The Villa in Venice

Ciao amici!

So for some reason last week approximately half of my classes were cancelled.  Guido (the art professor) had a conference in Canada, Sarg. (Italian) hurt her knee so she missed Monday and Tuesday, and the Bucc (pronounced Booch. Italy and the Invention of America) cancelled class Wednesday and instead we had a speaker Tuesday evening. And the weather was near the 70s all week. So what I'm trying to say here is we practically had a second spring break.  There was lots of laying outside, playing frisbee, and kicking around the soccer ball.  Working on that tan, you know, the important things in life.

On Tuesday Grace and I went into Florence and finally went to the Boboli Gardens.  Pictures are to follow.  After the proper walk around the gardens we found ourselves a nice patch of grass and proceeded to lay in the sun for nearly two hours.  No complaints on my part.

Friday morning everyone got up bright and early with only the happiest faces on and got on the bus headed to Venice! A hop, skip, and a few hours later, we had arrived! But first we needed to take an hour long boat ride.  First stop: Murano.  You know, where they make all the fantastic glass.  We got to watch a glass blowing demonstration and one of the men took a ball of hot glass and created a horse in seriously a matter of about 72 seconds.  I had to peel my jaw off the floor.  After the demonstration we walked around the rest of the island for a while.  I couldn't help myself and bought two glass rings.  But they're beautiful AND versatile! Purchase well made.

After Murano, we headed to our hotel (via boat again) and got settled in before departing for a tour of the Palazzo Ducale.  This was more or less enjoyable.  Our tourguide was a real sassafras and more sarcastic than me, so that provided for a few good laughs.  Museums and churches and palaces oh my. It's beginning, well, I'd hardly say beginning, this has been going on for awhile, but it's a little much.  At least this one was pretty cool.  Post tour we had some free time.  Of course we filled this to the brim with all sorts of activities--ranging from eating, walking, and sitting.  And getting lost.  Turns out maps are completely futile.  But Guido encouraged us to get lost, so technically we were just following his advice.  After meandering around for awhile we eventually found San Marco's church where we were meeting the group again.

We were lucky enough to be able to have a private tour of the church after it was closed for the night.  After we entered the security locked us in for about an hour.  All the lights were off and they slowly turned them on.  If you have never seen this church before, you have got to put it on your bucket list.  Helen, our director, told us "it would be the best day of our lives" so we had pretty high expectations going in.  But I have to say, it was truly spectacular.  The entire ceiling is covered in tiny gold mosaics.  We even got to see where Mark is buried in the crypt, which is usually closed to the public.  Not sure it was one of the best days of my life, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

The next morning we had a tour of an art gallery, which proved to be a struggle for almost all involved.  It was nice to see some art non-renaissance style. We'll leave it at that. After the gallery we had some free time before we were heading back to the villa.  So once again, we used this time incredibly wisely.  We walked, found a place to sit and enjoy the view, then when we felt like it, we walked, found somewhere to eat, then walked, then found somewhere else to sit.  Good company in a beautiful city and delicious food.  That's all Italy is about anyway right?

Once we got back to the villa we had hamburgers and fries awaiting us, which just about threw everybody into a conniption we were so excited.  Sunday was a quiet day, actually had to write a paper. There's this funny thing called class here. Sometimes. And yesterday I got to see Kelsey!! (my roommate from home) She and her family were visiting Florence while she was on break (she's studying in Copenhagen) It was so so great to see her! Loveeee you Kelsey. And Jessie and Lexi. Wish you two were here!

Now it's time to gear up for Ireland this weekend!!

San Marcos

Reenacting the pyramids!

San Marcos

Becca, me, and Grace

Canals

Inside San Marcos

Hard to tell, but these are the little mosaics that covered the entire cburch

Tamara and I

Gondolas

Vino and Rugby!

This past week was a bit gloomy.  Though it's warmer here overall and there is no snow, the weather here reminds me a bit of back home--gorgeous and sunny one day, cold and windy the next. So unfortunately, this week wasn't spent basking in the gardens as much as the previous week. But I still can't complain too much.

