Post-grad, real life, impromptu travel: Requesting time off

If you have kept up with my blog or know me at all, you would realize that I quite like to go on adventures. One of the best things that I got out of my college experience was the opportunity to study abroad (twice!), which allowed me to challenge myself, find my independence and access who I truly am! I also came out of studying abroad with new friends, one of which is crazy enough to go on a whirlwind adventure with me to Paris and London! See the background of our insanity here.

Vanessa and I went to the same college, but we did not meet until we both studied abroad in London together during the spring of our sophomore year.

Pinterest Find Friday: #3

It's time for another Pinterest Find Friday! I have been so busy this week, that I have been moderately slacking on my pinning... which may be a good thing. Here are some great finds from this week!

Heading back to the homeland: London

I am so so so happy to tell you that I will be returning to the city of my dreams in a little over a month! Although it will be a very short trip, due to graduate classes and work, my friend Vanessa and I will be making the most of our few days back in our adopted hometown!

Ever since studying abroad in London, the city has had my heart... Here is the story about how we decided to book a trip back, over a year ago, on a complete whim:

Beautiful Budapest

Although time has gotten away from me for the past week, the impression that the city of Budapest made on me has not faded. 

Though much of our tour of Central Europe blurs together, Budapest stands out as a gem; a city divided by a wide, sprawling river. A lush and green side, Buda, and an urban side, Pest. 

Just passing through Slovakia

So I would like to consider myself well-traveled and worldly, but when I heard that we would be driving through Slovakia for an afternoon to get from Krakow to Budapest, I realized that I really did not know anything about the country. 

Well in one afternoon, I fell in love and was able to add a name to my ever-growing list of adventures to have (check out my Pinterest board with the same title).

100 Km under in Krakow, Poland

We had our first actual warm day while in Krakow, Poland! It was a gorgeous city, especially on a gorgeous, sunny day. 

Warsaw, Poland

Today, according to my FitBit Flex, I walked 8 miles along the sidewalks of Warsaw and I was lucky to be able to cover nearly everything that I had wanted to see in the city. I had such a wonderful day, but now I am exhausted...but before I turn in, here is a little bit about Warsaw and what I saw there:

With fresh bouquets of flowers for sale on every corner, how can you not love this place?

This morning, my tour group went on a bus tour through the city, and then we had the afternoon to explore on our own. We stopped in a famous park with a monument to Chopin, the famous composer. Apparently the rest of the park is gorgeous and a great place to relaz, but we didn't get a chance to explore it further.  

We spent a lot of time in Old Town Square, and we saw the statue of the mermaid, which, according to folklore, helped found the city. 

I did not realize that Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, so I was surprised when we walked by her house and museum, which was decorated with her accomplishments, as can be seen above. She is so highly looked up to in the science community. 

My family and I love pierogis, so we stopped at a restaurant which had a huge selection of them. We ended up eating spinach and cheese pierogis and then blueberry pierogis for lunch. They were delicious! And the restaurant that we were at had the menu translated adorably into English, complete with a pierogi poem. 

The Memorial to the Warsaw Uprising, above, is definitely something to see on a trip to Warsaw. It is very powerful and the figures are larger than life. 

We also visited the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watched the changing of the guard, which happens every hour on the hour. 

For the rest of our day, we just explored the city on foot and we happened upon a nice open air market, complete with delicious bread and crafts! 

A definite highlight of my time in Warsaw was my stop in A. Blikle, which was Charles de Gaulle's favorite bakery and coffee shop. They are known for their rose donuts, seen above. The donuts were sooooo good. 

And the dark chocolate mocha tasted even better than it looks! What a fantastic stop. 

I would definitly put Warsaw on my list of places to visit again. It had the perfect mix of old and new, and it is full of history and hope.

Poznań, my first taste of Poland

On our bus trip from Berlin to Warsaw, Poland, we stopped for a short while in a little town called Poznan. Although there were many tourists in the town, it was mostly because several bus tours stop there on the way to Warsaw. 

