concluded

The blog ends here.

Well, quite.

After 10 months away - I'm finally home for good. And its everything I wanted it to be - I'm definitely making up for missing 10 months of American meals. :)

That said, I will miss England dearly, despite my year-long complaints. I had a wonderful farewell to it though. We saw the boat races (although even after rowing for 8 weeks, I'm not sure I understand how the bumps work ...). We had tea with gin and tonics with delicious scones and not so delicious fruit cake. We enjoyed ourselves to a great (too great?) degree at the Union party and met some wonderful people (only to leave them a day later - so sad). And I got some quality time with my high quality English friends, who I will miss dearly. Badminton will never be the same, you know.

So all in all - the year was a great success. Despite all the bad food, the homesickness, and the crap weather, my year in England and at Cambridge will be something I miss terribly. However, such is life - things always come to an end.

So here - THIS is the end of this blog.
Much love, dear friends.

See you soon, dear friends.

Exactly one week from right now, I will be on a plane, heading home.

But until then, I have a lot of England is soak up.

My last session of badminton was wonderful on Saturday, even though I lost 3 games out of 5. I'm still not a pro, but I've improved drastically, and I'll really miss playing on a real court, with real rules. St. Louis has a badminton league, but their website is quite intimidating (well, as intimidating as badminton websites can be . . . ), so I'm still not sure if my skills and Euro-racket will venture past the rec set in the backyard when I get home.

I have two more papers, to match two last supervisions, and a Shakespeare movie night with my Shakespeare supervision group. And once all the work is over, May Week erupts.

Cambridge is known for its May Balls (Wikipedia it - apparently the ball at Trinity was named one of the best parties of the year by Time), but the 60 - 150 pound tickets are out of my budget after Spring Break Epic Adventure. However, that doesn't mean I'm going to miss the ambiance of May Week (at least, I'll enjoy its first 4 days, and then its off to home). The Boat Races start Friday, Saturday afternoon John and I are planning to have "a most unusual tea" at Browns (tea, scones, cake, and gin and tonics), before we head off to the Union Garden Party (famous for its abundance of strawberries, cream, and Pimms and lemonade), before our final farewell - Suicide Sunday, when all the grounds are open and students drink champagne on the formerly-forbidden lawns all afternoon.

A good ending, I think.

Europe Photo: Prague, break time, trying to figure out where we are time.

All the Jewellites are gone, except me and John. The hall is a bit weird, being so quiet, and as most of the campus is done with exams, I'm reading to be heading westward - its hard to be motivated to finish work (2 more papers!) when everyone is outside playing, and the crowd is slim inside to distract you.

The up side? Garner, Emily, Anna, Trisha, and Lea left ALL of their leftovers . . . I'm wondering if I can live on Cup O Soups until June 16th (and I'm sure gonna try!). Add to that pile of goods an almost full box of Earl Gray, and I'm 100% back into my tea habit (I fell out of it a while ago when I got sick of PG Tips - I didn't think it would happen, but it doesn't look like I'm going to finish my economy size box of Tips after all . . . ).

TV update: Add to the list of completed TV seasons - One Tree Hill (so bad its good, I know, I'm a little ashamed) and I'm slowly working on How I Met Your Mother.

I'm home June 16, and I'll be in KC at the end of July for some days. So, we should hang out, friends.

From the photo files of John Moore . . . that's me in Budapest, Hungary.

Guess what?
After 9 months abroad . . .

I come home 2 weeks from Monday!

That's all. :)

NHS

No, that doesn't stand for National Honors Society.
Rather, National Health Service!!

After almost three months of general ickness, I decided to try out the National Health Service. As an international student enrolled at Cambridge, I am entitled to full health benefits, just like a normal English citizen. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about the NHS - some great (Free! How can you beat free?)and some skeptical (the doctors are not so good).

However, I have no complaints. I never had to wait very long, and my doctor was super helpful. The downside is that you HAVE to book your appointment either that day, or 4 weeks in advance. So there were a lot of early-morning alarm clocks that woke me up to call right when the office opened. And they are closed on bank holidays (which seems strange to me - the whole thing was closed, although, of course, the hospital is open, so if its serious enough . . . ). Best part, at the end of the visit, I just left. No need to pay anything - even when they took some tests!

