Amsterdam to Brussels to Paris

Alright. On the bus to Paris. In Brussels, Belgium. Took a bus from Amsterdam and took a break for four hours to have lunch and see Brussels city quick. Getting to our bus this morning was like a re-run of our sprinting in the airport for our plane to Amsterdam. We tried the metro and the metro security guy at the doors closed them as soon as we were in front of them. Like he watched us run and sprint to the doors and he was kinda waving us on but then nah. Bad karma for him because then we had to take a longer way to the bus station via metro or wait for another bus or try to get wifi for an uber. Keep in mind, this is all happening when our bus to Brussels is leaving in less than twenty minutes. We found a taxi. Best guy. Very helpful. We had 9 minutes by he time he started to drive. He sped and cut off the bus so they couldn't leave and we made it! So this time. I'm sitting in this bus to Paris with time to relax before moving because we are EARLY. Anyway Brussels was nice, some lunch, walked to the big plaza, saw the Christmas shops. Which, by the way, they celebrate Christmas for a while. They keep saying Merry Christmas and still shop and still have decorations up. Cassie said they might do it because of holiday is done on the 6th or 8th of January. I don't know.

Amsterdam on the other hand was cleaner than last time I saw it (on Kings Day). It was still dirty. Tons of drugs other than marijuana. We saw the red light district. My favorite part was the fact that we rented bikes (pretty pink btw) and rode then around the city. Saw Rembrandt park and ice skated on the pond. Had some hot cocoa. Saw Dam Square. Had some iced waffles. Fries. Mexican food for lunch. Went to the Bulldog, had a space cake and some other things. Got offered drugs. Stroopwafels in a vending machine at our hostel. Hostel was super nice besides the beds (hard as a rock) and the heat blasted at night. Hostel had a bar and some pretty hipster vibe with the lounge and art everywhere. Went to Primark because they have one on the Main Street too!! (Brussels too) This time I bought more than one clearance sweater. I got a hat and better gloves because riding bikes in this cold is real cold, like real real cold. I also found my favorite spotted tights that I had when I studied abroad. I grabbed two. And I got a few other "tiny" stuff. Bikes were perfect if I didn't mention that. Like we felt apart of the Dutch life even though the Dutch were swearing at us because our bike road driving was rough. We had little bells to ring to warm people were behind them or that we were going first. We got to ride a free 24/7 ferry from our hostel to the city which was cold but an experience. I found out that there is more than one "I AMsterdam" signs. I saw three including the original one in Rembrandt park. I had lots of Heineken. My first time in Amsterdam I found my love of Heineken. Before I never really had favorite beer. Got Girl Scout cookies and suckers that didn't work. Had someone roll a blunt for us, it was embarrassing so the Swiss guys did it for us. They were shocked to find out we didn't add tobacco in ours. Italian guys sat with us in the BullDog for two more. Oh. The first night a group of guys were following us, that was scary. Got in the first bar we saw. Met a guy our age from Minnesota there. Rob. It's also very cold here. It's like thirty degrees warmer than Milwaukee but still as cold. I should have brought a warmer coat. Had Flugel shots (what our group did in 2015). Oh also it's like a rule in the BullDog coffee shops that you cannot smoke tobacco but weed is allowed and encouraged. I still haven't found mini Cadbury eggs or the regular ones with caramel or creme inside.

Paris next. Third time for me. I want baguettes with camberet cheese and macaroons and the Eiffel Tower.

12 Tapas

So I left on Christmas from Chicago and got to Madrid the 26th at 8am. One flight. No layovers. 8 hours straight. Watched Secret Life of Pets. And now I'm sitting on a plane again as I write this. A plane to Amsterdam. We spent the night in Madrid so we can meet up and have a night in Madrid. It's Missy, Cassie, and I. Our hostel was awesome. Beds comfy. Lockers very safe. Staff super friendly. Our French neighbors were nothing positive though. Loud and obnoxiously there to get drunk. Anyway. Madrid that night was hard because we were all so tired from flights and car rides. Cassie teaches English in Granada, Spain (South). She taught in Korea before. Her car ride was from Granada to Madrid. Missy took three planes to get to Madrid, and yet she was the one that wanted to stay out but I was literally falling asleep with beer in my hand by 11pm. Before our beer, we had a pitcher of sangria and tapas (like a plate of different appetizers). Like cheese, blood sausage, potatoes with garlic and tomato sauce, fried eggplant, and so on. I'm dreaming about the Paella we will get in Granada. First we go to Amsterdam, PARIS FOR NEW YEARS, and then Granada. Then we part ways. Missy goes back to the States and Cassie stays home in Granada. I then meet up in Belgium with Suzanne. In Madrid last night was a huge Christmas market in Mayor Plaza. A crap ton of colorful wigs and crazy hats. A sea of people, especially in Sol Plaza. Before our sangrias and tapas we decided to buy wigs for New Years. I bought a white bob cut and Missy has a long hot pink and Cassie, a long curly light pink. I'm really excited about it. We might even wear them as we ride bikes around Amsterdam. Our roommate in our hostel last night was like 40 and a male. It was of course all fine but a little awkward because it was us three girls and then him. Maybe if it were one of those rooms with 30 bed with more people, it wouldn't. Anyway, on the plane. 2 hours and 40 mins from Madrid to Amsterdam. Our hostel there is suppose to be awesome as well. We almost missed our flight. I've never been that close to missing a flight and never will again. We literally sprinted with our coats on and luggage. We were practically dripping sweat in that airport. The gate was left open for us, they waited like ten minutes for us. They were all so nice, from the ticket and check in, to security, and to the gate. The plane on the intercom when we were seated and buckled said "thanks for your patience". Hahaha. Well, we made it. This morning we went for desayuno (breakfast) at Paneria. Cafe y crossiant y naranja de zumo. Coffee and crossiant and orange juice. Light European breakfast, my fav. My one backpack is perfect so far. Fits a lot. Not too uncomfortable to wear (or run in airports with). OHHHH, also...I had a few hours to kill yesterday when I arrived to the city. I dropped my bag off in a locker at the hostel because I couldn't check in until 3pm (which they let me check in earlier). I went exploring and found.......a PRIMARK. And not just any Primark. A four story Primark! See, Primark is what I fell in love with when I studied in England. It's a cheap British clothing store. Super cute stuff, kinda like a forever 21 but cheaper. So once I walked in i was in awe. Im really proud about this too because I was in huge Primark and reuniting with the store, and I only bought one thing (and it was on clearance for 3€). I probably walked three miles around that place and spent a couple hours there before returning for a nap. Then I met Cassie (Missy's friend from high school). We then went to the airport to pick up Missy (met this blonde at an art education internship) via Metro. Which I took that morning to get to the hostel. I stood there at the airport metro and was confused in the same spot I was two years ago when I was first in Madrid, trying to figure out the tickets where to go. But once I was on, it all came back to me. Cassie and I waited over an hour for the damn blonde to get through customs. Later, waiting hungry and tired, Cassie gets an email with a text from Missy saying, "waiting in baggage claim". Hahahhaha which is right next to the door where she had to exit to see us. Also, no chocolate purchases from me yet. I haven't found the Cadbury eggs yet. I found the Oreo bar but didn't get it. Think I'm waiting until England to be honest. Then I'll have Cadbury chocolate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Okay, Amsterdam next. I'm expecting marajuana and Heineken, bikes galore, and red lights.

