another slow day at work, but no worries, i think tomorrow will pick up!
two interesting things i've found:
according to my cell phone companie's rates online, it's cheaper for me to call to the US (13 cents / min) than to call anywhere in Belgium (25 centers / minute). Though it is free for me to receive calls, so if you want, I'm reachable here: +32 0488 68 10 47 (mobile)
the ads on facebook (and other sites but most noticeably facebook) are in Flemish, or maybe Danish, or maybe German, or some other language that certainly isn't English nor even French.
I cooked dinner tonight for myself with some things I found in the kitchen. Some rice with instructions in French, German, and Danish. I could read enough of the French and stare at the diagrams to know that I could just put it in the water, cover it up, and let it run. Huit (8) minutes. The red beans I read enough French to cook them, I only had to chaud (heat) them and they were good for 48H (48 hours) after opening. yay!
2008-05-27
2008-05-26
VKI day one!
Today is the first day of work! First day of a new routine so I create a nice precedent for myself. I wake up at sunrise (5.40AM) and start the day off with some nice exercising and stretching and whatnot (after email checking and such :-) ).
I put on nice clothes and walk to work and make it on time (8.10AM), though I was aiming to be 5 minutes early. So it's more like a 20 minute walk and not 15 I think. I go up and get my badge and am told to wait downstairs. I wait for about 20 minutes and no one comes for me so I go back up to the secretary upstairs, the other one has arrived who can help me, and she shows me to an office where I sign a bit of paperwork.
I am then shown to an office where I get a key and am shown the room I'll work in. I then am to wait for my supervisor, who hasn't come in yet (it's 9am), (I have two and the other is in Italy until Wednesday).
Another professor (not the supervisor) meets me and tells me my supervisor won't be in until later. He shows me to the computer center where they create my account (to be ready that afternoon) and then to the library where I am instructed to start looking up information on my topic. I do so (or try to) for about an hour and then it's 10:00 and time for the morning coffee break.
Eager to get out and meet some people and not sit in the library, I go! My friend's friend spots me and introduces himself: Kan Yang. Very nice guy who introduces me to the other Staggiores that are on break (the name for us in the short training program). He suggests I check out a library book and come to the Staggiore room.
After the break I plan to do this. We run into the other American there (a PhD student there for 3 years now), who is very outgoing. He knows my supervisor and says he saw him on break just now so he takes me in and introduces me. My supervisor complains that he is far too busy now and all day and all week really. He suggests I come by his office after lunch and he'll give me some reading material (oh joy).
I head to the Staggiore room and meet with Kan, who shows me around VKI. After a very nice tour, we head to lunch. Lunch that day consisted of a plate of cheeses, bread, and grapes. Most of the cheeses were pretty good, though I had no clue what was what.
After lunch I go to meet my supervisor but he is not there. I get another book from the library to read and read it a bit and wait. Supervisor still not there. Read a bit, no supervisor. I go on like this every 30 minutes. Finally it's time for the afternoon break, and I go (though I don't see my supervisor).
Finally it's about 4:30 in the afternoon and I'm a bit frustrated with it and don't really know what exactly I should be doing so I head out a bit early for the day and walk back.
I make it to the apartment, discuss laundry with my landlady who usually does it for the tenants, and then head out. I strap on the roller blades and go for a nice ride. It's only two miles to the nearest town (and cell phone dealer), so I make it to Waterloo, and buy a cheap cell phone and pay as you go plan.
After making it back to the apartment with only one fall all day, (my braking is better, but I got sloppy hopping up on a curb), I shower and eat dinner. The landlady returns my laundry, wet as requested. I save 2 euros to not dry it becuase electricity is so exepnsive here. I put them up to dry on a rack (first time ever which is scary), but I think it will work out.
Now it's time for bed! Goodnight everyone!
