Hey Everyone!

We are still in Barcelona and are going to be going home in just a few days! Mary Connell left us yesterday :( to go back to London. It was really good to see a face from home all the way over here! Yesterday, we did a lot of shopping around. They have so many cute sandals here, but no one has my size!! Wish my mom was here, she would go crazy! I might go out in search again today..... The beach is really nice here, and it is nice to have white sand again. I loved Greece, but I am not a fan of the black sand - way too hot!! I just can´t bury my toes in it while I am laying on the beach! We have decided to treat ourselves to a yummy dinner tonight. It looks like a really cute restaurant! It is a tapas restaurant like every other restaurant here, but it looks less touristy which I hope is a good thing! We had not been out in Barcelona up until last night because we never felt safe just going out as girls.... but last night we decided to with some British and Danish boys we met. They were very entertaining to say the least. Their main activity for the evening was called ¨sharking......¨ Basically, it was their way of finding a girl for the evening. I have never seen anything like it. Somehow these not so cute boys were charming all of these pretty cute girls. I guess they are pretty good at ¨sharking.¨ Christy and I kept trying to figure it out...... Although the nightlife was not quite our scene, it was a great place to people watch. Barcelona night life is crazy! Cannot wait to tell all more stories of you about these crazy people we met! :)

The street performers here are also pretty entertaining. I have to say my favorite was the Michael Jackson impersonator who made you pay him BEFORE his show started..... hmmm..... NO! He did not keep much of a crowd after telling us to pay up before he even did the moonwalk. At least give us a sneak preview! Well I am so excited about coming home to see you all! love you!

xoxo

Autumn

Hey Hey Hey!

We are still in Barcelona and are going to end up being here until we come back home. We check trains and flights to Madrid, Valencia, and a few other places and it is just too pricy since we have to come back to Barcelona. Mary Connell is here with us now, YAY! It is so good to see more people from back home. We slept in today and then found ZARA. Very disappointing.... I had only been to the one in London with was a trillion time better. This one was more a mix of forever 21 and H & M. Still good stores, but not the same :( I just knew I was going to find the cutest new outfit. Oh well! We walked around a whole bunch today in search of a movie theatre. It has been so long since we have seen a movie, so we went on a search for one that was playing in English. After lots of walking and confusion, we found it!! We went to see The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. It was so cute, sweet, and funny. I cant wait to catch up on more movies when I get home. So the countdown begins... only 6 days until I get home! I cannot wait. Miss you all so much! I think the days are going by slower now! Love you all!

xoxo
Autumn

Hola!

I finally made it to Spain! Yay! We were only in Athens for 1 day, but I was ready to leave. Santorini was way cooler, people were nicer, food was better and cheaper, and there was a beach just a few steps away. I mean... the Acropolis, yes it was pretty amazing.... but I was ready to move on. We took a flight to Barcelona and found out hostel quite easily. It is in a great location! We are right off of Las Ramblas which seems to be a very fun street. Most importantly, I have already spotted my first ZARA. I am so glad I waited until Barcelona to buy a cute little dress. Hopefully, ZARA will not disappoint. My friend from Belmont, Mary Connell, is meeting us tonight so I am so excited!! She is spending 4 nights with us before she goes back to London, and we go.... well we aren´t sure yet. Maybe Madrid, maybe Valencia, maybe..... ahhh we will see! Probs Madrid. We havn´t done too much today except for check in and get cleaned up. We have a shower in our rom which is nice! I forgot how much I take my very own shower at home for granted! I did find time to get a cappucino today though :) It was tasty just as Ash Love had said. Not quite sure what we are going to do tonight. Maybe go get some Sangria and Tapas?

Anyways, forgot to tell you all that Christy and I got to ride first class on the way from Athens to Santorini. Maybe the shortest flight I have ever been on but hey! Not sure how it happened, but it did! Aegean Airlines is a great airline I must say. On our 2 hour flight to Spain, they served us a full breakfast and came around multiple times offering us beverages. I am impressed Aegean!

