Holland Part 2

Ok, now that I am rested and enjoying the sun here goes the second part of the trip!

Day 5: Cupcakes & Belgium

We decided that after our crazy day in Maastricht we needed a day of rest. So we all had a bit of a sleep in and when we got up we figured out what we were going to do for the day. We thought we’d start out by decorating some cupcakes, and that was so much fun, and very tasty. They came out perfectly, and then we decorated them. (I think that you’ll be able to figure out which one was Teddy’s favourite!) While we were decorating M and I registered for our German courses back in Graz, you will notice what I had to do in order to remember to register! After the cupcakes, we went to this museum in Belgium, it was really cool, it went from the Neanderthals all the way to the Romans in the history of the town. After the museum, we had dinner at Little L’s Grandma’s house, it was really tasty and then we went skating. The skating was so much fun, I haven’t been in a while, and it was disco night. We were there with a bunch of other teenagers, and some adults, just skating to really cool music with the lights and the disco ball going. I got better as the night went on but M is a skating fiend. Crazy lady, she was fun to watch!

See they turned out great!

These ones were fun, cause I didn't need to think about it!

Teddy with all of thecupcakes!

Teddy's Favourite, Litlle L made it!

We joined a funeral procession in ancient Rome!

The Skating girls!

Day 6: Mosque

The next day we decided to go to the new Mosque in Roermond, it was somewhere that my host family had wanted to go, because it was new and they were very open to guests, and we made the perfect excuse to pop our heads. It was so beautiful, all of the tile work and the paintings! The guide was really funny (or at least the translation that we got from Little L was funny). It was really fascinating all of the different parts of the building and all of the reasons for the way that the building was constructed. We also ran some quick errands. Then we went for a long walk with Big and Little L, and Big L gave us a really cool history of the Roer (the river that goes through Roermond, but twists through Belgium and Germany as well). It was a ton of fun, and we also got to see some of the differences in the ways that the different countries dealt with the river in the past. Little L and I also talked a little when we got a bit behind with one of the dogs. For dinner that night we did something a little different. I think they called it Gourmeta (not sure if that is spelled properly but it’s pronounced like gourmet with an uh sound on the end). It was a giant grill and meat and veggies that we grilled and then ate, kind of like fondue, but on a grill instead of in a broth. So much fun! It was an awesome way to end our stay, M also showed off her Calligraphy skills, and Little L absolutely loved it, I need some practice! :P

The fixings for the Gourmeta

Teddy wanted to be part of the action too!

It was really tasty!

M giving us a Calligraphy lesson.

All of us together!

Day 7: Amsterdam

After all of the excitement of the week, we slept in on the one day that we actually needed to get out the door on time. Of course. But we made it to the train station on time and headed out to Amsterdam. We made it there by 10:30am and met up with B (a friend from back home who is studying in Holland). It was great to see someone from home! We dropped our bags at the lockers in the train station (awesome things by the way), and went to the Rijksmuseum. It was amazing, all of the paintings and pottery, and the doll houses, that were exact replicas of real houses. We all agreed that it was the perfect size, too much more and it would have been too much information, but too much less and you wouldn’t have felt like you had seen the whole thing. We walked for a while looking at buildings and canals and the like, and then we went for lunch. After that we went through some of the main square, and some of the Red Light District (not too much was going on, we were too early) and we saw the “Old Church” and yes that is what it is called. It was beautiful, especially considering how much construction it had had to go through after it was abandoned.  More walking and just looking at the city and we found our way to China Town. Great food there too! We then dropped B off at the train station, and we went to our hostel! Have I mentioned before that it was a boat?? It was pretty cool, but I will sya that there is one benefit to being short when you are staying in a boat hostel :P! M didn’t find it as funny as I did. We thought that we might both stay up a little later, but as soon as my head hit the pillow I was asleep, we’d walked for a long time!

The Rijksmuseum

A streeet in Amsterdam

Why is it that we always get lost?

