Me with Manarola in the background

 My European vacation has been extended another night! I am spending the night in Zurich, Switzerland because my flight from Florence to Zurich was so delayed that it caused me and over 50 other passengers to miss our connecting flight to Boston. As frustrating as the situation is, it could be worse. Air Swiss provided us with a free hotel and transportation as well as 4 meals and a ticket home for tomorrow at 5:30 pm. So if all goes as planned, I will be back in Groton 24 hours after I originally thought I would be. I have mixed feeling about this: on one hand, yay Europe for another night! But on the other, as much as I want to stay here forever, staying and being stuck are 2 different things. But as my mom said, it’s all part of the adventure!
 

So this gives me time to update my blog which I have fallen behind on because I have spent the last week soaking up every moment of Florence. During my last weekend, I went to Cinque Terre overnight. It was originally going to be a trip with 5 of us but 3 backed out because of school work so it ended up being just Kelly and I. We went Friday to Saturday which was a perfect amount of time.  

The walk between the first and second towns--Via dell'Amore

Cinque Terre is a series of 5 small towns (5=Cinque, towns=Terre) on the lower part of the Northern coast. All the towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso) that are connected by a hiking path of about 9 miles. Because of the amount of rain in the area and the mudslides majority of the path between the towns was closed. The only part we could walk was Via dell’Amore (the love trail) which is the 20 minute stretch between the first town and the second town. Fortunately there was train stations in each of the towns that we could use to get to them all.  

On Friday we checked into our hostel (which was about a 15 minute hike up a lot of stairs–good workout, which we need after all the pasta, bread, and gelato we’ve eaten these past four months) which looked out over the first town of Riomaggiore. We had a large window and a balcony and could see the water, the cliffs, and the bright colored buildings in the center of the town. The view was gorgeous and was the frist sign to me of the beauty of Cinque Terre. We spent some time wandering the streets of the first town and familarizing ourselves with the area before eating some lunch and moving on.  

View from the hostel in Riomaggiore

We walked over to the second town which happened to be my favorite. The path through the main street in the city lead right down to the waters edge and the buildings along that road and built into the surrounding hills were bright pink, yellow, and orange which created an even better aura for the town. There was delicious food, gorgeous views, and lots of people in Cinque Terre. There were canoes right outside many of the homes, acting sometimes merely as decoration and other times serving their actual purpose. The weather started to clear up at this point which may have increased the seconds towns likeability with me.  

Town 2: Manarola

Only a very small part of the walk between the second and third towns was open (and it was really open so the tourists could get their picture with the colorful houses of Manarola and the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. We reached the third town mostly by train (and by again, many stairs) and went to the view point so that you could see on one side the towns you just left behind and then you could look forward to the upcoming towns. The walk through the main street felt a little more Tuscan than  

In Town 3: Corniglia

northern. The buildings were stone and there was a cobblestone road with small stores along it selling homemade jewelry. You could look out over the vineyards that were built into the sides of the mountain and this town gave you an appreciation for how much green there was in the area (In Florence, there is no green–no plants, no trees, no parks). We ended the day here for Friday and figured we would do the next 2 towns on Saturday (we timed it perfectly because it started pouring on our way back to the hostel).  

On Saturday, we took the train first to the fifth town and then we figured we would make our way back (fifth town to the fourth and then back to Florence). The fifth town was the most beach like town of them all and reminded me of Bellagio on Lake Como from the weekend before. There was actually a beach area (with small pebbles instead of sand–a common occurence for the beaches in Italy) and some crazy people actually went swimming in the freezing cold waters of the Mediterranean Sea (it was raining also). Kelly and I walked up the path to the top of that mountain which had a small old church at the top and looked out over an old castle tower. Even in the rain, the views of Cinque Terre were gorgeous–green hills with vineyards on them on one side, the vast water of the crystal sea on the other.  

Town 5: Monterosso

After some coffee in the fifth town we went over to the fourth town. We didn’t have a lot of time here because we had a train to catch (and it began absolutely pouring) but it was a smaller town which made it easier to navigate in our short amount of time. The buildings in this town were the brightest of all and the canoes and umbrellas outside of the homes were bright colors as well. The clock tower stood above everything else in the town and was right at the waters edge, making it easy to find. There was a lot of delicious looking restaurants and wine bars that had outside seats perfect for people watching or taking in the view. The small art stores were scattered on the main roads–watercolor paintings stood big and small in the windows.   

We tried to go back to the main train station to get back to Florence after this but the mudslides created chaos. The rain and mud destroyed one of the two tracks at a couple of the stations meaning trains in both directions could only operate on one track. We were delayed for about 2 hours waiting for the train to get there. It would have been nice to know when it was coming so we could  

Town 4: Vernazza

 maybe explore some more of the town but Italian train stations operate like Americas train stations did 30 years ago (they had no screen with arrival and departure times, no track numbers, no signs at the track telling you what train is coming, etc…) We did finally get the train to the station and then back to Florence.  

The next day, Kelly, Christina, Emmy, Kerri, Alyssa, Katherine, and I went to the last home Fiorentina game. They were playing Siena and even though they ended up tying it was still a good game. The stadium was a sea of purple with dedicated fans singing the Fiorentina chants. Going to a soccer game was one of those things I had wanted to do from the beginning and I’m glad I got to go.  

Cinque Terre was absolutely beautiful and is up there with the Amalfi Coast as being on of my favorite spots in Italy. Even though the hike wasn’t open the views were still absolutely gorgeous. The cliffs, vineyards, beach, and ocean all contributed to the beauty of this area and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Italy.  

Me, Christina, Emmy, Kelly, and Alyssa at the Fiorentina soccer game.

I cannot believe I am no longer in Italy. Leaving Florence was the weirdest experience ever; I felt like even though I had only lived there for four months, I was leaving home. I loved everything about the city and the experience of studying abroad and I can’t believe how quickly it came to an end. It was just yesterday that I was in a cab on the way to my apartment and now I’m on my way back to Boston. As excited as I am to see everyone I wish they could come to me so I would never have to leave Florence. I am thankful for the memories and pictures I will have of the places I have visited and the city that I love. It isn’t goodbye Florence, its see you later.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

The trip to Switzerland and Lake Como was my second and final school trip of the semester. Like last weeks, it was just an overnight trip which actually worked out well. We left really early on Saturday morning but that meant we got to enjoy the night before which was May 1 and is celebrated in Italy as La Notte Bianca. Basically many of the stores, restaurants, and even museums stay open into the early hours of the morning and people fill the streets, dancing and just having a good time. The streets are light with up white lights (La Notte Bianca translated means White Night) and people from all over Italy come to Florence to celebrate because the city is particularly known for its celebration of the day. Florence is usually crowded with tourists but I have never seen so

Train ride through the Swiss Alps

 many people out as I did on this day. While it usually takes 5 minutes to walk from Piazza della Repubblica to Santa Croce, on this night it took 20. People were out just to have a good time and eat and drink and the night was really fun. 

We ended up not even sleeping before we had to leave for our bus which was fine because we had an eight hour bus ride (and our own seats on the bus–yay for stretching out) to Switzerland. We arrived actually at a small town in Northern Italy that borders Switzerland and then took a train through the Alps to St. Moritz which is where we were staying.  The train ride is actually one of the biggest tourist attractions in the area because it takes you to the highest point in the mountains that a train can reach and then descends on the  other side.

When we reached the peak, there were no towns, no roads, no cars,  and no people, which was interesting because there was still a small train station (never saw anyone get on or off at the higher stops and I wondered if anyone actually did). We were riding through the snow covered peaks that we see from the ground and there was snow all around. It was beautiful and I felt like I was in a winter wonderland (in spring!). The train ended in St. Moritz which is where our hotel was.

