Happy Thanksgiving!
Today I'm spending my Thanksgiving not forcing more food in my belly, but rather preparing for my trip this weekend. I'm going to Krakow, Poland and Auschwitz. I think it's an appropriate way to spend my Thanksgiving abroad, being thankful for everything I do have and not worrying about what I don't.
Never fear though. I have had the requisite turkey, corn, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and stuffing. I also had pumpkin ravioli aka THE GREATEST RAVIOLI EVER.
Last night the JFRC hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner. Everyone expected the usual Mensa/cafeteria lines but instead we had tables with gold and maroon table clothes (yay, school spirit!), candles, delicious Chianti, and even little children running all over the place (Thank you Iodice, Schwarten, and Rinaldo families for providing absolutely adorable runnong-around-children).
It was fantastic. The food was WONDERFUL (way to step it up Mensa), the atmosphere delightful, and did I mention the pumpkin ravioli? (Which you can apparently find at Caputo's and other Italian grocery stores.)
Today I'm going to do laundry for my trip this weekend, work on my philosophy papers, eat Digestives+Peanut butter+milk chocolate, and generally be thankful.
I found this really interesting: How Americans Abroad are Spending Thanksgiving (an interactive map)
Baci e Grazie,
Mari
24 November 2011
23 November 2011
When in Roma...Volunteer!
If I've discovered anything over the past few months, it's that studying abroad gives you way more learning opportunities than just travel. Keep in mind I'm using the John Felice Rome Center as my point of reference, but I'm pretty sure any program will offer you countless opportunities...
For example, here's what I've gotten to do other than travel:
1. Volunteer at an elementary school library and help create podcasts with third graders. (AOSR Third graders "A Just Right Book!")
2. Participate in a Flashmob in front of the Pantheon (scheduled for early December!)
3. Participate in a philosophy conference on politics and what it means to be human. I'll let you know how that goes - happening Dec. 2! You can view my abstracts here.
4. Tour two awesome gelatarias. Due by Dec. 5th. Trust me, I'll keep you updated.
5. Really get to know your professors. Sometimes they take you out for pizza (on the school). Sometimes they invite you to their hometown for a scavenger hunt and pizza (talk about language immersion). Sometimes they buy you un caffe (which raises them to saint status). Sometimes they teach you common slang and hand gestures of Roma...basically, they're awesome.
6. Tour nifty places like the ICCROM labs because your archaeology professor taught the lead restorer.
Get the picture?
Baci,
Mari
For example, here's what I've gotten to do other than travel:
1. Volunteer at an elementary school library and help create podcasts with third graders. (AOSR Third graders "A Just Right Book!")
2. Participate in a Flashmob in front of the Pantheon (scheduled for early December!)
 |
| I just came to say hello! |
4. Tour two awesome gelatarias. Due by Dec. 5th. Trust me, I'll keep you updated.
5. Really get to know your professors. Sometimes they take you out for pizza (on the school). Sometimes they invite you to their hometown for a scavenger hunt and pizza (talk about language immersion). Sometimes they buy you un caffe (which raises them to saint status). Sometimes they teach you common slang and hand gestures of Roma...basically, they're awesome.
6. Tour nifty places like the ICCROM labs because your archaeology professor taught the lead restorer.
Get the picture?
Baci,
Mari
22 November 2011
21 November 2011
Music FYI
For anyone traveling outside the US you might be in for a rude awakening.
Pandora doesn't work outside the US.
Never fear! The internet will save you! (As usual).
Introducing (something many of you probably already know about...)...8tracks!!!
You can make mixes (haven't done that yet so I don't know how difficult/easy that is), listen to mixes (search by artist, mixer, tags, descriptions), and just generally enjoy music!
It's great. And for added enjoyment, go to rainymood.com and have it on in the background, especially if you're stuck inside all day studying or such.
Baci,
Mari
Pandora doesn't work outside the US.
