Ciao from ITALIA friends and family! I have already had many adventures in my short time out of Spain and lucky you because you get to read all about them! Thursday after I wrote to you, I went home to shower and have one last lunch with my host mom. I packed up and almost lost it when I was saying goodbye to her. I will be back in Segovia after my month of traveling and she has already invited me for lunch that day when I stop in to say my final good-bye and pick up my stuff. I imagine that good-bye to be much more difficult! Shortly after lunch I went to the bus station to buy my ticket to Madrid and met my friends and we were Italy-bound! Our flight was at 21:30 (9:30) and we arrived in Milan close to midnight. After waiting for our bags, we hopped a bus to the train station where we attempted to sleep. I did not sleep more than 20 minutes and was extremely cold. We were very lucky that the train station guards even let us into the building as the building was closed for the night and would not re-open until 5:45 a.m.! Still, we were cheap and did not want to stay in a hostel or hotel for less than 8 hours...we are poor college students remember!
Some of the group was able to get on a train from Milan to Monterroso at six and the rest of us boarded at 7:25 and arrived in Monterroso around 11:30. The weather wasn't the best when we first arrived, but that was just fine because all I wanted to do was sleep because of my lack of sleep the previous night. So Anna, Katie and I slept while the others went to explore the cute little Italian city situated in the valley of a mountain range that I don't know the name of. After our nap we, too, walked the length of the city, found pizza (we are in Italy, duh!) and some internet to connect with friends and family to clue them in on our whereabouts and existences. We stayed in the first of the five villages on the Cinque Terre coast. Cinque Terre, pronounced "chink-wah tera in your best Italian accent, in Italian means "Five Lands" and therefore there are five little towns. On Saturday we went out and discovered the other five lands and found a trail that led from the first city, Riomaggiore to Manarola. It was quite the easy hike and we think it was made for the less capable of (older population) travelers. It was beautiful and it was called the walk of love. We made sure to take many kissy pictures and lovey dovey poses to emphasize the walk of LOVE! Also, it is common for lovers to bring locks and lock their love on fences or nets along this trail to symbolize their forever love, I forgot my lock so I guess I must return! After the mild hike we took the train back to our village and walked around and finally met up with the other girls. Michelle and I grabbed some pasta on the beach and then we went out for the night at a popular bar named "Fast." We played card games, ate some more pizza, met some other US travelers and soaked up the fact that we were in ITALY! The next day, Michelle, Libby, Anna, Dana, Katie, Alexa and I climbed a mountain that overlooked our gorgeous beautiful beach and village. It took about 40 minutes to get to the top and much effort to avoid twisting my ankle on the way down. Despite what my friends thought though, I made it--injury free. After our hike we marched up to our hostel room, changed in to our suit and hit the beach...for the next six hours. Needless to say my skin didn't hold up all that well and thanks only to Libby's aloe am I sitting here right now writing to you. Without it, who knows if I would still be curled up in a bed in Cinque Terre unable to move! That night after a quick and cheap dinner at a local restuarant, the seven of us girls played cards and chatted in one of our hostel rooms. It was a great end to a fabulous weekend in Cnque Terre.
This morning, Michelle and I got up early for one last run along the beach. The views are absolutely breathtaking and seemingly more and more beautiful after everytime I looked! I highly recommend checking this place out for yourselves. My words and eventual pictures just can't and won't do it justice. After our run we went to the market for breakfast, packed up our room, handed in our keys and we were off! Anna, Dana, Libby, Michelle and I all boarded the 11:17 train to Pisa while we split up from the other part of our group because they were on their way to Venice instead. After arriving in Pisa, we then split off from Anna and Dana as they continued on right away to Florence and the three of us instead spent a couple of hours exploring Pisa and then headed to Florence later. We grabbed lunch and of course sunbathed in the grass below the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was, to be completely honest, a bit overrated, but really cool nonetheless. We made sure to take some ridiculous pictures of people in weird poses and then of couse ourselves in really weird poses! The Tower, which was closed in the 90s is actually now open for tours. I little fun fact is that the Tower of Pisa actually has been leaning since the 10th century--it started leaning after the construction of the third floor. How cool?!
