Je suis en amour, en amour, en amour!!!! Je ne veut jamais Partir Paris!!! D'accord, en anglais.
I am in love, in love, in love!!! I never want to leave Paris!!! I knew it I knew it...the moment we stepped out of the hostel I started jumping and doing our family happy dance. By fire to back up...
When I last left you I actually just finished my blog and then...yes yes...I see locks of golden curly hair enter the building and she turns, drops her bags and we rush into such a tight embrace- finally the ash's reunited!!! Oh tears of joy and passing frustrations all spilled out as well as our stories and difficult travels. Oh man just being with ash again alone feels SO amazing oh yeah AND that we are in Paris on top of all that!! Man...couldn't be better. So far this is the happiest and most alive I have felt on this entire trip; this is the transformation I have felt itching inside of me...and I had a feeling deep down this would bein in Paris. And oh yes it has commenced, the sheddin of old skin and new beginnings and more than a more than anything discovering bits and pieces of myself that already reside within me. Bring it ON!
So....as I waited for ash to arrive all the while in the lounge wifi area I was catching up on emails, Facebook, my blog and this British sounding guy was also in the room (who also speaks some French as well)- I diet say anything because I needed some me time and also was a bit why of course - but it was only us two I the room for a good hour and a half! Then Ash arrives and after out reuniting he starts to kind of chuckle in agreance to something and that's when we three hit I off. Hahaha and ash was like " wait he speaks English this whole time?? After witnessing the break down and spillage??" yes ash, yes lol. But it was great. And we just let loose and made a great new friend right away! Finally ash and I could check in and our new friend Hamish invites us to join him for crêpes at this great little hole in the wall literally place - asd so my French is put to the test on the streets of Paris! Even when we checked into our room I said I needed to practice and the girl web slowly with me which loved! I am understanding and conversing much more than I thought! Still lots ahead but I am SOOO excited.
So Hamish became our little tour guide since he had already been here for a couple days - we wandered Montemarte and went to Sacre Couer where we got an amazing view of he city!!! Inwas crying inside and I haven't smiled so much in Awhile. I have a constant grin. We then proceeded inside after seeing some distant street performers and observed some extremely fat and fury pigeons (an albino looking one too! Haha). Inside was breath taking and people were confessing all around - so sacred and no pictures. Afterwards we proceeded around he back and found un petit rue et voilà, we found a stand stating: "vin chaud et chocolat ancienne" - hot wine and ancient chocolate! We stopped in of course and picked up a glass of hot mulled wine mmmmm soooo good. Then the wandering continued.
We made our way back to near the hostel where Hamish departed so ash and I went to the front of the Moulin Rouge and took photos and everything! Then we went back up to Montmartre, found a cafe and had coffee (amazing btw) with a plate of three cheeses, un baguette, and a salad with walnuts...yes I had cheese and it was SOO good. Yeah the vegan thing...kind of going out the window on this trip heh...but I will stick tobmy vegetarianism. Lol. OH and on our way to this cafe we stopped into a boulangerie for our first croissants aux buerres!!! Oh mon dieu!!! C'est très très manifique!! And sitting at that cafe, it hit me. I was SO happy just SO incredibly happy. Nothing matters but this moment and I realized I don't need dance or anything else to make me happy - just me. I just felt so alive and still do. No worries, no regrets, nothing but the present. Everything else will fall into place as it should but in that moment I lived and it was perfect. Being alive is attaining "perfection" because once you just shut up and be still, you become aware of all the little parts to make you up and you are alive which is exactly why we are on this earth- to be ALIVE and share that wih everything and everyone!!! I am in love my heart is swollen.
So we decide to go back to the hostel while picking up some affordable good cheap wine and stopping into a little shop where we purchased little silk scarves. Our next plan was Eiffel Tower. Mmmmm and so our adventure begins: and man let me just say soonanistic these French men are too much! Twice in this evening at he metro two different guys have come up very closer me and damn lemme just tell you if looks could kill, my eyebrow would have done a number on them!!! Ash was laughing. Haaaa. Yeah back off yo. But anywho as we are approaching our metro stop we are hit like a ton of bricks by the Eiffel tower's beauty (while she was lighting up and sparkling- she knew we were coming and what an entrance!!!). Oh I like lost it on the train and then skipping in the streets and smiling all the way! The closer we got he more we were hit with such awe by its magnificence and size!! The bottom! And the art crafted into the metal! We take out pictures and of course another art of guys come up to us and offer to take our photos and we had some conversation - of course they are wanting to hang out with us and we are trying to be nice - eventually we get rid of them though heh. But I am happy for that moment because it really put my daily conversation with French to the test! I have broken French and he had broken English lol...some stuff I understood, some sort of, and some not at all heh...but just more submersion! More is the key!
So we wanted to go up to the top but even at 8:45 pm the line was sooooo long! And we imagine kind of expensive too so we decided to come back during the day for a clearer view of the city and maybe wih tickets ahead of time heh... But good thing we didn't go tithe top because we really wanted a view of the tower being lit up with sparkles, which happens once every hour. So we went across the street for the best free view and bought ourselves some popcorn to enjoy the show. =]. Hahaha and of course it was windy a bit and our popcorn was free standing on the wall next to us; ash says " watch out popcorn will go flying" and I kind of looked at her and shrugged in agreement but still we sat there looking at it. Sure enough moments later the popcorn goes flying, spillin most Of itself all over the floor...we sat laughing and then i down to pick up the remaining bits in the box. I said " well we did ask for a small..." haaaaa...
Just in time, 9pm hits and we go "aaaa!" she lights up the sky!!! SOOO beautiful! I even took video of this moment ;P. so we decide to head back to Montmartre to seek out this place for dinner open late on Sunday's, according to my hidden Paris book of knowledge ;]. We pick up some postcards at a great deal on the way while also having hilarious conversation with the man working there, comparing Paris to california etc. he just added to my love affair with Paris.
Then we arrive at our destition but...no restaurant to be found...? So strange because we actually found it! We had the righ address and all! But we decided ok good job on finding it but let's find a place to eat. We wandered a familiar street and finally stumbled into a cafe called Le Chinon where our waiter was soooo cute and nice!!! I swear once I attempt conversation in French everyone treats is well! But I want to and I'm loving it! French is music to my ears!! Plus I was sold on this cafe because they were playing radiohead mmmmm and we all know my thing with thom and radiohead...and all night long they were playing great music. So, i had the penne pesto, ash gets a tartine bœuf and we both have a vin rouge de Bordeaux - mmmm SOOO good!
What a perfect first day in Paris!!! I just want to be parisienne!! I feel as though I am home, that it had been true all these years, that a part of my heart had always belonged here. And the crazy thing is we are just getting started! Oh I am in love!!!!
Alright off to bed and onto more excursions tomorrow!
Bon soir et à bientôt!!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Mon Dieu
Finalement, je suis ici!!! En Paris!!! Mais, Je ne la crois pas. Maintenant je suis dans mon auberge de jeunesse, attends pour mon ami Ashley à arriver. Il y a à près de le Moulin Rouge!!
Ok enough of my attempts at speaking French and enough of you all being in utter confusion...lol. Basically...I am finally in Paris!!! And right now waitin for my dear friend Ashley to arrive from Dublin in our hostel which is near the Moulin Rouge!!! Getting here though was quite an excursion and rattled me a bit too...sigh so much to catch up on and I'm sorry for abandoning you all for so long..
