My Months in Italy!

IRELAND

So to sum it all up spring break was absolutely amazing! I can’t even explain how lucky I feel that I got to go to three countries and experience everything I did. First we went to Dublin, then to London, Barcelona, and Madrid. It was cold, rainy, and snowing until we got to Spain so it was nice to end on a warm note. I traveled with my Roommate kaylee, and two other girls were with us for the flights and such.

We arrived at Dublin and I had my first experience with a Hostel. Luckily all the hostels we’ve stayed in since have been absolutely amazing! We left the hostel in search of food and what Dublin might look like. I had my first experience with traffic coming from the wrong side of the road, but how appropriate they have painted on the cross walks which side of the street you should look on. We found some cheap food and headed back to the hostel.

We wanted to go on a Wicklow Park tour, which goes into a few different towns in Ireland along the countryside and the coast for the day. The problem was we kept call and all the tours said they were full. We got on line and found two spots left and book it, we weren’t sure if it was going to work, and we got up the next day and lucked out, the bus we got on had just two openings left. So we were off.

It was an eight-hour tour, the stopped pretty often. Our first stop was in a little town where we found a beautiful bridge and river hidden on the side of a church. We stopped to get coffee and do a little exploring. We were then off, and passed by where Braveheart was filmed, and saw the newly named Braveheart Hill. We stopped a little after that to see where the two rivers ran together and again found waterfalls and such. Our next stop was near the Guinness Families, home, they own tons of land and practically there own cove of a river, Paul McCartney visited and stayed here and wrote the song “Yesterday” on the property. We then stopped off to take a hike through some ruins of old Ireland. We walked along a river along a lake, through the hills, around some of the most beautiful parts of Ireland I’ve ever seen. Soon after that we went to where Thomas Moore wrote a lot of his poems, especially the one about the converging of the waters. Our last stop was for late lunch in another town, where I had the best fish and chips ever!

We got back late in the afternoon and went to the Guinness factory, but we only saw the outside because when we got close the Hops in the air from the beer made me sneeze and I couldn’t stop for twenty minuets, so we finally left. It was then off to St. Patrick’s Cathedral which was beautiful, and then if was into the Templar Bar district for dinner and the night life. We were completely exhausted and so we called it an early night and went home.

Out second day was actually Easter, so we woke up early and went back to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral for mass, which was quit the experience. Half of the mass was in Gaelic so it was kind of confusing but beautiful at the same time. We then went to Trinity College, but most of the things were closed since it was Easter Sunday, but we did get to walk around the courtyard. IT was then time for our Easter feast, which was McDonalds and a giant Chocolate egg that we ate in McDonalds. And then we were off the airport and on our way to London.
LONDON

We arrived in London kind of late by the time we got to the Hostel. It was raining and cold, and we were all tired. Due to the horrible exchange rate we had to choose wisely our activities. We stayed in for the night; the hostel came with a bar where we could get some cheap food so that was great. We woke up in the morning and bargained our way onto a tour bus group. The bus pass was available for 24 hours and it would take you to all the major attractions.

We started at the National Museum of Art, which was FREE!!! We got to seem some really cool pieces. Our next stop was downtown London, which is kind of like an older New York in my opinion. They have the first electronic billboards there, and they are massive. It was interesting to think London came up with that, and now in Time Square they are everywhere! Next stop Buckingham Palace…, which wasn’t that exciting. We got to see it, but there were no changing of the guards that day, and unfortunately we didn’t run into the Queen. It isn’t as beautiful as we thought it would be, and it’s in the middle of the city, plus we could only see it from the out side but that’s ok, at least I’ve been. After that we went to my favorite place, the Westminster Abby. The most beautiful church ever!

It was huge outside, and we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside…basically you can’t take pictures anywhere inside. We were told we saw London’s oldest door, which came up to my mid waist…haha. I think people used to be really short. We finally made our way to the London Eye, basically a huge fairs wheel…. which we couldn’t afford to ride, it was about 40 dollars a person after the conversion rate! UNBELIEVABLE! Haha It was then off to Big Ben and Parliament. I think I was expecting Big Ben to be a lot bigger, but it was cool to see it.

