Udine and Venice

Last Thursday Lauren and I went to visit her family in a town called Udine. There were three cute old ladies that were very excited to have us. We talked, they cooked, we ate. They were soo sweet and like three dotting grandma's. Then her cousin Max drove us to the train station, he was saying that he cant wait til we come back again so he can show us off to his friends. He is about 30 and a lawyer and he says he hates his job and that he works too much. 

So then Friday afternoon we headed to Venice for Carnivale!!

Lauren and I met up with Rachel and Monica and also Adam. We took the bus in to our hostel which was a camp ground with some trailer/cabins. The park was big, but the rooms were small- only enough room for two small beds. The bathrooms and sinks were down the way- the place would be cool in the summer time. There was supposedly a discoteca, a bar and breakfast place- I had an amazing ham and cheese omelet. We took the half hour ferry ride to the island and met up with the girls and Adam. We walked around, headed to Piazza San Marco and watched a costume contest. The costumes were gorgeous and very impressive. Then I walked around and surveyed the mask selection- ended up choosing a 30 euro purple mask, with a huge headdress of purple and black feathers- i love it soo much. Then we headed to the Ponte Rialto to take some pictures- such a gorgeous view of the Grand Canal. We got some hot wine and walked around some small street and tried to find our way to the restaurant Monica had made reservations at. We finally made it and eat some delicious food and got to sit for a bit. Then we made our way to the bus station to get back to Camping Fusina. Then Saturday we got up and headed back in- a gorgeous sunny day, perfetto. I got my face painted, purple and gold- absolutely gorgeous. We walked around some more- way more crowded on Saturday when everyone came in for the day. We took some gorgeous pictures on the gondolas, the canals and the gondoliers. Lauren and I walked around to scope out some hotels on a canal. Then we got some lunch- pizza and then some gelato. Next we headed to the start of the Grand Canal to take a vaperetto ride up it. Turns out the boat we get on is like a city bus- anybody and everybody gets on that needs to head to another part of the island. This boat is soo crowded that we are all packed in like Venetian sardines- 3 people get off at a stop and literally 15 more get on, and this happens for about a dozen stops. Im not sure how the boat didnt sink. Next time I am going with people who are willing to shell out money for a sweet gondola ride, got to do it up right when you are in Venice! 

Milano e Verona

Two weekends ago I went to Milan with a group from my program. We had tons of fun- seeing the magnificent Duomo, the famous opera house- La Scala, the most beautiful shopping in the Galleria and in the shopping district, a museum to see Raphael's sketch of the School of Athens. We also went to a nice dinner, all of us dressed up and having fun talking and then chic and fun nightclub called Hollywood that cost us a total of 50 euros each (cover, drinks and coat check) but the money was definitely worth it! The trip started off Lauren and I going without much planning at all. But we did try to plan to see The Last Supper. We thought that we didnt really have to make reservations a month in advance in February because it doesnt seem like such a touristy time. But the line was always busy and online it said tickets were sold out- not for the weekend but seemingly forever... So unfortunately we didnt see this famous work of art and also Lauren and I read that you could get discounted opera tickets two hours before a show so we planned on stopping by and seeing if we could get some tickets. It is opera season so we thought that there would be an opera but we looked at the scheduled posted outside and there was an opera every day in the month of February besides the Saturday night we were there... what bad luck. Even missing these two things we had a great time at the museum, the club and window shopping. 

Then I had my first week of school at the university. I have one class Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the other Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The first class is the Sociology of Tourism. It is supposed to be an easy class and the teacher seems very nice and laid back. The second class is History, Society and the Family. This class last two hours and the teacher talks non stop- very boring after the first hour. Luckily, or else i wouldnt make it, she starts 15 minutes late (like most professors here) and stops 15 minutes early. It is kind of dry because she just sits in front of us with a microphone and talks at us but the test is supposedly just over the books you read. This week I went out every night and consequently did not get enough sleep and thus developed a cough that wouldnt quit.