DATES:

December 25th, 2016 (Christmas): Arrive in Madrid, Spain

December 26th, 2016 - January 4th, 2017: Madrid (Spain) with friends, Paris (France) for New Years, Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Granada (Spain)

January 4th, 2017 - January 8th, 2017: Antwerp, Belgium and a day in Suzanne's hometown (Netherlands) Met the lovely Suzanne from studying in England Spring 2015

January 8th, 2017 - January 12th, 2017: Budrio/Cesena, Italy (Emilia-Romagna) visiting family for the third time!!!

January 12th, 2017 - January 18th, 2017: London, England and a day trip to Canterbury, Kent, England with the sweetest, Gabriela!

January 18th, 2017: Home in America ):

Going Back to my Second Home

Hi guys! Yes, yes. My second home is Europe, more specifically, England. I said I wasn't going to fly back until I graduated with my two bachelor's degrees. However, my friend Missy is heading over to Spain to visit a friend, and I get to tag along. This way I can see Spain more since I only was in Barcelona for a day and Madrid for a day. I'm leaving Christmas day from Chicago to Madrid. Missy flies back on the 3rd of January, and I am staying. I haven't decided exactly what days and where I will go first but I do plan on going to Italy to see my family and to the Netherlands. Antwerp to be exact because I have a friend from my time studying abroad in England there and she is going to show me the true Dutch because I already seen the drugs and sex (quite literally) in Amsterdam. And Stroopwafels! Lastly, I will be London because it's where I plan on living when I graduate with my masters, hopefully. I am going for at least three weeks. I absolutely cannot wait. So, starting Christmas day, start to see some more posts!

Adios Latin America

I'm in America, since the 27th of June. I had an amazing time of course, and the experience of a lifetime. There is no favourite place I went to out of the three because they all had something very special to them. Costa Rica, the host family or Flor in general. Guatemala (Antigua), the culture and the traditional threads, and of course all of my babies in the daycare. Merida, Yucatan Mexico was the people I met at the volunteer house. I was sad to leave but also happy to be home and I cam back to appreciate America a lot more. It was a little of a culture shock when I went to the bathroom in America where I didn't have to throw the toilet paper in the bin but I could actually throw it in the toilet. Also, when I was running to my gate in Dallas I was still saying pardon and disculpe instead of sorry and excuse me. Which, yeah I was crying trying to get to my connecting flight in Dallas to get to my plane to Milwaukee. Delays and storms. But honestly, I don't know if I will go back down there for a while. Some of the things I heard scared the living crap out of me, seriously. But I did meet some pretty damn cool locals that would welcome me back anytime. So I am stuck in the middle of coming back or seeing new countries. I love all of the people I meet when I travel. I have friends from all over the world I think that is the best part to leave with, the memories and the people you meet.

Next: The Grand Canyon (hopefully)

Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

I have soooooooo much to catch you all up on. I'm in Mexico. Merida to be exact, and you pronounce it Med-dee-da. But first, I got to close off Antigua for you.

• The turns on the chicken buses feel like you're riding a roller coaster
• Met a guy from La Crosse, Wisconsin that was running on of the chicken buses 
• The twin mountains look like the letter M
• I wore the same sweater everyday because it was all I had to be conservative for work
• The kids at the daycare had a talent show it was the cutest
• Giovanna (2 years old) would say the name of an animal when shown a stuffed animal so when we showed a duck, she said "pato" and with cow, "vaca" but when shown a dog, she starts to bark instead 
• I can bargain or barter really good at the artisan market, I got a pair of shorts, keychain, and dolls for nine American dollars
• Hung out with some teachers at the coffee plantation tour
• Zip lined and learned about the coffee process at Yalu Coffee Farm (could have rode horses but I chose not to)
• Instead of saying cheese for the camera, you say "whiskey!"
• Antigua was beautiful, not too big and not too small with the traditional culture alive
• You'll see women in the traditional clothing and threads carrying a basket on their head and a baby on their back
• Recent activity at the volcano we just hiked (Pacaya)
• Had sweet bread
• They have apple soda I guess and I'll be buying Valentina hot sauce for now on

