16 February 2011
Livin' La Vida Madrid
Friday
4:00am- wake up, shower, pack, eat
6:30- get lost walking to train station
7:00- arrive at train station
7:30- leave Florence on a train to Pisa (without Amy.. the girl who's credit card we booked the hostel with)
8:30- arrive at the Pisa airport (still without Amy. oh yea.. and with no way to contact her since she has no italian phone and was alone)
10:00- reunite with Amy! (she caught the next train out)
10:30- fly to Madrid
12:30- arrive in Madrid
1:30- take the metro to the hostel
2:30- arrive at Hostel Santillian
3:30- lunch at Museo del Jamon (yea Paellaaaa!)
4:30- sightseeing and city walking
9:00- back to the hostel to get ready
9:30- meet Maxine's friend Sophie who is studying and interning in Madrid for 4 years (coolest girl ever)
10:00- traditional Spanish meal
12:00- meet Sophie's friends at a bar a get 2 free mojitos!
3:00- bedtime!
Saturday
9:00- rise n' shine
10:00- juice and bagels sandwich at the best place i can't remember the name of :(
11:00- sightseeing all overrrr the place (Old Madrid, Palacio Real, Basilica, the cathedral, Piaza Oriental, etc.)
2:30- rent row boats in Retiro park while sipping 75cent Sangria and eating chips & salsa
3:30- sun soaking and relaxing in Retiro park
7:00- Reina Sofia Museum
9:00- Ciesta
11:00- get ready to raaaage
12:00- leave the hostel
12:30- 6euro mojitos and free tapas at El Tigre
1:30- back to the hostel for a quick change of the worst heels ever
2:00- meet Amy's friends who are studying in Barcelona at Areia Lounge
3:30- close out the bar and head to Joy nightclub
5:00- churros with chocolate
5:30- goodnight Madrid, we're callin it an early night (while Stacie and Maxine are still dancing away at Joy)
7:30- Maxine and Stacie come home
Sunday
10:00- wake up
11:30- coffee and jamon y queso croissants
12:30- market! (2 euro scarves, 3 for 5 sunglasses, 50cent bracelets!)
3:00- lunch at Plaza Mayor- Boccadillos de Calamres (fried calamari subs for 2.70euro!)
5:00- shoppppiiinngg
7:00- Prado Museum
9:00- dinner (best brie salad and chorizo with eggs & potatoes)
12:00- goodnight Madrid
Monday
8:00- wake up
9:00- juice place!
10:00- Egyptian Temple
11:00- Metro to the airport
1:30- goodbye Madrid!
3:30- arrive in Pisa
5:00- board the train back to Florence
6:00- arrive in Florence
4:00am- wake up, shower, pack, eat
6:30- get lost walking to train station
7:00- arrive at train station
7:30- leave Florence on a train to Pisa (without Amy.. the girl who's credit card we booked the hostel with)
8:30- arrive at the Pisa airport (still without Amy. oh yea.. and with no way to contact her since she has no italian phone and was alone)
10:00- reunite with Amy! (she caught the next train out)
10:30- fly to Madrid
12:30- arrive in Madrid
1:30- take the metro to the hostel
2:30- arrive at Hostel Santillian
3:30- lunch at Museo del Jamon (yea Paellaaaa!)
4:30- sightseeing and city walking
9:00- back to the hostel to get ready
9:30- meet Maxine's friend Sophie who is studying and interning in Madrid for 4 years (coolest girl ever)
10:00- traditional Spanish meal
12:00- meet Sophie's friends at a bar a get 2 free mojitos!
3:00- bedtime!
Saturday
9:00- rise n' shine
10:00- juice and bagels sandwich at the best place i can't remember the name of :(
11:00- sightseeing all overrrr the place (Old Madrid, Palacio Real, Basilica, the cathedral, Piaza Oriental, etc.)
2:30- rent row boats in Retiro park while sipping 75cent Sangria and eating chips & salsa
3:30- sun soaking and relaxing in Retiro park
7:00- Reina Sofia Museum
9:00- Ciesta
11:00- get ready to raaaage
12:00- leave the hostel
12:30- 6euro mojitos and free tapas at El Tigre
1:30- back to the hostel for a quick change of the worst heels ever
2:00- meet Amy's friends who are studying in Barcelona at Areia Lounge
3:30- close out the bar and head to Joy nightclub
5:00- churros with chocolate
5:30- goodnight Madrid, we're callin it an early night (while Stacie and Maxine are still dancing away at Joy)
7:30- Maxine and Stacie come home
Sunday
10:00- wake up
11:30- coffee and jamon y queso croissants
12:30- market! (2 euro scarves, 3 for 5 sunglasses, 50cent bracelets!)
