Zurich.

Zurich was an amazing place to have a layover. I got to walk around and enjoy the holiday festivities and see the beautiful city all light up by Christmas lights. I seriously have never seen anything like it before. The hang lights over everything. I say one 10+ story building covered top to bottom with lights. It was a winter wonderland and I had a great time just walking around by myself window shopping. I also got to try some of the holiday food like warm potatoes with melted cheese on top and a warm wine and rum drink that was really quite yummy and very warming. And then I decided to try some chocolates. They were by far the best dark chocolate truffles I have ever had. EVER.

 I love chocolate.

 Cheese to put on my potatoes.

 I'm not sure why they get dressed up to sell the warm wine out of cauldrons but it is festive and fun.

 Yummy.

The bottom part of the ornament is chocolate. Genius. 

Switzerland is a beautiful place and they have amazing chocolate. Zurich is pretty and clean and runs right along a river so even though it is landlocked you still get to be by water. Even though I didn't get to see any more of the country I got to catch a glimpse of the Alps as I flew in from Spain. I would love to explore the whole country at some point.

The last few days in Cairo.

Hi.
So I got back to Granada a few days ago from Cairo and Zurich. I had a really good time with Jake and his family. We went to the Pyramids, saw the Sphinx, went to the Citadel, Coptic Cairo and continued to explore the city little by little. Here are the pictures from the Citadel and the Khan el-Khalili market. Enjoy.

 I don't remember what this is, sorry. But it looks cool.

 The Citadel was built in the 12th century as an Islamic fortification. It also houses the Muhammed Ali mosque. 

 Outside the Citadel.

 This is where people would cleanse "prepare" themselves before prayer.

 The inside courtyard of the Citadel.

 The beautiful ceiling.

 Looking up at the huge crystal candelabra.

 Jake and I inside the Citadel.

 The carpet of the Citadel has this pattern to provide a space for people who come to pray to know in what direction to pray and to have their own space.

 View of Cairo from the Citadel.

 View of Cairo from the Citadel.

 I'm not sure what is out there but this was the view from one part of the Citadel.

 Hookahs Galore. 

Typical market stand.

I'm in Cairo

Hi Everyone. So I am in Cairo and it is definitely a different world. In reality if I didn't know about everything that was going on here a few weeks ago I wouldn't be able to tell based on how everyone has continued on with their lives. It is definitely not like Zurich but it has it's on nice qualities. I feel completely safe walking around with Jake and his family except for when we have to cross any kind of street. It feels like Frogger and I'm the frog. It is Not fun. But it is normal and everyone just walks across as though it is not a big deal of any kind.

We went to the Pyramids yesterday and they were pretty amazing. It is crazy to think that they were made so long ago and with such exact precision. And I mean they are Huge. The Sphinx is beautiful, even without its nose, but it was smaller than I was expecting.

Here are just a few pictures that I have taken.

I love and miss you all so much.

I've Posted Pictures

So I have posted all of my pictures since I went to the Alhambra on Shutterfly today. You should check them out when you get a chance. I posted little blurbs about what rings are and what I was doing/thinking at the time I took them. Enjoy.

Why is Paris so Wonderful?!

Hi Everyone. I just got back into Spain about an hour ago and I already miss Paris. I had such an amazing time, probably one of the best trips of my life, and by far one of the most wonderful places I have ever been. I will sit down on Thursday and upload pictures and write about everything that I did. But for now, know that if I could have stayed in Paris indefinitely, I probably would have.

XOXO.
Rachel

I'm going to France!

So tomorrow morning I leave at 7am on a bus headed for Madrid, where I will then catch a plane to Paris. Chelsea and I are going to be staying with one of her friends for the first few days and then we will be staying in a hostel. We are hoping and planning on doing all of the normal touristy kind of things but because we also have friends that are studying and living there we will also get to see certain parts of the city and country that the average tourist wouldn't necessarily find, such as good shopping spots or cheap yummy cafes. I will post pictures as soon as I have a strong enough internet connection in my apartment.

I love you all.
Rachel

I really miss you all and home!

Good Morning,

So I woke up this morning feeling completely homesick. It was really the first time that I actually wanted to come home for good. Nothing bad happened that made me feel this way it was just the realization that I am still going to be here for 5 months and that I am not going to see any of my family until then. Luckily, I get to go visit Jake in Egypt and then Katie, Greg, and Nic are coming for Christmas break! But still I miss my family. I miss being able to call any one of you to meet at the beach for a walk and planning what food to bring to one of our family gatherings when we are all together. I think that this all has come about, more or less because a lot of my friend's families are starting to visit and I don't get to see mine :( But I know that the next few months are going to fly by, I just wish that I could share more of my time with you guys.

Anyways, I just wanted to remind you all of how much I love you and that I am missing you a lot even if I don't say it all the time.

XOXOXO
Rachel