Wrapping it Up!

After returning from Spain, I got back to Leuven to pack for my last trip of the year! I was heading to Dublin to hang out with Deirdre and see some more family before I trekked back across the Atlantic! I had a wonderful time and even got to see my cousin Gavin's band, The Shift, compete in the 'All-Ireland' Talent Competition. I was really just trying to appreciate all the little things that I would miss once I came back to New York.

The night I returned back to Leuven I participated in a scavenger hunt that Tissy organized. It turned out to be really fun because we had to travel all over the city to collect things, or take fun pictures. It was a nice way to spend one of my last nights in Belgium.

Hitting a nail in to the stump at the Leuven bar Seven Oaks!

Roomies! I'm going to miss these girls!! 

Bringing Charlie back to Velo! Its been real!

There is this huge 4-day concert festival every year in Belgium where they have some of the most popular bands come and perform. I decided to go on the second day, which happened to be my 21st birthday. Wiz Khalifa happened to be there among many other artists, and I really had a great time. The weather was beautiful and I got to spend the day with a bunch of my friends!

Rock Werchter!

First beers as a 21 year old! 

Wiz at Rock Werchter!

Chloe & I

The worst part about leaving is saying goodbye to all of the friends I have made this year! But I know someday we will meet again!!

My favorite Belgian girls!

   

With the lovely Unit 3 members my last night in Leuven! 

After packing up my entiring room, and the unpacking and re-packing at the airport to conform to the strict luggage requirements... (#strugglecity) I made it home! I was surprised to arrive back at my home to see all of my friends in my backyard for a surprise welcome home/birthday party! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family and friends! I'll miss Belgium, but it is good to be back! Time to get set for July 4th! Its been wonderful keeping you all informed throughout the year, and I hope you have enjoyed it! 

Sipping a Stella back home as my first legal beer with my American Flag shades!
Its good to be home! 

Tot Ziens!

Barcelona Bound!

       After arriving late Tuesday night (sprinting to just barely catch one of the last trains out of the airport for the night), we pretty much just got to our hostel and went to bed because we had a busy day in Barcelona on Wednesday! We were staying about 40 minutes outside the city because we knew we wanted a prime beach location, as well as easy access to via public transport to all the sites. It really worked out well and we got the best of both worlds.

Antoni Gaudi is the famous Catalan architect who is responsible for much of the structures around Barcelona. This includes the house above, and La Sagrada Familia. The magnificent Park Guell is also one of his masterpieces. He used mosaics to decorate the entire park, it is unlike anything I have ever seen. So many colors and vibrant decorations make it one of my favorite places!

La Sagrada Familia, it is quite an impressive structure.
As you can see, the cranes kind of mix up the look, but as I have learned throughout me travels...ALL of Europe is under construction.  

At the very top of Park Guell overlooking beautiful Barcelona!

The mosaics on one of the benches at Park Guell. 

Park Guell
The structures make you think as you are in a magical world, I didn't hate it!
Its like the Disney of Barca!

We found a 'Dunkin Coffee' down near the metro-- AMERICA SHOUTOUTT!
 And this is the small...I guess things are smaller in Spain...

       We covered A LOT of ground in one day. Chloe and I were quite proud of all that we got to see! We hopped on the metro and took it across town to visit the site of the '92 Barcelona Olympics. It was so cool to see the site and actually stand where so much history took place!

Fakin' it til I make it!
I blend in, right? 

        We headed back after a very long day, but it was SO worth it! Barcelona is another one of my favorites! I know I probably have a lot of 'favorites,' at this point... but I mean it! It was so vibrant and colorful, unlike any other place I had been. That is something very different from all of the other major cities I have visited.

Just a casual beach day, oh how I love the Mediterranean Sea...

Not a bad place to sleep...
(minus the bazillion mosquito bites I got...but nothing is perfect!)

Villanova, just outside Barcelona

Last RyanAir flight...so hard to believe!
But I'm just casually recreating a picture from my 1st RyanAir flight...TIME FLIES!

Adios Espana! Its been real!

