One Hundred and Eighty Down, One Hundred and Thirty To Go

Great news; I just returned from Venice. Bad news; I brought a nasty cold with me. It’s Friday and I’ve spent my day sleeping, taking meds, and drinking hot tea in front of the TV. I thought since I’ve had some down time, I would stay productive and give you all an update… I know, it’s been well overdue. 

My last post was in January. At that point I had been here for four months and tomorrow marks my sixth. For all of you curious, my return date will be July 15th, 2014 at 4:00pm. I am more than excited to be home, yet I can’t imagine leaving my friends and host family behind. Good news is that the Seitz Farm house fits a lot, and I’ve invited them all. I’m sure it won’t be long until I get to share my life with those that have shared theirs. 

Over the past two months, I’ve had 18th birthday party- one after the other. Oh wait.. maybe I should mention my own 19th first...

On February 1st, 2014 I had a birthday party I will never forget. What I thought was going to be a fun dinner with my best girl friends, turned into a full-blown surprise birthday party. I showed up to all my closest friends with food, dance, cake, and everything else I could imagine. It would't have happened without my amazing host sister and mother. They are the most wonderful women ever. My mom made a delicious decorated cake, and my sister planned everything so it was perfect. My host family is so generous. I am ever so grateful to be spending my time here with such a great family.

During my birthday week, I also ate dinner with both my host families, and we can't forget the dog, Rocco. It was so nice to be together with all of them, and even more special to catch up with my old host family. I have spent time with them since I've switched; visited Aurora and having tea time and enjoying dinner with them like it used to be. I am so happy I still get to see them so often.

From left to right: Ilaria (current host mom), Rocco (host dog), Giorgia (current host sister), myself, Lorenzo (first host brother), Aurora (first host sister), and Anna Maria (first host mother)

After celebrating birthday after birthday, I’ve learned all the Italian dances and taught a few of our American ways to celebrate. The parties are full of great food, wine, cake, desserts, friends, and lots and lots of dancing. By the end of the night my feet are on fire, I my bed never feels better than after a long night of dancing.

18th Birthday Party with friends from Tivoli

Rotary friends at an 18th Birthday Party (Selena, Fernanda, myself, Becca**missing)

My host sister’s, Giorgia, is in April, and I’m very sad that I won’t be able to go to hers.I have been helping her prepare by helping her pick her dress, decide on the cake, and I really wanted to do her hair and makeup like I would with Riley and Zoe, but I won’t be able to, because I will be out of the country. 

Unfortunately and very fortunately I will return to Israel for a Rotary Peace Conference with students all over the world. I am very excited to return, to what I call a this point, my favorite country. I hope to visit friends that I had met during my first visit and also go to the beach, which I was unable to do the last time. 

Time to go back to The Holy Land

I will be staying with a host family the first couple days, and then after I will stay in a resort like area with the other exchange students who will participate. I am so happy to be going and look forward to what I will learn, see, and who I will meet when I am there. 

Aside from going to Israel, like I wrote above, I have just returned from a three-day trip in Venice. It was such a unique and beautiful city- nothing like I’ve ever seen before. I took the train with my friend, Selena, as well as her Rotary tutor, Marina, and Marina’s daughter, Francesca. They were the best companions to travel with. It was so nice. 

Gondola: 80euro for 40 minutes.. no thank you, maybe another day. For now I'll just enjoy the view.

The first two days we spent while there were the last two days of the festival, Carnevale. It is a huge month-long event in Italy with particular costumes, masks, and even desserts and treats. It was so wonderful seeing all the costumes, and of course I had to buy a mask or two of my own. 

Beautiful girl dressed in spectacular costumes.

Dressed in my own mask

They were experiencing high tide the first day we spent on the main island. The water rose over a half a foot over most of the island which mean’t for chaos a lots of tourists buying funny looking rain sacks to put over their feet. Luckily for us, the hotel let us borrow the ones they had for their guests. When we were in San Marco the water rose past our boots and our feet were soaked by the time we got back home. 

Example of high tide.

Aside from walking all around the main island, we also took the water taxis to the nearby islands, Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Murano is the island famous for it’s glass blowing. We were able to see exactly how they do that. It was amazing to watch the men who have been doing it for years and years and how well they were able to make the forms. It is quite an amazing art. 

Grand Canal // Venice

Murano // Island known for glass blowing

Amazing glass sculpture

Murano

From there we went to the next island of Burano, known for the colorful houses and embroidery. It was my favorite islands out of all, because it was so happy and bright. We were fortunate to have a beautiful day. 

