Relaxing Through Valencia!

So, the second stop on my Spanish adventure was Valencia. Think Southern California--palm trees, expensive materials, pretty colors and now mix it with European squares, architecture and culture. There you have it, folks, VALENCIA!

So, after a quick morning saying goodbye to my friends, I rushed off to the train for Valencia. So, when I think of trains, even long distance ones, I think of TRAINS, but the trains here were not trains. Sure, they looked like trains from the outside, but when you step in you were in a PLANE! I SWEAR! Look at the photo yourself:

After my three hours nap upon my train-plane hybrid, I arrived in beautiful, sunny, hot Valencia. Arriving at 2pm is a great idea in another country, but in Spain that is siesta time, and the city was DEAD! I took the 15 minute walk to my hostel, past some beautiful buildings and areas, nice and slow to see the area and then arrived at a terrific hostel. It was so welcoming, everything there is free and they have a roof deck. Also, that same night they were providing a Paella lesson, complete with the eating of said Paella and Sangria for 8 euros. My food network side kicked in and I signed up and went for a walk before the class would start. The first place I saw was te main square, which has rose marble floor and beautiful palm trees surrounding it.
It was breath taking. Then, I walked around the area and found one of my favorite pieces of street art in all of Europe. It made my day to see this piece of artwork hanging right next to a beautiful cathedral! Then, I walked to Plaza de la Virgin which has a beautiful fountain and a great feel. I sat there, reading my book and looked all around because there was so uch to see there. The fountain is beautiful!
And, upon closer look, I found a RAINBOW Pigeon on it. How or Why it is rainbow is a mystery to me, but it was and I have photographic evidence to prove it!
Then, I went back to my hostel for the Paella experience of a lifetime. A very cute chef from the area demonstrated how to make Paella in front of a group of about twenty young people. Here he is throwing some veggies into his gigantic paella pot! He first had oil in the pot and fried up rabbit, duck, chicken, artichokes, green beans and butter beans. Then, he added water and let a broth develop. Then, he added in the ride and spices and stirred it for 5 minutes. After the five minutes it looked like this. Then, for ten minutes he let it cook, completely untouched. When it was all done it looked like this. YUM! Then, we feasted, chatted, drank sangria and had a terrific time. Then, instead of going out on a pub crawl, I stayed in and hung out with some people I met in the hostel before going to bed at a slightly reasonable hour.
Then, the next day I rented a bike and went to the local market to prepare a picnic lunch. The market is really beautiful and it has EVERYTHING you could ever want. This is what it looks like, but this is in the middle looking in one direction so it is twice as long as this seems and has about 4 or 5 rows, plus a separate area for fish. So, basically its HUGE for such a small city. And each stall specializes in something, fruit, veggies, meat (either all kinds but more commonly JUST chicken or JUST beef or JUST pork or something else) and some have some funny specialties. For example, this place ONLY sells eggs: And this one only serves Ham (Jamon)!
Then, I took my bike to a park and rode it to the beach. The park is a dried up, redirected (by Man) riverbed. It is really cool, and is lower than the street so still has bridges going over it. Here is an example, and this is the oldest bridge still standing over the "river"! The beach was great, and had mountains in the background. I rested, swam in the warm water and had a terrific day on the beach. On the way home I took my bike through the City of Arts and Sciences. It is an area filled with museums but all the buildings are built in terrific modern architecture.
Then, I grabbed some Asian food for dinner because I was missing all food other than Spanish food, and hung out with some friends I made in the hostel until bed time!
The next day I went on a walking tour and saw some terrific sites and buildings in Valencia. This first building is a museum of Roman Ruins in the city and below that pool of water you can see the Roman baths. They always think of cool way to show off ruins in Europe! Then, we also saw this old palace that is now a ceramics museum. I didn't go inside, but judging from the outside, I am sure it is BEAUTIFUL!
Then, I went back to the hostel and met up with some friends. We decided to go for a walk and grab some Horchata, a drink made from sweetened tiger nuts. The nuts are sweet, and lots of sugar is added and it is drank ice cold. It is really yummy and is a lot like an almond milk but creamier and sweeter. I had lots more of them throughout my travels, because it is so refreshing, especially when its 90 degrees out every day!
The next day, I went to the Medeval tower gate and climbed to the top. It was built in 1342 and still standing and FREE! What could be better? It is really cool looking, too!
Climbing to the top wasn't too hard but really allowed you to see the city. It isn't too high, but nothing in the city really is, so its easy to see the city, and all the pretty red roofs against the blue sky! Then, I asked a very nice looking girl to take my picture form the top, and here I am! Then, after talking to her, I found out she was also from Massachusetts and we ended up talking for a while. It was nice to talk to someone who also knew Boston and was from "home". The I
went to this tapas restaurant call 100 Montadillos, 100 sandwiches, and It has a menu with over a hundred sandwich choices all 1 euro to 1,50! They are all small, so I ordered 4 and some french fries, and they were delicious! That night I hung out with my friends before taking an early train to Barcelona the next day! All in all, I had a terrific time in Valencia but I was soooo looking forward to Barcelona and I was so excited to get there and see everything I could!

