Sorry about my slacking, nonupdating self. Once I got back from Milan, I dove into getting everything ready for my last week and finals, which start today.
So, Milan was fabulous. We woke up early and hit up the little pastry shop near our hotel for breakfast, and went adventuring. It took half an hour to get to the Duomo, the center of town, basically, but it was a good walk. We saw the duomo and stumbled across Brendon, and watched the Milanos celebrate some sort of military-esqe holiday in front of the duomo. There was some sort of ceremony, but we didn't know what it was for or what they were saying, so we soon abandoned the ceremony and went looking for Brendon some nice pants for the dinner we had coming up. So we found pants, climbed to the top of the duomo and walked on the slanted roof, and hit up the local castle/museum. (You don't have one? For shame!)
Then we got coffee (inside, as it had started raining), grabbed dinner on the way back to the hotel, and went to bed.
The next morning we met Brendon at the same pastry shop for breakfast (we were on our way to the fashion center, and he was heading towards the train station). We got some sort of espresso with milk and cocoa. It was lovely, and they sprinkled cocoa on the top in the shape of a heart for Melinda and I. It was cute.
Then we finished up our shopping (and I got a really chic clutch). And we popped on the train and went home.
Since then, I went to a slightly less fancy, but still fancy dinner, a couple of concerts, and have worked frantically on homework and packing.
So, in 24 hours, I'll be in the Marco Polo airport in Venice. I still need to:
1) Take a final in one class.
2) Go to a concert
3) Do a concert write-up for the aforementioned concert
4) Finish packing
5) Finish and present a short oral presentation for my other final.
And then I'm in a taxi and out of here. I hope to see a lot of y'all soon, and I don't know if I'll update this blog again, but it sure was noce to have!
Love y'all!
-K
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Hey guys!
Sorry for the slacking updates. Not much has happened this week other than homework, and that's all sorts of boring, trust me.
But, I wanted to let y'all know what I was up to this coming weekend and what I did last night...!
Firstly, we all piled in a bus (all meaning the Song Festival kids, and the music class) and went out to the middle of nowhere. You know, roughly. And then we happened upon this beautiful, huge hotel.
Inside we watched the concert, but then, if you were willing to pay a little somethin' somethin', you got to stay for dinner. And stay for dinner I did.
The first primi was risotto with white asparagus, which is native to the area. It was so amazing, and I need to perfect my risotto skills.
The second primi was a pasta in a very light sauce with peas. It was all right, but I was still blown away by the risotto.
In Italy, you always drink white wine with the primi, and red with the secondi, no matter what kind of meat it served. The white wine was fine, a bit of a bite, but crisp, none the same.
The secondi was veal with artichoke hearts and potatoes. The veal was very nice, but I was on my way to full at this point. The red wine we had was a merlot, and it was nice, sweet, but really full-bodied.
For dessert, we had strawberries and limon gelato, along with a sparkling Italian dessert wine, which was really super fabulous. ((Sidenote to Max, we hafta get you to try some. You might like it.))
Today, I am leaving for Milano. We're just staying a couple of nights again, and coming back early to do homework for our LAST WEEK HERE! It went by super fast. Fast enough for me to not get homesick or nuffin'.
Expect a Milano report and pictures, along with a meal update on Wednesday morning or afternoon about the fancy dinner I'm going to on Tuesday night.
I love you all!
-K
But, I wanted to let y'all know what I was up to this coming weekend and what I did last night...!
Firstly, we all piled in a bus (all meaning the Song Festival kids, and the music class) and went out to the middle of nowhere. You know, roughly. And then we happened upon this beautiful, huge hotel.
Inside we watched the concert, but then, if you were willing to pay a little somethin' somethin', you got to stay for dinner. And stay for dinner I did.
The first primi was risotto with white asparagus, which is native to the area. It was so amazing, and I need to perfect my risotto skills.
The second primi was a pasta in a very light sauce with peas. It was all right, but I was still blown away by the risotto.
In Italy, you always drink white wine with the primi, and red with the secondi, no matter what kind of meat it served. The white wine was fine, a bit of a bite, but crisp, none the same.
The secondi was veal with artichoke hearts and potatoes. The veal was very nice, but I was on my way to full at this point. The red wine we had was a merlot, and it was nice, sweet, but really full-bodied.
For dessert, we had strawberries and limon gelato, along with a sparkling Italian dessert wine, which was really super fabulous. ((Sidenote to Max, we hafta get you to try some. You might like it.))
