So before I can branch off on the new part of my life.. I need to reflect-
Last year on this day I was freaking out, trying to fit in my last goodbyes, packing and repacking and then packing again. Making lists, making travel plans, and just enjoying the good times with the family.
Now here I am sitting in my new dorm/apartment in La Crosse, reminiscing about life and how different it is now.
I am only here for a couple of days and then back home to finish up my final days of summer by going to a Brewers game.. visiting the boyfriend and some other friends at school, celebrating a birthday and just trying to figure out what is next in life.
I can not believe that this could be my final year of college, and then the real world, but what really is the real world these days? I think that last year was as close to the real world as I could get the only thing missing was a job. A job.. hard to come by these days.. but hopefully this year.. I will find some luck and hopefully it will be at the YMCA! That would be terrific!!
I am not sure if I will continue this blog or start another one or just move on.. and take visual memories. We will see, but for now I will focus on my start here and making sure everything goes smoothly!!
Again love you all!
Ris
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Final Days
So We entered France and that it was a pretty smooth ride on the train.. glancing out the window as the sun was going down taking the final glimpses of Germany in. We arrived in Paris around 11 or so, where we met up with Tom and then headed back to his apartment and then we had some lovely dinner and then went to bed.
Then pizza for lunch - it was quite a tasty place. Then we went to the museum de Orsay and walked around there for a while :) then for dinner we went to a corner restaurant by his house.. and the chicken was awesome and we tried this beer, beer with cherry grenadine. Then we went back to his house and called it a night... because we had to prepare for the next day.
June 4th - Second day in Paris and off to NORMANDY!
So we got up really early and we made it to where the tour was going to start and then piled on to the bus and we were off!!! We got to see a bunch of historic sites, walk along the beaches, and try to imagine what it was like during the war. The beaches were incredible and so were the divots left behind from the war.. we Were able to see some of the bunkers still in tact and we walked through an incredible museum walking step by step starting at the space race all the way up to D-Day and then VE & VJ day. It is something I will never forget.
Then we did some souvenir shopping and then road the bus back. We met up with tom and then it was dinner time and we had some more chicken and other meat @ a well renounced restaurant. and then we called it a night.
June 5th - 3rd day in Paris
By the third day we were off and ready to see more of Paris, we hit up the louvre, Notre dame, Arce de triumph. Had subway for lunch and past for dinner and of course Ice cream for dessert! :) It was good day, again.. Great company - AWESOME CITY!
June 6th - 4th day & last day in Paris
While tom was off doing his daily job, Alex and I waited in Line and made our way up the Eiffel tour! It was a perfect day - all the way to the top we went :) Then we walked around the city and said our goodbyes to the city and ate some ice cream- Then we headed back to tom's place made some burgers packed and watched the dark knight :)
Thanks for everyone for making my trip amazing!! :)
LOVES,
RISSA
June 3rd - First day of being in Paris -
This day we basically walked around and took everything in. We met up with emily and her and tom showed us around :) It was fun... we also had some macroons again :0 yummmm..Then pizza for lunch - it was quite a tasty place. Then we went to the museum de Orsay and walked around there for a while :) then for dinner we went to a corner restaurant by his house.. and the chicken was awesome and we tried this beer, beer with cherry grenadine. Then we went back to his house and called it a night... because we had to prepare for the next day.
June 4th - Second day in Paris and off to NORMANDY!
So we got up really early and we made it to where the tour was going to start and then piled on to the bus and we were off!!! We got to see a bunch of historic sites, walk along the beaches, and try to imagine what it was like during the war. The beaches were incredible and so were the divots left behind from the war.. we Were able to see some of the bunkers still in tact and we walked through an incredible museum walking step by step starting at the space race all the way up to D-Day and then VE & VJ day. It is something I will never forget.
Then we did some souvenir shopping and then road the bus back. We met up with tom and then it was dinner time and we had some more chicken and other meat @ a well renounced restaurant. and then we called it a night.
