Back Home

I have now been back in the States for over a week, which includes six days in Hanover over graduation weekend working at the 50^th reunion. It is great to be back, and I am so excited to be reunited with our Dartmouth friends for sophomore summer. The thrills of being back have almost replaced the sadness of the end of the term, and saying goodbye to both Prague and all my new friends after a fantastic term, but the fact that our amazing adventure is truly over is starting to hit me!

After waking up for a 4am airport shuttle and a longgg day of flying last weekend, I was finally rewarded with a loop around Boston on my descent into the city, and a beautiful view of Marblehead and my house. It felt good to be back. Miraculously, all my luggage had made it, and I passed through the airport in no time at all. I was tempted to buy a Diet Coke (NOT Cola Light!) right there in the airport, but I came to the shocking realization that I had no American money. Bummer.

Being home with my family the first few days was been great. In addition to the Diet Coke, I thoroughly enjoyed all the American food and home cooking I had missed, especially the vegetables and salad with dinner every night. In the beginning, I didn’t do much except hang out with my family, eat a lot, and try to ease myself into exercising again (sophomore summer boot camp?). I also had a few minor surgeries… one-step closer to getting a tooth and normal ear again! It was so exciting to be back that I initially didn’t have much time to dwell on the fact that our term is over, but telling stories from abroad over the last week has made me reflect on how crazy the past few months were. I am constantly reminded of stories from Budapest, Istanbul, Barcelona, and all over, and realize how lucky we were to get to see so many places….

Considering we were only gone two and a half months, this term was truly incredible, between the travel and adventure, independence, food, and especially the new friends. All our faithful blog readers have been able to follow all this as we went, but to look back on it now it’s hard to believe. I loved having the opportunity to get to know one city, and I am so glad I chose Prague. When I applied for this FSP freshman winter, it was sort of on a whim (encouraged by Emily at 11:50 pm for a midnight deadline), but now I can’t imagine going anywhere else. It is really a magical medieval city in the heart of Europe. I was able to learn in ways I never had imagined, and had a lot of fun doing it. I had backpacked around Europe after high school with a friend, but never had stayed put in one place to truly get to know it. While 10 weeks wasn’t nearly enough time to get to truly know Prague, I loved being able to navigate my way around the city independently, and see how much I learned just from exploring. Not being able to speak Czech was definitely difficult, but we picked up as much as possible (jedno pivo prosim?) and just hoped like hell everyone else spoke English. Oftentimes they didn’t, but it was always an adventure trying to communicate, especially when we were ordering food. Once we ended up ordering a round of tripe soup… yuck. However, we thoroughly enjoyed the Czech cuisine overall, and I have the waistline to prove it. Unfortunate timing right before sophomore summer, but these things happen.

As much as we loved Prague and our fieldtrips around the Czech Republic, having the freedom and ability to travel Europe by train and air on the weekends was one of the best parts. Everything happened very quickly, but I feel like I got a great sense of every city, and now know where I want to return (Barcelona definitely, Bratislava not so much). I have great memories from each place, because we didn’t just walk around with a map- we had different experiences in each. Some of my favorites were caving in Budapest, biking in Vienna, and definitely the Turkish Baths in Istanbul.

And the best part of exploring these new places and experiencing new things was doing it together. In March, I only really knew Emily and LJ, but now I have 13 great friends from the term. We didn’t have much of a choice considering we lived in the same apartments and were in class and on fieldtrips together all day every day, but we were so lucky to have such an incredible and compatible group. Some more guys definitely would have been nice, but if we could only have 2 LJ and Isaiah were the best we could have asked for… and the girls weren’t bad either! We always joked that we were only friends because we had to be and wouldn’t hang out when we got back to school, but this week so far has proven that the friendships are lasting ones. Even if we are busy with all our different commitments back in Hanover, we will get together for Becherovka pregames and long dinners out, complete with free bread and water (but unfortunately lacking beer considering we are no longer legal- reality check).

