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| 1/05/2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It's been a shit while.. now let's continue...
After staying in Nice for a night, I met my father at the airport the next day. We then waited for ou helicopter ride, which was amazingly fabs... I was excited for a calm, luxurious weekend in Monaco. HOWEVER, after arriving in that country, I realized that the country is rarely inhabited during the winter and for those that were there were either old, retired, wealthy couples or MILFs who have no jobs, but living off their husbands fortune. There is one casino, Monte Carlo, that pretty much rules the country. Get this.. the whole country itself is owned by the Monaco royals.
It's incredible small, Dad and I found out that we can go form one end of the country to the other in about 20 minutes by public transportation (bus #6). Our hotel wasbeautiful, it overlooked the ocean and had extremely comfy beds. We gad dinner at the hotel restaurant the first night because everywhere else didn't open til 7:30 and we were hungry at 6:30pm. Note to self....the French don't eat till 9pm. The buffet breakfast in the morning was fantastic. Anything you want, however much you want. BUT since my father is not a fan of western culture, he had a hard time accepting all the creamy sauces and eggs and butter and etc. We managed to find Carrefour, this gigantic supermarket full o f the best and freshest, and stocked up on all kinds of Salmon (smoked, sushi, tar-tar) for lunch the next day. It was delicious.
We left Monaco in probably the last helicopter ride of my life and decided to spend christmas eve and christmas day in NICE.. BAD IDEA... the city by the shore was pretty but inside was kinda...i dunno how to put this in a nicer way but... poor. The city was also pretty much dead because it was winter and the holidays. Dad didn't like it very much but his face lit up when we discovered the only 2 chinese restaurants in the city. Did you know that among Monaco, Nice, and Cannes, there are less than 80 chinese people altogether?
Anyways, Christmas day was spend in Cannes. It was rainy but the town was still very lovely, much better than NICE. We managed to climb up to the top of the mountain and found old-fashioned apartments with their laundry hanging. We had pizza for lunch (good change from noodles) and.... chinese for dinner. Where the hell was my turkey?
After Cannes and Nice, we went to Paris for 3 days. My time there was a lot better the second time around. We went to Chateau de Versaille, Musee d'orsay and all the other typical tourisy sites. In Paris, my dad loosened up a little and was starting to get used to western culture. Which was a huge relief for me because I was getting annoyed at his pro-chinese remarks. We did however managed to have dinner at chinatown all 3 nights.. having japanese and korean food. Paris this time was fabs, but the Parisians still failed to impress me.
We separated on the 29th of December, where my dad went back to Shanghai and I headed to Barcelona. I left my phone in paris because im such a smart person and I never loose anything. I was a bit sad to leave my dad since Ive haven't seen him for a year and probably wont see him for another. Oh boo.. oh wells.. I was extremely excited for our 5 nights in Barcelona with Ant, Ev, Brett, Meena and Rob. Rob kindly waited at the airport for me for 3 ours.. What a gentlemen! Ant's friend, Dan (funniest and most ranom aussie ever) stayed for New years Eve.
New Years Eve:
I volunteered my culinary skills and made half the house dinner. We had so much food for only 6 Euros each. One thing about Barcelona is that it was the cheapest city in the EU that I've been to. After dinner, we made our way to Catalunya square. It was crowded with intoxicated people jumpin around and throwing firecrackers because it was just oh so funny. The countdown didn't really happen.. the next think you know it was 2009. Ev was my last and first kiss of the years. Then us two decided to join in random group huggings and chantins just for laughs. Then a couple of times I got HOLA CHINA, ,and kisses.. It was funny so i didn't mind..
As we were walking down Lax Ramblas, we saw people climbing street lights and throwing glass bottles (W-T-F).. There was this baricade and I wanted to be cool so I climbed over it expecting the whole clan to do the sae behind me. N/A, DENIED. They were still on the other side not wanting to climb. I was greeted by more hola chinas and kisses. Then the police came to move the barricade.. and I decided it was funny to scream, Let my people Go!. Just for giggles.
