Settling

I have been back in the States for a little over 2 weeks now. The 10-hour flight nearly killed me....err...my legs, rather. My legs and butt can't stand being sedentary for that long, unless I am sleeping...in a bed (not on an airplane).

Before we even got to the Fuimicino airport in Rome (there were 7 of us on the same flight: Rome-Philadelphia), I was already wishing that an invention was in existence that allowed me to teleport myself over the Atlantic and directly to my house. Not the case. Sadly we all had to suck-it-up and be patient.

I bid the other girls farewell in the Philadelphia airport before walking to my gate for my Philly-Hartford flight. Just a hop-skip-jump and I was in Hartford about 35 minutes later.


~~~~

Before leaving Siena, the IES Study Abroad program required us to attend a "Re-Entry Session" which went into depth about returning to the United States. Sometimes they make such a big deal out of things.

I have not found it hard to adjust to the United States. I mean, c'mon, I have lived here for 21 years. I'm right back in the swing of things. I've been pretty darn busy between socializing, making new dance costumes, going out dancing, taking care of academic, photography & ballroom business and traveling. Yes. I am still traveling. Unlike Italy, I actually am in charge of all facets of my traveling in the United States...AKA: driving my own car and not having to deal with delays, missing a train/bus, or incessantly pulling luggage behind me. Funny....because now traveling feels too easy. Every once in a while maybe I kind of like the challenge and stress of missing a train and having to reschedule my travels. haha.


I will admit that I have felt kind of "out of it" since returning to the U.S. of A. I think it's just because I came back and had to hit-the-ground-running. I already have so many things to think about, that I feel as though I haven't really had time to process my whole "Italian experience".

And, I am getting ready to change scenery yet again. Day after tomorrow I am beginning my road trip out to Santa Fe, New Mexico where I will be working at The Santa Fe Workshops for the summer. So when am I going to get to really understand, analyze & reminisce about my time in Italy? Well. Doesn't look like it's going to be any time soon.

So, I guess this is the end of this chapter (blog) of my life. Onto a new one.... http://dancingacrossamerica.blogspot.com/


It's been such an amazing experience.....and thank you to those who actually read this - I am finding out more people read it than I thought. I hope you maybe learned something useful about Italy through all my ranting and Italian/European experiences. :)

Abbracci & baci,


Katie

Nevermind

I changed my mind. I'm not ready to go back to the United States.

I only have 4 days left in Italy. :(

- K

Still in Love

Italians are full of amore, and have no shame in expressing it through Public Display of Affection. You can't walk down the street without seeing at least one couple pressed up against the wall making out. I have seen instances where they just, to put it bluntly, needed to keep it in the bedroom.

The thing about Italian PDA is that it isn't just the young-uns, it's everyone .

I have never seen so many elderly couples so visibly still in love as I have while in Italy. As would be expected, they have different ways of showing their affection rather than playing tonsil-hockey like the teenagers and 20-somethings.

I can't even begin to put into words how heartwarming it is to see 80 & 90-year old couples walking down the street, arms linked, or holding hands (Note: From my observations in the United States, it seems as though holding hands is a lost art among couples...even the teen & 20-year olds). I have seen elderly couples help each other put on coats, hold something for the other...just little things that let you know they are still in love.

It makes me wish I had an honorary set of Italian grandparents. :)

Smiles,

Katie

Home

I was thinking the other day about which locale I consider home.

Born and raised in Belchertown
Attending college in Ithaca
Studying abroad in Siena

I consider them all home.

The location is different. The way of living is different. The people who surround me are different.

How can I define "home"?

There is really no need to define it, but for my sanity and to better understand myself....I wanted to.

I've decided that my family and friends, the ones who truly love and care about me, will be there and keep in contact no matter where I am. With that, knowing I am supported and loved, I can live peacefully no matter where in the world I choose to reside.

To my family, friends and loved ones: Thank you for your love, support, and words of encouragement. They mean the world to me...no matter how far apart we are.

I will see you all soon.

With love,

Katie

You Know that Feeling. . .

. . .when you achieve something you have wanted for a really long time?

I am happy to say that, although this does not often happen to me, it did last week.

Last week, I received an international phone call from The Santa Fe Workshops . While in Iceland, I had a phone interview for the Work/Study position with the Operations Assistant at the SFW. Renie, the Director of Operations was the one calling this time. After a few questions making sure that I completely understood the obligations of the Work/Study position, she asked:

So you will be driving your car out to Santa Fe from....Belchertown?

Holding back my excitement, I answered a few more questions about housing and such before straight-up asking, "So is this official? Do I have the Work/Study position?"

YES. I DID.

I couldn't help but hold back a smile and an excited bounce on my bed. I have wanted this position since I took a workshop with famed National Geographic photographer, Joe McNally, during the summer of 2006 - right before entering my freshman year at Ithaca College. I applied last year and was a finalist out of over 30 applicants, but was not selected for either of the 2 Work/Study positions offered.

