So its been for months and I leave tomorrow morning. I know I haven't been blogging much but I have been taking finals and spending my last few weeks in roma eating and drinking amazing wine. It's a bittersweet goodbye, I'm going to miss Roma and all of my new best friends, but I can't wait to get home and see my family and friends in the great state of Texas.
Must say that this has been the greatest time of my life and I wouldn't change it for anything. I have learned so much from my travels and from living in a country that isn't as spoiled as America. I also am so glad that I have so many friends all of the states and if any of yall are reading this we will keep in touch so no worries.
I leave at 1030 am so I'll be getting up around 6 and getting a cab around 7 to go to the air port, then im takin a 12 hour flight to atlanta. O wait then I have 6 hour lay over, so I think I'll try out my 21 year old id in America. O yeah my birthday was a week ago and it was absolutely amazing and couldnt have been better. Went and saw Afro Jack and Steve Angello, and for everyone who doesnt know who they are they are techno artists and they are amazing. The concert lasted till 630 in the morning, and after leaving the concert I went to the vatican bc it was the beatification of the Pope which brings in 3 times the amount of people as Easter (which was the week before). Not religious but seeing something that brings in 3 million people from all over the world might be the most amazing and unique thing I have ever seen. Couldnt even really get close to the pope bc there were so many people there and they closed off all the roads.
Well I will be back in ausitn 24 hours from now and i couldnt be more sad......Seems like yesterday I was so nervous to fly over here and now travel seems like a breeze to me. Well my friends back home domani and for you the roma crew, I'll see you on the other side.
CIAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tourist are here
So its holy week and Rome has exploded! Which sucks because I hate tourists they get in the way of everything!!! But it is hilarious to see them struggling so hard to do the simplest tasks....Remember those good ole days. As you know easter is coming up and Rome will be a mad house so I cant wait to go people watch and tell ya all about it.
On another note I got an italian hair cut yesterday and it was hilarious, I spoke a few words of giberious in italian and he was off. He didn't speak a word of english so he just laughed at me the whole time and just laughed back. The guy is like 100 and the hair cut was only six euro and all the locals i know told me not to go there because he would cut of my ear. Its save to say i still have my ear and I think it looks alright.
My pictures from my camera wont load anymore so I'm having some trouble but let you know when I get them up.
Ciao Ciao
On another note I got an italian hair cut yesterday and it was hilarious, I spoke a few words of giberious in italian and he was off. He didn't speak a word of english so he just laughed at me the whole time and just laughed back. The guy is like 100 and the hair cut was only six euro and all the locals i know told me not to go there because he would cut of my ear. Its save to say i still have my ear and I think it looks alright.
My pictures from my camera wont load anymore so I'm having some trouble but let you know when I get them up.
Ciao Ciao
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Amalfi Coast
Well the Amalfi Coast has to be the most beautiful site I've ever seen in my entire life. Thursday night we left for Sorrento around 8 and got to our hostel around midnight, checked in had some drinks and went to bed. Few hours later around 730 we woke up and took the fairy to the Island of Capri.....From there we immeditaly got on boats and took a ride around the island. After riding around for awhile having no idea what we were doing our boat stopped and we were in front of the the Blue Gratto, for those of you that dont know what the blue gratto is, it is a small cave and it has the most beautiful blue water I have ever seen.
To get into the cave was quite difficult, from our medium sized boats we had to hop on to small row boats in groups of 4. From there the Italian row boat dude would take us to the cave, now this is were it gets tricky. He has to wait for a wave to come so that the water goes down then we had to duck down in the row boat while he pulled on a chain and launched us inside the cave. Once inside the cave all we were nexct to tons of other row boats and all of the italians were sing songs. The inside of the blue gratto is the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. The water is so blue and amazing my pictures don't come even close to doing it justice. Although we were only in there for about 3 minutes looking at the water I wouldve pay a 100 euro for it.
After that we went back onto the island and went to the top of the mountain which is called Ancapri. After having a great lunch we walked around the city tasting lemonchello and looking there custom made sandals which is what their know for. After that we took a chairlift to the top the highest point on the Amalfi Coast, which was absolutely amazing and I have tons a pictures that once again dont give it justice.
Then the next day we went to Positano, and I dont have much to say about it because all we did was just chill on the beach and do nothing all day which was amazing. We were suppose to go cliff jumping but the water was too rocky. Then today we went to Pompeii and saw all the ruins which was pretty remarkable. See a human body that got covered with moltan lava is pretty wierd when you can see is dentures.
Thats all I got about the almalfi coast, but its def the most amazing place to see in all of Italy and its a must see. I'll be home in 3 weeks which totally sucks, so see you then
To get into the cave was quite difficult, from our medium sized boats we had to hop on to small row boats in groups of 4. From there the Italian row boat dude would take us to the cave, now this is were it gets tricky. He has to wait for a wave to come so that the water goes down then we had to duck down in the row boat while he pulled on a chain and launched us inside the cave. Once inside the cave all we were nexct to tons of other row boats and all of the italians were sing songs. The inside of the blue gratto is the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. The water is so blue and amazing my pictures don't come even close to doing it justice. Although we were only in there for about 3 minutes looking at the water I wouldve pay a 100 euro for it.
After that we went back onto the island and went to the top of the mountain which is called Ancapri. After having a great lunch we walked around the city tasting lemonchello and looking there custom made sandals which is what their know for. After that we took a chairlift to the top the highest point on the Amalfi Coast, which was absolutely amazing and I have tons a pictures that once again dont give it justice.
Then the next day we went to Positano, and I dont have much to say about it because all we did was just chill on the beach and do nothing all day which was amazing. We were suppose to go cliff jumping but the water was too rocky. Then today we went to Pompeii and saw all the ruins which was pretty remarkable. See a human body that got covered with moltan lava is pretty wierd when you can see is dentures.
Thats all I got about the almalfi coast, but its def the most amazing place to see in all of Italy and its a must see. I'll be home in 3 weeks which totally sucks, so see you then
Monday, April 4, 2011
continued
O I forgot to mention the crazy travel on the way back to Roma. So to save money I didn't book a hostel on saturday night and booked the cheaper flight on sunday at 6am. My thinking was people stay out til then so why should I buy a hostel just to store my stuff. So most of saturday I carried around my luggage and then went to the bars and clubs with it then took a cab to the airport. Just wanna say it makes for a crazy and stressfull experience. Don't think I will be doing it again any time in the future because yesterday I slept from 930a.m to 730this morning, but it was a much needed 22 hours of sleep.
BARCELONA!!!!
Va bene so barcelona is the best city in the world hands down the best. I want to live there for the rest of my life, ok maybe not the rest of my life but atleast til I'm thirty. It is the most insane place ever, and the best once again.
Alora barcelona is just so chill and young that is during the day. When I got there it was already night time I checked in ate some tapas which are spanish apitzers and absolutely amazing then went out the bars and clubs. The clubs are were its at in Barca, they're absolutely insane and the coolest thing about them is that if you walk out the back door you are actually on the beach!! The culture and lifestyle there is out of this world not joke. You go to the bars at 12 because thats when the metro closes then to the clubs around 2 around then you party all night long till around 5 or 6 cause thats when the metros re-open.
