When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie...

That's amore.

There is only one crucial thing you need to know about our stop in Naples: the Pizza is the best I've ever had in my life. Granted, pizza as a cuisine was first invented here, so I had high expectations. Yuummmyy!

Roma: Take Two!

We began our week-long endeavor by taking a train to Rome to show Jenna such sights as the Coliseum, the Forum, the Trevi Fountain, Roma's Jewish Ghetto, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican Museum (my first visit!), and Irene's old neighborhood, Trastevere. We packed all of this in two short days, which was quite exhausting! The biggest and spontaneous surprise of the trip was Roma Euro Pride 2011, a huge music festival that took place at the Circus Maximus in honor of Rome's gay population, in which we found out was happening the very night it was scheduled to take place. After a rushed spaghetti dinner, we met up with Irene's friend who is still living in Rome, bought a couple of bottles of wine, and raced to the concert in hopes of seeing Lady Gaga, who was performing for a couple of hours. The minute we stepped off the bus, we heard her singing and ran up the hill to the Circus Maximus just in time to observe two of her songs live (and for free!) It was a huge venue, and so much fun to see so many Italians grouped together. As we sat on the grass and popped our wine bottles, we had to share a laugh due to almost missing her performance all in the name of wine.

Jenna and I at the Trevi Fountain. We had to coax her into throwing a coin in to assure another visit to Rome in her future. (It worked for me last time I did it with Grandma and Grandpa!)

The Spanish Steps. Can you tell just how crowded Rome is in the Summer?

The Geography Room: surprisingly, one of my favorite rooms in the Vatican Museum. The maps chronicle different eras in Italy's history.

So intricate!

The famous School of Athens painting in the Stanza della Segnatura.

The best spaghetti I've had in Italy.

Roma Euro Pride stage

"Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the Italian flowers."

I begin this post with an insightful comment by Jenna, who has often had to remind Irene and I that in order to live the true Italian lifestyle, one must "stop and smell the flowers once in a while." It has only been a week or so, and the dynamic of our threesome while traveling has surprised even me while touring the Duomo, Piazza Michelangelo, and Galileo Science Museum locally in Florence, and our recent hike of Cinque Terre, a rugged portion of the coast on the Italian Riviera. I almost forgot how much I laugh on a daily basis when the three of us are together, especially when I observe Irene trying to cut in front of slow-paced Italians, trying as fast as possible to get to our destination, while Jenna trails leisurely behind, "smelling the roses," so to speak. I surmise that I lie somewhere in the middle, trying desperately to shed my unobservant tendencies, take in everything around me, and keep up the morale of the group (especially when we encounter a huge hill we have to climb to get to the city of Corniglia...but more about that later.)

If I had to delineate my experience here in Italy thus far, I would have to enunciate that Irene, Jenna, and I are currently staying in a beautiful Florentine apartment with a terrace for sunbathing, stainless steel (fully equipped) kitchen, three huge bedrooms with air conditioning, with the walls all adorned in charming Italian paintings. Basically, la bella vita in every essence. The apartment is also central to the city of Florence, and we are closely situated to the train station and the grocery store. It's is pretty plush to have all of these things at your fingertips, something I did not have while studying abroad in Ireland. Also, unsurprisingly, my diet has changed significantly. I've been stuffing my face with delicious Italian pizza (almost daily), a variety of pastas, gelato, risotto, salami, parmesan cheese, bread, bread, bread, cabrese, and sandwiches, which I'm sure is having a negative impact on my figure. Also, it has happened, and it didn't take long... I have become a wino! You can buy a cheap, 4 euro, bottle of wine here and it tastes wonderful, as opposed to the States or Ireland, where you have to spend 10 euro to receive a quality bottle of vino.  We have wine every night with dinner, and by every night, I mean every night. You've got to love the Italian lifestyle!

Two days ago, Irene, Jenna, and I decided to hike Cinque Terre, better known as "The Five Lands" composed of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was our first taste of the Mediterranean Sea, and although it was a strenuous endeavor, it was absolutely beautiful and totally worth the labor. My favorite city in particular was Corniglia, in which we found our own little private cove where we could sunbath and swim in the clear/green water. This city is also famous for its pesto, which was invented in the Cinque Terre region. We all ordered a penne pesto dish that was delectable! I even picked up a jar to bring home, it was that good. I've attached some pictures, just so you can get the full effect of this region.

The current background picture of my blog. The water is so clear!!

The first town, Monterosso.

Our little cove.

The first, and easiest, part of our hike, called the "Love Walk."

