Frankfurt & Switzerland

Oh my, how I have been busy! I am writing this while in Rome; Roma--the eternal city, the city of seven hills ... and so on. Today is day 17 of our journey.

Frankfurt

We only had one night in Frankfurt, so similarly to our two hours in Belgium, we made it count by eating our way through our limited time in Germany.  Leaving Amsterdam, we travelled to Germany, making only a few pit stops on the way.  The day consisted of mostly travel, so when we got ot Frankfurt in the early evening hours, we were READY to eat and strech our legs once more.  Taking one of the trams into an older, preserved part of town--a part that survived the bombings in WWII--we ate at an authentic German restaurant.  It was replete with wood carvings, steins all over, stuffed and preserved animals, and locals. It gave me a feeling of nostalgia.  After our meal, we retired back to the hotel for one last drink and sleep at last.

Me in the older square in Frankfurt.

A glimpse of the decor in the restaurant.

Me and my liter of beer, as the Germans do.

 

The next morning we left for Switzerland.  On the way, we drove through the black forest and made several stops in the German and Swiss countryside.  Our first stop was in a small German town where we had lunch and the opportunity to climb a scenic hill in the black forest along side the highway.  It was incredibly fun! Of note, the town boasted of the largest cuckoo clock in ... somewhere.  Europe, I belive.

The top of the hill with a gazeebo that we climbed up to.

 

Me on top of the hill with the train and mountain in the background.

That famed largest cuckoo clock.

Our next stop was for scenic purposes only.  We stopped at the Rhine river falls in Switzerland on the way to our hotel in the sleepy town of Eggiwil (eggy-ville) outside of Lucerne, Switzerland.  The falls were goregeous, absolutely incredible! The water comes from glaciers--as well as flows through several other European contries-- and is quite cold, but crystal clear.  

The falls from below.

Right next to the falls.

Selfie-ing at the top of the falls.

  Switzerland

 After the Rhine River Falls, we had about a two hour drive to our small, boutique hotel in Eggiwil.  We had purchased some items at a grocery store soon after we left the falls in order to have something to eat for dinner, due to the late our of our arrival in such a small town.  Once at the small hotel--my room being at the top of many floors of winding staircases lugging my bags-- most of the group joined together outside to dine al fresco at the several outdoor tables and chairs just as the sun was setting.  Many people drank the wine and other spirits they had purchased, I did not because once again I am sick.  After eating my food and sharing a few laughs, I went to bed as the "party" went on without me.

The next morning we drove into Lucerne and saw some of the most beautiful things!!  I FINALLY, after staring at its image on pinterest for nearly two years, got to see the Lowendenkmal--the dying lion monument that was carved into the side of a mountain about two hundred years ago.

Me at Lowendenkmal.

They dying Lion.

After the dying lion monument, we went the the Kapelbruke--chapel bridge--which is a mideval bridge across a river leading into lake Lucerne.

Kapelbruke

Some of the original Mideval paintings from the bridge.

  Next, we had some free time and lunch before ... :;dun dun da daaaa::, taking a boat ride over lake Lucerne before hopping a VERY STEEP train railway up to the top of Mt. Pilatus.  Mt. Pilatus is so-named because it is said that Pontious Pilot was burried at the top, although it is not a confirmed fact.  On top of the mountain was STUNNING.  It was a whispy, semi-foggy day at the top.  When we first arrived off of the 44-48 degree incline railway, it was clear skies, but we could see some cloud cover rolling in.  After twenty minutes or so the fog cleared away and we were once again left with stunning views, so we climbed the back side of the mountain. INCREDIBLE. 

On the boat! Loving the view.

I was thinking that this was too pretty to be real.

On the train on the way up.

On one path on the edge.

Freaking out by the edge!

I'm in a cloud!

View from the back of the mountain.

Inside the mountain in the cave, looking out.

Chillin in a mountain.

LOVING THIS!!

Look mom! I'm on the edge with no guardrail!

 

  As you can see, I had a great time.  That night in our hotel was similar to the first.  The next day we departed bright and early for Italia!!

More later!

Cheers! -T

AmsterDAM!!!

[Written 6/3/16]

Today is Day 3 in Amsterdam ... I can say that I really experienced Amsterdam after tonight.