So I've been researching Paris, my dream city, the city of lights and love and beauty, for weeks now- I looked up directions and places to go and my train information; I was so ready. I took ballet class yesterday from 10-11:30 and then caught my train to Köln at 12:38 (the first leg of my journey). The train ride wouldnt have bothered me so much except for the fact that my back was irritating me quite a bit and sent me into a downward spiral of anxiety and nerves... I couldn't get comfortable - let me back up..see upon my return to Kiel from Hamburg about a week ago, I started taking class with Nik and the company again. All was well until after class on oh I say Tuesday or Wednesday i was changing, bent down to put my socks on and BAM my lower back freaks out and goes into almost complete and utter spasm. I gripped the couch for balance and breathed through it as I was simultaneously talking to another girl. "oh god oh god oh god" was going through my head like a broken record...I just sucked it up and tried to finish dressing with the least amount of pain possible. Then my brain reels back to what Michelle (my chiropractor) told me in regards to my back and how basically I've acquired a "tucking" issue and that I need to release my pelvis without pushing my ribs forward though... Well inwas her the day before flying overseas and honestly didn't disregard her information but also didn't really think too much about it- obviously I wasn't being active with the info at hand and this is how my body decided to take action..by force. She also said when my body gets pushed to the limit I basically shut down and wot stand for it soooo I'm taking this as a big sign but it's been freakig me out. Since then I haven't really been able to bend forward without pain and doing grand battement to the front is a little troublesome as well...and certain jumps...but not arabesque or archit just rounding (which makes sense since I'm doing that too much). So I've been Rolling out my body and hot showering and praying it gets better before my first audition February 12 in Hannover!!! So I was very distraught on the train yesterday.
Finally I arrive in Köln, find my next platform, pick up what the Germans consider Chinese take out =S (not greasy thank god..just bland heh..even spicy to them is incredibly mild), and then I board the train. I stake out an area when this couple arrives and tells me it's reserved for them- ok I understand this and then ask which seats aren't taken? They tell me the whole train is by reservation only!! I ask even with my Eurail Pass?? They didn't know the answer so hurry off the train, find a DB worker and he's not even sure! He tells me to find the conductor - so I ask the conductor and the train THA that I wanted to take wouldn't accept my Eurail- so I'm freakig out a bit because he's telling me I have to buy a ticket at the station ahead of time for €33 but then he's looking through his seating chart and sees a few empty seats in the last car. He says I can pay on the train but it will just be €43 instead but MAN I was rattled but he was very helpful and kind. Then I embark on my last major train towards Paris Gare du Nord.
As I'm entering the city I only see the bottom of the Eiffel Tower lite up and ts ouch black f course since its about 10pm now...I get of the train and successfully find my next connection and bought my ticket - line 5 towards P. Picasso get off at Hoche. Although inside Gare du Nord I already felt totally out of place being that I was what looked like not the best of areas...well whatever I get on the train and immediately I'm sent back to my adventures in New York City, taking the train uptown to 186 st...the kind of ghetto...and where I am definitely the minority...so I exit the metro and walk upstairs - daunting indeed and there's a group of guys hanging right outside the stop - empty streets, I cannot find my street, I cross the street a couple times to get away from them and to also find more light to look at where I am. Then I see this young girl around my she with a bike - We make eye contact, I pass here, and hen decide to ask here where my street is. I approach her and (here we go French) "pardon, j'ai une questionne. Vous savez cet rue, le rue 7 Arpents?"she looks at my directions and then leads me to the bus map but cannot find it. She asks a couple other guys around her and one knows - we are still speaking some French and then she asks if I speak English which if course i say yes. But she was so kind and helpful and I'm glad I attempted the language.
So...finally I reach my hostel which was only A blocks from the metro but I felt uneasy for sure...I enter the run down looking hostel and speak again some broken French to the front rest clerk. I check in but there are only lockers downstairs for €2 a day and wifi you have to buy in a card that they are all sold out of and don't know when they'll be getting more. I just felt uneasy...I mean it was clean but I could only stand being there for one night. I didn't want ash and I having to walk around that neighborhood late at night after our adventure in the city and inwas worried our belongings wouldn't be so safe...and especially since we are here for like 6 days! So I turned on my roaming data to figure things out and messages ash - thank god she replied!!! So she said just to relax and sleep there tonight - she also told me to turn off my data and took care of finding a new hostel. She is AMAZING and a life saver. So while she looked up things I spoke with my parents and really tried to hold back tears...just so rattled yesterday..and now I am a this wonderful little hostel or so far wonderful with this free wifi =].
Ok well I shall return later with more updates and excursions about Paris! Back do far is feeling better today than before so I hope it stays that way =].
À bientôt!
Ok enough of my attempts at speaking French and enough of you all being in utter confusion...lol. Basically...I am finally in Paris!!! And right now waitin for my dear friend Ashley to arrive from Dublin in our hostel which is near the Moulin Rouge!!! Getting here though was quite an excursion and rattled me a bit too...sigh so much to catch up on and I'm sorry for abandoning you all for so long..
So I've been researching Paris, my dream city, the city of lights and love and beauty, for weeks now- I looked up directions and places to go and my train information; I was so ready. I took ballet class yesterday from 10-11:30 and then caught my train to Köln at 12:38 (the first leg of my journey). The train ride wouldnt have bothered me so much except for the fact that my back was irritating me quite a bit and sent me into a downward spiral of anxiety and nerves... I couldn't get comfortable - let me back up..see upon my return to Kiel from Hamburg about a week ago, I started taking class with Nik and the company again. All was well until after class on oh I say Tuesday or Wednesday i was changing, bent down to put my socks on and BAM my lower back freaks out and goes into almost complete and utter spasm. I gripped the couch for balance and breathed through it as I was simultaneously talking to another girl. "oh god oh god oh god" was going through my head like a broken record...I just sucked it up and tried to finish dressing with the least amount of pain possible. Then my brain reels back to what Michelle (my chiropractor) told me in regards to my back and how basically I've acquired a "tucking" issue and that I need to release my pelvis without pushing my ribs forward though... Well inwas her the day before flying overseas and honestly didn't disregard her information but also didn't really think too much about it- obviously I wasn't being active with the info at hand and this is how my body decided to take action..by force. She also said when my body gets pushed to the limit I basically shut down and wot stand for it soooo I'm taking this as a big sign but it's been freakig me out. Since then I haven't really been able to bend forward without pain and doing grand battement to the front is a little troublesome as well...and certain jumps...but not arabesque or archit just rounding (which makes sense since I'm doing that too much). So I've been Rolling out my body and hot showering and praying it gets better before my first audition February 12 in Hannover!!! So I was very distraught on the train yesterday.
Finally I arrive in Köln, find my next platform, pick up what the Germans consider Chinese take out =S (not greasy thank god..just bland heh..even spicy to them is incredibly mild), and then I board the train. I stake out an area when this couple arrives and tells me it's reserved for them- ok I understand this and then ask which seats aren't taken? They tell me the whole train is by reservation only!! I ask even with my Eurail Pass?? They didn't know the answer so hurry off the train, find a DB worker and he's not even sure! He tells me to find the conductor - so I ask the conductor and the train THA that I wanted to take wouldn't accept my Eurail- so I'm freakig out a bit because he's telling me I have to buy a ticket at the station ahead of time for €33 but then he's looking through his seating chart and sees a few empty seats in the last car. He says I can pay on the train but it will just be €43 instead but MAN I was rattled but he was very helpful and kind. Then I embark on my last major train towards Paris Gare du Nord.
