Wow I am a bad blogger

I am super bad at being diligent with this. Sorry! I don't have my pictures plugged in so this will be without sweet pics for now. Well to quickly catch up since Switzerland...classes are still going well. We had midterms this past week and I think they went well. Now I am on Spring Break! whoohoo.
I am currently sitting in a insanely awesome hotel room in Venice waiting on my parents to go to breakfast. Since when was I the one who woke my parents up...? switching roles for sure. Anyway, we got here yesterday and just walked around since a lot had already closed but we did go into the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition of his machines and his inventions. I went this summer but we needed to keep my ADD dad occupied. Then we had a great dinner, I actually had fish!! first time since i've been in Italy because Florence has NO fish ANYWHERE. They are too territorially proud to share traditional foods around here.

This past week I was lucky enough for Cole to come visit during his spring break. He had a great apartment for a week through the HomeAway deal where people rent out homes and such. (such a great deal!) We tore up the Pitti Palace. We went one day when it was raining and saw all the interior things like the apartments and some other painting exhibits. The next day (his 3rd) we climbed to the top of the Duomo and spent hours in the extensive Pitti Palace gardens. I am always envious of the Palace or Villa gardens, they did them right back in the day. To reverse a bit, Cole arrived on Saturday and I exhausted him even further by dragging him up to Piazza Michaelangelo (the one that looks over the city) and up to San Miniato which is right above the Piazza. So we had a lot of walking while he was here.

My awesome friends and I have found a unbelievable bar, The Art Bar. I am not joking when I say they have the best Pina Colada (even beat mexico) and Mojitos (sorry Greg) I have ever had in my life. So we are making it a weekly event. Since we found it the week before, I had to bring Cole to experience this place with us and also convinced Rebekah to come! It was a great end to my midterms.

(I realize this post is scattered, I am trying to summarize or else I will just blab on and on)
Thursday, my parents arrived and we all went to dinner at a place Cole and I discovered on his street. It was the best meal i've had in Italy thus far. Apparently it is very famous for the elite people such as Sting, John Travolta and some others had pictures up in there. The owner was very eclectic, a very refreshing personality. I wish I had taken a picture of the bracelets he had not taken off in 22 years. He buys something from places he travels and keeps it on so pretty much he is a walking documentary of his life in my mind.

Ok, I think the parents are ready! finally! I am starving. I will try to post again sooner rather than in a few weeks haha. Sorry friends! Miss you all.
Love, LJ

A brief recap...

The amazing alps!

Sorry for the lack up updating! Somehow I seem to always get distracted when I am about to post.
I don't know where to begin. Well we went to Switzerland (Interlaken and Bern) last weekend. They have a special place in my heart now. I have never been so amazed by creation in my life. Everything just seems better when surrounded by mountains and fresh mountain air. We got to Bern Friday afternoon and decided to hang around there for a bit and explore since we had no clue what was even there. (reason being we decided we were going 1 week prior so didn't have much time to research things). That city is great, a lot to look at and a ton of great architecture. We decided to eat lunch there and quickly found out FOOD IS VERY EXPENSIVE there, even more so in Interlaken. We tried to find what we thought was a "traditional Swiss meal" ironically we did. We ate Rosti which is essentially hash browns topped with whatever you want. So delicious and thankfully fairly inexpensive. (meaning 23 CHF per plate, their currency is almost equal to the dollar)

I look gross since it was raining and early
but happy with my Starbucks!

 After our Bern escapades we took the 50 min train ride to Interlaken. Let me tell you, most beautiful scenery! EVERR. Tell me how it is possible for there to be a lake, so sailboats and water activities AND a snowy mountain with all the winter sports you could dream of in one place! pure bliss in other words. When we arrived we had a very short walk to a great Bed and Breakfast (yes rebekah and I are like an old married couple, weird) we found with super nice owners who helped us SO much since we were slightly clueless as to what we really wanted to do besides stare at the mountains. She pointed us to some places for dinner and a nice walk around Interlaken. Surprisingly it was not as cold as Milan was so it was nice to be outside. We found a friendly pub type place since we were still stuffed from lunch and had a local beer, super good. The next day we planned on going into the mountains and taking cable cars to Schilthorn which is one of the peaks but has a 360 lookout of the alps, sounded pretty amazing but it was 90.00 per person, little steep for college students. We resorted to going to Murren which is just one cable car down from that point but 40 less so definitely the better option. Especially because the smart person I am accidently lead us up what seemed to be just another pathway but was a steep road...needless to say we got our workout in and were sweating. BUT it lead us to a wonderful trail that was flat and took us back to where we needed to go anyway. It was a good mistake, we were able to see way more from up there and take some great pictures of the mountains. We found a place for lunch on a balcony looking at the mountains (although they were in every direction) rebekah got an insane burger made from local sausage or something? not really sure and I don't even know what I got but it was good and swiss. We finally made our way down to prepare for our night sledding adventure! We got so lucky, the place we stayed had winter clothes they let us borrow so we didn't have to pay a fortune for rentals. We were in a group of about 20, all american college students of course because we are the only idiots to sled down a dark mountain in the cold. It was a blast although I realized after that a part of my sled was broken causing me to have some steering difficulties. The best way to describe this sledding is mario cart. The guides told us that and they were not joking. I was always VERY bad at mario cart, ask Sophie. After the sledding there was a fodue dinner included which was SO delicious, how could cheese and anything be bad really. Finally the night was over and we crashed exhausted from exploring. The next day was unfortunately rainy and so cloudy no mountains were visible so we took an earlier train back to Bern. We were so lucky to have great weather on saturday! We had a few hours to kill in Bern so we went to the only open establishment....STARBUCKS! best moment of my life. not really, but I really enjoyed having what I consider normal coffee again, dirty chi latte :). The only bad thing about traveling in Europe is everything really shuts down on Sundays. I appreciate it in one sense but it is annoying when you just want to find some food. Ok enough about the weekend, writing about it is making me want to go again.

