Journals++++Budget

=July 4th, Amsterdam Day one Mobbin=

Yes we finally made it to Amsterdam! Im so excited to be here, i have always wanted to come to this beutiful city. We have just landed from are flight, it was a 12 hour flight. Me and domenic were on an airline that we have never flew on before called Icelandair, it was a very unique type airline service. They gave us breakfas,t lunch, and dinner, witch is not heard of on most airlines. And get this the flight only cost us $523. Im going to have to use this airline more often. Once we landed we hopped onone of the airport shuttles witch is called the Connexxion that was only 11 dollars to ride. That took us to Hostel the Globe Center located in the middle of amsterdam near the red light district. The hostel overlooks two of the most famous historic canals in "de Wallen" the oldest part odf the Amsterdam city. It is only a 3 minute walk from central station, and less than 10 minutes from all the major tourist Attraction, such as Dam square, red light district, Flower market, shopping streets, Rembrandt Square, and various coffe shops. this beutiful hostel is only coasting us $8 dollars a night how amazing. After getting checked in we are a little hungary, so we set out to find food. Domenic and I decided we were feeling some Italian food so we set out to this italian restuarant called De Pizza Bakkers. Its a very unqie resturant, some very strange pizza let me tell you. There we toppings from goat cheese to truffle sauce. I decided to try the ham and truffle sauce pizza that cost me $5 that pizza was the nasty pizza that i have ever had in my life. But it was worth trying something new i guess. Oh i forgot to tell you how we got to the pizza bakker. We took the GVB, witch is and intergrated metro tram, that we payed for using are OV-chip card, gthis card is how you pay tyo ride the tram. We put $40 dollars on the card at the airport, so this should last us are entire trip. Now that we are done eating we jump back on the GVB and headed back to are hostel. Its been an amazinbg first day!!!! We spent $1,134.00 this day. =﻿July 5th Day 2 Amsterdam= It feels so good to wake up in one of favorite places on earth. This city is absolutly beuitful in the morning. Today we have a big day planned that we cant wait to get started. First however we have to get some food in are system. Luckly are hostel serves us breakfast so we can save some money. We had pancakes, sausage, toast, and my favorite oatmeal. Pretty good breakfast. After eating we headed back to are room to finsh getting dressed to go start seeing this city. Now that we are dressed and ready to go we jump on the GVB and head to Dam Square. This pigeon-filled expansive was the site of the orignal dam built across the Amstel. Now its A busker central, with occasional puppet show during summer and a ferris wheel during the spring. We decided to check out the Free world famous puppet show. Once we finshed watching the puppet show and gettinng an idea of what it was about, we meet up with some local models to do a photo shoot. Re acting out the puppet show using nayure and objects around the Dam. The photo shoot went well we got alot of great shots. After spending a few hours at Dam spuare. It was time for lunch. So we headed to one of the sandwich stands at the square. The sandwiches were very expensive we had to pay $10 dollas for are oven roasted chicken and bacon sandwichs. Once we were done eating we jumped back on to the GVB and headed over to the shopping streets. To learn more about what the fashion was like, what people like to buy here in this city. As well as to see whats hot and whats not in Amsterdam. Possibly before we leave we might come back to buy some of there cloths. domenic and I got back on the GVB to head back to are hostel to get ready to go see the red light district. The good thing about the red light distrit is that it is only 10 minutes away from are hostel so we dont have to worry about transportation sincew it is so close to us. We will be going on the Walking tour of the Amsterdam Red light district at the low price of $14.04. On this tour we will be taking a walk on the wild side with a guided tour through dartk amsterdamn of the red light district. This tour was so livley, there was alot of energy filled in the air we met some ladies who were also college students traveling europe. We also met up with the models that we shot with earlier at Dam square. Such an amazing night had to get cut short early however because we had to give are selves enough time to get back to the hostel before curfew. Today was a fun Day learned alot about amsterdam culutre and people as well as got to work with some local talent. We spent $48.08 today

