Three Cheers for Toscana

Part II of my European adventure has finally begun! After 18 hours of travel and connections in Philadelphia and Munich, I arrived in Florence, Italy, yesterday early in the afternoon. I am staying at my first cousin Joe's apartment, which is in the center of old town Florence, just steps from the Duomo and Uffizi. I wasted no time and headed straight out into the city for some sightseeing. After going inside the massive duomo (cathedral), I climbed the more the 400 steps to the top of the adjacent bell tower. With more than five different levels and sets of small, winding staircases barely big enough for one person, the bell tower provides unmatched views of Florence and the nearby Tuscan countryside.


I walked through the old city of Florence for a few more hours, but my lack of sleep from traveling finally caught up with me. A 2 hour nap quickly turned into 5 hours from my sheer exhaustion. I woke up around 10:30 to grab a quick bite to eat and, of course, some gelato (claimed to be invented by the Florentines). Unfortunately, the time zone change along with my long evening nap made it difficult to fall asleep. After just 5 hours of sleep, I woke up and made my way to the Santa Maria Novella train station. I had planned on staying in Florence today, but almost every museum and tourist sight is closed on Mondays.


Pisa! Just an hour train ride from Florence, Pisa is a vibrant little city with an abundance of Italian charm. After walking from about 15 minutes, I finally reached the Leaning Tower of Pisa...and that was all there was to see. Really, it is just thousands of tourists swarming everywhere. I tried to take a tour of the tower, but lines were long and the next available tour was more than 4 hours from the time of ticket purchase. So i threw in the towel and made my way to third famous city of Tuscany, Siena.



Siena is a medium-sized town with picturesque streets, hills, and architecture. Famous sights include the massive duomo that expands an entire hill in addition to the Piazza del Campo. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending), I did not get to take part in seeing these famous sights of Siena today in the conventional way.


Just by chance, I happened to be in Siena for the bi-annual Palio di Siena. According to Wikipedia, the Palio di Siena (known locally simply as Il Palio) is a horse race held twice each year on July 2 and August 16 in Siena, Italy, in which ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen Contrade, or city wards. Thousands of people crowed the Campo plaza to catch just the tiniest glimpse of the showcase of knights and horses. After wading for half an hour through thousands of Italians and other spectators, I caught a few minutes of the ceremony before forcing my way through the crowds to catch my train home to Florence.


While I am thoroughly exhausted from a long day of walking, sun, and trains, I think my sleep schedule is still a little off key. Tomorrow morning, I head to Rome on an express train from Florence. I should reach the city by 8:30am to begin my two day adventure in the Eternal City and the Vatican. I will leave you with a picture of the beautiful Tuscany countryside from Siena. Ciao bella!

Gearing Up for Act II

Final countdown to European Adventure, Part II: 3 days! I spent a good deal of time yesterday carefully planning my 2 week adventure through Italy, Switzerland, and Germany before my semester in Prague begins. After buying an unlimited Eurail Global Pass, I will be taking more than 15 train rides during my little vacation for under $40 each. Not a bad deal, and I will be stationed at my cousin's apartment in downtown Florence for the most of my stay. Here is the itinerary so far: Florence, Rome/Vatican City (overnight), Venice, Milan, Zurich (overnight), Munich (overnight), Pisa, Siena, Cinque Terre, Naples/Pompei (overnight), and Bologna. WHEW!

I will be traveling on my own for the first time, but it will be a different adventure with the amount of day trips and long train rides. It's going to be a whirlwind 15 days, and I will be on a pretty strict budget to save for my semester in Prague. The study abroad organization at Charles University, where I will be studying in the fall, finally sent us our final details for the program. We spend our first night, August 30, in a hotel in Prague before moving into our assigned housing the next day. There are over 100 American college students on the roster, with 18 from Georgetown (and I don't know any of them). Next time I update will be from my cousin's apartment in Florence after heavy airline travel via New Orleans-Philadelphia-Munich-Florence. Buon viaggio to me!

The Good Ole USA

Well, it's back to normal life here in the United States for two weeks. Last Thursday and Friday, I spent some time back in Washington at Georgetown. It was wonderful to see my friends, who I will not see until at least Christmas (or maybe longer if they are going abroad in the spring). Over 60% of Georgetown students go abroad during their junior year for a semester or year, one of the highest rates and best programs in the country. I also finally picked up my visa for the fall in the Czech Republic from their embassy after over 4 months of paperwork. If you've ever had a visa, they're really cool and look like a mini-passport on a random page inside your passport.