We thought we might eat here, but we chose a differnet place
instead Teddy still wanted a picture though!

I warned B that he would have to take a pic
with Teddy!

The boat Hostel!

Day 8: Last Day

Once again we actually had to be up for something, and we slept in a little. We had reservations at the Anne Frank House, and we were staying pretty much on the opposite end of the city. Lol. But we made it, and we spent a long time looking through the house, and then in the café talking about all of the thoughts that it brings up. It is a really sombering spot, makes you think about everything and about what you think. We then walked around the street just to see, because it is hard to believe that no one could see the annex. But it is true, you really can see it. We then went back to Dam Square, where we went into the “New Church” (yes once again that is the real name of it). Inside they were having an exhibit on Judaism, and it was really fascinating. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you were walking around for 1hr and ½ and you still hadn’t seen the whole thing, it is just amazing. After that we went and grabbed our bags and headed to the airport. Our trip was really painless, which has redeemed the Frankfurt airport in my eyes. (We haven’t really gotten along since my journey out here). We made it home, exhausted and ready to hail a taxi, but as I walked out the door, who was standing there but E and P! M didn’t see them and couldn’t understand why I was freaking out until we were pretty much beside them, and then she was so excited too! J They were awesome, and drove us home, which saved us time and money, so it wasn’t even all that late when we made it back.
 

The Anne Frank House

This is a bit of a challenge,
can you spot what doesn't belong?

It’s now been two days, and I have done pretty much nothing (except buy some groceries) but it has been a good way to get back some energy. It is ridiculously warm here now, which is so nice after the weather in Amsterdam, which wasn’t bad, but just a little chilly. But alas, the relaxing won’t last too much longer as we are getting ready for classes to start and catching up with friends, but it was a fantastic trip, and I am so excited to see where we go next.

Love,

Tiny and Teddy

Holland Part 1

This is a special blog post for two reasons, 1) I haven’t posted in a while because I have been travelling and 2) it marks the 6 month period that I have been abroad (where did the time go?) Anyway, this will be a long one about my travels in Holland so I’ll break it into parts, enjoy!!
 (Oh and I learned that if you click on the pictures it makes them bigger!)

Day 1: Travel

The first day wasn’t really a day; it was more of a hurry up and wait. We got to the Graz airport just ahead of the security rush hour; those four people behind us were miffed that we made it first. :P And we waited there for our flight. Unfortunately we left late from Graz and were late arriving, so although the Munich airport does look nice, I have only now seen it at a run trying to make it from one gate to the next. Then we sat on the tarmac for a while as they got everything organized. When we arrived in Holland it was beautiful and sunny (and the second place I’ve actually arrived to in the sun!) where we caught the train to Roermond. Roermond is in the south of Holland, and although it’s not necessarily a tourist location it is where my host families live (from my first exchange), so we went there to see them. My first host family was there to pick us up and it was totally awesome. We were welcomed into their home like it had only been a week ago that I’d seen them, which made it totally awesome, and also the kids had some friends over, so we had a feast the first night there! We stayed up fairly late talking and eating and then went to bed, travelling takes a lot out of you (especially when running to make connections).

Me and Teddy on the train to Roermond

M on the train

The group of us at supper the first night!

Day 2: Carnival

In the south of Holland, they celebrate Carnival (it’s kind of like Mardi Gras in origins and is a big celebration before Lent). We got there just for the last day of the party, so we got all dressed up and hit the town.  The costumes and facepaint were AMAZING!! I have never seen such craziness and everybody participates. The part that we made it for was throwing Bacchus (the Roman god of Wine and Parties) into the river, to symbolize the end of Carnival, there are Princes of Carnival who throw parties all over the city. There was a big party with everybody singing and dancing and we got to see them throw the doll into the river! (There was one point when a Prince from another district tried to break into the party, but it didn’t really work). M painted mine and her faces, but Teddy said it wasn’t really his scene so he stayed home! After that we went home and had yet another wonderful supper and sat and talked for a long time.

