GRADES

I got my grades today ... I am glad I took all 7 hours for credit.

Italian = A++ (yah, that is two plusses...)

Art History = A+ (I am impressed with myself even...)


For that A++ in Italian I even received a gift ... a wonderful white wine from the place we had the 19 kinds of fish (or creatures as I like to call them...).


I will miss Andrea ...

Oh Paris...

I am now a savvy Metro rider ... thank you Paris. This is really the only way to travel around Paris and I loved every second of it. The crowds, the smelly people, and the fact I spent 20 Euros. But oh well, I was able to see some impressive art!

We first got into Paris at 4pm. This didn't leave much time for sightseeing, so we met up with the other 2 in our party and headed for the Eiffel Tower (later to be shortened to simply "The Eiff"). Here we climbed 668 steps to the second part of the Tower. I took more pictures than would ever be necessary and enjoyed every second of it. We then headed up to the top by elevator. The view was incredible, and the cool breeze was a nice addition.

We soon headed back to the hostel, ALOHA, and I met my roommates. Seeing as how I booked my room after everyone else on our trip, I had a room with strangers. Here I met a Quebec guy, who I called "Quebec" for the rest of the trip. I also met a couple from Austrailia. I felt bad for them. Their team lost in the World Cup. Poor Austrailians.

The second day was amazing ... we went to the Louvre! It was INCREDIBLE. Words cannot describe the feelings I had as we wandered through this expansive building. We saw lost worlds of Mesopotamia and Egypt. We ventured into Greece. And of course, we furthered our knowledge of Italian Art by visiting paintings done by the great Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Caravaggio, and many more. Even though the day was rainy and cold, I felt a sense of warmth as I listened to the audio guide man tell me all about the Mona Lisa, Madonna of the Rocks, and the Death of Mary. After Louvre, we decided to head over to Museè D'Orsay. This is an impressionist museum and as equally amazing as the Louvre. I saw works by Van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet. Spectacular.

The third day meant MORE museums! We visited Notre Dame and climbed to the top. The gargoyles were my favorite! They creepily stared out at the city while angels stood behind. The gothic work in France is just incredible. I have expected the Hunchback to jump out at any second and say "Buongiour!" (that is spelled wrong most likely as I did not learn French but Italian!)

We then headed over to the Modern Art museum. For those at Zara's Collision reading this, did you know you see art everyday? I bet not, but the smashed up and totaled car here in France was art. I will show you upon my return! After we left this weird, and yet interesting, place we headed over to see the works of Picasso. I have seen better art by some of the 5 year olds I have taught. But nonetheless, it was Picasso. We saw a guitar made from cardboard, string, tape, and traces of crayon ... hmmm... art? But his paintings were indeed interesting and I thouroughly enjoyed imitating the art and trying to do the poses Picasso so oddly painted.

Paris was by far a good time, but not my favorite. The crèpes were great, especially the banana and nutella mixture! The sugar crèpes were also good, as I tried this while sitting by a pond at the castle in Versailles. A fish tried to eat Megan's toe, but we had fun.

Amazing though, people were starving in Paris when Louis XIV was building this massive home and summer getaway. I hung out with Louis for a bit while visiting, but I did not ask him how he felt about this . . .

We wore jeans and hoodies the whole time in Paris. It was nice. We arrived back in Verona at 3AM. It was hot. Greece will not be cool.

10 days later

Okay, so for anyone who isn't already tired of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" ... try waking up to it at 4:15 AM to an Albanian and his Italian friends butchering it ... needless to say, I have had enough American music while on my trek across Europe.

The past ten days have been quite jampacked, hence the lack of postings. I apologize. I will now bring everyone up to date with all of the interesting and slightly embarrassing stories and adventures I have to share still.

Last Friday brought not only the end of an actually short week, but the end of Italian 101 class as well. We had our final and I like to think I did pretty well on it. But this was not the highlight of the day, no siree.. (is that how you spell 'siree', I do not know...)! We had our first (and last) Verona Gelateria Crawl. Talk about intense. We went to 10 Gelaterias, where we ate 11 different kinds of gelato (my list will follow soon). We started after everyone had completed thier exam, and went for 3 hours, but trust me, this was no easy task. Only 5 or 6 of us, yes I was included in this select few, made it to the end, at which point we had TWO scoops of gelato. It was crazy, but I somehow shoved all 11 scoops into my tiny stomach including 3 cones and a wafer cookie. I couldn't look at gelato for two days.