The day we were suppose to leave Antigua, we didn't...well, I didn't. Our airport closed down because it rained so hard that the runway was flooded and broke. Michaela got in the air once they fixed it and stayed over night in Miami. I met this wonderful person who is American and moved to Guatemala a few years ago to be with her husband. They are missionaries and they let me stay with them because they have several beds available. We both thought that instead of catching one of our flights to Mexico City and spending the night in airport was a bad idea so we asked for our flights to be the next day. Oh yeah, she was heading to Merida as well. It was perfect. She told me about some stuff though that terrified me and thankfully I am alive. The chicken buses that Michaela and I were riding everyday are tinned by the cartel and they do extortion. It happens daily, where they would raid a bus and rob everyone. And the driver usually gets shot. Also, a bus recently was going too fast on the curves and tipped, killing over 80 people so they were picking up bodies on the road. And the reason that the majority of the cars are tinted is because the cartel will go up to cars and demand money but if you have a tinted window you are less likely to be robbed because the cartel won't be able to see what's in your car (weapons). Up north, they decaputate people, strip them and hang the bodies on the bridges just so people are aware the cartel are in power. I'm so happy that I'm leaving early, that I canceled my trips to Oaxaca and Mexico City. Oaxaca just had shootings and riots because the teachers were on strike or something about the education system. Someone in the news referred to the soldiers coming in by saying it was like being in Iraq. Now I am completely not regretting spending more money for a flight back home. Anyway, Merdia is safe. Really safe. And it's more modernised. Apparently the cartel's families live here so they don't want to cause any problems where their loved ones live. But I walk alone and machismo culture is barely a thing here. 

I met another girl at the airport (Katla) with the same flights and I went out with her on Wednesday for ladies night. The Jose Cuervo isn't like the American version, it's called traditional. Real good. I tried a margarita, a shot of traditional, Modelo, and Corona (not all in one night though). I went out last night (Friday) with the people at the volunteer house. I was actually very social with these people and made a bunch of friends. I am going to list things but I probably forgot a bunch of stuff so I'll make a reminder for the next post. 

• Karla told me that tacos can hold any meat here, like pig's feet or ears and etc. 
• The driver that picked me up at the airport played Drake, he was an architect and told me about the Mayan stuff he finds before he builds and told me that if people take any of it, they will get haunted by the ancient Mayans and apparently, there are little bush people that are Mayans that'll haunt you too
• Oxxo store
• Showers here (or at least in this house) doesn't have motors so it's like a lottery system of who gets warm water
• I found my Hawaiian flower here, the one that I got a tattoo of with my grandma
• Tried Pan de Queso (cheese bread) it's a ball of bread with cheese inside 
• If I come here again I want to see Izumal ruins and the place with the hundreds of flamingos and the caves and yellow city
• A girl from England (Birmigham) brought Cadbury spread and she's my favourite person ever because she let me use it on my morning toast every day
• A girl adopted a dog and brought it home with her to Michigan
• We got free tacos at a club last night (Friday)
• It's 7 pesos to go into centro (city Center) and every one hundred pesos is equally to $5.50, it's hella cheap down here. 
• Bats fly in and out of our volunteer house during the evening
• There are little yellow geckos everywhere in this house. I freaked out the night I got here and one was running up and down the wall but now I'm like whatever (I touched one the other day)
• The orphanage I went to volunteer at this week was ages 4-14 I think. I heard about their stories and it's so sad. Like the moms and grandmothers beat this one girl, a mom was a prostitute and had sex in front of her daughter, one mom just dropped off four of her sons one day because she didn't want them, a girl took a bottle of pills because her mom did, etc. 
• On Friday, I went to the animal shelter where two of my roommates go to volunteer so I can help out with the animals and giving them baths
• I was literally going to adopt a cat here but I did the math the next day and it was going to be well over 300$
• I bought two shirts and a pair of jean shorts because they have a huge nice mall for us down the street and my clothes are really smelly
• Finished "Me Before You" and "Before I Go To Sleep", now reading "After You" (the second book of "Me Before You"
• There are like 20 girls in this volunteer house and we have a pool, it gets super hot here
• It's rain season but only for like 15 minutes every other day
• Went to Progresso beach on Wednesday with three girls and a dude 
• There are Australians and a British guy and a girl from Columbia
• Madison and I were swimming in the ocean and felt something kept touching us so we swam so days out of the ocean while laughing and freaking out 
• Played never have I ever with everyone late one night and it got pretty raunchy as always
• The bar/club I went to with Karla on Wednesday is called Shotimilco
• There are so many old bugs (cars) here 
• Opened up a coconut here
• Went to three cenotes on Thursday, cenotes are sinkholes filled with water and they are pretty much underground rivers. We swam in one of them and the water so clear and deep. It was definitely the clearest and purest water I have ever seen and been in. We literally climbed in a hole and swam in it. It was so beautiful. 
• The trip to the cenotes was horrible because once we got there, we had to take horses to the cenotes with these handmade nights to sit on. So these starved (ribs showing) and weak horses, exhausted from standing by a tree tied up tight and short had to pull over 800 pounds and they were treated poorly. I literally balled my eyes out. I couldn't look. I've never been that upset about animal rights before 
• I bought dog treats for all the strays here, so if you ever come down to Latin America...seriously carry dog treats in your pocket or back pack because you'll be paying it forward and feeding these skinny dogs. The thing that gets me the most is that they don't have names and people down here treat them like how Americans would treat a rodent, shooting them away and throwing stuff, killing them. 
• Went to the Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins of pyramids today, it was cool but so damn hot. Tons of iguanas every where. Jaguars are a thing for Mayans so the souvenir sellers had toys that could make a jaguar noise and it was really annoying. 
• I already leave in two days (Monday afternoon). I did consider extending my trip but I don't have the money to. 

