Falling In Love In Venice

Grand Canal Venice

On my way to Venice, I was sitting on the train with three Italian men, attempting to speak, but I couldn't understand half of what was being said. I didn't mind though, they probably didnt understand me either. But what a great giggly conversation! (at least I thought).

We arrived at the break of dawn to the city completely built on water. Leaving the train station, I wandered over the bridges and through the narrow streets until I stumbled upon the steps of a church across from a fish market. As I sat down on the steps to watch the city wake and eat my breakfast sandwich. And that is when I fell in love... 

Bier Kapital Of The World, München

On our way to Oktoberfest, two dressed up Bavarian ladies were chatting everyone up in the train, offering alcoholic drinks and german food to everyone on our train. A drink and sandwich in hand, what a great way to start off the Oktoberfest celebration 9am in the morning!

In Munich, there were more tourists from all over the world than Germans. The streets were completely packed as we tried to get a peep of the parade. It was not even noon yet, and everybody was already out drinking at all the nearby pubs and restaurants. As tradition goes, right at noon, the first official beer barrel is tapped and the Oktoberfest celebration officially begins.

Similar to a huge state fair, we wandered though the streets of the fest. We couldnt get into any of the beer houses because they were sooo packed. (They only sell alcohol if you are seated within thier tables). But no worries, we saved our 10 euros/stein and went into the city instead for some beer and brats. I devoured  the biggest sausage I could find.

Wandering through the city, alsomost everyone was dressed up in the traditional Bavarian outfits, the infamous Ledehosen and Dirndl.

Full Speed Ahead in Germany

Boarding the bus, an older lady asks me to switch seats with her so she can sit next to her friend. Pffft, give up my boring isle seat for a front row of the double-decker bus. I suppose i'm okay with that...


I absolutely friggin' love sitting in the front seat on the top of a double decker bus! Its the best view you can get while travelling. Jammin out to the songs on my ipod, I watch the rolling fields, hilltop villages, solar fields, grazing cows, motorcyclists speeding, all on this never ending winding road.


When I got to Nürnberg, Tina, a friend I met in South America, and her boyfriend, Cristian, greeted me at the bus station. After we arrived at thier house and I drank my first German beer with limonada.

Dear Amigos, Thank You For Your Support

On the road

(Im)Patiently waiting for my train, I realized I would never have survived this far if it wasn't for my freinds and family. So many of the things I carry with me are from you all.

Daniel, my life is in your backpack. And your watch has kept me on time everywhere I go. (But it beep-beep-beeps way too softly so I never wake up to the alarm).

Zach, thanks for those sunglasses that I stole from you. I wear them everyday and my eyeballs are in tip top condition!

Basia, I rock your G-unit jacket with pride!

Czech it out!

View from the top of St Vitus Cathedral

Prague is one of the most beautiful cities I've seen thus far. I couldn't stop looking up because every building in the city had such beautiful and detailed architecture. And each building was all of different styles, colors and designs.

One of the most amazing places was the view from the famous gothic St.Vitus Cathedral. It was absolutely breath-taking, and definitely worth the long breathless stair-climb to the top. I took many pictures, but you just can't capture the real beauty of the city on camera.

All throughout Prague, you can find unique and interesting artwork. One of the most interesting things I saw was the astronomical clock, in which Death (represented by the skeleton) would strike on the hour every hour.

Bone Art at Kutna Hora

I've seen people make art out of almost everything, but out of human bones?

It's rather chilling to see flowers made out of the crania and pelvises and chandeliers out of ribs and skulls.

Near Prague, there is town called Kutna Hora. And one of their main attractions is church filled with art made from the from human skeletons. During the European Plague, the cemetery in Kutna Hora was overflowing with plague victims, so they stacked the bones of over 40,000 people in this cathedral. Then at some point, a monk thought to himself, "hmmm... what to do with with all these bones? Why not make art out of it!"

Is it creativity or insanity?

Drawn Into Art in Prague [PHOTOBLOG]

Wandering through Prague, I watched many talented artists draw beautiful caricatures and portraits. I think it is absolutely amazing how the artists start with a blank white canvas and bring it to life through such detailed and intricate portraits of the persons sitting right in front of them.

I can't draw for the life of me, so maybe that's why it draws me in so much...

At Prague, I walked back and forth on the infamous Charles Bridge starring in awe (perhaps some would call it subtly creeping) and taking pictures of the artwork.

Isn't it gorgeous!?

