My new hat…

I am leaving Florence with a new hat. I love hats because it is the easiest way to cover up the fact you just didn’t do your hair that day. Especially, if your traveling throw it on and go. I got this hat at the street market in Florence, I even got it for a deal- I’m a haggler. You have to, or else you will get taken advantage of. That is something I have learned while traveling, the second locals realize you are a tourist, especially an American, they hike up the price. So I say as little as possible just to throw them off, use what local language I can, then (BAM) shock ’em when I speak perfect English after I’ve gotten my deal 😉 I myself once worked in retail, had a quota and a threatening manager, so sure you’ll do what you have to in order to keep your job. Along with selling people things they probably don’t really need – case in point why I no longer work in retail. I bring that up because my mom was off looking at somethings on her own, and I was observing from a distance the gentleman trying to scam her. She was looking for authentic goods made in Florence, every time she would ask he would say “Oh, yes, sure!”. He practically had is hand in her purse paying himself. So I walked over to see the tag and they were in fact goods from China and Persia. That’s when we walked away, but they can be so pushy but as a touring customer always remember you have the right not to be hustled or cheated. But what do you think about the hat?

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Fall Break Part III -From Roma to Firenze We Go

I recently got busy with school (yes I do have class and homework for all you wondering) so I haven’t had a chance to finish sharing the rest of my fall break adventures. After Rome the girls and I took a train to Florence where we stayed for two nights. Florence is a lot more laid back and relaxed in comparison to Rome. It’s a lot smaller of a city and the people there are in even less of rush. But we didn’t complain we were very much looking forward to relaxing. Rome was a nonstop trip, with no down time. There’s just so much to see and do. Here are some photos from our last afternoon in Rome before we left for Florence.

Throwing in my last coin into the Trevi before leaving Rome

Found my happy place in Spain!

The beach!! It’s been far too long since I had my toes wiggling in some sand! It was so amazing to have a beach day in Spain! Thank you universe for the amazing weather. Can’t say I’m looking forward to returning back to cold Prague. But at least I’ll be coming back with a nice tan!

Firenze!

Took a trip to Firenze, Italy! Another one of my favorite places. Its been about 2 years now since I first came and like Roma just as magical as I remembered. It rained but that’s okay cause there’s nothing like standing in front of this beautiful piece of history, the Duomo enjoying life. It almost looks to perfect to be real.

The Jihlava Film Festival

I spent this past weekend with my fellow peers at the Jihlava Film Festival. Jihlava is a small town in the Czech Republic and for the past 17 years they’ve hosted the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival.  Before getting to Jihlava we stopped in Brno, the Czech Republics second largest city. In Brno we got to visit Radio R which is a student ran radio station at Masaryk University. Many people may not know but I actually was on the radio station back at my home university. Each week I hosted a two hour set. When I shared that bit with them they decided to throw me in the booth and do a live interview. Never would I have thought I would be in the Czech Republic DJ-ing and chatting live on a radio station. Everyone there was very down to earth and seemed to have a really great working relationship.

Budapest, You-da-best!

I haven’t had a chance to share my pictures from my trip to Budapest last week because I’ve been so sick. I got sick around the second week that I got here and have been putting off seeing the doctor. So you know I must have been sick if I voluntarily went to the doctor.  But I am finally starting to feel better so I am glad I went. Its so cool how easy it is to travel from country to country. Like Munich we went by bus which wasn’t bad at all. They are really nice charter bus’ and have movies and wifi. Thankfully this time I was able to take a bus that got into Budapest before 10PM. Last time we traveled we took a bus that drove all night and got us there at 4 in the morning. And then the way back didn’t get us home until 7AM. This first post about Budapest has pictures from the day we took a walking tour. It started at 10AM and went on for a few hours. It was great to see all of the historic places in the city, and it was free! If you are going to Budapest I would highly recommend it.

As I walked though the city I couldn’t help but notice how much it was under construction. The tour guide had explain that most of it was left over from the war, and the fact that during communism things were poorly built so they constantly have to remodel. Visiting these country that had been bombed during the war makes me so appreciate that my home had not gone through this. There is a definite lingering presence of those unfortunate events. However you wouldn’t tell from the people, which were all friendly and inviting.

In front of the famous Chain Bridge. The was the first bridge to connect Buda with Pest.

The Vigado

The Hungarian National Gallery

The Fisherman’s Bastion.

The restaurant inside the Fisherman’s Bastion. It had an amazing view.

The Matthias Church.

We were just in time to witness the changing of the guard. They are very serious, I did my best to make them laugh and nothing! They did not budge, there is no way I’d make it as a guard.

In front of another bridge and Gellert Hill.

We ended the day exploring here at St. Stephan’s Cathedral. This is exactly how the sky looked at the time I took the picture. It was the most electric blue I had even seen it.

Interviews & Some New Friends

Today I had another internship interview. This time it was for a PR position at company that uses the various media outlets to provide developing countries news media. Being abroad and away from my closet isn’t the easiest thing when you need to look professional. But I was able to bring some key pieces (like my blazer) and put this little outfit together. However, I was drenched by the time I showed up because it started to pour on my way there.

                    

This is Molly, who is one of my new friends here in Prague. She’s from Colorado and just has one of the most positive attitudes. (I really like that about her). She is very down to earth and always smiling – it’s kind of contagious in that way. We thought it was so funny that we both were color coordinated for our different internship interviews (and no we did not plan it) but we had to show you.

Below is Molly’s partner in crime Alanna and together they are the cutest thing. The two of them share a passion for hula-hooping, and spreading good vibes. These two are a hoot and a half (as my mom would say). They sure make learning Czech a lot more fun. Part of the program here in Prague we are required to learn Czech and so for the next to weeks that’s pretty much all we will be doing. Let me tell you it is not easy! But I’ve enjoyed getting to meet so many different people from all over the states.

 

I Survived My First Week in Prague

I’ve been a bit busy with orientation but here are some pictures from my first week in Prague.

Lunch with my roommates

   

See Ya New York – Europe Here I Come!

I had such an amazing weekend in New York! I met so many interesting people from all walks of life.
So many different types of people all existing in an electric city that they aren’t even fazed by one another.

While in New York I got to see one of my childhood friends perform on Broadway. He was Fearro in Wicked! Wicked is defiantly one of my favorite musicals, next to Spring Awakening. It was a real treat to see him perform on Broadway!

On Saturday my honey and his best friend (who lives in Manhatten) just explored the city and shot some really cool footage. We visited; Central Park, So Ho, Brooklyn, China Town, Little Italy. I made it a point to avoid all the touristy things and see how a real New Yorker lives. I gotta say it was very fast paced, go-go-go, something I think we lack back home in SoCal. Anyway stay tuned for some videos they’ll be coming soon! Here are the rest of my pictures from my New York Trip.

Beagles with the boys to start our day.

A shot of what we shot.

It was in Columbus Circle where I discovered Smack FU! It was the most modest/entertaining toy/game I have ever played. I literally played in the park for about an hour. Just having a ball playing with some disks and feathers. I will admit I wasn’t very good at it. Every time I would swing I would miss, but eventually a crowd came along and a whole group of us strangers were playing this game. It was something magical.

       

As much as I wish I could stay in NYC its time for me to head to my final destination – Prague.

Wish me luck!