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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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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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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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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We All Live in a Yellow Submarine

Wednesday, March 5

9:32 p.m. Italian time
2:32 p.m. Mobile time

*Disclaimer: So, the day I left the country, my grammar left with it. I apologize for my grammatical errors in the past few blogs. I have been having trouble finding reliable internet and a computer. Most of the time I just have grabbed a few minutes on a friend’s laptop. Also, the past blog’s time was incorrect…it was in the p.m. AND, we didn’t go to Sicily for dinner… I was wrong! Thanks for reading and forgiving me for my mistakes!

I found myself doubling over in laughter and joy last night as an Italian man (with a nose similar to mine) led us in the chorus of Beatles’ songs
accompanied by a silly accordian player. The tenor was not our only ”dinner entertainment” at the restaurant. Isabella arranged for the waitors to bring out a platter of meat (I think it was a rack of beef, the ribs maybe? Not sure.) with roasted potatoes and flames coming from the center of the platter. I got some of the entertainment on video but I’m not sure if I can upload it to the internet cafe’s computer I’m writing from tonight. I’ll try. For dessert, we had something that was like a crust with lots of rich, wet chocolate on it. It reminded me of licking the spoon from mixing up brownie batter! Yum!

Today has actually been a long, tiring and rough day. Some of us got up early to go to the market in Florence for the last time. The mood for the
day was set with the falling of a constant, cold rain. It followed us to Rome, our last city of the trip. We’re all tired, some homesick, and ready
for a free, pretty day. I haven’t been able to talk to my parents since the Mobile airport, so I’m ready to talk to them!

Totally random: I finally had a meat other than beef and ham today! (salami! My favorite… from a little bakery where cardinals eat at.) Oh, I still haven’t had any spaghetti. Also, I’ve accidentally told three Italians ”thank you” in Spanish already… oops!

I’m going to sacrifice another 50 cent Euro and attempt to upload some pics for you! (I’m going to have to survive on 66 Euros for the rest of the trip! AH!)

Thanks for reading! Your comments really mean a lot to us, especially since we’re missing all of you!

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Bargaining, Bidets, and Breakfast

Tuesday, March 4

4:23 a.m. Italian time

9:23 a.m. Mobile time

I’ve experienced some new and different events and ways of living while in Europe-some that I like, and some that I’m not sure I’ll ever adopt into my daily routine. One event I really like is bargaining and haggling for cheaper prices for leather goods and gifts. Ashley and I bargained at the leather market today in Florence and enjoyed the thrill of walking away and hearing a lower price from the seller. We also bought some adorable Italian leather high heels, but we couldn’t bargain for them at a store.

One way of living I probably will never get used to is using the bidet. I laughed when I saw my roommates’ faces when I told them what that weird looking toilet was in our bathroom. One of my roommates and I actually tried it out (not without laughing hysterically!). I asked our Italian tour guide, Isabella, about it and she told us all about how it is an important part of the bathing routine of Italians; they usually use it four times a day. She told us that an Italian family is not a true Italian family if they don’t have a bidet in their house. Well, I think I’m okay with not being a true Italian family!

Today, we saw Michelangelo’s “The David,” the Duormo cathedral, and the tomb of Dante’s wife, Beatrice. The Duormo was massive with its beautiful exterior of white, green and pink marble. The white marble symbolized faith, green symbolized hope and pink symbolized charity. It is the fourth largest church in the world. I’m including pictures with this blog!

Random things about today:

• I was asked if I was Italian after I said “hello.”
• Emily and Ashley (with their dark blonde hair and blue eyes) were a hit with the Italian men.
• We’re starting to smell like European air.
• I love Venice more than Florence.
• Continental breakfasts are so much better at our Italian hotels with foods including marmalade and chocolate filled pastries, cappuccinos and cheeses of all kinds.
• We’re going to a “surprise” dinner tonight close to Sicily.
• I really, really love my new high heels!
• Almost everything in Europe is more expensive than in the U.S.
• The traffic in Florence is insane!
• Nougut and hazelnut gellato mixed together tastes like Ferrero Rocher chocolates! Yum!

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Venice

Someone told me there are internet cafes on every corner in Italy… They were wrong.

After many attempts to find a reliable internet connection, I finally found one in Florence! So, because I only have 40 minutes to catch you up… I
will spend it by telling you about the incredible city of Venice.

I had the privilege of sharing the plane ride to Venice with a friendly, older man from Genoa, Italy. He told me all about Italy’s politics and where
I should go while visiting Venice. It was refreshing to meet a kind Italian after our interesting experience with a shouting, Italian airport security
man.

Venice… I can describe this watery city in one sentence– Venice is something out of this world!

As soon as we put down our luggage in our hotel room in Venice on Saturday, we decided to go in search of little shopping and local flavor. Instead, what we got is a train ride to the center of Venice led by our informing tour guide, Isabella. As adrenaline sank in (we had been awake for almost 20 something hours), we were excited about seeing the sites and the beauty of the city. Of course, some of us had to stop several times to capture a facinating shot with our cameras. Tour guide Isabella kept us walking… and walking… and walking… until we were completely exhausted. (I fell asleep for a bit on the train!)

Back at the hotel, it was almost painful staying awake during our four-course meal in the restaurant. It was delicious! The chef took a liking to me and gave me an extra dessert! YAY! I wish I could go into more detail about the Italian cuisine, but I have to move on more about Venice!

