Author Archives: Brittany

• Oktoberfest 2019

  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on October 14, 2019

  This post could easily be summed up with one sentence: “a 30 yr old body does not tolerate spinning rides quite like a 20 yr old body.”

  

  I have skipped out on a handful of fests here in Germany, because a lot of them involve nothing more than sitting in a beer tent…drinking beer. There is nothing wrong with this, but for someone who doesn’t drink beer this doesn’t appeal to me much.

  

  “Here, hold this beer for the photo!”

  When I learned that Oktoberfest not only had beer tent, upon beer tent, upon beer tent, but also had rides like a carnival…I knew I had to go. Growing up I made sure to visit the county fair every year to get my fix of sketchy rides that threatened my safety. The faster they spun, the harder I laughed, and the more fun I had.

  Fast forward to now, and I managed three rides before feeling my guts and my brain sloshing inside of me. I’d have been better off sticking to the Ferris wheel.

  

  A group of girls and I decided to go after work on a Tuesday because the rides were supposed to be half price (they were not, but such is life) and I anticipated riding as many as I could within a few hours. We took the 4p train to Munich, (which had multiple delays and unexpected train changes) and arrived an hour later than expected around 6p.

  Before we embarked on rides, we stopped into a beer hall for the girls to get some beer, and for me to get some brathendl.

  

  

  We got lucky when we walked in, because this was our fourth beer tent we tried to find space in. They were all packed, but we walked into this one and a waiter saw us, grabbed us, and led us to a table right away. All it meant was that the 11.80 euro beer cost the girls 15 euros after an automatic tip (he didn’t even ask, but again, such is life.)

  

  After spending a good hour enjoying dancing on benches and stuffing our bellies, we made our way out into the darkness of the night. As we were leaving the crowded tent myself and one of the other girls were groped multiple times. I hate that I have to even say this, but a pro tip for ladies planning to attend Oktoberfest: be aware.

  It was more annoying than anything, but sadly this happens often at Oktoberfest. 

  

  We didn’t let the creeps stop us, it was time for some rides. Only one other girl out of the five of us wanted to go on the “intense” rides, so we split up and she and I took off towards the roller coaster. I should have known when the cost for one ride was ten euros that it wasn’t half price, but when at Oktoberfest (I also spent 13 euros on half a chicken when I normally pay 3.50 euro back where I live!)

  

  Two of us on the far left are the daredevils!

  The roller coaster (above) was ride number one, and it was a blast. This was a good ride to ease into the sketch. Right next to the roller coaster was a ride that looked fun at first glance, but I lost my shit when I got onto it. It started slow, but as it got faster and began to spin more I felt the chicken in my belly trying to claw its way out.

  The ride never went fully upside down, but it got close, and the higher it went the more fear I felt. 

  

  I never got to the point where I needed to barf, but I started to feel all kinds of funny. We took a break and went through a fun house before ending the night with the worst of them all. I couldn’t find an exact GIF, but it’s similar to the scrambler. Which is appropriate because my brain was a mush of scramble after this ride.

  

  The ride was never ending, and although in the moment it was comical, I felt like I was drunk when I got off. I felt sick and had a throbbing headache the remainder of the night. Despite the discomfort, I regret nothing and had a great time with the group of girls I went with. We only stayed for a few hours, but I got all I needed from Oktoberfest.

  

  I will likely go to at least one more fest during my time in Germany, but it’s not until the spring. It’s like a mini Oktoberfest, which seems more my speed. At this fest, I’ll stick to the swings and the Ferris wheel where my 30yr old body belongs. I think I need the entire winter to recover after Oktoberfest.

  

  We took the 10p train back to Garmisch, and I had a lovely chat with a German named Andy. His neighbor works as a server, and got him a free spot in a beer tent box where he had unlimited beer and food. Andy was living the life at Oktoberfest, but I don’t think his 50yr old body handled the beer quite like his 20yr old body.

  Q: Would you go on the rides at Oktoberfest, or stick to the beer tents?

  

  | 5 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, Carnival, Germany, Munich, Oktoberfest, Rides

• Ulm, Germany

  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on October 7, 2019

  One of my roommates is dating a German that lives one state over from Bavaria (where we live), in Baden-Württemberg. He lives in a town called Ulm, and my roommate often escapes here on her weekends to spend time with him. I have heard stories of this quaint town for months, and I finally managed to spend a night in Ulm after our roomie trip to Belgium. 

  

  Ulm doesn’t draw a big crowd, which somewhat surprises me because the city is home to the Ulmer Münster, a beautiful church with the largest tower in the world. I suppose this would take a very specific search to discover, which is perhaps why few people know about it, but the 768 steps inside the tower lead to a beautiful view of the city.

  

  Ulm hugs the Danube river, which is the second longest river in Europe, running through ten different countries. After we climbed the church tower, we walked along the river and I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to ride my bike along this path through all ten countries.

  Apparently my roommates boyfriend knows someone who has attempted this, and the path eventually looses lackluster. 