We went to a busy cafe for some after drinking food... We were there earlier in the day and enjoyed our meal there with our chubby friendly waiter. This time, the new waiter was a complete douche and will probably burn in hell for the eternity with no chance of reincarnation. So I poked him as he turn his fat ass in our faces and gave him the fakest smile I could put on. Then he decided to kick us out, and I just said, "No comprende Espanol" and "que?" I played the dumb American card so the people around us didn't think we were the douches but rather the waiter was the complete jerk. After we were kicked out. we were unable to find another tapas bar that was open and not extremely crowded.. felt bad atm there...
Our New years eve was pretty tame but it was definately worth while. It was fabulously amazing and I wouldn't mind doing it again. The rest of our days were send sight seeing and market hopping. Now I'm in the UK staying with Hannah. Today is her birthday.. and it's snowy outside.. Her house is gorgeous and it legits reminds me of the rooms i saw in the french museums. Im realy nervous about exams and I can't wait to get back to Uni to see everyone and everything for one last time. Oh boy, it's gonna be difficult, but I know i'm going back to things I love so it's not tooo bad... wait.. it is.. ahh.. i'll mourn about it in a week.. OTHERWISE CAN"T WAIT TO SEE U AMERICAN BUTTHEADS!!!! <3 xxxxxxxx
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| 12/20/08
Vienna was good.. but Rome was better. The romans always seem to beat the rest of the world at.. well almost everything.
We took a flight from Vienna to Rome.. via Air Berlin. I know a real flight.. For all of you in the US.. there are airlines here that are like coach buses.. kinda ghetto.. but u get used to it and it's relatively cheap. On and on air berlin, we even go served drinks and a sandwich.. I think i enjoyed my sandwich more because it was free and on the airplane.. I've always likes airplane food...
We arrived in Fiucinni, one of the Roman Airports, and took the train shuttle into Termini (the central train station). Our hotel was only a few blocks away. We were greeted by a lovely, attractive boy at the reception. Ev and I quickly developed a strong liking towards his sparkly eyes and friendly smile.
This is our first stay in a real hotel.. weee.. We both figured that if we would be the worst backpackers in the world.. Our standards are a bit higher than that.. So we're gonna marry rich Italians with a Villa in northern Italy and a Penthouse Apt in Rome, and a yatch in the Met_________. ( i can't spell it right.. hence it's blank)
We began our short stay in Rome with a quick search for lunch.. and to our luck, we wandered into this small family owned restaurant. The waiter was extremely excited about our American background and especially about Vegas. Not only was the food the best thing I've had all semester... amazing... they also gave it to us fo 12 Euros total instead of the wopping 20 euros. It pays to be American and sweet sometimes. Not everyone hates us.
We walked to the Coloseum and along the way stopped and took pictures of old buildings and ruins... and a few doors maybe. I used my chinese skills to get these northern chinese people to help us take a picture. I felt useful.
We kept wandering.. and then got scared because of the numerous creepy men hitting on us. God damn it...
so we finally found the main street and went back to Hotel Romae where our sweet italian boy was.
The next day, we did a whole tour of Rome. Went to the Vatican, Treve fountain, Pantheon, Colosseum.. etc.. you name it.. We had good italian food too.. but not as good as the first meal. Towards the end.. we got so tired and decided to ditch the Sistine chapel.. sorry michael... health first.
Rome is so beautiful.. it has a perfect blend of the ancient and the modern. Ev and I agreed that we'd live there one day.
The next morning.. aka today.. i left Evyan still asleep.. and took the train to the airport and took the flight to Milan.. not a good start.. flight was delayed cause some idiots were stuck at security... got ripped off at the shuttle.. only 50 cents but still.. got lost once off the shuttle... and unlike rome.. not everyone can speak english. Finally getting here.. found out internet costs me 10 euros per two hours.. but since i still had things to book i paid for it anyways.
