The Seasons are a changin'.....
A warm cup of Caffe Macchiato (thanks italian professor), God's word, drawing pencils, and cozy PJ's started off my morning. I can't remember the last time I ever had a lazy day quite like this one! It was chilly outside all day with some scattered showers, exactly what Fall should feel like. As much as I do love Summer, Fall is starting to grow on me. I was tempted the other day to purchase a cinnamon candle and kitchen towels with orange leaves on them (Don't worry I stopped myself from such nonsense) to decorate the apartment! I may just give in and get the towels tho, that can be justified right?. BUT anyway its the season for boots, jackets, coats, scarves gloves, pumpkin spice, orange leaves, windy afternoons! I LOVE AUTUMN! There I said it.
So what better way to spend it than in pjs, with a blanket, a coffee and drawing pencils. All my roommates were gone for the day attending the EuroChocolate Festival in Perugia (of course left it to the last minute to purchase my ticket and lucked out). As much as I do love CHOCOLATE, it was great to have the apartment to myself. I got all the peace and quiet I needed to prepare myself for the following week: MIDTERMS!. Also it was my first weekend in Florence in a month and a half!
ok dinner time! ciao ciao
Friday, October 15, 2010 | | 0 Comments
M’illumino d’immenso...Toscana
The lovely cheese I couldn't help but purchase |
Thursday, October 14, 2010 | | 0 Comments
Navy waters, Rocky cliffs, Clear skys, Sail boats...AMALFI COAST
Yes yes, it has taken me many weeks to finally update my blog, but my intentions were to wait until I had the most memorable weekends of my life to update ya'll (ode to my new Texas friend Katie). Siena, Fiorentine Soccer game, and Cinque Terre, one weekend, followed by an unforgettable and most cherished weekend in Romania, then the beautifully breathtaking Amalfi Coast.
But I will start with this past weekend's festivities and work backwards in later posts. Amalfi Coast could not have been a better way to end September and begin October. It was probably the best trip I have taken to this day (my lists of trips was quite short prior to Italy).
Thursday evening around 7:30pm my roommates, Jessica, Lauren and I headed to the train station where we met our trip leader from Bus2Alps. Getting there nice and early, we scored some pretty sweet seats on the bus, which is prime considering the bus trip was 7 hours long. Yes, the joys of traveling as a poor college student. But after all the bus trips I've taken in Italy, I'm starting bare them a little more.
My roommates and I booked our trip with Bus2Alps, which was great because they took care of all the accommodations, traveling, and activities which makes EVERYTHING so much easier because you don't look like the American trying to speak Italian at the train station trying to pick the CORRECT train to where you would like to go.
Anyway, following our long ride we got to our hostel around 2:00am in the city of Sorrento and headed for our 11 person room! (coed I should add). Toward the end of the trip I think we all bonded during our late night conversations and awesome bunk-beds. We met so many more students from Florence who are doing other programs. Never realized how many schools existed in Florence
The hostel we stayed at was actually really really nice. It had this beautiful roof top terrace that had the most breathtaking views.
After our so called 'cat nap', our large group headed for Capri at unrighteous hour of 8:00am. We got to the docks about an hour later and then boarded our private boat ride to Capri. The boat ride was awesome. Although slightly queazy (don't worry I didn't get sick) the boat ride was the most enjoyable thing ever. I've forgotten how utterly amazing it is to be in the middle of the sea on a boat with the salt air through your hair (and oh yes I went there). As cheesy as that sounds, its just exactly how it felt.
Here are photos from the ride to Capri:
After we soaked up the views for a little, we headed back down the chair lift and tested some of the local limoncello that Capri is famous for. The taste differed at all the different locations. Some were incredibly sour, others just incredibly strong. (not really my cup of tea or cup of liquor). We also stopped by this custom shoe shop....then walked right out because with four girls, that could have been dangerous.
The following day we took our bus to the city of Positano. By foot we navigated through the streets of the city, small and narrow with all the Italian charm you could ask for. We finally made it to the beaches of Positano which were painful and astonishing. Painful because they are pebble beaches which kill your feet and makes you look like an elderly person trying to walk. (
We relaxed on the beach, soaked up some much needed sun, swam the clear waters of the coast, and then headed into the beach city to purchase what would be the best sandwich of my life. Italians are so simple with their food yet the flavors are just so mouth watering. The store was extremely crowded as everyone grabbed a number and pushed their way to the counter. Number 65...FINALLY. Pesto, Salami, Mozzarella, Swiss, and Tomatoes topped off my sandwich. It took me a few hours to finish it!
After grabbing lunch a boat waited for us at the dock and we managed to get seats right at the tip of it. (They weren't quite seats but nothing blocked our view, who could ask for more) First stop: CLIFF JUMPING!...Best experience yet. As you fall, you think you will hit the water much faster than you do. Its the craziest thing. I felt as if I could do anything after that.
Second Stop: CAVE SWIMMING!. It was incredible. (enough said)
Tuesday, October 05, 2010 | | 0 Comments