The Studio

This one's for the whole reason I came to Prague, glass work. In this studio we practice using different kiln and cold working techniques when manipulating glass. As of right now we are just using the kiln to make our pieces.The first day we worked with float glass, which is just window glass. We actually made pieces on the very first day!! By the second day he (Benton Jones, aka our teacher) had us working with colored glass to create pieces.There are several options that you can use to add some sparkle to your glass. You have frit, glass rods, and glass paint. Our weekend homework was to make clay objects of something, anything!! I ended up making a kio fish.Today we filled in our molds with glass, which we had made yesterday. This class is awesome and we've only had 4 days!!! (there are a ton of pictures that go with this post but do to blogger not liking me at the moment they will have to wait for another day :( ) I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!!!!!

Prague is Amazing...

Well we have all made it through the first week. I thought I would update you guys on some things we did this week outside of class work.

We walked around

Saw the Charles Bridge

Saw an albino peacock at the Senate building

Actually walked across the Charles Bridge

This is just a fraction of what we have done. The best parts have been just walking around and taking in the city. Prague has so much to offer, today a group of us went to the International Food Festival at Prague Castle, and lets just say the food was  AMAZING!!!! The culture here is so different and wide ranging, Prague has centuries old history, but then you'll see a random piece of modern tucked right in. Next will be my studio....Goodnight All.

We Made It....

Sorry the delay, but just a quick catch up......WE MADE IT!!!! We got to Prague on Sunday, and spent one last night with Elizabeth before she went home. Then it was time to say goodbye a little to quickly on Monday, but we had an amazing sister trip together that none of us will ever forget. Monday was a 'get to know your surroundings' day, were we walked around the city and got to know some of our new classmates. Tuesday we had orientation were we really met everyone and I finally saw the studio I'll be working in!!!! Let's just say walking into a nice clean study will make you so excited for a new adventure. Tuesday was packed full, we went on tours, had a language/history lessons, so it was a busy day. Wednesday was the first day of class, YAY!!! We actually made our first piece on that day too!!!! Pictures and more to come, Happy Friday Everyone!!!!!!!!

Day 9: Chill Out

Today was our chill day, we slept till 8:15!!!! We took our time and got ready to head out for the day. If you ever come to Venice just walk and get lost!!! We had pasta for lunch, which like all of Venice was amazing! I didn't realize that other people had such a love for Nutella has I did, but oh I was wrong! Nutella is everywhere!! There are glass jars, massive tubs, and even Nutella gelato!!! Today was the perfect end to an amazing wonderful trip!!!!

Day 8: A Private Tour

Venice made up for any headache it caused last night, because its absolutely amazing!!! Venice has to be the most picture perfect city I have ever been to.

We meet one of Mary's professor's today, that goes to Venice on a yearly basis, and got an insider's guided tour of the island. The city was just more magical from that point on. 

We had the best pizza in Venice at this little cafe on the water, and lets just say I don't' think I'll ever be able to eat pizza in America again. We also got gelato in St. Marks Square, which if I lived hear I would eat every day.

The tour showed us some of the hidden nooks and crannies of the island and we made some stops at local hangouts. Venice is absolutely breath taking, so sorry for the lack of pictures you just have stand there in awe the whole time.

Day 7: Trains, Trains, and more Trains

Today had to be the longest day thus far, we started out with a train ride from Paris to Zurich. We had a 9 minute layover before the next train to Milan. After we got on this train we realized that our hotel had overbooked and we had been switched off Venice island, and to make the moment even better the train was running late so we ran full sprint from one train to the next with ALL our luggage!! We finally arrived in Venice, Yay!!, but unfortunately the transfer was no where to be found and its close to 11 pm by then. We made some quick phone calls home, and finally had to get back on a train and then take a taxi to our new hotel. We were dead, today had to been the longest day, but we also saw some of the prettiest country side in the world.

Baggets for the train

Day 6: Hello Mona

Paris is exhausting and amazing all at the same time. This morning we made our way to the Louvre, where we met Mona.

Then we just walked around in pure amazement at all the amazing art

Next was the Arc de Triumph

Then it was onto shopping

All I can say is if you go to Paris go the Chanel and Longchamp stores off of the Madeline.

The Bastille

Day 5: Versailles and the Tower

We're off and running again, this time to Versailles. When people say Versailles is big, they mean BIG, the place is huge!!

The gardens are even more impressive.

But be prepared to walk, and I mean several miles by the time you finish. This is especially true if you got to Marie-Antoinette's Estate and the Grande Trion, which both are worth the walk.Versailles took most of the day, but we still had time for the Eiffel Tower.