  

  We were lucky with the weather on this day, and after wandering the city for a bit we settled on the other side of the river, in Neu-Ulm for lunch. Neu-Ulm is actually in Bavaria, so we walked back and forth between two states eating lunch in one, and exploring another. The view from Neu-Ulm is what brought us to the other side.

  Also, can we talk about how creative Germans are with naming cities? Ulm…and Neu-Ulm. 

  

  One of my favorite thing about Germany is the architecture of their houses. They look like gingerbread houses out of a fairytale. I often feel like I am back home in Washington here in Germany, but then I visit a town or an open field of green hills and am quickly reminded I am in fact in Germany.

  

  Speaking of fairytale, the Fisherman’s Quarter in Ulm is a must see. It’s small, but mighty. I felt like I was in a scene out of Snow White walking around these streets. I got my first taste of fall in this area, when I stumbled upon a building with pumpkins next to it.

  

  I am so glad this trip to Ulm worked out, I don’t know when I would have gone otherwise. I would certainly return, and I now see why my roommate loves spending her weekends here (aside from her boyfriend of course, who was kind enough to host us!) A worthy stop on any German road trip, and be sure to climb the church tower!

  Q: Would you climb the tower?

  

  | 7 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, Church, Europe, Germany, Ulm

• Höllentalklamm

  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on October 3, 2019

  Although in my last post I mentioned I’ve been biking more than hiking lately, I still get out and hike once in a while. The mountains surrounding where I live in Garmisch are too amazing not to explore. I was lucky enough to have a day off with BOTH of my roommates a bit ago, and I convinced them to hike the Höllentalklamm with me.

  

  There are two Klamm’s in Garmisch, the Höllentalklamm and the Partnachklamm, and I’ve now been to both. Klamm translates to a few words such as “clammy”, “damp”, and “gorge.” The Höllentalklamm is a gorge that is both damp AND clammy, which made this a great activity on a rainy day.

  

  Backyard path towards the Klamm.

  Our end goal was the Höllentalangerhütte, which is a bit further than the end of the Klamm. The walk from where we live to the beginning of the Klamm is about 4.5 miles, and from the beginning of the Klamm to the Höllentalangerhütte it’s about 1.2 miles, so we walked 5.7 miles from where we live, through the Klamm area, to the Hütte.

  

  

  The Höllentalklamm is a bit less crowded than the Partnachklamm, likely because it takes about an hour just to hike to the entrance. I didn’t mind this, because while I enjoy hiking with others around, I don’t enjoy an overly crowded path.

  

  It was a light drizzle the day we went, but overall the weather was perfect. I prefer hiking in cooler temps because I tend to overheat easily. The Klamm itself was cool, but I enjoyed what came after the Klamm more. Hiking to and through the Klamm is good for families as it’s not too intense.

  It costs 5 euros to walk through, but if you wanted to skip the Klamm and visit just the Hütte there is an alternate route. 

  

  

  We stopped for a moment to enjoy some lunch at the end of the Klamm before walking the remaining 45 minutes or so to the Hütte. The Hütte is a popular destination for those hiking the Zugspitze, Germanys tallest mountain. Hikers often do this hike in two days, stopping at a Hütte along the way for a night.

  I would love to stay in this Hütte just to explore the area! 

  

  Lunch views.

  

  After my roomies enjoyed a beer, and I enjoyed the view, we made our way back home. I couldn’t have asked for a better day off with two of my favorite girls. I enjoyed the Höllentalklamm a bit more than the Partnachklamm, but either one is a great choice for an adventure in Bavaria.

  

  Q: Would you rather camp along the way on a multi day hike, or stay in a mountain hut? 

  

  | 5 Comments Tagged Bavaria, Brittanys Life Abroad, Germany, Gorge, Hiking

• Biking in Bavaria – Pt. 2

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on September 30, 2019

  I’m halfway through my contract for my current job working in Germany, which has me thinking about what I will miss most when I no longer live in Bavaria. I still have plenty of time here, and there is the possibility to extend my time should I choose to do so, but for now I plan to leave here next April.

  There are many, MANY things I love about living here, but one of the main things I love are all of the BIKE PATHS!

  

  My weekends quickly switched from: “where can I rush off to outside of Germany for two days,” to: “where can I ride my bike to for two days.” Trying to travel too much is a thing, and I quickly learned after a few months here that weekends need to be savored, even when living in Europe.

  Hiking seems to have taken a back seat to bike rides, but I’m just going with what feels right. 

  

  My go to bike path the last few months has been towards a town called Farchant. Once I reach Farchant, the possibilities are endless for not only biking, but for hiking as well. It only takes about 25 minutes to bike to Farchant, and a few weeks ago I was wanting to explore further.

  I found a bike path that hugs the Loisach river and decided to follow it for a while.

  I ended up biking to a town called Eschenlohe, which is only about 11 miles away. I wanted to go further, but needed to be back to Garmisch for a movie night and started too late in the afternoon. I ended up biking for about four hours this day around Bavaria.

