And thus, faithful readers, I reach the end of my tale. I know you're all just itching to know, "But how did she survive the explosion of Iceland while she was in Barcelona? What degree of burns did she get when she missed a spot sunscreening in Palma de Mallorca? How did she manage to navigate Budapest all by herself?" (Don't worry, mom, I met Lilly at the hotel!) and most importantly...
When is she back in town so we can catch up!?!?!?!
Well, I will answer one of those questions. I will be back in my hometown in the good old US of A on May 14th in the afternoon. I would love to see or hear from each and every one of you ASAP after that date! I miss you all like you can't believe!!!
There is much of my journey that didn't make it onto this blog. I'm also about to embark upon 2 more weeks of travel, so there will be many more epic tales to be told! However, the life of this blog has run its course. I created it to keep in touch with everyone back home, and now that I'm going back home, I'll be reverting to the admittedly-slower but infinitely-more-rewarding practices of visits, phone calls, and photo albums to narrate my travels. I really and truly appreciate you all taking an interest in my adventures, and I look forward to hugging you all tight when I see you again. I love you all!
This feels so good to say... I'll be seeing you soon!!!! :)
Hugs and kisses, abrazos y besos,
Lauren :)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Paradise, formally known as Lisbon
Until I went to Lisbon, I had spent about twelve weeks in Europe. One week in London in high school, one week in Paris in college, and of course ten weeks in Spain and Italy this year. Those trips were wonderful experiences- I can't express how great my appreciation is that God has seen fit to bless my life with the experience of travel. Twelve weeks! Somehow, I've managed to become one of the most well-traveled people I know. How did that happen to a homebody like me?!?!
One of the main walking streets in Lisbon- covered in trees and gardens. Just gorgeous.
My only comment on all of that time, (it's not even a full-fledged complaint), is that, well, I still after twelve weeks hadn't seen the sun. More or less, I had spent twelve weeks in European rain and chill. And let me tell you- Europe is cold and wet in the winter!!!
So, let's summarize to say that when I walked off the plane in Lisbon and was met by the warmest weather and brightest sun I have seen anywhere other than Florida, I was enthralled.
Thrilled.
Ecstatic.
Elated!
And there you more or less have the summary of my weekend in Lisbon!
Looking out over the water
My travel buddy was the lovely Heather once again, and both of us being rather exhausted from Holy Week travels, we spent the weekend walking at a leisurely pace beside the river, and wandering the streets of old Lisbon. It was magical. No museums, no lines, no artwork. Just the sun, a good friend, and a slight breeze blowing off the Atlantic.
God is good. :)
Basking in the sun.
We spent some time in the ruins of an old castle. Wouldn't I make a good cannon girl?
Fantastic views over the terra cotta roofs of the city, baking in the sun.
Just your average European fountain. :)
I'm sorry, San Fran, but you have NOTHING on Lisbon... good grief those hills are STEEP!
The main plaza looking out to the river.
This, my friends, is what Europeans do on a weekend. They pick a park, pick up a bottle of wine, and go sit in the park hanging out with their friends and listening to some live music. Why don't we do that here?!?!
A peaceful sunset over the water. A calming end to a wonderful day!
One of the main walking streets in Lisbon- covered in trees and gardens. Just gorgeous.My only comment on all of that time, (it's not even a full-fledged complaint), is that, well, I still after twelve weeks hadn't seen the sun. More or less, I had spent twelve weeks in European rain and chill. And let me tell you- Europe is cold and wet in the winter!!!
So, let's summarize to say that when I walked off the plane in Lisbon and was met by the warmest weather and brightest sun I have seen anywhere other than Florida, I was enthralled.
Thrilled.
Ecstatic.
Elated!
And there you more or less have the summary of my weekend in Lisbon!
Looking out over the waterMy travel buddy was the lovely Heather once again, and both of us being rather exhausted from Holy Week travels, we spent the weekend walking at a leisurely pace beside the river, and wandering the streets of old Lisbon. It was magical. No museums, no lines, no artwork. Just the sun, a good friend, and a slight breeze blowing off the Atlantic.
God is good. :)
Basking in the sun.
We spent some time in the ruins of an old castle. Wouldn't I make a good cannon girl?
Fantastic views over the terra cotta roofs of the city, baking in the sun.
Just your average European fountain. :)
I'm sorry, San Fran, but you have NOTHING on Lisbon... good grief those hills are STEEP!
