Sunday, November 29, 2009
To be young and living in Europe - Barcelona y La Vida Bonita
It’s beautiful here today. I sat outside on our humble, little terrace overlooking the courtyard between the neighboring apartment buildings. In the distance, you can see the enormous, brick dome of the Duomo and the peaks of cypress trees. Since I’ve been back in from Midterm Break I’ve tried to do this in the spare time I have between class and traveling. I’ve dedicated November to traveling Italy as much as I can before I leave in a few weeks because it holds such a special place in Europe and I haven’t seen nearly enough of it. This probably explains why I’ve been so inattentive to writing, but I’m sure you’d understand if you were sitting here with me. The weather has been incredibly mild and soft here. The warm, Tuscan sun illuminates everything around us with the same golden glow which makes you feel like you are living in the countryside even when you are very much a part of the city.
This is a huge part of the Italian lifestyle; take moments each day where you simply don’t do anything at all in order to realize you are living. It’s amazing how in just a few moments of doing this, you are able to feel more alive than you have in past weeks or months. It’s hard not to get caught up in the lifestyle that so many of us carry on, living from one event to the next; one class to the next class, one day at work to the next. Having worked in a profession that requires me to plan 8 hours a day 5 days a week, it is hard not to live in a constant state of “future.” This trip has been a wonderful reminder that while that is important to me and a skill that I am good at, living for now is indispensable and that there is no more perfect time than now to do just that.
Since we’re on the topic of enjoying life, I’ve found that the trend isn’t just exclusive to Italy. My friends and I spent the first half of our midterm break in Spain and fell in love with yet another European destination all over again. I’m not sure if it was the Sangria or the welcoming, warm weather that made me feel at home with this incredible, Mediterranean gem but I’ll never forget the Latin heat of Barcelona for as long as I live. One of my favorite moments was our trip on the second day to Mount Tibidabo. After a long and balmy walk up to the funicular stop, we could see in the distance that it was not just an amazing observation point but a theme park too. When we got to the top, our sights were confirmed and a large, twinkling Ferris wheel sat just beside the edge of the jagged cliffs leading back to the base of the mountain. A mix of families, tourists, and couples flocked to this place on the same night to relax with some popcorn or cotton candy in the presence of a view that was glowing with perfection. What I saw was a city which is a perfect mix between sea and urbanism. The furthest point was of course the Mediterranean cast in a periwinkle haze due to the setting sun and the purple sea. The enormity of the city lit up by the elegant lights from churches, buildings, street lights, and cars added to its luminosity. I loved that we were so far removed from the sounds that accompany all these elements of a city so that we could enjoy all of the unadulterated Barcelona in one single view. What happened next was less peaceful.
In order to get to all the sights of the city, we decided earlier in the day to take an open-air bus which dropped us at each point. The last pick up at each stop was at 8:15 and since we lost track of time, we essentially had to find our way down the mountain, down the hill that led us there in the first place, and to the bus stop all in 15 minutes. Some how we made it but it almost cost Sara her blackberry and me my shoes (which were not equipped for running the mile and ½ down the windy hills and streets.) Ay ay ay! Once we finally were on the bus, we exploded into laughter at how our time there had gone from being so peaceful to a near disaster since we would have faced an hour walk had we been 2 minutes later. It was time for some Sangria.
Part of the beauty of Barcelona stems from the love of architecture and the fusion of color and modern design which makes this city unique from any other. Since I began studying interior design, my professors have exposed me to a great deal of perspective on architecture in and of Europe. Gaudi’s artistic and architectural influences are evident all over the city from the warm splashes of mosaic found on city benches and fountains to the rich colors of store facades and monuments. The look and feel to modernism was welcoming after living in such a renaissance city for a few months.
We spent one afternoon exploring yet another one of Gaudi’s masterpieces, Park Guell, for a full immersion into real Catalonian culture. Locals and tourists lined the sleek and rather abundant benches, which Gaudi formed around the famous park, to enjoy the view of the setting sun. Once again, we made sure to snap oodles of pictures of the brightly-painted, tiled walls, columns, and statues sprinkled throughout. It reminded me a lot of the explosion of color you might witness from walking into a candy store or the sorts of colors only Crayola would dream up. My favorite memory during our time here and a perfect way to capture the time I spent in Spain was climbing to the top of the park where a vivacious band was playing the Spanish guitar and sorts of wooden drums. The music they created was what you’d imagine when Spain and Flamenco come to mind. Like I had experienced in so many places I’ve traveled in Europe, time was suspended all around me: people were dancing all around us, some were laughing, and others just sat in infatuation – all in love with the same beautiful sounds that filled the space around them. Like all that we had experienced over the 4 days we were there, the music was fierce, warm, seductive, and left us with an unadulterated feeling of happiness. !Viva espana!
This is a huge part of the Italian lifestyle; take moments each day where you simply don’t do anything at all in order to realize you are living. It’s amazing how in just a few moments of doing this, you are able to feel more alive than you have in past weeks or months. It’s hard not to get caught up in the lifestyle that so many of us carry on, living from one event to the next; one class to the next class, one day at work to the next. Having worked in a profession that requires me to plan 8 hours a day 5 days a week, it is hard not to live in a constant state of “future.” This trip has been a wonderful reminder that while that is important to me and a skill that I am good at, living for now is indispensable and that there is no more perfect time than now to do just that.