St. Moritz

St. Moritz is a resort town on a lake in Southern Switzerland and we soon found out was basically created as a vacation spot for older European couples to come in the spring months. The location was beautiful (built 6,000 feet into the mountains at the foot of a lake) but the town was expensive and did not offer much to do. We did walk around the town which was very modern, clean (the cleanest city I’ve been too), and upscale. We made the mistake of not realizing the currency change (which actually worked out in our favor) between Swiss Francs and the Euro and we though all along that we were spending 9 euros on a coffee but really is was only 3 euros (still expensive–thats about $5).  It was a beautiful town to walk through but was quiet and a small (a somewhat nice change from Florence and a slight reminder of New Hampshire).

The school planned a great dinner for us (I love these trips because the food is always so good) the included pasta, pork, salad, and french fries. I have concluded that whenever I go somewhere and travel with a large group of other Americans for a planned group dinner, all the restaurants feel that they need to add french fries because that is our cuisine. I swear, we all like things other than french fries! The meal overall was still really good.

View from the bus

 We woke up early the next morning to go back into Italy and over to Lake Como. The bus ride there was interesting considering we had to do down the mountain. The road was literally

Road going down the mountain from Switzerland to Italy

 giant S turns all paired together for the entire way down. The only thing that keep me from getting bus sick was the amazing views on the way down of the mountains we were leaving behind and the lakes that we were coming to.

Our first stop was the town of Bellagio which is the town that is home to the hotel Bellagio (the hotel is Las Vegas is based off of this hotel). The town was right on the water and although it was cold and raining was still gorgeous. The flowers were in bloom and really illuminated the city with bright yellows, purples, and pinks making it feel like spring despite the cold. There was a lot of cute glass shops and silk stores along the

Me and Christina in Bellagio

water and up further into the town. I love the boutique style of all the stores because there are things there that you will never find anywhere else (more incentive to buy). The buildings were all brick and the sidewalks were all cobblestone and the town was colorful and beautiful; set on Lake Como with the Alps as the backdrop.

After we finished there we went over to the town of Como which is also on Lake Como. This is one of those places that would have been really enjoyable if the weather was nice (you could take paddleboats out on the water, eat lunch on the lake, walk around, lay on the beach, shop, etc…) but if the weather is not nice, like it was for us, then you are left with nothing because the shops and a lot of restaurants close. You could still feel the beauty of the area; like Bellagio, set on Lake Como with the Alps in the background. The trees lining the lake are cut off at the top and the sides but there are still bright green leaves growing on them. The buildings are rustic looking with some beach style mixed in. The houses along the water are mansions (George Clooney has a house on Lake Como–I called him up to see if we could stop by haha) and fit right with the feel of the overall city. There was a historical center with a Duomo (small compared to others I have seen but simple and pretty nonetheless) and some open stores and restaurants.

Lake Como

After eating lunch in Como, we had to head back to Florence. Although the weekend was short (and involved a lot of traveling for an overnight trip) the areas we went to were beautiful and offered such a variety of landscapes which only increased their appeal. While I wished the weather had been nicer, I had heard Lake Como was one of the more beautiful natural areas of Italy and after seeing only a part of it, I must agree. And I guess the weather that weekend was a sign of whats to come–it has been raining in Florence ever since.

The Alps

Other than Venice, I have not explored much of Northern Italy. The last weekend in April, however, I spent hiking in the Italian Alps and visiting the cities of Trento, Sirmione, and Verona. The trip was only an overnight trip and it was sponsored by my university in Florence (Marist includes 2 trips in the price of our tuition) so even though it was short it was still a lot of fun. 

View of Madonna del Campino

Me in the Alps

The Alps

 

We first stopped at a church that dates back to the 12th century and looks out over the village we had just left behind. The church was small, the frescoes on the outside were cracking and the colors were faded but all of these elements plus the location made the church beautiful. Afterward we began our ascent further into the mountains. I was disappointed because the hike was not what I expected. We were more like strolling along paved roads through the mountains. I wasn’t asking for a strenuous hike, climbing cliffs, and scaling rocks, but I expected something more than a walk. The sites were gorgeous, however. 

We stopped at a white sand, rocky beach on the brook that streamed down from the top of the mountain. The water was clear blue and looked so clean that some people felt comfortably drinking from it.

We followed the water upward until we got to a waterfall. The waterfall was probably my favorite part of the hike. It was big and

Waterfall in the Mountains

 

beautiful and you could stand underneath it (without getting wet). It stretched so high up that you could not see where it began. We ate lunch at a picnic area right in front of it, so that the waterfall is what we were staring at as we ate; can’t beat that. 

As we got further into the mountain after lunch, we began walking over snow in some areas which is not what I expected. I could see the snow-covered tops of the mountains (one of the most amazing sights to see; it is one of natures beauties that pictures do no justice to) but I did not expect the ground is this area to be frozen. It was cool because our guides were showing us underground caves where only a small window exposed the outside. The air coming from those caves was significantly colder than the air outside and you could feel when you walked past one because of the temperature difference.

The hike was beautiful, looking out over the clear, blue water stream, walking over tree bridges, and hiking through the snow. It was a 5 hour hike and it was very relaxing. The area it is in is known for its crystal making and it used to be a community rich in those resources. Prague is now known for its crystal but the makers in Prague learned from the leaders in this area.

The Duomo in Trento

 

After the hike we went to out hotel in Trento, had dinner, and explored that city. Just like most other major Italian cities, there was a Duomo. I am getting used to seeing these in all the cities and am learning to really distinguish the differences. While they are all large and some have similar art styles (like the Duomo in Siena and the one in Florence), there are noticeable differences. The exterior of Trentos Duomo was not as elaborate and detailed as the Duomo in Florence but its simplicity made it just as beautiful. The piazza in which it was located was clean but filled with people and gelato shops. The whole city was clean, upscale, and calm. Unlike Florence, there was not drunk Americans roaming the streets at all hours and no vendors trying to sell you illegal goods or roses but rather families with children were out in Trento. It was cute and the cities backdrop was the Alps making it even more enjoyable to walk around. 

Sirmione on Lake Garda

 

Northern Italy is not only famous for its mountainous areas but also because it is the home to Italy’s 3 major lakes: Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Garda. On Sunday we went to

At Catullos Garden in Sirmione

 

the town of Sirmione on Lake Garda. The weather was beautiful and the sun was out but unfortunately the water was to cold to swim in. The town was beautiful nonetheless. The entrance to the town was castle gates and most of the main part of the city was centered around this castle that was built into the water. There was a walk along the lake that took you up to Catullas Grotto; the home of an ancient Latin writer. Although the area is now in ruins (like so many other things in Italy) it is still very interesting to see. In addition, it is set right on the lake with the Alps in the background so just walking around was enjoyable. 

Lake Garda

 

The spring had hit Northern Italy as well as all the flowers and trees were in bloom so the colors of the day were bright purples and pinks. After walking around the Catullo and getting lunch, we laid out on the beach in hopes of getting some sun (we all want to be tan by the time we go home which probably would have happened if not for all the rain this week). We were only able to do this for a little before we had to leave Sirmione and head to Verona. Sirmione was probably my favorite town on this trip with a medieval castle built into a lake with the Alps in the background, beach stores lining the streets, outdoor cafes with bright umbrellas along the sand, and ancient ruins atop the cliff at the edge of the town.

Kelly and I by the castle bridge in Verona

 

We went to Verona after this which is not only known for its art and history but also because it is the Shakespearean city, well Romeo and Juliets city. Although Romeo and Juliet is fictional, it is set in Verona and the myth is that it was based off of the 2 rival families in the city. Verona, just like Italys other major cities, is set on a river with about 6 bridges connecting the 2 sides. We first stopped at the main bridge which was built to connect the cities castle to the opposite side. The bridge was lined with guards to prevent an attack from the North. We didn’t spend much time there but it was interesting to see the architecture of the bridge and to look at over the city through the windows. 

