London

Stop 1 started after an 11 hour flight from LAX to Heathrow. We stayed in London for 4 days, and it was a first for me in so many ways. It was the first city abroad I've been too, the first time I used my Passport, the first time I stayed in a hostel (with 3 hot Frenchies fyi)...the start of everything. London was great...super expensive, but great. Melissa and I just about killed each other (you know how it is when you haven't been in close proximity for a number of years), but I think it eventually brought us closer. Plus I was SOO excited for everything. We traveled on kind of a tight budget apparently (it really helps when you're not spending $20 every night on alcohol though). So we would spring for pricey tourist things if we thought it was really worth it. But you definitely can't do that all day or even everyday. We ended up wandering the cities, checking out local scenes, street markets, parks, a lot of things that are a bit off the beaten track. It was pretty important to us to get a feel for real life in the places we were going also, which wasn't too hard in a lot of the places we went as tourism was not very big. So we walked alll over London, at the time we didn't know about the 5 pound day passes on the tube, only the 4 pound per ride tickets...which yeah, pretty expensive. So we walked everywhere, like miles to get places. It turned out pretty cool...I think walking though a city is a really good way to experience it. Okay, enough said. One last side note, we flew into London and out of London, so these are from our first few days and our last few days :( Pictures:

First place we wandered in our jet-lagged stupor: Westminster Abbey

It cost 16 pounds to get in!!! Yeah, okay Newton's tomb and a lot kings and stuff are in it, but really. So we opted to just wander the outer grounds. The Abbey from the back.

Then we noticed the backdoor open, and strangely not guarded...so we walked on into the 16 pound exhibit, through the back entrance.

It is very beautiful inside, and full of cool things, tombs, statues, coronation halls, etc.
Plus it's still a working church, so they held a mass while we were there.

Big Ben is just across the street. Just like in Peter Pan.

This one is in Hyde Park, but there are soooo many lovely gardens. Probably because it rains soooo much - like it did this day.

Another park, I really enjoyed having so many places to sit and eat, read, think, etc.

Piccadilly Circus, pretty cool, plus right by SoHo, the theatre district, Chinatown, Oxford circus, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace

We decided to see Les Mis our 2nd night in town...it was actually one of the only things I really really wanted to do in London. Melissa got so excited she had to do the robot dance.

It was so good, and at the Queen's Theatre!!! Plus it cost less for these (yes, upper) seats than to get into the Westminster Abbey.

The Thames. We didn't go on the London Eye.

Trafalgar Square from the National Gallery. Most things are a bit pricey in London, but most of the museums with all their incredible collections are free. That is very cool.

The National Portrait Gallery. I really loved this one. Especially because one of the special exhibits was Photos of Bob Dylan! That's the room I'm in.

The changing of the guard. What a crazy show, everyday! We had a good view, bc I made Melissa leave a bit early...but as people filled in they really were pushing us flush against the fence. It was pretty ridiculous.

I carried around this 20 pound note from the US until our last day in London at the very end of the 2 months...as sort of emergency money. So everyday, I would see the queen on this bill; by the end I think we were like...friends. So I have a special place for the queen.

Greenwich, the plaque says something like this is where Henry VIII, Elizabeth the I and Queen Mary were all born.

The Tudor place from the Thames.

Borough Market, the outskirts

Remember this pace from Love Actually? You know, in the beginning when Sam is explaining his problem to his dad: that he's in love.

A proper shot of Big Ben, right at dusk.

Camden Market...we came back here on our last day and spent all our money.

London was perfect for us, because most of the time we were there is was so SUNNY! Which apparently never happens.

The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

Some Victorian Style Park with a really cool fountain.

We saw 2 Hare Krishna gatherings. This was the first, a big dancing festival where everyone was getting involved. The 2nd would be almost 2 months later in Bosnia.

Our tube station just happened to also be KING'S CROSS station!!! Like from Harry Potter.

