ADIOS AMIGOS

Hola! 

I literally have one minute to write a quick post, so I'll make it short.

TONIGHT I AM GOING TO SEE MUMFORD AND SONS.

SEMANA SANTA

LAUSANNE - CHAMONIX - GENEVA - BUDAPEST

Yeeeeeee.

Cheers,
Anna

Good to be Alive

Hola!

This afternoon was absolutely breathtaking. The Segovian sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. For this, I stopped halfway through my run to admire the stunning beauty that surrounded me. As you might have guessed, I decided to capture it on tape too. 

Hold on, is this really the life I'm living? 

Cause I don't feel like I deserve it. 

Every day that I wake, every breath that I take you've given.

So right here, right now, while the sun is shining down

I wanna live like there's no tomorrow,

Love like I'm on I'm on borrowed time.

It's good to be alive

Hold on, if the life that we've been given

is make beautiful in the living,

And the joy that we get brings joy to the giver,

Then right here, right now

This is the song I'm singing out

I won't take it for granted

I won't waste another second

All I want is to give you a life well lived,

to say "thank you"

Cheers,
Anna

PS. I leave for Semana Santa tomorrow!

Media Maratón Ciudad de Segovia - Part II

Hola! 

If you read my previous entry on the half marathon, you might have noticed that it was entitled, Media Maratón Ciudad de Segovia - Part I. Now, I bet you have been anxiously waiting for Part II to be posted...

THE WAIT IS OVER - TODAY IS THE DAY!

The second entry about the race includes videos and special Tweets. Enjoy! 

PERSONAL AND NEWSPAPER VIDEOS

A wonderful video captured by Katie

News coverage of the race

Supportive Race Day Tweets

Now, I don't want you to suffer through the waiting game a second time, so I should note that there will not be a Part III. Lo siento.

Without running, I would have missed the joy of rain. What could be considered an inconvenience or a bummer to the inexperienced is actually a gift. Without running, I would miss a lot of things - like seeing cities in a certain way, or knowing certain people all the way to the core. I'm glad we don't experience life through glass, under cover, or from the sidelines. Good things take miles.

13.1 to be exact! 

Cheers,

Anna

Spring Break Bucket List

Hola!

As many of you may know, I love making lists. I use them to plan my days, weeks, and years. In essence, they help me schedule my life and make the most of my time. Thus, I thought I would create a grand TO-DO LIST for my upcoming travels.

Spring Break Bucket List

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND

Go hiking in Lausanne, Switzerland

Explore Lake Geneva on a boat

Bike on the Lausanne route

Visit the Jardín Botanique 

Consume Swiss chocolates

See the Notre Dame Cathedral 

Run in Lausanne, Switzerland

Drink a latté from a Lausanne Starbucks

CHAMONIX, FRANCE

Downhill ski in the French Alps

Cross-country ski in Chamonix, France

Hottub at Chalet Les Frenes

Run in Chamonix, France

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Visit the Jardín Anglais

Tell time at the Flower Clock

See the Jet d'Eau

Try fondue at Bains de Pâquis

Walk through Bourg du Four

Drink a latté from a Geneva Starbucks

Run in Geneva, Switzerland

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

Get scared in the House of Terror

See the Danube Promenade in Budapest

Walk on the Buda Chain Bridge

Ride on a Budapest street car

Visit Vorosmarty Square

Try a pastry or coffee from Zserbo Cukraszda

Run in Budapest, Hungary

Walk through Andrasyut neighborhood 

Have a drink at one of the Ruin Pubs

Swim and relax in a Turkish Bath

Drink a latté from a Budapest Starbucks

Shop at the Easter Market on Vörösmarty Tér

Run in Budapest, Hungary

Learn simple Hungarian

General

Make a new friend

Strike up conversation with a local

Watch the sunrise

10 days, 4 cities, 36 things - let's do it! 

Cheers,

Anna

PS. Any suggestions? Comment to let me know!