We went up to the Piazzale Michelangelo of Verona (I forget the actual name of it) after that which is one of the highest points overlooking the city. It was gorgeous, with the green fields to one side, the river in the middle, and the Duomo and main piazza on the other side. This point had a church a top it was well which was of a more modern design and reminded me a lot of the synagogue in Florence.

Verona

 

Our final stop in Verona was Juliet’s house. Again since Romeo and Juliet is a myth, this was not her actual house but merely a replica based of the facts in the play. It was still cool because the first point was the courtyard with the famous balcony right

On the balcony in Juliets house

 

above (in case you have never read the play, it is where she comes out of one night to secretly meet Romeo, as if you could not have guessed that). You could go inside and it was decorated with artifacts from the time (writings, clothing, art work, etc…). It was a rather empty museum but it was still cool to be able to take your picture on the balcony. The exit of the house was very cool as well; it was lined with post it notes and locks each signed with a love note to someone. The entire walls were filled with love letters. 

Our final stop in Verona was the ancient Roman amphitheatre which was essentially a smaller version of the Colosseum. It is

Roman Amphitheatre in Verona

 

however still functioning today and during the nicer months there are operas, concerts, and re-enactments of Shakespearian plays held there. 

Verona was really pretty and it would have been cool if I had gotten to spend more time there but we had to leave to get back to Florence. Although it was a short weekend away, I really enjoyed it. As now I am getting ready to leave I am appreciating the shorter trips because I get to spend more time in Florence.

Me, Mom, Brian, and Dad at the top of Piazzale Michelangelo

Volcanic ash is not one of those things you think will interfere with your travel plans. And the one time it did happen was, of course, the week my family was coming to Italy. 

It all started with a text message from my grandfather about what was going on in England and the situation got progressively worse through the day with the ash spreading over most of Northern Europe (from Ireland to England to the Scandinavian countries to France and even as far as Western Russia) and closing most of the major airports in Europe. My parents and Brian were lucky enough to get to Frankfurt, my grandparents were not so lucky. 

View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

My family got to Frankfurt, stayed a night with Aunt Clare and then took 15 hours worth of crowded trains through Germany, Switzerland, and Italy to get to Florence. They finally got here Saturday night, exhausted and without luggage (which they didn’t get back until this week in the US). We enjoyed a nice Italian meal and some fine wine (as we did the whole week!) and then went back to the apartment they were staying in, which conveniently was only 5 minutes from mine. 

We spent the next day exploring Siena. I had been there before but it was the first time for them. The weather was gorgeous and the city was more crowded when I went in the snow. The main piazza, San Domenica, and Siena’s Duomo were illuminated in the sun and the city seemed even more Tuscan than the last time I went. The city was built into the surrounding hills and the buildings had the rustic Italian feel; with the brown bricks on the facade and the red slates on the rooftops. Mom liked the actual city a little bit more than Florence, which at the time they visited, was overwhelmingly crowded with tourists. 

Mom and me in Florence

The rest of the time they were here, we spent exploring Florence. I took them to all of the tourist attractions–Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, San Lorenzo, Central Market, Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza Reppubblica, the Accademia (where the David is), Piazza della Signoria, and Piazzale Michelangelo. We shopped (and Mom bargained with) the vendors at San Lorenzo market and Mercato Nuova. Brian decked himself out in Italian gear (soccer jersey, sweatshirt, and hat) which conveniently served as his wardrobe for most of the week since 

Brian and I by the Ponte Vecchio

their luggage didn’t arrive. On Tuesday, we went to Central Market and got fresh fruit, cheese, salami, bread, and wine, and we hiked up the Piazzale Michelangelo and had a picnic in the sun. Piazzale Michelangelo is a point in Florence that overlooks the whole city; from the top you can see everything in Florence and the view is absolutely gorgeous. Only a panoramic view will truly do this site justice. 

Brian, Me, and Daddy on the Ponte Santa Trinita

Brian and I climbed the Duomo on Wednesday. Mom would have had a heart attack if she came up so Dad and her shopped the markets. The stairs leading to the top are narrow and steep and the ceiling is really low. You walk around the inside, level with the ceiling, and you can look down on the altar and the people below or look straight ahead and see the amazing ceiling painted by Brunelleschi. There are 3 levels to the ceiling, with the top one being heaven, the middle part being the Earth, and the bottom being hell. It is amazing ceiling and probably the best part of the otherwise rather plain Duomo (the interior is not even comparable to the interior decoration and elaborateness of St. Peters or the church at Prague Castle, although the exterior is one of intense detail and size that I have never seen before). Brian and I reached the top and  Brian was amazed when he got to the top. This was my third time to the top and it was just as amazing as the first time I did it. The views are absolutely amazing and you can see for miles (from the Tuscan hills on the outskirts of Florence to the gardens on the opposite side of the Arno). It was a lot of fun to go with him up there and show Brian (and my parents) the city I have come to love. 

Italian Picnic

We spent the nights eating at delicious restaurants and coming to the conclusion that at least in Florence, there is no such thing as a bad meal. The weather was gorgeous the whole week and we could eat outside. On the second night we were able to get a traditional and large Italian meal (appetizer, first course of pasta, second course of meat, vegetables, and desert). It was the night Mom went back and stayed at the apartment because she wasn’t feeling good. Everyone knows how much she hates food and would not have agreed to this meal. We got gelato almost every night and drank some really good red wines every night with dinner. For me, it was some of the better meals I have had in Florence. 

I had been telling Brian the whole time that I would take him to this place called Hemmingways to get him the best hot chocolate in Florence. We finally went on his last night and he got what he claimed was “the best hot chocolate ever”. You can get it made out of 40% chocolate solids, 55% or 70%. He got 70% and it was literally a melted chocolate bar with a little bit of milk. While it looked sickening to me, he loved it and even added whipped cream with a chocolate spoon. He was left with a chocolate moustache and a smile because it was so good. 

Brian at Hemmingways stirring his hot chocolate with a chocolate spoon

We were able to do some shopping while they were here (I got a leather jacket!) which is inevitable when you are in leather country. Every time I walk the streets I am tempted to buy something (not good, I know). I have bought so many souvenirs that I sent Mom and Dad back with an extra suitcase and a half of stuff because I would have had to pay a lot of money in overweight charges to get it back otherwise. It was convenient for them to come 3 weeks before I left so they could take home all of my heavier winter clothes. 

Mom and Dad by the Ponte Vecchio

My family had to leave a day early to drive back to Frankfurt again because of the volcano. Although the situation had gotten better and they could fly from Frankfurt to Boston but not Florence to Frankfurt. They rented a car and stayed the night with Aunt Clare, Uncle Ralf, and Alex in Germany before leaving for the airport the next morning. Grandma and Granddad had driven to Germany in hopes of being able to fly from there to Florence, which unfortunately never happened, but at least Mom and Dad were able to see them in Germany (conveniently on Grandmas birthday). So while at least they were able to Grandma and Granddad but unfortunately I was not. It was just unlucky circumstances but I will hopefully see them at the end of the summer. 

I was so happy to have my family here and show them around the city I have called home for the last three months. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until I got to see them again. For me, although I had been away at school for semesters before, I had never gone this long without seeing them. It was like having a little taste of home in Florence. And although the last thing I want to do is leave Florence in 2 weeks, I am excited to see them again. 

View of Florence from the top of the Duomo

At Augustus' Gardens in Capri

Big cities and small beach towns are hard to compare because of their differences in landscape, culture, and beauty. Therefore I can’t compare the Amalfi Coast to Rome, Prague, or London, but I can say it is one of my favorite trips I have been on and one of the most beautiful places I have been too.

