La Dolce Vita(Literally)

This past week in Florence and Italy has been amazing. My italian conversation skills are improving and am getting better at communicating with my host parents. I look forward to dinner time during the week, because, not only is my host mom an excellent cook(seriously I have liked everything she was made...I even made an omelette), but it also gives me a chance to practice my Italian.

Tuesday night, I went my italian cinema class to the Odeon Theatre. It is an old gorgeous, yet small, theater that plays movies in both Italian and English. My class watched a documentary about Tunisa in Italian with english subtitles. The movies was very informatative and intense. However, I enjoyed the experience.

Classes are preparing for midterms, which is kinda of stressing me out because I dont want to take the time to study here. I want to experience as much as I can during my semester abroad. But school isnt too exiciting. I go to class, do homework(sometimes) and came home. My weekends are generally more exiciting.

This weekend was one of the best weekends I have had so far. I overdosed on chocolate at the Perugia Chocolate Festival, saw amazing sites, and fell in love(No, friends and family, I didn't meet an Italian Hottie or a cute European with an accent--I fell in love with Venice. The city is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The town is full of canals, bridges, churches and all surronded by water. It gave off a romantic vibe and I would love to go back to Venice in the future with an a boyfriend or husband.

The chocolate festival was a chocolate lover's pardise. It was literally like Willy Wodka threw up all over the town. There were tents and tents filled of chocolate, chocolate scultpures and vendors giving out free samples. I over dosed on chocolate and tired too many samples...they were just all so sweet and delicious(Thus is was literally La Dolce Vita or the sweet life for those we dont speak Italian)

However, my favorite part of the weekend was Venice. Despite several issues getting there(missing the train, having to pay 8 euro to sit in the resturant car on the next train, getting lost multiple times trying to find the hotel and after finally finding the hotel searching for an open place to buy a bus ticket into the Venice City Center) the trip was overall an success, even if it drained my bank account. Upon arriving in the city center, we immediately stared taking pictures of all the scenery. Everything looked so romantic. We made our way to San Marco Square where we went inside Doge Place(which was huge and gorgeous) and the Bell Tower which had the most amazing views of the entire city(totally worth the 8 euro). Afterwards, we walked around and looked at the shops on our way to dinner. We found this random resturant with amazing prosecco(everytime I see prosecco I was tempted to order since I am since a sucker for it). Then I had some calamari pizza, which just screams my name. It is like two of my favorite things: Pizza and Calamari!! It was yummy that I ate the whole thing(I know, me finish a pizza?...Big Shocker)...But why not? I am only in Italy for 3 month, I can eat healthy in America. I might as well adjust to the Italian lifestyle.

The walk back to the hotel after dinner was one of the trip highlights. Not only was it gorgeous and romantic with all the lights, but I was pretty happy from that prosecco and pizza. I took picture after picture and even bought a glass shot glass..(I have got to stop going shopping with a buzz lol).

The next day in Venice was full of site seeing. We saw the Bascila di San Marco, the Island of Murano and a Glass blowing demonstration. The glass blowing was amazing to watch, I was amazed by how talented they were. I have no artistic ability at all and apperciate any work of art I see.

The Bascila di San Marco, is one of the largest Bascilas. The interior is decorated with several moasics and several other pieces of artwork. I fully enjoyed admiring all the work...because after learning more about art in my art history class I know how much work goes into each piece.
I would not have the ability or patience to do anything like that.

After a full day of site seeing, we headed back to the train station and stop at several churches and gift shops along the way. Admiring the masks, glass scultpures and glass jewerly at every corner. Everything was just so pretty in Venice. I didn't want to leave.

However, when the train pulled into Florence I was happy to be home. I was happy to be in a place that was familar to me. I love exploring new places, but Florence is my home now. And after days of traveling...I just want to go home.


Ciao for now!
Amy

Sorry the Delay...But here it is...

I know it has been awhile since I last posted, but I have been so busy with my European adventures that I forgot to update my blog. The past couple weeks in Florence have been amazing. So much has happened and I have experienced so much that it will be difficult to share every detail with you...but I will try.

