FEELS SO GOOD TO BE BACK!
It actually doesnt though I miss London more and more everyday. I had two months of constant excitement, people to spend time with, and an entire foreign city to explore. Now, I am back in Virginia and I honestly do not know what to do with myself. It seems like everyone I went on the trip with is going through a little Postpartum.
There are a few perks to being back in America though like seeing my family, being able to drive (especially on the right side of the road), and fountain drinks. They don't use ice over there, and it was really bothering me! Their drinks are warm and I just hated it!
The last two months were the best moths of my life. Seriously, I had such an amazing time and I just wish I could have stayed longer. For those of you who are interested, I took four classes; Media and Society, Media and Design, Justice, and Film. Two of my professors were british, one was a JMU student who currently lives in London, and the last is a JMU professor. I absolutely loved my teachers and how they took us on outings throughout London everyday, gave us recommendations of where to go, and sometimes took us for an afternoon pint.
I did my fair share of traveling, however did not take full advaantage of it. We were all so in love with London, we wanted to stay there on our free weekends! I traveled to Barcelona, Paris, Scotland, and Bath.
BARCELONA
This was the first trip I made, since arriving in London. It was so scary going to my first foreign country where they don't speak English. I went with my friend Jordyn and the two of us navigating a country by ourselves, I'm shocked we're still alive. It was a beautiful city, but we didn't really take advantage of this opportunity, we were a little nervous to explore too much, being two young and sometimes ditzy girls. Things got off to a rocky start, but eventually we figured it out and had a great time.
We stayed in an awesome Hostel that was so welcoming, and full of young travelers from across the world. In our one room we had 12 girls, inculding Jordyn and I. There were German, Japanese, Spanish, French, and Canadian girls. We became instant friends with the super sweet Canadian girls because we were the only ones who spoke English.
It was a weekend full of unruly hair, the hot sun, exploring, getting lost, and a decent amount of Sangria.
It actually doesnt though I miss London more and more everyday. I had two months of constant excitement, people to spend time with, and an entire foreign city to explore. Now, I am back in Virginia and I honestly do not know what to do with myself. It seems like everyone I went on the trip with is going through a little Postpartum.
There are a few perks to being back in America though like seeing my family, being able to drive (especially on the right side of the road), and fountain drinks. They don't use ice over there, and it was really bothering me! Their drinks are warm and I just hated it!
The last two months were the best moths of my life. Seriously, I had such an amazing time and I just wish I could have stayed longer. For those of you who are interested, I took four classes; Media and Society, Media and Design, Justice, and Film. Two of my professors were british, one was a JMU student who currently lives in London, and the last is a JMU professor. I absolutely loved my teachers and how they took us on outings throughout London everyday, gave us recommendations of where to go, and sometimes took us for an afternoon pint.
I did my fair share of traveling, however did not take full advaantage of it. We were all so in love with London, we wanted to stay there on our free weekends! I traveled to Barcelona, Paris, Scotland, and Bath.
BARCELONA
This was the first trip I made, since arriving in London. It was so scary going to my first foreign country where they don't speak English. I went with my friend Jordyn and the two of us navigating a country by ourselves, I'm shocked we're still alive. It was a beautiful city, but we didn't really take advantage of this opportunity, we were a little nervous to explore too much, being two young and sometimes ditzy girls. Things got off to a rocky start, but eventually we figured it out and had a great time.
We stayed in an awesome Hostel that was so welcoming, and full of young travelers from across the world. In our one room we had 12 girls, inculding Jordyn and I. There were German, Japanese, Spanish, French, and Canadian girls. We became instant friends with the super sweet Canadian girls because we were the only ones who spoke English.
It was a weekend full of unruly hair, the hot sun, exploring, getting lost, and a decent amount of Sangria.
Edinburgh (pronounced Edinborough), Scotland.
I was super excited to go to Scotland after an interesting interaction with a bunch of wasted old kilt-wearing Scotsmen on the tube after a football game. There accents are by far my favorite in the world and I couldn't wait to be surrounded by them! This trip was with our whole program so we got to go with all of our friends! It was so fun switching up roommates and living with Natasha and Pauline in our own room! Getting to Scotland was a little rough. The crew did a pub crawl the night before so everyone struggled a bit to wake up in time for our train.
The weather was a lot drearier than in London, which I thought was dreary enough. Luckily I brought my Barbour jacket so I was okay. Scotland was beautiful, as a group we toured two different castles which were both gorgeous! We had a lot of free time to explore the city which was great. I walked around the city with Mallory, who is interested in art like I am! We found a super cute art print store, then went to the Scottish National Gallery! At night, on Friday the 13th we went on a ghost tour in throughout Edinburgh which is the most haunted city in the world. At first I was having a bit of a panic attack. I didn't want to talk to anyone I was so nervous. I knew this was a bad idea especially since watching Paranormal Activity and not being able to sleep for days. I however warmed up to the tour and became very interested in the history. We went through a graveyard and then down into the catacombs!
I loved the city and the constant sound of bagpipes, however it was the hilliest city in the world, I will not miss that! It had the best shopping, with cool art stores, old book stores, and the best thrift shops!
PARIS
ohhh, Paris.
Paris and I have a love/hate relationship. I went twice while abroad, once with my group, and once when my family came to town. Although I loved both trips, they definitely had their low points.
The first trip was with the whole crew, the hostel we were put in... absolutely sucked. It was 45 minutes away from the city and was not very nice: I also had to sleep on a top bunk.
Anyways, we toured the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, the Lock bridge, the Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. I Loved every tour we went on they were absolutely gorgeous! We had a few issues when we got on our own. Paris is extremely expensive, far apart, the people are not friendly and we were all very overwhelmed and exhausted.