  

  

  There is something magical about discovering new places on a bike. It’s less intimidating than hiking for me, because I am still nearby civilization should something go wrong, and I move quicker covering more ground in less time. Eschenlohe is a small and quaint town, similar to most towns in Bavaria.

  I first went into the town church, which is one of my favorite things to do in a new Bavarian town. 

  

  

  The church was beautiful, as are all European churches, but that chandelier was what caught my eye first. I sat and savored the warm inviting ambiance before heading outside to enjoy my lunch by the river. I wish I’d had more time to explore, but I will return soon for this exact bike ride. Maybe next time I’ll get some gelato.

  

  

  A few weeks later I embarked on another worth while bike ride (they’re all worth while, but some more memorable than others) in a similar direction, just a slightly different path. The bike paths here are like a labyrinth at times, and no two paths are the same. They might lead to the same destination, but they are all different.

  Sounds a bit like a life metaphor if you ask me…

  

  While trying to find the same bike path I had ridden to get to Eschelohe, I made a wrong turn and found myself on a walking path. I didn’t realize it was a walking path until I came face to face with some locals enjoying their lunch and scratching their faces on the benches.

  

  

  The brown cow has the most beautiful colors, and was blocking the path with two of her friends. Admittedly I was intimidated by those three ladies, and one of them was walking towards me quite briskly. I went out of my way to go around them, as I felt slight PTSD from my time in Yellowstone when hiking near Bison.

  These cows could have cared less that I was there, but I gave them space nonetheless.

  It won’t be long before these cows are no longer on the hiking paths enjoying grass and saying hello to the passersby. The weather is changing and these big beauties will soon return to their barns where it’s much warmer during the cold winter months. I will miss hearing their bells rinding through the hills of the mountains.

  

  I eventually found the path I was looking for, after a 40 minute detour. It was no bother though, as I mentioned above I enjoy discovering new paths by bike. I also now look closer for the “no bike zone” signs so I don’t make the same mistake as I did on this adventure. Makes sense now why some of the German walkers were giving me weird looks as I attempted to ride my bike up a decently steep hill.

  

  These calm weekend bike rides quickly became one of my favorite things to do in Bavaria, and are a great recharge after a long work week. Thankfully I don’t have to think about my weeks without these paths for a while. If there is anything that could keep me longer in Germany, these bike paths are at the top of the list.

  

  Q: Would you leave your life behind wherever you are, and move to a different country for a while?

  

  | 21 Comments Tagged Bavaria, Bike Path, Biking, Brittanys Life Abroad, Cow's, Germany, Mountain Cow

• Schloss Neuschwanstein

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on September 23, 2019

  A couple of years ago, I was browsing articles online and stumbled onto an article about a castle in Germany called Neuschwanstein. I was immediately struck by this castle, or “Schloss” in German, because this was one of the inspirations for Walt Disney when designing the iconic Cinderella castle.

  Germany was never on my radar back then, but I added it to my list of “must see places” because I love me anything Disney.

  

  Fast forward to my current life in Germany, and not only do I live close to Neuschwanstein, but the hotel I work for has organized tours multiple times a week. The tour is an all day adventure, and for guests the tour costs $50. For employees, if we’re lucky enough to snag a spot on the bus (when the tour isn’t full) we can go on the tour for $17.

  

  It took me over six months to finally snag a spot on the bus, but the day I went was absolutely perfect. The weather was ideal, and I was happy I waited. The tour starts at 8:30 sharp, and the morning of the tour I made my way down to the hotel lobby to see if there were any spots. Sure enough, I was able to jump on board and I spent the next nine hours exploring parts of Germany I hadn’t seen yet.

  

  Before we made it to the castle we stopped at the above church, called Weiskirche. Here we were able to look around the church, and stop for an espresso and locally made donuts at Gasthof Schweiger. I didn’t partake in the donuts, though they looked amazing. Instead I fed my soul with the nearby rolling hills and beautiful houses.

  

  

  

  Another place we stopped before the castle, was a local woodcarving shop. Woodcarving is a big thing in Germany, and the small mom and pop like shop we stopped at was adorable. Even better than the woodcarvings however, was the view. I will never get over the green rolling hills of Bavaria.

  

  Pit stops complete, we made it to the parking area of Neuschwanstein around 11. We had a formal tour at noon, and were given three options for getting to the castle: walk up the hill/trail area, take a bus, or take a horse and carriage. I’ll let you guess what I chose. 

  

  I chose to walk, and first made my way to Marienbrücke, the bridge providing the above view of the castle. After admiring the view for a bit, it was time for the tour. The tour was mediocre, lasting all of 15 minutes, but it was worth it just to see the inside of this castle.

  The castle was only 1/3 finished, as its creator King Ludwig II mysteriously died before it was complete. 

  King Ludwig was busy building two other castles as well, only one of which was completed. He was spending funds he didn’t have, using money from the city to build his lavish homes. He was deemed clinically insane after refusing to react rationally when foreign banks threatened to seize his property. Rumor has it he and his psychiatrist drowned in Lake Starnberg after Ludwig checked into a mental hospital.

