Bocas Del Toro, Panama

I first want to go over how to get here because it was a little complicated when booking. You will fly into Tocumen International Airport, take a 30-40 min UBER to Albrook airport (You have to go on Air Panama website to book this ticket) and it is a quick 1 hour flight to Bocas! 

We stayed in Bocas Town on Isla Colon which is what I would recommend doing. You can take a water taxi to the other islands and explore but water taxis don’t run as much once the sun goes down so it would kind of be a bummer to not be able to eat dinner in town. The food in town is awesome! If you have any dietary restrictions there are several places that can accommodate it.  

The thing about Bocas is that you can do it very cheaply (This was our one big trip this year so we did not but it is an option if you just want to get there to surf and don’t care about compromising comfort). There are hostels there that charge $15 or less a night for a bed and $30-40 for a private room. Keep in mind that these are hostels and typically have a shared bathroom and if you do not opt for a private room, you ARE sleeping with a bunch of strangers. I did this when I was in college and didn’t think twice about it but now I really just want my own space. Plus I have to be honest we did hear about a lot of people getting bed bugs from their hostel SOOO check those Tripadvisor reviews. 

We stayed in Azul Paradise in Bocas town and it was definitely the nicest hotel in town and was still only about $160 a night. Bocas is a little surf town so if you are going expecting something luxury you may be a little disappointed. I have never been and I just wanted a place where I could store my passport and laptop safely and also not get bed bugs. Azul was above and beyond what I expected and the staff there was amazing! I actually was sad to say goodbye to them!  The hotel was right on the water and had such a beautiful view of the other islands. 

Isla Colon is where Bocas town is located.  This is where the bulk of the hotels, hostels and restaurants are. Since the water taxis are a struggle to take after dark we ate all of our dinners in town. Some of my favorite dinner spots were Om Café, Tequila Republica, Ultimo Refugio and Bocart. All of these had Vegan/vegetarian options. Best breakfast spots were La Buga and Café del mar.  

A lot of my instagram stories were taken on the Floating Bar. It is a $2 water taxi from town and it is the perfect spot! It is surrounded by crystal blue water where you can snorkel and swim AND they have amazing homemade tacos and fresh margaritas! Still dreaming about their ginger marg. If you want to get a workout you can Kayak or Paddle Board there. I kayaked one day and it took about 20 minutes. Most people are in swimsuits soaking up the sun and playing in the water. Tacos, Tequila and tanning! What could be better?

Carenero Island is across from Isla Colon and has the closest beach to the main town. This was also a $2 water taxi. There are two highlights from this island. One is Leaf Eaters Café. They have non-vegan food as well but they are known for their amazing plant based cuisine and it is really good! This is a good lunch spot because it is a little bungalow over the water and you can jump in the crystal clear blue water and swim around while you wait. The second highlight was that you can hike along the coast of this Island and find secluded beaches along the way. The hike was beautiful and we were able to lay out and relax with no one else around us!   

Isla Bastimentos is another Island located about a $7-8 water taxi ride away. This is where Red Frog Beach is located. Red Frog Beach was beautiful and worth doing a day trip. Some of the beaches you can’t really swim as the waves are hectic and there are a lot of Surfers but Red Frog was calm enough to swim around and the water is crystal clear with soft white sand. This was by far the most beautiful beach we visited but it was a little hectic and far to get to. The water taxi is $7-8 a person per way and you have to pay a $5 toll per person to pass through this trail filled with wildlife. It is worth it but that is why I recommend making a day of it. They have limited lunch spots so I would recommend bringing a picnic or snacks! Also located in Bastimentos is the sister resort to where we stayed. If you are looking for some instagram worthy photos Azul Paradise in Bastimentos is beautiful! There is a day pass that includes your boat ride there and back as well as lunch. The beach there is really nice and relaxing if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. 

The wildlife in Bocas is incredible. We took a boat out one day with some friends and not only saw several dolphins but they followed the boat and played in the wake. We also say Monkeys and Sloths during our hike in the jungle. You do have to go off the beaten path to find these guys. 