Yes, those tests. Apparently, my body and gluten have had a falling out, and are no longer friends. My English doctor suggested I see a gastro and dietitian when I get back in the States, and that I might want to try gluten free in the meantime. No more blueberry muffins, I guess. But, thank God! Diet Coke is gluten free.

past week

Thought I'd let you know what's new here, in case we haven't chatted in a while . . .

Poor luck had me writing two papers this week (which includes piles of books), so the week in total is a bit blurry. Thursday night saw me working until 1 AM, only to wake back up at 5 AM to finish up that last paper. Ironically, because it was in late, my prof didn't have time to read it. So I read it to him, and noticed billizons of typos - I guess that's what happens when you get up with the sun to discuss Thomas Hardy. It probably wouldn't have been an issue, since it was orally delivered, until he decided he wanted to read it himself to "mark it properly". Whoops!

Wednesday was All You Can Eat Ben and Jerrys at the Union, so I trekked down (not really, we took the bus! we didn't want to risk an ice-cream cramp on the way back) with my friend Emma and Anna to sugar-load. Emma (we play badminton together) is a genius - she insisted we re-line once we got our ice cream, so we ate while we waited to eat some more! It was amazing. My new favorite is the Mango Berry Swirl Sorbet.I had two cups of it (about 6 scoops). :)

Actually, in retrospect, I'm loading in the social hours this week. Last weekend I went to Oxford to Jake's birthday, and got to stay with Janeane, which is always super. And I experienced my first Sunday Roast at a pub - more tasty than I anticipated. Morgan Romine and Gentzler are in from USA/Oxford, so there's been some activity there. And tonight I'm going to my first Eurovision party - basically its American Idol, but all the constants represent members of Europe, and its supposed to be cheese-tastic. AND next week I'm attending my first formal swap with another college - a lecture buddy invited me to an "English major swap". Busy busy.

I'm home three weeks from Tuesday. See you soon, friends.

One month from today I will be heading home. Flight gets in at 6 PM STL time, and I already have my first few meals planned : dinner at IHOP, lunch at Chipotle, dinner at El Maguey, lunch at That's a Nica Pizza - for their yummy roast beef sandwhiches, dinner at Cecil Whit's. I. can't. wait.

Also, in other exciting news - Hermonie Granger (Emma Watson from the HP movies) is coming to Homerton next year. How crazy is that?! Def. wouldn't happen at Billy Jewell!

summer weather

I wish I could tell you that I've been academically busy . ..

but I haven't.

England has been channeling Orlando the past week, and its been in the 80s and higher, with sun, and no clouds. In addition to making my room a sauna (no AC + bee hive outside window = warm warm warm room), it has sucked away my academic motivation. Stuff is still getting done though, don't worry.

But I've also found room in my schedule for other things. Like internet television. I've already caught up on all of this season's Grey's Anatomy, I'm 13 episodes into the first season of Brothers and Sisters, and I'm almost done with the whole show of Scrubs (yes, all 7 seasons) and The Office (US). Aren't you impressed at what I can do, when I put my mind to it? :)

So yes. Internet TV. Some hall bonding at the college bar (we watched Indiana JOnes (#2) down there the other night on the big screen - the archeology students were gearing up for Indy's release here in the UK). Badminton in the hottest gym alive on Saturdays (I lose all my water weight in 1 hour). That's my Cambridge life, 3rd term.

I come home a month from Friday. I can't wait.

Quick update to make you all jealous with my English life . . .

This week, the Union was packed with great speakers and a wonderful debate. Plus, with my mom visiting, and first week of term homework, I was a busy bee.

Monday: Field Marshall, Baron Vincent of Coleshill - former Chairman of the NATO Military Committee spoke at the Union. Union members can RSVP for the dinners they take the speakers to and the Union pays for part of your meal, so I figured this would be a good time to try out the membership perk and pick the guy's brain on NATO policy in the 1990s (if you didn't know, my current internship is with an international affairs journal on their upcoming issue on NATO). Unfortunately, his speech and dinner was pretty dull - the guy was super sweet, but not really willing to give away anything too remarkable as far as career reflections/gossip goes. However, I did make a new friend at the Union, who is just super.

