Long time coming!!!

So here it is February 24th and I have not written in 3 full weeks.  I have been really bad about this but have been emailing much more and school is starting to pick up!  So here is a recap of the last few weeks.

The weekend after Tuscany we went to London to meet up with all the ND kids in the London Programme.  All of us knew at least a few people studying there so it turned out to be a big reunion and was a lot of fun.  We didn't get to do much sightseeing, I'm not really sure why because we were there for 3 whole days, but I loved London!!! The city was amazing, and I have to admit I went in with very few expectations.  I am so glad I went, it was a nice combination of Europe and English but it was so so so strange not to be walking into a cafe (their pubs are the equivalent I think) and ask for a cappuccino and cornetta in Italian.  

Stefanie and I went out to lunch on our own that Saturday to the restaurant called Little Bay where they were experimenting with "you pay what you think our food is worth." I'm not even kidding, they charged us for drinks and we were on our own.  I got a cheeseburger (I miss American food sometimes) and Stef got foie gras (sp?).  It was pretty decent, there was actually a London news team in the restaurant filming everyone so in terms of a relaxing eating experience, Little Bay kind of failed.  Still, something unique in every city.  I loved London and I can't wait to go back sometime.

I stayed in Rome the weekend after that, and it was so nice because we literally have not spent a weekend in Rome since we have been here.  I did some sightseeing, had Valentine's Day dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe Roma with my roommates (one of which bought us all roses!) and really just caught up on work.  Apparently not enough, midterms week is almost upon us and as it turns out, we actually have to do work while "studying abroad."  Yet I am blogging right now. Funny how that works.  

This past weekend we went to Venice for Carnevale. It was absolutely amazing and gorgeous, we literally had the time of our lives.  It was a weekend of excess to be sure (as noted by my most recent facebook album title) with fabulous food, costumes, colors, people, scenery, just everything.  We haven't quite determined what Venice does to keep the city afloat (no pun intended) besides Carnevale as their tourist industry.  There is nothing there except beautiful buildings, bridges, canals, bars and churches.  And we hardly saw anyone on a gondola ride because it costs 80-100 euro. It was ridiculous, but definitely an experience I am glad I had.  Thus far, Venice is the most unique city I think I have been to.  Our train got in at 5:30 AM Friday and so we watched the sun rise over Piazza San Marco amidst the beginnings of lavish costumes and professional photographers by the bay.  We took a water taxi around the island (very very cold!) but the views were unbelievable.  I took way too many pictures, had some Bellini (the signature Venice drink) and bought a Carnevale mask.  I wasn't sure quite what to expect for a European festival but it was truly unbelievable.  We have to laugh when we just casually throw into conversation here "Are you traveling anywhere this weekend?" "Yeah, we are actually going to (random European city)."  It's so easy, this is so once in a lifetime.

Wine country!

I wrote this lovely, lengthy entry this morning and of course the internet connection died, so here is try numero due..

Last weekend we took a two-day trip to Orvieto (in Umbria) and Siena (Tuscany). Gorgeous.  It was a little chilly both days but sunny and beautiful.  And quiet!  Outside of tourist season things are very relaxed and there are no lines for the incredible views we got to see.  This was, however, a weekend of stairs.  We literally climbed 1,000 steps in two days, and both towns were pretty hilly.

Orvieto is a small town on top of a mountain, so we had to take a tram to get up there.  Apparently it isn't exactly a tourist destination so in general the place was silent.  It was one of those places where things shut down for a few hours every afternoon and people go home, rest, lunch, do whatever it is that Italians do during their siesta.  So while everyone was in, we were walking around mostly empty streets just taking in views and the Italian town life.  Like a lot of cities here, Orvieto is centered around a huge duomo, a church that looks like it really didn't belong among all the small buildings.  Again, the architecture and even the shops and apartments are something you just can't find in the states.  We then climbed to the top of the bell tower (total: 173 steps) backpacks and all.  It gave us amazing views but we definitely had to stop once....or twice.  Little did we know what was in store for us with all the stairs the next day or so.  Afterwards we went down to the bottom of a huge well...which was great until we had to climb back up. But we came out of it overlooking the land down below and you could see the Italian countryside for miles (kilometers!) every way.  

