Italy- Genova, Milan, Venice, Trieste

                                    Breakfast in Genoa. Ashley and I were super sick.

                                     Church in Milan. only sight we saw there because of the heat

                                               Detail on the side of the church. It was incredible

                                    Shopping in Milan. we got the stink eye from the employees

                                                   Ashley's first visit to Venice

                                                         True Italiano

                                                  Screams tourist with the camera Ash!

                                                                Bella Italia

                                                      Walking on the Rialto Bridge

We trained into Genova from Nice stopping only in ventimiglia for a quick transfer. Genova was slightly frightening as we arrived late and the town was dark and gloomy but when trying to find the bus to take to the hostel everyone was so kind and helpful. We got to our hostel which was an old converted school, the rooms were classrooms and the halls still had the original lockers lined up. It had an amazing view down to the seafront as we were high up in the hills, hence why we bused and did not walk to the hostel (that and it was dark). As we are both still very sick and Ashley was running a fever we went straight to bed. After hastily planning our day we made our way back down the hill by bus and had breakfast close to the train station in a small cafe bar. Now off to Milan for the day. Milan was a scorcher, it was so hot when we got there that we had to ditch our bags right away and found solace by taking the metro four stops to the duomo. This heat is messing with everyones minds, while we were buying our metro tickets a boy got caught in a conveyer belt so there was a huge commotion of people running getting help and trying to free him. The boy was ok but we bought the wrong metro tickets. Luckily our sweaty selves talked our way into having the guy let us on the metro anyway. Only to discover four stops later that we went in the wrong direction, so we had to switch and go back. We finally made it to the Duomo and we were bombarded once again by the heat and people trying to sell us things only grandmas keep lying around to collect dust. The duomo was definitely a sight to see though, it was beautiful. I woe have loved to go inside but unfortunately in this heat I'm not dressed appropriately, who would be! With the little energy we had left  we found a place to eat out of the sun and then courageously walked back to the train station. We got on the next train to Venezia only to be kicked off at the following stop for not having a reservation. The man was very nice though he gave us the option to either pay or get off and told us what trains we could take with our passes since some are different prices and others are free. So instead we got on the next train to Verona and had to transfer to Venezia. While waiting on the train in Brescia to depart for Verona we heard a blood curdling scream from a lady who hand been trying to catch the train and got her arm caught in the door while her body was still on the platform. Fearing the train was leaving she started screaming for help and some people were able to free her and get her on the train before it started moving. What an eventful day, first the boy now the lady, told you it's the heat, as long as its not us. We finally arrived in Venezia and having been here before I knew my way around and got us to the hostel in a jiffy. Being exhausted we had dinner at the hostel, a nice bowl of pasta and salad,  before calling her quits for the night. We woke up at the crack of dawn on Wednesday so that we could explore Venice before it got too hot. Everything was closed, which is good for my shopping addiction, and also it was great for photos because the streets weren't crowded. Not having a map in Venice is never a good idea so we got lost and had to buy one in order to find our way back to the train station to make it in time for our check out at the hostel. Our next journey in Italy and the last is Trieste. Because yesterday we found out there are trains that you must reserve ahead of time for ten euros or on the train for double we had been trying to avoid those altogether but somehow ended up choosing one with a reservation. We were frantically running to buy a reservation with only seven minutes before the train was scheduled to leave but all the machines were broken, some workers saw that we had the train passes though so one guy was shouting to go to a different platform but then another guy was talking to us and in the midst of the commotion we missed the free train and swallowed our pride and our wallets and just got on the reservation train. For some reason however the stars were in line for us today and the guy never came around to check tickets so we never even had to buy the reservation, good thing the machines had been broken! We got to Trieste but never left the station because it was so hot and we only had an hour so no point in checking our bags. Guess this is goodbye Italy. 

Nice is nice

                                                         Beautiful Nice

                                                       View from Garden above

                                                Light house on pier

                                              How colorful!

                                             A Statue in town

                                                           one word.....HOT!

                                                 Getting ready to go canyoning

                                               Here goes nothing!

