463 Steps

Our group trip to Florence was amazing.  The city is very unique, lots of high class shopping, history, amazing food and just a generally cool atmosphere.  The worst part about the trip is that we were only there for two days.

Climbing the Duomo was definitely the highlight of the trip.  The climb took about 20 minutes, 463 steps.  It was hot, humid and exhausting.  And totally worth it.  See for yourself.

At the Medici Palace, some of the group wanted to act out Shakespeare with our Professor Marino.  He said if we could find something to read he would do it.  I remembered downloading a free app with all of Shakespeare’s plays when I first got my ipod, figuring that even though I don’t care for Shakespeare that it might come in handy sometime.  So, in the middle of the palace gardens, Colin, Arvin and Professor Marino acted out a scene from Henry VIII.  Now that is awesome.

The food in Florence was pretty awesome, too.  We had the specialty, Florentine steak.  It is basically a T-bone, lightly seasoned—cooked to perfection.  That night we had gelato for the third time that day..  Gelato alone is fantastic, something about it in Florence was even better.  The strawberry sorbet (fragola) was in a league of its own.

Our final day there was spent in museums with a little free time for shopping.  Seeing Michelangelo’s David took my breath away.  Seeing pictures does not do it justice.  I sat down with Kelsey, Susie and Mike behind the statue and after taking quite some time to simply admire the sheer awesomeness we began to take pictures.  Pictures are prohibited in this museum.  So that made it more fun. 

"Can we climb this mountain/ I don't know/ Higher now than ever before/ I know we can make it if we take it slow/ Let's take it easy/ Easy now, watch it go" --The Killers, When You Were Young

Beginnings and Endings

(Written awhile ago.. sorry for the delay in posts...)

For better or for worse, I am a creature of habit.  Always have been and always will be.

This program is already halfway done.  Two and a half more weeks and we’re all free to go home and enjoy summer.  Not going to lie, that’s bittersweet.

Every morning I wake up around 8, take a shower, get dressed, do my hair and makeup, pack my bag and run out the door.  No, I’m not late.  I am running because six stories below my building is the best coffee I have ever tasted.  Usually, I wait on the steps for Mike and we walk in, say hi to the barista and order “due cappuccino freddo, uno with cioccolato.. like inside”.  That’s two cold cappuccinos, mine with chocolate.  Then we sit and they bring our drinks with a side of sparkling water.  The drinks always have this heavenly, creamy, sugary foam and a coco powder design, sometimes sprinkles.  This morning has repeated enough times that they know our order.  After the coffee, we pay our bill.  With a “ciao bella” and a wink from the cashier, I know my day has begun perfectly.

The days have a fair amount of variety.  Some days we have scheduled tours of the city, sometimes we have papers to write and sometimes we’re all on our own.  Everyone usually gets lunch by school; we catch the bus and enjoy some Italian street pizza.  This stuff is different than pizza back home.  It is made in long, rectangular sheets that they cut specifically for you, reheat it in the oven, weigh it for price and fold it on itself—like a pizza sandwich.  It’s freaking good.

We have class from 3-7 Monday-Thursday then everyone makes some sort of dinner plans.

Around 11:00 I usually get gelato with Chase.  We take the bus down Trastevere and take a short walk past the Tiber and into the store.  It is the same young man, Eugene, works there every night.  He lets us sample some flavors, get our frequent buyer cards stamped and enjoy our gelato while talking to Eugene about his life.  He is a Ukrainian immigrant who speaks Russian, Ukrainian, Italian, Spanish, German and English.  He’s awesome.  Before we leave we determine if we have time to come back tomorrow.  Usually that conversation ends with, “Yeah, we’ll be back tomorrow.  Ciao!!”  We usually walk back because buses are slow past 11 or 12.  The walk is around 25 minutes but that’s really nothing.  If this city has taught me anything, it’s that I can walk.  Far.

Then everyone chills around the apartment, reading or getting ready for tomorrow.  We all try to get to bed before 3 and then we start the day over again.

I’m not entirely sure why I love routines like this.  But I really feel like I am living in this city.  I walk the streets, use a little Italian, and am a regular at some little places—this is what it’s like in the movies.  I know I am so grateful for this opportunity, partially for the once in a lifetime chance to live in Rome.  I won’t be able to say that forever but, for now, it’s pretty darn perfect.
"Do you believe in hallucinations, silly dreams or imaginations/ Don't go away cause I feel you this time/  Don't go away cause I need you there this time" --Angels and Airwaves, Hallucinations 

Waking up in Rome

Sorry that it has been so long since I blogged.  Schoolwork hit us hard but I finally have some time to sit down and go back.