The best part was the evening we spent there. My roommate Kaylee and I bought the cheapest tickets possible to see the Broadway production of Chicago! It was amazing and so much fun. We got to get dressed up and go into the downtown area and see it all light up and full of people. It really is like being in smaller New York. Plus it was great because everyone spoke English! We woke up the second day and it was still snowing and raining so we found our way back on the bus tour through a loop hole and stay on all day just driving by all the sites again and some new ones. So I did get to see all of London, at least from the outside. We took a flight to Barcelona that afternoon.

BARCELONA

I was so excited to go to Barcelona because I was going to be able to see Kara Murphy! Finally a little piece of home again, not that I was homesick but it would have been nice to see people when I wanted. It was finally warm in Barcelona, and we followed our way to another bus tour. We stopped at a few museums but the coolest things we got to see were the Gaudi buildings. He designed a building, the Sagrada Familia. It’s a giant church from the early 1900’s and it looks like a candle dripping wax. It’s enormous! He also did some other pieces of architecture through out Barcelona, all which are completely unique from anything I’ve ever seen. He designed them to flow with the waves of the ocean.

The bus did stop at the beach. Where we of course got off and laid down for an afternoon nap. It was beautiful and the water was absolutely amazing! We tried to order some unique Spanish food, and my roommate love Spanish and Mexican food so when we order we were excited. Turns out they call everything different and we needed up with a pot of mussels and a plate of cheese. But we ate it laughing and looked for food elsewhere!

I finally got to meet up with Kara for dinner, which was really nice, we had paella and it was delicious. Unfortunately this was our shortest stop and we had to turn around the next morning and get on a plane to Madrid.

MADRID

We arrived in Madrid and met up with Kaylee’s fried and she took us to her hostel. Madrid doesn’t have a lot to see, but defiantly has a nightlife. We went to a volcano bar, where every drink you ordered was out of a volcano or some weird object. Then it was off to one of their favorite bars. We met up with one of my other roommate’s friends so it was cool to meet the people they are always talking about

This bar was huge and fully packed. There was a stage where a Michel Jackson impersonator came on and danced to Billy Jean. He was amazing and the crowd was going wild so it was quit intense. We were then allowed to go onto the stage with all the other dancers and have a blast. We woke up and went to a beautiful park with a lake, we stat around there for a few hours….and I got my wallet stolen. I still had my passport but it was kind of dramatic since I wasn’t even in Florence. But of course my mom was there with all the solutions and my roommate lent me money. Luckily a week later my parents were coming to visit so I could get a credit card and debit card again. We then walked around Madrid and just experienced how huge it is. And then it was off to a place back to Rome, and a train to Florence. Over all spring break was amazing, and I got a lot accomplished and I’ve been to most of the places I wanted to go.

ROME

A week after spring break I got to see my PARENTS! They flew in and immediately I had to show them Florence. It was nice being a tour guide and getting to show them everything I’ve learned about and teach somebody about where I am living. We left the next day for the weekend to go to Rome. Finally I made it to ROME!

It was kind of different than Florence, we walked around found our selves at the Parthenon, which was really interesting. Then to the Trevi Fountain, which was huge. We made a wish and continued on the best part of all the Coliseum. We were so shocked of how big it was. To see something that old was amazing WE tried to follow an American tour guide around and learn some things. We got to walk up the different levels and we decently felt like we were in Gladiator. We went to a delicious dinner and called it a night. The next day was dedicated to the Vatican City. We started off with a walking tour through the Vatican Museum where I was able to see all the art I had left to see. It was amazing, to see these things in person. Then to walk into the Sistine Chapel. It was amazing, smaller than I anticipated but the fact that I was standing where popes, Michelangelo, and many many more famous artist stood blew my mind. It was the coolest thing to see the frescos in real life!

Then into Saint Peters Basicalla. WOW! It was so large, we go tot see Michelangelo’s Pieta, which was just amazing. The ceiling is so tall that the huge alter can fit in the tiny hole at the top. IT was truly amazing, and they say that the spear the touched Jesus is there, along with the cloth he used to wipe his face, its even said that when digging they found alters on top of alters and when they broke into the last alter there was a box with remains from Saint Peter, all the bones and no feet, because he was crucified upside down.

