Home Sweet Stati Uniti!

Monday morning, bright and early, we headed to the airport. Maggie was headed back to Germany for 2 more months and for me, it was time to go back to the United States. As surreal as it seemed, my European adventure had come to a close. Petra’s dad dropped us off and it was a tearful goodbye as Maggie and I knew we would not see Petra again until school starts back up at the end of August. Of course it was another tearful goodbye as Maggie and I parted ways and our crazy European adventure was over. As we like to say, “its probably the greatest thing we’ve ever done!” I was so glad I had her for all of our mishaps traveling from country to country but of course we had many, many laughs and great memories and stories we’ll never forget!

As for me, my flights were fine. I have to admit I had to fight back tears on the plane. I couldn’t help but think that my amazing adventure that I had looked forward to for so long was really over. I truly had the time of my life and I guess I just did not know what to expect when returning home.

When I finally landed on US soil, as I walked off my plane, the German flight attended said, “Welcome Home” to me and I lost it! I started crying and I realized how happy I was to be home. I was a happy that I didn’t think would come once leaving Florence. I cried when I saw the sign “Welcome to the United States of America” and I cried when the man at customs said, “How long have you been gone?” and I replied “4 months!” I was truly happy to be back in the U.S. a place I now have the up most appreciation for. Of course I cried when I saw my mom and dad standing at the arrivals gate and then when Rudy was waiting for me in the car! When I got home there was a great “Welcome Home” sign on my door and a cake. And later in the week I got to see my grandma and my wonderful friends threw me a surprise party which I did not expect! All of this was just so great and unexpected and overwhelming!

I have to say that now I am home, Florence seems like dream, a distant memory of the most amazing four months of life. Me and the friends that I have made will always have a special bond because we share the same feelings about a place that is so special and important to our lives. I traveled the world, and lived in a non-English speaking country for four months. I lived in a place where I knew nothing and came to know everything. I like to think…If I can do that…I can do anything.

It was definitely strange for me returning home though. As weird as it sounds, I felt it was hard to function in society. Walking by and knowing exactly what people were saying in their conversations was weird for me. Ordering ice cream seemed like a difficult task. Little things that I wouldn’t have thought just seemed so strange but nothing that I won’t get used to in time.

Now that I’ve been home three weeks now I think I have adjusted well, in fact, better than I had originally anticipated. I really love seeing all of my friends and family and I think that really helps. Although, sometimes I think I’m going back and than I sadness comes over me when I realize…I’m not. But I have my painting of the duomo, and my great leather purse, and my million pictures and my all of my stories and this blog to remind me of my amazing experiences and memories.
So, as my last blog entry, I just want to THANK YOU ALL for following me on my journey. Your love and support means more than you will ever know!

Homecoming June 1, 2009

Hungary!

After a very long and much needed sleep, I woke up with my eye swollen shut! So…I definitely had pink eye! But Maggie and I were well rested and ready to see Budapest! First things first though…my eye. Petra’s mom suggested that I wash out my eye with camaeal tea and that really helped the itching but it was still so red. So before Petra could take us to see the city we went to a pharmacist to see if I could get medicine for my eyes but unfortunately they wouldn’t give me medicine without a prescription. So now what? Luckily, there was a “FirstMed” center right around the corner from the pharmacist and even luckier they spoke English and took me within five minutes! The doctor was very nice and gave me prescriptions that I got filled right away and then we could start our day!

The first stop was The Castle of Buda which overlooked the whole city on the Pest side. I learned a lot of interesting and fun facts like Budapest is split by the river Danube. The hilly side is Buda and the flat side in the Pest side. We took tons of pictures at the top and walked across the famous chain bridge which connects Buda and Pest. It was just a relaxing day and a nice tour of the city. For dinner, Petra’s mom made us a yummy dinner of pasta with sage cabbage soup and we had delicious wine that her dad gave us. After dinner, we headed out on the town to a place called Rumba, where we met up with Petra’s friends from high school. It was great to meet her friends and see what she does for fun!

