So we have made it to San Sebastian but let me tell you, it was a hell of a ride.
When we got to Paris we wasted no time as we only had two full days before leaving again for Spain the next evening. I've heard so much about Paris from other people, movies, and books but to see it in person is such an amazing experience. Of course I had to check out the longchamp store and after much thought and return visits I just closed my eyes as the woman slid the ol' plastic card ;-) after hours spent walking around town, visiting friends and stuffing our faces with the famous crepes we were back at our hostel to relax before another night train. We happened to meet a girl who goes to school in boston and actually works at the same restaurant I went to (the pour house) before my trip on the same day she was working...is that even possible? Moments later, the strange guy sitting next to her so kindly asked us if we wanted some acid as he dropped it in his mouth. I gave him a look as to say "my mommy told me not to take things from strangers" and got a look in return as if he thought I was already on it. That's my cue to leave...
Interesting didn't stop there... We left with an hour to get to the train station and with about 30 to spare realized we were at the wrong place. This is when "flying by the seat of your paints" gets a new meaning, after bulting down the hallway, trying to understand a street map, crossing a bridge and rolling into our train we had 5 mins to spare. But let me just say, having a huge backpack wrapped around your waist right at the belt loops of your pants, with both hands full mine were just about at my ankles by the time we arrived. Now after our first overnight train we had a small idea of what to expect. These trains are no 5 star hotel, they don't even compare to a motel 6 off a main highway in the middle of Texas, these things are gross. They are set up so you pretty much have the person in front of you sleeping in your lap as you get uncomfortably close to the person behind you and later realize, when you wake up, that you now know these people alot better than you ever wanted to. Well we were blessed with the sparkly seats, covered with crystals and accented with a spot light. Not only was my seat broken, both recline of the back and feet, but the 60's colored wool window shades last washed well, in the 60's mixed with the smell of the moth balls the guy in front of me took a bath in, there was gonna be no sleeping had. To top it all off someone, who I believe to be the man fully reclined infront of me conveniently passed out before departure, was breaking wind more often than the smell of fresh air could be enjoyed. At this point Kim and I lost it, we were running on such a small amount of sleep that we were slap happy for the entire 15mins the train was delayed cracking jokes we thought were hilarious and being a lot louder than we probably should have. Let's just say the two older spanish woman, who spoke not a hint of english, were not too pleased. Thankfully this overnight only lasted 8 hours and after getting over the awful smell and falling asleep we pulled into San Sebastian. Unfortunately it poured down rain all day but we took advantage of it by going to the aquarium, checked some famous dished for lunch and of course took a much needed nap. Although the weather was nasty today, we are in town for an extremely popular 5 day jazz festival. when we woke up from a siesta, the rain had past and we were back out to enjoy the music, met a bunch of people on a pub tour from our hostel and plan to enjoy a day of sun tomorrow. Madrid tomorrow evening!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Blood, Sweat and Tears with one week left
I think its safe to say, we pretty much took over Paris. After an amazing time in Nice we were off on our overnight train, 11 straight hours of the most uncomfortable trip of my life. Nice was amazing, the water was unbelievable and we are proud to admit that we had the most amazing cheeseburgers at a restaurant called, "The American Bar". I know, I know...we are in EUROPE why in the hell are we eating cheesburgers at an American restaurant. Welllll it was a long day of sun, beach and sight seeing so we felt okay after eating at a really good local restaurant the night before, you cant deprive us forever! Nice was such a nice place and definitely worth going back to someday, with more money of course!
We finally arrived in Paris yesterday morning at about 8am, checked into our hostel to drop our bags and were off wasting no time at all. We were out until about midnight seeing people, places and lots of really good food. We walked and walked until we couldnt feel our feet, took a nap at a part infront of the Champs elysees and ate my first french crepe and a macoron!! We were lucky enough to meet up with a friend, Sidney, later that evening for some drinks, dinner and ice cream...it was really good to see her after about 9 or 10 years (thanks for dinner)! At about 11pm we decided to climb the Eiffel Tower, and by climb I really mean climbing up the stairs for what seemed like foreverrr. It was neat to see it "sparkle" and even cooler if they offered a bungee through the middle ;-) Today we "slept in" till about 930 and were off again to see more of Paris and figured out that it just seems to go on forever cause we kept discovering more and more really cool areas.
I have a lot more to say, like I have had for every place, but there is just no time. As you can tell the posts have been getting shorter and shorter but time has become precious with less than one week left. We are waiting for our next (and FINAL) overnight train to San Sebastian, Spain and I must get organized. See you in Spain, BONJOURNE!!
