Exams and Re-Exams

Exams suck, bottom line. Nobody enjoys taking tests in school. But the moment when you are thinking "okay, I did good in the class all semester, but the exam I am not so sure about", you start freaking out! Especially when your school won't give you any credits if you fail just one class abroad.

For my PR10 (international producing) class, that was exactly the case. I got great grades on all the assignments, but when it came time to take the exam, well I just wasn't prepared. Back at NAU, if you fail the exam, you have an opportunity to do extra credit work, or depending on your grade in the class, you might still be alright in terms of passing.

Here at NHTV, they definitely do things a bit differently. For one, I wasn't able to see my grade all block, I only saw it when final grades were posted. Second, apparently if you pass every assignment, but bomb the final exam, you fail the class. Luckily these Dutch have a thing called a re-exam!

At first I though how lame it was that they gave students a second chance to take the exam, but now that I see that you won't pass if you fail the final, I sure am glad they have re-exams. The only problem with taking re-exams...you have to take the exam again!

Here are some tips for if you were like me and just didn't quite get that grade you were hoping for on that final test:

• Stop, think, and try to remember everything that was on the test. If you think back to what was on the test the first time, you have a general idea as of what could possibly be on the next one.
• Find someone who didn't pass either and throw a little pitty party for the both of you. My friend Mimi and I both failed, so we went to Bagels and Beans and studied like the exam was tomorrow!
• Make a study guide. They suck, yes, but they can also come in handy. I like to make tests study guides. So I will make a set of questions with their answers, and then make another sheet with just the questions, and when I feel I am ready, I will take the test! Think of it more as a pre-test kind of study guide.
• Take breaks! My idea of a good break includes coffee, find your best break from studying and make sure you take time for it. But remember, when the break is over you have to get back to studying!

So you might have to re-take the exam, the way I look at it is like this: okay I have nothing to do for what, 9 more days before I head back to the United States, so at least this will keep me busy and give me something to do as the days slowly go by.

Make sure that you give yourself an incentive for studying, like tell yourself "when I am done with this studying, I am going to walk around, or go window shopping, or better yet, watch Netflix!" Just remember, if you are in a situation like me, passing that re-exam is crucial, so take it serious!

Goodbye's are never easy

Saying goodbye is never easy. I feel like I have said goodbye to too many people. Friends, family, acquaintances. Before I left for the Netherlands I remember I went over to my best friend Katelyn's house. We sat there talking for hours about how much I will miss when I am away, where I will travel to, and more. I remember right before I left her place we both broke down in tears. Here we were, 20 years old crying in her living room because I was leaving to another country for six months. It sure is a good thing we went to college together! (we have been friends since middle school).

Back then it wasn't easy, and it sure hasn't gotten any easier.

Anastasia and I in Maastricht, NL

When I first moved here to Breda, one of the first friends I made was my roommate living right next
to me, Anastasia. When we first met it was really awkward. I just moved my things in, I was a total wreck because I went through my crybaby stage when I wanted to go home, and I just wanted to wash my bed sheets the second I got to my room.

I remember she was there trying to help me figure out how the hell to use the washer because it was all in Dutch. I didn't know who she was, where she came from, how old she was, nothing. Her and I were sitting at our favorite cafe, Bagels and Beans, talking about how we met and she told me that her boyfriend told her, "stay with that American girl. American's are strong and she will be your best friend, I guarantee."

You know, her boyfriend was right! It can be crazy how you meet people sometimes, but even the most awkward meetings can lead to wonderful friendships.

So, on Wednesday July 24th, my crazy Russian best friend left to go back home in Germany. One down, many more to go.

It was sad. We had so many fun memories together. But like I always say, it is more of a see you later, than goodbye. I swear after she left we messaged each other saying how we missed each other already!

That is just one of my friends. Next on the list, Sofie. Following that is Lotta and then Heidi, and last but not least, me.

What's with the weather in the Netherlands?

I want to talk about the weather for just a minute now. First of all, the Netherlands has the most temperamental weather I have ever seen. When I arrived in January, it was cold. It rained, snowed, was windy, and hailed. But that was back in January.

