Its official...I am moving home tomorrow. Back into the glory of my mother's home cooking, a freezing Minnesota winter, not having to pay my own heating bill and a total of three friends in the Minneapolis city limits. This is what I deserve for making my entire social network move to Chicago in the past three years.
I am excited, scared, fear for my boredom, etc. It should be interesting, that is for sure. It will all work out pending I get the job with the Close-Up Foundation, which would start on the second of the year. If I am not offered that job, I think I will either return to Chicago to continue my life as a bum, or find another option-- maybe move out West to do a little snowboarding?
Who wants to hang out with me?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Home again, home again, jiggity jig
Six weeks has in fact flown by. I am currently sitting in the Amersterdam airport waiting for my flight back to Chicago to leave. Mom is already on her flight back to Minneapolis. Our last couple of days in Lisbon was great-- and we again continued to eat, drink and look at the sights.
Yesterday we went to the outside of town to the new aquarium (not as good as the Shedds, no whales), ate lunch and walked through some gardens. After lunch, we returned to our hotel to pack and get organized.
While these past six weeks has been amazing and almost flawless, I am ready to have a washer and dryer at my disposial, not be living out of a suitcase and in my own bed. For the last six weeks, I have dined at more resturants then kitchen tables, slept in the same bed for more then a couple nights, driven a car or had a cell phone (to be honest...I miss texting).
I am very interested in finding a way to get back to Europe in the next year whether it be for school, work or laying on Gigi's couch. Finding a job would be the preferred method of returning to Europe but I am keeping all of my options open. If you have any advice, let me know.
Peace out Europe. And sorry Gigi, we are no longer on the same continent.
Yesterday we went to the outside of town to the new aquarium (not as good as the Shedds, no whales), ate lunch and walked through some gardens. After lunch, we returned to our hotel to pack and get organized.
While these past six weeks has been amazing and almost flawless, I am ready to have a washer and dryer at my disposial, not be living out of a suitcase and in my own bed. For the last six weeks, I have dined at more resturants then kitchen tables, slept in the same bed for more then a couple nights, driven a car or had a cell phone (to be honest...I miss texting).
I am very interested in finding a way to get back to Europe in the next year whether it be for school, work or laying on Gigi's couch. Finding a job would be the preferred method of returning to Europe but I am keeping all of my options open. If you have any advice, let me know.
Peace out Europe. And sorry Gigi, we are no longer on the same continent.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Pictures to go along with the big update (see below)
Gustavo´s daughter Marina and I at the park in Madrid.
The town of Sagobia.
If you turn your head so you can see it correctly, this is a big elevator in Lisbon.
View from the top of the elevator.
The tower.
In the Coach Museum.
The castle in Sitra outside of Lisbon.
The BIG update
As my father reminded me via e-mail, I have not been updating my blog. I have had a hard time in the last week trying to find internet cafes that allow me to upload pictures and I will admit, have also been slightly lazy so now I will provide for my family and friends the big recap of the last weeks.
SPAIN:
I left Barcelona Thursday afternoon for the trek to Madrid. After wondering around looking for a post office to send off postcards and my worn out Frye boots to Gigi, I hauled my suitcase to the train station to catch the bus to the airport. And let me just tell you about the bus company, they lie. After wondering around in a panic for a 45 minutes, I finally found a bus that was actually leaving (they are supposed to leave every 15 minutes I was told) and made it to the airport in the nick of time. While waiting in line to check my bag, I put on about ten layers of clothing to make sure my bag was under weight, devised a way to get my purse and my messenger bag on the plane, walked through security and we were boarding. I was a little hungover from the shot adventures with my new Australian friends but feeling good.
I was thrilled to arrive in Madrid-- not only because I survived the bumpy and slightly frightening landing but also because Antonio, one of our family friends that we stayed with, was waiting for me at the airport. We took the train back to his apartment in the city center of Madrid and in the true fashion of his lovely wife, she promptly fed a wonderful meal and sent to bed for a nap. I woke up an hour later and wondered around their neighborhood and then was fed dinner. Gustavo, Antonio and Isabel´s son, returned home later that night as I was getting ready to brush my teeth and hustled me out of the house for a couple of beers at a bar that looked like the inside of a church, a history lesson on the Spanish Legion (they are the "Boyfriend´s Death") and other stories and life lessons. We had such a great time, we closed down the bar.
The next day my mommy arrived and we continued to eat, eat, eat and eat. Marina, Gustavo´s 5 year old daughter, came for the weekend and I was immediately thrown into dress up and playtime. With my very limited Spanish and her even more limited English, the two of us had lots of fun together. At one point throughout the weekend, she did put me in a time out for stealing her cookies.
Our time in Spain was much more about visiting and hanging out with the family then seeing the sights. We took Marina to the park, ate more food that you could ever imagine, drank beer mixed with vino wine and walked around the town. I did drag my mother to a bull fight one afternoon. I thought it was thrilling yet at times...not so good at others. It was a great visit.
