It's the only way to learn history..... You are right; travelling is the only way to really appreciate the context and impact of history. I am very relieved to hear that your "wound" is not infected. That's because I'm a grandmother, and I feel like you are all my grandchildren. I hope you're catching up on your sleep.
Amsterdam Wow Beck it sounds like your rough'n it in a city. I wish I could go to Europe and visit everything your seeing. I know your not the type or maybe you are but you should really experience ALL Amsterdam has to offer. Go to a coffe shop and you'll know what I'm talking about. I think its great you and your friends are doing this. I love you and be safe.
Spelling is overrated speling iz 4 booring people. jest b yurself and heve a gud time. i luv hereing abowt yur trip to itly and paree. due u stay in eech place for 45 minutes or what? ... Just playing around! I love reading your story. I was really moved by your Switzerland mountain high! I love you and you are perfect! Please keep writing. The folks back home like to share a little bit of your experience before you forget all the interesting details. What an amazing trip! Love, Your Biggest Sister (actually, shortest and oldest, but that's so unflattering)
A novel.....that's what your blog is ! You've got everything necessary for a novel. No kidding.......descriptive narrative, the unexpected (and then some), three heroines and one, or two heroes, the anti-forces (an exploding bottle).......tears, smiles, culinary adventures, drama.....all you need is an overall title.
my pretties hi darlings! finally, i get to see your blog! the address left for us did not work...now scott is here with us in oakland and got the right one. loved seeing you in paris, glad to be home.
love love-
venice, stitches & more Kinsey - glad to hear you are okay! It was a long wait between the announcement ("off to the hospital for stitches") and the story!
I'm impressed you could cook that whole menu - wow! Sounds delish.
If you've been to Salerno I'll be interested in hearing your impressions, as that is where Jon's family is from. Are they a buncha gangstas, you think? Probably - that would explain a lot. LOL
LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!
alison
jesse, put up a post!!...... ....to cheer up your madre, she is Suuuuper tired with cranky little avery fussing at all hours...........let her know of her boy's adventures......
and super duper love to all euro bellas and boys......you seem to be having the perfect/kooky time.....awakening....
xo,
h, coco's mom
Cinque Terra Hi Becky,
You are now in Hank's and my favorite place in the whole wide world. Awesome - and we applaud your ability to find this incredible place. Sorry about the stitches and passport episodes - they will soon fade in your memory and become just good stories to tell your grandchildren someday. Take care and Lots of hugs, Stephanie
Sounds great ! It's nice to read about your recent adventures, and to imagine the places you describe. Great deal.....that free buffet !! That kind of makes up for the restaurant rip-off in Interlaken, hm? At least, I think it was Interlaken. Love to all. Ciao ! Courtney's grandmother, Elaine
Hi Becky! Your mom gave me your travelblog and it has been SO fun to read. So glad you're having a wonderful experience and are safe. Lots of love and blessings, Stephanie
It sounds like you are all having a wonderful time! Im so happy!...really i am...i'm so happy that you are hiking in the alps, taking trains, and seeing amazing sites while im sitting here in a stinkin' office....like i said...im happy. ;)
Anyway, i thought i would let you guys know realy quick that naples is not worth seeing! I saw on becky's thing that you guys are going to sorrento and capri and pompeii (which by the way made me SO happy!!), but i also saw naples on that list. AVOID NAPLES. ok...maybe its a great city...but not what me and curt saw of it. If you thought barcelona was dirty, you will hate naples. So anyway, i wouldnt waste your time. haha. Just thought i would let you know! I love you and miss you SO much.
love,
Kristi
Address and Such Becky, this blog has provided some truly amazing reading! Your images are so rich and descriptive we feel we are all right there with you. I'm glad you're taking the time to write so much and in such detail, it's been fascinating! Sorry I didn't post until now, things have been crazy with the baby. My address: 11227 NE 146 St. Kirkland, WA 98034. Can't wait to read more!
just sayin hello HI its anna. you know becky's little sister? hi becky hey courtney! i miss you guys. <3 hi kinsey (even though i dont know you) well this is exciting that we get to see what you are up to over there. i got the site from you mom becky. well im so glad you guys are safe and having fun it sounds like! stay safe and have more fun
I LOVE YOU BECKY
Hi, again Hi, both three of you (as I don't know who's writing). Answering your question about how did I find your blog, it's quite simple. I usually look at the Spain/Barcelona pages here in travelblog.org (or virtualtourist.com), just for interest in people like you that come to Catalonia, and what opinions they have (cultural curiosity, to put a name on it). In fact I discovered this site looking for this kind of opinions as a guide for traveling myself (in Slovenia and Croatia 2 years ago). And sometimes, I make comments, specially when I think there could be a cultural misunderstanding.
