I feel the need to jot down what I have done in Europe thus far - before I forget. It has been a busy busy first week.
Day 1: July 12, 2007
-Reunited with friend and sister.
-Walked aimlessly in Paris, France w/ sister, saw Arc de Triumph had coffee at a cafe, got lost, found our way again.
** Had dinner on the Eiffel tower. Amazing view, atmosphere, and company.
-Sat on steps outside Eiffel tower and watched fire dancers.
Day 2: July 13th, 2007
-Walked down Champs de Elysees to the Touilerees.
-Sat by the Seine.
-Went to Notre Dame - it is way too touristy and loud. I mean, I am not religious at all, but I can respect and be quiet in a cathedral.
-Got into the Louvre for free (under 26 after 6pm on fridays).
** Had dinner on Monmarte - very cute area. Sat on the hill overlooking Paris watching fireworks set off by boys in the street, as well as bigger ones all over the city.
-Walked to Moulin Rouge/Red light district.
-Had a drink in the lively Latin Quarter.
Day 3: July 14th, 2007
-Bastille Day! Woke up to watch the parade down the Champs de Elysees complete with the president, french army, music, and the air brigade. Mostly just saw bobbing heads through the crowd.
-Took train to Brussels, Belgium to stay with forementioned friend and his family.
Day 4: July 15th, 2007
-Saw Brussels, its Plaza, important buildings, Mantequin Pis (statue/fountain of a boy peeing), etc.
-Learned about the divisions of Belgium (French, Flemish, and German/ Catholic and atheist) and the 3 things that make it famous (chocolate, waffles, and lace).
Day 5: July 16th, 2007
-Took train to Brugge.
-Went on Canal trip through Brugge - cute town.
-Saw Harry Potter movie.
Day 6: July 17th, 2007
-Went to Museum of Musical Instruments in Brussels - most entertaining museum have been to in a while, because they give you headphones that play music when you stand in front of certain instruments.
** Walked around Brussels with sister being touristy, touched statue to give me good luck, had famous Belgian waffle and chocolate.
-Ate the famous mussels in Brussels at the famous Chez Leon restaurant.
-Drove to Waterloo to see the battlefields and mound.
Day 7: July 18th, 2007
** Left Brussels and friend for Amsterdam. I am going to live there, everyone was riding bikes with baskets all over the place.
-Took the hop on hop off canal boat trip to various sites.
-Walked through the Van Gogh museum.
-Saw outside of Anne Frank's house - difficult to determine what exactly was her house, because it all looked very modern, and the line was over an hour long to get inside (we couldn't wait, because we had a train to catch).
-Wandered around the city and saw cool buildings.
-Took the night train to Zurich, shared a sleeper car with 5 other people, one of who snored.
Day 8: July 19th, 2007
-Arrived in Zurich, Switzerland in the morning.
** Walked along the beautiful lake for hours.
-Ate the pretzels filled with meat.
-Went inside churches with stiking stained glass windows.
-Climbed up hill to park with good view, swang.
-Saw part of kindercircus show.
-Took train to Lugano, Switzerland, where sister currently lives.
Summary: having an amazing time!!!
What a concept. People helping out other people. Healthcare should be a basic human right. What is freedom, if you aren't healthy to enjoy it. All the issues surrounding the United States healthcare system that are dear to my heart were exposed in Michael Moore's most recent documentary Sicko. I don't care that so many people thing he is over the top and one-sided, he is an excellent reporter that digs deep for information. He got into Cuba for heaven sakes.
This film needs to be watched by everyone in America. It made things I already knew about the healthcare industry and insurance companies real. It magnifies the stereotypical greed of Americans and the U.S. government. If it is not for a profit, then it is pointless. People's lives are not pointless.
