Miami Beach 12/15 - 12/22

Hey, 

as you might know I was in Miami Beach last week. I travelled there with some friends and we seriously had an amazing time. We made a lot of unforgettable experiences and of course I took some nice photos. 

Monday 12/15

We stood up quite early on Monday and took the train and the shuttle bus to JFK airport, where our journey began. Our flight was at 2:15pm and we had a little but time left over, which was better than being late. When we finally were in the airplane we had to wait until 3pm, because our Captain was late, yeay! But we had a good flight. 3 hours later we reached MIA (Miami International Airport), where we were immediately confronted with amazing weather. We took a taxi to our hostel and at the Check in we were told that we actually would save money If we would go out with them later, so we did it. 

At first we were really surprised, but being under aged in Miami isn't as difficult as in New York. We actually didn't have many struggles to go out there. 

The bar we went to was pretty cool, it seemed to be one of those all American bars, with neon signs everywhere and with dinner seats in the corner. 

The party was good and me and the other girls had a lot of fun, until we went back to the hostel to get some sleep for the next day. 

Tuesday 12/16

On Tuesday we didn't do much at all. We started our day with brunch at the beach and stayed there the whole day. I went swimming a lot that day, because I wasn't used to the hoy climate yet, so I really needed to cool down sometimes. The rest of the day I was just lying on the beach, getting tanned, reading a book and as I found out later getting sunburned. On that day we first tried the dinner in the hostel, but decided to go out for dinner the rest of the week, if you know what I mean. 

This evening the hostel organized a pub crawl, but we didn't want to pay $15 for 2/3 bars and for a club we wouldn't get in to. 

Therefor we stayed on the patio talking and hanging out with some guys we recently met. But It was fun anyway. 

Wednesday 12/17

Today we decided to do an Everglades Safari, which was so much fun! At first I was really scared of the alligators and the crocodiles, but after the Airboat Tour. I was just excited and happy. After the Airboat ride we saw an alligator show, which really was interesting and calming, because the guide told us, that alligators aren't rooted lay evil. In the fact there are really calm and lazy animals and to my surprise the kill less people then dogs do! 

After the show the guide showed us the difference between an alligator and an crocodile baby, which was interesting to, even if I can't remember it anymore. :D 

Later that trip we had the possibility to take some photos with the Baby Crocodile Schnappi, which was sooooooo unbelievable cute and soft-feeling. 

We were back at the hostel around noon, so we tried the lunch, but decided to buy some fruits in 711 again. Than we went back to the beach and laid there the whole day, until we were hungry. So we went out for dinner at the Ocean Drive again.

In the evening Henriette and me decided to stay in the hostel, while Lina and Amma tried to get into the LIV club. At first I was sad that I didn't had the opportunity to try to get in there, but than we met some nice people on the patio, who went out to buy some alcohol for us later. -> we just started our own party, which was so much better than the others party! because of course they didn't get into the LIV.

We really had a lot of fun that day.

Thursday 12/18 

On Thursday we just laid at the beach the whooole Day. Because of all the jelly fishes and a swordfish I saw we didn't go swimming, but stayed at the beach instead, which gave me the possibility to finish my book "the Cellar", which was soooo good! Really, read it! In the evening when we got hungry we decided to buy some pizza and eat at the beach. BAD IDEA! At first the seagulls didn't care about our pizza, but out of nowhere a seagull attacked me and bit me in my forehead. Scared and shocked as I was I throw the Pizza far backwards, which was actually really clever, because the seagulls followed the pizza and let the other girls finish there pizza without being attacked. 

That evening we were able to go out again, at least to the bar, not to the club. 

The bar wasn't spectacular, it was the other hostels bar, but we got some booze and I had a really good conversation with a Canadian about cars and the Autobahn. :D When the others went to the Club "Story" we weren't allowed to stay in the a bar any longer, so went back to the hostel. And on my way I saw one of my favorite stores here in the USA: DASH! And it's not because of the karDASHians, it's because they sell my favorite brand wildfox. 

When we we got back to the hostel a surprise hit me like a boomerang. Some guys we met on Monday were back in the hostel, and I wasn't sure if that was good. 

Anyway, we decided to take a walk with them and they showed us the Versace Villa, in the middle of the night. 

Around 2 am the day ended and we all went to back. Especially me, because of the Ski-jumping qualification the next morning. 

Friday 12/19

On Friday we decided to go shopping in Lincoln Road, where you can find common stores as well as typical Miami Stores. We stayed there a few hours and ate froyo and Laduree Macarons, which were soo delicious. Afterwards we went back and went by the Espanola Way, a street with many spanish restaurants and bars. All of us really liked the flair there, so we decided to take dinner there later. In between we went to the beach for maybe 2 hours or so. 

