April 5, 2013-
It's finally the weekend! I can't believe that it's only been two days since I was in Italy, it already seems like it was forever ago.
Unfortunately the weather forecast for the weekend is rain, but that wasn't going to stop me from checking things off my Barca Bucketlist.
Included in my Barca Bucketlist, I have made a section for "food." All the restaurants I want to go to are listed.
What a perfect way to start the first weekend back from Spring Break by going to brunch with all my girl friends and hearing how everyone's break was. You know, I do miss pancakes and french toast. mmmmm
We ate brunch and had mimosas and bloody mary's at a little brunch cafe called "Milk." Everything about the inside of the restaurant was so cute and laid back. I had french toast with berries on top and greek yogurt on the side. I mixed the berries in with the greek yogurt and poured maple syrup on the french toast and I was in heaven. I cannot tell you how delicious it was, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!!!!
We all decided it was going to be our new Friday ritual to come to Milk for brunch: a breakfast club :)
We sat at the restaurant and talked for hours and then continued our day by going shopping. It started raining, but when girls want to go shopping, nothing stops them. We shopped until our little hearts couldn't shop any more. Soaking wet, freezing cold, but very happy with our purchases, we went our separate ways to the heat in our own homes. A girls day well spent.
April 3,2013-
Back to reality means back to school. Today we started new classes which will last until the end of the semester. Language classes and schedules remain the same, however, I now have two new classes: History of Modern and Contemporary Art and The Write in the City.
Two classes that didn't seem appealing to me at all, but would work for school credit at UNC so I had to take them.
However, after the first day is over, I am so excited for this upcoming semester. These classes seem like they are going to be so much more interesting than last semesters. The professors are both men and seem to be super funny, a change from last semester, the women were boring!
Needless to say, I am excited to see what this semester brings and the new things I will be learning in Barcelona!
Life is great, I love my city!
Bonjourno! Bright and early.
It was 3:30 a.m.
We were leaving the hotel at 3:50 to catch the night bus to get to the train station where the bus was that would take us to the airport.
The night bus was our only choice and we needed to make sure that we got on that bus, because it was our only hope. If we had missed the night bus, we would have missed our flight.
After catching the night bus at 4:15, we arrived at the train station at 5. One more trip and we would be at the airport and on our way. However, the airport bus didn't leave until 6:30, so we were an hour and a half early: better early than late. So we sat in the terminal at the bus station and ate donuts for an hour and a half until it was time to go.
After getting on the bus at 6:30, we got to the airport at about 7, waited in line to check in, and then made it to the gate.
While standing in line to get on board we saw these girls from ISA (my study abroad program) who go to UPF (a different school in Barca) which we knew from when we went on excursions together. They had two friends with them, who we later found out go to UAB (the other university in Barca) and are also in ISA. We stood in line and talked to them and then sat with them on the plane together. Yay for making new friends and talking to old ones, what a small world!
Finally, at 8:30, we were on our flight and Barcelona bound! So tired and so sleepy, I slept the whole place ride there.
Eventually I made it back to the apartment at about 12 and had the rest of the day to myself to gather my thoughts, go grocery shopping, unpack, and relax. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, I opened the windows, and music was playing. Ahh, it was good to be home.
Day 12: Barca Barca Baaaarcaaaa!
April 1,2013-
Here in Rome, not only is there Easter Sunday, but they also have Easter Monday.
We woke up this morning and went down for our delicious breakfast and then came back to the room and took a nap. The time change was in full affect this morning.
Around 12 o'clock we began our journey to the Trevi Fountain. For some reason, the crowds were significantly larger today than they had been the days before.
There were so many people at the fountain that it so hard to get a picture without someone walking right in front of it. So frustrating and so rude. We took a few pictures, or tried to, and then I got overwhelmed and had to get out of there.
We walked up the street a little to the pantheon, but it was closed. However, there was a little crack in the doors so we waited in a short line to peak through and see inside. After peaking in the doors, it was a nice day, so we sat in the piazza in the sun and people watched.
After people watching for a few hours we walked back to the trevi fountain to see if the crowd had gone away, took some more pictures, and then took the back roads to the Colosseum. I liked taking the back roads to the Colosseum, it helped us really get a feel for how Rome really was, underneath all the tourism.
We took more pictures at the Colosseum and then sat around again and people watched some more, this time a different crowd.
By the time we were done people watching it was time to eat, we walked back towards the place we had ate at last night and found a pizza place to eat. I had my last bruschetta and a delicious pizza, which I carried on the plane the next day because I had leftovers.
Then we headed back to piazza Venezia to catch our bus home. We waited for about 45 minutes in the pouring rain for the bus, which took longer than usual today. Of course, it was just as crowded as the day before, but this time we were 10 times wiser. Everyone was shoulder to shoulder and again, the door wouldn't close.
