Still making an effort to catch up... not complaining at all but traveling makes you so exhausted! And these weeks seem to be going by faster and faster...
SPRING BREAK:
My roommates and headed down to Greece. We took a flight into Athens and just spent the next morning there. I was not too impressed with Athens.. actually, I really did not like it. Because of its economic situation it is really run down and kind of sketchy so we did not want to spend too much time there. We woke up at 7:30 and headed right to the Acropolis. This was the part of Athens that was incredible. The sun was shining and when you climbed to the top you could see the entire city, thousands of white buildings packed tightly in between the surrounding mountains and the aqua sea. The Parthenon was very impressive as well, but I would have to say my favorite part was the view. We climbed down and hopped right into a cab to the bus station. It was the perfect amount of time spent in Athens. We took an 8 hour bus to the island of Corfu. Let me just say, Greece is the most beautiful country I have ever been in. That bus ride was spectacular, and I could have never imagined saying that about an 8 hour cramped bus ride. The entire trip consisted of beautiful views of turquoise water, snow capped mountains, herds of sheep in rolling fields, and little white stucco homes. We went up and down cliffs and mountains on winding roads and so close to the sea that waves splashed on the bus. 
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| Corfu |
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| View from our Hotel Room |
We had to take a ferry to get to the island which was also a beautiful trip. We watched the sun set on the Ionian Sea. We made it to the island around 8:00 and checked into the hotel. We were quite exhausted from our day of travel but excited to lay out in the sun the next day. We woke up at a decent hour both days and headed right to the beach and spent the entire two days relaxing. It was perfect! Our two guy friends met us there as well which was really fun!
I could only spend two days there because Mom was coming to visit me for the week! I met her at the airport because we both landed at the same time! It was so exciting to see her! Ive missed my family so much and even though they all couldn't make it here to Italy it was so nice to be with my mom for Easter :) I was so lucky!
Right from the airport we got onto the train to Spoleto, which is a medieval town in Umbria. It was a bit of a struggle finding where we were staying... medieval alley ways and pouring rain is not a good combination! But we finally made it and by 7:29 when the check in closed at 7:30..
Tired and soaking we dropped our bags off and then quickly searched for a place for dinner. We stumbled on the most wonderful little restaurant, Il Tempio del Gusto. Umbria is famous for their truffles so we of course had to order anything that included them. The chef even brought out some special dishes for us to try! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was so quaint and cozy. They even made their own chocolates and gave us some to try! (Rosemary and sea salt). Mom and I thought there was a hint of orange in them as well, but we proved ourselves wrong when we figured out the orange flavor was from the left over Emergence-e in our water bottles....
The next morning we got up early and went on the train to Assisi. We got off the train and were wandering around the station when someone tapped me on the shoulder.... I turned around and saw it was my Theology professor, Dr. Gondreau and his family! We were lucky to run into him because we did not know how to get to the first church which was the one that St. Francis built. We split up afterwards because I needed to go to a pharmacy since I had a bad cold but we ran into him many more times that day.
We got to see the Basilica of St. Francis and his tomb inside. We also saw the home he grew up in and St. Claire who in incorrupt. Assisi was a beautiful town. One of the most beautiful I have been to in Italy. We headed back to Spoleto and had a nice dinner there but were absolutely exhausted from all of our walking up and down the hills and cobblestone streets of Assisi. I passed out the second my head hit the pillow.
The next day we went to Cascia which was another near by medieval town. This was the home to St. Rita. It was a quaint little town tucked into the side of a mountain. We saw the main Basilica and St. Rita, who was incorrupt as well. We got a lunch and then headed back to Rome! (I was so excited to go back since I had been travelling for so long!) We made it back that evening and I decided to stay with Mom one night in Trastevere. We had an incredible meal at Da Enzo, a restaurant that my photography professor recommended. The door was covered with awards so we knew that was a good sign. It was adorable and the entire family was working there. The little boy even brought us our check. We had fried Artichokes, Chicken alla Romana, and I told mom she needed to try the Cacio e Pepe. So delicious. Then we had the best tiramisu ever. There was a Nutella center.....
The next day we met up with the Gottwalts at St. John Lateran. Then we went across the street and climbed Santa Scala which were the stairs Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus on. There were blood spots from Christ still on them. The line was incredibly long because it was good Friday and everyone climbs them on their knees. It is a lot harder and a lot more painful than you would think... but it was such an incredible experience.
