Itchy Feet

They say it takes a lifetime to find yourself; I believe studying abroad is a major part of that quest. As I sit here in my dorm flat, tears of joy and sadness roll down my cheeks. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened” once said, Dr. Seuss. I know it sounds cliché but that describes my current feelings. When I arrived in London on January 10th, I was excited but also a bit scared. Growing up in a small town in Upstate New York prepares you for many things, adjusting to the hustle and bustle of city life is not one of them. Keeping this in mind, I quickly found my way around the city, safely but still eagerly. My time here has been a certain rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve met some of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. And of course, I have met those who remain immature and act like the world owes them something. My response to their ungrateful and crude attitudes is that the world owes you nothing, treat others with respect and compassion and grow up. If there is anything I have learned since being abroad, it is the fact that my generation has a lot of growing up to do. Now I’m not saying that I am never immature or perfect whatsoever, but I sure know how to act in public and have some class with certain situations. There were times during my abroad experience where I felt a little depressed after some “friends” decided to leave me behind at the tube station or judge me for my sexuality or political views. Before coming abroad, I never expected to be treated so poorly by not only people my age but other fellow Americans. In a way, those interactions have made me stronger and I have learned what I want and don’t want in life. I know what types of people I intend to surround myself with, friends who see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Letting go of toxic people and being the bigger person has drastically improved my happiness and it’s sad that it has to even be considered, but it is unfortunately reality. However, through hardships, comes something great. A light at the end of the tunnel if you will. To my lovely friends, I say thank you for making my abroad experience worthwhile. I appreciate each of you so much and will always hold a special place in my heart for you.

Over the course of my four months in London, I have matured and learned more than I had ever imagined. I’ve not only learned about others, and myself, but about different countries, cultures, and walks of life. My classes have opened my eyes to the intriguing history of British culture, the ever-evolving marketing & communications field across the globe, and the ethical and legal situations that arise on a daily basis amongst international relations. At times, living in London felt like a vacation, but I continued to remind myself of my purpose of studying abroad, to see the world and develop a deeper appreciation for everyone and everything around me. I believe I did just that. From simple things like broadening my palette, to breathtaking sightseeing, London is the perfect city to experience multiple cultures all at once.

From searching for new coffee shops, locating the best brunch locations, and discovering the perfect spots for photo shoots, I truly fell in love with London. After adventuring around a majority of the city, I would have to say that my favorite borough is Notting Hill. With an antique road market, coffee shops, and colorful houses all in one place, I couldn’t resist its beauty.

During my first week in London, I discovered the cute old cars that frequently drove around the city and developed an admiration for them. I felt that the old cars were the epitome of London itself, not to mention how iconic they look parked outside of expensive and beautiful homes. I photographed them often and even posed next to them.

In case you were wondering, my tears are still filling my eyes and I have a bittersweet feeling knowing that tomorrow I say goodbye to so many lovely people and an incredible city. The memories that were made and the relationships that were built throughout the semester are something I will never forget. I long for the reunion with friends and family at home and look forward to seeing them soon. Reflecting on my experience abroad, I must thank my college, St. John Fisher, for giving me the opportunity to spend a semester abroad. I thank my family for their continued support and never ending love. They have made my dreams come true and I am forever grateful for that.

Alright, just so everyone knows, Prague is my new favorite city. This past Thursday night, my roommate Martin, our friend Erin, and I set out, traveling to the popular destination of Praha (the Czech spelling). Our flight left around 9:30 PM out of Luton Airport, which is located an hour north of London. We boarded the bus and headed for the airport, bags, snacks, and all. We were really excited to travel even farther east than where we’ve ever been. I’ve always dreamed of seeing the stunning architecture in person. Actually, in the beginning of the semester, I constantly talked about fitting in a trip to Prague before the end of my time in London. Gladly, I was able to accomplish that dream, all thanks to my ambitious friends and generous parents. I don’t think I could ever appreciate both, more than I do right now. Our flight took off and we were only in the air for just over an hour and a half. We hailed a cab from the airport and ended up arriving at our Airbnb around 12:30 AM. There, we met Lenka, the owner of the apartment we were renting. She was extremely hospitable and kind to us throughout our time in Praha. Weeks before our trip, we ran into some issues with booking our Airbnb. An older lady owned the first place we found and she ended up canceling on us due to our late arrival on Thursday night. We completely understood her concern but then had to scramble to find a nice location for lodging. Luckily, we stumbled upon Lenka’s brand new apartment within walking distance of Old Town Prague. As we walked into the apartment, we were taken back by how clean, modern, and upscale it was. We were excited to actually have comfy beds, larger bathrooms, and more space to hang out. At our current University, we lack those usual luxuries, which we all experience on a daily basis as Americans. Occurrences like that make me stop and think just how lucky I am as an American. I’ve come to appreciate a lot of things since being abroad and I’m so glad for that. To combat our small jet lag (Prague is an hour ahead of London) and hunger, we walked down the street from our Airbnb and discovered the most amazing dessert I have ever had. Now we must take a moment of silence for the day in which I discovered, Trdelník. The sweet pastry became popular in the early 2000s among tourists. It was definitely popular with me because I ended up having one a day while we were in Prague!

Pictured above: Trdelník Dessert

The next morning we adventured out and visited all of the top sights. Our Airbnb was located between St. Nicholas Church and Charles Bridge, both are beautiful and places of interest for many tourists. St. Nicholas Church, located west of Charles Bridge is Baroque architecture and took over 100 years and 3 architects to complete. Charles Bridge crosses the Vltava River, is decorated with 30 religious statues, and is also Baroque style.

Pictured above: St. Nicholas Church

Pictured above: Charles Bridge

Next, we stopped into Bohemia Bagel, a place my good friend Summer recommended for us. The bagel shop was very tasty and the staff was super nice to us. Summer goes to college with me back in NY and studied abroad in Prague last year for the spring semester. She was a lifesaver for sure. Thank you, Summer!

Pictured above: Bagel French toast with apples and a side of scrambled eggs

We then headed to the iconic John Lennon Wall. Luckily, it was minutes away from our Airbnb. It was, of course, packed there because the wall is one of the most photographed in the world. During the 80s, young Czechs applied graffiti to the wall as a sign of retaliation in response to the communist regime that hindered their country’s freedom at the time.

