Archives: April 2009
Thu Apr 16, 2009
Lessons Learned in 3 Italian Months.....
Wow! I can’t believe it’s the end of three months already. I remember arriving in Italy like it was yesterday and thinking that three months are a long time. I was wrong. This trip was to be a learning experience; experiences of culture unlike our own, of people, places and things that are different. There have been many lessons learned in the classroom but I think the most important ones are the ones we learn ourselves outside of class. We have had many great and not so great experiences that I think have taught us life lessons that you cannot learn in the classroom. Over the months, I have been keeping a list of lessons that we have learned over the months.
Lessons Learned:
-Know the location of the Mediterranean Sea
-Eating a whole pizza is completely acceptable.
-Plastic bags are not good cover-ups.
-Italian transportation is not the most reliable form of transportation.
-All paved things can be streets.
-Always tell restaurants it’s someone’s birthday- you might get a pleasant surprise.
this is Laurie on a swing on our first weekend in Rome at a Mexican restaurant when we told them it was her birthday.
-No more than two people per chair. Use no flash, and if you don’t know, don’t try it.
-When someone refers to something as a “cruise,” a boat is not necessarily involved.
-Just because you are at the beach it does not make it appropriate to wear a bathing suit (weather plays a big factor.)
some girls on the beach in Ischia in February when it was very cold and we were in our bathing suits freezing on the beach.
-Thermal baths are one of the best things that the Romans invented.
-Doors in Italy have really small openings.
-Hotel walls are thinner….beware.
-Rome has many beautiful places to sit and people watch.
-Be cautious when watching movies that Dr. B recommends, make sure she’s at least watched them.
-ALWAYS ask if you can take pictures.
-There are many understood uses of the word “uscita.”
-Know how to pronounce what Italian word you mean, one letter different could mean something inappropriate.
-Pompeii is not so innocent.
-Bathroom fixtures don’t drain as well in Italy, it is very easy to flood a shower or a bidet.
-PDA is more liberal, you just have to get used to it.
-Wine tasting day is the most fun.
pouring of wine during a wine tasting....yum! :).
-Cars will not stop for pedestrians; you can easily get side swiped.
-A one euro bag is probably worth one euro and umbrellas with up/down buttons are a hot commodity.
-Always know where you are going, and if in doubt go straight.
-Rick and Lisa are great travel companions.
-Most of the time, a really tough climb is worth the view.
-Make sure you have more than two pairs of socks for 3 months, therefore avoiding smelly feet.
-Random strangers sometimes make the best friends.
the girls from Florence with our new friend, Dan.
-It is completely acceptable to convince a new male friend to split the cost of a meal in order to save money…It isn’t necessary to know his name.
-Just because you change the accent does not mean you change the word.
-ALWAYS check the dates on train and airplane tickets- it is very easy to have one for the wrong day, even the travel agent can be wrong.
asleep on the train with bikes because the travel agent booked our tickets for the wrong day.
-Money on your phone runs out quicker when you are out of the country.
-European airlines do not have the same drinking laws.
And finally, the most important lesson I have learned is….
-Cinzia is my Jesus.
me with Cinzia, whom I would not have been able to survive these past 3 months without.
So there it is, what I’ve learned in three months. These lessons, though they might seem funny and irrelevant, were truly life lessons. The time has come for us to leave Ariccia, to leave Italy and return to our old lives. After three months as Chigi princesses, soon we will be saying “Ciao Palazzo Chigi, Ciao Ariccia, Ciao Italia! A Presto!” (because I know we will all be back!)
the Spring 2009 group....best group ever :)
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Tue Apr 14, 2009
Italia: The best experience of my life!!
Wow, how do I even begin to explain how fortunate I feel to have been able to spend the last ten weeks in such a wonderful country? I don’t know how I will ever be able to pay back my parents for allowing me to have this wonderful experience. From the very moment I arrived in Italy, I have been so in love with it. The food is delicious, the people are so friendly, and the culture is so interesting to witness and learn about.
These last eleven days have been great. How cool is it that I got to go to Venice, Milan, and then Barcelona all in the same week?? It was my second time to Venice and it was just as amazing as it was the first time. Cinzia came with us and all of us just adore her so that made it so much fun. We did everything while we were there: St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto bridge, Murano, Burano, a gondola ride, and had so many delicious meals. My favorite thing to do is wander through the alleyways and find new little places to eat or shop. I could go to Venice time and time again because I love it so much.
