26 years young

The title of this blog is an honest opinion of how I feel about turning 26.

Last year 25 seemed big, old, and scary to me. But this year I feel better about life than I think I ever have, and that is an accomplishment given where I was a year ago.

I didn't want to celebrate 25. I knew 25 was a going to be a life changing year and I was so fearful of the fluidness of my life that I wanted to stand still in the hopelessness of 24.

Why did 25 feel so big? Maybe I expected more of myself at this age.  I had goals for 24 that I wasn't even close to achieving. Birthdays are for celebrating the amazing year that has passed by, and all that you accomplished. And so, when year 24 brought turmoil,  confusion, and gigantic questions of what I wanted out of life, it seemed to me that I had gone backwards in year 24.

Every year to that point had been bigger and better than the year before. I done more, accomplished something and learned a lot about myself. When I got to the week before my 25th birthday and looked back at 24 it seemed I had accomplished and learned nothing.

In reality, year 24 taught me a great deal about myself and what I wanted out of life. I think back to the text message I got from my friend back when I was 21 and debating if this teaching thing was really for me. "A tree doesn't grow without a great deal of rainfall." 24 was the year of thunderstorms, and 25 was my year to grow into the strong tree I am meant to be.

I have a student who always smells the pages of a book before she reads them. At first I thought it was strange and then I thought it was sweet. Now I understand the way she desires to enjoy every single part of that book. This is what I want for year 26.

Welcome 26! I am excited to see what you have to offer me. Another year in Montenegro, a trip to Turkey, my parents finally seeing me in perpetual happiness, 6 weeks of straight travel, checking off a top 5 country, a Christmas at home, new friends, stronger relationships, and (hopefully) some serious life lessons.

Another blog about year 25.

Songs From Year 25

I used to make a mixed Cd for every semester of college. I figured why not start doing the same for the years of my life?

February:
I Don't Want to Change You- Damien Rice
This one took some debating. I knew it'd be a song from Damien's album that came out just prior to this. It was pretty much the only thing I was capable of listening to. These lyrics seem to resonate with the majority of what my life was a year ago.

March:
Song for Zula- Phosporescent
"I saw love, disfigure me, into something I am not recognizing."

April:
I lived- One Republic
I woke up hungover in Thailand one morning after sending out some pretty deep texts while I was drunk the previous night. I was of course sharing the room with a random guy I had met a few days prior, on an Island. He played me this song as I tried to choke back tears. About 2 hours later I accepted a job in Montenegro!

May:
Bleeding Out- The Lone Bellow
Dealing with health issues, and transitions. This song was my hope.

June:
Take My Love- The Lone Bellow
Not sure about this one. I just remember it being on repeat.

July:
Should Have Known Better- Sufjan Stevens
"The past is still the past, the bridge to nowhere." Being home was confusing. Like the lyrics of this song.

August:
Home from Home- Roo Panes
This song is pretty much how I felt to be back in the Balkans. I tried to choose specific lyrics, but it's all of them.

September:
This must be the Place- Talking Heads (Note: I like the acoustic cover by Iron and Wine)
A love song for Montenegro.

October:
Walking Far From Home- Iron and Wine
My friend sent this too me one night and I listened to it on repeat for about 2 hours straight.  By the next night I had learned it on the guitar. They lyrics still make me shiver. Once I see everything on this list....I'll come home.

November:
Ms. Potter's Lullaby- The Counting Crows
"The price of a memory is the memory of the sorrow it brings." Nothing could compare to this song with the windows down as Cortney and I hauled ass on the Croatian highways.

December:
Cactus Tree- Joni Mitchell
You don't want to know.

January:
The Waves- Matthew and the Atlas
So when I came back to Montenegro I was really nervous I'd be homesick. But as soon as I saw the waves I was so happy. A few weeks later I heard this song and I fell in love.

February:
Wild Woman- The Ballroom Thieves
There is nothing I love more than a person rocking out on a cello. Other than maybe a person rocking out on a banjo or harmonica.

Vienna Budget Travel: Backpacking in Vienna

"Oh no...Vienna is expensive" I thought to myself as I checked my budget noticing I was slightly above my budget for my 3 week holiday in Czech Republic and Austria.

I spent 4.5 days in Vienna for 40 euros a day and I came out with an extra 20 Euros in my pocket. I actually spent less money there than I did in Prague, and I even splurged on the expensive famous chocolate cake (which I have to say was not fantastic.)

Here's how I did it:

Step 1 find a good hostel:
When choosing a hostel I did look at reviews, but I also counted bonus points for something very important. A kitchen. I don't particularly enjoy cooking for myself when I travel. But let's be honest in terms of traditional food Vienna is lacking. Most of the hostels don't offer free breakfast so even just keeping some yogurt and granola and fruit in a fridge can save you up to 5 euros a day. I stayed at Hostel Ruthensteiner  in a 6 bed dorm for an average of 15 euros a night. 10 bed dorms are even cheaper.  (The reason I say average is cause I was there shortly after New Years and prices on the 2nd were about 20 euros and then they started going down to the usual 13)