The Old Town Square was adorable and there were several different groups of schoolchildren and tourists visiting. At noon, everyone was gathered underneath the town hall building to watch the clock strike 12. Two little wooden rams come out of the clock tower and butt heads 12 times. The children would count in Polish along with the clock chimes and it was super adorable. 

Since it was our first time in Poland, we found ourselves a little Polish diner to have lunch in. We had spinach pierogis, traditional vegetable soup and strawberry crepes for dessert.  

The town was full of fountains and statues, as well as little quiet streets. It was a lot different from the busyness of Berlin and Frankfurt, and it was honestly kind of nice to get away from tourist-central. 

Polish is even harder for me to understand than German is! Hopefully we can get by for the next few days. 

While we were exploring, I found some propaganda from the Capital... I have no idea what the poster says, but President Snow is on it and I thought it was really cool. 

I will probably never get to Poznan again, but the people that we met there were sweet and it was a quiet little town where we enjoyed a nice afternoon and break from the bus. 

Just an hour in Weimar, Germany

Since we are on a bus tour of Eastern Europe, there are some days when we are on the road for long periods of time. Like today, for example, when we drove from Frankfurt, all the way to Berlin. I guess I had not realized just how far the cities are from each other. We passed through a lot of green fields and some small towns. 

The highlight of the trip was definitely the hour we spent in Weimar, which is a small but very famous city in Germany. 

It is Geothe's hometown, as well as a center for music and culture. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller are pictured below:

Although we only had an hour for lunching and touring this wonderful city, we were able to see a lot and I took a lot of photos (mostly of buildings). Unfortunately, I know very little about the sights that are in my photos. 

It is the perfect German town, with cobblestone streets, a gorgous river, little cafes and many bratwurst stands. 

There were cute little buildings around every corner as well as SO many bikes. 

All I know is that I could live in this house. 

Stay tuned for my next post on Berlin!

Taking in Toronto, Canada

My first stop on this post-grad adventure lays just a three hour drive away from my hometown in New York. Tomorrow, we will flying out of Toronto to head to Frankfurt, Germany, so we decided to add a few days in Toronto to our trip. I have not visited the city since I was little, so it was great to get to know it again. 

Since it is summer, naturally, I packed summery clothes for our trip... Although I did bring a cardigan, a light jacket, a light sweater, and a rain jacket with me (I still consider this "packing light"), these were not enough to repel the classic Canadian cold... especially the winds of the streets of Toronto. We stopped by the Eaton Centre, pictured above, to see if I could find a heavier sweater and perhaps a scarf. 

Although we did not find anything affordable there, it was nice to window shop. I also really loved the art installation of Canadian Geese.

Later on, we visited Loblaws, a huge grocery store chain, which had a clothing store called Joe Fresh. There I found both a warm, comfy sweatshirt and a scarf for great prices!

We have found some really great breakfasty places on our short stay in Toronto. Pictured above is a glorious mixed berry and goat cheese waffle that I had at the Pickle Barrel, on Yonge Street, just before we went to see the play, Once. Although it was huge, I ate the whole thing, as well as all of the fruit that came with it. I recommend stopping by, and I also recommend seeing a play while in the city, since it is full of great theatres. It reminded me a lot of London. 

Just this afternoon, we went to Figs for lunch (http://www.figsbreakfastlunch.com/) and I had a delicious Greek omelet. I think I have turned into Ron Swanson with all the breakfast foods I have had in these few short days. 

(photo courtesy of https://cammimola.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/tumblr_ng9zpxqwan1qz5q5oo2_500.jpg)

Another stop that we made was to the Aga Khan Museum, (http://www.agakhanmuseum.org) which houses art and artifacts from the Middle East. It opened relatively recently, and they are currently doing the landscaping. 

