Eur-in for a Treat! Part 2 (Paris)

December 30 began too early for my liking, mainly because I hadn't completely packed the night before (despite passing out from exhaustion). So I had to rapidly pack what remained of my luggage. This included all of the stuff I had put in my locker.

As a side-note, I accidentally threw my passport in my camera case (with the camera) and in my half-awake haze, then put that in my suitcase. Not my carry-on.

So, we all go to the train station and are milling around for a bit. We were not given our tickets until right before getting on the train.

I was told to get on one car because that was the one my ticket was for, but a lady that worked there yelled at me to go onto another train because my luggage was too big. Then that line wasn't moving whatsoever but the line I had initially been in (and the one our tour director got on) had vanished, so I hopped onto that car and just wandered a little bit until I finally found our (now relatively frazzled looking) tour director. He helped me put my suitcase up to where no one could get it down easily and I went to my seat. (I did see him get lectured about suitcases being in incorrect places by someone who worked on the train and there was obvious miscommunication between them but I didn't say anything because I probably would have just made it worse.)

Car 18 was only people in our travel group. There were sixteen of us in it and honestly, I thought it was nice. We could sleep without too much concern for our stuff (at least after we fixed the safety hazard that was the suitcases blocking everyone's path in and out of the car).

Just a slight safety hazard (it did get fixed)

There was a door between the two sections of the car (eight on one side, eight on the other), and I was curious if it actually closed, so I pulled it. It closed and slammed shut (whoops). Then when I went to open it back up, it didn't budge for a few moments and I was momentarily concerned that I just locked eight people in a very small area. Don't worry, I did get it reopened.

We reclosed it at some point, but then those on the other side asked to keep it open for air ventilation. Which I was cool with, but one of the girls in my little four people table area was not. And she kept telling me to close the door again because the others were being too loud. Although I figured they'd quiet down relatively soon, she was very adamant that I  close it again, so eventually I did.

This was about when I realized I did not have my passport in my carry-on. It freaked me out for a bit until I realized where it was. And I remember praying that I didn't actually need it for any reason while on the train.

I wish I could say that we had a completely uneventful trip to Paris and slept the whole way there.

We did not.

Most of the car was asleep when the door into the car opened, waking me and one or two other people up. Random people in street clothes come storming into the car, the front couple of people's body language was very aggressive.

They opened the door to the back half of our car and start telling the other people in our group something. All I could hear was one of them saying "off the train." I looked around trying to figure out how many people there were trying to kick my friends off the train. We were approaching a stop and I couldn't think who had the authority to kick people off a train.

Apparently I looked very concerned, because one of the people still in the doorway flashes a badge at me and says "It's okay, we're customs."

None of us knew what the badge for customs looks like. They could have just been flashing a parking tag at us for all I knew and saying it was a customs badge.

At this point, the people who were being kicked out of their seats were moving (as most of them had been asleep, I assume). Our tour director noticed something was happening and came up and asked what the deal was. They talked for a bit about how they were customs and needed the car. He was like "Okay, guys let's get moving." And so half of the car left (and apparently were sent to the bar car, which no one particularly complained about). The customs people filed away into that part of the car, slammed the door, and suddenly all of the glass turned black.

When they came back out, they were in an actual uniform and went checking people and their passports.

I would have been very embarrassed had I been chosen, because as I mentioned before, my passport was in my suitcase two cars ahead and very difficult to get to.

Multiple people in our group were checked, but thankfully, I was not.

Eventually, we arrived in Paris. Nothing else exciting happened on the train ride, thankfully. And I managed to catch up on my sleep.

We speed through the train station as much as a group of 43 people can and load the bus. The trip to our hostel was fairly uneventful. We get to the hostel, get sent up the elevators to wait for the tour director to get all of our rooms figured out. Thankfully, I went from a room of six to a room of three. Ashleigh, Arlynn, and I got a room to ourselves. Technically.

From what I can tell, most of the groups were now either rooms of three or four, which was a very nice change from the small rooms with six people in them. From here were freshened up a bit and then went to the Eiffel Tower.