Media Maratón Ciudad de Segovia - Part I

Hola! 

I don't have much time to blog, but i felt compelled to share a bit about my day. This morning, I ran in the Media Maratón Ciudad de Segovia! It was great! 

Specifically, the race started in front of the aqueduct at 10:30 AM. The path led us around Segovia and took us to the beautiful monuments and sites. Below you can see images from the course:

Half-marathon brochure

Katie and I laughed at how unprepared we were for the race. We've been running, don't get us wrong, but our typical runs in Segovia are around four miles. We knew this would make completing a half-marathon difficult, but valía la pena! (It was worth it).

Katie and I before the race!

The course was extremely hilly, which was surprisingly fun and satisfying. I liked the challenge and the reward of completion. It was also pouring rain! I was running through mud and puddles the entire time - I'm surprised I didn't fall! 

Start of the race

Overall, there were about 4,000 runners, but only 200 females. It was so strange being surrounded by only male runners! This was empowering. The Spanish spectators went nuts when they saw a girl running. I would hear them cheering, "Vamos...Vamos..ah hay una CHICA! VAMOS, CHICA!" This definitely made me feel special and proud. 

I ended up finishing 13/200 women, which was great surprise. The human body and spirit never ceases to amaze me! I ran the race off pure adrenaline, being pushed and motivated by every Spanish cheer. It was a surreal experience. I was surrounded by thousands of runners, which felt so normal, but then I remembered, "I'm in Spain! I'm in Segovia, the city I love, doing the thing I love!" Needless to say, I felt incredibly blessed.

Finishing the race - 13.1 miles, done!

One more thing I should note is the fact that I have some pretty amazing friends. A group of them came and stood in the cold rain for hours to cheer for Katie and me. Words can't describe the gratitude I have for them. They're the best!

Bennie and Johnnie cheering squad! 

Cheers to friends!  

They even made signs! 

Cheers,
Anna 

Bucket List Updates

Hola! 

As I am now over half way done with my Spanish adventure, I thought I would reflect on my Segovia Bucket List and see how far I've come. It is also a reminder to make the best of my final two months.

1. Have sangria at Oso Blanco and talk to Jesús (the bartender).
2. Explore the caves by the river
3. Go see a show at the Jose Bravo theater in the Plaza Mayor
4. Pregame at the top of the aqueduct 
5. Take a fire shot at Venven, a chupitos bar
6. Enter the Segovia Half Marathon
7. Try calimochos 
8. Go bowling or see a movie in nueva Segovia
9. Rent bikes when it gets nice out
10. Go to La Colonial for some café con leche and other yummy coffee drinks
11. Have tapas at Orley’s Café
12. Dress up for Carnaval
14. Study in the basement (dungeon) of the university
15. Go to a fútbol game (Atlético tickets in Madrid are reasonably priced)
16. Go to a bullfight
17. Go to La Kapital – a 7 floor night club in Madrid
18. Do a 10 bar tapeo
19. Easter Sunday (or any) mass in the cathedral
20. All the People, Gran Hook – fun night clubs in Segovia
21. Eat gummies at Burbuja
22. Try Cochinillo
23. Go hiking in La Granja
24. Participate in the Marcha de Zombies
25. Swim in the Mediterranean Sea when in Barcelona
26. Hang out with an intercambio
27. Travel within Spain 
28. Get churros at the stand (only open Thursdays and weekends)
29. Shop at Pull’n’Bear or Bershka! 
30. Participate in deportes
31. Telepizza or Hollywood Restaurant in San Bravo plaza
32. Watch Spanish sitcoms or fútbol with your family
33. Drink Dia brand 40’s
34. People watch at the aqueduct and plaza mayor
35. Enjoy/trade the bocadillos your parents pack in your lunch
36. Visit Marta's shop, Think
37. Make a new friend
38. Try churros and chocolate
39. Dress European and have a photo shoot around Segovia
40. Do something spontaneous 

I can't believe I have completed 25/40 things already. With my two months left, let's hope I can check off 15 more! 

