Once you jump in the Med...It goes to your head

Capri, Sorrento, Positano, and Pompeii.

I keep thinking one day soon I'm just going to wake up and be back in Saratoga, watching Law and Order reruns and that this whole experience was one long daydream.

The "Costiera Amalfitana" or Amalfi Coast was a trip that can only be described as what you think of when you think of vacation Italy. The views and scenery literally looked like you were floating on a movie set, and made at least me feel like I had no right to be disturbing this crazy natural beauty.

So to start off with a little drama for our movie scene vacation, our original trip was canceled two days before we supposed to leave. According to the student travel company we booked through "48 hours was more than enough time" to book our own transportation, hostel and tours. For 7 novice travelers, I assured them this was false. Luckily another company was running a trip that same weekend and we got our refund, hopped on the bus, and had a gorgeous weekend on the water.

Thursday night we arrived in Sorrento and moved into our 10-person co-ed hostel. It was my first experience in a room with that many people and also with 3 random boys sleeping straight across. Surprisingly it wasn't that weird, everyone was super friendly and we made some way too small world connections with our roommates.

Friday morning we took a bus to a campground. Sounds exciting right?...Well at this campground we caught a ferry that took us to The Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto is a luminescent cave where the water literally lights up from below you. It has something to do with the chemicals or bacteria in the water. You have to lay down flat in a row boat just to get under the cave entrance and the rock literally comes within inches of your face. Our rowboat captain was screaming Italian profanities at another rower for stealing his oars. Everyone was staring at us and it was probably one of the single funniest moments to me so far. When I asked him what happened he said (in slightly broken English) "WHY DOES HE TOUCH MY OARS, HE SHOULD BE TOUCHING HIS WIFE!". The grotto itself was so amazing, but it was a bit of a downer because we weren't able to get out and swim.

We next took the ferry to the island of Capri and spent the day walking around. Between the limoncello and chocolate tasting, the homemade sandals, and the chairlift that took us to the top of the mountain it was such a memorable experience. The cliffs of Capri literally just fall right into the Ocean.

Saturday we spent the day in Positano. We got on a bus in the morning and were then driven about 20min toward our destination. At this point our driver pulled over to the side of the road and told us he didn't have "jurisdiction" to drive us all the way in. Oh those silly Italians. So we proceeded to walk 30min around a highway with about 3ft between us and the what seemed like 468364ft cliffs. But hey it was a great view. When we got to the beach with the rest of our group we rented a boat for 2hours and went cliff jumping, as well as cave swimming. I was the 3rd person, and first girl in our group to jump off the 35ft cliff. At first when I started climbing up it didn't seem bad at all, then looking over the edge...I thought I was going to have to rock climb all the way down. I decided I just had to run and jump. It was such a cool feeling, although I have to admit I'm still kind of surprised something bad didn't happen.

Sunday we went to Pompeii and saw the ancient ruins. Being the History nerd that I am I loved it...hearing about all aspects of their day to day life. We took a few group photos to try and get on the MyNEU homepage...so maybe you'll be seeing my face next week when you log on to check huskymail. I imagined being there when Mt. Vesuvius erupted and how it literally must have been the scariest thing to see the dust coming at you with no where to go.

So that was my beautiful weekend in the Amalfi area. Pictures can't do any justice to looking up from the water to the villas dotting the coastline. My grandfather was stationed in Capri during WWII, so as he reminds me I'm not the only one in my family to go to Italy. I consider myself lucky to be able to see what he saw 60 years ago, but be able to enjoy it fully. Hopefully 60 years from now I'll be able to say the same thing.

Pisa, Florence, and Trequanda

It feels a little wrong that I haven't written about this amazing weekend trip until now. It's like thanking someone for that nice gesture they made by holding the door open, two weeks later.

AUR did such an amazing job planning this trip, especially when I think about the limited resources they have as a small school. Everything went off without any problems and it was probably the best itinerary we could have had for the time we were there.