I tend not to be a quitter, so this year I submitted a re-vamped application. I am one year older, one year wiser (I like to think...), and maybe that made a difference.

Regardless, this is an opportunity of a lifetime . The Work/Study position is, essentially, a scholarship to take workshops with world-renowned photographers for the entire summer....FOR FREE. I mean, I am "working" (setting up breakfast, taking out recycling, cleaning classrooms, etc.), but that's nothing out of the ordinary from my life in Siena right now (minus cleaning classrooms).

This has been my top-choice summer internship/job since last year. To finally make it a reality is, as cliche as it sounds, a dream-come-true. This is the last summer before I graduate from college (Grad school = no thanks, not a necessity for my major, anyway) and I can think of no better place to spend a summer than at The Santa Fe Workshops!

I will need to have my car out in SF, so on June 1, I will set out on a three generation road trip from Massachusetts to New Mexico with my Mom and Granny. When else would I have the opportunity for some quality girl/3-generation time?

Opportunities abound if only you are willing to search for and pursue them.

Take chances and follow your heart,

Katie

ICELAND: "I AM A VIKING!"

Father-daughter trip to Iceland!


Dancing around the world! :) - At the Blue Lagoon -


The lonely highway in Akureyri, Iceland


Lovely Icelandic road through the mountains and glaciers...


The beautiful, photogenic, unicorn-like horse. :)


Sunsets look this good very few places on earth.


********************************************************************

Ho incontrato mio padre in Islanda una settimana fa per la mia vacanza di primavera! Non visto mio padre per 3 mesi!

Ok, time for English.

Leaving 70º and sunny weather in Italy for freezing (and below!) temperatures in Iceland was not exactly the easiest thing I have ever done in my life, but I managed. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am typically pretty cold-blooded.

My first thought upon departing the aircraft at 10:30 p.m. local time in Keflavik, Iceland?
I am not going to be warm for the next seven days of my life.

To my surprise (thank goodness!) this proved not to be the case. Yeah, the first few days were freaking cold. The wind blowing mercilessly off the Atlantic Ocean did not exactly make things easier. Once Dad and I started to drive inland early-mid week, things started to warm up.

Enough about the temperatures. ICELAND! My goodness! GORGEOUS!!!!!!! It's not quite as green as both my Dad and I thought it would be, but we also had to remind ourselves that they are still in their springtime, which does not necessarily = green grass.

Most every type of landscape you can imagine existed in Iceland. We saw: snow-capped mountains, glaciers, caves, fjords, volcanoes, lakes, geysers....pretty much everything except a desert and a rainforest. Speaking of forest - Did you know that Iceland doesn't have any trees? It's one of the weirdest things I have ever encountered. It makes me appreciate trees that much more! I mean, they did have trees, but they were only there if someone planted them. And other forms of flora? Forget about it. Grass and maybe a few scrubby little bushes. That's it.

It's okay though, because the pristine beauty of the island makes up for the fact that trees are very very few and far between.

Animals. Yeah. About those. Dad and I discovered that.... wait . They don't have those either ! Well...they have birds and domesticated animals, like: horses, cows, sheep and goats.

Speaking of horses - Iceland has the MOST gorgeous horses that I have EVER seen! (I was in 4-H and went to county fairs...believe me....I have seen a lot of horses...). These things had coats like velvet, and their manes blew in the wind....ah. Just gorgeous. :) Dad and I stopped by a field that had two brown and two white horses. One of the white horses was especially photogenic with me. All you had to do was add a horn to her forehead and she would have looked exactly like a unicorn.

In terms of the people, Icelanders are SUPER friendly! Not only are they friendly, but the guys I saw were pretty darn attractive - amazzzzing blue eyes. Sorry. Tangent. Anyway....everyone is really nice, and most all know at least some English, which is great, because Dad and I sure as HECK didn't know any Icelandic.

Well, I knew one phrase.

"Er et Vikingur!" ....In case you don't know, that means "I am a Viking!" in Icelandic.

On several occasions Dad dared me to stand in crowded places: restaurants, in front of a soccer game in a bar full of men, gas stations, tourist areas, and yell this phrase in front of everyone....for 100 kronur. 100 kronur = less than $1 in English. Needless to say, I would not be screaming my little bit of Icelandic at anyone. haha.

The night before I flew back to Italy, Dad and I went to the famous Blue Lagoon. This is a geothermal pool which contains a mix of salt and fresh water. It is naturally extremely blue, and the minerals in the water have great healing potential. Basically it was a huge hot tub with mineral water, yet I could float on my back and look at the lava & moss covered mountains, and watch the seagulls flying overhead as the sun set. And, guess what? It was a place where I was really, truly warm in Iceland.

I guess I proved myself wrong....you CAN be warm in Iceland. :)

Love & warmth,

Katie

BULGARIA: Harbor View Reunion!

22 pages from my journal condensed into this....

