The End Draws Near

Ok this blog will be boring; just a random update of the nonsense I have been up to lately. I'm warning you to stop reading now.... this blog will not be witty or exciting..... Ok - your loss.

So since my parents have left, my life has been non-stop nonsense.

I feel like I have done so much; but not really. It has just been so busy; I mean school winding down, trying to fit in the last of London, Spain (I'll save that for another blog), and just keeping busy.

I will try to sum it up and make it quick: but how to do such a thing... Let's begin to the Saturday after my parents left....

Saturday April 24, 2010
OXFORD. yep today we went to Oxford. Long story short, we saw the library from Harry Potter, grabbed lunch, sat on a hill after paying one pound, and missed our bus home. It was a fun day :)

Then there were a couple lazy days inbetween of catching up on homework, until we thought it to be a great idea to go eat at one of our favorite restaurants... DESPERADO'S. (We soon became regulars here. Probably the best food in all of London)

But then on Wednesday April 28, 2010 - we saw a circus show called PSY. This was unreal. PSY may not be Cirque Soleil; but it was breath taking to say the least. It consisted of a "Cast" if you will of roughly 9 people who would each play a different persona inflicted with some dort of disorder like narcolepsy, scizophrenia, etc. and would then each get their own "scene" that they acted out their disorder while doing ridiculous stunts. It incorporated humor, music, and the impossible. If you ever come here and this show is still running - - - SEE IT.

A couple more days of shenanigans pass by before it arrives... Wednesday, May 5, aka Cinco De Mayo. And what better way to celebrate then to go to our favorite mexi restaurant.... DESPERADO'S! It's here we celebrate with margaritas and friends. It was nights like these that just helped make this expereince that much better. Just hanging out all together and meeting new people. Amazing. But then we decide to head home... it's now when I decide that I forgot how to walk and roll my ankle doing nothing. I now have a Cankle the size of an orange. Awesome. This paired with the magical bruises that appeared on my body definately made me a sight for soar eyes. Mom and Pops must be so proud.

A couple more days go by... including turning in my 23 page marketing report, a 59 page advertising report as well as presentation, and a couple exams. Busy busy.

Throughout this time we also saw "The Prince of Persia" movie premier where Jake Gyllenhal, Gemma Arterton, Sir Ben Kingsley, and a couple other famous people showed up. Apparently one of the largest movie premiers in the world; it was really neat to actually experience this! They had stunts, music, movies, celebrities, and just soooo many people.

Otherwise my time left here consisted of hanging out and becoming closer with all the people out here. Spent a night at the London Eye of course, had a guitar hero contest, visited the biggest tourist trap in London - The London Dungeon (which was actually a lot of fun and worth the money. Informative, scary, and interactive all in one!)

Then we left for Spain. Prepare for that blog. It is definately one for the books. But after Spain Staci Maloney came and visited! This was an adventure in itself. After catching up on life, we went out to dinner at the Roadhouse where we were treated to a fishbowl and live band and just a good time. One for the books to say the least. We also went and visited Portobello Market, Covent Garden, and of course - DESPERADO'S. So nice to have one final visitor; but she left early Sunday morning...

and now it is my time to leave. I am writing this Monday May 24, 2010. The day of my departure. When I get back I will write about all the crazy feelings and thoughts running through me... but this is it. The End of an era. The end of one of the craziest chapters of my life...

Mum and Pops are in Londontown!

So as I arrive home from my 16 day Spring Break Extravaganza at 11pm on a Monday Evening; Ma and Pa Walt arrive in London-Town!

Since it was so late, we decided it would be better to just wait and meet up the next day; But I could not wait! I mean ok... here I sit anticipating seeing my parents... What has London done to me?! But to give me credit; it is J-Dubbs and C-Dazzle we are talking about here... and it has been almost 3 months! Right - so Parents, anticipation, excitement - Moving on....

TUESDAY
Today is THE day! I get to see my parents! So I try to keep myself busy by actually going to class, and then I just about sprint to meet my parents at their hotel; The Charing Cross Hotel. Now let me first begin with this hotel - BEAUTIFUL. It is right next to Trafalgar Square (big hotspot with the National Gallery), and when you walk in; you just feel like someone important. It was amazing...

But as I begin to walk in; anxious and almost nervous for some reason, I see him. My dad! AHHHH! I got so excited and wanted to run into his arms; but this place didn't really seem like that would be appropriate... so at a brisk walk I went over and hugged my dad for the first time in three months. Even if he may hold our hugs a little too awkwardly long, it felt good. Then we walked a little bit before I see my mom! Oh wow, this is crazy weird. It feels like I haven't seen them in years!

