Blissfulbritt | Page 15

- Normandie, France
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on January 27, 2020
  
  Traveling has been the most beneficial way for me to learn about Europe, about history, and about geography. Case in point: all this time, I thought Normandie (or Normandy for us English speakers) was the name of a town in France. The town where historical events took place during WWII. Come to find out, Normandie is actually a state made up of many towns.
  
  I don’t claim to be geographically inclined.
  
  When booking our trip to Paris, Marybeth (my roommate) and I decided we also wanted to visit Normandie to see the beaches where the D-Day landings took place. Have I mentioned I love WWII history? We booked a bed and breakfast close to the beaches, and I am still daydreaming about the carb coma I endured the morning before our beach adventures.
  
  Imagine a basket of breads including (homemade) croissants, rolls, and baguettes, next to a back up basket of more croissants, rolls, and baguettes.
  
  The woman that ran this bed and breakfast spoke very little English, but she was as sweet as can be. She also made a damn good cup of coffee. Best coffee I’ve had since moving to Europe, and I don’t say that lightly. To accompany all these gluten filled bites of heaven, she also had fresh cheese with the most unique flavors.
  
  Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, she asked if we would like some yogurt.
  
  Now, I’m not typically a yogurt fan. Yogurt makes my belly do flips, is loaded with sugar (if it tastes any good) and sits on shelves for who knows how long. Despite my typical aversion to yogurt something in my soul told me to say “yes” when she asked if we would like some. She brought out two clear jars (strawberry for me, peach for Marybeth) with a date written on the lid.
  
  OH my stars does that date signify what I think it signifies?!
  
  I saw this and asked her: “did you make this yogurt?” With a bright smile she replied: “Yes!” Homemade yogurt, homemade croissants, homemade cheese (this bed and breakfast was on a small farm) and damn good coffee had me feeling a type of elation that I haven’t felt in a while. I made sure to eat an apple too, because balance.
  
  There are few things in this world that bring me more joy than quality made food.
  
  I’m not even ashamed to admit that I felt a genuine sadness when we had to leave too early to enjoy breakfast a second time. We stayed here two nights, but the second morning we had to leave at 0700 (too early for her to make this spread) to drive the four hours back to Paris to catch an afternoon flight. I am still thinking about this travesty.
  
  Anyway, moving on to the beaches of Normandie.
  
  On 6 June 1944, an amazing armada of Allied troops (British, American, Canadian and more) landed on Normandie beaches to begin the liberation of Europe from years of Nazi occupation. The planners of this crucial event for European freedom codenamed it D-Day. The Allies divided the 60-mile coastal stretch chosen for the invasion into five sectors, codenamed Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah.
  
  Marybeth and I visited all five of these beaches and I will share them in the order we saw them.
  
  #1: Juno Beach – Canadian invasion
  
  This beach was about ten minutes from our bed and breakfast, making it stop number one. We arrived in the small town leading towards Juno Beach listening to Bonjour from Beauty and the Beast (it felt appropriate for the country.) The beach was quiet, and not a soul was walking on the sand.
  
  We walked out on a small boardwalk and I felt a wave of peace wash over my soul as the wind blew through my hair.
  
  We spent maybe ten minutes at this area of the beach, and as we were driving to our next destination we stopped at the Canada House – the first house to be liberated during Operation Overlord. This house looks the same now (on the outside) as it did back in 1944. Juno Beach was a great first stop for our beach day.
  
  #2: Sword Beach – British invasion
  
  Stop two was at Sword Beach, where we parked the car at a small back alley parking lot. We couldn’t see any memorials, so we decided to just walk along the beach path for a bit. The weather was bouncing between rain and clear skies, and we had a brief reprieve from the wet skies when we made it to Sword Beach.
  
  The houses facing the water were peculiar. They felt very Mrs. Peregrine or Lemony Snicket. They houses were beautiful in a creepy kind of way. No two house looked the same. We admired the houses as we walked the flat path, and found our way to a strip of land that was the exact location of where the British soldiers invaded France.
  
  The coolest part about this memorial area was seeing a photo of a specific house from 1944 in a photograph with soldiers walking the pathway, and the exact house still standing in front of us in 2020. The windows were updated, but the house itself was the same. It was as if time stood still, even if just for a moment.
  
  Then
  
  Now
  
  # 3: Gold Beach – British invasion
  
  Stop three was the center beach, known as Gold Beach. Bristish troops of the 50th infantry division took over this section of the beach and their central location allowed them to help the other beaches around them. The objectives of the 50th Division were to cut the Caen-Bayeux highway, take the small port of Arromanches, link up with the Americans from Omaha Beach to the west at Port-en-Bessin, and link up with the Canadians from Juno Beach to the east.
  
  This beach has a museum, but we did not go inside. We discovered visiting the beaches of Normandie in January not only meant little to no tourists, but it also meant most museums related to the locations were closed. I’d rather visit with less people and closed museums, than with lots of people and open museums. That’s what the Google is for.
  
  There is an outdoor “museum” of sorts, with plaques of information and small memorials. Recent construction has begun to erect a more formal memorial overlooking Gold Beach, and the construction plans for this place look beautiful. Perhaps one day I will return to see this completed monument.
  
  The area of Gold Beach we explored was further towards Omaha Beach. The section of this outdoor memorial that was most powerful (to me) was a set of blocks with quotes from a veteran.
  
  The weather had taken a rainy turn during our time at Gold Beach, and the longer drive to our next destination was a welcome break from the outdoors. I was blown away by the beauty of the French countryside. I never imagined it to be so green, with a UK like vibe. I want to explore more of the countryside in France because it was breathtaking.
  
  #4: Omaha Beach – American invasion
  
  First and foremost, I knew the Americans were a part of the allied forces, but I did not know that France had more American pride than some of the neighborhoods in America itself. Living in Europe the last year means I don’t often see American flags, but upon arrival at Omaha Beach the American flags were seemingly endless.
  
  The sun came out by the time we arrived here, and this stretch of beach was unbelievably beautiful. The sand looked as if it stretched on forever.
  
