Fish go, "Blub"

This weekend concludes the first half of living in Italy! It is amazing to me how much I've gotten to do and yet it's only halfway. It gives me a smile because of what I have left. In honor of this, tonight, Meghann and I recreated our first dinner prepared in our apartment. Cooked chicken and potato chips.

This weekend though was full of adventure. Meghann and I decided to head to Genoa for Friday and check out Europe's 2nd largest aquarium. The first part of doing that, however, is to take a train. We woke at a decent hour and when we arrived at the train station early to buy tickets, we realized that it was a 'standing room only' ticket. Yup, that's right. They do that here. And we stood all the way to Genoa (1.5 hrs). Or rather, we sat in the aisles.

Yes, that's the bathroom

Once we got to Genoa, it was raining! Yay for no umbrellas! But we found our way to the port and close by was the Acquario di Genova. Once inside we saw some fishes, seals, and penguins oh my! And other things also. It was really fun. I will admit that I was rather excited by quite a few of the exhibits and my "oo's, aa's, and oh look!" might have been able to blend in with the many elementary age school tours, if it were in Italian. Well, ok, some of my actions were rather youthful as well since I love fish. Gotta enjoy life!

Don't EAt me!! 

Little orange froggies!! 

I'm right Here, jelly fishes!

After the aquarium, we went up a touristy sigh seeing thing and looked out over the city, checked out a biosphere thing that had some butterflies and little flamingos and piranhas. We walked around, found some delicious gourmet coffee, walked some more, ate dinner and picked up some wifi. After that we split ways as Meghann was headed back to Milan and I was spending the night to head to Portofino in the morning.

After a crazy adventure of finding the apartment I was staying in for the night, I settled in with that night's room mate - a Malaysian master's degree candidate going to different countries / university every 6 months (called the Erasmus program). She was very nice and after conversing a little, I settled in for the night on the makeshift floor mattress. The things we do for a $16/night stay (norm is $50)

The next morning I found the train station, got a ticket to Portofino (only 3 euro), walked around Portofino and found the dive shop without much trouble. I won't go through all the details in the diving instruction but I learned how to dive in a dry suit! It's different and I'm still not used to it / not sure if I like it, but it was a good experience and I stayed warm - which is really the point. I saw a few big fish and lots of little fish, some red coral whose color is only visible at depth (80-90 ish ft). After the first dive of 100 ft., we had a snack and time to relax. Dive 2 was a wreck dive and we descended about 95 ft. for that one. It was really neat to see a boat.. on the bottom of the sea! These two dives completes my PADI Advanced Open Water dive certification. To anyone who dives often, the 9 dives to get to AOW isn't alot, but I'm quite happy about it and excited for more in my life!

Underwater sign for 'It's alllll good'!

Seaside castle building

Before I knew it, it was 4pm and time for a quick bite before ending the trip and heading back to Milan (this time, thankfully, with a real seat!) Portofino was a great little seaside town and I had much fun.

Though we saw no foxes, but we did see fish go, "Blub".

~Elizabeth









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When in Roma..

This trip to Rome was great! I arrived Wednesday night late and just went to sleep. Thursday I got up and explored the north part of the city including Piazza della Repubblica (and Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli which was beautiful), San Carlo Quattro Fontane - an intersection with a fountain on each of the corners, Fontana del Tritone (which was being restored so no view there..), Trinita dei Monti (the Spanish steps which were... well... steps), Villa Borghese (a beautiful park that I wondered around in), and Fontana di Trevi (crowded but beautiful), visited an art museum - the Palazzo Barberini Museum (and talked with an SMU mustang grad), and lastly and definitely not least, the Pantheon. Next time I go to Rome, I will visit the Pantheon again during the day and be able to see the sky through the center opening. Because I gave into my hunger, I spent the remaining minutes of daylight eating dinner before getting to the Pantheon. Whew! That was a long day for sure. I crashed when I got back.

Look! Spanish steps. Or is it Spanish pasos?

