Vienna

Tonight I have a skype date with Amy and Dylan :)  So I can catch up on my travel blog while I wait for 22:00 to roll around.

After Paris our next big trip was to Vienna or Wien as it is known in Europe.  What are the natives known as?  Wieners.

I had a great weekend with all of the Wieners (here ends the Wiener jokes).

 

This trip marks the start of slightly less well known touristy land marks (Berlin Wall, Eiffel Tower, Le Lourve...etc) and some

great random finds. 

 

When I was in Vienna I thought it felt like a very crisp, clean city.  In my other travels there has always been a hint of home in the air, but Vienna wasn't as inviting.  Not to say I didn't enjoy my time there--because I did.  The art museums alone were worth the trip.  Gustav Klimt's works were the main attraction (and I was in Modern Art heaven at the Munch exhibit).  We went to an opera/ballet/orchestra combo one evening--which sort of looked like a family talent show (but it was only a few Euro to go...we knew going into it that).  Mozart is a home town hero for the people of Vienna and as such he is on every t-shirt, coffee mug, and postcard.  The people that pretend to be statues (they are all over Europe) were all Mozarts as well.  We had some of the local treats like the Tortes from Hotel Sacher (which is a famous chocolate cake w/ apricot filling).  I was able to send some home to the family (and even after a week in the mail, they were (a bit drier) but still pretty good). 

The train ride to Vienna proved to be our most cramped one yet.  The five of us had to share a six person area in the train (think Harry Potter train compartments...and they even have a trolley that comes around...no every flavor beans though).  It was a long 12 hours and we were sore when we got there.  The ride back was not a night train, so it was less eventful.

Paris at a Glance (abridged)

So after we were unpacked and settled into our new home in Paris we had to attend to the first order of business: The Eiffel.

We took a nice scenic walk along the Seine until we arrived at the tower.  It was surreal standing underneath this international monument

that you have heard of your whole life.  It was like we weren't really there (though the vendors hawking mini-towers reminded us that

we truly were in Paris).  If you were to look through my pictures of this little trip you could use them like a flip book to see me walk closer and closer

to the tower, under it, and then farther and farther away. You can buy a handbag in STL with a picture of it on there--so who needs a million pictures of

one monument on their camera during their trip to Paris? Me.

Up next was the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees.  The Arc has the best view of Paris (as all major roads lead to the round-about that it sits in

the middle of).  This gave me the chance to get some additional Eiffel pictures as well (something I never passed up on).  A casual stroll

down the Champs gave us some great window shopping opportunities.  The week after we went there was a giant protest there by the 

French dairy farm industry (which has taken a major hit).  The farmers came and dumped their milk at the Champs (which is like Rodeo

Drive in Paris..pretty posh for a farm protest).  We were in bed pretty early that night (for our big day).

Le Lourve!!! was how I spent my first half of the day.  It was amazing...it would take forever to see everything there (so I did the highlights tour of the pieces that

I wanted to/had to see and it only took half the day).  After that we were off to Monte Marte district in Paris where we stumbled upon a wine fest (oh how the

Europeans love their fests!) and the Moulin Rouge.  We dragged ourselves back home that night to get ready for our long train the next morning back home.

 

Bonjour! (Part 1)

Whew, there is quite a bit to catch up on (though I am happy to report that all of my papers for this program are finished--so no homework over Christmas for me :)).  Paris was, as anticipated, amazing.  We took another night train (and this time I slept on a one of the couches across three seats).  We some how managed to spread out in there and catch a few hours before we arrived to Paris early that morning.  Only once did I fall off the seats (and almost on another traveler) when we slammed the breaks (somewhere around 3:30 or 4:00am).  We arrived and then it was only a matter of a few subway jumps to get to our hotel.

The hotel..was what we expected for only $28 Euro a night per person.  We were in a small, box shaped room (but we did have our own bathroom...however the showers were in the hall and closed each night around 10:00p).  Inside this dorm looking room was 5 beds and 0 floor space.  So we had to crawl over our beds to get to the bathroom and out of the door.  But we had a great location.  Only a 10 min walk to the Notre Dame and a 20 to 30 min walk to the Lourve :)  So we really can't complain.  The mornings came with a traditional breakfast of a baguette and spreads (mostly cheeses), some tea, and fruit.
Megan M. Gallagher

Holocaust Memorial of Berlin

Another stop on our tour was the memorial to the Jews killed in the Holocaust (just for the Jewish people, they have separate memorials for the other groups that are either built or are currently under construction).  The memorial is a series of large grey blocks in different heights.  The outside has blocks short enough to walk over while the center has tall blocks that loom over you, closing you in, as you walk through.  There are over 2,000 blocks in all and the memorial takes about a block of the City (near the Brandenburg gate...and across the street from Hitler's bunker...so pretty centrally located).  So far, sounds good: the location, the looming blocks that cause you to question their meaning, and the fact that the Germans are acknowledging the responsibility for one of the largest crimes against humanity.  However there is one major problem with the memorial that visitors cannot simply ignore: the anti-graffiti paint. 