This past weekend on Saturday Lauren and I and two other girl friends went to Verona for Valentine's Day. Verona is the city where Romeo and Juliet lived- ideal city for the lovers holiday. We had a great time. We saw the arena (a small version of the Coliseum), the river, a basicilica, a chiesa, a castle and had a great lunch and dinner. For our romantic Valentine's dinner we ate at a Indian restaurant. Some what of a strange concept but of course (as i suspected) everywhere was booked for dinner in Verona on Valentines Day. The girls I went with seemed to think there might be a good place that wasnt full- i didnt have any hope. We grabbed the last train around 10:30 and got home around 1am. 

Then I slept all day Sunday to try to feel better.

This week is week two of classes and this coming weekend we are going to Venice for Carnivale, i'll update when I get back!

Bella Bologna

I finally met my eighth roommate, Roberto- the brother of Dani. He studied for a year in Arizona and knows some english. He just came back to Bologna from being in Toulouse, France with his girlfriend. The day he came back his mother came from Sardinia to see her sons. She has been staying with us and is very sweet. Of course cleaning and cooking a lot. Tonight I had dinner with Dani, Roberto and their mother. She cooked minestrona and an egg, zucchini dish- both very delicious of course. I told her I did not know how to cook because at school I have a cook- she was a little surprised and understood why i was so thankful for her cooking. I would have been content with the panino I had in mind to eat for dinner- quick and easy:) I also got to try an strong alcohol that she made, a little sweet but very strong. The Italian mother is somewhat how I imagined one would be- sweet to me, controlling to her sons, wanting to cook and clean, and a cute older lady:) I wonder how long she will be here for. Happily i was able to carry on a conversation with her. Though some of the time when the three of them talk, the boys mumble and talk quickly- so I only catch some of it.  I am excited to spend time with Roberto now, and I think Dani is starting to warm up to me finally, tonight he said buona notte to me before he went out. 

Tonight everyone is gone besides my new italian mother and I. I think Leo is probably working and all the girls are out somewhere. Lauren is out on a date with a guy we like to call "bangs"- he is quite the metro italian. Last night he took her to the top of a hill, with a gorgeous gold-glowing church, and tonight they are doing dinner and a movie. I helped her get ready- it took forty minutes for her to decide what to wear- luckily I was there to simultaneously dry and straighten her hair while she did her make-up. 

Today was the most gorgeous day we have had yet in Bologna. It was in the fifties and soo sunny. Today was a Wednesday so we had our culture/history lesson and excursion. We went to the Museo di Palazzo Poggi on via Zamboni. We toured some of the museum and then climbed its tower. We got the most gorgeous view of the city! I took tons of pictures and was in awe of the city that i can say i actually live in! ahhh,... this is definitely the life. 

Ciao for now! 

Modena

Saturday Lauren, some people from my program and I took a day trip to a nearby city- Modena. The train ride only took about 15 minutes. From there we took a bus ride to the Ferrari museum. It was a cool experience seeing all the different ferraris in person. I even saw a picture of the Speedway! We took a lot of pictures. And to make it more fun we tried to take fun pictures of the cars with us. We took one at the end with us girls all jumping in the air. We had a great afternoon there. 

Then we had an appointment at a Balsamic Vinegar vineyard in Modena. Modena is the true and original place where balsamic vinegar is produced. On all bottles of b.v. the city Modena is on the label even though it is not truly from Modena. We went to this little cottage, up to the top floor where the barrels of vinegar are. A very cold room, the top vinegar sits for 25 years, and a small bottle of it costs about 65 euro. We had a taste testing session and took some pictures. The daughter of the family told us all about the history and process. 

Then we took a bus back to the city center to the annual street festival- we happened to come on just the right day! There were dozens and dozens of vendors- selling cheese, meat, sweets, piadini, crepes, clothes, and other random things. There were hundreds of people milling around- good people watching. Lauren and I bought some fresh cheese- pecorini fresca. and also some sweets to eat while walking around. Lauren and I went with Rachel, Teresa, Addriene and Monica- a great group of girls, we had a wonderful day. Our first of many day trips!

But unfortunately that night after i got home i became sick and have been ever since- and it keeps getting worse. Today i was supposed to have a presentation in class but my nose would not stop running and i couldnt breathe out of it so i could barely talk. i am supposed to go tmrw, i wonder if i will be any better. We have two finals and a paper this friday for this presession class. I hope i get well by tmrw so i can start studying hard core. 

