Romantic But Real

Romantic but real, these are the words used to describe Rothenburg ob der Tauber. No, but really it's all over their brochures, their city's phrase. My lovely friend from England was visiting for the week, so we decided to go to this romantic but real city. It is known for many things, but mostly for being like Christmas all year round. And well it was March, so it sounded nice. Christmas is nice and all, but really what caught our attention was that it was one of the cities used to film the last Harry Potter (right there I was sold!), if anyone remembers the town used in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (my personal childhood favorite but utterly strange when watched as an adult- the whole child kidnapping thing is more dark than I first realized at the age of seven), and the city Walt Disney based the town in the movie "Pinocchio" (and by our former Disney jobs you know this is a big deal to us). Oh ya and they are known for their world famous torture museum, but unfortunately we didn't dive into that one. But really it is a fairy tale town, just like a fantasyland. Harry Potter: the scene where Grindelwald steals the Elderwand, the main village for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Pinocchio in the movie and at Disneyworld.  Picture up top- Walt Disney World Pinocchio village- can't even tell the difference. Picture right below, tower in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (I climbed that tower!), 2nd the scene from Harry Potter (the scene were Grindelwald steals the elderwand), and the last is the main village used in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang- the main square in Rothenburg.

I can honestly say that I never would have thought I would write those three words together in my life let alone in a public blog. Those are the main things when visiting Rothenburg. It is an extremely easy place to go for a two day journey, but really you don't need any longer than that I promise. I'll even pink promise which is a big deal as you all know. Anyway lets start with the first one- schneeballs. They are the delicacy of Rothenburg. The only way I can think to describe it is pastry dough stretched out and then wrapped around each other to make a softball sized pastry. I never took creative writing, so I'm sure that didn't do it justice in the slightest, so heres a pic:  They are good, but very filling and really get the small ones because the big ones have enough sugar to feed an army for a week. Something to try of course for the culture of Rothenburg and oh darn its sugar.

Onto the next- the night watchman tour. It is about 5 euros and very worth it. I believe it to be one of the only tours in

Rothenburg and when you add a man in a costume, haunting voice, and a weapon it really is worth the money. We learned about how the town was saved in WWII (a general's mother was the hero in fact), how to dine at Hell, what happens when fire hits dynamite, and more. The interesting (I say interesting because it is both tragic and well, interesting)- there is the main church that has two steeples. One made by an architect and the other by his apprentice. Well the apprentice's steeple received a much more positive reaction from the town's people and the master was so depressed about his own work and being shown up that he threw himself off his own steeple to his death. That must be good lookin steeple.  Again, tragic yet interesting.

Kathe Wolfhart. Not many people know of that name until they come to Europe. Actually I don't totally know if thats true since I didn't know of the company until I came to Germany. Kathy is a Christmas location with stores all around Germany and Europe and has excellent crafted gifts all having to do with Christmas. Smokers, ornaments, etc- everything! Well her head store is based in Rothenburg (again, the all around Christmas city) and lets just say its as if Christmas hurled all over this three story building. And then every tourist store (and thats every other building) has her collection as well. I'm telling you there is nothing more disorienting than it being March and being surrounded by Christmas. Mind you I'm not saying it was bad in anyway, but wowza it was disorienting.  Oh my... to that picture.. oh my.

What the city is also known for is the wall surrounding the Old Town. Mind you this is no picket fence, but a very tall stone wall that did a great job protecting the city for many many years.... and then that mistake with the fire and dynamite happened. Anyways, nowadays you can climb the stone wall and walk around it. This is a very fun, pleasant walk and view of the city, really very relaxing.... unless you are afraid of heights... then climbing on hundreds of years old stone is more terrifying, seeing the tops of buildings is frightening, and nothing to hold onto is downright miserable. But other than that it was lovely.

Rothenburg was a great relaxing, beautiful town to explore. It truly was as if we stepped onto a movie set in a fantasyland. A place that you can't help but feel happy- a great two day trip!


