HOLY CRAP ITS MARCH?!?!

WHOA!! Where did the time go? I cannot believe it is already March. Well.. I better start working harder on my New Year's Resolutions.. Well I have been a little bit..

Lets recap those goals..

1. Travel - Enjoy the world
2. Write - Express to remember, forget and learn
3. Speak - Learn a new language
4. Play - Pick up a guitar
5. Learn - Finish College

Yes, it is already March and I have visited 2 countries, Costa Rica and Italy. So I have been faithful to Goal 1. It is early in the year, maybe I will have more traveling. I know I will be moving back to Colorado and going to Las Vegas for a weekend for my best friend's bachelorette party! So that is some travel...

I have been writing on a regular basis. I write here in my blog, in my pretty pink journal, and I am trying to work on two very different books. Goal 2: We are doing well :)

Speak... yikes this is a hard one for me, but I have been learning some Italian. Some days it is slow, others it comes easy. I can understand a lot more than I can respond! So Goal 3 - we have some work to do..

Now, Goals 4 and 5 - I have not even touched yet. I have thought about them, but haven't exactly done anything about it yet. Time to get crackin!

Hopefully I will have an idea about Goal 5 by the end of March. Hey, thats my March goal! Haha..

What To Do...

So, here I am, sitting on my couch back in the United States after my internship in Italy failed. What a disappointment! I was supposed to be there for 6 months, working and exploring Italy on my days off. However, nothing ever works how it is supposed to when it comes to my life. It's true. The story of my life - ups and downs of my dreams and their failures.

Don't get me wrong, my week in Italy was amazing until I learned that my internship was not what it was supposed to be! I explored Rome, Siena, Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento in that short time and really covered a lot of ground!

The past two days that I have been home have been insane! There was a hand grenade dropped on the I-5 freeway in my hometown of San Clemente, CA and yesterday the earthquake in Chile had created a Tsunami Advisory for my town! Something tells me that I am not supposed to be here. As much as I love this quaint beach town, I am needing change. I am ready to move back to Colorado and finish my last semester in school, graduate and hopefully find a decent job.

I haven't been able to drag myself out of the house after having such a huge let down in Italy. I went to dinner last night with my mom and my sister Caila at 9 Style Sushi which is just up the street from my mother's house - oh, did I mention, I am now without a place to live or a job since I gave up everything for my Italy internship? And today, it was hard to force myself to get up and shower. It is rather pathetic I know, but I was so excited for this. I thought living and working in Italy was going to change my life.

Like I said before, I'm looking for change...

Last Day - Pompeii and Sorrento

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

We wake up early, around 5:30am and start to get ready for our daytrip to Pompeii. We were out the door and on the bus to the train station at 7 and arrived in Pompeii about 8 or so, and after stopping at a quick bar for a cappuccino and american coffee for Jewdee. We walked about 2 minutes down the street and Voila! we were the first ones in, so we quickly buy our tickets, stow our luggage and begin to explore the ancient lost city.

The ruins were absolutely amazing and breathtaking. I was really happy we had a chance to see it. After, we jumped on the train to Sorrento and discovered it wasn't possible to visit the Almalfi Coast before we needed to try and return to Rome.

So we wandered the streets of Sorrento and found ourselves overlooking the sea. This is by far my absolute favorite place I have seen yet in Italy. I absolutely love the Italian beach town and how quiet and quaint it is in comparison to Rome. We make our way into a ceramics shop and admire the pottery. I begin to feel really light headed and dizzy, but I picked out a pretty wine stopper and olive oil spout and we set off to find some lunch.  We stopped at a little outdoor restaurant and had burgers, fries and cokes. I think my dizziness that I have been experiencing throughout my trip is probably due to the lack of meat in all my meals. The waiter laughs at us, silly Americans... Oh well! When we finished I managed to trip myself down the stairs and the waiter begins laughing and exclaims, "TOO much COCA-COLA!!!" It left me laughing the whole day.

