Nice, Monte Carlo, and Monaco

Wow, this has definitely been a weekend to remember. As Charles Dickens would say, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." The trip to Nice started out fantastically. We arrived Friday night after a short delay into the Nice airport. We were definitely starting this trip at without having planned fully our vacation. We arrived in the airport, caught a bus to the city center, or somewhere near the center. Luckily for us, when we were taking the bus, an extremely kind Canadian gentleman overheard us talking and offered to help us get to our location. Thank goodness for him, because he correctly guided us to the tram that took us a block away from our hostel.

We woke up Saturday morning and headed off for Monaco and Monte Carlo, but before we hit the train, we had to stop at the local baker. The bakery outside of our hostel was absolutely amazing. Each one of us definitely ate our fair share of Pain de Chocolats and baguettes. They were simply outstanding. After eating a few pastries we set off for the train station. We decided the best way would be to follow the signs posted in Nice. Unfortunately those signs led us in a circle before pointing us in the right direction. So after a bried tour of some shops we finally arrived at the train station. We caught an late morning train into Monaco, a principality of France. You exit the train station and you can go right, to Monaco, or left, to Monte Carlo. We first decided to conquer the Monaco side. After a walk along the harbour we reached the first very large hill to climb towards the Monaco palace.

The first item we encountered was a sign that told us that tourists should keep there clothes on. You would think that would be a given, but I guess not in Europe. We started the ascent, and quickly the view got to be spectacular. As we got higher, we had these amazing panoramic views of the Monaco harbor on one side, the French alps on the other, and buildings between the two. It was simply breathtaking. All the while we were climbing ancient roadways to get to the top of this hill where the Monaco palace was. We got to the top, and there was the entire city of Monaco laid out in front of us. The view was spectacular and so calming. Out there, the hustle and bustle of the city didn't exist. Life just went on at a more relaxed pace. We walked around the hill that the palace was on for couple of hours taking in every view possible from every side. Even though we spent hours on it, I feel like we didn't even see the majority of it. Well after a couple hours of wondering, we were all starving, so we set out to find a cafe on the hill.

We came across this small cafe whose tables spilled right into the street with a french woman who didn't speak any English and a chef. We sat down and began one of the best meals I think I have ever had. It was a simple meal. A couple bottles of wine, pasta, and a panini. First we ordered our first course (which we thought would be our last). I ordered a creme pasta with mushrooms, and it was quite possibly the most delicious dish I've ever tasted. The pasta was perfect, the sauce was light but flavorful, and it was still warm from the pan. We all finished our respective dishes and then we decided we wanted more because it was so delicious and we had neglected our stomachs since the moring. I split a panini with a friend, and then we called it quits. One of the best parts of France is they don't ever try and rush you through a meal. I think every time we ate out, we sat down for at least an hour and half, sometimes two. This trip was so relaxing and enjoyable. I laughed so much at meals. It was great to be surrounded by friends in such a beautiful place.

After trekking around Monaco, we decided to head over to Monte Carlo. But instead of just walking, we took the one euro water taki across the harbour. So much fun and ridiculously intimidating. We were on this small boat surrounded by multi million dollar yachts / mini cruise ships. But it was a great perspective on the city and the mountains. We got to the other side and set course for the Monte Carlo Casino. The Casino was absolutely fantastic. I think it might have been one of the most ornate places I have ever been. I wish I had pictures, but cameras are not allowed in the building. For lack of a better word it was so regal. We went to the slot machines, the one thing we could afford and each spent about ten euros pulling the slots. Unfortunately I didn't win the jackpot, or come out ahead, but it didn't matter because I have now gambled in the Monte Carlo casino. After a beating at the machines, our small group went and sat down at the bar in the casino. We sat there for about an hour sipping on overpriced (or what we soon found out later was inexpensive) drinks and all laughed considerably more for the day.

