Oh Hey, Whats up?
Well, yes I am aware that I made a promise to write more frequently and I failed miserably. I have been told by family and mostly Miss Cara that my inability to keep a blog is astounding. But, what can ya do. My travels and leisurely lifestyle make it quite difficult to write (but really not at all because I have a plethora of free time on my hands). Well any way, this is going to be the longest blog entry ever considering that I have to retell my entire life since well, forever ago. Soooo, here is where we left off:
The weekend of March 19th, I traveled to the small, unknown city of Barcelona, Spain. The weekend was filled with catching up with old friends, exploring with new friends, and seeing all the Gaudi one can possibly see. I spent my days eating tapas, gallivanting from Parc Guell to the Sagrada Familia to the beach. So, a very difficult and trying weekend (NOT). How was your flight there Jaclyn? Oh, funny you should ASK! IT WAS THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. I WILL CONTINUE TO USE CAPS TO EXPLICITLY STATE THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER, EVER, AS LONG AS YOU LIVE FLY RYANAIR. IT IS LIKE BEING ON A BAD COMEDY SET WHERE YOU THINK YOU MIGHT DIE. Ok, so here’s what happened. Not only were my friends Katewatson, Olivia and I waiting in the cardboard box that they refer to as Ciampino airport for our delayed flight, but once we boarded, all of the fun began. Amid beginning to take off for Girona (yes, Girona because RyanAir is too cool to fly into major, real life airports) our pilot decided to stop mid-runway because our plan was broken, yes broken. I, of course, handled the situation beautifully by taking all of my stuff of the plane with me, crying, panicing, and having a heart attack as they evacuated the plane (a bit of an exaggeration, but well, you know me). So the plane wasn’t really evacuated, but we did have to get off of it. I then proceeded to call just about everyone that I knew to ask if I would die if I got back on. Well, I got back and on and am clearly fine since I am writing to you now a month later. But, it was a dreadful experience, so here is my warning: Don’t Do RyanAir. Ok so on to my next adventure.
Post Barcelona, I had midterms and then MISS CARA LYNN MALONEY came to visit! We had the most amazing time, running around seeing every sight possible and eating some of Rome’s most delicious cibo (food for you uncultured folk). Among our favorite activities were throwing coins into the Fontana di Trevi, eating until we couldn’t stand or walk, and experiencing tartufo at Tre Scallini. Being with Cara in Rome was absolutely amazing and catching up was really, so great! Yes, I know I’m being sappy but reuniting with friends like Cara and Meredith in Europe are among the memories that I will never forget. Sorry for the tear-jerking mushy stuff, I will now return to my usual facetious self.
Once Cara’s visit was over, we both went to the airport together for her to return to Cornell and for me to set-off for Paris. I seriously debated fitting Cara into my carry-on luggage, but alas, we were unable to do so.
And so, my Spring Break began. WAAAAHOOOOOO SPRING BREAKKKK. My first stop as I said was Paris accompanied by the lovely Lindsey, my programmate and Parisian partner in crime (we used the aliases Jacques and Louis). We spent our three days devouring French Onion Soup, Crepes, Pastries, Croissants, macaroons, and FONDUE. It was beyond delightful. Although I have yet to lose to the fifteen million pounds that I gained from eating. Lindsey and I, in our attempt to see the sights probably experienced more of the Parisian underground than the actual city, although we did see the Champs de Lycee, Notre Dame, Le Tour Eiffel, etc… Oh, funny how the Pompidou is closed on Tuesdays, yeah thanks Paris, I will now learn nothing about modern art for as long as I live – as city you have failed to teach me and further my non-existent knowledge of important cultural things. Haha, I also forgot to mention the pleasant little hotel that Lindsey and I stayed at, oh wait, it wasn’t pleasant at all. Although it was clean, I will give them that, the hotel was creepy and well not very good. I would have much preferred to spend my money at La Duree, considering we woke up to hotel construction directly outside of our room, men working, and garbage bags everywhere. But, Paris was stunning. So we left our hotel daily to explore and eat, which was not bad at all!
