brussels: part 2

It feels like I have been talking about my travels for so long now, and I still have things to fill you in on. Never ending. Which I guess I can't complain about because that means that I have actually been able to travel to all of these lovely places but there are so many things going on right now that I want to share. 
The second day in Brussels was our political day - no this was not solely my idea, but secretly I was super excited about it. It started off with the Schuman square where the European Council and the European Commission are located. Then it was off to Cinquantenaire and Museum Park which we could see off in the distance. Our political day continued with the European Parliament and the Federal Parliament. The remainder of the day included the Royal Palace (of course more palaces), waffles and chocolate, a Basilica and the Atomium (which has an adventure story attached).

So here is our story about our adventure to the Atomium (built for Expo '58). Our map said that it was cool, and that it had moving stairs to go between the large silver balls. So of course we thought it was worth a look. Thinking we could navigate there without it being located on our map was the first mistake. We got terribly lost and seemed to be in a sketchy neighbourhood. So we searched for a metro station - which apparently don't exist in this sketchy part of town. A long while later we find one that takes us to the Atomium 
(as if we thought we could walk there). We go inside all excited for these moving stairs and then it hits us as we go up the escalator, that in Belgium moving staircases  = escalators. Our excitement was ruined, and after walking about inside we discovered that the Atomium is only cool from the outside. Let's just say we were a little disappointed, with either the Atomium or our stupidity for not realizing what moving staircases were. xo

brussels: part 1

From Bruges we made our way to Brussels where we spent the next three days. Not thinking I would ever make it to Belgium on this adventure, I had no prior expectations for the city. And it turned out to be different then anything I had ever been to. As our hilarious map told us the city is now a combination of the old and new. Somehow Brussels makes it work though. 

Day one consisted of seeing the gothic St.Goedele-St.Michiels Cathedral, walking around Grand Place admiring the chocolate shops, being amused by Manneken Pis, stumbling upon the hidden romantic Egmont Park, eating more waffles, being terrified in the Palais de Justice, wanting to play in the best playground ever, somehow becoming part of what we think was a socialist parade, watching people at skate or die and having a nap at the botanical gardens. 

In one day we thought we saw everything we could and more. But the next day brought us even more excitement -well me at least. But more on that later. xo

the beginning of the end

We were all aware that the time would come when our adventure across 5 countries came to an end but it seemed to go by so quickly, even though our backpacks and lack of clean clothes proved otherwise. Our final destination was Madrid, and it was the perfect place to end our trip. Basically because it consisted of lots and lots of markets, siestas in parks and delicious food. Aka our lack of sleep had caught up to us. 

The city was wonderful and the beautiful weather didn't hurt either. We spent a morning lounging in front of a palace (pretty much the perfect life we determined), the afternoon perusing markets (where we picked up some interesting items), and the night dancing away with some new friends we met at our hostel. 

Madrid was a lot different than Barcelona, and I think I have to say I liked it a little bit better. The feel was totally different but more up my alley. The next couple days in Madrid were just as wonderful and consisted of the most amazing park I have ever laid my eyes on (don't worry, you will get to see it via photo tomorrow). For now adios. It is time for bed. Studying has made me exhausted and the thought of having to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again is so unappealing. Only 6 days until I am free of exams though!

markets, food and our favourite friends

If you have been following my blog for a while you know that I never planned on going to Spain while I was on exchange. And then things happened. And I went. It was actually my first trip while being over here. And while I was over there it kind of made me love it. Now I won't get carried away because it seems that a lot of places over here have made me fall in love with it, or have somehow taken a bit of my heart. But isn't that the point? To absolutely love every second while over here. Even if it's not it is definitely how I would sum up my experience in Europe. 
We started our time off in Barcelona. We were there for two days, three nights and made the most of it. Our time consisted of markets, seeing Sagrada Familia, walking through Park Guell, meeting up with two of our favourite people from Strathclyde, enjoying an evening on the pier, experiencing Spanish clubs, paella and of course sangria. 

Sagrada Familia

Looming over Barcelona like a magical mid-city massif of needles and peaks, Sagrada Familia is Barcelona's most unforgettable landmark. It is one of the most important architectural creations of the 19th to 21st centuries, though it is still under construction (and it started being built in 1882).

Park Guell

Palau Nacional

Camille and Axel

Barcelona was what I thought a typical Spanish experience would be like. It lived up to it all. Even the pickpocketing (but don't worry it wasn't me, and luckily Kayla got most of it back). We were in for an even bigger treat at our next and final stop. 
Off to bed now. Had my first exam today that went pretty well and tomorrow I start getting ready for the next one. xo