Solo in Barcelona

I spent the next 10 days in Barcelona at the HelloBCN Hostel. At first I was a little nervous to be on my own for so long but that didn't long. I met so many people from across the world and surprisingly few Americans. I became good friends with the people I met through hanging out, venturing around the city, getting food, and cooking dinners (well the French cooked, I ate--thanks A-Team). Plus the hostel would take us out every night to the clubs (where we got free entry and skip the line). People would show up at the clubs around 2:00am and go until 6 or 7:00am. So if my sleep cycle wasn't already off then it definitely was after my time in Barcelona.

The best night at the club was when I saw Afrojack at Opium nightclub. Before the show we sat on the beach in a circle of French kids who were playing guitar and singing French songs and attempting American ones too. We all just sat there and pretended to understand. The actual show was packed full and Afrojack poured bottle after bottle of champagne over the crowd.

Food in Barcelona is excellent. I enjoyed tapas, paella, sangria, and delicious beachside cheeseburgers. We went to a restaurant near the hostel where you pick out different tapas on toothpicks (thick cuts of cheeses, fish, and meats all on slices of baguette). You then pay 1€ for each toothpick left on your plate at the end of the meal. My favorite was a cold creamy sweet crab and shrimp salad on top of a soft baguette slice.

One day we ventured outside the city on an hour long metro ride to see Montserrat. It was incredible! It's an old Benedictine abbey that lies on top of a jagged rocky mountain. It is a pilgrimage site for many people who come to see the Black Madonna. You have to take a cable car over the valley and up the mountain to get to the town. From there, we hiked all around the site under the Spanish sun to the top of the windy mountain enjoying every moment. It was one of my favorite places I have seen so far.

(Me Top of the Mountain at Montserrat)

(Black Madonna)

(Cable car up to Montserrat)

Another day a few of us went to visit La Sagrada Familia, the massive cathedral in the center of the city designed by Gaudi, that has taken over 200 years to build and is still not completed. The cathedral, even today, rises above the rest of the city.

(Inside La Sagrada Familia)

Some days in Barcelona were simply spent taking siestas at the crowded beach with friends or wandering around the city by myself stumbling into cute shops and markets and getting very lost.

(Market near Las Ramblas)

One evening a group from the hostel explored the Gracia Festival happening in the streets of Barcelona. Different neighborhoods choose different themes and for several days go crazy elaborately decorating their street. Themes range to just about anything and people crowd together in the streets. We went down a Texas themed district complete with line dancing to American country music and another district that was covered in jellyfish to where you couldn't even see the sky beneath thousands of tentacles.

For my 22nd birthday in Barcelona we went to a Barcelona Futbol game. It was even a major game but the crowd was wild (rowdier then any NFL game) and the stadium was huge.

(Barcelona Futbol Stadium)

Barcelona was a perfect place for a first time solo traveler. I really enjoyed getting to spend more then just a couple days in a city and also by being alone I felt like I really got to know the area and people through having to figure out everything on my own.

Barcelona Tips:
-Bikes are an excellent way to get around Barcelona. It is so hot that the nice breeze of the bike feels lovely and they are faster then walking and cheap (5€/day from the hostel).
-Beware of pick pocketing! I was lucky but many people had stories of someone reaching in their back pocket or being cornered in the street at night. Just be smart.
-If your hostel has a kitchen--use it. You save money and many times people will cook you delicious food.

Croatia--Sea and Sunshine

Zagreb:

We reached Zagreb and met up with Nick then headed into town. Arriving at the hostel we found that we were being put in our own little apartment. The hostel woman led us through winding conblestone streets into a cute building then up another five or so flights of stairs. Buns of steel after carrying 35 pounds wherever you go .The place was adorable with our own little balcony and kitchen furnished with the owner's knickknacks everywhere.

That night we hung out with several locals who worked at our hostel along with a old man with a ponytail named Klaus. They had us try the local drink of choice, Rakia (similar to absinthe and comes in a variety of flavors). We tasted sour cherry, lemon, honey, lavender, and plum. It was disgusting.

(Rakia: sour cherry, lemon, and honey)

The locals told us about life in Zagreb and that all Croatians are lazy and a typical day went something like this...
8am--Start drinking coffee. Drink coffee for 4 hours
12pm--Go to work
4pm--Leave work. Start drinking
Repeat.

(Katie and I at the local hangout)

Our Croatian friends were very entertaining and the most memorable part of Zagreb. We said our goodbyes and went to bed but once again ended with no sleep seeing as we were all sweating profusely with a broken AC. The next morning we loaded onto a bus headed for the Plitvice Lakes.

Plitvice Lakes:

The Plitvice (pronounced pli-vitch-ka) Lakes were incredible. We walked along the rickety board path amongst waterfalls and crystal clear pools of turquoise blue water. One legend refers to the lakes as "The Devils's Garden" for it's enchanting beauty.

After spending several hours hiking around the lakes we decided to head onward to Zadar only to find that we missed the last bus and were stuck at a national park in the middle of nowhere. We were desperate and decided to try our luck at hitchhiking which ended unsuccessfully. Proabably because who would think to pick up three strangers on the side of a road, at night, in the countryside of Croata. 