  

  Whatever actually happened, there is no denying the extravagant vision Ludwig had with Neuschwanstein, I’ve never seen an interior of a castle quite like it. I suppose when one plans to spend most of their time alone and inside (Ludwig was a severe introvert), an extravagant home is necessary.

  The above view from the castle wasn’t too shabby either. 

  After the castle tour, we made our way to a nearby brewery for dinner. I sat with a few women that were staying at the hotel while their significant others were attending a conference. They were lovely women, and we had a fun time chatting about all things Germany.

  

  I would love to return in either the fall or the winter to see what the surrounding areas look like. I can only imagine what the trees look like when the leaves change color. I didn’t manage to get any photos from the front of the castle, but I found the below photo online. You can see the beautiful similarities to the classic Disney castle.

  

  (Source)

  I was stoked to be able to check Neuschwanstein off my list, and for $17 I’d say it was a steal of a deal.

  Q: Did you know Neuschwanstein was an inspiration for Cinderella’s castle?

  

  | 18 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, Castle, Disneyland, Germany, Neuschwanstein, Wanderlust

• Irish Culture Will Charm Your Socks off

  Posted at 8:00 AM by Brittany, on September 20, 2019

  As some of you know, I took a life changing trip to Ireland a few years ago, which happened to be the catalyst for my current nomadic lifestyle. I haven’t been back to Ireland since, but I would like to visit again soon. In the mean time, I day dream about the charming lifestyle that I found on the Emerald Isle.

  What Makes Ireland So Charming

  Ireland is a gorgeous country full of greenery, friendly people, and is breathtaking all year round. Spring and summer on the Emerald Isle bring lush green grass and Wild Cherry trees in full bloom. In autumn you can take a stroll through the picturesque countryside to admire the changing leaves, and during the winter you can cozy up in some wool outerwear, sip on a steaming cup of tea, and watch the rain come down.

  Let’s take a moment to appreciate that last mental image.

  Many, including myself, love the small country, alas there is more than just landscape that makes Ireland a must see destination. Here are six specific reasons why Ireland is so charming.

  1. Traditional Irish Music

  A trip to Ireland isn’t complete without seeing a live music session, known as a trad sesh, at a pub. As you enjoy a pint or two of Guinness (which isn’t touristy – it really is a local favorite. I even tried a sip when I visited and I don’t drink), you’ll be serenaded by immensely talented and fun musicians playing native instruments, including a bodhrán, Uilleann Pipes, and the fiddle.

  Expect to hear the popular songs “Danny Boy,” “The Rose of Tralee,” and “The Wild Rover” if you stick around long enough. Irish music makes my heart swoon.

  

  2. Pubs

  Speaking of pubs, there are few things cozier than sitting by the fire with a beverage in hand at a local establishment that’s probably been there since before you were born. With their lively music, friendly faces, and often historical vibes, pubs are a quintessential part of Irish culture.

  Before stopping in for a fresh pint (or tea), keep these rules in mind: Tip at least 10%, and buy a round to make new friends if you can afford it.

  3. Local Sports

  The Irish are passionate when it comes to sports, and while I’m not typically a sports fan, it’s hard to deny the Irish culture. If you can handle the crowds and cheering fans, seeing a local football team like the Shamrock Rovers makes for a fun adventure. Although Ireland loves its football and rugby, the country also has other sports that are completely unique, and taken just as seriously.

  Sports like hurling pack stadiums and inspire betting activity on Irish sites just as readily as football and rugby. So even if you don’t know all the rules (me) or have interest in placing a bet yourself, you’re sure to get an interesting cultural experience out of it!

  

  4. Literary Icons

  Ireland has been a home to numerous literary greats. Famous writers native to the country include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, and Samuel Beckett, to say nothing of some locally famous writers of a more political persuasion. Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, even has his own gothic-inspired, four-day festival during the last week of October. Events there include seances, face-paintings, and Victorian funfair rides.

  You had me at rides and face painting. 

  5. Castles

  More than 1,000 castles can be found throughout the Irish countryside, and most of them are gorgeous – or at least visually fascinating in ruin. Some of the castles, including The Rock of Cashel in Tipperary and Ashford Castle in Mayo, date all the way back to the 13th century (and some sites that are more clusters of ruin than full castles are even older than that). Walking through these stunning, historic properties is like being transported to a different time, and can be an unforgettable experience that very few other countries or destinations can match.

  

  6. Accents

  It may sound strange to locals, but most of us can face the fact: Irish accents are undeniably captivating. In fact, according to a recent poll, which surveyed 5,000 women, the irresistible accent has been deemed the most attractive in the world! A representative of the polling site singled out actor Colin Farrell as the reason so many find the accent to be alluring. “High-profile stars such as Colin Farrell have helped bring the accent more to the fore,” he explained.

  It’s a fun explanation, but truth be told anyone with an Irish accent – not just a Golden Globe winner – sounds extremely charming, and makes for one more reason to visit. I have said many times, an Irish man becomes instantly more attractive the moment he opens his mouth to speak. 