On June 10th, the three of us head out on our epic, week-long trip around Italy. We're planning on spending two nights in Rome, head to Naples for a day, then take a ferry to Capri and spend two nights in a very nice hotel. I'm the most excited about this destination because it is supposed to be similar to the aesthetics of Greece and we splurged on a resort-type pad. After that, we will travel to the Amalfi Coast and stay with Jenna's boyfriend, Nick, who's family rents out a house right on the ocean. I've already seen pictures, and this place looks so nice. It even has a swimming pool and huge, luxurious rooms. Best of all, we get to stay there for free! We plan on taking a day trip from there to see Pompeii, and then we'll head back to Florence. Towards the end of the month, we also want to squeeze in day trips to Umbria, Pisa, Verona, and Venice, of course. Talk about a whirlwind adventure! I'll be sure to post pictures in a couple of weeks.

Farewell, Éire!

As I sit here sipping my last pint of Bulmer's Irish Cider ever, I can barely comprehend that I will be leaving Ireland in five hours. Like everyone has said regarding their study-abroad experience, time simply flew by. It's hard to believe that I'm completely done with school until fall quarter. My Literature and Modern Ireland & Contemporary Irish Writing exams went splendidly, but I can't help but feel a little heartbroken that school is over, because this means my time in this wonderful country has come to an end. However corny this may appear, I decided to compile a list of all the great things I will truly miss about this place. Here goes...

I will miss...

...the homeless Irish drunkards who hang out on the corner of Copley Street

....as well as their corpulent sheepdog who snoozes on the concrete, eats out of chip bags, and drinks puddles all day long

...the lady at the coffee house who gives me free cups of coffee at 8am when I figure out in a sleepy stupor I've forgotten my wallet again (oh yes, this has happened more than once)

....Step dancing lessons and my fellow dancers

....An brog. Drunken shenanigans. Self explanatory.

....Critiquing advertisements, deep conversations, and ruminations on life (general bonding) while watching Irish television with Dan

...nightly Dexter gatherings

....being able to get a beer at noon anywhere

...sleeping in until noon six out of seven days of the week

....learning to cook, thereby shedding my destined role as a "spinster" (-Dan)

....not having midterms

....not working

....a.k.a the ease of the Irish college educational system

....playing French drinking games with Toumtam

...conversing with Fergel, the most awesome of all bartenders, at The Corner House (the pub we have deemed our own)

...the manageable size of this lovely city

...fiddle music floating through the apartment every day

....being bundled up at all times

....blending in for once with my ghostly white skin

...learning about Irish literature from the experts

...reading Irish literature, while drinking stout, while surrounded by Irish accents, thereby feeling very Irish all of the time

....being gratefully interrupted by Rebecca with her guitar to be serenaded with Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and The White Stripes tunes.

...dessert every night!

...Irish musicians playing live Irish traditional music, and being able to say that my flatmate can play along with them

...hiking all around southern Ireland with Kasey, Britt, and Laura

...innapropriate, yet strangely liberating conversations with Kasey and Dan

....being able to get anywhere within the country in six hours on Bus Eireann

...The English Market making my mouth water on the daily

...Tesco vodka (riiighhtt...)

...taking weekend trips to Dublin and being doted upon by mama bear Nicole

....above all...the people who have become my family in this wonderful place: Dan, Toumtam, Rebecca, Kasey, and JQ

So, farewell Éire, and ciao to my next big adventure: Florence! This summer will entail an epic trip to Amsterdam and touring all around Italy, including Sicily, Capri, and Cinque Terre. In my heart, this blog will always remain dedicated to my experiences in Ireland, but who knows, I might feature a couple more posts this summer, so stayed tuned!
xoxo

Easter, Irish style

It's already the end of April, can you believe it!? It was hard to fathom that another holiday was approaching. Yet, I was able to celebrate Easter this year in a more grandiose fashion than I ever have back home in Sacramento. Somehow I was goaded into attending Catholic mass in the morning, which wasn't a horrendous experience. On the contrary, it gave me time to reflect and share a religious experience with my Catholic friends, Kasey and JQ. Going to church on Easter is apparently a huge affair in Ireland, and the church by our apartment was packed. After mass, we went back to Copley Court and cooked scrambled eggs and banana pancakes. A delicious brunch, indeed!

Our local Catholic church

Duck eggs for breakfast...yum?

