Friday, October 31, 2003
Happy Halloween! We just got back from helping decorate the local hang out! We carved pumpkins and hung up crape paper!! It was so much fun.
Im about to go hop into my costume. This year I am being....... a ram! Yah, well the costume supplies are few and far between here so when I spotted some ram horns in box the other day I had to wear them. So the costume constists of many inventive things which are a little hard to explain in words. but have no fear, its quite inventive! I will try to get a picture out soon. My roomates are dressing as naughty and nice. One is an angel with a red halo and butterfly wings and the other has the pitchfork and devil horns. so much fun. we hope we win the prize, if there is a prize..
anyways, ill have another update soon about paris, etc.
Love ya lots! AJL
Im about to go hop into my costume. This year I am being....... a ram! Yah, well the costume supplies are few and far between here so when I spotted some ram horns in box the other day I had to wear them. So the costume constists of many inventive things which are a little hard to explain in words. but have no fear, its quite inventive! I will try to get a picture out soon. My roomates are dressing as naughty and nice. One is an angel with a red halo and butterfly wings and the other has the pitchfork and devil horns. so much fun. we hope we win the prize, if there is a prize..
anyways, ill have another update soon about paris, etc.
Love ya lots! AJL
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
YEA! I finally got the comments section to work! Under each entry there is a link that says Comments. If you click on that there is place where you can type in a comment and it will appear on the webpage. It's really easy and I hope you'll leave me comments about anything! I would love even knowing how many people read my webpage. So, don't be shy. Post a comment! :)
PARIS: Oct 18- 21, 2003
General observations about Paris include that it is a lot like any other large famous European town—it’s full of tourists! I know what you’re thinking, “Amanda, you’re a tourist too.” But follow me for a moment. Tourism does something to a city. Yes, it provides some great economic benefits, but having that many foreigners in a city at one time also ruins the authentic Paris experience because the locals realize that they want a piece of the economic pie. So, everywhere you turn you are bombarded by street salesman wanting you to buy a plastic bird that flies in circles or a plastic figurine of whatever monument you happen to be close to. It’d be one thing if they just sat up shop on the side of the road and let you come to them, but often that’s not quite the case. Constant bombardment gets a little old and quite frankly it makes Paris (and every other city in the same famous category) loose something in terms of ambiance. Don’t get me wrong Paris was great! Seeing the Mona Lisa and the Eiffel are lifetime dreams that were fulfilled, but I am not sure I could spend an extended amount of time in such a huge city. As I have mentioned already, the very slow and relaxed mindset of Italy (specifically rural Tuscany) seems to have sunk into my innermost and I am now a convert. So, even though Paris was a dream come true the fast-paced lifestyle was completely contrary to what Tuscany has been trying to teaching me the last two months.
Oct 18: We arrived in Paris at 8 AM on a night train from Milan. The five of us slept in a six person couchette. Our roommate was about a 75 year old Parisian man. He didn’t speak a lick of English so you can only imagine what went through his mind when he first laid eyes on his five young American roommates….But I think we delightfully surprised him because we didn’t stay up and make a lot of noise but went directly to sleep.
We got off the train in Paris and were greeted by quite a chill. The temperature was about 40 degrees.. ahhh! And my coat was packed away in my backpack. So we found the subway and made our way to our hostel. We dropped our stuff off at the hostel and we set out for a day exploring Paris. First stop, Eiffel. One of my traveling companions (and my roommate) Jessica had a special assignment at the Eiffel tower. Her boyfriend had studied abroad in the summertime and had been to the Eiffel tower on his journey. He had left her a note hidden on the Eiffel tower and had sent her a treasure map of sorts to find it. Well, it had been four or five months since he had left it so we weren’t sure it would still be there. Well, after searching for a bit, she found it! Isn’t that the cutest thing ever? It was duct taped to the bottom of one of those observation stands. Pretty clever huh?
After that we went back to our hostel and paid a visit to what would become by the end of the trip our number one favorite place to eat. It was a little shop not twenty feet from our hostel. They served the best omelet sandwiches ever and they were cheap and absolutely huge. They also served crepes like everyone else in Paris. Our favorite was Nutella and banana.
Oct. 19: Written in my personal journal next to Oct 19 is, and I quote, “A blur.”
I think that’s the best way to describe the whole Paris trip. We tried to do everything in three days! It was absolutely insane.
The first thing we saw was so cool. We went to the Paris Opera House. Absolutely gorgeous inside. They had on display lots of costumes from different operas. I will have to show you the pictures of this place. It was absolutely regal and magnificent. The ceiling of the auditorium was painted by Marc Chagall. It brought me back to the time when I went to see Madam Butterfly with Nanny and Grandaddy.
Next, we went to the Louvre. On a suggestion from a seasoned Paris traveler, we made a point to sign up for the English guided tour. We had a magnificent lady for a tour guide. Her husband was from Kansas City and that’s why she knew English. It was a very small group so we had quite a lot of interaction. Of course, we didn’t see it all but my favorites were the winged victory, the painting of napoleon crowning his wife, and the marriage of Cana, (I think that’s what it is). That’s the painting that is of a large wedding table and Christ is at the center and mary is to his right. I liked it because it took place in Venice and I had just been to Venice and I had come to understand how the Venetians thought very highly of themselves so it made sense that there was a picture painted at this time displaying Venice’s glory. Also, we saw Mona Lisa; she was quite small.
After that, we went to the Rodin sculpture garden. Things you might recognize from Rodin include The Thinker and The Kiss statues. The gardens were beautiful. They had quite a lot or roses and it reminded me that it was getting to be Rose Festival time in Tyler.
