Seville, Spain - done in Black and White film

I loved just walking around in this city and taking pics

The famous Vespa in Europe, everywhere

you look people are driving them but

you can still find the horse and cart, which

I would think would be more romantic way

to see the city!

Plaza de Espana - The two highly individual towers at its both extremes and the great ceramic ornaments which symbolize the provinces of Spain make it one of the most characteristical buildings in town. We walked there only to find this deserted Plaza, I thought it would be more like a market place. It was very neat to walk around and look at.

Seville, Spain - where strangers become friends.....

what is one thing that travellers have in common when arriving in a new city but looking for a place to stay....

We all meant at the bus station in Seville, all holding are travel books wondering where to stay. We first connected with Marantha who could speak enough spanish to help us find a room and then we found Janet and her son Stephen who also need a place to stay. So we all set off to find our new home!

Our pension was near the only Cathredral in Seville, right past the Plaza de Toros aka: the bullfighting ring! We all got settled into our rooms and then decided to hit the Tapas bar for drinks and food with our new friends. It was a great night getting to know everyone!

We toured the bullfighting ring which
was really interesting! We started the tour late and at first thought we joined the wrong tour as they first spoke in spanish and then in english!

The Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza was constructed over the late-17th and 18th centuries and is one of the most famous venues in all of Spain to take in a bullfight.

Lisbon, Portugal..... my first taste of the World Cup and.....

it could not have been better, with my best friend awaiting my arrival!!!!

Two weeks on my own and I finally made it! Some where worried that with all my famous map reading skills I might not get there on time... but I did!!! For the next two weeks I travelled with my best friend and her husband, Mike! I was so happy to arrive that the hostel and find a nice shower waiting for me and someone willing to wash my cloths (which had not been done in two weeks)!!!!















Lonnie, me and Kendra up at the castel in Lisbon. Later that day we went into town and came across this store front and all I have to say is that the Portuguese are more comfortable with the act of sex then anyone from north america. Check out the picture......and you will see what I mean!


Sintra
Where I think every rich King and Queen retired and build a summer home. There are some many castles to tour and take in!! One could really waste a couple of days here just wondering around. We visited Palácio da Pena, or "Castelo da Pena" as it is more commonly known, is the most complete and notable example of Portuguese architecture in the Romantic period. It stands on one of the rocky peaks of the Serra de Sintra, and blends in a surprisingly fortunate manner with its natural background of greenery and crags, testifying to the aesthetic potentialities of the project.The Palace dates back to 1839, when the King Consort Dom Fernando II of Saxe Coburg-Gotha (1816-1885) bought the ruins of the Hieronymite Monastery of Nossa Senhora da Pena and started to adapt it for use as a residence, according to his Romantic taste.

A typical moment when travelling, consulting the map and taking a break. We also travelled with Mike's best friend Justin and his wife Lonnie, through Portugal.

And here is Mike and is famous "BIG TOE" picture.

As for the world cup, we had the neatest experiance watching the world cup in Lisbon, in a alley way. Justin is famous in Lisbon - Go Portugal!! And well it would not be complete without mine and Kendra's famous soccer t-shirts from 2004!! Good times and how could one not have a great time with a beer one very corner and for only one euro!!!!

Rome the ancient Enternal City .....

to just sit and wonder who has been there before you..........


It's hard to say what you'll find most breathtaking about the Eternal City, the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the gory resonance of the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your caffe latte.It's hard to say what you'll find most breathtaking about the Eternal City - the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the gory resonance of the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your caffe latte.

Making my wish at the Trevi Fountain!!

Legend is that if you toss a coin in to the fountain you will return to Rome one day and if you toss another coin in to the fountain you will return to Rome one day with the person you love. So since I have nothing lose, tossed all the coins I had. Not really but I did toss the two legendary coins in! The fountain was a big moment in my trip because the world did not seem so big anymore, as there was many different people there, all different race and many different languages but we all where tossing are coins in in hope to return one day. It was really neat to experiance it.

The famous Vatican - the richest county!

This is a view from the roof of St. Peters. It is overwhelming to stand there and think who has been there before you. How many people come just once to stand where you are standing!??

The protectors for Vatican - the Swiss Guard!

Last but not least - the Colosseum.

It is the largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire, where the gladiators used to battle to the death! If you look close enough you will see blood! OK maybe not but one can not help but imagine what went on here. I closed my eyes for a second and wondered what was the best seat in the house durn a battle??!!! What where things really like back then??!! One may never know but I think the one can go back in time if they just sit and feel a place like this!