Somehow we eventually managed to find a ride to Zadar. The hotel by the lakes reception woman had a friend who drove taxis and although he was off duty he could pick us up for a decent price.
A black vehicle pulled up and we hopped in the car with the strange man. We had our ride to Zadar.

Zadar:

We arrived at the Drunken Monkey hostel in Zadar. It was the perfect little beach hostel with a very laid back feel and friendly atmosphere.

That evening we explored the beautiful city of Zadar that I can only describe as a mix of Greece and Italy with a dash of Mexico. Walking to the center of town we saw a strange creature strolling down the road. As we got closer we realized it was a little hedgehog just taking an evening stroll down the street. So strange.

Once in the city center we found a swanky lounge club that was out right of top of a hillside amongst the ruins. Here people were dancing and hanging out of top of thousand year old buildings.
The next day we layed out on the beach and walked around the city. We saw the sea organ (holes in the marble steps to the sea that plays music as the waves hit below).

That evening we hopped on yet another bus that would turn out to be the most awful bus ride ever. People kept getting on and off and making us move out of our seats. The driver was crazy swerving down the winding bumpy coastal road making the smelly man next to me head keep landing on my shoulder. I switched seats quickly.

Dubrovnik:

After nine hours of torture we arrived in Dubrovnik and it was all worth it. Dubrovnik is a charming beautiful city. It lies right on the water with cliffs and mountains surrounding it. Again being too early for check in and being exhausted from the bus ride we found a nice corner on the street. Hidden by a couple overturned rowboats, we all fell asleep against our backpacks in the sunshine by the water. 

(Good Morning Dubrovnik)

Later that day we walked around seeing the sights and that night we had the most amazing meal. Oysters, mussels, sardines (which were surprisingly delicious), makeral, swordfish, squid, prawns, and wine. It was enough food to feed a group of people although we didn't struggle with clearing the pot. And it was all under $30. After the fabulous meal we topped it off it off some gelato from a street stand for dessert.

Our last day in Dubrovnik we road a boat over to the island of Lokrum. An old monetary sits on the island along with a dead sea (aka very salty lake). It was a perfect way to end our time in Croatia.

(Abandoned Monastary at Lokrum)

Later that day Katie and Nick left to head back to the states and I was left on my own. Eek.

Berlin got us good

We finally arrived at the Circus Hostel in Berlin after a nine hour bus ride and almost being abandoned at the one and only stop all night. After little sleep on the bus and arriving at the hostel only to find out that we were too early for check in, Katie and I made ourselves at home on two couches in the hostel lounge area where we slept for five hours.

Eventually we were allowed into the room. We got settled in then went out with our Italian roommate to grab some delicious Döner kabobs and enjoying the free beer Mondays at our hostel. We then set out to explore Berlin.

(Street Graffiti)

Berlin is a giant city with graffiti everywhere--including many famous Banksy works. But when we ran into a large group of Italians singing 90s songs we knew we would be just fine in the enormous city. We wondered with our new friends singing spice girls and space jam ending up at a club called Traesure which was pretty fun until what happened next.

(The Italians)

We were outside when Katie set her purse down for a minute turned away turned back and it was gone. Passport, credit cards, camera, money...everything gone! Eventually after filing a police report, sitting in the US Embassy (where us mature ladies made fart noises waiting in the giant echoing room), going to the consulate, and missing our train she was able to get a temporary passport. Minor bump in the road. Thankfully she hid copies of her passport and some money in her backpack so everything worked out relatively smoothly.

We went on to see the sites of Berlin many reminiscent of the Nazi era in which many of them were built or used (although we didn't know the actual details since everything was in German). 

Berlin was a totally different experience then London and Amsterdam filled with good and bad and quite the adventure. We were able to find a new flight and after saying goodbye to Berlin we set off to meet Nick (Katie's husband) in Zagreb, Croatia.

We LOVE Amsterdam

The next few days of our trip were spent in Amsterdam, Netherlands where we fell in love with the city (and not for the reasons you might think). The people were friendly, the food was delicious, and the city was beautiful and lively...Oh and did I mention we were there during one of the largest gay pride parades in the world?!

We flew to Amsterdam on easyjet and took the train into the city that night. We arrived at Hotel Jupiter in Liedsplein and were greeted by a very grumpy Dutch man who showed us our room then marched off muttering about getting some sleep. After taking a shower for the first time in several days and enjoying the complimentary robe and slippers we went to bed.

The next day would be one to remember! We woke up to a breakfast of breads, meats, and cheeses then headed out. Stopping down the road at a costume store we loaded up with pink accessories and walked to Prince Canal just as the first parade floats were arriving. Over half a million people traveled to Amsterdam to see the festival! Floats went by on the canal with drag queens and men in speedos dancing to Lady Gaga, it was nuts! All the while thousands of people dressed up and drank in the streets.