We had heard about a festival going on at our favorite local brewery in town, called The Franciscan Wells, so we went there and tried a variety of delicious beers ranging from Bavarian and wheat beers to chocolate brews. After filling our grateful stomachs with pints of beer, we headed back home to paint eggs, as all celebrators of Easter should do. I haven't done this since I was probably twelve or thirteen years old, so it was an altogether nostalgic and fun experience. We were all biding our time until dinner, which I was most excited about the whole day. Kasey's mom was gracious enough to give her money to buy a honey-baked ham for all of us to have for Easter dinner. Kasey, JQ, and Rebecca went above and beyond their usually phenomenal culinary skill and made a delectable meal, which reminded me of my mom's own cooking. They baked the ham with a pineapple glaze, made green bean casserole, and mashed potatoes. Candles were lit, and all!

Rebecca painting away!

Easter dinner with my Irish family

Although the day was filled with merrymaking, it became hard to ignore the palpable sadness that had befallen the group. All of us are starting to really miss home as we near four months of being away, and I think that such a family holiday as Easter reminded us of our increasing homesickness. Although I consider all of them to be my family, as well as my friends, I definitely felt this same melancholia in realizing that I still have three more months until I get to go home. I just try and remind myself that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to fully embrace these emotions, even if they entail a little gloominess.

Ciao, Belllaaa!

...can't tell you how many times I heard that walking down the streets of Rome. Let's just say the Italian men are...friendly (haha)

And so begins my telling of a crazy week spent in one of the most historically significant places in the world...none other than Rome, Italy. I'm sure Gram & Gramps will be happy to hear that I made it back to the city after our big Mediterranean Cruise trip a few years back. It was even more amazing this time around, and I think this had a lot to do with the fact that I got to stay with two of my best friends: Irene and Caitlin, who are both studying abroad there at different universities. Other than getting to see my best friends again, I think what I enjoyed most about Rome was how culturally immersed I felt there. Instead of the largely tourist-y path I took in Paris as one staying in a hostel, in Rome I was able to live in really quaint, authentic Italian apartments and roam around as I pleased. I also got to meet Irene's Italian friends and see their ways of living, which was so great. One of Irene's friends in particular was extremely nice, and actually grew up in San Salvador, El Salvador before moving to Rome. Once I learned this I pounced on the opportunity to bombard him with questions about the country and teach me a little Español, since I will be visiting in December (I hope I wasn't too abrasive!)

Also, I must mention the food. Oh. my. goodness. Let's just say I was in food heaven surrounded by pizza, pasta, bread, gelato, more pizza...you catch my drift. I knew that I was going to go through food withdrawals, if you will, upon my return to Ireland. By the way, still recovering.

The first half of the week was spent with Irene in her apartment in Trastevere. She lived right by the cutest piazza (I forget the actual name of the piazza) and a pizza place that became my second home. This place also sold these rice balls that had rice, melted mozzarella, and tomatoes in them which were amazing. We visited the Pantheon and strolled by the ancient Roman ruins, while Irene gave me a crash course in Roman Art History. As I walked around, I was highly aware of how loud of a city Rome appeared to be next to Paris and how many more people seemed to be walking around. This was probably because the streets are so narrow, but it was all so exciting and different. Interestingly, I got a lot more incriminating stares from Italians than I did from Parisians, which really caught me off guard. Apparently shorts, flip flops, and dresses are no-no's in the springtime, because Italians dress for the seasons, not the weather (a direct quote from Irene). And let me tell you, it was hot for April! Irene wanted to show me the nightlife, so we went to a couple of her favorite bars and clubs. One night, I had the lucky opportunity to tag along with Irene and her roommates for a night on the town. One of Irene's roommates is dating an Italian who apparently has a lot of money, because he got us into this swanky club and took us back to his beach-house villa about thirty minutes outside of Rome. We woke up that next morning and laid out on the beach...it was a beautiful and relaxing day after a night of partying.

Outside the Pantheon

The expansive ancient ruins

A perfect day for the beach

The bridge over the Tiber River leading to Irene's apartment

Nutella gelato...mmm, mmm, mmm!

The next half of the week I stayed with Caitlin at her apartment, which was also in Trastevere and a short five-to-ten minute walk from Irene's, in which I could navigate all by myself (score!) My stay with Caitlin was comparatively more laid-back, and we did a bit more of the tourist-y stuff, which was so much fun. We walked to the Vatican and I finally got to see the inside of the Coliseum, which I didn't during my last visit because the line was so long. This time, Caitlin and I got right in and it was amazing to see the structuralism of the building. Caitlin and I joked that it would be pretty funny if they had live re-enactments of Romans strolling around in their togas and mock gladiator fights. I was trying my hardest to imagine what life could have looked like here so long ago, but it was next to impossible. In retrospect, I think I was very enthralled with everything I saw because it was so old.