The Grey smooth blocks do not have a single mark anywhere on all 2,000 of them.  No "John + Kate = <3" from school children and no profanity due to the very expensive anti-graffiti paint.  Any markings, paint, blood, dirt...anything just wipes right off.  The idea of it, I'm sure, was to preserve the integrity and serious nature of the memorial.  The glaring problem comes not from the product but the product's manufacturer...who has a history of business with the Germans.  The company that manufactures and sells the paint is the same company that manufactured and sold Zyclon B (the gas used in the chambers by the Nazi's to murder over 6 million Jews).  This company has made a profit from killing and remembering those they killed. 

Sleepin' with the Fishes

Well as promised, a little more info about Berlin!

Berlin has really pushed to market itself as a liberal and tolerant city (having been marred as a whole during WWII they are now trying to completely over ride the former image of Germany...at any cost).  Prostitution is 100% legal--they have a union and pay taxes.  The main strip for the Johns to pick up prostitutes was recently under construction to repair the cable car track.  This closed the street for an entire month (apparently the Dept of Transportation in Germany is just as fast as the ones in the US).  The prostitute union banned together and sued the state of Germany for lost wages...and WON!  The sum was worth a couple of thousand for each worker (the shops and bakery on the same street got nothing for the month).  

On our tour we saw where an exhibit from Chilean artist Evaristti was being prepared for his next controversial piece.  His last exhibit (which was shut down by PETA) was a table with 10 blenders, plugged in and fully functioning, with live goldfish swimming around inside awaiting the public to decide their fates (coincidentally after many hours only 3 of the blenders had the button pushed).  His next piece promises to leave the public with an even deeper moral dilemma.  He has befriended a death row inmate in Texas who has agreed to donate his body for the artist's use.  He plans to freeze dry it into pellets for fish food and leave the pellets out for the audience to feed the tank of goldfish.  Now if people do not use the pellets to feed the fish the fish will die (they will have no other food source)...so to save the fish (which was the cry of PETA at his last exhibit) the audience has to use the inmates remains.

What would you do if you were in the audience?

Berlin

Hello Everyone!

There is a lot to catch up with (and only a short lunch break to do it).  Since my last post I have been on the move.  Two weekends ago was my trip to Berlin (and my first attempt since Prague at a successful weekend trip that wasn't just a day trip).  It was FREEZING (I'm so glad we went earlier this fall rather than later) but wonderful.  We caught the night train at 1:30am (ugh...I can't stay up that late anymore) and got into Berlin around 7:30 Sat morning (after a really good night sleep in the train).  We found our hostel (the Circus Hostel) in East Berlin and then joined a walking tour of the city that left at 10:30 that morning (only to return at 6:30 that night...it was quite a jaunt around the City).  We saw everything that I wanted to see in Berlin on our tour.  And, as my traveling experiences seem to work out, we picked the perfect weekend to go to Berlin.  They were having a giant celebration (throughout Germany but especially in Berlin) to celebrate the reunification of Germany.  So there were people everywhere and lots of festivities to keep us busy.  That night we went out for Russian food and then to a wine sampling party (for only 2 Euro...all the wine you cared to "sample") and then off to bed by 11p for me.  The next day we went to one of the early Sunday morning markets (picture a giant garage sale with German trinkets).  That is the weekend at a glance, I have to work now.  More on Berlin (and my weekend in Paris!) to come.

No Worries All Safe and Sound Over Here

 

Hi Everyone!

I didn't want anyone to worry (should this make the news back in the states).  We

have just been advised to maintain a low profile (duh.  Guess I will not be able

to wear my American Flag jogging suit for awhile).  Anyways, we have just been

sternly cautioned and are not allowed to attend Oktoberfest (the most likely target)--

good thing I went last week!!  Check out my pics on facebook!

 

And seriously, I live in a sparsely populated section of Germany where everything

closes by 6pm and on Sundays...totally fine :)

 

<3 Megan

 

Here's a copy of the email we got from post:

 

The US Embassy in Germany has issued a Travel Alert.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens that Al Qaeda has threatened it
will conduct terrorist attacks in Germany immediately prior to and following
the federal elections on September 27.  This Travel Alert expires on
November 11, 2009.

Al Qaeda recently released a video specifically warning Germany of attacks.
German authorities are taking the threat seriously and have taken measures
to enhance the level of security throughout the country.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to maintain good security
practices at all times, and to maintain a heightened situational awareness
and a low profile.  Americans are advised to monitor news reports and
consider the level of security present when visiting public places or
choosing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues.