    Now after a FABULICIOUS vacayyy we heading back to Belgium. Crazy that this whirl-wind of a year is coming to an end! But don't worry, I got back to Leuven just in time Friday night to pack, hang with my roomies, and than catch some zzz's before my flight to Dublin in the morning!     

 #cantstopwontstop! I obviously have to take advantage of my precious days left in Europe!

Helllooooo Porto!

       
           So after finals were over, I headed off on my last 'real' trip of the year to some new and exciting places! Chloe & I were flying to Porto, Portugal where we would meet Maeda, who would be coming from Madrid, Spain. Porto is a really wonderful place, it was my first time in Portugal so I was very excited to see a new country!

There were so many amazing buildings with colorful tiles!
I didn't hate it!

Maeda & I at the beach in Porto!

Hard to believe next time I am on a beach
I will be on the OTHER side of the Atlantic!

     


      Over the course of the year I have been to MANY places, but since we only usually had a day or two to see all of the sights, I was often quite exhausted after each trip (not complaining...just stating the facts, we were happy, just exhausted...). We decided this would be a real 'vacation,' and we would be hitting up as many beaches as we can, as well as just enjoy some relaxing time in some beautiful places!
     It worked out that there were 3 of us because we ended up getting a private room at a local hotel. It is really nice when you have one less thing to worry about when leaving our things in the room when you are in a new and unfamiliar place. Anyway, so we walked all over Porto,

obviously sampled some delicios Port Wine, hit up a local beach, and really just tried to soak up every second.

Myself, Maeda, & Chloe overlooking Porto!
(struggle city with the wind!)

This is a famous Portuguese sandwich, the Francesinha, which means 'little french girl,' in Portuguese. It apparently is a sandwich for meat lovers...so even though I don't fit the bill, I figured 'When in Porto...' It has ham, sausage, and beef, and it is loaded up with cheese and gravy. I didn't hate it, and I was very happy to have had the opportunity to try it.
Apparently it was ranked among the top 10 best sandwiches in the world!

I found a Downing Street in Porto! I love when I see familiar names throughout my travels.
 Even on my running route in Leuven I always run past an apartment complex named 'Woodside.' Its the little things that remind me of home that really put a smile on my face!


Our last night we went to the top of one of the largest bridges to watch the sun set and just soak up the beautiful place we were in!

This was one of those moments when I was pinching myself and saying "Is this REALLY my life?!"

Next Chloe and I were heading to Barcelona, Spain, and Maeda was making her way back to Brussels. I was very excited to see Barcelona, because I had heard very good things, and since I had been to Madrid in the fall, I was ready to see a different side of the country!

Leuven Lovin'

      So I have FINALLY survived finals and can truly enjoy my last few weeks in Europe! Hallelujah! I had two oral finals, both confusing philosophy nonetheless, that stood between me and summer, but I made it! #TG Now that I can soak up every last second of my time in Belgium, the whole crew has been trying to take advantage!
     I brought a BJ's size box of Aunt Jemima pancake mix back to Belgie on my last trip so I could share good 'ole American pancakes with my unit. All of the pancakes here are sooooo thin, so I figured I'd spread the love. It is important to note that everyone loved them and the huge box was gone in less than a week....

Stipe and I making breakfast!
Don't forget the chocolate chips! 

      Last week we went to the Stella Factory aka the AB In Bev Brewery (in which the AB stands fro Anheuser Busch, which In Bev bought out a few years ago). It was MASSIVE and very cool to see because we saw the actual equiptment putting out thousands and thousands of liters of stella, jupiler, and kriek just to name a few. We had to wear these awesome safety vests as well, and you all now how much I adore neon! #winning

Candy is ready to go!

Pipes on pipes on pipes.

Emy & I at the tour!

Candy, Cait (dare to be different...), Steffi, and I
 enjoy the freshest Stella we will ever taste!

      The day after the Stella Tour we all came together to take DH, Sue, and Christel out to dinner. They have always been there for us throughout the year, so we thought this was the least we could do. It ended up being a wonderful evening and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves! We went to Notre Dame, a restaraunt in Leuven known for their Belgian/French cuisine, it was lovely!

Dinner at Notre Dame

Christel, DH, Sue and I after dinner. 