On Wednesday we woke up to a great big breakfast served by Petra’s mother, of meats, vegetables, bread and great apricot juice which was so good and refreshing! After breakfast we headed out into the city and our first stop was to visit Petra’s school where she went to middle and high school. It was a huge building of many stories. It was much different than my high school so it was really neat to see. After that it was off to the Parliament building which is right along the Danube. We had an appointment to take an English speaking tour through the building. It was a massive building built in the 1900’s and housed the crown jewels and fun stuff like that! It was cool to see! We took tons of pictures outside of the Parliament and then walked around town. We then headed to Hero’s Square which is this huge square in the center of the city and it has statues of all of the hero’s in Hungarian history. We hung out there for awhile and then took the bus back to Petra’s house. For dinner that night we had a very yummy duck with fruit!

On Friday morning bright and early we went to Margaret Island, which is this little island off of the center of the town which has no cars. Its like a little park with pools and fountains and you can rent bikes or electric cars to ride around the island. We rented the electric car which was so funny. All three of us squeezed into the little car and we drove around the island. It was so much fun! We had tons of laughs as we drove all around and of course took pictures. Then Petra’s dad took us to the Citadel which was at the very top of the Buda side. Its at the top where their statue of Liberty is and there is a view of the entire city which was so beautiful! Then we headed to the mall to meet one of Petra’s best friends and hung out with her for awhile. Then we stopped on at Petra’s grandparent’s house to say hi. They are so cute! After that Petra’s parents took us to their lake house in Balatonfured on Lake Balaton or always called the Hungarian Sea. It was soooo beautiful!! The weather was a little rainy but we walked all around the lake and looked in the little shops. We had of course another delicious dinner of packed potatoes, which might have been my favorite dinner so far!

On Saturday, we got up and took the bikes out and road them all around the lake up to this town called Tihany which had an old monastery at the top and a beautiful view of Lake Balaton. Lake Balaton is also known as the Hungarian sea. We admired the view for awhile and then took a ferry to Szantod which is another little town on the lake. After getting there, a storm rolled in so we hung out for awhile and took a break while it passed. Then it was back on the ferry because we had to ride our bikes all the way back. Man…were we sore from riding those bikes! And did our butts hurt the next day!! But it was a really fun day and we got to see the beautiful country side! On the way back we stopped at a little fair that they were having along the lake. Then we headed back and it was time for Petra’s dad’s specialty which was a stew and her grandma’s apple strudel! Again it was delicious!
On Sunday it was time to go back to Petra’s house in Budapest. On our way home we stopped for lunch at Petra’s grandparents. They are two of the cutest, most friendly people I’ve ever met! They were so hospitable and welcoming! For lunch we had paprika rabbit and crepes with cottage cheese! And her grandpa’s homemade wine! Of course it was so yummy! I was so happy that we got to meet them! Her grandpa showed us his massive garden and read us some poems that he wrote! I really enjoyed meeting them and getting to experience their life. Once it was back to Petra’s Budapest house, Maggie and I had to pack up our stuff because we were leaving bright and early.

I really had the greatest time in Budapest! I was so glad I got to experience Petra’s life in Hungary! Maggie and I got to do her life thing for five whole days and it was so cool! We are so used to her doing what we are used to in the United States and it was awesome for us to do what she is used too. For one of the first times, I felt so foreign because the cultural was so different and I could not understand any of the language! Petra’s parents could not have been any nicer or welcoming to us and they truly showed us an amazing cultural experience that I will never forget!!!

Visiting Petra in Hungary! May 26-June 1, 2009

Trip to the Bud!

Tuesday morning, bright and early, Maggie took Katherine to the train station and she was off to fly back to the United States. Once Maggie got back, she and I were off on our CRAZY adventure to Hungary to see Petra! This is how our day played out…