When it was finally dinner time, we went back to the Espanola where we wanted to eat at a Mexican Grill, which was overbooked, so we went to an Cuban Restaurant instead. BEST DECISION EVER! I looooved my food so much! I had Ropa Veja, which basically was shredded beef with rice and black beans and a delicious sauce.

Later that evening we went out again, this time to the bar from Monday again. And seriously we had a lot of fun. Before we went there we met some nice Aussies at the hostel, so we spent our time at the party with them. Unfortunately the evening didn't end that good for me, but that happens. 

Saturday 12/20

On Saturday I stood up so early, too early. I still wasn't feeling better from last night, but I wanted to watch Ski-jumping so badly. Therefor I walked to the Beach to watch the stream. Afterwards I went straight to bed again, until the others stood up around 11 am, when we decided to go to the beach again. 

I didn't stay at the beach long, because I didn't feel like lying in the ground that day, so I went back to the hostel,  where I met the Aussies from the day before and skyped with my family. When I finished skyping. I felt like shopping and went to the karDASHian store, where I found a really nice Wildfox shirt. 

In the evening I went to bed early, because I didn't feel like going out that night. 

Sunday 12/21

Same as Saturday basically. 

I stood up early and watched ski-jumping, before the others woke up. When they finally woke up we went out for Brunch, which was seriously amazing! Afterwards went to the Bayside market, where we spent our morning. 

But in my opinion the bayside market wasn't that special and I think the others thought the same, so we went back to Miami Beach.

The rest if the day we were must lying on the beach and I went to bed early again, because I still didn't feel good. 

Monday 12/22

Even if we our flight was late that day, I didn't feel like going to the beach, because I felt sick. Therefor I just stayed on the patio and chatted a little with some friends back in Germany. At 9pm our flight started and we flew through a Thunderstorm to the EWR (Newark Airport). From where we took a taxi back to the Campus. And finally at 3am the next morning our journey was finally over, sadly. But we all had a good time. And I'm looking forward to an reunion in Miami Beach someday. 

See u.

P.S. Photos will be added later, there are still on my camera.

   

- Radio City Hall Christmas Spectacular - Ice-Skating - Christmas market -

Hey, 

This week was sooo busy and awesome. I did so much that I didn't have the time to write about it, therefor you get a collective post today. 

On Tuesday I went to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which was pretty cool.

I drove to Manhattan at 5pm an reached Grand Central an hour later. And since I needed to be at the Radio City Hall at 7pm I had a little time to buy some dinner and go to the Pharmacy and so I did. When I reached the Radio City Hall I decided to buy the Program and take a photo with a rockette, which was kind of an Rip-off! $35 for on photo? They must have been kidding me!

The show itself was awesome and really brought me into the Christmas Mood. I really enjoyed the combination of performing arts the show contained, e.g. Rockettes, Ballet, theatre. 

After the show I went back to Grand Central, but on my way I surprisingly saw some friends, who walked to the Rockefeller Tree, so I joined them, what finally gave me the chance to take some photos of the tree. 

When I drove back to the Campus  I was so tired that I slept in the train. 

While I didn't do something special the next days, the week got more exited the last days. On Friday I went Ice-Skating at the Wollman rink in Central Park with the girls I'll go on holiday with next week. We really had a lot of fun on the rink, even if my feet were dying. Surprisingly I didn't fall, which really made me happy, because the last time I skated was years ago. After 2 hours at the rink (1hour skating) we left Central Park and made our way up to W 82 St./ Amsterdam Ave., where we had dinner at a vegan restaurant. At first I was skeptical, bit the food was awesome! I had Nachos as an Entree and a Vegetable Pizza as my main course and I didn't even is that expensive!

Afterwards we drove back to the Campus and if course I slept in the train, again.

Today I slept in, before I drove to the City. But I didn't need to hurry, because Christmas markets are usually better in the dark, therefor I took the train at 3pm so that It was finally getting dark when I reached the Christmas Market on Columbus Circle. The Christmas Market really reminded me to the ones in Germany, they even sold original German Bratwurst and Glühwein. And of course I needed to try it! 

Afterwards I bought some German Christmas cookies (Pfeffernüsse and Vanillekipferl), but I'll save them for Christmas. Later, when we saw everything on the market we made our way up to the Rockefeller tree, again, to take some more photos. 

Now it's, 9pm and I'm on campus for about an hour. And even if my week was pretty exhausting and I am pretty happy, because I did a lot of thins I really wanted to do. And I'm excited, because I'll finally be at the beach in less than 48 hours. 

