we're in florence...safe and sound...and i'm so glad too! it was an adventure for sure and while i've never done a trip with just a backpack (stop laughing for those of you who know me well!), i can say that it was adventurous for sure!
we made it to the train station and got through the information center with exactly what we needed to know. the trains that we could use on our dumb europass "que sirven para nada"! hijole! so a stop in bolonga and change trains...our next train was something like 30 minutes delayed. was a regional train..ish...and only standing room! yeah..not pleasant by any means since the travel time was 1.5 hrs. ok so we get dropped off at a station outside of town. so we had to find a bus to bring us into town.
ok so we get here and truck a mile to our hotel...get there and find the thing boarded up! uhmmmmm yea...so a sign directs us down the street. so we go in to this other hotel and the guy looks us up and says "oh we've had problems" but you are going to stay here and sends us back the way we came from...to this super sketchy joint...uhm...yea.... and the three of us all exchange glances not sure of the place...so we ring and ring and ring the bell....no answer at all...
luckily for us, we had stopped in at one of the hotels for the other group of girls coming from our group. so we went back to that hotel and quickly booked a room and then the madness insued. so one of the girls spent the next couple of hours on the phone trying to get these straightened out...and we finally got things sorted.
so we were downstairs when the next group of gir
ls in our group walks in the door and they were attacked by a homeless guy in bologna! yeah....so i realized...things could totally be worse....so we grabbed some super late dinner and the ladies made their way to the hotel bar. it was fun..though i did not join them in the round of drinks...so now i'm listening to the crazy ramblings about awkard turkeys...aye! they need sleep...btw - Grappa in italy is dangerous stuff! i have a feelin the girls are gonna feel it in the morning!
tomorrow...an all day tour and some shopping! oh....the things that make us feel better...definitely have seen some leather shops and just cant wait! tomorrows gonna be better than today!
by the way, i love you people who have been praying for us! you've definitely intervened on our behalf and we're soooo grateful!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
reminiscing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21157493@N07/sets/72157618792111129/
here's the link to see some of my photos. the first round of photos, i left on my jump drive upstairs and deleted them from my hard drive so they will have to wait for another time to post!
ok other update - cant remember if i posted it. i cant access my regular email so you can email me at: loudaleyva@yahoo.com
saw some super old pics that a friend of mine posted on facebook a little while ago. doesnt have much to do with italy...but it took me back to some old days! broke my heart thinking about the situations of the time and just things that happened. i know you cant go back and change anything. all you can do is learn from the experience. just glad to see that things are not the same today.
today we had classes later than usual and the weather was incredibly awesome today. we had a rain shower while we were in class so it made it nice and fresh. really breezing and major change in temperature. after class, one of the guys took us to this place where we had an italian version of a quesadilla. it was delicious and communicating with the non-english speaking attendant made things really interesting. you learn how to communicate in the strangest ways!
id seriously like to write more, but ive got homework and reading calling my name. we have to write summaries for each of the chapters in one of our texts. i'm trying to get done early so that i can enjoy the rest of my time and also make sure i have time to study for next weeks exam.
we're headed to florence this weekend...so excited about that. not sure about any other details...but i'll find out soon and post.
here's the link to see some of my photos. the first round of photos, i left on my jump drive upstairs and deleted them from my hard drive so they will have to wait for another time to post!
ok other update - cant remember if i posted it. i cant access my regular email so you can email me at: loudaleyva@yahoo.com
saw some super old pics that a friend of mine posted on facebook a little while ago. doesnt have much to do with italy...but it took me back to some old days! broke my heart thinking about the situations of the time and just things that happened. i know you cant go back and change anything. all you can do is learn from the experience. just glad to see that things are not the same today.
today we had classes later than usual and the weather was incredibly awesome today. we had a rain shower while we were in class so it made it nice and fresh. really breezing and major change in temperature. after class, one of the guys took us to this place where we had an italian version of a quesadilla. it was delicious and communicating with the non-english speaking attendant made things really interesting. you learn how to communicate in the strangest ways!