As I'm entering the city I only see the bottom of the Eiffel Tower lite up and ts ouch black f course since its about 10pm now...I get of the train and successfully find my next connection and bought my ticket - line 5 towards P. Picasso get off at Hoche. Although inside Gare du Nord I already felt totally out of place being that I was what looked like not the best of areas...well whatever I get on the train and immediately I'm sent back to my adventures in New York City, taking the train uptown to 186 st...the kind of ghetto...and where I am definitely the minority...so I exit the metro and walk upstairs - daunting indeed and there's a group of guys hanging right outside the stop - empty streets, I cannot find my street, I cross the street a couple times to get away from them and to also find more light to look at where I am. Then I see this young girl around my she with a bike - We make eye contact, I pass here, and hen decide to ask here where my street is. I approach her and (here we go French) "pardon, j'ai une questionne. Vous savez cet rue, le rue 7 Arpents?"she looks at my directions and then leads me to the bus map but cannot find it. She asks a couple other guys around her and one knows - we are still speaking some French and then she asks if I speak English which if course i say yes. But she was so kind and helpful and I'm glad I attempted the language.
So...finally I reach my hostel which was only A blocks from the metro but I felt uneasy for sure...I enter the run down looking hostel and speak again some broken French to the front rest clerk. I check in but there are only lockers downstairs for €2 a day and wifi you have to buy in a card that they are all sold out of and don't know when they'll be getting more. I just felt uneasy...I mean it was clean but I could only stand being there for one night. I didn't want ash and I having to walk around that neighborhood late at night after our adventure in the city and inwas worried our belongings wouldn't be so safe...and especially since we are here for like 6 days! So I turned on my roaming data to figure things out and messages ash - thank god she replied!!! So she said just to relax and sleep there tonight - she also told me to turn off my data and took care of finding a new hostel. She is AMAZING and a life saver. So while she looked up things I spoke with my parents and really tried to hold back tears...just so rattled yesterday..and now I am a this wonderful little hostel or so far wonderful with this free wifi =].
Ok well I shall return later with more updates and excursions about Paris! Back do far is feeling better today than before so I hope it stays that way =].
À bientôt!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Home sweet home
Back in Kiel with my brother and roomie Sonia ah yes joy. Just chilling in the jam room with them and I'm filled with such joy and comfort =]. Simple joys in life and I am so incredibly grateful for awesome brother and the closeness we share. He is such an inspiration to me. I am content.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Fun house
Where did I last leave you...
Ah yes the last journies of Berlin...=]
I woke up around 7am to get ready and set off on my journey to ballet class FINALLY after not dancing for a week - and man it felt good. Took the metro to the studio which felt amazing - it was also the first time Ash and I were separated and to take the train by myself gave me some immediate flashbacks to my travels on my own in Portland, Montreal, New York, Chicago, San Francisco - I love it =] I found myself smiling.
So I arrived at Marameo dance studio and took class from this older woman with some of the craziest hair ever - frizzy fro style yo! Thanks Brian Grannan for the suggestion!! Oh taking ballet class sent me on a natural high and I strolled the streets of Berlin as inset out to meet up with Ash at Alexanderplatz (which is basically one huge shopping center). Ash got a new camera (which the people fully paid for- a rarity these days to find such generous and genuine people) and I took ballet - couldn't see a happier pair walking down the street! After some window shopping and Thai food we headed to the German national history museum (the dutchess's palace I believe) which was interesting but we ended up being more interested in going the wrong way in the lay out and questioning if any of this history or artifacts are actually real. Our attention spans at this point were on the decline. Although the last part of the museum we went to was more modern art about the war - they even had part of the wall there (seeing it on the street in its actual place was more impacting though heh).
Then we went back to the hostel to rest for a bit - apparently I fell asleep for an hour and 15 minutes though when I thought it was only 15 min!! So after a much needed nap...we went back to our man Mr.Chan at the Vietnamese restaurant, ordered ourselves some Beck's, spring rolls, and pha soul while we told him about all our adventures =]. Upon our return, we showered quickly and then went to bed since we had an early flight for Amsterdam the next day.
Day 5: off to Amsterdam!!!
So time to wake up at 2:30 am to make our 7am flight and oh man why did we book it that early?! Because we are crazy. That's why, yes that is why. And by the way people EasyJet is interesting indeed! That whole " get to airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight" does not apply to this company. Once through security and you look at the board to see the gate number you take off from you'll notice they aren't listed...they decide to post the number at your boarding time and then it becomes a free for all - everyone on the same mission to beat each other to the gate and pick a good seat. Yes that is true too - you have a zone number to board but no seat number; they didn't even call out the zones for us! They opened the door and everyone goes through!
We exit the plane and we immediately start smiling - ENGLISH!!! We take the train from the airport and out smiles disappear as soon as the first announcement is made because its all in Dutch...but we get off the train and the first breath of air we said "yep we're in Amsterdam alright!". We get to Central Station, walk outside and our jaws drop as we start laughing with disbelief and wonderment haha.. "It's like a crazy Disneyland! Toon town! A fun house WOA! Too charming...". We get to our hostel around - 10:30 am or so and once situated in our rooms we definitely feel the hunger but sleep prevailed - so nap we did =].
We woke up and it was time to grab some lunch! We ended up at this cute cafe bar right knthe corner closest to our hostel and I had an apple walnut arugula Swiss cheese sandwich! Yes ladies and gentlemen, I did in fact have some cheese and it was DELICIOUS! Mmmm yes. Ok after lunch it was time to look on our fun map to find our first fun thing to do! We decided today would be a great day to go experience "The Heineken experience" - 90 minute tour (which was basically an awesome interactive museum with hot guys everywhere giving is knowledge!), 2 beers at the end, and a free hat due to the guilt they have because of renovation in one exhibit! Pretty sweet if you ask me!
Afterwards we wandered the city in circles! Yayness! It as getting darker and arrived at Anne Frank's house! We were going to go inside but it was a little too pricey to see a small hidden unfurnished bookcase - no offense to you Anne. ;]. Dinner time it was
We wandered more and found our way into a pub with great atmosphere! Mmmmm I broke a little more of my rules and had the tomatoe soul which I'm sure had cream in it but sooooo good mmmhmmmm. We chilled there for a few hours and then it was homeward bound. We took hit showers and then passed out. Man oh man.
Day 6: HJN And Maurice!
Went to dance again! Yay!! Took contemporary and ballet today at the Amsterdam Dance Center, HJN studios - almost didn't make it in time because I messed myself up in the directions...but got there nonetheless. Contemporary class was rolling around and diving into the floor AND everyone knew the combos already so I was lost on top of it. I ended up stretching on the side at the end. Ballet was awesome though. Carmen from Lines Ballet! Finally to have a contemporary ballet class felt SO amazing and she's stunning... I felt so recharged. Walking back to the tram after class put me in cloud nine -the cold air was so refreshing and invigorating after being so sweaty.
Once I met up with Ash back at the hostel we were out again to meet up with Maurice!!! Oh he is SOOOO lovely - I always have such a wonderful inspiring visit with him. =]. He has such a gear outlook on life and always so supportive and full of knowledge. =].
Well now I am off to bed! Got a morning train back up to Kiel tomorrow! Yay back to Nik but also sad because tomorrow will be the first day Ash and I will be separated!! ='[. And it wont be another week and a half before we see each other! In Paris though!!!! Ahhhh! Yessss.
Bon voyage Ash and goodnight all! Amsterdam was a fun house indeed
Ah yes the last journies of Berlin...=]
I woke up around 7am to get ready and set off on my journey to ballet class FINALLY after not dancing for a week - and man it felt good. Took the metro to the studio which felt amazing - it was also the first time Ash and I were separated and to take the train by myself gave me some immediate flashbacks to my travels on my own in Portland, Montreal, New York, Chicago, San Francisco - I love it =] I found myself smiling.