Maria and I had a very eventful night on Saturday. Met two guys we went out with and when they picked us up we ended up racing to a house because their friend's dad was having a heart attack. The guys had to go there to bribe or pay or something to the cops because they were going to take the dad to jail after the hospital because he was drinking and in the car when it happened. After, partied at Malo Vida. Then driving back the cops pulled us over and had Gerado blow air by the cop's nose and he let us go. Gerado was our DD and did not drink but it was still scary because the only reason he pulled us over is because Gerado has a nice car and the police are so corrupted that they will pull people over and demand money or put them in jail for no reason. I'm guessing the cop didn't rob him because there were three of us with him and two us being American girls. 

Antigua, Guatemala

Well I'm in Guatemala now, Antigua to be exact. Here's the ending to San Jose..

• Everyday we saw a creepy black grandpa dog walking by every time we came home 
• It gets super dark right away, like 6pm
• It's winter for them 
• We call our host mom, mama tikka
• Saw playa hermosa, where billabong does contests and stuff
• Never saw the moon because of the clouds
• Every night at some point, all the dogs in the neighbourhood bark
• Met someone at a tour that is from Boston without an accent.. He said his parents took a class to not have the accent while raising him (we call him mad Matt because he did not want to be at that tour)
• There's tolls here
• Stores: AM PM and Mas o Menos
• Went out Friday night and got back at 3am and had to wake up at 5am
• Friday night we saw two Maximo Nivel staff with their shirts on at the bar grinding on women and then we joined them 
• Went to Manuel Antonio on Saturday all day for the rainforest and beach
• I spotted a sloth and we saw monkeys and heard howler monkeys, and crocodiles 
• Monkeys on the beach steal food and belongings if you don't watch out, they're sneaky
• I swam in the Pacific Ocean, and deep too. I love the ocean!!

So now, since Sunday, we have been in Guatemala. Sunday was hell. Michaela and I were so grumpy we didn't talk to each other for the 6 hour layover in Mexico City. Flight was at 5am-ish and then didn't get to our casa (house) until 7pm-ish. The house is set up like a dorm. It's like a hostel for the volunteers. Very safe and nice. Money, Q's, are cheap here. I payed for a week full of snacks and extra for 50Q which is only like 7$. Micheala and I got in the daycare. 8am to noon. It is perfect. I'm in the room full of babies, so I'm pretty much in heaven. Today was our first day and I already got attached to them. Giovanna, Monono, July (Julie), Linsee, Bryan, Isa, and Valentina. So there is a talent show on Thursday and each of the three rooms (divided by age) get to do two activities. Today our babies were trying on Minnie Mouse outfits and now I get to have one made for me so I can be in the show! This daycare is better than the orphanage because the teachers actually like us and the kids are well behaved. Guatemala is just over all better. It's not a city and its close nit, cheap, daycare is perfect, etc. The only tho fb missing is Flor, our mamma tikka.

Other things:

• I almost passed out, fainted the other day from lack of food 
• Fireworks constantly go off here for any kind of celebration
• Women are dressed in traditional clothing and carrying baskets on their heads, with perfect balance
• Mexico City airport is apparently the largest airport in Latin America but it's hella small
• Starbucks here have churro flavoured fraps 
• We went to Iximche Ruins today which was super lame, I was expecting something like Pompeii but our driver stopped on the highway at a stand to have maiz con limon y sal (grilled corn with lime and salt) and atole (a hot corn drink) and it was super good
• Tomorrow after work we go to a coffee plantation to grind our own coffee, ride horses, go berry picking, and zip line. 
• Thursday we hike a volcano and roast marshmallows on top (4 hour hike)
• 34 volcanoes here
• One volcano is active and rumbles (can feel it) when it erupts, you can see lava at night if it's clear enough and today I saw smoke coming out of it
• Peanuts galore here, I like the limon y sal (lime and salt)
• There's an artisan local market we plan on exploring on Friday and Saturday 
• We are hiking before breakfast on Friday to this cross over looking Antigua
• We take chicken buses to and from work, more like a crowded party bus because it has 6 people seated across and people standing in the middle which the aisle is less than a foot wide. And music is playing, people coming in and out from the front and back. Also, it's painted and decorated really fun. 
• Tuc Tucs are little baby cabs or taxis 
• I finished my book, Me Before You so I'm excited to go see it when I come back

So I have sad news. I have been thinking about it a lot and I decided to come home early. On the 27th when my week volunteering in Merida Mexico is done. I lost my debit card so when I travel by myself in Oaxaca and Mexico City, I'll only have what's on me. So if I got robbed, I'm stranded. Also I would prefer to go with a friend or two for pictures and safety. Me and Michaela get enough cat calls and unwanted attention enough a s it is her in Guatemala. The Machismo culture is scary. Apparently a girl here in Antigua got grabbed and kissed by a random man. So I'm just going to trust my gut feeling and go home, I'll come back because I was looking forward to the artsy village of Oaxaca and Frida Kahlo's house in Mexico City.

One Week In

So I haven't posted in the last few days and I'm not going to even try to remember every thing in order but i will try to tell you the highlights. The orphanage had gotten so much better. They opened up to us a lot more, they just needed lots of love and attention. Today was our last day and I finally got to hold little baby Santiago (4 months old). They all love us now. It's so sad that we have to leave and never see them again. I got attached. Oops. Today Kimberly was doing my hair. And we all took pictures in a group to keep and not post for security reasons. I opened snapchat up and had them play with the filters and they were enjoying that a little too much ahhahah.

We zip lined today. I was absolutely terrified and excited. We did 13 lines and two of them were completely vertical. The view was gorgeous and it didn't rain at all and clouds were not ruining anything. We had perfect timing because when we got finished, it started to get cloudy. But we went with two guys, about our age so it was a lot of fun. They were very helpful and fun to hang out with. One of the stands was really scary, we were standing on a fence, like a metal diamond fence where you can look down and it was kinda flimsy in areas.