Dancing Through Madrid!!!

Hello All! I had an absolutely amazing time in Spain and am going to try to post a very good description of my trip and all the wonderful things I saw! It was great to travel alone because I was able to make all my own decisions and also meet so many people from all around the world. It was an unforgettable, amazing experience!
First Stop, Madrid. I got to my hostel around 9pm, which is dinner time in Madrid. I put down my bags and found out that later that night there would be a pub crawl, so I went out in search of food before the festivities. But first I saw this and it made me feel much better in my new, exciting but a little scary, trip alone. Then, after walking around, I decided to go to a place that was selling montadillos (mini sandwiches) for 2 euro. The one on the right had ham (bacon, as they call it) melted brie and a spicy tomato sauce. The one on the left had fried cheese and caramelized onions. Needless to say, it was a warm welcome into Spanish food. They were delicious and cheap! Then, I went on the pub crawl and made some great friends, many of which I continued to hang out with for my entire time in Madrid.
Then, the next day was my walking tour, Where I learned all about the city and saw many interesting buildings and things. The tour guide was great and we started at this statue, the symbol of Madrid.
It is a bear eating berries form a tree, berries which if eaten ripe, are alcoholic. It is on every trashcan, major sign and even carved into the sidewalk occasionally. We saw so many beautiful things and heard some terrific stories. One of my favorite places was the palace, which was breathtaking. Here I am in the palace gardens in front of the fountain! And here is the palace, which is so big it is hard to get a picture of the entire building.
Then, we walked all around the city and over to a street called Grand Via. Grand Via was rebuilt sometime recently to mimic US Art Deco styles and, to me, is much more beautiful and lavish than anything I have seen in America. Here is the building at the beginning of the street. It was also a great area for restaurants, shopping and just hanging out.
And after all that walking, food was needed. The tour guide showed us a place with paella that he raved about, and it was pretty tasty. I got paella mixto, which had seafood and chicken. We also all shared pitchers of sangria and feasted on tapas--chicken wings, marinated veggie salad, potato salad and bread with tomato and oil. It was delicious. Here it is, before I dived in and ate it all up! Yum!