(Raley, Laurie, and I in Murano)
(Green and I on the train to Venice)
After Venice, we went to Milan. I was so excited about Milan because it is the design capital of Italy!! It is an industrial city so it’s definitely not like the traditional Italian towns but I enjoyed the change. I have to say the aperitivo nights were quite fun. Of course, me being American and all, it was like a traditional buffet of foods so I ate WAY too much but it was so great. Wednesday and Thursday were AMAZING because they were dedicated to interior and industrial design!! We got to see all of these cool showrooms of furniture and lighting. I took so many pictures and gathered all of the information packets so that I can use them to refer to when I start my projects again this summer! I was so excited to see the lights and furniture in person that I have specified on my projects. We went to a museum that was dedicated to design, specifically industrial design and they had such unique items. I could have spent hours there just looking at them because it is just so cool to see how far the world has come in the inventions that have been made.
(Some of the girls at Aperitivo in Milan)
Thursday afternoon, we headed to Barcelona on good old RyanAir. Barcelona was quite an interesting experience. I really enjoyed seeing all of Gaudi’s work because I have always learned about him in my classes. I can’t explain how breathtaking it is to see in person and I just can’t fathom how he ever thought to create such magnificent architectural structures. It was also really cool to see the Olympic stadium and just walk around while enjoying the touristy areas. We found a lot of English speaking people there, especially at the Irish pubs! I think we ate more fast food there than I have eaten in the past year. Having not had dunkin donuts, starbucks, KFC, Burger King, subway, and pizza hut, or, really, any other type of fast food, in ten weeks, we all went crazy. We were the typical stereotyped fat Americans always eating fast foods. I mean is it really necessary for me to eat KFC just after I finished eating at McDonalds? I think not!
We had a lot of fun; however, I wasn’t aware that Barcelona had a flip side to its greatness. Note to self: don’t book a hostel that doesn’t have a sign outside the building and is in a sketchy part of town. Take a look:
(Laurie, Rachel, Courtney, and Bailey posing in front of our hostel)
All I could think about was the movie Hostel the whole time we were there this weekend. It ended up being fine, other than the issue that we came home to the door wide open every night but, hey, we are back in Ariccia now, right!? If anything, I learned to appreciate everything I have more than I ever have.
Second note to self: don’t ever fly Ryanair again. They made us pay twenty euros to print a ticket and were very rude about it. Oh, and they made a guy throw out his laptop case because it was too bulky to take on the plane, yes that would never happen on Delta. On a happy note though, we flew back into Rome at night and it was such a gorgeous site! It is so cool to be able to fly into a city that you know so much about. I mean, really, the Vatican is absolutely beautiful from the air. And, I can’t believe I got tears in my eyes because I could just pick out every major monument: Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Venezia, and so many more. Rome is just so amazing and I don’t think I could ever get sick of visiting it. It has so many things to offer and is always so welcoming.
I have loved every moment here in Italy. It has been such a wonderful experience that I will carry with me my whole life. Everyone involved with the program has been more than welcoming to us and has made me feel so comfortable with everything. Everyone kept saying how they would become your family and it’s true, they really are my Italian family now and I will forever remember them and all the great things they have taught us and done for us.
On an end note, I want to leave future students a few tips about things they need to know or do while in Ariccia:
1.) Eat Suppli @ La Rupe.
2.) Eat at the Fraschetta in downtown Ariccia.
3.) Visit Tina at the Gelateria.
4.) Eat porchetta with the focaccia bread.
5.) Walk/Jog to Genzano for excerise (So relaxing!!).
6.) Find the big grocery store up the big hill (it’s pretty much the only place in Ariccia that takes credit card).
7.) The Chinese restaurant is in Albano.
8.) Enjoy Rome while it is so close to you.
9.) Take advantage of living in a palace because how many people can say they have done that??
10.) Most of all: Enjoy every single minute you are in Italy.
Arrivederci Italia!!
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Mon Apr 13, 2009
What am I going to do in 2 weeks?
I often think about the answer to this question because I am graduating as soon as we get home from Italy. I hate it because our time here is beginning to dwindle. I have had the most amazing time experiencing Italy and getting to know an amazing group of girls.
