Maps and Camera Snaps: November 2012

Monday, 26 November 2012

Cologne, Germany

On Thursday and Friday night last week, I stayed in Cologne! I have wanted to go to Germany since I was in grade 10. That's when I took my first German class and since then I've become a little infatuated with the language and the country. I'm not sure why but I just love the language even though it sounds very harsh. On the last day of my mini eurotrip, I left Brussels to fly out of Charleroi-Sud airport and I remember hearing the automated train voice speaking Dutch and thinking "German is so much cooler sounding than Flemmish. German was the best choice of language to learn, ever." And it just confirmed how amazing Germany is.

My time in Cologne felt very short even though I was there for 2 nights. I think it's because I spent a lot of time indoors due to the horrible rain. I did get to explore a lot of the city during Friday though, even with an injured ankle (which I obtained by climbing the 509 steps of the Koelner Dom, of course!). I fell in love with the German grocery stores and bakeries, the architecture of Altstadt (old town), the cathedral, the Rhine, the bridges, and all of the other historical landmarks of the city. There's so much to see and experience in Altstadt and it makes me excited to go back to Germany next year!

My first trip to the grocery store. Everything was DELICIOUS. I also may have eaten 2 boxes of Cornys in about 4 days...

Inside the Koelner Dom Cathedral. The architecture was AMAZING. I couldn't stop staring at the walls, windows, and ceiling. Absolutely stunning.

The view from the top of the south tower!

Enjoying the view and the freezing air after climbing 509 stairs!!

Love Bridge (Hohenzollern Bridge)

Looking back

Groß Sankt Martin Church

Zwei Berliners bitte!!

Der Weckmann! Creepy but good.

On top of the KoelnerTriangle. It's a skyscraper with a wonderful panoramic view deck at the top.

The view

The Praetorium. Ancient ruins of Cologne.

Digging up the ruins.

Walking through a tunnel that used to be where the old Rhein canal ran

The cathedral

Amazing bakery

Bikes! Europe's favourite mode of transportation.

The cathedral from the side.

Saturday, 24 November 2012

Back in Brussels

I fly out of Brussels South airport tomorrow morning at 9:15am and I am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be. Just kidding, that's a book quote. But seriously.

I've killed my body on this trip by climbing bell towers, walking for hours on end, and not eating right and I'm ready to leave in the sense that I'm physical spent. But I'm also really sad! This trip was amazing even though I was very lonely at times and very lost (why can't european streets be in grids?!). I've wanted to travel like this for years and I finally turned my dream into a reality. I still can't piece together how it all happened but it did and I am oh so grateful. I'm going to miss this part of Europe! But I'll be back soon, I'm sure.

It's going to be an early morning because I have to take an hour train/bus ride to the airport and I have to be at least an hour or two early (Ryanair is tricky). I hope my luggage will weigh less than 15kg and my backpack will be able to close (GERMAN CANDY!!).

A post about Cologne, Germany will be coming soon!

Friday, 23 November 2012

Where I've Been

My little map is starting to fill up in Europe! I can't wait to turn more countries blue as I visit them. A little Christmas break traveling anyone?

Red: where I've lived
Blue: where I've visited
Green: where I want to visit

Make your own "Where I've Been" map here!

Amsterdam, Netherlands

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I stayed in Amsterdam! My first impression of the city was that it had great architecture and nice lights. I liked the busy-ness of the city as I walked out of the train station -it was a big contrast to being in Bruges. My opinions about the city quickly changed as I got a little lost looking for my hostel. It was 10pm and I accidentally went down some streets that were full of drunks and stoners who creeped me out. When I got to my hostel, it only got worse! My hostel reminded me of a crack house and was full of sketchy people and.. mould. But I stuck it out for the two nights and ended up meeting a really nice australian girl!

The morning after I arrived, I went on a walking tour and getting to see the city in the daylight was amazing. The canals, bikes, trees, houses, and shops are absolutely beautiful. Once I got used to the different sides of Amsterdam, I realized I really did like the city as whole, even the slightly shocking Red Light District. It just adds that weird edge to the city and makes it that much more interesting and dynamic. I went on a Red Light walking tour with my new australian friend and got to learn a lot about the district. If you're looking for good and mostly free (+ tip) walking tours in a new city, Sandeman's is the way to go! They have tours in London, Edinburg, Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Hambourg, Prague, Paris, Madrid, Jerusalem, and Copenhagen (with a few more cities on the way). My time in Amsterdam felt very short even though I was there for 2 nights but I did manage to see quite a bit.

Here, have some photos!

The oldest house in Amsterdam. It's located in the Bagunhof- a small neighbourhood for single women over 30 with a waiting list of 10+ years.

Inside the Bagunhof courtyard.

See how the houses on the right side lean inwards? There are hooks/pullies at the tops of all the houses so that people can hoist furniture into the windows because the staircases are too narrow to carry it up. The houses lean forwards so that if the furniture drops for some reason, it wont break windows or damage the house!

The mini I amsterdam sign at the Amsterdam Museum.

The canals are beautiful!

The center house is Anne Frank's house. It is now a museum!

The view from the public library. It's free to get in and the view can't be beat! Thanks to Tom, my tour guide, for the tip! In the spring/summer season, theres an outdoor patio that's attached to the cafe.

Just me jumping in Dam Square.

THE sign! (not me infront of it). Walked half an hour across town to see this baby. Worth it!

Thursday, 22 November 2012

In Bruges

On Monday and Tuesday I was in Bruges for a short but fun-filled trip. After being in busy Brussels, it was a nice change. The small town of Bruges is beautiful, relaxing, and looks just like the movie portrays it! I fell in love with Bruges and I plan to go back in the next few years.

During my short stay there, I became friends with two australians- Thea and Mark. Mark and I met on a walking tour on Monday afternoon and then I met Thea in the lobby that night. At breakfast the next morning, I was sitting with Mark and Thea walked in and said "Mark right?... from the University of Sydney! You were my tutor!" It was the craziest thing ever!! They had met before and they somehow found each other in Bruges, of all places! And for the rest of the day, we did activities together. It's always nice to meet new friends while travelling alone. I love exploring new cities with people because it makes you feel a whole lot less lost and alone (not that I ever get lost, of course.....hah).

Here are some pictures from my awesome trip to Bruges! I highly recommend this city if you're ever in Belgium.