Amsterdam

I don't think I've ever seen as many beautiful people than I have here. Every woman is tall, blond and skinny with great bone structure and every man, even the really old ones, are good looking. How do they do it while smoking cigarettes and drink beer all day long?
We rented bikes to get us around the city which seemed like a great idea but little did we know the bikers here have a set of strict rules and are very aggressive riders. There was always so much more bike traffic than car or foot traffic AND we didn't know the biking etiquette so we got a few too many bells dinged and heads shook at us. and I thought I was good on a bike....

We did, however get to see a lot of the town because of our bikes. It's so romantically beautiful here. At night, the canals light up and it sets this warm mood along the cobble stone streets. During the day, its so lively and colorful. The hollyhocks are blooming all along the sides of the tall brick buildings.

The Anne Frank House must be the most heart wrenching and important museum in all of Europe, maybe even the world. The emotion and realization that it offers people is something that everybody needs to experience. My understanding of the war and of Jewish faith is deepened considerably. It was very difficult not only to walk through that house, but also to process it for the rest of the day and I think maybe the rest of my life. I have taken more away from that "museum" than any other place I've ever been. This is NOT an overstatement.

Today we are taking a train to Prague. Its 14 hours and cost 270 euros for 2 tickets!! I couldn't believe how expensive it was. But really, we have no other choice.

p.s. We ate Indonesian last night and I think I might have found my new favorite kind of food... its SO GOOD!

A day behind...

I was actually a little sad to say good bye to Copenhagen. By my last day I felt like I had some what of a grasp on the city and was really starting to enjoy that. Bala and Larry hooked me up with one of there friends that lives there so I got to go play ultimate! And that was probably the highlight of my stay in Copenhagen. It's so awesome how we (ultimate players) are able to go to a new town and be taken in by the ultimate community. They were all so sorry to hear that I was leaving the next day and hooked me up with other ultimate communities around Europe!
So all in all, Copenhagen was kind of tough. I really went through emotional highs and lows that didn't seem to depend on anything at all. But by the last day I remembered what my yoga classes have tought me (and what Dr. Jim had reminded me). Everything that I need is all in my heart and now that I'm here, alone and without the influence of...well, anybody, I can offer the world pure Kristine. So hopefully Jim's reminder will stick with me..
Right now I've just made it to my hostel in London and I have to say: It is 1,000 times better than the place in Copenhagen. I've already met loads of people and I feel way better. So now, I'm off to pick up... That is if I don't get lost in the underground.

Copenhagen

Its feels like a movie set. These tall multi colored buildings that go on for rows and rows and blocks and block surround huge green, copper statues of men on horses. There are flower markets and produce markets on every corner. The coffee shops and bakerys are all so incredibly delicious. And the bikes! Bikes everywhere! Excellent bike lanes with there own turning lanes and stop lights. I love it!

It was quite the journey getting here. I flew in to Billund, Denmark because my ticket cost zero euro. In reality I probably could have flown into Copenhagen because the hotels in Billund are insanely expensive. 130 euro expensive to be exact. Anyway, its was a nice quiet town. I went running and I found a trail that took me outside the town to these beautiful oat fields. The roads were lined with rose bushes and the smell of them was so intense! It brought me back to my mom's roses in her garden and playing in the yard of our old house. It got me really sad.
I had to catch a bus and then a train and then another bus to get here. When I got off at my final stop, I looked around and started to. I was in the middle of the city and there were no signs of a bed and breakfast at all. Just lots of Arabic people. I'm not hating...but I did feel a bit uncomfortable. I had the address to the place, but apparently in Europe, they don't believe in street signs. I still don't know why. After about 10 minutes of wandering with my pack on I started to tell myself that this was the worst idea ever, coming to a big foreign city alone. What was I thinking? I'm probably going to have to sleep on the streets.
Luckily, before I got too panicky, I found the apartment building and started buzzing all the floors. What else was I supposed to do?! All of the name on the bells didn't match the name of the b & b. So I tried them all and finally found the right one. He let me up and then told me he wasn't expecting me until next month. WTF, I just emailed him the night before and told him I would be seeing him tomorrow. Well anyway, he said it wasn't a problem, I could stay here until the 23. A little sketchy....
The apartment was hazy from all the cigarette smoke he was producing and my eyes instantly started to water. He showed me around his little 1 bedroom flat that did not fit the description or pictures from his website. He sleeps in the "living room" which has a single bed in it, I sleep in the only actual bed room and there is this Italian man who is sleeping in the "2nd bedroom" which is really my closet. His website makes it sound like a roomy home in the copenhagen suburbs... but its definitely not. And a few minutes ago a spanish couple showed up and they are now staying in his room (or the "living room" that has now just turned into the 3rd bedroom. Convenient.) and he is going to stay in his sail boat. Weird. Oh and... no breakfast. So its literally just a bed. Not a bed and breakfast.
It's $200 for 5 nights. and I kinda effed up. He asked for the money of my stay at the beginning and stupidly I gave it to him. I don't know what I was thinking. I should have said I would pay for a couple nights and then see. But I didn't. Damn. I know, I know. I'm complaining and I'm making it sound a lot worse than it is. Actually, my description is quite correct. But its really not THAT bad. I have a kitchen I can cook in. Its really close to the center of the city AND I've learned a few lessons already: 1. Don't stay in a place that doesn't have reviews (good or bad). 2. Don't pay for 5 days up front. 3. I'm allergic to ciggy smoke.
I rented a bike and explored a little bit yesterday. Today I got a croissant and a coffee and ate it by the canal. Then I went to the National Museum and explored a bit more.
I don't know about traveling alone.... Its empty.

picture 1: my lunch on a bridge over a canal full of beautiful old boats floating by

picture 2: my bff for the next 4 days. His name is Tak (the only danish word I know- means thank you....).

