Austria

I spent my last week-end of travels in Vienna and Salzburg.  Anne Marie, meine schwester, came to visit me since she's on spring break.  I've gotten really good at holding my tongue around her.  I will have to practice this new talent all summer long since we'll be living under the same roof again.  

Austria is a beautiful country but I would have to say that my favorite part of the trip was Mandy and my dance off with these two old, gay men at the "best club in Vienna."  We decided to go to the dance floor because we were bored and no one was really dancing.  We definitely started the party.  We were dancing and then we started mocking these two old guys who were dancing atrociously, just like them Germans.  Mandy imitated the short, buff old guy who kept getting low and I got the tall, fat guy who was just wiggling like he was seizing.  He was dancing double time of what we were doing.  I was a bit worried that he would have a heart attack from all of the action.  Well we had a blast dancing with them and our friends had a good time laughing at what was going down.  I really wish there were a video, it was priceless and oh so fun.

Austria is overall expensive.   The Stephansdom (cathedral) is pretty interesting.  The roof had colorful tile designs unlike most of the churches we have seen in Germany which are mostly Gothic.  

We went to the Belvedere Museum and saw Kunst's works.  I absolutely fell in love with "The Kiss."  It's a gorgeous piece that makes you want to stare at it forever.  You can't decide if this woman is trying to get away from the man's reach or if they're in love and he just takes charge.  Either way, I love it.  People were standing there for a while just talking about it.

I'm staying in Bonn the rest of my time here since it's actually sunny and I never thought I would say this but I am tired of traveling.  It'll be nice to stay at my home base at Ulla's.  We have a lot of essays and finals coming up in the next 2 weeks.  

My latest idea is staying up until 5AM every night before I leave for America to help me start getting used to American time and so I can make party!

We're watching GATACA in ethics class so g2g. 

Madrid and Barcelona

Extended my stay in Barcelona from 3 days to 6 days. We rode on scooters which I highly recommend. It's such a fun way to discover and see a new city. We saw the Goudi buildings which were unbelievable. If you don't know this architect, he made insane designs that look like they come from a fantasy world, somewhat like candy land.

We rode to the beach because it finally stopped raining. I had packed for warm weather and my cute flats ended up getting soaked and I have a cold, but it hasn't stopped my fun. We grabbed a sangria at the shop on the beach, listened to the Jack Johnson play, layed in lawn chairs, and ended up napping. It was a perfect moment.

After our study abroad group left, three of us headed over to our apartment we were renting. We started walking and I noticed the cool graffiti on the buildings and Aaron said "if you like this graffiti, you're going to love our apartment." I laughed but I stopped laughing when I saw our apartment. Dingy, dark, hole in the wall, gross. It was clean but it was not nice. Mandy and I shared a small, springy cot in the cold. Luckily Ryan let me borrow his sweatshirt and extra blanket. It was fine after the first night, it was a shitty place but it got the job done. We stayed in a hotel the last night which was nice. Except the walls were paper thin. Our neighbors showers sounded like a mix of washing machines and ocean waves (not nice ones, loud ones) and then when we got back at 5 AM, we heard a couple having sex. We were so tired after our week of traveling that we passed.

In our apartment, we had these 2 crazy Italian chicks that liked Ryan and gave us really good weed to smoke and this horrible German couple.

The Germans were sitting in the kitchen when the boys were cooking for us and I decided to make some dranks. I offered some to the Germans to be polite but the chick kept pouring herself some more Absolute which is fine. But then we invited them to go out that night. Mandy and I take a long time to get ready, and an even longer time when stoned. The German guy got all mad that we were late which was annoying because we invited them. We wanted to find the Travel Bar but couldn't so the German man got all pissy and wanted to go to another bar. But we found the Travel Bar had a couple of drinks, were there for an hour, then Mandy and I were ready to find these clubs that her friend recommended. The German man after blowing rolled tobacco smoke into Mandy's face all night had a hissy fit again and said oh we don't need to go, let's stay here. Mandy and I were pissed off and said no, we're going. So we leave, get a taxi but the taxi can only fit 5 people and not 6. Aaron hops into the taxi with us and we leave. We get to a club and Aaron couldn't get in because of his stupid sneakers. So annoying. The second club was the same story so we retire.