When I left off, I was just about to start my second week of classes. Classes are classes, nothing too exiciting there. However, that weekend following my second week of school was the craziest weekend I have ever had....I went to Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is a huge carnival with rides, games and tons of good beer. I normally do not like beer, but this beer is different. It is German Beer!! I do not think I will able to go back to American Beer after this weekend. At Oktoberfest, you basically go inside these tents, meet people, sing, prost(toast in German) and drink liters of beers. I was pretty happy after one beer, which was great because each one costs about 9 euros! After a full day of drinking and walking around the carnival, we went back to the campsite(Yes, I actually camped, big shocker) and drank some more at the campsite's open bar. The camp site put on a party every night with drinks and dancing. It was a great way to meet people! And all that alcohol made it easier to sleep on the ground. Thus, I have decided that if I ever camp again, tons of alocohol will have to be provided.

After two days of partying at Oktoberfest, we decided to change gears and go to Dachau Concentration camp. The visit to the concentration camp was an eye opener for me. I have heard stories about the horrors of the Holocaust, but I have never really seen what it was like. Being in the camp, made me realize how lucky I am to live the life I have. I have enough food, I have shelter and I do not have to work in horrid conditions. From that moment on, I vowed to never complain about stupid things that happen in my life because as I witnessed at Dachau, things can be worse. Much worse.

The next weekend, I went to Cinque Terre, which is basically 5 little islands. It was gorgeous. We went for a walk, ate delicous seafood(we dont get much seafood in Florence) and layed out on the beach. The water was so clean and clear, I actually went for a swim.

This weekend was a busy one. I went to Rome for the day with my Art History Class. It was so exhausting. We got early(around 645) and headed for the train station. We arrived in Rome around 930 and immediatly started site seeing. We passed by the Colessium and the Roman Forum. First went into the Basilica of San Clemente...it was beautiful inside. Then we went to the Pantheon. On our way there, it started to down pour. Luckly I checked the weather and brought an umbrella with me. There is a hole on top of the pantheon, so a section was closed off due to wetness. After the pantheon, we had a lunch break, then we saw the Ara Pacis(arc of Peace) and then we went to Palazzo Massimo where we saw frescos and moasics. Walking around Rome, made me not only tired, but it made me miss Florence. Rome is a great place to visit, but it is too big of a city for me. I prefer Florence because it is easily to get around. It still has the big city feel and has tons of things to do, but it still also has the small town feel. I can walk everywhere in Florence and it already feels like my home.

Saturday I went wine tasting in Chianti. The guy was very knowledge about wine and I enjoyed listening to him. The winery was also gorgeous. I have decided that I want to move to Italy and have a vacation home in Chianti. I would not mind waking up to that view everyday. The wine was also really good. I have been spoiled but all this good Italian wine.

This has been by far the greatest experience of my life. I just want to thank my mom and dad for making my study abroad dreams a reality. I love them and can't thank them enough for this experience. I am having the time of my life here and want to experience everything I can in the smart amount of time I have here. After all, I can sleep when I am dead...or at least back in America.

Ciao for now!
Amy

Update from Florence

After spending another week in Florence, I have come to the conclusion that I love it here. Just walking to class everyone morning brings a smile to my face. The 20 minutes walk to the Villa Rossa(where all my classes are) is filled with several beautiful sites. Which makes walking up early for classes a slight bit easier.

I have not slept much in the past week. I have class everyday at 9am and stay up late at night. This weekend didn't help me catch up on my sleep either. I had two field trips this week. I went to Assisi on Friday and Ravena on Saturday. The bus left the school at 7:30am! And being the smart person I am, I stayed up late on Thursday night and went on Friday night. Do not get me wrong, I am not complaining about the lack of sleep. The field trips were absolutely worth it. Assisi was a gorgeous city on a hill with amazing views. While we where there, we took a tour of the Basilica di Saint Francis, which was filled with amazing art work. Ravena is famous for its moasics, so we saw a lot of art work there.


After Ravena, I went home and got ready to go out for a friends birthday. We went to a club and had a good time. However, the Italian boys are aggressive on the dance floor. We had to shoot "No, Basta! Vai Via" Several times. Which means "No, enough! Go away." But all in all we had a good time. I enjoy having a chance to bust a move on the dance floor.

Tomorrow I start the second week of classes. My classes seem good so far and not too difficult. But then again it is hard to tell from the first week. I have a good amount of reading to do, but I still have time to enjoy my time in Florence. And I find the reading interesting as well. Reading about Withcraft in Europe and Italian Art is not too bad at all.