  We walked towards the tide, and running in the sand and splashing in the puddles had me feeling like a kid. Upon arrival at each beach, I did a quick Google search to discover more about which allied forces were most prominent at each beach. With doing this, I also discovered that at Omaha Beach there was still an old German bunker from 1944.
  
  This.Was.So.Cool.
  
  The area we parked the car was further down from the main parking area, and this is where we got out to walk on the beach. We weren’t sure where the bunker was, but I was determined to find it. Lo and behold the bunker was right behind where we parked.
  
  We spent the most time at Omaha Beach, which felt appropriate because it was here where the highest amount of casualties took place. Roughly 2400 US soldiers died while invading this sections of the beach. I felt a sense of pride for my country driving and walking around this section, and it was an honor to see how much the French appreciated what the US had done.
  
  Les Braves Omaha Beach Memorial – to honor the sons, fathers, and husbands who sacrificed and endangered their lives with the hope of freeing the French.
  
  #5: Utah Beach – American invasion
  
  The fifth and final beach we visited of the Normandie beaches was Utah Beach. Utah Beach is the second of the American landing zones, and was the most successful of the five allied beaches in Normandie. Utah Beach has a memorial museum, but this was closed like the one at Gold Beach. Instead we were able to walk around and view the memorials outside.
  
  The sun was setting as we made it to the final beach, and we slowly savored the final moments of daylight. It’s hard to imagine what these beaches looked like on D-Day, and it’s hard to imagine what it must have been like to be a soldier fighting for a country that wasn’t my own. A true example of humanity and bravery.
  
  Visiting these historical war sights have quickly become one of my favorite things about traveling.
  
  I say this often, but I think it’s hugely important to remember events like this. Not only to honor those who died, but in an attempt to learn from our mistakes as humans. I may never understand how we as people can do what we do, and sadly the world we currently live in is starting to resemble the world of the past, but my hope is one day I won’t have to fear traveling to certain countries that I am not welcomed because of where I was born.
  
  My only regret on this day of beach hopping, is not visiting the American cemetery. I saw the sign for it, but kept on driving. After recently watching Saving Private Ryan (I tend to watch these kinds of movies after visiting the events they were based off of) and seeing what the cemetery looked like I wish I had turned off instead of passing it by.
  
  Source
  
  Normandie was a great end to this recent trip to France, and I only wish I had more time in the countryside. As we waited in the airport before boarding our flight back to Germany, I had to party one more time with baguettes and butter. It wasn’t nearly as good as my Normandie B&B experience, but it did the job.
  
  Q: Favorite French style pastry?
  
  | 12 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, France, Normandie, WWII
- Paris, France
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on January 22, 2020
  
  Ah Paris – the land of high fashion, old and beautiful architecture, croissants, and people. Lots, and lots of people. I booked a trip to Paris with only one goal in mind: visit Disneyland Paris. Anything else was extra, and to be honest Paris was so large it overwhelmed me. I didn’t spend much time in the city because after Disney there was only one day left to explore, so perhaps I didn’t give Paris a chance.
  
  With that said, I don’t see myself returning anytime soon.
  
  Maybe it was the absolutely insane central train station where I had to wait multiple times to get onto a train because people were crammed so tight into the doorways the train doors struggled to shut, and when I did manage to get onto a train my backside was pressed up against the crotch of a complete stranger like a sardine in a can – maybe it was the endless tourists that flooded the streets – or maybe it was the aggressive seagulls that tainted my view of Paris (I’m not kidding, these birds were SAVAGE.)
  
  One may never know why I didn’t fall in love with Paris like all the other souls in this world.
  
  In all honesty the train situation was so unreal I couldn’t stop laughing. I literally thought I was in an episode of punk’d. There is no way that kind of train cramming can be legal. I had locals laughing with me because I just couldn’t stop. My first mistake on this trip was spending the night in the airport the night/morning of departure. I did this when I traveled to London in October, but I physically cannot do this ever again. I didn’t sleep at all, so our first day was spent sleeping.
  
  The view from our Air B&B was great though.
  
  We chose a place near the Eiffel Tower because this was where we were catching a shuttle to Disneyland from. Come to find out this area of town is very touristy and quite frankly it was ugly. I loved the view from our flat though. After we slept for over thirteen hours, we woke up the day after we arrived and spent eight hours at Disneyland Paris. Read more about that here.
  
  The day after Disney we had until around 1600 to explore the city, so to maximize time we bought tickets for a hop on, hop off bus. This allowed us to briefly see all the main attractions of Paris. We only got off the bus at two spots: The Louvre, and Notre Dame. I did enjoy the island where Norte Dame lives, and wish I’d had more time there.
  
  Mocking our fellow tourists.
  
  Bench outside of Shakespeare and Co, one of the coolest bookshops I’ve seen.
  
  Other notable stops on the bus were the opera house, where the inspiration for Phantom of the Opera originated (ok that was cool), Moulin Rouge, and the Arc de Triomphe. Learning Hitler and his troops marched around this Arc was an interesting piece of historical knowledge.
  
  Opera house
  
  Everything was so rushed and fast while exploring Paris, I feel like there is a chance my first impression was skewed, but I also know myself and I know I don’t like big cities. I would like to have had time to find a small neighborhood cafe on the outskirts of the shopping and tourists to enjoy a croissant with coffee, alas I had a date with a crammed train to get to the airport to pick up a rental car for the second half of my trip to France.
  
  More on that in my next post.
  
  The morning before we toured around on the bus was quite nice, and we walked to a local bakery for croissants and coffee. On the way we passed an outdoor market where I bought two apples. The man that sold me the apples spoke broken English, enough to ask where we were from. I always tell people I’m from Canada, and he was delighted by this.
  
  France and Canada are homies.
  
  Next to the bakery where we bought breakfast there was a Starbucks. I haven’t bought a Starbucks since I moved to Europe last January, but I was in need of reliable coffee. It was the best decision I had made in regards to coffee all week. We enjoyed our Air B & B view with quiet stillness the morning before rushing off for the busy day of sightseeing.
  
