Well as predicted, finals sucked. On a better note, they are over. On a worse note, I am leaving Italy in a day. Talk about roller coaster of emotions! That was pretty much all that went on this week. Friday, I went to the market with Meg for the hundredth time and made a few last minute purchases (can't disclose what they were because some were gifts!). I know it's cliche, but it just hasn't hit me that I am leaving yet. In fear of having a complete breakdown, we have been listing all of the things we aren't going to miss in Italy (small showers, creepy Italian guys, and smells of sewage) because we don't want to think about the endless list of things we actually will miss.
I am not sure I can truly put this experience into words. It was amazing and life changing... but that that doesn't really do it. I am a different person than I was five months ago: a world traveler, a blogger, a wine connoisseur, and partially fluent in Italian (and by partially fluent, I mean I can order gelato pretty damn well). All of those changes are something to be proud of (especially the wine skills), but the true change is how I've grown as a person. I have gained independence, patience, and knowledge. I will miss this place terribly, but cannot wait to see family, friends, and, of course, Darren. I will update again soon when I get back!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
When in Rome, do as the Manions do
So I started this post a while ago, but just now finished. Rewind to two weeks ago...
Saturday, Lacey and I decided to take a day trip to Cortona, where the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, was filmed. The train was about an hour and a half and the tickets were cheap. After getting off of the train we took a bus up to the top of the hill, where the town is located. The town was like many other quaint Tuscan towns we have visited: cute cafes, local mom-and-pop shops, and a main piazza (or square) where all the action goes on. We walked around the town where there was a market with everything from produce to clothes. After, we climbed what seemed 500 steps to reach the Basilica of Santa Margherita, where St.Margret lays in a tomb by the alter. A bit morbid, but the beautiful church was worth the walk. When our feet couldn't take anymore, we decided it was time to head back to the train station, only to find out that there was a car race was taking place and the route of the race was from the bottom of the hill to the top. No buses were running until 8pm! Our two options were walk to the bottom or take a cab. Not knowing how much a cab would be, we decided to walk. After finally making it to the bottom, we found the station and got back home. What an adventure!
Sunday, I ran (literally had to run) to catch a bus to the airport. When I got there I stood at the gate anxiously awaiting my parents' arrival. I was so excited to see them walk through the door, and even more excited to introduce them to the city I have fallen in love with. I wanted every second to be perfect, but let's be honest, nothing is ever perfect. All in all, we had a good time. They visited most of the churches and museums in Florence and I joined them when I wasn't in class. I was able to get a museum card that allowed them to cut the lines. One evening we went to Fiesole, a hillside town overlooking Florence, where we had an amazing dinner prepared with all fresh ingredients. I had spaghetti with vegetables and wild boar that was to die for! We went to Rome for a day where we visited the Colosseum and had a tour of the Vatican.
Later, we met my mom's cousin I had stayed with over Spring Break. I was so happy to see her and her husband again!
The week flew by, and before I knew it I was hugging them goodbye. Luckily, I will be seeing them soon!
This week was our last week of classes before our final exams. Thursday, my Business of Art class went to see Damien Hirst's For the Love of God, a skull covered in 8,600 diamonds. Have you heard of it? If not, you may be scratching your head at the idea of this piece of art, but it was really interesting because Damien Hirst is one of the biggest contemporary artists today. The room is covered in black velvet (so it doesn't reflect any light) and pitch black, the only thing that is illuminated is the skull. Ok, so you still might be scratching your head, but trust me, it was pretty cool. Thursday was also my Italian final. I will miss leaving class excited to test out new words, and even more, I'll miss my sweet, hilarious teacher, Serena. I wish I could continue studying Italian back in the U.S., but my college doesn't offer it. After our final we celebrated with some wine. I continued celebrating at dinner and after dinner at a bar. We had a great time. Needless to say, Friday was spent recovering from all of the celebrating I did. Yesterday, we went shopping at the market. It has kind of become a weekend routine, an expensive weekend routine. I bought some more gifts for people at home and of course, another scarf for myself. Italy has turned me into the biggest scarf addict, I already want another one! I guess I'll just have to wait and see how much money is left at the end of the week ;) Last night was Bianco Notte, or White Night in Florence. I can't really explain it better than - a night Florentines stay up and have a huge party. There's always a party going on in Florence! In the main piazzas there were different performances. We walked around the city listening to everything from tribal to jazz music. On the way home, we walked across a bridge with a DJ playing music. The bridge was full of people singing and dancing in the streets. We were sold! We ended up dancing for two hours jamming to classic rock, random Italian music, and techno. We had a blast! Now only six days until I return to the states, but before I get all emotional, I have to think about my finals this week. It's no coincidence that I have a final tomorrow and I am just now finding time to finish this post. For now, I am focusing on how much these finals are going to suck, and not about going home. I'll save that for an emotional post later in the week.