So I arrived at Marameo dance studio and took class from this older woman with some of the craziest hair ever - frizzy fro style yo! Thanks Brian Grannan for the suggestion!! Oh taking ballet class sent me on a natural high and I strolled the streets of Berlin as inset out to meet up with Ash at Alexanderplatz (which is basically one huge shopping center). Ash got a new camera (which the people fully paid for- a rarity these days to find such generous and genuine people) and I took ballet - couldn't see a happier pair walking down the street! After some window shopping and Thai food we headed to the German national history museum (the dutchess's palace I believe) which was interesting but we ended up being more interested in going the wrong way in the lay out and questioning if any of this history or artifacts are actually real. Our attention spans at this point were on the decline. Although the last part of the museum we went to was more modern art about the war - they even had part of the wall there (seeing it on the street in its actual place was more impacting though heh).
Then we went back to the hostel to rest for a bit - apparently I fell asleep for an hour and 15 minutes though when I thought it was only 15 min!! So after a much needed nap...we went back to our man Mr.Chan at the Vietnamese restaurant, ordered ourselves some Beck's, spring rolls, and pha soul while we told him about all our adventures =]. Upon our return, we showered quickly and then went to bed since we had an early flight for Amsterdam the next day.
Day 5: off to Amsterdam!!!
So time to wake up at 2:30 am to make our 7am flight and oh man why did we book it that early?! Because we are crazy. That's why, yes that is why. And by the way people EasyJet is interesting indeed! That whole " get to airport at least 2 hours prior to your flight" does not apply to this company. Once through security and you look at the board to see the gate number you take off from you'll notice they aren't listed...they decide to post the number at your boarding time and then it becomes a free for all - everyone on the same mission to beat each other to the gate and pick a good seat. Yes that is true too - you have a zone number to board but no seat number; they didn't even call out the zones for us! They opened the door and everyone goes through!
We exit the plane and we immediately start smiling - ENGLISH!!! We take the train from the airport and out smiles disappear as soon as the first announcement is made because its all in Dutch...but we get off the train and the first breath of air we said "yep we're in Amsterdam alright!". We get to Central Station, walk outside and our jaws drop as we start laughing with disbelief and wonderment haha.. "It's like a crazy Disneyland! Toon town! A fun house WOA! Too charming...". We get to our hostel around - 10:30 am or so and once situated in our rooms we definitely feel the hunger but sleep prevailed - so nap we did =].
We woke up and it was time to grab some lunch! We ended up at this cute cafe bar right knthe corner closest to our hostel and I had an apple walnut arugula Swiss cheese sandwich! Yes ladies and gentlemen, I did in fact have some cheese and it was DELICIOUS! Mmmm yes. Ok after lunch it was time to look on our fun map to find our first fun thing to do! We decided today would be a great day to go experience "The Heineken experience" - 90 minute tour (which was basically an awesome interactive museum with hot guys everywhere giving is knowledge!), 2 beers at the end, and a free hat due to the guilt they have because of renovation in one exhibit! Pretty sweet if you ask me!
Afterwards we wandered the city in circles! Yayness! It as getting darker and arrived at Anne Frank's house! We were going to go inside but it was a little too pricey to see a small hidden unfurnished bookcase - no offense to you Anne. ;]. Dinner time it was
We wandered more and found our way into a pub with great atmosphere! Mmmmm I broke a little more of my rules and had the tomatoe soul which I'm sure had cream in it but sooooo good mmmhmmmm. We chilled there for a few hours and then it was homeward bound. We took hit showers and then passed out. Man oh man.
Day 6: HJN And Maurice!
Went to dance again! Yay!! Took contemporary and ballet today at the Amsterdam Dance Center, HJN studios - almost didn't make it in time because I messed myself up in the directions...but got there nonetheless. Contemporary class was rolling around and diving into the floor AND everyone knew the combos already so I was lost on top of it. I ended up stretching on the side at the end. Ballet was awesome though. Carmen from Lines Ballet! Finally to have a contemporary ballet class felt SO amazing and she's stunning... I felt so recharged. Walking back to the tram after class put me in cloud nine -the cold air was so refreshing and invigorating after being so sweaty.
Once I met up with Ash back at the hostel we were out again to meet up with Maurice!!! Oh he is SOOOO lovely - I always have such a wonderful inspiring visit with him. =]. He has such a gear outlook on life and always so supportive and full of knowledge. =].
Well now I am off to bed! Got a morning train back up to Kiel tomorrow! Yay back to Nik but also sad because tomorrow will be the first day Ash and I will be separated!! ='[. And it wont be another week and a half before we see each other! In Paris though!!!! Ahhhh! Yessss.
Bon voyage Ash and goodnight all! Amsterdam was a fun house indeed
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Day 4: The Heart of Berlin
Wow wow. What an AMAZING day it was! And quite exhausting so I must make this. Quick blog since I'm about to pass out and need to get up early so I can embark upkn my journey to Halle class heh...YAY!!!
So Ash and I woke up around 8 after a nice long much needed rest (I swear we were still net lagged a little heh), got ourselves some breakfast compliments of the hostel, got ready for the day and ventured out around 10! We walked EVERWHERE today. We first went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum where it was a landscape of graves/tombstones risen on all different levels as well an underground free museum filled with timeline information and some more tombs- we were in the catacombs. So fascinating and devistatig. Next was Hitler'a Bunker (or a landmark of where it was) - an underground bunker where he, his wife, and other officials hid - huge! His bunker was also just a couple blocks away from the Holocaust Memorial site...hmmm ironic? Hmmm... Following, we walked further into he heart of Mitte, historical west Berlin and saw the Humbolt University, Russian and U.S. Embassies, the Gate of Brodenburger Tor (the "official" entry way of The Wall), and many statutes - they are everywhere! Stunning.
Then it was Ike for a lunch break, which we snuck from breakfast this morning to safe money ;]. We were trying to find some place inside to sit but Ash ended up saying "screw it. Let's just sit here at the bus stop.". So we pulled out our mini baguettes, avacado and salt and voila! We were true young backpackers, sitting in Berlin at a bus stop eating, peeling an avacado with bare hands, and cutting into it with my empty coffee lid hahaa. It was great.
We walked on and found this great little cathedral I cannot REMEBER he name of right now. At first we could tell if the door was cracked open to church goers or to be public, but we sucked it up and entered. Glad we did because it was another free museum and GORGEOUS at that! Next we went to our next mouth gaping, thrown back gasping place: the Berliner Dom. This is probably my favorite monument thus far. This huge protestant church absolutely mind blowing. Zoned started waking towards it because I told Ash we HAD to go inside and then we stumbled upon a street market! We walked in and along that and decided to stop and have curry wurst ( well ash of course not me lol) and a pretzel, right underneath a whirring train track. What more could you ask for eh?
We continued around, crossed the river and made our way to the Dom with it raining on and off. =]. As we for closer we decided we wanted a picture in front of it together and asked his cute older man to take it for us. He took one and as he started to take he second one he accidentally dropped Ashley's camera with the lens breaking!!! So now thmanage j dieting upon replacing it as we meet up with them tomorrow to fix this dilemma.
So we get to the from and oh man as soon as we entered - blown away. We went upstairs all the way to the top and walked outside around the dome with one of the best 360 views of the city below. Incredible. And the sun decided to peek out as it was setting. So picturesque and I was I in heaven since I LOVE skies, especially setting sins. We finished our tour with going all the way down to the crypts! I cannot BELIEVE we were allowed!! The catholics are pretty strict about people visiting their holy dead..but wow it was incredible. I know I keep saying hat Bout everything but everything was heh.
