Today we went to Venice! We took the train into the city, which took about 40 minutes (which I used to sleep). Once we got there, we had to book it to the Accedemia museum, because our train had been delayed. We finally got there after the fastest walking that I think we have ever done. The people at the hotel said that it would take us an hour to walk there, but with Fred as our leader, we did it in a little under 20 minutes!
The museum was nice and we stayed there for about two hours before we got unbearably hungry. We got some pizza and gelato, my regular meal it is becoming, and sat outside on the ground. We quickly learned that the pigeons are ruthless here! AAfter lunch, we made our way over to the Guggenheim museum. I stayed for a short while before leaving for the train station.
I had asked my leaders about going to meet Meredith at the station. They all seemed too excited for me to be able to see her! They also said that I would be completely fine walking by me since Venice is one of the safest cities in all of Europe. I really liked walking over there alone. It was very calming and refreshing to be away from the group for a while and just walk.
Meredith and her friend Joe got to the station around 4:20. I was just about to bust when I saw her! I was so excited! It was so nice to see someone from home!
The three of us wandered around the city all afternoon, even getting my second cone of gelato for the day! We Have to see some very famous places like the St. Marco square and the bridge of Sighs. It was a very nice afternoon. We ended up with a very nice dinner. We passed a restaurant which wasn’t very crowded and we were drawn in. they had some very cheap specials and said that they would not charge us any cover! The meal ended up being bery delicious and we even ended up getting free bread!
We headed back to the train station around 10:30 to head back to Padova. We were so tired and I am sure we all fell asleep on the train at one point or another. After getting back to the hotel, we all settled into bed! Me and mer shared one while Joe stayed in an extra bed in Andy’s room, which happed to work out! It was so nice seeing Meredith and I am so sad that she is leaving tomorrow!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Today we stayed in Padova. We first had breakfast and had a ton of class. We had class from 8-11:15 today! It seemed to be so long. After, we walked to get some lunch before heading to the Scrovegni Chaple. I know that I keep continuing to say that I got the best meal of the trip, but it was true this day! The pizza I got was so good! It was a very thick and soft crust. I really want to go back!
We met our group at the chapel in a park. The chaple was very pretty. Even though it was very small, it was the most controlled environment that I have ever been in. you go inside and sit in a small room for 15 minutes while they decompress the air. Then, you can go in. only when it is you groups turn to leave can they open the door. We were only allowed in with very small groups.
After the chapel, some of us walked to the only laundry mat in the city. Hannah, Hilary, Amanda, and I all managed to get all of our colored clothing in one machine and all of our whites in a small one. This saved a ton of money, because laundry was very expensive. However, it took almost 2 hours to dry the clothing. While sitting in the laundry mat, the man who ran it started talking to us. He was so cute! He spoke no English, only Italian, but seemed to enjoy us very much. He heard us say the words engineers, and he went and got this huge binder full of sketches he had! He was very talented and loved to show us all the things that he had done. He even made us photocopies and we got him to sign them! He was so adorable!
After doing laundry, we went back to the hotel. I went and worked on my close reading for almost 2 hours. Then, Jamie, David and I headed over to the Mexican restraint across the street. I was so excited to get Mexican; however, it turned out to be very different. We all ordered daiquiris / margaritas. TThen, we ordered chips, because you do not get then free. It was 5 euros and I think we may have gotten about 8.5 chips an hour after we got there. Then, I got a side of Mexican rice, which was very odd but tasted ok. I did get some very delicious quesadillas though! I asked for them to have just cheese, not with the chili or jalepeopnes that they were supposed to come with. It was so good! It was kind of like a fried hot pocket oozing with cheese! It was so good! Dinner took quite a while but afterwards, I was able to get back to the hotel and skype Meredith! I think that she is going to come tomorrow so I am so super excited about that! Yay!
We met our group at the chapel in a park. The chaple was very pretty. Even though it was very small, it was the most controlled environment that I have ever been in. you go inside and sit in a small room for 15 minutes while they decompress the air. Then, you can go in. only when it is you groups turn to leave can they open the door. We were only allowed in with very small groups.
After the chapel, some of us walked to the only laundry mat in the city. Hannah, Hilary, Amanda, and I all managed to get all of our colored clothing in one machine and all of our whites in a small one. This saved a ton of money, because laundry was very expensive. However, it took almost 2 hours to dry the clothing. While sitting in the laundry mat, the man who ran it started talking to us. He was so cute! He spoke no English, only Italian, but seemed to enjoy us very much. He heard us say the words engineers, and he went and got this huge binder full of sketches he had! He was very talented and loved to show us all the things that he had done. He even made us photocopies and we got him to sign them! He was so adorable!