After Pisa, we then boarded the 14:54 train headed to Florence. Traveling by train is really cool and allows us to see so much of the country side. It was obvious, mostly because of all ofthe Olive Garden commercials that I have experienced in the States, that we were in Toscany, Italy's wine country! After getting off of our train we began our search for a place to stay for the night. We ended up pacing the city for about an hour, walking in and out of hotel lobbys asking about vacancy, until we stumbled on this great hostel from which I now find myself writing to you. It is great because we have free wi-fi, free breakfast, a free walking tour tomorrow and really cheap dinners (2.50 euros)!! After settling a bit in our hotel, which I have a separate room from my travel mates, we walked around the city and found some really cool markets. I haven't bought anything yet, but I am going to go back tomorrow and see what kind of damage I can do! After exloring for a bit more, we came back for dinner and then went out for gelato, a staple to the Italian diet and one I have come to appreciate more and more each day. And even though it is Monday and I am in Florence, Italy I think I am going to go to bed! We did so much walking today as we searched the city of Pisa for its Leaning Tower and then Florence for three spare beds--we are bushed! Tomorrow its Anna's 21st birthday, so we best save up our energy!
Also, since this hostel is completely booked for tomorrow night, we must move tomorrow after our walking tour to a place pretty far outside the city. I guess that is the price we will pay for waiting until the last minute! It's all in good fun, but to put a smile on many of my readers' faces, I think I will be ready to come home after this month of traveling if only for the stability that comes with it. I am already exhausted and it has only been a few days! We have much to see in the next few days and I will be sure to keep you all posted as much as possible. I hope all is well on your side of the planet! Buena sera from Italia!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
I Have Been Blessed Over and Over Again
Well, friends and family, one of the days that I have been dreading since about January 7 is upon us...the day I must leave this beautiful city. It´s bittersweet, though. I mean really, who am I to be complaining about leaving when I have a month of backpacking through Europe before me?! I have been blessed with all of these great opportunites and I find myself at a complete loss of words describing my emotional state and how truly amazing this experience has been thus far.
In my past blogs, I have forgotten to mention the French students that have been staying with us over the last month or so. We had our first batch arrive on March 21 and the two 14-year-old boys stayed until Friday of that same week. They are still my favorite. I don´t remember their names which is probably a combination between the amount of weeks since their departure and the very French nature of their names. The following week we didn´t have any students and then we made up for it last week with three boys ages 14, 15 and 16! It was fun, but we were all rearranged at the apartment as my mom gave up her own bedroom to accomodate them. This past week we have two girls for the first time. I have since come to realize that I am partial to the company and presence of the boys better; they were nicer and didn´t steal my bathroom time! They were all great, though, and spoke little to no Spanish or English for that matter. Therefore, dinner converstation was interesting to say the least. It was nice to have bigger family for a change as well!
Speaking of kiddos, this past Monday and Friday were my last days volunteering at the elementary school. This was a great experience overall and I really liked being able to see the way their classes work here in Spain and how they learn English to be able to compare it to how I learned Spanish. We took pictures, exchanged email addresses and received many hugs from the students; they really didn´t want us to go! I don´t blame them, I don´t want to go either.
On Monday night we had a group dinner to celebrate our time together at Hotel Linajes. We had a social hour and took many pictures on the patio with our moms and of our group. The dinner was tasty; I had eggplant and a varity of apetizers! We chatted with Brian, Terese and Carolina who were seated at our table along with Carolina, the Linguistics professor. Brian, Migue and Jenny all gave speeches and Jenny ended most appropriately with,¨"Somos una familia," or English, "We are family," Which is so true, I´m really going to miss these people and all being in this same wonderful place. I am sad because like all great things, it is ending and it will never be this way again. Dr. Suess helps me in these times though as I remember, "Don´t cry because it´s over, smile because it happened." Tuesday was a day were this quote didn´t help me too much as my computer crashed on me. It couldn´t have been better timing because the bulk of my final semester projects were finished and I only had three more classes remaining when it happened. Luckily I wasn´t planning on bringing it traveling and it will instead sit in my backpack here in Segovia until I come back to retrieve my things and eventually get it to a technician in the States that can help me out. Tuesday during our seminar class our slideshow finally made its debut. It was a smashing success (though I am a bit biased) and everyone really like it. We even made some people cry, success! Michelle and I are currently posting it on youtube for the world to see, it´s in three parts and you should most certainly check it out!
