Put your reading glasses on, get comortable, and be sure to hydrate - this is going to be a long one.
Spring Break took forever to get here and is going by incredibly fast, as usual. My last class was Philosophy and we got out two minutes late, but who was counting? That was last Thursday. We had a big "empty the fridge of all the stuff that will go bad while we're away" dinner and then after a while we went to "Amo" for salsa dancing. Staying out late the night before you fly to Paris is maybe not the best idea, but it seemed like the thing to do at the time.
Friday morning I had to shop around Ortigia a little because the funny thing about backpacking around Europe is, you need a backpack for it. I left mine at home because I prefer my Vera Bradley tote for school. We took the bus to Catania early in the afternoon even though our flight wasn't supposed to leave until 5:25 PM so that we could sit around in the airport and people-watch. At about a quarter to five we found our gate and waited. The flight was delayed. Eventually it said that it was delayed two hours. Um, that's a problem. That would mean we would miss our connecting flight from Milan to Paris. And the hostel we had booked in Paris might cancel our reservation if we didn't make it there by midnight. So with our best "Don't Mess With Texas" attitudes Brie and I went to talk to someone. They kept saying that they had called our names to change our flights, we must have left the airport, they couldn't help us, it was impossible. Finally they found a way to get us to Milan that night and a flight to Paris the next morning. The airline would pay for a hotel for us in Milan, they said.
So we flew to Milan. We got there at about 11, and check-in time for our flight to Paris was 7 the next morning, so unfortunately there was no time to see Milan. Plus the airport is about a 45 minute train ride away from the city, apparently? It took about an hour for the people in the Milan airport to figure out what had happened in the Catania airport and to give us plane tickets and a hotel voucher. A bus took us and a about 20 other people who I imagine were having similar problems to the hotel. It was nearly an hour away, in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, but we didn't care. It was a "4 star" hotel where we could finally sleep. We still had to pay for the hostel that we didn't make it to, but we figured we were getting a hotel for the price of a hostel.
The next day we arrived in Paris around noon, I think. The airport was very confusing; none of us spoke French and the dictionary I bought had limited phrases and not much of a pronunciation guide, but the people were super nice and most of them spoke English. We finally go the right metro tickets and found our way to the stop where we needed to get off for our hostel. The stop was called "St. Michele / Notre Dame" and as soon as we climbed the steps out of the station, the first thing we saw, our first view of Paris, was Notre Dame. That was a pretty amazing moment. Of course I got a little squeally and jumpy and we took a lot of pictures, and then we went inside, where you aren't supposed to take pictures. It was beautiful. After a while we started to wander around in search of lunch, and our first Paris meal was salty crepes from a street vender, filled with all sorts of cheeses. We sat on the steps of the "Pantheon." After some walking around we got to our hostel and I think I slept for about 14 hours - I was so tired from midterms, dancing, traveling...the next day we saw the outside of the Louvre, which is quite remarkable even if you don't go inside, and we walked down a beautiful street with parks and trees and statues and fountains - I'm not describing it well at all and even my pictures aren't going to express what it's actually like - and then we saw the Arch di Triomphe (I hope I spelled that right). I had a quiche and croissant for lunch but I don't remember what everyone else had. The Eiffel tower was next. The lines were long, it was cold and rainy, my umbrella broke, and the battery in my camera died that night but it was still one of the most exciting weeks of my life ever.
I love Paris. I saw a lot of it from the top of the Eiffel tower, and I want to go back. We waited around so that we could see the Eiffel tower at night. In front of it there is this glass thing that has "peace" written in lots of different languages. I got a picture of the English word with the tower in the background. I think I also managed to find "paz"(Spanish), "pace"(Italian"), "paix" (French?), and something like "eirene" but in Greek letters, so I'm assuming it was modern Greek. That night we stayed in a particularly sketchy hostel. I don't want to freak anyone out, but there was a small blood stain. We were safe, though, of course, and the next day after breakfast and some walking around we went inside the Louvre. The Louvre is shaped sort of like an A that isn't pointy, and in front there is the big glass pyramid that everyone seems to recognize from The Da Vinci Code. That is the entrance. You go down into the basement, basically, to buy tickets and leave your backpack, and then you go into the Louvre. It was overwhelming. There are all sorts of floors and courtyards. It's just huge. You could spend a week in there. All the captions for the paintings and statues are in French, but I could recognize some of the Classical and neo-Classical works and when I looked at the captions I could tell if I had been right in guessing the names of the mythological figures. Practically the first thing I saw was the Venus di Milo. I got dizzy in some places. The cielings were so ornate I could stare at them for a long time. I have to go now...but I'll finish the Spring break story later....
