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.

What Lies Ahead

As the New Year approaches, I am surrounded by talk of hopeful resolutions,dramatic life changes and of course... the possibility of the end of the world. All I can think about is what lies ahead for me. I fly overseas to Rome on Jan. 12th. I will stay in Italy until May 9th. YES, I was able to get back on track and study abroad before I graduate from UF. Was it difficult for me to have taken this step? Am I reminded of my father's passing? Do I feel this step to travel abroad is necessary right now in my life?

Yes, yes and YES. However, I also feel that I am more motivated than others in making this happen. Not only had I planned this with my father for four years and had dreamt about this plan back in high school but thinking about it more in depth, if it isn't now, then when?I quote Shakira, "Why wait for later?"

In my future career, public relations, I can't expect to work and have a vacation of four months handed to me, ever. Also, I studied Italian at UF for four years. There is no better time than now to practice my third language.

So the new year can bring it, I'm more than ready, I've been waiting for it.

I was once told by a friend that resolutions shouldn't be started or made the 1st of January. They should be made at any time and followed through. What is it about the new year that makes us all eager to make new rules for ourselves? It's infectious, I know. Even if we have nothing, we'll try to ponder and push and poke our minds to find something, anything that we can change. What will it be this year for you? Weight Loss, Eating healthier, Controlling your temper more, Going to church more??? The list is endless, isn't it?

For me, I expect to take in all I can from this voyage and document as much as I can on my blog, such as: Feelings, knowledge, opinions and interesting visuals that I encounter. I am excited but it hasn't hit me yet. I have much more to worry about. On the side, I also have my personal life that won't take a break and keeps me heavily thinking night and day. I hope, like we all do, that somehow every puzzle piece falls right into place and if it doesn't, I'll comfort myself with this overused popular saying:

"Everything happens for a reason."

It's better than tormenting myself if things don't turn out well. I chuckled as I wrote that.

Happy New Years! Bring it 2010!!!

The Inside Scoop: Thanksgiving style

It's been a while since I've written. It's not like I haven't had topics or issues to write about. It's been the lack of expressive want. No one should write when the words aren't oozing out, when the picture can't be illustrated, when the emotions can't form clear clouds of expression. Nonetheless, here I am. Back on my A-game of blogging.
It's turkey day... gobble gobble. Should I speak about how Thanksgiving came to be and what it means to me or the slaughtering massacre of thousands of mistreated turkeys all over the United States? My inclination for readers point to the first one.

Here's an explanation from an American libertarian author :"The Pilgrim Fathers came to colonial America to escape religious persecution in Great Britain, but also to establish a new type of society in the wilderness. They were determined to follow Plato's model in 'The Republic,' and create a communist utopia. It lead to economic disaster, which was only overcome through the Plymouth Colony elders admitting their error, and instead 'privatizing' the colony's property. By doing so they set loose individual initiative and market-based incentives. The result: a bounty in the wilderness rather than starvation.It was this bounty for which they gave thanks. It was the birth of private enterprise in the New World." Dr. Richard Ebeling is to thank for that enlightening explanation. And yes, if it makes us feel better, I agree with the whole mutual engagement between American Indians and Colonists, even if it is historically twisted. Bring out the turkey!


Every one has something to say on this day. Some say that we should be thankful every day, others can't stop bringing up how American history has taken the attention away from a forceful invasion to a holiday, and others just realize that Thanksgiving should just be embraced. My Colombian family, on the other hand, has quite little to say because they don't necessarily understand why there's a Thanksgiving day. They simply roll with the flow. They do make a turkey, but then again, they also make pig, chicken, rice with beans, plantain, fruit salad and potato salad that has pineapple, sausage, cilantro, mayo and boiled egg in it. No we don't have desserts. We do however, have plenty of alcohol to go around for the whole neighborhood. Ha ha, yes let's not forget the music and the dancing. This year might be a bit different though since my father was the one who always made the turkey. We'll just have to wait and see how tampered my family's vibes get as the holiday develops.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. With every moment, a memory is made. Embrace it.
Cheers!

Our World and all its Glory

The sun is half hidden behind the mid-level, slightly gray clouds. The humidity is coating me like a glazed doughnut. I'm walking on campus and i can feel my clothes sticking tighter to me with every step i take. And yet, i can feel the happiness around me. It's Friday and UF students are perspiring joy. No classes tomorrow. Instead tailgating and getting asked countless times by sober and drunk people alike, if your going to the game.
Although I'm in high spirits too, it's because of other reasons. For one, i received good news. The Italian program at UF has received a higher budget than before and is being encouraged to continue with full force. Last semester I was close to certain that it would be shut down in a couple of semesters. However, this is not the case. I wish students realized how enriching languages are. It's a favorable chance, an opportunity. Learning a language opens the door to be more accepting of other cultures, to get out from the bubble you were raised in. -sigh-

Later in the day, something else happened ... I was able to acknowledge a negative point and see the positive of it. Can you relate? possibly... But can you relate to what I am about to explain? ... I clicked on one of my favorite Web sites, BBC News, and read one of the latest articles of the day. I then proceeded to cover my mouth with my right hand in disbelief. My eyebrows arched up and my eyes widened in disgust as the reading material was comprehended in my head. I then turned my head to the right and just stared out my open window.
According to BBC News, The president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, declared today in a speech that "the Nazi Holocaust was a myth."
This speech was delivered to millions of people, obviously. And i think to myself, denial is really just that easy, isn't it? However, i found positivity in the article, some how,some way.Other nations replied immediately to this and I'm thankful for it. The reaction to this erroneous and ludicrous statement helps preserve world history, unfathomable traumatization and human agony.

[In response to Ahmadinejad's denial of the Holocaust, David Miliband, British Foreign Secretary, said it was "abhorrent as well as ignorant". Also, The White House later added to the condemnation, calling Ahmadinejad's remarks "ignorant and hateful."
"It is very important that the world community stands up against this tide of abuse," Miliband said. (BBC News) ]

This is an immense deal, regardless if it affects us directly or not.

I shake my head at this moment because justice is only a word and not an action. And i frown with the awareness that a person may have an altered belief attached to the definition of justice.

Here's to free will and a hopeful world. Cheers.