Wiebe goes to Europe

One of my college roommates, Brittany, came to visit in mid February. We had a blast! She saw Brussels, Brugge, Amsterdam, London, and Paris. She's always had a little obsession with Paris, so it was rather fun for me to show her around her dream city (and one of my personal favorites, too). She ended up loving London even more than she thought-- I knew I liked her! Here are some of my favorite photos from her visit...the least incriminating ones, anyway.
Love you, Britt! Thanks again for coming!

Britt's first Kwak

The Thames

The 3 B's: Britt, Brianne, and Ben!

Adding a love lock in Paris

Britt and the Eiffel

The three of us in Brugge

Ciao!

B + C

Krakow, Poland

Krakow was on my bucket list, so I was especially pleased when C had a free weekend in February. My pictures do not do this place justice-- it's beautiful, interesting, even a tad majestic. I thoroughly enjoyed our time there! Just outside of the city lies Auschwitz, one of the most infamous concentration camps in the world; the experience we had there was other worldly, one I will never forget. If you are able, go visit Krakow, have some beer and pierogi, and head out to Auschwitz (and neighboring Birkenau)-- your perspective on humanity will change forever.

Pierogi Ruski

Patchy snow at Wawel Castle

 

Standing on one side of the main square, Rynek Glowny.

C in front of St. Mary's Basilica

Ciao!

B+ C

 

 

Barcelona & Zaragoza, Spain

C has been working steadily on a project in Madrid, allowing us more time to discover the country of Spain. We've thoroughly enjoyed Madrid-- a beautiful, totally underrated city. This time, though, we decided to drive to Barcelona and Zaragoza!

I've been to Barcelona once before. My friends Alessia & Elisa lived there in 2006 while I lived in London; I went to visit them and things got blurry, but I know I really enjoyed myself and the city was gorgeous! I like the city just as much the second time around, but it was extra special sharing yet another new place with C. We walked up and down La Rambla, sipped sangria, ate at THE BEST tapas place in Barcelona (Cerveseria Catalana), and took the famous Fat Tire bike tour (awesome way to see the entire city in one day). We really lucked out on a great studio apartment at the top of La Rambla via AirBnB, as well. One new discovery (for us) was Mercado St. Joseph; think giant market full of fresh cut fruit, sorbet, candies, nuts, beer, wine.....basically it was heaven. I think we stopped there twice for giant cups of fruit, which were priced at only 1 euro! Fruit is my thing, people.

After Barcelona, we headed back toward Madrid and stopped in Zaragoza along the way. It's a pretty small city, but it's easy to walk through and some of the sights are really beautiful. The cathedral was especially stunning! The weather was rather chilly and windy, so we sought shelter in an Irish bar to watch a soccer game (judge not) before heading to bed for the night. It was a short stop, but worth the adventure and the time. C and I are both pretty enamored with Spain-- the food, the relaxed vibe, the romance-- and we hope to see more of it soon!

Arc de Triomphe, Barcelona

La Cascada at the Parc de la Ciutadella

A mere fraction of La Sagrada Familia-- it's massive!

Cruising along the Mediterranean

Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

Driving over the Prime Meridian

The center portion of Zaragoza's cathedral

Night time in downtown Zaragoza

Ciao!

B + C

 

 

Edinburgh, Scotland

Going to Scotland is always bitter sweet for me. Much of my family is from there, so while it reminds me of my heritage, it also reminds me of the people I've lost over the years. I fight back tears upon hearing bag pipes, I think constantly of my Mimi & Papa, but I also really enjoy the people and beauty of the country. If you haven't been before, do add Scotland to your travel wish list. It's green, it's gorgeous, and they know how to eat & drink. They also do this thing called "golf" that I'm not particularly interested in.

C and I wanted to experience Christmastime in Scotland, so off to Edinburgh we went! There's no place more magical...

Entering the Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market, looking up a the Sir Walter Scott monument

Ice skating under the monument

Just a couple of the many, many booths at the Christmas market-- hot wine, bratwurst, sweets, little gifts...

