Hello from Siracusa, Sicily!!
I know it has been an extremenly long time since I last posted but I have been unable to obtain internet access and we have been moving around so much that I am always exhausted. But this is the first time I have been able to get on a computer since Rome so I am going to give a very breif update.
First off, I want to let everyone know that once I get home I will update this with post from each day that we spent in Italy. They will be detailed and with pictures since I know so many of you are looking forward to that. I just dont have the time nor the access to accomplish that here so I hope everyone will be okay with that. I will also post the link on my facebook page each time I update so you know it is new!
Alright, so anywho, I barley have words to describe the wonders that I have been given the wonderful oppurtunity to see. Again, I promise the day after I get home there will be tons of pictures and very very detailed updates.
I hope everyone is well and looking forward to those. I aplogize for not being able to do it sooner.
Goodnight to all and Ill be back in the States soon!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Rome: Day 2
Hello again all!
As promised, here is a more detailed/interesting update that will hopefully include photos.
please also note, these computers are a bit different from what we are use too and I am tired so please ignore any spelling eras.
SO today was our second day in Rome and we spent it at the Vatican City. The Vatican is the smallest country in the world and only has a population of about 800 people. To me, it is also one of the most beautiful countries ever.
Once we got into the city, we got in the fast line for the Vatican Musuem. Last time I was in Rome, I didn't get to visit here so this was something that I was quite interested in. We toured through the Raphel rooms, which held many of his works, as well as the tapestry rooms which were absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen anything like them. We also got to visit the Sistine Chapel. When I entered this room I was absolutely speechless. There are no words to describe that experience. We only got to spend about 10 to 15 miuntes there which was totally not enough because the Pope decided that because some diplomats were coming that he wanted to have a special service in there with them. So while we didn't get to spend long, it was still very very VERY much worth it.
After the museum, we went to St. Peter and Paul's Basillica. This is the biggest basillica in the world and is absolutely gorgeous. I even got to bless myself with holy water that was blessed by the Pope. The Basicalla is huge I can't even begin to describe it. But I absolutely loved it and am very grateful that I got to visit there again.
After the Basicalla, We got to take a very special and sacred tour of the Scavi. Also known as the area underneath the Vatican that has been excavated and is where St.Peter's remains are believed to be. There was no picture taking allowed there but it was an amazing experience to see that.
After the Scavi we got some gelato, board the bus and came back to hotel. We were absolutely EXHAUSTED. We sat and got out feet together and then headed to dinner at a little resturant right next to our hotel. Hannah, Hillary, Abbie and I all got nice pasta dinners and also a glass of wine. There is no better way to expereince Rome than with a nice dinner. :) Hannah also got asked for her mobile number by our very cute and enthusastic waiter. All in all, it was a nice end to our last night in Rome.
Tomorrow we bored the bus and head down to Naples and Pompeii. After exploring those area we head to Sorrento and spend the night there. The next day we will hit up the Almafi Coast.
I don't know when I will be able to update again but it will hopefully be sometime soon. I also apologize for the lack of photos but these computers do not want to cooperate with me.
I hope you are enjoying reading about my expereince in Italy so far and are ready to hear some more soon! (Hopefully with pictures!)
Until I can post again!
Lisa
As promised, here is a more detailed/interesting update that will hopefully include photos.
please also note, these computers are a bit different from what we are use too and I am tired so please ignore any spelling eras.
SO today was our second day in Rome and we spent it at the Vatican City. The Vatican is the smallest country in the world and only has a population of about 800 people. To me, it is also one of the most beautiful countries ever.
Once we got into the city, we got in the fast line for the Vatican Musuem. Last time I was in Rome, I didn't get to visit here so this was something that I was quite interested in. We toured through the Raphel rooms, which held many of his works, as well as the tapestry rooms which were absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen anything like them. We also got to visit the Sistine Chapel. When I entered this room I was absolutely speechless. There are no words to describe that experience. We only got to spend about 10 to 15 miuntes there which was totally not enough because the Pope decided that because some diplomats were coming that he wanted to have a special service in there with them. So while we didn't get to spend long, it was still very very VERY much worth it.
After the museum, we went to St. Peter and Paul's Basillica. This is the biggest basillica in the world and is absolutely gorgeous. I even got to bless myself with holy water that was blessed by the Pope. The Basicalla is huge I can't even begin to describe it. But I absolutely loved it and am very grateful that I got to visit there again.
After the Basicalla, We got to take a very special and sacred tour of the Scavi. Also known as the area underneath the Vatican that has been excavated and is where St.Peter's remains are believed to be. There was no picture taking allowed there but it was an amazing experience to see that.
After the Scavi we got some gelato, board the bus and came back to hotel. We were absolutely EXHAUSTED. We sat and got out feet together and then headed to dinner at a little resturant right next to our hotel. Hannah, Hillary, Abbie and I all got nice pasta dinners and also a glass of wine. There is no better way to expereince Rome than with a nice dinner. :) Hannah also got asked for her mobile number by our very cute and enthusastic waiter. All in all, it was a nice end to our last night in Rome.
Tomorrow we bored the bus and head down to Naples and Pompeii. After exploring those area we head to Sorrento and spend the night there. The next day we will hit up the Almafi Coast.
I don't know when I will be able to update again but it will hopefully be sometime soon. I also apologize for the lack of photos but these computers do not want to cooperate with me.
I hope you are enjoying reading about my expereince in Italy so far and are ready to hear some more soon! (Hopefully with pictures!)
Until I can post again!
Lisa
Sunday, January 8, 2012
I'm in Rome!
