Tuesday June 7th
Tuesday was finally my 21st birthday! The day was wonderful and didn't rain until the end of the day which was expected because it always rains on my birthday. However, I picked out a great perfume by L'Occitane. Ge and myself went to an exibit in Brussels called 6 Billion Others. It was a video exibit with interview clips of many different people from different cultures and their views on topics such as love, dreams, war, and so on. It was wonderful but, in the three hours we had we only saw about half of the exibit. For dinner I was taken to a local restaurant. I had some pasta and ice cream for dessert with beligum chocolate sauce. They restaurant even played happy birthday to me and had sparkelers. It was a great night at dinner and I ended the night by packing for my Italy/France trip.
Wednesday June 8th
Today I literally traveled either by bus, train, or plane for 14.5 hours. I left La Hulpe, Belgium at 9 am on the train for Brussels Midi. From the train station I took a bus to the airport for my flight to Milan, Italy. The flight was just under 2 hours and then I took a bus from the airport to the center of Milan. My tain left Milan at 4 pm and should have taken only 4 hours to arrive in France. However the train was stuck for 3 hours because of a broken down train. So, finally at 11:30 at night I arrived in Chambery, France hungry and tired.
Thursday June 9th
Thursday was my first day in France! Chambery, France is a "small town" in the French Alps. It has some great mountains all around the town. For brunch we had AMAZING crepes. I had three! One with ham and differnt cheeses, another with Nutella and bananas, and the last one with only Nutella. I cant wait to make these when I arrive back home. Because of the sunny weather we went to the lake (Lac Bourget) and walked along the water for a bit. The lake and mountains were beautiful and it was nice to relax. We went to a city near the lake called Aix les Bains. It was a small town with some very old buildings. We sat and ate some ice cream, speculoos and cookies! When we arrived back in Chambery Celie went to work for a couple of hours and her Boyfriend gave me a quick tour of Chambery and some history behind it. (He also was able to practice his English, he was very good at it.) After relaxing while Celie worked we picked her up and attened their swing dance lessons. I tried to learn but I was not very good at it.
Friday June 10th
Yesterday, was again sunny and we decided to hike one of the mountains! Okay we drove most of the way and then went on a 30 mins hike to the top. It was beautiful up there and you could see for miles. The mountain was called la dent du chat. It was nice to get some exercise and have a snack at the top of the mountain. We drove back down and sat on a beach at the same lake as the day before. Me and Celie went back to the apartment to relax until her Israeli dance class and I took a nap. However, I was woken up by her and she said their was a gas leak and everyone had to get out of the building. We went outside and waited for about 2.5 hours while the fire department, police, and gas company blocked off traffice and searched the building. There was no gas leak but, only the smell of a gas tank someone must of carried into the building. I was glad that nothing started on fire because my passport was in the apartment!!! After being let back into the building we prepared for the dance class. There was great food and I even learned one of the dances. Last night we stayed in the country at her moms house. It is a beautiful house with views of the mountains. My alergies were bad yesterday and my head hurt so I went to bed right away and slept for 12 hours.
More to come....
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Belgium Update
Saturday June 4th, 2011
I am getting some pictures up and updateing everyone on the last few days of my trip. The last blog post I wrote talked about the rose garden I was going to see for the day. I have posted two pictues from the walk in the garden but, on facebook you can see more. The rose garden was amazing and the smell was intoxicating. There were roses featured from all different countries. Some countries were better than others. The most amazing was Japan!! Before we walked through the garden we visited at a friends "house" next to the park. The house was old and beautiful. I saw only a few rooms but I knew that I wanted the house. The house belonged to a good friend of Ge's mom and then there were some other family friends there as well. We ate ice cream with Strawberries and had after coffee chocolates. It was a wonderful way to spend the day.
