Friday.
What a much needed day. We got to sleep in a little and then we all put on our athletic shorts that we haven't been able to wear all trip and headed to the beach.
We all got to the metro and everyone was running and we were all thinking they were late for work. Then a lady at security said, "excuse me, do you know that there's a strike going on and the last train is coming??" oh boy!! We raced down and I've never seen a metro so packed in my entire life. So we bagged that idea but luckily the train station was only one stop away. The group split up and I was with three of the best navigators of our group. Oh yeah! We made it to the train station but we missed the first train. Got on the next one and were off to St. Marinella.
I stepped off the train and could already smell the salt water! It was fantastic. The beach was super crowded and mostly reserved, so we had to get an umbrella at the back. It made me so grateful for my free Bethany beach, and popster for always getting up and getting us close to the water!
We spent the day at the beach most of the day. The water was surprisingly cold but it felt so so good! Jay, Caitlin, and I went out and had our own little space then stripped! We were yelling at each other from each of our spots, "did you do it!?" The response was usually a bathing suit waved out of the water. Haha When in Rome! The sand was so stinking hot, I think I have blisters! But I also got some good sun I think. Such a great dayljust to relax and hang out.
We headed back on the train a little after 5. Got back. Took a nice cold shower. Then went to dinner at the same place we went last night and gelato at the same place. I was having déjà vu but they both were great so it was totally worth the repeat.
A lot of us wanted I watch a movie so some watched the notebook while others watched inception on my computer. I skyped my mama an Dave a little in between and now I'm ready for my good night sleep and I get to sleep in!! Woohooo!!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Day 27 Rome, Italy
Thursday.
I'm really am getting excited to go home in 4 days. Ready for my own bed, ready for good water pressure, ready for air conditioning. It'll be nice.
Woke up this morning and said goodbye to Patrick. It was super sad! After we gave him our gift, we headed to the U.S. embassy of the holy see aka the Vatican. We went through 3 different security checks before we had a presentation with a diplomat. I thought it was pretty interesting how rigorous the process is to become a diplomat as well as how much traveling they do. After we got to take a picture with the ambassador quickly before he got into his armored car!
5 of us grabbed lunch at a pizzeria. It was good however the cheese jiggled haha. A meal is not complete without a gelato. Basically we had two hours before our next visit so we had a nice leisurely lunch.
We walked over to caritas internationalis (our final vusiness visit!!!) which is similar to our humanitarian aid. We all hacked the wifi and were just iMessage each other back and forth. He talked way to much...one of those who answers a question with a 20 minute answer.
We toured the colosseum and the forum after. The colosseum was smaller than I expected but still spectacular! It's amazing that that building is still standing. And the forum truly made me feel like I was back in ancient Rome. The ruins are pretty fascinating. I would much rather see all that then paintings in a museum. Way cool.
After, we headed back to the hotel and I skyped with Maarja finally!! Haven't talked to her in forever so that was definitely a highlight of my day. After we headed to a cute little restaurant near town and I got carbonara that was pretty tasty. Ad of course the night wasn't over until we got gelato. Pretty funny stories at the gelateria. This Asian women raced me to a table and was so proud she beat me and then we saw hitler! Ok, he had the mustache. Trying to get a picture was a feat!
After that, I came back to the hotel, skyped my man, took a shower and now it's time to go to bed in my sauna of a room. Beach day tomorrow!!! Hallelujah :)
I'm really am getting excited to go home in 4 days. Ready for my own bed, ready for good water pressure, ready for air conditioning. It'll be nice.
Woke up this morning and said goodbye to Patrick. It was super sad! After we gave him our gift, we headed to the U.S. embassy of the holy see aka the Vatican. We went through 3 different security checks before we had a presentation with a diplomat. I thought it was pretty interesting how rigorous the process is to become a diplomat as well as how much traveling they do. After we got to take a picture with the ambassador quickly before he got into his armored car!