Our Tour Director bought us our first crepes and they were delicious (I bought a rose so I could approach people and quote Anastasia). At this point we weren't able to go up the Eiffel tour because we had to get to a cabaret show and getting onto the tower would have taken multiple hours. 

When you're only in Paris for a select amount of time, with all there is to do especially when the weather is very hazy, you have to make choices as to what is worth and isn't worth your time. I decided that spending four hours in line to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower was NOT worth my time (this trip). Probably next trip. 

From there, we were granted 30-45 minutes to wander around, so a small group of us wandered along the river banks to a river. We went across a pretty cool bridge. 

"Welcome my friends to Paris. Here have a flower on me."

Yes, there are locks everywhere in Paris. On everything they can be hooked on, they were there.

I didn't know what to expect for the Cabaret show, but I can admit it was enjoyable. Yes, there were a lot of shirtless men and women. In fact, if I remember correctly, we even saw a few butts. 

The food was okay, the drinks were pretty good (a welcome drink, wine, and champagne). I'm sure had we gone to the Moulin Rouge the food would have been better and one of the dancers wouldn't have noticeably forgotten all of his moves. But I enjoyed it. 

I don't particularly remember what we did following this. I think we just went back to hostel, had a few drinks in the hostel bar, then went to someone's room (where one of the roommates was trying to sleep) and ate wings and fries, then went to bed. If this is the night I am thinking of, I wanted to explore like just the block around the hostel or go out and dance. No one in the group particularly wanted to and Alec and Danny (two of the guys staying in the hostel) gave me some creeper vibes and I was not going to go out with them. By the time I finally got a group that didn't creep me out willing to go, all of the places nearby were closed and preparing for New Years Eve. 

I overslept the morning of December 31. It was the day we were going to do the bus tour through Paris and Arlynn wakes Ashleigh and me up asking if we were going because we had like ten or fifteen minutes to get ready. 

Now, normally I don't do well rushing in the morning. This was no exception. I jumped out of bed, rushed around a bit, making no progress in getting ready, decide no I can't make it. Arlynn tells me I can, so I run around some more, finally start to make progress, decide makeup isn't necessary, sneeze a few times because I haven't taken allergy medicine in a few days and I'm pretty sure I was allergic to something in this hostel, sit back down , stand immediately back up, put on two different shoes, realize I have two different shoes on, fix it, finish brushing teeth and hair, and then run downstairs. Well, run to the elevator and then go downstairs because the stairs were difficult to find here. 

I did make it in time. I didn't have coffee nor any breakfast. At this point, I knew it was going to be an interesting day. We did the whole tour thing and a couple interesting buildings (and a cafe where I got coffee and a chocolate croissant). I learned that a flagship store is the first store of a company, not actually the name of a street that the first HPB store just happens to be on.

After this tour, our EF group walked to the perfume museum. Nikki, Aidan, Kris, and I weren't particularly feeling going to a perfume museum so we get this idea to go get food and meet back up with the group after eating. 

It was a Great Choice!

We walked around the corner and found a quaint little restaurant. When we order only water (at like noon), our waitress seemed a little bit confused, but rolled with it. 

The menu was in french. Now, I did take french for YEARS in school. But apparently the only word that stuck with me was fromage. And that's mainly because I'm somewhat obsessed with cheese. So I ordered something that fromage seemed to be the main ingredient. 

And let me tell you. It was wonderful. It looks like mozzarella sticks, but it wasn't. I don't know what kind of cheese it was but it was delicious. The whole salad was incredible. 

We guzzled two more bottles of water between the four of us and downed our food. When we checked the time, we realized we had been there for more than the allotted 45 minutes, so we hurried out (without getting dessert or coffee which also confused our waitress) and rushed back to the perfume museum.

No one was there. 

So we figure we missed them and would just meet up with them at the next stop, which we had been planning on doing anyway if we missed them. 

We make our way down the block, across a couple of streets, and down a little ways more and end up in one of the larger malls I've ever seen. Then, we hop onto the escalator and go up. and up. and up. 

When we reached the roof, we looked around a bit for anyone in our group and finally I decide to message someone I knew from home who was on the trip (Kevin M.) and he told me they were still at the perfume museum. 

