WIEN -- Vienna

The bus ride from Budapest to Vienna was relatively short. When we arrived we checked into the Wombat Hostel then got back on the bus for a bus tour. The bus was so warm and cozy and dark, making it impossible to stay awake. We did stop and get off at Hundertwasser House. It’s an apartment building with all sort of crazy colors and it isn’t straight at all.

After the nap/bus tour a few of us went to dinner at a sushi place. It was delicious but instead of salad with ginger dressing they served seaweed salad. I tried so and the texture was so chewy and gross. Later that night we ended up just staying at the hostel bar. They had pool and music. The next day we took a walking tour of the city. We first walked through the open air market, then saw the opera building and the St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

The Opera House

Open Air Market

We also were able to see the Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School walked back into their stable. Vienna is a beautiful city and I was much more appreciative of its beauty the second time I was there.

For lunch the whole group went to a nice restaurant and all ate the traditional Wiener schnitzel. It was delicious but I wasn’t too much of a fan of the traditional German potato salad. After lunch we had free time and of course went shopping during the free time. After, we went to the opera as a group. It was a small opera and I liked it. It wasn’t a big dress up affair. It was small and short. Later that night we went to a small local bar and then to a “drum and bass” club called Flex. That was about all for Vienna. The  time spent there was short but nice.

Budapest

Monday, February 13 we woke up and loaded the bus. The bus ride took around 6-8 hours to get to our next destination, Budapest. When we arrived we checked into the Kings Hotel. Let me say it was not the nicest of places but it worked. An hour after we checked in we took a bus tour of the city. At first I wasn’t too impressed with what Budapest had to offer but then went to the Buda Castle where the royal family lived and boy was I amazed. The view from atop to castle were breathtaking. We were able to see the parliament building and the bridge across the Danube River all lit up. It was certainly another ah-ha moment for me. I think sometimes it is really easy to forget about the world beauty when you see it up close, all the trash and graffiti, but when you step back and look at it from afar it is one of a kind.

The tour ended in the main shopping area where we had dinner. The place sort of reminded me of Pannera Bread but with pizzas and that sort of food. After dinner the whole group of JMU students went out to a bar called Szimpla. It was very artsy and had an array of eclectic furniture. You were also able to write on the walls. I liked it because it was a very relaxing atmosphere compared to the load crazy places we had been going.

JMU College of Business was Here!



Szimpla

 The next day we took another walking/bus tour of Budapest. Sites that we saw included the Parliament building, the Szent Istvan-Bazilika, which is the largest church in Budapest, and Heroes Square. For lunch we were treated to a buffet. It was delicious and they had all different types of food. After lunch free time began and some girls and I went shopping.



Parliment




Szent Istvan-Bazilika




My Roomate and I in Heroes Park

After a long day of shopping we came back to the hotel put on our bathing suit and went to the Budapest Baths. The hot spring water is drawn from underground and emptied into pools. It is traditional for people to meet and relax in the baths and most Hungarians think that the baths have healing powers. Some insurance providers even cover the cost of using the baths. After relaxing in the baths for a few hours I was sufficiently pruney and went back to the hotel for a good night of rest.

Our last day in Budapest was a half day. We woke up and listed to a speech from a member of the Hungarian Stock Exchange. Then we loaded the bus and were off the Vienna, Austria. Finally here's a fun fact: Budapest is actually 2 cities, Buda and Pest! You learn something new every day.

Still Czech-ing out Prague

Sorry to everyone that reads my blog for not keeping you updated on everything that has been going on but I will try to catch you up on the past week or so. Sunday, February 12 we listened to a speech from the co-owner of the Mosaic House, the hostel that we were staying in. He talked to us about what it’s like to do business and live in a foreign country. He is a citizen of the US and moved to Czechoslovakia a few years ago to start up the hostel. He also talked about the hostel itself since it is a completely green building with countless green features.

