Russian Tea Farewell

Yet another good - bye. Sad really... but it's life. Yura and Igor are returning to St. Petersburg, but it is great knowing that if i ever wind up in that part of the world... i'll know someone who will share a cup of tea with me... as we did tonight!

Igor, take care of that bike seat i gave you... and Yurka, don't go breaking 'Shved' girls hearts ;)

Farewell Party

GIRL GONE WILD? nooo.... never ;)

Just a fun party sponsored by our very own UNIVERSITY!
--> The pre-party? @ "Concordia" for happy hour
--> The club? "Barcode"
--> The result? 2 Yulia's on the pole.

Very fun evening.

Unfortunately, the reason for the party is a sad one. Some of the exchange students are done with their studies and are leaving back home. Farewell... Ciao... Poka.

Ohh... and to all the Austrians out there... AUF WIEDERSEHEN!

London, England

I will forever remember this trip! It was so much fun!!! Rene ( my Dutchy friend) and I hit the big town and battled the crazy weather for 4 insane days... So much to see and so much to do, we had a blast!

It started off at 6 am when we arrived at the Rotterdam airport. Rene got molested by the security because he obviously was "a giant terrorist." After a 50 min. Flight we landed in London and were on way. Of course getting to the hostel was quite tricky, but our "Smart Hyde Park" hostel was worth the effort. It was cute and had a 24 hour bar ( which is a miracle because ALL LONDON BARS CLOSE AT 11 PM!!! I'm not kidding) but our hostel had some special license ;) We stayed in a 4 person room and got to meet a cute couple for the first 2 nights and a not so straight man ( who used baby powder in the bathroom ) our last night :P

So where should I begin?! There is SO MUCH to see in this city that you just don't know where to begin. We began at Traffelger Square with the National Gallery and 2 beautiful fountains.



Then off to Buckingham palace! We actually came back to the palace the next day to see the Changing of the Guard and our luck ran out! Rene had a great view from the back and I got to the very front... Then soon as the guards came out it started POURING! All umbrellas went up and Rene's great view was gone, where as I got to go under an umbrella :P ( good to be little) It was raining soo hard! It's one of those moments where you have no place to go out in the open and surrounded ( or trapped) by tons of tourists. Rene was drenched!





We then went to Westminster Abbey, where all past kings and queens are buried. Saw the parliament and Big Ben, went to 10 Downing Street where the Prime Minister resides, and finished off at the Westminster Bridge with a yummy pancake treat.



Ok... Some funny stuff: Rene almost got run over by a bus!



I stand by my belief that ALL BRITISH are CONFUSED! There all driving on the WRONG side of the road lol. Their wheels are on the right side of the car and they drive on the left side of the road. So every time we look for cars, were looking in the wrong direction lol. Sooo annoying.

Also, the British are really good about their escalator. They all line up nicely on the right side and let the people who are in a hurry pass on the left. So cute :)



Finally, the city has NO trash cans! This was the first "Litter" box we saw and it was a relief. Still can't bring myself to litter in such a beautiful city. But I suppose because of the bombings they got rid of them.



Ok, back to tour stuff...



Big Ben is actually not the clock but a huge bell that's inside the clock tower. It's named after some guy, and it's funny, they were going to name it after this other guy named Richard, but after realizing that "BIG RICHARD a.k.a BIG DICK" wasn't the brightest idea, they stuck to Ben.

We also hit the Broadway. We got to see "Chicago" which was great, but would have been better if we weren't 30 min late. Apparently we got lucky because we got to experience what happens if there is construction in a city that fully depends on its metro system. The "Tube" as they call it had alternative routes for most trains, and after missing our stop, going the wrong direction, coming up to a closed gate and fighting a huge crowd of people, we finally made it to Lancaster Square. Then running to our Theater ( and completely forgetting where it is located) we FINALLY made it to the show. Ok, running up the escalator wasn't fun... But gotta love the British, their system of standing in that perfect line to the right WORKS!



The next day we visited a couple of churches. St. Pauls Cathedral is so beautiful. Loosing my daily travel ticket wasn't pleasant but it balanced out when some random Russian guy offered me a coupon for the Cathedral at half off. Lol... we Russians stick together!

This picture is from the very top of the Cathedral. You climb 533 steps with a breather in the beautiful Dome and see all of London from high up.



We also visited Temple Church where the Da Vinci Code was filmed. In the movie it's supposed to be Westminster Abby but they were not allowed to film inside, so they used Temple Church instead.

Tower of London was awesome! Its a huge city within a city where all the past royalty were held prisoner. Queen Elizabeth I resided there for some time and many more. They have a Bloody Tower and Torture Tower, so you can imagine all the fun stuff that happened there. They also had an exhibit of the Royal Jewels. I have decided that for my upcoming birthday I want the coronation crown, the staff and the big crown with the largest diamond in the world! Ohh and also, I felt right at home in the castle... so it's clear... I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PRINCESS!