  The slow, quiet moments are what I long for when traveling. A lot of the travel I’ve done the last year has been very fast and rushed. It’s the name of the game when you go somewhere once a month with only 5-6 days to do so (including two of those for travel.) I have learned I am better off visiting one place on these trips, but I never do that. I always think I can cram something else into the trip which ends up leaving me exhausted and never really letting my nervous system calm down.
  
  I learn a lot while traveling, like what I do and don’t like, and I look forward to traveling after I am done working in Germany when I can truly soak in the places I visit. Perhaps these teasers are just to let me know where I’d like to return. All in a days work.
  
  Q: Have you been to Paris? If so, what did I miss (aside from like…everything.)
  
  | 35 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, France, Paris
- Disneyland Paris
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on January 17, 2020
  
  Anyone who knows me, knows my love for Disneyland. Disneyland is to Brittany like peanut butter is to jelly. I don’t know what it is, but I have always had a love for this place. I grew up going to Disneyland, and as an adult I have been for Halloween, for Christmas, for my 21st birthday, and it’s where I ran my first half marathon.
  
  I knew there was a Disneyland Paris, but I never thought I would go.
  
  Paris was never on my radar, but the one place that put it there was Disneyland. I briefly entertained the idea of going to Disneyland Paris with my roommate MaryBeth a few months ago, and when she expressed interest I knew we had to make this work. Never did I imagine I would find myself walking through the gates of the happiest place on earth…Europe edition.
  
  Disneyland Paris is smaller than the parks in the states, but I loved every part of it. We arrived at open and left at close, which wasn’t hard to do as the park was only open for 8 hours. I couldn’t have asked for a better adventure. Going in January meant less crowds allowing us to go on every ride we wanted, and we really only waited in a long line once.
  
  Disneyland Paris is very similar to Disneyland, Main Street felt just like it does in California (albeit smaller), but one major difference was the food. There were no snack stalls around (maybe because it was winter?) and the restaurant options were more French themed. Naturally. I thought the food was fine, but we met a few other Americans that thought the food was gross.
  
  I stuck to basics like salad, cake, popcorn, and a cupcake. Everything for me was good aside from the cupcake…but it was worth it because…Minnie.
  
  If you avoid reading the signs, everything felt as it does in California. The audio for the rides are all in French, but they also had English audio most of the time. The signs are all in French, but it’s not hard to figure out what the rides are if you’re a seasoned Disney goer.
  
  “que le monde est petit!”
  
  Disneyland in the states usually has multiple languages spoken, so really it didn’t feel like I was in France. There were a few differences in rides, like Space Mountain in France is “Hyperspace Mountain” and it was Star Wars themed, Indiana Jones was a weird roller coaster in France (I prefer the California ride), and the Haunted Mansion was legit scary.
  
  Fantasyland still makes me feel like I’m eight years old regardless of where I am, and I now notice how much it resembles Bavaria and I will never look at it the same.
  
  I never felt rushed here – I love how big Disneyland in California is, and the ride selection is better, but the mass amounts of humans and the long lines really taint the experience sometimes. This experience in Paris was much more casual and I would go back in a heartbeat.
  
  The firework show at the end of the day was fantastic, and it was fun to see the Disney Illumination show on Sleeping Beauties castle. The show was in both English and French and showcased movies like: Frozen, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and of course…Star Wars!
  
  I haven’t been back to Disney since moving to Germany and visiting Neuschwanstein, the castle that was part of Disney’s inspiration.
  
  Château de Sleeping Beauty, ou Neuschwanstein?
  
  This day quickly became one of my favorite days since moving to Europe. I will never forget this experience, and I couldn’t imagine going with a better partner in crime! Our tickets were significantly cheaper than they would have been in the states, and we included a shuttle pick up to and from the park to avoid dealing with parking/trains.
  
  Me when I’m stressed.
  
  A stress free visit to the happiest place on earth. Until next time Disney, Au revoir.
  
  Q: Disney fan?
  
  | 29 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, France
- 2019 Christkindlmärkte
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on January 11, 2020
  
  My final month of 2019 was dedicated to working far too much, and I didn’t go on any trips in December. I did however visit four Bavarian Christmas markets. The magic of German Christmas markets was something I didn’t quite understand until I spent time at these markets. Christmas markets, or Christkindlmärkte (Christkindlmarkt if singular) are festive markets selling handmade crafts, local cuisines, mulled wine, and more. The atmosphere of a Christkindlmarkt brings such joy to my soul.
  
  As I mentioned above, I made it to four markets this year. Below I will list the markets I attended and my experience with each of them.
  
  Garmisch-Partenkirchen
  
  It only makes sense that my first ever Christkindlmarkt was in my “hometown” of Garmisch. A tiny, yet mighty market with the essentials like Glühwein and chestnuts, two items I grew to enjoy.
  
  I didn’t spend much time at this market, but I did spend enough time to walk through the booths and savor the surrounding mountains. What I loved about this market is what I love about Garmisch in general – the mammoth Alps surrounding the town. It was here I had my first taste of roasted chestnuts, and my life is forever changed.
  
  Nürnberg
  
  Nürnberg, or Nuremburg for us English speakers, is said to have the largest Christkindlmarkt in Germany, and is arguably the most famous. I had not been to Nürnberg before going to the market, so this was an extra special adventure. My roommate MaryBeth and I had the same day off and spent a night in Nürnberg before exploring the market the following day.
  
  This market certainly felt larger than the market in Garmisch, but most of the stalls were similar. The town itself is well known for the Nuremberg trials – a series of military tribunals held after WWII by the allied forces over major Nazi criminals. Ironically, Nuremberg is also where the Nazy Party Rally Grounds were.
  
  The Nazi Party Rallies, held in Nuremberg from 1933 to 1938, served primarily as a setting to show off the regime and Adolf Hitler, to orchestrate the concept of a “Volksgemeinschaft,” and to arouse popular enthusiasm for war. Perhaps this is why the trials were also held in Nuremberg…
  
  History aside, this was a lovely city full of beautiful architecture and delicious market food!
  
