My Semester Abroad: Fall Break, aka the Best week of My Life

"John Lennon" Wall, Prague

Hello all! Again, I have to apologize for not posting sooner, after coming back from my trip, I was so exhausted and then that exhaustion was consumed with dealing with classes/internship all week. But here I am! As I start to think about how to describe my trip to you, I am quickly realizing just HOW much I did last week. That being said, I am going to try to describe key points to you guys, and hopefully this wont be (too) long.

First stop, after meeting up with my friend Briana in Milan, was Prague. We flew there on Friday, and after a bus, a tram, and a bit of walking, we found our hostel. It was a bit stressful trying to figure out how much money we need for the 2 days we were going to be there (in Prague they use the Czech "crown", which exchanges to about 100 czk to a little less than 10 euros), and then buying tickets to take a bus into the city center. That beginning stress did not translate into the rest of our trip, though, thank goodness. I absolutely fell in love with Prague. If you've talked to me since I've been back, I'm sure you know this, but I just cannot get over the calm beauty of the city, which, combined with the history, makes me jealous of anyone who has been able to spend more time there than I have. The first day, we decided to walk around and learn how to get around the town a bit-by the end of our time in Prague, we could walk home without having to pay attention to street signs, which just adds to how much I love this city! That night, Briana and I ended up going to an organ concert in Old Prague (which is where we spend most of our time), which featured the biggest classical organ in Prague, a soprano singer, and a violin. Together, they played 15 amazingly beautiful songs, and despite the cold (the cathedral the concert was in was not heated), the concert remains to be a highlight of my entire trip. The next day we spent at Prague Castle, and the surrounding buildings, and in the Old Town Square. Prague Castle sits on, as far as I could tell, the highest point of the city, and offers a 360 degree view of the whole area.

Cathedral, Prague Castle, Prague

Prague was so comfortable, walkable, and I've missed it since I left. The foliage on the hills next to the Vlatava River were so picturesque, and actually reminded me a lot of Vermont. And the little quirks, like the hot wine and czech sausage ("must-haves" apparently) just made the experience better.

Next stop was Vienna, Austria, where we met Briana's friend from highschool Lucy, who is studying there for a year. It was really nice to have a sort of guide who spoke almost fluent German to show us around. It rained for most of the time while I was there, but the rain couldn't take away from the majesty of the buildings in Vienna, or the equally amazing history that can be found in royal palaces. The first night we were there (Sunday) we spur-of-the-moment decided to try to get standing room tickets at the opera house. We didn't realize it, but it was the premier of a new ballet that night, but we were actually able to get tickets! Standing room, is...well, standing, so it by the end we were ready to sit in a restaurant, but the overall experience was unbelievable. When I thought of what I was doing, attending a ballet at the opera house in Vienna, I almost couldn't believe it, like I was completely dreaming. I still can't believe that I was actually there.

The next day we toured all around Vienna, and then a bit out of the city to see Schonbrunn Palace, and saw most of the rooms there. If it had been a nicer day, we would have toured around the gardens that stretch far behind the Palace itself, but unfortunately it rained that day too.

Schunbrunn Palace, Vienna

From Vienna we flew to London (Tuesday), where it was STILL raining! But we found our hostel pretty quickly and ate at a good ol' British pub, so we were both pretty happy. After going to be bed extremely early Tuesday night, Wednesday we spent ALL day out in the city. We went to Buckingham Palace and unfortunately missed the changing of the guard by 5 minutes! So upsetting. We walked to Westminster Abbey, saw Big Ben, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the London Tower and Bridge. By the end of the day, we became pretty proficient at using the Tube, with our Oyster Cards and all! The highlight of the day was going to the London Eye at night, realizing it was wayy too expensive, but then seeing the most beautiful view across the Thames: Westminster Abbey and Big Ben lit up, the nighttime glow of the city behind them.

Leaving London behind, we took a night bus to Edinburgh, Scotland, to visit another good friend from Richmond, Hannah. She is studying there for the semester, and it was so nice to finally meet up with her (part 2 of our travels will take place this weekend, when all three of us travel to Geneva!). Edinburgh was so breathtaking! The architecture, the hills, and the overall atmosphere of the city were utterly incredible. Here, again, we had a guide in Hannah, and it was great to finally see the places she talks about, and the people she has met. We drank a lot of tea (now I'm addicted...) and visited different castles, and took in the views from the high hills of the city. Again, stunning. And the weather was actually pretty nice there! It drizzled here and there, but overall it was really nice out.

After a few days in Edinburgh, Briana and I reluctantly flew back to Milan, where I spent another night there, and then I came back to Rome by train last Sunday. I have to say, as sad as I was to leave it all behind, it was kind of nice to arrive in the train station in Rome, knowing that I was finally back to a slightly slower pace. The week of traveling was amazing, but it was also stressful, and time-consuming in planning, but I am so glad I did it.

Back in Rome, I've started up classes again, and my internship is well under way, and I spent a relaxing weekend here, still resting up from my travels. I've been trying to get out and see more of the city now that I can actually feel the end of the my time abroad ending. Just 5 more weekends before I am home! I remember when I first arrived, and time seemed to pass so slowly. Now, I can't make it slow down! All I can do is make the most of the time I have left here, and hope it goes a bit slower from here on out.