id seriously like to write more, but ive got homework and reading calling my name. we have to write summaries for each of the chapters in one of our texts. i'm trying to get done early so that i can enjoy the rest of my time and also make sure i have time to study for next weeks exam.
we're headed to florence this weekend...so excited about that. not sure about any other details...but i'll find out soon and post.
callused feet
i do believe we're spoiled americans with our cars and conveniences. i've been on mission trips and such before and know we are privileged in america but i think the notion of conveniences had escaped me. our only form of transportation here is walking, bus, and train.
the first few days were a bit painful. painful for my feet! i'm sure i'll be coming home with callused feet. the amazing part is that at some point during the tours/siteseeing, you forget about how your feet may feel and become captivated by the sites and sounds of whats going on around you.
i'm still trying to take it all in and trying new things. like gelato or focaccio's. things are done very differently around here. in alot of ways, it reminds me of mexico - though mexico it is not. if anything, i think what's been most apparent is that you can find beauty anywhere. its not about where you go or what place you visit but about you, as a participant, being willing to see and experience something you have not yet experienced. not every part of this city is what most would consider beautiful but it makes this city what it is. so to those cobble stoned roads that have killed my feet! thanks for the memories...thanks for making me more appreciative of the conveniences i have back home.
eating here is so very different. i've had little in terms of protein and have tried to find ways to get protein in my diet. peanut butter is rare here but you can find all kinds of olives and canned salmon on the shelves! water is another difference. depending on where you buy it, it can be quite expensive (talking about bottled water) and given that we know little of the sewages system here...we'.ve been told its safer to consume bottled water. i'm sure we look like tourist.
if you're from west texas then you know we load up our drinks up the brim with ice. my grandmother (who's from mexico) always ask for no ice in her drinks (ice isnt common there either). here...if you are lucky you may get three cubes of ice. no grocery stores sells bags of ice, you cant find ice trays because the fridges are super tiny...and they do no service ice in drinks unless they assume you are "americanos" which often they pick up on that quite quickly.
adapting to luke warm water is easier than i thought it would be and i even found fanta zero here! no diet dp for sure! lol...
i've now been here a week officially today and will be gone for another 3 weeks yet. the group dynamic is interesting. 4 guys and 22 ladies...yeah...you can imagine. i can say that i was a bit prepared. there are some really great people on this trip and folks who really want to experience the most of it.
i can also say that ive been blessed with a studious group whose members are genuinely concerned with earning good grades. its a nice setting to be in.
as for the weather...it was extremely hot when we first arrived. however a cold front seems to have blown in and its a bit windier and cooler. its nice/a nice break from the heat. if you stand in the shade on a hot day, its not so bad...but stand in the heat and its killer! then throw in all that walking.
ok so what i,ve seen so far is the arena in verona, the piazza's, juliet's house and balcony, a tour of verona of many significant historical sites/buildings...and the university along with portions of bologna.
today we have class from 2:30 - 6:30 due to something going on on campus and there's a national holiday here on June 2. we've been working on chapter summaries for text required by Dr Olsen. The text we're reading are "The origins of the Modern World," "The Future of Freedom," and "The World That Trade Created." we have presentations starting next week from the "world that trade created" text. so we're a little consumed with class rightnow. the upside is that we only have 9 days of class while on the trip, we had several before we left.
ok gotta run and hang up some laundry! oh yeah...i miss electronic dryers!
the first few days were a bit painful. painful for my feet! i'm sure i'll be coming home with callused feet. the amazing part is that at some point during the tours/siteseeing, you forget about how your feet may feel and become captivated by the sites and sounds of whats going on around you.
i'm still trying to take it all in and trying new things. like gelato or focaccio's. things are done very differently around here. in alot of ways, it reminds me of mexico - though mexico it is not. if anything, i think what's been most apparent is that you can find beauty anywhere. its not about where you go or what place you visit but about you, as a participant, being willing to see and experience something you have not yet experienced. not every part of this city is what most would consider beautiful but it makes this city what it is. so to those cobble stoned roads that have killed my feet! thanks for the memories...thanks for making me more appreciative of the conveniences i have back home.