3:00- lunch at Plaza Mayor- Boccadillos de Calamres (fried calamari subs for 2.70euro!)
5:00- shoppppiiinngg
7:00- Prado Museum
9:00- dinner (best brie salad and chorizo with eggs & potatoes)
12:00- goodnight Madrid
Monday
8:00- wake up
9:00- juice place!
10:00- Egyptian Temple
11:00- Metro to the airport
1:30- goodbye Madrid!
3:30- arrive in Pisa
5:00- board the train back to Florence
6:00- arrive in Florence
10 February 2011
Booking a trip to Madrid a week in advance..
..spontaneity :)
We found it on RyanAir after searching for the cheapest flights out of Pisa on Valentine's weekend. We found Madrid and booked then and there.
Now it's here. Our train leaves at 7:30 tomorrow morning and then a couple hours later Bailey, Stacie, Maxine, Amy and I will be in Spanish heaven :)
We found it on RyanAir after searching for the cheapest flights out of Pisa on Valentine's weekend. We found Madrid and booked then and there.
Now it's here. Our train leaves at 7:30 tomorrow morning and then a couple hours later Bailey, Stacie, Maxine, Amy and I will be in Spanish heaven :)
09 February 2011
It's been a while..
Sorry for the absence.. but adjusting to life in 'Flo-town' proved to be more interesting and difficult than expected. So as it seems, the previous format has not exactly worked out seeing as how its hard to have 'picture of the day' when you're not posting a picture everyday.. or even taking a picture everyday.. which is hard to do when you've got classes and an actual schedule. Surprisingly, i've been quite busy.
I've definitely had my fair share of adventures already... if public transportation in the U.S. seems confusing, you can only imagine what it's like in a foreign country. After taking wrong buses, getting off on wrong stops, language barriers with bus drivers, paying outrageous rates for taxis after getting lost, lugging groceries around the ghetto on a cold, foggy night, there were times I was ready to throw in the towel. Yet, each time, after all the worry and frustration, in the end everything worked out, we were all okay. And even more, each experience brought growth. I have never felt more independent. Each experience left me feeling yes, drained, but also proud of myself, accomplished, and appreciative of the little things (like a jar of Nutella and a warm bed.) But my favorite thing was that each time I was met with the random kindness of a stranger at some point in the confusion. Our first trip to the supermarket ended with the meeting of a kind woman from the Philippines who thankfully spoke English and heard our desperate cries for home. She directed us to our stop and it turns out she lives on the floor below us and has been living in Florence for 26 years. She pointed us to her apt and told us that if we ever needed anything we could come to her :) Another time it was a kind young Italian man who knew English that told us which stop to get off on. One lost night, three american students pointed us in the right direction. It is the simple act of kindness performed by a stranger that warms my heart and gets me through the frustration. We are all connected, we all love the same and suffer the same. We all need each other. We all need to help each other. Why do we let ourselves forget that?
All in all, each 'adventure' has left me with more wisdom and knowledge of the culture and the city and with great stories and amazing memories with great people. Through it all, I learned what supportive roommates I have and how even though we'll go through ups and downs I have been blessed with girls that I can trust to have my back when it really counts.
I've definitely had my fair share of adventures already... if public transportation in the U.S. seems confusing, you can only imagine what it's like in a foreign country. After taking wrong buses, getting off on wrong stops, language barriers with bus drivers, paying outrageous rates for taxis after getting lost, lugging groceries around the ghetto on a cold, foggy night, there were times I was ready to throw in the towel. Yet, each time, after all the worry and frustration, in the end everything worked out, we were all okay. And even more, each experience brought growth. I have never felt more independent. Each experience left me feeling yes, drained, but also proud of myself, accomplished, and appreciative of the little things (like a jar of Nutella and a warm bed.) But my favorite thing was that each time I was met with the random kindness of a stranger at some point in the confusion. Our first trip to the supermarket ended with the meeting of a kind woman from the Philippines who thankfully spoke English and heard our desperate cries for home. She directed us to our stop and it turns out she lives on the floor below us and has been living in Florence for 26 years. She pointed us to her apt and told us that if we ever needed anything we could come to her :) Another time it was a kind young Italian man who knew English that told us which stop to get off on. One lost night, three american students pointed us in the right direction. It is the simple act of kindness performed by a stranger that warms my heart and gets me through the frustration. We are all connected, we all love the same and suffer the same. We all need each other. We all need to help each other. Why do we let ourselves forget that?