                                            Yay! we made it into the canyon

                                  Gotta jump the rest of the way! highest jump was 15 meters

I flew from Madrid to Marseille, a coastal town in France on Sunday the 17th. From there I trained on the oldest train imaginable to Nice. This train had a hundred years of filth layered on it with even more graffiti covering the windows which on this deadly heat would not open for the life of me. I almost died by drowning in my own sweat. I was so happy to finally arrive in Nice, not to mention I was meeting Ashley at the hostel. As I was checking in she walked down the stairs, that's telepathecy if I ever did see it. She reluctantly hugged me despite my sweating profusely. A quick change of clothes and shoes and I was good to go to explore the town. Nice is beautiful and we were so close to the water so we headed there first. We climbed a view point and then relaxed on the beach catching upon each others travels. Ashley arrived in Europe on June sixth and has already been to Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris. Before sunset we explored the city as much a possible then headed to bed as we planned to do an excursion early the next morning. Monday our excursion day, and we're going canyoning in the Gorge de Loup! I can't even explain how awesome this excursion was, it was unbelievable as my dad would repeatedly say. We started out repelling down a couple of waterfalls then slid our way down or jumped off other waterfalls thought the depths of the gorge. While my feet bled from blisters, my eye twitched from old contacts, my nose ran from a cold, and my body was crammed in a childs  wetsuit, nothing could hinder this trip that's how much fun it was. We had a pretty sweet group for the excursion as well which consisted of Ashley and I, three boys from Texas, one from Beijing, and two girls from Australia. Best quote of the day was from one of the boys from Texas saying we'd be passed out pandas on the way home because of how exhausted we all were. This was funny because earlier I had told Ashley the one boy reminded me of a panda. We got back into Nice around four and had enough time to eat before grabbing our things from the hostel and heading to the train to start our way into Italy for the night as we decided to skip out flight from Paris to croatia and rather make the journey all by train to enjoy more of the Country side. That and we had no  way back up to Paris as the trains were fully booked. Things always happen for a reason though and we're both thrilled to be traveling by train as we have the same train passes I used with my parents. Let the adventures continue.

Flaminko- from the heart

Spain is the epidemy of the term flaminko everything they do is from the heart. Maria and I had a hard time saying goodbye to our friends but it was also the beginning of a new journey. We arrived in Madrid around noon on the 12th an her parents were excitedly awaiting us. They drive us home to Torrelodones, a small town outside of Madrid. Maria's mom being so amazing had prepared a fantastic meal for all of us to share out on their back patio before we settled in for a nap as I have probably had max five hour sleep in the last week. What we had planned to be a short hour long nap turned into a four hour snooze. Groggy but feeling somewhat better we woke up only to meet Maria's friends for dinner at their local mall. The place r we ate at was a tapas bar and we ordered an assortment of sandwiches. More food in our bellies meant time to sleep so we called it a night. Waking up late the next morning we made a beeline for the mountains as the weather couldn't have been more gorgeous. Maria, her two dogs kian and Roland, and I went on a small hike and afterward enjoyed a lovely scenic lunch in the mountains with her parents. They ordered all traditional Spanish food for me to try and wouldn't tell me what some of it was, which was for my own good as we all know I probably wouldn't have eaten it otherwise. Our main course however was lamb and it was so delicious, best lamb I've ever had. Maria had a surprise for me in Madrid and she said we'd be out late so to pack an overnight bag. Not knowing what I was in for as Maria is always unpredictable I prepared for  the world. We bused from her town into Madrid and then took the tube to center town. We enjoyed some Spanish street music as we walked to my surprise. We arrived at ten on the dot to a little local bar and as we sat and ordered sangria I noticed the photos on the wall. I was there to watch flaminko dancing! It was so beautiful and like no other dancing i'd ever seen. The dancers just feel the music and dance through the emotions, they even cried, it was very moving. Maria taught me some things too as she danced flaminko for twelve years. It was such an amazing night and to top it all off we stayed in Madrid at her grandmas old apartment. When we got there I recognized the area right away to be the same as when I was last in Madrid couch surfing, small world. A little too much sangria the night before had us out like a light til late the next day so when we woke up we did some casual shopping and then ate Chinese and napped before heading home. I had been feeling sick with a soar throat so Maria's mom gave me a traditional Spanish remedy, a cloth dipped in special herbs and alcohol that you wrap around your throat to help you breath at night. Well I should have known this trip was going too well because what do you know I reacted to the chemicals on the cloth and ended up with a burn on my neck that looks like either a huge hickey or that someone tried strangling me, awesome. Even worse was how awful Maria's mom felt for giving it to me. Even a huge mark on my neck couldn't keep me away from a mall though so the next morning we went with some friends to a huge new mall in the next town for an all you can eat buffet and to do some shopping before lounging by the pool the rest of the day, what a hard life. And to top it off that night we had pizza, Spanish omelette and ice cream. Saturday, sadly my last day in Spain but probably my favorite because we had another amazing home cooked meal by Maria's mom out on the back patio with the family. Then while mom was in the kitchen and dad was working in the yard (would be the other way around for me back home with dad in the kitchen and mom in the garden) us kids played a couple games of wild rummey, just reminded me how much a miss being at home doing the same things with my family. Another gorgeous day couldnt be wasted so Maria took me into Madrid to rent a row boat on the lake in one of the parks. She rowed while I tanned, not that I didn't try to row it's just that we never got anywhere when I did. Afterwards we got a characturist to draw a photo of u together, something neither of us had ever done. Honestly I didn't think the day could get any better but I should never doubt that when with Maria. She took me to dinner for tapas one last time and tapas are always in need of sangria. We tipsily took the bus home and enjoyed a couple episodes of friends before drifting to sleep. Our goodbye the following day at the airport wasn't sad because we've had such a great time together on this trip and throughout the year. Not to mention I'll be seeing her soon in August when she comes to Canada and I get to show her the ropes.

