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Wrapping Things Up

I’m currently back in the states, heading home from Chicago. What a trip this has been. I’ve had wonderful experiences, met many great people, learned a bunch and just had a great time overall.

I thank you all for the check ins, the thoughts and prayers, and the continued support. Most important too, thank you God for guiding me to this. This journey wouldn’t have been half of what it would be without God.

Here are some highlight look back pictures! Still a bummer a can only fit ten pictures cuz there would be way more I post!

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Food Appreciation Post

Lasagna night

The best zucchini risotto

Amazing spinach ravioli

Tarts are better in Italy

Sandwich Chic is fantastic

Cappuccinos here are better too

Can’t forget the cannoli

Best pizza was right by my apartment

Bruschetta is said differently here and tastes like garlic tomato heaven

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Roman Around Rome

Bad puns to start off you day. I have made it to Rome! This is my last full day in Italy and it feels a little bitter sweet. I’m not going to be returning to Bogo Pinti and I’m only spending one day here. If I’m being honest though, I’m ready to be back home in Ohio. I could gladly stay longer but sometimes you miss home.

BUT first, Rome. It is very much a busy city and there has been a lot of walking done already. It is also extremely hot here and you should not be without a water bottle on you. Not joking you’ll probably pass out from the heat if not. The good thing is there are lots of shady areas that can be found. I have already vited the coliseum, pantheon and the Trevi Fountain! My favorite thing so far has to be the Trevi Fountain. Hands down. It was beautiful and I even threw a coin in. There is a thing going around that the more counts you throw in the better your fortune. I only needed one though. I already feel fortunate.

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Finally A Food Post

For those wondering why I haven’t made a good food post yet of all the things I have had, it is because of many factors. One being I wanted to really gather some good food pictures and another is I wanted to taste the food here then post. I have had some amazing food during my month here. There will probably be many posts of it during my last moments. The thing that I want to focus on first is the pasta.

For those who know, I’m a very big pasta eater (possibly a big understatement). So as you could gather I was happy to splurge on some pasta in Italy. The place known for pasta. It was fantastic and more than delicious! Words can’t describe how happy I was getting here and digging in. I was not disappointed.

There was one more thing that I was more than happy to discover eating pasta here. From my first plate of pasta to the very last I never felt far away from home.

This goes specifically to my dads side of the family. If you want to taste a little bit of Italy, you won’t have to go far. Grandma you truly spoil us on Sunday lunches with your sauce. I remember sitting down to eat and being instantly transported back to grandmas kitchen. If I had to choose though, grandma you still make it better. As always, bless the cook.

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Lucky Days To Come

In my class this morning, we went to find this boar that actually hold a superstition with it. It is said that you should run the nose of the boar and to put a coin in its mouth. Let go of the coin and let it drop into the grate below for good luck and to come back to Florence one day.

Superstitions have been a role in culture and have been something that holds true to all the world. Here it’s the boar but others we have held to in the United States include, breaking a mirror is seven years bad luck, don’t walk under a ladder, and flushing ice cubes down the toilet will give you a snow day. It’s hard to imagine that last one being practiced here.

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Me realizing it’s gonna be 105 this week.

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Saint John the Baptist Festival

Today was a holiday here in Italy. Saint John the Baptist was chosen to represent the city of Florence and even has his life depicted on the golden doors of the baptistery that’s right next to the duomo. The day started out with a parade where it ended back at the duomo to lead into mass to celebrate. After mass there was a game that is a mix of wrestling, soccer and rugby. It’s brutal but teams battle it out to represent their section of the city. Then after that there was a second parade and other activities. Then to end things, fireworks. Which they do in fact do fireworks justice.

Also for an interesting tid bit.... if you want to know how Italians sound like when watching fireworks just think of toy story aliens when they see the claw.

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Random Update

So I forgot to mention something in my last post. Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii were all worth going to but I have to say I’m sore beyond belief. I thought I was before but nope. I took a 45 minute walk down steps and hills that were giant. Walking up took shorter time but it was still a big thing to tackle. I was so tired my legs were honestly shaking. From what I’ve heard it was about 60 flights of stairs that were walked total in just one day. The good thing is, I was able to enjoy the view.

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Weekend Trips Leave Lasting Memories

Hello again everyone, this weekend trip was a good one. Third weekend here in Italy was spent at Amalfi Coast. A bunch of friends and I took a six hour bus ride on Thursday night and arrived early in the morning with Bus2Alps. For those who know of my Breakaway trips with the Chapel, you know this was nothing compared to a 24 hour bus ride.