See u. 

Advent

                                                    "Advent Advent (k)ein Lichtlein brennt"

Hey, 

Last Sunday was the 2nd advent and against German Christmas traditions I didn't light two candles, in case not even one! 

Christmas in the Usa is different. It's crazy and colorful on the one hand, but on the other hand it's lecks traditions. I mean despite Frosty the Snowman I can't think of any tradition that defines pre-Christmas time, contrasting to Germany, where we have lots of traditions! For example the advent wreath, the Christmas markets or the advent calender! 

In my opinion Christmas in America is more or less just consum oriented and not as much about traditions, spirits or the beloved ones. Of course they do celebrate with their family's and friends, but they don't have a commingle together like on Thanksgiving for example, even If Christmas is about giving thanks as well.

Related to this I do miss a lot of stuff right now. Which isn't always easy..

Did I tell you, that I'll be home in less than 76 days? And guess what, I'm looking forward to it, especially when I've got nothing to do. And even if it's a long time, I'm already looking forward to next years Christmas, which hopefully will be more like the ones I'm used to. 

See u. 

Nicolaus Day

Hey, 

First of all I want to wish you a nice Nicolaus Day, If you celebrate it. 

Here in America the Nicolaus Day isn't such a big deal and I don't think that there is any tradition for Nicolaus Day, but anyway I hope you'll all have a nice day. 

I, myself, won't do anything special today. I just watched the Skijumping competition from Lillehammer online and celebrated the victory of Gregor Schlierenzauer, who is by far my favorite Skijumper. Therefor I'm really proud of him and his first victory this year.

And later today I'll walk into Tarrytown to buy a few necessities like Toothpaste etc.. Interesting day, right? 

But I planned something for tomorrow. I think I'll visit a few Christmas markets in Manhattan and of course take some beautiful photos of Manhattans Christams decoration. 

See u.

New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

Hey, 

Last Monday I went to an American Football game, and despite the fact that the travel there was horrible for me, I won't go into details, the game was so much fun to see! 

Unfortunately the Jets lost, again, but their game play was claimed to be so much better, and it was really close! If I remember it right the Jets lost 13 to 16 which is quite good for them.

The atmosphere in the stadium was amazing and even the people on the parking lot, who had a typical BBQ there, seemed to have a lot of fun. But after all I think I liked the Baseball game better, not just because I understood the game, but the atmosphere was even better there. Maybe that's just because I don't have a slight idea about the American Football rules. 

It was a fun day anyway.

See u. 

Capitol City

Hey, 

Over the Weekend I was in Washington D.C., where I visited all the Monuments and Sights within 2 days. Sounds exhausting, right? 

We met in front of the Camous at 6:45 on Saturday and reached Washington D.C. 4,5 hours later, but the travel seemed to be much shorter to me. When we reached the City we made our first stop at the White House. We wandered around the White House and had some time to take pictures. Well, we should have had time, but 1 minute was sadly not enough for a photo and a selfie. That bothered me a little, but my mood enhanced immediately when we reached the reflecting pool and Abe! 

I always wanted to see Abe! For whatever reason, I always wanted to see his monument, more than the White House or the Capitol! 

Luckily we had a lot of time there, so that I took many photos and was able to visit the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean Memorial and the World War II Memorial. 

Afterwards we hopped on the bus again, and drove to the Jefferson Memorial, which was also one of my favourites. I really enjoy buildings with column. Our last stop was the Opera/ Theatre/ Ballet House. Form it's balcony you had a beautiful view on Georgetown and Virgina and in the Inside you could challenge your flag-knowledge. 

Tired and happy to have a nice bed, we reached the hotel, but we didn't go to bed immediately, I mean Georgetown was just 15 mins away! Related to that and to our hunger we went out for dinner in Georgetown. We decided to eat at an Italian Restaurant in a back road of the Main Street, where the food was delicious and a man played on the violin. The restaurant was definitely a little fancier and more expensive, but it was more than worth it. 

The next day we stood up really early as well to visit the tump of John F. Kennedy and his wife, as well as the tump of the unknown soldiers where we were able to see the change of guards. The change of guards wasn't as spectacular as the one in London, but It was really cool anyway. 

Our next stop was the Capitol, where we took another group photo, before we spread out to enjoy our freetime. I was a little disappointed, because the Capitols dome is under construction, but I knew that before so I could deal with it. 

In our freetime we visited the National Museum of Natural History as well as the Washinton Monument, from which you had a beautiful view on the Capitol, the White House and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. Afterwards we still had one hour left, but we were to exhausted to move, therefor we just layed on the bench in front of the Musuem and enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather. 

See u.