Carnevale Crazies

What a great weekend spent in Italy! On Wednesday Elizabeth and Devin came over to join us for dinner, then we went out to enjoy the first night of the weekend. We went to a club called Full Up which was a lot of fun and  a lot of dancing. Elizabeth, Holly and I enjoyed the sunset from the Piazza Michael Angelo with some wine on Thursday. Later on we enjoyed some Florence night life. Brooke and I went to a club called 21 they had a promotion going on where we wore handcuffs and got a deal on drinks it was a lot of fun and we met some great people. Friday I had to finally be productive with my school work so I spent a good portion of my day in the computer lab. For some reason on Friday I got my first case of homesickness, thankfully it didn’t last long. I had talked to Abby and Cooper the night before and was looking at pictures of the girls back home so it all hit me when I was typing an e-mail to my mom. Once I got out of the dreary computer lab I was doing much better.  Saturday morning we woke up and knew just what we all needed: a delicious meal from the American Diner. This time we had cheeseburgers, they gave the pancakes a run for their money. Everything was delicious once again. After our brunch Brooke and I headed up to Fiesole which is a little town above Florence. We brought some wine up there and walked around the narrow streets of the little town and let ourselves get lost off the beaten path. The views and experience were just as I imagined I would have being here. All these little findings we would come upon were fun. We made it to a top point and could see all of Florence, once again being amazed at the size of the Duomo. We enjoyed the sunset up there and then it started getting very cold so we headed back home. Yesterday we left early for Venice! We watched Casanova on the way down and it got us all very excited to get there. We had to take the canal to actually get into the heart of the city but once we were there we were taken back by the amount of people around. We all rushed to see the glass blowing demonstration, which was amazing. This man made a glass vase in about 5 minutes. Then we went to San Marco square to see all the festivities going on. Everyone was dressed up in elaborate costumes-even dogs and babies. There was a big stage where musical performances were going on as well. We felt out of place without masks on so we started our search for the perfect mask, it took us awhile to find the ones we wanted but when we did we were finally content. We went to the Rialto Bridge where there were a lot of shops and pretty views of the city. All the little canals and gondolas strolling through the water made the city breathtaking. There were so many people that at times we could not make it through the streets. It also got a little cold, but beside the rush and weather it was a wonderful day. We enjoyed some Bellini, since this was where the drink originated. The city on water was amazing as I imagined, now it is off to another week of classes!

  

Fiesole

  

Ride into the city center along the Canal

  

Glass blowing, San Marco, and famous Gondolas

  

The Rialto Bridge

  

The amazing costumes

  

Two Different Worlds

Here are some differences between Florence and home that I have come upon so far, some good some not so favorable:

1. Their EXIT signs are different (pictured below)

2. You have to pay for things like: using the bathroom and bags at the supermarket.

3. You are charged a cover charge/sitting fee, but you do not usually give a tip.

4. They put Nutella on EVERYTHING

5. The heads of pigs are just there in front of you while picking out your meat.

6. People do not acknowledge traffic lane lines- The vespas drive wherever they want.

7. People move at a slower pace, which has been something hard for me to get used to.

8. Often in public bathrooms a girl will go to use it realizing that it does not have a seat.

9. Their cappucino is only around 1 euro (which is still cheaper than Starbucks-and better)

10.Many people do not use mechanical dryers, they line dry their clothes.

11. The “Ba Day” -Still haven’t figured out how to use it, we’re thinking of turning it into a pedicure station.

12.There is a Gelato shop on just about every other corner.

13. People are always cold here-when we think it is a nice day and are in tank tops they are still in sweaters.

14. There is a religious symbol or painting on about every corner or side of a building.

That’s all for now I will keep adding as I notice more.

   

Tuscan Cities at their finest.

