciating Britain and there need for privacy. Norte Dame was amazing. It was so large, and the gargoyles were sweet. We kept trying to reenact scenes from the Hunch back of Norte Dame. The inside was gorgeous too. The stain glass windows were fantastic. After hanging out there for a while we went walking on the river and canals. It was amazing. Everything seemed so preserved, you could tell us where in the tourist section. We walked all the way over to the Eiffel tower. Attractions and sights are very spread out in Paris, it is kind of annoying. We were lucky enough to have a good day, because if not it would be hell to walk. The metros are pretty easy and cheap, but they are very dirty and disgusting. The Tube is much more hygienic I feel. We saw people spit and pick their noses on the metro. Danielle and I even saw a bum sleeping with a blanket and then get off and pee in the corner. Then again, as we were coming home on the tube we saw two men peeing on side and one even gave us the finger. Anyway, definitely if you are going to Paris, you need a metro pass. The Eiffel Tower was amazing. I mean straight up amazing. It is something everyone should try to see. It was so large and gorgeous, just like it is in the movies. Though, there is nothing really around the area like are in London. We just wanted tourist shops. Haha. The river just set the scene too. All I could think about in Paris was Madeline. After venturing around we decided to go to our hostel. The immediate impression of the area was not so good, but as we walked a block or two we came upon the channel and a really trendy and modern hotel, which was our hostel. It had a bar and a coffee shop. It was great. They had tvs everywhere and restaurant. Overall it was a great environment. It was a little pricier, but in the end it was worth it. The rooms were nice and big, we bought a lock so we could lock up our stuff. We had another roommate and we didn’t find out that he was he, until that night. I was a little creeped out, because he was traveling alone and he was in his late 20’s to early 30’s. His name was Mark, and he was in-between jobs, damn I should have given his Nicole’s email address. Haha. I had to sleep in the bunk underneath him, and I was not too happy about that, but in the end it was ok. That night we ate at the hostel, and then took the metro to the Louvre. It was free after 6, which was an amazing deal. The Louvre was stunning. The building intertwined with modern triangle was great. We of course saw the Mona Lisa, which in all honest was ok. It is not that big and really from my perspective not that great. There are so many other paintings that I find more fascinating. Why should this one painting be so famous? The only reason it gets so much press, is because it is commercialized. Da Vinci has done so many other great works. I thought that the architecture of the building was much more amazing the work itself. The moldings and the murals on the ceilings were spectacular. I wish we could have seen Napoleon the III apartments, but the museum is so large, we couldn’t find it. Danielle and I decided that between the French and British, they must own all the Egyptian artifacts. It is nice in London, because most museums are free, where in Paris everything is expensive. You can definitely do London cheaply if you wanted too. We were then going to take a boat tour on the seine but by the time we got there it was too late. Besides, we pretty much walked the whole boat tour anyway. We got some amazing photos of the Eifel tower at night. The tower at night, is probably one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. It was breathtaking, especially when it sparkled for five minutes. Once again, all I could think about was Anastasia. Oh all the great movies set in France. Also, I decided I want my future husband to do all the cliché Paris things, even though it is kind of disgustingly romantic. At the tower we got some French pastries. I had a waffle with chocolate sauce. It was so good. Yum, I want one right now. The night took forever though, because Madison, only brought one pair of shoes, and after literally walking 10 miles with our bags that day, she got horrible blisters and could not even walk. How ridiculous. Has she never traveled before? Come on, you do not bring crappy black flats to tour Paris or any place in. By the end of the night, everyone’s feet were killing them and they were exhausted. The problem was that they were not in very good shape and they were stupid boots. Walking shoes people. Also Danielle and I are the only ones every prepared. The other girls brought nothing. It is so frustrating. But Danielle and I just mesh so well together. I love it. It makes me happy, that I have someone to connect with. We went to bed earlier that night, but I was all excited because at the hostel bar they were playing the Minnesota Wild hockey game. Finally some hockey, it was great, and it was a Minnesota team, how lucky is that! The next day Danielle and I got up early of course (we are the only morning people, and