Get yourself above the clouds and notice the world from a new perspective. the clouds look like valleys that go on forever, everything perfect, smooth and serene. Nothing is more amazing than seeing snow capped peaks rise just above the giant cotton balls, like thats their job, to be seen just enough for your curiosity to picture the rest, or better yet explore.
Im back on the plane, this time to Iceland. Why? Because I've never been there and there's no excuse to not see what you've never seen and never learn about places teachers never talked about it school.
Breaking the barriers of your comfort zone is my new years resolution. And although I went 3 months on my own in several different countries, there's still the tinge of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity that overwhelm you. Its a sort of high that is so indescribable, and I love it.
I have 10 days to meet new people, have new experiences, learn something fascinating and try new foods.
So far I met Espi, short for Esperanza, who by the way, originally drove me crazy because she sat RIGHT next to me and started clipping her nails. I felt like everytime I heard the snap of the clippers I was about to get harpooned in the face or that they were flinging into my hair adding a disgusting sort of hair dazzle.. This was not the case but it really could have happened at any moment . She is an older woman, traveling by herself looking for a break from technology and finding a sort of spiritual holiday for her 10 day trip to Iceland. So fun to meet older people taking chance and traveling alone to a place they've never been. She hopes she sees me at the bars this coming week :D
Then there is my plane buddy bobbi. We actually really lucked out and our muddle seat is empty so lots of room to stretch for the both of us. She's an older woman as well who is part of an organization for people 51+ that travels all around the world to learn about new places... AMAZING!! they take one educational class in the morning to learn about history, vulture, food, all sorts of things!
Trip is off to a great start!
met some nice guys from California, Logan and Dillon. Got to hang out with then and grab dinner, hopefully we will all be together for new years to celebrate with a group!
Tuesday 29 December 2015
Wednesday 16 September 2015
How I Survived 3 Months In Europe: the diary of a solo traveler.
81 days
30 towns
22 cities for sleepovers
17 different hostels
11 different countries
5 different long distance bus companies
3 long distant trains
2 Airbnb
2 ferries
1 taxi
1 campsite with a VERY small tent
too many beers and cocktails to count
AND a countless number of friends of whom I still keep in touch with, even after being back in the states
Traveling was once a distance dream. I loved the sound of traveling and exploring, but there were always the typical reasons I decided toehold off. I need a good job, I need money, I have other obligations, what about my dogs. As a new auntie, I even put it off because I was afraid I would be forgotten. And then, I made the plunge. I bought the tickets, I got more jobs, I made traveling my number one priority. And it completely paid off.
In about 6-7 months, I was able to save a comfortable 13,000 dollars. All because I wanted traveling to be my number one priority.
Tip: if you really want to do something, buck up, stop giving excuses, and DO IT!
I know so many people who yammer on about how they would love to travel and love to this or that, yet they stay in the same rut and never end up doing it. One thing I did was never speak of my trip in the far future, or put any wishy washy words around my trip. No 'i MIGHT' or 'maybe' or even 'i thinks'. Talking about my trip as a for sure thing, even before it was a for sure thing, somehow helped in the process of taking the jump into the unknown.
I assure anyone thinking its as easy as booking a ticket and just going, its not THAT easy. I now had to look after everything, and if I hadn't traveled, there is a lot of things i wouldn't have learned. I learned more about life, money, scheduling, math, distance, and currency than I have ever learned in school. Getting out into the world was more practically informative than anything in the world. If your rolling your eyes and thinking, 'wow, this girl is stupid, how could this be better than school and how could she not have learned this in school' news flash you moron, who's probably a snob but no one knows it accept all your friends but they don't want to tell you, not everyone learns the same and I guarantee you couldn't survive on the streets in a different country without looking as stupid as you sound, and I bet all your uptight business money that common sense is not your forte. So shut up.
If anyone knows me well, they know that I'm a very outgoing, easygoing, and friendly person. Yes this is true, yes it helped a lot on my trip, however, even if I was shy and closed off, I can still see myself traveling Europe just fine. If your give your personality as an excuse, you may as well just curl up and lock yourself in a house the rest of your life because that is the worst most bogus excuse there is. I have met several people who were shy, closed off, or just nervous to be traveling alone, and by the end of their first day, they have about 10 new friends to go out with at night. Everyone traveling has fears, worries and concerns about meeting people, or fitting in, or being lonely while they travel, buts its absolutely impossible to not make at least one friend while your out discovering the world.
Sure, there were some cities I didn't make friends in, but that was a time for me to tame a break, have some me time, and maybe catch up with friends I met previously in my travels, maybe ask some advice. It all turned out just fine!!
Now, as my summer travels wrap up in a warm blanket of amazing memories and friends, I miss every second of all the emotions, people, places, and experiences I had, good AND bad.
The road was long and difficult, starting with just a thought, of which I expected to be one of those unrealistic dreams that you talk about but never follow through with, and making travel my oh so very realistic reality, I can confidently say that I am proud I followed through, hopping on a plane and letting my fight or flight instinct kick in! Survival of the fittest. I know what I'm capable of, and I tend to push those limits further and further, and can confidently say ill be off on another adventure soon!
I, katie jovanovich, went from feeling a high level of anxiety and worry while walking around 45 minutes in the Dublin airport to traveling roughly 1900miles down to Dubrovnik, Croatia.
