Wednesday
Another day of school (4 hours) at the Eurocenter -- nothing too special.
Today we had our academic meetings with our director to learn more about our classes in Rome, our apartments, and future professors. My class schedule is very screwed up but I have a meeting with our director on Thursday.
I spent most of the day after school, trying to post of pictures on Facebook or an online photo album for everyone to see but it didn't work! I was very frustrated! Following our meetings we went home, relaxed, and studied for our Italian quiz for Thursday.
Dinner was amazing! Florence is known for many things, such as the Duomo, their leather, and the Ponte Vecchio, but no one mentioned their vegetable soup! Let me tell you...it was life changing. Just writing this makes my mouth water! Following the soup course, we had a little roasted chicken with a salad. You can't imagine how much I miss salads and vegetables. All they eat here is bread and cheese. I can feel my body expanding and my arteries clogging! But it still tastes good! Our desert was chocolate pudding = fabuloso!
About 10 PM My friend Casey from UW Madison came into Florence from an smaller outside city. Gail and I picked him up at the train station and had drinks at the hotel. Later we went to a very unique bar filled with Italian hippies to meet some of Casey's fellow classmates from his study abroad program. It was great to meet fellow other UW students!
Ciao!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Day 7 - Pisa and Peas
Jan. 27 marks the first full week I have been in Europe.
I have experienced many different things some good some bad.
Tuesday we had our second day of class, Italian is going well.
The weather has been chilly but not as bad as the states. However, on Tuesday we traveled to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was windy, cold, and rainy. Our pictures didnt turn out too well because of the darkness and rain. We didnt walk around much because we were too cold so instead we went to a Mcdonalds to warm up! It was the best Mcdonalds I have ever been too! It was classy, warm, very technologically savy, and had the best FOOD! I hate American Mcdonalds food but this was great!
I was full from the French fries I had at Mcdonalds but I never say no to one of our hotel's 3 course meals. Every night you have to sign up for a vegetarian meal for the next day, and because dinner on Tuesday was veal I signed up for a salad -- Unfortunately, 12 extra people took vegetarian meals even if they didn't sign up. Therefore, I was left with a big plate of peas! They were good, but as a course, peas was a little pathetic.
I ended the night with a nice hot shower to warm me up after the cold wet day in Pisa and finished my Italian homework.
I have experienced many different things some good some bad.
Tuesday we had our second day of class, Italian is going well.
The weather has been chilly but not as bad as the states. However, on Tuesday we traveled to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was windy, cold, and rainy. Our pictures didnt turn out too well because of the darkness and rain. We didnt walk around much because we were too cold so instead we went to a Mcdonalds to warm up! It was the best Mcdonalds I have ever been too! It was classy, warm, very technologically savy, and had the best FOOD! I hate American Mcdonalds food but this was great!
I was full from the French fries I had at Mcdonalds but I never say no to one of our hotel's 3 course meals. Every night you have to sign up for a vegetarian meal for the next day, and because dinner on Tuesday was veal I signed up for a salad -- Unfortunately, 12 extra people took vegetarian meals even if they didn't sign up. Therefore, I was left with a big plate of peas! They were good, but as a course, peas was a little pathetic.
I ended the night with a nice hot shower to warm me up after the cold wet day in Pisa and finished my Italian homework.
Monday, January 25, 2010
FINALLY IN EUROPE! My trip so far in London and Florence
Ciao!
It has been awhile since I've had internet access, so sorry for the lack of blogs.
I arrived in London on Wednesday. We had all morning to look around the city, but I was very tired from the flying. But in the evening we had a group dinner and cocktail. Then we went out to a few pubs to see what the night life was like in London. Our hotel was nice but small. We were right in Hyde Park so we often took walks in the park.
The following day we woke up early to go on a guided bus tour around London. It was AMAZING! So much fun! We saw all the big tourist stops and were able to stop and take pictures and adventure on our own. We actually had a Scottish tour guide, but he was hilarious!
After the tour some friends and I went to the Theatre district to see if we could get tickets to any of the big shows. We ended up getting tickets for "Blood Brothers" a British drama/musical which starred "Sporty Spice" from the Spice Girls. It was a great show!