As expected, my weekend in Bulgaria was CR-A-ZY!! Anna picked me up at the airport in Sofia, and we hopped in the taxi for a 2-hour ride to Blagoevgrad.

Bulgarian towns seem to be few and far between. The architecture is very different than that of Italy. Most of the buildings were made during the years of the Soviet Union, and appear to be somewhat run-down. They appear to exist solely with the intent of living, not aesthetic appeal, which is different from Italy. I am used to walking down the street and seeing elaborately and intricately decorated buildings, that, while hundreds of years old, still have a charming, welcoming look about them.

The landscape was beautiful, though. Most towns are nestled in the valleys. Donkeys, goats, horses and sheep graze while forsythia and apple trees burst into bloom around them - all with this perfect backdrop: snow-capped mountains. I had great weather the whole weekend, too: 75º and sunny! :)

FRIDAY

Friday night, Anna and I hit The Piano Bar around 1:00 a.m. There was some great live music, and I got to meet some of her friends while sipping on my vanilla vodka. It's a cozy little place, I can see why she enjoys going there for the music and atmosphere of it all.

Next up: The Sand Bar. This reminded me more of an American club - but with better music and dancing. While dancing, Anna and I ran into Shpat, a guy I worked with on the Vineyard. He did a double-take before asking, "What are you doing in Bulgaria?!" To which my response was, "Visiting Anna and surprising people." :)

Last on Anna's itinerary for our night: Underground....a dance club that was just that: underground. before entering, the only thing Anna had told me was, "It's better if you're drunk." I wasn't, but that was okay. The dancing was great! I could have done without all the smoke in my face (you're allowed to smoke in there) but hey, it's Europe. I think it's one thing I can never get used to though....

After dancing until 6:00 a.m., on the way back to my hotel, we stopped and bought some traditional Bulgarian bread which was basically the equivalent of home-baked rolls with some sort of Bulgarian cheese on top (Bulgarians sure do love their cheese!). On the walk home, the sky was already starting to lighten with the anticipation of sunrise....but I managed to hop into bed before the sun actually hit the horizon.

SATURDAY

Anna showed me the "Old Town" which reminded me of Old Sturbridge Village or Williamsburg, y'know the places where they recreate past settlements? The only difference was, this was the original town - not some recreation. Off to lunch, and then did some shopping while Anna was in play rehearsal. The exchange rate was in my favor, both for euros and USD, so I didn't feel too bad buying a dress and 3 cute shirts. :)

I met Anna at her play rehearsal. Nadiya, who also worked on the Vineyard, was in the cast. Anna said, "Look who's here!" to Nadiya. A double-take and jaw drop later, she ran over and hugged me exclaiming, "Katie!!!! What are you doing here??!!"

Next surprise: dinner with Laila. Anna made a dinner-date with Laila for Saturday night, saying it was about something important, but not mentioning anything further. We were a little late, so Laila was already sitting at the table. Anna first walked around the corner, Laila already starting to greet her. Then I walked around the corner and Laila's jaw dropped and eyes got wide: "KATIE!!! I can't believe my eyes!" haha. I enjoy surprising people. :) We caught up on the last 8 months of our lives - Laila will be going to Georgetown for grad school with a full-ride scholarship. Smart, talented and motivated girl.

Then it was back to Underground for a 2nd night....complete with an invitation for drinks. VERY fun and crazy night....we're just gonna leave it at that. ;)

SUNDAY

Unfortunately I had to leave Bulgaria. At the beginning of the weekend, I was missing Italy. But, at the end - I had fallen in love with Bulgaria, or at least the night-life, and craziness of the college town of Blagoevgrad. :)

A bus to Sofia, a taxi to the airport, and a plane over the Adriatic Sea, and I was back on Italian soil. All too quickly, things turned to chaos when I realized I had gotten off at the wrong train station to catch the last bus from Rome to Siena for the night.

My options were limited. By 8:00 a.m. Monday morning I was finally in my apartment in Siena - just in time for my 9:00 a.m. Italian class. Missing my bus resulted in me traveling either by plane, bus, taxi or train OR being in an airport, bus station, or train station for over 18 straight hours . And, "travel sleep" (sleeping on the plane or train) just doesn't cut it....especially after 2 late nights in a row. I was warned about the sketchiness of the Pisa train station when a group of girls from our program were stuck there for the night, so before I even got off the train, I had devised a game-plan in the event of sketchy people/situations. I've found that traveling by myself is dependent on having problem-solving skills, good common sense, and a humor to get you through it all when things go awry.

In addition, traveling alone as a young, college-aged woman has taught me:

** If you walk confidently and with conviction no one has a reason to hassle you. Meaning: I always try to look like I know where I'm going, even if I don't . If I appear lost, unalert, unaware, or unconfident, I know I could easily become a target/victim.

** Young women traveling alone did not appear to be a common occurrence in my travels to Dublin or Bulgaria. All the more reason to heed the prior bullet-point. However, it does turns heads and cause guys to whisper on the plane, thinking you don't notice. haha. :)

** I've learned that my problem-solving skills are good, and getting better with every trip. I have been able to alter travel arrangements (both domestic and international) at a moment's notice. And, I am learning that, in fact, I am very capable of that.