I put on nice clothes and walk to work and make it on time (8.10AM), though I was aiming to be 5 minutes early. So it's more like a 20 minute walk and not 15 I think. I go up and get my badge and am told to wait downstairs. I wait for about 20 minutes and no one comes for me so I go back up to the secretary upstairs, the other one has arrived who can help me, and she shows me to an office where I sign a bit of paperwork.
I am then shown to an office where I get a key and am shown the room I'll work in. I then am to wait for my supervisor, who hasn't come in yet (it's 9am), (I have two and the other is in Italy until Wednesday).
Another professor (not the supervisor) meets me and tells me my supervisor won't be in until later. He shows me to the computer center where they create my account (to be ready that afternoon) and then to the library where I am instructed to start looking up information on my topic. I do so (or try to) for about an hour and then it's 10:00 and time for the morning coffee break.
Eager to get out and meet some people and not sit in the library, I go! My friend's friend spots me and introduces himself: Kan Yang. Very nice guy who introduces me to the other Staggiores that are on break (the name for us in the short training program). He suggests I check out a library book and come to the Staggiore room.
After the break I plan to do this. We run into the other American there (a PhD student there for 3 years now), who is very outgoing. He knows my supervisor and says he saw him on break just now so he takes me in and introduces me. My supervisor complains that he is far too busy now and all day and all week really. He suggests I come by his office after lunch and he'll give me some reading material (oh joy).
I head to the Staggiore room and meet with Kan, who shows me around VKI. After a very nice tour, we head to lunch. Lunch that day consisted of a plate of cheeses, bread, and grapes. Most of the cheeses were pretty good, though I had no clue what was what.
After lunch I go to meet my supervisor but he is not there. I get another book from the library to read and read it a bit and wait. Supervisor still not there. Read a bit, no supervisor. I go on like this every 30 minutes. Finally it's time for the afternoon break, and I go (though I don't see my supervisor).
Finally it's about 4:30 in the afternoon and I'm a bit frustrated with it and don't really know what exactly I should be doing so I head out a bit early for the day and walk back.
I make it to the apartment, discuss laundry with my landlady who usually does it for the tenants, and then head out. I strap on the roller blades and go for a nice ride. It's only two miles to the nearest town (and cell phone dealer), so I make it to Waterloo, and buy a cheap cell phone and pay as you go plan.
After making it back to the apartment with only one fall all day, (my braking is better, but I got sloppy hopping up on a curb), I shower and eat dinner. The landlady returns my laundry, wet as requested. I save 2 euros to not dry it becuase electricity is so exepnsive here. I put them up to dry on a rack (first time ever which is scary), but I think it will work out.
Now it's time for bed! Goodnight everyone!
Brussels, Day Two
I sleep in and wake up late morning on Sunday. I spend some time in the morning unpacking and getting situated. Finally I have had enough with it inside (it is a fairly pretty day mind you, especially considering I've had rain almost every other day in Italy).
A previous tenant in the apartment had some roller blades and he left them. The landlord said I was welcome to try them, just not to hurt myself. So of course I put them on and go outside. These are about size 8 and I usually wear size 11.5, so they are a bit small. But I know it's a faster way to get around so I cram my feet in and go with it.
I haven't rollerbladed since I was in sixth grade, maybe eighth grade (7+ years). So I get them on and can get started no problem (just like ice skating and roller skating and such), I've got good balance so I can stay up just fine.
I make it about to where the grocery store is and town is starting, and there is a hill and I suddenly realize that I don't remember how to stop and the brake is mostly worn down from the previous owner. So I fall pretty nicely but I'm okay.
I get up and skate around town, skate around the park, and skate back to the house and call it a night. Only one fall isn't too bad. I spend the evening looking up tips online for roller blading and how to stop :-).
A previous tenant in the apartment had some roller blades and he left them. The landlord said I was welcome to try them, just not to hurt myself. So of course I put them on and go outside. These are about size 8 and I usually wear size 11.5, so they are a bit small. But I know it's a faster way to get around so I cram my feet in and go with it.