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Mi piace ballare!
I didn't realize that it's been so long since I last updated.
I got my first Italian haircut, which turned out to be a party with a razor. We managed to tell the hairstylist that I wanted just an inch or two off, with layers, and the side bangs trimmed. Then he attacked my head. I really hated it at first but now I'm getting used to it. Brie got her hair cut, too, a lot shorter than she wanted, so we were sad all day, but don't think in terms of Audrey Hepburn ala "Roman Holiday" - it wasn't that bad. There are pictures on Facebook, of course.
We went to Mount Etna last weekend, and it was beautiful, and there are pictures on Facebook. I ate horse meat (!) and it was actually really good, as long as I didn't think about horses...especially any from Black Beauty...especially the one that died. Then we went ice-skating. Sicily is not "the island of eternal sunshine" as someone apparently once said. I love winter.
Tuesday night I hardly slept at all so that I could finish a translation paper for Greek, and I skipped what I'm hoping was not a mandatory trip to the market in Syracuse for all the Italian classes, and I got to Greek class (I am the Greek class, really, it's private instruction) and it turns out it wasn't due yet. My Greek homework takes about five or six hours, anyway, and I had this extra assignment on top of it.
Wednesday was my first night of Salsa lessons. It was really intimidating when all the Italians started walking in, but it was so much fun, and we learned Salsa, Meringue, something that starts with a B, and a little bit of Tango. The lessons are twice a week, and we've already paid for the month of March, although now we realized that the taxi to get there is 6 euro each time, so we're going to figure out how to take a bus, instead.
Today two of my classes (Plato and Art History) were cancelled, so I went to the market this morning and bought all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a Basil plant. It's a little bit intimidating to go to the open market by myself, but it's good for me to practice what little Italian I know. Tonight I'm going to make dinner, and it's finally warm enough to eat out on the terrace! I love cooking here. Instead of looking up a recipe, trying to find all the ingredients, and then following the directions, like I do at home, here I just buy really fresh amazing ingredients and then try to think of ways to combine them. Everything seems to go together because it's all so Italian. There is a middle eastern place here on the island, though, and a Chinese place. I'm glad because I'm actually getting a little tired of pizza and pasta. I don't really crave American food, just something not Italian.
The only material thing I really miss right now is the Baylor library. I miss having a good quiet place to study. I'm finding that I actually don't mind living without a clothes dryer or a car. I don't even really miss the internet. Well, maybe sometimes.
Well, that's pretty much my life right now. Spring break is going to be amazing, and I'll write about it soon.
I got my first Italian haircut, which turned out to be a party with a razor. We managed to tell the hairstylist that I wanted just an inch or two off, with layers, and the side bangs trimmed. Then he attacked my head. I really hated it at first but now I'm getting used to it. Brie got her hair cut, too, a lot shorter than she wanted, so we were sad all day, but don't think in terms of Audrey Hepburn ala "Roman Holiday" - it wasn't that bad. There are pictures on Facebook, of course.
We went to Mount Etna last weekend, and it was beautiful, and there are pictures on Facebook. I ate horse meat (!) and it was actually really good, as long as I didn't think about horses...especially any from Black Beauty...especially the one that died. Then we went ice-skating. Sicily is not "the island of eternal sunshine" as someone apparently once said. I love winter.
Tuesday night I hardly slept at all so that I could finish a translation paper for Greek, and I skipped what I'm hoping was not a mandatory trip to the market in Syracuse for all the Italian classes, and I got to Greek class (I am the Greek class, really, it's private instruction) and it turns out it wasn't due yet. My Greek homework takes about five or six hours, anyway, and I had this extra assignment on top of it.