  We arrived in the city center early, allowing us to wander the market before it got crowded. We also arrived in time for a free walking tour, something I have come to love when visiting a new city! The tour lasted almost two hours, bringing us all around the city. We walked up by the castle, down cobble stone streets, around all of the four Christmas markets, and ended with my first full cup of Glühwein.
  
  Castle views.
  
  As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m not a wine drinker. I don’t like the taste of wine, even when sugar is added. This Glühwein however, was amazing. Once I saw the word “apfel” I was sold. Like an adult apple cider warmed and served in a holiday mug. The perfect beverage to wander the repetitive stalls over and over.
  
  Nürnberg is known for their sausages, and I’d be remiss if I came to Nürnberg without trying Nürnberg Rostbratwurst. These finger like sausages are some of the most popular in all of Germany, and originated right here in Nürnberg. Seasoned with marjoram, salt, pepper, ginger, cardamom and lemon powder, these tubes of pork are a real holiday treat.
  
  Simply served with a roll, and topped with sauerkraut and mustard. Am I a local yet?
  
  After eating and drinking our way through the city, we finally found our way back to the train for our journey home.
  
  München
  
  Munich has become like Seattle for me, a big city that I live close enough to for a day trip, but far enough that I don’t feel overwhelmed by my living space. I’ve been to Munich more times than I can count now, but regardless of that fact I still wanted to see their Christmas markets. I say markets, because I managed to see three of them in one day.
  
  Similar to Nuremberg, Munich had multiple markets around the city. I started in the Marienplatz, where the largest market was. I watched the glockenspiel in the Rathaus perform for probably the fourth time since living in Germany, but each time is just as enjoyable.
  
  I mostly get a kick out of the tourists reactions.
  
  I bought some chestnuts (duh) und ein apfel mit Dunkle Schokolade to munch on as I wandered the Marienplatz. I admired the endless handmade crafts, and found my way to St. Peter’s Church for a panoramic view of the city from above.
  
  From the Marienplatz I made my way towards the medieval market in Munich. This section was much smaller, similar to the size of Garmisch, but it was so cool! The entire section was medieval themed, complete with the clothing, goblets for Glühwein, and food being cooked in outdoor stoves. I only spent maybe 15 minutes here, just to see it, but had I not been alone at this market I’d have likely drank a Glühwein.
  
  Lastly, I went to one final market between the medieval one and the one in the Marienplatz and this section was my favorite. It was medium sized, had loud Christmas music playing and lots of good food. I ate some pommes and sat listening to music for a while. I bought a beautiful handmade wooden sign for my dear friend Pam here, (HI PAM!) and five minutes later I found 20 euros.
  
  I watched the city fall dark as the evening set in, and made my way back to the train to head home. A perfect solo day trip to the markets in Munich.
  
  Mittenwald
  
  The final market I visited in 2019 was similar to Garmisch, which makes sense as it was just a few towns over. Mittenwald is a small town close to home, and I had been once before when I visited last March for their Fasching festivities. A few girls I work with and I went to Mittenwald for one final market of the season.
  
  My roommate MaryBeth and I also work together, and she was in the group of us that went. Somehow she and I branched off and lost the group despite how small this market was. After buying a glass of Weiss Glühwein (new to me) we found ourselves at a stand selling goulash…in a bread bowl.
  
  You can really tell I’ve been going all in with food the last few months. I feel the effects most of the time, but mentally it’s freeing. Sometimes. 🙂 This goulash bowl was delicious and warmed my bones on this chilly December evening. After goulash, we split a bratwurst and soaked in the last bit of the Christmas energy.
  
  Christmas in Europe was a fun experience, but overall nothing beats Christmas with family. I look forward to being home next Christmas. Despite these markets and the decorations, it never quite felt like Christmas for me this year. I’m happy the holidays are over because it was a brutal month at work. Looking forward to more travels in 2020.
  
  Q: Have you been to a Christkindlmarkt?
  
  | 33 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, Christkindlmarkt, Christmas, Germany, Glühwein
- Berlin, Germany
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on December 27, 2019
  
  Call me crazy, but I wasn’t overly eager to visit Berlin. I knew I wanted to see some of the historical aspects related to the war, but as my regular readers will know I am not a big fan of large cities. When trying to figure out a place to visit in November (I travel somewhere at least once a month) I felt like doing something “easy” and decided to do a German road trip.
  
  I chose Berlin as the end destination because it was a city I felt I “should” see, and because it’s in northern Germany. I’ve only explored south Germany, and I wanted to see more of the north. Berlin ended up being a lovely city, with endless character and years of history.
  
  On a wall at the train station.
  
  We arrived at our Air B & B the evening after exploring Bamberg, and I was so happy with the neighborhood we chose. It was clearly a wealthy neighborhood, and our host was so kind. We stayed there for three nights. The apartment was a 20 min walk to the train station, which we used the two days we spent in the city. There was no way I was driving into the city, I learned my lesson in Rome.
  
  We decided to buy a 48 hr pass for a hop on hop off bus to maximize our time and hit all the main sights. Berlin is HUGE, and this was a simple way to get around. The first place we hopped off was at the Topography of Terror museum. This museum was the original location of the Nazi SS headquarters, and some of the bricks of the original building are still in tact. I could literally feel the history here, and it was wild.
  
  The inside of this museum depicts the history of the war from beginning to end, and the outside has the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall in the center of Berlin.
  
  From the museum, we walked down the street a bit to find Checkpoint Charlie. From 1961 to the German re-unification in 1990, Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous border crossing during the Cold War period. It was located at the very center of the geopolitical conflict between East and West.
  
  It was a slightly ironic sight to see the U.S. checkpoint now leading to a street with KFC and McDonalds.
  
  From here we hopped back on the bus and headed towards the Brandenburg Gate. The Brandenburg Gate has become the defining symbol of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The gate came to be a gateway into a unified Germany and Europe.
  
  Next to the gate was the parliament building, which is self explanatory. We spent all of five minutes here to see it, snap a pic, snap a pic of a random stranger, and then we moved onto the next.
  