30 towns
22 cities for sleepovers
17 different hostels
11 different countries
5 different long distance bus companies
3 long distant trains
2 Airbnb
2 ferries
1 taxi
1 campsite with a VERY small tent
too many beers and cocktails to count
AND a countless number of friends of whom I still keep in touch with, even after being back in the states
Traveling was once a distance dream. I loved the sound of traveling and exploring, but there were always the typical reasons I decided toehold off. I need a good job, I need money, I have other obligations, what about my dogs. As a new auntie, I even put it off because I was afraid I would be forgotten. And then, I made the plunge. I bought the tickets, I got more jobs, I made traveling my number one priority. And it completely paid off.
In about 6-7 months, I was able to save a comfortable 13,000 dollars. All because I wanted traveling to be my number one priority.
Tip: if you really want to do something, buck up, stop giving excuses, and DO IT!
I know so many people who yammer on about how they would love to travel and love to this or that, yet they stay in the same rut and never end up doing it. One thing I did was never speak of my trip in the far future, or put any wishy washy words around my trip. No 'i MIGHT' or 'maybe' or even 'i thinks'. Talking about my trip as a for sure thing, even before it was a for sure thing, somehow helped in the process of taking the jump into the unknown.
I assure anyone thinking its as easy as booking a ticket and just going, its not THAT easy. I now had to look after everything, and if I hadn't traveled, there is a lot of things i wouldn't have learned. I learned more about life, money, scheduling, math, distance, and currency than I have ever learned in school. Getting out into the world was more practically informative than anything in the world. If your rolling your eyes and thinking, 'wow, this girl is stupid, how could this be better than school and how could she not have learned this in school' news flash you moron, who's probably a snob but no one knows it accept all your friends but they don't want to tell you, not everyone learns the same and I guarantee you couldn't survive on the streets in a different country without looking as stupid as you sound, and I bet all your uptight business money that common sense is not your forte. So shut up.
If anyone knows me well, they know that I'm a very outgoing, easygoing, and friendly person. Yes this is true, yes it helped a lot on my trip, however, even if I was shy and closed off, I can still see myself traveling Europe just fine. If your give your personality as an excuse, you may as well just curl up and lock yourself in a house the rest of your life because that is the worst most bogus excuse there is. I have met several people who were shy, closed off, or just nervous to be traveling alone, and by the end of their first day, they have about 10 new friends to go out with at night. Everyone traveling has fears, worries and concerns about meeting people, or fitting in, or being lonely while they travel, buts its absolutely impossible to not make at least one friend while your out discovering the world.
Sure, there were some cities I didn't make friends in, but that was a time for me to tame a break, have some me time, and maybe catch up with friends I met previously in my travels, maybe ask some advice. It all turned out just fine!!
Now, as my summer travels wrap up in a warm blanket of amazing memories and friends, I miss every second of all the emotions, people, places, and experiences I had, good AND bad.
The road was long and difficult, starting with just a thought, of which I expected to be one of those unrealistic dreams that you talk about but never follow through with, and making travel my oh so very realistic reality, I can confidently say that I am proud I followed through, hopping on a plane and letting my fight or flight instinct kick in! Survival of the fittest. I know what I'm capable of, and I tend to push those limits further and further, and can confidently say ill be off on another adventure soon!
I, katie jovanovich, went from feeling a high level of anxiety and worry while walking around 45 minutes in the Dublin airport to traveling roughly 1900miles down to Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Wednesday 26 August 2015
Early days in croatia
Split: Night train yuck
Desperate for place to sleep
Obsessed with water
Met some local girls, amazing
Got dinner at fife, amazing
Met another local that was fond of Tomas
I got ice cream
Walked around
Went to bed
Woke up and caught jadrolinja to hvar
Hvar
No place to stay
Made Tomas.book the only room.
Decided to sleep on the beach.
Went to the beach and met pam and Kristen from Canada
Swam all day and got really colored
Set by stuff in the perfect spot to sleep
Started raining non stop.
Ran to pam and kristens, they weren't there, stood in a cafe outdoor area to escape the rain
Tomas ran by to get me.from the beach and found me on the way back at the cafe
Sneaking into the hostel Tomas is at and spending the night
More nervous to be sneaking in a hostel than sleeping outside
Im exhausted
Leaving hvar today
Snick out of hostel and watched the sun rise
Spend the morning at a cafe and then reading in a park by the water and listening to music
Bought a necklace at a store cause I felt bad
Went to Dubrovnik:
Traveled from hvar to split from split to Dubrovnik.
Had to take a later bus
Bus ride was fine, pretty along the coast
Arrived at the station, met some Aussie girls and took the wrong bus but just stayed on because it eventually went to where we needed.
Got to hostel and checked in
Guy drove us to the other hostel where we would stay.
Got here and we didn't have rooms for an hour and a half. They gave the other people in the room all the keys and didn't keep one for themselves.
Old grandpa got mad at me for signing the situation to my new deaf friends from Belgium
They finally just broke the door so we could go in.
New friends
I notices this couple.signing at the bus station and watched then for a while. Finally I asked them in sign where they were from. The girl was surprised and I had a whole conversation with then. They ended up staying at the same hostel as us so I acted like an interpreter which was really awesome. They went through the room garbage with us so I had to interpret what was going on. I was really rusty but they were patient and helped me out. Esther and Johnathan I believe. Very nice! It was fun to sign again. Esthers parents actually live in Seattle and I got her whole story which was cool.
Finally in Dubrovnik, have to buck it out in this stupid hostel and then I can see rebs and Ana!!!!
Hostel review.
Clean and looks very nice. The presentation of the beds were lovely
However
No toilet paper in any of the stalls. It took an hour and a half to get our too.s because they didn't keep a spare key to our room and gave all the keys to the others who were out partying. They were rude when I tried to explain in sign language to the deaf couple what was going on. They tried for a few minutes.to get the door open and then just stopped and we had to try to open the door with hair pins and check the window to see if it would budge open. Now we have a broken door, so no leaving anything of any sort of value I. This hostel what so ever
And my phone wont connect to the wifi so thats useless
First full day in Dubrovnik:
Took the wrong bus but got a nice drive and cheap breakfast out side of town.
