My 23rd Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to me!!! It was a great birthday even though I could not spend it with most of my good friends. I will be there soon and we will all be able to celebrate again. Thank you for the calls and all the good wishes on my birthday, they were very much appreciated!

We started of the celebrationg at Pizza Express for dinner. I went to dinner with Elizabeth and Stephanie (tow of my roomates-canadian and german) as well as one of the other canadian girls, Emily. It was a lot of fun and the food was great. If anyone comes over the visit me I will take you there. It doesnt sound very amusing but I assure you that it is! After dinner we headed off to The Cuban which is a bar in town. I was very excited because I had wanted to go since it opened (end of Oct) so I thought my birthday would be perfect to go!!!

A lot of people came out for my birthday which was nice. I do not have pictures of all of them on here but it does not mean you aren't important! Thanks to the American guys that came out. It was great!

This is a picture of myself, Angela and Nina. Three Canadian girls out in the city. It was good times!!!

Tequilla does not always go down the best!?!? Overall the night was amazing....thank you everyone for making it an unforgetable night!!!! I love you all, and for those who did not get to see me I will see you soon and thanks for all the birthday wishes!!! You are all the best!

Venice - December 2-3,2006 -#2

Day 2 in Venice...what a great place to wake up in the morning. We had a nice breakfast in the hostel and then checked out of the room. We left our stuff locked in a bag room for the day so we would not have to carry everything around and then we decided to visit the islands, Murano and Burano so we could soak up some more of the culture. Scotland came along with us for the day since he had never been to the islands so the three of us set out on our adventure to get to the islands. We had to get a water taxi to get to the islands. It was cold on the boat. I know that we went in December but when you are on a boat going across water it gets cold. Hence looking at the picture below you can see how red my face was from the boat.

It was still a lot of fun. It took us about 40 minutes to get from San Marco square to Murano on the boat. This is a picture of me at the bus(boast) station on Murano. This island is famous for its glass. We were able to see a demonstration of glass blowing which was fun. I had never seen this is person before so it was cool.

This guy made a flower vase out of this piece of glass and then he also made a glass fish out of the remaining glass which he broke off the vase. It was cool to see how easy it was to mold and shape the glass.

Of course the boats need gasoline to run so why not have gas stations on the water. I know that it is not a hard concept to understand but it was still weird to see a gas station floating on the water.

We did not spend a lot of time on Murano since the only thing there was glass and since the demonstrations were all the same there was no point in going to see more than one. We wandered around some shops and I bought a few small souvenirs and then we were on our way back to the boat stop to catch the boat to Burano. This was such a beautiful island with all the colours.

It almost felt magical walking around this island. However by the time we arrived there we were all a little hungry and getting a little moody so we decided to go and get some lunch and all agreed on this little family run pizza parlour which looked nice. The restaurant was very nice and cozy. The food was amazing. I was a little thrown back when my friend Angela asked for some ketchup to put on her pizza? Who puts ketchup on pizza, and especially when they are travelling to a place where they specialize in a type of food. I told her she should just eat it the way she got it but no. The lady gave her a really weird look. Angela even tried to tell me that all Italians put ketchup on their pizza!? I don't think so...

Anyways...the remainder of our time on the island was great and we were able to see some real cultural stuff in. Burano is famous for their lace. It was gorgeous but I didn't think I would find a use for most of it so I did not purchase any of it.

This is a photo of me on the boat on the way back from Burano. The sun was setting and it was a gorgeous night. I was getting sad because it was almost time for Angela and I to head to the airport. But we got back into San Marcos square with enough time to run around and do some more cool stuff.

We bought some corn and fed the pigeons in the square which was an adventure all in itself. I was very worried that I was going to get messy with all the birds on me but it all worked out nicely and I am alive and clean still! In the picture you can see how one of the birds in on my shoulder so I could not stand up straight. I was not impressed at the time but it was fun to do and I don't think I will ever do it again!

Finally it was the end of our time in Venice and we had to take the boat back to the bus station so that we could catch the bus back to the airport. We passed through the grand canal and the rialtto bridge on the way back. It was all very gorgeous at night. I will be going back at some point in my life. I am just not too sure when that will be!

