So we took a day trip to Perugia today. Perugia is the quaint Italian city my friend from high school Megan is studying abroad in. It is also the location where 4 years ago, a study abroad student from Seattle, Amanda Knox was convicted of murdering her British roommate. After hearing Megan tell the story (seeing as how she lives there and 1 of her professors was a mediator in the trial), it is evident that there is no real proof that Knox was her murderer and it also so clearly demonstrates the corruption in the government here in Italy. (*Note to Self: don't get into trouble in Italy) But either way, Knox was convicted and is no serving 25 years in an Italian prison outside of Perugia.. how effing scary. It was quite interesting to be in the town where such a famous event occurred and to see the university the girls attended.
Despite the dark events, it was a beautiful day and so wonderful to see a friendly face from home, especially one that I hadn't seen in so long! Megan and I hadn't seen each other since senior year of high school (so of course, naturally, our first reunion would be in italy!) But it was great to catch up and talk of home.
Our day was so spontaneous, go with the flow, fly by the seat of your pants, 'lax and i loved it! We didn't do a whole lot but thats what made it perfect. We didn't even arrive until after 1, enjoyed some cheap but delicious pizza on the steps of the duomo, toured the city (including the murder university and the underground city built by a previous pope where there are real live streets that people actually used to live on even though its underneath the real city), basked in the sun, bought some chocolate (perugia is famous for its chocolate) and then set off to return home. A highlight of the trip was the 'minimetro', so lovingly nicknamed the chode, for its awkward, but fun shape and size. Since Perugia is so hilly, the cute little tram takes you from the bottom to the top, feeling like a roller coaster and entering tunnels that make you feel like you're in The Incredibles.
Perugia definitely seems more of how I pictured what studying abroad in Italy would be like. I could never put my finger on what it was about Florence that made it not what I pictured or couldn't even understand what it was I was picturing, but after seeing Perugia I pinpointed it. I loved that it was more quiet and quaint, yet still had a bit of a city feel, unlike Siena where you felt walled in and trapped. Although I don't feel unsafe in Florence, it felt safer. The views and countryside surrounding were beautiful. I loved it there but am still very grateful for my experience in Florence and never would have changed it! Megan said that this was actually her first weekend spent in Perugia because there is not much to do during the day and so they are constantly gone on day/weekend trips, although the nightlife is great due to so many universities being located there. But after having a beautiful morning in Florence yesterday, sitting with my back on the Duomo with gelato in my hand, a book in my lap, and the sun shining down on my face, listening to Department of Eagles, I finally felt that true Italian feeling in Florence.
12 March 2011
10 March 2011
So today my History of the Italian Mafia teacher says...
"The essay portion is an opportunity for you to demonstrate how good you are at dropping knowledge."
he's a baller.
...and i'm pretty sure he's actually IN the mafia. I'm onto you Lorenzo Picci.
he's a baller.
...and i'm pretty sure he's actually IN the mafia. I'm onto you Lorenzo Picci.
08 March 2011
The Last Supper
Journal Excerpt
Friday, March 4th 2011
Milan, Italy
Saw the Last Supper today...
just to get into the room it's located in, you have to go through 2 previous chamber-type rooms that regulate temperature control and remove pollution & debris from your body, purifying, so as to not bring damaging elements into the room in order to preserve the painting. Only 25 people at a time are allowed in the room to view it. This is because Leonardo Da Vinci used paints one would use to paint a canvas, but that do not suffice as well on a wall/mural painting. The paints he used are much harder to preserve and are not long-lasting, but he did this so he could take as much time as he needed on the painting, carefully constructing each move until it was perfect. The paints he used allowed him to go back and make changes, which he was constantly doing. He put so much time and effort into his work, using science and research to perfect it, sketching out every move before executing it. He studied sound waves and ripples to make the positions of the subjects appear fluid and circular. He researched biblical and religious documents in order to convey each apostle's exact emotion and include iconography and significant elements in every detail. He chose Jesus' right temple as the focal point to create perfect illusion and distance perspective and to draw attention to the Christ. While it took Leonardo so long to finish one wall, Michaelangelo spent only 5 years painting the entire Sistine Chapel. This also explains why it was not such a process to get through the Sistine as it was the Last Supper, because it was made from Fresco and in much better shape. A lot of detail in the painting had already been lost, including Jesus' feet at the bottom of the table due to some Dominican Monks staying in the refectory who wanted to widen the door for easier kitchen access, as well as the floral detailing in the tapestry lost as a result of aging. Then, the Last Supper suffered from a bombing in 1943 during the war and was subjected to the conditions of nature while the refectory was rebuilt. The restoration lasted until 1999. Yet still, it is a miraculous and beautiful thing that it happened to be the only wall (along with the crucifixion painting) that survived the war and is still in tact today, though probably not for long. And so they strive each day, taking every precaution to preserve this masterpiece for as long as possible so that future generations may have the same opportunity I was so graciously given to awe at all its glory.