Thursday, as everyone back home knows was St. Patrick's Day.  However here in Italy that is not of much importance.  Instead, Thursday was the celebration of 150 years of Italian unity! Go Italy! The entire city was covered with Italian flags and various red and green decor.  The big celebration was Wednesday night, so quite a few people from the Villa headed into the city to see what it was all about since we heard rumors of fireworks! Florence isn't always the most bumping town, especially at night.  So it was quite an experience to see the streets flooded with people of all ages, dressed for the occasion, out celebrating.  The buildings were all lit up with red and green lights which was very cool.  Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera out with me! We listened to some live music in the piazzas and walked all over.  Finally around midnight we wanted to go stake out a spot to watch these fireworks.  We headed across the river because that certainly would provide the best view.  They were supposed to begin at 12:30, so sometime around 12:45 the first firework shot off.  I was pretty impressed with the proximity to start time. However, the fireworks left much to be desired.  It was a pretty weak show if you ask me.  I think St. Cloud puts on a far more awe-inspiring show.  But it's the experience that counts! And it certainly was a good time.

This weekend, I decided again to stay in Florence and enjoy my time here.  On Friday, those of us at the villa for the weekend went to Poggio a Caiano to visit an old Medici Villa and a winery.  The villa was pretty impressive, but of course "No foto! No foto!"  Being the mature 20 and 21 year olds that we are, we entertained ourselves by finding oddities in the paintings.  I think I most enjoyed the nature gallery in the top floor where there were many pictures of flora and fauna, as my professor of Italy and the Invention of America would refer to them as.  In fact, she came along on the trip and told us to keep an eye out for all the vegetables brought to Europe from the New World.  I found some great paintings.  Some of my favorites consisted of depictions of dead animals and carcasses.  Stellar taste Lorenzo de'Medici.  After the little bit of education they could squeeze into the free trip, we headed to where we were all most excited for...the winery!  We had a tour guide who showed us through the wine cellars and where the keep the wine that is being aged in barrels.  Supposedly, the winery has been in business since the 800s! So they have their wine stuff right.  During WWII, Nazi soldiers actually stayed at the villa where the winery is and drank all the wine.  However, they were lucky enough to be able to keep some of it hidden.  After the tour we sat down and got to taste two of the wines for ourselves.  Tasting turned into having a few glasses.  I am becoming quite the red wine fan.

Saturday Becca, Grace, and I pried ourselves out of bed and headed into Florence, which turned out to be a fantastic idea.  Since by now we have visited nearly everywhere, we decided to head across to the other side of the river.  We just kept walking and walking and ended up in what seemed to be Italian neighborhoods.  It was almost bizarre to see just houses with yards and not a city or apartments.  Eventually we made it near Piazza Michelangelo and had a fantastic view of the city below.  We didn't quite know we would be in for such a workout, so by the time we returned to the villa, we were completely exhausted.  However, we only had a couple hours to rally before 12 of us headed back into Florence for dinner.  Dinner was great, but I was exhausted after and went back to the villa to get some sleep.

Sunday morning bright and early, Becca, Grace, Gem, and I took the train to Livorno, a town on the coast about an hour and a half away to go watch Heather play rugby.  We took a taxi to the stadium and waited around for a bit for the game to start.  We thought it was supposed to start at 10:30, so this meant sometime after 11 they finally began.  The Florence RhinoGirls lost their first two games, but turned it around (all thanks to my dear Heather) and won the last two! Go Rhinogirls! Getting home from Livorno proved to be a bit difficult.  Of course, we forgot to get a taxi number and it was 2pm on a Sunday in Italy, so absolutely everything was closed.  Luckily, Gem was able to googlemap us directions to get to the train station, which was just about an hour walk.  I am pretty certain we looked like hitch hikers.  Livorno is not at all a touristy town, so we stuck out like sore thumbs.  After getting on the train back to Florence, it stopped after about 20 minutes in Pisa.  After waiting for a while on the train, everyone was instructed to get off because that one was being cancelled due to a suicide at the Florence train station.  No one really knew what to do.  We got on and off about 6 different trains, thinking this one would eventually take us to Florence.  Then we would look around, figure out that everyone left on the train was English-speaking, and realize that we must be wrong.  We clearly were not understanding whatever directions people over the loudspeaker were giving us.  Something about taking a train then a bus then a train then a taxi then a boat then a plane...I'm not sure how much of that would have even been true or an exaggeration.  TrenItalia likes to throw surprises at you and not explain anything.  After about an hour of this complete confusion, we decided to take a taxi from Pisa back to Sesto.  We asked the taxi driver how much it would be, and if he could fit five people.  He said he thought about 150 euros.  Out of complete desperation (we just HAD to be home in time for dinner..it was Ravioli Sunday!) we climbed in and headed back to the villa.  Thankfully we made it, and even though the meter said some astronomical price, our saint of a driver let us have it for 150.  And the best part, we made it just in time for dinner.

