Cin cin!

                                              


The Tuscany region is known for its wine, so Florence is a prime place to visit a vineyard.  We got to visit two Frescobaldi estates yesterday and see the wine making process and gallons and gallons of wine.  We first went to the Pomino estate then Nipozzano.  At Nipozzano they have the aged wine cellars of the Frescobaldi's including the birthday bottles. Apparently when a baby is born into the Frescobaldi family, they get a certain number of bottles of the Nipozzano wine.  Boys get 300 bottles, girls only get 100.  Being a group of mostly ladies, we were very upset to hear this.  The estates were beautiful and the villas, quintessential architecture for a 700 year old wine-making family.  The estates also produce olive oil and honey.  

At Nipozzano we had our tasting. We were all slightly saddened when it was only cheese and bread paired with our three wines because Alessandro had told us to eat a light lunch because we would be eating at the estates.  Well for us, a light lunch was a banana.  We were starving by 5 PM. But the wine made up for the lack of food. The first was a delicious full-bodied Chardonnay (Pomino Benefizio DOC) that smelled of vanilla and dried apricots with the smoothness of warm butter.  It tasted fresh and acidic with a dry attack on the tongue followed by a sweet reassurance that lingered on the palate.   The second was a Chianti Rufina DOCG with smooth blends of aged wood and red fruits.  It tasted dry and spicy with a medium intensity.  The final wine was very fine wine called Mormoreto IGT.  It was a supertuscan combining Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pino Noir that smelled strongly of dark fruit, very woody with a full structure.  It was a very warm wine that persisted on the tongue.  

It was a lovely day of seeing the countryside, where wine is made, and tasting the sweet fruits of the almighty grape.   We're off to Paris this weekend, A Domani!

Roman Holiday

Except this trip was not a holiday...It was like being in school. Let me start at the beginning...

We hopped on a train (yay trains!) and were in Rome by 11 AM on Friday.  After a short nap (I was still sick at the time) we met our tour guide, Frederico, and off we went to see where Julius Caesar was stabbed: Senate of Pompeii.  We proceeded to run around Rome the rest of the afternoon seeing the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Roman Senate, ancient shopping malls, and the Pantheon.  

A very interesting place was the Senate in the Roman Forum.  Evidently we are the first JMU group to ever go in it.  The coolest part was I got to sing in it!  It has a perfect geometrical shape giving it perfect acoustics so everyone in the Senate could hear who was talking.  So Frederico asked who was as singer in the group and everyone pointed to me...cleared my throat and popped out a nice little note.  Too bad I was still sick...ha! The rest of the Forum was really quiet and beautiful- we also saw where Julius Caesar was cremated; Romans still place roses there out of respect.

Then off to the Colosseum!  I was not as big as I expected, but then again half of it is missing because people decided it wasn't a big deal and started stealing marble and stone off of it to build other things like St. Peter's Basilica. The niftiest thing I learned was that hired sailors using a series of ropes and pulleys could cover the Colosseum with canvas in 15-20 minutes in case the emperor ever got hot. 

One of the most amazing places we saw was the Pantheon. It was a lot of the girls' favorite place in Rome.

The outside was this awful brick because, again, people had stolen the marble off to make other "more important" things.

But the inside, ah the inside, was aglow with all kinds of glossy marbles and statues. There were so many different colors.

But the dome was the true wonder. Along with being the largest dome in the world, it is a perfect half-sphere that could fit inside 

the Pantheon if you flipped it upside down. The drum of the dome however, is open. The floor is sloped so rain water drains off 

to the sides into little holes in the floor.. The hole in the ceiling symbolizes the sun as the seven niches were the known planets

and the domed floor represents the earth. It was beautiful... It was also very amusing because while our tour guide was talking, a

bird flew into the open dome and could not for the life of him find his way back through that huge gaping hole in the ceiling. At one

point everyone was straining their necks upwards watching this silly bird instead of the Pantheon. Angel has pictures. I will try and

steal a copy for you to see.

Rome was like a super-inflated Florence...we all missed being home in Florence that weekend.

It WAS very good to have seen these things and appreciate the beauty and tumultuous history of art and the Roman empire.

We did get a chance to go to a huge flea market and it was actually cheap! See, here in Italy they like to make old things

"vintage" and charge you more for it. Not here! I wanted to stay there for hours. Only a grumbling stomach could have pulled

me away, which it did. Next post: Vatican city, Trevi Fountain, Sexy wine. A Domani!

"...Get my ball".

Ok, well today the sickness has not subsided, but tomorrow we venture off for the weekend once again so I have no other time to Blog. Ah the adventures of Praha!

It all began with a 12 hour overnight bus ride with no window to lean on, so I was curled up in my seat with my pillow and eye mask.  Unfortunately I had forgotten my ear plugs - never forget those.  The bus driver played techno music all through the night and even Benedryl couldn't help me. 