Since we’re on the topic of enjoying life, I’ve found that the trend isn’t just exclusive to Italy. My friends and I spent the first half of our midterm break in Spain and fell in love with yet another European destination all over again. I’m not sure if it was the Sangria or the welcoming, warm weather that made me feel at home with this incredible, Mediterranean gem but I’ll never forget the Latin heat of Barcelona for as long as I live. One of my favorite moments was our trip on the second day to Mount Tibidabo. After a long and balmy walk up to the funicular stop, we could see in the distance that it was not just an amazing observation point but a theme park too. When we got to the top, our sights were confirmed and a large, twinkling Ferris wheel sat just beside the edge of the jagged cliffs leading back to the base of the mountain. A mix of families, tourists, and couples flocked to this place on the same night to relax with some popcorn or cotton candy in the presence of a view that was glowing with perfection. What I saw was a city which is a perfect mix between sea and urbanism. The furthest point was of course the Mediterranean cast in a periwinkle haze due to the setting sun and the purple sea. The enormity of the city lit up by the elegant lights from churches, buildings, street lights, and cars added to its luminosity. I loved that we were so far removed from the sounds that accompany all these elements of a city so that we could enjoy all of the unadulterated Barcelona in one single view. What happened next was less peaceful.
In order to get to all the sights of the city, we decided earlier in the day to take an open-air bus which dropped us at each point. The last pick up at each stop was at 8:15 and since we lost track of time, we essentially had to find our way down the mountain, down the hill that led us there in the first place, and to the bus stop all in 15 minutes. Some how we made it but it almost cost Sara her blackberry and me my shoes (which were not equipped for running the mile and ½ down the windy hills and streets.) Ay ay ay! Once we finally were on the bus, we exploded into laughter at how our time there had gone from being so peaceful to a near disaster since we would have faced an hour walk had we been 2 minutes later. It was time for some Sangria.
Part of the beauty of Barcelona stems from the love of architecture and the fusion of color and modern design which makes this city unique from any other. Since I began studying interior design, my professors have exposed me to a great deal of perspective on architecture in and of Europe. Gaudi’s artistic and architectural influences are evident all over the city from the warm splashes of mosaic found on city benches and fountains to the rich colors of store facades and monuments. The look and feel to modernism was welcoming after living in such a renaissance city for a few months.
We spent one afternoon exploring yet another one of Gaudi’s masterpieces, Park Guell, for a full immersion into real Catalonian culture. Locals and tourists lined the sleek and rather abundant benches, which Gaudi formed around the famous park, to enjoy the view of the setting sun. Once again, we made sure to snap oodles of pictures of the brightly-painted, tiled walls, columns, and statues sprinkled throughout. It reminded me a lot of the explosion of color you might witness from walking into a candy store or the sorts of colors only Crayola would dream up. My favorite memory during our time here and a perfect way to capture the time I spent in Spain was climbing to the top of the park where a vivacious band was playing the Spanish guitar and sorts of wooden drums. The music they created was what you’d imagine when Spain and Flamenco come to mind. Like I had experienced in so many places I’ve traveled in Europe, time was suspended all around me: people were dancing all around us, some were laughing, and others just sat in infatuation – all in love with the same beautiful sounds that filled the space around them. Like all that we had experienced over the 4 days we were there, the music was fierce, warm, seductive, and left us with an unadulterated feeling of happiness. !Viva espana!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Barcelona and Paris Pictures!
Hello Everyone!
I got back late last night from my 9 day trip to both Barcelona and Paris and i can't wait to write all about it in my next post (coming later today!) I forced myself to stay up late and upload these pictures so you could see them right away. They can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/BarcelonaParis02?feat=directlink. I had an absolutely amazing trip and can't wait to tell you all about it! Until then, enjoy!
I got back late last night from my 9 day trip to both Barcelona and Paris and i can't wait to write all about it in my next post (coming later today!) I forced myself to stay up late and upload these pictures so you could see them right away. They can be found at: http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/BarcelonaParis02?feat=directlink. I had an absolutely amazing trip and can't wait to tell you all about it! Until then, enjoy!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Direct Links to Photo Albums
Ciao!
Here are all of the direct links to all of the web albums i've created so far. Let me know if you are still have trouble viewing them! Divertirsi!
Austria
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/Austria?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3pt6i965qb8AE&feat=directlink
The Amalfi Coast
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/PositanoCapriSorrentoPompei?authkey=Gv1sRgCPenwZu9uPKxXA&feat=directlink
Florence & The French Riviera
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/MySeptemberAbroad?authkey=Gv1sRgCLS066DYquWpTA&feat=directlink
Here are all of the direct links to all of the web albums i've created so far. Let me know if you are still have trouble viewing them! Divertirsi!