Ok... I HAVE to show this... It's quite sad ((



STOP LAUGHING!!! lol :P

Right by the Tower of London, there's Tower Bridge. It's the most beautiful bridge I have ever seen!



On our last day we visited Kensington Palace where Princess Diana, Charles, William and Harry used to live. It was so beautiful inside. They even had the exhibit of Princess Di's old dresses. We did the royal walk up some grand staircase and walked through the bedrooms of the past King and Queen. I repeat! I FELT RIGHT AT HOME and SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PRINCESS!



We walked to Hyde Park and saw Princess Diana's memorial. It's very unimpressive and that's sad because she was loved but everyone and deserves better.

Uhh... Aren't you TIRED of reading about this yet?! lol... I'm tired of writing. SO MUCH happened and I can't even remember half of it now.

Finally, we finished off this amazing trip with a tour through Harrods, the most famous Department store in the world! ( BTW, princess dianas lover's dad owned it)



IT IS HUGE! They have EVERYTHIGN there!!! And delicious food too :)

So there it is. LONDON! So powerful, historic, charming, beautiful... and WET. I had a great time and I'm glad I had a good friend to share it with.





Oh yea, we did have a "PINT" of beer at the bar... A PINT!

More pix:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=ixridti.2j8oijp6&Uy=-ysgfzj&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

LA

They say everything happens for a reason. That each person has a path that they will follow and that in the end everything works out for the best. I don't know if this true but what I do know is that people are capable of much more than they realize. We can withstand any pain, any struggle, any obstacle and still come out strong. I guess the more difficult life is, the greater the appreciation for living.

This year has been about learning to live on my own. I learned much more than that... and for both the good and the bad, I am grateful.

Surprisingly, there is a light at the end of a tunnel.

Antwerp and Brussels, Belgium

Yesterday ( April 30th) I had the opportunity to join a russian tour group from Moscow on a day trip to Belgium. It was great, we had a russian tourguide and i felt like a regular Moscow student. After a realization that i am indeed American i realized that Russian kids are hella smart! O well. lol



Anyways, Antwerp was beautiful. This is a picture of a castel. The statue of the Giant looking angry at drunks is a Belgian myth saying that a gian ghost roamed the city and scared drunks yet gave candy to kids. Quite a cute story.

Then we went to Brussels and had a yummy Belgian Waffle. The city is great and It would deffinately be one i'd like to live in. Its spacious with many beautiful plazas yet tiny winding streets with an Italian/French feel to them. People speak Flemish andi found them to be are very nice. What a great day!



Ohh, and this picture is of a man statue. Supposedly if you rub his whole body, then a dog on the top and a mouse below him, you will return to Belgium and will have good luck. All tourists rub him. It's as though he keeps getting mallested over and over again lol!!! yes.. i rubbed him too ;)

Queens Day April 29th

Long lived the Queen!!!



Queens day! The biggest party/holiday of the year in the Netherlands. I have never seen ANYTHING like it before. The entire country came to Amsterdam and millions of people walked the streets. They were high or drunk and all having a great time! Beer stands were everywhere, and stages were set up all over town with different famous performers or dj's. I can't even describe it. You just had to be there... and be amongst all the people walking down little streets and near canals, looking at funny things people are trying to sell or drunk people acting stupid. It was so much fun. Ohh, and it was a plus if you wore orange!!!

Dusseldorf, Germany

April 28th i took a day trip to Dusseldorf Germany. What a nice city. It's quite small but shopping is awsome! So many galleries and expensive stores. It would deff. be nice to return there someday rich! :)



There is a beautiful canal where we just sat on a bench and enjoyed the view, then walked the narrow streets with Germany style architecture. Ate a German sasuage ( this huge huge sasuage and a tiny bun with mustard) and walked on the bulevard by the water. Also half way crossed the bridge and finally went up 168 meters up to this highrise in the picture. The view there was spectacular. You could see all of Dusseldorf and the glass windows slant so that if you sort of lay on top of it you feel like you're falling.

Czech Republic & Greece

~Prague~

I loved it so much!!! It was so kind of my ( very far away ) relatives to meet me at the airport and spend the day with me. I got to enjoy a home cooked meal and then take a walking tour of the city. Prague is gorgeous. Everything is so old and historic. The architecture is stunning with narrow streets suddenly leading into a large plaza with tons of people just walking around, shopping or eating. There were so many tourists. My tour guide lady was hilarious. She refused to answer any questions 1 min. Before the tour started. But soon as it was exactly 3:00 she's like... Well hello ladies and gentleman! It was pretty funny. Here is a picture of the typical architecture of the city.



This is a really cool clock. It calculates the time insync with space. See how in the middle its earth and all around there's astrological signs?! It came from the belief that all other planets and the sun circulated the earth. And every hour the little windows open and all the saints in the bible come out. It was very interesting to watch. The lady guide explained that the skeleton on the right means death and each hour he flips the hour glass and other inner characteristics of humans begin to move.



