Travel Updates!

So, thus far, I've pretty much just stayed in Paris. I had a mini-expedition to Fontainebleau this past weekend to see the chateau that's out there, but it's only a half hour train ride away and still in the same "state" as Paris, which is called Ile-de-France.

That is all about to change.

This Thursday (tomorrow!) I depart for Germany to experience Oktoberfest! I'm going with two friends from Paris, Meghan and Jim, and then we're meeting my friend AJ, who is just starting his year abroad at Oxford. Together, will be staying at the oh so fabulous "Lette'm Sleep Hostel" in Nuremberg. Yes, that is actually how they spell their name... But in all seriousness, it looks like a pretty nice place as far as hostels go. We're staying in Nuremberg because even weeks/months ago when we started looking in to going to Oktoberfest, the hostels in Munich itself were outrageously expensive. So this way, we will get to experience two cities - we'll commute into Munich Friday and Saturday via rail. Fortunately, Bavaria has one of the best (and cheapest) regional train systems in Europe.

Then, next weekend, I will be meeting a bunch of friends in Barcelona! Heather, studying for the semester in Toledo, will be coming down to celebrate her birthday!! My friends Antoinette and Tina will also be there, as well as an entire group of Londoners (well, ND students studying in London, that is).

Finally, I already have plans to spend Halloween weekend in London. It sounds like nearly all of the ND students in Europe this semester are flocking to London to celebrate this holiday, which is generally not understood in most other countries. I only wish it coincided with the ND-USC football game, because I should definitely be able to see our game when I'm in London.

Well, that's all for now - I'm off to enjoy the wonders of having 7 hours of class in one day!