Pictured above: John Lennon Wall

Next, we walked to the Astronomical Clock, in the center of Old Town Prague, the most popular part of the city. The clock was installed in 1410 and is currently the third oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest that still operates. At every hour, the clock dings, two small doors open up, and the 12 Apostles parade around. People gather around the clock every hour to watch the show. We were lucky enough to catch it at night and take a video of it.

Pictured above: Old Town Hall

Pictured above: Prague Astronomical Clock

Pictured above: Prague Astronomical Clock

Visiting Prague during Easter weekend meant a little more expensive plane tickets. However, the Easter markets and décor made up for that. Vendors, street food, and activities were spread throughout Old Town Square. It was an awesome experience.

Pictured above: Old Town Square decorated for Easter

To get a better view of the city, we took an elevator to the top of Old Town Hall. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Pictured above: View from Old Town Hall

Later that day we checked out the rooftop restaurant located next to Old Town Square. Once again, we got super lucky because we had an awesome view of the city during our meal. I may or may not have ordered a glass of wine. Pictures from the top turned out stunning. I had another photo shoot of course. But hey, at least I wasn’t the only one posing on the rooftop, Martin and Erin soaked up the sunlight (spotlight) too.

Pictured above: Me atop of the rooftop bar

Later that night we went to an Italian restaurant for dinner since Erin and I couldn’t have meat. Much to our dismay, we were able to have another Trdelník for dessert! Martin had strawberries on top of his and Erin and I had the plain vanilla again.

Pictured above: Trdelník Dessert

We slept well that night at the Airbnb since the beds were brand new and freshly made. It made us miss home just a little bit more. Saturday morning we geared up for another day of adventuring. We climbed up the nearby hill to visit Prague Castle. The view from the castle was also breathtaking. We were able to see even more of the city from that view.

Pictured above: Prague Castle

Pictured above: View from Prague Castle

Next, we hiked up the rest of the hill, I mean it felt like a mountain but once we arrived at the top, it was pretty amazing. Located at the top was a structure, which was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Petrín Lookout Tower was built in 1891 and at the time, served as an observation tower as well as a transmission tower. As of the view couldn’t get any better, we climbed 300 steps to the top to view the entire city amongst a crowd of people from behind glass windows. Incredible would be an understatement.

Pictured above: Petrín Lookout Tower

Pictured above: View from Petrín Lookout Tower

Pictured above: Me, Erin, and Martin atop of the hill

For our last night in Praha, we celebrated by having a traditional Czech meal. I had Pilsner Beer (made in Prague), shredded chicken soup, and goulash and it was fantastic. When I ordered the goulash, I expected it to have macaroni like it does in the states, oh my, was I wrong. It was completely different, but I liked it a lot! You all should be super proud of me for broadening my pallet while abroad; definitely a good decision for sure. To finish the night out, I’m sure you already know what we ate next for dessert, more Trdelník! Haha. Oh man, I miss that dessert so much, cue the sobbing.

This past weekend I traveled to Brighton to celebrate my friend Krista’s 20th birthday! Being that we had an open weekend that coincided, Krista, Peter, and I booked an Airbnb and took the train down to Brighton on Friday. Located in Southern England, Brighton is a very popular destination for vacation or for people who love the beach. The town has become a tourist destination in recent years with lots of shopping, restaurants, and fun events for kids of all ages. The three of us heard of its charm and relaxing atmosphere and decided we’d check it out. Krista, who is from Chicago and Peter, who is from Miami, are some of my closest friends whom I’ve met abroad. We had a blast, not only celebrating Krista’s birthday but throughout the whole weekend. After our short train ride of less than an hour, we arrived at the Airbnb, which was very cute and quaint, perfect for one night. After we settled in, we set out on the town and did some exploring. We heard that the best part of the city was the Brighton Palace Pier. After doing some research, I learned that the Pier officially opened in May of 1899 and cost around 27,000 pounds, approximately 33,000 US dollars. The Pier consists of fair rides, rollercoasters, shops, and food stands.

Pictured above: Brighton Palace Pier

Pictured at top: Me on the Pier 

Pictured above: Brighton Palace Pier

When we arrived at the Pier, we ate some donuts and crepes because we couldn’t resist the temptation! We thought about riding some of the rides but ended up just sitting on some chairs, enjoying the sun. What was strange was that the weather was super nice, some people were even in shorts, yet the wind gave just enough chill to make a light jacket or vest reasonable. The Vitamin-D felt so good to take in. Being in London since the beginning of January not only brings down your vitamin levels but also your immune system. So needless to say, the sunlight was definitely a major highlight of our weekend getaway. That night we ate at an Italian restaurant, which was very good. I gave up liquor for Lent and being that it was a Friday, I also couldn’t have meat. Italian made the most sense for dinner that night! Luckily my friends supported my devotion to my faith. Something I’m always grateful for. Later that night we decided to hang out at the Airbnb and enjoy each other’s company. We gave a toast of our wine to Krista that night to celebrate her upcoming birthday. It was nice to have a relaxing night with just the three of us.

The next day, we adventured around the city and visited the Royal Pavilion. Known more commonly as Brighton Pavilion, the palace was the seaside retreat for King George IV (King of Wales) and was completed in 1823. The Royal Pavilion is built in the Indo-Saracenic style, which was prevalent in India for most of the 19th century. When I entered the palace, I was instantly in awe. It was absolutely gorgeous. The architecture was so stunning that most of the rooms seemed unreal or something you’d see out of a movie. I enjoyed touring it and learning about its past so much that I read up about it later on to learn more. Being able to visit and experience such culture is truly remarkable. I wasn’t technically supposed to snap a picture of the inside but being me, I was able to sneak just one. Okay, okay. I’m sure some of you are thinking ‘omg, how scandalous,’ while others are probably thinking, ‘yup, that’s something he’d do!’ Well, I did it so all of you could see it! Thank me later.

Pictured above: Royal Pavilion (Brighton Pavilion)

Pictured above: Banquet Hall inside the Royal Pavilion

Later that day, just before our train, we headed back towards the pier and decided to lay on the beach. Surprisingly, the beach was quite comfortable, even though there were rocks instead of sand. I, of course, had a photo shoot and even put my hands in the water. I had to so I could say that I’ve touched the English Channel. Okay, I think it’s cool to say! While lying on the beach with our headphones in and the sun shining on our faces we not only got a tan but also fell asleep. Good thing we woke up in time to catch our train, haha. 

