New Plans

I didn't write yesterday because I spent most of my day figuring out where to go today. I had arranged a carpool to Amiens and booked a night there. However, today, the driver ended up having more family priorities than expected and kept postponing the rendez-vous until we would have arrived at the destination at 1:00 in the morning. Today, before finding all this out, I went on a half hour mini train tour through the oldest parts of Strasbourg. Afterward, I went on a walk through a beautiful nearby park and ended up having a baguette with Camembert cheese for dinner. My new plan is to take a train to Dijon tomorrow and stay a couple nights. Will most likely head from there to Grenoble after that. Looking forward to new places! Still thinking about starting the El Camino soon, so I'm on my way with a few stops in between.

First Day in Strasbourg

The biggest news today is that I probably took 200 photos while wondering the streets of Strasbourg and Petite France. I got to ride the tramway to get to some pretty cool places and found yet another cathedral to gawk at from all angles. I also spent no money on food today, just drinks. Still have to figure out where I am going after this but I am tempted to start the El Camino soon.

A Magical Day

This morning, after having fallen asleep after midnight, I missed my alarm...or it didn't go off...there are no witnesses! I woke up at 6:04 instead of 5 and was out the door in ten minutes with my teeth brushed and sandwiches in hand. As quickly as possible, I made my way to the bus stop that was closest to the house. I had only been there once and in the dark I couldn't tell what the last turn was and thought I had it all wrong. After completing a circle, I asked someone who was dragging his bike out of the house where the closest bus stop was that would get me to the train station. Surprisingly and thankfully, he spoke English. As assumed, I had most of the directions right and he led me the rest of the way there; just 200 meters away but around a less obvious corner. The time now is 6:31 and according to the bus schedule, the next bus was coming in just 2 minutes. I get my wallet out for 3 euros in coins and as I am putting it away I hear the bus and turn to flag it down.
Amazingly, I reach the station around 6:45 and I buy the needed ticket at 6:49. Every other train takes 1 hour to get to Brussels and the ones in between take 2 hours long. I ask the person who printed my ticket which train I need to catch and for the platform number. The train I needed would leave at 6:54 and it was on platform 9. Upon entering the train, I put my heavy backpack up and noticed I felt pretty queasy so I stood and chatted with a couple Canadians and learned a lot about what I can do in terms of pursuing my education goals. I thought the nausea must have be the stress of the morning but as it turned out it was a bit more than that. No worries, it wasn't an illness either, just another painful visit from "Aunt Flo", but I've been expecting it for a few days and had already prepared for the occurrence. (Fellow women travelers, I recommend the diva cup.) I didn't end up eating until 10 when the cramps died down some. In the end, I arrived at Brussels Station Nord with close to 20 minutes to spare; the bus was to leave at 8:30.
Now I am here in Strasbourg visiting my friend from the CSA still shocked, surprised, and laughing at the fact that I made it here.

Long Day Ahead

Today was a lot of fun! After helping finish the kitchen cabinets this morning, I walked around the town for close to four hours. Actually, for 30 minutes of that time, I was enjoying a boat tour of Bruges! I have many new photos as expected. Towards the beginning of my excursion, I bought food for tomorrow's long travel day to Strasbourg, France. I will be getting up around 5 for a 6:30 train to Brussels, followed by a 6 hour bus ride at 8:30.
Despite getting up early, I might be going to bed later than expected. Today, I realized I'm missing my iPod shuffle after successfully keeping track of it for 5 months in Europe. (Although I got it two years ago...so longer.) I remember listening to the same song 4 or 5 times over on the way to the hostel the day that I hung out and had a couple beers with pizza and chatted with new friends, but I haven't used or seen it since. Unless I just have to have a couple beers to remember what I've done with it. With this newfound issue, I will be finding it hard to sleep. I always look forward to music on the buses and trains.

Small Summary of the Day

Finally got a walking tour of Bruges today and after a quick lunch, I helped clean the kitchen at the bed and breakfast I'm staying in. This evening, since I had good luck yesterday at the Hostel/Bar scene, I went back again for a 5 euro pizza. No drinks this time since I haven't had a good night's sleep in a while and I'm certain it has to do with the beer.  I did get to chat with some other people there.

Back to Bruges

My time in Antwerp was short and sweet. Although I spent three nights there like most other places it goes by fast. After spending my first full day there alone, I got to walk with someone from Antwerp yesterday and together we got to see one more church and the tunnel under the river before going back into the city center. I stayed for lunch while my new friend headed back to the hostel. That evening I decided to try and fit each thing Belgium was famous for into the space of 2 hours. I had a small serving of fries with mayonnaise followed by a Belgian beer, then a chocolate covered waffle. Belgium is famous for waffles and chocolate, and I often get the two together.

Today, I arrived back in Bruges around 1:30 and hung out at a hostel with a bar for the whole afternoon. It was the best time I could have hoped for; I met 2 people from Canada and a third person from Tennessee. We talked for ages and I still only had 2 beers throughout the whole thing. There's something refreshing about meeting people who love to converse as much as I do. It wasn't until after 7:00 that I got on my way to the Bed and Breakfast I am staying at again. (I agreed to come back to help finish cleaning the kitchen cabinets.) 

While at the bar I messaged a friend of mine in Strasbourg and asked if I could visit towards the end of the week, so that will be my next plan. I will have to leave just before 6 am in order to work it all out but it should be an amazing trip!

Ghent to Antwerp

I spent a wonderful 3 days in Ghent. Although it did start raining on my first full day preventing me from feeling very adventurous, I did get out and about in the morning and got some good photos. By 2, I was ready to head back to the hostel. I met really fun new friends from France, Australia, Germany, and Slovenia. We hung out for much of my stay there which made it a great stay. During the second day, I did the 2 hour free walking tour. Feeling exhausted I spent another afternoon in the hostel. On my last day, I went to a place called Wasbar where you can eat while washing your clothes before heading to the train station.

Yesterday, I arrived in Antwerp, Belgium via train and made my winding way to the hostel. Today, I did yet another free walking tour and got to see plenty of lovely places and I now have a list of places to visit. Unfortunately, due to the cobblestone sidewalks and roads, my feet got rather sore and after getting lunch, a wonder around the central cathedral, and yet another Belgian waffle with dark chocolate, I walked back to my hostel to take a shower and relax. I will likely go out again tonight at least to eat. Tomorrow, I might visit a noteworthy pub covered in green vines next to the same cathedral.