Thursday, May 24, 2007
Whirland wind of 3 days...
So, we are completing our third day in Europe and it already seems as though we've been here 3 months. We had slept a grand total of about 7 hours in the last three days. Talk about some jet lag. We just couldn't catch a break, until now. We arrived in Poland this morning around 6:30, and after some wandering around and bagels, we were able to find a really nice hostel that would let us leave our luggage use the internet for free. Luckily were were able to get our beds early and then planning to get up in two hours and go to auschwitz, we all ended up sleeping our best 7 hours of our life. So now its 5pm here and Im not quiet sure what were will be doing tonite... k, well the battery is dying, so gotta go.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Closer with every passing moment...
So Ash, Kayla and I were able to nail down some plans via phone until my cell died, then email. We purchased tickets on the May 23 to Salzburg where were are going to "start" our journey, and we were also able to snag tickets from Madrid to Casablanca, Morroco on June 22. We will finally return to london on the 26 from Fez, Morroco. I am definately super excited to go to Morroco. I have been to Africa before, but there is something about Morroco that seems so different. I am interested in witnessing the Islamic culture. I have never been to a country where Islam is dominate.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
wiping off the dust....
Alright well I am gearing up to travel again, so I thought I would dust off the blog and use it once more. I will be completing my last leg on my world tour (sounds weird but I guess its true... after this summer the only continents I will not have been to will be Antarctica and Australia--- but I am sure I can knock those ones down with time). EUROPE. seems odd that I have not been there yet. I obviously am very excited to go but am not looking forward to being very broke when I return :-( But that is what credit cards are for ;-)
So here's the game plan: my little sister,Kayla, and my best friend, Ashley, will be boarding a plane in Chicago on May 21st and fly nonstop to London. On June 28th will do the same but in opposite order. What happens in between is any one's guess, but all the adventure.
So here's the game plan: my little sister,Kayla, and my best friend, Ashley, will be boarding a plane in Chicago on May 21st and fly nonstop to London. On June 28th will do the same but in opposite order. What happens in between is any one's guess, but all the adventure.
Friday, April 28, 2006
All the decorations are off the wall: the birthday card, Valentines, and Easter cards mostly from my loving sister, aunt, Daun, and grandma (nothing from my parents or boyfriend… hmm….). The world map with all of the destinations and progress is gone. No more photos. It is a very eerie feeling to walk into my small dungeon of a room, suitcases everywhere and nothing on the walls. It is sad to say the least.
I was trying to organize some video picks and photos on my overloaded computer when I came across an email that I had saved but never read from my sister. She was talking about graduating from high school and said “I am trying not to cry that it is over but smiled that it happened.” And that is exactly how I feel right now. I am not sad to be leaving but I am very glad that I came on this trip. I know that the things that I learned and experienced for the past 98 days would have far surpassed anything I could have done at home.
When I hear people talk about how sad they are, that’s when I get sad… but for the most part I am not. I am content that I spent the last 98 days circumference the globe. All good things must come to end and the end is almost here. And I am a better person for it.
Thanks for everyone who emailed me and encouraged me to keep writing my blog… it was the only way that I kept at it and used my precious internet minutes to do it! I hope that everyone enjoyed it. Feel free to leave more comments and make my day. I will try to update my blog again when I get off the ship and back home.
I was trying to organize some video picks and photos on my overloaded computer when I came across an email that I had saved but never read from my sister. She was talking about graduating from high school and said “I am trying not to cry that it is over but smiled that it happened.” And that is exactly how I feel right now. I am not sad to be leaving but I am very glad that I came on this trip. I know that the things that I learned and experienced for the past 98 days would have far surpassed anything I could have done at home.
When I hear people talk about how sad they are, that’s when I get sad… but for the most part I am not. I am content that I spent the last 98 days circumference the globe. All good things must come to end and the end is almost here. And I am a better person for it.
Thanks for everyone who emailed me and encouraged me to keep writing my blog… it was the only way that I kept at it and used my precious internet minutes to do it! I hope that everyone enjoyed it. Feel free to leave more comments and make my day. I will try to update my blog again when I get off the ship and back home.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
So its been awhile....
