Lots of Moving

Well, I have returned from the amazing country of Estonia. All I have to say is Estonia should be on everybody's list of places to go before you die because it is absolutely spectacular.

When I wrote the two sentences above was probably about three days ago, and things have definitely changed. I have left Tallinn and Helsinki, and I am now in the beautiful city of London. We arrived yesterday in the evening at Gatwick Airport (quite a dodgy airport). For a future hint, if you don't have to travel Norwegian Air save yourself the trouble. You don't even get complementary water, yes they expect you to die of dehydration for 3 hours.
 We rode the trains from Gatwick to Milton Keynes a quaint town north of London. We stayed with my friend's relatives. The train was long, however, everybody was so helpful and kind. Our hosts were so kind, and very accommodating. It was the first time I had ever tried a crumpet and they are addictive. I am going to become fat here, just by eating crumpets. We went to bed completely sore because we also had to carry my two heavy suitcases both weighing around 50 pounds. Both of them weigh around the same weight as my travel companion. So now we are bruised and sore, and glad to be rid of them. The next day, which is today, we woke up and ate a traditional english breakfast.

It was completely delicious, then we went and walked through the town with their especially cute dog, Jasper. It was such a stereotypic old English town, and it was adorable. We walked along the picturesque countryside, and it seemed like the perfect life. Soon after we went to a Carvery, which is where you get delicious slow roasted meats and vegetables. It was delicious. We sadly had to say goodbye to our hosts, although I will be seeing them again to get my bags. We rode the train into London, now we are at our hostel. For being booked last minute the hostel is great. It is in a good part of london and the service is fantastic. We are roomed with some nice people, well I have only met two. One ran out of the room once he saw us, the other is a nice polish guy who is here to meet up with old colleagues. Overall, I am quite excited to be in London and can't wait to start exploring it!

Estonia

Well, I am now in the beautiful country of Estonia. I love it here! The architecture is intricate and stunning. There is nothing like a medieval town to brighten ones spirits. I find myself listening to purely classical music, and trying to imagine the streets 300 years ago. Some places I would definitely say to cover while you are in Tallinn would be.

1) Go to Old Hansa, it is a delicious restaurant in which you can eat like a barbarian (no silverware). Drink delicious, dark, honey beer all by candlelight.
2)Go to a restaurant on the main square ask to use the bathroom, cause one of them has a bathroom in a chimney and it is pretty darn cool.
3)Go to all the cool churches
4) Go to the wall, there is a place where you can try on chain mail and hold medieval weapons.
5) Go to the oversee of the city (most amazing views)
6) I am going to go eat some more XD

Sorry this is short, but I hope it satisfies.

Suomi Time

          Well I have been in Finland for a week and it has been a great adventure. After battling the jetlag (which has proven to be very strong this time), I finally got to see the city. My days have been filled with delicious food (including chocolate), and good company. My hosts have been very kind, and entertaining me all week, for which I am very grateful. Soon, my friend will be here (my hosts are her parents) which will make this whole situation even better. It seems like I have been here a lot more than a week because I have done a lot more than I usually do in Colorado in a month.
          In the land of the midnight sun, I still go to sleep around three and wake up around eleven. This jetlag has put up an awe-inspiring fight, however, it will soon be defeated. The days that I have spent in Helsinki have been fantastic. My hosts taking me to the city and showing me around. To say the least Helsinki is one of the most modern, yet, winsome cities I have been in. Some streets are filled with fashion boutiques, and the most hip design stores. Others, are cobblestone streets with the harbor to one side and a charming market on the other. To say the least, Helsinki, should be on everybody's Bucket List. Since this computer doesn't have a place to read a sim card, and I can't find where I put the charger for the PC I will simply have to put photos from Google. Don't worry I am getting a SD USB reader, hopefully, soon.

Helsingin tuomiokirkko, Suurkirkko

 The city of Helsinki is filled with beauty and fun things behind every corner. One thing I would definitely suggest visiting that isn't quite on the beaten path is a place called the Crypt Cafe. It is near the main white cathedral, and it is one of the most charming cafe I have had the pleasure of taking tea in.

        Also, my hosts, were kind enough to take me to a charming town west of Helsinki called Turku. Turku is a very interesting town with an medieval church and castle. There is no way to describe this town except for a fantastic weekend get-a-way. Although we were only there for a couple hours, it was still well worth it. I will write more about it, once I can upload my pictures, and explain more thoroughly. Well that is it for now, hope whomever reads this is enjoying my adventures. Also everybody send out their thoughts/prayers/good karma/whatever you want to my friend so she can get her passport back from an embassy so she can join me here in Helsinki soon!  

