I have been working my little tooshie off in the past few months, hopefully all of the pain has been worth it.
Tomorrow I head to Amsterdam for the weekend, cannot wait to visit Anne Frank's house and a couple of other exciting museums that the country has to offer. Next weekend I become homeless as I pack up all of my possessions in preparation to send them back to the Mother Land. By November 14th I'd have finished work in London and will be departing the city on a 24 day tour around Europe.. Safe to say that I cannot wait!
Whoops, pretty sure a trip to Amsterdam has been and gone.. More about that later.
So a Summer abroad- when I hear that I think of trips to the Greek Islands, sipping cocktails, bliss.. Well, for me, it was working 80 hour weeks over 5 jobs. The silly thing is that I loved every minute. I find that for the moment, I am tired of being in a classroom, bored of the structure, not satisfied. So lucky for me, I was able to nanny for an amazing family with three children aged 6 and under. I also was a bar-wench at the elitist bar in Shepherds Bush, more affectionately known as the Walkabout, a dog-sitter and a netball umpire.. Jack of all trades that's for sure.
The nanny was something totally new for me, I mean, fair enough, I have baby sat once or twice, but holey moley, it certainly gave me even greater appreciation for my mother.. Raising three children, high five you Bev. This family had connections to quite an important English family.. My goal for when I got to London was to marry Prince Harry... Let's just say, I've never been closer.. I came, I sawish... I am yet to conquer. Oh well..
The Walkabout in SheBu, anyone from the Southern Hemisphere who has been to London, knows the importance of this bar for us Antipodeans. The pubs classic drink is the Snakebite, a potent combination of cider, beer and black currant cordial, may sound harmless.. Far from it.. This pub pulled its last pint on October 6, a sad day for all.. Working the closing weekend has been one of the greatest experiences that I have had over here. The hours were long, but the staff were amazing. I'll give you an example... Friday October 5, I worked all day as a teacher, starting work at the bar at 7pm. I worked through until 2am, 2:30 by the time I got home. Not awesome but tolerable.. I was back at the bar for my shift at 11am Saturday. Between then and 5:15am Sunday morning, I had one toilet break.. The things you do to ensure that the patrons are kept happy. This was on of the funnest nights ever. Customers were more than happy to buy you a shot or a double, and I was more than happy to accept. The band (some Kiwi band I think..) played some decent tunes before rocking the night out with the DJ. my dear friends Charlie and Amy were more than happy to put their hands up to help staff the bar, as we were severely understaffed, to them I take my hat off. Was a tough gig. From there I went to a friend's house for a shower, managed to down half a chicken baguette before falling a sleep in the tub and stumbling back into work for the 7am start. All I can really remember is desperately needing some dry socks as my shoes were soaked and stockings just weren't going to cut it. Safe to say that I am not sure how I survived the weekend, and it took be the best part of a week to recover, still one of the best jobs I have ever had ;)
I am pretty sure my birthday happened in there too somewhere.. Mass beers, and great friends ensure I had a sensational day!
Well, well, well... So much has happened since I started writing this post.. I am going to try and fit as much in as I can without boring you to tears!
My birthday, not only did it fall on AFL grand final day, it also fell on the day of the TNT travel show! My advice to you is get drunk and book a trip of a life time!
Here is what I got up to in the final month of my year abroad!
Day 1: Paris
Our Topdeck trip begins early this morning in London, was only to happy to depart from The Clink- a dodgy hostel in London's Red Light District. First stop-France and the world’s most popular city break destination. It was on the Ferry from Dover to Calais that I had the privilege of meeting Matt, a young man on our trip who at that point in time was struggling with the pork sausage, it was here a friendship was made. First night, we were lucky enough to see the city by night, simply magnificent.
Day 2: Paris
Our free day in Paris gives us a chance to explore the city at our own pace. Among the city's most famous attractions are the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Pompidou Centre, Napoleon's Tomb and the impressive Musée d'Orsay. As I was on a very tight budget, I took the time to wander around one of my favourite European cities. I had to marvel in the fact that this was my second time in this city, how lucky am I? Most people don't even get there once. I spent the day wandering around the catacombs and the Père Lachaise Cemetery, seeing the graves of people such as Oscar Wilde and Marcel Marceau. Lunch was had at the quintessential French café, of course wine was on the menu.