Pictured above: Me at Brighton Beach 

Pictured above: Me, Krista, and Peter at Brighton Beach

The weekend may have been short but we made some awesome memories, which we’ll be able to look back on someday and realize that it’s not the big things that matter, it was the small ones.

Just about a month ago, I received a message from a family friend back home. Mrs. Jenkins sent me a message saying that she booked her flight to England and was so kind enough to invite me to spend the weekend with her and her family in Plymouth, UK. Mrs. Jenkins lives within minutes of my house back home. She and her family moved to Northern New York around 10 years ago, and I’m so glad they did. Throughout part of my childhood and teen years, I attended the Catholic Church for religious education and was also a part of the Youth Group. That was when I met Michaela, Megan, and Matthew, Mrs. Jenkins children, and now, my lovely friends. Megan and Matthew are a bit older than me but Michaela and I became very close because of our mutual friends, Erin and Elizabeth O’Rourke, who I also hold dear to my heart. Us kids spent time together a lot and knew that someday we probably wouldn’t be able to see each other as often due to our own desires and plans in life. Matthew ended up joining the military, moving to Hawaii and starting a family. Megan moved to Germany with her husband and is expecting a child within a couple of weeks. And as for Michaela, she is currently studying Art at Falmouth University in Falmouth, UK, located two hours west of Plymouth. By being close with the Jenkins, I was given the opportunity to experience traditional British culture right in the heart of two of the most popular cities in England. Mrs. Jenkins grew up in Plymouth and married Mr. Jenkins, who is from the states. He was also in the military and the two met in Germany where they lived and gave birth to Megan. They were then stationed in England where they had Matthew. A few years after, they were stationed in Texas, where they gave birth to Michaela. They ended up living all over the U.S. and made their final stop in Adams, NY.

As I woke up on Friday morning, I headed to the Victoria Bus Station where I caught the bus to the Heathrow Airport to meet Mrs. Jenkins. It felt so good to hug someone from home after so long. As we boarded the coach to Plymouth, the driver was loading luggage and smelled something funky, so he asked the man if there was any food in the bag, and the man responded by saying no. So the driver decided to unzip the bag and became very disgusted. He discovered that the man who was trying to board the bus packed raw fish in his luggage. He, of course, had to throw it out but, why in the world would he think that was a good idea!? I’m still baffled, but shouldn’t be too surprised that I experienced that unusual occurrence, things like that happen to me all the time. As Mrs. Jenkins and I sat on the bus, we chatted a lot because we had to catch up from the last time we saw each other. She filled me in on everything related to home and also told me stories about her family and growing up in England. Her mother passed away some time ago and her father still lives in Plymouth. After riding the coach for nearly 6 hours, we were greeted at the bus station by Mrs. Jenkins father, Mr. Turner. He grabbed our luggage as we hopped into his small blue manual Ford car. He didn’t show much facial expression but right away, I could tell he had a heart of gold. We traveled to the house and man, could he whip that little car around. He maneuvered down the small roads like a pro, and I was enjoying every minute of it! As I walked into the house, it was apparent that he was indeed, a family man. With family portraits all over the walls, collectible cars, clocks, and ships, it was homey. As the three of us chatted for some time, I learned that he worked as a chef for the British Navy for 24 years. He even cooked for Prince Charles, who was also in the Navy. After those years were over, he ended up working as a contractor for the Navy for 19 years. Today, he spends time visiting with his children, grandchildren, and soon to be, great grandchildren. For a traditional taste of British cuisine, we of course, had fish n chips for dinner. I’ve grown to like fish even more now since being in England. And I’ve always liked chips (fries), as everyone is clearly already aware of. Later that night, Mrs. Jenkins friend, Mark, who lived down the road came over to visit and ended up taking us out for some drinks down at The Barbican, the area of shops, restaurants, and bars that surround the Sutton Harbor. The Barbican is one of the few places in the city that escaped the Blitz during WWII. It is also home to the most cobblestone streets in Britain. In case you were wondering, yes, the Mayflower sailed out of Plymouth and arrived in the U.S. in 1620. As we walked around the city that night, Mark taught me a lot about the history of Plymouth, especially prior and post WWII. He also showed us the Royal Citadel, which was built in the 1660s as a defense, during the time of Sir Francis Drake, who was appointed to improve the defenses of Plymouth. On the top of the Royal Citadel are canons, which were used during WWII. It is believed that they were pointed toward the city to keep everyone in line. Quite interesting, if you ask me.

Pictured above: The Mayflower Steps

Pictured above: The Royal Citadel off to the right in the background

The next day, we woke up early, hopped in the car and traveled to Falmouth to visit Michaela. The drive took about an hour and a half, but luckily it was through the pretty countryside. We met up with Michaela at 10:00. Seeing her after 3 years was such a wonderful moment. The two of us had lots of catching up to do, but after she gave us a tour of her city. She took us through the center of town where we shopped a little, grabbed tea, and took on the breeze, sunshine and occasional rain. We saw the harbor and the popular Gyllyngvase Beach. Beautiful would be an understatement. Of course, I had her take photos of me. You know the drill, I quickly reminded her.

Pictured above: Falmouth Harbor with a Rainbow

Pictured above: Johnny Depp’s Vacation Home (Left)

Pictured above: Downtown Falmouth

Next, we headed to see the point to get a view of Pendennis Castle, which was an artillery fort constructed by Henry VIII back in the day.

Pictured above: Gyllyngvase Beach

Pictured above: Pendennis Castle from afar

Before heading back to Plymouth later that afternoon, we had an unusual lunch, at least for me anyway. They made me try the traditional Cornish Pasty. It looked a lot like a chicken pot pie but tasted way better. The Pasty consisted of steak, potatoes, and vegetables inside baked dough. It was surprisingly delicious. As I ate it I thought, wow, everyone back home would love this. I wonder why it was so popular and then learned that the miners back in the day ate them while underground and because their hands were so dirty, they were able to eat the inside of the pasty and throw away the rest of the crust that had gotten dirty. It’s been extremely popular ever since.

