Celle, Hannover, Hamburg

Canal Where we ate lunch in Hamburg
(its a floating cafe)

Hannover City Hall

German House

City Park Where they showed the World Cup game

German countryside

Amsterdam Canal

Brussels, Amsterdam, Hannover

Hey!

I am in fact still alive but I have been very busy the last few days. World Cup is here and in Europe that is a very big deal. We have had so much fun watching the games so far and I am preparing to go out tonight now that I am in Germany, for the Germany vs Australia. We watched England vs USA last night in an Irish pub in Amsterdam. It was one of the craziest experiences of my life.

So last time I blogged I was in Belgium. With a test there, it really limited how much I could go and see. There was not too much to see there anyways. A statue called the Manequin Pis is pretty much the most "touristy" thing to see. I did however indulge in a lot of Belgian chocolate, yumm. We then headed by bus too Amsterdam. Many of you think of certain things when Amsterdam comes up but there is actually alot to see. The atmosphere of Amsterdam is quite different than anywhere I have ever been. The legalization of many things, makes me think the city would be sketchy. It was the exact opposite. I felt safer and was bothered much less by people wanting money and trying to get you to buy souvenirs and what not. Police are everywhere and they are very friendly. Amsterdam is basically built all on canals and it makes it very confusing to navigate though. Having World Cup games during my stay there really kept me from going exploring as much as I did in other cities. It was more fun to experience everyone's excitement about the games. we moved from restaurant to restaurant watching games and cheering with all the different supporters. Nothing I have ever been to is quite like the excitement of World Cup in Europe.

We just arrived in Hannover about an hour ago so hopefully I will be able to put up a new post soon!

Last day in London and Brugge, Belgium

Now I can officially mooch free internet from my hotel room from a cafe very close down the street. So early yesterday we began our travel to Brussels, Belgium by train. We arrived and dropped our stuff at the hotel and headed for another hour train that took us to a small medieval city called Brugge. This was a very cool, old town which is known specifically for its lace. We even got to see an old lady making some right in front of us. Then it was quickly back to Brussels because I had a test this morning, so there was not too much to do besides study. Today I will get to explore Brussels a little more. I did get to try a Belgian Waffle though, and I was quite surprised by it. Instead of a sort of breakfast food, it is basically a sweet pastry here. Not exactly what I wanted for my lunch. It would make a great dessert though.

My last day in London was pretty fun though. We had been hearing about the famous platform 9 3/4 the whole time we have been here so I got to go see it! We also went to Harrod's which is like a GIANT Department store. It takes up about 2 city blocks and is 5 stories.

On my way to Hogwart's
Brugge
Brugge

paris adventure

Hey I just got back from Paris and just wanted tell you all what is going on quickly. The Eurostar train which takes you in the chunnel and into Paris was extremely fast. It goes up to 186 mph. I was a little motionsick at first because i was moving backwards, very different than anything I have ever done. When we first got to paris it was very nasty and dirty, but it got better quickly. Our hotel had no A/c but the night was fairly mild so it worked out and was perfect for our early train this morning. Last night we were able to see Notre Dame and actually see part of a service. this place is huge. Even bigger than that though was the Eiffel tower which we saw twinkle at midnight. Gorgeous. We spent alot of the evening walking around the outside of the Louvre area and eating dinner on the bridge pont nuef (Thanx Mrs Williams). Everyone in Paris sets up picnics on this bridge and watches the sunset, where you can also see the Eiffel tower.

I know this is a short and quick check in but I have to go and get ready!

Love you all!

Me and Jordan

Notre Dame

Me and Brandon at Moulin RougeLe Louvre

London

Sorry it has taken me forever!

