Last Words

Now that I am back home I can truly appreciate everything I discovered while abroad. After the VT trip I went to Paris with my friend Michelle then I went to Rome and Venice with my mom. Although there are many things I like and dislike about all the different countries here is my break down of my  favourite countries:

1. Spain

Great food, friendly people amazing sites-If you never picked up the paper you would have no clue that they have 25% unemployment! They are so happy!

2. Switzerland 

 Friendly people-great food- extreme sports... need I say more?

3.  Tie! Between Germany and London

Germany had really friendly people, were really efficient and  loved to have a good time!

London obviously speaks English, the city is very cosmopolitan  and historical. The people are friendly!

4.  Amsterdam

  Cool canals, interesting architecture and the Heineken factory. The people know how to have fun but the Red Light District is a little sketchy in my opinion. 

5. Italy

Great history, beautiful sites but many didn't seem to like Americans... catered more towards men.

6. France

I feel like a traitor since I spent half of my summer here! - But the reason why I gave France the last slot was because of their extreme hostility towards Americans. I know there are unfriendly people in every country- but with the exception of maybe two Frenchmen every one was snobby, rude and hostile. They are under the delusion that Napoleon still rules the world and they are untouchable- Wake up call! He's long gone so you can drop the 'tude.  On the bright side, they have good food and many great historical attractions! Especially in Paris. 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Old Amsterdam architecture

    When we first arrived in Amsterdam I knew that  it would be a unique city.  Me and three of my friends had a private room in a hostel called Melvana. It was really nice to  have everyone stay nearby to enjoy the last weekend together. Once we got settled in we explored around town and ate at a pizza place.  We then went to the edge of the red light district and went to hostel bars where we saw some women in windows. I didnt know until then but the prostitution is a career in the Netherlands. they get a salary and government benefits as well. I also noticed that Amsterdam was extremely liberal in terms of sex and drugs because of the prostitution, nudity and legal marijuana.  For example you can go into a cafe and order a joint of a gram of weed for 7-10 euros and smoke wherever- very different from the US.  The next day we  had breakfast at a small Holland joint where they pride themselves on pancakes. I was feeling a little adventurous so I ordered one of the savoury pancakes with ham and pineapple. To my surprise it was really good! After we all went on the boat tours. There are three lines that go through different parts of Amsterdam. Since canals run through virtually every important part of Amsterdam, you can buy a one day pass and see all of Amsterdam  boatside. On the boat ride we saw the Ann Frank house,  The West Indian Trade Company boat, the famous Windmill,  Old traditional Holland architecture and various other historical sites. After the boat ride we went back to the hostel took a nap and started to get ready for our night out. That night it was my friends Kathryn and Becca's birthdays so we all went to a small Italian restaurant and then to a disco club outside the red light district. It was a lot of fun because they played all American rapp music.

Heineken Factory

Girls on boat ride

West Indian Trading Company boat

Famous Windmill

      The next day we slept in a little bit  and went to the Heineken factory. The  Heineken factory was probably my favourite part about Amsterdam. In the factory they showed you the ingredients they use to make the beer, the process to make it and even how to  properly pour and taste a beer.  That took up most of out day so after my friend Michelle and I  went to The Hard Rock Cafe... much needed American food. After dinner we all got changed and then went back to the bars outside the red light district and said our goodbyes. We retired kind of early because of our long travels ahead.

Munich, Germany

Regulars at the Hofbrauhaus

    Munich was by far my favourite German city. It was probably a mix of the Bavarian culture and the large amount of good food and spirits that made it take the number one seat.  Munich was a longer train ride considering it is in the southwest side of Germany opposite of Munster. Upon arrival my friends and I checked in to EuroYouth Hostel. The staff were incredibly friendly, the rooms were clean and there was a bar downstairs- score. After we checked in we all went to the English gardens to watch the outside viewing of Germany Versus Spain  soccer game where Germany lost. But on the Bright side there were outdoor bars where they served German beer called Radler (which is  mixed with lemonade) in traditional large one liter beer mugs along with large pretzels and bratwurst.  After a night of pretzels and beer we all went back to the hostel.

The next morning we woke up early to see the nearby concentration camp Dachau. This was a really sad experience but it was something everyone should see at one point in their life.  You never realize how bad the Holocaust was until you see the concentration camp for yourself.  

Huge Pretzel!