After doing laundry, we went back to the hotel. I went and worked on my close reading for almost 2 hours. Then, Jamie, David and I headed over to the Mexican restraint across the street. I was so excited to get Mexican; however, it turned out to be very different. We all ordered daiquiris / margaritas. TThen, we ordered chips, because you do not get then free. It was 5 euros and I think we may have gotten about 8.5 chips an hour after we got there. Then, I got a side of Mexican rice, which was very odd but tasted ok. I did get some very delicious quesadillas though! I asked for them to have just cheese, not with the chili or jalepeopnes that they were supposed to come with. It was so good! It was kind of like a fried hot pocket oozing with cheese! It was so good! Dinner took quite a while but afterwards, I was able to get back to the hotel and skype Meredith! I think that she is going to come tomorrow so I am so super excited about that! Yay!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Today we drove to Venice! It wasn’t that bad of a drive. I got to watch the big lebousiky. However, we did stop at a very bad sandwich shop. Other than that, it was an uneventful day.
We found out that we were staying in a city just outside of Venice called Pad ova. It is a very nice city and there looks like there is a ton to do. I think though, once again, everyone is very disappointed that we are not actually staying inside the city. The train is going to cost 5 euros each way too.
We got to the hotel around seven and had our welcome dinner at eight. It was a mediocre dinner or salad (with a very strong dressing), chicken, potatoes, and spinach. Then a desert that I think may have just been straight brandy. After dinner, I went back to the room to shower. We were too tired to go out, so everyone stayed in the mezzanine area of the hotel to play card games. I played Egyptian rat-screw, signs, spoons, and golf. It was overall a very relaxing evening and I welcomed the early bedtime!
We found out that we were staying in a city just outside of Venice called Pad ova. It is a very nice city and there looks like there is a ton to do. I think though, once again, everyone is very disappointed that we are not actually staying inside the city. The train is going to cost 5 euros each way too.
We got to the hotel around seven and had our welcome dinner at eight. It was a mediocre dinner or salad (with a very strong dressing), chicken, potatoes, and spinach. Then a desert that I think may have just been straight brandy. After dinner, I went back to the room to shower. We were too tired to go out, so everyone stayed in the mezzanine area of the hotel to play card games. I played Egyptian rat-screw, signs, spoons, and golf. It was overall a very relaxing evening and I welcomed the early bedtime!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Our last day in Rome L it was sad as Rome was one of my favorites. The day was pretty stressful. We had a music lecture that got out at 9:30. On the schedule, and at the welcome dinner, it was made known to the group that we were having a tour of roman churches from 10:30-12:30, and that we would meet at the lobby at 9:45. Amanda and I had written the times down as well. We went up to our rooms to drop our stuff off and were back in the lobby at promptly 9:55. However, no one was to be found! We were baffled, as we had discussed with people in the elevator that we were leaving at 10. Turns out, that they had already left.
Amanda and I were upset and tried running to the train. We knew that they were going to the Parthenon sometime during the tour so we decided to just take the metro there and try to find the group. We took the metro, got off, and never found anyone. It was a pretty rainy day so we were just going to walk around and maybe duck in a few stores to look around. After the second store, wee just so happened to run into Eric. In the middle of Rome, it was very cool to run into someone. He had just called someone and got directions to the church they were currently at. We were able to walk over there together to meet up with the group. Our leader apologized profusely and was very nice about it. I know that it was a misunderstanding, but I was still a little upset. Our professor also apologized and we were not counted tardy or absent.
We continued on with the group on the walking tour of the Roman churches. We have to see some very amazing cathedrals. After a little over 2 hours, our tour concluded in the Parthenon, which was also very beautiful. After the tour ended, we grabbed a sandwich and headed to see the Triebe fountain. It is one of the most well recognized places in Italy. Also, there is a myth that if you throw three coins over your shoulder and don’t look back, you will one-day return to Rome. We did this, but unfortunately, none of us could resist the urge to look back!
After the fountain, it started to grow late. We quickly made it over to the Spanish steps before dark before getting back on the metro. Back at our hotel, we packed and ate one of the most delicious dinners of the trip at the hotel. It was a very laid back and relaxing day with the small exception of the mix up of the times in the morning. I will be very sad to leave rome!
Amanda and I were upset and tried running to the train. We knew that they were going to the Parthenon sometime during the tour so we decided to just take the metro there and try to find the group. We took the metro, got off, and never found anyone. It was a pretty rainy day so we were just going to walk around and maybe duck in a few stores to look around. After the second store, wee just so happened to run into Eric. In the middle of Rome, it was very cool to run into someone. He had just called someone and got directions to the church they were currently at. We were able to walk over there together to meet up with the group. Our leader apologized profusely and was very nice about it. I know that it was a misunderstanding, but I was still a little upset. Our professor also apologized and we were not counted tardy or absent.