The main plaza looking out to the river.
This, my friends, is what Europeans do on a weekend. They pick a park, pick up a bottle of wine, and go sit in the park hanging out with their friends and listening to some live music. Why don't we do that here?!?!
A peaceful sunset over the water. A calming end to a wonderful day!Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Lesson from Spain: 5 Things I Could Live Happily Without
One of the coolest parts of studying abroad is, of course, getting to live another lifestyle for an extended piece of time. While Spain admittedly isn't that different from the US, there are several ways that Spain is far more eco-friendly than we tend to be. And honestly, after 4 months, I can assert that all of these changes would be more or less painless, once you got used to them. I'm not on the band wagon saying that the human race needs to eliminate itself to save the planet. But I am saying that we'd better pay closer attention to our consumption patterns if we want any coal to be left for our grandchildren. So, here goes... :)
Having your own printer
One of the more inconvenient parts of being abroad- my printer is sitting unhelpfully several thousand miles away, which means that I have to use the copy center at school (just like everyone else). Having to pay per page for anything you print is certainly a wake up call as to how many useless things I print each week! Overall, though, I'm sure I'm saving money, not buying ink or a printer or paper. And as an added bonus, I'm creating far less paper waste this semester than at any other point in my life!
Public Transit
I can't say enough about Madrid public transit. Think DC Metro, but 100% safer, better lit, and cleaner. Everyone takes public transit here- it's reasonably priced, prompt, and very safe. My host family doesn't even have a car here! It's good to know that something I would use out of convenience also reduces my negative impact on the environment.
Disposable eating things, and eating on the go,
If you're looking for a plastic spoon in Spain, good luck! Aside from the American invaders, such as McDonald's, Starbucks, or Ben & Jerry's, it's fairly impossible to buy food-to-go in take out containers. All restaurants and cafes, and I mean all, use normal dishes that are washed in between uses. Initially, this is a huge pain as you realize there just isn't a way to grab a coffee to take to class, but eventually, you come to terms with the fact that if you want to eat something you're going to have to sit down and spend five minutes not running around. In Spain, eating is something to be enjoyed. Why would you waste the pleasure of eating and chatting with a friend just because you don't want to sit still for five minutes?
Hot Water
Haha... this one is a long story. Basically our hot water heater broke and we've been heating hot water on the stove for bucket-baths. Not the most ideal of circumstances, but at the very least it's taught me that I don't need hot water each time to wash my hands, or even to wash my face in the morning. The moral of this isn't no hot water so much as only when really needed. For instance, I won't be complaining if/when the repairman ever shows up to give us warm showers again! :)
Electricity
Again, this is a "less is more" category. In Spain (and the rest of Europe), electricity is a very expensive commodity. This translates into only one or two outlets in the whole cafeteria, only ten or so in the library outside of the computer lab, and very few in the airports. Also, my host mom will only have lights on in one room at a time- sometimes we crash into each other traversing a dark hallway! Not having power-on-demand has renewed my appreciation for the awesome blessing that electricity is, and has renewed my commitment to being a good steward of it. (Yes, Dad, this means I will try to keep lights on at home to a minimum!)
Ciao...
:) LJ
Having your own printer
One of the more inconvenient parts of being abroad- my printer is sitting unhelpfully several thousand miles away, which means that I have to use the copy center at school (just like everyone else). Having to pay per page for anything you print is certainly a wake up call as to how many useless things I print each week! Overall, though, I'm sure I'm saving money, not buying ink or a printer or paper. And as an added bonus, I'm creating far less paper waste this semester than at any other point in my life!
Public Transit
I can't say enough about Madrid public transit. Think DC Metro, but 100% safer, better lit, and cleaner. Everyone takes public transit here- it's reasonably priced, prompt, and very safe. My host family doesn't even have a car here! It's good to know that something I would use out of convenience also reduces my negative impact on the environment.
Disposable eating things, and eating on the go,
If you're looking for a plastic spoon in Spain, good luck! Aside from the American invaders, such as McDonald's, Starbucks, or Ben & Jerry's, it's fairly impossible to buy food-to-go in take out containers. All restaurants and cafes, and I mean all, use normal dishes that are washed in between uses. Initially, this is a huge pain as you realize there just isn't a way to grab a coffee to take to class, but eventually, you come to terms with the fact that if you want to eat something you're going to have to sit down and spend five minutes not running around. In Spain, eating is something to be enjoyed. Why would you waste the pleasure of eating and chatting with a friend just because you don't want to sit still for five minutes?
