Explore.

I started a conversation about love with a friend today on the train to Switzerland. She kept saying that she couldn’t wait to meet “her guy” as in, her soulmate/future husband. I turned to look out the window at the Swiss alps as they glimmered by and just smiled to myself, because I have already met mine. he’s waiting in the states for me and I cannot wait to throw my arms around his neck and never leave again.

The country of France is absolutely beautiful. Yellow flowers dot the countryside and the grass is amazingly green. While the countryside of France is amazing, the city of Paris is not as pleasing as I expected. I absolutely loved seeing the palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and the Eiffel tower, but I really did not enjoy the smoky and crowded streets. It could be partially due to my handsome boyfriend not being here with me, but It was much different than I thought. It has always been painted as the romantic city, but I didn’t necessarily see that. The Mona Lisa, however, was exactly as I expected: Beautiful and mysterious. The gardens of Versailles were enormous and lush in green color. We had to walk the gardens in the rain, but it was to beautiful to let that put a damper on things. I suppose I’m just a country bumpkin at heart and the cities don’t do much for me, but it’s still pretty awesome to be in Paris, if not only for thus novelty of it all.

Leiden is a small town just outside of Amsterdam. It’s filled with so many coffee shops(at least two per block or so), large pancakes that can be split between three people, bridges, cathedrals and spires, and of course- windmills. Upon arrival to Leiden, I took a tour of a windmill. I have never been inside of one before and highly recommend it, if you’re not afraid of heights. We tried the famous cheeses of Holland and spent time wandering through the architecture of the beautiful city. It’s much more laid out than Belgium, but still closer together than the rolling countryside of the Tennessee that I’m used to. All in all, a beautiful little town that just exudes character!

I’m leaving for Europe today and am going to be there for 1 whole month… Covering 9 different countries on foot and train. I absolutely cannot wait! This has always been such a big dream of mine- to travel the world. I just can’t wait for the day that the love of my life can come with me! Pray for safe travels:)

missing my best friend… :(