June 5th - 3rd day in Paris
By the third day we were off and ready to see more of Paris, we hit up the louvre, Notre dame, Arce de triumph. Had subway for lunch and past for dinner and of course Ice cream for dessert! :) It was good day, again.. Great company - AWESOME CITY!
June 6th - 4th day & last day in Paris
While tom was off doing his daily job, Alex and I waited in Line and made our way up the Eiffel tour! It was a perfect day - all the way to the top we went :) Then we walked around the city and said our goodbyes to the city and ate some ice cream- Then we headed back to tom's place made some burgers packed and watched the dark knight :)
June 7th - DEPARTURE
Sooo -- woke up early took about 5 trains to get to the airport, we had something to eat and sadly parted ways.. :( It was a great trip and It was awesome to hang out with Tom and Emily and see Paris one more time before returning to the states. Thanks for everyone for making my trip amazing!! :)
LOVES,
RISSA
Thursday, June 16, 2011
End of May - ekk
Well folks - continuing from my last blog I will start off with an early Saturday morning (the 28th)
I got up and walked to the train station while chatting with my family - it was nice! Then I made it to the airport and waited and waited.. it was intense finally after 30 min of waiting I decided to ask.. so I asked and then I was sent to a different desk and then finally I just made an announcement on the speaker thing for Alex to come to the info desk. And then we were reunited.. lol it was crazy and scary waiting and not knowing. But anywho.. the whole mishap was because I did not know there was another place to come out - when you did not have any checked luggage.. but.. now I know.. not that it matters now but now I know right??
Well later that day we made our way to Heidelberg. Where we then met up with Krista, Dan and Sarina who were able to sleep a little bit more and take the next train! It was a good plan we all met up and then we explored the city. It was fun - Sarina and had never been so I was the tour guide. We made it the castle with stops for ice cream and a bit of shopping on the way. The weather was nice for us as well! Then we returned to Marburg and ate some grub - Auflauf. Alex was a champ.. lol He stayed awake all day!
MONDAY - May 30th
So first off, cleaning everything and moving it out into the kitchen.. it went well :) Then the hausfrau came and checked it all out.. and then.. she cleared me and gave me my papers and then locked the door..as I got one last picture of my room in Germany!! I can't believe its over! 
While I was taking the test I left Alex with Sarina to watch the Red Bull Boat Battle. Which was hilarious- I ended being able to watch some of it in between my Final and meeting with my Tutor for the Martin Luther class. Then we walking around and just enjoyed Marburg. We ended up walking into the Oberstadt and enjoying some Ice cream at one of the famous Italian Cafe's. YUMMM (I miss it already) After that we only had a little bit of time before our Farewell program. So we just sat around and chilled with fellow IUSPer's :)WE had some delicious soup - to bad everyone thought it was delicious :P oh wellThen we watching a movie made by some fellow IUSPer's (it was a joke about a member) then we got our gifts from the year (jump drives) & the semester ppl got mugs :)Then finally went for some Ice Cream again lol twice in one day! Made it back to the room and tired to relax and ate some spaghetti then it was bed time for me to prepare for my last day in MARBURG - GERMANY!
I got up and walked to the train station while chatting with my family - it was nice! Then I made it to the airport and waited and waited.. it was intense finally after 30 min of waiting I decided to ask.. so I asked and then I was sent to a different desk and then finally I just made an announcement on the speaker thing for Alex to come to the info desk. And then we were reunited.. lol it was crazy and scary waiting and not knowing. But anywho.. the whole mishap was because I did not know there was another place to come out - when you did not have any checked luggage.. but.. now I know.. not that it matters now but now I know right??
Well later that day we made our way to Heidelberg. Where we then met up with Krista, Dan and Sarina who were able to sleep a little bit more and take the next train! It was a good plan we all met up and then we explored the city. It was fun - Sarina and had never been so I was the tour guide. We made it the castle with stops for ice cream and a bit of shopping on the way. The weather was nice for us as well! Then we returned to Marburg and ate some grub - Auflauf. Alex was a champ.. lol He stayed awake all day!
