One Last Hurrah!

I first have to say my sincerest apologies to you all! For some reason, I stopped putting updates once I got to Germany. I guess I had less access to a computer, and just less desire to write. Hope nobody was worried or anything.
But I am here back in the states now and I think its time to let everyone know about the rest of my trip.
So, after seeing the Salvador Dali exhibit in Prague, we took the train to Munich, Germany. Unfortunately back in Euro-land, where everything becomes more expensive.
We went and saw a tour of the concentration camp, Dachau. That was a very intense experience. Seeing it all as it was for the prisoners. I found it very strange that they sort of built a suburb around the camp. And people live so close nearby. I had a lot of conflicting attitudes while there. Part of me was thinking, why rebuild some of these horrible things, but also it should be rebuilt in order for people now to see. It takes some time to digest the experience.
We went to the famous Beer Hall in Munich, Hofbräuhaus. Had one or two huge classes of some tasty lager. Also had one of those GIANT pretzels, yum.
Then we took the long train ride over to Amsterdam. It was a stunning ride. Passed by the most adorable little towns and countryside villages. What a cool city, so many damn Damns! Its awesome, all the house boats. Very unique and surreal, nothing else like it I think. Saw the Anne Frank house. The big old Flower Market. Rented ourselves some good old fashioned Dutch Bicycles and did the rest of our exploring that way. Its amazing how many people ride bikes there I love it! Biked around Vondel Park.
First time going to a Coffee Shop, The Mellow Yellow. Very relaxed there. I love it, its like a bar but instead of everyone getting drunk and annoying, everyones gets high and chill.
We biked out of the city on a beautiful trail into the cutest little town. Later that night, hit up a different coffee shop that my friend Wendy suggested, Basjoe.
Went to the Van Gogh museum, that was incredible! So much Van Gogh! Spent all morning in there! Went to a huge Flea Market the last day after having some yummy space-cakes for breakfast.
Then we all flew to Bristol, England. Very short flight.
Arrived and drove into the town where Steve lives called Dorchester. Its so cute. Southwest England is just beautiful. Rolling hills, thatched roof cottages, cows and sheep roaming all over. With every sight I saw, it was like turning the page of a storybook.
Had some great hikes and bike rides in the countryside. Great meals at the local Pubs. People were so friendly! It was kind of nice to be back in english speaking land, although some of their sayings sound like another language.
So after being there about a week, I have made one last stop. Believe it or not I am back in San Diego, California, my home town. Wasn't planning on coming here, but it has worked out that way. It is actually just as crazy for me to be back home after all this time then any foreign country I have been to! Still adjusting, but it is nice overall. Seeing family and old friends. Got about a week left here before heading back to Chicago.
So thats all folks. Thanks for sticking with me and following me through my travels. Sorry again for my laziness and poor writing skills. I will let you know about my next traveling adventures. (I've been thinking a lot about Thailand) But for now, wish me luck at my second year of college!

Peace n Love

Shelby :)

Klesch tay na necktey

Hello from Prague
After a beautifultrain ride from Budapest, I arrived here a couple nights ago.
I met up with two great travel companions that I will be with the rest of my trip
Weve seen many sights, walking around, the giant clock tower, the Charles Bridge, the Castle. There are many churches and castles here as well. Beautiful architectue that is very diverse.
Today we explored the Jewish Quarter. The synagogues and cemetary were incredible and very moving. I like the artwork here a lot, surrealism is abound. There is a Salvador Dali exhibit and a Kafka museum.
Last night, we went to the black light theatre where they showed a nonverbal iterpretation of The Beatles Yellow Submarine. Very interesting.
Tomorrow we head to Munich

Peace n Love

Meg.foug hah tom AH pop-shit dat?

Good morning from Budapest! Ive been here a few days now, its been rainy and gloomy the whole time, but Ive loved it! I feel like the overcast weather matches the style of the city. Budapest is really two, Buda and Pest, separated by the Duna River. I am staying on the Buda side, but have explored both sides equally. After getting some suggestions of things to see from Melody, I have been out exploring. Ive done it by Bicycle, as it is pretty easy to get around that way here.
Ive been to the Terror Museum where I learned a lot about the History of the country and how it was during the communist regime. That was very interesting and powerful. The building where the museum was used to be a prison as well.
Heroes square is very picturesque. So like in Budapest, youll be walking like ladadada and then BOOM theres this huge old Castle. Its really incredible, the castles. I checked out one of the Thermal Baths called Szecheny.
I went to the bar, SZIMPLA. It was so cool there. One of the coolest I have ever been to. I met some other travelers there and we swapped some stories.
I also went to the Grand Market, which is incredible! Such fresh produce. I had some delicious sauerkraut. Also this really good bread thing that was filled with a sort of fig mush I think.
I wondered around the Island called Margit Island. It is in between Buda and Pest and it is just lovely and quaint. Today I am going to have a look around the Jewish Quarter. Then I leave for Prague tomorrow morning.

