so the first stop on our bus2 alps northern loop extravanganza spring break trip was to prague, aka praha. firstly a little eductaion.
praha comes from the word prah which means threshold in czech. the way this city got the name threshold was that one of the princesses long ago was a clairvoyant and she could see that the man whom she would marry was sitting awaiting for her on a threshold. so she sent out her men to go find this person. she gave them some details(like the city where he lived) and the fact that he would be waiting on a threshold. well they did not believe her, but low and behold there he was, waiting on a prah for the kingdom. so they named the city where he was waiting praha. o and the city where he was waiting was to be the new capital and become the most prosperous city(which it did).
but anways. prague was absolutely amazing. when we all first woke up from the 16 hour bus ride, we were some where still in the mountains and it was snowing!!! well we got into our hostel, which was really nice. had a yummy breakfast(amazing scrambled eggs) freshened up and went out for our walking tour of prague. we went to the old city center and saw the old clock tower, which on every hour puts on a little show for you. its like a huuge old cookoo clock, there are little figurines that dance around, a rooster crows and then at the very end, a live man on the top of the tower sounds the horn. it was a fun way to start off the tour(especially since it was rainy, windy and cold, but not horrible) so we walk around prague see the new town center(more modern) then cross the river to see the jewish quarters. at the entrance of the old jewish ghetto they have a statue of kafka(b/c he was jewish) and on the tile surrouding him is the shape of a beetle. i really enjoyed this becuase metamorphosis is one of my favorite books. it was the first book that really challenged me to understand what else he was saying, and i got really into figuring it out. we walked around the old jewish quarter than walked over to the river where we could see the charles bridge and the castle. it was here that we ended to the tour and went to lunch.
for lunch we had the traditional czech food varnishka! we had no clue what to eat so we asked our tour guide, kate, what her favorite food was, which she said was varnishka. so we trust her, get to the resturant she suggested and order. now let me tell you....soooo goooood. it was steak covered in the sweet tangy savory gravy, with sweet cranberrys and whipped cream on top. with czech dumplings(which is basically like a very moist and yummy bread). least to say i became a proud member of the clean plate club that day. we also ordered the traditoinal pilsner beer and enjoyed a very much needed heavy lunch.
after lunch we walked around a bit then headed back to the hostel where we gathered to go on our first bar crawl. this one was one of my favorites of the trip. we went to like 3 or 4 different bars and for the first 1 and half had free drinks. it was here that we had our first(and only) absinthe shot. abinsthe, contrary to many americans beliefs does not make you hallucinate, you have to do something special to it to do that, otherwise it is just a very strong alcohol. and let me tell you, it doesnt go down easy. but anyways we hoppped from bar to bar(the first was was called church! represent london what what?! lol) but ya it was a really fun first night on the trip.
the next morning we got up and went on a little tour wiht our awesome guide leaders before heading to the castle tour. we saw the peeing guys statues(which is litterally two guys peeing, facing each other) than we headed over to the john lennon wall. here i got a little emotional. i was tired and whenever i see the beatles i think of my family. and there it was the perfectly spray painted picture of the yellow subamarine, which is by far the most important beatles song to me. so after taking some awesome photos and writing the opening lyrics to hey jude on the wall we went to charles bridge.
charles bridge is named after king charles, who everone loved(there is also a charles university) it is the oldest bridge in prague and has survived like everything. it is now only a pedestrian bridge and is lined with a tone of statues and of course vendors selling stuff. after walking over the bridge(and seeing the absinthe museum) we met up wtih our tour guide for the walking tour of the castle of prague(which is massive!)
see upcoming post for more prague shannanigans
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
happy 150th italy!
150 years ago today Victor Emanuel united Italy into one state. Although Italy and italians have been around forever, they have never been one united country. They actually had similar problems as America did with their north and south. the north was industrialized and hated the south.
but ya, there are major celebrations goign on all over rome, there are italian flags everywhere and the city has kind of shut down cause everyone has off. however it is rainy, so not the best day to celebrate. but it is still cool to be here on such an important holiday!
but ya, there are major celebrations goign on all over rome, there are italian flags everywhere and the city has kind of shut down cause everyone has off. however it is rainy, so not the best day to celebrate. but it is still cool to be here on such an important holiday!
London!!! where everything is proper!
so this past weekend i got to visit my love jessica in london! let me preface this with i did not think i was goign to make it there. london was one of the last trips i booked and i already thought i blew through my travel budget when i booked this. but i am sooo happy i got to go.
my plane left at 10 in the morning so to get there on time i had to wake up at like 6, it was a very long morning, but hours later i finally met up with j. we went back to her place, which is much more modern and larger than mine here in rome is, and we went to get some fish and chips. becuase this was my second time to london i had already experienced fish and chips, but i forgot how huuge a piece of fish they give you! but anways we got fish, and starbucks before that( a carmel macchiato..mmmmm) then we walked around regents park which is right near her apt. regents park is so pretty and manicured its crazy. it is also here that jess told me of how proper dogs walk, and its true! dogs prance in england, they dont walk like everywhere else. so after walking around regents park we decide to meet up with some people, that i know! and taht jess has made friends wtih at this int'l student bar. it was there that i had my first legal cider, becuase last time i was in england i was only 17! it was yummy, but little to my knowledge there is a yummier drink. its called a snakbite, and although my dad told me a traditional snack bite is a lil differ, ours was half cider half beer wiht some current juice in it. its soo yummy. like englands version of a fruity girl drink. after having a couple of drinks and singing karoeke, we head back to her place.