I realized how hard it is going be to leave this last weekend. I was able to travel to Salamanca, Spain this past weekend to visit one of my best friends, Rachael, who lives there. I was so proud of myself as I took the COTRAL bus to the Ciampino airport and flew to Madrid all by myself. I arrived and was kindly greeted by Rachael and we made our way to Salamanca. The drive through Spain was beautiful. Rachael had made plans for us to go out with friends for Tapas. I tried some interesting ones like pork, tuna and even something made with pigs blood.
The next day, Rachael took me on a tour of Salamanca, it’s such a breath-taking little city. The Plaza Mayor was absolutely beautiful and there was a wedding going on in the Cathedral. That night we went to Rachael’s friends’ house for a traditional Spanish meal. I had a great time getting to know new people and spending time with my best friend.
However, something seemed to be missing. I realized very quickly how much I missed Italy and my group of nineteen girls had truly become my family. We all take care of each other; we have our group inside jokes and even sort of our own little language. I found myself wanting to tell stories only about all that I have experienced the last two months and it was really overwhelming. So that’s why the question keeps popping into my head: what am I going to do in four weeks when I am no longer able to be around all of these girls in the most amazing country?
We have become this tight-knit unit that loves to try new things and go on adventures together. We even love to just hang out at the palace. We have gotten into the habit of playing spades during any of our free time. Last night we had a delicious dinner at Dr. B.’s then ran home to play spades. It’s safe to say we’re addicted. Emily Pasqual might even have withdrawals if we don’t play a game everyday.
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Fri Apr 03, 2009
Our Adventure Continues...
Oh the places you’ll go. These words have stuck in my mind ever since I received the infamous Dr. Seuss book with this title during my high school graduation. Never in a million years did I ever believe I was going to see as much as I have seen over the past nine weeks. In just this amount of time, we have experienced the culture of Italy in more ways than others. We have adjusted to the difference in lifestyle and have attempted to become Italian chefs in our very own kitchen of the Palazzo Chigi. We have learned to be patient and not rely so heavily on time. We have become professional travelers and have perfected the art of packing a small suitcase. Most importantly, we have looked at each day as providing us with a new experience. Having overcome these obstacles, we are more than prepared to take on our remaining three weeks in Italy.
On Monday, the Hotel and Restaurant majors were given the opportunity to return to Fontana di Papa, one of the Castelli Romani’s most renowned wineries. Having spent time here already, we were more than eager to go back and reunite with the staff. Unlike our last trip, however, we were able to actively participate in the production of wine. This allowed for a firsthand glimpse of how much effort it takes to produce just one bottle.
Gretchen helping a factory worker at Fontana di Papa, Ariccia's local winery
We departed early Tuesday morning for a field trip to the Frasassi Caves, one of Europe’s most fascinating and majestic underground routes, located in the Umbria region of Italy. Tired from our four-hour bus ride and the sight of falling rain, we were quickly awakened to the breathtaking scenery in seven different cave rooms. Each had a different theme with something more spectacular than the next. Jagged stalagtites hung from the ceiling, while enormous stalagmites jutted from the floors. Crystal-covered rocks and tiny icicle-like objects were delicately scattered over the walls. It was a real feast for the eyes.
We ended our week with a field trip to the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, located in Rome. While there, we were exposed to a number of lectures where the organization’s purpose was explained in detail. We were astonished to learn that the World Food Programme has provided food for over 1.4 billion people and has given over $30 billion dollars of relief to victims all over the world. Each statistic seemed to leave more of an impression on us than the next. We are looking forward to returning to the World Food Programme during our last week of studying abroad. The opportunity to study abroad with the Auburn program in Ariccia has not only exposed me to the rich culture of the Italians, but has introduced me to some potential vocations within the hospitality industry to explore upon graduation. My time as a Palazzo Chigi “princess” will always be remembered as a time where I broke out of my shell, gained the confidence I needed, and took advantage of everything around me.
Emily showing off her new World Food Programme t-shirt
Auburn takes on the World Food Programme!
