Buon giorno! Sorry I haven't updated in a few days! I don't really know where my time goes here. We really have a lot of free time, but somehow I feel like I never get anything done. Maybe we have too much free time? I think that's possible...
So Saturday we went to Ravenna, a city in Emilia Romagna on the Adriatic coast. It is famous for its mosaics. We spent most of the day walking around the city, going from one historical site to another. It's a really nice little city. I love Bologna, but Ravenna is so much quieter and more peaceful. We went to the Battistero degli Ariani first. The focal point there was the mosaic in the middle of the ceiling of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. The old man on the left is a personification of the river, which I thought was kind of cool. Around the centerpiece are the twelve apostles and a throne for Christ.
Then we went to Sant'Appolinare Nuovo. These mosaics spanned the entire length of the church and were absolutely incredible. At the front of the church, Mary and baby Jesus are one one side with the three wisemen. On the other is Jesus and four archangels. At the back there is a scene with the city and a ship on one side and a palace on the other side. Then in between I think they are all saints or something. Anyway very cool. The three wisemen were my favorite part because they are wearing animal print leggings...
Up next was the Battistero Neoniano. The mosaic in the ceiling here was the same theme as the first one, Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist with the twelve apostles. This mosaic was much more realistic than the other one with a lot more detail. The whole building was more elaborate and the inside was simply covered in mosaics. It was really beautiful.
Next we stopped by Dante's tomb, which was cool, but not nearly as exciting as the mosaics! Really not much to say about it. We couldn't even go in, just looked from the outside. It was pretty simple.
Next up was everyone's favorite part of the day: LUNCH. We always know we will eat well when BCSP provides the food. We went to this great restaurant that had really cool architecture. We ate in what appeared to be an old converted courtyard. It felt like we were still outside because the cieling was just frosted glass. The meal was wonderful: first course was pasta filled with cheese and a delicious meat sauce; second course was a variety of delicous vegetables, warm bread, several different coldcuts including prosciutto and mortadella, and this awesome soft cheese; desert was macedonia (fresh fruit salad); and then there was caffe! So delicious!
After everyone was sufficiently stuffed, we headed for the Basilica di San Vitale. It's this amazing two-story church that is absolutely covered with mosaics. It was my favorite place because the colors were so brilliant. I'm still upset that my camera wasn't good enough to really capture the beauty there. Features there include the "Rainbow Jesus," a scene with Abraham, and I think emperor Justinian and empress Theodora.
We then went to the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. I didn't post any pictures from there because it was way too dark to get any good ones. It was relatively boring though, having just witnessed the glory of the Basilica di San Vitale.
After that we just had free time for the rest of the day until our train left at 5:30. Sky, Maria, Erin, Alex, Anne, Allegra, and I walked around and did some window shopping/real shopping. Sky and I found a little candy stand (really Erin's nose found it) and we bought fresh marzipan. Which is almond-flavored heaven in the shape of different fruits. Wonderful.
So that was Ravenna! We all went out Saturday night, and then spent all of Sunday doing homework.
Monday was very rainy, and we had class. I went grocery shopping, not a super exciting day. My roommate was supposed to move in on Tuesday, but she STILL isn't here. I don't really understand what's going on with that. We had class and a meeting with one of the university professors on Tuesday, too. He teaches Contemporary Italian Literature, which I think is the class I'm going to take this semester. It was another gross, rainy day. That evening, we girls went over to Allegra's apartment to celebrate her finally moving in! We made hamburgers and salad. It was delicious! We went out after that, but Anne and I weren't really feeling it, so we got crepes (nutella and mascarpone for me!) and just had some girl talk. She's great! She studied abroad in Italy for her senior year of high school, so she has the scoop on how to survive/thrive in this kind of situation. She has a lot of advice and wisdom that will definitely come in handy this year. Yesterday she and I went out to lunch before our culture class. After class we all had to go the the Sala Borsa (the public library) to get our library cards. It is so beautiful there! I don't know if I will be able to study there because I'll be too distracted!
Today instead of class, we have a "gastronomical tour" of Bologna, in the words of Prof. Ricci. I'm not quite sure what that means, but it sounds good! I will, of course, let you know how it goes!
xoxo
P.S. new pixxx
17 September 2009
15 September 2009
11 September 2009
Day 19!
Tuesday night everyone came over to my place, and then we went out to Vicolo Bolognetti from here, then to Coroto Maltese. There were more people out this time at both places, so it was a lot more fun. We actually danced this time!