Here I am in June and it is cold, and windy, and raining almost every day. Um...weather I think you are confused! I will constantly be checking the weather on my phone, and when it says it is going to be 65 and sunny, I think, "okay, you can put away the coats and bring out the shorts!" No. That means its really going to rain all day and the high will be like 55.

With only like 2 weeks left here in Europe, I think "okay it should be summer, so I can put away all my pants, coats, boots, long sleeve tops, and leave only the shorts and tee-shirts." I think the weather here likes to play games with me. On a lucky day that it actually is 65 and sunny, it feels more like sunny and 75, so wearing shorts is a must. So literally right when I pack all my winter clothes up in my suitcase, the weather turns on me and I have to pull everything out again!

In a way I feel like I shouldn't complain too much because back home in California, it is like in the high 90s, and in Phoenix where my boyfriend is, it's getting 115 degrees. I know that when I do return though, it is not going to be an easy transition for me if this cold, June gloom weather continues here in the Netherlands!

Final thought: Brace yourself, summer is coming.

2 Weeks Left

I remember like it was yesterday, two weeks before I was leaving to the Netherlands. My best friend Sierra and I spent the day in Williams, AZ and went to Bearizona, got some coffee and pie from our favorite little diner, and then drove back to Flagstaff in the snow to watch a movie.

That was 22 weeks ago. Doesn't sound like much, but thats over 5 months. 154 days.

Here I am, sitting in my room on this cold, rainy morning with two weeks left here in the Netherlands. It really is crazy how time flies! You know, everyone always says that time flies when you are having fun, and that couldn't be more true. Over 5 months ago I was nervous as hell to leave to a whole new country. Going off into the unknown. No friends, didn't know the language, had no idea what the food would be like. Nothing.

5 months later, I am just as nervous to go back to the U.S. Weird, I know; but when you think about it, you start to get used to where you are. For me, I feel like I am fine being here and am used to the way life is now. I am not saying I don't want to go home, I am saying that you really start to get nervous to leave the place you have called home for the past 5 or 6 months!

I already made a list of things that I miss from back home, but what about things I will miss about the Netherlands? Now, I am not a sour person when it comes to studying abroad by any means, but being in Europe, I have found out that I am more of a "lets travel around the world, not live around the world" kind of person. Living in the Netherlands has been great! And that's why I have made a list of all the things I will miss about the Netherlands, and maybe even Europe in general:

• Breda - Bagels and Beans: Okay, call me ridiculous, but I have find my "Luke's"!! I seriously go here every single day! The ladies that work here are the best ever, and the coffee is the best I have had in Europe, no lie. Oh, and did I mention that they are the only place in the Netherlands that has bagels!? If I ever go missing, you can find me sitting at a table here with a big cup of coffee. 
• Breda - Grote Kerk: Being able to walk around city center and seeing the huge, gorgeous church is something you easily get used to seeing. It's so nice to hear the church bells throughout the day, and to see it outside of my window. If you ever get a chance to go inside, do it. It is one of the most beautiful churches I have been to.
• Amsterdam - The city: Amsterdam is one of those cities that you can get to so easily, just hop on an Innercity Direct train, and you are there in 50 minutes. I loved taking a day trip to Amsterdam because the city is so pretty, and every time I go there, I feel like I can go and see something new each time. Sometimes when I take a trip here I can't help but think how awesome it is to say "Yeah, I am going to Amsterdam for lunch today". 
• Eindhoven - Shopping: Every city has a city center with plenty of shops, even Breda. But when your mind says shopping but your wallet says no, the best place to go is Eindhoven! The city is only about 45 minutes by train and in my opinion is one of the better places to go shopping. Why? Primark. Think of a better and cheaper Forever21. 
• Europe - Traveling: Living in the United States, it is hard to travel around the country easily because the country is so big! Not only that, but it is expensive. One great thing about living in Europe is that you can travel around other countries, for like next to nothing! Ryan Air is awesome for traveling, I mean the flight sucks but the price can't be beat. Not only that but countries are so close that you can even take a train if you wanted and it wouldn't even be as expensive as a flight from Northern California to Southern California.
• Europe - The cafes: As an American, I can say that we are always on the go. Everything has to be done fast and we never really stop and enjoy life. Europeans are all about the easy and simple life. You can't walk into a cafe and get a coffee that is ready for you to take it on the go. Cafes in Europe are so cute, and so relaxing with the tables outside and the really slow service, it makes you stop with the busyness and relax with your coffee. 
• Brussels - The city: My motto from living in Breda is that Brussels is always a good idea. There is nothing better than a 2 hour train ride for €15 to Brussels, Belgium. The city is gorgeous, there are some really good restaurants, good chocolate, and oh the waffles..yum. I have gone here more than I have been to Amsterdam....maybe I am just in it for the waffles?

