A Lifelong Adventure

Me waiting for my train

Helllllloooo Munich! Last night I hopped on an overnight train and ascended to the third bunk of a triple bunk bed and was woken up at 6:15 am to my arrival in this foreign land. I slept like a log after yesterday’s bike tour of the Tuscan country side and vineyard. Coincidentally the guy across from me also spoke English, was backpacking Europe, and going to the same hostel as me! Thank god because we both only slightly remembered the directions but filled in eachothers mental gaps and got here after being barraged with German by an old drunk man on the street. I think interesting old men is just always going to be the first thing I see in a new country after Italy’s man full of years asked two young girls walking in front of me how much it cost to have them. That was also moments stepping off the train.
This morning the reception did some shuffling to try and get me a bed at 6:30 am despite check in not being until 3 pm. After he checked in the other guy from the train he handed me the key and room number. I made my way up with my big ass backpack on and my much smaller day backpack on my stomach to the fifth floor. After swiping the key I opened up the door to find 8 girls with their suitcases on the ground rushing to pack while also running around in towels. And me. Standing confused in the doorway trying to figure out A if there was actually an open bed (No) and B if this was even a dorm where guys slept (Also no).
After going back to reception and redoing everything I was greeted by a comfy ikea bunk to myself. Ahhhhh.

Ciao da Firenze! This is a picture of il duomo, which was built in like the 1300’s and has stairs inside to go all the way to the top of the cupola. The first day I got here I hiked up the 463 stairs (which I didn’t think were a lot but it was a looooooong way up) and saw the sun just starting to set over Florence with one of the best panoramas I’ve seen in my life. Unfortunately I’m stuck using hostel computers so I can’t use my own photos but all of you reading this will certainly see then when I return.

Tomorrow I’m going to try and book a train to munich for stop number 5. I also will be waking up at 7:30 to go try and get on a biking wine tour of the Chianti region!! Whoohoo!

The A-Mazing view from the top of Le Arc De Triomphe. 

I’ve wanted to go here for a few years and on my last night in paris when I was almost falling asleep in a museum I decided we would take the metro and climb up the hundreds of stairs to the top. Man was it worth it!

Haochen Zheng in the midst of performing Beethoven at the Louvre. This was the first time I’ve seen a classical performance and what a way to start! He would get really emotional in his face like he was telling a story while he was playing, it was pretty cool. He also played some other pieces but I don’t remember who they were by.

Yumm yumm. These are Macarons from the bakery down the street. I usually go everyday for one of these little guys or a baguette. Yesterday Julia and I got an awesome brunch with a whole baguette with butter and apricot and raspberry jam. There was also a bun hollowed out stuffed with creamy mushrooms with a fried egg on top and sliced potatoes with rosemary. It was for one person and we were both stuffed after not even finishing it!

The Seine on the bridge to Ile St-Louis

This may be the best photo I’ve ever taken.

Le Louvre with a bit of sun poking through finally!