We encourage U.S. citizens to read the Department of State's current
Worldwide Caution.  It provides additional information on potential threats
to U.S. citizens overseas, along with advice on how to reduce your
vulnerability to such threats.  Additional general information on residing
and traveling abroad, including the latest Country Specific Information for
Germany, may be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

Contact information for the U.S. Embassy in Berlin and U.S. Consulates in
Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Munich, and Leipzig may be found on the U.S.
Diplomatic Mission to Germany's website.  All U.S. citizens traveling to or
living in Germany are urged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the
State Department's travel registration website.

Travelers may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by
calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or outside the United
States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
Megan M. Gallagher

Oktoberfest Weekend!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry for the delay (between work and moving I haven't had time to update you in awhile).

 

This past Saturday I found myself (and over 500,000 of my closest German friends) in Munchen

for the opening of the 2009 Oktoberfest.  We hopped on the train at 5:45am (with beers in hand

and ready to go) and arrived in Munchen at 9:30 that morning.  I have never seen so many people,

and so many beers at one time.  The rule of the fest is that you have to be sitting down to be served.

As luck would have it, my many years of musical chairs as a child was actually training that proved

of the utmost importance for this event and I was somehow able to find a seat and enjoy a beer.

The day was fabulous!  (pics to come on facebook soon as possible).

 

Sunday was then followed by a day at the Franken Therme.  The natural saltwater baths were heavenly

after a long day shoulder to shoulder and mug to mug with all those people.  The pools varied in salt

content.  3% (ocean-like) 12% (easy to nap floating peacefully on top of the water) and 26% (It is like the

feeling of balancing on a ball in a pool.  The slightest loss of concentration and you were on your back or

stomach trying to regain some sort of control in the water.  The day wouldn't be European without a trip to

the sauna and embracing the nudity of yourself and everyone else.  There is nothing quite like the feeling

of not knowing the language or the protocol for the sauna and being naked.  Most awkward moment so far?

Definitely.  But by the end of the trip I'm sure I will have many more oddities to account for.  But--the sauna.

Sooo great (once you figured it out).  There were different smells in the saunas (strawberry, cola, tutti frutti..and

so on).  In one sauna you exfoliate with honey and salt and then spend time in the honey scented room sweating

it off.  In between events there are showers and soaps and shampoos.  There was also a snow chamber that you

go into for a little bit after you left the room--brrrr!  And then there was an ice water dip to top off your time in the

steam room.  It was a blast (we will probably be heading back there a few times before we head home).

 

All in all, last weekend is my favorite so far!  But there is still more to come :)
Megan M. Gallagher

Pictures on Facebook

Hi Everyone,

Should you be interested I have finally been able to post an album on facebook of what I have been up to.

There is also a new video up in my video section from the Winefest :)  It gives a pretty good representation

of the whole night :)

More to come soon!

I have an Address!!!

I finally have an address on post :)

Which means that it is the same as sending something within the US (postage and so forth).

Should anyone feel the need to write a letter or send a box to Germany I would be happy to

provide you with that service.

You can catch me at:

Megan Gallagher

in care of Marjorie Cleveland

CMR 454 Box 2555

APO AE 09250

Prague..My Last Tour

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the lack of recent update--things here have been a little crazy lately.

As you know, last weekend I went to Prague (determined to give the city a second

chance).  After 7 hours on a train we finally arrived in Prague.  I trekked around the 

square, ate at Bohemia Bagel (my fav little sandwich place ever).  That night we

decided to participate in a cultural experience unique to Prague--the locals call it--

I believe a "bar crawl".  I'm not totally sure what that translates to, as it is, of course

in Czech.  

On our way to destination five, the city got me again.  This time not as a taxi driver,

but as a cobble stone road.  Next thing I know, I am down and seeing stars (different

from those I had seen earlier from the absinth).  My ankle zigged as I zagged.  I then

crawled home from the crawl and rested and iced my ankle (which is grapefruit esque).

I was totally out of commission Sunday and hobbled my way from train to train on Monday.

Currently I have a noticeable limp on my way to work each day (but getting better all the

time!!).  

Fool me once Prague shame on you.  Fool me twice...

So Much Already in the First Three Days

Well it has been awhile since I last posted on the blog.  There is quite a bit to catch everyone up on.

Those kids have been wearing me out (but each day it gets a little easier...and when I'm not "new"

they test their limits much less--can't wait for that).  I work with one to two year olds from 8 to 5

most days and they are a handful.  One is jumping from a table while another is pulling someone's

hair while the third needs a diaper change.  I have 7 full-time kids and then we get a couple for a few

hours or so.  I work with Ms Carmen and Ms Sede and between the three of us things somehow

manage to get done. 

