Yesterday began with a walking tour of the city with our charming tour guide Frau...I already forgot her name. But she was fantastic. By far, my favorite things were the two churches we went into. The details were just amazing. It made me wonder how I ever doubted God's existence, and made me wish places of worship were still this ornate.
Following the tour, a handful of us chose to climb to the top of this insanely high tower and got an INCREDIBLE view of the city. We took photos and then traveled down the stairs to the marketplace for lunch.
*PAUSE: Listening to Spotify and the commercials are in German! Yay. (I am listening to Tim McGraw to ease the slight homesickness for Southern culture...)*
There were endless tiny shops open selling fine cheese, bread, seafood, and of course, sausages, pretzels, and beer. My stomach was slightly upset from pork, potato, and beer from the night before, so a friend and I chose to have a lighter lunch. We found fresh fruit smoothies and a bakery, from which I got what looked like a cheese danish, but ended up being mostly sugary bread (it was SO good). My friend and I were entertained by a young man near the smoothie shop who took it upon himself to explain every single flavor to us even though we were clearly not THAT confused...after his lecture he sighed, "I love American girls", to which we giggled, of course.
Soon it was time to meet back up at the glockenspiel, the giant clock tower, to go to the train station together. And then: More hail! It lasted a little longer tho time and strangely enough, I found walking through it to be somewhat enjoyable. (I did have my comfy sneakers and trench coat, and umbrella).
We then went underground and traveled to Olympia Central, where there is a BMW Museum and the park/facilities that were used when Munich hosted the Olympics in 1972. We learned from the walking tour that hosting the Olympics changed everything for the city and its economy. The Olympics does much more than provide entertainment and world unity!
The BMW museum was not really my thing, but it was still cool to see all of the old cars and their evolution. It also didn't hurt that our tour guide was rather adorable. ;)
*Sidenote: As my close friends/family/roommates will ALL tell you, I love clean cut, well-dressed guys. Feminine might be stretch, but basically, ALL THE GUYS IN EUROPE ARE MY TYPE!! Maybe not all, but a large majority. Lord send me a European husband. <3 Lol..
Time to head to breakfast, definitely need to write more later. In the evening we went out to dinner and then saw the city light up at night, and finished the evening with gelato for only a euro (I love a good bargain). I also need to write more about the culture and differences from the US...the Underground, the diversity, etc.
I'll be back soon. :)
Regards from my bunk bed,
Princess Samantha
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Day 1: Arrival in Germany
Well. After some unexpected travel issues (flight delay and transfer), I have safely arrived in Munich, Germany! And it is so cool.
We took the train from the airport to the main city, then walked to our hostel. The names seem slightly misleading to me, as the train was more like a subway and the hostel closely resembles a hotel (it's a nice hostel).
We checked in, freshened up, then walked to the historic part of town for dinner. We went into the restaurant and my friend almost immediately remarked, "So the German stereotypes are all true!" There were waiters in leiderhousen, and women in the stereotypical German dresses, a man walking around selling huge pretzels and of course-- the largest beer glasses I have ever seen accompanied everyone's dinner.
It was so lovely sitting with a small group of friends, some old and new, all absorbing this new culture together. Some have been to Europe before and others have not. Some speak a little German and others not a word. Overall everyone in my group seems extremely flexible, nonjudgemental, and open. Not to mention friendly! I think these next 5 weeks will be a lovely experience.
After dinner we walked back to the hostel, and we noticed that we had dined for three hours! A new friend mentioned that he had heard dining for longer periods of time was part of the German culture to which I responded, "Hey, I don't have any problem with that!" (I love food..)
We had noticed some storm clouds and were expecting some rain, but all of a sudden small hail starting raining down on us! I don't think some people in our group had ever seen hail before haha. But almost as soon as it started, it had ended, and we were fine to lower our umbrellas.
After our meal and German beer, everyone was feeling the jet lag. We were determined to stay awake until at least 8-8:30pm, so our circadian rhythms could successfully align again. A different group of us got together to go our for coffee/dessert. We found a small cafe and chatted for about an hour, then went shopping for various things that people needed. By then it was around 8 o'clock, and everyone was ready for bed.
