Fin

Hello lovelies,

Sorry I haven't blogged in a few days. Finals were a little stressful. I finished my drawing project and got a 98 on it. All Thursday night we all studied until like 3 am. And I think I did realllly well on it! Now I'm heading home and I can't wait to see you all!!!

Last night was really fun. We went to group dinner at this place that had a ton of locals around. There was too much food though. I was so full. Then all of us had some fun in the apartment before going out to shot cafe. Then we went to this secret bakery that is only open from 2-6 am. You are supposed to be really quiet. But we weren't so quiet and they poured water on us out of the windows. Haha. So we got chocolate croissants. And then came back and had David give us a light show with his light sticks and gloves. It was a fun night but sad to say goodbye to everyone.

Now I'm heading to pisas airport to come back to the states!

I can't wait to see you all!
I love you!
Alyssa


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Location:Strada Grande Comunicazione Firenze-Pisa-Livorno,Montelupo Fiorentino,Italy

Day 31-32

Hello!

I forgot to blog yesterday! So here is what I did...i woke up super late at like 1130. And then did some drawing for my final. Then I went to I frattelini for lunch and had my favorite sandwhich with prosciutto, goat cheese, and arugula. So good.

At 3 we met up with rocky for art history class. We visited the tombs that Michelangelo built. And the David. It was really amazing. Then we went to Dantes for dinner. I had gnocchi with sausage and truffle cream. Another favorite. Then we came back and drew some more.


Today we had drawing at 9 and worked more on our finals. I still have a ton more work to do. Then we went to eat at pinos. I had the springtime sandwich. Which is a caprese with prosciutto. I'm gonna miss prosciutto. Then we had gelato and came back to the apartments and drew. We are gonna eat at gusto Leo tonight and say bye to our friend Giuseppe. =(

I love you all!!

Only 3 more days!
Love
Alyssa

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Day 30

Hiiiii!

Today we had drawing where I started working on my drawing final project. I am doing the picture of the door in pietrasanta:





I might also do another:






It will be a cool keepsake seeing as I took the pictures too!

After that we went to antiquo Noe where I had the same sandwich from before. So good. Then we went to get gelato and then back to work on my project and read for art history.

Then for dinner we went to pinos wine cellar where we had a wine tasting for 15 euro. It was soooo fun. The cellar was actually the same place that Machiavelli was imprisoned for a while. We then got more gelato. And then saw the soccer game at shot cafe.

Now we are all hanging out and are going to watch the hangover.

I love you all!
And Brandon if you read this I love you and I hope you are feeling better. And the same to Bradley and grandma Bailey. I like to think everyone is falling apart because you all miss me so much!

Love
Alyssa
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Day 29

Hi everyone!!

Today we woke up to a complimentary breakfast at our hotel. It was good and actually quite big. Then we went to the ancient roman city. We started at the colesseum. There we took a guided tour of the building. It was super cool.


















Then it started raining super hard. It was windy too so I got soaked. But it was fine. So we ventured on to the ancient roman forum. Lots of ruins were there. It was cool but I had also seen it all before. Then we walked to the pantheon. Also cool. Raphael is buried there.

Then we went to a place and ate. There we watched the Italy and new Zealand soccer game. When Italy scored everyone was so happy. Then we took a train back to Florence. And we ate tonight at il gato e volpe. I had lemon chicken. It was sad to have our last gato meal. But it was delicious nonetheless. The waiters were sad to say goodbye.

I hope all is well.
Love
Alyssa
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Day 28- rome

Hi family!

So today we went to Rome. Our train left around 8 in the morning. We got here and took the metro to our hotel. Right away we left to go to the Vatican. We spent our whole day at the Vatican. We looked at the museum, the Sistine chapel and st peters basilica. The Sistine chapel was awesome. We actually went through it twice. We went the wrong way out the first time. And so we had to go back through to get to st peters. When we got to st peters it was really beautiful. And we stayed for mass. At mass it happened that lmu's choir was singing. So I got to see 4 of my good friends from lmu sing! They were so excited to see me.

Our night consisted of going to campo d fiore. There we ate and I had pasta carbonara. It was good. Then we walked to the Trevi fountain and the spanish steps. Of course I threw in my coins at the fountain! Here are pictures from the day:






























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Location:Piazza Barberini,Rome,Italy

Day 27

Hi!

Today we had drawing. We woke up and went down to a cafe where i got a cream pastry with fresh squeezed orange juice. Then we learned about one and two point perspective in class. It was pretty interesting. I can draw inside a room now!

Then we went to the oil shoppe and I got a bomb salad. So good. After that I went back to the room and watched the rest of the dark knight. Then I went out and bought a suitcase for bringing home gifts. And I walked around trying to take a good picture for my final drawing project. I'm just gonna use a picture I took at the cinque terre.

For dinner I just had a pizza. And I spent my night packing for Rome and home. It's crazy that I'm gonna be coming home but I am very excited!! Here are some pics I took today:











Love
Alyssa
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Day 26

Hi!