On to Sunday the 29th - KASSEL!!
Kassel was fun. I had never been there so it was new for all of us. We being, Krista, Dan, Alex & I were on a mission to see all that we could. We saw the castle and walked around the gardens then made the hike up 535 stairs to Hercules.. only to see the construction going on. But the view was pretty awesome - so no complains here! Then we just walked around and enjoyed each others company before heading back to Marburg to pack up Dan & Krista's things to set them off on their adventures! (well to continue their adventures!)
The weekend was a lot of fun and def packed full of things to do! OH and the game old maid now has a new name - Alter Schmetterling for those who don't know.. that means old Butterfly! That is an awesome memory! :)
MONDAY - May 30th
One word can pretty much sum up this day - PACKING! It was crazy trying to shove 10 months of clothes and gifts into two suitcases and two backpacks can be quite a feat. However, it did take us a couple of times to get them to be at least manageable. ( Later on that week was the intense last time packing!)
Other than packing was STUDYING for my final that was on Wednesday - we had review session in tutorial and then Beth came over and we made tacos and studied for just under 2 hours. So we thought we were golden!
TUESDAY - May 31st - Last day of May
Again consistent with the packing and cleaning this time. Alex was a dear and cleaned while I went to class the last one of Visualizing American History before the final. So it was good to go - not that I really wanted to be there lol no one did but either way.. it was the last class. Then when I got back I studied some more and cleaned and all that good kinda stuff! and tried to prepare for the longest day of Study abroad - Move out day :(
WEDNESDAY- JUNE FIRST- MOVE OUT DAY!
Okay not only was it move out day, it was last day of class, Final day for my Visualizing American History class, Red Bull Boat battle day, & the day of the farewell program for our group!
It was ONE BUSY DAY!!
So first off, cleaning everything and moving it out into the kitchen.. it went well :) Then the hausfrau came and checked it all out.. and then.. she cleared me and gave me my papers and then locked the door..as I got one last picture of my room in Germany!! I can't believe its over! But then I had to rush into town - wait wait wait.. I took one more shower and studying and ate some of my food up before rushing into town to eat a Doener & Alex had a Doener box and then got my deposit back and then...... to the tourist store to buy some t-shirts and then finally off to TAKE MY TEST!!! (final)
So the test..[that I studied my butt off for] was a PAIN for a couple of reasons
1. studied all the wrong stuff
2. the paintings that were on it weren't even the big paintings
- let alone in my opinion important
3. It originally worth 2/3 of our grade :/
But turns out she changed it to 1/2 our grade so I am a lot happier :)
While I was taking the test I left Alex with Sarina to watch the Red Bull Boat Battle. Which was hilarious- I ended being able to watch some of it in between my Final and meeting with my Tutor for the Martin Luther class. Then we walking around and just enjoyed Marburg. We ended up walking into the Oberstadt and enjoying some Ice cream at one of the famous Italian Cafe's. YUMMM (I miss it already) After that we only had a little bit of time before our Farewell program. So we just sat around and chilled with fellow IUSPer's :)WE had some delicious soup - to bad everyone thought it was delicious :P oh wellThen we watching a movie made by some fellow IUSPer's (it was a joke about a member) then we got our gifts from the year (jump drives) & the semester ppl got mugs :)Then finally went for some Ice Cream again lol twice in one day! Made it back to the room and tired to relax and ate some spaghetti then it was bed time for me to prepare for my last day in MARBURG - GERMANY!June 2nd - Last day of Germany adventure!
Basically I got up and ate some breakfast - made sure we had everything packed and hung out with Sarina. Then at around 3:40 we started our way towards the train station. The bus was an interesting experience. We made it on the bus, but of course someone was trying to move a mattress the same day we had all of my suitcases. It made for quite a tight squeeze, to top that off we had to switch buses for some odd reason. But finally we made it to the train station with the help of Sarina. We met Steph and Beth there. Sadly Sarina could not take me all the way to the Frankfurt train station, so we said our final goodbye on Gleis 4 in Marburg. :( We were both strong and didn't cry but it was really sad, hopefully we will see each other soon!
