It's Rome, What Can I Say?

Rome has totally kicked my butt. Sam and I are absolutely exhausted--surprise, surprise--from yet another day of adventures.

So we are staying in this kind of odd hostel where the people are friendly and two meals are free, but completely different than the two previous. Last night we met three Americans, who of all coincidences, were headed to Florence today and Venice after that, and they are staying the same hostel as we did in Florence. I was a lot of help in getting them ready for the adventures that await them in both places.

When we got into Rome yesterday, we tried to head off the see the Colosseum, but got only as far as the outside, since it was closed...really really early too! So of course the Roman Forum was closed as well, but we took a walk up the Palatine Hill, which was neat. We came back early, frustrated and tired from crazy traffic, closed sights, and unfulfilled plans.

So this morning, we got up to go to the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's. First we had to figure out the Metro, which isn't bad if you know how ANY subway system works...except for the slight snag of being in a different language..and then we headed off in a slight drizzle. By the time we got there, the line was horrendously long, and it was pouring. One hour and about 3 pounds of water in my clothes and hair later, we were in. It was an interesting visit...we were wet, the art was amazing, and we were wet...but we had an adventure.

We came back, changed into dry clothes, and better prepared for inclimate weather (which turned out to be bright, warm, beautiful sunshine--go figure) and went inside the Colosseum. No words can describe how incredibly worth it that visit was. I have some great pictures to prove it (once I can upload them, I will be as good as my word). Then we went back to St. Peter's, an absolutely breath-taking visit. I had no idea being there would affect me so much. I was at the heart of Catholicism, and I felt so incredibly at peace. And I can admit it, when I did the ceremonious touch of St. Peter's feet, I burst into tears. After a stressful and wet day, I felt better and everything felt worth it. If I come back to Rome someday, the Vatican is number one on my lists of stops.

Tomorrow, off to Pompeii and Paestum for some incredible Greco-Roman ruins...

Oh and by the way...

Sam and I totally got to see the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, AND Machiavelli at Santa Croce Church!! All you Ashbrooks and Sikkenga fans, be jealous!!!

Florence in Good Weather

So Sam and I, on videotape, officially recanted our worries from last night that Florence would turn out to be a dirty and chaotic city that pales in comparison to Venice. But this morning, we were up at six, gone forty-five minutes later, and we are back, exhausted and dead on our feet eight hours later, having seen pretty much the entire city, from the Arno River to the train station. And while the traffic and the people are less attractive than Venice, Florence is an amazing city absolutely drenched in beautiful history. We met a very nice American couple at the Accademia, and again by the Arno in front of the Ufizzi. It was nice to compare notes on the differences between Venice and Florence, since they had just left Venice the day before, like we did.

So we have added the Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce Church, and the Basilica Santa Maria Novella to our list of sights. All were amazing, and all have contributed equally to one very restful night sleep that we are going to have later tonight.

Oh Italy, How I Love Thee

Well, I made it safely to Erfurt to drop off my luggage. the city is a weird mix of 80's, and fashion chic, old world and new. it will be interesting to study there and explore its history more.

Venice was amazingly beautiful and peaceful despite the Carnival. Sam and I had a great time and many adventures, one of which involves and cute little nun and a very friendly local. More details to come when I have more time (half hour limit is NOT enough!!)

Also, we are now in Florence, which is suicidally busy compared to Venice. But the art and the sights are great, so can I really complain with a good conscience?

Anyway, that is all, unfortunately I can post right now. There is a line for the free internet at this hostel! Oh, and as a result, I cannot post my pictures yet. Sorry! Hopefully later!

HUGE HUGE Thank you!

Although they do not know about the blog, I would still like to take the opportunity to publicly thank four people at Ashland University: Jim Barnes, Vice President of Business Affairs; Carl Gerbasi, Vice President of Enrollment Management; Terri Hudson, Bookstore Director; and Jill Hiltner, Bookstore Assistant Manager/Merchandise Manager. Jim Barnes and Carl Gerbasi, when I asked them for help in purchasing gifts to take with me to Erfurt University, lent me their support in a very big way. Carl sent me a goody bag of T-shirts, pens, and wristwatches, while Jim sent me to the Bookstore to meet Jill and Terri, who helped me pick out a whole slew of AU gear to take with me to Erfurt. To give you a better idea of their extreme generosity, check out the picture of all my booty below:I felt it was very important to thank Erfurt University for hosting me this semester, and as the first student from AU to study at Erfurt, my presence there would have a great impact on their general opinion of Ashland University. It is a good idea for me to make a good impression, and to stress, through my attitude toward Erfurt University, AU's hope for a long-lasting and prosperous relationship. With that in mind, I knew I did not have the resources to do this message justice. So Carl, Jim, Terri and Jill, thank you SO SO much for recognizing the importance of bringing gifts to Erfurt, and for your willingness to go above and beyond what was minimally necessary. I mean, this is literally hundreds of dollars worth of awesome stuff!! My gratitude cannot be understated.

