Welcome (back) to Miami, Bienvenido (de nuevo) a Miami

Yes, yes.... I am back to my magical city, Miami. I'm here for the summer until the end of August. Then a quick trip to Colombia in late August to see my beloved family and then to Gainesville for my last semester at UF. What a trip this has been. I'm currently working at DiBari Innovation Design and I have to say, it keeps me busy. Looking back, it feels like a dream. Was I really in Europe? Did I really live in Rome for four months? yes Caro, it really happened. Now that I am back and falling into routine, I catch myself at times chuckling and wondering if I've changed at all. I still daze out while I'm out with friends,  still remain a serious person and still incredibly sarcastic, but I think I appreciate life a lot more. Good for me! So recapping, I went to Barcelona like I mentioned in my last post. The weather was not wonderful to say the least but I caught up with my cousin, who I love and missed very much.Shout-out to Andres Felipe, my cousin who lives in a city far far away  called Barcelona. And yes..... I still prefer Madrid, the city that stole my heart. Since I've been back, I've been in contact with the six girls I lived with in Rome, Thank God because they are worth it. The only surprise is not having the opportunity to hang out with Mariana here in Miami. When in Rome, we hung out day and night. I'll have to figure something out in regards to that. I'll keep you, reader, updated on this 2010 summer. I can say that so far it's been all about getting tanner, working for the company, figuring out how to finish the semester at UF and meeting new people. Really trying  to not sell myself short and finding what's best in life....so far, so good. Or as my good friend loves to say, "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
Cheers!

My favorite city so far: MADRID!!!

I fell in love in Europe, not with a man but with a city called Madrid!!! I went to Madrid the second week in April and I knew I would like it because ... well, it was simply a gut feeling. I got there and let me just tell you, dear reader that I did not want to come back! I actually skipped my flight back and extended my trip three days. I couldn't say goodbye. I think I left a piece of my heart back there. My roommate (a.k.a my right hand) and I, Mariana were figuring out ways of making money there... We were considering teaching English and just staying there...forever. haha. Any way, it was a  glorious city. I'm considering going back some time soon... very soon. When I got there, it's a good sign when the airport is clean, easy to access and BIG! Mariana and I met up with her aunt and uncle who then drove us 20 minutes away from the city to their lovely home. The next few days we were tourists. We went to all the popular locations, ate menu of the day and had sangria in a plaza in the middle of the day, fabulous!

As if the days weren't perfect, nighttime was even better. Madrid is known for going out late. The streets fill up around 2am and then people go out. CRAZY! but GREAT! the transportation is soooo easy to use, no graffiti and sooo clean. I couldn't remember what a clean city looked like until I went to Madrid. The cops are respected. The women can go out at whatever time they please and wear what ever they please without being harassed! the security was impressive and people's manners as well. Amazing to see a young woman walking the streets by herself or on a metro because I'm now used to Rome's aggressive and persistent harassers. It was very nice, refreshing. I enjoyed every minute of it. We went to one of the biggest theaters in Europe, we saw it all. The amount of parks and the way they were set up was also impressive. What a beautiful city.

A combination of old architecture with modern technology, perfect. I said to myself, "I can live here." Seriously, every one belongs there. I was explained the politics behind it all and how people like to pay their taxes because the government is not corrupt or let's say as corrupt as most. People see where their taxes go, unlike Italy people find loop holes each year to avoid paying. This was a nice change. Like I said, "I could live there...." I'm going to Barcelona April 30th. I've been there before, 4 years ago. But this time, my cousin lives there. Can't wait. Stay tuned.... *whispering* I think I'll still prefer Madrid.

Greece for Spring Break? Yes, please.