Well then Steph, Beth, Alex & I continued on our way to the Frankfurt main Station. When we arrived we went to Mcdo's all got a shake and then I said goodbye. Lucky for me, saying goodbye to these two was a lot easier seeing as it is more like see yah later. Seeing as they live relatively close - Green Bay and Duluth (roughly lol)
Then Alex & I had about 30 min until our train departing for Paris would leave.
Then we boarded our train and tried to fit my luggage. That was a task in itself. First attempt to lift my heavy black suitcase up.. fail.. 2nd attempt - success!!! :) We settled into our seats and prepared ourselves for our 4 hours journey! As the train pulled out of Frankfurt, I felt apart of me feel relieved and the other part extremely sad. One because I had made it a whole year in Marburg and two that the whole year was coming to an end.
Well I feel like this blog is long enough and sums up the end of my journey in Germany but my Journey home was just beginning - leaving Marburg was step 1. leaving frankfurt step 2. crossing into France step 3.
Stay tuned for the last days of my European Adventure!
Love you all!
<3 Ris
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Til the end of time
so Leute. Time is running dry.
Some of the last week(s) in Marburg will be described in the following ....
Continuing from the last Blog - I can safely say that I did attend the BBQ for a short while.. and participated in a interview for a documentry made by IUSP (a joke - for a member) and then headed off to Pancakes in Wehrda with Steph. It went well and Becca made some AWESOME Pancakes! YUMMMM!
Wednesday 25th - Paper handed in!
This was technically my last day of my Martin Luther Class because I had way to much to do on the 1st.
It worked well and class went by slower than ever. Not sure why, but I am glad it ended when it did. Then I packed and then followed it with a tutoring one of the last for the Martin Luther Class. (we covered everything we did in class and then a little more.)
Thursday 26th - BETH'S BIRTHDAY :)
Yes it is Beth's 21st birthday and we made sure to celebrate it!!
However, that is not the only thing that I did on this day. I have to jam pack them all together!! I had one of the doener from one of the places in town. I also met with Eva for one of the last times because the next couple of weeks were gonna be crazy for the both of us. It was good we talked a lot and I wished her the best on her future travels in Finland! (that is awesome!!!)
Then I went off to Convo class - we went to Cafe Vetter (famous cafe in the oberstadt) It was really good I had a Mango smoothie. Rather tasty!!
Later that night we headed over to Wehrda for some drinks then out into town. I had a peach beer. It was rather tasty.... & I would deff get it again. :) I would say it was quite a successful night for Beth - she partied hard!
Friday 27th - well according to Kayte in my planner I am supposed to start planning my visit to New Jersey! I am workin' on it. Granted its not on the front part of my brain right now but it would be awesome!!
Anyways this was the supposed day that Alex was going to arrive. However, special forces had a different idea. He was held up in Chicago and then had to stay overnight waiting for a flight on Friday afternoon (instead of Thursday night) and letting him arrive at 6:30 in the morning. (great for me)
Anywhos - I met up with Krista & Dan Freitag ( I picked them up from the hauptbahnhof - first time meeting them- but it went over well!)
Then back to my room and busted out the Laundry. We then headed back into town - got some auflauf & then to the castle and to a bar. It went well and I think they enjoyed them selves.Then back to my place for some shuteye.
Saturday 28th - Will be described in the following blog - Alex arrives @ 6:00
Well love you all,
I will see you soon!
<3 Ris
I can't believe its almost over!!~!!!!
Some of the last week(s) in Marburg will be described in the following ....
Continuing from the last Blog - I can safely say that I did attend the BBQ for a short while.. and participated in a interview for a documentry made by IUSP (a joke - for a member) and then headed off to Pancakes in Wehrda with Steph. It went well and Becca made some AWESOME Pancakes! YUMMMM!
Wednesday 25th - Paper handed in!
This was technically my last day of my Martin Luther Class because I had way to much to do on the 1st.
