As the end of the school year quickly approached I was very sad to have to say goodbye to my students, colleagues and friends in Prague. It's amazing how fast you can connect with new people in a short year together. But amid all the sadness of 'goodbye for now' (thank you facebook, skype, and all forms of modern technology..) I was also bursting with excitement for my long-awaited 2 week adventure in France. My good friend from UW-Eau Claire, Margot, took her holiday time to meet me in Paris and travel around the French Riviera with me for the first two weeks of June.
''11 cities. 14 days.'' That was our mantra. I arrived in Paris sleep deprived and completely fried, and only Margot would greet that Natalie with a huge hug, grab my 3 HUGE suitcases and run down the streets of Paris in her wedge sandals fast enough so we would make our train to the south. She is a rockstar and such a good travel companion.
We visited the cities and towns of Monaco, Eze-sur-Mer, Cannes, Antibes, Menton and Nice in the Cote d'Azur. Next we moved further west along the coast to the second largest city in France, Marseille. From there we did a day trip to the tiny town of Cassis (aka Heaven) Then moved away from the sea into the heart of Provence to Aix-en-Provence and Avignon.
Our tour-de-southern France was absolutely picture perfect. I ate my weight in moules (mussels) and soaked in all things French. I got to practise my favourite language and was even told by a few natives that I was quite good! We said au revoir to the south and went back to Paris where we met my good friend Melissa who flew in for her birthday weekend. The three of us took Paris by storm, getting in all the sights possible in 3 short days.
Here is a slideshow of my last 2 weeks in Europe, in France. (You're welcome for editing my 800 pics from those two weeks to a mere 200)
Showing posts with label Melissa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melissa. Show all posts
23 June 2011
19 May 2011
birthday part 2: Barcelona
I decided that the proper way to celebrate my 25 fabulous years was a weekend in Barcelona! Melissa and I had a rough start to our trip with a 2 hour delay in Prague airport and landing in the pouring rain, but after some sleep we woke to bright sunshine and the Mediterranean just down the street! In order to see all the highlights of the city we had a very busy few days.. We saw the fantastic architecture of Antoni Gaudi, ate fresh tapas, toured a couple museums and made plenty of time for the beach! Here is a slideshow of pics from our wonderful, tropical holiday.
27 March 2011
I don't even really like animals.
Thanks to my friend Melissa I did something today that I would NEVER have done during my time here in Prague-- I went to the zoo.
(sidenote- the Prague zoo is actually known to be quite a good zoo. I just don't really like animals. Plus zoos always smell.)
I am so glad that Melissa snagged her preschool's season passes for us this weekend. It turned out to be a lovely Sunday afternoon so Matthew, Melissa and I took the tram up to Prague 7 across the river and spent a few hours walking around the zoo grounds.
(sidenote- the Prague zoo is actually known to be quite a good zoo. I just don't really like animals. Plus zoos always smell.)
I am so glad that Melissa snagged her preschool's season passes for us this weekend. It turned out to be a lovely Sunday afternoon so Matthew, Melissa and I took the tram up to Prague 7 across the river and spent a few hours walking around the zoo grounds.
Can you tell which animal was my favorite??
27 February 2011
Olomouc, Czech Republic
This week Melissa, Zach and I decided it was about time to do a day trip somewhere in the Czech Republic. In our hostel in Vienna a couple weekends ago we spotted a newspaper article about a town 3 hours east of Prague called Olomouc. The article called Olomous a 'mini-Prague' that was not as well known for some reason to travellers. I checked our Rick Steves' guide book and didn't find any information about it, so with help from "Uncle Google" (direct quote from a student) I did a bit of research about this ancient town in Moravia. Saturday morning we hopped on a 7:15 am train to check it out.
It was indeed a scaled-down version of Prague which made it even more walkable and quaint. It is known for its statues and fountains from mythology as well as its gothic and baroque style churches (like everywhere else in Europe, right?). It had a nice botanical garden area and an old palace that has now been renovated into a health center.. rather strange but it was still lovely. We had brisk but sunny weather and spent the whole day taking photos, reading about the town, and enjoying a new part of the Czech Republic.
It was indeed a scaled-down version of Prague which made it even more walkable and quaint. It is known for its statues and fountains from mythology as well as its gothic and baroque style churches (like everywhere else in Europe, right?). It had a nice botanical garden area and an old palace that has now been renovated into a health center.. rather strange but it was still lovely. We had brisk but sunny weather and spent the whole day taking photos, reading about the town, and enjoying a new part of the Czech Republic.
08 February 2011
a weekend in Wien
Since Friday was a day off from classes Matthew, Melissa and I decided to venture to Vienna for a long weekend. Just under 5 hours by bus ,Vienna was the perfect place to spend 3 relaxing days going in and out of museums, palaces, and restaurants.
We learned a lot about Vienna's history including-and most importantly- the royal family that reigned for over 600 years, the Habsburgs. We toured both of their palaces in Vienna, the Hofburg palace right in the city center and their quaint 'summer home' just a 20 minute walk from Hofburg. At the first palace we saw a great collection of diningware and silver that was actually quite fantastic. Then we learned more about the Empress Elisabeth 'Sisi' from the 1800s and her dramatic entrance into the world of royalty... and its equally dramatic exit. Finally we were able to tour the imperial apartments and see their digs. With a nice audio guide we left both palaces feeling the spirit of Sisi et al around us for the remaining time in Vienna.
With nice weather all weekend we successfully completed Rick Steves' walking tour of the city on Saturday afternoon. One VERY important stop was to the original Sacher cafe, home of the Sacher torte aka the best chocolate cake I've ever had in my whole life. I got a recipe but to be honest I don't think that magic can be recreated in my current kitchen-condition.
