Aound the world in...

Let's do this!!!

Well...

It's been over a year since I've traveled anywhere exotic, but it's been quite the adventure here at home in Cincinnati, Ohio. A whirlwind of discovery; who I am, what I need, what I'm not, whose I am.

But it sure looks like some traveling is in the works.

Where? Italy and France for some super sweet opportunities. After all, I GRADUATE COLLEGE in June. Yeah. With that being said, hang tight, much is yet to be revealed.

Back home.

So yes, I've been home for about 2 months now. Two months, wow. 

It's a surreal sort of experience. The first few days I was home, it was as if those 4 months previous had passed at a normal pace then suddenly someone hit fast-forward, and there I was, back in Cincinnati. It felt as if I had never left but still a big chunk of a few months was missing. It seriously felt like one long dream. It still kind of does, but as I go from day to day I see things that remind me of Rome and I'm reassured that it really happened. Things came to an abrupt halt. I went from the relaxed lifestyle of a hustle-and-bustle ancient city, back to the quicker-paced midwest; a house of seven girls, to a house with parents and pets. 

The more I'm back, the more I realize how special home can be. At the same time, the more I'm back, the more I want to get back and explore the rest of the world. I know I have plenty of time, I'm just very impatient.

I would like to keep this blog for something...perhaps all things foreign.

As for my time in Rome, it sparked a major urge to live and work in another country, continue to improve my Italian, and learn other languages. I will conquer them all and become the smartest woman alive. Yes, I will do that.

Woops.

"Briana, you should really update your blog...it's getting embarassing." 

Thank you, father.

Yeah, ok, so it is a little embarassing that I haven't updated in about a month...or more. 

Well, here's the thing, I have about 8 days left in Italy and it still doesn't feel like it. These past few weeks I've really been able to take a look around and see what this world means to me. I walk along the streets of my neighborhood and look at the Tabacchi, the cafes we frequent, the constant construction, and I love it all. I see how much this place has become my home and how my heart and my mind know this isn't the last time I'll be here. The fact that I have so little time left at this point is somewhat unsettling. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it's just so surreal that I've been here for about 4 months and it feels like days. But days in which I've been able to find my way around, learn the language a little better and make this foreign land a true part of my life. 

In the last few days, I've really been running in to opportunities that are loaded for my future. It's exciting. This has been a dream that I never felt would become reality, but here I am. Through the struggles that I've come across, I would not trade one single millisecond of my time here for anything else. The people I've befriended, the sites I've seen, the culture that I've learned about, experienced and accepted, are all things that have just become part of me. At the same time, I've come to appreciate, more than I can express, what I have at home. It's so funny to me that I've traveled thousands of miles from comfort and become comfortable just the same. 

Anyway.

As for the past few weeks, they've been great. School still doesn't feel like school, and now it's over. I have exams next week and then I'm done, crazy. I've been finding so many fun markets and stores, meeting new people and hoping they become lasting friendships, and really just living. I haven't done a whole lot in particular, just the day-to-day has been the main event. I guess to keep you fully informed, I could update more consistently, but, you know...promises, promises :)

It's been raining a lot lately. I suppose as a trade for snow, Rome gets rain. It's a bit of a downer from time to time, but there's not much to be done about it, of course. Either way, I haven't let it stop me from enjoying being outside of the apartment. A few weeks ago we took a day trip to Assisi, and it was beautiful. The town was incredible, with beautiful structures and the great basilicas like the St. Francis Cathedral. We had a ridiculous lunch, typically Italian, with about a million courses. An antipasto of cheeses and meets, 2 pasta dishes, a meat dish, and dessert and coffee. I couldn't move. Either way, the trip was beautiful and, yet again, a relaxing getaway from Rome. In addition to that, there's been an abundance of birthday celebrations which have all been packed with food, activities and cake. 

Again, I love my friends here, I love the cafes, I love the sites, and I love the language. The following days are going to be filled with all of the above, as much as possible. Forget sleep, I'm in the Eternal City.

Third time's a charm.

Just a little blurb to show that life is normal and not all excursions and exotic.

It's been raining the past few days in Rome and is supposed to continue for the next, oh, 10 days? Who knows if it actually will, but it's been consistent the past two. I don't like this! Why isn't life here perfect? We didn't pay for this...

Just kidding!
It's really alright, just a bit of a downer.

I'm using Donna's computer, sitting on her bed while she does a crossword puzzle in Star magazine.