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Relishing the past, soaking up the present and anticipating the future
Now that we are on our last month of this adventure, I am able to look back at our journey, continue to soak up the present and anticipate the future. As a group of nineteen girls, we have done an incredible job of melding dynamic personalities, forming deeper relationships, and learning how to handle any conflict that comes about. I have recognized this bond even more now that we have moved into our wonderful new home in the palace. Although it has been difficult not having the Internet, we have all agreed we are thankful for the extra time to just sit and talk, play card games and cook together. We have had more opportunities to get to know one another in the past couple of weeks than before our move. A highlight for me has been making meals together. This includes not only the act of cooking, but involves planning out our meals for the week, making a trip up the massive hill to the supermercato, actually cooking and then taking the time to fellowship with one another in our Baroque-inspired kitchen. We play music, dance, enjoy the local wines and laugh a lot!
Watching "The Little Mermaid" as the new Palazzo Chigi princesses- we love our new hang out time!
As easy as it would be for me to think ahead with assignments due and preparing to come home, I am also aware of the short amount of time we have left. I sat outside the palace attempting to receive Internet and had to stop and take in the view around me. The beautiful church across the street, the old Italian men arguing on the benches, the Smart cars parked out front and the aroma of fresh bread all made me realize I just won’t get these surroundings at home. So, I am in the process of learning to be in the present and appreciate what is around me.
And in terms of the future, I cannot fathom going home yet. The near future holds a week-long trip to Milan as a class, a weekend trip to Florence and Easter at the Vatican City in Rome! There certainly is no a lack of excitement and activity in this trip before we head back to the States. I have heard Milan is so different from any other city in Italy. Now that I think about it, I feel like I have said that about every city we have visited, so I am sure Milan will be full of even more surprises. We will get to meet with designers, experience the fashion world first-hand, taste a variety of foods and see the industry that takes place in the North. Milan is known for aperitivo, where businessmen and women congregate after work to enjoy the local foods and drinks for cheap. The aperitivo is a sample of a variety of foods including different meats, vegetables, and breads. All in all, I am anticipating the week in Milan and I am ready to learn more about a new part of Italy!
Six girls from the group, including me, are spending two days in Florence before Easter because one week simply was not enough! Our class previously spent a week in Florence, but none of us wanted to leave. The leather markets, the gelato that beats any other area of Italy and the beautifully artistic atmosphere of the city have drawn us back.
I am most anticipating spending Easter in the Vatican City. I am personally not Catholic, but seeing the Pope is such a huge part of history and culture! I am excited about the large crowds, seeing who came from all over the world to experience this event. We have learned so much about the Catholic Church in class and on field trips that I am ready to see it in action. I have no idea what to expect, but then again, that is what this entire three-month adventure has been about! I am thankful for the chance to appreciate the past, relish in the present and daily look forward to what is to come.
Spending a night in the new palace settling in- getting our towels and sheets ready
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Wed Apr 01, 2009
What am I going to do in 4 weeks?
I often think about the answer to this question because I am graduating as soon as we get home from Italy. I hate it because our time here is beginning to dwindle. I have had the most amazing time experiencing Italy and getting to know an amazing group of girls.
I realized how hard it is going be to leave this last weekend. I was able to travel to Salamanca, Spain this past weekend to visit one of my best friends, Rachael, who lives there. I was so proud of myself as I took the COTRAL bus to the Ciampino airport and flew to Madrid all by myself. I arrived and was kindly greeted by Rachael and we made our way to Salamanca. The drive through Spain was beautiful. Rachael had made plans for us to go out with friends for Tapas. I tried some interesting ones like pork, tuna and even something made with pigs blood.
The next day, Rachael took me on a tour of Salamanca, it’s such a breath-taking little city. The Plaza Mayor was absolutely beautiful and there was a wedding going on in the Cathedral. That night we went to Rachael’s friends’ house for a traditional Spanish meal. I had a great time getting to know new people and spending time with one of my best friends.
However, something seemed to be missing. I realized very quickly how much I missed Italy and my group of nineteen girls had truly become my family. We all take care of each other; we have our group inside jokes and even sort of our own little language. I found myself wanting to tell stories only about all that I have experienced the last two months and it was really overwhelming. So that’s why the question keeps popping into my head: what am I going to do in four weeks when I am no longer able to be around all of these girls in the most amazing country?
We have become this tight-knit unit that loves to try new things and go on adventures together. We even love to just hang out at the palace. We have gotten into the habit of playing spades during any of our free time. Last night we had a delicious dinner at Dr. B.’s then ran home to play spades. It’s safe to say we’re addicted. Emily Pasqual might even have withdrawals if we don’t play a game everyday.
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