After I woke up from about a 3 hour nap (from 7-10) I had to do all the site seeing so I went around the city enjoying the amazing sites it offers like the sagrada familia and its amazing parks that all give you an amazing view of all of Barca. Then after checking out all the major touristy places we went to the beach because it was absolutely gorgeous outside. Barcelonas beach e molto bello, its not like texas crappy beaches with sea weed everywhere, its perfect sand with beautiful blue water. It wasn't too crowded yet because it was only the start of april but im guessing once summers starts it starts to look like south padre during spring break because it was pretty crowded when we were on it.
The second day was pretty much a repeat of the amazing first day but eating more tapas and much more beach time. I honestly dont know how anybody gets anythign down around there Wednesday- Sat because they go out all night long til the sun rises then the entire town takes a siesta from 1 to around 3 which is basically just eating tapas and drinking sangria. Which is maybe why I liked it so much cause who can hate going out all night long waking up and then immeditally taking a 3 hour lunch break and then going to the beach for the remainder of the night and then repeat.
But it was my favorite city I've been to this far blowing every other place out of the water. It just feels like a very young city and plus I can understand a little spanish and speak it a little bit better than italian. I would advice everyone who is reading my blog who hasnt gone to barca to go and if you have go back because I sure as hell am its the place to be.
Adios mi amigos!
Alora barcelona is just so chill and young that is during the day. When I got there it was already night time I checked in ate some tapas which are spanish apitzers and absolutely amazing then went out the bars and clubs. The clubs are were its at in Barca, they're absolutely insane and the coolest thing about them is that if you walk out the back door you are actually on the beach!! The culture and lifestyle there is out of this world not joke. You go to the bars at 12 because thats when the metro closes then to the clubs around 2 around then you party all night long till around 5 or 6 cause thats when the metros re-open.
After I woke up from about a 3 hour nap (from 7-10) I had to do all the site seeing so I went around the city enjoying the amazing sites it offers like the sagrada familia and its amazing parks that all give you an amazing view of all of Barca. Then after checking out all the major touristy places we went to the beach because it was absolutely gorgeous outside. Barcelonas beach e molto bello, its not like texas crappy beaches with sea weed everywhere, its perfect sand with beautiful blue water. It wasn't too crowded yet because it was only the start of april but im guessing once summers starts it starts to look like south padre during spring break because it was pretty crowded when we were on it.
The second day was pretty much a repeat of the amazing first day but eating more tapas and much more beach time. I honestly dont know how anybody gets anythign down around there Wednesday- Sat because they go out all night long til the sun rises then the entire town takes a siesta from 1 to around 3 which is basically just eating tapas and drinking sangria. Which is maybe why I liked it so much cause who can hate going out all night long waking up and then immeditally taking a 3 hour lunch break and then going to the beach for the remainder of the night and then repeat.
But it was my favorite city I've been to this far blowing every other place out of the water. It just feels like a very young city and plus I can understand a little spanish and speak it a little bit better than italian. I would advice everyone who is reading my blog who hasnt gone to barca to go and if you have go back because I sure as hell am its the place to be.
Adios mi amigos!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Spring break yo
For my spring break Prague or Praha was my first destination. To get there I took a bus for 17 hours.....one of the most miserable experiences of my life. After arriving in Prague around nine in the morning we checked into our hostel and immediately went on the New Europe walking touring of Prague and I can honestly say I learned more about this history of Prague than I know about the States. After a full day of exploring the city we decided to find some real czech food and ended up getting completely ripped off spending over 20 dollars on a meal that was worth five. To explain Czech is the only country in the EU that doesn't use the euro, they use the Crown. One euro is equal to 26 crown, so it is extremely difficult at first when you are use to using euro and then you have to use Crown. Imagine taking out 2000 crown for the weekend and spending 500 crown for a dinner, it gets pretty confusing at times and thats how we got so ripped off on our lunch because we honestly had no idea how much we were spending.
After touring the city and getting ripped off on a midocre lunch me and a few friends did a beer challenge. And let me tell you Praha beer is pretty awesome, no preservatives, no added chemicals= No hangover. After that we experienced the crazy night life in prague, they have a club that is five stories and on each floor its a different genre of music and it gets absolutely crazy. They also have a 80 clubs that strictly plays American 80's music, which was extremely wild.
After spending two wonderful days in Prague which is extremly modern compared to Roma we headed off on a seven hour bus ride to the amazing city of Berlin. We arrived in Berlin in the afternoon and we had a walking tour the next day so we decided to walk around the city and see what was up. And I soon discovered Berlin is nothing what I expected, I expected beer halls and a semi modern city not near as old as Roma but not as modern as the states. I was completely wrong, walking the streets of Berlin reminded me of being back at home except everyone speaks German. After walking around for awhile we decided to go up on the TV tower which is the highest point in Berlin and I think germany, its around 200 meters tall. From there we could see the entire city which is enourmous and breathtaking.
After experiencing Berlins crazy night life we woke up and did another New Europe walking tour around Berlin. By the way these tours are great the people that do them are all pretty young and they absolutely love there job, plus is free and they only take tips. My tour guide in Berlin was amazing and makes you want to learn about the city. After learning about all of the history of germany and berlin it really made me want to see old berlin instead of the super modern city that it is. We went and saw all of the main attractions like checkpoint charlie, hitlers bombshelter, and the berlin wall which has an amazing history to it and I'd advise anybody reading my blog to do some more research becasue its pretty remarkable I mean you build a wall to keep people out not to keep people in. After that I went with my bus2alps group and we experienced a traditional germany dinner with brats and a porkroast which was amazing. Plus the beer is amazing over there but I really want to go experience Munich and go to all the beer halls there isn't alot of that in Berlin.
After spending 2 days and 1 night in Berlin our crew left for Amsterdam. I honestly didnt know what to expect when going to Amsterdam except for what I had heard about the red light district. But Amsterdam blew my mind, the city is so beatuiful and reminds me a lot of Venice but Amsterdam is much prettier and a lot less water. The most amazing thing about Amsterdam is the amount of bikes that are there, you really have to see it there are more bikes than people. And the people are freaking fraking insane they are so freaking dangerous and I know from experience because we rented bikes for the day and I'm surprised im still alive.
After riding bikes all day and doing another free walking to we stopped by the Anne Frank house, which is a lot bigger than I expected. Its also really emotional when you go in the house and is really really heavy. While we were the the weather was extremely beautiful so we just hung out in the park all day and chill and it was an amazing and beautiful city to just relax in. One fun fact to know about Amsterdam is how they inforce laws.....So for example the red light district- if what you are doing brings in business, is descrete, and doesn't harm anybody than the police turn the other way and let things happen and that pretty much sums up the city.