Today was a very eventful day. It started by waking up to go get some breakfast at a cafe. I had a cream pastry with a freshly squeezed orange juice. Then I made my way to the central market to get a bag of almonds.

Class began at 11:45. And we went around the convent of San Marco. It was pretty interesting. It hailed during class. It was a pretty rainy day in general. For lunch we went to central market where we ate at the cafeteria. I got risotto with sausage sauce for 4 euro. It was a deal and tasted delicious!

After lunch we went inside the duomo. It was strange that it was the first time we saw inside it even though we have been here for forever. We then went to grom to get crema di grom. Of course. I feel like a fatty from all of the gelato I eat. After we climbed to the top of the duomo where we saw a beautiful view of the whole city. Here are pics:


















Such good views. But it started to rain so we went back down. After this adventure I decided to go shopping a little for more gifts by myself. I finished off my shopping list!!

Then I came back to the apartment, and rested while watching the dark knight. Then David and I went to get pizza from gusto Leo and grom after. We then went with some more people to shot cafe where I enjoyed a tea and watched Mexico beat France.

It was a long day but very fun. I miss you all and congrats to all my friends graduating!! I miss you guys.

Love
Alyssa
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Day 25

Hello!

Today we had drawing class at a museum. Our teacher brought us around the pitti palace and then let us loose to draw anything we wanted in the museum. I drew a painting by rafaello of Madonna and baby. It was fun.

After we went through the boboli gardens for a nice stroll. We then were hungry so we stopped by a new sandwich place called antiquo Noe. Where I tried a sandwich with mozzarella, prosciutto, mushrooms and rose sauce. It was sooooo good. And plenty of food!

After that we did some shopping in the San Lorenzo market. I bought some things for some people and then we headed back to the apartment to rest for a bit.

Then dinner time came when we decided to go to a mexican food restaurant called Tijuana. It was good to change it up a bit. After dinner we headed to a place called shot cafe to finish watching Uruguay beat south africa and drink some kamakazes.

After this we decided to go with a big group to a club called central park. We danced a lot but ended up being a little too creeped out by the guys there. But it is all good because now I am going to sleep!

I love you all!

Love
Alyssa

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Day 24

Hi guys!

So basically I feel bad because I don't have anything truly exciting to tell you about just like yesterday. Today I slept in until 1230. Then got ready for class. We visited the church of Santa Maria novella and learned about the first ever Renaissance painting "the holy trinity". It was super cool. Then after we got our tickets at the train station for going to Rome this weekend.
I then spent my afternoon packing a box of presents to be sent home. And eating in my friends room some pasta that he made. Then we worked on homework and I got some stuff settled for work.

It's weird to think that I only have 10 days left here. But I can't wait to come back and see you guys. I miss you all!

Love
Alyssa


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Location:Via Camillo Cavour,Florence,Italy

Day 23

Heyyyyy

Today we were supposed to go to the beach in pietrasanta but the teachers decided that the weather was too bad for going. So instead we went back to Florence. We trained until 1. On the train I finished book 7 of Harry potter. It was amazing! I lovvvvved it. Probably one of my favorite books ever.

When we were back we went to pinos and I got a caprese sandwhich. It was bomb. When we came back we went to do our laundry. Later we went to gusto Leo and I got a salad. It was good. Now we are watching glee. Not much has really happened today.

Love
Alyssa


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Day 22

Hello!

Today we went on an adventure to the cinque terre. It is a string o 5 fishing villages that are all connected by a hiking trail. The trail was absolutely beautiful. From town to town we would swim or eat or relax. It was so nice.

The first stretch was a little mor difficult than the others. Big steps worked out my glutes. Hehe this is a pic of me before we started:






I started to get a little hot and sweaty so I decided to jump into the mediterranean ocean and cool off at the next town. It was a little murky but then we went out away from the dock and it was beautiful! The ocean was so clear and blue. Shea and I decided to jump of the rocks. It was fun.













We continued along the path and got gelato in the next town. The trail opened up to a beautiful spot to enter the water. So shea and I went in again. It was clearer and even more wonderful. It was so easy to float. I just floated along listening to my breathing while feeling the great blue expanse swim around me.












Along the next path we saw a bunch of locks that represented men and women who confessed their love for each other and left it locked as a reminder of their committment.





Our time in the cinque terre ended by sitting at a cafe, eating a crepe and drinking tea while watching Ghana win their game.

Now we are back to our temporary home. Showered and ready to eat.

It was a glorious day.

Love
Alyssa
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Location:Via Giuseppe Garibaldi,Pietrasanta,Italy

Day 21

Hi family and friends!!

So today I realized that I forgot to talk about what I did yesterday! It completely skipped my mind. I guess I'm just having too much fun! Hehe

So yesterday we woke up early and took a private bus to Pisa. There we visited the baptistry, cathedral, memorial, and tower. I also had a really good marinara pizza. Here are pics of me in Pisa:






Haha failed attempt at me holding up the tower. It was fun though!
Then we headed up the mountain to a marble quarry where we went inside a cave where they extract marble! It was cool.