We jumped back on the train to Rome and Giorgio picked us up to get our remaining luggage at his grandmother's apartment. We did some souvenir shopping for our families and then said our goodbyes to Francesca and Sergio as we rushed out of Rome to our hotel at the airport. Stopping along the way for Mexican food for dinner and crepes for desert. Nutella crepes! Yum! I couldn't help but laugh at us, how funny that we had American, Italian, Mexican and French food all in one day!

We leave for New York in the morning. A very sad reality strikes me as I understand my adventure is prematurely over.

Adventure to Napoli :)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

This morning, I wake up to a wild lion's mess of hair. I did not sleep well apparently! Jewdee and I began getting ready for the day, I had my croissant with nutella and we waited for Giorgio to pick us up and take us to the beach house they owned. Meanwhile, I suggested a daytrip to Naples and Pompeii and Jewdee agrees! Lets get out of Rome.

After Giorgio had woken up late and we informed him of our plans, we cancelled our trip to the beach house and ventured out on the Frecciarossa train - which is the fastest one they have - to Napoli, where we took a taxi to our hotel, the "Renaissance" by Marriott. The hotel was really nice, and we quickly dropped off our luggage upstairs in our room and ventured our way onto the streets of Napoli to grab a late lunch of margherita pizza and coke. We sat on a bench happily munching our large slice of thick-crusted pizza, enjoying the sights and people around us.

We were picked up at our hotel for a 3-hour private tour of Naples and almost immediately I decided I enjoyed Naples 10 times more then Rome. I got to see the west coast of Italia for the first time and it was beautiful! We saw the views of the castle and the coastline. I really began to appreciate Southern Italy. To the left is the Castel Nuovo.

Below is the Castel dell'Ovo which was converted into a fortress  in 1154.

We were dropped off at a restaurant called "Antonio's Restaurant" and I ordered baked white fish with potatoes and Jewdee had the beef filet with potatoes. My dish was buttery and melted creamily in my mouth, and the potatoes tasted of wonderful garlic and rosemary. Jewdee ended up having two steaks since the first was undercooked, and I had some of it, also being delicious. I don't remember the name of the desert, I think it started with a "s" or a "z" but it was yummy, with a lemon custard-like frosing on top of a light, airy, delicate pastry cake. Tomorrow, we will visit Pompeii, and hopefully Sorrento and the Almafi coastline, but we may not have enough time. I can't wait!!!

Below is the view over the north west region of Naples...

Leaving Siena - AKA "The Rescue"

Monday, February 22, 2010

This morning, I get dressed and tell Vittorio that if he cannot feed his horses appropriately, I cannot work for him. He angrily stomped into my apartment asking if my bags were packed. I answered yes, and he quickly threw my bags into the car. It was 8:30am, he threw my bags out at the train station at 8:45am. The drive is normally 30 minutes. Yes, I'd say he had a temper...

Not knowing exactly what to do, because I didn't expect him to toss me out on my butt without making arrangements first, I called Jewdee and Giorgio and they were on their way. I waited there for hours while Giorgio, Jewdee and Sergio made their way to "rescue" me. I sat in the train station restaurant with a pastry and bottled water reading my book, "Jane Eyre" and writing in my journal.

When they showed up, we jetted off to a tiny trattadore in a neighboring Tuscany town. The roast beef and peas were amazing and I had my first taste of Chianti wine. When finished, we drove back to Rome. At some point, my stressed out mind relaxed away into a deep sleep for the remainder of the 3 hour drive.

I woke up when we were pulling up to Francesca and Sergio's house. Jewdee and I worked on the computer, changing flights and hotel reservations while I pouted brokenheartedly. Francesca offered us some hot chocolate and I had expected a liquid drink of hot cocoa. I was instead served a delicious pudding. It definitly hit the spot!  Afterwards, Giorgio drove us to a grocery store where we picked up croissants and nutella for the morning. Then he dropped us off at his grandmother's apartment where we would be staying the night.

It was hard not to laugh when he showed me how to lock the door. Of course it had the typical deadbolt and chain lock, but my favorite was that it also had this contraption that locked into the ceiling, floor and five (yes.. five) additional bolts into the door frame! Jewdee and I giggled over the situation once he left over my nutella croissants and her chips and cream cheese. I tried to shower in the frozen water and gave up. It was ridiculously cold! I quickly washed my body, jumped out, wrapped a towel around me, then proceeded to wash my hair over the edge. I bet I looked crazy but thats ok - I'm in a bathroom with freezing water and no one can see me. I climbed into bed and wished myself to sleep for a few hours-tossing and turning and flinging my arms.