Today, I am leaving for Milano. We're just staying a couple of nights again, and coming back early to do homework for our LAST WEEK HERE! It went by super fast. Fast enough for me to not get homesick or nuffin'.
Expect a Milano report and pictures, along with a meal update on Wednesday morning or afternoon about the fancy dinner I'm going to on Tuesday night.
I love you all!
-K
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Venice and Florence
This is going to be a big, bg post, bear with me.
Venice!
So, we went to Venice for my music class. After questionable bag lunches (except for my orange) and a train and bus ride, we arrived in Venice. Venice is nice and odd. Firstly, parts of it smell oddly. And not oddly as in good and interesting. Also, I kept seeing babies in prams. There are little bridges with stairs EVERYWHERE. I would just put the little thing in a snuggli and go, but no, super parents hafta haul the babe and pram up and down the stairs.
ANYWAY! First we got lost (we were in a big group for me, like eight people) and then we found our way again. We made it to the Bascilica de San Marco and the Piazza San Marco. We also saw a handful of other little churches, and the Ponte de. Rialto. Then we saw the Teatro Fenice, the Phoenix Theater and Opera House. We had a tour (this is why we came) and couldn't take pictures inside, poo. It was large and grand, and has been burned down twice and rebuilt, that's why it's a phoenix.
Bus and train ride home were uneventful.
Then the rest of the week happened. It was fine.
Then, on Thursday, I left for Florence!
It was me, Melinda, and a couple of lads heading out to where we were. So, we bussed to Castelfrancco. Then we trained to Padua, and then to Florence. Trains are so nice in Italy. Seriously, the US needs to step up. We ate ate a 'fast food' sort of pizza place called spizzico. It was good, and not expensive for fruit, a drink, and a quarter of a pizza. Then we found the Sette Santi hostel, which was by the Church of the Sette Santi. It was old and neat. The next morning we got up and the boys were long gone. We got up, had breakfast (bread and coffee) and were on our way. After a couple of bus mixups, we found Piazza de San Marco, and made a beeline for the Duomo. One of our travelling lads, Brendon, was there. (Ragesh (sp?) was spending more time in the shopping sector they had gone through.) We (Melinda, Brendon, and I) climbed to the top of the Duomo. It was hard. Haaaaaard. Lots and lots of steep stairs, and winding stairs.
But the view was worth it. Srsly. I'm putting pictures up on facebook as soon as I finish writing this.
Then we went back down and looked at the Duomo from the ground floor of the inside, which was lovely as well. Then, Brendon jetted off to meet Ragesh and go through the Uffitzi. Melinda and I decided to check out the Academia and see how long the line was. It wasn't bad, and we waited in line a half an hour to get in. It was lovely, old statues, Renaissance art and paintings, and most of all, the original David by Michelangelo. No pictures here, which was disappointing.
Then, we grabbed lunch, and started toward the Palazzo Vecchio. We passed the Duomo (while we had virtually no wait, the lines were looooong now) and kept on, seeing the reproduction of the David that's displayed there, and getting gelatto.
Then, we found and waiting in line for the Uffitzi, which was fabulous as well, not too long a line. The Uffitzi is much bigger than the Academia, so it took up longer, but the was Bottecelli there, and it was all lovely and to be appreciated, and Renaissance art is just so good guys, it's really super good. No pictures here.
The we saw the Ponte Vecchio and the Palazzo Pitti, both of which were very nice. The Ponte was covered in fancy, fancy jewelery shops. Then some shopping, meeting the lads for dinner, and offing to the hostel again.
The next morning, the boys were up early again to catch their train to Siena, while us lasses were much more relaxed. We slept in a little and got breakfast, before doing some shopping. We went to this fancy, fancy clothes and accessories store called coin. Things there were pretty and neat, but pricey. If MB had been there, I'm sure we would have seen every inch of it. We got our train back to Bassano, and we were on out way. The wait time was long there, we spent roughly six hours in transit, including wait times, but we made it back, got dinner and went to bed.
So that's that! I'm going to try to go to Marostica of Possagno tomorrow (I forgot to sign up, but they leave at the same time, so I'll just get on the bus with room). Tuesday, I have class in the afternoon and an Etiquette Seminar to attend (I get to learn Italian etiquette!). I have a late concert on Wedneasday, and on Thursday, I'll off to somewhere else exciting. I don't kow where we'll go yet. Maybe Milan then Turin. Dunno, dunno.