We arrived there on Friday morning and started with a ferry to the island of Capri, just about an hour off of mainland Italy. We (Kelly, Kerri, Alyssa, Christina, and myself) went first to the Blue Grotto. You take a small canoe into a cave which is barely tall enough for us to fit through (we were lying down in the canoe and still had to duck our heads). Once your inside, it is absolutely beautiful. I have never seen anything like it–the water is clear blue and you can see straight through to the white sand on the bottom. The Mediterranean water in general is clear, but this is more crystal like than anything else I have seen. There was nother grotto we stopped in, the Green Grotto, which is where the white sand reflects again off the water making the water completely clear.

Hiking up to Capri

We reached Capri after our stop here and had a gorgeous hike up the island, stopping at Augustus Gardens which gave a view of the entire sea and the mountains surrounding it. Capri Town was filled with lots of jewelry shops and limoncello stores (the Amalfi Coast is famous for their limoncello). We took a bus up to Ana Capri after this (the buses in this area drive on the edge of very narrow roads and it almost looks like you are falling off a cliff with every turn you make) where we got lunch and homemade sandals. There is a store you can go to and design your own sandals and they make them for you that day. I couldn’t resist and I  got my own pair of sandals, engraved on the side with my initials!

Christina, Me, Kerri, Alyssa, and Kelly at the top of Ana Capri

There was also a chairlift that took you to the top of Ana Capri and had some of the best views I have ever seen in my entire life. The pictures do the place no justice and only by being able to glimpse of the panoramic view of sea and mountains can you get a feel for the real beauty of this place. We were able to hike around the town and we stopped just about every 5 feet to take pictures because it was absolutely breathtaking. We looked down on cliffs that were completely green with birds flying around the tops of trees and then we turned to the side and looked out over another island in the distance. It was literally like a scene from a movie.

Looking down on the sea from the top of Ana Capri

The next day we spent in Positano, a small beach side town, seen in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun (we watched it on the bus ride to the town so that we could get a sense of where we were going). It was even more beautiful in person than it was in the movie. The walk to the beach was filled with small boutiques, most selling leather sandals and bathing suit cover ups. There was paths that were filled from top to bottom with purple flowers.  It was absolutely beautiful and exactly what I thought of a southern Italy beach town (smells of lemons from the limoncello stores, views of white sand and clear blue water, Italian people walking their dogs without leashes, and all the other Italian pleasures that I have come to love).

We took a boat out after we reached the beach which took us all around the coast. Some of the most amazing houses were set up on the cliffs and we got a fantastic view of Positano as we drove away. Our first stop was a small beach that we swam too so we could cliff jump (the Mediterranean water is nothing short of freezing). There were 2 cliffs you could choose from (one was about 10 feet up) and the other was about 35 feet up. I went up to the higher one and after climbing the rocks, I jumped off (I hesitated a little before jumping but

Flowers in Positano

thinking about it makes  it even harder). The guides told us to keep our feet straight and pointed and jump in like a pencil, but as you jump off the cliff, that is the last thing I could think of. I landed right, thankfully, considering one girl landed on her back causing her back to bruise in a matter of seconds. It was scary but I am glad I did it (I am trying to figure out how to upload the video to this site).

In the water just before going into the caves

After that we went swimming in 2 different caves of the Mediterranean which was again really cool. The water was just so clear (and cold). We went back to Positano afterwards and shopped for (and bought) traditional bathing suit cover ups and jewelry that are so popular in that area. The sun was shining and the town was absolutely gorgeous. It was even better than the movies.

The next day we spent in Pompeii, the city that was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. It was an amazing city and the amount of information historians can derive from the ruins is incredible. Although most of it was destroyed, you could see that because it was buried for so long, some of the marble and other elements were preserved. You could see the gates of the city, the

View of Positano

Kelly, Christina, Kerri, Alyssa, and I in the center of Pompeii

old city center, the court, the local baths, where the homes were, where the market was, vases and pots that were used, and even the Red Light district (with paintings acting as the menu and arrows on the ground pointing people in the right direction). The coolest part was that you could see some of the bodies that were preserved over time because of the lava and ash from the eruption. They are soaked in a clay like material now to keep their preserved but you can still see their teeth and bones! The city was huge and by the looks of it, it seemed to be at the forefront of Southern Italian civilization. They had some modern ideas for such an ancient society and it was interesting to see how they incorporated certain elements of society today into their culture back then.

The ruins in Pompeii

I think I feel in love with the Amalfi Coast–I have never seen such beautiful and clear water and sights. Every where I turned was absolutely breath-taking and if I had to recommend one place for someone to go, I think it would be here.

Alex and I

After my family got stuck in Germany on their way to Italy, I realized (not for the first time) the benefits to having a large family on one side and one scattered all over the world on the other. 

I spent Easter weekend in Germany which was relaxing, refreshing, and very enjoyable. After leaving early in the morning (I got to the Florence airport before it even opened; I didn’t realize airports closed), I was able to spend most of the day Friday with them (Uncle Ralf and Alex met me at the airport!). The weather was much colder than Florence (and with all that I packed, I was unprepared for that) but still nice. Alex and I played soccer in the yard and ran around outside. I was surprised but my 9-year-old cousin was beating me at soccer and running. It was so good to be able to see him. He has gotten so tall and grown up so much in the last 2 years.

Their house is in a really cute German village that is smaller but there is a pathway through the woods just beyond their house, perfect to take walks in. I had a room (all to myself–finally!) that looked out over the town and was incredibly comfortable. The whole weekend could be summarized with the word comfortable–I didn’t have to worry about food (which Aunt Clare made and was delicious), I had my own room, I could just relax, and there was just no much going on, which for once, was really nice.

The next day Aunt Clare and I went shopping and went into France to get some food (we got delicious salami and snails, which yes I ate on Easter). Being in France, my high school skills came back to me a little and I was finally able to understand the signs and communicate slightly (although really not much). I spent most of the rest of the day relaxing and playing video games with Alex.

The next day was Easter which I spent with my family and my uncles brothers parents and brother. There was good food and good company–a perfect combination for any holiday. It was nice to see people who I had not seen in 8-10 years. It is amazing what you remember as the time goes on (and what you don’t). Even though this was the first Easter spent away from my family in America, I am so glad that I spent it in Germany.

Germany

I left fairly early in the afternoon on Monday. One of the most interesting parts of the whole weekend was driving on the highways with my aunt and uncle. The German highways don’t have a speed limit in many areas which meant that you could go as fast as you want. The speeds you could get up to were incredible and I enjoyed driving on their highways (wish we could do that in the States).

Being in Germany was a great way to spend Easter and gave me time to catch up on doing nothing (we all need that sometimes). It was so good to see my family and I hope I can see them again sooner rather than later.

Me, Danielle, Katherine, and Carly at the "pink" toga party

So spring break was over now 2 weeks ago and I am officially behind on my blog (mom keeps reminding me). I went to Greece for a week during spring break with Katherine, Danielle, and Carly and we stayed on the island of Corfu for 3 days and then went to Athens for 2 days (2 days of the trip were completely dedicated to travel).

We started travel at 9:00 on Saturday morning and after a 5 hour bus ride to the Italian port and then an overnight 14 hour “cruise” (really just a boat with airplane seats for sleeping, 2 restaurants, and a bar), and then another 2 hour ferry and then another hour-long bus ride, we finally arrived at our hotel on Corfu. It was called the Pink Palace because it was all literally pink (all the rooms were thankfully on the outside only, pepto bismal pink). There was over 200 students there for spring break though which made it a lot of fun. It was right on the beach and we spent that afternoon relaxing on the beach (it was unfortunately too cold to swim). Dinner every night was included at the hotel and it was surprisingly good. On the first night there was also a long session of traditional Greek dancing which was interesting to watch. There is so much technique involved!