Cheers,
Anna

A Classic Story

Hola! 

My feelings about spring break have taken a 180 degree turn due to a lovely email I just received. Before I explain further, let me give you some background information to set the scene.

In January, I booked my home flight from Geneva to Madrid. It was a steal! It only cost 50 euros. Fast forward one month. In the end of February, I received an email from the travel agency saying that I needed to send them a copy of my passport in order to confirm the flight. Confused, I asked my professor and she examined the information and reported that it was from a reliable source. Thus, I replied with the needed information. 

Later that day, I got a response thanking me for my passport, and that the flight could now be reserved. It ended with my favorite line: "Please note that the ticket price has now changed to 250 euros." 

SWEET.

This meant that the flight went from $60 to $300, and none of it was my fault. Fortunately, they let me cancel it before the purchase was finalized. Needless to say, I said "Hasta luego Swiss Airlines, I'm going to find a new flight."

And that I did! The cheapest flight I could find was now $100, which was more expensive than my original, but definitely better than $300 flight. It left two hours later than my friends' flight, but it was the best option. My friends promised they would wait for me in the Madrid airport, so everything was good! All was set - all the flights were finally booked.

LOOK AT THE EMAIL I GOT TODAY! 

My new Geneva to Madrid flight, the one that has caused me all the struggles and tears, was just cancelled! I'm the only one of this flight too - my friends still have theirs - so looks like I'm stuck in Geneva! 

Cheapest flight is now $600.

Cheers,
Anna 

Ps. I hope you were able to sense my sarcasm in my last paragraph. I'm not happy about this at all.

Hostel > Hotel

Hola! 

Yesterday was a very productive day, which explains why I did not have time to post an entry. ¡Lo siento! Instead of blogging, I spent my day doing homework and booking the last of our spring break hostels. Now, everything is set! With this, I felt inspired to write about hostel living and what it's like to travel Europe as a twenty-something.

Before the trip, I knew little about European hostels. All I knew was that they were cheaper, which made me have the preconceived notion that they were dirty, small, and potentially dangerous. After staying in a hostel in Lisbon and booking our spring break venues, I now have a completely different outlook on these living options. In fact, I now prefer hostels to hotels! Why? Let me tell you.

Top 5 Reasons Why Hostels > Hotels 

(Photos are all from our Budapest hostel, Hostel GoodMo)

Cost

Now, I knew that hostels were cheaper than hotels before I came Europe, but I also thought there must be a reason for this. That is, you get what you pay for. I could not have been more wrong! Hostels offer everything a hotel would provide. In fact, hostels give you more than many hotels. Most hostels provide free breakfast and even a complimentary meal. For instance, our hostel in Lisbon had a chef who prepared homemade crepes, among other options, every morning. Similarly, Hostel GoodMo hosts a free Hungarian dinner every Thursday night! Thus, we get free breakfast and a free dinner for only €10/day*

*Average hotel cost is €100/day

Kitchen at Hostel GoodMo

Dining area at Hostel GoodMo

Creative Design

I have been blown away by the interior design of the hostels. All seem as though they have been decorated by young artists. With they, they have fun paintings and unique style. The same cannot be said for hotels throughout the United States and Europe.

Living room in Hostel GoodMo

Living room in Hostel GoodMo

Options and Flexibility 

Before studying abroad, I thought hostel living would mean sleeping in a room with 20 other travelers. Now that I'm here, though, I know this is not the case. Although 20 person rooms are available, most hostels also offer rooms that sleep 1, 2, 4, 8, or 12 people. You can choose your preference, and thus you don't have to sleep with strangers! 

Bedroom in Hostel GoodMo

Family and Community

The people who work at the hostels are fabulous. From my experience, they are all friendly and passionate about their city. They want their guests to have a great experience, so they go the extra mile to help. In addition, they treat everyone like family. The workers provide free walking tours, pub crawls, and other city-specific activities. This creates a true sense of community, which doesn't exist in hotels. 