Hot Water
Haha... this one is a long story. Basically our hot water heater broke and we've been heating hot water on the stove for bucket-baths. Not the most ideal of circumstances, but at the very least it's taught me that I don't need hot water each time to wash my hands, or even to wash my face in the morning. The moral of this isn't no hot water so much as only when really needed. For instance, I won't be complaining if/when the repairman ever shows up to give us warm showers again! :)
Electricity
Again, this is a "less is more" category. In Spain (and the rest of Europe), electricity is a very expensive commodity. This translates into only one or two outlets in the whole cafeteria, only ten or so in the library outside of the computer lab, and very few in the airports. Also, my host mom will only have lights on in one room at a time- sometimes we crash into each other traversing a dark hallway! Not having power-on-demand has renewed my appreciation for the awesome blessing that electricity is, and has renewed my commitment to being a good steward of it. (Yes, Dad, this means I will try to keep lights on at home to a minimum!)
Ciao...
:) LJ
Sunday, April 25, 2010
La Vita e Bella- Venice for Easter
Once again, what is there to say? Venice is well... Venice. A city afloat. A place of magic. Very, very expensive.
The streets, having been built both when people were about 2 feet tall (no, not really JMB) and when there weren't any cars (not that cars are allowed in Venice today either), are very very small. Trash-compactor-closing-in-scene-from-Star-Wars-small. So... photo! :)
The gondola drivers do literally sing Italian songs and dress in striped shirts. Even though I know it's all an act, I'm OK with it. It's awesome. Word on the street is that if you flirt a little bit you can get the gondola driver to cut his price in half... but flirting on Easter Sunday just felt wrong somehow.
The classic sitting-on-a-bridge-in-Venice photo. No Italy collection is complete without one!
The equally obligatory falling-in-the-water shot. Is it just me, or is that water not quite a normal color?
Fantabulous. On the waterfront near the Doge's palace and St. Mark's.
St. Mark's was absolutely breathtaking. Being a Medieval church, it was a nice break from the other cathedrals we've seen, which were mostly enormous and white stone with stained glass. In contrast, the entire interior of St. Mark's is covered in mosaics. As I tried but epically failed to capture below, if you look in from the choir loft (aka up high), the entire basilica literally glows in the candlelight. Not even to mention the tessalations and 3D tilework on the floor, the icons, the sculptures... it really was fantastic. And if you're ever there, pay the extra 4 euro to see the balcony. It's pretty sweet.
I'm sure some of you will be scandalized by the following sacrilege, but c'mon... God has a sense of humor... ;)
Well, that's all for our Italian dream vacation. What can I say- great food, great sights, great travel buddy! We did everything from go to Confession in St. Peter's to try on masks in Venice, and ate lots of pizza in between. It was a wonderful experience, and not even the (mostly crummy) weather could dampen our mood! So, I guess there's only one thing left to say...
The streets, having been built both when people were about 2 feet tall (no, not really JMB) and when there weren't any cars (not that cars are allowed in Venice today either), are very very small. Trash-compactor-closing-in-scene-from-Star-Wars-small. So... photo! :)
The gondola drivers do literally sing Italian songs and dress in striped shirts. Even though I know it's all an act, I'm OK with it. It's awesome. Word on the street is that if you flirt a little bit you can get the gondola driver to cut his price in half... but flirting on Easter Sunday just felt wrong somehow.
The classic sitting-on-a-bridge-in-Venice photo. No Italy collection is complete without one!
The equally obligatory falling-in-the-water shot. Is it just me, or is that water not quite a normal color?
Fantabulous. On the waterfront near the Doge's palace and St. Mark's.
St. Mark's was absolutely breathtaking. Being a Medieval church, it was a nice break from the other cathedrals we've seen, which were mostly enormous and white stone with stained glass. In contrast, the entire interior of St. Mark's is covered in mosaics. As I tried but epically failed to capture below, if you look in from the choir loft (aka up high), the entire basilica literally glows in the candlelight. Not even to mention the tessalations and 3D tilework on the floor, the icons, the sculptures... it really was fantastic. And if you're ever there, pay the extra 4 euro to see the balcony. It's pretty sweet.