Then, because we were leaving so early the next day to catch our flight we needed to check out and pay our hotel the night before. We went down to the desk, thinking we only had to pay 8 euro for the city tax because Amanda had already paid the rest online, and the receptionist told us we still owed 277 euro. Great, I didn't have that kind of money just laying around and Amanda had her wallet stolen so she didn't either. We were in a complete panic.
Luckily Amanda was able to get her moms credit card number to pay it and the receptionist could type it in the machine rather than having to have the card physically there, problem avoided. Finally, it was time to call it a night, our clocks were set for 3:30 a.m. to catch the bus to get to the bus station which would take us to the airport.
Day 11: Trouble in Roma
March 31, 2013-
Happy Easter everyone!! I hope the Easter bunny brought you all the candy in the world!
Today was a little bit of a slower day than the last two for Amanda and I. Most things around Rome were closed, including most restaurants and everyone was picking out flowers from the guys who sell flowers out of their trucks, obviously for their families or wherever they were headed to celebrate the Lord's Rising.
For me, I missed my family the most this day. I knew we would be waking up, dressing up in our cute spring dressed for Easter mass in the morning, then coming back home, eating brunch and then sitting in the sun all day just enjoying each others company: a good quality family day. Something I'll never be able to explain how much I've missed since I've been abroad. I really am having the time of my life, but I'll always miss my family when I'm away from them.
Anyway, we woke up at 9 a.m. and went down to eat breakfast before it was over and then came back to the room and turned on the television as we were getting ready to watch the Pope giving Easter Mass at Saint Peter's Square. The sun was out and it was a beautiful Easter Sunday. Even though we weren't at the mass, the tv made it seem like we were. The crowds were just too much for us for today, so we decided to relax and have a low-key Easter.
In each of the cities/towns we've been to at one point we've been able to see a panoramic view of the whole city, and Rome would be no different. Why not go on a hike on Easter Sunday and enjoy God's creation? What a perfect way to celebrate.
Of course, on our way there we got lost, but the hike was so beautiful and the view over Rome was something to see. We spent a few hours up at the top just looking around and admiring all the great beauty that surrounded us on this beautiful Easter Sunday. As we headed down the mountain we found this cute restaurant that we couldn't resist, so we sat down and ate (at 4:30 p.m.). I had really good lasagne, although no lasagna is better than my moms homemade (which I can't wait to eat when I get home) and the best bruschetta I've had in Italy. We ordered the house bottle of wine and to finish our meal some type of chocolate cake.
After dinner we walked to piazza Venezia and then got on the bus to head home. The bus was absolutely packed, to the point that the doors couldn't even close. And still, the bus driver stopped at every stop to let more people get on. At one of the stops most of the people got off and we could finally breathe again, only for Amanda to look in her purse and realize that someone had taken her wallet: on Easter Sunday, what a shame.
We made it home, even with that little bump, and realized the time had changed an hour. Welcome to Daylight Savings Time Europe. Which also means I am now 9 hours away from California and 8 away from Colorado. I was just getting used to the 8 and 7, it was actually quite nice!
At the end of the day, just before I closed my eyes, I realized that I didn't get to eat any Easter candy on Easter. Europe doesn't really have bags of candy. I miss America.
Day 10: A different kind of Easter
March 30, 2013-
One more day until the Lord has risen!
Today on the agenda was the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter's Square. More things we absolutely had to do today because they would be closed the rest of the time we would be in Rome.
We started our day off with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. I even got to have toast with jelly, so I started the day off right. They had a huge selection of breakfast foods from croissants to yogurt with granola, yum.
Then we navigated the bus system and made it to the metro and on our way to the Vatican. I had bought ticket vouchers online which would take us to the front of the line, because I knew it would be super crowded today and I didn't want to wait in line. Not to mention the possibility of us not getting in, that was just not an option.
We walked right up to the entrance and right through security and over to the ticket window. The whole process took about 10 minutes until we were in and on our way looking around the museum. Meanwhile, the line for people who hadn't bought tickets online was around the corner and down the block. I'd say probably a two hour wait time. All I can say about that, Thank GOD I thought of getting tickets beforehand.
We walked around the museum and gazed at the beautiful ceilings and architecture. The Vatican is truly a beautiful place. You had to go through all of the museums to get to the Sistine Chapel. Eventually we made our way up to the top, the Sistine Chapel. Photography was strictly prohibited and strict silence was completely enforced. There were guards walking around the crowd, as well as, lining the walls. If someone was caught taking a picture the guards would literally make them delete the picture off the camera, they were that strict about it.
