Sorry I have not updated my blog as often as I should but I have been extremely busy with school and traveling. School is now in full force and I already have tests, papers, presentations, and projects. So far all of my classes are going well and they are enjoyable. Switzerland is so absolutely beautiful and I am loving my house/room/roommate/everything. I could not be happier.
These past few weekends have been awesome. I went to London a few weekends ago and I stayed in the Pepperdine University house in London. It was so beautiful (right across the street from Hyde Park). My two best girlfriends from Pepperdine in Malibu are studying abroad in London so it was awesome to see them and to spend the weekend with them. It was also my friend Azzurra's birthday. She is one of my two best friends from Malibu and we had a great birthday weekend! We had a picnic in Hyde Park and explored the city via boat on the river. I love London and would love to go back. The only thing I did not like about London was the transportation system-it is hectic and overwhelming!
Last weekend we went to Oktoberfest in Munich and then continued on to Salzburg, Austria. Oktoberfest of course, was a blast. Tons and tons of people in traditional German "lederhosen" (women and men), eating wiener schnitzel, and drinking rather large mugs of beer. It was quite the experience. It seemed a little like a county fair though with rides and carnival food-just with added drunk people everywhere. Aside from that, I had a great time. I was able to see some of my other friends from Pepperdine that are studying in Florence, Italy and Heidelberg, Germany. We were only there for about 5 hours.
Late Friday night we got onto a train and headed to Salzburg, Austria. Which was AMAZING. So beautiful, so much history, and of course, where the Sound of Music was filmed. Not to mention...I retreated back to my Austrian routes! In Austria we explored the city-old town, the countryside, and where the Sound of Music was filmed. We also took a tour to the salt mines in the Bavarian Alps in Germany. We wore traditional mining suits and took mining trains into the salt mine and explored. It was incredible. There was a salt water lake inside the mine that we took a boat ride on and we slide down slides to get deeper into the mine. We also took the traditional elevator shaft to get out of the mine as well. It was such an awesome experience that I will never forget. Overall, my weekend was fabulous and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. Each day I wake up and look outside and see Lake Geneva illuminated with gorgeous light from the sun and the shadows from the Alps. I am so happy that I am in a great place in my life and that I have been given this chance of a lifetime.
Thank you to all who have helped and supported me in this journey! I am growing so much as a person and I cannot wait to bring my stories and memories back to share with all of you.
This weekend we are staying in Switzerland and we are going to do a few day trips. We are going to Gruyere-the town where Gruyere cheese and chocolate is made. So Excited! We are also going to go wine tasting and to brunch on Lake Geneva. On Tuesday my whole program is taking off to Corisca for a week for our "educational field trip". I cannot wait to have 'class' in Corsica. Love to all of you and miss you dearly. I think about you guys daily and pray for all of you!
Au Revoir!
Buckingham Palace with Carson
AUSTRIA I was WAAY off!
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