Live-Or-No...in Livorno

Finally, another post! Yesterday Gina and I woke up and decided to just get on a train and go to Livorno. We didn't know anything about the city, how long it was to get there, just up and went. We got there and rumor on the street was they had white beaches - why not! We asked the man working in the tourist booth where the white beaches were, in our broken Italian, and then hopped on a bus which took us to the coast. We didn't know anything about the bus system: how long it was to the beach, where the beaches were, what the beaches 'stop' was called. We ended up just hopping off at a spot and walked a good fourty-five minutes, just taking pictures of the coast. We eventually hopped back on the bus, and luckily our bus pass wasn't expired - we still had 10 minutes - because there was an inspector checking bus tickets. Luckily we both still had ours too! It was the first time I've ever been asked/checked for my ticket. We rode a little longer and then got to the end of the route. We ended up doing a little cliff climbing and we found the BEST view of the day, right on top of a cliff, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We took some pictures, took refuge in the sun for a while and did not have a car in the world. 

It was so good to be by water again, and I was actually reminded of Florida at first glance. There were palm trees in Livorno and the sea smelt just like the ocean that I've smelt from back home. It was in the 60's and a tourist could not have asked for a better day. The sea itself looked just like jewels on the water, it reminded me of Incubus's song "I Wish You Were Here.

"I dig my toes into the sand,

the ocean looks like a 1000 diamonds strewn across a blue blanket.

I lean against the wind,

pretend that I am weightless,

and in this moment I am happy..."

All in all it was a great day - not knowing our way around made the adventure even better in the end. We never did come across the white sandy beaches that we were told were here but it didn't matter - it was the first time I was somewhere and completely felt like home. I think the sea had a lot to do with it - or it could have been the guys in speedos, you decide.

This upcoming week is midterms and to be completely honest, I have put them on the back burner until today. My day is going to consist of studying and staying in, probably with a little gelato break though. Midterms shouldn't be that bad, it reminds me more of a test back home. However, after this week, we leave for Greece lasting just over a week! We stay on the island of Corfu for three, and then in Athens for three, with traveling to and fro the other two days. I'm excited and it's just dawning on me that when we get back from Greece, it will be almost April! Time is flying by so fast. 

As fast as time is flying, I am trying to soak everything in: the culture, language, sights, smells, feelings, sounds. It is at sometimes overwhelming but I am beginning to feel at home here. Every now and then I think about being back in the states after studying abroad and how awkward it is going to be to have to drive every where and once again rely on a car. AND not walk past the Duomo everyday to get to class. There will definitely be pros and cons but I'm just going to keep trying to live up Italy and Europe as much as I can!

I hope everyone is enjoying wherever they are and God Bless!

Alicia

This sign goes out to all of my guy friends from back home. Haha, I know you'll appreciate this. This sign was in a small, Irish pub where we bought our bus passes to head back to Florence from Fiesole.

The view from Fiesole. I again had a Pride Rock experience here. I felt like Mufasa (from the Lion King) was telling me that everything the sun touches was mine. This view was indescribable. We watched the sunset from this view and it was breathtaking. 

My friend Patrick showing that it IS possible to hold the sun, in your hand.

The view of Florence (below) watching the sunset fade behind the mountains. This is a hazy picture because it was a hazy day but the picture doesn't do justice to how amazing this scene was.

Profile picture of me absorbing the view below. 

Florence has been fabulous this past weekend. On Friday we went to a small city, north of Florence called Fiesole. It was about a good, crammed 20 minute uphill bus ride there but what we found there was worth every second being crammed/shoved on the bus. We found a road and walked a good 5 minutes up a steep incline to a small area overlooking Florence. The view was a tad hazy but you could still make out the famous sites in Florence: the Duomo, the river Arno, Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station and many church steeples. We stayed there for about an hour, on top of this road and watched the sun set behind the mountains. Future reference for anyone if they are looking to take their loved one to a perfect getaway makeout point, this would be it, but it might be costly but worth every penny - ha.

This past week the weather has been amazing. My umbrella has been held hostage in my room and the sun has shown every day - it reached 64 yesterday! However, I didn't knock on wood and we're gearing up because the forecast shows rain everyday this upcoming week. It is, in fact, the rainy season.

We don't have anything planned for next weekend but my roommate is having her friend come in from the states which should be exciting. I am currently stalking ryanair to see if I can find any flights for upcoming weekends in the semester - London looks like a possibility as does Dublin and Paris :)

I hope the states are still together and to my fellow Wisconsinites - I hope you're enjoying that stuff called snow, I am almost forgetting what it looks/feels like (bad joke).

Until later! Wishing everyone the best,

Alicia

The view of the Vatican where people stand to listen to the pope.

The paintings of the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican.

The Pantheon 

The Colosseum

Ruins from ancient Rome, the time of the Roman Empire (~300AD)

Rome was absolutely beautiful! I was there Friday through Sunday and we saw SO many different sights: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the old ruins of Rome, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and probably everything in between. The sights were absolutely gorgeous and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

I went with a group through the school, an inclusive, and we had English speaking tour guides and I'd be betting to wager we walked at least 8 miles every day we were there because we walked from each site to the next. It was exhausting, but totally worth it. And the food you wonder? Absolutely amazing. 

On Sunday, before we took our tour, we went to a HUGE market in Rome. It is easily a shopper's paradise ranging from everything to clothes, boots, jackets, jewelry, trinkets, souvenirs, everything you can possibly think of. Needless to say, I left with a pretty blue necklace and a few other things. 