Dne Eht

Wo ist die Toilette, bitte?

In Vienna, Austria, enjoying the cooler weather! It is so beautiful here! There is so much culture and history. Seeing where some people have lived has been incredible, like Mozart and Freud! There is this consistency in the architecture here that I havent seen in any other city. Ive seen many great Opera Houses and large churches. All of them are in the Gothic style. They have a giant ferris wheel here near the Donau Tower. I thought the coolest palace I saw was the Schloss Belvedere Palace. Its right near the Botanical gardens which is just lovely.
I will do a little more exploring tomorrow and then I leave for Budapest tomrrow evening!

Peace n Love
:)

Romeing Around

Good morning, last day in Italy today. I think Rome was a great way to end it. Ive seen the Vatican, which was huge and crazy how much detail went in to making it. And the Colosseum was beautiful at sunset. I also went to the Jewish Ghetto and Synagogue directly after the Vatican, which was a very interesting contrast. I saw a couple other museums. Last night I did a walking tour of the city. Saw the Trevi and Triton fountain, and the Spanish steps. Three different piazzas, ending in Piazza Navona, which is like the center of town. It was really cool there, lots of live performances and artwork all over. A very happening spot.
This evening I have an overnight train to Vienna. Oh its only 13 hours long, no big deal. I'm excited to start making my way to eastern Europe. (and possibly escape some heat)

Peace Ya'll

Italia Aggiornare Numero Due

Hello from Florence!
I arrived in this city two days ago. I got settled in, I love how everything here is walking distance. The architecture really is beautiful, just like I have always heard. The first day I had here, I went to the art musuem and saw the famous David statue. I also saw the Cathedral. So huge and spectacular! Then I tried to get away from the crowds so I wondered to the other side of the river. I walked up to the Piazzale Michelangiolo. It had the most amazing view of the city! I got some great pictures. I also checked out the church and cemetary up there which is beautiful.
Me and a friend were wandering in the cemetary, and didn't know it closed at one, so we got locked in! After a bit of stress, we finally got a hold of a guard who took us through this tunnel under the church and we got out!
I wandered around the little streets and all the different plazas. Some other girls and I met at the Hostel went to a couple Pubs last night which was pretty fun.
Today I decided to see the other little towns in Tuscany. First was Siena. It is very nice there. The people there are very proud of Siena, and it shows. I learned a lot of the history. It was also cool because it was where my sister, Rachel lived for a semester, so I got to see that. Then visited a Chianti Wine Farm. Its an organic farm too! Had a delicious lunch there and I bought a Chianti to have sometime soon.
Then saw the town of San Gimgnano. Its pretty cool, surrounded by a big wall. Lots of shops and art studios. Mainly tourists there though. Last stop was Pisa. I saw the leaning tower. Tons of tourists there as well. I think tomorrow, I will go to Fiesole, which is a small town up on a hill where not many tourists go. It will also be much less hot there.
Im back now, hot and exhausted, but feeling good. Later this evening I will go and check out the Music and Food festival that is going on outside. Its from all different countries, should be fun.
I leave for Rome on Monday, and I think that will be my last Italian city I visit.
Ciao for now!

:)

Non capisco!

Buonasera Everybody! Im here in Cinque Terra, sweating balls, but having a grand time!
the rest of my time in Greece was great, I saw some more ruins and met some great people. I arrived in Milan and only stayed one night there before heading here to Riomaggiore. The train ride went smoothely. Its a charming little Italian village, the fifth of the five towns.
Last night there was an African Band playing on a rooftop.
Today, me and three new friends, did the five city hike. It was incredible!! The most beautiful path I have ever hiked. It took all day. Each town was very simalar but with its own unique style. The first, Monterosso, is the biggest and very cute. The second, Vernazza, is awesome, had great Sorbetti there, and did some cliff jumping into the sea! (it was safe mom). We had lunch in the third town, Corniglia and another gellatto in the fourth, Manarola. We also swam there too. Then ended back here in Riomaggiore and I have found this very hidden internet cafe. So I have only just begun to stick my toes into Italy. I plan to train to Florence on Thursday. So far, Italy is just beautiful. I deffinitely like the smaller towns better then the big city of Milan.
This area I am in now is great for outdoor sports. Tomorrow I think I am going to rent a Kayak for a few hours.

Ciao for now!

Santorini!