Description of Hostel GoodMo Staff (taken from their website):

Hostel GoodMo Staff

Atmosphere

Last, but not least, the atmosphere needs to be noted! This is my favorite part of the hostel experience. The combination of hip workers and friendly guests creates a chill and cozy vibe. In Lisbon, I met young travelers from Canada, London, and Boston, and they all were there to have a good time and meet new people. It definitely made me excited to return to the hostel every night! 

Smiles all around at Hostel GoodMo

Needless to say, I absolutely love hostels. They allow you to meet new people, truly get a feel for the city, and make you feel at home. The fact that they are cheap is just an added bonus. I recommend them to all! 

Cheers,

Anna

Unexpected Changes

Hola! 

The wifi at my house is down, so I only have internet access at school, which closes in 30 minutes (9:00 PM). Because of this, I only have time to write a short post! 

Due to limited time, I thought I'd give some brief updates on my travels. After looking up prices of trains and hostels, my friends and I realized that it was too expensive to go to our original destination of Interlaken, Switzerland. Thus, we had to turn to Plan B. We fly into Geneva on Friday, March 22nd, and leave for Budapest on Wednesday, March 30th. This makes a total of five days in Switzerland. We thought to ourselves, "Let's just stay in Geneva and take day trips, as there are many unique places within an hour of the city." We were set on this plan, that is, until we found that all of the hostels in Geneva were booked. Shoot! 

On to Plan C! At this point, we had to get creative and find places that had 1) relatively cheap transportation costs 2) fun activities and 3) hostels with room for four! This was surprisingly fun and easy to research, and soon enough we had a plan that worked! 

(New) Spring Break Plan:

Friday - Fly from Madrid to Geneva, and take train (1 hr) to Lausanne, Switzerland. We will spend two days in this beautiful town on Lake Geneva.

Lausanne, Switzerland

Sunday - Take train back to Geneva, and catch a bus to Chamonix, France. We will spend two days in this quaint ski village. I am extremely excited for this part of the trip because we get to ski in the French Alps! Even more, we are staying at a cute bed and breakfast tucked between the mountains. 

Chamonix, France

Skiing in the French Alps!

 Tuesday: Bus back to Geneva, spend the day exploring the town. We found a hostel that had an opening for this night, so we will be able to see the city! 

Geneva, Switzerland

On Wednesday, we depart for Budapest, Hungary. I would post more about this half of the trip, but I'm about to get kicked out of the school because it's now closing! 

I'll end with saying how happy I am with the way things turned out, and that I think that Plan C is actually better than Plan A. I am more excited than ever to go. It's coming up fast, too! We leave a week from this Friday!  

Cheers,
Anna

Andalucía

Hola! 

Two weekends ago, my group took an excursion to the region of Andalucía! Specifically, we left at 6:30 AM on Friday, March 1st, and returned home at 9:30 PM on Tuesday, March 5th. 

Itinerary

Friday: Depart and arrive in Granada

Saturday: Visit La Alhambra (Granada) and depart for Sevilla

Sunday: Sevilla - explore the town, Flamenco show

Monday: Sevilla - explore the town, visit cathedral, river cruise

Tuesday: Leave Sevilla and depart for Córdoba, return home

Andalucía is located in the south of Spain

Cheers,

Anna 

Las Cosas Pequeñas

Hola! 

In Spain, Sundays are a day of rest. Now, I know this is a universal concept, but it is actually implemented in Segovia. People use this day to relax and spend time with their families. People do not work and all the shops (including supermarkets) are closed. In essence, Sundays are one big siesta. 

With this, I decided to resonate with the theme of rest and write about it in my blog today. Instead of documenting my crazy adventures, I want to write about my many blessings in Spain. I am incredibly fortunate to be on this journey, and I think it's time for a thoughtful reflection. There are many things I know I will never forget about my time here, but I also realize there are numerous things that I may forget. These are the things I often take for granted and overlook. 

