Best and Worst of My Time Abroad

After completing the journey of my life (at this point in time, anyway) it's reached the hour to summarize the best and worst of my time abroad.

Me in my new favorite city, Amsterdam

1) Favorite City - Amsterdam. I had no idea Amsterdam, all of Holland for that matter, was going to be so beautiful. The clean air, water canals, windmills and brick roads make for a truly picturesque setting. The citizens completely support renewable energy and they ride their bikes everywhere. I'll never forget trying to cross the street during rush hour and looking head on at a gang of a least 50 bike ninjas..the women had their high-heels slung across their backs and their dresses pushed to the side. Amsterdam had the best flea market of any country, the friendliest people and the most abundant flowers. Not to mention the Ann Frank Haus was one of the most touching memorials I have ever witnessed.

2) Least Favorite City - Paris. Ughhhhh too many people. And the smell! I know that I should probably give it a second chance, preferably during a time of the year that isn't so touristy. The Eiffel Tower is cool, but up close it looked like a bunch of barbed wire twisted into a huge tower. The Louvre was impressive, but with so many people there it was really just a battle of crowds. The subway was a public bathroom and the smell was very close to intolerable. The worst part, however, where the people. I have never had so many people turn their noses up and frown in my direction when all I'm doing is sitting there. At least by the end of it I learned not to take it personally and I stared them right back down.

Mussels in Brussels

3) Best Meal - Mussels in Brussels. The capital of Belgium is famous for their mussels and fries and I can absolutely see why. They brought out a massive bowl with pounds of the shelled morsels marinated in white wine. Our waiter taught us that the proper way to eat them is using one mussel (minus the meat) to pry the meat out of the other mussels. I literally felt euphoric after eating so many mussels and there was never that uncomfortably full feeling. Fries complement the mussels perfectly. I've tried to duplicate this meal three times since being back in the states to absolutely no avail. Following the mussels and fries I had an amazing Belgium blonde beer in a viking horn cup, followed immediately by Belgium waffles smothered in nutella and strawberries. 2nd place meal was fondue in Luzern, Switzerland.

Hiking in the Swiss Alps

4) Worst Meal - too many to count. Overall I wasn't horribly impressed with the food in Europe, especially England and Ireland. I never, however, had a meal so horrible that I couldn't eat it. I'm disappointed that I never consumed my dream Italian meal....hand-rolled pasta with crusty fresh-baked bread and Tuscan wine. I probably wasn't forking over enough money for a meal of that caliber but I had my fingers crossed anyway...

5) Best Memory - Tie between hiking in the Swiss alps and skinny dipping in the french riviera. Alexa, Justine and I quickly learned that the Swiss aren't the best at marking trails or leaving signs so we probably trespassed the entire time. The mountain was extremely steep, but the air was so crisp and the views so breathtaking that it didn't matter. The French riviera is a topless beach, however this American wasn't very thrilled about the idea of exposing myself to a bunch of strangers. I choose, instead, to swim very, very far out and throw my swimsuit to a nearby friend. While she had her back turned I swam around like a mermaid and turned my sun-soaked face to the ancient, white buildings that lined the coast. Bliss.

Touring Ireland via Bicycle

6) Favorite way to see a Country - Bike. I had so much fun doing the bike tour of County Clare, Ireland with dad. The European group tour was great because I saw so many bucket-list things, but it was a stressful whirlwind that provided a sample of everything but never a true, long, taste. Biking in Ireland we would see women hanging their laundry, we could take detours, talk to locals and discover things for ourselves. It was a very interactive, alive experience. I'm a natural wanderer and the bikes provided the perfect tool for making good speed while still seeing everything that we would have if on foot.

7) Best Hotel - NH Musica, Amsterdam. We were only two per room, rather than the usual four or five so we had plenty of space. The bathrooms were clean and modern with marble sinks, towel warmers and deep bathtubs. The rooms themselves had lime green comforters and accent walls. A helpful staff, blasting air conditioning and high-speed internet sealed the deal. The breakfast buffet they provided was so delicious that I had to go through the line at least three times. They had every kind of fresh-squeezed juice, warm baked bread, platters of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes and pancakes.

