In Brugge... You will find lifes greatest pleasures

Yep that title sums it up... Beer, waffles and chocolate! Haha. Brugge is a small town of 20k people located on the western side of Belgium. Lovely little place which may only have one hostel...when we were trying to find it, every person knew exactly what we were talkin about... Ahh the lovely hostel called Snuffle =) best hostel ever with a happy hour from 9-10pm with 1 euro beer! Muy bueno! Met gals from Ireland, Australia and Canada that night and after happy hour headed to another bar... But the beer was more expensive and not many people were there so sam and I headed back to Snuffle and met some guys from Texas and had a few more drinks. When we finally head up to our room to go to bed, we found some dear soul sound asleep in my bed haha! After talkin to the guy at the desk he gave me a key to stay in a new room, but when we went to check it out, it was smelly and unknown territory... So sam and I decided to do what we had been doin the past few nights at romains... Shared her bed. The next morning we were the last ones to wake up and it didn't click until later that day that the other people in our hostel room must have thought we were complete lesbos! Sorry gents, but were not.

So we had the whole day to venture Brugge. We rented bikes and after taking all the wrong turns goin the opposite direction we intended to go, as luck would have it, we end up at the local brewery. Well some would call it fate, others common sense, we went in for a tour and beer =) that day we also delighted our tastebuds with a waffle with strawberries and ice cream as well as sausages!

We then decided to bike our way over to damme, the next town to the east of Brugge. Such a lovely bike ride along the riverside. There was absolutely nothing in this town mind a church, graveyard and an old population. Haha but on our way back we noticed a pasture full of bunnies... Live, very real, hopping bunnies! Unfortunately when we ditched our bikes and went into the pasture, the bunnies didn't think we were as cute as we thought they were so they scattered. Continuing our journey onward back to Brugge, my chain decided to break off so I had to hold onto sAms bike while she pedaled for the both of us.. Wasn't so bad until we got back into town on the cobblestone roads which were bumpy as all hell and in turn might have caused us to hit a car or two... But whose counting?

After our lovely adventurous day we made dinner (and yes, bread, butter n ham makes a sufficient dinner) and then prepared for yet night number two of happy hour. We then ventured out into the city again, enjoyed some drinks at another bar and as we were walkin to the next, saw some random building with crazy lights goin off inside... Turned out to be an epic club that we danced the night away in!

Wednesday we hopped on the train and pointed her east to Frankfurt Germany... Land of.. Of ..a financial district and the infamous frankfurter? Haha we didn't reAlly do anything noteworthy while in ff but we got to witness a strike and drink the apflwein!

Until next time... Remember you stay warmer when you share, chains are overrated anywyas, and to venture into the unknown!

And so it begins... Sam and randi reunite!

Well this past week has been full of surprises, accomplishments and incidents we may never speak of again. After arriving in Paris with a whopping two hours of sleep from the plane ride (let me tell you, that food tray makes a damn good pillow in times of need!) I was off to locate my hostel. Was a beautiful day- finally summer weather for this girl! And I was carrying my backpack which is equivalent to the size of a small person, er well, myself ha! Found the metro station and as I was getting on the metro, the doors closed...right on my bag. I thought my eurotrip along with my life had ended right there but thanks to some 15 year old girl who yanked me in, Europe will receive more of my cash flow.

Spent the day walkin around and hanging out by the sacre ceour, where there were heaps of little performances goin on by people trying to make a buck. Stayed in a lovely hostel that night known as the woodstock hostel, nothin too fancy but in a nice location. The next morning I met two english guys at my hostel and we went on a free walking tour of Paris- best thing ever. The tour guides do an excellent job bc they get paid by tips. Finally met up with sam and romain (the guy who hosted us for the next three nights) that evening! Romain was so awesome- we were his first couchsurfer, ha poor guy! His flat was so nice and clean and he had the most amazing coffee ever! Our first night together we met some of his friends by the Eiffel tower and had a picnic and drank beer and wine all night while watching the light show every hour at the Eiffel tower! How lovely! ... I don't think many people can say that they have peed in a park while looking up at the Eiffel tower haha but hey when u gotta go, you gotta go... When in Paris my friends!

The next day sam and I spent walking around the city taking ridiculous pictures holding the Eiffel tower and all that other jazz. That night one of romains friends had a party at his flat so we had an awesome time meeting other Paris natives and stayin out till 5am!

Our last full day in Paris was the first Sunday of the month which means free museum day! Lol so we went to the louvre (AKa the worlds biggest museum) and were enlightened with the presence of the Mona Lisa amongst several other famous art like things. That evening was probably the best one in Paris, romain had some mates over and they cooked us some salmon pasta and we drank wine and beer all night while playing wii! Now how many people can say they had an epic wii battle all night while in Paris?! ...also found out sam is definitely a way better pong teammate than wii teammate ;)

So our last day in Paris we made wonderful baguettes for lunch and then romain brought us to the train station. Unfortunately it was rush hr and by the time we were four blocks away, we had ten minutes until our train left so we had to run the most deadliest 4 blocks of my life. Godspeed my friends... We somehow made it with 3 minutes to spare! Note to self: start exercising on this trip...lifting a bottle from the table to my mouth is not going to be sufficient for the entire summer.

Not ready to leave Galway

Yep, Galway has officially stolen my heart. Although the weather in Ireland isn't necessarily ideal, everything else about it is. The people are awesome, the scenery is beautiful, life is great, and the beer is cold.

Galway is the third largest City in Ireland with about 75000 including the suburb area, but if feels like such a small place. My first day I spent wandering around the streets and getting a feel for the city. Also snuck in a peak of hangover 2- if you haven't seen it, it's awesome!