So, we took pictures on the roof and decided to go to the Ice Cube Bar on the roof, get a bottle of wine, and wait.

About the time we get our second bottle, the rest of the group is getting food somewhere and someone else who slept through the tour is trying to reach us (Larkin). Apparently he went to the Louvre (the next stop after this roof) and there were many places with the same name as the place we were in. 

He eventually joined us for our third bottle. 

Then I hear that the rest of the group is already done with food and have been at the Louvre. or were going to the Louvre. 

So after a bathroom break, we all head that direction. In a very content, wine-tipsy state.

We did not go in the Louvre, because at this point we were starting to run out of time because we had only a couple of hours to get ready for the beginning of our New Years celebration. 

Rather than try to figure out the metro system, we took an uber back to the hostel. It was another great choice. 

At some point before the party after I showered and got mostly ready, there was still some time to kill, so I drank a bottle of wonderful raspberry wine that I got at the cheese and clog place in the Netherlands with Kris, Aidan, and Larkin. Nikki was taking a nap, I believe. Which I definitely should have, but if I napped there was the risk of not waking up for the party. 

Food and drink were provided, but the food was only so-so (quite a bit of it was vegan) and they ran out of drinks before the end of the night. This was when we got the only pictures of the three of us that had been on the Belize trip that came. 

Sadly, this was the best of the pictures on my phone of the three of us

That night was so much fun. I met plenty of new people. Saw fireworks from the rooftop. In Paris. No, I did not kiss anyone at midnight. Although I saw plenty of people kiss. I should really look into why people do that because I've never understood. But I'm continuing my tradition of no midnight kisses on New Years. Maybe next year. 

I did not sleep a lot this night either. But who can blame me? It was New Years! 

Thankfully, we didn't have to do anything until noon the next day. That was when we went to Montmartre. And the Notre Dame (which we didn't go in because of a super long wait). And we wandered for quite a bit. I had some hot chocolate and a ham and cheese crepe (not at the same time). 

Then we went on a river cruise on the Seine. I will admit, I slept through most of it. The guide's voice wasn't the most appealing. I was tired. But I did wake up in time to get some nice photos of the Eiffel Tower as we passed it. 

And then I promptly fell back asleep.

That night, Ashleigh, Larkin, Kris, and I went out to the Bastille area. And I got a shot for the group and the bartender freaking set the entire bartop on fire. I don't remember what it was, I just remember him "spilling" something and suddenly there's fire in front of me. It went out promptly, but still it was cool.

After we finished at that bar, we went to one across the street that I think was called something similar to Shelby and it was noticeably a bit nerdy. There were pokemon and dragonball z things on the walls. We were the loudest group there.

BUT

Nate, the Canadian who is a Parisian chef that we met in Amsterdam joined us.

Our search for a Karaoke bar failed utterly.

Eventually we ubered back to the Hostel for the night.

The next day, we left Paris and were on our way to London.

Until Next Time,
Shelby

Eur-in for a Treat! EF Ultimate Break New Years Trip through Amsterdam, Paris, and London (Part 1 - Amsterdam)

Many of you know that I've recently come back from a trip though EF Ultimate Break.

I want you all to know it was worth as many stars as I can give it. Great trip, great people, great experiences. All around great.

First off, though.

What is EF Ultimate Break? You may have seen ads on places like Facebook or Instagram of this group that has a map and pictures of things like buildings or gorillas or something of that sort. It talks about affordable travel for solo (or group) travelers ages 18-29.
-What do they do? Everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. All I've had to do was sign up, pay money (with convenient payment plans), and show up. They take care of plane tickets, transportation, rooming, breakfast, guides, and so much else.

I highly recommend EF especially if you're someone like me who stinks at planning and much prefers just handing over money and being told when and where to show up. To me, it's 100% worth the price.

So I signed up for this trip within the week of returning from my Belize trip with a few of the people I went to Belize with. We had a couple of discount codes that we used on it (since we had just returned from a trip, we could use the the repeat code and a few others). Normally I probably wouldn't have chosen a European trip in winter (because the cold and I don't get along), but I was not going to pass up the opportunity to create a messenger group called "Are EUROPE for another Unbelizeable adventure?" Like I was so proud of that title there was no way I'd be that clever for any other place.

