Wow. It's been an incredible ten days. I'm sad that they're over. Having Gabe here and traveling with him was a blast and I'm sorry that he had to leave this morning.
We got up early and had breakfast before catching a taxi to the airport. It turned out that we got there pretty early and there wasn't a line, so we sat in the cafe for a bit before he had to go through security. I miss him already, but I'll be home in three weeks.
Three weeks.
This program was sixteen weeks. There are three left. What happened? How? I can't believe how fast it's passed. It simultaneously feels like I've been here forever but also like I was at Magnet yesterday. I graduated nearly a year ago. And this summer will be here in three weeks, and then two years left of college and I'm just going to stop because I don't want to think about it. I think I finally understand the phrase, "Carpe diem."
So let's review, now that I'm staying in Brussels for the rest of my study abroad:
Brussels, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Venice, Lido, Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Bruges, Dublin, Howthe, Birmingham, London, Paris, Charleston, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nahariyya, Ginosar, Abu Gosh, Tiberius, and Amsterdam.
Twenty-four in thirteen weeks. Wow. Five weekends out of fifteen spent in Brussels... That seems like a lot, but only because they were so spaced out. Now, to rank them:
Tel Aviv, Ginosar, Jerusalem, Nahariyya, Tiberius, Howthe, Haifa, Dublin, Charleston, Abu Gosh, Venice, Barcelona, Zurich, Madrid, Birmingham, Amsterdam, Lido, Dusseldorf, London, Paris, Toledo, Bruges, Cologne, Brussels
(This is how it was last time I ranked them: Howth > Dublin > Venice > Charleston > Barcelona > London > Madrid > Zurich > Rockland > New York City > New Orleans/Baton Rouge > Cologne > Bruge > Toledo >Dusseldorf > Brussels)
Anyways. After the airport, I came back to the apartment and did homework, took a shower, did some laundry, had a BLT for lunch and procrastinated. Also, all pictures are up and tagged and commented and everything and (if you couldn't already tell) I updated my blog to include everything and catch up. This week and next should be busy with lots of homework and tests. Marion and Nigel come tomorrow afternoon, too.
But now it's time to actually do work. Homework and reading. Tests next week.
Goodnight, world.
The musings of a twenty-something currently studying in Missouri.
Always loving the escape as much as the anchors.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Relaxing Saturday
Well, this morning we slept in before eating a yummy breakfast of eggs, toast and bacon (thanks, Dad =] it is really good). Then we headed to the grocery store.
We went to the Colruyt to see what they had and if there was anything interesting that Gabe wanted to take home. We had gone to the GB, so we knew of some things he wanted, but we found some others. Not everything we wanted was there, so we did end up going back to the GB, and I hope that he and everyone he shares with enjoys it.
We packed when we got back, and both suitcases came out perfectly. I owe a huge thank you to Gabe for taking so much stuff back with him. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten everything back without him. I don't even know how I'm going to get it all home now... I have to go to the post office soon, though, but we'll see how much I have to ship.
Then we went down to Grand Place, where we got frites with curry ketchup, which was very tasty. We enjoyed walking around and watching the people. Gabe remarked that the biggest difference between Brussels and Charleston is that none of the tourists here smile. I'd never noticed, but I guess it contributes a lot to the overall feel of Belgium. There were also a ton of tourists.
We had dinner at the same restaurant the program ate at the first night, and we both had delicious vol-au-vent. Gabe enjoyed a Tongerlo beer and I had a Mystic Cranberry Raspberry. Afterwards, we each got waffles (white chocolate/dolce de leche for him and chocolate and strawberries for me) and returned to the apartment.
We're going to watch a movie, but most likely we'll fall asleep. Ten days flew by and I can't believe Gabe is leaving tomorrow morning. =[ It's been a ton of fun. I asked him today what was most interesting about the trip, and he said that it was Israel being as modern and cosmopolitan as it was. I guess I'd have to agree, but I don't feel I was as surprised. We'd both recommend visiting Israel to anyone and everyone.
Goodnight, world.
We went to the Colruyt to see what they had and if there was anything interesting that Gabe wanted to take home. We had gone to the GB, so we knew of some things he wanted, but we found some others. Not everything we wanted was there, so we did end up going back to the GB, and I hope that he and everyone he shares with enjoys it.
We packed when we got back, and both suitcases came out perfectly. I owe a huge thank you to Gabe for taking so much stuff back with him. I honestly don't know how I would have gotten everything back without him. I don't even know how I'm going to get it all home now... I have to go to the post office soon, though, but we'll see how much I have to ship.
Then we went down to Grand Place, where we got frites with curry ketchup, which was very tasty. We enjoyed walking around and watching the people. Gabe remarked that the biggest difference between Brussels and Charleston is that none of the tourists here smile. I'd never noticed, but I guess it contributes a lot to the overall feel of Belgium. There were also a ton of tourists.
We had dinner at the same restaurant the program ate at the first night, and we both had delicious vol-au-vent. Gabe enjoyed a Tongerlo beer and I had a Mystic Cranberry Raspberry. Afterwards, we each got waffles (white chocolate/dolce de leche for him and chocolate and strawberries for me) and returned to the apartment.
We're going to watch a movie, but most likely we'll fall asleep. Ten days flew by and I can't believe Gabe is leaving tomorrow morning. =[ It's been a ton of fun. I asked him today what was most interesting about the trip, and he said that it was Israel being as modern and cosmopolitan as it was. I guess I'd have to agree, but I don't feel I was as surprised. We'd both recommend visiting Israel to anyone and everyone.
Goodnight, world.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Amsterdam
Amsterdam was awesome. We didn't do very much, but it was a very nice day.
First we slept in a bit and got up at 10 to have breakfast on the boat and packed and everything. Then we headed over to the Anne Frank house. We were running a bit behind, and had meant to meet Sam and Kristin, but got there as they got out. The line was long, but definitely worth it. It was a lot bigger than we both thought, but it was interesting to see everything. They left everything just as it had been, and I really enjoyed reading all about it.