the next morning jen(who stayed the first night with us) jess and i got up and started to explore around london! first we went to the starbucks 2 seconds away from her apt, then got some yummy rolls at her local food store(which is one thing i miss here in rome, ours are not at all liek the ones at home, and far away from me...i want to go back to london for one) so we take the tube into the touristy part of town, go to where we can get student discount tickets and we happen upon jersey boys and get cheap tickets for a box for that night! after we thought perfect time for lunch! so we head over to chipotle!!!!!! it was soooo good, expensive but worht it! o before chipotle we went to convent gardens where i found the wine bar that my family and i ate dinner in our first night in london, it tugged at my heart string a bit, knowing that i was back there two year later. anyways so after chipotle we go to the book store which is the book store of the book store and music store that diagon alley is in between( accodring to a harry potter fan, i didnt know this) and go in and and look around. after we take the tube to go see the peter pan statue! i love the peter pan statue, it just makes me smile.
so we walk through the park, and get to the big ben, parliament and th elondon eye. since we stayed like two seconds away from the london eye when i came with my fam, of course i find the hotel, and take pics with it. but there was a starbucks nere there, so we went in for starbucks round 2! after starbucks replenishes our engery we decide to go to kingscross and go to platform 9 3/4!!! it was cool to see it, even though it wasnt technically inbetween platforms 9 and 10, it was in the main corridor that it is in the movie.
so after the platform we decide to head back to the picadilly area to get some pub food before teh show. we get meat pies( i got a steak and ale pie, yummy) and we all get my dads favorite beer, bombhader(or somethign like that). it was once again a delicious meal. soo yummy :) we finish dinenr just in time and head to the theatre. our friend jared, who was also in from rome visiting friends happens to be the box across from us in the theatre, which was funny. so we watch jersey boys. i come from italy, to london to watch a show about people who live in jersey, who are of italian decent. makes me laugh, not seeing a british play, but w/e it was really good. and one of the lead guys looked like charlie sheen, which made it a lil better too lol.
so after the show jen goes to her cousins and jess and i go out with her rooamtes to a a locla pub had some drinks and went home, for an early night
saturday jess and i just wandered around london, took it easy, since we did all of the touristy things the day before jess and i decide to go to afternoon tea. tea was so much fun. we had finger sandwiches, scones and yummy desserts, all on the that cute little silver stacker thing. and not to mention the tea, best tea ive had. i had spring time tea, which was fruity and yummy. after tea we went to harrods and window shopped then went to this store top shop, which i wish was my cousin, but we did not buy anything(everything was so expensive)
after harrods we went to brick street to meet up with jess's roommate for indian food! it was yummy, a little expensive like all of london, but i really enjoyed the variety. we then went down the street a little to get some bagels! or should i say beigels( or something weird like that) after beigels were bought we went to this dance club with all of her roomates. i was exhausted but it was still fun to go out in london.
we get back, and decide to go to church the next day. however, church is a day club. people dress up all crazy and drink from noon-4. it was a blast. we did crazy kesha-esk eye make up dress in greeen for st pattys day and go to church. we were exhausted afterward and had hw to do, so we just stayed in took a nap and did hw.
jen came back and we took the 3 am shuttle to our 6 am flight. got back to rome, and i went straight to class. had midterms a paper due, and here we are, the day i leave for spring break to prague, berlin, amsterdam and paris! still need to pack. but im about to go do that!
ciao rome, for now
my plane left at 10 in the morning so to get there on time i had to wake up at like 6, it was a very long morning, but hours later i finally met up with j. we went back to her place, which is much more modern and larger than mine here in rome is, and we went to get some fish and chips. becuase this was my second time to london i had already experienced fish and chips, but i forgot how huuge a piece of fish they give you! but anways we got fish, and starbucks before that( a carmel macchiato..mmmmm) then we walked around regents park which is right near her apt. regents park is so pretty and manicured its crazy. it is also here that jess told me of how proper dogs walk, and its true! dogs prance in england, they dont walk like everywhere else. so after walking around regents park we decide to meet up with some people, that i know! and taht jess has made friends wtih at this int'l student bar. it was there that i had my first legal cider, becuase last time i was in england i was only 17! it was yummy, but little to my knowledge there is a yummier drink. its called a snakbite, and although my dad told me a traditional snack bite is a lil differ, ours was half cider half beer wiht some current juice in it. its soo yummy. like englands version of a fruity girl drink. after having a couple of drinks and singing karoeke, we head back to her place.
