Month: February 2019

February holidays part II: exploring Malta

On By notyouravggiraffeIn Travel2 Comments

So early into 2019, and I’m already checking a new country off the list! We flew into Malta on a direct flight from Charles de Gaulle, and immediately I was struck by the fact that we were on an island, completely surrounded by water, with palm trees all around the airport (which might seem silly but even with knowing I was going to an island, the landscape was just so different from where we’d been before). We spent five days exploring the island, and really, there is so much to explore! Malta is full of history (much of which I didn’t know before coming here), and is self-described as an “open air history museum,” so there’s ample to see, no matter how long you’re here.

Day One

Our first day wasn’t a full day, as we arrived a little after 13:20 on a direct flight from Charles de Gaulle in Paris. We took a shuttle to our hotel (these can be reserved at the airport, ours was €5 per person), and then walked around the area surrounding our hotel. We stayed in St. George’s Bay, which borders on the city of Saint Julian. Many cities make up Malta, but barring the walled ones, they tend to run seamlessly into one another. Saint Julian’s is the nightlife area apparently, so there are bars and restaurants and a casino. The evening was filled with a traditional Maltese buffet and a magic show at the “chamber of mysteries,” which gave us a good introduction to the cuisine, and culture of Malta as well as gave us a fun evening to start our time here!

Day Two

This day was spent exploring Valletta, the capital of Malta. We pre-booked a three hour walking tour, which gave us a brief overview of the city (we walked around most of it), and some detailed history as well. It was a great way to see Valletta, as well as learn some new things. On our tour, we also learned that several films and TV shows (notably Game of Thrones) have used Malta to film. Once it’s pointed out, it’s clear that the island’s architecture can stand in for many places in the world: as Malta, anywhere in Italy, parts of the Middle East, and even Northern Africa. It’s versatility is impressive and every view point is phenomenal.

Valletta is an easily walkable city, where it’s difficult to really get lost. Some of the highlights include St. John’s Co-Cathedral (which houses two paintings by Caravaggio), and the Upper Barrakka Gardens for a beautiful view of the three cities. Additionally, there’s the saluting battery which fires a cannon twice daily, at 12pm, and 4pm (you can watch for free from the gardens, or pay €3 and get close to the action)! There are remnants of British rule throughout the city (and the island) with red telephone booths and post boxes littering the streets as a reminder of Malta’s relatively new independence.

View of the Three Cities froView of the Three Cities from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta
View of the Three Cities from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta

Day Three

From Saint Julian’s, if you want to get anywhere, you’ll probably have to go through Valletta. Once there, you can connect to many busses to get almost anywhere on the island. Today’s adventure was heading out to Rabat to visit Saint Paul’s Catacombs. There are 20 some catacombs of Christian, Pagan, and Jewish religions, complete with pavilions with descriptions and information regarding rituals, archeology, and conservation of the ruins. From Rabat, we walked into the “silent”, ancient of Mdina. Much like Valletta, it’s easy to see the history in this city, and it feels like it’s own little world due to the high walls. You can peer over the walls to see a view of that side of the island, and see why this city was once the capital of Malta.

Day Four

After having looked at the Three Cities from Valletta, we thought it might be cool to do the reverse, and look at Valletta from the cities! Once again, our first bus arrived in Valletta, before we caught the number 2 bus to Birgu. Once inside the gates, we entered the city of Vittoriosa, and walked (and got lost along the way) to Fort St. Angelo, the giant fort you can see from Valletta, and which was a major stronghold for many centuries. It was bombed 69 times during WWII, which I definitely did not know, and would’nt have known without visiting the island! From the fort, you can see the other two of the three cities, along with harbors and many boats, and Valletta from one side. Although we didn’t visit them, there’s also the Malta at War Museum, and Fort Rinella in the city next door (Kalkara).

Valletta from the Fort’s battlements
Panorama of the Three Cities from Fort St. Angelo

Day Five

Last day in Malta, and we decided to explore its sister island of Gozo. There’s a ferry located at Cirkewwa, and for only €4.95 round trip, you can get to Gozo in around 25 minutes. Granted, it took us 2.5 hours to get to the terminal via bus, but we didn’t take the straightest route (make sure to really scope out your quickest route there so you don’t back track). As soon as we disembarked, we got on a city sightseeing Hop On, Hop Off bus so we could better see the whole island in our limited time. The bus has an audio guide tour, and offers great views of the island, along with history/culture regarding Gozo. We had limited time so didn’t get off at any of the stops, but you could stop off on any of the 14 stops and explore the sites, and beaches that line the coast of the island. I imagine in the summer that many of the beaches are a great place to go, but seeing as it wasn’t entirely all too warm, we bypassed laying out in the sand. Since we returned from the ferry a little after 16:00, we got stuck in rush hour (I say rush hour, but know that traffic isn’t great at most hours considering how small Malta is), but we found a more direct route to our hotel that only took an hour!