I know there are big cities to cross off the list, but traveling is all about finding adventure even in the small towns. And well, I want to go everywhere. Wanderlust. 

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Ist & bul

See what I did there? Yep I think I'm pretty clever with that title thank you very much. So when you finally getting a grasp on the world, the trick is to then throw yourself once again into a city that looks unlike any other you have ever seen.... life and more specifically traveling-its all about keeping you on your toes.

Keeping me on my toes- to Istanbul, Turkey we go! The hotel was having a slower month, so I was lucky enough to go to both Morocco and and Istanbul in the same month (I am never entering real life I swear)! We booked the tickets about a month in advance and we decided to take the early flight (aka 8am), I checked my calender once, twice, once more, and sighed. Yes we had done it. We did a terrible, stupid thing. We booked our early flight the day after St. Patrick's Day. Rookie mistake. You may think just because Germans are not Irish it may not be a big deal. Lets not be stupid, Germany is known for their beer and drinking so lets rethink that last thought. With a Guiness filled night, 1 hour of sleep, and a great friend offering us a ride to the airport there we were singing to Kesha, Backstreet Boys, and all those quality artists on our way. Its a slight possibility that we were still intoxicated- soberness soon hit and within minutes we were rolling down the windows, passed out, and dreaming of greasy food goodness. A memorable way to start the trip indeed.


A few hours later we are then taking the metro to Old Town where everything including our hostel are located. In my head the picture of Istanbul that will always keep me surprised was the fact that I had been to France, Italy, Germany, etc-these countries that are surrounded by rich, gold splattered, Catholic churches and then here I was thrown into a city with a completely different religion and style of religious prayer- the mosques. I realize this next comment sounds completely ignorant but it is simply because it is so different than anything I have ever experienced growing up.. they look so space age like. With the giant pillars surrounding a dome in the middle, it was unlike anything I had ever seen, there was so many all over both old and new town... and I loved it.

So with some great advice our hostel was right in the backyard of the Blue Mosque and such a pleasant, safe, clean evironment (The Big Apple Hostel)- highly reccomend it! We dropped out bags off and started to explore! Due to prayer times, we could only look at the outside of the Blue Mosque, but rest assured we would be back. There is also the Haggia Sophia on the other side just as breathtaking.. and once you look at it and admire at how different it is than anything else the obnoxious water fountain goes off. Well I guess theres a little bit of Las Vegas everwhere.

First full day in Turkey- history in the morning, architecture in the afternoon, dinner in the evening, and bars at night. Rinse and repeat for the next three days. Lets Go! People are going to tell you go to the bazaar, the Blue Mosque, blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong- do it all, but try to find the things that aren't so publicized... which is of course is hard to find, but thats where I come in. Go to the Basilica Cistern- "The Basilica Cistern (Turkish: Yerebatan Sarayı - "Sunken Palace", or Yerebatan Sarnıcı - "Sunken Cistern"), is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey." (wikipedia) My professors would be ashamed, but my blog is no thesis so be it. In normal talk it's a huge open space underground with lots of pillars, you walk around wooden paths thats above the water (and fish!) underneath, and there is the occasional Medusa stone head. I say that cause there is two. Well of course Istanbul of course. But real talk it is creepily lit and worth every penny! Do it...

Definitely go to the Turkish baths and get a massage. As a girl who has never gotten a massage this was quite the experience. Wear a bathing suit! Unless you like walking around naked and well then scratch that last suggestion. I was told to lay down on this hot stone (I was a feelin hot hot hot), this lady just (with great skill and finesse) took off my top with one quick pull of the string, and proceeded to pour bubbles on me. Thats right bubbles. I thought it was an easy beginning, bubbles- who doesn't love bubbles? As Paul Rudd from Knocked Up says "I wish I loved something as much as my kids love bubbles." Thats me- I'm the bubble loving kid. BUT then she proceeded to massage me in a way that I can only describe as a rolling pin kneading out raw dough. Rough. I will not use the term weak, but I do believe I'm a fragile or dainty kind of person after that experience. I do recommend it because it is one of the things YOU DO in Turkey, but wowzaa. 