The List:
After Eight (like the mints and spectacular)
Strawberry
Blueberry (left my tongue a funny blue, and my teeth even more blue)
Lemon (most refreshing)
Melon
Kiwi (too sweet to end on, which I did... ugh, pain)
Pibe (rich chocolate with chocolate chunks)
Ace (a carrot ... yes carrot ... blend with lemon and orange - very good!)
Peach
Nutella
... and one that escapes my memory ... but it was good!

So that is the list of gelatos in one day ... but not the end of the 10 days!

After Friday, our group had a group trip to Venice. Venice would be great ... esepecially if you weren't jogging through the city like we did. Running late with an appointment to catch, jogging was necessary but not fun. We had lunch at a small pizza place where the waitors were mean and the wine was not flowing. Not that I wanted wine, all I wanted was a coke, but when it was not brought to me, I was forced into helping the others finish the wine at the table...

Sunday brought a relaxing day in the mountains, a cable car ride up 6000 feet, and an unforgettable fish dinner. Although, I would not say fish as much as I would creatures. There was everything from shrimp, to mussels, to squid and octopus... I tried it all. It was fantastic. The only thing I must say was far from great were the anchioves --- salty, dispicable little creatures!

The next two days were spent in Rome and the Vatican City. Rome is magnifico! So much history and wonder ... how could the Romans, so unadvanced compared to today's society be such marvelous architects! It baffles my mind and intrigues me so! The Colloseum is huge, but in all honestly, not as beautiful as the Arena I walk by everday on my way towards class! But the other wonders, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain to name my favorite two, are spectacular. The four fountains and the Spanish Steps also leave you in wonder! I have pictures, but unfortunately cannot share with you at this time ...

I imagine the Vatican City and its museums should be amazing and inspiring places ... but unfortunatley for me, only a place of embarrassment! Let me explain! Tuesday I woke up and showered, feeeling a little queasy I thought I was only hungry. After getting a quick bite to eat and hopping on a crowded metro, I began to feel even worse. But I thought that this was from the smelly crowded metro ....

We arrived at the museums, where the line was RIDICULOUSLY long, but only because the museum was not yet open. But standing in the hot sun, I began to feel even worse. The feeling passed, however, and an hour or so later we were in the museum. However, once we got into the Geographical Map Room, all of the queasiness returned .... full force. After sending the other four ahead, I sat down on a bench to recuperate (sp?). A crowd then began to come through, and 20 minutes away from the nearest bathroom, I was forced to empty out (quickly empty out) my only plastic bag, which was home to my new sweatshirt and t-shirt. I then did what I feared the most, threw up IN the Vatican... and with no trash bin nearby and only mean security gaurds surrounding the area, I was forced to carry in hand my clothes, a cell phone, a guide, and a bag of my wonderousness through some of, probably the most beautiful, the Vatican. Fortunately I came to a bathroom and caught up with my group in time to see the Sistine Chapel and Michaelangelo's Last Judgement.

Later in the day, we went to St. Peter's Square and the Basilica where I fell asleep on a stone bench next to an Indian man for two hours. We said not a word to each other ... at least until right beofer he left when he, in a strong accent, asked, "Are you tired?"

So there ends my 10 day adventure ... there a couple days missing, mostly yesterday as all I did was only sleep off the sickness. Now I am back at school and wating for class to start in 45 minutes.

I hope you have enjoyed this long winded story and I will be reporting back after Paris this weekend ... hopefully without the storeis of being sick and vomiting on sacred ground ....

There will be pictures posted soon ... but for now:

This weekend was spent at Cheese Mountain (Montagna di Formaggio). But you won't find that name on any Italian map because it is really known as Asiago. It was a small town in the plateau of the mountain to which we went to. We saw the process of cheese making and got to smell all the wonderful (absolutely awful) smells that come along with the process. As much as I love cheese, this was a disgusting and stinky part of the trip. Not to mention, the only thing we ate at meals was CHEESE. I've had enough cheese to last me through the summer!