Wednesday we didn't have class in the morning, but we had our first cultural class in the afternoon. This one was on Ravenna, where we are going tomorrow. It was pretty interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing the mosaics tomorrow. Most of the day on Wednesday I just spent at home doing homework and decorating my room some more.
Thursday I got up at 7 to go for a run! I went down to the Giardina Margherita on the south side of town. It was nice, but my body hates me for it right now! After class, a bunch of the girls and I went out for lunch. Then later in the afternoon we all took the bus wayyy out to one of the several "malls" in the outskirts of Bologna. It was called Meriville and was basically a glorified strip mall. It was nice though. I went to the sporting goods store and got weights so I can work out without joining a gym! We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant there haha! It was fun.
I got up and ran again this morning, had class, and now I'm waiting for 1:30 to go have my academic meeting with Prof. Ricci.
We go to Ravenna tomorrow, so I will be sure to take a lot of pictures there!
xoxo
Wednesday we didn't have class in the morning, but we had our first cultural class in the afternoon. This one was on Ravenna, where we are going tomorrow. It was pretty interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing the mosaics tomorrow. Most of the day on Wednesday I just spent at home doing homework and decorating my room some more.
Thursday I got up at 7 to go for a run! I went down to the Giardina Margherita on the south side of town. It was nice, but my body hates me for it right now! After class, a bunch of the girls and I went out for lunch. Then later in the afternoon we all took the bus wayyy out to one of the several "malls" in the outskirts of Bologna. It was called Meriville and was basically a glorified strip mall. It was nice though. I went to the sporting goods store and got weights so I can work out without joining a gym! We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant there haha! It was fun.
I got up and ran again this morning, had class, and now I'm waiting for 1:30 to go have my academic meeting with Prof. Ricci.
We go to Ravenna tomorrow, so I will be sure to take a lot of pictures there!
xoxo
08 September 2009
Day 16!
Maria, Erin, Alex, Rodolfo, and I went to Milano Marittima on Sunday to spend the day on the beach. We took the train at 10 and got there about 11:30. The ride went by quickly, and the views were wonderful! Be sure to check out the pix because I took a lot from the train. We had a hard time finding a free spot on the beach once we got there. Most of the beaches are "owned" by certain hotels or businesses I guess, I don't really know what to call them. Anyway, what they do is set up tons of beach chairs and umbrellas that you can rent for the day. We tried to just pretend like we had already paid but ended up getting kicked out of a couple different places. We finally found a spot of sand where we could just lay our towels out for free! The weather was perfect and the water was warm. The waves were so strong!! We spent the whole day just laying in the sun and took the 7:15 train back to Bologna. It was a very good day, indeed!
Yesterday we had class in the morning. I laid out on my terrace in the afternoon :) and did my homework. Later I just kind of wandered around my area of town on my own. I had some errands to run, like I had to get an adapter for my electrical outlets, but it was nice to just explore my area a bit. After that I just worked on getting my room more settled. All I really have left is to decorate it, and I promise I'll take pictures after that!
Today we had class again in the morning. I laid out again and worked on homework. I really love love love my terrace! It's nice here now because it's still sunny and warm, but it's not sweltering like it was the first week and a half. This afternoon we had a general academic meeting at the BCSP office. Professor Ricci talked to us for two hours about academics here! We had to sign up for individual meetings to discuss with him what classes we will take this semester. My meeting is on Friday.
Allegra's birthday is on Thursday, but we have presentations due the next day, so we have decided to just celebrate a little every day this week. And we don't have class tomorrow morning, so we will probably go out tonight. So now I'm back home about to clean my room becuase I think everyone is meeting at my place to hang out for a while before we go out. People don't go out here until like 1 in the morning! I might take a nap first...
xoxo
Yesterday we had class in the morning. I laid out on my terrace in the afternoon :) and did my homework. Later I just kind of wandered around my area of town on my own. I had some errands to run, like I had to get an adapter for my electrical outlets, but it was nice to just explore my area a bit. After that I just worked on getting my room more settled. All I really have left is to decorate it, and I promise I'll take pictures after that!
Today we had class again in the morning. I laid out again and worked on homework. I really love love love my terrace! It's nice here now because it's still sunny and warm, but it's not sweltering like it was the first week and a half. This afternoon we had a general academic meeting at the BCSP office. Professor Ricci talked to us for two hours about academics here! We had to sign up for individual meetings to discuss with him what classes we will take this semester. My meeting is on Friday.