Here is what has been happening since Japan. Once Jesse and I spilt an $80 Kobe steak (which was absolutely phenomenal) we headed to the grocery store to stock up on edible food correctly foreseeing that the ship food would go from bad to absolutely disgusting on our two week ride home.
Once on the ship I tried not to think about the two weeks that layed ahead. I had three 10-page papers and five 2-page papers to write within 3 days so I was kept very busy. Besides that I had the global studies exam and another final on the last day of regular class. Unfortunately, I did really bad on both. I don’t know what happened with the GS exam but the theater exam was absolutely ridiculous and I am kicking myself that I didn’t drop the class. I have never ever experienced had so a poor teacher in my life. She is a very talented actor/director but cannot teach to save her life….and her tests are even worse. It was a very frustrating class but I am sure I passed and sometimes that’s all you can ask for.
During this time we had the ambassador’s ball which was a lovely event. The price was $20 but for that I actually got some good, edible food including smoked salmon, a garden salad, soup, and a good steak. Then there was a huge desert bar and I mean gargantuous. The deserts all looked good, but not all of them tasted that way (as with many of the things on the ship). I had some homemade chocolate and chocolate bar and that was my favorite part(… sigh… ) then we headed to the dance for a little while and had a good time.
An on ship service organization put on a silent and live auction and sold a whole bunch of cool items. Some kids spent hundreds and thousands of dollars on stuff… My favorite items included a week stay on the England coast for $2500ish, a map that was signed by the crew and had our cordinances plotted $400ish, and to raise the flag in San Diego went for hundreds of dollars also… ridiculous! I wish I was rich… no actually I don’t because then I would have overpaid for highly unnecessary items. Needless to say I didn’t buy (wasn’t able to afford) anything.
Moving to the present: I had two finals yesterday (which I feel I did good on) and one tomorrow and then I am done. I packed almost all of my unnecessary items last night and it felt great to unclutter my room but I have no idea how I am going to get all of this stuff home! Tonight is our last BBQ nights (the only time I get to have a hamburger without paying for it!) and I have a little more studying to do. But tomorrow will be spent basking in the sun and chill-axing.
Once on the ship I tried not to think about the two weeks that layed ahead. I had three 10-page papers and five 2-page papers to write within 3 days so I was kept very busy. Besides that I had the global studies exam and another final on the last day of regular class. Unfortunately, I did really bad on both. I don’t know what happened with the GS exam but the theater exam was absolutely ridiculous and I am kicking myself that I didn’t drop the class. I have never ever experienced had so a poor teacher in my life. She is a very talented actor/director but cannot teach to save her life….and her tests are even worse. It was a very frustrating class but I am sure I passed and sometimes that’s all you can ask for.
During this time we had the ambassador’s ball which was a lovely event. The price was $20 but for that I actually got some good, edible food including smoked salmon, a garden salad, soup, and a good steak. Then there was a huge desert bar and I mean gargantuous. The deserts all looked good, but not all of them tasted that way (as with many of the things on the ship). I had some homemade chocolate and chocolate bar and that was my favorite part(… sigh… ) then we headed to the dance for a little while and had a good time.
An on ship service organization put on a silent and live auction and sold a whole bunch of cool items. Some kids spent hundreds and thousands of dollars on stuff… My favorite items included a week stay on the England coast for $2500ish, a map that was signed by the crew and had our cordinances plotted $400ish, and to raise the flag in San Diego went for hundreds of dollars also… ridiculous! I wish I was rich… no actually I don’t because then I would have overpaid for highly unnecessary items. Needless to say I didn’t buy (wasn’t able to afford) anything.
Moving to the present: I had two finals yesterday (which I feel I did good on) and one tomorrow and then I am done. I packed almost all of my unnecessary items last night and it felt great to unclutter my room but I have no idea how I am going to get all of this stuff home! Tonight is our last BBQ nights (the only time I get to have a hamburger without paying for it!) and I have a little more studying to do. But tomorrow will be spent basking in the sun and chill-axing.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Kon nishi wa!