After a long day of traveling and reading Harry potter we went to eat in pietrasanta. I had gorgonzola risotto that was very good and then watched the USA and England soccer game. The world cup is huge here.

Fun day overall!

Love
Alyssa

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Location:Sarzana,Italy

Day 20

Hello everyone!

From pietrasanta:






So today we woke up and got out of the door by 9. We were able to go to a pastry and tea place next to our place for free. It was good. Our day was dedicated to visiting studios. We first went to a marble carving studio where we saw men carving huge sculptures from blocks of marble. Here is a pic:





Then we went to a mosaic making studio. It was amazing. They had over 2000 colors of marano glass to make beautiful mosaics out of. The pietrasanta one is from it. Here is a picture of the man making one and another picture of my favorite mosaic from the place:











After the mosaic place we visited my professors gallery where he told us about how the gallery he bought was turned into a historical landmark so now he can make any changed to it. It was sad.

Then we ate lunch at a cafe in town. I had salad. After lunch we visited a bronze casting studio. It was really cool. Large scale casting that was identical to the process of jewelry making just bigger. Botero a famous bronze sculptor has pieces in this town all over the place (mom- botero did the nakey man and women statue in Columbus circle in new york).

After that place I took this picture of a really cool flower.






We spent the afternoon ink wash painting outside. And reading Harry potter. Here is a picture of a typical Tuscan style house.





Notice the cute white cat.

We later went to dinner and I had a calzone. It was alright. Here is a picture of me standing in a frame on the main street.





Tomorrow is Pisa. And now I sleep!

Love you all!
Alyssa

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Location:Via Stagio Stagi,Pietrasanta,Italy

Day 19- pietrasanta

Hi guys!!

I am currently in the town of pietrasanta. It is very quaint and beautiful. This morning we took the train here. Pleasant ride while reading harry potter and listening to Joanna newsom.

We then arrived at our hotel for the weekend. I am rooming with Bridget and Megan who are two really nice girls. Then we decided to head to the beach with a big group of us. We spent like 5 hours laying out on cabanas and going in the water and reading Harry potter. Hehe it was wonderful and such a nice break to relax.

When we came back we got ready for dinner and ate as a whole group. We ate two appetizers (vegetables and meatballs), pasta soup, pasta with meat sauce, turkey and pork with veggies, and a coffee cake with cream. It was good. Then we walked around the town. And shea and I decided to get our books and read in the town center where a man was playing the violin. It was pleasant.

I love you all!
I don't really feel sick anymore.

Love
Alyssa


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Location:Via Provinciale Vallecchia,Pietrasanta,Italy

Day 18

Hello everyone!

So I slept well last night. I didn't have hard times breathing during the night so that is good! Thanks for your prayers.

I woke up early at 730 and watched Hercules in bed. Then I got ready and went to mail some postcards. Then I sat in the logia of signoria and read the rest of skinny b****. Great book!

I then went and started off my newly learned dietary skills by eating a vegetarian sandwich at i frattoria. Then I went to get food from the market. Fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts for 12 euro! Then I picked up my dry cleaning.

After I went to the apartment and started Harry potter 7 until it was time for drawing at 3. Drawing was quite dull today. But after we went to eat at el gato y volpe and I had a great Greek salad. =)

A big group of us then went to see sex and the city 2. I really just though it was mediocre at best. Really shouldn't have been made. Hah. Oh well it only cost 5.50. =)

When I came back I found out that our apartment flooded. So now I'm sleeping in my friends apartment on there couch bed. Oh well we are leaving tomorrow morning anyways for a long 5 day excursion to pietrasanta, Pisa, and cinqueterre. I don't know if I will have phone charging capabilites there.

I love you all!

Alyssa


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Day 17- hospital day

Hi guys!!!

So I had a very interesting day today! I woke up early because my professor and I decided that I should see the doctor for my chest cough ( it had gotten bad like to the point of wheezing heavily ). So i got ready and finished harry potter book 6 before we left for the doctors.

The doctor was busy with 4 patients ahead so I waited and then i told my professor he didn't have to wait because she could speak English. Anyways I got in the appointment and we talked about symptoms. Then she listended to my breathing and right away said I had asthmatic bronchitis. She took out a shot of steroids and gave me the injection. Had me puff on inhaler. Then it wasn't enough so I had another injection of steroids. And then she listened and it eased up but was still bad. She said that she had to send me to the hospital.

So I went home and got my teacher and his wife wanted to come along and we headed to the hospital. There we waited an hour and then went in. It was interesting because it was an emergency room with patients laying on beds everywhere. And they put me in a wheelchairs and hooked me up to a breathing mask ventilator. I was on that for a little bit and they also put in an iv with fluids. Then they told me to wait for results.

Professor pupa and I waited and talked about our lives with each other. And he talked to me about being an artist for career. And then the doctors decided I need another breathing mask treatment. It actually worked fully that time and I could breathe really well again. They discharged me and the first thing I did was go eat because I had only had an orange and granola to eat so far today. And then we got my prescriptions at the pharmacy.

On my way home we ran into David who was going to get pizza. So I went with and got a marinera pizza. It was good! When I came back everyone rushed out of their rooms to greet me and see if I was okay. It was nice.