Allegra's birthday is on Thursday, but we have presentations due the next day, so we have decided to just celebrate a little every day this week. And we don't have class tomorrow morning, so we will probably go out tonight. So now I'm back home about to clean my room becuase I think everyone is meeting at my place to hang out for a while before we go out. People don't go out here until like 1 in the morning! I might take a nap first...
xoxo
05 September 2009
Day 13!
Yesterday we finished up our first week of class. It was a really good lesson, and I feel like I am learning a lot from the class in general. And my teacher, Clara, is absolutely wonderful! We had a lot of homework, but we went over all of it really well, so it's not just busywork which is good.
After class, a few of us went to the market again. It got even bigger than it was before! I didn't think that was possible, but it happened nevertheless.
Later in the afternoon, Maria, Rodolfo, Erin, Anne, and I made the journey to IKEA and back. Having never been to an IKEA before, I had no idea what to expect. What I witnessed when we got there was certainly beyond my wildest dreams!!! I'm just going to go ahead and say that IKEA is a gift from God, the Swedes were only the vessle through which it was delivered. We spent most of the afternoon there. I got a bunch of stuff that I needed for my room, like a dresser (my "closet" here is not quite what I was used to). It was quite an adventure getting my bag of stuff AND the dresser (in pieces all boxed up, of course) back to my apartment, but I eventually made it. Thank God I worked my upper body so much this summer, otherwise I don't think I could have handled carrying it from IKEA to the shuttle, across a piazza to a taxi, into my apartment building, up five flights of stairs (I carried it on my head for this leg of the journey), and down the hall to my room! I started putting the dresser together, but then realized I didn't have a screwdriver. I ran down to the 99 centesimi store across the street from my apartment today and bought one, and I just finished making the dresser. I will feel so much better once I get my stuff put away and my room decorated. I will post pictures of my place after that.
Last night a bunch of us went over to Erin's to hang out. Gabriele, one of our Italian friends, joined us. We went out later, but once again had really bad luck with the clubs. We ended up at the Celtic Druid, an Irish pub on Via Zamboni. It was pretty chill, but not the night of dancing we had anticipated!
Today I slept in for the first time! I have just taken the day to do things around the apartment. I made my dresser and did laundry and homework. I just got back from l'aperitivo with Erin, Alex, and Rodolfo. We went to Caffe' Zamboni, which is known for it's l'aperitivo. Now I am back at the apartment, trying to decide if I want to write my composition for Monday now or later. Probably later. But we are going to the beach tomorrow, so I should do it now.
xoxo
After class, a few of us went to the market again. It got even bigger than it was before! I didn't think that was possible, but it happened nevertheless.
Later in the afternoon, Maria, Rodolfo, Erin, Anne, and I made the journey to IKEA and back. Having never been to an IKEA before, I had no idea what to expect. What I witnessed when we got there was certainly beyond my wildest dreams!!! I'm just going to go ahead and say that IKEA is a gift from God, the Swedes were only the vessle through which it was delivered. We spent most of the afternoon there. I got a bunch of stuff that I needed for my room, like a dresser (my "closet" here is not quite what I was used to). It was quite an adventure getting my bag of stuff AND the dresser (in pieces all boxed up, of course) back to my apartment, but I eventually made it. Thank God I worked my upper body so much this summer, otherwise I don't think I could have handled carrying it from IKEA to the shuttle, across a piazza to a taxi, into my apartment building, up five flights of stairs (I carried it on my head for this leg of the journey), and down the hall to my room! I started putting the dresser together, but then realized I didn't have a screwdriver. I ran down to the 99 centesimi store across the street from my apartment today and bought one, and I just finished making the dresser. I will feel so much better once I get my stuff put away and my room decorated. I will post pictures of my place after that.
Last night a bunch of us went over to Erin's to hang out. Gabriele, one of our Italian friends, joined us. We went out later, but once again had really bad luck with the clubs. We ended up at the Celtic Druid, an Irish pub on Via Zamboni. It was pretty chill, but not the night of dancing we had anticipated!
Today I slept in for the first time! I have just taken the day to do things around the apartment. I made my dresser and did laundry and homework. I just got back from l'aperitivo with Erin, Alex, and Rodolfo. We went to Caffe' Zamboni, which is known for it's l'aperitivo. Now I am back at the apartment, trying to decide if I want to write my composition for Monday now or later. Probably later. But we are going to the beach tomorrow, so I should do it now.
xoxo
03 September 2009
Day 11! Sorry for the delay!
