I got back last night from my two week vacation to Switzerland, Germany and Austria. It was a lot of fun but it also made me realize a couple things (and hopefully this won't offend anyone!)
1- I realized I'm really not that into western European culture (I know this is a very broad generalization). Or maybe just that region in general. I think this could have greatly been affected by the people I traveled with because I remember loving it before, but this time it was so "meh". Maybe it's just not "different" enough anymore. I had a good time, but there weren't a lot of things that were like "OMG BEST THING EVER". Actually I think the only place we saw that really had that effect on me was the Berlin Wall.
2- I no longer want to do long trips without my SO. The whole time I was thinking "wow, SO would love this" or whatever. Then I started missing him a whole bunch. I think my trip came at sort of a shitty time because he was gone for basically a month before I left, then I was gone for two weeks. (I know, I know, preaching to the choir). I think without my SO I can still do up to week long trips. But two weeks is too long.
3- My airplane anxiety is decreasing! Woo!!! I somehow developed an inexplicable fear of flying. It was so bad I was taking anxiety pills on the plane. This time I flew I felt fine (and maybe it was because they had free booze on the international flight). I had my pills just in case, but I managed to keep myself calm and I was pretty damn proud of myself. *pats self on back*
So yes- trip. We stayed with my friends and family the entire time so we didn't have to pay for lodging!!! I went with my high school friend and we got along really well for most of the trip. There were a couple times we butted heads, but that's to be expected. She's never really traveled before and it astounded me to how picky she was. It was pretty irritating. Like she'd always talk about how she was craving McDonald's french fries and Bojangle's biscuits. Really? Shit, the food is not that different and we were only away for less than a week when she started complaining. She complained about portion sizes and only drank Coke the whole time because she "knew what it would taste like".
(This is something I LOVE about my SO- he not only eats everything, he loves everything he eats)We also butted heads because she kept saying she wanted to go shopping. I'm simply not in the "shopping" culture. My rationale is- why would I waste my time in another country shopping for clothes at the same stores we have in the USA for a higher price? Hmm.. But anyways, she wanted to shop and people had told me Munich was best for shopping. So I told her we should wait until then, also because it was our last stop, that way you don't have to carry around a ton of extra shit the whole time. Then someone told us Munich was not cheaper and she got all pissed at me. What? Am I supposed to be the fucking where-to-shop Germany expert? C'mon now.
Our last day in Munich we walked around with my sister who lives there. We went to Olympia Park and it was so windy and really awesome. She was all pissed and I felt like saying "if you're not enjoying yourself, just leave". Like how are you going to get mad at **wind**?? Luckily, my sister is like me and also hates shopping so we went to the city center and had a few beers while my friend went around and shopped.
Now I'm back home! Yippee! I brought about 10 extra pounds with me... so I'm attempting to work that off within the next few weeks. (I ate sooooo much dessert over the past two weeks!!!) I'm loving my new apartment though it still doesn't feel like "home". My SO basically set up everything so I don't know where anything is in the kitchen, I haven't gotten a hang of how long the stove takes to warm up, I still don't have a dresser so all my clothes are in boxes, etc etc... But I'm loving it. I took my puppy on a run this morning and it was awesome. We live in such an awesome city.
So today I need to try to find a reasonably priced dresser on Craig's List, pay our bills, probably get a dentist appointment to combat all that sugar, contact my new school to find out when we need to come in (I think I have another two weeks, yess!), clean up, wash clothes, learn my way around the kitchen, take my puppy on another walk (random side note- she was sooooooo happy to see me! I love dogs!), etc etc. Have a lovely day! I'll leave you with some pictures from our trip!!!
In the Swiss Alps
East Side Gallery (definitely my favorite place of the whole trip!)
My high school friend on the left not enjoying yet another meal. My Austrian friend on the right showing us a good time! (PS- the food was AMAZING)
Bier Garten! Took those glasses home as souvenirs!
My sister and I at Cinderella's Castle
The boar from Harry Potter!!!
Our new apartment!
Perlita loves sitting in the sun.
Foooood. That's the sole reason (okay, fine, besides the architecture) that I want to travel outside of the states. Next time you plan a trip: invite me! I'll eat (almost) anything! (except fish. I'm not 300% adverse to it, I just haven't liked what I've tried.)
PS Welcome back!
lyons- My love of food is why I stopped being strict vegan/vegetarian. If I go to a place I want to eat whatever they have. There's almost always excellent vegetarian options, but if sausage is a specialty then dammit I want sausage!
I love your new apartment!