It was especially fun living with (and blogging with, of course!) Emily. I don’t think you really know someone until you 1) room with them and 2) travel with them, so the fact that Emily and I are still getting along is a good sign! This term would have been an incredible experience even if I was with kids I had never met before, but having one of my best friends there to share it with was one of the best parts, and it is something we will share for a long time. (I just worked the Class of 1960 50^th reunion- I have a new concept of our short time in Hanover now!) I saw her a few times over the busy weekend in Hanover, but overall, this is the longest we have been separated in weeks! Luckily she caved in and got a blackberry upon her return to the States though, so we can constantly bbm if we feel the need…

As I show the pictures to my family and my friends from our travels, it really hits me how many different places we traveled and all the cool stuff we got to do! It was an incredible adventure, but neither of us did it alone. Thank you to all of you who made it happen. Without my parents support, (especially financially!), I never would have been able to take advantage of all the opportunities we had. Even with skype and smart phones allowing fairly easy contact, it still felt at times like we were very far away, and the emails from my parents and friends always made me a feel a little bit closer. And thank you to everyone for accepting us back in your lives after being gone so long! It sounds like everyone had a fantastic spring, whether home, in Hanover, or abroad, and I am loving reuniting and catching up on both our lives, and making plans for the next great term- sophomore summer in Hanover!

So this is the end of our blog… unless you want to hear about me and Emily’s daily lives during sophomore summer, which is extremely doubtful. End of blog- unless you want to hear about Emily and my daily lives during sophomore summer, which is doubtful. Thank you for reading! We have loved sharing our adventures with you, and getting responses from our followers, all over the world! It meant a lot to know that you were all following, even if you only looked at the pictures (I don’t blame you). I sent a lot of postcards to my friends all over, but it was fun to keep loved ones updated on a more daily basis, and reflect a little on our experiences as we went… I don’t have any last words, but all I can say is travel every chance you can, there is no better way to learn about both the world and more importantly, yourself. I hope you all get the chance to visit Prague, and if you need a personal guide, I am more than willing to accompany you- expenses paid, of course!

Until our next adventure…

Xo Heather (and Em!)

Final Thoughts on my Plane Home

Well, the end of my journey has finally come (but Heather still has one more day!). Once I step off of this plane, my sophomore spring of college will have come to a close and I will only be able to relive my European adventures through memories and story telling. As cliché as it sounds, I have learned so much about myself on this trip and I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to share some of that with you by writing this blog. So for my last blog post, I want to take you through a list of my closing thoughts and a summary of all that I have done this term. Enjoy!

-I was gone for 80 days. March 17^th 2010- June 5^th 2010.

-I have been to 9 countries in that time period. Here they are listed in order- Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Turkey, Germany, Slovakia, and Spain.

-In those 9 countries, I have been to 13 major European cities (excluding everywhere we went in the Czech Republic). Again listed in order- Rome, Florence, Venice, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Krakow/Auschwitz, Istanbul, Berlin, Bratislava, Barcelona, Eivissa (Ibiza), and Madrid.

-I have used 5 currencies (the euro messes up my awesome stats for this one)- the Euro, the Czech crown, the Hungarian Forint, the Polish Zlotych, and the Turkish lira. I have some extra coins and bills as souvenirs.

-I had the chance to live in my first city, Prague, which I will someday come back to.

-Our class went on 12 field trips throughout the Czech Republic. From brown coal mines to chandelier factories, breweries to an endless number of Czech castles, drinking thermal water in spa towns, and even touring communist panel housing (!) - we have seen it all.

-Let’s Go Europe 2010 was my bible.

-I had the pleasure of my parents coming to visit me in Prague and had so much fun showing them around.

-I learned how to surf the web in many different languages.

-I learned so much about 20^th century Europe to build off the history course I took in the winter. I saw 3 Nazi concentration camps (Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Terezin). Saw numerous museums and memorials of the communist era. And learned so much about changes in the post-communist world for the former Soviet block countries through the Czech Republic lens.

-I’m no longer a teenager.

-I have tasted so many different brands of beer and collected paper coasters from all the restaurants of the beer brands. Not sure yet what I’m going to do with all of them.

-I met, or got to know better, 14 incredible Dartmouth students that come from all different backgrounds and do a variety of things at Dartmouth. While it wasn’t perfect all the time since we were living together, working together, traveling together, anything you name- it was together; I’m so excited to keep in touch and hang out with them on campus.