**﻿July 6th Day 3 Amsterdam** it is now day 3 in amsterdam and let me tell you we have been living it up tramendously. We are not slowing down at all today. So once again we got some breakfast at the hostel, went back to are room and got dressed for the day. Today we have decided to go on a City Sightseeing tour that is $20.06. On this tour we are going to be getting a 2.5 hour comprehensive introductory tour of Amsterdam, witch is great for all 1st time vistors in Amsterdam. Seeing the city is like reading a picture book its everything you have ever imagined of amstrerdam pluse more. I definilty do not have any regrets on taking this tour, Once the tour was over we walk over to the shopping streets and ate are packed lunchs that we got from a local grocery store. We bought some sushi witch was $8 dollars, and we also bought some tea to wash it all down that cost us $5. After lunch we saw that the Historical Amsterdam City bike tour was starting up it was only $26.07. On this bike tour we joined locals to see the dutch way of exploring the city by bike. During the tour I took some pretty good action shots of some of the local bikers and scenary that we passed by. It was hard to do riding a bike and all but i was able to pull it off. Its getting late so we headed back to the hostel, we made it just in time for the potluck. There was alot of good ducth foods there. I did not know the names of any of the foods sorry. But i did however meet a lovely ladie at the potluck named ciara, and she began telling me about this Canals Candlelgihting cruise> That she had been dieing to go on, but it was only for couples. So I thought what the Hecxk why not go out with her the cruise was only $39.44. This was the most romantic setting ever, a candlelit cruise amongst the twinkling canals of amsterdam. I had to take pictures to remeber this momnet. It was truly a moment for life. After the tour we got on the GVB and headed back to the Hostel. Man o Man what a day we got to see the city in depth, and got to go on a date with an amazing ladie, truly a blessed day. We spent $197.14. =﻿July 7th Day 4 Amsterdam= Well today is are last day in Amsterdam unfortunatly. This has truly been a trip of a live time. We will be heading out of here tonight. But we still have a few things we want to do before jumping on are flight and heading out of the netherlands. So we go eat breakfast at the hostel for the last time, get dressed to head out for a few hours of adventure. So we take the GVB over to the flower market, Where we jumped on a shuttle to the world famous Keukenhof GArdens and tulips Feild tour in amsterdamn. During this tour we got to see over 30 diffrent types of flowers witch is absolutly amazing. to remeber this wonderful garden. Me and domenic as well as 8 of are friends from the hostel decided to do a photoshoot. Where we all would use a certain 1 of the many diffrent types of flower that best describes are personality. The photoshoot was a great way to end are trip with are firends in amsterdamn. And get this the tour was only $46.80 to see this 5 acre garden. For lunch we had some left overs from are potluck. The food was just as good as it was last nite. Well it time to head back to the hostel to check out. After checking out we got on the airport shuttle the connexxion witch was $17.50 to catch are flight to London. This has truly been a life changing trip, we meet alot of great people, learned alot about the culutre and the people in the netherlands. Im at a lose of word for what I expereinced in this city. It has truly changed my life forever. We spent $64.30 today.

=﻿July 8th Day 5 London= We landed in London late last nite, we took the red eye flight from Amsterdam it only took an hour to get here. We flew on Easyjet airlines, the tickets were only $46.28. witch is pretty cheap for a flight. once we landed the first thing we had to purchase was a travelcard for are 2 day stay here. we put $20 dollars on are travel card. Afetr we got are travelcards set up we jumped on the famous London Underground trams, to are hostel called, The No.8 Hostel London. Witch is located in the heart of london, the hostel is costing us $12 dollars a night. After getting settled in to are hostel we thought we would go and get some grub. So we hoped on the tram using travelcard and headed to a cafe called in the park. This resturant is nestled among the plants and ponds of the st. James park. It's a wonderfully innovative cafe that blends seamlessly into its surrounding to offer a natural oasis right in the heart of london. We decided to get the Chargrilled Mount Grace rebeye steak with Ratte Potato. A pretty expensive meal, but it was worth the $20 we payed.After lunch we took the bus to one of the most siginficant place in london, the Westminister Abbey. Westminister Abbey is such an important commemoration site both for british royalty and the nations political and artistic idol, it's overstress its symbolic value or imagine its equivalent anywhere else in the world. We showed up right on time to see the queen, she is really old, and talks funny. Me and domenic were cracking up the whole time. Since its getting late we decided to head back to are hostel and relax. We spent $136.56 today.