We took a train to Siena during the evening and our hostel was right off of the main Piazza del Campo.  The centerpoint of the piazza was the city hall building with another bell tower (total: 400 steps) and we also went and saw a panorama of the city where once again there was the contrast between Italian town and countryside.  The clear day definitely made all this worth it.  That night we ate at this restaurant that apparently made an appearance in the NY Times. Basically we paid 20 euro for a 5 course meal....pasta, a meat course, contorno (side dish), coffee, wine, water, dessert.  All the food was homemade, and apparently during tourist season it's impossible to get in to eat there because there are literally 5 tables in the entire place. 

We ate breakfast on the piazza the next morning and wandered around Siena all day, did a wine tasting where we sat out on a terrace built into this fortress for an hour or so in the sun, had Sienese salame, cheese and bread, and just chatted about life. I love the charm and small-town feel of the Italian towns and also how relaxed and quiet the European pace is.  

hob knobbing with the locals

So this past weekend we had the greatest time. We arrived in Milan on Friday morning after a thankfully uneventful night train experience, stopped by the hostel and toured around all day. We saw the major sights, apparently there aren't a whole lot, but walked through the high end shopping district so that was fun for 4 girls... I stayed home sick that night but it was definitely a night to remember for Katie, Linds, and Stef. They went to a popular nightclub and did some serious socializing with a group of runway models straight out of Fashion Week in Milan. I think I will regret being sick for this night for the rest of my experience here. They described it as a huge group of the most beautiful people they had ever seen. I would have loved to be there to witness this.

We went to Lugano the next day and I was so so so so excited to see mountains for the first time in about 10 years. We met up with a friend of Stefanie's from home who plays basketball in Switzerland so we took in a game, quite an experience but you know I take in my sports any way I can. We met some really awesome people, enjoyed (maybe a little too much for me) the nightlife on Saturday (sorry mom, I know you don't want to know :) ) and Sunday we drove to the top of one of the local mountains and saw this adorably picturesque town that overlooks some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. We caught it right at sunset, it was absolutely gorgeous and I have no way of describing it better than that!

We had some complications on the train ride home but still managed to make it back around 7 (am!) to Rome where it was back to reality. Classes are continuing uneventfully for the most part, and it is supposed to be sunny the rest of the week which is going to do wonders for my tuesday/rain/homework blues.

I was actually really happy that I didn't have to watch the breaking of our home winning streak, it seems so far away and insignificant here even though it is such a huge part of my life at home! It does make me miss home, the girls, and campus quite a bit, but I know that for the girls abroad they are embarking on the most amazing adventure of their lives and the rest are taking care of business back on campus. I miss you and love you all!

travels

I'm going to Milan tonight!!! I am so excited, not so much for the night train but maybe I will see Posh and Becks? I am thinking yes. Anyway, lots of roommate bonding time for this girls weekend, and I will set foot in Switzerland as well although not in the mountains like I had been hoping.

Classes are moving along and I am happy to say they don't seem to drag on. We watched the Inauguration on campus here (as JCU is an American university) and it was amazing. Still trying to figure out how to get to the JCU WiFi which definitely blows Medag's Internet out of the water. The IT people take lunch from 11:30 to 3:30 and keep other really odd hours so we are kind of on our own. The school is surprisingly inefficient with almost everything, and classes continue to get cancelled at random. I love the 4 day school week though, and for the most part I'm interested in what I am learning, so it looks like I made some good choices.

I miss American TV a lot though, and we don't have access to shows online like I figured we would. Apparently American TV is for Americans only... I guess that didn't really occur to me. I'm also sad to be missing GameDay on campus this weekend....I know it will be amazing! Something I won't have to miss for much longer is Miss Katie Peralta herself ... Valentine's Day weekend! And Kathleen over spring break! Life is good.

We just found a flight to Sicily for 10€, and I am happy about this for several reasons. First, everyone in the computer lab we are in just went to the website and is calling their friends to book this flight while it is so cheap, all 30 people in here, and second, I just got to use the Euro sign for the first time with an international keyboard.