Before the show we had a lot of time to spend so we went to the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, and some other tourist spots. But our main adventure that day was the TUBE! (aka the metro system)
My friends Gail and Maria were with me and the Tube came up instantly when we arrived at our platform. Gail without looking or consulting with the us jumped on the tube. Right as I tried to pull her off, the doors closed! Right then, for about 5 seconds we were both facing each other separated only but the glass doors. She started screaming "What do I do?" because she had no idea what stop we were getting off because Maria and I were consulting what line we should take as Gail jumped on. However, I couldn't hear her I could only see her lips moving and her jumping up and down. So in return I just mouthed calmly, "Stay at the next stop."
Once Maria and I caught the next Tube, and got off on the right platform and we were pushing through the sea of people searching for Gail. It was seriously like a scene from a movie. Then...just as we reached the end of the crowd I spotted Gail at the end of the tunnel sitting by herself. It was so funny but we were all relieved!
So at the end of the night we went to the show with some friends and took the tube home at around 11 PM.
The next morning we had to be out of the hotel at 5:15 AM! So we were very tired! We caught a flight to Pisa at 9:45 AM. However, when we arrived in Pisa, I realized I was missing one piece of luggage. I was so scared I didn't know what to do, the Italian Customs and airport is very strict and scary! But a nice older British couple realized I was very distraught and brought me to the Baggage center. Myself and another AIFS student filed our luggage claims and then tired to find our group once we left the airport. But our buses and other students were no where to be found, so we thought we were LEFT STRANDED in Pisa while our hotel and school was in FLORENCE! But luckily, I recognized two students running out of the bathroom who said the buses were just about to leave! So with the angels watching down on us, we made it to the bus just as it was about to drive away!
Now I am officially in Florence. We arrived on Friday. The last 3 days have been a blur because we've been so busy and so tired. I'm mainly trying to catch up on my sleep. The first day we just relaxed and hung out at the hotel. The hotel was built in the 1700s and everything in it is original. The rooms are newer but things around the hotel are antiques. Gail and I have a HUGE room hidden in its own hallway. So we have to open 2 doors before getting to our room. Our room looks over just some streets but it's still beautiful.
On Saturday, we had our 3 hour orientation in the Plazzo Borgese (the Palace of the Borgese family). There we did some ice breakers, which my group won every time! We had to make a tower out of balloons and we made the "Tower of Love." We also won the "human knot" game. So I came home with a handmade Italian spinning top as a prize. We learned about the program, our hotel, and the Chief of Police came to talk to us about the dangers and laws in Italy. He was smokin' hot but very informative. We then had a 3 course meal that was SOOOOOO filling and amazing!
We went shopping and walked around Florence so we could get more familiar with the town. We ended up getting lost and didn't get home until midnight, but it was still fun!
On Sunday, we had a tour of Florence so we could find where our school was, the pharmacy, and other tourist places. Sunday was a relaxing day, so at night we had a board game night in my room.
Today we had our first day of language school. I am in beginning Italian, but it's pretty easy for me since I've had Spanish.
But I'm off to buy my text books and later meet up with our group for a cocktail and dinner.
Hope all is well!
Miss you all!
Love, Hannah
It has been awhile since I've had internet access, so sorry for the lack of blogs.
I arrived in London on Wednesday. We had all morning to look around the city, but I was very tired from the flying. But in the evening we had a group dinner and cocktail. Then we went out to a few pubs to see what the night life was like in London. Our hotel was nice but small. We were right in Hyde Park so we often took walks in the park.
The following day we woke up early to go on a guided bus tour around London. It was AMAZING! So much fun! We saw all the big tourist stops and were able to stop and take pictures and adventure on our own. We actually had a Scottish tour guide, but he was hilarious!
After the tour some friends and I went to the Theatre district to see if we could get tickets to any of the big shows. We ended up getting tickets for "Blood Brothers" a British drama/musical which starred "Sporty Spice" from the Spice Girls. It was a great show!
Before the show we had a lot of time to spend so we went to the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, and some other tourist spots. But our main adventure that day was the TUBE! (aka the metro system)
My friends Gail and Maria were with me and the Tube came up instantly when we arrived at our platform. Gail without looking or consulting with the us jumped on the tube. Right as I tried to pull her off, the doors closed! Right then, for about 5 seconds we were both facing each other separated only but the glass doors. She started screaming "What do I do?" because she had no idea what stop we were getting off because Maria and I were consulting what line we should take as Gail jumped on. However, I couldn't hear her I could only see her lips moving and her jumping up and down. So in return I just mouthed calmly, "Stay at the next stop."