It worked well and class went by slower than ever. Not sure why, but I am glad it ended when it did. Then I packed and then followed it with a tutoring one of the last for the Martin Luther Class. (we covered everything we did in class and then a little more.)
Thursday 26th - BETH'S BIRTHDAY :)
Yes it is Beth's 21st birthday and we made sure to celebrate it!!
However, that is not the only thing that I did on this day. I have to jam pack them all together!! I had one of the doener from one of the places in town. I also met with Eva for one of the last times because the next couple of weeks were gonna be crazy for the both of us. It was good we talked a lot and I wished her the best on her future travels in Finland! (that is awesome!!!)
Then I went off to Convo class - we went to Cafe Vetter (famous cafe in the oberstadt) It was really good I had a Mango smoothie. Rather tasty!!
Later that night we headed over to Wehrda for some drinks then out into town. I had a peach beer. It was rather tasty.... & I would deff get it again. :) I would say it was quite a successful night for Beth - she partied hard!
Friday 27th - well according to Kayte in my planner I am supposed to start planning my visit to New Jersey! I am workin' on it. Granted its not on the front part of my brain right now but it would be awesome!!
Anyways this was the supposed day that Alex was going to arrive. However, special forces had a different idea. He was held up in Chicago and then had to stay overnight waiting for a flight on Friday afternoon (instead of Thursday night) and letting him arrive at 6:30 in the morning. (great for me)
Anywhos - I met up with Krista & Dan Freitag ( I picked them up from the hauptbahnhof - first time meeting them- but it went over well!)
Then back to my room and busted out the Laundry. We then headed back into town - got some auflauf & then to the castle and to a bar. It went well and I think they enjoyed them selves.Then back to my place for some shuteye.
Saturday 28th - Will be described in the following blog - Alex arrives @ 6:00
Well love you all,
I will see you soon!
<3 Ris
I can't believe its almost over!!~!!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Kelly's Germany Exploration
May 12th- was Lizzie's Birthday
sooooooooo - we all went over and hung on in Wehrda for some good ole times :) ate some food then, unfortunately I had to leave seeing as I had to rise n' shine @ the crack of dawn (or so it seems sometimes) to pick up Kelly from the airport! So I headed home and studied some for my test that was on this past Monday.
May 13th - KELLY'S ARRIVAL
I got there just in time, only to find out that her plane and been slightly delayed.. not a big problem for me.. but.. she had a long boring wait on the Plane back in Chi-Town, for what you ask?? A windshield wiper... I know they are important but do tell me- why don't they keep some all over the airport? The world may never know the methods to some peoples madness (lol)
Anyways she made it here safe and sound - but I do think she was a tad bit tired.. but despite that we made our way back to Marburg and then we were off again to Fuessen - our destination for the weekend.
It was a long day of travel for her - the trains from Marburg to Fuessen was 7 hrs and 35 min long. So she got to catch up on some sleep and other stuff.. but we passed the time reading some magazines and playin' cards (which I actually remembered this time) [shocking huh]
Fun story of the trains: On the last train there was this little girl sitting across from us - she just so happened to like Kelly's nails (which were totally awesome btw) so she started talking to Kelly - In German of course-sooo naturally Kelly looked at me like HUH?? lol So the ball starts rolling the girl asks me if she is English - like from England I said no.. and tried to explain but she was not getting it. She then continued to talk to us, in German and tried a little bit of English.. and I can not forget the Turkish lessons she gave me :) it was cute.. I don't really remember them but it was worth a shot. Then she said "I know more German than you" I replied yes but you are German... She didn't like that to much - "No, I'm Turkish" So I just agreed in hopes to not cause any ruckus.. soon it was forgotten and she was listing all her friends on her fingers.. all in all it was a great experience.. and I think Kelly got a kick out of it too! <3
After that episode we finally arrived in Fuessen - :) what a goregous city - surrounded by mountains and just beautiful landscape - I loved the city. We walked around found our Hostel - a bit confusing but we managed :) Then with the help of Rick Steves' book we made our own city tour @ night. Saw some pretty cool sights and then we did give in to our ice cream craving and got a scoop on our way back to the Hostel.
