A New Country or Two

I feel as though there is way too much to talk about and way too little time to get it all posted. My internet in my apartment has been horrible lately and honestly I paid too much for it. However I can still use my school's wifi to connect with all of you! I just have to catch up.

I was able to take a trip to the French Riviera this past weekend. I signed up for the event before I left for Florence because of a limited time discount. So while all my CAPA friends went to the famous Oktoberfest, I went to the French Riviera. I booked the trip through a company called euro adventures. There are many like it here in Europe that take study abroad students on bus trips with tour guides and provided accommodation. Therefore, I was not entirely alone. We left Florence on Thursday night and got to our hostel in Nice, France around 1:00am. The next morning we took a train to Monaco, which is one of the smallest countries in the world. The train ride was about twenty minutes and took us along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. I have come to realize that no matter where you are in Europe, you are going to have an amazing view. Anyway as we got into the tour our guide kept telling us about how rich the area was considering Monte Carlo is one of the richest cities per capita in the world.While we were there the annual yacht show was going on. Yachts of over 200+ feet were filling the marinas. From what I saw Monaco has three ports for hosting yachts and they were all full. As we walked around we stopped at many spots with views just like the one I posted. All of them were equally captivating. I wish I could post them all! We also stopped by a church filled with tombs of all the rulers of the country including Princess Kelly. If any of you are a Mika fan you will know his song Grace Kelly. I finally know who he is talking about! ha! Her son has just gotten married. He lives in the castle at the top of the climb we made. A guard was firmly walking back and forth to keep his watch.

Look inside the mirror!

And of course we made it to the popular Casino de Monte Carlo. I was not able to play a hand but I got a fabulous picture of it while tons of Ferrari cars were driving by.

Enzo Ferrari

The Ferrari in the picture is very rare, being one of 399. After the casino we were able to venture on to do our own stuff. I met up with a guy from the group that was waiting for someone in the bathroom. We wanted to check out the less expensive, less famous casino next to the Monte Carlo. However, the guy in the bathroom never came back so we just took the train back to Nice. Neither of us were sure on how the trains worked so we just went with out guts and jumped on the next train. No worries we were knowledgeable enough to have chosen the correct one. Euro adventures provided Champagne for everyone later that night. I was able to meet everyone and hooked up with a group from Gonzaga. All of them were really nice which made me feel a bit less tense about being there alone. The next morning we headed to the Cannes beaches! The weather wasn't that great but I was able to lay out and jump into the Mediterranean Sea. As I posted on facebook, I did shabam there! Great accomplishment for all my camp friends. The water was very clear and pretty cold but I couldn't avoid the opportunity to swim there.
After Cannes, two of the girls from Gonzaga and I went to another stop between Cannes and Nice where we were told about a huge annual sale going on. The city was packed with people along the streets just looking for something to buy. All the stores had lined their merchandise outside on the sidewalk. It's hard for me to shop in that environment so I didn't buy anything. The girls I was with decided to meet up for dinner in Nice that night. We were told about a seafood place around the area so we took a map and started our search. We walked around for more  than an hour asking almost everyone along the way if they knew of the place. Turns out we went the completely wrong direction but finally got there around 10 pm. We were all eager for some Mediterranean seafood so it didn't bother us too much. Just the fact that our hour walk was really meant to be three. Needless to say we were ready to eat.

We got the most extreme seafood plate I have ever seen. Everything still looked like it could be swimming in the sea so I was kinda creeped out. I realize I am a crab girl! Anything else is too much. After that day I was ready for bed. There's something about going to the beach that takes all my energy away. The next morning we had to be out of our hostel by 10 am. The two girls from the day before and I spent the day walking around Nice. It was very low key and again the weather wasn't the best so we couldn't get out to do tubing or jet skiing which would have been so much fun. Instead we shopped. Many people in the cities of Florence and Nice place their work outside on the streets. Never would I think that I would be tempted to buy anything like that but we came across some art work that was very authentic. You could touch or smell the canvas and tell that he hadn't just made a copy of his work. All of them were very unique and extremely beautiful. He was also ready to whisk off with me and leave the pieces for my friends. It may have been a crush. haa! I chose to pass on that opportunity considering I was ready to be back in Florence. We left Nice around 4pm and got back to Florence 7 hours later. The trip was so relaxing and exactly what I needed for one of my first weekends abroad. Sometimes time away from what you are familiar with helps you continue with an eager attitude which I did, playing soccer!
This week was the beginning of the international student soccer tournament. CAPA got a group of 10 students to play. For two weeks we will have multiple games of 5 versus 5. Another girl and I are the only players that have ever played soccer so winning hasn't been happening. While it is very fun, my competitiveness remains very evident during the games. I have to say I miss soccer especially the smaller scale games. Beyond all that, I am still doing art and exploring the city. Everyday feels like an adventure!