Day 3: Swiss Alps
A very, very long but scenic drive apparently ( I got quite ill and slept the whole way, stupid bus sickness), today as we make our way to the stunning country of Switzerland and the gorgeous Swiss Alps. We pass incredible landscapes and fairy-tale villages as we draw closer to our accommodation. Our base in the village of Lauterbrunnen was set in a deep valley, flanked by towering cliffs from which waterfalls tumble, framed by the snowy peaks of Europe’s great mountain range, the Alps – A majestically place that I certainly fell in love with. Remember that time KG wet the bed?
Day 4: Swiss Alps
A free day in the snowy Swiss Alps! I took the option to ride the historic Jungfraubahn railway to the highest station in Europe, which sits atop the Jungfrau Mountain. At over 12000ft high it deserves its nickname, the ‘Roof of Europe’. Remember that time KG peed on Matt?
Day 5: Florence
Benvenuti in Italia! Our Topdeck adventure continued as we entered Italy. On the way we made a short stop in Pisa for the chance to grab a snap of the Leaning Tower, and my first Italian gelato before we drove through the Tuscan countryside to Florence, the home of Renaissance art, gold and silver markets, great shopping and even better food! Florence nightlife certainly didn't disappoint... Remember that time CR and SJ puked EVERYWHERE?
Day 6: Florence
My day begun with a walking tour led by a local guide, she certainly knew her stuff. She unveiled treasures including the Duomo (Cathedral), Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria and many more exquisite buildings and monuments. Florence is considered to be an ‘outdoor museum’, and it was fairly obvious why as I got up close to the replica of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ statue.
Day 7: Rome
We departed for Italy’s capital – the ‘Eternal City’ of Rome, with a few sore heads. On the way we stopped at the hilltop city of Orvieto where we can check out the Duomo (Cathedral), another bloody magnificent building. When we arrived in Rome, we went on a walking tour with our Topdeck Trip Leader Extraordinaire, Clair, to visit the city’s most incredible locations, including the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, the ancient Roman Forum, the Colosseum and to the place where Julius Caesar was murdered. This landmark is now a cat sanctuary. Bet ya didn't know that. Clair showed us the BEST gelato shop IN THE WORLD!!! 150 flavours! Beat that!
Day 8: Rome
A free day to enjoy Rome! I visited Pope Francis at the Vatican City, I wouldn't mind living there myself... Today I was also able to go exploring in the ancient Roman forums, the mighty Colosseum and the Palantine Hill area (the ancient commercial and political heart of Rome). I loved Rome, first time I have felt that way about a place since Egypt. Sensational! AND SO MUCH GELATO!!
Day 9: Venice
Venice, the city of canals and gondolas. We stopped En route at Verona, made famous by the delectable Juliette Montague as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Here I visited Juliet’s Balcony and also see the impressive Arena (an ancient Roman amphitheatre).
Day 10: Venice
Today was free day to explore extraordinary Venice – a maze of canals, bridges, squares and incredible artworks. The town centre was flooded, which I don't think is completely unusual, but was made fun by a plastic gumboot accessory. It was on this night we had our masquerade ball. Glorious masks as far as the eye could see.. And by that I mean about 15 masks and 10 gondoliers. Mass buckets were being consumed, the night ended abruptly when my dear friend Chloe slipped off the stage and required stitches in her head... The good friend I am, I escorted her in the ambulance, and was sure to laugh the loudest when pushing her in her wheelchair the 15 metres to the toilet.
Day 11: Salzburg
Onwards and upwards (quite literally) day 11 we made our way to the mountainous country of Austria. It was apparently another picturesque drive day- thank you travel sickness. Once in Austria we headed to home of the Sound of Music, Salzburg!
Day 12: Salzburg
A free day to enjoy Salzburg, and explore I did. I visited various locations from one of my childhood favourite films, The Sound of Music. The Mirabell Gardens, Nonnberg nunnery and Residenzplatz square were very much like I remembered in the film. By this stage of the trip everyone was getting pretty weary. Quite a few of us spent the night at the hostel and enjoyed the nightly viewing of The Sound of Music.
Day 13: Vienna
I am sure Vienna was lovely, but I can't remember much... Whoopsadaisies...
...
Oh wait! Schnaps Factory! With 2 shots of schnaps included... I had 15.. Whoops.. I blame Robsy, my bucket buddy.
