Mon Jul 28, 2008
Ciao, Ciao Italia!
The whole group on a tour with Francesco in the gardens at Villa d'Este.
I wish I had Two Weeks Notice* to write this web log or two weeks more to spend in Italy, but I Hope it Floats* anyway. The other day we were listening to Marco when I heard a Sound of Music*. Ideas starting flowing but they were Gone in 60 Seconds*. Then I decided to go Back to the Future*. I know we all had Great Expectations* and the Appian Way to Ariccia was a little Rocky* but our time here has been a Walk to Remember*. All together we have definately experienced a Roman Holiday* during this summer abroad.
Mamma Mia* we have learned so much. Whether seeing a Gladiator* in the Coliseum or spending The Holiday* break in London, here are just a few of the things learned:
-The main phrases to know in Italian: Grazie, Va Bene, Allora, and Ciao
-The proper etiquette to tasting wine
-The joy of the European showers (small)
-Everyone runs on Italian time
-To be alert at all times so as to not get pickpocketed by a sweet old lady
-What aperitivo is
-The proper way to eat pasta
-The incredible way of communication overseas: SKYPE
-How living without air conditioning is not as bad as it seems; your bodies adjust
-That if you book a flight at 6:45 it means in the morning and not a night…24 hour clock
-How Rick Steves is such a stud
-If you are itching you could have fleas-- but no big deal
-Italian coffee is so much stronger
-Getting a pass in advance to museums is the way to go to avoid lines
-Italy is pretty much the same size as Florida, not the United States
-Sometimes cow intestines look like cold pasta
-Waffle towels are the best invention (not)
-Not to take an overnight train
-A taxi from Rome to Ariccia should be around 50 euros, not 100 euros
-How to be domestic and hand wash clothes in the bidet
-Frizzy water will be missed
-Beds in Europe are nothing like America--1 queen=2 twins pushed together
-And finally, how weak the American dollar is to the Euro.
Though it may seem that we have been Into The Wild* through these adventures, by living in Italy this summer we all have experienced La Dolce Vita*. I truly have been blessed to be a part of this program and never imagined how amazing and mind opening it could be (and has been). Who would have known that It’s a Wonderful Life* to experience Europe to the fullest by seeing a masterpiece such as Michelangelo’s David in Florence, or enjoying the beauty of the Swiss Alps in Italy, Switzerland, and France. I encourage everyone to have a Braveheart* and join the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy program. You will embark on the best Grand Tour there ever could be.
*These are movie titles inspired by our cinema lectures.
Ciao Ciao Italia,
Ashley
Wed Jul 23, 2008
An overnight train to Prague
This past weekend I travelled to Prague with Ashley and Abby. Many people told us that Prague was one of their favorite destinations in Europe. This was one of our last weekend’s to travel for the semester, so we felt that Prague would be the perfect weekend trip outside of Italy. With only three of us, travelling and finding a hotel was easy! By the tenth week abroad, we have mastered the art of planning a trip. As soon as we knew the destination, we got on the internet, did some research and booked everything in one day. We thought that taking an overnight train to Prague would be cheaper in cost and a great experience while in Europe. So we booked transportation and the hotel and we were ready to go! The train ended up being much more of an experience than we thought.
The train ride was six hours from Rome to Udine, Italy, then after changing trains, another thirteen hours on the overnight train. The nineteen hours was well worth the trip! We arrived in Udine around ten at night and boarded the overnight train around 11. Three girls alone on a train all night may not have been the safest idea, but at least we had our own room to sleep in. We boarded the train and found our assigned room, but it was locked. So we called for the train attendant to unlock it. However, there was a man who had snuck onto the train sleeping in our bed! The attendant moved him, but we were still a little nervous and scared. Once in our room, we locked ourselves in and made our “beds”, which were actually a row of train seats. We slept underneath jackets and pashminas and on top of blow up neck pillows. We kept our purses in bed with us and moved everything away from the door. Thankfully, we slept through the night and had no unwelcome guests. The train arrived in Prague around noon and that’s when we left our room for the first time all night.
