Ok! So lots has happened since Barcelona. We left Barcelona (sad) on Saturday morning, ok, Saturday afternoon, after an evening of festivals and a crazy Barcelona goth club. You'll have to ask me about that one. Anyway, Saturday Melissa and I drove back to Heidelberg to meet up with Al and her brother Dan. We got in pretty late, so Sunday was mostly spent sleeping and resting. Nothing too exciting.

Bright and early Monday, the four of us hopped into another rental car and headed to Cinque Terre. So beautiful. We had a wonderful meal Monday night we got in. Supposedly Cinque Terre is where pesto was invented, and I believe it. The pesto was brighter green than anything I had seen before, and so so wonderful. After dinner we wandered around the harbor of Vernazza, which is the second town of the five, and the one in which we were staying. Tuesday morning and afternoon we explored the other five towns, traveling between them by train. That afternoon we headed to Rome. We got in about 11 p.m. and found our hostel, after some frustration caused by one way roads and insane Romans on moped. When in Rome, do not drive like the Romans. Trust me. But we made it safely.

Today we woke up early and headed over to Vatican City. We took a guided tour through the Vatican Museum, the second oldest in the world, which ended in the Sistine Chapel. I could have spent days in the Vatican Museum. So many amazing works of art are housed there. The Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest works of Man. After the Vatican we were starved, and so ate at a touristy restaurant near St. Peter's. We had mediocre food and kinda got ripped off. Oh well, we expected that. If you're hungry (which you are after the 2 hour tour) they've got you by the short hairs. We then proceeded to walk to the major sights in Rome, and saw the Parthenon, the Trevi fountain, the Forum, and the Colosseum. Pretty amazing stuff. It's crazy to realize that these buildings are almost 2000 years old, and in places like the Parthenon you're walking on the same floor that the Romans did back when it was a Pagan temple. Our dogs were barking at this point, and we headed back to the hostel, took a quick nap, then found a wonderful little trattoria and had a 2 hour dinner. Headed back to Heidelberg tomorrow, where I'll stay until Monday when I come back. Rome is overwhelming and wonderful. I'd like to spend more time here.

Oh, and on our way here we stopped in Switzerland for lunch and went swimming in an Alpine lake. It was so clear you could see the bottom and all the fish. Oh, and it was cold. :-) And I know those pictures look like postcards, but I took them :-) :-)

Por Barcelona!

I just had one of the most amazing meals in my life. A great night. I know that I'm missing a couple of days, but I want to tell you about tonight before I forget the details.

Today we spent doing tourist-y stuff around Barcelona. We started off the day a little late (we were out late having tapas and walking around the oldest part of Barcelona last night) and went to the Parc Guell and the Sagrada Familia. Both were absolutely amazing. Gaudi was such a genius, it's hard to understand. In the lower level of the Sagrada Familia, there was a museum about Gaudi and the cathedral. Among other things, it showed how similar his work is to nature, and how it was inspired by it. I think it's amazing that one of the most celebrated works of architecture in the world is based on the most simple things we see around us, like a tree or the leaves on a branch. I was a little frustrated because the church is not finished. I wonder if I will even be around when/if it is finished. Shouldn't 140 years be enough time? I read that the reason that it is still being built, rather than just stopped and opened as a museum, is because the act of building it is an act of penance, and that the entire cathedral is an offering to God. Maybe this is true.

After we got done with all the tourist things, we came back to Cedic's apartment. Cedric has been a most generous host to us. The past few days he has shown us amazing parts of the city that we never would have seen on our own. What an experience... one I won't forget soon. Anyways, after a little relaxing at the apartment, we went to a little wine store. I don't remember the word for the type of place that we went to. This store has barrels of wine lining the ceiling and bottles of wine lining the walls. Apparently a truck comes once a week, parks in the street, and pumps wine into the barrels. We met one of Cedric's friends there, and had a great time. Melissa bought an awesome goatskin wine flask. We then headed to eat.