I have a bit of a commute to and from work each day.  I have to catch the 6:54am train and then walk to

post (and then I catch the 5:55p home).  There is quite a bit of hiking to get there (which is charming now,

that it's fall and the weather is nice...but once winter hits it is really going to be a bummer).  Along the way,

we have a pear tree and a plum tree (so that makes a nice breakfast or evening snack). 

Monday I came home completely beat, Tuesday it was a little better (I could eat a bowl of cereal without

falling asleep in it) and today I'm physically fine, but emotionally drained.

Today four of my seven full-time kids have a parent being deployed for a full year.  Watching those goodbyes

today was absolutely heartbreaking.  Everyone was crying and trying to get "one more hug" before Mom or

Dad left.  A couple of the parents held it together while they were in class, but as soon as they were outside

you could hear them crying from the window.  Today was just a day of hard goodbyes and some really upset

toddlers (who don't know how to communicate their emotions other than crying, acting out, and major temper

tantrums).  So everyone was feeling the stress of deployment (and I have a feeling we will be for some time).

Some of the coping methods for our age groups is to have an unwashed t-shirt of mommy or daddy's because

the smell of the parent is comforting.  We also have a lot of pictures of the deployed parents hanging up at toddler

level around our classroom (and near the area they have their naps).  Some parents recorded a CD of them reading

a favorite book or singing a favorite song for the child.  So we have an action plan to help our kids cope with their

parent being gone in ways that they can understand.

Well more to come from me (this weekend is a 3 day weekend...so I'll let you know what comes up_

Megan M. Gallagher

My first weekend out and about

Hi Everyone!

My first weekend has been a blast.  I finally have Internet access here in my German House! 

First things first: My house.  I am living in the Pastorius House in Bad Windsheim Germany.

Built in 1668 (putting it older than our country...which is an odd concept to wrap your mind around),

we live on the third floor in a giant room with bunk beds (there's 7 of us up here...a little sorority house

in Germany :)).  I landed a bottom bunk (away from the windows and the early rising sun).  However,

no matter where you sleep the church bells will jar you out of bed each morning (either with guilt or

with overpowering tenor).  Word is that the local church is a protestant one (Lutheran?  We'll see).

 

My roommates:  Amelia, Danielle, Becca, Laine, Jamie (who I've taken to calling Jim), and Katie.

Amelia and Danielle are Californians and already finding it a little chilly for their tastes.  Laine and Becca

are Minnesotans (so they are still decked out in summer wear).  Katie is an Ohio native and Jim is from

Montana.  All have been really fun to live with so far and we have different working areas so we will have some

time apart.

 

My age group?  12m to 2 yrs (my main assignment) and the little, little guys: 6wks to 12 months.  I already had

one day of observations and they are hilarious.  We read a couple of stories and bandaged up a couple of wounds from

the top heavy tots.  All in all a good day (but when they have naptime I am so jealous!  I need a nap time as well).

 

My first weekend in Germany's theme: VOLKSFESTS

My home town had a small Volksfest (people fest...so similar to a county fair) our first night here.  We got to check out

the locals and the local brew.  We learned cheers: Prost!  Which we were then able to use on our trip to the Nurenburg

Volksfest (Nuremberg in US English).  We went to the fest, rode a huge farris wheel and then meandered around the city.

We also stumbled upon a giant open field with a WWI memorial that Hitler used to give a rally speech to his Nazi officers.

We were up there, looking out from the spot where Hitler stood, and trying to imagine the sheer number of officers that

would be standing out in that field but 60 years earlier.  Many Eerie moments like this to come as I make my way around

Germany I'm sure.

 

I also ordered my Eurorail pass (great discount online at STA travel).  So I am officially going to: France, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary

sometime in the next few months (I have friends living in all but Paris...so I'm excited to see them and have my own private tour

guides).  More to come as I figure that out.  Oktoberfest is coming up in 2 weeks :)  Can't wait.  We also will be heading up to a

giant winefest in the town next to ours (I am smackdab in the middle of wine country...LOVE it).  Franconian whites and reds...so far, so good.

 

Well, sorry for the length (I hate not having it broken up into easier to digest pieces) but it has been awhile since I have been

at a computer. 

 

Ciao!
Megan M. Gallagher

My house is older than my country

Hi all! I moved into the historic Pastorius Haus and i love it already-
pictures to come soon. The house was first built in the late 1600s
(like shakespeares era). Last night was the volksfest here in my new
home town and the girls and i got to meet our new neighbors-who
already knew we were the 7 americans new to town-apparently small town
gossip transcends cultures. The beer here is fabulous and the locals
are even better. We had quite a few german and english conversations
that seemed more fluent after each cheers(prost!).
side note- i just bought my eurorail pass! So more to come from my
end from: swiss, hungary, france, and austria! Cant wait.
Sorry for the super short entry. I have many more details for the
future- but i typed this up from my ipod so i am keeping it short
(haha felder my ipod is worki g while all the computers are struggling)
More to come!