Wednesday was my first night of Salsa lessons. It was really intimidating when all the Italians started walking in, but it was so much fun, and we learned Salsa, Meringue, something that starts with a B, and a little bit of Tango. The lessons are twice a week, and we've already paid for the month of March, although now we realized that the taxi to get there is 6 euro each time, so we're going to figure out how to take a bus, instead.
Today two of my classes (Plato and Art History) were cancelled, so I went to the market this morning and bought all sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a Basil plant. It's a little bit intimidating to go to the open market by myself, but it's good for me to practice what little Italian I know. Tonight I'm going to make dinner, and it's finally warm enough to eat out on the terrace! I love cooking here. Instead of looking up a recipe, trying to find all the ingredients, and then following the directions, like I do at home, here I just buy really fresh amazing ingredients and then try to think of ways to combine them. Everything seems to go together because it's all so Italian. There is a middle eastern place here on the island, though, and a Chinese place. I'm glad because I'm actually getting a little tired of pizza and pasta. I don't really crave American food, just something not Italian.
The only material thing I really miss right now is the Baylor library. I miss having a good quiet place to study. I'm finding that I actually don't mind living without a clothes dryer or a car. I don't even really miss the internet. Well, maybe sometimes.
Well, that's pretty much my life right now. Spring break is going to be amazing, and I'll write about it soon.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Wet cobblestone and pointy-toed stilettos
I'm back now from Palermo, the city on the other side of Sicily where we went yesterday and stayed last night. I'm going to try to stick to the interesting things in this blog and not explain boring details...
The mall in Syracuse is awesome. I've never shopped so intensely in my life, and I love the way Europeans dress. They are always bundled up this time of year, even on the days when it isn't that cold. The little old men walk around arm in arm and do the double-air-kiss goodbye. The women do that, too, and little kids...
I spent the night at my first hostel and it wasn't bad at all; actually it was really nice; the lady said it was sort of a hostel, sort of a "guest-house." For 19 euro, it was pretty awesome. The heat actually worked there, and it was more than just a space heater, unlike my apartment, and there was a tv that got lots of channels in German. We watched "Ella Enchanted."
I have some homework to do for Greek, Latin, and Philosophy. I'm still working on my readings list, by which I mean I'm still working on compiling the list; I haven't even started reading for it. I hate doing this while I'm abroad. But my other two classes aren't going to be too bad, I don't think. Italian is really fun. There will be exams, a paper, and a presentation in Art History but until then all I have to do is go on the field trips and take notes in class.
The food is really good here but two of my roommates and I have decided to start imposing certain restrictions on ourselves, because there's just a little too much gelato, tiramisu, cannoli, marzipan, and various other pastries and chocolate things that are everywhere. Espresso has no calories if you drink it black like I do, though, so it's my consolation. The custom here is to drink things with milk in them like cappuccinos or macchiatos only in the morning...
I have lots of pictures still to upload onto facebook, maybe I'll try to put some on here, too. I officially love traveling, and I can't wait to start planning my spring break. I'm hoping to find some really cheap flights to some exciting places, although either way I know I need to stop shopping and save for that. I also want to take at least one weekend trip somewhere. I'll tell you the specific destinations once I find out what they are!
I miss everybody a lot. I know I've only been here for 2 1/2 weeks, but it seems longer because it is farther and because I know that it will be for so long. I'm really happy here, though. It's strange because I'm having the time of my life and I'm looking forward to it being over. Having the time of your life can be exhausting, and there are really weird feelings that come when you suddenly leave all of your family and friends and everyone you know, and then make new friends really quickly, and feel close to them and far away from everybody you're used to being close to. It's just weird. I wish I could be with everyone at once. Sometimes I feel like I don't have the time to maintain all my relationships the way that I would like to.
The mall in Syracuse is awesome. I've never shopped so intensely in my life, and I love the way Europeans dress. They are always bundled up this time of year, even on the days when it isn't that cold. The little old men walk around arm in arm and do the double-air-kiss goodbye. The women do that, too, and little kids...
I spent the night at my first hostel and it wasn't bad at all; actually it was really nice; the lady said it was sort of a hostel, sort of a "guest-house." For 19 euro, it was pretty awesome. The heat actually worked there, and it was more than just a space heater, unlike my apartment, and there was a tv that got lots of channels in German. We watched "Ella Enchanted."
