I just realized today that I go home in a WEEK! I have no
idea where time went!!! I am so far behind on blogging it’s not even funny! I figured since the one month mark of my trip being over is approaching I should probably finish blogging about it for once and for all!
Rome/Venice/Verona
After Naples we headed up to
Venice. On our way there we had to switch trains in Rome. We had heard that you
can do Venice in a day -- and we really wanted more gelato -- so we hung around
Rome and were finally able to see St. Peter’s Basillica (it was closed for
Easter weekend). I have seen countless breathtaking churches over the past six
months, but St. Peter’s was on a whole different level. I don’t even know how
to describe it. La Sagrada Familia was breathtaking in it’s structure and
beauty; I think that the thing that set St. Peter’s apart from all the other
churches was it’s atmosphere and the serenity of the huge church.
After that we made our way to
Venice. We arrived at our campsite (yes, you heard me right…campsite) later
that night. It was a VERY interesting setup and we all got a good laugh out of
it. I think the pictures speak for themselves. The next day we made our way
into Venice. The city itself was so beautiful! The water was translucent and
blue and everywhere you turned there was a glass or a mask shop. Margy and
Sarah’s friend from Swansea, Luke, was with us, and we went shopping for
about 6 hours that day – I think he got more girl time than he anticipated!
The
next day we decided to do a day trip to Verona to see the Statue of Juliet/the
wall that inspired the movie Letters to
Juliet. I didn’t really understand the concept of it all because it’s a
fictional story, but it was a very beautiful little city, and it was nice to
wander around and see what the less touristy parts of Italy are like.
 |
| St Peter's Basillica: Pope Sighting #3 |
 |
| Our trailer in Venice <3 |
 |
| CRESCENT! OMGZ |
 |
| Venice, Italy |
 |
| Juliet's statue, tower, and wall in Verona, Italy |
Austria
That night we took a night train to Austria. We ended up
getting stuck in a car with an old man and a girl. At one point in the night
the old man TOUCHED MY HAIR and woke me up. I startled awake and he proceeded
to take over my sleeping area. I was so mad I hardly slept that night. However,
Austria was worth it! It was a completely different atmosphere than Italy and a
nice change of place. We ended up being in Vienna for a day; I would like to go
back there some day when I have more time! We were in Salzburg, Austria for an
evening and a full day. We were able to try the BEST beer I’ve ever tasted, meet
some cute Austrian kids at a beer garden, and see different settings from The Sound of Music (they played the
movie every night in our hostel, so I was able to see the full movie for the
first time). The most memorable experience of the trip was going to see the
gazebo from The Sound of Music. Prior
to seeing the gazebo, everyone gets a tour of “trick gardens.” The old man
leading our tour thought it would be hilarious to torture the three American
girls (might I mention it was cold and rainy). Every opportunity he got, he
would taunt us with the fountains while everyone else stood around laughing and
eventually would spray us. It was so frightening, and by then end we just
wanted to get out of there (after posing for a picture with the gazebo first).
It is funny looking back on it, but at the time I wanted to figure out how to
seek revenge!
 |
| Box o' Gnomes :) |
 |
| Part of the evil Trick Fountains-- it was run on water and reminded me of Shrek |
 |
| The evil fountain man |
 |
| I am 20 going on 21 |
 |
| Beer Garden |
 |
| Die Weiss=Favorite Beer of the trip |
Germany
Castles, concentration camps, and beer – Oh my! When we
arrived in Munich, we hopped on a train to Neuschwantstein Castle (the Castle
Sleeping Beauty was based off of). We were a little taken aback by the SNOW on
the mountain, and after we trekked up the mountain we were able to get a tour
of the castle. Our tour guide was one of the highlights of my trip. His accent
was a little rough and described the ceiling as “wary wary ownate” (very very
ornate); I was laughing uncontrollably and it was SO hard to silence myself –
it was like I was back in the school choir at Sacred Heart trying to control my
laughter during a homily.