After we had put due diligence into taking in the casino, we went across the street to the Hotel de Paris, more specifically the Bar American. That was definitely the ritziest bar I have ever been to. No drink was below twenty-five euros, and the most exepensive bottle on the menu was 50,000 euros. It was ridiculous, but the night was just beginning. We all ordered one of the less expensive drinks, and just sat and talked. We didn't know, but bar snacks were provided (and by bar snacks I mean appetizers). As we would finish what they placed in front of us, the servers kept bringing out more. It was incredible. They brought our drinks, which were spectacular. Katie ordered a mojito, which we're still laughing about because so much fresh mint was inside the goblet it came in, it appeared to be a mini forest. There was a spectacular jazz trio providing the music. It was just a spectacular night. After we finished our drinks (extremely slowly) over the course of about an hour and a half, we departed the land of luxery and headed back to the train station. It definitely was an eye opener walking out of the hotel, where dozens of Ferraris, Maseratis, and every other type of luxery car was parked. We caught the next train back to Nice and probably should have fallen asleep.

Instead of falling asleep, we resorted to the only thing we knew in France, eating. We took the tram to the market, which at night is converted to multiple restaurants. We sat down in a small cafe and enjoyed an official dinner. Again the food was spectacular, accompained with great conversation and even more laughter. As I look back on it, I don't know what we could have been talking about for so long, but we found something and kept laughing. After dinner, we walked for a bit along the beach and then headed back to the hostel.

In the morning, we were going to discover Old Nice. But first we needed breakfast, so we stopped by the bakery right outside of our hostel. Again it was delicious. There is nothing like fresh French pastries, right of the oven. We then set off for the fresh market nearthe beach in Nice. We started out journety there and then continuted to follow the Rick Steves Europe Guide Book, taking a self guided walking tour. Our first stop was Chez Thereza's Socca stand. Socca, a chick pea crepe, is only found in Nice, so of course we tried it. We then continued throughout the streets of Nice seeing such incredible architecture that I had seen before in paintings, but seeing it in real life was a completely different expereince. You think some of the buildings have been embellished in the paintings, but they haven't. There is so much history and texture throughout the city.

We then began ascending the hill / mini mountain alongside Nice. Again the views were absolutely spectacular, most appearing on postcards depicting Nice. We spent a solid two or three hours just climbing up a bit, gazing out into the city thinking we had seen the best view, but then went to another location where another incredible view lay. At one level there were bunch of ruins from ages past, and a mosiac garden. Everything was so rich with history and so beautiful. Unfortunatley it started to rain when we were a ways up, so we decided to get to the shore and find a place to eat. We found a small cafe alongside the ocean and sat down for lunch, which again lasted a couple hours. After lunch we headed back to the hostel after a walk along the beach to get ready for the airport. No one could have prepared us for what happened next.

On Sunday, the largest amount of snow fell on London that the city had seen in eighteen years. We got to the airport, checked in and began wating for our flight. At first it was just delayed. Then it was delayed again, then finally cancelled at about one am. We quickly ran to the service desk to be rebooked onto another flight, which would leave at 5pm the next day and also get a voucher for a hotel that night. We stayed the night at a nearby hotel, which was actually suprisingly nice. Of course Sunday night was also the night of the Superbowl. It started at about one am France time, so quite frankly I was wickedly tired by the time I started watching. The reception wasn't that good, it only came in in black and white, sometimes switching to color for a brief second. And the commentators were all speaking French, which complicated matters. After about forty minutes I fell asleep for a long night of rest.

The next morning I woke up, grabbed some breakfast at the hotel, then we headed to the airport praying to get out. They wouldn't let us check in for our flight untill two hours before, so we found some seats and started the day's camp out. I bought a book from the book shop in the airport and by the end of the day had read three hundred pages in John Grisham's The Broker. So we waited and waited for our flight. Finally when it came time to check in, the word "cancelled" flashed acorss the screen at the check in counter. I wanted to scream. We again waited in line at the reservation desk, and they told us we wouldn't be able to get out till tomorrow since the flight tonight was fully booked. We got our names on the standby list, prayed, and went back to our small camp we set up.

I started thinking, we could fly into Paris and take the chunnel over. I went back to the Air France desk to get a price for a flight to Paris. They told me it would cost 99 Euro, which wasn't that bad. This was better then flying out tomorrow night, so I went back to the Easy Jet desk to ask for a refund. I went to the desk, explained my situation again and asked how to get a refund. Suddenly two seats were available on the flight for tonight. But we were in a group of three and weren't splitting up, so I declined unless we could get another seat. They shrugged. I then asked to borrow they're phone to call EasyJet customer service to order the refund, they proceded to tell me it would take eight days for it to go through, I told them I didn't care and started to dial, once I finished dialing suddenly three seats were available which we could take.