  From here we walked to the Holocaust Mahnmal, or “The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.” I saw photos of this memorial years ago, and had wanted to visit ever since. The monument covers 19,000 square meters, and consists of 2711 concrete blocks, all dedicated to Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust.
  
  When I first heard about this monument, it was after reading an article about tourists who were taking inappropriate photos surrounding the blocks. The article had original photos of selfies, yoga poses, jugglers (seriously??!), etc… which were then photoshopped with backdrops of what happened during the holocaust. The photoshopped project was titled “Yolocaust.”
  
  Sounds aggressive, but I love what he did.
  
  These blocks are not a playground for tourists, they are a symbol of something horrific. If you want to read more about the man who created the “Yolocaust” read this BBC article. Point being – selfies and yoga poses and fun photos with your friends at a place like this, or like this, or like this are never appropriate. Period.
  
  After the memorial visit we briefly wandered Tiergarten, a large park in the center of Berlin where I took the above photo. Statues of three composures wrapped around the center structure – I remember Mozart, but forgot the other two. We ended our first day with a visit to KaDeWe, one of the worlds largest department stores.
  
  I wanted to see the inside, despite the fact that I am not a big shopper. We went to the very top of the building and sat in the food area by a window watching the city fall asleep below.
  
  Day two in Berlin was dedicated to East Berlin, specifically to see the East Side Gallery. Immediately after the wall came down, 118 artists from 21 countries began painting the East Side Gallery, and it officially opened as an open air gallery on 28 September 1990. Just over a year later, it was given protected memorial status.
  
  The above photos were a few of my favorites, as well as two of the most famous paintings. First the ‘fraternal kiss’ by Dmitri Vrubel depicting a kiss between communist leaders Leonid Brezhev (soviet) and Erich Honecker (East German president.) This painting is titled My God, Help Me to Survive This Deadly Love, and is based off of a real photo.
  
  The other famous painting is by Birgit Kinder, showing a Trabant car breaking through the Berlin Wall. This is symbolic of the former East Germany and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc. The painting is a nod both to this popular car and to the many East Germans who tried to escape over the Berlin Wall.
  
  It took about two hours to slowly wander the East Side Gallery, and after we finished we went to see a few more places in the central part of Berlin. First up was the Berliner Dom, likely one of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen. I didn’t go inside, which I regret, but the exterior is amazing. Even with the current renovation.
  
  The church is in an area of Berlin called “museum island” which is a fitting name. There are a myriad of museums here likely to tickle the fancy of just about anyone. I don’t usually enjoy museums, so I just wandered the exterior. However, one spot in this area that I did want to see was Bebelplatz.
  
  On 10 May 1933, members of the Nazi German Student Union and their professors burnt books as part of a nationwide action “against the un-German spirit”. This book burning took place at Bebelplatz, and the below plaque is now placed as a memorial of the books that were burned.
  
  The final thing we wanted to do in Berlin was find somewhere to get a view of the city. We chose the most touristy option and we decided to take a ride up the TV Tower. We had purchased a city pass, giving us a discount for the ride and it ended up only being around $13 to go up the tower.
  
  We spent about 30 minutes at the top to watch the sunset over the city, and it gave me bigggg Space Needle Vibes.
  
  Berlin surprised me in many ways, and my only regret was arriving one week too early. Around the city we saw many locations setting up for their Christmas markets, but sadly we left before they opened. We did get to go to one tiny market, where I enjoyed a bowl of goulash and gasped at the elevated price of a schneeball.
  
  One final part of Berlin I adored…Berlin bears.
  
  Q: What would have been your top place to visit of all the places I listed?
  
  | 21 Comments Tagged Berlin, Brittanys Life Abroad, German Road Trip, Germany
- Bamberg, Germany
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on December 24, 2019
  
  After spending a day in Rothenburg, Laura (my roommate) and I moved on to our next German town during our six day German road trip. We would be visiting three cities on this trip, I chose Rothenburg, she chose Bamberg, and we collectively agreed on Berlin (where we spent the majority of our time.)
  
  We arrived in Bamberg on a Sunday, which meant most of the shops were closed. The highlight of our day in Bamberg was attending morning mass at the Bamberg Cathedral. My roommate Laura is catholic, so she requested a stop here. I wasn’t planning on staying for the mass, but I did and it was a unique experience.
  
  After mass we wandered around the city for a while. Sunday was a less than ideal day to visit because when the shops are closed the cities are quiet. Bamberg has a hop on hop off bus, but the language is only in German. I rode along on the loop thinking I would be able to see some other areas, but it wasn’t very enjoyable because I couldn’t understand anything being said.
  
  Plus, the bus never actually stopped for people to hop off…?
  
  The highlight of my visit was sitting on one of the bridges and staring into the sky. I’ve been feeling a bit more anxiety than usual lately, and this day I was having a hard time. Could be caffeine, could be my diet, could be my job, could be anything at this point.
  
  Bamberg is cute, but I don’t feel the need to ever go back. Perhaps it was the mood I was in when we went, or the ghost town vibes, but this wasn’t a German city that spoke to my soul. Regardless I am glad we went.
  
  I am thankful for the opportunity I have right now, to live for free and travel Europe, but this isn’t really how I envisioned myself experiencing this country. My job is stressful, the environment where I live is not ideal, and half the time I’m so exhausted from my weeks I barely have energy or a desire to plan another trip.
  
  The old city hall in Bamberg made for a beautiful photograph to commemorate the visit.
  
  Sometimes I worry that my lifestyle, while exciting, appears to be better than it is. I struggle often with my mental health, regardless of where in the world I am. I love traveling and I love the opportunities I have made possible for myself, but this life of adventure isn’t always fun.
  
  I realize how privileged I am, but I want to emphasize that when someone is struggling with mental health, no amount of adventure can take that away.
  
  Sometimes I really wish I were at my moms house, curled up in bed where I could hide for days until I felt better. Sometimes I feel so down I don’t even want to think about planning another trip. Sometimes I am so exhausted I daydream about leaving and finally putting my health before my adventures. Sometimes I just don’t want to adult.
  