Friday, March 4th 2011
Milan, Italy
Saw the Last Supper today...
just to get into the room it's located in, you have to go through 2 previous chamber-type rooms that regulate temperature control and remove pollution & debris from your body, purifying, so as to not bring damaging elements into the room in order to preserve the painting. Only 25 people at a time are allowed in the room to view it. This is because Leonardo Da Vinci used paints one would use to paint a canvas, but that do not suffice as well on a wall/mural painting. The paints he used are much harder to preserve and are not long-lasting, but he did this so he could take as much time as he needed on the painting, carefully constructing each move until it was perfect. The paints he used allowed him to go back and make changes, which he was constantly doing. He put so much time and effort into his work, using science and research to perfect it, sketching out every move before executing it. He studied sound waves and ripples to make the positions of the subjects appear fluid and circular. He researched biblical and religious documents in order to convey each apostle's exact emotion and include iconography and significant elements in every detail. He chose Jesus' right temple as the focal point to create perfect illusion and distance perspective and to draw attention to the Christ. While it took Leonardo so long to finish one wall, Michaelangelo spent only 5 years painting the entire Sistine Chapel. This also explains why it was not such a process to get through the Sistine as it was the Last Supper, because it was made from Fresco and in much better shape. A lot of detail in the painting had already been lost, including Jesus' feet at the bottom of the table due to some Dominican Monks staying in the refectory who wanted to widen the door for easier kitchen access, as well as the floral detailing in the tapestry lost as a result of aging. Then, the Last Supper suffered from a bombing in 1943 during the war and was subjected to the conditions of nature while the refectory was rebuilt. The restoration lasted until 1999. Yet still, it is a miraculous and beautiful thing that it happened to be the only wall (along with the crucifixion painting) that survived the war and is still in tact today, though probably not for long. And so they strive each day, taking every precaution to preserve this masterpiece for as long as possible so that future generations may have the same opportunity I was so graciously given to awe at all its glory.
Here Comes the Sun
Journal Excerpt
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
Today I was in a bit of a downer mood. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by school assignments and financial troubles, so, feeling I deserved a treat, I purchased some delicious dried fruit (and thought of you momma!). I walked in the doors of my favorite cozy little cafe, right next to school that takes our meal vouchers, to be greeted by 'Here Comes The Sun' singing through the speakers. It was music to my ears. As I sipped my cappuccino and nibbled my pastry given to me by the sweet, endearing, ever-so-kind waitress, I thought, nothing like the Beatles to remind you that..
Little Darlin', it's alright :)
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
Today I was in a bit of a downer mood. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by school assignments and financial troubles, so, feeling I deserved a treat, I purchased some delicious dried fruit (and thought of you momma!). I walked in the doors of my favorite cozy little cafe, right next to school that takes our meal vouchers, to be greeted by 'Here Comes The Sun' singing through the speakers. It was music to my ears. As I sipped my cappuccino and nibbled my pastry given to me by the sweet, endearing, ever-so-kind waitress, I thought, nothing like the Beatles to remind you that..
Little Darlin', it's alright :)
02 March 2011
Fiesole
(this is old but apparently it never actually posted so i'm posting it now.. plus i just love fiesole!)
