We were in Athens for a couple days, saw the Acropolis. Amazing! Then a
girl I met and I went to Olympia. The history here is incredible. It
started thundering and lightning, as if the "gods" were specking to us.
Made it more powerful. Then we went to Kalamata, walked around and looked
at all the beautiful churches with frescoes on every wall. We ate down by
the port, and went to these beautiful caves the next day. We took a taxi,
2 hour drive, because their public transport is not so good. The caves
were incredible, we took a small boat through a maze of the underworld
dark ages of the cave. Now I am in Santorini, the most beautiful Greek
Island. Yesterday we watched the sunrise and sunset (the most beautiful
sunset in all the world), rented a car and drove around the island,
relaxed on the beach, went swimming in the ocean... now this is the life!
We tried to rent scooters today, but couldn't because we have no prior
experience. But I got to test drive with a hot Greek guy sitting on the
seat behind me! We were going to be back in Italy for my birthday but
thought being on a Greek island was much better! So we changed our
tickets and leave for Italy on Tuesday. I will write more when I get back
to Florence, but wanted to tell you about my adventures. I do feel older,
but I am enjoying life too. I love that it is so sunny and beautiful
here!
October 2004 Archives
Wednesday night, Oct 6: Ballet was great. First performance was more
classical, all women and one male. The second show was all men and one
female, more of a survivor dance, about human emotions and necessities
(eating, sleeping). Very good! Then met the roomies for a drink to
celebrate "Jenny" day - something they do in Sweden. My day is November
25th. I think we ought to celebrate our name day in the states. Another
birthday! : D Thursday: class, laundry, dinner at Kistinn's of Mexican.
First time since I left. Friday: went with the school to a castle in
Chianti to taste chianti wines, 1 white and 3 reds. very delicious, with
some little sandwiches. Then Kistinn and I went out to a small town for a
true Tuscan dinner with our cooking class. It was very delicious... we
had ravioli, liver pate, onion soup, and beef flanks, with a scrumptious
dessert. Some kind of cake and creme brulee. We also had champagne, 2
wines and dessert wine. Lots of sampling drinks! Then met the roomies
for a drink, met up with some other guys and went to a dance club until
three. Saturday: Kistinn and I took the Florence tour by bus, ate a
picnic lunch by the bridge and then went to Fiesole (on the hillside),
missed one bus, so we walked around for two hours, drank a cappuccino and
watched the gatherings of a wedding. There were 6 bridesmaids and the
bride came in an old Royals Royce. That night, we made hamburgers and
rented a video. It was called Dogville, quite strange. They did not have
any props, it was a play, set on a stage like Our Town. Sunday: roomies,
Kistinn and I went to a cafe, oio, for lunch. It was pouring rain, and
was a good day to laze around. Studied some art history last night and
fell asleep by 11pm. Monday: Walked to a different, larger supermarket
and bought ingredients for chocolate chip cookies. Very difficult to read
Italian products (ie.baking soda), and vanilla comes in powder form.
Tonight, we are going to see an Italian movie with English subtitles.
Must go eat dinner...
What a great evening and a great day! Last night, Kistinn and I met after
class to work on making a new ring. We are challenging ourselves with a
square bezzle and a curved ring band. We'll see, everything is a guess
for now. Then we went to a 3 1/2 hour cooking class through a different
school. We handmade pasta, made battered and fried vegies and made a
common dessert with tiny dough balls with almonds coated with caramelized
honey. Delicious!! It was great to be in a class of people of ALL ages
and from many different backgrounds. Each had their own story of why they
are in Florence, not just for university credits. Some are here for a
week, a month, a semester... between ages of 18-60. With our class, we
got aprons too! : D Then this morning, I woke up at 7am to go to the
American School. I was out the door at 7:30, caught the bus by 7:45, and
made it to school on time(8:45am). I got picked up by a Chinese mom and
kids who attend school there, so that shortened the walk a bit. But I
brought my walk-man and enjoyed the bus ride and walk to and from. It was
both relaxing and pretty. I told the preschool teachers I didn't want to
spend the hour at recess. One lady was a bit rude and tried to give me a
guilt trip, but if I am volunteering and spending over two hours in travel
time, I am going to be picky. So I am in the 2nd grade class for 2 hours,
have a 20 minute break, and then am helping the K-kids with centers for
half an hour. I had Italian today and now I have some free hours. It
feels so nice. I helped another lady with our Italian homework, I need to
run some errands, and go for a run. Tonight, some friends and I are going
to the ballet. We haven't decided yet, but we may spend the weekend in
Florence...
Spent the weekend in Sardegna (Sardinia). With a 20 minute shuttle ride
and an hour flight, and a 20 minute taxi ride, we were on the beach in
minutes. We did not realize, but we were 20 minutes from the nearest
city... so we enjoyed each others' company Friday evening. We enjoyed a
huge buffet dinner, ate way too much, and walked around at night looking
for life and finding none. Saturday, we spent all day by the pool and
beach. We enjoyed a buffet for breakfast and dinner, and each meal we ate
less and less. For lunch we had fruit and crackers. That was plenty.
Saturday evening, we got to know the waiter, and at 11:30pm, we met him
and his friend for a tour of Cagliari by car. We saw some of the sights
at night, hit a couple bars, and enjoyed practicing our Italian. We went
to bed at 4:30 am and we were up at 9am for the breakfast buffet. Again,
we sat by the pool and beach for a few hours. This time we met two other
young Italian males, very cute and talked with them for a while, in half
English, half Italian. I also did a couple watercolor scenes and I
thought they turned out beautiful! I am excited to try more scenes in
nature. Jen and I left Sunday, and barely made the plane- they had to
hold the bus shuttle for us. Sunday evening was a night of homework,
relaxing at home and getting a nice sleep. This morning, I went for a
run. That felt good- it's been a while. Read part of Corinthians, E-mail
and class from 1-8:30. Now it is almost 9pm. Time for a salad, a little
homework, and rest... I hope. I know the girls want to go out tonight,
we'll see...