All in all, each 'adventure' has left me with more wisdom and knowledge of the culture and the city and with great stories and amazing memories with great people. Through it all, I learned what supportive roommates I have and how even though we'll go through ups and downs I have been blessed with girls that I can trust to have my back when it really counts.
26 January 2011
The Tuscan Countryside...
Siena Day 4
Thurday January 20, 2011
Exactly how I pictured it. I though Diane Lane might actually come out and greet us. After winding roads of vineyards, we arrived at Chianti Sculpture Park with a beautiful view below and amazing art ahead. We froze on the tour and after, we came upon ‘la galleria,’ which also serves as, oh ya know… just the tour guides’ home! The house was full of even more breathtaking art, not to mention how every functioning thing in the home was a work of art itself. Even the speaker was one of the coolest looking things I’d ever seen. We were served only the freshest food and wine, straight from their own backyard, which of course was the sculpture park, complete with the most intricately beautiful pool. The olives were from, literally, right outside the door of this amazing home full of so much culture and history that doubled as a gallery. I felt honored that this simple, yet sophisticated couple was so willing to open up their home to us and let us into their world. They were absolutely adorable and clearly enjoy sharing their love of art and culture for everyone to see.
Now tonight…
Superhero Party!!!
Siena Day 5
Friday January 21, 2011
As the gentle quiet snow falls (yes.. it’s snowing. Not a real snow though, it melts as soon as it hits the ground) I feel that it’s tranquility is desperately needed after a rough night. A ’superhero party’ was to be held at a local pub last night and an unspoken agreement to not only go, but to flat out rage seemed to have been made between the 165 students here. Some (including myself) bought masks at the local 99 cent store. While out, my sweet, gentle roommate with only the best intentions seemed to have found herself pretty toasty after a night of free drinks. I had already been passed out in our room for sometime when I awoke to the sound of the strong, yet friendly voice of our protective friend George attempting to put a belligerently reluctant little Bailey to sleep for the night. Next, I heard a loud boom, some apologies and then forgiving. Unable to even open my eyes let alone comprehend the situation occurring right next to me, my body drifted back into a deep slumber. Next, I was abruptly awoken by a frantic friend searching hectically for Bailey’s passport and money. Somehow I managed to relay the safe’s code to her, yet was not capable of staying awake to figure out what on earth was happening right in front of me and I uncontrollably fell back into my coma. At 7:00 I awoke to the sound of Bailey’s phone alarm signaling it was time to get up for class, yet Bailey was nowhere to be found. After a groggy panic, I was able to find George who informed me that Bailey had hit her head really hard on the marble shelf behind our beds which caused slight bleeding and a passed out Bailey. George and three others had informed the hotel concierge, called an ambulance, and paid 50 Euro for a taxi ride to the hospital where they waited for 4 ½ hours yet were not allowed to see Bailey who had a concussion and needed a few stitches as well. Upon learning that I had no way of seeing or speaking to my poor, injured, scared roommate who had no friends or family present, my heart ached for her. Not knowing when I’ll see her, how she is, or what sort of trouble this means for her is extremely unsettling. During and after class (which probably held only half the student population today), I heard many other crazy stories of a night gone wrong, including peeing in the street, making an expensive international phone call, and throwing up. As the snow began to fall, I felt it was, in some way, washing away the night’s sins, cleansing the streets of the mess we left. It was there to settle the air, to calm the storm, to keep us inside for rest and warmth, in order to clear our heads, to quiet the left over tension and pause all the gossip. Snow was not expected on this trip, but it was definitely needed…
Siena Day 6
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Siena Day 7
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Siena Day 8
Monday, January 24, 2011
Siena Day 9
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thurday January 20, 2011
Picture of the Day
6 tons of glass
Exactly how I pictured it. I though Diane Lane might actually come out and greet us. After winding roads of vineyards, we arrived at Chianti Sculpture Park with a beautiful view below and amazing art ahead. We froze on the tour and after, we came upon ‘la galleria,’ which also serves as, oh ya know… just the tour guides’ home! The house was full of even more breathtaking art, not to mention how every functioning thing in the home was a work of art itself. Even the speaker was one of the coolest looking things I’d ever seen. We were served only the freshest food and wine, straight from their own backyard, which of course was the sculpture park, complete with the most intricately beautiful pool. The olives were from, literally, right outside the door of this amazing home full of so much culture and history that doubled as a gallery. I felt honored that this simple, yet sophisticated couple was so willing to open up their home to us and let us into their world. They were absolutely adorable and clearly enjoy sharing their love of art and culture for everyone to see.