Pictured above: Me eating the Traditional Cornish Pasty

As we said goodbye to Michaela, I reassured her that we would hopefully meet up again soon and that she will always be a good friend of mine. The three of us headed back to Plymouth to attend weekend mass and Michaela headed to work. After church, we headed back to the house and ended up ordering Chinese take away for dinner because we were exhausted from the long day. What I’ve discovered about Asian food is that in England, it tastes much better. Gathered around the table that night, we shared lots of laughs and stories. It was nice being able to enjoy a relaxing weekend in a home with such wonderful people. Sunday came and it was almost time to travel back to London, but before I did, we visited the Plymouth Hoe. The Hoe, as locals typically call it, is a large, public space for people to enjoy, as well as the lighthouse located on the hill. Mr. Turner told me that the lighthouse was previously located farther down on the coast but was moved and reconstructed at its current location after partially being dismantled, post-WWII. I found it quite charming.

Pictured above: Smeaton’s Tower (Eddystone Lighthouse)

Pictured above: Michaela and Me

Pictured at top: The four of us

As we headed to the bus station, I began to think about how much I have grown to appreciate the people in my life. I’m so thankful for such kind people, especially the Jenkins family. When the bus left I waved goodbye out the window and smiled. It was at that point that I realized each trip and journey that I have been on while abroad has taught me something different and each experience is special.

Well, it’s official, I am moving to Copenhagen, or should I say, København, as soon as I graduate! Charming and relaxing would be the two words I believe best describe the city. Copenhagen is definitely a city I would recommend visiting. While there weren’t many things to do, the city is often known for its adorable and quaint aspects. Located on the east coast of Denmark, Copenhagen emerged as a major fishing village during the 11th century. Its strategic location directly between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea has attracted fishermen and merchants for centuries. Today, people from all across the globe visit the city, admiring its colorful homes and palaces. My friends and I booked our weekend trip to do just that! This past Thursday we flew out of the London Luton Airport in the early morning. Copenhagen is one hour ahead of London so when we arrived we lost some time but had a jam-packed day nonetheless! After we checked in at our Airbnb, we headed to the iconic area of Nyhavn. For those of you who don’t know, Airbnb is an online hospitality service, enabling people to lease or rent short-term lodging including vacation rentals, apartment rentals, homestays, hostel beds, or hotel rooms. Nyhavn is a waterfront, canal, and entertainment district within Copenhagen. Nyhavn is the most photographed part of the city. Oh yes, I took many pictures.

Pictured at top: Me at Nyhavn

Pictured above: Nyhavn

Pictured above: My friends and me at Nyhavn (Left to Right: Andrew, Rachel, Bridget, Riley)

After we explored that area for a while, we walked around the city and discovered a very small art exhibit in which we were able to climb into and lay on the floor. The entire building was made out of glass and we were required to wear booties on over our shoes to protect the glass. For some odd reason, I couldn’t find the name of the place. Regardless, it was very interesting!

Pictured above: All of us inside the art exhibit

Later in the day, we did some shopping for souvenirs and groceries. We ended up hanging out in our Airbnb for the night and cooking dinner. While walking around, I was able to catch a street performer creating bubbles for kids. I thought the photo I shot captured the happiness felt by all within the city. Fun fact, in 2016, Copenhagen was named the happiest city in the world.

Pictured above: Street performer creating bubbles for kids in town square

The next day we ventured out and climbed to the top of Christiansborg Palace. The view was breathtaking. Much like the British Parliament meeting in the Palace of Westminster, Christiansborg Palace is home to the Danish Parliament, the Danish Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court of Denmark.

Pictured above: The view from the top of Christiansborg Palace

Pictured above: Outside view of Christiansborg Palace

Traveling North of the city by foot, we were able to visit Kastellet, a star fortress, one of the best preserved in Northern Europe. Today, the fortress is used as military barracks with homes and offices.

Pictured above: Offices at Kastellet

Pictured above: Homes at Kastellet

Pictured above: Me in front of a windmill located at Kastellet

Next, on our tour of the city, we visited the Little Mermaid Statue. Believe it or not, Disney’s Little Mermaid was actually inspired by the small, yet adorable art piece.

Pictured above: The Little Mermaid Statue

During our time in Copenhagen, as a group, we tended to relax and go at our own pace. We didn’t go out and party at clubs or bars like most college students might do, instead, we stayed in and cooked again. I may have added some wine to the meal to spice things up. We played games and enjoyed ourselves. For our last day in the city, we visited Rosenborg Castle, built in the early 17th century by one of the most famous Scandinavian kings, Christian IV. Of course, I had to have a photoshoot there.

Pictured above: Me outside of Rosenborg Castle

Later in the afternoon, we headed to the home of the Danish Royal Family, Amalienborg Palace. Definitely, an exciting experience to be able to walk around the palace and witness guards marching around protecting the building. I had to snap a picture of them too of course!

Pictured above: Amalienborg Palace (Frederik’s Church in background, Evangelical Lutheran)

Pictured above: Guards outside of Amalienborg Castle

Before our flight later that night, we decided to check out the awesome street food at Papirøen, or Paper Island. The area is very artsy and is home to hundreds of food vendors, music, art, and events. I had chicken and French fries, I know, shocker! However, I did branch out a little and tried the spicy Korean sauce that came on the chicken. While there, we discovered a unique art exhibit outside of the Copenhagen Contemporary Art Museum, where cards were attached to trees that had inspirational messages written on them by travelers and locals. The venue was so crowded that I couldn’t snap a great photo. I did manage to get some photos of the exhibit.