I love you all!
-K
Venice!
So, we went to Venice for my music class. After questionable bag lunches (except for my orange) and a train and bus ride, we arrived in Venice. Venice is nice and odd. Firstly, parts of it smell oddly. And not oddly as in good and interesting. Also, I kept seeing babies in prams. There are little bridges with stairs EVERYWHERE. I would just put the little thing in a snuggli and go, but no, super parents hafta haul the babe and pram up and down the stairs.
ANYWAY! First we got lost (we were in a big group for me, like eight people) and then we found our way again. We made it to the Bascilica de San Marco and the Piazza San Marco. We also saw a handful of other little churches, and the Ponte de. Rialto. Then we saw the Teatro Fenice, the Phoenix Theater and Opera House. We had a tour (this is why we came) and couldn't take pictures inside, poo. It was large and grand, and has been burned down twice and rebuilt, that's why it's a phoenix.
Bus and train ride home were uneventful.
Then the rest of the week happened. It was fine.
Then, on Thursday, I left for Florence!
It was me, Melinda, and a couple of lads heading out to where we were. So, we bussed to Castelfrancco. Then we trained to Padua, and then to Florence. Trains are so nice in Italy. Seriously, the US needs to step up. We ate ate a 'fast food' sort of pizza place called spizzico. It was good, and not expensive for fruit, a drink, and a quarter of a pizza. Then we found the Sette Santi hostel, which was by the Church of the Sette Santi. It was old and neat. The next morning we got up and the boys were long gone. We got up, had breakfast (bread and coffee) and were on our way. After a couple of bus mixups, we found Piazza de San Marco, and made a beeline for the Duomo. One of our travelling lads, Brendon, was there. (Ragesh (sp?) was spending more time in the shopping sector they had gone through.) We (Melinda, Brendon, and I) climbed to the top of the Duomo. It was hard. Haaaaaard. Lots and lots of steep stairs, and winding stairs.
But the view was worth it. Srsly. I'm putting pictures up on facebook as soon as I finish writing this.
Then we went back down and looked at the Duomo from the ground floor of the inside, which was lovely as well. Then, Brendon jetted off to meet Ragesh and go through the Uffitzi. Melinda and I decided to check out the Academia and see how long the line was. It wasn't bad, and we waited in line a half an hour to get in. It was lovely, old statues, Renaissance art and paintings, and most of all, the original David by Michelangelo. No pictures here, which was disappointing.
Then, we grabbed lunch, and started toward the Palazzo Vecchio. We passed the Duomo (while we had virtually no wait, the lines were looooong now) and kept on, seeing the reproduction of the David that's displayed there, and getting gelatto.
Then, we found and waiting in line for the Uffitzi, which was fabulous as well, not too long a line. The Uffitzi is much bigger than the Academia, so it took up longer, but the was Bottecelli there, and it was all lovely and to be appreciated, and Renaissance art is just so good guys, it's really super good. No pictures here.
The we saw the Ponte Vecchio and the Palazzo Pitti, both of which were very nice. The Ponte was covered in fancy, fancy jewelery shops. Then some shopping, meeting the lads for dinner, and offing to the hostel again.
The next morning, the boys were up early again to catch their train to Siena, while us lasses were much more relaxed. We slept in a little and got breakfast, before doing some shopping. We went to this fancy, fancy clothes and accessories store called coin. Things there were pretty and neat, but pricey. If MB had been there, I'm sure we would have seen every inch of it. We got our train back to Bassano, and we were on out way. The wait time was long there, we spent roughly six hours in transit, including wait times, but we made it back, got dinner and went to bed.
So that's that! I'm going to try to go to Marostica of Possagno tomorrow (I forgot to sign up, but they leave at the same time, so I'll just get on the bus with room). Tuesday, I have class in the afternoon and an Etiquette Seminar to attend (I get to learn Italian etiquette!). I have a late concert on Wedneasday, and on Thursday, I'll off to somewhere else exciting. I don't kow where we'll go yet. Maybe Milan then Turin. Dunno, dunno.
I love you all!
-K
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Padova!
