Friday, June 24, 2011

On a boat on my way to Ireland

This is a really, really, big boat. I'm sitting in the restaurant on about the fourth level, right next to the window, and I am getting a little bit dizzy, but it's nice here. I'm sitting with a delegation from Georgia; not much conversation, but I suppose I need to blog right now anyway.

There is so much to cover, I don't even know where to start, seriously. I have done so much in the past few days that they are actually blurring a little. I'm glad I have my journal, so I can remember most of my trip. I am so behind in telling you about everything, I am thinking that maybe I'll tell you about this morning, okay? I'll probably get to more details after my trip, which sounds terrible, but it's the best I can do.

So, I went rappeling down a castle wall today as a part of the Full On section of my trip. (!!!) It was amazing! First, let me tell you a little bit about Full On. It's a program based in New Zealand that focusses on helping young people with leaderships skills and confidence. I really learned a lot about focussing my energy on the important things, and not on the unimportant, pessimistic things. I am going to do my best to concentrate on a more proactive outlook from now on, because it really felt great looking at life in a different perspective. We did workshops yesterday, and we rappelled today. Yesterday was great. We broke boards with our bare hands. I was afraid that I wouldn't get it, but I broke the board on my first try, HA HA! It felt great! We get to keep them. I had my friends sign them and now I kind of have a yearbook of sorts, except it is a wooden board and it's broken in half straight down the middle. (I have good percision, no?)  I don't have any pictures of that, but I have some for the next day. My friend took a video of me flying down the castle wall, but it isn't interesting because I am not actually flying...I am creeping. Like a little bug. But I did it, still!

I wish I could upload pictures, but the internet is too slow! I promise that I will as soon as I can. There isn't much trip left: like only four days, and one of them is dedicated to travel. I can assure you that there will be a lot of uploading when I get back.

So, about rappelling today. I started with confidence. I was all like, "I can do this, I can do this!" We arrived at the castle, and it was really pretty there. I saw the tower that we were about to go down, and it was tall. Still, I was like, "I can do this!" We strapped ourselves in our harnesses and helmets, and separated into two different groups. My group was first. We climbed the winding stairs of the castle tower, which was dizzying. We lined up behind a ladder leading to the top of the tower, and prepared for our descent. Up until I got to the top I was perfectly confident. But when they hooked me up, put me on a metal platform, and told me to lean back I got scared, to be honest. We were really high up, and there was nothing beneath me at all. My hands were shaking as I gripped the rope, but the guy who was helping me was really nice, and he helped me a lot. I leaned back and got rid of the slack, and now I was hovering over the ledge with only a rope stopping me from falling.

I stepped off.

AAAAAAAAAAH!

I'm just joking. It wasn't that bad. As soon as I stepped off and planted my foot on the wall I felt a lot better. The hardest part is taking the first step, putting all of your faith into what you are doing and going for it. It's kind of metaphorical, isn't it? I feel like I learned a lot from that moment. I went really slow down the castle, but everyone cheered for me anyway. By the time I got down, I was feeling great. A little woozy, but great. Like I said, I wish I could post pictures, but all you have is words for now.

I splurged and bought a sweatshirt for myself, and a photo pack of my adventure. It was a little expensive, but I'm glad I have momentos for something as awesome as this.

I'm on the ferry to Ireland now. I can't believe I am already to the last country in my journey! It has gone so fast, hasn't it? I should get off now, for I am getting seasick. I'm doing great, everyone!

Esther

Saturday, June 18, 2011

At UKSA

I am at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy, and having a blast. It's soo much fun here! We built rafts today, and it was great. We split into four diffenent teams, and we each had to build rafts using wood, surf boards, rope, and barrels. Then we had a relay race with our teams, which each split in half so we could relay, of course. It was lots of fun. We did a lot of other challenges, too. About five. My team was in last place, and we had to belly flop into the cold, cold, ocean water. It was amazing, ha! We also had a challengfe for the best team cheer, and we didn't have one so I totally winged it and had the others follow my lead. It actually worked out. Kind of. I sang slightly off key. Our teacher gave us a 7 out of 10 for our cheer. Not bad for something made on the spot. We are going to have dinner soon, so yes, I probably have to go. I thought I would share some pics with you though! Starting with Amsterdam, and I will see how far I get.

Me and some gals at the Amsterdam airport. We browsed the shops for a while, but I didn't actually get anything.
Our two delegations in the hay barn of the cheese factory we visited. My tiny head is visible in the background! It was so much fun there.

My cow. I adopted him from the cheese farm, I swear. His name is Minos. He winked at me.

Nice Dutch man making clogs. It was really interesting to watch.
The streets of Amsterdam.