On the other side, as I said in my previous comment, I apreciate your positive statements about linguistic diversity and that you meant no disrespect (if the beggining of my comment seemed rude, my apologies, it's my english level fault); in fact, in june I will be "on the other side" as I go to Oxford for 3 weeks to work. If you are interested in catalan, there are thousands of web sites in catalan or about it; maybe as a starter, the wikipedia page about catalan language could be useful (we even have a catalan wikipedia, you could find it in "in other languages", just at the left side.
Finally, about your comment of visiting central Catalonia: as I understand for your blog, you are going to travel to many places in Europe; as a suggestion (and I know that backpacking makes this more difficult), combine the big cities (like Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, Milano...) with smaller places, because is there that you could feel the "culture of the people of Europe" much better that the big cities, which everyday are becoming more similar to each other (same shops, same music, you know...). In fact, if some day you return here, I suggest you taking a rent car and traveling through small villages. I have visited almost all western Europe, and (obviously apart from the GREAT sights like Rome, Paris, Florence, Munich, Amsterdam...) some of the great moments where sharing a beer with my friends (we went 4 or 5 in a van, in camping sites) in the afternoon in some lost, quiet village in the Alps, Germany, Ireland or Tuscany. There at least the menu and the people were not just tourists and vendors.
Have a nice travel through Europe (put pictures in the page!!), and I hope you will return some day to Catalonia and visit a bit more than Barcelona. A reveure i molta sort (Good bye and good luck).
Thanks for the Information Hi Salvador,
I am curious to know how you found our blog. Do we know you? Of course I would support my own language in that kind of situation- I think I kind of alluded to that in my blog. I know that speaking many languages is a benefit for experiencing the world; in fact that has been one of the main conversation topics of our group during train rides and downtime that we have (we wish we spoke everything!). And just so you know, I did study French and find that it comes back to me more and more as we travel. I also know American Sign Language, which though not really relevant for experiencing European culture has been quite an eye-opening, educative and exciting experience for me (in regards to Deaf culture). Anyway, please do not think I meant to disrespect Catalan or the people who speak it and live in Barcelona or Catalonia- quite the opposite. And maybe next time I am in Spain I will get to visit Berga, Vic, or Solsona.
Addresses Vicki Graff
3421 Wetmore Ave #4
Everett, WA 98201
Oh and Erin and Jen will give you theres.... oh and Steph had her baby! She is so cute!!!! Her name is Keianna!
It's not catalonian, it's catalan. Come on, catalan "obscure"?? Do you understand some of spanish, french or italian? If so, I asure you that catalan is in the same latin "family" of languages. If you want something obscure, try euskera in Euskadi (Basque Country) ;-) [Ei, des d'aqui tota la comprensió i estima cap als bascos, eh?]. At least, you make a statement about understanding our love for our own language, which I really apreciate (some english speakers in this kind of blogs make stupid sugestions about "why don't we (catalans) just forgot catalan and speak spanish, which is the 'normal' language in Spain"). Imagine having a language that only has 7 to 9 milion speakers and barely surviving after 300 years of spanish and french policies against it. Would'nt you suport your own language in this situation (through not falling in imposition of it, obviously).
In fact, in Barcelona and arround, it's harder to speak catalan (in our own capital, imagine it), but if you go to the inside of Catalonia (in cities like Berga, Vic, Solsona...) it's the usual language. In that towns I could agree with you that catalan could be obscure, just for the way country people speak it (barely opening the mouth).
Anyway, to speak as many languages as one can, it's one of the better ways to understand this world (as you can see, I speak english (also catalan, spanish[castilian for us], a little french, italian and even some phrases in german), with QUITE a difficulty; I do what I can, :-) ).
We are a group of girls going backpacking in Europe for four weeks! Though different, we have a lot in common and are excited to share this experience together. Later on in the trip we will be joined by Jesse, Courtney's cousin- stay tuned! Kinsey is ready to expand her horizons as a photographer and become immersed in the culture of the people of Europe. This includes, seeing the sights, meeting the people and tasting the food. The first two weeks will be filled with drugs and gelato for Kinsey, as she just had her wisdom teeth removed, a week before the trip. Becky is excited to experience ... full info
Bridget
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