Sweet Home Alabama

I’m home from Italy and still wishing I were asleep. Looking back over the past week
all I can do is laugh. Yes, I saw some absolutely incredible pieces of art and
experienced an incredible culture but the best thing was the friendships I know have.
So here are a few memorable quotes said by a few of us…I’m sure they won’t be as
funny to you but believe me I am still laughing about them!!

After talking to his mom Kendall says, “She misses my voice”
Michael responds, “That’s impressive”
Kendall answers, “I’m just that incredible”

“Wait a second, its in Italian, of course I can’t read it!”
Michael

“I’m gonna call you M squared…Momma Mindy”
Daniel

“Is Mitchell playing hide and seek again?!”
Kendall

“The Pope is Batman”
Rebekah and Daniel

“I love a good high powered toilet”
Kendall

After walking all over Florence, Michael made the comment “I don’t have calves
anymore, I have bulls. They aren’t veal but grade A beef!”

“So…in front of the foot locker next to the Vatican”
Dr. Mitchell

“AKA the Pope’s Foot Locker……So does the Pope wear Air Jordans?”
Kendall

“Embrace the suck!!”
Dr. Mitchell

“The finger of Gawd HAS touched me!”
Kendall

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Arrivederci Italy… Ciao, y’all!

March 11, 2008

4:00 p.m. Mobile time
who knows p.m. Italian time

I’m back to the “daily grind” of life… a routine I happen to really like and appreciate after 10 days of go-go-going in another country. Everything is pretty much back to normal…

…And then there are the questions that people ask. (And answers).

“How was your visit to Italy?”

“Life-changing, a monumental time, different, wonderful, a great decision, a learning experience, a challenge and one of my greatest memories of college.”

“What was your favorite part of the trip?”

“Experiencing a new place, culture and lifestyle with some of UM’s finest students. And, the Sistine Chapel was pretty great too.”

“Did you have jetlag?”

“Miraculously, no. When I got back to Mobile, I went to sleep at midnight after being awake for over 24 hours and woke up the next morning at 7:15 a.m. for work and class. I’ve been fine ever since.”

“What did you buy?”

“I bought lots of food while I was over there! For gifts, I bought my mom a pair of beautiful, red lambskin gloves (that fit her perfectly!) and an Italian cashmere scarf. I gave my dad and brother some Italian snacks from the gas station (because I knew they would like them!). I bought many lace products from a lace store in Venice that our Italian tour guide showed us. I also bought myself some Italian leather high heels from Florence, a ring, and some pictures of scenes from one of my favorite movies, Roman Holiday. The rest I can’t say because I haven’t handed them all out yet!”

“What did you learn from the trip?”

“I learned that I am capable of handling more than I thought I could. I was constantly reminded of the support and love I receive from my family and friends, even across the world. This trip also brought on a thirst for experiencing more countries and cultures…Costa Rica, here I come!”

Other things I learned or concluded from my European experience:

• Americans live more for the convenience; while Italians live more for the social living (ask me later if this doesn’t make sense).
• Toilets are really different in Italy.
• The bidet… that’s all I have to say.
• You pay a Euro or more to use a public, often unisex, bathroom.
• You tip, tip, and tip some more.
• Cars are much smaller in Europe…it seems like a good way to conserve energy and save money.
• Italians don’t use Italian dressing (that I know of!).
• Almost everyone wears dark clothing. Any bright colors seem to be worn as accessories.
• Many Italians can speak English but don’t let on that they can.
• No one has told the people of Europe that smoking kills.
• Not everyone is as welcoming as a Southerner.
• Italian guys…‘nough said.
• There is a rich abundance of history in Italy.
• Nudity in advertisements doesn’t seem to be a big deal.
• Don’t try to bring home raw meat (I didn’t!) or New York’s airport agriculture crew will getcha!
• I love America!

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope it was entertaining and insightful. Here are some more pictures of the trip and a video or two. (I only took about 700 pictures… but here I will share about 70 of them) YAY!

My final “ciao,”

Rebecca

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Back Home

Well, I’m back in the States! The past two weeks seem so surreal…it’s hard to believe that I was actually in Italy! The trip taught me so much (not only about another culture, but about myself) and Italy was beautiful, but I cannot tell you how glad I was to see my parents and boyfriend at the airport. Still, I hope to return to Italy one day. Maybe next time I’ll learn some Italian before I go…

Sunny Day in Roma

March 8

3:34 p.m. Italian time

8.34 a.m. Mobile time

We woke up today and looked off our balacony and it was a gorgeous, rain-free day! It’s a free day until 5 p.m., so a group of us walked to the Trevi Fountain and then to the Pantheon. I was really glad we went to the Trevi Fountain because of a certain sad incident that happened in middle school. Here’s the story: So, 7th or 8th grade I borrowed a bunch of pictures and Italy-related items from my aunt. I used them in a presentation about Italy for my history class. When I went to return all the pictures to my aunt, I realized the picture of the Trevi Fountain had bent in my bag. I was really embarrased, so I didn’t return the picture. So, I told myself I would make it up to her one day and get her a replacement for the missing picture. So, Aunt Carol, I’m sorry about not returning that picture, I was scared you would be upset, but I’m making it up now with a fresh picture for you album! Love you!

