Weekend Trip: Prague, Czech Republic

On November 7th we traveled to was the magical city of Prague. We meandered through the city buying pastries, watching street performers, and visiting important monuments. We also went to a bunch of museums. My favorite was the Alphonse Mucha museum. I absolutely loved it. Looking at Mucha's work got me excited and reminded me how much I love art. Please go to St. Vitus' Cathedral at least once in your life at take a look at the gorgeous stained glass window inside that Alphonse Mucha created. It is breath taking. If cannot go to Prague right away, you should watch The Brothers Bloom because it was filmed there. Prague is such a beautiful city.

Weekend Trip: London, England - Day 1

This last weekend we went to London. We took a train from Vienna to Bratislava, Slovakia and then a plane from Bratislava to the Luton airport. Because of some transportation problems (don't ever take Easy Bus from the Luton airport to London) we didn't get settled into our hostel until 3:30am Friday morning. Lucky for us we got to wake up at 7:00am so we got plenty of sleep… It was fine though because London was great and we got a lot of sightseeing done! We rode the London Underground and double-decker busses around the city to see Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, The Parliament Building, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, St. Paul's Cathedral, The London Eye, The River Thames, The National Gallery, The Tate Modern, and a bunch of other things. Claire and I even saw a West End Play! I love London. No one will hate me if I come home with a british accent, right?

Puchberg am Schneeberg

(Photo taken by Monika Ottehenning)

About two weekends ago, some people in my group decided to go to Bratislava, Slovakia for a day and I opted out. I hadn't been feeling myself  and I needed some time to be on my own for a little while. I wondered around rainy Vienna for hours getting completely lost and finding my way again. Walking around Vienna alone was therapeutic and helped me a lot despite the stormy weather, but by the end of the day I was still feeling a little off. The next day I joined my friends again and took the train for two hours to Puchberg am Schneeberg to hike to a waterfall. As soon as we started hiking, I had this overwhelming feeling that caused a huge smile to form on my face. I was so happy. Being in nature and breathing in fresh air was exactly what I needed. I love the city, but taking a break from the crowds of people and clouds of cigarette smoke was exhilarating. I miss my Utah mountains guys, I really do. They better be covered in that pretty white stuff when I get home.

Oktoberfest

On September 28, 2013 we went to Oktoberfest while we were in Munich, Germany. We bought Dirndls and Lederhosen at local thrift stores in Vienna a week or so before so that we could look official walking around. Can you imagine a bunch of Mormon kids at Oktoberfest? We were in awe walking around looking at the masses of people walking into beer tents, stands selling schnitzel, bratwurst, and Oktoberfest cookies, and the huge amusement rides. People we completely wasted to the point where they were lying on the ground and others were throwing up by light posts. Going to Oktoberfest was definitely an interesting experience, but I am not sure I will ever go again. It is cool though because now I can say, "Been there, done that, got the t-shirt." Right?