5 of us grabbed lunch at a pizzeria. It was good however the cheese jiggled haha. A meal is not complete without a gelato. Basically we had two hours before our next visit so we had a nice leisurely lunch.
We walked over to caritas internationalis (our final vusiness visit!!!) which is similar to our humanitarian aid. We all hacked the wifi and were just iMessage each other back and forth. He talked way to much...one of those who answers a question with a 20 minute answer.
We toured the colosseum and the forum after. The colosseum was smaller than I expected but still spectacular! It's amazing that that building is still standing. And the forum truly made me feel like I was back in ancient Rome. The ruins are pretty fascinating. I would much rather see all that then paintings in a museum. Way cool.
After, we headed back to the hotel and I skyped with Maarja finally!! Haven't talked to her in forever so that was definitely a highlight of my day. After we headed to a cute little restaurant near town and I got carbonara that was pretty tasty. Ad of course the night wasn't over until we got gelato. Pretty funny stories at the gelateria. This Asian women raced me to a table and was so proud she beat me and then we saw hitler! Ok, he had the mustache. Trying to get a picture was a feat!
After that, I came back to the hotel, skyped my man, took a shower and now it's time to go to bed in my sauna of a room. Beach day tomorrow!!! Hallelujah :)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Day 26 Rome, Italy
Wednesday.
Breakfast this morning was no bueno. I ate two large doughnuts and I felt sick for the rest of the morning. Once we all got dressed in our long skirts for the Vatican later we took the bus to our third Alsco visit. I think I could create my own laundry company after all of these visits. The did feed us a nice lunch of lasagna. There were two forks so most of us were hoping for dessert; however, we were highly disappointed when they brought out melon, prosciutto, and a ball of mozzarella. Dave has told me about 5,000 times that he loves melon and ham...so I had to try it. Wasn't bad, wasn't dessert! Haha
BTTB to head to the Vatican! I wish I was more into art history because the museum might have been more interesting. It was still pretty breathtaking! Vatican museum is apparently the largest museum with a private art collection in the world! We also went into St. Peters basilica (sp?)...possibly largest catholic church. Not sure if these facts are true though.
It was super hot walking around the Vatican in my long heavy skirt. It was very nice to finally get back to the hotel and change. However it was the last time getting off the elbobus! And we say goodbye to patrick tomorrow morning! :(
We got quite a bit of cash that wasnt spent from our tuition today so we all felt like a nice dinner was in order. We went to this restaurant and I got a spicy pasta dish with a sausage sauce. There wasn't a whole lot of sausage but the pasta was pretty darn tasty. Pretty sure you can guess what we did next! Gelato!! I tried so hard to eat it slowly because I've decided I eat things to fast. Finally, we made it to the colosseum!! What an awesome building. It's incredible how long ago that thing was built and that it's still standing. It's massive! We took lots of pictures that I will upload when I have more energy to sit in the hall way. I get just enough to blog from my room.
After taking lots of jumping pictures we came back to the hotel, I skyped for a little, took a shower (there's absolutely not pressure...it's a feat to take a descent shower), and now I'm in bed!! Happy Wednesday from Rome :)
Breakfast this morning was no bueno. I ate two large doughnuts and I felt sick for the rest of the morning. Once we all got dressed in our long skirts for the Vatican later we took the bus to our third Alsco visit. I think I could create my own laundry company after all of these visits. The did feed us a nice lunch of lasagna. There were two forks so most of us were hoping for dessert; however, we were highly disappointed when they brought out melon, prosciutto, and a ball of mozzarella. Dave has told me about 5,000 times that he loves melon and ham...so I had to try it. Wasn't bad, wasn't dessert! Haha
BTTB to head to the Vatican! I wish I was more into art history because the museum might have been more interesting. It was still pretty breathtaking! Vatican museum is apparently the largest museum with a private art collection in the world! We also went into St. Peters basilica (sp?)...possibly largest catholic church. Not sure if these facts are true though.