I’m really glad I went on this trip– it’s been wonderful and I’ve learned a lot about other cultures and about myself. I’ll make sure to blog once more when I get back to Mobile (hopefully on Sunday night, heard there was a snow storm supposed to hit New York on our way back). I’ll add a lot more pictures to that blog and hopefully some videos! Ciao!

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The Sun will come out…TODAY!

Today is our first day of real sunshine and no rain!! YAY!!!  Since it was such a
beautiful day and our last one in Rome Kendall and I decided to take a walk down to
the Trevi! On our way out we met another group and all joined together for the hike!
We all took turns throwing our euros into the Trevi for the chance to come back to
Rome and great photo opportunities!  Tonight will be the most amazing dinner we have
ever had in our lives…that I am sure of! Dr. A, maybe we will get a pic of Daniel
kissing Mitchell on the cheeck like Bryce did to you!!! HAHAHA!!! GREAT MEMORIES!

I realized about half way through the trip that I had great expectations of this one
because of the first time I came with Dr. Abernathy two years ago.  Many things are
different about this one and that was exciting for me but also bummed me out a lot.  I
thought that things should be the same and we should stay in the same places and see
the same things but that is not what happened.  I got extremely homesick on this trip
and had a lot of alone time.  Alone time as in being with the group in the museums but
drifting over to a painting or sculpture and taking a closer look for myself.  Dr.
Mitchell has been an absolute blast the entire week!  Last night I became one of the
guys and got to have dinner with him, Daniel, Kendall, and Michael…what an adventure
that was!  I love my girls on this trip, don’t get me wrong but there is just
something about the guys that keep me calm and laughing.

This is the last time I will get to blog until I land in Mob-town and Im rather sad
about that.  I am going to take some time on our upcoming 8 hour plane ride, gather my
favorite memories of this trip, and send those and LOTS of pictures for my last one.
USA, here I come!!

PACE,
Rebekah

ps, PACE means Peace in Italian

Rain, Rain Go Away

March 7

6:04 p.m. Italian time
11:04 a.m. Mobile time

While in Rome… it rains! Since we hit the streets of Rome two days ago, there as been a constant drizzle, creating puddles and slippery marble
steps. This morning we went to a villa rich with beautiful paintings and frescos. Our American tour guide told us stories of the original owner of the house and the entire tour proved to be very interesting. Then we went to a beautiful church where it is said that oil leaked out of the ground when Jesus was born.

We walked the entire day, which is usually fine except the puddles caused our shoes and feet to get soaked. The mixture of cold air and wet feet led to a particularly miserable rest of the walk…er, day. We then walked to the Vatican City area (which is its own country) and toured the Vatican museum, the Sistene Chapel (yay!), and St. Peter’s Cathedral. I did not rub St. Peter’s feet because all I could think about was germs (I know, I’m weird about germs!).

We’re finally walking back to our hotel from being out since 8:00 a.m. We stopped for some dinner and I had something that tasted like thin eggs
stuffed with spinach and cheese. Pretty good. I grabbed some stamps and later getting some gellato! I can’t wait to take a hot shower and dethaw my feet!

Well, I miss you! Thanks for all your comments… I wish I could respond to them all but I don’t have enough Euros! (I’m down to 30!) See you in two days!

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Rome

Well, it has been an interesting two days. Yesterday, we went to see the Colosseum, which was one of the reasons I came on this trip. We walked an hour to get there, and when I saw it through the trees in the distance, I couldn’t help but skip a little with excitement, despite my tired legs.

Our tour of the Colosseum was not as pleasant as it could have been, considering that it was cold and rainy that day, but we had a wonderful, engaging tour guide, who just happened to be American and who cracked lots of jokes.

Unfortunately, my body was exhausted from many busy days of traveling, walking, and rushing to get from one place to another on time without getting lost, and I wasn’t able to finishe the tour fo the Colosseum. While the rest of the group went on to tour the forums, Rebekah and Daniel took me to the subway station and accompanied me back to the hotel (which is a good thing, because I never could have made it back on my own, directionally challenged as I am).

While riding the subway, trying to remain standing and not get squashed by the crush of people, pass out, or all of the above, I heard a voice, clear and hypnotic, singing a beautiful Italian melody.

“Who is that singing?” I asked Rebekah.

“It’s that gypsy over there,” she said. “And she’s not singing; she’s just begging for money.”