....However..... Amanda was sly with her Iphone camera and was able to sneak a picture ---> there you have it!
The Sistine Chapel was such a blessed and holy place, we were so lucky to be here.
After we were finished with the Vatican Museums we headed down Vatican City, and along the Vatican City walls, to Saint Peter's Square and Basilica. Due to the Easter Vigil going on later that night, the square and basilica would close at 2 p.m.
There was a road going in to Vatican City with a guard in the middle. The Vatican guards were dressed like jokers, it was pretty comical. I had to take a picture.
Then we got to Saint Peter's Square. WOW. What a sight. We got a little lost, but found an entrance off to the side of the square where we went through security and walked right in to the Basilica. I have no words for what I saw in the Basilica but to try to put it in to words, it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. I've never seen anything quite like it before: it truly is a wonder.
We walked through, took pictures, but mostly stood there with our jaws dropped in astonishment at how beautiful the Basilica was. Unfortunately the grottoes (the Pope's tombs) were closed for the day so we didn't get to see those, but the Basilica was too great to be disappointed.
After the Basilica we walked outside of it, stood, and overlooked all of Saint Peter's Square for a little while watching people setting up flowers, the stage, the microphones, etc. for the Pope for the Easter Vigil later on in the day. We looked up and saw the balcony that the Pope stands on when he looks over Saint Peter's Square on Easter.
Then, at the end of the square we saw a huge line and were curious as to what everyone was waiting in line for? Maybe it was to be let in to find a spot for the mass? We didn't know. We found someone standing in line who looked like they spoke some English and asked. Apparently, that was the line for Saint Peter's Basilica, we, somehow, took a shortcut and were let in on the side. SCORE!!!
Not only had we bypassed the huge line for the Vatican Museums, but we also bypassed the huge line for Saint Peter's Basilica....on accident.... We were in luck today!
Leaving Saint Peter's Square, our next building to see was Sant Angels Castle. We took pictures of the outside of the castle, but the ticket to get in was another 13 euro for another castle we had no idea what it was.
We crossed the bridge in front of the castle to find a bunch of street vendors selling tourist trinkets and bums playing music for money. Along the street was a man playing the drums on pots, pans, buckets, etc. He was actually pretty good too, he kept a great beat.
We walked along the river more and found little tents with handmade jewelry and finally, our favorite, a dried fruit stand! Of course we had to stop; I got banana chips and Amanda got her normal dried fruit. We ate our fruit and walked along and then decided to hop on the metro and take a little metro tour.
We rode the metro and got off to see things and then got back on and went to our next destination.
Then we caught the bus, yes, the right bus, and rode around trying to find a place to eat for dinner near where our hotel was. Nothing was open because it was 5:30 and apparently restaurants in Rome don't open until 6:30 for dinner, but after a long search, we finally found a place to eat.
Then it began to pour (rain).
At the restaurant we had a calzone, which wasn't very good, but for dessert we had fried bread that were in little gnocchi balls with nutella and powdered sugar on the top: talk about delicious, my taste buds were in heaven.
After dinner we walked down the street to find a bus stop, but got all the way to the bridge over the river and couldn't find one, so we figured we would just go to the same bus stop we got off at and ride the bus all the way around and eventually get back to the hotel.
Well, while we were waiting across the street, we saw our bus and it stopped on the other side. We sprinted through the traffic, in the pouring rain, and jumped on the bus just in time!
When we got back to the hotel, we were soaking wet and ready to take a warm hot shower. We put on the Easter Vigil Mass that the Pope was giving and fell asleep.
Day 9: Vatican is the prettiest place in the world
March 29,2013-
Today was the big day: the day we made the trek from Florence to our final destination in Italy: Rome.
Our alarms were set for 7:15 and we would be walking to the train station, this time, WITHOUT getting lost.
Well, we woke up, ate breakfast at the hotel, walked out the hotel for the last time and started our journey, in the pouring rain, to the train station.
Alas, we made it to the train station........without getting lost!!!!!!!! Five stars for us!!!
On the train we rode first class, which was immaculate. We had big leather seats and there was no one in the cabin besides us. We got free snacks and a free newspaper to read too.
The ride on the train only took about 2 hours and we got to see more of the beautiful countryside of Italy. We were on the high-speed train and since we were riding in first class they had monitors which told us how fast we were going: 250 km/h (155 mph)!
We arrived in Rome to the train station, got on the metro and got off at the appropriate stop that corresponded with our hotel location. Now the challenge: finding the hotel in the streets of Rome. This should be interesting.
In the directions that the hotel gave us they said to get on a specific bus at the stop right outside of the metro, but because Allison is so good with maps and so scared of the crazy bus system, I found directions before hand on how to get there by walking. What. a. disaster.