We also decided to casually go to Asia for a day. By casually I mean we got on a boat for the Bosphorus tour which was about 2 hours and there we were in Asia. Scratch another continent off the list. There really isn't all that much to do/see. We hiked up to the castle ruins which really consisted of.... not much, we had great seafood, proceeded to yummy gelato, and then got back on the boat. I have never been to Asia, so it was exciting but really a sunset cruise that goes by the Asian side and you can say you've been in the seas of Asia totally works just as well. 







I have to say the blue Mosque was absolutely my favorite. Inside was mosaics and just so different than any other religious site I have ever been to. Remember to bring a scarf because the covering of women's head must be done. Just go in and sit. Just sit and look at how different parts of the world are from one another... and then go to another smaller mosque where you can go in to observe prayer time. Now thats different, but mesmerizing nontheless.

And then some things never change no matter where you are in the world- we stumbled upon an elementary school's play production in the main square, there was a short break, and Gangnam style came on, and there was dancing.. lots and lots of dancing. Gangnam style of course. Some things are universal. 

Well Istanbul, Turkey is up for an elected city for the 2020 Summer Olympics, they have my vote. 

So follow the journey that you want to live and not the one your told to walk along. 

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Sensory Overload in Morocco

The Five Senses. 

Smell- The endless food tents with fried fish, beef kebabs (brouschettes), and spices throughout the Souks.
Feel-The soreness after riding a camel and having to ride them the next day (not quite as fun).
Hear- The microphone voice of prayers throughout the day for the people within the city of Marrakech.
Sight. The bright orange sand of the Sahara Desert against a bluebird sky day.
Taste- The avocado shake that you would think would be gross but it was goooddd.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone and after going to Marrakech and the Sahara Desert, Morocco all I can say to everyone is that is unlike anything you have/will ever see, so go! I am a worrisome traveler and to throw me into a third world country, the desert, ride on the back of a camel,  lets just assume this adventure was all about the outside of my comfort zone. And I loved it.

We went with a tour guide group called Moroccan Nature Trails and they were phenomenal! They took great care of us, were great company, and informed us on so much on the culture, history, and landscapes- I learned more in those few days than probably all my history lessons combined. Go to Trip Advisory and look them up- their beyond awesome!

So coming from Germany, the main plan was to never step out of the sun and when I say never I really, truly, absolutely mean never. At first my body was in shock but my inner California girl came out and soaked up every second and at

some times a little too much but my Moroccan
 sunburn is quite the authentic souvenir  We decided to go to the Souks (one of the most famous world markets) and just walk around. Well one cannot simply just walk around Souks- I found myself darting around the snake charmers with their cobras (drugged i believe), running towards all the natural orange juice stands, and repeatedly saying "no thank you" to all the merchants. To say that it is a crazy environment is an understatement, but to say its crazy fun is just right. Lets break this down: it is incredibly easy to feel overwhelmed by everyone pestering you to
buy something at their price. You will at  first
gasp, but then mentally divide that by three and that's your haggling price. I was a pushover the first day, but on our last day I was out for revenge and impressed myself with my debating skills.. but more on that later. In the night there will be countless food tents,with everyone reassuring you their food is indeed the best. Play along because well that's half the fun. I even had a guy say that theirs was the best because he assured me I would not get diarrhea from the food. It being my first night in Morocco and not knowing what to expect I have to admit this was intriguing. We settled on another and ate... and ate... and ate. So much food for such little amount of money. Again, I love it. After there was carnival games, street performers, luckily the snakes were gone after sunset, and the craziness only grew. A great way to start our first day.

So to the desert we go! It turned out to be quite a drive to the desert, but some Bob Marley in the background I was just fine with looking out the window. And that's when I realized I wasn't in Kansas anymore. Huts with sheets for doors, simple wood for roofs, and all spread out along the Atlas Mountains, this was no longer the world I knew, but one that will never be forgotten. By the way when traveling through any part of Africa, one simply must listen to "Hakuna Matata" and "Circle of Life." It is a necessity and I apologize the Disney references do not stop there for this blog post.