  

  Colin Farrell is alright, but I’m partial to Gerry.

  Ireland is a place that will forever hold a piece of my soul, and I can’t wait to return someday to explore more of the rolling hills and local culture. Until then, I’ll continue to daydream about Irish musicians in ancient pubs. 

  Q: Which of the above six categories resonates most with you? Accents, and castles, and music OHMY!

  

  | 14 Comments Tagged Europe, Ireland

• Gent, Belgium

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on September 16, 2019

  First impressions can be misleading. If I lived my life based solely on first impressions I’d be missing out on some amazing opportunities. My first impression of Gent was not a good one. The city had a lot of constriction happening which seems to be a reoccurring theme for all of Europe, the weather was hot making me moody, and there were a lot of people…everywhere.

  I don’t like being uncertain of where I am when driving a car, and while searching for a parking garage upon arrival in Gent, the car navigation system continuously tried to take me down roads that were closed. There were bikers EVERYWHERE, and I ended up driving onto a pedestrian only street. I wasn’t aware I couldn’t drive here until someone stopped me and kindly advised I turn off the street.

  

  Thankfully one of my roommates had access to Google Maps, and she guided us a back way to the parking garage. I have never been happier to park a car for two days in my life. All I needed was to be mobile by foot and my first impression started to change.

  We stayed at an amazingly convenient Air B&B right next to the city center, and this made a perfect home base for our two days in Gent. 

  There is a bridge that brought us into the city from our Air B&B, and I can confidently say I have never seen a city that looked quite like Gent looks from this angle as I approached. It was absolutely stunning and I was amazed at the architecture.

  

  

  

  We arrived in the evening after our day in Dunkirk, so we made ourselves some dinner and planned for the following day. There was a walking tour starting on the above bridge (3 min walk from Air B&B) at 10am, which was the perfect start to the day. I’ve grown quite fond of the free city walking tours, they are a good way to become somewhat acclimated with a new city.

  The tour was two hours, and took us to some of the main highlights in Gent as well as some local known neighborhoods. 

  

  

  

  We did a free walking tour in Brugge as well, and our tour guide in Brugge told us a story about how Brugge and Gent used to have animosity towards each other. The rivalry is now all in good fun, but once upon a time the two cities were enemies.

  According to Brugge, Gent came and stole a golden dragon from their town, and placed it upon their Belfry tower.

  According to Gent, Brugge stole the dragon from the vikings (I think) so regardless the golden dragon didn’t belong to either of them. The dragon still sits atop the Belfry tower in Gent, and I don’t anticipate it being stolen a third time. I found it fitting that the two cities I chose to visit in Belgium had this kind of history.

  

  

  Dragon atop the tower.

  Our tour guide took us through an area he originally referred to as “the ghetto of Gent” which was a misrepresentation of what’s actually just an alley where it’s legal and acceptable to spray paint the walls. The city covers the walls with fresh paint every so often for a naked canvas, and people come to paint their hearts out.

  I found a little bit of myself in that alley.

  

  It me.

  

  Fake news: this can was actually empty.

  

  

  After the tour, my roommates and I split ways for a few hours to explore on our own. I wandered my way down backroads and cobblestoned streets for a while, and decided to splurge on a shot of espresso. I don’t drink coffee for a myriad of reasons, but sometimes I splurge regardless of the repercussions. I wasn’t going to splurge on food in Gent, so coffee it was.

  I stopped into a local shop called Barista Coffee and Cake, and my suppressed foodie coffee lover was swooning. Vegan treats and coffee galore. Big sigh. 

  

  Coffee in hand, I decided to do a boat tour, because anytime I find myself in a city with canals I gravitate towards the boats. The tour was only 7 euro for an hour, and I loved seeing areas of Gent I wouldn’t have seen by foot. Despite the morning clouds that greeted our day, the sky quickly turned to sun after noon and the boat ride was HOT.

  

  

  

  My boat tour guide covered things my walking tour guide did not, but my walking tour guide covered the most important topic. He told us the best place to buy chocolate from in the city, and since I’d come all the way to Belgium and hadn’t bought any chocolate yet I decided to trust his recommendation.

  I trusted him because he recommended a local shop, and when I walked in I could peek over a ledge to see them making the chocolate below.

  I planned to buy a small pack of chocolate for my mom, but that quickly escalated to 22 single pieces of chocolate of which I ate 11 of upon my arrival back in Germany (I DID space it over two days, which is a big deal for someone with BED.) The other 11 are safely awaiting the arrival of my mom and sister next week. The woman at the chocolate shop was wonderful and patient with my never ending “and what’s this one” question.

  

  

  My box of goods was only 15 euro, and let me tell you…it was worth every penny. That was some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had. I later discovered this chocolate shop is a family business of a father and son, with two shops in different areas of Gent. I visited Cédric Van Hoorebeke located closer to the city center. Both father and son are married, and their lovely wives handle the shop front while the men make the chocolate.

  Now that’s a family business I can support. 

