Amsterdam: Bye Now

I'm thinking about chaining myself to a tree...and not because I've become some weirdo hippie environmental activist ...no it is simply because I leave Amsterdam in less than 48 hours. I am actually really sad about it--I've had an amazing time in this city and traveling these last few months. I just don't want to return to Windsor and get caught up in the dull monotony that is my everyday life there, but I suppose on some level that's inevitable. I probably sound like such a spoiled brat right now, but sincerely I feel very fortunate to have had the experiences I have here. I am also looking forward to seeing all my family and friends..not to mention Alfie, the only dog I know who can defy death repeatedly by consuming hoards of chocate, and Owen, my fat cat who loves only me. That said, I will miss the people I have met here and I hope that we actually keep in touch. I hope you all have a lovely holiday....I guess I should figure out if I should continue with this blogging now that I'm going to be home. We'll see....
Happy Christmas and Merry New Year

Chenquieh!

That is the extent of my polish language skills...shocking I know (Michelle I am a disgrace). Sharon, Becca and I travelled to Krakow this past weekend and had a great time. Our plane was delayed a few hours arriving so we missed most of Friday's daylight, but we made do and found some perogies stat--Becca had never tried them and she has been converted to the world of potato dumplings-can't pack more carbs into that if you tried. Krakow is a beautiful city and the main square is very quaint especially with the Christmas market in the full swing. We basically wandered the first night and had a nice polish dinner. On Saturday, we explored the Jewish quarter (unfortunately, the synagogues were closed because of shabat) and toured a few churches and cathedrals. Sunday we took a tour of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau--it was incredible to see these death camps and imagine the suffering that took place; what a profoundly sad reminder of what we as humans are capable of. We headed back to Amsterdam with less than two weeks left before we head back to Canada and regretably most of it will be spent studying. I'm looking forward to seeing the family but very sad to be leaving. It has been an amazing few months.

Gay Paris!

Emma, Hannah, Sharon and I just spent five lovely days in Paris, truly a world class city. We managed to get most of the tourist sites in but I personally would have loved some extra time to wander through the streets. Almost everywhere we went was picturesque (with the exception of our stroll through the ghetto--for future references the Stalingrad Metro Stop--not so nice). Despite being warned about the French's sense of politeness, I was pleasantly surprised with the lukewarm reception we received-better than I expected! Of course, one particular "gentleman" (and I use that term loosely) was somewhat more friendly when he exposed his backside to us in the Metro...but that was more of an unpleasant memory we'd rather all just block from our minds....
Anyway, it was a culture filled weekend and quite a change from my Morocco trip, which consisted mostly of wandering around markets and little back alleys. The food was also really good, although in retrospect, maybe eating sushi twice on our trip was excessive, I guess we've been in withdrawal since living in an almost sushi-less Amsterdam. We also went to the strangest club, Mix Club, to see our favourite dutch DJ Fedde le Grand spin. I have to say, the resident DJ Didier Sinclair was amazing and played the best music I've ever heard in a club. Also, every single person in that club was a phenomenal dancer...it was really weird, I guess I'm just so accustomed to most North American boys having no rhythm...? So we had an amazing time in Paris and I look forward to going back, definetly not the kind of city truly appreciate in such a short amount of time-but there was just no way of knowing. ;) Next stop and final trip: Krakow, Poland before exam madness descends upon me once again. Hope you're all doing well.