Never fear! The internet will save you! (As usual).
Introducing (something many of you probably already know about...)...8tracks!!!
You can make mixes (haven't done that yet so I don't know how difficult/easy that is), listen to mixes (search by artist, mixer, tags, descriptions), and just generally enjoy music!
It's great. And for added enjoyment, go to rainymood.com and have it on in the background, especially if you're stuck inside all day studying or such.
Baci,
Mari
19 November 2011
18 November 2011
One Month
The 17th of November 2011 marked the one-month-left mark of my studies in Roma...
Where did time go?
No, really....where the hell did it go?
When I first arrived here I made sure that I didn't spend a single weekend evening in...even if that just meant getting lost and running into the Pantheon.
But last night, I went to bed early. What gives?!
I think this happens a lot when traveling - even for shorter amounts of time....there's a sense of urgency to fit everything in, but then you exhaust yourself...and end up saying - "tomorrow" or worse, "next weekend" - them you realize you have, like, three weekends left.
three.weekends.left.
And how many papers? How many final projects? How many exams? WHY DID YOU WASTE YOUR TIME?
Sorry Lenon, this time "time you enjoy wasting" was wasted.
(Though it's usually not.)
BUT! You still have three weekends, several evenings, and the desire to correct this wrong! So get out there!!!! NOW! GET OFF IWASTESOMUCHTIME AND GO FORTH!!!
I'm only yelling because I love you. And please know that I am also yelling at myself.
Now I have to go and get lost.
Baci,
Mari
Where did time go?
No, really....where the hell did it go?
When I first arrived here I made sure that I didn't spend a single weekend evening in...even if that just meant getting lost and running into the Pantheon.
But last night, I went to bed early. What gives?!
I think this happens a lot when traveling - even for shorter amounts of time....there's a sense of urgency to fit everything in, but then you exhaust yourself...and end up saying - "tomorrow" or worse, "next weekend" - them you realize you have, like, three weekends left.
three.weekends.left.
And how many papers? How many final projects? How many exams? WHY DID YOU WASTE YOUR TIME?
Sorry Lenon, this time "time you enjoy wasting" was wasted.
(Though it's usually not.)
BUT! You still have three weekends, several evenings, and the desire to correct this wrong! So get out there!!!! NOW! GET OFF IWASTESOMUCHTIME AND GO FORTH!!!
I'm only yelling because I love you. And please know that I am also yelling at myself.
Now I have to go and get lost.
Baci,
Mari
Gelatiamo - it's a verb (a repost from the LUC blog)
I would love to tell you that you can do Florence, Venice, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in a three-day weekend....but I really recommend you don't (although if you must Florence makes a great jumping-off point).
Yes, Florence is small - but it has a ton of amazing museums that take HOURS to go through (all though we did cram the Uffici gallery - home toThe Birth of Venus in an hour and 15 mins) and a ton of shopping. A ton.
Venice is, well, Venice. Beautiful, simply beautiful. And surrounded by some islands you might want to check out, like the one where they make Murano glass.
Pisa, and specifically the Leaning Tower of, you can do in a day. Easy.
As I said, we did this in a weekend (of the JFRC three-day variety). We left EARLY Friday morning and were at our hostel in Florence by 11am. We dropped off our stuff and started walking. And walking. Because really that's all you do when exploring an Italian city. And oh, was the walk beautiful. We were heading towards il Duomo (the Cathedral)...it was more than a little breathtaking when it just kinda popped up.
Then we wandered to the leather market where I, of course, bought a leather journal. And a wool poncho. Because it was a very cold weekend. I have to admit, I was about to forsake Roma and Spoletto (my future homes) for Florence. Then I realized how small it was. And that it felt like there were more American students than Italians. Nevertheless, I shall return here and devote at least an entire three day weekend to it. When I'm rich - because even some of the churches cost money to visit.