Sent from my iPod

Getting Ready for Work

Well so far I have gone from one information session to another.  Yesterday was all about health stuff and SIDS (which made for a long day).  One of these days we learn how to change a diaper according to Army standards (yes--they do have regulations on diapering in the Army--who knew?). 

 

This Friday I move to Bad Windsheim, Germany and have my new base (Illesheim).  I am super excited for this because most of the time our interns live on base the whole time.  I will get to live in Germany (and catch the train to and from work each morning like a grown up :)).  This Friday we are to Nuremberg for a Volksfest (and for our first chance at catching a German Brew since we've been here--here's a fun little fact they neglected to mention in my countless emails...we are not allowed to even have a sip of alcohol for our first week here...but less than 32 hours from now to go...but who is counting?).  I also had my first German grocery store experience this week.  If it is super expensive at home it is super cheap here (fancy cheeses run around a dollar or so).  If it is super cheap at home, expect it to break the bank over here (peanut butter...in the smallest pb jar you have ever seen in your life...will run you about $8).  So I will some how have to live off the finer things in life and scrape by (for lunch I have been enjoying Brie, raspberries, and fresh bread...$3.00 investment...I don't know how I can continue on like this ;) ).

 

The architecture on the bases is very different from our style at home.  I asked about it, and that is because we didn't actually build any of these bases, but rather took them over from the Nazi regime.  So the idea of living and working in the same buildings as the Nazi party occupied some 60 years ago does have an odd sort of feel about it (probably not something that I will ever really get over).

 

Well, I have to go learn the Army regulations for bottle feeding in a few minutes (and to check my laundry before that). 

More soon,

 

Megan

Safe Arrival

Well, after being awake for, what is nearing, 37 hours (watching 4 movies on a plane while a nice German man napped on my arm) I am finally at Ansbach!

Housing situation--better than anticipated!  For now we are in a hotel until Friday (happy day!).  After that me and 6 other girls are being moved to a "guest house" off base in  a German town :) (I can't remember the name for anything right now...sounds a lot like Ellis Island..but that's not it).  This is really exciting news!  Everything in the town is within walking distance (as is the train...which I get to ride each day to work!).  If I had to stay on base I would be four miles from town and have to look for rides to go anywhere--so I will have a lot more freedom now. We've been calling it the sorority house for our program--there's 12 rooms (so the odds of not having a roomie are looking pretty decent right now).

Tomorrow I start orientation, and training on how the Child Development Center is ran here (no actually seeing kids until Friday).  I think this weekend we are going on a day trip to a really cute German town not too far from here...but more on that later.

So far, so good :)

Megan M. Gallagher

What Exactly is this Internship?

Many people have asked why I will be going to Germany as an intern to work with the Child Development Center.

I recently received an e-mail from Camp Adventure (the program that the DoD contracts me through) that outlines the purpose of

the program rather nicely. 

Here is a note from the coordinator that summarizes it quite nicely:

 

The Internship Program was established in 2004 to help with the Deployment
Cycle of troops "Down Range" (i.e., Afghanistan, Iraq).  Their are four main
parts to a Deployment:  Pre-Deployment (troops getting ready to deploy),
Deployment (troops leave for 12-15 months), R&R ­ Rest and Recuperation
(Troops leave in the middle of their deployment for 2-3 weeks for a
vacation), Reunion / Reintegration (Troops return from deployment, but are
required to participate in specific briefings related to reintegrating back
into the real world), and Block Leave (30 days of leave with family).
Interns are heavily involved with this process as they help to cover for CDC
caregivers whose spouses have been affected by the deployment.  Depending on
what part of the cycle the soldiers are involved with will determine the
role of the interns (i.e., providing child care during FRG meetings,
covering shifts for caregivers on block leave, etc).  As an intern you will
witness first hand the affects of the deployment and the impact it has on
the children and their families.

As caregivers in the CDC, many of you will become in essence, the child¹s
primary caregiver.  Interns and fellow caregivers are often the ones
spending the majority of time with the children and will witness many
firsts, which include teaching children their ABCs and reading with them,
watching the first steps of young children, and teaching children how to put
on their coat.  Some interns will also have the opportunity to witness
reunions between a solider and their child after being gone for almost 15
months.  It will be an emotional, but self-rewarding time as you are
directly supporting the troops down range by providing quality care to the
children.  As interns, we can only guarantee for the nine hours the children
are with us they are receiving the best care possible.  We can¹t control the
stresses and frustrations the children and families face outside of the
center, but we can help an ensuring positive, fun, and age appropriate
growth when they are in our presence.

 

My flight itinerary:

I leave STL to Chicago around 2p Sunday.  I have a lovely three hour layover before my 8hr and 43 min flight to Munich (9:50am).  Another couple of hours layover (and navigating the German airport) before I hop on my last flight to Nuremberg and I arrive, happy and healthy (but, perhaps a little tired) at 12:05pm German time (7 hours ahead of us for now...after daylight savings..only 6).