It was super hot walking around the Vatican in my long heavy skirt. It was very nice to finally get back to the hotel and change. However it was the last time getting off the elbobus! And we say goodbye to patrick tomorrow morning! :(
We got quite a bit of cash that wasnt spent from our tuition today so we all felt like a nice dinner was in order. We went to this restaurant and I got a spicy pasta dish with a sausage sauce. There wasn't a whole lot of sausage but the pasta was pretty darn tasty. Pretty sure you can guess what we did next! Gelato!! I tried so hard to eat it slowly because I've decided I eat things to fast. Finally, we made it to the colosseum!! What an awesome building. It's incredible how long ago that thing was built and that it's still standing. It's massive! We took lots of pictures that I will upload when I have more energy to sit in the hall way. I get just enough to blog from my room.
After taking lots of jumping pictures we came back to the hotel, I skyped for a little, took a shower (there's absolutely not pressure...it's a feat to take a descent shower), and now I'm in bed!! Happy Wednesday from Rome :)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Day 25 Rome, Italy
Tuesday.
We left for sienna around 8:15 and got to our cooking class in sienna around 10:00. Sienna is beautiful and very hilly! The cooking class was awesome; it helped that we got to eat what we made. We made bruschetta, pasta, stuffed chicken, and tiramisu. All homemade! I even tried to tomatoes on the bruschetta...when in Rome! Or Sienna :) Surprisingly, I didn't love the pasta. The texture felt off and it was kinda doughy. The chicken was stuffed with a pepper/bread mixture that was so so good! It was also baked and not grilled which I like more. Tiramisu was my favorite. Of course, cause its dessert!
We all took a potty break then it was BTTB around 3 and off to Rome! I passed out for the next three hours and woke up just in time to see the temple site in Rome! Even though it was just the basic foundation and some of the wall structure it was still pretty climactic.
We saw the colosseum on our way into the city, and we made it to our hotel around 9ish. We literally drove around all of Rome, which has the tiniest roads of all I think. Poor Patrick. We got out of the bus about a mile away from the hotel. After we got all of our stuff in some of us needed food. All I wanted was a gelato-it's so hot! Brandon Tyler Erica and myself found a pretty cheap gelato place about two blocks from our hotel. Perfect I know! After that we made it back to our hotel and now I'm ready for bad.
Ps. 150 days today until I marry my best friend!!!!!!
We left for sienna around 8:15 and got to our cooking class in sienna around 10:00. Sienna is beautiful and very hilly! The cooking class was awesome; it helped that we got to eat what we made. We made bruschetta, pasta, stuffed chicken, and tiramisu. All homemade! I even tried to tomatoes on the bruschetta...when in Rome! Or Sienna :) Surprisingly, I didn't love the pasta. The texture felt off and it was kinda doughy. The chicken was stuffed with a pepper/bread mixture that was so so good! It was also baked and not grilled which I like more. Tiramisu was my favorite. Of course, cause its dessert!
We all took a potty break then it was BTTB around 3 and off to Rome! I passed out for the next three hours and woke up just in time to see the temple site in Rome! Even though it was just the basic foundation and some of the wall structure it was still pretty climactic.
We saw the colosseum on our way into the city, and we made it to our hotel around 9ish. We literally drove around all of Rome, which has the tiniest roads of all I think. Poor Patrick. We got out of the bus about a mile away from the hotel. After we got all of our stuff in some of us needed food. All I wanted was a gelato-it's so hot! Brandon Tyler Erica and myself found a pretty cheap gelato place about two blocks from our hotel. Perfect I know! After that we made it back to our hotel and now I'm ready for bad.
Ps. 150 days today until I marry my best friend!!!!!!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Day 24 Florence, Italy
Monday
Leather day! We woke up, ate breakfast, and drove the bus to pieriotucci leather factory. I didn't think I was a leather fan until today. We went and saw how they make all of their products all by hand! Then we got to walk around the store and see the prices...I saw a pretty red jacket: 650 euros. Lets just say pieriotucci didn't make too much money of us college students.