I haven't rollerbladed since I was in sixth grade, maybe eighth grade (7+ years). So I get them on and can get started no problem (just like ice skating and roller skating and such), I've got good balance so I can stay up just fine.
I make it about to where the grocery store is and town is starting, and there is a hill and I suddenly realize that I don't remember how to stop and the brake is mostly worn down from the previous owner. So I fall pretty nicely but I'm okay.
I get up and skate around town, skate around the park, and skate back to the house and call it a night. Only one fall isn't too bad. I spend the evening looking up tips online for roller blading and how to stop :-).
Brussels, Day One
Well I made my flight and arrived safely in Brussels on Saturday.
I should mention that I grab my baggage and pass out of security and into the airport without ever passing a customs person. Which kind of worries me. I don't have a visa stamped on my passport for Belgium. Is this a problem? I have one for Italy...
Anyways, the next plan was for me to buy a temporary cell phone at the airport, but alas, the shop was closed. I was then supposed to call my landlord with my new cell phone and he'd leave to pick me up (30 minute journey). So I used a payphone nearby which charged 40 cents for a connection and 50 cents per minute for calls, gave no change, and had a minimum of 1 euro (worst machine ever i think), to call my landlord and let him know I was there. No answer, I call and call and I finally get him and I run out of coins to put in the machine and the call goes out (total rip off).
I get some more change and call again and again, finally giving up I wander the airport seeing if he happens to be there. I don't see him, so I get some more change and call a few more times. I talk to him once but run out of money again (since I had missed a few more calls before), I'm leaving voicemails these times you know, but I don't know that he's getting them or anything), and finally start to wander out again and finally see a man holding a sign "William, VKI", which must be me.
He apologized for the miscommunication, but he couldn't really hear me because it was so noisy in the airport, and he had my flight schedule so he came on ahead. My flight was early though so I didn't see him when I first came out of the gate.
So all is well and we're heading down to the town where I'll be living this summer, and where VKI is located: Sint-Genesius-Rode, . Not too bad of a drive, and we're there. He drives a bit extra and shows me where VKI is located, the way to work, and the closest ATM and the grocery store.
After dropping my bags off at home and showing me the apartment, he takes me back to the grocery store where I buy a few things to have on hand (milk, eggs, cheese, veggies, fruit, etc). We come back, I put them away, and then I pass out for the rest of the night. I was utterly exhausted from not really sleeping the night before!
Also, the not really sleeping leads me to develop a bit of a sorethroat which follows me even today at the time of the writing (Saturday until Monday). Bleh!
I should mention that I grab my baggage and pass out of security and into the airport without ever passing a customs person. Which kind of worries me. I don't have a visa stamped on my passport for Belgium. Is this a problem? I have one for Italy...
Anyways, the next plan was for me to buy a temporary cell phone at the airport, but alas, the shop was closed. I was then supposed to call my landlord with my new cell phone and he'd leave to pick me up (30 minute journey). So I used a payphone nearby which charged 40 cents for a connection and 50 cents per minute for calls, gave no change, and had a minimum of 1 euro (worst machine ever i think), to call my landlord and let him know I was there. No answer, I call and call and I finally get him and I run out of coins to put in the machine and the call goes out (total rip off).
I get some more change and call again and again, finally giving up I wander the airport seeing if he happens to be there. I don't see him, so I get some more change and call a few more times. I talk to him once but run out of money again (since I had missed a few more calls before), I'm leaving voicemails these times you know, but I don't know that he's getting them or anything), and finally start to wander out again and finally see a man holding a sign "William, VKI", which must be me.
He apologized for the miscommunication, but he couldn't really hear me because it was so noisy in the airport, and he had my flight schedule so he came on ahead. My flight was early though so I didn't see him when I first came out of the gate.
So all is well and we're heading down to the town where I'll be living this summer, and where VKI is located: Sint-Genesius-Rode, . Not too bad of a drive, and we're there. He drives a bit extra and shows me where VKI is located, the way to work, and the closest ATM and the grocery store.