Next, we ran to the Orsay galleries and ran through them. I know what you’re thinking.. how do you run through a gallery? Well when it’s fifteen minutes to closing time and there are Monets, DeGas, Reniors, Van Goughs and the like on the very top floor and this is your absolute only time to ever see such things, you will pick up your feet (and your pride) and run. So we did and we got to see it for a quick minute. I surprised myself because my favorites in this gallery turned out to be the DeGas hands down. His paintings of ballerinas were absolutely mesmerizing to me.
Whew, that’s a lot of info! There is one more day of Paris and one more day of Versailles to report on before I even get to Spain! I hope that this isn’t too much info for you to read at one time.
Today is a rainy cold day at Santa Chiara school. Wednesday is traditionally our field trip day as a school, but the weather was too bad and the roads to Urbino (our intended destination) were through some mountains and they didn’t think it would be such a good idea. So, that means we get a free day! Much needed. I think I will work on researching for my final term paper in art history and develop a few black and whites from my roll I developed yesterday of pics I took in Venice and Paris. I just got a look at the negatives a few minutes ago and they look good.
I love you all! Ciao until next time, Amanda
General observations about Paris include that it is a lot like any other large famous European town—it’s full of tourists! I know what you’re thinking, “Amanda, you’re a tourist too.” But follow me for a moment. Tourism does something to a city. Yes, it provides some great economic benefits, but having that many foreigners in a city at one time also ruins the authentic Paris experience because the locals realize that they want a piece of the economic pie. So, everywhere you turn you are bombarded by street salesman wanting you to buy a plastic bird that flies in circles or a plastic figurine of whatever monument you happen to be close to. It’d be one thing if they just sat up shop on the side of the road and let you come to them, but often that’s not quite the case. Constant bombardment gets a little old and quite frankly it makes Paris (and every other city in the same famous category) loose something in terms of ambiance. Don’t get me wrong Paris was great! Seeing the Mona Lisa and the Eiffel are lifetime dreams that were fulfilled, but I am not sure I could spend an extended amount of time in such a huge city. As I have mentioned already, the very slow and relaxed mindset of Italy (specifically rural Tuscany) seems to have sunk into my innermost and I am now a convert. So, even though Paris was a dream come true the fast-paced lifestyle was completely contrary to what Tuscany has been trying to teaching me the last two months.
Oct 18: We arrived in Paris at 8 AM on a night train from Milan. The five of us slept in a six person couchette. Our roommate was about a 75 year old Parisian man. He didn’t speak a lick of English so you can only imagine what went through his mind when he first laid eyes on his five young American roommates….But I think we delightfully surprised him because we didn’t stay up and make a lot of noise but went directly to sleep.
We got off the train in Paris and were greeted by quite a chill. The temperature was about 40 degrees.. ahhh! And my coat was packed away in my backpack. So we found the subway and made our way to our hostel. We dropped our stuff off at the hostel and we set out for a day exploring Paris. First stop, Eiffel. One of my traveling companions (and my roommate) Jessica had a special assignment at the Eiffel tower. Her boyfriend had studied abroad in the summertime and had been to the Eiffel tower on his journey. He had left her a note hidden on the Eiffel tower and had sent her a treasure map of sorts to find it. Well, it had been four or five months since he had left it so we weren’t sure it would still be there. Well, after searching for a bit, she found it! Isn’t that the cutest thing ever? It was duct taped to the bottom of one of those observation stands. Pretty clever huh?
After that we went back to our hostel and paid a visit to what would become by the end of the trip our number one favorite place to eat. It was a little shop not twenty feet from our hostel. They served the best omelet sandwiches ever and they were cheap and absolutely huge. They also served crepes like everyone else in Paris. Our favorite was Nutella and banana.
Oct. 19: Written in my personal journal next to Oct 19 is, and I quote, “A blur.”
I think that’s the best way to describe the whole Paris trip. We tried to do everything in three days! It was absolutely insane.
The first thing we saw was so cool. We went to the Paris Opera House. Absolutely gorgeous inside. They had on display lots of costumes from different operas. I will have to show you the pictures of this place. It was absolutely regal and magnificent. The ceiling of the auditorium was painted by Marc Chagall. It brought me back to the time when I went to see Madam Butterfly with Nanny and Grandaddy.
Next, we went to the Louvre. On a suggestion from a seasoned Paris traveler, we made a point to sign up for the English guided tour. We had a magnificent lady for a tour guide. Her husband was from Kansas City and that’s why she knew English. It was a very small group so we had quite a lot of interaction. Of course, we didn’t see it all but my favorites were the winged victory, the painting of napoleon crowning his wife, and the marriage of Cana, (I think that’s what it is). That’s the painting that is of a large wedding table and Christ is at the center and mary is to his right. I liked it because it took place in Venice and I had just been to Venice and I had come to understand how the Venetians thought very highly of themselves so it made sense that there was a picture painted at this time displaying Venice’s glory. Also, we saw Mona Lisa; she was quite small.
After that, we went to the Rodin sculpture garden. Things you might recognize from Rodin include The Thinker and The Kiss statues. The gardens were beautiful. They had quite a lot or roses and it reminded me that it was getting to be Rose Festival time in Tyler.
Next, we ran to the Orsay galleries and ran through them. I know what you’re thinking.. how do you run through a gallery? Well when it’s fifteen minutes to closing time and there are Monets, DeGas, Reniors, Van Goughs and the like on the very top floor and this is your absolute only time to ever see such things, you will pick up your feet (and your pride) and run. So we did and we got to see it for a quick minute. I surprised myself because my favorites in this gallery turned out to be the DeGas hands down. His paintings of ballerinas were absolutely mesmerizing to me.
