Back to real life

Well, I'm home. My trip is over. It's time to start real life again. Here are some random closing thoughts about traveling/my travels:

The biggest difference between Europe and America that I noticed upon arriving in Atlanta, Georgia was the friendliness of the people. Americans are SO much friendlier!! I didn't talk to many people on the trains/metros/buses I rode in Europe. Everyone just wears their headphones and stares at the ground. I talked to at least 10 people in the Atlanta airport, and it was great conversation. Plus, we all spoke English! Yay!

Traveling is really a magical thing. It's so rewarding and something great to save up for. I'll never stop traveling.

If you want to see all of Europe...stick to the mainland. England/Scotland/Ireland/Wales are a trip in and of themselves. Everything is different across the water. I have to go back just to go to Ireland/Scotland, and I could have saved a lot of time/money by saving Bath/London for then! 

Don't be scared. I just spent two months in Europe BY MYSELF. I was never in danger. 

Growing up in Utah kept me very sheltered from the world (both good and bad). I knew nothing of the real world because I have only known the Mormon culture. Before I left, there were Mormons and non Mormons, and Mormons were the majority. After seeing/meeting a million people, I realize just how many people there are in the world. THERE ARE A TON! And even with a TON of people, no one is the same. Every single person is unique. It's amazing!

There are bad people, and there are good people that do bad things. They don't do bad things to be rebellious. Usually, they just do "bad" things because it's how they were raised. It's just what they do. They see no wrong in it, and I don't blame them. I'm so glad I was raised in the church and have chosen to fill my life with things of the gospel. What a happy life I live!

The Eurail pass was great, but I wish I would have known just how much the extra costs would be. The $750 pass turned into about $1000. I probably would have reorganized my travel plans so that I didn't have to spend so much on transportation. I had a 15 day travel pass and only ended up using 12 days (granted, I didn't know my dad would be coming to France with a car...).  

Don't do a workaway unless it's something you're really interested in.  I just wanted to see the sights, so spending time in a workaway got boring and annoying. I met awesome people and made forever friends, but the sights were my favorite part. I did like living a French/German/English lifestyle for a little bit though. I couldn't have done longer than 2 weeks in any one location though. I just wanted to move on.

Don't ever panic. Everything will always be ok. There is always another way, train, plane, hostel, etc. You are most important. Any THING can be replaced so don't worry about it. Just enjoy yourself while you travel.

Be brave. Go for it. Do it. Take advantage of every once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Watch out for pickpockets!

Read a few good guidebooks before going on your trip. Just because they give a museum 4 stars doesn't mean you have to visit the museum. Visit what interests you. 

Laugh.

Put down the map (unless you're somewhere like Paris).

Just sit sometimes. Just sit and people watch.

Make your dreeeammmss come truuuueeee!!

Pack light. Buy as you go.

Okay, that's all. I have jobs to apply for, people to see, and sleep to catch up on! Thanks again for following along. I had a GREAT time!

Home Sweet Home

Okay, so THIS will be the last post for a little bit until I get settled back at home,  go through my pictures, and have time to sort out my thoughts. 

I set my watch alarm for 5:15 am, but because of the necessary earplugs, I did not hear it. I woke up at 6:37, panicked, grabbed my things, and ran out the door all the way to the train station. I got there at 7 am, and got on the 7:15am train to the airport. Hair nor teeth brushed. 

Once I got to the airport I had to go on a shuttle, check in/get my boarding pass, go through security, and get to my gate. It is recommended that you get to the airport 2-3 hours early for international flights...I was just 1 hour early for all that. I made it to the gate, sat down for just five minutes, and then boarded the plane. I was so worried about missing my flight I was just sick! I'm sooo glad I made it.

We got "breakfast" on the plane but it was more like lunch. I slept for almost 2 hours and watched movies the rest of the time. We landed in Atlanta at 1:30pm. I went through customs/passport check, changed my 9:45pm flight to a 5:00pm flight so I wouldn't have to sit in the airport for 8 hours anxiously waiting to get home. I went through security again and then stopped at a bakery for some lunner. It was supposed to be Parisian, but they Americanized it quite a bit. The sandwiches had six times as much meat on them as they do in Paris, and the prices were twice as high..I guess I just can't get enough of the bakeries/cafes so I paid almost $20 for one sandwich and 2 pain au chocolats to take home to my sisters. The sandwich was good even though it wasn't really like Paris.

I sat at the gate and read until it was time to board. The plane coming in was 20 minutes late so my flight got delayed a good 50 minutes. We finally took off to SLC at around 6:00pm.  The movies cost money so I mostly listened to music and played a free trivia game on my little personal TV. I ate some pretzels and peanuts, took a 30 minute nap, and just sat there on the plane excited to get home.

My dad had arrived at the SLC airport from a flight of his own an hour before mine landed so he just waited outside my gate for me. It's kinda funny that he was able to both drop me off and pick me up right at my gate because of trips of his own. We walked to the car and drove home via Legacy Parkway. The mountains are even more beautiful after such a long time away...Utah is so pretty! I loved seeing the temple lit up and just knowing where I was going. 