Finally our last big venture was to the Topography of Terror and the last standing remnant of the Berlin Wall, a.k.a. "The Wall of Death.". So we took. Bus part way and as we are walking we accidentally made a wrong turn and ended up walking along the longest block of our lives- a good 5 or 7 minutes hahah! Only to realize it was the wrong direction haha. So we turned around and were so glad we sucked it up and continued because the a path of brick appeared, outlining where The Wall used to stand. The. We reached it. An " oh my god! " from the both of us and then silence. Wires hangin out, graffiti saying "why" and "save our world", holes through it here and there. We stood across the street and you really can't see anything...do sad and errie. Then we entered and saw behind the wall and the trenches...that hit me hard for a minute. As we entered another free museum more timelines history awaited us Nd I was reminded of my grandpa who fought in this war...being here in Berlin and standing on the same grounds as this catastrophic genocide and probably one of our most recasting wars known to man just hit me hard. I have always been fascinated by World War II - how could just one man brainwash motions of people and several countries?!? Essentially running the world?! Or at least the EU. And then all the devastation and cruelty....heart wrenching. On top of all that, once my grandpa flooded into my mind that was the tipping point and I just felt this weight in my chest. So much history and sadness and rejoice in overcoming at a new all in one place.
To make this all the more pacting, throughout the entire day it as cold, rainy, and overcast- truly giving you the feel of what it was like to be in the war. So far I can conduce that Germany is erriely beautiful.
So Ash and I woke up around 8 after a nice long much needed rest (I swear we were still net lagged a little heh), got ourselves some breakfast compliments of the hostel, got ready for the day and ventured out around 10! We walked EVERWHERE today. We first went to the Holocaust Memorial Museum where it was a landscape of graves/tombstones risen on all different levels as well an underground free museum filled with timeline information and some more tombs- we were in the catacombs. So fascinating and devistatig. Next was Hitler'a Bunker (or a landmark of where it was) - an underground bunker where he, his wife, and other officials hid - huge! His bunker was also just a couple blocks away from the Holocaust Memorial site...hmmm ironic? Hmmm... Following, we walked further into he heart of Mitte, historical west Berlin and saw the Humbolt University, Russian and U.S. Embassies, the Gate of Brodenburger Tor (the "official" entry way of The Wall), and many statutes - they are everywhere! Stunning.
Then it was Ike for a lunch break, which we snuck from breakfast this morning to safe money ;]. We were trying to find some place inside to sit but Ash ended up saying "screw it. Let's just sit here at the bus stop.". So we pulled out our mini baguettes, avacado and salt and voila! We were true young backpackers, sitting in Berlin at a bus stop eating, peeling an avacado with bare hands, and cutting into it with my empty coffee lid hahaa. It was great.
We walked on and found this great little cathedral I cannot REMEBER he name of right now. At first we could tell if the door was cracked open to church goers or to be public, but we sucked it up and entered. Glad we did because it was another free museum and GORGEOUS at that! Next we went to our next mouth gaping, thrown back gasping place: the Berliner Dom. This is probably my favorite monument thus far. This huge protestant church absolutely mind blowing. Zoned started waking towards it because I told Ash we HAD to go inside and then we stumbled upon a street market! We walked in and along that and decided to stop and have curry wurst ( well ash of course not me lol) and a pretzel, right underneath a whirring train track. What more could you ask for eh?
We continued around, crossed the river and made our way to the Dom with it raining on and off. =]. As we for closer we decided we wanted a picture in front of it together and asked his cute older man to take it for us. He took one and as he started to take he second one he accidentally dropped Ashley's camera with the lens breaking!!! So now thmanage j dieting upon replacing it as we meet up with them tomorrow to fix this dilemma.
So we get to the from and oh man as soon as we entered - blown away. We went upstairs all the way to the top and walked outside around the dome with one of the best 360 views of the city below. Incredible. And the sun decided to peek out as it was setting. So picturesque and I was I in heaven since I LOVE skies, especially setting sins. We finished our tour with going all the way down to the crypts! I cannot BELIEVE we were allowed!! The catholics are pretty strict about people visiting their holy dead..but wow it was incredible. I know I keep saying hat Bout everything but everything was heh.
Finally our last big venture was to the Topography of Terror and the last standing remnant of the Berlin Wall, a.k.a. "The Wall of Death.". So we took. Bus part way and as we are walking we accidentally made a wrong turn and ended up walking along the longest block of our lives- a good 5 or 7 minutes hahah! Only to realize it was the wrong direction haha. So we turned around and were so glad we sucked it up and continued because the a path of brick appeared, outlining where The Wall used to stand. The. We reached it. An " oh my god! " from the both of us and then silence. Wires hangin out, graffiti saying "why" and "save our world", holes through it here and there. We stood across the street and you really can't see anything...do sad and errie. Then we entered and saw behind the wall and the trenches...that hit me hard for a minute. As we entered another free museum more timelines history awaited us Nd I was reminded of my grandpa who fought in this war...being here in Berlin and standing on the same grounds as this catastrophic genocide and probably one of our most recasting wars known to man just hit me hard. I have always been fascinated by World War II - how could just one man brainwash motions of people and several countries?!? Essentially running the world?! Or at least the EU. And then all the devastation and cruelty....heart wrenching. On top of all that, once my grandpa flooded into my mind that was the tipping point and I just felt this weight in my chest. So much history and sadness and rejoice in overcoming at a new all in one place.
To make this all the more pacting, throughout the entire day it as cold, rainy, and overcast- truly giving you the feel of what it was like to be in the war. So far I can conduce that Germany is erriely beautiful.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Day 2 and 3: Kiel to Berlin - "(gasp) the train's full??"
Alrighty all! Greetings from Berlin!!! But first some catching up to do...
So last I left you was with our chaotic first day of arrival haaa... Well we were indeed net lagged because we ended up sleeping for 12 hours!! Much needs rest though indeed, yes. So finally around 9 or so, just as Nik was leaving for class, we finally got our butts out of bed and showered. Then Ash and I ventured down Nik's street and found a great little coffee shop that outlooked the street - perfect for people watching - where we sipped out coffee, munched on a Mohnstrudel, started planning Berlin, laughed of course, and admired all the babies in their (goose) down carriages. Highlight of the morning = down carriages. =]. Then Nik met up with us, went back to his apartment where we all chilled until he left for his warm up class prior to the Nusskracker performance, which Ash and I went to at 8pm! Oh Nik... Soooo goofy as a clown and rat- I could pick him out hands down immediately as a rat from his mannerisms to his toothpick legs to his running....hahaha too funny. He's such a ham.
Ash and I met Nik after the show in the cantina downstairs of the Opernhouse but soon departed due to our exhaustion - still felt a little jet lagged. Plus we wanted to get an early start to Berlin =].
Ok so that was our brief over view of day two in Europe. Now on to today's adventures! Although before I dig into that... I must admit that this morning was one of those mornings for me...around 7:30 or so, a half hour before our alarm would go off...I all of a sudden had a moment, a breaking point. I just started freakin out about auditions Nd not being in class for a week now how paranoid I won't be "in shape" when I do audition and getting to ballet or dance class by myself in Germany with no familiarity of the language etc... That last bit about being alone...when I go take class in Berlin it will be the first time I M completely on my own - no Nik no Ash - and that freaked me out and I began to also feel homesick for the first time really. On top of that I read the text from my mom about Verizon information and at the end she said have fun I love you - that's what broke me and tears started streaming. Then Ash realized something was up and just thank god she is here with me. That we are here together. Not only does she make me laugh like NO other but she walks has some great advice and a good head on her shoulders. What she said to me next I have said to myself already but hearing it from someone else resonates differently and in this case a light bulb went on in my head. I wrote about this and the 6 points I formulated from her goes as follows: 1. I'm not alone - she too is feeling lost and overwhelmed; 2. Maybe this is suppose to happen - me breaking down; 3. I don't have to travel everywhere, I can stay in one place, on Kiel the whole time if I like and have a constant place to dance; 4. I don't have to audition everywhere- choose my favorites; 5.exercise outside of the studio- self practice yoga in Niks brilliant living room or at a studio; 6. If you have a freak out moment, revel in it for a minute - feel it and let it pass as it should and get your bearings. That last one is truly resonating. I think our mantra for this trip is Murphy's law Hahahaa. Then when things go right it 's an EXTRA amazing experience!! So after some tears, words of wisdom, and embraces we got ready to leave on our Berlin adventure!!