Hello from Rome!|
Sorry it has taken me so long to update but it has been crazy busy and i am crazy tired. but we made it to rome safe and sound and the flights actually werent all that bad either! whoo!
so yesterday when we got here, we were greeted at the airport by out tour guide, Rita. She was born and raised in Rome and still lives here to this daay and she is absolutely amazing. We got on the bus to our hotel, checked in and had a few hours to ourselves to go explore. We decided to go up to the fountain by the hotel and take some pictures there.
I'm sorry i cant upload pictures to here because these computers are kinda slow but there is already some on my facebook so check there for now.
after we went to the fountain we had out welcome dinner at the white hen!| the same resturant i ate at the first night we spent in rome the first time i came! and it was still delicious. after that we callled it a night and headed to bed.
today was veryyyy long. we covered all of ancient rome walking. we did the colessuem, forum, 4 different piazzas, and trevi fountain as well as the pantheon. and this time, it wasnt raining, which made the expereience new. :)
i have so much more to say but it is 915 here and i am exhausted. i will try to update more tomorrow and the following days.
until then!
Lisa
Sorry it has taken me so long to update but it has been crazy busy and i am crazy tired. but we made it to rome safe and sound and the flights actually werent all that bad either! whoo!
so yesterday when we got here, we were greeted at the airport by out tour guide, Rita. She was born and raised in Rome and still lives here to this daay and she is absolutely amazing. We got on the bus to our hotel, checked in and had a few hours to ourselves to go explore. We decided to go up to the fountain by the hotel and take some pictures there.
I'm sorry i cant upload pictures to here because these computers are kinda slow but there is already some on my facebook so check there for now.
after we went to the fountain we had out welcome dinner at the white hen!| the same resturant i ate at the first night we spent in rome the first time i came! and it was still delicious. after that we callled it a night and headed to bed.
today was veryyyy long. we covered all of ancient rome walking. we did the colessuem, forum, 4 different piazzas, and trevi fountain as well as the pantheon. and this time, it wasnt raining, which made the expereience new. :)
i have so much more to say but it is 915 here and i am exhausted. i will try to update more tomorrow and the following days.
until then!
Lisa
Friday, January 6, 2012
TODAY!!!
So today is the big day! In 11 hours we will be taking off and on our way to Italy! I am so excited and yet so nervous!
So last night, in preparation for this adventure, I spent the night at my wonderful friend Abbie's house! We stayed up late and watched movies and we woke up early this morning because we want to be able to sleep on the plane tonight.
Tonight, we will fly from BWI (Baltimore Washington International) to London Heathrow. We will arrive at 9:15a.m. (their time, it will be aabout 3:30-4a.m. here) we then have another flight at 10:35 to Rome and will arrive there by 2p.m. We have the day to ourselves to explore and a welcome dinner that evening.
Gosh, I am so nervous! But I did this before and I know I can do it again!
I guess that is all for now! I am really excited I can't contain myself! I hope everyone is ready to read about our travels! I will post again once we land in Rome, Italia!
Ciao until tomorrow!
Lisa
So last night, in preparation for this adventure, I spent the night at my wonderful friend Abbie's house! We stayed up late and watched movies and we woke up early this morning because we want to be able to sleep on the plane tonight.
Tonight, we will fly from BWI (Baltimore Washington International) to London Heathrow. We will arrive at 9:15a.m. (their time, it will be aabout 3:30-4a.m. here) we then have another flight at 10:35 to Rome and will arrive there by 2p.m. We have the day to ourselves to explore and a welcome dinner that evening.
Gosh, I am so nervous! But I did this before and I know I can do it again!
I guess that is all for now! I am really excited I can't contain myself! I hope everyone is ready to read about our travels! I will post again once we land in Rome, Italia!
Ciao until tomorrow!
Lisa
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Almost There!!
Welcome to my blog!
My name is Lisa and I am a Junior at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.
During the next week and a half, I will be traveling to Rome and Sicily, Italy, as part of a January Term through McDaniel.
For those of you who don't know what a January (Jan) Term is here is a little run down:
A Jan Term is a period of time between the Fall and Spring Semesters where students have the opportunity to take a class on campus or to travel abroad. Classes on campus as always very interesting I know past classes have included students who play violent video games and then discuss the effects that playing those games have on others. Another class was all about puppetry, making puppets and learning how they are used.
There is another part of Jan Term which is the studying abroad part. If students decide that they don't want to take a class on campus, they can take a class abroad. A list of off campus study tours can be found here: https://www.mcdaniel.edu/2942.htm
Well I will be going abroad to Italy and Sicily and will be doing my best to chronicle what I am doing each day on here. Pictures will hopefully be included! (This is assuming I can figure out the hotel computer... which I think I will be able to).
I'm really excited to have this wonderful opportunity to visit the area where my father's family originated from! I have been to Italy once before and was absolutely stunned by how beautiful it was and all the history behind it. I now have the chance to revisit this and more!
Tomorrow is the beginning of my adventure! Our plane isn't leaving until Friday but I will be spending the day and night at one of my best friend's house who is also going on the trip!
Because I don't want to leave you all guessing how much I packed (some of you know I ALWAYS over-pack) here is a picture of my suitcase, carry-on, and purse all ready to go! :)
Ignore the stuff in the background, but see, it is possible for me to pack!! And my bag only weighs 37 pounds which leaves an extra 13 pounds for souvenirs! haha!
Well, I guess that is it. I will try to update one more time before I leave and then again once we land in Rome!
I hope everyone is ready to join me on this spectacular journey!
Until next time!
Lisa
P.S: I know many of you are probably wondering about the name in my URL. Well, for those of you who don't know, my last name means glass chicken, and I couldn't think of anything else to name the URL that wasn't already used. So have a laugh and enjoy it!
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