Good evening, all.
So today, I slept in and then made french toast. Nutella and speculoos are good substitutes for powdered sugar.
Then I went to the post office.
So I sent two packages today, one small one that barely fit a coffee mug and some chocolates (sorry to ruin the surprise), and a big one, the size of a large shoebox. I waited a good while and finally I went up to the counter. The guy (who didn't speak any English, I think) weighed it and it was 500 grams (half kilo). 20 euro. I'm standing there thinking, "You've GOT to be kidding. It's going to be like 100 to send both of them if that's how much it is. Oh, boy, this is fun."
He pulled the other box down, weighed it. 2.2 kilo, nearly four and a half times the weight, and definitely 4 times the size. Great. And then he says something along the lines of "not possible" and "too heavy" and hands me a different form. (I had filled out little papers as receipts already; you write out the address and what's in it, and then they hand it back to you after they look at it.) So I fill out the new form, complete with phone numbers and email addresses on it, and he sticks it on the box. He doesn't tell me the price. Or maybe he does, but I don't speak French so I didn't understand him. I was ready to pay for it, no matter the cost. And then he hands me the receipt. 26 euro for the big box because it couldn't be shipped the expensive way because it was over 2 kilos.
WHAT? How on earth does that make sense? I don't know, but now I know one huge package is better than little ones... By a lot. I was happy it wasn't so expensive.
So I hand over my credit card... and they don't take it. Luckily I had cash, and the packages are on their way.
Then I went to the grocery store to get stuff for soup, came home, made lunch for myself, and promptly started making dinner.
Chicken noodle soup. It was good. There were lots of noodles. Lots and lots of them. We had 10 people for dinner, and I think everyone liked it. They went back for thirds, fourths and fifths, at least. And we still have about 6 servings left... And they want me to make it again. Possibly. My recipe after the jump (click "Read more"), as there wasn't anything else of note that happened today. Tomorrow I'm going to Zurich, taking the train from here to Antwerp, then Antwerp to Amsterdam, then flying from Amsterdam to Zurich. Hopefully I don't miss any connections and don't get lost...
Goodnight, world.
The musings of a twenty-something currently studying in Missouri.
Always loving the escape as much as the anchors.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
French, Tests and Freezing Cold
First off, the weather here is FREEZING. Literally less than zero. (At least in terms of Celsius.)
So today, I woke up, made breakfast, and studied. It's weird here because I end up going to bed at 11/12/1 every night, but pretty much wake up between 745 and 830 every morning. I don't think it's because it's light, either, because it's not until 845/9 at the earliest. I mean, it's not pitch black, but the streetlights are on and people have their headlights on at least until 930. But I digress (whoo, I've always wanted to say that...)...
I studied for marketing then went to my French class. The numbers dwindle by the day. But for those not there, they missed a fun class because Brendan asked our teacher how to ask, "Do you want to have sex [with me]?" and then, whenever the teacher asked him to answer, he would instead ask to have sex. It was hysterical, and even more so because our teacher is a 60-something old French man who is just a touch smelly... Most of the time, he said, "No, I'm not gay," but once or twice it was a little more crude.
Afterwards was lunch, then marketing. The test wasn't bad, but I'll see when we get results next week. General consensus was that no one knew what to expect and we all feel pretty much the same about it.
Then I chilled for a while, finished packing my boxes and decided that I would make chicken noodle soup tomorrow for everyone. How, I'm not really sure. According to several internet recipes, you can boil a chicken for two hours with veggies and that would work, or you can bake the chicken, sautee the veggies, then put everything together, which my dad claims is the only thing that would work. I'm all for easy, and I think it would be difficult to mess up chicken soup, so I'm going to throw everything in a pot and see what happens. I'll let you know tomorrow.
So, about a quarter til 5, I tell my roommates I'm going to the post office to mail my boxes and the grocery store for the soup. I walk down to the subway, grab a waffle (the best in town are in my metro stop) and catch the tram. Get off at the stop, walk 4 blocks in the freezing cold, get to the doors just at 5PM, the doors slide open, I start to walk forward, a lady motions for me to step back, so I do, and she closes and locks the door in my face. Literally in my face. I could see 4 people standing in line around the corner from the glass doors. I was not happy. So I walked back, said screw it to the grocery store and will go tomorrow.