I have some homework to do for Greek, Latin, and Philosophy. I'm still working on my readings list, by which I mean I'm still working on compiling the list; I haven't even started reading for it. I hate doing this while I'm abroad. But my other two classes aren't going to be too bad, I don't think. Italian is really fun. There will be exams, a paper, and a presentation in Art History but until then all I have to do is go on the field trips and take notes in class.
The food is really good here but two of my roommates and I have decided to start imposing certain restrictions on ourselves, because there's just a little too much gelato, tiramisu, cannoli, marzipan, and various other pastries and chocolate things that are everywhere. Espresso has no calories if you drink it black like I do, though, so it's my consolation. The custom here is to drink things with milk in them like cappuccinos or macchiatos only in the morning...
I have lots of pictures still to upload onto facebook, maybe I'll try to put some on here, too. I officially love traveling, and I can't wait to start planning my spring break. I'm hoping to find some really cheap flights to some exciting places, although either way I know I need to stop shopping and save for that. I also want to take at least one weekend trip somewhere. I'll tell you the specific destinations once I find out what they are!
I miss everybody a lot. I know I've only been here for 2 1/2 weeks, but it seems longer because it is farther and because I know that it will be for so long. I'm really happy here, though. It's strange because I'm having the time of my life and I'm looking forward to it being over. Having the time of your life can be exhausting, and there are really weird feelings that come when you suddenly leave all of your family and friends and everyone you know, and then make new friends really quickly, and feel close to them and far away from everybody you're used to being close to. It's just weird. I wish I could be with everyone at once. Sometimes I feel like I don't have the time to maintain all my relationships the way that I would like to.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
I don't know where to begin...
The showers are hot now.
I have more pictures coming soon.
My classes are awesome. I'm still figuring out the one that is at Baylor, but I think everything just might turn out okay. I have two field trips this weekend, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Saturday we're going to Catania to have a tour of the historical parts, so I'm excited. My roommates are talking about staying the night in a hostel and not coming back with the rest of the group, which the school actually encourages, so that we can spend more time in that city.
Right now I'm in the computer lab. My Latin prof couldn't make it to our regularly scheduled class time so she wanted to have it later...it was supposed to be now, but I guess she forgot. I have some reading for Philosophy I could do in the library, anyway. Tonight at 8 we have another free meal - there's a fish dinner at some hotel, and apparently they're going to teach us something about fish, or how to cook it, or food, or something. I'm excited. And hungry. Tomorrow night is another one of those talks where they tell us how to be safe. This one's just for the women, and I'm pretty sure I know exactly what they're going to say, but it's mandatory. It's amazing the lengths people will go to in order to correct others' stupidity when in reality, I think we all know how to behave at this point. It's only a matter of if we care to or not.
I'm working on my list of things to do before I turn 21, and by working on it, I mean I'm actually accomplishing the things, not just making the list. :-)
I've been smiling all day. I finally was able to buy francobolli, stamps, so I can send mail now.
I have more pictures coming soon.
My classes are awesome. I'm still figuring out the one that is at Baylor, but I think everything just might turn out okay. I have two field trips this weekend, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Saturday we're going to Catania to have a tour of the historical parts, so I'm excited. My roommates are talking about staying the night in a hostel and not coming back with the rest of the group, which the school actually encourages, so that we can spend more time in that city.
Right now I'm in the computer lab. My Latin prof couldn't make it to our regularly scheduled class time so she wanted to have it later...it was supposed to be now, but I guess she forgot. I have some reading for Philosophy I could do in the library, anyway. Tonight at 8 we have another free meal - there's a fish dinner at some hotel, and apparently they're going to teach us something about fish, or how to cook it, or food, or something. I'm excited. And hungry. Tomorrow night is another one of those talks where they tell us how to be safe. This one's just for the women, and I'm pretty sure I know exactly what they're going to say, but it's mandatory. It's amazing the lengths people will go to in order to correct others' stupidity when in reality, I think we all know how to behave at this point. It's only a matter of if we care to or not.
I'm working on my list of things to do before I turn 21, and by working on it, I mean I'm actually accomplishing the things, not just making the list. :-)
I've been smiling all day. I finally was able to buy francobolli, stamps, so I can send mail now.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I'm here!!!!