I have a home in Italy!

Everyday I am so busy, from nine til three at night, going going going. Classes, shopping, walking, eating, going out at night. All so much fun, loving the city. But I actually have a home to go back to now!! And eight amazing roommates:) I live on a street that is very central, two minutes to Piazza Maggiore! I live on the top floor, with a great view! I live in a double with a girl named Sara, the room is very huge though. There are five girls and three guys. Two guys are brother from Sardania, Roberto and Danielle. And Leo was born in Columbia but has lived in Italy basically his whole life. The girls are from all over Italy: Sara, Sara, Laura, Marghe and Illaria. They are a lot of fun but unfortunately all smokers, but im too bothered by it actually. They are all amazing cooks and are very generous. I am having so much fun with all of them, there is always someone here and also friends- the more the merrier! The first night I moved in my roommates had a party with thirty of their friends- our living room holds a ton of people, we have a pretty big apartment. I wish we had more than one bathroom and the heat wasn't turned off all night. But great roommates definitely make up for it. 

Lauren has been staying with me for the past few days after we moved out of the hotel. It has been a great transition and always tons of fun with her. This experience would not be the same without her that is for sure. 

The city is really great, the window shopping is amazing. I love walking around for hours, exploring the city. Our culture classes about Bologna history have been really great and informative as well. 

Lauren and I have made many friends at different establishments around town and are having so much fun having italian friends. 

We know the city

On Thursday we took a Presession placement test at the office so they know our ability level, i did about average but will most likely  be placed in the lowest of three levels which is perfectly fine with me. Lauren and I finally got our cell phone plans which are mostly prepaid and quite a different system. Then later we returned to the office to meet with a police officer about safety in Bologna- nothing different than any other big city. Then we all went out for a girl in our program's 21st birthday to dinner. Then a group of us went to the Irish Pub to hang out and Lauren and I went up to the bar to get shots and then just never returned back to the table because we were talking to all the guys at the bar. We made friends with a group of guys about our age that go to the bar a lot. We talked all night and had fun finally being comfortable and having fun talking in Italian. 

Friday morning Lauren went to the Post Office to get her Permit of Stay. When she came back our room was being cleaned so we decided to go out in the city and walk around some more and grab lunch. We went to the fresh food market and got some strawberries, a plum and a nectarine. It was finally a sunny day again so we went to the Piazza to eat our lunch. There was a lot of people out roaming around. Then two of the guys we meet the night before came and met us there. We went to a bar for coffee and tea with them, one they work at. We met their friend Michelle, who was so fun and such a clown- which i learned the italian word for: pagliaccio.  Then we went to lunch with them and Lauren and I shared a pizza. From there we went to the public library which is a very cool place, there are glass floors so u can see down to a city beneath the city. Then after being out with them for hours Lauren and I cam back to our hotel to get ready for dinner. Our program went to dinner at our director's home that night. It was a little bit of a walk outside the center and his house was gorgeous. We all ate pizza and sat around and talked- it was relaxing and fun. Then Lauren and I were going to met the guys- Floriano and Vincenzo at Irish Pub and then bring them out to a bar with some people from our program. But they didn't like the bar we wanted to take them to so we just stayed there all night talking with them. 

Saturday morning I woke up at seven to go to the Post Office to get my Permit of Stay. Then at twelve Lauren and I met the group at the Piazza to go on a bus tour of the city. We sat in the back in the open air part of the double decker bus. It was freezing but we took a lot of cool pictures finally. We also went up to a high point at a church and looked out over the city but it was pretty foggy, (which it has been quite a lot here and what i read isnt uncommon) so we didnt get too good of a view. But we said we will definitely have to come back later in the semester for good pictures. Next we ate lunch at a bar on the piazza and warmed up. At two we went to an appointment for an apartment for Lauren. The room ended up being half the size our my room at Theta- a twin mattress basically on the floor with half a desk, and the armoire out in the hallway-- not something you would want to pay 310 euros for. Lauren and I took the bus back and hung out at the hotel for a bit, looking for more apartments online. Lauren and I haven't found places to live but we have been exploring so much that we know the city pretty well and are having a great time discovering different parts of it- we are the ones that actually know where we are going when we are out at night trying to find a bar or something to do. Then we went out to dinner with part of our group, i had some delicious grilled vegetables. Lauren and I then met up with another part of the program at a bar called Cafe Paris. They have euro shots and Lauren flirting with the baristo and got free ones for all of us. Then the group traveled to a discoteca called Soda Pops. We danced in this very crowded bar and I met a Sengalese guy. Then at about 2 we left and got crepes- chocolate and strawberries---soo good. 