Then we headed up the canal towards the flower market. After walking through it, we went to the Heineken Brewery. The flower market was incredible and the flowers were so pretty. Tulips, calla lilies, orchids, every flower imaginable. The canals were nice, and Amsterdam reminded me of Venice, except with less clothes, more drugs, cars and millions of bicycles.
At the Heineken, we saw a lot of awesome things. It was much more interactive than the Guinness, with rides and commercials and milling and tasting and everything. Very fun. They had a lot of interesting exhibits, I guess you would call them.
Afterwards, we walked over to the zoo. It was getting kindof late, so we only had an hour or so, but we thought it would be fun. And then we found out it was nearly 20 euro to get in, so we sat on the bench outside for a while and just talked and relaxed for a bit. We called Sam and they were in the Red Light District and were headed for the train soon. So we walked through the main market and saw some interesting things. Gabe nearly got his trench coat, but they didn't have the right size. The tee shirts were interesting, and mostly crude, but they had some other cute things.
We had planned to take the 8:54 train, because that was the last one, but they go every hour from Amsterdam to Brussels, so we weren't worried when we didn't really feel we had anything left to do at 6 or so. After going back to the hostel to get our bag, we met Sam, Kristin and Grace for dinner across the street from the train station, near the Red Light District. Gabe had soup and a burrito while I had salad and fish and chips. It was very good. We shared a coffee and ice cream before grabbing the 7:54 train with everyone. They hadn't eaten, but grabbed Burger King before getting on the train. I fell asleep and now we're home, going to just relax for the night.
Goodnight, world.
First we slept in a bit and got up at 10 to have breakfast on the boat and packed and everything. Then we headed over to the Anne Frank house. We were running a bit behind, and had meant to meet Sam and Kristin, but got there as they got out. The line was long, but definitely worth it. It was a lot bigger than we both thought, but it was interesting to see everything. They left everything just as it had been, and I really enjoyed reading all about it.
Then we headed up the canal towards the flower market. After walking through it, we went to the Heineken Brewery. The flower market was incredible and the flowers were so pretty. Tulips, calla lilies, orchids, every flower imaginable. The canals were nice, and Amsterdam reminded me of Venice, except with less clothes, more drugs, cars and millions of bicycles.
At the Heineken, we saw a lot of awesome things. It was much more interactive than the Guinness, with rides and commercials and milling and tasting and everything. Very fun. They had a lot of interesting exhibits, I guess you would call them.
Afterwards, we walked over to the zoo. It was getting kindof late, so we only had an hour or so, but we thought it would be fun. And then we found out it was nearly 20 euro to get in, so we sat on the bench outside for a while and just talked and relaxed for a bit. We called Sam and they were in the Red Light District and were headed for the train soon. So we walked through the main market and saw some interesting things. Gabe nearly got his trench coat, but they didn't have the right size. The tee shirts were interesting, and mostly crude, but they had some other cute things.
We had planned to take the 8:54 train, because that was the last one, but they go every hour from Amsterdam to Brussels, so we weren't worried when we didn't really feel we had anything left to do at 6 or so. After going back to the hostel to get our bag, we met Sam, Kristin and Grace for dinner across the street from the train station, near the Red Light District. Gabe had soup and a burrito while I had salad and fish and chips. It was very good. We shared a coffee and ice cream before grabbing the 7:54 train with everyone. They hadn't eaten, but grabbed Burger King before getting on the train. I fell asleep and now we're home, going to just relax for the night.
Goodnight, world.
I AMsterdam: A Guest Post
Wow. First of all, an apology to everyone who reads - we've been a little busy between traveling and sight seeing.
So here's the story on this post: Gabe wrote a fantastic account of what we did after class and Thursday night. I wrote up to the train, and he wrote all about the Red Light District and dinner and our hostel and everything. And I wrote Friday. But my computer is dumb and killed the whole post, so he's re-writing it when he gets home (which is in a few hours) and then I'll repost it. Sorry. In the meantime, you can see what else we did.
UPDATE: Here it is:
So, the train was delayed. Basically that means we had to get out of the train at the airport and take another one to the Central station. Together with a 16-or-so-year-old French girl, we got out and waited at the designated platform for our train. However, due to some error, the train was 5 minutes late, and due to arrive on another platform. With an ever quick French eye and lack of faith in foreigners who dont speak her language, the French girl declared that we should move stations to the one where our train happened to arrive.
Making the connection and finally arriving to our station of destination, we walked outside and were amazed. Partially we were amazed due to the amazing architecture of the actual station, it was basically a palace surrounded by canals. Most of our amazement, however, was derived from the thousands upon thousands of bicycles.
They were everywhere; attached to all the railings, parked in stacks and piles on a parking deck, and being driven by hundreds of people. The roads were fertile with bike tracks. Even when there was no road or sidewalk there was always a bike trail.
After some confusion, we made our way towards the docks and our hostel - yes, that's right; our hostel was a boat on a dock. It was pretty nice.
To get to it we walked on the edge of the red light district and past a cartoony-old ship that turned out to be the Maritime Museum. The lady in charge was really nice and helpful, and also really obviously high. The room had two bunks and a sink and the toilets and showers were in the hall. It wasn't a huge boat, but it had 14 or so rooms. We dropped off our stuff and decided to go explore and get dinner.
Between the two of us, we were really indecisive about what to do for dinner. So we checked prices and decided the resturaunts on the edge of the Red Light District were kind pricy so we decided to dive right in. It was a bit early so all we saw was some pot being smoked and two cops on horses who looked really happy - the cops not the horses.