Day 14: Budapest
We make our way to Slovakia where we visit the capital Bratislava, an excellent mix of old and new. Made a quick visit Bratislava Castle, the Stará Radnica (Old Town Hall) and St Martin’s Cathedral and some other sights. After time to wander, and a few too many mulled wines, we headed on to Hungary and its grand capital, Budapest. The twin cities of Buda and Pest are situated on the banks of the mighty River Danube, and a driving tour around them with our Topdeck Crew takes in sights such as Heroes’ Square, Parliament House, Buda Castle and main boulevard Andrássy út. The views from here were sensational!
Day 15: Budapest
Today I had a full day to explore the beauty of Budapest! I explored the fascinating markets and also paid a visit the moving House of Terror museum. House of Terror is a museum located at Andrássy út 60 in Budapest. It contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist dictatorial regimes in 20th-century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured or killed in the building. Hitler's car was pretty eerie...
Day 16: Krakow
The place on tour that I was looking forward to the most, Poland, one of the most exciting and affordable countries in Europe according to the TopDeck guide. The ancient town of Krakow miraculously escaped the worst of World War II, and remains as the cultural heart of Poland. An introductory tour with our Topdeck Leader Clair takes in notable landmarks around the charming Old Town, including Wawel Castle, Market Square, Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica.
Day 17: Krakow
Day 17 was a free day to explore Krakow’s intriguing, mysterious streets. One of Krakow’s top attractions is the former factory of Oskar Schindler, a saviour for many Polish Jews during the Holocaust and the man who inspired the Steven Spielberg film Schindler’s List. The museum is not so much a memorial to Schindler himself, but more on the regime itself and the murders that took place. The faces on the front wall were quite confronting.
Day 18: Prague
A sombre start to the day as we visit the former concentration camps at Auschwitz and Birkenau. There are no words that I can use to describe the masses of emotion that I felt here. Walking the paths of many before me, the worn granite steps, seeing the living arrangements of my fellow human beings. Seeing many locations of senseless murders. The house where the commander Rudolf Hoss lived with his family, as well as the gallows used to kill him. The most shocking part of this entire visit would nearly have been the room of hair. Tonnes and tonnes of hair that had been shaved off the heads of the women and children before they were murdered. There were thousands of shoes and glasses and other loved possessions that the prisoners had hoped to keep. Walking into the gas chambers was quite confronting. You could see the scratch marks of the victims trying to escape. horrific. From here we headed to the Czech Republic and its beautiful capital Prague. An exhausting day.
Day 19: Prague
Prague is a favourite city amongst many, one that would be pretty high on my list too. Was stunning. I think we had a night out here, in fact I am sure we did. I think it was good.. But due to the mass consumption of mulled wine, I can't remember...
Day 20: Berlin
First up, we stopped in 800 year old Dresden in Germany, a city which has heroically rebuilt itself following near-destruction during World War II. After seeing the symbolic Frauenkirche and other beautiful buildings we continued on to Berlin, Germany’s vibrant capital. A driving tour with our Topdeck Crew took in the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie and more impressive landmarks.
Day 21: Berlin
Berlin was mine to discover today. I heard all about the rise and fall of the Nazis on the‘Third Reich’ walking tour in the morning. On this tour I saw many interesting things that takes place in sites of historical significance including the spot where Hitler had his bunker and ultimately the place he died.. The rest of the day I spent in the ER waiting to see a doctor.. A four hour for a 10 minute appointment and then an hour and a half to find the drugs I needed.. Woo... What a waste of a day.. Oh well, will have to go back.. It was this night that we had our biggest night since Florence. We checked out some of Berlin's coolest nightspots.. Senbloodysational!
Day 22: Amsterdam
WOWEE, so many hangovers today, lucky it was a fairly long drive to the Netherlands today. Lucky we stopped at the cheese and clog factory on the way too.. That was just what we needed :/
Day 23: Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a beautiful city, the highlight of this was definitely the bicycle tour! And so many ribs.. A group of ten went to an all you can eat rib joint, I certainly showed the boys what I am made of.. I won't disgust you all with the number of rack that I at.. Tonight I said goodbye to my TopDeck family before I headed back to London..
Was certainly an amazing trip, so many beautiful sights and so many amazing new friends!
Next stop... THAILAND WOO!!!
*I will keep trying to upload the pictures for this, I am having a little trouble at the moment.. There are some cool ones... Actually shattered they haven't worked, they tell more of the stories while on tour.. *
Next stop... THAILAND WOO!!!
*I will keep trying to upload the pictures for this, I am having a little trouble at the moment.. There are some cool ones... Actually shattered they haven't worked, they tell more of the stories while on tour.. *
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