Just Touched Down In London Town

I can't believe that after months of planning, I'm actually here. It still doesn't seem real. We flew into London at around 6 a.m. It was pitch black, but the city was lit up and as bright as could be, and as beautiful as could be. As we circled London a couple of times to prep for landing, I was giddy. Like little school girl giddy. We grabbed our luggage...excuse me, Grab is an understatement. I find it impossible to "grab" a 53 pound duffle bag...and made it to our taxi. After a £ 90 taxi ride (approx. $150)  from Heathrow Airport to London's King Cross Station...taxi's are so damned expensive, I would have shared...Sorry Mom but now I understand what the girls in Taken were thinking... we stumbled into the station carrying luggage twice the size of ourselves and looked up at the ever-changing time tables. We stood there, 2 confused young Americans with a pile of luggage large enough for 5 people (I promise I did pack light.. well, as light as you can for 5 months) We were distracted by this huge and beautiful station, featuring platform 9 3/4 and a sea of attractive british boys, but nonetheless, we seemed to manage to make it to the necessary train. There we started the little journey to my Cousin's house. During this train ride we learned the lesson that even though they are speaking english, you can barely understand the British. We just nodded and laughed and pretended that we understood every word that our new friend, Tony, was saying......just a quick THANK YOU to Tony, who will never see this but hopefully will get some good karma out of helping 2 lost and tired American girls. As we traveled through the English countryside, it felt as if we were on our way to Hogwarts. It was even more beautiful than I imagined. We finally made it to the Newmarket train station where my cousins, Ed and Carol, were waiting there for us. I was relieved to be with family!! We drove to their house in Feltwell, and I couldn't believe their house. They live in an old mill with a round castle-like tower. I can't even describe to you how PERFECT their house is. Carol thinks of everything and had the cutest and most thoughtful little treats waiting on our beds. Ed and Carol make it so much easier to be away from my family back home.  After a "quick" (4 hour) nap... we woke up to an amazing dinner equipped with candles and fancy place settings that Carol had made for us. We celebrated our arrival and facetimed my little family back home and headed off to bed. let me just say this once, JET LAG SUCKS. We finally get to bed at around 3 a.m. our time and before we know it, we woke up and it was almost noon. JET LAG REALLY SUCKS..alright I said it twice. Carol made us the cutest brunch since we slept through breakfast, and after we ventured into town.

 With Carol and Ed, it's always an adventure. After parking.. reparking.. and maybe reparking a few other times (the parking stalls are very narrow) we explored Mildenhall. It is such a cute little town and the people are SO nice and helpful! We explored their town church and enjoyed the church's Christmas tree gallery, they were trees that were decorated and donated to the church by local businesses and organizations. I love the little traditions that each little town has. 

Mildenhall  

Isn't it Charming??  

We then set off to find Carol's favorite scone and tea restaurant but had more fun getting lost instead. Jetlag may or may not have kicked in a little bit and forced my eyes shut for a short period of that car ride. JET LAG REALLY REALLY SUCKS.. third and probably not final time. I woke up just in time to see the beautiful sunset and countryside.  Now I'm currently packing for Paris! We leave tomorrow morning bright and early! 

I can't wait to ring in the New Year in one of my most favorite places!!! 

A few things I've learned:

1. Instead of saying something cost 5 pounds, they say 5"quid".. oh boy, I can just imagine all of the terms we are going to have to learn.

2. Adaptors for our electronics are the most difficult and frustrating things. Few work (especially the one that was sent with me, thanks for nothing dad! Just kidding...) 

3. Sometimes someone might need a cupcake more than you... 

****quick side story*** Maddi and I bought this HUGE peanut butter and chocolate cupcake at JFK and managed not to eat in on the 6 1/2 hour plane ride. We carried it with us as we journeyed to Ed and Carols and we decided that it was going to be our reward for making it all on our own. Well, that was until we left it on our LAST train. Oh well... I like to think that it made someone's day and that they really needed the pick me up rather than the train workers throwing it away. 