Tuesday I took a day trip to the cliffs of moher, wow! Incredible landscape, it was recently voted one of the top four wonders of the world. That night at my hostel I met a couple American girls who are travelin Ireland workin on organic farms, real nice girls. It is so popular here to go to a pub any night o the week and watch live music. We started at one pub that had An excellent duo who were playin whatever we requested, so much fun. Bar closed at midnight so we made our way a far trek... Across the road to a pub that was open I'll 2. Had such a great night talkin with some local Irish man.

Wednesday I did another day trip with two canadians and a French girl to connemara and cong. Wow some more incredible things to see!!! Wednesday night we went out again to a pub and listened to some live music.

Galway truely stole my heart in the little time I was here. hopefully I can switch some things around and get back to this city. It's almost 1am now and time for me to head to the bus sation to catch my bus to the Dublin airport. Flight leaves for Paris at 6am!!! Won't be gettin much sleep tonight, but hey welcome to Europe! Until my next post, live life for what it's worth, talk to someone you don't know everyday you'll be surprised how much you can learn! Ciao!

What's the crack?

Dear god.. And I once thought I had a drinking problem... Not even a comparison to these Irish folk! They are the real deal, guiness guzzling, crazies of the world! So I caught a train from London to wales... Yes another country to add to the list! Then caught A ferry to Dublin. Ever heard of couchsurfin my friends? Well in case you haven't it's a really sketchy Internet site where people such as myself can connect with other people in the area they are traveling too and can stay at their house for free. As a solo American female, it's double sketch. But had my first experience in Dublin! Stayed with Yan, a crazy Brazilian who is there studyin English. What a crazy time we had that weekend... Went to the guiness storehouse and tried some fresh guiness... There is no way around it, black beer is just terrible! Friday night..oh dear. Went over to his mates apartment to pregame and then went out...of course we hit up temple bar amongst several others. When those Irish gals go out, they sure do not leave much to the imagination for the guys... They redefine the definition of a short dress ha!!! Good on em.

Saturday walked around the city...grafton street was awesome! So much music and people and cultural things goin on. Then met some of his girl friends in the park who are also Brazilian, what an incredible group of girls, so much fun!!! Sat night we pregamed at yans and then went out to club 21, excellent club! Danced the night away.

Sunday was my last day in Dublin. We went over to the girls house and had a grill out an drank beer, what a great afternoon. I sure hope to meet up with Yan and all his friends I met while I was there. After the grillout Yan excel and I went to another park for a bit until it was time for this girl to catch her train to Galway, a city on the west coast of Ireland. Cheers all you crazy brazilians, you were all so much fun! Your more than welcome to visit minnesota anytime!

Finishing up with london

Well my next few days in London were rather uneventful.. Spent too much money over the weekend and had to control that! Tuesday I went all over the city...went to 4 free museums, st Pauls cathedral, London eye, tower and bridge. Sorry London, the Sydney harbor bridge is better! Wednesday I decided to go hang out in Hyde park... Wise decision. The uefa champions league soccer game was in London, Manchester united vs Barcelona. So there was a big festival at the park celebrating the upcoming game... Nice weather, good lookin guys, and not a care in the world... Doesn't get much better than that!

Well ciao London! Headed out to where my roots stem from, the great country of Ireland on Thursday morning!

Weekend with a mate!

Spent my first weekend a couple hours north of London with ben, a mate I met in new Zealand! What a great weekend. After drivin thru some 'city' I get corrected that it's definitely a town and then corrected again when I ask what the name of Bens town is... My bad, we dont have 'villages' in the states! Oh and for all those wanting to learn, u don't say 'half a pound' or put those two words together in close proximity, it's call 50 pence!

Lol anyways... I am now addicted to traditional English style tea... Black tea, a pinch of sugar and a shot of milk, delicious! Met bens family the first night and then went out for dinner and to the pub after for drinks... Long story short, ben added another pub to the list of ones he's banned from!

Saturday my life was enlightened as I watched ben play cricket. For those unaware YouTube it.. Quite possibly the worst sport ever to watch. But thankfully bens two nephews kept me entertained and even taught me how to play! Things to do before I die: play cricket. Check.

After the lovely afternoon ben and I headed to Oxford, a touristy city where his friend, lawrie lives. Had an eic night out on the town... After midnight was a bit blurrry for all of us but thanks (or perhaps no thanks) to my camera we have a little bit of hangover part 3 caught on cannon!

So had a slow start to the day on Sunday but eventually made it out to explore Oxford enjoying the weather and good company of two English blokes. Sunday night bens dad made us pasties... Very delicious! Had one hell of a weekend but unfortunately had to catch a train back to London on Monday morning

And here we go!

Well here it is folks, the p.g. Version of my travels this summer! Hope it keeps you enertained. Heads up, I'm using my iPod so there will be plenty of spelling errors I won't fix lol... This thing is not the easiest to type out stories on.

May 17... What most would consider a normal day, but to my parents I'm pretty sure it was dooms day. I digress... Headin to the airport I could not help bug ponder what in the he'll I was getting myself into. I'm sure your all thinkin the same as what I was...come the en of the summer I'm gonna be broke ass and in dire need of a liver transplant. Well after thinkin about it for a couple seconds, I decided it was an irrelevant thought, boarded the plane and passed out.

Welcome to london folks! Land of beautiful parks, overpriced everything and the currency called the pound...mind u the exchange rate is terrible, $2=1 pound. Arrived in London on the 18 around noon. Lovely little 8 hr direct flight. Spent the first day roaming around the city. Enjoyed some beers that night with 6 other europe bound Americans I met at the hostel. Thursday toured the city with the Americans..brings me to Thursday night...pub crawl London style anyone? Deal! Guess what my Aussie girls... I started at 7, made it to all 5 bars and stayed out until 3am, successful start to the trip!