So now I need to back up a little and say that Sarah and Kristin had come over after marketing, and that Brinley has been staying with us for the past two nights because she's been sick. Actually, I don't know why she's here, but she's slept here and she's sick and something about her apartment, but I don't know what. Anyways. Sam, Kristin and Sarah wanted to go get mussels, and Marion had taken me to this good little restaurant (where I had the vol-au-vent) so I went with and Kristen tagged along. Tip: don't get Belgian sausages. They're not very good. But I did have a very tasty beer, Duchess of something that was made from cloves.
Then we walked to Grand Plac, found an express grocery store and everyone bought ice cream (cookies, chocolate, coffee, and straciatella for Sam, Sarah, Kristen and Kristin, respectively) and then we went and tasted chocolates in all the chocolate shops. They were very good samples.
We returned, watched the last two episodes of Jersey Shore, talked a bit, tasted Sam's wine, I had my cherry beer (not again) and here we are now. All in all a pretty good day. We'll see about the mail and the soup tomorrow. Only things on the schedule.
Goodnight world.
So today, I woke up, made breakfast, and studied. It's weird here because I end up going to bed at 11/12/1 every night, but pretty much wake up between 745 and 830 every morning. I don't think it's because it's light, either, because it's not until 845/9 at the earliest. I mean, it's not pitch black, but the streetlights are on and people have their headlights on at least until 930. But I digress (whoo, I've always wanted to say that...)...
I studied for marketing then went to my French class. The numbers dwindle by the day. But for those not there, they missed a fun class because Brendan asked our teacher how to ask, "Do you want to have sex [with me]?" and then, whenever the teacher asked him to answer, he would instead ask to have sex. It was hysterical, and even more so because our teacher is a 60-something old French man who is just a touch smelly... Most of the time, he said, "No, I'm not gay," but once or twice it was a little more crude.
Afterwards was lunch, then marketing. The test wasn't bad, but I'll see when we get results next week. General consensus was that no one knew what to expect and we all feel pretty much the same about it.
Then I chilled for a while, finished packing my boxes and decided that I would make chicken noodle soup tomorrow for everyone. How, I'm not really sure. According to several internet recipes, you can boil a chicken for two hours with veggies and that would work, or you can bake the chicken, sautee the veggies, then put everything together, which my dad claims is the only thing that would work. I'm all for easy, and I think it would be difficult to mess up chicken soup, so I'm going to throw everything in a pot and see what happens. I'll let you know tomorrow.
So, about a quarter til 5, I tell my roommates I'm going to the post office to mail my boxes and the grocery store for the soup. I walk down to the subway, grab a waffle (the best in town are in my metro stop) and catch the tram. Get off at the stop, walk 4 blocks in the freezing cold, get to the doors just at 5PM, the doors slide open, I start to walk forward, a lady motions for me to step back, so I do, and she closes and locks the door in my face. Literally in my face. I could see 4 people standing in line around the corner from the glass doors. I was not happy. So I walked back, said screw it to the grocery store and will go tomorrow.
So now I need to back up a little and say that Sarah and Kristin had come over after marketing, and that Brinley has been staying with us for the past two nights because she's been sick. Actually, I don't know why she's here, but she's slept here and she's sick and something about her apartment, but I don't know what. Anyways. Sam, Kristin and Sarah wanted to go get mussels, and Marion had taken me to this good little restaurant (where I had the vol-au-vent) so I went with and Kristen tagged along. Tip: don't get Belgian sausages. They're not very good. But I did have a very tasty beer, Duchess of something that was made from cloves.
Then we walked to Grand Plac, found an express grocery store and everyone bought ice cream (cookies, chocolate, coffee, and straciatella for Sam, Sarah, Kristen and Kristin, respectively) and then we went and tasted chocolates in all the chocolate shops. They were very good samples.
We returned, watched the last two episodes of Jersey Shore, talked a bit, tasted Sam's wine, I had my cherry beer (not again) and here we are now. All in all a pretty good day. We'll see about the mail and the soup tomorrow. Only things on the schedule.
