It's a good cookie, but the city needs some work.
This was the site of our first day trip outside of Genoa. We left super early to be on a train by 8:00 and were in Milan by 9:30 or so. Milan in January is definitely not pleasant! First of all, it is about 20 degrees colder than Genoa, and it is a wet cold since the clouds and fog never leave (until April or so)!!
Straight from the train station we hopped on a bus that took us out to our first stop. Basically an obnoxious conglomeration of modern architecture. Ugh. We made our way to a few churches, stopped here and there for espressos and bathroom breaks and ended up at the Duomo of Milan (a ginormous gothic style church) for lunch. The pidgeons in the large plaza outside of the church numbered in the thousands and were definitely NOT afraid of people. As a matter of fact, they probably enjoy flying straight at people to watch them scream and run. There was a guy out there that would give you a little bit of corn, and all of the pidgeons would just flock to you and climb all over you and around your feet. Very gross.
Found lunch and cappuchinos and continued into the Duomo and back to a few other churches to go inside.
In the plaza outside of the Duomo, MTV Italy's TRL was set up and there were TONS of screaming girls. I don't know what pop star was up there, but the girls sure put on a show. We also got accosted by some men trying to tie pieces of yarn onto our wrists then charging us for them. Haha. Umm, I told you not to put your little string on me, but you did. Too bad, so sad. So I got a sweet new piece of yarn for a bracelet (where is the eye-rolling emoticon?).
We did get to see a few couture boutiques. In one shopping area, where two large hallways met, there were three boutiques (Prada, Louis Vuitton, and something else) and a McDonalds! Haha. But it was a reeeaaallly nice McDonalds, with a McCafe and everything! Haha. Armani was nextdoor, obvi.
As for classes, we are still having our Italian lessons about twice a day, and studio is still going strong. Our goal is to work in pairs to develop something (I don't know Architecture speak). There is a design show in Milan in April for "up and coming designers" that we have all been invited to display our work in, so our professor is flipping out because she wants it to be 100% awesome. Ugh, I would rather not.
Still thinking about what we want to do this weekend. Options include: Cinque Terra, Monte Carlo, Milan again, or Torino.
Ciao for now.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Weekend!
Happy weekend everyone!
Last night was my first night out in Genoa, and what a night it was! First of all, if you have never taken a taxi ride in Italy, you don't know how terrifying it can be. Add alcohol to the mix, and it's pretty much a nightmare.
So we (everyone in the villa, including professors) went down near Piazza de Ferrari to an area full of bars and the younger crowd. The drinks were strong and cheap, and we met many interesting people, including someone from South Africa who was pushing his way through and just happened to come across us english speaking folk. He was a pretty funny guy.
An important thing I learned last night is that Italians frown on girls going to the bathroom in groups! Three of us went in together, and before we knew it, they were yelling at us through the door and trying to bang it down! Haha. Un momento, per favore! Haha I guess they either thought we were lesbians, doing drugs, or both. Sure fooled them, eh?
So now we are just hanging out and waiting for last night's episode of Grey's to download. We have to download it from Limewire, because you can only see it on abc.com if you are WITHIN THE UNITED STATES!!! Grrrr.
If you want to see pictures, go to flickr.com and search for my username: sanrrich
Peace out
Last night was my first night out in Genoa, and what a night it was! First of all, if you have never taken a taxi ride in Italy, you don't know how terrifying it can be. Add alcohol to the mix, and it's pretty much a nightmare.
So we (everyone in the villa, including professors) went down near Piazza de Ferrari to an area full of bars and the younger crowd. The drinks were strong and cheap, and we met many interesting people, including someone from South Africa who was pushing his way through and just happened to come across us english speaking folk. He was a pretty funny guy.
An important thing I learned last night is that Italians frown on girls going to the bathroom in groups! Three of us went in together, and before we knew it, they were yelling at us through the door and trying to bang it down! Haha. Un momento, per favore! Haha I guess they either thought we were lesbians, doing drugs, or both. Sure fooled them, eh?
So now we are just hanging out and waiting for last night's episode of Grey's to download. We have to download it from Limewire, because you can only see it on abc.com if you are WITHIN THE UNITED STATES!!! Grrrr.
If you want to see pictures, go to flickr.com and search for my username: sanrrich
Peace out
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Heeeeere!
Buon giorno!!!
