In the sun of Italia

June 14, 2009

Instead of staying in Capri, we are staying in the upper part of the Island Anacapri. We are staying a beautiful hotel! The hotel is an older hotel and has been on the island for a long time. Today I had amazing time. My mom and I went out on a private boat and saw the whole island. We cruised around for 2 hours and saw some grotto's ( caves) They were beautiful! The water was see through blue, and you could see coral on the rocks. At one point my mom and I jumped into the sea and swam through the cave. It was an amazing experience! The stay has been very relaxing here and I don't want to leave! The wine is great and the food is amazing! After here I'm heading to Sicily!

June 15, 2009

This morning my mom and I took the chair lift to view all of the island. What a beautiful site! Today we walked down to a beach near a lighthouse. Lied out on the rocks with the sea water hitting them. Had lunch at a nice lighthouse restaurant near our lying area.

June 18, 2009

Sicily is a little bit of a disappointment. I thought it would be nicer, but I found it to be a little sketchy. There was not that much beauty compare to everywhere I have been. While staying in Sicily my mom and I decided to rent a car for the 3 days. We drove in madness! People drove fast, out of lanes, and with honking horns! We barley made it out alive! We drove to a park with some pretty waterfalls on our 2nd day, then drove around trying to find a beach with just getting lost. We finally turned the car back around to make it back and on the way pulled over and found a beach. The water was very clear and very cold!

The very last day there we went beach hoping. At one beach we lied out on the pebbles and soaked up the sun. We even had a chinese lady give us a massage on the beach. Afterwards we went out on another private boat and enjoyed listening to Italian music and looking out at the beautiful sea!

From Switzerland to the ocean

June 10, 2009

Well switzerland was amazing. I did a lot of hiking and saw a lot of beauty! I went paragliding off the mountain and flew in the air for 20 mins. Now I'm in the beauty of Greece! The weather is hot and the sunset is beautiful! My mom and I are staying in a beautiful hotel off the cliffs of Santorini. You look out the window and see the sea and little buildings on the edge of the cliff with the sun facing you! Amazing! I feel like I am on my honeymoon or something.

Yesterday my mom and I walked down the 1,000 steps to the bottom of the sea and had a sail on this pirate looking boat. We saw the volcano and hiked it. Then went to the hot springs. I jumped off the boat into the cold water....wasn't very hot. After the swim we ate on the boat and had Greek wine and watched the famous sunset at Oia.

June 11, 2009

Today was crazy! It was our last day in Santorini, so we rented a car. I got tired of waiting on my mom so I caught the bus and went to the Red Sea. Not much of red, they had red rocks, but that's it. Then finally my mom came to find me, while I hiked for an hour looking for a bus. She finally found me and drove around looking for nice beaches. We drove most of the day being lost. But we did drive pretty much of the whole island and saw some nice beaches. Leaving the Island to Athens, Greece!

June 12, 2009

Athens, is ummm not that pretty. Nothing like the islands. The history was nice but that's it. I'm only here for today and leave tomorrow back to my 2nd home Italia!!! I'm flying to Naples and take the boat to Capri. I've been to Capri, and can't wait to be there again. Very beautiful island.

Switzerland

I'm here in lovely switzerland in Lauterbrunnen. I'm down in a valley surrounded by mountains and green fields with sheep and cattle. This place is by far the most beautiful place i've been to in the world (out of the 13 countries I've been to). For the people who know me, they know that I have a passion for the outdoors and a love for hiking. So this place is a piece of heaven for me.

Yesterday is when my mom and I arrived in Switzerland from Paris. We traveled by train, and it took about 5 hours to get here. The train ride was quite an adventure, madness, and stressful. The reason because my mom broke her rips before she came to Europe to see me... therefore I have to carry her luggage plus mine. While doing this yesterday, we had to get on and off different trains plus find our train....so finally my body couldn't take the weight or stress from the 180 pound suitcases ( I'm not lying about the weight) and I pulled my back out. And from living in Europe I have learned that there is no such thing as a "southern gentleman". It took awhile for my mom to realize this.