Hello again everyone!
I think now is as good as time as any for a little catch-up. My ferry ride to Santorini was pretty good, a little rocky, but such beautiful scenery. I arrived at the Hostel in the early evening. Had a nice night meeting some folks watching the World Cup. I have met a lot of people here from Australia and England. Yesterday I went on a great tour. We rode on an old Pirate ship. Our first stop was the islet of Nea Kameni, the Volcano. Its a sight of major scientific interest. It was quite spectacular learning the history of it.
We then jumped off the boat into these old Hot Springs near the volcano. That was very fun. We then stopped in the little port town called Thirass. Then the town of Oia where we had to walk up about 300 steps! You could have rode a donkey for five euros but I felt like it would be cruel to them. I looked around at the different artwork in the town and then saw a spectacular sunset at the top of an old church. Spent the night hanging out with some other travelers in the Hostel.
Now even though the tour was fun, it was very touristy. That's why today was so great.
Three of my new mates and I rented a car and drove around to different areas of the Island. First we went and checked out a beautiful lighthouse at the very southern tip of the island. Then hung out at White Beach and Red Beach which is just spectacular. We then went to this old little town called Pyrgos. It was amazing! I really feel like it was real Greece, not touristy at all. We had a delicious lunch at a little restaurant that was sort of hidden in the cliffs. Walking around that town was just incredible, its so peaceful there. I can see why some people would never want to leave.
The four of us then went to Santorini Winery. We went on a tour of it and then did the wine tasting. As I have never done that before, it was fabulous! Delicious local wine. We went and explored some other areas and found this super secluded beach that we hung out at a bit for a while.
We still have the car so I think later tonight we're going to go out into Fira. Its supposed to be beautiful there.
I have enjoyed exploring the local areas more then anything. Tomorrow I think I am going to rent a bike and have a look around some other areas.
I am going straight to Italy on Sunday morning.
I guess that's all for now, hope everyone of you are doing well.
Peace n Love

:)

Its all Greek to me

Hello all from the little island of Serifos!
After a nice weekend in Jerusalem with Dusty, Wendy, and a few others, I have made it to Greece. I saw the Acropolis in Athens, it is so huge and amazing! I opted not to go to Crete, I wanted to find a smaller chill Island, so here I am. I just took whichever fairy left that day and went for it. It was a BEAUTIFUL fairy ride! Seeing the Greek islands for the first time is just spectacular! I met two really nice girls from Denmark who told me some of their crazy travel adventures. The sunset from the fairy was incredible. Im staying at a cute little guest house tonight and then tomorrow I am taking a fairy to Santorini and staying at a Hostel there. This island I am at is great for just relaxing and wandering around. Everyone here is very nice and calm. Its not touristy at all, which is great, but had a little trouble finding a place to stay. All is good now. I am going to go wander around.
Peace from Greece

P.S. My phone is not working at the moment, so Im a little unavailable. I will go to internet cafes whenever possible to check email but no worries.

end of Birthright

So the Birtheight trip is over and I cannot believe it! It more feels like this big chunk of time then ten seperate days. I have just said goodbye to most of the group that are headed back to the states. It was super sad, I really connected with a lot of them and I'm going to miss them. Me and five other kids from the group are staying in Israel. So ill chill with them for the weekend in jerusalum and tel aviv before heading to Greece on Monday.
So ill go ahead and tell you some of the things we've done in the last few days of the trip. We went to Tzfat which is my favorite city I have seen so far. There is so much artwork. I talked to some local artists and it was great. Kaballah is very big there and the artwork for it is so mindblowing. We went to a beach near Hypha and swam in the Mediterranean sea!
We went on a tour of the security fence and of Rachels Tomb. Saw the dead sea scrolls at the Israel museum. Then went to the like house of congress in Israel and got to have a conversation with Isreal Hasson. He is the opposition party leader and that was super interesting. We went to Ben Yahuda street at night which was crazy. We went to mount Hertzel cemetary. It was very moving there. We also went to an insane outdoor food mart in Jersalem.
I have done so much and seen so much in these past ten days. I love this country and feel such a connection to it. I will deffinitely be coming back soon. I feel there is so much more to see. Its funny how for most of the group their trip is over. But this is just the beginning for me. I'm looking forward to what comes ahead and I will check back in with you when I get to Greece.
Peace love and hummus

HUMMUS

Hello again from the bus driving through the Golan Hieghts. This trip is still just incredible. Ill go ahead and tell you some things we've been up to. We rode camels! Had a relaxing shabbat at the kibbutz. Hiked nearby and learned about how kibbutzim work. We went out saturday night to the Port in Tel Aviv. Thàt was very fun. The next morning we had a beautiful drive to Rosh Penah and picked up the Israeli soldiers that will be joining us on the rest of the trip. They are all super cool and I've enjoyed getting to know some locals. We drove through the Galil mountains. We walked around Rosh Pena which was so awesome because it felt like a real just local town. I know I said the falafel in Jeresulum was so good but this topped it! It tasted so good and authentic. We hiked the slopes of the Golan hieghts through small waterfalls with breathetaking views. Today we went for a big hike in the Golan Hieghts. It was so beautiful. There was this one view of the town and the mountains in the foreground acted like a windowsill to the background. We went and saw some old war trenches. We were at this one cofeeshop on top of a hill where you could see the border of Israel and Syria. We went on a tour of an Olive Oil factory and it is the most eco-friendly one in the world. We just got finished kayaking in the Jordan River! That was so amazing and peaceful. Were heading back now to the new Kibbutz we are staying at for dinner. Peace :)