Back to the hotel to take a nap for an hour. It was a great nap. Then a bunch of us headed out for lunch. I bought a ginormous pizza and a much needed caffeinated beverage. We walked around the leather market and I got the cutest turquoise purse. I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on myself, but I felt like I deserved a nice souvenir.
Then I went with two people to get my free gelato. We got separated from Tyler and Brandon and I knew I shouldn't have gone without them, but I had no idea where they went. So sad.
Then we walked around trying to find this store where jay tried on a leather jacket. We finally found it after a half hour and he didn't even like it. He apparently tried on another jacket at the market so we went back there and I became his and Caitlin's stylist. They got some pretty awesome jackets!!
After that we were all so done with spending money so we walked back to the hotel around 4:30 and just hung out in the AC. Its been super hot today. I took a nap until about 6. I seriously am burning out with still a week to go!
Caitlin and I then walked around, bought a croissant, and tried on some really hideous makeup. We had time to kill before FHE so we decided to put as much makeup on as possible. It was so darn funny. Afterwards, we met the group over the ponte vecchio bridge to get gelato for FHE. I tried a fruity flavor this time and it was pretty good! Still like my coffee though :)
Most of us headed back. Caitlin and I were dying to wash our faces and change our clothes. A few of us gathered together to try and find a concert that was suppose to be going on but we ended up at this bar with a dj where everyone was last night. Me, Erica, tyler, jay, caitlin, and Brandon just danced the night away. It was so funny how we were definitely the most sober group but at the same time we were the most loopy! So much fun!!
I went back to the hotel and tried skyping, but it's really frustrating at night cause the wifi is really backed up or something. We got in a few words and then I needed to shower and pack up my stuff. Finally move tomorrow to Rome! I cannot believe I'll be home in a week! Not going to lie...Im kinda ready. Still enjoying every minute!! Happy monday! Ciao!
Leather day! We woke up, ate breakfast, and drove the bus to pieriotucci leather factory. I didn't think I was a leather fan until today. We went and saw how they make all of their products all by hand! Then we got to walk around the store and see the prices...I saw a pretty red jacket: 650 euros. Lets just say pieriotucci didn't make too much money of us college students.
Back to the hotel to take a nap for an hour. It was a great nap. Then a bunch of us headed out for lunch. I bought a ginormous pizza and a much needed caffeinated beverage. We walked around the leather market and I got the cutest turquoise purse. I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on myself, but I felt like I deserved a nice souvenir.
Then I went with two people to get my free gelato. We got separated from Tyler and Brandon and I knew I shouldn't have gone without them, but I had no idea where they went. So sad.
Then we walked around trying to find this store where jay tried on a leather jacket. We finally found it after a half hour and he didn't even like it. He apparently tried on another jacket at the market so we went back there and I became his and Caitlin's stylist. They got some pretty awesome jackets!!
After that we were all so done with spending money so we walked back to the hotel around 4:30 and just hung out in the AC. Its been super hot today. I took a nap until about 6. I seriously am burning out with still a week to go!
Caitlin and I then walked around, bought a croissant, and tried on some really hideous makeup. We had time to kill before FHE so we decided to put as much makeup on as possible. It was so darn funny. Afterwards, we met the group over the ponte vecchio bridge to get gelato for FHE. I tried a fruity flavor this time and it was pretty good! Still like my coffee though :)
Most of us headed back. Caitlin and I were dying to wash our faces and change our clothes. A few of us gathered together to try and find a concert that was suppose to be going on but we ended up at this bar with a dj where everyone was last night. Me, Erica, tyler, jay, caitlin, and Brandon just danced the night away. It was so funny how we were definitely the most sober group but at the same time we were the most loopy! So much fun!!
I went back to the hotel and tried skyping, but it's really frustrating at night cause the wifi is really backed up or something. We got in a few words and then I needed to shower and pack up my stuff. Finally move tomorrow to Rome! I cannot believe I'll be home in a week! Not going to lie...Im kinda ready. Still enjoying every minute!! Happy monday! Ciao!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Day 23 Florence, Italy
Happy Sabbath!
