Back to Europe!

I am so excited to say that I am officially going back to Europe this summer! And even better, I'm going with my sister and one of my oldest friends, Bryonna! We've been planning this for quite a while now and we made it official with the purchase of our plane and train tickets yesterday. Happy Valentine's day to us! Erin was a little hesitant about going, so I stole her debit card and made the purchases for her (sorry, Erin). We are leaving mid-August and staying in Europe for 13 days--hitting 5 countries in total. We will be visiting Stockholm, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Here's to new adventures with two of my best friends!

Study Abroad Recap

As I'm writing these last blog posts--Italy, Greece, Feria, and the Giralda--almost a year later, I'm reminiscing about all the amazing places and things I experienced while abroad. I wanted to finally finish writing about my last trips from when I was abroad, so that I can look back on this blog in the future and remember some of the things I am bound to forget if I don't write it down. Overall, my time living in Sevilla really openend my eyes to the world. The friendships that you make abroad are like no other. Hoping for an ISA Sevilla reunion sometime in the near future! The travel bug has really latched on! Right now, I'm planning a trip back to Europe this coming summer, which I am excited to tell you about later. Sevilla has been added to the list of places that I call home and I can't wait to see what the next city on the list will be. 

La Giralda (May 2014)

While Erin was visiting Sevilla, we visited the Cathedral of Sevilla and its Giralda, or tower. The tower is several stories high, but the view from the top was well worth the climb in 100 degree weather.

Féria de Abril (May 2014)

Erin and I left Greece and we headed to Spain. When we arrived in Sevilla, one of the biggest festivals of the year, La Feria de Abril, was in full swing. Feria is a 6-day-long festival where hundreds of tents, or casetas, are set up in a square in Los Remedios (close to where I lived in Triana). These tents are usually for prominent families in Sevilla, but there are also public tents where anyone can go. The tents all have flamenco music and dancers. Natives and tourists all dress up in traditional flamenco dresses. The tents have bars serving rebujitos, a kind of white sangria that is soooooo delicious. Feria also has parades, shows, rides and games throughout the week.

Erin and I headed to Plaza de España for a quick photo-op before the festivities began!

Feria-round 1!

Feria-round 2!

We were able to watch the fireworks that ended Feria from our friends' rooftop!

Greece (May 2014)

Erin and I said goodbye to Italy and hopped on a plane to our next destination-Greece! Athens is one of the most amazing places I have been. It is a major city, but feels like a tiny neighborhood. All the people were so gracious and wanted to tell us all the things they love about their county. It is a city full of history and culture, amazing food and the nicest people.

Loved that our hostel had a balcony right off of our room. It also had a roof-top bar!

Taste-testing the Grecian beer.

After a few days in Athens, we took a ferry to the closest island-Hydra. It is a very small island where the main source of transportation is donkey (cars aren't allowed on the island). We had a relaxing day of shopping, taking pictures, swimming and a few drinks. 

Italy (May 2014)

I was so lucky that Erin was able to come visit me in Europe during my spring break! We had quite a while off of school because of a big festival in Sevilla, La Feria de Abril (actually in May this time). I met Erin at the airport in Rome, where I arrived a few hours before her. It was so exciting to have her there with me to explore these new places and then be able to show her my home for the past three months, Sevilla! We spent four days in Rome, with a day trip to Florence.

Trevi Fountain

My friend, Hope, studied abroad in Rome and suggested we stop at this gelato place. It was delicious!

Bruschetta break in Trastavere! THE best bruschetta I have ever tasted.

It poured the entire first two days in Rome, but we made some friends huddling under the nearest cover!

In the Jewish Quarter.

The Colloseum

Interior of the Colloseum

Tossing pennies into the Trevi Fountain!

The Spanish Steps!

Below are some of our pictures from our day trip to Florence! We ended up missing our train from Rome to Florence because we went to the wrong train station.. We had to buy a new ticket, but the train left only 2 minutes after! We made it and I'm so glad we did.

The Duomo

Next up-Greece!