We stopped at a city that was a movie set for Indiana Jones, Gladiator, and my personal favorite- The Mummy, Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah.  It now only had five remaining families, we were fortunate to see one of the families houses, which of course had a cave that was also used for movie sets. Who knew?

There a few more stops along the way enjoying the atmosphere and landscapes and we finally get to the desert. Now they tell us we are riding camels. This was definitely what I was looking forward the most. Well they certainly didn't waste any time, our camel tour guide looked at me, pointed to the camel, and said "okay." I said okay back and started inching my way to the camel. Well I am no Usain Bolt with my long strides, but I was getting there... apparently not fast enough. The man basically picks me up and drops me right on the camel. I'm not sure this was the best way to meet my camel for the first time. Then I thought I was waiting for the rest of my group, but no I was to be the first, the man says to the camel   a few words, and up the camel stands. Now I realize I did the whole Disney thing, so I'm a little spoiled, but I kid you not I thought I was gettin some kind of seat belt or strap to attach me to this camel. For future reference for you all you don't get a seat belt its just you, the camel, and the ground which is a lonnnng ways away.

Then we all start to move onto the sand dunes part of the Sahara Desert, which did you know the Sahara Desert is 900 square kilometers wide, but only 20% is actually sand dunes? Take that 7th grade geography class. Anyways I am the last of my group, we are crossing a little two lane road, and what happens should you ask? A truck starts coming down the road. Well my camel and myself are still on the road, is my camel moving? Of course not? Am I moving? Of course not I'm on the bloody camel! I just have this look of terror on my face and I know the driver was a tourist cause he had a look of confusion and terror all wrapped into one facial expression. Well finally the truck stops about 2 feet from my camel, my camel decides to start walking across, and I was thankful there wasn't any seat belts cause I was already planning the easiest exit plan off that damn camel.

And now let me tell you about camel riding- its fun when its straight on the sand, but they don't call them sand dunes cause its a flat path. Going up and down sand dunes on a camel is like a rollercoaster that is fine for 90% of the time, but that 10% going up and down (with no seatbelt!) is bumpier and scarier than Space Mountain. My camel's name was Chewie but during these up and downs, if he went too fast I was not afraid to call him Chewbacca. I already broke my pinky once on my European Adventure I was not thinking of "one upping" that with a camel involved. And they tell you to move with the camel. Now let me tell you- that's impossible. I felt like a bowl of jello just moving all over the place, jiggling, bobbing, whatever you want to call it. However, graceful would not be a word you could call it.

We got to our tents, watched the sunset (I won't even bother trying to describe it, it was beyond words beautiful), put our stuff down and did the most logical thing to do in the Sahara Desert....sand dune boarding! Now making it very clear. I have never been on a snowboard before. I stood on a skateboard once, tried to push it forward, tripped on my own foot, and had a bruised elbow for my first week of college. Balance is not my strong suit (referring back to the unknown pinky accident of course . But there I was sand boarding on the Sahara Desert and it was fun. Did I fall? Yes. Oh well. Does this make me want to snowboard? A little and then the voice inside me tells me I've pushed my luck far enough for the time being.

On a more serious note, one of the most interesting aspects of this trip was the stars. I have never seen the Milkey Way like I did on this trip, never seen so many shooting starts before (my wishes have not come true yet thanks for asking), and the constellations were in a completely different place. I felt that I could reach up and grab the big dipper from where I was laying in the sand. We then had a dinner (you will have tagine upon tagine, with couscous, veggies, and chicken). For desert it was usually oranges with cinnamon.  A delightful thing I may say but when you've been to Peaches in Garmisch, you nearly want to vomit everywhere because you are instantly reminded of all the tequila that is usually accompanying those other two ingredients. After we had a stupendous drum show, talked to the musicians (I met my very first nomad), and learned about a culture almost opposite of our own. Some of us went up to the dunes after and just sat, maybe contemplated life every now and then, at times realized how scary close we were to Algeria, or just simply played with the sand (me).