Let's just say that for some, Greece is a dream, an image from an ancient mythological book. Not a place I thought I would ever get the chance to visit. When my friend proposed to go to Greece, i stuttered and said, "Is that possible?".... and so it was. Lucky for me, my friend had an aunt that lived in an island close to Athens so the plan went like this. I traveled to Athens stayed there two days and then his aunt would pick us all up and drive us all to the island where she lived, Evia and then after a few days we would take a ferry to Mykonos and take a ferry back to Athens for a day and leave back to Rome,home. And that's exactly how it went. I went March 19-28. What a trip it was!!!! I fell for the food! Every day was a delicacy. Opposed to Italy, Greece has richness in food and I only mean that with the highest respects for both types of food. Let me explain... Italy's food is very expensive (Rome) and was made from traditional food made during poor times. The meat rarely put in the dishes is full of fat and the dishes are made with easy to find ingredients, such as olive oil, tomatoes, very little veggies and herbs. The meat sometimes used is the cheek of the pig if not another part that is cheap to buy. In Greece, meat galore. You had meat in every plate and so much to choose from. Less expensive and just plain delicious. Let me stray now form the topic of food because I can go on and on but by just admitting that food is a very big part of culture is enough, so lets it be. So, on to the experiences, the weather was great.

Athens was not magical, a bit dirty but like everyone said in the city, a few years back it was paradise and now it had gone bad because of the immigrants and lack of work. Alright, well if that's the case... sorry to hear that. When we went to Evia, we experienced so much of the Greek culture because of the aunt.She showed us about 10 different dances along with her Greek friends, explained some politics to us and basically the way of life. I tried all the traditional liquors, all shots of course. Wow! heaven. 1. Ouzo 2. Tentura 3. Raki 4. one that started with an M and 5. ...pretty much impossible to pronounce, forgive me, readers. All delicious, nonetheless. After we went to Mykonos, It was low season, windy and lonely but gorgeous. We rode all over the island in 4 wheelers. Felt the wind in my hair. I was in heaven. Greece, thank you.

Milano, Venezia and Roaming Rome

The turbulence dies down, my body bounces as we land and suddenly, the plane comes to an abrupt stop. An uproar starts from the applause and then the red seatbelt light turns off. I look to my left through my plastic-covered plane window and I know, I'm back home in Rome.
Two weekends ago, I was in MILANO. It snowed and it rained. It tried to blow me away with its winds but I still managed to see its wonders. I went to a science museum because only Milano has one right? (sarcastic) and then I went to an actual tourist spot, The Da Vinci Museum. I saw fashion, I saw style but just like Firenze, it made me appreciate Rome more. Sure there were no cobblestones in Milano, no wonder they could wear heels but I wouldn't compare Rome's richness. I stayed in a hotel that was owned by Brazilians and the last night I slept in Milano's train station. Let me take a second to explain that experience... I really do need a moment for this one.

I was locked in with homeless people, who apparently use the train station as a sleeping ground. Imagine my surprise. The bathrooms closed down and yet we were locked in. A man that I was sure was a drug addict kept circling me as if he was a shark, but I did as the divers always advise, just float and pretend to not be alive.... Try figuring that one out. Anyway, from 11:30 p.m. until 4 a.m., I was there and I could not sleep a wink. Not only because I was with a population of people that didn't make me comfortable, but because as it turns out, it was -1 degrees Celsius!!!! WHYYYY!!!!??!!! It had to be the coldest I had ever been. I was shaking, my teeth chattered. I wish I was being dramatic but this is indeed how it was. And then as I was worrying about my lack of warmth, I hear a woman in the next bench behind a small, dividing wall screaming in Italian at a man for harassing her and not letting her sleep. Oh man...

However, my group and I got out just fine at 4 a.m. and vowed to never sleep at a train station again. Lesson learned!

Two days ago I got back from my last travel adventure, VENEZIA. The carnevale was magical. The small, curving streets made me feel as if I were in a maze. The water glistened and the boats made me feel as if I were back in Miami, even if it was for a second. The smell of the ocean was amazing. I did come to wonder one thing. If the city is right by the water why is the seafood still very expensive? Tricky tricky, that one.