After Paris, I met up with Katewatson and we embarked on our journey to Greece for the remainder of the break. Our travels were filled with exciting but also stressful timesss. Our first day in Athens was absolutely incredible, we went to the Acropolis on the most beautiful day and hiked around. It was truly stunning. After sightseeing, we retired for a great lunch of Chicken Souvlaki and other yummies and shopping of course! We also saw the Olympic Stadium, Parliament, Temple of Zeus, and the city’s park. For dinner, our new best friend from lunch recommended a place called Sardelles, where we had the most amazing fried calamari, fresh trout, and steamed mussels that I have ever had. I would fly (yes, fly despite my paralyzing fear of planes) just to eat there again. The next day we woke up and packed up for Santorini. We hiked around a bit exploring the Flee Market and other ruins before attempting to get to Santorini without any troubles. Of course this was impossible. You wouldn’t believe what a horrible turn Athens took within our last 2 hours there. On our way to catch our ferry at the port, Katewatson was sandwiched in the escalator, pushed around, and turns out, robbed by a group of people. We had no idea what was going on and thought that the individuals were just being exceedingly obnoxious, yet they were professionals and distracted Kdubs as they shoved her and took her wallet and all forms of ID and money. Luckily, her passport was not taken, but it was such a horribly stressful and upsetting experience. We barely made it to the ferry, at which point we were so upset and exhausted that we sat down at the ferry restaurant to eat. Once our 5-hour ferry journey was over, I was exiting with my 50 lb bag, yes 50 pounds – I have packing problems, I blame my mom. I was pushed by the aggressive people behind me and fell off of the ferry ramp, on to the ground, so a good end to a great day (but not at all). Exhausted we reached our hotel and finally sat down!
Although our experience in Athens ended on a sour note, we had an AMAZING TIME in the gorgeous island of Santorini. Oh, I don’t know if you know this about me, but you could probably infer it, I am afraid of absolutely everything, including horses, animals, heights, planes etc… But, I made a promise to myself that I would go out of my comfort zone while abroad and so I RODE A DONKEY DOWN A CLIFF, YES A DONKEY. Whilst having a panic attack as my donkey stumbled and swayed down the ramps above 500 meter cliffs, Kdubs laughed behind me. I constantly screamed to the Donkey Man (as I refer to him), “Excuse me, SIR MY DONKEY IS TRIPPING!” or “Excuse me, excuse me, my donkey is fighting with the other donkeys,” to which he would respond with the only English that he knew, “No problem, no problem.” But YES, PROBLEM! Turns out, Katewatson was freaking out the whole ride down, seeing as my donkey had a bad leg and was only using three legs to transport me down the perilous path to the marina. Just my luck! But I DID IT – how proud are you? I know, I know I’m the best. Oh stop, its too much, I can’t handle all of the praise! Later that day, we only saw some of the most amazing views that I have ever seen in my life. After climbing the volcano, yes volcano, we looked out on the Greek islands and vast, crystal clear ocean. Life is good, let me tell yah aha! The rest of our stay entailed sunbathing on the black sand beaches, shopping for souvenirs, and celebrating Easter Greek style. In one of the towns in Santorini, a candle ceremony takes place on Good Friday, where the towns people set up about five thousand candle/torch-like objects lighting up the entire town and creating one of the most beautiful scenes you will ever see. We had an amazing time!
Well, I think that this is all you can handle for now. If I am underestimating your abilities, please let me know! I will update you on my life since April 6th later this week! Love you all so so so and cannot wait to see you in 18days!