But now I'm here in Switzerland away from the crazy city life and can come apart of nature. With my stubbornness and my mothers stupidity, we are going hiking today....even if I have a pulled out back and her with a broken rip. Maybe we will both get such a high from this beauty and forget our pain :) Okay well off to explore. Much love to you all!

Amore, Ash

Spring Break; Part 1

Ciao tutto! Spring has begun! YAY!!! So far I have been to Monaco and parts of the west of Italy. I went to Monaco, Monte Carlo alone. I went for three days to just get out of Milan and enjoy the beach. The begging was already at a ruff start. I got onto the bus to get me to the metro, and it stopped at the middle of the route because there was a race going on in the city. So I had to walk/run for 30  min to get to the metro (taking me 10 min to finally know where I was) 2 hours later I finally end at my final designation, il treno, the train. My seats were by three men, whom all looked sketchy. Now off to Monaco...a four hour trip.

Getting off the train, arrived at Monte Carlo, I stepped off thinking "okay, I got this, I've reached it this far on my own, I can do this!" Looking around not knowing how to even exit the station, going up and back down the stairs, I finally walk out into the warm ocean breeze. First thing I see is the ocean looking back at me and cliffs surrounding me everywhere. BEAUTIFUL!!! I walk up this very very steep hill with my bags, thinking "okay, so the hotel is just a 1 min walk, to the left....I think". Walking, sweating, breathing hard, I finally reach the top. YAY. Too bad I had know idea where I was. Yes, I was LOST. So i decided It was best to just get a taxi. I thought to myself "Hmmmm, my 2 years of French from high school could be really helpful right now. Too bad I made a D, both times". I walked up to the taxi, and the first thing out of my mouth was "mmmm, uhhhhh, mmmm". The man, in English, says to me "where do you need to go"? ahhh hahah, yay he knows some English! I get into the BMW "taxi" and he takes me back down the hill I hiked, and took a right, and there was my hotel. So yay, I spent 10 euros for him to take me back to where I was.

It was a Sunday night, and nothing was open. So after I settled into my room, I went to a "bar" to get some dinner. Sitting alone, eating chicken pizza, and enjoying a glass of wine....I notice these group of business men conversing in French, and then all of the sudden one starts speaking in English. So naturally, I listen, and this blonde hair man, slight 40's, with a nice blue shirt and slacks, starts getting mad at one of the men. I hear him say "Tell me the Truthz, with a French accent (reason for the "Z" at the end) He says to him, you owe me money, and he starts getting into this heated conversation. Through all of this, they are drinking their beer, and seem to be pretty plastered. They finish, and get up to leave....The blonde hair man, walks my way, pulls the chair at my table, and sits.