** Patience is a necessity when traveling. I always have a book, my journal and things to ponder about life whenever I travel.

** Traveling alone also grants me the opportunity of meeting new and interesting people. In the last two weekends I have met and talked with people from Texas, New Zealand, and a woman from Portugal who was hosting a high school student from Argentina...they were traveling abroad in Italy for the weekend. I like being approachable - even by Italians. I may have limited Italian language skills, but I am still answer why I am journaling in a train station in Pisa at 3:00 a.m. in the morning.

I am looking forward to my future travels and learning more about myself, other people, and the world in general.

Next trip: Meeting Dad in ICELAND for Spring Break on Saturday!

The Emerald Isle: Ireland

If I learned one thing this weekend, it was that I can book my own flights, transportation and accommodations, travel internationally and....well, survive.

I traveled for 8 straight hours to get to Ireland: a bus, 3 trains, plane, and another bus. After several obstacles, and a day of traveling that nearly ended in tears, I found Rachael (long story). There are very few times in my life when I have been so happy to see someone and get a hug. That was one of them.

The rest of my trip was great! I explored three seaside villages (some which reminded me of a combination of Martha's Vineyard and Santa Fe), a couple castles, made friends with two middle-aged couples from Texas (who later said a prayer with me for my safe travels and for being such a nice girl...haha...that's Texas for ya), and ran into four girls from ITHACA. What are the chances? I danced with one of them in Muevete last year. This world keeps getting smaller and smaller, huh?

Saturday night I had the chance to hit up a legit Irish Pub with Rachael. It was called The Bleeding Horse. Neither Rachael nor I could figure out why. We were going to ask the waitress, but it was fairly busy and she didn't have very good English, so I guess we'll never know the story behind the name. Anyway, everyone had been talking about Bulmers Hard Cider...so I figured I couldn't leave an Irish Pub without trying at least a half-pint. It was better/milder than I thought it was going to be, although I was kinda tipsy the rest of the night. psht. Such a lightweight...I know.

Before my flight out on Sunday evening, Rachael and I explored downtown Dublin. Dublin reminds me *a lot* of a smallish American city. I think this was actually a good thing for me since I have been mildly homesick recently.

However, my trip to Ireland was not complete without a trip to the local Tesco to purchase peanut butter and AMAZING Irish granola. Mmmmmm. Little did I know that peanut butter is considered a "gel" when flying. When I was going through customs in the Dublin airport to fly back to Pisa, they pulled me aside and opened up my luggage. The guy found the peanut butter, but saw that it wasn't open. After checking with the guys sitting at the computer screen, he cleared me to keep it (I was almost certain that he was going to just throw it out!). I apologized profusely, and then thanked him almost as profusely since, well, we all know I love my peanut butter.

It has been 2.5 months since I last had peanut butter....but mmmmm it is good! Y'know what's even better? Irish granola AND peanut butter....together! :)

Aside from the travel mishaps and frustrations, it is safe to say that I had a wonderful time in Ireland! I wish I had time to go to the cliffs on the West Coast, but that will have to be for another time.

Next up: To Bulgaria this weekend to party with Anna and surprise several other people that I worked with on Martha's Vineyard this summer. Can't wait to see their faces when I just randomly show up in Bulgaria! hehe.

It's gonna be a party weekend, so I have to rest up this week. ;)

VINO (Wine)!!

If you would like a certain type, year, brand, model, make =P of wine from Italy, please let me know! :)

I checked the airline regulations and I am allowed to bring an unlimited number of bottles home in my checked luggage. I don't know how many I will be able to fit (I've made several clothing purchases since arriving 2.5 months ago...) but let me know and I will see what I can do. The only fee I charge is that of the bottle....or the damage it does when the red wine spills all over my new clothes! haha. Kidding. I am a better packer than that. :)

Just shoot me an email, katie.crutchfield@gmail.com OR you can text my cell (yes, it will work from the States): 039 348 185 9326.

Travel Plans/Weekends

March 27-29: IRELAND

April 3-5: BULGARIA

April 11-18: ICELAND (Spring Break!)

April 24-26: SPAIN

May 1-3: Cinque Terra (the Italian equivalent of the French Riviera)

May 8-10: Studying for finals

May 15: Departure from Rome & back on American soil

Flattery

My ballroom instructor, Davide Galluzzi, and his dance partner, Monica, (also his wife) have won national and international competitions.

Last night, Monica was watching Davide and I execute a Paso Doble routine. Afterwards, the petite, dark-featured woman walked over to us, paused, searching for the correct words (she knows very little English), and said to me, in English:

You are a beautiful dancer.

I smiled, thanking her in Italian, and she walked back over to the other dance couple she had been teaching.

That was enough to make my night. Being complimented by an internationally ranked Latin, Standard AND 10-dance dancer, who doesn't even speak English but made the effort to say that to me. . . .my trip to Italy is complete. :)

~

Anna visits from Bulgaria!

