June 12-20

June 12th  Rome--> Florence
It was my first time being out of Rome and I was excited to see what other parts in Italy were like. We boarded our train and headed to Florence. The train system was really easy to figure out but the most annyoing thing is is traveling with luggage. They expect us to lift our huge suitcases over our heads in a little compartment. Other than that the train ride went quite smoothly. When we get there, we were feeling a bit confident and decided to walk to our hotel rather than taking a taxi. After being lost for an hour we hopped in a taxi and he took us about a block to our hotel--fail. On top of us being lost the handle to the suitcase broke during the bumps and distance that we put it through. So now it is real fun lugging that thing around. We went to the Uffizi galleria which had Dvinchi paintings and paintings that I have only seen in text books so it was pretty cool standing in front of them. We had our Rick Steves download on our Ipods that really saved us and we listened through the tour at our own pace. Next we went to the Accodamia which hold the famous "David" sculpture that Michaelangilo is famous for creating. There were no photographs available so that was unfortunate but there was a replica available outside for pictures. The was probably one of the coolest things that I have ever seen. Oh wait, no it's not seeing Jersey Shore that day was! I was just shopping minding my own business and dad waves me to come. Little did I know Vinny and Pauly D would be standing there using the ATM right in front of us. Needless to say that made my day, week, year!! That night we went out for dinner and ate pasta and drank wine the waiter even gave us free shots of Limoncello(Italy's version of Everclear). Mom and Dad were troopers and tried it but didn't love it, I wanted more. We walked around then called it a day.

June 13th Florence--Venice
We woke up and headed for the Duomo early in the morning. While being there I ran into a boy, Colin, that was in my Rome program just got to Florence and said he was headed for Venice the next day. We were headed for Venice that day so we hoped to meet up. After the Duomo we went shopping down a market that lasted for miles. This is where I got some gifts :) We had lunch then boarded the train to Venice. When the ticket man came around to check tickets we didn't have a date filled in and got fined 50 euro. Italians have no hearts. The couple a-crossed from us had the same problem so Dad and his new friend went and complained but they didn't do anything about it unfortunately. To my surprise Venice was an island. We had to take a bus which was a boat to the section of the island our hotel is on. Hauling all our luggage trying to find the hotel--it starts pouring. In Venice cars are not allowed, bikes, scooters, nothing. The "streets" are more like alleys. It is very easy to get lost and to make it worse there are bridges all over where you have to go up and down steps numerous times. Definitely not luggage friendly. When finally finding our hotel were happy campers. We went and found somewhere to eat, checked out St. Mark's square then went to bed.

June 14th
We get up early to go to St. Marks Cathedral and the palace. We shopped around all the shops which I purchased a necklace made of color glass which is what Venice is known for then went to a nice dinner outside that included a bottle of wine. Mom says I'm becoming her little drinking buddy :) Me and Colin meet up to go get a couple a drinks along with his little brother ..it being his first time being in a bar. We stayed until bar close..which was 12:30am but mom was happy I was home so early. Now I am starting my online class which is a bummer but it is not too stressful.

June 15th Venice--Munich
We had a 9am train to catch to Munich so we were up and out of our hotel bright and early in the morning. Everything went smoothly except for one thing, when we had to switch trains in Verona, the train that we boarded had problems with their first class. They doors to the outside didn't work, which was known in Italy but once we crossed Austria they did not like that. Policemen and people who were in uniform were pacing back and forth and were making us feel very uneasy considering we ditched our first-class seats and moved up to business-class. We thought we were in trouble because they were speaking to us but it was our first time hearing German so we had no clue what they were even saying. Turns out in the middle of the train they tell us that we have to move all our belongings and go back to the back of the train which is more like an amtrak setting. Needless to say we a bit more luggage than the average person on this section of the train and was very hard to maneuver around everyone. I felt like I got a lot of stares and German whispers about us. I don't know why but I pictured Germany to be even more lacking on the modern side than Italy. It turns out that they have great shopping, great food (I've been eating Brats and Beer alot), and great people. Munich is definitely up there with Rome--I love this city and want to come back in the future for sure! We found a nice place to eat dinner when we arrived and called it a night.