Austria
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/Austria?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3pt6i965qb8AE&feat=directlink
The Amalfi Coast
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/PositanoCapriSorrentoPompei?authkey=Gv1sRgCPenwZu9uPKxXA&feat=directlink
Florence & The French Riviera
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/MySeptemberAbroad?authkey=Gv1sRgCLS066DYquWpTA&feat=directlink
The Hills are Alive – Salzburg & Vienna
The Pictures for this Trip can be found at the following link: http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/Austria?authkey=Gv1sRgCO3pt6i965qb8AE&feat=directlink
I think I open everyone of these entries with the same statement but I really mean it this time, my trip to Austria was the best one yet! Aside from Italy, I could easily see myself living in either Salzburg or Vienna for more reasons than I can write. I was most impressed by the unparalleled architecture and warmth of the Austrian people. Going into it, I thought the German language would inhibit me from fully experiencing the sites in the short amount of time I had, but the people made me feel so welcome and excused my awful attempts at saying “hello” or “grüß gott”, “please” or “bitte”, and “thank you”/ "danke” in German. This is one language I have absolutely no hope of learning. I took lots of pictures of some of the signs we saw around the city which should give you a good idea as to why I struggled so much. Unlike Florence, Austria is much more modern in appearance and amenities, but then again, this goes for most European cities outside of Italy. It was nice to have a touch of familiarity whether it was seeing lots of American retail or sneaking a latte at Starbucks in downtown Vienna (I tried to abstain but couldn’t help myself!) Aside from the similarities and differences, I’ll never forget my first glimpse of Austria on the bus ride arriving through the awe-inspiring Austrian Alps. In Salzburg, I most enjoyed our adventure to the top of the original Salzburg fortress, which also serves as an incredible observation point over all of the city. We had lunch a top this fortress at a traditional Austrian restaurant where I had to try the goulash and Wiener Schnitzel. I met some really great friends on this trip, Melanie and Lindsay, who are also studying in Florence at another Art institute but are originally from San Francisco. They really made the trip that much better and we’re great girls to experience the best of Austria with. Later that day, we went on the illustrious Sound of Music tour which allowed us to witness all the sights shot in the movie. One of my favorite stops on the trip were the Mirabel Gardens where Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp children danced up and down the marble steps and famous Pegasus fountain. It took all the self-control I had not to embarrass my friends and reenact the scenes. We ate the famous apple-strudel in rich-green village of Mondsee where Maria and the Baron were married in St. Michael’s church – yet another highlight of the day. Later that night, the girls and I took a fancy trip to the Hotel Stein located right on the river which cuts through Salburg. It was an amazing view, especially at nighttime, but it was ridiculously cold! Luckily we bundled up in cozy blankets which the restaurant provides just for these sorts of occasions and made it better by ordering hot chocolate spiked with Kahlua. We set out the next morning for Vienna, which is about a 3 hour bus ride from Salzburg. When we arrived we were already out the door to get as much sight-seeing as we could in the short amount of time we were there. The Museum Quarter was comprised of the many parliament buildings and palaces (some of which are still in use.) We opted to take a horse and carriage ride around this area to orient ourselves and even saw the famous Lipizzaner Horses of the Spanish Riding school as they were brought into their stalls for the night! It was dusk by now and Melanie and I decided to search for the famed St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Opera House. While we didn’t have the time to enjoy a world-class opera, we did visit the Cathedral during Saturday Evening Mass; it made the visit that much more amazing. I was in awe at the size of the Cathedral and glow that resonated from inside its walls due to the gilding work and tremendous candle offertory.
A trip to Vienna just wouldn’t be complete without a piece of Viennese chocolate cake so on our way back we sat down at the historic Mozart Café and shared a piece over a cappuccino. The chocolate lover in me approved. The most incredible palace and structure I’ve visited thus far in Europe was the Shonbrunn Palace. You can see from my pictures just how spectacular the gardens and exterior of this place was, so much so that they almost appear artificial due to the perfection and design that went into their making. My favorite view was that could be seen from atop the hill at the garden gallery. You could see the entire city of Vienna from this point and with just an hour left in this place, it was all I needed to seal such an amazing trip (I took a picture of the view and you’ll see what I mean!) Even the ten hour bus-ride home was more enjoyable than usual due to the scenery from the bus window. As we drove in and out of amazing mountain views past tiny villages with traditional Austrian architecture, peaked, gingerbread-looking roofs, a subtle melody played in the background of my thoughts. It goes: “so long farewell, auf weidersehen good-bye … I hate to go and leave this pretty sight…”
I think I open everyone of these entries with the same statement but I really mean it this time, my trip to Austria was the best one yet! Aside from Italy, I could easily see myself living in either Salzburg or Vienna for more reasons than I can write. I was most impressed by the unparalleled architecture and warmth of the Austrian people. Going into it, I thought the German language would inhibit me from fully experiencing the sites in the short amount of time I had, but the people made me feel so welcome and excused my awful attempts at saying “hello” or “grüß gott”, “please” or “bitte”, and “thank you”/ "danke” in German. This is one language I have absolutely no hope of learning. I took lots of pictures of some of the signs we saw around the city which should give you a good idea as to why I struggled so much. Unlike Florence, Austria is much more modern in appearance and amenities, but then again, this goes for most European cities outside of Italy. It was nice to have a touch of familiarity whether it was seeing lots of American retail or sneaking a latte at Starbucks in downtown Vienna (I tried to abstain but couldn’t help myself!) Aside from the similarities and differences, I’ll never forget my first glimpse of Austria on the bus ride arriving through the awe-inspiring Austrian Alps. In Salzburg, I most enjoyed our adventure to the top of the original Salzburg fortress, which also serves as an incredible observation point over all of the city. We had lunch a top this fortress at a traditional Austrian restaurant where I had to try the goulash and Wiener Schnitzel. I met some really great friends on this trip, Melanie and Lindsay, who are also studying in Florence at another Art institute but are originally from San Francisco. They really made the trip that much better and we’re great girls to experience the best of Austria with. Later that day, we went on the illustrious Sound of Music tour which allowed us to witness all the sights shot in the movie. One of my favorite stops on the trip were the Mirabel Gardens where Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp children danced up and down the marble steps and famous Pegasus fountain. It took all the self-control I had not to embarrass my friends and reenact the scenes. We ate the famous apple-strudel in rich-green village of Mondsee where Maria and the Baron were married in St. Michael’s church – yet another highlight of the day. Later that night, the girls and I took a fancy trip to the Hotel Stein located right on the river which cuts through Salburg. It was an amazing view, especially at nighttime, but it was ridiculously cold! Luckily we bundled up in cozy blankets which the restaurant provides just for these sorts of occasions and made it better by ordering hot chocolate spiked with Kahlua. We set out the next morning for Vienna, which is about a 3 hour bus ride from Salzburg. When we arrived we were already out the door to get as much sight-seeing as we could in the short amount of time we were there. The Museum Quarter was comprised of the many parliament buildings and palaces (some of which are still in use.) We opted to take a horse and carriage ride around this area to orient ourselves and even saw the famous Lipizzaner Horses of the Spanish Riding school as they were brought into their stalls for the night! It was dusk by now and Melanie and I decided to search for the famed St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Opera House. While we didn’t have the time to enjoy a world-class opera, we did visit the Cathedral during Saturday Evening Mass; it made the visit that much more amazing. I was in awe at the size of the Cathedral and glow that resonated from inside its walls due to the gilding work and tremendous candle offertory.