After a walk around the block (literal) we decided on Chinese and walked in and sat down. We split a pot (literal) of tea because it was cheaper than a glass of water. For food Michelle ordered the wonton soup, which was good, and this other thing which was meat on a stick covered in a thick peanut sauce (sate), which was pretty good. I had what was basically fried chicken smothered in lemon flavoured sweet and sour sauce, which was good.
After dinner it was just dark enough that the Red Light District started to get interesting. We wandered for a bit and didn't take too long to find the two largest streets in the district, both with a large canal running through the middle. On the buildings side were hundreds and hundreds of windows containing prostitutes upon prostitutes. They weren't even really attractive either, maybe 1 in 10 was decent, but more than half were over weight and/or old.
Next to the prostitutes were sex shops which dotted the avenues periodically. Bars were also pretty common, but not as much as "coffe shops" which seemed to be everywhere.
There were also hundreds of beautiful, white, innocent, swans in the cannals in the Red Light District.
An hour or so passed and we decided to go in search of Space Shakes, which we found out (after asking rougly 12 coffee shop and bar owners) are illegal. You can only sell pot in its smokable and space-cakey form.
So we go to the nicest coffe shop we could find and bought us some space cakes, chocolate and vanilla flavored. We sat by the cannals outside a bar and ordered some drinks to enjoy with our cakes. Michelle ordered an apple juice which came in an awesome bottle. I ordered a coffee which was rich and dark and delicious and came with the nicest cream I have ever had - it was basically unsweetened concentrated ice cream. We split the chocolate one first, it wasn't too bad but not exactly the best brownie we ever had. The vanilla one we saved to see what exactly the brownie would do to us, and in the mean time we walked around.
About 30 minutes later it was late and we were tired and not feeling anything so we opened up the vanilla and ate that. Michelle found it quite bad, though i didn't mind it. We also saw the I AMsterdam sign and managed to snap a picture with no one on it after waiting a good 15 minutes for people to leave.
The walk back to the hostel was a short one, about 10 minutes, and we immediately brushed our respective teeth and laid down in bed. We talked for a while just to see if we would start to feel something. Michelle didn't really get buzzed at all, while I apparently was much more mellow. Overall it was pretty unexciting but we are still glad we did it.
Goodnight; WORLD!
So here's the story on this post: Gabe wrote a fantastic account of what we did after class and Thursday night. I wrote up to the train, and he wrote all about the Red Light District and dinner and our hostel and everything. And I wrote Friday. But my computer is dumb and killed the whole post, so he's re-writing it when he gets home (which is in a few hours) and then I'll repost it. Sorry. In the meantime, you can see what else we did.
UPDATE: Here it is:
So, the train was delayed. Basically that means we had to get out of the train at the airport and take another one to the Central station. Together with a 16-or-so-year-old French girl, we got out and waited at the designated platform for our train. However, due to some error, the train was 5 minutes late, and due to arrive on another platform. With an ever quick French eye and lack of faith in foreigners who dont speak her language, the French girl declared that we should move stations to the one where our train happened to arrive.
Making the connection and finally arriving to our station of destination, we walked outside and were amazed. Partially we were amazed due to the amazing architecture of the actual station, it was basically a palace surrounded by canals. Most of our amazement, however, was derived from the thousands upon thousands of bicycles.
They were everywhere; attached to all the railings, parked in stacks and piles on a parking deck, and being driven by hundreds of people. The roads were fertile with bike tracks. Even when there was no road or sidewalk there was always a bike trail.
After some confusion, we made our way towards the docks and our hostel - yes, that's right; our hostel was a boat on a dock. It was pretty nice.
To get to it we walked on the edge of the red light district and past a cartoony-old ship that turned out to be the Maritime Museum. The lady in charge was really nice and helpful, and also really obviously high. The room had two bunks and a sink and the toilets and showers were in the hall. It wasn't a huge boat, but it had 14 or so rooms. We dropped off our stuff and decided to go explore and get dinner.
Between the two of us, we were really indecisive about what to do for dinner. So we checked prices and decided the resturaunts on the edge of the Red Light District were kind pricy so we decided to dive right in. It was a bit early so all we saw was some pot being smoked and two cops on horses who looked really happy - the cops not the horses.
After a walk around the block (literal) we decided on Chinese and walked in and sat down. We split a pot (literal) of tea because it was cheaper than a glass of water. For food Michelle ordered the wonton soup, which was good, and this other thing which was meat on a stick covered in a thick peanut sauce (sate), which was pretty good. I had what was basically fried chicken smothered in lemon flavoured sweet and sour sauce, which was good.
After dinner it was just dark enough that the Red Light District started to get interesting. We wandered for a bit and didn't take too long to find the two largest streets in the district, both with a large canal running through the middle. On the buildings side were hundreds and hundreds of windows containing prostitutes upon prostitutes. They weren't even really attractive either, maybe 1 in 10 was decent, but more than half were over weight and/or old.
Next to the prostitutes were sex shops which dotted the avenues periodically. Bars were also pretty common, but not as much as "coffe shops" which seemed to be everywhere.
There were also hundreds of beautiful, white, innocent, swans in the cannals in the Red Light District.
An hour or so passed and we decided to go in search of Space Shakes, which we found out (after asking rougly 12 coffee shop and bar owners) are illegal. You can only sell pot in its smokable and space-cakey form.
So we go to the nicest coffe shop we could find and bought us some space cakes, chocolate and vanilla flavored. We sat by the cannals outside a bar and ordered some drinks to enjoy with our cakes. Michelle ordered an apple juice which came in an awesome bottle. I ordered a coffee which was rich and dark and delicious and came with the nicest cream I have ever had - it was basically unsweetened concentrated ice cream. We split the chocolate one first, it wasn't too bad but not exactly the best brownie we ever had. The vanilla one we saved to see what exactly the brownie would do to us, and in the mean time we walked around.
About 30 minutes later it was late and we were tired and not feeling anything so we opened up the vanilla and ate that. Michelle found it quite bad, though i didn't mind it. We also saw the I AMsterdam sign and managed to snap a picture with no one on it after waiting a good 15 minutes for people to leave.