*On a side note, my family is really awkward sometimes. From here on out, just read without judgement. We are who we are... The Walt's don't live by any rhyme or reason...

Ok so there is an awkward hug, an awkward "Hey, How's it going?" stupid, irrelevant questions... But I wanted the good stuff... like, "Where is all the food and clothes I asked you to bring me!?" Clearly my priorities are straight... But this was not even needed to be asked since I basically felt like it was Christmas all over again!

We go to their huge room with a TV (it's the little things in life...) and they have a WHOLE DUFFEL of goodies for me! They brought me shoes, summer clothes, snacks, but most importantly roughly 13 pounds of Mrs. Grass Chicken Noodle Soup Packets! I am just near tears when they surprise me with even more... Lion King Broadway Tickets for that night! Can life get any better?!

So I pack up all of my stuff before heading out to dinner... FOR FREE. Yes. things could get better! We end up eating at a great place called the Mermaid Tail and just caught up with one another. I gave them the rundown of London and they gave me the rundown of Wisconsin. It was so nice, a little taste of home... Skype doesn't do justice to actually having them in person.

But I think the best part was watching them interact within London. They are so funny because first they have to learn how to use the tubes and their "oyster cards," and then get used to the cars on the wrong side of the road, as well as getting accustomed to London's fast-paced lifestyle where everyone always appears to be in a hurry to get to nowhere, and finally the stand-offish attitude it seems many "Londoners" have. Have to give them credit; they did pretty well... I forgot how lost I thought I was when I first arrived... and now I just laugh at what I think to be simple questions (whoops!).

But we finish off dinner before seeing The Lion King which topped off the perfect day! Amazing. So then we head our seperate ways, right after I reassure my mom I can travel home by myself hahaha

WEDNESDAY
Today I thought I would show my parents the shopping district after my classes, so I took them over to Regent and Oxford Street with all the high end shops. We didn't go in many because I am not used to such nice things, and I think I was torturing my dad, but no worries because Lunch made up for it!

After being squished into a back corner of a restaurant down some alley off Oxford Street Called "Burgers, etc." we had an amazing meal yet again (they keep lucking out with all the restaurants we choose). Another free meal... oh life is good. It's from there that we explore different parts of London, show them around town, before they take me grocery shopping and then I bring them back to my housing; NIDO.

Well I think it was everything they expected... four walls and a bed. So I did some laundry for them, being the good daughter I am, while we just continued catching up, before having an Italian feast at the restaurant below NIDO, and then we parted ways... this part frightened me a little since they are not 100% sure of themselves and using the tube to get home... Luckily they made it back and life is good.

THURSDAY
Well to keep things short and simple - my parents went to visit some of my Dad's work friends in another area of London where they got to stay in a castle... as condolence to TK and myself, they gave us their hotel room for a night and bought us dinner at a Mexican Cantina style restaurant! So TK and I grabbed dinner before heading back to the room and watching roughly 13 episodes of friends... TV is a luxury you know... and then we were surprised to find out that when we awoke - we got BREAKFAST! and not just bread and tomatoes... No, my dad set it up where we got VIP seating on the balcony and had a full breakfast buffet with bacon, oatmeal, eggs, potatoes, cereal, 14153 different juices, and so much more! Clearly we took advantage of this before going back and sitting in the room for some more TV time.

Eventually we headed back to NIDO, which surprisingly seemed a lot worse after staying in their hotel room for one night haha. But later, I went to meet up with my parents and their friends across town for a couple drinks on a river bank where the water was literally touching the tip of the restaurant, and then we had another delicious Italian meal with my parents friends, the Brunero's, before heading back home.

SATURDAY
Today is the day I take my parents to the infamous Portobello Market... This was a "bittersweet" idea if you will... You see my mom LOVES things like this; antiques, home furnishings, other useless objects one doesn't require; while my dad goes for novelty "toys" and just kind of hangs out for the ride. Well sure enough my mom goes straight for the doorknobs... Yes doorknobs. After doorknobs comes the toast holders, followed by little tea spoons. Oh it may be a long 2 miles of shopping. But eventually we make it through after all the pushing and shoving, and I think they really enjoyed the experience. It's sad because the novelty wears off; but it was good in the end because my mom found her favorite drink - Fresh squeezed Lemonade! and the weather was more then anyone could ask for! Just beautiful.