Hey everybody! I am leaving Japan today... I wish I could say that I didn:t want to go but I sure am ready. I found Japan while unique rather unineteresting. The people are nice but very shy and quiet. There is never anything going on in the streets and it seems most entertainment you have to pay for. Japan is a very, very expensive country, much more expensive then the states. I spent 3 days walking around by myself and it was just really boring. There are few people to observe and for once people didn`t take much notice of me. Not once did anyone stare or the men take second glances... It was nice not to be bothered but at the same time it seemed that I was just as uninteresting to them as they were to me.
I wasn`t able to go to Hiroshima b/c I double booked myself the day and wasn`t able to sell my ticket (I would have had to pay antoher $100 to go on a different day b/c SAS wouldn`t let me use my old ticket) I did get to experience some Noh theater. All the characters were played by men. The women characters were played bt big sumo wrestler type men with big burley, baratone voices. The movements were very slow and symbolic. We were given a headset and were able to watch the performance while someone translated the play. Thank god, because I never would have understood half the stuff.
Much like the states there are mini marts everywhere, but these ones sell sushi. I have eaten 7-11 sushi many times now and its incredible!
I went to a baseball game yesterday. It reminded me of a high school football game. The crowd brings musical instruments, clappers, banners and flags. It was cool but it was really cold so we left after a few innings.
And that is about my entire time in Japan. Its a very nice place but I think I would only come back on business- never to vacation. Today I am planning to take Jesse to the 100￥(yen) store... which is equivalent to a dollar store in the us. I went a couple of days ago and spent $30 but I want to pick up some more chopsticks. Then we need to go to a cigar shop (buy some cubans), the grocery store (two weeks of ship food ahead... yuck!) and finish our stay in Kobe at a steakhouse, partaking in a wonderful Kobe beef stake!
I wasn`t able to go to Hiroshima b/c I double booked myself the day and wasn`t able to sell my ticket (I would have had to pay antoher $100 to go on a different day b/c SAS wouldn`t let me use my old ticket) I did get to experience some Noh theater. All the characters were played by men. The women characters were played bt big sumo wrestler type men with big burley, baratone voices. The movements were very slow and symbolic. We were given a headset and were able to watch the performance while someone translated the play. Thank god, because I never would have understood half the stuff.
Much like the states there are mini marts everywhere, but these ones sell sushi. I have eaten 7-11 sushi many times now and its incredible!
I went to a baseball game yesterday. It reminded me of a high school football game. The crowd brings musical instruments, clappers, banners and flags. It was cool but it was really cold so we left after a few innings.
And that is about my entire time in Japan. Its a very nice place but I think I would only come back on business- never to vacation. Today I am planning to take Jesse to the 100￥(yen) store... which is equivalent to a dollar store in the us. I went a couple of days ago and spent $30 but I want to pick up some more chopsticks. Then we need to go to a cigar shop (buy some cubans), the grocery store (two weeks of ship food ahead... yuck!) and finish our stay in Kobe at a steakhouse, partaking in a wonderful Kobe beef stake!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Hong Kong Revisited... China begun
Hong Kong was a mecca for shopping… stores I has only read about in magazines littered the most common malls and streets. Every street was like walking down 5th avenue. Most everthing was so expensive! I found lots of knock off stuff for a good price however. Come nightfall Jesse and I headed over to HK island to check out the nightlife. What we found was a street filled with restaurant/bars, many strip clubs and a few clubs. The two clubs we went to were of the same demography: 90% Chinese women, 5% white businessmen, 5% other (white females and Chinese men). It was absolutely disgusting to watch the Chinese women pursue with the “rich foreigners”, while the men picked out which one they’d be taking home that night. One thing is for sure after seeing what I saw in those bars is I will never ever let my husband go to HK on business. Ever.