This is what happens when you give
M facepaints and the ability to do
whatever she wants!

We also got the boas, cause you need something crazy
to go along with the paint.

This is me, my host mom (middle) and her friend in our
Carnival outfits (notice also the crazy hair dude in the back)

Cheers!

This was my fave hat at the whole even,
can you tell why?

And the Bacchus in the water marking the end!

Day 3: The Switch

On the third day we switched from my first host family to my second, it was a nice quiet morning and we got to see some of Roermond, without all of the crazy people wandering around! Big L (host dad) and Little L (Host sister) came and picked us up and we went to their little town, where Little L and M and I talked and talked and talked. We then took their dogs for a walk to Germany and tasted Herring. It is a tradition that on the day after carnival you eat the Herring, if you want to know what my feelings toward the herring were, just check out the blog Chocolate and Chocolat. (or the picture below) But we also got to try this fried cod, which was really tasty.  When we got home we made Yummy Chicken (the walk with the dogs was a half hour and the chicken takes an hour to cook, so it’s not like we were eating one thing after the other.) Yummy Chicken has a history with this host family as it was the “Traditional Canadian Meal” that I made when we were staying together last time. And man was it yummy! We then planned our trip for the next day and bed!

Wht is it that there is always food involved? This is Little
L and me!

We were in Holland at this part of the walk!

But now I was in two places at once!!
(Germany on the left and Holland on the right)

You can see what I thought of the Herring (M was very
diplomatic again, and said it wasn't bad)

Day 4: Maastricht

My first host mother had suggested that we take a trip to Maastricht to see some of the stuff there, and we thought that was a great idea, so bright and early we caught the train to Maastricht and it was all fun from there. We started off just walking around looking at all of the shops and stuff (and a quick stop at the info center) then we walked to the Noord Gratten. In case you are wondering they are the “North Caves” in Maastricht. If you do some homework, you find that they don’t have natural caves, but these are the caves that were made for taking out the sandstone, to build most of the city. They were absolutely fascinating. There was one section where the guide walked up this tunnel and we were left in complete darkness (and I mean complete, you couldn’t see anything) it was terrifying and fun at the same time, we had to walk up the tunnel. Little L, M and I kept calling out for one another to make sure that we were all still there. Talk about an adventure. After the caves we went for a tea in a café that is built in an old water mill. They make their own flour so we of course had to try some cookies and pie! Most of the rest of the afternoon was spent walking around looking at things, like the university and the old walls and stuff, but the coolest part came a little later. We went to a bookstore in a cathedral!!!! I thought it would be like an old book store with manuscripts and everything when M told me about it, but it was like a chapters and they had and ENGLISH BOOK SECTION!!!!!!! Needless to say, I restrained myself and only bought one, suitcase restrictions do help sometimes. :P After that supper time, we went to a really nice tapas place and had a great time. Little L bought a French book at the store and we spent the train ride home reading it and talking about the cool things that we had done!

Little L, Teddy and M waiting for the train!

Maastricht from the edge of the city

We were walking to the cave when
we saw a tea shop, guess who had
to stop and buy something? It was also
cold so you'll notice that Teddy is in hiding

Little L at the restaurant. 

This was the cool dragon in the park we
walked through!

I’m going to stop here for a few reasons, not the least of which being that I am totally exhausted and want a nap, but also because I still need to go through all of the pictures that I took and see which ones I want to post here.  I’ll post part two hopefully tomorrow, or maybe Thursday but I promise it wont be too long.

 <3 A very tired, but happy

Tiny and Teddy

Prague!

This weekend was a whirlwind adventure to Prague. E,P & P’s mom A, all left Graz at noon. We thought it would be about a 6 hour drive, but was slightly closer to 8, but it didn’t matter, I slept most of the way there. We met up with M there, and went to this fabulous restaurant in the main town. (Just a heads up, there was a lot of eating on this trip, so there will be a lot about food in this post).