GO TO THE TOP!!! It's totally worth it.

Then we made a few more quick stops.

Notre Dame

Pantheon

That was a full day, but just a fyi Toms will hold up the entire way.

Day 4: Goodbye London and Hello Paris

Our stay in London had sadly come to an end :(, so Monday morning we all got packed up and headed out one last time. We had a few hours to kill before our transfer picked us up, so we heaeded straight to Boots for a few basics.

Then it was off to explore and roam the streets and grab coffee at the local Costa, where I was introduced to my first iced coffee.

Then if was off to lunch at Nanado's.

We made one last stroll through the streets and discovered an old cemetery.

This had to be the highlight of the day and the most unexpected find. Now it was time to head to Paris!! We went to the train station thinking we had a few hours to kill, guess what, we didn't we just did make our train. A short time later we arrived in Paris!!! We went straight to our hotel and settled in for the night. (fyi: don't arrive in an unfamiliar, foreign city, at night with out a transfer and have to figure out the metro with all your luggage).

Day 3: Put on Your Walking Shoes.....

The day started early at 7:30, we all got up and got ready for the busy day ahead. We had our first English breakfast, which was much different than 'back home' with the exception of the mountains of croissants. The nwe were off to the Tower of London (fyi don't waste your time on a guided tour). We headed straight for the crown jewels (amazing!), and if you get there early there's no crowds and your not crowded by tour groups either. We then walked around the grounds a bit (fact of the day Sir Walter Raleigh had quarters in one of the towers).........

At the Tower

Next we were off to the London Eye.......

Then Big Benn and Westminster Abbey (which was closed to the public except services due to it being Sunday)

Lastly Buckingham Palace..........

We finished off the afternoon with a few quick stops at Harrods and Zara. Then it wastime to head back to the room to meet Elizabeth's cousin, Elizabeth (quirky I know). We ate at a local pub/restaurant, called Courtfield, I got the traditional meat of the day, Mary got the fish and chips, and Elizabeth got a chicken dish.

Day 2: I see London....

We have arrived, and with a lovely British man to pick us up too!! Now let the tourist gene kick in...

Ready to hit the city!

Countdown to the Olympics

First off we had to figure out the 'tube', which is quite easy. Then it was off to the most touristy thing of the day, drum roll please, a DOUBLE DECKER TOUR BUS! So a ton of pictures, but here are just a few.....

Local 'tube' station

Double Decker

We walked around Piccadilly Square.....

The girls

Then slowly we made our way back to our room around 6 to get ready for dinner, which we went to this cute little Italian place, called La Pappardella. (fyi: our first food in the UK was McDonalds) Mary got a Hawaiian pizza, which I helped her demolish, Elizabeth got a Stromboli the size of a football, and I got a tomato/cheese pasta. Then we stopped at the corner Marks and Spenser's for dessert, so think a UK Fresh Market. We tried some of their local baker items as well has their pre-packaged chocolate covered cookies (absolutely loved them!).

The cookies are to die for!!!

Day 1: Raleigh to Boston to London

Our first day began mid-afternoon on May 14th, with some goodbyes and one final meal in America. Then it was off to the airport:

 

 

 

Checking In! 

 

 

 After a delay at the airport and then a delay while on the plane due to bad weather we were finally on our way to Boston. Then we made a mad dash across the airport to terminal A19. Goodbye America and Hello London!! The flight went really well with fabulous chicken with BBQ sauce and salad....not. We watched The King's Speech (amazing movie!), we played games, we listened to music, and most importantly we caught some quick cat naps. Now its off to explore London!!

Day 0: And We're Off.......

Today is the big day!!!! The sisters from Oak City are off for their great European adventure. We will start off at RDU, fly to Boston, and then its Hello London!

So here’s a little peak into the prep work that has gone into this trip:

            -March, initial meeting with travel agent to book flights

            -April, tours are booked, shuttles are arranged, and I begin making A LOT of lists!

            -May, packing, last minute shopping, and most importantly EXAMS, EXAMS, EXAMS

Now the several months of prep-work is all about to come to reality.  I would like to thank my parents for even making this idea become reality. Now its time to begin this amazing journey.....

Lastly a Few Introductions……

First off a little about myself, I am currently a junior at NCSU majoring in Statistics and Economics with a minor in Math. This summer I will be traveling to Prague for 6 weeks to take a Glass Making class. My twin, Mary, will be going as well!!! And to top it all off our older sister, Elizabeth, will be traveling with us for the first 10 days!!! Below are a few important people in my life:

Me and Mary

Me and Elizabeth

The whole gang

My wonderful boyfriend, Bradley, and I