One of our last stops in Toronto was the St. Lawrence Market, pictured below! At the market, you can find local foods such as meat, fish, bread, legumes by the pound, ethnic foods (like pierogis) and lots of olives and Mediterranean bars. There was so much to see. If I lived in Toronto, I would definitely frequent this market, though the prices are a little higher than regular grocery stores. 

That is about it for my stay in Toronto... but I have really enjoyed the feel of the city. It has a lot of different little areas, which I would have loved to explore more, and it was almost like a taste of Europe in North America! I really cannot wait to come back!

Next stop, Frankfurt!

Do you know of any other places that are worth visiting in Frankfurt?

8 Must have items for any kind of adventure:

If you haven't been keeping up with me lately, I should let you know that I am deep in the middle of packing for a trip to Eastern Europe with my family. My room is a mess... there are piles of clothes on the floor, an open (empty) suitcase, and plenty of miscellaneous items all over my desk and chair.
It is driving me absolutely crazy... but I could not think of a better time to write a post on necessary items for an adventure abroad.

• Journal and pen- I cannot stress enough just how important it is to document a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! I have been doing this since I was little. Although I usually go overboard and write in my journal every night about the day that I had (where we went, what we saw, what food we ate...), every time I open up a filled journal, it brings me right back to that very day. I have even started bringing along a mini stapler so that I can include ticket stubs and brochures in my journals!
• Comfortable shoes- No matter where you are going, you are probably going to be doing a ton of walking. 
• Raincoat- I always take a raincoat with me, even if rain is not on the forecast, just in case it decides to downpour while you are touring. This way, you can still see the sights without having to pop into a cafe, just to wait out the rain. 
• Portable mirror- I have stayed in one too many hostel to forget my own little mirror. If you are sharing a room with a large group, it is just easier to find a quiet spot by a window to apply your makeup, rather than crowd around the one in the bathroom. 
• Camera- I love taking photos, so my camera will not be leaving my side for the entire trip. Also be sure to bring a camera card with enough space and an extra battery. 

• Adapters- Different countries have different kinds of outlets. Do the research and buy the appropriate adapter before you leave, so that you can charge your electronics whenever you want, rather than after it is too late. 
• Headphones- I never leave home without my iPod Classic and headphones. Having your own music to listen to while on a long plane ride can help make it more enjoyable for you. 
• Waterbottle (if the tap water where you are going is safe to drink)- Not only is a reusable water bottle much more environmentally friendly and cost efficient than buying plastic bottle after plastic bottle, but it also keeps you hydrated while on your travels. There is nothing worse than being in an incredible place, but not feeling well enough to enjoy it. 

I hope this post has reminded you of a few essentials to bring along with you on your next great adventure! Do you have anything to add to the list?

Stay tuned for more posts about my upcoming trip passing through Toronto and cities in Germany, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary!

Tips for walking the Way of St. James

Heed my advice... you'll thank me later:

1. Be sure to bring along- good socks, sunscreen, a hat, a bandana to cover your neck (to protect yourself from the sun), fast drying undies and shirts (NOT COTTON), a jackknife (just don't keep it in your carry on while traveling by plane), and toilet paper. 
2. Cut off all of your hair- This is not mandatory, but cutting my thick curls to just above my shoulders kept me cooler, allowed me a little more time to relax because I didn't have to spend so much time attempting to style it, and I also used less shampoo per shower, thus making my tiny travel-sized bottle last longer.
3. Bring along a reusable water bottle- Spain has AWESOME tap water... is that a weird thing to say? If you use a reusable bottle, you will be saving yourself money as well as saving the world from plastic bottles. Almost every restaurant/hotel along the Camino is used to filling up bottles, so don't be afraid to ask for the tap. 
4. Get comfortable with peeing al fresco- You may not want to think about it... but there will be a time where you will have to "go" and there will not be a bathroom for miles around... find yourself a nice tree off the path and away from a water source and enjoy the beauty of nature as you become one with it.
5. Beware of poles and bikes- You are sure to face both of these challenges while on the Camino de Santiago... In most instances, nothing will happen, but there is a high percentage of pilgrims who do not keep track of the other end of their poles, and the pointy part may end up sticking you in the eye or gashing out your kneecap... Bikes just whizz by you at top speed, so just watch yo' back.
6. For the love of God, break in your shoes before departure- You are bound to get blisters, regardless of how much you train, but knowing your shoes are the right fit and the right style for hiking is a good way to deter major damage. 
7. Drink water before you are thirsty- Keeping hydrated is imperative, so sip often and refill whenever possible. 
8. Leave your makeup and dressy clothes at home- Ain't nobody got time for that. 
   