Then, the next day I went to The Renia Sofia Museum. Here I saw some terrific paintings by Dali, Miro and Picasso. They also have la guernica, which is much larger than you ever thought possible and amazing. (CAUTION: Nerd Moment Alert!!) I also went to a temporary exhibit at that museum all about the Ready Made Movement and how Duchamp and his Readymades including the Bottle rack, which I SAW!!! CRAZY!! Here it is. Then, it was all more contemporary artists who used readymade as a concept to create more detailed and complicated readymade projects. Much of the art here was made form household items and it was all terrific. There was even an entire hall way filled with tires staked and piled in various places. I loved it. Then, I went to the train station to buy my train tickets for the entire trip. The old section of the train station no longer has trains and they put a tropical garden in its place. There are all sorts of plants and more turtles than you have ever seen! I had to wait for almost an hour to get up to the teller, but it was okay because I was in a tropical oasis. It was so cool. Then, after consulting my "Lets Go Europe" book, I found a place to eat lunch. For an appetizer, entree, dessert, 1/4 liter of wine and a roll you pay only ten euros, and the food was amazing. Here is my artistic(I wish!) picture of the restaurant, complete with my wine glass and cool menu. The restaurant is called Bazaar and is decorated with cool bottles of water, tins of tea and bags of rice, much like a market. For an appetizer I had gazpacho, because I was in Spain and it was almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside! It was delicious! I don't usually love gazpacho but this one was creamy and smooth. I loved it. Since I do not speak Spanish, the entree was a slight gamble. I saw the word Atun (tuna) and decided to give it a try. It was stewed pieces of tune in a rich broth and also amazing. It had a slight kick to it and also a very tangy lemon element. Then, after all that food, I was stuffed and opted for the plain yogurt and sugar, a popular dessert here in Holland as well, for a light and yummy dessert. It was an unforgettable lunch and, needless to say, i returned there during my trip.
The next day a friend i made, Jennifer, and I went on an adventure to a free museum recommended to us by one of the people who worked at the hostel. It was called The Caxia Forum, which many major Spanish cities have. It is a great building, which has an entire "green" wall, covered in plants. The first floor, that you walk into, is actually all outside and you must enter a aluminum stair case in order to enter the building. There we saw a photo contest about world change and suffering, which was cool and an exhibit with photos and film excerpts on Fellini, the Italian director. It was an amazing exhibit and we spent nearly 2 hours in that one room! Then, we went to the major park in Madrid, which was beautiful. Here I am, standing on top of a staircase in front of a terrace. It was beautiful! Then, we wondered around and found some beautiful things, including a building called the glass palace. It is so cool and is the location for some of the readymade art from the Renia Sofia. You cannot see the art in this picture, but you can see where the glass palace got its name. After another long day of walking, we decided to get our Spanish lunch (starts around 1:30 or 2pm) at the same place I went the day before. We both had an appetizer of a salad with tostas--and the tostas had a salad of roasted eggplant, peppers, garlic and onions. YUM! Here is a picture of Jennifer with her roasted turkey leg with veggies. For the main course I had a delicious beef stew with mashed potatoes. Then for desert we had Flan, and here I am so excited to start eating mine! It was a terrific meal and we both enjoined it (and each others company) a ton! But, after wards, we needed a nap. Then, we went to the Prado Museum, which is the national Spanish art collection, and we saw possibly 100 pictures of Jesus in so many different positions, ages and colors. But, its free for the last 2 hours of the day, so we were fine with just browsing through and then going home for the tapas tour! We had snagria and tapas form the first bar and the second bar we had a traditional Spanish Apple Cider, which had to be pushed through a speacial aerator for each person. Here I am doing it! Then, one friend I made in
Madrid, Milad, and I decided to have a fun night on the town. We went to a bar and had a few jager bombs while dancing and meeting lots of Spanish people. They are all so friendly! Here we are, enjoying our night! Then, it was bedtime and an early train ride the next day to Valencia. There is so much to say, I will have to do a post on Valencia another time! As you can see, my trip was off to a fantastic start!

So...its been a while.