Burano // I love all the colored buildings

Burano

Burano

All the windows were bright and colorful like this one. Each one had it's own flower pot.

The last island was Torcello. It is known for their artichokes, churches, and the celebrity who walked the canals in his day- Hemmingway. It was much different from the other islands, because it was less inhabited and more agricultural. I loved that island as well. 

Perfect timing with the sunset at the water taxi station.

Our hotel was on the long island of Lido. It is known for the beach coastline, that I unfortunately wasn’t able to experience, because it wasn’t quite warm enough. It was very nice, because it was a nice getaway from from the main island of Venice. The streets were less filled and much more quite. 

It was a few days filled with lots of walking, sight seeing, and awe-struken beauty. Unfortunately while I was there I caught a bug. I tried to ignore it hoping it would pass, but that doesn’t always work. I hope sleeping in my own bed and medications will do the trick.

Photo from the top of the bell tower on S. Giorgio Maggiore island.

The Peggy Guggenheim Gallery // I now hope to become her, someday.

I’ve been missing quite a bit of class while I have been traveling and visiting Rome. I don’t mind missing class, but I miss my classmates so much when I am gone. I have made great friends with a few of my classmates. They are so funny and nice, it’s always nice to return to class when they are there. I hope they will come to visit me in Minnesota. 

Our class as well as my old one has a trip planned to Lisbona at the end of March. I am so excited to travel with them! I can’t wait to visit Portugal as well. It’s always nice where the weather’s warmer.

In the next week or two I will have a few friends in Rome. I hope I will be able to see some familiar faces from the states and show them around Rome like a pro.

The end of April or beginning May, I hope Mom and Dad will come to visit me. They need to buy their tickets still… (hint, hint) and Riley and Adam will go around Europe and hit Italy at the end or beginning of their trip. 

Zoe recently sent me a couple letters leaving tears in my eyes. I miss her so much and can’t wait to see her as long as everyone else when I get home. 

180 days since I’ve been here and 130 days to go. It’s crazy to think of all that I have done since being here, yet I have so much more to see. The 180 days that I have been here have flown by and I know the rest of the days I have here in Europe are going to go even faster. Before I know it, I’ll be landing at MSP where I hope to see no snow on the group and above zero temps. If not, I may have to stay here until it goes away.

Much love to all of you, no matter where you are in the world. I love each and everyone of you just as much.

X’s and O’s,

F.

Sharing my smile with all of you <3

Homesickness: Finding a Cure Without Looking

It’s been a month and some since I’ve last wrote and as always, I haven’t done a thing… (kidding) Memories have been made with new friends and family: Christmas, the New Year, trip to Naples, change of family, and change of school. Best/worst of all- I will hit the four month mark tomorrow (as long as a crazy Italian, driving a Fiat, doesn’t run me over).

Enjoying the festive lights above Via del Corso.

Christmas!!!!!!!#$%!!asdfghjk****#(@#!!!

Apparently I have been nice this year, because Babbo Natale (Santa) treated me well (and I don't just mean with gifts). 

Christmas Eve my family and I went to my grandparents' house in Rome. We ate dinner there with the rest of the relatives. There were about 15 of us plus a dog surrounded around the dinner table eating plate after plate of fish, salad, pasta, and sweets and drinking lots of fizzy water and wine. Although I missed my family back in Castle Rock greatly, I was so excited to experience a new way to spend the holiday. Although it is very similar, there are a few things that are different in how my host family/Italians spend Christmas. 

The best american exchange students around.

Taken only moments before I went ice skating and ripped my jeans and bruised every joint in my body. Who would have known after 10+ years of skating I could look like a fool on the ice. As I hypothesized in my previous post... the skates were indeed plastic boots strapped on hunks of recycled metal.

On Christmas Eve they do not eat meat. My brother begged and begged for a piece of prosciutto all day, but my grandma wouldn’t give in. I don’t think this is solely an Italian  tradition, but more so a Catholic sacrament. Other particular food I ate was pandoro, panettone, and torrone. Pandoro and panettone are typical cakes eaten during Christmas and New Years. They are very similar to Angel Food Cake. Pandoro is put in a bag with powdered sugar then shaken up, and panettone does’t usually have powdered sugar but instead and nuts, fruit, or chocolate inside. Torrone is a type of nougat or chocolate bar filled with nuts. It is addictive and delicious and might be the answer to why my jeans have been a feeling a little tighter. Who knows? All I know is that one suitcase is going to be filled with torrone morbido.