In our hostel room - there were two fellow Americans just starting a program for the summer so we hung out with them a couple of times including Saturday night. (but I will get to that in a second)
May 14th - Castle day
So we got up early and headed to the bus stop to take us to schwangau where king Ludwigs castles are!
Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau = Both totally cool. Anyways so we did the tours of both in English. It was nice to see it in Summer and in Winter - always a good time for a photo op! We also visited the Marienbrucke (Mary's Bridge) = kinda scary. It was a wood floor bridge so sometimes you could see all the way down!!!!!
Yes then after the castles we did some shopping and had some yummy Bratwurst and then made it back to the Hostel to walk around and see what was all there- during the day! Well we did that and we ended up getting some really good ice cream in a shape of swan (dish) and then had some pizza. On our way back to the Hostel we were deciding what to do.. but once we got there our roommate asked if we would like to join them @ a Bier Garten - sooo seeing as Kelly hadn't got to try any bier (beer) yet we said of course.. and we were on our way! Despite the rain!
Well we made it back into town with some time to Skype with my Family & see my mom Get flowers! So cute = Love her! <3
Then we hurried off to meet up with some Friends in town for Dinner. Sarina joined us. We met up with some people @ Paprika & Kelly was able to have Auflauf = So good!
The reason for this dinner get together was that It was the last time I would be able to see Sam (old neighbor) - who has turned out to be a great friend & I will miss seeing him every month - but future plans are being discussed soooooo - Time won't ruin it :)
Anyways after dinner we headed over to Suedhaus for a shot or 2. Kelly tried Jaeger.. I don't know if she really liked it or not - but she tried it sooo.. all is good! Then it was off to the room for some long awaited Sleep!!!
May 16th - I miss Lita so much!!
Today was tough but I tired to fill it with happiness - so It ended up being okay.
I had class and I took my quiz and that went well - then Kelly and I headed on over to Wehrda for some dinner (pizza) and some cards (apples to apples) Both were tons of fun!! <3 It was a great night.. and just so you guys know.. Amber - will dominate in Apples to Apples (just a warning)
May 17th- Class & Cologne
Yes here we are folks on a tuesday making a day trip :)
Had class then quickly picked up Kelly and Then Kelly , Beth & I were on our way to Cologne!
We saw the Cathedral & I lit a candle for Lita and then just wandered the city. We also hit up the famous Lock bridge- I still think it is awesome!! <3
May 18th - Oberstadt and Castle view
Well this is the time were we actually got to explore Marburg - Seeing as I had from 12-2 & 4-6
So we just checked out the Gummy Bear store and the Chocolate store. Also we were walking up to the castle & one of the Churches and it was open so we checked it out - It was pretty neat! Then after my class @ 6 we met up with some friends for some more auflauf seeing as it was Christina's last time getting it. It was fun to see anyone! <3
May 19th - Convo class
Well seeing as we didn't have much time @ the castle the day before - we headed back up and went on inside.. :) Way cool We got to explore and get lost in the castle it was fun ;) Then I had convo and then we went back to the Oberstadt and did some shopping lol for candy lol - the good ole stuff! OOO also Kelly had a doener for the first time- it was soo good :) Yummm!!!
May 20th - Heidelberg
Christina & Kelly and I headed on down to Heidelberg for the day - it was nice... We walked around did some shopping and having some fun :) It was a nice day with good company & again playing some awesome games of Old Maid and Go Fish!
May 21st- Holiday Park!!
Oh yeah that's right Expedition Ge-Force -- was the in the Guinness Book of World records in 2004.. it was an awesome ride.. rode it 4 times.. but over the course of they day I went on 11 rides :)
This amusement park was located in Hassloch and our fearless group consisted of Kelly & I, Christina, Amber, Holly, Ariel, & Katie :) It was such a fun group!! <3 A perfect way to end Kelly's stay - oo when we got back to Marburg we made one last trip to the Grocery store to pick up some chocolate and some Gummi Bears for the road.. :)
May 22nd - Departure
Well - this was the end of Kelly's Europe tour and Christina also was leaving to attend a Wedding.