Although this experience was a scary one, we overcame our fear and became much more confident in ourselves. Knowing that we can do things on our own and travel without any men makes me feel very confident about future obstacles. I feel like I am an independent person, but sometimes I need experiences like this to reassure myself.
This is the astronomical clock in Prague's Old Town Square
Mon Jul 21, 2008
Our Family in Ariccia!
Twice we have graciously been invited to the gorgeous home of Marco and Mary Lou, which sits on a beautifully landscaped hill in Ariccia. This home is very special and so is the family that occupies it. Whenever we enter the big gate of “Villa Sole,” we are welcomed with open arms by Marco and Mary Lou, as well as their son Maurizio and his family. Their grandchildren are always scattered around the property peering out behind bushes and statues until one of the girls in our program spots them and then they disappear!
The first time we visited, Maurizio gave us a lesson on the history of wine. It was interesting to learn that it has been proven that one glass of wine a day can help a person live longer. I also didn’t realize that one can make alcohol with only bananas and other fruit. Following the lesson we mingled around the pool and tried different types of wine from different parts of Italy. We were to sniff, swirl and taste as we tried the wine. Doing this made me feel very sophisticated.
While we were tasting wine I noticed that Maurizio’s youngest child, Vega, was wearing floaties. This reminded me of the swimming lessons I used to teach a few years ago. Longing to do another lesson, I asked Maurizio if I could give her a lesson for fun and thankfully he said yes! Vega was a perfect pupil and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching her. What made the lesson even more fun was using Italian words while I did it. I used yes “si”, slow “piano”, fast “veloce”, and good “buono.” I did realize some things during my short lesson with Vega that I can keep in mind for my future job as a Child Life Specialist. I realized that it was important to allow Vega to feel comfortable coming to me for help instead of reaching out for her. I held my arms out in a friendly way and she came to me. I realized that in doing this she has made the initiative to come to me, therefore she is beginning to develop trust in me. I also realized that I can keep this action in mind when working with children in the future. I found that it helps to smile and give repetitive encouragement.
The second time we visited we were delightfully served a delicious dinner along with wine and dessert. When at home I am a picky eater, but I tried all the dishes and loved every single one. We had a rice dish, chicken salad, a pasta dish, cake and ice cream. Marco took us on a tour of the house and we were amazed by the beauty of Mary Lou’s paintings and the magnitude of Marco’s collections of books, movies, and artifacts of ancient Rome. To conclude the evening, we had a dance party in Marco and Mary Lou’s living room while listening to Michael Jackson and Harry Nilsson.
Mary Lou, Stacey, Liz, Haley, Michele, Missy, Blakely, Libby, Meri Kate, Emma
In Mary Lou and Marco's living room.
Liz, Stacey, Blakely, Emma
Everyone dancing in Mary Lou and Marco's living room.
Wed Jul 16, 2008
Come Rain or Shine!!
This past weekend, all but five of us girls took a trip to Lago di Como in the region of Lombardy. Having not researched much on Lake Como, I arrived without expectations or much knowledge on the area. However, once we got there, I realized not even Rick Steve’s could begin to describe this unique lake town. Although it was overcast when we arrived, we set off to explore the town Bellagio. Our exploration led me and two others in a car headed to the top of the mountain to mountain bike our way down. We met up with the bikes and a woman from Czech Republic who then took us along a rocky and rough pathway in her truck to the top.
Our mountain bike journey was quite an adventure! We went thru meadows and passed cows and quaint villas. Parts of the downward pathway were very unsteady and consisted of a few falls off the bike along with a few good laughs! Towards the bottom of the mountain, we reached the main road where we did our best to stay away from Italian drivers.
And then the rain came.
The rain cooled us down and created a peaceful and reflective atmosphere. The views along the way were absolutely incredible. Lake Como is a town with personality and charm. It is a place where, come rain or shine, you will still be blown away by its magnificence and serenity.
Every week in Italy I am blown away by the experiences and life lessons I obtain and learn along the way. Being in the hospitality field, I have enjoyed comparing the differences and similarities between the US and Italy. I’ve learned more for my major from my personal experiences in the past few months than reading or researching could ever provide. I am thankful that my experiences in Italy this summer will shape and mold me positively for the industry I want to pursue and the person I am growing to be.