Viola Forte!

Scarfs are a must have!

Wednesday night I was able to make it to the Fiorentina versus Perma soccer game!!! The stadium was across the train tracks so I got to see a lot of the city I hadn't ventured into yet. The fans were all 'tailgateing' outside the gates where they could get sandwiches or gelato before the game. I chose an Italian style hamburger. How is everything so good here?! The ticket was 20 euro and we got perfect placement for all three of the goals. During the first half, I was absorbing all the chanting and excitment from the fans. Behind one of the goals was a huge crowd of Florentines who were constantly cheering together and waving these giant flags. It was so thrilling! Here in Italy, soccer is our football so everyone was going crazy. All three of the goals were scored during the second half. Sadly one of them was scored while I was getting popcorn. It was literally right after the half ended so I was still waiting in line. Thankfully they scored two more! 'Viola Forte' meaning strong purple was a popular phrase used for the team in purple! I couldn't get a grasp on anything else they were saying but ever so often they would start a cheer that got the whole stadium up. So obviously I joined along and just clapped with them. The language barrier can't stop me from getting into a game!!! It got me back into sports considering I'm missing out on all the IU football games. As for now, I've got to go explore France! Yay traveling :)

Siena and San Gimignano

Once again my program here in Florence planned an event. Yesterday all but one of the 27 students in my program explored the cities of Siena and San Gimignano. There was no fee for the transportation so of course it was an attractive event. It also provides as an opportunity to bond more with my fellow CAPA mates which I am always eager to do. We traveled in a big two story bus. On the way to Siena we were surrounded by beautiful scenery. You would think that having the experience of traveling through California would suffice as enough beauty, but this was nothing like it. Grape vinyards, famous Italian roof tops, continuous countryside view, and the feeling of being in a new space was so captivating. It is really relaxing to know that while being so far away from home I can still feel comfortable. I was ready to be in a new city. Thankfully CAPA provided us with a tour guide. She had a very lovely accent so it was enjoyable to hear her speak. We first took a look inside the Church of San Domenico. Inside is a chapel dedicated to St. Catherine (Siena's patron saint) where they hold her preserved head. Her thumb is also within the cathedral walls. From the looks of both, she was a very small lady. On our way to the next cathedral we passed by many historical sites and medieval buildings.

The Duomo

After the Black Death, Siena went into decline and building development was repressed, leaving the city frozen in time. Therefore, many of the buildings had not been touched since the 14th century making it look older than Florence. The cities main cathedral, The Duomo, was also hurt by the plague. In an attempt to make it the biggest church in Christendom, the city aimed to extend it's walls. With only the new entrance built the area is now nothing but The Duomo is still spectacular.

Such awe!

My favorite part was the pulpit! After The Duomo, we walked to the Piazza del Campo.  Every year the famous Palio (horse race) is held there in honor of the city and the 17 Contrade (districts) which you can find symbols of all around the city. Piazza del Campo becomes a giant mosh of people willing to stand in the summer sun just to see 90 seconds of this legendary horse race. Somewhere around 40,000 people fit within the square. It is huge! After the tour we had two hours to explore the city.

Future ME :)

I ventured on to find a sit down place for lunch with four girls from my program. From what I said before, I always try to eat food that I wouldn't normally find in America. So I got the weirdest looking noodle name with wild boar sauce. It was a winner! We also looked around at the shops. We walked into a candle shop and I instantly noticed a girl decorating a candle with melted wax. In the picture is another woman cutting soft wax and then folding it for a desired look. It was a amazing and I believe this will be my future job. Finally know what I want to do with my life! haha
Our next stop was San Gimignano. Our way from Siena to this tiny city was just as spectacular as the last. We could see the city from fifteen minutes away sitting high on the hills. It's atmosphere is very much like the medieval towns I always imaged from my elementary fairs. It was fascinating! Our CAPA leader took us to a spot where we could see the most amazing countryside view I have ever seen.
She pointed out the spot where you could almost see Florence. I was like no way! Fifty minutes away and you could tell where Florence is! The city is known for it's wine and gelato. So guess what I bought...wine and gelato! The gelato store had a never ending line running outside with a sign above saying it was the gelato world champion 06/07 and 08/09.
It proved to be the most delicious gelato ever! I got raspberry, caramel, and vanilla. I am salivating just thinking about it! Now the wine was a spontaneous purchase. My friends and I walked into a store and I instantly noticed the giant bottles of red wine on the floor. I had never seen a bottle so large. I told my friends I was so tempted to buy it because I was so fascinated by the size. So I bought it and I didn't even get the largest one. I think it will last me the whole semester.
Being able to travel around Italy has given me a chance to witness things beyond my imagination. It still feels like a dream but I'm ready for more! For now I have to go draw a sculpture made during the renaissance for an assignment! No big deal...Check ya later :)