A trip to Vienna just wouldn’t be complete without a piece of Viennese chocolate cake so on our way back we sat down at the historic Mozart Café and shared a piece over a cappuccino. The chocolate lover in me approved. The most incredible palace and structure I’ve visited thus far in Europe was the Shonbrunn Palace. You can see from my pictures just how spectacular the gardens and exterior of this place was, so much so that they almost appear artificial due to the perfection and design that went into their making. My favorite view was that could be seen from atop the hill at the garden gallery. You could see the entire city of Vienna from this point and with just an hour left in this place, it was all I needed to seal such an amazing trip (I took a picture of the view and you’ll see what I mean!) Even the ten hour bus-ride home was more enjoyable than usual due to the scenery from the bus window. As we drove in and out of amazing mountain views past tiny villages with traditional Austrian architecture, peaked, gingerbread-looking roofs, a subtle melody played in the background of my thoughts. It goes: “so long farewell, auf weidersehen good-bye … I hate to go and leave this pretty sight…”
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Italian Riviera - Mamma Mia!
I'm starting to feel like quite the little jet-setter! Kim and I spent the weekend traveling the Amalfi Coast where we spent time in Sorrento, Capri, Positano, and Pompeii (how lucky am I!) In a lot of ways, the scenery was reminiscent of Cinque Terre in that most of these places, with the exception of Pompeii, were sea towns known for their breathtaking coastal views. We stayed in Sorrento at a quaint hotel with a spectacular view of Mt. Vesuvius. I learned that it's the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years, which was amazing to witness in person but a little ominous knowing that it is still active. We were able to witness what Vesuvius was actually capable of in the ruins of Pompeii. Inside the town, which is still an excavation site, I saw figures of men and women whose bodies are still preserved and encased by the volcanic ash and pumice that covered the surrounding areas (the town was submerged by nearly 15-25 feet of volcanic ash.)It was amazing to me the extent of work archeologists had to do in order to recover the sites i was seeing: entire houses, mosaic floors, roman baths, and the list goes on.
Capri was by far my favorite destination on this trip. It helped that the weather was in the mid to upper 80s the entire day and there was not a single cloud in the perfect, turquoise sky. We arrived to the island Saturday morning by ferry from Sorrento and as soon as we got to shore, jumped on a smaller boat for a boat-tour around the island. While we were really hoping to see the illustrious blue grotto, the waves were just too choppy. It worked out in the end since we were able to see the green and white grottos. The Italian coastline is a true splendor. Some of the other sights to be seen were Sophia Loren’s mansion near Marina Piccola, ancient lighthouses, and amazing rock formations in which you can see natural arches and caverns. Eager to see more, we explored Marina Piccola, Capri Town, and Ana Capri. One of the highlights of the day was taking a chairlift to the top of Ana Capri, the highest point of the Island, and taking in the views at the top. All around you were pure shades of blue from sea and sky. It didn’t feel real until you began your steep decent from high above to the bottom. My fear of heights kicked in only when the wind picked up and rocked my seat on the lift but it was the most amazing perspective to view such a beautiful place. I splashed around in the water, sampled some of the best seafood I’ve ever had, and finished the day with some lemon gelato (a must in southern Italy where they are known for their lemons.)I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.
Sorrento and Positano were equally alluring sea towns which had their own character differing them from the others. Sorrento was the largest of the three and had great shopping (especially for those buying leather, coral jewelry, or cheese.) In Positano, everywhere you turned was beach front access and it was a place that truly was centered around the sea in culture and industry. I took nearly 400 pictures and will upload them to the link when I get some decent internet connection! For now, enjoy the one above and stay tuned for my next post on Austria. I am leaving for Saltzburg and Vienna tomorrow night and will be there the entire weekend. It is going to be amazing and such a cool transition from such a polar opposite trip from last weekend!
Capri was by far my favorite destination on this trip. It helped that the weather was in the mid to upper 80s the entire day and there was not a single cloud in the perfect, turquoise sky. We arrived to the island Saturday morning by ferry from Sorrento and as soon as we got to shore, jumped on a smaller boat for a boat-tour around the island. While we were really hoping to see the illustrious blue grotto, the waves were just too choppy. It worked out in the end since we were able to see the green and white grottos. The Italian coastline is a true splendor. Some of the other sights to be seen were Sophia Loren’s mansion near Marina Piccola, ancient lighthouses, and amazing rock formations in which you can see natural arches and caverns. Eager to see more, we explored Marina Piccola, Capri Town, and Ana Capri. One of the highlights of the day was taking a chairlift to the top of Ana Capri, the highest point of the Island, and taking in the views at the top. All around you were pure shades of blue from sea and sky. It didn’t feel real until you began your steep decent from high above to the bottom. My fear of heights kicked in only when the wind picked up and rocked my seat on the lift but it was the most amazing perspective to view such a beautiful place. I splashed around in the water, sampled some of the best seafood I’ve ever had, and finished the day with some lemon gelato (a must in southern Italy where they are known for their lemons.)I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.
Sorrento and Positano were equally alluring sea towns which had their own character differing them from the others. Sorrento was the largest of the three and had great shopping (especially for those buying leather, coral jewelry, or cheese.) In Positano, everywhere you turned was beach front access and it was a place that truly was centered around the sea in culture and industry. I took nearly 400 pictures and will upload them to the link when I get some decent internet connection! For now, enjoy the one above and stay tuned for my next post on Austria. I am leaving for Saltzburg and Vienna tomorrow night and will be there the entire weekend. It is going to be amazing and such a cool transition from such a polar opposite trip from last weekend!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
View my Pictures!