I have woken up three times this morning. First was around 6:15 and I skyped Dave until about 7:45 then went back to bed until 8:30, ate breakfast then went back to bed until 10:15, went to catholic mass at the duomo until 11:00 then went back to bed until 12:45, had our own sacrament meeting then started my afternoon!
Our sacrament was held in the breakfast room of our hotel. We passed the sacrament on plates and in Dixie cups. Some of the girls sang come thou fount and it reminded me of my senior solo! Matt gave a great talk on obedience and how we should wake up in the morning and commit ourselves to being obedient. Every morning. Maybe sometimes we forget and we need that reminder to the start of our day.
Holy moly the rest of my day was crazy random. We went and got lunch at a sit down Italian place. I got spaghetti. It's super funny how none of us order drinks whenever we go out and because of my experience in Rhine valley, no one puts there water bottle on the table.
After some split off and went to go see the David. I got a picture of a life size replica and didnt feel like paying 15 euros to see a naked man even if his name is David. :) Tyler, brandon, and I became best friends for the rest of the day. We first went to a park and played MASH for about a half an hour. Brought back middle school memories. Then we got gelato and sat on some steps at a square. Started walking back to the duomo and I just felt like I needed to stop at this gelato place. Good thing I did! 2nd favorite gelato place (after amorino still)! And they gave us a coupon for a free two scoop. We are going back tomorrow!
Then we pretty much just looked at the map and said "lets go there! It looks significant!" haha Half the places we went to we had no idea what it was at first. Also, we learned the hard way not to get a character drawing of yourself in Italy...they make you look bad! I'm pretty sure we just walked around most of the day...having a hard time remember today! Doesn't seem like a lot was accomplished but I really liked hanging out with those two boys today. Chillin in the park, on bridges, in gelaterias having great conversations...Ladies, these guys are genuinely nice and both single! ;)
I came back to the hotel and had an interview with the director just about how the trip is going. Then I had the most frustrating experience trying to Skype with Dave. After about 2 hours of connection and then disconnection I decided to get my stuff organized and just get in bed. Until tomorrow! :)
I have woken up three times this morning. First was around 6:15 and I skyped Dave until about 7:45 then went back to bed until 8:30, ate breakfast then went back to bed until 10:15, went to catholic mass at the duomo until 11:00 then went back to bed until 12:45, had our own sacrament meeting then started my afternoon!
Our sacrament was held in the breakfast room of our hotel. We passed the sacrament on plates and in Dixie cups. Some of the girls sang come thou fount and it reminded me of my senior solo! Matt gave a great talk on obedience and how we should wake up in the morning and commit ourselves to being obedient. Every morning. Maybe sometimes we forget and we need that reminder to the start of our day.
Holy moly the rest of my day was crazy random. We went and got lunch at a sit down Italian place. I got spaghetti. It's super funny how none of us order drinks whenever we go out and because of my experience in Rhine valley, no one puts there water bottle on the table.
After some split off and went to go see the David. I got a picture of a life size replica and didnt feel like paying 15 euros to see a naked man even if his name is David. :) Tyler, brandon, and I became best friends for the rest of the day. We first went to a park and played MASH for about a half an hour. Brought back middle school memories. Then we got gelato and sat on some steps at a square. Started walking back to the duomo and I just felt like I needed to stop at this gelato place. Good thing I did! 2nd favorite gelato place (after amorino still)! And they gave us a coupon for a free two scoop. We are going back tomorrow!
Then we pretty much just looked at the map and said "lets go there! It looks significant!" haha Half the places we went to we had no idea what it was at first. Also, we learned the hard way not to get a character drawing of yourself in Italy...they make you look bad! I'm pretty sure we just walked around most of the day...having a hard time remember today! Doesn't seem like a lot was accomplished but I really liked hanging out with those two boys today. Chillin in the park, on bridges, in gelaterias having great conversations...Ladies, these guys are genuinely nice and both single! ;)
I came back to the hotel and had an interview with the director just about how the trip is going. Then I had the most frustrating experience trying to Skype with Dave. After about 2 hours of connection and then disconnection I decided to get my stuff organized and just get in bed. Until tomorrow! :)
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Day 22 Florence, Italy
Saturday.