This is heavan,.. or otherwise known as Torrone.

Pandoro and Panettone

Lorenzo as a gladiator with the packaging of Pandoro on his head.

In Italy, families open gifts on Christmas Eve. Babbo Natale brings all the kids their presents at midnight. While they preoccupied tearing open their new toys the families exchange small gifts with each other. Everyone opens the gifts at the same time, and then kisses are given. It’s all done pretty quickly and after opening presents I went to church with my grandma. I love going to church here, because it is the exact same as back home (minus the language part.)

Lorenzo and Aurora walking through Tivoli on Christmas.

On Christmas we went to my grandma’s house in Tivoli for lunch. It was a delicious meal as always, similar to Christmas Eve, but we were able to eat meat. After lunch we played Tombola (bingo) and a card game called 7 1/2. I won Tombola one and the card game, but ended up even after putting in the money in to play. Nonetheless, it was a blast and my family doesn’t want to play with my again, because I have to much luck and will always win! 

In the evening I went to my Rotary Club President’s house. I brought them wine from Israel, and I ate some of their Christmas sweets. I ended up going to a movie with him and his daughter. It was a perfect end to my Christmas, but it made me miss my papa! 

Capo d’Anno (otherwise known as New Years)

I spent New Years Eve with my classmates from school. We ate way too much food as always, danced, sang karaoke, played video games, and watched the fireworks from all over Rome. I went to bed at five in the morning, so I’d say it’s safe to say I had a good time.

To a new year and many more memories to make while abroad.

The next morning I went to my grandparent’s house in Rome for lunch with the family and relatives. We ate and I slept as the family played a round of cards.

Napoli: Where Stoplights Are Always Read As Green and STOP means GO

Before I had to leave my beloved host family they decided to take me on a small trip to Naples. We packed the car and made our two hour trek to the coast and one-of-a-kind city. The whole time we were there it was rainy, but we didn’t let that stop us. We visited a city ruined by Mt. Vesuvius. It was similar to Pompeii, but smaller. We also went to the top of a castle where we were able to see a 360 degree view of Napoli. It was breathtaking- seeing the ocean, the volcano, and the city all in one panorama.

The next day we took a tour of Napoli underground. I was able to see over 2,000 years of history from Greecian, to Roman, and Medieval architecture. We walked all around the city as well, visiting beautiful churches, testing all the local sweets and pizza. It’s safe to say that the food is safe to eat. I tried it all. 

Why Did I Ever Think It Was a Good Idea to Pack More Than One Bag……………………..??? uuuufffdaaaaa

The day after returning from our trip it was time to say goodbye. My bags were packed and I was ready for a new adventure. It was a rainy day, but my spirits were still high. I was sad to have to say goodbye to my family, but I know I will see them often (considering I’m a five minute walk away). I was more excited for a little change and excitement in my life. I am now living with my new host mother (Ilaria), my host father (Guiliano), and my host wonderful host sister (Giorgia). Their house is gorgeous and reminds me a little bit of home. It is filled with lovely carpets, my host dad’s golf trophies, and lots of delicious treats. It’s warm and cozy and the perfect fit for me. 

My host mom is a exquisite cook and every meal is delicious. Giorgia is seventeen and the best host sister ever. She has been so helpful, warming, and opening to having a new sister taking over her bathroom space. I am very lucky. We are closer in age which is nice, because we have more in common. My dad loves sports. He will leave in a couple days for Africa where he is going wind surfing! So cool!!! I hope I’ll get to learn this summer. He also plays golf, and I played with my parent’s the morning after I arrived. It was so nice to be back on the course. While it was -20 degrees in Minnesota, it was 60 degrees while we were golfing. Nonetheless, I am very happy to be living with my new host family. I couldn’t ask for a better host family. 

60 degrees and sunny.

5C to 5B

Today was my first day back to school since break. I am now in a new class for the remainder of the year. The principle thought it would be a good idea to be able to meet more students, and I agreed. My new class and teachers are wonderful and extremely helpful. They gave me a warm welcome, and my teachers are very patient with me. For one hour my Latin/Italian teacher taught me what she thought was the most important lesson of the Italian language. She was very helpful and I leaned so much in that one hour. I am happy to be in a new class, because the change is nice, but I miss my old class and make sure to visit them during my break.

Teaching English slang while learning the Italian equivalent.

As for now, I am enjoying my time here immensely and can’t wait to what’s to come. 

xo,

 F.

Three Months In // One Month Later

It's been about a month since my last post and a lot has been going on in my life here in Tivoli. 