Trevi Fountain

Streets of Rome at night

Pantheon. I loved this building

Friday was my day for the Catacombs. After picking up race bib and shirt for Sunday's 10K, I headed to the Catacombs. See 'All for ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ sake' blog for that adventure as it was special enough to warrant it's own blog. Something I didn't mention in the Catacomb blog was that the Holy crypt had 9 popes and 8 other members of the church in that single space. After I got back from the catacombs, I found a concert to attend of soloists performing choice arias. (A small chamber group to accompany them - my favorite of which was the oboist who mouthed the words along with the singers). The baritone's voice was so smooth, you could image his vocal chords were lined with butter. It was lovely and fun to hear in a beautiful church venue on a side street. I love how many lovely churches there are all over.

Saturday was Vatican day! After stopping at the Piazza del Popolo for a couple of photos, it was Vatican time. They were closing the Sistine Chapel early that day, so I rushed through the museum and glanced at a few things, and hurried to be amazed by the chapel. Unfortunately, I was actually not as impressed as expected. I loved the paintings that included architecture as it really looked 3d. Somehow I had a different expectation of Michelangelo's ceiling work though. I suppose the impressive thing are the stories that are told, and the vastness of the paintings themselves. It was definitely worth going to see. After the Sistine Chapel and museum, I walked into St. Peter's Basilica and really was amazed. I have seen quite a few churches in Italy already but I liked this one :) I also had a different expectation of the Pieta - I thought it was a larger sculpture, but wasn't disappointed by this. It was beautiful and I stood and looked at it for a while.

In the Vatican Museum

Pieta - my 2nd fav statue in Italy thus far

Sunday was race day! As unprepared as I was, I ran a decent pace the whole way. I'd like to mention that running "k's" are more fun than "miles" because they go by much faster. Haha! The route was neat because it looped around the colosseum. 6 miles / 10 K later, I was done and ready for lunch. After eating (and taking a nap), I headed to the colosseum to see it as a tourist and not a runner. It was amazing. I loved it. Next time I go to Rome, I'll take a tour in order to see the underground part as well. I took alot of pictures and the sun was at a perfect point for the colors to be radiant.

Me and the colosseum

Such beautiful architecture. Old and new

I felt like I saw a lot and yet there is so much more to see. I wasn't able to see all of the ruins near the Colosseum so that is still on the list. As well as the Pantheon during the day, Santa Maria in Aracoeli Basilica, Castel Sant' Angelo, the park on the west side of Fiume Tevere, etc. I think those are good enough excuses to go back a 2nd time :)

When in Rome, do as the Roman [tourists] do.



~Elizabeth




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All for ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ sake

After a kindly older italian gentleman gave me a ride to the catacombs, I wandered around the grounds, seeing the beautiful landscaped grassy knoll, bought a couple of postcards, and waited for a guided tour to begin.

We gathered around our guide, who taught us about the symbols we would see in the catacombs, the reason the catacombs existed in the 1st century, and their discovery and excavation by Giovanni Battista de Rossi in the late 1800's. My favorite symbol being the Chi Rho - Formed by superimposing the first two letters of the Greek word 'ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ' meaning "Christ". In another superimposed symbol was 'MTP' in Greek letters which meant 'martyr'. Seeing that in person really hits you in the gut. I know there were martyrs in the past and continue to be today, but somehow it became a much bigger reality when it's branded on the tombstone in front of you. This Christian died for the same Jesus that I sometimes forget to live my life for. Humbling.

My own photo of a catacomb Chi Rho

The catacombs (meaning a "place of rest" as opposed to the typical burial grounds 'necropolis' meaning "city of the dead") were formed in the first century when Christians who had private lands offered their lands for Christian burials for those who didn't have enough money for other kinds. During the following centuries, they were taken over by the Church of Rome, considered Shrines, abandoned, damaged, discovered and excavated, and grave dug.

The tunnels with graves on the sides

When walking along those tunnels (which are quite extensive and glad we had a guide so as not to get lost in the labyrinth), I was brought to tears a couple of times. It's amazing to realize that I was walking where 1st century Christians walked. Where those persecuted and martyred were laid to rest. Where more than 1/2 a million Christians' bodies once were. Walking in those tunnels with Christian's tombs within inches on either side of me, I know that I will see those buried there in Heaven. I am part of that vast family of those who believe in Jesus as the Messiah. How great our God is and how wonderful Jesus' death means for us.

They lived their lives for the sake of ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ. And they died for the same.

~Elizabeth 

"Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." ~Isaiah 53:1-12

#hashtag Florence

This was the weekend for Florence!

