It has been way too long, I’m sorry! Since my last post I celebrated my birthday : ) had 2 exams, went to Amsterdam, studied in Brussels for a week, and now I am on fall break. I cannot even believe that it is already mid October! I got here almost 2 months ago! Anyway I want to give you some highlights on my travels…
Amsterdam is a very interesting and unique place. Being the Dutch capital I was shocked to find that everyone spoke English so well, probably because of the huge amount of tourists that travel there all year round, but still. I was also excited to find that there was a lot to do and see, aside from the things Amsterdam is infamous for. I wish I was there longer because the full day I was there was not enough to see all the museums, the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace), andparks. I did have time to go to the Anne Frank Huis (Anne Frank House) and take a canal tour. Did you know that Amsterdam has more canals than Venicewith 165? Anne Frank Huis was really remarkable. Walking through the tiny 2 floor hiding place where Anne, her family, and four others hid provoked so many emotions I didn’t even know I had. Definitely an experience everyone should have.
I flew back from Amsterdam Sunday and early Monday morning my classmates and I hopped on the first train to Brussels, the headquarters for NATO and the European Union. One of our classes is strictly about the European Union so we traveled to two of its institutions, the Parliament and the Commission. We also spent a day at NATO and had a separate trip to the U.S. Mission to the European Union. It was very interesting to hear pro EU speakers as well as those that are skeptical. It was even more interesting how the speakers responded to our questions; some were very politically correct (which I expected) but there were also a few who held nothing back (those were my favorite speakers). I feel I learned more in that week than in the weeks leading up to this trip. And if you are wondering, in Brusselsthey speak French, but English is widely spoken (I had no idea what language they spoke). Also, waffles and chocolate are as good as you would expect them to be!!! But I would argue that gaufre de Liege (Liege waffles) are way better than gaufre de Belgique(Belgium waffles). Soooooo good!!
My most recent trip was to the White Cliffs of Dover. It was beautiful and tiring. We were dropped off in the city center, climbed our way to the castle, climbed down to the English Channel, and then found a path to walk back to the top to stand on the cliffs which reach up roughly 348 feet high. Dover faces continental Europe (on a clear day one can see France) and is home to one of Britain’s ports. It was an interesting combination of nature and modern infrastructure.
I am proud to announce in all those travels I only missed one bus and did not find myself traveling on any form of transportation that had an express alternative!
In other news, I’m sitting watching BBC right now, the postal strike is confirmed after communications failed. Also, Gatwick airport (the airport I flew into) was just sold to GIP a U.S fund.
Until next time...cheers!
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