Amanda repacking her bags to
flee our Florence hotel

8) Worst Hotel - Hotel Patrizia, Florence. They don't even have a website they are so disorganized. The hotel was located on the third floor of a building without a working elevator. Basic amenities including water and electricity were not working when we arrived. Luxuries such as air conditioning and internet were out of the question. The staff was rude and short-tempered. When our tour director found human feces on the floor of his bathroom we called it quits and got a room at the Best Western. In defense of EF tours, when I got back to the states I had a check for sixty dollars waiting for me, reimbursement for that disgusting room.

9) Places I sprinkled Thomas' Ashes - Ireland, France, Italy and Spain.

10) Favorite Artist - This one's really hard. Monet's water-Lilly series actually made me cry and Goya's Dark Paintings were intriguing in a "tap into my dark-side" sort of way. I could look at Salvador Dali's Girl Standing at the Window everyday, it makes me feel like I'm safely nestled in at our Gardner Lake house. The Sistine Chapel is almost too much to comprehend, especially when you take into consideration that such a large portion was done by one man.Those are my winners Monet, Goya, Salvador Dali and Michelangelo.

Salvador Dali's "Girl at a Window"

11) Favorite Building - Gaudi's Casa Battlo in Barcelona. Gaudi must have seen the world in such a beautiful light. I truly wish that our entire world was designed like the interior of this house. Our imaginations could go wild and there would be no such thing as a straight line.

12) Best Natural site - The Cliffs of Moher were breathtaking, and biking up those cliffs definitely made me feel like I earned the view. The ocean at Nice had the must alluring water I have ever jumped into and the Swiss Alps crushed the Rockies.

13) Best Music - Ireland. There was live music in pretty much every pub we walked into after 6 p.m. The style was romantically reminiscent and drunkenly rowdy all at the same time. My favorite new Irish song is entitled "The Galway Shawl" which dad and I saw performed at a pub in Dublin.

14) What I missed about home - Easy access to free water and clean bathrooms. No language barrier. Waking up sandwiched between Chris and Stella.

15) What I'll miss about Europe - The history. Everything over there is so much older than in this young country we live in. The stories that seep out of every brick and light pole are remarkable. History brings with it influential thinkers and artists, battles and culture. Marcus Garvey once said "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." The trees of our culture are so much thicker and deeper in the old world, and it's fallen leaves have been lovingly collected and preserved.

15) Thanks - Big giant thank you to all the wonderful people I got to experience this trip with.

You can't have him! He's MY dad

Dad, we will never forget our Ireland biking tour. I'm so lucky to have a dad that I not only respect and admire, but that I also get along with so well. Thanks for being exactly what I would want in a father.

Alexa, you are a wonderful human being. Having a friend who also happens to be a walking encyclopedia on all things medieval came in pretty handy! In addition to being smart you are fun, easy-going and adventurous.... traits that are very admirable, particularly in a travel buddy. I sincerely hope we stay in touch.

Justine, Alexa and I on Alexa's birthday in Rome

Justine - Your quirky and alternative perspective was constantly refreshing. You are down to earth and real, not to mention you really see people for who they are. Your life-long friendship with Alexa is inspiring and I hope to see you both in California sooner than later.

Amanda - Roomie! I am so excited for you to continue your European exploration while studying in Florence. We roomed together pretty much the entire trip and never once had a hiccup. Smart, beautiful, and outgoing, I know you will do great things in the world. If I ever need a lawyer, I'm calling you.

Me with Beth (left) and Amanda (right)

Beth - you lovable jap! (Jewish American Princess....I'm not racist guys). You probably made me laugh more than anyone else on our trip. Thank you for always speaking your mind, loudly. Our dinner in Paris remains one of my favorite evenings spent abroad. I will be calling you next time I'm visiting family in Florida so get ready!

And, of course, a big massive thanks to the wonderful people at Mother Earth News magazine. For hiring me, then encouraging me to see the world first. I'm home and more excited to join your team than ever before!

In conclusion, I wouldn't change anything about my time abroad. I made some amazing new friends, checked about a thousand things off my bucket list, and learned more about art and architecture than I imagined possible. I have also enjoyed blogging so much that I've been brainstorming blog themes for while I'm home. I've settled on blogging about my progress on the online herbal medicine course I have signed up for via "Herb Mentor." I'll write all about my attempts, successes and failures at  making herbal remedies and salves, teas and lotions from my own kitchen. Stay tuned for more!