New Years in Paris: Amsterdam, Paris, London December 26-January 5

Months slowly tick by and I worked diligently on figuring out what exactly one wears in cold weather. It was more of a struggle than it really should have been, but oh well.

December 26th rolls around and there I am: packed, ready to go to the airport, determined this will be the first trip I figure out how to vlog on (or about). I get in the car and get to the airport with relatively little traffic (thanks, Ma, for driving me!). Security was a breeze to get through. I was so excited, even if I was 3 hours early for the flight (which was also going to be one of the first few to arrive in Amsterdam) but I didn't get pulled aside for security. I generally get pulled aside for extra security. I don't know why it's just a thing. I don't even make the machines beep, but still, it was exciting to not be pulled aside.

I find a good spot to sit at the gate and begin to creep on everyone on the facebook groups' profiles. For a good 15 minutes I was sitting there minding my own business, plenty of seats open, and when I looked up I'm surrounded by people. Not because there are only a few seats left, but I guess I just found the good chair (I don't know why there wasn't very good signal, nor was there a charger -- but of the 30 people within the area, 25 of them were in seats right next to me).

It was then I decided I needed to start my drinking for this trip at the airport. So I gathered my stuff, careful to not hit the sleeping infant's stroller, slowly enough so I didn't step on the crawling toddler, and backtracked to Ruby's Diner to have my very first Bloody Mary (It was a Sriracha bacon bloody Mary and it was very good).

Kevin, a friend from high school who also went on the trip, showed up to Ruby's and we caught up a bit before finally making our way back to the gate. Where we were informed the plane was delayed because something was leaking and they needed to find us a new plane.

At this point, we ended up meeting up with two others of the group and had a drink together.

Overall, the flight was delayed 2.5-3 hours. I tried to do a vlog video explaining what was going on, but since it was like one of three videos taken it didn't seem like a huge deal to add.

But we do eventually get on the plane, where I meet but don't really talk to the other two people from Houston. I tried to sleep on the flight, but only really dozed off a few times.

On December 27th, we landed in Amsterdam! Our flight wound up being the last to land and so as a group of six, we had to take a taxi to our hostel to meet up with everyone. Thankfully, we weren't the last to arrive at the hostel, someone who had arrived earlier got on the wrong EF bus.

Once we get there, since we can't check-in, we stored our luggage. I hung out a little bit with two of the three people from Belize (since Greg wound up not being able to make it), not much though. I did learn that Ashleigh left her bag on the bus (which becomes a fun story later on). Then we all as a group learned how to us the tram system they have.

From there we walked around like a large group of tourists (seriously, there were 43 of us), grabbed a few souvenirs, ate a few waffles, drank some coffee, and a few people went looking for some coffee shops.

When we could check into the hostel, we went back and did so, then got ready for our welcome mixer.

This mixer was different than the one from Belize in a lot of ways, mainly though we were all separated at different tables (which is part of why I'm glad I sat by a group of people I hadn't met yet) and there was no icebreaker game. No one really knew what the food situation was going to be like since the itinerary said "get to know fellow travelers over drinks and light appetizers" but let me tell you, at our table it was the perfect amount of food. I don't even know half of what I ate but it was all delicious, especially what I dubbed the gravy balls (they were fried on the outside but had the taste of gravy on the inside) and the chicken kebabs (even if these were super messy).

After the mixer, the groups split. Some people went back to the hostel, the rest of us went to the Red Light District. Obviously I was one who stayed out. We wandered as a large group for a bit, then shrank down and then joined back up. At this point in the night, everyone decided it was time to try out a sex show. So everyone crowded in one building that was for a peep show.

I was at the back of the line with a group of guys and they decided they wanted to find somewhere else. Since I wasn't too keen on peeping on anyone undressing or whatever the rest of the group was going to be watching, I went with them.

Which is how I wound up being the only girl in a group of six (maybe seven) that got into an actual sex show. I was also given a penis shaped lollipop as we entered the building. It was exactly what you would imagine it being, so I'm not going to explain any more than that.