Journey To Siena

Roma - Day 3

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Finally! We got to sleep in a little bit today, that is, until 8:00 am. Today's adventures included visiting the Castel Sant'Angelo and the Pantheon. Giorgio was to pick us up and show us around, and he insisted on us visiting the Spanish Steps as well.

The view from the top of Castel Sant'Angelo was breathtaking. I literally gasped at the sight of the view overlooking the entire city. The angel on top staring down thrusting his sword in his hand as if he were warding off any bad. It was beautiful.

Legend is that this angel is portrayed as the Archangel Michael sheathing his sword as a sign of the end of the plague in 590. The Castel Sant'Angelo has been used as a castle, prision, fortress and now a museum.

We wandered the streets packed with people shopping at high end shops such as Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton - not exactly my scene.. and we arrived at the Spanish Steps. Hundreds of people gathered, meeting their friends for lunch, chatting and sitting on the stairs. Horse drawn carriages sat awaiting young lovers wanting a romantic ride. While we wandered through one of the streets, I hear the faint clip-clop of the horse's shoes on the cobblestones, and as they made their way my direction - with my back facing them. I hear a loud car horn honking, so of course I turned and began laughing histerically when I learned it was the horse drawn carriage that was honking in the street. Oh Italy, you cease to amaze me.

At this point, Jewdee and I are starving, and not in the mood for more Italian food. We were a bit difficult to please today, but thats alright. We stopped several places for sandwiches, but we found the meat and cheese mysterious and unidentifiable, then we learned that they had been sitting there since the morning... So we found a Hard Rock Cafe and ordered burgers to go. Giorgio thinks we are crazy, but we were dying for burgers and cokes!

We jumped on a public bus for a few blocks and went to find the car which was actually a lot easier than I had expected and we drove off to the Pantheon, a Greek word meaning "to honor all gods" where I was excited to find that it was more amazing than I could of expected.

Happily, I wandered through this dome, which I learn is the largest masonry dome in the world. The oculus, which is the large hole at the top of the dome, and almost 8 meters in diameter, provides natural light for the building and occasionally rain and snow fall through it and drain into the holes built into the floor. The structure has been in continuous use throughout its history and even used as a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Mary and the Martyrs.

We stop to pick through the books at a local store not far from the Pantheon. I excitedly picked out a set of books portraying the works of Bernini, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael and Caravaggio. Giorgio had to run off quickly, and it being only 4pm, Jewdee and I decided to have him drop us off at the Piazza del Popolo which was close to a bus pickup for our hotel. We wandered the streets and gazed at the high-end shops while we were trying to find trinkets for our families at home. However, we didn't find anything and had a few minutes before our bus was scheduled to arrive so we stopped for an expresso and cafe americano for my aunt. We waited for a good twenty minutes or more after our scheduled pick-up and we were getting picked up at 8 for Giorgio's father's birthday party. So we hurried and jumped on the metro to rush back to our hotel and get ready for the party.

I quickly threw on a pair of black leggings, high heels with a black and white short checkered dress that flowed against my upper thighs when I walked. We took off to the private club and it ended up being more fun than I had expected, considering only two of the guests could speak broken English to us. However, I was able to understand more then I thought I could, and I could make people understand me. We were served wine, bread, prosciutto, and mozzerella to start while we watched the guests of the private club dancing perfectly with their partners across the room. We were offered a second entree of pasta, and I had to refuse, too much pasta lately! But our main entree of margherita pizza came and it was delicious. I find it funny how much better pizza tastes in Italy! I watched as the couples flow easily and laugh thinking how if I were to go out there I would make a mess of everyone! I nibble at my slice of birthday cake and sip my glass of champagne as I imagine myself out there dreamily flowing around the dance floor with my dress clinging to my legs as my imaginated partner spins me into a smooth dip. I sigh... maybe one day I will learn to dance this gracefully...