I went out with four girls two nights ago I think. Tuesday. It was crazy. Lots of dancing. Machismo culture clearly there. Guys standing there staring at us dancing, very obvious and they did not care. It was very uncomfortable. I've never felt so unsafe. I definitely had to push them off but overall I had fun and I got my tequila.

Mas information:

• Dirt bikes instead of mopeds here
• Flor's food is amazing as always
• Everything is gated, stores and houses completely locked with gates
• Uber is illegal here but they do it anyway
• I realised foreign grocery stores are my favourite places to explore
• The nine grandchildren put on a fashion show for us at the house, super cute
• I've never seen so many ways to cook a banana
• Andrea and Kaersti are our roommates 
• I'm getting even more terrified about Mexico City in July, the machismo culture. And me being alone and American. I'm absolutely terrified. 

Orphanage Day One

We slept and read and watched Miss Congeniality with breakfast somewhere in between. From 7am to 1pm just because we can. Our orientation wasn't until 2:30pm. Breakfast was mango and an omelette with coffee and orange juice. Yesterday (because I didn't blog) was papaya and French toast.  The papaya was not that very good, I guess that was my first time trying it straight from the fruit rather than blended up in a smoothie. Dinner last night was tons of veggies, salad, banana (cooked another unusual way), with cas juice. Tonight's was pasta! Creamy cheese sauce with vegetables inside. Salad and pineapple juice. Btw, she makes all her juice from scratch besides breakfast's orange juice. Anyway, enough to about comida (food).

The orphanage. Wow. It was three hours of torture. I love kids, absolutely love them but these 8 niños (children) were something else. We arrived and played with playdoh for half the time which was good until the very end when this girl almost kicked me because I said no to her. I said no because she was being violent. Communication was great. But when we all sat down for their television time, they went loco (crazy). They are so mean, pyshically violent, and took advantage of us. They must be used to having Americans come in to help because they knew we couldn't speak much and when I tried to lay my foot down, they would just laugh and keep doing it. They were so naughty. The three house moms were no where to be found the entire time. One girl slapped Michaela. Name calling was definitely present. I was so fed up of trying to be authoritive. Now we have four more dias (days) of this. Ages are 5 and under. There is a baby and I wanted to hold him so badly. I kept walking to his crib where he was completely content the entire three hours without attention. His laugh was the cutest. I plan on asking to hold him at some point this week. Ohhhhhh and, we had two others at the orientation for the first half of our time there and I was with one of them at some point during play time and he was telling me the two of the kids made the motion of slicing their necks at him. And they give death glares.

Michaela and I booked a trip on Thursday at noon. 13 zip lines. I'm so excited for the adrenaline rush and the view but I'm scared as hell too. Oh, I lost my debit card. I checked my bags at least five times and it's definitely gone. No idea. And that was my only means of money. Thank God for Venmo (a money transferring app). I transferred money to Michaela's card so I can use it too.

Mas (more) information:

• There are no bus stop signs. There are spots where people get on and off but no signs of where the buses actually stop. 
• Flor cooks with no oven. Only stove. 
• We watched Latino Family Feud  
• I tried adding photos on these blog posts but it's not working on my phone, lo siento (sorry).
• Tomorrow magaritas after volunteering, Wednesday free cooking class after, Thursday is zip lining after, Friday we are going out for an Imperial at a bar called Chicago Pub, Saturday is the trip to the rainforest and beach, then Sunday we are on our way to Guatemala! 

900 Dogs and 2 Cockroaches

Today's breakfast was mango, a banana, and buttered bread with orange juice and tea. We had to communicate without Andrea (Spanish/English) to Flor and we did pretty damn good. This app we have been using has been helping us a lot and our conversation was really good. Talked about travel and the transit and stores. Our Spanish is really developing now. At 7:45 our driver showed up to drive us an hour in a mountain to go to territorio de zaguates which means "Land of the strays". It's a like a huge humane society, where all the dogs without homes go to. Over 900 apparently. We only seen maybe 300 while we hiked with them. They apparently help them to the best they can but it was still very sad to see because a lot of them were so sick and rashes or diseases, some didn't have legs, I saw one without an eye. Rib cages galore and bones sticking right out. It was really really sad to witness. I wanted to adopt one so bad, there was a kinda fat and short girl that was just the biggest sweetheart and we loved each other equally. I was really debating in my head on how to take her back home with me. But I finally decided not to. At the end of the two hour hike, we saw the shelters they provide and the puppies. Michaela and I got to hold a little blue eyed baby, just a little bigger than my fist. Leaving we smelt like dogs, it was gross. I had to shower asap.

Link about "Land of the Strays": http://www.someecards.com/cute/animals/stray-dog-costa-rica/

This morning Michaela woke up to a cockroach on her door and I had to explain the situation of us both freaking out to Flor about it. She laughed at us and took a mop to get it. I didn't see the dead bug in her hand when she walked away so later when we got back from the hike, I heard rustling in the grocery bag of garbage hanging on the doorknob of my door. I flashed my light on it and out crawled a cockroach. I about started crying. I yelled to Michaela to open my door so I could run out and tell Flor but she wasn't here so I cried. It crawled out to the other side of the door and I closed it with myself inside the room and it outside. I threw a blanket under the door and prayed there wasn't anymore. I was brave enough to take a nap. It sucks because I sleep on the top bunk and I'm just a few feet from the ceiling with holes in it so bugs could crawl out at any time and I'd be the first to know.

Dinner was just us and Flor again. The other girls are off doing tours and we are broke. Tried flan and it was so disgusting. I couldn't handle the texture. Dinner was salad (lettuce, cucumber, carrots with sauce), potatoes cooked with seasoning or something, banana that was grey or brown (cooked weird but tasted great), and a fried juevo (egg) because I couldn't have pollo (chicken). And the usual Costa Rican arroz (rice).