So as you can see, there are plenty of things that I will miss. But if you noticed, the one thing that is not on this list, is all my friends. I have made some amazing friends from all around the world; Belgium, Finland, Russia, Aruba, Poland. I can't sit here and tell you that I am not going to miss my friends, because that would be the biggest lie I have ever told, but what I can say is that you have to accept it as it is. 

My friends/roommates have been there with me since day 1 when I got here. I have made lifelong friends that I can guarantee I will see again in the near future. That's the thing about studying abroad, I feel like you know it has been successful when you have traveled, experienced different cultures, and made lifelong friends from all around the world. In my eyes, that's what it is all about. I am glad I didn't stick with the only other American girl here. What's the fun in that when you can be with friends from Finland that teach you how to speak Finnish!

These girls are not just my friends, but they have been my roommates, and become my sisters. So yes, I will miss them like no other, but the one thing to remember is that this isn't a "goodbye". Think of it as a "see you later".

When you FINALLY book your flight home...

When I came here to the Netherlands, I booked a one-way flight. It was the cheapest option, and the better one, really. First of all, I didn't know how long I was going to stay for, and second, if I booked my flight for the end of July like I thought I was going to stay for, there would be issues.

Unfortunately since I am leaving in the summer, that is when the plane tickets back to Los Angeles are at the high point, so there is no way of getting around the high flight prices. I will say that despite me waiting until the last minute to book my flight home, I am glad I didn't book it before I came.

Before you leave to study abroad, you have all these exciting thoughts in your head about what your roommates are going to be like, how the locals will be, how the food will taste, and how much you're never going to want to leave.

For some people, you might get exactly what you hoped for, but for me, I was way off. Now that my flight is booked and I have three weeks left here in the Netherlands, the excitement of leaving is way too real. I keep thinking about everything I miss! Here is my list of things I miss, and you might miss too when you are away:

• My boyfriend. If you have a significant other that you are leaving at home, you really miss them! I have been away from my boyfriend for just about 6 months, and I cannot wait to be reunited with him!
• Iced tea. Oh my gosh if you are anything like me and drink iced tea like it is going out of style, you might just lose your mind like I have! Iced tea does not exist here in Europe. Yes, you can see it on the menu's of restaurants, but I warn you now, it isn't what you think it is; it's fizzy and tastes like lemon and is not good. 
• Free water. Anywhere you go here in Europe, you are going to pay €2,00 for a tiny glass of water. With that being said, my best advice to you is to bring a water bottle with you abroad, and bring it everywhere you go. Fill it up at home and then take it on the go. If not, then you will overpay for water.
• Fast food. You know it is funny because there are McDonalds and Burger Kings spread out across the Netherlands, but when you are here and you are just craving Wendy's or even Taco Bell...it can make you really miss home.
• Mexican food!! I am a SoCal girl born and raised, so Mexican food is always on the menu. Here in the Netherlands, there is nowhere you can get a burrito, taco, or anything south of the boarder. I made the mistake of ordering "Mexican food" in Copenhagen, and they put Indian curry in the sauce. Talk about disappointment!
• Lucky Charms cereal. Does this really need explaining?
• Big cups of coffee. In the Netherlands, there is only a Starbucks at the Centraal Station. So, when you need a coffee, you go to a cafe. Don't get me wrong, sitting at a cafe is great and all, but boy do I miss that big cup of coffee that costs the same price as these tiny cups!
• Driving my car. It is nice not having to worry about paying for gas, or getting a parking permit to park anywhere, but not driving for six months makes me miss my car! I already know that when I return, I am going to have to practice a bit behind the wheel.
• The idea of being home. Just thinking of home, you think of everything. You think of how you grew up, home cooked meals, school, your favorite store, and more. So just the idea of being back in your environment makes you happy.