Our Room at the Hotel

However, before we got there we had to find it,
that was a really fun adventure, involving some U-turns and
stopping to make sure we were in the right place!

Saturday we walked around the old town. It was really beautiful, we crossed the Charles Bridge, which is from the 1300’s and is still in crazy good condition. There were lots of vendors on the bridge too, which was cool, because there were lots of pretty paintings and jewellery. We were going to walk to the castle, but it was quite a hike, and it was lunch time, so we went to Café Slavia. They had wonderful sandwiches and cakes, and apparently the Mint Cappuccino was really tasty too! Teddy liked that restaurant.  We also went to the astronomical clock and the main square then to a market, and then what do you know, it was time for another coffee. M had already been to this place and it was totally Fantastic!! It was called Ebel, just off the main square in Prague. We stayed there for a while, then as we were walking to the restaurant for supper we saw a parade for Carnival, it was beautiful! Supper was also great, then bed, we’d been walking around looking at things for 8 hours or so.

We found M, even after we had got lost on Friday, she
didn't seem to mind!

The Charles Bridge

The Entrance to the Charles Bridge (you
can see M in the bottom with the blue hat
and P and A in the middle!)

This was my cake at the Cafe Slavia (Delicious)

The Castle in the main square!

E ready for a day of walking around taking pictures!

The Astronomical Clock

Teddy thought it was the coolest part of the trip. (There
are more pictures of Teddy, but unfortunately they
are on the other cameras cause mine decided to die, lol)

Sunday we went back to the main part of Prague to see the Jewish Quarter, and the Old-New Synagogue. It was really cool, especially because there was this lady who spoke English who could explain stuff to us. Then we went to this other restaurant for lunch, which we weren’t sure of because of the entrance, but it was really, really nice. M took pics of the bathroom because they had styled it to look medieval! It was a little rainy, and we had the 8 hour ride home so we didn’t stay too long, but it was pretty awesome!

Now it’s time for our next adventure, not sure when I’ll get to post again, but I will do so as soon as possible.

Cheers,
Tiny and Teddy

Signs

And yes, I do mean the crazy ones.

Today I handed in three of my papers!!! I don’t think I can type up the excitement that I am feeling right now! But this morning I absolutely did not want to hand them in, not because they are not good, or finished, but because I have no idea what they are going to look for in them. But as I jumped on my bike this morning there were two signs already, the first was it is now warm enough to ride my bike, and the second was that the sun was shining, and like really shining for the first time in a while (or at least I noticed it was shining :P) Anyway I made it to the U and handed in my papers, and then decided to run some errands, so that I could reacquaint myself with Graz, and remember why I love to live here (I’ve noticed that my love or dislike of this city seems to be directly proportional to how much work I need to do for school. Interesting…). First stop, the oldest bakery in Graz where I picked up two Marzipan hearts. Shockingly it wasn’t until my second stop at the chocolate store, where there were a ridiculous number of people that I even realized that today is Valentine’s Day! (That makes the hearts all the more exciting!)

Anyway, pretty much everything this morning has been going well, and I think that it must be a sign that my papers are also going to go well. (The fact that I got my mark back from one of my other classes, A, is also a good sign) And now that I am home, the clouds have come in, making me glad that I can stay inside and finish my last paper! (did I really just type that? :P)  

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone,

 Tiny

See the pretty hearts, I cant wait to eat one of them!

On Sunday we went to the Schlossburg
with the new Canadian boys and this was how
pretty it was in the snow!

PS After typing the whole thing up I received another sign that everything is going to go well... a Valentine's Day package from my Grandma!!!!!!!!! I AM SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!! I've already broken into the Mars Bars and they are delicious!!!!!!!!!!!! BEST VALENTINE'S DAY EVER!!!!!!!!!

The top of the package was decieving, but I Love the Tea, and
I really needed some new socks!!!

Then Teddy wanted to get in on the action!

And once the tea was removed there were the treats!!!
I hope I dont eat them all today, but that might not be guaranteed! :)