First off the weather is beautiful. I could not ask for better. Supposedly this is the only 5 beautiful days they ever have. Internet at the hotel is supposedly 15 pounds per day! That is $22 dollars for a day! So me and all my new friends found a nice little sandwich shop that offers free wi-fi. I have learned nothing in London is free. Even the bathrooms cost about a dollar to use. There are very few public restrooms. Our tour guide who lives in outer London advised us that if we need to use the restroom, find a McDonald's or a "tube." A tube is the underground subway. We use it to go absolutely everywhere.
So lets start from the beginning. We had a two hour delay on our flight which was supposed to leave at 6:25pm. The airlines kicked an old redneck off our plane for being too drunk. Well when they kick someone off, they also have to take the luggage off. So they then had to open the cargo area, find his bag, and by that time it was lightning outside. We had to wait the two hours then. So when we finally left and I got about three hours sleep on the plane. I also got to watch invictus and couples retreat free on the plane. This plane had TV screens for each individual seat! it was so cool. you could pick your own movie. We arrived at London safely but one girl lost her bag. We then took a two hour bus ride into inner city London to our hotel. The airport we flew into is in the outskirts of London, not the main one.

The hotel is smaller than US hotels but it works. We do not spend much time in it at all. It comes fully equipped with a trouser press and towel warmer haha. (These are tow individual beds by the way)
We then explored London the rest of the day, including having the national dish, Fish n' Chips. Wow, that is all I have to say. I love uncle donnie's fish but I am not going to lie, this puts up a very, very good fight. That tartar sauce is not near as good as donnie's though :). All the phone booths are big and red too by the way! We briefly explored downtown last night as well.
This morning we visited the US embassy. This was pretty cool. We had the chance to talk to the man who controls US business interest in the UK. Up next was the Tower bridge, aka the London Bridge. Most fun part of the trip yet. It is absolutely huge!
Then we went to Buckingham Palace which was kind of a bust. The guards which you used to be able to taunt and take pictures with are now behind 40 ft of gate. So it is not quite like you see on TV since 9/11. Terrorists ruin everything. The last thing today was the London eye. From this overgrown ferris wheel you can see all of London.

Tomorrow is my trip to Paris and I am very excited! Hope you enjoy the quick update and I will try to do this again Sunday probably! Love you all and miss y'all!

Well duh!

So I talked about going to Paris and having to spend time trying to make it work. Well come to find out, THE FRENCH OPEN is going on right now! that is why it has been so expensive and hard to book trains in and out of the Paris area. The stadium at which it is played is about three miles from the center of the city. This also accounts for the hostels being booked, and having to search to find one that will work.

Paris!

As you may have noticed, I never put Paris on the list from my last post. This is because I have planned to go to Paris as a side trip. I have done a ton of research trying to get cheap train tickets as well as a place to stay when I get there. I met another guy named Brandon that wants to go to Paris as well and we have just finished the plans for the trip. Saturday while I am in London, I am going to leave from there and go to Paris around noon and spend the whole day there and stay the night, leaving about ten the next morning. We spent a lot of time looking for a cheap hotel or hostel that we still feel like would offer a decent room. Hotel Luxia seemed perfect. It is actually a few blocks down the street from the famous Moulin Rouge too! I know Devin will appreciate this video...

Devin's song
(btw this is a dulled down version of the video)


Though Moulin Rouge is formerly a place where "ladies of the night" would hang out, it is now a historical site. They now have shows everyday that feature showgirls, kind of like Vegas shows. I am very excited to see the place though!

Getting ready!

As it comes close to time for me to leave, I have been doing a little research on where I am staying and what each place is close to. I will be leaving for Clemson on May 27 and will come back to Charlotte Tuesday, June 1. My flight leaves Charlotte headed for England Wednesday June 2 around 6pm and we will arrive in London at 7am. If you are not already aware, there is a 5 hours time difference from here. so when it is 1:15pm here, it is 6:15pm in London. The other countries are 6 hour differences. These are the cities, in order, that I will be visiting. Click each city to see the corresponding hotel. I thought you all may want to look at some of these places, enjoy!

London - 5 nights

Brussels - 2 nights

Amsterdam - 3 nights

Hanover - 4 nights

Berlin - 4 nights

P.S.- I will be trying to use skype when I can. Keep in mind though that when it is evening where you are, it is very late where I am. I hope some of you can try to meet me halfway with this so I can talk to you all. My skype name is vols575. You can also see what the weather is like by using the box to the left.