Viareggio

Bongiorno!

As another week begins in Florence, I have finally decided to take some time to upload some pictures so you all can actually see what I've been up to instead of just hear about it. This first album of photos (which can be found through the link at the bottom of this post) was from a day trip Mikey and I made to the ocean side town of Viareggio (2/14/2010).

While many of our fellow Endicotter's decided to make an expensive trip to the Venice Carnivale, we chose to take our own cheaper excursion to the smaller carnivale on the coast. The town can best be described as an Italian Miami Beach. It was very clean, with palm trees, hundreds of little shops, and of course a huge beach. This carnivale differed from Venice mostly in its size, but also by its famous parade. As you will see in many of the pictures, the focal point was the parade with HUGE floats operated by hundreds of people pulling ropes and flicking levers. It was a pretty amazing site to see. Mikey and I found ourselves looking at each other on several occasions only able to yell, "This is amazing!"

Many of the floats were politically charged. Some even bashing or making fun of the United States. It was interesting to see the opinions of the Italians in such a format...but Mikey and I definitely appreciated it regardless. There were also floats dedicated to blasting techno, a dedication to Michael Jackson, and Edward Scissorhands.

After a few beers we decided it was time to take some photos with all the people dressed up in crazy costumes. We definitely felt underdressed since many of the people went all out, but it was fun to be apart of this huge celebration. Our cultural teacher told us that this Carnivale's are done just before lent. To break down the word 'carne' means meat, while 'vale' means goodbye or farewell. Goodbye to meat is a reference to lent and going without meat, and going all out just before.

After spending some time on the beach (oh how I have missed the ocean) and looking at the view of the Alps, we decided to get some food, take a ride of the ferris wheel and head back to the train station. I slept the entire way home, but it was a great day and something everyone should experience. It was hard to find anyone having a bad time...people were just enjoying life and the moment. It was something I was happy and grateful to be apart of.

Below is the link to a bunch of pictures...soon to come stories and images from my recent weekend trip to Rome.

Viareggio

Arrivederci,

AB

Saturday

Caio Caio!

It is me again. No, I am not dead and no I have not joined a caravan of wandering Gypsies....I have just been incredibly busy.

Things are still going very well over here. Everyday is a completely new experience, which is something I am really enjoying. It is nice to wake up each day and not know who you are going to meet, where you are going, or what you are going to eat. The monotony of Endicott life has definitely been broken and I'm not looking back.

Since my last post, I've booked a trip to Greece for my Easter break. Its a 5 day trip, which starts with an overnight cruise to Corfu, where we stay at a huge hostel called "The Pink Palace" where they have a laaaarge toga party. The days are spent using ATV's, cliff jumping, and laying on the beach. I can't wait. I haven't booked anything for spring break but I have a options floating around.

Last night was a fun time...we ended up cooking dinner at our place. The menu was french toast with strawberries and cinnamon, homefries, and of course nutella...which I proceeded to finish the entire jar...its delicious. Later, at like four in the morning...PJ, Matt, Maria, and I wandered to the "secret bakery" where they make delicious sandwiches and baked goods in the dead of night. While walking down the city streets, Matt played the guitar...It felt right out of a movie.

In a couple of minutes we are going exploring to the hill just outside of the city. It is called Piazza Michaelangelo and looks like an oasis of green grass, trees, and pillars from the center of the city.

I will try to come back with more soon.

-AB

Settling In...

I have officially been in Italy for eight days and am starting to settle into the daily life here. I started classes on Monday and so far have had Intro. to Italian Language, Chemistry in the Visual Arts, and Renaissance Art in Florence. All of the classes so far seem really interesting and valuable so I am hoping to take a lot away from them. Most of my classes have a number of class trips to accompany them. It will be great to in the center of the art world!

Outside of the classroom, I have spent a lot of time getting lost, eating, and hanging out with fellow Endicott kids. We have decided that doing a number of family dinners throughout our stay here will help cut down on costs. On Monday, we made pasta primavera with appetizers. For only 2 euro, around 10 of us were able to eat a good meal!

Last night we went to a burger place down the street that had free wifi and delicious burgers. It's great to have something with a little taste of home. After burgers we went to a bar called "The Red Garter" where they were holding a huge beer pong tournament, which obviously attracted a lot of American college students. I was too late to enter, however my roommate Miles made it to the semifinals...the tournament is held every Tuesday so we still have many more opportunities to win a free trip!

Since most of us don't have classes on Friday, we are going to take an hour and a half train ride to Piza to see the leaning tower. For the rest of the weekend I hope to get outside of the city and venture into some of the beautiful hills just out of view. City life is great, but some of the bustle can be overwhelming. There are a number of buzzing scooters, bicycles, buses, and tiny cars zipping by at all times.

Anyway, the library is closing so I must wrap this blog post up. Photos to come soon!

Caio!