Friday we left school at 7:3o am. Strangely enough for a group of college students everyone was there on time, and I was actually the last person to get on the bus. We drove about 4 hours with the majority of us sleeping off a Thursday night in Rome. When we arrived in Pisa, I think the first thing that struck me was how small the tower actually was. I think when you see it portrayed in pictures it just seems like a massive falling wonder, but in person although very interesting it's much less impressive. I think it's somewhere mandatory to go though if you are going to be spending an extended amount of time in Italy. It really was an adorable town, and we spent the rest of the afternoon looking at leaning coffee mugs, lamps, and paperweights.

Let me just preface this paragraph by saying Florence is probably the best city to study abroad in Italy. I love Rome, don't get me wrong...it's much cosmopolitan and urban. Comparatively from the short time I was there I got the feeling that Florence is to Boston, as New York is to Rome...and I know I'm a Boston girl at heart. At the center of the city is the Duomo which is beautiful church and dome overlooking the whole area. You can climb to the top to get a great 360 degree view, but I decided to save that for my parents visit in December. We took a tour of the city and with every block it felt more and more home like. They have an amazing outdoor market which sells leather that would put a vegan to the test. I bought a leather jacket that I had no intentions of purchasing, but as soon as I tried it on I knew it was too late. The architecture there is so incredible, let's just say the Medici family knew what they were doing.

Donatella Cinelli Colombini. If that's not the most Italian name you have ever heard...then your life probably mirrors The Godfather movies (at least 1 and 2) perfectly. At her farmhouse, vineyard, olive grove, and restaurant is where we spent our last day in Tuscany. After the touring of the first two days this was a welcome relaxation day. We first toured the wine production areas then tasted two of their most popular bottles. It was nice to be able to savor wine and really taste the flavors. I would like to say I will never drink boxed wine again, but I would have to have my fingers crossed behind my back. I will at least try to have the class to spring for the Yellowtail bottles. Next, we handmade our own pasta, and were treated to a five course meal with wine to match. I still don't know how Italians stay thin. I understand with McDonald's and BK how the United States is so obese, but tasting food so delicious as in Trequanda I think I could literally eat myself into oblivion. We spent the last few hours relaxing by their pool with stunning views of the Tuscan valley in the background.

It's a strange feeling now that I have finally settled in to living in Italy. I only have two months left before my parents come to Rome, and my experience here will be over. I know eight weeks seems like a long time, but knowing how fast 5 have gone by already, wow. Everyone always told me it would fly by, but now it's really hitting me that I won't be here forever. I'm definitely missing New England fall, but there will always be more apples to pick, more cider to drink, and more leaves to rake. For now carpe diem.

October Already!?

So as you can probably tell I have been a definite slacker on the blog updates. I guess when you are going and going it's kind of hard to sit down and take the time to write about all the great things you have been experiencing (Is this the 3rd person?)...but alas I have been here for a little over a month already.

Literally I feel like the three of us walked through the apartment door for the first time. I remember how relieved I felt that our apartment wasn't a little one room box with a 2hr commute to campus. The apartment has actually worked out extremely well so far. It's Mika, Julie, and I from Northeastern, and Steph, Gabby, and Melanie from Maryland. I share my room with Melanie and everything has been going great. Dishes are the only thing that creep up since we have six girls sharing a kitchen that was probably made for just one little Italian grandmother whipping up culinary delights.

So about school...I don't go to a real college. It feels really harsh saying this especially since this will be submitted to my study abroad adviser at the end of the semester (sorry Danielle!). AUR in my own personal opinion is a building that someone one day decided "Oh let's throw some stand alone desks, a couple projectors, a few computers...and PRESTO! A SCHOOL". It's not that I dislike it so much because at this point I think I'm one of the few people at Northeastern that still enjoy going to class a lot of the time. It's a 400 person school, which in itself is the major difference from NU, they just don't have the resource that we have back in Boston which is I think is the main reason a lot of us are having trouble adjusting. The professors are more than qualified...they just aren't the same as back home, but hey I guess that's what this whole "expanding your horizons" thing is all about :). I have my first research paper due on Thursday and let's just say the next two days are going to be interesting.

Also I have been missing Boston/ Saratoga like crazy this week. I think maybe some people can just cut the cord to back home. It's not that i'm homesick (anyone who knows me will probably think this is a lie, but I'm really not), it's just I miss all the conveniences of having that strong close-knit group of people to rely on. I love everyone here and have seriously been having one of the most amazing times of my life, but it's just not my crew. I think also having not been at school for Delta Zeta recruitment this week for so hard!! I'm such a recruitment nerd and not being able to meet the new girls is kind of rough. I'm sure we got the most amazing new members and I can't wait to be reunited with my amazing sisters this Spring.

