Back in Edmonton

It was a whirlwind of travels before settling back in Edmonton. As soon as I wrote my last exam in Lille on December 16, I packed my bags and headed to:

1. Germany to visit some distant relatives, this leg of travels was mostly a refuel on Chinese and Vietnamese food, leaving me experiencing nothing German at all - except for the fifth food group of chocolate

2. I then sped (using the 20hour transportation called a bus) to celebrate Christmas with Asia and Greg's family (My brief roommate in China and her husband) in Zamosc and Lublin, Poland. I then went to stay with Ala (friend from Lille) in Warsaw, celebrating my birthday and new year's eve with Ala, Ania, Katja and Domen - all students from Lille. Then Ania, Domen and I took the express train (very Harry Potter like) to Krakow for three days of castles, cathedrals, and Auschwitz.

3. Domen and I then took the overnight train to Vienna, Austria. What a beautiful city! Why did I not do my exchange here? If you ever need a creative outlet, head here! Anze (rez mate from Lille) then picked us up and we drove off to...

4. Slovenia! And this was a whirlwind of home-sickness because the skiing, the snow, the lakes and mountains reminded me of the rocky mountains. Highlights included visiting the UNESCO protected caves and the seaside coast where I could see Italy!

5. A drive to Venice for one night and a goodbye to the Slovenian friends...

6. And a flight to London where I stayed with Kimberly and Ryan (friends from Edmonton). I love the free museums and did one each day. The last night was spent partying with people I met up with back from home (Neil and wife, Pippa, Ryan and Kimberly)... then I had to wake up after two hours of sleep and caught the eurostar...


7. To meet up with John in brussels where we took the train to Brugges to meet up with Messalina (more people from Alberta). My last beers from Europe eventually led me to an overnight stay in Leuvan....

8. And in the morning I took John, Dina, and Miguel (all interns working in Leuvan) to Lille for a day tour. And with two nights in Lille with Katja and a last lunch with Ala...I trained back to Paris for my flight home via

9. Copenhegan - the airport was literally a mall, how did I miss this part the last time I was here? This stopover provided me with two episodes of Heroes watching time...

10. I landed in Chicago half an hour early (announced on the plane accompanied by no applause), and when president Obama was inaugurated (announced congratulations on the plane accompanied by ample amount of applause). At this stopover, I watched the season finale of Heroes :)

11. I finally landed at home (Edmonton) after what (I was sure) was about a full day of travel. I came back 11pm January 20 (I was illegally in France for two days as my student visa expired on the 18th). But after two days at home I flew to Calgary for my sister's baby shower (I am sick of flying), and flew back in time to start work on the 26th. I am crazy I know. No time to reflect except - boy does it feel nice to sleep in my own bed, eat my mom's home cooking, and see my family during Chinese New Years :)

Thank you to everyone who hosted me - I will be sure to do the same... remember, just give me five years time so I can do it properly!

p.s. if you are wondering how many pictures five months of travels to 13 countries is? It is about 2500...