Ciao

First let me start of by saying, I didn't give up on my blog or forget about writing. I starting writing for myself and wasn't ready to share it with you all. The last two months were fun and hetic. And filled with all sorts of memories and I did write blogs in between, but I will still be keeping them for myself :) Tomorrow morning I am getting ready to head back to the states and want to share a little of what's been on my mind. 

 It's my last night in Venice. I am sitting in a quiet room with Lucianna waiting on Anna to finish athletics. Not how I pictured my night but, hey, what are you going to do. I decided to write this post because, I don't want you to remember these moments of bordom or annoyance. I want you to remember the good times, the places you've seen and the people you met. Oh the people you've met. 

I have met people from literally all over the world, and I always say it's not the sights that make a city it's the people. Every city I've been in I've met the most incredible people! People whom I hope to remain in contact with for a while. And know that if we ever happen to be in the same city at the same time again we would be able to reconnect. There's something about fellow travelers that connect each other. They understand the challenges of heartache of being away from loved ones, the struggle to find some spare change to buy some bread and of course wine while in Paris (I know such a hard life). They understand the stress you put your body through of walking 20-something miles with all your luggage attached to your body, the nonstop traveling of late nights and early morning train rides to the next city. And you're so exhausted and all you want to do is sleep but you have a new city to explore. They understand your thrive to see the world through someone else's eyes. And most of all they understand that no matter how hard it may be at times, you will never take a flight home early, and most importantly you will never complain or regret the journey. 

So even though this journey wasn't always enjoyable, and I've had difficult times, I'm choosing to remember all the good. In fact I've forgotten most of the bad already and when I look back these three months flew by! But I am choosing to remember The "Ah Ha!" moment you had in each city. The moment of "You're really in Europe Stephanie" and the moments when I told myself "It's gonna be worth it" and oh was it worth it. Never forget those moments for that is what is going to make your stories worth sharing. 

"Traveling is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer" 

Back in Venice

So, I haven't written since I've been back in Venice. I've been quite busy with Anna. So let me think back and briefly share what's been going on these last few weeks. 

I got back late into Venice from Frankfurt that Sunday night 8/23 and on the bus, guess who? Drunk German tourist! I was so exhausted and wanted nothing to do with them, they kept asking for directions and what stop to get off on after I and the bus driver told them which stop they kept bantering on and being obnoxious so finally the bus driver kicked them off at the wrong stop haha ;) 

Anyways I've been with Anna for almost 12 hour days and she goes back to school next Monday, woohoo! It's been very exhausting with her, not gonna lie she's been making it pretty challenging for me to enjoy my time here but when she is back in school I will have a lot more free time to explore Italy and do day trips through out the week! 

This photo is from my host mothers birthday, we explored so underwater caves at a lake about an hour north from Venice. It was really amazing, I've never been in any cave before, so it was truly an awesome 1st experience for me. That day we also went to a small zoo nearby the lake it was very cute and lots of fun for the three of us!

And few days later me and Anna went to the islands Murano and Burano. I absoluetly loved Burano and it's colorful fishermen houses! 

Below is the neighbor boy Jacobo, him and Anna play every evening before dinner, I love it cause it gives me a nice break! And they play so well together they are like an old married couple, it crack me up! 

Have to share this picture of Nonna, this woman is awesome! If you ever want to picture an Italian grandmother, this is it! This was us making biscotti the other day. 

The finished biscotti product, along with me relaxing...one of the previous au pairs left some books behind, which is nice so in my down time I have something else to read other than articles off Facebook ;) 

Just for a laugh! You'd think I was back home with that hair cut ;) 

So Padova this past Sunday was awesome. I went to an AOG church called ICF: International Christian Fellowship, and that it was! I had never been to a more cultural and diverse church in my life. It was incredible! They're were Italians, Filipinos, Nigerians, Liberians, Americans and on and on. As each of them embraced their culture with most in traditional dress. And they were all there to whorship and praise ONE God! It was so beautiful to witness. Everyone at the church was super welcoming and nice I plan to go back on the Sundays I can attend! 

Also on Sunday was the Regata Storica Festival in Venice. Which I've come to the conclusion that it is basically a renaissance festival with boats ;) No just kidding was it was really awesome! 

I also got a free spritz and t-shirt from some drink company! Free is for me! 

Thanks for reading, hope I can keep up with this, I know it's not the most exciting blog and I'm not the best writer but it's my way to share a little bit with you all! 

Memmingen & Frankfurt

So apparently me and Germany liked to bump head. This last stop was the roughest of them all. Since the moment I landed nothing was really working out. I had very little cash on me and the ATM wouldn't take my card at the airport. I had not enough for a bus or taxi to get to Munich. So after talking with one taxi driver he agreed to take me to a hostel I booked in Ottobeuren. Ottobeuren is the smallest town you could possibly think of it was as cute as ever and I was so exhausted I ended up staying there for the 3 nights. So yes, I never made it to Munich like planned. But I did go to Füssen which was a pain in itself and public transportation in Germany kind of sucks to say the least. I got back into Memmingen at 9:00 the bus to Ottobeuren was schedule for 9:05. Perfect, right? Well no, the bus decided it was done for the night (I called after waiting 20mins) these very nice older German couples who were trying to help but barely spoke English after finding no Taxi her son then offered to drive to me Ottobeuren, I was honestly about to go because I was kind of stuck. But God knew better as we were walking to the car a taxi drove by I stopped him and got in. Then my and the taxi driver got lost in the smallest town you could imagine! Finally made it back to the hostel around 11:30 that night. Anyways then on Saturday morning I took the 4 hour journey into Frankfurt where my amazing friend Victoria was so kind to pick me up from the train station and then later drive me to the air port. So grateful of that! Over all as stressful as it was I don't regret any of it and it was a great journey to take and can not complain one bit. I am back in Venice and will be fore the next 2 months. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support through it all. Love each of you! 