Then I made my way to Paris for my last 3 days of spring break and your gonna have to wait for that because I'm done typing
After touring the city and getting ripped off on a midocre lunch me and a few friends did a beer challenge. And let me tell you Praha beer is pretty awesome, no preservatives, no added chemicals= No hangover. After that we experienced the crazy night life in prague, they have a club that is five stories and on each floor its a different genre of music and it gets absolutely crazy. They also have a 80 clubs that strictly plays American 80's music, which was extremely wild.
After spending two wonderful days in Prague which is extremly modern compared to Roma we headed off on a seven hour bus ride to the amazing city of Berlin. We arrived in Berlin in the afternoon and we had a walking tour the next day so we decided to walk around the city and see what was up. And I soon discovered Berlin is nothing what I expected, I expected beer halls and a semi modern city not near as old as Roma but not as modern as the states. I was completely wrong, walking the streets of Berlin reminded me of being back at home except everyone speaks German. After walking around for awhile we decided to go up on the TV tower which is the highest point in Berlin and I think germany, its around 200 meters tall. From there we could see the entire city which is enourmous and breathtaking.
After experiencing Berlins crazy night life we woke up and did another New Europe walking tour around Berlin. By the way these tours are great the people that do them are all pretty young and they absolutely love there job, plus is free and they only take tips. My tour guide in Berlin was amazing and makes you want to learn about the city. After learning about all of the history of germany and berlin it really made me want to see old berlin instead of the super modern city that it is. We went and saw all of the main attractions like checkpoint charlie, hitlers bombshelter, and the berlin wall which has an amazing history to it and I'd advise anybody reading my blog to do some more research becasue its pretty remarkable I mean you build a wall to keep people out not to keep people in. After that I went with my bus2alps group and we experienced a traditional germany dinner with brats and a porkroast which was amazing. Plus the beer is amazing over there but I really want to go experience Munich and go to all the beer halls there isn't alot of that in Berlin.
After spending 2 days and 1 night in Berlin our crew left for Amsterdam. I honestly didnt know what to expect when going to Amsterdam except for what I had heard about the red light district. But Amsterdam blew my mind, the city is so beatuiful and reminds me a lot of Venice but Amsterdam is much prettier and a lot less water. The most amazing thing about Amsterdam is the amount of bikes that are there, you really have to see it there are more bikes than people. And the people are freaking fraking insane they are so freaking dangerous and I know from experience because we rented bikes for the day and I'm surprised im still alive.
After riding bikes all day and doing another free walking to we stopped by the Anne Frank house, which is a lot bigger than I expected. Its also really emotional when you go in the house and is really really heavy. While we were the the weather was extremely beautiful so we just hung out in the park all day and chill and it was an amazing and beautiful city to just relax in. One fun fact to know about Amsterdam is how they inforce laws.....So for example the red light district- if what you are doing brings in business, is descrete, and doesn't harm anybody than the police turn the other way and let things happen and that pretty much sums up the city.
Then I made my way to Paris for my last 3 days of spring break and your gonna have to wait for that because I'm done typing
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris
Hope my blog is back up, the rest of my spring break will be posted by tonight. Cheers
Monday, March 14, 2011
ROMA! ROMA! ROMA!!!!
Roma Vs. Lazio
To start off I will let you know that Roma is in the area of Lazio and also that Italia doesn't exactly see themselves as a whole Country, they are actually split up into regions all over Italia which they believe are their own countries. For example, most of the upper half of Italia is Tuscany region, and the middle region is the Lazio region and so on and so forth.
And this past Sunday Roma played Lazio, they play at the same stadium and they absolutely hate eachother. The last game my program director went and got tear gas.....WINNING!!! When me and my friends went to buy tickets they were sold out of the Roma section so we had to buy Lazio tickets, which we were all kinda scared of because we only have Roma gear. We all decided on wearing neutral colos to the game so we wouldnt get murdered and what not.
The opening to the game was like nothing I have ever seen before, it was absolutely amazing and I think my buddy got a video so hopefully I'll be able to put it on. But to explain what happened on the Lazio section, well the stadium was split in half and the Lazio fans were in four different sections. Right after the opening songs the entire crowd was passed flags with the color of white and blue depending on which section you were on (obviously Lazio's colors). And once they finished our section went absolutely crazy, Ive never seen so many flags being waved it looked like one of those beer commercials when they spell out budwieser in the stands!
Roma ended up winning 2-0 and Tutti went off who is their star playing scoring both of the goals and one on a penalty kick. I was glad about but it sucks to be on the side of the losing team because soccer fans get pissed like no other. There ending chants were Vafancullo Vafancullo Vafancullo-look up with your own disgression. But once we exited the stadium we knew it would be madness so we exited with caution...not really. Once we got out we saw tear gas being flung at the Roma fans and hundreds of cops wearing gas mask holding batons and bearing riot shields destroying the not so innocent civilians. Luckily we got out of there alive with no injuries but let me tell you we were right next to this madness and it was the most wild sporting event I have ever seen, talk about a rivalry.
As I said I'll be leaving for spring break on thursday and bad news the weather is going to absolutely suck!!! But o well cant complain to much about prague, berlin, amsterdam, and o ya pari
Ciao Ciao Belle
To start off I will let you know that Roma is in the area of Lazio and also that Italia doesn't exactly see themselves as a whole Country, they are actually split up into regions all over Italia which they believe are their own countries. For example, most of the upper half of Italia is Tuscany region, and the middle region is the Lazio region and so on and so forth.
And this past Sunday Roma played Lazio, they play at the same stadium and they absolutely hate eachother. The last game my program director went and got tear gas.....WINNING!!! When me and my friends went to buy tickets they were sold out of the Roma section so we had to buy Lazio tickets, which we were all kinda scared of because we only have Roma gear. We all decided on wearing neutral colos to the game so we wouldnt get murdered and what not.
The opening to the game was like nothing I have ever seen before, it was absolutely amazing and I think my buddy got a video so hopefully I'll be able to put it on. But to explain what happened on the Lazio section, well the stadium was split in half and the Lazio fans were in four different sections. Right after the opening songs the entire crowd was passed flags with the color of white and blue depending on which section you were on (obviously Lazio's colors). And once they finished our section went absolutely crazy, Ive never seen so many flags being waved it looked like one of those beer commercials when they spell out budwieser in the stands!
Roma ended up winning 2-0 and Tutti went off who is their star playing scoring both of the goals and one on a penalty kick. I was glad about but it sucks to be on the side of the losing team because soccer fans get pissed like no other. There ending chants were Vafancullo Vafancullo Vafancullo-look up with your own disgression. But once we exited the stadium we knew it would be madness so we exited with caution...not really. Once we got out we saw tear gas being flung at the Roma fans and hundreds of cops wearing gas mask holding batons and bearing riot shields destroying the not so innocent civilians. Luckily we got out of there alive with no injuries but let me tell you we were right next to this madness and it was the most wild sporting event I have ever seen, talk about a rivalry.