Ireland

More than I was expecting. I don't think I'm even going to try to explain what its like here in fear that I wont do the beauty justice.

Every day I try to go for a run to regroup and think about what feelings and emotions I've experienced during the day. Here its as though the things I'm struggling with have bubbled to the surface. Things I have needed to process but wouldn't let myself think about in the past have now presented themselves to me and I find myself welcoming each difficult thought with steady arms. This, although it may not make sense to you, is why I needed this trip. And while I am still with my dad and cannot fully work through these things until I'm alone, this is the start of it and this is the reason I'm here.

It's funny how being away from people you love intensifies every emotion you have toward them. Love, anger, sadness and even trust.

I had the most terrible nightmare last night. I dreamed that my mom had suddenly died of a heart attack. When I woke up, there were tears in my eyes and sadness I felt in the dream stayed with me until the morning. It was so horrible.

To update you on the trip: We've been driving the Northern Coast of Ireland and its been incredible. There have been huge valleys, sea cliffs, great pubs, and the Giant's causeway. In 2 days I leave for Denmark.

Miss Nessie

We drove up towards the highlands and hit Loch Ness. We weren't planning on going up there but I'm glad we did. Despite the shops around the lake that are loaded with "nessie" gear, the area is quite charming and peaceful. Its a big, deep and very dark lake with forests on both sides and wheat fields on the ends. We found a hike that followed a military road up through the trees. It was nice but kind of weird. All of the pine tree forests that I've seen are all planted for harvesting. I could definitely tell that forest wasn't natural. The parts of the country side that aren't used for grazing and wheat fields are covered with a very unnatural looking forest. The trees are planted in neat rows and they harvest them in perfect squares and then they plant new ones. I wonder how long the soil will be able to support that... It's completely gorgeous, but a tiny bit of me is sad about it.
I got off track with that. Point of the story: we did a hike and I GOT A TICK! What is it with me and parasites in foreign countries? It was on my stomach... gross. Hopefully thats the only one.
We saw some Pictish stones that I was really excited to see. I was expecting this huge site will heaps of different rock formations and carvings. I guess after driving all day to see something your expectations get a bit skewed. There were 4 carved stone formations (from 700 AD!) in the rainy country side of Angus (where Angus beef comes from). It was pretty neat but probably not worth driving 4 hours to see.
We're in Edinburgh now and leaving for Dubin tomorrow morning. Apparently my dad NEEDED to do some laundry, so shortly after finding a hotel near the airport we went on a mad goose chase to find a "landrette" of which (as we later found out) are rare in the city. We finally found a dry cleaner who, we thought, could point us in the right direction. We started chatting with the lady who was more than friendly and in the end she not only helped us find our way back into the city but also told us she would do our laundry and drop it off at our hotel when she was done! And on top of that she didn't want us to pay her! My dad forced 20 pounds on her in the end. People are so incredibly friendly here. Always interested in where we're from, where were going and where we've been.
I just spoke with Jackie a bit ago. She's decided to come to Europe. She wants to meet in London and travel from there. She also wants to stay for 3 weeks. Its going to be fun.

Yesterday our goal was to get into Scotland, so most of the day was spent in the car. I'm not complaining. The English country side is so incredibly beautiful. Once we got outside Manchester's sprawling outskirts, we found rural England and I don't think I would ever get tired of watching it go by. The Serene pastures that collide dramatically with rugged cliffs and steep mountains are both calming and belittling. Miles and miles of stone fences line the fields speckled with sheep. People must have been on this land since the begining of time. I can't seem to grasp the age of this country and the culture along with it.

We stopped at a cafe in the middle of nowhere England and met a girl from Fresno who used to spend her summers in Missoula. She lives here with her English husband now. Small world? Hells yes.

Today we made it up to a place called Helensbrough. Its a small town by the sea that doesn't have much but a run down bed and breakfast with wireless internet and a moldy shower. It's actually not that bad. We saw a couple castles today. We also found some ruins of a castle, but come to find out, they were build as ruins. Apparently in the Victorian era it was hip to build ruins on your property. Weird.

I really want to get up to the North Highlands and Shetland Islands so we're going to spend a couple hours of straight driving to get up there. Its tough being the navigator (my dad won't let me drive) because I have to choose our route and decide which places to stop at. I don't like the responsibility. If the route sucks, then its totally my fault. Luckily no route sucks but still... what if.

So tired

Got in to Manchester today at 1 pm. Got our car (a ford fiesta I named Jose) and started driving North. Didn't get to far as the jet lag is incredibly horrible at the moment. So far its beautiful and green and old. Although we are about 35 miles outside of the city, we still haven't seen any open land yet. The road is lined with old churches and houses.
We are staying a town called Hebden Bridge above a bar called "bar place" (clever name...). Its small and quaint with a patisserie down the block that I am definitely going to get to tomorrow morning. There's a pub down by the bridge that I think we are going to hit up tonight.
Sonja, you'll be happy to know the men in Europe still wear "man capris" and "man clogs". I wonder if thats ever going to catch on in the states... I hope not.

The plan is to get as close to Scotland as we can tomorrow. I can't wait to hear some Celtic music!