WOW! I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post!!! Let me catch everyone up on what Ive been doing....
I am in my last week of classes!!!! I cant believe I am saying that! It ended up that I am taking 2 cooking classes! We make a 3 course meal in both of them so needless to say I am never hungry. I am in love with my pairing wine and food class--my teacher is awesome! His name is Marco and he is a blast! We make our 2nd huge meal of the day and drink wine. I dont think it gets any better!!
2 weekends ago we went to Venice/Verona. We got to spend some time at the beach on Lake Garda--which is beautiful! It is this lake surrounded by mountains. The beaches are full of huge rocks that you have to walk across to get to the water. Our hotel overlooked the mountains. It was breathtaking! We all decided to skip the trip to Verona and lay by the pool. I am soo exhausted and it was a nice change of pace. We layed out all day and it was seriously one of my favorite days while in Italy. We all joke that we loved ''Verona'' the best! Sunday we went to Venice and rode a gondola (I just butchered that one!). Our little ''driver'' was wearing the typical striped navy and white shirt. That weekend was amazing!!!
This past weekend we decided spur of the moment to go to Amsterdam. There were 10 of us in a 8 bed hostel so Becca and I shared a twin bunk bed. Amsterdam is an interesting place, for sure. I had fun--we toured the Anne Frank house, Van Gogh museum, and the Heineken brewery, which was really cool! It is a dirty city and it resembles Hell a little too much for me. I am glad we went and I can say that I will never be back there again!
I am leaving Florence on Saturday and going to Barcelona. After that its Innerloken to Paris to London to Atlanta. Sorry this is so short and not detailed! I promise to fill everyone in on the details as soon as I get home! I love yall and miss you greatly! Let me know whats going on back home!!! Talk to you soon!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Florence
Hey everyone
Sorry it has been a while since my last post. Everything on every single computer is in Italian (imagine that) and I finally clicked around enough on the website to get to write again. Florence is amazing!!! I live with 6 other people in a 4BR, 3BA apartment right in the heart of the city. The girls I live with are awesome!
On Friday we took a bus up to Tuscany and visited the towns of Siena and Volpaia. Siena was absolutely beautiful! There are tons of little villas that are exactly like what I always imagined Italy look like. Our tour guide took us to the cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena. She was the saint with the stigmatas on her hands. Inside the church they keep her head and one of her fingers but the rest of her body is all over Europe--everyone wanted a piece of her because she was so famous. We then climbed up to the top of a tower and had the most amazing view of Tuscany and all the little villas. The mountains were in the background and it was breathtaking.
We then rode about an hour north to a city of Volpaia. We took a tour and they showed us how olive oil and wine were made and we got to do an olive oil tasting. We also had a bottle of the house chianti wine and sat outside and took in the scenery. It was so much fun and soo incredibly beautiful.
On Saturday Becca, Amy, and I went out around Florence with a girl named Meg who studied here for a semester last spring. She showed us lots of good restaurants and really helped us get a sense of direction around the town. She took us to the first pharmacy ever which was really cool to see. We were all dorks about it and took a picture in front of the sign (she is starting pharmacy school at Auburn in the fall). Haha. We then took a bus about 20 minutes outside of the main city to her drawing/art professors house where he cooked us what he called a typical Italian lunch which consisted of a ton of pasta, bruchetta (I know I spelled that wrong), and vino. We talked a lot about the differences in American and Italian cultures. He was very interesting and I really, really enjoyed going out there and having such an authentic Italian experience.
On Sunday we all went to a futbol (soccer) game. We all woke up early and made omelets and tailgated before we went. It was a lot of fun but I know absolutely nothing about soccer so I people watched most of the time.
I just had my first class, Trends in Italian Cuisine and we took a tour of the local market where our teacher explained a lot of info about breads, cheeses, meats, etc. We apparently are going to be cutting the heads off of chickens and makins something with rabbit during this class. I think I might need some vino before I cut the head off of a chicken or pull meat off of a rabbit. This should be an experience! I have another class, Pairing wine with food at 1PM then an Italian class from 5-6PM.
I am going with the roommates to the French Rivera on Saturday/Sunday which should be amazing. Also, Becca, Amy, and I are going to visit Meg in Sicily for one weekend. Were going to take a 10 hour, overnight train and stay at Meg;s apartment (I cant find the apostrophe on this keyboard!!).
I hope everyone is doing well and I love and miss yall! Keep in touch and I will write again soon!
Chao Bella (Hello/Goodbye beautiful)
Sorry it has been a while since my last post. Everything on every single computer is in Italian (imagine that) and I finally clicked around enough on the website to get to write again. Florence is amazing!!! I live with 6 other people in a 4BR, 3BA apartment right in the heart of the city. The girls I live with are awesome!
On Friday we took a bus up to Tuscany and visited the towns of Siena and Volpaia. Siena was absolutely beautiful! There are tons of little villas that are exactly like what I always imagined Italy look like. Our tour guide took us to the cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena. She was the saint with the stigmatas on her hands. Inside the church they keep her head and one of her fingers but the rest of her body is all over Europe--everyone wanted a piece of her because she was so famous. We then climbed up to the top of a tower and had the most amazing view of Tuscany and all the little villas. The mountains were in the background and it was breathtaking.
