The Lux(embourg) Life

My attempt to document my semester abroad.

[mariahkatkline-blog]

When in Rome

WHEN IN ROME! If I had kept a running tally of the number of times we said this in the last few days... well, lets just say I wouldn't tell you guys the score even if I had because I'd be embarrassed of the number. Rome was really interesting. It's one of those places you've learned so much about but was still hard to imagine before you actually see it. 

Not five minutes after our arrival into Italy we had to face what everyone has warned us about over and over again... pick pocketers. I think we were marked when we accepted unsolicited help from one of the locals, big mistake apparently. The next thing I knew I noticed two guys following us around. One in an American flag belt and some obnoxious Ed Hardy style green shirt (you'd think he'd try to be less flamboyant?! or it least less gaudy.) The other was wearing a driving cap and trying to position himself behind us. Neither had any luggage. We noticed straight away something wasn't right. I kept whispering to Annabel "These weirdos are following us."

Our train moved platforms at the last minute and I think this was the catalyst for our ultimate demise. We were stressed, and had only a few minutes to make sure we were getting on the right train. That's when American Flag Belt approached us asking to see our tickets and told us he would get us to the right train. I watched as Drivers Cap slipped onto the train we were going to get on anyway. We had no choice but to get on, this was our train. But now this guy was sticking with us under the false pretense of "helping." We kept trying to change carts, but he stuck to us. We were all yelling, trying to warn each other but it was chaotic and all happened in a couple of minutes. All of sudden American Flag Belt was unzipping one of our bags. The girl whose bag it was smartly yelled at him and smacked him with her oversized backpack which seemed to scare him off as he went running of the train. Drivers Cap was nowhere to be seen either. We thought we had foiled them... it wasn't till we showed up at our apartment we realized they actually had gotten their hands on one of our wallets. Luckily it was just some cash and drivers licences. But still... it was an interesting start to the trip.

We admirably (or naively take your pick) tried to fit 3,000 years worth of history into 2 days, and I can confidently say we did a pretty good job. We rented an apartment right outside the Vatican. I really liked renting an apartment as opposed to a hostel. We even got to do some laundry real Roman style, letting it dry outside the window.

Our laundry (not sure why I find so much novelty in this.)

The first day we hit the Vatican museum and saw some really amazing and famous pieces of art that even I recognized despite my only real art education being Art 188 Freshman year. Yes, that includes the Sistine Chapel which although forbidden I snapped a photo of, trying to redeem myself for lack of photos in Munich.

 School of Athens

The Sistine Chapel

The second day we went to St. Peter's Basilica. Where on our way we accidentally ran into the Pope giving his Sunday service in St. Peter's square. The Basilica was unlike any thing I have ever seen before. So baroque and filled to the brim with artwork that you don't know where to look. I'm not religious at all, but I totally understand why going to St. Peter's Basilica could  convince someone in the power of God.

We climbed to the top of the dome because according to reliable sources (the internet and other Lux students) it's the best view of Rome. And when I say climb to the top I mean we wanted to take the elevator... we even payed two extra euros for the lift. Little did we know we would still have to climb about 7 flights of incredibly windy and narrow stars. Being inherently clumsy and a little afraid of heights I have to say this wasn't my favorite experience, but in the end the view was worth it.

We also went on a walking tour where we saw the Spanish Steps and the Trevy Fountain among other monuments and also went to see the Coliseum the next day. I'm almost positive we hit all the important sites. The only thing I wanted to do that didn't happen was to meet my  doppelganger who also happens to be a international pop star à la Lizzie MaGuire. Oh, and ride a Vespa.

The view from the Basilica

The chicest girl I've ever seen on the Spanish Steps

All in all I enjoyed being in Rome, but it wasn't my favorite city. The sites were jaw dropping but it kind of felt like one big tourist attraction. I also constantly felt vulnerable, like anything could be stolen from me at any time.  Not to mention the unavoidable street vendors on every block who wouldn't take no for an answer and the almost constant cat calls. But again I did have a fabulous time.

