Just a Walk in the Park

Hey Gang,

I just could not wait to tell you all about the wonderful day filled with SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

After sleeping in till....nevermind the time...and eating Oranges trying to get better, we feel this hot, glorious heat on our faces....SUN!!!! And not just sun...but NO clouds in the sky! I cannot describe how happy I was!

Dressed in our prescribe seasons (Eleah is Spring and I am summer), we walk out the door to enjoy a leisurely walk around Liege. And to our surprise...we found GREEN! A nice little park tucked behind some buildings on the island I call Manhattan. Enjoying our walk, we see cute couples enjoying the sun, older couples just happy to hold one another hands watching the world go by. It was so nice the see people relaxing, soaking up the sun. And just being. It was so refreshing just to enjoy humanity without seeing the under belly of it. As I turn to Eleah, I begin to describe this place as a Drifters song, "Under the Boardwalk."

As we keep walking, talking about memories that somehow involve being around water. Then I remember another song that would just make us smile, "Build Me up Buttercup."

So after walking to...I have no idea, we come across the mall. Yes, they are everywhere. Grabbing some ice cream, we start on our way back. In total, I believe we walked somewhere between 2-3miles without realizing it. It was soo wonderful. After getting back home, I got to witness a St. Tore parade that stretched on for 20minutes (they were escorted by police), oo yeh it is that type of city. Anyways, here are some pictures from the day.

Long time no Post

Hey Gang,

Sorry I have not blogged in a while, I was waiting till I got back from Berlin to share. Then the week got away from me and well here I am sitting in my kitchen cleaning dishes, making lunch then off again to the races. So while I wait for the concoction I will be making...I am here to share my past week-ish experiences.

So after I got back from Paris, it was only a matter of time till I had to be at HEC at midnight to catch the bus to Berlin (8hours on a cramped bus with about 80 people...who are drunk). It was an "interesting" bus ride. Needless to say I needed a pillow, blanket, and earplugs! Havinf Katie D. drunkingly talk to you at 4 in the morning...well...it is not good for her or me..let us leave it at that. So, finally arriving at Charlottenburg Castle at 10-10:30 am....breathe a sigh of relief that no heads rolled :). We went for the tour of the castle.

The castle is very nice, but I love Versaille A LOT better..sorry. After touring the grounds and sneaking pictures, we head out for the next destination. Okay, here I must give you some background about ESN (because they suck at planning trips).

--We were told that, "You MUST stick to the time schedule...we planned this carefully!" Ok, I do not doubt that they worked hard on this, but they pushed back the "time schedule" more times than I can count. I was on time and running with the predetermined schedule just fine, but the ESN team leaders were so lost they could not tell if they were in Berlin or Timbuktu. Ok for a person who has always had her father drill in how to get around and spot things from a distance or just plain (common sense about directions)...it would drive that person fruit...right?!?! Yeh, that was Berlin for me! I was so frustrated with the leaders, that I told my followers around and played tour guide. Granted we made Alexanderplatz our new home, but whatever. We were warm and always knew where we were. I cannot say that much for the ESN leaders. Sorry, this situation was stuck in my craw for a long time.--

So Friday was Charlottenburg, Reichstag, Brandenburg Tor, Berlin Dom, Fernsehturm Berlin, and a nice coffee shop that has Baileys in it. By the end of the day, Heiny, Paolo, Zsussy and myself hop on the free metro and go to the hostel. Getting there 30 minutes ahead of the group, we scout out interesting places around our hostel. After settling into the hostel, a lot of the people go out to a 1950's- 60's bar (I stayed in with a migraine).

The next day was the DDR museum and something else. My group just stayed by our mothership - the Mall and Alexanderplatz metro station. After getting annoyed with something katie said, we took off. That night we dressed up and went out to Quepasa...that's right TexMex in Berlin!!!! Let us just say it was a tequila night for all of us. We all needed to unwind from our day and week, so we did. I was perpetually just happy all night, Paolo, Zsussy and Heiny got bad. At the discotech we told...insert any number above 10...tequila shots. Let us just say, by the end of the night there was no more money on us (mainly Heiny). It was a good night with very great memories! Ones that each member of our group will never live down...and only us understand the inside jokes from that night....Pappa Paolo, Momma Heiny, Auntie Zsussy and Auntie Bekah!

Sunday was another very LONG day: Checkpoint Charle, Boat ride to see the city, insert 5 hours of free time to blow and a LONG bus ride back to Liege...getting in at 5-5:30 Monday morning. Ooo yeah, one long day.

Monday I slept like the living dead...really!

Tuesday, my group and I were going to go to Carnavil in Blinche or Maasterick, but that fell through. So we went to the mothership (mall) by me to shop. And found out I killed my SIM card. Count on SIM cards - #3!!! I paid for the first and got the rest for free...thank you Lord! Do not ask me how I killed a SIM card, but yes it is possible to do. The rest of Tuesday was a lazy day since we had no school due to Carnival on Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday - Friday = School :(

Saturday, the group went to Maasterick for the day to have some fun and get cheap groceries.