Venice - December 2-3, 2006 -#1

Where to begin. As soon as we arrived at the airport we had to take a coach to the city, which took approximately 45min. It was a quick drive so that went well. When we started to cross the water to the city I couldn't believe it. I don't think I have ever seen something as beautiful before! Once got off the coach we had to find our hostel...that was an adventure. We took the water taxi around the city, down the grand canal and looking around it was amazing. I loved that there were no cars...I loved having to take a boat everywhere!!!

This is a picture of me in front of one canal as we were walking around trying to find our hostel. The search...finding the place was not very hard because Angela printed out the directions when she booked the room. However there was a little adventure...yes, it could not be a complete trip if there wasn't one thing that happened. The hostel was under construction and was not there. The workmen who were renovating the hostel told us we had to go to Hotel Astoria, BUT we were not told how to get there. There was another girl there from Russia who was looking for the same hotel because she had booked in the hostel as well so the workmen called the manager and he came and brought us to the new hotel. This hotel was in an even better location than before!


There is about a 2 minute walk from our hotel to the plaza de san marco. I knew that it was supposed to be huge but walking around there was cool. We went into the Basilica and we went up to the roof where we could see the whole plaza from a different view. I am standing on the top of the basilica!!! We also went through the museum which was in the basilica and learnt about the history which was cool.

After walking around the basilica, we walked next door and went into the Palazzo Ducale (Doges' Palace). This was built starting in the 14th century. Look at how gorgeous this building is from the outside.

Next stop was ... Rialto Bridge which crossed the Grand Canal. You can't really tell by the picture but the bridge is huge! You can get such a great view when you stand on the top of the bridge. One other thing which I have totally fallen in love with is the gondolas! I think this photo is great because you can see the bridge as well as the gondola! We didn't take a gondola anywhere because of a few reasons, which I am not going to get into, but I am definitely going back here on my honeymoon!!!

We walked around all of Venice and saw more historical places as well as visited many cathedrals which were all gorgeous. It was a lot of walking but everything was amazing that I didn't even realize the time was going by quickly. After walking around all day we were really hungry so we stop at a nice little sweet shop...yeah I know really healthy but when you look at the next picture you will see why this shop caught our eyes and we wanted to try the sweets!!!

I think that is the biggest meringue ever!!! It was delicious but I couldnt eat the whole thing because it was way too sweet. I am sure my dentist would be happy about me eating that meringue. Angela and I decided we need to go back to the hotel and have a nap since we had been going for over 36 hours with not a lot of sleep. We had a nap for a few hours and when we woke up one of the guys staying in our room was back. His name is John and he is from Scotland and he was really cool. The three of us decided to go out for a nice pasta dinner. As we were walking to find somewhere we had to walk by this scenery...yes it was torture!!! How gorgeous!

Finally the night came to an end around 12:30am. We had to be back at the hotel at 1am or the doors get locked and we wouldn't be able to get in. As we were walking back we had to pass through palazzo de san marco which is so gorgeous at night!!!

After a long filled day we ended day one of our time in Venice!!

Paris - Part DEUX!

The adventure continues...

This is a photo of Rebecca, Jordan and me in front of Sacre Coeur. Look how beautiful it is!!!

When we were walking around by the cathedral there was this woman who was playing this fun instrument which plays a book of music and she was singing along to the music. It was typical French and it was great. Such atmosphere around the cathedral. It was really nice to experience this part of the French culture because it is so unique and fun.

Jordan and I posing for a photo. We both look like we haven't slept in forever but that's ok because we were in Paris. What else can you ask for. I can't wait to go back there...I am not sure when that will be but I know I will be going again so stay posted for some more adventures!!!

Our day of adventures continued when we decided to go to the cemetery...yes you read that right!!! Cemetiere du Pere-Lachaise. This is the cemetery where many notable people are buried. We posed for some continuous shots in front of this really cool tomb. There were stairs going up to it and then a place to kneel and pray inside. This is very common for the cemetery and the tombs are amazing. I was able to see Moliere, Voltaire, Balzac and Chopin...the first three most people might now know who they are but there were very important French writers so I loved seeing that history!