Goodnight world.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Rest and Recooperation
Today was a lazy day. I got up 8ish, had breakfast, did absolutely nothing productive until 2, when I took my shower, then looked a bit at my marketing, read some emails, and maybe napped a bit.
When Kristen got back from class, Sam, Kristen, Kyle and I took the tram to the post office. We finally found it! I got two little boxes and a big box, and Sam and Kristen picked up their packages from home. Both got peanut butter and ramen and mac and cheese and popcorn and lots of other stuff. But I get the best because I get my dad's cookies whenever my management textbook arrives...
We then met up with Kristin and she, Sam and I went to the grocery store. Kristin was going to make us dinner - chicken and salad. She got all the stuff, and we came back to the apartment. We were all sitting in the kitchen and she asked how to cook it. No one else really knew, so I ended up making it, which I actually really enjoyed. We had two types of chicken, curry and salt and pepper citrus. The latter had salt, pepper and clementine for seasoning. It was surprisingly good, and we all had a good time at dinner.
Afterwards, I got out my boxes and started packing and writing. My big box is now done except for a few postcards, and one of my little boxes is ready to send to my brother. I'm excited because sending presents always makes me happy. Shopping for presents does, too... I hope everyone likes what I've gotten. I should hopefully send it out in the next day or two - be prepared for a rant on how expensive it will be. =P Now it's time for bed.
Goodnight, world.
When Kristen got back from class, Sam, Kristen, Kyle and I took the tram to the post office. We finally found it! I got two little boxes and a big box, and Sam and Kristen picked up their packages from home. Both got peanut butter and ramen and mac and cheese and popcorn and lots of other stuff. But I get the best because I get my dad's cookies whenever my management textbook arrives...
We then met up with Kristin and she, Sam and I went to the grocery store. Kristin was going to make us dinner - chicken and salad. She got all the stuff, and we came back to the apartment. We were all sitting in the kitchen and she asked how to cook it. No one else really knew, so I ended up making it, which I actually really enjoyed. We had two types of chicken, curry and salt and pepper citrus. The latter had salt, pepper and clementine for seasoning. It was surprisingly good, and we all had a good time at dinner.
Afterwards, I got out my boxes and started packing and writing. My big box is now done except for a few postcards, and one of my little boxes is ready to send to my brother. I'm excited because sending presents always makes me happy. Shopping for presents does, too... I hope everyone likes what I've gotten. I should hopefully send it out in the next day or two - be prepared for a rant on how expensive it will be. =P Now it's time for bed.
Goodnight, world.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The things I've learned...
I've learned a couple of things on this trip...
-Hotels and museums have English-speaking people.
-Traveling alone sucks.
-Having a bewildered look on your face doesn't mean people know you don't understand. They will keep talking to you.
-Pay attention to train stops/stations and their names.
-Everyone speaks a little English.
-Hotels give you free maps - everywhere else you have to pay for them.
-Wearing a backpack gets you strange looks OR a helping hand.
-Sperrys are good to walk in, but don't forget toe warmers... (It actually wasn't that bad.)
-It doesn't matter what clothes you bring because your jeans, scarf and jacket don't change so no one knows what you're wearing anyways.
-Crying when it's snowing only makes you colder.
-Sidewalks and roads look identical, so stay with the crowd.
-Don't be too nice or you won't get your turn. (Especially in lines for food.)
-Take a hat.
-Everything is closed in the winter and on Sundays.
-Know that the English spelling can differ wildy from German/French or whatever other language you may encounter. (I.e. Cologne/Koln/Koeln)
-You're out of luck if you have a PC because everyone here uses a Mac.
(Thankfully the last one hasn't been a problem, and hopefully it won't be.)
Goodnight, world.
-Hotels and museums have English-speaking people.
-Traveling alone sucks.
-Having a bewildered look on your face doesn't mean people know you don't understand. They will keep talking to you.
-Pay attention to train stops/stations and their names.
-Everyone speaks a little English.
-Hotels give you free maps - everywhere else you have to pay for them.
-Wearing a backpack gets you strange looks OR a helping hand.