  

  After buying my chocolate and dropping it off at our homebase, it was time for dinner. I had stuck to eggs, avocados, and apples for breakfast and lunch, so dinner had a bit more flavor. I eat the same things most everyday, which usually consists of chicken in some way. Half chickens are my go to in Europe, and Belgium was no different.

  

  My meal was good, and I was mostly full, but after meeting back up with my roommates I helped my roommate finish her fries. Belgium is the home of the French fry after all, and I had never eaten fries with mayo before so I gave it a try. HOT diggity dog…I saw the light. Fries and mayo IS A THING and it’s wicked delicious.

  To wind down the evening we sat at a bar for a beer (not for me) and soaked in the remainder of the day.

  

  The following morning we had until around noon before we planned to drive back to Germany, so I spent an hour exploring Gravensteen, also known as the Castle of the Counts. This castle has a self guided audio tour and was hands down the best castle tour I’ve ever done. The commentary was informational and FUNNY.

  It kept me focused and entertained, which is sometimes hard to do. 

  

  

  The castle is smack in the middle of the city and dates back to 1180. The history behind this castle was fascinating, and the views were worth the 10 euro entrance fee. This was the perfect way to end the quick trip to Gent. My first impression of this city was not an accurate representation of what I later discovered. This city is rich in history and beauty.

  

  

  This wrapped up my roomie trip to Belgium, and I once again was so glad Spain didn’t work out for us. Everything happens for a reason. and I couldn’t have asked for a better week with two of my favorite people in Europe.

  

  Q: Can you think of a city you had a first impression of that turned out to be wrong?

  

  | 13 Comments Tagged Belgium, Brittanys Life Abroad, Chocolate, Gent, Travel, Wanderlust

• Dunkerque, France

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on September 9, 2019

  Anyone who has been reading my blog for the last year will know I have an interest in all things WWII. The beaches of Dunkirk are a memorable place where the British and French allies were “pushed” to by Nazi Germany during the war. I’d read about Dunkirk, watched the Hollywood movie about Dunkirk, but never thought I’d actually visit Dunkirk.

  When booking my most recent trip to Belgium, I was looking at a map and noticed Dunkirk was just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Brugge, where I spent the first half of my trip. You’d have thought I was a five year old waiting for Santa when I realized I could drive to Dunkirk and stand on the beaches of history.

  

  I was thankful that my roommates also had an interest in seeing this beach, so we scheduled the drive into our plans. We had no idea what to expect, but we weren’t aware that Dunkirk is currently a very popular beach to lounge on. We all agreed it felt a bit morbid to go swim in the waters of Dunkirk, so we spent the morning on the coast of Belgium in a town called Ostende.

  

  

  I can’t remember the last time I swam at a beach, but this calm water was very inviting. We arrived before the crowds and spent a good hour and a half sunning our skin and soaking our toes. For a girl that doesn’t care much for the beach, I sure enjoyed my time in Ostende more than I thought I would.

  I remember thinking to myself (and then aloud to my roommates) “I’m in the North Sea, in Belgium, swimming at the beach. What is my life.”

  

  We made sure not to spend too much time in Ostende, because the goal for the day was Dunkirk, and I wasn’t sure how much time we would need to explore the area. Upon arrival in Dunkirk I was a bit surprised to find that the town was bustling with half naked French folks on the beaches like any other European beach.

  I believe there are many things in life that signify success, and one of the biggest for me is the ability and willingness to never stop learning things. Things about the world and things about yourself. Something I have learned about myself is that I often let myself down when I have preconceived expectations. I am a work in progress with this, but I am trying to expect less when traveling somewhere new.

  

  As I said, I’m a work in progress, and I had expectations of Dunkirk that were not reality. I had images in my head of a historical war memorial, with visitors coming to pay respect to those who lost their lives. I envisioned a beach lined with plaques recalling the events that took place, providing a brief synopsis of history for younger generations to read and learn.

  Instead, I was met with the above photo of beach lockers and bronze French folks. I was met with teenage kids blasting French rap music weaving a soccer ball around the other people walking on the boardwalk. I was met with endless restaurants and gelato shops feeding the masses of people sunbathing when they should have been at work.

  I was met with life, continuing on.

  

  At first glance, I thought I was in the wrong area. I wandered around until l found a tourist office and went in to ask where the memorial was. I found the only English speaker and asked him where we could find the memorial. His reply shocked me when he said: “what memorial?” I hesitated and asked where the memorial for the war was, to which he replied, “there is a museum around the corner, at the end of the board walk there is a memorial wall, and on the other side of town is the British memorial.”

  He then handed me a map and sent me on my way. 

  Thankfully my roommate found an additional pamphlet that had spots along the board walk signifying historical spots such as: “this is where the British hid”, “this is where the evacuation took place”, and “this is where the ships came in to save the men.” This was a great concept, but as we walked the boardwalk it was impossible to know exactly where these places were. Hence the desire for my original expectation of plaques along the beach.