A flood did occur my last night there but that made the city unpredictable to me. The beauty of the costumes, the masks, the lights, the brightness of it all. My favorite city so far. Though I wouldn't want to live anywhere other than Rome. My only complain of Venice is geared to the city's people. Are they sick of tourists? Or are most of them just grouchy? Every store, restaurant, bar and gelateria was the same. They spoke to me in a hurry, were rude and didn't look me in the eyes. They actually spoke down to me. And no, I would speak to them in Italian not English. Why mean to me?! "I love this city", I wanted to shout. I won't take it personal, BUT I made a note of it Venetians.

Now I'm back in Rome. I enjoy walking in this city more as the days pass. The Romans now seem pleasant to me and heartwarming. Funny how that happens... I notice how every day there are more than a handful of girls with their hair not done, as if their hair hadn't even been touched since they woke up in morning yet they wear very stylish and chic' apparel. Men and women alike wear this one-of-a-kind puffy thermal jacket (normally in black) that has an incredible shine to it as if coated with gloss. Do they all go to the same store? I also notice how the dogs are in heaven because they dispose of their bowels where ever they may please in the city. I can't fail to acknowledge how every one in this city demands exact change when paying. The displeased looks from vendors brings me down. But this all part of the game. And if I want to play, I should suck it up and learn to do as the Romans do.

Firenze, I Shall Give You Another Try

Florence, Florence, Florence... Well, I can't say it wasn't beautiful, it was. I can't say it wasn't clean because it was compared to Rome. The city was well lit at night and the people were much friendlier. However, I am ever so glad that I decided to study abroad in Rome. Firenze made me realize that I prefer big cities and the challenges that come with it. For example, in my experience, English is much more common in Firenze than Rome. It's rare when I find someone who chooses to speak English to me. But in Firenze it was English here and English there. English in the morning and English at night. Americans here and Americans there. Americans with green eggs and Americans with ham (small reference to Dr.Seuss).

In anycase, The shopping was fun and the gelato was delicious! I enjoyed my time there but it could have been better if I knew someone there to take me out. Nightlife was a disaster but I don't blame it on the city. I blame it on the lack of knowing where to go. I saw about a hundred Americans roaming the streets and alleys of Firenze without a clue of where to go. The cold was almost unbearable and I came back to Rome with a cold. I even decided to leave a day earlier because I felt like I had seen all of Firenze. The city really is small. Though, I would not mind going back, but only with someone who knew the city like the back of their hand. This weekend coming up is Milano... hopefully, I have an amazing time there.

...And away we go

I'm about to start my second week of classes. Pretty exciting because this weekend I will either go to Florence or just enjoy the nightlife here in Rome. I was skeptical about the night life here since I'm from Miami, BUT boy was I wrong! These Europeans know how to party. It must be noted however that if u don't know a Roman, it would be hard to find these hot spots because they are only for locals. It was clear that at all the places we went to, we (my roomies and I) were the only non-italians there. We had a blast, and now have a reference of where to go if we feel like dancing. It also helps that my weekends start on Thursday nights, no classes Fridays. I was pretty busy this past weekend. I went on a tour of Rome. Let me just say that this city is not as small as I thought and the transportation system has been good to me. The trams and buses have helped me a lot with its efficiency and comfort level. I do walk a lot though but unlike walking in the U.S., it's pleasant and common to do here. Everywhere you walk on or walk by has some kind of historic significance.

I cook here just like I cooked back in Gainesville except for a couple of things. I cook Italian meals only and I go grocery shopping two/three times a week. It's not common to go grocery shopping for more than 3 days worth, weird.. I know. Americans take for granted the fact that our plastic bags are free. They charge here for every plastic bag used for groceries. So instead of handing over my sweet Euros, I say none with a smile and with a swift of a hand I pack my milk, tomatoes, garlic, and pasta in my pockets and purse. The rest ends up being uncomfortably held in my arms while crossing the street back to my italian home and getting whiplashed by the cold wind. AH, paradise!