We came back from the desert and had a day around Marrakech. What does that mean for us girls? About two hours of history and walking around and then shopping! My biggest accomplishment was I wanted some things and the man said 1800 durham (that would be 180 euros), I said 350 (35 euros). He looked at me like I was crazy and started talking/negotiating. I simply said no thank you and kept walking. Lets just say walking away is your golden ticket- just walk away. After more walking, talking, and more walking he said he realized my price was okay and we got our stuff for 35 euros. Maybe you had to be there, but I had the biggest smile for the rest of the night. Debra, Debra can indeed haggle. I'm all ready to haggle in Garmisch, but I don't think it will go my way.

Our last day was rounded up with a beach trip, Essaouira. I have never felt so close to home and so far away from it at the same time. When I was younger my mom told me there are beach people and mountain people. I didn't understand this or the magnitude it would play on my life in the future. I completely understand it now. I am and will forever be a beach person. I can go to the mountains for a little, but I will always need the ocean by my side. It was calming, beautiful (but cold and windy), and a perfect place for a cappuccino and creme brulee. This trip was the eye opener I needed. Later in life I want to be a social worker and with all the poverty that surrounded this trip it was exactly the drive I needed to reassure myself that I am heading down the right work path. It was a great trip. Breathtaking landscape. Exotic atmosphere. Phenomenal company.  Unforgettable adventure.

I hope that I can call myself a good storyteller by the end of this adventure. I have to say there is a time to be serious and talk about our differences throughout the world and then there is a time to laugh about how you were almost run over by a truck because of a camel.

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St. Marco? Polo!

With a paycheck with some double pay (thank you president's day) on the way, three days off, and the desire to get out of my small little town me and a few friends hopped on our Harry Potter train to Venice. Lets just use the word perfection shall we? Getting away from work, the cold, and snow to a place where wine is the same amount of money as water, its above 45 degrees, and the most beautiful language is spoken. Perfection indeed.

If you look up the top things to do in Venice many simply say "get lost."I firmly beleive that every tourist should "get lost" in every city that they travel to, however, within two mintues of visiting Venice you will be lost and you will not find your way until you leave...hopefully. On the way of getting lost we found the most interesting parts of our adventure- shooting wine with the locals before their shifts at 10am, black squid ink pasta delicacy, many churches, and our own "Diagon Alley."

 The first night we decided to walk around town (aka get lost) and we stumbled upon our soon to be favorite little restaurant. What I have learned about traveling with people and what Julia Child says perfectly, "People who love to eat are always the best people." So true, but this is especially true for Venice, Italy. There are a couple sights to see, but in all honestly we were there to eat carbs upon carbs and drink vino. We shared two appetizers, an entree, two desserts (tiramasu and creme brulee my two desserts I could live off of), two bottles of wine, and great conversation. The Italians sure know how to do it- they sit together, drink, eat lesurely (and a lot), talk for hours and call it dinner. I'm sold. I was told to get a certain dish by many of my friends who had previously been to Venice, I was all ready to chicken out, asked the waiter for his personal fav, and what does he point to? This dish. And what is this dish? The Venetian delicacy of black squid ink pasta. With an almost finished plate, teeth dyed black, and pictures of the evidence I can say that it was lovely, but a delicacy I will treasure once and once only.


The next day we decided to get lost once again and try and make it to St. Marco's Basilica. On the way we stopped in a hole in the wall for some necessary cappuccinos, met a lovely Italian with his dog Judith (this will come up later in our story), and learned "grazie" and "prego" from a sweet lady who spoke no english and us who spoke no italian. Thrown outside of our comfort zones at its finest. We then stumbled upon a  broom closet of a restaurant where we saw a line of locals. What was the line for at 10am you may ask? The vino. These were 60 cent glasses of cold red wine that the locals will (very quickly) down before heading to work (aka an eye opener).  Well of course we had to join them!