This past weekend Emma (ILOVERMONT/roomie/smith biddy patrol) came to visit me in Rome! It was seriously so much fun and I think a much needed taste of home for the both of us. We had a crazy Thursday night as I went to the wrong airport to pick her up. Rome has two airports and most fly out of Fimucino...so being the airhead that I am I just automatically went to that one. WRONG. Our cell phones also won't work to call each other (such a fail). So after 2 hours, some skyping, and some amazing help from my roommates I found her, and I don't think I've been more excited to see someone than in that moment.

Friday we went to St. Peter's Sq., Basilica, and The Vatican Museum...which houses the Sistine Chapel. Everything there was unreal to see in person. I'm not very religious at all, I believe in something but I'm just not sure what yet. To see all the time and detail that went into everything, all the ornateness was just overwhelming. I took hundreds of pictures and was the ultimate tourist but I think it just doesn't matter to me anymore, when else will I ever be in Vatican city again? Later that night we drank a bottle of wine (or two) in Trastevere well catching up and watching the street performers. It was so nice to talk to Em, and it was a gorgeous night.

Saturday we did Rome 101. The Forum, Collesuem, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. Walking everywhere we ended the day with a beer at Scholars (the irish pub, yes I brought my roommate studying in Dublin to an Irish pub. fail.), to see our friends Evan and Jess from NU. It was so nice to catch up but kind of made me miss Boston even more. Around 1am we headed to the season opening of a new club Babel...which was actually inside of a Roman mall (so random). Stayed there until about 3am when I could no longer keep my eyes open.

Sunday we headed to the Ostia beach and layed out for a few hours by the Mediterranean Ocean. I don't think any day could have been a better relaxing ending to a crazy busy weekend. When we got back Sunday night I think we were both kind of feeling like zombies...so we just sat around the apartment, planning Emma's trip to meet me in Barcelona during my fall break :).

All in all I'm literally having the time of my life. I'm in Italy, traveling around Europe, spending my time amongst amazing people and doing things I never would have thought to try in Boston. I can't believe I have about 8 weeks left until my parents get here Dec. 10th. Once they arrive I will be traveling around with them for my last days of school. 8 weeks is nothing, and I want to make sure I do everything I can before then.

Ciao Ciao for now.

Eurotrip 2009

...So the semester that is the eurotrip officially began this past weekend with our adventure to Munich, (Munchen, Monaco) Germany. I can now say I have been in Italy, Austria, and Germany which is completely insane for me to think about.

To start off with...an update on Rome.

1) Rome is probably the most gorgeous city on the planet. The ruins, statues, and buildings are all beautiful and I really can think of one ugly landmark I have seen so far.

2) People in Rome are not exceedingly friendly...not that they are mean, I wouldn't say that by any stretch of the word. I like to smile on the street, and I may occasionally whistle while walking (don't judge) but here there is no exchange of smiles with strangers, and just looks of "why are you here?" from most people on the streets of our local neighborhood. I have noticed people in the bars (cafes) and small groceries are starting to be very nice as I try my VERY limited Italian which is really sweet. Also another exception the the adorbable grandma who runs the pizza place next to our apartment. She always calls us beautiful, and commends us on our efforts to learn Italian, because after all she doesn't know any English.

3) Rome is SO EXPENSIVE. It's partially the terrible exchange rate, the feeling like I'm somewhat on a european vacation instead of studying abroad, and partially just big city living. But I swear everything here is just a lot of money. I've only been shopping once, and for those who know me...it is a whole new life change for me :)

4) Overall Rome is the perfect city for me to be studying in, and being in Munich this weekend reaffirmed that attitude for me. Munich was beautiful, friendly, and very much like America (at least comparatively). Rome is a challenge, and I think that's what I needed. New language, new culture, and new things are why are chose to study abroad. I need to expand my horizons (cheesy I know).