First, we packed up all of my luggage (I threw out some stuff to make it easier and lighter to carry!) I was lucky this time to have Maggie there to help me carry all of it! At about 7:30am the cab arrives to pick us up at Maggies apartment. He asks were we are going and when Maggie replies, “Budapest”… he laughs. Note to self: This should have been our first clue that this was going to be one hell of a day! We get to the train station with time to spare to Maggie runs to grab us some breakfast. While we are waiting for the train we are enjoying our breakfast, I drop my entire breakfast sandwich on the ground. This is sign #2 about how our day would play out. I get over the dropped McMuffin and board the train. All fine and well, we make the first two connections. (Oh, I forgot to mention that we were taking 4 trains to Munich and then once in the Munich airport we would split up and take two separate flights to Budapest where Petra and her dad were to pick us up. Sounds totally crazy but we were up for the adventure.) So…after our first two connections we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves…then we get to the third one and theres only 3 minutes in between trains so we have to rush off the train, get all of my luggage, find the track and get back on the train. Unlikely, but we figured we’d give it a shot! Well, thanks for some slow moving people we were unsuccessful  so Maggie goes with her best game face on to talk to the people and see what we can do to make it to Munich in time for my flight which left earlier than Maggies. (And by earlier, I mean 5 hours earlier! She had to hang out in Munich for her flight which wasn’t until hours after mine but I had to wait for her in Budapest so we thought it would all work out in the end. I know…don’t even ask about how we thought this would be a good idea!) So…Maggie returns with a new schedule for us. We would take the next train which would bring us right into Munich but then we would…drum roll please…have to take the SUBWAY in MUNICH to the airport! WITH ALL OF MY LUGGAGE! So…we have no other choice and no room for error…we can handle this!! Keeping our spirits up with some pretzels and milkshakes, we board the train. To keep my suitcases from rolling we have to rig them up with some sort of ribbon and our legs…it was crazy but we made it work.

We arrive in Munich around 2pm and my flight leaves at 5 so we are running close on time but we’re not stressing. Thank god Maggie knows her German and figured our way on to the subway. We take the lovely Munich subway for about 30 minutes. It was here that I noticed my eye seemed to be a little red but I just brushed it off thinking it was just tiredness. *Remember this for later*. So we finally, finally arrive in Munich at a little before 3pm with just the right amount of time. My luggage in hand we proceed to the baggage counter to check my bags. This is where it gets bad. So the first lady tells me to weigh my bags and tells me how they are overweight and that MY bag broke the scale and that I can’t check in here because my bag is too big! How rude! So Maggie, the great girl that she is, took one of my bags and checked it as her bag because I knew that they wouldn’t let me check both bags. So I go up to the counter that I was told to go to and the lady tells me that my bag is overweight…no duhhh…as if I didn’t know this before (I’ve already trekked the stupid thing through, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany!) I tell her I am aware of this and I’m willing to pay the difference for it being overweight. So annoyed she does some crazy calculation on the computer and tells me that I would have to pay 150 euros for my bag!! Is she crazy?! 150 euros!! No way!! So I say, ok, I’ll get rid of a few things…so I step aside and try to go through some of the stuff that I could throw away. I pick out a few shirts and bring my bag back to the counter to be reweighed. She tells me No, its still overweight and she repeatedly asks, can’t you throw heavy things away?! I tell her that I have four months worth of clothes but she won’t have any of it. Now I’ve reached my breaking point and start to cry and cry as I have to throw out ½ my wardrobe. Thank god I had Maggie because she made it easier for my to chose what I should keep and what I should throw out and she helped me stay calm as I was about to go crazy on this German Lufthansa lady! Maggie took some heavier things from me and put them in her luggage to help me out. I throw out everything from my alarm clock, to jeans, to my umbrella. After a few minutes of sobbing, I finally got it together and my bag passed weigh in and it was off. I was so upset but I had to keep reminding myself that I’d rather pay 150 euros on new clothes and to pay that stupid Lufthansa lady. Then we rushed through to get to my gate only to find out that my plane was delayed about 20 minutes. Here Maggie and I had to go our separate ways but if all goes well we would be reunited in Budapest in about 6 hours!

I finally boarded the smallest plane I’ve ever seen and I was so exhausted! The plane was delayed another hour on the runway but I didn’t even care. I went right to sleep and when I woke up I was in Budapest! Finally, I had arrived at 9pm…12 hours of traveling later! But…with a very sore eye! Once I gathered my luggage from the claim I went right to the bathroom to check out my eye, and my worse fears had been confirmed…pink eye! Talk about bad news bears! What was I going to do? I had a few hours to hang out in the airport before Maggie arrived and Petra came to pick us up so that’s when I jumped online and updated my blog. While I was sitting in the arrival section waiting for Maggie, minutes before her flight was supposed to land, it says that her flight is delayed and won’t arrive until 1am! Just as I realize this, Petra appears in the airport!! I was SO happy to see her!! And it was so great to finally know that I had made it…but Maggie hadn’t  and I could only imagine she was freaking out as she had been hanging out in the airport for hours!! So I break the news to Petra and her dad, who had showed up with a fresh rose for me (sooo nice!) and he decided it would be best to go back to her house and them come back when Maggie’s flight got in. So we went to Petra’s house and her mom had a delicious dinner waiting for me on the table! Along with my pink eye, I also had a terrible cough (I’m sure Petra’s mom was thrilled to have me haha) so her mom suggested some “Swedish Bitter” which is some strange, Hungarian liquid that is supposed to cure all. So I figured…when in Hungary! And it wasn’t even THAT bad!

