Who needs a valentine when you have gelato

Last weekend I fell in love- with Italy- mostly the food though =)

All seven of us girls from UCF bought plane tickets to Milan, Italy for Valentines Day weekend. There are a few lost cost airlines here in Europe- Ryanair is our fave- I think we paid 50 Euros for the plane tickets ($75) not bad for a weekend in Italy. The first lesson we learned is it is not as easy as just getting on a plane and your there. To get to Milan we took- bus- train-bus-plane-bus- yeah- it’s exhausting, but so worth it.

So Ryanair was an experience- felt more like a bus than a plane, but for the price we paid, I’m ok with that. We also had to walk outside and up stairs to get on the plane- something I am not use too- but it was ok. No drinks or snacks. BUT half way though the flight I looked out my window and literally my breath was taken away- we were flying over the Alps. I don’t know if I have ever seen something so beautiful out of a plane window- and I have been on many planes.

Anyways- Nicole, Kim, and I stayed at the Best western (it ended up costing the same as a hostel) and the other 4 couch surfed. The first night we meet up with the girls who were couch surfing at the host’s flat and had dinner with them. The thing a love most about couch surfing is that you get to spend quality time with locals and really learn and experience how they live their lives. Marco (the host) made some crazy good pasta. His friends came over and we all talked for a while. One of the friends brought some home made lemoncello- not my favorite.

On Saturday morning we walked through the park and to the castle. We noticed that the dogs in the park in Milan were much larger than any on the other dogs we had seen in European cities- interesting. We walked though the castle and got some AMAZING gelato. Let me tell you about the gelato. Seriously- the best dessert I think my mouth has ever experienced. Cold stone has nothing on gelato. The city center in Milan is beautiful. It has a lot of pedestrian streets lined with cute shops and cafes. The big cathedral in Milan is the Duomo (check my facebook page for pictures). It is SO BEAUTIFUL! There is just SO much detail that went into it (di Vinci designed it). It was just one of those moments when you get chills up your spine. The square in front of the Duomo is always packed with people. Also, I think the Italians celebrate the week or so before the start of lent, maybe it’s a carnival type thing. Anyways there were loads of children dressed up as animals and throwing confetti. It was cute =)

We took the stairs to the roof of the Duomo. I feel like this is all we have done in Europe- climbed crazy staircases =) Being on top of the church was so cool. We really could see the detail that went into this church now. Of course we took loads of pictures. And apparently the top of the Duomo is the Number one make-out spot in Milan- lol (it was Valentines Day weekend I guess we should have expected it- but really- the top of a church? Lol).

Saturday night we meet the couch surfing host, Marco, at a really cool bar called Noon. Seriously, my favorite bar I have ever been too. So it was really nice. Everyone was dressed up. But there were young people- families- older people- everyone. We all sat around a small table. So drink were 8 Euros (like $12) Sounds a little high, but once you order a drink you can go up to the buffet and eat all night =) They had meats, cheese, veggies, pizzas, and just a lot of appetizers. We probably stayed there for 2 hours. But seriously if you ever go to Milan GO THERE. Marco took us to a few other bars and we danced the night away in Milan. We also went to one of his friend’s house party- that was interesting. It was really PACKED and everyone was smoking. We just could not breath- so we went home early.

The next day (valentines day) we went to see a few museums. First we went to the Steve McCurry exhibit. Seriously- the BEST are exhibit I have ever seen. Google image Steve McCurry. His pictures are amazing. He takes lots of pictures of people (especially children) in third would countries. Every picture was so moving. It was just one of those things where I needed to sit and think about life for like days after seeing all those pictures. Some of his photographs are permanently engraved in my mind now.

We also saw some di vinci exhibits. It was mostly his original letters and drawings. Really cool. We ended our day with some shopping and dinner at a cute sidewalk café. Our sweet waiter sang in Italian the whole time. It was magical. We were all really tired, but we just laughed a lot and enjoyed our dinner and each other.

I can’t believe we just took a weekend trip to Milan. I think I am going to be super depressed when I get back to the states and the only place I can go for the weekend is the beach. Oh well. I’m not thinking about that.

But seriously I am just so thankful for having the opportunity to have this experience. I have been saying since I moved back to the states in 1998 that I would study in France one day- and it has finally happened. I have been dreaming and saving for this for so long- and it a million time better than I ever imagined. It’s going to be really hard to get me to leave.

Turning 21 in France- and a weekend in Bordeaux

So a lot has happened in the past week or so- sorry if this is really long =/

So I had my 21^st birthday here in Angers. The girls from UCF were really sweet and decorated my door =) We all ate dinner together and they had a little surprise birthday party for me complete with balloons, streamers, cake, and champagne. Nearly everyone from my class came along with a bunch of people from the dorms. We had cake and drinks and I even taught some line dances. (I was really sad to not be spending my 21^st at my fave cowboy bar in Orlando- so I just had to do a few line dances).