We finally arrived in Paris yesterday morning at about 8am, checked into our hostel to drop our bags and were off wasting no time at all. We were out until about midnight seeing people, places and lots of really good food. We walked and walked until we couldnt feel our feet, took a nap at a part infront of the Champs elysees and ate my first french crepe and a macoron!! We were lucky enough to meet up with a friend, Sidney, later that evening for some drinks, dinner and ice cream...it was really good to see her after about 9 or 10 years (thanks for dinner)! At about 11pm we decided to climb the Eiffel Tower, and by climb I really mean climbing up the stairs for what seemed like foreverrr. It was neat to see it "sparkle" and even cooler if they offered a bungee through the middle ;-) Today we "slept in" till about 930 and were off again to see more of Paris and figured out that it just seems to go on forever cause we kept discovering more and more really cool areas.
I have a lot more to say, like I have had for every place, but there is just no time. As you can tell the posts have been getting shorter and shorter but time has become precious with less than one week left. We are waiting for our next (and FINAL) overnight train to San Sebastian, Spain and I must get organized. See you in Spain, BONJOURNE!!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Adventures of the "Hamaca"
I'm currently sitting on the waters edge of the French Riviera in Nice. As soon as I saw the views in Switzerland I didn't think it could get much better, but this is a different kind of amazing!! The waters color goes from turcouise to navy blue and the beach is full of small pebbles and of course, boobies.
Speaking of amazing, we came to Nice after spending 6 days with Agnese. It was so nice to get the chance to spend time with her and the family and see all her friends. Let's just say "kicco" keeps things interesting, never a dull moment!! We arrived in bologna to meet her and spent the night out with her college friends. We had this really amazing drink called a spritz (sp?) which is very popular and I can definitely see why. The next morning we headed off to falconara, her home town 2 hours south, where we would spend the next 5 days at her home. Making sure to waste no time, we were off to the beach as soon as we got there. It felt good to be back at Cafe Caracas where I had spent my summer 3 years ago and to see all her friends again. I think Kim was a bit shocked at what she just so conveniently pointed out right away scattered along the beach. We'll keep the vocabulary alive and just say their "banana hammocks" weren't impressing the vawter. although she wanted to appear disgusted, I believe she loved it and wanted her very own banana hammock to take home ;-) We spent the following 4 days at the beach, Friday being a beach 30mins away at a place called numana which was beautiful. We spent a few nights at the cafe on the beach, one night at a sangria party a few mins away and our final night to a big dinner and party in town. Every night, besides the last, we ate with her parents who are excellent cooks and the food will be missed for sure. Our last night was spent with about 12 people at a nice restaurant and then we went down to a huge beach party in Ancona with Michele and Matteo and it was a blast. Of course we had to stop at the pastry shop on our way home at 4am although some people had trouble keeping their food in their mouth.. Needless to say, since it was already 4 by the time we got home and our train was at 6 aside from Kim, Agnese and I stayed awake and talked. It wad good to catch up since it had been so chaotic the past few days. Thank you Agnese, family and friends for such an amazing week, we will never forget "this beautiful time" and I will be waiting for you all in Chicago :-) besos
8 hours and a few train transfers later we made it to france. We stopped in Monte Carlo to see all the things we can't afford and the famous casino where we would have no luck. Then finally to Nice where we would spend the next day and a half before heading to Paris!! Bonjour **
Speaking of amazing, we came to Nice after spending 6 days with Agnese. It was so nice to get the chance to spend time with her and the family and see all her friends. Let's just say "kicco" keeps things interesting, never a dull moment!! We arrived in bologna to meet her and spent the night out with her college friends. We had this really amazing drink called a spritz (sp?) which is very popular and I can definitely see why. The next morning we headed off to falconara, her home town 2 hours south, where we would spend the next 5 days at her home. Making sure to waste no time, we were off to the beach as soon as we got there. It felt good to be back at Cafe Caracas where I had spent my summer 3 years ago and to see all her friends again. I think Kim was a bit shocked at what she just so conveniently pointed out right away scattered along the beach. We'll keep the vocabulary alive and just say their "banana hammocks" weren't impressing the vawter. although she wanted to appear disgusted, I believe she loved it and wanted her very own banana hammock to take home ;-) We spent the following 4 days at the beach, Friday being a beach 30mins away at a place called numana which was beautiful. We spent a few nights at the cafe on the beach, one night at a sangria party a few mins away and our final night to a big dinner and party in town. Every night, besides the last, we ate with her parents who are excellent cooks and the food will be missed for sure. Our last night was spent with about 12 people at a nice restaurant and then we went down to a huge beach party in Ancona with Michele and Matteo and it was a blast. Of course we had to stop at the pastry shop on our way home at 4am although some people had trouble keeping their food in their mouth.. Needless to say, since it was already 4 by the time we got home and our train was at 6 aside from Kim, Agnese and I stayed awake and talked. It wad good to catch up since it had been so chaotic the past few days. Thank you Agnese, family and friends for such an amazing week, we will never forget "this beautiful time" and I will be waiting for you all in Chicago :-) besos
8 hours and a few train transfers later we made it to france. We stopped in Monte Carlo to see all the things we can't afford and the famous casino where we would have no luck. Then finally to Nice where we would spend the next day and a half before heading to Paris!! Bonjour **
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