But, we did have a great time. We went to the top of Le Tour Eiffel and had a glass of champagne, went to an absinthe bar, ate macaroons, went shopping, and saw Sacré-Cœur.
Round two with the fam also had its highs and lows. First of all, I traveled by myself on the train then took the metro to the hotel. I didn't tell my mom I was taking the metro and I also underestimated my travel time. She was in tears when I got there because she thought I had been taken. I don't know who ever let her see that movie, but they were not smart. We stayed at the Marriott on Champ Elysees which was a completely different experience than my last time. Going to actual restaurants with my parents was also nice, no more baguettes for lunch and dinner... and breakfast! I missed them so much and it was great being in this beautiful city with them! It did however rain the entire time so that was pretty disappointing. The best part about my first trip to Paris was the perfect 75 degree weather!
Paris had its ups and downs, being in a city where the people are pretty rude and very few people speak english is pretty difficult, but overall I definitely want to go back! Third times a charm!
Best part: we convinced Susan to go on the Metro! That princess!
ohhh, Paris.
Paris and I have a love/hate relationship. I went twice while abroad, once with my group, and once when my family came to town. Although I loved both trips, they definitely had their low points.
The first trip was with the whole crew, the hostel we were put in... absolutely sucked. It was 45 minutes away from the city and was not very nice: I also had to sleep on a top bunk.
Anyways, we toured the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, the Lock bridge, the Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower. I Loved every tour we went on they were absolutely gorgeous! We had a few issues when we got on our own. Paris is extremely expensive, far apart, the people are not friendly and we were all very overwhelmed and exhausted.
But, we did have a great time. We went to the top of Le Tour Eiffel and had a glass of champagne, went to an absinthe bar, ate macaroons, went shopping, and saw Sacré-Cœur.
Round two with the fam also had its highs and lows. First of all, I traveled by myself on the train then took the metro to the hotel. I didn't tell my mom I was taking the metro and I also underestimated my travel time. She was in tears when I got there because she thought I had been taken. I don't know who ever let her see that movie, but they were not smart. We stayed at the Marriott on Champ Elysees which was a completely different experience than my last time. Going to actual restaurants with my parents was also nice, no more baguettes for lunch and dinner... and breakfast! I missed them so much and it was great being in this beautiful city with them! It did however rain the entire time so that was pretty disappointing. The best part about my first trip to Paris was the perfect 75 degree weather!
Paris had its ups and downs, being in a city where the people are pretty rude and very few people speak english is pretty difficult, but overall I definitely want to go back! Third times a charm!
Best part: we convinced Susan to go on the Metro! That princess!
BATH
I absolutely LOVED Bath! The one place I was not looking forward to going to became my favorite! We first stopped off in Stratford to see a Shakespeare play, and then to see Anne Hathaway's house... shakespeare's wife, not the princess of Genovia. I wish we had more time there, and didn't have to see that play because it was such an adorable town with a river flowing down the middle, filled with swans and adorable boats! The next day we traveled to Bath. The city was so beautiful and I'm not sure why, there was just a calming air about it! Also, there was an Anthropologie so that may have had something to do with it! I think it was also nice going to a place where people were very friendly! I loved it so much because it was so relaxing during the day, but it also had the best night life, comparable to London! We went to an Arabian nights themes place called, Po Na Na the first night which was super fun! It was the 4th of July so there were American flags everywhere and familiar music! I loved it because there wasn't a ton of things I was dying to see, we strolled around and it was just amazing!
The last day we went to the Stonehenge, which was very cool! I unfortunately forgot my phone on the bus and was extremely disappointed because it was the one place I was most excited to see while studying abroad. However it was nice because I wasn't just looking at it through my camera I actually got to enjoy it without other distractions!
Finally we went to the Wilton House, an absolutely stunning house on a gorgeous property where they filled some of Pride and Prejudice. We had time to play on the playground with the little kids, and roam through the garden before we had a tour of the house!
This was my favorite weekend so far, I went in with low expectations and had an amazing time!
I absolutely LOVED Bath! The one place I was not looking forward to going to became my favorite! We first stopped off in Stratford to see a Shakespeare play, and then to see Anne Hathaway's house... shakespeare's wife, not the princess of Genovia. I wish we had more time there, and didn't have to see that play because it was such an adorable town with a river flowing down the middle, filled with swans and adorable boats! The next day we traveled to Bath. The city was so beautiful and I'm not sure why, there was just a calming air about it! Also, there was an Anthropologie so that may have had something to do with it! I think it was also nice going to a place where people were very friendly! I loved it so much because it was so relaxing during the day, but it also had the best night life, comparable to London! We went to an Arabian nights themes place called, Po Na Na the first night which was super fun! It was the 4th of July so there were American flags everywhere and familiar music! I loved it because there wasn't a ton of things I was dying to see, we strolled around and it was just amazing!
The last day we went to the Stonehenge, which was very cool! I unfortunately forgot my phone on the bus and was extremely disappointed because it was the one place I was most excited to see while studying abroad. However it was nice because I wasn't just looking at it through my camera I actually got to enjoy it without other distractions!
Finally we went to the Wilton House, an absolutely stunning house on a gorgeous property where they filled some of Pride and Prejudice. We had time to play on the playground with the little kids, and roam through the garden before we had a tour of the house!
This was my favorite weekend so far, I went in with low expectations and had an amazing time!
I'll do a post about London next, but I would like to congratulate my little PAULine on her engagement!!!!! So excited for them!!!
Her Fiance, Derek started a blog right when she left for London and continued it until he proposed! So adorable check it out here:
Letters to Pauline
Her Fiance, Derek started a blog right when she left for London and continued it until he proposed! So adorable check it out here:
Letters to Pauline