We walked a few blocks to a small restaurant, with no more than ten tables. As much as I consider myself a "foodie" I have never had food like this. Maybe it was the atmosphere, maybe the company, maybe that I am having an adventure in Spain. Probably it was all of these things. We started off with wonderful olives, then toasted bread which Cedric showed us how to prepare. Here they take toasted bread, then rub raw garlic on it, rub tomato on it, then drizzle it in olive oil and add a little bit of salt. So fantastic. I once bought a bottle of olive oil at Elephant's for about 50 dollars, I think, and it was no better than the olive oil here that sits on all the tables and douses the food. Ok, so after the bread was the cheese. Two types of Manchego, then three other types of cheese I didn't know. One was a sheep's milk that had holes in it like a swiss, one was similar to a brie, and one was an amazing chevre, with that delicious ammoniated goo between it and the rind. After the cheese came the cured meats. Jamon, cured chorizo, and three other types of meat. Better than any I've had. After the cheeses, we had salad... endive and avocado drizzled in this pink sauce, kind of like thousand island, but without any islands. Wonderful. After the salad, there were cod filets wrapped in red pepper then baked in a wonderful cream and cheese sauce, with little bits of crispy cheese around the edges. The final part of the meal was a plate of sausage, with garlic aioli to dip in, fava beans, roasted potatoes, and more bread. This whole time, the plates came in about the same time, so we were passing plates around the table, reaching for food, trying things off of each other's plates, and just having a great time. Cedric said this is how the Spaniards do it. I can deal with that. After dinner was a delicious lime green colored digestif, and some great conversation around the table. At about 11:30 we were finished. In spain when making a toast, instead of saying "cheers" or "salud" you say "por ..." and fill in the blank for whatever you're toasting. Tonight we toasted "Por Barcelona!"

back tracking

Ok! Just had a wonderful day in Barcelona. But let's go back... Here are some pictures from the first day. We met up with Melissa and Al at the train station (they brought pastries!!), then took a tram through Heidelberg and to their apartment. It's a really nice little duplex next to a farm. They have a nice little garden in the back yard, and a comfy couch! After Richard and I set our stuff down and sat down for a minute, we headed to downtown Heidelberg to look around. It's really pretty and really touristy. The main downtown section is closed to cars, and is jam packed with people walking around. Most of the shops were closed because it was Sunday, but we looked in the windows and went in a few souvenir shops that were still open. There were two beautiful churches that were open that we went into, and there was a great view of the Heidelberg castle from the end of the street. We were going to have doenners for dinner, but the place that we were looking for wasn't where we thought it was, and we ended up having the German take on Mexican food. It had nothing to do with Mexico whatsoever, but it was delicious! After that we went down to an esplanade by the river and chilled out and watched the people. Was a great birthday!

First day was awesome! Going to go hike soon, but here's a quick recap: Landed at 1045 Sunday morning. Missed the train. Got the right train. Met Melissa and Al. Went walking around Heidelberg. Saw a big church and a ruined castle. Ate ice cream and sat by a river. Pictures to come! I've seen more man-pris than I ever thought I would.

AT THE AIRPORT WHERE THE PLANES LEAVE!!!

Ah!!!!!! Sitting here at the airport waiting for the plane to Cincinnati! Started the morning early (ok not that early...8) with a great breakfast with my sister at Ingredient. I am still forbidden to open the birthday present that she gave me until I'm on the plane. Excited about that.

The car ride here was unremarkable, except for some epic car singing by Richard and me. Our musical tastes only intersect in three places: Journey, the Beatles, and Tom Waits, so any one who passed us was treated to some awful renditions of Happiness is a Warm Gun and Don't Stop Believing. Richard soloed on some stuff that no one who has ventured out of their mom's basement has ever heard.

Boarding in 10 minutes!

Cinque Terre!

This is the car we'll be driving to and from Barcelona. I can only imagine that it sounds like an angry bumblebee with a phlegm problem. It's classified as an "intermediate" size car, so hopefully I'll fit in it without having to do this.

Also, the itinerary has solidified a bit! After Barcelona, Melissa and I are going to be meeting up with Al, and her brother. We're then going to go to Cinque Terre and Rome. I hadn't heard of Cinque Terre, either it's ok. According to Wikipedia, "The Cinque Terre is noted for its beauty. Over centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible "modern" development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach it from the outside. It is a very popular tourist destination." Wow, um, not really sure how we're going to get there. Guess I'll find out! See spectacular picture below. Please note the ladder down the rocks into the ocean. For swimming. In the Mediterranean Sea.

After that, two days in the Eternal City! Two days in Rome is like 15 minutes in the Smithsonian... but I'm still really excited.

