Thank you Mami!

1:12 am- Thursday January 23

I have had an amazing three weeks traveling in Europe! I have learned so much about the school systems in the different countries that we visited. Each school was unique in its own way! With this experience, it will definitely help me with my career path on how to improve education on a global level! In addition to the academics, I have also learned so much about different cultures and traditions that it makes me want to travel more and explore different places that I have never been to! Finally, I have learned so much about myself. I have definitely grown as a person and have become more worldly with this experience!

Finally, I wanted to dedicate this last post to my Mami! If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be where I am today! I have become the person I am because of her! She was the first person to encourage me to travel and explore the world. From the first time I flew out of the country with her at age 1, to the first time I flew alone to Costa Rica for 6 weeks, to now exploring Europe, I want to thank her so much!! Because of her I am not afraid to try new things and explore new cultures. I have become an independent young lady ready to take on the world! Thank you Mami and I love you!  

Royal Palace

Brussels, Belgium 

Note-Dame de Paris

Paris, France

Maas River

Maastricht, Netherlands

Puerta del Sol 

Madrid, Spain 

Templo de Debod

Madrid, Spain

My Adventures Continues in...España

Sunday January 19

We made it safely to Madrid! Our room in the hostel is beautiful! We have a pretty french windows and a balcony overlooking the city! Cinzia and I rested for a little bit before exploring the city.

 Once we were reenergized we went out to find something to eat for dinner! We came across this fast food shop called Tako Togo that was selling burritos, tacos and salads.. since Cinz was craving Chipotle throughout the trip we tried it out! It was soo good! I ordered a salad which was basically a burrito bowl!

After dinner we walked around, peeked our head in a few shops and just enjoyed the Spanish culture. We were so exhausted and jet lag that we were already in bed by 9pm!

Monday January 20

Today we started our day early with the free breakfast offered at the hostel! We had two slices of bread with jam and butter and a cup of orange juice! After breakfast we got ready to do some sight seeing and shopping! We walked down Calle Montera Fuencarral where it is known for shopping and their restaurant. It was so unreal that we were in Madrid! We peeked our heads in a few shops but didn't get anything. With our small breakfast we were soo hungry. We came across this Italian restaurant called La Nicoletta Resturante. I ordered delicious noodles with pesto and Cinz got her Bolognese...and of course we had to get some dessert! We had a chocolate melting cake! Amazing!!

 We walked down the calle and ended at Puerta del Sol, which is the central of the city of Madrid.

For dinner, I tired their famous jamon con pan frances! According to Cinz it was good quality proscuitto! Then we headed back to the hostel and started watching a movie..we were so tired that within the first ten minutes we were asleep!

Tuesday January 21

We woke up at 9am and were ready to start our day! We had a plan to walk to Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor! We walked again and continue to do some last minute gift shopping. We came across a Duncan Donut on our walk however, instead of it being called Duncan Donut it was called Duncan Coffee! Since Cinz loves her Duncan donuts we had to go in and try it out. I got the white chocolate mocha and a Boston creme! It was quite delicious! We then continue to shop and sight see!

For dinner we were able to try tapas which is a typical style of Spanish cuisine! We were able to try small portions of different types of food! It was really goood!

Wednesday January 22

Today is our last full day in Spain.. so sad :( We woke up at 9am to get our free breakfast and started our day off early! Since they offer free tours through our hostel we went on one today! We walked through the main street with the shops and restaurants and made it to Puerta del Sol. We learned about the history and why that was the central of the city.

El Oso y Mardella - this is one of the famous land marks Madrid

We then made our way to Plaza Isabel II. This square is dedicated to one of the Queens of Spain, Isabel II. It surrounded by shops and the Royal Theater. During her rein she was a very powerful and strong women. She dedicated a lot of her time to the arts and had the theater build in front of the Royal Place.

Opera House aka Royal Theater 

We then made our way to the Royal Place! We learned that every building in Madrid is authentic! We then proceed to the Cathedral of Madrid!

Cathedral de Madrid

Royal Palace 

Plaza Mayor

We then went to lunch with some people on our tour. We met to guys who were from Argentina. One of them was just here for a wedding and decided to extend his trip to travel around Europe. The other guy was from Argentina but has lived in Barcalona for three years and was visiting Madrid. We also met two girls who were studying abroad for the fall semester in Sevilla. One was from Germany and the other girl was from Switzerland. For lunch we had a three course meal for only 10 euros! I was finally able to try paella! This is probably my favorite meal throughout the whole trip!! It was sooo good! I also tried some steak and for dessert I had some flan!

After lunch, Cinz and I explored the city on our own. We walked to the statue that represent 'Real Madrid'. The statue is a king that is on a carriage being pulled by lions. This is where the soccer team Real Madrid got their name from. We then took the metro to the Templo of Debod which is an Egyptian temple. We were able to see an amazing view of the city of Madrid. I was in such awe!

Real Madrid 

Templo de Debod

City view of Madrid

Day 15- Last Official Day of my Study Aboard Trip

Sunday January 19

Today was a bittersweet day. We left the Botel in Amsterdam this morning at 7:30am. To get to the airport, we took three different forms of transportations. We got picked up by a shuttle, then made our way to a ferry. We traveled on the ferry to make it to the train station. Then we took a 15 minute train ride to the airport. Once we got to the airport, Cinz and I had to say goodbye to the sixteen new friends we made on this trip. I miss them already L It is not the same traveling without them…but I know Cinz and I will have an amazing time in Madrid! I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel to different countries in Europe! I have made long lasting memories and friendships that I will not take for granted. I can’t wait what Spain has to offer! Now I got to go and explore this new city! 

Day 14- Last Day in Amsterdam

Saturday January 18

Today is our last day in this beautiful city of Amsterdam :( Everyone had breakfast together on the Botel. Once everyone was finished we all gathered at the reception to take the ferry into the city for our canal tour. We took a tour of the city in an indoor canal which was pretty cool! We were cruising through different canals of the city and learning about the history of the city and the buildings. Here are  some pictures that I took while on the tour...

 After our tour we walk through the city and made it to the Iamsterdam Letters !

We then had a free time before dinner, so we wondered through the city and made it back to the hotel to rest and change. We had our farewell dinner at Cafe 't Gasthuys. For my last meal in Amsterdam I was not disappoint! If you know me well and shrimps are offered on the menu you know I would order them!! This is what I had..

Black Tiger Shrimp! Yummmy!

After dinner we wondered through the city for the last time :( We walked through the lit up streets and ended up at a popular pub called The Bulldog. Everyone enjoyed themselves for the last time before heading back home. At the pub they were playing great R&B throwback songs! It was great! Since I was in Amsterdam, I had to order a Heineken since it is brewed the Netherlands!...

To be honest it was my least favorite beer.. But hey at least I tried it and I have the cup as a souvenir! We called it an early night since we had to be up by 6am the next morning. We walk back to the station, took the ferry back to the hotel and went to bed!