-I sent postcards from (almost) every city I was in to my amazing boyfriend who is always there for me.

-I completed another 3 classes in college. And I loved my geography professor, Frank, who led the trip. I’m even already signed up to take another class with him in the fall!

-I ran the longest I have ever run in Barcelona’s El Curso- an incredible experience.

-I have had the chance to read for pleasure, watch TV shows that I never usually have time for, and figure out that writing is well, kind of fun. I know I’m going to regret making that statement.

-I saw three sporting games- an AS Roma Italian futbol match, a Slavia Czech hockey game, and Sparta Czech futbol match.

-Traveling in Italy at the beginning with Emily, Laura, and Heather was unforgettable. Seeing Laura in Barcelona too. I’m so excited to get home and hang out with my best friends at Dartmouth this summer!

-We saw the BLACK EYED PEAS in concert at the O2 arena. (I like them girls in Praguee, I like them girls in Pragueee..Czech Republic girls are the prettiest, Czech Republic girls are the prettiest- sing that to Ring-a-Ling).

Hmm there is so much more I did. But that is what I can think of off the top of my head and what has been the most memorable for me. There were some causalities of the trip though- my camera, Heather’s kindle, Heather’s iPod, and my iPod headphones. Oh boy

I know I will go back to Europe someday to visit all the places I have yet to go. In fact I already have a list- Amsterdam, Zurich, some where in Switzerland for an outdoor adventure, pub and beer garden towns of Germany, the south of Spain, Greece to see its beauty…the list goes on. But all of that is a long time away because I’m not ready to leave Greenwich or Dartmouth anytime soon. Maybe a future job will take me there. Or a vacation. My honeymoon. Maybe when I have a family of my own someday- but yeah, I’m getting a little ahead of myself right now. For now, I’m burnt out and tired from all my travels, experiences in new cultures, and everything I have learned (which is more than I can even wrap my head around). I want to relax in what is familiar to me and get back into my usual routine.

It is scary to be on my way back and know that I have missed so much with all of you at home. I will admit, I have been so occupied with everything new and exciting going on in Europe that I haven’t been able to talk to you all as much as I would have liked. The distance, lack of a phone, and our unreliable apartment Internet contributed as well. I just don’t know how everyone used to do it in the old days with no Internet and Skype! So I’m excited to get full updates on everyone’s lives and re-immerse myself with all the people I love!

I want to thank you all for taking the time to read Heather and my blog. I had so much fun writing it, and I know Heather did too. In addition to all of your emails and positive feedback inspiring us to write, I wouldn’t have been able to write all that I did without Heather. So Heather, I have to thank you for that! And from the both of us, our experiences in Europe wouldn’t have been the same if we couldn’t share them all with you. It was a great way to pause in our days and reflect on the chaos around us. And this book (once we print it out) will be something that always makes me happy when I look back on it in 30, 40, 50 years to come.

Thanks again for reading and all of your support! I hope this inspires you to travel around Europe if you haven’t already. Can’t wait to see you all! I’m ready to be home again.

Wandering Madrid

I’m writing sitting on a shaded bench in enormous 300-acre Parque del Buen Retiro on the eastern end of Madrid. The late afternoon sun is beating down on the sunbathers, tourists struggling in their rowboats on the Estanque Grande (the center lake), and the Spanish musicians playing their guitars, accordions, and trumpets for the passersby. It is nice to sit down and relax after a hot, busy day wandering the streets of Madrid. Thanks again Google for your pictures and this blog is, of course, dedicated to Emily Schechter.

I’m going solo in Madrid for a day (the first city that Heather and I haven’t experienced together!) as I left Heather, Ana, and Anny sleeping in our Ibiza apartment early this morning. Our days in Ibiza were filled with beach and pool time, nightlife (fun but disappointing to not be able to enter Space, which was voted the world’s best club a couple of years ago, after paying so much money for pre-tickets), and a trip into Eivissa- the prominent island city (stay tuned for Heather’s pictures). I expect nothing less than a full day in the beach sun for the girls on their last day there.

