Spring Fest in Munich Germany

This weekend I traveled to Munich Germany for Spring Fest or what the German's call Frühlingsfest!  We left at the crack of dawn on Thursday...literally to catch a bus to the airport and then our flight to Munich! (3:30am to be exact ) and arrived in Germany early in the morning.  We were able to check into our hotel and drop our bags.  We grabbed a quick bit to eat and then traveled to the town of Dachau where we toured the Dachau concentration camp.  We decided to take a guided tour of the camp so we could learn as much as possible about the site.  The guide was well worth our time.  Our guide was an lively middle aged man who had grown up in Dachau and had parents who lived in the town during World War II.  Our guide shared lot of information and personal stories with us which made the tour more meaningful and impacted us tremendously.  The camp had an Erie feel to to it and it felt surreal being there.  It was very sad to imagine how many people suffered in the exact spot I was standing in. Some interesting facts I learned that I didn't know before is that Dachau was the 1st Concentration camp ever created in 1933.  It was created as a model camp for others to reference when creating more camps.  Dachau had mostly political candidates and enemies of Hitler (people who posed a threat to his up-rise) as well as Germans, and Russians lower class civilians. Throughout the time the camp was open the camp held prisoners from 30 different countries and spoke 25 different languages.  I learned that Hitler arrested hundreds of other political figures prior to his popularity as part of his scheme to become the chosen leader. The camp was set up as a working prisoner camp and not an extermination camp, however over 40,000 people died due to epidemics, and infection.  The living conditions were just as severe as the other camps.  We visited the reconstructed barracks (sleeping cabins) where we learned that the barracks were designed to hold 206 people based on the number of beds but instead were filled with 2,097 people in each. That number is small compared to the 14,000 people who died each day at Auschwitz. We also toured the museum, model gas chambers (never used however still in place), special jail (where the Nazi party tortured inmates), and watched a documentary inside a building.  One miracle we learned was seven women gave birth throughout their time at Dachau.  No other concentration camp allowed women to give birth and raise their children.  Although the subject was sad I felt honored and lucky that I was able to visit the site and learn more about the history behind the camp. 

Later we went to the infamous Hofbrauhus and enjoyed roasted chicken, potatoes, HUGE pretzels, and HUGE BEERS (probably the best chicken I have had abroad!).  We each ordered a liter of beer which was the largest glass of alcohol I have ever seen! I got a Radler (which is a combo btw lemonade and beer). I absolutely hate beer so this was the only way I could survive consuming that much alcohol. We then went to sleep in preparation for Spring Fest the next morning. On Friday we woke up and immediately returned to the Hofbrauhus to pregame before the big event (not really needed but more of a social gathering).  We hung with friends for the afternoon while I consumed another Radler.  Later we made it to Spring Fest and we visited to the two main beer halls/tents. Spring Fest was a huge carnival that had games, rides, and tons of food.  The fest also had two main beer tents which was an entirely different world inside compared to the outside atmosphere of the carnival.  The minute you stepped into the beer tent, it was packed with people, beer, and pretzels.  Each tent had a different feel to it. You could eat, drink and socialize in the tent.  There was always music playing or performers to entertain. We hung at the fest until night and then returned all day on Saturday.  Tons of our friends came to Spring fest from other study abroad programs. It was fun to catch up with everyone and hang all together. Sunday we toured around Munich and took a hop on hop off bus in the morning.  In the afternoon we returned once again to the Hofbrauhus to enjoy one last meal! Later we traveled to the airport and returned to Florence late at night.

Ciao!

Cinque Terre

Last weekend I stayed in Florence and took a day trip to Cinque Terre on Sunday.  The weekend was busy as usual. I met up with friends, celebrated my roommates 21st birthday and toured Santa Croce (famous church near where I live). Wednesday we went to a Florence Soccer Game with our program and we celebrated my roommate Ashley's 21st b-day.  We hosted a party at our place and served sprinkles cupcakes as dessert along with a lot of alcohol.  (Thanks to Mel's visit we were able to freeze lots of sprinkles Cupcakes) On Thursday my friend and I met for an American breakfast at the Diner and then made our way to visit Santa Croce. The church had an ornate decor and was massive.  Additionally, Santa Croce also holds Michaelangelo's grave inside. On Sunday I traveled to Cinque Terre with a friend from school.  We took a day trip with a company organizer.  After a 2 hour bus ride we arrived in Cinque Terre and hiked from the 1st city through to the 4th city.  We were warned that the hike was difficult but I figured I would be fine.  I should have given that a second thought before eagerly volunteering to hike. The hike was extremely difficult and had an vertical uphill climb for the first hour.  Not to mention it was pouring rain! I thought I was going to pass out on the way up but finally managed to catch my breath on the flat part.   By then the rain had cleared up but I was soaking wet and worst of all so was the trail! The path had tiny winding trails without fences or rails. (Even worse with rain...and now that I think about it...very dangerous) We literally were overlooking extreme heights and staring straight down into the water. The views were incredible and breathtaking.  We hiked around the mountain and got great candid photos of the city below. Finally after 2.5 hours we reached the fourth town. I must have burned at least 800 calories during the hike. Each town had a different atmosphere to it.  All of them had great views of the ocean and mountains.  In the fourth town we sat down and ate lunch overlooking the ocean on a lookout point. We were about 10 feet away from the ocean! It was amazing! I scoured down my pesto pizza (a Cinque Terre specialty).  The pizza was delicious! Then it began to shower and thankfully cleared up as we moved on to the fifth and final town.  We were able to take the train to the final town and when we arrived it was back to sunshine! We walked the strip of restaurants and shops and devoured gelato.  We then hung out on the beach and managed to grab a postcard before departing.  Later we traveled back to Florence and I was eager to return to shower and sleep :)