So, yesterday I went to Padova, and it was fabulous. We saw the Capella Degli Scrovegni. It was built, like, seven-hundred years ago, and Giotto frescoed the insides. Giotto is so fabulous, I mean really. He's simply too kickin'. We couldn't take pictures inside, but I'm sue there are pictures on the intarwebs for your viewing pleasure. I also god pictures of the outside, but today is going to be busier than I thought, so no pictures for you yet! ((I'm working on it, I promise. This week is busy.)) We also saw the Bascilica de San Francisco. It was beeeeaaaautiful. No pictures inside either. So sad. But pictures of the outside. Picked up a few gifts too.
So, class was/will be fine. We get to talk to the local police today, so they know we're here and we're not super illegal, and gonna take over the government.
Venice tomorrow, with my music class, and Florence this weekend. A girl we thought we would travel with is now going to Munich, so we need to pick up another couple of people or join another group, but I'm not freaking out yet. ((I'm mellower here. Meeeeeelloooooow.))
And that's about it. Pictures soon, I promise, but today is full, and I have a paper to write. Don't expect a post tomorrow, but I'll try to get one up Thursday before I leave.
I love you!
-K
So, class was/will be fine. We get to talk to the local police today, so they know we're here and we're not super illegal, and gonna take over the government.
Venice tomorrow, with my music class, and Florence this weekend. A girl we thought we would travel with is now going to Munich, so we need to pick up another couple of people or join another group, but I'm not freaking out yet. ((I'm mellower here. Meeeeeelloooooow.))
And that's about it. Pictures soon, I promise, but today is full, and I have a paper to write. Don't expect a post tomorrow, but I'll try to get one up Thursday before I leave.
I love you!
-K
Monday, May 25, 2009
Mercado!
So, on Sunday Melinda and I went to the open air market in Crespano. It was huuuuuge. More than a hundred 'stands' I am sure, and the stands are large. They were mostly selling clothes, but others sold shoes, bags, food, local honey, curtains, flowers, potted plants, fruits and vegetables and even more.
All stores in Italy are closed on Sunday (or at least most) so these Markets are hugely lucrative. There are even shops in Crespano that will open just to make extra money during market time (mostly resturants and gelatorias.)
So, we wandered around for a while, and I bought a hair clip, because I missed the number of them I had at home.
We also ate a little from the food stands. Of course, they were noisy and the people working there don't know English, and we know little Italian. So we pointed until we got a bag of french fries (which are eaten with very long toothpicks) and these round things which were kinda flavored like hush puppies, but inside they seemed to be filled with potatoes.
Then we got gelato (bacche, which is berries and limone, which is lemon!). and walked back. Then we did homework, and I did things like straighten my room and launder a few clothes in the sink.
Today, though, after lunch we're going to Padova! (Padua, in English. I don't know why the english didn't just say Padova, but instead insisted on making their own word). I have quite a lot of free time tomorrow, so expect some picture then, but probably not before, as I'll be out rather late tonight.
All my love.
-K
All stores in Italy are closed on Sunday (or at least most) so these Markets are hugely lucrative. There are even shops in Crespano that will open just to make extra money during market time (mostly resturants and gelatorias.)
So, we wandered around for a while, and I bought a hair clip, because I missed the number of them I had at home.
We also ate a little from the food stands. Of course, they were noisy and the people working there don't know English, and we know little Italian. So we pointed until we got a bag of french fries (which are eaten with very long toothpicks) and these round things which were kinda flavored like hush puppies, but inside they seemed to be filled with potatoes.
Then we got gelato (bacche, which is berries and limone, which is lemon!). and walked back. Then we did homework, and I did things like straighten my room and launder a few clothes in the sink.
Today, though, after lunch we're going to Padova! (Padua, in English. I don't know why the english didn't just say Padova, but instead insisted on making their own word). I have quite a lot of free time tomorrow, so expect some picture then, but probably not before, as I'll be out rather late tonight.
All my love.
-K
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Bassano e Cinese.
I spelled nothing in the title wrong.
So, today is a very nice day off! Malinda, Nick and I went to Bassano. We caught the 11:45 bus to Bassano after getting tickets on the tabacchi. A half an hour bus ride later, we were in Bassano. We found the bridge (ponte) and took more pictures, and wandered around s'more.
Then we had 'Cinese'. ((You say 'c' as a 'ch' in Italian, So, it's Chinese.)) I had salt and paper shrimp, and their shells were still on, along with their little legs, and they were fab and crunchy.
Then we got gelato (rocher and cookie for me) and sat in the shade during siesta time. We hit up a couple of stores on the way back to the bus stop.
We totally bought bus tickets, and the man selling them didn't make fun of us. ((The train and bus terminal people can be mean!!)) Then we got back on our bus and came home!