Goodbye Essex: Colchester Zoo

                                             Kristi (giraffe) and I (lion)

                                                    Maria, a beautiful Leopard

                                                    Jasmin, the cutest mandrill I ever did see

The girls all painted and ready to expore the zoo. from top left: Kristi (giraffe), Sam (butterfly), Jasmin (mandrill), Tanu (butterfly), Nyien (scary bunny). Bottom left: me (lion), Maria (leopard).

                                                                   Junggle animals

                                             feeding the elephants, my favorite part of the zoo.

                                  Tanya, she´s 30 and could live to 70. She´s head honcho here at the zoo.

                                          Me and Tanya, Ben too scared to come any closer
                   (Ben was the only boy to partake in face painting, what a trouper)

                                              Jasmin the mandrill and Tanya the elephant

       All aboard the fun train! The train took us to see the Flamingo´s, some monkeys, and the red pandas

                                              Group shot in the Sealion tunnel. Best day ever!

So many emotions were running through me while preparing to leave.  Sunday after the Summer Ball I packed up my room to prepare to leave early Tuesday morning.  It was a horrible day knowing I would never be apart of the Uni ever again.  I may return one day to visit but this really is it, the end of a wonderful journey.  While it was hard for me I know it was hard for my friends too, we were all a mess and ended up just lying in bed, all six girls, crying.  We decided that the following day was going to be a happy one, no tears allowed so that we could have a proper day together as our last day.  Monday morning we all gathered and took off to the Colchester Zoo, something we have been saying we´d do since day one.  As we are all children at heart we got our faces painted and really experienced the Zoo as animals do.  It was an incredible day!  I couldn´t have asked for a better last day as we all excitedly ran around taking pictures and being playful.  And the best part is that we were all together, all 15 of us.  Maria and I were to catch a bus at 5 the next morning so we decided sleep was out of the question.  Instead we cleared the tables out of the kitchen and replaced them with five mattresses on the floor so that we could all have a slumber party together.  My friends being as amazing as they are made me the best present of all, a scrapbook to remember my time here.  I am so fortunate to have them and its something I will be able to look at and remember all the great memories we had when I miss them most (which will be all the time).  As the hours dwindled by we all layed there cuddling and holding tightly to one another as we knew we´d soon have to let go forever.  As I layed there with all the people that have grown into my family I couldn´t be happier to know that even though I´m leaving, I won´t be leaving them behind because they are forever a part of my life and a part of me.  When it was finally time to go we were all silent with tears while hugging one another but no one wanted it to end on a sad note so since dancing on the benches was a common activity throughout the year we all joined together to dance to Beyonce´s Love on Top as our final goobye.  My last memory will be of my friends, sleep deprived but smiling, as they continued dancing while I waved goodbye hand in hand with Maria while we left to catch our bus.  Thank you University of Essex for bringing us together!

Summer Ball

                                          All ready and looking fabulous everyone!!

                                                                        Maria and I

 

Ben, such a stud muffing. (with Maria and Sam)

 

                                                 Let the night begin!

                                         Bumper cars! I was driving cuz Benny was scared.

                                 Three girls leaving after all of this, will miss this (Kristi, Maria, and I)

                                            Ben and Thomas looking rather dapper in their suits

                                                                Me, Thomas, and Kristi

                                       Another round of Bumper cars anyone? (Jasmin and Lucy)

                                           I don't want to go so I tried trapping myself.

                                          Bouncy Castle. We may grow old but never grow up..

                                          The next morning, warn out but still having a ball.
                                                                I love you guys

Well what can't I say about this year. Its been the time of my life, the most life altering/inspiring year that I will treasure til the day I die.  And what better way to end it then with the Summer Ball, the schools biggest formal party.  We put our best foot forward adorned in dresses, fake eyelashes, and heels (my worst night mare).  The Boys were all in suits and looking more attractive than ever.  The party was in the soccer fields but it had been transformed into a gorgeous fair with bumper cars, spinney rides and even a bouncy castle (our favorite).  There were themed tents were we ultimately spent most of our time dancing our hearts out one last time....right into the early hours of the morning (5:30 in the morning when the survivors photo was taken of all those who lasted the night).  It was an unbelievable night, but to be honest the night was so memorable because of the amazing people I spent it with.  No matter how many places I have seen and traveled nothing compares to the amazing friends I have made.  They have made my time here what it is.  And while I pack my things to leave for my next adventure on Tuesday I can't help but fall apart because it means I am leaving them behind.  Thank you for being who you are.  So as I say my goodbyes in the next couple of days know that I love you all and will miss uncontrollably. Please don't ever forget me, I know I won't ever forget any of you. xoxo