After getting lost for a couple of hours which included throwing a map on the ground and pressing on, putting ourselves between two walls, getting happily distracted by merry men and their music, we finally ended up at St. Marco's  Basilica. My absoltue favorite moment happened about two minutes before entering the square. I had been to Venice 11 years ago with my family and for the most part I don't remember it. However, right before St. Marco there is a Bridge of Sighs (for the people crossing into the prison hence the sighs part), well 11 years later we are walking (a little bit lost lost of course and maybe a little tipsy after our eye opener and lunch of vino), we can't find the square, and right before the bridge I remember where we are from when I was there before. It was the first time I had truly remembered something from that trip so long ago after revisiting. It was a great feeling.

St. Marco's Basilica is breathtaking. I mean anything dowsed in gold will be beautiful, but we got there right at sunset so with the sun right on top of the gold. Wow. To the right of the basilica was our own Diagon Alley where we bought more vino (see a pattern going on here?) and gelato before heading to our gondola ride! The gondola was a blast- 20 euro a person and we sat seeing the city in a whole different way for 60 minutes. On the way we saw Vivaldi's, Motzart's, and Marco Polo's home. My European music teacher would be so proud.

After dinner, more vino, and getting lost we started to head home. Who did we see right before the train station? Judith! Circle of life right there.





The last day we headed to the Rialto Bridge for some shopping (with four girls and one boy, the poor guy was overruled). A capaccino, vino, a Pinocchio style mask, and a purse later we head seen Rialto and all its shopping. So  much to see it all especially since it was the day after Karnival, so there were MANY masks.

With great company, the sense of adventure, and the love of vino and carbs the trip to Venice was fantastic. And to think this was weekend- I'm forever grateful!



Venice. Italy. Europe,

To drinking at 10am, planking between walls, standing up in gondolas, getting lost in a foreign city, Oscar Wilde puts it perfectly. This 13 month adventure is teaching me to not only exist, but to instead live. 

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Just Call Me Captain Hook

"I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Well thats a lie cause I am not saying how I broke the main joint in my right pinky finer. 1. Its embarrassing 2. I flat out refuse. Anyways, the real adventure is how I had a metal bar put through my finger, my life was split into every fifteen minutes, a soldier told me I was HIS hero,  I became a live version Captain Hook, and  I never realized how strong I was until I broke a bone.

When it's clear that you broke something- go to the hospital. However, what did I do? Well I had planned to go to Stuttgart with a couple of friends, so did I go to the hospital? Should I and did I are two very different questions. Years in volleyball taught me to tape the fingers together, but with an early start to Stuttgart and not having any tape I decided to wrap it with the only thing I had.... present ribbon.  The word your looking for, the lady at the pharmacy was thinking, and I will just give to you is stupid. Not the brightest idea I've ever had in any means. Thinking Stuttgart was going to be my adventure, three days later I went to the hospital and the REAL adventure began!

Memorable quotes I heard during the time of the broken finger:

" Well you just bought yourself an operation. Would you like to take a seat?"

After having an x-ray I heard this and nearly fell on the doctor. My first operation and it was in another country, language, and under anesthesia. Woah is me.


"Are you wiggly" "Excuse me?" "Are you squirmish" "Yes" "Okay we are putting you under"

This was the doctor's way of asking if I should get anesthesia or not. Wouldn't everyone be wiggly if they saw doctors drilling a metal bar through your finger? But on the bright side best 20 minutes of sleep ever.