Pictured above: Art Exhibit

Pictured above: Inspirational message that caught our eyes

Just when I thought I could sit down and relax, I was wrong! What a week it has been! You’re probably thinking, well it’s about time that we get to read another blog post. I know, I know, it has been ages! As the saying goes, good things take time. This applies to my absence from posting within the past couple of weeks. So let’s get right to it! As my fellow peers and friends jetted off to warm places such as Italy, Greece, and Spain, I, along with my good friend Bridget, decided to be different and I’m so glad we did. Bridget and I met each other during our freshman year of college at Fisher. We were ecstatic when we both found out that we were accepted into the AIFS Study Abroad program back in September. Fast forward to now, and we have awesome memories to share with you all regarding our week-long Spring Break trip to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Wales. So we embarked on our 9-day journey by taking a 6-hour train ride from London to Edinburgh, Scotland. As I looked out the window when we arrived in Scotland, all I could see were hoards of sheep, and I mean a lot of sheep. Along with livestock were luscious green landscapes and seeing that reminded me of home, in other words, a nice change of scenery from the London cityscape. We arrived in Edinburgh around 7PM and stayed two nights at a church, which had been converted into a hostel. A hostel is a location, which provides inexpensive food and lodging typically for students or travelers who are trying to budget their money. To some this may not seem very appealing, it wasn’t to me at first but I eventually warmed up to it. While the sleeping arrangements typically had 4, 6, or 12 roommates, it was an awesome way to meet new people and learn about different cultures and experiences that others were able to share. At the Edinburgh hostel, Bridget and I met three high school students from Northern Scotland. They were very kind and gave us suggestions on sites to see. They shared their insight on Scottish culture, more specifically the education system. This conversation occurred mainly because they were high school students and wanted to know about our studies. So the next day we got up early and set out to explore the city. At our first stop, we visited the Elephant House Café which was where the famous Author of Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, sat and found inspiration for the Harry Potter book series while she sipped on coffee and tea and stared out the back window, which faced the Edinburgh Castle.

Pictured at top: Me atop of Arthur’s Seat

Pictured: The Elephant House Café

Next, we visited a nearby cemetery of famous philosophers, writers, and poets who were born or resided in Edinburgh. The cemetery also inspired J.K. Rowling so much that she named some characters in the books after names on tombstones within the cemetery. As we walked down the Royal Mile, the main road of the city, we walked by a scarf shop where I decided to go in and buy a lambswool scarf to keep me warm for the rest of the trip. Every place I go I buy at least one souvenir specifically tailored to each city. One of Edinburgh’s major exports is lambswool and I’ve always wanted a nice scarf so I thought, why not. Next, we headed to climb Arthur’s Seat, the main mountain in Edinburgh, which was at one time a volcano and gets its name from King Arthur. The views of the city from the top were absolutely breathtaking and worth the exhaustion from the climb. Remember the scarf I bought prior, yeah, that beautiful accessory came off pretty quickly as I climbed the mountain nearly about to sweat to death and pass out. If anyone knows me well enough, they know that I tend to avoid lots of physical activity.

Pictured: View from Arthur’s Seat

Pictured: Bridget and me atop of Arthur’s Seat

We definitely got our steps in for that day and even trekked over to the castle to get an up-close view. An interesting fact about the castle is that a royal castle has been at that same location since the 12th century and archeologists have concluded that human occupancy of the location dates back to 2nd century AD. Needless to say, it is definitely an amazing place to visit for sure and I highly recommend it.

Pictured: Edinburgh Castle

Pictured: Scottish Bagpiper

Pictured: Edinburgh’s most expensive apartment building (my favorite in terms of architecture-I have expensive taste)

The next day we departed Edinburgh and traveled by plane to Belfast, Northern Ireland. We arrived in the evening and ventured out into the city to the main area where shops, pubs, and restaurants were located. We grabbed dinner and strolled the streets looking at the art sculptures.

Pictured: The Spirit of Belfast

We spent one night in Belfast at a hostel, which appeared to be an old college dorm building. Bridget and I came to such a conclusion due to the fact that one of Belfast’s largest University’s was directly behind the building we were staying in. Luckily, the room we stayed in only had two extra people. Our roommates for the night were two young men, one from France and the other from Switzerland. We talked with them for a while and actually learned that the French guy had recently moved to London and in fact lives only two tube stops away from us. As for the Swiss guy, we learned that he lived in a small village where most of the people who reside there only speak Swiss-German. At that point in the trip, I began to realize that staying in hostels is actually quite interesting. The next day we caught a bus to the picturesque Belfast Castle, located just North of the city. The original Belfast Castle was actually built in the center of the city but unfortunately burned down in 1708 and was later rebuilt in 1811 at its present location and was designed by a Scottish man.

Pictured: Belfast Castle

Pictured: Me in front of Belfast Castle sporting my new scarf

Later that day we journeyed down to the bay area and visited the Titanic Museum. The exhibit was incredible. I learned that at the time, Belfast was home to the largest port and ship export in the UK and most of Europe. During the Great Famine of Ireland, many people flocked to Belfast in search of work, ultimately building the Titanic quickly because of the influx of migrant workers.

Pictured: Titanic Museum (Titanic Belfast)

Pictured: Sign outside the Museum

After visiting the museum we headed to the train station where we boarded our train heading towards Dublin, Ireland. We arrived in Dublin around dinner time needed to switch trains in order to head to Galway, Ireland for a couple of days. Now remember, I usually do not like too much physical activity but somehow Bridget convinced me to walk 45 minutes from one train station to the other. Mind you, I had a 50lb duffle bag on my shoulder and it began to downpour halfway through the walk. It was then that I regretted not hopping in a cab to take me to the other side of town to catch the train. When we got to the train station I found a minute to breathe and also discovered a “Supermacs” which is the Irish version of McDonald’s. I thought to myself, ya know, I deserve to be rewarded with a crispy chicken sandwich, large fry, and a tasty coke. Even though I am abroad and have grown as a person, I haven’t changed at all! So we arrived in Galway in the later evening and headed directly for the hostel. We checked in and whipped open the door of our room and as if the night couldn’t get more stressful, we discovered that we would have to room the next two nights with an entire men’s rugby team. Oh my heavens did that room ever smell. On the bright side, we signed up for a tour the next day and had to get up early for to catch the bus. So at least we only were in the room to sleep and get ready in the morning. The next day we set out for the Cliffs of Moher. The tour lasted all day and our tour guide as amazing. A very intelligent older man who has been a tour guide for over 30 years taught us everything from the history of castles to the significance behind the concept of roof thatching on homes all across Ireland. We visited the first castle in Ireland but unfortunately weren’t able to go inside it because it was closed. Nevertheless, it was absolutely stunning.

Pictured: Dunguaire Castle

Pictured: Home with a thatched roof

We arrived at the Cliffs of Moher in the afternoon and had a couple of hours to walk around the cliffs. I, of course, needed a full-blown photo shoot and forced Bridget to take lots of photos of me on my camera. I got very close to the edge and even sat on it. I’m still here and alive so that’s a great sign.