Dwejra from the bus: one of the stops
View of Gozo harbor

Ultimately, I feel like we saw a lot of Malta! Although we definitely didn’t see it all, I feel as though I have a better understanding of the history there, and can now say I’ve been there. Malta is beautiful, and I’m glad to have visited it.

Maltese Fun Facts

  • They drive on the left (I say this if you’re thinking of renting a car, it’s something you should know)
  • They have two official languages: English, and Maltese, which is a mix between Arabic and Italian
  • Malta has a remarkable history: no one post could do it justice, but they don’t call it the “eye of the Mediterranean for no reason”
  • Malta has been independent since 1964, and joined the EU in 2004 (you can use your euros here)!
  • They have some fantastic local dishes. There’s a puff pastry called pastizzi which is filled with cheese and almost mushy peas. You can also dine on rabbit, and different varieties of fish
  • If you go to a McDonald’s here, you can get a Malteser McFlurry! (You can also find some other clever Malteser goods because that pun is too good to miss)

You can watch a vlog of my February adventures here!

February holidays part I: Two days in Disneyland Paris

On By notyouravggiraffeIn TravelLeave a comment

If you know me, you’ll know that I love all things Disney. I jam out to the songs (who doesn’t love a good Disney jam session), and the films, but one thing I truly love is the Disney parks. I’ve been going to Disneyland in California almost every year since I can remember, and I love exploring other Disney properties (so far I have only visited DisneyWorld and Disney Paris, so I’ve still got a ways to go on my list). To start off my February holidays (I know, *again* on break…), I spent two days having fun in Disney Paris! I thought I’d dedicate my first post of the month to my time there and what I thought about it having only been once before several years ago!

We stayed on Disney property at the Hotel Cheyenne, which gave us access to a magic hour, one hour before the parks opened to the general public. Additionally, there is free bus transportation to and from the train station (Marne La Vallee-Chessy), which is located right next to the parks, and the airport for a fee if you want to take advantage of that.

Our first day was spent at Disney Park (much like in California, there are two parks in Paris), and although it’s smaller than the one in CA, it is very similar in layout and feel. There’s still Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland (Tomorrowland for Disneyland visitors), an entrance along Main Street, and most of the classic Disney rides. One big difference is that the castle is no longer Cinderella’s Castle, but Aurora’s Castle! You can walk in it a little, and there’s even a dragon’s grotto under the castle complete with an animatronic dragon. It feels like there are fewer rides at this park, so we spent a lot of time walking around, and what felt like killing time when either rides were down, or lines were too long. We even rode the Steamboat because everything else had such a long wait! Many rides don’t have fastpasses, which further increases line wait times, and doesn’t give you a way to potentially bypass them. That being said, we still rode most of the rides in the park by the time the day was done, and watched the fireworks show at the end of the day, so it felt like a success! I highly recommend watching the show (it was Illuminations at the time of my visit), as it gives a fun end to the day, and it’s usually pretty spectacular!

We started day two at Disney Studios. Even with the magic hour, we still had a wait for Crush’s Coaster which seems to be the most popular ride in the park. However, if it is, it is with good cause. I ADORE this ride, and it’s hard to do it justice with words, but it’s a perfect roller coaster that’s filled with thrills, but doesn’t push you too much as other coasters might. And what’s not to love about Finding Nemo?? We also experienced the Ratatouille ride for the first time (a trackless ride filled with smells, sights, and sounds as you shrink down to the size of Rémy, the rat), of course rode the Tower of Terror, and even took the time to watch some of the shows put on at the park (partially to escape the cold)!

One thing that was a little disappointing was the rides that were down for maintenance. Considering that this is the “off-season,” certain rides were down for refurbishment, which increases wait times at the other rides, and even though there’s nothing you can do about it, it feels like you’re missing out a little! Be sure to check (you can look it up on the Disney site when you check daily hours) which rides might not be running while you’re there so you’re prepared! Additionally, pack for all weather! Surprisingly, a lot of the lines for the rides are either partially outside (meaning there’s just a cover above you) or completely outside, so be prepared for rain and cold if you’re going during those seasons. Another surprise was the park hours. I visited in early February, on a Monday and a Tuesday. Both days, the park hours (excluding the magic hour) were 10:00-19:00, which seems definitely not as late as the park in California would be open this time of year! Of course, weather is a big part of this, but that’s definitely something to consider when looking at visiting Disneyland Paris.

