Ciao Family & Friends!
The last time I left you, I looked something like this, having just completed my papers:
And now, a short 5 days later, I greet you jubilantly, having returned safely from a glorious vacation in Bella Italia! Italy is all they say and more. What an amazingly beautiful country...
Our journey began with a SCIO field trip to London, in which we visited the Imperial War Museum. Trying to get out the door that morning was a little hectic, and in my haste to send a last email to my sweet fiance, on my way out I stubbed my toe on the stair, and I'm pretty sure I broke it, as I heard the pop, it has been swollen and black and blue and has a weird bump on the side, and... well, see for yourselves. (Enlarge for further hideous detail, if you dare.)
Not the best timing in the world, as we had a lot of walking in our very near future, but thankfully the pain hasn't been terrible.
After a long day, we arrived safe & sound in Italy, and our bus driver even deposited us directly across the street from our hotel! Venice was my favorite part of the trip. Actually, I think it was everyone's favorite part. It was beautiful, relaxed, friendly - and the streets are canals!
Also, we went on a gondola ride! Our driver (well, what would you call him?) was named Igor - despite the name, definitely Italian. Igor let me help him row! In all actuality, I held on to the paddle-thing while he did the work.
He told us that the best local place for food was his house - his wife would gladly make us dinner. Generous offer, but we had to decline. We had more city to see!
Florence... we unfortunately were not there very long, as the morning train was sold out. However, we were able to see THE David ("in all his gwowious manhood," as Sister Wendy would say).
Censored for younger audience (and Grandma).
I don't even know what this building is, but it's awesome & huge.
Florence had the best gelato out of the 3 cities. And believe me, we sufficiently sampled the gelato in all three cities, so I feel authorized to make that judgement.
Rome... Pax Romana. Where do I begin? All those years of high school Latin... almost felt like I was visiting an old friend. A rather beautifully ruinous, historical mammoth of a friend.
A leisurely stroll through Circus Maximus (i.e. Ben Hur's race track)
Various aspects of the Roman Forum
Colosseum.
Again.
We definitely lucked out with the Colosseum viewing - there was a long line, but one of the guys who worked there was calling out for a group of 6 for the last English guided tour of the day - bingo!
Day 2 of Rome, we got up early to go to sightseeing! When we arrived at our first goal, we were seriously debating whether or not we should even bother waiting in this:
But it was well worth it for this:
The Vatican Museum!!!
Our group got a little separated in the Vatican, but we had previously decided to meet at the exit afterward. Well, turns out there are 2 exits. Leilani, Megan & I were waiting at one exit, while Jill, Laura & Lauren were waiting at the other exit. After almost 2 hours, we simultaneously decided to carry on with our days and hope the others would be back at our apartment that evening. Long story short - it worked! Apparently both groups were also at the Pantheon around the same time, but missed each other.
Leilani, Megs & me outside the Pantheon
All in all - Italy is gorgeous and I definitely hope I am able to return someday. Thanks so much to everyone for your prayers... our trip was so much fun, and everything (for the most part) went smoothly & safely! I loved it!!
So, now we are getting back to business as usual. Next week our lectures and tutorials start. Today I found out about my tutorials:
Primary Tutorial: English Literature 1642-1740 with Dr. Emma Plaskitt
Secondary Tutorial: History, Use & Theory of English Language with Dr. Santha Bhattacharji
I don't know Dr. Plaskitt yet but have heard that she is "lovely!" Dr. B is my seminar tutor, so I already know her and really like her.
ALSO! Got my first case study back! We don't have an official "mark" yet, but very encouraging remark at the end of the paper. :)
Shoutouts for today:
Happy birthday to my wonderful cousin BECCA!!!
Happy birthday to my future sister-in-law MICHELE!!!
I love you both & hope you are both enjoying your day of birth!
Not much else to update about. I miss & love everyone! I'll end with a quote from an Italian shopkeeper that Megan & I chatted with while we were making a purchase. After finding out that we were from California and New York, he raised his eyebrows, smiled and said (with an Italian accent, of course),
"And you study in Oxford and vacation in Italy? Not too bad, babies. Not too bad."
The last time I left you, I looked something like this, having just completed my papers:
And now, a short 5 days later, I greet you jubilantly, having returned safely from a glorious vacation in Bella Italia! Italy is all they say and more. What an amazingly beautiful country...
Our journey began with a SCIO field trip to London, in which we visited the Imperial War Museum. Trying to get out the door that morning was a little hectic, and in my haste to send a last email to my sweet fiance, on my way out I stubbed my toe on the stair, and I'm pretty sure I broke it, as I heard the pop, it has been swollen and black and blue and has a weird bump on the side, and... well, see for yourselves. (Enlarge for further hideous detail, if you dare.)
Not the best timing in the world, as we had a lot of walking in our very near future, but thankfully the pain hasn't been terrible.
After a long day, we arrived safe & sound in Italy, and our bus driver even deposited us directly across the street from our hotel! Venice was my favorite part of the trip. Actually, I think it was everyone's favorite part. It was beautiful, relaxed, friendly - and the streets are canals!
Also, we went on a gondola ride! Our driver (well, what would you call him?) was named Igor - despite the name, definitely Italian. Igor let me help him row! In all actuality, I held on to the paddle-thing while he did the work.