I won't go into a whole rant, because I would just be reitterating the points made in the movie. But one thing I do want to add: as I was in the bathroom after the movie I head someone say "My doctor needs to see that movie." It is not the doctors. It is not the healthcare professionals (for the most part). It is the system. It is the insurance companies and politicians. The doctor's hands are tied. Some major reform needs to take place.
Part of me wants to practice nursing in another country where I can give the best care to every patient, while the other part of me wants to fight within the healthcare system here in the U.S. for reform.
For now though, I am off for a 3 week European vacation. To countries with socialized, free, unverisal healthcare. I am super excited to go exploring with my friend and my sister. Wish me a safe trip, and if not, at least I will be taken care of - no strings attached.
Quite a contrast to the light pollution of the city. I spent the past weekend camping by the North Santiam river with 4 friends. It was beautiful, peaceful, and fun-filled. We did the traditional cooking over the campfire with chicken and vegetable kabobs, followed later by banana boats and s'mores. Played cards and chatted by the fire until bed. The girls woke up early Saturday morning for a run, and we all continued to fill the day with a water fight, volleyball, kayaking, and a little hike while the boys went fishing. After dinner we all laid out on an open field looking at the stars. It was very striking. We could see the milky way and a million stars so that constellations no longer stood out. Apparently there were a few shooting stars too - but my gaze was never lucky enough to catch one. Although, I'm not quite sure what I would wish for at this point had I seen one. I am pretty darn happy. I am at home in nature. Even so I am jokingly called Sacajawea by my friends because of the way I kayak. While sitting around the campfire our last night - a friend looked over at me and commented that I looked very happy. All I was doing was staring off into space.
All you need to do is come to Oregon and see how beautiful it is, and you will understand why I am so passionate about the environment. Hug a tree.
Yee-haw! What better day to go to the St. Paul Rodeo than Independence Day? My family has done it three consecutive years now - so naturally, it is a tradition. My parents treated me and three of my "poor starving college student" friends to the afternoon rodeo show - so we were able to share our enthusiasm.
My favorite events include: bull riding, cow milking, and wild horse chase. In the latter, grown men are being dragged around by these wild horses. They chase after them, try to put a saddle on and ride them through the gate. Not too successful, but pretty darn hilarious.
Watching the cowboys made me long for the days when I rode horses. They really are beautiful creatures. I would give anything right now to be able to saddle one up (western style, of course) and ride off into the wilderness. Just me and my horse. Extremely peaceful...
Oh, and I wouldn't mind a cowboy either.
Funny how I've lived in Philly for 2 years now, and I have never done any touristy activities. I do love Philly for its rich history, but I have never really thought about exploring that aspect of it. For example, what is the big deal about the Liberty Bell anyway? It is a big bell. With a crack. The crack isn't even significant - it is from moving the bell. The bell itself doesn't really have a story behind it - it is simply a symbol. But, while walking by these historical monuments and centers with friends on our way from ethnic restaurant of the week night (The Banana Leaf - Malaysian..yum) to gospel and the Super Scooper at Penn's Landing (to benefit the Joshua Kahan Fund) we goofed off and acted a bit touristy. And you know what...it was fun. We made a pact to do one fun event every week next semester (easier said than done) - and maybe some of those events will be visiting these historic centers and buildings and learning more about the city we go to school in.
In other news: I am back in Salem for a week. Let Phase 2 of my summer break begin. Went to the World Beat Festival with some friends. Danced to some Nigerian drumming. Realized how nerdy/cute my little city is. We really aren't very diverse - but we pride ourselves on having the "Best cultural heritage event" in Oregon. Delta just started flying 2 small planes a day into our small private airport, and I got to fly on one of them! Everyone was standing outside the gate while our plane pulled in and waved at us as we were stepping out of the plane onto the runway. Almost as if the president had arrived or something. It made me chuckle a bit. Even though Salem is the capital, it is still a small enough town were we can be nerdy - and that is just fine.
I feel the need to jot down what I have done in Europe thus far - before I forget. It has been a busy busy first week.