After the speech we walked around Prague for a while and then took a boat tour. The whole boat tour situation was a bit weird. Guys on the street sold us tickets and we had to take a tiny little fishing boat across the river to where we met the other, larger boat. Since it was so cold the little boat had to plow through sheets of ice and I felt like I was on a smaller version of the titanic. Once on the larger boat we sat and waited for close to an hour. The only good thing was that they served us numerous beers while waiting. The tour began and the boat went in about 3 large circles around the St. Charles Bridge and the tour was over. It was quite the experience.  

Notice our tiny fishing boat in the bottom

The larger Boat

After the boat ride we walked across the bridge and shopped at the street vendors. We went home at had burgers at the hostel bar. Later that night at 31 JMU students met up at a place called the Beer Factory. There are large picnic tables and in the middle of each table there is a tap. Pretty much you and your friends drink as much as you like and pay by the liter. Before I left the table I was at had already drank 20 liters. It was a pretty ingenious idea for the business but not such a good one for poor college students. That was our last day in Prague and I loved it. Hands down one of my favorite cities so far!

The Beer Factory!

Prague is Gorgeous

Czech Me Out in Prague

Friday, February 10 we boarded the bus at 5:45am to travel to Prague. 12 hours and a few stops later we arrived in Prague. I slept almost the whole time on the bus which was really nice. Once we arrived we checked into the Mosaic House, our hostel while in Prague. It is really nice and the shower has a rain head. It’s wonderful. After we checked in we all showered and went down to the restaurant in the lobby where my roommate and I shared the nachos and had some drinks. Later we got ready and went out to the five story club that Prague is known for. It’s called the Karlovy Lazne. Each story has a different theme from disco to modern music. Eventually went got back to the hostel and went to bed.

The next day we were provided breakfast in the lobby where they served eggs, hash browns, croissants, and cereal. At 9:45 we left the hostel for our walking tour of Prague. We toured the Castle of Prague and also saw the St. Vitus Cathedral which is located inside the castle walls.

Inside St. Vitus

St. Vitus Cathedral

On our way to the bridge we walked over a smaller bridge that had around 100 locks on it. The tour guide told us that it is a tradition that two people in love get a lock and lock it to the bridge and throw the key into the canal and they will be together forever.

We then walked across the Charles Bridge built in 1357 by King Charles IV. The bridge is well known to Prague and the view of the city from it is gorgeous. The weather was a little foggy so the pictures did not do it justice.

The tour lasted around 3 hours and we ended at a brewery, called umedvidku-cz, for lunch. I had a delicious bowl of garlic soup that had potatoes in it and goulash with dumplings for the main course. For dessert we were served some sort of pastry that was okay but not very good. After lunch we were given free time and some of the girls went into the shops. Prague is rather touristy so most of the shops were just little gift shops. It’s a beautiful city but with all of the tourists it is hard to get the authentic experience. After shopping we decided to ride the train system back to the hostel. You’re supposed to buy a train ticket but a student that we met that is studying in Prague told us that it is never checked. A little risky but we made it home without getting caught. When we got back I took a nice 2 hour nap and woke up around 7pm. A few of us went to dinner at a little mom and pop restaurant. I had the smoked salmon salad, delicious. By the time we got back from dinner it was already 10:30. We rushed to get ready and met the others at an ice bar on top of the roof of the Hilton Hotel.

It was called cloud 9 and that it was! The view was breathtaking and I felt like I was on top of the world. It was an eye opening moment for me. At that time it really hit me that I am getting to experience some of the most amazing things in the world that others could only dream of seeing. It made me really appreciate everything I have been given. So as a side note, thank you mom and dad for everything you have given me. This is the time of my life and I will never forget it!!



First Waffles

On Sunday I was able to sleep in. I woke up around 10 and did homework pretty much all day and went to bed early because we had classes the next day. Monday we had 3 classes so we were in class ALL day. By the time I got home I was exhausted and just went to bed. Tuesday was about the same but only 2 classes and then I studied for our Operations exam that is tomorrow (Thursday). Today, Wednesday, February 08, I went to our first class then we had a break. I went to the Meir with two other girls and we ate our first real Belgian waffles! They were amazing. We also went shopping for about two hours on the Meir. Now it’s off to my last class of the day and then studying for the midterm. Wish me luck!

Our First Waffles!