As I said I'll be leaving for spring break on thursday and bad news the weather is going to absolutely suck!!! But o well cant complain to much about prague, berlin, amsterdam, and o ya pari
Ciao Ciao Belle
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Whats up winery
Friday morning I woke up bright and early around 8 am to meet SAI which is my program to depart for a wine tasting they offer. We took a bus about an hour and a half south to some small town with an amazing vineyard. Got to the winery around 11 and starting trying wine that was still in the fermenting process that hadn't even been bottled yet. So it was really strong and some were realy really acidic and not so good.
The owner of the Vineyard is Sergio Mottura, and the only way I can describe this guy is by being the biggest badass ever. He is the man, he drinks wine all day and just kicks it with his family and gives locals tours of his vineyard and teaches people about wine.
After tasting a few wines they were still being processed he showed us his actually vineyard. Then we went to have an amazing lunch, were he would show us different types of wine and explained all about them while we casually had lunch. It was a very unusual wine tasting and was not like the last one I did but was much more fun. Cant say I learned a whole lot cause I couldnt really understand Sergio and its hard to teach 30 kids about wine who are obviously more interested in the drinking part. But I would still consider myself an absolute expert on vino.
The owner of the Vineyard is Sergio Mottura, and the only way I can describe this guy is by being the biggest badass ever. He is the man, he drinks wine all day and just kicks it with his family and gives locals tours of his vineyard and teaches people about wine.
After tasting a few wines they were still being processed he showed us his actually vineyard. Then we went to have an amazing lunch, were he would show us different types of wine and explained all about them while we casually had lunch. It was a very unusual wine tasting and was not like the last one I did but was much more fun. Cant say I learned a whole lot cause I couldnt really understand Sergio and its hard to teach 30 kids about wine who are obviously more interested in the drinking part. But I would still consider myself an absolute expert on vino.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Boring weekend
Wow a boring weekend in Rome can sure turn exciting in a second. This weekend was suppose to be a very chill weekend for me because spring break starts next week so my original plan was to take it is....That changed fast, my program offers an all day wine tasting this saturday and a 4 course meal out in the countryside. Also Roma plays Latzio in soccer on Sunday, which is a huge deal because they are the two teams in Rome that play at the same stadium. I am a Roma fan but tickets on the Roma side were sold out so I had to buy the latzio side, things are sure to get crazy.
Another thing, Amanda Knox's to best friends came and spoke to my business communication class today for an hour and a half, and all I can say is Wow. I don't know if they convinced me that she is innocent but they sure convinced me that the Italian legal system is F'ed up. They have a lot of important rules set up that sound good but they sure as hell don't follow any of them. Really makes you think. Basically if you get in trouble over here and the police make a mistake, they can screw you over and get you to sign something in Italian that says one thing when you believe it says the other thing. Its scary!
Ciao
Rob
Another thing, Amanda Knox's to best friends came and spoke to my business communication class today for an hour and a half, and all I can say is Wow. I don't know if they convinced me that she is innocent but they sure convinced me that the Italian legal system is F'ed up. They have a lot of important rules set up that sound good but they sure as hell don't follow any of them. Really makes you think. Basically if you get in trouble over here and the police make a mistake, they can screw you over and get you to sign something in Italian that says one thing when you believe it says the other thing. Its scary!
Ciao
Rob
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Two months
So I have been here for two months and just finished all my mid-terms this week. School is going well and life over here is absolutely incredible. But it is so upsetting that I will be leaving for the states in less then 2 months. I don't know how I will be able to handle driving a car, or be use to having everything so accessible to me. Public transportation is awesome and I think we should have more in the states and especially Austin.
Spring break starts in exactly a week from now, and once that begins my real traveling begins. I will be headed to Prauge, which is the Czech republic for a couple of days to see the amazing castles the city offers. Then from Prauge I will be heading to Berlin, to see the Berlin wall and drink some amazing dark German beer. From there I make my way to Amsterdam to just hang out for a couple days and relax. Then for my last country I head to Paris, France for the last weekend of my spring break. That is total of 11 days travel and stay, then the weekend after I will be heading to Espana!
Not to brag or anything
Obviously I will update after my trip but I don't think that I will be bringing my computer with me so just thought i'd give everybody my itiniary.
Spring break starts in exactly a week from now, and once that begins my real traveling begins. I will be headed to Prauge, which is the Czech republic for a couple of days to see the amazing castles the city offers. Then from Prauge I will be heading to Berlin, to see the Berlin wall and drink some amazing dark German beer. From there I make my way to Amsterdam to just hang out for a couple days and relax. Then for my last country I head to Paris, France for the last weekend of my spring break. That is total of 11 days travel and stay, then the weekend after I will be heading to Espana!
Not to brag or anything
Obviously I will update after my trip but I don't think that I will be bringing my computer with me so just thought i'd give everybody my itiniary.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Veneniza
Wow Venice Wow!
This weekend went on an adventure to Venice to experience Carnivale. Carnivale is pretty much what Mardi Gras is based off except for all of the exessive drinking and flashing. It is an eight day long festivile of customes, confetti, and pure madness. For those who didn't know Venice is a city on water...COMPLETELY ON WATER. To get to it we had to take a water taxi to the main piazza and then if you want to get anywhere else you have to take a water taxi. Its pretty remarkable that a city can function being entirely surrounded on water. It's so bizzare to think people take speed boats to work everyday of their life.
But back to Carnivale, it was one of the wildest times of my life. People come from all of the world and dress up like crazy, its like halloween and mardi gras mixed. The first thing we did when we got this was buy awesome masks and confetti. Once you reach the main piazza there is a huge confetti fight and there are no rules and nobody knows who anyboyd else is because the whole city is wearing masks so it is just complete madness. After that we went to Murano and Burano which are parts of Venice. I don't exactly know which one is which but one of them is famous for all of the glass that is blown there, like huge chandileers and amazing cups and such. And Murano is famous for all of there historical colored houses, that are once again on water and is just insane to see hundreds of houses right on water. It is honestly the coolest thing I have ever seen.
After we saw the main attractions we went to the main piazza once again to find something to eat for dinner and heard of all tons of loud music, so we decided to check it out instead of grabbing dinner. We stumbled on an outside rave/ all kinds of music and people juggling fire.
Overall Venice was amazing except for the horrible bus rides. We left at 7 am on saturday from Rome (so I saw the sun rise) then we left at 11 from venice (saw the sun set in venice) then we got back to roma at 530 (saw the sun rise again in rome). And these buses are so cramped you can't sleep at all and each way was a litte over 7 hours. But despite the bus rides the trip was amazing and venice is molto bello.
Pictures are up on facebook, blog again soon. Spring break in 7 more days of scuola and then off to Prauge, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Pari!!!
This weekend went on an adventure to Venice to experience Carnivale. Carnivale is pretty much what Mardi Gras is based off except for all of the exessive drinking and flashing. It is an eight day long festivile of customes, confetti, and pure madness. For those who didn't know Venice is a city on water...COMPLETELY ON WATER. To get to it we had to take a water taxi to the main piazza and then if you want to get anywhere else you have to take a water taxi. Its pretty remarkable that a city can function being entirely surrounded on water. It's so bizzare to think people take speed boats to work everyday of their life.
