Grecian Summer

Ellie and I at the Acropolis!

This summer I was quite lucky to get to return to Greece and on top of it all to get to celebrate my 21st birthday there! If you asked me if this is where I thought I'd be a year ago when this crazy wild adventure started, I'd actually say yes... I had always intended on spending some time in Greece during the summer with my best friend Ellie who was aupairing in Paris.

I arrived in Athens the day of my birthday and right away I ignored the fact that I had just flown 10 hours and there was an 7 hour time difference.  We spent a few days in Athens, and then went on a day trip to Delphi. We then boarded a ship and sailed away on the Aegean sea to the islands of Santorini and Ios. It was spectacular!! Spending time with my best friend of 10+ years and getting to see Greece again...I am one lucky girl :)

The Oracle of Delphi

Santorini

Most Amazing Sunset at Oia

View from our hotel in Ios

Funniest meal with the best friend

If you ever get a chance to go to Greece check out the Cyclades, these islands have a great reputation for a reason!

Love,
Clara

One Year Later

Well hello there!

The 5th of September marked one year since I departed on this adventure. Looking back the first thing that is quite clear is that I am a terrible blogger! I've been wanting to post this since well... since September 5. But it's never too late, so let me take you through my thoughts on this one year anniversary.

My plan a year ago was to go on exchange to Paris and during that time rediscover my home while traveling around France and Europe as much as I could, I would then finish the year and spend all summer backpacking. As you all know that plan didn't quite work out, but that's the funny thing about life- it's unpredictable.  I must say I've had one of the best years of my life. The ups and the downs have made me feel more accomplished and fulfilled than ever before, and if I can say that at 21 then I must be one lucky girl! I met some of the most incredible people and saw some of the most beautiful places, but what made it so extraordinary were those experiences you can't predict.

I want to thank my family, the new and old friends, and all strangers who made this experience one I will never forget :) And also you can be sure this won't be the last of my adventures!

ps. I've decided to now dedicate this blog to my travels and any other crazy adventure I find worthy of documenting! :)

London Calling

Me and Big Ben..

And so here I was in London, my last stop before returning to Canada after four months of adventures in Europe. The weather was as expected, but I think the rain and grey sky added to the charm of the city lol. I met a guy named Michael in Berlin who lives in London so he gave me a grand tour of all the major sites of the city- Globe Theater, London Bridge, London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster, Buckingham palace, Piccadilly Circus... I went to the British Museum to see the marbles of the Parthenon that Lord Elgin stole from the Greeks, it was nice to come full circle and see the missing pieces after having visited Athens in November. My last few days in Europe were very bittersweet, I was excited to go home for Christmas but really sad to leave Europe and this crazy adventure behind. I'm really glad I always pushed through and made the best of every situation :)

Love,

Clara

The tube

Michael (my tour guide) and me infront of Buckingham Palace

Viennnaa

Vienna was beautiful!
My Canadian friend Nicole who I met in Rome was studying in Vienna for a semester so I got to see her again :) The first day I was there was great! We went to the Freud Museum, then we had the famous Sachertorte chocolate cake, and finally that night we went to the Opera to see Mozart's Enchanted Flute.
It was exam period for Nicole so it was nice that Jason (the Aussie guy from Berlin) came to Vienna too. We visited the palace, went to christmas markets, ate a lot of food, and just overall enjoyed the city.
I'm really glad I made this stop and Im really grateful Nicole was such a good host!

Freud's Office

Sachertorte! Yummy :)

Nicole and I at the Christmas Market