Afterwards I had a meeting with Brandy Melville so I had mom come along and check out the store and get some presents for my little sisters :) We went to Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Croce afterwards where the relics from the passion and true cross were. Perfect place to spend Good Friday at. MOM WORE ME OUT we were exhausted after this day... I had never walked so much...... and there were still places Mom wanted to go but we didn't make it to! But thats what you have to do when you only have a little time in Rome, try to fit as much as you can in a day because there is just so much to see in this city.
After, we met up with the Gottwalt's for dinner at another place in Trastevere called Le Mani in Pasta. Also very delicious and recommended by my professor! We ordered Antipasti and the special which was a seafood pasta (it had an entire lobster on top....). Incredible. It was so fun to be able to be with Alli and her family in Rome!
The next day we had more of a relaxing day, but we definitely still did a lot. First mom and I went to the church of Santa Francesa Romana in the Forum, then we went to San Andrea delle Valle which is a church I have passed so many times but have never gone into. It was spectacular! We went to San Eustacchio which is a favorite coffee shop of the Italians and is famous for being in Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. We headed over to Campo dei Fiori after for the markets. Mom was in heaven as I expected :) I also had to show her Roscioli and since we didn't have time for a wine tasting we went to the restaurant for lunch. We both died. We asked the waiter for a wine recommendation which was not even on the menu... He picked it specially for us :) Then we ordered an Artichoke salad and a prosciutto, mozzarella and arugula dish with a balsamic reduction and semi sun-dried tomatoes. They also brought us a special appetizer from the kitchen which was ricotta with walnuts and pine nuts with sun-dried tomatoes and a pesto sauce. Then we both ordered the Caccio e Pepe which was to die for. The amount of shredded parmesan on top was ridiculous. For dessert (which the waiter insisted on) he brought us cantuccini with a dark chocolate dipping sauce. We were stuffed but we couldn't resist!
We needed a nap but we needed to get ready for the Easter Vigil at the Vatican. So we got ready fast and rushed to St. Peter's. People had been standing in line since 2 pm and the doors opened at 7. We got there around 6:30 and cut the long line... you need to do what the Romans do to get anywhere! The Gottwalts met up but we got split up for the mass. We only waited in line for about 45 mins in the pouring rain.... but of course we made some friends in line. We ended up getting pretty close to the front and a good view of the Pope! It was probably the most beautiful mass I have ever been to. Pope Francis had the sweetest voice and was so reverent.
The next morning I said goodbye to Alli and then showed my mom my area and where I go to school. Then we had to go back towards the Vatican for an Easter luncheon we were invited to at the North American College. It was such a beautiful day and finally sunny so we strolled around Trastevere and got some gelato and wandered through the markets. We went into Santa Maria in Trastevere and the Church where St. Benedict's cell was. We were so tired from all the walking so we took a nap before dinner. We decided to go to dinner in the Jewish quarter to get Carciofi alla Guida (artichokes cooked in the jewish style which is fried). We went to Nonna Betta which was featured on Anthony Bourdain. As we imagined, it was delicious. Everything on the menu had something with artichokes in it (my kind of restaurant). I ordered artichoke ravioli and Mom had another artichoke pasta dish. They gave us an assortment of Jewish pastries for dessert which were perfect. It was a great last night with Mom :) I was really sad to say goodbye to her but we will be reuniting so soon!
The next day my friends and I went on a Tuscany tour. We were supposed to go to Siena first but our train was late.....
So we met up with the group and headed to San Giminiano and we got a food and wine tasting at a local farm. Then we got a tour of their vineyard and farm. We went up into the town afterwards and got a chance to explore. The world's best gelato is from this town so our tour guide told us where the place was and to just look for a long line. We saw a long line so we joined it and waited our turn. We got such delicious gelato.... but then we looked across the street and realized the world famous gelato was there... so naturally we had to get another :) Then we shopped a bit and I got a present for my Gma :)
The next stop on the tour was Pisa. So we spent an hour taking every type of leaning tower picture possible.... I don't know why but we were all dying laughing. I was so ready to get home by the end of that day trip because Spring Break wasn't really a break I just came out more tired! But that was because I had so much fun and was able to fit so much into those 10 days.
The next day we met up with the Gottwalts at St. John Lateran. Then we went across the street and climbed Santa Scala which were the stairs Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus on. There were blood spots from Christ still on them. The line was incredibly long because it was good Friday and everyone climbs them on their knees. It is a lot harder and a lot more painful than you would think... but it was such an incredible experience.
