Prague Day 3

Yesterday we had every intention to continue our adventure in Prague today bright and early but our bodies thought differently when we all woke up completely sore. Today turned into one of my favorite days as we wandered around the streets of Prague and sat in restaurants and cafés just absorbing the atmosphere. Walking through the streets of Prague I found an local sketch artist I was extremely excited to get a beautiful sketch of Prague. We wandered back up the hill to Prague Castle and the gardens to get more scenic views and out of all things we found a Starbucks right at the top of the garden. Why by local amazing espresso for a good price when you can buy overpriced Starbucks (completely sarcasm). We spent the evening wandering the Jewish quarter with a local guide who filled some of the gaps from yesterday's tours. The Jewish quarters which is was used to be the slum of the city now is lined with the worlds highest end designers and the most expensive housing in Prague. Prague's architecture is simply fascinating building dating as far back as medieval buildings are intertwined with every variety architecture throughout time. The streets are narrow and everything is built extremely close to each other and built up. All of the streets used to be 6 or more feet lower but due to flooding the streets were built in higher and floors that use to be street level became basements. In Prague there is a constant alley like feel except for the few squares and the area near the river. Tomorrow is our last day to check a few more things off our to do list in Prague before continuing this adventure in Zürich! 

Emily and I enjoying some lunch. 

View from castle hill. 

Charles Bridge at sunset.

Old-new synagogue. The oldest active synagogue in Europe. 

Meet your newest Czechspert.

One three hour tour turned to two four hour tours around both sides of the river in Prague today. Yesterday my knowledge of Prague consisted primarily of the top facts on Google. Today we spent the entire day walking the city with Pavel a local Czech who conducts free tours throughout Prague. After today he said we were certified Czechsperts. With my new knowledge instead of explaining eight hours worth of Czech a history I decided to share the top 5 facts I didn't know before today about Czech Repblic.

1. Czech Republic national anthem is called Where is My Home which originally written for a comedy play. 

2. Czech Republic was primarily saved during WWII because Hitler planned to retire in Prague. 

3. The Astrological Clock has 365 names, one for each day of the year. Once having a child you must name your child from an approved list of names. The government took a child away when a family came up with a new name until the name was change to an approved name. 

4.Defenestration (a new word I learned today) means chucking people out the window. Which was quite common for killing people in previous centuries. 

5. Condoleezza Rice wrote her doctorate distertstion over the Soviet Union and Czechoslovak Army in World War I and World War II.

We are playing tomorrow a bit more by ear so we will see what adventures are to come! 

Astronomical Clock and Old Town Square

St. Vitus Cathedral 

St. Vitus Cathedral 

Prague Day 1

We took the morning to catch up on some much needed rest before going out and exploring. Before coming to Prague I had some knowledge about the city but I did not set any expectations. Today we walked the streets of Prague simply taking in the city around us. So far we have seen Wenceslass Square, Old Town Square, the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and the John Lennon Wall. Charles IV first had stones laid at 5:31 am on July 9, 1357 which comes out as 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1 (year, day, month, time) he's was known for his interest in astrology and numbers as well as his extreme superstition. Also the John Lennon wall was created shortly after his death even though he has never been to Prague. As the week goes on I hope to know and understand Prague more. As of now I would define Prague as a city of beauty and mystery. It will be interesting to see how that changes over our few days here.