After spending the weekend catching up with my Louisiana friends in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, I have resumed my normal summer post at my father's law office. Naturally, there are many things I would rather do than sit in an office all day, but I will be earning a little extra money to spend on my travels in Italy starting August 15. Although I did a good job saving money in Europe by not shopping, I have already broken the bank in the US. I bought two pairs of Levi's jeans (which cost over 200 euros a pair in Europe) and two pairs of Converse and Vans shoes (which cost over 75 euros a pair on the other side of the pond). So at least I was smart to wait until I returned to America.

I am very excited to explore Italy over the second half of August, and I will be preparing parts of my trip while I am not too busy here in Louisiana. I will be staying in center city Florence for the duration of my stay in Italy before I head to begin my fall semester in Prague on August 29. Thankfully, my cousin lives in Florence and has been gracious enough to host me for my stay in Italy. My brothers have just returned from a trip to Italy and Switzerland with my grandfather, so I hope to find out some things to do from them. I am not certain of my exact itinerary, but I figure I can do whatever I feel like for those two weeks. Trains are the easiest way to get around in Italy and Switzerland, so I will be researching online while I am home because there are several discount train passes available only to non-Europeans staying outside of Europe (like me for the next two weeks). Oh, and maybe I should start learning some basic Italian. Ciao for now!

AMURRICA

TOUCHDOWN IN PHILADELPHIA! Stephen and I have finally arrived back in the good ole United States of America after a pretty smooth 7 hour flight from Dublin. My flight to DC is half an hour late, but I should be back at Georgetown soon! It still hasn't quite hit me that my time in Europe has come to a close for the next 2 weeks. Looking forward to seeing my friends at school tonight and arriving home tomorrow in Louisiana! Cheers!

The Cliffs of Moher

Today was our final day in Europe. SAD. I cannot believe my summer adventures are over already, and I am so grateful that I get to come back in just a few weeks to start my semester long adventures. We fly out of Dublin for Philadelphia at 11am on Thursday. From there, I will be spending one night in Washington to see my Georgetown friends and to collect the final paperwork from the Czech Embassy in DC for my student visa for the fall. By Friday night, I will be back home in New Orleans. Time really does fly when you're having fun.


Our trip today was really the perfect way to end our travels. We took a 2.5 hour bus ride across the entire island of Ireland to the western coast on the Atlantic. From the major city of Galway, Stephen and I joined a 8 hour tour bus group for a trip through the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.


Western Ireland is absolutely beautiful, and it is very hard to put into words or even pictures. Our day started with a view of a medieval castle in the Burren. The Burren is karst-landscape (dominated by bedrock) region in northwest County Clare, in Ireland on the Atlantic Coast. During the morning half of our drive, we passed ancient Stone Age and Celtic artifacts, including a 6300 year old stone fort and a burial monument for 23 hunter/gatherer adults and children (discovered in 1983 by archeologists). For lunch, we stopped at a little countryside restaurant in Doolin. After traditional chicken wrapped in bacon with veggies (including Irish potatoes), I finished lunch with a delicious Bailey's coffee.


After lunch, we spent 2 hours at the Cliffs of Moher. These gigantic and picturesque cliffs lie hundreds (if not more) feet above the Atlantic Ocean. It is a tourist mecca, and the views are indescribable. They have become iconic for the Republic of Ireland, and they have been used in many films, including Harry Potter 6 and the Princess Bride. After walking up and down the protected edges of the cliff, we boarded our tour bus again to finish our adventure in Western Ireland.


Before the 2.5 hour ride back on the N6 highway, we had dinner at a traditional pub in Galway. This city is one of the fastest growing cities in all of Europe, and it really is a fine example of the resilience of the Irish people, culture, and economy. It is a cultural and arts center, and this week is special because it is the annual week-long Galway Horse Races.

We are almost packed up for the last time (after 4 previous legs of our trip in Europe alone)! Still can't believe we've come this far, and it will be hard to leave Europe after getting used to being here. Looking forward to some time in the US to catch up on the things I missed. I will be sure to post a wrap up entry on the blog when I get home..before the blog continues on August 15 from Florence, Italy!!

Guinness, Jameson, and Shamrocks

For the last two days, Stephen and I have been jetting around the last stop of our grand European tour: Dublin, Ireland. The city is the smallest we have visited so far, but it is certainly not short of things to see and do. After crossing back into the Schengen Space of European Union customs and receiving an Ireland stamp on our passports, we took a bus from the airport in the suburbs to the city center. Buses (double-decker) are the main source of public transportation in Dublin, the first city in which we have not used a subway rail system. Our hostel is centrally located, just steps from the gates of Trinity College (the most prestigious university in Ireland).