After the concentration camp we set out to see the Hofbrauhaus. At the Hofbrauhaus there were servers  dressed in traditional Bulvarian garments serving beer and traditional Bavarian food. I got a liter of Radler and cheese spetzel with fried onion on top.. Yumm. Aside from the good food and beer it was interesting to see staff play traditional beer garden music and watch locals come in for their daily beer.  We learned that if you are a regular and a Hofbrauhaus member they keep your personal stein in the back and allow you to fill up your beer in the back kegs.  It was really funny because we saw old men dressed up in traditional garments  all come to the Hofbrauhaus fill up their personal steins and chat – quite hilarious. After  we finished eating we all brought  beer glasses and steins at the giftshop then headed over to the Oktoberfest museum across the street where we learned a little more about the history of the Oktoberfest and then got beer in their downstairs bar.  The beer and heavy food really got to us so we all took naps and then headed out to bars near our hostel.

Neuschwanstein

The next day me and a few of my other friends really wanted to go see the German Castle Neuschwanstein, which is the elaborate castle which Walt Disney used as his model for the infamous Disney World Castle and logo.  However, It was a pretty miserable ride there. We were in an overpacked  unairconditioned train for two hours in 95 degree weather… so basically we were all sweating like pigs.

Friends outside Neuschwanstein

  When we got to this small Bavarian town we had a great traditional lunch. I got pork in a savoury gravy with potatoes, fried onion and bacon on top…. Great breakfast after you had a few beers the night before.  We  then took a carriage ride to the top of the hill  where Neuschwanstein was. We got a few great pictures then returned down to catch  the train back to Munich. When we returned to Munich we showered and then went to dinner at a local pizza place.  After we went to the Hard Rock Café and got drinks and then went to a local bar/ disco called Salsadios which had a latin vibe to it.  After a fun day we retired at our hostel.

 Before we left out train for home my friends and I checked out the English gardens which is a central hangout location for locals. There are people swimming  tanning and having picnics riverside- so the atmosphere was very quaint. Overall I really enjoyed Munich ...I feel I got the most German culture from this weekend.

Berlin, Germany

Brandenburg Gate 

After a long week of classes and work in Munster I was definitely looking forward to seeing the city of Berlin.  Our train ride was about four hours and as soon as we got in we went to a local bar called White Trash.  My friends and I all enjoyed this bar in particular because they played all American old school music like Greece, and  The Beatles.  We returned back to our hostel, which was Wombats, which was my favourite hostel of all Europe. The hostel was extremely clean and the environment was very friendly and welcoming. Our first day there we went to The main city centre to see the main government buildings and surrounding areas such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag building. Later that night we watched the German soccer game at White Trash and had American food(much needed). I was extremely tired so I went back to Wombats fairly early and crashed.

Berlin Wall: East Side

Friends and I in front of the Reichstag Building 

The next morning we went and got lunch at a small cafe and  then went to the East side of the Berlin Wall which was a really moving experience.  I decided to head back to Munster after the Berlin Wall because I was tired  and had a ton of BIT and accounting homework to do.  Although Berlin was short lived I really enjoyed learning about the history of the city and experiencing different aspects of Germany there!

London, England

London Tower & Bridge

London England was by far one of my favorite locations.  I traveled to London alone because I was meeting my dad and brother on their way home from Ireland. One of the things I like about London was its rich history.  After I arrived to our hotel, the London Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel  I relaxed before my  dad and brother arrived. We walked around town and took it easy. We went to get a beer at a nearby pub then ate dinner at the steakhouse attached to our hotel which was really nice.

Royal Family. Queen in Yellow,
Kate Middleton in Light Blue

The second day by far was my favourite. We first went to brunch in an additional restaurant attached to out hotel and it was delicious. After- we figured we should head to the main part of the city around Buckingham Palace. I hit a really great weekend because right as we arrived there was a formal ceremony honouring the Queen and her birthday. These events are only held a few times a year like  her birthday, the jubilee of the monarchy- so it was really lucky and exciting to catch this celebration. There was the royal guard, band, horse and carriage company, cannon salute, over head fly over and the Queen and the Royal Family made an appearance on the balcony. I was extremely excited because Kate Middleton is one of my favourite celebrities- So her, Prince Harry, Will & Charles were on the Balcony with the Queen. That was enough to make my trip because it was such an elaborate ceremony and I got to see  in person the whole royal family. After the celebration at  Buckingham Palace we went towards the London Eye, which is a famous ferracewheel that looks over London. The line was long, so we didn’t end up getting on the actual Eye, but since we were in the general area we walked past the London Tower, The London Bridge, and  then we took a tour of Westminster Abby. Westminster Abby was absolutely mind blowing. So many people I have read about in History is buried in that Abby, for example Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VII, in addition to famous poets.  It is also the place where all of the English Monarchs have been crowned and they have the original crowning chair preserved inside the chapel. Westminster is also the place where  many famous funerals and Weddings have taken place. For example Will and Kate’s Wedding last April,  in addition to Princess Diana’s funeral and Wedding. Westminster Abby also has many medieval  history so it was really cool that they have been able to preserve that from  hundreds of years ago.