Finally we arrived in Prague and we dropped our stuff off at the Czech Inn.  This hostel was really nice and we four had a room to ourselves that included towels, a sink, two bunks, and storage.  We had 30 minutes to change, eat breakfast, and be outside for the walking tour.  Breakfast was the best part of everyday. There were two different kinds of scrambled eggs, toasts, coffee, tea, yoghurt with honey, dried fruit, granola, orange juice, milk, cereal, and a meat and cheese platter.  Such a good hot breakfast.  Then it was off to meet Isaac for our tour of Prague.  

This is how we first met Isaac, "So, guys, I no english speak very good".  And we all just stared at him.  Then he broke out in a smile and laugher, reassured us that he was just joking and proceeded to power-walk us around Prague. We saw the Charles Bridge, the oldest clock tower, Mozart's flat, the Lenin Wall, King Wenceslas Square, the Museum of Natural History, Kafka's old house, markets, Old Town Square, the Jewish quarter and the oldest Synagogue in Prague, the old Jewish Cemetery, and the Castle - oldest palace still used as a government building. Isaac made our tour so interesting I didn't even realize I had hiked clear across Prague by the end of it.  

Funniest moments of Isaac's tour:  

We're stopped at the clock tower: "pfhhh! You're home, did you flim the thing!?"  "Wake the kids, it's starting!" "I don't know what happened after the third guy came out...I passed out from sheer excitement"

Gaston:  "So there was this sea lion named Gaston, and the floods of 2002 came up to the zoo. He stood there and just looked at the rising water, and without looking away said to his friends,'get, get  my ball'. When the waters came, he escaped and swam all the way up the river to Germany, then they caught him, brought him back and then he died from stress, no I'm just kidding he's fine. But really he's dead." 

Evidently the Czechs have a thing with cows and use it often like "That girl is hot like a cow"  or "Where my Heifers at?"  "Stop being such a cow, man".  

Lunch was at this little sit-down restaurant that looked very fancy but was reasonably priced.  We had first some hot spiced wine (yum!) and then some creme of broccoli soup, some goulash with bread dumplings (I had never had this, but its like very doughy pieces of bread), and finally a berry crepe with whipped cream. So delicious and warm - perfect for four cold and weary tourists.  

Day two was the zoo!  I love the zoo. Evidently Prague's Zoo is 9th in Europe, but not many animals were out because of the cold weather.  It was cold, but a comfortable cold if you had a scarf and gloves.  Also, there was no wind so there was not biting breeze to battle.  We wandered the zoo for around 4 hours and finally found our way to a warm lunch at an Irish pub.  The football match was on, so that was nice to watch.  We were so hungry that we ordered cheeseburgers and fries.  We reveled in the glory of normal Heinz Ketchup. We used almost the whole bottle between the four of us and our sandwiches and fries.  You should have seen the look on the waitress' face when she picked up that bottle noticing how light it was.  I laughed.  

Later that night after our much needed nap, we had a round of drinks at the bar in the hostel (evidently they serve every type of beer in Prague at this bar).  My favorite was this dark amost chocolatey beer called Kozel.  It cost less than a euro for both beers!  Later that night after a long time of running around town looking at the beautiful lit-up city, we found some dinner, and headed to the famous 5-story club that is evidently the biggest club in Eastern Europe. We danced a little there and met a boy from Leasburg!  Such a small world in Europe as a student.  

We woke up very early the next morning to squeeze every last bit out of Prague.  We went to the old radio tower that used to jam European radio during the days of Communist rule.  Some crazy artist had attached large black babies crawling all over the tower to make some political statement (I forget what).  Then we made it all the way back to Wenceslas square to wander our last few minutes.  

 was so proud that we could navigate Prague after only 3 days there. It is very well organized and the public transportation is very cheap.  This city was so amazing and historic.  It was the only city in Europe not to be bombed in WWII so the buildings are different architectual styles even right next to each other. It was so magical here in winter, I wonder what it's like in fall or spring.  I'm going back. Definitely.  But it's a big day tomorrow, and I'll write you all about it when I get back. A Domani! 

What goes around, comes around.

Well, our entire house minus Jenny has caught a  cold.  Alexa, Irene, and Bridget had it yesterday, I have it today, Angel is starting to not feel well, and Mamma Lo has had a stomach virus.  Evidently it only lasts two or three days. But for now, we are a mess of tissues and tea.  My story of Prague will have to wait until tomorrow.  Again, I apologize but the nighttime meds are starting to kick in.  I am just thankful my room girls are so generous and nurturing.  Buona Notte! A Domani!

