Lost in Seville

  Hola Sevilla! So far I am surviving here in Spain. And i must look like I know what I am doing, because twice people have asked me for directions. I guess my enough to get by Spanish skills are working for me.

Yesterday I took time to explore around and by that I mean I got lost. Really lost. The street signs here are very different then they are back home and can sometimes be hard to find. Therefore, I would walk in what I thought was the right direction and somehow end up close to where I wanted to be. I eventually managed to find the Plaza de España and the Cathedral and Giralda. Although when I was at the Cathedral and Giralda I didn't realize what it was and had to look it up in my guidebook later.

  After aimlessly wandering around, I decided it was time to take advantage of the Spanish siesta. Siestas are a set aside time of rest during the day, and they are wonderful. Basically the city shuts down for a few hours including small stores and businesses. And as a college student I think naps are one of the best things ever; therefore, I may just suggest that Americans start embracing these siestas.

As for today, I will probably go exploring, I mean get myself lost again...

My family before we took over San Marco

Buongiorno

  Buongiorno! For the last few days in Italy my family has been staying in Positano off of the Amalfi Coast. It is absolutely beautiful here. The town is on the side of a mountain looking over the water. The only downside is getting around, because there are steps everywhere! No need to go for a run while staying here; you can get your workout in just by walking from the hotel room to the beach.

  But before braving the numerous stairs of Positano my family took a short pip stop in San Marco la Catola. My great grandmother was raised in San Marco, and upon arrival my family went on a mission to find her old house. At first we thought we knew exactly what we were looking for, but we soon found that we didn't have a clue as to what road it was even on. So when we saw some people walking the streets we stopped and asked if they could help us, but I am pretty sure they were just as confused as we were. Especially since San Marco is a small town in the middle of nowhere, and the people there were probably just trying to figure out why all these Americans were suddenly showing up. Despite all the confusion amongst my family and the people of San Marco, we managed to find the house. And as we were snapping a few pictures a couple of brave citizens decided to ask what my family was doing here;  it turns out they are friends with our relatives that still live in San Marco. One older lady even attempted to have a conversation with me, but unfortunately I only know about five words in Italian so I couldn't really figure out what she was saying to me. However, it was still cool to talk to her, and when the words were similar to Spanish I could kind of understand what she was telling me.

Rainy Days

  It has been raining here in Rome for the past couple of days, but that hasn't stopped my family from seeing everything the city has to offer. Yesterday we took an official tour around Vatican City. Unfortunately there were no Pope sightings, but we did see his famous window. Today we continued on with a tour of Rome which included the Colosseum, an ancient civilization museum, and a couple churches. My favorite church we visited was the Church of Santa Maria Del Popolo, which is supposedly built on haunted ground. This might explain why there are skulls and cross bones throughout the building. Once we were done touring we did a little shopping around town, and at one store my dad bought me a cookbook written in Italian. So now I can learn how to cook and speak Italian at the same time. Which I am sure will go very well...

There are springs all over Rome with fresh mountain water

When in Rome

  We are finally in Italy! We arrived at our hotel in Rome early yesterday morning and just walked around the city for a while. Then we took a taxi over to the market at Campo de Fiori. The taxi ride was insane! I thought traffic in Atlanta was bad, but it does not even compare to driving here. They drive so fast and don't slow down for anyone. The streets are also very narrow, and if you roll down the window you can easily touch the car next to you.
  After, the market we took a break at the hotel and headed out for dinner. They served us tons of appetizers including mozzarella cheese, salami, cantaloupe, and bread. For the main course I ordered fettuccine al gorgonzala which was delicious, and for dessert they brought cheesecake with berries and biscotti. Once we were finished we stopped by the Trevi Fountain and headed back to the hotel for the night.

Preparing for an Adventure

  Only about ten more days until I arrive in Spain, and I am so excited! This summer I will be studying in Sevilla, España. I know, I know, who wants to waste a whole summer studying, but I can't really complain if studying all summer means traveling Spain. But before I fly off to the land of paella, bull fights, and flamenco dancing, I am leaving for Italy with la mia famiglia to celebrate my grandmother's eightieth birthday. Again I am so excited! This summer is going to be nothing less than amazing!