-Sperrys are good to walk in, but don't forget toe warmers... (It actually wasn't that bad.)
-It doesn't matter what clothes you bring because your jeans, scarf and jacket don't change so no one knows what you're wearing anyways.
-Crying when it's snowing only makes you colder.
-Sidewalks and roads look identical, so stay with the crowd.
-Don't be too nice or you won't get your turn. (Especially in lines for food.)
-Take a hat.
-Everything is closed in the winter and on Sundays.
-Know that the English spelling can differ wildy from German/French or whatever other language you may encounter. (I.e. Cologne/Koln/Koeln)
-You're out of luck if you have a PC because everyone here uses a Mac.
(Thankfully the last one hasn't been a problem, and hopefully it won't be.)
Goodnight, world.
Finally - Sunday
9AM
Well, I'm sitting here in Koeln Station waiting for the train to take me to Dusseldorf. 30 min.
Last night, about 10, a new roomie came. Missed her name, but she's from Japan and doesn't speak English any more than the first one (name of Katie from St. Petersburg, Russia). This morning I got up, got dressed, checked email and left. Grabbed a bagel-looking thing and a hot chocolate from a little cafe I saw yesterday. That was one of the best bagely things I have ever eaten. The hot chocolate, on the other hand.... Well, it was chocolate, but that's the only thing going for it. I got to the train station and bought my ticket from a kiosk and got confused. Hopefully I will end up in the right place. More later, once I've seen Dusseldorf.
930AM
I really, really hope this is the right train. Pretty sure, but don't know. Anyways.
They seem to be obsessed with American food here. Much more so than in Brussels. Starbucks, Subway, Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts, and, of course, Micky D's are all in the train station. Plus more, I'm sure. But I grabbed an egg and an awesome mixed white and milk chocolate bar and stat to wait for the train. My butt is frozen, but I talked to this girl from Canada who just finished a semester in Brussels and is on her way to Berlin for an internship.
What's really weird to me about trains is that there's no security. They don't even check your ticket. You walk up to the train and get on. No security, no nothing. It's super easy to get on the wrong train, sit in the wrong seat, and get off at the wrong place. Very different from any mass transit system in the States. But, I'm on my way. Dusseldorf, here I come!
1230PM
Oh. My. Word. Getting here was a disaster, but I'm finally here in MediaHafen, eating lunch. It's a nice place and I got looks for coming in here with my backpack, but oh, well.
So. The story of how I got here... Well. I took the train and got off at Dusseldorf Banhoff.... Dusseldorf Bahnhof which is NOT Dusseldorf Hauptbahnhof, which is the main station, where I needed and wanted to go. Dusseldorf Bahnhof was dingy and scary and empty and tiny. I'm talking Rockland Airport tiny. I nearly started to cry. Luckily, this guy saw my distress and explained how to get here. I caught the next train and all was fine. I finaly got here and walked, and walked and walked, down to the Rhine, where I went up the Rhineturm - the really really tall (168 meters was the "bottom" floor) with 360 degree views of Dusseldorf. Then I walked a bit more and tried to take some pictures, found my camera to be broken, and came in here to eat some lunch.
I have no clue what I'm going to do for the next four hours that I'm here because I've seen everything I planned and wanted to see and it's snowing outside, heavily, so it's a bit cold to wander. I'll figure something out. They have a whole lot of museums and and aquarium, so maybe that's where I'll go. Toodle-oo for now.
545PM
Whew. What a day. I am on the train back to Koln - should take 30 minutes, then I have an hour to kill before my train back to Brussels. I still wish I was going home, but Brussels will have to do for now. Today was fun, though.
After lunch, I walked in the snow and the sleet to the shipping museum, which was housed in the last standing section of the original castle built in Dusseldorf. There were really cool sailboat models and things. I think I got lucky because they video with the history of the Rhein and Dusseldorf was in English. It was actually really interesting.
When I left after an hour and a half or so, I asked where to go and they sent me to a glass museum, a film museum and a ceramics museum. I passed on the first two, but only after walking to them. I pretty much wandered around and stumbled upon them. I also got fries while walking around, and, while they were served in the same fashion as those in Brussels (cone and tiny fork), they were not nearly as tasty as the ones in Grand Place. I then ended up at the ceramic museum and got in free because it was 430 and they closed at 5. It was kindof cool. Pretty amazing how pots that are over 4000 years old managed to survive and not break during their lifetime.