-Haley Smith
the view from our mountain biking adventure!
Emma, me, and Candace after the journey down in the rain
Mon Jul 14, 2008
Inspiration
During my time here in Italy, I have realized that inspiration can come from a multitude of sources. While here, I have seen, heard, and tasted things that have uniquely changed the way I look at the world, and opened my mind to the endless possibilities within it. In applying this to my course of study (fashion design), I began to realize that anyone can derive inspiration from practically anything. The smallest, most seemingly insignificant things can prompt creative freedom, and lead to a personal interpretation of that thing, unique from anyone else. Maybe it's the red poppies that line the Italian highways, popping up in the most unexpected spots, but never going unnoticed thanks to their eye-catching hue. It could be the rugged exterior of the Colosseum, buried in thousands of years of history, and standing tall in the Roman heat, catching the sunlight through it's arched windows.
The Colosseum
As we have studied art history throughout the summer, it has been interesting to interpret the inspiration behind some of the most influencial pieces of art and architecture. Looking at the size and complexity of the design of St. Peter's Basilica, it's hard to comprehend how a monument so incredible could have ever been dreamed up. Staring up at Bernini's baldacchino, towering above the altar and below the beautiful dome, it's hard to believe it stands 98 feet tall. The top of the baldacchino hardly comes close of the height of the dome. Also, while admiring Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" in the Uffizi gallery, I can't help but wonder how he derived such a unique interpretation of beauty and purity. He uses the light colors and delicate texture of the fabrics to represent, essentially, the birth of beauty.
Bernini's baldacchino
Every day I wake up in Italy, I try to find a new inspiration that I can interpret in a way unique to me, making my experience here everlasting. I am confident that everything I experience here in my time away from home will leave a lasting impression on my personal life, as well as in my future career in fashion. I hope I will return from Italy with all the inspiration I've accumulated here, but also be aware of all the beautiful things that surround me every day, just awaiting to be noticed.
Fri Jul 11, 2008
Cinque Terre
So far, I have had the most incredible time in Italy. We just got back from a wonderful weekend in Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre are five costal villages near La Spezia, located in northern Italy. The coastline was absolutely gorgeous. We arrived there on the fourth of July, dropped off our luggage at our hostel, and headed to the beach in Levanto to enjoy the last few minutes of sun. Despite the almost unbearably hot hostel, our stay there was unforgettable. During our second day, a few of us took the train to Vernazza which is located in the middle of all the Cinque Terre towns. It was a tiny town but one I will always remember. We relaxed on the gathering of rocks in the ocean. The water was crystal clear and the views of the coastline were incredible. It was one of those places where the pictures just don’t do it justice. While we were there, Liz and I had lunch at a tiny restaurant at the top of the town. We had to hike many stairs to get there. The food was really good and the view was beautiful. The next day we hiked to three of the five towns in Cinque Terre. It was insanely hot and not the easiest hike, but it was worth every second--the scenery was breathtaking.
Now we are back in Ariccia. It is always nice to come back--we are all comfortable here now. It is peaceful and relaxing and it feels like my home away from home. I cannot believe I have been here for two months already. It has flown by, but when I look back at pictures from when we first arrived here it seems like so long ago. I have loved every minute of my time here even though I have definitely had some homesick days. On days I miss home or the instant gratification we are used to in the United States, I remind myself that this is a once in a lifetime experience and I need to live and learn from day to day. This trip has taught me a lot about myself. I have grown as an individual and can say for a fact that this experience will help me when I become a part of the working world. I have learned how to cooperate with people I barely know in a foreign country. This has stretched me and made me realize things about myself that I was not aware of before.
Overall, I am excited about my last three weeks here in Italy. I can't wait to see what other new experiences are in store for me and the rest of the group. We are having an incredible time getting to know each other, and I cannot wait to spend my weekend in Lake Como this weekend! We leave tomorrow, bright and early, at 4 am!
Ciao,
Blakely
Michele, Me, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Libby at the begining of our hike in Cinque Terre!
On the rocks in Vernazza!
Tue Jul 08, 2008
Italy: Our Home Away From Home!