So we managed to get to the train station via bus right outside Nik's in no time and without trouble! Then difficulties arose...lol..getting our EuRail pass validated and ready to go with help from the oh so very lovely citizens of Kiel...NOT! "english? Nine!". But we figured it out and for on our train to Hamburg successfully at 10:21 am; then onto Berlin by 12:06 pm. Now...here's one of the best parts of our day... We only had one stop before we had to get off the train before it continued on..so we stop and Ive got my map as well as all the contents of my purse out and strewn about the table and Ash looks at my map and pints out "oh I think we are here so it looks like we've got another hour or hour and a half. " well... I kid you no joke about 10 minutes later the train starts slowing down again and then we notice we ad pulling into another station. The train stops and we both look up and see the sign that says "Berlin Hpf" and the. Gasp with wide eyes open at each other and SHIT! It's or stop! So then im like whatbdo i do first?? I literally grab my coat and then swip everything off the table and into it (praying I have everything), grab my carryon while Ash is scrambling to get her stuff. Then my head phones get stuck in the chair and stop me from moving forward while Ash gets them loose saying "hurry! Go!" I'm like "I'm trying!". Then I manage to get off and throw everything on the ground just as Ash literally throws her suitcase out of the train just behind my legs - any closer to me and I would have been knocked down - and she barely makes it off the train...hahaha this experience has kept us laughing non-stop today and will forever! Oh my god. Plus this brings a whole new meaning to our running joke that by the time we get to the train it will be all full...
Soooo next we catch the bus to our hostel! And success with that too! But by then we were definitely famished and delirious. So after checking into our nice clean hostel we went venturing off on a main street in search for nourishment =]. Ash had this amazing looking gyro and we split some pommes frites and then went into this Vietnamese restaurant so I could get some pha (spelling...?) - mmmmm so good and hit the spot. Of course all over a couple Becks =]. Finally the next best part to our day was the little asian man who served us - he offers us English menus, took our picture, and after paying he saw Ash'a Europe book out and he gave us inside information on Berlin. Now we are know where to see Hitler's bunker, the last remnant of The Wall, holocaust memorial and more. SO great. Ash and I are totally going back tomorrow night to tell Him about our journies =]. So today was good after all! And we are starting to get the hang of this traveling thing, for now anyhow! ;]. Alright this is plenty to read so I sign off to you now!
So last I left you was with our chaotic first day of arrival haaa... Well we were indeed net lagged because we ended up sleeping for 12 hours!! Much needs rest though indeed, yes. So finally around 9 or so, just as Nik was leaving for class, we finally got our butts out of bed and showered. Then Ash and I ventured down Nik's street and found a great little coffee shop that outlooked the street - perfect for people watching - where we sipped out coffee, munched on a Mohnstrudel, started planning Berlin, laughed of course, and admired all the babies in their (goose) down carriages. Highlight of the morning = down carriages. =]. Then Nik met up with us, went back to his apartment where we all chilled until he left for his warm up class prior to the Nusskracker performance, which Ash and I went to at 8pm! Oh Nik... Soooo goofy as a clown and rat- I could pick him out hands down immediately as a rat from his mannerisms to his toothpick legs to his running....hahaha too funny. He's such a ham.
Ash and I met Nik after the show in the cantina downstairs of the Opernhouse but soon departed due to our exhaustion - still felt a little jet lagged. Plus we wanted to get an early start to Berlin =].
Ok so that was our brief over view of day two in Europe. Now on to today's adventures! Although before I dig into that... I must admit that this morning was one of those mornings for me...around 7:30 or so, a half hour before our alarm would go off...I all of a sudden had a moment, a breaking point. I just started freakin out about auditions Nd not being in class for a week now how paranoid I won't be "in shape" when I do audition and getting to ballet or dance class by myself in Germany with no familiarity of the language etc... That last bit about being alone...when I go take class in Berlin it will be the first time I M completely on my own - no Nik no Ash - and that freaked me out and I began to also feel homesick for the first time really. On top of that I read the text from my mom about Verizon information and at the end she said have fun I love you - that's what broke me and tears started streaming. Then Ash realized something was up and just thank god she is here with me. That we are here together. Not only does she make me laugh like NO other but she walks has some great advice and a good head on her shoulders. What she said to me next I have said to myself already but hearing it from someone else resonates differently and in this case a light bulb went on in my head. I wrote about this and the 6 points I formulated from her goes as follows: 1. I'm not alone - she too is feeling lost and overwhelmed; 2. Maybe this is suppose to happen - me breaking down; 3. I don't have to travel everywhere, I can stay in one place, on Kiel the whole time if I like and have a constant place to dance; 4. I don't have to audition everywhere- choose my favorites; 5.exercise outside of the studio- self practice yoga in Niks brilliant living room or at a studio; 6. If you have a freak out moment, revel in it for a minute - feel it and let it pass as it should and get your bearings. That last one is truly resonating. I think our mantra for this trip is Murphy's law Hahahaa. Then when things go right it 's an EXTRA amazing experience!! So after some tears, words of wisdom, and embraces we got ready to leave on our Berlin adventure!!
So we managed to get to the train station via bus right outside Nik's in no time and without trouble! Then difficulties arose...lol..getting our EuRail pass validated and ready to go with help from the oh so very lovely citizens of Kiel...NOT! "english? Nine!". But we figured it out and for on our train to Hamburg successfully at 10:21 am; then onto Berlin by 12:06 pm. Now...here's one of the best parts of our day... We only had one stop before we had to get off the train before it continued on..so we stop and Ive got my map as well as all the contents of my purse out and strewn about the table and Ash looks at my map and pints out "oh I think we are here so it looks like we've got another hour or hour and a half. " well... I kid you no joke about 10 minutes later the train starts slowing down again and then we notice we ad pulling into another station. The train stops and we both look up and see the sign that says "Berlin Hpf" and the. Gasp with wide eyes open at each other and SHIT! It's or stop! So then im like whatbdo i do first?? I literally grab my coat and then swip everything off the table and into it (praying I have everything), grab my carryon while Ash is scrambling to get her stuff. Then my head phones get stuck in the chair and stop me from moving forward while Ash gets them loose saying "hurry! Go!" I'm like "I'm trying!". Then I manage to get off and throw everything on the ground just as Ash literally throws her suitcase out of the train just behind my legs - any closer to me and I would have been knocked down - and she barely makes it off the train...hahaha this experience has kept us laughing non-stop today and will forever! Oh my god. Plus this brings a whole new meaning to our running joke that by the time we get to the train it will be all full...
Soooo next we catch the bus to our hostel! And success with that too! But by then we were definitely famished and delirious. So after checking into our nice clean hostel we went venturing off on a main street in search for nourishment =]. Ash had this amazing looking gyro and we split some pommes frites and then went into this Vietnamese restaurant so I could get some pha (spelling...?) - mmmmm so good and hit the spot. Of course all over a couple Becks =]. Finally the next best part to our day was the little asian man who served us - he offers us English menus, took our picture, and after paying he saw Ash'a Europe book out and he gave us inside information on Berlin. Now we are know where to see Hitler's bunker, the last remnant of The Wall, holocaust memorial and more. SO great. Ash and I are totally going back tomorrow night to tell Him about our journies =]. So today was good after all! And we are starting to get the hang of this traveling thing, for now anyhow! ;]. Alright this is plenty to read so I sign off to you now!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Day 1: "At least it will be daylight when we land!..."