according to everyone else a 10:30 start to the day is way to early). For breakfast the hostel provided cereal and baguettes, with jelly and chocolate sauce. They need to work on refrigeration in France, because like warmer milk. It wasn’t bad though, I just prefer ice cold milk. The day was very cold. It snowed the whole day which was different; it made the sights even more special I think. We saw a gorgeous church, but were really harassed by people trying to get money. They kept trying to put bracelets on us. I just ignored them. The church was so inspiring. The nuns were singing in latin and it is was beautiful. It was just like the Sound of Music. We then went to the Catacombs, which was super cheap and not very busy. We went down tons of spiral stair case steps into the caves. It was so creepy. I was kind of sacred or a cave in and what not. Damn irrational fears. Though, it was so cool. There were so many bones. It was eerier and chilly, yet pleasant. It is something that I can’t even describe. What we were experiencing is something that most only watch on the discovery channel. The tunnels just went on and on. It seemed never ending. After this all the girls went back to nap, except Danielle and I. We wanted to go and take cute pictures with our umbrellas at the Eifel Tower and go souvenir shopping. So we did! I don’t understand why they wanted to waste their time in France with napping. I wanted to see the sights and just be out in Paris. Anyway, we took cute pictures and found a cute street by Norte Dam where we found great deals. This was the Paris we were looking for. Though, we had to return (we didn’t want too at all) so we could go and get dinner. They were still sleeping when we got back, so we just chilled and watched some rugby. Rugby is a very interesting sport; the men all wear short shorts. It is intense and really fun. I would like to watch some at the U sometime. Also, we are going to try and go to a Cricket match and a rugby game in London. It will be great. After failing at finding a restaurant by our place (restaurants in France do not start serving until after 8, which is very different in London, where they usually stop at 7) we ate at the Hostel again. Danielle, Madison, and I ordered off the regular menu and the other girls ate at a dinner thing. This is where the night took a turn for the worst. The place was really busy, because of the rugby match, but we found a spot. Dinner was excellent. The other girls never came back to us, because they found boys and where talking to them. They never invited us over, and would quick pop over to buy another drink and be like “there is no room.” They were being so rude. We hung out for like three hours and ended up watching football. Becks was on, gosh he is so hot. They never invited us over and basically ignored us, so we went back up stairs and went to bed. Emily and Bridget came up for awhile and we vented. I was feeling better, but then at 2 in the morning they all came back drunk and were so noisy. I don’t usually wake up, but I did. They were yelling at talking about how they hooked up with these boys. Kirsten and Liz literally did. What whores Pardon my French. You do not go up to random boys hostels and have sex with them. Disgusting. The only reason they did not want us over there is because they wanted to find the boys. They are so annoying, I really can’t stand them anymore, it is so frustrating. I gave them their chances and they blew them all. I have never been around girls like this. The next day, they decided to be cheapskate. They knew Madison couldn’t walk, so we took the metro, it was only 1.60. It was worth it. I don’t understand them, especially Bridgett. Going on about they don’t want to spend any money, but then they go and drop tons on alcohol. I would rather be spending it on nicer meals or presents. They are such hypocrites. You can’t just go to a place and sit down without buying things. But they will do that and make others pay. Studying abroad really opens your eyes to people, and makes you appreciate your friends. Over this entire trip, made me realize that I cannot stand most of the girls in large doses. Also, that I really do not like them that much. I shouldn’t be negative, but I gave them chances. I was nice, but there is no need for me to get pushed around by them. I am going to stand my ground. Overall, Paris was gorgeous, though, I love London. I personally think it is so much better. The transportation is a thousand times easier. The streets and air is much cleaner in London, also the people are friendlier. I also don’t understand how they can eat so much bread all the time. I always used to think it was just stereotypical that they ate bread, but they seriously eat it all the time. I am carbed out for just being for a weekend. Also, the French smell. It is horrible. Oh my gosh, I can almost vomit thinking about it. Yucky. I just love London. Going away for a weekend, makes me appreciate London and all it has to offer. The people are nice, it is clean, and I think more affordable. I love it here.