As we began our ninth week in Italy, I could not help but feel a sense of comfort when arriving back in Ariccia yesterday from our weekend adventure to Cinque Terre. Ariccia has undoubtedly become our “home away from home.” This is is humorous considering nearly two months ago we were merely wide-eyed American college students stepping off the plane for the first time in a country that seemed so foreign that we were incapable of ever thinking this place could become “home”. However, slowly but surely, it has become just that.
I knew before coming over to Italy, that I had so much to gain, so much to learn. Even in knowing that, I could never have anticipated the amount of personal growth that has taken place. This program has allowed me to not only experience such a unique culture, but be apart of it as well. It is the simple things from walking to the market on Monday morning to acclimating to the heat and no air conditioning; every step along the way has brought me a great joy and appreciation for the Italian culture. Coming here, I feel as though I have put my life on hold and immersed myself into the Italian way of life. The long dinners, wine tasting, afternoon coffee breaks, putting forth our best efforts to speak the Italian language, venturing off to Rome, all have not only left me with fond memories, but have brought a great sense of accomplishment and independence. This trip has surpassed every one of my expectations. Who would have thought I would ever complete a three hour hike in Cinque Terre, or plan a weekend trip to Venice? Had you told me upon arriving here, that I would be navigating my way through Rome as if it were Auburn I would most likely not have believed you.
Studying abroad has opened my mind up to the endless possibilities that lie before me for my career also. Throughout the program, we have been fortunate to have professionals from the fashion industry, entertainment law, and architecture speak to us on their specialties and the business aspect on a global level. In Milan particularly, we were given the opportunity to converse with stylists, and mingle with business professionals. As a marketing major, these experiences have proven to be quite helpful in allowing me to further understand the business world and open up opportunities I never knew were possible.
The days and weeks go by so fast! One day last week, we were being given a tour of the Vatican City studying important paintings by Raffaello and sculptures by Michelangelo. Then only two days later, we were headed to Cinque Terre for a weekend of fun and outdoor adventures. There, we spent long days at the beach, hiked, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. We even had a small Fourth of July celebration on Friday night complete with miniature American Flags and a star spangled banner! On our way back from Cinque Terre, we even got to make a short stop in Pisa and visit the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. My Dad joked with me this week asking if there was any place in Italy I wasn’t going to get to see and I answered happily, “Nope, I am getting to see it all!”
A view of Cinque Terre from the sea!
Wed Jul 02, 2008
Watch out Italia... the Moore's are in town!
We just made it back from our mid-semester break. Mine was fantastic! My family came to visit and we went to Lake Como and Venice. Lake Como was one fo the most beautiful places I have ever been! No wonder George Clooney has a house there. Although George didn't invite us to his place for dinner, we did have a lot of fun. In Como there was a swing dancing festival going on in one of the squares. Before the competitors got on stage to do their dances the band played so that anyone could get out on the floor. My Dad dancesdwith me a couple times and we showed those Italians a thing or two! Apparently that festival happens about the same time every year, so I would really recommend taking a trip to Lake Como while it is going on because my family really enjoyed the entertainment.
Although I had a blast in Lake Como, Venice was my favorite by far! As soon as we got off the train and onto the waterbus I was blown away by the beauty of the city. Our first day there my family went to Murano to watch the glass being made. It was so interesting to see how the men work to make a blob of glass turn into the beautiful vases and sculptures that you see in all of the stores.
Unfortunately, my Dad had to leave the next day to get back to work, so from then on it was just us girls. My Mom, sister and I went to Lido to lay out on the beach for a day. It was so nice to relax and just enjoy their company. We rented a paddle boat with a slide and took it out for about an hour. It was a lot of fun, even my Mom went off the slide!
Our last day in Venice the 3 of us went to the Guggenheim Museum. It was really interesting. There were a couple original works by Picasso there. I also got to learn a lot about Peggy Guggenheim herself because the museum in Venice is actually the original house that she lived in for about 30 years until she died. I had a great time with my family and I was really sad to see them go, but I am really excited about the rest of the summer here! 
This is me and my sister Rachel on the Grand Canal!
Tue Jul 01, 2008
My Dad, the race car driver...