After my Swedish Bitter experience…we figured out that Maggie’s flight was getting in earlier that it had initially been delayed so we hopped back in the car and it was back to the airport to get her! As she walked out through the arrival gates at about 12:30am…Petra and I were so happy to see her…but I realized that she didn’t have my bag!! So I’m like…”Mags, where is my luggage?” and she’s like, “What do you mean?!” So I panicked for a quick second thinking that it never made it from Munich but then Maggie went back to the baggage claim and she returned with it thankfully! So…finally…a journey that started at 7:30am in Germany and ended at 12:30am in Budapest was finally over! We had successfully or not, arrived in Budapest and we’re more than excited to see Petra and her homeland! What an adventure it was…but well worth it. I just had to deal with my pink eye first….

Journey to Budapest!

GUTENTAG!

Gutentag...from Konstanz Germany!

After several VERY long train rides, fighting back tears as I left my beloved Florence, I finally arrived in Konstanz. I took the train from Florence, to Milan, to Zurich, to Konstanz. I was having trouble getting off the train with all of my luggage so as I was struggling to get off, I acquired a crowd around me as they were waiting to get on the train but no one bothered to help me and then I felt someone rush up behind. Startled, I turned to see it was Maggie! I have never been so relieved and happy to see her! Katherine, one of Maggie’s best friends from home, was staying with Maggie that week too so she was there to help as well. I was just so happy to finally be there after such a long and stressful day, the tears just poured out of my eyes! The two girls took all of my luggage and we jumped in a cab back to Maggies apartment.

Konstanz is in the south of Germany and right on the Bodensee Lake which borders Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The town is beautiful and quaint and very eclectic. Germany is so different from the very unorganized and laid back Italy that I had been so used to. Everything is on time, there is order to everything they do and the country seemed to be so efficient.

Maggie’s apartment was so cool; something out of a retro-futuristic thing, definitely not what you would expect in Germany. She has the cutest apartment with a bed set up for me and everything. So once I arrived we took a little break and then got ready for an authentic German dinner at the “Brauhaus.” The “Brauhaus” brewed their own type of beer which was very good and the food was out of this world. I got some sort of asparagus soup and delicious pork dumplings and a salad. It hit the spot!! Somehow Maggie got involved in some guys bachelor party and she had to cut a hole in his pant leg. Of course all of their corresponding was going on in German so Katherine and I sat their clueless as to what was going on and then we see Maggie cutting the hole in his pant leg. It was pretty humorous to say the least! Never a dull moment…is that one thing I learned while studying aboard. Then Maggie showed me around town, stopping by the Bodensee Lake.

Sunday morning we slept in and Katherine made Maggie and I a delicious breakfast. Then we met up with one of Maggies friend from Germany who is studying aboard from England named, Amy. She was lovely and fun to hang out with. Maggie, Katherine, Amy and I took a bus to the Flower Island or Insel Mainau. It was B-E-A-U-TIFUL to say the least! The day was gorgeous and probably about 88 degrees and the place was just so pretty. We first stopped to get lunch and this interesting beer which was mixed with lemonade. It hit the spot as it was so hot out! Then we toured the island and took TONS of pictures of all of the beautiful flowers! There was also a little fair going on so we stopped in a few of the tents selling things. I got some pretty glass beaded bracelets. There was also a butterfly house on the island which was awesome to walk through because the butterflies just come right up to you. After spending most of the day on the island, we grabbed some ice cream before leaving the island and taking the ferry back to Konstanz. The ferry ride was so cool, stopping at a few places along the way and giving me a sense of all the pretty little towns on the Bodensee. The ferry ride was so peaceful and cool after a long hot day that we all feel asleep on the boat! Then it was back for a delicious dinner made by Katherine! After dinner we were off to my first experience at a real authentic German Beer Garden! So cool! Its just this big open patio on the lake with tons of tables and chairs and trees filled with bright colorful lights. It was so cheerful and happy and relaxing! Definitely one of my favorite things, just taking it all in and being so German!