Aaron and I weren't satisfied with the night so we go out and run into these talkative spaniards who speak English. They told us to go to Razzmatazz because there's good music, where the locals go, and they allow sneakers. We get there, we walk around, we were tired, weren't feeling it because we got there like at 4AM. So we went back.

We didn't want to end the night on a bad note so we decided to look for some ganja. We go up to one of the sketch, black drug dealers that hangs out by our apartment door. We walk with him and say we want some weed, we only had 10 Euros. So he split a bag in half and gave it to us. He walks around and tells his buddies how much he selling it for, dno why. We get the bag and bolt. Such a sketchy situation lol.

We stuff it in a cigarette. Didn't really feel anything, it was shitty but whatever we went to sleep.

The following night, Mandy and I decided to roam without the sneaker wearing boys. We get to this area of nice bars, wander into one and it was empty. Wander into the next, too many kids. Get escorted into a new bar and got ourselves a two for one drink with free shot. They were delicious, fruity drinks. Then we walk into another bar that sounded noisy. Walk in, stand around, and these two guys approach us. They invite us to go to a club and we all head out. What we didn't realize was that it was a birthday party and every single person from the bar stepped outside. Oops we crashed a bday party. We walked for what felt like miles, of course I was in my stilletos. Get into the club for free, we look around but no one was appealing nor was anyone buying us drinks.

Laura had told me that Spaniards don't buy girls drinks, but I didn't believe her until that night. Yes, they don't buy you drinks and they are extremely touchy feely... We went home at 4:30 we weren't drunk and hadn't met cute guys, but it was still a good time.

There's a few stories from Spain, hard to write them all down. Some of them may sound like I had a bad time, but I had an amazing time, some of it's just funny to me. My sister's coming to visit me tomorrow, then we're traveling to Austria. Woot!

In SF May 5th

So I talked to my mom today and she really wants me to come home May 5th on my planned departure date. Paris seems like it's very difficult to get to so I've been thinking that I may come home the 5th. Which I'm looking forward to now. My mom's getting surgery and wants me and my sister to help her out this summer which is why I should go home. But a lot of it has to do with the things I need to do in order to live in Paris and then I'm not even sure if I'll get jobs. Au pair application needs 3 passport photos, doctor's signature for something, 500 word essay in french, fill out app, high school diploma, and all this other stuff. And the internship I have to translate my resume and cover letter and find places that need interns. I dno, it was just getting too stressful and the end of this semester is nearing.

The more I thought about home though, the more excited I am to see people and things I miss: friends (LA and bay peeps), raves, Hollywood clubs, partying, freedom, my car, EDC, San Francisco, LA, LMU parties, Custom (I know lame), my clothes!, drinking with my favorite people, smoking, boys that understand my language, room to call my own, Haight Street, American movies.

This summer should be a blast. I plan on getting a job on Haight Street and possibly an internship and traveling to LA in between for friends and raves.

I was talking to Aaron Wu about how we feel confined and trapped in Bonn. We're both pretty similar in the sense that we're always down to party, we're ravers, and just looking for a good time. But in Bonn, we just can't go out like we can at home. Here, you have to plan to go out, tell everyone to meet up at a certain time. If it's on a week night, we have to leave at 12:30 or 4:30AM, one or the other because of the trains. We're mostly traveling on the week-ends and don't really know the area so it's a mission to find a place. I guess I miss the accessibility of partying and being able to drive anywhere and not having to worry about trains. Leave whenever you want. I guess the theme is I miss friends, freedom, and accessibility to partying. Didn't realize how incomplete I feel without partying and socializing until I came to Bonn.

Home May 5th, Are there any Cinco de Mayo Parties? I'll be ready off the plane with my sombrero and cerveza!

Amsterdam - Take 2

Since last time I was in Amsterdam, all I did was get high. I wanted to make this time right and productive. Which it was! I had no train issues this time. I got there, met up with Ilana and her friends, dropped off our luggage at the hotel (or whatever that was, kinda dingy), and went off to explore Amsterdam.