Salty Underground Exploration (Krakow)

Near Krakow is the famous Wieliczka Salt Mine. When I got there, I read a sign that advised to wear warm clothing as we were about to head down to into the cold underground mines. Having just a light shirt, I was worried I'd be shivering the whole 3+ hour tour, so I downed 3 cups of hot coffee in hopes it'll keep me warm.

After going down a never-ending staircase (constantly wondering whether I should brace myself in having to climb back up the 100+ flights of stairs), we finally reached the underground tunnels. Caffeinated and jittery, and feeling a bit claustrophobic, we set off to explore the tunnels.

The Salt Mine was huge! It was a town itself, underground, with places to work, sleep, relax and pray.

The Weiliczka Salt Mine is one of the oldest in the world. Back when the tunnel was operable, people would live and work in these underground tunnels.

All the tunnel was had salt walls, floors and ceilings. Statues and sculptures were built out of salt. The chandeliers were made out of salt. The underground lake was filled with salt. You could even lick the salty walls to get a taste. 

Goin' Solo in Krakow Polska

It's intimidating, at first. Upon leaving Ukraine, driving away from the bus stop, I watched my family and friends wave as I set out on my own. I had a hard time sleeping on the bus and passing through customs in the middle of the night made me nervous as they collected our passports for checks. We arrived at dawn to Krakow to an almost empty bus station. As I was trying to figure out where to go and what to do, I found it rather ironic that three different people asked me for directions. Maybe I seem to fit in naturally in Polska?

After a fresh cup of coffee, an overpriced breakfast sandwich accompanied by a complicated city map, I pieced together the route to my hostel. Trudging my over-packed backpack and a bag of food, I finally got the the hostel to settled in.

Soon thereafter, feelings of intimidation turned to feelings of liberation. I was free to wander and explore. Strolling through the charming city, you automatically feel relaxed, yet curious. So many quaint cafe shops and gorgeous artwork on display all over the city. I loved being a tourist here! One of my favorite spots was the the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Forgot About The Stars

Living in the city, sometimes you forget how bright the stars shine at night. Our vision is blurred by streetlights, cars, buildings and a multitude of electronic devices, that we can't even see the vast universe when we look up at the sky.

I forgot about the stars.... until I had to walk home in pitch black. You literally couldn't see a single thing in front of you. Foot after foot you feel the beaten path as you try to remember your way back home at night, hoping not to step in mud, or worse, manuer.

It was breathtaking to have the whole universe shine so brightly before your eyes. I was in awe in how many millions of stars I could see.  I searched for familiar patterns, wishing I payed better attention back in astronomy class.

The best part of the night sky is that no matter where in the world one may be, we all look up at the same extraodinary universe above us.

Welcome to Potatoe Country

Ukraine was known as the "breadbasket" country. Even the national flag (blue on top and yellow on the bottom) symbolizes the golden wheat fields and the blue sky, I think potatoes would be more fitting.

Perhaps Ukraine should be known as the potatoe basket (or potatoe sack) country? Ever since I came to Ukraine, all I've been eating are potatoes.

Almost every dish is made from potatoes- soup, salad, perogies, fries, chips, omelets, dumplings, and just about anything else you can imagine. I eat some form of potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Whether it is mashed, fried, grilled, cooked or baked, Ukranians have found every which way to make a countless dishes from this staple food.

And, of course, the national past-time: digging potatoes.

Re-Visiting My Childhood Playground in Ukraine

Whenever I think of  Ukraine, I always remember the childhood days I'd spend with my dad and family. My dad grew up in a tiny village a few hours away from Lviv called "Hlibiv." When I was little, I used to come visit my dad every summer, so I spent a ton of time exploring, playing, and getting in trouble in this little village.

When I got older, my dad moved to live with us in the States  so my yearly trips to Ukraine ended. It's been over five years since I've last been back.

Re-visiting Hlibiv meant more than ever to me this time around because my father was no longer here.

My New Learned Skill: Sleeping

I used to be paranoid of sleeping in front of people. But now I'm proud of my new learned skill: I can fall asleep anywhere, anytime.

....You may be thinking "So what? Everyone sleeps."

Well, let me tell you, the roads in Ukraine have more holes and cracks than anywhere else on the planet. You're constatly bouncing up and down holding on for your life. If you're lucky enough to get a seat, it vibrates so much, it's like getting a back massage. I can now fall asleep a minute after I sit down.

I also developed a skill of being able to fall asleep through any noise... that, or I'm going deaf. Either way, I'm bound to fall asleep and miss my stop soon enough somewhere.

I'm still working on honing my sleeping skills, however. Sleeping while you stand-- now, those are THE experts.