I spent the second half of my spring break in England visiting my friend Elizabeth in Brighton. She had come up to visit London with me Friday morning, and we headed back that night. We hadn’t really had time to eat dinner, so when we got back to her flat (similar to suites in American dorms but with single rooms and shared kitchen/living area) she offered me a meat pasty, or meat wrapped in thick, flaky pastry. I loved it.

Study abroad…

Study abroad……

Study…

Oh. Oh, right.

It’s very easy to forget, when abroad in another country, you’re still, in fact, in college, working towards a degree in some field or another. Getting lost in the city or the language or the people is easy — finding your way into the practicalities of student life isn’t.

This past weekend I had the chance to go along with the UC Tramping club on their annual Bush Craft trip. 

Buenos Aires is not for those with claustrophobia. With tall trees and towering doorways lining the streets, it is a crowded city that loves it’s crowds so much that it seizes opportunities to create them. From my neighborhood of San Telmo on sundays during the famous sunday fair, to the subtes and collectivos at rush hour, there are always tons of people around.

So friends, by now, you have probably figured out that I have very positive feelings regarding my favorite Habsburg, the beloved Maria Theresa. In my time in Vienna though, I have realized that many are quick to only address her as Empress Maria Theresa, and as much as I am a great fan of Ms. Maria, I still hesitate to advocate for the exclusive use of this title. In fact, I would opt for the additional use of her regional titles, which are better able to reflect her own individual gravitas.

A shot of strong espresso in a mug smaller than your fist. A spoonful of cioccolata gelato that is so creamy and rich that three bites could satisfy a craving. A fresh, flaky cornetto (croissant) washed down with a frothy cappuccino. A perfectly aged cheese paired with a swallow of perfectly aged Chianti wine. A huge bowl of unpronounceable pasta passed around the table. The first bite of a molto juicy blood orange.

This weekend we had a field trip to Normandy to see the American cemetery, the tapestry in Bayeux, and visit a museum. I have to say that the museum and the cemeteries (both german and american) have left lasting impressions on me. I’ve learned about World War II more times that I can count on my fingers and seen so many movies that have reenacted the D-Day scene, but actually seeing it in person was astounding.

For our IES Spring Break, I decided to go England. I was lucky that my train could leave as it was only two days after the heaviest snowfall in northern France/the Parisian region in nearly 25 years, paralyzing the area and resulting in cancelled flights and trains in France and Germany. The French army had to be called out to rescue stranded drivers and highways were deadlocked. My train set out, a little slower than usual, Thursday morning against a French countryside draped in white.

Last weekend I went to Xi’an for the day.