Because my Picasa Web Albums are set to "private", you can view all of my pictures by copying the following link into your browser:
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/MySeptemberAbroad?authkey=Gv1sRgCLS066DYquWpTA&feat=directlink
Enjoy!
http://picasaweb.google.com/aealling/MySeptemberAbroad?authkey=Gv1sRgCLS066DYquWpTA&feat=directlink
Enjoy!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The French Riviera - Ooh La La!
Aside from Italy, France was the one other country that I have waited so anxiously to visit! While Paris was first on my list to see, I didn’t ever think I was going to be able to see this part of the country on this trip or ever for that matter. The trip itinerary was Nice, Eze, Monaco, Antibes, and Cannes – how fancy!
I have to admit, the trip had a less than fancy start due in part to a rather severe bout of motion sickness. Our bus departed at 11 pm on Thursday and between my longing for sleep, S-curves in the rode, jostling of the bus, lack of air-conditioning, and just about any other variable which induces motion sickness, I did about all I could to keep from using the Bus’s broken excuse for a restroom. After spending the rest of the trip in the front seat with one of the guides, we finally arrived to Nice (at 5:00 am.) Yippee!
Our first stop the next morning was Eze, a small, medieval village about 20 minutes from where we were staying in Nice. It embodied every aspect of what you’d expect a quaint village in the French Riviera to possess: luxury, opulent views, and fine-shopping. We started the day with a walk up into the village’s exotic gardens which similar to Cinque Terre, overlook miles and miles of the blue coastline. The gardens were filled with cactus, Ivy, of course French Lavender. It was a cold and rainy day but even at the highest observation point we were able to get great pictures where the colors of all that we were seeing seemed brighter and even more vivid against the dull, heather backdrop of the sky. We were informed on the way up that Fragonard, a famous perfume shop, lay just below us. I bought a small set of all their best selling scents and must say that the freesia and rose eau d parfumes are my absolute favorites.
At this point, we had wandered and lingered a little longer than the rest of the group so by the time we arrived at the meeting place, we found that the bus which was to bring us to each site was not where to be found. Not good. So we did what anybody in our position would have done when stranded in a remote village in France- sat down for a baguette and a latte. Fortunately, the guide responsible for organizing our trip called one of our phones and informed us that they hadn’t left and that they were waiting for us to continue onto Monaco and Monte Carlo. What a huge relief.
It wasn’t long before we arrived in Monaco when I saw my first million dollar car! Mamma Mia! This Rolls-Royce was the most perfect shade of cream and detailed with gold down to the small, sculpted horns that projected from the bumper (I’m sure this horn even had a fancy sounding “beep” to it.) The rest of the principality boasted this same sort of opulence every where I looked. On this particular vacation, we rarely went 45 minutes without eating something. So, true to fashion, we sat down at chocolate shop that doubled as a tea room. Kim and I indulged ourselves with large hot chocolates under layers of whipped cream while Sara was good and enjoyed a tea instead. We decided to pool our funds and split a house, chocolate sampling (as you all can imagine, I was in absolute chocoholic heaven.) In hopes of walking off some of the damage I had done to my already exorbitant blood sugar level, Sara and I took a tour of the Royal Castle where Grace Kelly lived with the Prince of Monaco in the 70s. Her pictures were everywhere throughout the city and we learned through our tour of her marvelous abode that she was very much loved by the people of Monaco. Inside the palace, every inch of the space was touched by some element of beauty and craftsmanship. Many famous, French royalties once inhabited the same walls in which we were walking through. My studies in Interior Design began to kick in as I ardently observed the intricate patterns of the textiles, precious stone, and immaculate gilding work that blanketed the interior of this palace. How surreal.
That night, we ate at a chic restaurant which had an impressive Middle Eastern menu and indulged, yet again, in some Chardonnay just before we hit the vivacious night club district of the Olde Town. The pounding house music coaxed any thought of sleep out of our minds and we even heard some familiar tunes from the states. It seemed like every club we ended up in played a few from the Black Eyed Peas or Pitbul. The familiarity was welcoming to us at times when the locals treated us less than welcoming due to the fact that we were American.
The next day was Antibes and Cannes. In desperate need of caffeine and more sweets, we sat down in a quaint local café for cappuccino and crepes. This might be the only place in the world where it might be socially acceptable to stuff your face with chocolate and vanilla ice cream a top a sweet & delicate pastry before 11 in the morning. Bon appetite! My mother would have been appalled. Regardless of my larger than life appetite, we made up for it with all the walking we did up and down Cannes. Our bus dropped us off conveniently besides the building used to host the famous film festival. The sidewalks are lined with the same sort of star, hand-prints that you’d find in Hollywood but true to Riviera style, these hand prints were cast in terracotta and marble resin. I saw Julie Andrew’s star and took a picture for Mom! Cannes had notably beautiful flowers and plants (as you can see for most of my pictures.) At one point, Sara threatened to take my camera away if I took another picture of a plant. We spent this final afternoon in the French Riviera next to a bocce court where we snacked some more and people watched amid an antique marketplace. Hermes scarves, Chanel clutches, and diamond encrusted broaches lay spread over the many humble looking kiosks that lined the dirt square where hundreds of people perused by. What a perfect way to end such a fancy weekend.
Au revoir for now!
I have to admit, the trip had a less than fancy start due in part to a rather severe bout of motion sickness. Our bus departed at 11 pm on Thursday and between my longing for sleep, S-curves in the rode, jostling of the bus, lack of air-conditioning, and just about any other variable which induces motion sickness, I did about all I could to keep from using the Bus’s broken excuse for a restroom. After spending the rest of the trip in the front seat with one of the guides, we finally arrived to Nice (at 5:00 am.) Yippee!