The Roman holiday was pretty cool.  We went to St. Paul’s Basilica where there was a large street fair.  The locals were all enjoying themselves and we even got to see the Basilica.  Then there were fireworks.  They were beautiful.  I decided Italians know how to celebrate.

Last week a friend and I decided to take a short walk one night to de-stress and chat.  We ended up at the Vatican marveling at the incredible beauty and majesty of the square.  This was after 12.  Walking the city, we were able to see Italians party it up—on the streets, by the river and in clubs.  They really know how to party.  We started our walk back and made some detours to see more monuments at night.  Then we got lost.  Legitimately lost.  We walked around the city (in what we thought was the correct general direction) and tried to find our way back.  All the party people were long asleep and the streets were dead.  The middle of the night in Rome is a sight to see.  Light from the moon and streetlights, breathtaking monuments completely deserted—all of it was so incredibly peaceful that we didn’t care that we were lost.  Then the sun came up and the small cafés were preparing for the day.  The sunrise here is unparalleled.  We finally found our way back using buses at around 8.  Definitely not the wisest choice I have ever made (we had class at 3) but definitely something I will never regret.  I can sleep when I get home.  But watching the city of Rome go to sleep and wake up is more like once in a lifetime.

On Friday we took a bus tour outside of Rome.  We got to see the Italian countryside.  There is something spectacular about the beauty and simplicity of the country.  And this is coming from a city girl.  My favorite tour of the entire trip was the gardens of Villa Lante.  Walking through the gardens, I could imagine life in the 16th century—living in this beautiful place.

The weekend was very relaxing.  Yoyo and I went to the flea market on Sunday which was an interesting experience.  There were so many blocks of vendors that I could not see either end.  We didn’t buy anything or stay too long (because it was SO hot) but we enjoyed getting lost in the crowd of locals simply observing.

Yesterday we saw the Vatican.  Even though it looks amazing from the outside, I had no idea how dazzling it would be.  The museum tour was a little long but the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica were worth the wait.  I was able to stand underneath Michelangelo’s the Creation of Adam.   That’s just awesome.  The largest wall in the chapel is another Michelangelo work, The Last Judgment.  Fun, amazing fact: the beautiful blue color was made from stone.  The chapel is surprisingly small, however, you could spend days just looking at all of the art and still discover new things.  The basilica is my favorite church in Rome.  We’ve been to a lot of churches.  St. Peter’s is definitely (imho) the most spectacular.  When I walked in I just had to stop and stare.  I’m decently sure I looked like a star struck toddler at that moment.  After the Vatican we went to the Castel S. Angelo.  This place was really cool, too.  The view from the top was worth all the stairs.  Which is saying something because the humidity was incredibly high and we were all literally dripping with sweat.  Attractive, I know.

We turned in our first papers today so we are all a little tired.  But we don’t have class tomorrow so it’s like Friday night.  We’ll see what fun stuff waits.

In closing, I must add somewhere that although the trip is not necessarily what I expected and that everything took quite a bit of adjustment I am so thrilled that I came.  I love living in a downtown apartment, walking the streets at night, late night gelato, the Italian sunsets…  I am so thankful for these experiences.  Last night I went out on the balcony to write that paper.  It must have been 8ish and I was able to sit there while the sun set.  That took my breath away.  I realized then that I am doing something that I always wanted to do—be able to live in a cute apartment in a city and enjoy the little things like having friends over for dinner or sitting on the balcony listening to traffic.

I promise I will try to be better at posting more frequent, shorter posts.  Thanks for the patience, miss you all back home.

"So don't buy in/ Live right now/ Yeah, just be yourself/ It doesn't matter if it's good enough/ For someone else" --Jimmy Eat World, The Middle