Side note - I had the best water that day touring around as it was so hot and the water was frozen, it came out ice cold. Any touriest attraction is neat just to sit and people watch. I remember watching a group of high school kids from the US and well I have to say they where pretty entertaining!

Florance full of history around every corner....

And wine and yet another bottle of wine......






















Here is Michelangelo's David - it is 500 years old this year!















Breath taking views............

This is a picture of Ponte Vecchio, also known as the bridge of gold. It crosses over the Arno River and was once lined with fishmongers and butchers. These days, it's one of the most glamorous places to be seen. It's overhanging with jewellery stores filled with gold! It was also on the only bridges that Hitler never bomed in WWII.

Next on the life to do list:

Learn how to row - it just looks so peaceful.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa................

I still can not believe that I have seen so many things.........

The tower is famous for its noticeable lean. It was intended to stand vertically, to serve as a bell tower, but began leaning soon after construction started in 1173.
The height of the tower is 55.86 m (183.27 ft) from the ground on the lowest side and 56.70 m (186.02 ft) on the highest side. The width of the walls at the base is 4.09 m (13.42 ft) and at the top 2.48 m (8.14 ft). Its weight is estimated at 14,500 tonnes. The tower has 294 steps.

More pics of the Cinque Terre.......

it was one place I know that I will return to one day, I loved it there!

The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell'Amore (roughly, "Lovers Walk"). This winds along the shore, is very picturesque and is very easy to hike.

This is a pic of the hotel I stayed at... it was the best room that I had out of my whole trip!!!

This is the view from my room.........

Cinque Terre is five coastal villages in Italy

I loved waking up to the sounds of the ocean........

One of the many beautiful views along the hike.

Vernazza is where I had dinner one night!!

Corniglia - You had to climb 368 stairs to get to this city!

If you look hard enough you can see the stairs to Corniglia.

The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all encapsulated in a national park. The Cinque Terre is a Unesco World Heritage Site.The five villages are, from west to east (i.e. from Genoa towards La Spezia):

Monterosso al Mare (where I stayed)
Vernazza
Corniglia
Manarola
Riomaggiore

Venice, Italy.... with amazing views

More bridges then you can imagin and no cars.....

Views from St. Mark's Bell tower

It was a very pretty city... and the atmosphere with all the Gondolas was amazing...and very romantic. (just like the movies) And since I was by myself I took the public bus (a boat) down the famous Grand Canal. Plus to ride in the Gondolas it would have cost 80 Euros.

Musee du Louvre in Paris......

The Louvre was once the home of Napoleon...

If you have read the "de vinci code" you know what is under here right??

Love is in the Air....the City of Love... Paris....


"The heart has reasons that reason cannot know."

My favorite picture... where will I go next, I sit and ponder!!!????

Seeing the Eilfe Tower for the first time was nothing short of amazing.........

Long awaited pics... here are a few from London!!!

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

At the Centre of London....... Piccadilly Circus Notice the Canadian Flag??? Proud to be Canadian!
Big Ben is really Big!!
The Tower Bridge........


Random thoughts......

People in London just love Canadians and if in London, find the Maple Leaf Pub!!!

I never paid to pee once in Europe.

When in London one must visit Harrods Department Store.

I do not think that I have a accent, but people could tell I was from Canada.. Eh!

Always look right before crossing the streets in London, when in doubt look at the down. They paint which way to look on the roads!

Pubs in London shut down at 11pm but if you are inside at 11pm you become part of the pub. I found this out the hard way, I left before 11pm and tried to get back in but there was no door handle!

I wore the pants Tanya gave to me for the first week in Europe due to the weather.... Thanks!!

I love looking back on the pics.... but it is never as good as your memories!

A trip of a Lifetime.... There are only two emotions in a plane going there: boredom and terror!!!

But I made it and to awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.....

How many countries one may ask? 8 counties - UK, France, Italy, Vatican, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland & Germany.

My favorite? I do not have a favorite, I loved them all for different reasons, each place has so much to offer.

One girlfriend wanted me to track how many beds/different hostels did I sleep in while I was gone... I did the count and it was 21 different beds!! And the only bed that compared to my bed back home was the bed in the Cinque Terra.. I loved that place!! Included in that total is 4 night trains, which can be a experiance all together, generally 6 people and bags stuck in a small train car to sleep, if you are lucky enough for 1st class it is only 4 people! But on the train atleast you get awake up call by the ticket agent in the morning, where some mornings if it weren't for the church bells I would have missed my train!

