What a wonderful weekend getaway with the girls! Amsterdam was such a blast. The Netherlands is absolutely beautiful; very different from the hustle bustle always around in Paris. It was quite the adventure getting there though, I must say. To start, we took a bus-bad idea-7 hours stuck in a large and slowly moving vehicle is not the best. Anyway, we arrive in Amsterdam at 6am and are stuck in the Central Station because we all can’t check into our hostel/rented apartment, so we end up catching some more zzz’s in the station only to get nudged and punched by the security. Apparently sleeping is not allowed, oops. Finally at 9am we head out to find Emilie, Emily, Jeannie and Diana’s apartment, I got stuck in the hostel I booked way too in advance across the city. The place is nice and we end up “napping” for way too long, Haha. Finally we decide to head out into the city, we stop by a “coffee shop”… or two :] and then eat like mad men. Unfortunately I got sick and had to end the night early. Saturday morning we started off fresh with a big meal at Barney’s and then did a little vintage store shopping which was fun. We also took a stop in the Heineken museum where we met some nice Canadians. Sunday; strolled the city for a while and then made my way back to Central Station where our lovely bus was waiting for us. Overall the weekend was an absolute success filled with laughter… and food. Hahah pretty much sums it up. We literally ate so much we would have made NFL football players proud. It was so refreshing to be around other English speakers, to see English magazines even! And of course to have the typical American breakfast of eggs, potatoes, bacon, etc. Yum Yum. I definitely left my heart back in Amsterdam, such a youthful atmosphere where the people are so helpful and nice. Now back to Paris, but just for 4 days and then I’m flying out to Barcelona on Thursday! Forget school and grades, I’m here to explore the world. Since I have no class on Tuesdays, usually I go out and venture different neighborhoods, today it was the Japanese neighborhood in Les Halles. Found some boba tea at a place called Zen Zoo, a rarity in Paris, which I slurped while doing my French Media reading. While wandering the various streets I found myself at an America Bookstore. I have to admit after being abroad for over 3 months now I am beginning to get America-sick! (As in homesick). But, when I think about it, I only have two months left in this exciting and upbeat city, only two months to be in Europe while the rest of my entire life, most likely, I’ll be in America, so I force myself to snap out of America-sick mode! Speaking of which, my host mother and I were discussing French toast today-Here it is called Pain Perdu, or “lost bread”, because they make it when their bread is not the freshest anymore. She was appalled when I told her it is a very popular breakfast item in the states. She said “They are liars! The French would never eat such for breakfast!” Hahah, apparently it is only for their “tea time” around 4pm. I’ve also learned that the French are very strict about their eating schedule! Breakfast only when it is breakfast time, lunch only around noon and dinner around 7-no in betweens! They don’t snack here! We also spoke about Halloween. Sadly, making me even more America-sick is how she told me the French actually view it as disrespectful to the Catholic religion, so they have created their own version of it called “holy-ween”. No costumes, no pumpkins, no Halloween themed TV shows or movies… Aye aye aye this is going to be a sad October 31st for this girl… I’m already downloading Hocus Pocus on the internet so I don’t get too sad. :] On other news, one of my besties and absolute favorite girl from Santa Cruz is coming to Paris! The lovely Chelsea Kane, and I am so excited to see her tomorrow, this is going to be a wonderful week for me. To all you Americans-enjoy your pumpkin spice latte’s and Halloween themed everything and don’t take it for granted! Sayonara!
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