This weekend we stayed around the Tuscan area. Thursday Elizabeth and I spent the day strolling the streets of Florence and making a few purchases. I bought my first Italian leather purse and my first pair of Italian leather boots. I got both of them on sale and even bartered for the purse with the vendor. I think I  am getting pretty good at bartering. Friday our program put together a trip to Chianti, the city of vino. We toured one of the castles in the area and then had a food and wine tasting where we tasted three different types of wine. It was a gorgeous day and a perfect way to enjoy a Friday. On Saturday Brooke, Amanda and I made a little day trip of our own to San Gimignano an old Medieval City near Florence. It was another perfect day. The city was located on top of a hill that over looked many vineyards, the views were breathtaking. We enjoyed some gelato in the town center and threw some coins in the wishing well. We found a Trattoria, which is similar to a Ristorante but has cheaper prices and often better food because it is family owned. We stumbled upon this one and with a little door the minute we walked into the low ceiling 8 table eating area the three full tables that were there literally stopped their conversations and stared at us for what felt like forever. This had been the ultimate awkward encounter, but the delicious food made up for it. Last night we enjoyed some Dragoons at the Kikuya pub with some of the girls. We continue to find little nooks in the town that spark our curiosity. Last night there was a little metal door in one of the walls that would not open. It wasn’t until one of the girls pointed out to me that there was a cross above it that made me wonder if someone or something was buried there. I guess well never know but the history that lies within all of these walls fascinates me.

  

Images of the Boboli Garden at the Pitti Palace.

Chianti Wine Tasting

 

Sites of San Gigimano

Passion for Food

Another week of classes is down. I continue to notice the differences between life in the US and life here, some I like some are a bit more difficult getting used to. In our cooking class today our professor took us to San Lorenzo Market to show us what vegetables were in season, what types of meat were offered, among many other things. He is a bigger man that has started to look after us. We have a class of 12 girls so he always calls us “girls”. Him, his wife and daughter all made us key chains with wine corks. He is so passionate about cooking because he has been doing it since he was a child that he sometimes gets off on speeches about traditional Italian food. We end up running behind in every class but I he is still my favorite teacher I have here. At the market he described how tomatoes are out of season and artichokes are in season. What oranges to use for juice and which ones to eat. We learned which fish are best and freshest because they come from places no further than an hour away. The meat area was very different, here they use every part of the animal. When I say every part I mean EVERY single part. A long time ago Florence was divided into two classes, the wealthy and the poor. The poor could only afford the cheaper parts of the cow so that is how using those parts got passed down. One of the vendors thought it was funny to show us the cow penis and cow balls thinking we as girls would like them. They also use the feet, stomach, and brain as well. Thomas, of professor, promises they are good but I just don’t know if I could stomach those things. After the market we went to Grom, which is a gelateria in town. We were able to see how gelato was made and then have a free cup where I enjoyed cookies and cream and Nutella flavored. Gelato doesn’t have as much fat or as much air as sugar does and Florence is one of the main cities where gelato started- Florence, Paris and Sicily. I love learning about the art of food and how passionate people can be about it.