Sunday June 5th, 2011
Sunday I woke up a bit earlier than my usual time and got ready to go to church. I was very interested in going to a church in Europe to see the differences. I requested that before we went to the market that we go to church. The church we went to was St. George church and it was tiny. The size was no bigger than a bedroom and fit about 30-40 people. The mass was catholic and only lasted about 35 mins. I was introduced to the people who own the church and heard the history behind it. It was the cutest church you will find. After church Ge's mom and I went to the Old Town of Brussels and spend time at the flee market. It was a huge market in a large square with a marching band that walked around the square playing. There were also other traditional beligum music being played and people everywhere. I walked around and saw some great antiques. I bought a couple of scarves (of course) and then a little something for my sister. I had a nice lunch in a old Belgium pub. In the evening we ate some steak that was from Ireland and then got ready to go see a movie. The movie was Lincoln Lawyer with two of my favorite actors. Matthew McConaughey and Josh Lucas. Great movie to see and I hope to buy it when I get back.
Monday June 6th, 2011
Yesterday was raining off and on throughout the day. I spend some time researching for Italy and London. (Still looking for a place to stay in Italy!) I caught up on pictues and backing everying up on the external harddrive. I spend some time finishing my book I was reading and then started some packing for my trip that starts on Wedneasday. I walked around the center of La Hulpe and found a 10 euro bill laying on the ground! (My birthday present I guess.) I spent the rest of the day just relaxing and watching some episodes of The Big Band Theory on the computer. Dinner was pasta with a cream sauce and a bunch of shrimp!
Tuesday June 7th, 2011
Today is my 21st Birthday!!!!!
I am getting some pictures up and updateing everyone on the last few days of my trip. The last blog post I wrote talked about the rose garden I was going to see for the day. I have posted two pictues from the walk in the garden but, on facebook you can see more. The rose garden was amazing and the smell was intoxicating. There were roses featured from all different countries. Some countries were better than others. The most amazing was Japan!! Before we walked through the garden we visited at a friends "house" next to the park. The house was old and beautiful. I saw only a few rooms but I knew that I wanted the house. The house belonged to a good friend of Ge's mom and then there were some other family friends there as well. We ate ice cream with Strawberries and had after coffee chocolates. It was a wonderful way to spend the day.
Sunday June 5th, 2011
Sunday I woke up a bit earlier than my usual time and got ready to go to church. I was very interested in going to a church in Europe to see the differences. I requested that before we went to the market that we go to church. The church we went to was St. George church and it was tiny. The size was no bigger than a bedroom and fit about 30-40 people. The mass was catholic and only lasted about 35 mins. I was introduced to the people who own the church and heard the history behind it. It was the cutest church you will find. After church Ge's mom and I went to the Old Town of Brussels and spend time at the flee market. It was a huge market in a large square with a marching band that walked around the square playing. There were also other traditional beligum music being played and people everywhere. I walked around and saw some great antiques. I bought a couple of scarves (of course) and then a little something for my sister. I had a nice lunch in a old Belgium pub. In the evening we ate some steak that was from Ireland and then got ready to go see a movie. The movie was Lincoln Lawyer with two of my favorite actors. Matthew McConaughey and Josh Lucas. Great movie to see and I hope to buy it when I get back.
Yesterday was raining off and on throughout the day. I spend some time researching for Italy and London. (Still looking for a place to stay in Italy!) I caught up on pictues and backing everying up on the external harddrive. I spend some time finishing my book I was reading and then started some packing for my trip that starts on Wedneasday. I walked around the center of La Hulpe and found a 10 euro bill laying on the ground! (My birthday present I guess.) I spent the rest of the day just relaxing and watching some episodes of The Big Band Theory on the computer. Dinner was pasta with a cream sauce and a bunch of shrimp!
Tuesday June 7th, 2011
Today is my 21st Birthday!!!!!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Pictures of Belgium
Brussels
Luna Neuve, Belgium
My beautiful view from my bedroom window in La Hulpe, Belgium.
Roses from the rose garden tour.
My great company on the rose garden tour.
Pictures of Amsterdam
Biking Path in Amsterdam
My little room that I lived in while in Amsterdam.
In Amsterdam city center!
Group picture with the couchsurfing hosts.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Belgium Update #2
Hello Everyone,
I am happy to report that today is another sunny warm day in Belgium. I have been told that the weather is nice because I am here! Last time I was in Belgium (2007) it was cloudy and rainy most of the time. After writing this post I will be going outside for some sun! I have been doing a lot of relaxing here in Belgium and I can not complain about anything!! Lets see if I can update from the last time I posted.