After settling into our last new accommodations on Monday, we took a bus out to Kilmainham Gaol. This prison, in operation from the 1700s until the mid 1920s, was home to many famous prisoners during British and Irish rule. Most importantly, it was the sight of the execution of 14 men in charge of the 1916 Easter Rising, which lead to the eventual freedom of the Irish State from the British Empire. The grounds are very haunting, and the tour was a great lesson about the prison and recent Irish history.


Next stop was the Guinness Storehouse, located in the city center where Guinness is still brewed after over 250 years. The ticket gets you a walking tour of how Guinness, the most famous Irish stout beer, is produced and the history of the brand. We learned new things about Guinness, including that it takes 119.5 seconds for the beer to be ready to drink from the tap. After 7 floors of exhibits, the tour culminates in the rooftop Gravity Bar. After cashing in on your complementary pint, you can take in the breathtaking views of Dublin and the surrounding counties from the windows. For lunch and dinner, we went to traditional Irish pubs and eat some famous Dublin pub grub. We finished the night out at The Quay Bar for a Guinness and some live music with the locals.


Today, we had another full day of sightseeing in Dublin. For 4 hours, we took a free walking tour of the city center with an Irish guide from Donegal in the northwest of Ireland. We saw all the famous places in the city including Dublin Castle, Trinity College, Leinster House (seat of the Irish Parliament), Christ Church Cathedral, River Leffe, and more. The tour was very thorough and exhausting, but the nice 60 degree some weather and constant gray cloud coverage really helps in Dublin.


After a lunch at the Stag's Head Pub, we went to the Old Jameson Whiskey Distillery. The birthplace and production for over 200 years of Ireland's most famous whiskey, the John Jameson & Son experience was really interesting. On top of learning the history of the brand and the way it is made (over a 5-12 year period for each bottle!), we got to watch some "volunteers" taste test the difference between Jameson, Scotch, and Jack Daniel's. Needless to say, Jameson was the favorite. We also got a complementary mixed drink with Jameson Whiskey (I had it with ginger ale mmm).


Tonight is our last night in Dublin, so we will make the most of it with our dinner and pub hopping. Tomorrow its off to Western Ireland and Galway for the day, where we can see the Emerald Island and the Cliffs of Moher! Slainte!

Oxford Style

Hello loyal followers! To begin my latest post, I received some good news today. I PASSED MY FRENCH PROFICIENCY EXAM. I can now rest in peace because, by some miracle, I can read and discuss a news article in French. What I came to Europe for the summer to accomplish finally has found its conclusion. YAY!!


Back to the present moment. On Sunday, we took the London national trains to Oxford, England for the day. Not only is this quaint city of 150,000 Brits home to one of the most prestigious universities in the whole world, it is also a center of culture and scenery. It was nice to spend some time outside of the major city of London, and this was the first time during our 2 week voyage that was outside of a major metropolitan area.


After stopping for a quick lunch, I quickly realized that many of the people in Oxford, England, were not speaking...English. It was evident that many young students were spending time in the city/university to learn English as a second language. One thing about the UK that is interesting is the fact that many people walk around the streets speaking languages other than English. It is a testament to the diverse cultural backgrounds of British citizens.


After lunch, we did a walking tour of the city (self-guided, of course, to save a a few pounds). It was very interesting to see the scene landscapes and medieval architecture of the more than 40 halls and colleges that cover Oxford's "campus." At the end of our day in the country, we took a stroll through the massive Hyde Park in London. Beyond the gardens, lakes, and various monuments (including one to Princess Diana of Wales), we finally ended up at Buckingham Palace. Seeing this majestic palace was the perfect close to our London experience...and it was a great one! Today, we arrived in Dublin, Ireland, after just a few hours of sleep but without any major travel delays. We've already had a busy day in Dublin, and I will be sure to update on my adventures here in a post soon! CHEERS.

A Foggy Day in London Town

Friday was our first full day in London, and we really saw a lot of sights. After adjusting to our second new currency (the extremely valuable Sterling Pound), we hit the tube and the touristy places. We left our hostel in the posh Westminster section of the city for the opposite side of town to see the Tower of London. This structure and grounds were home to the British royals and city guards for over 500 years starting in the 11th century. Many famous kings and queens of Britain living here, and many royals and famous Brits were killed there (including Anne Boleyn and St. Thomas More) at the executioner's grounds. The Queen's Collection of Crown Jewels are located at the Tower of London as well. The famous Tower Bridge also borders the walls, which is often featured in films as London Bridge.


