Oh the places I'll go

But oh the places I have already been. So I have been a slacker on this live journal lately. At least not as bad as SOME peeps I know (clearing throat, Katie) But better late than never I always say. School is friggin HARD. I feel like the only things I know how to say would only help me in the event of a very formal and akward 30 second introduction. What I really need to learn is how to ask people to please stop blowing their second hand smoke in my face, or excuse me but you just scooped my place in this mash of people, which in my head is an actual line, what I most need to know is how to ask if I can pet their puppy. Those are a few things that would be helpful. But I am forging on with positive thoughts. Still loving living here and not really missing America too much yet...just my people, thats all...oh and my pup...just my people, and my pup, frig and Cheesecake. People, pup, and Cheesecake. So life is good :)

Recently we were able to travel to Venice which has become my FAVORITE place IN the ENTIRE world! There is really no where you can compare it too. I loved all the little alleyways, canals, and just the quaintness of it all. It was so romantical and pretty. Here are a few of my favorite shots :)








For now we say arrividerci to Venice...but Bueno Sera to Genoa and Cinque Terra!
What haven't heard of these places before?? Yea neither had I..but they are AWESOME
Genoa is located on the northern east tip(ish) part of Italy along the Mediterranean coast line. Cinque Terra is only an hour down or up (not really sure) from Genoa. Genoa is just classic Italy with cobblestone streets and alley's all over the place with a great piazza and the best kobabs! Here are some shots from Genoa




oh and P.S. Genoa also happens to be the home of Christopher Columbus...here are some shots of us at his house..most of which were taken at the top of the tower we climbed







Oh Cinque Cinque Terra..we learned a valuable lesson in you. Okay so this place is PHENOMENAL!I mean absolutely stunning. It consists of about 5 towns along the coast which are about a 30 second metro ride apart. If you are smart enough to take it that is ;) This trip our roomies (Meredith and Kirk) joined (YAY) we were SO glad they decided to come because both of them are so much fun and also hilarious! So upon arrival my mouth dropped! Holy pretty!!! Right when you get off the train there is a beautiful beach with the most inviting turquoise water. I seriously contemplated jumping in..except that it felt like 20 degrees with the blustery wind. After frolicking about for a few minutes,we decided to stop and get some grub. While there we inquired about a trail that connects all towns to which we could travel upon. The mysterious man sitting beside us (I say mysterious because he is either Superman or Steroid Steve) informed us that it was easy to get to and to took minimal effort. "oh yea its only about a 4 hours hike to visit all of them." It should be no problem. Well we of course are in no shape to be taking on a 4 hour hike..so we decided to just walk to the next village instead to get a little idea of the trail. So we very eagerly began our hike. The trail was gorgeous I honestly felt like I was in a movie like Lord of the Rings or something the scenery was so great. However, Lord of the Rings quickly turned into The Von Trapp Family lives in the hills. Steroid Steve must have had a laugh. Newsflash Steve, we are AMERICAN meaning we have CARS so we dont walk like you. He was either a jerk or superman who really could hike that mother in an hour and half. WhatEVER definately was NOT an hour and a half to get to the next town..more like 3.5! Of course it didn't help that we took the blue white lined trail marking irrigation instead of the red/white marked trail marking HUMAN BEINGS! Still, that only took us maybe a half a mile out of our way along sketchy cliffs. ( Those of you who know me best, know that I nearly PEED my FRIGGIN PANTS)here is a short video of our little predicament

Like the shire right??



PS This cat found us and started meowing and so we pet it then it wanted us to follow it ..so we did and found this....

Creepy huh? Its in the middle of NOWHERE on this hike! We had nothing but cookies so we fed them that...poor little kitties!

At any rate it was a marvelous hike...30000 agonizing steps and all. I will say that each time we began a new Mt. to go around we swore the city was just around the corner...eh eh wrong. Instead we saw this...

then an hour later..there was this..

As pretty as it may be...when you have no water and have been hiking 2.5 hours...its not as pretty. We nearly died getting there but...hey was it worth it? I dunno you tell me..Once we walked around the corner and saw this...we knew it was

Anyway so yes we finally made it to the next town called Vernassa...known for its pesto sauce we ate pesto lasagna and it was hands down the best pasta I have ever eaten. Long long day but very memorable and awesome.




Okay well now that I have written a novel and I posted lots and lots of photos to satisfy your eyes.I hope all my family and friends are satisfied. Much love! Ciao

Milano-Our New Casa

Well, here it is....Our new home.
We really like our flat. It has surprisingly big rooms complete with lofts (which we sleep on) The bathroom is also quit roomy and nice. The only drawbacks are the smell I guess but sometimes I get a wif of my Grammamas house and I find that comforting. And the kitchen is small and there is no living room...but hey I am not about to complain. The location is great. We are right by a Carfour express, Food, Pastry shops, Farmacia, AND the metro. Its really easy to get everywhere around here. Here are some photos of our flat..or just our bedroom rather.




The other couple finally arrived so we have friends now...YIPPEE! We went out on the town with them the day before classes started. The D'uomo is sureal. Its absolutely stunning. I LOVE Milano. The area is rich so its super classy everywhere.
*sidenote* - Apparently the desecration of the beloved D'uomo is a common thing occurrence here because as we went in for lunch we witnessed one group...and as we came out we witnessed the other.

The crazies...




We also went into the gallerie with the shops that I will never be able to afford. We of course took turns spinning on the (very small but still existent) bulls balls. ( A tradition in Milan to bring you good luck)


We had a great time exploring even though it was freezing and wet. We have yet to experience a sunny day here but I still love it

Roma

Well, its official...WE ARE HERE! Italia is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome! I am in LOVE with this place! Europe has so many cool little features. Here are my favorite things about Italy so far
1: Gelatto
2: Walking (this is important because of number one, without walking my gelatto intake would have some SERIOUS consequences involving my hips)
3: The Language, I esp. enjoy hearing the little kids say ma'ma and pa'pa...so adorable
4: OLD-ness..haha everything here is so old, cobble stone streets everywhere and the buildings are just rich in history
5:Bathrooms- they are so nice here, granted you have to pay to use some of them but they are super nice
6:CANDY
7: Itallians-while they are incredibly inconsiderate when walking and driving..they are laid back and easy going. I just love the lifestyle here
8: Transportation- super easy to get around anywhere
9: Freedom from cell phone-while I really miss everyone back home and I do enjoy talking to them..I never knew how stressful it was having a cell phone was until I didn't have one
10: PUPPIES there are pups EVERYWHERE here...I mean EVERYWHERE. People bring them inside places here.

So far the only negative aspects I have encountered are just missing all the people I love and my beloved Chauncey. Tear. If only I could shrink all those I love and fit them in my pocket..then it would be heaven.



So far we have only been to Rome as we decided to tour instead of rest after our 10 hour flight that landed at 1 in the morning our time and 8 am Rome time. BAD idea...we payed the price for that one...we ended up resting a LOT and staying in Rome for 4 days. We visited the Vatican,Sistine Chapel,Coliseum, the Roman Forum, Piazza Navona, Treve Fountain, and a diversity of Gelatto stands. Roma was magnificent and mind blowing...seriously my mind was BLOWN! Off topic it also blew my mind how skinny EVERYONE is...I literally can count on ONE, SINGLE, SOLITARY hand the amount of over weight people I have seen. No wonder they think Americans are so dang lazy. If you can't tell by my list of favorite things...I have turned into a major oinker while here. I am not ashamed I am sure I will be able to walk off what I eat :) if not then ce la vie baby. Anyway we are home in Milan now :) Too dark to explore for now so that will be tomorrows task.