We continued on with the group on the walking tour of the Roman churches. We have to see some very amazing cathedrals. After a little over 2 hours, our tour concluded in the Parthenon, which was also very beautiful. After the tour ended, we grabbed a sandwich and headed to see the Triebe fountain. It is one of the most well recognized places in Italy. Also, there is a myth that if you throw three coins over your shoulder and don’t look back, you will one-day return to Rome. We did this, but unfortunately, none of us could resist the urge to look back!
After the fountain, it started to grow late. We quickly made it over to the Spanish steps before dark before getting back on the metro. Back at our hotel, we packed and ate one of the most delicious dinners of the trip at the hotel. It was a very laid back and relaxing day with the small exception of the mix up of the times in the morning. I will be very sad to leave rome!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
After breakfast and an Architecture lecture, we were off to the Vatican! I was split up from the group this morning and I was a little freaked out. Luckily, I was with two boys, so I felt safe and we were able to figure out how to get there. We went to the wrong train station, but finally got there. I was worried because the professors made a big deal about going in right at our reservation time. We had gotten to the Vatican a little late, but after talking to a security guard, he kindly let us in free of charge to find our group. Luckily, they were still standing very close to the entrance and we had plenty of time.
We had a special tour guide who was very nice and very knowledgeable. We walked around the museum and saw many very famous sculptures, paintings, and tapestries. We were also able to look at the gardens (which make up a very large area of the Vatican) and also one of the Pope’s former apartments. Next, was the Sistine Chapel! It was much much smaller than I had imagined but still very beautiful. IIt was jammed packed tight and you are not allowed to take pictures or talk. It was a little stressful, but it was a great thing to see. We also were able to go into St. Peter’s cathedral and his tomb.
After the Vatican, Hannah, Amanda, and I went to grab some lunch before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the concert. We sat at an outdoor café and I had the best four cheese penne pasta that I think I have ever had! I then was able to haggle for a very cute t-shirt and some much-needed sunglasses.
We went back to the hotel, and got ready for the concert. The concert was in a very beautiful hall where we listened to an orchestra and a world-renowned Spanish guitarist. It was a very nice concert and very different than everything that I have ever been to. Our teacher said the concert would not last more than 1.5 hours, which it didn’t. While the concert was only 45 minutes, the encore was almost 2 hours! It was a little crazy but good.
After the concert, we walked over to the coliseum to go to a pub-crawl, something that has been recommended to us by pretty much everyone. The group that went was almost 35 people from our oxford program. We also ran into people visiting Rome from the Greece/Italy trip as well as GT Lorraine, which was absolutely crazy. I did not know anyone on those trips, but it was pretty cool to run into people’s friends in Rome!
The pub-crawl was pretty fun. The place were we met had unlimited beer/wine for an hour. Also, at the next four bars that we went to had a shot as you came through the door. I didn’t buy any drinks so it ended up being a pretty cheap way to walk around the city at night in a large group. I thought that it was very cool the people leading the trip. They were mostly UGA graduates! It is such a small world. One guy even said that he knew Carol Forehand! The pub-crawl ended in apparently a pretty exclusive nightclub whose cover was more expensive than the cost of the whole pub-crawl. (So I felt like I definitely got my money’s worth and I got a t-shirt)! It was a very interesting place and was different from places in the US. We caught a cab back pretty early and got a great deal on it. I feel like we are finally getting a really good handle on getting around the city.
We had a special tour guide who was very nice and very knowledgeable. We walked around the museum and saw many very famous sculptures, paintings, and tapestries. We were also able to look at the gardens (which make up a very large area of the Vatican) and also one of the Pope’s former apartments. Next, was the Sistine Chapel! It was much much smaller than I had imagined but still very beautiful. IIt was jammed packed tight and you are not allowed to take pictures or talk. It was a little stressful, but it was a great thing to see. We also were able to go into St. Peter’s cathedral and his tomb.
After the Vatican, Hannah, Amanda, and I went to grab some lunch before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the concert. We sat at an outdoor café and I had the best four cheese penne pasta that I think I have ever had! I then was able to haggle for a very cute t-shirt and some much-needed sunglasses.
We went back to the hotel, and got ready for the concert. The concert was in a very beautiful hall where we listened to an orchestra and a world-renowned Spanish guitarist. It was a very nice concert and very different than everything that I have ever been to. Our teacher said the concert would not last more than 1.5 hours, which it didn’t. While the concert was only 45 minutes, the encore was almost 2 hours! It was a little crazy but good.