As for me, I have a million things to do between now and 4:30 when my friends are dragging me to the bus station. We fly to Milan, Italy tonight at 9:30 and will most likely be spending the night in the airport. We will hopefully catch an early train to Cinque Terre. The list of our (Michelle, Libby and I) destinations are as follows: Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Rome, and Venice in Italy, Interlaken in Switzerland, London, Dublin, Munich, Paris and then Nice. Please message me with ideas or suggestions about things to do, places to see and yummy things to eat. I promise to blog at least once a week and apparently email my mother once a day (how inconvenient! Just kidding, mom!) to keep you all updated on my livelihood and whereabouts. Thank you all for your love and support during my time in Segovia. I couldn´t have done it without you and you, too, have helped make this an experience of a life time.
In my past blogs, I have forgotten to mention the French students that have been staying with us over the last month or so. We had our first batch arrive on March 21 and the two 14-year-old boys stayed until Friday of that same week. They are still my favorite. I don´t remember their names which is probably a combination between the amount of weeks since their departure and the very French nature of their names. The following week we didn´t have any students and then we made up for it last week with three boys ages 14, 15 and 16! It was fun, but we were all rearranged at the apartment as my mom gave up her own bedroom to accomodate them. This past week we have two girls for the first time. I have since come to realize that I am partial to the company and presence of the boys better; they were nicer and didn´t steal my bathroom time! They were all great, though, and spoke little to no Spanish or English for that matter. Therefore, dinner converstation was interesting to say the least. It was nice to have bigger family for a change as well!
Speaking of kiddos, this past Monday and Friday were my last days volunteering at the elementary school. This was a great experience overall and I really liked being able to see the way their classes work here in Spain and how they learn English to be able to compare it to how I learned Spanish. We took pictures, exchanged email addresses and received many hugs from the students; they really didn´t want us to go! I don´t blame them, I don´t want to go either.
On Monday night we had a group dinner to celebrate our time together at Hotel Linajes. We had a social hour and took many pictures on the patio with our moms and of our group. The dinner was tasty; I had eggplant and a varity of apetizers! We chatted with Brian, Terese and Carolina who were seated at our table along with Carolina, the Linguistics professor. Brian, Migue and Jenny all gave speeches and Jenny ended most appropriately with,¨"Somos una familia," or English, "We are family," Which is so true, I´m really going to miss these people and all being in this same wonderful place. I am sad because like all great things, it is ending and it will never be this way again. Dr. Suess helps me in these times though as I remember, "Don´t cry because it´s over, smile because it happened." Tuesday was a day were this quote didn´t help me too much as my computer crashed on me. It couldn´t have been better timing because the bulk of my final semester projects were finished and I only had three more classes remaining when it happened. Luckily I wasn´t planning on bringing it traveling and it will instead sit in my backpack here in Segovia until I come back to retrieve my things and eventually get it to a technician in the States that can help me out. Tuesday during our seminar class our slideshow finally made its debut. It was a smashing success (though I am a bit biased) and everyone really like it. We even made some people cry, success! Michelle and I are currently posting it on youtube for the world to see, it´s in three parts and you should most certainly check it out!
As for me, I have a million things to do between now and 4:30 when my friends are dragging me to the bus station. We fly to Milan, Italy tonight at 9:30 and will most likely be spending the night in the airport. We will hopefully catch an early train to Cinque Terre. The list of our (Michelle, Libby and I) destinations are as follows: Cinque Terre, Pisa, Florence, Rome, and Venice in Italy, Interlaken in Switzerland, London, Dublin, Munich, Paris and then Nice. Please message me with ideas or suggestions about things to do, places to see and yummy things to eat. I promise to blog at least once a week and apparently email my mother once a day (how inconvenient! Just kidding, mom!) to keep you all updated on my livelihood and whereabouts. Thank you all for your love and support during my time in Segovia. I couldn´t have done it without you and you, too, have helped make this an experience of a life time.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
How Wonderful Life Is
The mere fact that I couldn't remember my password to login into my google account to write this blog is a sure sign that it has been far too long since I have updated you all! As you probably assumed, homework and my Spanish lifestyle has consumed all free time, but I assure you that you have been on my "to-do" list now for a week!