Now today...I am going to Pauline's (a friends) concert..need to catch the ride in about 1.5 hours. Then the wonderful world of doing my Taxes and FASFA...I swear the US Government can find you anywhere....sneaky little suckers :(

News: I will be transferring to Schmalkalden University for the fall and will probably get FREE housing because of a scholarship!!!! OOO yeh, another reason to leave Liege!!! Count me in Germany...I am coming!!!!

The Welcoming Committee from Berlin!

Wow...I haven't done this in a while :)

Hey yall,

Sorry I have not written in a while..life has been a bit chaotic. Since I do not know exactly where I left off, I will hit the highlights.

-Yes, I do have a new phone (world phone) and I will be positing pictures from my trips from it.

-I attended a Belgium Beer party, where students could buy tickets (indicating what level you

wanted and what type of beers you wanted to try) a couple of

Thursdays ago. I bought a 15euro pass where I was able to try seven Belgium (dark) beers. Keep

i

n mind dark beer here has a much higher alcohol contain than that of the State...hmmm.

Anyways, Mr. Bennjy Bear wanted to "pre-game" at the apartment with a few Jupilers (very blonde beer) and a couple shots of

Peach Peche. At the beer event, I did get a little "loose." Full story another night and for those

that ask. But I did tell Paulo (back story - he is attempting to find me a "Good Boyfriend" because I "need a boy") after many times of dodging the bullet, that he was the only guy for me and kissed

him on the cheek. Yes, I have not had any problems from him since. SCORE!!!! After that night, Friday was hard...so hard I just bought a phone and went home.

-On Saturday was the one day trip to see Brussels - COLD! Our tour guide sucked butt and I did

not learn anything, but made new friends from Canada and Mississippi (both have been here

since August 2010). Talking and walking, we do not see much. Jumping ship, Heiny Laura (MS girl), and I go on the search for food and a memory card for my phone...then home. Sometime that night my dad calls me and leaves a message worrying about where I was. (Please pause for Irony) Yes, Eleah and I were tired and sound asleep in our beds at that time of the call (from the

States). A call wondering where I was because I did not check-in while I am abroad in Europe,

weird and slightly humorous I cannot help but wonder what could dad

have done if something

was wrong. Again please pause to help me answer

this question. Yes, I am thankful he does care

(unlike other parents I have heard about), but really?!?!

-Anyways the rest of the week, I stayed in and saved my Euros for.......PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PARIS!!!!!!!!!!

Heiny and I were able to stay with Laura's boyfriend and friends at their apartment for the weekend. This past weekend was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!

Since I cannot put into words how wonderful it

was...I will just show pictures as I list our events (these are some of my favorites).

Getting off the train and to the City Center....

Yes, I saw the Gate and the Eiffel Tower at night and did you know on the hour every hour (till four am) it sparkles for 10-15 minutes. Yep, I had a Hollywood moment! And it was wonderful. Cross off one thing off of my "Bucket List."

The next Day was a full one (well the entire weekend was full), but Saturday we had wonderful weather. Just do not ask Heiny about the weather that day or ..well...any of the weekend. BUT it was nicer than Liege by a long shot!

So we saw the Catacombs.

This is where many people are buried, mainly from the French Revolution, but also from many other events that have transpired in France since the Revolution. Walking through here is very solemn, but very informative (if the people behind you would walk past you when you stop to read information plates.) This place is literally located behind your feet when you walk around certain sections of Paris. I really enjoyed doing this tour (self-guided). I have also (on and off) reading a book that has part that actually take place in these catacombs and make reference to them (the Revolution).

Next (after Thomas left - the boyfriend), Laura, Heiny and I

headed to Sacre-Coeur Basilica. At this place you can see a very beautiful skyline of Paris. The church is wonderful, filled with love and history. In getting up to this church one can walk up the stairs...the Parisian thigh and butt master. (P.S. All of this pictures were taken on my phone!)

After the Sacre - Coeur Basilica, we went shopping. Shopping in the touristy shops. Here I found something for mom and dad and a silly/cute Raspberry Beret. After our collective moments we went on to find the Moulan Rouge and stumbled upon, well some more interesting stores. After our find, we rushed home to shower off the Paris tourist's grime and headed back on out to meet up with Thomas' friends for dinner and drinks. That was also fun, interesting, and very hot (at the club).

-Well Saturday was a full day and Sunday was another. Heiny and I headed off (late) to see Versailles by ourselves. Now that is an adventure in both traveling and in history. Check out some of my favorite pictures. I have a lot but will again just select a few (the entrance, the hall of Mirrors, and lastly where the "main" lake).

Versailles was a very full day and both of us enjoyed it immensely and we only got turned

around twice once there and one on the way back. But me made it back with Tex-Mex in our little tummies and sleep on the brain.

-Monday was the day we went back to our personal torcher called Liege,

Belgium. It is so cloudy and well just depressing. I want some life in this city - besides drinking like skunks. This day we saw Notre-Dame and the outside of the Louvre, then walked around findin

g food. After napping for a bit we headed back towards the train and towards home.

And this is where you find me, tired after stressing over a project that my partner and I did not get done (but got an extention) and finishing my German homework for tomorrow...OOO and getting ready to leave for Berlin tomorrow night. OO yeah, I am a busy body! :)

So until the next time I am free to write, I thank you all and be safe in this uncertain world.

Free Travel Guide,

~Bekah