Moving on..... I am counting down the days until I get to see my friends and family. It has been 6 1/2 weeks which is a long time for me! All of my family is going to be gone when I get back, but I will be meeting them in Knoxville the following day for my Uncles wedding. I am so excited to get to see parents, sister, grandprents, cousins, and friends. Well Ill blog again sooN! Miss yall!!!

xoxo
Autumn

Hello!
So now I have a little more time to update. I am day 2 in Santorini and so glad that we made this part of our trip. Last night we had such a good dinner. We split a greek pita with pork in it. I wish our pitas tasted like this back home.. so warm and tasty! We found a 24 hour bakery, which is not a good thing for me and Christy. I didn't think my sweet tooth was too strong until coming on this trip. We seem to think we need dessert after every meal. Christy got the Baklava and I got a chocolate croissant. It was the best chocolate croissant I have had yet. I thought Paris was going to win in that category.... too soon! This morning I walked around for about an hour. I figure I better get some excercise if Im going to continue eating pastries like this :) I went to do some laundry but then found out I was supposed to drop it off and let the lady do it. Too bad I already bought my own detergent and fabric softener.... I was ready! It had been tooooo long. It might have been the most expensive load of laundry but my clothes sure did smell fresh when she handed them back to me all folded perfectly! I have to also say the people here have been SO nice! This morning when I went to by my detergent, the lady at the counter was sipping on some iced coffee that I have seen EVERYBODY drinking here. When I asked what it was, she told me and tried to explain to me how to make it. I didnt really understand so she told me to hold on a minute... she came back with one for me! It was so sweet. She showed me how to make it and gave me one for free. Made my morning :) I now have the ingredients stocked in my room. She made a sale too. We went to the beach afterwards, swam, and soaked up the sun. It was so nice and relaxing. I got a yummy lunch there as well. Greek salad and a coke light (diet coke as I call it) of course. It even came with ice....filled to the very top!!! I wanted to kiss the waitor. I have been missing ice so much here! Even when you do ask for it, you get one cube. Not like sonic! Anyways, we are going to rent scooters while we are here which I am really excited about.... so Ill update you on that later. Until next time, Love you all!! DONT tell me whats happening on the Bachelorette as well.....

xoxo
Autumn

Im in Greece! Yay! It has been a long day... traveling from Milan to Athens and arriving in Santorini. We were delayed a few times, but we are here now! We got a free shuttle from the airport which was so nice. It was wonderful not having to deal with a metro! I will update more tomm!

Hey Everyone!

So now I am in Rome! Florence was awesome by the way. My favorite part of Tuscany and one of my favorite parts of this trip so far was the Chianti wine tour I did. No one else wanted to go, but I decided to go anyways... and Im so glad I did!! It was supposed to just be a wine tasting but those glasses were pulled pretty full! I had to slow it down after Vineyard number 1. The first Vineyard was so beautiful. We got to taste their yummy olive oil and truffle oil which I bought one of each! I think I have added a few kilos to my backpack! Oh well! :) We then went to vineyard #2 near San Gimignana which was even more beautiful! There we had another wine tasting and lunch. We had different types of bruchetta, different cold cutes, an Italian rice dish, cheese dipped in honey, and more wine of course. We ended our day at San Gimignano. Some friends of mine (the Angles) had recommended that I make a visit there. Im so glad I did. It was beautiful...not to mention... the 2006 world champion gelaterie :) Such a great day! Iguess I should mention something about the rest of Florence. David was unbelievable. Goodlooking as well. The Duomo was beautiful too. I dont really have any other words to describe all of these places... I need to figure out another one besides beautiful! We arrived in Rome after a long, HOT train ride. I thought all the cabins were this hot until I ventured to another cabin 30 minutes before we got to Rome. Lets just say I was not looking too cute when I arrived to Rome. We found our hostel pretty easily. Yay! It is a campsite which is kinda cute. We have our own little "chalet" as they call it. It is a trailer actually....We even have landscaping in front! When reading about Rome, it talked alot about how Rome was just "too much".... too much of " art, people, crowds, history, etc " They were not lying but I LOVE it! We woke up really early and headed to Vatican City. St. Marks Basilica and the Vatican Museum were great to see. The Sistine Chapel seemed almost unreal. Michelangelo sure did know what he was doing! We spend the rest of day walking around what seemed to be all of Rome. We are going to see the Colisseum tommorow along with the Roman Forum, Villa Borghese, and who knows what else. I am really enjoying my self here and am really looking forwardto Santorini. I miss all of you so much!! Only a few weeks until I get to see you all! Pardon my grammar and spelling once again!