the next morning jen(who stayed the first night with us) jess and i got up and started to explore around london! first we went to the starbucks 2 seconds away from her apt, then got some yummy rolls at her local food store(which is one thing i miss here in rome, ours are not at all liek the ones at home, and far away from me...i want to go back to london for one) so we take the tube into the touristy part of town, go to where we can get student discount tickets and we happen upon jersey boys and get cheap tickets for a box for that night! after we thought perfect time for lunch! so we head over to chipotle!!!!!! it was soooo good, expensive but worht it! o before chipotle we went to convent gardens where i found the wine bar that my family and i ate dinner in our first night in london, it tugged at my heart string a bit, knowing that i was back there two year later. anyways so after chipotle we go to the book store which is the book store of the book store and music store that diagon alley is in between( accodring to a harry potter fan, i didnt know this) and go in and and look around. after we take the tube to go see the peter pan statue! i love the peter pan statue, it just makes me smile.
so we walk through the park, and get to the big ben, parliament and th elondon eye. since we stayed like two seconds away from the london eye when i came with my fam, of course i find the hotel, and take pics with it. but there was a starbucks nere there, so we went in for starbucks round 2! after starbucks replenishes our engery we decide to go to kingscross and go to platform 9 3/4!!! it was cool to see it, even though it wasnt technically inbetween platforms 9 and 10, it was in the main corridor that it is in the movie.
so after the platform we decide to head back to the picadilly area to get some pub food before teh show. we get meat pies( i got a steak and ale pie, yummy) and we all get my dads favorite beer, bombhader(or somethign like that). it was once again a delicious meal. soo yummy :) we finish dinenr just in time and head to the theatre. our friend jared, who was also in from rome visiting friends happens to be the box across from us in the theatre, which was funny. so we watch jersey boys. i come from italy, to london to watch a show about people who live in jersey, who are of italian decent. makes me laugh, not seeing a british play, but w/e it was really good. and one of the lead guys looked like charlie sheen, which made it a lil better too lol.
so after the show jen goes to her cousins and jess and i go out with her rooamtes to a a locla pub had some drinks and went home, for an early night
saturday jess and i just wandered around london, took it easy, since we did all of the touristy things the day before jess and i decide to go to afternoon tea. tea was so much fun. we had finger sandwiches, scones and yummy desserts, all on the that cute little silver stacker thing. and not to mention the tea, best tea ive had. i had spring time tea, which was fruity and yummy. after tea we went to harrods and window shopped then went to this store top shop, which i wish was my cousin, but we did not buy anything(everything was so expensive)
after harrods we went to brick street to meet up with jess's roommate for indian food! it was yummy, a little expensive like all of london, but i really enjoyed the variety. we then went down the street a little to get some bagels! or should i say beigels( or something weird like that) after beigels were bought we went to this dance club with all of her roomates. i was exhausted but it was still fun to go out in london.
we get back, and decide to go to church the next day. however, church is a day club. people dress up all crazy and drink from noon-4. it was a blast. we did crazy kesha-esk eye make up dress in greeen for st pattys day and go to church. we were exhausted afterward and had hw to do, so we just stayed in took a nap and did hw.
jen came back and we took the 3 am shuttle to our 6 am flight. got back to rome, and i went straight to class. had midterms a paper due, and here we are, the day i leave for spring break to prague, berlin, amsterdam and paris! still need to pack. but im about to go do that!
ciao rome, for now
Tuscany weekend
So i know this is coming a little late, but better late than never! right?
anyways. So two weekend ago i went on a school trip to Pisa, Florence and the Tuscan country side(i forget the name of the little town we were in). But we took a 7 am bus(early but worth it) and drove a few hours to Pisa. Pisa is a very small town, which basically only has the leaning tower of Pisa. When we got there we had a little walking tour of the Baptistery the Church and then the Leaning Tower. We learned that the tower is leaning because the ground is too soft, and that just about every other building built there, even the trees, lean as well. I really thought that was interesting, and i thought of my friend eric the entire time, because he is an architecture major. so when the tour was done we took the typical touristy pics then walked around town for a little bit. as we were walking back we happen upon a gelato shop that actually says yogurt so we were like "oo a change, i love yogurt!" so we went in and actually got amazing vanilla cherry ice cream, and wow i cant remember the other flavor right now...but it was really good. so ya we spent hte afternoon walking around pisa, ate mcdonalds for lunch(dont judge it was delicious) and then took the bus back to our hotel.
