Backpacking

Well, as most of you guys know by now, I am officially home at this point. But I never wrote about Berlin, so lets pretend I am not.

I am actually, at this moment, in Malena's sweet apartment in a little funky neighborhood in Berlin about to grab a cafe and fall asleep in the park. BEGIN.

Berlin is an incredible city that is nothing like I imagined it to be. I feel like it's a little known secret of a fun, little, funky capital. There is music and musicians galore. Art and graffiti on every wall, door, car, and floor. And people can still smoke indoors. Ok, well that last part stinks (quite literally), but the rest is pretty great.

I met my wonderful roommate/older sister Malena at the train station.

She greeted me with her new, sweet red bike and took me on a tour of the town...

And quite a little funky city it turned out to be. Young people everywhere, musicians jamming away on the streets, and little bridges to take a seat and catch the sunset. It has an extra little dose of energy that is clearly felt by everyone around.

I must admit that we spent most of the time doing what Malena and I like best: drinking coffee, talking, and grabbing the UV waves (with sunscreen of course!).

From one cafe to the next, we hoped around the beautiful neighborhoods of that lovely city, occasionally stopping for a nap in the park. We even swang on the swing-set just in front of the Berlin wall, while listening to live music in a beautiful large park full of artists. They really have done a fantastic job turning a wall of fear and separation into a field of union, laughter, and music. It is quite an extraordinary thing to see really.

Slowly but surely my short trip in Berlin came to an end. I said my sad goodbyes to Malena, knowing full well that we will meet again someday soon, and headed off for my last plane trip, my last journey, and my last little memory of what this great year has been.

And, POOF, I am back home.

A great year, an amazing journey, and a field of memories.

Thanks for joining me everyone. I might just keep this bad boy around for a bit more, because truthfully, its just fun.

Thanks!

Cristina

Feliz ano nuevo everyone! This year has started off wonderfully, with a new baby Bernardo to add to the mix. Isabella was born on Christmas Day itself, and is our lovely Rosie B's first baby girl. I can't wait to meet her!

The girls and I celebrated our first Christmas/New Years in style in our new apartment in Melbourne. Check out the beautiful Ikea furniture!

More to come on our ongoing adventures. Until then, Happy New Year!

love,
Cristina, Caitlin, and Kate

So the ladies and I have spent just over a week touring around this lovely city they call Sydney. The Harbour, as everyone will tell you, is just gorgeous. Amazing red and orange colored houses line the cliffs overlooking the beautiful blue water and captivating Sydney Opera House. I could spend hours of my day just sitting their enjoying the view. Kate however could not, sitting outdoors makes her antsy ;-)

Yet us ladies our torn on our next move. Turns out everyone wants to be in Sydney for Christmas/New Years, and what jobs there were, seem to have just dissapeared. Granted we didn't look very hard, but we haven't gotten even one call back. Not one! So we are thinking about Melbourne, everyone says its just lovely. Hmm, time well tell. Any input is greatly appreciated :-)

Besos from Sydney, I will leave you with some lovely shots of this amazing city...

-Cristina & Crew

p.s. Dad, I took these pictures for you!!!

Oh what a crazy day us ladies had. After two hours in the blistering Australian sun, us dark-haired ladies begged for mercy and were so kindly allowed to enter the precious shade of the Bohemia cafe. There, we luckily switched from Scrabble to Spades after Coconut so mercilessly kicked our butts (I mean seriously who scores 52 points every other round in scrabble!?)

So what began as a lesiurely afternoon game of cards, turned into a 6 hour escapade of 18 rounds of cards. Caitlin and I taking the final lead and winning by a mere 20 points over 500.

As the clocks ticked 11pm we realized that indeed we were now officially old ladies drinking white wine, playing Spades, and all the happier for it. Oh how time does change us...

Off to celebrate Thanksgiving in el norte, and the other national holiday...Caitlin's Birthday!

besos,
Cris & Crew

So the ladies and I arrived in Byron Bay two nights ago, and I must say it was love at first sight.

Even amongst torrential downpours, we fell in love with the town's two winding streets filled with cafes, hippie shops, and unique little restaurants with names like "Why Not?".

The town peaks at Cape Byron where a lovely lighthouse rests on top of a large hill overlooking the land. There are beaches on either side, each with picturesque white sand and clear, blue waters and waves the size of avalanches. A surfer's paradise this place is, and quite nice for the rest of us too...

We are planning on staying here just a bit longer. The ocean shores are calling our names, and the wonderful vegetarian Indian restaurant is keeping our bellies full. This town has a little bit of everything for somebody, and we are trying to find that for each one of us.

Turns out it may also be a great place to celebrate Turkey Day...

Much love from Aussieland
Besitos,

3CK