We then rode about an hour north to a city of Volpaia. We took a tour and they showed us how olive oil and wine were made and we got to do an olive oil tasting. We also had a bottle of the house chianti wine and sat outside and took in the scenery. It was so much fun and soo incredibly beautiful.
On Saturday Becca, Amy, and I went out around Florence with a girl named Meg who studied here for a semester last spring. She showed us lots of good restaurants and really helped us get a sense of direction around the town. She took us to the first pharmacy ever which was really cool to see. We were all dorks about it and took a picture in front of the sign (she is starting pharmacy school at Auburn in the fall). Haha. We then took a bus about 20 minutes outside of the main city to her drawing/art professors house where he cooked us what he called a typical Italian lunch which consisted of a ton of pasta, bruchetta (I know I spelled that wrong), and vino. We talked a lot about the differences in American and Italian cultures. He was very interesting and I really, really enjoyed going out there and having such an authentic Italian experience.
On Sunday we all went to a futbol (soccer) game. We all woke up early and made omelets and tailgated before we went. It was a lot of fun but I know absolutely nothing about soccer so I people watched most of the time.
I just had my first class, Trends in Italian Cuisine and we took a tour of the local market where our teacher explained a lot of info about breads, cheeses, meats, etc. We apparently are going to be cutting the heads off of chickens and makins something with rabbit during this class. I think I might need some vino before I cut the head off of a chicken or pull meat off of a rabbit. This should be an experience! I have another class, Pairing wine with food at 1PM then an Italian class from 5-6PM.
I am going with the roommates to the French Rivera on Saturday/Sunday which should be amazing. Also, Becca, Amy, and I are going to visit Meg in Sicily for one weekend. Were going to take a 10 hour, overnight train and stay at Meg;s apartment (I cant find the apostrophe on this keyboard!!).
I hope everyone is doing well and I love and miss yall! Keep in touch and I will write again soon!
Chao Bella (Hello/Goodbye beautiful)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
When in Rome...
Hey yall! I am in Rome and will be leaving for Florence tomorrow at 730AM. Needless to say I will not be going out tonite! It has been so nice to be back here! The first time I was here, in 2000, it was sooo incredibly crowded and I missed seeing a lot of the sites. Yesterday we did a walking tour and saw the Pantheon, which was amazing! We also saw the Trevi Fountains, the Colloseum, Roman ruins, and much more in town. We went to see the Spanish steps in the evening and ate at this really great local restaurant that our tour guide, Austrid, suggested. It was really a great day! I am so glad to be back here and catch a lot of the things I missed the first go-around.
Today we walked thru St. Peters Basilica with a tour guide. He was really great and knew so many interesting things about the Vatican. At one point in the tour he showed us where people were walking around the top of the dome on walkways and the people looked like tiny dots. The proportions are really amazing and beautiful. I didnt realize that all of the artwork are done in mosaics instead of actual paint which means you can take pictures inside because the work lasts forever. We went to visit the Castle de'Saint Angelo and walked thru there for a long time with our tour guide. I think I got dehydrated and didnt feel well so I went back to the hotel while everyone else went inside the Sistine Chapel. I am really heartbroken that I have now come to Rome twice and missed the Sistine Chapel both times. I will be back right after I leave Florence for about a halfday so I am hoping to squeeze it in.
While I have really enjoyed the past week and a half of touring, I am over being a tourist and ready to stop living out of a suitcase. I cant wait to get to Florence and get settled.
We went out last night and the night before at this bar called the Drunken Ship and met some guys from Auburn. We told them how nice it was to see some Southern guys in short shorts and Polo shirts. I think it was refreshing for them to be around people who understood the meaning of 'yall.'
Anyway, I havent been able to look at this thing for long enough to figure out how to add pictures but I will in Florence. I hope everyone is doing well in the States and I love and miss yall bunches!
Talk to you all soon!
Lauren
PS--If you have been trying to call me, my phone is messed up. I am going to talk to the people tomorrow in Florence and try to get it straightened out.
Today we walked thru St. Peters Basilica with a tour guide. He was really great and knew so many interesting things about the Vatican. At one point in the tour he showed us where people were walking around the top of the dome on walkways and the people looked like tiny dots. The proportions are really amazing and beautiful. I didnt realize that all of the artwork are done in mosaics instead of actual paint which means you can take pictures inside because the work lasts forever. We went to visit the Castle de'Saint Angelo and walked thru there for a long time with our tour guide. I think I got dehydrated and didnt feel well so I went back to the hotel while everyone else went inside the Sistine Chapel. I am really heartbroken that I have now come to Rome twice and missed the Sistine Chapel both times. I will be back right after I leave Florence for about a halfday so I am hoping to squeeze it in.
While I have really enjoyed the past week and a half of touring, I am over being a tourist and ready to stop living out of a suitcase. I cant wait to get to Florence and get settled.