Pictured: Cliffs of Moher

Pictured: Me atop of the Cliffs of Moher

Pictured: Galway Bay

While walking along the cliffs we talked with a guy by the name of Adam who was also on vacation and on the tour as well. We introduced ourselves and talked quite a bit throughout the remainder of the trip. We learned that he was in his mid-twenties, originally from Florida, and had recently moved to Germany to work as a mechanic for the U.S. Air Force. When we arrived back in Galway that evening we exchanged social media profiles. Later that night he messaged us and invited us to meet up with him for dinner, we thought why not. So we went and had a great time. We went to a local pub and I even tried Guinness for the first time. It was really good. I also had fish n chips for dinner. When we were finished Adam was so generous that he offered to pay and we politely tried to tell him that it wasn’t necessary but he insisted. It’s truly a great feeling to realize that there are still very kind people out there these days. The next day we departed from Galway by train back to Dublin to spend the next two nights in another hostel. While in Dublin we visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Trinity College, and even had dinner at the Celt Bar where there was live music. We also visited the Kilmainham Gaol, which was a prison that held leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising and also was the location of their executions. On a lighter note, during our last night in Dublin, Adam messaged us on Facebook and told us that he had just arrived in Dublin and had extra tickets to the Country to Country Music Festival which was going on that night. He offered them to us and didn’t expect us to pay him back. Once again he insisted we join him, so we did. It was an amazing time. The major performers of the night were the Zac Brown Band. If you ever get the chance to see them, I highly recommend, they were very good live. While at the concert we introduced ourselves to the group of people who stood next do us during the concert. We learned that the couple were originally from Sydney, Australia and had moved to London for work. The other two people in the group were from Germany and were clearly major fans of not only country music but also the band performing. We danced with them, jammed out all night, and had an awesome time.  

Pictured: Dublin Castle

Pictured: Trinity College

Pictured: Me in the Irish Modern Art Museum Gardens

Pictured: Kilmainham Gaol

Pictured: St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Pictured: The three of us at the concert

Pictured: Performers at the Celt Bar

The next day we left Dublin and traveled by plane to Cardiff, Wales for our last stop on our trip. When we arrived I instantly got a feeling that I would adore the city. A small seaside city, Cardiff gained its wealth due to the major amounts of coal that were mined and exported there. The hostel we stayed at for the night was so charming that I also highly recommend staying there. Originally built as an office building the inside of the building has original staircases, dark wood molding, and eye-catching wallpaper. The entire place was decorated with antiques, so basically very similar to my taste in decorating. It clearly makes sense as to why I loved it so much. So the next day, Bridget and I decided to part ways because she wanted to visit the Doctor Who Museum and I wanted to visit Cardiff Castle and knew we wouldn’t be able to fit in both since our train left that night. I visited the castle and toured the inside of the Keep, or the tower on the hill which over looks the castle. Luckily, I was able to visit the inside of the castle, which was so incredible. The photos fail to give it justice but I absolutely loved it.

Pictured: The Keep

Pictured: Cardiff Castle

Pictured: The inside of the castle

In the afternoon, Bridget and I met up at Cardiff Bay and spend the afternoon there and grabbed some great food and took in the beauty of the parks and water. We also went inside of the Pierhead building, often referred to as the “Big Ben of Cardiff,” naturally, I adored it.

Pictured: Cardiff Bay

Pictured: Pierhead Building

Pictured: Me in front of the Pierhead Building

Just when you thought the ‘dad jokes’ were gone, you’re sadly mistaken. This past weekend I had a DAM good time in Amsterdam! (Aha, see what I did there?) Alright, I know, reel it in Jake! Anyway, I’ve always had a desire to visit The Netherlands, especially after finding out from my paternal Grandmother that we have ancestors that were Dutch. So on Friday, we began our trip by bus to Dover, UK, a port on the east coast of England. From there, we boarded a Ferry, The Pride of Burgundy, pictured in the photo above. We traveled across the English Channel and were lucky enough to get some awesome views of the Cliffs of Dover as well as the northern French coast. We arrived at the Calais port in France after a short ride of 90 minutes. Next, we traveled by bus to Amsterdam which took about four hours. The ride was pretty because of the countryside views while passing through France, Belgium, and The Netherlands. We arrived in Amsterdam around dinner time and immediately took to the streets to find something to eat and also visit the red light district. We stayed in a really nice hotel just outside of the city and had to take the tram, which is their form of public transportation and actually operates above ground on the same street people drive and bike on. When we visited the red light district, it was very interesting mainly because women were lined up and eagerly awaiting for their next potential customer at every location possible. We walked down the streets and were being stared at like pieces of meat. Definitely a unique experience to say the least. Photos weren’t allowed in that area but I did snap a view of nearby canals and houses.

Photo: Canalside in Amsterdam

If I had to describe the city in one word, it would be charming, minus the Red Light District of course. Nonetheless, every street I walked down was absolutely breathtaking. It felt like I was taking the same photo over and over again but each house, street, and canal, was unique in its own special way. What I learned from the tour guide about the city itself is that it is technically under sea level and that the homes are actually sinking, much like Venice or other European cities surrounded by canals. When it comes to the homes, many of them are crooked and I always wonder why. Luckily the tour guide explained the reasoning behind such a strange occurrence. Much to my surprise was that the reason each home is leaning forward was because back some centuries ago, some expensive furniture such as pianos, or beds were much too large to fit through the doors so a hook was attached to the tops of the homes in order to hoist up the furniture and insert them safely into the home. The houses were built to lean forward on purpose so that the furniture would not swing as much when trying to lift it into the homes.

Photo: Iconic row of canal homes in central Amsterdam

While in Amsterdam we visited the Anne Frank house which was life changing and something I would highly recommend to anyone considering a visit to the city. I was moved by the experience so much that I teared up while touring the home. To think that Anne’s diary is the most read publication in the world and that I walked on the same set of stairs that she and her family walked on during the time of extreme horrific events is something I’ll never forget. Without her story and the museum, we wouldn’t be able to learn so much about how awful the Holocaust was. I remember a quote by her father, Otto, who was a survivor, that was written on one of the walls in the museum, a quote that resonated deeply within me. He said, “To build up a future, you have to know the past.”