This morning I woke up to the phenomenal news that Italian class is cancelled for today and tomorrow.  Art is also cancelled this week.  And we have a speaker Tuesday night instead of one lecture Wednesday.  So basically, this week is full of activities! And this weekend is the program trip to Venice! I will update after that!

Medici Villa

Grace and I 

View from the Villa

More pretty views

Italian pride!

Grace, me, and Catie 

Me, Becca, and Heather, awaiting the winery tour

There was a fireplace!

Winery villa

Wine cellar with wines dating back to the 1970s

Vinoooo hall

Barrel of wine

Olive oil and wine from the winery

View of Florence on our walk

Grace and I. I clearly spent hours on my hair this day.

Pretty pretty Florence

Excited for the game! 

Rugby game

My little Heather!

Heather in action

Just some of the best Italian fashion

Fashion continued. 

A Week at the Villa

We have been lucky enough to have some beautiful weather this past week (except for today, because it always rains on Sundays...seriously, always. and always when we have all these plans of spending the day in Florence) Many afternoons were spent in the gardens and hanging out outside.  Hopefully the weather continues in this direction!

This week I would say just about everyone was eating like they had never seen food before. I think we all went a little crazy without our chef Bruno and pasta for a week.  I went into a food coma after almost every meal.  What will happen when I have to return to the States and actually cook for myself, I have no idea.

Tuesday night Camellia, Kyle, Tamara, Jenna, and I went into Florence to meet three of the girls we met on the Prague trip who are also studying in Florence for dinner (recall the pyramid girls).  They brought us to this fantastic pizza place near their villa.  Again, you would have thought we had never encountered pizza before because that thing was gone in a matter of minutes.  It was great seeing them again though, hopefully they will get to come see our villa and experience life in Sesto before they leave in just a few weeks!

Friday morning our villa director, Helen, gave about ten of us a cooking lesson.  We got to go into the kitchen and help prepare a risotto, ragu, and our favorite 7P pasta (made with seven ingredients all beginning with the letter P) and apple cake.  Now I am the proud owner of a few of our villa recipes and plan to cook for all my friends and family back home.  Actually, let's see if I can cook for myself first.  Then if it isn't poisonous I'll just possibly invite some of you to dinner.  A majority of the class Helen just berated me for not liking vegetables.  Apparently, this fact is just so amusing to everyone.  I am really working on it though.  My friend Catie here at the Villa brings me a little plate of whatever vegetable we're having that day.  I usually try to get out of eating it, but sometimes I am forced.

After devouring all the food we made, those of us who were at the villa for the weekend hung out in the gardens.  We kicked around the soccer ball, played with Tessa (Helen's puppy labrador) and played bocce ball, which I will have you know I am not actually half bad at.  I like to call myself "unpredictable" about where the ball I throw will actually end up.  Usually its either right on, or completely wrong.  So you know, unpredictable.  After awhile, many people decided to play kickball.  I immediately recalled those terror days of elementary school gym class and neighborhood kickball (where I so gladly volunteered to be the DJ for).  I sat this round out and basked in the sun instead reading.