Whew, that’s a lot of info! There is one more day of Paris and one more day of Versailles to report on before I even get to Spain! I hope that this isn’t too much info for you to read at one time.
Today is a rainy cold day at Santa Chiara school. Wednesday is traditionally our field trip day as a school, but the weather was too bad and the roads to Urbino (our intended destination) were through some mountains and they didn’t think it would be such a good idea. So, that means we get a free day! Much needed. I think I will work on researching for my final term paper in art history and develop a few black and whites from my roll I developed yesterday of pics I took in Venice and Paris. I just got a look at the negatives a few minutes ago and they look good.
I love you all! Ciao until next time, Amanda
Monday, October 27, 2003
Oct. 13-16, 2003 Venice
I have already posted a little bit about Venice. It was a great place and it looked exactly like I thought it would. However, I didn’t realize that it was out in the ocean. I thought it was more of a seaside town that water ran through. But when we got there we had to drive over a bridge for about five minutes to even go to it. It reminded me of the bridge to Galveston, except it was flat. (is even legal to equate Venice to Galveston, even in respect to the bridge? I’m not sure…) Anyhow, that aspect of Venice surprised me.
A favorite place of mine to hang out in Venice was St. Mark’s Square. I took so many pictures of pigeons, because there are so many and the love to land on people’s arms and head as they hold out some seed for them to eat. I saw the cutest little Asian boy who was about three buy a package of seed from a vendor. He threw all the seed on the ground and the pigeons of course flocked. He would reach down and pick up one of the birds and hug it tight in his arms. The birds would flap their wings in his face and he would drop it. Then he would reach down and pick up another. It was so cute! I got like 8 pictures of this cute boy, so you can see what I’m talking about once I develop my pictures.
Also during our stay in Venice, we took a day trip to Verona and Vicenza. In Verona, we saw a great big old theater and supposedly Juliet’s house. Rather, this is the house of a girl who inspired Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet. There was a statue of Juliet in the courtyard, along with a balcony, of course. All around the courtyard people had written all over the walls confessing their love for their boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife. It was quite a sight. In Vicenza, we saw the Teatro Olympico, which is an ancient theater. One of the first theaters to have seating in a semi circle and at ascending levels. You would recognize it as stadium type seating. Apparently, it inspired all the modern day sports complexes as well as football fields and the like. Maybe even Kyle Field???
Our hotel was on the island of Lido, a ten minute Vaparetto ride (Venice water bus) from the St. Marks Square. One night we were walking around outside our hotel and we ended up at the beach. As we were strolling we realized it was the Adriatic sea. It was late at night and there were no lights but it was cool because I could see the white caps on the water. Reminded me of one night I was in Tijuana with Metro Kids doing an outreach. We walked along the boardwalk and I was amazed how far out I could see whitecaps. Only that was the Pacific and this was the Adriatic. Very cool.
Next installment, Paris.
I have already posted a little bit about Venice. It was a great place and it looked exactly like I thought it would. However, I didn’t realize that it was out in the ocean. I thought it was more of a seaside town that water ran through. But when we got there we had to drive over a bridge for about five minutes to even go to it. It reminded me of the bridge to Galveston, except it was flat. (is even legal to equate Venice to Galveston, even in respect to the bridge? I’m not sure…) Anyhow, that aspect of Venice surprised me.
A favorite place of mine to hang out in Venice was St. Mark’s Square. I took so many pictures of pigeons, because there are so many and the love to land on people’s arms and head as they hold out some seed for them to eat. I saw the cutest little Asian boy who was about three buy a package of seed from a vendor. He threw all the seed on the ground and the pigeons of course flocked. He would reach down and pick up one of the birds and hug it tight in his arms. The birds would flap their wings in his face and he would drop it. Then he would reach down and pick up another. It was so cute! I got like 8 pictures of this cute boy, so you can see what I’m talking about once I develop my pictures.
Also during our stay in Venice, we took a day trip to Verona and Vicenza. In Verona, we saw a great big old theater and supposedly Juliet’s house. Rather, this is the house of a girl who inspired Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet. There was a statue of Juliet in the courtyard, along with a balcony, of course. All around the courtyard people had written all over the walls confessing their love for their boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife. It was quite a sight. In Vicenza, we saw the Teatro Olympico, which is an ancient theater. One of the first theaters to have seating in a semi circle and at ascending levels. You would recognize it as stadium type seating. Apparently, it inspired all the modern day sports complexes as well as football fields and the like. Maybe even Kyle Field???
Our hotel was on the island of Lido, a ten minute Vaparetto ride (Venice water bus) from the St. Marks Square. One night we were walking around outside our hotel and we ended up at the beach. As we were strolling we realized it was the Adriatic sea. It was late at night and there were no lights but it was cool because I could see the white caps on the water. Reminded me of one night I was in Tijuana with Metro Kids doing an outreach. We walked along the boardwalk and I was amazed how far out I could see whitecaps. Only that was the Pacific and this was the Adriatic. Very cool.
