Today, we finally went to VENICE! My favorite city because it was built over water. What a good idea. How cool is that!!!!! A city on stilts! We went by train and walked around for what seemed like FOREVER and then I found something that I recognized! PONTO ACCADEMIA! I wanted to try and retrace the way from Ponto Accademia to the hotel that we stayed in last year and it workeed! I was able to do it!
After that we grabbed lunch at this little pub whole in the wall place. Then we walked to Piazza San Marco where I bought a few things some certain people... hahaha
Then we shopped around Venice and I grabbed a CREPE!!! NUTELLA AND BANANA= ultimate deliciousness.
Then we took the train back and had aperitivo with Martina's sister, Valentina. Then dinner alla Loretta!! Martina's mom really is amazing!!!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Thursday
Today Alberto and I took the train to Verona, the city of Romeo and Gulietta, love, gag gag, puke.....
Anyway, haha, IT IS A GORGEOUS CITY! AH! I will post pictures when I get home but the buildings and the infrastructure is just amazing.
Alberto and I saw the usual sites, Gulietta's balcony/home, the wall where you leave notes for her, her tomb, etc etc.
We ate lunch at this little whole in the wall place too. It looked like a door to no where....somewhat like the red door in portsmouth, and the food was really good. I had a pasta and bean soup that was to die for.
After Guliettaì's tomb, we realized that we were going to miss our train, so we had to speed walk for like 20 minutes. Let me tell you, for a 46 year old guy, Alberto is in pretty good shape hahahaha. We made the train and went home for dinner.
Loretta planned a but dinner for this night. She cooked literally 20 different seafood dishes and Alberto (martina's cousin not the one i was with all day) and his father, and teresa and alberto came over to eat!
Anyway, haha, IT IS A GORGEOUS CITY! AH! I will post pictures when I get home but the buildings and the infrastructure is just amazing.
Alberto and I saw the usual sites, Gulietta's balcony/home, the wall where you leave notes for her, her tomb, etc etc.
We ate lunch at this little whole in the wall place too. It looked like a door to no where....somewhat like the red door in portsmouth, and the food was really good. I had a pasta and bean soup that was to die for.
After Guliettaì's tomb, we realized that we were going to miss our train, so we had to speed walk for like 20 minutes. Let me tell you, for a 46 year old guy, Alberto is in pretty good shape hahahaha. We made the train and went home for dinner.
Loretta planned a but dinner for this night. She cooked literally 20 different seafood dishes and Alberto (martina's cousin not the one i was with all day) and his father, and teresa and alberto came over to eat!
Wednesday
Alberto was supposed to have a meeting to day but he changed so that we could go to.....wait for it.....FIRENZE!!!!!! YAY! We took the eurostar (a super fast train) and went to florence for the day!
While we were eating breakfast, Alberto was practicing his english, and the next thing I know this italian guy is speaking english to me! Apparently he spent a year in texas and wanted to talk, but he was weird so I just nodded and went back to my brioche.
When we arrived in Florence, the first thing that we did was climb to the top of the Duomo! I did this last year, but it was so fun that I wanted to do it again! From the cupola, you can see the entire city and it's just gorgeous.
After that we walked through palazzo vecchio to the leather market. Now picture an enormous open market...just with leather good....HEAVEN. The smell alone is enough to make you want to cuddle up with a purse and take a nap!I may or may not have bought a new wallet and bag....maybe.....
After that we walked around, ate a gelato and saw the typical sites in Florence.
GREAT DAY! We had McDonalds for dinner too. Now, those of you who know me well know I detest McDonalds....bt this was italian McDonalds and I had a salad with proscutto and parmagiano on it... I LOVE ITALY
While we were eating breakfast, Alberto was practicing his english, and the next thing I know this italian guy is speaking english to me! Apparently he spent a year in texas and wanted to talk, but he was weird so I just nodded and went back to my brioche.
When we arrived in Florence, the first thing that we did was climb to the top of the Duomo! I did this last year, but it was so fun that I wanted to do it again! From the cupola, you can see the entire city and it's just gorgeous.
After that we walked through palazzo vecchio to the leather market. Now picture an enormous open market...just with leather good....HEAVEN. The smell alone is enough to make you want to cuddle up with a purse and take a nap!I may or may not have bought a new wallet and bag....maybe.....
After that we walked around, ate a gelato and saw the typical sites in Florence.