We went out last night and the night before at this bar called the Drunken Ship and met some guys from Auburn. We told them how nice it was to see some Southern guys in short shorts and Polo shirts. I think it was refreshing for them to be around people who understood the meaning of 'yall.'
Anyway, I havent been able to look at this thing for long enough to figure out how to add pictures but I will in Florence. I hope everyone is doing well in the States and I love and miss yall bunches!
Talk to you all soon!
Lauren
PS--If you have been trying to call me, my phone is messed up. I am going to talk to the people tomorrow in Florence and try to get it straightened out.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Hey everyone! I am in Dublin today and will be leaving for Rome tonight around 730PM. I am really sad to leave here because Ireland is awesome! We have been out seeing the sights and yesterday we toured the Guinness Brewery which was amazing! There is a bar at the top of the brewery where you get Guinness (of course) and can see a 360 degree view of Dublin. As if that wasnt amazing enough, there was a double rainbow right in front of us which absolutely has made my trip this far. It was so beautiful and I think I took about 1000 pictures of it!
We have been going out in Temple Bar district the past couple of nights which has been a blast. Two of my good guy friends from high school, Phillip and Richard, are here and actually staying in the room right next to us. It has been so nice to hangout with some American guys and its been a real relief having them here. All of us cannot ever stop laughing around each other and they really have been awesome!
Were about to go on a train (the Dart, Dublin's MARTA) to go and see some of the Irish countryside before Becca and I have to leave tonight for Rome. Were going to a town called Howth, which is a small fishing village. I am really excited to see it! Dublin is a lot more laid back than London is, which has been a nice change of pace. Everyone here is so incredibly nice and very helpful. We also dont get starred down for not dressing like Sienna Miller like we did in London.
The weather here is cold but it hasnt been as rainy as it was in London. Its funny--they play a lot of AmericaN 1970'S music here which is unexpected. Last night they played a Counting Crows song in teh bar and I about died! I love Dublin and I am a little sad to leave.
Anyway, I am off for the tour of the countryside. Talk to everyone soon and I love and miss yall!
Lo
We have been going out in Temple Bar district the past couple of nights which has been a blast. Two of my good guy friends from high school, Phillip and Richard, are here and actually staying in the room right next to us. It has been so nice to hangout with some American guys and its been a real relief having them here. All of us cannot ever stop laughing around each other and they really have been awesome!
Were about to go on a train (the Dart, Dublin's MARTA) to go and see some of the Irish countryside before Becca and I have to leave tonight for Rome. Were going to a town called Howth, which is a small fishing village. I am really excited to see it! Dublin is a lot more laid back than London is, which has been a nice change of pace. Everyone here is so incredibly nice and very helpful. We also dont get starred down for not dressing like Sienna Miller like we did in London.
The weather here is cold but it hasnt been as rainy as it was in London. Its funny--they play a lot of AmericaN 1970'S music here which is unexpected. Last night they played a Counting Crows song in teh bar and I about died! I love Dublin and I am a little sad to leave.
Anyway, I am off for the tour of the countryside. Talk to everyone soon and I love and miss yall!
Lo
Monday, May 14, 2007
First day in London
HELLO from London! Just wanted to let everyone know we made it safely. The flight was great and everything went very smoothly! London is very cold and rainy--which is expected however I only packed one pair of jeans and one jacket so I will be repeating outfits a great bit!!! We got into Gatwich airport this morning around 9am and got a train and a taxi to the hostel. They were playing "I'm in love with a stripper" when we walked in so Bec, Gena, and I knew we were staying! HAHA! The hostel is interesting to say the least--its Brumby size with twice the capacity! There are 3 of us in a room and hopefully some randar, bull dyke girl will not be assigned to our room! We went to the London Museum today and saw the Rosetta Stone and pieces from the Pantheon (spelling is shotty). It was cool but we were all really tired and delirious so we went to the hostel to take a nap and almost missed our show for the night. We had to run to the Tube station in the same outfits we were wearing in the ATL airport to catch the show. Seriously--we woke up 20 minutes before the show started!! We saw Les Miserables which was INCREDIBLE! I have never seen such a talented, stacked cast. We then went to a pub for dinner and drinks where we met some Aussies who made fun of our Southern accents. Were taking it easy tonight and going to get up early tomorrow for a full day of touring. I think were going to take the bus tour of London and see all the big sights, including the changing of the guards, which should be fun then head to a nice dinner and out to Zoo Bar (ladies night, apparently). I hated London when I first got here because the accent is very hard to understand and they speak very quickly (Mom--I know how you feel now when we talk!! :) ) but have grown to like it over the past 12 hours. Everyone is getting along great and were off to Dublin on Wed AM. I will be in Rome on Sunday until Tuesday then its Florence until June 23rd. I hope everyone in America is doing well! Mom & Dad--I hear you called Becca's Mom and she felt a lot better after talking to yall! Also, Uncle Dan gave me Chris King's number and I am going to call in the morning along with Neil. Claire--Les Mis was incredible!!! Eponine was the best I have ever heard and Jean ValJean was amazing as well!!! Seriously the most talented cast imaginable.
I love you all and please post back!!
Lauren
I love you all and please post back!!
Lauren
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