But more than cheese, we also went for a walk into Asiago, where we spent time at a market. I did not buy anything at this market, as it seemed a little sketchy to me! It wasn't that bad, but I really couldn't find anything I really wanted! After that, horseback riding was offered for a small fee. But, me being the baby I am, I decided not to go. I don't really care for horses or having an animal guide me through the mountains of Italy. I've ridden horses at home as well, and I do not really find it that enjoyable. So I chose to cuddle up in my bed and read a nice long book --- Deception Point by Dan Brown. I finished it, and I must say .... if you like Dan Brown, read this book!

We also went to a bar with the program director, Claudio. It was close to our hotel so we walked. When we got there, we split a fire hydrant of beer between 5 of us. It was a good time and we listened to live music --- American music. It was AMAZING! We soon went home however, and fell asleep in our hotel beds. These were not any better than my cement hard bed at my Verona apartment, but it was still nice to cuddle up under the blankets.

Sunday was a great day as well, with a trip to Bossano to look at an old bridge made by one man named Andrea Palladio. I know much about this man because of the wonderous art history class headed by andother Andrea! (this is a man's name pronounced On-dray-a). We also went to a grappa ( a very strong italian alcohol) distellery and learned all about the the process of making grappa. After a long night of drinking with Claudio the night before, this was an unwelcome-hangover ridden adventure for me. But! I made it through and we continued onward!

The ride home was long and boring, but we arrived to warm Verona after a chilly weekend in the cheesy mountains! This is when I made a new friend! I don't know his name, but he is the second cutest kitten in the world! Tiny, orange, and fluffy, I held the kitten all night as it fell asleep in my lap while we watched "The Interpreter." One of our greatest finds has been the local blockbuster, where movies ARE in English and I DID bring my DVD-capable computer! We love movies and its a great way to pass the time.

With a test coming up this Friday, however, movies will not be in abundance this week. But Italian is almost over and I cannot wait to rid of it. Rita, our teacher, is great ... but I would like to focus more time on travelling! As a matter fact, next Monday will bring the first trip to Rome (I will be making two!) I will make sure to post plenty afterwards so you can learn all about the great city of Roma!

On that, I must leave you my amici! I hope you all still love reading my long, boring posts! Keep commenting!

Caffes and Cappucinos

Sipping cappucino and sitting in an internet cafe, that is what I am doing right now! I know ... poor me.

We have been in Austria this weekend, and unfortunately return to Italy tomorrow. Not that Italy is horrible, but Austria is great --- not to mention we have AMAZING beds at our hotel! So we spent Friday in Salzburg ... Friday afternoon that is. And as I will mention again below the weather sucked! But we trekked through the rain and cold and managed to visit very beautiful sites. While I couldn't be pictured in front of many of these, I was able to capture some lovely shots of Stefanie and Scott in front of the Pegasus fountain and walking through the Maribelle Gardens! (Okay! And I may have taken a picture of myself too --- happy Dustin??? It's bad!)

Unfortunately (purtroppo), it has been awful weather here however. It has been rainy and cold and I was not the best packer for such awful weather! I had only flip flops and almost lost my toes yesterday in the pouring rain and coldness that engulfed us. But today, after our train arrived in Linz, I found a store with an amazing sale ... shoes for only seven euros! Yes, people ... I can shop! So I covered my feet and to the concentration camp we headed...

There are no words to describe what we saw today. The most overwhelming and atrocious site was that of the crematorium. You read the stories, you hear the horrors, you watch the movies.

But you never never really start to get it until you see it. We walked through the camp in silence ... only talking to find out when we were leaving 3 hours later. This will probably be the most moving experience for me in all of my eight weeks in Europe.

AFTER however! We missed our bus, 21 km from the train station!!! We started to walk, but realized that we would soon be walking on a high way --- bad idea. We turned around and headed for the large "I" for information. Could not find the I and instead called a cab... ugh. Too much money but it was necessary!

And now I am sitting here... drinking my cappucino and writing yet another story of my long excursion. I cannot wait to be home, but at home I would not have experienced what I have thus far. I still have a lot of time and I will still have many stories!