GREAT DAY! We had McDonalds for dinner too. Now, those of you who know me well know I detest McDonalds....bt this was italian McDonalds and I had a salad with proscutto and parmagiano on it... I LOVE ITALY
Tuesday
Today Alberto Teresa and I went to PADOVA! This morning I hung out with alberto's niece and be did a little shopping. Then we went back to Albberto's house for some lunch. I'm not talking a sandwhich here either...I'm talking risotto alla saffron and rabbit and mashed potatoes. I think that it's funny that I went from almost being vegetarian (vegan) to eating rabbit in a matter of a week...hahaha.
After that, we dropped Alberto's niece off at school and drove to Padova with Teresa to meet Martina (she works there). We walked around and did some shopping (I bought two pair of boots! YAY!) and saw la chiesa del santo antonio.
Then we went for pizza after, and I have to say, it was the best pizza ever. Better than the pizza from il teatro in Ascoli Piceno....that's saying something.
All in all, a good, delicious day.
After that, we dropped Alberto's niece off at school and drove to Padova with Teresa to meet Martina (she works there). We walked around and did some shopping (I bought two pair of boots! YAY!) and saw la chiesa del santo antonio.
Then we went for pizza after, and I have to say, it was the best pizza ever. Better than the pizza from il teatro in Ascoli Piceno....that's saying something.
All in all, a good, delicious day.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday
I should have known better than to do what I did this morning, but it happened anyway. I set my alarm because Alberto was taking me around San Donà and Jesolo today and he was coming at 9:30am. Well, I was an idiot and I set my american phone's alarm for 8:30am. Apparently, I forgot that I WAS IN ITALY AND THERE IS A 5 HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE! So, I never woke up. At 9:20 I heard a little voice from outside my door. It was Martina's mother telling me that Alberto was on his way....and I was still in bed!
I have never showered so fast in my life...and we're talking showering in a tub....with no shower curtin and a hand held shower thingy. Not easy.
So I was ready to go in 15 minutes and Alberto and I met up with his niece and went for breakfast. Then, we went for a giro around San Donà. Yes, there was shopping involved. YAY
For lunch, we went to Alberto's house. His mother had prepared 'il pasticcio di carne' a.k.a lasagna, meat and potatoes and mushrooms. His sister made a delicious dessert. We all sat around and ate and talked for about an hour. The funny thing was, I could not understand a single word his father said because he only spoke in dialect. I would just laugh when he said something, and he loved me for it!!
After lunch, Alberto's niece went to school and he, his sister and I went to see the sea in Jesolo. It was a gorgeous sunny day where Alberto lives, and 15 minutes down the road, it was so foggy we couldnt even see the sea from the beach. It was crazy!I took a picture of it, but I left my camera cord at home, so you people will have to wait until next monday to see pictures. SORRY!!! haha
After Jesolo, we went to pick Alberto's other niece up from school. She is only 9 years old, and this morning, she told her mother that she had a stomach ache because she didnt want to go to school. She wanted to stay home so that she could see me!!! So, imagine her surprise when she saw me waiting for her after school!!! IT WAS SOOO CUTE!!!!!! She was testing out her english on me!! 'My name is.....Ludovica!' hahaha.
After the school, Alberto and I left his sister and niece and went to the italian version of the kittery outlets. Italian version meaning fendi, armani, burberry, ferragamo...you name it, if it was expensive, it was there. I bought one thing. A belt. It was only €20 and it was REAL leather....= STEAL!!!!!
I was happy to find this belt because I had borrowed a similar one from Martina that morning. I told everyone that I had gone shopping....in Martina's closet!
Alberto dropped me off at Martina's house after out outlet experience, only to return 2 hours later to take us all out for dinner. Teresa was there too! We all went out for Piadine and OLIVE ASCOLANI!!!! YES!!! HOW I MISSED THEM!!!!!!!!!!
When we got back, I stayed downstairs for a little while and had some tea with Martina's mother.
Now I am going to bed because I am exhausted and it has been a fun/food filled day! Im going to gain 5 pounds this week....oh well... its worth IT!!
I have never showered so fast in my life...and we're talking showering in a tub....with no shower curtin and a hand held shower thingy. Not easy.
So I was ready to go in 15 minutes and Alberto and I met up with his niece and went for breakfast. Then, we went for a giro around San Donà. Yes, there was shopping involved. YAY
For lunch, we went to Alberto's house. His mother had prepared 'il pasticcio di carne' a.k.a lasagna, meat and potatoes and mushrooms. His sister made a delicious dessert. We all sat around and ate and talked for about an hour. The funny thing was, I could not understand a single word his father said because he only spoke in dialect. I would just laugh when he said something, and he loved me for it!!