Is it true that you can get electricuted if you take a shower during a thunder and lightning storm?

Anyway, I'm tired, I'm going to bed soon. A presto!

Bonjour!

I'm just gonna throw new information in your face like it's nobodies business!

Well, it's been a few days past, but this previous week was our fall break from school. Everyone went everywhere and seemed to enjoy themselves. One thing we all talked about was, if we were back in the United States getting ready to go on fall break to say, Paris, Amsterdam and Egypt, we'd be the talk of the town, the envy of all our friends, and definitely jumping out of our seats with excitement to travel to foreign countries. For some reason, living in a European country, only to travel to another European country, has been mentioned so nonchalantly.

"Where are you going for break?"

"Oh, we're going to Greece for 5 days then making our way to Egypt for 3. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to France."

"Cool, see you next Monday!"

Yeah, those were typical conversations the days preceding our fall break. And yes, I went to France! Ohhh, France.

To start from the beginning, I was supposed to leave on a Friday but missed my flight. I woke up too late considering there was a public transportation strike all day. It was quite unfortunate, but I was abnormally calm. I had to buy a new ticket (thanks again, padre!) which was a fat pain, but not outrageous. Saturday I found my way to Montpellier, France to see my best friend since we were 12, Kirsten. Again, we were abnormally calm about being reunited in a foreign country, but I supposed that's just our friendship. It's a beautiful thing. Anyway, fresh off the train, we headed to an outdoor cafe for a Happy Hour. I don't know whose idea that was, but I got to sit in an adorable, open area, in downtown Montpellier with Kirsten and her friend Kim. After a beer, and still being in awe of the towns cuteness, we headed to Kirstens dorm. The thing I enjoy about the program she is doing is that she really gets immersed in to the French college experience. She lives in a dorm with all kinds of people, from all over the world, goes to a university where all her classes are in French, and really getting a true college experience...in another country. Yeah.

Later that night, we made our way back to the downtown area, which seems to be the most alive part of the city! Kirsten and other French friends convinced me to rent a bike to ride into town. It was about a 15 minute bike ride. Ohh, boy. I don't ride bikes in Cincinnati, I haven't in years. Montpellier is very flat, but I was still a bit out of practice. Needless to say, I crashed! Ok, not as bad as it sounds. It was wet and my wheel got caught in a tram track. Believe me. Anyway, I fell and bruised up my legs, they're pretty colors at this point; I'll spare you pictures. But nothing could ruin the fact that I was riding a bike alongside my best friend, in France, with some great French people! It was all an experience, and definitely one at which to look back and laugh. Nothing was really accomplished that night, but it was just plain fun.

The next day, Kirsten and I went to a flea market and just looked around. It was very, very cool. I really loved all the antique furniture and house-trinkets that were everywhere. I wish I had a house closeby because I would have furnished the entire thing in about an hour. After we walked around, we went back to her area and lazed around for the majority of the day and spent time with some cool people. Monday, Kirsten and Kim took me on the Montpellier tour (pictures to follow soon). Really, it's a beautiful city with a cozy and charming character. Kirsten and I made our way to Lyon (about 3 hours north-ish ? where I flew in from Rome) on Tuesday morning to spend the day and night, so I could get my early flight back home (to Rome!) on Wednesday. We truly had no plans; we walked off the train, I checked my duffel bag at the station, and we headed outside to see what we could see. Again, pictures to follow, they will help me document what I actually did.

Anyway, we saw some surprising and wonderful things. It's a day that I will REALLY never forget. It was the day the Kirsten and I talked about when we were in 7th grade: exploring European cities together when we are "older and in college!" Well, we're older, and we're definitely in college, so I guess it's all working out for the best.

Keep an eye out for pictures, I promise that the hard part is over for me, I'll find a time to get some pictures arranged on this thing.

Kirsten gets to Rome on Friday; we're conquering Europe bit by bit. I'm really excited for it. I can't wait to show her my new home, explore new things with her and share what I've grown to love about the city! Actually, it will be fun for the following two weekends. November is going to be hectic, I'll tell you that much. The weekend after this coming, my brother Dan is visiting, and the weekend after my dad will be here! I can't picture either of them in a foreign country, let alone Italy, but I know they will love it. I just wish everyone could see what I get to see on a daily basis.