I know this post is really delayed but check back here in the next couple days to find out what else I've been doing for the last two weeks.

Xx,

Mariah

[mariahkatkline-blog]

It's About Time

So I finally got around to exercising, something I'm hoping I can keep up while I'm here. All those carbs make you tired, but I found after going on a run I felt a lot more energized. I just went on a run around Edith's (our host mom) neighborhood in Soulvre a small town outside of Differdange. We haven't explored our neighborhood much but I was pleasantly surprised when I did. It's actually a lot bigger than I expected and even has a couple of churches and restaurants down the street. 

I did notice I was getting a lot of funny looks from the locals. Our school administrators had told us that jogging was out of the ordinary here, but I had seen quite a few joggers around the neighborhood so I was surprised at how many gawks I got. Maybe it was because of the english on my tshirt... I'm not sure. I have noticed that most of the joggers I see are running at night, so that could be another aspect.

While on my run I also ran past some sort of carriage with four children in it that was being pulled by ponies. The kids were wearing neon vests and just strolling through the middle of the street. No one else seemed to take note of this so I'm assuming it's not that out of the ordinary... but I still can't figure out what they were doing. I was able to snap a quick (albeit blurry) picture. How is it that these kids got fewer stares than I did I don't understand...

The carriage and ponies

Other than the strange looks my run was successful... until I thought I was on the route home and in reality ended up at a bus stop about 15 minutes away from our house. Luckily I know the bus route so I was able to find my way home. Enjoy being lost right?

Another highlight of the week was trying out the Indian restaurant down the street from the school. I've been dying to go since we got here and it was a refreshing break from all the pizza and pasta we have been eating.

Annabel goofing off at Taj Mahal the Indian Restaurant by school (we goof a lot.)

Anyway I'm about to leave Luxembourg for two weeks and I'm really excited. The first week will be spent all through out Italy and is considered our carnival break. The second week I'll be in the UK for school. I haven't been to either of these countries yet, both of which I've been obsessed with from afar so I could not be happier we get to spend so much time in both. Love and miss you all.

Xx,

Mariah

[mariahkatkline-blog]

We are the Dancing Queens?

This has been a really eventful week! I just got back from Munich last night and last Monday we went to go see Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros here in Luxembourg. While in Munich we went to see Ellie Goulding and there have been some reoccurring experiences that I need to address… EUROPEANS DON’T DANCE AT CONCERTS. Ok, I admit that may be a bit of a generalization but all through out both concerts, which are highly dance promoting, we were one of the few attendees grooving to the music. Even Edward Sharpe made a comment about it at his concert. I’ve never considered myself the best dancer, in fact I’m a notoriously bad one, but I’m starting to think of myself of as a European dancing queen. My friends back home will appreciate the irony. 

Edward Sharpe in Luxembourg City

Even though we were maybe the only ones dancing in the giant venue at Ellie Goulding, we had an amazing time. I was pleasantly surprised by her set list, a mix of old and new, and as always her live performance was even better than the recording. 

Me goofing around before the Ellie Goulding concert

Beyond the concert we had a fabulous time in Munich. Being half German I kept joking around that “These are my people.” Saturday during the day we went on a walking tour and got to see a lot of the important sites. One of those was the lovely Marienplatz where there is a giant glockenspiel that plays out the scene of a Bavarian wedding everyday at noon.

Neues Rathaus at Marienplatz (the Glockenspiel)

Myself, Eryk, Emily, Sydney, and Annabel at Marienplatz

After the walking tour we were starving and headed straight for the famous Hofbrauhaus. I got the classic Hofbrauhas bratwurst and sauerkraut and of course a big Hofbrauhaus beer. I had every intention of taking a picture of the food, because German food is AMAZING, but alas when it arrived it was too amazing and the only thing I could think about was eating. I’m a disappointment to the Instagram generation.