The one tomb which everyone wants to see when they visit the cemetery - Jim Morrison. Yes, yes, yes! Here is it!!!
After the cemetery it was unfortunately time for me to go back to Canterbury but I promise there will be more sites and more stories the next time I am in good ol' Paris!!!

Where to next!?!? VENICE!

Paris - Part UN

What a beautiful city!!! I went to Paris for the day with some friends November 18th. Yes I only went for one day. I know that seems a little crazy but it is so close that it was good to go for the day. I had to meet my friends in the morning because they did not have classes on Friday so they were able to go on Thursday night. Since I am an adult I had to teach lessons on the friday so I had to wait until Friday night to leave Canterbury to go to PARIS. I took the overnight bus and met a couple of really nice girls who we on the bus with me. I arrived in Paris at 6:30 and by the time I took the Metro into the city it was 7am. I got off the metro at the opera station and walked out and saw this wonderful building. It is gorgeous. I was happy that I got to Paris so early because I was able to take a picture of the opera with the lights on. It is amazing!!!

After walking around the opera for a little while I started to walk towards the Louvre because that is where I was going to meet my friends. I walked until I got to the Palace Royal where I decided I had enough time to go and walk around. I got to walk around the grounds and they are gorgeous, and so spacious. It was really nice to walk around that early in the morning before all the people were around. There were so many pieces or art around the grounds which added to the mood around the Palace. A fun experience was walking to the end of the gardens and noticing that there was a film being filmed there. All the lights were up and they were starting to get the scene set. I took one picture but I didn't want to take a lot. I am not too sure what film it was but it was an old film, most likely based on French History! Here is an example of the art around the grounds.

Next stop was the Louvre. Even though I tried to take my time I arrived at the Louvre at 8am so I had time to walk around and take in the size and architecture. I even took a walk down through les jardins des toulleries. It was such a surreal moment because I have been learning about Paris and all the landmarks for so long and being there was amazing. I loved every minute of it and I can't wait to go back!!!

Here is the typical photo of the Louvre that everyone needs to take!!!

Eventually Rebecca and I met at 9 and walked around and went to have breakfast at a nice french cafe. We both had crepes and coffee. It was a really sweet cafe which only had 5 tables but the food was really good! At 10am we had to meet the other girls to start the day of exploring. We had decided that we were going to go up to Sacre Coeur, one of the main cathedrals in Paris, the other is Notre Dame. There were so many little shops around so we took our time to look around and a few of us even got our portraits drawn. I got mine done, but I am not too sure about it still. It is good, I am just not too sure it looks a lot like me...I will have to get some opinions when I get home. We spent a lot of time around Sacre Coeur and then we walked around this little painter fair that is located near the cathedral. There were so many beautiful paintings and if I was rich I would have bought some but they were quite expensive for my budget!!!

The adventures of Paris will be continued...

Heineken Experience

What can I say except, I love you Heineken!!! This museusm is so cool. There was the whole history part where you got to learn about everything but then the best part...3 free beers!!! Thats so cool, and it was only 10 euros to go in! It took a few hours to get through the whole thing and there was always something to do and see...I have a video message which I can show you which I emailed to myself! It was pretty funny!

I couldn't get much closer to this huge can! When I wrapped my hands around it I had no idea that there was a part cut out where you could get your photo taken and emailed out and I accidently grab some womans hair!? oops?!

We walked around the old factory which was fun, we got to see all the old machinery and even play with some of it. Of course I didn't break any of it! That would not have been cool! It is all still there and it was cool to look inside all the machines and see what happens to make the beer.

Now...the best part...sharing a beer. It tastes so good when you don't have to pay a lot. There were three different types of bars set up in this museum where you get your free drinks. You need to get tokens at the chasier and then you pay with the tokens...therefore, you don't even think you are paying which is even better than my last statement!!!

CHEERS!!!
Lastly we ended the tour looking in the store and also in this TV room where you can sit in the
coolest chairs and watch old Heineken commercials...I can say that was thoroughly enjoyed by Angela and myself since neither of us have a TV right now, so anything we can get we are happy to indulge!!! Hope you enjoyed the quick tour...

Next stop...PARIS!!!