Anyways I figured since I am Irish, it would only be appropriate to go to the Irish pub that night. So we all went to James Joyce for some pints. We hung out there for a while and went to K’lypso (another bar/club in town) a little later. It was loads of fun. I have been able to buy alcohol since I have been here- so it really is not that big of a deal in France- But I was showing all the French people at the bar that my ID says that I can not drink until 1-28-2010 =). It was a really good night.

I think my birthday party was the first time my class all got together and bonded. Before we had kind of dived ourselves and stuck with our friends from our respective countries- but ever since we all went out together on my Birthday we have been mixing and hanging out. It is rare now for us to sit with our classmates from our schools back home. I love it. We ask questions about each other’s countries constantly and just learn a little bit more everyday about different cultures and people.

So this past weekend 10 of us (all 7 UCF girls- Cahal from Texas- Anna from Sweden- and Federico from Italy) went to Bordeaux. We took the train- and can I just say- I LOVE taking the train. It is so nice and relaxing- you have great views- I can’t tell you how many castles I saw on my way. Through little towns- and farm land- but seriously- the soundtrack to beauty and the beast is constantly playing in my head =)

So in Bordeaux 4 of us tried out Couch surfing. Basically how it works is you make a profile on the site and you can look for people who are willing to host people in their home/apartment. It sounds kind of sketch- but I know so many people who have done it and loved it- and by the way- it’s free =) So we (me, Amy, Kim, and Cahal) stayed with 5 roommates (3 guys and 2 girls) at there house on the outskirts of Bordeaux. I’m not gonna lie- I was kind of nervous, but as soon as we arrived I felt welcome and safe. Damien was the main roommate who hosted us. He is a rubgy-playing-magic-trick-playing-handsom- French man =) how’s a girl not going to have a little crush. But seriously- he was really nice. The first night we hung out and had some wine- and just basically got to know each other.

I’m basically in love with this idea- It make so much sense that a person who has a couch or extra bed would offer it up to travelers. I love that we really got to know some French people from Bordeaux and really got to live like a temporary local- not just see the sights. It kind of blows my mind how much I trusted these people- but everything went so well. I plan on couch surfing as much as possible.

Anyways- while we were in Bordeaux we went up the tall bell tower outside the big cathedral- 231 stairs later- we were at the top and had incredible views of the city. We went in the cathedral after- breathtaking as always. We had a real French dinner that night and a glass of Bordeaux.

We also did a wine tasting tour. They drove us though the vineyards past all the beautiful chateaus. We tasted at 2 different vineyards. One in Margaux and the other in Medoc- bought a bottle of the Medoc. I kind of felt like a grown up- don’t know how I feel about that yet.

On our last night in Bordeaux Damien showed us the bars/pubs that him and his rugby teammates hang out at. We went to a Pirate run bar- which felt like you were in a pirate ship- it was really cool- complete with hammocks. Then we went to an Irish pub for some pints of Guinness and good conversation. After visiting one more pub we took a PACKED tram back to Damien’s.

The next morning we left- to show our gratitude for letting us stay at their house we bought them some Jim Bean and a case of Heineken- lol. We spent our last day walking along the river- having coffee at a café in the park and visiting some ruins. Then we got on the train and headed home to Angers.

Friday morning we leave for Milan =) Valentines Day in Italy- here we come- Just the 7 UCF girls- I can’t wait!

Little town- it's a quite village...

So we left Paris last Wednesday. It is hard to believe that we have been in Angers for a week. But I love my new home in Angers and I am excited to explore more.

First lets start with the train ride. So trains are actually a really great way to travel in Europe and the train station was hoppin’ in Paris. Everyone looked like they knew what they were doing- so that was a bit intimidating. We finally figured everything out and then drug all our crap to the train and got on board. Boy were we a sight with all our huge bags.

So the train was really nice, even in second class. We had big seats and everything was nice and clean. I wish the states had more efficient trains like Europe. When we left Paris it was nasty and rainy, but maybe 20 mins into the train ride it was blue skies as we traveled through the French countryside. It was nice to be out of the concrete jungle and see some green =) I wrote in my journal about how happy and how blessed I feel to have been given this opportunity to see Europe again. It really it me on the train ride that I was finally in Europe and free to explore. Oh yeah- and a guy came around to punch out tickets- made me feel like I was going to Hogwarts. lol

When trains stop, they only stop for a few mins. So as soon as the train stopped in Angers I threw all my bags out onto the platform, and then we meet one of our teachers there. Also one of the French girls who studied at UCF last year, Anne, meet us there. We got in a van and headed to our dorms. We got to see part of the city on our drive and it was really cute. We even drove past the castle =)

Once we got to the dorms and paid and what not I made the hike to the 5^th floor (top) to my new room. With the help of some stranger in the hallway, b/c there is no way I could have carried all my bags. Any ways I found my room. Let me tell you about my room. Imagine the smallest cruise cabin you have ever seen- now cut that in half and you have my room. Hahaha. It is bright orange to top it all off. My bathroom is so small that you can hypothetically brush your teeth, take a shower and go to the bathroom all at the same time. But really- my room here is about the same size as my science drive closet.