After dropping my bags off at home and showing me the apartment, he takes me back to the grocery store where I buy a few things to have on hand (milk, eggs, cheese, veggies, fruit, etc). We come back, I put them away, and then I pass out for the rest of the night. I was utterly exhausted from not really sleeping the night before!
Also, the not really sleeping leads me to develop a bit of a sorethroat which follows me even today at the time of the writing (Saturday until Monday). Bleh!
Cinque Terre
Oh my gosh, Cinque Terre is amazing. And I thought Lake Como was beautiful. It doesn't get any better than Cinque Terre! Beautiful cliffs, on the Mediteranean Sea, hanging out with three gorgeous girls... I mean come on!
So I made it down safely to the Cinque Terre. First we had lunch! Addie is also adventurous with food, so we tried the fun stuff on the menu (that I had been wanting to my entire trip in Italy, but I like to split things and not order it all you know). So we had some Octupus (not so good, but memorable), and some other things I can't recall now.
Next we had some Gelato and wandered along the harbor of Vernazza (best harbour). Next we took the train to Monterosso al Mare. We wandered along the beach and hid from the rain. Stopped for some wine, and sat for a bit, then headed back to Manarola (our base town). Caitlin and Laura Beth gathered their belongings and we bid them farewell as they took the train out to Paris for their flight home.
Addie and I wandered the cities, took the trail to Riomaggiore, and ate dinner at a restaurant. We split the pasta with shellfish from the cliffs (not so good) along with the fish of the evenings (sold in 5 euros per 100g), which was outstanding! Watched the sunset and ate gelato and then went to bed. What a day!!
The next day, Friday, Addie and I got up and headed out. We wanted to take a train then a boat ride, but we misread the train schedule and waited for a really long time. Finally the trian came and we headed to Monterossa al Mare where we got on a boat. It was an incredible boat ride along the coat, lasting about 45 minutes or maybe less, but absolutely delightful anyways. Back to Riomaggiore and then we took a train back to Manarola for Addie to catch her train to Rome and her flight home.
Left alone for the afternoon in Manarola, I decided to wander the trails a bit, stop by the beach for a little while (and get really sunburnt unfortunately), and enjoy the evening watching the sunset and talking to the other travellers watching it. I met some cool kids on vacation from Canada after having just graduated all in engineering (yay!).
So I'm cheap, but not only that, but to make sure I got to the airport on time, I decide to skip out on the hostel that Friday night and instead take the 1:00AM train back to Milano for my flight out. Wow that was a terrible idea. I made it of course to Milan at 7am, completely exhausted. My flight was at 13.00 (though the earliest train I could take in the morning put me in Milano at 11.00, not really enough time).
So I made it down safely to the Cinque Terre. First we had lunch! Addie is also adventurous with food, so we tried the fun stuff on the menu (that I had been wanting to my entire trip in Italy, but I like to split things and not order it all you know). So we had some Octupus (not so good, but memorable), and some other things I can't recall now.
Next we had some Gelato and wandered along the harbor of Vernazza (best harbour). Next we took the train to Monterosso al Mare. We wandered along the beach and hid from the rain. Stopped for some wine, and sat for a bit, then headed back to Manarola (our base town). Caitlin and Laura Beth gathered their belongings and we bid them farewell as they took the train out to Paris for their flight home.
Addie and I wandered the cities, took the trail to Riomaggiore, and ate dinner at a restaurant. We split the pasta with shellfish from the cliffs (not so good) along with the fish of the evenings (sold in 5 euros per 100g), which was outstanding! Watched the sunset and ate gelato and then went to bed. What a day!!
The next day, Friday, Addie and I got up and headed out. We wanted to take a train then a boat ride, but we misread the train schedule and waited for a really long time. Finally the trian came and we headed to Monterossa al Mare where we got on a boat. It was an incredible boat ride along the coat, lasting about 45 minutes or maybe less, but absolutely delightful anyways. Back to Riomaggiore and then we took a train back to Manarola for Addie to catch her train to Rome and her flight home.