Once Maria and I caught the next Tube, and got off on the right platform and we were pushing through the sea of people searching for Gail. It was seriously like a scene from a movie. Then...just as we reached the end of the crowd I spotted Gail at the end of the tunnel sitting by herself. It was so funny but we were all relieved!
So at the end of the night we went to the show with some friends and took the tube home at around 11 PM.
The next morning we had to be out of the hotel at 5:15 AM! So we were very tired! We caught a flight to Pisa at 9:45 AM. However, when we arrived in Pisa, I realized I was missing one piece of luggage. I was so scared I didn't know what to do, the Italian Customs and airport is very strict and scary! But a nice older British couple realized I was very distraught and brought me to the Baggage center. Myself and another AIFS student filed our luggage claims and then tired to find our group once we left the airport. But our buses and other students were no where to be found, so we thought we were LEFT STRANDED in Pisa while our hotel and school was in FLORENCE! But luckily, I recognized two students running out of the bathroom who said the buses were just about to leave! So with the angels watching down on us, we made it to the bus just as it was about to drive away!
Now I am officially in Florence. We arrived on Friday. The last 3 days have been a blur because we've been so busy and so tired. I'm mainly trying to catch up on my sleep. The first day we just relaxed and hung out at the hotel. The hotel was built in the 1700s and everything in it is original. The rooms are newer but things around the hotel are antiques. Gail and I have a HUGE room hidden in its own hallway. So we have to open 2 doors before getting to our room. Our room looks over just some streets but it's still beautiful.
On Saturday, we had our 3 hour orientation in the Plazzo Borgese (the Palace of the Borgese family). There we did some ice breakers, which my group won every time! We had to make a tower out of balloons and we made the "Tower of Love." We also won the "human knot" game. So I came home with a handmade Italian spinning top as a prize. We learned about the program, our hotel, and the Chief of Police came to talk to us about the dangers and laws in Italy. He was smokin' hot but very informative. We then had a 3 course meal that was SOOOOOO filling and amazing!
We went shopping and walked around Florence so we could get more familiar with the town. We ended up getting lost and didn't get home until midnight, but it was still fun!
On Sunday, we had a tour of Florence so we could find where our school was, the pharmacy, and other tourist places. Sunday was a relaxing day, so at night we had a board game night in my room.
Today we had our first day of language school. I am in beginning Italian, but it's pretty easy for me since I've had Spanish.
But I'm off to buy my text books and later meet up with our group for a cocktail and dinner.
Hope all is well!
Miss you all!
Love, Hannah
Monday, January 18, 2010
Last Day in Wisconsin
In less than 24 hours I will be on a flight to London, England!
I will be in London until Friday.
Then we will fly to Pisa, Italy and stay for a day!
Next we will take a coach bus to Florence, Italy for a 2 week language orientation. Our first weekend in Florence we will take a group trip to Venice for the week and take an art class! After Florence, we will take the bus to Roma!
In Rome I will be living in an apartment with other students in my group. I will be attending the University of Richmond, London--Rome Center. It is right in the HEART of Rome, near all the tourist sites! Many of my classes will take place at Roman museums and historical sites!
I'll be taking many pictures that I may post on Facebook or make Kodak albums!
Hope all is well!
Love, Hannah
I will be in London until Friday.
Then we will fly to Pisa, Italy and stay for a day!
Next we will take a coach bus to Florence, Italy for a 2 week language orientation. Our first weekend in Florence we will take a group trip to Venice for the week and take an art class! After Florence, we will take the bus to Roma!
In Rome I will be living in an apartment with other students in my group. I will be attending the University of Richmond, London--Rome Center. It is right in the HEART of Rome, near all the tourist sites! Many of my classes will take place at Roman museums and historical sites!
I'll be taking many pictures that I may post on Facebook or make Kodak albums!
Hope all is well!
Love, Hannah
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Welcome to my blog!
Only 3 days until Italy!
So much packing left to do!
Keep checking my blog for updates!
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