Luckily we were able to get out on that flight and were back in our flats in London by 1:30 am. Minus the trip home, this was such an incredible vacation filled with amazing food, so many laughs, and great friends. Life is still increidble here in London.

Greenwich, What Are the Polar Bears doing on the Thames?!?!

So today was another glorious Monday without any classes. Today for the adventure, I went out ot Greenwich with two friends who also don't have classes. One of the best parts of this trip was our method of getting to Greenwich. Instead of taking the tube like a regular person, we decided to take a cruise up the Thames instead! It was so much fun to see London from the River. There were some amazing views of Parliament, Big Ben, the Eye, St. Pauls, and just about every other major building in Central London. The harmony of old and new still ceases to amaze me. Going up the river today, there were buildings probably built in the 18th century or before and some built last year. The amazing fact is they all somehow blend together. Another random experience today was on the way over, by the Tower Bridge, there were two statues of a polar bear and a cub on a glacier being toted around by a boat. I don't quite know what they were doing on the Thames, but it was pretty funny to see them floating along.

Arriving in Greenwich, we went to the National Maritime museum. We saw some amazing small ships they had intact at the museum to Nelson's coat that he was shot and killed in. There was actually an entire wing dedicated to Nelson. I discovered that Nelson actully had one arm amputated at sea, and later led the British armada with one arm. Now his statue is on top of Trafalger square, right outside of our classroom building! I still have to pinch myself when walking to class, right through the heart of London. There was one small section in the museum dedicated to the discovery of America, and then the American revolution. It was a lot of fun to see a more British side to the Revolution Americans celebrate.

After the Maritime museum, we went to have an amazing panini at a cafe, and after that we went to the Queen's House and the Royal Observatory where the Prime Meridian is! The Queen's house had some of the most incredible and beautiful architecture I've ever seen. The main spiral staircase is Amazing! There was white and black check tiles everywhere. Unfortunatately you cannot take any pictures, so I was empty in the Queen's House. Another fun fact about the Queen's house is supposedly it is the building that the White House was modeled after. So it was really cool to see some of the similarities.

We then went to the Royal Observatory, where the Prime Meridian runs through. After taking a copious amount of touristy pictures, we took a look around the museum there showing pretty much the history of the first Star Charts, to the first clocks / chronometers. It has just been incredible to see so many different tidbits of the worlds history and Britian's culture. I am just so blessed to be in this incredible city and have the opporunity to experience so much! Tomorrow's a new week of classes which can only be filled with even more exciting opportunities and adventures!

Dover!

So last Saturday a large group of us took a trip to Dover. We left the flats at around 6:45 in the morning and headed to Victoria station. From there we caught a two hour train to Shepherd's well. Unfortunately the Dover train station was closed for renovation, so we had to take a rail replacement bus to Dover itself.

Dover was exactly what I needed. It was so nice to get out into the English countryside for a bit, breathe some fresh air, see the ocean, and just enjoy some green fields. Once at the city, we stopped at a small cafe and ate some lunch to prepare for the long journey up the hill to the Dover castle. One thing I don't think I'll ever get board from is the amazing sandwiches and the amazing cheeses in England. We found out that in the UK, nothing really is allowed to be mass produced when it comes to food. For example, its illegal to made chedder cheese, unless you're living in Chedder, England. And that just about applies to everything. But the upside of things being a bit more expensive, is they taste incredible. So after gettin a cup of tea and a sandwhich we headed off towards the castle.

Just an insert, I am now officially addicted to British tea. I've been having at least a couple cups a day. A morning tea, an afternoon tea, and an evening tea to say the least. Tea, milk, and a bit of sugar is all I need to get through the day.

I didn't really know what to expect when it came to Dover castle, but it was incredible. We got to the castle, after climbing more stairs then I think I have ever faced before and one crazy steep hill, and then just walked around for hours. I know this doesn't sound amazing, but some of the landscapes and buildings at Dover were breathtaking. We saw the oldest building in England, a first century Roman lighthouse, saw the keep of the Dover castle (the rest was going under renovations), the views from the cliffs across the ocean (supposedly you could see France, but it was a bit cloudy), and the green fields of green grass were just beautiful. Pictures can only describe the amazing views, which are at...http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jqueally. Yes that is my random plug for my pictures site.

