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Britany Crown
I'm off to Europe! Starting in Amsterdam with various flights and train rides, I'll make my way through Scotland, Ireland, England, France and Spain, where I'll begin my studying abroad. Who knows where else I'll end up, I have 4 months to explore!Crownbl
Travel Blog Posts
October 11th 2008
We made it to the campsite last night around 3am, after a cruise through the desert in 4x4's. We weren't quite sure we'd make it considering our Rover was running on empty, but made it we did, and were greeted with a hot meal made by the local Berbers who are our hosts for the next two days. The big tent was set up as a dining hall and scattered around it were various, smaller communal tents for sleeping. Many in our group attempted to stay up for the sunrise, while I on the other hand could barely keep my eyes open though dinner. Breakfast was at 9:30 this morning and by 10:30 a majority of the camels had arrived to take us on a ride through the dunes. My roommate Laura, and I picked out ... read more
October 10th 2008
I'm in Africa! The statement itself is unbelievable; 2 months ago I had no idea I'd be here. Yesterday I went to La Medina in Fes, it's one of the largest and oldest surviving markets (dating from the 8th century) in the world. I haggled with the best of 'em and purchased two exquisite pashminas, herbs from the natural pharmacy, and a legitimate, handmade, silk carpet that will look amazing beside my bed. The shopping was endless and had we not gone back to the hotel after lunch, who knows what else I would have come home with. Right now I'm sitting smack dab in the middle of the desert in a room full of a hundred other people, all in the same boat because the nearby river flooded and left us stranded here; it may ... read more
October 6th 2008
I got back from an amazing weekend in Lagos last night around 10 pm and crashed into my bed head first and passed out immediately. We went with a tour company called Discover Sevilla, who had the whole weekend planned to guarantee plenty of booze, lots of sun, surfing, and VIP parties. We got there around 9pm on Friday which gave us plenty of time to get ready for the night ahead. We started off at Nah Nah Bah for dinner and a few drinks and made our way to Joe's Garage where free drinks and games were waiting for us. I took my shot of absinthe (ever) and almost lost my dinner because it was disgusting! My friend Kristen and I danced on the bar like there was no tomorrow, and drank free beer which ... read more
September 29th 2008
Well I know I said I would update you on the beginnings of the Spain leg of my trip, but at this point I think it's been a few too many days to try to remember it all. So here are a few highlight: -Went to a couple clubs: Catedral and Buddha... lots of fun, loud music, lot of cool people, everyone stayed out until about 4 am! -My house mom and her daughter, both named Carmen, are some of the sweetest ladies I've met here; I lucked out... I keep hearing horror stories from a few other people in the program who are really having a hard time with their homestays. And I have my own room! My roommate, Laura is great, we're a lot alike so it's been pretty easy to get along, and ... read more
September 25th 2008
I realize it's been several days since my last entry and the major reason has been a lack of access to the internet, however a lot has happened and hopefully I'll be able to remember a sufficient amount to recount an interesting story. My reaction to Madrid is much the same as it was to any other big city. We didn't have the opportunity to experience much of the night life as we did in Barcelona, but we did go on a day excursion to El Escorial and the Monastery/ Palace of King Philip II, as well as to Caido de los Muertas (I think that's right!), which was a monument built for Franco, and is also his final resting place. From there we went by bus with ISA (our study abroad program) to Toledo, which ... read more
September 20th 2008
I woke up this morning after having spent my first night in a hotel since this trip started; you'd think I would have enjoyed it, but I have to be honest and tell you that it made me miss the bustling atmosphere of a hostel. Granted the hotel has it's perks, the breakfast buffet is amazing, but laundry costs 10 euros for a shirt, more for pants, you're in a room by yourself, so there's no one to meet, the wireless is ridiculously expensive, and you can't cook your own dinner in the kitchen. Overall as far as hotels go the Husa Princesa is really nice, I've just been spoiled by the convenience of hostels, and don't mind their lack of luxury. I met my home stay roommate, and she's not crazy! Her name is Laura, ... read more
September 18th 2008
Woke up this morning, not feeling my best, but after a very large bottle of water and breakfast I started to feel normal again. Daniel, Robert and I headed to the train station to make sure our reservation for the train to Madrid tomorrow was taken care of, then it was off to the beach! We got down to the water, and the guys jumped right in, I on the other hand didn't have a bathing suit, so I stuck my feet in. When I couldn't take it anymore I ran back to a store we had passed along the way, bought a bathing suit for 10 euros, and ran back. Daniel promptly pointed over my shoulder, told me to "look over there!" picked me up and dropped me in the water. It was freezing, but ... read more
September 17th 2008
The overnight train was surprisingly comfortable, and I slept through the entire night! Upon our arrival we headed straight to the ferry only to find out that it was going to be an extra 300 euros on top of our Eurail pass; so change of plans, we're staying in Barcelona! Not too worried about it, there's a beach, we've got beds, and Barcelona's night life is supposed to be amazing! So for siesta, we actually did siesta, and woke up feeling energized for the night ahead. Here in Barcelona, it's not just about going out, the going out is a major part of the culture, and when in Spain... well do as the Spaniards do... We met an (another) aussie in our room, Daniel, and the three of us went to check out the bars. We ... read more
September 16th 2008
The Chateau de Versailles is by far one of the most wonderful places I've ever been. The sheer size of the estate is incredible, and it's natural beauty is enchanting. The palace itself is rich, and has been able to keep an antique and very real feel to it, and it almost makes you believe you might see Marie-Antoinette around the next corner. Every ceiling is painted with fantastical stories, and scenes from battles, every room is graced with the busts of Kings, the walls are hung with silk, and everywhere you look is marble. Outside the palace, the gardens were planned with such precision that each area has a purpose; there's a grand canal where the King used to relax on the water, an outdoor ballroom, separate groves for each memeber of the royal family, ... read more
September 16th 2008
We went to the Louvre!!! First and foremost, I do not feel like a failure; I managed to see everything I wanted to see. We started out in the Sully Wing with the Medieval Louvre, which takes you downstairs to the where the original moat would have been, then up into the ancient Egypt area (I even saw a mummy!), and of course we didn't miss the Mona Lisa. I knew what to expect because I had been forewarned that she was in fact, quite small, however it was funny to watch those who weren't aware of this fact as they walked closer to it and asked their friend, "Is that the Mona Lisa?" What's funnier is one of the largest paintings in the Louvre sits on the wall just opposite of her. The Napolean III ... read more
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