What I Learned in Switzerland

What I Learned in Switzerland

1. Don't trust anyone from the Czech Republic 

according to the lovely woman at the desk

...or anyone from the Eastern Bloc

...cuz that's isn't totally prejudiced or anything...

Not that it matters that not only am I Czech but also Polish and German

...Eastern European mutt and proud of it right here.

2. Apparently the entire town of Lauterbrunnen knows when a Czech man is in their midst. 

Turn your locks...oh wait, you don't have any...

3. Dancing on tables singing Spice Girls and N***** in Paris and Miley Cyrus, in that order, is totally normal and totally epic.

4. Swiss people go crazy over 'a little wind.'

5. Switzerland does not need to be in the EU because they are financially stable enough not to need it. This is because of all the money they basically embezzled after the Nazi's couldn't get their money back out of their Swiss bank accounts. I have quite an opinion about this and it is not a positive one. 

What I Learned in Paris

What I Learned in Paris

1. The Notre Dame was almost torn down until Victor Hugo wrote a book about it and it was saved. 

Yay Quasimodo!

2. Children will pretend to be deaf and mute in order to steal from you. 

Bastards.

3. It is ok to drink in the public; 

one does not need to skull wine from the inside of jackets.

Good to know.

4. Apparently they can 'make sex' in Paris.

Who knew?

5. Boys names Romeo actually do exist in real life.

Amazing.

6. Louis XIV was a prick and spent all the people's money building Versailles; 

Louis XV enjoyed it all;

Louis XVI paid for it all in death alongside Marie Antoinette.

7. The Lourve used to be a palace where Louis XIV lived--he built Versailles because the Lourve was too small.

WTF.

Book Breakdown--France

'I'm goin to France, y'all!!'...Who doesn't a Bridesmaid quote?...Anyone? Ok, so here are my picks for some books that take place in France and are definitely worth to check out prior to touching down in Paris...or if you'd like to feel like you're there :)

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

This book is phenomenal and will be featured in my future 'Inspirations to Travel' post. This book captures the beauty and freedom of France perfectly. The whole book does not take place here but the story afterwards is just perfection. This book is one of my favs and it could be yours, too! Just keep in mind, this book will inspire you to do more than just travel; it will inspire you to live life to the fullest. 

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Historical fiction about how Brittany fought to keep their independence. You learn about the history of France a bit and the story will be impossible to put down.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

This book is a bit of a stretch for France but it does take place there...you just don't get a lot of scenery. This book is SO worth it though. It could probably count for England more than France but I had so many for England I waned to share the wealth. This book is one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so if you get a chance just read it because you want to. It's incredible. 

Do YOU have any books that take place in France that I missed?

What I Learned in England

What I Learned in England

1. They treat ketchup like a gold commodity--really, it's just a condiment, c'mon people. 

2. London is quite ashamed of the bloody history of the Tower and would really love for it to be recognized as a palace--not gonna happen, give the people what they want. 

3. Hampton Court Palace is the most underrated tourist attraction...ever.

4. I have an innate talent to get men I barely know to buy me 267 pound champagne and rack up a 500 pound bar tab.

5. British girls suck major if we Americans can wrangle in men with no make-up, casual clothes, and flat boots on. Charming.

6. I really want a castle.

7. Harry Potter is still the greatest thing of all time and always will be. 

What I Learned In Ireland

What I Learned in Ireland

1. 'Feck' is the polite term for 'fuck'...excellent and useful.

2. 'Craic'-Term used for an amazing time.

Example: 'Last night was good craic.'

Can't wait to use that and sound like a drug addict...

3. Ireland has quite the depressing history...very bloody.

4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 

was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher--bloody brilliant

THE Journal :)