As I sit here back in my apartment looking through pictures it feels like a world away already. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself. I can not wait to go again on the next big trip, as there is so much to see out there. It is a big world out there with so much to offer. If I can give anyone advice about life, it is that one must travel. Do not worry about the money if that is the only thing stopping you, as things will always work out.

You have to go and see, experiance and get lost and try and find your way home because sometimes taking the long way home you find another adventure!

Here are somethings that I observed:

• all Canadians wear the flag somewhere when they travel - Proud to be Canadian!!
• the baseball cap is very north american
• 90% of the cars in Paris have dents in them
• europeans are not atkins friendly - tons of baguettes
• europeans are comfortable with there bodies - lot's of topless woman and the odd man!!
• nude beaches is one thing but in Munich they have nude park with a nude juggler who is juggling two balls in one hand.......
• the spainish love there siestas and tapas
• sangria tastes different all over
• europeans makeout everywhere anytime, tons of Public Displays of Affections (PDA)
• north americans on a whole are very concervative with there bodies and PDA
• seems like I meant more girls travelling alone then boys
• I meant a lot of americans and auzzies
• every girl should bring a sarong (skirt) - very helpful!
• bavarian beer is magic beer.......
• europeans live life differently - way more relaxed they do not stress about the money and getting old - they seem to live each day to the fullest
• europeans seem to be very family oriented
• north americans worry to much about graduating school, then going to university, getting a good job, getting married, having kids, buying a house and then save for the retirment and enjoy later, why not enjoy now?
• everyone drives a vespa - maybe not everyone but there are tons
• europeans are very healthy looking - they must do tons of walking
• very friendly to canadian travellers....

Leasons learned:

• pack less bring more money
• buy less souvenirs and experiance more things
• try hard to learn the language of the country
• get lost in the cities - stray from the touriest maps
• buy a bottle of wine and share it with someone, anywhere!
• take tons of pictures... like 31 rolls!!!!
• be relaxed and do not worry about trying to see everything, as there will never be enough time.
• And jump... take the risks... do it.... cause you might not be back.....
• if it is the money holding you back from doing something just pay for it and go!!!
• And pack your bag with what you think you need and then take half

Some people where amazed that I did my trip without runners and without anything that plugged in like a blow dryer, camera or cell phone. But I do not even own a cell phone here or truly blow dry my hair either that much!

Moneybelt - I did not want to wear one when I was at home but once I even got on to the plane in Vancouver I put it on to sleep! Passport, train ticket and credit cards! Depending on the hostel and the security I would leave it there locked up or I would wear it under my cloths! Then by the end of the trip I started just taking it in my daypack and just watching my daypack! I would wear my daypack in the front! But I always wore my moneybelt on the night trains, you just feel safer when it is close to you.

I think that I packed well, as I used everything I packed! I throw out a couple things along the way, like tank tops, underwear and my runner shirt. I also threw out the hair products that I brought along with the bug spray! I hated my quick dry towel.... and I ran out of toothpaste and had to buy some in Spain. Some cloths never made it home when I went to pack up on the final day as they had served the purpose and were wreaked - skirt and sweater (which Kendra used my sewing kit to fix for me).

So did this trip change me? Yes.....

I think that I have come back more confident because traveling on your own you can not just sit back and let someone else try and find your way to the hostel or even find a hostel you have to do it for yourself and take care of yourself. And sitting down and crying is not a option, you just have to keep going. I found when I would arrive to a new city I would have a checklist in my head ready: food, money, tourist information booth for a free map, find a place to sleep or find my hostel and internet to check in with my family! You just become proactive. My map reading skills improved but I have also realized that I am never lost, I am just wandering! And time was never really a factor until I had to leave a city, most days I did not even wore a watch! You become social, not that I was not social before but you have to reach out to people if you do not want to be lonely! I found that my trick was that I would look for other travellers with the Flag, brand name cloths that I knew or backpacks, if they are reading a english book or looking at a english map..... and then there was always the good old ease drop and laugh at there jokes.. and just join into the converstation..... But travelling alone the only thing that was hard sometimes was eating alone around dinner time but I did notice that single travellers would bring a journal to dinner. I did not know this when I went but learned fast. Pubs are good for dinner as it is easier to meet people there then at a restaurant.

Also when I felt lonely or missed home the internet was great and makes home feel not so far away... I loved getting messages from home and reading the comments on my blogg!

When travelling and also more so when travelling alone you meet the tons of people and some you will remember forever and then some will develope into life long friendships!

