Germany: Dresden, Berlin; Poland: Poznan, Gdansk, Warsaw, and Krakow

                                                Dad backpacking in Dresden, Germany

                                                                Beautiful Dresden

                                                                 Old Cathedral in Dresden

 

Historic buildings in Dresden

 

                                        Trying to get all three of us in Dresden, but parents didn't clue in

                                                                 Dad, being Dad

                                                              Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

                                                    Old rod iron that held the Berlin wall

                                                           Berlin wall that still remains

                                                              Holocaust Memorial

                                                               Cathedral in Berlin

                                                    Poland! In Gdansk, Northern most city

                               Maria Street, most beautiful street in Gdansk lined with little shops

                                                              Archway in Gdansk

                                           View from our hotel in Warsaw, looking at new town

                                                       View point in Old Town Warsaw

             All of us after climbing up the stairs to the view point in Warsaw, can you see Dad panting

(Day four) I was wrong we did make it out of the hostel in record time. We were up and on our way by a whopping 7:30 in the morning to catch our Dresden train at 7:51. We arrived in Dresden a short train ride later and I must say it was one of my favorites thus far.  While much of the town is new and modern it is still strikingly beautiful, while the old parts are captivating and rather moving from their beauty. Not to mention it was a sunny day which only made the town more joyful and memorable to us since we have dealt with  more rain then necessary.  From Dresden it was finally time to hit the high rise and go to Berlin.  As Friday the thirteenth goes we had to run into some obstacles and we ran into an excess of it. The transit system in Berlin was somewhat trickier then usual as the different directions of the tube are not clearly marked or perhaps it was our lack of reading German but we decided to walk since our hostel was not far.  However without a map we seemed to miss a turn and ended up walking way further then needed so that we had to use the tube to back track our way to the hostel. At last we arrived to our hostel only to discover that the place we had booked was unfit to stay in. The building was an old warehouse under construction with the ceiling falling down and the floor soft from age.  I felt like we were the cast of Saw vii however after hastily getting our money back and bee lining out of there the fog of our bad luck lifted and we got to take in the history of Berlin which was very emotional and eye opening.  To end our busy day we got to finally enjoy some German sausages and turn in early, perfect ending to our German adventure. Now only to get up at 3:30 tomorrow to start our Polish adventure. Yippee (about Poland, not our wake up call).  Day five we were leaving Berlin while the streets were still alive with party goers from the night before. We got on our train and sailed off into the sun rise. After four hours on the train we were ready to get off however the heavy fog when arriving in Poznan cast a dreary and frightening glow over the city.  The unfamiliarity of Poland made us question whether we should be walking around when we were unsure of the area so instead we got on another train heading further north to Gdansk hoping for a better start in Poland. The train we embarked on sent us back fifty years as it was so old and rickety and many people crowded the halls with no where to sit. We weaseled our way into a cabin with two Spanish boys who ended up being very helpful as the one boy was going to school in Gdansk. Luckily the fog cleared for our arrival and the town was very rustic and beautiful. It was a small town but had a ton of character, my favorite part though was just to listen to the older ladies talking to you in polish even though they knew I could not understand.  It made you feel reassured and at home.  Being such a small old town, although lovely, it did not offer much else so we were back to the train station to make our way closer to krakow and to stop in Warsaw for the night. We arrived quite late but at first glance Warsaw is out of place in Poland. While the rest of the country is still very vast and has little technology, such as farmers seeding by hand rather then using big machinery, Warsaw is a tiny Toronto replica.  Its forty story buildings and flashy vegas-esk lights make you feel as though you're far from europe but then you look closer and can see hints of authenticity.  Day six we took our time getting up since yesterday was so crazy and to our joy our hotel had a buffet breakfast with omelette and waffle making stations so we stuck around to fill up before hitting the streets of Warsaw.  Although it is the most modern city thus far in Poland it's old town is quaint and full of history.  We climbed the look out tower to get spectacular views of the city and then wandered around cute alleys filled with cafes and shops.  When we were done walking around we were ready to make our way to krakow as it is where my great grandmother is from (or so we think) and we were excited to experience some of our roots.  As it is a Sunday and everyone was headed home from the weekend the train was über crowded and we had to stand at the end of one of the train compartments the whole three hours to krakow.  It went by rather fast so it wasn't all bad.  We found our hostel right away, this time we made sure the building was still standing, and decided to have a quiet night since we haven't left fifth gear since starting out.  Tomorrow we explore.