After lunch, Alberto's niece went to school and he, his sister and I went to see the sea in Jesolo. It was a gorgeous sunny day where Alberto lives, and 15 minutes down the road, it was so foggy we couldnt even see the sea from the beach. It was crazy!I took a picture of it, but I left my camera cord at home, so you people will have to wait until next monday to see pictures. SORRY!!! haha
After Jesolo, we went to pick Alberto's other niece up from school. She is only 9 years old, and this morning, she told her mother that she had a stomach ache because she didnt want to go to school. She wanted to stay home so that she could see me!!! So, imagine her surprise when she saw me waiting for her after school!!! IT WAS SOOO CUTE!!!!!! She was testing out her english on me!! 'My name is.....Ludovica!' hahaha.
After the school, Alberto and I left his sister and niece and went to the italian version of the kittery outlets. Italian version meaning fendi, armani, burberry, ferragamo...you name it, if it was expensive, it was there. I bought one thing. A belt. It was only €20 and it was REAL leather....= STEAL!!!!!
I was happy to find this belt because I had borrowed a similar one from Martina that morning. I told everyone that I had gone shopping....in Martina's closet!
Alberto dropped me off at Martina's house after out outlet experience, only to return 2 hours later to take us all out for dinner. Teresa was there too! We all went out for Piadine and OLIVE ASCOLANI!!!! YES!!! HOW I MISSED THEM!!!!!!!!!!
When we got back, I stayed downstairs for a little while and had some tea with Martina's mother.
Now I am going to bed because I am exhausted and it has been a fun/food filled day! Im going to gain 5 pounds this week....oh well... its worth IT!!
Sunday Afternoon
Sunday afternoon Albert, Teresa, Martina and I went to Portobuffolè. It is a little town close to San Donà where Martina lives. There was an antique fair going on and we walked around for about an hour and half, just looking at all of the old field tools and china, etc. We also went to a museum that had a special bike exhibit...random, but really cool! We all bought 'la focaccia' and I am hoping that mine will make it home in one piece....I can't make any promises though.
After out trip to Portobuffolè, we went out for a gelato. At this point, I had already eaten SO MUCH food for lunch (carbonara, pollo e anchè il pane e pomodorini) that I opted for a fruit cup with whipped cream on top. DELICIOUS. Alberto ordered this gelato creation...it was crazy. It was complete with chocolate art! haha
Martina and I returned to her house and rested up for a little bit. Then we went out for spritz. Spritzes are dangerous drinks. They taste great and they are very alcoholic.....=pericoloso.
I drank prosecco e gingerino instead. It is just as good, and basically non-alcoholic....exactly what I need haha.
After that, we went out with Martina's friends for pizza. I forgot how good italian pizza is....its crazy good. During dinner, all of her friends were testing out their engligh on me. During the process, I was able to teach them a new word...'dork'..hahahah. It was so funny! After that, they kept calling each other dorks all night!!
Martina and I returned to her house early that night (early in italy is like 11:30haha) because she was working monay morning. We had to have her friend lead us back to her house because there was so much FOG! We couldn't see 3 feet in front of us!!! They call it 'humidity' but it was closer to a cloudy wall!haha
After out trip to Portobuffolè, we went out for a gelato. At this point, I had already eaten SO MUCH food for lunch (carbonara, pollo e anchè il pane e pomodorini) that I opted for a fruit cup with whipped cream on top. DELICIOUS. Alberto ordered this gelato creation...it was crazy. It was complete with chocolate art! haha
Martina and I returned to her house and rested up for a little bit. Then we went out for spritz. Spritzes are dangerous drinks. They taste great and they are very alcoholic.....=pericoloso.
I drank prosecco e gingerino instead. It is just as good, and basically non-alcoholic....exactly what I need haha.
After that, we went out with Martina's friends for pizza. I forgot how good italian pizza is....its crazy good. During dinner, all of her friends were testing out their engligh on me. During the process, I was able to teach them a new word...'dork'..hahahah. It was so funny! After that, they kept calling each other dorks all night!!
Martina and I returned to her house early that night (early in italy is like 11:30haha) because she was working monay morning. We had to have her friend lead us back to her house because there was so much FOG! We couldn't see 3 feet in front of us!!! They call it 'humidity' but it was closer to a cloudy wall!haha
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday Morning
This morning Martina woke me up by saying 'ciao lauren, YOU ARE IN ITALY! DO NOT BE SCARED!'hahahha. I actually forgot where I was because her bed is sooo ridiculously comfy.