After seven months, I finally got to see Anna again! (minus the hideous flight-attendant uniforms!) We met random guys in Florence who wanted to have a picture with us, got invited to a wine party, went clubbing, and danced on chairs. Travel plans are in the works for me to visit Bulgaria.... :)

DANCE: THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Dance, math, music....I think these could all be classified as universal languages - no matter where you go, steps, numbers and music notes generally do not vary.

Last night I had my first private Italian Latin dance lesson. It was truly more than I could have ever hoped for. I learned 5 or 6 new things - related to technique, in addition to new moves - in 45 minutes. That's more than I learned during last semester (granted I was teaching the ballroom lessons 95% of the time...).

I'm so excited and happy! Two months without dance is no way to live! I will be taking private lessons every week for the rest of the semester - or at least that is my goal (wish I had a job to replenish my poor bank account!). I hope to return to Ithaca a much-improved dancer. :)

In terms of language, Davide, the teacher, did not speak any English. One of the ladies that had a lesson before me interpreted for the first 15 minutes or so of my lesson before she had to leave. Afterwards, we were on our own....and that was okay. As I said, dance is definitely a universal language. With an International syllabus of recognized moves, it was much easier to communicate, because "Natural top" is the same move no matter where in the world you are. Davide ended up speaking Italian while showing me what I should be doing - stepping on the outside of my foot for a spiral, tucking in my butt, making sure my thighs stayed together, etc. It was not at all frustrating, and he didn't seem to be frustrated either. But, it would be nice if I could eventually get to the point where I understand some of the things he is saying in Italian. Guess I have 11 more weeks to work on that. :)

----

On another note, today has been the MOST beautiful, sunniest, warmest day since I arrived in Siena. I went out and laid in the Piazza with some other girls from IES. Definitely felt great to soak up some Vitamin D. I plan on trying to get out there a few times a week, since I seem to be the poster-girl for being WHITE. Goodness.

And....Mom and Dad are officially NOT coming due to the fact that Mom broke her ankle a little over a week ago. Disappointing, but life throws you curves - you just have to go with it.

Off to make dinner....Ciao!

CARNAVALE!

Apparently Brazilians and New Orleans folk aren't the only ones to celebrate this time of year - Italians are enthusiastic participants as well.

To me, Carnavale seems like the Halloween-equivalent, although I am told that Halloween is also celebrated here. Depending on which Carnavale festival you attend, festivities can range from Masquerade Balls (Venice, Italy) to everyone simply walking around in their costumes, music performances, fried food, and lots of silly-string and confetti (Viareggio, Italy - where I was yesterday).

Although I haven't been an active participant (a mask and costume wouldn't exactly fit in my suitcase, nor did I even think to bring any), I have been an interested and amused observer. :) While on the Piazza del Campo taking these pictures, I suddenly became the target of 5 and 6-year olds with silly string. I quickly protected my camera lens and ran away from them, but they were already on to their next victim (thank goodness!).

Tuesday is Mardi Gras and I am going to a mask party at Gallery (the local club) - should be interesting....since Italians seem to know how to party. ;) Have to say...don't think that anyone can party harder than the Serbians I met on the Vineyard this past summer...

Italy is always filled with surprises, though. :) I wouldn't have it any other way!!


(Side note: I deactivated my Facebook account last week - I came to Italy to experience life and culture, not sit on Facebook and waste time...which is basically what I was doing. To be honest, I find it very liberating - one less thing to obsess over! And, I realize how ridiculous it is how wrapped up people are in it - today, Facebook came up as a topic of conversation AT LEAST 8 times in the course of 2 hours, "Did you see the pictures....", "Oh my gosh! They're dating?!", "Did you get the message about...?" And I just sat there thinking, 'Wow. What has this world come to?' Yes, I will eventually put Facebook back up again, but not right now. If people need to contact me, that is what AIM, email, snail mail or phones are for...)

Orchestra of Tuscany

Just returned from a jaw-dropping night of music at the Teatro di Rossi - featuring the Orchestra di Toscana.

WOW. That's the only word that seems to fit. They played the first 6 bars of the first song and I was blown away. They were SO good - dead on. They sounded like a recording. Perfect intonation. Perfect dynamics. Perfect musicianship. Wow.

Not only that, but they also had two opera singers join them on a few pieces. They made it look easy - no strain on their faces or anything. Just stood there and belted it out - in between acting out the story.

This is the first time since I've been here that it is all starting to hit me.

Wow. I'm actually in Italy. I'm sitting in this gorgeous theater, surrounded by local Italians, and a few fellow Americans, listening to this phenomenally talented orchestra - after having an Italian dinner at a quaint restaurant on the Piazza del Campo. Fresh ingredients, warm bread, great company. Am I dreaming?

Nope. I'm really in Italy.