  

  The memorial wall was beautiful, and I was thankful to have found it. I still expected more, but as my dad perfectly put it this was now “a solemn place (history) that sounds fairly ordinary today.” Perhaps my original expectations were too skewed, and perhaps the best way to honor the men who died during this tragic situation was to enjoy the freedom the beach provided.

  I didn’t go into the museum, so perhaps I was looking too much outside of the museum for remembrance. After walking the boardwalk a bit we drove over to the British memorial, which was exactly what I was expecting. 

  

  

  I sometimes feel odd discussing war so passionately, because while we always feel the need to choose sides, a human life is a human life regardless of what side you’re on. Each person makes a decision based on what they believe to be correct and they then stand behind this decision regardless of the outcomes.

  The human mind is a complex web of tangled emotions that some are better at untangling than others. 

  I can only hope we continue to find success in learning about the world and about ourselves in an attempt to prevent history from repeating itself, however this is sadly a problem I don’t think will ever be “solved.” All I know for certain is I find great joy in visiting historical places and sharing them with my small circle of a community here on this blog.

  

  Dunkirk was not what I expected, and if I had the power to I would make the simple addition of boardwalk plaques for just “a little bit more.” If you don’t know much about the Battle of Dunkirk I highly recommend reading more about it. I’m glad I visited regardless of what I thought I would see, and it was another reminder to let go of expectations and live more in the moment.

  Q: How do you bounce back when you have expectations that are shattered by reality? Were my Dunkirk expectations unrealistic? 

  

  | 24 Comments Tagged Beach, Brittanys Life Abroad, Dunkirk, Europe, France, Travel, WWII

• Brugge, Belgium

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on September 4, 2019

  Ahh Brugge, the romantic historical town in the northwestern part of Belgium. Brugge was not on my radar until I moved to Europe, and it was as if The Google knew I wanted to see the world, because Brugge popped up on my suggested browser a few months after I arrived. I subconsciously tucked this popular destination in my brain for a later date, and that later date arrived after a series of unfortunate events.

  

  

  You see, I was scheduled to take a trip to Spain for the month of August with my two roommates. We had requested time off for this trip months in advance, booked a rental car, found wonderful Air B & B’s, and did extensive research – aka watched The Cheetah Girls 2. I was ready to strut like I meant it through the streets of Barcelona.

  A few days before our scheduled departure, we received an e-mail advising us there was a scheduled strike at the Barcelona airport the day we were meant to arrive, and we were informed our flight might be cancelled. Um, what? There wasn’t much we could do, so we waited to see what the fate of our trip would be the day of departure.

  

  According to our tour guide who graciously took this picture of us, Colin Ferrel jumped out of the window between my head and my roommates head to the left of me during filming of the movie “In Bruge.” Also – HBD to the pretty lady on my right.

  

  I suppose I should be thankful that we got notice a day and a half before our travel day (instead of the day of) that our flight was indeed cancelled, and truth be told I didn’t really want to go to Spain anyway, but it’s been over a week and I’m still awaiting my refund. I’m a bit perturbed by the entire situation, but it was out of my control.

  With some quick cat like reflex planning, we planned our backup trip in an hour. My roommates asked me,” Switzerland or Belgium?” Without hesitation I screamed “BELGIUM” and my subconscious vision of Brugge reappeared into my frontal lobe. I told them I wanted to see Brugge, and I wanted to see Gent, and badda boom badda bing we officially shifted gears towards Belgium.

  

  

  

  Just when we thought everything was squared away, I got notified that there were no more rental cars at our local Europcar (after we already booked places to sleep in Belgium), which brought momentary panic to us all. We decided to take a train to Munich to rent a car from the airport, and drive it back to Garmisch the day before our trip.

  It took five hours round trip. 

  This was almost the trip that wasn’t thanks to all the hoops we had to jump through, but perseverance gave us a lovely trip to Belgium I shan’t soon forget. Brugge is just as fairytale like as they say, and it’s no wonder this city brings flocks of tourists to see its cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, and Venice like canals.

  

  

  

  The drive to Brugge was brutal, and as the only driver (shoutout to being an old lady and not having an extra rental car charge) I was feeling the 12 hours of open road hard by the time we reached our hostel. We stayed at Hostel Europa, which had free parking (what I cared about), was less than a 2km walk to the city center (what they cared about), and had free breakfast (what everyone cared about.)

  By the time we started our following day in the city, I had forgotten all about the long drive west. We didn’t have much planned for this city, other than to find some colorful houses, eat a waffle, eat fries, eat chocolate, find the sheep, and find the windmills. We stumbled upon a free walking tour at just the right time, and we were able to learn some history about the city.

  

  

  

  Old hospital. This one’s for you dad.

  After we did the walking tour, we went to eat at House of Waffles per the suggestion of our tour guide. I was intrigued by the idea of savory waffles, but sadly this BLT waffle wasn’t worth the splurge that comes with eating gluten for me. My only regret of this trip was that I ate a savory waffle instead of a sweet waffle. I didn’t want to splurge too many times, so I didn’t eat anymore waffles on this trip.

