Eurotrip with Willie: Budapest, Hungary

Our next stop on the trip was Budapest. It was our first experience using our Euro-rail passes and we were a little nervous about everything going smoothly. We got to the Zagreb train station, activated our passes and reflected on how easy it ended up being. Also, while waiting for our train, a Croatian beer company was shooting a commercial with a lot of crazy costumes through the station, which was pretty good entertainment for the early morning wait. After our seven hour train ride, we had finally arrived in Budapest. After attempting to find the metro stations, we finally gave up and hailed a cab to get to our hostel. After having good luck in Croatia, we were happy to find our hostel as cute and hospitable as the last one. For our first night, we decided to walk towards the city center, looking for a restaurant. While looking, we found an outdoor festival with live music, food and drink. We had some amazing bratwurst sausages with onions, ketchup and mayo. After being really full, we went to sit at a bar for a little bit and then eventually, we walked home and passed out at our hostel.

Hungarian sausages.

The next day, we took a free walking tour through the city to learn about the historical monuments and the history of the city, in general. Although I was ill-prepared, clothing-wise, the tour was really insightful to the culture of Hungary. We learned about the Nazi occupation, the Communist occupation and the transition into a 'traditional' democratic nation. It was obvious by their economic situation that they weren't used to the concept of working harder than your neighbor and reaping the benefits. According to our tour guide, it has been hard for the nation to transition from the Communist point of view to a different mind set. During the tour, we saw the largest basilica in Budapest, Saint Stephen's. It was very impressive, right in the heart of the city, which I may add, is broken up into two sections: Buda and Pest (pronounced pesht). They are separated by a river. Saint Stephen's was in the Pest side, along with the Parliament building which looks very similar to the Parliament in London. On the Buda side lies the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and Fishermen's Bastion. A lot of Buda was built more recent than Pest because most of it was destroyed in World War II. We spent the rest of the day walking around and went to a place called Heroes' Square, in memory of the seven founders of the city. It's a massive square with massive statues, leading into a huge park with palaces and castles inside. 

The love lockdown.

Saint Stephen's Basilica.

Matthias Church.

The view of Parliament from Buda.

Fishermen's Bastion.

Heroes' Square.

Willie and I looking over the river.

For our last morning, we went to a museum called the House of Terror. The building was the original headquarters for the secret police of the Nazis and then also the Communists. It went through the history of the two different occupations and the massacres that ensued during them. In the basement of the building were actual holding cells and execution rooms for the prisoners kept there. Needless to say, it was a very eerie museum visit but also helped improve our knowledge of recent Hungarian history. 

The House of Terror Museum.

Hungarian Chimney cake, a.k.a. the best food in the world!

Eurotrip with Willie: Lake Plitvice, Croatia

We arrived in Zagreb, Croatia on Friday afternoon and went immediately to the bus station in hopes of getting a bus right away to the national park of Lake Plitvice, where we had booked our hostel. When we arrived at the bus station, we were informed that there were no more buses that night. After a brief moment of panic, we decided to just take a bus in the morning and stay in the run down city of Zagreb for the night. We were fortunate to find an amazing hostel and made dinner for ourselves and relaxed with some other young travelers; a couple from Australia traveling for a whole year in Europe and another guy from New Zealand traveling by himself. I want to take a moment in this blog to comment that the people you meet in hostels are one of the best parts of traveling. Most people have really inspiring stories or as an American, I just think everyone in Europe is inspiring because they are able to experience tons of new cultures and can speak at least three languages. So, the people I've met become an integral part of the experience and thus, inspire me to continue to always have the desire to learn new things and experience different places. 

Anyways, the next day was one of the best I've ever had. We went to the national park of Lake Plitvice. I had seen pictures and read a little bit about it, but both did not prepare me for the overwhelming beauty that awaited us. We got dropped off at what looked like the side of the highway, with just the park entrance and a cafe in front of us. We entered the park, excited and energized (it turns out we needed the energy, because it was a lot of walking). It was one of the most beautiful places I've seen in my lifetime. There were beautiful waterfalls, falling over trees and bushes into a lake of Caribbean- blue water. There were walkways next to all the amazing waterfalls and caves with spiral staircases through them. But, like a lot of my blog posts, I have a lack for words that can adequately describe the beauty of this park. Therefore, I'm glad I took pictures to show everyone, not that it is the same through a lens.

View from the top of the park.

Beautiful waterfalls.

Caves in the park.

The very safe way of walking through the park.

Waterfalls through vegetation. 

Top of one of the big waterfalls.

The happy couple in front of the "Big Waterfall" (the creative name for the largest waterfall in the park).

Blue skies all around. 

The Caribbean- blue water.

Last week of fun!

I am going to apologize for the length of this one, like many of my last posts. This upcoming week is finals week and my friends and I knew that we would all be stressed and busy, so we thought we would go to a farewell dinner of our own, seeing as I won't be here for the whole program goodbye dinner. We met up (and dressed up) to go to a dinner at an Indian restaurant in downtown Granada. We talked about what we learned from each other and how we would carry each other with us after we left. I felt so loved in that moment and reflected on all that I have learned from this experience. I feel that I completely changed myself for the better since being here, and I wouldn't trade these last four months for anything in the world. I feel so much more secure in myself and actually love who I am, which is the most important thing in life, I believe.