9. Carry "business cards" with your name and email- This really worked out well for me... I met some really great people from around the world while walking the Camino, so this was a super easy way to keep in contact with them. 
10. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good backpack- make sure it has straps that go across your chest and waist to balance out the weight. 
11. Keep a journal- trust me, even though you may be too tired to write in it every night, you'll want to remember your trip and the experience you have had. 
12. Eat lots of carbs- It's a non issue cause you'll work 'em right off! 
13. Leave your earphones at home- Instead of zoning out to Drake, listen to life around you and be present in the moment... you never know who you may meet. Get ready to share your life story a few times.
14. Do not overpack- it is soooo much easier said than done, but do not bring more than you need and be open to doing a bit of laundry every night.
15. Smile and say "buen camino" when passing/being passed by other pilgrims- The Camino is not a race, it is a journey that every pilgrim takes individually, for different reasons. This greeting brings a sense of community and solidarity to each pilgrim, and really makes the journey something special. 

Valencia: oranges, horchata, the sea, and the holy grail

I was in Valencia about a week ago, and am just getting around to uploading my photos and blogging about my experience there. My family decided to visit the eastern coast of Spain after touring from place to place for the three weeks prior. Valencia is on the Mediterranean Sea and boasts a unique city and stunning beaches. The city is known for blue skies, oranges, and horchata, a drink made from tigernuts, which are similar to almonds.  

We indulged in the beaches for a few days and took some time to take in the sun and relax. The bus ride from the center of the city, where our hotel was located, took about forty five minutes.

We visited Las Arenas beach:

By the way, something prospective tourists should know about Spanish beaches prior to vacationing is that all Spanish beaches are 100% top optional... in other words, men and women can both be bare chested/breasted and it is totally legal. Not all women go to the beach sans-bikini top, but a good amount do, so this is just a forewarning incase that sort of thing makes you uncomfortable. 

After enjoying some time at the beautiful beach and getting to swim in the Mediterranean Sea for the very first time, we then decided to tour around the center of the city on foot. We also took a bus tour. 

Above is Valencia's train station, Valencia Nord. Below is part of a muraled waiting room inside the train station. 

Right next to the train station is the bullring, which was a sizeable building with a statue of a young matador. 

These purple flowers literally lined a bunch of the streets we were on; they were too pretty to pass by without stopping to take a photo. 

The bus tour took us all the way out near the beach and we were able to see the unique aquarium building. The aquarium itself sounded like a very interesting with shark tunnels, penguins, and many different kinds of fish. I love sea creatures, but have recently been turned off by places that keep sea mammals in tanks and offer dolphin shows and similar things.

Anyways, we indulged in some seafood, since we were right by the Sea... Below are some sardines, pulpo (octopus), and we even through in a salad with goat cheese (not of the sea). 

I'd just thought I would share because this meal was utterly delicious. Notice the suctions on the pulpo's tentacle. 

After our lunch, we went to visit the Cathedra:

This cathedral holds, what is believed to be, the Holy Grail, or the cup that Jesus Christ used at the last supper. Scientists have confirmed that this is the most probable relic, out of all the other cups that have been supposed to be the Holy Grail.