P.s. they charge 80 cents to go to the bathroom in the train stations. If you don't have exact change..don't bother to go to McDonalds, they won't help you out until you buy something.

June 16th
We got up and met our tour at the train station to go to the Dachau concentration camp tour. All I can say is Wow. I will never to go to one again. It would be very hard to go to if a relative or friend that I knew actually had to go through that because the information they tell you and the pictures you see are very graphic and horrifying. It was sureal standing in the same place that almost 40,000 people died and Hitler once walked. I had goosebumps the whole time. I wanted to get a picture in front of it and for once in my life I felt so wrong to smile in front of a sign that says "Work will set you free." It was interesting to see though and you feel for it more when you actually visit rather than reading about it in a text book.  We had lunch at the Hofbrauhas which is a beer hall that was used way back in the Napolean time. Here we saw men in traditional german gettup drinking beer or playing in the band. The waitresses were serving humongous pretzels and we ordered things we have never heard of. Of course we all got a beer, and dad won the chugging contest. Later that night we decide that we need to do laundry before my backpacking trip so we looked in the Rick Steves book and discover there is a laundry mat near-by..or so he made it seem. We took the subway to the trainstation and started walking. As it always seems to happen to us, we ask someone for directions that they tell us the wrong way. We finally stop in a hotel and they say that it closed at 8pm. We just decided to find it so we know where to go the next day and they end up being open. So we had a nice relaxing time at the Laundry mat that night.

June 17th
We got up early and headed on a walking tour around Munich. The guide was very sarcastic and sometimes though that his jokes were more important than the actually history but we all had an enjoyable time. After that me and mom went shopping than we were scheduled to have a bike tour at 4pm. The bike tour was awesome. Mom and Dad loved it--the tour guide was funny and very knowledgeable. Of course, the tour ends at a beer hall so we all sat together and enjoyed dinner and drove our bikes back to where we met. Some of the things we saw was a nude park and river surfing. Some of the things we learned is it is very hard to dodge a crowed of people on a bike when your in a huge group. It was beautiful weather and we all had a great time.

June 18th Munich--Paris
We made the train ride safely to Paris and showed up at our Hotel Leveque, one that Rick Steve recommended. It is on a quiet little street that has a market in the morning than nightlife at night. The elevator can barely fit one person in it so the amount of steps that I have gone up this trip is beyound me.  Molly successfully met us at the hotel and we had dinner right across the street then headed over to the Eiffel Tower for a photo-shoot. Surprisingly it is sooo cold here! We knew that it would be cold starting in London but we didn't expect the coldness here.

June 19
We got up early then headed to the Notre Dame Cathedral where we also stayed for mass. It was all in French but still an experience..Dad said he understood the priests' sermon better than he can understand Father. To my surprise I did not see Quawsimoto at the cathedral which was quite a let down but I got through it. After that we headed to the Orsay Musuem, then went up the Eiffel tower just before dinner. Me, Molly, and Mom went out for a couple of drinks and got crazy jk but it was a fun night. We are pros at the metro but not pros on reading maps.

June 20
Today we started off at the Louve Musem which is one of the largest musems in the world. We used the Rick Steves tour again and made it around ending with the Mona Lisa. It is not as big as I thought it would be but the crowd was. You couldn't even get close to it. Without the Rick Steves guide you could be looking at artwork for hours. We shopped a little bit, had lunch at Mcdonalds which had a kiosk where you ordered food instead of telling a lady(I thought that was cool), and then went to the arch of triumph.Today is my last night in Paris and the last night with Mom and Dad. It's sad but that means it's time for my backpacking trip which I have been waiting for months to go on! I am so ready to be home and not wake up at 7am every morning and walk all day in big crowds. I just want to lay in bed with Jack and Chloe :). I think the backpacking trip is going to be a bit of a wine down and not Dan Doyles version of a vacation. We are going to have dinner around the Eiffel Tower tonight then Mom and Dad go back home early in the morning and me and Molly go to Amsterdam.
I don't know what my internet access will be there but hopefully I will get better at posting!