Little did I know, under the Dover castle is an entire series of tunnels. They date back to the Napoleonic period, where men literally hand dug the tunnels by repelling down the cliffs with an axe and hacking at the stone. More recently, they were a main base for the British during World War II. An entire military base was operated from the cliffs. They called Dover hellfire corner during the war because of the amount of shells it took from the enemy. there was an entire hospital inside the cliffs for wounded soldiers! I had no clue it was all there. We took an entire tour of the tunnels, which was definitely one of the highlights of the day.

After the tour, we made our way back to central London. Let me just say that we were all completely dead on the way back. As soon as we boarded the train after taking the bus, I think every one of us was out like a light. At one of the train stops, supposedly a British man walked onto the train and exclaimed, "Why are there so many sleeping people?" Let's just say that we all arrived safely back at Victoria Station, later the flats, and then I passed out on my bed for a long rest.

So today was a great day. We had class in the morning, not so much fun for Friday. On the way home some friends and I stopped at a cupcake shop called Candy Cakes and got just about the best cupcake I think I've ever had. Then went back to the flats, had a bit more of a proper lunch then headed off for Harrods department store. Holy crap. Harrods is probably the most amazing ridiculous store I think I've ever been in. It is a WalMart for rich people. We first started in the food hall. I was actually shocked on how reasonable everything was there. I think we spent about two hours walking around and looking at all the incredible foods. They had everything. Sushi, cheeses, meats, deli meats, chocolates, tea, coffee, fresh vegetables, and just about everything else you can imagine.

The store had a main bank of elevators called the Egyptian Escalators. In this part there was absolutely beautiful music, which at first I thought was from a recording. Wrong. In this hall there were multiple balconies on each floor with manicans dressed looking over the shoppers. Except on one balcony there was a women, dressed from head to toe in clothes from Harrods, who was singing to the shoppers in the elevators. It was amazing. I think I could have just rode up and down the elevators all day with food I bought in the food hall and been happy.

We then decided to walk back from Harrods to the flats, which are both on complete opposite sides of town. The beauty with walking here though, is you see so much you would miss on a bus or tube wherever you go. We decided to go by Buckingham palace. It was incredible to see this regal building at night. We defeinitely played tourist because we were so engulfed with the beauty of this building and the view of Big Ben when you're looking away from the main gate. It was simply incredible.

Okay, I have to cut this short cause I'm about to leave for Victoria Station to catch a train to Dover. I'm off to see the castle there and the cliffs with some friends.

On the South Side of the Thames

Today classes started for the London Program. Luckily for me, I don't have class on Monday. So today a friend and I took our first unplanned exploration of London! First we ate a breakfast of eggs and croissants. I swear the eggs here are just a bit thicker than the eggs in America, and they taste so much better. I don't know if I'm hallucinating, but I swear they do. Then we caught the Circle Line out to Westminster to begin our journey.

We got off the Tube, and what were we so lucky to see as soon as we arose from the Tube station, Parliament and Big Ben. I love this city. It was spectacular. So we decided to play tourist for a bit and take pictures with Big Ben and the London Eye (right across the Thames). We then began our journey along the south bank of the Thames. For the most part the day was just filled with exploring markets off the Thames, looking at the amazing architecture of the buildings, and just taking in our new home.

We went to the Tate Modern museum. I'm not going to lie, I don't know how much of a fan I am of modern art. Some of it was a bit out there. But the museum itself was incredible. They literally took an old factory on the Thames, gutted the inside, and built a museum. It was incredible. The highlight of the museum was definitely seeing two Picasso and a Monet painting.

We then traveled and saw Millennium bridge and the Globe theatre. I honestly never knew that the Globe was right on the Thames. Such a huge piece of history. It amazes me, that as we walk around, we are seeing buildings that are a few centuries old. We went into a Scottish Cathedral, which was probably built in the 1200s. The seating of the church was literally on top of graves of people. The architecture was spectacular, and this building had so much history.

From there on we walked through the Bourough market. Most of the shops were closed, but I am definitely going to be going there once the entire place is open. There was so much fresh fruit and vegetables, bakeries, and cafes all around. I know I'm definitely going to go back once the entire market is open. From there we went and had lunch in a small cafe and had some paninis. They were spectacular and huge, we only ate a third of it and took the rest back to our flats. Luckily the only rain for the day fell during our lunch, so we missed it entirely.

