It's Been Awhile...

Well, unlike my promise, I have unfortunately not blogged since class ended in December.  But with an unlimited amount of free time on my hands (love it and hate it), I might as well saddle up and start blogging again.  Even if no one reads, I enjoy it, and I think it's good practice.  I might have a job someday that requires me to blog...so I might as well become an expert now, right?  ;)

I'm not going to give a full update now but...I have at least two blogs to write.  Since last semester, I finally visited Chicago (now twice!), and New York City.  So rather than write from the perspective of a mere researcher, I can blog from experience...and I can't wait!  I'm also looking into options for the future such as...the Peace Corps, or teaching English in Korea.  Or...just becoming a vagabond/moving to Spain.  So...until later (as in...when I get my photos together).

Ciao,

Lauren

Holy Land--Jerusalem

One of the top places I would like to visit, would have to be Jerusalem, or more generally, the Holy Land.  Because of my beliefs and the complex history that goes along with this land, I would love to see what I've read and heard about for so long.  Oddly enough this city is holy to three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  With a long history of wars and political as well as religious conflicts, if you want to know the history, take a look for yourself: http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/jer_main/defaultnew.asp?lng=2


The Temple Mount includes many of the religious sites that are famous in Jerusalem.  Aside from the religious significance of the city, there is also a presence of artistic and cultural contributions.  This includes the Israel Museum, The Jerusalem Theater, The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and The Jerusalem Film Festival are just a few examples.


Here's one performance by the orchestra:


Jerusalem Symphony

View of modern Jerusalem.

The Temple Mount.

The Jerusalem Theater.

While this post can't cover all there is to see and know about Jerusalem, hopefully it has peaked your interest a little bit, I know I want to learn more about this place and one day, I will be able to blog from my personal experience.

Ciao,

Lauren

Take me to the mountains

Because I clearly have an obsession with mountains, I decided I definitely want to visit the Rocky Mountains someday.  And also, they are actually in the United States, unlike most of the other mountain ranges I've learned about/posted about in this blog.


The Rocky Mountains stretch around 3,000 miles from northern British Columbia all the way to New Mexico.  In both Canada and the US, the mountains attract many visitors each year to the national parks that have been created as a part of this range.  Yellowstone National Park is one of the most well known of these parks and contains a super volcano, the Yellowstone Caldera.

The highest peak is at 14, 440 feet at Mount Elbert in Colorado.  While I have not skied in about 5 years, I think it would be really cool to be able to ski somewhere within this mountain range someday.  Not only this, but I would really like to go hiking (perhaps somewhere that's warmer and also when the weather is warmer.)  In sum...well you know I love mountains.  :)

For more info: http://www.rocky.mountain.national-park.com/

Ciao,

Lauren

NYC

I know, I know, it's unbelievable that I have never been to New York City.  But for that very reason I want to visit as soon as possible.  I'm already a fast walker, so what more could I do to prepare?  Thankfully, my relatives are all cooler than I am, and one of my cousins goes to NYU, so I'm also plotting a trip to visit her next semester (if funds allow) :)

So..I'm going to talk about some things I would like to do on my one or I'm sure, more trips to NYC.  Of course there are endless possibilities...and these may be very touristy, but unless you live in NYC, what else are you going to do there?

1. Visit the Statue of Liberty-a giant woman with a torch, what could be better?

2. Stroll through Central Park.

3. See a Broadway show (preferably something I like or have heard of before)

4. Go shopping... of course.

5. Travel to the top of the Empire State Building.

Those are my ideas for now...so if you've ever been to New York, tell me about what you've done and some things I should do/see when I go!  

Ciao,

Lauren

Morocco

Through the advice of my friend Rodney, I'm going to talk about some places to see in Morocco as well as some advice when you visit this country on the northern tip of Africa.  Suggested places to visit include:

1. Fez

2. Meknes 

3. Marakech 

4. Rabat 

5. Casablanca

6. Chefchouen 

7. Essaouira

People there are usually willing to talk to you as well, however it does help knowing a little French or Arabic as most speak one or both throughout the country.  Another experience Rodney said any visitor should have is a trip to the market, as it's basically just an overload of everything going on at once.  One tip he gave is that it is best to haggle for anything you buy, and they usually over charge non-natives...so be careful not to spend more than you should.  :)

Morocco is also super close and easy to reach from Spain, so when I return to Spain/Europe, I'm definitely going to take a trip over to Morocco for a few days.

For more info: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/morocco

Ciao,

Lauren

India

Known most often for its poverty and living conditions, India intrigues me.  Having talked to a couple people who have visited this country, I've heard that in some strange way, it's terrible but wonderful at the same time.  I feel like this is an experience I need to have.


Located in South Asia, most interesting to me about this location is the difference in culture.  Having a long history of strict social hierarchy, many Indians live in segregation.  As a part of their culture, religion is also a huge influence on their lives.  I would think it would be very interesting to visit a country where Christianity is not the dominant religion, which may be partially because I am Christian and differences in beliefs fascinate me.  Hinduism and Buddhism are the largest religions in India.


Two sites I would love to see that may be touristy in nature are, the Taj Mahal and Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi.

Built in the 17th century, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Built in the shape of a lotus, it is known as the Lotus Temple, and was completed in 1986 and is meant to be a place where those of all religions could come and worship God.

Northern India also features the Himalayan mountains...you know I want to see those.  (there's just something aesthetically romantic about mountains...)  :)

More than anything, if I go to India someday, I think I would like to go in order to serve in some way.  I don't know how I could help or what organization I could go with, but I feel like that would be an awesome way to experience this country specifically.

Ciao,

Lauren

Chi-town

While I haven't visited this wonderful city yet myself (plans are in the works for next semester), I talked with my lovely sister who attends DePaul University, and she gave me some pointers of places to see/visit while in Chi-town.  Beginning with the most popular and moving toward the general:


1. The Bean-sculpture in Millennium Park

2. Sears Tower-now Willis Tower (a necessity to visit this, especially the sky deck)

3. Take a ride on the Brown Line uptown...according to my sis, there is a great view.

4. Cupcake shops--Molly's Cupcakes

5. Giordano's Pizza--apparently one of the best.

6. A comedy group called: Second City, famous for many of its performers going to SNL.

7. Water Tower Place-only mall in downtown Chicago.

If I wasn't excited to visit Chicago before...I am now pumped to go!  Has anyone been there?  Tell me about it!  :)

Ciao,

Lauren