Looking Back on the Trip of a Lifetime

10 years ago today, me and two of my best friends were on a plane headed "across the pond" for a 4 week backpacking adventure through Europe. This would be my 2nd trip to Europe. My first trip over was the Summer of 2000.  I studied abroad with Louisiana Tech University. I spent the summer in Rome.....It was one of the best things I ever did!   I went with 200 strangers to the other side of the world, but I am soooo glad that I did it! I fell in love with the Roman culture and was able to travel all over Italy, and even made a quick trip to Germany. The minute I got back home, I began planning and saving for my next trip. I had to go back, but the next time I wanted to see more....a lot more. So, I decided the perfect time to go would be right after I graduated from the U of A.   I asked Amy & Karlie if they would be interested and of course they were!



My First Trip - Leaning Tower of Pisa - Pisa, Italy



Our plan was to stay for 4 weeks. We would start in London and end in Paris, everything in between was wide open. We bought BIG backpacks at the Pack Rat in Fayetteville, and attempted to pack a months worth of stuff into it. It wasn't successful, so we also each had a small carry on that we had to carry with us too. Both Amy and I had previously been to Europe, so we had some idea of what to expect. I had also bought a Eurail pass on my first trip over and used it quite a bit, so that is what we did for this trip. Train travel in Europe is the way to go, it is cheap and a great way to see the countries that you are traveling through. Next, I bought a Foder's travel book for Europe, I was told that this would be our "bible" while we where there and it was.  It had everything that three crazy 21 year old girls needed for a backing adventure.  Then we each bought an international calling card, not only was this needed to call family at home, but since we had no set itinerary we needed to be able to call hotels for the next town that we would be staying in.....this was a challenge.  First, you have to dial like 300 numbers (that's what it felt like). Then, if the call went through (which many times it didn't so you had to start over again) you had to hope that the person answering spoke English.  Finally, they had to have a room for 3 people, which in every case meant that the 3rd person slept on a cot (we took turns).  We opted to not stay in any hostels on this trip, 3 females traveling alone, we didn't think that was a very good idea.  I did stay in a hostel on my first trip over though.  It was in Germany and it was Super nice & clean!

First Stop - London for 5 nights 

When we arrived in London we already had our hotel booked which was nice.  We all loved London, since English is the main language we felt like we were in the states.   We were there for 5 days and we got to do a lot of sightseeing.

Of course I couldn't go to London without seeing Abbey Road. = )

When left London and took the "Chunnel" to our 2nd stop - Brussels, Belgium.  This city was beautiful, but was our least favorite place that we went.  The main reason was that the Belgians did not seem too fond of Americans and we really weren't that familiar with the city.  We only stayed 2 nights here.  I did love their food though, one of my favorite things was street vendors sold french fries "fritz's" in a paper cone and smothered them with mayonnaise.  Amy & Karlie that I was gross for liking that but is was soooo good!

3rd stop....Amsterdam!  Amsterdam is called "the Venice of the North" and it is absolutely beautiful!  We ended up staying 4 nights here.  There is so much to do and see here.  We toured the Anne Frank House and went the Van Gogh Museum while we were here.

A field of tulips

 4th stop...Munich,Germany.

  

 This was my second time to visit Munich.  I love Germany.  It is one of the cleanest and most beautiful places that I have ever been.  I had such a great time the first time that I visited, that I wanted to come back.

First, I wanted them to see Dachau....a German concentration camp.  I came here during my first trip and it is such a sobering experience.  It is very hard to see the pictures in the museum and know that this took place in the exact place that you are standing in.

 Second, I wanted to take them to the Hofbruahaus.  One of the funnest places that I have ever been.  Authentic german food, dancing, and beer.


 5th stop...Venice. We only stayed in Venice for the day to catch our train to Florence, but I did get to eat my favorite authentic 5 cheese pizza while I was there.  Oh how I missed italian food!

6th stop....Florence.

7th stop....Rome. = )  One of my favorite places on earth!

8th Stop.....Nice, France.  We were only in Nice for the day, so we had just enough to shop and eat.

9th Stop.....Milan, Italy.  I wasn't that impressed with Milan.  It was a big city, but was not easy to get around.





10th Stop.....Luzern, Switzerland.  I loved Switzerland and would love to go back.

The Grand Finale......Paris, France.

I really liked Paris, but is was dirty and there seemed to be a lot more homeless people in this city than anywhere else.

We couldn't go to Paris without going to Disneyland!

I am so grateful to have been able to have had these opportunities to travel.  I definitely plan on going back, but next time I want to go to Scotland.  And since it is the birthplace of golf, I think Jason definitely up for that trip.