To Paris, With Love

I don’t know how it is possible but each place I go I love more than the last. The journey getting to Paris was not a simple one but for Elizabeth and I’s first journey on our own I think we did a great job and learned a lot. I got done with class at 4:15 on Wednesday and had to rush home to finish packing and getting everything together to make a 6:00 train-sounds simple right? Well when you have to walk everywhere and you realize you forgot your keys to your apartment and no one in your apartment is home and still need to book your train ticket online it makes things much more stressful. However we did make the train with plenty of time to spare. We took the train to Milan then hopped on another train to Bergamo where I flight actually flew out of. Once we got to Bergamo we had dinner and gelato (of course) we took a bus to the airport. We made it to the airport and settled in for our night to spend there until are 6:30 am flight. We found a cozy spot on the tile floor and slept on our backpacks with a ton of other people doing the same thing we were. Our flight took off with no problems and we arrived in Paris then took a bus to the city. we started walking and realized we had no idea where we were or where we were going since we couldn’t check into our hostel until 4:00 and it was only 10:00. We found a nice little café and enjoyed some lunch with a delicious pastry to go along with it. We proceeded to see some sites and kill time. Our first sight was the Arc de Triumph where the unknown soldier was buried. It was really magnificent. Down a road from that we saw a Ferris wheel in the distance and headed that way. When we got there we realized it was right by this giant garden that was in front of the castle where the Louvre is held. We explored the garden and the Louvre. The castle was the biggest I have seen yet. Catharine Medici lived there and had the garden made- she was a part of one of the biggest families in Florence history. The Medicis were very wealthy people that eventually became Dukes in Florence. After that we made our way to the Eiffel Tower because our hostel was close to there. With aching feet we found ourselves by the peaceful side of the one and only Eiffel Tower and enjoyed its beauty before we headed to the Aloha hostel. For our first hostel experience I would say that it went well, it wasn’t luxury but free breakfast, free internet, and free crepes in the afternoon was all we really needed. We enjoyed a nice dinner then found a local bar where we had a few beers and people watched. The other girls got in later that night and we were all exhausted from our travels so we checked in early. Friday we started off by heading down Saint Germain where we enjoyed some lunch on the river. We could have not asked for a better day so we soaked up the sun by the river for awhile. Then we headed to Notre Dame, it was the first gothic church I had seen yet and was absolutely breathtaking. I have never seen stain glass windows like this before. The sun made it even more breathtaking. After that we took the metro to Jim Morrison’s grave. The cemetery where he is buried is huge and his is just nestled in with the others. There used to be a statue of his head but someone had stolen it. Among the gifts left on his grave sight were: panties, half finished bottle of wine, cigarettes placed every so nicely, and flowers. There was a tree close by that had various messages to him as well. After that we bought a bottle of champagne and headed for the Eiffel Tower this time to really take it all in. It was just like the picture in all of my history books, which made it even more unreal that I was actually there. We found a spot in the grass to enjoy our champagne and the Eiffel Tower. That night we went out to dinner then met up with one of Elizabeth’s friends from home at an Irish Pub. The night life was a lot of fun there and people were friendly for the most part but kept to themselves. On Saturday we woke up early and had some mimosas under the Eiffel Tower before we climbed over 350 steps to the second level of it. On the first level there were cafes and an ice skating rink. On the second level we enjoyed some waffles and Nutella. We were going to venture up to the top but it was a bit too cold and a very long line. We went back to the Louvre and this time actually went in. No one would ever be able to see all of it even in a full day it was almost overwhelming. We did make the much needed stops though to the Venus de Milo statue, the Mona Lisa, Napolean’s Apartment, and the Egyptian exhibit. There was so much beautiful art work there it was mind boggling. The Mona Lisa was actually very small but surrounded by other beautiful paintings as well. Napolean’s Apartment was the most lavish thing I have ever seen, I can’t imagine living like that! After that we headed back to the hostel for our free crepes and then headed out to dinner in the Moulin Rouge area. It was so lively by that part of town it was very exciting! On our way home that night we stopped by the Eiffel Tower to see it all lit up, it was hard to take my eyes off of it and all of its sparkle. Imagine living in one of the apartments by it and seeing that out your window every night? Elizabeth and I headed back to Florence early the next morning. Paris was magical, I can see how so many people fall in love there. I had remembered more of my French than I expected so I was able to order most of the time, it was only when they spoke back so quickly that I had trouble understanding. Paris also did wonders for my sweet tooth- the pastries and crepes were sinful. Everyone was so fashionable but shopping was a no no since everything was so expensive. We did run into more pick pocketers and gypsies than I have yet. They kept trying to get us to sign things, we even had little girls swarm us and act like they were deaf. Luckily we all made it out without anything stolen. It was a very successful trip and I am looking forward to exploring Italy these next two weekends. Today in class we went to the Palazzo Pitti-where Cosimo Medici lived and Catharine Medici was born. There we explored and learned about the Boboli garden. It is neat to learn all of the history behind those things. If only all classes could be so interesting. It was a successful weekend once again. I did not fall in love in Paris but I did fall in love with Paris.

   

The Arc de Triumph, Chi O, The Palace

  

The Louvre, River, and In our hostel

  

Delicious, Love tree, Relaxing by the river

 

Notre Dame

“King Jim will always live on”

 

The One and Only

The Louvre

Paris at night