The next day we went to the Hauftbrauhaus (a beer garden
recommend by Mom that she went to in college). The big soccer game between
Munich and a purple Spanish team (Madrid?) was that night and all of the
Spaniards were at the beer garden. We ended up celebrating the event with them
a little too much over our liter(s) of beer(s), but it was a good time!
Our final day in Germany we went to Dachau concentration
camp. My grandpa was a part of the liberation of it. I am so proud of him for liberating
over 80 concentration camps during the war and of all that he has done for our
country! The whole experience was very eye opening, and it made me very
grateful for all I that the experiences I have had.
 |
| The Castle (It was a little foggy!) |
 |
| Haftbrauhaus |
 |
| The door to Dachau. It means work sets you free. |
 |
| Olympic Area in Munich |
France
After Germany, we made our way to Paris, France. The French really
know how to make their crepes! Other than crepes, we were able to see numerous
sights (Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Crue, and the Arc de
Triumphe to name a few places)! We also found a cute little bookstore called
Shakespeare and Co. right next to Notre Dame; it ended up being one of my
favorite places in Paris! I also loved seeing the garden of Versailles and the Arc de Triumphe!
 |
| Versailles |
 |
| Mimicking Statues...we're normal |
 |
| Eiffel Tower |
 |
| New piercings! Surprise Mom and Dad! |
 |
| Sacre Creu |
 |
| Moulin Rouge |
 |
| Notre Dame |
Croatia
Sadly, I had to split ways with Margy and Sarah, but I was
off on a new adventure. Tim, Michelle, Jenni, and I went to Dubrovnik, Croatia
for a week. The beginning of our trip started off a little rough. After getting fought over by the taxi driver mob in Zadar, we finally made it to the sketchiest bus stop ever where we had to wait 8 hours for a bus. However, once we finally got to Dubrovnik it was smooth sailing. It was seriously one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.
Our days were full of laying out and eating – what more could a girl ask for?! Tim went cliff jumping. He nearly gave me a heart attack. I think everyone there thought he was crazy because it wasn't summer weather there yet. We
were able to go to an island, climb the city wall, and take a funicular to the top of the mountain. The
weather was perfect and the views of the city were so picturesque. We had SO
much fun! On our last night, we went out for an AMAZING dinner. I had calamari fresh from the ocean.. nom nom nom.
 |
| Tim, Jenni, Me, and Michelle |
Ireland
I went to Ireland on my own because my finals are later than
everyone else’s. I was in Dublin for a day. While I was there I was able to
tour the Guiness factory and see the Book of Kells at Trinity College. After
that, I headed down to Cork to spend a few days with my friends Chelsea and
Laura. It was Laura’s 21st birthday, so we had a fun little
celebration J
The next day I went to Blarney Castle. I couldn’t believe I was actually there!
I was able to kiss the Blarney stone. It is said if you kiss the stone you have
the power to speak eloquently… I’m not so sure that it worked! On my last day
in Ireland I went to Kilkenny. It is the town that the Nolan family immigrated
from. I met the CUTEST old man on the train who ended up walking me into town.
He was actually the old town council manager so he knew a lot about the town.
It was so cool to hear about its history and see the town for myself. There is
a beer from Kilkenny that is made by Guiness ironically called Kilkenny beer. I
was determined to bring some home for Dad, but apparently they only sell it on
tap, so I had a pint by myself in his honor in the middle of the afternoon. It
was a good way to end the trip! I cannot wait to go back to Ireland someday!
 |
| My first Guinness! |
 |
| Blarney Castle |
 |
| Kissing the Blarney Stone! |
It was seriously one of THE BEST experiences of my life! I couldn't have asked for a better month! It made me realize how many more places I want to see in the world, but I am very grateful for all that I have seen so far. Sorry for the information overload, I congratulate you if you read this far!