I went to the Duomo. That was the best part. I was gorgeous. Inside there were tapestry paintings hanging from the ceiling. Next to the Duomo was this HUGE shopping center places in a very old structure. Shirley would love it.. so would Ant.. all the top name brands. I bought myself a coat from zara. My other black coat's button was falling apart and I can't go to france looking crap.. Duh! 
Walked around.. got tired.. came back.. went to a restaurant where the food was mediocre and cost me more than the last two meals. Milan is more expensive.. boo.. I'm excited for a relaxing day tomorrow in Nice.. and then it's off to monaco..
I swear.. i don't like being alone.. it's creepy... can't wait to see my dad... can't wait for barcelona to reunite with my lovelys and most of all can't wait to be back in the UK. the last two days I've been really missing everyone and dreading the last goodbyes. It's probably gonna be one of the hardest things I'll ever have to do. As for now, I'm gonna put it off......
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| 12/17/08
Tonight .. Tonightt.. is the last night in Vienna..
I must say, this is definitely one of the cities I will come back to. There are so many things left to do, go visit the dead composers, watch the opera.. visit the 30 museums in the Palace..
The first full day here, we pretty much did a walking tour of the main city center. We also went and guess what.. got a wienerrr.. u know.. vienna sausage.. apparently wieners mean vienners... so that word is everywhere.. and being the americans that ev and I are.. we often giggle at that word...
we wandered to the "best falafel restaurant in the world" the first night we were here. I had this amazing falafel sandwich with chicken.. Omg.. i adored it.. i might just marry it. Made me realized how much i missed cultural food.
the night after, Haider came and picked us up and took us up in the mountains.. No no.. not to murder us.. but to show us Vienna.. however it was soo misty and foggy that we didn't see anything. So fail... But haider tried.. and was great. The fog made the place look so scary.. reminded me of Silent Hill when the woman enters the other world. Then after, we went back to the city to meet up with his friends whom has Funny funny German/austrian accents. It reminded me of a bad American comedy movie about Europe.. was that racist? i dunno. but they were amusing. After Haider, ev and I went to this chinese food place.. and hell yes I got ramen.. Soo Gooooodddd weeee..
Today.. Ev and I took a bus tour around Vienna. Went to the schulburn (spelling mistake) Palace where the Hapsburg lived during the Summer. I swear.. how much time must one queen have to decorated such a beautiful palace. Extremely detailed and expensive looking. After the tour we headed back to the hostel for a bit...
I went off to go try and fix my camera... but no one could.. so i had to buy a new one ;-( WAhhhhh.. i'll try to ebay it when I get back...
So much disappointing events happen in the last day and a half.. Just streesss stresssss.. but it's getting better and hopefully by rome everything will be great. And this time.. I will appreciate Italy for it culture and not just its food.. Ciao Italia.. I'm coming backkkk... 5 years later... | | |
| 12/16/08
O-M-G im n Vienna.. yea Julie Sagor be jealoused..
So let's see the last two weeks..
The weekend following the last post, there was a ragraid to covent garden which is this posh shopping area in London. The charity event was pudding race, where teams sign up and raise around this obstacle course. and OF COURSE... Our lovely rutland team won.. yea.. we did.. and we also raised soo much money...
after a few hours of collecting money, jon jon and I walked to subways to grab lunch and did a small walking tour of London since he knows it so well. He was dressed in his Santa Suit.. which at first was kinda embarressing but then it got funny because every child we walked by was like... SANTA!!. people were taking photos with him and everything it was quiet lovely.. ahh such a lovely boy jon is.
On the way back, course.. same ragraid ritual.. except with the new Karni Reps.. much drinking much rowdiness.. oh and i did come gross things that i'd never do in normal state of mind because it's gross.. but it was all fun.. got back.. i think i passed out.. not sure..
The next 2 days were finishing paper writing which blew and sucked.. AND i'm really bad at citing so i think I did it wrong.. cause im in England.. not america.. things are different..damn it..
Tuesday night was the Snowflake ball. that i didn't go to.. but it's okay.. The snowflake is the last Karni event of the semester and they announce the Karni Winners. There were performers, food and wine.. i mean it's a ball.. So guess who won... WE DID.. WEEEEE soo AMAZING by i think 4000 pounds. We reclaimed out title as the most winning hall. cause we're just that fabulous.
