Goodbye Amsterdam, Goodbye Heart

As I sit in my living room in small-town, Washington State, USA, scarfing down Cheetos and guzzling Coke Zero, I could not feel farther away from my home of the past four months. And that's okay.

Of course, leaving my barren room and boarding a plane yesterday was tough. It was truly a goodbye and not a "see you later," as it had been for months when I would whisk away for the weekend, only to return Sunday evening relieved and content to be back within the confines of my sanctuary of a dorm room. This time, I don't know when I'll be back to Amsterdam. But, I walk away completely at peace with my time in the Netherlands.

Aerial shot of the Westermarkt (home of Sefa!!!).

Like any relationship you enter knowing it will have to end, my European lover and I made the most of our time together. I accomplished everything I wanted: visited every restaurant, bar, club, museum, park, and country on my list (for the time), learned an unbelievable amount about a new continent and myself, and made some of the most interesting and meaningful relationships of my entire life.

I finally understand what all people who have studied abroad seem to have, an intangible new way of looking at the world and even yourself. Its something you hear in the voice of previous travelers, right before you leave for your own abroad experience. It usually takes shape in the phrase, "You are going to have the most amazing time; it's going to change your life."

Amsterdam coat of arms. No, the x's do not stand for drugs, sex and money.

I thought, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Until it did.

I am easily a more independent, adventurous, appreciative, insightful, culturally-aware, worldly, and humble human being, thanks to my time abroad. Landing smack dab in the middle of Dutch culture and society forced me to expand my understanding of the world at large and, more importantly, turn a reflective eye on my own country. I learned that most Europeans don't think very highly of Americans, which is why it is so important to strive to be the best version of yourself when it comes to interacting in the international community. I think I won over a few people (looking at you, Dutch Buddy!).

Beautiful as far as the eye can see.

It's easy to feel like nothing has changed, having already aided my transition back into the U.S. with pedicures, PopTarts, and my car. But with each glance at my phone's screensaver (the Dam) or encounter with a bike lane (scarce in Camas, WA), I'm reminded of my perfect experience across the pond and the personal transformation that it entailed.

To all the people that made this experience possible - Mom, Dad, grandparents, friends - WOW, THANK YOU. I am so blessed to have had your support, both financial and emotional. To all the people that I met along the ride - CIEE peeps, my "Rage Fam," international friends - you have contributed to the best four months of my entire life, and I will never forget you. xx

My handsome PG boys <3

Prague: Tredlniks and Fertility Sticks

I ended my seven-weekend stint of traveling with a bang, heading to Eastern Europe before hunkering down in the Netherlands for the rest of the semester. To be honest, it was the smoothest most stress-free weekend of all of my travels, making me half wish it wasn't my last.

For once, I flew into my city of travel with zero cancellations, delays or major issues. Upon arrival at the Czech airport, I even ran into a friendly Theta face - hey, Nikki! - which further solidified the fact that this world is one small place. I cabbed on over to meet up with my hosts for the weekend, Mackenzie and Carleigh, where I was met with wine and hugs.

Kenz ensuring that Carleigh will be fertile in the coming Spring. TG for fertility sticks!

We got ready quickly and headed out to a super cool bar called U Sudu, which is literally a maze of underground tunnels, filled with cancerous cigarette smoke (the Czech can legally smoke indoors, and they take full advantage of this) and varying kinds of hip music/drinks.

After meeting up with a group of friends, we made the group move to a bar called Double Trouble, though not before literally running into two USC friends, Caroline and Annie, on the street on the way there. Prague is apparently the size of my high school. At Double Trouble, we danced, downed mojitos and shots, and made friends with both British teachers and French mimes. Honestly, the high school gang is all here.

On Friday, we rolled out of bed at a leisurely alarm of 11 a.m. The day consisted of a stroll through Old Town Prague, where we dined on sausage and cider amidst a in-depth conversation about the political ramifications of the current Russia/Ukraine sitch. Carleigh convinced me we're still in a Cold War so happy vacation thoughts to me! Kidding, we all know I love a good political convo. Other sights included the famous Astronomical Clock and pretty views of the Prague Castle.

Prague sausage, the Czech equivalent of doner kebab. Yeah, I said it.

Open-air concert at PRAGUECHELLA! Note the mad hipster attire (read: shoes).

Eating tredlniks (Czech rolled pastry) in Old Town.

Astronomical Clock in Old Town

For a snack, we decided to grab some strawberries and white wine from the market and havea picnic on the Vlatava river water front. It was a truly magical experience, with the sun shining directly down on us and our conversation taking a turn for the inquisitively religious. The most important sentiment that came out of this conversation: "Sometimes, the booty call can be the mature thing!" Word.

My two lovely hosts on our romantic picnic <3

For dinner, our little USC Theta/Kappa crew met up for some Italian food and, more importantly, wine. We threw a fun lil pregame at Carol's uber upscale Prague apartment, then went out dancing at a club called Mecca. It wasn't so much the club as the company that made girl's night out absolutely kill it.

Saturday morning was similarly lazy, with us rolling out of bed at 11 a.m. and making it to brunch with the crew by about 1 p.m. From there, we all traversed across the Vlatava to see the Lennon Wall and then walk across the famous Charles Bridge. Our next move was to rent paddle boats and cruise the river, but somehow we ended up getting sidetracked and found ourselves back on the water front, this time drinking beer (pivo). We befriended a very friendly dog named Bobi, who would not for the life of him get up and leave with his owner (which was ver funny), yet was happy to mosey on over to our group to hang out. We love you too, Bobi.

Posted up at the Lennon Wall.

The Charles Bridge, named after King Charles. The Czech really liked Charles and named a bunch of stuff after him.

Barcode-faced babies by Czech artist David Cerny. I guess this is art.

Finally, we got on our paddle boats, ordered more pivo from a boat-up bar, and chilled on the water for an hour. All this boating and beer drinking obviously made us very hungry, so we followed suit by feasting on a meal of traditional Czech fried edam cheese. This is essentially a glorified mozzarella stick, except no one in the Repub understands you are supposed to eat it with marinara. Nonetheless, an interesting culinary experience that I am happy to have had.

3/7 of the group diligently man their paddle boat.

Fried edam cheese, potatoes and tartar sauce, the meal of vegetarian champions.

For our last night out, we went to a bar called James Dean, which was playing oldies, and a club called Cross Club, which played what Carol dubbed "progressive-death" music. If you know me at all, you will understand my discontent with the night's musical array. However, we did make some cool French and German friends along the way, one of which I helped make the big life decision to move to San Francisco! Your welcome, bro. Hopefully see you at the Weekender.

Loved spending the weekend with these girls!

On to the final stretch! We rise at 11 a.m. on Sunday with pounding headaches for the third morning in a row, and accept that we are delinquents. Subvert such misery with a massive, fantastic brunch at Radost (unlimited American coffee like WHADDUP). My cab driver to the airport is a total G and gives me an apple from his yard in Prague as a parting gift. I fly home with zero complications and arrive happily in Amsterdam. The weekend was too easy and too perfect.