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Venezia and More

24 September 2010
My friend Feather has been here for a week now and we have had a good time and it was the respite that I needed after the first grueling 3 weeks here of chaos. Never knew how much a friendly face and warm heart would serve me. While she has been here, we both were dazzled by Venezia and underwhelmed by Atlantic City's dopple-ganger Rimini and laughed til we couldn't stop because of a lost in translation moment with a new friend of mine who thought I was inviting him to my home for a threesome with my friend Feather when in fact I was asking him to tell the Taxi driver where to take us.

Leave it to say everything has been going well. School has been taken care of. I have my first appointment for my permesso on Monday and I start school the following Monday. I am excited to begin my immersion so to speak.

In a couple of months I want to begin my first project here in Italy. I will tell you guys about it once it is underway. A girl must remain mysterious you know.. Until then enjoy my photos from Venice..

Venezia

Venezia and More

My friend Feather has been here for a week now and we have had a good time and it was the respite that I needed after the first grueling 3 weeks here of chaos. Never knew how much a friendly face and warm heart would serve me. While she has been here, we both were dazzled by Venezia and underwhelmed by Atlantic City's dopple-ganger Rimini and laughed til we couldn't stop because of a lost in translation moment with a new friend of mine who thought I was inviting him to my home for a threesome with my friend Feather when in fact I was asking him to tell the Taxi driver where to take us.

Leave it to say everything has been going well. School has been taken care of. I have my first appointment for my permesso on Monday and I start school the following Monday. I am excited to begin my immersion so to speak.

In a couple of months I want to begin my first project here in Italy. I will tell you guys about it once it is underway. A girl must remain mysterious you know.. Until then enjoy my photos from Venice..

Venezia

Reinforcements

19 September 2010
My friend Feather has arrived in Bologna. Yay! so I am away for a minute from the blog to see the sights with the friend who I once made a vow with to meet in Europe about four years ago. Then, we were just planning a trip together but it seems that fate would have us meet here as she takes a 6 month sabbatical from the States and I have moved here for the next two years ;-).

At the moment, we are both on our computers typing away and listening to the cacophony of noises outside my balcony doors. The sound of dishes clinking, voices in Italian, a cello playing and chairs scraping across the marble floors; there is someone cooking something savory, we can smell the garlic and onions being sauteed on the gas stove--all of these things together are such quintessential European experiences.

It has rained the last two days here in Bologna, and the rain has brought with it a beautiful breeze for which my balcony are open to, and the smell of Fall. Fall is my ultimate favorite season. I have been dreaming about pumpkin tortellini, scarlet colored leaves and warm cider.

The first three weeks here were hell but I believe I am past the point of homesickness--that I didn't expect--and bureaucracy hell and at the moment I am just in awe of the fact that I am seeing my hard work and my dreams come to fruition.

Stay tuned to the "Traveling Bracelet" series. Where I take pictures of iconic places and the beautiful bracelet my good friend 'S' gave me. Have a great weekend and blessed Yom Kippur.

Reinforcements

My friend Feather has arrived in Bologna. Yay! so I am away for a minute from the blog to see the sights with the friend who I once made a vow with to meet in Europe about four years ago. Then, we were just planning a trip together but it seems that fate would have us meet here as she takes a 6 month sabbatical from the States and I have moved here for the next two years ;-).

At the moment, we are both on our computers typing away and listening to the cacophony of noises outside my balcony doors. The sound of dishes clinking, voices in Italian, a cello playing and chairs scraping across the marble floors; there is someone cooking something savory, we can smell the garlic and onions being sauteed on the gas stove--all of these things together are such quintessential European experiences.

It has rained the last two days here in Bologna, and the rain has brought with it a beautiful breeze for which my balcony are open to, and the smell of Fall. Fall is my ultimate favorite season. I have been dreaming about pumpkin tortellini, scarlet colored leaves and warm cider.

The first three weeks here were hell but I believe I am past the point of homesickness--that I didn't expect--and bureaucracy hell and at the moment I am just in awe of the fact that I am seeing my hard work and my dreams come to fruition.

Stay tuned to the "Traveling Bracelet" series. Where I take pictures of iconic places and the beautiful bracelet my good friend 'S' gave me. Have a great weekend and blessed Yom Kippur.

My Faire Verona

09 September 2010
Today I took a short 49 minute train ride to Verona located in the Veneto Region of Northern Italy. Verona is the home of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Giulietta!

I must tell you that this little towne is amazing. I can understand why Shakespeare called it his "faire verona". To give you an idea of the feel of the place, it is like Venice without the water or New Orleans without the jazz. The architecture is similar to that of New Orleans French Quarter. I was in love from the time I got of the train and saw the low ranges of the Alps facing me. I could live here and never get bored. The only thing I did not like was the food. It was quite bland. I like spice but I am sure I could find ways to remedy the issue.

Verona has historical significance from Roman and Medieval Times. It has a Medieval Castle near the city center and a Roman Amphitheater right in the middle of the city center.