Then my aunt took me to a typical Czech dinner. A HUGE cow knee and other goodies with it. It was sooo yummy but HUGE! We took what we didn't finish back home for her doggy :)



oh and this : For those who know me... I just couldn't resist! Bedninki... Ego uje vse zamuchili... Including me, hehehe.



I wish i had more time there than just one day... but it was great anyway. Here's a link for more pix if you wanna see!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=ixridti.9zd6fw56&Uy=-wxssx4&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

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~Thessaloniki~

First of all, Natashka, thank you so much for letting me stay with you and your family! I had such a great time and absolutely loved gossiping with your mom and sister ;) And Serjio was so kind for picking me up from the airport and then taking me back there... send your family all my love and many many thanks!!

It was so great not to live in a hostel for a change. Natashka's family was very kind for taking me in. We walked around all of Thessaloniki by foot... litterally ALL of it! Saw a bunch of greek people and followed the path of the anchient city walls. We went up to the White Tower although the Greek dude was kinda mean and made Natashka pay. We got some yummy ice cream and then came back home for some RTN during dinner ;)





Something about Greeks: They love their kiosks!!! There's a kiosk everywhere, like 2 per block! And they sell everything you ever need 24/7. Also greeks love love love their nuts and seeds. They sell these delicious bars of pestacio and honey. yumm soo good. Ohh and Baklava is unbelievable! Also fetta cheese like i've never tried before. ok i'm also amazed i didnt gain 10 lbs... but all there is to do in Greece is eat yummy food! I even asked a local greek what they usually do... and he said "eat" lol. Thank good i'm not greek because i'd be a whale by now :P





But really, the food there is amazing. Also the women there are really fashionable with their hair styles. Everyone has perfectly blown out hair like they just came out of a hair salon, and they all have highlights.

Finally, transportation kinda sux. They have busses but very narrow streets. In Thessaloniki there are only 2 main roads. And they can't really build a metro station because anywhere they dig they find some old artifacts and its historic so they can't destroy it. I was even told that sometimes people buy land to build a house, start digging, find a historic sight and cannot build their house. They own the land but government will not let them distroy it. So there screwed. Oopse :P But It is worth it. Everything there is amazing.

One of the days i was there Natashas family drove us to Veria and to a historical location where an old kind of Macedonia is barried. They had huge barriel grounds there and even an old chest with bones and a golden crown of royalty. So interesting.

Then we went to this really nice park where they breed their own fish in freshwater and we had a yummy lunch :P





More Thessaloniki pictures: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=ixridti.8wtpn662&Uy=-mxe3ms&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=ixridti.9gnc1f96&Uy=c6k484&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1

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~Athens~

Another thanks :) I'm just so thankful to everyone lately lol... but seriousely, Alex and Kat. thanks for the tour! I had 2 local Greek tour guides for a day at Athens.

It was an interesting beginning though. Natasha and I were watching the local news and on BBC we hear a broadcast of a train on the way to Athens getting derailed because of a car crash. 3 dead and many wounded. This is 10 min. before i am supposed to get on the bus to the train station for a night train to Athens! Can you believe my luck?! So we call the station but they say everything is fine. I get on the train, still it is delayed for an hour waiting for trauma victims from the other train. Uhh... trust me i was scared!

Anyways i got there... and it was early so i went to the Acropolis then was supposed to meet Alex. After a 40 min. convo with Vanya ( thank you baby lol) i went up to the Acropolis. Wow it was unbelievable. The highest mountan in Athens with old Greek God temples all over... and you could see it from anywhere. And the view from the top was even better. You could see all of Athens and trully feel like a greek god.



Ok ... Greek Goddess ;)! I swear, all i wanted was to wear a white toga, a golden crown, and be fed grapes by sexy greek men! But then i remembered that they sacrificed women there so changed my mind.



Then i met up with Alex and his girlfriend and we went to the temple of Zeus.



After that we went to some more historic sites and then to huge Greek market. They sell anything and everything there... i got a bracelet :) And then... the main Greek attraction, we had lunch! A greek thingy that Alex ordered... was so yummy.

Then did some more touring, hit up a starbuks which has a cocconaut moca frap! and then to the Athens beach.

I had a blast, almost missed the train home but made it just in time. Back to Thessaloniki, back on the plane, another lay over in Prague, back to Amsterdam, to rotterdam, and yes believe it or not, i even went to class right off the plane. I'm such a good student :P

I loved this trip! IT WAS UNFORGETABLE!!!

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Something interesting: This picture is of the first modern Olympics stadium.



And these are Athens soilders. Check out their funny shoes!!!



More Athens pictures: http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=ixridti.6papjzvu&Uy=-7qtei9&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1