Our first stop the next morning was Eze, a small, medieval village about 20 minutes from where we were staying in Nice. It embodied every aspect of what you’d expect a quaint village in the French Riviera to possess: luxury, opulent views, and fine-shopping. We started the day with a walk up into the village’s exotic gardens which similar to Cinque Terre, overlook miles and miles of the blue coastline. The gardens were filled with cactus, Ivy, of course French Lavender. It was a cold and rainy day but even at the highest observation point we were able to get great pictures where the colors of all that we were seeing seemed brighter and even more vivid against the dull, heather backdrop of the sky. We were informed on the way up that Fragonard, a famous perfume shop, lay just below us. I bought a small set of all their best selling scents and must say that the freesia and rose eau d parfumes are my absolute favorites.
At this point, we had wandered and lingered a little longer than the rest of the group so by the time we arrived at the meeting place, we found that the bus which was to bring us to each site was not where to be found. Not good. So we did what anybody in our position would have done when stranded in a remote village in France- sat down for a baguette and a latte. Fortunately, the guide responsible for organizing our trip called one of our phones and informed us that they hadn’t left and that they were waiting for us to continue onto Monaco and Monte Carlo. What a huge relief.
It wasn’t long before we arrived in Monaco when I saw my first million dollar car! Mamma Mia! This Rolls-Royce was the most perfect shade of cream and detailed with gold down to the small, sculpted horns that projected from the bumper (I’m sure this horn even had a fancy sounding “beep” to it.) The rest of the principality boasted this same sort of opulence every where I looked. On this particular vacation, we rarely went 45 minutes without eating something. So, true to fashion, we sat down at chocolate shop that doubled as a tea room. Kim and I indulged ourselves with large hot chocolates under layers of whipped cream while Sara was good and enjoyed a tea instead. We decided to pool our funds and split a house, chocolate sampling (as you all can imagine, I was in absolute chocoholic heaven.) In hopes of walking off some of the damage I had done to my already exorbitant blood sugar level, Sara and I took a tour of the Royal Castle where Grace Kelly lived with the Prince of Monaco in the 70s. Her pictures were everywhere throughout the city and we learned through our tour of her marvelous abode that she was very much loved by the people of Monaco. Inside the palace, every inch of the space was touched by some element of beauty and craftsmanship. Many famous, French royalties once inhabited the same walls in which we were walking through. My studies in Interior Design began to kick in as I ardently observed the intricate patterns of the textiles, precious stone, and immaculate gilding work that blanketed the interior of this palace. How surreal.
That night, we ate at a chic restaurant which had an impressive Middle Eastern menu and indulged, yet again, in some Chardonnay just before we hit the vivacious night club district of the Olde Town. The pounding house music coaxed any thought of sleep out of our minds and we even heard some familiar tunes from the states. It seemed like every club we ended up in played a few from the Black Eyed Peas or Pitbul. The familiarity was welcoming to us at times when the locals treated us less than welcoming due to the fact that we were American.
The next day was Antibes and Cannes. In desperate need of caffeine and more sweets, we sat down in a quaint local café for cappuccino and crepes. This might be the only place in the world where it might be socially acceptable to stuff your face with chocolate and vanilla ice cream a top a sweet & delicate pastry before 11 in the morning. Bon appetite! My mother would have been appalled. Regardless of my larger than life appetite, we made up for it with all the walking we did up and down Cannes. Our bus dropped us off conveniently besides the building used to host the famous film festival. The sidewalks are lined with the same sort of star, hand-prints that you’d find in Hollywood but true to Riviera style, these hand prints were cast in terracotta and marble resin. I saw Julie Andrew’s star and took a picture for Mom! Cannes had notably beautiful flowers and plants (as you can see for most of my pictures.) At one point, Sara threatened to take my camera away if I took another picture of a plant. We spent this final afternoon in the French Riviera next to a bocce court where we snacked some more and people watched amid an antique marketplace. Hermes scarves, Chanel clutches, and diamond encrusted broaches lay spread over the many humble looking kiosks that lined the dirt square where hundreds of people perused by. What a perfect way to end such a fancy weekend.
Au revoir for now!
Catching Up
So needless to say, I really need to step it up with my posting. I've been feeling a little under the weather this past week since I finally got the cold that's hit all of my roommates up to this point. I guess it was only a matter of time before it got me too. Anyways, I have lots to update you all on since I’ve been so busy these past few weeks! To make up for lost time, I’m going to go place by place and fill you in on the amazing trips I’ve taken in the first month of my semester here.
Chianti
We ventured not to far from Florence, to another region in Tuscany known for some of the best wine in the world. We decided to try a less orthodox way to experience the region and signed up for a 12 mile bike tour through the Chianti countryside. It wasn’t until we got to the bike garage and we’re being handed our bikes for the day that I started to feel a little nervous because I’m pretty sure that the last time I had ridden a bike was when I was 11 years old. And it showed. With a shaky start and a near bicycle accident, I was off and I knew from that point on that it was going to be a great ride.
Our first stop was the Principe Corsini winery for some wine and olive oil tasting fattorialecorti.principecorsini.com/english/enoteca.php. ! I remember pulling up to Fattoria le Corti and marveling at how it was so unlike any building I had ever seen before. Maybe in movies, but nothing had ever compared to just how authentic this particular monument appeared. Our guide lead us into a large, cool room and once he flicked on the lights we were surrounded by hundreds of oak barrels of wine – I was in heaven! He explained that this particular region was known for Sangiovese grapes which is the predominant grape used in the Chianti Classico blends. While I prefer white over red, I really enjoyed the taste of their Don Thomas; it was velvety and rich. As for the olive oil, let’s just say that Kim, Sara, and I managed to clean out our bread basket for dipping first. It was amazing to see the machines used to produce the olive oil. Entire rooms of the winery were dedicated to house the large terracotta jars, which held the oil prior to its distribution. My favorite area of the winery must have been the amazing gardens that overlooked the flowing Tuscan hills. My Mom would have spent hours in the garden alone since it was a gardener’s absolute paradise! The stone walls of the neighboring building were covered in climbing plants and ivy. Tiny blue flowers blanketed the vines and made for a beautiful contrast against the intense green of the other plants that could be found within the garden.