End of the Week and Amsterdam

The past few days have been a whirlwind of activities. I haven’t had much time to do anything really. Thursday, February 2 I had to give a group presentation in operations on a case that we were give. The case was about Crocs Inc. and we had to present about how they could improve their operations. It went really well and I think the teacher liked it. My group had been preparing for hours and hours in the prior days so that took up a lot of time and I’m glad it’s done. Thursday night I went out with a few people to a local club called Café de Anvers. It was really fun! 

On Friday I had class at 9:30am and then a lecture about the history of Antwerp at 2:30. In between the lectures I went to a new restaurant that sells kebabs. It’s some type of shaved meat inside a roll with a bunch of vegetable and you pick a sauce. It was delicious! A new favorite here in Belgium.  Also on Friday it snowed about an inch. It hasn’t been too difficult getting around in the snow but it has been cold. After the 2:30 lecture I ran some errands with my roommate and then worked on homework and fell asleep early. 

Saturday I work up at 5:30am to get ready and catch the train to Amsterdam for the day. The train ride was a little over 2 hours due to the snow. Once we arrived we walked over to the Anne Frank House/Museum. It costs 9 euro to walk through but it was well worth it. We were able to go to the hiding place in the upstairs and see where she lived and slept. After that we went to lunch at a small bar and had Panini’s, then headed to the Heineken Brewery.

We took a tour of the brewery and were able to try the beer after. It was really cool to see how it’s made and we also got to see the Clydesdales. After, we took a free boat ride on the canal to the Heineken shop where they gave us a free souvenir. Finally we walked back to the train station go to home. The first train was cancelled due to the snow and so was the second. After waiting 2 extra hours we finally were able to board the third train and rode home. By the time we got home it was around 1:00am.

City Tour of Antwerp



University of Antwerpen

Today the whole group went on a tour of Antwerp. It was well overdue since have been walking the streets of the city for the past 6 days and not knowing about the history behind all of the buildings. The tour started at 9:00am and it was a frigid -7 degrees Celsius or about 19 Fahrenheit. We met at the main entrance of the University of Antwerp, where I am studying, and continued down the street. First we stopped at St. Charles Borromeo's Church, a Jesuit church built during the Counter Reformation. Its elaborate details and gold leaf make it one of a kind.



St. Charles Borromeo's Church



Next we walked to the Grote Markt (Great Market Square) where the city hall of Antwerp is located. Out front there is a statue of Brabo and the monster Antigoon. The legend has it that Antigoon was a monster that lived by the river Scheldt, the river that runs past Antwerp. If a person did not pay the tax upon entering the city Antigoon would cut off their hand and throw it into the river. Barabo slain the monster and cut of its hand and threw it into the river. This is how Antwerp got its name. Hand wearpen which means to throw in Dutch. Hand wearpon = Antwerpen. After the Grote Markt we walked towards the river Scheldt and saw the fortress built in 1200 known as 'T Steen.  

City Hall and Statue of Barabo



 We were also able to see the main cathedral in Antwerp, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathdraal or Cathedral of Our Lady, from numerous views. Its giant steeple can be seen from all over the city. One of our final stops was the home of Peter Paul Rubens which has now been made into a museum. Rubens was a very famous Flemish Baroque painter. The museum was gorgeous and we were able to see some of Ruben's originals but most of the painting were paintings done by other famous painters of the time. We weren't able to take pictures in the museum but I've attached an image compliments of Google.
 

'T Steen



 





Church of Our Lady

  Finally we stopped at the chocolate shop of Dominique Persoone, a famous Belgian chocolatier and a good friend of Mick Jagger. Persoone came up with the idea of powdered chocolate that Mick Jagger could snort since he liked to snort other substances as well. He has also come out with chocolate lipstick, massage oil, and paint. And with the help of a famous designer Nicky Vankets he made a chocolate dress. In the store there were also chocolate statues including a sculpture of Napoleon. Our tour guide said this is the best chocolate in Belgium, but he did include the disclaimer that it was just his preference not a known fact. After the chocolate shop the tour was over and we walked back to the Monty. Now it’s off to class and then dinner and homework.




Chocolate Dress



Prince Charming (sorry Dylan)