Next installment, Paris.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Staring out the window of the train, I noticed drops of water peppering the windowpane. I thought to myself, “I am glad I didn’t remove the hood from my big black jacket before I left this morning because I am sure going to need it.” As I stepped off the train, I heard the tiny drops of water pelting my coat. “At least it wasn’t heavy rain,” I thought to myself as I commenced my 20-minute uphill journey home. With only a light load of a borrowed purse and my camera bag escorting me home, I began to let my mind wander over the past two weeks journey. “Three countries in 14 days,” I could scarcely believe it myself. Was I finally home? Were my own bed and my three square meals a day about to greet me? I was so glad to be home. Not home in the traditional 2159 North Drive Tyler Texas 75703 sense, but in the Via San Guiliano, 6 Castiglion Fiorentino AR Italy sense. As any traveler will probably tell you, it is a joy to travel and a relief to come home.
Here is the story of my two weeks journey. It will be posted in installments seeing as there is quite a bulk of information to write about the past two weeks. And being the busy Americans that you are and I being the terribly busy expatriate (wink wink) that I am, will write it in small doses over the next week. So stay tuned for the amazing tale of five American girls as they traverse the European countryside.
Staring out the window of the train, I noticed drops of water peppering the windowpane. I thought to myself, “I am glad I didn’t remove the hood from my big black jacket before I left this morning because I am sure going to need it.” As I stepped off the train, I heard the tiny drops of water pelting my coat. “At least it wasn’t heavy rain,” I thought to myself as I commenced my 20-minute uphill journey home. With only a light load of a borrowed purse and my camera bag escorting me home, I began to let my mind wander over the past two weeks journey. “Three countries in 14 days,” I could scarcely believe it myself. Was I finally home? Were my own bed and my three square meals a day about to greet me? I was so glad to be home. Not home in the traditional 2159 North Drive Tyler Texas 75703 sense, but in the Via San Guiliano, 6 Castiglion Fiorentino AR Italy sense. As any traveler will probably tell you, it is a joy to travel and a relief to come home.
Here is the story of my two weeks journey. It will be posted in installments seeing as there is quite a bulk of information to write about the past two weeks. And being the busy Americans that you are and I being the terribly busy expatriate (wink wink) that I am, will write it in small doses over the next week. So stay tuned for the amazing tale of five American girls as they traverse the European countryside.
Friday, October 17, 2003
hi everyone. Its friday at 2 p.m. in Venice. My friends and I found an internet cafe and we are furiously typing emails to our friends and family.
We got to Venice on Monday. We first went to St. Mark's Cathedral. It was so indcredible. The golden altarpiece was my favorite part of the whole thing. I have a cool story about it too. The guy who runs our study abroad program is named Paolo. He was born and raised in Florence. His father was a museum curator in Florence and thus he developed his love for art very young. Well, during WWII the great Italian art treasures were sent to various places for safekeeping from bombs and the like. Well, Paolos father, being a museum curator was given charge over the golden altar piece during the war. Paolo tells the story of this great big item in a huge wooden crate being stored in their living room for the entire length of the war. AT that time Paolo was very young and all he remembers was his father telling him to be extremely careful while playing around the crate. Only later did paolo find out the contents of the crate and I can bet you he was suprised to learn that the golden altar piece lived in his house for a few years.
Another highlight of the Venice trip has been being able to see the canals and the gondolas that float on them. Again, I say this all the time but it is just a lot like living in a post card.
Yesterday, we went to the Peggy Gugenheim museum. It had a lot of surrealist art and it was very interesting to hear about her life story and her reasoning behind being a patron of the arts. Turns out she just felt it was her duty to support budding artists with her inherited wealth. We saw a few picassos and the like, so that was cool.
Today, we are leaving on a train to paris in a few hours. We are very excited. I am traveling with four other girls at this point, but in paris we are picking up another girl. She is a friend of one of fellow study abroaders visiting from Texas.
Everything is just great.
I hope all is well with you. I will try to post again in Paris if I find some more internet.
I love you all and think of you so much. I am approaching a month and a half abroad and it is just crazy to think I have been here that long.
It was funny because we were just saying that we are leaving Italy for a week and we will be sad to leave our "home" and our gelato (ice cream). We are about to go get one last scoop before we leave the country.
As for France, we dont know how to say anything in French! We just started praciticing our numbers. Pray for us, I heard the French strongly dislike Americans..
I am excited about French food, besides, they are the best cooks in all the world, no?
More on that later.
Andiamo,
Amanda
We got to Venice on Monday. We first went to St. Mark's Cathedral. It was so indcredible. The golden altarpiece was my favorite part of the whole thing. I have a cool story about it too. The guy who runs our study abroad program is named Paolo. He was born and raised in Florence. His father was a museum curator in Florence and thus he developed his love for art very young. Well, during WWII the great Italian art treasures were sent to various places for safekeeping from bombs and the like. Well, Paolos father, being a museum curator was given charge over the golden altar piece during the war. Paolo tells the story of this great big item in a huge wooden crate being stored in their living room for the entire length of the war. AT that time Paolo was very young and all he remembers was his father telling him to be extremely careful while playing around the crate. Only later did paolo find out the contents of the crate and I can bet you he was suprised to learn that the golden altar piece lived in his house for a few years.
Another highlight of the Venice trip has been being able to see the canals and the gondolas that float on them. Again, I say this all the time but it is just a lot like living in a post card.
Yesterday, we went to the Peggy Gugenheim museum. It had a lot of surrealist art and it was very interesting to hear about her life story and her reasoning behind being a patron of the arts. Turns out she just felt it was her duty to support budding artists with her inherited wealth. We saw a few picassos and the like, so that was cool.
Today, we are leaving on a train to paris in a few hours. We are very excited. I am traveling with four other girls at this point, but in paris we are picking up another girl. She is a friend of one of fellow study abroaders visiting from Texas.
Everything is just great.
I hope all is well with you. I will try to post again in Paris if I find some more internet.