I was able to leave Milan on Thursday and spent the afternoon walking around and taking a few pictures. The following morning I had scheduled a bike tour of the Tuscan countryside including a vineyard and olive oil making tour. The bike ride was a bit tough since I haven't ridden in quite a few months, but it was a good workout with well-timed stops to rest going up quite a few hills (808 ft elevation gained in 1/4 of our trip). Part of the route we took was included on the Road World Championships bike race just a week or so prior. The tour consisted of a few other Americans, and was led by two American ex-pats. We had a good time together.

seeing what I can see of Florence!

On the bike ride, I found out / saw where Michelangelo grew up (Caprese), learned that olive oil olives are picked by hand, and that a Chianti classico comes only from that specific region (makes sense) and it tasted very nice also. Oh, and for the olive oil, if it's 'extra virgin olive oil' the acidity is <.8 vs <.1 for just regular 'virgin olive oil' (or something like that...) Good to know.

Me and my bike in front of the 500+ year old vineyard 

After the bike tour was done, I walked to the train station to meet Meghann and we walked around, found some dinner, enjoyed the life of the city and played a game of chess (which I miserably lost). Somehow we started using 'hashtag' everything in order to describe exactly how we felt. #sillyroommates. Saturday was our day to wander and shop! So wander and shop we did! We bought a few things (which won't be mentioned so as not to inform the possible recipients) #christmaspresentscheck, and found a random wine and olive oil tasting in a piazza that was accompanied by the soothing sounds of an accomplished street musician playing renditions of '90's music #wineandmusic #relaxingbreak. I then made one of my infamous quotes (remember 'old dirt' in Pompeii) by saying the following to Meghann, "If we were able to google zoom out from where we are right now, we would be in Italy." #thatjusthappened

Friends together again! #friendspub 

Ponte Vecchio! 

Sunday we took in a few historic sights, Michelangelo's David (which was quite impressive), a sculpture museum, and a couple of churches. Unfortunately, no photography is allowed inside the museum with David so I have nothing to share here except that it was #reallyreallyneat #nowords. We also had scheduled a wine tasting close to the train station before we left and enjoyed some very delicious cheeses and hams wonderfully paired with a few tastes of excellent small vineyard wine #tastebudheaven #goodsommmelier #italygoatcheese. Being from California, Meghann said it was actually the best tasting she'd ever done. #scoreflorence

At the sculpture museum

We boarded our train and headed home. All in all, it was an absolutely fantastic trip! #hashtagonetripforthewin

~Elizabeth







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♪ Sunday mornin' rain is fallin'...

Last Sunday was one of the best day trips I've had so far!

On Saturday night, Meghann and I decided to go to Cremona. Sunday morning, tickets were quickly purchased at the train station and we were on our way.

The main activity I wanted to do was to visit the Museo del Violino (no pictures were allowed inside museum). This museum houses some of the Amati, Stradivari, and Guarneri violins and cellos. Perfect for an easy and reflective day. I will say that this trip was inspired by my lovely 2nd mom and cello teacher, Eleonora Lopez. My cello had a very unfortunate accident and was backed over by a car. Details aside, it's in critical condition and I'm awaiting the report from the 'doctor' (a good luthier friend in Amarillo) as to the likelihood of its recovery. Needless to say, it has been emotional. Therefore, a trip to see some of the best instruments / best violin makers was in order.

Piazza Stradivari!

Sculpture outside the Museum

Aside from the fact that I love string instruments, the museum was absolutely fantastic. We had audio guides which automatically detected which exhibit we were in front of and begin playing accordingly. If it was a video of the history of string instruments, the audio guide would pick up exactly where the video was. Said videos were perfectly timed to be informative but not boring, detailed but not extraneous. There were also quite a few interactive screens which you could dissect the parts of a violin, search different makers' history, and see specifics on choice instruments. When walking through a hall of old instruments, the timing was such that it was possible to keep a fairly leisurely pace, see everything, touch interactive displays, smell a luthier's shop (they have one in residence and you can watch him make an instrument), hear all the audio guide information, and by end your feet were still not hurting. This, to me, is a good museum. It combined all the senses to create a fabulous museum. You looked forward to every next room but yet were perfectly satisfied that you have seen the perfect amount by the end.