When I got back to Rome, I hadn't slept in over 24 hours. I was the first one back to the apartment and was alone for about 2 hours, only to be greeted by my two favorite people in the world, my roomates Donna and Jen. They just got back from Greece and we were reunited at last. We had the apartment to ourselves for about 3 days and it was just relaxing. We had a great time being together and loving the city; good times.

At this point, it's back to school, but I'm still enjoying it. Perhaps appreciating it a bit more? Either way, I still want to stay. Don't worry, I AM coming home, I just don't want to.
Kidding.

Toscana

Ok, so I know it's a little late, but I do need to share some pictures and tid-bits from Tuscany.

The bus ride from Rome to Montalcino was about 3 hours, maybe a little less, but it felt like

forever. It was continuous snake turns up a mountain, in the country-side. About half the bus got sick, it was horrible. I got motion-sick pretty bad and almost lost it after I witnessed my dear friend Nicole lose hers all over the place. Woops! Anyway, it figures that after a stomach-assaulting ride, the first stop is the Castello Banfi, which happens to be one of the most important wine producers in Tuscany. We did a wine tasting of three regional wines, all reds. I don't remember the names of the wines, only that I preferred the first of the three we tried.


We had some time to walk around the estate, which was absolutely beautiful. This picture to the left is the view that surrounded us; the two guys are Charles and Phil, other friends from CEA. It was breathtaking and spacious and astonishingly green. We realized that there's not much greenery in our everyday life in Rome, so it was nice to be surrounded by nature. At least for a little bit.





After the beautiful sights and tastes we made our way back to the bus and on to lunch in a smaller little town in Montalcino. I forget what it was called, but think of a tiny stone village in the country of Italy, and that's where I was. On top of a mountain-hill, overlooking miles of rolling hills, is where we spent about an hour. The restaurant we went to was a hole-in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of place and you couldn't find better food. Handmade pasta, vegetables grown down the mountainside, fresh bread; there were really no words to describe it. Not to mention the people in the place were all smiles and laughter at these 28 American kids who somehow found their way to their restaurant.

Again, we return to the bus to make our way to Siena. I hope you did your reading, you definitely had some time to study up, with my lack of frequent writings and all...Anyway. We checked in to our hotel and it was like we stepped in to a movie.
NB: For about 15 of us, this trip was mandatory for either/both the Food and Wine class and the Living Italy (culture) class because we had just learned about the culture of Siena, etc. I happen to be in both of them.
It's hard to describe, as well as appreciate, the beauty of this little town. Yes, the city is absolutely beautiful with an almost private, but still welcoming, charm; but there's so much more to the people and the city and the history. Comparable to someone who has studied and developed a heart for art history, and finally have a chance to step foot in to the Sistene Chapel and get an upclose look at the details you've only read about.
The next day, Saturday, we got a tour of the city, which isn't very large, from a woman belonging to the Bruco (caterpillar) contrada. Nicoletta was in high spirits because her contrada had one the August 2008 Palio. And believe me, she didn't waste a chance to throw in how much pride she has for her own contrada. The whole tour was just seeing little details that made up the true character of Siena. The flags on the balconies, the animal logos in the breadshop windows, anything and everything you can see is part of the Sienese identity.

An example:
As I and several friends were walking back to the hotel from dinner on Friday night, we got a tad lost. We stopped to ask some older gentlemen who were standing in the doorway of a restaurant, in which direction was the Hotel Athena, where we were staying.

He scoffs, "Ohhh, Pantera!" in a disdainful, yet playful (kind of) way, making typical Italian hand gestures.

Why is this worth noting? Well, as you know, there are 17 contrade within Siena, all of which have strict boundary lines that only the people of Siena are aware of. Certainly these men were from a different contrada from where our hotel was located, perhaps even a rival contrada. That short moment was what I consider to be a true glimpse of the engrained personal identity that the people of each contrada hold.
Fascinating, truly fascinating.

Since I've been in Italy, I've learned so much about the country and the history and the culture and have been realizing that there is so much we, as Americans, have no clue. As I get the chance to experience things as I learn them, is something I will never take for granted. I've been learning what it feels like to be excited about new information and applying it to my life and my own culture; taking bits and pieces and really figuring out what makes me tick and what really makes me run. Dad, you'll be happy to know that I actually enjoy doing my homework here, contrary to popular belief. Maybe I'll be a little more in to school when I get back to Cincinnati. Maybe not. But the charm of Italy-the beauty of my surroundings, the people, the culture-definitely has its hold on me.