Europe 2013 - A Photographic Sample {Portugal}

So....let's just skip past the whole part where I was supposed to post these pictures a long, long time ago. Okay? Good. In case you missed it, one of my best gal pals, Jenae, and I went on a 3 week long gallivant around Europe during the summer. Our last week was spent in Portugal, in and around the Lisbon area.

Pastéis de Belém - ohh maaan, these are SO good...warm..fresh..crisp outside & creamy inside. I'm salivating now.

When we landed in Lisbon I was a bit hesitant and unsure of being there; I was expecting HOT, sunny weather but the skies were totally overcast, I initially found the architecture to be not as impressive as we'd seen in other countries, AND I was definitely missing our hilarious tour guides from the first leg of our trip. Wah-wuhh.

But don't fear! The weather cleared and we discovered some of the most beautiful buildings with incredible history. One bite of a Pasteis de Belem (traditional custard pastry) was really all it took for me to fall in love with Portugal. Jenae and I made way too many great memories to list, but some of the highlights include touring the local cathedrals, mansions and castles, sunset drives along the coast, stretching out on hot, sandy beaches, enjoying Santini Ice Cream (lots of it),  devouring pastries for all 3 meals, and of course, getting pulled over by the local police. Trip of a lifetime, I'm telling you! Enjoy the pictures! =)

Europe 2013 - A Photographic Sample

Well, Jenae & I have been home for about a month and a half and I haven't shared any pictures from our trip on this blog yet. It would be cruel and unusual punishment to post anywhere near all of our pictures....as we took well over 5000 of them. This first post covers the first two weeks of our trip and is very, very condensed. Enjoy a few of my favourites =)

By the Brandenburg Gate on our first day!

Music Monday - J & J's Travel Favourites

Jenae, the driver & Jessica, the navigator =)

 

I've been home for just over a week now and I can honestly say that it was the trip of a lifetime. People told Jenae & I that we were crazy to try to cover so much ground in such a short time period, and maybe we were, but oh man! - every single day was an exciting adventure in a brand new part of the world. We had the best, best time. 

 We travelled almost exclusively by car for 3 weeks (through Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, San Marino, Slovenia, & Austria and then around Portugal - we were BUSY), so our road trip playlists had to be up to par! "Just Give Me A Reason" was dubbed the official song of the trip - not because we loved it but because it followed us around the entire trip! From Paris to Ljubljana, it seemed like every shop and restaurant had it playing!  

Here are a few of the songs that I found to be the most memorable! Enjoy =)

All My Bags are Packed...

Image taken from Inslee

 ..but I'm not sure that I feel ready to go. Haha. I keep feeling like there must be something that I'm forgetting, although I'm sure that I've read the essential Europe packing list from every travel guru on the internet. And still, there is this nervous energy hanging around in my stomach...oh yeah, I think those are called butterflies. I think it's partially just disbelief that this trip is FINALLY here. Those months of planning itineraries, researching attractions, emailing back and forth, pinching pennies, and dreaming of L'Europe are over and tomorrow I get to step onto a plane with an amazing friend and experience a new part of the world, a new part of our friendship and a new part of myself. I'd say that warrants the butterflies. I'm praying for safety and street smarts, flexibility, positive experiences and the ability to trust in Him if things go sideways. I'd appreciate your prayers too!



 I'm not too sure about internet access -- expect a good blog update in a few weeks when we're back. In the meantime, I'm hoping to be able to post on my Instagram & Twitter accounts through the trip. Catch you on the flipside! Eeeeep!

A Few Pictures from Mexico!

So I've been home almost 1 whole week after the most relaxing vacation I think I have ever been on. A beautiful place to stay (just steps from the Sea of Cortez), the best company (my mom is awesome), fresh meals, endless reading material, a turquoise swimming pool...the list goes on. I was in heaven. Best graduation present EVER.

On one of our first nights there, a huuuge wedding was set up on the beach. Big tents, lots of lights, and LOUD traditional music. Around 10pm, we noticed these big orange lanterns floating in the sky so we looked down the beach and saw at least a hundred of them being sent off. It was so so beautiful and I desperately tried to get a decent picture of them, but sadly, I was unsuccessful. And then there were fireworks! And then more music and dancing until 4 or 5am! It was crazy!

These dolphins were seen in the San Jose del Cabo marina where you can pay to swim with them!

Thank-you for an amazing trip, Mom! xo

Time is really flying by -- Convocation tomorrow & Europe in 2 weeks! Viva la vida!

Music Monday - Vacation Tunes!

I don't want to brag or anything, but while you're reading this (and hopefully listening to some killer music), I'm on vacation. I know you're jealous...so here's what you need to do: Change into your bathing suit, go lay on your bathroom floor with the shower on and then pop in some headphones with this playlist! The bathroom will get all warm and humid and you'll basically feel like you're on a Mexican vacation too! I revamped my entire iPod before this trip, this is just a small, eclectic sample - enjoy! Xo

Upcoming

In one month exactly, I'll be laying beside a pool or the ocean, basking in hot, Mexican sunshine. In two months exactly, I'll be somewhere (maybe lost?) in Europe with Jenae! For someone who doesn't do a ton of travelling, this is big business and a lot to fit into a couple months, but I am suuuper excited! I should mention that at some point between these two trips I get to walk across a stage, shake a few hands and get my tassel moved from one side to the other. It's just a formality at this point since I've already been working as a full-fledged RN for a few months, but I'm looking forward to having that closure and celebrating with my classmates.

Image from Amy Neunsinger Photography

I know my passport is up-to-date, I'm working on eating a bit healthier in preparation for the hot weather, and I'm still trying to master this new camera. I feel like there are a million more things to do before Trip Numero Uno, but I guess I just have to take it one day at time! Summer is coming! Woohoo! What are your big plans?

Taking a Trip!

I love to go somewhere. Sometimes I get these urges, like, "Man, I just really  want to get on a plane right now. Even if it's on it's way to Edmonton." Packing a suitcase and getting out of town can be such a good feeling! And that's exactly what I did this past weekend. As stated in an earlier post, I have been on "hiatus" from life with work or school for the past few weeks and I was starting to get a liiiiittle bit stir crazy. Luckily for me, my very good friend Jenae is living in Whistler for a bit and invited me up for a few days. It was such a good time! We have so much fun together - even if it's just watching our favourite TV shows in our pyjamas while eating trail mix by the handful.

Day 2 - Check out that sunset!

Day 3 - Exploring!

Day 4 - C-c-c-cold! But Beautiful!

Highlights from the trip include the beautiful sunny weather that lasted all five days, falling off a plowed trail into a snowbank, smoked salmon eggs benedict (enough said), and traipsing through a variety of luxury hotel lobbies.

I had the best time and it was exactly what I needed! Thank-you Jenae for hosting me - it was absolutely lovely! Xo