This one will not be as detailed and will be picture-less, but still interesting, I hope!
After my last post, I went to spend the weekend with my friend Renata. I first went to the beach on Friday, which was very nice but TOO cold to swim, and then I got on a train to Amersfort, where she lives. Her host Mom picked me up form the train station and we had tacos for dinner, took her kids for a walk to see the horses and then we went down town to Amersort to see if anything is going on there. Nothing is, if you were wondering. We had a few beers and then headed home.
The next morning we woke up to no one in her house, which was nice, but then we realized there was no way to get from her house t the train station without a ride. We ended up asking her neighbors, a group of retired Nuns that live together, and one drove us to the train station. From there we went to Hilversum, which is a really cute, rich, suburb of Amsterdam. We went shopping and had lunch, and then went to her friends house, Justina (pronounced UU-stin-a). She didn't speak English, but another Justina there did and we hung out, drank wine and had sum fun. They even straitened my hair! Then, i balanced on the back of Justina (with no English)'s bike and we went into the city center to go to some bars! It was really fun!
Sunday I just relaxed at home until the family came back. Then, Monday started the daily grime of work again. They were all tired but it was a fun day, nonetheless. I took them to Tun Fun, a dutch Discovery Zone, which was fun and they bounced and climbed their hearts out. It was different then I expected, because it had a underground theme and lots of graffiti art and street signs hung everywhere. I really liked it.
Then, On Tuesday the Mom and I took them to the local market to play in the fountain, get fried fish for lunch and do some shopping. They were all very excited to get new crocs and some hair bands--even the baby wanted a head band! With pink hearts on it! It was a good day, but again filled with tired children. Then, at Night I went into town and met up with a couchsurfer from the US just stopping in Amsterdam. We went to some cafes, walked around and then tried to go to this cool bar, but ti was closed for the summer. We were really bummed. We had a really great time though!
Then, on Wednesday I wanted to take the kids to the Zoo. We were on the tram going on our way and all of a sudden we stopped. After about 5 minutes the kids got antsy and I asked what the problem was. The Tram in front of us hit a car (or got an owie, thats what I told Marisa) and it might not move for a long time. I decided to jump off the tram and take them to the park instead, because it was so nice out. It was a great day and they went into the fountain because it was so hot out! Then, at night, I met my friend Mieke and we saw the movie Greenburg. We wanted to see Shrek, but it wasn't playing for some reason. It was good, but had no story and we were both very confused at the end. We went for tea in a coffee house after, had some delicious ice cream and went home. IT was a great night.
Then, on Thursday I decided not to take the kids out because the weather was playing games and I was unsure if we would get poured on if we left for the Library. We did go to the Supermarket though, and each of the girls had their own baby in a stroller, a list and was able to pick out the right things. They felt just like a Mama. It was adorable. Then, at night I went to this awesome bar, Sound Garden, with another Au pair. Her name is Lena and she is really fun. She is from Germany and I would really like to see her again!
Friday, yesterday, was a day I took to get better. I am beginning to feel sick and leaving today (AHH) for Spain! Then, at night I went to the van Gogh museum with a group of expat women. It was really great, because they had live music and a bar set up in the lobby and the museum is great, but not as extensive as I remember. Then we went to a cool bar downtown for a few drinks before heading home.
Now, its Saturday and I am packing, eating and preparing for my trip. Madrid tonight for 4 days, then Valencia, Barcelona and Zaragoza! I am so excited! Send me an email or something with your address if you want a post card! I might not have internet every day, but when I do I will post, sans pictures and then do a big post at the end!

Lots of fun and a Mini-Vacation!

Hello Everyone,

So I left off with the 15th--A Thursday. That was my last day of work for over a week, so we went out with a bang--I took the kids to Vondelpark. Vondelpark is like the Amsterdam form of Central park. Its HUGE and has lots to offer--two play grounds and a few places to feed the ducks all within a 5 minute walk of the tram which is perfect for the kids. The weather was very mysterious, one minute sunny the next overcast but I decided to keep them outside and not bring them to the Dutch Discovery Zone. We had fun in one playground all morning, then we had a picnic lunch by teh ducks and fed them our crusts (pictured below).