June5-9 Parents June10-11

Sorry I have been terrible at updating my blog! The last week in Rome with the group was a lot of working on our final project that we presented on Thursday. Really not much to write about. A couple things we did that week that were my favorite is we went to a TV station and got to see behind the scenes how producing and editing a show really works. Then we got to go on the set of Mattia cooking show and met the most gorgeous cook I have ever laid my eyes on. I did not like when the camera zoomed in on what he was cooking and showed his wedding ring tho :( Look to the left for a picture of him! Right after the TV station we headed to Leo Burnett--Rome (advertising agency) which was my favorite thing yet on the trip, besides the cat sanctuary of course. We got to talk to the manager of the company that told us how advertising works in Italy and what the differences are from the United States. Let's just say they are not risk takers; however, showing nudity or controversial pictures are not unheard of. We were a little confused by this but he explains that it is just accepted in Italy. The tour of the agency was really something that I enjoyed and would like to see the Chicago office now.  Thursday we gave our presentations that went really well, but really long then headed home to pack, clean the apartment, then head to our farewell dinner. Another four course dinner was served as we talked about how we can't believe the term is already over. On the way home, our group was walking along and we heard I-L-L and we respond I-N-I. No one was talking about school or wearing anything Illinois..Mystery is still unknown..Mom and dad now being in Rome at this point, with no phone we just kinda winged it and I showed up at the hotel by cab around midnight. Mom just so happens to walk down because she was getting worried so it really worked out well. Sleeping on a bed that is not a stiff board is great along with showering in a shower that doesn't go ice-cold after 5 minutes. Needless to say I was ready to get out of the apartments--I'll stick to hotels :) Friday morning we headed to the 5 hour Vatican tour as my classmates were headed home. The tour was very interesting covering Michealangilos famous pieces, to the Sistine Chapel, to St. Peters Basilica. After the tour that really lasted almost 7 hours we decided to go back to the hotel and take a nap. We headed to dinner around 8 to an Ancient Roman Restaurant which we sat on the rooftop. We splurged and got wine and dessert with out meal then made our way to the Trevi fountain. For being 11 at night, the Trevi Fountain is full of people. After the fountain we called it a night--after we got our gelato.

Saturday 

We had the same tour guide that we had for the vatican that we were going to have for the Colosseum so we were pretty excited. We went to the meeting place and stumbled upon a gladiator so we stopped to take a picture. Little did we know those pictures are not free--and not cheap! We need to make sure Rick Steves puts that in his next edition!! Our tour took us through the Roman Forum where the market place once stood in Caesars time. Then we headed to the Colosseum where we saw the ruins on the inside and learned about the types of games that played. Let's just say that Lizzie McGuire did NOT hold a concert in there after all. I was deeply disappointed. We ate paninis not too far from where we were then ventured to the Pantheon. Our Rick Steves guided tour on our Ipods saved the day there. We wanted to make sure to the Spanish Steps before we left so we headed there stopping at the Trevi to relax. We got to the Spanish Steps and it seemed everyone had the same idea. Mom is the entertainment over here using dad's new camera zooming in and out and making us smile for 10 minutes. I have never laughed harder, I was in tears today watching her try to take a picture of me and dad at the steps. P.S Dad loves his new camera and they really do take beautiful pictures. After we saw the steps were ate dinner around our hotel (pizza of course for our last meal) then headed home.

We hit Florence tomorrow so I am really excited to see another city besides Rome! Let the traveling begin!