We then went on our own and started looking for a small church that has a work of art I’d been dying to see, after climbing up lots of hills and walking a god ways we found the Ecstasy of Saint Theresa. It was amazing, and to imagine everything in Rome is from thousands of years ago. Finally we said good-bye, and stopped by the Spanish steps which mom and dad climbed….at this point I wouldn’t care if I never saw another stair again in my life. Haha, and back to Florence it was. We spend the next few days eating delish food and seeing more museums and churches, really opening our heads to exactly what existed before us….kind strange!

ALBANIA

So my favorite trip thus far has to be Albania. Yes Albania, the one place you would never think of to go to, but we did. Living here we haven’t really met any Italians. Most of the people we know and are friends with are Albanians. And we were looking for one last big trip and some of our friends were going home to see their families and told us to come with them to see the beaches and such. So my roommate Kaylee and had to do it.

We go there and it is a third world country. It is drastically different from Florence. But then you walk into a bar, club, restaurant, hotel, or house and everything is so nice. Its homey and contemporary, everything was just beautiful. I spend the first night learning how to Albanian dance, which is a lot like Greek dancing, and learning the music. It was just so amazing. The next day we took a trip on an electric hanging cart into the tops of the mountains. The view was spectacular. We were then off to drive along the coast and see the beaches. We started in the city center Tirana, and then drove through Lezhe and finally reached Shkoder where our friends were from. We drove along a sea for a while into nowhere, then all of a sudden there were twenty restaurants on the water, all with the freshest fish I’ve ever had. So we ate fish on the water, where it was so clear we could see Yugoslavia. We drove around the town and up into a mountain and went to a really old castle. It was amazing, and huge! And finally we were off to city again.

We woke up the next day and had a homemade meal at a friend’s house. First of all, every time we ate we ate like kings, food beyond your wildest dream. Everything is so cheap and our friends wanted us to try all the traditional food. Then to have a home-cooked meals was amazing. We met his family, who speaks no English so it was kind hard, but the food was so amazing it was easy to see we like it.

Our final stop was the Beach. Which again the water is the bluest you’ve ever seen, the air is clean, and it was beautiful. We ate, walked, and then made our way out of Albania. It was truly an amazing experience to force you into a country where no English is spoken and learn about the culture! Just truly awesome!

CINQUE TERRE

Cinque Terre is along the northern coast of Italy. It’s a beach town that consists of five small towns. You can hike through all the towns and walk all day or you can do what I did and take a boat around to all the different towns. It was absolutely beautiful. Again the water was so extremely blue and there were the special flowers that only grow there and in Albania and they smell absolutely amazing.

I got to lay our all day, and walk on all the beaches and trough each town. We had a delicious lunch with fish and climbed to a fort and up into the hills to get better views. But it was great being able to see all the mountains and hills from the water. It was so warm and if I could have gone swimming I would have but I forgot my bathing suit. It almost looks like California how all the towns are on the side of the mountains and the beaches are there but they aren’t huge, just small quite beautiful places. It was a really good day trip!

HICKING IN THE ALPS

I took my last school trip this weekend. We went to the Swiss Alps and to Verona. We got up into the Mountains and all the towns were completely dead. It was so warm so when we started our hike we were in shorts and t-shirts. But as we climbed higher we found snow. It was still really warm but now were trudging through snow and that wasn’t that great. We made our first stop at a beautiful waterfall and ate lunch. I actually got to climb behind the waterfall and watch out from the other side. It was so amazing.

We then finished out 6-hour hike to the top. It was breathtaking. We were as tall at the mountains we saw driving in. I’ve never really seen mountains let along climbed them until now, and it was an experience everyone needs to have. The beautiful rivers and waters plus all the climbing that were possible.

Our second and last day of the trip was spent in Verona. It’s a small town at the top of Italy, and is one of the most important art cities, along with Rome, Florence, and Malian. So I’m really glad I made it there. It’s tiny and sounded by Gardena Lake. We again ate lunch at the water and walked around looking in all the cute shops. We go to go to a look out at the top and it made miss Florence. At this point I only have ten days left to live the life I have here, and it’s going to be hard to leave all the beauty behind me. I miss my family, friends, and Andrew but I wish I could bring them here rather than me go there! This summer holds a lot of excitement, but Italy is like being on another planet, and it’s a Planet I never want to leave!