Ode to the Smart Car

I have found that the SmartCar (those little tiny cars that look like toys on the highway) is one of the best inventions ever created. They are everywhere here. They are energy efficient, big enough for two people (and some groceries in the trunk but not much more), and with parking being all parallel and such a nightmare in general here, you can actually back it into a small spot. It's ridiculous. They are the cutest things. They fit in the smallest little spaces. I am officially obsessed with the SmartCar.

So let's see....classes have begun and I have already gotten a feel for how things go around here. Numerous classes cancelled on the first (and second!) days, 10-15 min late profs, lovely little courtyards in which to eat lunch from little cafés, mild weather all the time - it's beautiful here today. Very laid back overall. I like most of my classes but they have a wide range in difficulty and also ability to keep me engaged.

Today is the inauguration!!!!! I wore red,white, and blue today being the nerd that I am. I don't know if anyone has made the connection yet. As we are 6 hrs ahead of DC, the festivities begin here at 5:30 pm and they are hosting a little inauguration party at the school with food and speakers. Although JCU isn't that big (800 students) they invited any and all to come themselves as well as bring friends and are expecting everyone to fit into one 150 person capacity room with a projector. I am determined to see this Live!

We experimented with the buses and determined that while they worked well for us today, they are for the most part going to be unpredictable. So we figure we like the walking while the weather is so nice...maybe not so much when it is raining.

Last night we went to the "free" ND party at Miscellanea (aka Mickey's) which was fun, but maybe not 10 euro worth of fun. The city was silent as we walked home a little after midnight. Kind of makes you forget that Rome is actually a city of 4 million people.

Saturday 1.17

The lessons continue.  After last night's club experience, I am minus one purse, one cell phone, credit cards, 150 e, one drivers license, and one school ID.  I guess what people tell you is true, and purse stealing is an epidemic here, so I'll have to be extra careful from now on.  

I did not end up going to Naples and Sorrento with the girls as a result, so I have a nice relaxing weekend here to get my life together before classes start.  Weather is pleasant today, and a quiet apartment is suitable for kicking back, reading, making a good meal, who knows what else.  The strange thing about Rome is that I don't seem to notice the difference between weekends and weekdays in terms of the amount of people I see and the places I go.  There is always stuff going on here no matter what day or time of day it is, so I don't think I will ever get bored, but getting your purse stolen is enough to want to be bored for a few days.

finally a decent internet connection

More things to learn all the time! The Internet is so spotty at Medag so I have to wait for solid Internet connection at school next week.  The time is currently 1:46 AM and we all promised ourselves it would be an early night for us but of course the Internet doesn't cooperate until now.  In the mean time, we have been sightseeing like champs.  The churches here are like nothing I have ever seen, and St. Peter's Basilica was awesome as advertised.  The Coliseum at night was amazing, and I finally figured out how to use my camera settings and got some really great first pictures.  

Last night we had our first club experience, La Maison. Apparently this particular place only lets students and essentially all non-Italians in only once every few months.  It was free cover but I found out the hard way that drinks costed between 10 and 15 euro...ouch.  Cabs are also pretty expensive but surprisingly reliable.  We found this out because the meter starts running as soon as they park to wait for us.

20 euro later..... 

The other issue with money is that we often find ourselves in situations where the only option we have is to pay more so we can get someplace, eat, achieve basic necessities, etc.  I guess this will hopefully solve itself as we become more familiar.  

We are thinking about going to Naples/Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi Coast this weekend. Without our Permesso di Soggiorni in place with the polizia, we are unable to legally travel outside of Italy.  This may be a fun option even though it's our first weekend in Rome.

We figured out that JCU and everyone who is providing us with necessary information has not been so good about that, so we are discovering a lot on our own: where to buy books, how to get from one campus to the other, bus schedules and where they go, the Metro, shortcuts to school from the apartment, places to socialize at night, etc.  We literally walk miles every day, but I guess that is good considering all of the glorious Italian food we are eating.  Speaking of food, we made our first official dinner tonight and it was successful.  Conquered: the market and the stove.  Still working on finding healthy things to eat, doing laundry, lack of hot water, and getting used to all the walking!