A Glimpse of Hell

Hola!!! Okay so it is March 28th 2009, and I am in Barcelona, Spain. I arrived here on Thursday March 26th 2009. There is a group of us here: Brian and Jessica ( 19 and 21, a couple from Calif., Amanda (21 from NY). We arrived to our hostel at 12 at midnight. Now let me set up the scene:
Walking in the Hostel Star and Moon, we all saw a bunch of guys dressed in dresses and wearing make-up and bras stuffed, inside the lobby area. My first reaction was, "This is not a good sign". We talked to the two men working at the hostel, checking in ( one younger man who spoke some English, and one older man, about late early 5o´s who spoke no English). I was paying for my hostel, which came to a total of 50 euros for three nights, the bedroom was an 8 bedroom, and i noticed as I was paying, that the yonger Spanish guy had this loooong pinky nail. And I´m guessing you all know what that means.... We found out we had to pay for exrta sheets (if wanted) and blankets. We asked does this mean the sheets are not clean??? The guy just starting smiling and laughing. We said, so is this a no...the man stops laughing and said ¨"no, they are clean" with a smirk. As the rest are paying for the rooms, this Italian guy, that was with the group who were dressed in dresses and wearing make up...came up to me and started speaking Italian, I just said sorry dont understand, then he said something about inglese (english)...then looks at me with this straight blank face and says ¨Animal" I turned to Amanda, and said " what is going on"? then 5 mins later he comes back and by, stops, and looks at me and says " Smalllll Animal"....and hops off like a kangaroo. I begin to just laugh, and believe that Im in hell.
We all walk up to our room.... there are 8 bunk beds, and looks like camp. The sheets on the bed are all inside out ( hmmm so this is how they clean the sheets).
We then decide to go get something to eat before we went to bed... as we walked to the lobby area, the older Spanish man who works at the Hostel, was in the bathroom sniffing and rubbing his nose, sooooo pretty sure he was doing coke.....As we walked out into the streets, there were a bunch of drunks out, men trying to sell stuff on the streets...one man asked¨"oooo would you like some sexy beer" It really was like walking the streets of Hell!!!
We finally get back to our nasty room and go to bed around 3 am. I did not trust the sheets at all!!! So I slept in my jeans, jacket, and shoes. In the middle of the night, I hear the door open of our room... I thought maybe it was one of the girls. The next morning, I found out by my roommates, that it was the old spanish guy. He just walked into our room, went into the bathroom, walked around the room and left!!! At this point I said this is it for me!!! I can´t believe that the guy just walks into the room in the middle of the night! I mean that is just creepy!!!! So that was when I decided that staying in a hostel run by crack heads, sleeping in clothes, and crazy guest, that i was going to just get a hotel on my own.
So that day, the group of us explored the city. It was much different in the day than at night. The city was very beautiful! the sun was shinning and it was nice and warm. We walked everywhere that day. We walked through this beautiful park... as we walked through it, there were these group of older womean dressed in white doing this type of slow yoga movements....I´m not sure what they were doing, but I felt like I was on drugs, and was trippin. Then we came across a group of young kids running and playing in the park....they were like little demons....they were all hitting and punching each other, throwing sand at each other....and they were like only 5 years old. I was very amused.
Finally the crazy day came to an end... I found a hotel to stay at for 80 euros for Friday night, and found another one for 5o euros the other 2 nights I´m here. I dedcided not to go out with the group, becuase I really did not have the money too and the nights in Spain really scare me! I walked into my hotel and checked in, and the guy working at the desk was about my age and fairly good looking. He asked me if I was going to party and and told him no. He then said, " you go for drinks then, with me"? I just laughed....and he said why you laugh. I then went outside to buy me a bottle of wine and some candy...got back to the hotel and went to my room...and realized that i needed a bottle opener....went downstairs and asked the guy if he knew where i could get one, he turned around and reached in the drawer and had a opener in his hand. He then went up to my room and opened it for me,....sooo that was my night. It was very uhhh interesting 2 days in Barcelona.
I am now waiting for all of my hung over friends to get up and go sight seeing again today. So hope you guys enjoyed my crazy story. Becuase i sure know I laugh about it every time I think about it. Miss you all! Amore- ASh

Italian Hair Salon

Okay..Allora...soooo my roots were getting pretty bad and decided to go to get some highlights. I walked around trying to find a hair salon, and one that spoke some english and not very expensive. I Finally came across this place called David Louis Jeans, which none spoke english (except a little). Walked in with no appointment (which was nice) and told them I needed highlights. He said okay... and took me to the chair. Let me just say they do highlights a lot different in Italy than in the U.S....He took a comb with the coloring on it, and barely streaked my hair with it. I was like WHAT IS GOING ON?! Then he did not even leave the coloring on for long... he washed it out and then wrapped plastic wrap around the top of my head. This italian woman came up to me and started saying "everything OK". Then started to spray "fiore" wash on my hair....flower wash, as she called it. I was like hmmmmm at this point. Then I started to hear the man say something that sounded like orange, this was not a good thing to hear.  Finally everything was done, and went upstairs to dry my hair. The Italian woman brought me coffee and gelato, which i found very nice of her!.... Then i got brave and decided to tell them to trim my bangs...the lady used a razor that you use to buzz guys hair... I found this to be a interesting approach. So end of story.... My hair looks pretty much the same, a little red in it, and still have my roots. All of this cost me 60 euros, which is the cheapest I have seen in Milan.