After the concert, we walked over to the coliseum to go to a pub-crawl, something that has been recommended to us by pretty much everyone. The group that went was almost 35 people from our oxford program. We also ran into people visiting Rome from the Greece/Italy trip as well as GT Lorraine, which was absolutely crazy. I did not know anyone on those trips, but it was pretty cool to run into people’s friends in Rome!
The pub-crawl was pretty fun. The place were we met had unlimited beer/wine for an hour. Also, at the next four bars that we went to had a shot as you came through the door. I didn’t buy any drinks so it ended up being a pretty cheap way to walk around the city at night in a large group. I thought that it was very cool the people leading the trip. They were mostly UGA graduates! It is such a small world. One guy even said that he knew Carol Forehand! The pub-crawl ended in apparently a pretty exclusive nightclub whose cover was more expensive than the cost of the whole pub-crawl. (So I felt like I definitely got my money’s worth and I got a t-shirt)! It was a very interesting place and was different from places in the US. We caught a cab back pretty early and got a great deal on it. I feel like we are finally getting a really good handle on getting around the city.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Today was amazing! After starting out the day with breakfast, our music lecture, and then our art lecture, we were off to see Rome! We rode the metro to begin our walking tour of ancient Rome. We walked around the ruins a bit before trying to enter the forum. Unfortunately, things had changed since the last year, and there was an admission fee. One of the leaders fell through again and did not bring money to purchase tickets. The walking tour was ended really early and we were left on our own. Most people went back to the hotel to change for the concert that we were having later that night, since we would not have time after the museum that was scheduled for the afternoon.
However, we were vary prepared! My group, already dressed and ready for the concert, headed over to the Coliseum! It was very cool. We paid for a tour guide to take us around and bought a roma pass for the entry. The roma pass was very helpful since it let us get into the coliseum, the forum, other museums, as well as giving us unlimited metro rides. We learned a ton of cool things about the coliseum. One of the neatest things that I didn’t know was that they used to spend 4 days to flood the stadium with aqueducts to have naval battles! But, they only did it twice since they discovered that it was far too small for that purpose. We also learned a lot about how the gladiator fights worked.
After the coliseum, we ended up having to take a taxi to the museum Borgese. It was located in a very beautiful park were we wandered forever trying to find a sandwich. We got to the park before everyone else so we ended up having a very long while to sit and enjoy the park! The museum here was the most beautiful that I have ever been to. It was a very lavish home and had a very incredible collection of art. They do not advertise the museum and the other groups who have gone through Rome did not get to go in, however, the wait list is very long to get a reservation so we were lucky to go! It was the best art and several of my new favorite works are there including Apollo and Persephone.
After the museum, we started walking towards the concert hall. We were booking it so we could go and see the soccer stadium on the way. When we were getting pretty close, we ran into our music professor who seemed very upset. He explained that even though he asked the lead of the program to book the concert 4 months ago, she had booked it for the wrong night. So, we ended up hopping back on the metro to head back to our hotel for dinner.
Some people had gone to a pizza place across from our hotel the night before and said that it was very good and mostly cheap. I had no idea how cheap though! Everyone that ordered before me just picked out a slice of pizza, which ended up being around 4.50 euros (they measured it by the pound). I saw a sign for a combo meal, margherita pizza and a coke for 3.50. I ordered this expecting to get a small slice, which I was fine with. I paid and he handed me the coke and left. After a couple of minutes, I asked another man who was working at the counter. He told me that my pizza was almost done. I had no idea what we going on because they had just handed everyone else their slice of pizza. All of a sudden, the first guy came back with a whole pizza! I was so excited that not only was my meal half the price of everyone else’s, but I got a coke and probably 4 times a much food! I was very happy. We all went back to a person’s room who had a corner balcony to sit outside and enjoy our pizza.
After dinner, I and Amanda worked on trying to get internet. I never really got it, but Amanda was able to check her email. While we were sitting in the lobby, there was a group that was meeting to go to a Professor Persnall recommended gelatio place. We quickly were on board even though we were already in our PJ’s. It was a great decision! We went to this local hangout, where for just 1.80 Euro, I got a cone that was bigger than my face! Before, I was paying 3-4 Euro for just one scoop. This place, I got a medium cone and got I think about six scoops, fresh whip cream, and little cookies! It was a sweet ending to the day!