Helsinki at last!

Well after some sad goodbyes and hours of flying I am finally in Helsinki, Finland. I haven’t been here too long and I haven’t gotten to see too much! However, from what I can tell it is an enchanting country. I left Denver International Airport around five o’clock, and arrived in Reykjavik at 6 o’clock in the morning the next day. Iceland was really foggy and I could barely see ten feet past the window, however, the airport was really nice. The small airport was refreshing due to the fact that most airports could almost be considered small cities themselves. Iceland air was a fantastic airline to go with. The planes were smaller, which caused the trip to be a little bumpier, however, you weren’t on a plane with hundreds of people.  

The flight attendants were very kind and friendly. The only down side is that one has to pay to get food, I didn’t get anything on the plane for the reason that plane food usually makes me want to go die in a corner of the plane. I had about twenty minutes in Reykjavik before boarding my flight to Helsinki. I arrived in Helsinki around 2 o’clock, took a nap before four o’clock. Now I am up around 4 o’clock in the morning. I have a feeling like myself and jetlag may be at war. The hardest part is right now at 4 AM the sun has already risen and so has every bird. There squawks echo throughout the room, making me not want to go to sleep even more.

            Helsinki really is a unique city, not only because of the climate. I have only been here a couple of hours, and I was asleep for about half of them, but one can definitely tell that it has certain happiness about it. At the airport I was trying to find a luggage cart, much to my dismay I found a broken one. Some men helped me carry my bags out to where I was meeting my friend’s I am staying with. Then on the bus a woman with two adorable children started talking to us. It seems like small things that do happen everywhere, however, this little things made my day. The city itself has architecture like I have never seen. It is a mix of modern and early nineteen hundreds. It is truly a spectacular city. The Finnish language is an extremely adorable and yet difficult language to learn. Just listening to the tid bits I have only picked up was how to say “Thank you,” and I have already forgotten.

Three days!

Well I now have only a whopping three days left in my home town in Colorado. The excitement is becoming almost too much for me! I will be getting my UK tier 4 General Student Visa tomorrow! Which, also, includes my passport! I was quite worried for a little bit due to the fact that to get my visa I needed to send my passport to New York, and in order to go to Helsinki I needed my passport. Now that is all cleared up, and I am clear for take off! Excuse my strange pun. I don't have much else to report on...... I will keep you updated once I get there ;)

Visa time!

I have had the most stressful two weeks of my life. First on Friday I went to an old housemate's wedding. It was one of the most gorgeous ceremonies I have ever seen. They were quite adorable and everything seemed perfect. Then I had to leave early, much to my dismay and leave for my cousin's wedding. My friend Anna and I drove throughout the night and got to the wedding just in time the next day. It too was also a beautiful ceremony and wedding. It was nice to see all of my relatives for the last time before I left. Now I am sitting at an Einstein's Bagels waiting for my visa appointment. Throughout these weddings I have also been frantically collecting documents so that I can get my visa in time. Today though is the last day. I am taking my biometrics (fingerprints, facial scans, etc.) and then I will be leaving for Helsinki in two weeks. It is strange to thing that I only have one more weekend left in America. The bittersweet sense of saying of goodbye has kicked in, but also the excitement of a whole new chapter. I cannot believe that for the next four years I will be living in London. One of the world's biggest metropolis's will be at my disposal. I am still quite nervous for many things including that I still don't have a flat/house there. I have been looking around and London gives a new meaning to expensive. The next two weeks, I have a feeling are going to give my nerves a run for their money, but hey that is what adventure is! 

Always a Stranger

I know it has been awhile. So I have some exciting news since two easters ago! I survived my senior year, strangely enough. I am now a high school graduate!

Now I am on my way to London for university! I cannot believe that only a year ago I was saying goodbye to all of my friends in Romania, and saying hello to my friends in America. Now I am saying goodbye to America and going to London! My excitement cannot be expressed in words, however, this time is different. I was excited to go to Romania, but I knew I had to return to the states. Now I don’t know who I will ever see again. There are people that I have become closely acquainted with that I may I never see again. I don’t know when I will see anybody again, and I have made so many good friends. I leave in 28 days. I only have 28 days to say goodbye. Wish me luck.