keholm2
K Joined: May 20th 2008
Logged in: January 21st 2011
Logged in: January 21st 2011
Travel Blog Posts
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It was a calm relief from the heat of Marrakesh... there were pretty cafes everywhere, very 'elven' as mom would say, with candles and lights in the trees. We went hiking on a little trail that actually goes very far up into the mountains, but since we didn't have much water we decided not to continue very far. The views from that trails were great, they looked down onto the valley and the waterfalls... only I didn't get any pictures from this trail because my camera battery conveniently failed. That's alright, the others photots that I took were great. If Dad comes to Morocco, he would love this place! ... read more
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Here are some pictures of my fun in Meknes. Went with Nihad and stayed with her fam, they are really sweet but I have to eat 4 times a day- big breakfast with croissants and tea and coffee, her mom made a big couscous while we were there b/c it was Friday, and she made harira especially for me because she knows I love it! Also we have afternoon tea with more cookies and cakes, then dinner around 9 or 10. It's kind of exhausting. ... read more
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So, the whole Spain thing is getting better, but sorry, this just isn't my favorite place I've ever been, especially in Europe. I have run across some interesting places, especially in the Gothic Quarter. But, I don't exactly feel like, wow, I'm in SPAIN. I mean, when I was in Italy, I said, this is deffffinitly italy. Maybe because I have never really studied spanish culture, or the language, I appreciate it less than the other places I have been? I almost feel as if Spain is some non-descript European country, with nice places and things, but nothing EXTRAORDINARY. Again, maybe the south is more culturally vibrant, Sevilla, Granada? Maybe I've been spoiled by my previous culturally outrageous experiences? I went to Montserrat, a monastary near Barcelona, it was pretty cool. Nice mountains. I think I'm ... read more
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I hate to say this, but barcelona is not as interesting as I thought it would be... I think it's more of a living city than a travelling city. It seems very residential, it doesn't have quite the grandeur of Paris or Rome. I feel like in other cities, you can wander around, and see interesting things you didn't even know existed, like in Florence, but here the streets and all the areas seem pretty similar :(. It probably doesn't help that I don't speak Spanish. haha. Another reason why I've been eating in the kitchen hostel every day. The restaurants also don't appeal to me much. (Mom, it almost reminds me of Vienna in this sense... not QUITE as horribly boring, but you get the idea.) I think I've been horribly spoiled by all of ... read more
Its been two weeks. We've broken. Pizza hut is on tonights agenda. I look forward to a tide of greasy cheese flowing into my stomach, just as waves enter and fill a voided bay ... So? I dont get poetic or sentimental about much... especially since im a junky poet. But yeah, pizza hut, you're worth it. I almost feel shame knowing i've regressed to this point. But, our level of degeneration goes far beyond a meal. Next to the pizza hut, one can also find Marjane- the moroccan equivalent of walmart.........how she tempts us with her low prices on notebooks and useless plastic containers I can hardly believe admitting to this. After all, at home, the last place you might find me is walmart or pizza hut. And if you DO find me there, its ... read more
Morocco. Im here! Honestly, its has surpassed nearly all my expectations.... about food, the way of life, the vibrancy and liveliness. I am soooo very happy here! First, it still boggles my mind that im in Africa . Even though it may be difficult for us to think of Morocco as part of Africa, many people would consider themselves part of Africa before they would consider themselves part of the middle east. Thus, people commonly say to me, " Here in Africa..." and it freaks me out! Many musical and cultural traditions are very much rooted in african culture, and are mixed with middle eastern practices. There is a true melange of culture here. Boulevard Mohammad V in downtown rabat feels like a promenade in France... whereas the medina and souk are hectic centers of activity, ... read more
Vietnam is absolutely AMAZING. How is is different from CHina?? Oh, so different! Its cleaner, friendlier, wilder, less developed, less western, less loud, less smoky, more green, more tropical, more spectacular scenery, just really everything I ever dreamed of when I dreamt of Asia! The food is amazing, vegetarian food is everywhere, I can get wonderful spring rolls and curries and vegetables, and lychees practically line the streets- they are fresh, cheap, and delicious! I have never met kinder people in my life (well, I think its a tie with the Tibetans). I was so exhausted when I arrived in Bac HA, after takinga sleeper bus (oh those are so bad) and then crossing the border, then another bus up to the mountains on which everyone was throwing up. So, I went to check out this ... read more
Well, I've been around this week. It has been rather uneventful actually, so I decided to do more of a culture notes thing again. Where I have been: I went to Xishuangbanna, which I thought was going to be great, but it was indeed so un-touristy that it was difficult to actually get around anywhere. One of the highlights was a huge botanical garden, with loads of beautiful and unique plants. Unfortunately, this blog will NOT be accompagnied by pictures, as my camera is lost and gone. HAha yet another reason for just a culture notes day :) Its alright, this whole trip I have actually ben saying that my memories are a million times more important than my pictures. Many of the most beautiful things I have seen I actually have not taken pictures of. ... read more