A view of a house from a bridge. Amsterdam is full of bridges and canals.
Me and a friend in front of Anne Frank's home.

My pigeon. I adopted him in front of Anne Frank's house. His name is Walter. He glared at me.

Me, friends, and an Amsterdam park bench. (Look, mom, pictures of me!)
A view of a house from Amsterdam's canals.
A windmill! It really is Holland!

One of the few pics I got of Brussels.

Getting ready to eat some food, baby.
Grande Palace entrance, I believe.

Okay, out of time. I hope to post more soon!

Esther

Thursday, June 16, 2011

In Paris, France

I'm in Paris, France! I'm doing well! I don't have much time to chat, unfortunately. I have to get ready for an overnight ferry tomorrow. But I thought I would give you a small catch up. It's hard to remember everything that I have done, so I'm just going to pull things out of my head, ha! They might not be in order.

In Amsterdam, we went to to a chocolate factory. It was a lot of fun. I got to assist the chef in making chocoloate! I got it all over me, but it was great.

We went to Grand Palace in Brussels, Belgium, a few days ago. It was one of the most beautiful places I've seen. My camera ran out of battery, so I couldn't take pictures! It was depressing, but hey, I still have the memories. I shopped a little.

We went on a tour of Bastogne, as well. I loved it. The whole city seems dedicated to perserving the history of the Battle of the Bulge. I learned a lot there. We went to a German soldier WWII cemetery, and I got really emotional. I think it's just the whole idea of people laying down their lives for something bigger kills me. When we go to Normandy, tomorrow, I'm probably going to cry, ha!

Notre Dame! We went there today. It is probably the most beautiful building I have ever seen. It is amazing. To think that 200 years went into constructing it is insane. I felt so content walking through it it. It's a fantastic archetectual feat, indeed.

We went to the Eiffel Tower today as well. It was so much fun! I have pictures, but I don't have time to post them at the moment. The view was amazing. We got a few guys who totally panicked over the hieght though. I worried for him. Suprisingly, I was fine. I got a lot of good pictures of Paris. I hope I get to share some with you.

We went to the Louvre. I could stay there all day. It was wonderful.

Okay, I have to get off now. I'm thinking of all you guys. Hope to post more.

Esther

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

In a cafe in Belgium...

I am in a cafe in Belgium and having a wonderful time! My trip has been fantastic so far! I'm really enjoying myself. I wish I had more time to talk, but unfortunately, my dinner is coming soon and then I have to go. I thought I would just give guys a catch up for what I am doing.

The plane ride was...okay. The first one was fun because the flight attendants were really nice, but the second one I didn't get any sleep at all! It was an eight hour flight. By the time I got to Amsterdam, it was 6 AM in the morning! I still enjoyed myself, though, since it was my first plane rides ever! I was so sleepy though. Gosh! I almost passed out so many times. I was awake for about 48 hours straight, which as you know, is not good for coherent thought. Everyone in my delegation got really grumpy towards the end of the day. It was kind of funny!

Even though I was exhausted, I thouroughly enjoyed myself. We got off the airplane and hopped on the bus from the airport. Our bus is driven by a really cool guy named Danny; I don't know if he speaks a lot of English, but he sure knows how to pull a sharp corner in a bus. There are a lot of sharp corners in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is beautiful. It is ridden with canals and ancient looking buildings. Walking the streets there was a wonderful experience. I have never seen so many bikes in one place before! There are literally more bikes than people in the city of Amsterdam. Bike paths are everywhere, and they are filled with bikers. The bikers there don't stop for pedestrians, ever, so yes, I almost got run over a few times. Oh, and did I mention the trams? There are lots of them too, and just as precarious.

Well, I have to get off right now. I'll try to catch you up on the rest of the trip when I get more wi fi! My schedule is jam-packed, but I am having a great time.

Esther

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Departure In Three, Two...

I'm leaving for Europe tomorrow morning! Wow, it's hard to believe the long wait is over. The preparation has been long, and sometimes stressful, but I've learned a lot. I think I'm a lot more ready for my trip now than I was months ago. I'm writing this little, perhaps uninspiring post just to let you know what's up!

The departure countdown widget might be off. I don't think it takes in time zones. Anyway, I'm going to be departing at noon Eastern Standard time. I have to wake up early in order to get to the airport, so I hope I get a lot of sleep. I'm afraid I won't because I'm so excited!

Also, while I hope to update this as often as I can, my schedule is a little hectic, and some places I visit won't have internet connection. I still hope to give you lots of updates on my trip, even if the said updates are miniscule.

Well, that's pretty much it! I should go finish packing. Thank you for keeping up with me this far, and I hope you keep an eye on my blog. Thank you everyone!

See you in Europe,

Esther