At the hotel we were provided with a very lovley dinner than we all just hung around the hotel bar and in our rooms for the night, it was a long day.
so the second day we went into florence. Since i had already been there it wasnt like o-m-g look at the duomo(i already knew it was pretty big). but it was nice to go back to the leather market and shop around with friends. When we were in the market we actually asked a local vendor for a good sandwich shop that was good. he told us of one around the corner, which we found and when we got there we did the roman thing. asked for the best sandwich, with truffles on it(looooove truffles). so the shop owner makes us all a truffle, sun dried tomato smoke provolone sandwich, it was heavenly. After lunch we split up and jen, lisa and i went to the ufizi(the museum with the birth of venus) and saw all of those amazing paintings. little to my knowledge the birth of venus is huuuge, and beautiful, im really glad we made it to the museum.
so we get back to the hotel eat dinner, and like natural italians everyone bought at least 2 bottles of wine, so the entire group from AUR was chilling together drinking wine and having a fun time. it was actually a really fun night.
the next day we get up some what early have breakfast and head to the tuscan country side. i was falling asleep on and off but when i was awake the scenery was amazing. beautiful rolling hills of green with vineyards lining the roads. it was soooo pretty. so we get there, get a tour of the vineyard, have a wine tasting and get lunch. but lunch for them is no normal lunch, it is a four course feast in their restaurant that has the most gorgeous view i have ever seen. so we sit down and they give us our third wine to taste with our antipasta dish. it was two types of salami and two types of proscutto with bruschetta. and let me tell you, this meat was amazing. it was so flavorful and delicious. then we get our second course which was pasta bolognese. but really good tuscan pasta in a really good bolognese sauce. and not only did we get firsts of the pasta, they came around and gave us seconds. but it was soo good, with thier fresh pecorino cheese sprinkled on top, my mouth waters just thinking about it! after the seconds of pasta a bunch of people start going outside to chill and look at the view(it was the perfect weather outside, sunny and warm, no jackets needed) and of course we take pictures and sit there sipping our wine while enjoying a nice break from stuffing our faces with amazing food. we come back in to the main course, roasted chicken and potatoes. the chicken literally fell off the bone(yes i was a big girl and ate chicken on the bone) but it was sooo good. we walk around a little more than come dessert. which i kid you not, tasted like an apricot humantashen. it was yummy and homey, made me think of purim :). but anyways we finish lunch early and are able to explore the vinyard some more. i have never seen such a pretty part of the country, or a prettier landscape or anythign just as breathtaking as the views of the countryside. if i can afford it when im older, i will buy a vacation home there. i can never get sick of the views of this place.
so after one of the most amazing days, we head home to rome, but it was good to get back
btw all pictures are on facebook!
anyways. So two weekend ago i went on a school trip to Pisa, Florence and the Tuscan country side(i forget the name of the little town we were in). But we took a 7 am bus(early but worth it) and drove a few hours to Pisa. Pisa is a very small town, which basically only has the leaning tower of Pisa. When we got there we had a little walking tour of the Baptistery the Church and then the Leaning Tower. We learned that the tower is leaning because the ground is too soft, and that just about every other building built there, even the trees, lean as well. I really thought that was interesting, and i thought of my friend eric the entire time, because he is an architecture major. so when the tour was done we took the typical touristy pics then walked around town for a little bit. as we were walking back we happen upon a gelato shop that actually says yogurt so we were like "oo a change, i love yogurt!" so we went in and actually got amazing vanilla cherry ice cream, and wow i cant remember the other flavor right now...but it was really good. so ya we spent hte afternoon walking around pisa, ate mcdonalds for lunch(dont judge it was delicious) and then took the bus back to our hotel.
At the hotel we were provided with a very lovley dinner than we all just hung around the hotel bar and in our rooms for the night, it was a long day.
so the second day we went into florence. Since i had already been there it wasnt like o-m-g look at the duomo(i already knew it was pretty big). but it was nice to go back to the leather market and shop around with friends. When we were in the market we actually asked a local vendor for a good sandwich shop that was good. he told us of one around the corner, which we found and when we got there we did the roman thing. asked for the best sandwich, with truffles on it(looooove truffles). so the shop owner makes us all a truffle, sun dried tomato smoke provolone sandwich, it was heavenly. After lunch we split up and jen, lisa and i went to the ufizi(the museum with the birth of venus) and saw all of those amazing paintings. little to my knowledge the birth of venus is huuuge, and beautiful, im really glad we made it to the museum.
so we get back to the hotel eat dinner, and like natural italians everyone bought at least 2 bottles of wine, so the entire group from AUR was chilling together drinking wine and having a fun time. it was actually a really fun night.
the next day we get up some what early have breakfast and head to the tuscan country side. i was falling asleep on and off but when i was awake the scenery was amazing. beautiful rolling hills of green with vineyards lining the roads. it was soooo pretty. so we get there, get a tour of the vineyard, have a wine tasting and get lunch. but lunch for them is no normal lunch, it is a four course feast in their restaurant that has the most gorgeous view i have ever seen. so we sit down and they give us our third wine to taste with our antipasta dish. it was two types of salami and two types of proscutto with bruschetta. and let me tell you, this meat was amazing. it was so flavorful and delicious. then we get our second course which was pasta bolognese. but really good tuscan pasta in a really good bolognese sauce. and not only did we get firsts of the pasta, they came around and gave us seconds. but it was soo good, with thier fresh pecorino cheese sprinkled on top, my mouth waters just thinking about it! after the seconds of pasta a bunch of people start going outside to chill and look at the view(it was the perfect weather outside, sunny and warm, no jackets needed) and of course we take pictures and sit there sipping our wine while enjoying a nice break from stuffing our faces with amazing food. we come back in to the main course, roasted chicken and potatoes. the chicken literally fell off the bone(yes i was a big girl and ate chicken on the bone) but it was sooo good. we walk around a little more than come dessert. which i kid you not, tasted like an apricot humantashen. it was yummy and homey, made me think of purim :). but anyways we finish lunch early and are able to explore the vinyard some more. i have never seen such a pretty part of the country, or a prettier landscape or anythign just as breathtaking as the views of the countryside. if i can afford it when im older, i will buy a vacation home there. i can never get sick of the views of this place.