Step 2: decide to eat food on the cheap
Yes the food in Vienna is expensive, but also it's not that great. You can get schnitzel anywhere. I had one obligatory schnitzel and I ate the famous sacher chocolate cake (with an espresso I paid 10 Euro!) Then I switched to the far cheaper option: street food. Vienna has some amazing street food. A doner sandwich will cost around 3 Euros, Pizza slices 1-2 euros, and a schnitzel box (chicken, veggies, and fries) will be around 5 Euros. Additionally there are many markets around that have heatable meals, pre-made salads, and sandwiches for 2-5 euros. Once again the breakfast is very important. My hostel was charging 3.50 euros for yogurt, granola, toast and jam, and coffee or juice. I purchased little tubs of yogurt for 33 cents each, a box of granola for 2 euros, a loaf of bread for 1 euro and used jam that others had left behind on the free shelf.  I purchased breakfast for 5 days from the shop for the cost of 1 breakfast at the hostel. The coffee is the only thing that makes it worth it as coffee with cost you 2-3 euros in most cafes. However, Vienna is known for it's cafes, so I simply had breakfast, left for the day and took a mid-morning coffee break as my treat to myself. Additionally the hostel charged only 1 euro for coffee.

Now the more complicated part. What the hell are you going to do in Vienna with the 15 or so Euros you have left per day after accommodation and food?

Step 3: Decide up front what you want to do while you are in Vienna.

I'm not a museums lover. In fact I am a very strong museums hater. That being said Vienna has a lot of different museums to offer. Check the list and decide which ones you are interested and budget for them. I allowed myself a museum for each full day I was there. I chose the Globe museum, the clock museum, the museum of technology, and the house of music.

I also decided I wanted to spend some time being cultured in the arts.

I also love being outside and so I wanted to take advantage of some opportunities to visit parks, and walk around admiring architecture.

Step 4: Find deals

This is important. Once you have decided what you want to do, research each one. This may seem like a lot of work, but it will save you A LOT of money. For example many museums have free or reduced entry during certain hours or days. Some offer discounts if you have a Vienna Pass. Some have student discounts. Keep in mind that you count as a student if you have an ID that validates you as under 26 years of age.

As for music, it will cost you 25-150 euros for tickets to see the Philharmonic or the Opera. I booked standing room only tickets to see the Philharmonic for 6 euros and I got to see a ballet at the Opera for only 3 Euros. At these prices it's worth it just to get inside the buildings and look around. Even if you don't stay the whole time. I put the links below for how I got the tickets.

Opera House

http://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/concerts/list

http://www.traveldudes.org/travel-tips/how-get-standing-room-tickets-vienna-state-opera/62514

Also it should be noted that a metro pass is totally worth it. Vienna is a large city. My first day I decided I'd walk to save money. No! Just buy the pass up front and save yourself the time. I got the 3 day pass and used my last day as my walk around and spend time in the parks day.

Step 5: Enjoy

That's it! enjoy your time in Vienna. It really does have something for everyone!

Czech Republic: My Top Ten

So many people I know go to Czech Republic and only do Prague. I would be lying if I said I did enough of the country to really write this post, but a friend asked me for my favorites list from the Czech Republic so here it is.

10. Pilsner Urquell: Don't sell it short because it is a Pilsner. It's a pretty damn good beer.

9. Church: I went for Christmas Eve, and it was an incredible experience. Make sure to go to church at least once. Just to say you did.

8. Walking: Even in Prague I didn't use public transit. It's such a pretty city. Spend one day just walking around. Pack some water, a map, and put on your good boots. Stop for a beer when you need a break.

7. Student Agency Bus: Way cheaper tickets, and excellent service. I was having trouble and they emailed me back instantly. Make sure you are on the Czech/Hungarian website (look for the .cz at the end of the web address) and not the European one, as tickets are more expensive. You do not need to be a student to use these services, though students do get a cheaper rate.

6. Dumplings: Yum!!!!! They mostly stuff them with smoked meat. Find the gravy smothered ones.

5. Local Beer: In general the beer in Czech Republic is amazing. You can find a lot. Find someone who knows and ask for tips or do some research. There are so many places to get good beer. I ran out of money so I didn't get to try them all, but the Beer Museum is a good place to start because they have a lot of the local ones on tap and can help you decide which breweries to visit.

4. Free Tours: So yes, you tip at the end, and therefore they cost money, but you get a good local feel for things and many pointers. It's great to do at the start of your trip as a way to help you figure out the layout of the city, and what to do. Be sure to ask for advice about things you are interested in. All the cities I visited in Czech Republic had these available.

3. Pilzen: Do not skip out on Pilzen. Take the day trip from Prague or Cesky Krumlov. Go and do the tour and spend either the morning or afternoon just roaming the town. Not a lot to see, but that beer straight from the cask was one of the best I have ever had. (other than Double Day Tripper, and Furious on tap at the breweries.)

2. Hiking: Go to a little city and then ask around or research paths online. I went to Cesky Krumlov and hiked Klet Mountian. It was an incredible experience to just be in nature by myself in a foreign country.

1. Christmas Markets: Of course this won't exist at certain parts of the year, but where else can you get a 3 Euro sausage and 1.5 Euro glass of mulled wine? But don't get suckered into the expensive ham which is sold by the kilo....

Maybe I can crawl my way back to the good beer.....