Wednesday February 3, 2009: Tower of London and Jack the Ripper

Today we went to The Tower of London and it was so amazing, so intact. I loved it. All the books I have read came to real life. I could just imagine Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and George Boleyn, just to name a few, in the Tower Green, being prisoners and guest. The original carvings made by the supposed felon were all still there. It was amazing. You could walk through the original fortress and climb up all the stairs, which were all tiny and winding spiral stair cases. They had amour from hundreds and hundreds of years ago. I wish I could go back there, and I just might, especially to get a tour by the beefeaters. We got witness the scaffold site of all the royal beheading. It was reconstructed through art work, which was nice, instead of seeing a block with a bucket and hay. Though, it would have been more realistic to have that scene or at least in a different area. I guess that it wouldn’t be kid friendly, but sometimes history isn’t kid friendly, because it is the truth. Just like the debate over conserving the Nazi Concentration camps. I think they should, yes in a few years, they will lost personal history, but local and ethnic history will never be lost. It may be a dark scene, but by destroying sometime, so important and so influential to modern Europe and nationalities, you would lose a significant piece of memory. We can’t let the memory fade into the history books, because then it will just be “moment” or chapter and not real life. People will forget the personal aspects of the ordeal. But back to the Tower of London. It was kind of chilly, all of London is cold now. I would definitely recommend the attraction. They had the royal jewels, which was interesting, but not my favorite part. It kind of disgust me that the royal family owns so much and has such enormous wealth. As sovereign I think they should not be paid by the state and especially have personal entitlement to all of these “treasures.” I just keep thinking how much all those objects are worth, it is ridiculous. I am just glad we do not have royalty in America, because I guess some families are so wealthy that they would be considered American royalty. Overall, the tower of London was great. It is located right on the Thames and has a gorgeous view of the Tower Bridge and the London skyline. That night we went on the Jack the Ripper tour, which I thought was kind of scary, especially because we were in the East End. Our tour guide was awesome; he actually met a member of one of the involved families, so he made information than the others. These murders were so ghastly and disturbing, but interesting. It freaked me out and then I became too afraid to run by myself in the morning. I am just glad that it happened over 120 years go. His supposed theory is that it was a conspiracy by the royal family and the Prime Minster Salisbury. He also thinks it was three men, who were involved. Two were surgeons, providing evidence for the horrifying abuse to the bodies (such as cutting of face, body, body parts, ect. Look it up if you want more information on the murders, it is disturbing. It reminds me of the Black Dahlia. Except all these girls were prostitutes) He showed us all the murder scenes and the pubs involved. It was very interesting. It was just kind of creepy that the murderer(s) were never caught. An interesting fact is that the Jack the Ripper file was never released to public, even though it is written in British law. This makes it easy to assume that it could be possibly connected to the Royal Family, because they could easily control these files and papers. I wish they would, because maybe more evidence could be discovered or accumulated. Maybe the files contain the truth and the Windsor family is afraid of smearing there name. I just think the royal family, in general is kind of a joke. The people connected and related are pretty much disliked by the public. They make horrible decision and are actually not that intelligent. Windsor isn’t even their family name, it is a German name, but they did not want to be considered Germans, they had to be English. Every day I spend in London, allows me to be exposed to ridiculousness of the royal family. From the United States perspective, their lives looks glamorous and only their goodness is presented, but when here, you realized that it is anything but that. I almost feel as if they are joke and they keep the Royal family instated just to make them different traditional enemies France, Germany, and maybe even the United States. Wow, I am sounding ridiculous. I would definitely recommend the Tower of London to anyone, it was amazing! It was right up my alley and was very interactive, way more than Windsor! Guess what, only one week until I get to see Rachel!