Thank you all for your continued patience with me as I have traveled all over Europe this summer. It is my hope that I will make a vlog documenting my time abroad this summer, but I did want to get back to blogging and updating you all on my experience. This will be a quick blog of a few tips based off of my experience in Europe.
1. You will most definitely need an adapter. The plugs are shaped differently there from the ones here in the U.S. and my adapter was truly a life saver. I got this one https://www.amazon.com/JMFONE-International-Adapter-Power-Electrical/dp/B075VQDWZ7/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=adapter&qid=1565086629&s=gateway&sr=8-17 from off of Amazon for $20. It held up very well and had several ports, so I was able to charge more than one thing at one time. You can also get adapters abroad, so it's up to you. I recommend this one, though. I can't remember if I got it from this exact vendor, but it was this green one. Another plus is that you can change the adapter to fit the UK, US, Australia, and other parts of Europe.
2. I had the worst experience with my phone. I am with AT&T and they do not have good plans for extended traveling. I highly encourage you to speak with your provider in advance to see what international plans they offer. I attempted to get an SD card in Oxford, which is really cheap (25 pounds) and a great plan. However, my phone was locked. AT&T will only unlock it if the phone is paid off and mine is fairly new (so not paid off). I ended up relying heavily on WiFi, which places tend to have (some connections aren't as good as other, though). I also used WhatsApp to speak with family. Check with your plans and look at all options.
3. TRY NEW FOODS. I was not super adventurous when I went to Paris (which was my first stop) but my friend has frog legs and escargot. I tried a forkful of Duck in Paris and in Oxford (not a fan). In Italy, I had a cannoli (sooooo good), Fiori di Zucca (sooooo good) it's like this fried zucchini and a flower, tuna pizza (good), and some people tried sepia cuttlefish dish (look up a picture it looks really gross to me lol). We also had lots of gelato (almost everyday) which is a must in Italy. We tried sausage and went to a biergarten in Germany. We went to Edinburgh, but I did not try anything there. They are known for Irn-Bru (soft drink) and haggis (I think it's lamb's stomach). There are lots of things to try, so try them.
4. It's very expensive here. If you take cash out of the bank, 9/10 you will be hit with a fee, but it's important to take cash out because smaller shops don't accept cards. Cards are widely accepted in Europe, though. There's usually a bank charge (I think mine are like 3%) for every transaction, though. I recommend checking with your banks to find out fees they charge. I used Chase and Bank of America. Also, if you exchange money, there will be a fee. I mostly try to avoid exchanges. See if any of the local banks will exchange for you. I did not have much luck with this, but I also only tried twice. You may have better luck.
5. Go out and meet people. Meeting people is the best way to learn a language and just immerse yourself in culture. I took lots of pics with random locals I met, and we were able to uncover lots of cultural differences, which amazed me and allowed me to understand Europeans better. It's also just so fun in general what you can find out. I learned that the British say the letters "H" and "Z" differently. Also, there are cultural differences with drinking, you have to pay for most public restaurants (like in bus stations and gas stations), bread and water at restaurants usually have to be paid for, they have still and sparkling water here, etc. There were so many differences, which you can only learn if you go out and see things and meet people.
I hope that this info is helpful. Look for more blogs about my experience and, if you all have question or things that you'd like me to blog about, feel free to reach out. I am glad to be back blogging! Look for a vlog from me on my experiences as well. Take care.
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