Home + weekends of travel

I recently traveled to Düsseldorf, Germany and Amsterdam, The Netherlands. And while both are were very different and interesting, I can't explain the happiness that flooded my body when I finally landed in Valencia (or rather Alicante because it was cheaper). Never thought I would be so happy to hear Spanish. 

Düsseldorf was interesting, I am glad I was able to check it off my list and it did provide me an opportunity to experience a Christmas market!!!!!!!! To be fair I had built up Germany in my head that it wasn't possible for it to be as good as the vision in my mind. I always imagined the Christmas market to be extravagant and radiating with Christmas joy and cheer and while it was pretty big, there was something missing. Maybe it was my favorite people. After tasting all of the sweets possible and of course the German sausage and Glühewin, I was ready to book it to Amsterdam. 

But of course my bus was delayed 75 minutes. I found this out after I walked the 20 minutes from the hostel to the station.

Düsseldorf had this vibe - it was a cool city, but it didn't give me the feeling of "home". Which I took as a good thing seeing as I am figuring out my next move, a good way to figure out what you want to do is cross things you know you don't want to do off the list.  The lifestyle in Germany just did not seem happy and fun; it was no comparison to the Spanish "good life".

Amsterdam -----> what a place. "The Northern Venice". My first thought when stepping out of the train station was "wow, where do I go first?" The city was lit up and there was so many people everywhere. It is a winding city like Venice with the numerous canals and littles side streets, but it was a like all the stressed was released while walking around. I wandered for quite sometime before deciding I was starving and then it was a little stressful only because I couldn't decide what I was hungry for.

Amsterdam is a spectacular city that had much more to offer than I was expecting honestly. It had it all - museums, huge parks, delicious foods, cozy cafes, and an immense amount of history. I had bought the iAmsterdam card, so I was on a mission to make the most of all the free entries for museums and discounts on food. (I used it more than enough !!!!!!)

Favorites: the FOAM Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, the canal rides and my hostel

*Definitely will be going back to Amsterdam, maybe when it is a little warmer...
BUT I FINALLY GOT TO SEE SNOW !!!!

p.s. I only got hit by a bike once (but yelled at is a different story)

Snow in Amsterdam brings everyone inside & me wandering freely

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VALENCIA 

My walk from the bike rack to my house can make any day better

Whenever I think I am having a bad day or if I am just exhausted from a day of classes, I get to look out the bus window or focus on the path as I ride home on my bike. I get to take it all in. I am in love with the architecture and the scenery -- all of it. I love the iron porches and all the colors of the buildings. I love how the cathedrals have so many intimate details. But my favorite part is going to a new town, or even walking around the parts of Valencia I have seen numerous times, and seeing the faces of others. Seeing their faces light up in awe of the history in each building and the effort that was put into everything. Seeing people smile at buildings or at the sunsets that keep the sky lit for a few more minutes. There is nothing better than to allow yourself to be in awe of everything around you.

A few weekends ago, I traveled to two neighboring cities of Valencia with an Exchange Group, Albarracín and Teruel. Although the tours were in Spanish, I was equally amazed as the ones who understood every word. I learned that I understand a lot ore than I think and am able to catch words I don't understand to ask someone later. But one does not need to understand the language to be impressed by the structures, the history, and the beauty of these towns. On the outside, this church looked like nothing special. It was an odd square building at the top of a hill, but when you walked in... WOW. I didn't need to fully understand the language to appreciate everything.

P.S. I will always be excited about these sunsets!!!