Roma - Day 2

Friday, February 19, 2010

The alarm breaks the silence of the room and I start to groan as it is 5:00 am and we have to get ready for our day.

After last night's fiasco with the cab, which I just realize I haven't told you about yet... So last night we jumped into a cab, showing the driver the exact address and exact cross streets on the map of where our hotel was. He nods his head and takes off driving. I am sitting in the back seat, trying not to nod off, but we have been driving a lot longer then we should of been!  When he finally pulls up at the Marriott, we realize he has no idea where we are supposed to be! This is the wrong hotel!!! Jewdee jumped out of the car to talk to the security guard and have him give our driver directions, but the driver kept saying no, this was our hotel! Another taxi cab drove up, and he knew where we were going so of course, as we just wanted to get home now that it was 1:00 am and we haven't had any sleep in about 3 days, we jumped into his cab. After being forced to pay the first driver who got us lost in the first place 30 of the 50 euros he wanted, and then another 20 euros to get back to the correct hotel. Fantastic.

 So after that long exhausting night, we decided to leave no later then 6:30am to get to the Piazza di Repubblica by 8 for our tour of the Vatican. We stop at a little breakfast bar and have scrambled eggs and toast (we're such Americans) and I delightfully sip my tiny expresso. The tiny, sharp raindrops ping as they hit the cobblestone streets- which I completely adore. The rain sings its faint song as we finish our breakfast and head off to the Vatican.

Our tour of the Vatican was well worth the early wake up call. The place is simply amazing. We walk through the Sistine Chapel, imagining Michelangelo arching his head back, paint brush in hand. I found it somewhat funny that you are forbidden to speak and especially take pictures or videotape in the Sistine Chapel as well. The crowded room had a humming of people nervously whispering as if we were all kindergarteners again, afraid the teacher will catch us, but have so much to say! The security men inside scolding the admirers as they ooh and ahh at the ceilings.

Next of course was the Basilica of Saint Peter, which was even more amazing then the Sistine  Chapel. Personally, I thought it was 10 times more impressive, but to each their own! I loved the high beautiful ceilings and sculptures throughout the Basilica. The bronze and gold are overwhelming and yet theatrical.

We strolled through St. Peter's Square and stopped for lunch with some people in our tour. There were four others, a couple from the East Coast and two men from New Orleans. One of the men from New Orleans was this horribly annoying little fat man who kept talking about all of his money, his precious collection of art and other valuables. All of us at the table were a bit uncomfortable with him. He began harping on society today and my generation - how incredibly disrespectful we all are - please note that I have not said one word to him and had kept to myself the whole time. But there he goes, talking about all his money, and how he made four times over his lost valuables worth when Katrina happened. Now, this is a huge pet peeve of mine when people consistently talk about how much money they have. Maybe it's because I don't have any, but honestly, get a grip people!! We don't care about how much you have! You're still an ass!! Then he proceeded to tell a story about how he was getting his car worked on and a woman in her late 60's had offended him by asking him to conduct his business calls elsewhere then the lobby where she was watching the tv, and when he ignored her, she got up and slapped him. He told us with pride, "I got up and punched that bitch out and had her arrested!" Wow - and you say my generation is disrespectful, take a look at yourself sir. I was lucky the lunch was over because I had enough of him. I was furious.

Next, we wandered the Colosseum and the Roman Forum - both which were just as beautiful in the day as they were at night. I still can't get over how amazing these structures are, and how long it had taken the Romans to build all of this. It is sad to hear how not long after the Colosseum had been built, the city had been abandoned and all of the beautiful marble and travertine had been removed to use elsewhere. The Colosseum was essentially stripped of its glamour, yet it still holds this striking elegance in its moss covered structure.

We were picked up by Giorgio and had dinner at Villa Verde where I ordered a Margherita pizza. This was my first pizza in Italy - it was so delicious! The perfect combination of not too much cheese and just enough tomato sauce on a thin soft crust. I was full after the first slice, but I couldn't get myself to stop savoring the delightful taste - I ate over half of it!

Roma - Day 1

Ah, Roma...