Last but not least, the nightlife is crazy in Bocas. There is an event called Filthy Fridays that they host every Friday and it is a multi-island day drinking event. We did not make it to one of these but town was packed full of people wearing Filthy Friday apparel Friday mornings. Thankfully the boats leave town around noon and town frees up a bit. The entry for this is only about $25 but we did hear if you are not interested in attending the whole event, that you could just head to Aqua Lounge on Carenero Island right before 5pm and that is where the party gets crazy. Summer and La Iguana are super cool nightclubs and on the water. There seemed to be something being promoted every night. If this is your scene, you will not be disappointed. We had early mornings full of exploring and surfing so we didn’t partake in this much but it looked super fun! 

Sag Harbor, NY

Sag Harbor is a cute little town that is full of restaurants and shops. It is probably my favorite town to hang out when I am out here. There are several great places to eat, shop, and my favorite coffee shop is located here. 

There are a few cute surf shops along the strip. There is also this fun shop called Flash Back, which has some cute lounging clothes. If you are like me and like to admire yachts while secretly googling the names to see how much it costs to rent for the week then there is a beautiful dock for you to do so here. 

Let's get into places to eat! There is this health food store called Provisions that has prepared food to order in the back. Everything I have had on their menu has been amazing. I bring anyone that visits me here and it is always one of the places they want to go back to. It is a breakfast and lunch spot and is super easy and healthy! They have a ton of vegetarian and vegan options. 

Sen is one of our favorites, right in Sag Harbor Town! It is a Japanese restaurant with the best Sushi in the area. It is expensive but well worth it. 

Finally, this is where you will find the best coffee in the area. Sagtown Coffee has a local surf vibe with quality coffee. Coffee is one of my favorite things and it is a huge bummer that Starbucks is really my only option in East Hampton. 

Based off the name I am sure you could guess but there is a harbor here and there are some very large yachts and some super modern speedboats that pass through. If you are into boats there is a dock you can hang out on and admire them ⚓️

East Hampton, NY

Summering in the Hamptons? It is a beautiful place and I am lucky enough to call it home! It is definitely crazy here this time of year with everyone vacationing but it is nice to be busy sometimes. So I wanted to break "The Hamptons" up into their respective towns because they are all very different and I have enough to dive into in each one. East Hampton is where I spend most of my time, mainly because it is where I live 😜

East Hampton town has a lot to offer from shops to restaurants to my favorite little bar. Shopping wise, East Hampton has a few of the basics like Lululemon and Brandy Melville but there are more high-end boutiques and Designers. Elevated brands = $$$$, if you do go shopping here just be prepared that it will destroy your wallet. My favorite shop in East Hampton right now is Reformation. Really cute, summery clothes. There is also a Tory Sport, Jack Rodgers, John Varvatos and James Perse. 

There are a few places around East Hampton that I would recommend to eat:

La Fondita has awesome Mexican Food. They will be expanding but as of right now they do not have liquor, only beer. SO NO MARGS 🚫🍹=😬. But the food is good and it is mainly outdoor seating with a cute little courtyard.

Want a fun spot for Sushi and Sake bombs? Try Zakura. Not super stoked on their sushi BUT it is super affordable especially for this area so great for big parties. If you are looking for good Sushi in East Hampton, Zokkon has better Sushi at the same price but alcohol seems to be more expensive there than Zakura.

Babette's is a great brunch spot and has a few Vegan options as well. Just be aware that it is extremely expensive. Portions are kinda big so I suppose you could split. Avoid the brunch cocktails though, overpriced and not much alcohol.  

Now for my FAVORITE bar! There is a little bar in East Hampton called The Blue Parrot. It is set back in the town and kind of hidden. They do lunch and dinner and it is really good! The nachos are unreal but they also have vegetarian and vegan options that are not on the menu but also really good! It is a fun spot filled with fun people. They have a DJ every Thursday night and it gets pretty crazy. There is also Cornhole outside, which is fun to play while it is sunny. The Staff is super friendly and always smiling. This place defiantly has a local vibe to it. Go casual with a relaxed mindset. 

Unfortunately, there are no great Coffee Shops in East Hampton. There is a Starbucks if you are dying and need one but whatever you do, don't get sucked into the Golden Pear. Worst coffee ever and so overpriced. Their breakfast food is pretty good, but I got a latte there recently and I swear it was sugar and water and like $6. Once in awhile I will give it another chance and always immediately regret it. Go to Sag Harbor or Amagansett for good coffee ☕️!