Broken English

So, I watched this movie last night called Broken English. In it, Parker Posey travels to Paris to find Charming French Guy with whom she had an action packed three day weekend, culminating in the penguin exhibit at the Central Park Zoo. After a bit of lost wandering around, she meets several locals who all speak English well and invite her to their homes, little cafes for wine, and deep conversations in fancy hotel restaurants. I'm pretty sure this doesn't really happen, and that the Europe I have in my head is really a vague memory of Epcot. However, maybe it really does happen. I hope so!

Also yesterday, I said hello to the last duffel (duffle?) bag I will ever buy, The North Face base camp duffel. Everyone at Sunflower kept saying it was bomb proof, and so do reviews on websites. Really? I kind of doubt it. Is this some sort of pretentious hiker/outdoor adventurer lingo? I'm happy not finding out. Any name suggestions for the new bag?

I've learned how to say, "I don't speak German/French/Spanish very well. Do you speak English?" in each language. However my experience singing in these languages should come in handy also. Here are some phrases I already know that might be useful:

Liebe die Meerfrau,Sie hat viel Perlen klar.
Love the mermaid, she has many beautiful pearls.

Um Mitternacht Kämpft' ich die Schlacht,O Menschheit, deiner Leiden.
At midnight I fought the battle, O mankind, of your suffering.

Una vieja vale un realy una muchacha dos cuartos, pero como soy tan pobreme voy a lo más barato.
An old woman is worth a real and a young girl two cuartos ,but as I am so poor I go for the cheapest. (Just kidding, Mom!)

Ma pensée est un cygne harmonieux et sage.
My thought is of a swan, harmonious and wise.

Ok, so maybe these aren't as useful as I thought they would be. Bonus points for anyone who can name the songs they're from. On the list for today: go to Wal-Mart and buy travel items, since Duffy L. McBag can be carried on. Also, Mike is going to give me a crash (no pun intended) course in driving stick shift tonight. My parents nearly had coronaries when I told them the car was a stick, and "No, I don't know how to drive stick, but it seems pretty easy, right?"

Ahh, the smell of fresh internet!

Partially inspired by Julie & Julia, partially inspired by trying to make my friends jealous, along with a dash of healthy narcissism, I've decided to start a blog about my upcoming (Saturday!) European Adventures. Yes that's capital A Adventures. Posts may be spotty, depending on the availability of internets in the Motherland. Assuming that anyone reads this. If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it does it make a sound?

So here's the planned itinary thus far:

Saturday: Leave Kansas City.

Sunday: Arrive in Frankfurt. Eat Frankfurter. Ich bin ein Frankfurter. (Did you know that when Kennedy said "Ich bin ein Berliner" he was really saying that he was a cream filled doughnut? Well, that's not actually true, disappointingly.)

Sunday, post Frankfurter: Head immediately to Heidelberg by train, and hopefully be greeted by Melissa, who may or may not have gotten lost, at the train station.

Sunday, if not lost or kidnapped: Celebrate my 26th birthday, perhaps with a Berliner, or maybe spaetzel.

Monday or perhaps Tuesday: Rent a car (with GPS!), fold myself into said car, and drive to Barcelona. See beautiful European vistas, soak up local color. Are there rest stops and truck stops in Europe? I assume there must be. Teh Internets advises to take multiple breaks while driving in Europe, especially "When you start to get agitated at other drivers or the road conditions." Noted.

Wednesday: Possibly La Tomatina in Bunyol, depending on several factors, including arrival time, distance, and enslavement. I hope we can make it there!

Thursday through Sunday: Paella, Chorizo, Manchego, Tapas,

Sunday: Return to Heidelberg. See the SAME SCENERY TWICE. Thanks a lot.

After that: Either driving to Rome with Al and her brother, or taking a bus to Prague, depending on if Al and brother are flying or driving.

After that: Back to Heidelberg at some point.

After that, maybe: Return home, with European air in my lungs. I can only assume I will be more cultured and socially progressive than all the rest of you.

Still to do:

*Buy this bag (They say it will be the last duffle bag I will ever buy. My powers of rationalization are without peer)
*Pack clothes that are not conspiciously American.
*Find knitting to take
*Buy a new DS game? Suggestions?
*Make a list of people who get souvenirs (be nice to me, and you might get lucky)
*Find some sort of phrase book
*Print off directions from Germany to Spain
*Get little locks for my bags

Am I missing anything?