I'm sure some of you will be scandalized by the following sacrilege, but c'mon... God has a sense of humor... ;)
Well, that's all for our Italian dream vacation. What can I say- great food, great sights, great travel buddy! We did everything from go to Confession in St. Peter's to try on masks in Venice, and ate lots of pizza in between. It was a wonderful experience, and not even the (mostly crummy) weather could dampen our mood! So, I guess there's only one thing left to say...
Friday, April 23, 2010
La Vita e Bella- Florence Duo
Ok, so let's review. Our hostel was literally a converted villa, and since Florence is in Tuscany, it was positively gorgeous. Early spring in Italy. There are no words!
This museum is... the inside of our hostel. I'm not kidding. It was a villa!
We did the "essential Florence" since we really only had one day. We started at the Duomo... (dome in the background)... of which I did not take any interior photos because I am a jaded tourist who has "enough photos already" of European cathedrals... but I stand by my decision. If you want to see it, go Wikipedia it!
For some unknown reason, we then thought it was a good idea to climb the bell tower. You can clearly see how this was converted into a tourist attraction:
Fr. Mario: Gee, Fr. Luigi. We don't actually ring a bell anymore, what are we going to do with this old bell tower?
Fr. Luigi: I know! We'll tell tourists that it's fun to climb to the top!
Fr. Mario: Even tourists aren't that silly. There are so many stairs! And no railings! And no way for more than one person to pass at a time!
Fr. Luigi: That's ok... we'll just convince the American tourists, and the rest will follow...
I will admit the views are wonderful. Even on an obnoxiously cloudy day!
Baptistry doors. Check!
I believe this was the Medici household, but I'm not sure. At any rate, it gives you an idea of the beautiful artwork all around!
In all, Florence was lovely. I would spend another week there and in the Tuscan country side in a heartbeat! My one regret was that we missed the memo that you need reservations for the Ufizzi, the world's largest collection of Renaissance art, so after spending 2 hours in line we only had about 45 minutes to see all of these amazing things! We only made it 1/3 of the way through. *Sigh* (Don't let this happen to you! If you go to Florence, reserve tickets!!!)
But I guess if that's my biggest regret over Spring Break, I'm doing OK. :)
This museum is... the inside of our hostel. I'm not kidding. It was a villa!
We did the "essential Florence" since we really only had one day. We started at the Duomo... (dome in the background)... of which I did not take any interior photos because I am a jaded tourist who has "enough photos already" of European cathedrals... but I stand by my decision. If you want to see it, go Wikipedia it!
For some unknown reason, we then thought it was a good idea to climb the bell tower. You can clearly see how this was converted into a tourist attraction:Fr. Mario: Gee, Fr. Luigi. We don't actually ring a bell anymore, what are we going to do with this old bell tower?
Fr. Luigi: I know! We'll tell tourists that it's fun to climb to the top!
Fr. Mario: Even tourists aren't that silly. There are so many stairs! And no railings! And no way for more than one person to pass at a time!
Fr. Luigi: That's ok... we'll just convince the American tourists, and the rest will follow...
I will admit the views are wonderful. Even on an obnoxiously cloudy day!
Baptistry doors. Check!
I believe this was the Medici household, but I'm not sure. At any rate, it gives you an idea of the beautiful artwork all around!
In all, Florence was lovely. I would spend another week there and in the Tuscan country side in a heartbeat! My one regret was that we missed the memo that you need reservations for the Ufizzi, the world's largest collection of Renaissance art, so after spending 2 hours in line we only had about 45 minutes to see all of these amazing things! We only made it 1/3 of the way through. *Sigh* (Don't let this happen to you! If you go to Florence, reserve tickets!!!)
But I guess if that's my biggest regret over Spring Break, I'm doing OK. :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
La Vita e Bella- Florence!
Ahh, Florence. My favorite of the three cities we visited. Let's start with...
This is where we lived:
(There was a villa involved)
And this is what we ate:
This, too:
Need I say more??? :)
Our first evening we wandered around, getting our orientation of the sights. Florence's important historical things are all in the same general area, leaving the harried traveler feeling quite at home rather quickly. I'm a fan. One of my favorites was the Italian hall of fame at the Uffizi, featuring every famous Renaissance person ever plus some extras: Raphael, DaVinci, Michaelangelo, Dante. History classes have it all wrong: don't study the Renaissance! Just come to Florence! It's so much better!