Mas information:

• Flor likes whiskey and beer

Chupamos en Espanol

So we woke up. Desayuno was great. Pineapple and tea and two pankcakes. Flora is perfect. A very sweet grandmother. We got to sleep in today because of everyone's plans were able to do so. Breakfast was at 8 instead of 6. After we got ready, Andrea (one of the girls) took us into town via public bus. She showed us the stops and the price and how to get back. After we got into town, michaela and I went to the program's place to figure out our plans until we leave. Tomorrow we are going to this dog thing in the mountains. It's filled with over 900 stray dogs. We are going to collapse or cry because we love dogs so much. We also got a trip planned for satruday, going to parque nacional Manuel Antonio. The rainforest is filled with monkeys and the beach is beautiful. I'm looking forward to that. We went to the out door market. It's like a bunch of stores open to the street, like a farmers market and European city center mixed. I got a blanket for myself. The picture below. My one souvenir and then some gifts for others. We plan on going back on Sunday. Orientation is at 2:30 on Monday so we get to sleep in again.

Things I've been wanting to tell you:

• I thought I was in Italy for a moment and said ciao to one of the grandkids instead of adios and now the kids say ciao to me or in front of me Hahahha
• Trying to talk to people takes both Michaela and I and we still cannot communicate properly 
• I tried a pastry called cacho I think and it was like an Italian bombalone 
• Michaela fed pigeons, it was so scary. Way too many. 
• Rain is super loud in this house and walls are super thin. There are a million people in their family
• Tap water is fine here.
• They drive with the bus door open
• We are in the Machismo culture, where all men are perverts basically. Google it.
  
• Graffiti is actually very beautiful in certain spots
• Conservative clothing is very important here. No shoulders or knees to be shown at work, in city center it's about the same. 
• I have high school musical stuck in my head, specifically "Bop to the Top" since the day we left Milwaukee 
• Flora (host grandmother) blends fruit for a juice every cena (dinner). Yesterday was guava or coconut and tonight's was cusa or cuza, a very sour fruit that looks like a lime.
• Chupamos en espanol. 
• They sell Cadbury here, not much but still
• In the artisan store (tourist souvenirs galore), the sellers pretty much attack you to get you into their little area of merchandise
• It's actually really expensive here, you have to bargain 
• I'm slowly starting to remember more Spanish. I took 4 years of it but that was 5 years ago. So I'm doing things online to refresh my memory and use it outside on the street. 

I had a little conversation with a little nina (girl). She was the cutest thing. I was braiding my hair in the room with the door open and I thought I heard someone so I looked behind and she was standing in the doorway watching me. I said hola and asked how she was doing. She said bien (good) and she said like she got excited that I could speak Spanish. I asked what her name was and I told her mine. I said mucho gusto (nice to meet you) and she ran off. Cutest little girl, had to have been like 5 or 6.

I looked up the fruit that we had for juice tonight. It's Cas:
"This small, green fruit (Psidium friedrichsthalianum) is known as Costa Rican guava or sour guava. A staple on Costa Rican tables, ripe cas is almost exclusively used for drinks, since its tart flavor, like a mix between lemon juice and white grapefruit, is usually too strong to eat plain."

9 Hours in San Jose

Flight was a total of 6 hours. We are exhausted. We had orientation as soon as we arrived and had to take a Spanish test. Turns out we suck at Spanish. Really bad. I last practiced in early high school. I can pick up some words and I can communicate with words rather than sentences but overall, it's going to be super difficult. Our driver and host family do not speak any English. I did get across that I am a vegetarian very well. The grandmother is crazy amazing. There a are three other American girls in this families home as well so we got a background about the program and the host family. The grandmother apparently gets paid $10 for each person which is really low. And she does so much, dinner was amazing and apparently breakfast is to die for. Dinner tonight was soooooo good, I have no idea what it was but it was damn good.

Money here is weird. For one American dollar is 531 colons. So if something costed 8,000 colons...we are really paying 16$. Because you multiply it by 2 and remove three zeros off the end. The shower is complicated apparently but I just took one and it was fine. There is a motor to heat up the water and the lower the water pressure, the more warm it is. And you cannot flush your toilet paper, or else. Then Michaela and I got split, I'm with two girls and she's with one (the one that knows both Spanish and English). I'm on top of a bunk bed. I sprayed myself with bug spray so I won't get bit. Breakfast is at 7am but the girls say it's actually more like 6am.

Our schedule is 9am to noon and we will work in an orphanage. We plan on going to a mountain that has a dog park. The park is filled with dogs. Hundreds. We'll go on Saturday because they are only open at 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday's. It's more like a humane society, just filled with stray dogs. Next Saturday we are thinking to pay for a trip to either the rainforest or an island or the volcano. The one that is most active. The taxi driver told us that ash is occasionally in the air because it erupts often.

Also the host family is large. Nine grandchildren and a dog with the grandma and grandpa. They seem super nice. I wish I knew more Spanish. Michaela and I don't plan on taking the classes because they cost money but we are just going to study phrases and words and try to catch on. Overall San Jose seems sketchy but has a character to it. I don't know but I feel a little uncomfortable but if we figure out the bus system and how to order a taxi, and where the home is exactly compared to city center and the program's place then I think I'll feel a whole lot better. Guatemala is apparently more developed so that'll be good. Mexico's volunteer house is where I'll stay, I guess it's not through the IVHQ program like Costa Rica and Guatemala. I get a bunk bed with everyone else and a kitchen and a pool. Looking at the calendar makes me home sick already though. I don't know but the experience is what matters. I'm going to bed. I'll update you when I can.

Also mountains are gorgeous because of the clouds. So many clouds. It's rain season. Seems like from what I hear, it's always rain season. It's going to storm everyday. The girls say there is sun in the morning for a little bit.