Left alone for the afternoon in Manarola, I decided to wander the trails a bit, stop by the beach for a little while (and get really sunburnt unfortunately), and enjoy the evening watching the sunset and talking to the other travellers watching it. I met some cool kids on vacation from Canada after having just graduated all in engineering (yay!).
So I'm cheap, but not only that, but to make sure I got to the airport on time, I decide to skip out on the hostel that Friday night and instead take the 1:00AM train back to Milano for my flight out. Wow that was a terrible idea. I made it of course to Milan at 7am, completely exhausted. My flight was at 13.00 (though the earliest train I could take in the morning put me in Milano at 11.00, not really enough time).
Lake Como
written on the train to Cinque Terre from Milan
So I'm really glad I stayed in Milan an extra day! I had a great time :-)
We woke up early and took a train north to Como. It's a small city on Lake Como. If we had stayed on the train we would have ended up in Switzerland. So we were right on the border of Switzerland with a beautiful lake and the base of the Alps with big mountains everywhere, or at least rather large hills.
We wandered around the city for a bit, and then took a water bus to Bellagio. It was a 2 hour trip with fantastic views the whole time. There was a tour on the group so we heard them pointing out such things as George Clooney's and Versace's houses.
After wandering around Bellagio, we took a bus back to Como and then the train back to Milan.
Last night in Milan we went to an Irish pub to watch a championship pro soccer game. It was really intense and a lot of fun to be there with everyone cheering. "Let's go United!" everyone around us cheered for Manchester United who beat out Chelsea.
Now I'm enroute to meeting up with Caitlin, Addie, and Laura Beth in Cinque Terre!
So I'm really glad I stayed in Milan an extra day! I had a great time :-)
We woke up early and took a train north to Como. It's a small city on Lake Como. If we had stayed on the train we would have ended up in Switzerland. So we were right on the border of Switzerland with a beautiful lake and the base of the Alps with big mountains everywhere, or at least rather large hills.
We wandered around the city for a bit, and then took a water bus to Bellagio. It was a 2 hour trip with fantastic views the whole time. There was a tour on the group so we heard them pointing out such things as George Clooney's and Versace's houses.
After wandering around Bellagio, we took a bus back to Como and then the train back to Milan.
Last night in Milan we went to an Irish pub to watch a championship pro soccer game. It was really intense and a lot of fun to be there with everyone cheering. "Let's go United!" everyone around us cheered for Manchester United who beat out Chelsea.
Now I'm enroute to meeting up with Caitlin, Addie, and Laura Beth in Cinque Terre!
2008-05-21
back in milan, update on plans
Today was our last day of class! We were in Milan again. We went to the Milan Cathedral, the third largest church. It was incredible. We also went to the galleria which is like a shopping area.
So I mis-communicated with Addie: I won't be going to Manarola until Thursday (sad because I just read about all the fun stuff to do there since it's on the water and I love the water).
In any event, tomorrow we are probably going to take a day trip to Como, and then I'll continue as planned down to Manarola on Thursday.
So I mis-communicated with Addie: I won't be going to Manarola until Thursday (sad because I just read about all the fun stuff to do there since it's on the water and I love the water).
In any event, tomorrow we are probably going to take a day trip to Como, and then I'll continue as planned down to Manarola on Thursday.
2008-05-19
Firenze
The past few days in Florence, or Firenze, has been great. Why is it that we don't call these places by their proper names? In Italian it's Firenze, but we had to improve the name to the English version of Florence. Possibly Firenze has something to do with the word flower, as does the word Florence in Spanish. But there are others too that come to mind: Milano->Milan, Venetia->Venice, Italia->Italy, Deutschland->Germany. Do we think we know more than them? Well Italy, we think you were wrong with the spelling / pronunciation of your city name, but we can fix that.... Seriously though, Florence has been wonderful.