So first observation of the dorms- LOTS of Americans. This kinda disappointed me. I was hoping for more of a mix, but oh well don’t get me wrong- there are plenty of international kids too, there are just more Americans than I thought there would be.

I live at one campus on the outskirts of town and take classes in town, so this means I take the bus- a lot. It works really well but can get really crowded. And let me just tell you about town. The first time we took the bus into town and got off, we were in front of a fountain; there were old buildings all around and the river too. I was just waiting for people to start singing like in beauty and the beast. This town is really something out of a book.

We have been busy since we got here setting up bank accounts, getting French cell phones, getting stuff with school squared away and what not. It feels good to finally use my French, but it is also very tiring. I feel useful though.

I really think my favorite part has been getting to know people from all over and getting to speak French. It has been so fascinating hearing about other people’s countries and cultures. It is crazy when everyone gets together and you hear a ton of different accents. It just makes me smile.

We were quite spoiled with good food in Paris before we came to angers, so I have been kinda disappointed with the Angers food. We eat a lot of Kebab sandwiches (I think it’s Turkish- lamb maybe) we have tiny fridges in our rooms and a kitchen on the floor to share (but it’s just a stove top and microwave) so my diet has been consisting of a lot of soup, and bread. I think I am addicted to nutella and baguettes. Baguettes seem to disappear in my room. They look quite big, but when you eat a good bit of it on the way home from the store (and the BIG Wal-Mart like store in a 30min walk away) you are left with some to dip in you soup, cheese, and nutella. I hope it warms up a little bit soon so I can go run- lol.

Speaking of running let me tell you about the lake. So like 2 mins from my dorm there is this really great lake with trails all round it. It is pretty big and I tend to get very turned around with running there. But anyways- It’s beautiful. There are GOATS that just hang out, and then a waterfall or 2, and a really big beautiful house that I think is a castle. On Sunday when I went I felt like the whole town was there. Everything (except pizza hut) is closed in Sunday. So families spend time together (what a concept). I thought that was really cool, simple- but everyone looked like they were having a good time. Kinda made me just a little home sick =/ I’ve spent every birthday ever with at least someone from my family- and I turn 21 tomorrow- no family here =/ but I’m sure it will be good.

The past few days

On our second day (rainy) in Paris was started out by going to the Louvre. Everything there was amazing of course and we only saw a little tiny bit. But was saw the biggies like the mona lisa =) we headed to a nearby café for some lunch. We ate on the second floor in a little area and had the cutest view =) we got some sandwiches on baguettes and enjoyed each other’s company.

We decided we were all museumed- out for the day and needed to do some shopping. We headed to galleries Lafayette. This happened to be one of the biggest sales of the year. So it felt like back Friday. I ended up getting a little purple longchamp bag =) I am very pleased with it. We also went to H&M (which btw is on every corner here) and I got a few things.

That night we made dinner at home. We went to the store and bought stuff to make chicken alfreado and of course wine to go with it. Cahal and I cooked and it actually turned out surprisingly well. It was nice to have a really filling meal. The portions here are just a lot smaller and we have American sized stomachs =)

We decided to see what night life in Paris is like so we tried Le Wax, a near by club. It was cute and very retro looking inside. There were not too many people there when we got there but it picked up quickly. Drinks were really expensive. We meet a lot of nice French people and joked round. We danced to a lot of American music. The French dance a lot different than what I am used to seeing in the US. It was kinda funny. We were well received as Americans and everyone wanted to talk to us. I felt popular =)

Yesterday we work up early, despite our late start and went to the Notre dame for mass. It was amazing. I know I had been there before, but it was still amazingly breathtaking. The church is just so beautiful and big. Mass was really good. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I understood and how much I enjoyed it. I just usually hear the word mass and get a bad taste in my mouth =/

After we meet up with Elizabeth (one of the girls from angers who studied at ucf last year) and Cahal meet up with Lucie (one of his former exchange students). We walked to Ils st. louis and got sandwiches for lunch and ate and walked. I think this is when I fell in love with the city all over. It was just a beautiful walk enjoying friends.