Israeli update numba two

Hello again loves. Yesterday we visited the Holocaust museum called Yad Vashem. It was also a beautiful drive getting there. Being my first experience at any kind of museum like that, I was very moved. It was a spectcular site that was built so wonderfully and respectfully. We then drove to the Bedouin tents. Bedouins are very interesting, I suggest you research them. There we learned about their customs, had amazing food, and hung around. I saw stars for the first time in so long! Its amazing seeing the same big dipper that I see back in the states. So we all camped in a big tent and then woke up at 4 in the morning! This was to go see the sunrise at mount Masada. It was spectacular! We learned about so much history up there. The ruins are over 2000 years old. Then had a great hike back down to a yummy breakfast at a kibbutz. Then we hiked to the waterfalls in Ein Bedi and swam in them for a bit. Then went to the Dead Sea! It was amazing to float in it! I also think that the salt water was great for my dreadlocks. It does burn your eys though (and some other body parts I need not mention). We also covered ourselves in this mud from the sea, when it hardens it is great for your skin. I feel super smoothe now. We had lunch and now we are on the bus headed to another Kibbutz where we'll be staying the night and celebrating shabbat. I am very much looking forward to it. The hospitality I have felt here is incredible! I am going to try and take a nap now as it seems I have been up for days. Peave n Love ya'll. :)

first 2 days of Israel

Alright I suppose now is a good time to update since we have already done so much. Time is very confusing right now but I will try and do my best. The Birthright group and I arrived yesterday in Tel Aviv around noon. We were all very tired but powered through. I can't even explain how it felt to finally be here. It is so amazing. From the airport, we took a bus to the city of Jaffa. Amazing views overlooking the water and Tel Aviv. We then went to Independence Hall and learned much of the history of how Israel came to be. We walked around and then settled in at the hostel. Last night some of us sat on the roof having great conversation. I really feel a connection to everyone here. So today we woke up early had breakfast and then drove to Jerusalem. This was the most beautiful drive of my life. The land is amazing here and I really seem to feel the holyness of it. We spent the first part of the day in new Jerusalem and for lunch I had the most delicious falafel sandwhich! We then hiked over to old Jerusalem and toured there a bit. We went to the Western Wall which was just beyond incredible. So much has happened there and I could just feel an intense amount of this energy. I put a note into a crack of the wall. We then drove to a smaller towns community center. We volunteered there for a few hours working on the garden. Not sure what the rest of the night will entail. Big day again tomorrow though I know. I am just so appreciative of the fact that I am here and I wish more of my family could see some of the things I'm seeing. That's all for now I am so beat. Peace n Love

first two days of Israel

Last Morning in the States

I have had a great weekend with my sister in New York City! We had a picnic in Central Park on Saturday, and went to a delicious Middle Eastern restaurant with her friends that night. It prepared me for all the Hummus I'll be eating these next couple of weeks. Her friends are super nice and I had some great conversation.
Yesterday, Sunday, we hung out and ran some last minute errands for my trip. I feel I am prepared although my backpack just feels so heavy. I'll get used to it though.
Now I am at a coffee shop on the East Side while my sister is at an appointment. When she gets done, I will go meet her, and then we will head back to her apartment.
I am meeting my Birthright group at JFK around 3:00 and my flight takes of at 7:00. It will be the longest flight I have ever taken. I hope to get some sleep, but if I end up talking to people the whole time, that'll be fine too.
It's so strange that I have been thinking about this trip for so long and now it is finally the day! I can't wait to meet the other kids and start seeing the sights!
That's all for now, I will try to check it when I am in Israel.
Peace & Love
Shelby

Step One: Complete

I have arrived in New York City tonight!
Last night I had an amazing time, my friend Sarah had a great going-away party for me. Lots of great friends, jamming all night. Amazing food, drinks, and conversation.
Almost didn't make it to the airport today, huge thunder storm came in just as Sarah and I were driving to the airport. But I made it and got on the plane, really quick flight. I know it will be my last short flight for quite some time.
As the plane was leaving, I was staring at the Chicago skyline. I realize how mush I love this city that I now call home. I'm going to miss it, but I'll be back.
Arrived at Laguardia airport. I split a taxi with a very nice woman named Laura and her daughter. Looks like a great night in the city.
Its so great to be with my sister Rachel now. Her apartment is adorable. I'm looking forward to our weekend together before I head out.
That's all for now.
Peace :)

Test

Can I do this?