Got to town and walked around a bit
Met a family from Renton, Debbie Kemper and they let me finish off their muscles they had for lunch! Free lunch yesssssss
Walked around a bit bit and then went swimming outside the wall
Laying out and now they have a big water polo match going with announcers, music and everything. I think ill stay longer than expected
Desperate for place to sleep
Obsessed with water
Met some local girls, amazing
Got dinner at fife, amazing
Met another local that was fond of Tomas
I got ice cream
Walked around
Went to bed
Woke up and caught jadrolinja to hvar
Hvar
No place to stay
Made Tomas.book the only room.
Decided to sleep on the beach.
Went to the beach and met pam and Kristen from Canada
Swam all day and got really colored
Set by stuff in the perfect spot to sleep
Started raining non stop.
Ran to pam and kristens, they weren't there, stood in a cafe outdoor area to escape the rain
Tomas ran by to get me.from the beach and found me on the way back at the cafe
Sneaking into the hostel Tomas is at and spending the night
More nervous to be sneaking in a hostel than sleeping outside
Im exhausted
Leaving hvar today
Snick out of hostel and watched the sun rise
Spend the morning at a cafe and then reading in a park by the water and listening to music
Bought a necklace at a store cause I felt bad
Went to Dubrovnik:
Traveled from hvar to split from split to Dubrovnik.
Had to take a later bus
Bus ride was fine, pretty along the coast
Arrived at the station, met some Aussie girls and took the wrong bus but just stayed on because it eventually went to where we needed.
Got to hostel and checked in
Guy drove us to the other hostel where we would stay.
Got here and we didn't have rooms for an hour and a half. They gave the other people in the room all the keys and didn't keep one for themselves.
Old grandpa got mad at me for signing the situation to my new deaf friends from Belgium
They finally just broke the door so we could go in.
New friends
I notices this couple.signing at the bus station and watched then for a while. Finally I asked them in sign where they were from. The girl was surprised and I had a whole conversation with then. They ended up staying at the same hostel as us so I acted like an interpreter which was really awesome. They went through the room garbage with us so I had to interpret what was going on. I was really rusty but they were patient and helped me out. Esther and Johnathan I believe. Very nice! It was fun to sign again. Esthers parents actually live in Seattle and I got her whole story which was cool.
Finally in Dubrovnik, have to buck it out in this stupid hostel and then I can see rebs and Ana!!!!
Hostel review.
Clean and looks very nice. The presentation of the beds were lovely
However
No toilet paper in any of the stalls. It took an hour and a half to get our too.s because they didn't keep a spare key to our room and gave all the keys to the others who were out partying. They were rude when I tried to explain in sign language to the deaf couple what was going on. They tried for a few minutes.to get the door open and then just stopped and we had to try to open the door with hair pins and check the window to see if it would budge open. Now we have a broken door, so no leaving anything of any sort of value I. This hostel what so ever
And my phone wont connect to the wifi so thats useless
First full day in Dubrovnik:
Took the wrong bus but got a nice drive and cheap breakfast out side of town.
Got to town and walked around a bit
Met a family from Renton, Debbie Kemper and they let me finish off their muscles they had for lunch! Free lunch yesssssss
Walked around a bit bit and then went swimming outside the wall
Laying out and now they have a big water polo match going with announcers, music and everything. I think ill stay longer than expected
Saturday 8 August 2015
Such a BUDAful place, had the PEST time!
Arrived in Budapest to gorgeous beautiful sunny weather. Got on the metro and headed towards my hostel. I met a lovely kiwi couple (couple from new Zealand) who will also be going to Croatia the same day as me, so we exchanged info and hopefully will get together once were all there.
1..
I got to my hostel finally and just from the 10 minutes I walked from metro to hostel it was awesome. Im in love with the Pest!
When I got to my hostel, I saw three gentlemen struggling with the door code to get in so, like a moth to a flame, I walked a little faster to stand with the Dutch boys to get in. Introduced myself and we all eventually got up the stairs.
2..
When we got up the stairs we were greeted by wonderful Monica who worked at the front desk and we set our bags down and mingled a bit.
And then Monica brought us out some shots....
Once we were all acquainted and checked in there was the faint whispers of people wanting to go out... I have not gone to a party party my whole trip so far, especially not after I just arrived that day. BUT I though, I need to hang out with these nice looking fellas and I should probably go out out at least once. So for some reason I chose this pool party event that everyone was going too...
Realizing I was going to a swim party.... I ran to shave my legs, as it had been a couple weeks and I was looking very European... Gonna fully try to rock the ice cream gut I accumulated the past month and a half as well....
So lets see if I can remember all the guys names I was now hanging out with at this point:
Laurence
Dan
Ivan
Andre
Nick
Tomas (American)
Steven
and then later came Fiachra and his sister D
First stop was food.
After that, I was trying to decide if I was really excited, or super grossed out that I was about to be in a kind of giant hot tub full of way too many people. Soaking like a stew, a mixture of people, mostly men anyway, drunk and I'm sure peeing in the pool, drinks spilled and limes floating around....
was fun.. However. It made me realize how much of a big party person I am NOT!
I don't like to drink to get smashed cause I like to be productive the next day, so rest assured family that I did not drink a lot, my mind was sound and the group of men knew I was a strong feisty spit fire who would throw a punch if i needed too. I made sure they knew this. But it also made me realize how being with a group of people who are so fun and amazing will make a situations a billion times better.
