My Two Favorites: Dublin & Amsterdam

2 weekends, 2 countries, 2 cities, 1 minor case of the flu.

I have officially been in Europe for 6 weeks and I could not be happier. Knowing that you all are back at home in the snow, the sunshine and mild climate here are quite comforting. I am growing in ways I did not think I would and learning so much about the world and myself.

I have been MIA for a few weeks as I have been busy hosting and traveling. Having been soooo busy and probably a few too many late nights with some wine, I did not take the necessary time to take care of myself and ended up with a mild case of the flu. Regardless, I did not miss out on the fun. The past two weeks I took my favorite two trips thus far into my study abroad experience. I pride myself in being well-traveled and having seen many places. I thought I was immune to the beauty of a new city and that you couldn't beat the classics. Nevertheless, Dublin and Amsterdam took my breath away in ways I did not expect.

Dublin for Saint Patricks Day

For those of you who told me that the Irish do not celebrate--you are painfully incorrect. The minute I touched down in Dublin there was an explicable feeling of joy, excitement, and innocence. Something about the nature of the celebration seemed young and playful. It lacked the scary and stressful feel of big holidays in the United States. We were fortunate enough to have accommodations right on the Temple Bar strip and move about the city with ease. If you ever have the opportunity to be in Dublin for Saint Patricks day, I cannot recommend it enough.

The Must Sees

1. Temple Bar

The last time I went to Dublin I was seven years old, sick with the stomach bug, and just waiting for my dad and brother to be done playing golf. I had no idea what a vibrant town Dublin was. This also meant that when I heard people talking about "Temple Bar" I thought it was just one bar (ha ha), it's actually a whole street of pubs and bars that you can go to. This was easily the most busy part of the city, and the most expensive so we limited ourselves to only one drink per place and sought food outside the Main area.

2. Saint Patricks Day Parade

This is not just your average Barre City marching band and homecoming float parade. With elaborate floats from locals and people abroad, it was an incredible show.

3. Cliff's of Moher

Although we did not have time to venture to the Cliffs this trip, I have been in the past and it was an option for many traveling. It is one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen

Amsterdam

Ohhhh Amsterdam, I am in LOVE with you. I am having a love with you. Whether it be a bike ride through the city on a foggy morning, perusing an art museum, or sipping a sweet drink while on one of the many canales, Amsterdam exudes warmth, wonder, and a little romance. Pictures cannot do it justice and words are inadequate to describe the feeling in the air in the small walkable city.

Unfortunately, we were not able to get tickets to Ann Frank or Van Gogh, but we did go to the MOCO art museum, as well as the rembrandt house. We could've spent a week doing museum tours alone.

I definitely think I will be planning another trip here before I leave Europe. My favorite experience, though, was simply riding my bike throughout the city on the final foggy morning of our stay. The breathtaking beauty, smell of the bakeries, and mix of shop people getting to work early in the morning could be enough to illicit a calm feeling in a whirling dervish. So much peace. So much joy. So much serenity is a convincing sales proposition to get off the grid and get more in touch with your surroundings. I found myself glancing at the real estate brochures as I walk by.

The must sees

1. Canale Boat tour

2. The Heiniken experience

3. The Red Light District (at night)

4. Moco, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Ann Frank house