My Top Rides/Attractions (in no order):

    Crush’s Coaster: Finding Nemo, fun, surprising! Surf the EAC on a spinning coaster in the dark – I can not recommend this ride enough! It’s just enough thrill to make your stomach drop a bit, but not too much as to have you gripping your seat the whole time. I laughed the whole way through as I was having so much fun!
    Hyperspace Mountain: unlike Space Mountain in the states, this coaster is much more intense, and faster, with upside down loops and corkscrews in the dark. Plus, it’s Star Wars themed!
    Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril: again, this ride differs from its counterpart in the states as this is a veritable outside roller coaster with upside down loops and high speeds! There’s less theming, and no classic Indy saving you from a falling boulder (or snakes, why’d it have to be snakes?), but if you’re into roller coasters, this one will make you feel like you’ve entered the temple and are running away from whatever doom is inside.
    Hollywood Tower of Terror: this ride still exists in DisneyWorld, but has been revamped in Disneyland. I still love the classic, original version though, and never get tired of the drops and the sensation of flying off your seat.
    Thunder Mountain Railroad: this one is super similar to what it looks like in the states, so if you like it there, you’ll definitely like it in Paris! It’s still “the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!”
    Moteurs, Action!: a stunt show in Disney Studios, which includes motorcycles, cars, trucks, flames, and of course, action. It shows you how some stunt scenes are filmed, and is overall a great time. Plus, you get to sit down for half an hour, and be impressed by true professional stunt actors as they do some incredible stunts.
    Alice’s Curious Labyrinth: not so much a ride, but a maze filled with Alice in Wonderland characters. You can get lost with the Queen of Hearts, find her castle, and weave your way through the DoDo birds in this fun, unique attraction. It’s also a great way to kill some time while you wait for a fast pass to kick in or for a line to shrink!

I could go on for days about the fun you can have at Disneyland Paris, but I’ll stop here. It definitely felt to me like one day was not enough to explore both parks, but two days was almost too much time for both (in my opinion, part of this could’ve also been attributed to the weather when I was there). No matter what, taking a trip to any Disney Park is always fun, and Disney Paris is no exception!

You can watch a vlog of my February holiday adventures here!

11 Things I miss as an American living in France

On By notyouravggiraffeIn France, TravelLeave a comment

Moving abroad, for any reason, is exciting, but in all that excitement, you can sometimes forget that you are in fact, moving to another country, where the culture, customs, and even the language can be different from home. It’s totally okay to feel homesick, or to feel out of place when you first take that leap of going abroad, but no matter how used to it you get, there are always those few things that can’t be replicated elsewhere. Living in France, I’ve definitely had moments where I’ve thought “it wouldn’t be like this in the states,” or “that’s not how we’d do it back home,” and it can be cathartic in some ways. That being said, there are some things I miss, and would love for them to make their way over to France (and Europe). Here are some of those things:

1. TARGET

I 100% missed Target (pronounced tar-jay if you know what I mean), while I was in England, and I miss it equally as much in France. I feel like there are more quasi-superstores here than I encountered in London (at least, places where you can get more than just food), but nothing can ever truly compare to Target (or American superstores for that matter). There’s something about picking up that red basket, and wandering through the aisles that can’t be found in the land of cheese and wine. Not to mention, they had a hilarious adult avocado costume for Halloween, and if I had been at home, I might have bought it for the sheer giggles it would produce (so maybe it’s good we don’t have a Target in Angers?).

2. Things being open on Sundays

This might not be as big of an issue if you live in a super big, touristy city, but here in Angers, Sunday is a QUIET, and UNEVENTFUL day. Very little is open, and if the weather isn’t great, you’re unlikely to see masses of people out and about either. You can’t grocery shop on a Sunday (shoutout to the famous Costco runs, I definitely miss those samples), and there’s just generally very little to do – even those big stereotypical French strikes tend to be organized for Saturday here, so you can see how seriously they take their day of doing nothing. I also miss stores not closing for a couple hours for lunch every day… we get it France, you love your food.

3. To-go beverages

Americans’ go to “on the go” beverage is usually coffee, but since I’m not a coffee drinker, I tend to stick with tea or hot chocolate for my morning pick me up. The French emphasize the importance of relaxed eating, and indulging in your meals, so the idea of grabbing a quick coffee to go isn’t really a thing… My morning commute is not filled with people drinking from paper cups, or from travel mugs (even though I stand out like a sore thumb because I definitely do this with my morning tea because otherwise I would not function), and it doesn’t seem to be a thing to pop into a café to grab a beverage to-go. PLUS, if you do grab to-go, don’t be surprised by the seemingly minuscule sizes, which speaking of, another thing I miss is…

4. Large(r) drink sizes

I know it’s a joke that Americans plus size everything, but that is definitely not an issue here in France. The sizes for beverages can sometimes be a little smaller here, but that doesn’t mean they’re cheaper! I miss being able to go into a cafe, order a hot chocolate, and having it be the size of an actual drink, rather than something I can consume in three sips. I remember getting a hot chocolate to go one afternoon for kicks and giggles, and it was the size of an espresso shot… that was the only choice I had, and it was consumed almost before I’d left the shop!