 

That's all I know for now.  For this program one has to be ready to adjust to whatever they are asking of you and be pretty flexible.  Example: I have absolutely no idea where I will be staying (or how I will be getting there from the airport).  What I do know is that I am boarding a plane tomorrow and getting ready for whatever is thrown at me these next couple of months.

Megan M. Gallagher

Iowa Tour Completed...Next Stop Deutschland

Before Leaving across the pond I went on a quick tour or the great state of Iowa to see my Iowans (looks like I am trading one population of blonde/blue eyed farm folk for another). My tour was extensive, hitting all the main attractions: Des Moines, Waukee, and Knoxville for the 49th annual Knoxville nationals.

DSM gave me a chance to say goodbye to Brieeves and Muhm before they moved to Chicago to start their new lives as City dwellers (and grad student).

In Waukee I met up with Kristin and got to help set up a fifth grade classroom as well as visit with my favorite sorority sister :)

The 49th Annual Knoxville Nationals was an experience all its own.

I got to visit with my Iowa family, Buck and Ames all in one trip...not to mention I saw my first bikini contest (with a guest appearance by a scantily clad distant cousin of Buck's--haha), challenged Dylan's dad to jello wrestling (which he declined-whew!), rode my first mechanical bull (but sadly Jeff outlasted me), saw some sprint cars, ate free burnt chicken at midnight, saw ultimate fighters, go-kart raceing without a seat belt, tour of the city's water supply, climbed a former water tower, and had my hair teased for the Friday night concert.

Then made my way home for one last dog sitting opportunity and packing before I leave for Germany.

All in all, a busy week.

Fricking Good Day

Should you come to NYC and desire an intellectual retreat The Frick Collection is where you should be. I knew I liked it from the moment I saw the large, no apologies, sign outside that ran NO CHILDREN PERMITTED (10-16 must be accompanied by an adult). It is quite difficult to contemplate a piece with screaming spoilt children running around (they were all over the MET, even the ones with leashes were difficult for the au pairs to handle). Even those working at the museum had an aloofness about them and a hint of snobbery ran throughout the collection--it was heavenly.
The collection itself was utterly fabulous and the ambiance of the courtyard and fount and the architecture of the Frick home was really an intellectual treat. I was able to see one of my professor's favourite paintings as well as discover a few of my own that I thoroughly enjoy. After a good three or so hours of contemplation I then headed up town to a small Irish pub and ordered a Belgian Brunette (1/2 Stella 1/2 Guinness--if you haven't you should) and just soaked in my day. I met up with Heather at her bookstore underneath Liza's apartment (21 G--should you be in the neighbourhood).
We stopped by a local diner for a pastrami on rye sandwich and then made our way to Union Square for a mani/pedi and some window shopping before heading home.

The Underground

After the Philanthropist I met up with Heather outside of Macy's and we went and saw the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center (as well as Christie's and Sak's).
After an exciting afternoon in mid-town Heather, Shereena, and their friend Greg and I went down to the Lower East Side for some Italian food and a chance to just hangout in a trendy section of town. Heather and I were wiped out so headed home around 10:30ish.
The somewhat controversial topic of Mole People in NYC is kind of a crazy thing to consider late at night when you are on the Metro completely exhausted from your day. Heather and I were having a lighthearted Mole People discussion when the lights on our train turned off for a moment before the train came to a halt in between stops. Heather shot a look at me that implied this was somehow my fault (possibly because I had just ask what would happen if the train were to break down in the middle, would the mole people attack us? or perhaps worship us as the gods from the land of the sun?--no sooner had I asked had the train "broke"). Luckily the train was only stopped for a couple minutes, just enough for people to get a little agitated and for a legless beggar to get a couple of quarters from some woman across the aisle. We were back up and running, though, we curtailed our mole people debate for the remainder of our ride.

Times Square

Wed I decided to check out these 1/2 price Broadway tickets I kept hearing about all week. I decided on the Philanthropist at 2p and purchased my ticket in Times Square. The play was phenomenal! Matthew Broderick (Ferris Buehler's Day off) plays an English professor in this hilarious critique of the world of academia (particularly the English dept :)--highly recommend this to all my English major friends!! Whom will particularly enjoy the following quote from the play "masturbation is the intellectual man [sic] and woman's television"
So, not only did I go to see the perfect play for what my interests are, but I sat in the middle of the front row. 103 AA at the American Airlines Theatre--I could touch the stage from where I was sitting. Being a Wed afternoon showing it turned out to just be me and everyone's Bubbe.