After the race, it is safe to say that I couldn't walk normally until about Thursday. That has hopefully taught me that for the next time that I run a half or maybe (gasp) full marathon I better train more diligently. As a treat on the Wednesday after the race, Katee and I went to go get pedicures! It was an interesting experience overall and one that has left me pretty excited for the American Chinese to do my toes instead of the Spanish ones. The technician was really nice, but the extent of her Spanish was "muy bien, muy bien." And for all of you who aren't familiar with Spanish that says, "very good, very good," essentially not helpful in communicating whatsoever. It was fun and I was glad to have yet another Spanish experience to make me realize that everyone is different and no one way is the so-called "correct way." (There definitely are, however, preferred ways like full massage chairs and Black Cherry Chutney OPI nail polish.) The next day, and since we had some leftover money in our budget, we had a pizza party after our seminar class. We ordered 15 pizzas and hung out in one of the patios on campus and soaked up the hot hot sun. After the pizza party we had a walking tour to a little chapel and monastery outside of Segovia. It was a great day to be outside...a not so great day to wear a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. I can never get it right, people! That night, some of the guys from our school held a party at one of the clubs in town for a end-of-the-semester celebration. It was a great time and once again gave me so many reasons that make me want to stay here; we have made some lasting friendships!
On Friday, Greta and Della came to Segovia. They made it here at about one in the afternoon as I was very much determined on finishing my final paper about the Counter-Reformation (which didn't happen until the next day). They ended up sleeping until dinner time anyway and then I met up with them at the Plaza Mayor for drinks, dinner and dessert! We didn't stay out late that night since we had to be at the bus station for our trip to La Granja the next day. We spent Saturday with our group and some family that was here to visit. Bridget's parents and three siblings, Heidi's family and Greta and Della made for an extra large group that day, but it's always fun to show other people what our excursions and how much fun we always seem to have no matter the amount of churches on the itinerary for the day. Surprisingly, though, this Saturday well, we visited one church, but weren't inside for more than five minutes. So that doesn't really count right? We instead saw this really cool museum where they blow glass and make glass vases. We even were able to see the guy using the machine with the moldable glass, the blowing and the shaping of the glass as well. It was very interesting. After the museum we toured the palace which I thought was really pretty. It's a bit sad that after only a week I can hardly remember this palace's claim to fame, but trust me folks when I say it was beautiful and some king probably vacationed there or something. Outside the palace are gorgeous gardens and fountains and such. We explored the area a bit before hopping on the bus back to Segovia so Della and Greta could tour the Alcazar and I could finish my paper. After dinner, we went to their hotel and then brought them up to the aqueduct where each night on the town commences. We then were their personal discoteca tour guides for the remainder of the night, showing them all the places we have grown to love.
Sunday was somewhat of another early morning; we were heading to Madrid. Friday and Saturday's weather were absolutely gorgeous and on Sunday dear mother nature decided to rain on our parade, literally. We had a nice day planned out with shopping in Puerto del Sol in the morning and after lunch and then the (outdoor) Bull Fight in the afternoon. Well shopping suffices just fine with a bit of rain, and bull fights? Well that's a whole different story. We arrived about 30 minutes early and at about six o'clock, the bull fight began with a parade of all of the matadors and their horses. Eventually the first bull made it's entrance and that's when I found out that during each bull fight they kill six bulls! Not cool, Spain, not cool. I am glad that I went to experience this cultural event but after 40 minutes, two morbid deaths of the first two bulls and the very cold rain, I was ready to catch the metro and then bus back to Segovia. Although we didn't see the bull fight in its entirety I didn't come back from Madrid empty handed because I bought a super cute leather bag and tank top from Strativarius, success!