Ciaoooo! Wow it has been quite a week. I'm so sorry I haven't updated since Monday. The move to my apartment went well, but I am still working on getting settled in. What with that and classes this week, things have just been super busy so I haven't had the time or energy to write. I also couldn't figure out the internet at my apartment at first, and I also am having issues with the outlets here. So many things involved in settling in! I will do my best now to fill you in on what's happened this week.
Ok, so after class on Tuesday, Maria, Rodlofo, and Erin graciously helped me lug my bags up five flights of stairs to my new apartment. We just dropped my stuff off and then left because it was way too hot and overwhelming to even think about unpacking!
We had a meeting at the BCSP office and then l'aperitivo (like coffee and conversation). I think we have that every Tuesday with Italian students. It will be an excellent way to meet people. I actually met a boy, Gabriele, there on Tuesday who studied at IU last year. I had met him once last semester through the overseas office, but it was so good to run into him again! He and his friend Andrea are super nice and really fun.
After l'aperitivo Maria and I helped Rodolfo move into his apartment. He lives just outside of the city walls. It's a really really nice place, just too far away for me!
On our way back from that, Rodolfo and I stopped and bought a couple bottles of wine. The man in the shop was absolutely crazy and reminded me of and Italian Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future. But he was very nice and suggested some good wine for us. We headed back to my place (MY PLACE!!) and invited a few people over to share our wine. Erin, Alex, and Max came over, and then Andrea and Gabriele joined us later. It was really nice to have eveyone over to my apartment. Elena (one of my roommates) joined us for a little bit too.
We then decided to go out on the town! Gabriele and Andrea took us down to a place in Giardini Margherita, but it was still closed for the summer when we got there, so we went all the way back up to an outdoor club called Vicolo Bolognetti. It was nice, but not very crowded still. I can't wait for all the students to get back in town! Still, it was a good night, especially nice to sleep in a bed of my very own! Gabriele and Andrea have both studied in the United States, so they are really fun to talk to. They were telling us all kind of slang words and things that young people should know but that we won't learn in class!
As for Wednesday, we had the day off for morning class because we had two very long (very boring) meetings at the BCSP office in the afternoon. Maria and I used the morning to go grocery shopping since we now are responsible for our own nourishment! We went to Pam, which is the big grocery store in the city center. It was so fun! It was so cool to see how some things were the same and some were so different. For example, I recognized a lot of brand names, especially of hair products and stuff like that. Some things are SO different though--we saw a lady just hacking away at this huge fish that was easily five feet long and at least a foot and a half in diameter. I was proud of us when we figured out how to weigh our produce. Then I realized there was a huge sign above every scale that told you what to do. Oh well! This time around I just got prosciutto already cooked, some cheeses, yogurt, cereal, fruit, veggies. Nothing I have to cook since that makes me nervous. Cooking is something I want to learn how to do here, but that is another project for another time! I figure that can wait until I at least have my clothes put away...
After the meetings, we had some errands to run. We got school supplies and looked at a poster shop. I like the notebooks and folders here. It's so interesting to see the little details that are so different here.
We had dinner at Maria's place that night. Her roommates are all out of town right now, so it was just her, Rodolfo, Erin, Alex, and me. Maria provided the pasta and sauce, Rodolfo and I got salad and caprese fixings, and Erin brought some white wine. It was so fun to try our hand at cooking (well I actually just took pictures of everyone else cooking). We had an indoor picnic in Maria's room because the kitchen was a little too small for us! We are thinking we are going to make it a tradition to go to someone else's place every Wednesday for dinner. I'm looking forward to it!
Today (Thursday) I got up and went to a little market off the Piazza Maggiore to buy some plants. I got two cacti--Fabio has soft hair-like needles, and Donnatella has prickly ones and little pink flowers. They make a really cute couple!
We then had class, during which we watched a movie, and then after stopping at Paninoteca (maybe my favorite bar) for lunch, we moved Erin into her place. It was just Erin, Alex, and I lugging Erin's crazy heavy bags up I don't even know how many flights of stairs! But we made it, and it was so worth the heavy lifting. Her apartment is also outside the walls, but is really great. Her roommate is really fun too!
We headed back into town afterward, stopping for caffe on the way. I have already developed a mad coffee habit, but it's just so good here! We did a little shopping, and then parted ways. I went to buy a power strip, which doesn't actually fit my outlets:(, and then headed back to my place. I then proceeded to take the best nap ever!