Then we were off to the champs =) we got LaDuree, which are the best macaroons EVER. So yummy and very fancy. Went in to louis viton to dream =) the up the Arc de Triumph we went. It was a great day to climb the 400 stairs (ugh) and see the city. It was very clear out and you could just see everything very well. We finished up our day on the champs by watching a guy dance like Michael Jackson (he was actually really good) and a little shopping. Nicole and I got some McDonalds too =) Ok- it was just sodas but we did it =)

We ate dinner at a Lone Star like place near the apartment. (The French really are in to the whole cowboy thing) burger and fries =) yummmm.

Today we took a boat tour of Paris. It was a really good way to see the city. We took a lot of pics, but it was kinda cold. We decided to walk to musee d’orsay (about 2 miles in the cold) only to find out it is closes on Mondays- lol. We all laughed.

So we ended up getting on the metro and going to my old neighborhood I grew up in. It was so crazy being back. I got all teary-eyed walking down the street. Saw where we went shopping each day and saw my old apt building. Took lots of pics. We ate at the Boulangerie by my old apt. Had a yummy piece of quiche =) then we were off to my old park. That was really great to get to see the swings I loved so much and the grassy area where my dad and I would play catch. Then we did some shopping at the mall near my old apt. Got some cute French cloths.

We wanted legit French food tonight, so we ate at the café by the apt we are renting. I had a yummy stake and everyone tried escargot =).

Tomorrow is our last day in Paris =/ then off to Angers =)

Bread, cheese, and wine

We have now been in Paris for a full 24 hours. And I just can’t put to words how happy I am to be here and how much fun we are all having together. Everything thing is perfect =)

Sooooo Thursday was the most mixed emotion day of my life. Once I said my god byes and got in the car to go to the airport my stomach got that nervous feeling and my hands were shaking I was so excited. Once I got to BWI and said my good byes to my mom and sat down at the gate, minutes felt like hours. I just could not wait to get to Paris. I ended up sitting next to an old Spanish woman who was married to a man from Belgium. We spoke French for the whole hour I was on the plane =) She re assured me that I spoke good French and that I would be fine. She also to me to find a French boy friend, lol- because they are the best lovers =) hahaha- we will see ;)

Once I got to Philly I meet up with the other girls. I was really happy to be united with the rest of the UCF girls who flew from Orlando (Megan Katie and Nicole). There were a few other girls on our flight who were going to study abroad. We all made our final phone calls and got on the plane =)

Some of the girls slept for a while on the plane (we all took sleep aids) but I think I only slept for 2 of the 7.5 hours. Oh well. I just was too excited =)

Customs was way easier than expected and our bags came out right away. Then we ventured over to the other terminal to find Cahal (the guy from TX) and our driver. I was really proud that we did not get lost. We meet Cahal and got in the shuttle to go to our apartment.

I was really exciting to be in the city and find our apartment. It is really small but it will work for the 5 of us for 5 days. It’s on a little side street and in a very French residential part of the city. We feel ligit.

After we got settled and made some calls home we ventured out into the neighborhood. Walked around for a while in awe, smiling ear looking all around. We kept on reminding our selves that we are in Paris. We love our neighborhood and finally walked in somewhere to get something to eat. They spoke no English, which was fine; it was just kind of hard to get some ideas across. So we ordered “sandwiche fromage” it was really funny eating it- the bread was really hard and we just laughed a lot.

We got some wine from the store. I bought my first bottle =) and went home had some wine and then went to the Eiffel tower =) It was so exciting walking up to it for the first time in a really long it =) it was beautiful of course and we all admired it for a while and took tons of pics.

We decided we needed to warm up with some more wine. So we found a Cafe/ Pub thing by the Eiffel tower. And had to more wine bread and cheese and some meet this time too =) It was so fun and we just talked about how great the day was and how happy we are with everything.

I am so happy with who everything is going. Everyone is really cool and having a blast.

Can’t wait to see what today brings =)

In 2 days...

I will FINALLY be on my way to PARIS =) It has been 11 years since leaving and I really have been dying to go back since the day I got back to the states. It really does not feel like it is really happening yet- but it is hitting me slowly.

Right now my biggest stress is packing- and fitting everything I want/ need for 5 months into 2 50lb bags. So I guess one of the first big lessons I am learning is about living simply =) I will just have to get over it and deal with the fact that I will be wearing the same outfit often. lol

I have been filling my last days in the states with all my favorite American food- chic fil a, wawa coffee, and crab cakes =). I've been soaking up a good deal of American tv as well. And of course large doses of time with family and friends.

I'm so excited for Paris. There are 5 of us who are renting an apartment in the city for 5 days before we head to our school in Angers. Most of them have not been to Paris before so we are gonna hit up all the big sights. ooooooo I CAN'T wait!

In less than 2 months...

I will be FINALLY back in Europe =) I figure a blog would be the best way to share the experience with friends back home. I'm can't even describe how excited I am. Sorry I don't have anything to exciting to say right now. I will have more exciting things to write about once I arrive =)