The Florence Cathedral is really an impressive structure. We climbed to the roof of the Dome!
Yesterday we took a day trip to Pisa. I got to go up in the leaning tower. Going up the tower was a bit dizzying because the stairs weren't level nor were the walls, and it all just kind of played tricks in my head.
Today we went to the Accademia Gallery and saw David and the Uffizi Gallery where my favorite I think is the Birth of Venus.
Just wandering around the city and checking everything out has been wonderful. Tomorrow, we leave for Milan(o), our last stop with the Italy Maymester.
It's hard to believe that in a weeks time I'll be in Belgium!
The plan: tomorrow to Milan. Wednesday to Manarola in the Cinque Terre to meet up with Addie, Caitlin, and Laura Beth. I'll stay in Manarola until Saturday. I'll catch a morning train back to Milan and catch a plane to Brussels.
And if I ever get some time and some good internet at the same time, I'll post some highlights of the pictures I've taken.
The Florence Cathedral is really an impressive structure. We climbed to the roof of the Dome!
Yesterday we took a day trip to Pisa. I got to go up in the leaning tower. Going up the tower was a bit dizzying because the stairs weren't level nor were the walls, and it all just kind of played tricks in my head.
Today we went to the Accademia Gallery and saw David and the Uffizi Gallery where my favorite I think is the Birth of Venus.
Just wandering around the city and checking everything out has been wonderful. Tomorrow, we leave for Milan(o), our last stop with the Italy Maymester.
It's hard to believe that in a weeks time I'll be in Belgium!
The plan: tomorrow to Milan. Wednesday to Manarola in the Cinque Terre to meet up with Addie, Caitlin, and Laura Beth. I'll stay in Manarola until Saturday. I'll catch a morning train back to Milan and catch a plane to Brussels.
And if I ever get some time and some good internet at the same time, I'll post some highlights of the pictures I've taken.
2008-05-16
rome!
The past few days has been great! We started off the morning of two days ago by going to The Colosseum! It is quite a massive building! Next we walked around the area which is all artifcats from ancient Rome.
Later that afternoon, we went into a church to escape the rain. The church was built in the 14th century over a 4th century church that was built over a 1st century Pagan temple. You saw different things as we went underground. Finally we went to the St. John's Basilica, which is the Catholic Church of Rome. It was amazing site, and next door were the Sacred Steps. They are the steps up to Pontius Pilate's house where Jesus would have walked several times on the day of his crucifixion. You have to go up them on your knees.
Yesterday we went to the Vatican first thing. We were going to see St. Peters Basilica, but there was a huge crowd when we got there. It was Wednesday morning around 10:00, and that is when the Pope comes out to the crowd. So we waited around, and at 10:30 (the Pope is allowed to be 30 minutes late), the Pope came out so that was cool to see! We went to the Vatican Museums after seeing him which holds the Sistine Chapel. They also had a really cool exhibit on the missionary church, which showed artifacts from other regions and religions and how the religion spread.
That afternoon, there was still a huge line to goto St. Peter's Basilica, so instead we went on ahaead to the Pantheon. It is really cool, with a very nice, large dome. (Though we'll see a bigger one in Florence). We ended the afternoon going to the Trevi Fountain, which is a very large, nice fountain. I'm sure to come back to Rome because I wished far it and threw money in :-).
This morning we got up early and went to St. Peter's Basilica. Man that place is amazing beyond words. Everything is huge and grand and very nice. Probably the nicest / most expensive place I've ever been. The Church of Rome was amazing, and this completely trumped it.
Afterwards we spent the afternoon wandering around Rome. We went by and saw the Sant' Angelo Castle, the Navona Piazza, and then ended up at an exhibit on Leonardo da Vinci. They had various working models of different inventions he had designed.