I made it all in one piece, and with all of my bags (probably the most exciting part)! Here is how it goes:
Leaving on Monday was actually much less stressful. Suprisingly, I was 100% more composed than I thought I would be, especially saying goodbye to Mom & Dad. Got to the Columbia airport with plenty of time left to spare, and actually was able to eat food (and keep it down!). The flight to Atlanta was just fine. I sat by the window and next to a HUGE guy who was on his way back to Kuwait. Then got to Atlanta, found my way to my next gate (which was different than what it said on my ticket), and just hung out for a while. Allison made it with about 30 minutes to spare, and we boarded for Rome. Unfortunately, there was a little girl inbetween us, so we didn't get to snuggle on the plane. Daniella was going back home to Italy from vacation with her parents in Mexico. She didn't know a lick of english, except to ask us our name. She slept the whole way. I didn't sleep any on the plane, and the movie screen wasn't working, but I managed to keep myself occupied. At one point, I got up to walk around, and I got to see us flying over Paris at night. Very cool.
So we got to the Rome airport, and it was dead empty. No one around anywhere except for those of us getting off the plane. We met up with two other students headed to Genoa, and made it through 3 or 4 different security places, checked back in with the airline, and then sat around for four hours for the plane. I managed to get about 30 minutes of sleep. Then we boarded a plane (a huge plane for about 50 people... very empty) and made it to Genoa. It was beautiful flying weather, really awesome to see all of the islands (especially Corsica). We had to fly back down through a thick layer of clouds, and landed in Genoa (practically right on the water). Shared a taxi with two other girls (which was more like a roller coaster), and got dropped off right outside of our door. Literally. I could roll down the window and knock on the door because it was so close.
So now, after a bit of reshuffling, I am in a room with 6 other girls (yeah, I know... but at least I'm not on the bunk bed), and we have an awesome balcony with phenomenal views of the city and the ocean.
It has been cloudy yesterday and today, but still fairly warm.
Went out and walked around the city some. There are stairs EVERYWHERE! Must be thousands or so, but you don't really notice until you are on the way up. Haha.
Funny story: Today when we were walking down, we saw a woman get bodyslammed by a MOPED! Haha, she ran out in the street (maybe trying to catch a bus) and only looked in one direction. Unfortunately, in the other direction was a moped. She got up and limped over to the side while the woman on the ped was yelling at her. Traffic stopped for a bit, but then went on like normal?!?! I can't imagine the lawsuits and such that would've taken place had that happened in America.
Class started today as well. We have studio 2:30-5:30 MWTH, a couple of history classes in the mornings, and field trips on Tuesdays. We got our first assignment today, but it's pretty much just walking around the city and taking pictures, so that should be fun to do this weekend.
Alright, that's all for now. I'm not proofreading this for obvious reasons, so deal with it.
CIAO!
Sara
I made it all in one piece, and with all of my bags (probably the most exciting part)! Here is how it goes:
Leaving on Monday was actually much less stressful. Suprisingly, I was 100% more composed than I thought I would be, especially saying goodbye to Mom & Dad. Got to the Columbia airport with plenty of time left to spare, and actually was able to eat food (and keep it down!). The flight to Atlanta was just fine. I sat by the window and next to a HUGE guy who was on his way back to Kuwait. Then got to Atlanta, found my way to my next gate (which was different than what it said on my ticket), and just hung out for a while. Allison made it with about 30 minutes to spare, and we boarded for Rome. Unfortunately, there was a little girl inbetween us, so we didn't get to snuggle on the plane. Daniella was going back home to Italy from vacation with her parents in Mexico. She didn't know a lick of english, except to ask us our name. She slept the whole way. I didn't sleep any on the plane, and the movie screen wasn't working, but I managed to keep myself occupied. At one point, I got up to walk around, and I got to see us flying over Paris at night. Very cool.
So we got to the Rome airport, and it was dead empty. No one around anywhere except for those of us getting off the plane. We met up with two other students headed to Genoa, and made it through 3 or 4 different security places, checked back in with the airline, and then sat around for four hours for the plane. I managed to get about 30 minutes of sleep. Then we boarded a plane (a huge plane for about 50 people... very empty) and made it to Genoa. It was beautiful flying weather, really awesome to see all of the islands (especially Corsica). We had to fly back down through a thick layer of clouds, and landed in Genoa (practically right on the water). Shared a taxi with two other girls (which was more like a roller coaster), and got dropped off right outside of our door. Literally. I could roll down the window and knock on the door because it was so close.
So now, after a bit of reshuffling, I am in a room with 6 other girls (yeah, I know... but at least I'm not on the bunk bed), and we have an awesome balcony with phenomenal views of the city and the ocean.
It has been cloudy yesterday and today, but still fairly warm.
Went out and walked around the city some. There are stairs EVERYWHERE! Must be thousands or so, but you don't really notice until you are on the way up. Haha.