Woke up this morning ate some bland cereal and then skyped Dave again. I love that he stays awake even when he's exhausted to skype me. I'm so lucky. Anyway, we started our journey walking around using the trip advisor app...should have been using this the whole time.
We stopped at the second top gelato place in Florence. It was pretty good! Then we passed the Galileo museum, contemplated going in but it was pricy so we kept walking.
We headed to a market where they sold lots of purses, jackets, scarfs, ties, etc. I bought Dave two ties for 5 euros! Thought that was a pretty good deal. Then four of us grabbed a doner kebab...I don't really like them but luckily they also had pizza!
We all met up as a group and decided laundry needed to be done. Some went to the laundromat, I did it in my tub. I didn't think it was a terrible idea until Erica and I ran out of room to dry our stuff. I feel asleep for a little over an hour and woke up to a room smelling just damp and wet. All of our clothes are still soaking...we opened a window so hopefully the fresh air will help! Haha
Me, Jeff, Matt, Erica, and Tyler went and ate dinner at a pizzeria. I've been eating a lot of pizza. And then we got more gelato of course. Eating out in a country that is broke is not fun. They charge you a sitting fee and they get really mad when you don't even order water. But hey we are poor college students!
Everyone was meeting up at a palace of Michael Angelo's (I think that's what is was...) to watch the sunset. Of course, the best place to watch a sunset is on top of a mountain so we hiked and got our workout for the day! The sunset was beautiful and there were two couples on their wedding day! We thought we should add to the festivities so two people from our program proposed and it was the funniest thing all day. Haha
We just made our way back down and headed towards the hotel. Some of the others went and got gelato but i felt like 3 in one day is a little much! Maybe one day :) Now I'm back at the hotel, it's close to 10 so I think I'll shower, maybe Skype, then head to bed! Happy Saturday!
Woke up this morning ate some bland cereal and then skyped Dave again. I love that he stays awake even when he's exhausted to skype me. I'm so lucky. Anyway, we started our journey walking around using the trip advisor app...should have been using this the whole time.
We stopped at the second top gelato place in Florence. It was pretty good! Then we passed the Galileo museum, contemplated going in but it was pricy so we kept walking.
We headed to a market where they sold lots of purses, jackets, scarfs, ties, etc. I bought Dave two ties for 5 euros! Thought that was a pretty good deal. Then four of us grabbed a doner kebab...I don't really like them but luckily they also had pizza!
We all met up as a group and decided laundry needed to be done. Some went to the laundromat, I did it in my tub. I didn't think it was a terrible idea until Erica and I ran out of room to dry our stuff. I feel asleep for a little over an hour and woke up to a room smelling just damp and wet. All of our clothes are still soaking...we opened a window so hopefully the fresh air will help! Haha
Me, Jeff, Matt, Erica, and Tyler went and ate dinner at a pizzeria. I've been eating a lot of pizza. And then we got more gelato of course. Eating out in a country that is broke is not fun. They charge you a sitting fee and they get really mad when you don't even order water. But hey we are poor college students!
Everyone was meeting up at a palace of Michael Angelo's (I think that's what is was...) to watch the sunset. Of course, the best place to watch a sunset is on top of a mountain so we hiked and got our workout for the day! The sunset was beautiful and there were two couples on their wedding day! We thought we should add to the festivities so two people from our program proposed and it was the funniest thing all day. Haha
We just made our way back down and headed towards the hotel. Some of the others went and got gelato but i felt like 3 in one day is a little much! Maybe one day :) Now I'm back at the hotel, it's close to 10 so I think I'll shower, maybe Skype, then head to bed! Happy Saturday!
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