The walk back to the hostel was a short one, about 10 minutes, and we immediately brushed our respective teeth and laid down in bed. We talked for a while just to see if we would start to feel something. Michelle didn't really get buzzed at all, while I apparently was much more mellow. Overall it was pretty unexciting but we are still glad we did it.
Goodnight; WORLD!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Last Day in Paradise
Well, we're back in Brussels now, but we both miss Israel. Wednesday morning we got up and packed to leave before going to breakfast at 8. It was in the hotel cafeteria, where we had eaten dinner. They had some interesting things, most of which were good.
Then Gabe and I walked around for an hour or so before we headed up the road to Capernaum and Tabgha and the Church of St. Peter. There were a lot of people, but it was a pretty church.
Then we went back past Ginosar to Tiberius. It's also a cute town with lots of personality. There were shops and things like in the Old City, but also new stores. Inge always shops at a store called Crazy Line, so we went there first while Gilbert went and had a coffee. I got a couple pairs of dress pants, a skirt and two cute tops that I could wear for business. It was a nice store. Then we walked down the market street to the beach. Inge and Gilbert sat at the restaurant where we were eating lunch while Gabe and I wandered around. It wasn't anything super special, but they had interesting things.
What's surprising to me is how similar things are. Like gelato... I haven't been to a city yet that hasn't had it. And it's always the same flavors. What was weird in Tiberius was that there were slushies. Like Icees, but flavors like coffee and avocado. We didn't get a chance to taste them, but will when we go back.
We then went to the restaurant to have lnch. Gabe and I each got schnitzel and shared with Inge. It was very good. I'm not sure if I've ever had schnitzel before, but it tasted relatively familiar and was very good.
We sat by the water for a long time while we ate. It's obvious that the lake is down the 15 feet, but that's the only reason why there is a beach - otherwise the water would have been up the wall. But everyone on the beach was enjoying themselves... There were several groups of people smoking from hookahs and the smell of cannabis was in the air.
I did find it interesting that there were so many hookahs. In the markets they were smoking incense, on the beach was cannabis, and other places it was just tobacco. You don't see them in the States very often, so it was just different to see them everywhere. People walk down the streets with them. Of course, the Red Light District in Amsterdam is probably going to be just as astounding, but I'll find that out tonight.
After lunch, we headed back to Tel Aviv after getting ice cream. Strawberry sorbet and cappuccino, which was very good. Both Gabe and I fell asleep, but it was the same highway that we had been on to go north, so we didn't miss anything, or at least we don't think we did. Once we got back to Tel Aviv, we packed and Inge packed two suitcases for Marion to come get from me. So Marion is coming to Brussels next Monday or Tuesday for two nights to pick up all of Inge's things.
After packing, we had a light dinner and Inge's friend Hilda came over. She brought me an awesome hat and a very nice scarf. We had tea and ice cream and cake. When she left, Inge took us out to see the opera building, which was very nice. It also had a movie theater and a couple of coffee shops. Gabe and I danced to the trumpet player on the plaza that connects all the arts buildings.
We headed back to the apartment and relaxed for a bit. Inge got out her accordion and I tried to play and Gabe actually did play. Mostly Do Re Mi, but still, it was fun.
Then we headed to the airport at 10:30. We got there about 10:45 to check in. We said goodbye and headed in. Our flight was at 1:10. We got a little confused trying to check in, because we didn't know where to go, but we figured it out. You had to line up and be interrogated for security in the main lobby. Passports checked and questions asked, like, how long were you here and where were you staying, but also how often we see each other and how long we've been dating. Then they put your bags through an x-ray machine after putting a whole bunch of stickers on them. They raised their eyes at the fact that we had a knife in our bag, but it was okay when we said we had put it there. They only checked our big bags there, not our carry-ons.
The x-ray machine was fun. It slowly pulled the bags up the ramp, sat inside for a bit, and then was shot out the other side with quite a bit of force. It was kindof funny to watch.
Then we got to the check-in counter and checked our bags, no problem. We got our tickets only through double checking passports, and then headed for security, where they checked our passports again. We had no problems through security, and then had to show boarding passes and passports again at border control. The airport really was nice, and there was a giant fountain in the middle that dropped rings of water from the 20-foot ceiling. We roamed around the duty-free shop for a while and then showed our passports to get to the gate. I got a grapefruit juice and had a granola bar before we boarded, showing our passports a final time.
The flight wasn't bad. Somehow, we ended up with first class seats, and I fell asleep quickly. Gabe slept a little bit, but I couldn't tell you what happened on the flight. Apparently there were quite a few crying babies.
We landed on time (5AM) in Brussels, to an empty airport. We retrieved Inge's two bags and got a taxi back to the apartment. It was a 35 Euro charge for a 10 minute ride. But we got back, took all the stuff up, and went to bed for a few hours. I got up at 9 or so to do homework and check email and everything. Gabe got up around 10:30 and we ate together. Sam came and ate with us, too.
I studied a bit, then took a shower and went to class. We packed a bit, too. Class was average. I took (and most likely failed) a quiz, but we're allowed to retake it. Gabe went wandering. I walked him to the end of the street and showed him what I thought might be interesting, and then left him to explore. He found a grocery store and the car museum and got lunch (beer and a sandwich) and mostly just walked around.
After class, we finished packing, had a snack and came down to the train station. Which is where we are now. On the train to Amsterdam.
Tonite we're going to Red Light District after dinner somewhere and then we're staying on a boat that's a hostel. Tomorrow we're seeing the Anne Frank house and maybe going to the Heinekin Brewery, and of course walking around and seeing what we can see. Then we'll be home tomorrow night.
For now, we're going to enjoy the train ride.
Toodle-oo.
Then Gabe and I walked around for an hour or so before we headed up the road to Capernaum and Tabgha and the Church of St. Peter. There were a lot of people, but it was a pretty church.