eating here is so very different. i've had little in terms of protein and have tried to find ways to get protein in my diet. peanut butter is rare here but you can find all kinds of olives and canned salmon on the shelves! water is another difference. depending on where you buy it, it can be quite expensive (talking about bottled water) and given that we know little of the sewages system here...we'.ve been told its safer to consume bottled water. i'm sure we look like tourist.
if you're from west texas then you know we load up our drinks up the brim with ice. my grandmother (who's from mexico) always ask for no ice in her drinks (ice isnt common there either). here...if you are lucky you may get three cubes of ice. no grocery stores sells bags of ice, you cant find ice trays because the fridges are super tiny...and they do no service ice in drinks unless they assume you are "americanos" which often they pick up on that quite quickly.
adapting to luke warm water is easier than i thought it would be and i even found fanta zero here! no diet dp for sure! lol...
i've now been here a week officially today and will be gone for another 3 weeks yet. the group dynamic is interesting. 4 guys and 22 ladies...yeah...you can imagine. i can say that i was a bit prepared. there are some really great people on this trip and folks who really want to experience the most of it.
i can also say that ive been blessed with a studious group whose members are genuinely concerned with earning good grades. its a nice setting to be in.
as for the weather...it was extremely hot when we first arrived. however a cold front seems to have blown in and its a bit windier and cooler. its nice/a nice break from the heat. if you stand in the shade on a hot day, its not so bad...but stand in the heat and its killer! then throw in all that walking.
ok so what i,ve seen so far is the arena in verona, the piazza's, juliet's house and balcony, a tour of verona of many significant historical sites/buildings...and the university along with portions of bologna.
today we have class from 2:30 - 6:30 due to something going on on campus and there's a national holiday here on June 2. we've been working on chapter summaries for text required by Dr Olsen. The text we're reading are "The origins of the Modern World," "The Future of Freedom," and "The World That Trade Created." we have presentations starting next week from the "world that trade created" text. so we're a little consumed with class rightnow. the upside is that we only have 9 days of class while on the trip, we had several before we left.
ok gotta run and hang up some laundry! oh yeah...i miss electronic dryers!
Monday, May 25, 2009
first day of classes
today was our first day of classes or class i should say. one of our instructors got a heat stroke and was out of commission for the day. our first class the History of Democracy is actually pretty interesing. History of Trade - we will see...i gather that since i'm a business major it will have some major relevance.
im trying to post as much about this experience as i can but finding the time has been a bit challenging. still working on getting photos uploaded and hoping that tomorrow at the university, i'll be able to do that. Its the University of Verona, by the way. We've pretty much gotten a feel for the town and our little area surrounding where we're staying. Apts! nice...
I had the most delicious pizza and while in Bologna had my first Kebab not like the meat on a stick kind. as in shaved meat in a pita bread kind. i had my second one today and they were both delicious. so yes i'm trying new things and being patient about all the challenges we are facing. trust me there have been plenty. like today at the university when we couldnt figure out how to access the computer labs or the canteen as they call it (cafeteria).
its an adjustment for sure but im trying to embrace every moment of it. its been hot as in west texas hot with a bit of humidity...maybe more like san antonio hot. either way, we're expecting a cold front to roll in and for the next few days to be cooler.
i also have to say that there are convenciences in America that i will never take for granted. like my car or drive thru windows! or even being able to drive to the supermarket (supermercarti) as they say here...
spanish is helping me lots to communicate and even to understand. that in iteself is just amazing.
we went to the supermercarti this afternoon (it was my first visit). Eating out is super expensive here. A slice of pizza with a coke (fanta) and not the super size we're used to can cost as much as $8.00 when you figure the conversion rate of Euro's which gets worse and worse each day. before i left or really during finals the rate was 1.21 american dollars to every euro...its now up to a market rate of 1.40 and higher when you use a conversion store. ish...