An antiques market we went too.

London fashion

At the old horse stables, turned into a market but with a lot of statues of horses around

Across from the Tate Britain, another cool, free museum in London

Yes, we did see Harry Potter one rainy night, opening weekend.

Our return plane, it was a Boeing 747 which I thought was a little cool.

Hi Again.

Wow, okay I am ridiculously sorry I haven't updated this sooner/more along the way, for any who were just dying to hear - I'm pretty sure that only applies to you dad, thanks for the loyalty. Anyway, it actually feels pretty, pretty foreign (haha, get it?) "blogging" again; like I'm pretty sure I forgot how to do "this." First step: get onto the topic of the post, back on track...but I guess posts for me in the past were always a haphazardly thrown together blurb from my stream of consciousness anyways, so I think I am getting right back into it.

A note to catch everyone up:

About a week ago I landed back in LAX after 2 months abroad. We spent the time wandering about Eastern Europe, Turkey and Greece, with short stops up front and at the end in London. I schlepped around all my belongings on my back - about 4 shirts, pair of jeans, shorts and a sweater, toiletries and my camera. Of course about 6 kilos turned into 18 by the end of the trip, it's to be expected huh? We left our phones, laptops, hair straighteners, conditioner for that matter, and pretty much any other luxuries behind - it was ridiculously liberating. I should probably get back in the habit of doing my hair and putting on make-up I guess? And maybe turn my phone on. So where'd we go:

London to Prague (Czech) to Kutna Hora (small Czech town) to Bratislava (Slovakia) to Vienna (Austria) to Budapest (Hungary) to Targu Mures (Romania) to Sighsoara (Romania) to Brasov and Bran (Romania) to Varna (Bulgaria) through Bucharest and Sofia to Istanbul (Turkey) where we spent two weeks wandering the country (Cappadocia, Turkish Riv, central Turkey, Pammukale, etc) to Samos (Greek Island) to Paros to Santorini (Greek Islands) to Athens to Thessaloniki to Belgrade (Serbia) through Skopje (Macedonia) to Novi Sad (Serbia) to Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) to Mostar (BiH) to Dubrovnik (Croatia) to Split (Croatia) and back to London...whew.

So what do I have to say for myself? I have no idea.


Seriously.


I had no idea how little I knew. I had no idea Hungarian is the most insane language ever. I had no idea how much I could/needed grow. I had no idea how insanely beautiful Bosnia is. Is it stupid to say I had no idea how big the world is and small I am...I'm saying it. I had no idea Lily Allen was popular, let alone crazy famous. I had no idea what was really happening along the Gaza strip. I had no idea how incredibly hot Greek men are. I had no idea about war or oppression. I have no idea.

I feel an immense weight at the thought of transcribing 2 months of experiences...pretty much so so much happened that it's like the 2 months are about to burst, nothing more could have fit in. So I guess I'll just start here with: we had an amazing, incredibly fun and deep time, I'm not sure any other time in my life has impacted me so much, I can never un-know things I know now or un-see anything...war-torn cities and people as well as incredible strength, resolve and spirits, oppression, the strive for liberty...and I hope I never do un-know. So you may have guessed, yes I do have about a million pictures. Right, that was a bit of an elaboration, but for real thousands (a ridiculously huge amount...I will admit closer to 10,000 than 1,000). So yeah, I have some pictures to post. For now, here a few of the personal favorites:

Hyde Park - London

Hagia Sofia - Istanbul


Sarajevo, Bosnia



Santorini, Greece


Prague, Czech Republic



Kutna Hora, Czech



John Lennon Wall, Prague, Czech


Old Jewish Cemetary, Prague, Czech



eh...Switzerland, that's a nuclear Power plant down there



Serbian Train



Dubrovnik, Croatia



Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey



Dubrovnik, Croatia



Old Bridge, Mostar, Bosnia



Somewhere in BiH



Trafalgar Square, London



Spice Bazaar, Istanbul

Sarajevo during the War

Small village in Transylvania, Romania

Paros: captivating

Sorry for the long delay....we eventually had to leave Turkey :( We really had amazing time there, they have so much to offer: culture, diverse countryside, the Riviera, food and drinks, and what a history. It was so amazing. We're in Greece right now, on an island called Paros. It has blown me away. I love everything so much. And yes, we are camping - is there another way to hop between islands? Only problem I dont have a sleeping bag or pillow...instead a sheet and clothes. Not the most comfortable, but totally worth it. The windy streets and whitewashed buildings are SO cool, you want to get lost among them. Off to lounge more. See you in Athens.

I CAN'T LEAVE TURKEY!!

Hey all, well I'm completely enamored with Turkey - so yeah we're staying a bit longer. We actually took an overnight bus from Istanbul to Cappadocia, yes the bus ride was hellish but Cappadocia is so amazing. I am not sure if I can properly translate it into words - actually I'm sure I can't, but pictures will for sure come and I can not wait for you all to see them. I'll do my best to explain the splendor of Cappadocia for you now though.

Cappadocia is in Central Turkey, a desert with amazing rock formations formed by 3 volcanos in the area. Aside from incredible formations like fairy chimneys and chasms to rival the awesomeness of the Grand Canyon, this place is also home to cave dwellings. Around the 900s AD, Greek and Roman Christians moved into the area and began building edifices - churches, monasteries, homes, storage - from/in the rocks. People still live in the cave homes all over the area. Our hostel is actually in a cave, so yeah I'm sleeping in a cave tonight. There are a dozen or so small towns in the area with about 3000 people in each. Old cave churches filled with frescoes and paintings from a thounsand years ago dot the area, many are still in incredible condition. It is so crazy, the furniture was carved out of the stone. So you walk into a dining area and see benches carved out surrounding a big table also carved from the stone. They are everywhere too. I'm not doing them justice, this is SOOOO cool. Plus there are underground cities! I can't wait to put up the pictures. Of course, most of the residents are Muslim, so there are many mosques in the area. And we still get to listen to call to prayer ring out, this time it echoes through the rocks.

Really, I love Turkey so much. We'll stay here in Gorem (Cappadocia) another day and then head to the Turkish Riviera before we jump onto the Greek Islands. Off for more traditional Turkish food! Yeah, I love Turkish Delight, you know it.

Turkish Fever

Okay this has to be super fast. We are in Turkey right now and İ am completely in love with it. FYİ İ apologize for any errors this is a foreign keyboard and a little tricky to use. Anyway we are in Istanbul. Today we headed into the courtyard of the Blue Mosque to listen to the calling to prayer. The call itself floating over the whole city from so many different mosques was already one of my most cherished memories this trip. But being in the actual mosque grounds of one of the most impressive mosques in the world and hearing the call ring out - beckoning the people, and then watching the Muslim men and women heed the call, come to kneel on rugs and pray was one of the most special, beautiful experiences of my entire life. My words do not do it justice. İ took a video, hopefully that will turn out. Anyway, since the last post we have made it from Slovakia through Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. I loved Romania so much...I have never felt so completely out of my element yet at peace as İ have ın Romania. İ will definitely post more about all these places when İ get back - and of course pictures. Though we had a memory card malfunction and İ am a little scared İ may have lost about 1000 pictures :( We are off to more places in Turkey tomorrow - though we have not chosen where. Either Cappodocia ın central Turkey or Cannakle and the ruins of Troy. Then maybe more Turkey before heading to Greece to hop through the islands before maybe landing in Athens. İ can not believe how much we have seen so far and how much is still to come. Update more later.

Summer in Bratislava

Another quick post - I am LOVING Slovakia. Big surprise huh, I'll probably love everywhere I go. But so far I honestly feel like I could live here. It is so beautiful, and still has some of the fairytale aspect of Prague, but also it feels more...eh...real, like I can imagine my life here, not just visiting. It is so beautiful, everything is so green and it is so warm. I'm picking up a little Slovak, which has definitely helped as English is not as ubiquitous as in Prague. We live here so cheap, like 20 bucks a day including room and board.