Alex and Michelle came over after to work on the LOADS of homework we have for tomorrow. Speaking of which, I need to get back to finishing that up...
But I just wanted to bring everyone up to date! Ciao for now!
xoxo
Ok, so after class on Tuesday, Maria, Rodlofo, and Erin graciously helped me lug my bags up five flights of stairs to my new apartment. We just dropped my stuff off and then left because it was way too hot and overwhelming to even think about unpacking!
We had a meeting at the BCSP office and then l'aperitivo (like coffee and conversation). I think we have that every Tuesday with Italian students. It will be an excellent way to meet people. I actually met a boy, Gabriele, there on Tuesday who studied at IU last year. I had met him once last semester through the overseas office, but it was so good to run into him again! He and his friend Andrea are super nice and really fun.
After l'aperitivo Maria and I helped Rodolfo move into his apartment. He lives just outside of the city walls. It's a really really nice place, just too far away for me!
On our way back from that, Rodolfo and I stopped and bought a couple bottles of wine. The man in the shop was absolutely crazy and reminded me of and Italian Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future. But he was very nice and suggested some good wine for us. We headed back to my place (MY PLACE!!) and invited a few people over to share our wine. Erin, Alex, and Max came over, and then Andrea and Gabriele joined us later. It was really nice to have eveyone over to my apartment. Elena (one of my roommates) joined us for a little bit too.
We then decided to go out on the town! Gabriele and Andrea took us down to a place in Giardini Margherita, but it was still closed for the summer when we got there, so we went all the way back up to an outdoor club called Vicolo Bolognetti. It was nice, but not very crowded still. I can't wait for all the students to get back in town! Still, it was a good night, especially nice to sleep in a bed of my very own! Gabriele and Andrea have both studied in the United States, so they are really fun to talk to. They were telling us all kind of slang words and things that young people should know but that we won't learn in class!
As for Wednesday, we had the day off for morning class because we had two very long (very boring) meetings at the BCSP office in the afternoon. Maria and I used the morning to go grocery shopping since we now are responsible for our own nourishment! We went to Pam, which is the big grocery store in the city center. It was so fun! It was so cool to see how some things were the same and some were so different. For example, I recognized a lot of brand names, especially of hair products and stuff like that. Some things are SO different though--we saw a lady just hacking away at this huge fish that was easily five feet long and at least a foot and a half in diameter. I was proud of us when we figured out how to weigh our produce. Then I realized there was a huge sign above every scale that told you what to do. Oh well! This time around I just got prosciutto already cooked, some cheeses, yogurt, cereal, fruit, veggies. Nothing I have to cook since that makes me nervous. Cooking is something I want to learn how to do here, but that is another project for another time! I figure that can wait until I at least have my clothes put away...
After the meetings, we had some errands to run. We got school supplies and looked at a poster shop. I like the notebooks and folders here. It's so interesting to see the little details that are so different here.
We had dinner at Maria's place that night. Her roommates are all out of town right now, so it was just her, Rodolfo, Erin, Alex, and me. Maria provided the pasta and sauce, Rodolfo and I got salad and caprese fixings, and Erin brought some white wine. It was so fun to try our hand at cooking (well I actually just took pictures of everyone else cooking). We had an indoor picnic in Maria's room because the kitchen was a little too small for us! We are thinking we are going to make it a tradition to go to someone else's place every Wednesday for dinner. I'm looking forward to it!
Today (Thursday) I got up and went to a little market off the Piazza Maggiore to buy some plants. I got two cacti--Fabio has soft hair-like needles, and Donnatella has prickly ones and little pink flowers. They make a really cute couple!
We then had class, during which we watched a movie, and then after stopping at Paninoteca (maybe my favorite bar) for lunch, we moved Erin into her place. It was just Erin, Alex, and I lugging Erin's crazy heavy bags up I don't even know how many flights of stairs! But we made it, and it was so worth the heavy lifting. Her apartment is also outside the walls, but is really great. Her roommate is really fun too!
We headed back into town afterward, stopping for caffe on the way. I have already developed a mad coffee habit, but it's just so good here! We did a little shopping, and then parted ways. I went to buy a power strip, which doesn't actually fit my outlets:(, and then headed back to my place. I then proceeded to take the best nap ever!
Alex and Michelle came over after to work on the LOADS of homework we have for tomorrow. Speaking of which, I need to get back to finishing that up...
But I just wanted to bring everyone up to date! Ciao for now!
xoxo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