We walked about an hour to get to our hotel. The directions were correct and we weren't lost (although we thought we were because we had been walking for so long) but it took us a whole hour, nonstop walking, to get there. When we arrived the receptionist asked how the journey was and we told her about our long walk. She said we had walked about 3 miles and proceeded to look at us like we were crazy, we really were, so I don't blame her.
However, before all of this, the Colosseum, which we had to see today because it'd be closed the rest of the time we were there, was closing at 2 p.m. due to the Pope coming for the Stations of the Cross. Well, after our walk, it was 12:30.
We had an hour and a half to figure out the bus and get to the Colosseum. We could do it.
Quickly, we threw our stuff in our room, talked to the receptionist about how to get to the Colosseum, and got on the correct bus to go.
We did make it before 2 p.m. and we did get to go inside. Apparently it was closing at 4, not 2. We walked around the Colosseum for awhile and took pictures and since we were planning on seeing the Stations of the Cross and wanted good seats, decided to walk across the piazza to the Palantine Gardens and the Roman Forum.
We walked through the entrance and just after us, they closed the gates and weren't letting anyone else in. We were literally the last people let in.
We wandered around the beautiful gardens and then down to the Roman Forum for awhile. As it got later in the day we decided it would be a good idea to stake out our spot so we had a good view of the Pope for later on that night.
By the time we had got down to where he was supposed to be there was already people starting to put their stuff down, so we did too. It was 4 p.m., the Stations didn't start until 9: it was going to be a long night.
I sat down and claimed our space while Amanda went to find a store to get dinner and snacks for the night.
Then, after sitting there for 2 hours, the guards told us that everyone needed to be pushed out of the piazza and go through security. Makes sense, but why didn't they tell us that before, instead of us waiting there for 2 hours with this perfect spot and now being put with the people who just arrived ten minutes ago. Needless to say, it was complete chaos: everyone started yelling and flailing their hands in the air.
Eventually everyone was pushed out of the piazza and standing behind these gates waiting to be let back in. Ambulances were trying to cut through the crowd and utility trucks were also trying to get through brining more gates to put around.
Finally, one last truck was let in, by this time, we were around the back of the crowd. Then, we see one man walking behind the very back of the truck, so we followed. When the people in the front saw us doing this, they started yelling again, but hey, it got us pretty much to the front of the line.
We were let in and then we sprinted to the spot we wanted to be. There was only one row of people in front of us. PERFECT. However, we still had three hours until the event even started, which meant we had to stand there for three hours. in one place.
A long three hours it was, but so worth it. The Scouts of Europa handed our candles to every person in the crowd along with a book of the Stations of the Cross to follow along. The candle sticks weren't such a good idea, because with candles, comes fire and that many people standing so close together with their candles lit, meant trouble. No wonder there were thousands of firefighters and medical people walking around everywhere.
After what felt like forever and a day, the Stations finally began. The Pope arrived and began in the Colosseum and then (magically) appeared under the red tent that stood over where we were. To his left was a cross made out of fire and circling him in the air were three doves. They continued to fly around him the whole time he was up there. When he first walked up everyone was screaming and yelling "Viva el Papa." That's what he is referred to in both Italian and Spanish. He talked for a little and then the stations commenced. He stood for about ten minutes of the stations and then sat back in his chair. There was a procession of priests and nuns that walked with a cross throughout the space in the middle of the crowd that was sectioned off, for each station, eventually ending up where the Pope was on the ledge. After the stations finished the Pope stood up again and spoke for awhile and then gave the sea of people a blessing. The ceremony was over and the Pope left.
The ceremony was so beautiful, to be in the presence of the Pope and be able to see him, is one of the greatest blessings. Such a life-changing experience.
By the end of the night our legs were shaking and we could barely walk. Now, it was time to walk to the bus and make our journey back to the hotel.
Well, Allison thinks she knows the Roman public transportation system and we got on a different bus than the one we were supposed to because the right one was taking too long. This led us to getting lost and only having a half hour to figure out a way back before the buses closed completely.
Long story short, we couldn't find our way and the bus driver wasn't helping us either, so we got the nearest taxi and just paid for a taxi home.
After a long day of traveling and standing, we finally laid our heads to sleep at 1:30 a.m.The only sitting we had done for the day was on the train at for 2 hours waiting for the Pope: our feet/legs were about to fall off.
Day 8: I'd do it all again
We ate brunch and had mimosas and bloody mary's at a little brunch cafe called "Milk." Everything about the inside of the restaurant was so cute and laid back. I had french toast with berries on top and greek yogurt on the side. I mixed the berries in with the greek yogurt and poured maple syrup on the french toast and I was in heaven. I cannot tell you how delicious it was, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!!!!