Wednesday: A childhood dream come true. Quentin Blake came to the Union to talk about his latest works in England - he was the illustrator for almost all of the Roald Dahl books, and his work is STILL associated with Dahl, almost 20 years after Dahl's death. Not only is Blake incredibly funny, he is so sweet. I went to this dinner too, and unfortunately was at the other end of the table, so I didn't get any face time with him, but still - I will never have the opportunity to share a table with Quentin Blake again, so I'm not really complaining. Ok, maybe I am a litte. He did some drawings for people at the other end of the table, which made me almost collapse of jealousy into my burger, but I was able to calm myself with the abundance of wine at the table. However he did sign my termcard, so that's something.

Wednesday saw me with three hours sleep as well, as I raced to finish a paper due Thursday morning. It wasn't any fun - working from 12-2AM and then 5:30 - 12 PM, but it was an "outstanding" paper (says my supervisor) so maybe I found my creative timeslot. Shh. Even if I did, I'm not waking up that early again if I can help it.

Then YESTERDAY the Union debated "Is Jordan A Feminist Icon?". Jordan is way trashier Brittany Spears here, but, unlike Spears, doesn't have any talent other than being half naked. She was a "glamour model", which is another way of saying she does topless modeling for The Sun, a British "newspaper". Anyway, she's made tons of money, and has extended her empire into loads of other, non-boob related items such as bed linens and haircare, but the Union debated whether making your success at the pleasure of men makes you a feminist icon because of the extent of your success and self- management, or if feminism deserves more than that (I think the Nos won).

The debate pitted the Editor of the UK Comso Magazine, Catherine Townsend (modern day Sex and the City - type writer), Abi Titmuss (who apparently is REALLY famous now) and Jenni Trent Hughes against the editor of UK Good Housekeeping, 2 student debaters and Edwina Currie - a former MP who had a famous affair with a previous Prime Minister. It was amazing - funny, and at times awkward (esp. when they started taking jabs at one another . . . ), but really top notch. It was a great evening.

I also received news that I'll be returning to Europe - Belgium, in particular, in September. So when I say goodbye in 7 weeks, it won't have to be too sad.

So, in addition to all that excitement, I then got to hang out with my mom for three days! So great! We went to the Roald Dahl museum, had high tea in London, and went punting in Cambridge. So, good start, I'd say, to the last term.

summer school, but not really. just more school, in the summer.

Its weird to think that I started classes up again today, but everyone else in the normal world (read: home) is about to go home, to retire to couches and best sellers and summer jobs. And I have . . . more books. Worse, books I'm not interested in any more. Oh English major - how I wish I dropped you millions of years ago sometimes. But then, I wouldn't be here, would I? What a strange relationship we have, you and me, English major. So complicated.

So I recongize that I just had 5 weeks off (so glorious too, those 5 weeks), but I'm not ready to do this school stuff some more. I'd rather cash in the tution check, and head back into the backpacker mindset. Don't think that would fly with the fam though, or Jewell, or Cambridge, for that matter. They probably already spent my money on some more "Stay off the grass" signs.

It's also strange how comfortable it was to fall back into my routine here, to sleep in "my bed" and go to Tesco, and pick up a case of gosh-awful expensive Diet Coke, and chit chat in the hall way, and do all those things that have become part of my normal life here in England. And to think this whole experience will be over soon - I'll be home in two months, most of the Jewllites leave the beginning of June (for super research opportunities, or family celebrations, and what not), lectures only go on for the first 4 weeks of the term . . .

It will be a different time here, that's for sure. And then, I return home for the end of my college education, the conclusion of my "studenthood", and life changes there too. Growing up. I don't think I'll ever get used to it.

Well, on a less sighful note, I'm hoping that the weather will change too - that it will also be more sunny, and beautiful, and England will redeem itself in my eyes and make up for all those times I had to cycle home in the pouring, freezing rain, and climb into bed to thaw out while my clothes piled high on the radiator.

So far, it's still raining, but warmer than before. Progress, I guess.

It's also sad to think that my traveling is just about over. I'm basically broke, and my main breaks are up with. If I had more money, I might just stay in Europe all of June - the longer I'm here, the more I want to see. Greece, Scotland, more of Ireland, Spain . . . And that's just this continent. I think I may suffer from travel lust the rest of my days now.