so after one of the most amazing days, we head home to rome, but it was good to get back
btw all pictures are on facebook!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
forgot how slow comps used to be. thank g-d for blackberrys
so my computer is currently at school awaiting the dell tech guy to come and give it a new fan and mother board, becuase it decided to break. so i am using the computer they provided for us. and let me tell you, other than the fact that an european keyboard is comptley different than a normal u.s. one, it is soooo slow. i don't know how old it is, it reminds me of our first computer, but like i said thank gd i have a bberry.
but ya just a litle post for those of you reading about how i hate technology. i like it a little better but am still very frustrated, esp when i have to write at least a 6 pg paper by next wed, study for italian quiz tomorrow, study for int'l bus midterm for next tues, study for italian midterm next wed, and go to london thurs morning....this is going to be an interesting week.....
but ya just a litle post for those of you reading about how i hate technology. i like it a little better but am still very frustrated, esp when i have to write at least a 6 pg paper by next wed, study for italian quiz tomorrow, study for int'l bus midterm for next tues, study for italian midterm next wed, and go to london thurs morning....this is going to be an interesting week.....
Thursday, March 3, 2011
now this post is about venice!
so we get off the train at Venice and are greeted with such a pretty view of Venice. Right there is bridge(one of thousands i'm sure), so of course, first photo-op of Venice on the bridge! it is there that I see a Mephisto store and think of my grandmothers love affair with those shoes, and the 30 minute lecture on why they are such amazing shoes. anyways we take pics on the bridge, cross the wrong way go into a Murano glass store only to be told the main part of that island was where we just came from, cross back over and head towards the Jewish ghetto to meet Jared. We get a little lost on the way there, turn around go down an alley than happen upon Gam Gam's backery. well, Gam Gams just so happens to be a Jewish backer, on a Friday, so what do they have, CHALLAH! so for 3 euros we get a big challah to share. Not only was this good challah but it was jens first challah she has ever had! and well you know the ending, of course it was delicious(great harvest is still the best because of all the eggs, but this was so nice and homey to have some challah on shabbas) but anyways as we are walking, we think in the right direction we just happen to run into jared, which was very convenient cause we were trying to meet up with him. so we walk a little bit more into the ghetto and see a Judaica store and go in. well of course i buy something two mezzuzahs in murano glass, sooo pretty. jared got one too, but he bought the scroll to make it kosher(40 euro more so i passed). but anyways as we left the store for some reason Jared all of a sudden decides to wish us all a good shabbas. Well.....none other than a member of the chabbad there in Venice sees Jared doing this approaches us and asks if we were going to the shabbas dinner that night. We say o we didn't know about it, he gives us details when and where and says hopefully see you there. Of course we decide to go, who turns down a free meal! it would also be really cool to experience a shabbas meal in a different part of italy(for those keeping count that is now my third shabbas meal here in Italy, and at home....i think one the entire semester) so Jared goes to services the girls walk around a little bit more, than we meet up at the resturant and have a delicious shabbas meal. It was funny becuase all of the chabad members are American all the tunes for kiddish were the same so we were able to sing along.
Actually at dinner we met two Israeli girls who were also visiting venice and they were really nice. One was actually a sniper in the army!(pretty bad ass if you ask me) but so we sang and prayed a lil and ate and had a really nice free meal! afterwords we were ganna try to go out on the main island but didn't know of anything, but our taxi driver did tell us of this bar 2 minutes away from us that has live music on the weekends so we head there. and on the way we are walking meet other american students and chat for a bit, one of the guys stays near us so he came back to the bar with us. and omg the bar was so much fun!
so at this bar, its all local italians, pretty packed. well we find seats get some beer( i actually dont cause i didnt have money! kinda ran out...woops) but anyways we were just chillin, the new guy leaves and we try to find seats closer to the band. we got a table and so happy we did. this band was amazing! i mean they played oldies like pink floyd and bob dylan. he was rocking out on the guitar, absolutley amazing! so we stay there till they get off, have a blast and get back to our hotel and pass out!
saturday we get up with the boys leave the hostel and go to san marco, the main island for celebration. the boys heard of a fish market they have so we walk there to check it out. on the way we see the island which was really nice. we walked over a hundred bridges and walked in little alley ways but thats how venice is. so on the way we see this little garden with these swing things, and of course we get in them and photo-op. we move on and get to the fish market, not huuuge, but big. it was pretty cool because there was a ton of fish. so after the fish market we split up for a little bit. Jared comes with the girls and the other two boys went off on their own. that was when we decided to take a gondala ride! on our ride we saw marco polo's house, casanova's house and the old prison where he was the only one to escape! it was a lot of fun. i got nervous sometimes becuase well its in the water, and sometimes you dip down close to the water.