As my second full week in Italy is coming to a close, I begin to think about all I learned. I have already learned a lot about churches, art and Italian history just from my field trips and class introductions. However, the most important thing I learned about Florence from this week is:

That I never want to go home!

Ciao for now!
Amy

I love Firenze

My first couple days in Firenze has been fabulous. I love how the city is full of history and beautiful sights. It felt so surreal walking around the city today, it was just that gorgeous. We saw the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio. I was amazed by how beauitful everyone was. Things do not look like that where I live back home.

I am fascinated by all the sights and archeiture and want to learn more about the history of these piazzas and building. As I start to study in Florence, I will explore more muesuems and read more about what I am seeing.

I also love the food here. I had my first gelato of the trip today and it was delicous. Mango with Cafe. Strange combination, I know but I thought it tasted great. Tonight for dinner, my host mom made pizza. The crust was so thin and every tasted so delicious. I definately prefer Italian pizza over American style pizza. Our host mom gave us so much pizza and I am completly uncomfortable full right now. But I think it is worth it. Where else am I going to get to indulge in this amazing Italian cusine. When in Italy, right?

Every meal I have had here has been delicious. The tomatoes and cheese are so fresh and the wine is simply divine. I had some prosecco today and it was probably the best I have every had in my whole life. And I have had plently of proseccos in my life. It is, afterall, one of my favorite drinks.

Earlier in the week, I finished orientation. I signed up for classes and got wireless for my iphon. We also got our home stay and roommate assignments. I am living in a cute aparatment in the heart of Florence. We are about a 20 minute walk to campus, but at least we are a short walk to several fun places around the city. It only takes us about 5 mins to get to the Duomo. My host parents are a cute retired couple. They don't speak English and I don't remember much Italian so communication is difficult. But also I start learning Italian again in school, I am sure communication will be much easier. Communication may be difficult, but our host mom is a great cook. Every thing she had made for us has been delicious. Everthing from pasta to chicken to salads and pizza.

School starts Monday and I am actually exicited about the classes I am taking. I am taking:

Italian 2

History of Witchcraft

Art History

Italian Cinema

I am looking forward to learning more about the Italian culture and trying more delicious foods and wines. This is going to be an amazing four months.

Ciao for now,

Amy Bernstein

First Day

After 3 plane rides, a bus ride, a 5 hour layover in Munich and over 24 hours of travel, I finally arrived in Florence. My first day was full of oriention and other errands. I filled out paper work, went to meetings, got keys/internet access and just got a feel for the campus. The campus is small but gorgeous. It is basically several small buildings surronding a garden. We had lunch in the garden yesterday because it was such a beautiful day. After orientation, we stopped by the Duomo on the way back to the hotel. I can't believe how close the campus actually is to the Duomo. Just walking around helped me to get more acquainted to the city. I am looking forward to living here for a semester. Everything here is just so beautiful.

I also got an Italian phone yesterday so I can keep in contact with other people on the program.

Later today I find out who my roommate and homestay family will be. I am nervous and excited to see who I will be living with for the next semester. I speak very little Italian, which may make communication difficult. However, I am ready to fully experience the Italian Culture and believe staying with a family will help me to better immerse.

Last night, some friends and I bought a bottle of wine at some pizzeria to share. We just went back to the hotel and drank it while getting to know each other. There is nothing like getting to know each other over some vino.

I love Firenze so far. Everything is gorgeous and there is so much to see. I am looking forward to the next semester and am ready for new experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Ciao for now.

Amy Bernstein

Today is the day

Today is the day I have been waiting for...the day I leave for Florence. I am both excited and nervous for the upcoming months. I am excited about experiencing the Italian culture and trying different foods. However, I am nervous about leaving the comfort of American and Santa Clara University behind. I will be thrown into new situations and I am nervous about staying with a home stay family. Even though I am nervous, I believe that I will have a great semester. I will not only have a blast and see some amazing new places. but I will learn a lot and get to experience a culture very different than my own. And for that I feel truly blessed. I feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to study abroad and want to thank my parents for helping my dream to study in Florence a reality.

At 2:20pm today, I will board the plane to Florence and my adventures will begin. I am ready for a great semester. A semester full of traveling, trying new foods, learning and experiencing Europe.

Ciao for now!