I love you all and think of you so much. I am approaching a month and a half abroad and it is just crazy to think I have been here that long.
It was funny because we were just saying that we are leaving Italy for a week and we will be sad to leave our "home" and our gelato (ice cream). We are about to go get one last scoop before we leave the country.
As for France, we dont know how to say anything in French! We just started praciticing our numbers. Pray for us, I heard the French strongly dislike Americans..
I am excited about French food, besides, they are the best cooks in all the world, no?
More on that later.
Andiamo,
Amanda
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Sunday afternoon.... at 5:20 P.m.
just making some final arrangements for our trip. we leave for Venice tomorrow. turns out a couple of train rides (for our ten day break after venice) to and from places are a little longer than expected but have no fear we will work it out. It won't throw too big of a wrench into our plans.
Well now I am off to fininsh off the packing and double check our hotel reservations. You can't ever be too sure about hotel reservations.
Yesterday was fabulous. I met my Italian friends for some shoe shopping. (I bought two pairs and one of them is absolutely European in every possible way :) I ended up eating lunch with her whole family. Parents, Grandparents, and sister. We had a full three course meal and it was divine. Even though my friend and her sister were the only family members to speak English, I could really feel the Italian hospitality from her parents and grandparents. They liked that I enjoyed a full lunch and asked for a lot of seconds. The grandfather was precious and he was very happy-go-lucky like my own grandfather. It turns out, Fredrica my friend told me, that he and his wife have been married over fifty years and they are both over 80 years old. Coincidentally, the grandpa can't give up working (sounding more and more familiar, huh, pops?). He was a farmer for all of his life and he is still farming. He grows everything from grapes (he makes his own wine) to potatoes, and peaches to cabbage. A lot of our dinner came straight from their farm.
The father was very proud to let me know about his hobby, wood carving. He had some amazing work to show me. Every piece of furniture in their house was made by him and was very intricately carved. He was truly a master. Then he proceeded to bring out his book that had a picture of everything he had carved before. From his woodcarvings, I gathered that he was quite the city historian. He had a woodcarvings of the city of Arezzo from the medieval days as well as modern cityscapes. He was so funny because he was telling me all about them in Italian, and I did pick up a few words here and there but the look on his face while he was telling me about them was priceless. He was just so excited. I could tell that he had such a passion for his hobby that he loved having a captive audience that was interested in seeing his work. Interestingly enough, he does not sell his woodcarvings, he only makes them for himself and his family. His job was something to do with the trains, I think.
Anyways, they were very interested to hear about America and my family. I told them all about all of you. they were especially impressed to hear about my very tall cousins. I think they thought I was telling them a lie because they couldn't imagine anyone that tall.
My friend took me home about 3 o clock after lunch was over. The mom told me as I was leaving that I should come back again, and believe you me, I will be back if I am invited. The food was good and the company was even better.
Ciao for a while. I will try to post if I find internet in Venice, Paris, San Sebastian, or Barcelona. Otherwise I will post again in a couple of weeks.
Amanda
just making some final arrangements for our trip. we leave for Venice tomorrow. turns out a couple of train rides (for our ten day break after venice) to and from places are a little longer than expected but have no fear we will work it out. It won't throw too big of a wrench into our plans.
Well now I am off to fininsh off the packing and double check our hotel reservations. You can't ever be too sure about hotel reservations.
Yesterday was fabulous. I met my Italian friends for some shoe shopping. (I bought two pairs and one of them is absolutely European in every possible way :) I ended up eating lunch with her whole family. Parents, Grandparents, and sister. We had a full three course meal and it was divine. Even though my friend and her sister were the only family members to speak English, I could really feel the Italian hospitality from her parents and grandparents. They liked that I enjoyed a full lunch and asked for a lot of seconds. The grandfather was precious and he was very happy-go-lucky like my own grandfather. It turns out, Fredrica my friend told me, that he and his wife have been married over fifty years and they are both over 80 years old. Coincidentally, the grandpa can't give up working (sounding more and more familiar, huh, pops?). He was a farmer for all of his life and he is still farming. He grows everything from grapes (he makes his own wine) to potatoes, and peaches to cabbage. A lot of our dinner came straight from their farm.
The father was very proud to let me know about his hobby, wood carving. He had some amazing work to show me. Every piece of furniture in their house was made by him and was very intricately carved. He was truly a master. Then he proceeded to bring out his book that had a picture of everything he had carved before. From his woodcarvings, I gathered that he was quite the city historian. He had a woodcarvings of the city of Arezzo from the medieval days as well as modern cityscapes. He was so funny because he was telling me all about them in Italian, and I did pick up a few words here and there but the look on his face while he was telling me about them was priceless. He was just so excited. I could tell that he had such a passion for his hobby that he loved having a captive audience that was interested in seeing his work. Interestingly enough, he does not sell his woodcarvings, he only makes them for himself and his family. His job was something to do with the trains, I think.
Anyways, they were very interested to hear about America and my family. I told them all about all of you. they were especially impressed to hear about my very tall cousins. I think they thought I was telling them a lie because they couldn't imagine anyone that tall.
My friend took me home about 3 o clock after lunch was over. The mom told me as I was leaving that I should come back again, and believe you me, I will be back if I am invited. The food was good and the company was even better.
Ciao for a while. I will try to post if I find internet in Venice, Paris, San Sebastian, or Barcelona. Otherwise I will post again in a couple of weeks.