Now tonight…
Superhero Party!!!
Siena Day 5
Friday January 21, 2011
Picture of the Day.
Moulin Rouge Crepes & Nutella Crepes
As the gentle quiet snow falls (yes.. it’s snowing. Not a real snow though, it melts as soon as it hits the ground) I feel that it’s tranquility is desperately needed after a rough night. A ’superhero party’ was to be held at a local pub last night and an unspoken agreement to not only go, but to flat out rage seemed to have been made between the 165 students here. Some (including myself) bought masks at the local 99 cent store. While out, my sweet, gentle roommate with only the best intentions seemed to have found herself pretty toasty after a night of free drinks. I had already been passed out in our room for sometime when I awoke to the sound of the strong, yet friendly voice of our protective friend George attempting to put a belligerently reluctant little Bailey to sleep for the night. Next, I heard a loud boom, some apologies and then forgiving. Unable to even open my eyes let alone comprehend the situation occurring right next to me, my body drifted back into a deep slumber. Next, I was abruptly awoken by a frantic friend searching hectically for Bailey’s passport and money. Somehow I managed to relay the safe’s code to her, yet was not capable of staying awake to figure out what on earth was happening right in front of me and I uncontrollably fell back into my coma. At 7:00 I awoke to the sound of Bailey’s phone alarm signaling it was time to get up for class, yet Bailey was nowhere to be found. After a groggy panic, I was able to find George who informed me that Bailey had hit her head really hard on the marble shelf behind our beds which caused slight bleeding and a passed out Bailey. George and three others had informed the hotel concierge, called an ambulance, and paid 50 Euro for a taxi ride to the hospital where they waited for 4 ½ hours yet were not allowed to see Bailey who had a concussion and needed a few stitches as well. Upon learning that I had no way of seeing or speaking to my poor, injured, scared roommate who had no friends or family present, my heart ached for her. Not knowing when I’ll see her, how she is, or what sort of trouble this means for her is extremely unsettling. During and after class (which probably held only half the student population today), I heard many other crazy stories of a night gone wrong, including peeing in the street, making an expensive international phone call, and throwing up. As the snow began to fall, I felt it was, in some way, washing away the night’s sins, cleansing the streets of the mess we left. It was there to settle the air, to calm the storm, to keep us inside for rest and warmth, in order to clear our heads, to quiet the left over tension and pause all the gossip. Snow was not expected on this trip, but it was definitely needed…
Siena Day 6
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Picture of the Day.
San Gimigniano- View from the Tower
Siena Day 7
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Picture of the Day.
Exploring Siena on a lazy sunday.. the sun finally showed it's face :)
Siena Day 8
Monday, January 24, 2011
Picture of the Day.
The view on my walk to school every morning.
Siena Day 9
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Picture of the Day.
The perfect Tuesday afternoon: crackers, cheese, wine, fruit, & a good book.
19 January 2011
A Long Day.
Siena- Day 1
16.1.11
..awake at 2:30am. Complete with a delayed flight, lost luggage, 2 ½ hours of waiting after landing with not the slightest idea of what’s going on. My aching muscles, y throbbing head, my tired eyes, my growling belly are all silenced picturesque view of the quaint Italian countryside. When all is said and done, I am here, on a scenic bus ride from Pisa to Siena, the sun setting on the lush green valley. The most beautiful words are being spoken like a song only to convey the most trivial of things. They dance into my ears and ease my mind. I am reminded that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet when an unexpectedly friendly face greets me. I cannot help but be thankful to have felt so welcomed despite my longing for ties of old. Realizing how much I take for granted, the ability to remind a loved one of a cherished memory with only the press of a few buttons. So many things remind me of those I left behind me. After the gloom of metropolitan London, the sunny quiet simplicity of our journey warms and comforts my soul.
