I sit here writing this blog with only 4 full days left of my two month adventure.
Since I last wrote you, my travels have taken me to two new countries, France and Spain. I spent approximately 5 days in Paris, France and then 2 days on the French coast sea town, Sete. Both were wonderful.
Paris has never been a place that I've really wanted to visit for some reason, but I had friends there and a free place to sleep, so I took advantage of the opportunity. The city of love was best described to me as, "intimidating architecture." I think this sums up the city very well.
It is truly awe-inspiring as everything is HUGE! I mean massive. The maps of Paris do not do it justice because everything takes at least 30 minutes to walk to if not more. The buildings just consume you and in their presence you are frozen gazing at them. Unfortunately, you soon become numb to the enormity of the city and just start to wish that walking would actually get you to your desired location.
I found that my favorite section of town was Montmarte. This is up a hill in Paris so not only the view is gorgeous, but it's a colorful artisitic area. Great artists such as Picasso, Dali, Degas, and many more found this section their safe haven. For those of you that don't know Paris very well I will also tell you that this area ironically is the same area that Moulin Rouge resides.
As I walked the streets of Paris I found that I found things I really appreciated about the city, but they were not what I assumed I would like. When I arrived in Paris I figured I'd love the Louvre, Versailles, and the Effiel Tower as everyone talks about those things. What I loved most were the catacombs of over 8,000 people buried underground, going up the towers of Notre Dame, and visiting the National Paris Opera House (same one that the story ,"The Phantom of the Opera" is based in). Because of this realization I was very glad that I did not do the bus tours that show you all the "best" of Paris because I found I had a different opinion than the tour companies.
A bus ride every once in a while would have been nice though...
Sete, France was a location on the coast of France that had a cheap hostel and I absolutely loved it. There is just a difference in the air of coastal towns and it was a relief coming from such a bustling city such as Paris. I spent two splendid nights in Sete eating 6 euro mussels (that's cheap!), sun bathing, eating nutella crepes, window shopping, and more! The hostel I stayed in was also very nice and I roomed with 2 girls that were from Germany and New Zealand, but spoke English! It was delightful to get to know them.
Yesterday I traveled (on a whim) to Madrid, Spain. I had never been before and I had a friend that had room in her flat for me. I've been blessed with so many people that are willing to put up with me for a few days and it has made traveling so much more fun!
Maria and I met during my Freshman year at Shenandoah Univeristy and we've kept in touch throughout the years. It's been great to get to catch up with her and am very grateful for the brief visit.
Tomorrow I will go back to my favorite place in Europe thus far, Barcelona. Not only do I love the atmosphere and architecture, but I will stay with a wonderful family of a friend and get to see Guillem, one of my dearest friends.
Guillem and I went to Shenandoah University our Junior year together and I cannot wait to see him! It's been a little over a year since we got to have a coffee in Spain and I much look forward to seeing him!
Skype sometimes doesn't do a friendship justice, but it's a wonderful thing when you meet with your friends after such a long time of not seeing each other and you pick up right where you left off.
The theme of this trip besides all of the wonderful experiences has been reconnecting with friends. It has been wonderful. I much look forward to getting back to the States to share my experiences with the friends I haven't seen in the past two months.
Overall, it's hard to put into words exactly what these two months have been to me. They've been wonderful, inspirational, but words can barely do it justice.
I look forward to the trip home so I can see all of you, my family, my friends, and particularly my dog!
I'm also thinking that this blog will remain as I'm sure new experiences in my life will have to be commented upon, but only time will tell.
Wishing you all a wonderful September and hope our paths will cross soon!
Chelsea
9.10.2011
The art of meeting people and getting your laundry done...
Let me first share with you where I have been since the last time I wrote to you. I landed in Mainz, Germany last Wednesday I believe and stayed in the most disgusting hotels I've ever been in, but it was safe... Regardless of the mold...
Fortunately, the hotels' condition did not alter my feelings towards the town. Although I was only there for one night, I quite enjoyed the big towns "small town" feel upon walking in the city center. Mainz was the birth place of none other than Gutenberg, creator of the Gutenberg press used to make newspapers and books back in the day.
The next morning I left the hotel gladly with just enough time to get completely lost, but still got to my train on time! My destination? Baden-Baden.
Baden-Baden was built up because of it's natural baths. I enjoyed walking through the scenic park, window shopping, and imagining that I was inside the baths, but didn't feel that I had the time to enter them and feel relaxed. I quietly said to myself that the next day I might enter the bath house, time willing.
