Day one -Dublin, Ireland

After we arrived our Hostel, we had 3 1/2 hour to kill before we can check into our Hostel, so we decided to walk around a little bit and chilled at Starbucks. Finally, it was time to check in, we were starting to get tired (Jet-Lagged), and unpacked. Later, after our nice short nap we went for a stroll in the city and had dinner! After dinner we went back to our Hostel and chill, got full day ahead of us tomorrow! THRILLED.

Our Lovely Hostel room with our own shower and bathroom!

Taken on instgram: chilling and try to overcome jet-lag!

Spire of Dublin

River Liffey

The Temple Bar, popular place in Dublin

It was cute place where we ate for our first dinner in Dublin

Our first dinner in Ireland, Traditional Fish & Chips! 

Next Destination: Day 2- Dublin, Ireland

Traveling to Dublin...

What a beautiful morning to start off ur trip to Europe (first flight from Omaha)

St. Thomas, Newfoundland stopped here for gas from Minneapolis

Hello Ireland!

Our first transportation in Dublin!

Our flight oversea to Ireland wasn't too bad not like to Greece which was longer than this, so I'm fine with it! The only thing about this flight is that I am not really impressed with WestJet Airlines, they don't offer free meals like Delta does, didn't sleep well due to high vibrate (smaller plane than Delta), and on the bright side, their attendant were super nice! 

Anyways, am glad to arrive our first destination Dublin, Ireland! I am still in awe that I am back in Europe for second time. I was little worried that I would be nervous or small panic attack that it would be hard like in Athens. This time i felt calm, confidence and more aware of what to expect! Am excited to continue my journey in a positive way! Thank God!

Thank Lord for allow us to arrive safe here in Dublin, and pray we will have a great time and rich experience here!

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Next Destination: Day one in Dublin

About to Depart!

I can't believe am departing for Dublin, Ireland in couples of hours! Wow, time sure did came by fast, cuz feel like forever when we were planning out this trip! 

This time I am going to have 2 carry-ons, one "purse" and main bag with all my clothes. It's little heavy than I thought it would, even took out 4 clothes, and still not light as I wanted it to be. I even did the rolling packing method that others had suggested me to do. Lets hope they will not charge me for overweight since some Europe flights requires our carry-ons to be under 20 lbs. Anyways, it's getting late and need good sleep on my own bed that won't unite till Aug 14th!! 

Lets this journey begin....!

Next Destination: Airport

Europe Once Again!

Seriously, I must be dreaming?! Nah I am NOT and YES, I am going back to Europe again this summer! I am gonna to cross off my one of my bucket-list that I will be backpacking in 12 Northern European countries with a friend of mine!

Here are our itinerary...
Ireland- Dublin, West and South part with Tabby
England- London/Watford
The Netherlands- Amsterdam/Utrecht
Belgium- Brussels
Sweden- Stockholm
Finland- Helsinki
Russia- St. Petersburg
Estonia- Tallinn  
Latvia- Riga
Germany- Frankfurt/Berlin
France- Paris
Iceland- Blue Lagoon

We will be traveling in only 6 weeks. We are stoked since we been planning this for 3 1/2 months. It's not easy to plan out the trip, we had to do tons of researching on where to stay, transportation, and what we want to do in each countries. So far we have everything planned out, we will be staying at 4 Hostels, 4 apartments, 2 hotels, and Royal Caribbean cruise. We will be traveling apx 13,000 miles by train, planes, car, and walking! Am getting more excited about the trip now!

Can't wait for the adventure in 6 days (leaving June 21st)!

Zumbro Falls, Minnesota

This was my 2nd time visiting Minnesota since I was maybe 13 years old, when I went camping and boating at Lake ShI attend a Women Christian Retreat held by Deaf Fruit Ministry of Minnesota with a friend of mine Roxane. The key speaker was Megg Rose, which was the main purpose why I attended. Megg's ministry 'Deaf Women of Fatih' vlogs has always inspired me and her love for God is extraordinary! 

It was prefect timing for me to go because my relationship with Lord is weak, not been attending church as much past 2 years. I just cannot find church just like my home church 'Open door Baptist Church' in Rochester, where I discovered the truth! This retreat had helped me reconnect with The Lord, gave me hope, and show me new way to have a better relationship with The Lord. 

Side note: I came to this retreat knowing NO ONE (beside Roxane), was amazed how small world God created among us. I met several ladies who knew my "spiritual mother" Veronika, even my sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma Sisters (3 of them, I think?!). It was worth my time, and met so many wonderful Godly women! Am blessed to be able to keep in touch with few after I left.