Down the Arno

Me, Amanda, and Valentina in front of Ponte Vecchio

CIAO!!! Today the programed event was a boat trip down the Arno River. I met the group going at my school before we walked to the loading spot just before the Ponte Vecchio. There was an older man named Marco waiting there to help us onto the tiny boat and then guide us along the river. He held possibly the biggest stick I have ever seen to push our way. The river is about 8 feet deep so you can understand why it needed to be so long. As we traveled down the Arno, Marco would talk about different spots along the river while a woman from our school, Valentina, translated. The Ponte Vecchio was the first bridge we went under. It is considered the most popular post card of Florence because it's the only bridge along the Arno that survived past WWII. Maybe you'll be the lucky one that gets that postcard ;) It is lined with shops that used to be the homes of butchers. Marco told us the river was the trashcan for all the excess meat the butchers didn't want, ew! The second bridge, Ponte Santa Trinita, has two sculptures that can only be admired from the river. The sculptures are both bull heads facing towards the river. The one facing up stream has a more annoyed expression while the one facing down stream is more relaxed.

He's the happy one!

The third bridge is were we turned around to head back. Along the way he spotted out a bell tower that could only be seen from our side because of the high buildings surrounding it. Also he mentioned that our boat is 90 years old and was used for transporting sand from the bottom of the river. The sand was used to touch up the buildings in Florence. Many people also use the river to row and fish.
The day was beautiful and I continue to learn a lot about the city. On my way back home, I found a store that was filled with just about anything you could ask for, including the hair dryer I had been looking for everywhere. Luckily, it is located right below my building! I just never saw it open until today.

Monte Ceceri Hike

My nap yesterday lasted a bit longer than I was expecting so sorry this is a day late...
My program planned a day hike to Monte Ceceri for September 9. So of course I attended this event! The day started off with my roommates and I meeting three other girls around 9 at the Duomo. We walked for about ten minuted to our bus which took us to a point in a small town called Fiesole (15 minutes out of Florence and the old Tuscan capital). I jumped off the bus and landed myself pretty much on top of Florence. WOW! I promise you I will never get tired of or used to seeing that. We began our hike around 10 with about 40 students from my program and another program called IE. These students are from a community college in southern California. I've discovered that there are a ton of other American students from different programs in Florence. So we hiked up the mountain which consisted of multiple steep stretches that made me realize I need to go running more. The leader is named Lorenzo who is the program director of both CAPA and IE.

He brought his dog along which was wonderful. It is typical to see people walking their dogs around the city and this gave me a chance to finally pet one.  He had us stop at multiple points to admire the view or give historical reference to where we were. At the top of the mountain is a pillar with an inscription explaining Leonardo da Vinci's flight experiments. Lorenzo explained that Da Vinci first tested flying here with his servants. We continued down the mountain to get into the heart of Fiesole. We were able to visit a monastery where we could witness monk's in action. Inside there was a prayer book where people from all over had written prayers, of course I added to it. I wouldn't be here without being so blessed. 
We finally got on to our lunch location, San Domenico. 

The restaurant was recommended by Lorenzo. He claims it is the best pizza place around. He helped everyone understand the menu but I chose to pick something random and try it. My pizza turned out to have corn, spinach leaves and huge slices of tomato on it. Perfect for my spontaneity! My sister, Suzanne, told me that Italy would make me love tomatoes. I'm not quite there yet but I did eat them. My desert was some kind of fried cream with fruit on top. I was exploring Italian food for this meal and will definitely never have that desert again. I prefer my gelato. All together the day was amazing! I got to hike the mountains of Italy while having Florence as my view :) 

If you wish to see more pictures go to my Facebook album!