P.S. Shout out to Cynthia! I can't believe Steve proposed at Piazzale Michelangelo! It is so beautiful up there! I bet it was amazing! I have climbed the steps, but I took the path up with my parents. So glad to share stories with you. Look forward to chatting more when I get back!
Saturday, Lacey and I decided to take a day trip to Cortona, where the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, was filmed. The train was about an hour and a half and the tickets were cheap. After getting off of the train we took a bus up to the top of the hill, where the town is located. The town was like many other quaint Tuscan towns we have visited: cute cafes, local mom-and-pop shops, and a main piazza (or square) where all the action goes on. We walked around the town where there was a market with everything from produce to clothes. After, we climbed what seemed 500 steps to reach the Basilica of Santa Margherita, where St.Margret lays in a tomb by the alter. A bit morbid, but the beautiful church was worth the walk. When our feet couldn't take anymore, we decided it was time to head back to the train station, only to find out that there was a car race was taking place and the route of the race was from the bottom of the hill to the top. No buses were running until 8pm! Our two options were walk to the bottom or take a cab. Not knowing how much a cab would be, we decided to walk. After finally making it to the bottom, we found the station and got back home. What an adventure!
Looking down from Cortona. It's a long way down!
This was outside a little antique store. Isn't that cute?
Sunday, I ran (literally had to run) to catch a bus to the airport. When I got there I stood at the gate anxiously awaiting my parents' arrival. I was so excited to see them walk through the door, and even more excited to introduce them to the city I have fallen in love with. I wanted every second to be perfect, but let's be honest, nothing is ever perfect. All in all, we had a good time. They visited most of the churches and museums in Florence and I joined them when I wasn't in class. I was able to get a museum card that allowed them to cut the lines. One evening we went to Fiesole, a hillside town overlooking Florence, where we had an amazing dinner prepared with all fresh ingredients. I had spaghetti with vegetables and wild boar that was to die for! We went to Rome for a day where we visited the Colosseum and had a tour of the Vatican.
Mom, Dad, and I at the Colosseum!
Built in 80 AD and held about 50,000 people!
Hallway in the Vatican lined with maps. Wow!
Renzo, Angela, Mom, and Dad
We drove around Rome, seeing ancient ruins, and stopped at San Giovanni Laterano, where the Pope just so happened to being giving mass! We saw a glimpse of him, but had to leave so we could catch our train. I am so glad my mom got to meet her cousin and we were able to see so much of Rome. Later in the week, we visited Piazzale Michelangelo, which I insisted on bringing them to. They weren't too happy to be climbing yet another hill, but when arrived at the top we were greeted by the breathtaking view that made the walk there seem insignificant.
Sweeties at Piazzale Michelangelo
This week was our last week of classes before our final exams. Thursday, my Business of Art class went to see Damien Hirst's For the Love of God, a skull covered in 8,600 diamonds. Have you heard of it? If not, you may be scratching your head at the idea of this piece of art, but it was really interesting because Damien Hirst is one of the biggest contemporary artists today. The room is covered in black velvet (so it doesn't reflect any light) and pitch black, the only thing that is illuminated is the skull. Ok, so you still might be scratching your head, but trust me, it was pretty cool. Thursday was also my Italian final. I will miss leaving class excited to test out new words, and even more, I'll miss my sweet, hilarious teacher, Serena. I wish I could continue studying Italian back in the U.S., but my college doesn't offer it. After our final we celebrated with some wine. I continued celebrating at dinner and after dinner at a bar. We had a great time. Needless to say, Friday was spent recovering from all of the celebrating I did. Yesterday, we went shopping at the market. It has kind of become a weekend routine, an expensive weekend routine. I bought some more gifts for people at home and of course, another scarf for myself. Italy has turned me into the biggest scarf addict, I already want another one! I guess I'll just have to wait and see how much money is left at the end of the week ;) Last night was Bianco Notte, or White Night in Florence. I can't really explain it better than - a night Florentines stay up and have a huge party. There's always a party going on in Florence! In the main piazzas there were different performances. We walked around the city listening to everything from tribal to jazz music. On the way home, we walked across a bridge with a DJ playing music. The bridge was full of people singing and dancing in the streets. We were sold! We ended up dancing for two hours jamming to classic rock, random Italian music, and techno. We had a blast! Now only six days until I return to the states, but before I get all emotional, I have to think about my finals this week. It's no coincidence that I have a final tomorrow and I am just now finding time to finish this post. For now, I am focusing on how much these finals are going to suck, and not about going home. I'll save that for an emotional post later in the week.
P.S. Shout out to Cynthia! I can't believe Steve proposed at Piazzale Michelangelo! It is so beautiful up there! I bet it was amazing! I have climbed the steps, but I took the path up with my parents. So glad to share stories with you. Look forward to chatting more when I get back!
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