Wednesday was our christmas formal. The dinning halls were decorated like a christmas and we had a piano player. It was so nice. We had such a good table.. pretty much everyone on that table meant something to me.. Man ir eally fought hard for that table.. like really....had to go see the Warden's secretary and everything to fix the seating problem we had.. but anyways... the food was delicious.. turkey.. Oh man.. Wine again can be my friend and enemy. I didn't make it out to the after party.. which im upset about because everyone had such a good time. Neither did my friend jordan because we're just really bad light weights. Oh and Levitt puked on his on floor.. how nice.
Thursday Night, was the Last Fresher Christmas Party...whcih i didn't go to.. long story.. don't like to talk about it.. Instead a few of us went to a bar/club for Angus's birthday.. it alright. I didn't drink all night cause I was still a bit sick from the day before. I must say.. little Ed and Luke always makes those boring days better. I shall miss them both. I came back early.. but before coming back.. we had bad food of course... lol Then i know. im sooo bad.. i had to finish another paper..for my economics class.. but instead i came back and went to go watch a movie. But however.. because my friend jordan passed out early.. i left and finished my paper..
Friday was a sad day.. because everyone was leaving.. First it was Jon Jon.. he took Ev, Ant, Rob and I out to Lunch at the mooch.. Oh Jon what a great guy. I was sad thenn.. Hannah and I ran to Jubilee to hand in out paper.. interesting...
Then it was Ant.. that one was a bit emotional.. but i'll see her in Barcelona..
Then Jordan.. his dad is pimp and cool
then Hannah.... ahh i'll see her soon too.. im staying with her from the 3rd of Jan till back to school.
I tried to stay up a bit just to be social but i was soo tired since i had to sleep in the last few days. I talked to Alex and Will in the JCR for a bit and then headed off for bed. Got up at 4 because Rob came in telling me he couldn't sleep.. Thank god for that or else i would've have gotten up.. and would've missed my plane...
and then off we go to Prague!!
we had such a nice hostel in prague.. it looked like a upper east side APT.. with high ceilings. We had our own room for both nights. We made dinner one night in the kitchen. Prague was beautiful.. it was small so it was doable in one day. We walked around so much. One thing about Prague.. it's very commercialized in some areas.. Tons of McDonalds and Westernized Stores. there was a Starbucks in the Prague Castle.. I know.. Capitalism.. But overall it was lovely.. We took a train to Vienna yesterday.. it was about 4 hrs long. Didn't do much last night because we were exhausted.. Today we are out to venture and hang out with HAIDER!!! weeeeeee
Peace oUT | | |
| 12/4/08
One thing that's extremely exciting about Europe is the christmas markets. In a little bit more than a week, Evyan and I are hitting the ole' town of Prague. I'm extremely excited to walk on cobble stone streets and thinking oh cool.. mozart was on this.
The past week has gone by so fast, it hurts.
I met Leyna, Shirley, Mariko, Dianna and Dianna's mom in Paris for the long weekend. I took Ryanair for the first time. It's pretty ghetto but not as bad as I thought it would be. The flight was relatively short so it really didn't matter. I arrived at an airport about 1 hour outside paris. (Paris-Beauvasis). I paid 13 Euros... expensive... to get into town and then took the metro to Oops! hostel where all of us would be staying. I didn't the girls there so I dropped my stuff in the storage and did a walking tour by myself. I treated myself to salad at a local deli where the lady could only speak french. So there were much pointing and nodding. I grabbed a map and went to the Pantheon. Not only was the building itself really pretty, but the area that surrounded was gorgeous. There was this very wide street leading up to it and at the other end you can see the Effiel tower. In the Pantheon there was a Pendulum that proves how the earth is not the center of the universe.