Now it is Sunday and Lauren and I slept in and then watch some more of our movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Now im catching up on this and will contact more people about apartments. 

Ciao for now!

Phone and Looking for Houses

This morning I had a meeting for our permits of stay, not bad. Then Lauren and I got our cell phone service at WIND with some help from a friend in the program, I luckily unlocked my phone and didn't have to buy a new one. Then it was time for lunch and we found a cafeteria for some fruit, salad and bread. Then we hung out in the room and starting looking online for apartments. We went out at 4 to check one out, just around the corner. They had a dog so I was out right away. Then we walked around for a lil. And came back to continue our search- very frustrating. I need dinner now and in a bit I am going to look at another apartment. The days are non-stop from earlier in the morning until or can finally go to sleep at 12:30- when ive already been exhausted since 10..

Surreal Life

Last night (Monday) Lauren and I walked around the city for two hours, a lil lost but having fun exploring the city. Then we found our way around and headed to the main square- Piazza Maggiore. When we arrived in front of the basilica I was in awe- the site i have seen in pictures is actually right in front of me- hardly could believe it. I took a couple of pictures. Then we headed back towards our hotel to a little ristorante we saw by our hotel to eat dinner around 9. It was called A Roma di Roma and it was a cute little place with an older gentleman named Michelle that was super nice. We shared a homemade egg pasta with artichokes dish- very delicious and something I would not have tries in Stati Uniti. We also had rosemary potatoes and a half bottle of white wine. To finish they served us a small flute of bubbly strawberry drink- very sweet and good. We ate for an our an a half- the whole time sitting there not believing this was our life and will be for the next 6 months. 

This morning we had our first meeting at the BCSP office- which is right around the corner from our hotel and just off Via Indipendenza. We met Dot. Andrea Ricci, the director of our program- very cute and seems very nice. We had a 2 hour orientation meeting and i surprisingly understood quite a bit. Then we had a 15 minute break to go get a cappucino at a bar around the corner- i tried lauren's. Then we headed back for a housing meeting with Daniella- all repetitive. Lauren and I were starving by this point and headed out to get lunch and look into cell phones. The cellphone stores were closed but we got a prosciutto e formaggio panino. We then headed back to the piazzia and i took some more pictures in the daylight. We then actually went into the basilica. It is my first huge european church i have been in- it was amazing. Then we walked around little streets near the piazza- tiny cute and expensive shops. We then went into a cell phone store to inquire. Next we chilled at our hotel before headed back out to try to actually get a cell phone service and the store closed right in front of us. So instead we headed to this nice hair salon two stores away and purchased our straightner and other hair products. Then we went to dinner with the BCSP group at Pizzeria Belle Arti- with many courses and a fun table to chat with. We met the year students and Ricci's wife and three year old. Then a group of us headed to Via Zamboni in the university zone to find a bar. The first one we happened upon was English Empire, we found a table and ordered drinks. Lauren and I both had a drink called Sexy. It was vodka, lemon and strawberry- very tasty. We stayed and talked for an hour, complete with 90's hip-hop songs playing on the tv's. Now it is one and I have to get up for a meeting at 9:30, buy a phone and make apartment contact tmrw afternoon. A domani!