After the wine and oil tasting, we got back on our bikes and rode some more to a small trattoria for what seemed like a five-course lunch followed by what else but more wine (it was a wonder I even got back on my bike!) Coasting along the countryside, a few of the most breathtaking views were the miles and miles of grape orchards that wove in with the abundant cypress trees and dry terrain. Unfortunately, the chain on my bike became disconnected from the rest of the bike on the last leg of the ride, were still not sure if it was due to old age and too much use or the fact that I had overindulged at lunch, but regardless the idea to see this region of Tuscany by bike was a solid choice. I think it was the best way to see it because it was so unadulterated. There was no distance between us and the scenery, no barriers, and we were able to stop as frequently as we wanted to capture what we were seeing with our cameras. For as much as I ate that day, the whopping 12 miles that we biked helped my confidence when it came to eating some more later on that day because the next day was a full-day hike through Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre (The Five Lands) (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore)
Sore and still exhausted from our biking adventure the previous day, I woke up at 6 am wondering why I had agreed to a full day’s hike. The notion was soon cleared from my head when our train from Florence, closely approaching the first town Riomaggiore, crossed over a bridge revealing a breathtaking ocean view; it was the most perfect shade of blue, sparkling water I had ever seen or could have ever imagined. The view was even more improved when we began the hike and could see the bright, pastel colors of the houses that lined the jagged waterfront. They were stacked and perched in such a way that there only seemed to be inches of spaces separating each from the next. One of our tour guides told us that the houses were so colorful and were so diversified in color so that fishermen, after long trips out to sea, could identify their houses when they finally came home.
Parts of the hike were very challenging. At one point we climbed 365 stairs to reach the third town! I tried to keep in mind that if I just climbed one step higher, sweat that much more, I’d be greeted by more and more amazing views of the blue coastline when I was done. This definitely gave me the incentive I needed despite the heat, sweat, and sore muscles. I also learned that this region is known for its pesto and lemon (both of which I managed to sample by the end of the trip.) I had the most delicious plate of gnocchi con pesto for lunch and lemon gelato for dessert. I was in my element: great food, great views, and great company. Sara, Kim, and I laughed at the athletic weekend we were having and how it would probably be the extent of our athleticism for the semester but how it barely felt strenuous when you realized what paradise you were in.
Though I shouldn’t say it, Vernazza was my favorite town of the five. It was close to the smallest in size but you couldn’t beat the views of the Adriatic Sea that could be seen from the dock where we waited for a ferry to Monterosso. Sara and Kim said that it reminded them a lot of the Greek Isles and I felt like I was living in a scene from Mama Mia with all of that color and sparkle! I think I could have sat on that dock for days, dangling my feet in and above the refreshing water, and staring off into the endlessness of blue horizon. Just above me was a small restaurant that probably couldn’t accommodate anymore than 15 guests at a time. A balcony was suspended directly over the water to support the dining area (I’m sure you felt you were eating directly above the water!) That is fine dining!
In Monterosso, we looked up and down the boardwalk of spice shops, focaccerrias, and bars to purchase pieces of this charming place to remind us of their warmth during the cold, New England winters ahead. The sun was setting and in the last hour before we caught our train back to Florence, we soaked our feet in the water, on a crowded beach, trying to take in every last second of the amazing sites we had been spoiled with all day. I know I have only been to a few places since my time here, but Cinque Terre is by far one of my favorite places and I would absolutely visit again if I had the opportunity to in the future.
I will be posting the link to all of my photos from these trips on my web album so you can all see what I’m talking about!
Chianti
We ventured not to far from Florence, to another region in Tuscany known for some of the best wine in the world. We decided to try a less orthodox way to experience the region and signed up for a 12 mile bike tour through the Chianti countryside. It wasn’t until we got to the bike garage and we’re being handed our bikes for the day that I started to feel a little nervous because I’m pretty sure that the last time I had ridden a bike was when I was 11 years old. And it showed. With a shaky start and a near bicycle accident, I was off and I knew from that point on that it was going to be a great ride.
Our first stop was the Principe Corsini winery for some wine and olive oil tasting fattorialecorti.principecorsini.com/english/enoteca.php. ! I remember pulling up to Fattoria le Corti and marveling at how it was so unlike any building I had ever seen before. Maybe in movies, but nothing had ever compared to just how authentic this particular monument appeared. Our guide lead us into a large, cool room and once he flicked on the lights we were surrounded by hundreds of oak barrels of wine – I was in heaven! He explained that this particular region was known for Sangiovese grapes which is the predominant grape used in the Chianti Classico blends. While I prefer white over red, I really enjoyed the taste of their Don Thomas; it was velvety and rich. As for the olive oil, let’s just say that Kim, Sara, and I managed to clean out our bread basket for dipping first. It was amazing to see the machines used to produce the olive oil. Entire rooms of the winery were dedicated to house the large terracotta jars, which held the oil prior to its distribution. My favorite area of the winery must have been the amazing gardens that overlooked the flowing Tuscan hills. My Mom would have spent hours in the garden alone since it was a gardener’s absolute paradise! The stone walls of the neighboring building were covered in climbing plants and ivy. Tiny blue flowers blanketed the vines and made for a beautiful contrast against the intense green of the other plants that could be found within the garden.