After lunch we continued our Journey down the Thames. We ended up at the Tower bridge and the Tower of London. I felt as if I saw so many London landmarks that everyone should see on their visit. I definitely took my fare share of touristy pictures today in front of every major landmark we passed. So much was accomplished today and we honestly didn't plan any of it. We just took a walk down the river and found so much history and beauty.

After that we returned to the flats, did a bit of work. Sainsbury's a local supermarket finally opened up. They were closed for renovation and happen to be the largest supermarket in the area. Our flat is finally stocked with some staples every household needs, such as salt and pepper. After the shopping we cooked a large dinner then went out for a pint. Life is just wonderful here. Now I'm off to do a bit of homework before my first class starts tomorrow at 10:45.

Hamsted, such an amazing day!

Today was probably my favorite day so far in the city, absolutely spectacular! We started off the morning attending mass at Westminster Cathedral. Unfortunately the Cathedral was partly under renovation, but it was still absolutely beautiful. The mass was extremely interesting. Some parts of the mass were extremely familiar, but others were a bit different. First there was this incredible singing, while small boys filled all of the higher register voices. They were spectacular. Parts of the mass were in latin, while others were in English. At the beginning of the mass, the first thing the Priest started praying for was the inauguration on Tuesday and President-Elect Obama. This election is having such a huge impact on the world. I've even seen Obama stickers on cars throughout the city. People here are so concerned with the US.

I feel that today was truly a survival educational day. I took the bus and the tube and feel so much more comfortable on each. After mass we took the bus to the Knights Templar Pub, which was spectacular. The building was amazing, black and gold crown molding, paintings, neat chairs, and plenty of dark wood. And the food was great. By that point I was ready to eat anything that was put in front of me.

The we started the walking tour. I choose the tour that went up into Hampsted, which was themost incredible town I think I've ever been too. On the way to the tube station though, we passed by The Old Curiosity Shop, made famous by Charles Dickens. It was quite the surprise to see the real life building of the small model I have seen every year in our families Christmas Village. We then boarded the Tube at Holborn and headed to Hampsted.

If you would have asked me what the perfect place to live and raise a family would be an hour before we got on the Tube, I would have probably painted a description close to what we experienced in Hampsted. It was simply spectacular! There was this small town feel coming from buildings that had been built in the 18th Century. Winding roads, plenty of moss and ivy, town homes, and small shops. We started heading toward the home of John Keats. Walking through this town was simply harmony. Everything was existing peacefully together.

When we arrived at the home of John Keats, Professor Kucich, the Director of the London Program, was so excited. I don't think I've ever been in a program where a director has been so involved, uplifting, energetic, and happy. He started giving us some background on John Keats and telling us stories about his poetry and life. He was so enthusiastic, and it was just incredible to be standing right outside the house where John Keats wrote so many famous poems. Before we left Prof Kucich whipped out a copy of Keat's "Ode to a Nightingale" which Keats wrote right outside of his house. He started reading it to us and explaining some of the poem. It was absolutely spectacular. That was probably one of my favorite moments of the day.

Ode to a Nightingale
by John Keats

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains
One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk:
’Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,
But being too happy in thine happiness,—
That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees,
In some melodious plot
Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,
Singest of summer in full-throated ease.

O, for a draught of vintage! that hath been
Cool’d a long age in the deep-delved earth,
Tasting of Flora and the country green,
Dance, and Provencal song, and sunburnt mirth!
O for a beaker full of the warm South,
Full of the true, the blushful Hippocrene,
With beaded bubbles winking at the brim,
And purple-stained mouth;
That I might drink, and leave the world unseen,
And with thee fade away into the forest dim:

Fade far away, dissolve, and quite forget
What thou among the leaves hast never known,
The weariness, the fever, and the fret
Here, where men sit and hear each other groan;
Where palsy shakes a few, sad, last gray hairs,
Where youth grows pale, and spectre-thin, and dies;
Where but to think is to be full of sorrow
And leaden-eyed despairs,
Where Beauty cannot keep her lustrous eyes,
Or new Love pine at them beyond to-morrow.

