Third weekend in a row of traveling and whew! has it been a whirlwind! Thursday after eight hours of class I packed for Rome and at 11 headed to my friend's house who lives in Midtown which is walking distance to the train station which (we thought) was where the bus from Turin to Milan Malpensa airport was. I took a quick nap in her roommates bed and at 2a.m. I left with my friends to head to the station. We got there around 2:30 and thought it was a bit strange when the bus hadn't come to pick us up by 10 til 3. Of course at 3a.m. (the time the bus was set to depart) we realized we were very far from the right stop, ran for a while, and then gave up hope.
We called a taxi who told us that he couldn't take all of 6 of us in his car. After lots of mumbles and grumbles and deciding to take the 5am bus which would lead to us missing our flight, the taxi driver took pity on us and drove us. 2 hour and 230 Euro later (yikes!) we arrived at Malpensa ready to board. We had an uneventful plane ride thankfully but for some reason we weren't done with our bad luck for the trip.
At Fuimincino airport we got hassled by some sort of car service. Tourist information wasn't open yet and we thought that 8 Euro was a good deal for heading to Termini the main train station. It was a good price but of course we got dropped off in the outskirts of Rome and had to take a train to the main station.
Luckily we found our hostel all right, and then we began our day. The weather called for a 90% chance of rain which we were bummed about until we saw the sun, mixed with some gray clouds, and a 60 degree day. We walked to the Coliseum and took lots of pictures, sat and fended off little guys trying to see us glass cubes with pictures inside them. How many languages should I learn to say no in? We hoped on the Metro to the Spanish steps and then sat in a Mickey D's to rest our feet before climbing to the top. Afterward we walked on Via del Corso and went in and out of shops til we reached the Pantheon.
I've really learned to appreciate Piazza culture. You just sit on the steps, people watch, eat, drink, listen to music and just be. It was really nice to take in the feeling of the city instead of rushing around going from museum to museum. I got to meet my cousin Connie for dinner because we was studying in Rome was three weeks. It was really fun to see family. For desert we got gelato at the famous Giolotti and I got a delish cone with champagne and chocolate gelato. We walked over to the Trevi fountain and threw our coins in for good luck. We had a wonderful first day in Rome and had a much needed 8 hours of sleep.
Saturday morning we took the Metro to the Vatican. I've been there twice before so going into the museums and the basilica wasn't a top priority of mine. Good thing considering the line was almost out of the Square. We walked over to the castle and saw all of the vendors selling various crap along the river. Kelsey and I split off from the group and strolled along the Tiber river to Trastevere.
We had a nice sit down pizza lunch in Trastevere, walked along the piazza, then visited the church. It is truly amazing how beautiful these churches are with such incredible detail. We walked into Campo d'Fiori but hit it at a weird time because they were taking down all the stands from that day's market. Then we went into another amazing church, sat down and took a quick cat nap. Afterward we got snacks and then walked up Via Veneto. The cafes that lined the street were so charming and I remembered them from the last time I was in Rome. We walked up to Villa Borgheise but not inside because it was after dark. We did however find our way to the top of the Spanish steps without all the climbing. It was an incredible view at night but sadly my camera didn't totally capture it.
We then met up with the group for an appertivo with more fried food and carbs than my body ever wants to consume. Then we headed to the airport where we got a good nights sleep (not really but it beats missing your flight again.)
Now I'm safe and sound in Torino. Totally exhausted and ready for a weekend off from travel. As much as I would love to make the most of this (I think I am anyway) a girl's gotta sleep!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A Tale of Three Carnivals
Everyone needs to go to Venice at least once in their lives if not more. I left for Venice bright and early on a Saturday morning and got there in the afternoon. It was a gray day but the magic of the city with the canals and bridges was still there. We went on a guided walking tour and saw some of the main sights of Venice like Piazza San Marco, Saint Marc's Basilica, the gates of the city, and Doge's Palace. We got a restaurant recommendation from our tour guide and got some amazing white wine, seafood spaghetti and calamari. Later on we ventured out on the town in our masks. It was so fun going in and out of the little alleys getting lost only to find out you've been in a circle. Getting lost in Venice entails you running into something even more beautiful around the corner so it wasn't ever a burden. Nightlife in Venice shuts down at 9pm usually but during Carnival it goes super late 12am wooo! (Like your schedule mom!). We went into a few bars and then we wandered in Campo San Margherita which had a DJ in the piazza and lots of dancing. We had a blast and danced off the cold!