As for this past week, I have no idea where it went. I have a sneaking suspicion that my massive loads of homework snatched it out from underneath me, how rude! Throughout the week if I wasn't doing homework, I was skyping friends for the last time, registering for my fall semester classes (boo) or making some last minute travel plans. The professors here think that packing the bulk of our semester into the last two weeks is a swell idea, well I am not a fan in the least. It has left me with a list about as long as I am tall of things to do all while I am trying to enjoy my last days in Segovia. You can't have your cake and eat it, too I suppose but seriously! The weather this week has been absolutely beautiful which also makes the thought of leaving more and more unbearable.
Yesterday we went back to Sepulveda, a city outside of Segovia to check out a wild life museum, a monastery and some cool caves. Again the weather was gorgeous and I may or may not have proof of the scorching sun in the color of a very pink-skinned tummy. (My mom sent the sun block last week and it should be arriving soon!) The day was perfect, filled with lots of picture taking and a wonderful camaraderie within our group. Boy, I am going to miss this family of mine; we bicker like siblings, but we have all meshed so well, it's great. I was a little nervous for the caves being the claustrophobic individual that I am, but it actually wasn't too bad and I didn't have too much of an issue with it. Pilar's daughter, Lucia, who has joined us on a variety of excursions came along with Pilar's brother, Christian (who organizes the host families) and his two adorable sons. When we dropped them off at their apartment on the way home, Lucia came and gave each of us a big hug because it we wouldn't see her again before we left. Again, have I made myself clear? I don't want to leave!! After the trip I went home to find dinner sitting out and remembered that my mom had a play to go to. Since Michelle's parents were also gone, I went to have dinner and get ready for the night with her! We met at the aqueduct at 11 as usual, but last night was special because of our awards ceremony. You probably already guessed it, but I won the "Most likely to fall and hurt herself" award. Predictable, but very applicable.
Today I have spent a whopping 13 hours and counting on homework and things that need to get done before I jet off to Italy on Thursday. It is going to be an emotional week and I am relieved that there are ten of us going to Cinque Terre first so that I don't have to say "good-bye" to everyone all at once. Michelle and I have made a slideshow with pictures and sappy music to play for our group Tuesday in class. The emotional state after that premiers will be interesting to say the least. For now I better be getting back to my homework. I should be able to write once more before I leave to tell y'all about my last day of volunteering, the host family dinner and anything else exciting that will happen this week. Much love.
After the race, it is safe to say that I couldn't walk normally until about Thursday. That has hopefully taught me that for the next time that I run a half or maybe (gasp) full marathon I better train more diligently. As a treat on the Wednesday after the race, Katee and I went to go get pedicures! It was an interesting experience overall and one that has left me pretty excited for the American Chinese to do my toes instead of the Spanish ones. The technician was really nice, but the extent of her Spanish was "muy bien, muy bien." And for all of you who aren't familiar with Spanish that says, "very good, very good," essentially not helpful in communicating whatsoever. It was fun and I was glad to have yet another Spanish experience to make me realize that everyone is different and no one way is the so-called "correct way." (There definitely are, however, preferred ways like full massage chairs and Black Cherry Chutney OPI nail polish.) The next day, and since we had some leftover money in our budget, we had a pizza party after our seminar class. We ordered 15 pizzas and hung out in one of the patios on campus and soaked up the hot hot sun. After the pizza party we had a walking tour to a little chapel and monastery outside of Segovia. It was a great day to be outside...a not so great day to wear a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. I can never get it right, people! That night, some of the guys from our school held a party at one of the clubs in town for a end-of-the-semester celebration. It was a great time and once again gave me so many reasons that make me want to stay here; we have made some lasting friendships!