All in all, it was a fantastic night, fun and safe, but now I'm excited to have some days to see the city and enjoy Budapest even more!!
THE NEXT DAY!
Spent touring myself around and having a great time. Met back up with my fellas and lady to do it all again!
that night we all went to the club Instint and had a fantastic time. I told everyone I was going running the next morning, and they didn't believe me. Till I did!
Next day!
Went on a fabulous run around Budapest, saw all sorts of stuff and felt so great afterwards. To make the day even better we all went to the hot baths for the rest of the day! Just relaxin all cool, shootin some bball outside of the school.. Just kidding, got carried away. Laid around all day so we were ready to go out again that night!!
I'm just going to give some bullet points now because I want this blog post to be done and my thumbs hurt from typing!
Last night in the pest.
Whole day at the baths
Saw Layla from Vienna randomly
Saw couple from Brussels randomly
Walked for hours trying to find a bar
Found a different bar and went to club
Suppose to be home by 230.. Home by 6:45...
Leaving the Bud
I've never felt so upset leaving a group of people. I wanted to cry, but tough girl said hold your shit together Katie! Today was the day that Tomas and I took our night train excursion to Slit and had to leave our amazing friends behind. Not only did I absolutely adore Budapest, but the fact that I made a group of friends that really made me cry when I had to say goodbye made it that much harder to move on. Every person was at the hostel to say good bye to me.. Partially because I told them they HAD to be back so I could see them and I'm hoping also because they will equally miss me as well. Even sitting on the train when I'm thinking about D, Figs, Layla, Nnick, Laurence, Ivan, Andre, and Daan, I keep tearing up!
I'm ridiculous.
I could not have had a more amazing time in Budapest and would never trade it for the world.
Inside jokes, constant laughing, drinking games, walking around for hours, being the best wing woman ever (they will back me up on this), making breakfast together after staying out till the sun came up, family dinners, selfies galore,ogling over attractive people, dancing, and so many more experiences that make this trip worth while.
These people became my family in a matter of hours and for the next 4 days we just became as close as ever, blows my mind.
I could make this post longer than anyone would care to even begin to read, filling it with how I first got to the hostel seeing these three attractive men struggle at opening the door and me scurrying to get there to make conversation and then inviting myself out with them, to my last day when I laid on top of Ivan to wake him up from his nap so we could say our good byes and scaring him half to death to the point where he screamed and did this weird flailing motion with his hands. I miss them, and I will continue to miss them all until I see each and every one of them again!
I truly believe that the people you come in contact with have something to share with you to enrich your life beyond your realization sometimes. Telling you things about yourself that raises your confidence in every way that you never thought people would think about you. Being able to be yourself around strangers with out a care and having them adore you just the way you are as you adore them in the same way. I've learned so much from these people and without them my trip would not have been the same. There are people who you are just meant to meet in your life, and I was meant to meet these amazing, funny, spectacular people.
I now have friends that I WILL visit in Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, and the states. I can hardly wait to plane my trip to see them all. Life long friends.
As for Budapest itself, its amazing, gorgeous and had everything I needed. Relaxed or exciting nightlife, amazing people, out door activities, great food, amazing architecture, charming shops, and lovely weather!
The hot baths were so nice to just go relax with everyone. Taking a whole day just being in the water and laying in the sun. Taking pictures in the water, thanks to my lovely purchase of a waterproof phone case. Then hiking up to get a gorgeous panoramic view of Budapest. Nothing better!
(I'm still having a hard time keeping it together while I write this post reminiscing on everything that I was blessed to have happen, the people I met and the memories ill have forever, along with friends on this 14 hour train ride.)
1..
I got to my hostel finally and just from the 10 minutes I walked from metro to hostel it was awesome. Im in love with the Pest!
When I got to my hostel, I saw three gentlemen struggling with the door code to get in so, like a moth to a flame, I walked a little faster to stand with the Dutch boys to get in. Introduced myself and we all eventually got up the stairs.
2..
When we got up the stairs we were greeted by wonderful Monica who worked at the front desk and we set our bags down and mingled a bit.
And then Monica brought us out some shots....
Once we were all acquainted and checked in there was the faint whispers of people wanting to go out... I have not gone to a party party my whole trip so far, especially not after I just arrived that day. BUT I though, I need to hang out with these nice looking fellas and I should probably go out out at least once. So for some reason I chose this pool party event that everyone was going too...
Realizing I was going to a swim party.... I ran to shave my legs, as it had been a couple weeks and I was looking very European... Gonna fully try to rock the ice cream gut I accumulated the past month and a half as well....
So lets see if I can remember all the guys names I was now hanging out with at this point:
Laurence
Dan
Ivan
Andre
Nick
Tomas (American)
Steven
and then later came Fiachra and his sister D
First stop was food.
After that, I was trying to decide if I was really excited, or super grossed out that I was about to be in a kind of giant hot tub full of way too many people. Soaking like a stew, a mixture of people, mostly men anyway, drunk and I'm sure peeing in the pool, drinks spilled and limes floating around....
I don't like to drink to get smashed cause I like to be productive the next day, so rest assured family that I did not drink a lot, my mind was sound and the group of men knew I was a strong feisty spit fire who would throw a punch if i needed too. I made sure they knew this. But it also made me realize how being with a group of people who are so fun and amazing will make a situations a billion times better.
All in all, it was a fantastic night, fun and safe, but now I'm excited to have some days to see the city and enjoy Budapest even more!!
THE NEXT DAY!