Living the luxury, but not so luxury life

 Ciao ciao! Today I woke up to LOUD hammering, LOUD drilling, and crying baby all next to my room, at 7 am! So had a nice headache ha. Then we have 3 extra people staying at my apartments right now, soooo we have madness. We have no hot water, I have not had a shower in three days... Hmmmm but I am in Italy! Can't have it all right :)

Today I did have someone be very kind... I was carrying three heavy bags of groceries and this older man said something to me in Italian, and i was like uhhh... and then he grabbed my bag... I was like "no no no, I have it" and he just started to talk a little in english and Italian and walked with my bag all the way to my apartment, then i said thanks, and he said your welcome and kept on walking. I was very thankful, and he wasn't creepy at all.

I have exams all this week, sooo thats what I'm doing now blaaaahhh. So got to get to studying! Ciaoooooo!

Amore *Ash*

oeuffff!

  Allora..... Io cosi cosi. Soooo... I'm doing so so. I've been resting all day. It's nice just to do nothing , niente, for once. I will post some pictures soon... I forgot my camera cord, so I have to use my roommates computer to do so.

OH i joined a gym today!!!! YAY! very excited about that!!! It was only 50 euros for 3 months. So now I can back to feeling like myself hah! 

The other night I went out to this little small Italian place for dinner, cena. It was all done by one single old woman. She cooked, served, and cleaned!!! She only allows 50 ppl, and I can see why! I had the best pasta though!!

Well talk to you soon! Ti voglio bene!! Ciaooooo

Ash

Amazing weekend!!!

Ciao ciao ciao!! So I have had a amazing weekend! On thursday Michele took me out to dinner for seafood, since I was craving something other than pasta. I had fish with artichokes. It was Yum-O!

On Friday I went to an Italian home dinner at Flowers house. A friend of Michele's. There was four other Italians and three South American girls. There was a mixture of Italian, Spanish, and English the whole night. I felt like I was at a movie. For some odd reason I did not feel left out or uncomfortable, with even 95% of the night was in conversation of Italian! Flower, the host from Naples, cooked a WONDERFUL meal! We first had noodles with clams, and then the second course we had salad with oil and stuffed salmon. There was vino, after vino, after vino (wine). It was like how you would always imagine a Italian dinner would be! Afterwards we all went to Shocking, a club. We got in for VIP and had a fun time dancing the calories away. This was by far my most amazing experience in Italy and life!!!! I smile everyday just looking back and thinking about the night!

Saturday weekend I went to Lake Como. Lake Como is only a hour and half away from Milan. It's where George Clooney has a house. It was such a lovely day, the sun was shinning and there was a light breeze. I went with a bunch of Americans, there was 6 of us. We spent the day hiking to the top of the bluff and overlooked the bella view of Lake Como!! We had lunch by the lake side, and for dinner had pizza off in a little street. 

On Sunday I went to Bergamo. A city outside of Milano in Lombardy, about a hour. I went with Michele, because it was his home town and he wanted to show me around. When we got there by train, Michele sister picked us up and we went to their parents home for lunch. I got to experience a real Italian family dinner! I had a nice pasta dish with cheese, then had RABBIT!!! Ahhhh, never had rabbit before...it was not bad. Had artichokes as well. Then for dessert we had some kind of pastry and gelato. And finished with prosseco (an sparkling white wine/ champaign) and a shot of lemmon chello. His parent spoke English pretty well, the father had a little hard time with certain words... there would be times that I would hear them speak Italian, but after all I am in ITALY!!! Afterwards before we left, Michele's father gave me some treats to take back with me! It was so sweet!!! After lunch, Michele showed me around Bergamo. It was so beautiful!!! There was cobble streets, amazing views, beautiful grande (huge) churches, and many stairs!!  I had absolutely a wonderful time and will never forget such a day!!!

Falling in Love with Milano

I am beginning to fall in love with the people here in Milano. Everyday is better. People are beginning to attempt to talk to me and greet me, and starting to feel welcome here in Milano. The other day i went to have an espresso and the man beside me started talking to me, even though I could only figure out a few things he was saying, since he knew no English at all. Also the taxi drivers here are always so friendly as well as funny. The other night I got a taxi to go home and the man was just asking me a million questions, and the conversation was quite funny bc it was all in Italian... and I KNOW SO LITTLE. But we got by... when i got home he kept kissing my hand and saying how bella I was haha.