Away! away! for I will fly to thee,
Not charioted by Bacchus and his pards,
But on the viewless wings of Poesy,
Though the dull brain perplexes and retards:
Already with thee! tender is the night,
And haply the Queen-Moon is on her throne,
Cluster’d around by all her starry Fays;
But here there is no light,
Save what from heaven is with the breezes blown
Through verdurous glooms and winding mossy ways.

I cannot see what flowers are at my feet,
Nor what soft incense hangs upon the boughs,
But, in embalmed darkness, guess each sweet
Wherewith the seasonable month endows
The grass, the thicket, and the fruit-tree wild;
White hawthorn, and the pastoral eglantine;
Fast fading violets cover’d up in leaves;
And mid-May’s eldest child,
The coming musk-rose, full of dewy wine,
The murmurous haunt of flies on summer eves.

Darkling I listen; and, for many a time
I have been half in love with easeful Death,
Call’d him soft names in many a mused rhyme,
To take into the air my quiet breath;
Now more than ever seems it rich to die,
To cease upon the midnight with no pain,
While thou art pouring forth thy soul abroad
In such an ecstasy!
Still wouldst thou sing, and I have ears in vain—
To thy high requiem become a sod.

Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!
No hungry generations tread thee down;
The voice I hear this passing night was heard
In ancient days by emperor and clown:
Perhaps the self-same song that found a path
Through the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home,
She stood in tears amid the alien corn;
The same that oft-times hath
Charm’d magic casements, opening on the foam
Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn.

Forlorn! the very word is like a bell
To toll me back from thee to my sole self!
Adieu! the fancy cannot cheat so well
As she is fam’d to do, deceiving elf.
Adieu! adieu! thy plaintive anthem fades
Past the near meadows, over the still stream,
Up the hill-side; and now ’tis buried deep
In the next valley-glades:
Was it a vision, or a waking dream?
Fled is that music:—Do I wake or sleep?

Then we started the walk to Parliament Hill Park. It's called Parliament Hill Park because it was where Guy Fawkes and his gang went to watch Parliament explode after they loaded the basement's with gunpowder. Luckily for us, he failed and was later caught and hanged. Hampsted itself is on top of large hills, so the park overlooks central London. It was absolutely beautiful. The park was full of green grass, dogs running all over the place, children with their parents playing, kites in the air, all overlooking London. It was the perfect place.

On the way back from the park some friends and I stopped at a bakery and picked up some amazing croissants and desserts. From there we went back to the tube station. I'm continually amazed at the many cultures here in Paris. While waiting for our train, standing across from us was a family from Spain, while the right of us was a couple from France. So many cultures are represented in this wonderful city. I am so happy and in love with this amazing city!

A Bit of a Riot

My time in London has already been so incredible. We've only been here for three days, but it already seems like we've been here for a week. There is so much to see, enjoy, and experience in such a short amount of time. London has so much to offer.

Today some friends and I were talking on our way back from the London Centre and were talking about all the people who don't view London as a international experience, just an extension of the Notre Dame bubble. Well quite honestly, that is completely false. There are so many cultures represented here in the city. You can walk in Trafalger square and here people speaking different languages and on our walk to school we pass Thai and Sushi restaurants with buildings decked out in multiple languages.

Today we were walking to the London Centre and there were multiple vans of policemen parked outside the building. Their riot shields were hanging on the fence of the building. We later found out that there was a demnostration going on in Trafalger Square protesting Israel's invasion of Gaza and America's support of Israel. Things were pretty mild at first when we walked by, with speakers, and people walking with signs. We went to catch a late lunch at a local pub and do some shopping for a few hours. Later we were walking back to the London Centre and police were blocking streets and in a single line with riot shields. There were police dogs, mounted police, and plenty of vans. There was nothing happening that we saw and the police were extremley nice. We walked a bit further and saw a Starbucks that had cracked windows, broken mugs everywhere, and the inside looked like a tornado went through it. Protestors must of had all come into the shop, turned tables, broke chairs, threw mugs, and smashed the windows. We were in no danger, but it was incredibly eye opening to see this aftermath of this event. On the walk back we thought that it had to be because Starbucks is a representation of America in some ways. I just have never seen a demonstration like the one that took place and the craziness it created.

So far this has been an incredible experience and I am so blessed and lucky to be here.