so i.m trying to make every dollar count. plus going out equates spending money. so we're tryign to eat at our apt during the week and save our money for the weekends. i've yet to visit venice though i think we may be making a visit something this week or next. trying to figure out what we're doing during our free weekend. would like to take a trip to florence/pisa.
so the experience so far has had some really great moments and some really crazy ones. but i
m glad to be here. glad for the experience. i.ve gotten to meet some really great people. i dont know what Rome will be like but that.s still two weeks away! hard to believe. we.re now into day 5 of being gone. ive been able to talk with my parents via Skype...so if you have it let me know...
also i can't access my suddenlink account. has to do with the security here. going to try at the University but you can email me at loudaleyva@yahoo.com.
miss you all much, but having a great time!
louda
im trying to post as much about this experience as i can but finding the time has been a bit challenging. still working on getting photos uploaded and hoping that tomorrow at the university, i'll be able to do that. Its the University of Verona, by the way. We've pretty much gotten a feel for the town and our little area surrounding where we're staying. Apts! nice...
I had the most delicious pizza and while in Bologna had my first Kebab not like the meat on a stick kind. as in shaved meat in a pita bread kind. i had my second one today and they were both delicious. so yes i'm trying new things and being patient about all the challenges we are facing. trust me there have been plenty. like today at the university when we couldnt figure out how to access the computer labs or the canteen as they call it (cafeteria).
its an adjustment for sure but im trying to embrace every moment of it. its been hot as in west texas hot with a bit of humidity...maybe more like san antonio hot. either way, we're expecting a cold front to roll in and for the next few days to be cooler.
i also have to say that there are convenciences in America that i will never take for granted. like my car or drive thru windows! or even being able to drive to the supermarket (supermercarti) as they say here...
spanish is helping me lots to communicate and even to understand. that in iteself is just amazing.
we went to the supermercarti this afternoon (it was my first visit). Eating out is super expensive here. A slice of pizza with a coke (fanta) and not the super size we're used to can cost as much as $8.00 when you figure the conversion rate of Euro's which gets worse and worse each day. before i left or really during finals the rate was 1.21 american dollars to every euro...its now up to a market rate of 1.40 and higher when you use a conversion store. ish...
so i.m trying to make every dollar count. plus going out equates spending money. so we're tryign to eat at our apt during the week and save our money for the weekends. i've yet to visit venice though i think we may be making a visit something this week or next. trying to figure out what we're doing during our free weekend. would like to take a trip to florence/pisa.
so the experience so far has had some really great moments and some really crazy ones. but i
m glad to be here. glad for the experience. i.ve gotten to meet some really great people. i dont know what Rome will be like but that.s still two weeks away! hard to believe. we.re now into day 5 of being gone. ive been able to talk with my parents via Skype...so if you have it let me know...
also i can't access my suddenlink account. has to do with the security here. going to try at the University but you can email me at loudaleyva@yahoo.com.
miss you all much, but having a great time!
louda
Thursday, May 21, 2009
24 hrs of travelling
i dont have alot of time. i'd love to write about all the things that have happened so far but i dont have direct internet access in my apt. i have to come down to a community room to gain access. its kinda interesting and we're down here with other students. turns out we're not the only international students here.
the trip down was a grueling 24 hrs. we spent most of the afternoon getting settled and we hit the pavement running. we got a brief tour of the city and then we were turned loose to find what we needed. after getting back a short while ago, we were all dying to take a bath. ok so i dont know about you but that had to been the best shower i've ever had and i'm basking in the scent of italian shampoo! its awesome.
ok so how did i know that my law school app decision would come right as i arrived in italy?
my mom has instructions to open the letter so hopefully i'll have some news soon. as of right now, i'd like to know but i am sleeeeeeepy. so off to bed i go. hopin to post pics tom.