I'm starting to grow less fond of the Americans here, and spending more time with the Italians. My roommate is nice to me but not overly nice. She seems to give me a vibe that she does not like me... I'm not sure why though. As always it's hard to make girlfriends.

I'm starting to feel more distant towards American culture and really feel like the European lifestyle has always been in my soul. I get espresso 3 or 5 times a day, take transportation, walk everywhere, don't eat breakfast, no gym, and of course always dress to impress :)

I was suppose to go to Florence this weekend with a group of Americans, but I decided to stay in Milano. Since I have seen the city before, it wouldn't be as exciting. So I rather save my money and go somewhere I haven't been before. Anyways tonight there is a real Italian home cooked food, get together I got invited to. I think that itself is worth the experience. Well time to take a nap, I'm exhausted. Bounanotte! Ciao

Amore* Ash*

Venice

Soooo Venice was fun. Since I was there not even a year ago, I had already seen all the main places and monuments... So instead I just explored the city with my Italian friend and got a total different view of the city. The carnival was crazy, there were so so so many people there! Once I got to Venice, we ate a cute little place and I had a veggie pizza...because I LOVE PIZZA haha. Then afterwards just explored the city. People were wearing mask, costumes, wigs, and there were a lot of singing and dancing. I met some Austria girls, who were pretty cool. Got a picture with the boat guy. Had hot spice wine. Attempted to sing opera. And try to ask a question in Italian to a guy, and he asked if I spoke inglese?...and come to find out, two americans were trying to converse with each other in Italian ahhh hahah. I found it very funny.

On Sunday I had my apartment to myself, since my roommates went to torrino. I just wanted to stay home and chill. Later that evening I went out with Michele for dinner at a cool Indian place. Then went to Bar Magenta for drinks with some other Italians. It was interesting because they all conversed to each other in Italian and just sat there trying really hard to understand what they were saying. But it was fun.

I was at first hanging out with Americans when I got here in Milano, but I want to experience the culture, the people, and the language of the Italians... and I can not do that if I hang out with my American friends. Yes, I may be hanging out with a bunch of guys, if it was my choice I would be hanging out with girls... but those that know me, All girls are bitchy, and here in Italy, it's not any different. So the only Italian friends I have... are guys. They are all nice, and not at all charming like the Italians down south. So I don't have to worry about being charmed or hit on. Each day I find myself falling in love with Milano.

Amore.

Ash

Good Morning Milano!

Ciaooooooo! Just got up and am about to go run in the famous parco of Sempione. Very pretty and right near campus. I have not done ANY exercise since i have been to Mialno! And for those who know me, uhhhh my life is at the gym!!! All I have been doing is eating bad food, drinking everyday, and uhhhh quickly killing my good habits hah!! So today the sun is shinning and thought since it's a Friday and have nothing to do, I'll go for a run. I think after my run I will go and shop a little. I'm going to Venice tomorrow to the carnival with ESEG group and American friends of mine here. It's suppose to be a lot of fun. Everyone wears masks, drinks,....just a big fiesta!!  So I'll update you with  the results later.... Miss you all!!! Ciao ciao!

Amore! 

Ash

A Great Day in Milano

Ciao! Ciao! Today was a great day, did not run into any problems. I went to my new film class, which was interesting. We have to write a script and then act it out at the end of the semester. Sounds like it will be fun. Then I went and had lunch my friend Kendall, and went and bought new shoes (since i ruined mine, when i fell the other night). Had some yummy gelato. Then went to the supermarket to get some food for home. I had a lady smile at me in the supermarket, I was quite impress. Came home and then cooked dinner, which was butternut squash ravioli. So today was a great day!

To sum up the weekend....

On friday feb 15, I went shopping for some shoes, which I could not find any. Then I went and had aperitivo with my friend Michele, down by the Cadorna Station. It was a nice day as well.

