FC Barcelona

April 6th, wake up at 3 am with only 3 hours of sleep to catch the train to Amsterdam airport. It was a quick and easy train ride to the airport and a nice flight to Barcelona.  I was asleep before the flight attendants finished talking about all the safety stuff for the flight and continued to sleep for the 2 hours to Barcelona (Devonne was awake for all of it and said the ppl on the flight were quite noisy).

Arriving in Barcelona was sort of surreal. I have always wanted to go to Spain and now it's happening!

I napped for an hour after arriving to our hostel where we got to switch to a private room (yay). Afterwards we walked around Las Ramblas which is fairly close to our hostel.

That night we had our football match, Barcelona vs Mallorca. We decided to have supper close to the stadium just to make sure we had enough time to get get there. We thought the game was at 10 but when I checked my phone it said 9 so we walked over at around 730. Ppl were gathering around entrances to underground parking lots to wait for the players to come. It was so exciting because you didn't know who was pulling in but ppl would cheer anyways. One vehicle came in and ppl said it was Messi, but I think it may have been wishful thinking. It was still so much fun waiting, bur at about 830 we decided to go find our seats because the game was about to start...or so we thought. The game was actually at 10 so we had time to grab coffee and check out the big fc barca store. I also got a couple of good pictures with the stadium fairly empty (it holds about 80 000 ppl).

When we made it back to our seats, the playes were warming up. It was mesmerizing.  I wanted to be playing. The game itself was amazing. The passing was so fast, the players so agile and the fans so enthusiastic. I loved every moment of it and it was everything I had hoped for. Barcelona won 5-0. What an experience!!

Because the game started at 10, it didn't finish until almost midnight. The train station was packed because everyone was using it to get home, so I didn't get to sleep until about 2. The ride back to the hostel was pretty good though, besides the fact there were some ppl who weren't so considerate of a family who had a boy who could hardly stand. Anyways, we got a little lost trying to find our hostel, but Devonne got us there in the end (woohoo).

Day one in Barcelona= Awesome

Pictures: first tapa in spain (cuttlefish), a car potentially with a Barcelona soccer player in it, the stadium, me with the stadium in the background, a picture from the game

Dutch Pancakes!

The last day in Holland was spent wandering around Utrecht. Devonne and I popped our heads into random buildings. We had a good laugh when we got stuck in the revolving doors of the UFO building because I mistakenly thought I could squish myself into the same section as Devonne,  but it was only meant for one person. The ppl in the building were very serious and not impressed. We left pretty quickly afterwards.

Next, we proceeded to get some toppings for Dutch pancakes. Dutch pancakes are flat and yummy stuff is baked inside of them. Devonne and I were unaware of what was normal toppings or that the toppings were baked inside the pancakes so we ended up buying some stuff that was a little different (ie. Salami, pepperoni,  goat cheese)  but good nonetheless.  My favorite were the ones baked with gouda cheese, with stroup stuff drizzled over top. The apple ones with sugar and lemon on top were super good too. Renee did a super job of baking them for everyone and it was way better eating it with friends than at a pancake housee. I think I may get Kaylee and Sander to have a Dutch pancake day with me when I get back.

After eating our fill of pancakes we headed over to a bday party for a girl we didn't know by riding in the back of bikes agaib (woohoo!!). While at the party I made the realization that Dutch ppl are actually quite tall! There wasn't a short person present. It was fun being a part of a bday party in Holland but a short lived one due to Devonne and I having to wake up early to head to Barcelona. Saying good bye to everyone was sorta sad. I look forward to seeing those ppl again. 

Puctures: UFO building,  Frans and I, eating Dutch pancakes

Dutch land, I'm here!

Success! I finally get to see the famous Utrecht.

Devonne and I were to meet up at the Starbucks but there's two Starbucks so of course we went to separate ones but she eventually located me. We arrived at Nienke's after asking about 5 ppl how to get there, the man with an iphone and internet access was the most helpful. Meeting Nienke and Renee and seeing Frans and Jasper again was really cool. That night (Wednesday), Devonne and I got a true taste of "being Dutch". I rode (think sitting side saddle) on the back of Nienke's bike and Devonne on Jasper's bike. Truthfully, I wasn't so sure about trying it out, but after talking to Sander about it and realizing these are the moments I love on trips,  I was soon being biked over canals, through graffiti'd tunnels, and past traffic. What a fun experience!

The next day we went to Amsterdam. The 2.5 hr tour hosted by Sandmen New Europe was really good because we got to learn a little history and see areas that we may not have seen. We visited Vondel Park, ate falafel and saw the Red Light District (of course). We didn't stay too late in Amsterdam because we didn't feel like wandering around and getting lost in deserted areas wasn't too much fun. Once we got back to Nienke's, we had apple crumble with her and her roomates which was nice.

Pictures: canal in Amsterdam, Devonne showing off the fountain that looks like it should be from Harry Potter, me eating delicious falafel, a piece of artwork placed in the ground by an unknow person and many ppl from Amsterdam think it is a good representation of the Red Light District due to the the anonymity of the hand and boob and it puts no judgement on what happens in this area.

Messi is injured and won't be playing at the match I'm going to on Saturday.

: (

Good bye, Germany.

And now for some thoughts about my time in Germany.

I can't believe that I am heading to Holland already. I feel like I still have a couple of days left to spend here, but alas, I am on the ICE. I had a very good time in Germany and felt very comfortable.