We took one side trip to a small town outside of Madrid in the pouring rain called Sagobia. There we saw a castle, a large cathedral, took a rain filled walk in the woods (it looked just like the creek in Minneapolis) and the aqueducts left over from the Romans. Despite being soaking wet, it was a lovely little town.
LISBON:
We took the tiniest plane ever from Madrid to Lisbon. I was convinced I was going to die, but alas, we survived. We met Annie and Steve at the airport and checked into our hotel. That night we ate dinner near the water at a restaurant that was over a hundred and thirty years old. Steve told the waiter that Annie, my mom and I were all his wives. The food was excellent-- as it has been throughout our trip, and a good kick off to the last leg of my vacation.
Jeanne arrived the next day from Germany in the afternoon. We walked around the town, saw the castle just on the outskirts of Lisbon and ate more food. After warning all of us to watch our purses, Steve almost got pick pocketed on the tram. Noticing his Blackberry was gone, he used some colorful language while patting down the assumed thief and it was found.
The next day we went to a little suburb of Lisbon and in the course of six hours saw a tower, 5 museums (the cathedral museum, the Da Vinci museum, modern art, the coach museum and the Marine museum), the inside of the cathedral and a huge statue. I don´t think anyone realized how tired they were until we sat down for a salad and a bottle of white wine. The view was amazing. That night we again ate a fabulous meal on the water, even though we had the waiter from hell. We refered to him as our "used car salesmen" waiter.
The next day we shopped and wondered around Lisbon. We tried to go to the Thieves Market in the morning but got stuck in the rain. After it stopped, we considered going to a town called Sitra but decided to instead eat, shop and drink our way through town. The only casualty of the day is when I lost my mom´s umbrella in Zara (may it rest in peace). She is actually very upset with me. We ate last night at a restaurant called Lisboa Noite, which was again, fabulous. I am continuing my mission of eating my way through Europe and my quest for the best Gazpacho. I have had some great ones.
This morning we actually made it to Sitra, a town that boasts not only a castle but a fort. We took a taxi up to the top of the mountain and ended up walking down. After lunch, we went to another castle that had a pirate exhibit.
I am not sure what is in the cards for tomorrow but I´m sure it will be something good. My mom and I will be leaving for the airport in Lisbon at 5am Tuesday morning (10pm on Monday for you folks) and heading home. I get into Chicago at 5pm on Tuesday. I have had a great time in Europe, but I think I am ready to come home.
Miss you all. Rach
SPAIN:
I left Barcelona Thursday afternoon for the trek to Madrid. After wondering around looking for a post office to send off postcards and my worn out Frye boots to Gigi, I hauled my suitcase to the train station to catch the bus to the airport. And let me just tell you about the bus company, they lie. After wondering around in a panic for a 45 minutes, I finally found a bus that was actually leaving (they are supposed to leave every 15 minutes I was told) and made it to the airport in the nick of time. While waiting in line to check my bag, I put on about ten layers of clothing to make sure my bag was under weight, devised a way to get my purse and my messenger bag on the plane, walked through security and we were boarding. I was a little hungover from the shot adventures with my new Australian friends but feeling good.
I was thrilled to arrive in Madrid-- not only because I survived the bumpy and slightly frightening landing but also because Antonio, one of our family friends that we stayed with, was waiting for me at the airport. We took the train back to his apartment in the city center of Madrid and in the true fashion of his lovely wife, she promptly fed a wonderful meal and sent to bed for a nap. I woke up an hour later and wondered around their neighborhood and then was fed dinner. Gustavo, Antonio and Isabel´s son, returned home later that night as I was getting ready to brush my teeth and hustled me out of the house for a couple of beers at a bar that looked like the inside of a church, a history lesson on the Spanish Legion (they are the "Boyfriend´s Death") and other stories and life lessons. We had such a great time, we closed down the bar.
The next day my mommy arrived and we continued to eat, eat, eat and eat. Marina, Gustavo´s 5 year old daughter, came for the weekend and I was immediately thrown into dress up and playtime. With my very limited Spanish and her even more limited English, the two of us had lots of fun together. At one point throughout the weekend, she did put me in a time out for stealing her cookies.
Our time in Spain was much more about visiting and hanging out with the family then seeing the sights. We took Marina to the park, ate more food that you could ever imagine, drank beer mixed with vino wine and walked around the town. I did drag my mother to a bull fight one afternoon. I thought it was thrilling yet at times...not so good at others. It was a great visit.
We took one side trip to a small town outside of Madrid in the pouring rain called Sagobia. There we saw a castle, a large cathedral, took a rain filled walk in the woods (it looked just like the creek in Minneapolis) and the aqueducts left over from the Romans. Despite being soaking wet, it was a lovely little town.
LISBON:
We took the tiniest plane ever from Madrid to Lisbon. I was convinced I was going to die, but alas, we survived. We met Annie and Steve at the airport and checked into our hotel. That night we ate dinner near the water at a restaurant that was over a hundred and thirty years old. Steve told the waiter that Annie, my mom and I were all his wives. The food was excellent-- as it has been throughout our trip, and a good kick off to the last leg of my vacation.