Spent touring myself around and having a great time. Met back up with my fellas and lady to do it all again!
that night we all went to the club Instint and had a fantastic time. I told everyone I was going running the next morning, and they didn't believe me. Till I did!
Went on a fabulous run around Budapest, saw all sorts of stuff and felt so great afterwards. To make the day even better we all went to the hot baths for the rest of the day! Just relaxin all cool, shootin some bball outside of the school.. Just kidding, got carried away. Laid around all day so we were ready to go out again that night!!
Whole day at the baths
Saw Layla from Vienna randomly
Saw couple from Brussels randomly
Walked for hours trying to find a bar
Found a different bar and went to club
Suppose to be home by 230.. Home by 6:45...
I've never felt so upset leaving a group of people. I wanted to cry, but tough girl said hold your shit together Katie! Today was the day that Tomas and I took our night train excursion to Slit and had to leave our amazing friends behind. Not only did I absolutely adore Budapest, but the fact that I made a group of friends that really made me cry when I had to say goodbye made it that much harder to move on. Every person was at the hostel to say good bye to me.. Partially because I told them they HAD to be back so I could see them and I'm hoping also because they will equally miss me as well. Even sitting on the train when I'm thinking about D, Figs, Layla, Nnick, Laurence, Ivan, Andre, and Daan, I keep tearing up!
Inside jokes, constant laughing, drinking games, walking around for hours, being the best wing woman ever (they will back me up on this), making breakfast together after staying out till the sun came up, family dinners, selfies galore,ogling over attractive people, dancing, and so many more experiences that make this trip worth while.
I could make this post longer than anyone would care to even begin to read, filling it with how I first got to the hostel seeing these three attractive men struggle at opening the door and me scurrying to get there to make conversation and then inviting myself out with them, to my last day when I laid on top of Ivan to wake him up from his nap so we could say our good byes and scaring him half to death to the point where he screamed and did this weird flailing motion with his hands. I miss them, and I will continue to miss them all until I see each and every one of them again!
I truly believe that the people you come in contact with have something to share with you to enrich your life beyond your realization sometimes. Telling you things about yourself that raises your confidence in every way that you never thought people would think about you. Being able to be yourself around strangers with out a care and having them adore you just the way you are as you adore them in the same way. I've learned so much from these people and without them my trip would not have been the same. There are people who you are just meant to meet in your life, and I was meant to meet these amazing, funny, spectacular people.
Saturday 1 August 2015
The Pest first impression
Arrived in Budapest to gorgeous beautiful sunny weather. Got on the metro and headed towards my hostel. I met a lovely kiwi couple (couple from new Zealand) who will also be going to Croatia the same day as me, so we exchanged info and hopefully will get together once were all there.
I got to my hostel finally and just from the 10 minutes I walked from metro to hostel it was awesome. I'm in love with the Pest!
When I got to my hostel, I saw three gentlemen struggling with the door code to get in so, like a moth to a flame, I walked a little faster to stand with the Dutch boys to get in. Introduced myself and we all eventually got up the stairs.
When we got up the stairs we were greeted by wonderful Monica who worked at the front desk and we set our bags down and mingled a bit.
And then Monica brought us out some shots....
Once we were all acquainted and checked in there was the faint whispers of people wanting to go out... I have not gone to a party party my whole trip so far, especially not after I just arrived that day. BUT I thought, I need to hang out with these nice looking fellas and I should probably go out out at least once. So for some reason I chose this pool party event that everyone was going too...
Realizing I was going to a swim party.... I ran to shave my legs, as it had been a couple weeks and i was looking very European... Gonna fully try to rock the ice cream gut I accumulated the past month and a half as well....
So lets see if I can remember all the guys names I was now hanging out with at this point:
Laurence
Dan
Ivan
Andre
Nick
Tomas (American)
Steven
and then later came Fiachra and his sister D (because I forgot her full name so we all called her D)
First stop was food.
After that, I was trying to decide if I was really excited, or super grossed out that I was about to be in a kind of giant hot tub full of way too many people. Soaking like a stew, a mixture of people, mostly men anyway, drunk and I'm sure peeing in the pool, drinks spilled and limes floating around....
It was fun.. However. It made me realize how much of a big party person I am NOT!
I don't like to drink to get smashed cause I like to be productive the next day, so rest assured family that I did not drink a lot, my mind was sound and the group of men knew I was a strong feisty spit fire who would throw a punch if i needed too. I made sure they knew this.
All in all, it was a fantastic night, fun and safe, but now I'm excited to have some days to see the city and enjoy Budapest even more!!
To Laugh or Gag
For those who don't know our dog jack. He's a scrappy grey little mutt who always gets mats... Everywhere... Literally, if he isn't shaved he's a giant mat.
Mats remind me of dreadlocks...
Jack has a particular dread lock (the infamous dreadcock) that hangs from his dog penis...
One time, I even very, tediously cut the dreadcock off, and it was about an inch off...
Dreadlocks are very popular in Europe (along with half shaved heads... Weirdos)
Lets bring this string of thoughts full circle, shall we:
Every time I see a person with dreadlocks it reminds me, very vividly of Jacks dreadcock...the girl in front of me on the bus is really grossing me out. She's a dirty blonde noggin full of mats that reminds me of a golden retriever. I would love nothing more than to take some clippers and clean er up a bit, nice and fresh. I imagine it would feel nice for the summer. At least that's how the dogs feel when they have their mats shaved.
Enjoy the visuals of my scaring thoughts about dreadlocks (thumbs ups *wink*)
Friday 31 July 2015
A Couple Nights in Austria
Opera house
Spanish riding school/michaelerplatz
St. Stephens cathedral
Schronbrunn palace
Zanoni Eissalon Garda (best ice cream, conveniently placed across the street from my hostel)
And of course I had some schnitzel!