On Friday we walked to a boat that took us to the beach. Let me say something, the water here is the best. What isn’t though is rock beaches instead of sand ones. It actually hurt a lot. I’ll take a hot sand beach over a hot rock beach thank you. It was still a really nice time to lay out and I didn’t get burned so no lobster Mer pictures but you’ll see lots of boat pictures.

Saturday had one of my highlights. We took a boat around Capri and saw the entire island from the boat. Breathtaking is an understatement. I saw the blue grotto (although tides were high so couldn’t go in fully), a famous lighthouse, places where Jurassic park was filmed, and just beautiful landscapes.

Lastly, today was my other highlight that happened. I was able to visit Pompeii. I walked the streets, saw Mount Vesuvius, I saw the imprints of lives lost to the volcanic eruption. I saw bread and walnuts that were left behind. I could have spent all day there.

Now it is back to classes tomorrow, I only have 6 days left until I leave. Tomorrow also happens to be a very big day here in Florence. It’s the Staint John the Baptist festival tomorrow so stay tuned for more!

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It’s been such a tiring week that I’ll do more of a post later! For now to all I love back home, I’ve missed you dearly but I’m still having fun exploring.

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Ready for the weekend! This weekend it is off to the Amalfi Coast. This is my last full weekend here in Italy, next weekend I’ll be visiting Rome for a day and then flying from Rome to come back home to the United States. So until I get weekend trip pictures here is me with wings.

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10 Observations, Facts And Tips

1. The grocery stores here typically have very small frozen food sections.

2. In Venice they have a take out place where you can get pasta to go. Like Chinese take out... but pasta and yes it’s fantastic.

3. If you travel to Venice make sure you have euros on you not just card.

4. Venice is actually pretty easy to explore, you can spend a day and a half maybe two and get most of what you want to do done.

5. In the United States couples hold hands... in Italy it’s common to observe couples where the male holds the back of the neck of females.

6. There are public swimming pools here (you’ll have to still travel a bit to get to them). You’ll also have to wear a swimming cap to be able to

7. You want leg muscles come spend a month here. You’ll get them.

8. For magic the gathering fans, there is an awesome card shop here in Florence called Stratagemma. Good if you want to check out some Italian cards!

9. People will stop in front of you without warning when you���re walking. Even in non tourist spots.

10. Cohabitation is not really accepted here like in the United States.

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It’s back to Monday but still thinking about nights in Venice.

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Father’s Day Postings From Venice

I just wanted to say a happy Father’s Day to all the hard working dads out there. Especially to my dad who has always been a supporter of me and the one who I get my travel bug from.

Found a picture where we are bundled up because it’s way to hot here. It’s my last day in Venice and I’ll be back to Florence to start my third week in Italy. Its crazy to think I have 13 days until I leave to come back to the United States. Until then though, there is much more adventuring to be done!

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Venice In A Day

Let me first say that today was so surreal. I’m in Venice, island hopping and riding in gondolas, eating Italian food and walking over canals so many times I’ve lost count. I also want to take a moment to say this though, you get tired fast. The sun is beating down on you, you’re hot and sticky, feet feel like they are on fire from walking. The last time my feet have ached like this was back in high school after intense soccer practices. It’s a lot sometimes to try and fit everything in, especially in one day.

But on that flip side, you’ll feel the best sense of relief when you get to sit down. Water has never tasted so good before. You’ll burn calories to eat more gelato and tan more too. Best part is having memories to share with everyone too.

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Traveling By Planes, Trains, Automobiles And Lastly By Boat

It is back to the weekend!! Happy Friday everyone!! Hope your Friday is going as well as mine is. It’s the weekend again here which means another weekend trip. Last week was Cinque Terre, this weekend is beautiful Venice! This trip I have truly traveled by all forms of transportation.This has been a place I’ve truly wanted to visit for awhile. I’m a huge fan of water and seeing places for waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and so forth. So naturally Venice, with the water canals, was high on the list. Not even in the slightest disappointed or let down.

Day one has been filled with lots of walking around and trying to explore. A common theme that has been on this month long journey. I could spend way longer than just a weekend here. I love walking around and seeing the water and going over bridges. Which speaking of bridges, the Rialto Bridge is truly fantastic and I went there twice just today.

Here are some bonus pictures thrown in from today!

It’s been a long hot day that’s left me tired but wanting more. Tomorrow will hold more adventure and exploring. For now though, I’m off to bed reminding everyone to drink plenty of water, sunblock is not over rated and mosquitoes still suck.

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Ravioli Ravioli

What’s Italy without learning how to make some good ravioli...

Apparently I’m not half bad at making them either! It was a lot of fun and we got to have the recipes to keep and make in the future.