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!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
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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