Then we went back past Ginosar to Tiberius. It's also a cute town with lots of personality. There were shops and things like in the Old City, but also new stores. Inge always shops at a store called Crazy Line, so we went there first while Gilbert went and had a coffee. I got a couple pairs of dress pants, a skirt and two cute tops that I could wear for business. It was a nice store. Then we walked down the market street to the beach. Inge and Gilbert sat at the restaurant where we were eating lunch while Gabe and I wandered around. It wasn't anything super special, but they had interesting things.
What's surprising to me is how similar things are. Like gelato... I haven't been to a city yet that hasn't had it. And it's always the same flavors. What was weird in Tiberius was that there were slushies. Like Icees, but flavors like coffee and avocado. We didn't get a chance to taste them, but will when we go back.
We then went to the restaurant to have lnch. Gabe and I each got schnitzel and shared with Inge. It was very good. I'm not sure if I've ever had schnitzel before, but it tasted relatively familiar and was very good.
We sat by the water for a long time while we ate. It's obvious that the lake is down the 15 feet, but that's the only reason why there is a beach - otherwise the water would have been up the wall. But everyone on the beach was enjoying themselves... There were several groups of people smoking from hookahs and the smell of cannabis was in the air.
I did find it interesting that there were so many hookahs. In the markets they were smoking incense, on the beach was cannabis, and other places it was just tobacco. You don't see them in the States very often, so it was just different to see them everywhere. People walk down the streets with them. Of course, the Red Light District in Amsterdam is probably going to be just as astounding, but I'll find that out tonight.
After lunch, we headed back to Tel Aviv after getting ice cream. Strawberry sorbet and cappuccino, which was very good. Both Gabe and I fell asleep, but it was the same highway that we had been on to go north, so we didn't miss anything, or at least we don't think we did. Once we got back to Tel Aviv, we packed and Inge packed two suitcases for Marion to come get from me. So Marion is coming to Brussels next Monday or Tuesday for two nights to pick up all of Inge's things.
After packing, we had a light dinner and Inge's friend Hilda came over. She brought me an awesome hat and a very nice scarf. We had tea and ice cream and cake. When she left, Inge took us out to see the opera building, which was very nice. It also had a movie theater and a couple of coffee shops. Gabe and I danced to the trumpet player on the plaza that connects all the arts buildings.
We headed back to the apartment and relaxed for a bit. Inge got out her accordion and I tried to play and Gabe actually did play. Mostly Do Re Mi, but still, it was fun.
Then we headed to the airport at 10:30. We got there about 10:45 to check in. We said goodbye and headed in. Our flight was at 1:10. We got a little confused trying to check in, because we didn't know where to go, but we figured it out. You had to line up and be interrogated for security in the main lobby. Passports checked and questions asked, like, how long were you here and where were you staying, but also how often we see each other and how long we've been dating. Then they put your bags through an x-ray machine after putting a whole bunch of stickers on them. They raised their eyes at the fact that we had a knife in our bag, but it was okay when we said we had put it there. They only checked our big bags there, not our carry-ons.
The x-ray machine was fun. It slowly pulled the bags up the ramp, sat inside for a bit, and then was shot out the other side with quite a bit of force. It was kindof funny to watch.
Then we got to the check-in counter and checked our bags, no problem. We got our tickets only through double checking passports, and then headed for security, where they checked our passports again. We had no problems through security, and then had to show boarding passes and passports again at border control. The airport really was nice, and there was a giant fountain in the middle that dropped rings of water from the 20-foot ceiling. We roamed around the duty-free shop for a while and then showed our passports to get to the gate. I got a grapefruit juice and had a granola bar before we boarded, showing our passports a final time.
The flight wasn't bad. Somehow, we ended up with first class seats, and I fell asleep quickly. Gabe slept a little bit, but I couldn't tell you what happened on the flight. Apparently there were quite a few crying babies.
We landed on time (5AM) in Brussels, to an empty airport. We retrieved Inge's two bags and got a taxi back to the apartment. It was a 35 Euro charge for a 10 minute ride. But we got back, took all the stuff up, and went to bed for a few hours. I got up at 9 or so to do homework and check email and everything. Gabe got up around 10:30 and we ate together. Sam came and ate with us, too.
I studied a bit, then took a shower and went to class. We packed a bit, too. Class was average. I took (and most likely failed) a quiz, but we're allowed to retake it. Gabe went wandering. I walked him to the end of the street and showed him what I thought might be interesting, and then left him to explore. He found a grocery store and the car museum and got lunch (beer and a sandwich) and mostly just walked around.
After class, we finished packing, had a snack and came down to the train station. Which is where we are now. On the train to Amsterdam.
Tonite we're going to Red Light District after dinner somewhere and then we're staying on a boat that's a hostel. Tomorrow we're seeing the Anne Frank house and maybe going to the Heinekin Brewery, and of course walking around and seeing what we can see. Then we'll be home tomorrow night.
For now, we're going to enjoy the train ride.
Toodle-oo.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Traveling Tuesday
We traveled a lot today. We got up at 8 and got ready to go. We had a simple breakfast before Gilbert got there at 10 or so to take us to Ginosar... Which is where we are now, but only after a lot of stops.
We left Tel Aviv and headed north, passing a lot of little towns. The most important and obvious would be Haifa. We drove through on the way to Nahariyya. (I found the name for this from our pictures - Gabe's comment: "Some people say 'Why?' Some people say 'Why not?' In Nahariyya, we say y-y.")
We met cousin Gidi and walked on the beach. For lunch we had delicious pasta - I had cheese ravioli in alfredo sauce and Gabe had gnocci with sweet potato sauce. Also in Nahariyya, we saw the apartment that Inge rents out. It was very nice.