But then again, if current-internship goes well, I may be back here in July. Here's hoping.

Forgot to update about . . .

My Thai foot massage - best 20 bucks I have EVER spent.
Don't miss it - so cheap, and so lovely.

Wee little post

Wrap it all up . . .

Back in Cambridge now - hello free internet!! So I figure I should fill you in on teh rest of my adventure . . .

From Prague we flew to Dublin, and we stayed there three nights. Our hostel did the job and had a great kitchen (I love ovens! I missed frozen pizza!), but was not a favorite of mine. Berlin's Circus is still the best place I've ever stayed (go there immediately). The thing that bugged me was that we "had to" keep our food in the kitchen (they didn't want the buggies), but the kitchen "closed" (read: doors locked!) at 9 PM. I tried to make a cup of tea at 9:30 PM once when the doors were left open, and got a bit of an ear-full from a staffer. Woah there Nellie - all I wanted was my Earl Gray. Whoops.

When we left, they had closed the kitchen for the whole day because of some problem with the water, but I wanted to pick up our non perishable food, and basically had to argue with the woman so I could step over a small puddle to get to the cabinet. Part of it might have been that I had been traveling for 5 weeks and was running low on people skills (well, only when people were being unreasonable - I'm good with people skills with nice people), but it irked me.

Other than where we laid our heads, Dublin was fantastic. It's a nicer London - smaller, more manageable, more friendly (but still go to London, its super too). Of course, I'm an English major (although these days I wish I wasn't . . . ) so I also loved to see the Ulysses' signs (noting locations from Joyce's epic). John and I went on a Literary Pub Crawl, where we joined two actors in visiting four pubs, where the crowd would drink and the actors would recite and act bits of famous Irish works - it was a blast. And one again, our failure to make friends with people our own age was apparent (however, to our credit, everyone our age was way more drunk, and way more obnoxious than we were, hence our avoidance of them) when we struck up a conversation with another middle-aged vacationing couple, bringing our new-friends-over-40-list up to around 6 or 8.

I also did a bit of window shopping in Dublin - try and find Sabatoge. Its the best store in life. I found a perfect dress that I had to visit twice before I made the hard decision that 80 Euro is too much when my bank account was under USD $500, despite beauty. Sigh.

From Dublin we took a bus to Belfast, Northern Ireland. We weren't there very long, but it was a great stop. We took a black taxi tour of Shankill and Falls Road - the front lines between the Catholic and Protestant Troubles, and got to snap a few photos of the political-religious murals. The ceasefire has been in effect for a while now, but our driver pointed out that the gates are still closed at night and on the weekend , separating the two communities of Protestants and Catholics, and there isn't any serious talk of the "Peace Wall" coming down. It was terribly interesting, and very strange. Especially since we were walking around about the time school was ending, so kids were running around, kicking soccer balls and playing - right in front of these murals attacking the other group, and commemorating hunger strikers. What a strange environment to live in.

Day 2 we took an all day trip to Giant's Causeway, one of my FAVORITE things ever. It was a gorgeous trip through the countryside of Northern Ireland, and we got to see the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, some castle ruins, and of course, the Causeway.

Now, we're back at Cambridge. Last term, here I come. I'd rather skip the academic bit and travel some more, but my bank account is sadly empty. I'm hoping to make it out to Scotland and Greece yet, before I turn stateside, but I'm not sure if I can participate in enough brain scans to make up the dough . . . we'll have to see.

In two months, I'll probably be home. I'm stoked.

Praha

The next Paris?

I've never encountered as many tourists as I have here in Prague, except perhaps in Paris. This city runs on them, which makes me wonder if anyone actually lives here . . .

Regardless, it's beautiful. Apparently Hitler wanted to base his government here, so he tried his hardest to avoid it getting bombed, which resulted in more original buildings than many of the other places I have visited. He also tried to preserve the Jewish quarter as best as possible, hoping it to eventually be a museum of an "extinct race". So creepy.

The hostel is a bit of a dive (the beds aren't really beds, but more like a cross between a cott and a couch), but its well located and has a big kitchen. John and I have also abandoned our "authentic" food requirements and have had breakfast at a Bagel place (owned by an American, and so much like home they have free refills) every day. Ok, well, we abandoned that rule ages ago (we had McDonalds in Nice, and LOVED Breakfast in America in Paris), but I feel we've fully embraced our homesick cravings at Bohemian Bagel. We've been on the road 4.5 weeks now - I think its allowed.