Last but not least, there is really no where to park at the Beaches. You need a beach pass at almost every East Hampton beach and they will absolutely give you a ticket. Parking incorrectly here can cost you A LOT. So your best bet is to either UBER, Bike or Catch The Free Ride in town. More info on The Free Ride here: http://thefreeride.com/east-hampton.php  

Happy Summer and hope to see you out here! 😘

Traveling with an Emotional Support Animal

Occasionally I will take my dog Kona on a trip with me. Kona has been my Emotional Support Animal since 2015. As much as I LOVE to explore, I do not love to fly. My great grandparents died in a plane crash, so could have something to do with that but this isn't my therapy session so let's move on. Many people are interested in ESAs (Emotional Support Animals). I am always asked a lot of questions about mine and how it works. I am more than happy to share! Whether it is pure curiosity, a desire to know if an ESA is right for you, or getting out of paying $200 to fly with your animal, I have all the details on an ESA. 

An ESA is a companion animal that a medical professional has determined will provide support to an individual. Unlike a Service Animal, they are not trained to perform a specific task. So let's start with "How do you get this?"

Kona, carrying den, and all natural relaxation blend 

"HOW DO I GET AN ESA?"

Whatever you do, do NOT use an ESA online registration, Those are a scam and although they may get you past some laid-back landlords and mall cops, it will not get you on an airplane (especially with all these new "crack downs"on ESAs). You will need to speak to your primary care doctor and potentially a specialist, like a psychiatrist, depending on what your need for the animal is. Some of the most common qualifying conditions are: Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks, Mood Disorder, and Fear/Phobia... But there are many other ways an ESA can support you! So if you feel your animal helps you in some way than talk to your Doctor! 

"HOW DO I BOOK MY ESA?"

Okay, so you are ready to book your flight! You must let the airline know you will be traveling with your ESA. Most airlines require notice 48 hours before your flight but I recommend adding them immediately or at least send an email to the correct point of contact so it is on record that you reached out. Most airlines make it pretty easy to add. Some will need a copy of the Doctor's note emailed in advance. You will also need to bring a hard copy. PRO TIP: If this is your first time using this note with this airline, ask where you can email the letter and have confirmation that it complies with all of their requirements. If you wait until you get to the airport and something is missing from it, you may be subject to unnecessary stress resulting in worry lines.   

"DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS?"

Yes, several: 

1. The week before you fly do not feed your animal anything out of the ordinary. 
2. I pick up his water dish the morning of our flight and I give him water immediately when we land. 
3. I usually skip my pups dinner the day before he travels, allowing at least 24 hours between his last meal and getting to the airport. Some airports have Pet Relief areas which are like public restrooms with a patch of fake grass. My dog decided he was scared of this and instead 💩 on the airport floor in front of several people. It was mortifying, which brings me to the next step...
4. In case your pet does have an accident, bring some baggies and paper towels. But you shouldn't need them because you followed steps 2 and 3 😉  
5. An ESA can sit on your lap or under the seat in front of you. Pack a blanket your animal can cozy up with. 
6. If you think your animal will be stressed out you can get them an herbal relaxation blend from a pet store. 
7. Flying with an ESA is new to a lot of people including some airline employees. The more you know, the better. If someone tells you something that does not seem right or align with your knowledge then it is okay to kindly question it. KINDLY!!! Remember where you are, don't go getting on the "no fly" list.  
8. Your ESA does not need a special vest or a pet carrier but if you want to avoid extra questions from strangers there are ESA vests available to buy. If I can bring his carrier I will, he does like to go under the seat and nest in it. 
9. Finally, airports are full of germs and most likely your pet has chosen to lie on the airport and/or airplane floor. When you get to your destination, immediately wash your pet before they contaminate everything. 🐶🚿

Kona modeling his vest

Best of luck and happy traveling! 

---

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Just a girl that has done extensive research and had first hand experience with this.

Mustique

Okay so this place is the epitome of Paradise. Mustique is a private island in the Caribbean archipelago nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This Island has beautiful white-sand beaches and is covered with lush green landscape. There is a small village in Britannia Bay with two adorable, colorful houses. These contain a little Boutique, a Market and and Ice cream shop. (See photos below)   

As for animals, there are a few Island dogs and cats although they are all taken great care of, so no reason to be sad by this, They roam the Island during the day but most have collars and all are well fed and bathed. The Island is also covered in tortoises 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢 We found a baby tortoise living in our garden (Pictures below) and the locals told us they enjoy fruit so if you continue down the page you will find a video of 2 baby turtles eating a banana slice.