  Somedays I am up, somedays I am down just like anyone else, and traveling is exhilarating, but it’s also exhausting. Alas, the up days still outweigh the down days which keep me here. That and I signed a contract that I don’t intend to break. 😉 Overall I think I’m just having a funky couple months, but this too shall pass!
  
  My point is, this day in Bamberg was a good example that my lifestyle isn’t always glamorous and exciting. I love the opportunity to travel and live in Europe, but as with all things on social media not everything is “perfect” and I still have my moments. 🙂 I don’t write this post seeking sympathy, I write this post to let others know they’re not alone. To tell the world and myself it’s ok to feel down.
  
  Emotions come in waves and I fully intend to keep improving my emotional surfing skills. We only fail when we quit getting back up when we’re knocked down.
  
  | 11 Comments Tagged Bamberg, Brittanys Life Abroad, Germany, Mental Health
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on December 20, 2019
  
  Before I moved to Germany I didn’t have much of a mental picture about the country. I knew the Germans liked to eat pretzels, bratwurst, and sauerkraut, but I didn’t know much about the landscape or the architectural design of the buildings. Where I live in Bavaria, it’s common to find houses with paintings on the side depicting a story of craftsmen from long ago.
  
  When I knew I was going to be spending some time living in Germany, I did a quick Google search for basic images, and the image that stuck with me the most was of beautifully striated houses in a town called Rothenburg ob der Tauber, or Rothenburg for short. I had no idea where Rothenburg was, nor did I ever think I would visit, but I finally made my way to this adorable medieval city and I loved every moment of my visit.
  
  Rothenburg is most known for its walled in city, striated houses, and picturesque photo opportunities. The entryway into the city is one of the most photographed spots in the entire city, and for good reason. I made it to the city before anyone came to life, and was able to snap a photo of this spot without any humans in my way.
  
  The clouds quickly lifted and the sun came out providing a beautiful color to the adorable houses. My roommate Laura and I embarked on a German road trip last month, and Rothenburg was our first stop. She had been, but I hadn’t so we split up for a couple hours to explore at our own pace. Before we separated, we visited the Käthe Wohlfahrt mothership. The headquarters for this mega shop is in Rothenburg, and this was my first time stepping inside.
  
  This was basically the Disneyland of Christmas.
  
  I bought an ornament for my mom, but she won’t know until it arrives because she only skims my blog for the photos. 😉 (Update, the ornament arrived. She loved it.) After we got our Christmas fix, we wandered the only park within the city while my roommate sipped on Glühwein. I don’t like wine, but I tried a sip. I confirm that I still don’t like wine, even when it’s hot and mixed with sugar.
  
  After the park we officially parted ways, and I got lost between the alleys and houses. I say I got lost, but really that’s nearly impossible. The city is quite small, but large enough to spend a good few hours wandering without getting bored. I found my way to the border of the wall that hugs around the city, and climbed the stairs to walk around the perimeter.
  
  Along the way I found door, after door, after door that caught my attention.
  
  I found my way inside of a coffee shop for an afternoon pick me up, where lucky for me everyone spoke English. I would have managed fine if they hadn’t though, I know how to order a black coffee in German. I know the basics of ordering food and drinks, but everywhere I have traveled thus far someone speaks English. It’s both helpful and hindering as it doesn’t motivate me to learn more German.
  
  After my coffee fix I climbed the top of the city hall tower which wasn’t very tall, but it still provided a decent panoramic view of the city. Anytime I find a tower to climb for a decent price, I climb it. There has only been one tower thus far that I said a big no to, and that was in Pisa. There was no one else at the top of the tower when I went up, so I had the entire view to myself.
  
  We visited Rothenburg a week too early, because we missed their Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas Market.
  
  After I climbed the tower my roommate and I met back up for lunch. We grubbed, and were gifted free water and cake because my roommate is a fan of a German soccer team that our waiter was also a fan of. I have never felt more VIP since moving to Europe. Free water?! Who are we. Despite the fact that I was just gifted free cake I couldn’t come to Rothenburg and NOT try a Schneeball….
  
  Another native Rothenburg creation, this ball of crunchy dough comes in a variety of flavors. I chose chocolate because I am a creature of habit. By this time we had been in Rothenburg for about five hours, and it was almost time to move onto our next destination. Rothenburg is a perfect day trip, and five hours was a perfect amount of time to spend there.
  
  I don’t often buy souvenirs when I travel, mostly because I don’t like collecting things that clutter. However, if something “speaks to me” I will buy it (but not after a long debate in my brain about whether it’s practical.) When I first walked into the city I saw something in one of the windows that spoke to me, but I didn’t think it was practical.
  
  I spent the entire afternoon trying to decide if I should buy it, and finally decided to buy it.
  
  I don’t know what the significance of the mushroom is in Rothenburg, but a few shops had mushroom items indicating some kind of theme. I can’t tell you what it was about this stuffed shroom, but when I first walked by the window with him and his friends, he immediately spoke to me. I regret nothing, and this was worth the 12 euros because every time I look at him I smile.
  
  This is my shroom, his name is Schmerb.
  
  All around me are familiar faces.
  
  Schmerb was officially along for the ride for the rest of our German road trip, and immediately became our mascot. Anytime I looked at him I laughed, and I continue to laugh anytime I look at him. He was most definitely a mental health boost. Love ya Schmerb. I’d love to return to Rothenburg someday, maybe for their Christmas market.
  
  A perfect start to our German road trip!
  
  Q: Am I alone in laughter when looking at Schmerb?
  
  | 27 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, German Road Trip, Germany, Rothenburg
- Just Keep Going
  
  Posted at 3:00 PM by Brittany, on December 16, 2019
  
  When my mom came to visit me in September, we took a trip to Rome. On this trip, I decided to mindfully eat whatever I wanted because I couldn’t imagine visiting Rome without indulging in pasta and gnocchi at least once. Or twice. Or every night. Since coming back to Germany, I have continued this liberal way of eating, and while I have not always felt my best – something good has come of it.
  
