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

visiting my favourite girl

A few weeks ago I went and visited my best friend, Tess in Aarhus where she has been studying for the semester. After a 9 hour bus ride, followed by another 2 hour bus ride, sleeping in the airport, a 2 hour flight, and a final 1 hour bus ride I arrived in the city. It was the longest journey ever to get to one place - but it was so worth it! I stayed with her and her roommate, Kendal, and we spent my time there walking around the city, drinking by the canal, hanging out with a bunch of her friends from exchange, and meeting some new interesting people. Highlights include a barbecue at University park, eating the MOST delicious sandwich I have ever had, witnessing Tess fall and somehow save her ice cream and of course spending an amazing 5 days with my best friend. Boy did I miss this girl. 

BFF

Kendal, Tess and I 

Life by the canal

University Park

Kendal and I

Getting ready to barbecue lunch

Who knew Denmark was so sunny?

The cutest street in Aarhus

First windmill sighting

Kendal and I

Tess and I

Aarhus was an adorable city. And the Danish are some good-looking bunch of people. I know why Tess loves it so much there. It was so great to spend so much time with Tess, and in a different country nonetheless. It is definitely something I will never forget. Nothing can really beat best friends in Denmark. xo

enjoying our final days

Our last two days in Madrid were spent wandering through plazas (they have a lot of them) and spending countless hours in Buen Retiro Park. The first time we walked through it I was amazed by all of the symmetry in the gardens and then we turned a corner and came across something even more wonderful. I am pretty sure it surprised us all - in the good way of course. There lay this giant pool type thing with a massive statue on one side and lots of little boats floating throughout the water. The weather was insanely hot so we enjoyed the scenery and had our own siestas along the waterside. We went back the next day to further walk through the gardens (the park is huge) and of course to have another siesta. When in Spain right?

Eurotrip wolfpack

And then came the end of our trip. Although sad to leave behind our adventure backpacking through Europe it was nice to get back to Glasgow. I was itching to get home by that time. To my bed (although not that comfortable), to our flat, and to the city that I now consider home. Glasgow may be home for right now but Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, France and Spain will all have a special place in my heart, as will the girls I travelled with. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so glad I got to do it. xo