Nutella, Bananas, and Shutters

We moved into our apartment yesterday.  It is so adorable.  And we have a kitchen.
We woke up and I made Nutella and banana sandwiches with the aid of Amy and Yoyo.  We don't have a toaster so we used the oven and crossed our fingers.  My goodness.  They were fantastic.
My first few days here, I was unimpressed by the food and the city was not anything like I had expected.  But yesterday we found a tiny little pizza shop (where the serve to-go!) right after we moved into the apartment.  Suddenly everything became amazing.  I think the lack of sleep and general frustration with airlines and baggage had me in a bit of a bad mood.  But all it took was some good pizza.  Haha, go figure.
We had four hours of class an an hour orientation yesterday, as well.  The rooms were incredibly hot because of the lack of airconditioning in Italy.  But class wasn't too bad and when we were done everyone ran over to the market to get food.  Today is a holiday so we had to make sure to stock up.
That night, we went down to the river.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  Rome at night is definitely an amazing experience.  We had some dinner at a pub and I was surprised it actually had good Italian food. We ended up walking around for most of the evening, just experiencing what the Romans do before a holiday.  There was a lot of crazy people out but the city lights were absolutely breathtaking.
I came back to the apartment to rest and then ended up going out again with Mike and Chase.  We ran into Yoyo and Albert after we had lost them a few hours before.  Albert went back so the four of us wandered around once again.  We took pictures and marveled at just about everything.  I think the flash from the cameras really bugged this one Italian kid.  He walked over towards us and started talking.  Then he got disgusted and kind of walked away and some girls came to see what happened.  It was all a little sketch but Mike and Chase were there to protect Yoyo and me.. I think.  Hahaha.
Oh and I didn't know where to put this, so this looks like a good place.  I LOVE THE SHUTTERS IN ITALY.  They are FREAKING amazing.  They make the room completely black no matter what time of the day it is.  I just do not understand why this brilliance has not made it to the U.S.  It is my goal to share this with the world.
Well today is a Roman Holiday.  They celebrate St. Peter and St. Paul and the entire city shuts down.  Tonight is a big potluck at one of the guy's apartments and then fireworks.  Should be a good night.
Looks like I can get in a couple hours of homework before making some spaghetti for the dinner. :]

Hotel Shampoo

Well my baggage never made it out onto that cool convertor belt. I sat there for almost two more hours just waiting and watching. When I finally realized that I was falling asleep on the floor of FCO I knew it was time to go. I had tried to call the people from ISA and my parents with no success. So I decided to go file the claim for lost baggage and grabbed a taxi to the hotel. I was so exhausted and frustrated that the sketchy ride in the taxi was actually peaceful. When I walked into the hotel, I was startled by Amy and Yoyo who were in the lobby. I don't think I had ever been so happy to see their faces and get hugs. That night was ok, we had a group dinner and, finally, got one of the best nights of sleep in my entire life. That bag with toothpaste came in very, very handy.
My bags finally arrived at the hotel (2 days later). You can ask Amy, I was jumping around the room screaming I was so happy! I no longer have to live off hotel items, airline toothpaste, some (REALLY AWESOME) clothes I bought in Rome, and Amy’s face soap. (I LOVE YOU CASSON.)
Being in Rome is so different from the States. There was some culture shock at first as well as the language barrier. I have really been trying to use Italian and have pulled it off better than I thought I could. I have been able to communicate with native Italians only looking slightly silly with my awful pronunciation and English-Italian dictionary in hand.
These couple days we have visited a few churches and historical sites. The most impressive stop for me was the Trevi Fountain. That thing was so beautiful. The Colosseum was breathtaking, Pantheon an architectural marvel and all the churches are amazing, as well. Tomorrow we move into our apartments and get free wi-fi. I’m stoked.
I should probably go study now… ☺ <3
[Post written on Sunday, picture is of the side of The Colosseum]

Baggage Claim and Barney

I'd swear I've gone mad.
Who would doubt it?  48 hours, 4 hours of sleep plus a couple of naps, 13 hours in the air, 9 hours waiting in the airport.  But seriously, there is this guy at baggage claim.. whistling the Barney song.  That's why I think I've gone mad.
Flight 1 to Frankfurt was very long but not too bad.  I realized it would be the longest flight I have ever taken, that I would be alone and with no one to hold my hand during takeoff and landing (<3 mom).  But Someone above has a compassionate sense of humor.  A woman holding her 11 month old was sitting next to me.  They were Romanian but she could speak some broken English.  The baby, Anna Marie, was fascinated with my shiny ring and dark purple nailpolish.  So someone was holding my hand-- at least a couple of fingers-- when we took off.
We were able to rearrange seats on the plane so that the woman could sit with her husband and two other children.  The airline, Lufthansa, graciously thanked me with an adorable little bag filled with toothpaste and socks and such.  I had no idea that I'd be so grateful for that bag later.
The second flight to Rome was blessedly shorter (11 hours vs 1.5 hours) and I sat with a Nor Cal brother and sister who had a chocolate lab.  They were petty legit people and we had good conversation.
I am writing this at baggage claim, no internet and no way to get ahold of ISA.  Fingers crossed, my bags come soon.
I've already said blogging is for narcissists.  I have recently discovered that it is also cathartic.
(Written at the Rome airport Friday, approximately 3:00 PM.  The picture above was taken in Frankfurt, Germany.)

