Well, since my amazing time in Capri, I didn't think that I would see anything that tops it. I might have been wrong. I have been going about my business as normal...making some AMAZING dishes in classes and learning some Italian. Hopefully soon I will be better at communicating with locals. The weekend of the 26th I took a school trip to Switzerland (St. Moritz) and Lake Como (Belaggio and Como). We had AWFUL guides...they didn't give us very much history of the places or recommendations on where to go/what to see. They were the first off the bus and were out of sight before we could ask questions and they were the last to arrive when we were supposed to be boarding the bus. HOWEVER, the trip...was great. The scenery was beautiful! We took a 2 1/2 hour long train ride that was made for a panoramic view of the mountains...and we got to see some amazing villages, bridges, and glacier fed lakes. So pretty. (see facebook for pictures). After our tour we arrived at our destination, St. Moritz and we checked into our hotel. A cute little thing in this ski resort town...decorated very retro, but with beds that made you think of sleeping on clouds. My friend and I walked to the local store and bought a bunch of Swiss chocolates (all of mine were gifts...I didn't eat ONE piece. Who's shocked? Raise your hand! oh wait, put it down...i can't see it). We also picked up a couple beers...me one, my friend four...and walked down to this GORGEOUS lake and sat and talked and people watched. This odd guy came and talked to us...very nice, but odd. He was from Africa...had 17 brothers and sisters that were all over the country. After that, we ate a really nice dinner at the hotel...a four course meal. It was delicious. Just testing out the basic Swiss meal. As pretty as the dessert was...I wasn't feeling it. The next morning we spent traveling to Belaggio. (That's where George Clooney has a house) We ate at a really great restaurant. (I had the most amazing gnocchi...which makes sense, b/c we were in Northern Italy...and they are known for their gnocchi.) Then we were free to explore. It was pretty. There wasn't a lot to do on a Sunday. After, we headed to Como on Lake Como and hung out for an hour. There was a speedboat race happening...so we ate gelato and watched that. It was relaxing. Then, back on the bus for a very long ride back home. How did we pass the time? Playing card games and eating M&Ms (which are VERY expensive here...but sometimes...so worth it). We were on a sugar high. We kept making faces at people/vehicles passing by...we passed three tour buses, and then stopped for gas...and all three buses were there. We were a little embarrassed. Some people recognized us. Whoops. :S We got back early enough...and so I talked to the roomies and went to dinner. It was a good weekend.
After that I had three days to get all homework done and start prepping for Paula, Rod, and Karen to get here. I wanted to have a clear schedule so I could be their guide and not have to worry about all my stuff. I also did a quick pickup of my room, so they wouldn't be disgusted. They arrived on Thursday, met my roommates, and then I led them to a lot of the major piazzas around. We had some lunch and kept exploring. In the evening, we went out to eat and had a nice supper. Friday, we met early and made that our museum/church day. We visited a lot of really cool churches, a lot with the Medici family buried in it, some built in 393 AD, visited the Duomo, the Uffizi (famous gallery--Leonardo de Vinci/donatello/Michealangelo...etc), and then we ended by walking across the Ponte Vecchio (old bridge over the River Arno). Then we had the most AMAZING dinner at this really nice place that hung over the river. Gorgeous view, great food, and even better company! Saturday, Rod and Karen headed to Rome so Rod could see the Vattican. I planned a day trip for Paula and I to go to Cinque Terre (awesome pics on facebook...). WE HAD A BLAST.First of all, it's gorgeous. ..just as gorgeous if not more so than Capri. It's five towns connected by train and walking paths along the coast. They used to be mostly fishing villages, but are now more geared to tourists. The first town was Riomaggiore..so tiny and cute. The roads and alleys and side streets were tiny and curved and had cute little front doors everywhere. Paula and I walked through the side streets and they were deserted except for a local here and there. We then walked to the next city, Manarola...and it was a very pleasant and easy 30 minuteish walk. This town was very cute and we ate lunch at a nice bar by the water. We split a piece of pesto lasagna...and it was delicious. Then, we went to the train for the next city...and we missed it and it wouldn't be back for another. We decided since the first path was so delightful, we'd start on the second. Let me give you a mental picture: Paula...in a dress and cute sandals. Me...in a skort and tanktop and flipflops. The trail...started out smooth, turned rugged and very hard to climb given our attire. The other people on the trail...hiking boots/tennis shoes, sweatbands, two waterbottles, backpacks, shorts or jeans, ...etc. The people...laughed when they saw our attire. Haha. JUST PROVES: a woman can do anything and still look cute (except maybe give birth...ewww). So we got to Corniglia only to find that the only way in was up 382 stairs (some of which required multiple steps per stair). We mastered it...and I thought my heart was going to explode after all that work out. Haha. There were several people on the steps that looked like they were going to PASS out! So, we got to the top and had a hard time enjoying the view b/c we were exhausted. We walked around for a little bit and decided to go to the next town. We took the steps back down and went to the train to find that if we had taken the train, they let you off and BUS you up the hill versus having to take the stairs. Oh well...it was our workout for the next week. Haha. Then we trained our way to Vernazza. This was our FAVORITE place! We sat on the beach and then sat at a great table at a restaurant that smelled/looked delicious but they were stopping serving lunch so they could close and take a break before dinner. But, we liked looking around and the town itself was very cute. We took our last train to Monteroso which is my second favorite. It has a big beach and tons of restaurants along the coast. It's really cute. We had some really good chats on the beach and just enjoyed the view. We made our way back to Florence, and by chance, Rod and Karen had just gotten in a taxi and spotted us...so we climbed in with them. We went to a restaurant where I proceeded to eat my weights worth in t-bone steak...a florentine specialty. It was amazing. And it was way to rare...so i sent it back and they sent it out with more sides and special dipping sauces and well presented. It was so sweet. The next day, we went to Venice. Venice....is a sight to see. So pretty and amazing. And it makes me sad that it's sinking. We went to lunch and were treated horribly for most of lunch b/c we chose to sit in the sun. Haha. They didnt want to be hot!? They warmed up to us once they figured out we were nice people. Haha. After lunch we went on a gondola ride....and our gondolier was AWESOME. He gave us a history of the town and what it took to have his job, and told us all about his life. So, we invited him to come see Texas and Kansas...b/c hey, that's what kind of people we are! Haha. Then we toured the city. I would love to go back for a weekend....because a day just wasn't enough! We ate dinner in Florence and had some delicious pasta! It was one of the best places I've eaten! :) (and it went on forever...looked small...but was huge!) Monday I had to go to class...but they went to the food market and to the outdoor market and had a good time. Then we went for a quick bite and I went home to CRASH. Since then, I've been sick and have been trying to sleep my way out of it!
I had a great time with them though! So happy they got to experience it with me! :)
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