School is still the same as always. Although I am becoming better at communicating in my new language, the courses in school have a lot of depth and are very difficult to understand. I find myself dozing off during lectures in philosophy and day dreaming when the class is solving a trigonometry equation that's covering the chalk board at the front of class. To keep myself as busy as possibly I usually have my nose in some kind of book during class; it changes between The Lord of The Ring series, my Italian in Three Months workbook, or the Italian version of Oscar Wilde's, The Ghost of Canterville. 

I also keep myself busy away from school. Every Monday, Thursday, and Friday I go to volleyball late at night. It's a blast, and my teammates are wonderful. I haven't been able to participate in any games yet which bums me out sometimes, but they're working on organizing my residency among other necessities in order for me to compete. 

After school I head home and study more if my brain doesn't feel like it's going to explode. I find myself drawing a lot, otherwise I'm planning my trips I want to take throughout Italy or Europe. I've been finding events to go to in Rome during the holidays and would love to go to The Vatican for the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. There is also a grand Christmas tree in the center of San Pietro I am dying to see at night. An I've skating rink just went up at Piazza Sant'Angelo and I can't wait to go skating with my friends or family. Every time I think about I get giddy. Even though they'll probably make me put on a pair of figure skates or the plastic boots that sit on a piece of rusting metal, I know it's going to be a blast. Piazza Navona during the holidays has wonderful a Christmas gifts, so I'm hoping to head there to get a little something for a special someone; that could be you. They have nativity scenes set up all around Rome, and I'm determined to find my favorite one. 

I'm sure if you follow me on any other social network you more than likely saw pictures of me in special little place known as Israel. A couple weeks ago I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to the holy land with my mother to accompany her on a business trip. Although I never thought I would be able to see my mother in the first six months, let alone at all in the ten months I am here in Italy. Fortunately, the stars aligned and miracles were made, because Rotary granted my permission to join her on the important business trip. 

On our short, but jammed packed three-day trip we met with director and film producer Simcha Jacobovici. With him we met an Islamic art collector and archeologist who dug his first artifact when he was only eight years old. He showed us his private collection with pieces from over 6,000 years ago. It was spectacular.

The next two days we went to Jerusalem and toured the city at a sprinting pace with the sweetest guide ever. He showed the most amazing locations with the best views and even more amazing history. Our tour guide, who I would rather call a friend made the trip even more special for my mom and I, and it wouldn't have been the same with out him.

Although it was three short days, I was so blessed to been able to see my amazing mother. Snuggling with her for those few nights may have been the best part of the whole trip. With out her and my dad, nothing would be possible, so it's them I have to thank and who I am entirely grateful. 

There are many new things I have realized I am thankful this year. During the past week and Thanksgiving I really took the time to ponder on my life; where I am and how I arrived to where I am today. I have become the person I am today by surrounding my life with people who make me happy and influence my life in the greatest positivity. Among the many things I am thankful for, this year I am most thankful for the relationships I have in my life. With out surrounding love and positivity my life isn't the best it can be. Being away from all of you, I have realized how important you really mean to me. You are an important part of my life and happiness, so truly, it's you I have to thank. For everything you have done for me or not, thank you. 

More photos from the past month.

Thanksgiving at my friend Leigh's house. We cooked and baked all day. It was perfect. A Thanksgiving I will never forget... even though the turkey was dry.

Parca Villa Gregoriana near my house in Tivoli

I made sugar cookies for Thanksgiving.  I think I was the only one that liked them.

Grandma Margaret's Zucchini Bread another day. 

Villa d'Este / / I played Lizzie Mcguire all day. Relived my childhood in these gardens.

A Place to Call My Home // I'm Loving The Life I'm Living

It's becoming difficult to talk about what goes on during the week, because I've fallen into routine. My life in Tivoli is by no means a vacation. The town is no longer an unfamiliar place. I walk on the cobblestone streets every single day. I know exactly where to place my feet so the stones wobble and click harmoniously. I know where not to step in order to avoid the dog shit that's been on the sidewalk for a week. Friends will honk and wave from their cars while I'm on my run. I've developed my niche here. 

Tivoli has become my home. And I love it.

In order to keep this interesting for both you and I, I try to pack as much fun filled events into my short weekends as possible. This past weekend will definitely be one to remember. 

