"I can now say that..."

Well, after two weeks of AMAZING adventures in Europe, this is what I have to say.

"I can now say that I have..."

1. Been to Spain, France, Italy and Switzerland.
2. Spent more consecutive hours with Emily Adams than I have anyone else in my life.
3. Been to McDonald's in all of my visited countries (Switzerland was the best and most expensive).
4. Figured out the way to the middle of Madrid from the airport all by myself!
5. Eaten true tapas and paella and drank Sangria.
6. Seen paintings by Picasso and Salvador Dali in the Reina Sophia in Madrid.
7. Been to the chocolateria in Madrid featured on the travel channel and eaten delicious churros and hot chocolate.
8. Been to the Spanish Royal Palace.
9. Walked on the sandy beaches of beautiful Barcelona on a tour led by some pretty beautiful Australian men.
10. Been to the Sagrada Familia, the still unfinished 200 year old church designed by Gaudi in Barcelona.
11. Walked down Las Ramblas and been asked 50 times whether I want to buy the most annoying noisemaker alive.
12. Taken more than one true "siesta" in Spain.
13. Learned the trains in Europe will always be more advanced than in America.
14. An Armenian man asked to marry me.
15. Arrived on a train in Nice with 50 French children singing a "Nice" song...one threw up on the way there, too. Great.
16. Climbed the citadel in Nice and seen an amazing panoramic view of the city.
17. Eaten REAL crepes in France. Delicious!
18. Hung out with one of my favorite people, Sarah Nierste, in her current home in Florence.
19. Climbed the 463 stairs of the Duomo and seen the most amazing view of Florence.
20. Seen the David statue!
21. Eaten gelato more than 2 times in a single day.
22. Worn shorts in Europe and not frozen to death!
23. Boughten real balsalmic and olive oil in Italy.
24. Been back to Rome and loved it just as much as the first time.
25. Seen the Pope. okay, not really :) But I saw the window to his apartment!
26. Walked two miles to McDonald's in Rome. Long story.
27. Eaten the BEST guacamole in a random Mexican restaurant in Interlaken, Switzerland.
28. HANG GLIDED THROUGH THE SWISS ALPS! Caps are necessary, because it was definitely the coolest one.
29. Gotten bracelets in all countries as I had planned.
30. Gained more independence and street smarts than I ever thought possible.
31. And finally, I have learned that traveling really is the best classroom. I wrote in my journal while I was sitting in front of the Colosseum in Rome that I had to promise myself one thing: No matter what I do in my lifetime, I want to promise to always keep traveling. You learn more about yourself and more about the world around you than you could ever imagine. It is truly life changing!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip. Check out the rest on Facebook!