First on our agenda was get high and go to the Van Gogh Museum. It was the most amazing museum trip (haha pun), I have ever gone on. I actually understood the paintings and saw what Van Gogh was trying to say. Ilana, Casey, and I were pretty awesome in our analysis. I was kind of paranoid that people were listening to us and laughing because they knew. But they didn't. Ilana said that my analysis was more from an art perspective and about movement, while hers was literary kind of analysis, and Casey we weren't quite sure what she was saying lol.

We walked a lot and saw the beautiful canals, high end designer shopping, and gardens. We didn't get to see them hos this time or see a sex show but whatevs.

At night, we went to this club called Paradiso, it was awesome. It didn't really start getting fun until like 1-1:30AM which is when Casey happened to want to leave... Errr... This awesome DJ came on and just got the crowd going. So we walked around for like an hour trying to find waffles and our hotel. Casey stopped like five times for pizza, fries, milkshake, whatever. We finally found our strawberry covered waffle. Then walked to our hostel.

We went to Anne Frank's house which was interesting. So I got the two things I wanted to do off my list. Success! Then we got Dutch pancakes, yummy. Then got high then I went home on a train or two or three, actually it was four. Public transportation takes forever.

First Date in Germany

I met Phillip, the German policeman, at a club and we exchanged numbers. I had no intention of ever calling him but I watched Eurotrip and relized that I have not had a crazy night yet or really gotten Euro ass. So I texted him and he seemed excited to hang out.

He took me on a stroll alongside the Rhine River and then a bar in Old Town. Had the local beer, Kolsch where he told me he broke up with his girlfriend of 3 years, 3 weeks ago. I hate being the rebound girl, but at least I get to help them realize that there are other awesome girls out there. He stole the glass I drank from so that I could have a souvenir from the night. Then proceeded to the student bar area where we had hooka and mojitos. I was happy about the hookah because I haven't smoked from one since I got here. The Germans call Hookah, Shisha.

Then we checked the train times where he kissed me, we got yelled at by some drunk German girl but then she told us to keep going. We roamed the streets of Cologne (cologne was invented in that town, dno if I already wrote this) where we walked past his apartment and his brother's police station (also a policeman). I kind of distanced myself and then I told him that he better not think he's going to sleep with me because I didn't want him to think I was easy ass since I let him kiss me. He said don't worry because he had a gf for 3 years and he kissed me. But I told him that he was a man and wants ass. He said that he's different (which they all say) and held my hand the rest of the night to comfort me, I assume. I always kiss guys on first dates but I'm reading the Art of Seduction which tells you to prolong giving into things like that so I wanted to set him straight. I think it worked on him.

He walked me to the train station, stood in the train door with me for a few minutes. He gave me the souvenir glass and kissed me good night. He seems like a good guy. He speaks English really well, his vocab isn't extensive but we still had great conversation. He brought up politics as Germans like to do. They're very up to date about current events and politics, especially Americans'. He's a Saggitarius which is awesome because I'm sick and tired of Cancers.

They're like domestic cats. They're lazy and just want to lay around and not adventurous or ambitious. I need a change in men. Don't get me wrong I love cancers because they're sweet and affectionate and caring until you hurt them and then they're oh so vindictive. But I need a fire sign who's adventurous, has goals in life, and then actually tries to do something about pursuing their goals. I'm sure you know this rant is mostly about Danny but I'm realizing that guys I date in general just are going no where with their lives. Anyways, I probably won't have a lot of time to hang out with Phillip but we plan on seeing each other. He texted me the next day.

Brussels

Brussels was so nice. I had some difficulties getting there but I got there. Megan found this deal on Expedia so we stayed at the five star hotel, the Marriott Renaissance, for 20 Euros each. We had a king size bed (I won rock paper scissors so I got to sleep in it), a living room, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, 2 TVs, a pull out couch. We had a long week of getting up early for classes and going to sleep late from studying (lots of presentations and midterms) so we didn't want to leave the room, to say the least. But we mustered up some energy and took a bus to Grand Place.