After paying almost twice as much for my extra checked bag than the actual price of my plane ticket, I made it through my quick 50-minute flight and left all of my luggage except my purse at the airport. Traveling on your own gives you the luxury to wear the same clothes two days in a row- because who is going to know? ALSO there is another Dartmouth ’12 that I met in my hostel. Small world.

My exploration of Madrid started in the northwest corner at Plaza de Espana. I worked my way down to the luxurious Palacio Real, Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena, and then to Plaza Mayor. Although I knew eating in Plaza Mayor would be overpriced, I sat down anyways on a lunch date with my current book, Time Traveler’s Wife, and ordered an inexpensive sandwich. Revived, I walked to Puerta del Sol, the heart of Madrid, and then found my hostel for check-in. I obviously had to stop in to use the Wi-Fi and catch up on all of the emailing I had been deprived of in Ibiza.

Palacio Real

Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena

Plaza Mayor

Next, I continued to wander eastward to Paseo del Prado, a gorgeous boulevard lined with trees and fountains. I took an hour and a half to explore the Prado Museum- one of the numerous famous Madrid museums- and stumbled across a bunch of Spanish paintings that I had studied in high school including Las Meninas, El Tres de Mayo, and La Rendicion de Breda . I practiced my Spanish reading all of the painting captions and after being museumed out, I continued to walk up Paseo del Prado and see the many fountains and plazas. Finally, I passed a huge gate, Puerta de Alcala, to enter el Parque del Buen Retiro and now I’m here! It was definitely manageable to hit all the sites in one day of walking, but you would find yourself here for many days if you decided to go into all the beautiful attractions and famous museums.

Las Meninas

Parque del Buen Retiro

I’m getting very hungry so I think I’ll go wander around more and find a tapas restaurant. Any one care to join? It’s going to be delicious. Then, early to bed to get up for my flight tomorrow to LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS!!!! I can’t believe I’m coming home tomorrow! I’m very ready to come home and see you all but I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I’m actually about to leave Europe. Stay tuned for my final blog post tomorrow summing up Heather and my adventures in Europe! I’ve got to do something to keep me occupied on the flight home. That, and finishing up season one of Friday Night Lights.

I’m so excited to see you all and goodbye from Europe! My next, and final, blog will be posted from the one and only Pheasant Lane.

Imma Be Living the Life

We are 30 minutes away from leaving our Barcelona hostel and heading to the airport for IBIZA! Our game plan for the next couple of days includes sleeping, eating, lying on the beach, and exploring the raging nightlife. Maybe throwing in a Moped ride or a jet-ski adventure or some other island adventure wouldn't hurt either... Vacation is the best, isn't it? (Hello to all of you in finals at Dartmouth!)

This morning (Tuesday) we went to the Picasso Museum t

hat is literally right outside our hostel. So we didn't really have an excuse not to go... The museum was great and although it was heavy on Picasso's earlier works, it showed a range of paintings from his entire lifetime. It was amazing to see the progression he made as an artist from when he painted as a child to his adult career. The museum was well set up to educate you about all of the influences on his art through the years, and you went through his artwork chronologically to see those changes. The museum is a must see in Barcelona.

Other than that, we have just been wandering around Las Ramblas, Barri Gotic, and at the beach a little bit. We rented bikes for two hours yesterday to explore the city and rode up to Sagrada Familia. Heather, Ana, and Anny have also made it to all the other Gaudi sites that I saw on my first day here. We had delicious tapas for dinner last night and met up with some Dartmouth kids at a bar called "Nevermind" last night. So that was a lot of fun. We had more paella for lunch today (so good) and Anny took us to the most incredible gelato store. All of the clothing stores and jewelry stores have been so tempting to buy from, but we have managed to restrain ourselves from spending money... something we don't have much of these days. Anyone at home need babysitting next week??

So we have come away from Barcelona only with a few postcards and a some little souvenirs- we don't have any more room in our bags anyways. I don't even know at this point how I'm going to make it home with all of my luggage. I'm terrified right now to have to go pick my huge duffel bag up at the Barcelona airport and lug it around again.

We aren't sure if we are going to have internet in Ibiza, so if we don't, have a great next few days and can't wait to talk to you all again! But if we do have internet, look forward to hearing from us... Miss you!