Funny story: Today when we were walking down, we saw a woman get bodyslammed by a MOPED! Haha, she ran out in the street (maybe trying to catch a bus) and only looked in one direction. Unfortunately, in the other direction was a moped. She got up and limped over to the side while the woman on the ped was yelling at her. Traffic stopped for a bit, but then went on like normal?!?! I can't imagine the lawsuits and such that would've taken place had that happened in America.
Class started today as well. We have studio 2:30-5:30 MWTH, a couple of history classes in the mornings, and field trips on Tuesdays. We got our first assignment today, but it's pretty much just walking around the city and taking pictures, so that should be fun to do this weekend.
Alright, that's all for now. I'm not proofreading this for obvious reasons, so deal with it.
CIAO!
Sara
Sunday, January 7, 2007
The Big Day...
So tomorrow is it! Everything is packed up (I think), and all that is left is to try and sleep through the night, wake up, shower, and go to the airport! Unfortunately, I have been sick these past couple of days, but both of my parents have been no less than aggressive in forcing me to drink insane amounts of fluids and pop pills. So now it's just down to an annoying dry cough (which will be really fun on the plane).
This week, unlike the rest of the break, has flown by. New Years was fun with Mariel and her friends, and I got three going-away parties! Haha, however, one was a re-do because the first one kind of exploded in a clusterfuck of drama. So mad love to Chris for getting that worked out. On that note, if you have never seen a "beer tower", I highly recommend paying a visit to Poncho's (Pancho's?) and seeing it for yourself. Basically, it's a personal keg that fits perfectly on the table. Makes other restaurant-goers extremely jealous. ('Thryn, we should look into one of these for next fall).
I hope everyone has a great time back in Clemson (or wherever else you are that's not as cool as Clemson... obvi). I will be back in time for graduation, so everyone get ready!
CUETs... do it to it, bitches.
AAANNNDDDD.... A HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARIEL!
This week, unlike the rest of the break, has flown by. New Years was fun with Mariel and her friends, and I got three going-away parties! Haha, however, one was a re-do because the first one kind of exploded in a clusterfuck of drama. So mad love to Chris for getting that worked out. On that note, if you have never seen a "beer tower", I highly recommend paying a visit to Poncho's (Pancho's?) and seeing it for yourself. Basically, it's a personal keg that fits perfectly on the table. Makes other restaurant-goers extremely jealous. ('Thryn, we should look into one of these for next fall).
I hope everyone has a great time back in Clemson (or wherever else you are that's not as cool as Clemson... obvi). I will be back in time for graduation, so everyone get ready!
CUETs... do it to it, bitches.
AAANNNDDDD.... A HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARIEL!
Monday, January 1, 2007
Friday, December 15, 2006
Home sweet home
So I packed up my life today and said goodbye to Clemson, my love. (Actually it's only goodbye until Tuesday when I go back to get the rest of the ridiculous amount of stuff left in my apartment). But still sad. Got home, unloaded the car, and barely even scratched the surface of organizing.
It's been a long day, not much to say. No new Italy developments, other than the fact that I feel completely unprepared, freaked out, and really excited at the same time. But mostly I feel like I have so much to do, no time to do it, and I feel like I have forgotten something majorly important. This too shall pass. I hope.
In bed now with Lunabug all snug down at my feet. (Speaking of which, I dreamed she had a kitten last night. No daddy, either. Whore.)
Buona notte
It's been a long day, not much to say. No new Italy developments, other than the fact that I feel completely unprepared, freaked out, and really excited at the same time. But mostly I feel like I have so much to do, no time to do it, and I feel like I have forgotten something majorly important. This too shall pass. I hope.
In bed now with Lunabug all snug down at my feet. (Speaking of which, I dreamed she had a kitten last night. No daddy, either. Whore.)
Buona notte
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Just trying this out...
Hi Kids!
Putting my nerdy skills to work here with my super sweet new blog. I figured there are plenty of people out there trying desperately to live vicariously through me right now, so I'm just going to make it easy for you. Hopefully I will have half a mind to keep this thing updated so everyone will know all about the shenanigans in my life.
Tomorrow is officially the last day of this semester (hooray for exempting my only exam), and it also marks exactly one month until I have to pack four months worth of my life into two bags and peace out.
Luna says hello.
Putting my nerdy skills to work here with my super sweet new blog. I figured there are plenty of people out there trying desperately to live vicariously through me right now, so I'm just going to make it easy for you. Hopefully I will have half a mind to keep this thing updated so everyone will know all about the shenanigans in my life.
Tomorrow is officially the last day of this semester (hooray for exempting my only exam), and it also marks exactly one month until I have to pack four months worth of my life into two bags and peace out.
Luna says hello.
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