Leaving for 34 days in Latin America

Tomorrow I leave for Chicago with Michaela, this chick I met in England and became one of my best friends. We are going to spend the day there and stay at a hotel because our flight out to San Jose, Costa Rica is super early (we take off at 5:15am).

I am sad that I'm leaving but I am also excited, I am a mix of emotions these past few days. Michaela and I decided to do this sometime in November or probably even earlier than that. I love to travel, if you couldn't tell by now, and it's just another adventure that'll give me more experience and more memories. This trip is especially special because I will be volunteering in three countries in the childcare field. I will be working in schools, daycares, and orphanages to help children in their education and hygiene. My job is basically providing support to economically disadvantaged children. It's going to be heart breaking, I will probably get attached to some of them but that's all apart of the journey. Just like my study abroad travels, the thirty-four days down in Latin America will be life changing.

The project description for Costa Rica and Guatemala says, "Many children at the projects we work with are affected by poor home life, little to no schooling and alcohol or drug abuse among their families. Volunteers will work in schools, daycare centers, and orphanages. Work varies but generally consists of providing ndvidual attention, playing with children, organizing games and activities, educating children regarding hygiene and assisting with homework. Volunteers play an important role in working alongside local staff to improve the educational, emotional, and hygiene conditions of the children."

In Mexico, "Volunteers on the childcare project in Mexico offer support to children in a wide variety of different settings; including a family creche at children's therapy centers, day care centers for single mothers, as well as shelters for adolescent children who are victims of domestic abuse. The role of the volunteer is to help these programs animate, educate and support young children and adolescents from many different backgrounds. Day to day tasks may include arranging small group activities, games and art and crafts to activate the children's mental development, creativity, and physical coordination. Some placements may also require day to day care of younger children including feeding and nap time. Teaching important values such as responsibility and camaraderie, providing hope and a new insight into different cultures is all part of the project, and the one-on-one time volunteers spend with the child is invaluable to their development."

I am scared. Only for Mexico City, maybe some of Oaxaca. Michaela is leaving after Guatemala, meaning my week in Merida, my four days in Oaxaca, and my five days in Mexico City will be spent alone. Merida week is apart of the childcare program but after that, I'll be traveling and sightseeing for my time in Oaxaca and Mexico City. This past semester was spent scaring myself about being an obvious American girl walking alone in Mexico City, with nine million people living there. Every person that has given me advice about the city was mostly negative things. Like, don't take the subway (common explosions), don't take two door taxi's because of rape and kidnapping, etc. I do have someone over there that'll meet up with me and show me around. I was at first, not planning to go to the city, but I couldn't go to Mexico without seeing Frida Kahlo's house. She's been my favourite artist for the past year. I'm trying to be optimistic about everything though. If I can travel by myself around Europe, I think I can handle Mexico. Although, prayers would be nice. And if anyone else has any other tips or advice, I'd love to hear about it.

Anyway, I leave on June 2nd, and I will get back on the 4th of July. I'm not taking my laptop so posts will be coming from my iPhone. Not sure how good they'll be but I will try to keep you updated.

Road Trip Y'all

Kind of been talking about going to South Carolina for spring break for a while now, but I didn't really think I was going to do it because plane tickets were so expensive because it's spring break. So I drove. I first thought I was going to drive 13 hours there, with a night in Louisville. But, my grandma came. I dropped her off in Pineville, Kentucky were we have some relatives, that was about an eight and a half hour drive. Got an ATV ride around our relative's land once I got there. Stayed a night there and headed to to Johnson City (Elizabethon), Tennessee to meet my pen pal, Alicia (two and half hours). I think we started writing 9th grade and stopped two or three years after because I think we got lazy and thought Facebook was way easier. But when I met her, we decided to try it again because who doesn't love getting letters in the mail? But when I got to Tennessee, I sat in that damn Shell gas station for over three hours so she could get off of work. In the mean time, my car decided to die. I freaking left my car lights on. I put my hood up and five minutes later a guy was jump starting my car. Southern people are really nice. After visiting with Alicia, I drove three and a half hours down to Columbia, South Carolina to my friend Melissa's apartment. I met her in England when we studied abroad last spring semester.

Once I got to Melissa's place, I slept. It was past midnight, long day. The first day I slept in, after Melissa made pancakes and left for class. Then got some bomb salad at Jason's Deli with her because she skipped a class. Walked around five points, its an area in town with lots of shops and bars. Really this week was sleeping and going out with her and her friends. Then we also went to Charleston for a day in Isle of Palms and down town. Saturday we went to St. Paddy's festival where it was on Five Points and a bunch of streets were blocked for the stages and bands. Everyone dressed in green. We went to a party before too, it was like a scene in a college movie. People doing beer pong from the second floor and beer pong on the front lawn. It was crazy. Also I think USC is just sororities and fraternities. The first day I realized that because all the girls are in over sized t-shirts and gym shorts. All of them, it's a thing. And obviously the common frat boy shorts and shirts, the occasional hats. Like, you would know. In Charleston, we saw Rainbow Row, went shopping in this outdoor area and bought some things, the beach, found a sand dollar. Oh, before we got there I had Waffle House. A popular southern breakfast place (like a George Webb's). I had grits, they're alright. I also tried boiled peanuts, it's a thing there. Don't try those because they are disgusting and look like cat poop. Had a boberry at Bojangles (another southern fast food restaurant). Also pollen everywhere! I woke up the next day and my car went from blue to a powder yellow.

Slept two hours Saturday and started driving back to Kentucky at 3am was beautiful. By the time I got to the Appalachian mountains, the sun was rising. It was number three on my beautiful views (first was San Marino Castle, second was on top of Montparnasse looking at the Eiffel Tower). Then slept two hours in Kentucky at the relatives before heading back home in Wisconsin. By the time we got to downtown Chicago, the sun was setting. Gorgeous. It was perfect.

