My Favorite Little Places

Within this last week, I have had the privilege to travel to three amazing countries: Spain, Belgium, and France.  I did what any typical world-traveler does.  I checked out the Eiffel Tower and the Mona Lisa; I visited the Sagrada Familia and walked through a Dolce and Gabanna; I went to Grand Place in Brussels and drank the notorious Belgium beer.

Don't get me wrong - I love doing the "tourist thing," I really do.  But truthfully, I often find the most joy in walking into those unfamiliar places.  Those places not included in the "Top 10 Sites to See" list.

La Boqueria market was something we happened to stumble upon in Barcelona, Spain.  Although many locals could or should be familiar of this market, it was something entirely unfamiliar to myself and friends.

In consideration to my last few entries, one thing is pretty apparent: I am an absolute foodie.  I love food.  In addition to this, I LOVE food markets  - especially in foreign countries.  Personally, I feel there is no better way to really draw yourself into a culture than walking through large shops or markets.  You get incredible interaction that is often unreachable when touring a museum or snapping photos of a famous building. 

Arriving into Brussels, Belgium, automatically gave us three cravings: chocolate, beer, and most importantly, waffles.  Our group split up for a little bit, looking for different restaurants to fulfill different cravings.  Naturally, Mike and I wanted something sweet and hardy. That's just what we got: waffles, chocolate sauce, strawberries and whipped cream.  We also ate french fries (another Belgium cuisine) and some delish tomato soup.  

But the best part about this experience (maybe the second best.. the food was unreal) was the setting.  It was woodsy, with little intricate wall paintings, hanging chandeliers, and a staircase.  We sat next to a darling, warm fire place as we indulged in our fatty-licious meals.  One of my favorite moments in Brussels.

 

In Paris, France, we left the Notre Dame Cathedral and walked down small streets and checked out some cool shops.  One of which was an antique jewelry shop.  It was completely legit - all the jewelry was in very good condition, ranging from the early 1900's to the late 1960's.  An older French woman informed us on all the material used and advised which pieces were best for certain occasions.  I love antiques, especially antique jewelry - so sentimental and beautiful.  We loved it so much that we had to go back the next day before leaving Paris.

Keepin' it Fresh.

Though I love CIMBA with all my heart and soul, I must admit:  I do not love CIMBA's cafeteria.  Mainly because it 1. gives zero food variety and  2. gives zero nutritional value.  Every day (and I mean every day) our lunch and dinner is comprised of the exact same thing:  hard white bread, cheap pasta, and undistinguishable meat.  However, I will say this:  I am not going hungry.  And that is always something to smile about.

But I'm in Italy!  I thought I was supposed to be swimming in fresh mozzerella, and fine homemade pasta, and bright firm grapes.  Nope, not so much.  Rather, I feel like one big fat tortellini noodle every day instead.  And I start to miss my hometown drives to the Farmer's Market to pick up the simple fruits, and veggies, and nuts, and dairies, and wheats, all all the things I love most.  But I can't access those things here, not in small town Paderno. And then I cry a little bit inside.

But Crespano del Grappa, Italy wiped away my inner tears last Sunday.  Crespano is another small town, which is only a mile from campus - however, this small town has one thing Paderno doesn't: an OUTDOOR MARKET.  A massive outdoor market.  I'm talking a mile or longer outdoor market.  And it is open every Sunday morning.  

Luckily, the weather last Sunday was absolutely gorgeous (around 60 degrees fahrenheit) so the walk was enjoyable.  I went with four other girls with a couple of missions to fulfill: Raw almonds and fresh produce.  And by golly, did I ever succeed.  It was a dream come true for any deprived veg-head.

But Crespano's Sunday market did not only fulfill my produce wishes.  It also had cheese, and fish, and meat stations - a girl in my group actually got a chicken kabob with onions and peppers - it was fantastic.  Also, it had the random selection of things people may or may not come for - large pieces of fabric, and shoes, and fashionable outfits, and other items you wouldn't so much expect...

I left the outdoor market with the freshness of tomatoes, bananas, apples, mandarines, coconut/fruit mix, raisins, and almonds - all for under 12 euro.  I feel like I'm getting every vietamin (not only CIMBA's carbs) for this week.  Thanks, Crespano - I'll see you next Sunday. :)

Breaking Down the Hostel

Consider an American hotel - something average, but nice, like a Hilton or Sheraton Inn.  When you book a room, you know what to expect: the number of beds, what size beds, clean towels, unlimited key-cards, precise pool hours, payperview television, working electricity, mini bottles of shampoo, etc.  The quality of which differs, depending on they money you're willing to spend.  Nonetheless, you know what to expect when you hand over your credit card.

I can't speak for Italian hotels;  I've never stayed in one, so I wouldn't know.  However, I can speak for my first experience in an Italian hostel.  And it went a little something like this:

Four girls and I arrived into Florence, Italy, around 11pm last weekend.  We roamed around the town, trying to find our Youth Hostel, where we booked a private room.  

For those unfamiliar, there are two kinds of rooms in a hostel: dorms and privates, both of which are comprised of 1-4 bunk beds (up to an 8-person stay).  But, depending on how many euros you want to pay, you can be sleeping in 1. a private, where you know everyone around you or 2. a dorm, where you may or may not know that creepy, garbage-smelling man sleeping next to you.  Personally, I'd rather save my euros and sleep next to a creepy man - however, the girls I was with disagreed.

Living area outside our room.

After some serious walking took place, we finally found the old, wooden doors to our hostel.   We walked up three narrow stair cases to find a man at a front desk in an intricate living area.  It looked like an old couple's home and smelled like pachouli flowers.  Nothing like the white-washed, hotel walls in the States - it had character - I loved it. 

The desk man was friendly, but set down the "rules" right away:

1.  WiFi hours are off between the hours of 1 or 2 or 3 am to about 9 or 10 or 11 pm.  It differed every night.

2.  Customers only get one (real, not plastic) key.  So have a plan if deciding to venture into separate groups.

3.  He will call as an alarm after 7 or 7:30am, depending on when he woke up.  If you have to wake up earlier, well, tough luck.

4.  You must pay in exact euros.  If your 2-night-stay is 163 euro, you give him 163 euro.  Not 165, or 170.  The cash drawer will be absent.
And that is that.

Jolie kickin' it in our 5-person-hostel room.

Along with desk-guy's rules, I created my own personal set of rules: 

1.  To make travels slightly easier, check out hostel reviews, such as the ones on hostelworld.com.  It will help cut through the chase when searching for a decent stay. 

2.  Most hostels (including ours) don't provide towels.  So, either bring one or use the extra bedding in the closet.

3.  Bring toiletries.  No mini shampoos or conditioners in these joints. 

4.  Know where and how to use an electricity box.  Especially when you're bringing more than one hairdryer. 

5.  Pack LAYERS.  Cute, old buildings are not very well-vented most of the time.

6.  Don't have any expectations.  Bring an alarm if you have an early flight or train home (may not do wake-up calls).  Don't be upset when the internet stops working in the middle of a skype session with your boyfriend (WiFi hours may turn off/not exist).  Know the local eating areas around your hostel (some hostels serve breakfast, others do not).

7.  And lastly, enjoy your stay. :)

Creepy baby painting outside our room. 

BREAKFAST! Simple, but satisfying.