Saturday morning, five other girls (Camellia, Becca, Grace, Jenna, and Heather) and I got up early and headed to the train station to go to Castelfiorentino where we would spend the day horseback riding.  Now what would Trenitalia be without some sort of issue?  Of course our train arrived nearly 40 minutes late.  Our conclusion was that the train conductor probably just decided to stop for coffee somewhere.  You know, why work?  Luckily, we were able to get another train and arrived only an hour late.  After getting into Castelfiorentino (a small Tuscan town) a darling little man met us to bring us to the place we would be horseback riding.  The business is run by a woman from Liverpool, named Sharon, and a man, Lorenzo, from Rome.  We met them and got right to our riding lessons (turns out these would be pretty necesssary).  I was paired with Luby.  She's bossy and apparently the girls thought that would be perfect and I could handle her.  Riding lessons went fine enough.  I couldn't really get Luby to do what I wanted, but after enough time I felt pretty comfortable in my abilities.  After lessons, we went back up to their house for lunch.  Lorenzo is a fantastic chef (considering opening a restaurant) and made up pasta bolognese.  I even ate five pieces of lettuce because I thought it was rude not to.  We tried our best not to eat like the animals we usually do at the villa.  After the delicious meal, Heather, Camellia, and I headed out for our ride.  I got back on Luby and once we were all ready, headed out on the trails.  Luby had to be in the back because sometimes she kicks.  We were getting a little behind because she is a bit lazy, and didn't really want to be carrying me around up through the mountains.  The path split, and as I was attempting to use my new skills in steering the horse, Luby decided she had had enough and turned around back towards the stables and took off in a gallop.  Cue screams.  Cue nearly falling off.  Cue Sharon telling me not to scream.  I'm not sure if she's ever seen her life flash before her eyes, but there really was no other option.  Finally I was able to pull back on the reigns hard enough for Luby to stop and turned her back around.  Sharon held on to her as we walked for the next while. Great.  After a bit, once we were fully on the trail and there wouldn't be any turning around for Luby, Sharon let me go again.  Luby seemed to have great difficulties getting up the hills and took her sweet time.  Then again, if I were walking up those hills you better believe I'd be complaining.  In fact, I usually blog about it.  So I guess I don't blame her.  I tried to be her friend again.  Towards the end of the ride, when we were actually walking our horses, Luby used me as a scratching post.  So I guess that meant we were friends.  Or she hated me and wanted me completely covered in her hair.  Whichever.  After a few hours, we returned to the house, and it was the next groups turn to go.  This time, Lorenzo went with to take care of Luby since she was tired or naughty, or both.  In the midst of all this though, the views were absolutely incredible.  Just a picture perfect Tuscan hilly scene.  It was absolutely incredible, and I really did enjoy myself.  I think I'd like a horse someday.  Just not Miss Luby.

Once we got back to Florence, a few of us decided it was finally time for some Mexican food.  We headed to Tiajuana's and I enjoyed a delicious quesadilla and some chips with salsa and guacamole.  A nice little break from pasta, though truly I don't think I ever really need a break from pasta.  Then it was back to the villa and almost right to sleep. Turns out horseback riding is very tiring and will make one very sore.

Today has been full of some group Sporcle (check it out..www.sporcle.com, but only if you have hours to waste) and catching up on some things.  Here are a few pictures from horseback riding!

Ready to ride!

Helmets. Check.

Jay.  Lorenzo told us she was a bitch. No one rode her. 

Obviously excited for my lesson

Learning to control Luby. This was clearly a failed attempt.

Another horse. 

Under the Tuscan Sun. Actually, it was really cloudy. 

Hello horsey

My dear Luby

Wilma

Luby and I. Best friendz 4ever.

Views of Tuscany during the ride

So. Many. Activities: Spring Break

So this past week was spent in SPAIN for our spring break. What an adventure that was.  It was probably one of the best weeks of my life.  The group consisted of: Me, Camellia, Becca, Grace, Jenna, Ben, and Nick, and we met Heather in Sevilla on Monday and she stayed with us for the remainder of the week.  Since there is so much to update on, I'll just include some pictures with longer captions and try to explain the trip.