Budapest is only a 2 hour bus from Vienna! Score! Shortest bus to a different country I've taken so far!!
Wednesday 29 July 2015
Sbohem Praha
Coming to the ending hours of my time in Prague and its been so nice!
Ashley and I have been sick, almost the whole time we've been here, and although we've been sluggish and groggy, we have made the best of our time here.
The first day was just me walking around and getting a bit familiar with the city a bit, and relaxing., while the second day was meant to be very productive, but due to not feeling well, we ended up just walking around quite a bit, coming back to the hostile and relaxing, and then inviting two other girls out to dinner.
After dinner we walked across the Charles bridge and got some great views at night with the lights and the music people were playing along the sides. It was magical.
Today Ash and I thought we would have a very productive day, and we definitely did. We started out walking to the John Lennon graffiti wall to take pictures, and then went and got hot chocolate at the Choco cafe. Now, when I said hot chocolate, it literally was chocolate melted into a cup.. And then of course I made sure I got mine with a scoop of ice cream in it. So thick you need to eat it with a spoon!
After a small heart attack, followed by high blood sugar, and maybe some diabetes, we walked around to run some errands before heading to the monastery up on the hill that over looks the city, so we could have some lunch. We both got these really yummy pizzas that were definitely able to feed two people per one pizza, but now we have our dinner as well ;) (THUMBS UP!)
We then... Get ready for this!.... Went to a Thai massage place and had fish eat the dead skin off our feet!! It was so ticklish and weird, and then when you finally got use to the feeling, it just felt like bubbles were on your feet. Weirdest thing ever, but such a cool experience.
Tonight, to say good bye to each other, Ashley and I are going for drinks and dessert. Its very sad to say bye to Ash seeing as she's become such a dear friend of mine. However, she's planning on coming to the U.S. In December and staying with me for a bit, so I have something to look forward too. And who knows we may decide to meet up in another country in the future.. It will happen!
In total, it will have been a collective of 8days Ashley and I have spent together, and they have all been a blast!
Miss ya already Ash!
After a small heart attack, followed by high blood sugar, and maybe some diabetes, we walked around to run some errands before heading to the monastery up on the hill that over looks the city, so we could have some lunch. We both got these really yummy pizzas that were definitely able to feed two people per one pizza, but now we have our dinner as well ;) (THUMBS UP!)
Miss ya already Ash!
Monday 27 July 2015
happy happy joy joy
I always get these little thoughts, side notes, or pauses that just kind of pass through my head. Sometime in one ear and out the other and sometimes I keep thinking about them. So why not share them, because I can..
I've already jotted down the down falls, negative, upsetting, and Debbie downer side of things, so lets perk things up a bit with all the happy, positive, upbeat, fun thoughts I've had!
-I LOVE all the people I've met! Some good some bad, all sorts of personalities. Some that leave a bitter taste and some that I tear up when I have to leave! Every single one of them, however, makes me feel so lucky to have experience so many crazy, fun, strange, opinionated, know I all, funny, spiritual people! From all over the world!
-I can't wait for these people to visit me in the states! I always tell the people I like that if they are ever in Seattle to come stay with me!
- I may have an Australian room mate at one point! Ashley wants to come.to the states and maybe stay a while, and ill have an extra room when I move out sooooooo, ROOMIES!!
- The longer I travel, the more I love it. I know I said before that I felt like maybe this wasn't my passion, and maybe its not. BUT after I got over the hump of the negative, I really do love it! I can't wait to explore more places in the future. I think because it was so new and I've never been away from friends and family for so long that it was a bit of a news flash and shock.. SHOCK GONE! Yes I miss my family and friends, but I've pretty much talked to them everyday, Ana is always saying 'hiiiiiii teta!' When I'm on Skype with her (which, might I add, I'm so thankful.for Clare Dowd to be watching my favorite person! Ana is in such great hands and I couldn't be more happy that such a wonderful person is making sure that Ana is having fun and gets to see her teta on Skype. THANK YOU CLARE FOR BEING SO AMAZING!)
-When you hit a city that you fall in love with, it makes traveling that much better! If you don't like a city.. Guess what, SEE YA! I mean I always try to give every city a chance, but its nice to not have to stay there if I don't want to :D
-thank you to all the friends and family who have given me advice on where to stay, where to go and things to do. I may not have done them while I was in those countries, but I'm so thankful you guys are helping me out and giving me some tricks of the trade! (zuzu!)
-it will be interesting when I get home from this adventure. The world is my oyster!! (I never got that expression, sooo I'm gon a change it now) THE WORLD IS MY PLAYGROUND!
-I love talking to people, whether I become friends with them or its just a short little chat. I can always find out cool things to do, things I've never thought of doing.
happy Monday everyone!
I've already jotted down the down falls, negative, upsetting, and Debbie downer side of things, so lets perk things up a bit with all the happy, positive, upbeat, fun thoughts I've had!
-I LOVE all the people I've met! Some good some bad, all sorts of personalities. Some that leave a bitter taste and some that I tear up when I have to leave! Every single one of them, however, makes me feel so lucky to have experience so many crazy, fun, strange, opinionated, know I all, funny, spiritual people! From all over the world!
-I can't wait for these people to visit me in the states! I always tell the people I like that if they are ever in Seattle to come stay with me!
- I may have an Australian room mate at one point! Ashley wants to come.to the states and maybe stay a while, and ill have an extra room when I move out sooooooo, ROOMIES!!