We went in to some chocolate shops, bought Anne Marie some chocolate. I figured she'd be the only one I saw before it would melt. Got this yummy framboise desert. Then we went on the hunt for french fries and waffles. Our original plan was to eat fries and then walk over to the waffle place across the way, but the french fries were so delicious and filling. The french fries were the most amazing I've ever had and fries are my favorite food. They put ketchup, mayo, and onions. Delicious. Got to practice my French when I was there, too. For asking directions and ordering mostly.

We ran into two flea markets which were very chi-chi. They had nice silver out and vintage purses and jewelry. Old furniture and paintings. You could tell that Brussels was a wealthy town. I saw this cool black and gold ring from the 70s but I didn't have cash for it. We went back when the market was closing and I asked her if I could buy it for 10 (price tag said 15). She immediately said yes. I put down 7 and was digging around through my coin purse. She gave me back the 2 and said don't worry about it, have a drink on me. I was like score! Thank you! Megan said she seemed to like me because I was speaking to my friends in English but started speaking French to her. I don't know but it was nice of her. Vintage ring for 5 Euros!

Brussels is known to be a city that people move in and out of frequently because people are sent there to work for business. So a lot of wealthy business men and women around their 30s dominated the night scene. I didn't mind it but all 4 of us were so tired from the long week that we just drank at a bar and then retreated to our hotel sanctuary. Megan and I split a knickerbocker drink. It was white rum, orange juice, raspberry juice, lemon juice, and sugar. It tasted scrumptious and was strong enough for my standards. So overall, a lot of people there are not from Brussels. We heard so many different languages.

This morning we slept in in the beautiful, fluffy king size bed which we broke by the way. We decided it was a good idea to take a picture of us jumping onto it and broke the leg haha. Anyways we got us some Belgium Waffles. Mine had ice cream, strawberries, and powdered sugar. Then I got some fries to eat on the train. Now I'm back. It was a short trip but wonderful none the less.

40 degrees out and I think that it's hot, Germany has changed this Californian

Stayed in Bonn this week-end. Wish people had told me that they were going to Budapest! Psh whatever. I visited Beethoven's house yesterday. I figure since Bonn is his home town, I should check it out. I discovered that he got rejected by all the loves of his life, the tour guide said "he needed to stay focused on his art which was his true love" yada yada.

Went to Cologne for some Absinthe. Absinthe has failed me. Not yet have I seen little green fairies or even get really drunk. I say that it's all a lie. Although I have not tried the bottle I got in Prague yet. We were bored so went back to Bonn and raged in this club called N8. It was fun, probably will go back. This Turkish guy asked me if it was my birthday and I said yes and high fived him. Like 3 hours later, he handed me a Mexican beer (made in France) with tequila in it. I asked the guys I was talking to if they put drugs in drinks in Europe. One of them tasted the beer for me and ok-ed it. But it does happen on occasion was the answer.

I'm visiting Ilana next week-end in London which I'm very excited about, I know it'll be a good time. She's going to take me to techno clubs and introduce me to her British friends.

The rest of Karneval last week-end wasn't too exciting. I was so sick on Friday that I didn't go out. Saturday we went to this strip of bars, bought beers at the liquor store, and just partied in the streets (it was cheaper). Monday, I traveled to Frankfurt to get my French passport! I am officially an EU citizen! So now I can live in France this summer. Still looking for a Fashion PR internship so it needs to happen. I'm excited! Anyways, everyone partied during the day on Monday so I didn't go out.

The temperatures have risen in Bonn which is soooo nice. It's like in the high 40s now. I only have to wear one jacket! And now I can dress up more which always makes me happy.

I feel like I have nothing too exciting to report about. I've just been contemplating my life and where it's headed. This time away from home is really good for reevaluating my relationships, friendships, and career path. I'm hoping to be different when I get back. Also, going out has lost it's appeal. It's such a hassle to go into town, find a good place to party, and then figuring out how to get back. Example, my train stops running at 12:39AM and I thought the trains started up at 4:50AM so I was going to just wait it out until then but it's Sunday so they start at 7AM. I had missed the buses to go stay at my friend's house so I waited an hour at a cold train station with the crazies until the train came by at 5:32AM. Then I had to take a taxi from the train station. Finally got to my bed a little after 6AM, such a pain in the ass.

Can't believe I'm half way through this experience.