Back in America

I'm currently sitting in the Portland airport, back from Europe. I'm pretty exhausted but happy to be back. Everyone is so smiley. I forgot about the unspoken rule of smiling at strangers. And I just got my authentic Czech glare down too.

Madrid was amazing and a wonderful way to end my Europe trip. I met Anna and Bobby at my hostel and they were pretty fun. The first night we were there, Real Madrid won the America Cup, so the three of us went to one of the town's main squares to celebrate with the locals. It was INSANE! Everyone was dancing, screaming, smoking joints, hugging, crying. There was music and people were climbing trees and lamposts. Then, the team members showed up and it really got insane. There was a huge fireworks show and everyone was singing Queen's "We are the Champions." However, once the fireworks show was over, it turned into a riot and was kind of frightening. People were running and the cops were charging us with shields while some people were throwing fireworks back at the cops. Crazy!

And last night was a pretty awesome flamenco show. But, i've been up since three Madrid time, and it's weird that 20 some hours later it is still Tuesday. I cannot wait for Seattle and my bed.

I Miss Paris

It´s 4:30 in the morning in Barcelona and I am not asleep in bed. I am rooming with three smelly foreigners who have very phlegmy snores. I am going to be one cranky Chrissy tomorrow and that does not make for good sightseeing. Tomorrow Barcie, Sunday train to Mardid. Monday, Mardid and my final night in Europe. Tuesday, fly to Seattle. Wednesday, fly to Reno. Thursday, Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

Spain needs to cool the fuck down.

Whoops, I guess I´m already cranky.

As Time Goes By

This phase of my trip is about power-sightseeing. Two weeks and four countries. It's a lot and it's really tough. I really would prefer to live and stay in these places instead of just seeing the major tourist attractions.

I didn't really like London. I was shocked and even a little hurt inside. I'd always wanted to go to London and imagined it being awesome and amazing. I'm not sure if I just had a bad experience or if the city really sucks as much as I think it did. Either way, it was way too expensive, way too big, way too crowded and overall just a major culture shock coming from Prague. I felt like I was back in the US. The highlights of London were going on the eye which was actually really fun, talking to some cockney children who were smoking at the train station, and seeing my dear friend Khyati who I really miss with all my heart. I really want to go back to London in the future and stay there for a while. I think I just needed way more time there to take things in.

The Netherlands were wonderful!! Dawn and I stayed with our friend Simon. I liked it so much more than London because I really feel like even though I only spent two days there, I really got a taste for life there. Um, they put chocolate sprinkles on their bread and sugar on their tomatoes. Surprisingly delicious, indeed. After Amsterdam, Simon let us stay with his parents in Wouw, pronounced Wow! It was wonderful to relax and not be in a hostel. His mother was loverly and did some laundry for me. She also has traveled alone a lot in Europe and gave me a lot of really great advice for Spain and France. I am eternally in her debt.

Now, I am in Paris. It is beautiful, but I haven't gotten to see much. I do love the flower boxes in all the windows though. It is really charming. I got really buzzed just walking the streets and hearing french and smelling fresh bread. I'm pretty excited.

Homesick

I would like to warn everyone that when I get home. I will be annoying. I have only been out of Prague for 5 hours and I am already annoying myself. Everything I do: "In Prague, it's cheaper." "Well in Prague, the streets are prettier." "You know in Prague, they have better pastry stands." "Prague is better than here."

I am currently in London, and pretty happy to be here, although I really have yet to go out and do anything. But as soon as I got to the airport and found out it was going to be 15 pounds to get just from the airport to the city. I missed the hell out of Prague. It doesn't help that yesterday was one of the most pleasant days I have spent in the city of a hundred spires. Class got out at 1, so we all went to Letna Park's beer garden and drank cold, delicious beer while laying in the sun and looking out over the city. I got three beers and an ice cream for a little over 100 crowns or five dollars. Fuck the pound, that's all I gotta say.

I am Tired.

I woke up Friday morning to catch a train to the lovely little town of Cesky Krumlov. I had to wake up at 6:30AM which sucks because I was out till 2 in the morning the night before with a bunch of Irish poets (loooooong story). So, I dragged myself into the shower and tried to think of when the next time I will get to sleep in will be. Not until June 21st when I am in Reno at my parent's house. I am tired. But, who has time to sleep when Europe is just outside your door?