Jeanne arrived the next day from Germany in the afternoon. We walked around the town, saw the castle just on the outskirts of Lisbon and ate more food. After warning all of us to watch our purses, Steve almost got pick pocketed on the tram. Noticing his Blackberry was gone, he used some colorful language while patting down the assumed thief and it was found.
The next day we went to a little suburb of Lisbon and in the course of six hours saw a tower, 5 museums (the cathedral museum, the Da Vinci museum, modern art, the coach museum and the Marine museum), the inside of the cathedral and a huge statue. I don´t think anyone realized how tired they were until we sat down for a salad and a bottle of white wine. The view was amazing. That night we again ate a fabulous meal on the water, even though we had the waiter from hell. We refered to him as our "used car salesmen" waiter.
The next day we shopped and wondered around Lisbon. We tried to go to the Thieves Market in the morning but got stuck in the rain. After it stopped, we considered going to a town called Sitra but decided to instead eat, shop and drink our way through town. The only casualty of the day is when I lost my mom´s umbrella in Zara (may it rest in peace). She is actually very upset with me. We ate last night at a restaurant called Lisboa Noite, which was again, fabulous. I am continuing my mission of eating my way through Europe and my quest for the best Gazpacho. I have had some great ones.
This morning we actually made it to Sitra, a town that boasts not only a castle but a fort. We took a taxi up to the top of the mountain and ended up walking down. After lunch, we went to another castle that had a pirate exhibit.
I am not sure what is in the cards for tomorrow but I´m sure it will be something good. My mom and I will be leaving for the airport in Lisbon at 5am Tuesday morning (10pm on Monday for you folks) and heading home. I get into Chicago at 5pm on Tuesday. I have had a great time in Europe, but I think I am ready to come home.
Miss you all. Rach
Friday, October 3, 2008
Just some quick pictures
Post cooking class-- this would be the boy scout shot. The Aussies and I roasting marshmellows on the bar. It was funny.
I made that sangria! I took a Spanish cooking class in Barcelona. We made tapas, sangria and had a paella demonstration. It was sweet.
Biggest eye sore in Barcelona...also known as the school of architecture. Hello all,
Mom should be here in a couple hours...can't wait. More to come.
XO Rach
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I went to Barcelona...and all I met were Australians.
I am leaving Barcelona for beautiful Madrid and my mommy. The first day in Barcelona I wondered around getting lost, sitting in the Gaudi park, eating gazpacho and sat at the beach. I found a bar called Travel Bar (highly recommended for its Spanish events if bored in Barcelona) is a weak attempt to make some friends and found a boy from Australia to entertain me the following day. The next day we took a walking tour through Barcelona's Gothic area and old Jewish ghetto. We saw the oldest temple in all of Europe, learned fun facts like the romantic history of the name paella comes from the term par ella or for her, the uglist building in Barcelona (which also happens to be the arcitecture school) and wear Pacasso first learned to paint. We walked through an outdoor market that sold fresh fruit, fish and meat. I got a little excited and accidently bought about a kilo of salami (forgot about the pound-kilo thing), found a Starbucks for good measure and then sat on the beach until dinner time.
Travel Bar had organized a Spanish cooking class (very cool, for 18 Euros they teach you how to cook, give you more sangria then any of us needed, tapas, paella, a history lesson and recipes). At a table of 13 people, I was the only American...the rest were Aussies. We poured on the brandy a little heavy, were a little light on the fanta and next found ourselves at a place called Shot Bar with 2 euro shots and lots of bizzare names such as the boyscout shot (it involved setting the bar on fire and toasting a marshmellow), the Monica Lewinsky (it involved a fake penis, getting accosted by the bartender, whip cream and yeah, you get the idea...), the Raquel (tasted like sugar water, delicious) and things of all colors of the rainbow that we gladly sampled.
I have pictures to upload but the place for the jump drive at my hostel is locked away. I have to go pack (by putting on about 17 layers to get my bag down to only 15 kilos) and make my long trek to the Madrid via metro, bus, plane, another bus and then another ride on another metro. But when all is said and done, I get to see my mommy tomorrow so how could life be bad?
Travel Bar had organized a Spanish cooking class (very cool, for 18 Euros they teach you how to cook, give you more sangria then any of us needed, tapas, paella, a history lesson and recipes). At a table of 13 people, I was the only American...the rest were Aussies. We poured on the brandy a little heavy, were a little light on the fanta and next found ourselves at a place called Shot Bar with 2 euro shots and lots of bizzare names such as the boyscout shot (it involved setting the bar on fire and toasting a marshmellow), the Monica Lewinsky (it involved a fake penis, getting accosted by the bartender, whip cream and yeah, you get the idea...), the Raquel (tasted like sugar water, delicious) and things of all colors of the rainbow that we gladly sampled.
I have pictures to upload but the place for the jump drive at my hostel is locked away. I have to go pack (by putting on about 17 layers to get my bag down to only 15 kilos) and make my long trek to the Madrid via metro, bus, plane, another bus and then another ride on another metro. But when all is said and done, I get to see my mommy tomorrow so how could life be bad?
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