However, we were vary prepared! My group, already dressed and ready for the concert, headed over to the Coliseum! It was very cool. We paid for a tour guide to take us around and bought a roma pass for the entry. The roma pass was very helpful since it let us get into the coliseum, the forum, other museums, as well as giving us unlimited metro rides. We learned a ton of cool things about the coliseum. One of the neatest things that I didn’t know was that they used to spend 4 days to flood the stadium with aqueducts to have naval battles! But, they only did it twice since they discovered that it was far too small for that purpose. We also learned a lot about how the gladiator fights worked.
After the coliseum, we ended up having to take a taxi to the museum Borgese. It was located in a very beautiful park were we wandered forever trying to find a sandwich. We got to the park before everyone else so we ended up having a very long while to sit and enjoy the park! The museum here was the most beautiful that I have ever been to. It was a very lavish home and had a very incredible collection of art. They do not advertise the museum and the other groups who have gone through Rome did not get to go in, however, the wait list is very long to get a reservation so we were lucky to go! It was the best art and several of my new favorite works are there including Apollo and Persephone.
After the museum, we started walking towards the concert hall. We were booking it so we could go and see the soccer stadium on the way. When we were getting pretty close, we ran into our music professor who seemed very upset. He explained that even though he asked the lead of the program to book the concert 4 months ago, she had booked it for the wrong night. So, we ended up hopping back on the metro to head back to our hotel for dinner.
Some people had gone to a pizza place across from our hotel the night before and said that it was very good and mostly cheap. I had no idea how cheap though! Everyone that ordered before me just picked out a slice of pizza, which ended up being around 4.50 euros (they measured it by the pound). I saw a sign for a combo meal, margherita pizza and a coke for 3.50. I ordered this expecting to get a small slice, which I was fine with. I paid and he handed me the coke and left. After a couple of minutes, I asked another man who was working at the counter. He told me that my pizza was almost done. I had no idea what we going on because they had just handed everyone else their slice of pizza. All of a sudden, the first guy came back with a whole pizza! I was so excited that not only was my meal half the price of everyone else’s, but I got a coke and probably 4 times a much food! I was very happy. We all went back to a person’s room who had a corner balcony to sit outside and enjoy our pizza.
After dinner, I and Amanda worked on trying to get internet. I never really got it, but Amanda was able to check her email. While we were sitting in the lobby, there was a group that was meeting to go to a Professor Persnall recommended gelatio place. We quickly were on board even though we were already in our PJ’s. It was a great decision! We went to this local hangout, where for just 1.80 Euro, I got a cone that was bigger than my face! Before, I was paying 3-4 Euro for just one scoop. This place, I got a medium cone and got I think about six scoops, fresh whip cream, and little cookies! It was a sweet ending to the day!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Today we drove… it wasn’t that far or that bad. It is actually nicer than I thought having bus rides. It gives a day for my feet to rest! J we stopped in a town called Orgiaz in Italy on the way to Rome. It was a pretty small town that we reached after an extremely long walk up a sharp hill. We went to see a chapel and to stop for lunch. Unfortunately, a lot of the girls including myself were not able to get in. our shorts did not cover our knees. I had pants on the bus with me if I got cold, but had taken them off to get lunch since it was very hot outside. I was a little disappointed, but we heard the chapel wasn’t that great. We stopped at a very nice little café to have pizza/calzones and a glass of wine. The pizza was so big and great for the price!
When we got to the hotel, we were excited that we were staying relatively close to the city. However, that excitement was quickly squashed when me and Amanda got to our room. Others had already checked in and said how large and spacious their rooms were. After finally locating our room (which took a while because it was right behind the elevator) we could barely get our suitcases in the door! We were pretty much in a maintenance closet behind the elevator. Others had a walk in closest, 2 (or in some case 3) queen size beds, a huge bathtub, and a balcony. We had, a very small bed, with no room on either side, a facet on the wall for the shower, and a toilet you could only get to once you maneuvered behind the door. We usually aren’t complainers, but after seeing the other people’s rooms, we wanted to ask if we could switch. The front desk informed us that they were booked for the night but to check early the next morning. We didn’t really unpack to keep our hope alive for another room.
We walked downstairs for the welcome dinner at 8, only to find out that it had switched to 8:3-. I had just enough time to take a very quick shower before dinner. The dinner was so good! We had free bread and water. The first course was a very delicious bowtie pasta with cracked pepper and cherry tomatoes. For the second course we had a chicken breast and fries. Finally, for the third course, we had a very yummy cookies and cream gelatio!
After a very satisfying dinner, we decided to explore the neighborhood. We found a very small Guinness pub. The bar was very chill and I got one very good glass of the house white wine. After a short visit, it was time to go to bed. We have a very long day exploring Rome tomorrow!!!
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