Today we went to a castle ruins from the 10th century outside of Bratislava. It was so incredible - perched upon a hill, a lot of it still stands. We wandered the grounds, and the views were amazing - it overlooked the Danube, Slovakia and Austria. It was in a small town called Devín. The whole adventure, train and entrances cost as 2 euro. We're off to the Ballet right now, I'm so excited. And the clencher my ticket was 3 euro's...for a world renowned ballet in the historical downtown theater, surrounded by winding cobblestone streets, 18th century buildings and street vendors with yummy streets. Oh yeah, and the Danube bank.

We're off to Budapest tomorrow. I'm definitely excited to be getting closer to the coast. I have a feeling we might be in Turkey longer than we thought - doesn't the Turkish Riviera sound amazing. Once again, pictures to come when I get home. I'm faithfully taking like a million pictures - I'm pretty excited to look through them.

Loving Prague.

A quick update. I'M IN PRAGUE. Everything has been like a dream. We made it through London already, and yes that was awesome, so vibrant with quite a nightlife and so much history. We of course did all the touristy things, Westminster, London bridge, Parliment, Buckingham palace, Hyde park etc. We also had a pretty good time with our Frenchie friends in out hostel. Which fyi, my first hostel experience, they are definitely a good, fun, cheap experience.

So I have like a million pictures already, but as of yet no way to load them as I forgot my cord...so you'll all have to wait for those. Anyway, Prague is just too much. I fall more and more in love with it everyday. It is so interesting, a great juxtapostion of history, arts, youth and old-timey, and night-life. We have experienced much of the city, including my favorite part thus far Josefov, the Old Jewish Quarter. Specifically, I really enjoyed the Pinkasova Synagouga and the Old Jewish Cemetary. The synagouge is hundreds of years old and has been turned into a Holocaust memorial, around 80,000 names of Jews from the Czech area who died in WWII are written on the walls. As I stepped in, I was quite overcome and humbled. The Old Jewish Cemetery is the oldest jewish cemetery surviving in Europe, as all others were destroyed by Nazis. This one was spared as Hitler wanted to turn it into some sick anti-semetic museum. Anyway, the headstones pile everywhere, and there is very little room left. As the grounds filled up, they would bring in more dirt and cover the cemetary and bury more people, but they moved the headstones up. So the graves are 12 deep in some places.

A close second to my favorite, is the John Lennon wall - I got a bit emotional here too. It is a wall covered in beautiful graffiti pictures, messages and love devoted to John Lennon. I heard that as the country was fighting oppression and communism, the youth rebellion (so to speak) took Imagine as an anthem, and Lennon is quite beloved here in the Czech. I randomly had a sharpie with me, so we were able to leave our own message as well. Some of my favorite pictures come from here. I can't wait to get them up.

Europe apparently never sleeps also, people are out at all hours. Already I missed 2 nights of sleep. Also, you can drink and smoke anywhere, so everyone does. People just drink as they stroll down the street. Bummer for me though: I'm feeling a bit sick, like if I was home I'd be in bed sick...which sucks. We have made a few friends here, so tonight the agenda is a 5 story club! The largest in central europe...a good time I'm sure, I hope I'm up for it. Well, I bought a mini tripod, so I'm off to take a few lovely night pictures of the Charles bridge and the castle before the festivities start.

Okay, I'm sorry if there are spelling errors - I really am a terrible speller (mostly I spell pheonetically, which is so often wrong) and all the internet sites are in Czech...so everything comes up mis-spelled. Luckily I know this site and facebook so well so I can navigate them without knowing the language.

FYI we're off to Bratislava next, I'll keep you updated.

Na Shledanou (bye bye).