Since then I took a shower and had some nice leisurely time to myself for the evening because my roommates went out to see sex and the city 2. (don't worry I'm planning on going to see it tomorrow!).

I also started a book today called sexy b**** and am halfway through. It is so good! It's about eating healthier/vegetarian/veganism. Check it out!

Okay no pics today because I basically didn't do anything!

But I love you all!
Alyssa

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Day 16

Hello family,

Not much to say again. I had drawing early this morning. We worked on our pictures of the gravestone. I really like how mine is turning out. After that the girls and I went to pinos sandwich shop (the place that gave me the gross sandwich before). It was good this time though!! Really good! It was tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto and pesto.

Then we got gelato and walked around. The rest of the day I spent working on my drawing and reading Harry potter (I'm almost done with the 6th book!). And then we all got ready to celebrate bridgets 21st birthday at dantes. You can probably guess that I got gnocchi with sausage and truffle cream. Everyone went out afterwards but I decided to go home seeing as my sicknesses are not going away at all!

On the upside pretty vies of the river=beautiful pictures:



















Love
Alyssa

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Day 15- lazy Sunday

Hi!

This will be a rather short post because I really didn't do much today! I woke up at noon. Got ready to go eat a small lunch. I ate at I fratellini (the small sandwich shop I frequent) they are beginning to remember me. And had a quick gelato stop at grom. I then came back to watch bugs life, draw and read Harry potter.

David and I then went to get groceries to make our dinner. We had bread with olive oil and balsamic. Bowtie and spiral pasta with tomato, basil, mushrooms and sausage sauce. And finished the meal with blood oranges. It was quite a meal!

Then my day ended with a little more Harry potter. Hehe!

Lazy sundays are wonderful. Although I did miss going to church!!

Love you all
Alyssa


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Day 14- chianti

Hello lovies!!

Today has been action packed! We had to wake up super early this morning to meet at the train station at 730 with the Florence for fun tour group. We took a bus to chianti which I and many of us slept on. We then went to a little cafe. After that we ventured on to our hike. It was beautiful!!! The area was soooo green and lucious. With vineyards everywhere! Here is a picture from it!!








So our hike was very fun just a little bit hot. Other than that I really enjoyed it!! So nice!

Then we walked to a vineyard where we ate at their villa! There we had a lonnnnng leisurely meal with all of their homemade wine. They gave us appetizers and two types of pasta! It was a good meal and really fun.

I met 3 Australian girls who were soooo sweet. We hung out the whole time. After our meal, the three Aussies (Anneka, Cara, and Georgina) and I found a ledge to sit on and aw at the beautiful scenery. The whole day was really like in a movie.

After that we rode home in the bus. Then I took a shower and had a quick nap before dinner at dantes again. I had beef carpaccio and green beans and then we headed home. I'm super tired so I didn't feel like going out. And my allergies kicked up today so badly. I couldn't breathe out of my nose frequently throughout the day.

I love you all and hope everything is well!
Alyssa

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Day 13- week 2

Hello everyone!

So today has been a great day. For drawing class today we went to a cemetery and drew anything we thought was compositionally appealing. So I chose to draw this picture that I took of an angel on top of a grave:


I'll post a picture of my drawing when it's done! This is a drawing that I did of a postcard for our first project:


I'm really excited about that one.

So after class we went to a little restaurant and I had a big crostini. Which is just a big slice of bread with gorgonzola, tomatoes and bazil. It was very good!

Then Kyle and I went back to draw more but were attacked by bugs and decided to leave. On the way home we went to one of the most recommended gelato places called vivolis. I had tiramisu with strawberry. This may sound weird to you but it was amazing!! The lady at the counter recommended it.

We headed back home to find that no one was in my room. So Kyle and I went back out to palazzo signoria and drew some more. Then we watched a clown put on a show in the middle of the street. It was sooo funny. He pretended to pull a fat guy towards him and then lifted up the guys shirt and stuck his painted face to his stomach and there was an imprint of his face on his stomach. He also went up to a big fat lady and kissed her straight on the lips!! Haha

Now I'm just in the apartment waiting to go out to dinner with people. I miss you all so much!

Love
Alyssa

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Location:Via Camillo Cavour,Florence,Italy

Another rainy day- Day 12

Hello lovely friends and family!

This morning we woke up for another 9 am class for art history. We met our teacher, rocky, at the bargello museum. Which he said is in his opinion the most impressive collection of sculptures that exists. It was literally amazing. I was so inspired! And the stories he told us that went along with them were amazing. We saw statues from donatello, michelangelo, brunelleschi and other greats. We also went to the museum of the duomo and saw original structures of the duomo.

It was another rainy day, except now it is getting lighter outside and the sun is finally coming out. After class David and I went to the same sandwich shop I went to yesterday because it is just so good and easy to get to. =) we also got some gelato at grom. I tried the crema di grom and hazelnut. Very good. Especially the crema di grom- it was like a cookie dough. Yum!