We road in style to and From Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Day 1

Our first day in Amsterdam began at 9:45pm when we decamped the bus and got settled into our rooms.  Naturally, everyone was eager to test out the night life Amsterdam had to offer, so off we went.

Amsterdam Day 2

A late morning tour kicked off our second day in Amsterdam. Baaz (not too sure on the spelling), our guide, was a boot: quirky, slightly dirty, but also a learn-ed professional, essentially all things Amsterdam.  We saw the sights: red light district, dam square, old church, new church, royal residences which are now the city hall, canals, the Amstel river, and the old location of the hienekin brewery.  

Baaz on lef in Red and our crew in front of some typical Amsterdam Dwellings

Had to try some in the city of sin.

Another gorgeous Amsterdam view. Amstel river.

 
After the tour we were all left to outer own devices, or could go to fishing village and see where cheese was made. Some friends of mine and I chose lunch, shopping, and naps before heading out for the night.  Our tour group went to the Anne Frank House in the evening, which only had a 45 minute wait to go in-- something our tour director Fabrice said was very lucky and the shortest he had ever seen. [Last time he was there it was 4 hours!!] It was a humbling, sobering experience very much like my trip to Dachau Concentration Camp last year. I am so glad I saw it. It was unexpectedly bare, but at the same time, necessarily so. Some of the recollections in the house brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. The rest of the night was left to our own devices, and again we ventured into the nightlife ... although a great deal more subdued.

Amsterdam Day 3
Our third day in Amsterdam was completely free. Left you our own devices, we rose later than usual at 9am and went off on the tram of our last day in Amsterdam. We visited the I amsterdam sign, walked through the red light district, and enjoyed the city. Later that night a large group of us attended a show.

I Amsterdam Sign

Yes, T for Tina.

Ready for the Amsterdam Night Life

Amstel River at Night.

After Amsterdam, Frankfurt!

London, Paris, & MORE!

 [Written Tuesday, 5/31/16]

Just left Paris, and are now on the way to Amsterdam: the city of sin!  On the way we will stop in Ghent, Belgium for some lunch and to fit-in all things Belgium in two hours.

To catch up …

London Day 3

Up bright and early to have a day trip to Oxford, England, the home of the University of Oxford.  I was interested to learn that it isn’t one united university such as we have in the states, but is actually comprised of many smaller colleges that you apply to.  We saw several while there: Christ College, New College … etc

From top left: The Radcliffe Camera, Me at New College, New College, Matilda, the group at New College

It was magical at Oxford!  We were shown the location at which C.S. Lewis was inspired to write The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The story goes that he was leaving a church service early one winter day and exited through a makeshift coat closet in the hallway towards the door.  After emerging from the coats, he was greeted by a great deal of freshly fallen snow, lit up by a lamp post.  Out the door in the alley way to his right, there was a door with a lion carving, whose eves are held up by golden fauns.  And there you have it! In the LW&W, Lucy emerges from the wardrobe full of fur coats to a snow-covered wood and the lamppost.  The first person she runs into is Mr. Tumnus, a fawn. 

Inspirations to the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:  Lamp post, Lion carving on door, Golden Faun 

We saw several other sights pertaining to Harry Potter.  We saw several filming locations and the inspiration for Harry Potter’s scar.

Clockwise from top left: mason's mark on the stone, the building that housed the library used in filming Harry Potter, the tree from HP4, the infirmary from HP1

We had lunch at Eagle and Child, the favorite haunt of the famous authors C.S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkein, and Lewis Carroll.  It was the best fish and chips I have likely ever had, though it is hard to say that definitively. 

Overall, visiting Oxford was so wonderful and really made me want to go back to there specifically and get another graduate degree … yes, already.

 

After the bus ride back to London, a few of us were dropped off at Baker Street—nearly on top of the Sherlock Holms statute—so that we could get dinner by where we were seeing Matilda that evening.  We stopped at a wonderfully tasty Indian Place.  Matilda the musical was cute and entertaining.

Paris Day 1

While packing up my London accommodations, my zipper broke on one of the suitcases I had brought up.  Oh the joys of travel!  We took the Eurostar to Paris and arrived around 3pm Paris time. Immediately outside Gard du Nord, we were greeted by our Paris tour guide Pavel, a Polish guy. He was quite funny and entertaining.  We were bussed around some of the sights of Paris: Champs Elysée, Arc de Triomphe, La Tour Eiffel, Moulin Rouge, and so many others.  It was enjoyable and informative!