But back to Carnivale, it was one of the wildest times of my life. People come from all of the world and dress up like crazy, its like halloween and mardi gras mixed. The first thing we did when we got this was buy awesome masks and confetti. Once you reach the main piazza there is a huge confetti fight and there are no rules and nobody knows who anyboyd else is because the whole city is wearing masks so it is just complete madness. After that we went to Murano and Burano which are parts of Venice. I don't exactly know which one is which but one of them is famous for all of the glass that is blown there, like huge chandileers and amazing cups and such. And Murano is famous for all of there historical colored houses, that are once again on water and is just insane to see hundreds of houses right on water. It is honestly the coolest thing I have ever seen.
After we saw the main attractions we went to the main piazza once again to find something to eat for dinner and heard of all tons of loud music, so we decided to check it out instead of grabbing dinner. We stumbled on an outside rave/ all kinds of music and people juggling fire.
Overall Venice was amazing except for the horrible bus rides. We left at 7 am on saturday from Rome (so I saw the sun rise) then we left at 11 from venice (saw the sun set in venice) then we got back to roma at 530 (saw the sun rise again in rome). And these buses are so cramped you can't sleep at all and each way was a litte over 7 hours. But despite the bus rides the trip was amazing and venice is molto bello.
Pictures are up on facebook, blog again soon. Spring break in 7 more days of scuola and then off to Prauge, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Pari!!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sorry
Ok I'm an idiot, I dont get to actually see her speak to our class its her friend pleading her cause. Which I guess is still kind of interesting in what she can possibly say. Mi scusi
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Amanda Knox
Just a quick little blog.. So before I went abroad my mom warned me not to kill anyone or get killed. Well when Amanda Knox went abroad to Italia she killed her roommate, crazy girl. Well she is coming to John Cabot Univeristy to explain how she is innocent, and my Business Communications class gets to witness this. Keep you posted.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The secret bakery
I forgot to mention one of the coolest things Florence has to offer. They have a bakery called the Secret Bakery and it is only open from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. and the way you are suppose to find it is by its amazing smell. It is literally just a random door on a side street that you wait outside of and if there wasn't a line out the door you would never be able to find it. It is also below residents so if you are too loud outside they dump water on you from above. When we tried to order they refused us because we were being too loud obviously and then we felt the cold water from above soak me and all my friends. In the end they finally served us after the whole crowed silence and I had the best chocolate crossiant I've ever had in my life.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Firenze
So I started off my weekend with an Italian test, which actually went very well and then a race to the Roma Termini. Traveling alone is quite an adventure especially when you still don't understand the language. Thursday I hopped on a train to Firenze but the ticket said Milano on it so I was already afraid I was getting on the wrong train. After about 30 minutes of uncertainty being on a train going who knows where a staff member checked my ticket and reassured me that I was heading in the right place and was just the last stop.
After arriving in Florence I met up with a few friends from tech who I was staying with and they showed me the awesome night life of Florence. Florences night life is all about the discotechas which are clubs, and needless to say they are a blast there. After a wild night I woke up everyone up and we had a big group of us go site seeing. We went and saw the David was absolutely incredible and is actually kind of scary. He looks so real and there is so much detail you can see all of his vains its really creeping. It kind of funny when you visit a city and you see sites that your friends that have been there for a month haven't even seen yet.
Overall Firenze was amazing, I think I could live there forever. Most people there speak enough English so you can get by pretty easily and also its not near is crazy as Roma. I love this craziness of Rome but it would be to much to live there forever, Florence is a great city pretty busy but its mostly a walking around town. For my family I'll have scott send you all the pictures I took this weekend.
After arriving in Florence I met up with a few friends from tech who I was staying with and they showed me the awesome night life of Florence. Florences night life is all about the discotechas which are clubs, and needless to say they are a blast there. After a wild night I woke up everyone up and we had a big group of us go site seeing. We went and saw the David was absolutely incredible and is actually kind of scary. He looks so real and there is so much detail you can see all of his vains its really creeping. It kind of funny when you visit a city and you see sites that your friends that have been there for a month haven't even seen yet.
Overall Firenze was amazing, I think I could live there forever. Most people there speak enough English so you can get by pretty easily and also its not near is crazy as Roma. I love this craziness of Rome but it would be to much to live there forever, Florence is a great city pretty busy but its mostly a walking around town. For my family I'll have scott send you all the pictures I took this weekend.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Florence
Tomorrow i'm going to Florence!!! Should be pretty exciting staying with a couple of friends so the cost wont be to bad. My train leaves at 533 and I have no idea what platform it is, also I have an italian test at 330 so I'm gonna be very crammed for time. I'm pretty excited about the adventure and the potential time problem but hey thats Rome for ya.
Update after this weekend.
Update after this weekend.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Roma
So this weekend Robbie Reynolds came in to Roma from Milano for a visit. Who would've ever thought I would be hanging out with one of my old nieghborhood buddies in Roma and showing him around its pretty crazy and such a small world. Needless to say we had a little to much fun and spent entirely to much money while he was visiting.
Last night me and a huge group of friends went and saw Romas soccer team play against Napoli which is a huge rivalry. The game was like nothing I've ever experienced before so nuts and there are no rules. But it kinda suck because Roma lose 2-0 but it was still a great experience and was only 17 euro, so I'll be going to many other games.
Here is a video of the game I hope this link works because its from my friends FLIP.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1848712863775&subj=1419319959
Last night me and a huge group of friends went and saw Romas soccer team play against Napoli which is a huge rivalry. The game was like nothing I've ever experienced before so nuts and there are no rules. But it kinda suck because Roma lose 2-0 but it was still a great experience and was only 17 euro, so I'll be going to many other games.
Here is a video of the game I hope this link works because its from my friends FLIP.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1848712863775&subj=1419319959
Monday, February 7, 2011
A weekend in Tuscany
So this past weekend my program Study Abroad Italy took a large group of us to the Tuscany Region of Italia. On are way we stopped in a town called Vertibo, which is famous for their white wine Est Est Est, which has nothing on that cheap Cavot wine back home. After walking around and seeing the sites and what not we got back on our bus and headed to the Hotel in the heart of the tuscan region. My hotel roomed turned out to be a 6 person villa with the most incredible view. Soon having arriving to our new villa we put on our robes and headed down the the thermal spa, which apparently has magically healing powers. The rest of my trip consisted of pretty much that, waking up and going straight to the spas all day.
After a relaxing stay in our villa in tuscany we headed to Sienna which might be my new favorite town. Unfortunately I left my camera on the bus when I was walking around so I'll have to get pictures from my roommates. The town is famous for having an annual horse raise around the main piazza. This horse race is between the 14 rival nieghborhoods and once I put up pictures of Piazza de Campo you will understand just how dangerous it is. Unfortunately the race wasn't this past weekend and is in the late summer, but it is now made its way onto my bucketlist. The town is great and very chill but the reason I enjoyed it so much is becasue they have a tower where you can pay to go to the top and you have to most amazing view I've ever seen.