Molti baci,
Giacomina

Ciao,

I know, I know, I’m the absolute worst. How could I be so remiss as to not write in the blog that I created for a month. Again, my bad. Well, to catch you up on the past month’s events, here is a brief recollection of what has occurred. First, Mommy Foster aka Lizard came to visit! We had the MOST incredible time. We ate, shopped, toured, ate, ate, and then ate some more. And when we couldn’t eat anymore cheese, salami, prosciuto, or pasta, we moved onto gelato and other treats to satisfy our snacking needs. Post Madre departing from Roma, I ventured to see the one and only Meredith Richard in her abroad home of Londontown.

Merbab, as I enjoy calling her, and I ventured to Big Ben, Regent’s Park, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, The London Aquarium (a personal favorite), and Harrods. We had an amazing weekend, but it felt wayyy too short! I could have spent so many more days with her, but I had to jet back to Rome (tough life, I know). I did however leave London with tons of fun and interesting memories, as well as a bear. His name is Winston, very fitting in accordance with his British heritage.

After getting back from London, I came down with a 102 fever and delightful stomach flu, of which I will spare you the details. However, I recovered a few days later just in time to jet off to Venice (convenient, right?!)

So, as I said, this last weekend, aka yesterday I got back from Venice. It was INCREDIBLE. Possibly one of the most intriguing and beautiful places I have ever been. I shopped till I dropped; buying Murano glass, oil paintings, and Venetian masks. And once I could no longer shop, I would retire to eating amazing seafood risotto and gelato. Whilst in Venice, I took a gondola ride. Yes, I did pull the tourist move and hopped into a gondola. But, in my favor, the gondolier was very, very cute and sang. I also had the most amazing risotto a frutti di mare at this chic little restaurant!

So now I’m back in Rome, woe is me. I suppose that that is all I have to say for now. But I will be back soon – this time I actually mean it, considering my past attention to my blog has been an epic fail.

Many baci (kisses)

Jac

Oh Hey,

So, long time no talk. Here’s what’s up. Never, ever, trust someone in a pizzeria when they tell you that they speak English – it’s simply false. For instance, they will tell you that you picked out the zucchini pizza, but instead lie and serve you tuna pizza, which is just as horrifyingly unappetizing as it sounds. Trust me, I’ve unfortunately learned from experience. Well, now that I currently don’t have dinner, seeing at I threw it away on the street (both the taste and the smell were wildly overwhelming), I have decided to tell all of you great listeners what’s been going on in the ever-so exciting life of ME! Today I had one of the most exciting classes (I would have thought the same of it last week, I’m sure, had I not slept through it). So anyway, my Drawing from Masterpieces class is incredible. Today we ventured to the top of the Capitoline hill (one of Rome’s Seven Hills – for all of you eagerly awaiting to learn great things from me), and drew in the Basilica Santa Maria (Church of St. Mary) for 3 hours, yes, 3 hours. It was amazing. I drew the stunning chandeliers, the baroque-style tombs, and even some small creepy cherub sculptures. I may never leave – unless I have to eat tuna pizza again, and then I’m booking a flight ASAP.

Speaking of booking flights… four of my programmates and I are running off to Barcelona in only a few short weeks! Much to my father’s dismay, I’m sure, there were some impediments booking the trip – like when the site didn’t process my trip and had all of my credit card information. But, all is well now! I will be in Barca soon and hopefully returning to some of my favorite places – the Gaudi houses and getting some tapas!

Oh, I almost forgot my most recent development! The “coffee” that I have so enamored the last two weeks at breakfast isn’t coffee at all – to put it more simply, it’s an imposter. It is called Orzo – it is a powder that tastes very similar to coffee but it is made from the orzo grain, eliminating all of the bad attributes of coffee – a.k.a my favorite things. Like caffeine – AHHH no caffeine!!!! So, my mornings have now become egg-less, cereal-less, juice-less, and NOW COFFEE-LESS … in other words, Breakfast-less. Nothing like starting the morning off with a good glass of water and hard roll! (Except there is nutella, so the world has not yet ended).

Well, I think that’s all of the knowledge that I have to share for now. I have a big day ahead of me domani (tomorrow for you American folk). I would tell you why it’s a big day… but well that would either ruin the surprise or just make me look foolish later on. I guess I just have to leave ya hanging!

Ciao for now (it rhymes, I’m clever, I know)

Kisses and Hugs,

Giacomina

HI! (Out of cute new Italian words!)

So sorry that I have been so remiss as to not write for the past few days. I promise I will be more on-top of my game from now on. So lets see… what has happened since we last talked. Oh right, pasta, gelato, homework, class, gelato, vino… and repeat! So basically, life is tough. Although I have slept through one of my classes thus far, I seem to be doing pretty well (sorry Mom and Dad!) Classes are amazing and seem to be shaping up what is going to be the most incredible semester. All of my classes either involve four-hour walking tours throughout the city (holler cardio!) or wine tasting – so I’m feeling pretty dang good about my academics right about now.