RyanAir flight from Bologna to Granada. This picture is actually from after we landed and we were happy to finally be in Spain. We ran into a few...minor..problems  on the way.  RyanAir is apparently very strict about bag requirements.  By this I mean we started our trip going to Granada with seven people and only made it there with 6.  One of our fellow travelers went to board the plane, and they refused his bag, saying he needed to go back and check it. By the time he got back to the gate, they had closed the doors and wouldn't let him on. Approximately one hour into the trip and we were already down one. Minor panic attack.  Nick was able to get a flight to Barcelona, and we met him there on Wednesday.  However, poor Ben had to suffer half the week with just girls.  At least he had the Blue Kazoo.  A few comments on RyanAir: there are no assigned seats, so it is a mad dash to get on the plane.  Also, Italians are completely inept at forming a line, so it was basically a cluster of people trying to squeeze through the door. When the flight lands (mind you it lands about 100 mph too fast, and you have to brace yourself, it's likely these pilots are still in training) everyone claps.  I still am a little unsure of this custom.  Maybe it is just me, but if the plane lands properly, I don't see this as being anything special.  In fact, it is pretty much expected.  If the plane didn't land, I'd be a bit upset.  Anyway, step one of the trip complete.

Excited to be in Spain! 

Our first hostel in Granada was beyond great, the Funky Backpacker.  There were all sorts of things they had set up you could do.  We went on a nature hike to go see the aqueducts that go to the Alhambra.  I guess I should have been warned by the tern "hike" but I thought this meant a casual stroll through maybe a park.  I should have realized something was up when our tour guide stopped at a little store and told us we may want to get some water.  When they said hike, they meant hike--climbing a mountain on dirt paths that if you took one wrong step you could take a fatal fall.  Thankfully, we all made it.  And it was probably the coolest experience ever.  We got to see the Alhambra and the sunset all in one nice panoramic view.

Funky Backpackers Hostel

Beginning the hike..

Views of Granada on the hike

First sight of the aqueducts

Happy hiker

Aric, our guide, explaining the aqueducts

Sneaking into the back of the Alhambra

Aqueducts

Sunset up on the mountain

Alhambra at night

Dinner that night was paella.   The hostel had a chef come in and cook it right in front of us.  Despite all the funny little sea creatures that I had to pick around and unnamed vegetables, it was delicious.  This however, was my first and last paella experience.  Once was enough for me.

Chef a cookin'

I didn't eat those odd black things, don't worry

The next day me and three other girls went to the Alhambra.  If you're ever in Granada, definitely go.  It was absolutely incredible.  The architecture and detailing of all the mosaics was just beautiful.  Since it was sold out for a normal tour, we went on a guided tour, which turned out to be really helpful in understanding all the history behind it.

Outside the Alhambra

Enrique, our tour guide

Jenna and I, with a view of Granada

The beginning of my mosaic love

One of the many fountains, all of which function completely from the water pressure coming from the aqueducts (where the water comes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains..in Spain, not California)

Just posing on the stairs

Incredible detail

That evening, Camellia, Jenna, and I went on a gypsy cave tour.  Once again, this was a hike. Up the mountain.  But it was fascinating to learn about all the different gypsy cultures and how they brought flamenco dancing to Spain and their music.  At the end of the hike, we went to one of the bars that is built into the side of the mountain.

Our tour guide

One of the many caves

Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background

Just your everyday family walking their pony

View of the Alhambra

On our last night in Granada, we went to a little place that came highly recommended to us by the tour guides.  It is called La Buleria, and it is where some of the flamenco performers go after their shows and just sit around and improv.  It also is in the mountain and built into a cave.  The guitarists and singers were out of this world.  It was very tiny and intimate, and we felt as welcomed as we could by the locals.  Besides when they asked where I was from, and from what we understood, I think they called me stupid.  I'm not sure. Everyone kept laughing, so we laughed to because we had no idea what was going on.

Two of the singers/guitarists 

He was missing a few teeth..but a great performer!

On Monday we were off to Sevilla via bus.  The weather was just too beautiful and we were pretty exhausted from all of our mountain climbing the previous days, so a majority of the time spent here was sitting, walking then sitting some more, enjoying the sun, and eating tapas and drinking sangria.  We did manage to go to a cathedral and the outside of the bull fighting ring.  Also, we celebrated Jenna's 21st birthday Monday night and I will leave it at that.