Amanda
Friday, October 10, 2003
Hi, it is friday morning. this is the first time I have been in Cast. Fno. on a friday except for the first weekend. Boy did it feel good to sleep in this morning, especially in light of my recent allergy attack. Well, if I haven't already told you, I was supposed to meet my mom's old roomate who lives in Florence on Sunday. She and her husband were going to take me to American church and I was so excited. Well, she emailed me yesterday and told me that there is supposed to be a train strike on sunday and that the trains wouldnt be running. Well, I investigated this a little more and found out that it is indeed true, but often the strikes can be cancelled at the last minute. So, I hope I get to go... but I might not.
I called my friend, Frederica, about shoe shopping tomorrow. She seemed excited to hear from me. I am meeting her at the station at 9 AM. However, I am sad because my roomates decided to go to Montalcino this weekend. I am sad because I am the one who wanted to go in the first place and now they are going to be going without me. If you don't know, Montalcino is famous for it's Brunello wine. It is, I think, the only place it is made. From what others have told me it is apparently quite an extraordinary bottle of wine. In addition, there is a beautiful little church outside the city where the monks do Gregorian chant and I have wanted to hear Gregorian chant FOREVER. Oh,well, maybe I can find some other people to go with me another weekend.
As for the rest of today, it is going to be solely dedicated to cleaning up/packing for Venice and my ten day trip, and also resting and maybe shopping in the late afternoon. Everyday is a good day for shopping!
So this brings me to the subject of our ten day break. Last night Lindsay and I spent the entire evening finalizing plans and reservations and we have a magnificent schedule to show for it! It is as follows:
Monday (13) -Friday (17), we are in venice with the school trip.
Friday (17), we board a night train for Paris, arrive at 8:30 AM
Saturday (18), Sunday (19), and Monday (20) night, Paris
Tuesday night (21), we board a night train for San Sebastian, Spain. It is on the northern coast of spain right by the Spanish/French border. Arrive Wed morning.
Wed night (22), staying in San Sebastian, apparently a favorite place of Hemmingway's in the book, The Sun Also Rises.
Thursday midday get on a train to Barcelona.
Thursday night (23), Friday night (24), stay in Barcelona. Possibly take a bicycle tour of the city. Visit with an Aggie friend who is studying abroad in Barcelona.
Saturday midday (25), fly from Barcelona to Milan, then take a train back home
Sunday:Rest!
The end.
I am traveling with six girls the whole time. Should be exciting. Keep us in your prayers while we are on the road.
Thats all for now.
AJL
I called my friend, Frederica, about shoe shopping tomorrow. She seemed excited to hear from me. I am meeting her at the station at 9 AM. However, I am sad because my roomates decided to go to Montalcino this weekend. I am sad because I am the one who wanted to go in the first place and now they are going to be going without me. If you don't know, Montalcino is famous for it's Brunello wine. It is, I think, the only place it is made. From what others have told me it is apparently quite an extraordinary bottle of wine. In addition, there is a beautiful little church outside the city where the monks do Gregorian chant and I have wanted to hear Gregorian chant FOREVER. Oh,well, maybe I can find some other people to go with me another weekend.
As for the rest of today, it is going to be solely dedicated to cleaning up/packing for Venice and my ten day trip, and also resting and maybe shopping in the late afternoon. Everyday is a good day for shopping!
So this brings me to the subject of our ten day break. Last night Lindsay and I spent the entire evening finalizing plans and reservations and we have a magnificent schedule to show for it! It is as follows:
Monday (13) -Friday (17), we are in venice with the school trip.
Friday (17), we board a night train for Paris, arrive at 8:30 AM
Saturday (18), Sunday (19), and Monday (20) night, Paris
Tuesday night (21), we board a night train for San Sebastian, Spain. It is on the northern coast of spain right by the Spanish/French border. Arrive Wed morning.
Wed night (22), staying in San Sebastian, apparently a favorite place of Hemmingway's in the book, The Sun Also Rises.
Thursday midday get on a train to Barcelona.
Thursday night (23), Friday night (24), stay in Barcelona. Possibly take a bicycle tour of the city. Visit with an Aggie friend who is studying abroad in Barcelona.
Saturday midday (25), fly from Barcelona to Milan, then take a train back home
Sunday:Rest!
The end.
I am traveling with six girls the whole time. Should be exciting. Keep us in your prayers while we are on the road.
Thats all for now.
AJL
Wednesday, October 08, 2003
So, the past few weeks I have been leading an English conversation class where the school invites the locals to come and chat with us in an informal setting. This allows them to practice their English, something they really desire to learn better. So for the past few weeks we have all been getting to know each other. Well, this girl named Frederica has been coming semi regularly. Tonight one of our discussion topics was good places to shop in Arezzo and Cast. Fno. Well Frederica was telling me about this great place to buy shoes and well she told me she was going on Saturday and she invited me to come. So, I am soo excited because not only am I finally going shoe shopping; I am going with a real Italian girl, and her sister is going too. They both speak English pretty well. I am so excited. So thats fun.