Everyone on the program is SUPER sweet and awesome and we are all bonding by going out every night, yes, every night. I am absolutely exhausted. But, I recharge I the morning with the most delicious Italian cereal bars (literally the most amazing things EVER), Italian coffee, and Italian Gatorade. Oh, also more exciting food stories, the convent has an orchard, where they grow apples and the MOST delicious clementines and blood oranges. I literally take like a million from the dining hall each day and snack on them until I can’t swallow anymore.

Today I signed up with a lot of my programmates for a private tour of St. Peter’s tomb – so basically a once in a lifetime chance to get deep into the Vatican and see what, well not many people see! The sightseeing here is truly unbelievable and I haven’t even seen half of the city yet. Today I also spent one of my classes watching one of my favorite movies of all time – Roman Holiday. Which is also why I have decided to change the banal title of my blog to another not-so-original Rome themed saying. Well, I don’t have much else to share now and I am fading fast so ciao for now!

Xoxo,

Giacomina

Miei Amici e Mia Famiglia (My Friends and Family)

First things first, I am going to teach you some valuable lessons for your next trip a Roma. 1: Do NOT wear heels on the old cobblestone streets (a.k.a never wear heels), you will trip and fall. 2: Do NOT engage Italian men in American bars – there are blatantly only in American bars for one reason – otherwise, they could simply join their friends at Italian bars. 3: Do NOT attempt to use a blow dryer in a convent (haha, so applicable to all of you, I’m sure). Using a blow dryer will either cause your entire room to lose power and it will not fit in outlets, therefore making you resort to blindly blowing your hair dry in the dark hallway with no mirror. So, overall lots of positive advice. Lastly, 4: Do NOT take flowers from other citizen’s backyards because karma will come to you, causing you to be highly allergic to the beautiful roses that you so prettily placed in a vino bottle on your windowsill. Well, I think that is all of the significant information that I have for you now. If other PRESSING matters like these come up, I will be sure to inform you, so that you are not mislead by small, seemingly unimportant facts that will annoy you to death.

Anyway, I write to all of you this morning with puffy blindly-blown out hair, sneezes from my deceptively pretty flowers, and slippers. Today is my first day of classes (wooohoooo, hollerrr) oh, wait, classes?!? So I guess that assuming that I could do whatever I so pleased this semester was wrong since I am taking five classes that meet several times each week. But, oh well, I guess I’ll just be forced to attend Italian food and culture (ugh haha KIDDING). Thus far, my time here has been fabulous filled with walking tours (DRINK WATER, by the way, or your legs will fall off). Oh, right that’s another lesson for all of my avid readers – HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE! Walking around causes your legs to HURT sooooo drink plenty of acqua. Otherwise, you will find, like I did, that it is difficult to even put your socks on.

Well, classes have been great thus far. I have a whopping three other students in my Italian class – so I’m sure the teacher is quite overwhelmed. Other than classes a few friends and I wandered around the nearby town area to explore a bit on our own. Thankfully, we did not get lost! Instead, we were rushing to find bottled water, hair products, blankets, and flowers (the essentials, of course). And we did it! And were still in time for lunch, YUM. We have literally had pasta for every single meal (other than breakfast) since I have arrived and I have yet to become sick of it. Italian pasta is AMAZING – I would simply live and die here for the sole purpose of eating rigatoni bolognese and tiramisu.

Hmmm… let’s see… other exciting things that happened today… OH! I found my camera cord so I can finally show you all my travels versus solely telling you all about them. I will post pictures posthaste! I believe that is all for now, again, I’ll be back tomorrow so look forward to reading more haha.

Ciao! (also means bye haha)

Giacomina

Buona Sera! (Good Evening!)

Today is my second day in Rome and I have officially fallen in love – with the city of course! Rome (Roma for those of you that want to feel cool and cultural) is the MOST incredible city. Within yards (or METERS! Haha) you can see some of the most ancient relics and structures ranging back to the early B.C. centuries. Being in Roma feels as though I have been pushed through time, yet there are still reminders that I am in the present. The juxtaposition of the new and old architecture is stunning. I feel as though I am a part of something that is so much bigger than myself and so much greater than anywhere else I have ever been. I have also come to learn that all I will be eating over the next few months is GELATO – and well, a TON of it. I had the most amazing dark chocolate gelato today at my new favorite gelateria (gelato place, for you common folk) called the very culturally significant name, Blue Ice. I also ventured off into the city with my programmates (a new word that I have created – Cara I’m sure you will enjoy that). I saw the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, and the Circus Maximus.