Day 1- Monday

This morning I arrived in Bologna! Our flight landed at 11:30 and all our luggage was luckily there. We grabbed a taxi and loaded all of our luggage in an started our drive to Hotel Holiday, Via Bertiera 13. We did not talk to our driver, but I took tons of pictures along the way. Then we checked in- lobby is really small. We asked for a room together and took the tiny elevator one at a time up to our room. It is really small, but very cute Italian windows to a tiny opening in the building. We put our stuff down and had a minute in our room. We then went down and had a meeting with Daniella and Marina- in Italian of course, a little intro to the hotel and the schedule for the next couple of days. We headed back up to our room and wanted to take a quick nap before heading out. It was a beautiful day, about 32 degrees and very sunny- perfect for exploring the city, but... we didn't feel like waking up when our alarm went off and ended up sleeping until 5:30 pm- we wouldn't have lasted long on our walk. We are now downstairs in the little eating area with free wifi. I skyped my brother on his lunch hour and checked my facebook. We are now planning on going out to find dinner at the Piazza Maggiore. Italian is spoken all around.. with some English, meeting the other BCSP students. We are discussing finding phones and going to dinner, all on our laptops in the eating area. Va bene, Lauren and I should maybe change and head out. 

Ciao for now!

Travel Day

So today is the day I am flying to Bologna. This morning I left Indy at 8am. The new airport is pretty cool looking, very modern/futuristic. My bags weighed over 50lbs each so we had to do a little rearranging and even a a little crying on my part so as not to have to pay 50 dollars for going to pounds over. Then we got some euros and headed to the B concourse. Parents and brother came so we took a picture and said goodbye- only a little crying. I went through secruity, taking a minute to get my laptop out of my bag and another to get my boots off. Then they made me go through the 360 scan thing to check me- my first time. And I stood on my tip toes to wave goodbye to my parents. Then it took another 5 minutes to put my laptop back in, and boots back on. I headed to my gate and sat there and journaled til boarding time. My flight was very short, getting there a half hour early. I met Lauren and her mom Mary at the American International Check-In. She checked in her two bags- which were surprisingly only 83 pounds total! We then stopped at Starbucks and headed for her house, not far from O'Hare, that's where I am now. We have a couple of errands to run and then we head back to the airport at 2pm to catch our flight at 4:35. That's all for now- next post I will be in Italy!!!! So ciao for now!

Less than a week!!

I will be in Italy in one week! It sounds crazy, unreal. I have been busy this winter break getting everything together. It has been a lot to do but pretty enjoyable. 

I have packed everything for the most part to make sure everything fits. And i already weeded out a couple stacks of clothes so I am not bringing too much. My clothes fit fine in my one big suitcase without even putting them in spacesaver bags, so thats a good sign. I have gotten some travel size toiletries for weekends and July and so I don't have big bottles of things that I can obviously buy there. Tomorrow I am doing some of my last errands- going to the bank and buying a new computer battery (mine is over two years old and needs to be replaced). After than i think im pretty set. I am going back to Theta tomorrow night until Friday. So the middle of my week is shot-- except for being able to visit with and say arrivederci to my sisters!

Yesterday i spent the day online looking for apartments and making profiles. My search went well and there are many possibilities I am looking into. I also got an email this morning from someone who found my profile on EasyStanza. It is a huge apartment, over 2,ooo square feet, 5 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 3 baths, 2 living rooms and 8 roommates- 4 italian and 4 foreigners. They sent pictures of the place and them. I am interested at the moment. I sent them a long email back about myself. I would love to live with a lot of roommates - like that foreign film L'Auberge Espagnole. It would be more interesting that just one other roommate. But i'll have to  wait to see whats there once i am there.

Earlier today i talked to Lauren about a lot of stuff we need to get done before depature, it was good to finally talk and settle things. On Sunday my flight to Chicago is early in the morning because American only offers a few direct flights. And our flight leaving Chicago to Brussels doesn't leave til like 4:30pm. So hopefully it will work out that i can spend the day at Lauren's house since she doesn't live far from the airport. 

I also spent an afternoon, a few days ago, looking at cell phone service providers since i have to get a phone the day after i arrive. the sites were hard to understand in italian, mostly words i've never learned before. but it will hopefully be easier in the stores. 

I am getting very excited now that i am getting packed, looking a cell phone services and finding apartments. I had a lot of excited energy at the gym today, which made for a nice long run on the treadmill. Speaking of the gym, I looked into discounts i get get from my International Student ID Card and one i found in Bologna is for half price subscription fee at a gym in centro- maybe it will work out for a gym, it's called Fitness First and I wonder what their equipment is like. 

Well I should definitely get some sleep so I am not completely opposite Italy's timezone. 

Ciao!