Today is a new day, we are all rising and getting ready for breakfast, which will be followed by a walking tour of the city. I opened my laptop to check the weather before dressing, and I'm glad I did because it's supposed to be colder than it was yesterday! All 40s this morning with a 50% chance of rain.
I have no idea what we are doing after the walking tour because I forgot my Munich itinerary at home. Normally I would freak out a little bit about that but it's kind of nice, just going with the flow and truly living in the moment. I woke up this morning feeling so strange, remembering that I was in another country...on another continent! This is the farthest I have ever been away from home, and without anybody I know very well. I immediately felt so strongly though that this is something will be so glad I did in my twenties. These are the years to travel and explore.
Thanks for tuning in, I'll update whenever I can. :)
Thank God the "Post" button is orange otherwise I would have no idea what to press... everything on this webpage is in German!
Yours from Munich,
Princess Samantha
We took the train from the airport to the main city, then walked to our hostel. The names seem slightly misleading to me, as the train was more like a subway and the hostel closely resembles a hotel (it's a nice hostel).
We checked in, freshened up, then walked to the historic part of town for dinner. We went into the restaurant and my friend almost immediately remarked, "So the German stereotypes are all true!" There were waiters in leiderhousen, and women in the stereotypical German dresses, a man walking around selling huge pretzels and of course-- the largest beer glasses I have ever seen accompanied everyone's dinner.
It was so lovely sitting with a small group of friends, some old and new, all absorbing this new culture together. Some have been to Europe before and others have not. Some speak a little German and others not a word. Overall everyone in my group seems extremely flexible, nonjudgemental, and open. Not to mention friendly! I think these next 5 weeks will be a lovely experience.
After dinner we walked back to the hostel, and we noticed that we had dined for three hours! A new friend mentioned that he had heard dining for longer periods of time was part of the German culture to which I responded, "Hey, I don't have any problem with that!" (I love food..)
We had noticed some storm clouds and were expecting some rain, but all of a sudden small hail starting raining down on us! I don't think some people in our group had ever seen hail before haha. But almost as soon as it started, it had ended, and we were fine to lower our umbrellas.
After our meal and German beer, everyone was feeling the jet lag. We were determined to stay awake until at least 8-8:30pm, so our circadian rhythms could successfully align again. A different group of us got together to go our for coffee/dessert. We found a small cafe and chatted for about an hour, then went shopping for various things that people needed. By then it was around 8 o'clock, and everyone was ready for bed.
Today is a new day, we are all rising and getting ready for breakfast, which will be followed by a walking tour of the city. I opened my laptop to check the weather before dressing, and I'm glad I did because it's supposed to be colder than it was yesterday! All 40s this morning with a 50% chance of rain.
I have no idea what we are doing after the walking tour because I forgot my Munich itinerary at home. Normally I would freak out a little bit about that but it's kind of nice, just going with the flow and truly living in the moment. I woke up this morning feeling so strange, remembering that I was in another country...on another continent! This is the farthest I have ever been away from home, and without anybody I know very well. I immediately felt so strongly though that this is something will be so glad I did in my twenties. These are the years to travel and explore.
Thanks for tuning in, I'll update whenever I can. :)
Thank God the "Post" button is orange otherwise I would have no idea what to press... everything on this webpage is in German!
Yours from Munich,
Princess Samantha
Monday, May 12, 2014
Taking Off
Dear readers,
Thank you so much for choosing to join me as I travel to Munich, Germany and Salzburg, Austria (and who knows where else I might stop along the way..)!
I am a music education major focusing on choral singing, and will be studying music history and instrumental arranging at Salzburg College.
Last summer may have been the driest season of my entire life, devoid of activity, and devoid of music. That being said, I truly couldn't be more excited and grateful to be immersed in what I love this summer, in a new and beautiful place! In Europe!
Being the natural worry wort/A-type personality that I am, I am overthinking and over planning like crazy, and getting a little anxious.
It is the day before I leave. I take off to Munich tomorrow afternoon and no...I am not yet fully packed. And I sit here typing away instead of getting a move on! ;)
It will all get done. It will all be well. I have to keep telling myself that.
What scares me the most is the unknown.
When I left everything I knew in love in Virgina four years ago and moved to Florida, the unknown terrified me.