4. Teeth are NOT a priority here... good thing they have their accents to make up for it!

5. I'm already in love with this country and can't wait for the next 5 months!!

Cheers! 

xoxo

Summer Daze

As my first post, I found it appropriate to reminisce my summer and share a few of my favorite days.

After my last final, I jetted off to the lands I love, Europe. Throughout the past 14 years, these places have become my second homes. But as always, I leave my heart in Paris. There's something enchanting about the hustle and bustle that lures me in. But it's the little back roads that lead to the best shopping, the hidden crepe stands with the best deals, and the stillness of the Eiffel Tower glittering at 1 am that steals my heart and makes me want to stay there forever. You know it's a good day when you walk out your apartment door and see this view, with a chocolate croissant from the boulangerie around the corner in hand.

Here are a few of my most favorite things that Paris has to offer, so hard to choose only a few! 

The Sacre Coeur is one of my most favorite Parisian landmarks!
It has the best people watching and street performers.

After a long day of sight seeing and aching feet, my favorite spot to take in Paris is at the Louvre. Once dusk, The crowds are gone and the lighting is perfect for the best pictures! 

I'm no Photographer, but I certainly enjoyed shooting away! With sights like these, its hard not to!

 

LADUREE. LADUREE. LADUREE. These Parisian delicacies are to die for! You can't go to Paris without buying a box of these world famous Macaroons. Although a bit pricey, they're worth every bit and every calorie!

You Can't forget the Eiffel Tower! Here I am with my
Beautiful Mama, at my most favorite spot in the
World! I can't wait to share this with my own little Girl!

After a few stops at Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Louboutin, My heart remained in Paris and I continued onto Versailles.

**TRAVEL TIP** 

Okay... I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but I'll share to prevent others from being as humiliated as I was. DON'T TAKE YOUR LUGGAGE WITH YOU! We were traveling by train from Heidelberg, Germany, to Paris for the weekend (which is extremely convenient, and will save you the headache of driving in Paris.) But once the weekend was over, we were stuck with 2 small rolling bags at Versailles. With the line to get into the palace snaking around the grounds, the baggage check-in seemed to get further and further away! While being the victims of the beating eyes of every person in line, my mom and I wheeled our little bags (ignoring the laughter and snickering of the rude tourists) through the hour long line while my sister and dad continued to the gardens. So! Moral of this little side story, Save yourself the humiliation and plan to go to Versailles when you don't have luggage.

Other than that, I absolutely loved Versailles! Make sure to go through the Palace, well worth the money! Growing up, I had heard of the Hall of Mirrors but to actually walk through it, was just breathtaking! 

Here's a few pics...

Inside the Palace, Hall of Mirrors. 

That crowd behind us is the huge, winding line that my mom and I dragged our bags
through. (We felt like Hester Prynne from the Scarlet Letter!) 

The gardens were so gorgeous, You could spend all day
 getting lost! 

 

I always find the best mimes!

After a weekend in Paris, it was off to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy!

Au Revoir Paris! 

Once we finally returned to Heidelberg, Germany, it was time to load up the car and start the 6 hour drive to Switzerland, you don't really mind 6 hour car rides with countryside as pretty as the Swiss alps. I do actually mind hearing my mom be the best backseat driver that my dad has ever needed, so naturally I'm in my own little bubble. Regina Spektor blasting through my headphones, Raybans on so my parents think I'm asleep, and soaking in the views (as much as I can, as we zoom past little villages along the autobahn.) With my first year of college over, I was just enjoying the fact that I was finished with one of the best, yet hardest, years of my life. Life was good! Once we got to a little town high in the Swiss Alps known as Grindelwald, I was home. Staying in a little Chalet at the base of the Eiger made it hard to leave on the multiple rainy-days that we faced. But that didn't stop us from late night walks, walking into town for breakfast and groceries, and enjoying being together. With my sister spending time with her host family in Germany (a few years ago, she lived in Germany for a year with the most amazing family!) it was just me and my parents. I can honestly say that it was something I shared with them that meant the world to me. After having a year away from them, I needed this time with them and I'm so grateful for the memories that we now share. It'll be hard to leave them and go back to school!