We both got ready and went out for a traditional italian breakfast, cafe and pastry! Martina and I rode bikes from her house to the 'centro' and went to a cafe! It wasn't until I was inside the cafe that I realized I was actually in Italy!!! The 'cento' reminded me so much of Ascoli Piceno! I think it is because when I lived in Ascoli, we lived right in the 'centro' so being in the 'centro' of San Dona (where Martina lives) was a really good memory trigger. After la colazione, we went for a walking\shopping tour. Don't worry Daddy, the stores were closed....:(
More to come later!
We both got ready and went out for a traditional italian breakfast, cafe and pastry! Martina and I rode bikes from her house to the 'centro' and went to a cafe! It wasn't until I was inside the cafe that I realized I was actually in Italy!!! The 'cento' reminded me so much of Ascoli Piceno! I think it is because when I lived in Ascoli, we lived right in the 'centro' so being in the 'centro' of San Dona (where Martina lives) was a really good memory trigger. After la colazione, we went for a walking\shopping tour. Don't worry Daddy, the stores were closed....:(
More to come later!
Sono Tornata!!! Friday and Saturday
That's right people!! I'm back in ITALY!!! I am here visiting my friend Martina! I flew over Friday night and for the most part my flight was uneventful...which was a good thing. I grabbed some food at the airport (NASTY) and made my way onto the plane. After eight and a half hours, two movies, multiple john mayer songs and countless knee bumps from people passing in the lane next to me, I arrived in Munich. Not much to say about Germany...atleast what I saw of it. It was snowy and people were talking really fast in a language that I didn't understand. The only words I know in German are numbers and 'kinder'...thanks to the kinder eggs I used to buy in Ascoli.
As I walked from the plane to the airport, I could not help but relate Munich to a James Bond movie. I know it sounds bad, but there were german people running around everywhere in uniform! James Bond and Indiana Jones are my only experiences with this sort of thing(but not I'm thinking that Indiana Jones was Russia.....).
The flight from Munich was smooth. I sat down in my seat and was amazed at the amount of leg room that I had. I could stretch out and still not hit the seat in front of me. Just as I was reveling in my new-found space, I realized why my seat was so roomy. I was sitting next to the emergency exit....great....
Luckily, the plane landed without an issue. I ran out of that thing SO FAST! I WAS IN ITALY!!!
OH GOTTA RUN! I'll finish later! ENRICO IS HERE!!!
Ok this is me finishing...by the way, Enrico is ridiculously funny....and jacked.
I had to wait a little while for my 'valigio', but the pink bubble a.k.a Martina's suit case that I was bringing back to her came out pretty quickly along with my suitcase. There are sliding glass doors that seperate the baggage claim area from the pick-up area. As I was walking out, the people in front of me were making the doors open and close. Through the opening and closing doors, I could see Martina, Teresa and Alberto all screaming and frantically waving at me! HA! That was a much better welcome than Mike Burke gave me when I went come last time.
I went back to Martina's house and her mother fed me to the point where I thought I was going to burst. Martina and Andrea both warned me of this, but it happened anyway...oh well. I took a nap after lunch and then went out to Martina's sister's birthday party Saturay night.
As I walked from the plane to the airport, I could not help but relate Munich to a James Bond movie. I know it sounds bad, but there were german people running around everywhere in uniform! James Bond and Indiana Jones are my only experiences with this sort of thing(but not I'm thinking that Indiana Jones was Russia.....).
The flight from Munich was smooth. I sat down in my seat and was amazed at the amount of leg room that I had. I could stretch out and still not hit the seat in front of me. Just as I was reveling in my new-found space, I realized why my seat was so roomy. I was sitting next to the emergency exit....great....
Luckily, the plane landed without an issue. I ran out of that thing SO FAST! I WAS IN ITALY!!!
OH GOTTA RUN! I'll finish later! ENRICO IS HERE!!!
Ok this is me finishing...by the way, Enrico is ridiculously funny....and jacked.
I had to wait a little while for my 'valigio', but the pink bubble a.k.a Martina's suit case that I was bringing back to her came out pretty quickly along with my suitcase. There are sliding glass doors that seperate the baggage claim area from the pick-up area. As I was walking out, the people in front of me were making the doors open and close. Through the opening and closing doors, I could see Martina, Teresa and Alberto all screaming and frantically waving at me! HA! That was a much better welcome than Mike Burke gave me when I went come last time.
I went back to Martina's house and her mother fed me to the point where I thought I was going to burst. Martina and Andrea both warned me of this, but it happened anyway...oh well. I took a nap after lunch and then went out to Martina's sister's birthday party Saturay night.
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