Democrat for President

I find it ironic that when I'm in Florence and the school workload is supposed to be "easy", I've been to two outside lectures, a war memorial, and churches galore- things I would never do in a regular JMU semester.  I actually really like it and I feel like I'm more aware of current world events here than I am at home. Thanks JMU :)

My most recent scholastic endeavor was a lecture by Bob Shrum on, "The Obama Presidency One Year Later". I thought since I was learning so much at European politics, I should stay current with my own country's political goings-ons. 

We arrived and were ushered into the room Sala Luca Giordano decorated with "The Apotheosis of the Medici" in the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, which was once the residence of the famous Medici family of Florence. It was brilliant. The lecture itself, not so brilliant. Bob Shrum is a very good orator, however, the lecture was not about President Obama at all.  He talked mainly about the elections that had happened in the states the previous day.  He basically only discussed the outcomes of the elections based on America's view of President Obama.  He never really said much more about President Obama besides the idea that Americans are not satisfied all the way with him because they haven't seen enough progression out of the economic depression in their own lives.

 As the speech when on, I found out I had inadvertently stepped into a Democratic rally.  I felt very out of place and highly outnumbered as a moderate Republican. But it was a good leaning experience to see both sides of the scale; to see how the other side thinks.  Though I think we need to stop seeing it as "sides" because thats when things get nasty and egos get in the way.  Our entire political system has been stopped up because people can't get over their party associations to just get some legislation out there that actually does something for people.  

For example:  Health care bills are flying around congress willy nilly for people to sign just so the Democrats can get it out there while they are the party in power. Maybe if the two groups actually wrote the plan together it would have a little of what everyone needed. Also, they could figure out a way to have universal health care that wasn't universally awful if they found a way for the National government to NOT be in charge of it.  That way it could be efficient, actually have a competitive incentive for doctors, and not bleed our country dry of funds.  Just a thought, Congress. 

Thank you for obliging my political rant.  I promise you an amusing story about Prague next time.  A Domani!

Fiorentina!!

Last Sunday most of our undergrad students attended our first Italian calcio (football) match! Met at the train station, hopped on a bus and after ten minutes were at the stadium. Its a good sized stadium but we were told to sit in the one section where no one else was sitting, which we found out was the neutral part of the stadium. A few minutes after the game started the security guy told us to move over with the rest of the Florentines. I think he saw us obviously cheering for our city. We all find it very convenient to assimilate into the Florentine culture because the colors of the Fiorentina (the name of the team) are purple and gold. JMU represent!! (Our school colors are also purple and gold)

Fiorentina was having a bad loosing streak this season and they were playing Catania from Sicilia (Sicily). The game was very good and we won 3-1!! It was very exciting cheering and celebrating with the Florentines. We learned a lot of vulgar hand gestures and some key Italian phrases to shout while watching a calico match.

Per chi? – For who? (Bad passes)
Per che!?- WHY!?
Vaffanculo! – ____ You!
Andiamo! –Let’s go!

The fans were almost as entertaining at the match. They had huge flags, were all decked out in purple, and ranted and raved in true Italian wear-you-heart-on-your-sleeve fashion. If you ever visit a city and want to feel a part of the community, I would definitely recommend going to a football match.

Speaking of hand gestures, one Italian class this week we spent an entire class learning about hand gestures used in everyday language. The stereotype is true: Italians can’t talk without their hands. They can actually have conversations without being able to hear each other at all. Evidently it is so engrained in the Italian culture that Italian children who move to another country and forget the Italian language, still use and remember the hand gestures. There are hand gestures for statements such as: “I’m hungry”, “You must be dumb”, “It’s crowded in here”, “I’ve had enough of this person”, “leave me alone”, “Let’s go”, “Come here”, “Go away”, “Its finished”, and “nothing”. We’re slowly trying to integrate these into our speaking, but it may take some more practice. Well, it’s time for one of Mamma Lo’s famous dinners and to pack for Prague. A Domani!

Concluding thoughts on Greece

Seeing the Italian country side roll past invokes such food for thought.  After a week of the minor, yet time consuming,  stressors of midterms, a week of pre-planned traveling was gratefully welcomed. The good and bad things about these trips are the people.  If there are annoying people, you have to try not to be annoyed all week.  But if you have great people, even the worst of travels can be an adventure.  We had our share of both on this trip. But, it just gives you experience dealing with all kinds of people and loving them where they're at whether you like them or not.   

The mountains of Italy (the Apennines)are very much like the rolling hills of Virginia only more stately and secure in the fact that they have stood there with those exact same towns nestled in them for hundreds of years. 

I also couldn't wait to get back to Florence where I knew I could drink the tap water.  I was so tired of spending money just to stay hydrated.  And that was my trip to Greece: Where everything tastes better with tatziki sauce.  A Domani!

The Rest of Greece

As promised, I have returned to tell you the rest of my Greek story.  As I wait for pictures to upload (yes, they are for your viewing pleasure) I will pick up where I left off.  (Also note that I have a new slide show just for Greece!).  