My 1st meal in Germany: schnitzel and potato salad very yummy didn't know what it was until I asked Victoria LOL! 

More German food, breakfast and lunch 

The baslica in Ottobeuren was the most detailed church I'd ever seen. Absolutely stunning. A traditional Bavarian church 

A nice reminder in Füssen while waiting to see the castle :) 

The stunning Schloss Neuschwanstein where Walt Disney got his inspriation for the Sleeping Beauty Castle and where parts of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was filmed. 

Met some really sweet girls who were camp counselors for an "English" camp at the hostel I stayed at. They made me feel so awesome to be an American!

And lastly I said good riddance in Frankfurt as my flight was delayed over an hour due to a strike in Venice. I was glad to sleep in my own room last night and get some proper rest. 

Dublin, Ireland

It's hard for me to say goodbye to Dublin. I felt so at home here and really do not want to leave. These past three days have been nonstop, fun, beautiful, exciting days. Ireland is absolutely breath-taking and I cannot wait to visit again in the future. I just feel like there is SO much more to see. This was the first country that left me wanting more, and for that Ireland, we shall meet again! 

St. Patricks Cathedral was absolutely gorgeous. Wish I could have taken more photos but it was a Sunday and there was a mass going on. I did go back and catch a few shots on my camera ;) 

Ahh the Dublin Zoo! One of the oldest zoos in Europe, so much to see and do and I had a blast as a 21 year old solo traveller, kid at heart! 

Guinness Storehouse is fun for all ages! It was cool to see how they make their stout everyday and the tasting room was incredible, a true sensory experience for all beer lovers! Had so much fun touring around the huge warehouse! 

Dublin Castle, was a fun learning experience and gorgeous landscaping! I took the picture of the 3 daisys for my 3 sisters :) 

The street preformers were actually entertaining! I would stop and stare or watch a show for 10-15 mins I was quite impressed with the Irish talent! 

Got to take a trip for my 1st time into Lush cosmetics. Lush's products are not only organic but all cruelty free! I wish we had one close by in Charlotte. The closest is in Raleigh. 

Malahide Castle was stunning! And with so much history, I of course loved the gardens that I got to walk around in. 

And last but not least I took a small day trip in Howt, a small fishing town (where I also had the best calimari for lunch), I got to see the most amazing view over looking the Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. It was breath-taking to say the least. Pictures do no justice and these are only phone pictures with NO FILTERS (on any of my pictures on that note). Words and pictures can not describe Ireland's beauty, you will have to see to believe. 

London

It's my last morning in London before heading to the airport for Dublin. Of course the weather is perfect today as I leave. But I had a lot of fun here and got to see a lot of things...and of all things being a tourist ;) because I only have my phone here I decided to put the pictures in collages. London, you were tons of fun and as the locals would say "Cheers!" 

Inside of St. Paul's Cathedral 

Outside of St. Paul's-my daily view from my hostel. And the view from the top of St. Paul's---I believe this one was over 500 stairs to the top! 

Being a tourist ;) 

LOVED! The ceramic poppies outside the Tower of London! Could have watched them "plant" all day long. 

Bridge loving 

Big Ben Loving ❤️

Eye saw the London Eye

Buckingham Palace...I missed the changing of the guards because the bus I took got stuck in traffic and I arrived exactly three minutes after it started and I could see anything. So I went on the tour instead. 

Trafalgar Square 

Tate Modern Museum, awesome peices of work and loved Henri Matisse's exhibit. 

My last night in London I got lost, found and amazing view of St. Paul's and the twin bridges (phone pics don't do any justice) and got fish and chips. I'd say it was a decent night. 

 

Some more pictures from me getting lost last night. 

Paris

Today is my last day in Paris before my flight to Manchester tonight, sono figured while I still have wifi I would post some pictures from my phone....Paris was the most incredible experience! So glad that it was such a nice stay on my first stop of my European journey. My dorm mates at the hostel were some of the sweetest girls you could meet and I was so glad to have them to spend time with and hang out. I will miss them so much! It's crazy how in just 3 days we all bonded so well. So happy that I got to experience Paris they way I have always dreamt of! 

This was inside the Sacre Couer, realized that I didn't get a picture of the outside (on my phone camera) stunning and just a ten minute walk from my hostel. And selfies with the Effiel Tower!

My first night, me and my doorm mates had a lovely picnic outside the Tower

 

Your girl Mona Lisa

 

Selfies at The Louvre and the Effiel Tower at night....Stunning!

At the top of the Arc de Triomphe also a stunning view of Paris!

 

Super Moon over Paris, and the climb to the top, well worth the stairs!

Arc de Triomphe and enjoying some dessert under the super moon

Notre Dame Cathedral, outside and in. And I found Quasimodo, Esmeralde and friends.

Lunch out side in a little cafe, and honestly the BEST fries I have ever had.

           Mine and Jessicas very American dinner, burger fires and a coke for our last night in Paris ;)

And lastly the stairs up to our room on the fourth floor!

Paris, you will be missed...until next time!