Amsterdam & Brugge

Let's see, where to begin...

This weekend was jam-packed with adventure! Believe it or not, I was in four different countries in a matter of only 3 days. When I signed up Sam and I to go to Amsterdam, I knew we would be taking a coach bus, but I had no idea what our route would be. 

We started by driving to the port of Dover. Sam and I were amazed by how cute the city was and the gigantic white cliffs that Dover is so famously known for. Apparently, the people who live in Dover do not agree with us though, because it ranks number three in the top most boring cities in the UK. But, compared to rural Illinois, I don't think this place looked very boring at all!

At the port, our coach was led onto a gigantic ferry. When we got off the bus and walked up the stairs I was amazed by how nice the ship was. They had food courts, coffee shops, lounges, arcades and even duty free shops :). The 90-minute cruise to France was a mini vacation in itself! 

Katie, Colleen, Sam and Maddy eating breakfast on the Ferry

The group on the deck 

The port of Calais (coast of Northern France)

From Calais we headed on a 3 hour bus ride through France and Belgium to get to our final destination of Amsterdam. All in all it was a long day of travel, but it was fun, relaxing, and hassle free! When we arrived in Amsterdam we took a brief walking tour around the Red Light District (where all the prostitutes are) and then headed to the hotel. Having been my first time in a hostel, I was thoroughly impressed. Lucky for us, Sam and I got our own room and Maddy, Colleen, and Katie were just across the hall.

The city of Amsterdam was beautiful. It was exactly how I pictured it, but with a lot more bikes. Literally EVERYONE rides bikes there. The streets even have a lane designated to bikers. Unfortunately for us, we arrived on one of the coldest weeks they have ever had! Our Canal tour got cancelled because the water was frozen. Apparently, the canals haven't froze since 1997, so this was a pretty big deal. 

Rather than giving you every detail of my trip, here are some pictures I accumulated:

Houses on the canal

In the city's main square

The same church bells Anne Frank would hear every morning

Learning how wooden shoes are made– a Holland tradition!

Sam and I outside the shoe shop

Holland windmills

Entrance to Anne Frank's secret Annex. My favorite part of Amsterdam! 

Infront of the Windmills

Lovin' Dutch-land!

People ice skating on the frozen canal

The girls and I had a blast going out on pub crawls and soaking up the night life culture Amsterdam has to offer. It was such a fun city with so much to do and I couldn't have had better time. On our way back our tour stopped in Brugge, Belgium:

I could go on and on about Brugge and the rest of the trip, but I know this post has gone on way too long.

Missing all of you at home!

<3 Katie 

Sam Arrives

Today my friend, Sam, arrived in London after a long flight from Milwaukee. Sam and I first met at the beginning of freshman year. We had both tried out for the club volleyball team at Marquette, and just a few weeks after making it, we both quit too. Ever since then, Sam and I have been best friends!

To my surprise, Sam was bursting with energy when I met her back at my dorm. Having been her first time out of the country, I could see why the jet-lag had not set in yet. After dropping off her bags we headed right for the tube station to visit some popular sights. Katie and I decided to get off at a different stop than we normally do and we ended up in a entirely new part of the city we had never been to. It was exciting for both us and Sam!

Sam and I infront of Piccadilly Circus square

A must!

Katie, me & Sam

Infront of Big Ben

Strange man dressed as Queen Elizabeth II

Proud to call her my best friend :)

Infront of Westminster Abbey

Front of Westminster Abbey

The day was perfect. We got around to all the big sites, treated ourselves to a nutella crepe, and ended our walk around the city with a pint of Strongbow cider. After a much needed "catching-up" session we made our way back to the dorm to make ourselves some dinner and tune into the most recent "One tree hill" episode.

Tomorrow we leave for a three-day trip to Amsterdam. Rather than flying, we are going on the trip through "International Friends," which is a travel company for students. The trip includes transportation to Amsterdam (via coach bus & ferry), housing, free breakfast, and admission into Ann Frank's house.

It should be an amazing trip, so stay tuned :)

<3 Katie

Wine, cheese & more wine

This past Friday, Maddy, Katie and I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to catch a train to get us to the airport for our flight to Bordeaux, France. It was a very early morning and we didn't manage to catch a wink of sleep until around 11 p.m. that night.

Maddy's Uncle Phil, and Aunt Kathy were there to greet us when we arrived at the Bordeaux Airport. The two of them own vineyards in France, and they were kind enough to invite Maddy, Katie and I to stay with them at their partner's Chateau for the weekend. 

The trip was incredible, as you can imagine. Phil and Kathy's partners, Philip and Crystal (sound much more French when accents are added), are getting ready to take over the vineyard–which has over 37,000 vines– from Crystal's mother, Madame Pomeiie, who is now around 70. The land and the Chateau has been in the family for over 250 years. Philip, who has been in charge of the vines for many years now was able to take us on a tour of the winery and show us how each bottle is made. We were able to taste wine straight from the vats they were made in. Every wine was unique, and unlike any other  I have ever tasted before. And the cheese....holy smokes. We bought it from a farm owned by Dutch people...enough said! 

The cows who helped to produce the best tasting cheese I have ever experienced! 

The wine tasting continued when it came to eating dinner with the family. There was 12 of us at the table all together, because Philip and Crystal's three young boys joined us as well. Both Friday and Saturday night we were served home-made five course meals. We would start with appetizers (and of course, more wine), then move into the dinning room for soup and bread, the main course (usually a meat dish), cheese and salad, and then finish with a dessert from a local patisserie shop. I have NEVER ate more in my entire life. And the funny thing was, that even after eating all of that food, I never felt overly full. At home, I will go out to Olive Garden and will feel sick after two bread sticks! 

One last note about the trip I would like to mention (because I don't mean to be rambling on), is the sense of family I felt as soon as I walked into Philip and Crystal's house. Although there was a major language barrier– because my French is no longer useful– Philip and Crystal created the most welcoming atmosphere for us. Every time we would walk over from our "little apartment" attached to the back of their house, they would act so excited to see us and greet us with a kiss on each cheek. Our dinners would last hours. There was so much to learn from them, and for them to learn about us. 

What I learned was that no matter how fast life can seem to move on a day-to-day basis, we need to take the time to step away from our busy schedules and indulge in conversation with one another. Both in Bordeaux and in London I have realized that the servers don't just drop off the bill when you finish eating. I now see the reason for that. From just two dinners I was able to see Philip and Crystal's family as my family. They were so welcoming and kind and I will always appreciate their hospitality. It was truly a trip unlike any other I will ever experience. 

Here are some pictures I collected: 

Outskirts of St. Emilion- CRAZY trees

Katie, Me & Maddy

Having hilly land is better for the vines

City of St. Emilion- Just beautiful!

Holding up the "Cheateau Preieure "Marquet" plaque I bought. Go Marquette!

Fireplace in our little apartment

The sight I woke up to the morning of our flight. We were delayed a few hours.