after our gondala ride we decide to put our masks on and start the carnivale celebration! we meet up with the rest of the boys in san marco square, where the stage is that plays music and has different festivites at night. after another photo-op with our masks on this time, we walk around a bit.after some walking and touring we decide to find a super market and get some wine to enjoy the evening with. so we find a super market buy break, brie and wine(jen and i got presecco, italain chamagne!) and sat down at the waters edge and enjoy a lovely sun set with brie bread and booze(i like the b alliteration). after chilling for a while we decide to go to a pub before dinner and heading back to san marco sqaure to party! at the pub we got a big beer thing that had like 4 liters of beer and split that. well of course another photo-op ensues and it was just a really fun time.
after the pub we have to wonder around for a while to find dinner(everything was booked because of carnivale). we finally get dinner, i got a very yummy pizza with eggplant, artichoke and prosciutto. so after dinner we head to san marco square where they have music and drinks and we just had a blast dancing and drinking and celebrating with so many other people (btw carnivale means good bye meat, or something liek that. its the celebration before giving up meat for lent!) so we celebrate, and go back to our hotel where we hang out for a while then head to sleep.
sunday we take our time getting up, check out, and head to Murano for some glass! well Murano was pretty obviously lined with shops for the famous Murano/Venitina Glass. and it was a very successfull trip. many suvineers where bought for everyone by everyone! at one point we split up becuase ellen had to catch her early train so tim and max take ellen to the train station and jen, jared and i stay on the island and get lunch and shop. well we found a great little place with 5 euro pasta! yummy :). we also met a couple from America who had moved to Italy exactly 1 year before we arrived in Rome, which was pretty cool.
so we go back to san marco and walk around, which was not smart it was cold adn raining by this point so we finally convince jared to find a restaurant to eat in. we met up with the other boys and ate a leisurley dinner than headed back to the hostel to get our stuff(we left it there so we didnt have to carry it around). any ways we get to the train station early and decide to play asshole! well i havnt played in years, but i really should because i won most rounds(its called being the president). dont get me wrong i lost some too(was the asshole) but it was still fun to do while waiting. so we get on our train for the overnight train play another game and eventually pass out
well we get back to rome at 6 40, i get back to my apartment at 7 40ish, shower and pass out, only to get up at 11 to get to class!
overall- i love venice. it was so beautiful with all the canals and the bridges and the history. great place!
Actually at dinner we met two Israeli girls who were also visiting venice and they were really nice. One was actually a sniper in the army!(pretty bad ass if you ask me) but so we sang and prayed a lil and ate and had a really nice free meal! afterwords we were ganna try to go out on the main island but didn't know of anything, but our taxi driver did tell us of this bar 2 minutes away from us that has live music on the weekends so we head there. and on the way we are walking meet other american students and chat for a bit, one of the guys stays near us so he came back to the bar with us. and omg the bar was so much fun!
so at this bar, its all local italians, pretty packed. well we find seats get some beer( i actually dont cause i didnt have money! kinda ran out...woops) but anyways we were just chillin, the new guy leaves and we try to find seats closer to the band. we got a table and so happy we did. this band was amazing! i mean they played oldies like pink floyd and bob dylan. he was rocking out on the guitar, absolutley amazing! so we stay there till they get off, have a blast and get back to our hotel and pass out!
saturday we get up with the boys leave the hostel and go to san marco, the main island for celebration. the boys heard of a fish market they have so we walk there to check it out. on the way we see the island which was really nice. we walked over a hundred bridges and walked in little alley ways but thats how venice is. so on the way we see this little garden with these swing things, and of course we get in them and photo-op. we move on and get to the fish market, not huuuge, but big. it was pretty cool because there was a ton of fish. so after the fish market we split up for a little bit. Jared comes with the girls and the other two boys went off on their own. that was when we decided to take a gondala ride! on our ride we saw marco polo's house, casanova's house and the old prison where he was the only one to escape! it was a lot of fun. i got nervous sometimes becuase well its in the water, and sometimes you dip down close to the water.
after our gondala ride we decide to put our masks on and start the carnivale celebration! we meet up with the rest of the boys in san marco square, where the stage is that plays music and has different festivites at night. after another photo-op with our masks on this time, we walk around a bit.after some walking and touring we decide to find a super market and get some wine to enjoy the evening with. so we find a super market buy break, brie and wine(jen and i got presecco, italain chamagne!) and sat down at the waters edge and enjoy a lovely sun set with brie bread and booze(i like the b alliteration). after chilling for a while we decide to go to a pub before dinner and heading back to san marco sqaure to party! at the pub we got a big beer thing that had like 4 liters of beer and split that. well of course another photo-op ensues and it was just a really fun time.