Sydney, Myself, and Eryk at Hofbrauhaus

Altogether I loved Munich. I think I would love anywhere in Germany to be honest. We are thinking about heading to Kolon or Berlin in a couple weekends so I’ll just have to look forward to that. Italy next week for Carnival followed by London and Birmingham for my study tour class, I am beyond excited. Check back here for updates

Xx,

Mariah

[mariahkatkline-blog]

But We Were Promised Oompa-Loompas

It's 10:30 on Sunday night and I can officially say we have successfully survived our first weekend trip. Sydney, Emily, Annabel, and myself went to Brussels, and had an absolutely amazing time. I wasn't expecting much because... well... because people told us not to expect much but the famous Delirium Cafe and french fries. The naysayers coud not have been more wrong, Brussels blew me away. 

The first night we got in late around 6. We walked directly to our hostel which didn't end up being a hostel at all but actually a hotel, Meininger Hotel. We spent about 15 minutes assuring the concierge we did in fact have a reservation, but all things considered we were all very impressed with the quality of the accommodations. This was my first time staying in a hostel. I wouldn't say I'm the Princess from the Princess in the Pea, but I will say I have high expectations and for 24 euro a night Meininger exceeded them. Below are some pictures of our room.

After we unpacked the obvious next thing on our mind was food, so we headed straight to dinner. We kind of just walked around aimlessly and strangely enough stumbled into a Thai restaurant. I got the Pad Thai, and I have to say it was some of the best Thai food I have ever had. Who knew? After complimenting the waitresses traditional dress profusely (girl was working it) we were off to find the infamous Delirium Cafe.

We didn't find it... Ok we found the bar directly next to it which is suspiciously also named Delirium, so it was close enough. After a testing of the namesake beer we decided it was time to dance so we asked the bouncer for the nearest dance club and he directed us to Celtica. Which I was able to snap a picture of the next day in the day light. This club was awesome. I walked in and was immediately blinded by the strobe lights, but after my eyes adjusted I had a blast. The European dance clubs are totally different than anything I have experienced in the US. THERE WAS NO GRINDING, it was awesome. Everybody just dances by themselves and it gives you the opportunity to get a little weird and have a lot of fun.

    The next morning we woke up early to see the sites. Our first stop was Het Ivoren Aapgh, which is a famous little book store filled to the brim with old copies of classic English, German, French, and Italian books. I picked up a copy of the works of Oscar Wilde that I'm really excited about. The rest of the day we wandered around to the classic sites including Le Grand Place and the MIM which is an instrument museum with a great view of the city at it's rooftop restaurant . We even went to a chocolate factory called Chocolate Planet that our guide book assured us would have Oompa-Loompas... there were no Oompa-Loompas which I guess was the only disappointment of the trip.

Le Grand Place

 After a quick nap back at the hostel we were ready for dinner and found a cute little place near Le Grand Place for the classic Mussels in Brussels dinner. After dinner we decided to try our luck at finding Delirium Cafe again and this time we were successful. The bar was really cool but really crowded and pretty touristy so we decided to go back to the bar we were lat the night before.

At the bar next door we some how became a part of a British bachelor party. It was really interesting to hear the Brits views of being in a "foreign" city. They told us they identify more with Americans than the continental Europeans, and that the continental Europeans can spot them without ever speaking a word. I thought this was really interesting because I always thought the Brits assimilated really well with the rest of Europe. They also introduced us to a Mary Poppins themed drinking game we are definitely bringing back to the states and made plenty of fun of our accents. We ended the night back at Celtica where we danced pretty much until morning.

Us inside the real Delirium Cafe

The next day we headed back to the Le Grand Place for some french fries and waffles where we were pleasantly surprised by a couple of street performers. Lunch and a show for just 5 euro is hard to beat.

We spent the rest of the day site seeing and made it to the Parliament building and the Royal Palace special for Poly-Sci major Emily before we had to head to the train station and back to Lux.

All in all we had an amazing time. Brussels is completely underrated and I definitely recommend you visit if you have the chance. There was just enough english to make us comfortable and make it easy to get around, but also enough french and other languages to make things feel exotic and exciting. Brussels is a place I could see myself living.

WELL... if you made it through all that thank you. I know I have a lot to say. We are headed to Munich for the Ellie Goulding concert next weekend so check back here for my (hopefully shorter) post then.