June3/June4/June5

Friday
Started off the class with a class on how to make suppli, pasta, and gnocchi  with a professional cook. We all know that cooking is not my forte and let's just say I was trying to cut a tomato with the wrong end of the knife so the cooking instructor had a laugh and made sure the whole class knew. Even though I warned them they had no idea how bad I am in the kitchen. The suppli was really good--it is mozzarella cheese cooked in a ball in fried rice. I rather just eat someone else's food then what I cook, so I am sure that other students were better. After class we went to the Borghese gardens. Half of the class rode bikes around and half went to the zoo. I wish I went to the zoo because after we got on the four person bike we realized ours doesn't have a motor. Everyone zoomed at us pointing to their motor and yelling at us in Italian. The people that rented us the bike just wanted a laugh I think. Going down hills were fun but going up the hill was torture. If I go on that with Mom and Dad you bet I am requesting a motor.
Friday night we headed over to Testaccio again and went to a new bar. We wanted to go to a different bar but there was a dress code so we didn't expect that at all. We met some people from London so it was pretty nice talking to someone who spoke English. They bought our entire group drinks because they just got back with something associated to the army so I didn't spend money that night which is always a plus! Little did I know the taxi ride coming my way....
Saturday
We got up early and headed out to the beach Saturday morning. Usually we catch a cab to the train station, take a train to Ostia (where the beach is), then take a bus to the beach which usually takes about 45 minutes but sooo worth it. We asked the cab driver to take us to the train that takes us to the beach and there was a slight language barrier. He heard the word beach and took us straight to the beach which was a bit pricey of a trip. It helped that there were 6 of us sharing a cab. There goes all my spending money for the day. To save money I have been eating grilled ham and cheese sandwiches--I think it's ham anyways. I am never eating one again, I have had my fair share.
Saturday night we headed this upscale bar called "Babel." We were waiting in line but it turns out that none of us could get in...except me and two other girls. The group just looked at us with jealousy so they asked the guy working why they couldn't get in. The bouncer told them that they were in the VIP section. So here we are in the VIP section of the most well known bar in Rome--never thought I'd see myself here. We were mixed with people who pay a lot of money to reserve a table for the night. We could have been rolling big that night but decided to head back with the group. After not agreeing what people wanted to go, I ended up just going home that night. But the club was nothing that I have seen before--wish I had stayed.
Sunday
We woke up early to hit the market for a bit where I bought some gifts then headed to the Vatican for the pope's blessing.  It turns out that the pope wasn't in Rome this weekend so we just saw a huge T.V that was televised so we got to witness that instead. We ate lunch then shopped around the area. Later Sunday night me and my roommate headed out with some of the girls and a brother visiting with his friend and showed them a night on the town. We took them to Scholars, an Irish pub that I have previously mentioned which was karaoke night so they had a great time. Monday nights here aren't anything special so I think we may just walk around and get some gelato. I can't believe 3 weeks are already over-- I had the time of my life with my class, I'm a little bittersweet about them leaving but can't wait to see the rest of Italy!
Getting closer to Mom and Dad's arrival!

June1/June2

Wednesday
We had class at 10am and one of the activities that we had to do is after receiving a specific restaurant watch them make a food that is assigned to us and see what their target audience is and ask them questions. Our group got two restaurants and we decided just to ask around where the restaurant is. We were pointed in the direction of 30 different ways so finally we just gave up. We find out that one  was by the Vatican and one was by the Colosseum so I don't know how she expected us to do it. To say the least, we did not win the scavenger hunt..We walked back to our school in defeat, but I saw a lot of shops that I wanted to go in so the assignment wasn't an entire fail. Around 5pm we went to a beer tasting and tasted uncommon beers which was a really cool experience. I had "Dushessa" and I give it four stars.
Wednesday night we went out with the whole group to a bar that we have perviously went to. When having 20 people in the class, its hard to go out with the whole group all the time, so my favorite nights are when we go out together. We didn't have school the next day so it was nice to not have to get up!

Thursday
Today was a national holiday in Italy so we had no class so that was super exciting not having to wake up and be in class by 10am. Waking up at 11am definitely feels like more of my kind of living style. Me and three other people hopped on a bus and went to Ostia beach right outside Rome which was probably one of my favorite days here. We have a free weekend starting tomorrow and we are considering staying at one of the cheap hostels over there instead of traveling to Venice or Florence which is what a couple people are going to end up doing. As the days are winding down we are just kinda taking it an easy because we have to work on our projects so my blog will be lacking a bit until June 10th. But today was definitely my favorite day :)! Getting a little homesick so can't wait until Dan and Linda come!!