I know that I had a great holiday as the night before I had to go to work, I had to ask my roommate what time do I normally get up for work!!! As I could not remember what time I had to even work at...hahaha I could not find the bowls or remember how to use my debt card! I even had a random thought - do I have enough gas to get to work??!!

I have enjoyed writing on my blogg so much that I think I will continue to write on it... so if you all want to check back for updates now and then and I welcome comments but I have to warn you that life might not be that interesting... for the next little while!!! Only because I have to work hard to pay off this holiday and then plan another holiday!!!

I plan on putting up pictures too!!! So come back for a look!

A friend once told me that no matter where you run to you will always find yourself. One can never run away from yourself!

So did I find myself on this trip of a lifetime??? Yes, and I like what I found!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

And like all travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen!!!

Jenn

Munchen, Dectschland was great fun.....

You might ask where that is ... Munich, Germany

That is what it is called in German. So now that I have shared that knowledge with you all, I can now tell you all about the adventures I had there... I left Switzerland a little hung over but it was great fun the night before as I hung out with the two Austin, Texas girls... they are so cute.. they where my roomates at the hostel there.

So off on the train to Munich I meant a big group hanging out that where over here studing... and helped the train ride go quickly until I was not paying attention and the last couple of trains cars where about to be left in a small town in Germany... But thankfully the train conductor came in and let us all know.. so off we went to another train car.. they got off and I was left with a much in love couple in front of me for the next hour...

Little did I know the girl beside me spoke english and was from Canada... Sophie got off the train and introduced herself to me and asked me what I was doing.. I told her I need a map so I could find my hostel and money and then off to a famous beer hall. My plans seemed to be the same as hers.. so off we went without a map but had the money, I felt in safe hands as atleast she could read German as she had family here..... So I got showered and settled in to the hostels as hers was right beside mine. With a shot a vodka and a cheers to a good night in Munich we where off... She was leaving the next day to meet family.. We fast became friends finding out that we where both the smae age... and had a lot more in common.. I exchanged emails with her... so hopefully we will stay in contact.

So instead of going to the touristy beer hall we where off to the oldest beer hall in Germany - Augustiner-Keller, which holds 5000 people. It is the third largest in Germany and the family still work there to day. The beer is stored in the ice cellar 9 meters beneath the garden, which is has a ton of large chestnut trees growing in the garden because they have small root system and shade the ground keeping the cellar cooler...

As I was told the Bavarian beer is magic beer - as it was made for the monks to drink durn Lent it is only made with six ingredients... and if one drinks water before bed you will be find in the morning.. So I decided to put this theory to the test... I drank three Big beers, I am talking big 1 litres of beer... It was a great time as the beer gardens where full of germans watching a world cup game and what made more great is that Germany won that game... The only thing about magic beer is that I woke up in my hostel bed the next morning with my cloths still on from the night before and alittle foggy on how I had gotten home... as I rolled over to look for my keys and grab some water I found a lovely bruise on my elbow!!! But I hada drink of water.. and the magic beer did not let me down - I was fine!

As I was off to see the city - too much to see in one day so I decided to go on a bike tour. It was recommended to me and it was great. It was called Mike's Bike Tour, which I recommend anyone doing if in Munich. We rode around on Californian Curiser bikes and seen the city. The tour guides are great - they knew a lot about the city and the history there. I also jumped in the river in Englischer Garden which is a large city park, bigger then Central Park in New York. The river was the coldest water but the ride in the river was great, later we where told that the river's name is called the Ice river and the water comes straight from the Alps. the best part about the bike tour is that we ended in yet another on beer gardens this on holds 7000 people, the second largest in the world, called the Chinese Tower and I tried a very large pretzel to go with it...

Well I learned so much about Munich that day, I have decided that I really want to go back to Germany. With all the war history and information about Hitler I would love to really have time to spend there. I would have liked to tour the Dachau - the first concentration camp from WWII and some of the other buildings there. I seen where Hilter would give his talks to the public and on some of the buildings you can still see where the booms hit them.

On a lighter note I would have loved to tour the Neuschwantstein - the castle that inspired Walt Disney to build one. Yes, that is right the castle on the all the Disney movies and the one is Southern California comes from Germany.

Did you know that Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world and it was all started with wedding of King Ludwig who invited everyone to the wedding. As it turned out to be such a party the tradition continues still today as this year they are hosting the 173rd Oktoberfest.

Also the World Cup Football was great there in Germany - the final game is this saturday.... I am very interested to see what team wins...

So as you can all tell I loved it there.. I could go one.. but I will save some stories for another time...

Off to bed... as I have to work tomorrow!!!