" Its a rather large cast for such a small finger just do you know"
It wasn't a cast, it was a claw. ***Side note- if anyone ever gets this contraption you will hear people say "the clawww" like the little aliens from Toy Story. It's funny the first time. It's funny the second time. The third week in you will create a laugh that hopefully sounds genuine but is really as fake as can be.*** Moving on, I felt like Robocop, Bionic Woman, and Captain Hook all put together for 6 weeks. Longest. Six Weeks. Ever. But it really did make sense and I'm so glad I did in the long run. I'll explain the picture: There is a metal bar going through my finger. Looped on is a rubber band string that connects to "the claw." Every fifteen minutes I would move the band all the way up and then all the way down making it so my finger and joint wouldn't be stiff and would be forced to bend. Now having it off I have barely any stiffness and have about 95% mobility. Thank god that I broke a bone in a city with the alps- these doctors have seen so many injuries they are absolutely brilliant. For twenty minutes and shower time I could take it off and sleepy time I wouldn't have to move it. Not going to lie I took the longest showers those six weeks.

"What did you talk to that man about?" "We talked about how I now look like bionic woman" "Well you just joked about your freakish pinky to a 4-star general"

When you refuse to take time off and work with setting tables and cashiering with a claw-people are going to ask you questions, look at you with wide eyes, children will hide behind their parents in fear,etc so have your jokes at the ready. And people will tell you all about their broken boned stories and in a weird way they are truly trying to make  you feel better. However, did they have to have a claw? Probably not, so thanks for trying but no such luck. One soldier actually told me I was his hero for putting up with the claw, I asked him if he was in battle during his contract, he said yes......ummm okay nice compliment but he's the real hero.

" If I were you I would just hide my face for three months"
Said in a joking manner, but the thought did cross my mind every once in a while. Especially during that last week. Especially.

" Well look at it this way you can have a pinky party at the end of this" "Well sure, all right then, I guess that makes it all worth it."
I have the best family ever. I told my mom this quote and when I got the claw off a couple days later a box arrived for me. Inside was candy wrapped in PINK paper, party supplies, and movies. Best. family. ever.

"So are you ready to have that cast off? Hold on let me get my pliers from downstairs"" Wait don't  you put me under- I'm wiggly!" "No we are just going to pull the bar out right now."

But seriously that is what was said. The claw came off a week early (due to my rigorous attitude to the every fifteen minute rule I'm sure). He came back with his pliers (honest to god pliers!) squeezed my finger really hard, and literally pulled the metal bar out in about 5 seconds. Sometimes all you need is 5 seconds of insane, crazy courage. Thats it. Within five seconds my six weeks of complete physical and mental exhaustion was done.

All in all I have learned that I am stronger than I ever gave myself credit for- both physically and mentally. Humor will help you through anything so ya when it all happened the first few days I took many naps, ate a lot of ice cream, and drank a lot of wine. After that I picked myself up, laughed at my stupidity, put on a smile, and constantly joked for 6 weeks. The thing is life can always get worse. When things get bad you will be surprised and touched by how many people will constantly help you and keep you upbeat through it all. So all in all you have the choice when things go bad to either make yourself miserable or motivated. It's your choice. To quote Monty Python's Spamelot- "Always look on the bright side of life." Always look on the bright side of life- it makes life a lot easier and worth it. I pinky promise you that. This quote is so true about when something bad happens. As said by Forrest Gump-shit happens. But life goes on.

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Děkuji. Dobrý den. Na Zdraví!

When in doubt ask. Always ask. I asked someone who had already experienced the Christmas markets (or really the Christkindl markets) which were the ones to not miss. The answer: some place, some place, some place, and Prague. Okay that was easy my mind was made up. Two friends who also had the time off and myself started our journey to the Czech Republic! A Harry Potter train, two hours of snow delay, a random switch to a Czech train with two vodka guzzling passengers later we had made it to Prague!

With the extreme need to stretch our legs, we skipped the bus (this was an easy choice because one friend had already been to Prague and more specifically our hostel. Now if this was me- the girl who gets confused crossing the street the bus would have been chosen) and walked through the town. Absolutely beautiful- the Christmas lights were up, mini Christkindle markets all over, and the beautiful language of Czech written all over buildings. There is nothing like knowing you know nothing of the country, language, or even city and yet completley throwing yourself into it. It's called wanderlust.