We canceled our day trip from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, and instead of taken the city at our own, lesisurely (lazy), pace. Awesome. Today is our last day - John went off to a Medieval Art Museum (no thanks for me!) and I'm trying to finish up an assignment for my internship, and then perhaps Thai foot massage? I cannot find a pedicure place for the life of me (you should see my poor, traveling feet), so a foreign foot rub sounds like a great 2nd choice. I'm embracing the exchange rate as much as possible. We fly to Dublin (back to the Euro - boo) tomorrow, and then off to Belfast (hello GBP, no thanks, I never really want to east three meals a day anyway!) a few days later. Then, back to the Cam.

Spring break, flying by. Its really crazy that its April already.
Oh, and I'm looking at flights home. Whippee!

Naked Butt Count: 2

Still in Budapest. Should be called BUTTapest. I've seen 2 nakey butts today - one in the metro (crazy homeless man?) and one at Budapest's famous baths (he didn't get the swimsuit memo?). Buttapest. Hahha. I'm so funny, oh geez.

We leave tomorrow for an epic train journey to Praha (Prague, in Hungarian). If, or when, you come to Budapest, stay more than 2 days. We are leaving a LOT behind - meaning I need a trip back in my lifetime, soon. You just can't fit it all in, like Rick suggests (Rick Steves, that is - I still love him, but his timeline is OFF for Budapest man).

Today we saw the Jewish Quarter (beautiful), did some laundry (my fleece smells amazing), worked through the language barrier to buy train tickets (that are hand written, no lie. let's hope they are legit), then walked up to city park, had dinner at a "communist kitsch" cafe (freakin delicious! if I knew total economic equality tasted as good as my pineapple, ham, chicken, and rice dinner, I would have joined ages ago) and "took the waters".

Budapest's baths are basically a bunch of pools, some freezing, some lukewarm, some hot tub like. They are delightful, especially in the cool spring air. And if you can ignore the elderly couples macking. (Me and John refrained, of course. We're in public! And we were with a new friend - an American History teacher from CA.)

And when I used the word "cool" (in reference to the spring air), I'm using it lightly. It must have hit at least 75 today. I was wishing for a skirt when the sun was out.

4-5 cities left. All of a sudden its April? France seems so far away, and England even farther.

Much love.

BudaPESHT

So, Ljubljana turned out to be pretty mellow, but me and John met up with Lea and Trisha, and it all ended up being gravy. Plus, we can now saw we got to sample Cockta, the local specialty. Actually, Cockta is a Slovenian soft drink. Under communism, Slovenia couldn't get Coca Cola (the horror!), and so they invented Cockta, which John likened to cough syrup, and Lea swore resembled home made root beer (out of all of us, she was the only one who kind of liked it).

On day 3 in Slovenia, we went to the Skocjan caves, the biggest cave in Europe (golly gee Batman! Bigger than the Batcave!). We went into it as an adventure - its also the hardest cave to reach as a tourist bound by public transit. Trisha, John and I took a 1.5 hour train to Divicia, then planned to hike to the cave (3 km). The only other way is by taxi, so we were told. But once we hopped off the train, some dude yelled at Trisha and me: "To Caves? Free shuttle! Free shuttle?"

John had gone to inquire about hitching on a tour bus that we thought was heading that way (oh hush, a coach full of children and parents? it would not have been dangerous) and the free shuttle, which I had only heard about on one website, seemed a bit sketch, more so because me and Trisha seemed alone. So, the geniuses we were, we told the guy that we were getting a hiking map for the way back, to please wait, and then inquired at the ticket office. It was legit, and so 1 free bus ride later, we visited the most incredible cave in the world. You have to see it to believe it.

So, after visiting the underworld and back (no Dante in sight), day 4 John and I spent at Lake Bled, the most adorable city ever. Ever. It was even Tito's favorite (the famous president of Yugoslavia - we walked by his vacation house at Bled!). Trisha and Lea told us about the disgustingly cute gondola-like boat ride you can take to the island in the lake, which has an old church that is the most popular place to be married in Slovenia, and since it was way cheaper than in Venice, we dove in and embraced the cheese.