After stopping by St. Paul's Cathedral and grabbing lunch at a Pizza Express (we can finally read the menus and order in English again!), we toured two of Britain's famous and free-of-charge museums. The British Museum is home to many ancient artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and pieces of the Greek Parthenon. Next, we went to the National Gallery of Art, which holds famous works like Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Van Eyck's Family Portrait. Trafalgar Square, the largest traffic circle in the city, lies at the base of this museum.


Towards the end of the day, we visited Piccadilly Circus in the heart of the city, which has large television screens and ads much like Times Square in NYC. After a quick detour to King's Cross to see Platform 9 3/4 of Harry Potter fame, we ate dinner at Leicester Square in a Mexican restaurant. Britain really does not have much of its own cuisine (though we ate dinner the night before at a pub with fish and chips), so it is nice to have a variety of cuisines to try here in the big city.


Today, we had another full day of tourist activities. We started our day at Westminster Abbey, sight of many coronations, marriages, and funerals of the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II was crowned here in 1953, and Lady Diana's funeral was held here in 1997 The structure is magnificent and full of history. The tombs of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots are in the center, with many other kings and queens surrounding them. Also buried at the Abbey are famous Brits such as Lewis Carroll, Lord Tennyson, Charles Darwin, and Isaac Newton.


A hop-skip-and-a-jump across town, we took advantage of another free Museum, the Tate Modern. It houses ultra modern works by many artists including Picasso and Lichtenstein. After stopping by the neighboring Globe Theatre of Shakespeare fame, we crossed the Millennium bridge to the other side of the Thames River. We concluded our day at Harrods, a gigantic luxury department store. It is hard to describe in words, but the fact that there is an "Egyptian Escalator" complete with a real live opera singer for entertainment to take you up and down the 6 floors may give you a hint. We purchased famous Harrods Whoopies macaroon treats and enjoyed them out in Hyde Park, the largest in the city.


Tonight, we are off to dinner and a pub crawl in the city. We've covered so much of the city already, so we will need to be creative in our plans for tomorrow. Monday morning it's off to Dublin! CHEERS!

Off the Old Continent

Hello loyal followers! I'm apologize for not updating in a few days, but it has certainly been busy here. We are now in London in the UK! I'll post a separate blog entry for London after this Madrid entry.


On our last day in Madrid, after our churros con chocolate (mmm), we went over to the Temple of Debob. This is a real Egyptian temple, exported to Spain for the country's assistance in a Nile River Flood in the late 20th century. After hopping on the metro through Plaza de España, we went to the Reina Sofia Museum. This former hospital holds many modern Spanish and European works, including Picasso's famous Guernica (pictured below). The museum is impressive in it's own architecture, and the glass walls and elevator banks provide spectacular views of the city.


We dined at a traditional Hispano-latin american restaurant for dinner and hit the town for just a small taste of Madrid night life. On Friday, we had a very early wakeup call for our flight to London. Unfortunately, our flight was delayed by more than 4 hours, and we did not land until 5pm in London. After arriving at Gatwick Airport, we had to go through customs (since the UK is not in the free European passport zone).

A long train ride and a few transfers on the tube (London underground subway) later, we arrived at our London hotel. Our room is 6 floors up without a lift (elevator), so it's a bit of a trek anytime we go up or down. Before doing a little laundry and catching up on some sleep after a long travel day, we went to Westminster at night to see Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey by moonlight. Read the next blog post for more of our British adventures!

The New York City of Spain

With over 5 million people and lots of major streets full of traffic, some people refer to Madrid as the "New York City of Spain" (or Europe for that matter. The public transportation system is intricate, and the sidewalks are full of people in Madrid. It is a very different feeling than Barcelona here. There are older buildings with lots of history, and Madrid is much more of the Spain one would expect.


Our first full day in the city was full of tourist sights. We started our day at the Catedral de la Almudena, a large church that faces the Royal Palace. Construction lasted for almost 100 years, and it was only completed in the last 20. Next, we moved on to the Palacio Real, where many of the great kings of Spain lived up until the 20th century. Today it is a museum and open for tours. Luckily it was only 3.50 euros for students, and so far this is the only tourist sight that we have had to pay for in Madrid!


After lunch at a cervezeria (beer and food cafe), we went to Park El Retiro. This picturesque park in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city is home to a large lake where you can paddle boat. Stephen and I took a few laps around the lake, and below is a picture of a large monument at the center. In the evening, we took advantage of free entrance 2 hours before closing at the Museo del Prado, the Spanish Louvre. We saw some of the works of El Greco, Goya, and Velasquez...for free! After dinner, we we walked through some neighborhoods in Chechua before settling in at a pub for a few hours.


Today is our last day in Madrid. We started off the morning - or mid-afternoon I should say - with wonderful and inexpensive churros con chocolate. Off to see more sights of Madrid today!