And as promised...

Also I am OBSESSED with sea turtles. I think they are the most magical creatures, and if you head to Britannia Bay in the morning and bring some snorkeling gear or at least googles you can swim with them! You have to swim about 25-40 feet out to see them. 

The most popular beach is Macaroni Beach, this is the beach I am walking on in my first slide show (scroll up). The water is crystal clear and light blue while and the sand is white and soft. You can have lunch at one of the tables which I highly recommend. 

Basil's Bar is the main bar where everyone goes. It was just renovated and looks brand new and clean but still has that "beachy" vibe. They also serve food here and the Fish Tacos are awesome. 

Fun Facts:  

1.  Many celebs and famous people vacation and own houses in Mustique. It is one of the reasons this island has gained so much attention. Mick Jagger was casually hanging out at Basil's one of the nights we were there. 
2. There are about 90 Villas on the island, We stayed in Oceanus 
3. Victoria's Secret does a Photo shoot here 
4. Rum Punch is the go-to island drink here 

Where I stayed: https://www.mustique-island.com/villa/oceanus/

Providence, Rhode Island

Work brought me on a trip to Rhode Island so I did not have too much time to explore. I don't have much to report but there is a lot of gorgeous architecture. In some areas it felt as though I was in the Colonial era.  For those of you that have never been, you need to check out Providence. Also, it is the home to Brown University so the nightlife is pretty awesome. Now that I am living on the East Coast I will definitely go back to Rhode Island and explore more! 

Curaçao

I wanted to go somewhere fun and adventurous for my last Spring Break of college, so I decided to check out Curaçao. It is a small Island located near Aruba and Bonaire. I traveled with my boyfriend Charlie and we were blown away by how big the island actually was when we got there. It reminded me of a Mini Amsterdam! We stayed at the Marriott and it was right on the beach. The resort was fantastic and the people working there were amazing!

Charlie and I spent our first day on the beach and put on loads of sunblock, including Versa Zinc on our faces but the sun is super strong and we still got fried! Fortunately, we found some aloe plants at our hotel so I used the natural aloe and it helped a lot! (Pictured below)

The second day we wanted to check out the Floating Market so we walked into town to check it out. It was fun to see, but extremely touristy. It was the main attraction for people unloading from cruise ships. The markets were called "floating" because the foundation of them are boats.

We walked into town a lot and it took about an hour and a half from the Marriott. Everything is very expensive on the island so we talked to some locals about where we should eat and they gave us some great choices of places with awesome food and decent prices!

Here is a list of places I would recommend:

1. Peril del Mar: It is on the water, absolutely beautiful, great seafood
2. La Baila: Overlooks water, town, and ferry. Great food, fun atmosphere.
3. Steak & Ribs: On the water, Amazing seafood!!! great prices
4. Vela Cafe: good wraps, sandwiches, and beer. In town by the Curaçao sign. Good prices. Good for lunch.

Curacao Sign

The best beer ever

Rome/Florence/Amalfi Coast, Italy

The second part of our Spring Break we planned an Italy tour!  We flew into Rome and had two days to conquer our sight seeing list. We walked around Rome for a few hours right when we got there just to check out the city, after getting some Italian wine of course. We walked to see the Venetian, which was being set up for holy week (Easter).

The next day we went on a tour at the coliseum as well as some Roman ruins. I actually learned a lot about Rome’s history and it was cool to see some things in real life that I have learned throughout the years in school. I never thought I would see Roman ruins in real life but they were incredible. Right at the end of our tour there was a down our of rain so we took cover and got some glasses of wine. After having great company and great wine, the rain let up and we continued exploring. We went to Trevi Fountain and got our “Lizzie McGuire on” and if you don’t know that reference, in her movie she threw a coin over her shoulder into the fountain making a wish and became famous, fell in love, you get the point. We walked up the Spanish stairs, got some cute pictures of the three of us, and we ended our day by checking out the Pantheon.