It is funny because since I have been abroad, all of my friends here in the Netherlands claim they understand what I am going through when I have a bad day, or I am just so frustrated because living life is so much more difficult than back in the USA. But when it all comes down to it, it isn't easy. Life really is more convenient back home in America. But it is only 6 months of your life that you are somewhere different, experiencing something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

I already know that when the time comes for me to leave my home here in Breda, I am going to miss it. I will miss it all. Miss the buildings, miss the bikes, miss Bagels and Beans, and even my room. The Netherlands has become my second home, but boy am I glad to go back to my first home.

Roma, Italia

Cute little cafe in Rome

As my mom, brother and I continued on our merry way across the Italian countryside, we ended up in Rome! Finally! I swear I have been thinking about going to Rome ever since I saw the Lizzie McGuire movie, and now that I finally was able to come, it is even better than on the TV screen. We hopped in a taxi and the guy took us to the other side of town where we were staying.

When we got out of the car, not going to lie, I was thinking "what the hell, we are not even in Rome anymore. We are staying where all the locals are, we are totally far away from everything, this sucks." But, as you could figure, my thoughts were wrong. There were plenty of tourists around the area we were staying at, and I think personally it was best that we stayed where we did.

Rome - The first place in Europe to have donuts!!

Villa della Scalla. That's the name of the street we stayed on, at a cute little apartment. When we arrived, it was like we were the locals living there too! Here we were, doing laundry and cooking dinner in the cute apartment. But no time for that because we had to explore!

On Monday we arrived, and the rest of the day was spent just walking around the surrounding area, getting a bite to eat, and enjoying our first day in Rome. The lady who was in charge of the apartment gave us a map of the city. This map saved us let me say that. I used that map like no tomorrow. So, Monday night I sat down and researched all the things to do and places to see in Rome.

Area Sacra

On Tuesday morning, I had it all planned out of what we were going to do, so in the morning when we all got up out of bed, we made way for coffee! Very essential for every morning. After we got our tiny cup of coffee, we started to walk to our first destination, Area Sacra. When we got there, it was a big piazza and in the middle of it was these ruins! It was the first set of ruins we saw, so it was totally cool. We took pictures, walked around a bit, and then continued on our way to the Pantheon.

Pantheon 

When we got to it, it was so amazing how beautiful and big it was! To think that it was built hundreds and hundreds of years ago was too crazy; and the inside was just as gorgeous! Luckily it was still the morning so there weren't too many tourists. After that I got out my handy-dandy map and led us to Tempio Adriano. It was pretty neat but all it was, was the frame of the front of the building, and the rest of it was new. So, we went to the next landmark, the Trevi Fountain.

Man, talk about a disappointment! It sucked because the city was doing restoration to the fountain when we got there, so taking pictures was a bust, and don't even think about throwing in a coin because there was no water, and the fountain was surrounded by a giant wall.

After seeing the dry fountain, we walked over to the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele I, which was huge! We walked up the steps and around the building. That is where we were able to see the beautiful view of Rome. It was so peaceful just to look out to see all the tops of the buildings and churches.

Right next to that is the Ara Coeli, a church that looks like an old Spanish building from the outside, but on the inside it was breathtaking. It was quite busy walking around the church because it was right in the midst of everything touristy, but it was okay because it was quiet, and cool inside.

Ara Coeli 

Arco di Tito

From there, we walked down and around the Arco di Tito, which is a huge area of Roman ruins. I don't really know the history behind any of it, but what I do know is that it was crazy cool. From that point, you were able to see the Colosseum off in the near distance; and that is where we were headed next!

Since it was soooo terribly hot outside, we kept on filling up our water bottles up at the random fountains all around the city, and on the walk to the Colosseum, there were stands where people were selling fruit! I tell you what, it sounds like a silly idea, but the fruit really helps on the hot summer day.