Jenn

5 weeks... have finally come to a end......

Off to the train, then plane and a stop over in calgary... then home..

Well I do not have much time.. So I will keep this short as I should not miss my train... that would be not good...So I have a couple stories about Munich but that will have to wait for now...

But I will be back in Vancouver at 10 pm... so today is going to be very long day....

Keep watching my blogg as once the pics get developed... I am going to post my favorites... for you all to see....

Sad to be coming home... but I can not wait for my own bed and a nice towel... and I want sushi..tooo...

See you all soon!!

A Climbing I will go.......to the Swiss Alps that is....

To the Top of Europe & other mountain adventures....

Well after some wicked adventures.. I decided to take it easy for my last couple of days and hike around.... So I went to the Top of Europe ... the highest peck... that you can tour... it was beautiful.... I know that I come from mountains but this took my breath away... the views... and it was crazy... there I am standing in the Alps... and looking down on a village where it is a green.... and no snow....You can slide on the top of the mountain it was cool.. there was a ice palace.. and so much to see.. dog sled tours.. sking and snowboarding... and you can even hike a golf ball off at the top... then I took my time and came down on the train and discovered the little towns along the way..

All the cows here wear bells... and even the goats.. it is great though cause you can just stand still and hear them all....

Today... I got up.. moving kind of slow.. as I might have had one to many beers from the night before..... so I walked up to station... and went to buy a ticket.. and realized.. I had no money.. so I had to walk back.. and get my money out of the safe..... Smart move... and then I headed up to Gimmwald... I think that is right.. You had to take the train then a bus and then a gondola just to get there.. it was crazy... but well worth it.. I love the town.. it is a small town feel... there are farmers.. and cows and goats... and every house has an amazing flower box..... and then I stop for lunch on the trail... and meant these two boys.... who where also eating lunch.. so since we all did not have plans on where to go... we went down to this store... and they told us to hike up this north face trail.. after walking to another city.... which took forty minutes to get to... it was a great walk... and then we took another train car.. up the mountain and just started walking... we experianced everything from sun, wind, rain and even hail.. which came down pretty hard.. we hike a long way.. and then once we seen thunder and lighting.. we turned around.. and came home.. it was a great hike.... I hope to have a bunch of great pics....

Then as we walked into town.. we seen the street roped off so we wondered up.... and then found a human fuzzball game.. it was great... I love this place.....

So I have decided to do some wash..... so I won't smell to bad on the plane ride home... so I have to run and finish my wash....

Cheers... Jenn

Broke the Bank in Switzerland.................

Skydiving and Canyoning..........

Well right after I wrote the last posting.... I decided to book some crazy event to do.. and well I booked canyoning for a whole day which I did today..... and then yesterday well I was booking everything I decided why not jump out of a plane... and prefectly good plane... So the guy picking up people was leaving in ten mintues so I did not even have time to be scared.. and then I could not even get in to my room until four so I was like why not...

So I was off in a van headed to jump out of a plane.. with the thought of home being a long ways away if something when wrong.... But has you can see by the pics.. I am happy.. and all in one piece... it was the best thing I have ever done it was addicting.. I totally want to do it again.. Put it this way.... I may never climb all the Swiss Alps.. but now I have had a birds eye view... of them all..... to remember for ever.....It was only like three minutes.. one minute of free fall and two minutes in the air... But once the we were just gliding in the air it was the most peaceful thing I have ever done.. Just drifting... like a bird.... and no sound at all.... I loved it up there.. I can see why people do it.. all the time... I can not even explain how I felt... but it was amazing.. I have the dvd and pics to share...... and to help me remember it.....

Then today I when on a full day canyoning.. and it was amazing.. through the swiss alps..it was a lot of climbing and jumping.... and then crazy slides.. offf rock walls.. I have to say.. that canyoning.. was more scary for me has I do not like heights.. and where to jump and where not to jump.. and the big rocks at the bottom... or holding on the ropes... we went over 1000 feet... it was crazy.. it took all day to do....

Well now.. I am going to settle down here in Switzerland... and hike for a bit.. I hope to go to the top of Europe tomorrow... and hang out.. for a bit... and just relax..... as home time is coming fast....

I have to admit.. I have missed all of you.... and my bed... and a nice fluffy towel.. and my own bathroom.. But I do not miss work.. and every day life.. I want to travel more... there is so much to see... and do out there....

Well off for dinner.....

Cheers... Jenn

I got board so I jumped out of a Plane.....

a perfectly good plane that is..... and have a DVD to show you all............