For the first time ever in my traveling preparations, I actually finished packing my bags at 7pm the night before instead of an hour before leaving (ask my dad to verify)...although this didn't seem to help much because after my last night of thai food take out with my parents and final touches in cleaning my room I began to re-pack. I first tried to "go to sleep" around 1am, just to get a couple hours in before awakening at 3 but....fail. There was a massive ping pong ball match going on inside my head about my packing and what the whole trip! Did I have everything? Enough? Too much?? Definitely decided too much. So in my mental picture I was subtracting and subtracting and texting Ash asking what she packed (even though we already discussed all this). Finally I couldn't take it anymore and was up by 2:30 to unpack, only to realize the items I wanted to subtract I had already taken out in my last steps of final packin...Oh man I had lost it. Then it hit me...so this was IT!
So we departed Pasadena around 4, airport bound, and couldn't manage to get on the freeway due to construction for many entrances - but that didn't stop us (especially Mom who zoomed through a red light hahahaaa ;P)! We parked, got our tickets, gave our last mom hugs, went through security, boarded our plane, and took off at 7:15 am to Newark! Then after our 2 hour layover, it was time - Hamburg awaited us on the other side and we took off at 6pm. AHHH!!!
After movies, scattered sleep, chatter, and scary turbulence, we landed in Kiel! Although upon our descent, looking out the window, Ash asked what time it was and I said it was almost 7am; well...it was PITCH black after I said, "we'll be jetlagged, but at least it will be daylight when we land!"...We finally asked the nice German lady sitting next to us around what time the sun rises and she said around 9 or 10am! Oh man...
After pretty much breezing through customs, picking up our luggage (the only two left circling in the carousel mind you..), and a quick bathroom break, it was time to go purchase our train ticket to Kiel! We found the station and kiosk pretty easily, with the help of picture symbols heh, but buying our ticket well..dumbfounded us (yes, we even had it on the English setting...). We couldn't figure it out for the life of us and had no brain power left to try; so back up the escalator with all our bags to ask the Airport Concierge what to do. So the nice German man told us there is a more direct route by taking the bus (and cheaper, which at this point Ash and I didn't care) - sold.
About an hour and half later we arrived in my brother's home town! YAY! Off to the Opernhaus to pick up his apartment keys (which was also a maze for me that took 10 minutes), and then final destination - Nik's BOMB pad!!! I am in love with his apartment already - even though he has no furniture or lights or uses his heat haha. Everything took us twice as long to figure out and accomplish the minute we stepped off the plane and the thought of "WHAT are we doing?!?!" definitely was in the forefront, but once we got settled, we went wandering the streets, had some Schnitzel (well Ash did haa), and a coffee. We were trying to stay awake the whole day but then I started speaking jibbersh and knew it was time for a nap. An hour and half later we woke up, and not too long after, this phone starts ringing only to realize it was the downstairs door which meant...NIK! Oh seeing that goofy face just MADE the whole crazy day worth it. Finally reunited with my brother! We went out for a nice dinner and then the rest of the evening was filled with constant laughter, especially filling up the queen sized air mattress with the smallest pump ever.
Finally around 10pm Ash and I crashed and slept for about 12 hours. Now we are ready to venture off into Kiel, maybe see Nik in the Nutcracker tonight, and plan our weekend in Berlin!!!
Oh man, I knew it was going to a challenge, but never could I imagine how it was really going to be...I do feel a bit homesick, but not to the point (yet..?) where my stomach is totally in knots. My theory revolves around how I've traveled a lot and lived on my own a couple times so I have a tougher exterior. Or maybe it's a simple as I have Nik and Ash with me =]. Either way, it's going to be rough at times, but once we get going, those rough times will still occur but we will be stronger and laugh harder - Europe is daunting but bring it on because we are READY to conquer and have FUN!!!
Talk soon!
So we departed Pasadena around 4, airport bound, and couldn't manage to get on the freeway due to construction for many entrances - but that didn't stop us (especially Mom who zoomed through a red light hahahaaa ;P)! We parked, got our tickets, gave our last mom hugs, went through security, boarded our plane, and took off at 7:15 am to Newark! Then after our 2 hour layover, it was time - Hamburg awaited us on the other side and we took off at 6pm. AHHH!!!
After movies, scattered sleep, chatter, and scary turbulence, we landed in Kiel! Although upon our descent, looking out the window, Ash asked what time it was and I said it was almost 7am; well...it was PITCH black after I said, "we'll be jetlagged, but at least it will be daylight when we land!"...We finally asked the nice German lady sitting next to us around what time the sun rises and she said around 9 or 10am! Oh man...
After pretty much breezing through customs, picking up our luggage (the only two left circling in the carousel mind you..), and a quick bathroom break, it was time to go purchase our train ticket to Kiel! We found the station and kiosk pretty easily, with the help of picture symbols heh, but buying our ticket well..dumbfounded us (yes, we even had it on the English setting...). We couldn't figure it out for the life of us and had no brain power left to try; so back up the escalator with all our bags to ask the Airport Concierge what to do. So the nice German man told us there is a more direct route by taking the bus (and cheaper, which at this point Ash and I didn't care) - sold.
About an hour and half later we arrived in my brother's home town! YAY! Off to the Opernhaus to pick up his apartment keys (which was also a maze for me that took 10 minutes), and then final destination - Nik's BOMB pad!!! I am in love with his apartment already - even though he has no furniture or lights or uses his heat haha. Everything took us twice as long to figure out and accomplish the minute we stepped off the plane and the thought of "WHAT are we doing?!?!" definitely was in the forefront, but once we got settled, we went wandering the streets, had some Schnitzel (well Ash did haa), and a coffee. We were trying to stay awake the whole day but then I started speaking jibbersh and knew it was time for a nap. An hour and half later we woke up, and not too long after, this phone starts ringing only to realize it was the downstairs door which meant...NIK! Oh seeing that goofy face just MADE the whole crazy day worth it. Finally reunited with my brother! We went out for a nice dinner and then the rest of the evening was filled with constant laughter, especially filling up the queen sized air mattress with the smallest pump ever.
Finally around 10pm Ash and I crashed and slept for about 12 hours. Now we are ready to venture off into Kiel, maybe see Nik in the Nutcracker tonight, and plan our weekend in Berlin!!!
Oh man, I knew it was going to a challenge, but never could I imagine how it was really going to be...I do feel a bit homesick, but not to the point (yet..?) where my stomach is totally in knots. My theory revolves around how I've traveled a lot and lived on my own a couple times so I have a tougher exterior. Or maybe it's a simple as I have Nik and Ash with me =]. Either way, it's going to be rough at times, but once we get going, those rough times will still occur but we will be stronger and laugh harder - Europe is daunting but bring it on because we are READY to conquer and have FUN!!!
Talk soon!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Many days, several months, and seven years later...
Up, up and away! Here we go...this is it...the time has come...are you ready for this? Are you dreaming? Is it too soon? Too crazy? Did you pack those extra ziplocks???
Shhhhh....Ash shhhhh. It is time. It is now. It is the present!
For as long as I can remember I have always longed to travel, especially to Europe, and specifically to Paris. As of about 5 years ago, until November 22 of 2011, I have been juggling with the seriousness in venturing across the deep blue sea (and to more specifically audition for dance companies), but the timing was never quite right. I was either dancing in Milwaukee, or Las Vegas, or back in LA trying to "figure it out". Well, after leaving Sin City this past year, I officially decided to take flight - also my parents said get out of here! Haha...not quite like that...but in their own way they knew it was my time.