- The longer I travel, the more I love it. I know I said before that I felt like maybe this wasn't my passion, and maybe its not. BUT after I got over the hump of the negative, I really do love it! I can't wait to explore more places in the future. I think because it was so new and I've never been away from friends and family for so long that it was a bit of a news flash and shock.. SHOCK GONE! Yes I miss my family and friends, but I've pretty much talked to them everyday, Ana is always saying 'hiiiiiii teta!' When I'm on Skype with her (which, might I add, I'm so thankful.for Clare Dowd to be watching my favorite person! Ana is in such great hands and I couldn't be more happy that such a wonderful person is making sure that Ana is having fun and gets to see her teta on Skype. THANK YOU CLARE FOR BEING SO AMAZING!)
-When you hit a city that you fall in love with, it makes traveling that much better! If you don't like a city.. Guess what, SEE YA! I mean I always try to give every city a chance, but its nice to not have to stay there if I don't want to :D
-thank you to all the friends and family who have given me advice on where to stay, where to go and things to do. I may not have done them while I was in those countries, but I'm so thankful you guys are helping me out and giving me some tricks of the trade! (zuzu!)
-it will be interesting when I get home from this adventure. The world is my oyster!! (I never got that expression, sooo I'm gon a change it now) THE WORLD IS MY PLAYGROUND!
-I love talking to people, whether I become friends with them or its just a short little chat. I can always find out cool things to do, things I've never thought of doing.
happy Monday everyone!
Sunday 26 July 2015
A Peak at Prague
Well I made it to Prague this afternoon!
I arrived by bus and my directions said I needed to take an underground and then a tram....
okay so first of all, the money here is SO confusing! And I thought this girl from a previous hostile had given me her left over money for Prague but I was wrong...
I had to pee so bad when I got off the bus, but you need money for that because God forbid you use the toilets for free in Europe! Well the lady manning the bathroom didn't speak English, but was very clear that I couldn't use the bathroom because I didn't have money, so I held it and thought, huh I'll get to my hostile pretty quick and then I'll go there...
An hour of trying to figure out what the cash machines say (they are not in English, nor did they give me the options) and what the ticket machines say (again not in English at all), God sent me a blonde haired angel in a blue shirt and big sunnies on her head!!! This girl heard me struggling and offered to help, noticing her accents I asked where she was from and she replied, South Carolina.
I already forgot her name and feel like such an ass cause she was amazing. But she had been in Prague for school for 9 weeks and was headed home and had come to the station to get a train ticket to the airport for the next day. Just my luck!!
So this magnificent human being helped with the cash machine, helped me with my ticket (only after we ran around trying to get change for the 2000 paper bill of korunas- and no that's not mistyped) I was so thankful I bought her 2$ train ticket for her!
she gave me some tricks of the trade for Prague and off I went to catch my train and my tram.
After a LONGGGGG while, I made it to hostel Santini Prague and its so cute. Almost like a hotel but just slightly not as nice. Still very nice though. Got settled, and walked around the city for a little while.
First things first, I kept seeing people with these sugary treats that were like a tube, so my first step out the door was to find them and buy one... And ill probably get one everyday till I leave :D
I'm VERY happy I'm in Prague, this place is so cute and I love it. Cobblestone roads, tons of shops and venders, beautiful architecture, water where you can rent paddle boats and such. Its lively and just my kind of place! Can't wait for these next four nights
I then had a lovely evening with two of my girl rookies! We went out to dinner and had a great time and amazing food! Prague is going well so far.
Bye Bye Berlin
My last day in Berlin was pretty laid back. Since Ashley and I had walked so much the previous day, we were still kind of beat.
I moseyed through the morning, talked to some girls from Vegas, a handsome guy from DC ;) and headed to Ashley's hostile around noon. We actually stayed at her hostile for a while because we both had to figure out our next travel moves and she had a computer and good wifi. I got my place in Prague booked and my bus ticket ready to go and we decided to head out for our day.
We walked to the cathedral we saw the previous day and decided to head in and check it out. It was gorgeous. They had a wedding going on at the same time which was weird cause if I was the bride I would be a bit pissy if tourists were being so loud while I was trying to say some vows...we headed down to the crypt and then up to the top to get a fantastic view of Berlin. 200 and something stairs later, we were not disappointed.
We ventured over to the chocolate shop where you can create your own personalized chocolate and made some concoctions for gifts for our family and while we waited for them to cool and be ready to take home our stomachs once again told us we need to feed.
Mission: FIND CURRYWURST!
Mission accomplished! We found a great place by Checkpoint Charlie, and our bellies thanked us. And I will add that it was fantastic. Usually just the word 'curry' makes me think of diarrhea, I don't even know why, nonetheless I was gonna give it a try.. Sooo good!!
**
After our lunch we had AMAZING ice cream from the Woop Woop truck! All fresh ingredients put in and then turned into ice cream with liquid nitrogen! I had mint/lime (sounds weird but it was very refreshing with mint leaves and fresh line juice, and Ashley had strawberry cheesecake... Both were amazing)
After that we did some.shopping for stuff that we 'needed', tanks, rompers, stupid hats, ya know the usually things that girls need. (we did not buy a stupid hat, but it was funny to try it on!)
After that we were so exhausted that we went back to her hostile and just relaxes, took a load off. Ashley napped and I blogged for a bit to catch up. Then we just went to the store and bought some salads for dinner, had a romantic dinner from our plastic containers and I headed back to my hostile.
All around thought of Berlin:
the city is really dirty. Graffiti, and cigarette butts EVERYWHERE. also lots of broken beer bottles and bottle caps litter the city. Now not every part of the city is like this but a lot of places we went to were pretty gross. Obviously the touristy parts aren't as bad, but a lot of places that I saw were pretty dirty, especially by my hostile. Berlin, is nice when you hit the tourist spots, grungy and dirty in other parts. Will I go back? Maybe, but not a high priority.