=﻿July 9th Day 6 London= Waking up in london, is totally diffrent than waking up in Amsterdam. It's a new time zone so we are kind of out of it today. But since its are last day in london before we head to the faroe islands we want to do a few more adventures before we fly out. So we eat the breakfast at the hostel, the food in london is much better than the food in Amsterdam by far, We ate english muffins, hash browns and bacon yummy. Today we have decided to take Big ben over to the Tower bridge. Now since Big Ben is such a tourist attraction it was kind of expensive. We payed about $15 for a all day pass for the bus. In a way it payed for itself. The Tower bridge ismost recognisable symbols, Tower Bridge doesn't disappoint up close, theres something about its neo-Gothic towers and blue suspension that make it quite enthralling site to look at. Once we finished taking lots of pictures outside and on the bay. We went into the Tower Bridge Exhibition were we enjoyed stunnning views of london from the high level walkways, we also got to experience the beuitful River thmaes. Spending the whole day at the tower bridge sure worked up an apeptite for me and domenice so we decided to pick up some fish and chips that were $10 dollars.. Before heading back to the airport to fly to the Faroe islands. Seeing london was a fun experience, it so old fashion that its really cool. We spent $50.00 today.

=﻿July 10th Faroe Islands= We decided to try a new means of transportation to get to the Faroe Islands, we went by boat. Who would have know that taking a cruise is jus as much as flying.Are tickets were $50 dollars to take the boat ride. Since we are not staying over night on the island we are not going to bother checking into a hostel. Instead we are going to jump right into the adventures. First stop on are day on the Island is a boat tour of the Vestmanna Bird Cliffs. This all day boat cliff cost $200 dollars. The Maginficant boat tours to the wild Vestmanna bird cliffs of northwestern Streymoy are probably the highlight of the Faroe Islands. Since its summer time the west coast of Streymoy we can sail to the towering cliffs and sea stacks that teem with fulmars, kittwakes, guillemots,razorbills and, occasionallu puffins. Wow this island was like a private get away.The food on the boat ride was amazing we had a sea food platter, with a variety of fruit. I could get use to living on this island. Too bad i cant though. My part of the trip has ended now, we have to get back on the boat to head back to london to fly to italy. I have had so much fun this week I have Learned alot, and i have met alot of great people. I pray i can get to have this experience to do this trip again in my life. We spent $300.00 today.

** ﻿July 11th Rome,Italy**

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Next we flew Easy-Jet from London to Rome, Italy. The fair amount was only $211.Once ariving here in this beautiful city we got on our Shuttle to Rome sercices bus that took us to are hostel Alessandro Palace and Bar which is a fairly cheep for $28 a night with good scenery. But we were in such a hurry to go eat because plan food is boaring. We did'nt look around much, we droped are bags and walked to a restraunt called Dar Poeta we spent $17 dollars on some of the best pizza I ever tasted! The pizza had fresh mozzarella cheese, light sauce, and crispy bacon. This makes me want another hole one. By now it was night fall and before arriveing back to the hostel we went and saw the Trevi Fount, desighned by Nicole Salvi in 1732, it is the biggest and most beautiful fountain in Italy. This is truley a beautiful sight and honor to throw change into it.But now it was time for bed. I can hardly sleep, I am excited as to what adventures we will have tomorrow. We spent $495.00 today.=====

=﻿July 12th Rome,Italy=

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Awwwwe, the fresh air here in italy in the mornings is a beautiful thing. Today were going to see the Colosseum which is the most thrilling sight in Rome. To see where the gladiators once met, and where thier secret underground tunnels and chambers were is a fun and educational. The tickets to enter the Colosseum are free is grouped together with enterance into the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. The cost for a two day pass to all three places is $69.00. As we arrived at the Colosseum first, we were overwhelmed by its size and grandure. the Colosseum is still the largest amphiteather in the world. It was built in 80 AD. Next we headed over to the Roman Forum. Once a marsh, the Romans drained the area and built a gathering place for political and social events. this area was not all that exciting. Palatine Hill was the orginal settlement of Rome. Later, it became the neighbor of the nobility. Now only ruins, it is still very impressive. Our day ended with us returning to our new favorite pizza place and then off to our hostel. Tomorrow we head to Paris, France. We spent $155.00 today.=====

=﻿July 13th, Paris, France= We left from Rome to Paris on American Airlines. The cost was $119.00 a piece. We checked into our new hostel, Le Regent Momarte,near the Sacre Coeur. The cost was$20.00 per night. We will be in France for three days. Not a bad deal! We dined at Passy Mondarin and the three course meal was $35.00 per person. Tomorrow we start our new adventure in Paris. Today we woke and the hostel offered a free coffee and pastry,we then headed off to the Eiffel Tower. The tickects to go up in the tower were $13.10, an odd amount. The tower was built in 1889 for the world's Fair. It is still the highest structure in Paris. The view was outstanding! I was told that if you drop a penny off the top of the tower, that it will imbed in the sidewalk below. We did not try it; however. We spent the day walking around the Tower and the surrounding area, searching out the small shops and stores. We choose small restaurant named Le Violen D'Inglas to eat dinner. Good food but small portions. The cost was $30.00 per person. We then returned to our hostel and to bed. I could not help but take time while lying in bed to re-live the trip so far.what wonders we have seen,what beauty and excitment we have witnessed. We spent $434.00 today =﻿July 14th, Paris, France=