5. A proclivity for snacking

No matter where you shop for your food in the States, there’s usually a giant snack aisle, filled with an assortment of snack foods that can range from healthy to absolutely not so. As I’ve mentioned before, France takes their meals seriously, so even their goûters (snacks) aren’t quite the same as I would be used to at home. Not to mention, the snack food that is available tends to be spendier because it isn’t a common purchase. I miss being able to buy hoards of granola bars (at a reasonable price) and goldfish crackers that I could nibble whenever that afternoon hunger takes over (because I can be a #hangrygal).

6. Peanut Butter

Don’t get me wrong, Nutella is great, but nothing can quite substitute my love for peanut butter, and the versatility it has when it comes to how it can be eaten. I miss being able to eat my fruit with some added creamy protein, topping up some dessert for an extra sweet flavor, and coating my late night toast, (or just straight up eating it from the container because why not). Peanut butter is sold in France (mostly in the American/International section) but it’s very expensive when you calculate on a per gram basis, so I haven’t splurged for it yet. That being said, I miss it a lot, so it might happen soon.

7. Goldfish Crackers

Much like peanut butter, this is a go-to snack of mine, and a staple of my diet since I was a child. I miss the cheesiness of the cheddar crackers, and popping a handful into my mouth at once. Even more so, this summer I discovered the Vanilla Cupcake flavored crackers, and I even brought a bag over with me in September (it didn’t last very long) because they are a game changer. I could wax lyrical about Goldfish crackers, but regardless, I miss having them to snack on during my long days, or as a comfort food when I’m feeling down.

8. Burgerville (or whatever your local fast food/burger place is)

I missed Burgerville when I went away to university two states away, so there was no way I was going to France and not wanting some delicious rosemary fries, or a phenomenal chocolate milkshake! There’s something special about your local place, and that definitely can’t be replicated anywhere else. I made sure to have my go-to Burgerville meal before I left the States, but that doesn’t mean that when an ad of theirs pops up on my facebook feed that I don’t get a little sad inside that I can’t eat it at this moment in time.

9. People asking “how are you” during many forms of interaction

Unlike in the US, your cashier or bus driver in France isn’t going to ask you how you are when you interact with them. You’ll get a perfunctory hello, and then the interaction is mostly finished, except for you handing them money, and then you say “have a good day/night” and you leave. Even though my conversations aren’t that much shorter in these kinds of situations in France, I still find myself sometimes starting to ask “comment ça va” before remembering that that isn’t really done here (or at least, doesn’t seem to be). I’m not the most outgoing of people, but it’s still a nice little thing to experience whenever you’re out and about. Not to mention, a lot of Americans who do this are very smiley, and their enthusiasm can usually bleed into you, which is not so much the case here.

10. Hearing that good old American accent

Granted, there are Americans participating in TAPIF, so I’m not bereft of hearing English spoken in an American accent, or the English language at all (considering it’s part of my job, it would be concerning if I never heard it), but it’s not quite the same as being surrounded by a language, and accent, that is familiar to your ears. Not to mention, I’ve had several French people tell me my accent is unintelligible, or allude to the idea that Americans don’t speak “proper” English, and sometimes it makes me so sad because I can’t change the way I speak! (this also is by no means a complaint about being in France, surrounded by French… more that I miss the familiarity of what I would be surrounded by at home).

11. Free public restrooms

I’m a planner, and forgive if this is oversharing, but any journey of mine includes planning of where the nearest facilities might be should I need them, and let me tell you, that is not an easy thing to do in this country. There aren’t any Targets, Fred Meyers (shoutout to those of you in the PNW who get it), or really any kind of store that just has a public restroom that you can nip in and use at any given moment. Here, you’ll either have to shell out to use a public restroom (especially in train stations), or you’ll have to hop into a cafe, buy something, and hope that they have a restroom you can use. It’s not something you really think about in the States, but it’s definitely something that you have to think about in France!

Obviously, missing things about the US doesn’t mean that I don’t like being in France, or that there aren’t things I know I’ll miss from France when I leave (potential blog subject for a few months time?). I’m glad I miss things because it means I’m experiencing a different culture, and living somewhere new, all while pushing my personal boundaries, and learning a lot about myself, and the future (whew, run on sentence, sorry to all my English teachers this sentence offended).