Before the Nap

I just went on an amazing trip but before I tell you about that I must explain my first week (and take a nap)!!!
I am taking 5 classes: Sculpture, Drawing, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Art History: Renaissance through 20th Century, and Beginning Italian. All of my classes, except Italian are once a week for three hours. Gladly, Italian is held three times a week for an hour, fourty and I love it. My italian class has helped me so much for when I am out interacting with the locals! By the end, I am hoping I can speak to my landlady well enough to carry a conversation. It's sad that I can't interact with her as much because I would love to be able to ask her questions about the culture. For now I keep saying ciao (hello/goodbye), grazie (thank you), va bene (it's okay), buongiourno (good morning), and some other phrases like Come stai? (how are you? and no, you do not pronounce it like the American come...it's co-may). Before italian on Monday, I have sculpture. My professor is a young male Florentine :) He is really sweet but has never eaten a S'MORE! I was like buddy, let's go camping! He had no idea what marshmallows were.Wondering how this topic came up? My professor introduced working with clay by asking us to make a mold of something that represented us. Being an extreme lover of camp, I made a girl sitting cross legged holding a s'more stick infront of a camp fire :) It was pretty cute! My next class is art history. This week for the second half of class we went to Santa Croce. We will be going on field trips out to museums almost every week. YA, be jealous...I get to go actually see what all the rest of you find on a power point. It will certainly be the best part of the whole class. Now in my drawing class we almost went to the Duomo.

We walked to the art store to get our supplies and stopped by a little place that remakes pieces from the Duomo. The man working there told us we could go to the top of the Duomo for free (typically 8 euro) that day. Apparently September 8 is the Virgin Mary's birthday so every year on that day you can go inside for free and as a bonus they open up the balcony. My professor is crazy so she was like, we have to do this! But we didn't because her conscious told her we had to get some drawing done instead. Sadly I never got around to getting there that day because I had two other classes and didn't have time :( No worries though, I'm here for another three months! My final class is psychology and my professor is a typical psychology professor, kinda wacky. She makes the class so fun though and she is from IU!!! Small word right? The son of a CAPA staff member was sitting in on the class which created a much more interesting discussion. Actually having an Italian there to give true insight on the culture was great. And he pretty much confirmed that America is obese. Good job America!
Besides all my classes, I have been spending a lot of time with my roommates and just getting settled in. I'm still trying to figure out all the food here and what I should buy to make for meals. I have found plenty of stores though. I already bought a few cute items to flaunt when I get home :)

It's just the beggining :)

I know I am starting this a bit late but you know what they say, Better late than never! I'll do my best to remember what has happened since I left America 6 days ago.
From the second I could see the city out of my plane window I was in continuous aw, almost in tears. I had finally made it to the city I had been working so hard at getting to. It is beautiful! I still can't believe that I am here. I arrived on Friday, September 2, 2011 around 15.30 at the Florence airport. I got my baggage and jumped in a taxi to take me to my school, CAPA. While in the taxi I just keep looking all around me and trying to grasp this Italian city. The taxi drivers are fearless. They just go which I was okay with because I was ready to be in a bed. I hadn't slept much on the plane and had been traveling a good 18 hours since I left the Indianapolis airport. I went from Indy to Chicago to Madrid to Florence. The Madrid airport is huge! I was there for nearly 5 hours and was completely okay with it. The view from the airport was beautiful and the people around me were all speaking Spanish. Proudly I could understand a lot more that I ever dreamed I could. Also, I spent my first Euro there which made me feel legit. :)

My Roommates!

Anyway, back to Florence...After speaking to a few staff members at CAPA they quickly sent me on my way to my Florentine home, Borgo La Croce, 63. My Georgia roommate, Kara, came down the three flights of stairs to greet me. She helped me get my lovely 50 pound suitcase to our apartment. My first impression of the place was that it is a lot bigger than I was ever expecting. It's bigger than my place in Bloomington! I am living in the larger of the two rooms with my other roommate, Kelly, who is from Minnesota. Our view is of hills and not some dirty building which I am very grateful for! My landlady, Firmita, quickly realized I had shown up. She gave me my key and a nice welcome to Florence. She speaks barely enough english for me to understand her. There is a lot of hand gesturing and my Italian class to help with that. After exploring my apartment I decided I would nap, contrary to what my brother, Kurt, recommended. Sorry! I woke up to greet Kelly when she arrived around 23.00 that same day. We unpacked together and fell asleep to the noise of crazy Italians outside.
The next day we had orientation where we meet all 27 students in the program and two of the staff members. They told us about class rules and gave some insight on the culture. They also gave us a tour. It is quite a small city so about an hour of walking around covered a lot of Florence. I got my first look at the Duomo, which remains the largest brick dome ever constructed. Let me tell you, this thing is magnificent! I will be walking the streets here and turn a corner to find myself looking directly at the cathedral. I have to stop and remember that I'm not in Indiana.
At the end of that day, I had finally gotten gelato (amazing ice cream!!!) into my stomach and enough groceries for the next few days. I was still really tired but I spent that night getting to know the people in my program. Five of us are from IU and another from Purdue. The rest come from all around (Colorado, California, New York, Pennsylvania). It's a great group and I can't wait for the rest of the semester.
There is certainly more to say but for now this is what I got. Sorry for the super long blog. I will be sure to keep you all updated and post some pictures! CIAO :)