The next day we took the Italiotren to Florence where me and Hanna each had a friend studying. We went to see the BoboliGardens before meeting up with Hanna’s friend Anna who helped show us around. We got some wine and went to the Piazza de Michael Angelo to listen to music and watch the sunset. A bunch of people we knew were there hanging out and and it was so fun to see some of the friends I had to say bye to in December before we left school. We went to dinner and our friends brought us to some of their bars. The nightlife was so much more laid back then in Barcelona and I got to wear leggings and boots out! We were done with the bars around 2 am, which is just about when the secret bakeries open! Secret bakeries are these little windows or doors where you can pick up pastries being freshly baked to be sent out to the bakeries in the morning. We obviously went to find one of these and it was by far the best pastry I have ever had. On our final day in Florence, my friend Rachel who studied there showed us all the places to go. We went to the leather market, Ladurée, this unreal Panini place, and saw all her favorite places.

That night we got on a bus to the Amalfi Coast. Here we were meeting some of our friends who are studding in Prague. We got in around 3am and were told to be up by 6AM. So rough but we managed with A LOT of coffee! We got on a boat that showed us some of the sights off of the water, including the Blue Grotto. Then we went to Capri to explore, tried a bunch of limoncillothere and went on this incredible hike to get back to our Ferry. The second day was supposed to be our beach day at Positano but when we got there, there was an insane rainstorm. Everyone ran off the ferry and straight for cover. We sat in a covered patio and got lunch while watching the rainstorm. The ferry ride home in the storm was horrible. The water was so rough that they were having difficulties boarding us on the boat and once we were on, the boat was getting tossed by the waves. So many people were getting seasick and throwing up over the boast; and so many drunk kids were running around and falling everywhere as the boat jerked around. I will admit that I was pretty scared for us. After getting back to the hotel and calming down, we got ready and went to this bar that was outdoors. On our way there we got stuck in a road block for one of their religious ceremonies celebrating Holy Week (Which is like Easter). They ceremony/parade was very eerie and they were all dressed in black outfits that are comparable to the Ku Klux Klan style. It was cool to see how different their culture and celebrations were though.

The next day we took on the city for Easter. We started our morning off with some cocktails outside in the sun, walked around the coast and settled down on the beach for a while.

On our final morning the buses took us to Naples and our tour guide told us to try this espresso drink and Pizza, as Naples is the pizza capital of the World. Fun Fact: Margarita Pizza was invented in Naples, representing the Italian Flag. Red Sauce, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil. When we ordered the coffee they told us about it was a shot glass size and we asked for bigger. The lady said we were crazy but gave it to us. We definitely should have listened to her. Everyone’s body was freaking out from a combo of the caffeine and sugar overload. It was actually pretty scary for a little but after getting food my body calmed down. Hanna, Haley, and I grabbed a cab to the Naples airport where we had some time before heading to Barcelona. I was trying to sleep but was so nauseous from the stupid drink that I kept having to get up and get air and walk around. I ended up getting so sick and throwing up black espresso, lesson learned… do as the locals do!

Amsterdam, Netherlands

This past weekend I was in Amsterdam, and it was like a dream world. Walking through Vondel Park is how I imagine the 70’s were. The first day we were there we walked around and wanted to go see what the Red Light district was. We decided that we should probably go to a sex show…When in Amsterdam, right? Thank God for Vodka that night, can't believe that is legal. The Red light district was so crazy. It is literally a row of prostitutes that stand behind glass dressed in close to nothing to lure anyone looking in! It made me kind of sad honestly.

The next day We went to The Anne Frank House which was sad but also really fascinating to see where she lived. I have always been interested in Anne Frank and her story and it was so incredible to get to see the annex she hid in and to see pages of her actual diary. It was definitely more somber of a day trip so we headed over to the Heineken Brewery to cheer up and learn how their beer is made. It definitely did the job! Friday was cold and cloudy so we got our 2 museums done and then went out to meet some friends from Colorado at a bar.

Saturday was absolutely gorgeous! We could not have asked for a better day! We went to the park with the IAMSTERDAM letters and then went to the Tulip Fields. The Tulip Fields surrounded this insane Garden of flowers and crazy trees and sculptures. It was actually like Alice and Wonderland.

We met some American guys there that were renting a houseboat and they invited us to come drink later that night. So we met up with them and then went to a club.

Sunday everyone had to leave early and my flight was booked for later so I walked around to see the main part of town and went shopping before heading to the airport to finish all my homework. 