I flew out of HK the next morning to Beijing with my SAS university trip. My group was really small (30 people) compared to the other university trips (70people). The three hour flight was spent catching up on sleep from the night before. On the way to the hotel, I couldn’t get over the fact that I was actually in fact in china!! Never in a million years would I have ever pictured myself in china. I remember being little and being told of the persecuted Christians, the “Bible smuggling,” and other atrocities committed by the communists in China. I just couldn’t believe that I had made it to China. We passed by the national stadium being built and for once I felt really proud of myself for coming on this trip. My admission essay had been on the topic of china and its excitement and preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics. And here I was… witnessing it all! How cool to see my essay unfold before my eyes. In the afternoon we met with the university students. My student’s English name was Camby. She was nice girl who was originally from the Chinese countryside. I learned a lot of China and its people from talking with her as she gave me a tour around The University of International Business and Economics. I had a really good time. The next day we all headed to the Great Wall. It was spectacular to see the wall weave its way through the mountains and countryside. It was so cold that day that I ended up buying a huge fox fur hat… which made the coldness slightly more bearable. After two hours at the great wall everyone was pretty chilled and ready to go. Our next stop was the silk market where we had to bargain down the price of everything by more then 90%. It was so ridiculous and tiring. I was looking at an abercromie zip up hoodie (since it was so cold!) and the saleslady tried selling it to me for $120 b/c she said it sold in the US for over $160. I laughed… and after attempting to walk our of her shop numerous times she finally gave it up for $20 (still more then I think I should have paid for it…) The next day we visited Tianan Square, Mao’s Body, and the Forbidden City. It was so cold that I barely made an effort to culture myself once it started rain, hailing, sleeting and then snowing. By the time I was in the Forbidden City I was drenched and I headed straight to the Starbucks inside…the ultimate symbol of globalization….Later that afternoon we went to the summer palace. The palace was very beautiful although our visit was quick.
.... Alright that is all I have for now... the ship has been pitching for the last two days which has made anything but napping impossible. I am so exhausted! I am sitting in a internet in Kobe and the weather is so nasty out right... I am just not feeling Japan right now.... But anyway I hope the weather clears and the sun comes out!
I flew out of HK the next morning to Beijing with my SAS university trip. My group was really small (30 people) compared to the other university trips (70people). The three hour flight was spent catching up on sleep from the night before. On the way to the hotel, I couldn’t get over the fact that I was actually in fact in china!! Never in a million years would I have ever pictured myself in china. I remember being little and being told of the persecuted Christians, the “Bible smuggling,” and other atrocities committed by the communists in China. I just couldn’t believe that I had made it to China. We passed by the national stadium being built and for once I felt really proud of myself for coming on this trip. My admission essay had been on the topic of china and its excitement and preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics. And here I was… witnessing it all! How cool to see my essay unfold before my eyes. In the afternoon we met with the university students. My student’s English name was Camby. She was nice girl who was originally from the Chinese countryside. I learned a lot of China and its people from talking with her as she gave me a tour around The University of International Business and Economics. I had a really good time. The next day we all headed to the Great Wall. It was spectacular to see the wall weave its way through the mountains and countryside. It was so cold that day that I ended up buying a huge fox fur hat… which made the coldness slightly more bearable. After two hours at the great wall everyone was pretty chilled and ready to go. Our next stop was the silk market where we had to bargain down the price of everything by more then 90%. It was so ridiculous and tiring. I was looking at an abercromie zip up hoodie (since it was so cold!) and the saleslady tried selling it to me for $120 b/c she said it sold in the US for over $160. I laughed… and after attempting to walk our of her shop numerous times she finally gave it up for $20 (still more then I think I should have paid for it…) The next day we visited Tianan Square, Mao’s Body, and the Forbidden City. It was so cold that I barely made an effort to culture myself once it started rain, hailing, sleeting and then snowing. By the time I was in the Forbidden City I was drenched and I headed straight to the Starbucks inside…the ultimate symbol of globalization….Later that afternoon we went to the summer palace. The palace was very beautiful although our visit was quick.
.... Alright that is all I have for now... the ship has been pitching for the last two days which has made anything but napping impossible. I am so exhausted! I am sitting in a internet in Kobe and the weather is so nasty out right... I am just not feeling Japan right now.... But anyway I hope the weather clears and the sun comes out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)