We woke up to mild weather and blue skies on Sunday, a first for us in Italy. Sunday morning was the opening ceremony for Carnival. The angel/dove descended from the bell tower down to the center of the piazza. They played Hallelujah and everyone was so excited for it to start. We then went into St. Marc's basilica to see the beautiful mosaics. They were incredible so detailed, breathtaking. We also got to look out on the piazza from the top and saw the sea and crowds of people. I could have sat up there all day. I was totally amused. When I left the church there were people singing and dancing and they asked me to join in so I had a dance with a semi toothless man and then me and kelsey joined a conga line.
We walked around the city and then went shopping at the stands near Rialto bridge. The little shops selling Murano glass jewelry were perfect for souvenir shopping! Then it was time for gelato and a nap. Back to San Margherita for another night of dancing in our masks. It was so fun experiencing this famous festival first hand. I didn't ride a gondola because they were super expensive but I think its okay because I danced in a conga line...at carnival...in Venice.
Monday afternoon we went to Verona where Romeo and Juliet is set. Of course I rubbed her breast for good luck, check facebook! We saw the fictional balcony and the Roman ruins in the city including a still standing and functional coliseum.
The week following was a little crazy including having my credit card compromised, shut down of my internet, snow storm and fake losing my camera. Little things are difficult here because of the language barrier but finally everything has been straightened out. I'm grateful for meeting good friends here, who are always there for you with a glass of white wine when things get tough.
Friday afternoon we left for Dusseldorf (Germany) and Amsterdam. Word to the wise: Budget airlines are called just that for a reason. We left our apartment at 2pm and 3 buses, 2 trains, 1 plane and 11 hours later we arrived at our hotel in Dusseldorf, whew! We made the best of it with our prepacked sandwiches and on our bus from Weeze airport (read BFE haha)to the city center we met this really interesting middle aged man who was from California but moved to Southern France and has met the Dali Lama. It was really amazing and humbling. It almost made me not want to complain about the following chain of events...
Saturday morning our train was set to leave Dusseldorf and head to Amsterdam at 11:13am. It was delayed 5 minutes, and then 15, and then 3 hours (or so they said in English.) We went to Altstad (Old City) for beers and lunch (Cajun fried and nachos a little taste of the south!). When we came back we saw that we missed our train and had to wait until 4pm for the next one, just kidding that one also delayed 70 minutes. We sat in the train station and enjoyed some German pretzels and beers, what else were we to do? Meanwhile Karneval was going on and there were tons of people in crazy costumes headed to Cologne for the celebration.
We finally boarded our train to Amsterdam and got to the city around 8pm. We freshened up and hit the town. One of the funniest sites was these urinal stands in the street for people to use at night. Had a giggle fit about that one haha. We found an Australian pub with great drink specials and met these 2 girls who were living in Amsterdam. One was from Australia and the other was from Milan. They were interesting and told us alot about Milan night life. At the end of the night after drinks and dancing we hit up McDonalds of course. It was well needed and really fun to go there.
In the morning we went into the Anne Frank House. It was very interesting and emotional. We got to go into the rooms and climb the staircases. It was really chilling but a great experience. Afterward we ventured into Dam Square and looked at a lot of little shops. A'dam had great souvenirs! Then around 10:30am we ventured into the red light district. The windows were lit along the street and it sure was interesting! Amsterdam gets a bad rap for being all about drugs and prostitutes but it was really pretty with the canals and bikes and bridges. I really enjoyed the city. The rest of the day we walked around ate little treats and experienced the city. I want to go back in the warm weather but I loved it for sure.
Monday morning we woke up and went to Karveval in Dusseldorf. There were streets lined with bratwurst and beer vendors and costume stands. We each bought a little something festive to wear around for the day but we were still severley under dressed in the costume department! Lots of people had on farm animal costumes and colors and all sorts of crazy get ups. It was really fun and everyone was super duper drunk haha. We had bratwurst and beer in the street and froze to death. We left the city center at 2pm and then went back to Torino.
Our school organized a trip for us to Ivrea to see the historic orange throwing battle. It was insanity! People were pelting oranges at each other and there were horse carriages going through the piazzas going to battle. It was really fun and I threw an orange at my friend haha. Lots of pictures are coming up. We're going to Rome in 2 days so more tales to come. I miss everyone at home! xoxox
We woke up to mild weather and blue skies on Sunday, a first for us in Italy. Sunday morning was the opening ceremony for Carnival. The angel/dove descended from the bell tower down to the center of the piazza. They played Hallelujah and everyone was so excited for it to start. We then went into St. Marc's basilica to see the beautiful mosaics. They were incredible so detailed, breathtaking. We also got to look out on the piazza from the top and saw the sea and crowds of people. I could have sat up there all day. I was totally amused. When I left the church there were people singing and dancing and they asked me to join in so I had a dance with a semi toothless man and then me and kelsey joined a conga line.
