Time is passing quickly

Ciao,

Monday was a holiday here in Italy, it was the day that the king a abdicated from the throne.  It was one of these two King Victor Emmanuel III

King Emmanuel III

abdicated in 1946 to giving it to his son Umberto II,

King Umberto II

then he lost it in the same year by a referendum abolishing the monarchy ( a little Italian history for you)

Volterra is a walled town in Tuscany with medieval and Renaissance buildings, a Roman theater, and Etruscan sites.  For all you Twightlight fans this the home of the Volturi in the second book and the action scene

It was a cute little town. Off Elba Island today and Rio Marina.  I think it's where Napolean  was held captive?????

Ciao

Torino Città

The days have just passed by so quickly I can't believe that I have been in Italy almost a whole week. The plane ride over was great, I love flying Condor Air, you watch 3 movies eat, and before you know it your are landing in Frankfurt.

I landed in Frankfurt, then flew to Milan, then took a train to train to Torino.  Torino is the city that the Fiat Automobiles are manufactured.  The city is lovely I toured the city using the Hop-on-Hop off bus.  However, before I started the tour there was this shop in the train station that caught my eye. 

Desigual, I thought it was an Italian company but I learned from Victors daughters that it was Spanish designer and it was the hottest line of clothing in Italy at the moment.

So do I have an eye for the fashion trends.  I picked up a new bag an  scarf.  I'll post pictures later.  Enough about my amazing buy.

Here are a few pictures of Torino

No funny stories yet.  More come from Tuscany!!!

Ciao

Back to Italy!!!!!

 I had no plans to Blog on this trip but the last week so many people asked me too, so here we go again.  I hope it will be as entertaining as it was last time.  

Here I am again traveling on my own.  I feel such a sense of power that I can travel alone and not feel lonely.  This trip started with one of my teacher friends joining me but it didn't work out, and I was to meet two classmates from school and both could not make it., but we have plan to meet is Sweden and go to the Swedish Curling Team Workshop.  You know me always looking for something outside the box. Did you know that Anchorage has a place to Curl.

Breakfast

I have been traveling all night, I love Condor Air the time just passes so quickly.  I sitting in the Frankfurt Airport waiting for my plan to Milan.  From there I will go to Turin, which is along the Swiss border.  I will spend 3 days there before joining my Italian group from Anchorage, I will tour Tuscany with them until Sat, then head to Paris.  I just added Paris last week.  I love traveling alone because you can do what every pleases you with out discussion.

Right this minute I'm sitting beside an Italian, I love the way the language sounds, and I can pick out a few words here and there as he is talking on the phone.  One day with a lot of study and practice I just might be able to have a conversation with out code switching between English and Italian.

Ciao for now,
Natalie

Italy is magical---- I agree it is

I can't believe that I will be heading home in a few days. I have been in Italy for 7 weeks and I have learned sooooooo much on this journey about myself and people.

What I have learned that is so very important is you have to laugh at yourself--- and you have to approach people with a smile----I know that this is true. I have learned the language (well kinda) but I can get around this country on the train and sometimes I must look like I know what I'm doing because people ask me questions about direction ( it just makes me laugh). I just look at them and say ( You are really asking me a question, do I look like I know) but the thing is I do know.

Last night we went to my favorite resturant in Florence Napo, it was the first big place I went with my school friends---I suggested a few things to Gail and she took me up on all them--- as we at we were REALLY enjoying the food ---- I guess so much that the people around us order what we were eating----- the waiter was so cute and I think he enjoyed waiting on us------ I think one of life's pleasure for This is my last post from Florence. All the great food I have had while I was here.

Four things I will take with me

1. The great friends I have made here (Ceiclia, Caroline, Hans, Vincenzo, Fernando, and more.

2. I have lived in Italy for 6 weeks and have learned the language
3. The opera in Verona
4. The people of Italy how they love their county, language and culture.. How they look at you and ask the question " You like Italy?" Si, mi piacae Italy, and I will be back next year.

Italy is Magical

Ciao, I'm coming home.
Natalie

I left my heart in Orvieto

OK ----I said that I was in love with Verona--- I am but I guess I have also fallen for the small town of Orvieto. Maybe it reminded me of Pittsburgh it’s friendly people and the Incline that taks you to the upper part of the city.

Did I say this in another post about how I love how Italians great each other during the day

buongiorno-- Good day
buonasera - good evening
buonanotte--- good night

What this does it make you acknowledge the person that you pass on the street--- you take the time to stop and say “Hey I see you”. I love this

We as you know I left Assisi--- I have nothing against the place it was just the situation. I stayed in Orvieto for 3 days--- I could have stayed longer but I left my bags in Assisi--- my last post will be on all the things you should not pack when traveling in Italy, REALLY---

Under the upper part of Orvieto is and underground city that the first settlers of dug out--- many of the tunnels lead to homes of current citizens

While I was in Orvieto walking and eating , I took the time to go visit the language school that I want to attend next year--- here is the only funny thing that happened the whole time I was there.

I checked out the school on the internet the location and how to get there I was told to take the B bus to Plaza Caldor. Some places have great signs and others do not. The bus can and it was great I got to see the part of upper Orvieto where people live---- you will not believe the small
streets this bus when down and the sharp turns he took all while answering his cell phone.

Well when the last person was getting off the bus I showed the driver the address what I needed to get to---- he started talking fast and waving his hands I had no idea what he was saying---- I just had a feeling that I should sit down and just let him drive his bus. At this time I looked out the window at a bus route sigh and the beginning of the route was where I needed to go--- now I understood what he was saying---- and I have to give him credit he did not use the word STUPIDO------LOL

We I walked across the street and there was the school---- I went in and introduced myself in my limited italian and told them that I had sent them and email and I wanted to see the school for next year. I was given a tour and we stopped in a classroom and the students were having fun--- I loved it.