Our second day in Venice was more fun for me because we were rested (not well-rested due to the rule about no AC in the hotel before May and a busy and noisy street below our room). We left early in the morning and traveled to San Marco Square by water taxi. It was foggy and hazy the entire day, but I still took hundreds of pictures! (Pictures will have to come later since I’m not sure I’ll be able to upload them here). We arrived to Doge’s Palace before any other tourists so we had the entire square to ourselves. To no one’s surprise, Rebekah decided to chase the pigeons and ended up falling! I’m sure the locals were muttering, ‘’stupid Americans” several times throughout the day.

It’s getting dark outside, so Emily, Ashley and I have to get back to hotel soon. So, I will quickly sum up the rest of Venice and hopefully send
pictures and blog more later.

Venice:
*gondola ride= wow, I loved it!
*shopping= I bought most of my gifts for everyone… and oops, now I’m low
on funds.
*gelatto= tiramasu gelatto is my favorite so far!

More to come… soon! I can’t wait to fill you in some more about our amazing trip!

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Waitin’ and Wishin’ at the Aeroporti

March 1

9:15 a.m. Italian time
2:15 a.m. Mobile time

We’re here! We’re finally in Italy! Although we have yet to set foot on Italian soil (we’re stuck at Aeroporti di Roma for a 5-hour layover to Venice), we have already noticed the differences in cultures– the language, the people, the fashion (all just in the airport)– it’s just beautiful! I can’t wait to get off the plane in Venice and explore. Actually, we’re all exhausted (even the lucky ones who slept on the international flight over the Atlantic Ocean). We’re all forcing our bodies to forget sleep and push on through the sitting and waiting. We’ve even started making up word games… that’s how tired and bored we are in the airport!

Just to catch everyone up with what’s been going on with us the past day: My parents waved their last goodbye to me in Mobile’s airport on Friday morning, Feb. 29. The group took the short plane ride to Atlanta, then we caught the international flight to Italy. Wow, what a LONG ride… I attempted to sleep over the 8ish hours, but alas, to no avail! It was funny getting dinner and breakfast on the same trip!

Anyway, I’m posting a ton of pictures from our flights. Rebekah is paying big bucks (Euros) for internet connection… so I’ve got to go! Talk to ya soon!

Rebecca

waiting at the airport in Atlanta

 

our last fast food meal before all the Italian cuisine!

Emily and Ashley on the plane

Me and Kristen on the plane

Daniel and Kendall waiting at the airport

my parents and me at the airport

 

I’m So Excited I Just Can’t Hide It!

I am finally at the point where I cannot even concentrate about anything other than the Italy trip! FRIDAY!!! Unfortunately, the week before Spring break is always slammed with midterms, papers, and extra homework assignments. So, to add to the fact that I already have “senioritis” during my last semester of college, I also have an extreme excitement about Italy! Every spare second is filled with thoughts about what I need to pack, what souvenirs I should by for whom, and what I should take to read on the plane. (Hopefully, I’ll be able to get some shut-eye during those hours and hours flying from the U.S. to Rome!)

Yesterday evening, many of the students attending the trip met at Dr. Mitchell’s house to enjoy some spaghetti (with AMAZING meat sauce!) and to catch up on more details about the whole experience. I’m a detail-oriented person, so this meeting made me feel so much more prepared. We also received a detailed itinerary, including what we will be eating for some of our meals. Mmm, chocolate cake, lots of pasta dishes that I have never heard of before and veal prepared a couple different ways…(well, I guess I will eat baby cow just for you, Grandma!) I’m sure the Italian food we eat at the nicer restaurants will be a gourmet’s dream. Where else in the world can you eat such delectable entrees and desserts?

I’m thankful for this opportunity to travel to Europe during my senior year. It’s a perfect end to my awesome experience at the University of Mobile. I know I’m not the only one excited about traveling next week. Many other UM students will be traveling to places such as Chile, Boston, New York and Chicago for ministry opportunities. Thank you for the many who will be praying for all our safe travels!

Pizzelles I made for our last Italy meeting. They’re an Italian wafer-like cookie that is made using an iron similar to a waffle cone iron.

 

It’s All in the Bag…

Dr. Mitchell gave me my travel bag full of Italy goodies today! The black carrying bag contained a pouch filled with tour information, my plane tickets, maps, our itinerary and tourist tips (like what to wear, how much money to tip at the café and not to get into a car unless it bears an official “taxi” sign.) Finally having the itinerary and plane tickets in my hands makes this trip so much more real to me. I’m going to Italy in two weeks! AHH! YAY! I am so excited and a little bit nervous. I know we’re going to have a blast once we get there, but the months of preparing for the trip makes me a little concerned that I’ll forget something.

What I learned from my tour information packet:

• In an Italian restaurant, it is customary to consume a full course meal. That means I will be eating a pasta dish, meat/fish dish (well, I don’t eat fish) and vegetables (and an optional antipasto and dessert). I’m really not sure how I’ll be able to eat all that knowing I’m never going to turn down a serving of gelato. My poor stomach!
• The hotel will not offer washcloths since it’s not customary in Italy.
• Stay away from the post office unless I want to stay in long lines.
• It will be best to purchase gold (yeah right) and leather in Florence, lace in Venice and religious articles in Rome.
• Tip at a café even when consuming a snack or beverage. Mmm, cappuccinos.
• I will tip my driver and tour escort everyday.
• Italy is about 7 to 8 hours ahead of Mobile.

Well, I hope I can remember all this when I get to Italy!

Ciao!
Rebecca