He told us that the best local place for food was his house - his wife would gladly make us dinner. Generous offer, but we had to decline. We had more city to see!
Florence... we unfortunately were not there very long, as the morning train was sold out. However, we were able to see THE David ("in all his gwowious manhood," as Sister Wendy would say).
Censored for younger audience (and Grandma).
I don't even know what this building is, but it's awesome & huge.
Florence had the best gelato out of the 3 cities. And believe me, we sufficiently sampled the gelato in all three cities, so I feel authorized to make that judgement.
Rome... Pax Romana. Where do I begin? All those years of high school Latin... almost felt like I was visiting an old friend. A rather beautifully ruinous, historical mammoth of a friend.
A leisurely stroll through Circus Maximus (i.e. Ben Hur's race track)
Various aspects of the Roman Forum
Colosseum.
Again.
We definitely lucked out with the Colosseum viewing - there was a long line, but one of the guys who worked there was calling out for a group of 6 for the last English guided tour of the day - bingo!
Day 2 of Rome, we got up early to go to sightseeing! When we arrived at our first goal, we were seriously debating whether or not we should even bother waiting in this:
But it was well worth it for this:
The Vatican Museum!!!
Our group got a little separated in the Vatican, but we had previously decided to meet at the exit afterward. Well, turns out there are 2 exits. Leilani, Megan & I were waiting at one exit, while Jill, Laura & Lauren were waiting at the other exit. After almost 2 hours, we simultaneously decided to carry on with our days and hope the others would be back at our apartment that evening. Long story short - it worked! Apparently both groups were also at the Pantheon around the same time, but missed each other.
Leilani, Megs & me outside the Pantheon
All in all - Italy is gorgeous and I definitely hope I am able to return someday. Thanks so much to everyone for your prayers... our trip was so much fun, and everything (for the most part) went smoothly & safely! I loved it!!
So, now we are getting back to business as usual. Next week our lectures and tutorials start. Today I found out about my tutorials:
Primary Tutorial: English Literature 1642-1740 with Dr. Emma Plaskitt
Secondary Tutorial: History, Use & Theory of English Language with Dr. Santha Bhattacharji
I don't know Dr. Plaskitt yet but have heard that she is "lovely!" Dr. B is my seminar tutor, so I already know her and really like her.
ALSO! Got my first case study back! We don't have an official "mark" yet, but very encouraging remark at the end of the paper. :)
Shoutouts for today:
Happy birthday to my wonderful cousin BECCA!!!
Happy birthday to my future sister-in-law MICHELE!!!
I love you both & hope you are both enjoying your day of birth!
Not much else to update about. I miss & love everyone! I'll end with a quote from an Italian shopkeeper that Megan & I chatted with while we were making a purchase. After finding out that we were from California and New York, he raised his eyebrows, smiled and said (with an Italian accent, of course),
"And you study in Oxford and vacation in Italy? Not too bad, babies. Not too bad."
posted by Rachel at 4:23 PM
7 Comments:
Et tu Pater, "And you study in Oxford and vacation in Italy? Not too bad, babies. Not too bad."
Glad you're safe. Kisses to your toe from Poppa. Hope it has healed.
the men who "drive" the gondolas are called gondoliers...and the beautiful building in Florence is one of the most famous churches in the world.It is usually referred to only as "il duomo"...right across from it, a smaller but equally beautiful building, is the baptistry which has quite a history of it's own...especially the artwork on the doors...check it out sometime.
The anonymous gods of architecture and aquatic transportation have saved me yet again! I did notice the baptistry (which I didn't know was a baptistry at that point), but next time I'm in ole Firenze, I'll be sure to check it out in further detail. Also in retrospect, I guess we did look at the map and notice "The Dome" - it's all coming together. Thanks for the info, anonymous. :)
Rachel,
What a blast!! The pictures are beautiful (well maybe not the one of your toe). It looks like you are having an incredible time. Can't wait to see all your pics when you return to the good ol' SOE. What an exciting and fun blessing. Thanks for keeping us all updated.
RACH!!! this is the first time ive been able to read your blog in a while because i couldnt find the link, and i had deleted all the emails you had sent that included the link! Your pictures from Italy are amazing! Love that you included the nude statue with leaf coverage, you are too funny! I miss you so much!! I hope your toe is getting better, and that its properly painted next time you take picture of it. haa :)
I love you, cant wait to read more of your blog, now that i have it saved as one of my "favorite places".
xo-A. Stohler
Clara Belle! Yes it is I, your dearest George trying to rescue you from that horrible and dangerous "toe crushing" land, overseas. I have been swimming for what seems to be centuries... hey I just passed lake Ontario... it's hard swimming north. Anyway, I have "fortyish" days to get to you and I won't stop swimming until I get there or... the inevitable happens... awwww, isn't it sad??? I miss you and love you... don't tell you know who that I have moved on. Until we meet again... focus on your studies and stay away from those English/ Italian men. My love floats over the ocean for you. Remember that Doug isn't the greatest swimmer. xxooxxoo ???? (any guesses)????
Ahhh!! I'm going to be there for the semester once January rolls around! :)
I love your pictures! Glad you're having fun!
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