I've been accidentally saying y'all for the last three days.. if I hang out with people who talk differently, I pick up on it. Should have heard me when I was in England.

Also, might be heading to Florida on the last week of April with Michaela, Gloria, and Johnny. Not for sure, just talking about it, Gloria has family down there on the gulf.

21 in Nashville

So for my birthday I went to Nashville. The 28th to the 1st of February with Michaela and then my other friend drove down last minute so us three had the most amazing weekend. Yes, it was my 21st weekend, we drank every night. Five nights in a row. We had tons of pizza. Did one touristy thing, the millennium park (parthenon) and got cupcakes at The Cupcake Collection. Our bars: Tin Roof, Honky Tonk, and Tootsies. We also went on Demonbreum (Midtown) for the other Tin Roof, South, and Two Bits. Had over eight bar stamps on my hand by the time we left. I fell in love with the country live music. It was the best thing. There were like three floors to every bar on Broadway (Main bar street, night scene, tourist trap) and every floor had a different band. So many bands, so much country music, so much dancing. And Anthony Orio. O-R-I-O. We stayed at 99 Spring St. Knights Inn. Cancelled our flight back drove up with our friend, eight and a half hours to Chicago. But I also had to drive to Janesville and then to Milwaukee. We left at 10am and I got back to my apartment in Milwaukee close to 1am. It was the best birthday I could ever ask for. Last year was London and I think Nashville beat London.

Where am I going for Spring Break?!

Los Angeles - Part 4

Sunday (15th): Recovering from what happened yesterday, we just went to Melrose to thrift shop. Symphani, Keeleigh, Zaida, and I all together for just two or so hours. First to a place called Wasteland, a shop that sells used clothes. A leather coat I was $250 and a sweater was $60, so I guess you could tell that we didn't buy anything. Most of the shops on that street were expensive and I wasn't planning on buying anything, but then I found a dress. That dark red wine colour I love, I'll be wearing it for my birthday. Other than that, we didn't really do anything that I remember and Jasmine was probably sick. Actually, we went to the mall.

Saturday (16th): Venice is where I will be living when I graduate. I swear, it felt like Europe and it has the beach, it's beyond artsy. I fell in love. I know it's not nice compared to other parts of LA but wow it suits me. It even has those modern beach houses that are breathtaking. It would be a dream to live there one day. Zaida (red dress), Keeleigh (black dress), and I took an Uber there, drove through Topanga canyon and down PCH. We got all dressed up to take cute photos and we did just that. It might have been one of my favourite days during the three weeks there in LA. For a late lunch we had a Mexican place called El Tarasco. After photos, food, walking down the boardwalk, and the sunset, we walked all the way to Santa Monica. Uber from Santa Monica Blvd. back to the apartment. Overall, I belong in Venice.

Sunday (17th): Back to Melrose for the Sunday market. I fell in love again, because this market was beautiful. I would go every sunday if I lived there. I bought a new jacket for only $15 because my jean jacket was stolen from when we got Jasmine's car broken into at Runyun canyon. It was just Zaida, Keeleigh, and I shopping today. It was 75 degrees, the best weather I got out of the entire trip. That night, I can't remember if I took Jasmine to the doctor or the following day. But I did, she has been feeling horrible lately due to the virus and such. So we got her hydrated and medicated, Umami Burger after for food. Then, I think we went to her friend's for a photo shoot, she had babie bunnies and I fell in love again. Thenakediaries.

Monday (18th): Slept in. Was suppose to go hiking at the Hollywood sign but plans got cancelled. So I guess I'll have to hike that next time I come, which will be soon. Laundry day, I think (days blurred together). Got Ubatuba Acai bowls with Zaida and Keeleigh. A watermelon salad at Eureka with them as well. Jasmine was still sick.

Tuesday (19th): Last day. Got breakfast with Jasmine and Maya at Blu Jam. Crunchy French Toast with the vanilla bean crream. Go there and order that, trust me. Maya (Danny) knows the best places, they were the ones to show us Ubatuba Acai bowls. Got Jasmine's car window replaced. Rained all day. Packed. Watched a movie and laid around with Jasmine and Maya. Dinner at Cheesecake with a friend, Buffalo Wild wings to just hang out with Maya and Jasmine and then a strawberry shake at In-N-Out drive through with them. That night I danced and hung out with Keeleigh and Jasmine while Zaida slept. Went to bed at 3am and got up to leave at 6:30am for my 9am flight at LAX.

So sad, I was sitting on that plane in Chicago waiting for them to open the door for us to get off and I got so depressed. Jasmine made me feel like it was home. LA was a dream, felt like it never happened. It's crazy to think I was there for three weeks. I met so many cool people and did some crazy stuff, saw beautiful things, and ate lots of good food. I decided, since I cannot transfer because my credits won't go through and I only have a year and a half left, I'm moving to LA or London. Wherever I get the best job (either teaching art or working in an art museum).


Things I forgot to tell you:

• When I went to Disneyland, Cinderella called me a princess and I melted a little inside. (Also met Snow White and Belle)
  
  
• Driving down the 405 with Jasmine, we saw an entire car on fire.
  
  
• Driving back home with Jasmine, Keeleigh, and Zaida we were about to be killed. A psycho guy tried rearing and check breaking us, and crashing into us on the side. Just messing with us. No other reason, I swear. He was laughing at us and just kept messing with us. I was started to cry because it was almost the scariest thing in my life. I thought we were going to die, I am not being overly dramatic too.
  
  
• Besides that, I love driving in LA. With Jasmine's car, it was a beautiful feeling. I drove myself to the airport because Jasmine was half asleep at 6:30am. I drove through Topanga canyon during sunrise and down PCH. Infinite. 

Here's a video of the videos I do have... I would have had all of the videos and pictures from my Snapchat because i saved them all but I have no idea what happened to them when I was adding them to iMovies. So this is all I have..too bad because you're missing out...