Then I came back to the apartment because it was rainy. I read some homework and Harry potter. I also went to the pharmacy for them to look at my big bite. I don't think I've talked about it yet...yesterday at fiesole I got bit by something. Now it is huge. Pretty much the size of my knee cap on my knee. It's red and hot. But it's okay. They gave me cortozone and it doesn't itch too bad!!

We also did laundry today at the laundromat. It took forever for the clothes to dry though. Now I'm just waiting for people to go out to eat at one of our favorite places, gusta Leo. The people love us there and always knock off like 30 euro on our check!!

I hope you are all well.

Love
Alyssa


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Location:Via Camillo Cavour,Florence,Italy

Day 11

Hello my lovelies,

Today was a very mellow day. We woke up for a field trip at 9 with drawing class to go to fiesole. It's a town on the hills. You can see a beautiful view of all of Florence from there.

While there we went walking to a nice viewpoint. Then went to a little monastery that is up there. We also stopped by a cafe and I had a nutella pastry that was delicious.

Then the drawing class went into the ancient theatre and drew the landscape. We took the bus home once it started raining.

It's been a very rainy and relax day. My friend Kyle and I went out to get sandwiches to eat. We had nice talks while we went. I have noticed that I have been given many opportunities to share my beliefs with the people on this trip. So I have been really open about what I believe in and people have been pretty receptive of it!!

Now I'm just laying down lazily in bed while watching old tv episodes of lost and 30 rock that I have on my computer.

Hope all is well!
Alyssa


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Location:Via Camillo Cavour,Florence,Italy

Day 10

Hello everyone.

Today has been a great day just very long. We woke up this morning for art history class. We had to meet at the santa Croce church at 9 am. We were done by 1130. And learned interesting things about Franciscans and st Francis of Assisi.

Then the boys and I went to pinos. This little sandwich shop that has nice cuts of meat and cheese. I asked him to make me something he wanted to make. He made me a sandwich with pork meat, potatoes, eggplant, and pesto. It was weird not gonna lie. Haha but I guess his menu sandwiches are amazing.

Then I went in this little book store I found on the way home. I found one English book in it and it was from a hundred years ago. I got it for you mommy. =)

When we got home, my friend David and I decided to go on an adventure. We went all over the place. We tried to go see the David in the accademia but the line was long. So we went to the pitti palace and saw the museum of contemporary art, the costume gallery, boboli gardens, fort belvedere, and bardini gardens. We then went to the piazza Michelangelo that has an amazing view of the city. This is the place I found on my run yesterday.





Then we were so exhausted we rewarded ourselves with none other than gelato! We went to a place that is highly recommended called Vestri. There I had caffe, hazelnut, and dark chocolate for 3 euro!! What a deal and it was soooo good.

Now I took a shower and I'm just going to relax tonight. Probably draw and read. As well as make myself some pasta!

Love
Alyssa

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Location:Via Camillo Cavour,Florence,Italy

Day 9!

Hello everyone!

Today we had drawing class and learned great things. We made our first drawing with ink. We each copied a postcard and then inked our drawings so that they were our artistic rendering. I love mine!!!

After that we went to the oil shoppe again and I had another bosco sandwhich. Which consisted of prosciutto, mushrooms, and truffle sauce.

After that I went on a wonderful run across the river to a lookout where we could see all of Florence. I went with Remington and katrina. It was such a great run. I would love to do it again. We also made our way to a tour guide office where we signed up for a day trip to chianti this Saturday where we do a hike and wine tasting.

After that I was locked out of my room so I went with Eduardo and David to get gelato. At grom I got strawberry (frogola) and lemon (limone). It was so good!

Then I got ready and read for art history tomorrow and went out to eat with remy, katrina, Caroline, Alicia, Eduardo, David, and Kyle. We had dantes again. Because it's so good. But this time I had gnocchi with sausage and truffle cream and green beans with garlic and chilis. Oh and free wine! Hehe

I'm feeling good before I'm about to go to bed. Ehh art history at 9 am tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!!

Our view:





Love,
Alyssa




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Location:Via Camillo Cavour,Florence,Italy

Day 8!

Hello!

Today we woke up around 8 and a huge group made our way to Venice Italy on the train. It was a nice two hour ride on which I slept. =) nothing happened to us like yesterday which is good.

Once we got here we decided to walk to San Marco square. It was a long walk but it was nice because we saw a lot of the city that way. A group of four of us girls got separated from the group because I guess I walk a little too fast. Again I acted as the person that gets us in the right direction with the map. So madison, shea, Jessica and I got separated and found San Marco square and the basilica. We took pictures. Here is one of the gondolas.



Then we got hungry so we found a sandwich shop that was recommended in a book. The sandwiches were made and pressed in the panini maker. They had focaccia bread and were delicious. I had one with prosciutto, Brie and arugula.

I also found a sweets shop with tiramisu and cream puffs. It looked so good I decided to get both. Hey you only live once!! We continued back to san Marco to eat next to the many pigeons that fill the square.