Tomorrow we go on a field trip to Siena with school. It starts early so I am off to bed. I am having a bit of the ol allergies too.. So I need my sleep. :)
Buonanotte,
amanda
Tomorrow we go on a field trip to Siena with school. It starts early so I am off to bed. I am having a bit of the ol allergies too.. So I need my sleep. :)
Buonanotte,
amanda
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Switzerland Update:
Hello all. I just got back from three days and two nights in Switzerland. It was the most amazing place I have seen on this trip yet. Maybe it is because I have never been to Colorado to see “real big” mountains but the Alps are one of God’s most astonishingly beautiful creations. It all started out late Thursday night. We were riding the 10:22 pm train from Florence to Brig, Switzerland. It was our first time to sleep in a couchette. It was so exciting. I mean, we have been on a train before, but a couchette was a totally new experience. Luckily, we reserved a four person couchette, so there was a decent amount of space. A couple of our friends were in a six person coutchette and the best I can describe that is like a human filing cabinet. They told me that it was so hot in their room that they couldn’t sleep. Anyways, our experience was much more enjoyable. We had a very nice conductor. He didn’t speak much English but he was so kind. He showed us everything we needed to know about and promised to wake us prior to our five AM arrival in Brig. And he did just that. A little before five he knocked on our door and we opened it and he had a breakfast kit waiting for all of us. How nice. We made our way to the small town we were staying in by train. It was still so dark outside but I was so anxious to see Switzerland. We really got a good look at it as we were on our last tram up the mountain to our small city of Gryon. It was between two larger cities, Bex (pronounced Bay) and Villars, a ski resort town. When we finally arrived at our hostel it was nine AM. They were just opening the front desk for the day. We checked in then promptly made a run to the grocery store for some food bc the town was so small they didn’t have any restaurants. After lunch, we did some serious napping seeing as we had had maybe five hours of sleep. That afternoon we signed up at our hostel to go to the thermal baths. We didn’t really know what they were. I thought it was kindof like a hot spring. But when we got there it was more like a hotel/resort. There was a huge pool that was naturally heated apparently. They had lots of hot tub like massaging jets you could sit in front of. They also had some shallow bubble pools and saunas and steam rooms and lots of stuff. It was just amazingly relaxing. The next day it was raining so we stayed in most of the day, except to go to the grocery store and get some cash. We played games and hung around. That night we had chocolate tasting put on by our hostel. We tasted Lindt, swiss made chocolate. You can get it in the states but it is not made in Switzerland. You can only get swiss made lindt in Switzerland. Then the next day it was raining some more so we stayed inside and played games some more. It was so much fun bc there were people from all over the world staying at this hostel and we just got to know them. Some people went hiking but I stayed inside, longing for a relaxing weekend. That night we had swiss wine tasting and then we went to Villars to a club. It was fun, and strikingly similar to clubs in America. The next day we got up and headed out hoping to catch an earlier train back to Cast. Fno. (our home). Well we got to Milan just fine after changing trains because of an Italian train strike. Once in Milan we couldn’t manage to get on an earlier train so we just waited around and ate some mc donalds. We were still going to make it to Florence in time for the train to Cast. Fno., but it was just going to be cutting it close, like ten minutes to get to our next train. And wouldn’t you know that our train was ten minutes late going into the station and we ran as fast as we could and just barely missed our train home. After lots of deliberating between staying the night and finding a cab to take us the hour and a half home we opted for the cab because it was surprisingly cheaper than a hotel. Around one Am we got home and paid a hefty bill to the very nice cab driver. We were very glad to be home as we had been traveling thirteen hours at this point.. All the struggle with the trains was worth every minute of Switzerland. Even though it was raining and foggy, it was a truly magical place. I will visit it again. If not this trip, I will be coming back again. Be assured of that. I shutter to think that I might have gone my whole life and never seen the Swiss Alps. Scary, isn’t it?
That’s all for now. This weekend I am taking it easy. I am just going to Florence on Sunday to visit my moms old roommate, TJ. She is taking me to her English speaking church! I am so excited. Maybe shell tell me some old stories about my momma.. I feel a little blackmail coming on.. haha, just kidding.
FYI, next Monday, a week from today, I will be leaving for Venice with my school for a five day field trip. Then next Friday, marks the start of our ten day break. My friends and I are going to Paris for a few days, then to Barcelona for a few days, then maybe to a small town on the coast by Barcelona. So starting next Monday I will be posting when I can ever get to the internet, which will probably be in an internet café somewhere along the way. So it will probably be short sweet and to the point next week and the week after that.
Love you all. Send me an email if you think of it. mandeyjane@hotmail.com you all get the scoop on what I am doing but I don’t get the scoop on what you are doing.