The next day we rented ATVs and went on a 6 hour safari of the island. We stopped at beaches, rode through small Greek towns (yes the people are exactly like the ones you say in “My Big Fat Greek Weeding”), stopped to eat lunch at a monastery on top of the mountain, and went off-roading. The views were absolutely incredible. You looked at over the mountain and saw so much green and there were small pockets of towns scattered throughout. You could look for miles over the ocean. When we were riding through the towns we would see sheep, goats, donkeys, and other animals on the side of the road. The towns we drove

View of Corfu Island from the ATVs

 through were so different from anything I have ever seen; it is hard to describe exactly what they looked like but the houses were what I would call run down but livable and the people

Danielle, Katherine, Me, and Carly before ATVing

 were just standing in their doorways watching us go through. I wish we had time to stop and take pictures of the towns and the people (one woman, as we drove by just keep blessing herself and repeating “Jesus Christ” and the little kids waved to us and gave us high fives when we came through). Every view was amazing and we keep saying how we wish we could have been out there for longer because it was so much fun.

That night there was a toga party at the hotel and because of the hotels name, guess what color our togas were? Pink! We found ways to tie our togas on only using bobbypins and belts. It was difficult but we had success! The party lasted all night. The best part was the Greek dancing and celebrations. We all sat in a circle and watched as they light the floor around us on fire and the Greek men danced inside. Then on man stacked some chairs on top of a table and light the top of the on fire and then carried it around using just his mouth! Then they got us involved by coming around with a pot filled with ouzo, the traditional Greek liquor. Before you had time to say no or even realize what they were doing they forced a shot of this disgusting licorice tasting alcohol down your mouth and then smashed a ceramic plate over your head. The Greek music was playing and everyone was screaming and it really wa

Katherine and I on the cruise with our Greek wine

s one of the best nights I’ve had on this trip so far–the memories from that night will be with me for awhile!

The next day was rainy and cold and there was not much to do. We went down to the beach area and hung out at the restaurant/bar down there with all the other students and then packed our stuff up to head to Athens.  After dinner that night we left for another long night of traveling (a 1 hour bus ride, a 2 hour ferry, and then 8 hours overnight on a bus). We got to Athens the next morning and didn’t even have time to go to our hotel rooms before the tours started. Luckily our first stop was Starbucks! (yay for a large coffee). Athens was the first place I have been to on this trip that I can say I did not immediately love. Mom did warn me of this but the city was dirty and the people were sketchy (at one point our tour guide turned to us and said, “Congratulations you just made it through the heroine district”). Once you got to old Athens though things did get a little better.

We happened to be there on their Independence Day in which they celebrate the day they were freed from the rule of the Ottoman Empire. It was cool to see the parades of school children, bands, and police officers. We went over to the Parliament and saw a riot in which the people were protesting against the government (not that uncommon in Greece right now). We couldn’t understand what they were saying but if I had to guess it would be either related to religious reasons or the weak economy. The

Independence Day parade in Athens

Parliament building is right by Syntagma Square which is the main square in Athens and where the festivities for the day were happening (lots of food and people). This led us to the National Gardens which was easily the prettiest part of Athens with orange trees and ponds all within it. Then we went over to Olympic Stadium, or the Panathenaic Stadium,  which is where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 (it was originally built in 329 BC).

After the Olympic Stadium we headed up to the Acropolis which is surprisingly big. There is more than just the Pantheon. The first stop was a view of all of Athens (would have been better if Athens was prettier).  We climbed up the ruins after that and walked around the Acropolis. This was pretty cool and the Pantheon was the best part. The ancient ruins in any

Me at the Olympic Stadium in Athens

city are always the best part because there is so much history and culture in them. We went to the Acropolis museum which gave the full history of the area and told you the meaning of all the carvings in the columns. The museum was built above the remains of ancient Greece so at some points there was a glass floor and you could see ancient Greek ruins below

Pantheon

 your feet. Inside the museum was the vases, carvings, and statues that were found in the ruins. It is cool to finally see in person all the art and history that I have been learning about for years.

We walked along the shopping streets after this and saw all the beautiful souvenirs that Athens had to offer. This was definitely the nicer area of Athens with outdoor cafes, parks, and

nice stores. That night we went out to a taverna for a traditional Greek meal (with french fries thrown in as a side because everyone always thinks that is the only food Americans eat). The Greek salads everywhere were absolutely amazing–I think I had one every day. The wine came in water bottles and we had a nice long dinner and a very fun night out.

The next day we spent exploring Athens on our own. We passed by a lot of churches and made a couple Starbucks stops as well. We went back to the National Gardens and went to the mini zoo they had there. The birds were amazing shades of bright green, yellow, and blue, and there was again donkeys, peacocks, sheep, and llamas. We played on the playground like we were five and had a lot of fun just walking around the town. Because it was  a holiday almost every shop was closed (saved me some money). Despite the many not so nice parts of Athens, the small part we explored today was gorgeous and made up for my first bad impression of Athens.

National Gardens

Early the next day (around 10) we began our travels back to Italy with a similar journey to the one we took to Greece. We got home more than 36 hours later. Despite the load of traveling, Greece was so much fun and very relaxing. I made a lot of memories and got a chance to see a very different part of Europe.

Turtle Island at the National Gardens

The Roman Forum

Me at the Colosseum

So a significant amount of time has passed since I met Aaron in Rome (on March 12th) but I can blame this delayed post on midterms and then spring break. As happy as I am that the stress of midterms is over, the moment is somewhat bittersweet as it means my time here is half over. Time has gone by so fast and I can only imagine how fast the next 6 weeks will go especially with the arrival of the warm weather.

I arrived in Rome early Friday morning to meet Aaron’s flight at the airport. His flight was delayed (just my luck) but once he finally arrived it was great to see him. I didn’t even realize how much I missed him until we were together (Mom, I know your saying “gag me” right about now but I am sure I will feel the same way when you guys get here). After we got settled in at our hotel right in Piazza della Reppubblica, we made our way over to the Spanish Steps. These were exactly like you see in the movies with the vendors gathered at the top painting the rooftops of Rome and the dome of St. Peters Basilica. The steps weren’t actually as big as I expected them to be but they were great none the less. We walked to Villa Borghese afterwards which is a nice park that overlooks most of the city  but is surprisingly not very  crowded (the lack of people could also be due to the on and off rain showers) and was a really pretty walk. The trees were in bloom and the park connected with some art museums.

Trevi Fountain was our next stop which similar to the Spanish Steps is just as you see in the movies except with about a million more people crowded in a small area trying to make a wish

Trevi Fountain

 and throw a coin over their shoulder. There was people everywhere and although it was difficult to move, we both managed to throw the coins backwards over our shoulders. The water of the fountain was sparkling blue and we hit that area at the perfect time because we got there early enough to see it during the day and then after we ate dinner (a really great Italian meal I might add) we were able to go back and see it at night. There are some things that aren’t as great at night as they are during the day but this isn’t one of those. It was even prettier at night being all light up.

We walked over to the Pantheon and got gelato. I made us look in the window of many different gelaterrias because I wanted Aaron’s first impression of gelato to be a good one. Even though I’m not from Italy, I am picky about picking where I get my gelato from (living here, you develop an eye for whats good). I made a good pick and we walked over to the Pantheon which was closed but still magnificent to see. This was the beginning of our tour of the ancient ruins of Rome and it was definitely what we both enjoyed the most about the city.

With him being jetlagged and me tired from having caught a 5:30 train, we went home relatively early but got up early the next day to head to the Vatican (Vatican Day 1 and Colosseum Day 2 is what we decided). Apparently fairly early for us is not early enough because when we got to the Vatican the line to get into St. Peters wrapped almost all the way around the square. There was no way I was going to give up going into St. Peters so we got in line. It moved surprisingly fast and we were inside withing 45  minutes. The interior of St. Peters is absolutely stunning. There is gold everywhere and so much art and culture inside. There was one plaque showing the reign of the Popes and it dated back until, I believe, 85 B.C. It amazes me that we have records dating back that far. It is even more intriguing for me going to these places because I have learned about them in my classes over here (I saw Michelangelo’s “Pieta” in the Basilica which I had been learning about in my Renaissance Theory of Love class).