We wandered down to the Ponte Vecchio and lingered among the men selling illegal fake Prada bags, people playing guitar for the honeymooners, and couples PDAing by the river. (Yay, Europe!) It really is a magical site.
That's all for now... the rest of Florence tomorrow!
This is where we lived:
(There was a villa involved)
And this is what we ate:
This, too:
Need I say more??? :)Our first evening we wandered around, getting our orientation of the sights. Florence's important historical things are all in the same general area, leaving the harried traveler feeling quite at home rather quickly. I'm a fan. One of my favorites was the Italian hall of fame at the Uffizi, featuring every famous Renaissance person ever plus some extras: Raphael, DaVinci, Michaelangelo, Dante. History classes have it all wrong: don't study the Renaissance! Just come to Florence! It's so much better!
We wandered down to the Ponte Vecchio and lingered among the men selling illegal fake Prada bags, people playing guitar for the honeymooners, and couples PDAing by the river. (Yay, Europe!) It really is a magical site.
That's all for now... the rest of Florence tomorrow!
Monday, April 19, 2010
La Vita e Bella- Ciao, Roma!
Our last day in Rome wasn't even technically in Rome, but actually in Vatican City. You know, we wanted to catch up with the Pope. It's been awhile since he came to chill at our campus in 08. :) For those of you who saw my Facebook comments, yes, I did find a Swiss guard. Guaranteed: Catholic, single, over 5'6", and under the age of 30. Sweet!
The main attraction: the Pope! He's that little white dot under the white canopy. We felt quite language-savvy as we understood about 4 of the languages spoken: Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Italian! :)
St. Peter's Square! Waiting in line for the Basilica... obviously a photo opp. :) (Yes, the line was this long!)
The inside of the Basilica. Fun fact for the day (not official... feel free to research): I've heard rumors that the occasional basilicas which are actually bigger than St. Peter's are christened as two basilicas, or half is not christened, so that St. Peter's keeps the record. Oh, Catholics...
The Pieta! It really does live in here!
In the gardens of the Vatican Museums. In case you're like us, and lost, just follow the signs that say "Sistine Chapel this way." Hysterically, you actually pass through the entirety of the Vatican exhibition under the premise that you're "on the way" to the Sistine Chapel! Ha. Tourists. They know us so well.
After about 90 minutes of "Sistine Chapel this way", Lucy managed to be paying enough attention to spot a Dali painting in the middle of new age artistic paganism. Yay, Luce!
Also, FYI, Rome-hopefuls: the spiral staircase is at the end of the exhibit. We got to the bookstore, realized we had missed it, decided we didn't care because we were so tired, and then found it on the way out! Don't lose hope! :)
What do you do if you're exhausted from trouncing around on foot all day? Find the cheapest, biggest dinner you can, of course! Mmm... :)
And thus end our travels in Rome... stay tuned for more Italian fun and food coming your way soon! :)
The main attraction: the Pope! He's that little white dot under the white canopy. We felt quite language-savvy as we understood about 4 of the languages spoken: Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Italian! :)
St. Peter's Square! Waiting in line for the Basilica... obviously a photo opp. :) (Yes, the line was this long!)
The inside of the Basilica. Fun fact for the day (not official... feel free to research): I've heard rumors that the occasional basilicas which are actually bigger than St. Peter's are christened as two basilicas, or half is not christened, so that St. Peter's keeps the record. Oh, Catholics...
The Pieta! It really does live in here!
In the gardens of the Vatican Museums. In case you're like us, and lost, just follow the signs that say "Sistine Chapel this way." Hysterically, you actually pass through the entirety of the Vatican exhibition under the premise that you're "on the way" to the Sistine Chapel! Ha. Tourists. They know us so well.
After about 90 minutes of "Sistine Chapel this way", Lucy managed to be paying enough attention to spot a Dali painting in the middle of new age artistic paganism. Yay, Luce!
Also, FYI, Rome-hopefuls: the spiral staircase is at the end of the exhibit. We got to the bookstore, realized we had missed it, decided we didn't care because we were so tired, and then found it on the way out! Don't lose hope! :)
What do you do if you're exhausted from trouncing around on foot all day? Find the cheapest, biggest dinner you can, of course! Mmm... :)
And thus end our travels in Rome... stay tuned for more Italian fun and food coming your way soon! :)
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