Our boat guy was pretty elderly, but adorable (of course, he has to be! He shuttles lovers back and forth to the marriage island!), and he got us there and back, safe and sound (which was quite a feat - it stormed off and on all day, okay, well, when I say stormed, I mean rain, but when we were on the island, it was really windy!). The island has 99 steps to the church, which the groom traditionally climbs while carrying his bride to be. John and I skipped that part, but we did ring the wedding bell - 3x grants you a wish.

Which brings me to today: after an 8.5 hour bus ride from Ljubljana (where me and John utalized our train travel skills to secure a cabin all to ourselves - if you draw the chairs out, and draw the curtains, most people won't try and sit in your compartment unless they have to. Lea and Trisha have another method - they sit on the floor and pretend to do weird religious like meditation), we are now in Budapest. Exhausted, we checked into the hostel (free internet, ok beds, nice staff), bought some mega cheap chinese food, I went grocery shopping for brekkie, and we turned in early.

Well, John did. I stayed up to write this.

We're here for 3 nights, then on to Prague for 5 nights, then back to the UK (well, former UK, then UK). We're on the downhill of backpacking now. Sad really. I'm getting into the swing of it. We met Ruth today, a woman at the hostel who has been traveling for 7 months straight. Whoah. I don't think that's in my cards, but I'm now contemplating a summer trip before I head home for good. I still have to check Greece and Scotland off my list, you know. :)

Much love.

HELLO Eastern Europe!

I'm not really sure what I was expecting when I jaunted into Eastern Europe. In Slovakia, the train station was rough - as in, tourist office closed and moved (although we found it quickly), in need of renovation, and some scary noises - we heard someone scream in the bathroom, and decided it was best to hold the call of nature until we found a WC that wasn't down a dark, dark staircase. But once we started walking into the Old Town, it looked just like any other European city - kind of. Some of the buildings still screamed COMMUNISM! But mostly, the only difference between Bratislava and Germany was that I had no idea how to pronounce any of the street names.

Slovakia is still on their own currency (they change to the Euro in 2009) and so stuff still (seemed) mega cheap. We indulged in hot chocolate (under 2 USD) and I bought some handmade handicrafts for souvenirs. My math skills got a work out (quick: what does 450 Slovenian money mean in USD? Uh . . . 15 dollars, I think).

I'm now in Slovenia (after a glorious night in a real hotel in Graz that was above a grocery store - it was heaven. Huge shower, comfortable bed, cheap diet coke, what more could I want?), which is one of the most economically stable countries of the former Yugoslavia. its a neat little city, but there isn't a terrible amount to do. We're planning on two day trips (caves and Lake Bled), and then to veg a little. The prices are more in line with the rest of Europe, but we've found some cheap options. Burke for 1.30? I'm in. (Its like balaclava, but with meat). 5 euro pizzas? Yes m'am.

Plus, our hostel is strange (very very small) but wonderful in many ways (Hi, um, can you tell me where I can do some laundry? This shirt still seems like Austrian fried food and smoke . . . here? for free? I love Slovenia!). Although the bathroom floods with every shower, and there is only one toilet and one shower for 12 people, it hasn't been too big of a problem yet. Funny observation - I realized that my whole room not only speaks English, but is all from the USA. However, if you go next door, you won't understand a word anyone is speaking. Its all Slavic languages. Geographically separation in hostels? Kind of funny, but also a little thoughtful.

Much love.

Hallo! My Deutsch ist nicht so gut, ja!

Annie and I's trip has turned into more of an adventure than I originally expected. We've done some serious trekking the past few days, in a really great way, of course.

We started in Zurich, and being the banking capital of the world, you wouldn't believe the cost of living. The Swiss franc is about 1 to 1 with the dollar, but prices are way higher. We had a delicious, 7 franc dinner through of sausages and diet coke, so I'm not complaining.

Zurich was freezing, but Luzern (day 2) was absolutely gorgeous - it has a lake via a glacier (crystal clear) and hundreds of swans (who all want to be fed) and is surrounded by the Alps. It was pretty in a whole different way than my other Euro-City favorites.