After the Pantheon I got lost and found myself by a crepe stand.. and thought to myself.. fuck it.. im on vacation and got nutella crepes for 2 euros.. the best money I spend all weekend. EVentualyl i found myself an American who lived in France to tell me the way to get back to the hostel. I saw Leyna, Shirley and Mariko as soon as I got in. We moved into our 6 people room, ensuite... it's such a nice hostel. seriously.. i know worse.. remember the days in london evyan?
That night we went to the Effiel tower and saw the Arc de Triomph. We got food at some random Parisian cafe and was kinda disappointed... But dessert was good! i had the best yogurt ever!
The next day we went to Lourve and spend most of our time there. Saw the mona lisa obviously and it wasn't that great. Saw a lot of other famous paintings that i recognize from textbooks. After the Lourve, we went to Galleria Lafayette, which is this HUGE shopping center.. like Macys but better and bigger. Got myself a longchamp bag.. duhh.. and because it was soo crowded we got annoyed and left. We went to the Moulin Rouge first... it's in the red light district..did u know that? cause i didn't... we just saw a bunch of sex shops... Then we headed over to the Sacred Coer which is on top of a HUGE hill.. luckily thanks to our daily pass we took this tram up.. yes.. we're lazy fucks that were too cold to climb the ever so beautiful stairs. The cathedral overlooks paris.. it was so beautiful.. if it weren't cold i'd probably would've been jolly and excited. instead i was pissed and grouchy cause it was sooo freaking cold and my feet hurt. Finally we head back.
The next day we went to the Notre Dame.. That was soo coool.. btw.. pidgeons are officially disgusting...I was sitting inside and was just looking around. I noticed people that were really praying hard. And it's interesting because I don't feel any affect when I go in any religious structures. I wondered how they felt.
After the Notre Dame.. we went back to the Lafayette because we're shopaholics.. don't worry parents.. i didn't buy anything... ... after we just went back to the hostel.. grabbed dinner at the japanese restaurant next door. Well let's say we had asian food for the last two days.. i was very happy.. i missed salmon.
I was happy to leave Paris.. To me.. the people seem rude and pushy and judgemental. Also Paris was ridiculously expensive. But I guess it might be the language barrier. When I arrived in England, I don't think I've ever been so happy. And then I thought to myself.. this is where I will settle.
Monday and Sunday I tried to spend as much time as I could've with Sam. Sam is my dear ginger friend who was leaving early for Australia to see his gf who's living there. He likes to analyze things and actually express things that usually people just don't say. That night all of us went to the Cocktail Society Holiday Party.. all dressed in christmassy colors. I had a really good time, also that night they announced who the new Karni reps were.
Tuesday, I met Sam's dad who's this Jolly ole guy who giggled alot and was extremely friend. As we were packing away Sam's life, Lee comes into the room with the greatest haircut in the world. He's one of the new Karni Reps and this week is just initiation for all of them.. which is like pledging. So all the guy's head got shaven ridiculous shapes. Sam's dad and I were cracking up non-stop for a while. I don't think I can look at those guys without just smiling cause it's so funny. That night wasn't too eventful but I waited till 12 to wish Anthea Happy Birthday!!!!
Wednesday was Anthea's Birthday, because we all had so much work, non of us wanted to go out. So Rob (Ant's bf) and I have been planning this extremely genius plan for Anthea. Rob bought this snow machine. So we had this whole system going. Jon Jon was holding the snow machine, Evyan was pressing the buttons and taking photos.. I was playing the Music (all I want for christmas is you) outside Rob's Window so the snow falls outside onto them. Omg it was soo cute.. and like the most romantic thing ever... Anthea was soo happy!! Im so happy for her. Seriously.. we need more men like Rob in this world. It might just be a better place.
Today I got up extremely early to work on my non-exsisten paper.. It's so hard to write.. damn it.. im gonna be up all NIGHT!! .. sounds like binghamton again...
What do I want for Chrismtas? Honestly at this point I don't know because I'm so happy where I am that I don't need anything else. Being here I think I've become more grateful for everyone around me. ahh 1 1/2 week left of classes.. as good as that sounds.. it's sucks...
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