London, England

Finally 21 years old! Over the weekend of February 19th-23rd in I was scheduled to go to London with all my friends and we were going to celebrate my birthday. I got to the airport with my friend Haley and I was having technical difficulties and our airline’s employees had already packed up and went home. So after being told several different places to go I missed my flight. While I was talking to the agent, Haley called me to tell me that the plane door closed and no one else was on it. So separately all my other best friends missed the flight too. So we bought new flights for 7 am went to the liquor store and killed a bottle of Vodka before we passed out for an hour nap to then get up and go back to the airport early of course.

We woke up around 3:30 am and all got in a cab with 4 liters of mimosas. This time we made our flight.

We got out to London and it reminded me so much of the East coast. It was foggy and slightly cold. And they speak ENGLISH there!!!! It was a nice break for awhile. We got to the hostel and then met Jenn our friend from CU who is studying there. It was so nice having her there because she was the best tour guide!

She brought us to this pho place.  We then walked around, went shopping for a bit and then to the London Eye, which was amazing. We went to a really new club that night and met some girls from London. I have no idea how we figured out the bus system to get home but it was a successful day for sure!

Friday we went to Harrods, an insanely huge departmemt store, and shopped around in London. We saw the Queen’s Palace and walked around to sight see. This night we went to Fabric, which is a club that is 7 rooms I believe and they are different themes. It was actually so cool.

Our group in front of the city and Big Ben

                                      At The Queen's Palace

The next day we went to Kensigton Palace and walked around the gardens there. We then went to the 9 ¾ Harry Potter Metro stop.

Kensington Palace garden 

Below is some pictures in front of the London eye and during the ride so you can see the incredible view of the city. 

Lisbon, Portugal

I met a girl on my plan ride here who lived in Lisbon so she convinced me I needed to see Portugal and I am so glad she did! Lisbon exceeded any expectations I could have possibly thought of. We had a group of 15 in our Hostel and about 20 total of us staying in Lisbon. The first night we went to an authentic Portuguese dinner and then to Bairro Alto (the main strip for nightlife and bars) and here we just bar hopped. The next morning, my friends from CU, arrived to meet us and we walked around Lisbon for 9 hours making sure to see all of the city. We went to the museum of Fashion and Design (sorry, no pictures-they don't allow cameras in there). We went to Belém after, which is a cute little beach town, and we tried their famous Pastel de Belém, from Pastéis de Belém (http://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/).

Later we got ready and went to the bars and ended up tagging along with a pub crawl. Although we didn't have wrist bands (because we didn't pay), the tour guide did not notice us as she was already dealing with 30 drunk american students. Poor thing!

We then caught a cab and headed to their famous club, the Lux, but laughed at the bouncer who told us it was 260 euro cover charge (about 300 US dollars). We still don't know if there was an event this night or why it was so expensive but regardless we left. My friend Nicole and I got lost from the group and since no one can use their phones outside of Spain, we just stayed at the club until 6am when we could reunite. When we left it was heavily raining (It was rain season there and when it rains, it POURS). We still had no idea how to get back but luckily we met some American guys studying in London who we hung out with until we could find our way in the daylight.

The next morning I rallied myself to hike to this castle located on the top of a mountain with my freshman roommate Morgan and her friends (they were studying in Seville and met us in Portugal for the weekend).

It was an uphill trek for roughly an hour but it was well worth it. It was by far one of the most incredible places I have ever been. I fell in love with Lisbon and for sure will be back!

Fun Fact: A lot of the people who beg for money on the street here play the accordion and carry chihuahuas. I tried to steal all of the dogs.

Paris, France

Traveling to Paris with my best friends! Our hostel was in China town and we were visiting during a Chinese Holiday so there were rituals, parades, and celebrations in our neighborhood every day and night.

It was incredible! When we first arrived we made friends with a local who helped us find our way to our hostel. He also gave us some traveling and sight seeing advice. Our first day we went to the Louvre, which was so cool. The Louvre, is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, France and also is home to the Mona Lisa (Pictured below).

We went to a market in town and bought a bunch of champagne and walked around a park where we found a ferris wheel that allowed you to see the whole city, The Roue de Paris. We snuck are champagne on the ride. It was super romantic and I highly recommend! The second day we bought a lock and wrote all our names on it to lock to the famous bridge amongst many others. This is a tradition that most people do with a boyfriend or a husband but we put all six of our names on it. UPDATE: This bridge has been removed and Paris is trying to ban love locks. So I guess it is kind of considered a "Fuck You" to Paris and it's locals if you do it, so don't. Sorry Paris, this was before your face lift. 