Soy agradecido

For this, I want to dedicate this entry to those cosas pequeñas (little things) that are making my abroad experience so wonderful.

The Little Treasures of Segovia 2013

1. Having alone time

My alone time is the biggest thing I take for granted. Many of my friends live with older Spaniards who rarely, if ever, leave the house. Because of this, they are always surrounded by people. I, on the other hand, live with Marta and her two boys, and they are always on the go. During the school week, I have the afternoons to myself at home. Similarly, Marta works long days on the weekends so I am often left to myself on Saturdays and Sundays. This concept of alone time is something I overlook, but it is something many do not have, and for that I am thankful.

Relaxation

2. Living on the second floor

Before coming to Spain, I heard from multiple people that the apartments are tiny and thus you can't really "get away" when you're at home. Because of this, I was shocked when I entered my home and saw that I get the entire second floor to myself. With this, I get my own bedroom and bathroom. When I went to school the next day and we shared our living situations, I realized that mine is very different than the rest. All of my friends have to share their bathrooms and many have rooms attached to the living room and/or kitchen. When I heard this, I realized how blessed I am to have a place where I can go and escape and get some peace and quiet. 

Clip from my first day in Segovia

3. Daily meals

When I posted my recent entry about typical Spanish foods, one of my friends commented, "You forgot to include bread!" With this, I replied that my family does not consume pan (bread) with every meal. In fact, we almost never have it. I am blessed to live with Marta, as she consumes a fairly healthy diet. I am served vegetables and salads everyday, which cannot be said for many for my friends here. I know I take my meals for granted, and for that they deserve to be listed in the little treasures of my trip.

Un ejemplo de mi ensalada

4. Stunning scenery 

Segovia is a quaint and beautiful town, filled with an aqueduct, cathedral, and even a castle. At times, I feel that I've become jaded to the remarkable landmarks and views of the city. For this, I need to remind myself to stop and appreciate the beauty. 

El Catedral de Segovia

5. Maddie Tompkins

If you are Facebook friends with me, you probably recognize and know Maddie as she is in almost all of my pictures- we are almost attached at the hip! I met her in the spring of my freshmen year at CSB/SJU, and we have been close ever since. Going into this trip, I didn't know if it was a good thing to have one of my best friends with me. I was worried that it would hold me back and interfere with my experience. Now that I'm here, however, I could not be more thankful to have her. She has been my running companion, roommate on all the excursions, and a study buddy. More than that, though, Maddie has been there for all of the ups and downs of the semester. We can tell each other anything and are always looking out for one another. We've both remarked that it's just nice to have someone here who knows you. I could dedicate multiple entries to Maddie, and words cannot describe the gratitude I have for her.

Cheers to our wonderful semester in Spain!

Obviously, this list could go on for eternity. There are so many things I am grateful to have, but alas I have a paper due and must end this blog here. Hopefully this entry will inspire you all to appreciate all the cosas pequeñas that you have in your own lives! 

Cheers,
Anna 

First Saturday in Segovia

Hola! 

Today is our first full Saturday in Segovia! Crazy, right? For the past two months, we have had excursions or day trips every Saturday, but this weekend we are free! It's fun to see the city on its busiest day of the week. The streets are filled with people and there is commotion all around - I love it.

With a free day comes more time to explore! Thus, I decided to run the town this afternoon and I ended up finding the most spectacular running path. Naturally, I documented my experience and thought I would share it with you. ¡Disfruta!

Cheers,
Anna

Running in Segovia - Part II

Hola! 

The other day, my friend Nikki posted an Instagram photo that really made me think. Like me, she enjoys working out and last year studied in Segovia. The photo she posted was a side-by-side comparison on her past and current running locations (see below). The caption of her picture was "scenery sure has changed over the year," which made me realize how blessed I am to have such an amazing running course. In my humble opinion, it is one of the most spectacular paths in the world. It truly makes you feel as if you are running in a fairy tale.

