Seeing Europe in a Whirlwind

Alright, people.

MUCH has happened since you have last heard from me and although I have finished my 6-week study abroad program, I am waiting to gush about it until I am finished traveling. To fill you in a bit, I GOT TO SPEND 10 DAYS WITH MY MOM IN EUROPE. And her lovely boyfriend, Jake.

Seeing my Mom for the first time in SIX weeks! :)

We started our tour of Europe in Barcelona and quickly realized that we are not the trio of tourists you will find at every monument, museum, and tour guide suggestion spot. We are the three eating at random restaurants, attempting to communicate with non-English speakers, and getting lost trying to get a feel for the city. That is basically how the remainder of the trip played out. So, highlights:

BARCELONA:

Ate by the Mediterranean. Had a VERY nice hotel that was randomly chosen by my mom. Had a waiter immediately notice a stain on my chest and point to it to offer a cleaning product. Used my Spanish skills multiple times. Introduced Mom to Zara. Toured Sagrada Familia and became obsessed.

Lunching by the Sea. 

 Gorgeous stained glass in La Sagrada Familia.

MONTE CARLO:

Had the best hotel room ever that looked right into the massive yachts in the Monaco Port. Saw the famous hotel/casino. Gawked at yachts and shiny cars. Enjoyed dreaming about being able to afford more than one night in the tiny country.

An example of what I will someday own...

Posing by the port of CRAZY expensive yachts. 

Mom and I in front of the famous casino!

CINQUE TERRE:

Had three erosion workers drive us through a construction zone (of terror) to arrive in Vernazza at the bottom of a crazy steep mountain. Kayaked into a random cave we found that basically had illuminated water. Took the train to the wrong city and drank at a convenience store to make it better. Swam in the Mediterranean. Met a British jazz singer and his wife and spent an entire night with them.

Us and the erosion workers by the truck they brought us into town in. 

Colorful boats in our secluded little town. 

Wrong city....Snacks and drinks!

Loving that Mediterranean!

PISA:

Spent maybe 1.5 hours there. Stared in awe at the tower that actually leans. Laughed at everyone (including ourselves) taking the exact same tourist pictures. Paid to use the bathroom.

Holding up that leaning tower. 

Mom and Jake's joint effort!

CASTEL DI CASIO:

Struggled to find this tiny little Italian mountain town. Was invited to the park by a group of Italian middle schoolers, DEFINITELY the cool kids. Translated Italian to English with what little Spanish I know (tough). Stayed in a three-story castle. Dressed up. Watched an Italian documentary outside with almost every resident of the town. Accidentally joined a kid’s day camp. Spent a significant amount of time terrified in the backseat while Jake whipped around mountain roads in our rental car.

My room! Felt like a princess for sure. 

Our castle from outside the courtyard walls. 

Small-town movie night!

Me and my friends (the cool kids). 

Day camp with the little Italian children!

Jake found these. Then made us wear them. And pose in the courtyard.

ROME:

Checked out the Vatican and enjoyed meeting other non-Catholics trying to understand. Slept three people in a tiny room. Frequented a restaurant based around mozzarella cheese. Tossed our wishes in the Trevi Fountain. Bought gorgeous Italian purses. Found the Coliseum unbelievable. Enjoyed the Roman Ruins. Sat next to a Dallas Mavericks player at dinner (Jake’s highlight, not mine).

 

The THREE of us (rare) in Vatican City. 

Mom and I outside the Coliseum!

My wishes lie at the bottom of the Trevi Fountain.

The queen of purse shopping!

CHEESE and wine for the McConnell girls. 

It’s not even possible to describe in so little words, but Mom, Jake and I had a great time together and enjoyed being constantly on the go. :) Go visit all of these wonderful places if you have the chance!