We all learned two main things; How to Submit yourself to God when you are going through difficult times and what our role as woman of God!

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 

What a small world... Karla was the first person I met when I arrived and end up found out she was my boss's sister!! This picture was sent to Nyle, and his response was "WHAT?!? a small world!" haha. I even asked her for few stories so I could tease him at work! She was great and fun person to chat with!

Megg Rose, sorry not the best picture. I suggest you google her and watch her testimonies! I was going to take a picture with her, they cut me off cuz ran out of time, no worries there's always be next time plus we will see each other in the right place- Haven!! :)

One beautiful morning in Minn!

Stretching before we went on a hike guided by Patti(?). She was neat person to get know and funny!

One of Tri Sigma Sister, Brenda! I was able to chat with her before we left, found out she's a social worker too, and fun person to run with!! 

Roxane and I, signing Deaf Fruit

What a wonderful experience this retreat was! I am praying the Lord will open opportunities for me to move to Minneapolis this coming up fall! Those women showed me there is plenty of churches and women fellowships/ministries that I could be part of. Plus it's not too far from home! 

Please help me pray that Lord will guide me to Minn! 

Next Destination: Europe! 

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I can't believe I actually visited one of my long time dream country, The Netherlands! Never thought I would ever fall in love with this country and the city of Amsterdam!

Amsterdam is well known for Bike city, I didn't really understood what that actually meant. I thought it was just a city where they make bikes and not many bikes would be used as here in US. Once, I left the airport on way to my hotel the first thing I saw was sea of bikes!! I was in awe how many bikes there were! The scenery of buildings, roads, and the atmosphere was Beautiful!! I immediately fell in love with this city! 

I stayed in Amsterdam as solo for 4 nights before heading back to the United States.

Somewhere up above on way to Amsterdam

When I arrived to my hotel, I took nice hot shower, unpacked a little bit and took small stroll out to see what was surrounded by my hotel. I was surprised the Rijksmuseum was right next to my hotel. They had flea market, food trucks, and some kind of protesting related to Middle East crisis. There were bunch of Dutch polices on horses, they seem not too worried and it ended in less an hour. It was neat to see locals at the market just chilling, glad I got to experience this! Couples of hours later it started to rain, went back to my hotel and relaxed since my blister from hiking was killing my feet!!

I had crepes for my late snack/dinner at this station. It was delicious!

View outside of my hotel room.

Next day, in the morning I had nice dutch banana pancake which is one of must to do in Amsterdam! Rest of the day walked around west part of the city, hit different kind of stores such as 9 straatjes, visited the royal palace, grab some food at their local food store 'Albert Heijn', and again it started to rain late afternoon. 

Cheese shops are everywhere!

Royal Palace

You can go in and have varies of samples! It neat way to have a afternoon snack.

I was shocked to see this (my mom's last name is Hoppe), I went inside it was a neat wooded pub, didn't get chance to ask more about this place. My assignment next summer is to go inside have one drink and ask about this place!!

Next time will pack a umbrella!

Dutch snacks

Next day, walked around little bit more before I went on a bike tour. If you want to experience the real life of Amsterdam, take a scroll on a bike, which is a must to do while you're in Amsterdam! Glad I did it! After the tour, walked around more and had Dutch's famous food Poffertjes and Patat!

vondelpark which is only one block from my hotel, if it didn't rain too much I would spend my time here!

My tour guide in white, he was very friendly and wonderful!
I would recommend this experience! 

Anne Frank House

Nemo museum- science museum

De Gooyer Windmill, the tallest wooden mill in the Netherlands.

We stopped at the Windmill which had pub inside. I didn't have a drink cuz i was dehydrated and need water!

My group bikes!

Saw this neat hammock store, had to check it out!

Next morning, had quick breakfast and packed up before heading back to the airport. It was bittersweet leaving this city and it was time since I was exhuasted and feet was still sore.

I stayed at Appolo hotel, it was the BEST hotel I've ever stayed at in my life! Their bed, showers, and room was the best, prefect way to enjoy my time there! I recommend you this place and will stay there again when I come back!

Time to go back to the states. :(

This city... just simplify stole my heart and try to convince it's the BEST city in Europe! I will not take that till I visit rest Europe cities next summer. Will confirm with you once I know for sure! :) 

Click here for more pictures! 

Next Destination: Copper Mountain, Colorado