Allora...

And so, here I am in Germany after having finished an amazing meal with my extended family. I can't believe how time has flown. Due to internet "shortages," I haven't been able to send descriptive emails, let alone update the little used blog. Anyway, here I am.

What have I been doing, the way-to-curious-for-their-own-good might ask? Well, I have been to Lyon, Paris, Exter, Barcelona, Sevilla, and am now in Witzenhausen.

You might not have known, but our very own Lizzy goes to the same "uni" that JK Rowling graduated from. You know we hit up main street to see all the places of inspiration.

Paris was everything I expected...minus the unexpected romance, but that might have been because I practically ran through it in a day and a half.

Lyon was a place of dreams. I highly recommend that all people traveling in Europe stop in Lyon. It is known for its silk (yea.) and has far fewer forgein tourists than Paris. Beautiful fruit, book, and artisan markets.

Barcelona. Where to start... it is the only city I have "done" completely on my own. I stayed in the best hostel: Garden Hostel. There is so much energy in the city from the street performers to the tourists and school groups searching for all the Gaudí buildings. Even with four days, I didn't see everything I wanted to.

Sevilla takes the cake right now. The history of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish interaction and "cohabitation" makes the feel and the look of the city completely different from other parts of Europe. Toss in a Spainsh friend, beer, and some tapas and you have an amazing weekend waiting for you.

The German countryside is amazing, and I have seen a lot of countryside on this side fo tihe Atlantic from train trips. Everytime I go somewhere I am even more amaed by the hills and the colors and the architecture of the little towns. Staying with family I had never met is a lot less scary than I had imagined. Most speak at least a little English, so we havve a lot of fun traveling around, eating, and telling stories.

PS I swear I saw the boy from A Christmas Story t he Supermarkt (no, I didn't forget the e, it just doesn't go between k and t in markt).

That's all for now. Gotta go digest some chicken.

bis später