We went to see the “Tombs of the Pope” after this which was cool but our time there was ruined because the guards rush you through and don’t even let you stop to look. After a delicious pizza for lunch we went over to Il Museo del Vaticano to see Cappella Sistina. I expected to just get in and see the Sistine Chapel but there is so much more to the Vatican

Aaron and I in St. Peters Square

Museums. There are many different exhibits leading up to it each had ceilings that were adorned with the most beautiful paintings, gold, and sculpture. There was one room that had large rugs the size of a wall inside and each rug told a different part of a story and they all led up to one final scene (a mother protecting her child from a barbarian). There was another room that was filled with maps of Italy. There was an exhibit that had the baths of the ancient Romans inside and another with another decorations from the castles. The best part of each of the rooms was the ceilings which were beautifully decorated (I was amazed each time). After much anticipation we finally reached the Sistine Chapel. It was amazing and my words will do Michelangelo’s work no justice, as really only seeing it in person will show how incredible it is. The entire room is one art piece with each wall and the ceiling fully covered it art. The altar is painted with “The Last Judgement” and the hands of the people and their faces just show power and strength. The colors were vibrant and drew you in (this could be do to the restoration that happened a few years back with some arguing that too much touch-up was done and the original artwork is ruined) and I felt like I could stay there all day and look at all the paintings (my neck might hurt a little but it would be worth it). Even for those that may not understand the value of art, the Sistine Chapel was probably the most amazing painting I have ever seen and I can see why Michelangelo is remembered as a painter rather than a sculptor.

We walked down the streets to the Tiber (the river that ruins through Rome) and went into Castel Sant’Angelo which because of the ruins and history of the castle was Aaron’s favorite part of the day. The sun was setting as we climbed the castle and we got to the top just in time to see the sun set over the Vatican which was absolutely gorgeous. The rest of the castle was amazing too (the frescos in the library were only partly uncovered and the doors were barely tall enough for me to fit through). There was cannons set up and catapults too which after walking around the Vatican all day really intrigued Aaron.

My roommate from Marist, Alyssa, and her boyfriend, JJ, were in Italy for the week and we met them for dinner that night. I was really excited to see her because while I absolutely have made great friends while I have been studying abroad, I am not at the point of comfort as I am with my friends that I’ve been with since freshman year. It was good to see her in Italy and all 4 of us had a great and long dinner together; good wine and good company! 

The next day we were off to see the Colosseum which I had built up much anticipation for. Stepping out of the subway, my expectations were exceeded. The Colosseum was massive and once inside I was even more intrigued. The mere size of it is enough to amaze one but when you see how the inside of it is built it is even more incredible. The building ha

Alyssa and I in Rome

s a more solid foundation then some buildings that were made thousands of years later with more modern technology. While it is somewhat fragmented it is easy to see where the stage (and gladiator fights) was and where the staircases led to the higher seats. It was absolutely incredible and the weather was gorgeous which made it all the moe exciting. This is the part of Rome that Aaron was the most excited for and he was nothing short of amazed.

The Roman Forum is just by the Colosseum and we went there after. It is basically a huge plot of land that used by a major part of the ancient Roman empire. You can see the theatre, the house of Cesar and Augustus, the town hall, the city arches, the church, many fallen columns, and so much more. I feel like I could have used 3 days to just walk around this one area. It was incredible to see broken marble that had fallen to the ground but then also to see the carvings still inside it and many pieces of the empire (the statues, the arches, the gardens) still intact. I feel like I keep repeating myself (and I do) words cannot describe how amazing it is to see a fallen empire. Rome is a place that was once at the forefront of civilization and I am able to see what is left of that (pretty cool, I know).

This was our last stop in Rome and we came back to Florence after that. I spent the rest of the week showing him around Florence (unfortunately it was my midterms week also). I went to the Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo for the first time and both gave me wonderful views of the city I have called home. The Boboli Gardens at the Palazzo Pitti were gorgeous and they continued forever. There was fountains and at one point we looked out over a vineyard. I was excited to explore the parts of Florence I hadn’t yet with Aaron. We had a great week and I feel like it was harder to say goodbye this time then it was the first time. I had spring break to look forward to though so that made it a little easier.

Rome is up there as one of my favorite cities because there is so much culture, art, and history all in one place (Mom thinks it may be my favorite because of who I was there with and it may have something to do with that).  I feel like 2 and a half days there was not enough but I also feel like I saw the major monuments of the city. It is up there with Prague, Paris, London, and Barcelona as being one of my favorite cities in Europe–it was just like the movies

Me at the top of Castel Sant'Angelo

St. Georges Church at Prague Castle

I know I say this after every city but I really do mean it this time. I think Prague might just be my favorite city. I felt like I was in a fairy tale land that mixed Disney World, Hogwarts, and Mister Rogers. The weather the weekend we went (March 5-8) was not very good, typical for me. There was snow, rain, and well below freezing temperatures every day except Sunday when the sun finally came out during mid-day. One of the best parts about Prague: Starbucks. This was the first European city I had been to this trip that had a Starbucks and I was finally able to satisfy my craving of a large, American coffee (the coffee in Europe is about half the size of a Dunkin Donuts small and when I am used to having 4 mediums a day, lets just say I was having some withdrawals). The monetary unit in the Czechoslovakia Republic is the crown which is not hard to pronounce or remember but we ended up turning it into chickens (1 euro=25 crowns) so the running joke of the weekend would be “how many chickens did that cost”? The answer would be even better because the crowns had such a high numeric value that we could say, this meal cost me 200 chickens (aka 8 euro or about $12). 

We had another early travel weekend, leaving Florence at 2:00 in the morning for an 8:00 flight out of Bologna and into Prague. It was Alyssa, Kelly, and I on this journey and we were meeting Katherine there (she had gone with a travel company). The excursion to the airport was interesting. We had an hour long walk to the train station which was not the close train station that we usually travel from. Once we got to the train station, the carabinieri (or local police) stopped us and asked us for our passports (they were doing it for everyone) and visas. They warned us three, American girls before we got on the train to stay awake on the train because of pickpocketers were rampant on night trains. We got our own cabin once we were on the train and the police roamed the aisles of the train checking for safety. It made me a little nervous when they warned us but it made me feel safe to know they were on the train. 

We got to the airport and to Prague safely. Prague is a big city and we had to use a lot of public transportation to get to our hostel which was just outside the city. Again, we picked a good hostel–it was clean and had a bar downstairs which served a cheap buffet breakfast. While we were eating breakfast we met the owner of the hostel who was an American who feel in love with a Czech man when she was backpacking around Eastern Europe. Together, they own 2 hostels in Prague and as she was leaving for Florence the next day, we exchanged travel advice. 

Me in Old Town Square

After this we went over to the Prague Castle to meet Katherine. We could see the castle from far away and it looked absolutely gorgeous. It was up on a hill and the church stood out the most but everything built around it made it look even more extravagant. The architecture of the castle and Prague in general is a gothic and Renaissance mix, gorgeous, not going to lie. We went to a cafe right by the castle which was in the basement and was really authentic. The seats were covered with velvet and we had cappuccinos. Needless to say because of the cold we cafe hopped for most of the rest of the day. This castle was the first one where I saw the stone-faced guards outside the gates. After we walked around the courtyard and to the West gate we sat in another cafe which overlooked the hills of Prague and the rooftops of the city. Only pictures will show how great and gorgeous this city was. Their were church domes and pointed arches in the distance and the sun was beginning to fall which made the sights all the more spectacular. 