So back to everything. I've been here for 3 weeks tomorrow. Sometimes I can't believe it and I literally feel like I just stepped off the plane. Sometimes I feel as if I have been here for months and months and will be leaving shortly. I think part of this is that I'm such a baby about being homesick! I always have been and hopefully won't always will be. At this point I think my parents probably think I'm a total nut job, because when I ever I talk to them I tell them how much fun I'm having as I tear up. I wish I could just accept everything as it comes and make the best of the crazy short time I have here (already 1/5 done!?).

Munich this weekend was probably one of the highlights of my life up to this point. I would basically describe Oktoberfest as the fantasy carnival for 18-28 year olds. It involves beer, carnival rides, mass amounts of people in a small area, dancing, wearing costumes, and basically overall debauchery which is accepted by absolutely everyone there. I can't recommend enough that everyone goes at least once in their life. For us it was the perfect combination of Oktoberfesting and experiencing how amazing Munich as a city is.

Friday we did a bike tour that took us all around the city and made a stop at the worlds second largest beer garden. It was so amazing to see the WWII history the city has, and also all the great architecture from the middle ages. Everything in the city relates to beer, beer halls and their effect on decision making and public events in Munich. Later that night we went to the Hofbrauhaus Brewery in Marienplatz (the old town square) which was are first taste of the craziness Oktoberfest had to offer.

Saturday we woke up around 6:30am, ate breakfast and went right to the fairgrounds to wait in line for entrance into the Hofbraushaus tent. The tent holds about 10,000 people and we had heard that this was the craziest, most diverse tent on the grounds. So around 8:30 they opened the tent doors, and it was literally a mad rush like Wal-Mart on black friday X3000000. We were hearded through the doors and found a table in the back center sitting with about 8 Germans, and next to a big table of Aussies. It felt like the longest wait ever for the mayor to come in and tap the ceremonial first keg at 12 noon. When the first beer was served the fun began...it was probably one of the most entertaining days ever. I met so many hilarious people and had such an amazing time. We left the tent at around 9pm to go on rides and stuff our faces with German carnival food. We crashed back at the hostel around 11pm and I think were all asleep within about 10min of getting back.

Sunday we went to the Lowenbrau tent for a few more liters before our 13 hour bus ride (a rock hit our door, causing a 2hr delay) back to Rome.

All in all it was an unreal weekend, literally a once in a lifetime experience. I hope everyone gets to go at least once in their life.

I have a trip to Florence this weekend with our school, and I hope to post more when I get back on Monday about AUR, living abroad, and Italia!

A week since home...

So this time last week, I was about to take off from the airport...it literally seems like it was yesterday. This first week is finally over and the reality of classes is hitting everyone hard. I'm realizing I forgot the "study" part of the study abroad actually existed.

TRIP PLANNING...probably the most intense part so far of what we have been doing. We already have Oktoberfest, Capri, Tuscany, and Pompeii booked. Tomorrow should be Greece and then October break. I'm slightly nervous since I'm the type of person that would like to have my life planned about 358186 days in advance. I think after I plan October break I'm going to take a break and enjoy my time here in Rome.

All of us NU kids have really clicked, and I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at AUR. It's hard to be here without everyone at home and in Boston because I just know how much you would all be loving this so much.

Good luck to everyone with classes, I know I'll need it :)

When in Rome...

What a cliche way of starting my blog, yes i'm that 20 year old american girl studying abroad just like everyone else you know...but I really can't think of any other way to describe my first week here.

It's been a crazy little experience, I've always been the type to want to expand my boundaries and be the person who can jump without looking down. But that's not me. I've been missing all the certainties I have in Boston, the comfort of my family and friends in Saratoga, and wondering if some of the decisions I've made coming into this semester were the right ones.

Waiting at JFK for my flight was one of the most nerve wracking experiences...being told to go to three different terminals in 30 minutes...staying cool under stress is a definite goal for the next 4 months.

Our first night here was wednesday the 2nd and it was a day/night to remember...landing, finding our adorable apartment, unpacking...we did dinner and wine (which at this point has just become 3 red and 3 white for the table), outdoor italian bar in Trastevere, then an amazing club by the river...which could only be described with "when in rome"

I've barely scratched the surface of this city...and I can't wait to see where it leads me.