When in Italy? A lot of these were shared efforts.

We (meaning Rebekah, our great neighbors and friends Emma and Rachel) have started a great thing called Thursday dinners. We need a name for them. Last thursday we had a toaster-oven pizza party, actually turned out great! Who knew toaster ovens were so powerful. I also made some pasta with white pasta sauce (thank you Mrs. Carter for the wonderful recipe) and a few bottles of wine. (not a good idea before taking a train the next day, lesson learned) We planned to go see the Kings Speech but it was sadly cancelled which lead to wonderful things. Such as 80's night and finding an amazing pastry shop, even better than the "secret pastry shop". Last night we had a tomato soup and grilled cheese night with awesome oatmeal chocolate chip cookes shannon made with some cin-sugar apples. I have really embraced being able to cook here! Even if we don't have an over or processor or microwave or sharp knives haha. It's been a learning experience everyday.

 

We miss dryers. Our clothes are stiff.

This week was pretty good, read a good book for one of my classes and had an awesome "field trip" in my wine class to a gelato place to learn how "real" gelato is made. Big difference, changed how I taste gelato and ice cream now! Then we went to a really neat wine shop in their cellar for another lesson on how to decipher the Italian wine labels and regions and types etc. There is so much about Italian wine! I love it and have learned a lot already.

Well, I should get some work done and do something with myself. I am very ready for Cole to come on the 12th and my parents to come on the 18th!! Although, midterms are in that mix too but shouldn't be too stressful. I think Rebekah and I are going to visit the Uffizi tomorrow and be tourists for a day.

Miss and love y'all. Hope reading this has helped you procrastinate :)
Lauren Jane

Weekend adventure to Siena

View from a random street in Siena

 Bonjorno amice,
sorry it's taken me so long to write again. I like to put pictures up with my posts and since my pictures are all on an external hard drive (since I have a trillion) I do this when loading pictures. The pictures I am loading are from Siena! We went on Saturday with our great neighbors Shannon and Elena. It was a great day adventure. We took the train which was so cheap and easy, only about an hour and a half trip. When we arrived, we probably looked clueless on how to get from the train station to the main part of the city. We had an idea but it's not very clear, so we finally made it to a bus. Those drivers are so insane I almost fell over multiple times or since I was by the door, almost flew out. (let me just say everyone here either in car, truck, bus, bike, vespa...they are all insane and they WILL run you over). Immediately when we got off in the center, I loved the city, it is truly medieval. The architecture is fabulous and very different from Florence.

interior of Siena Cathedral

 We knew we wanted do three things; climb up the bell tower, see the civic museum and Siena Cathedral. We went to the cathedral first. Let me tell you, my mind is still in shock. The amount of detail in every part is something that I doubt we will ever see done in the future. The facade was a hint of what was inside (see picture) the stripes are dizzying and the patterns on the floor were just as intense. It's funny how when we study these in art history, they are just another picture but when you actually see them it becomes something different. That's why I love my art history class here so far, the first three lessons are on site. Last week was San Miniato this week is Santa Maria Novella. As our professor said to Rebekah today "We just have too much art" as she was overwhelmed telling people about everything they saw even if it wasn't related to the class.
   So after the cathedral we made our way to find lunch. Quite an experience. We walked in thinking we would get a menu but he said or we think he said, the menu is outside so we had to get back up and figure out what we wanted. In Siena, it is not as common to find English speakers or translated menus so I just picked something. It was delicious but I still have no idea what it was. (see mom I'm not that picky!) After a great lunch we wandered around just looking at anything and everything. It's a city that doesn't have a lot "to do" but there is a lot to see. By the time we found our way back to the tower area (where they have the famous horse races) they CLOSED the tower....dumb drizzling rain. So we decided we'd come back in a few weeks and do both since those tickets were cheaper together.
With slightly bummed attitudes we decided we needed some coffee and gelato. We stumbled into this fabulous place where we were graced with someone who knew english. Therefore I decided to go for ordering a cappucino with Bailey's because I would have no idea how to explain that in Italian. Well, even though this guy knew english he still gave me the funniest look thinking I was insane for asking for such a thing. Finally he was like okay we will try it for you. Then I said, no you should try it. He still thinks i'm a lunatic but I bet one day when he is working by himself he will secretly try it and think i'm a genius! We finally headed back, then the party began! Neighbor pasta night! We each made a different pasta and vegetable. oh and wine...duh. I bought Asti for them to try for dessert (anyone who wants a good sweet wine should try it). It was a fabulous day and night.