Photo: Outside view of Anne Frank’s home and museum

The next day we explored the city and later that night my friends and I decided to go to the Ice Bar for some drinks. It was so cool, (haha, another dad joke), and we all agreed that it was well worth the 18 euros. The temperature was around -10 degrees celsius, so about 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Included in our ticket were three drinks and we were allowed to stay in the ice bar as long as we wanted. We stayed for about a half hour because we nearly turned into the ice sculptures we were surrounded by. I would also highly recommend this as well, especially because you can find one in just about any major city around the world.

Photo: Inside view of the Ice Bar

Photo: My friends and me all bundled up

On Sunday we said goodbye to the famous bike city and traveled back towards home but spent the day in Bruges, Belgium. While there we explored the streets, sampled some chocolate and even ate their famous Belgian Waffles. I ate mine with Nutella and then proceed to get Belgian fries as a snack later on in the day. So funny story, when I went order the fries, I mistakenly said “Can I get an order of French Fries please?” and the cashier scowled at me saying “BELGIAN fries!” I was horrified. Silly me, I forgot what country I was in for a second. I never laughed so hard after I left the restaurant. Everyone said the look on my face was priceless. Too bad I don’t have a photo of that! haha. The city itself is also very charming and quaint. Mainly known as a laid back and religious town, many British and French travelers spend their holidays in the destination because it is also known for their famous Belgian chocolates, beer, and Christmas market. Horse drawn carriages ran up and down the roads and the entire city is picturesque. I had a hay day with taking photos. You could say I was pretty ecstatic.

Photo: Bruges, Belgium

Photo: Bruges, Belgium

Photo: Bruges, Belgium

Here are some of my favorite shots from Amsterdam:

Photo: Bikes galore

Photo: The iconic I AMSTERDAM Sign

Photo: Me atop of the ‘a’ in Amsterdam (A for Allen!)

Photo: Me with more canals. I just loved the aesthetic so much!

This past week was more laid back compared to previous ones but I still had some great experiences. On Tuesday I went on an evening adventure with my roommate and other friends to the Shard and Tower Bridge. It was so breathtaking at night and the experience made me realize that London is very good at illuminating its buildings in a way that showcases them so magically. They utilize great combinations and styles of lighting that make it so picturesque at night. The Tower Bridge was completed in 1894 and was originally the only crossing of the Thames River until the population of London grew so large that many other bridges were needed. 

Photo at top: Tower Bridge

Photo: The Shard

Another stunning and iconic structure of London is the Shard. Created in 2012, The Shard was the tallest building in Europe at the time. It lost it’s title recently when a building in Moscow was constructed at bigger height. Regardless, neither are no match for the Empire State Building, let alone One World Trade Center in New York. The Shard was created for office space, restaurants, and shopping. I have yet to go to the top to get a view of the city but it is on my bucket list for sure! 

Photo: Outside view of wealthy Kensington Square home. 

On Tuesday, I was touring Kensington Square for my History of London class. We were walking around learning about the significance of the square and how the wealthy lived in the area and had private access to the park in the center of the square. As we were walking by the home pictured above, I took a photo of it of course and noticed a lady pulling up to the home immediately after I sneaked the photo. She proceeded to get out of the vehicle while giving making awkward eye contact with me. Being my crazy self, I got scared and scurried away toward the rest of the group in an effort to avoid her. Then the unthinkable happened. She ran over to our professor to tell her that she would love to take us inside on a tour of her home. When we all found out that we were getting the chance to see the inside of a home that was built thousands of years ago and harbored wealthy, and potentially famous people, we were astonished. I practically fell over because I was ecstatic. As I walked in I couldn’t believe how beautiful and preserved it was. She took us into the dining room, den, and study. She shared with us all that she knew about the historical significance of the house, more specifically the fireplace with its original carved wood and small archways between each room. 

Photo: Dining Room

Photo: The Study

Photo: Hallway with original bookshelves and archways. 

We later learned that the generous woman is in fact, American and also has a home in Philadelphia. Just by recalling the rare opportunity that I and my classmates had will be something I’ll never forget. 

Had a bad case of Itchy Feet this past weekend! Paris was magical and luckily I was able to check more off of my bucket list. Back in 2013, I visited Paris with my Foreign Language Club during my junior year of high school and instantly fell in love. Going back almost four years later was an extremely nostalgic feeling and believe it or not I even teared up a little. I felt a little emotional because a lot of memories instantly flooded my mind. Back when life was simpler and I had all of my childhood best friends around me experiencing an adventure of a lifetime. Nevertheless, I was very fortunate to experience those feelings again but this time with people I have only known for a month, but feel like I’ve known for years.

On Friday, we left London via the Eurostar train which travels at an average speed of 186mph. Traveling underneath the English Channel for a majority of our trip, we made it to Paris in just 2 1/2 hours. That evening we went on a boat tour along the Seine River. It was breathtaking but also extremely windy. Luckily I still managed to snap some great photos of the Eiffel Tower and other major landmarks.

Photo: View of the Eiffel Tower at night while it sparkled.

Last time I visited Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit up in it’s traditional white/yellow lighting. This time, one side of the tower was lit up in the same colors that match the Olympic rings because Paris is a potential home for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Towards the bottom of the tower is a screen with a projection of the words “Made for sharing. Paris 2024.”

On Saturday, we embarked on a bus tour of the city. We drove past all of the major landmarks and ended our journey at the most visited museums in the world, the Louvre. The first time I was in Paris I surprisingly never went into the museum. It was a very interesting experience. We were able to see the Mona Lisa and that’s when I realized that it was super overrated. I could barely get close to the painting because there were so many tourists crowding around it. Being the tech-savvy photographer that I am, I whipped out my portrait lens and zoomed right in to snap a photo of the small piece of art that the world is oddly obsessed with. Personally, I think my photo of the portrait gives it way more justice than it needs. If you’re just itching to steal it, have at it because I will not be holding you back!

Photo: The overrated Mona Lisa located in the Louvre Museum.

Photo: Outside view of the Louvre Museum.

After our bus tour on Saturday, we had the rest of the day as well as all day Sunday to ourselves. With that much free time, my friends and I made a plan and tried to do and see as much as we could. Later that day we walked from the museum to the Arc de Triomphe where I was able to, for the first time, climb to the top to get the best view of the city.