The family I stayed with were so welcoming. They were very accomodating and made my stay very enjoyable. Each of the family members were so nice and included me in what they did. I do need to mention Judith, their 14 year old daughter,  as she helped me SO much while I was here. I do not think I would have had as much fun as I did if she wasn't there.  She is mature for a 14 year old, but still quite goofy. She was my little tour guide and translater and she did it all with a smile on her face. Her Danglish (a language she made up that is a mix of German and English), random singing and dance moves made it fun. She told me things and took me places I wouldn't have had a chance to experience. And, at the very end of the trip, (SPOILER TO MOM JOHN AND ERIN) she helped me mail chocolate off to my family and helped me get to Oberaussen, which would have stressed me out if I had to transfer by myself, to catch my train to Utrecht. She was the last one I said bye to in Germany and I think that it was perfect that it was this way. Danke, Judith!

I found some of the social behaviors of the Germans very interesting and neat. When someone enters a room, that person will greet each person individually with a hug or a handshake. It is not uncommon or weird if a guy and girl who are friends to hug each other, rather it seems this is normal. Also, I guess it is common for youth/ young adults to not commit to plans so you may not know if 2 ppl are coming to hang out or if 10 are. Everything is sort of last minute (I am glad that it is not really like this in Canada).

And now something I heard from Kris I swear at least once a day:  ah, I can't find [insert toothpaste, contacts,  brush, contact solution or anything that you may have in your suitcase here]. I dunno how she managed to misplace so much ;)

I think it Is time for a nap as I am meeting Devonne in 1 hr and tonight will probably be full of some adventures in Utrecht.

Hello, Holland.

Last 2 days in Essen, Germany

I am so relaxed and I don't feel the need to be rushing around Essen as I am enjoying spending time with the family and Kristina instead. However, we did go to a coal mine and refinery yesterday which was really neat. They have restored this area to make it more of a cultural center. It has paths all around it and you can go to the museum part for a fee (we opted to get stuff at the gift store). We then had a little lunch under the sun as it was a little chilly. Judith taught me how to say numbers one to five in German, which was pretty neat as I could pick out these words out in some conversations later in the day. In the evening of Monday I had a typical German meal of knödle, hamburger wrapped around hard boiled eggs and bacon wrapped around that and red cabbage as well. It was delicious! In the evening Kris went for a run and I talked with Judith,  David and Tim, David's friend. We talked about the similarities and differences between Canada and Germany but I can't seem to write any down right now because I have talked a lot about what it's like in Canada with ppl.

On my last full day in Essen, Judith and I went shopping. Yes, good ol' shopping at their mall and then to shops just outside of the mall.  It was fun seeing all the stores but it's not too different from what I'm used to. We had this huge cup full of ice cream which I guess is pretty common. For lunch we went to Va Piano which was super delicious and kind of reminded me of a similar setup as Famoso. Back at the flat after shopping we waited for Kris as it was her first day at her placement. She was pretty tired but noy too tires to help cook another German meal and cookies.  I forget the name of the dish but it was pasta with a cream bacon sauce. Yum, yum.

The few days in Essen have been wonderful, but tomorrow I head to Holland to meet up with Devonne, so another exciting leg of my journey soon to come.

Easter!

The last post was by Judith, so unfortunately I did not actually learn German that fast. I would suggest google translating it because it is a really good post. Here is what I actually had written:

Today was the first day I didn't wear long johns, not because it wasn't necessary, but more out of frustration with wearing long johns so much. Normally it is more spring like in Germany at this time of year, but it seems like the weather has been acting funny and everywhere in Europe is a bit colder than normal.

I find time change very confusing. There was the "spring forward" time change here, so that means I've done it twice this year. Will I be missing an hour out of my life? If I were to stay in Europe forever, would I lose 8 hours of my life? Time change makes me feel like I'm doing time travel. For some reason my mind is so boggled and amazed at the same time when I think of this. One day I will understand.

Anyways, Happy Easter!This morning I had a yummy sweet bread for breakfast before heading to the church service. The church service was interesting and I can't comment too much about it because it was all in German. I met a bunch of people that Kristina and the family knew, which was fun.Back at "home", we made a cake for Rebekkah's birthday (it's today, as well) which had apple sauce and whip cream in between the layers. After afternoon nap time, we all gathered and ate birthday cake, bienstich cake (bee sting cake), and this other cake that is made in vertical layers and then covered in chocolate.  It was a very sweet and satisfying tea time. I am enjoying how common it is to drink tea and have a little treat at some point in the afternoon or evening.

I received an audio clip from Chad which was really nice, but unfortunately haven't been able to connect with my Mom, John or Sis because of the time change and my schedule being spontaneous.

In the evening Kris and I went for a walk around with the area with the Mom, Inka (sp?). She told us that the area used to have a lot of coal and some areas that had train tracks have been redone to be paths for biking and walking. Kris will probably do her runs in this part. After this walk we relaxed a little more and then had bread and cheese for supper with some of Rebeka's friends for her bday. And, in the evening, the family,  Kris and I visited and had some good laughs. I said good bye to Rebekka as she was heading back to Berlin to prep for an exam.

I have been extremely fortunate to be welcomed into people's homes on this trip so far. They have made me feel very comfortable and I feel like I belong. I think it would be easy for me to to have a disconnected experience in Sweden and Germany so far, especially with me only knowing English, but the people Kristina have introduced me to have been so generous and caring. I can't really describe how this trip is right now, because I'm not having a typical tourist trip. It has been really special to actually build relationships as well as seeing new places. I know the tourist experience will come and that it will be fun too, but I am also enjoying how the trip is going so far.

Well, I think I've written enough.

Over and out.