Wenceslass Square

Old Town Square 

Old Town Square 

Austronomical Clock 

Austronomical Clock 

Charles Bridge 

Charles Bridge 

John Lennon Wall 

The Brief London 1/2 Marathon

Day 1:London

There's a quotes that goes somewhat along then line "everyone has 24 hours in a day what you choose to do with it is up to you". Less than 48 hours ago I was still at my house not even asleep yet the night before the trip. Since then I have been on 3 flights in technically 3 different countries with a grand total of 7 hours of sleep yippee lol. We only had a short layover in London so maximization was key. After getting to our hotel around 2 am we slept for a few hours before hitting the city promptly at 7am. Since I had most recently been to London a few of the girls looked at me and said what should we do. Last time I was in London I spent 10 days and did not completely everything I wanted to do much less 7 hours (which is the  time we had from 7am to be back at the aiport). My response to there question was simply lets hit the most typical tourist locations get some pictures so based off pictures so it looks like and feels like you have experienced a good chunk of London. In our short time we visited Kings Crossing station to get a picture with 9 3/4th platform. Just a little fact about me I have seen a total of one full Harry Potter movie and about 20 minutes of 2 others so my Harry Potter knowledge is minimal to say the least. I also got a flat white to bring back some London nostalgia and just keep my feet moving. Next we took the tube over to Big Ben and Westminster Abbey before walking over to Buckingham palace. At Buckingham Palace we saw Prince Harry coming into the gates in his Range Rover. For some reason I seem to have the best of luck with spotting the royal family (last trip I spotted the queen). After briefly snapping some pictures we went to Nandos for lunch before heading back to the airport. In this quick little dash around London/time in the airport according to my phone we walked over 13 miles. Hints why London was our brief half marathon. Now we have landed in Prague where we will spend tomorrow morning hopefully catching up on some sleep before heading out to explore. 

A Snapshot

Since last summer I have reflected everything I learned and the experiences I was blessed enough to live out. To say my life has slowed down any would be a complete lie, but being a young college student I do not know why I expected anything different. I could spend hours in details the highs and lows of the past year, semester, etc. , but all of it can be summed up quickly by saying nothing including stress has killed me yet so I am doing great.

Social media, blogging ,etc. has become such a fascinating phenomenon in this generation. Most people outside of your close knit of family/friends now know only the "snapshots" you choose to share. This summer I plan on blogging again for a bit more of an insight of my life for those interested, but also for the pure sake of my own chance to reflect later.

Tomorrow starts my adventure as I head to Prague and Zurich with Texas A&M-Commerce for a 10 day learning experience. Prayers and warm wishes always appreciated!

*insight to the snapshot: Here I have arranged the items closest to me for the sake of a cute post. Surrounding items not pictured include my purse sprawled out all over the table, along with folded laundry, and dirty lunch dishes. Gotta love last packing day crazy.

Paris Day 3

This morning we got up and traveled to Versailles. It was huge and stunning but crammed full crowded. We walked through for a few hours. My favorite room was The Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of Versailles was signed. It was filled with mirrors, obviously by the name, and also tons of chandeliers and art. After we finished walking through we sat in the small section of the garden they let us, since the rest of it was blocked off for a music festival. Tonight we might head off to the Eiffel Tower again, if we can muscle up the energy, then packing up for our early flight in the morning.  Last day in Europe. I never imagine this experience would happen this summer, much less this day would come. I can tell through my times here I have changed and grown as a person. Not only through the the things I have seen and done but also though the people I traveled with. This experience is something I know I will never forget. Thank you to the University and Uncle Richard Ellison for giving me this opportunity. I want the things I have learned and experiences I had not only to help me but I hope effect people from things I have learned. Tomorrow it's back to the States!   

Versallies 

Versallies (and the crowd) 

Gardens of Versallies 

Hall of Mirrors

Versallies 

Literally stunning! 

Paris Day 2

The first place we went today was Café de Moulins. The café where Amelie a romantic comedy was filmed. After Café de Moulins we rode the metro over to the the Arc de Triomphe. I was actually surprised on how large the arc was it was much larger than I expected. After the arc we headed over to the Eiffel Tower. We laid in the lawn relaxing people watching. There was even a bride and groom taking photos while we were there. I found out Harry Styles from One Direction was somewhere at the tower when I was there. After the Tower Emma and I walked around to the vendors before heading back to the pub under the hostel for dinner. After dinner we were trying to find something else to do tonight so a few of us decided to go back to the Eiffel Tower to see it at night. We made it right at sunset and it was absolutely breathtaking. Then we went up to the second story of the Eiffel Tower and had an amazing view of the City. When we were waiting in line the tower began to sparkle and we were really upset thinking we missed a good photo opportunity but when we came down the tower (after walking down all those flights of stairs) the tower began sparking again at midnight. Going to the Eiffel Tower tonight was probably my favorite thing I have done so far in Paris. It was absolutely breathtaking and the vibe was incomparable.  There is a music festival going on throughout the city this weekend so at the Eiffel Tower there was a concert as well! Tomorrow is our last full day in Europe and we are headed to Versailles! 

Me, Rebecca and Emma at Café de Moulin.

My Creepe (chocolate with almond and pear)! 

Eiffel Tower this afternoon. 

Eiffel Tower at sunset. 

Eiffel Tower at Sunset 

My favorite part when it sparkled right as we were leaving!