Later we went to the Eiffel tower and bought more champagne because we thought it would be cute to drink some champagne and watch the eiffel tower lights (You should google a video of this, super pretty).

Our pre-game got pretty sketchy quickly when the Eiffel tower alarm started sounding and then these guys wouldn't leave us alone. We took off to the main street and one of the guys started following us! Luckily we saw a police station and hung out there until we couldn't see him. So take note, Eiffel Tower is NOT somewhere to be at night, watch the lights from somewhere else. We went to hail a cab and while figuring out our cab situation, surprise, the man is behind us again! My friend from CU, threatened to break her champagne bottle on his head while we crammed in the cab to get away.

We went to a local club and it was very cave-like, different from Barcelona's. I met some French boys who spoke a little Spanish. I attempted to talk to them but both of our Spainsh was terribly and it got too frustrating. Communicating was difficult, as we knew no French but people were a lot friendlier than I expected and almost everyone was willing to help. Oh we also got kicked out of McDonald's by the bouncer- Yes, Paris McDonald's had a bouncer and when they close, you leave or get removed, physically. 

Below are some views from Bellville Park,

Madrid, Spain

Madrid was AMAZING! I went with my friend from CU, Michelle (picture below), and her three roommates she is living with in Barcelona.

We rented an apartment right in the center of town. The first day we explored Madrid and their central park, where we checked out the crystal palace (Picture below). There are several crystal palaces in Europe, they are architectural structures influenced by the glass and iron structural techniques that were admired in World fairs.

We went to the San Miguel Market a bunch, which is essentially 20 different food stands along with different bars and wineries; and it is all jam packed of people! This is a very well known place and the food is unreal, if you ever make it to spain, make sure you go!

On our second night we went to an authentic Paella restaurant and then to a Flamenco show.  It is funny how different their culture is in Spain.

And here is another beautiful example of the architecture in Europe!

Berlin, Germany

I went to Berlin for this past weekend, and it was so cool. It was a lot colder than Barcelona and I definitely was not prepared for this weather, but luckily I can legally drink here!

I went with some people I met through my program and they end up being Kappas (Kappa Kappa Gamma, the sorority I am associated with) as well! So we threw up our KKG sign in front of the Reichstag (Picture below), which is the meeting place of the Bundestag "Federal Assembly", the lower house of Germany's national legislature. More info on Reichstag here: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Reichstag-building-Berlin-Germany

First trip, of course I had first mistakes. I did not bring enough money and finding an ATM was like searching for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I even went to two banks and they couldn't tell us where to go for one. Feeling a little homesick, Lizzy and I stopped at Starbucks and got something to remind us of home. I don't know why but Starbucks here is 1 million times better than in the United States (not surprised).

Since we were only there for the weekend, we did all the most touristy things possible, including a tour bus. I am normally very against this but it was a double decker bus and that was on my list of things to do here. Below is an area of the bombed out Berlin wall. We also went to Museum Island and checked out all the artifacts that were stolen from different countries by Germany and found in mass warehouses.

The first night we were here we meet some great people from Dublin who rallied us to go out; and the last night we befriended some locals who took us to a local bar. What appeared to be a bar from the main entrance turned into a big dance floor and club that was hidden in the back.

Some interesting things about Berlin (Disclaimer, these are things I have observed and may not be the law, norm, whatever):

-You have to pay to use the Restroom everywhere-even train stations

-You can drink while in public, and when you are done with your beer it is nice to leave it on the side of the street for someone to pick it up and recycle for money (A local told me this and he was probably messing with me so fact check if you go)

-You can smoke in almost every facility and closed room which I hated because your clothes smell like cigarettes

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona has been amazing so far! When I first stepped foot off the plane I had no expectations. I realized I didn’t have phone service or wifi and I had no idea where I was meeting my friends to stay the night. My bags didn’t make it from my connecting flight and I started to panic. No clothes, no phone, and no idea how to speak Catalan! I CLEARLY was not as prepared at all. I came here to put myself out of my comfort zone and I definitely accomplished that quickly. I have been here for 5 days, still no suitcases but bought some new clothes; and I am even starting to be able to pick up on some of the Catalan (I took Spanish in High school and it is similar). I finally have a good sense of where everything is, relative to where I am staying. I am so excited and cannot wait to keep exploring! Here is some pictures of how beautiful the architecture is here.