You Won’t Understand Now

My flight delay went from 20 minutes to not a number. Everyone at the gate was freaking out and the agents finally said they could no longer help at the gate. I, along with everyone else, raced to the services counter before the lady even finished the sentence “but someone may be able to help you at the serv….”. The line was long, about thirty angry people, and I was still desperate to make my connection to DC at 6 PM. My mom and I figured that the latest I could fly out of here to make that would be around 9:30 AM and it was 9:05. The line was moving so slowly that I knew I was flying solo today with the possibility of a night alone in DC. The flight I was on was now leaving at 4 PM with no more flights to Rome until tomorrow night. My dad called United and they told him they couldn’t do anything. Standing in line, my back started hurting and I felt nauseated—again, I am not the best flyer and I am still running on 4 hours of sleep, a banana, and a single shot mocha. The line was ridiculously long and slow. I think I waited for almost two hours. During that time, I was on the phone with my mom and United. I was determined to get another flight out but they were all overbooked or timed just imperfectly. The people in front of me in line had similar problems and were missing their international connections. Finally at the front, I was able to listen to how everyone was dealing with the agents. There was a woman who was very determined to get to Geneva with her kids and slightly rude to the agent. I understood why but the agent was going to have none of it. She basically waited in line for nothing because I think she is going to remain on the same flight anyway. Finally it was my turn. I was nervous because I got the same agent that was just challenged by grumpy lady. But I was also thankful for the Tylenol and water, by backache was almost gone. I told the agent that I understood I was not going to make DC, however, I needed to get to Rome as soon as possible. She said if I could book another fare that she would be able to change the tickets, cautioning that it was nearly impossible. Armed with phone numbers from her and a few flights I looked up in line, I started calling. No airline could get me there by 1 PM (the deadline) but Lufthansa could get me there by 2—infinitely better than staying over in DC and arriving in Rome two or three days from now. I booked the flight and went back to the agent. She told me I had achieved something very special and to compliment my parents. This woman turned out to be so incredibly helpful and kind, it made my day. There was a minor setback when her computer ceased to function and I was sent to another counter with a grumpy agent who was actually quite mean. He said he was going to report Graciela (the agent lady) because she didn’t follow protocol. I told him she was extremely helpful and am going to call United to clear that issue up. I am finally in possession of my ticket and waiting at the gate for an agent to come so that I can check in for this flight.
I am so grateful for the internet (thanks CEL), my parents, my phone, and my computer. I could not have figured out these flights so fast without them!
I am exhausted, hungry and feeling the effects of extreme stress. I know I will break out in a couple days from all of this. I remember just a few hours ago on the phone when my mom said, “Honey, these things happen for a reason even if you don’t see it now”. I grumpily replied, “I know everything happens for a reason. But I just don’t see or even care to see one right now”. I regret those words. Mom is always right, and look, she strikes again. This experience taught me that I am stronger than I thought I was and that I can survive almost anything. I also realized that, in the scheme of things, missing a flight isn’t really a big deal. No matter what I was going to get to Rome for the experience of a lifetime. I just couldn’t appreciate that in that moment. But, most importantly, God showed me that He has a plan and he smacked me in the face with immense love, care, and support from my parents. Even though they were already home and probably trying to catch up on the sleep that none of us got last night, they stayed up waiting by the phone, made calls for me, and calmed me down when I was freaking out. So, I am humbled, grateful, and loved. I can’t ask for more in this life.
Breathless, Better Than Ezra (also covered by Taylor Swift): “When you feel the world is crashing/ All around your feet/ Come running headlong into my arms/ Breathless/ I'll never judge you/ I can only love you/ Come now running headlong/ Into my arms/ Breathless”.
**Update: Well when I thought it was over.. I was waiting for someone to come to the gate so I could check in and make sure everything was perfect. No one came so I waited and finally asked a woman who was working with someone else. She was extremely nice and told me that the documents in my possession were not tickets. The second guy really screwed up. I had to leave security and go outside to ticketing. I was freaked out because both the security and ticketing lines were very long. So I begged ("I have been here since 6, switched flights, missed my flight to DC...") a woman working first-class ticketing to help me and, thankfully, she did. I finally got my ticket after about a half hour outside security. I ran back and security went smoothly. Since I was no longer making any assumptions whatsoever, I asked the agent at the gate if my boarding pass was correct. I heard the best words, ever, "Yes, everything looks good." I can almost say that I am sitting here, 10 minutes before boarding, relieved. But I'm not quite ready to let my guard down. I am looking forward to this flight though-- I get to go to Germany!! So, in summary, more lessons learned today. People are extremely nice, helpful and competent (mostly) if you just ask for help and nothing is quite the end of the world. Oh yeah, and I'm still stuck on that whole "I'm stronger than I thought I was" thing. :]
"Pair of boots and a sac of clothes/ Free and easy down the road I go/ Someday I know it will take me home" --Dierks Bentley "Free and Easy Down the Road I Go".