The next morning I woke up and decided to wear my shorts and a spaghetti strapped top as it was very sunny in Baden-Baden. Looking in the mirror I felt good in my outfit almost thinking that all the walking I'd been doing was slimming my down! I went down to eat breakfast with the thought in my mind, "Now, when I get to Freiburg I need to pay to get my laundry done."
You see, this laundry issue had been on my mind for sometime. I would usually wash my clothing in the sink and hang dry it, but I hadn't been anywhere more than a day, hence no time to have my clothing dry...
As I sat down for breakfast I openly welcomed the offer for a pot of coffee. Little did I know that it would be the master of my demise in about a minute. As I grabbed my cup and started to pour the coffee into it, I had issues with the flow of coffee. I very quickly began to lift the lid on the pot to quicken the process. Unfortunately the pressure of the full pot of coffee took over and I proceeded to pour scolding hot coffee all over me, the table, and my breakfast.
The only words I could utter where, "hot!"
Completely defeated I went to the front desk holding back tears of pain and anxiety as I had to check out in under an hour. When I explained what happened the receptionist offered for me to do my laundry so my clothes wouldn't stain and she told me I could stay in my room as long as I needed.
I found myself back in my room gathering all my laundry to be done so that I didn't, "waste the load.". Needless to say, I have a fool proof plan to get my laundry done for free almost anywhere now and all it requires is a bit of self sacrifice!
That day I moved to Freiburg with clean laundry.
This was a bigger city as well, but had the small town charm that I'd grown to love. I found that I could quickly get lost in the crowd and found comfort in being among other tourists, even if they were German and I American.
I tend to stray away from the eager tourist, but as a solo traveller, I have enjoyed escaping the looks every once in a while.
The second day I was I Freiburg I had a series of events unfold that made me very happy at the end of the evening.
I had an exciting evening planned. I was going to see, Little Shop of Horrors in German! I left my hostel and selected a cafe by the giant cathedral in the town to have dinner. After some time I overheard a could two tables down speaking English. I gathered up my courage and introduced myself. They were Canadian about to start a bike tour up the Rheine River the next day. As I left the cafe I felt proud and happy that I had made contact with the English speaking world once again.
At the musical I met another couple beside me that were German, but spoke very good English. We bonded even more as it began to spit rain in the outdoor theatre...
The raining got harder...
The show kept going...
I fortunately had a rain jacket so I just draped it over my body and continued watching the show. As the musical ended and the actors took their bows, the audience scuttled out of the theatre to get to a safe location as soon as possible.
Unfortunately the storm couldn't wait.
Unfortunately I didn't have my umbrella.
Within 7 blocks from my hostel the storm just let loose. I was lucky enough to find some cover, but I was growing impatient as I was already wet and tired. After 10 minutes of waiting I made the decision to walk in the rain, which turned out to be a wonderful thing.
Completely soaked I met an American family from the D.C. area under another covering who were a delight to talk with for that brief moment. When I finally got to the steps of my hostel, two young men opened the door and one uttered, "you look a little wet there.". Knowing that they spoke English I quickly explained where I'd been. Two hours later we found ourselves finally saying good night.
As I peeled my damp clothes off of me I fell asleep feeling like I had met some really neat people that day. Yes, I had to step out of my comfort zone, but it was worth it.
Since that day in Freiburg I have met more people in Triberg, the town of cuckoo clocks, and actually just finished a lovely conversation with a couple from the UK here in Titisee, the town of the largest natural lake in the black forest. I have definitely gained an appreciation for solo travelers and feel that I will be much more open to starting conversations with strangers when I return to the states. I know so many times I wished someone would try to talk to me, but know that language might have been the barrier or just lack of caring.
In the states though most speak English so I should be ok!
I only have one more full day in Germany and will be sad to leave. Although it's not quite the same as Africa, my eyes have grown accustomed to the small cottages and gorgeous woodworking that the Germans are known for.
I hope to return to Germany someday and do more backpacking and hiking to my destinations. The landscape is beautiful and I want to explore more of it!
A yawn just took over my tired body so I believe that is a sign to say good night. I hope September is remaining warm for my return as I don't want to feel that I missed summer entirely...
With care,
Chelsea
Fortunately, the hotels' condition did not alter my feelings towards the town. Although I was only there for one night, I quite enjoyed the big towns "small town" feel upon walking in the city center. Mainz was the birth place of none other than Gutenberg, creator of the Gutenberg press used to make newspapers and books back in the day.