Holland: Amsterdam; Belgium: Brugge, Brussels, and a glimpse at Germany: Weimar, Leipzig

                                  Getting on the Stenaline boat from Harwich to Holland (six hour journey)

                                    Dad on our first train in Holland, on our way to Amsterdam

                                                              In Amsterdam, kinda cold

                                                         Canal at night in Amsterdam

                     Eating a Belgium waffle in Brugge (got pretty messy but way to delicious to care)

                                                     Mom kissing the Frog in Brugge

                                                           Dad on a bridge in Brugge

          Huge chocolate egg in Brussels, there is a chick that looks just like the ones my
            Nana draws (I'm pointing to the chick)

                                                              Grand Palace in Brussels

                                                  Me jumping, mom failing to jump on time

                                                      Mom and dad in Weimar, Germany

                                               Quaint street in Weimar, gorgeous town in general

                                                               Main street, Leipzig

                                             Mom and Dad in our hostel room in Leipzig

Day one of our European adventure we were up at the break of dawn to catch a Stena line ferry from harwich to Hoek van Holland. The ferry came loaded with a movie theatre and all however falling asleep made us miss the movie. Once on the other side of the north sea (which took six hours) we were off to find wild times in Amsterdam but instead ended up in bed earlier then expected. Clearly Amsterdam was not our cup of tea and we took it as a sign to move on early in the morning. Next stop (day two) was Brugge, Belgium, and we were ready to get dipped in chocolate. Brugge was incredibly cute despite the consistent down pour but a little rain never hurt anyone. Some of our Brugge adventures included very messy waffles and kissing a frog, although I'm still sans prince so that was a waist of time. Although we loved Brugge we were headed to Brussels for the night. We arrived earlier then expected so set off to tour the town before dark. We missed shopping by a sliver as everything was closing when we arrived (much to dads delight and mine and moms disappointment), so we entertained ourselves by taking jumping photos outside of the Grand Palace and hunting down the peeing boy fountain. Brussels being a major city was exceptionally clean and had its hidden beauties which of course we found.  As true travelers we work up an appetite so we headed to Rue des Bouchers to bargain with the locals to get the best deal possible on a meal.  We settled for l'Arlequin where we were offered free drinks with our twelve euro three course meal, not too shabby (and the food was to die for). Day three we took advantage of our free breakfast because we had a long day by train ahead of us to get to our next destination in Germany. Three transfers, one bullet train and lots of Belgium chocolate eaten we made it to Weimar for a hop skip and a jump around town. Mom and Dad, although breathless, kept up throughout our high speed journey around town and before we knew it we were back on the train headed to our final destination of the day, Leipzig.  Leipzig is bigger then expected and while all the stores are closed again it appears it would be the perfect place to shop! We had dinner at a quaint little restaurant with not so quaint waiters but the food was good and we always get something out of it.  Thus far we have been fortunate enough to have found hostels with private rooms and ensuites but tonight is officially a true hostel night and the first time mom and dad have had to use a communal bathroom which they are handling rather well. Our room is especially great as it looks like the inside of a volcano with bright orange and yellow walls and cool little turtle stencils in random places, very hip. Lights out though so we can get to Dresden nice and early ( ten bucks says we don't leave til nine), we'll soon find out.

Parents Arrival, England

                                                     Dad driving on the wrong side of the road

                                        Mom and Dad outside Oxford Castle, which is now a hotel

                                                   Dad in a phone booth which smelled of pee

                         Mom outside the phone booth because it smells like pee

                                     Whitney in Witney, this is where we told dad to pull over
                                and instead he drove up the wrong way of an exit of a freeway

                All of us on top of Cheddar Gorge, mom and dad looking exhausted and me looking refreshed

                                     Mom made us pull over just to take a picture on a rock wall

                               View point in Bath, after we booked it out of there from the Easter crowds

     Stonehenge, someone had to come and take this photo for us after we failed miserably to do it ourselves

                                                               Dads Birthday Present

                                            Getting prepared for his demonstration drive

                                                   All set to go (you can see the fear in his eyes)

                       Mom and Dad first time in London on the Tube, looking ecstatic

                                        Mom and Dad off to visit Hogwarts through platform 9 3/4

                                                Abbey Road, mom posing, dad looking casual

                                                      Tower Bridge at night, my favorite

                                                                      Big Ben, its big alright

          Changing of the guards, millions of people crowded around Buckingham Palace Easter Sunday