the trip down was a grueling 24 hrs. we spent most of the afternoon getting settled and we hit the pavement running. we got a brief tour of the city and then we were turned loose to find what we needed. after getting back a short while ago, we were all dying to take a bath. ok so i dont know about you but that had to been the best shower i've ever had and i'm basking in the scent of italian shampoo! its awesome.
ok so how did i know that my law school app decision would come right as i arrived in italy?
my mom has instructions to open the letter so hopefully i'll have some news soon. as of right now, i'd like to know but i am sleeeeeeepy. so off to bed i go. hopin to post pics tom.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Schedule
2009 - International Studies Program - Italy/Greece
Wednesday, May 20 - Departs San Angelo
Thursday, May 21 - Arrives in Milan/Verona
Friday, May 22 - Class begins
Saturday, May 23 - Verona - Walking tour of the city center
Sunday, May 24 - Verona - Bus tour of the surrounding area
Monday, May 25-29 - Verona - Class 9:00 - 1:00
Saturday, May 30 - Verona - optional excursion to Venice
Sunday, May 31 - Verona - Free time
Monday, June 1-5 - Verona - Class 9:00 - 1:00
Saturday, June 6 - Verona free time
Sunday, June 7 - Departs Verona for Rome
Monday, June 8- Rome
Tuesday, June 9-12 - Rome
Saturday, June 13 - Depart Rome for Brindisi
Sunday, June 14 - Arrives Patras - Athens
Monday, June 15-17 - Athens
Thursday, June 18 - Depart Athens
Wednesday, May 20 - Departs San Angelo
Thursday, May 21 - Arrives in Milan/Verona
Friday, May 22 - Class begins
Saturday, May 23 - Verona - Walking tour of the city center
Sunday, May 24 - Verona - Bus tour of the surrounding area
Monday, May 25-29 - Verona - Class 9:00 - 1:00
Saturday, May 30 - Verona - optional excursion to Venice
Sunday, May 31 - Verona - Free time
Monday, June 1-5 - Verona - Class 9:00 - 1:00
Saturday, June 6 - Verona free time
Sunday, June 7 - Departs Verona for Rome
Monday, June 8- Rome
Tuesday, June 9-12 - Rome
Saturday, June 13 - Depart Rome for Brindisi
Sunday, June 14 - Arrives Patras - Athens
Monday, June 15-17 - Athens
Thursday, June 18 - Depart Athens
Monday, May 18, 2009
in a few days
in a few days, i'll board a plane bright and early leaving my quiet small town of San Angelo, TX where i'll spend the next 24 hours or so travelling half way around the world to Milan, Italy. most of the family and friends from out-of-town have now left, so its a bit quiet though i dont expect it to stay that way for long.
i've got the arduous task of packing for my trip and for my big move to Lubbock a short month later. i have a feeling the summer is going to fly by.
i had such a great time this weekend. there are so many things to say, but for now i'll just say i'm so thankful for those that celebrated with me and my family.
our Mayor delivered our commencement speech. a bit ironic for me since i went to elementary, jr and high school with him. he's a great person and so i found it fitting when he said, "this accomplishment is not just yours, but also that of those who have supported you and helped you through this process." he's absolutely right.
i was all smiles though the entire ceremony and with good reason. i've never worked so hard as i have to obtain my bachelor's degree. i can honestly say that i've poured all my resources into this goal. completing, walking across the finish line, is one of the greatest moments in my life thus far. it is something that i will always have that no one can take away from me. it is with that understanding that i gladly forge ahead in my graduate work.
i'm excited about Italy. excited to post pictures and thoughts of my journey and experiences. i'll post most of them here. so please check back for updates. will try to keep it updated daily, though i can't make any promises! i'm not sure what our technological availability will be like.
while my undergraduate work will not be completely behind me until I return from Italy/Greece. I can say that i'm hoping to learn more than just about history and to bring back a bit of the culture with me. i'm so very excited to see some of the places i've always wanted to see and since i also love renaissance art...will be so glad to see where it all started! can't wait to read your comments!
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