Royal Parade

Royal Parade

Westminster Abby

After Westminster we went to Harrods which is a famous luxury store. Its six stories high- they have everything from designer women's clothes to its private wine cellar and everything in between.  At night we meet up with my dad’s old college friend Leo and his family,  who currently live in London. We ate at a fancy Italian restaurant that makes fresh pasta and it was phenomenal. It was a great place to people watch as well since this food attracts a very aristocratic crowd. We then went to a music concert where Leo’s wife sang in a choir that played old English folk and royal triumph songs.

Me at afternoon Tea!

The next morning we all went to try breakfast at the nearby four seasons hotel which was two thumbs up. After we walked around the city a little more. I got packed and then one of my FAVOURITE  parts was getting tea at 2pm at my hotel. The hotel is infamous for its daily tea time. I was served this orange tea and a variety of scones, pastries, sandwiches and fruit all on a huge tea tower like you’d see in the movies. Overall London was definitely one, if not the top of my favourite cities. I would love to move there and work one day! It was also a plus being able to speak English to everyone!

Munster Germany

Cathedral With Cages

When we arrived to Munster to begin the second month segment of our study abroad program I was extremely excited. The first day The University of  Munster had a welcome tour  where some of the host students   made us buy beer and conducted a scavenger hunt around town. After  the scavenger hunt they showed  us how to play drinking games on a field by the lake (classy). For dinner most of the students went to the local pubs to watch the  Germany versus Portugal game. This year Germany has a real good team and has won every game since Ive been here.  Obviously they won- and after the game everyone was running  around in the streets yelling “Duetchsland YAH!” and waving flags and honking horns… it was quite a site.  

Palace/ Main building of the University of Munster

On Sunday there was a guided tour that  explained to us the historical significance of the town and the buildings in it. Apparently Muster was a huge area of conflict during the Protestant/Catholic War movement. The main cathedral in Munster has three cages in the  top of the bell tower  which was used to display the  dead bodies of  those who went against the Church.  A lot of Munster has been rebuilt because of the damage from WWII – but it still  contains a historical charm and quaintness about it.  

The following Monday I began all my classes. I am currently taking BIT 2406 and Intermediate Accounting 3115. With those two classes I have a huge workload and am not able  to go out during the week days. In between I have German Language class which teaches us basic phrases and sentences.  In all, Im in class from 8 am to 4pm everyday with a 45 minute lunch break. School has been hard, but aside from that, Ive really enjoyed the city. The University of Munster is extremely welcoming and helpful to the Virginia Tech group. Most of the students are bi-lingual and can speak fluent English…. so its really easy to get around and communicate with people. The only trouble comes when your reading a menu! Haha. I hate to say it, but in my book Munster blows Dijon out of the water. Munster is by far my favourite and I am extremely excited for the next month to come!

Do you Expect any less?
<3 Starbucks

On side note... or should I say food note... the german food that I have tried consists of zuchini cakes, Bratwurst with musturd, amazing pretzels,  spetzel casserole with various cheeses, Pork on a kaisar roll with spicy musturd, and french fries with Tzaziki sauce.  I also was pleased to find not one... but TWO Starbucks!  Dangerous!!!!! :)

Last Words on Dijon

Town Corner Where I was dropped off at the bus

Its really crazy how fast a month has gone. Since my last post Ive grown to appreciate  the  French culture  alot more.  We had a very nice farewell dinner that had a four course French meal. My favourite part about France has been our culture teacher Jessica. For a week she enlightened us about French culture.- it was also interesting to listen to her experiences since she grew up in America then stayed in France after studying abroad. The last day of culture class we had a cheese tasting which was really cool. Although France was fun and interesting I am really excited to experience Germany!

First Course: Salmon

                                                                                         

                      3rd Course: Chicken and/or Turkey leg with palenta.