Devotissimo suo, Sarah: 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!!