On Saturday feb 14, which was Valentines Day. I went to the street supermarket, it was very very crowded!!! Then came home and got ready to go to Le Banque club/bar for V day. It was not a great night. I got there and waited in line forEVER, out in the freezing cold! Then once I got in, I could barely move! It was impossible to get a drink. Which the drinks were 10 euros! Then around 3, we left to go home. The roomies thought it would be a good idea to go by the Kabab place, to get something to eat...I was sooo hungry, so I got a little too excited and started to run down the street with 4 inch heels, and BAM!!! Fell right into the sidewalk, yes into it ha. And the shop was closed :( SO not such a great night....Oh forgot to mention how when before I left the club... I went and stood in line for the coat check. To get my coat of course... well this guy totally pushed and cut in front of me, and bought had by then with these rude pushy Italians...Sooo I started cussing and screaming at him...and this guy in line said "It's just how it is" ha, guess he knew English :)

Sunday, Feb 15, After a whole day of sleep....The roomies and I went out for aperitivo, and watched the soccer game, Inter Vs AC, which both teams are for Milan, Italy. Inter won! For those who don't know, AC is the team with David Beckham!

Talk to you soon! 

Amore!

Arrival In Milano

 Ciao! My mother surprised me with first class on the flight from NY to Milano....SO I was in luxury! Had wine served to me, great food, and new movies to watch, had a recline chair....it was perfecto!!!

I arrived at the airport in Milano at 7. I knew I was in trouble when i got off the plane and got my luggage and went out the exit doors... I thought I was suppose to go through customs, so I just followed the sign that said exit....as going out the exit door (as many people were doing) this policeman stopped me. He started talking to me in Italian, and I was just said "uhhhhhh" so I guess he picked up that I didn't speak Italian. So he spoke in broken english, and let's just say it was a hard convo to have! So finally after a few questions,  he let me through. 

After i exit, I was on the outskirts of the inside airport and just stood there for 30 mins absorbing everything in, and trying to release what the hell I was doing!!! I was pretty calm I must say though. I just stood there reading the map in Italian, and watching the people. Finally I went outside of the airport, and stood for about 20 mins, and finally I saw a taxi, he saw me looking at him and nodded his head to come over. So I went over and he got my bags...I told him " Parlo un puo Italiano" I speak a little Italian. Then he replied, "Well I speak a little English" so we went from there.

Arrived at the hotel after 80 euros. Got my room, and slept for 5 hours. Then my friend I met on facebook, came in about 3. We went to have dinner, and the only thing open was a bar. We went in not knowing what to do. Everyone was looking at us and knew we were American! We sat down for 15 mins trying to figure out how to order. Finally I remembered that you have to go to the front and pre pay for your food and drinks, then take the ticket to the bar. ( I remembered that from last year) We went back to the hotel and slept from 7 till 8 the next morning. And woke up to a lot of snow!

We had to go to the school to get our keys to our apartment. Which was another adventure!! We got a taxi to the building, walked in and no one helped us...we just stood there, and the local students just passed us by while we stood there with a ton of luggage!!! Finally this man helped us out. We got to the office, and everyone was nice, and speaking ENGLISH!!!! I met all the other international students, who all seemed nice.

A bunch of us got into this van like a bunch of Mexicans... there was 6 of us and 40 suitcases!!! We all got dropped off to our apartments. My apartment is about 30 mins from the city and University. The cool thing was... the same girl that stayed with me at the hotel, is my roommate! The apartment is in a little gated community, and has 2 bedrooms and 1 freaking bathroom with 3 other girls! There are two balcony viewings. A kitchen and living room as well.

Today after I got into the apartment me and my friend explored the city for lunch. We found this pizza place, and once again they did not speak english at all!!! After we figured it out, we ate, and the pizza was sooooo good!!! We asked the man working at the pizza place where the bancomat was and he directed us in the best way in Italian. After we got done, we went to get coffee and ran into the pizza man there, he ordered our coffee for us, since we did not know how, and paid for it!! Very cool! OkAY Well thats all I got for now! Arrevederci!!! Amore!