  Eggs and bacon would be normal eats, the muffin and the entire basket of bread were splurges. This was at the Munich airport after dropping off my mom and my sister.
  
  Alas, I always find my way back to my staple foods even with loose eating. This was also at an airport, in England after a week of scones and clotted cream.
  
  My motive behind eating more food of all kinds was partly because I get so sick of eating extremely restricted, partly because I still don’t know the best way to eat to feel well, but mostly because I struggle with hypothalamic amenorrhea. I lost my period for the first time in Jan 2014, and it was 100% MIA for just about three full years. Within the last six years I’ve had eleven periods: two in 2016, three in 2017, five in 2018, and one in 2019…just a couple weeks ago.
  
  The ice of my ovaries has melted once again!
  
  Each time a period comes I get VERY excited, but I also know that one time isn’t consistent and I’m still aware of the fact that my body needs very specific conditions in order to trust me. Conditions like low stress, low physical activity, and eating enough calories. While I think my free for all eating has a lot to do with my recent period, I also think now that its winter and my activity level has dropped my body is feeling a little more safe.
  
  My final long bike ride before winter hit. Ehrwald, Austria.
  
  My activities lately have been slow bike rides, casual walks through the fields behind where I live, and laying on my bed for hours after work. We had a big snow recently and while I used to dislike when it snowed, I don’t mind it as much here. I went for a walk to a nearby lake and the quiet stillness of this freshly fallen snow was intoxicating for my mind. A simple reminder to slow down.
  
  When winter first showed her face…
  
  The night before the big snow…
  
  The first big snow.
  
  I admit it’s been hard to see my body changing. I’ve gained weight (though I couldn’t tell you how much, I don’t use a scale) and my clothes feel snug at times, but I have continued to remind myself why I am eating more freely. I still need to fine tune my eating (which has felt like a marathon endeavor the last five or so years), because despite the recent period – I don’t feel well when I eat too many grains or foods I’m sensitive to.
  
  Food can give me a hangover similar to alcohol, that lasts for days.
  
  My job is stressful as hell, so I knew it had to be something else. I knew it had to be eating more and moving less. Plain and simple. Funny how we’re taught to do the opposite, but when things go awry in the body we have to go against what we know and do something much more difficult. For me it’s harder to be inactive than it is to be active.
  
  I used to decompress by going for long runs, or intense hikes. Now I go for walks, do yoga, or listen to music.
  
  I still daydream about the days I’d go for a long run, or find an intense mountain to climb. If I were to do that now my body would scream at me in more ways than one. I never realized how much I appreciated intense exercise until I was no longer able to do it. I still go on intense hikes, but I move MUCH slower, and go less often.
  
  I have to be extra mindful of my decisions to ensure I do whatever I can to work WITH my body and my hormones rather than against them. Getting a period after a year in Germany was like a small piece of validation that I am doing something right and to keep going. To keep pushing though the discomfort and to keep finding the right food for my body even when the process feels never-ending.
  
  Best goulash in Switzerland.
  
  I don’t want to get too complacent, and I don’t want to eat too many foods that really disturb my body because that will do more harm than good (inflammation is no joke for an autoimmune disease), but I do want to keep challenging myself to let go of the idea that my body needs to stay one size at all times. Bodies change, just as much as our minds change.
  
  The recent freedom of this acceptance has been helpful, and while I am still a work in progress I am much further today mentally than I ever have been. Progress is all I can ask for, and progress is what I’m making. What a miserable life it would be to stay locked in a box of narrow-minded thinking and miss out on the possibilities of life because I fear my body changing.
  
  2013 vs 2019. New phone, new hair, new body. Who dis? I’m currently probably 5-10lbs heavier than the photo on the right which was taken a few months ago.
  
  I never asked to have a disordered way of eating, it just sort of happened when I noticed changes in my body – most related to my autoimmune disease. While I am overjoyed at the return of my period last month, it didn’t come without a cost. I have had more brain fog than normal, more itchy crawling skin with rashes, more eczema flares, more dry blotchy skin, more swollen eyes, and much more inflammation.
  
  It’s hard not to fear food when it is the leading cause for symptoms like the above. I am forever my own science experiment.
  
  Food is medicine, and I will forever believe this, but no way of eating will ever compete with a balanced, low stress mind and body. So yes, I need to be mindful of food I am allergic to, and yes I need to be aware of my stress, but no I don’t need to be obsessive and allow these things to control my life. Some days are easier than others, and some days I just want to quit life and live in my bed forever, but I only fail if I quit trying.
  
  This post is a reminder to myself, and to anyone else out there struggling with food, and life, and balance, and autoimmune diseases – just keep going. It won’t be easy, and it won’t be fun, but it will be worth it.
  
  | 25 Comments Tagged Alfred, Autoimmune Disease
- Peak District National Park
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on December 12, 2019
  
  When driving through the Lake District, I was surprised to find the area had a good balance between isolation and population. I wouldn’t say it didn’t feel like a national park, but it had areas that felt like any other town. It was a similar first impression to when I visited the Black Forest in Germany.
  
  When I think of a national park I think long stretches of road with little to no civilization. I think of rocky terrain with pot holes that make my heart dip into my stomach wondering if I scratched the side of my vehicle. I think of endless rolling hills that will swallow me whole if I don’t respect the vastness of their proximity.
  
  I think of places like the Peak District.
  
  There is no one size fits all national park, the exact definition is an area of countryside, or occasionally sea or fresh water, protected by the state for the enjoyment of the general public or the preservation of wildlife. Definitions aside, I still have a specific vision in my head when I think of a national park.
  
  Perhaps my summer spent in Yellowstone, or growing up near Olympic National Park skewed this vision for me, but either way I tend to enjoy national parks that are a bit more isolated. The Peak District is a little over two house south of the Lake District, and the differences between the two were obvious right away.
  
  I absolutely loved the Lake District, but I equally loved the Peak District for different reasons.
  