Then we didn't no what to do so we did what girls do best...shop. I got lots of beautiful things made by the owner of their respective shops. We also stopped at a recommended gelato place called boutique di gelato. It was my favorite one thus far. It was so creamy and perfect! I had tiramisu, caffe and nicciolato (hazelnut). So good!!
Here is a picture of me with some gondolas...it's a little dark.


Now I'm on the water boat cruising along the grand canal making our way back to the train station. Another 2 hour train ride ahead. Let's hope I can sleep through it!
It's been a long weekend but has been very worth it!

I love you all!
Alyssa

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Location:Sestiere Santa Croce,Venice,Italy

Day 7.

Hello!

So today I woke up at 8 and went to Siena with some of the girls. We got our tickets the day before and made our way onto the train. Once we already got going we were told to give up our tickets to the conductor. She then proceeded to say that we needed to have gotten them validated before hand and had to pay 40 euro each for "our" mistake. Even though we had no clue we had to do it. So that was quite a damper on our day.

But we spent the day walking all around beautiful Siena. We went to piazza del campo and saw big brick buildings and huge churches. All by small winding streets with green shutters and a Tuscan style. There were houses with flower boxes on their window seals and lines drying clothing. We also bought a pass that was 10 euro and we were able to see the inside of the duomo, baptistry, crypts and 3 museums. It was fun and very pretty. We also went to lunch and had a wonderful meal. I had a pasta with mushrooms and sausage that was great.

We then proceeded to head home and boarded the train with no problems. Ironically even we were never even asked for our tickets.

When we got home we headed over to this weekends gelato festival. It is wonderful! You can get 5 gelatos for 4 euro. What a wonderful weekend to be here.

After that I finished reading the amazing book, Redeeming Love. I cried it was so good! Then we went to dinner for the 2nd time at il gato y volpa and I had chicken with lemon and capers and mushrooms. Soooooo good!! Then we went back to the gelato festival and got gelato. It's even more fun at night because people from everywhere came for the fest and were just strolling around the streets. The people love to window shop here.

Tomorrow morning is another packed day where the group is headed to Venice!!

Love you and miss you,
Alyssa



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Location:Piazza Il Campo,Sienna,Italy

Day 6

Hello!!

Today has been another beautiful day in firenze (the Italian version of Florence). This morning we woke up for our 9 am class. We made our way to our studio and spent the morning learning drawing techniques. We built a grid for us to use when we draw. We also drew a still life of a watering can, table, bottle, globe, and mirror. These techniques that I'm learning are wonderful and extremely helpful.

After that a few of us girls went in search for another cheap sandwich shop called casa di vino. I had a prosciutto, Brie and ricotta sandwich with white savignon wine.

After that Madison and I venture to the central market. This market was unbelievable. Literally a three story building filled with fresh produce, meat, cheese, wine and dried fruits. The worlds biggest farmers market I would say. =) it was heaven. I got some wonderful dried strawberries and mangos. There is also a huge outdoor market of leather, scarves, and other merchant goods. We also stopped by a store on the way home that I got a big jug of mango juice that is absolutely delicious.

We came back to rest for a bit. I continued reading my book. Then a bunch of us went to the train station to figure out our weekend plans. A bunch of us girls are going to Siena tomorrow for the day. And then almost the whole group is going to Venice on Sunday. I'm excited for all the traveling!

On our way home we stopped by the gelato festival that is going on this weekend. I got 5 gelato passes for 4 euro and used the first for a coffee gelato Popsicle. It was strong but good. =)

Now we are just relaxing again until the next adventure. I hope you are all doing well. I'm doing great. Everyone is getting along well and I'm having an awesome time. But I do miss you all and love you all very much!!

Love,
Alyssa


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Via Camillo Cavour,Florence,Italy

Day 5!!

Hi everyone!!
So as of right now everyones wifi is no longer working. So I had to use my handy resources aka the iPhone to find a wonderful way to blog my loved ones.

Today was another beautiful day in Florence. Although there were tourist groups everywhere and it did rain for like a second.

I slept in today until like noon. Haha I guess I am still adjusting to the time change. But it was nice to just relax.

Then Madison and I decoded to go out shopping/looking around because our rooms were getting cleaned. So we went to get lunch first because I was hungry. We went to a little cart that is next door to an outdoor marketplace that sells lampridotto. You are probably wondering what this is...well lampridotto is a special lining of a cows stomach and is more tender than tripe. They put it on a sandwich with some spread and it was wonderful. Madison did not like the texture but I liked it. =) ps lampridotto is famous for being only available in Florence.

Then we decided we wanted to buy pendants of the ancient romain florentine coin. So I found a wonderful little one that is made of bronze with silver outlining it. And a beautiful silver chain. This store was located on the pointe vecchio aka the old bridge. Which has been around for a very long time and used to house butchers until a Medici decided it smelled too bad and jewelers moved in. Jewelers have occupied the area ever since.

Then we went to the boboli gardens. This is the gardens located through the pitti palace. They were huge and very beautiful. We walked the length of the gardens and I decided to stay, draw and read. Madison went back to the room.