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Today is Bastille Day. This this the French holiday much like our 4th of July. The storming of the Bastille Prison in 1790 was the beginning of the modern French Republic and the end of the monarchy. There are great celebrations going on all over town. Music and dancing and food vendors everywhere. We are headed off to the celebration and festival at Notre Dame,the famous Catholic Cathreadral. Notre Dame is the finest example of Gothic architecture built from 1163-1240's. The Church has what is known as "flying buttress" these braces keep up the high walls from tumbling over. But during the revolution, beginning in 1790, much of the art work and relics were destroyed. During WWII, the windows were removed to avoid destruction by German Bombing. The glass in the windows is said to be of a color that has never be duplicated. Entrence into the church and walking around at the festival was free. However, the food and souvenirs were pricey. I spent about $120.00 dollars on these items. We spent $120.00 today.=====

=July 15th,Paris France= Today we woke up early to go to the Louvre Museum. This is the most famious museum in the world. entry into the museum is free, but guided tours ,in Engilsh, are $10.00. We chose to take one, so we would njot miss any information. We felt this was the chance of a lifetime. We quickly ate breakfast at a small cafe down the street. The cost of our meal was $8.00 each. it was a continential breakfast. We when took the METRO to the museum. The cfost of a ticket was $1.50. At the entrence of the museum, in the first hallway stands the Venus o Niki. I know this piece because it is my mother's favorite. We wandered the hallways until our tour started. Our guide was very niceand took up to see the Piccso paintings first. I was so suprise when we finally got to hte Mona Lisa. The painting is very small. the frame is what is large. I was still impressed. There are over 35,00 pieces of art stored in the Louvre. After leaving the museum, we went to lunch. The cafe in the museum. The lunch was not all that good and it was pricey. $15.00 a person. We then returned to your hostel and rested. A night out walking around the town was our plan. That evening, we walked around the area of our hostel. We crossed medevil bridges and saw small churches and shops. We ate at a small cafe called Le Belle Cafe. The food was wonderful and reasonibly priced at $12.00 a head for 3 corses. Off to the hostel for a good night's sleep and off to Madrid in the morning. We spent $93.00 today.

=﻿July 16th., Madrid, Spain=

Today we leave for Spain. The flight from Paris to Madrid is on American Airlines. The cost is $416.00 per person. Very expensive! We landed and went right to out hostel. The cost of our new hostel is $15.00 per person per night. It is called Hostel One Centro. we headedout for some lunch. We founda little restaurant called Miau. We had a 3 course lunch. The food was American burgers and fries. Then we headed to The Plaza Meyor. The architecture of this area is impressive. It is best known for all of its theaters. Many of the buildings are made of marble. After wandering around and in and ot ofthe little shops, we headed out fordinner. Wefound a little restaurant called The RiceRestaurant. It had a fusion of Japanesse foodand Spanish food. What a combination! However,itwas excellent food. The cost per person was $20.00 dollers. We were so tired from the traveling and all the walking we did we headed back tothe hosteland to bed. We spent $902.00 today.

=﻿July 17th., Madrid, Spain=

We today is our final day in Europe. Tomorrow we head home.But, today we are going to Torres Kio. These buildings are all made of glass and many of them lean. It will be a fun last day. Ou rhostel offered a small breakfast so wechose to eat there.Then offwe went to the site to see the grandure of Spain. After our tour, by the way the tour was free, we went to lunch at Restruante Di La Epera. A small place with Spanish cusine. The food was marviouls! and a great priceof $17.00per person. We chose to wander the streets here as well. Our experiance in Paris was tha ton our own we saw much more of the local culture when we walked on our onwand did not go on tours. The people of Spain were much nicer than the people of Paris. Much more light hearted and kinder. Paris was all business, get your money and move you on. We enjoyed Spain much more. We headedback to the hostel to pack and check ourflight information and perpare to return to the good old US ofA. We spent $34.00 today.