                                                                  Princess Diana's Memorial

                                                     Sunday Dinner, in Nottinghill



Mom and Dad arrived on Thursday and there was no time to waist.  We rented a car and were off, our first stop of many was Oxford for the night.  We toured around Oxford that night so that in the morning we could get an early start on our other journeys.  however early starts when traveling with anyone over the age of fifty doesn't work out as planned.  As early as I could get them moving we headed off to Witney, seeing as it is named after someone important.  Trying to get a photo with a sign that said Witney was quite the adventure as dad turned up onto an off ramp from the freeway and we had to quickly pull off into the grass so as not to die.  Leaving Witney we headed to Bristol, which was not one of our favorites and therefore did not spend much time there.  From Bristol we ventured off in search of Cheddar Gorge which I had read about the night before and boy are we glad we did, it was incredible! A huge gorge with breathtaking views which we hauled dad to the top of to get some good photos.  We were headed to Bath next so we drove all the way through the gorge to the other side and continued on to Bath which was so jam packed as it was Easter weekend.  We tried parking for an hour but it was so busy and stressful to drive in we took it as a sign to leave.  We stopped for a traditional english meal of fish and chips at a small pub on the side of the road on the way to Stonehenge.  Stonehenge was closed so we took pictures through the fence and even tried climbing the fence/ lifting each other up for a better photo.  After a long day of traveling we stopped in Cholderton for the night.  In the morning I wanted to bring dad to a race track as a late Birthday present but hadn't anticipated everything being closed for Easter.  So we headed to Mercedes Benz World where he could test drive a car, however the test drives were full for the day but some amazingly nice women said because it was for his Birthday she'd get him something he'd never forget......he got to go in the car during a demonstration with professional stunt drivers!  It was awesome and he loved it despite his initial fear of what he was getting himself into.  We returned the car after dads mini adventure as he was starting to become a race driver himself, and we headed into London.  That night we took a boat cruise down the river Thames and walked across Tower Bridge.  The next morning was power sight seeing so that they would experience all of London.  We lucked out and ended up at Buckingham Palace just as the changing of the guards was about to commence.  As it was also Easter Sunday that day we had a traditional Sunday Dinner at a pub with a roast and potatoes, and the works before heading to church at St. Paul`s Cathedral.  After eight hours of touring it was time to call it a day and take a train into Colchester. Today we will head around my town, spend one more night here in Colchester then start part two of the adventure early (hopefully) in the morning tomorrow.

Another Semester Over!

                                          Jasmin at the dinning room table in Nottingham at her house

                                                        The Scots Monument, Edinburgh

                                            Flowers with Edinburgh Castle in the background

                                                 Appointing a new governor at Edinburgh Castle

                                                       Atop Arthurs Seat and looking stylish

                           on my day tour at one of the Loch (which ever ones name means bent lake)

                                                             Kilchurn Castle at Lock Long

 

Unlocking my castle, Kilchurn castle 

 

In Stirling, had just finished hiking the hill behind me to see the monument

                                                               Shopping streets in Glasgow

                                                               At the pier in Liverpool

                                 Free walking tour in London, got to see the guards outside Prince Harry's place

                                                Walking tour in London with Madi and Julianne

Wow where has the time gone.  This semester I have chosen to stay put, more or less, as I really wanted to get to know my area of England and I wanted to have the full University experience and boy has it flown by.  I have made some new friends along the way and have even acquired a second family.  I have been able to experience the true British life, something I may have missed had I been gone so much like last semester.  However now it is our second month-long break and I'm off on my adventures again, and although I loved being home this semester I must admit I was starting to get antsy.  My first stop was Nottingham to stay with one of my good friends and her family.  It was a very busy time for me to visit as it was her step dads, step moms, brothers, and sisters Birthdays all while I was there and all on different days so we bounced around lots between the families to be able to celebrate with everyone.  It was tons of fun though and I have truly appreciated being around a family again and feeling at home.  After Nottingham I decided to head to Scotland on my own as I had some time to kill before my parents arrival on April 5th.  So I took off to Edinburgh March 28 and I can honestly say I would have been happy to never leave there.  It was beautiful!!! Everywhere you looked was a sight to see and the weather the whole time I was in Scotland was gorgeous (surprise) but it made me fall even more in love with their Country.  The first night in Edinburgh I stumbled upon a parade because they were appointing a new governor to the Castle.  Afterwards I decided to do a night tour of Edinburghs hidden secrets, very scary and hard to believe how dirty Edinburgh used to be when it is so spectacular now.  The following day I joined in on a free walking tour and met two Australian girls and another exchange student from Edmonton.  The guy on exchange and I hiked Arthurs Seat together after the walking tour and although I was wearing shorts and tights with boots I passed many hikers in full hiking attire. The view from the top was breathtaking.  The following day I had organised going on a group tour of the Highlands so I was up bright and early to catch the bus.  It was an incredible day trip taking us all over Scotland including many Castles and Lochs.  We started at Stirling Castle, then headed to Doune Castle, then the town of Callander, then I was given the key to the Kilchurn Castle!! Every princess needs a Castle and I have mine! From there we headed into Inveraray for lunch and although their castle was not open to the public just yet we did drive by it to see.  Throughout the day we stopped at a couple lochs including Loch awe, Loch Fyne, and Loch Lomond, unfortunately the famous Loch Ness was not on the tour or else old Nessy and I would have shared an oreo or two.  I spent one last night in Edinburgh then decided it was time to make my way over to Gasgow but I first stopped in Stirling for the day to see the University and say hi to a friend.  Glasgow was nothing compared to Edinburgh but they do have alot of shopping, good thing I only spent one night there or I may have bought the whole city.  Before heading into London I made a stop in Liverpool, very quick and hurried and somehow missed everything Beatles related, oops.  I must have been to excited since my parents were on their way soI headed straight to London to meet them and stayed with my friend Madi until their arrival.