Cathedral

We wore bright colors

View from the Bell Tower in the cathedral

Panoramic of Sevilla

Heather and I at lunch

Bull Fighter

Becca is hiding in the shade

Bull Fighting Ring

Gorgeous weather in Sevilla

Wednesday morning, way too early after a long night, we took a plane to Barcelona.  After our arrival, we crashed for a few hours, then finally mustered up the energy to walk around a bit.  We found this great candy store called the Happy Pill.  Marketing at its best.  Because seriously, who ever goes into a candy store?  But THIS store was fashioned as a store where the candy were pills that could cure anything.  We gave in and bought ourselves little pill bottles.  My sticker read "pink clouds for grey days" and "the universal remedy for everything." I couldn't agree more.

Full of Candy

Jenna and I with our Happy Pills

Okay, so we went to dinner, and everyone ordered paella.  Knowing that I didn't want to pick around tons of weird seafood, I opted for what I thought was a hamburger.  Turns out, it was a large piece of toast topped with three burgers covered in slices of cheese. I mean I guess it was good. 

Thursday was a full day.  We woke up and headed to one of Gaudi's houses.  What a fantastic break from Renaissance art.  I think if Florence saw it, the city would shudder.  I however, completely enjoyed it.  After the house, we went to a chocolate museum.  Our ticket was actually a chocolate bar. After the museum, we went to the Arc de Triomf and finally to Sagrada Familia, which was Gaudi's cathedral.  It is still in the process of being completed.  We were a little hesitant on spending the money to get in, since it was a whopping 10.50 euro, but in the end we decided to and it was completely worth it.  The stained glass was unlike any I had seen before and an instant inspiration to have a stained glass house in the future. Or at least one window.  Whichever works.

Outside of one of Gaudi's houses

Midget Becca

Arc de Triomf

Delicious hot chocolate

Chocolate ticket

Chocolate sculptures

La Sagrada Familia

Inside the church

Stained glass

Organ pipes

Thursday night it was just the girls and we went to a discoteca with the hostel and danced the night away.  Of course, at the end, Becca and I were just not ready for the night to be over.  Since the club was on the beach, we took a nice little romantic stroll, eventually deciding that when in Barcelona, one needs to swim in the Mediterranean.  So we braved the cold and dove in.  We had to make it quick so no one would steal our clothes and purses, and just because it was basically freezing.  But it was a memorable experience to say the least.  

Discoteca!

Post-swim

Becca and I loving life

Friday, our last full day, we decided to go to Gaudi's park.  This really should not have been that difficult.  But of course we took about 13 wrong turns and took the longest way possible, eventually climbing up a dirt path through the back of the park.  We wound around for about 30 minutes, getting a little discouraged that Gaudi did not in fact create anything worthwhile here.  Finally, we found it and thought we were in Candy Land.  In addition to a stained glass home, I think I will also mosaic everything I can.  Summer project? Check.  Crafts Direct here I come.  After the park we went to the beach, because not everyone had the chance to see it yet, and I wanted to see it in the daylight.  It was too cold to brave an actual swim (some reason this made so much more sense during the day...), but we enjoyed eating lunch and watching the waves crash.  I also now am convinced I will be living on the ocean.

At least getting lost lead us to a great view of Barcelona

Mosaics

Gecko statue

Candyland house

The group in front of the park

Life's a beach

Marina

Finally it was Saturday and we were headed back to Italy.  I think we took almost every form of transportation possible, sans boat, hovercraft, or spaceship.  We began our trip with the metro to the bus station.  Took the bus to the airport a little over an hour away.  Got the the airport (where I had Subway with RANCH. I just about died of excitement), took the flight to Bologna, got a taxi from the airport to the trainstation, then took the train back to Sesto.  Where of course Italy welcomed us with open arms and rain.  Spain was the most perfect spring break ever.  The country got a lot of things right that's for sure.  However, I think we were all completely ready to be back in our home away from home in Italy.  Right after getting off the train, we went to our favorite Sesto Pub, got a pizza to go, and I devoured it while laying in bed and watching the Bachelor.  What a perfect ending to a wonderful week.

Also, I should mention that before spring break, many people from the Villa went to an opera.  It was fun to get all dressed up and I got to wear my new heels (which, ouch, how do Italians do it?).  The opera was beautiful and the singing was great.  Thank goodness we had a summary of the plot in English beforehand or I would have been completely lost.  Great experience, but I think once is enough for me!

Congratulations if you made it through--I know that was long!!