Afterwards, we wandered through a few more bars and I wandered right back out of one because it was crowded and someone with a creeper vibe grabbed my butt. So one or two of the guys and I went to the casino near by. I watched people gamble, was given plenty of water from the guy in charge (who was super nice to me, found me a chair to sit in and everything).

Everyone else left except for myself and one other guy so I hung out there until he was ready to leave and we made it back to the hostel without anything scary or exciting happening, stayed up pretty late talking in the the hostel lobby/hangout area.

The morning of December 28th seemed to come way too soon, but I got up and got moving. We had our walking tour with people from the area and got to choose between three people. I went with the writer. It was amusing, but nothing terribly memorable was said. Here are a few pictures from that tour.

After the tour, we went to find food. And since everyone just seemed to be standing around debating while I was getting hungrier and hungrier, Ashleigh and I started walking and others joined us. We stopped outside this little Italian place that was right across from a dessert place that had some swell looking macaroons in the window. It was perfect! Lunch and a snack right across from each other. 

I got a chicken wrap and a glass of house red. 

It was delicious, with a hint of spiciness that just kept me wanting to eat more. Like just thinking about it makes my mouth water in want of more. 

Once we finished eating with everyone, Ashleigh and I went to go and get Ashleigh's bag from the bus driver in a different city. 

We met with the tour director and he told us where we were going and how long it should take to get there. (Amersfoort -- 1 hour there, 1 hour back.) 

I made a joke as soon as we sat down that we were going to get lost and sleep through our stop. In hopes to avoid this, I set an alarm just in case we both dozed off at about a time I figured would be good to wake up and get off the train. 

We slept through our stop. 

It wasn't as we thought an hour away, but rather only thirty minutes away. SO we freak out on the train for a little bit until the line completely stops and the conductor, ticket-checker guy comes up and tells us we need to get off. We are freaking out at this point and ask him what train we should get on to get us where we want to go. 

We get on the wrong train. Thankfully, we realize this sooner rather than later and get back off of it. Then ask the lady at the kiosk for help. When she tells us what train, we run over to it thankful that it was there. Only to realize it was the wrong train and we needed the one that was showing up next. 

Eventually though, we DO get on the right train, we DO get to Amesfoort, and we DO get Ashleigh's bag. We did hang out there for a little while on our own. There was a calmer feel to Amerfoort than Amsterdam, if only because we were about to get run over by bikes every ten seconds and there weren't nearly as many people there. 

We managed to get back to Amsterdam without any trouble. 

That night, while most of the group went to the sex show I had gone to the night before, I declined to go again and hung out with Kris and Larkin while they met up with Kris' cousin. It was an interesting night, I tried a few new beers. One of which was incredible. Too bad I've no recollection of what the beer was. I think Kris has record of it, so I'll have to get in touch with him and ask. I was informed that I missed out on that night's show because one of our group got called up on stage.

We end up meeting up with the rest of our group at some point and I meet a lot of new people. Including a Canadian who's also a Parisian Chef. His name is Nate. (There were also some named Niccolai, Danny, Mattias -- he actually spelled his name for me, and Stash -- Stash is Russian.) 

Our group adopted Nate (or forced him to hang out with us) for the rest of the night. After some fries and regrouping, we decided it was time to go home. So we walk most of the way home and I'm there trying to give my new friend Nate a hug goodbye when I turn around and everyone has vanished. 

Apparently my Guardian Angels were with me, because I (drunkenly) start walking in the general direction I thought the hostel was in and pretty quickly I can hear my group (they were the loud drunk Americans pretty hard to miss). So I catch up with them and we make our way back to the hostel. I also apparently sent a few mildly terrifying Snapchats. 

This night, I stayed up talking with someone else, similar area but completely different subjects. I mean, it's not everyday I get to talk to a history teacher so that was cool. Although when we went to bed, my head hit the pillow and then a few of my roommates started doing their hair. This was also the first day on the trip I did not take my allergy medicine, which wasn't the smartest idea. 