Giulietta's home is about a five minute walk from the Arena and there is a little market where I bought two beautiful Venetian masks and a murano glass necklace.

I could so see women during the medieval times, women of the night wearing corsets, baring all, calling out to the men in the streets, inviting them to the dark corners of the cities. It still has that feel to it. I can hear the carriages rolling down the cobblestone roads and operas being sung on the streets and at the Arena.

I must say, there is so much to see. The city itself is so beautiful you do not even want to take your eyes off of it for one second because you think you'd miss something.

Here are some pics of my day trip.

[slideshow]
For more photos from my trip go Here

My Faire Verona

Today I took a short 49 minute train ride to Verona located in the Veneto Region of Northern Italy. Verona is the home of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Giulietta!

I must tell you that this little towne is amazing. I can understand why Shakespeare called it his "faire verona". To give you an idea of the feel of the place, it is like Venice without the water or New Orleans without the jazz. The architecture is similar to that of New Orleans French Quarter. I was in love from the time I got of the train and saw the low ranges of the Alps facing me. I could live here and never get bored. The only thing I did not like was the food. It was quite bland. I like spice but I am sure I could find ways to remedy the issue.

Verona has historical significance from Roman and Medieval Times. It has a Medieval Castle near the city center and a Roman Amphitheater right in the middle of the city center.

Giulietta's home is about a five minute walk from the Arena and there is a little market where I bought two beautiful Venetian masks and a murano glass necklace.

I could so see women during the medieval times, women of the night wearing corsets, baring all, calling out to the men in the streets, inviting them to the dark corners of the cities. It still has that feel to it. I can hear the carriages rolling down the cobblestone roads and operas being sung on the streets and at the Arena.

I must say, there is so much to see. The city itself is so beautiful you do not even want to take your eyes off of it for one second because you think you'd miss something.

Here are some pics of my day trip.

[slideshow]
For more photos from my trip go Here

caos!

05 September 2010
I have been in Italy now for almost two weeks and let's say all the preparation I went through was futile. Nothing has been in order and none of the information I was given was accurate which I am finding is how they do things around here in il bel paese. Oh did I mention no one will help you either?

I have spent a day walking in circles for 45 minutes looking for my appointment, standing in the street crying, loosing my cell phone and wanting to purchase a ticket to return home--which I wouldn't because I would be more miserable--being told that I was given the wrong information about scholarships because hey "all Americans are either rich or middle class so they do not need scholarships," and being told that there is no way in hell that I will get into a PhD program in Italy--we will see about that-- despite this chaos, I have decided to buckle up and go along for the ride and yes help people in the same predicament as myself.

My friend Giulia is starting a company here in Bologna to help those moving here to transition smoothly. It is aimed towards students mostly because the university has no one to help them at all. The head of international students does not speak english at all even though the consulate told me she did. Which to me is crazy seeing that English is THE common language amongst all of the foreign students here.

Despite all of this, I am happy. I found an apartment with an awesome chick Named Tony--more about that later-- and the city is amazing. Although it is not the city I see myself in, I do believe it will be awesome for the time being. The city is too university--too young for me. Its kinda like Austin and Berkley. You're either young or old here. There are middle aged people such as myself here however, they are either trying to act young, working, starting families or vagabonds. LOL.

The city is absolutely spectacular. And I cannot wait to share what I see with you. Hopefully next week I will go to the Church of San Luca to take pictures. But for now enjoy my slideshow of pics from my new home and city.

[slideshow]

caos!

I have been in Italy now for almost two weeks and let's say all the preparation I went through was futile. Nothing has been in order and none of the information I was given was accurate which I am finding is how they do things around here in il bel paese. Oh did I mention no one will help you either?

I have spent a day walking in circles for 45 minutes looking for my appointment, standing in the street crying, loosing my cell phone and wanting to purchase a ticket to return home--which I wouldn't because I would be more miserable--being told that I was given the wrong information about scholarships because hey "all Americans are either rich or middle class so they do not need scholarships," and being told that there is no way in hell that I will get into a PhD program in Italy--we will see about that-- despite this chaos, I have decided to buckle up and go along for the ride and yes help people in the same predicament as myself.

My friend Giulia is starting a company here in Bologna to help those moving here to transition smoothly. It is aimed towards students mostly because the university has no one to help them at all. The head of international students does not speak english at all even though the consulate told me she did. Which to me is crazy seeing that English is THE common language amongst all of the foreign students here.

Despite all of this, I am happy. I found an apartment with an awesome chick Named Tony--more about that later-- and the city is amazing. Although it is not the city I see myself in, I do believe it will be awesome for the time being. The city is too university--too young for me. Its kinda like Austin and Berkley. You're either young or old here. There are middle aged people such as myself here however, they are either trying to act young, working, starting families or vagabonds. LOL.

The city is absolutely spectacular. And I cannot wait to share what I see with you. Hopefully next week I will go to the Church of San Luca to take pictures. But for now enjoy my slideshow of pics from my new home and city.

[slideshow]