Ciao for now,
Amanda
Hello all. I just got back from three days and two nights in Switzerland. It was the most amazing place I have seen on this trip yet. Maybe it is because I have never been to Colorado to see “real big” mountains but the Alps are one of God’s most astonishingly beautiful creations. It all started out late Thursday night. We were riding the 10:22 pm train from Florence to Brig, Switzerland. It was our first time to sleep in a couchette. It was so exciting. I mean, we have been on a train before, but a couchette was a totally new experience. Luckily, we reserved a four person couchette, so there was a decent amount of space. A couple of our friends were in a six person coutchette and the best I can describe that is like a human filing cabinet. They told me that it was so hot in their room that they couldn’t sleep. Anyways, our experience was much more enjoyable. We had a very nice conductor. He didn’t speak much English but he was so kind. He showed us everything we needed to know about and promised to wake us prior to our five AM arrival in Brig. And he did just that. A little before five he knocked on our door and we opened it and he had a breakfast kit waiting for all of us. How nice. We made our way to the small town we were staying in by train. It was still so dark outside but I was so anxious to see Switzerland. We really got a good look at it as we were on our last tram up the mountain to our small city of Gryon. It was between two larger cities, Bex (pronounced Bay) and Villars, a ski resort town. When we finally arrived at our hostel it was nine AM. They were just opening the front desk for the day. We checked in then promptly made a run to the grocery store for some food bc the town was so small they didn’t have any restaurants. After lunch, we did some serious napping seeing as we had had maybe five hours of sleep. That afternoon we signed up at our hostel to go to the thermal baths. We didn’t really know what they were. I thought it was kindof like a hot spring. But when we got there it was more like a hotel/resort. There was a huge pool that was naturally heated apparently. They had lots of hot tub like massaging jets you could sit in front of. They also had some shallow bubble pools and saunas and steam rooms and lots of stuff. It was just amazingly relaxing. The next day it was raining so we stayed in most of the day, except to go to the grocery store and get some cash. We played games and hung around. That night we had chocolate tasting put on by our hostel. We tasted Lindt, swiss made chocolate. You can get it in the states but it is not made in Switzerland. You can only get swiss made lindt in Switzerland. Then the next day it was raining some more so we stayed inside and played games some more. It was so much fun bc there were people from all over the world staying at this hostel and we just got to know them. Some people went hiking but I stayed inside, longing for a relaxing weekend. That night we had swiss wine tasting and then we went to Villars to a club. It was fun, and strikingly similar to clubs in America. The next day we got up and headed out hoping to catch an earlier train back to Cast. Fno. (our home). Well we got to Milan just fine after changing trains because of an Italian train strike. Once in Milan we couldn’t manage to get on an earlier train so we just waited around and ate some mc donalds. We were still going to make it to Florence in time for the train to Cast. Fno., but it was just going to be cutting it close, like ten minutes to get to our next train. And wouldn’t you know that our train was ten minutes late going into the station and we ran as fast as we could and just barely missed our train home. After lots of deliberating between staying the night and finding a cab to take us the hour and a half home we opted for the cab because it was surprisingly cheaper than a hotel. Around one Am we got home and paid a hefty bill to the very nice cab driver. We were very glad to be home as we had been traveling thirteen hours at this point.. All the struggle with the trains was worth every minute of Switzerland. Even though it was raining and foggy, it was a truly magical place. I will visit it again. If not this trip, I will be coming back again. Be assured of that. I shutter to think that I might have gone my whole life and never seen the Swiss Alps. Scary, isn’t it?
That’s all for now. This weekend I am taking it easy. I am just going to Florence on Sunday to visit my moms old roommate, TJ. She is taking me to her English speaking church! I am so excited. Maybe shell tell me some old stories about my momma.. I feel a little blackmail coming on.. haha, just kidding.
FYI, next Monday, a week from today, I will be leaving for Venice with my school for a five day field trip. Then next Friday, marks the start of our ten day break. My friends and I are going to Paris for a few days, then to Barcelona for a few days, then maybe to a small town on the coast by Barcelona. So starting next Monday I will be posting when I can ever get to the internet, which will probably be in an internet café somewhere along the way. So it will probably be short sweet and to the point next week and the week after that.
Love you all. Send me an email if you think of it. mandeyjane@hotmail.com you all get the scoop on what I am doing but I don’t get the scoop on what you are doing.
Ciao for now,
Amanda
Monday, October 06, 2003
hello all. Its 1:25 AM (yes you read that right, 1:25 AM) and I just stepped out of a taxi cab I rode all the way from Florence. Yes, I rode a taxi cab 110 kilometers. Yes, it was very necessary because we missed the last train out of the station for the night. Yes, oddly enough an hour and a half cab ride was cheaper than a hotel. odd isnt it? It is a very long story but I am very tired so you will get to hear it tommorrow possibly. I just wanted you to know that we are all safe and sound in Cast. Fno.
Switzerland was to die for. I must go back again.. MUST MUST MUST...go back again, I loved it so much. Haven't ever seen anything like it.
Off to find my roomate, ciao for now. Then--- to bed.
Nanny, I didnt buy a coat yet.. very soon, i promise.
Very truly yours, Amanda
Switzerland was to die for. I must go back again.. MUST MUST MUST...go back again, I loved it so much. Haven't ever seen anything like it.
Off to find my roomate, ciao for now. Then--- to bed.
Nanny, I didnt buy a coat yet.. very soon, i promise.
Very truly yours, Amanda
Saturday, October 04, 2003
hi, quick post from Switzerland. It is, oh my gosh, so beautiful. It has been raining since we got there though. I am still having a blast. Last night we did chocolate tasting, and tonight we do fondue and wine tasting.. Love you all! Now I know why my mom couldnt manage to come back to the US from switz. for five years or so.
OK gotta go. more info on monday!
Love you lots! AJL
OK gotta go. more info on monday!
Love you lots! AJL
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Wednesday night at almost nine o clock.
Just got back from Florence. We saw the David today and we went to the Ufizzi Gallery as well. Two awesome places, for sure. It was overwhelming. All the art contained in those two places is overwhelming. Practically 90% of all the famous painting I learned in High School (thank you Mrs. A) were in the Ufizzi. We saw such painters as Giotto, Rapheal, Michealangelo, Botticelli (sp?), Titian, Tintoretto, Carrivaggio. WOW. How can I explain what that was like?
I am exhausted. Tomorrow I ride a night train to Switzerland. I am going to try to get some sleep tonight. I will write more after I get back.
love you all-- Amanda
Just got back from Florence. We saw the David today and we went to the Ufizzi Gallery as well. Two awesome places, for sure. It was overwhelming. All the art contained in those two places is overwhelming. Practically 90% of all the famous painting I learned in High School (thank you Mrs. A) were in the Ufizzi. We saw such painters as Giotto, Rapheal, Michealangelo, Botticelli (sp?), Titian, Tintoretto, Carrivaggio. WOW. How can I explain what that was like?
I am exhausted. Tomorrow I ride a night train to Switzerland. I am going to try to get some sleep tonight. I will write more after I get back.
love you all-- Amanda