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Giorgio's parents, Francesca and Sergio, pick the three of us up at the airport, and we all cram our bags in and squish together like sardines. I have about 10 mini-heart attacks on the way to the hotel as we dodge accident after accident.

We arrive at our hotel about 9 am and immediately decide to take naps since we have a night tour of the city from 8pm to 10pm. We slept until 12 and decided we were ready to go see the city. About 2pm, Giorgio came to pick us up and we set out into the city to see the Catacombs of San Callisto, however when we arrive, we sadly discover that it is closed until February 24. Ah, but the beauty of Rome is there are several catacombs throughout the city and luckily, we turn out of the gates of San Callisto and VOILA! There is the Catacomb of San Sebastiano.

The Catacombs are outside city walls due to ancient Roman laws that prohibited burials within the sacred pomerium(city boundary). There are 65 known catacombs in Roma but only a few are open for public viewing. The San Sebastiano Catacombs are more intimate and better-preserved then the San Callisto Catacombs. The typical Roman practice of layering architecture and faith is fascinating.

Then we went to the Basilica di San Clemente, which was beautiful. I wanted to come to this specific church since it shares the name of my home town and because they call it the "lasagna of churches." It is said to be the best place to learn about the city of Roma's archaeological evolution. This church had several layers to it (hence the lasagna..) and you descend from the most recent to medieval and paleo-Christian layers, to the lowest where the adherents of the ancient cult of Mithras met and performed grisly rituals in the long, rectangular mithraeum.

Unfortunately, neither of these places allowed photos to be taken within, but I have found some online that will give you an idea.

Next, Giorgio brought us over to his parents house for dinner. Francesca made us lasagna (how fitting!) and then served proschetto and mozzerella. His family owns a farm out in the countryside and makes their own wine, so of course, I had a taste. I'm not sure what they called it but it was good! We were then served a dolci, and I cannot exactly say what it is, but from my understanding - flour rolled up and cut into tiny balls small enough to look like peas, then fried and somehow mixed with honey and formed into a circle. It was different, not bad, not fantastic.

Then we departed to the Piazza di Repubblica where we met up for our night tour. The city is incredible at night. We drove around and saw the Colosseum and Roman Forum which gave off a majestic glow, walked through the Piazza Navona and saw the three fountains by Bernini, the Fontana del Moro, Fontana di Nettuno and of course the fantastic Fountain of Four Rivers - which unfortunately was under repairs and partially boarded up. We drove by several other places which names I have forgotten, but one of my most enjoyed was passing by the Castel Sant' Angelo and into Piazza San Pietro to view the Vatican city, enjoying the lights of Saint Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

My favorite, we took a walk to the Trevi Fountain - which is the most celebrated fountain in Roma - and it is spectacular.

Thousands of gallons of water per minute thunder to the awaiting blue pool at the base. PS... this thing is HUGE! Built in 1732 to 1762 by Nicola Salvi. It is hidden in a Piazza which we wandered through the narrow walkways hearing the thundering water proudly pouring over the magnificent sculptures.

Rumor has it that if you throw one coin into the fountain you will return to Roma, and if you throw a second, you will find love - or it will find you.

So, I grabbed one American quarter, and one Costa Rican  50 colones piece, relished in the moment and tossed my two coins wishfully into the depths of the water.

As for the how true this rumor is... 

only time will tell - but it is wonderful thinking!

Con Amore..

Bri

Quick Last Visit

I had a short time between my trip from Costa Rica and to Italy, and I wanted to see him. So I left to the mountains and was in his arms again, after I stupidly acted all nervous and silly, but I was back and I am happy. I won't go through all the details - I like to keep some memories for myself ;)

This boy makes me smile - I'm hopeless. I am going to get hurt. I always do, but is this fun I have with him worth the hurt? I think so.. at least for now I do.. It is so easy to be with him, I can laugh, smile and play, but for some reason, I just cannot trust myself with him. I don't think I could take another heart break.

I love being in his arms, we relax, watching movies, kissing and cuddling. We hold each other as we joke and smile. I press my face to his chest as he wraps his arms around me. I shut my eyes memorizing the way his hand feels on my skin while the other is entwined in my fingers.

Remembering him.. because - I may never see him again.

Leaving Tomorrow