Can't get enough of Poland: Wroclaw

                                                        Outside of the church

                                           View of the city from the church tower

 

Group shot (Pablo, Belen, Maria, and me) on the bridge

 

                                                    single shot of me on the bridge

                                                               Maria with a dwarf statue

         heading to bed at 6 in the morning on our comfy beds ( you can see how light out it was already)

                                                              Japanese Gardens

                                         Belen smelling the flowers in the Japanese Gardens

  

Group shot lounging on the grass (Belen, Maria, me, Pablo)

 

                                                Grecian fountain by the Japanese Gardens

                                     Out at the club across from the dorms (Maria and Pablo)

                               All smiles, except Pablo who looks confused (Pablo, Belen, and me)

                                            Cheese soup one last time, yuuuummm

            So much food, so amazing!  Patato pancakes, pork covered in cheese tomatoes
                                                  and olives, and a chip salad

After finishing my three hardest exams it was time for a well deserved travel break with my Spanish sister, Maria and her friends Pablo and Belen.  Maria's friend, Pablo, is studying in Wroclaw Poland so we decided a little visit to his University was in need so we took off late Saturday May 26th en route for some fun.  Having celebrated the night before by going out at our own Uni it was a struggle to find energy but we made it there and settled into our room at the University nicely.  The following day we resorted to trying some traditional food which of course includes lots of CHEESE...my favorite!!  We had the most amazing cheese soup, and pork covered in cheese.  Afterwards we needed to walk off some of the food so we trekked into town.  We climbed the tower of one of the many churches to get a spectacular view of the old town which is adorned in colorful buildings with delicate architecture.  The city has hidden hundreds of tiny dwarf statues all in the streets so we made it a game to see who could find the most, and we stopped to take pictures with our favorites.  Pablo is involved with a drama society and they were performing their play for the final time that night so we were lucky enough to go watch.  They put on a valiant show and so we celebrated their success with the rest of the cast on beer island (an island in town where you drink beer, who would have guessed).  As the Polish like to party hard we continued celebrating long into the early hours of the morning at one of their discos called Mundo.  The atmosphere of a Polish club is something to experience, they are unbelievably affectionate to say the least.  A night out always requires a snack so before heading home we stopped into a pub for some food before cabbing home and crashing into our comfortable beds (two couch looking beds and one air mattress).  We lucked out weather wise all weekend so waking up the next morning we had to soak up some sun with a walk to the Japanese gardens, but only after filling our bellies with pizza (not so traditional but always good after a night of drinking juice).  The Japanese Gardens were beautiful, very peaceful so we spent some time just lounging in the grass.  Also near the gardens is a big Grecian inspired courtyard with a fountain at its center where the water in the fountain shoots up in relation to music.  As it was hot I thought Maria would like to be cooled off in the water...which to my surprise turned into a water fight.  We worked up an appetite during our water fight and so we had intended on only getting a small snack but instead our snack turned into four crepes (three nutella and one cheese) two gyros, and one soup.  Food is our weakness.  While in Poland do as the Polish do, therefore it was time to party again.  This time we played some games with some other exchange students in the dorms before hitting a club near by (aka across the street from the dorms).  We danced the night away.  Time certainly flies, we had to catch our flight home the following day but not before revisiting the same little pub for some more of that amazing cheese soup and pork.  We definitely out did ourselves and ate way too much that I wont need to eat for a week.  Even though it was time to head home the fun was hardly over since Pablo flew back to England with us and it is now our turn to show him a good time here in Essex!

EXAMS...dun dun duuhh

Well its that time of year to put my knowledge to the test, but this year has been a learning experience in every which way.  It is too bad that my exams don't test me on reading maps, or learning the underground systems (in any Country), or on how to find the cheapest flights, and making sure that your bag fits in the regulated constraints by wearing most of your clothes, I know I could ace my exams if that were the case.  There is so much to learn by just living your life that no class could possibly teach you, but unfortunately I can't argue that to get out of writing exams (I've tried) so instead I have 5 exams total, Literature today (Saturday May 19th), Intelligent Behavior Monday (May 21st), Computer Science Tuesday (May 22nd), Development and Dyslexia May 31st, and lastly Philosophy June 7th.  Five exams and then my year here is almost complete....its hard to believe.