Then I walked back to the train station, got my ticket, and killed time by going to Starbucks. I know, horrible, isn't it? But it was cool because they had no paper cups - they were all ceramic, and it was very much a "sit and stay" experience. I enjoyed my book for a bit. The most interesting yet annoying part was that the drinks are different, but the food looks exactly the same. (And I bet it tastes the same, too.)
Oh, look, they just checked my ticket. Huh. Glad I got mine even though they didn't on the way in.
1212AM
Finally home. Back in the apartment. Mental note to always get first class and take computer on train rides. Uneventful trip getting home. The usual problems with my sucky internet. Tomorrow is a day to rest and recoop. Marketing test Tuesday.
Goodnight world.
Well, I'm sitting here in Koeln Station waiting for the train to take me to Dusseldorf. 30 min.
Last night, about 10, a new roomie came. Missed her name, but she's from Japan and doesn't speak English any more than the first one (name of Katie from St. Petersburg, Russia). This morning I got up, got dressed, checked email and left. Grabbed a bagel-looking thing and a hot chocolate from a little cafe I saw yesterday. That was one of the best bagely things I have ever eaten. The hot chocolate, on the other hand.... Well, it was chocolate, but that's the only thing going for it. I got to the train station and bought my ticket from a kiosk and got confused. Hopefully I will end up in the right place. More later, once I've seen Dusseldorf.
930AM
I really, really hope this is the right train. Pretty sure, but don't know. Anyways.
They seem to be obsessed with American food here. Much more so than in Brussels. Starbucks, Subway, Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts, and, of course, Micky D's are all in the train station. Plus more, I'm sure. But I grabbed an egg and an awesome mixed white and milk chocolate bar and stat to wait for the train. My butt is frozen, but I talked to this girl from Canada who just finished a semester in Brussels and is on her way to Berlin for an internship.
What's really weird to me about trains is that there's no security. They don't even check your ticket. You walk up to the train and get on. No security, no nothing. It's super easy to get on the wrong train, sit in the wrong seat, and get off at the wrong place. Very different from any mass transit system in the States. But, I'm on my way. Dusseldorf, here I come!
1230PM
Oh. My. Word. Getting here was a disaster, but I'm finally here in MediaHafen, eating lunch. It's a nice place and I got looks for coming in here with my backpack, but oh, well.
So. The story of how I got here... Well. I took the train and got off at Dusseldorf Banhoff.... Dusseldorf Bahnhof which is NOT Dusseldorf Hauptbahnhof, which is the main station, where I needed and wanted to go. Dusseldorf Bahnhof was dingy and scary and empty and tiny. I'm talking Rockland Airport tiny. I nearly started to cry. Luckily, this guy saw my distress and explained how to get here. I caught the next train and all was fine. I finaly got here and walked, and walked and walked, down to the Rhine, where I went up the Rhineturm - the really really tall (168 meters was the "bottom" floor) with 360 degree views of Dusseldorf. Then I walked a bit more and tried to take some pictures, found my camera to be broken, and came in here to eat some lunch.
I have no clue what I'm going to do for the next four hours that I'm here because I've seen everything I planned and wanted to see and it's snowing outside, heavily, so it's a bit cold to wander. I'll figure something out. They have a whole lot of museums and and aquarium, so maybe that's where I'll go. Toodle-oo for now.
545PM
Whew. What a day. I am on the train back to Koln - should take 30 minutes, then I have an hour to kill before my train back to Brussels. I still wish I was going home, but Brussels will have to do for now. Today was fun, though.
After lunch, I walked in the snow and the sleet to the shipping museum, which was housed in the last standing section of the original castle built in Dusseldorf. There were really cool sailboat models and things. I think I got lucky because they video with the history of the Rhein and Dusseldorf was in English. It was actually really interesting.
