of my nine day excursion through France and Spain, I finally returned back to Amsterdam, the place I realized I am absolutely in love with. Of course I knew it was an amazing city before even deciding to study here, but it wasn’t until the other day when it really hit me. Then again, leaving Amsterdam’s central station to brave the cold rain after leaving the warm weather and blue skies in Bordeaux and Barcelona wasn’t exactly my cup of tea… but the rain did eventually stop.
I arrived home Monday evening just in time to meet with some couchsurfers I was having at my place. One of the girls, Capucine, let us stay at her apartment the night we were in Paris so I was returning the favor. I was very busy catching up with work (yes, I actually do schoolwork here), so I couldn’t spend much time showing them around, but I was able to recommend some fun things for them to do.
I woke up Wednesday morning to take the approximately 40 minute bike ride to my art class. The sun was shining and the air was cold and crisp. I love when it starts to get cold outside. The multi-colored leaves cover the bike paths this time of year and really give the feel of autumn. It’s gorgeous! I usually make the ride with some others in my class but for some reason I was alone this Wednesday. I think I rode the entire way with a huge smile on my face, the wind blowing my hair, just thinking how much I love my life in this place and what a great opportunity this is. I am so grateful. I also sound pretty corny but it was truly one of the happiest moments I’ve had since I’ve been here so I wanted to share it with you.
The couchsurfers left Wednesday and on Friday my friend Caroline, the one who I had been traveling with, and three other girls studying in Florence with her came to stay with me. We had a fun time and I do love bringing out the tourist in me every once in a while.
So about my trip… I arrived in Paris on the 18th, met Caroline at the Louvre, and we met with Capucine to leave our things at the apartment. We had both been to Paris before and had taken care of most of the touristy things but neither of us had been to Montmarte. We spent the afternoon walking up the hill to the highest point in the city and visited the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). What an amazing place, and it also provided a great view of Paris.
Sunday we left for Bordeaux with no real expectations. Let me tell you, I loved this city! We couchsurfed with a girl named Joanna; a very kind, open-minded, and hospitable girl. The view from her 4th floor apartment at sunset was incredible (I have a few pictures). We spent most our time in Bordeaux just wandering the streets. It was on a big river and there was a long path along the water, similar to a boardwalk. This part of the city was my favorite and a great place to relax in the sunshine. There was also this really neat reflection pond (it was really just a thin layer of water) that reflected the beautiful architecture surrounding it and every fifteen minutes or so it let out a mist. We visited Cathedral Saint Andre (the one in the picture from the window) and really just walked around admiring our surroundings.
Tuesday was a rainy day as we headed for Biarritz. We missed our train, not because we were late, but because I was busy running the length of the train trying to find the woman who had left her purse on a bench in the station. In the midst of our good deed, we didn’t realize it was the train WE actually had to be on (maybe because the train number didn’t match the one on our ticket), but luckily, we were able to catch another train about an hour later. Biarritz was nice, but would have been way nicer if it wasn’t pouring the entire time; a quaint little city right on the ocean. So at least now I can say I’ve been to the other side of the Atlantic.
Wednesday we left for Barcelona… spent most of the day on the train, but you know I don’t mind a long train ride. It was awesome riding through the mountains along the coast! The hostel we stayed in the first night was right on the beach which was sweet, but then we relocated to the center of the city for the rest of our stay. We met some really fun kids at the hostel. Some had been there for a while so were able to recommend things for us to do. The first day we went to the Catedral de Barcelona and walked around Las Ramblas. I found a ton of little vintage shops I probably could have blown my lifesavings in, but I resisted. We walked past Gaudi’s Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. I love his work. The next day we went to La Sagrada Familia, an incredible church designed by Gaudi as well. Oh and two of Caroline’s friends also met up with us on the trip... Anyway, I parted from the group for the afternoon to meander myself (something I’m realizing I like a lot more than I ever thought). I went to the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art Barcelona). The area in front of the MACBA is known for skateboarding so I didn’t actually go into the museum, but just sat on the steps next to a ton of others watching the skaters do their thing. Saturday we actually went into Casa Batllo. Gaudi’s work is really like no other, so unique. We spent the afternoon relaxing by the water. In the evening, we went to a Barcelona soccer game at Camp Nou, the larget stadium in Europe. I’ve always wanted to go to a “futbol” game in Europe. They played Almeria and kicked butt, 5-0. Sunday I spent the majority of my day at Park Guell. The highest point in the park provides an amazing view of the city of Barcelona. Gaudi’s work, again, is throughout the park. It was a perfect way to end my stay. I left Sunday evening to catch the twelve hour night train back to Paris and then from Paris back to Amsterdam. After living out of a backpack for nine days, it was nice to come back to the place I’m most familiar with over here.
So, that wraps up my last two weeks. This is a lengthy one, sorry! Hope all is well back home, I miss you all. Keep in touch!
Love,
Libby