I had to rush back to take a shower before class. We met at the bottom of the bell tower of the duomo. We learned all about the history of the duomo and the baptistry. So interesting!!

Then a bunch of us girls and some guys went to get gelato of course. I had tiramisu, caffe e pistacchio. Delicious!

I spent the evening reading and hanging out indoors talking to people. Now it's night time!

I love you all!!
Alyssa


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Day 3-4!

Hi everyone!

So sorry that it took me a day to get this up, but I am having problems with internet.  I was "stealing" a wireless free network that I found, and i think they found out and shut me out of it.  Now I don't have wifi on my computer so I am just gonna use my roommates computers.

So Day 3...what happened?! As you can probably tell we were out a little late on Monday Night, so i slept on Tuesday until like 12:30.  By the time I got up and showered it was already halfway through the day.  My roommate Madison and I decided that we were hungry and wanted to try on the lunch places that was mentioned in my travel book.  So we followed it to a restaurant called mario.  It ended up being a small restaurant filled with Tuscaners.  They sat us at a table with 2 random Italians, and I went on a whim and ordered pasta with duck sauce which ended up being fabulous. My roommate got pasta with red sauce that she said was good but definitely not as good as mine.  I would for sure go back there again.

After that we went to the supermarket for miscellaneous necessities, and to the pharmacy for some nasal spray.  As I mentioned before I got pink eye, but not to worry it is almost gone! As for my allergies though I am still struggling. Our professor, Pupa, said that the dust here tends to irritate a lot of people.  I got medicine for it though and just am working through it.  After that my roommate and I just went to get the textbook we had to buy for our art history class at a place called paperback exchange which is a bookstore filled with american books and italian books with good prices.  Our textbook was 30 euro and we are sharing it! 

At 4 pm we had to meet for art history class at a column in the Piazza della Repubblica.  There we learned all about the history of the square.  I am completely fascinated by the fact that we were able to learn history from 200 BC to 1895 AD all in one piazza in Florence.  People enter this main piazza every day without ever knowing the amazing things that we were able to learn.  We sat at the very center of the city for our lecture.  Then we moved along to the piazza della signoria where we learned about the fort-like structure that housed the republic that was formed in the 1200s.  We also heard that one of the famous statues in the front of the building, Herculus and Cacus, was called "sac of potatoes" by the Florentines back in the day because of the way the artist depicted the human body. Ha!

After class a bunch of the girls on the trip made our way to a very popular gelato store called GROM, where I enjoyed caffe e pistacchio gelato.  Very yummy.  Then we came back to the apartment for a little bit to hang out before going to dinner.  I have been designated the person to get us to places by looking at a map (I'm not sure if this suprises any of you, but I am actually very good at directions here).  We went to a leisurely dinner with 9 of us here.  We had bruschetti italiano, and prosciutto e melone for antipasti.  Then I enjoyed gnocchi 4 cheeses.  We all drank house wine and were given lemoncello to sip at the end of the meal.  For all of our meal it cost us 100 euro for 9 people! 

We were having too much fun, so we decided to continue the party by going to a karaoke bar called The Old Stove.  The girls (including me) decided to sing "This Love" by Maroon 5 and we had another group of us that sang a Backstreet Boys song.  Everyone loved it! We met up with kids from Pepperdine that a few of the LMU girls knew at this karaoke bar and it ended up being a fun night.

Drawing class was this morning at 9 AM, and it wasnt too much of a struggle to wake up and shower.  Class was fun, I already learned techniques that I can use to greatly improve my drawing.  He said that with the few techniques we learned today we can draw anything we could ever want, now drawing it well is another story haha! Our assignment for Friday is to draw any 2 objects so I think I will go out and sit somewhere to draw something.  

After class Madison, Kyle, and I went to another restaurant one of our guide books suggested called Il Trattitore where I munched on a sandwich with prosciutto, goat cheese, basil (yum!) and wine for only 4 euro!! Life here is so cheap and wonderful! Walking everywhere is hopefully keeping me fit.  And Im hoping that I will do a little running along the way.  After lunch we did a little shopping, and I read our art history textbook readings.

I hope everyone is doing wonderful!!

I love you all!

Alyssa

The Rest of Day 2!

Hi!!!

So we met with our art history professor and he is super nice. He lives here and actually just had a baby girl 2 days ago! Tomorrow for class we dont have to meet until 4 pm!! So we get a while to hang out and do what we want. We walked around the city a little with him and he pointed out a few notable spots that we will be seeing very often and learning a lot more about. As I said before the tour will take place by following him into museums and centers while he lectures and we take notes on the history he provides. To help with this we are given touristy looking earpiece/walkytalky things and we are able to hear him perfectly in our ear!

After that my roommate Maddy and I went to the pharmacy and I got Claritin (my allergies have been crrrrazy here!) and pink eye drops (I woke up with crust pink eyes- ewww!). We then made our way back to the hotel and I fell asleep for 30 minutes until we had to meet up for another group dinner.