Then, we made our way to the next playground. Nigel is beginning to love the sound of his voice and experiment with different noises and sounds--fine when you are outside but not so fine when you are in the tiny kitchen and trying to hear the girls request what they want for lunch, but either way still adorable. Here he is screaming to the high heavens at the playground.
It was a great day and we avoided all the rain--because it never did rain!
Then, on Friday I had the day off! Wooohooo! First stop, Rijksmuseum, their country's collection. It is quite small at the moment, only 12 rooms, because of construction and I was only really interested by the Rembrants and Miros, late 16th and 17th century paintings are definitely not my favorite, but it was a good time and free because of the museum pass Jane got for me! I also had a walk through the canals, which is so beautiful! Then, I met up with a new friend, Mieke, who took me to a great bar in an old factory called the pacific. It was great fun and she also showed me around the city and pointed out the places for some great markets. I am going to have to check them out soon. Then, I came home for a late dinner and to say goodnight to the kids because I would not begin seeing them for a week.
Saturday, I met up with my friend Serena and we went to a street music festival. It was really cool but had a very low attendance an it prompted us and her friends to venture over to the Suriname festival. I would've liked to stay and listen to the music, though. Even if others weren't enjoying it, I sure was! Here is a picture of the opening act--a drum core! Suriname is a country I have heard of before, but only in text books and i have never experienced any of the culture. There is a big Suriname population in Amsterdam and it was a fun, but also not very many people were there. I did get to try a new cuisine of food and had a fried bread snack that was delicious. It was a little awkward, though, because her friends and Serena only spoke in dutch and hardly included me--because I didn't understand what they were saying. Then, I came home and was exhausted. I had a yummy dinner and then went for a bike ride around my neighborhood, which has some beautiful sections. Here is right near the canal, and you can see the bed and breakfast I might send my parents to, as well as the famous Sloten windmill. It was a great, but tiring Saturday!
Sunday I met up with my friend, Alexa and we walked all around the city. It was really fun and we had a great time seeing the city and chatting with each other. We went to eh cafe Mieke took me too, a great buffet type place for lunch and hung out in Vondelpark. All in all, a terrific day!
Then, on Monday I left for my adventure to Texel. The town I stayed in was called Den Burg. It was very quaint and a great place for home base. This is a picture of one of the cute, curing streets. It was so beautiful. Then, I left for the coast. On the way I had beautiful views of the countryside, like this one: One of the oldest churches in Texel, in the town of Den Hoorn, is visible through the farm lands of the island. Then, I rode through the forest, dunes and finally made it to the beach. It was hot out so the breeze and water at my toes was very appreciated. Then, for dinner, I feasted on Kibbeling, a type of friend fish that is very common here. It was delicious. I also had the same thing for lunch, from a vendor at a great town market in Den Burg. It was a great first day on the island.
Then, on Tuesday I went to the town of De Koog, which was just as cute, but much busier and not as old fashioned as Den Burg. On the way I went for a hike through the dunes, which were so beautiful and hung out on the beach for a little bit. The duens were gorgeous and very relaxing place to walk around in.
Then, the beach was much quieter than the one the day before, and I watched a fishing boat pass. Here is it, being attacked by all the seagulls looking for lunch. . Then, I went through the middle of the island on my way home and found myself in the woods again. Here is the path I am riding on going through the canopy of trees. I really enjoined all the sights the island had to offer. Then, I rode by my first flower farm. If this is what the entire country looks like in April, I will be so happy. Just this small section is beautiful!

Then, on Wednesday I ventured all the way tip the northern tip of the island--15km from Den Burg. Here is a red lighthouse which is so cute and looked great on the landscape.
I just relaxed on the beach for a while and I had a great lunch at a cafe right on the beach. It was so nice and a great way to start off my day. On all the beaches, you can rent these small sheds that people use to store there things, get out from the sun and hang out in front of. If you ask me, its a little weird, but its interesting and they look super cute all lined up on the beach.
Then, I went to the town closest to this beach, De Cocksdorp. It was nice, but then after I left I found some other cute towns along the way that were much cuter. Here is one,
I stopped in three towns and they were all adorable and I had some great views along the way. One of the best had a famous dutch windmill in it.
It was a great, biking filled day! I loved my trip there! it was so relaxing!
Today, Thursday, was my last day on the island. I went to the town Oudenschild, only 3km from my hostel, for a few hours before heading home. It was so cute and had a harbor filled of ships. It was very quaint and I really liked it. Now I am home and going out to meet some friends tonight, a day trip with one tomorrow and spending the night at another friend's house. Then, work on Monday but just for a week before Spain! YAY! Love you all! Keep reading!