December 29th began without any sleep. I really should have slept some, but at this point I was still running strong on just vacation energy (plus I was still somewhat drunk from the night before). We went out into the countryside and went to a cheese factory, clogmakers place, and a windmill. 

That scarf left fuzz on everything. Like I'm still getting it off my clothes.

And for lunch we wandered down an area that reminded me a bit of Kemah Boardwalk, just much colder, and less touristy. I had fish and chips for the first time. My allergies started acting up a bit here, but they were still definitely manageable.

It was very very cold. Although the day was long and enjoyable, I didn't take a lot of pictures. Plus after getting back and eating, I was ready to go to sleep. After some games of Giant Jenga, of course. It was our last night in Amsterdam, but I didn't mind sleeping that night at all.

Yes, I did steal someone's picture of me playing Giant Jenga because I could (Thanks Kevin for taking it)

The next day we went to Paris.

I was going to put all of this in one blog, but I think it'll serve better to split it into a blog per city. So next time, I'll tell all about our trip to the City of Love. 

Until then,

Shelby

Let's Hit 2019 Out of the Park

Nine days late for my Welcome to 2019 post.

But unlike all of my poor excuses for the past few months of lacking posts, I think my excuse for at least the first portion of being late on this one is pretty legit.

I was in Europe.

It was incredible. Although this post isn't about that trip (that post will come tomorrow).

And then I was down and out so hard I actually went to the doctor. If you know me, then you know I avoid going to the doctor unless it's absolutely necessary.

So I was on hold for an appointment yesterday for about 45 minutes before I decided to just go to Urgent Care because you don't need an appointment for those. I go in, fill out paperwork, get called back super quickly. They test me for the flu, and it comes back negative. "What else could it be?" "Well, I can guarantee it isn't strep." "Let's test for strep." "But..." "Nope, you're throat is slightly pink, it has to be strep." "I've had strep, my throat doesn't even hurt." "We'll test you for strep." That came back negative. "Are you pregnant?" "No." "Are you sure?" "Positive." "We'll test for that before moving forward." Negative. I also don't have Mono, Malaria, Meningitis, or Pneumonia.

Had I been thinking clearly, I could have saved myself so much time. You see, I get REALLY bad allergies when traveling through different cities. Goodness, I have to consistently take Benadryl at home (but I'm also allergic to my cat). I took my Benadryl the first two nights of the trip. The last time I had symptoms even close to this trip was when I was in grade school and my doctors were like "oh, she's just allergic to the air. Keep her on allergy medicine and she'll be good." 

Normally I can go up to a week without it, but between the exhaustion, dehydration (let's be honest... I drank -- but I'm legal in all countries), and other factors, I guess my system couldn't handle it.

But enough of that, you'll get a way more detailed version of my trip tomorrow.

2018 was phenomenal.

It had its high points and its low points. But the highs well outweighed the lows.

I went to so many different places. Both in the country and out.

I've met so many absolutely incredible people.

I went to Belize alone.

I became a shift lead at my work place.

I finished a first draft (and have nearly finished a second first draft).

When I started this blog back in 2016, I was an anxiety-ridden, self-conscious, unhappy child lost in a darkened room.

I begin this year, much more self-assured, much more confident, much more aware of who I am.

No, I am not perfect. I still don't have a book out yet. I still don't quite make the amount of money I wish I did (because student loans, you know).

This year, I am confident will be just as exciting, if not more.

It started out in a foreign country (or two). I'll be going on a cruise in March, wedding in Vegas, Peru in June, and a wedding in Missouri. That's probably all of the big trips, but who knows what life has planned or what sudden things pop into my view and hit my fancy.

I do plan on looking back into transcribing for extra funds since I do have a pretty high WPM, but I'll also continue putting in extra hours at work.

Writing-wise, this year I will be finishing another first draft and a second draft (at minimum).

Health-wise, I'm getting a good start in that since I've been home I've cut sugar and been eating less junk food already. I'm getting back into eating much healthier and working out again.

Who knows, perhaps this will be the year I finally actually apply for a reality show. The Bachelor and Survivor are both still top contenders XD

What are your goals for this year?

Until next time,
Shelby