And, Italians sure know how to do it up right. In celebration of Carnavale weekend, the second half of the concert featured the musicians dressed as various things - a devil, an Arab, a construction worker. And, before the end of the concert, the conductor had already popped open a bottle of champagne....part of the program it seemed, but also part of the lively Italian drinking culture.

Oh Italy...I love you.

How Quickly Life Can Change...

When I woke up this morning, I had an email sitting in my inbox from Dad.


Mom broke her ankle yesterday. Slipped on the rug on the porch, she's going to have a metal plate put in on Friday.


Mom & Dad were supposed to come visit in 20 days. Everything is up in the air right now. It's probably a given that Mom won't be coming. After Googling "broken ankle", I discovered it typically takes 6-8 weeks to heal. Dad said he's not sure he wants to come alone. Whether he will look for someone to travel with (possibly my Uncle), come by himself or not come at all, I am not certain.


Please send your well-wishes and prayers my Mom's way...

Pompei

Went to Southern Italy for the weekend with 6 other girls and we had a chance to visit Pompei. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, I HIGHLY recommend it! It was absolutely phenomenal - both the ruins and the history behind it all.

~Culture Shock~

I thought I had escaped the grip of culture shock...until this past weekend.

A car ride to Northern Italy, meeting a friend's family: parents, sisters & grandparents; and four home-cooked meals later...I am missing my family and friends.

Italians sure have hospitality! I would argue that they have more than United States Southerners - or at least it seems genuine (sometimes the Southerners are faking their hospitality, I can tell). Not even my grandparents from West Virginia pushed food on me as much as my friend's mother did! Oh my goodness! I thought I was going to explode! Luckily, after saying "No grazie" for the 3rd time, she stopped. I am pretty sure I gained a kilogram (2.2 pounds) or two this past weekend.

Some of the students studying at IES Siena are in homestays and are experiencing the same thing with meals. However, even after saying "No" they still receive another 3 or 4 spoonfuls of whatever their host parents are serving that night. As I did, they felt guilty not finishing whatever was put in front of them....guess it's an American thing?

In order to find out my food preferences, I sat down with one of the sisters and we used a translator program to make my likes and dislikes known. Well of course I listed peanut butter as one of my loves. haha. I haven't had it for nearly a month!!!! That night, after dinner, my friend's mom pulled out a bag of peanuts!!!! So, it's not *exactly* the same as peanut butter, but it was the closest I am going to get while I am here in Italy.

..............

I also can't help but worry that I am missing stories, events and inside jokes in Ithaca while I am here in Italy. But, I suppose I am making my own stories and living my own experiences while I am over here.

Maybe I just need to stop worrying and start living. Yeah? :)

Dying to Dance

It doesn't look like the ballroom dance thing is going to work. Carolina is specialized in Standard, and I am a Latin girl. She knew a 24-year old guy who was looking for a Latin partner, and contacted him for me, but it turns out he already found a partner. And, of the 4 ballroom styles, Standard is the one that, this past semester, I decided I don't want to do anymore - at all. I can't do heel turns, therefore I can't be a Standard dancer. It's as simple as that.

My dancing has diminished to clubbing. And while that is all fine-and-dandy, I want to be polishing my ballroom technique...and dancing dirty in the club doesn't exactly satisfy that. Speaking of which, I think I failed to mention that my first time in an Italian club, I fell down. Completely sober. Yep. Not kidding. There were three of us sandwiched together, leaning/dancing our way backwards. I was in front, lost my balance, and three Americans toppled over onto their tush. Good times. Luckily, none of our classmates were quick enough to snap a photo - so there will be no blackmail. =P

* * *

The pictures below are from my trip to Milan last weekend with fellow IES Siena students.

The Milan Duomo is the 2nd largest Gothic-style cathedral in THE WORLD.

And, we also were on Italian TV! Italian TRL & MTV to be exact! The Italian TRL studio is right by the Duomo, and while we were standing there they shot us in the square. 15 seconds of Italian fame...gotta love it! :)

Ridiculous

How silly of me to think that by moving to Italy for a semester, all the problems I had in the States would dissipate.

I reasoned with myself before I flew to Italy that this was not going to happen. I guess since I've been here that reasoning went out the window - like living in Italy is a fairytale and nothing can go wrong.


Well, let's just say I got a huge slap in the face and reality check last night.


....

This is going to be rough.

SPRING BREAK! (Update by demand, AKA: Carolyn)

I've booked my flight for Spring break:

I am spending 7 days in....*drumroll*.....ICELAND! I can't wait!!! I am going by myself - I've always kind of been Miss Independent. :) I am in the process of figuring out where to go and what to do before booking hostels.


On another note, IES Siena took a trip to Milan - the Fashion Capital of the World - from Thursday to Saturday. I have a whole new appreciation for Siena now. SO GLAD I didn't study in Milan....definitely not a city girl. If this is any proof: When we had a free afternoon on Friday, instead of going shopping, I went to the Milan Public Gardens with a couple girls and watched 15 dogs run around while their owners stood and visited in the afternoon sun (I'm also the girl whose favorite part of New York City is Central Park).

