The Longest Post Ever

Hello all, it’s finally April and I couldn't be happier.

I’m here to finally talk about my whirlwind trip in March, mostly to avoid doing what I will probably spend the next 4 weeks doing: writing and rewriting my resume and CV as I apply for what feels like a million jobs that I am overwhelmingly under-qualified for. So this will be a much needed distraction.

Here’s what I am going to do: I am going to post my favorite photos and talk about my favorite stories/parts of the trip rather than give some boring play-by-play (also if you have already seen these pictures on Facebook then whatever, deal with it. Also I am probably going to stop posting photos to Facebook soon anyway; it’s too time consuming and nobody actually looks at them and the picture quality is shit).

Amsterdam

Even though a canal tour may be a clichéd touristy thing to do, I still loved it, and not just because it was a great way to get out of the shitty weather that we had in Amsterdam. You get to float around in a boat, see the city from a new angle, and learn a bit of the city’s history, all while sitting on your ass.

We also saw a more…unique aspect of Amsterdam. My friend wanted to check out the Old Church, so we headed there not knowing that it is smack dab in the middle of the red light district. As if that wasn't disconcerting enough, this particular church had an art installation that at best can be described as…trippy. I’ve got no explanation for any of the things that I saw that morning.

And last but not least the Albert Cuyp Market. Let it be known: I am a market fiend. I love ‘em. You can buy food, souvenirs, clothing, etc., and if you’re feeling brave you can haggle with people (I was not feeling brave, as I do not speak a word of Dutch and it has to be one of the weirdest languages I have ever encountered). I personally purchased Matcha tea, Rum and Coke tea (delicious, in case anyone was wondering. I have yet to put actual rum in it, but it will happen), and a purple ring that I am currently obsessed with (anyone who has ever traveled with me knows that rings are my thing; I like souvenirs that you can wear and look at all the time to remind you of your adventures). (also while we were at said market the weather suddenly went from okay-by-Amsterdam-standards to fucking-hailing-like-it-was-the-end-of-the-world. Moral of the story? I don’t have one. Carry an umbrella maybe)

Brussels

Brussels was my first experience with Airbnb, and I have to say it really set the bar high. Our hosts had a centrally located apartment, tea, a fantastic sense of humor and great suggestions for restaurants (they sent us to an amazing Lebanese place where I had quite possibly the best hummus I’ve ever had in my life), and, most importantly, a dog that I immediately befriended and wanted to take home with me.

I loved the Horta Museum. Loved loved loved. Unfortunately you aren't allowed to take pictures inside, but just imagine that you are inside the book The Great Gatsby, and that’s pretty much what this place was like and also now you know why I loved it so much.

And finally, I loved the Grand Place at night. We wandered (read: power walked) there one night just after sunset and hit the perfect time to take pictures (read: stalk people).

Bruges

 In Bruges (movie reference #1) we stayed at a quaint little inn. And by quaint little inn I mean this place was straight up out of a Hitchcock movie, I was convinced that I would be stabbed in the shower, and for the rest of our time in Bruges (movie reference #2) we called it the Bates Motel (picture shown is not the Bates Motel, it is the hotel from the movie because I didn't take a picture of the Bates Motel and also why not?).

The Belfry of Bruges was awesome. Yeah, you wait in line for a million years just to haul your ass up a shit ton of stairs, but damn is the view worth it. Just amazing, beautiful little medieval buildings for days.

Bruges in general just blew me away. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to, and if I ever win the lottery I will probably retire to Bruges when I’m old. Being in Bruges (movie reference #3) (just had to sneak one more in) just felt like being on a movie set: too beautiful to possibly be real.

Paris

Confession: I am obsessed with Paris. Anyone who has ever seen my bedroom knows this, as it is fairly covered in French shit. I was in Paris for a few days back in 2009, but this time around I got to see some things that I hadn't seen last time, like the catacombs. Holy shit, the catacombs. The catacombs were quite possibly my favorite part of the entire trip, because I am a clearly a dark, twisted human being. But just the sheer size of the tunnels, and the sheer number of skeletons…it was both mind-blowing and breathtaking in the most macabre way possible.

This time around I also got to go to/up the Eiffel Tower. FINALLY. Again, as anyone who has seen my bedroom can tell you, I have an Eiffel Tower problem. I can’t explain it, I just love it. I have to restrain myself from buying things just because they have the Eiffel Tower on them (this works only 50% of the time), and I had to restrain myself from taking too many pictures of the Eiffel Tower too.

I have a problem.

And finally, I went to the mecca for Jazz-Age-loving-English-major-nerds such as myself: Shakespeare and Co, the bookstore to end all bookstores. I consider my trip there a success on the whole: I only bought two books (I wanted to buy dozens, naturally), managed to spend under an hour total in the store (probably), and managed not to completely piss my friend off (thanks Ange!!!)

Berlin

And last but not least, Berlin. To clarify, Berlin was not technically part of my vacation; after Paris my friend headed for the UK for some more traveling, I headed back to Hamburg for one day to do all of my laundry, and then I went to Berlin for the mid-year Fulbright conference.

And it was awesome.

It was amazing to meet the English teaching assistants from other European countries and the researchers from all over Europe. And beyond that it was great to talk to the other ETA’s and swap stories and ideas for what was and was not working at our schools.

I did get the chance to do a little sightseeing, and was blown away by the East Side Gallery/Berlin Wall. Though I haven’t posted many pictures here, street art is my thing right now, so I was in heaven.

So there you have it. Four countries, about month of traveling, more beer, wine, and chocolate then I’d care to admit, and multiple ridiculous/snarky postcards later and my adventuring is over for the time being (until May that is, mwahaha).

(Also sorry for the longest post ever)