The owner of the hostel advised us to go over the Charles Bridge at night so that is exactly what we did after this. The Charles Bridge is the only pedestrian and the most popular bridge in Prague. It has statues and arches all along the way and the gates leading into it are large and built beautifully with engravings. From the bridge you can look upward to the castle which is beautifully lit and then over on the other side to Old Towne Square where the town hall and astronomical tower stand out against the night sky. We took a lot of pictures and then went to a traditional Czech restaurant. There was lots of potatoes and roasted meals on the menu (chicken, duck, pork) and the meal I got (and the ones the other girls got) were absolutely delicious. It was a nice change to not eat pasta or pizza and I really enjoyed this countries cuisine. 

On Saturday, we went over for a free walking tour that showed us almost all of Prague. Again it was freezing and snowing even more but after some Starbucks we were about ready to go. Prague is known for their crystal so Alyssa and I stopped to make a little purchase because the crystal was gorgeously decorated. The tour started in Old Town Square and we learned that is where one of the most overrated attractions in Europe is. People go to the astronomical tower in Prague to see the toy show and the rooster crow which when you see it is all of 3o seconds long and consists of 2 small statues popping out of a window (it looks like it comes from a children’s television show). We learned a lot about the intriguing history of Prague: it was completely free from Communist rule until the Velvet Divorce in the early 1990s. We learned that the Czech people are not violent people which is why they had so much trouble resisting when different countries came into rule. After Old Town Square, we went to the concert hall which is the only one still standing that Mozart actually preformed at. He preformed Don Giovanni at this hall and there is a statue out front commemorating that (it looks like a Death Eater from the Harry Potter books). 

We went over to Wenceslas Square after which is where all the major shopping is and is also where the National Museum is (our tour guide told us not to go because it was basically just a museum of sticks and trees). We went back there to go shopping later on because we cannot resist temptation. We stopped in the middle of the tour for lunch at Bohemian Bagel–bagels, finally! The bagels were really good and the place kind of reminded me of a Panera Bread, except later on that night, it was also the first stop on the pub crawl. We went to the Jewish Quarter after this which our guide was explaining is ironic because it used to be where the ghettos were under Nazi rule and now it is the most affluent area of Prague. The city

Katherine, Alyssa, and I on Charles Bridge

 has an interesting history concerning World War II: It was the only city where Hitler did not burn the synagogues because he wanted it to be the museum to the extinct race. For Prague this means, their ancient Jewish synagogues and town halls are still standing. One of the synagogues was especially interesting because it looks almost like a mosque and was actually built by the Muslims, a true testament to religious cooperation and tolerance. 

We also went to the gate that used to be used to make and store gun powder and was the biggest gate protecting the city. Across from that is the national bank, under which tons of gold is stored (again I think of the bank from the Harry Potter movies where you have to take an underground trolley to reach your vault). We saw the monument dedicated to the world chess champion and another one to the author, Kafka. 

The Jewish Quarter

It is hard to describe Prague because everywhere you look is absolutely gorgeous. There isn’t one building that doesn’t have a history or isn’t designed beautifully. Their were some buildings that were engraved with a turquoise metal, others that had gold adorning that sides, and others that had a more gothic appeal. There was an area (the only place in the world) with cubism buildings from the cubist artists. There is such a mix of art in this one city showing how deep this history really is. 

We went shopping after the tour ended and then went home to get ready to go out on the pub crawl which would show us the major bars in Prague. When we met with the pub crawl there was almost 100 people who were going on it which is an overwhelming amount of people to fit in one bar. We met two guys from London (their accents were great) and we stayed with them most of the night. The pubs and bars were great and a lot of the places we went reminded me of Budapest (multiple rooms). We ended up at an Irish pub where we met a group of Brits (who actually live really close to where I was born) and we sang karaoke with the Irish performer and danced and had a good time. 

The next day we spent mostly at the castle exploring the grounds. There was so much to see in this one castle; art exhibits, photo galleries, churches, basilicas, old castles, etc… We got a pass that let us into most of the main areas and then we explored the gardens. The old castle was cool because it told the story of what used to go on in that location but it was not furnished and was surprisingly small considering what you usually think of when you think of a castle. The courtyard was beautiful and had gold statues surrounding it. The church was the largest part of the palace and was extremely gorgeous both inside and out. It was built high on a hill and was designed with a darker style–high arches that come to a point, large stained glass window, extravagant gold sculptures, red velvet, etc…. The basilica was smaller but no less gorgeous. It was older but seemed more authentic in a way. You could se the frescos coming through the walls and the altar seemed like it hadn’t been used in a while. 

The gardens of the palace were absolutely gorgeous and looked out over all of Prague.  Since this was the best weather day we took tons of pictures and walked around. There were vineyards in the garden and I can only imagine how much nicer that would be when they were growing in the warmer weather. The gardens were still very green and the trees, although bare, served as a great decoration. The gardens took you out right by the bridge to Old Town Square so that is exactly where we went. I feel like I get a better appreciation for things when I am not freezing cold. Both the castle and the square made me feel like I was walking around in a Harry Potter movie. Our tour guide described it like Disney World with the town hall being Magic Kingdom and the astronomical tower being the Its a Small World ride. I personally like the Harry Potter analogy better but to each his own. 

We had an early night because we had an early morning (it wasn’t that early of a night because we had a trip to a Czech hospital–everyone’s fine but I think all of us have a better appreciation for American hospitals and health care). This was one weekend where I wish I could have two mes: one of myself could be in Prague and the other could be in New Jersey, celebrating Aunt Mar’s birthday with my family. I wouldn’t give this opportunity up for anything but there are some things I am beginning to miss from home (not enough to say I’m homesick though because I still never want to leave). Prague was the one city where I literally felt like I would need to be forced on the plane home. I did not want to go home. Prague was amazing (although the Czech people, not so nice; nowhere near as accommodating as the Dutch who were the best people so far. The Czech people were rude and inconsiderate.) and I hope one day I can go back. It falls into the category of one of my favorite European cities and if people need recommendations on where to go Prague is up there with Paris, Barcelona, and Florence. 

Prague

Alyssa and I at the Prague Castle gardens

Amsterdam

hate to think of it like that. I’m used to the semesters going by fast, but not this fast and I feel like after midterms, with the welcoming of nice weather, the time will speed by even more.

It has been two weeks now since I went to Amsterdam (the weekend of February 26-March 1).  We had to leave at 3:30 in the morning to catch our bus to Pisa Airport then fly to Eindhoven and then take a bus from Eindhoven to Amsterdam. It is a lot of traveling, but as I told mom, when your on a budget, you gotta do what you gotta do. Flying early in the morning though meant that we had most of the day to explore Amsterdam. We stayed in a really nice hostel, Shelter Jordan, which had a cafe/restaurant as well and had free breakfast. Our room had 18 girls staying in it, more than any other hostel I stayed at. Needless to say, we meet a lot of people.

On Friday after checking in, we walked over to Vondel Park, which reminded me of a smaller Central Park. Even in the dead of winter and with no leaves to decorate the trees, the park was really nice. Not just in this park, but everywhere in Amsterdam, there was a lot of bikers. Because the canals and bridges (it is called the Venice of the North because it is built on canals) make it difficult to drive and the city is large making it inconvenient to walk, people rode their bikes everywhere. There was parts of the sidewalk roped off for them but those areas still were often filled with pedestrians, so there was a constant bell ringing noise going on aka “get out of my way, you tourist”.