I got home and was welcomed by a lovely sign that my family made for me. The words were spelled/phrased totally wrong (in French), but it was the thought that counts. It was fantastic! My sisters, mom, and dogs came running out for hugs and a picture by the sign. It was beyond great to see all of them, but it still feels like I never left. They got me balloons too. It was a great welcome home!

First thing I did when I walked through the door was change my clothes. I hadn't done laundry since Paris and was STINKY! I put on my ugliest/biggest sweats and enjoyed chicken and yellow sauce, a family favorite. I showed my family my magnet collection, told stories, and we enjoyed some Swiss chocolate and European chocolate bars. Mmmm mmmm good! 

Then, we watched Dancing With the Stars. It felt so good to sit around the TV with my family like we always do. So silly, but so true. I missed it. I missed them.

It is so good to be home! I can't get enough of my dogs, and I get to see more family tomorrow. 2 months really isn't that long, but there's a lot of love in this little heart of mine so 2 months felt like FOREVER! I will get situated in life and post pictures/comments soon (ish). 

Thanks again for reading!

Cheers!

Last day in London/Europe!

My last day in Europe was definitely a success. I can't believe I am about to enjoy (?) my last night NOT in my home/bed. I feel like I don't even know what/where home is. I only know the five outfits I have been wearing for the past 60 days. I don't remember how to use my cell phone!

I was the first one in bed lady night...it was eleven. Everyone else came pouring in around three. I got up and ate breakfast and what not and walked to my cousin's hotel which is about a mile away. We walked to Buckingham Palace and took pictures there. There was a very mini changing of the guard as well as some sort of running race/fundraiser going on. The palace is huge and I imagined Prince William and Princess Kate kissing and waving from the balcony. Sigh...it was lovely.

We hopped on a bus (our ticket was good for 24 hours) and we rode to as close to our next destination as possible and walked the rest of the way. We arrived at King's Cross Station and saw Platform 9 3/4 fully equipped with a trolley (luggage cart) disappearing into the wall to ye platform of the Hogwarts Express. So cool!! We took pictures pushing the cart. :D

We walked to another bus stop and hopped on for our last ride. We took it to an area of London we hadn't yet been and it was where church would be.

We got lunch at a little French cafe/bakery. Yummy! Then, we headed to find the church. The address took us to the Baden Powell House...It's basically a building with rooms you can rent out for various events/meetings. Baden Powell is the founder of the scouting program so it was both fitting and funny that church was held there.

We found two sister missionaries, one from New Zealand and one from Ogden, UT (small world), and we chatted with them for a while. The real church building was getting renovated and the Baden Powell House was just temporary. We made it in time for the YSA ward at 2:00. We talked to a few other members of the ward (one from Bountiful, UT) before Sacrament Meeting started.

It was fast and testimony meeting, and it was a great meeting. Since most all the members were there for school studying abroad and what not, there were people from all over the world. It was pretty amazing! The meeting was fabulous! It really was really great.

We walked to Kensington Palace and through the gardens there. My dad would have liked the gardens more than the ones in Paris because you're allowed to lay all over them! Everyone and their dog hangs out in the parks. There were kids scootering, girls long boarding, and lots of people riding bikes/walking. The weather was fantastic again today. It was just lovely.

We found an underground station and parted ways as he had a work dinner to get to. I went up and saw Abbey Road for my sister. I got pictures of me walking across it, but half of it was under construction so it wasn't really the full effect. I almost died too cause there are cars everywhere and it was just madness. So cool to walk where HP and the Beatles have in the same day! ;)

I got back on the underground and headed to the main part of London where I got more pictures and just walked around enjoying London. I walked quite a ways and was going to rent a bike to ride in the park, but the machine started malfunctioning and I was too hungry to wait any longer. I headed to Victoria Station to get my train ticket to the airport tomorrow. I got dinner at a cafe on the way...some sort of thai soup and a cheesy croissant (both were deliche). I walked back to my hostel so I could see how long of a walk it is for tomorrow. It took about thirty minutes. Boo.

I'm all packed up and ready to go! I am very anxious and excited to get home. Time has flown...I knew this would happen. I can't believe the past two months have happened! What an amazing experience. I am such a lucky girl and the things I have experienced will be with me forever. I have stories for forever. I love Europe. I love traveling. I thought this trip would satiate desire to travel, but it's just made me hungrier. There is just so much to see!! I plan on staying in the good old u s of a for a while though. :)

I have to wake up around 5 tomorrow. :( My plane leaves at 9 am and I have a thirty minute walk to the train station followed by a thirty minute train ride to the airport. I feel all emotional about coming home...I don't know why. I guess i'm just grateful for a wonderful home and family...being with them is better than the Eiffel tower, Big Ben, Venice canals, Bruges, Swiss Alps, Italian Riviera, and hot Italian men combined. Haha. I might burst into tears when I get home dear family...just to warn you.

