Grand European Adventure

This post will be a work in progress.

Reflection on the entire trip: What an amazing experience. On one hand, I was so glad to be going home and it felt like it had been forever, but on the other hand, I really can't believe that it's over. And that I did it. I travelled for 4 weeks straight throughout so much of Europe. I don't think I've ever been so exhausted in my life. Or so awed/stunned at so many things. Generally speaking, I was really glad the way that I did things. I was glad to see different people and travel with different people throughout the trip. I am happy to with the choices of the cities I visited. Although sometimes I regret not seeing more of the major sights, I know that I really probably did as much as I could in cities without killing myself. There were times when I definitely overdid it for a day, and regretted it. Europe will still be there the next time I go back, so I can see all the things that I missed.

Lessons learned? Book train tickets ahead of time, it will save you money and worry. Or better yet, get a rail pass. I remember my reasons for not doing it (basically I didn't have enough time to get it shipped to the US and then to the UK before leaving) but it would have been handy. Remember to pack an umbrella and clothes for all weathers, I was certainly glad that I did. Sometimes people don't speak English. Walk a lot and then you don't feel guilty about all the pastries and crepes you eat. Figure out how to get dressed/ready in the dark. As long as you're careful, you're stuff wont get stolen (I was super paranoid at first, but relaxed by the end). ITS is incurable (irrational travel syndrome- worrying about things I have no power to change). And of course, travel is amazing.

A continuing list of bests/worsts/favorites:
Favorite city: Completely unknown. They all win (except Montpellier)
Favorite country: Spain
Favorite meal: the random restaurant in Rome that we ate in the first night Matt and Steve were there
Favorite alcoholic drink: raspberry beer in Brussels
Favorite nonalcoholic drink: milkshakes in Madrid
Favorite pastry: napolitanas con chocolate in Madrid
Favorite dessert: crepes with bananas, nutella and coconut in PAris
Favorite breakfast food: waffels in Brussels
Favorite hostel: Villa St. Exupery in Nice (minus the location)
Favorite hostel breakfast: also in Nice. Amazing bread.
Favorite cultural experience: the Exploding Cart on Easter in Florence
Favorite church: Notre Dame in Paris
Favorite art musuem: Reina Sofia in Madrid
Favorite piece of art: Michelangelo's David in Florence
Favorite sight (non-musuem): Colosseum in Rome (it was just so big!)
Favorite sea: Mediterranean
Favorite fountain: Trevi Fountain in Rome
Favorite beach: despite the rocks, definitely the one in Nice

to be continued as I think of more things...