Afterwards I had a meeting with Brandy Melville so I had mom come along and check out the store and get some presents for my little sisters :) We went to Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Croce afterwards where the relics from the passion and true cross were. Perfect place to spend Good Friday at. MOM WORE ME OUT we were exhausted after this day... I had never walked so much...... and there were still places Mom wanted to go but we didn't make it to! But thats what you have to do when you only have a little time in Rome, try to fit as much as you can in a day because there is just so much to see in this city.
After, we met up with the Gottwalt's for dinner at another place in Trastevere called Le Mani in Pasta. Also very delicious and recommended by my professor! We ordered Antipasti and the special which was a seafood pasta (it had an entire lobster on top....). Incredible. It was so fun to be able to be with Alli and her family in Rome!
The next day we had more of a relaxing day, but we definitely still did a lot. First mom and I went to the church of Santa Francesa Romana in the Forum, then we went to San Andrea delle Valle which is a church I have passed so many times but have never gone into. It was spectacular! We went to San Eustacchio which is a favorite coffee shop of the Italians and is famous for being in Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn. We headed over to Campo dei Fiori after for the markets. Mom was in heaven as I expected :) I also had to show her Roscioli and since we didn't have time for a wine tasting we went to the restaurant for lunch. We both died. We asked the waiter for a wine recommendation which was not even on the menu... He picked it specially for us :) Then we ordered an Artichoke salad and a prosciutto, mozzarella and arugula dish with a balsamic reduction and semi sun-dried tomatoes. They also brought us a special appetizer from the kitchen which was ricotta with walnuts and pine nuts with sun-dried tomatoes and a pesto sauce. Then we both ordered the Caccio e Pepe which was to die for. The amount of shredded parmesan on top was ridiculous. For dessert (which the waiter insisted on) he brought us cantuccini with a dark chocolate dipping sauce. We were stuffed but we couldn't resist!
We needed a nap but we needed to get ready for the Easter Vigil at the Vatican. So we got ready fast and rushed to St. Peter's. People had been standing in line since 2 pm and the doors opened at 7. We got there around 6:30 and cut the long line... you need to do what the Romans do to get anywhere! The Gottwalts met up but we got split up for the mass. We only waited in line for about 45 mins in the pouring rain.... but of course we made some friends in line. We ended up getting pretty close to the front and a good view of the Pope! It was probably the most beautiful mass I have ever been to. Pope Francis had the sweetest voice and was so reverent.
The next morning I said goodbye to Alli and then showed my mom my area and where I go to school. Then we had to go back towards the Vatican for an Easter luncheon we were invited to at the North American College. It was such a beautiful day and finally sunny so we strolled around Trastevere and got some gelato and wandered through the markets. We went into Santa Maria in Trastevere and the Church where St. Benedict's cell was. We were so tired from all the walking so we took a nap before dinner. We decided to go to dinner in the Jewish quarter to get Carciofi alla Guida (artichokes cooked in the jewish style which is fried). We went to Nonna Betta which was featured on Anthony Bourdain. As we imagined, it was delicious. Everything on the menu had something with artichokes in it (my kind of restaurant). I ordered artichoke ravioli and Mom had another artichoke pasta dish. They gave us an assortment of Jewish pastries for dessert which were perfect. It was a great last night with Mom :) I was really sad to say goodbye to her but we will be reuniting so soon!
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| of course mom and I matched |
The next day my friends and I went on a Tuscany tour. We were supposed to go to Siena first but our train was late.....
So we met up with the group and headed to San Giminiano and we got a food and wine tasting at a local farm. Then we got a tour of their vineyard and farm. We went up into the town afterwards and got a chance to explore. The world's best gelato is from this town so our tour guide told us where the place was and to just look for a long line. We saw a long line so we joined it and waited our turn. We got such delicious gelato.... but then we looked across the street and realized the world famous gelato was there... so naturally we had to get another :) Then we shopped a bit and I got a present for my Gma :)
The next stop on the tour was Pisa. So we spent an hour taking every type of leaning tower picture possible.... I don't know why but we were all dying laughing. I was so ready to get home by the end of that day trip because Spring Break wasn't really a break I just came out more tired! But that was because I had so much fun and was able to fit so much into those 10 days.
Bacioni xxxx
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