That is all for now!

Ciao!

Prague

Since arriving in Prague, I have decided this is my favorite trip so far.  The town is really neat and has a friendly and American atmosphere (that must be why I like it so much). 

Reasons why I like Prague:

1.     They have Starbucks

2.     They have Bagels

3.     They have BBQ Sauce

4.     They have things other than pasta and pizza to eat

5.     They have Thai food

6.     They have Mexican food

7.     They have a (Americanized) Movie theater with English movies

8.     They have Wifi everywhere!

Those are the most impressive however there is a lot more! The first day we checked into our AMAZING HOTEL (The Marriott=Americanized). Then we walked around the town and visited a Mall! I couldn’t tell you how happy I was.  The first thing I did was purchase Starbucks!  Later we ate at The Pub, which was a restaurant that had an individual beer tap at each table. You could refill your beer yourself while sitting down.  The tap also had a computer/screen that monitored what you drank so you paid for the actual amount you consumed…pretty neat! I also enjoyed a turkey burger with BBQ sauce, which sufficed my craving for American food.  The next day we ate at Bohemia Bagel (Great American breakfast place with Bagels…obviously!) We then visited the John Lennon wall and went to a peacock garden. Inside the garden there were live peacocks roaming around.  It was really unique. After we took a free walking tour of the city and toured Old Town, New Town, and The Jewish Quarter. After we feasted on Czech specialties at a special Easter market in Old Town.  This weekend there was an Easter festival where huts were set up all over town selling traditional Czech food and traditional Czech products.  We tried Czech sausage, tridnek, (a hot cinnamon roll that was shaped like a hollow barrel and cooked and spun on an iron rod) chicken kabobs, fried potato chips, au gratin potatoes, and crepes. The market sold hand painted eggs, wool products, Russian dolls, and other trinkets. That night we went out to an Easter party at a near by club.  One of the coolest clubs I have been too. The club had the feel of a house concert but with great American music, huge second floor balcony, and bar that wrapped around half the room.   We met up with a bunch of friends traveling to Prague so it was a fun night. The next day we visited the Prague Castle and toured St. Vincent Church.  It was a bit of a disappointment when we got there because the palace consisted of exhibitions and art instead of rooms with furniture and apartments. After visiting Versailles in France we decided it wasn’t worth the wait. Later we shopped around the town and sipped on hot wine.  For dinner we ate at a local Czech restaurant.   This morning we woke up and picked up Bohemia Bagel (yes…again!) and went to tour the Jewish Quarter consisting of a museum, two synagogues, and a cemetery.  To our surprise the buildings were closed due to the celebration of Passover, which was a major disappointment considering it is already the second day here.  Instead we decided to go back and grab food at the Easter festival, get Starbucks, and shop.  Later we went to a movie, which was pretty exciting! It was my suggestion and everyone was on board since we had extremely cold weather this weekend and we were all unprepared.  We saw American Reunion was which so funny! The movie theater was nicer than home and had a huge screen and extremely comfy seats. I was so happy to see an American movie in English. It is the little things in life that make me the happiest! (However that doesn’t change that I still want a designer handbag for my 21^st birthday dad!) Now we are at the airport waiting for our flight to board.  We are traveling back extremely late so I’m excited to get back to Florence.

Can’t wait to return back home!

Ciao!

Venice with Donald & Holley Hoffman!

