Germany!!

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments on the last post! Sorry I have not written much since...it has been harder to use the computers in Germany because the keyboard is different! Other than the keyboard, I LOVE Germany! Cologne was such an old and quaint city. Kat and I visted the Dom, of course. We actually went twice, so that we could get the full experience. My favorite part was climbing to the top of the North tower, where we could see all of the city. The locals were out in full force while we were there because Koln, the football club of the city had just won a special match which elevated them to the next level (a good thing over here). The streets were flooded with red and white jerseys and drunk germans leading crowds in organized cheers and chants. All of the locals in Germany have been so welcoming and appreciative when kat and I try to speak the language. I actually have tried to communicate mostle in German, but of course everyone knows that I am just an American. Later in Cologne (german-Koln) we went to the chocolate museum, which was really fun and included a bunch of free samples. >One nice thing about Germany is that all the places give student discounts!
After two days in Koln we went took the train to Munich (german- Munchen, meaning city of monks) this is in the Bavaria region of Germany and is full of history. Yesterday when we arrived we went walked around the city and saw some of the historical landmarks and then went to lunch at a restaurant attached to a brewery called Augustiner Brau Munchen, the food was so good, although I am not used to having so much meat in my diet! We later went to the famous English gardens which is twice as big as NYC central park! It was very beautiful. The end of the day was spent at one of the traditional bier gardens, which are really neat.
Today Kat and I visited Dachau the first concentration camp in Germany and the only one that ran the entire 12 year duration of the war in Germany. The camp was mostly preserved, while some parts were restored into a museum. While the visit was very educational it was also very sad and made the crimes of Hitler very real. I especially was impacted by the testimonials that accompanied the audio guide around the camp.
I am able to write this because Kat and I missed our train to Lille to visit Christian and have decided to take the night train into Paris. We still have a few hours until that train leaves, hopefully we wont miss it this time!!
I miss you all so much and hope all is well back home!

Day

Today Kat and I travelled West of Amsterdam to the Beach. The North Sea was pretty polluted and smelled of rotten fish!! The waves looked green, but that did not keep visitors away. The beach was crowded with locals and tourists. I had to try the water, even though I was afraid it might make me throw-up! The water was pretty chilly(probably just right for the locals).
The reason that we are still in Amsterdam tonight is a funny story. Kat and I were planning our trip out of the city and into Cologne, Germany late last night when she pulled out the itinrary and was reminded that we didn't have a place to stay for tonight!! I was freaking out and was frantically emailing all of the hostels in the surrounding area. This morning we talked to the receptionist at the hostel we are staying at here in Amsterdam and decided to stay here anther night, and to go to the beach during the day today.
So today, kat and I took the shuttle from the hostel to the beach and stayed out for around 5hours. I think I got a little sunburn but not too bad! We have become little experts on the city here in Amsterdam, we have been going a little outside the toursity areas and buying food from local gracery stores to eat lunch/breakfast and sometimes dinner. It is way cheaper this way.
Yesterday, we went to the Van Gough Museum on museumplien and to the Vondel gardens. And we were finally able to eat a Dutch pancake, which is thinner than an American one and is traditionally covered in cherries and whipped cream! yummie!!!
So tomorrow Kat and I will head out to Cologne early in the day where we plan to go the famous pools, visit the Dom, and go to the Chocolate Museum, where they give free samples to students!! yay!
Sorry this is so rushed and skatter-brained. There is a long line for the internet and I don't want to be a pain and take forever!
Ill keep you posted on Germany soon! Love-

First Day in Amsterdam

Today has been a very long travel day. The flight over was pretty good, KLM turned out to be a pretty nice airline. Unfortunately, I didn't get any sleep on the way over...and we arrived in Amsterdam at 730am. I tried to practice my Dutch on the plane and ordered a chicken meal, but it turned out that the word I thought was chicken in Dutch was another term for a female body part, the flight attendant was quick to correct me!!!
The hostel that we are staying in seems nice. Everyone is from all over the world, Americans are out-numbered by far though! Kat and I have just been walking all around the city which is small in size, but beautiful- canals and boats are everywhere! and all the flowers are in bloom(esp. the TULIPS!!)
We went to the Anne Frank Huis (Dutch for house) this afternoon which was really great! The building was left pretty much exactly the way it was during WWII, minus the furniture.
We are going to just take it easy this afternoon and night because we are both so tired! But we have a BiG day planned for tomorrow- including, renting bikes to go out to see the massive tulip fields, visit a famous park which is uptown, and go to the Van Gough Museum. I am having a wonderful time, but miss everyone a lot!! I will update you all soon! Love <3

Leaving comments

Nay Nay and anyone else having trouble leaving a comment- I am pretty sure that you just have to click "1(or however many) comments" below the post and it will bring you to the "leave comment" page. You will have to sign in or "choose identity" before you can publish your comment.

Trying out the blog before I leave

Hi Everyone!
This is basically just a test to find out if I am doing everything right! More posts to come soon!