The ones that matter the most.

Kokaale, Kelsey and I at the Indian restaurant.

Waiting to go for a drink afterwards.

Kokaale and I being good friends, like always.

I love this place.

In the bullfighting ring, there was an "Oktoberfest" celebration, so naturally, my friends and I wanted to see what it was all about. It was amazing, there was so much food and beer (which is a rare sight in Spain). My friend and I got a litre of Guinness and it was so delicious! The know how to brew beer in Europe. There was a lot of dancing and we also got to have soft pretzels, which is yet another food that I miss from the United States.

Kelsey and I at Oktoberfest.

Our litres of beer!

There was a lot of dancing.

Guinness, so big!

Now that's a mug of  beer.

Meguinness living up to her name.

As this time comes to an end, which I have talked about in many of my blogs recently, I want to recognize the fun times that I have had here that don't have to do with a weekend trip or some amazing architecture that I've seen. Here are some pictures of times with friends that I've had here.

Nora and I at the Botellon.

Kokaale, Carmen and I at Hannigan's Pub Quiz!

 Sarah and Chris came to visit! (Tapas at Poe= the best)

Kokaale and I at Hannigan's.

Bill apparently thinks I am strong, my face says otherwise.

Sarah and I at Hannigan's being sisters.

Lorca class poetry recital with our beautiful professor, Concha.

We like to dance, my friends and I.

This is the best wine one will ever have, and it comes in cans.

 The only dog in Spain that has only given me attention.

Once again, we're friends.

My cute little Spanish friend, Carmen.

As I continue to get sappier and sappier in my blog posts, I want to leave this one with a poem written by a fellow IES student, Elena Schaller:

My wonderful Granada, what words can I give to you?

From the majestic Alhambra to the charming Albaicín

From the stunning Sierras to the exquisite olive trees

How will I ever leave?

I will miss my beautiful host mother and extraordinary host sister

I will miss my incredible roommate and the bond that we share

I will miss the lasting friendships that I have been so lucky to find

I will miss Plaza Bib-Rambla and the IES center

I will miss seeing elegant pastry shops and pharmacies on every corner

I will miss the intriguing “no pasa nada” way of life and the terrible Andalusian accent

I will miss being surrounded by rich culture, history, and people

I will miss the easy-going hippies and fascinating street art

I will miss the cold and rainy weather and streets full of people

I will miss tortilla española, churros con chocolate, Cola-Coa, and tinto de verano,

wearing flowers in my hair and convincing myself that I can’t afford another pair of shoes

I will miss exploring new areas and climbing to my favorite spots

I will miss the distinct color palette of the landscape: the purples, browns, and greens

I will miss Herminio, Lofty, Javier, and the rest of the brilliant IES staff

But most of all, I will miss my life in this magical city

So, what words for you, Granada?

Thank you

Thank you for satisfying my curiosity and thirst for knowledge

Thank you for teaching me things about myself that I may never have known

Thank you for allowing me to discover the vibrancy of love

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the simplicity of life

Thank you for opening yourself to me

Granada: my heart, my life, my city

My only wish is that I take this timeless experience with me wherever I go in hopes that it leads me back to you.

Although many of those reading this may not understand certain references in this poem, I think you get the general idea. This was read at the last open mic of the semester and I think it's safe to say that Elena was able to verbalize what each one of us was thinking. It's these moments that help each of us realize how fortunate we are and how much of us will forever be part of Granada and vice versa. 

Cabo de Gata, Spain: Best Weekend Ever.

The best part of the IES program is the included trips that we have. Last weekend, we all went to Cabo de Gata, on the coast of Southern Spain. I didn't really know what to expect from it and was surprised at how amazing it was, to be honest. We got to the coast and hiked for a good seven hours. we hiked through some small mountains and stopped at beaches along the way. It was beautiful, as per usual about places in Spain.

Cute face on the side of a mountain.

The ladies in my life, my great friends.

Beautiful coast.

One of the many beaches.

Made it to the top in 95 degree weather, boss status.

My friends and I climbing and being really photogenic at the same time.

The final beach, we made it!

We got to our hostel, exhausted and ready to eat a large dinner. Our whole program went to a restaurant on the beach and had a filling meal. We decided to have some drinks on the beach with friends and had an amazing times with a lot of laughs. It was a great day with amazing friends, whom I will miss a lot when I leave. 

Megan and I drinking some beers before dinner.

Friends of mine.

Out on the terrace of our hostel.

Carmen, Megan and I at dinner.

All the girls at dinner.

We're in love, no big deal.

The next day, we rented bikes and sped around the beautiful, coastal town of Cabo de Gata. We spent a lot of time on the beach, playing volleyball and drinking wine with friends. It's not that we did a crazy amount of activities but it was the company that happened to be with us that made it so amazing. It was definitely amazing to have one final trip all together before we go our different ways.

Bike rides in Cabo de Gata.

Love my friends.