oktoberfest

We went back to Munich this year for round #2 of Oktoberfest. We were much more prepared this time - we had our dirndls from last year, our apartment book months in advance, tickets to a tent, and several other beer gardens in the city to check out before our reservation at the tent.

 

Me & Alayna--fun games on the party train to Munich

 

Alayna & Luca on Friday night

 



 

The dirndls are ready! 

 

 

Our first beer of the day with lunch at the local Hofbrauhaus

A beer garden we stopped at for beer #2 of the day

 



 

Our attempts to hold Emily up failed miserably!

 

 

We ended the night at a club and danced the night away. We had so much fun!

poland

At the end of September, I went for a long weekend in Poland with my friend from work Piotr. It was such a great trip and so nice to have my own personal tour guide and definitely have the "local" experience.

 

We flew into Krakow and the next day toured the city.

 

The Wawel Castle

 



 

Statue of Pope John Paul II

 

The "Dragon's Cave" of the castle

 

 

Yummy lunch in Krakow

 

 

After our tour of Krakow, we drove to Auschwitz and then Birkenau (where "Auschwitz II" concentration camp was). This was something I thought was important to see and I'm glad I did see, but it was difficult. There are really no words to describe the visit, but this quote on the wall struck me:

 

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" -George Santayana

 

 

 

After our somber visits, we made the rest of the drive to Piotr's hometown - Olawa, which is a small town outside of Wroclaw.

 

His family is so nice and was so welcoming. I couldn't thank them enough for their wonderful hospitality. Piotr did a great job translating too!

 

The next day we went into the city of Wroclaw. We toured the city and had an amazing lunch of soup and pierogis.

 

 

And the tour wouldn't be complete without seeing the Deloitte office

 



 

When we got back to the house, Piotr's grandma had made us pierogis. The homemade were of course even better than in the restaurant (if that was even possible). Then I made white chocolate covered oreos and we went over to Piotr's friend's house. The five of us went into the city and had some beers at a local brewery.

 

 

Saturday we went grocery shopping in preparation for a party Piotr had for his birthday. Then we went go-cart racing with his brother. I'd never been go-cart racing before and it was soooooo much fun! Such an adrenaline rush. I was also happy not to finish last!

 

 

Saturday night was the birthday party. Piotr's friends were all very nice. I managed not to get too lost in conversation with a couple of them translating the important parts for me.

 

On Sunday, we went with Piotr's siblings and climbed the Olawa tower.

 

 

Sunday evening we went to church and then left Monday morning. It was a wonderful trip :)

 

 

 

 

lisbon

After training in Madrid, I flew to Lisbon Friday evening. I'd never been to Portugal before, so was excited to visit this city I'd heard so many great things about. I arrived Friday evening, had a nice dinner at a random family-owned place close to my hotel, and then called it an early night. I was immediately impressed with the mosaic tile sidewalks throughout the entire city. They are really cool, but definitely slippery when not wearing proper footwear (i.e. my flip-flops)!

 

 

 

 

The next day I woke up early and started my city sightseeing because I had a lot to see and not a lot of time. First I took a ride on one of the iconic old trams of the city. It was a great way to see the city and was a fun ride.

 

 

 

 

After my tram ride, I walked around for awhile trying to make my way to the Castelo de Sao Jorge. I finally found the castle, but was at an entrance where you couldn't get in. The security guard explained to me and some other tourists the confusing path to take to get to the right entrance. After getting lost some more on these tiny little streets, my fellow tourists from Norway with a more detailed map took pity on me and together, we found the castle entrance.

 

  

 

Beautiful views from the castle:

 

The cathedral: 

 

Elevador de Santa Justa: 

 

One of the neatest things I saw was the Palacio Nacional de Sintra. The palace is in the little town of Sintra, just outside of Lisbon and a short train ride away.

 

Back in the city I walked around a bit more and did some souvenir shopping.

 

Praca do Comercio:  

 

My flight back to Zurich was Sunday morning, and after a long week away (3 countries in 5 days), I was glad to be home!