It was during the intermission that I somehow found myself in the middle of a conversation with a group of older Jewish women. We were discussing the important matter of how to get out the grease stain from the slacks that one of them had just gotten "baaack from the cleaanas." When suddenly the topic switched to one of the older women being tired from being at a school all day. I asked what she did at the school (since, given the time she probably wasn't a teacher) and she replied that she shared her story of survival during the Holocaust with school children. Wow. I was completely blown away by the story this woman told about her escape as a child from Poland. Her entire family, father, mother and 6 siblings were all murdered. Her father hid her in a closet (or small trap in the house...the details were a little blurred and I couldn't think of a polite way to ask so I just let her tell me whatever it was she had to say) and she said that before he shut the door he told her to "remember to be a good person and to forgive" and that was the last thing she remembers her father saying to her. She then was hiding in a silo somewhere with a younger sibling and she left it to go and get food and when she returned the baby had been killed. All of this happened to her when she was 6 years old. I can't even comprehend what that must have been like. How it was not that long ago that the Sho'ah happened and what I have learnt from the survivors is truly a gift that I am eternally grateful for experiencing. Before long we were back in our seats and the comedy continued forth--still a spectacular play with a star studded cast, but I cannot help but think the only "starstruck" experience I had at that performance was meeting that nameless survivor for those few precious minutes.

The Day I Died and Went to Heaven

Tuesday I spent 7 hours at the MET. Yes, 7 glorious hours surrounded by Matisse, Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, David, Warhol, and so many others. I'll post my pics on facebook (and possibly some on here) when I get home--truly amazing day!
Got back home and grabbed some sushi with the roomies! Visited with Brianna's aunt and saw her two little cousins...despite being related to Bri, they are pretty cute ;). Then went to bed in complete exhaustion.

Navigating the Largest City in the USA on My Own

Navigation was an overall success :) Thankfully I have my mom's sense of direction-haha.
I got to sleep in and then drop by Shereena's work at Breadstuy to give her the keys (and have a quickie lunch) before heading up town.
I ended up catching the A to Broadway/Nassau then the 4,5 to Central and then switching over to the 6 to get to the financial district. My plan was to see Ground Zero and then wonder around Wall Street and Battery Park for a bit.
Ground Zero was an odd experience. There really is an entire gaping block in the middle of the financial district. You see the construction, and at first you don't even realize what it is you are looking at. The enormity of what happened there and how close all of the buildings are is incredibly striking. Everyone is hustling and bustling by carrying on with their day--it is just a really odd moment to experience.
After that I headed towards the harbor for a nice walk down by the waterside and ended up in Battery Park. I was watching families going on the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island tour boats when I saw a kid throwing a major temper tantrum (not my first brat encounter in NYC...just the first one where the parents didn't just give in to the demands...thus noteworthy). The dad, finally just yells at the kid, "Fine if you can't behave we are not going, this lady can have our tickets" and then thrusts out the ferry/tour tickets into my hands. So, I then quickly hopped on the Circle Line for my free Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour.
Statue of Liberty was some nice photo opps, but Ellis Island was a really neat experience. I don't even know how many times dad has fallen asleep with the History Channel special about Ellis Island--thus commandeering the television viewing experience for all in the room. As a TESOL/Applied Linguist the immigration experience is one that I have always found fascinating as well, and the treatment of immigrants is something that I always pay close attention to. There is also the odd feeling of knowing that my ancestors were in that same room, looking out the same windows, and seeing the same ceiling and city skyline. Just a really eerie and surreal feeling.
I ended back at Battery park and then tramped around the financial district some more and got a few touristy shots and a slice of pizza before heading back home.
After my day of free touring I came home to my NY roomies and we just had quick bite and called it a day.

A Day in China and an Afternoon in Italy

Heather and I ventured out to China town and Little Italy Sunday. We wondered the streets all day, stopping for a foot massage in China town--heavenly! and then for an amazing Italian late-lunch in Little Italy (followed by more wonderings). We saw the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges--really pretty :) and walked along the waterside for a bit. We came home, wiped out, and then just did something simple for dinner and hit the hay pretty early--Heaths and Shereena have work Monday, and I have a big day touristing across town all by myself :)

New York Minute

I haven't had time to catch up on my blogging this week since I have been so busy hitting the town. I have successfully figured out the metro :) and how to cross the street like a New Yorker. Since I last blogged I have really pulled out all of the tourist stops, so I think the easiest way to write about these past couple days would be in a couple of shorter posts (I don't have that kind of attention span).

Late Saturday night Shereena and I hit up Coney Island for some much needed beach time. There is just something really soothing about being at the seashore at night. It was really a nice chance to hang out and relax (despite the coupling going on in a nearby dune). On our way back we stopped by a local bar and ended up crashing a 50th birthday party. Being the only non-black people there, we kinda stood out, but we were funny and they enjoyed watching me (shereena is good) trying to dance. Then we caught the metro back home (which took 45 min or so--I do love the idea of public transportation but it is such a bummer when you are exhausted and just want to go home and get to bed).