Much like NYC, to get the best view of the city, you don’t go to the top of the Empire State building, but instead to the top of Rockefeller Center. In Paris, many would think that the best view of the city is from the top of the Eiffel Tower, but it is actually from the top of the Arc de Triomphe where you’re able to take a photo of the city with the Eiffel Tower in it.

On Sunday, I attended Mass at Notre Dame and may have also been a little emotional during the service, mainly because of how beautiful the inside was. The detail that was put into the architecture and to think that the building itself is still standing after thousands of years is amazing in itself, let alone hearing the entire service in French and still seem to feel connected to all walks of life that were surrounding me.

Photo: Outside view of Notre Dame.

Photo: Inside view of Notre Dame.

To wrap up my wonderful time in Paris, I met up with my good friend Haley whom we have mutual friends with. She is also from New York, and is studying abroad and also doing an internship during her year in Paris. She was generous to show us around for the remainder of the day. We traveled to Sacre Coeur which is located in the area of Montmartre. During my first trip to Paris, we visited this area as well but I wasn’t able to climb to the top of the beautiful church that is Sacre Coeur.

Photo: View from the bottom of Sacre Coeur.

Photo: Inside view of Sacre Coeur.

Photo: View from the top of Sacre Coeur.

Week three and still adventuring! Are you surprised? Well, you shouldn’t be! This past week started off with myself having a terrible cold but luckily I started to feel better by the weekend! On Friday I adventured to Shoreditch, another borough of London, with a couple friends and loved it. Shoreditch was so adorable and felt very hip, in other words, another place where people like us college students tend to hang out. There was a lot of street art and vintage shops.

Pictured at top of page: Ride on the London Eye

Pictured: Main Street in Shoreditch

I was even lucky enough to stumble upon a super cute coffee shop to get my daily fix. In case you’re wondering, yes I am missing my beloved coffee shops back in Rochester.

Pictured: Mocha Coffee from Nude Espresso

Earlier in the day, I stumbled upon another awesome antique car, I believe it is a Morgan. Regardless, I liked it so much I had to snap a pic of it!

Pictured: Antique Morgan

The highlight of my week was our flight on the London Eye and it was absolutely breathtaking. The view was stunning and pictures do not give it justice whatsoever.

Pictured: View from the London Eye

From the start of classes to our day trip to Cambridge, what an eventful and fun-filled week it has been!

This past Monday I started my second to last first day of classes. I’m not going to lie, I was a tad bit emotional. Not only because I’m thousands of miles from my lovely college, St. John Fisher, but because I am technically now a senior. Being that I will graduate a semester early, I’m starting to look back on all of the wonderful opportunities that my undergraduate studies have given me, not to mention my wonderful family. 

My classes that I am currently taking abroad include History of London, British Art & Architecture, Digital Marketing & Social Media, and Media Ethics & Law. All of my professors are super nice and very helpful. A lot of my friends have dropped classes and switched around their schedules due to not liking their classes. However, as for me, I enjoy all of my classes and wouldn’t change a thing. If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be my History of London class so far, mainly because we engage in weekly field trips to museums, historical sites, and galleries. 

I attend class Monday through Thursday and luckily have Fridays off, giving me the opportunity to adventure. For instance, this past Friday I ventured to Notting Hill with friends and instantly was obsessed with the rows of colorful homes. Also, there were tons of great places to eat and shop, which I also enjoy of course!

Pictured: Notting Hill Gate 

Today I went on a day trip to, Cambridge, a city just two hours north of London where the University of Cambridge is located, along with gothic architecture and the famous public market. The excursion was a nice change of scenery and hustle bustle that London provides on a daily basis. On the ride to Cambridge, I was able to discover the farmland of England which instantly reminded me of home. 

Pictured: Cambridge Public Market

Top Photo: Antique Porsche in Notting Hill

As for an update on my future travels, my awesome friends and I have booked a trip to Amsterdam, The Netherlands at the end of February and are currently assessing the damage to our bank accounts. Our trip to Paris, France is slowly approaching and we are also planning trips to Prague, Czech Republic, Copenhagen, Denmark and also Dublin, Ireland in the near future!

Alright, let’s just address the corny jokes now. I bet you all were just itching to read about my time in London, thus far! If not, then I guess we have a problem and I will have to address that when I hop back home from across the pond in May. 

Now let’s get down to details! You’re probably wondering, what’s the food like? How are the locals? Do you miss home? What’s the weather like? Etc. I’ve only been in the UK for less than a week and have instantly fallen in love with the beauty of London, especially it’s architecture. The culture is most definitely different from ours back in the states. I am sure most of you are not surprised by that, but perhaps many of you pictured it to be very similar to our culture. From first hand experince, British culture is actually, in fact, very unique in many different ways. The atmosphere of the city is surprisingly relaxed and laid-back. Something that shocked me at first, mainly because of my experiences in New York City and it’s fast pace characteristics. Not to mention the obvious fact that they drive on the left side of the road, which freaked me out at first. Nevertheless, I am slowly getting better at looking right when crossing the streets, but I’m not quite there yet. I have had my fair share of close calls but it will come with time and before I know it, I will automatically look the right way. 

The locals are very kind and inviting, especially those at my university. I attend the University of Richmond, which is located in South Kensington, just west of the city and classes will be starting this Monday. I'm very excited to meet my professors and learn about the history of London as well as how their education system operates. As for friends, I have already met amazing peers and quickly developed genuine relationships with each of them. I’ve befriended people from Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Texas, and even local university students. Those special bonds that I have built make it easier to adjust and find strength in being so far away from home. Something I do not take for granted whatsoever.

As for the food, I have had fish and chips twice already and it is to die for, very delicious! Finding little tea shops and great places to eat has been exciting because it allows me to adventure out into the city even more. As many of you know, I never sit still. Since I have been in London, I’ve been very lucky to have visited breathtaking historical sites such as Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hyde Park, Buckingham and Kensington Palaces, etc. I’m glad you all have been enjoying my photos because I try to take as many as possible so I can share the beauty of the city with all of you. 

In terms of weather, it has been very cooperative and not nearly as cold as our tundra back home. Surprisingly, it has only rained twice and actually even snowed once. The days tend to be overcast and somewhat gloomy. However, I appreciate that type of weather at times because it creates a picturesque aesthetic that adds to the many photo opportunities all around me.