And I'm soooooooooo tired. It's almost 7 PM here, so its noon there. No sleep for I don't know how long....been here for a few hours...my apartment is AMAZINGLY beautiful....Still have to go through orientation....no internet in the apt, so I'm here in the tiny computer lab at MCAS, I wish I spoke the language, gas not working yet in the apt, cold shower, gorgeous boutiques, soo tired, can't talk anymore....why is no one on skype?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Just remember, darling, all the while...
Is it just me or is no one posting blogs anymore except faithful Amanda? This won't do - I demand more reading material.
So it's about 58 hours until I take off and watch one of my dreams come true. :-) I love saying that, even if it's cheesy. I've wanted to go to Europe for a long time, and I've wanted to study abroad since I got to college; now it's finally happening. I've been anxious about it for so long that right now I'm just excited. I'm actually pretty happy right now. I have one more day of work, then I get to see Amanda, and then the adventure starts. I'm *almost* done packing - I think I need to go through and kick some things out of my suitcases. And add some other things. My dad bought me some more memory for my camera today, so I'm going to take a crap load of pictures.
I'm going to miss everyone like crazy. I promise to stay safe like everyone keeps telling me, and not to do anything too stupid....
which reminds me, I never did finish that list, but 21 things is a little bit ambitious, so how about 7?
1. See a freaking opera already! Another one of those things, like going to Europe, that I've always wanted to do.
2. Write 21 letters, cards, or post cards. (I like this one because I've already done 11).
3. Write 21 blog posts.
4. Taste 21 different types of wine. (Thank goodness I'm going to Sicily so this will be legal. I've already tasted merlot, chardonnay, white zinfandel, pinot grigio, and champagne, which I think should count, since it's just carbonated wine, right?).
5. Memorize a whole book of the Bible. (I'm thinking 3rd John).
6. Read 7 books by different authors that I've never read before.
7. My DLS. Which, as I said before, I promise is not anything bad.
So it's about 58 hours until I take off and watch one of my dreams come true. :-) I love saying that, even if it's cheesy. I've wanted to go to Europe for a long time, and I've wanted to study abroad since I got to college; now it's finally happening. I've been anxious about it for so long that right now I'm just excited. I'm actually pretty happy right now. I have one more day of work, then I get to see Amanda, and then the adventure starts. I'm *almost* done packing - I think I need to go through and kick some things out of my suitcases. And add some other things. My dad bought me some more memory for my camera today, so I'm going to take a crap load of pictures.
I'm going to miss everyone like crazy. I promise to stay safe like everyone keeps telling me, and not to do anything too stupid....
which reminds me, I never did finish that list, but 21 things is a little bit ambitious, so how about 7?
1. See a freaking opera already! Another one of those things, like going to Europe, that I've always wanted to do.
2. Write 21 letters, cards, or post cards. (I like this one because I've already done 11).
3. Write 21 blog posts.
4. Taste 21 different types of wine. (Thank goodness I'm going to Sicily so this will be legal. I've already tasted merlot, chardonnay, white zinfandel, pinot grigio, and champagne, which I think should count, since it's just carbonated wine, right?).
5. Memorize a whole book of the Bible. (I'm thinking 3rd John).
6. Read 7 books by different authors that I've never read before.
7. My DLS. Which, as I said before, I promise is not anything bad.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
If I didn't know any better...well, never mind
Someone is going to be 21 in less than 4 months. And I totally stole this idea from someone at work, but I've decided to compose a list of 21 things to do before I turn 21. But I suck at making lists, and ya'll don't - especially Amanda, so I need help! I'm trying to think of things that are fun and silly and kind of young and childish, maybe a little crazy or even subversive (I know that's a difficult ideal). Keep in mind I will be in Sicily from January 23rd till April 16th (which is my birthday) so I'm thinking maybe in terms of stamps on my passport, etc. Things having to do with the number 21 would be really cool, too. I already know the very last item on my list, which I'm only going to do if I get all the others done, but I can't tell you, because it's my excuse for a dirty little secret. It's really not dirty, I promise. Hmmm...what about read for 21 hours straight? Do you think I could do that? I've never been to an opera, so that's definitely going on the list, somewhere. Write me your suggestions quick because I need to get started. Also, does anyone want to join me in these?
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