On Monday morning we headed to Meersburg which is an adorable little town on the Bodensee that is your traditional Germany town. We look the ferry which was so much fun and a breath of fresh air for me as I’m used to walking everywhere in Florence. The ferry was just a great way to get around. Once we arrived in Meersburg we walked all throughout the town stopping in the little shops along the way and of course taking tons of pictures which was a popular theme of my trip! The town was just so perfect with beautiful flowers and buildings. We had lunch right on the water was this delicious restaurant on the Bodensee. We just relaxed and took it all in as we ate lunch. The weather was another beautiful day of about 85-90 degrees. After lunch we took the ferry back to Konstanz and we walked all throughout the town and Maggie showed me some of her favorite spots including the park along the Bodensee and her favorite jewelry shop and I picked up some souvenirs along the way. Then it was back to the apartment for another delicious dinner by Katherine! We packed up our stuff after dinner since Maggie and I were off on another adventure the next morning but before that we hit the “Strandbar” or the beach bar which was right along the Bodensee. It was just a big plot of land filled with sand and awesome beach chairs that you could just hang out on. We went with a bunch of Maggie’s friends from Germany and had an awesome time! We didn’t stay out too late because we had a busy next day but we did have an awesome time!

I really loved seeing Konstanz! And just like when I went to Dublin, it was so awesome to see where my friends had been living for the past several months and I loved having them show me their favorite spots in the city. Maggie was an excellent tour guide and I really loved getting to go see her! The trip was so relaxing but I saw so much at the same time. Germany was so different from Italy but I’m really glad that I got to experience it! I had been to Germany before when I was on my People to People trip but I had a different experience and I loved coming back again!

Konstanz, Germany: May 23-26, 2009

Quick Update from the BUD

I am currently sitting in the Budapest airport. I narrowly made it to Budapest. Maggie and I left at 9 am this morning to take a taxi to the train station where we had to change trains 4 times (with all my luggage from the past 4 months) and the take a subway to the Munich airport where I got into a few minor fights with the Lufthansa luggage people. To make a long story short I had 3 minutes to throw out my most prizes possessions or pay a million euros to Lufthansa due to my luggage being overweight so...I'm down a few outfits...no big deal right? Well..not exactly...and Maggie has the pictures to prove it. Finally get to the plane which is delayed 2 hours but eventually made it to the BUD! And someplace between Munich and Budapest I've contracted pink eye. Stellerrr! Maggie's flight gets in soon and then Petra comes and picks us up and we are off!! I'm so excited!!

More updates on the BUD and my wonderful time in Germany soon!!

Ciao Firenze!

I've just had the busiest, craziest, best, and most exhausting week of my life. Papers and finals in every class while trying to soak all of Florence say my goodbyes to everything. We had a few farewell parties.

On Monday, Nick took us out to our favorite restaurant where we went on the first night...we came full circle!

Last night we all got together and drank wine and hung out on the steps of Piazza Michelangelo which over looks Florence. We say the sunset and cheers and then hung out there all night. It was a really great time. Our group was really fantastic. We all got along so well and everyone really bonded with each other. I'm so happy it worked out so well. I will have so many new friends at Rutgers now!

Today I spent my day finally finally picking out my purse which which I love!! And then went to my favorite sandwich shop and sat out in the piazza then wandered around and then it was time to pack :( I felt like I was packing up my whole life...it was really sad. Jes's parents are visiting so they took us out to a very delicious last night dinner! Then we met up with everyone who was still left and said our final goodbyes and hung out on the steps of the Duomo for a little bit.

Today I'm off to Konstanze Germany to visit Maggie for a few days! I'm taking the train from Florence to Milan and then Milan to Zurich and then Zurich to Konstanze. Its going to be a long trip but its supposed to be a beautiful ride and I know I'm going to have a great time! And then on Tuesday we fly to Budapest to visit Petra!! YAY!! And then I'll be home on June 1st!

Stay tuned for updates!!

Firenze will always have my heart

As I sit and procrastinate on finishing up my history paper on the Medici family on my last Sunday in Italy, I can't help but be consumed with an overwhelming feeling that I don't know if I can express in words. A feeling of utter sadness that I'm leaving the place I have come to call home for the greatest four months of my life.

