It’s time to say goodbye to 2013, you’ve been very good to me! I can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store. Tonight I will be ringing in 2014 in Paris. If you had told me a year ago that this is where I would be I would have never believed you. Goes to show all you can achieve in a years time. ❤ I wish you all a safe and hopefully memorable night, and I’ll be seeing you soon 2014…
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? 
If you happen to be reading this you already know I’m on the good list (at least I hope so). I can’t remember the last time I actually made a list, but what the heck. Here are just a few of the things on my mind that would be great gifts. Not just for me but any 20-something girl:
1. Miss Dior Perfume 2. The gift of coffee
3. A Nikon Lens 4. Marc Jacobs Watch
5. Aria Sonic Skin Cleansing System 6. Tickets to Britney’s show in Vegas
7. My Dream Bag 8. Tickets to Coachella!
Sincerely,
Ashley xo
…a lyric made famous by Billy Joel in his song Vienna, never really made sense, until this past weekend. The cafe culture is really big in Vienna, in fact it’s expected that you’re probably going to there at least an hour or two. Coming from the California where everyone is constantly moving to avoid wasting time, I’ve really had to slow down and dig for patients. Which has been nice, but as it is my attention span can be short and when the espresso kicks in I’m ready. But in Vienna, like Italy, its part of the culture to go to a cafe and “rent” a table and hold a conversation with a person; who actually sits in front of you. Gee, what a concept. To think people actually still communicate face-to-face. Okay, all sarcasm aside that is one of my favorite things about Europe. Grab a cup of Joe and enjoy some more pictures from my weekend in Vienna. 
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Today was a very peaceful Sunday. My roommates and I spent the morning relaxing around the house and then went to a very cute cafe. Where we got pumpkin and gingerbread lattes. They were so good! They even did a design in the foam. I have not had the best luck here finding a decent cup of jo. Anyone that knows me, knows how much I love my coffee and its been a struggle not having any. First off, I haven’t mastered Czech yet so I can’t get specific on my order, second non fat is almost nonexistent and for someone who is lactose intolerant, its not pretty, and third soy milk is like a unicorn – hard to come by. So we both were very happy to feed our coffee cravings-FINALLY! After the cafe our Czech buddy took us to a huge plaza. This mall was literally five stories tall, it was great! In this plaza they had a Topshop, which is a pretty popular store. My Czech buddy could not believe that I had never been to one so she insisted on popping my cheery! I’m glad she did because I got the cutest pair of shoes. On sale too! So for all my friends back at home basking in the sun while I’m freezing here, nee-ner-nee-neer! 🙂
Hope you all are enjoying your Sunday! Me and my roommates took a trip to IKEA. I have never used so much public transportation in my life. Where I’m from we hop in our cars and take off to where ever we wish to go. Here, we had to take the tram to the metro and then a bus. I know understand why people here travel lite. Cause we had to carry all out shit that we bought at IKEA all that way back.
Oh, and this would be my roommates camera… Her sunscreen leaked in her bag. Thank goodness we had rice… It worked!
How are you spending your Sunday?
ohhashley 