  The Peak District felt more spread out when it came to civilization, there were cafe’s scattered throughout the roads we drove, but they didn’t sit in tiny towns. They were their own isolated building on top of a hill overlooking the wonder of the hills below. This park is so sporadic we had a hard time keeping a cell signal, which made it sightly difficult to find our Air B & B.
  
  After some time, we finally found our tiny house.
  
  We had quite a few laughs in regard to this place, it was a bit too small for three people, but we made it work. All three of us are flexible and chill people, so I slept on the tiny couch while the other girls slept on the tiny bed. We had no wifi, no reception, and no visibility for our first evening in the park.
  
  Before arriving in the Peak District we spent the morning walking the Lake District a bit more, and we arrived in the Peak District in the afternoon. I always like finding a new place in the daylight just to minimize stress. It would have been a nightmare trying to find this place in the dark.
  
  After finding our house, we decided to drive back to a cafe we saw when driving in to the park for a late lunch/early dinner.
  
  I had been in England for five days at this point, and had yet to eat fish and chips. It was an easy choice when looking over the Peak View menu. We enjoyed our meal and headed into the nearby town for breakfast supplies before heading back to the tiny house to unwind for the evening.
  
  The following morning I made us all coffee, eggs, and scones. When I say made us I mean I tried to do a makeshift pourover that turned out too weak, made scrambled eggs in a tiny microwave, and opened a package of scones from the grocery. It was a memorable and comical morning in the tiny house. We listened to 80’s music videos on the TV while we ate, and then we packed up our stuff and headed off for a morning in the park.
  
  We drove until we saw an area that looked worthy of exploration, and then we parked and walked. We walked for a few hours – some on country roads and some in open fields with free roaming animals. We walked through fog, and mud, and thick open fields.
  
  I fell deeper and deeper in love with the UK each step I took. The cold crisp air, the green hills, the roaming cows, the scones, the black pudding, the people, the accents, the language (I understand English!), everything about these countries continues to sweep me off my feet. The stone houses, the random castles, the history, the energy of a slow paced way of life.
  
  I’ve never felt more myself somewhere than I do in the UK the last six years.
  
  After our morning of exploration we drove to the Manchester airport where we flew back to Germany later that evening. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip to England, or a better group of girls. There are few people who I work with who I enjoy spending time with, but the few who I enjoy are good people.
  
  I don’t always enjoy solo travel, and sometimes it’s more fun experiencing the world with others. I’m thankful for the two girls who accompanied me to England, it was a trip I will never forget. Now if someone can find me a good scone in Germany, that’d be grand.
  
  Q: What do you visualize when you think of a national park?
  
  | 19 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, England, National Park
- Lake District National Park
  
  Posted at 2:00 PM by Brittany, on December 9, 2019
  
  For someone who loves national parks, I’ve shamefully not visited many in Europe. I drove through one in Slovenia when a bus driver tried to avoid traffic, but I don’t think that really counts. I spent a day in Berchtesgaden shorty after Slovenia, but aside from those two instances I’ve not seen any European national parks since I visited Scotland last October.
  
  When my friends and I decided to visit England we all agreed we HAD to see one, if not two national parks.
  
  After a night in Highclere, we headed towards our next stop. The first area we visited was Lake District National Park, and we stayed here for two nights. Our Air B & B was adorable, and our host was a kind man that sounded Scottish. We stayed just outside of the park, because it was cheaper, and because the listing showed a sheep pasture in the backyard.
  
  I don’t know what it is about sheep, but I adore them.
  
  You can see one sheep up top in the field.
  
  Our first day in the park I tried to find a hike for us to do, and we didn’t have a specific plan, but I knew I wanted to see one of the many fells. To maximize time we chose a location that was about an hour from our Air B & B, and while it wasn’t a large mountain, it was considered a “must see for first time visitors to the Lake District.”
  
  We found the Loughrigg Fell Loop starting from the town of Grasmere, and spent a little over two hours walking the woods, and climbing hills to get an amazing view of Grasmere Lake down below. We sat at our self proclaimed summit for about 30 minutes before heading down to explore the town a bit.
  
  After we made our way down, we walked the town a bit and I found my way to Lucia’s Coffee + Bakehouse. AKA where I had the best scone of the entire trip. I would go back to Grasmere just for this scone. And for the cinnamon roll I bought for the following morning to go with my cup of coffee. I never knew I was a scone person until I went to England.
  
  This scone was the perfect mix of dense and soft, sweet and savory, warm and cold, it was just…perfect.
  
  Grasmere is famous for their gingerbread and I bought one piece, but sadly I was not a fan. The shop is adorable, and the smells of sugar and ginger are intoxicating, but this was a hard piece of gingerbread. Almost like a chewy cracker. I like soft gingerbread, actual bread and not a cookie like bread. Does that make sense?
  
  All was not lost on the gingerbread front, I had my cinnamon roll to look forward to and it was worth the wait. It’s been a while since I’ve had a sugary treat first thing in the morning. My blood sugar is extremely sensitive, and sugar paired with caffeine is no longer a good option for me, but thankfully I didn’t crash too hard with this.
  
  Our Air B & B also had a creek out back, and while it was too cold to sit out there long term, it was nice to step outside with my coffee and hear the running water. Our second and last night at this Air B & B, we went to the only pub in the area called The Old Crown. It was a lovely place, with delicious food, and friendly staff.
  
  Our trip to the Lake District was short and sweet, but I know I will be back someday. The weather was perfect for our trip, and the endless rolling hills had me daydreaming of a permanent lifestyle driving on the right side of the car. I could easily spend a week exploring this national park. I don’t want to work in a cafe again after I leave my current job, but I could see myself working at Lucia’s Coffee + Bakehouse.
  
  Anything for the scones and cinnamon rolls.
  
  We packed our bags and packed our car, and we headed towards Peak District National Park, our last leg of the trip and our second and drastically different national park in England. My idea of what it would be like to hike around England national parks ended up being a completely different reality, but it turned out to be a low key adventure I’ll never forget.
  
  Q: Cinnamon roll or scone? Why am I always asking questions about food….
  
  | 10 Comments Tagged Brittanys Life Abroad, England, Hike, Lake District, National Park, Scones
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