So we finally made it to the Colosseum! We actually bought our tickets down the road by the ruins, where there wasn't a three hour line. So after purchasing out €12 tickets, we continued walking. When we got there, I almost didn't believe that I was really there! It was massive and so old looking, oh what a sight to see. We got in line to go inside, and before we knew it, we were walking around the Colosseum!

I can tell you that when you do go to Rome, don't just look at the Colosseum, you have to go inside. There is so much history to it, and it really is a piece of work.

Panoramic view of inside the Colosseum

After exiting, you see part of the Arco di Tito ruins and the Arco di Costantino right in front of you! By that time we were so burnt out from walking around and being in the sun, that we called it a day.

The next day we spent at the Vatican City. It was pretty neat because we joined a tour group that met up at 9:30am and walked around the city. We were given these slips so we could see the Pope! How cool, right? So we went into the main square in the city and were standing with all the other 80,000 people waiting to see the Pope as he drove around in his car, shaking hands, kissing babies, and waving to everyone. Turns out, all the slips did was let us sit close to where the Pope was sitting. Still pretty neat, and definitely once in a lifetime experience!

Walking to the Sistine Chapel

Inside the Vatican City as the Pope drives around

After the Pope gave his speech and we sat through what turned into a mass, we went to the museum. All we really wanted to see at the museum (and what seemed to be everyone else) was the Sistine Chapel. Of course, it was at the very end of looking at everything else. Despite leaving the tour group (long story), and trying to cut through so many people crammed in the museum, we made it to the chapel! It was so beautiful, and being able to see the Michaelangelo paintings on the ceiling were incredible. Sorry, wasn't aloud to take pictures inside the chapel, but I was able to take plenty others form the rest of the museum.

Being in the Vatican City literally takes all day. Being there form early in the morning to mid-day wears you out!

Now, by this time, I was supposed to go home back to the Netherlands to practice for a school presentation...thanks to the Rome airport, my flight was canceled, so I was stuck in Rome for one extra day. Poor me.

On that extra day, we walked around the city as our mission was to find where the shopping was. Well on our journey I led us to the Spanish Steps because that was one thing my mom really wanted to see. Turns out that all the shopping was right there! For the next three or four hours, we spent out time walking around all of the shops, looking at all the different Italian fashion, and eventually, leaving with bags in our hands.

To say the least, Rome was a blast. It was more than that, it was magical and beautiful and even more than I thought it would be! Out of all my travels since I have been abroad, I would have to say that Rome is on the list of top 3 favorite cities in Europe I have been to.

My brother, mom and I in Italy

Florence, Italy

After my mom, brother and I were in Venice, we took an 8:55am train to Florence! For the three of us it cost €117 euros at the station from the kiosk. Not too shabby. The train system in Italy seems to be very easy in comparison to the Netherlands. We got on the train and were on our way to Florence!

After we arrived, we had to take a cab to our B&B we stayed at because it seemed confusing and a far walk. The B&B we stayed at was called Condatta House. It was pretty hard to spot because it shares the same building with other people and companies. It is kind of like a hostel, with cute little rooms and one shared bathroom.

After we set our things down, we began our journey around the city! At first, things seemed to be far and confusing to get around, but I can tell you it was easier getting around Florence than it was getting around Venice. There are not so many confusing ally's and such in Venice.

We didn't have a map, and I knew nothing about Florence, or where anything was, so Google Maps was helping us along the way. I pulled up the maps to see what was around us, and we just started walking. When we turned the corner, there was this really nice piazza that had statues all throughout it! It was so pretty. There was a giant statue of Zeus, followed by many others.

After walking around we stood in line to go to the Uffizi Gallery. It cost only €6,50 I believe for entrance, and it was worth it. There were so many old, beautiful paintings and statues in the museum. It was kind of crazy walking around the museum for a number of reasons:

• At museums in the USA, like the Getty Museum, things are protected by glass and rope and everything, but here, the paintings are just out, and only a small rope is protecting them!
• The paintings and statues are so old at these museums! It's crazy to think how old they really are.
• When walking around looking at all the art, and everything inside, you seem to have more of an appreciation for everything. 