after the pub we have to wonder around for a while to find dinner(everything was booked because of carnivale). we finally get dinner, i got a very yummy pizza with eggplant, artichoke and prosciutto. so after dinner we head to san marco square where they have music and drinks and we just had a blast dancing and drinking and celebrating with so many other people (btw carnivale means good bye meat, or something liek that. its the celebration before giving up meat for lent!) so we celebrate, and go back to our hotel where we hang out for a while then head to sleep.
sunday we take our time getting up, check out, and head to Murano for some glass! well Murano was pretty obviously lined with shops for the famous Murano/Venitina Glass. and it was a very successfull trip. many suvineers where bought for everyone by everyone! at one point we split up becuase ellen had to catch her early train so tim and max take ellen to the train station and jen, jared and i stay on the island and get lunch and shop. well we found a great little place with 5 euro pasta! yummy :). we also met a couple from America who had moved to Italy exactly 1 year before we arrived in Rome, which was pretty cool.
so we go back to san marco and walk around, which was not smart it was cold adn raining by this point so we finally convince jared to find a restaurant to eat in. we met up with the other boys and ate a leisurley dinner than headed back to the hostel to get our stuff(we left it there so we didnt have to carry it around). any ways we get to the train station early and decide to play asshole! well i havnt played in years, but i really should because i won most rounds(its called being the president). dont get me wrong i lost some too(was the asshole) but it was still fun to do while waiting. so we get on our train for the overnight train play another game and eventually pass out
well we get back to rome at 6 40, i get back to my apartment at 7 40ish, shower and pass out, only to get up at 11 to get to class!
overall- i love venice. it was so beautiful with all the canals and the bridges and the history. great place!
venice, verona and CARNIVALE!
so this post is going to be a doozy. just a heads up, its ganna be long
so, we start the trip meeting at AUR for the cab to pick us up at 5 15 to take us to the airport. well we wait, and wait and call and they say that we have a cab for tomorrow morning. well after some clarification they send us a taxi and while we wait i was like, duh! Jen ordered the cab for 5 15, well here in Europe that means 5 15 in the morning, not at night. so that is why they had us for the morning....but not biggie, just thought i would add that
so anyway, after the 1 hour flight(jens second flight! and amazing views of hte coast of italy) we land in venice. take a taxi to the hotel, deal with the very stubborn annoying, obnoxious dude at the counter and get to our rooms. hotel was pretty ok. we were in like this seperate villa so we had a common area to go with our shared bathroom and rooms(we shared the bathroom iwth the boys so it worked out fine) but ya so the girls decide to go to sleep becuase we had a 8am train to verona the next day, but the guys go out.
so we get up at 6 get out of the hotel a lil after 7 and get the 8 o clock train to verona. when we get to verona we try to figure out where juliets house is and hop on a bus. well when we try to get off only ellen got off, jen and i were stuck on. so we got off at the next stop and met in the middle. and wound up goign to this coffee place for capiccino, but ellen and i decide to get hot chocolate. and that was when i was introduced to the amazingness of chocolate calda(italian hot chocolate). this hot chocolate kicks nestles butt. i mean hard core kicks it. it is like drinking melted chocolate, but not too overpowering, just enough to be AMAZING! o and according to jen this was the best cappucino she has had yet(he sprinkled cocoa powder on top!)
so we walk around towards Juliet's house, stop on a really pretty bridge take pictures of the river going through Verona and really pretty churches. than we stop upon a bakery that had marzipan animals. not only did they have marzipan animals but they also had a million amazing looking desserts. i held my ground, but Ellen and Jen caved and got marzipan animals, which they enjoyed very much. so after our second little snack we are walking around in the heart of Verona and just happen upon Juliet's house. of course we were looking for it, but i just turn my head, and i was like "guys, we're here!" and let me tell you, i was not disappointed. to save money we didnt go inside to the museum, just went to the courtyard, but i so happy. i loved that we got to see her balcony and the little gardens and of Julietta. Well we all took our pictures near the balcony and with Julietta(and for some reason every one grabs her boob, we dont know why, but because everyone else did it we did too! lol) but anyway after taking a million pictures of the courtyard we go to the little tunnel to get to the courtyard where people all wrote like love notes and K+J=4ever, type things and it was actually really pretty. so what were we supposed to do, of course we had to take an artsy photo shoot(most pictures are on Jen's facebook, i have a few) but we were there for a good 30 min just taking pictures in diff poses and having a blast. after we decide too many tourist groups have passed, we move on to find Romeo's house!
on the way to Romeo we get called over by this guy in this shop were they are stitching names into things(those were all over Verona) but any way he goes tell her your name and she will do it for you! well skeptical me was like no this can't be free how much, and he insisted it was free, which it was. so we got our names stitched out all prettily(i'm making it a word, leave me a lone) but then of course we go in the shop and for 6 euro you can have a pot holder embroidered. well, i just had to get it. I got a heart shaped pot holder with D,L,J,M,R, on it (my families initials). I loved it because everytime it snows, or we are on the beach, my dad draws a huge heart and puts our initials in it. i love when he does that, its been something he has always done and always give me the warmest feeling, so of course i felt that again when i saw it on this heart(just a nice little piece of home with me almost).