Xx,

Mariah

[mariahkatkline-blog]

I Actually Have Something To Say Now

So we have been Luxembourg for about a week now. I have finally gotten over jet lag. Highlights of the trip so far are as follows:

Our host mom trying to transport two girls and 6 large suitcases 10 miles in a MINI COOPER... it took two trips. Thankfully Annabel was arriving at another time or it would have taken three or four trips.

 Emily's 21st birthday in Luxembourg City!! Luxembourg City is possibly the most beautiful city I have ever been too. There is a giant trench in the middle of the city, which was originally used for fortification purposes. NOW you can take an elevator to the bottom of the trench and there is an entire bar district below the city.

"Das Boot" the Miami bar which is not actually called Das Boot at all but Cafe Notre. It's a lot like Skippers in Oxford but the beer is foreign and much much cheaper. Also the bar owner's children run around and clear the bottles which is pretty adorable. Below is a picture of Emily, Annabel, and I at Das Boot.

We are working on getting the next month of traveling planned, and so far on the books we have Brussels this weekend and Munich the following weekends. For the most part our core travel group will probably be Emily, Annabel, Sydney, and I. I couldn't be more excited to be here and as always I will try to keep this blog updated.

Xx,

Mariah

[mariahkatkline-blog]

Almost There

*THIS POST IS A BIT DELAYED DUE TO LACK OF WIFI*

So I’m sitting on the airplane, which is sitting on the tarmac, which is sitting in Denver. I’m supposed to fly Denver to Newark, Newark to Brussels, and finally take a bus from Brussels to Differdange, Luxembourg. As you may have already guessed from the tone of this post, my flight has been delayed… 2 hours. Joy. I woke up at 6:30 AM. It’s now 11 AM and I’m still only approximately 50 miles away from my bed in Boulder.  I’m starving, but I have nothing to eat because I refused the protein bar my mom tried to get me to pack in my backpack ‘just in case.’

  “You always force me to take a bar,” I said “and it always ends up melted and in the trash. I don’t need it.”

  The things I would do for a protein bar right about now. Damn.

  Other events of the morning include a girl passing out in the boarding area due to exhaustion. Don’t worry she was all right, just hypoglycemic or something. I never trust people who pass out. How can you be so weak you pass out? When was the last time you ate? Didn’t your mom pack you a protein bar?... Oh yeah.

  So here is hoping that I don’t pass out in my seat, on the tarmac, in Denver, due to lack of a protein bar. Oh, and also that I make my connection. Despite my unnecessary complaining I am really excited. Delays and long days come with traveling and to be honest I was kind of expecting it. But do you really expect me to pass up a chance to complain elaborately?

  I cannot believe I am about to spend the next 5 months in Europe. I’m going to miss you all, and if you miss me feel free to check here for a little bit of my story telling.

    Auf Wiedersehen,

Mariah

[mariahkatkline-blog]

5 Days and Counting

I am Mariah. I'm student at Miami (OH) from Boulder, Colorado about to spend the next 5 months studying abroad in Differdange, Luxembourg.

So I leave in five days... I'm trying to get everything organized and that's proving more difficult than you would expect. Okay, maybe not more difficult than YOU would expect, one would expect packing and organizing everything for a 5 month trip to be relatively involved, but it's feeling overly exhaustive. From prescriptions extensions, to laundry, to packing, I still have a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. So of course I have chosen to write about it rather than actually do any of it.

I am starting to get really excited though. I have no idea what to expect from this semester. Everyone says studying abroad is the best 5 months of your life, but it seems difficult to articulate why. It doesn't really seem to matter WHERE you do it, however. The minute people find out I'm studying abroad they gush about how fabulous their experience was and tell me with unrestrained enthusiasm that I'm about to have the experience of a lifetime. So needless to say my expectations are pretty high, I'm just not 100% sure what is in store for me, but I know it's going to be great.

Anyway, I'm going to be doing my best to record my travels and thoughts here on this blog... so stay tuned because in just five days I'm going to have a lot to say.