When I left after an hour and a half or so, I asked where to go and they sent me to a glass museum, a film museum and a ceramics museum. I passed on the first two, but only after walking to them. I pretty much wandered around and stumbled upon them. I also got fries while walking around, and, while they were served in the same fashion as those in Brussels (cone and tiny fork), they were not nearly as tasty as the ones in Grand Place. I then ended up at the ceramic museum and got in free because it was 430 and they closed at 5. It was kindof cool. Pretty amazing how pots that are over 4000 years old managed to survive and not break during their lifetime.
Then I walked back to the train station, got my ticket, and killed time by going to Starbucks. I know, horrible, isn't it? But it was cool because they had no paper cups - they were all ceramic, and it was very much a "sit and stay" experience. I enjoyed my book for a bit. The most interesting yet annoying part was that the drinks are different, but the food looks exactly the same. (And I bet it tastes the same, too.)
Oh, look, they just checked my ticket. Huh. Glad I got mine even though they didn't on the way in.
1212AM
Finally home. Back in the apartment. Mental note to always get first class and take computer on train rides. Uneventful trip getting home. The usual problems with my sucky internet. Tomorrow is a day to rest and recoop. Marketing test Tuesday.
Goodnight world.
Saturday - 5PM
Whew. I don't know if my feet will ever forgive me. Or my hands.. .which are oddly stiff. Ok, too hard to write - going to shower and then write entry.
5:45
Ok. That was awkward. There were guys watching when I came out of the shower... Well, they were on their laptops, but sitting facing the bathroom door.
Anyhoo. Today I got up at 8 because my roommate was leaving. Then I walked down (up?) to Dom - the big Gothic cathedral. I took the challenge and walked up over 500 steps in a tiny circular stairwell to get to the top. The view was worth it. I then walked down to the zoo to take a cable car across the Rhine, stopping for hot chocolate at the sculpture park, which was pretty cool. It took about 30-45 minutes, walking along the river. It was another cold and blustery day. And the cable cars were closed. For the winter. Like everything else here. I really wanted to take a riverboat cruise, as well. But those are closed, too. So I walked back and went to the chocolate museum. It was really cool, very tasty and pretty interesting.
Oh, and for those who make fun - some guy sold his Kinder toy collection in 2007 of almost 500 toys for over $50,000. So there.
Then I walked around and ended up in "City Shopping". Lots of recognizable names, lots of Micky D's, some BK, Pizza Hut and Dunkin' Donuts, too. They love McDonald's here. That and Starbucks. I can't tell you how many I've seen.
So today: walked to church, up (and down) 500+ steps, and over six hours of walking. I don't feel fat anymore and no wonder my feet hurt. I'm going out for dinner and then call it a night. I have this gnawing feeling in my stomach again and it's because I'm scared. Again. Dammit. Tomorrow is Dusseldorf (change of plans...) and home. I really wish I was going home, home. Not just Belgium. But I'll make it.
Goodnight, world.
Update: 8PM
Just to clarify. I never, ever, EVER want to do this again in my life. I'm not talking about traveling. I"m talking about traveling alone. I swear, I can't do it. I can't tell you how many times in the past day and a half since I left Brussels I have started bawling because it's scary and lonely and nerve-wracking. Even if someone I absolutely detested was here, it would be better than this. No more solo trips. Not happening. Now, to see if I can sleep better tonite than I did last night...
Goodnight, world.
5:45
Ok. That was awkward. There were guys watching when I came out of the shower... Well, they were on their laptops, but sitting facing the bathroom door.
Anyhoo. Today I got up at 8 because my roommate was leaving. Then I walked down (up?) to Dom - the big Gothic cathedral. I took the challenge and walked up over 500 steps in a tiny circular stairwell to get to the top. The view was worth it. I then walked down to the zoo to take a cable car across the Rhine, stopping for hot chocolate at the sculpture park, which was pretty cool. It took about 30-45 minutes, walking along the river. It was another cold and blustery day. And the cable cars were closed. For the winter. Like everything else here. I really wanted to take a riverboat cruise, as well. But those are closed, too. So I walked back and went to the chocolate museum. It was really cool, very tasty and pretty interesting.
Oh, and for those who make fun - some guy sold his Kinder toy collection in 2007 of almost 500 toys for over $50,000. So there.