After that I talked with the Schools Director in english/italian about my school in Florence and how I planed to continue working on my italian during the next year.
She seemed to really care about my progress.

That was my time in Orvieto---

Ciao
Natalie

Love--- Hate Relationship with Assissi

Those of you that are reading my blog will understand right away the love/hate relationship I had with Assissi. We arrived in Assissi and I was excited about all the place that we could take small day trips. We got into the taxi and he headed to the place that we would stay for the next week.

Well he drove up the hill side and we passed through the arches and the town was cute--- but the taxi driver keep driving REALLY, and we passed through another set of arches and I thought the place we were staying was just outside of town--- but he keep driving now down a winding hill--- at that point I was worried about where we were going surely he didn't know the location of the time share. Can I say it again HE KEEP DRIVING ALONG A CURVY HILL SIDE----- about 15 minutes outside the town of Assisi on top of a hill is where he stopped.

We were on top of a hill. Nothing but nature. Now I know those of you that know me well are rolling on the floor laughing--- because you know "I don't like it outside" I have a large back yard but it belongs to Dakota (my Pomeranian) I only go out there to mow the grass and use the grill. I don't even have a chair to sit on the deck. I don't.


So here I am 15-20 minutes outside of town HOW THE HECK TO I GET TO TOWN????? There is a taxi that comes and get's you and brings you back by 8pm. I was ok with that at first.
Next we go to our apartment and it has a small window that you have to stand in to see the view (stop laughing, Nancy, Stacey, Julie, Mary, Pam, and Glen)

Well Gail was upset about that I just didn't really care at that point--- I was thinking how could I stay here for a week. After we move to a nicer place we decided to walk to the store. We start walking and there is nothing to be seen. A quick call to the front desk and they tell up is is a 30 minute walk to the store--- REALLY

So we headed back to the front desk and they tell us that they will call the restaurant that is down the hill to see if they will come and get us so we will not starve to death-----

Now, I really know that I have to get out of here-- and this is all before the roosters start crowing from the nearby farms----
YES, I SAID FARMS

Did I mention that there was NO internet. At that time I decided that I was going to go to Orvieto to check out a school that I want to go to next year.

Sunday we went to town it really is a cute town if you have transportion---- It is a cute place to be if you are not on your EAT, PRAY, LOVE Journey that it is all about personal choice and freedom. We found the Internet cafe and I found a hotel in Oveieto and I left Assisi until Thursday.

Personal Note: I think what really upset me was my lost of freedom that I had gained prior to getting here. Having someone dictate when I can leave the complex and when I come back was more that I could stand------

Ciao

Ciao

Roma

I have arrived in Roma--- stepping out of the train station the heat of the cement jungle hits you square in the face and takes your breath away. We jumped in a taxi heading to our B&B.

We arrived at the B&B and was faced with stairs and a very small lift and 5 big Aussie boys ahead of us. We moved ourselves and our bags to the 4th floor (MOVE #1). After a 40 minute wait the guy at the front desk tells us we are at a different location--- REALLY why did they just not tell us that in the first place. So we head down the stairs down the street to the second location which is located on the 3rd floor again--- UP we go we get there (MOVE #2) and our room is across the street in another location---- (MOVE #3). By this time I have turned in to the ugly american for the first time.

We go back down in the lift and across the street then up the street and up in the lift (MOVE #4) to our room.

Now on the bright side the Colloseo is right down the street, and the buses will take us to all the places that we want to go--- So if you are going to Rome the Happy Hotel is in a great location--- just be prepared to move you and your luggage around before you get to your room.

The Colosseo was HUGHE---- I stood there amazed at the aritutecure how it was built hundreds of years ago. I was walking on the same cobble stone that the ancient Romans walked.




Off to see the Pope

My first question is “Why do people not tell you the Truth about visiting Vatican City??? I will explain my question and ask it again at the end of this post.

We got up early and headed to Vatican City---- the bus stop was outside our door and dropped us off outside Vatican City. We had morning tickets to tour the gardens before heading to the Sistine Chapel. The ground were very nice and our tour guide was very knowledgable but the tour lasted 2.5 hours in the hot sun, and no breakfast--- which spells disaster for me. After touring the gardens we head to the Sistine Chapel we thought-----------another 2 hours pass as we are herded through each room of the museum. People, there is no direct route to see the ceiling and there is not just one painted ceiling there----- REALLY

As people pushed past me our bare arms touching I became light headed but there was no escape I had to move forward. At this time I thought about turning back but once you start the journey to the Sistine Chapel there is no turing back----
At this time I was thinking about Temple Grande---- you know the woman in the HBO Special and how she created the humane way to lead cows to slaughter--- that is how I felt as I moved from one room to another.
Along the journey to the Sistine Chapel there would be sign pointing this way but it was just another cruel joke.

After and hour or two we finally make it the choosen spot. I can see the ceiling, but I am being yelled at by the guards “to move down the steps, to keep moving, and NO PICTURES.

This was not the same moment I shared with David in Florence----
There was no moment at all----- Before I knew it I was pushed toward the exit door or what I thought was the exit--------- it was another 30 minutes before I had moved through the next set of rooms where there just happened to be a stands selling items about the chapel chapel that you might have missed as you were herded through the room.

This is what I learned
Thank God for PBS, History Channel, Discovery that have given me a great appreciation for the Sistine Chapel
Choose the garden tour or the Museum
Eat a hearty breakfast
Don’t go Back

So back to my original question---- “Why do people not tell you about visiting Vatican City???

They want you to experience the same pain that they did.









To see if you can escape the place with out becoming a Catholic which I believe if you do there is a quick route out of the building.


Ciao