One year later I left for the University Florida, and tearfully embraced my parents in disbelief that I was actually moving out. I had no idea what to expect.
That following summer I worked at a sleep away camp in the Poccono mountains for inner city children, and the unknown bewildered me.
In all of these cases, the reality was so much different than my expectations. In so many ways, it was better. I need to rest in that now.
All of the little details about getting there are not what is actually important. I'll get there. And once I'm there, I just need to enjoy and soak up every single moment.
I'm normally pretty okay at that. :)
As for the name of the blog, well, some might say I have an obsession with Disney Princesses. Okay here's the thing: I like how they sing. I like the songs. That's the main reason. But they have become, in some ways, my role models and inspiration for beauty and grace. Okay now I am not an "anti-feminist": Women do not need to look or act like the princesses to be beautiful. But if I want to resemble them in their patience and kindness, I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
So I began identifying myself as a princess. Perhaps I'm just revisiting a childhood dream.
But the label helps me combat the negative thoughts about my worth.
It also reminds me that I am a daughter of God, who is King over heaven and earth, and King of my heart.
Therefore, I truly am a princess.
Salzburg is so much more beautiful (even in the pictures) than anything I've seen before.
There is a real castle, unlike the replica in Disney World.
I can't help but feel like in Salzburg, I will feel at home. In a fairytale. A princess in her kingdom.
Here I will post my thoughts and feelings (hopefully on a weekly basis), and upload photos as well. Hopefully there will be a little on culture shock...dealing with German, Euros, and different social norms.
I can't wait for all that I will learn. For how I will be stretched and grow.
Thanks for reading.
All my love from my anxious heart,
Princess Samantha
Thank you so much for choosing to join me as I travel to Munich, Germany and Salzburg, Austria (and who knows where else I might stop along the way..)!
I am a music education major focusing on choral singing, and will be studying music history and instrumental arranging at Salzburg College.
Last summer may have been the driest season of my entire life, devoid of activity, and devoid of music. That being said, I truly couldn't be more excited and grateful to be immersed in what I love this summer, in a new and beautiful place! In Europe!
Being the natural worry wort/A-type personality that I am, I am overthinking and over planning like crazy, and getting a little anxious.
It is the day before I leave. I take off to Munich tomorrow afternoon and no...I am not yet fully packed. And I sit here typing away instead of getting a move on! ;)
It will all get done. It will all be well. I have to keep telling myself that.
What scares me the most is the unknown.
When I left everything I knew in love in Virgina four years ago and moved to Florida, the unknown terrified me.
One year later I left for the University Florida, and tearfully embraced my parents in disbelief that I was actually moving out. I had no idea what to expect.
That following summer I worked at a sleep away camp in the Poccono mountains for inner city children, and the unknown bewildered me.
In all of these cases, the reality was so much different than my expectations. In so many ways, it was better. I need to rest in that now.
All of the little details about getting there are not what is actually important. I'll get there. And once I'm there, I just need to enjoy and soak up every single moment.
I'm normally pretty okay at that. :)
As for the name of the blog, well, some might say I have an obsession with Disney Princesses. Okay here's the thing: I like how they sing. I like the songs. That's the main reason. But they have become, in some ways, my role models and inspiration for beauty and grace. Okay now I am not an "anti-feminist": Women do not need to look or act like the princesses to be beautiful. But if I want to resemble them in their patience and kindness, I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
So I began identifying myself as a princess. Perhaps I'm just revisiting a childhood dream.
But the label helps me combat the negative thoughts about my worth.
It also reminds me that I am a daughter of God, who is King over heaven and earth, and King of my heart.
Therefore, I truly am a princess.
Salzburg is so much more beautiful (even in the pictures) than anything I've seen before.
There is a real castle, unlike the replica in Disney World.
I can't help but feel like in Salzburg, I will feel at home. In a fairytale. A princess in her kingdom.
Here I will post my thoughts and feelings (hopefully on a weekly basis), and upload photos as well. Hopefully there will be a little on culture shock...dealing with German, Euros, and different social norms.
I can't wait for all that I will learn. For how I will be stretched and grow.
Thanks for reading.
All my love from my anxious heart,
Princess Samantha
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