Finally I am caught up on my blogging! Andrew arrived last monday a little over a week ago he finally made it after cancelled flights and lost bags. It was really nice to see him, and have someone from hope to experience this with. We walked around Florence he got to see the Duomo but the line to go up was to long for us to wait, but we made it to the Piti Palace again and went inside two of the museums both were really cool. I showed him most of the main sites and then we went out and he experienced Florence's night life. Then on Friday we took off for Paris.

Yes, this is my second weekend in a row going to France, but I'll be honest I like italy a lot better and I don't know if would ever want to go to France again, unless it was on the beautiful coast! Anyways, we flew in and walked around seeing the Arch of Triumph and Eiffel Tower all lit up at night, and by the time we made it to the Hotel I was of course sick so it was time to get some sleep. We got up early saturday and basically did Paris in a day.

We started by taking the metro to Notre Dome and it was absolutely beautiful and huge, we went inside and it was one of the coolest thing i've ever seen. We made our way to the Louvre and that in itself could be its own city, its that big. We walked around inside seeing tons of famous art including the Mona Lisa, and probably spent a few good hours in there. We then decided to walk to the Eiffel tower, but together we had to go through a garden in-front of the Louvre, which must have been at least 3 miles long. But I wanted to walk so I could see the entire city. We made it to the Eiffel tower and went up and WOW is the only word i can use to describe it. It was very high up and seeing the city from up there was really really cool!

We made it home, and now its midterm week for me so I've been doing a lot of studying, but we went out last night for St. Patrick's day and every Irish Pub was extremely packed from wall to wall so it was interesting. We had a good night and then he left early this morning. When he was here is was like I never left, and it has made me miss my family a little more than before. But these next two months are going to fly by, then back home to good ole Indiana. Miss you all!!!!

So on the 8th and 9th of March all of my roommates and I woke up at 4 in the morning to go on the school trip to the French Riviera. The trip took 5 1/2hrs our driving, but we drove through the mountains and along the coast of italy and france the entire time! Going to the mountains was one of the things I wanted to do before I left so I'm glad that I got to do that.

Our first stop was Monaco and Monte Carlo! Absolutely beautiful, but extremely tiny. It was right on the coast so it was cold and rainy, but even in bad weather you can see why so many people go there. It was absolutely amazing!!!! It was small enough that we just walked around for most of the morning, and got to go into a church where Grace Kelly was buried and see her grave. We had the most amazing view from the top of the mountain and our bus drove us on part of the path from where the Grand Prix is. We actually drove from the start line, so that was really interesting.

We then drove about 30 minuets to Nice. Which was pretty amazing as well. We took our own walking tour and did some shopping in France, saw the main square, old town, and then spent time at the water again! It was amazing how clear and blue the water is along the Riviera's! Anyways it was acutally my roommate Julies 21st birthday so after the french dinner of lamb that was prepared for us we went out exploring. We eneded up going to the Casiono but didn't really play most becuase we don't know how and also beacues we don't speak french! Haha, but we did play some slots! It was an early night because we had to get up early to continue on the adventure.

The next day we drove to Cannes, where they have the film fesitval every year. Again on the water and again amazing. It was finally warm so we walked along the beach and stuck our feet in the water. We saw where the film festivel is held and they also have something like "stars" in front of the chinese theater back home. There were tons of squares mostly with french actors but we did see people like Sharon Stone, Mel Gibson, Spike Lee, and many more so that was really interesting. I found a ring that i can't even describe but it might be the coolest thing in the world, and so always a good purchase. We finally headed out for the afteroon to our last stop. A purfueme factory in Eze.