The next morning I left the hotel gladly with just enough time to get completely lost, but still got to my train on time! My destination? Baden-Baden.
Baden-Baden was built up because of it's natural baths. I enjoyed walking through the scenic park, window shopping, and imagining that I was inside the baths, but didn't feel that I had the time to enter them and feel relaxed. I quietly said to myself that the next day I might enter the bath house, time willing.
The next morning I woke up and decided to wear my shorts and a spaghetti strapped top as it was very sunny in Baden-Baden. Looking in the mirror I felt good in my outfit almost thinking that all the walking I'd been doing was slimming my down! I went down to eat breakfast with the thought in my mind, "Now, when I get to Freiburg I need to pay to get my laundry done."
You see, this laundry issue had been on my mind for sometime. I would usually wash my clothing in the sink and hang dry it, but I hadn't been anywhere more than a day, hence no time to have my clothing dry...
As I sat down for breakfast I openly welcomed the offer for a pot of coffee. Little did I know that it would be the master of my demise in about a minute. As I grabbed my cup and started to pour the coffee into it, I had issues with the flow of coffee. I very quickly began to lift the lid on the pot to quicken the process. Unfortunately the pressure of the full pot of coffee took over and I proceeded to pour scolding hot coffee all over me, the table, and my breakfast.
The only words I could utter where, "hot!"
Completely defeated I went to the front desk holding back tears of pain and anxiety as I had to check out in under an hour. When I explained what happened the receptionist offered for me to do my laundry so my clothes wouldn't stain and she told me I could stay in my room as long as I needed.
I found myself back in my room gathering all my laundry to be done so that I didn't, "waste the load.". Needless to say, I have a fool proof plan to get my laundry done for free almost anywhere now and all it requires is a bit of self sacrifice!
That day I moved to Freiburg with clean laundry.
This was a bigger city as well, but had the small town charm that I'd grown to love. I found that I could quickly get lost in the crowd and found comfort in being among other tourists, even if they were German and I American.
I tend to stray away from the eager tourist, but as a solo traveller, I have enjoyed escaping the looks every once in a while.
The second day I was I Freiburg I had a series of events unfold that made me very happy at the end of the evening.
I had an exciting evening planned. I was going to see, Little Shop of Horrors in German! I left my hostel and selected a cafe by the giant cathedral in the town to have dinner. After some time I overheard a could two tables down speaking English. I gathered up my courage and introduced myself. They were Canadian about to start a bike tour up the Rheine River the next day. As I left the cafe I felt proud and happy that I had made contact with the English speaking world once again.
At the musical I met another couple beside me that were German, but spoke very good English. We bonded even more as it began to spit rain in the outdoor theatre...
The raining got harder...
The show kept going...
I fortunately had a rain jacket so I just draped it over my body and continued watching the show. As the musical ended and the actors took their bows, the audience scuttled out of the theatre to get to a safe location as soon as possible.
Unfortunately the storm couldn't wait.
Unfortunately I didn't have my umbrella.
Within 7 blocks from my hostel the storm just let loose. I was lucky enough to find some cover, but I was growing impatient as I was already wet and tired. After 10 minutes of waiting I made the decision to walk in the rain, which turned out to be a wonderful thing.
Completely soaked I met an American family from the D.C. area under another covering who were a delight to talk with for that brief moment. When I finally got to the steps of my hostel, two young men opened the door and one uttered, "you look a little wet there.". Knowing that they spoke English I quickly explained where I'd been. Two hours later we found ourselves finally saying good night.
As I peeled my damp clothes off of me I fell asleep feeling like I had met some really neat people that day. Yes, I had to step out of my comfort zone, but it was worth it.
Since that day in Freiburg I have met more people in Triberg, the town of cuckoo clocks, and actually just finished a lovely conversation with a couple from the UK here in Titisee, the town of the largest natural lake in the black forest. I have definitely gained an appreciation for solo travelers and feel that I will be much more open to starting conversations with strangers when I return to the states. I know so many times I wished someone would try to talk to me, but know that language might have been the barrier or just lack of caring.
In the states though most speak English so I should be ok!
I only have one more full day in Germany and will be sad to leave. Although it's not quite the same as Africa, my eyes have grown accustomed to the small cottages and gorgeous woodworking that the Germans are known for.
I hope to return to Germany someday and do more backpacking and hiking to my destinations. The landscape is beautiful and I want to explore more of it!
A yawn just took over my tired body so I believe that is a sign to say good night. I hope September is remaining warm for my return as I don't want to feel that I missed summer entirely...
With care,
Chelsea
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