So, at the end of the day, there are two things that I can guarantee as a result: 1) the people of Erfurt University will really appreciate the gesture and AU's thoughtfulness, and 2) I will hopefully come back with similar offerings from Erfurt (because if nothing else, I will personally reciprocate the generosity).

Germany Countdown: 5 days

Italian Excursion Finalized

So it has taken me over a month (I personally blame it on my green-ness as a trip planner), but my 10 days in Italy are finally...well, final. I am very proud of the fact that I have successfully narrowed down my list of places to see in Italy from everything to a more manageable list, which is the following, in chronological order:

1. Venice
2. Florence
3. Rome
4. Pompeii
5. a surprise for Sam (:D)
6. Siena

Now that those 10 days are solid, I just have to worry about the other 18 days...

As my time at Emerson Climate Technologies winds down, I cannot believe I am so close to leaving this country behind for SIX months. In preparation, I find myself observing people and their general habits more closely, wondering which if any of them are uniquely American traits. Our obsession with reality shows and fast food, our love of shopping malls and hatred of aristocratic manners may all disappear in the presence of medieval castles and foreign languages. I look forward to the slow, leisurely European pace with greater opportunity to enjoy life and soak up the sights, but as an American who is obsessed with punctuality, I may also find the change difficult to handle or comprehend. Who knows? Only time in Italy will tell me if I will love gelato or can tolerate that stereotypical Italian male attitude; France, if I like wine rather than water with meals or can relate to and understand that devout French patriotism. As an avid people watcher, I plan on using those long meals and seemingly slower-moving clocks as an excuse to discover what is the same and what is surprisingly/delightfully different about the European philosophy toward everyday life.

Pre-travels philosophy

Last night, my sisters and I went to dinner with Michael Edwards, our Biology professor from our Post-Secondary days at Edison Community College. Mr. Edwards is a one-of-a-kind inspiration, in a class all of his own. Just spend a few moments with him, and you will walk away determined to follow his example and be a better person to the world, covering friends and enemies alike in good-natured humor and carpe diem philosophy.

We discussed my trip of course, which looms ever closer like the giant Snoopy at the Thanksgiving Day parade. I can feel its presence getting closer, but unlike seeing Snoopy, I still was not excited about seeing February 8th. There were too many obstacles between now and then, too many things left undone for me to truly enjoy the moment.

But now, post-Michael Edwards visit, I feel the anticipation grow. Mr. Edwards helped remind me that Europe is not so much filled with scary strangers, who speak not a wisp of English and are waiting to rob me blind and exploit my touristy frenzy, as it is a place covered with unforgettable memories and friends waiting to greet me in Italian, French, Spanish, German, or whatever the case may be. It is incredibly difficult to break out of a comfort zone once you have found it, and even more so after you have moved your stuff into it and your friends have come to join you. To step out of it once again is to throw away your favorite, lucky pair of jeans that are so worn they are not suitable for public use. You have trouble doing it, maybe even shed a tear or two, but it has to be done. And you are better off for having done it. Your growth as an individual and your wardrobe thank you for it.

The uptight and orderly-to-a-fault side of my personality and my comfort zone need people like Mr. Edwards to help me remember to seize the day, or as Mr. Edwards puts it, to rise and refuse to set again. So here's to you, Mr. Edwards. Thanks for the good laughs and the healthy dose of much needed optimism.


On a somewhat related note, last night I also had a chat with Kendra, a fellow Ashbrook scholar and German student at AU. She asked me questions about my trip and my plans, and by the end I realized that I know very little about what awaits me in Erfurt. I don't know what classes I will take; I don't even know what is offered (what crazy kind of university never offers the same class twice in over six semesters?). I won't know where I am going to live until I arrive in March, and I definitely have no idea who my roommate/s will be. Heck, I don't even know when the semester is over, beyond the vague answer of "the end of July" I got when I asked. At times, these are enough unknowns to almost make me want to go running back to AU next semester. But here I am, accepting what I cannot change or control, without shock therapy or hypnosis to talk me into it. Carpe diem that! But even better, I plan to not let it bother me. In a true break from everything my mom has taught me, I am going to ride the wave, not only enjoying it when the ride is over, but also the turbulence along the way.

Countdown to Germany: 28 days!!
(that's less than a month, on Thursday February 8th for all you calendar checkers out there)