We did a few things in our rooms before running to the tabacchi for sandwiches for dinner. We all got an extra, in case there's no food to be had tomorrow. ((Everything is closed on Sunday)).
Tomorrow we're walking to Crispano to go the the big open air market. There should be food there, along with maybe some neat things to buy.
There's pictures from Bassano, Asolo, and Paderno on Facebook.
No confirmed location for this coming weekend's trip, but I'll let y'all know as soon as possible!
I love y'all!
-K
((I think I have a bug bite on my ankle.))
So, today is a very nice day off! Malinda, Nick and I went to Bassano. We caught the 11:45 bus to Bassano after getting tickets on the tabacchi. A half an hour bus ride later, we were in Bassano. We found the bridge (ponte) and took more pictures, and wandered around s'more.
Then we had 'Cinese'. ((You say 'c' as a 'ch' in Italian, So, it's Chinese.)) I had salt and paper shrimp, and their shells were still on, along with their little legs, and they were fab and crunchy.
Then we got gelato (rocher and cookie for me) and sat in the shade during siesta time. We hit up a couple of stores on the way back to the bus stop.
We totally bought bus tickets, and the man selling them didn't make fun of us. ((The train and bus terminal people can be mean!!)) Then we got back on our bus and came home!
We did a few things in our rooms before running to the tabacchi for sandwiches for dinner. We all got an extra, in case there's no food to be had tomorrow. ((Everything is closed on Sunday)).
Tomorrow we're walking to Crispano to go the the big open air market. There should be food there, along with maybe some neat things to buy.
There's pictures from Bassano, Asolo, and Paderno on Facebook.
No confirmed location for this coming weekend's trip, but I'll let y'all know as soon as possible!
I love y'all!
-K
((I think I have a bug bite on my ankle.))
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bassano and Asolo.
So, class was fine yesterday, whatever.
But then I went to Bassano, the 'big' town nearby. It's a lot more urban looking than the rest of the 'de Grappa' region. We found this fabulous old bridge and took a lot of pictures there, and ate gelato. The only problem I had with the trip, is when everyone sticks together in one big group, we look more like tourists, but we were all going to see the same things (the Church in the town, and the Bridge) so it was smart to stay together.
That night, I went to Asolo for a concert for one of my classes. Asolo is like... Maybe certain areas in Williamsburg. Covered in ritzy resturants, a few high end places to shop, and scenery. Malinda and I went back today after class, I got some lovely pictures there, including climbing to the top of a large hill (or small mountain) to see a castle. ((It's not like the castle in your head. I'll post pictures later)). I also ate more gelato. ((Gelato flavors tried: bacio, or hazelnut, and a long word, that starts with an s, that means vanilla ice cream with chocolate pieces in it.))
Tomorrow, I think we're gonna go to Bassano again. Bus tickets are cheap, and we won't go unless we know we can get there and back without calling a cab. So that'll be me, Malinda, Nick, and maybe Brendon if we can find him.
I promise to do pictures this weekend, and get at least some of them up online. I hope everyone if having a good summer or last of the school year, and I'll be back tomorrow with another post!
ilu.
-K
But then I went to Bassano, the 'big' town nearby. It's a lot more urban looking than the rest of the 'de Grappa' region. We found this fabulous old bridge and took a lot of pictures there, and ate gelato. The only problem I had with the trip, is when everyone sticks together in one big group, we look more like tourists, but we were all going to see the same things (the Church in the town, and the Bridge) so it was smart to stay together.
That night, I went to Asolo for a concert for one of my classes. Asolo is like... Maybe certain areas in Williamsburg. Covered in ritzy resturants, a few high end places to shop, and scenery. Malinda and I went back today after class, I got some lovely pictures there, including climbing to the top of a large hill (or small mountain) to see a castle. ((It's not like the castle in your head. I'll post pictures later)). I also ate more gelato. ((Gelato flavors tried: bacio, or hazelnut, and a long word, that starts with an s, that means vanilla ice cream with chocolate pieces in it.))
Tomorrow, I think we're gonna go to Bassano again. Bus tickets are cheap, and we won't go unless we know we can get there and back without calling a cab. So that'll be me, Malinda, Nick, and maybe Brendon if we can find him.
I promise to do pictures this weekend, and get at least some of them up online. I hope everyone if having a good summer or last of the school year, and I'll be back tomorrow with another post!
ilu.
-K
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
