Spring Break in the university lifestyle is usually portrayed as one week in the school year for relaxation and freedom before finals and the stress from finals binds you to the library.
As a study abroad student in London, spring break, or Easter break, is four weeks of traveling, self-discovery, with some revision mixed in. After submitting one of my final papers, I took off.
First stop: Istanbul.
I have always wanted to visit Istanbul because of how unique it is in terms of geographic location and the ethnic demographics that follow it. Istanbul is literally where East meets West.
I visited all of the important sights of Istanbul: the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and ate my fair share of delicious kebabs, Turkish Delights, and drank Turkish coffee. The Hagia Sophia was interesting to see, especially when all the elements of its reconstruction are still seen today. It’s a piece of history that has recorded all of the movements and events it has undergone. Istanbul was a nice break to see different types of architecture that aren’t seen in other parts of Western Europe, especially when it came to the symmetrical outlines of the city and the architecture in general.
Next stop: Athens.
Ever since watching Disney’s adaptation of Hercules, despite its endless list of errors, I have been interested in Greek mythology. By going to Athens, I was able to make dreams of seeing Greek temples a reality. As much as I enjoyed seeing the ancient agoura and the Acropolis, my favorite part of Athens was being able to see the city of Athens. Orange blossoms were in bloom along the city streets and its aroma permeated in the air, light and sweet. Again, I enjoyed my fair share of delicious kebabs.
Next stop: Santorini
Ever since Lena Karigaris went to Santorini in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I wanted to do the same. (I see a common theme in the inspirations of the places I want to go to…hm…). As much as I wanted to sit on the beaches of Santorini and relax, I was welcomed to Santorini with wind and rain. Despite the non-idealistic weather, I enjoyed Santorini. As some good friends of mine would say, these are the aspects of a trip that make it memorable. I will always remember the wind blowing against me as I trekked from Imervogili to Oia. I will always remember watching the sunset on the balcony, wrapped up in my sweatshirts and trying not to sit on a puddle by accident. I will always remember the bright colors of the island when the clouds cleared up. I will always remember the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean and subsequently being able to swim in its waters. Santorini fulfilled all my expectations and even more.
I then returned home for a day to relax and recuperate before heading off to Paris.
I had been to Paris before so I didn’t feel compelled to spend too much time at the tourist attractions. Instead, I hit the main attractions (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the Catacombs, walking along the Seinne) before pretending to be Gil Pender, without actually meeting Ernest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald. I sat on the steps and waited for the black taxi cab to show up (surprisingly, it didn’t). I headed off to see Hemingway’s apartment in Paris, ate dinner at La Rotonde, soaked in the atmosphere of Harry’s New York Bar, visited Les Deux Magots and Cafe La Fleur before heading off to Brussels.
Ah Brussels. The city of chocolate, waffles, and fries. There is so much more than just food to Brussels though. Brussels is an amazing city with great legends and history. It was my first experience in a hostel as well and it was definitely exciting and new. I walked around the city, in great sunny weather, and learned about a country that people often forget, even though it’s literally the capital of Europe.
After Brussels, I head off to Amsterdam. I knew exactly what I wanted to do in Amsterdam. I saw the Van Gogh Museum and learned so much about Van Gogh, that I didn’t know. I gained a newfound appreciation for his art, his work ethic, and his experiences. I visited the tulip gardens, and although I wasn’t allowed to run through the tulip fields, I got to see how beautiful the flowers really are and how nature can create such amazing art. I went to the Anne Frank House and learned so much about one young girl and her dreams. I ate stroopwaffles and fries with mayonnaise and peanut satay sauce. I didn’t bike in Amsterdam, but I walked along the canals and admired the quiet and quaint atmosphere. There was something so relaxing about walking along the canals and seeing the houseboats rock from side-to-side.
I then headed down south to Madrid. The past few destinations were more jam-packed as I walked briskly and quickly from place to place. In Madrid, my pace slowed down. I didn’t feel pressured to do everything because I knew I couldn’t do everything. There was too much to do and too much to see, but I soaked in all that I could. I ate as many churros with hot chocolate as I could. I saw the Temple of Debod, saw its ancient hieroglyphics, and sat in a bench in its surrounding park. I finally saw Guernica for the first time. I ate a lot of tapas. I saw amazing pieces of artwork in the Prado and the Reina Sophia. I did not see Cristiano Ronaldo, however. I didn’t see the interior of the Palacio Real, but I did see its massive exterior. It definitely deserves its title as the largest palace in Europe. I walked through the Buen Retiro Park and saw the Crystal Palace and a lot of turtles hanging along the river banks. I enjoyed the pace of life in Madrid and how everyone just enjoyed the present, not worrying about the past or the future and enjoying the present, because once it’s gone, it’s gone.
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I headed further south to the city of Seville, right in the middle of its April Fair. The streets were filled with horse carriages and women in beautiful flamenco dresses. In Seville, I visited the Plaza de España and rowed across the canal. I admired the architecture of the Plaza and the importance it held for the past and the present. I then visited the palace of Alcazar and admired the gardens and the tiles. I did not get a chance to see the bullfights in Seville but I enjoyed my time in the quiet city, amidst a flurry of colors.
After Seville, I headed to my last destination, Marrakech. It was my first time being in Africa and I was excited. Although I did not go to Casablanca and ask Sam to play it again, I enjoyed my time in Marrakech. I walked through the markets and admired the tapestries, colors, spices, and more. I visited a traditional Berber house and had delicious homemade tea, bread, butter, olive oil, and honey. I saw the beauty of the Atlas Mountains and traversed through many many rocks and steep climbs to see the waterfalls. I took a camel ride through the Ourika Valley and saw just how cute baby camels really are. I saw beautiful tile work and symmetry in architecture. I learned about the herbs and spices that are used in Morocco. I practiced my haggling skills and enjoyed a mix of nature and the city. Marrakech is different than what I pictured in my head, and it has made me more eager to see other parts of Morocco, including Casablanca.
Although Easter break is over, and I only have a month left in Europe, I am still excited for the adventures to come. Adventures can happen in the smallest sense and I’m excited to see all that I can get while abroad.
London Calling 