Anywhoooo.... after 6 (what seemed to feel like 3) days, It was time to pack up and head to our next destination, Austria! What better way to spend Mother's day than in a car for 5 hours heading from Switzerland to Austria, right? My mom's a trooper. 

The View from our little porch. It was so hard waking up to
 this every morning .... 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!! 

Walking into town with my best friend! love you mom!

heaven on earth

On a rainy mother's day evening, we pulled into our usual flat that we've rented for the past 14 years. The family that rents it out is the most hardworking, kindest, and most generous family I've ever met. Its incredible the relationships that we've formed over the years with the people that we rent homes from. They become your second families.

There's something about this little Austrian Village that just makes you want to frolic in the fields! It's magical, I love it! After reuniting with my sister, we enjoyed our short time, 8 days, in Austria together. Sometimes it can be hard to always see the same things and do the same things while on vacation, so this time, I decided to spice it up a bit and try paragliding. It was one of the most amazing adventures that I've been able to experience, especially in the Austrian alps. 

The view during our walk into town.

Makes you want to frolic in this field, doesn't it? 

Getting ready to take off! Hardly nervous...

The view from "up above" 

made it!!

One day in Austria, we were feeling a little adventurous and decided to go on a little road trip through Italy! With the others wanting to go to Cortina, I had my heart set on Verona. I'll be honest, the only reason why I wanted to go was to see Juliet's house, all because of the movie "Letters to Juliet" (if you haven't seen it yet, you must.) So after a 2 hour drive to Cortina, and FINALLY finding a little handmade wooden Pinocchio, I was quite disappointed when all I got to see were mountains. Being from Utah, you get sick of mountains. Well at least I do! After driving through the Dolomites, I wanted vineyards. So, we started driving through the Italian countryside and Verona started to get closer and closer. With my desired destination only 2 hours away, we just HAD to go

.  ** Just to clarify something real quickly, I was the only one that wanted to go to Verona. Everyone else was upset that we were going, that was until we got there.

Okay, so! We arrived in Verona, parked, and began walking the beautiful streets. Of course the rest of the family instantly fell in love with Verona. The arena was just like the Colosseum, the shopping was impeccable, and the square was lined with incredible bistros! It was exactly what I was hoping for! After taking shelter during a random, yet short, rain storm, we finally found Juliet's house! It was SO fun to be at the place that one of my favorite movies was filmed! (That may sound childish, but I'm still a child, sorry!) We bought a lock and locked it onto the gates, signed our name on the walls, and took our picture with the famous statue! I enjoyed my short little venture into Verona, but I enjoyed my family saying, "I'm so glad we went into Verona, good job Madi!" even more. Well family, you're most certainly welcome. 

Dolomites 

Cortina, Italy.

The town square in Verona. 

Juliet's House 

My lock joined hundreds already hanging on the gate.

The famous statue of Juliet! 

The last week of our trip was spent in Germany enjoying the last time staying with our cousins in Heidelberg. With the Heidelberg military base being closed, our cousins will continue their adventure abroad in England. The last week was bittersweet as we all enjoyed Heidelberg, but also said goodbye to one of the places we've enjoyed the most.

Auf wiedersehen Neckarsteinach und Heidelberg! 

Heidelberg Castle

Walking the streets one last time! 

Last walk into town with our cousins, Ed and Carol. 

Family photo, minus the big brother with the broken femur back home.

Love my sissy 

Heidelberg Bridge

Well, I hope now you will be able to understand how after 3 weeks in the most amazing places, it was near impossible to come home. But, we had to and we did. With my brother back home, (he broke his femur while skiing, so he was unable to join in on our European festivities) made it a little easier coming home. I am living at home for the summer and working 2 jobs. My summer plans consist of working and hanging out with my parents (secretly I enjoy hanging out with them, shhh! don't tell them I told you!)  With my brother about to get married, I've enjoyed being home to spend time with him making muddy buddies and having movie nights while pigging out. But, I do miss Salt Lake every day and I'm counting down the days till I am able to return back to school. This fall, I will be living in the ChiO house and starting classes for my major, I'm so excited! I can't wait to see what new adventures are ahead of me, and I can't wait to share them!! xoxo