It is crazy that this week has come and gone. I can not believe it!!!!!
it is nearing the end.. and the time can only be cherished..
Friday Alex arrives.. this has been one heck of an experience :D & I would never change it for the world!!
May 23rd - Class and other stuff..
yeah yesterday was kinda boring just tutorial.. and chillin
May 24th - today.. class and hw.. finished my paper!! and working on this blog..
I will prolly end up going to a BBQ tonight soo that will help pass the time.. but I should also probably work on my journal for LAX..
Well hope all is well on the western front!
Love you <3
Ris
sooooooooo - we all went over and hung on in Wehrda for some good ole times :) ate some food then, unfortunately I had to leave seeing as I had to rise n' shine @ the crack of dawn (or so it seems sometimes) to pick up Kelly from the airport! So I headed home and studied some for my test that was on this past Monday.
May 13th - KELLY'S ARRIVAL
I got there just in time, only to find out that her plane and been slightly delayed.. not a big problem for me.. but.. she had a long boring wait on the Plane back in Chi-Town, for what you ask?? A windshield wiper... I know they are important but do tell me- why don't they keep some all over the airport? The world may never know the methods to some peoples madness (lol)
Anyways she made it here safe and sound - but I do think she was a tad bit tired.. but despite that we made our way back to Marburg and then we were off again to Fuessen - our destination for the weekend.
It was a long day of travel for her - the trains from Marburg to Fuessen was 7 hrs and 35 min long. So she got to catch up on some sleep and other stuff.. but we passed the time reading some magazines and playin' cards (which I actually remembered this time) [shocking huh]
Fun story of the trains: On the last train there was this little girl sitting across from us - she just so happened to like Kelly's nails (which were totally awesome btw) so she started talking to Kelly - In German of course-sooo naturally Kelly looked at me like HUH?? lol So the ball starts rolling the girl asks me if she is English - like from England I said no.. and tried to explain but she was not getting it. She then continued to talk to us, in German and tried a little bit of English.. and I can not forget the Turkish lessons she gave me :) it was cute.. I don't really remember them but it was worth a shot. Then she said "I know more German than you" I replied yes but you are German... She didn't like that to much - "No, I'm Turkish" So I just agreed in hopes to not cause any ruckus.. soon it was forgotten and she was listing all her friends on her fingers.. all in all it was a great experience.. and I think Kelly got a kick out of it too! <3
After that episode we finally arrived in Fuessen - :) what a goregous city - surrounded by mountains and just beautiful landscape - I loved the city. We walked around found our Hostel - a bit confusing but we managed :) Then with the help of Rick Steves' book we made our own city tour @ night. Saw some pretty cool sights and then we did give in to our ice cream craving and got a scoop on our way back to the Hostel.
In our hostel room - there were two fellow Americans just starting a program for the summer so we hung out with them a couple of times including Saturday night. (but I will get to that in a second)
May 14th - Castle day
So we got up early and headed to the bus stop to take us to schwangau where king Ludwigs castles are!
Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau = Both totally cool. Anyways so we did the tours of both in English. It was nice to see it in Summer and in Winter - always a good time for a photo op! We also visited the Marienbrucke (Mary's Bridge) = kinda scary. It was a wood floor bridge so sometimes you could see all the way down!!!!!
Yes then after the castles we did some shopping and had some yummy Bratwurst and then made it back to the Hostel to walk around and see what was all there- during the day! Well we did that and we ended up getting some really good ice cream in a shape of swan (dish) and then had some pizza. On our way back to the Hostel we were deciding what to do.. but once we got there our roommate asked if we would like to join them @ a Bier Garten - sooo seeing as Kelly hadn't got to try any bier (beer) yet we said of course.. and we were on our way! Despite the rain! 
Then we just talked and hung out for the night - it was a fun - last night in Fuessen!