Then I walked around and ended up in "City Shopping". Lots of recognizable names, lots of Micky D's, some BK, Pizza Hut and Dunkin' Donuts, too. They love McDonald's here. That and Starbucks. I can't tell you how many I've seen.
So today: walked to church, up (and down) 500+ steps, and over six hours of walking. I don't feel fat anymore and no wonder my feet hurt. I'm going out for dinner and then call it a night. I have this gnawing feeling in my stomach again and it's because I'm scared. Again. Dammit. Tomorrow is Dusseldorf (change of plans...) and home. I really wish I was going home, home. Not just Belgium. But I'll make it.
Goodnight, world.
Update: 8PM
Just to clarify. I never, ever, EVER want to do this again in my life. I'm not talking about traveling. I"m talking about traveling alone. I swear, I can't do it. I can't tell you how many times in the past day and a half since I left Brussels I have started bawling because it's scary and lonely and nerve-wracking. Even if someone I absolutely detested was here, it would be better than this. No more solo trips. Not happening. Now, to see if I can sleep better tonite than I did last night...
Goodnight, world.
Friday night - 5:15, 7, and 8:30
Part I - 5:15
Well, it's 5:15, I'm in my room at the hostel, and I already don't like it. It was a nice, long walk from the train station. Not too, too bad, but cold and windy. I don't know what I was expecting, but definitely not this. It's rather dingy and dark... I miss my computer. A lot. I miss not being in contact with people. But in 48 hours I'll be on my way home.
I guess I should update my train story - there was a howling baby on board. Literally shrieking. It got to be the worst about 15 minutes before our arrival, and people were offering chocolate and juice and lullabys to shut it up. I made a comment to my seatmate that it wasn't a happy baby. Then we started talking. She was really nice, from Italy and traveling to meet her husband in Eastern Germany.
It's amazing to me how I only traveled 2 hours and, by doing so, have entered another country with a completely different language. Everyone here seems to speak English, but it's still weird.
I don't know what I'm doing here and I really wish someone was with me. But I'll have fun and see what I can, and do what I want. Off to explore, I think.
Part II - 7:00
Well, exploring consisted of going and finding dinner. There are a ton of hotels and restaurants near the hostel I am staying at. Everything is really pretty at night - all lit up and reflecting on the Rhine. I ended up at a fancyish place - at least they had candles on all the tables. I ordered Bratwurst - a true local dish. It came with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. Though much better than their American counterparts, it was still horrific. I did manage to eat most of it with the help of a cola-bier, which was interesting but good. Very light and slightly sweet. I returned to the hostel for the night and look forward to exploring tomorrow. Oh, and I also came back to a roommate, but we haven't spoken yet...
Part III - 8:30
Ice cream fixes everything. And talking to the people you love most in this world <3 You know who you are.
Anyways, traveling by yourself SUCKS. It's scary and lonely and pretty much not fun. But I just finished one of those itty-bitty Ben and Jerry's tubs (Chunky Monkey in honor of my bf's favorite flavor - banana pudding) and talking to the aforementioned awesome people. Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope to go to Dusseldorf. Then on Sunday I will take a ride down the Rhine and explore Cologne. Of course, this may change, but we'll see. Goodnight world.
Well, it's 5:15, I'm in my room at the hostel, and I already don't like it. It was a nice, long walk from the train station. Not too, too bad, but cold and windy. I don't know what I was expecting, but definitely not this. It's rather dingy and dark... I miss my computer. A lot. I miss not being in contact with people. But in 48 hours I'll be on my way home.
I guess I should update my train story - there was a howling baby on board. Literally shrieking. It got to be the worst about 15 minutes before our arrival, and people were offering chocolate and juice and lullabys to shut it up. I made a comment to my seatmate that it wasn't a happy baby. Then we started talking. She was really nice, from Italy and traveling to meet her husband in Eastern Germany.
It's amazing to me how I only traveled 2 hours and, by doing so, have entered another country with a completely different language. Everyone here seems to speak English, but it's still weird.
I don't know what I'm doing here and I really wish someone was with me. But I'll have fun and see what I can, and do what I want. Off to explore, I think.
