The German Invasion

I've spent the last two weekends touring the German countryside. Between Nuremberg and Dachau, I've seen some of the more depressing sites of the Nazi regime. That being said, I've seen some of the most AMAZING historic sites. I am thrilled that I've had this opportunity. Old town Nuremberg was a romantic walled city filled with cobblestone streets and an amazing ring embedded into a metal gate. The gold ring had no beginning and no end; spinning it seven times is said to bring fertility. (I made sure to only rotate it six!)

This weekend, I fulfilled a life long dream of attending Oktoberfest in Munich. Munich is, by far, my favorite city in Europe. I wish I could truly explain the beauty of the English Garden or the thrill of being passed by loads of bike riders or an afternoon enjoying ein Mas at the Marionplatz while savoring the biggest soft pretzel ever. I only wish that everyone I know could witness the beauty of this great city.

Oktoberfest was an experience all it's own. We drank several (SEVERAL) litres of beer, enjoyed many wurst while still finding room for a pretzel or two. One evening we sat outside in the beergarden underneath the raging sun where our neighboring table proceeded to laugh and sing "Zu Spat" when they witnessed my emerging sunburn and the lathering of sun screen. We spent another evening in the Augustiner tent. What a different experience entirely. It was a load of Germans, Italians, Irish, Aussies and Americans singing "Country Roads", "Sweet Home Alabama" and "It's Raining Men". It was hysterical! (Just ask Mird, I called her somewhere in the evening and she had to listen to my shreaky rantings.)

What was possibly the most entertaining bit of the Oktoberfest was the county fair like atmosphere going on around all the beer tents. We enjoyed the Ferris Wheel, Muscle Machine, Shooting Machine and the Giant Slide. Somewhere along the way we even had a glass of Proseco (Italian champagne).

Rachel & John came back to London for a a nice (and rainy) week of English sightseeing. I took them to several of my favorite places (Covent Garden, St. Paul's and Borough Market). I hope R & J had as great a time as I did having them here. I definitely miss having them around already.

This weekend I am off to Barcelona with my Military traveling buds. I will update my blog upon our return!

Well, it's official...

It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in London and I am sitting in my flat and packing things up for my trip to Princeton this upcoming weekend. Honestly, I've never been so excited to see the cornfields, Main Street and the Homestead festival of mighty, mighty Princeton, IL. Maybe I am growing up after all.

This week has been a bit of a rollercoaster. I have, officially, terminated my secondment with KPMG in London. I will be moving back to the US (Denver, more specifically) sometime between mid-November and mid-December. This experience has taught me a LOAD about myself. I do enjoy being in Europe. However, I do not love living here. I have not settled in well personally and this has really impacted my professional life. I am not doing what I do best and have really struggled to be successful. I have lost a lot of my personal and professional confidence and need to find both. Therefore, I am heading back to the mile high city! And, honestly, I CAN'T wait!

So, there is loads to do before I head back across the pond. I've got lots of sightseeing and traveling to figure out long before I begin to focus on what I need back home (place to live, car, etc.). So, the next several weekends will be a mad panic of traveling around Europe with the grand finale in South Africa come early December (a friend's wedding).

Thanks to all of you who've checked up on me via blog and sent well wishes and love. I will be in touch!

Love to all!