I hope that you like the pictures! There were so many to choose from and I chose the ones of the main sites of the city. Enjoy!

-Alicia

Our trip to Grindelwald and the group was cheering.

The view from our hostel.

Most breathtaking view in Grindelwald, Switzerland. It looked like heaven was behind this alp.

Our hostel we stayed at while in Switzerland. 

Haha, me posing in front of the alp.

Switzerland was absolutely amazing! The views are indescribable and the hospitality in Switzerland was beyond welcoming. We left on Thursday night and we didn't end up getting into Interlaken (where we stayed) until 4:30 Friday morning. Needless to say, it was about a 9 hour bus ride and there were several girls that, for obvious reasons, are not "good" travelers. 

Friday was a blast. My roommate went skydiving and while I decided to keep my feet on the ground while in Europe, I went to a small, quaint town about a half an hour train ride away called Grindelwald. The city was stunning. Probably the most breathtaking moment of the trip for me was when our group was sitting on a terrace having a drink and the sun went behind an alp. It literally looked like heaven was behind the mountain, only adding to the beauty of the city. Friday night we went out in style and danced most of the night away.

Saturday was a snowy day - those from Wisconsin can totally relate. I decided to explore the center of Interlaken to get a better feel for the city. The people here are so considerate and I actually was able to hold a conversation with the owners of a small souvenir shop - in German. The city itself is pretty touristy but once you get to the outskirts of the town, it's very welcoming and traditional.

Sunday we had to head back home but we enjoyed a hearty Swiss breakfast and then got ready to head back home. All in all it was an amazing experience with sights I will never get to see again, unless I head back up to Switzerland. 

Hope everyone is doing well at home and take care! This following weekend I will be traveling to Rome so I will make sure to post some pictures at the beginning of next week.

Alicia B

Pisa and Piazza Michaelangelo

Our first steps on our trek to the Leaning Tower.

The traditional pose in front of the Leaning Tower, yes I really am holding it up haha.

My favorite picture so far of Italy, the colors of the Leaning Tower and the sky are brilliant.

Walking up to see the Leaning Tower.

Our train we took to get to Pisa, only an hour away.

Statue at the top of the Piazza Michaelangelo 

View from the top of the Piazza Michaelangelo

My panoramic view of Florence, absolutely stunning.

Me on the way up to the Piazza

On the way up to the Piazza Michaelangelo.

Pisa was amazing! The leaning tower was really the only attraction in Pisa, besides their amazing pizza and gelato. It still blows me away that I've seen so many pictures of the leaning tower and I just saw it yesterday. 

Piazza Michaelangelo was about a 20 minute walk from our apartment to the top and the view is absolutely breathtaking. I would recommend this walk to anyone and everyone. I've never been so blown away by a panoramic view before, it is absolutely stunning. It made me feel like Simba looking down from Pride Rock. 

Hope these are okay for some pictures! I know that it's been awhile since I've updated, don't worry, I'll try to post some more after this upcoming weekend. We are going to Interlaken, Switzerland so I should be able to get a few good shots in that neck of the woods. 

Other than that, classes are going well, the food is amazing, I'm enjoying the beautiful, warmer weather and I still miss everyone from home :)

Have a great beginning  to the week!

Alicia Brinkman

Ciao!

I hope the states are going great. Italy has been wonderful this week. I started classes and I like them, for the most part, and I had a problem with one of my classes and I ended up switching into another so it worked out wonderfully. 

I had my first market experience yesterday and I successfully bartered my way for two glass bracelets and then went back for some more today and got three scarves :) The weather for the most part has been pretty rainy with a few patches of sun for 30 minutes and then more rain. It has been warm though this week, in the 50's and it supposed to get colder next week but the sun will be out. I'm okay with the compromise.

I experienced two apperitivos this week. The first at Kitsch was absolutely amazing - they had one of the biggest spreads of appetizers in Florence, and for 8 Euro including a drink and unlimited appetizers, it was totally worth it. We also cooked a lot in our apartment this week and yesterday we enjoyed some american cuisine: hamburgers and potatoes.

Our trip to Pisa today was a no go because of the rain but hopefully either sunday or sometime next weekend we can manage to go and see the famous tower that's supposedly leaning.

I met a girl named Julia at apperitivo and she actually is studying in Florence for a year (she was here last semester). She explained how interesting it is seeing the different lifestyles that Europeans, mainly Italians, live their livestyles versus the US. She said that people in Italy are not concerned with material goods, they are just concerned with happiness, whereas we in the United States strive for happiness through material goods. It was intriguing and although the people in America are more inviting and welcoming at first, the people here seem to have their heads more level and center with their thoughts. 

Well that's all for now! Have a great time in the States and I'll try not to smile so often because I'm in Italy :) 

Ciao!

Alicia B

Hi!

Sorry it has taken so long to upload some pictures. I hope these suffice for the delay in putting them up.

My roommate Gina and I standing by the river.

A picture of me in the apartment.

The Duomo

The view from our apartment.

This is what I see when walking along the river.

I will make sure to post some more pictures later. Right now, I am going to go grocery shopping and then probably walk around town for a bit. Tonight I might try yoga at the gym we have here. We started classes today, too. I only had one and our professor was not even there but it seems like it might be a challenging class, we shall see. Hope all of you are doing well and I will hopefully talk to you soon!

Ciao! Alicia B