Pictured below is an archway in San Gimignano - where I visited last weekend. :)

LIVE & LEARN

Wednesday is my clubbing night.

The weather yesterday was temperate - not raining (for once!) and not freezing. Y'know, a moderate 50º or so. My roommates and I finished applying our eyeliner and mascara and took a few going-out pictures before we were finally ready to hit The Gallery.

"Aren't you going to wear a coat?" Erin inquired, in the more friend-than-mother sort of tone.

"No, it's really warm out and I don't want to have to check it when we get there." Bedecked with a rhinestone necklace; royal blue, cinched sweetheart-top, my favorite DKNY jeans and my newest purchase at the market: knee-high black, high-heeled boots (only 10 euro!), needless to say, I was feeling pretty good. The 5 minute walk to the club wasn't a big deal, I knew I was going to be hot the moment I got in there and hit the dance floor. Why bother with a coat for 5 minutes?

Betsy followed me with the idea and left her coat behind, while Erin threw on hers. After finishing the photo shoot, the three of us left our apartment and headed towards the discotechque. As I had remembered, it was a comfortable cool outside, but nothing I couldn't handle for a few minutes.

We rounded the corner to the Piazza del Campo, and we were all feeling pretty hot. Betsy had bought boots at the market too, and we were strutting our stuff on the cobblestone streets of Siena.

Then all hell broke loose. I kid you not.

Guys on THE OTHER SIDE of the Piazza turned to stare at us while a group of men walking by were making comments in Italian that I can only *imagine* what they meant, and another opened his coat in a mockery of us.

I have never had so many guys turn around and stare at me *in my life*. You'd think I was a celebrity or something. Goodness.

Then a guy came up to me and asked for what appeared to be a lighter for his cigarette - which none of us had. All he said was, "Prego...." in a suggestive tone. We all just laughed and kept walking - a little faster this time.

We rounded the corner and Erin stated:

"Katie! He thought you were a prostitute! "Prego" is something you say in a store. He wanted to buy you!"

OH MY GOODNESS. I received a few more obscene-ish gestures, long stares and smiles, and more Italian directed my way that I couldn't yet understand.

But, never, EVER, could I have fathomed being mistaken as a prostitute in Italy, just because I chose not to wear a coat over my tank top and knee-high boots.

.....

So apparently they think I'm a hooker. Great.

United States vs. Siena

* Italians don't use dryers. That's why you always see pictures of clothes hanging out windows - that's how the do it.

* Siena is very health-conscious. Everything is organic. :)

* It is an ITALIAN LAW that you HAVE to recycle...everything. (wish more countries were like this!)

* Peanut butter is 5 euro for 8 oz. I will not be eating peanut butter for the next 4 months.

* EVERY guy that walks down the street is attractive. I'm not kidding! My apartment-mate asked, "Where do they keep all the ugly ones?" Guess what? There aren't any! :)

* Italian men are really not as forward as everyone thinks. Honestly, I'd say that they are comparable to the men I have been around in the States.

* NO ONE is overweight here....maybe 1 out of every 500 Italians I've seen.

* Stores shut down from 1-3ish every afternoon for siesta! (I thought that was only Spain & Latin/Central America!)

* On Friday and Satruday nights, Sienese spend their time walking & socializing in the streets - moreso than in pubs, bars or clubs.

* Sienese have a wide variety of dogs which they walk any time during the day. I think I am going to start a photo series of dogs & their owners...when I know a little more Italian. :)

* Italian and Spanish really are very similar....so maybe I'll mix the two. :P

* You are not required to tip. But, you do have to ask for your check when in a restaurant.

* THERE IS NO SALES TAX ON ANYTHING!!! :)

* The gelato here is *amazing*!

Back in High School...

So maybe it's not supposed to be like this, but to a point, this feels like high school again.

There are 31 American students studying abroad through the IES Siena program. With so many different personalities and lifestyles I know there is no possible way to be close friends with every single person (although, I am the kind of person that wishes there was...).

It has been less than a week since we all arrived in Italy. People are settling into their surroundings and getting acquainted with fellow study abroaders (yeah, I know that's not a word...oh well). And perhaps it's a natural thing to form cliques....? I don't know, but I don't like it. Cliques are forming. I thought I was away from all that when I graduated from high school and started college. The last time I walked out the doors of Belchertown High School, maybe I assumed incorrectly - thinking that all the cliquey-ness would be left behind.

Eh.

I feel like it's first-semester freshman year all over again.

Irish Pub...in Italia

Went out tonight for a drink with some of the girls - then on to the Irish Pub where there was live music.

Country music.

With a confederate flag painted on the band's speakers.

I kid you not.

And the guys were wearing cowboy hats!!

Cowboys in Italy?

Apparently.

I approve. :)

Love at First Sight

...No, I'm not talking about men.

