Graz”EE” ain’t no Yahtz”EE”

After the program, I was fortunate enough to have my mom and aunt come out and visit for a week, and it’s been a MisAdventure, to say the least. We began our trip back in Rome, where I was. It was there where my career as a tour guide began. Saturday night we went to the Spanish Steps Via del Corso, Piazza del Poppolo and dined al-fresco right next to the Piazza.

Sunday we went all around Rome. I took them to the Vatican, St. Peters, Pantheon, Wedding Cake, Colosseum, Via del Corso, Palotine Hill. I opted to not hold my umbrella up for the crowd, and ear pieces weren’t required on my tour. I’m rather quick and efficient. Saw all that was necessary and barely missed the Pope because we went inside St. Peters instead of waiting outside.

The real fun began Monday, when we rented our car to do Tour di Toscana. The cab took us too the sticks where the car rental was, and we loaded our “big” car with all our luggage. Packed and ready, headed north toward Siena. We smoothly made our way to the right freeway and as we were nearing the area where we needed to exit for Siena, we were looking for signs. At one point my mom said “40” and for some reason my aunt thought that was code for Siena, so she Nascar-ed her way off the freeway! 40 was merely the speed limit, but thankfully it was the correct way to Siena.

Visited w the Zampis, where I played interpreter for an hour. It was nice to see my family away from family again, and they were happy to see me too! We walked around Siena, ate a late lunch and went up to Florence in the dark. Another Nascar maneuver by my aunt was when we missed an exit for our hotel, and she thought it brilliant to flip a U on the highway at the toll....where sirens began to sounds and we thought we were BUSTED! Luckily not.

We got a little lost, called the hotel numerous times, and then discovered we were staying where the hills have eyes. Next to the river where there seemed to be no guests in the hotel, and the service wore butler suits, a bit eerie.

Our bellboy was very prompt, and was also our waiter waiting at the top of the stairs saying [insert Chinese-Italian accent here], “ Hi, I am ready.” Tuesday explored Florence, Wednesday drove to Bologna where it was frigid, yet quaint. Continued my search for leather boots, no luck.

Today, we left Firenze, and went to Lucca, a charming little town surrounded by a big wall.

Got some great finds....no boots. Although I found 2 pair that would be killer, but since I'm a relative of BigFoot, I wasn't able to get them.

Then we began our trek to Rome. 4 hours later, and through the pouring rain, we made it to Rome.

Took our car to the airport and had a cab take us to dinner....unfortunately, it was a business deal for him since he took us to a friends restaurant that was only fish!

Now those who know my mom and aunt, their palates are only satisfied by the most plain tasting foods, and they steer clear from fish!

My last meal was gnocchi w/ mussels, I can't get over their little black feet that look like eyes.

To top it off, the cab driver wrote his call back number on a bill for "Chick Chick Boom: Lounge Show and Lap Dances," and picked us up in his personal vehicle--red flag numero 1, and took us to what looked like a place to take advantage of us, but he brought us home safely. and Now I'm about to fall asleep in a hotel where I can hear the man next door snoring up a storm.

Luxuries of Traveling!

Tomorrow: London...more [mis]Adventures soon!

x

t.

...and: "if you really want more...scream it out louder:

Usher - More (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix) by djraize

finito.

Today, the study abroad officially ended. As of 4pm, all inhibitions were checked at the door, and it was time to get sleazy....which is clearly what I'm doing writing this on a Friday night.

I've learned so much out here, and have loved almost every minute of it. More to come about my time here, but today in the season of gratitude...

.....I'm grateful for the handsome effect. haha.

My friends joke that I get everything I want over here, and I say it's just because I smile. So maybe I was able to get past the guards at the Uffizi with loads of drink in my bag as I look over at Bev and others who have to chug their drinks by the security. I sat in laughing at them, and grateful that A) I didn't really know what the guard was saying when I went through security about liquids, so I just said "Si" and stood there a second, smiled, walked on.

Maybe I also got away with a little more in Italian class than others. That [A] will look great on my progress report!

Maybe my best friend gave me some clothes and different music at the Irish Pub often.

....now I just hope this carries on back to the states.

Cheers to wishing!

x

t.

Miguel - Sure Thing by djraize

ciao, bella

It's been two days and it still hasn't sunk in that I'm in Rome.

Saturday/Sunday felt like decades, and the days are still long.

I had the pleasure of watching Just Wright TWICE on the plane.

Queen Latifah in her finest, pretty much was non existent on the flight.

Once we landed, we waited in the airport for about 2 hours,

then made our way to the hotel, with great views of Vatican City.

***I can't figure out a card reader, so the photos are from my friend,

which is a bust b/c I want to blog photos I took!****

That night we went to the Trevi fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza di Spagna.

Monday went back to the Pantheon to tour inside, where a tour group began chanting.

Kinda neat.

-Had lunch on the balcony overlooking St. Peter's.

Bread, cheese, grapes & coke light.

Carbs for dayyyyys. (I refuse to get a chunk-a-lunk, yeah, I'm a girl)

After lunch we went to the Vatican, went to the top of the dome which was gnnanrce.

After got enough steps to last the week, we hung out up there for a while enjoying the scenes.

Went inside the church, and had mass haha.

I felt a bit sac-relig kneeling and chanting, but it was legit.

The amount of work, craftsmanship and beauty in there is phenomenal.

Today we had school in the forum, sitting on the ruins walking the steps of the Roman emperors.

Cruised all around the Palontine hill, saw the vestal virgin house (where I had an accidental bum graze)

Then rounded the day in the Colosseum...and gelato at the Piazza del Poppolo.

It's hard to believe I'm here, and Saturday we're cruising up to Siena.

I'm a bit nervous to live w/ my Italian speaking family, where I speak ZERO.

Dinner will be loads of half-fake smiles and thumbs up.

And thanks to my buddy Jason--body language to convey what I want,

Some things I like:

The servers at dinner who sometimes just say Prego to me.

The legit window covers that are opened every morning.

Laundry hanging across streets.

The beautifully scenic alleys.

FOOD. (my best friend & worst enemy)

A little on the no bueno side:

No being able to speak to my servers

The bathroom that has a weird over head tank that shoots water at me every time I flush.

Knowing some people have already read the books, while mine are waiting in Siena.

Slipping in the bathroom.

Bed Bugs.

More to come soon...

(and hopefully photos from my camera)

xx