With this, I want to express my gratitude to Segovia for providing a safe haven in which I can run. I am grateful to live in a city that values the active lifestyle and has created paths designed specifically for runners and walkers alike. It's something I do not want to take for granted, and for that I thought it deserved a second entry.

Below you can find Nikki's Instagram photo and a video of a recent run. Enjoy! 

Seeing this comparison really made me appreciate the running path I have in Segovia (left photo)

Quick video of a recent run:

Oh, and one more thing! Like I said before, Segovia supports health and wellness, which can be seen in its free exercise parks. They exist throughout the city and allow people to work out outside of the gym! I approve! 

Cheers,
Anna 

CARNAVAL

Hola! 

Today, I am blogging about the Spanish tradition of Carnaval. Now, I do realize that this is a belated post, as the festival occurred February 8-12, but better late than never, right?

Hope you enjoy the video! 

CARNAVAL: an annual festival held during the Friday to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.

We had a great time dressing up and celebrating Carnaval. In essence, it was a mix of halloween and mardi gras - it is a family friendly holiday celebrated by all! 

Cheers,

Anna 

Typical Spanish Meals

Hola! 

I'm finally home! Our trip to Andalucia was wonderful, but it feels great to be back. Segovia truly feels like home now, which makes me smile. Going into the semester, I hoped that Spain would one day become a second home, and I can now say that it has. When the bus rounded the corner last night and faced the beautifully lit aqueduct, all I could think was "Ah, home at last." With this, I decided to forgo a long post about Andalucia (don't worry - it will come later this week) and write about something more routine: food.

What do typical meals look like you may ask? Well, let me show you.

El Desayuno:

I eat "el desayuno" before I go to school in the morning, normally around 8:45 AM. Typically, it consists of café con leche, Fitness cereal and an apple. ¡Delicioso! 

Fitness is a tastier version of Special K

La Comida:
La comida is the biggest meal of the day, and I eat it with my family around 2:00 PM. Unfortunately, I have not been able to take any pictures of my meals. Don't let that fool you into thinking that they're not delicious, though (I just feel awkward taking the pictures when the table is packed). Dani, a woman who works at our house, makes la comida every afternoon and she is a great chef! 

This meal consists of freshly squeezed orange juice, two plates, and un postre (dessert). We start with either soup or a pasta dish. Next, we have fish or meat with vegetables. To end, we have un postre, which is yogurt or fruit. 

Needless to say, this is my favorite meal of the day.

La Cena:
When I get home at night, I have la cena with Marta. The boys normally eat this meal around 9:00 PM, whereas Marta and I eat at 9:30 PM*. I enjoy this part of my day for many reasons. To start, the food is always fresh and healthy. More importantly, though, is that I get quality time to chat alone with Marta. Sometimes, we sit and chat for an hour during la cena. 

*9:30 PM is early to have la cena. Many of my friends eat this meal around 10:30 PM.

Marta's typical salad: mixed greens, pimientos, tuna, crab,
corn, cucumbers, and  dressing of olive and vinegar.

Miscellaneous Notes: 
One thing I love about the food in Spain is that it is all fresh. Being close to the ocean, we eat fish that was caught the day before. Similarly, the fruit and vegetables are all grown in local gardens. Trust me, you can taste the freshness! 

Secondly, Spaniards follow the Mediterranean diet. That is, they consume large quantities of fish, vegetables, and olive oil. Having studied this diet last semester, I am aware of its proven health benefits and for that I am glad to live in a family that follows it!

Extra virgen olive oil 

One last point! 
This entry would not be complete without including the following Spanish cuisine:

Tortilla con patatas
Ingredients: potatoes, eggs, onions, and olive oil.

Sangría
Jesús (bartender at Oso Blanco)
makes the best sangria in Segovia!

Paella 
This dish consists of Spanish rice and an array of seafood. 

Cheers,
Anna