So after walking around Uffizi, we walked to the bridge. Oh the bridge was my favorite view by far. Just looking out at the hills and all the old buildings by the water and the Ponte Vecchio was breathtaking.

Since it is June, it is humid, and hot over here in Italy. And when I say hot and humid, I mean hot and humid. So every 10 minutes you need water! Well luckily there are plenty of places to sit and grab a drink all around the city, no matter what time a day. Now the only downside to that, is water costs roughly €2,00 anywhere you go. The best thing to do is to keep a water bottle with you at all times.

Going back to the city, there are so many other places that you must see/visit while in Florence. For one, you HAVE to go see the statue of David. We went on our last day in Florence, to the Galleria dell'Accademia Museum. The line was wrapped all around the street, and was a bit intimidating at first, but once we were waiting in line, it went by really quickly. I think we only waited 20 minutes in line, so not bad at all.

TIP: A lot of museums are FREE on Sunday's! All the other museums we went to that day were free, but this one was free only on the first Sunday of every month. Luckily for us, thats what it was. After we went through security check, we were in and looking at everything. There was a lot of Michelangelo things in the museum, along with other artists' work.



When we walked in, everyone went in the direction to where the statue of David was, but we walked around the rest of the museum first. There were a lot of really old books, paintings, and other statues there. But when we were done walking around the one half of the museum, we turned the corner to see the statue of David, and we were amazed.


You would think that the statue would be life-size, maybe a little bit bigger. No. This thing was huge! It is pretty amazing to see such work done by an artist so long ago, and it be in such great detail. The hair, the muscles, the veins, everything was so defined!

I feel personally, that seeing the statue of David is a MUST when visiting Florence.

Other museums that we visited was the Bargello National Museum, which was also free on Sunday. That museum was pretty neat because just like the others, there were old statues, busts, pictures etc. I recommend this museum to go walk around and look at while you are out and about to museums.

The last museum we went to was not free, it cost €8 to get in if you are a student, and €10 if you are not. This museum was different though, no pictures were allowed, unfortunately, but there were bronze and copper statues from so long ago! These statues were found in the ocean, wells, all over the place off the coast of Greece. It was a little bit different vibe at the Palazzo Strozzi.

If you want to take a break from all the museums and walk around the shops, don't worry, there are plenty of them! Florence has what seems like a million leather shops, plenty of high end stores (Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Tiffany & Co. etc.). If you want to buy something, but don't have the cash for a really expensive piece of clothing, don't worry, there is a ZARA, H&M and plenty of other stores too.

Now if you are one who is into churches, don't worry, because there are plenty of churches to visit! One of the big churches that attracts a large number of tourists is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, otherwise known as Duomo. This church I will say is one like I have never seen. Usually churches are brown and big, this one was not. There was so much to look at this church! You could stand there for an hour and still not see everything on the outside im sure.

And last but certainly not least...the gelato was so dang tasty! I mean on a hot summer's day, there really is nothing better than a cone full of stracciatella gelato! I will say, the one thing I have yet to run into is a place that sells cannoli's!! Looks like I'll have to wait and see if Rome has any...

Venice, Italy

Me enjoying Venice, Italy

Months ago, before my dad was coming out to visit me, my mom had told me that her and my brother were coming out here to Europe! I was so excited. They told me that it was going to be us three traveling all around Italy. Sounds like a great time, right? Well, as the time got closer for them to fly out, my schedule got busier and busier. I was afraid that I wasn't going to make it out. So, I told them that I can't go. My mom was bummed, and so was I. I really wanted to go to Italy! It would be one more place that I can go and check off my bucket list.

Taking things to just a few days ago, I woke up really early and thought "I should go to Italy!" It was THE craziest thing that I have ever done. Like, out of all the places I have gone, nothing was quite like this. By 7:00 am my flight was booked for Venice, Italy. At 9:00 am I was out the door, and by 11:00 am I was sitting in Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam thinking to myself "what the hell am I doing".