Then we hopped back in the car and drove over to this place by the Golan where Gabe and I rode horses while Inge and Gilbert had tea. It was nice, but we didn't get to spend very much time there. Oh, and on the back side, on the other side from the stables, they had little cabins because it was a hotel, kindof. But you could see the lake in the back and it was very cool. They also had gorgeous roses and it was called something like Roses and Horses, I think.
Then we drove the rest of the way to Ginosar, where we have two very nice rooms/flats. We passed many little towns on the way. It is so pretty and so nice to drive through. At the hotel, there's a bedroom, bathroom, and large living area with kitchenette in every "room". Inge and Gilbert have one room and we have the one next door.
Before it got dark, Gabe and I walked down to the dock because we're on the Sea of Galilee. We saw some sculptures and shook the old metal docks. You could see Tiberius from where we were. Then we headed back up to the hotel for dinner with Astrid and her husband and her two kids, Nora and Ana. She's an English teacher and a pastor who converted. We had good conversations and it was good fun.
Then Inge and Gilbert went to bed and Gabe and I went out and looked at the stars. We looked around the lake and realized that there were many, many more cities than we thought when we had looked around earlier.
Then we went through our photos and now we're going to go lay in the hammock before going to bed. Tomorrow we're going to Tiberius and one of the churches nearby where Jesus was a rabbi and doing other things. I'm not really sure.
But now it's time to turn off my computer.
Goodnight, world.
We left Tel Aviv and headed north, passing a lot of little towns. The most important and obvious would be Haifa. We drove through on the way to Nahariyya. (I found the name for this from our pictures - Gabe's comment: "Some people say 'Why?' Some people say 'Why not?' In Nahariyya, we say y-y.")
We met cousin Gidi and walked on the beach. For lunch we had delicious pasta - I had cheese ravioli in alfredo sauce and Gabe had gnocci with sweet potato sauce. Also in Nahariyya, we saw the apartment that Inge rents out. It was very nice.
Then we hopped back in the car and drove over to this place by the Golan where Gabe and I rode horses while Inge and Gilbert had tea. It was nice, but we didn't get to spend very much time there. Oh, and on the back side, on the other side from the stables, they had little cabins because it was a hotel, kindof. But you could see the lake in the back and it was very cool. They also had gorgeous roses and it was called something like Roses and Horses, I think.
Then we drove the rest of the way to Ginosar, where we have two very nice rooms/flats. We passed many little towns on the way. It is so pretty and so nice to drive through. At the hotel, there's a bedroom, bathroom, and large living area with kitchenette in every "room". Inge and Gilbert have one room and we have the one next door.
Before it got dark, Gabe and I walked down to the dock because we're on the Sea of Galilee. We saw some sculptures and shook the old metal docks. You could see Tiberius from where we were. Then we headed back up to the hotel for dinner with Astrid and her husband and her two kids, Nora and Ana. She's an English teacher and a pastor who converted. We had good conversations and it was good fun.
Then Inge and Gilbert went to bed and Gabe and I went out and looked at the stars. We looked around the lake and realized that there were many, many more cities than we thought when we had looked around earlier.
Then we went through our photos and now we're going to go lay in the hammock before going to bed. Tomorrow we're going to Tiberius and one of the churches nearby where Jesus was a rabbi and doing other things. I'm not really sure.
But now it's time to turn off my computer.
Goodnight, world.
Jerusalem!
Another incredible day... Today we went to Jerusalem, which was amazing.
We woke up around 9 and had breakfast at the apartment. Just bread and fruit and coffee. Then Gilbert, one of Inge's boyfriends, took us to Jerusalem. He lives close to the Old City, so we went to his apartment to park and then walked the rest of the way.
The Old City was incredible. The whole city is astounding. The stone buildings are gorgeous, and the drive from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was so pretty. It was so green and the mountains took your breath away. The architecture here is so diverse and some leave you wondering how on earth they don't slide into the valleys.
We wandered around the Old City for a while, got some gifts and tee shirts and some interesting bread. The shops were interesting and had so many different things, and yet they repeated themselves. There were spice merchants with all the different herbs and spices and incense and stuff, but also many tee shirt shops (I got my Coca-Cola shirt!) and pottery and jewelry and stuff. Basically your touristy stuff, but still a nice market.
Nearby was the church where Jesus is buried, so we stopped by there. It was creepy (in my opinion) because it was dark and twisted passageways connecting hoards of people and then these empty halls leading to crypts and stuff. It was interesting.
Then we went to the Western Wall, which was so amazing I can't even describe it. It was exactly what you see in pictures, right down to the plants growing out of the wall and all of the papers jammed in the cracks, but it was still breathtaking.
After the wall, we separated from Inge and Gilbert and went back into the market place and wandered a bit. We got a very tasty date bread thing for lunch while we sat in the shade.
To me, it's astounding how much of a difference standing in the sun versus standing in the shade makes. It's at least a fifteen degree difference - in the sun I'm sweltering and in the shade I need a jacket. The dryness is also strange to me. Weird, but good. I really like it here. Gabe agrees and we both know we want to come back.
We went back to meet Inge and Gilbert at the YMCA, where they were eating lunch, which was a nice 30 minute uphill walk from the Old City, but was right next to his apartment. On the way we grabbed a pomegranite, which was very yummy.
We got back to the apartment and got back in the car to drive home. We drove through Abu Gosh and I really can't tell you anything about the drive home since I fell asleep. We all took naps when we got back, and then went out for dinner about 8.
We went to a restaurant down by the old harbor and it was very tasty. Dinner started off with at least fifteen different "salads" and then we had very tasty entrees - I got "kebabs" which were basically hamburger patties or grilled meatballs with potatoes and Gabe got his "dream meal" - fried calamari, shrimp and mussels drowned in creamy butter. It was so good.
Then we walked around the port for a little bit - they have stores and shops down there - before coming back to the apartment. I packed and then we had coke floats for dessert and now Gabe's in the shower.