After Portobello, we head back to the hotel where I doze off to Back to the Future 2on TV, while my parents went to explore Tower Castle and the crown jewels. When they arrived back we grabbed dinner at a Angus Steak House before I showed them my favorite part of London: Covent Garden. It was later and a bit chilly now, so we didn't stay long; we just shopped around a bit while watching a couple street performers before heading off for dessert at a local pastry place. Grabbed some cakes and pastries and then feasted in the hotel room while watching more Friends... Did this show just arrive out here or what?! But then I headed back home yet again... sad that everything is going so well... I wish my parents could stay longer. Only two days to go (or so I think)...

SUNDAY
Homework day. So I am technically here for school; so I decided to stay in while my parents went off exploring so I could get some things done. Needless to say I was not put into the best mood by this, but no worries, we planned to meet up later to see another musical, Jersey Boys. This is based on the life of Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons. Really funny and good! I personally feel a lot of people in my age category couldn't really appreciate it; but since I grew up listening to only oldies - this was right up my alley!

Afterwards we grabbed a bite in China town and then I took my bad attitude and myself home to finish up some more school work. Booo.

MONDAY
Last day before my parents were supposed to leave and I am stuck at school and working on group projects. This clearly made me really unhappy; but thankfully some Volcanoes in Iceland decided to erupt, therefore causing all air travel to be at a standstill for almost 6 days! Good for me (more free meals), bad for my parents (buying Caitlin more meals)!

But we decide to catch up in Covent Garden again where we grab yet another Italian meal (as if Spring Break wasn't enough) for lunch, before we met up for dinner with TK at a mexican restaurant called Chiquito's. Oh this was just delicious, and it was a lot of fun. Got to hear my mom and dad make their awkward comments about life... oh how it made me miss home...

TUESDAY
So today my parents were supposed to leave, but are stuck here till Friday because of the volcano crisis. YES. So yet again I have this thing called school getting in the way of my social life, but I eventually meet up with them at guess where... Yep. Covent Garden. But this time they introduced me to something - Ben's Cookies... AKA the most delicious thing I have had since my arrival. You buy a cookie by how much it weighs and they have so many kinds: white chocolate, double chocolate, coconut, peanut butter and so many more! Oh so good. But I had to go back for more school work so I couldn't really hang out with my parents for that long unfortunately (never thought I would say that haha).

WEDNESDAY
Today my parents and I decided to check out "Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese," the oldest pub in London. The food was definately pub food, but it was a neat little restaurant.. Luckily we got in, cause normally you are apparently supposed to have reservations?... even though we were the only ones there? No worries... Yet another free meal... How many is that now? (It's at this point I think my parents may believe I am using them for food.... I am ok with this).

THURSDAY
More homework. Yuck. And today was the day my friend Kevin Schleicher was supposed to arrive from Germany to visit, but due to the Volcanoes, his flight was also cancelled. It was really sad too since we planned a wine tasting at a place called Vinopolis with him... Atleast we got to use his extra tickets for ourselves (sorry Kevin)!

So after our tasting, TK, Kelley, and myself met up with Ma and Pa Walt for one last meal... It's really unfortunate that this last meal occurred at a restaurant called Garfunkel's. This was horrible. We each got a different dish; yet they all tasted the same... well actually I would like to think water had more of a taste then the food. But it was ok, cause we went over to Chiquito's afterwards for some dessert before my parents surprised me with a box of Ben's Cookies and all of their left over British Pounds! Free meals and money?! I could get used to this...

So then we did our awkward hugs... knowing it will be another 1 1/2 months before they get to see my face again. It was actually quite sad... This was probably the most time I have spent with my parents in as long as I can remember; and I had them all to myself! It was an amazing week and a half. I mean how lucky can one be? Getting treated to the luxuries out here in London, and having my parents come and visit? I can't even begin to express how happy and grateful I was to have them here. I feel as though they catered more to my needs then their own, even though it was their vacation!

But if London has taught me anything, it's this - I am a homebody. I never thought I would say that I miss Wisconsin and my family and everybody else at home... but being here truly helped me appreciate how lucky I am to have such a perfect life with an amazing family.

Dear Mom and Dad - I hoped you enjoy coming out here as much as I enjoyed spending this time with you. I love and miss you guys, and look forward to coming home. You may miss me now; but be prepared and appreciate the quiet while you still can! Love you

Greece: Living on a dream of Gyros and Crepes

Wednesday, April 7,2010, we say Ciao to our amazing, unforgettable experience of living in a tent in Rome, and say Yahsu to Greece!