This Fractory first of all is a pretty big deal I guess, they make extremely expensive perfume that you can't buy anywhere else in the world. We got to see how it was made, what goes in to it, and even try a few scents. Im not going to lie though I did have a pretty big headache after we got out of there, but I bought a tiny piece of perfume! Once we got out side Kaylee, Julie, and I needed some fresh air and took a walk around the city, we walked down a huge hill where we just happened to find an abandoned wooden Half Pipe for skateboarding. It was hilarious so acting as though we were five again we went fake skateboarding in Eze. As you can imagine at this point everyone is exhausted and we had to make the 5 1/2 hour trip home which was longer due to traffic but well worth it for all the thing we go to see!~!!!!

Two of my roommates, Kaylee and Sabrina and I, took a walk to the Piti Palace which is a museum that is huge in florence. There are four different sections, and then there is a giant garden behind it filled with art and trees and grass. This is the only place in Florence that grass exists, at least in the city so it was kind of a big deal for us to see it and be able to walk around all afternoon. It was extremely beautiful and I think we are going to go back when it is warmer out so we can see it when all the flowers have blossomed.

Then on Sunday we decided to do a little day trip and hoped on a train to Pisa! Not a lot to do, but seeing the Leaning tower was pretty cool. I was actually shocked that it was leaning that much. You can walk inside it, but it was kinda pricey so we didn't. We ended up buying hot dogs that were created the Italian way. A foot long hot dog, with a foot long sub bread and then they cut the hot dog and half and bake the whole thing. It was good, but very different. They also don't really put catsup on anything. We spend a good two hours around Pisa and then headed back to the train to go to Lucca a small town outside of pisa for the day.

Lucca is located inside a giant wall. So you have to walk through a wall and up tons of stairs to get to the outer rim of the city. Then you can walk or rent bikes for almost nothing and look at the city around the wall, or go off the wall into the center and look at the shops. We started out walking and finally made it half way around the outer wall when we rented bikes! Kaylee and I decided to be adventurous and get a tandem bike, the ones for two people. Needless to say it was a lot harder than it looks. We could barely get around with out running into walls and people and once we would get going we would have to weave between people and loose our balance again. It was an experience and a lot of fun! I was extremely excited about this trip to Lucca because on our way back I found a brown pair of leather boots! (Yes they have big people sizes apparently you just have to search) So it was a successful trip and beautiful out the entire time!

Well what can I say these past few days have been like living a dream. Thursday I had my art history class, and we all went for a field trip to different museums. I stood a foot away from the bronze panels, which come from the most famous doors and contest during the Renaissance. I watched from two feet away as they restored Donatello's David. One of the most widely known pieces of art around. Its beautiful, it what i've studied in my class rooms and to be in the presence of something that has so much meaning is just unbelievable. I also got to see the "Holy Trinity", a fresco inside of a church here...this is the piece of art that it is said perspective on a flat plane was invented. I mean to think that in the 1400's someone painted something like this fresco is just so hard for me to wrap my head around.

And if that wasn't enough friday my roommates and I finally went to the Duomo. I mean its huge and beautiful! The dome its self is just unimaginable and we are planning on going to mass there next week. We then paid the 6 euros to climb 453 spiral and small stairs to the top. There is a stop on the way up that allows you to be right at the frescos on the top of the dome...I mean you are inches from this art and its unbelievable! THen we continued to climb and the view...I mean, we never wanted to go down. Its absolutely breath taking. And so worth the climb. Plus to be on top of one of the most famous churches in Italy .... I mean well worth the climb.

I've only been here for two weeks....and I am already living in a dream. I can't seem to take in all the culture at once, every day I wake up and realized again I'M HERE! I finally did it! IM LIVING IN ITALY! I swear its true, once you've here you don't want to leave....haha I really wouldn't mind moving here eventually!

My roommates are the friends I've never had, and it amazing how much we are all alike. We are already becoming known around the local bars...we are usually the first ones there and the last ones to leave dancing all night, drinks are cheaper if not free, and we are getting better treatment all around. Such as, when we have to use the bathroom instead of waiting in line, we get a key to the private bathroom. We are living the life

Finally saturday...today, I purchased a beautiful leather purse...a leather coat....and I got a discount you would never believe. It really helps to make friends with the people that live in this city! We've met people that are just so unbelievable and talking with other people from all over the world as they travel through Italy has really opened my eyes.

If I could I would graduate school and then travel the world. Now I must go...another adventure awaits me!