The moment I left the airport and crammed into a taxi with 7 fellow IES students and ALL our luggage (wondering if we should fear for our lives due to the rumors we had heard about Italian drivers) and began to drive from the airport to our hotel in downtown Rome, I absolutely fell in love with Italy.

After arriving at our hotel, receiving warm greetings from the IES Staff, and grabbing our (or at least my) first Italian lunch, the group of already-arrived students decided to explore the ancient city.

Out hotel was only a 5 minute walk from the Coliseum. I REMEMBER LEARNING ABOUT THE COLISEUM IN 6th GRADE!!!!! The fact that I got to see it in real life just blows me away (the above picture is one I snapped at about midnight that night). Yeah, that sounds ridiculous, but there is SO much history that occurred there, and that I only ever got to learn about through text books. To see it in real life was astounding.

Not only that, but Rome is architecturally an intriguing city (no wonder why architecture majors study here). The remnants of ancient ruins, Roman baths, and then all the churches, statues, fountains, buildings, etc. are surrounded by modern apartments and hotels. We were driving through the city, and then, what seemed like out of nowhere, we were passing the old Roman baths - just like that. No warning or anything. They were nestled in a little valley, near a park and other things....the ancient tucked away with the new.

****

I am now in Siena - where I will be living and studying for the next 4 months. :)

I went to the weekly market yesterday. Let me tell you something, I am going to have to send clothes home, because I am going on a shopping spree for clothes next week!!! :) I can't wait until it gets warmer and they start selling sundresses!!! :)

***

I went clubbing last night. It was mostly for American/study abroad students...so there weren't really many Italians. I still had a REALLY great time...once I got someone up to dance with me. If you really know me, you know I go to clubs to DANCE - not to drink. But...while dancing, there were 3 of us in a line, leaning back, dancing, and we all fell backwards. Yep...

...I fell down my first night in an Italian club. Completely sober. While dancing. Wonderful.


**

I started Italian class today. I wish I could just snap my fingers and be fluent in it. I think it's a really sexy language, and would be really sexy to be fluent in, but somehow I don't think that's going to happen in one semester. I keep wanting to use Spanish words when speaking Italian - both languages are quite similar.

*

Next mission: Start taking ballroom lessons. There is a girl who just has to give me the address of the studio and then I will be over there and signing up. Can't wait! :)

Adventure of a Lifetime

I have never been to Europe.

I've always wanted to go, but our annual family vacations never included a flight over the Atlantic to any of the beautiful countries that I had only seen photographs of.

Upon entering college, I knew that I wanted to study abroad at some point during my undergraduate years. I've always loved to travel: put me in a car, load me on a train or on a plane, and I will be happy. While I love having two places that I can call home (Massachusetts & Ithaca), I also have this burning desire to always be on the move - experience new things, and get out to see the world. I consider myself extremely independent, and if I have a desire to do something, I'll do it...whether I have anyone standing by my side or not.

During my sophomore year, I began to throw around ideas of where I'd like to study in the Spring of 2009. After seeing the beauty of Greece in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie, I decided I wanted to study there. The shimmering, crystal-blue seas, white houses in cozy villages, and the warmth of the Greek people were all appealing (as was the love story, but we won't get into that...). But towards the end of this past summer, after complaining about being stuck on an island (I worked/lived on Martha's Vineyard for 3 months), Mom reminded me that Greece is comprised mostly of islands, and I may want to re-think my study abroad decision.

Heeding her warning, I began to explore other options. I am absolutely NOT a city girl, so I knew that I needed to be near some countryside and farms. Other places I looked into included: New Zealand, Vienna, Amsterdam (although I guess that goes against my "no city" thing, right?) and Siena, Italy. Each had their pros and cons. I narrowed my field to: New Zealand or Siena. I had been leaning more towards Siena from the beginning, and Mom and Dad helped to sway my final decision a little, too. They both traveled to New Zealand back in the 1970s, shortly after they were married. And, both argued that the countries in Europe are all very accessible - so if I want to travel and see as much as possible, I need to be in a connected continent, rather than on an island, next to a larger island - also known as Australia.



With less than four days left before my departure from the States, I have made several personal goals for myself for the upcoming four months:

1. Take lots of photos! That will be easy, but....try to capture the beauty of Europe, not only in its rolling hills and astounding architecture, but in the people that inhabit the villages, cities, work on farms, have stories to tell... I'd like to become comfortable enough with some of the people in Siena to take their photographs, or perhaps follow them around for a day.

2. Find an Italian ballroom dancing partner! In the very least, find a place to take ballroom lessons while I am abroad. Italy has some great ballroom dancers - it would be a shame not to take advantage of lessons while there.

3. Explore and travel as much as I can. As previously stated, I have a burning desire to see as much of this world as I possibly can before I die.

4. Make new friends & keep in touch with those back home. :) Also - there are several lovely ladies currently residing in Europe who will be in my travel plans at some point!

5. HAVE FUN! (this one should be pretty easy though)

I'm sure I will come up with more, but I'll leave it at that for now. I have to finish packing!

Ciao!