All of my best friends at Rutgers studied aboard this semester so we are lucky to understand each other as we all have different feelings but its hard to convey the feeling to those who have not experienced such a thing.

Four months ago I left my home and just another semester at Rutgers to live in a country where I didn't know anything except "Ciao" and that they ate lots of pasta. This place is now my home. Study Abroad is really a weird thing...I left my home to come to live in another country, it took some time but I became totally able to successfully function in society and now I'm being yanked out and put right back into my old society. Hellooooo Cultural Shock! I truly think adjusting back into my old life is going to be a hard task and I'm not sure if I'm ready to go back yet. I'm a different person than I was four months ago and I'm not sure how many people really realize that. I've changed and grown and learned SO much about myself, others, and the world. I am a truly more confident person who has learned that theres so much more to life and I really want to experience it all. I've become accustom to the laid back lifestyle, taking time out to enjoy each day and the time we have with others. I am truly a significantly calmer and happier person since being here. This experience has changed and shaped me in ways I never thought possible. I never thought that I would come to embrace my cot (that if you remember collapsed the first night haha) or that I would enjoy walking the 20 minute walk to school each day, or that I wouldn't want to go home after 4 months! If someone had asked me this four months ago, I would have thought they were crazy but I think that shows how much I have come to love it here.

Would I want to live in Italy my whole life? Definitely not. This experience has taught me to appreciate the good old U.S.of A! There are so much I took for granted in the US that I didn't realize until having this experience.

I do wish I had a little more time. I feel like the end just snuck up on me and its over. The beginning was a little rough as it rained for the first two months straight! (Of course Italy has a rain spell when I'm here!) And it definitely did take a while to get accustom to the culture and language (I'll never forget me and Jes's first trip to the supermercato when we both cried because we couldn't buy milk! or when Nick told us we had to get to school on our own and handed us a map!)In hindsight that was the best thing he could have ever done for us. I know the city like the back of my hand. Having visitors the past few weeks and showing them around the city has really made me feel like this is my city. I know so much about Florence. I really enjoyed taking everyone around and sharing my favorite places with them.

And the most ironic thing is that I almost didn't study aboard. I was playing with the idea when most of my roommates decided they were going. Then I thought...ok why not? I knew I had always wanted to return to Europe since going on People to People in high school so theres no better time! But then I couldn't decide on where to study...and I can thank one of my roommates, Petra, for talking me into Italy! She couldn't have led in a better direction! This is by far, hands down, the best thing I have ever done. Right now, I can't imagine my life without study aboard.
My memory and life will forever be filled with amazing memories of this place. And a special thanks to Grandma and Pop-Pop for giving me this opportunity! Without them I wouldn't have been able to come and have this amazing experience!

Basically what I'm trying to say is that Florence will always have my heart. It has changed my life is such a grand and positive way, I am permanently indebted to this place. A piece of me will always be in Florence. Its where I learned and grew as a person.

Of course, I am looking forward to seeing everyone! Mike, Eileen and Rudy better be prepared at the gates for a warm welcoming! (cue scene: me running with my 89 pieces of luggage into their arms!) I've really missed my family, my grandparents, and my pink room, and my pool, and Mexican food, and Wawa hoogies, and peanut butter, and Mets baseball, and especially my friends <3! I will be oh so very happy to be back in the U.S.A. And I know its going to be an awesome summer ahead of me! Just more changes to come.

But as they say...
"We'll always have Firenze!"

Cinque Terre

On Friday Nick took a whole group of us to Cinque Terre. We left early since its about 3 hours away, by train, from Florence. Cinque Terre meaning "The Five Lands" is 5 small towns on the coast of the Italian Riviera. They are all so beautiful and unique with gorgeous cliffs and beaches. The five towns are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

We started in Riomaggiore and hung out in that town for a little bit. Very cute and different from the other towns I've visited on the trip. We had some breakfast and took some pictures. Then we walked on the Via Del'Amore which is the "Street of Love." Via del'Amore connects Riomaggiore and the next town Manarola. Its a beautiful path laid out right on the edge of the coast with beautiful views. It was originally built years ago when there were rules that you could only date people from your town so people would take the path to the other towns to see their lovers. It was a beautiful walk and fun to see all of the writings on the wall with people professing their love for each other.