After the wine and oil tasting, we got back on our bikes and rode some more to a small trattoria for what seemed like a five-course lunch followed by what else but more wine (it was a wonder I even got back on my bike!) Coasting along the countryside, a few of the most breathtaking views were the miles and miles of grape orchards that wove in with the abundant cypress trees and dry terrain. Unfortunately, the chain on my bike became disconnected from the rest of the bike on the last leg of the ride, were still not sure if it was due to old age and too much use or the fact that I had overindulged at lunch, but regardless the idea to see this region of Tuscany by bike was a solid choice. I think it was the best way to see it because it was so unadulterated. There was no distance between us and the scenery, no barriers, and we were able to stop as frequently as we wanted to capture what we were seeing with our cameras. For as much as I ate that day, the whopping 12 miles that we biked helped my confidence when it came to eating some more later on that day because the next day was a full-day hike through Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre (The Five Lands) (Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore)
Sore and still exhausted from our biking adventure the previous day, I woke up at 6 am wondering why I had agreed to a full day’s hike. The notion was soon cleared from my head when our train from Florence, closely approaching the first town Riomaggiore, crossed over a bridge revealing a breathtaking ocean view; it was the most perfect shade of blue, sparkling water I had ever seen or could have ever imagined. The view was even more improved when we began the hike and could see the bright, pastel colors of the houses that lined the jagged waterfront. They were stacked and perched in such a way that there only seemed to be inches of spaces separating each from the next. One of our tour guides told us that the houses were so colorful and were so diversified in color so that fishermen, after long trips out to sea, could identify their houses when they finally came home.
Parts of the hike were very challenging. At one point we climbed 365 stairs to reach the third town! I tried to keep in mind that if I just climbed one step higher, sweat that much more, I’d be greeted by more and more amazing views of the blue coastline when I was done. This definitely gave me the incentive I needed despite the heat, sweat, and sore muscles. I also learned that this region is known for its pesto and lemon (both of which I managed to sample by the end of the trip.) I had the most delicious plate of gnocchi con pesto for lunch and lemon gelato for dessert. I was in my element: great food, great views, and great company. Sara, Kim, and I laughed at the athletic weekend we were having and how it would probably be the extent of our athleticism for the semester but how it barely felt strenuous when you realized what paradise you were in.
Though I shouldn’t say it, Vernazza was my favorite town of the five. It was close to the smallest in size but you couldn’t beat the views of the Adriatic Sea that could be seen from the dock where we waited for a ferry to Monterosso. Sara and Kim said that it reminded them a lot of the Greek Isles and I felt like I was living in a scene from Mama Mia with all of that color and sparkle! I think I could have sat on that dock for days, dangling my feet in and above the refreshing water, and staring off into the endlessness of blue horizon. Just above me was a small restaurant that probably couldn’t accommodate anymore than 15 guests at a time. A balcony was suspended directly over the water to support the dining area (I’m sure you felt you were eating directly above the water!) That is fine dining!
In Monterosso, we looked up and down the boardwalk of spice shops, focaccerrias, and bars to purchase pieces of this charming place to remind us of their warmth during the cold, New England winters ahead. The sun was setting and in the last hour before we caught our train back to Florence, we soaked our feet in the water, on a crowded beach, trying to take in every last second of the amazing sites we had been spoiled with all day. I know I have only been to a few places since my time here, but Cinque Terre is by far one of my favorite places and I would absolutely visit again if I had the opportunity to in the future.
I will be posting the link to all of my photos from these trips on my web album so you can all see what I’m talking about!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Charmed
Ciao! I made it safe and sound to the beautiful city of Firenze
My time here has been a whirlwind of emotion, novelty, and adjustment. Exhaustion is perhaps the greatest overwhelm due to the large time difference between here and Boston Florence , to the other, “less-crowded” side of the Arno River Apennines Mountains
My classes at the Studio Art Centers International (SACI) have only reaffirmed this feeling of total infatuation. Among the many new adjustments this semester, attending an art school as opposed to the diversity of a traditional liberal arts university, such as Northeastern, is something that is going to take awhile to adjust to. Initially, it was intimidating working amongst students who have devoted their entire college careers to the arts and are exceptional artists, but after only a few days of class I have absolutely fallen in love with my coursework and have perhaps discovered a new direction to take my communication studies. I am studying in the school of design, taking a class in interior design and one in graphic design. I hope this new knowledge will channel so much of the creativity I’ve always wanted to expose in my traditional coursework. My professors are remarkable with a passion for their many years of experience that has made the otherwise taxing 3-hour classes a privilege. Already, we’ve taken field trips to many of the designer show rooms in Florence
As wonderful as this trip has been thus far there are of course have been challenges like occasional homesickness, lack of hot water, or close encounters with the bold Italian drivers. It’s been a blessing to be living with three of my close sorority sisters and two other girls from Northeastern. We are all going through the same sets of emotions and facing the same challenges but I have no doubt that these difficult moments will be short lived based on advice from my friends Lys and Melissa who studied here in past semesters (thank you ladies for all of the preparation and guidance you provided me for this trip – it’s been useful everyday!) That’s it for now – more pictures will be coming soon!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
T Minus 24 Hours
After many months of preparing and talking about my impending semester abroad, it hardly feels real that i am about to leave for Florence around this time tomorrow. While part of me was reluctant to leave my life back in Boston for quite some time, I can't imagine relinquishing this experience for anything. This past week has been a whirlwind of emotion having helped my younger brother move-in for his freshman year at UVM. It brought back all the familiar feelings of new beginnings that i had experienced over the recent years between my own freshman, transferring to Northeastern, and work experience. I'm so excited for him and it's made me so ready to start my new beginning nearly four thousand miles away.
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