(Amsterdam Gay Pride Parade 2012--Prince Canal)

(Dancers on a Float)

The dancing and parade went on all day. We met a Norweigan fairy boy named Christian who taught us how to freak run--imagine running around daintily frolicking and swinging your arms running through the streets without a care in the world. As it started to pour down rain we freak ran down the streets of Amsterdam looking ridiculous. We also ate the most wonderful food in the world, a buttery croissant filled with a cold yellow custard and topped with strawberries in some sort of gelatin..Mmm..

We later parted ways with Norweigan Christian and met some new friends, a local couple named Chris and Mariska, who offered to give us a ride on their bikes. Literally everyone rides bikes in Amsterdam. We rode just like Dutch girls sitting on the back on the bike with our legs to the side. I was lucky to get to ride with Mariska who flawlessly pedaled me around Amsterdam while Katie was stuck on the back of Chris's bike who took several spills taking Katie down with him as they crashed on the cobblestone street.

We rode bikes into Rembrandt square where we ran into people dancing in the alleys to live music. We stopped at a local Dutch sandwich place where we had the most delicious sandwiches including curry chicken, steak tartare (raw seasoned ground beef), and croquettes (fried thick gravy).

The night continued with lots of dancing and meeting tons of interesting people. Dutch people are so friendly and wonderful!

The next day after we missed our hotel check out time and woke to the grumpy Dutch man yelling at us to get out of the room we packed up our backpacks and headed out. We spent our last day in Amsterdam visiting the Red Light District and the Dam Square which felt like a fairy tale with horse and carriages and a giant cathedral. We went through Anne Frank's house museum (15€) which is sad to walk through  but definitely worth seeing.

(Canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands)

That night we loaded on an overnight bus with no bathroom for nine hours heading to Berlin.

COSTS:
Flight: (easyjet London to Amsterdam) $160
Hotel: Hotel Jupiter (Pros: great free breakfast/nice bathrooms and complimentary robes&slippers/nice location. Cons: breakfast ends at 9:30/not a very social hotel to meet people)
$70 (2 nights)---most hostels/hotels were full b/c of the festival or very expensive
Food/Drink: $30
Train: (airport to tram station) $20
**a lot of people say that playing clueless tourist to get on the trams for free doesn't work but it seemed to work for us pretty well)
Anne Frank House: $15

NOTE:
--Other expenses to remember are souvenirs, bathrooms (usually ~1€), water!, currency exchange and ATM fees
--Many hotels and hostels only except payment in cash

And We're Off

After shots, pills, booking, and packing my around the world adventure has now officially begun! To start off: 2 weeks with my sister (Katie Huerter) traveling around Europe (London--Amsterdam--Berlin--Croatia)

(4 Shots, a Week of Typhoid Pills, and prescriptions for nausea, infection, and malaria pills later..)

(Packing, Unpacking, and Re-Packing Again)

LONDON:

My sister, Katie, and I arrived in London yesterday. After a fabulous flight attendant (Ms. Lynda) stuffed our bags full of baileys shooters and snacks we arrived at Heathrow airport. After a quick trip on the tube and a bit of wondering we arrived at our hostel (Hostel 63) in Princes Square near Kensington Gardens.

Upon arrival at the hostel we learned that our room was upgraded from a 6 person dorm room to a private double...first Lynda's gifts now this! We dragged our backpacks--nicknamed Luna the Beast and Paul Longbottom-- up over 10 flights of stairs to the very top, literally being UPgraded.

We dropped off our bags and immediately set off for the center of London taking a bus to Picadilly Circus. For fellow travelers, taking the double decker buses only costs £2.30 each time you get on and is an excellent way to see London while being the cheapest option. From Picadilly we were able to walk to see all the sights including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and a tour of Westminster Alley--which was lovely thanks to our British guide (everything is better in a British accent) although between jet lag and lack of sleep the House of Lords soft red velvet benches were calling me. Exhausted and wandering around we stumbled upon The Olympic stadium. We didn't get to see any events but it was still really neat to be right outside listening to the crowd cheer.

                                         (Outside the Olympic Stadium)

That night we enjoyed a delicious meal of fish and chips at the local Mr. Fish (ironically such a traditional joint is owned by a very un-British Asian woman). Sadly the atmosphere was not the dark smoky pub we were hoping for but the food was excellent! The cod was flaky and steaming hot with a perfectly crisp batter. Topped with squeezed lemon and dipped in tangy tartar sauce we quickly forgot about the lack of atmosphere as we devoured our plates.

The next day we explored Kensington Gardens. We hapened upon a Russian festival where we attempted ice skating on a plastic rink which we found we are not so skilled at. We saw Kensington Palace and frolicked through the park.

                                         (In front of Buckingham Palace)

London altogether was great!! We are now really excellent at getting lost but also just as excellent at stumbling upon great things too. Now off to Amsterdam...

COSTS:
-The US dollar is weak right now so it was ~$2 for every £1 so everything in London was double the price. Our money went fast.
Flight: $841 (round trip)
(Kansas City--NY--London Heathrow)
Food/water: $40
Hostel: $25
(Hostel 63: Pros:very helpful friendly staff and great location! Cons:lots of stairs and bathrooms not too great)
Westminster Abbey Tour: ~$20
Buses (x3): $13.80
Train (Victoria station--Gatwick): $40
TOTAL [2 days/1 night]: $138.80