well after our embroidered gifts, we run into none other than Garibaldi, well his statue at least. so we took some pictures with him in his little plaza thing. we saw a beautiful building area that was just really pretty. than on our way to romeo's house, find juliet's tomb. it was surrounded by gothic looking bells and a very gothic looking buliding. they were beautiful(pics on fb of course).
but anyways. we finally find romeo's house, which was converted to a very expensive restaurant, but still it was fun to see it(marked by a sign with a romeo quote) . so we move on from romeos house and find dante(his statue) in a cute little park!
of course we take some more pics than head back were find a court with old ruined tile floors underneath that we could see. and as we wondered back to the train, we eat at a restaurant where jen got a very little mermaid-esk fork(hence the pics of us "brushing" our hair with the fork)
well we then took the train back to Venice. and i think that Venice might be a second post. this one is long enough :)
so, we start the trip meeting at AUR for the cab to pick us up at 5 15 to take us to the airport. well we wait, and wait and call and they say that we have a cab for tomorrow morning. well after some clarification they send us a taxi and while we wait i was like, duh! Jen ordered the cab for 5 15, well here in Europe that means 5 15 in the morning, not at night. so that is why they had us for the morning....but not biggie, just thought i would add that
so anyway, after the 1 hour flight(jens second flight! and amazing views of hte coast of italy) we land in venice. take a taxi to the hotel, deal with the very stubborn annoying, obnoxious dude at the counter and get to our rooms. hotel was pretty ok. we were in like this seperate villa so we had a common area to go with our shared bathroom and rooms(we shared the bathroom iwth the boys so it worked out fine) but ya so the girls decide to go to sleep becuase we had a 8am train to verona the next day, but the guys go out.
so we get up at 6 get out of the hotel a lil after 7 and get the 8 o clock train to verona. when we get to verona we try to figure out where juliets house is and hop on a bus. well when we try to get off only ellen got off, jen and i were stuck on. so we got off at the next stop and met in the middle. and wound up goign to this coffee place for capiccino, but ellen and i decide to get hot chocolate. and that was when i was introduced to the amazingness of chocolate calda(italian hot chocolate). this hot chocolate kicks nestles butt. i mean hard core kicks it. it is like drinking melted chocolate, but not too overpowering, just enough to be AMAZING! o and according to jen this was the best cappucino she has had yet(he sprinkled cocoa powder on top!)
so we walk around towards Juliet's house, stop on a really pretty bridge take pictures of the river going through Verona and really pretty churches. than we stop upon a bakery that had marzipan animals. not only did they have marzipan animals but they also had a million amazing looking desserts. i held my ground, but Ellen and Jen caved and got marzipan animals, which they enjoyed very much. so after our second little snack we are walking around in the heart of Verona and just happen upon Juliet's house. of course we were looking for it, but i just turn my head, and i was like "guys, we're here!" and let me tell you, i was not disappointed. to save money we didnt go inside to the museum, just went to the courtyard, but i so happy. i loved that we got to see her balcony and the little gardens and of Julietta. Well we all took our pictures near the balcony and with Julietta(and for some reason every one grabs her boob, we dont know why, but because everyone else did it we did too! lol) but anyway after taking a million pictures of the courtyard we go to the little tunnel to get to the courtyard where people all wrote like love notes and K+J=4ever, type things and it was actually really pretty. so what were we supposed to do, of course we had to take an artsy photo shoot(most pictures are on Jen's facebook, i have a few) but we were there for a good 30 min just taking pictures in diff poses and having a blast. after we decide too many tourist groups have passed, we move on to find Romeo's house!
on the way to Romeo we get called over by this guy in this shop were they are stitching names into things(those were all over Verona) but any way he goes tell her your name and she will do it for you! well skeptical me was like no this can't be free how much, and he insisted it was free, which it was. so we got our names stitched out all prettily(i'm making it a word, leave me a lone) but then of course we go in the shop and for 6 euro you can have a pot holder embroidered. well, i just had to get it. I got a heart shaped pot holder with D,L,J,M,R, on it (my families initials). I loved it because everytime it snows, or we are on the beach, my dad draws a huge heart and puts our initials in it. i love when he does that, its been something he has always done and always give me the warmest feeling, so of course i felt that again when i saw it on this heart(just a nice little piece of home with me almost).
well after our embroidered gifts, we run into none other than Garibaldi, well his statue at least. so we took some pictures with him in his little plaza thing. we saw a beautiful building area that was just really pretty. than on our way to romeo's house, find juliet's tomb. it was surrounded by gothic looking bells and a very gothic looking buliding. they were beautiful(pics on fb of course).
but anyways. we finally find romeo's house, which was converted to a very expensive restaurant, but still it was fun to see it(marked by a sign with a romeo quote) . so we move on from romeos house and find dante(his statue) in a cute little park!
of course we take some more pics than head back were find a court with old ruined tile floors underneath that we could see. and as we wondered back to the train, we eat at a restaurant where jen got a very little mermaid-esk fork(hence the pics of us "brushing" our hair with the fork)
well we then took the train back to Venice. and i think that Venice might be a second post. this one is long enough :)
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