Tomorrow we are going north to see a whole bunch of things and then spending the night at some kibbutz resort. And then Wednesday we're going even farther north before coming back for a flight at midnight.
It's going to be a busy two days. Israel is incredible. So pretty. So nice. So comfortable.
But now it's time for bed.
Goodnight, world.
We woke up around 9 and had breakfast at the apartment. Just bread and fruit and coffee. Then Gilbert, one of Inge's boyfriends, took us to Jerusalem. He lives close to the Old City, so we went to his apartment to park and then walked the rest of the way.
The Old City was incredible. The whole city is astounding. The stone buildings are gorgeous, and the drive from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was so pretty. It was so green and the mountains took your breath away. The architecture here is so diverse and some leave you wondering how on earth they don't slide into the valleys.
We wandered around the Old City for a while, got some gifts and tee shirts and some interesting bread. The shops were interesting and had so many different things, and yet they repeated themselves. There were spice merchants with all the different herbs and spices and incense and stuff, but also many tee shirt shops (I got my Coca-Cola shirt!) and pottery and jewelry and stuff. Basically your touristy stuff, but still a nice market.
Nearby was the church where Jesus is buried, so we stopped by there. It was creepy (in my opinion) because it was dark and twisted passageways connecting hoards of people and then these empty halls leading to crypts and stuff. It was interesting.
Then we went to the Western Wall, which was so amazing I can't even describe it. It was exactly what you see in pictures, right down to the plants growing out of the wall and all of the papers jammed in the cracks, but it was still breathtaking.
After the wall, we separated from Inge and Gilbert and went back into the market place and wandered a bit. We got a very tasty date bread thing for lunch while we sat in the shade.
To me, it's astounding how much of a difference standing in the sun versus standing in the shade makes. It's at least a fifteen degree difference - in the sun I'm sweltering and in the shade I need a jacket. The dryness is also strange to me. Weird, but good. I really like it here. Gabe agrees and we both know we want to come back.
We went back to meet Inge and Gilbert at the YMCA, where they were eating lunch, which was a nice 30 minute uphill walk from the Old City, but was right next to his apartment. On the way we grabbed a pomegranite, which was very yummy.
We got back to the apartment and got back in the car to drive home. We drove through Abu Gosh and I really can't tell you anything about the drive home since I fell asleep. We all took naps when we got back, and then went out for dinner about 8.
We went to a restaurant down by the old harbor and it was very tasty. Dinner started off with at least fifteen different "salads" and then we had very tasty entrees - I got "kebabs" which were basically hamburger patties or grilled meatballs with potatoes and Gabe got his "dream meal" - fried calamari, shrimp and mussels drowned in creamy butter. It was so good.
Then we walked around the port for a little bit - they have stores and shops down there - before coming back to the apartment. I packed and then we had coke floats for dessert and now Gabe's in the shower.
Tomorrow we are going north to see a whole bunch of things and then spending the night at some kibbutz resort. And then Wednesday we're going even farther north before coming back for a flight at midnight.
It's going to be a busy two days. Israel is incredible. So pretty. So nice. So comfortable.
But now it's time for bed.
Goodnight, world.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Super Weekend
Wow. Today's been busy. We did so much. But first let me catch you up on Saturday...
We slept in because we were both still tired, and then I made a nice big breakfast of muffins, fruit and tea. Very tasty, if I do say so myself. =]
Then we took the metro to the tram to the Atomium. It was a nice, long ride, but we enjoyed seeing Brussels. I learned there's a river! Anyways, we got to the Atomium and looked at the lines and decided there was no way we would have time to see everything. So we took a different tram back to our station. It was really cool to see everything from the tram, plus it was nice and warm.
Then we headed back to the apartment and packed before making a quick trip to the grocery store and the nearby mall. We got some interesting and tasty chocoltes and headed to the airport after going back to get our things.
We got through security no problem and sat at the gate a while. We dined on nutella and peanut butter or speculoos sandwiches, fresh fruit and delicious homemade granola bars. When we boarded, there was nothing really special, but they came through with drinks and then quite possibly the most disgusting meal I have ever had. It was beef in a weird sauce that we couldn't identify, sweet potatoes that were oddly cooked, pasta in a sour salad, and bread, which wasn't too bad. We also had smelly cheese and pre-packaged waffles. The waffles were saved for another time.
The flight was four hours and not unpleasant. Customs was a breeze and we got our luggage quickly (they made us check it). The airport was incredible - one of, if not the, nicest airports I have ever been in, and it seems I've been in a lot of airports recently. It was all circular and clean and just gorgeous. Kindof put's the opening line of Douglas Adams's "Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul" to the test...
Anyways, we made it to the apartment quickly and went to bed after a bit to eat.
This morning we got up and both took showers before going out to breakfast with Inge. It was delicious. Three types of bread with at least six types of toppings - apricot jam, apple cinnamon, butter, tuna salad, red pepper something or other and some green chili or something, plus two eggs sunny side up to split, some weird cheeeses and a cup of coffee and tea. It was very good. Then we walked around a little bit, got a loaf of bread, saw the main plaza and walked through the mall.
What was interesting was that, before you could enter the mall, there was a cop standing there checking purses and bags. It was obviously a security measure, but it was unexpected for me. There weren't any problems, and we went through to see all the shops.
We headed back to the apartment to change before going down to the beach. The boardwalk was nice, and we sat and had hummus and shared a lemon-mint smoothie. Both were very tasty - better than any I've had before, except for a couple of homemade versions. We were going to go in the water, but it was decently cold so we didn't.
Inge left to go take her siesta about 2, and we stayed on the beach a while before wandering around the streets of Tel Aviv. We had basic directions and the address, so we started out following them but followed the crowds, ending up on a big street with lots of shops and interesting things. When we hit a cross-road we recognized from taking the taxi to the beach, we turned and headed up, back towards the apartment. We ended up back at the main plaza and walked around trying to find a place to get lunch.