We walked around the city and then went shopping at the stands near Rialto bridge. The little shops selling Murano glass jewelry were perfect for souvenir shopping! Then it was time for gelato and a nap. Back to San Margherita for another night of dancing in our masks. It was so fun experiencing this famous festival first hand. I didn't ride a gondola because they were super expensive but I think its okay because I danced in a conga line...at carnival...in Venice.
Monday afternoon we went to Verona where Romeo and Juliet is set. Of course I rubbed her breast for good luck, check facebook! We saw the fictional balcony and the Roman ruins in the city including a still standing and functional coliseum.
The week following was a little crazy including having my credit card compromised, shut down of my internet, snow storm and fake losing my camera. Little things are difficult here because of the language barrier but finally everything has been straightened out. I'm grateful for meeting good friends here, who are always there for you with a glass of white wine when things get tough.
Friday afternoon we left for Dusseldorf (Germany) and Amsterdam. Word to the wise: Budget airlines are called just that for a reason. We left our apartment at 2pm and 3 buses, 2 trains, 1 plane and 11 hours later we arrived at our hotel in Dusseldorf, whew! We made the best of it with our prepacked sandwiches and on our bus from Weeze airport (read BFE haha)to the city center we met this really interesting middle aged man who was from California but moved to Southern France and has met the Dali Lama. It was really amazing and humbling. It almost made me not want to complain about the following chain of events...
Saturday morning our train was set to leave Dusseldorf and head to Amsterdam at 11:13am. It was delayed 5 minutes, and then 15, and then 3 hours (or so they said in English.) We went to Altstad (Old City) for beers and lunch (Cajun fried and nachos a little taste of the south!). When we came back we saw that we missed our train and had to wait until 4pm for the next one, just kidding that one also delayed 70 minutes. We sat in the train station and enjoyed some German pretzels and beers, what else were we to do? Meanwhile Karneval was going on and there were tons of people in crazy costumes headed to Cologne for the celebration.
We finally boarded our train to Amsterdam and got to the city around 8pm. We freshened up and hit the town. One of the funniest sites was these urinal stands in the street for people to use at night. Had a giggle fit about that one haha. We found an Australian pub with great drink specials and met these 2 girls who were living in Amsterdam. One was from Australia and the other was from Milan. They were interesting and told us alot about Milan night life. At the end of the night after drinks and dancing we hit up McDonalds of course. It was well needed and really fun to go there.
In the morning we went into the Anne Frank House. It was very interesting and emotional. We got to go into the rooms and climb the staircases. It was really chilling but a great experience. Afterward we ventured into Dam Square and looked at a lot of little shops. A'dam had great souvenirs! Then around 10:30am we ventured into the red light district. The windows were lit along the street and it sure was interesting! Amsterdam gets a bad rap for being all about drugs and prostitutes but it was really pretty with the canals and bikes and bridges. I really enjoyed the city. The rest of the day we walked around ate little treats and experienced the city. I want to go back in the warm weather but I loved it for sure.
Monday morning we woke up and went to Karveval in Dusseldorf. There were streets lined with bratwurst and beer vendors and costume stands. We each bought a little something festive to wear around for the day but we were still severley under dressed in the costume department! Lots of people had on farm animal costumes and colors and all sorts of crazy get ups. It was really fun and everyone was super duper drunk haha. We had bratwurst and beer in the street and froze to death. We left the city center at 2pm and then went back to Torino.
Our school organized a trip for us to Ivrea to see the historic orange throwing battle. It was insanity! People were pelting oranges at each other and there were horse carriages going through the piazzas going to battle. It was really fun and I threw an orange at my friend haha. Lots of pictures are coming up. We're going to Rome in 2 days so more tales to come. I miss everyone at home! xoxox
Friday, February 5, 2010
5 febbraio
Ciao America! Life has been beautiful here in Italy so here's what has being going on...
On Friday morning I left Torino to meet Davide in Milan. I went to Piazza Duomo and walked around and shopped a little bit (sadly only window shopping). In the afternoon Davide and I took the train to Saronno. We met up with Paula, loaded the car and headed on our way to Madesimo. We drove past Lake Como so I gave George Clooney a quick shout out.On the way we stopped at Senor Angelo's house in Menaggio to have dinner with my dad's friend Diego and his mom. It was so fun seeing them since the last time had been almost 7 years ago. We arrived in Madesimo around and 11 and then went to sleep.
I woke up around 8am on Saturday morning to fresh mountain air in the Alps. The mountains were incredibly majestic and beautiful. The sky was gray but on Sunday it was sunny and the view was breathtaking. Paola and I headed out to rent skis and head up the baby hill. This was only my second time skiing and with my lack of grace I was a little apprehensive. Davide helped to teach me how to ski which was fun and very kind of him. He said I was a fast learner and that I had a natural sense of equilibrium. Hmm I wonder how much my dad paid him to say that.