As the midterm break came and went and the due date for my weblog entry approached I was overwhelmed with topics I could talk about. Where do I even begin? I can't believe we have been here for 6 weeks already and are nearing the end of our time in Italy! Each week I am introduced to new and exciting experiences that I have a hard time believing aren't part of a dream.
During our 10 day vacation I was grateful to have my family come to Italy and had the most amazing time touring the French/Italian Riviera. I love traveling with my family, but it is definitely always an adventure! For starters, one of my Dad's greatest thrills in traveling abroad is renting a car (fun for him...scary for the rest of us!). He drives like a race car driver and defies every traffic law possible. I think he finally learned his lesson after driving through a p piazza in Florence and was chased down by police officers who were not as amused about the situation as we were. Luckily we made it to all of our destinations in one piece and without any traffic tickets!
Our week began with a night in Florence where we were close to the outlet malls and would be able to wake up and beat the crowds and, more importantly, the heat! After raiding the outlets outside of Florence we moved on to Santa Margherita and Portofino. They can only be described as quaint villages lined with picturesque store fronts and romantic restaurants. We spent the day admiring the beauty from the beach. From there we went to Nice which was incredible as well! After Nice we made our way to Cannes which is now my favorite place in Europe! When the week came to an end it was definitely hard to say goodbye.
As an HDFS major, every class I have ever taken has emphasized the integral part that family plays in a person’s life and this definitely hit home when my family left! This was a much needed vacation that served as a reminder of how valuable family time is. On this break I learned lessons in trust (through my father’s crazy driving), and patience (as it is not always the most comfortable to have 4 people in a 3 person hotel room). Most importantly I have learned to be thankful for the opportunity to experience in 3 months what some people won’t in their lifetime. I can already say that this is my best summer to date and look forward to seeing what the next 6 weeks will bring.
Dad after our shopping excursion at the outlet mall!
The family in Cannes, France
Mon Jun 30, 2008
Up Up Up!
"Up up up!" This is the phrase that our taxi driver Raymond used to describe the Swiss Alps. I never thought that I would make it to Switzerland, let alone France, this summer. Italy has been wonderful, but the weekend I went to Geneva, Switzerland and to the top of Mt. Blanc France just added to my many adventures! A few weeks before we got to Italy, I didn’t even know the girls I went to Switzerland with. However, I will say now that I have stayed in a hotel with them, eaten Swiss chocolate, and climbed the tallest peak of the alps, I feel pretty close! We had planed on only going to Geneva. However, we met the nicest man Raymond, who soon became out personal tour guide and took us to Mt. Blanc and Annecy. It was so nice to be in the mountains and see snow for a change. We were not prepared for the cold weather and ended up buying jackets and socks to wear with our flip-flops before we went to the top. We ate and drank Swiss chocolate and cheese fondue. The weather was amazing, and it was such a memorable weekend.
Another aspect of my adventures in Italy this summer that will forever be remembered is this past week of vacationing. My mom and sister came over for the week, and the three of us together got to experience the ancient ruins of Rome, the eclectic art scene of Trastevere, and the quaint Ponte Vecchio in Firenze. It was such a special time to be able to experience all of these beautiful, wonderful places with my family. Adding to the fun, we did run into a few obstacles with our hotel and Roma transportation, the latter being more humorous than the first. Our sweet hotel man decided to move us to a different hotel, without telling us that we were being moved. However, the silver lining of this misunderstanding is we got our hotel for free! The other obstacle, or adventure, as I like to call it, is we accidentally boarded the wrong train on the way from Firenze to Arricia. We got on the train and politely asked to people who were sitting in our seats to please move. It turns out, that we were very mistaken and got on the train earlier than we were supposed to. So, we spent the rest of the train ride in the restaurant because we didn't have any seats. Again, the situation turned out for the better because we got to Rome earlier than expected, and we didn't have to pay any fines because we pleaded the "dumb tourists."
Overall, this past week has been a great week of learning, culturally and historically. The opportunity to have gotten to travel around Italy with my mom and my sister is, hopefully, one I will never take for granted because it truly has enriched my relationship with them, and given me a fresh perspective of the ever wonderful Italia!!!
Us with Raymond!