That night we headed to Basel, to stay with a friend of Anne's from Greentree Church. Lindsey and her roommate (both chemical engineers from MO) were absolute dolls, and I justified splurging on dinner a Lebanese dinner and wine since my bed, internet, and laundry were all free. Trust me, you have not adequately appreciated clean clothes until your jeans no longer fit you. It is a new kind of heaven to slip into clothes that fit and no longer smell of smoke, Euro BO (not mine, promise), and greasy food. I was so happy, it was almost a little silly, but I was too satisfied in my beautiful, clean clothes to judge my emotions.

Thinking about it now still brings a smile to my face. Ahh.

We then jumped on a train to Salzburg - a whooping 7 hour train ride through the Swiss Alps. We were riding the sides of mountains, going through the middle of mountains, and watching the snow come and go on the ground. It was a beautiful ride, and we went through Lichtenstein, so now we can boast of our three country tour.

Then it was time for The Hills Are Alive . . . . Sound of Music tour baby. Tourist central, but wonderful all the same. Absolutely worth the 34 Euro ticket. We're both dying to watch the movie now, and I'm close to buying it on iTunes. But I shouldn't. I'm almost out of hard drive space. Whoops!

Today we landed in Vienna, which is BIG and beautiful. And finally, Rick Steves can guide us around - his Eastern Europe book includes Vienna, and we are renewing our passionate relationship together. I LOVE Rick Steves. Best travel books ever, including his cheese.

We have three nights here (we're staying in the old maid's room in a hotel, what an experience), and we're thinking about a quick day trip to Bratislava (Slovakia).
Internet is still a bit iff, but I'll communicate as best as possible.

Much love.
Auf Weidersahn!



We got to see a bit of Basel the next morning

RICOLA. . .

Switzerland is BEAUTIFUL!

Come here.

It's unreal - the meadows, the super-clear glacier lakes, the snowy alps! Its amazing.

I met Anne really easily in Zurich, and we spent the night there, took a train to Luzern, spent the day there this morning, and now we're in Basel, staying with a friend of Anne's from church.

Which means free WIFI, free laundry, and a free bed.
Loving it, right now!

Fake and Real Europe

Paris was wonderful - you should go. Its a neat city. Although, I'm becoming a lazy tourist. Really, after you seen one important national landmark, every other national landmark isn't that exciting. The Eiffel Tower was neat, but it lacked the wow moment. Through the eyes of a tired backpacker, I suppose.

We went to Disneyland one day (1.5 days budget right there in the ticket), and it was super. You should go there too. Its just like Florida, except it snowed for a few minutes, and Buzz Lightyear speaks in French. Haunted Mansion, oh, excuse me, the "Phantom" Mansion, was a huge, confusing let down, because it was all in French, but the rest of the rides were just as good as their American grandparents. Space Mountain Mission 2 was the best. We went on that twice.

I'm now in Zurich, with Anne, which is a very posh city. After 2 weeks in France, its nice to hear some German, which I kind of understand. Zurich is beautiful, but the cost of living, and doing anything, is extremely high. The Swiss Franc is about 1 to 1 on the US Dollar, but the prices are not comparable. For instance, a Big Mac? 11 Francs. Woah there.

We didn't eat at McDonald's, by the way - we had some good, German sausages. And Diet Coke, naturally.

We're off to Basel tomorrow.

Much love.

Paris!

We under estimated Holy Week travel. Everyone in France seems to go somewhere, and they all take the trains. We planned to leave Nice in the morning, take the 4-5 hour train to Lyon, spend the afternoon and evening there, and then head to Paris (2 hour train) at a leisurely pace the next morning (yesterday).

Except, when we got to the train station, all the trains to Lyon were full. So we went to Marseille, thinking we could get a train out of there, which we did, although all the earlier ones were also full, and so we ended up in Lyon at 5 PM, which didn't leave much time for sightseeing - we were losing daylight. We decided to buy reservations early for our next day train to Paris, and lucky we did - the only one that had seats open was a 7AM.

So, we had to trade our day in Lyon for a extra day in Paris, which is really neat so far. We went to the Lourve last night (free for people under 26 on Friday evenings), and walked around the Latin quarter. Our hotel is pretty nice and has a super strong radiator - we're doing our laundry by hand, and its dry in no time. That's how you tell the place is a winner.

Much love.