On Friday, Greta and Della came to Segovia. They made it here at about one in the afternoon as I was very much determined on finishing my final paper about the Counter-Reformation (which didn't happen until the next day). They ended up sleeping until dinner time anyway and then I met up with them at the Plaza Mayor for drinks, dinner and dessert! We didn't stay out late that night since we had to be at the bus station for our trip to La Granja the next day. We spent Saturday with our group and some family that was here to visit. Bridget's parents and three siblings, Heidi's family and Greta and Della made for an extra large group that day, but it's always fun to show other people what our excursions and how much fun we always seem to have no matter the amount of churches on the itinerary for the day. Surprisingly, though, this Saturday well, we visited one church, but weren't inside for more than five minutes. So that doesn't really count right? We instead saw this really cool museum where they blow glass and make glass vases. We even were able to see the guy using the machine with the moldable glass, the blowing and the shaping of the glass as well. It was very interesting. After the museum we toured the palace which I thought was really pretty. It's a bit sad that after only a week I can hardly remember this palace's claim to fame, but trust me folks when I say it was beautiful and some king probably vacationed there or something. Outside the palace are gorgeous gardens and fountains and such. We explored the area a bit before hopping on the bus back to Segovia so Della and Greta could tour the Alcazar and I could finish my paper. After dinner, we went to their hotel and then brought them up to the aqueduct where each night on the town commences. We then were their personal discoteca tour guides for the remainder of the night, showing them all the places we have grown to love.
Sunday was somewhat of another early morning; we were heading to Madrid. Friday and Saturday's weather were absolutely gorgeous and on Sunday dear mother nature decided to rain on our parade, literally. We had a nice day planned out with shopping in Puerto del Sol in the morning and after lunch and then the (outdoor) Bull Fight in the afternoon. Well shopping suffices just fine with a bit of rain, and bull fights? Well that's a whole different story. We arrived about 30 minutes early and at about six o'clock, the bull fight began with a parade of all of the matadors and their horses. Eventually the first bull made it's entrance and that's when I found out that during each bull fight they kill six bulls! Not cool, Spain, not cool. I am glad that I went to experience this cultural event but after 40 minutes, two morbid deaths of the first two bulls and the very cold rain, I was ready to catch the metro and then bus back to Segovia. Although we didn't see the bull fight in its entirety I didn't come back from Madrid empty handed because I bought a super cute leather bag and tank top from Strativarius, success!
As for this past week, I have no idea where it went. I have a sneaking suspicion that my massive loads of homework snatched it out from underneath me, how rude! Throughout the week if I wasn't doing homework, I was skyping friends for the last time, registering for my fall semester classes (boo) or making some last minute travel plans. The professors here think that packing the bulk of our semester into the last two weeks is a swell idea, well I am not a fan in the least. It has left me with a list about as long as I am tall of things to do all while I am trying to enjoy my last days in Segovia. You can't have your cake and eat it, too I suppose but seriously! The weather this week has been absolutely beautiful which also makes the thought of leaving more and more unbearable.
Yesterday we went back to Sepulveda, a city outside of Segovia to check out a wild life museum, a monastery and some cool caves. Again the weather was gorgeous and I may or may not have proof of the scorching sun in the color of a very pink-skinned tummy. (My mom sent the sun block last week and it should be arriving soon!) The day was perfect, filled with lots of picture taking and a wonderful camaraderie within our group. Boy, I am going to miss this family of mine; we bicker like siblings, but we have all meshed so well, it's great. I was a little nervous for the caves being the claustrophobic individual that I am, but it actually wasn't too bad and I didn't have too much of an issue with it. Pilar's daughter, Lucia, who has joined us on a variety of excursions came along with Pilar's brother, Christian (who organizes the host families) and his two adorable sons. When we dropped them off at their apartment on the way home, Lucia came and gave each of us a big hug because it we wouldn't see her again before we left. Again, have I made myself clear? I don't want to leave!! After the trip I went home to find dinner sitting out and remembered that my mom had a play to go to. Since Michelle's parents were also gone, I went to have dinner and get ready for the night with her! We met at the aqueduct at 11 as usual, but last night was special because of our awards ceremony. You probably already guessed it, but I won the "Most likely to fall and hurt herself" award. Predictable, but very applicable.
Today I have spent a whopping 13 hours and counting on homework and things that need to get done before I jet off to Italy on Thursday. It is going to be an emotional week and I am relieved that there are ten of us going to Cinque Terre first so that I don't have to say "good-bye" to everyone all at once. Michelle and I have made a slideshow with pictures and sappy music to play for our group Tuesday in class. The emotional state after that premiers will be interesting to say the least. For now I better be getting back to my homework. I should be able to write once more before I leave to tell y'all about my last day of volunteering, the host family dinner and anything else exciting that will happen this week. Much love.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)