Part II - 7:00
Well, exploring consisted of going and finding dinner. There are a ton of hotels and restaurants near the hostel I am staying at. Everything is really pretty at night - all lit up and reflecting on the Rhine. I ended up at a fancyish place - at least they had candles on all the tables. I ordered Bratwurst - a true local dish. It came with mashed potatoes and sauerkraut. Though much better than their American counterparts, it was still horrific. I did manage to eat most of it with the help of a cola-bier, which was interesting but good. Very light and slightly sweet. I returned to the hostel for the night and look forward to exploring tomorrow. Oh, and I also came back to a roommate, but we haven't spoken yet...
Part III - 8:30
Ice cream fixes everything. And talking to the people you love most in this world <3 You know who you are.
Anyways, traveling by yourself SUCKS. It's scary and lonely and pretty much not fun. But I just finished one of those itty-bitty Ben and Jerry's tubs (Chunky Monkey in honor of my bf's favorite flavor - banana pudding) and talking to the aforementioned awesome people. Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope to go to Dusseldorf. Then on Sunday I will take a ride down the Rhine and explore Cologne. Of course, this may change, but we'll see. Goodnight world.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Two-thirty/Three on Friday
I'm sitting on the train, heart pounding, stomach coiled up in knots. It's a smooth ride but getting here wasn't. I left the apartment at 1:15, finally making it to the station at 2:10 - just in time for my train to leave at 2:30... And I hadn't gotten my ticket yet. The metro was late, the tram was spooky, and I had four different languages yelled at me - French, German, Spanish and English. You would think I would at least understand Spanish or English, but I was/am so stressed, I couldn't make my mouth speak. But I'm here now. I feel like a dumb American.
And so much for not bringing my laptop... there's wifi on the trains here. And of course I didn't actually bring paper, so this is on a page from my planner. Well, I guess now I know for next time.
The train feels slow, but I guess it's just as fast (faster?) than a car because we're next to a highway and passing them quickly. It's smooth and quiet and relatively comfortable (compared to planes and vans and metros and other public transportation). I felt a little awkward, as I didn't, and still don't, know train etiquette. Also, I think people were a lot more friendly when my dad traveled or when I was younger, or something. Mostly people just yell at me if I did something wrong or not say anything at all if I didn't. Haven't gotten much help, either. I guess I can't pull of that distressed and innocent child look anymore.
Anyways, boarded the train, had no clue where I had to sit/could sit, picked a spot, sat, and a lady asks me something in French and pointing at her ticket and me and the seat... Dumbfounded (some people had just told me I could sit anywhere, as long as I was in the right class), I stuttered, "English?" and she says I'm in her seat. Whoops. I gape and she says it's fine, am I in 52? Luck would have it that I was, and she sat next to me without making me move.
The scenery outside is pretty and they just stamped my ticket (which I also did not know they did). Anyways, I have a two hour trip - write more tonite. Oh. And I hope that baby shuts up.
And so much for not bringing my laptop... there's wifi on the trains here. And of course I didn't actually bring paper, so this is on a page from my planner. Well, I guess now I know for next time.
The train feels slow, but I guess it's just as fast (faster?) than a car because we're next to a highway and passing them quickly. It's smooth and quiet and relatively comfortable (compared to planes and vans and metros and other public transportation). I felt a little awkward, as I didn't, and still don't, know train etiquette. Also, I think people were a lot more friendly when my dad traveled or when I was younger, or something. Mostly people just yell at me if I did something wrong or not say anything at all if I didn't. Haven't gotten much help, either. I guess I can't pull of that distressed and innocent child look anymore.
Anyways, boarded the train, had no clue where I had to sit/could sit, picked a spot, sat, and a lady asks me something in French and pointing at her ticket and me and the seat... Dumbfounded (some people had just told me I could sit anywhere, as long as I was in the right class), I stuttered, "English?" and she says I'm in her seat. Whoops. I gape and she says it's fine, am I in 52? Luck would have it that I was, and she sat next to me without making me move.
The scenery outside is pretty and they just stamped my ticket (which I also did not know they did). Anyways, I have a two hour trip - write more tonite. Oh. And I hope that baby shuts up.
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