Amsterdam weekend

Nin, Euan, Ted, Nicolette, and I decided to take a mini weekend trip to Amsterdam. We stayed at my aunts apartment!It was a nice trip, we  all felt a little under the weather but we still made the best out of it.

It was one of this weekends that everything that could go wrong did, and it was actually quite comical looking back now.

The first night we stayed in and had snacks, games, weed, drinks, and it was super cozy and lovely.

The next day we walked all around the city.

We got some space cakes, more weed, and lots of Belgium beer.

I lost my wallet, while tripping balls in the middle of a crowded red light district, while seeing a peep show. It was not funny when it happened at all, but now as I am typing this it is so funny. That is my life and it is just one of those things.

We ended the night with more beer to cheer me up after that happening.

Nicolette was having the most intense trip of her life.

We all danced like crazy people at the last bar of the night, and I mean crazy. This table of ladies was watching us and laughing and smiling. We probably looked so lame but like we were having so much fun.

I don't know what it is with this group of friends but the banter and joking levels are mega high. We also ALWAYS and I mean always end up dancing.

I love them.

 Sunday, as we were heading home, we stumbled upon this little, local market with cheese, bread, live folk music, and just good energy. We sat and enjoyed the music for a while.

Being Alone

I think one of my favorite things about traveling abroad so far is how it is changing me and how I am growing. There is something so freeing about being alone. Yes I have made friends and know people, but when it comes down to it I really am alone.

I have been on a spirtual journey for the past few years, being here studying abroad, going through this I am growing more than I ever have. It is so hard to put into words.

It is my time I guess is what I mean. For once I just have me to worry about. No life long friends or family, or all the familiar. I have time to just see who I am and what I want to change. I am learning things about myself that I never knew. Good things and bad things.

I feel like meeting all these new friends from all around the world that I am opening up. I am around so many different cultures and people each day. It is so refreshing.

I am learning to not take things to personally.
I am leaning to be who I am all the time no matter what.
I am learning to laugh at myself more, life does not have to be serious.
I am learning the art of letting things go.
I am learning how to be a better listener and a better friend.
I am learning how to be alone.
I am learning how to accept even the bad things in life.
I am learning that people and love and relationships are the real important things in life.
I am learning that I am alive.
I am learning that everyone in this world has something to offer you if you are willing to open up.

I feel like the journey I have been on has prepared me for this time in my life. I feel like the reading, meditation, and practice and learning I have done has prepared me to really apprciate and grow during this time.

I am so thankful for my life, who I am, the people in it, and the experiences that I am lucky to have in this beatuiful life.

London's Calling

A few of us from the den Haag crew decided to go on holiday to London! It was me, Ted, Nicolette, Hannah, and Ginnie. 

We came from Thursday- Monday. So it was nice to have more than a two day weekend to explore. We fit so much into our time and had the best laughs. 

Ive been to London before but it was just for two days and this time I had two English people with me who knew there way around well. 

We did so much in such a short time, I was really proud of us. 

The first day we arrived, we got to the hostel, which was a pretty nice one with a bar attached.

We then went to walk around and saw the city center, the London eye, the Big Ben, and the carnaby area. 

We then got dinner at this place called, wagamama. It is a ramen place where they spicy up ramen. It was the coolest place. 

Our first full day in London we did a ton as well. 

We walked around the covent garden which is a cute area with shops and palaces to eat.

I got then best English tea of my life at this quaint little English cafe. 

Then we went to HARRY POTTER STUDIOS!! 

I'm such a HARRY potter fan and so was everyone else so we were amped up!

It was one of the coolest  things. 

the Studio Tour offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore two sound stages and a backlot filled with original sets, animatronic creatures and breathtaking special effects.

You get to see how everything was done, and created, all the blueprints, props, special effects, you get to see the hog warts hall, drinking butter beer, and so much more! 

We then went back to the hostel and got ready for a night out. It was such an interesting night out.

We got shit faced and meet so many different, interesting characters. 

We didn't end up going to bed till 6 am. 

London got the best of us but it was worth it.

We had a slow start on our third day. Even though we where hungover we were determined to see as much as we could. 

We got breakfast at the cutest breakfast place. It's well known, and a hole-in- the- wall place with amazing food and a hip vibe. 

We had to wait a hour to get in but it was well worth it.

Then we walked around the soho area and looked at cute vintage shops, walked around the center more, saw Buckingham place ( where the queen lives) and went to see the London bridge. 

We got a nice pasta dinner, and got a cold beer at a typical English pub. 

On our last day in London we went to shore ditch. We started the day out with this amazing gourmet breakfast at a place called aldina. It was amazing food and excellent coffee. We then walked around shore ditch.

I could live here. I am in love with shore ditch. It is full of street art, street performances, local galleries, great food, and great vibes.

We walked around and took tons of pictures of the graffiti, looked at all the local cool shops.

We walked down high street, which is a famous street in Shoreditch. 

We went to the box park in London which is filled with street food, and vintage shops. 

Then we went to the shore ditch market which was filled with vintage finds and local artist work. 

We came back to central London, and got dinner at this funky Mexican restaurant, had some margaritas then called it a night because we had early flights home to the Netherlands. 

London has my heart.