Happy Halloween

We experienced our first overnight train last weekend (Oct. 17-19) on our way to Prague, Czech Republic. Don't plan on doing that again! There are separate little rooms with 6 seats in each, so luckily there were only 6 that went. On our way there our seats didn't even have headrests and they were so uncomfortable. Two of the girls ended up squishing together on a blanket on the floor, so the rest of us were able to spread out a little. Didn't get much sleep at all! We got to the hostel and were not able to check in yet, but they let us keep our bags in a storage room and we were able to change, freshen up, and get some breakfast. We did a tour of the city, which picked us up right at the hostel. It was nice to get a feel of the town and see where everything was. We got to see the Prague castle and St. Vitus cathedral, where we were able to see the changing of the guards, which was cool. The guards can't move, so we all had to take a pic with them. After the tour, we were dropped off in the middle of town and we did some shopping and grabbed lunch. We were all so tired from the horrible train ride and went back to the hostel and napped after lunch.


Once we were showered and rested, we headed downtown. We first went to The Charles Bridge. It is beautiful at night! Cars are not allowed to drive on the bridge; it is only used for walkers. There are statues all along both sides and there were lots of people performing. We happened to find a 5 story club that we had to check out. Had a good time, of course. Each level had its own type of music and different set ups. Sunday we spent most of the day shopping and walking the town. There were a lot of great stores there and I took advantage of that :) I was quite proud of how well we got around Prague.


Unfortunately, I would have to say our overnight train home was even worse than our ride there :( We had an obnoxious group of boys in the little room next to ours. They kept wrestling and slamming into the wall. I could literally feel the wall moving against my back. They were very loud and continued to be through the whole ride, maybe had the last hour silent. Again, didn't get much sleep, and to make it worse, we didn't get back to Heidelberg until 4:45am!! I had to be up for school at 6:30! Lets just say it was a very long day for Ms. Sweany!


This past weekend we spent in Salzburg, Austria! BEAUTIFUL! We lucked out again and had an great hostel. We went on The Sound of Music Tour on Saturday. This is what most people come to Salzburg for, so we had to do it. I thought it would be kind of cheesy, but I loved it! The bus picked us up from our hostel and took us to all the spots where the movie was filmed. At each location, he would tell us what part of the movie was filmed there. He would also give background of the family and the town. The best part of the tour was singing along with the whole bus throughout the tour :) We all had a blast!


After the tour we checked out some more sights in Salzburg and then took a quick nap before dinner. Carolyn, one of the girls from Miami of Ohio, had been to Salzburg with her family over the summer and wanted to take us to this Italian restaurant. It was delicious and the owner was awesome! He was our waiter and was so funny. We found an Irish pub for a few drinks before crashing for the night.
Sunday we did the Salt Mine Tour. I wasn't so sure about this one either, but again, I loved it!! It was by far one of my favorite tours I have done. It took us up through a lot of mountains and dropped us off at the mine. We all had to wear these miner jumpsuits, which was kinda cool. Then we sat on this little train and drove deep into the mountain. There were different spots where we would stop and get off the train and walk through the mine and there were a lot of cool display about the whole mining process. It was very up to date with technology and the displays were really fun. There were also two parts in the mine where we slid down these huge slides :) SO fun!! There was also the water that we went across in a boat and had the low ceilings with the salt crystals you could see. It was awesome! We ended up catching a earlier train ride home so we didn't have another late night getting in, which was very nice.


We had our time change this weekend, so now there is only a 5 hour difference from back home. I am not used to it yet, and not liking it at all! It is already starting to get dark when I'm walking home from school :( Our teachers warned us about it getting dark by 4:30, but I was just not expecting it to throw me off so much. It always feels a lot later than it is and it makes me sleepy.

I am finally having a free weekend this weekend! It gets exhausting traveling every weekend and spending all your free time on a train. There is no school Friday! Thursday my teacher is taking me and her other intern, Megan, to get massages and then out to dinner!! She spoils us :) Friday Megan, Carolyn, and I are going to Darmstat for the night. Megan has a friend that lives there and we want to check out Frankenstein's Castle. Supposably it is pretty scary. People can come out and touch you and I heard their costumes are unreal. Along the back of the castle there are different shows you can stop and watch, and you can also go inside the castle for food and drinks. Saturday when we get back we are going to dinner with one of the girls, Tara, and her dad and then Sunday we are having a little birthday party for her. I guess my weekend will still be pretty busy, but I am looking forward to sticking around Heidelberg!

I am missing everyone back home and hope you are all doing well!! I can't believe how fast my time here is going; I only have like 45 days left!

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!!

Love,
Amy