After a relaxing stay in our villa in tuscany we headed to Sienna which might be my new favorite town. Unfortunately I left my camera on the bus when I was walking around so I'll have to get pictures from my roommates. The town is famous for having an annual horse raise around the main piazza. This horse race is between the 14 rival nieghborhoods and once I put up pictures of Piazza de Campo you will understand just how dangerous it is. Unfortunately the race wasn't this past weekend and is in the late summer, but it is now made its way onto my bucketlist. The town is great and very chill but the reason I enjoyed it so much is becasue they have a tower where you can pay to go to the top and you have to most amazing view I've ever seen.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tram system
Ciao tutti
Don't have much to say today but just wanted share my methods of travel and the Italians ways of travel.... Like always I don't know if I am repeating myself but I don't care. For example I ride the tram everyday and I know mom and dad will be happy about this but I don't pay for it ha. So typically on the tram there are beggers and a lot of the time there are entertainers who ask for money. So my ride home today had crazy amounts of noise, first everyone in the city rides the tram to and from work (also dont pay). So today on my way home its jam packed as usually italians speaking to eachother which is pretty much just fast jiberish, a baby was screaming bloody murder, and there was a man playing his accordian asking for money. That is just a typical tram ride and its completely bizzare and I love every momment of it.
Another thing about transportation, so everyone that doesn't take the tram rights motorcycles or mopeds. And those people are absolutely insane! They don't follow street signs (not like I know what they mean) there is no speed limit, and I almost get killed by one a day.
So thats transportation in europe for ya, its a circus. But I enjoy every minute of it and the states should follow saves money and gas and is a total adventure.
Going to tuscany tomorrow update more on sunday
Peace!!
Don't have much to say today but just wanted share my methods of travel and the Italians ways of travel.... Like always I don't know if I am repeating myself but I don't care. For example I ride the tram everyday and I know mom and dad will be happy about this but I don't pay for it ha. So typically on the tram there are beggers and a lot of the time there are entertainers who ask for money. So my ride home today had crazy amounts of noise, first everyone in the city rides the tram to and from work (also dont pay). So today on my way home its jam packed as usually italians speaking to eachother which is pretty much just fast jiberish, a baby was screaming bloody murder, and there was a man playing his accordian asking for money. That is just a typical tram ride and its completely bizzare and I love every momment of it.
Another thing about transportation, so everyone that doesn't take the tram rights motorcycles or mopeds. And those people are absolutely insane! They don't follow street signs (not like I know what they mean) there is no speed limit, and I almost get killed by one a day.
So thats transportation in europe for ya, its a circus. But I enjoy every minute of it and the states should follow saves money and gas and is a total adventure.
Going to tuscany tomorrow update more on sunday
Peace!!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Vacation coming to an end
So I have gotten so use to the Italian lifestyle of taken a three hour lunch break, having a cappacino, and a pastry and I have to say I love it. But my 7 week vacation has just ended because I have just realized I am in school and have a project due tomorrow morning. Looks like I have to work for a few days before going on a three day trip to tuscany. Keep everybody posted.
Mean while listen to the most popular song in Italia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcjaLW91sCQ&feature=player_detailpage
Mean while listen to the most popular song in Italia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcjaLW91sCQ&feature=player_detailpage
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Cooking class and Napoli
On friday I experienced my first cooking class with our schools chef, Andrea. We started off by going to the local market in Campo de Fuor (which is the American party place at night) and he showed us what and how to buy ingredients. So after an hour so of shopping we went back to his kitchen where he taught us how to make an amazing 5 course meal. The meal was unbelieveable and the main thing is that I now know how to make an awesome pasta sauce plus he is emailing mecall of the directions and ingredients which means I can share how to make this fabulous meal.
On Saturday I had my second trip outside of Roma and went to Naples. Me and my roommate went through a travel group called Bus2alps to make sure everything would go smoothly, but thats not at all how it started. We were suppose to meet the group at Roma Termina which is the main trainstation in Rome so pretty simple right. We get to the station near our apartment and by a one way pass to Roma Termina and hope on the first train we see that says Roma Termina on it. Apparently this one had departed from Roma Termina and was heading the oppisite direction. We all had a feeling that we were heading the wrong way but its hard to no for sure when you can't understand anything, so after 25 minutes of heading the wrong way we knew we were lost and go off at some random stop. Immeditately as we got off another train had stopped and was going back the way we had come so we all ran and just barely caught it.
Now we were suppose to meet at the main station at 8 we left are original station at 645 so we could be early and once we finally got on the train heading the right way it was 745. We were screwed, we thought they were gonna leave us behind because we were 35 minutes out of the way. So I called the women at bus2alps and told her our story and she said "sorry we are leaving at 8". Just great now me mike and steve were going to have to spend even more money to buy a one way ticket to Naples. So we finally arrive at the meeting spot and luckily they were still waiting for us thank god trip saved.
After the crazy beginning the trip was smooth and was great. I ate at the best pizza in the world at the best pizza place in the world called L'antica pizzeria Da michele which is in that new movie eat pray love or something. Truly is the best pizza I've ever, when we got there, there was a line out the door adn we had to wait 20 minutes for pizza, and let me remind you that this is not a tourist time at all so he was all locals waiting. When we finally sat down there menu was awsome it only had four things but we didn't even get to order because when the waiter came over who looked at our table and just said five double cheese pizzas and five beers. Eat pizza was the size of a large and you had to eat with a fork in a knife. But this pizza experience has kinda ruined pizza for me because it makes Romes pizza taste crappy. I'll upload some pictures soon.
Ciao
On Saturday I had my second trip outside of Roma and went to Naples. Me and my roommate went through a travel group called Bus2alps to make sure everything would go smoothly, but thats not at all how it started. We were suppose to meet the group at Roma Termina which is the main trainstation in Rome so pretty simple right. We get to the station near our apartment and by a one way pass to Roma Termina and hope on the first train we see that says Roma Termina on it. Apparently this one had departed from Roma Termina and was heading the oppisite direction. We all had a feeling that we were heading the wrong way but its hard to no for sure when you can't understand anything, so after 25 minutes of heading the wrong way we knew we were lost and go off at some random stop. Immeditately as we got off another train had stopped and was going back the way we had come so we all ran and just barely caught it.
Now we were suppose to meet at the main station at 8 we left are original station at 645 so we could be early and once we finally got on the train heading the right way it was 745. We were screwed, we thought they were gonna leave us behind because we were 35 minutes out of the way. So I called the women at bus2alps and told her our story and she said "sorry we are leaving at 8". Just great now me mike and steve were going to have to spend even more money to buy a one way ticket to Naples. So we finally arrive at the meeting spot and luckily they were still waiting for us thank god trip saved.
