The Chocolate Factory of Cologne, Germany

This morning we finished classes early so we could finally have a day of freedom. There was about 7 of us who decided to go back to Cologne, mainly because the chocolate factory was closed the day we went before. Can I just say that we found the Fountain of Youth, a.k.a. a golden chocolate fountain! Don't worry, we had samples... twice. The beginning of the tour of the factory was all about the history of chocolate which was cool until it kept going and going and going, like the energizer bunny. Finally we got to the place were they actually make the chocolate. Who knew there are so many steps?! There was also a "kiddy" part to the museum/factory that was all about Kinder Eggs and stuff. They had this computerized game there that had colored seats around the screen. The goal of the game was to make it through a maze using team work. Each seat moved the chocolate bunny a different way so we had to be careful. I know people were watching us and saying, "Look at those stupid Americans." We sure were having fun though. After a few more minutes, we finally made it to the gift shop. I got 4 different kinds of truffles: pina colada, cappuccino, tiramisu, and something that looked like chocolaty goodness! I can't wait to eat everything!



***By the way, we are leaving Monday for Germany. We will be there the whole week and may not have Internet access so I may not be able to post anything else for about a week. Don't worry, I won't forget.

Rhine River Cruise

Today, we rode down the Rhine River which lasted a few hours. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. People had vineyards on very steep hills. No one knows how they farm them! Other than the scenery, there wasn't really special, except that today we had a well-needed restful trip as apposed to a go go go trip. Some of the castles we saw had names that sounded like "Rise and Shine," and "Sonic" as in the hedgehog. I know these are not how you really pronounce them, but they make for funny stories.

Cologne, Germany

Today was a day I would call "big time." We went to Cologne, Germany where we visited the Koln Cathedral. It was the biggest one we have been to yet on this trip and was absolutely beautiful. We didn't stay in there very long, because we were only allowed so much time. Some of us are trying to get patches to represent all the countries we go to while we are here, so we traveled on down to a souvenir store where we ran into people from Canada. They may not have been from the U.S. but they spoke English and that was good enough for me. They told us about how they went to the top of the Cathedral, and from that moment we knew what our adventure of the day would be. For those of you who don't know me, I am terrified of heights, tight places, and stairs. I decided I would be so mad at myself if I passed up this opportunity though. It was only 2,50 euro! Before I knew it, seven of us, were trekking it up a very old spiral staircase round trip.... 1,018 stairs! I hated this with a passion, but I was determined. It was very worth it too, because the view was absolutely amazing. (I'll add pictures later.) After that, we were pretty much done for the day so we came back to Verviers, ate dinner, studied for class tomorrow, and now it's time for bed.

From Alabama to Brussels, Belgium

This whole trip I have been meaning to start a blog so everyone back home knows what's happening on my study abroad. Well, we are amazingly busy, and have been here a week, and I am just now starting. Better late than never. Since we are really busy, I am going to combine this week into one blog and then try to make a blog everyday that something big happens from now on.

Well it all began August 13. ... Some of us who were flying together ate at Catfish Cabin in Memphis before we left. That was so exciting, because a lot of our friends from school that we haven't seen since school ended in May came to see us off. The plane ride was pretty long but it was at night so I slept some. Plus, for some reason there was no one beside me in the next two seats, so I layed down. It was great. When we arrived the next day, Phillipe, our French teacher, took us to get ice cream. It was a bad idea. I want it everyday now!

The 15th we went to Liege, Belgium to a parade. I saw the cultural difference that day for sure. That night when we got back to Verviers, our campus, and three of us played in the fountain. It was so cold and slippery and creepy men kept stalking us, but it was so much fun! I would highly suggest playing in fountains.

The 16th we went to Aachen, Germany. Before we went there we went to market, which is every Saturday right outside our door. It was so much fun! In Aachen, we went to Charlemagne's cathedral.

The 17th we went to Chateau de Franchimont. That morning we went to church downstairs. It was all in French, but we used to same hymnals, just not in English. It was so amazing to worship with people across the world! They worshipped as long as they wanted. They didn't stop right at an hour like we almost expect. The Chateau was on a hill in the cutest little town ever! It was what I imagined European towns would be like. The Chateau was really cool too. That was all of our favorite part of the trip so far.

We had class on the 18th so on the 19th we went to Brugges and Oostende. In Brugges, we went to the Church of Our Lady that houses Michelangelo's Madonna. It was the only piece of his work that was removed from Italy during his lifetime. The church had a huge log with the nativity scene carved into which I thought was pretty cool. Then we went to the Church of the Holy Blood, which supposedly had a drop of Jesus's blood in a vile. I don't believe it because I highly doubt someone at the crucifixion kept a drop of his blood and put it in a safe place to save it. When we went to Oostende, we went to the beach where I put my feet in the North Sea! Then I had the best fresh waffle ever!!! It was a party in my mouth.

The 20th we had class so the 21st we went to an American military cemetery, Dinant, Bouillon, and Bastogne, all in one day. The cemetery was so amazing and moving. There were white Crosses and Stars of David stretched for forever. These were men who died in the air force late in WWII. Then we went to Dinant to see a medieval fort. The view of the city below was amazing. We went next to Bouillon to see Godefroid of Bouillon's Castle. Godefroid mortgaged this castle so he could fight in the Crusades! There was a bird show while we were there and huge scavenger birds flew right over my head and sat right beside me! Scary! Finally we went to Bastogne where the Battle of the Bulge was fought. There was a monument there that had all 50 states engraved around the top. The Belgians are so thankful for our part in the war.

The 22nd we had class so the 23rd we went to Maastricht, Netherlands. Everybody was so tall there but for some reason, no one could find pants that were long enough. While we were there, we went to St. John's Church and the medieval wall that still remains around the city. I got a pizza and a waffle there for 2,50 euro! That was so cheap!

Today, the 24th, we went to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. We went to worship there which thankfully was in English. Then we went to the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. It was beautiful. Then we walked to see the famous little peeing boy. This was actually something I had heard of, finally. I did have another waffle there. This one was even better because I got strawberries and whip cream on top!

I'm sorry that was so long. I just tried to fit a week into one blog. They won't be that long anymore.