After driving through the scenic countryside of Italy, we arrived in Florence. Unfortunately, I came down with some kind of cold that put me a bit under the weather, but I tried not to let it ruin our sight-seeing!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Buongiorno Italia! (Milan & Verona)
Our first trip to Italy was a success! Even though it was a little last minute and not fully planned, we had a great time. It is crazy to think that only a little over a month ago, I had never been to Europe, and one month later I've visited 5 cities! Feeling very blessed that we have this opportunity for so much traveling!
We started in Milan, made a quick side trip to Verona, then onto Florence, and finally Venice. Busy but so worth it! :)
We started in Milan, made a quick side trip to Verona, then onto Florence, and finally Venice. Busy but so worth it! :)
Monday, February 4, 2013
MM 4: Coins & French
I almost forgot it was Monday! Just got back from our Italy trip today (post on that coming soon), so it was a busy day filled with laundry and grocery shopping, exciting, I know.
Todays tidbits are travel related:
*Coin purses are essential here but incredibly hard to find! In America when we get change at a store, I'm sure we all do the same thing: throw it in a pocket, a cup holder of the car, or eventually find it in the bottom of the couch. Little thought is given to it (unless you finally round it up and take it to a coinstar machine). Here, I hold onto change like no other! It is not uncommon to have 10-15 euros (or more) of change at a time since the smallest bill here is 5 euros. Takes a little getting used to, and I'm pretty sure cashiers could rip me off if they wanted to because I still have no idea which coin is which when they hand me a pile! The strangest part is that I looked in about 10 stores before I even found a coin purse. What do Europeans do? Maybe they just prefer to find $20 in the couch compared to our $2, I don't know!
*I never thought I would be so happy to hear French. Even though the majority of French still sounds completely foreign to me, I found myself drawn to everything written in French while in Italy. And if I heard someone speaking French? It felt like I was at home! I think this must be a good sign, right? (I'll just choose to ignore the fact that when I went to buy my train ticket home from the Paris airport today, I froze for about 2 minutes, completely forgetting how to speak any French!)
Todays tidbits are travel related:
*Coin purses are essential here but incredibly hard to find! In America when we get change at a store, I'm sure we all do the same thing: throw it in a pocket, a cup holder of the car, or eventually find it in the bottom of the couch. Little thought is given to it (unless you finally round it up and take it to a coinstar machine). Here, I hold onto change like no other! It is not uncommon to have 10-15 euros (or more) of change at a time since the smallest bill here is 5 euros. Takes a little getting used to, and I'm pretty sure cashiers could rip me off if they wanted to because I still have no idea which coin is which when they hand me a pile! The strangest part is that I looked in about 10 stores before I even found a coin purse. What do Europeans do? Maybe they just prefer to find $20 in the couch compared to our $2, I don't know!
*I never thought I would be so happy to hear French. Even though the majority of French still sounds completely foreign to me, I found myself drawn to everything written in French while in Italy. And if I heard someone speaking French? It felt like I was at home! I think this must be a good sign, right? (I'll just choose to ignore the fact that when I went to buy my train ticket home from the Paris airport today, I froze for about 2 minutes, completely forgetting how to speak any French!)
Monday, January 28, 2013
MM Trois: Trains & Socks
Happy Monday! It's a busy week--met some cool French and American kiddos at the school I'll be volunteering at this morning and meet some cool new friends at the first event I attended with the American Women's Group this afternoon. Just getting home now and leaving for Italy tomorrow (and not yet packed), so this is going to be short and sweet post today.
Trains:
We love, love the metro system here. It is easy to use and gets you where you need to be fairly quickly. I may be such a fan in the summer when it's hot and everyone is crammed in so you have smelly, sweaty people in your face, but for now, I love it! BUT, don't throw away (or lose) your ticket after you go through the turnstile. Police randomly check trains and at stations to make sure you have a valid ticket. And if you don't--automatic fine. We're not talking about 50 bucks, even a 100 bucks, we're talking 150-300 EUROS. Yikes! Surprisingly, a large number of people still jump the turnstiles, but I'm too terrified to let go of the death grip on my ticket, let alone jump the turnstile!
Socks:
I have thrown away 6 pairs of socks since I've been here. It seems like everyday when I take off my boots, there's a hole in one of them! I know I do much more walking here than I ever did in the US, but it's starting to get ridiculous! I'm about to go to the market to buy some new socks, I'm almost out. I think it's partially due to the fact that I have an abnormal big toe that curls upward, but even if you don't have a weird big toe, I'd suggest bringing lots of socks when you come to visit! :)
Trains:
We love, love the metro system here. It is easy to use and gets you where you need to be fairly quickly. I may be such a fan in the summer when it's hot and everyone is crammed in so you have smelly, sweaty people in your face, but for now, I love it! BUT, don't throw away (or lose) your ticket after you go through the turnstile. Police randomly check trains and at stations to make sure you have a valid ticket. And if you don't--automatic fine. We're not talking about 50 bucks, even a 100 bucks, we're talking 150-300 EUROS. Yikes! Surprisingly, a large number of people still jump the turnstiles, but I'm too terrified to let go of the death grip on my ticket, let alone jump the turnstile!
Socks:
I have thrown away 6 pairs of socks since I've been here. It seems like everyday when I take off my boots, there's a hole in one of them! I know I do much more walking here than I ever did in the US, but it's starting to get ridiculous! I'm about to go to the market to buy some new socks, I'm almost out. I think it's partially due to the fact that I have an abnormal big toe that curls upward, but even if you don't have a weird big toe, I'd suggest bringing lots of socks when you come to visit! :)
Friday, January 25, 2013
In a box. On a boat. Across the Ocean.
So most of you already know this story, but my friend Katie hasn't heard it and suggested I write a post about it after seeing the picture on Facebook. I figured we might as well get the story documented, and hey, even if you know the story, feel free to read again for a little pick-me-up.
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