The Vatican

Inside the Coliseum

Rome's version of the l'Arc de Triomphe

Caprese salad + Ciabatta bread= a perfect lunch

All in all, it was awesome to be back in Rome and see how Irene and Caitlin have been living for the past three months. They really have mastered the layout of the city and can consider themselves big-city girls now, it is amazing to see their transformation. I think that in albeit different ways, they have changed and grown just as much as I have abroad. 

Unfortunately, within the last two days of my stay in Rome I came down with a nasty case of bronchitis and have been in my sickbed for the past couple days. I have to say that after so much traveling, I'm thoroughly glad to be back in the quietude and cleanliness of Ireland. I have two full weeks to recover and recuperate before I have to start studying for finals. I can't complain much, though...I did just get to travel to Paris and Rome!

Paris, mais oui!

Bonjour, et je suis désolée pour le retard! I was browsing my blog and realized I haven't posted for almost a month now. I think it is due time to relate to you my whirlwind of traveling adventures I have experienced for the past two weeks. I'll start with Paris, my favorite metropolis in Europe I have seen thus far :)

In traveling to Paris, I really had no idea how the trip would pan out. I had arranged this excursion with two of my friends in my EAP program a while back, and I hadn't seen them since the start of my program around three months ago. So I would essentially be traveling around with two girls I barely knew in a foreign city where I had the equivalent of probably a toddler's knowledge of the language. Turns out this was the best decision I ever made, because Courtney had already been to Paris and knew how to use le métro quite well, which made for seamless and stress-free planning (well, relatively speaking.)

The first day was spent roaming around the streets of Paris, visiting the Louvre, as well as Notre Dame cathedral. The Louvre was quite daunting, because there were so many genres and works of art that I couldn't be seen in just one day. I remember walking around and wishing I had someone like Irene with me, who as an Art History major could tell me their significance. Notre Dame cathedral was beautiful, and we happened to walk in as mass was in session, so that was quite an experience. The surrounding gardens were in full bloom, and you could see many couples strolling through the park hand in hand, or sitting under cherry blossom trees together. The stories are true...Paris has to be the most romantic city in the world (sigh). I hope that one day when I'm in a long-term relationship, I can come back to this city and experience all of these little romantic nuances.

The view from outside the window of our hostel: a Parisian l'école

My first taste of cuisine française began with goat cheese and bacon tartines

Outside of the Louvre

The renowned woman(?) herself

La Venus de Milo

My favorite relic from the museum: a leaflet from the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead scrolls. So cool!

In le jardin de Notre Dame

The second day was even more jam-packed. We woke up early and toured the Palais de Versailles and le Jardin Royal, walked around the base of la Tour Eiffel, and later that night we walked by le Moulin Rouge and had drinks at the famous Chat Noir bar in downtown Paris. We sat right up front by the musician/singer and I think he knew we were American because he played some classics that had us belting out the lyrics and dancing...it was a great night!

The gates of the Palace of Versailles

The Queen's luxurious bed chamber

The Royal Gardens (did Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette really need this much land?)

Just another sunny day in Paris

 

We felt so français with our wine and crème brûlée!

The last day we decided to take an elevator to the top of la Tour Eiffel (as all tourists do), go to the top of l'Arc de Triomphe (which I had no idea you could do), and end the evening by climbing up to the little tucked-away city of Montmartre at the top of Paris.

From the top of the Eiffel Tower

L'Arc de Triomphe

I didn't edit the coloring in this picture, there was literally a beautiful blue tinge to the night when overlooking Paris from Montmartre hill. This was probably my favorite place in Paris.

For many years I've learned all about this famous dish in French class, and I was finally able to try un steak-frites in the country! Deeeelish.

Overall, it was wonderful to be back in France again and view the country with older and perhaps, wiser eyes. I don't consider myself a big-city kind of girl, but I must admit that Paris whisked me away with its beautiful and intriguing people, its history, and culinary culture. At night it was a spectacle to merely people watch the girls with their cigarettes, chic coats, and short dresses speaking French at rapid pace getting onto the metro for a night out. I thought that as an American, being in Paris would mean furtive stares and attitude from Parisians, who are known to be the most judgmental of Americans in France. Surprisingly, every Parisian I communicated with was so nice and encouraged me to practice my French (which I'm sure sounded atrocious to them). That is the main thing I loved about being in France...being able to use the little French I've learned in high school and college. Even by the third day, I felt that my pronunciation had improved from hearing French being spoken around me for three whole days...I loved it! Even though I'm so happy I chose Ireland as my travel-abroad destination, I think that if I could go back in time I should have looked into language immersion somewhere in France. Alas, I'm just glad I could could go to the heart of France and indulge myself in a great weekend!