We all went to a place that is highly recommended by many people called Il Gato e La Volpe. We had a wonderful meal starting with amazing bread, then Antipasti: 1) buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, and artichokes (aka mom you would have loved it minus the artichokes ha), 2) cold cuts of prosciutto, turkey, and salami, 3) Bruschetta half with tomatoes and the other half with mushrooms, followed by our main course: 1) vegetarian risotta with red sauce, 2) gnocchi with meatballs (yummmm), 3) penne with broccoli and white sauce, then to finish with dessert of Tiramisu, of course. It was a wonderful meal and good times getting to know everyone.

Then more than half of us went to a little bar hopping. We went to one called Rex where we sipped some not so good wine (Mom and Dad you have spoiled me with good wine...I can tell when something is cheap hahah) and then we went to a random Irish Pub called Finnegans where the people are very nice and apparently on Wednesday they are having a Trivia Night.

We all then came back to our rooms for the night!

So tomorrow I think I will explore the city quite a bit more and really get to know what I'm up against. Seeing as we dont have class until 4 pm!

Love,

Alyssa

Day 2 in Firenze: Orientation

Hi!!

So today we woke up at 9:30 AM and made our way to the school where we will be only having some classes: Syracuse University Florence. The rest of our classes will be held in a studio that is close to the school or out in the city. Our art history class will take place on site at various museums and landmarks! There is no in class room lecture, it is all at different sites! We had a small orientation saying safety tips and other key things to know. All pretty general.

But in the packet there were a few helpful things like a map of different places that I student made after he studied abroad here. So a group of us decided to follow it to a sandwich shop he suggested called The Oil Shoppe. I had a yummy sandwich called Brosco that had prosciutto, mushrooms, cheese, and truffle oil ( mom I know what you are thinking--i am my mothers daughter =) ). It was so good!!

A group of us broke off to try to find the Pucci store. The reason for this is because a kid on the trip, Kyle, his great uncle owned the store in Florence until he died! We found it but it was closed for siesta. I came back to the apartment after sipping on a nice lemon soda.

Dre (One of my roommates) and I decided that we wanted to go running. So we went out and ran around through the streets, and found a gym. We got a tour of it but found out a month membership was 90 euro, which we didnt want to pay for so I think I will just keep running in the streets.

It is such a beautiful sunny day out. The kids on the trip are great so far, and I am having a fun time. Soon we will be meeting in front of the Duomo (which is right down the street from our apartment) to meet our art history instructor and get our syllabus for the class, and later tonight we will be having another group dinner.

I love you all and miss you!!

Love,

Alyssa

The rest of the night

Hello..

We went to the pizzaria with the whole group it was called yellow bar. I had spaghetti alla carbonara and it was delicious! I sat with my new roommates and we bonded a little more.

We then walked as a group through the streets, stopping at various historical spots to hear a quick lecture from our teacher, and continuing on to get my first gelato on this trip! I had a wonderful cup of hazelnut and tiramisu.

We heard more stories about the wealthy Medici family who created an above ground hallway in the archways to escape the mafia. And we went to the bridge where a man was playing guitar for an audience of many. We later found out that he was singing in italian about the people walking by and making fun of them. I wished I knew Italian and could be in on the joke.

The bridge holds small shops of gold and silver jewelry shops that are famous in Tuscany.

My roommates and the boys on the trip then split off from the group and explored the streets a little. We strolled just as our Tuscan bypassers, and enjoyed the night like so many did. People are out at night to just be.

My roommates bought some wine to drink all together.

First day was a success, orientation is tomorrow morning at 9:30 and we have a tour guided by our art history professor at 4.

Love,

Alyssa

Arrival in Tuscany!

Hi Family and Friends!!!

I am here in Tuscany! After 2 long flights I have arrived and am already getting to know the place.

I took a flight from LAX to NYC and slept a lot of the way, and on the plane the lady that sat next to me was from Honolulu. She was an older lady and liked to talk. I think she thought she was being motherly by telling me to drink my water, but I didnt mind.

I waited in the NYC airport for 5 hours. I got myself some buffalo wings and headed to the sky club lounge where I proceeded to read the book that Hannah gave me called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is a beautiful love story and I am already half way through with it! Girls...it is a must read.

When I got to Pisa my bag arrived out of the baggage claim with a huge rip and my clothes spilling out. It's okay though my clothes were all there and I still managed to carry it to the car. A nice man named Paulo picked me up through a car service and took me to Tuscany. The drive explored beautiful, luscious green valleys and cute old tuscan villas.

When I arrived at Residence Cavour it didnt look like much on the street. But once I entered my apartment I saw a beautiful living room, kitchen, room, and loft. I am living with 5 other girls and we are getting along great! We already made a trip to the supermarket to stock up in cereal for the morning. We also did a little research and found a great gym that is a 15 minute walk, so we decided to walk there but it happened to be closed. The city is very sleepy on Sundays. The walk was nice though so it was worth it.

We will be going out soon for a group dinner/orientation with everyone. We will be going to a pizzaria.

Unfortunately I forgot to bring the cord to be able to upload pictures, but I will try to post on this as frequent as possible.

Spread the address of this blog to anyone that you would think wants to know what I'm up to!

Love,

Alyssa