But before we get there, we had to get to the Rome Airport. This was an adventure in itself: we booked a cab to pick us up bright and early, and a little station wagon pulls up.

Welcome to the Cab Ride of Death...

So we manage to squeeze ourselves in with all of our luggage and we are off. Well I am pretty sure our cab driver used to race in NASCAR, because I have never experienced a car ride such as this.

First, our Cab driver decided to leave his left turn signal on the ENTIRE cab ride; mind you we only took right turns? Then we would be driving and he would decide to not follow his GPS and would suddenly take an off ramp; therefore cutting off all the cars behind us. One car got fed up with this, and decided to show us a couple "choice" gestures. Our cab driver decided to retaliate by making a gun shape with his hand and then pointed to his head in reference to the other driver and mumbled under his breath. Oh god.

From there we started increasing our speed, and before I know it my knuckles are white from gripping the side of the car so hard... I looked over at the speedometer which then read that we were going just over 160 Kilometers Per Hour.... roughly 100mph.

Well, needless to say with speeds such as those, we were at the airport in no time! (Thank god.)

Ok, so we arrive in Athens, and I could not be any happier!!! We begin our amazing time here by being upgraded by our hostel to an apartment suite. This is a wonderful surprise and boy what an upgrade! Our new hostel was actually an apartment that came with a kitchen, bar, seperate bed and bathroom, and living room with a couch, TV, and so much more! This place was amazing! Even if it was only for one night; we definately lucked out!

So we finally drug ourselves away from the TV and just grabbed a bite to eat, explored the shopping scene, and then explored a hill we found that overlooked all of Greece. Beautiful sights from every angle! It was amazing to be up there, but soooo dangerous because the rocks were so slippery for some reason! After another photo shoot, we opted to go back to our suite and enjoy some TV before our 4am wake up call to head to Mykonos!!

Ok so here begins the journey to Mykonos -

We grab a taxi at 5am to take us down to the ferries; where we then have to wait for our tickets, walk to the wrong port, and then eventually find our ship. HUGE. But nice; would have appreciated it more if it weren't for the fact it was 6 in the morning, we were exhausted, and we had a five hour trip ahead of us. No worries, a couple hour nap and an amazing Flocachino (frozen caramel coffee drink) later, we arrive!

So we get off the boat where we are greeted by typical Greece. I mean honestly it is exactly like something you see in a movie: houses of pur white with blue trim outlining the coast coming out at every angle. So beautiful! And then we look for our shuttle who also happened to be the owner of our guesthouse we were staying in.

We find him and are taken to our Guesthouse! Yes! Not even a hostel, a GUESTHOUSE. and what a place - a cute little building where we got a full bedroom with four seperate beds and our own bathroom and it included air conditioning, a fridge, decorations, and it was just picturesque. Love Love Love! And our window opened up to overlook the famous Mykonos windmills and the ocean... life cannot be more perfect.

So we settle in and then head out to explore what Mykonos has to offer! We walked through the "steets" which are basically alleys covered in hanging flowers and vines, sops, bars, restaurants, houses and so much more! It is adorable. I am in love and want to live here.

But then we realized we were hungry and here begins our Love of Gyros. The cheapest, and most delicious food yet! For only 2 euros, you get a full gyro filled with meat, fries, onions, peppers, and tazitki sauce - pure heaven.... (sorry guys, in case you haven't noticed... I like food. A lot.)

But we grew tired and decided to blend in with the rest of Europe and take a siesta before going out later that night....

Wow. well the Greeks know how to party. We didn't even leave till almost 1am and people were just beginning to go out! It was crazy! and I don't know how they do it because one drink was almost $16 us dollars. Unreal. But it didn't matter because it was SO MUCH FUN!

We mainly stayed at a place called Semeli's where we made friends and just danced all night. And we met so many people - and we realized that Greek people are the nicest people in the world! They are constantly looking to please others and just go out of their way to be friendly. Yep, this is definately my future home.

Well after an amazing night, we head back, but not before grabbing yet another gyro (better start keeping count...).

So we wake up today and decide to really enjoy this amazing weather by going to Paradise Beach! After a crazy bus ride where we met more people from Chicago, London, Spain, and California - we finally arrive to a beautiful beach! Well, since it wasn't tourist season yet in Greece, it was relatively quiet, but was so relaxing. and since we made friends; we just talked all day while getting the first glimpse of sun in months!