After the crazy beginning the trip was smooth and was great. I ate at the best pizza in the world at the best pizza place in the world called L'antica pizzeria Da michele which is in that new movie eat pray love or something. Truly is the best pizza I've ever, when we got there, there was a line out the door adn we had to wait 20 minutes for pizza, and let me remind you that this is not a tourist time at all so he was all locals waiting. When we finally sat down there menu was awsome it only had four things but we didn't even get to order because when the waiter came over who looked at our table and just said five double cheese pizzas and five beers. Eat pizza was the size of a large and you had to eat with a fork in a knife. But this pizza experience has kinda ruined pizza for me because it makes Romes pizza taste crappy. I'll upload some pictures soon.
Ciao
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Ortopedia???
So yesterday I have my appointment with my orthopedic doctor to make me new orthadics. I had no idea where I was going except a glance at the map and made it there in one piece with a little help from some Italian locals. In Italia directs don't really help, street names just everytime there is a piazza or a fountain and there are a million piazzas and fountins in Roma. Pretty much they change all the time for some random reason also Italians drive like freaking maniacs. Don't follow street signs, no speed limit signs, and a million motorcycles makes walking pretty scary and life threatening. But like I said I got there in one piece.
I thought the difficult part was over and it hadn't even begun. Unlike the last doctor I visited, this one, who was making my orthadicsspoke no English at all. Imagine trying to communicate with someone who is making an replica of what your arc is suppose to look like who can't understand you and you can't understand him. Obviously was an adventure and itself and was extremely confusing so lets hope that everything turns out alright.
Tomorrow I have a cooking class at 11 a.m. so I can show all of you back home how to cook. I'll try and have a few more pictures up by the end of this week but its hard to post a lot on the blog
Ciao
I thought the difficult part was over and it hadn't even begun. Unlike the last doctor I visited, this one, who was making my orthadicsspoke no English at all. Imagine trying to communicate with someone who is making an replica of what your arc is suppose to look like who can't understand you and you can't understand him. Obviously was an adventure and itself and was extremely confusing so lets hope that everything turns out alright.
Tomorrow I have a cooking class at 11 a.m. so I can show all of you back home how to cook. I'll try and have a few more pictures up by the end of this week but its hard to post a lot on the blog
Ciao
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Transportation Strike
Today there is a 24 hour transportaion strike starting at 830 this morning last til 5 then starting back at 8pm, don't know how that is 24 hours but thats what they're calling it. Crazy Italians, its probably because no one pays to ride the buses or trams because they go on an honor system to pay when you ride. But the locals don't even do that so I think I'm gonna go join the strike and make an awesome picket in English.
Rome has been great, I went to an Ice Bar last night, everything is made out of ice and they give you an extra coat to wear. Honestly it was pretty silly, but hey who can say they've been in a bar made entirely out of ice.
Friday I have a cooking class and Saturday I go to Naples, so I'll keep you posted.
Ciao tutto
Rome has been great, I went to an Ice Bar last night, everything is made out of ice and they give you an extra coat to wear. Honestly it was pretty silly, but hey who can say they've been in a bar made entirely out of ice.
Friday I have a cooking class and Saturday I go to Naples, so I'll keep you posted.
Ciao tutto
Monday, January 24, 2011
When in Rome get chronic tendonitis in your achilles?
So after my consultation with my new foot doctor it seems that I have chonic tendonitis in my achilles from walking to much around Rome..... Wow this sucks. But not to worry I'm not letting it stop me from having fun and walking all over the city. I'm just going through the same old feet problems I've been dealing with forever. Today I'll get new orthodics and I start therapy on next Monday yippee. But this weekend I'll be in Naples so I guess I'll look at it as a trade off.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Seems like a long time
Hey guys,
Seems like a long time since the last time I've blogged, sorry been busy but heres whats been going on. Start with bad news, my feet problems that started in middle school have decided to come back at the perfect timing, yes sarcasim. And yes I'm in the coolest city in the world which you have to walk everywhere to do anythng, but don't worry I'm use to the pain and I'm not letting it be a factor in what I see or do. I see the doctor on monday and hopefully get some new inserts and learn some new strecthes but not worrying about that at all everything will be ok and work out.
But yes school has started and big surprise its harder than Tech, ha not really I was actually worried about that. But I'm glad it is, the small classes help I'm suppose to talk alot more and be more involved so its fun. If i didn't already blog about this I'll blog again but my finance teacher is the Dean of JCU so the class is pretty intense which is great because that is my major so I will learn tons. And every other class seems just as hard especially my Italian class but it is fun because the more I learn during the class it allows me to experience and adventure more of the city.
Went to the Vatican yesterday and it is absolutely unbelieveable. Its breath taking..... Pictures are on my Facebook and for those of you that don't have it Scott will be sending them to you even if he doesn't have enough time during law school, I'm sure he can make time for me. He is doing this because Italian internet doesn't really work when you need it to.
I've seen almost everything in the Roma and will upload all of the pictures on facebook and make sure everyone can see them soon. The only thing I need to see is the inside of the Panthion.... Its always closed for prayer but I'll get in there. But since I've since most of Roma its time TRAVEL!!!! Keep you posted on my new adventures as much as I can.
Robby
Seems like a long time since the last time I've blogged, sorry been busy but heres whats been going on. Start with bad news, my feet problems that started in middle school have decided to come back at the perfect timing, yes sarcasim. And yes I'm in the coolest city in the world which you have to walk everywhere to do anythng, but don't worry I'm use to the pain and I'm not letting it be a factor in what I see or do. I see the doctor on monday and hopefully get some new inserts and learn some new strecthes but not worrying about that at all everything will be ok and work out.
But yes school has started and big surprise its harder than Tech, ha not really I was actually worried about that. But I'm glad it is, the small classes help I'm suppose to talk alot more and be more involved so its fun. If i didn't already blog about this I'll blog again but my finance teacher is the Dean of JCU so the class is pretty intense which is great because that is my major so I will learn tons. And every other class seems just as hard especially my Italian class but it is fun because the more I learn during the class it allows me to experience and adventure more of the city.
Went to the Vatican yesterday and it is absolutely unbelieveable. Its breath taking..... Pictures are on my Facebook and for those of you that don't have it Scott will be sending them to you even if he doesn't have enough time during law school, I'm sure he can make time for me. He is doing this because Italian internet doesn't really work when you need it to.
I've seen almost everything in the Roma and will upload all of the pictures on facebook and make sure everyone can see them soon. The only thing I need to see is the inside of the Panthion.... Its always closed for prayer but I'll get in there. But since I've since most of Roma its time TRAVEL!!!! Keep you posted on my new adventures as much as I can.
Robby
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
School has started
The vacation is over and school has already sunk in. This morning I had my first finance class and the teacher, who is also the Dean of JCU, assured me that her class was no joke. I have two more classes to go so the rest of my day should be pretty interesting.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Trapped
So i'm finally coming to the realization that I'm not on a vacation in Rome but i'm actually living here and going to school. Well the school thing hasn't really settled in because were trapped inside of my apartment on the first day of class. Update you when we finally get out.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Life in Rome
So if I've already said this I'm sorry.