Next day, up early, on a long train and we get to Venice just about at noon. Our train left at about 5:30PM to return to Florence (it's expensive to stay in Venice). After a really delicious sit-down lunch (OMG, REAL FOOD), we started heading towards Piazza di San Marco and the Rialto.
Found them finally:
Downside? We walked a lot and fast (and got distracted a lot along the way) and even in the off-season
there were still mostly tourists. I felt like if I punched the wall it would crumble and Epcot would appear. Loved it! But I would like to be able to give it a three day weekend as well; hopefully I'd be able to find something that felt more authentic.
[Speaking of authentic - gelato is now a verb form, gelatare, as in "to get real, authentic, delicous, Italian gelato." For example:
One member of group: "I'm hungry"
Everyone else in group: "Gelatiamo!" (translation - "Let's gelato!")]
Next day, up early to go to Uffici - but we only had just over an hour because we had a train to Pisa. The walk from the Pisa station to the Leaning Tower of was rather long. But Pisa is a very beautiful Tuscan town so that was okay.
And we had a blast at the Leaning Tower of.
So in conclusion:
It was an amazing weekend! Never doubt that! But we were exhausted, I had shin splints and the anxiety of knowing we had barely scraped the surface of these places was a bit unsettling.
And of course, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Did I mention we rode in a gondola?
Yes, Florence is small - but it has a ton of amazing museums that take HOURS to go through (all though we did cram the Uffici gallery - home toThe Birth of Venus in an hour and 15 mins) and a ton of shopping. A ton.
Venice is, well, Venice. Beautiful, simply beautiful. And surrounded by some islands you might want to check out, like the one where they make Murano glass.
Pisa, and specifically the Leaning Tower of, you can do in a day. Easy.
As I said, we did this in a weekend (of the JFRC three-day variety). We left EARLY Friday morning and were at our hostel in Florence by 11am. We dropped off our stuff and started walking. And walking. Because really that's all you do when exploring an Italian city. And oh, was the walk beautiful. We were heading towards il Duomo (the Cathedral)...it was more than a little breathtaking when it just kinda popped up.
- It's getting a much needed bath.
Then we wandered to the leather market where I, of course, bought a leather journal. And a wool poncho. Because it was a very cold weekend. I have to admit, I was about to forsake Roma and Spoletto (my future homes) for Florence. Then I realized how small it was. And that it felt like there were more American students than Italians. Nevertheless, I shall return here and devote at least an entire three day weekend to it. When I'm rich - because even some of the churches cost money to visit.
Next day, up early, on a long train and we get to Venice just about at noon. Our train left at about 5:30PM to return to Florence (it's expensive to stay in Venice). After a really delicious sit-down lunch (OMG, REAL FOOD), we started heading towards Piazza di San Marco and the Rialto.
Found them finally:
- Sunset view from the Rialto
- Crazy beautiful. And crowded.
Downside? We walked a lot and fast (and got distracted a lot along the way) and even in the off-season
there were still mostly tourists. I felt like if I punched the wall it would crumble and Epcot would appear. Loved it! But I would like to be able to give it a three day weekend as well; hopefully I'd be able to find something that felt more authentic.
[Speaking of authentic - gelato is now a verb form, gelatare, as in "to get real, authentic, delicous, Italian gelato." For example:
One member of group: "I'm hungry"
Everyone else in group: "Gelatiamo!" (translation - "Let's gelato!")]
Next day, up early to go to Uffici - but we only had just over an hour because we had a train to Pisa. The walk from the Pisa station to the Leaning Tower of was rather long. But Pisa is a very beautiful Tuscan town so that was okay.
- Giving it some love.
And we had a blast at the Leaning Tower of.
So in conclusion:
It was an amazing weekend! Never doubt that! But we were exhausted, I had shin splints and the anxiety of knowing we had barely scraped the surface of these places was a bit unsettling.
And of course, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Did I mention we rode in a gondola?
- I'm on a gondola. Not to be confused with a boat. Gondolas > boats.
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