I moseyed through the morning, talked to some girls from Vegas, a handsome guy from DC ;) and headed to Ashley's hostile around noon. We actually stayed at her hostile for a while because we both had to figure out our next travel moves and she had a computer and good wifi. I got my place in Prague booked and my bus ticket ready to go and we decided to head out for our day.
We ventured over to the chocolate shop where you can create your own personalized chocolate and made some concoctions for gifts for our family and while we waited for them to cool and be ready to take home our stomachs once again told us we need to feed.
Mission: FIND CURRYWURST!
Mission accomplished! We found a great place by Checkpoint Charlie, and our bellies thanked us. And I will add that it was fantastic. Usually just the word 'curry' makes me think of diarrhea, I don't even know why, nonetheless I was gonna give it a try.. Sooo good!!
**
After that we did some.shopping for stuff that we 'needed', tanks, rompers, stupid hats, ya know the usually things that girls need. (we did not buy a stupid hat, but it was funny to try it on!)
All around thought of Berlin:
the city is really dirty. Graffiti, and cigarette butts EVERYWHERE. also lots of broken beer bottles and bottle caps litter the city. Now not every part of the city is like this but a lot of places we went to were pretty gross. Obviously the touristy parts aren't as bad, but a lot of places that I saw were pretty dirty, especially by my hostile. Berlin, is nice when you hit the tourist spots, grungy and dirty in other parts. Will I go back? Maybe, but not a high priority.
Saturday 25 July 2015
My first full day in Berlin was just that.. a FULL day.
Obviously I met up with my buddy Ashley, who I met in Brussels, and we had a jammed pack plan for taking on Berlin.
First things first we both had to get on the train and meet in the middle of our hostels because we were about 30 minutes away. Thanks Jesus for the train.
Once we met up, we got back on the train and head to a bike rental place, which we ended up finding a super cheap one run by an old Asian couple that had a store that basically looked like they were trying to sell all their old junk... at discount prices...
We got our bikes, and because Ashley had gone on the bike tour the day before, she was now my tour guide. Lucky for me she wanted to do everything again because on the bike tour they didn't have time to stop and take pictures.
Our first short stop was to the oldest church in Berlin, grant it everything here is very old, but because it was all destroyed in one way or another, its all been rebuilt, or fixed. We stopped and looked at the church and then we stopped and fumbled around the big fountain there as well, while also getting a great view of the TV tour. All sites in a little triangle of the same area so you just have to basically turn and snap a photo, turn and snap. 
We rode on and sat with some big fellas, and rode on some more to Museum Island. There they had the most beautiful cathedral, which we decided to venture in the following day, and the Altes Museum.
So we rode and rode some more until we came to the hotel where Michael Jackson held his baby, Blanket, over the balcony! member that?! and people went nuts.. but also we saw Brandenburg gate which was really cool! We snapped some pictures, people watched for a brief moment, watching people blow giant bubbles and the horse carriages go by, the people on the bike tours, and all sorts of characters walking around. Then we hopped on our noble steeds and headed off!
Rode to Reichstag, where they dome on top is transparent to show that they people of the transparency in government and a way to show that the government didn't want to hide things from the people.
We took a water break and stalked up before we scampered off again to go see the astonishing memorial for the murdered Jews. This memorial was HUGE. made up of 2,711 solid concrete bricks all different sizes, it was like a labyrinth walking though. Absolutely amazing. Ashley and i were taking photos and just felt bad smiling in them because it was such a heart breaking thing to be around, knowing that millions of Jews died for being in the sites of a delusional psychopath.
On a more upbeat note, we then stopped at Check point Charlie! you had to pay to take pictures, so I just decided to stand on the side and take one... just as good in my book!
grumble grumble... that's the sound our stomachs made and we decided that we needed to stop at Lidl, my favorite, super cheap grocery store, and grab some salami, cheese, rolls, pre-made salad, chips and lollies (that's what these weird Aussies call any kind of candy, except chocolate, that's just chocolate.) and some canned wine to spice our our magnificent picnic we were going to have in the park.
We rode around for a bit trying to find the perfect spot in the park, of which people liked to nude sun bathe... and for some reason it was only men that did that.... FREE WILLIES! (i feel like maybe someone already destroyed the lovely whale movie title and made a porno out of it now that i decided to use that name.. yuck.)
We finished and got back on our bikes and rode to the Victory column, the Berlin Wall, was held ever so lovingly by a bear and then stopped by a really eerie spot. The spot where Hitlers bunker was found.
When they found Hitlers bunker, they found all the bodies inside. They all took cyanide in the bunker to commit suicide, and even the kids! Their mother thought that her children would be better off dead than live in a world without Hitler. How insane and brainwashed!!! after that when they found the bunker they attempted to blow it up, but the bunker was so strong that when they tried, the roof of the bunker lifted a bit and then fell back down, not damaging a thing! Because they it was pretty indestructible, they decided to simply take the roof off, fill it up and turn it into a parking lot. so really there is just a gravel small parking lot there now, but the bunker stills lives underneath it all... freaky.
Lastly we rode back to the square where they had a street market, got some ice cream and sat by the fountain and called it a day.. a very very long, exhausting, sun filled day that i would trade for the world..
As far as if I like Berlin? its okay.... much too spread out for me. I really like being able to walk everywhere and have lots of little markets and nice things like that. I love the history, as horrifying as it is, and the beautiful architecture, but I don't know that I would make this a main place to stop in the future.
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