Habsburgs, museums, german, schnitzel, and good company took over the weekend and here I am back in Prague in the middle of another work week. Time is flying by and school is as busy as ever with Cambridge exam prep round the clock and new business clients scattered throught the city.
PS pictures to come--I'm uploading over 200 now to my Picasa web album but the central European internet speed is taking it's precious time... will share the link soon I hope!
We learned a lot about Vienna's history including-and most importantly- the royal family that reigned for over 600 years, the Habsburgs. We toured both of their palaces in Vienna, the Hofburg palace right in the city center and their quaint 'summer home' just a 20 minute walk from Hofburg. At the first palace we saw a great collection of diningware and silver that was actually quite fantastic. Then we learned more about the Empress Elisabeth 'Sisi' from the 1800s and her dramatic entrance into the world of royalty... and its equally dramatic exit. Finally we were able to tour the imperial apartments and see their digs. With a nice audio guide we left both palaces feeling the spirit of Sisi et al around us for the remaining time in Vienna.
With nice weather all weekend we successfully completed Rick Steves' walking tour of the city on Saturday afternoon. One VERY important stop was to the original Sacher cafe, home of the Sacher torte aka the best chocolate cake I've ever had in my whole life. I got a recipe but to be honest I don't think that magic can be recreated in my current kitchen-condition.
Habsburgs, museums, german, schnitzel, and good company took over the weekend and here I am back in Prague in the middle of another work week. Time is flying by and school is as busy as ever with Cambridge exam prep round the clock and new business clients scattered throught the city.
PS pictures to come--I'm uploading over 200 now to my Picasa web album but the central European internet speed is taking it's precious time... will share the link soon I hope!
21 November 2010
wool weather
Sunday night seems like a good time for a new blog post!
Had a lovely weekend here in Prague. It started with Melissa and I going to see an afternoon showing of the new Harry Potter movie--in English--on Friday. Yes, it was fantastic. The ending was a bit akward since they are splitting the last book into 2 movies, but other than that it was good. Let's be honest, I'll probably go see it again with Matthew. Then we had dinner at our favorite local hole-in-the-wall restaurant with the BEST garlic soup. I'm not sure of the actual name of the restaurant, so we just call it 'garlic soup place'. Very appropriate.
On Saturday Melissa and I were extremely successful in our shopping endoevers. The weather reports say that we are getting our first round of winter weather this week, so my southern Belle friend insisted that we go find decent boots before we get snow/fall on the ice/freeze.. Surprisingly we both found what we were looking for while Matthew spent the day in an exam room taking the GRE. We celebrated with fellow TEFL friends last night, it was good to see them again.
This weekend the first Christmas market opened! We went and checked it out this afternoon-it was complete with a huge tree and nativity scene in the center of the rows of stands. You can find ornaments, wood toys, gingerbread cookies, honey/jam/lavender concoctions, scarves, and much more. The big market opens in Old Town Square next Saturday night with an official 6 pm lighting ceremony of the large Christmas tree! We are planning on having a TEFL Thanksgiving on Saturday afternoon then going to the tree lighting ceremony. Should be a very festive start to the holiday season!
I have procrastinated looking at lesson plans for the week by watching an episode of The Office, 'decorating' my white walls with pictures from the H&M holiday and Vogue magazines, and now blogging... so I must do some work now before the week begins. Hope everyone had a nice weekend, too! xox
Had a lovely weekend here in Prague. It started with Melissa and I going to see an afternoon showing of the new Harry Potter movie--in English--on Friday. Yes, it was fantastic. The ending was a bit akward since they are splitting the last book into 2 movies, but other than that it was good. Let's be honest, I'll probably go see it again with Matthew. Then we had dinner at our favorite local hole-in-the-wall restaurant with the BEST garlic soup. I'm not sure of the actual name of the restaurant, so we just call it 'garlic soup place'. Very appropriate.
On Saturday Melissa and I were extremely successful in our shopping endoevers. The weather reports say that we are getting our first round of winter weather this week, so my southern Belle friend insisted that we go find decent boots before we get snow/fall on the ice/freeze.. Surprisingly we both found what we were looking for while Matthew spent the day in an exam room taking the GRE. We celebrated with fellow TEFL friends last night, it was good to see them again.
This weekend the first Christmas market opened! We went and checked it out this afternoon-it was complete with a huge tree and nativity scene in the center of the rows of stands. You can find ornaments, wood toys, gingerbread cookies, honey/jam/lavender concoctions, scarves, and much more. The big market opens in Old Town Square next Saturday night with an official 6 pm lighting ceremony of the large Christmas tree! We are planning on having a TEFL Thanksgiving on Saturday afternoon then going to the tree lighting ceremony. Should be a very festive start to the holiday season!
I have procrastinated looking at lesson plans for the week by watching an episode of The Office, 'decorating' my white walls with pictures from the H&M holiday and Vogue magazines, and now blogging... so I must do some work now before the week begins. Hope everyone had a nice weekend, too! xox
10 October 2010
28 September 2010
Petrin Hill
 |
| mini Eiffel Tower |
On a beautiful early autumn day my friends Melissa, Matthew and I hiked up (ok, took the funicular) to the top of Petrin Hill for a wonderful view of the city. We did climb the stairs to the top of the mini tour eiffel despite any nauseau or closterphobia, and it was worth it. Here are some pics from the top:
22 August 2010
quote.
"You dropped me in communist suburbia- let me use your freaking internet."
-Melissa, TEFL student and Villa roommate
-Melissa, TEFL student and Villa roommate
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