I searched for her, and finally find her. She was short, wore her dark hair gathered in a mass at the back of her head and secured with a clip, and had a baby strapped to her chest. As I stared, her eyes met mine. They were some of the most beautiful, piercing green eyes I had ever seen. I had to break her gaze, fearing I’d fall under some spell, but continued to watch as she began to make her way up the train, saying, “Scusate, scusate.” I didn’t want to believe that she might be stealing money from the train passengers she passed by, but that’s what gypsies are known for.

The last I saw of her was the back of her head, right as I was getting off the train, but I’ll never forget the green-eyed gypsy and her siren song…

Today was not quite as eventful for me. While the rest of my group headed out at 8 A.M. to begin a day of tours, I stayed in bed to try and catch up on some rest. I met the group at 1, and toured the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. I must be on sensory overload right now, because even though everything was grand, beautiful and majestic, I can’t think of anything to say other than that. So, I will leave you with a few pictures.

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Rain, Cold and lots of Fun!

Well today was our official last touring day of Rome.  We visited the Vatican and and got to see the Sistine Chapel along with a LOT of ancient sculpture.  I think it is safe to say that we have walked this entire city for the most part (at least that is what my legs are telling me) It is surreal to go to some of these places. Yesterday we went to the Colleseum and I still have to remind myself that it was the real thing.  The weather here leaves something to be desired (that thing being the sun) It is cold and rainy as it has been for most of the trip, but I actually think that it has brought our group closer together (literally we have to huddle together for warmth!).  This has been a great trip, but I am getting a bit homesick now.  My roomates and I have a few last minute things we plan to do tomorrow, a few last minute tourist spots and a little bit more shopping.  We have been blessed with a great group of people on this trip and suprisingly we are all still getting along farely well. I dont know what has been my favorite thing thus far, but yesterday and today are definitely at the top of the list!

Ciao for now!

Kristen

IT’S THE COLLOSEUM!!!

The past two days have been quite the adventure. Rome can be described in two words right off the bat, cold and rainy. Oh and I cannot forget HUGE! I got use to walking around Florence without a problem in one day. Rome is quite different. It is about three times as big and has so much more to see…Florence is still my favorite though! When you walk out of my hotel room onto my balcony you can look out and what do you see directly in front of you? That’s right, the bell tower of St. Peters.

Yesterday we walked to the Colloseum. One of my all time favorite things about Rome is the Colloseum. As Charissa, Mindy, Alicia, Dana, Leah, and I rounded the corner and I could see it I exclaimed with great excitement “ITS THE COLLOSEUM!!!” Our tour guides have been incredible!!! Susan and Laura are so much fun and know how to relate what we are looking at and learning about into our daily lives. Its not that we are just there looking at old pieces of rock, it can actually mean something to us.

Today was an all day tour of Renaissance Rome then the Vatican Museums which included the Sistine Chapel!!!!!! Michaelangelo’s ceiling amazes me. The detail of every character. The largeness of every detail. The idea. It is silencing. He made the ceiling into different panels which portray the creation of the world then Noah and the Ark. My favorite panel is definately the one of the creation of Eve. Adam is asleep and God is reaching out for an Eve who is desperately reaching out to the one who created her. Breath-taking!!! oh but then we walked through St. Peters and I was drawn to Michaelangelo’s Pieta. How can one person have so much talent?? The Pieta is a large piece of marble that is sculpted into the virgin holding the dead Christ in her lap. Absolutely incredible! Words cannot begin to describe these pieces of art.

Tomorrow brings our last day and a dinner in Casto Gandolfo!! YAY!!!! I am so excited! Casto Gandolfo is where the Pope’s summer palace is located and you look down over a lake whose bottom is made of volcanic rock.

I really dont know how to end this blog….I guess I can’t encourage anyone enough to take a step outside of your comfort zone and go somewhere new and discover things that have made the entire world take notice like Michaelangelo and his Sistine Chapel and his Pieta.

OH, Mrs. Darlene, Kendall is behaving himself and doing a GREAT job at being the protector of the girls! Fobes, Daniel is having such a great time and is ready to come home to show off all his pictures. Mom, I’m having a blast and cant wait to bring your your present!!!

Cheesebuger, Cheeseburger!

March 6

8:20 p.m.

1:20 p.m.

I like Italian food, but I have decided that I prefer my grandmother’s Italian food to some of the food I’ve had here. That being said… I had a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger tonight! And fries… but best of all, ketchup! I know I’ve only been away from the States for about six days, but with my ”Italian meals on a budget” routine, I’ve had to eat some of the same ham and cheese type pita sandwiches over and over. Tonight, after walking for hours and staying at the Colosseum and Roman forums (ruins), which were quite incredible, a group of us walked for at least 45 minutes to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe. To actually eat American food and listen to American music was ”music to my ears.” I didn’t mind the calories because I knew it would be an hour walk back to our hotel! Tomorrow, we will have a FULL day (starting at 8 a.m.!). Please pray for us because several members of the group are battling exhaustion and homesickness. (Don’t worry, Mom. I’m fine! I haven’t cried yet!) I’ll make sure to add some pictures of today’s excursions. Ciao!

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