Most definitely my favorite part of the trip so far. It was much needed nature after adjusting to the city life of Florence. We took a bus out of Florence up into the hills of Fiesole where we toured ancient ruins. It happened to be the most gorgeous day complete with the warm sunshine wrapping it's rays around my skin in desperate need of some good old fashioned Vitamin D. As if the beautiful weather and nature weren't enough, we got to see some amazing things like the ancient ampitheatre, a museum of remains found at the site, the ruins of the palace that used to be there. Then, we hiked up an enormous hill which was worth it for the amazing view of all of Florence below us. At the top of the hill, we saw a beautiful chapel complete with real live monks :) Then ended with an incredible brunch that I stuffed my face at, held at a beautiful local restaurant. Even though, I felt no desire to use my camera and declared at the beginning my friend Lisa had to be the photographer and let me steal her pictures, I ended up taking so many pictures because there was beauty in all directions. It was the perfect day.
Most definitely my favorite part of the trip so far. It was much needed nature after adjusting to the city life of Florence. We took a bus out of Florence up into the hills of Fiesole where we toured ancient ruins. It happened to be the most gorgeous day complete with the warm sunshine wrapping it's rays around my skin in desperate need of some good old fashioned Vitamin D. As if the beautiful weather and nature weren't enough, we got to see some amazing things like the ancient ampitheatre, a museum of remains found at the site, the ruins of the palace that used to be there. Then, we hiked up an enormous hill which was worth it for the amazing view of all of Florence below us. At the top of the hill, we saw a beautiful chapel complete with real live monks :) Then ended with an incredible brunch that I stuffed my face at, held at a beautiful local restaurant. Even though, I felt no desire to use my camera and declared at the beginning my friend Lisa had to be the photographer and let me steal her pictures, I ended up taking so many pictures because there was beauty in all directions. It was the perfect day.
01 March 2011
So used to Italian guys being overtly creepy..
and blatantly hitting on anything remotely female, that i've learned to ignore them. So today, while walking to my volunteer school, a young man gestures toward me and says something in Italian I can't understand (plus I have my headphones in so can't really even hear him anyway) and I roll my eyes and continue walking, ignoring him as i've been acclimated to. But then he looks a bit offended and in my rush I realize he was trying to tell me my bus pass was falling out of my jacket pocket (granted I had no need for this because it was just an old one from Rome) but I was surprised at his genuinely harmless and considerate gesture. I felt bad for instantly writing him off but sadly, this is how a girl has to survive here. This must be a reflection of the cold, passionless, numb, and shallow society that has come to be of recent according to my women in Italian society. Women are forced to put up this cold front in order to protect themselves from the objectifying men who are only doing it because they have been raised (so coldly themselves) to think they can, and to think it's good.
But anyway, speaking of volunteering...
it's upsetting how much smarter and more cultured kids outside of America are. haha
These kids are already quite fluent in English and learning cultural things about both the UK and the US. The 14-15 year olds know more about U2 and bloody Sunday than I do, and the 16-17 year olds.. well, they use a literature book just like the ones I used in highschool.. meaning.. in English. They are doing the same stuff I did in HS.. but in another language. Today i was supposed to talk to them about Robinson Crusoe. We read an excerpt from that in HS and all... but its not like I remembered that ish! haha I had to basically do the smae hw they did to educate myself on it before trying to teach them about it!
But anyway, speaking of volunteering...
it's upsetting how much smarter and more cultured kids outside of America are. haha
These kids are already quite fluent in English and learning cultural things about both the UK and the US. The 14-15 year olds know more about U2 and bloody Sunday than I do, and the 16-17 year olds.. well, they use a literature book just like the ones I used in highschool.. meaning.. in English. They are doing the same stuff I did in HS.. but in another language. Today i was supposed to talk to them about Robinson Crusoe. We read an excerpt from that in HS and all... but its not like I remembered that ish! haha I had to basically do the smae hw they did to educate myself on it before trying to teach them about it!
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