 Me at L'Arc de Triomphe

Following the tour, we were dropped off at our Hostel: St. Christopher’s.  We unpacked, got cute, and went out to a Bistro night in the Latin Quarter.  This dining experience has probably thus far been one of the highlights of my week.  A three-course meal (I picked Escargots, Salmon, and Chocolate Mousse), the wine was flowing, and accordion and guitar music was playing.  It was spectacular! Every bite I savored was an experience, we laughed, we danced, and boy did we sing! I cannot describe how much fun it was enough. Needless to say, we were all a bit tipsy and there were some antics in the street, such as some Parisian dumping water out of their window at the loud, somewhat drunk Americans in the street.  Our tour director, Fabrice (Fab to us), told us that this is something the locals enjoy doing to loud drunks in the street. Another hijinks happened when all but one of us missed getting off on our Métro stop, and gypsies being present in the station. Many, too many, laughs and delicious food and drink consumed that night. It. Was. Marvelous.

Me, Aleah, MaRiah, and Erin

Aleah and Me, being serenaded.

Paris Day 2

The second day in Europe, consisted of a half day trip to Versailles. On the RER (suburban rail system) one in our group got a 45 euro ticket for having his foot on the seat in front of him, despite having no signs posted.  Typical French railway police.

Once at Versailles, we were awed by the ornate details in the painted walls, ceilings, furniture, etc. Of course, my favorite part inside the palace was the Hall of Mirrors.  My true favorite part of the Palace was the gardens.  As we walked around, there was classical music of the 18^th century playing throughout the gardens.  It was truly an experience.

In the Garden of Versailles

Hall of Mirrors

After our quirky, older, and batty French woman finished our tour, we went into the town center of Versailles to walk around, shop, and eat lunch.  First, my friend Daniel and I found the Sunday market still going on and took it in.  It was such a delight.  I could smell the ripeness of the juicy, sweet melons over five feet away from them.  For lunch, we ended up eating at this new French burger place. Best fries!  We also got some macaroons from one of the local patisserie and chocolaterie. DELICIOUS.

Macaroons: Violette, Coconut, Chocolate, & Pistachio

The evening after Versailles, some of us attended a Cabaret show in the Red Light District just down the street from Moulin Rouge.  It was a variety show with some topless dancing.  It was very entertaining! Of course, they also included the can-can. My favorite acts were actually the two half-Brazilian brothers and then also the drunken acrobat (a batty older Frenchman).  So funny! 

Paris Day 3

Well, our third day in Paris was … a challenge.  It rained nearly the entire time we were in Paris, but it rained all day on the third day, our sight-seeing day.  We attempted (and somewhat succeeded) in going to Notre Dame area.  We were able to go into the church and have a look around. Daniel and I also got some souvenirs and went into Shakespeare & Co., a famous English bookstore in Paris.  The group then hopped on the metro again to the Louvre.  We hit it at lunchtime so it was a bit crowded, but we also had an excellent lunch in their multicultural restaurant center.

 Notre Dame de Paris

 Munching pastries minis at Festival of Bread outside Notre Dame

Cheesy bread photo at bread festival

Mona Lisa

My favorite, the inverted triangle under the Louvre

Following our time at the Louvre, we headed over near the Eiffel tower for our seine boat cruise.  As I mentioned, it was raining. A. lot. After the boat cruise we went up the tower.  I was so glad I had previously gone up the tower on a day with much better weather. Once at the 2^nd floor, my friends and I only stayed at the top for five minutes, because as we ascended, the wind increased.  It was cold, very windy, and raining. Miserable is probably the best word to describe what it was like up there.

On the Seine boat cruise!

We then went our separate ways, grabbed crepes, and then I went off alone to buy a new suitcase. My friends and I did dinner at our Hostel last night and then we went off toward Amsterdam this morning.

MaRiah enjoying her crepes a little TOO much.

On the way to Amsterdam, we stopped in Ghent, Belgium.  It was a wonderful town! We only had about an hour and forty-five minutes to get all of our Belgian experiences in such a little amount of time.  My friends MaRiah, Daniel, and I stopped in two of the churches, bought chocolate, got some fries (for which Belgium is known for), and Waffles and beer at our last stop. We really fit a lot in!!

PICTURES

Next onto Amsterdam!