One of my favorite rooms was an upside down bowl in a large room. In this bowl, which at least 30 people could enter and sit in a circle, you could view a video projected on the ceiling of a man playing some of the famous violins you had just seen. I sat mesmerized. Such beauty. To keep from being too emotional, we left that dome after a couple of pieces (we came back at the end and sat through another 20 min) and continued to a hall of maker competition instruments. You could insert the number of the specific instrument into the audio guide and it would play a piece performed on that specific instrument. I found my favorite cello. We'll see how much that one actually costs. ha!

After that museum, we looked in a church, saw the inside of a baptistry, had some gelato, watched an old car parade, and headed back to Milan.

There were at least 200 cars parading in front of the duomo

me and my beautiful friend Meghann in front of the Duomo

It was a Sunday morning, and rain was fallin'.


~Elizabeth




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Lots of old dirt

Last weekend I was in Naples - last blog describes one exciting night there - but this is concerning the rest of the weekend.

Friday's pizza making was fantastic! We cooked in his wood-fired oven (pronounced 'hoven') and he showed me how to make a 'mass' from the 110-year-old yeast that has been passed down from pizza maker to pizza maker (and now in my possession as well!). He showed me how to make a simple pizza and I followed suit. The hoven was 500 degrees celsius so the pizzas cooked quite quickly - like... 1 minute quick. I think at some point, I might need a wood-fired hoven like that in my home.

me and my pizza

Saturday I woke up and put on my walkin' shoes because I was going to Pompeii! (not to be confused with 'Pompei' which is the new town, not the ancient city) Found a train and went forth. Once in the new town, I randomly walked until I located the ruins (with the help of a nice old Italian man). Walked in and the first thing I saw was a coliseum. Was pretty neat though obviously more 'ruined' than that of Verona and not as big etc, but still neat. A guy my age asked for a photo and he turned out to be from the states also so we chatted a bit until he pointed me in the direction of the 'bodies' and we parted ways. It's always nice to talk with nice U.S.-ians when overseas.

Pompeii and Vesuvius

Walked over to the bodies which are a group of 6 or 7 in a glass partitioned area. It's crazy to think how little time they had from the moment they were aware of their imminent death and then the occurrence thereof. The volcano of Vesuvius was always looming in the distance and I can see why people wouldn't think that the eruption would reach them.

Walked around to other houses, baths, and buildings that had paintings and colorful remains from 79 AD. And we Americans think our 'historical' monuments are old. ha! The weather was beautiful and the sights amazing. I inconspicuously joined a few english-speaking tour groups and learned a few things of the buildings I was randomly looking at including which buildings were the brothels and that in the spa, men and women were in completely separated areas. #factsforthewin

Me and some colorful Pompeii-ian walls

After Pompeii, I hurried back to Naples to get ready for a symphony concert at Teatro San Carlo. Checked my email and blast! A 'disagreement with the symphony workers has resulted in a cancellation of tonight's performance'. Boo. Well, I have experienced my first Italian strike. Congrats to me. I had eaten a delicious pizza lunch the day before so I went back there for dinner (which was aaammmazing), wrote a few postcards, and enjoyed my time. Heading home I met a few American navy guys stationed in Naples and so hung out with a big group of them for a bit. It was fun to speak US english to US citizens. *the things we miss abroad.

Sunday I took it easy and walked around a park on the western part of Naples, ate a good lunch by Castel dell'ovo (the egg castle), and flew back home. The rest of the week I got a tad bit sick, missed my cello, and baked cookies.

Oh, and Wednesday Meghann and I went to Venice for a field trip for our Performing Arts Workshop class. Besides the fact that our train was delayed for an hour due to someone jumping in the tracks... it was a good day! We walked around, listened to a few speakers including one from Director of Communication of the company that helps put on the Festival at Venice, and also from the Artistic Director of La Fenice. It was a great day!

Joanna, Meghann, and me at La Fenice

I was trying to 'live in the moment'  and 'take it all in'. So the best part of the weekend was when walking around Pompeii along the ancient streets and I just exclaimed to myself, "Wow! This is so cool! I'm walking on such ooold dirt!" achem. well.. yes, Elizabeth. all dirt is old.

~Elizabeth


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