We departed around 10 P.M. to take an overnight bus ride to Athens.

I was miserable on that bus...I learned my lesson: always bring some type 

of sleep aid and take it. I had earplugs and an eye mask and I could not get

comfortable enough to sleep. Holly on the other hand had Dramamine and was

out for the whole night because she gets motion sickness.

We arrived in Athens, dropped off our stuff at The Attelos Hotel

and went straight away on our mini tour of the city. We stopped at the tomb

of the unknown soldier and saw the changing of the guard. They were dressed

in traditional uniforms which were not very...shall we say, official looking?

They had almost pompoms on their slipper shoes, kilts, tassels, and a goofy

looking walk. These girls on our trip were giggling the whole time as the

soldiers were marching and changing guard. It made me so upset to hear her

mock others' traditions and culture. She was lucky she didn't get slapped in

the face.

We moved onto the Panathinaiko Stadium which was built before 329 BC

and got an upgrade in 1896 to look like it does now. Then we went past

Hadrian's Arch and Zeus' temple. From there we started on our way to the

Acropolis! We stopped at Dionysis' theatre, then continued our hike up

to the Acropolis. There were beautiful panoramic views of the city of Athens.

(which is HUGE!)It holds 2 million people. It was almost overwhelming walking

around the Acropolis; there was so much history there that I mostly just stood in

awe saying, "This was actually around thousands of years ago!". I also got to

see the Caryatids (they weren't the originals, but we eventually saw the originals

in the Acropolis Museum) and the Roman Agora on the way down the craggy mount.

I swore I wouldn't be a tourist in Europe, but something about Greece

just turned me into a consumer! I spent waaay too much money, but found some

great gifts in exchange. I also found my crazy harem pants. They look like

I'm in the middle of Aladdin! There was so much good food there I just wanted

to eat all the time. I love gyros (pronounced heroes but with a rolled 'r')

and lamb, and tzatziki sauce, the pita, baklava, yogurt with honey, and souvlaki. 

They also had very good candies and doughnuts in Athens. I was in heaven. :)

We left the next morning on a bus at 10 A.M., rode four hours to the 

port, got on another ferry, got on another bus to Florence, and did not return home 

until 6 P.M. the next day. It was so beautiful to be back in Florence and feel

like it was home. I have some more conclusive thoughts on Greece, but that will

have to wait...A Domani!

(Don't let me forget to tell you about the Fiorentina football match and

the Boboli Gardens!)

Greece is the word

Allora, while waiting for dinner and procrastinating doing actual homework, I think I'll take you on the first part of my journey to Greece. 

Day one was all traveling, very uneventful, and almost boring if we were not on our way to an extraordinary adventure. Holly and I had booked a cabin on the boat so we could actually lay down and sleep on the overnight voyage.  We shared the room with two girls from NYU who were freshman!  It was their first semester in college and their major program required them to study abroad for a year. They would return home as sophomores and not know the layout of their campus, not know professors, and not have a set group of friends. I remember adjusting to college life...it would have been impossible while studying abroad-let alone for a year!  They had applied and been accepted, so they were loving it.  They had also had lots of travel experience, but still...talk about being baptized by fire.  The boat ride was quiet and we caught up on lots of sleep. 

Day two we were greeted by bilious clouds rolling away to reveal the first sunshine in Greece. We all piled onto a

giant pink bus to take us to our first residence in Greece: The Pink Palace.  I hated this place and was glad to leave when we did.  The best part about staying here was that Holly and I got out own room, eggs for breakfast, the beach, and

 an all-day ATV ride around the island of Corfu.  

 The part I didn't like was that it was painfully obvious that it was off-season and I felt so pressured t

o buy drinks, go on the "booze cruise" (which I heard ended up being blase), and join in the general "what happens in Corfu stays in Corfu" attitude. The dance party was even a bust, and I love dancing.  The food was also over seasoned and disappointingly American.

The best day, (day two at Corfu) was the ATV ride all over Corfu.  Our guide was a humorously lewd Grecian man who made sure all

the ladies knew how to drive an ATV.  After a brief practice ride, we all mounted our motors a

nd zoomed down the steep hills toward the coast.  After a brief period looking at the crystal water, we zoomed back up to the top of a mountain for lunch, then down a mountain and back up another.  I was surprised at how many mountains there were on this one island!  The views were called "wow spots" because you couldn't help but

 breathe out that word as you looked at the expanse of greenery, water, the mainland, and at a certain point the coast of Albania.  It was my first time on an ATV, but I would tuck my legs back and pretend I was riding a motorcycle.  

The beach was much warmer and I proceeded to get a sunglasses tan-line on my face...love the raccoon look. Tomorrow must wait for the rest of my story...A Domani!