xoxo
Autumn

Hello everyone!
I know I have been slacking on my blog! I have just been running aroung Italy, and internet cafes have not been as widespread here in Venice and Chinque Terre. I cannot remember where I left off. Lugano, Switzerland was beautiful and very expensive. I had to go a few days without coffee and diet coke. Thankfully, I survived! We stayed at a place called Montarina which was like a little resort. There was a pool, a cute cabana boy serving cold beverages, and palm trees! I had to spend a little time there :) We rented little pedalo boats and pedalled around Lake Lugano. It was actually really tiring. We spent too long out on the lake and had to pedal at what seemed to be 100 miles per hour to get back! We were not looking too cute when we returned! I know my blog dates are a little messed up! Guess I got confused! We went to Venice after Lugano, and it was so cute! I loved all the water and bridges connecting all of Venice. Much prettier than the water in Amsterdam! I never thought I could take a picture that would look as pretty as some of the beautiful postcards but I did! It was THAT beautiful! We walked around all of Venice and did a little shopping! They had such beautiul Murano glass. I got a pretty leather handbag! :) It is a camel color and really soft! If I would have had more room in my bag, I would have gotten 5! Oh well! I also got a pretty ring! Wish my mom was here, she would love it!! We also had a lot of gelato.... its so good! I cannot help but want it after every meal! The italian men are kinda cute too! St. Marks Basilica is beautiful! It is in such a beautiful area of Venice right by the Grand Canal. The Gondola Boys were fun to watch as well! We were sad to leave Venice but not for long! Chinque Terre is the most beautiful place I have seen yet. I know I keep saying that, but it is! Oh yeah, Christy can walk now! YAY!!!! When we arrived in Chinque Terre, the train stopped right by the water. It really is breathtaking each time I see it. We hiked around for about 4 hours yesterday along 4 of the villages. We both have some pretty big bug bites. We keep telling ourselves it is just part of hiking. Guess Ill have to get used to that..... They are nasty though! We are going to the beach today! YAY! I have alread had my croissant and cafe latte, so this day is starting out perfect! I mailed some postcards as well. The little italian man at the post office was really sweet! I know this blog is really scattered... anyways, the foccacia pizza is here is yummo! I have had the same one the last 2 days- Pesto Pizza! ahhhh.... Well, we are off to Florence tomm. I am so sad to be leaving Chinque Terre :( Ill survive.... no worries! love you alll!

xoxo
Autumn

Hello!

We are now in Gimmelwold, Switzerland, and it by far the prettiest place I have ever been. I was really sad to leave Lorrach yesterday morning, but we had to move on with our schedule. We had an interesting morning when we arrive to Switzerland. As we were getting off the train in Interlaken, I step off the train and look back and see Christy rolling back and forth on the floor. She was crying in pain, and I could not get out of her what happened. She army crawled off the train, and I just knew she had been slapped by the train door, and that is why all of this had happened. When asked by a worker what happened, I motioned with my hands that she had been slammed. That actually did not happen.... She stepped wrong and hurt her ankle. She could not walk, and we didn't know what exactly what was wrong. We went to the ER, they did an x-ray, gave her a brace, and it was time to head to Gimmelwold. Poor Christy, she can not walk very well. At least it is a beautiful view here, and she can just enjoy being here. You can walk out the door of where we are staying, and it is breathtaking! I am going to go on a hike today. It was raining but now its sunny! YAY :) I will take plenty of pictures. I had to go on a 3 mile hike up a mountain to the grocery store yesterday afternoon, so I will hopefully come back with some toned legs! We leave for Lugano on the 5th, and then onto Italy. I miss you all so much! love you~!

xoxo
Autumn