So it was decided - I would leave in January and stay as late as March. In the meantime, I started dancing with Pasadena Dance Theatre again as well as Nancy Evans Dance Theatre (my mom's modern company =]) while also working part time at Abercrombie & Fitch and taking French lessons again at the Alliance Française de Pasadena - so I had a full plate indeed! Then something, or rather, someone threw off my course a bit and came bounding back into my life at a racing glorious speed...
...and seven years later...Ashley Cramer and I finally had lunch after rain checking it for maybe 4 or 5. It was mid October at La Grande Orange in Pasadena where we embraced, LAUGHED, gabbed, LAUGHED, ate, got serious, and LAUGHED some more. Nothing had changed since we were 4 years old, yet everything had while still attached at the hip. So in our massive catching up session, I explained my plan to finally explore Europe and see if a dance job is out there for me, and in that moment, her face glazed over with wonderment. That was when we knew she had the bug too. She's a grill cook at the prestigious Osteria Mozza restaurant in Hollywood and went into explaining how she's been also dying to go and stage (a cook's audition so to speak) all around Europe, but specifically northern/central Italy. Once she said that, my immediate reaction was, "Come with me! You have nothing to loose!! This is OUR time NOW!" From then on the wheels have been turning and a month later, on November 22, 2011, we bought our plane tickets to Germany =]. I couldn't ask for any better travel companion either. She is a childhood friend, who is a life long friend and someone I can't imagine living without. Not only do we have the same sense and cravings for adventure, but we also know what it's like to work so hard and full heartedly at a discipline that demands your whole soul. Knowing someone else is out there who not only understands how you lead your life, but also understands you is such a beauty of life. Plus this girl can make me LAUGH at the drop of a pin - and lord knows I need to laugh more!
In the past 3 months I had to re-compile my dance reel, update my resume, get new a new head shot, research all the companies to audition for, and finally send them my materials. Then I started to hear back from places with most of their replies as: "thank you for your interest in our company, although at this time we do not see you as a fit for our company." In the maybe 20 places I applied for, I ended up landing 2 auditions so far: Leipzig Ballet and class with my brother at Kiel Ballet. At first I was upset and worried I let my parents down and myself for not being more "successful", but then of course my parents said I was ridiculous and that I am doing what I need to do - just go over there and scope out the scene. I also realized pretty quickly that in my more open calendar it fell into place with my goal for myself this past year - "to get happy for me". Dance has been a leading force in my life and I am grateful to have the knowledge of my career aspirations and passion at such a young age, although now it's time for Ashleigh to come out and take the reigns; dance you are going to have to be in the backseat this time. So now I am at peace with myself in that sense and ready to take on the world and taste its beauty. I know this trip is going to be monumental for me and it will get me to that next chapter in my life - something is going to change that will enrich my whole being and my dancing. I cannot wait.
So the day has come, in 7 hours exactly we will be on a plane to Newark, New Jersey, that will then connect to Hamburg, Germany!!! This is where we will finally take a train up to Kiel and meet up with my amazing brother Nik!! Oh man I cannot wait to see his goofy face...And then getting to dance with hi again! Such a treat. =] Then our adventure begins - In my original planning I was potentially going to have auditions all throughout January and primarily in Germany; this meant Ash and I would be separated for most of the trip! Then in my responses to my audition materials my schedule cleared up quite a bit leaving January and most of February open to travel with her and take classes wherever we go. So this weekend is Berlin and Amsterdam!!! Oh yes, loads of fun about to commence. Watch out world, here come the Ashes!!!
Shhhhh....Ash shhhhh. It is time. It is now. It is the present!
For as long as I can remember I have always longed to travel, especially to Europe, and specifically to Paris. As of about 5 years ago, until November 22 of 2011, I have been juggling with the seriousness in venturing across the deep blue sea (and to more specifically audition for dance companies), but the timing was never quite right. I was either dancing in Milwaukee, or Las Vegas, or back in LA trying to "figure it out". Well, after leaving Sin City this past year, I officially decided to take flight - also my parents said get out of here! Haha...not quite like that...but in their own way they knew it was my time.
So it was decided - I would leave in January and stay as late as March. In the meantime, I started dancing with Pasadena Dance Theatre again as well as Nancy Evans Dance Theatre (my mom's modern company =]) while also working part time at Abercrombie & Fitch and taking French lessons again at the Alliance Française de Pasadena - so I had a full plate indeed! Then something, or rather, someone threw off my course a bit and came bounding back into my life at a racing glorious speed...
...and seven years later...Ashley Cramer and I finally had lunch after rain checking it for maybe 4 or 5. It was mid October at La Grande Orange in Pasadena where we embraced, LAUGHED, gabbed, LAUGHED, ate, got serious, and LAUGHED some more. Nothing had changed since we were 4 years old, yet everything had while still attached at the hip. So in our massive catching up session, I explained my plan to finally explore Europe and see if a dance job is out there for me, and in that moment, her face glazed over with wonderment. That was when we knew she had the bug too. She's a grill cook at the prestigious Osteria Mozza restaurant in Hollywood and went into explaining how she's been also dying to go and stage (a cook's audition so to speak) all around Europe, but specifically northern/central Italy. Once she said that, my immediate reaction was, "Come with me! You have nothing to loose!! This is OUR time NOW!" From then on the wheels have been turning and a month later, on November 22, 2011, we bought our plane tickets to Germany =]. I couldn't ask for any better travel companion either. She is a childhood friend, who is a life long friend and someone I can't imagine living without. Not only do we have the same sense and cravings for adventure, but we also know what it's like to work so hard and full heartedly at a discipline that demands your whole soul. Knowing someone else is out there who not only understands how you lead your life, but also understands you is such a beauty of life. Plus this girl can make me LAUGH at the drop of a pin - and lord knows I need to laugh more!
In the past 3 months I had to re-compile my dance reel, update my resume, get new a new head shot, research all the companies to audition for, and finally send them my materials. Then I started to hear back from places with most of their replies as: "thank you for your interest in our company, although at this time we do not see you as a fit for our company." In the maybe 20 places I applied for, I ended up landing 2 auditions so far: Leipzig Ballet and class with my brother at Kiel Ballet. At first I was upset and worried I let my parents down and myself for not being more "successful", but then of course my parents said I was ridiculous and that I am doing what I need to do - just go over there and scope out the scene. I also realized pretty quickly that in my more open calendar it fell into place with my goal for myself this past year - "to get happy for me". Dance has been a leading force in my life and I am grateful to have the knowledge of my career aspirations and passion at such a young age, although now it's time for Ashleigh to come out and take the reigns; dance you are going to have to be in the backseat this time. So now I am at peace with myself in that sense and ready to take on the world and taste its beauty. I know this trip is going to be monumental for me and it will get me to that next chapter in my life - something is going to change that will enrich my whole being and my dancing. I cannot wait.
So the day has come, in 7 hours exactly we will be on a plane to Newark, New Jersey, that will then connect to Hamburg, Germany!!! This is where we will finally take a train up to Kiel and meet up with my amazing brother Nik!! Oh man I cannot wait to see his goofy face...And then getting to dance with hi again! Such a treat. =] Then our adventure begins - In my original planning I was potentially going to have auditions all throughout January and primarily in Germany; this meant Ash and I would be separated for most of the trip! Then in my responses to my audition materials my schedule cleared up quite a bit leaving January and most of February open to travel with her and take classes wherever we go. So this weekend is Berlin and Amsterdam!!! Oh yes, loads of fun about to commence. Watch out world, here come the Ashes!!!
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