Once we got into the second town, Manarola, it started raining so we decided to take the train to the fourth town, Vernazza, (skipping the 3rd town Cornigilia). Vernazza was a cute little shore town with old boats everywhere. It was still raining when we got there so Nick found us a place to eat right on the shore. I have a very delicious trenette pasta with pesto and white wine, all local specialties! After lunch it stopped raining so the group split up. Nick took whoever wanted to go to the next town by train and Maria took everyone else on a hike. Originally I was thinking against the hike but then decided it could be fun and I would get to see so much more...so we went with Maria on the hike which is about an hour and a half up and down the mountains total of about 2 miles. It was really tough at first but in the end so worth it!! The sights were beautiful! There was a little old Italian man on the path who sold homemade lemonade so we stopped and got some from him. He was so cute and the lemonade was so refreshing...it never tasted so good!! At the end of the hike it was so rewarding and here comes the best part...when we arrived in the last town, Monterosso, we saw the beautiful beach and the sun was just coming out (since it had been pretty overcast the whole day) so we all jumped into the Mediterranean and swam out to the rocks! The water was so refreshing! Of course it was chilly at first but once I started swimming around it felt great! And it was so salty! Once we swam out to the rocks we hung out there for awhile. It was seriously la dolce vita!! I wish we could have stayed there the whole day!

This was one of my more favorite trips since it was so relaxing! We got to see Cinque Terre but we didn't cram everything in. It was a great way to see the towns and enjoy the day. After the long train ride home we came back and crashed into our beds.

Today I got up and hit San Lorenzo Market trying to get last minute shopping done. I still can't decide on a purse! and I'm running out of time. I actually think I'm in denial now about leaving this place I've called my home in 6 days! ahh I can't even talk about it!!

Tonight, all of Team Rutgers is getting together at this lounge in town for a last get together. It should be a good time!

Cinque Terre pictures!

Cinque Terre: May 15, 2009

Just another day in Italy...

Yesterday morning I woke up a little late and had to find a place to print out my Art History paper (since we don't have access to printers). I know of two places on my street so I wasn't too worried. I quickly got ready and headed out. First place...closed! Second printing place...closed! So I started devising plans in my head about how I could print out my paper. I'm quickly walking around and I find a fax machine place so I ask in there if I can print and the guy says no but gives me directions to another place which is pretty close so I find that. I walk in and ask the lady if she speaks in English and she tells me..in English..."No...I don't speak English!" so I try to formulate a sentence in Italian about printing out my paper from my email. So I'm trying my best to make the most Italian sense I can and she says, "I can't understand you!" in English again..of course..right..she doesn't speak English. Then she says something not very nice to me in Italian so I walked right out of the store. Now I start to slip into panic mode as I have class in 20 minutes and I have yet to print out my paper. And of course I know this is completely my fault as I left printing to the last minute...but I've lived in Italy for 4 months..they leave everything to the last minute!! I'm trying to stay calm..and I have to say...I think I would have lost it if it was last semester at Rutgers (Em: cue Loree printing run!) but the new me...decided to keep looking around and stay calm. I turn the corner and find another fax machine place so I run and see three cats sleeping on a fax machine and a bright blond haired woman sitting behind the desk with another cat on her lap!! I quickly find out she speaks English so I explain my story. She tells me that I can email my word document to her and she will print it out...AHH she's not realizing I need this in 15 minutes! So I ask if I could go on her computer and print it out right now..."Oh..of course!...We'll I normally don't let people do this..but...sure!" I was so relieved! As I'm sitting at her computer her cats are jumping on top of the computer moniter! It was so funny but I was so grateful that she was so nice to me and let me print it out. Within the course of 5 minutes I met the good and the bad in Italy. I made it to class in time...which was held at the Bargello Museum...one of the more famous museums in the world...I guess it beats Scott Hall!

Tonight, Nick is having a going away BBQ for us at his house! Should be fun! Tomorrow is Cinque Terra!

Assisi and Maggie's Visit to Firenze!