So after a couple sandcastles and a pink panther drink that came in a watering can and meant for roughly 7 people; we head back for yet another siesta before going out that night with our new friends from California.

We began at Semeli's again, stopped in Mykonos bar and a place called Caprice's before we eventually ended at a place called Jackie-O's.....

Well Jackie-O's is not your typical bar. We go in and are greeted by ratio of roughly 13 guys to every 1 girl.... and it wasn't until we passed by a 6'5" man in drag that it dawned on us that we were in a gay bar.... Whoops.

No worries; ended up being an amazing night! We just danced on tables and made more friends who were very "generous" to us hahaha But 4am rolls around again and we decide to get our nightly gyro before bed yet again....

Well it is now Saturday, April 10, 2010, and we have to sadly leave Mykonos today... We pack up, grab some crepes and a gyro, and eventually head out of the most amazing place in the world.... So sad to leave, but thankfully we were still going back to Athens!

And here begins our 5.5 hour ferry ride yet again... atleast this time we met some guys and just made some conversation while playing some card games. Helped pass the time for sure.... Especially since when we tried to sleep, we were rudely awoken by a man who jumped on the ship to sell his youghurt nougats? yeah. and he didn't want to just sell them... no he felt the need to scream the same phrase over and over again in Greek roughly 4 feet from us. Wouldn't have mattered if he were farther away though I guess seeing he was THAT loud. Very tempting to trip him every time he walked by, but I resisted.

Well we dock yet again and we head to our hostel, still hoping we have an upgrade, but are unfortunately put in a 6 bed room where we find out it is a mixed dorm. Our roommate was a man from Australia who was just so uncomfortably awkward. Just kind of stared and wouldn't talk. Awkward.

Luckily we weren't there that much since we went out for dinner for some more gyros where we then meet a couple restaurant owners/workers. They let us sit at their place since it costs money to sit down and eat, and we made friends... again.

It was funny too cause later TK and I decide to see Athens nightlife, and end up meeting up with one of those restaurant workers from Plaka, Mario. He helped us and showed us around to the night scene. After walking for what seemed like miles of no one in sight, we eventually find streets lined with people!

Now this was an interesting experience since it was just TK, myself, and Mario. Well in Greece, blondes are apparently in short supply because EVERYONE was making comments to Mario... for example, "You my friend are a lucky man with those two!" Hahahahahha Mario responds, "Yes I know!".... well that didn't make things awkward!Haha especially since after those comments his stance changed, as if he were a "big, tough man" with Tk and I at his side.

But we go to a couple bars and clubs and had a great time! Made friends with the DJ, other awkward Greek men "getting their groove on," and so forth. A good night all in all until we had to walk home and my feet could not handle it anymore.... Oh the pain....

But we eventally make it home and go to bed at roughly 5am.

Well going out was a good/bad idea. Oh well, we head to our "free" breakfast which consisted of a toaster, a piece of bread and a tomato??? We made due though before our $8 walking tour where we saw the parthenon & Acropolis, 2004 olympic stadium, temple of Zeus, parliament, changing of the guard, and an amazing flea market/shopping area... Also had 2 more gyros. YUM.

But after the tour, we went on yet another shopping spree and got some more gelato, crepes, and gyros. Wow. But during all of this we were stopped a couple times by some Greek vendors, where one goes, "Where are you girls from? you are soo..... pale?" Hahahahaha everywhere we go, everyone knows we are Americans... not that it is necessarily a bad thing; but just weird? Oh well...

Then we walk around Plaka again where we run into the same restaurant owners and workers, including Mario. Well he comes and greets us as we eat yet another gyro, and he decides to treat us to some shots... well ok these weren't just shots... no they were basically poison. Tk could barely take hers down and I think Mario felt bad, so he shyed away hahaha

But we finished up, and headed back to get a good night of sleep in before our last day in Greece... Sad...

So it is our last day and our plans include: gyros (of course), gelato, shopping and the beach. Well, we technically did accomplish all of this... but the beach kind of turned out to be a bust since all the chairs were stacked, it got cold, and it was empty.... so we stayed a bit before heading back to Athens where we ended up seeing the restaurant workers YET AGAIN. Wow. we need to find a new part of Greece to explore or something hahaha

But we grabbed our final gyro and gelato before we said our goodbyes and headed for the airport.


So there it is - the most expensive, yet memorable 16 days of not only my experience studying abroad, but my life!

Now its back to the "Real World" where I get to go back to London and spend over a week with my parents!!

Goodbye Spring Break 2010, and hello last month and a half in London!