 

All the Americans in the huis, please stand up. 

 As the year comes to a close, there are a lot of things that are coming to an end. This past year I have babysat for a first grader named Amelie. She was born in the U.S., but now lives with her parents in Belgium. I have picked her up from school and played with her a few days a week. It has been really fun for me, and a great way for Amelie to keep her English. They are such a wonderful family and invited me for a goodbye-dinner at a local restaurant. There are so many wonderful people that I have met who have really made this year special!   

Amelie and I at dinner. 

          The Euro 2012 tournament is taking place and it has been a lot of fun hanging out in the old market watching all the games. Since Belgium isn't in the running, the Netherlands seems to be the team drawing the biggest crowds. My friends and I went to watch a few of the games and it is great to see so much spirit in the fans, because that is one thing I certainly miss about out American sports!

Go Holland!

Beautiful summer sky outside the huis.

    Of course, I also have been watching Ireland play, but it has been a bit of a struggle. They played against Spain yesterday, and it didn't go very well...granted Spain IS the reigning world champ-- But for me, it is all about the fun of the games! I will continue to watch to see who comes home with the big win! I will be traveling to Portugal and Spain next week, so I am excited to see how Euro 2012 is in other countries! Ciao for now!

       

This isn't my first rodeo.

So shortly after I got settled back in Leuven, I had some visitors! Ciara and Dad made the transatlantic trek to go on their own Eurotrip! They were supposed to land early on Monday morning, but with some heavy fog...they had to make a pitstop in Frankfurt, Germany. #casual  But in the end, they made it to me, safe and sound! I spent the day showing them around Leuven and than we went into Brussels to spend the night. It is funny because the only time I go into Brussels is when I have visitors, so I am certainly a tourist myself in that city.

Belgian waffles and Mannekin Pis, typical Brussels!

   My Dad's good friend Jack is originally from Heerlan, Holland, and he coincidently happened to be over here for his annual trip back home. He picked us up and we spent the night in his hometown. My Dad REALLY enjoyed this, we went to the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Maastricht. It was really am amazing thing to see. There is so much history all over Europe, and I am just barely scraping the surface with my year abroad. After driving around the countryside for a while, soaking up the beautiful scenery, we headed back to Heerlan for the night. 

     

I think its safe to say, Dad enjoyed himself! Prost!

After our time in Heerlan, we headed back to Leuven for the huis end of the year BBQ. Its crazy that this 10 month trip is coming to a close, but it was great that Ciara and Dad got to meet all of the people who I have been living with this past year.

Loyola Nachbahr Huis 2011-2012
Can you find me?!

 

The 3 of us at the BBQ. 

On Friday we woke up and headed to Paris! We had big plans for our 2 days, so we had to be efficient! The sights on Friday, and Disneyland Paris on Saturday. Yes, I already was there, but Ciara really wanted to go as well, and I couldn't blame her! We even convinced my Dad to come and go on all the rides! So in Paris we obviously saw Mona at the Louvre, went to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, ...all the "touristy" things. It was my third visit to Paris, so as my Dad always says...'It wasn't my first rodeo!'

Ciara and I in front of Notre Dame

Dad and Ciara in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland Paris.

   After Paris, we were headed to Amsterdam! After some difficulties and delays with the trains...we eventually made it! It was my fourth time to Amsterdam, but I suppose there is a fourth time for everything! I really wanted Ciara to see the sights, since she had never been. We went to the Anne Frank Huis, but I didn't go in this time, I thought that might be a little excessive. We walked along the canals, through the Red Light District (#classy), and the list goes on!

Dad and I at the Heineken Experience!

Ciara and I beside one of the canals.

We were really lucky because we had lovely weather! it was a great trip and I was so glad I was able to travel with them. We headed back to Leuven for their last full day.

Dad loves his spaghetti bolognese! He may have mentioned it once or twice...

       

Ciara and I outside De Werf cafe in Leuven after lunch. 

I was very sad to see them leave, but its finals time! Boooo. But I suppose it was great while it lasted! I'll be in Leuven for the next few weeks studying my life away...oh how excited philosophy is! (#not) But i'll do my best! Tot ziens!