Our comfort.

Well I am about to be late for my Web Design class that I have at 6pm on Mondays....such an odd time. It throws me off. I will write again soon.
Ciao. Ti amo.
oh and Happy Valentine's day
Lauren

Just Saturday...

You should know what this is.

Today began with homework and ended with well, it hasn't ended but we just ate dinner in the apartment. We realized our room is very tricky since we have no idea how light it is outside from in there. The blinds close very well so we finally came back alive around 11...oops. BUT we still had an eventful day. We relaxed, I made scrambled eggs for breakfast (thank you dad for that valuable lesson on cooking in my youth) and delicious coffee with my new obsession the Italian coffee maker. Finally after I finished my reading it was already 3! Time flies, that will be my overall feeling after this semester. We decided to get our butts out the door and explore for some pictures. 

   We knew the Chocolate festival was still going on so we headed that way to capture some of it's glory. So many things to look at, the word spread since yesterday because it was SO busy! I am sure you wonder, well did it taste good? I finally broke down and bought some since I took several pictures of the chocolate at this particular stand and it was DELICIOUS. I am not sure exactly what I got since I just pointed to two pieces but I know I enjoyed them. We got slightly overwhelmed and headed back towards the Duomo to take some pictures while it was still light outside. Well it just so happened that as we walk up there is just a little communist demonstration going on...no big deal. Rebekah and I were like bees to the hive, we walked right up to it to get some pictures. I didn't feel intimidated since people around didn't seem to be harmful. It was only when a line of cops fully armed and with guns and other weapons came walking up the street behind the march. I decided they looked intimidating so we walked off as the crowd was chanting. We quickly made it back to our street where I bought some pretty earrings from this really sweet elderly lady who owns a shop a few doors down form us. 

Yes, I ate this. SO good

The sign for the carnival.

 

We returned to our humble abode and made plans to go out with our neighbors for a night on the town. Since we were in need of more wine, we walked a few feet to the market for vino and other necessities. I made whole wheat pasta (apparently not a trend, there were only about 3 boxes available) with tomato sauce and the chicken we'd bought at the meat market a couple days ago. YUM yum. That's all i've got for now! I will eventually upload some pictures to facebook but honestly I am lazy. Facebook picture uloading has become a hassel. 

Miss y'all, Love

 LJane

I gave in

Buonasera!
Well, as I was making my coffee today in this sweeet Italian coffee maker I thought, I want to show this to people so this is my blog :). Hopefully it will provide some entertainment and documentation of life here in Florence. I might share this with my amazing roommate Rebekah, she is in class so we shall see.

Italian coffee maker! 

Today was the last day of classes for the week, I can already tell this is going to go by SO fast. This week was the first week of classes. I am very pleased with all of mine! I can honestly say this is not going to be a "blow off semester" like people assume studying abroad is. I have 15 hours; Italian, Wine and Cultures (much more complicated that you'd think), Web Design, Fashion Illustration (5 hours in one day!) and an art history titled "Lost symbolisms and Secret Codes in art". One great thing I have notices so far just in the first day of classes, the teachers are SO enthusiastic about their subjects and life as a whole. At least 3 of them said "life is too short so I am doing what I love" or something to that effect in their introduction. For example, my wine teacher was previously a CEO of some local and international companies and one day just gave it all up because he said it wasn't fulfilling so now he is following his passion for food and wine. My understanding is that he is still very successful in what he does. I already have so much respect for him, how often do people have the courage to truly do what they love no matter what.

My successful cup of coffee

I had Italian this morning. I am very appreciative of the class but it is quite intimidating since she will not say a single thing in English during class. Afterwards I decided to walk back to my apartment but not before walking through the flower market! It's so beautiful, I bought two plants each only 1 euro. Rebekah and I were missing grass and trees....so I bought colorful flowers :). We are going to break in our kitchen tonight by making a chicken pasta dish. We bought chicken yesterday during my break between classes at the huge meat market. It was very intimidating but wonderful to experience. We finally found chicken through all the cow tongues, hooves, stomach linings and such. The butcher even sliced it and tenderized it for us, all for 2.50 Euro. Since we have all this chicken I searched for some recipes. If anyone has some suggestions on what we can cook with a toaster oven and a stove, please we need help!

My 1 euro flowers 

Well this is already a lot of writing, I have a lot more that has happened or more great experiences but I will not bore you. This weekend we are planning on taking pictures of Florence and visiting a site or two.

Love you all,
Ciao, Lauren