Although the sights were amazing, I must say that the most interesting part of my day was the weather, yes the weather. Having dressed to, well honestly, appear italiana – I donned leather boots, boot-cut jeans, and a black military jacket, which served absolutely no purpose what so ever during the torrential downpour. I must say that I did feel quite European, but to no avail, I was soaked. My small, pocket-book-sized umbrella could not withstand the gusting winds and sheets of rain. Surprisingly, the rain would stop give-or-take every five minutes, permitting us to see sunny blue skies, which would then magically disappear when the dark rain clouds regained possession. I have some of the most bizarre pictures – ranging from dark and rainy to beautiful and sunny.

As promised, I will now tell you a funny anecdote from my day. Since I am very confident (a little too confident) in my Italian, I thought that I would be able to swiftly enter a convenience store and simply ask for body wash. Yet, in order to do that, I would need to know the word for body wash, and I didn’t. So after embarrassing myself because the store associate thought I was telling him about my body, I resorted to speaking in English – which of course he didn’t speak, only Italian and Chinese (a ridiculous combination – or at least I thought). Well, long, embarrassing story short, I finally got my body wash, which is bagno schiuma if you ever want to buy some when meandering around Italy.

Overall today was incredible and it’s not even over yet. We are going out tonight as “programmates” to a local restaurant for dinner and then after we’re off to explore Roman nightlife (Mom, Dad, Grandparents I promise I’ll be wise… well, maybe – I’ll let ya know tomorrow). Well until tomorrow! A domani!

Cheers, Gelato, and Pasta,

Giacomina (my alias)

January 28, 2010

Ciao! (Hello in Italian – haha kidding)

So, this is my first entry in my first blog ever, on my first trip out of the country alone, and on my first trip to Italy (a LOT of firsts!) I have not yet arrived at my final destination, Rome, but will be there in what feels like a never-ending 4 more hours. I have currently been in the air for about 4 hours, although it feels as though it were an eternity – I’m complaining, yes I know, but it is my last opportunity to express my many ailments in ENGLISH, since when I arrive I don’t think the Italians or my peers will appreciate my complaints. And so, you all have now become my concerned and attentive listeners. Well since I can tell that you are dying to hear, I’ll start – I am so afraid of airplanes – and by afraid I mean I am like a combination of a neurotic and anxious 90-year-old woman and a pessimistic and unruly small child. I toss-and-turn, peer out of the window at a very infrequent rate of EVERY 2 seconds and cling onto the individual next to me for dear life. However, I do remain perfectly still whenever turbulence occurs – of course for the sole purpose of meticulously analyzing its intensity and even if it is mild, beginning to think of all the worst possible scenarios (I know, I am so calm, cool, and collected!).

Well I think that’s enough complaining for now, unless you want me to go on. Well if you insist…. JUST KIDDING – don’t fret I promise that I’m done.

So where do I begin… WELCOME to my first blog EVER – I am sure that it will be filled with embarrassing anecdotes, new memories, and of course TONS of new learning experiences (Dad, that’s for you!). Let me just share a bit of what I have in store for all of you, my devoted readers ha ha. I am arriving in Rome in what is now less than 4 hours – which is when I will take a taxi (exciting, I know ha ha) to my new school and new dorm! I am taking a diverse bunch of classes this semester; Italian Cuisine, Advanced Italian Language, Drawing from Masterpieces, Intro to the Art of Rome, and 20^th Century Italy! I honestly I have never been more excited for anything in my entire life. This is going to be a life-altering experience for me in only the most positive of ways and I cannot wait to share it with you. I don’t really have much more to share now, but don’t worry – stop crying, I promise that I will be back to write more! Off to get some more shut-eye on my favorite flying contraption (NOT).

Much love and kisses. Missing you all already.

Xxx,

Jaclyn (or my new alias Giacomina – my name in Italian, so very secretive).

P.S. Thanks for not crying at the airport Lizard (yes, Mom that’s you) haha love you so much and you too Dad! Talk to you guys soon!