Saturday afternoon I walked home from school with pepper in my pants, because I was headed to Rome to see my fellow Americans. I arrived at home, ate my lunch, and packed my bags. Around 3:00 my mom and I hopped into the car and headed west. She drove me to the edge of Rome to the metro stop, Bologna. This was a liberating moment for me, because it was the first time I was going to 1. Take the metro and 2. I was doing it alone! I was beyond excited to have the trust of my host parents. (I'm slowing gaining independence.) I bought my biglietto (ticket) and headed towards The Colosseum where I was meeting Selena and Becca (my fellow Americans). When I arrived they were there to greet me with hugs, and immediately all three of us were smiling from ear to ear. 

Becca (Florida), Selena (Washington), and myself

Exchange students have an unexplainable bond. We relate very well since we are all going through the same experience at the same time. Usually when one exchanger is telling a story about their experience, all the others have extremely similar events that happened to them; if not the same. It's great to talk to other people going through the same things, because it reassures me that I wasn't completely crazy when I decided to hop on a plane and move in with a family I've never met. (I'm only slightly crazy.)

Now back to my weekend:

After Selena, Becca, and I met up we decided to go to the mall near their neighborhood. We hopped back on the metro to end of the route. From there we took the bus to the mall. While in route a drunk Italian man happened to get on and sit right next to me. He yelled and flailed his arms around for the remaining ten minutes. If there's one thing I've lost since being here, it's personal space. Although I miss it, I've definitely gotten used to having none. 

Finally, we got off the bus and went into the mall. We looked around, ate gelato, and stared at all the things we wish we could afford. I didn't buy anything, because I was carrying a heavy backpack and purse with me the whole time. I knew if I had to carry another bag I was going to fall to the floor. 

I think she's my long lost sister.

We decided to head home when it started to get dark. We got back on the bus and headed towards their town of Casal Polocco where dinner was waiting for us. Our meal was great with Selena's family. It was nice to have a little change for a night and see how her host family related to mine. They were very warm and welcoming. I was happy to be in their company. After dinner, we helped clean up, then put on our pajamas. We spent the rest of the night watching Youtube videos, eating pretzel m&m's, and drinking tea (like any other teenage girls). We ended the night by starting a movie, but I'm almost certain I fell asleep before it started. It was the perfect night, and it was our best version of the American sleepover. 

The next morning we woke up early, showered, and ate breakfast before we left the house. They showed me around their town square while we waited for the bus. When it arrived we headed back to the metro station where we took the metro to The Vatican. We were sure that we were going to be able to see the Pope, but when we got there we weren't permitted to enter. Too many people had the same idea we did, so instead, we wandered around the unfamiliar streets. We walked by a market, found a beautiful piazza, and ate the remaining m&m's on a bench there. A little while later, we started making our way towards the center of Rome. We stopped at a beautiful gothic church on the way and sat in for mass. Moments before communion began we noticed a man that had come in and quickly left. We turned around to see where he went and Becca noticed her purse that was right beside her was gone. We quickly left the service and by the time we made it outside, he was gone. We were shocked and couldn't believe what had just happened. There wasn't much we could do to get the bag back, so we continued making our way to the center. We stopped at a museum and looked at their Impressionism exhibition. It a was spectacular show with works by Degas, Van Gogh, and Seurat; only to name a few.

The Museum

This describes all of our personalities perfectly.

We finally made it to the center by lunchtime. We grabbed food at a market and carried it to the Spanish Steps where we relaxed and refueled ourselves while people watching. From there we walked along Via del Corso with all the amazing shops and I found a few of my favorites that I'll definitely have to head back to. We made our way to Piazza Venezia and hopped on a bus to find a popular gelato shop nearby that friends had told me about called Sweety. It's self serve like the yogurt bars we have in the States. We decided to try it out and I'm glad we did. It was delicious and better than anything I've had back home. Gelato just doesn't compare to ice cream or frozen yogurt. By the time we finished our gelato and it was time to head home. We made our way back to The Colosseum and said out goodbyes at the metro. They went back to Casal Polocco and I headed the opposite direction to meet my host dad at the edge of the city. 

On the way home I went through all the pictures I had take from the two days. We had so much fun, and although it was a quick visit, it was one to remember. I can't wait for the next time, and hope they'll come visit me in Tivoli. It's crazy to think that I've only met Selena and Becca twice before, but it feels like I've known them a lifetime. No matter where we are in the world the moment we reunite it will feel as though we were never gone. Those are the most important relationships to me. It's truly amazing what kind of connections you can make around the world. 

I'm finally realizing it truly is a small world after all.

I mean, I had to take a selfie on the Spanish Steps...

Gorgeous frescos  

Beautiful street I take on my run.