When I gained enough confidence we headed up a bigger slope. It was scary stepping away from the bunny hill but exciting at the same time. The best part was the pub partially down the hill where there were lots and lots of people relaxing and drinking wine. I met some people who spoke English and they were asking me lots of questions about my travels and studying here in Italy. They told me they learned English by traveling to the UK and Australia. After relaxing with a beer, we went back down the mountain.
On Saturday night I met up with some people my age from the town. They were really nice and hospitable. One of the girls lived in California for a year so she spoke fluent English. Sunday morning when I woke up we went for a hike up the mountain. It was really hard but the weather was sunny and the beauty of the Alps was worth the effort. This mountains are so amazing and grand. People come to Madesimo every weekend and it blew my mind that skiing in the Alps is just a normal occurrence for them, how cool! We left Madesimo around 5pm and went back to Saronno for dinner. Paola and Davide we amazing hosts and I had a wonderful weekend with them.
Monday I went back to Torino for class. This week my friends and I have been cooking dinner together a lot which is fun. We are starting to become a little family and it is nice having a sense of normality finally here.
And this week I got to experience Italian style bureaucracy at its finest. Yesterday our group went to the Questura which is a police station that processes immigration requests. We got there at 9am and luckily I got pushed up in line because of my 12pm class but some people were there until 5pm. Yikes. It wasn't that bad for me but the people do not work fast at all. There is no sense of urgency and the people in the fingerprinting office are very nice and funny. i didn't mind so much but I was a lucky one.
Today Kelsey, Katie, Elena, Drew and I went mask shopping for Carnival. We are very excited to go to Venice this weekend and experience this crazy festival. On Monday we're going to Verona to visit Romeo and Juliet too, how fab! I'll take lots of carnival pics and skiing picture are already up from the past week. Have a fun weekend everyone! xox
On Friday morning I left Torino to meet Davide in Milan. I went to Piazza Duomo and walked around and shopped a little bit (sadly only window shopping). In the afternoon Davide and I took the train to Saronno. We met up with Paula, loaded the car and headed on our way to Madesimo. We drove past Lake Como so I gave George Clooney a quick shout out.On the way we stopped at Senor Angelo's house in Menaggio to have dinner with my dad's friend Diego and his mom. It was so fun seeing them since the last time had been almost 7 years ago. We arrived in Madesimo around and 11 and then went to sleep.
I woke up around 8am on Saturday morning to fresh mountain air in the Alps. The mountains were incredibly majestic and beautiful. The sky was gray but on Sunday it was sunny and the view was breathtaking. Paola and I headed out to rent skis and head up the baby hill. This was only my second time skiing and with my lack of grace I was a little apprehensive. Davide helped to teach me how to ski which was fun and very kind of him. He said I was a fast learner and that I had a natural sense of equilibrium. Hmm I wonder how much my dad paid him to say that.
When I gained enough confidence we headed up a bigger slope. It was scary stepping away from the bunny hill but exciting at the same time. The best part was the pub partially down the hill where there were lots and lots of people relaxing and drinking wine. I met some people who spoke English and they were asking me lots of questions about my travels and studying here in Italy. They told me they learned English by traveling to the UK and Australia. After relaxing with a beer, we went back down the mountain.
On Saturday night I met up with some people my age from the town. They were really nice and hospitable. One of the girls lived in California for a year so she spoke fluent English. Sunday morning when I woke up we went for a hike up the mountain. It was really hard but the weather was sunny and the beauty of the Alps was worth the effort. This mountains are so amazing and grand. People come to Madesimo every weekend and it blew my mind that skiing in the Alps is just a normal occurrence for them, how cool! We left Madesimo around 5pm and went back to Saronno for dinner. Paola and Davide we amazing hosts and I had a wonderful weekend with them.
Monday I went back to Torino for class. This week my friends and I have been cooking dinner together a lot which is fun. We are starting to become a little family and it is nice having a sense of normality finally here.
And this week I got to experience Italian style bureaucracy at its finest. Yesterday our group went to the Questura which is a police station that processes immigration requests. We got there at 9am and luckily I got pushed up in line because of my 12pm class but some people were there until 5pm. Yikes. It wasn't that bad for me but the people do not work fast at all. There is no sense of urgency and the people in the fingerprinting office are very nice and funny. i didn't mind so much but I was a lucky one.
Today Kelsey, Katie, Elena, Drew and I went mask shopping for Carnival. We are very excited to go to Venice this weekend and experience this crazy festival. On Monday we're going to Verona to visit Romeo and Juliet too, how fab! I'll take lots of carnival pics and skiing picture are already up from the past week. Have a fun weekend everyone! xox
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