Thanks for reading along and following my journey abroad. Advice/reflections on my trip to come later...laundry comes first. My clothes wreak!

Cheers!!!
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Sorry for the typos.

London

Ahhh...London was so refreshing for me! It was so great to be busy and seeing awesome things.

I got up, got on a train, arrived in London, got on the underground, arrived at my hostel (which is another bar with four floors of bunk beds...there are 14 people in my room), and walked to my cousin's hotel where we met up. We walked to Trafalgar Square and got on the hop on hop off tour bus to enjoy London. It was beautiful weather, sunny and warm, and we sat up top enjoying it as well as London. We saw almost every London monument along the way. Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminister Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, London Eye, Tower Bridge, London Tower, etc etc. We were entertained by the sights, but also by the differences in culture and people and our charismatic/sarcastic/goofy tour guide/commentator. We also saw the homes of famous people like JK Rowling!

We got off the bus and got on a boat to cruise the Thames. The river cruises I have done have been some of my favorites. I just like seeing the city while relaxing on a boat. We got good views of the London Eye, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, The Tower, Tower Bridge, London Bridge and many other bridges along the way. We got off and walked around the tower and across Tower Bridge. We jumped back on a bus and went for another little ride before getting off near the London Eye. We picked up our tickets for that and waited about thirty minutes in line to get on. The London Eye looks like a ferris wheel, but it's really not. It goes much slower. You load ten or twelve people into a glass ball and do one loop on it. The views are amazing, and we were lucky to see it just as it was getting dark and the lights were coming on. The car in front of us had just one young couple and a worker serving them a little wine picnic type thing. When they were at the top, the guy got on one knee and proposed. We watched the whole thing and just laughed...it was so cute! What a nice proposal.

After that amazingness, we grabbed some dinner-traditional English Fish n Chips- and parted ways for the night. I took a freezing cold shower when i got back :(

London is so big!! There are sooo many people here, and it's the off season. It's a fun place with lots to see though! I like it here, minus the crowds :)

Another fun filled day tomorrow!

Last day in Bath

With the exception of a couple hours this afternoon, I stayed busy today. It's a miracle, I know. After cleaning up my stuff (cause my room was reserved that night), I cleaned up the kitchen and the leaflet (brochure) area. I cleaned the front door and then Kari set me loose on the two disastrous rooms on the main floor. I turned the mess into an organized mess by putting receipts, papers, business cards, miscellaneous items, and rubbish (garbage) into separate piles. It took a long time but the room looked a lot better when I was done (minus the wall with all the crap stacked against it).

I then went for my last stroll through Bath. I bought new sunglasses and returned the stuff I bought yesterday. It was the warmest day of the year so far...it was hot! It was actually perfect, but I only have pretty warm clothes so I was hot.

Then I sat around/read/watched TV.

I helped Kari check in guests and put the linens into the closet I painted earlier this week. Her neighbor put nice shelves in. You can't really see my paint job, but it's in there. Haha.

Their oldest daughter (22 or 23) came home for the weekend so I met her and her boyfriend and also the oldest son's (18) girlfriend. We all ate dinner together. It was nice!

We chit chatted for a long while and then I said goodnight/goodbye cause my train leaves sort of early tomorrow.

My new room is a four poster, king size, ensuite room. Upgrade! I was in a twin before. I've never fancied a four poster, but this is lovely! Very pretty. I've never slept in a king before either haha.

I was really bored this week, but I got a lot of running in and of course learned a lot! There are so many people in this world, and no two are alike. It's amazing. Life is so different for everyone.

I now get to see London and then I get to go home. I'm seeing London with my cousin, and I'm really excited! It will be a great weekend here in England. I am going to sleep so it all comes faster. :)

Na na na na boo boo

After breakfast, cleaning a step ladder, and dusting (and breaking :/ ) two chandeliers, I went for my longest run yet. I went at least five miles. So nice. The weather was perfect today. I guess sunshine is rare here in England so I got lucky!

I took my time sitting around in the afternoon. I headed to town and went shopping (I'm going to return everything I bought tomorrow haha) and then I went to see The Hunger Games!! Na na na na boo boo! I love being six hours ahead of home. The show started at 8. I had bought my ticket online yesterday, but I went early just in case. There was like no one there. No line. No costumes. I was bummed!

I sat in the lobby until ten to eight and then I went and found my seat. It was only on one screen but the theatre wasn't even full!! At home, my sister got her ticket weeks ago and I'm sure it's in multiple screens.

The movie was most excellent. Intense. Sad. Scary. Lovey dovey. Etc. I cried at least five times. It was just great. I loved it.

I'm back at the B&B now. I think Kari said my room is reserved tomorrow night...so I don't know where I'm sleeping or peeing tomorrow night. Who cares though cause after that I'm headed to London!!!

Sit around away

All I did today was polish silver, walk the dog, and read. Only two more days of this boredom!