But life in Rome is nothing like I expected, and is the exact oppisite of what everybody told me. First of all there are no gypsies and I mean none. I was told they would be coming up to me none stop and trying to pickpocket me but I guess because its not the tourist season they don't bother trying to pick pocket locals. But it is nice not having to feel like you have to keep on hand on your wallet at all times, although I do it anyway out of habit already. Second the weather is beautiful, its been mid 60's since i've been here. And its the exact opposite of everything I was told, I was told that I would be wearing slippers and sweaters inside. Right now its 11 p.m. and my windows are open because its hot in my apartment and I'm just in gym shorts (SAI is wrong again). And the last thing that is completely new to me is that I only eat one meal a day two if I'm lucky. Don't get me wrong the one meal I have is absolutely amazing and is four to five courses, but I thought differently.
But the European lifestyle is great, my roomates and I finally met some locals at dinner and they spoke perfect English, but they refused to help us unless we attempted to speak in Italian which is an adventure. So after a while of getting to now them we went our different ways. I've learned not all Italians hate American's but if you don't start off the conversation in Italian they won't even give you a chance.
I start school tomorrow and will be uploading more pictures of the Spanish steps, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Coliseum.
Blog again as soon as possible
But life in Rome is nothing like I expected, and is the exact oppisite of what everybody told me. First of all there are no gypsies and I mean none. I was told they would be coming up to me none stop and trying to pickpocket me but I guess because its not the tourist season they don't bother trying to pick pocket locals. But it is nice not having to feel like you have to keep on hand on your wallet at all times, although I do it anyway out of habit already. Second the weather is beautiful, its been mid 60's since i've been here. And its the exact opposite of everything I was told, I was told that I would be wearing slippers and sweaters inside. Right now its 11 p.m. and my windows are open because its hot in my apartment and I'm just in gym shorts (SAI is wrong again). And the last thing that is completely new to me is that I only eat one meal a day two if I'm lucky. Don't get me wrong the one meal I have is absolutely amazing and is four to five courses, but I thought differently.
But the European lifestyle is great, my roomates and I finally met some locals at dinner and they spoke perfect English, but they refused to help us unless we attempted to speak in Italian which is an adventure. So after a while of getting to now them we went our different ways. I've learned not all Italians hate American's but if you don't start off the conversation in Italian they won't even give you a chance.
I start school tomorrow and will be uploading more pictures of the Spanish steps, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Coliseum.
Blog again as soon as possible
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Rome is so crazy
So spending euros is like spending monopoly money, and the worst thing about it is it's more than American Dollars. So I kinda just spend money like it grows on trees but like they say when in Rome. Second Romes night life is nuts it never stops, well I mean unless you consider 5 or 6 a.m. stopping.
Last night I met these girls and they told me I looked like someone they knew, turned out that that someone they knew was my brother. Small world.
About of the pictures its really difficult to load because the internet is so slow and it makes me load one picture at I time but I loaded them all on facebook so I'll have to figure out how to load them on to my blog.
Last night I met these girls and they told me I looked like someone they knew, turned out that that someone they knew was my brother. Small world.
About of the pictures its really difficult to load because the internet is so slow and it makes me load one picture at I time but I loaded them all on facebook so I'll have to figure out how to load them on to my blog.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
ostia antica
Today we had our first excursion with SAI to Ostia Antica, which is the mouth of the Tiber river, which is the main river in rome. Unfortunately the internet here is pretty difficult and is not really allowing me to upload my millions of photos I took of this historic site. Ostia Antica is a historical city right outside of Roma which is responsible for importing majority of Romes goods by shipping them 20 miles down the Tiber River. After a two hour tour of that we went to a little farm village and had the most amazing 5 course meal, starting with all kinds of bread, then moving to cheese and honey, then we ate tons of pasta, then moved to chicken and finished off with desert. I really have no idea exactly what kind of chicken or pasta or desert I was eating but it was by far the best food I've ever had.
Are aparment is showing its true self though, the first day we had heat, hot water, and fast internet. Now the hot water is gone and are apartment bathroom is leaking, the interent is slow and the heat is gone, I guess the tenet had to tease us a little bit. But besides that everything is great, Rome is fabulous, my days just consist of getting lost and attempting to speak Italian and failing miserable, which is more fun than I could imagine.
Like I said I'm trying to upload all my pictures but it is only letting me upload one at a time so bare with me.
I'll talk to you soon
Are aparment is showing its true self though, the first day we had heat, hot water, and fast internet. Now the hot water is gone and are apartment bathroom is leaking, the interent is slow and the heat is gone, I guess the tenet had to tease us a little bit. But besides that everything is great, Rome is fabulous, my days just consist of getting lost and attempting to speak Italian and failing miserable, which is more fun than I could imagine.
Like I said I'm trying to upload all my pictures but it is only letting me upload one at a time so bare with me.
I'll talk to you soon
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Finally Here
Hey guys,
So after about 24 hours worth of travel I finally reached my new apartment in Rome on Via Traversari, 94. The apartment is great with wifi, running out water, and a good heating unit (nothing what I expected to have) . Rome is amazing and I haven't even seen the begining of it, as soon as we arrived me and my roommates went out for pizza and beer of course and ended up getting lost in Rome for about 2 hours which was absolutely amazing. After that I crashed pretty early from the jet lag and being up for over 30 hours straight. I had no idea how busy I would be so I will try to blog and upload pictures as much as possible but I already have a full day planned with orientation whichs starts in less than an hour, but I will upload and blog again later tonight all about the city and my orientation
Ciao
So after about 24 hours worth of travel I finally reached my new apartment in Rome on Via Traversari, 94. The apartment is great with wifi, running out water, and a good heating unit (nothing what I expected to have) . Rome is amazing and I haven't even seen the begining of it, as soon as we arrived me and my roommates went out for pizza and beer of course and ended up getting lost in Rome for about 2 hours which was absolutely amazing. After that I crashed pretty early from the jet lag and being up for over 30 hours straight. I had no idea how busy I would be so I will try to blog and upload pictures as much as possible but I already have a full day planned with orientation whichs starts in less than an hour, but I will upload and blog again later tonight all about the city and my orientation
Ciao
Monday, January 10, 2011
Delta Delta Delta
So it isn't a study abroad trip without immediate complications. Yesterday I discovered that my flight had been changed ( without warning of course) and that I would be flying to atlanta today but not departing for rome til the 13th. Obviously these unexpected changes were ridiculous and needed to be changed. So we changed flights around last night so that this morning I flew to Minneapolis, then to Newark New Jersey, (which is where I am now) and then a direct flight to Rome in a few hours. But after the first mix up everything has worked out so and I will be leaving for Rome in just a few short hours.
I'll update it as soon as I get situatated, arrivederci.
I'll update it as soon as I get situatated, arrivederci.
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