Looking down the Royal Mile as we hiked to Edinburgh Castle

A little chilly at the castle!

C was pretty happy about his Scotch tasting

Me and C in front the of National Monument of Scotland atop Calton Hill

Whisky burger with angus beef and haggis. Judge away. I have no regrets.

Mimi's Bakehouse, literally steps from our flat. My Mimi is always with me, especially in Scotland!

Our trip to Edinburgh also marked our first AirBnB experience. AirBnB is basically a vacation rental site, offering homes, apartments, and even spare rooms to vacationers. Full fledged apartments, believe it or not, are usually cheaper and more flexible than hotels; plus, you have the convenience of a kitchen (and washer/dryer, etc. depending on the place). Our experience in Edinburgh was wonderful-- great location, great price, very friendly host. We've since used AirBnB in Madrid and Barcelona, with plans to book in a few other locales. Check out AirBnB here!

Ciao!

B + C

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

After an amazing summer here in Europe, we headed home for my brother's wedding in November. He and his wife, Megan, had a destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We ate plenty of Mexican food, soaked up lots of sun, checked another country off of our list, and saw two awesome people tie the knot-- not a bad trip if you ask me!

Ciao!

B + C

European Summer

In the process of packing for our trip to California, it dawned on me that I hadn't posted about any of our summer trips! It's been a busy few months filled with visitors and adventures. We can't believe we are heading to the States yet again-- this time for my brother's wedding. It's sure to be an awesome time, but I want to update you on our awesome summer time first! Here's a photo compilation of our very busy (but amazing) European summer:

C toasting our trip to Lithuania (gorgeous country)

One of several amazing cathedrals in Vilnius, Lithuania

Hill of Three Crosses; seven Franciscan monks were allegedly crucified here.

 

Our first rijsttafel (Indonesian variety of meats and veggies) in Den Haag

The International Court of Justice, Den Haag

We ended our weekend in Den Haag at the beach-- it was perfect!

Palacio Cibeles, Madrid

Our birthday paella at La Barraca, voted best paella in all of Madrid!

Edificio Metropolis, Madrid

C took us on an amazing trip through Portugal; this was our first port tasting in Porto.

Sunset view from our dinner table in Porto

Hanging on a boat tour in Porto

Crazy mosaic streets in Lisbon

Walking down Rua Augusta in Lisbon-- so colorful!

Next stop: Lagos, Portugal. This was 10 yards from our hotel.

We later went kayaking through the rock formations in the distance-- so fun and beautiful!

Final stop in Portugal: Faro

We posted up on a semi-deserted island. It was heavenly!

Kelsey and Phil came to visit!

My parents came to visit!
My dad, Uncle Carlos, and C at one of our favorite bars in Brussels

 My mom and Aunt Lori

 We took them to Paris...

...to Normandy (boys & their toys)

C and I on Omaha Beach, Normandy

 We took them to Germany (here's Cochem castle)....

Dad and my "other brother", Keith.

C and I in Ghent

My new friend Stevi; I met her and her husband (Luke) in the airport. Yay for American friends in The B!

 

 

Oktoberfest in Munich

 

Inside the Ochsenbraterei tent; they roast an entire ox ALL day for us drunkards to feast on.
 

Entering Dachau concentration camp, just outside of Munich.

Arbeit Macht Frei: work makes you free.

 

While C worked in Pinto, Spain, I went and explored the path of Don Quixote.

This little peanut came with me (and threw rocks the whole time).

We sat front row at a Real Madrid game in Valencia, Spain!

We biked through Valencia with our friend, Dave.

Standing under the bell atop the cathedral in Valencia.

Got to see my former London roommate, Eric, and his girlfriend in London.

 Amazing day on Mermaid Quay in Cardiff, Wales

 

The Millennium Center in Cardiff: "In these stones, horizons sing".

Lastly, WE GOT ENGAGED! It was a perfect proposal in our favorite part of France-- couldn't be happier!


Ciao!
B + C