Thursday afternoon Maggie arrived in Firenze!! I was so happy to see her!! Immediately we starting catching up, I showed her the apartment and we went to Aperitivo which is this popular Italian thing that a lot of restaurants offer on the week days. You buy a drink and they serve you free food. Jes and I figured we'd show Maggie come typical Italian things that we do in Florence. After dinner, we wanted Maggie to experience her first gelato so we went to this really great new place that I discovered near my apartment. We got the gelato and then sat outside by Santa Croce. We called it an early night as we had to get up early on Friday morning to go to Assisi. I also finally booked my flight to Hungry on Thursday so I'm officially going to Hungry on May 26 with Maggie to see Petra! (another one of my roommates from Rutgers, who lives in Hungry!)

Friday morning bright and early we got on the bus to Assisi for our last Rutgers excursion. Assisi is about 2 hours away in the Umbria region of Italy. It is most famous for being the inhabitants of St. Francis. It was a really nice town...it reminded me of a mix between Eze in the French Riviera and San Gimignano in Tuscany. And we were lucky enough to be in Assisi on the weekend that they celebrate "Madonna Privamera" or the Lady of Spring! They have all kinds of festivals, parades, and games going on all weekend long. When we first arrived we got our whispers which was a foreign concept for Maggie who only has 3 students total in her study aboard group, and we had a tour throughout the town. We went into St. Francis Basilica which is where St. Francis tomb is which was cool to see. The Basilica is actually in two churches built on top of each other. Both were really pretty and it had many fresco's by Cimabue and Giotto, two of Italy's most famous painters. After our tour, Nick took us to a delicious lunch and then he got us tickets to watch the parade and games. This festival has been a tradition since Medieval times. And if theres one thing I learned in Italy...the Italians love their tradition! The parade was beautiful with so many different colors with the young and the old from town marching in it. It was really fun to see. After the parade were the games of archery, bows and arrows and some races. Unfortunately, we had to be back at the bus as a certain time so we didn't have too much of a chance to see the games but we did witness the race which consisted of boys dressed in old Medieval outfits pulling huge wooden things down the street. Let me tell you...they moved! I was impressed and everyone in the crowd went crazy for all of the games! It was certainly a pretty parade and definitely something I'll never forget! We were so lucky to have been able to see the festival. Nick does a great job planning our excursions! When we returned home to Firenze, we took Maggie to our favorite neighborhood restaurant "Gatto e La Volpe" (Cat and Fox) thats on our street. Then we headed out to the Fish Pub, a local hang out, with a few other friends from the Rutgers program.

On Saturday, Jes and I took Maggie on a tour of our city and showed her all of our favorite spots. We hit all the highlights like Palazzo Vecchio, the Arno, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Trinita, the Bronze Boar, and San Lorenzo Market stopping for smoothies and other goodies along the way. We spent a good amount of time at San Lorenzo Market where Maggie and Jes got fabulous new leather purses! I almost got one...but you all know me...I can't make a decision to save my life so I decided to hold off...I still have two more weeks to decide haha! For dinner, Jes and I made Maggie our our very authentic specialty...spaghetti with homemade meatballs and sauce! It was very delicious if I do say so myself! Then it was out for a night dancing! We had so much fun!

Sunday we hit up all the spots we missed on Saturday. Had lunch at a cute outdoor cafe by the Duomo, showed Maggie the inside of the Duomo and chilled with Michelangelo's David for awhile. Then of course it wouldn't be a day in Italy without some gelato so we got some and sat on the steps of the Duomo. For dinner we hiked up to Piazza Michelangelo. We stopped on the way and picked up some pizza and had a little picnic as we enjoyed the view of Florence from the piazza high above the city at night. We just sat and chatted and had such a great time! It was so nice to catch up with Maggie and hear all about her experiences abroad and show her what Jes and I have been up to for the past four months! On the way back we took the scenic route along the Arno and over the Ponte Vecchio and we may or may not have stopped of gelato again :)

This morning Maggie had to catch a train back to Konstanz :( and I had to do a presentation in my history class. But we had a fabulous time! I'm so happy she got to come and visit! I am going to visit her in two weeks at the end of my program. So I'm really excited to see her city!

Now that the fun weekend is over...its back to the books. I have a paper due on Wednesday and then 3 papers and 3 finals next week. So this week will be busy. On Friday, Nick is organizing a trip to Cinque Terra (a town about 3 hours away, on the coast which is supposed to be beautiful!) for whoever wants to go so I am planning on going there as my last Italy trip :(

Didn't I JUST get here?!

Pictures from the Weekend!

Assisi May 8, 2009

Maggie's Visit to Firenze May 8-10, 2009