Again, always ask questions! Motto to this trip and life itself. The man at the hostel (best hostel every only about 10 euros and free breakfast which is huge when you're traveling- Prague Square Hostel) gave us his personal recommendation to a restaurant Lokal. Did we get lost? Of course. Could I tell you how to get there if you yourself ever wanted to visit Prague? Lets not be silly now. But did we eventually find it and was it a great recommendation? Indeed. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone- the waiter was very sweet and gave us a personal lesson on the Czech language. Děkuji. Dobrý den. Na Zdraví. Hello. Thank you. Cheers. That's all I got for you folks.


Day Two 

St. Charles Bridge

So we decided to wake up early (before the FREE walking tour) and check out the John Lennon Wall. Before, we stumbled across the St. Charles Bridge and for a brief ten minutes there was no one else in sight and the blue sky decided to peak out. What would you do if this happened? Well of course the logical answer is to run all around and take jumping pictures. Mature. Finally after getting lost, taking a few wrong turns, and stumbling across the "Love Bridge" we finally saw the Lennon Wall.

 At first, from farther away you kinda wonder the point of this sight... but take a few more steps and look closer. All over are messages of love and peace through multiple languages, song lyrics, movie quotes, excerpts from books, etc. graffitied (I realize thats not a word but it makes sense to me so work with  me on this one)  on this specific space. So with a sharpie (sorry left the

paintbrushes at home this time), we three chose differnt messages of love and peace and left our mark. How long will it be up there? Probably for a week if we are lucky, but check it off the bucket list- I wrote on the Lennon wall!

B-e-a-utiful

After the tour
we walked around the Prague Castle with a perfect view! My favorite view so far on my European adventure. We then got the idea on the first night to go to an ice bar. Oh dear.

Well for all of you who have been to Las Vegas you have probably already been to one, but it was again on my bucket list so we decided to check it out. Well make sure you pay attention to the hours because at 4 pm they closed. What time did we get there? 345. Umm so you get a coupon for a free drink and then they were buy one get one free. So we literally tried the whole drink menu, took pics for proof with our cups made of ice and special warm jackets, and then split. All the workers just laughed the whole time at these silly American tourists. As all those fun drinks started to work we had a whole different view on those Christkindle markets. I have never found a children's choir so entertaining (sorry to my future children if they join choir) and to quote a friend, "This is the best concert ever. There's kids and they're singing." What a concept. Oh Prague.

After a nap we went to a restaurant called Vytopna Railway Restaurant. The food was okay. The beer was great. However, the entertainment was the best. They had mini railroads and they would serve you your drinks by little trains. Apparently Thomas the Tank Engine can be fun for all ages.

So many people go to Prague for the history, the clock, and so on. But everyone goes for the Prague Pub Crawl. Lets just say the free shirt you get says, "The best night that you will never remember." Lets just say I'm glad that we did everything I wanted to see and do before this "best night" in Prague. No pictures, I refuse to stoop that low.

The morning was a rough one. We chose to walk around, get some fresh air, and eat eat eat. In Prague you have to get these treats called, trdlo. They are cinnamon rolls spun on a rotisserie sprinkled with sugar and nuts. I don't even want to admit to all of you, but most of all myself how many of those I had to eat. But do I regret it? Absolutely not.

Again I am no history major, but there was one piece of Prague's history that I remember: There was a lot of communist government issues going on in Prague, so as a protest a 21 year-old lit himself on fire in front of the National Museum. He died a few hours later and to honor him the people of Prague will jingle their keys to symbolize freedom. The National Museum and his chilling act for the freedom of speech was the last sight I saw in Prague. So now to Prague I say Děkuji. Dobrý den. Na Zdraví!  Prague was a beautifully adventurous first major trip and I still cannot believe how lucky I am to travel to these places on my weekends for a simple two or three days while many save for years to travel to one place.  I believe this quote explains exactly why I am on this 13 month adventure- I can't wait to find a job that I am passionate about, decorate my first real apartment, and start this thing called "real life," but for right now I just want to see the world. Thats it just the world.

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