MY PARENTS FINALLY ARRIVED IN ITALY! Tuesday I met my mom at the hotel and was so happy to see her! She lugged all of my precious belongings from home and even managed to bake banana bread from my roommates and I.  After settling into the hotel we then went to a casual dinner at ZaZa’s (Great restaurant with an open aired atmosphere). The next morning I enjoyed the free hotel breakfast and attended my Italian class.  After I met my mom back at the hotel and we went to see the David.  We walked over the museum and found a HUGE line wrapping around the building.  Little did I know that my museum pass would allow us to cut the entire line and walk right in.  I felt pretty cool cutting everyone else off J After seeing the David and boring ourselves in the museum we headed over to Gusta Pizza (my favorite pizza place in Italy). Later we walked the Ponte Vecchio, picked out our jewelry requests for my dad and went to the Gucci Museum. Later we dined at Gusta Osteria (a local restaurant known for good pasta).  That night we indulged in gelato and slept in our comfy hotel beds. The next day we surprised my dad at the airport.  Unfortunately his luggage got lost even though he flew directly from Munich to Florence and the bag was marked Priority with a business class ticket.  All of those factors don’t add up to me but Munich managed to misplace his bag for 2 days straight. After we got back to the hotel my mom, dad, and I went to my apartment. I gave them the grand tour of my place and then we grabbed the best panini’s in town at Salumeria Verdi. After we went to Piazza Michaelangelo (a look out point that over looks the entire city). That night we dined at La Giostra…a family favorite where we feasted on pear ravioli and apple glazed chicken. Later we splurged with gelato.  The next morning we traveled to Venice by train and checked into our hotel.  We then explored the Jewish ghetto and toured 3 different Jewish synagogues. Later we went for a dinner recommended by our hotel and had one of the best pasta dishes so far in Italy. (Which says a lot considering all I eat is pasta).  The next day we took a ferry to Murano and saw glass blowing and beautiful glass pieces made by the factory. We then visited San Marco Square (main square) and took a quick tour of The Basilica of San Marco (San Marco Church). We shopped around and then finished the night with dinner and dessert. The following day we took a gondola ride, did some last minute shopping and made our way back to Florence. Later that night we ate at il Latini. The restaurant was really unique in that it is a fixed menu, in which TONS of food is brought to you all at the same time as everyone else eating at the restaurant.  The food was unreal and nonstop! The next day I skipped class and we took a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano. My dad rented a car and to my surprise drove like a pro with stick shift. We shopped around, taste-tested numerous gelatos and then made our way to a private wine tasting near the town.  We sampled 9 different wines, cheeses, meats, and ended with lasagna.  The wine tasting was pretty cool because we learned the proper way to taste wine and a lot of history about how the wine is produced. The next morning we toured the Jewish synagogue and area in Florence.  The temple was gorgeous and massive. Later we shopped around and ate at Acqua 2 where we indulged in a pasta sampler and steak sampler.  On Wednesday I had to day goodbye to my parents. I sent a huge suitcase back with them with all of my Italian purchases. It was hard to do but knowing that I was traveling to Prague the following day helped.  I was sad to seem them go but extremely happy and lucky they were able to visit me!  Next destination is Prague!

Ciao!

Sardinia

For the remainder of my spring break I traveled to Sardinia with one of my roommates and another friend studying in Florence Italy.  Sardinia is an island off of Italy that is known for its beautiful beaches, clear blue water, and fresh seafood.  We scored cheap tickets via Ryan Air for a total round trip of 40 Euro. I already liked the look of this trip.  We flew into and stayed in a city called Alghero, which was known for their beaches, and restaurants.  We visited for three days and laid out most of the time.  We visited the city during a “dead period” before tourist season.  It literally was dead...we had the beaches to ourselves and wandered the streets alone at night. I almost felt as though I was in a scary movie but it was somewhat relaxing as well. We found a secluded beach the 1^st day and hung there the remainder of the vaca.  The weather was great it was high 70’s and I managed to get nice and TAN! Our hotel we stayed at was very accommodating and helped keep us entertained during our stay.  We enjoyed a great breakfast every morning and managed to snag free packed lunches each day due to a complaint about their pool being under construction and not disclosing that information before hand.  (We chose the hotel because it had a huge pool) At night we walked into the “Old Town” and enjoyed lots of tasty dinners.  One of the famous dishes known to Sardinia is pasta with sea urcin.  I tried it and I have to say I was somewhat hesitant to try it but it was surprisingly really good.  We also discovered a huge candy store with large open barrels of gummies, chocolate, and sugary treats.  We visited the place twice before the trip ended! The last day we were there we took a boat to Grotto de Nettuno (Neptune’s Grotto).  The landmark consists of underground caves on the coast of the island.  The boat pulled up to cliffs and rocks and we got out and entered the underground cave.  It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen.  The caves were enormous and had very unique formations.  The cave was discovered by Fisherman over 600 years ago and is said to have existed for over 600 million years.   After the small excursion we headed back to the beach and spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun.  We then grabbed a dinner in the town before heading back to Florence the next morning.  Over the remainder of the weekend I caught up on sleep, laid out on our roof (yes it is possible and very functional), and even did some work before the weekend was over!

Ciao!