Thursday I spent most of my day just relaxing and spending some time at the house. I have been able to enjoy the sun everyday and read some of my books. Thursday evening after dinner we went to a town close by where there was a block party that Ge had to work at. I walked around the town even though most things were closed because of a holdiay. There was a great ice cream store open and I bought a dish of ice cream. The two flavors were cookies and cream brulee. It was a wonderful treat on a hot day. The block party was fun and after I was introduced to some friends of those hosts I felt better. We all had some drinks and talked about my travels and learned some about their lives. Ge's parents and grandmother came to pick me up and then we went to a seafood dinner. I had a big plate of baked Cod with tomatoes, potaotes, carrots, onions, and oils. They served bread before the meal and then small snails that were still in the shell. I actually had a couple and they were okay! It was a great dinner and good conversation to be part of.
Yesterday, Friday I stayed at home most of the day. I laid in the sun for a long time but, also did some research for Italy and tried to find some places to stay while I am there. In the evening last night Ge and myself went to a friends house where they had a big screen in the yard for the Belgium vs Turkey soccer game! It was a nice party and I had a rasberry beer. I also saw some friends that I met the first time I was in Belgium! It was wonderful to see those people again along with some new faces. We did not stay long after the game because Ge has exams on Monday so she needed to get some sleep.
Today I am again relaxing in the sun but later I will go to a rose garden that is near by and then maybe go for another run in the park. I have yet to take pictures there bcause I dont want to run with my camera. I am also still working on getting my computer hooked to the net here. When I do that I can then post pictures of the last few days.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Belgium Update # 1
Hello Everyone!
I am finally getting time to write a blog about my time so far in Belgium. I guess I always had time but, relaxing in the sun was a bit more appealing. I arrived on Monday evening to Belgium and was greated by a loving Belgium sister and we drove to her house in La Hulpe; Belgium. By the time you drive through the crazy city it takes only about 30-40mins to get to the house. Dinner consited of white asparagus, flemish style omelett and then some bread to add to the meal. Dessert was some dark chocolate and tea. If I could bring some of this tea back just to smell I would. The tea smelt so good! Ge (my family's former host daughter) and myself went for quick walk and then I went to bed.
Yesterday, Tuesday I went with Ge to the center of Brussels and walked around while she did an interview. I have to admit I was lost for a while. However, all the places quickly became familiar to me and I enjoyed walking around the area. After a quick nap there was again a great dinner ready to eat. This time we had Fishermans Stew with some top quality seafood. After dinner we went to a French play at the university and I tried to follow the story line even though I dont know French! It was great to see the play and experience something new and unknown.
Today has been great it is very sunny and the perfect temp outside! I started my day with a walk to the park (not like the park in Chippewa but amazing with a beautiful mansion) and then decided to go for a run. I ran along many of the trails and took in the amazing beauty of the park. I will take pictures next time I bring my camera there. After walking back to the house I read a book outside and then made some lunch. Now, I am just getting in from reading again and then Ge and I will go for a bike ride! It has been a wonderful day!
I promise I will post pictures soon!
Savannah
Monday, May 30, 2011
Amsterdam Update #3
Hello Everyone!
Today is my last day in Amsterdam. I leave at 2:30 in the afternoon for Brussels. (That would be 7:30 am your time!) Today I went to my hosts lecture at the university. She teaches a occupational therapy discussion on Mondays. We biked from the apartment to the university and I just sat and read a book and listened to the converstation. Now I am deciding if I want to go for a bike ride before I take the metro to the bus station. I have about 2.5 hours until I leave so I might go ride around.
Yesterday after I walked around amsterdam some more I went for a 2 hour bike ride. It was wonderful! There might be some nice places to bike in the Midwest but, nothing like these trails. There is a whole bike path system here in the city and outside the city. It is amazing and beautiful. This bike paths are not just a single path that goes from point A to point B. The paths cross one another, go into random roads, cut through park, and under roads. I had a huge map with me but, I still didn't know where I was going. So, I just rode and ended up in a park. I will have pictures up soon of the bike trip.
My next entry will be from Belgium! (My second home.)
Savannah
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