Don't Pet The Dogs

So, I'm on the metro today (night) and see on the other platform--what appears to be a terrier sized dog just walking around without an owner. I then tell my friend, "oh no someone lost their dog"--and I'm concerned...what if it falls on the tracks or something. She then points out to me that it was a rat and I should put my glasses on.

Start spreading the news...

Well fellow trekkers, I made it to NYC yesterday evening (despite some hiccups at Dulles airport). Currently in Brooklyn with Heather and Shereena playing tourists!! I already am in love with this city :) I have met some of the most interesting people in the past two days (some made me nervous...we were serenaded today on the metro by a woman with a drum singing "you gotta eat" while banging the hell out of her drum--she apparently plays her drum to support her family--they cannot be doing well).

Last night we went to a really fun Cuban bar--best mojito ever!

Today we had an early start at playing tourists. Caught the metro up-town (look at me, what a new yorker...) and saw Central park, I had a hot dog for a $1 (sadly my two vegans could not partake in the pleasures of this NYC treat), went to see Heath's bookstore she works at...which is underneath the home of LIZA MINNELLI! I kno, I kno, I am so glad she told me afterwords or I would have queened out at her job, saw Central Station, NYC Public Library--which had a holocaust exibit, then off to Willamsburg for NYC's one and only vegan fastfood restaurant--foodswings--which was really good!

Some prime people watching so far:
2 joggers--one in khaki's and a polo in central park, the other in a cheetah skin-tight body suit in Wlliamsburg
Met 2 Goddesses who perform herstory--really fun!
Astrologist
Archaeologist
Super Rich and Super Poor people everywhere--and a lot of in-betweeners

After day one: I really think my odds of living here, at least for a wee bit are pretty strong :)

There was a lot of wondering in between destinations that are so far, unaccounted for, but may be if I somehow get a second wind today.

Touring STL

Back home in STL getting ready for my trip to NYC on Friday =D  

Almost unpacked, only to repack again soon.
Spent today hanging out with Mommie dearest and Boomer and ended up going to Ted Drewes for the first time in quite awhile--Boomer was just so excited to have a car ride (and a mini cone)--I love having a dog again.  

Currently job hunting.  So far: Babies R Us, Panera, Blockbuster, KMart and a little cafe near my house called First Watch.  To work at Panera you have to fill out a huge application online.  230 or so questions that all read along the lines of "Is it permissible for an employee to steal if they have seen the manager stealing?"  Ugh.  We'll see how that ends up going for the summer.  Luckily I have some hours working kennels to keep my sanity this summer.

Had an interesting phone call today...looks like there may be some more destinations to come in the near future...more when it is finalized.  

piss elegance

I only have two finals and a paper between me and my degrees =) 

I've been balancing my studying with last minute catching-up with everyone.  Thursday I was able to meet up with my English friends at our martini bar and then went over to the lobdell's appartment for one last round of Taboo with my fellow RAs.  Yesterday Brieeves and I went and grabbed a "quick" coffee with Dr. Gaies (though that "quick" turned into a lovely three hour chat).  Then Brieeves and I took the Swan out to dinner--so much fun!  And...I got to meet Crispin :)--who is just the sweetest dog.  I am really going to miss having classes with him and pestering him during office hours.  We went to Galleria de Paco and just had a wonderful time.  The painting and decor was really amazing--it was all done with spray paint!  Check the link...   

More soon :)

Last Monday of School

My last Monday--and my last day of reading for Sociolinguistics :)  

Got a phone call from Kellen today--she is totally my sister. 

Only a phonetics final and socio final between me and the summer...   

Snagged some kennels--but the job hunt continues

Off with Brieeves for most of the night!

An Intro to the Trekker

Post One of Trekking With Megan:

Currently, the trekking has yet to begin.  I am idling for now, in Cedar Falls, mourning the end of my senior year and looking forward to adventures to come.  I will miss my Iowans that I have become so attached to over the last four years and I will miss my classes in Lang with my favourite professors.  

Why the blog?

I'm heading off to Europe for a year or so and living the life of a devote intern.  They tell me I'll be spending a lot of time with babies and so I'll be brushing up on the maternal while spending my weekends seeing all that there is to see across the pond.  I kept a journal last summer of my travels to Poland and China--and I love reading the recaps of my days and the crazy experiences I had along the way.  So, in keeping up with technology I thought I might try this "blog" thing that has been going around so that friends and family can keep up on the hilarity that is my life.  I'm not sure about how often I am going to be at a computer (I'll probably still keep my written journal as well) since I am going to be taking all the opportunities I can to do and see everything--but I will try.  I might have a few warm up posts over the summer--depending on how the world of work turns out--or perhaps a limerick or two? We shall see.