Picture of the Day.
Roomie :)
Siena- Day 2
17.1.11
Picture of the Day.
Check...
16.1.11
..awake at 2:30am. Complete with a delayed flight, lost luggage, 2 ½ hours of waiting after landing with not the slightest idea of what’s going on. My aching muscles, y throbbing head, my tired eyes, my growling belly are all silenced picturesque view of the quaint Italian countryside. When all is said and done, I am here, on a scenic bus ride from Pisa to Siena, the sun setting on the lush green valley. The most beautiful words are being spoken like a song only to convey the most trivial of things. They dance into my ears and ease my mind. I am reminded that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet when an unexpectedly friendly face greets me. I cannot help but be thankful to have felt so welcomed despite my longing for ties of old. Realizing how much I take for granted, the ability to remind a loved one of a cherished memory with only the press of a few buttons. So many things remind me of those I left behind me. After the gloom of metropolitan London, the sunny quiet simplicity of our journey warms and comforts my soul.
Picture of the Day.
Roomie :)
17.1.11
Picture of the Day.
Check...
Siena- Day 3
18.1.11
Picture of the Day.
Nutella Doughcake
Siena- Day 3
19.1.11
Picture of the Day.
Wine Tasting.
09 January 2011
A different kind of goodbye.
Today consisted of seeing faces for the last time. Tomorrow I leave my crummy, yet lovable hometown of Visalia to visit the land of Vanguardia for a few days before I take off for good. It was a surreal feeling. I've been waiting for this time to come for about 3 years, as the process began and it became more of a reality (my going to Italy) it only grew that much harder to wait for it. This past month was full of anxious anticipation, but then this last week it hit me.. i had a LOT to do. I was going out of the country in a WEEK. Then came the feelings of dreading packing, stressing and overwhelming. But today.. today was weird. I've been away home for months at a time before, but was still only 3-4 hours away, or at least a phone call. I've gone far from home before, without being able to contact home, but only for a couple weeks. A trip home was always just around the corner. This time, it's 4 months away, and about 6,500 miles. No phone calls home.
I've always been independent.. summer camp for a week at age 6 with no qualms about leaving home or missing parents, just down for the adventure. I've been waiting for this kind of freedom and independence for so long. Get me out of this country. I'm over the top excited for what's ahead of me, can't wait to meet me, to discover who I am, to discover a whole new world (haha). Yet, i'll miss those who have shaped this adventure-seeking girl, this girl i'm about to meet head on. I can't believe it's actually time to say goodbye. My mom was the hardest. I've really come to appreciate and respect and love and miss her more than ever before. She is not only my mom, but my best friend, just like she's always said, only now I understand it. One final goodbye to those special Visalians, i'll miss you!
Talon
AJ
Nate
Dana
Daniela, Leah
Korrinne
Mom, Andres, Audrey, Jude
Dad, Jake, Charlotte, Molly
Amber, Lashe, Rissa
Hannah
Papa, Bana
So after painful goodbyes here, I leave, but not really. Off to Costa Mesa tomorrow to see the rest of the faces i'll miss terribly while i'm away. Then it's goodbye yet again and the real journey begins..
I've always been independent.. summer camp for a week at age 6 with no qualms about leaving home or missing parents, just down for the adventure. I've been waiting for this kind of freedom and independence for so long. Get me out of this country. I'm over the top excited for what's ahead of me, can't wait to meet me, to discover who I am, to discover a whole new world (haha). Yet, i'll miss those who have shaped this adventure-seeking girl, this girl i'm about to meet head on. I can't believe it's actually time to say goodbye. My mom was the hardest. I've really come to appreciate and respect and love and miss her more than ever before. She is not only my mom, but my best friend, just like she's always said, only now I understand it. One final goodbye to those special Visalians, i'll miss you!
Talon
AJ
Nate
Dana
Daniela, Leah
Korrinne
Mom, Andres, Audrey, Jude
Dad, Jake, Charlotte, Molly
Amber, Lashe, Rissa
Hannah
Papa, Bana
So after painful goodbyes here, I leave, but not really. Off to Costa Mesa tomorrow to see the rest of the faces i'll miss terribly while i'm away. Then it's goodbye yet again and the real journey begins..
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