  I should have known better, waffles are meant to be sweet.

  

  The waffles provided just enough energy to wander the residential streets of Brugge in order to find the sheep. Tucked away from the tourist streets is a small park called Hof De Jonge. This park is home to local sheep that graze on the grass, and is known as one of the hidden spot to visit in Brugge. Our trip to Belgium occurred during one of the countries few heat waves, and the 90 degree air had the sheep hiding for respite.

  I turned the corner and was saddened to find no sheep in the park. Just when I lost all hope, I saw one lone sheep running towards the shade. Success. 

  

  After the sheep it was off to the windmills. Four historic windmills are left standing along the ramparts of one of the canals in Brugge. In the 16th century there were upwards of 23 mills in the area, and the remaining four offered a break from the bustling city center. My roommates humored me on my walk across Brugge to find these mills, and the last one of the four offered a small view of the city below.

  

  

  

  

  At the top of the windmill stairs were two local girls enjoying a beer and escaping from the late afternoon sun. I couldn’t help but think this was a terrible place to drink alcohol because of how sketchy the stairs were climbing up and down…does this make me old?

  I used to frolic in the face of danger and now my fear radar is continuously maxed out.

  Our final “scheduled” adventure was to take a boat tour on the canal. This was a cheap ten euro adventure where we didn’t learn anything we didn’t already know after our free walking tour, but it was fun to see the city from the view of the water. Plus our trilingual captain was nice to look at.

  

  

  The rest of our evening was free to wander and refuel. After my waffle lunch I wanted something “safe” for dinner, but continued the vacation mindset and ordered my chicken with fries. When in Belgium. Did you know, fries originated in Belgium?

  American soldiers stationed in Belgium were first introduced to French fries during World War I. As the official language of the Belgian army was French, soldiers nicknamed the delicious fried potatoes “French fries.” The name stuck, and decades later we’re still giving credit to the wrong country.

  

  Brugge is a lovely city, and I’m thankful to have crossed it off my list, and I’m thankful for the mysterious way God works. Had it not been for that Barcelona strike, we’d have gone to Spain instead. Not to say Spain wouldn’t have been enjoyable, but something tells me Belgium is more my style.

  Regardless of where we went, I was just happy to spend a week with my roommates. I am thankful that we not only live well together, but we’re close friends too. 

  

  

  

  

  

  Who can guess which cat pillow is my favorite?

  

  Q: Would you have called it quits after the cancelled flight and no local rental cars, or adapted the “where there’s a will there’s a way” mindset?

  

  | 21 Comments Tagged Belgium, Brittanys Life Abroad, Brugge, Europe, Travel

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on August 26, 2019

  1. Wow. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve done one of these confession posts. I was looking through old blogs I’d written, and reminded myself how much I enjoy these. I also reminded myself of a lot of things, like how I used to live my life without restrictions. Change is hardest when you don’t have a choice.

  2. My favorite thing about Bavaria in the summer is all the cows on the trails. I want one.

  

  

  

  

  3. I enjoy riding my bike, but sometimes I honestly wish I had my car. After a long day and a long week at work, the last thing I want to do is bike to get groceries. It’s exhausting.

  4. I’ve found myself in a funk the last couple weeks. Could have been the revisiting of old blogs, or the physical exhaustion, I’ve just been admittedly down about my food restrictions. I know acceptance is the key to happiness, but some days I’m just O-V-E-R it.

  

  

  Didn’t eat any of this, but how beautiful is this German charcuterie board?

  

  5. I love living in Germany, but I’m burned out with my job.

  6. I bought a dirndl and wore it out in public, but I was extremely uncomfortable in it for the first hour. I typically hide my body in loose clothing, so this was hard for me.

  

  

  My amazing roommates and I.

  

  

  

  7. I got my haircut by a woman that didn’t speak english, but we made it work. I then botched it by cutting more myself. I will never learn.

  8. A little while back I went for an after work hike on a mountain called the Eckbauer. The weather was perfect when we started, but by the time we hit the summit the thunder and lightening hit and my anxiety reared up like a horse that saw a snake.

  I don’t like being in situations where I have no control (who does) and this made me nervous. Be that as it may, I still had a great time with the two girls I was with, and the mountains were gorgeously moody.

  

  

  

  9. I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing that the highlight of my week was officially becoming a regular at the German shop I buy roasted chicken from.

  10. When my dad and step mom visited from the States last month, we spent their last day in Munich. We took a five hour bike tour which was fantastic, and I had a small crush on our tour guide. He wasn’t overly attractive, but he was from Ireland and all he had to do was speak. It was game over after his first word.

  I love the Irish accent so much, I still found him attractive after I saw him smoke. Who am I…

  

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 22 Comments Tagged Bike, Brittanys Life Abroad, Early Morning Confessions, Germany, Hiking

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• BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalist "granola" striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long hikes, strong relationships, exploration, lots of broccoli, and laughing like it's my J.O.B. Currently living and working in Germany, join me on my adventures abroad!
• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

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