Italian adventures...

       Hey everyone, I now know why Anne sucked at blogging! It's so hard to find time and when there is time the last thing you want to do is stare at your computer when you have the most picturesque view of Italy right outside your window (I seriously have random outbursts of giggles and shrieks every now and then at how unreal and exciting it is to be here...)

   Wow, I can't believe I have already been roaming, gaping, touring and loving on Italy for a week.  So many things have happened; I don't even know where to begin.  After many hours of no-sleep, anxious/exciting traveling, I arrived in Rome and was greeted by my fellow API members and program managers.  They were so helpful and kind. It was a relief.  For the next three days, I was swamped with a blur of names, greetings, and a butt load of information accompanied by a few jet lag yawns. Friendships began to develop and I was excited to meet so many goofy, nice, funny, and kindred spirits that came from all over the states and some very close including; Wisconsin and Minnesota :) It's nice to have other people who over exaggerate their o's and a's.
   While in Rome, we got our tourist hats (actually worse, headsets and  huge walkie-talkie radios) on and looking extra geeky, took off to venture into the historical heart of Roma. I gazed and walked around in the Pantheon, made a wish in the Trevi fountain (hope it comes true), pretended to be a Gladiator in the Coliseum (don't worry, I listened to the tour guide too...) ate some delicious pizza in between, continued to truck in the rain to Castel Saint Angelo where we walked on floors that were made in the 15th century and admired the historical art in one of the first pope's library.  We also made our way to St. Peters church...which was beyond my high expectations. IT WAS GINORMOUS and gorgeous and although there was buzzing and flashes everywhere, very peaceful.  The Pope never came out though, he must have thought I was coming the next day.   

   I also bought tickets to see the Sistine Chapel, mostly to see Michelangelo's interpretation of God creating Adam. This was not overrated, it was unreal. GO THERE, IF YOU GO TO ROME.  All the other art was amazing, but to be honest it starts looking the same after awhile. Whoops, sorry to all you art connoisseurs. 

At night, we enjoyed ourselves, with wine, bread, pasta and 5 course meals. I'm starting to envy all those ladies in the renaissance art... back when it was cool to be huge. However, every meal that I have eaten here has been worth every calorie.  MMMM.....like really, our food is gross compared to the carbs, cheese, fruit, and freshness of the Italian dishes.
   I'm doing my best to condense everything, I don't want to bore everyone with a huge blog post, but I am going to continue for my future self, so I don't forget anything.
 After an exhausting yet exhilarating few days in Rome, we took off in our bus towards our future home for the next few months.  Florence greeted us with its charming buildings, people, food etc. We made our way to our kitschy apt who I share with five other fun, sweet and wonderful girls.  Although we were so very tired, we all were too excited about our cool apt to sleep.  Eventually, we made our way to the Duomo (only a few blocks away...eeeeeeeekkk to orientation and a dinner on a roof-top terrace that overlooked Florence.  It was breathtaking, with mouth watering food and excellent conversation to accompany. The next few days were so busy filled with trips to the central market, leather markets, and FOOD markets...all I can say is holy cow. I mean really, holy cow.
   After settling in for a day, we took off on our first excursion with API to Cinque Terre.  By far my favorite experience here.  It was one of the most romantic, breathtaking, and cultural experiences of my life (it also had great pesto :).  It was filled with love, close knit families, and tiny streets with cute shops, cafe's and apartments. OMG. I can't even describe how amazing it was.  It also had a beach, where we all did as the Italians do and RELAXED for the first time all week.  We each got a massage on the beach... for five euro.  So nice.   

   We then walked the Via dell' Amore which in English means the way of love.  The path was filled with love letters, love locks and writings all over in crevices, on the stones, and in the trees.  It also had the most spectacular views.  It was so romantic...sigh.  I was in awe.  I will definitely be making my way back there.   Back in Florence, I have been enjoying getting to know the city, testing a few Italian phrases, getting to know everyone better and being a part of a new culture.  These past few days have been filled with walking, exploring, getting lost, exhaustion, excitement, eating, learning, experiencing and living outside my comfort zone.  But, boy have I fallen in love with Italy.  I do miss all my peeps back home and crave my Dad's steak every time I see lamb brains as an option on an Italian menu.  

   For now, I am going to get back to my espresso, book and bask in the Italian's favorite phrarse "dolce far niente" the sweetness of doing nothing.  xoxoxo

Dear Friends/Fam, here is my most sincere attempt at a travel blog.  I promise to do my best to update you on my European adventures, because I know that's all any of you can think about ;) Anywho, I'm awake, with butterflies. It's early and I just took my last 45 minute shower for three months...it was bittersweet. I'm in awe of how fast Summer came! I'm so excited to conquer an adventure all on my own! It's liberating! I feel like I do after I watch an action movie or Walker Texas Ranger (and Nine Lives of Chloe King...don't judge my poor choice in television).  I know my mom, gram, dad, sister, friends, and co-workers are worried about my dilly dally, go-with the flow, slightly scatter brained :/ characteristics while abroad, however, I feel very at peace with my soon (13 hour away) adventure.  I can thank God for that one.  I can't wait to dive in a new culture and embrace the art, food and of course fashion of one of the most exciting (in my opinion) cities of the world! EEEEK!  (Life is pretty good when you're young, adventurous and as a result, very poor college student). I'll be seeing you soon!

P.S. MOM AND DAD AND EVERYONE ELSE, DON'T BE NERVOUS. I KNOW IT TOOK ME A FEW TRIES TO LEARN WHICH EXIT TO TAKE TO FERGUS FALLS, BUT I WILL FIND MY WAY!  With that being said, I do appreciate everyone's prayers and positive energy :) I feel very grateful to have such an awesome family and group of friends :) (insert block of cheese).