May 15th - Travel home
Well now folks - today's travel will last 9 hours and 25 minutes - Doesn't that sound like a bunch of JOY!
To be honest - it was not as bad as we thought it was going to be. We got up early & headed to the train station.. Got on the Train and settled into things.. Cards, Music, Magazine Reading, & Just talking :) lol WE did play a couple of Go Fish games :) That game can be a lot of fun!Well we made it back into town with some time to Skype with my Family & see my mom Get flowers! So cute = Love her! <3
Then we hurried off to meet up with some Friends in town for Dinner. Sarina joined us. We met up with some people @ Paprika & Kelly was able to have Auflauf = So good!
The reason for this dinner get together was that It was the last time I would be able to see Sam (old neighbor) - who has turned out to be a great friend & I will miss seeing him every month - but future plans are being discussed soooooo - Time won't ruin it :)
Anyways after dinner we headed over to Suedhaus for a shot or 2. Kelly tried Jaeger.. I don't know if she really liked it or not - but she tried it sooo.. all is good! Then it was off to the room for some long awaited Sleep!!!
May 16th - I miss Lita so much!!
Today was tough but I tired to fill it with happiness - so It ended up being okay.
I had class and I took my quiz and that went well - then Kelly and I headed on over to Wehrda for some dinner (pizza) and some cards (apples to apples) Both were tons of fun!! <3 It was a great night.. and just so you guys know.. Amber - will dominate in Apples to Apples (just a warning)
May 17th- Class & Cologne
Yes here we are folks on a tuesday making a day trip :)
Had class then quickly picked up Kelly and Then Kelly , Beth & I were on our way to Cologne!
We saw the Cathedral & I lit a candle for Lita and then just wandered the city. We also hit up the famous Lock bridge- I still think it is awesome!! <3
May 18th - Oberstadt and Castle view
Well this is the time were we actually got to explore Marburg - Seeing as I had from 12-2 & 4-6
So we just checked out the Gummy Bear store and the Chocolate store. Also we were walking up to the castle & one of the Churches and it was open so we checked it out - It was pretty neat! Then after my class @ 6 we met up with some friends for some more auflauf seeing as it was Christina's last time getting it. It was fun to see anyone! <3
Well seeing as we didn't have much time @ the castle the day before - we headed back up and went on inside.. :) Way cool We got to explore and get lost in the castle it was fun ;) Then I had convo and then we went back to the Oberstadt and did some shopping lol for candy lol - the good ole stuff! OOO also Kelly had a doener for the first time- it was soo good :) Yummm!!!
May 20th - Heidelberg
Christina & Kelly and I headed on down to Heidelberg for the day - it was nice... We walked around did some shopping and having some fun :) It was a nice day with good company & again playing some awesome games of Old Maid and Go Fish!
May 21st- Holiday Park!!
Oh yeah that's right Expedition Ge-Force -- was the in the Guinness Book of World records in 2004.. it was an awesome ride.. rode it 4 times.. but over the course of they day I went on 11 rides :)
This amusement park was located in Hassloch and our fearless group consisted of Kelly & I, Christina, Amber, Holly, Ariel, & Katie :) It was such a fun group!! <3 A perfect way to end Kelly's stay - oo when we got back to Marburg we made one last trip to the Grocery store to pick up some chocolate and some Gummi Bears for the road.. :)
May 22nd - Departure
Well - this was the end of Kelly's Europe tour and Christina also was leaving to attend a Wedding.
It is crazy that this week has come and gone. I can not believe it!!!!!
it is nearing the end.. and the time can only be cherished..
Friday Alex arrives.. this has been one heck of an experience :D & I would never change it for the world!!
May 23rd - Class and other stuff..
yeah yesterday was kinda boring just tutorial.. and chillin
May 24th - today.. class and hw.. finished my paper!! and working on this blog..
I will prolly end up going to a BBQ tonight soo that will help pass the time.. but I should also probably work on my journal for LAX..
Well hope all is well on the western front!
Love you <3
Ris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)