Back in Canadia

I just spent the last seventeen days in Europe... Well, about two of those days was plane, but still. Discovered I love bratwurst and schneeballen and flammekeuche and fish & chips & mushy peas. Went to: 

Germany: Heidelberg, Rothenburg, and Munich (Munchen)

Austria: Innsbruck 

Italy: Venice (Venizia), Rome (Roma), and Florence (Firenze)

Switzerland: Lucerne (Luzern)

France: Dijon, Fontainebleau, and Paris

England: London

Most of our hotels were outside of these cities so I actually was in a few more places. My favourite countries were Germany and England. I wasn't really expecting to like Germany but it was incredible. I went to tons of art galleries and museums. We did a lot of walking tours. Saw some demonstrations for glass blowing and leather box making. Didn't see any historical clothing though which was too bad but the V & A museum was a little too far to go in London. Instead went to the Imperial War Museum and the National Gallery. Both of which were amazing. Saw some great art in Switzerland like the Picasso Museum and the Rosengart Collection at which I almost cried seeing a Monet. Unfortunately in France things seem to be closed half the week so I missed out on some stuff. The Louvre isn't open on Tuesdays and even when it is open they can only staff like half the museum at once so when I was there I didn't see any French, German, or Dutch paintings. And the line to the Musee d'Orsay was huge.

The line to the Vatican was almost as long. Saw the Sistine Chapel. Pretty amazing. Went on a gondola ride in Venice. In London we were right near Baker Street. Went to the Sherlock Holmes Museum Store which was right beside the Elvis Store called Elivisly Yours which was right beside THE LONDON BEATLES STORE!!! Spent 26 pounds there. Also saw Chicago in London. It was amazing. I wasn't super fond of the movie but I have a weird thing about how plays should be seen in a theatre live. Wanted to see the Phantom of the Opera or Les Miserables but they were both sold out.

The food in Europe is wonderful. I had the best pizza in Florence. German beer is also really good. Went to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich and drank a litre of beer. That's one glass there. Our group wasn't allowed in but our bus driver snuck us in through the back. I became addicted to Swiss chocolate. Also for half the trip my breakfast consisted of a croissant and hot chocolate. Weird thing: In Italy all jam, no matter the flavour, seems to be brown. Explain that one to me. We spent two nights in London and I had fish & chips & mushy peas for lunch the first day then supper the next. I would have had them the next day but there wasn't time and it wasn't available in the airport.

Well, I'm glad to be back. I missed real Chinese rice and not having to pay to go to the bathroom (WC in Europe). It's also nice to not have to worry about pickpockets. But Europe was great and I advise everyone in North America to go at some point.