Well, what I was doing was going to Italy! When I got here to Venice, I knew nothing. All I knew is that my mom and brother were going to wait for me at the Arsenale stop from the ferry. So, my goal was to find a ferry to get me over to where I needed to be. I bought the tickets at the airport, and later found out they cost the same amount at the dock, for €15. Not too bad considering it was almost 2 hours on the ferry. It was nice though because when I walked out of the airport, I thought I was going to melt it was so humid. I definitely was NOT prepared for this.

So anyways, when taking the ferry, sit by the window! You get that nice ocean breeze blowing on your face, and easy access to take pictures. I finally got to my stop, and it was so nice because I was finally here! It is crazy because I couldn't believe I was in Italy! One minute I was in bed back home in the Netherlands, and the next I am in Italy!


I met up with my mom and brother and we sat and drank wine, and then went to the B&B. This place was so cute. It was a quaint little place and it felt very cozy. The guy who runs the place was really nice, and he kept it looking nice too. The B&B is called "B&B Oceano Mare" and I totally recommend it. I can't tell you how much it was, because my mom booked it all, but I can tell you it is great.

Venice is like no other place I have been. I was thinking it could maybe resemble Malta, but it wasn't even close. The streets are crazy, and it is so easy to get lost! There are no traffic lights or stop signs or signs for that matter. It is kind of like a giant maze. You are walking around in what seems like circles, crossing bridges, hitting dead ends, and ending up in random piazza's.

The owner of the B&B told us about a friend of his who has a restaurant not too far from where we were. When we started walking, it turned out that the place was closed, but that was okay because we found somewhere else! It was really really good, and the guy chose for us what we were going to have to eat. It had a Trip Advisor sticker on the front window so it was destined to be good anyways.

After we ate, we just walked around. There was so much to see, so much to do. We ended up taking a gondola ride through the canals, and oh was it gorgeous. I recommend that if you decide to fork up the €100 for a 30 minute ride, you do it as the sun is setting. During the day it is beyond hectic. There are so many people and it is not relaxing at all; but at night it is quiet and the guy steering the gondola tells you some historic facts about different landmarks, and it is really a great time.

The shopping in Venice is nice. Not my kind of style, but if you are into gloves, leather purses, and jewelry, then the shopping is right up your ally. Speaking of ally, there are so many little ones everywhere! Like I said, Venice is like a maze, so when you walk, sometimes you just have to take a chance and turn left, or go right after this next bridge.

Venice, Italy

Outside of shopping, just walking around is a good idea. There is so much to see, and the buildings are just breathtaking. When walking along the canals, you can see a bunch of different little bridges, and boats, and there is always an old church hiding behind some corner.

All the action (shopping, tourists, etc.) seems to happen right around San Marco Square. In the square, there is St. Mark's Basilica. near that is the Grand Canal with the famous Rialto Bridge. Oh is it a sight to see that is for sure.

But if you want to go to other places in Venice, there are a number of different islands that you can take a ferry to (they work just like busses, with different stops along the way). Each island has something totally different to offer; I wasn't in Venice yet, but my mom and brother went to Murano, where they blow glass. During one of the days in Venice, we took the ferry to Lido - to just turn right back around.

Burano, Venice, Italy

On our last full day in Venice though, we took the ferry over to Burano. If you have a day to kill, go spend it there. It is so beautiful! The buildings are so colorful, and there are so many cute little glass and lace shops! Of course it is filled with canals and there are lots of bridges all over.

Unfortunately we didn't go to any museums while in Venice - not quite sure why either - but even just walking around and getting lost in the ally's is fun!

Bottom line, Venice is beautiful. Everyone speaks English, and you wouldn't believe how many American tourists there are. There are also a lot of beggars, and people trying to sell you things. If you have ever been to Mexico, you will know what I mean. Some last things to say is this:

• The pizza and pasta in Italy is better than anything else
• Real Italian gelato is pure perfection
• If you go in the summer, make sure you are prepared for the heat, and humidity
• Make use of the water spouts located in different piazzas to cool you off in the summer
• And lastly, enjoy a nice glass of wine on a beautiful night, because you are in Italy!

  

  On a gondola ride through the Grand Canal