Vondel Park was also where the National Film Museum was and was on the way to the Van Gough Museum which is where we were going. The weather in Amsterdam reminded me of typical England weather: rain. It was cold also but seeing as Kelly and I bring bad weather everywhere we go I guess I couldn’t expect anything less. The Van Gough Museum was really interesting and told his life story through his art. It was interesting to see how each time he moved, his art was influenced by his new home (in the Netherlands he painted with darker and dull colors while in France he used brighter and more vibrant colors). You could see how towards the end of his life he switched to use more of a pointillism style where at the beginning he was a more defined impressionist. The paintings were gorgeous and this may be the only time that I say it but I am thankful Marist made me take the most boring Arts and Values class freshmen year because I find myself not only understanding his works better but appreciating them. Van Gough was a brilliant artist and you could see how his work was influenced by those before him and also how he inspired artists for generations to come.

After the Van Gough Museum, we headed towards the Heineken Experience or the beer museum. We stopped at the I <3 Amsterdam sign first to take the picture every tourist takes. This park area was also very nice and it had a skating rink right by it. We were able to get on the last tour at the Heineken Experience and it was definitely one of the most modern museums I have been too. It took you through the history of Heineken and the family behind the beer and then it went into showing you how beer was made (through a 3-D stimulated ride) and then we got to learn how to taste fresh beer. Did you know that if you have a clean glass and sip only from one side when you have a beer, the foam lines indicate each time you have a sip? So basically, you can tell how big of sips someone takes (and you can call their bluff if they say they’re a good drinker). We got 2 free drinks upon entry and went to the bar they had for those. It was cool on the walk there to see the exhibits they have of how Heineken has mixed with pop culture. I am not usually a Heineken fan but the beer here was good; possibly because it was so fresh and couldn’t be more than 2 days old.

After this, we headed over to have dinner and sat down to eat on the other side of Amsterdam. Our waiter got brownie points right away because he was wearing a Yankee hat. Dinner was good (we both got hamburgers instead of Dutch food because we had been craving them for weeks) and after that we headed over to see the Red Light District. we stopped on our way because we were drawn into a place where people were getting massages in the window. We looked and prices weren’t bad so Kelly and I got full back massages for half and hour and they were totally worth it. It was relaxing and refreshing and after doing the amount of walking we had been, it felt really nice to have relaxed muscles.

We did go to the Red Light District after that which was everything I expected it to be. There are literally prostitutes in the window, knocking at the glass, trying to entice the men to come in. It was more of a tourist attraction than anything; there were tour groups in the middle of the streets with their guide, umbrella in hand, leading the way. As we learned from a Amsterdam native later, the Dutch people don’t even go to the Red Light District, it is mostly the Italian and Spanish tourists that take advantage of it. It was interesting to see a completely different lifestyle and what some people have to do for an income. There was some women, who most have been in their 50s and some who couldn’t be a day over 18, selling their bodies this way. It was crazy to see this area.

We went into the Bulldog Cafe after this (yes, they had “special brownies” on the menu), which is one of the 2 bigger cafes in Amsterdam (the Grasshopper is the other one) and experienced that Amsterdam culture. Again, totally different from America and it is nice to see a culture where people are free to do what they want. The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, is very liberal and has few rules and restrictions governing the country.

On Saturday, we woke up early and took the train to Brussels, Belgium for the day. The weather was finally sunny and we did a lot in that one day. When we got off the train, we had no idea where we wanted to go when we got off the train so we bought a map and figured it out. We went over to their main square first, Grand Palace and Crote Market, which is where

Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) in Grand Palace in Brussels

 their town hall and other sites area. It was gorgeous. The buildings were adorned with gold sculptures and the town hall or Hotel de Ville was overwhelming. It was probably one of the nicest squares I have seen.

We went over to Mannequin-Pis after this which is basically a dissapointgly small peeing mannequin but happens to be a major attraction and souvenir purchase in Brussels. Then we headed over to the Royal Palace, stopping first at the gardens and steps leading up to it. The gardens were gorgeous and green and after you climbed the steps to first reach the church, you got a beautiful view of Brussels in the background. Kelly wondered how we were going to now when we were at the Royal Palace but once we turned the corner we knew we were there. It was overwhelmingly huge with beautiful greens and gold gates in front and a Belgian flag flying on top. It was nothing compared to the excitement of Buckingham Palace with the guards and courtyard but it was beautiful none the less. The main park in Brussels was in front of the Palace so there were people, children, and dogs everywhere. The Palace was beautiful and the architecture not just of this building, but the Gothic style of most of the city, was wonderful.

We walked through the park after this and then over to St. Nicholas Cathedral which with its Gothic style reminded me of Notre Dame in Paris, although no where near as extravagant. There were high ceilings, big arches, and the exterior was built higher up and came to a point with engravings in it. The inside was just as gorgeous; the organ took up almost an entire wall, the stained glass windows were a testament to great art, and the altar was beautifully decorated. We went to another Gothic church later on that day, Notre Dame du Sablon which was extremely similar in style to this one.

We had a lunch at a really cute Belgian restaurant which was traditional and served traditional meals. I got to practice my French (they use French and Dutch in Belgium) and we finally got to eat. After this we say the stock exchange building or the Bourse de Bruxelles which considering Brussels is the financial capital of the European Union was very interesting. We went up the Palais du Jard, or the Justice Court after this which is the largest monument in Europe. There was not much to see as most of it was under construction but just a walk half way around it gave you a feel for its immense size. The coolest part was the outdoor elevator that took you to the bottom of the hill and into to main part of Brussels.

After buying chocolate (you have to try Belgian chocolate–best ever!), we headed back to Grand Place and Crote Market to get waffles (can’t leave Belgium without getting a Belgian waffle) which were topped with chocolate, strawberries, and whipped cream, and were absolutely delicious; the best waffle I’ve ever had.

The next day, we spent in Amsterdam just wandering the streets and getting lost in all the stores. We went over by Royal Palace and Dam Square but the Palace was under construction so again there was not much to see. We went to the Anne Frank House later that afternoon (I got hit by a bike just outside there) and that was easily the best museum I have been too. It was amazing that you were in the same location that her family hid for 2 years. You got to see her father’s warehouse and the offices and there were videos from Miep (she helped them hide) and other friends of the family speaking about them. The bookcase was still set up and if you read her diary you know this is what they used to cover the entrance to the annex where the 8 people hid (the Frank family, the van Pels family, and Fritz Pfeffer). The artifacts they had at the museum were amazing (the yellow stars from their clothing, the list of the Jews in the Frank’s community, including their family, the death certificates of the 7 of 8 people who hid (Otto Frank was the only survivor), the posters from Anne’s wall, postcards from Margot Frank and so much more). The rooms were not furnished at the wishes of Otto Frank but the windows did have black curtains over them so you could get a feel for what it was like when the family was not allowed to go outside or see the sun for 2 years. They were in hiding all day and while the workers where in the warehouse (from 8 to 5) they couldn’t move or make a sound in case someone would hear them and rat them out. There were 4 people who helped the family by bringing them food, information, and books. The saddest part is that the annex was discovered all of 6 months before liberation and Anne died just under 2 months before Bergen-Belsen was liberated by the Allies. The house tells an incredible and inspiring story and every person in the museum had sort of a solemn attitude just thinking about what had happened. This was a place I had been wanting to visit since I read her diary in 8th grade and I am glad I finally went. At the end, Otto Frank leaves a video message reminding people to fight against all the injustice in the world before it is too late.

We had to leave our hostel at 4:00 am the next morning for the journey home. Amsterdam and Brussels were both great cities and well worth visiting. For me, I can’t believe it has been 2 weeks since I went there (and I still haven’t uploaded pictures even though Mom has been bugging me). I went to Prague last weekend which I will write about soon (I think it has been my favorite city so far) and I am meeting Aaron in Rome this weekend. I have a lot to look forward to the second half of the semester but I do wish time would slow down.

At the Royal Palace in Brussels

Kelly and I at the Heineken Experience

The Bulldog Cafe in Amsterdam