Also, I've made it a point to notice how it's culturally acceptable here to drive and park however and wherever you want. Cars park on sidewalks, on curves, only half way in, etc. They drive on all the lanes without any consideration for the other cars or pedestrians, but you get used to it. When they try to squeeze in a small opening to park, they bump the car in front of them and the one in back of them with no shame or care in the world. I mean they literally trying to squeeze in so how can they fit if not to shift the other cars right? haha... oh my.... I believe that Mariana (my trooper, right hand and ride-or-die chick) and I are getting used to things here. The weather is still a small problem because as a Miami girl, the goosebumps don't seem to ever go away, but unlike Mariana, the cold makes me smile because it reminds me I'm not home... or anywhere close to it. Things are starting to flow now, I'm not stressing as much as before. Could it be? Yes, the city is finally growing on me, molding me like a little piece of American clay that needs work.

And my italian is very helpful here but I think I'm still nervous about speaking it 24/7. Getting out of ur comfort zone is a difficult thing, isn't it?

Roma, Roma... Oh Roma

My trip here was not easy nor enjoyable, but I made it.
I flew from Miami to Newark,N.J. airport fairly well and on time. I was excited for my next flight from N.J. to London. However, this was not to turn out pleasant. From N.J. to London, a supposed 8 hr. flight, we ran out of fuel, landed at another airport in England AND had to wait in the plane an extra two hours before flying back to the airport we were supposed to. What did this mean? That we had a 12 hr. flight and therefore, missed our connective flight from London to Rome... oh boy. This is where the fun begins. Since we missed it, we had to rebook, meaning I was left to wait almost 6 hrs for the next flight. Meanwhile, the program I was with, didn't guarantee me a pick-up shuttle if I didnt arrive by the hours of service from the Roman airport... again, oh boy. Complications? Definitely. So what to do? Stay in London overnight? or just take the flight to Rome and not know if I had a place to stay? Andiamo! (let's go!) I ended up taking it and after almost 48 hrs of backed-up travel. I made it to Rome...without my 2 luggage bags, of course. So now what?
First things first, I got to Rome exhausted, a bit helpless but still optimistic. The shuttle bus did indeed end up picking me up, but it left me twice at the wrong stop at 1 am... he then finally got the address right. A once fragile, this-side-up package, now delivered as a half-broken, upside-down, oops-dropped-3-times bundle. In all honesty, I was happy to just get to this apt where my other 6 other roomies were already asleep. They are from all over the U.S. and lovely in every sense of the word. I got very lucky. It should be mentioned that this whole time I had a trooper with me. The other roomie who actually sleeps in the same room with me, who accompanied me through this whole journey from Miami, the amazing Mariana Diaz.
We got through that trip and felt like we could take on anything. The next day we realized that we had much to take care of, such as check in papers and ..oh yea our luggage bags! In a nutshell, the airlines couldn't find our bags, reference numbers or even names. Mariana's mother through luck and perseverance got it all done and had our bags delivered to us in two days.
Jump ahead 4 days, when I thought the fun would begin... I got terribly sick. Some would call it a 24-hr-bug.
I ate the night before, happily i might add, pasta arrabiata (angry sauce) and then followed the meal with a gelato. So basically a pasta sauce full of chilis and then strong dairy to end the night, how could I not have anticipated the results. 6 a.m. came and the hell abrupted inside my tummy. Don't imagine what I had but think instead of what I did not have. Yes, that bad. However, 2 days after... here I am strong, and in recovery. I have attended 3 of my classes, since today is the first week of classes. I cannot explain how intrigued I am with my Theories of Personality class. This class "self-fulfills" me. I have plans to travel to Milano and Venezia soon. Oh boy... let the traveling begin. Come for the ride, I'll keep you updated.