After walking a ridiculous distance, we finally found a little place. It was delicious. I've never actually liked falafel, which we were determined to get, but it was really good. We shared a plate with a big salad, falafel and hummus, and a lemonade. It's so cool how many names and things are the same, just phonetically spelled in Hebrew. There were things like "Doritos" and "Sprite" and of course "Coca-Cola", but also things like lemonade and burger.
Anyways, we had lunch about 4 and then walked back to the apartment, getting back around 4:30. It was a lot of walking.
Inge then went through her clothes and I had to try a whole bunch on to see what I could wear and what I wanted. We got halfway through and then we had to leave to meet up with some friends of Inge's, who took us to Jaffa, which was the old town. The buildings were really pretty and we watched the sunset over the ocean. It was very cool. Then we wandered around a bit, took some cool pictures and looked at jewelry before we were wisked away for a big dinner at Rachel's house- another friend of Inge's.
Wow. so. Much. Food. We started off with a whole bunch of salad things, and then there was fish (and gefilte fish, eww...), which I understood to be dinner... And then there was the meat course with meatballs in peas, roast beef, schnitzel and chicken. Then there was the soup. Then there was the fruit (amazing - grapefruits with juice mixed with grated apples). Then there was the fresh fruit. Then there was the tea and nuts. It was all so delicious.
Don't ask me who was who or who belonged with whom, but there were a lot of people. Rachel, her daughter, two grandkids with their hubbies and kids... You know what? It was just twelve people or so. Very interesting.
Then we got a ride home with one family and are now going to bed.
Goodnight, world.
We slept in because we were both still tired, and then I made a nice big breakfast of muffins, fruit and tea. Very tasty, if I do say so myself. =]
Then we took the metro to the tram to the Atomium. It was a nice, long ride, but we enjoyed seeing Brussels. I learned there's a river! Anyways, we got to the Atomium and looked at the lines and decided there was no way we would have time to see everything. So we took a different tram back to our station. It was really cool to see everything from the tram, plus it was nice and warm.
Then we headed back to the apartment and packed before making a quick trip to the grocery store and the nearby mall. We got some interesting and tasty chocoltes and headed to the airport after going back to get our things.
We got through security no problem and sat at the gate a while. We dined on nutella and peanut butter or speculoos sandwiches, fresh fruit and delicious homemade granola bars. When we boarded, there was nothing really special, but they came through with drinks and then quite possibly the most disgusting meal I have ever had. It was beef in a weird sauce that we couldn't identify, sweet potatoes that were oddly cooked, pasta in a sour salad, and bread, which wasn't too bad. We also had smelly cheese and pre-packaged waffles. The waffles were saved for another time.
The flight was four hours and not unpleasant. Customs was a breeze and we got our luggage quickly (they made us check it). The airport was incredible - one of, if not the, nicest airports I have ever been in, and it seems I've been in a lot of airports recently. It was all circular and clean and just gorgeous. Kindof put's the opening line of Douglas Adams's "Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul" to the test...
Anyways, we made it to the apartment quickly and went to bed after a bit to eat.
This morning we got up and both took showers before going out to breakfast with Inge. It was delicious. Three types of bread with at least six types of toppings - apricot jam, apple cinnamon, butter, tuna salad, red pepper something or other and some green chili or something, plus two eggs sunny side up to split, some weird cheeeses and a cup of coffee and tea. It was very good. Then we walked around a little bit, got a loaf of bread, saw the main plaza and walked through the mall.
What was interesting was that, before you could enter the mall, there was a cop standing there checking purses and bags. It was obviously a security measure, but it was unexpected for me. There weren't any problems, and we went through to see all the shops.
We headed back to the apartment to change before going down to the beach. The boardwalk was nice, and we sat and had hummus and shared a lemon-mint smoothie. Both were very tasty - better than any I've had before, except for a couple of homemade versions. We were going to go in the water, but it was decently cold so we didn't.
Inge left to go take her siesta about 2, and we stayed on the beach a while before wandering around the streets of Tel Aviv. We had basic directions and the address, so we started out following them but followed the crowds, ending up on a big street with lots of shops and interesting things. When we hit a cross-road we recognized from taking the taxi to the beach, we turned and headed up, back towards the apartment. We ended up back at the main plaza and walked around trying to find a place to get lunch.
After walking a ridiculous distance, we finally found a little place. It was delicious. I've never actually liked falafel, which we were determined to get, but it was really good. We shared a plate with a big salad, falafel and hummus, and a lemonade. It's so cool how many names and things are the same, just phonetically spelled in Hebrew. There were things like "Doritos" and "Sprite" and of course "Coca-Cola", but also things like lemonade and burger.
Anyways, we had lunch about 4 and then walked back to the apartment, getting back around 4:30. It was a lot of walking.
Inge then went through her clothes and I had to try a whole bunch on to see what I could wear and what I wanted. We got halfway through and then we had to leave to meet up with some friends of Inge's, who took us to Jaffa, which was the old town. The buildings were really pretty and we watched the sunset over the ocean. It was very cool. Then we wandered around a bit, took some cool pictures and looked at jewelry before we were wisked away for a big dinner at Rachel's house- another friend of Inge's.
Wow. so. Much. Food. We started off with a whole bunch of salad things, and then there was fish (and gefilte fish, eww...), which I understood to be dinner... And then there was the meat course with meatballs in peas, roast beef, schnitzel and chicken. Then there was the soup. Then there was the fruit (amazing - grapefruits with juice mixed with grated apples). Then there was the fresh fruit. Then there was the tea and nuts. It was all so delicious.
Don't ask me who was who or who belonged with whom, but there were a lot of people. Rachel, her daughter, two grandkids with their hubbies and kids... You know what? It was just twelve people or so. Very interesting.
Then we got a ride home with one family and are now going to bed.
Goodnight, world.
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