It's hard to believe I've been here (in Italy) for 7 days! It's been great so far! We have another week of the trip, and then I'm off on my own. Tomorrow, we leave for Florence!
Later that afternoon, we went into a church to escape the rain. The church was built in the 14th century over a 4th century church that was built over a 1st century Pagan temple. You saw different things as we went underground. Finally we went to the St. John's Basilica, which is the Catholic Church of Rome. It was amazing site, and next door were the Sacred Steps. They are the steps up to Pontius Pilate's house where Jesus would have walked several times on the day of his crucifixion. You have to go up them on your knees.
Yesterday we went to the Vatican first thing. We were going to see St. Peters Basilica, but there was a huge crowd when we got there. It was Wednesday morning around 10:00, and that is when the Pope comes out to the crowd. So we waited around, and at 10:30 (the Pope is allowed to be 30 minutes late), the Pope came out so that was cool to see! We went to the Vatican Museums after seeing him which holds the Sistine Chapel. They also had a really cool exhibit on the missionary church, which showed artifacts from other regions and religions and how the religion spread.
That afternoon, there was still a huge line to goto St. Peter's Basilica, so instead we went on ahaead to the Pantheon. It is really cool, with a very nice, large dome. (Though we'll see a bigger one in Florence). We ended the afternoon going to the Trevi Fountain, which is a very large, nice fountain. I'm sure to come back to Rome because I wished far it and threw money in :-).
This morning we got up early and went to St. Peter's Basilica. Man that place is amazing beyond words. Everything is huge and grand and very nice. Probably the nicest / most expensive place I've ever been. The Church of Rome was amazing, and this completely trumped it.
Afterwards we spent the afternoon wandering around Rome. We went by and saw the Sant' Angelo Castle, the Navona Piazza, and then ended up at an exhibit on Leonardo da Vinci. They had various working models of different inventions he had designed.
It's hard to believe I've been here (in Italy) for 7 days! It's been great so far! We have another week of the trip, and then I'm off on my own. Tomorrow, we leave for Florence!
2008-05-13
\rome
\today we made it to \rome! and the (\s are because that is where the shift key should be on this keyboard).
Ack, i think i have it figured out, but i have to look down...
anywho, obviously the internet at the hotel doesn't go with my laptop, but there is a public computer in the hotel i'm using.
We spent most of the day travelling, got to rome around 15,00. We checked into the hotel and wandered the streets a bit, and then ate some dinner. Chinese food tonight which is different in italy... a lot less greasy and such. it was good.
then tonight we went to an all-star soccer game that was a lot of fun. but the subways quit running after 24,00 when we left so we had to walk most of the way back, and we took a few buses that were going in the general direction we wanted. we'll be in rome for the next few days!
Ack, i think i have it figured out, but i have to look down...
anywho, obviously the internet at the hotel doesn't go with my laptop, but there is a public computer in the hotel i'm using.
We spent most of the day travelling, got to rome around 15,00. We checked into the hotel and wandered the streets a bit, and then ate some dinner. Chinese food tonight which is different in italy... a lot less greasy and such. it was good.
then tonight we went to an all-star soccer game that was a lot of fun. but the subways quit running after 24,00 when we left so we had to walk most of the way back, and we took a few buses that were going in the general direction we wanted. we'll be in rome for the next few days!
2008-05-12
verona
Today we went to Verona. It was really cool. First was the Castelvecchio castle and museum. There were lots of people there, including some French students. It was fun to hear them talk, but very intimidating for my trip to Belgium. I won't be able to understand people at all.
Next we had some lunch and walked around the city. There was a festival of sorts going on with lots of street vendors and different foods to try and buy. It was pretty excellent. Also they had some performances including some nice belly dancing.
Finally we went to the arena. It was huge and very old! Definitely a nice site to see. We skipped the fabled "Juliet's house" from Romeo and Juliet, as most historians agree that it is not truely her house. Though the story is set in Verona.
We got back to Vicenza and had Ethiopian food for dinner. It was definitely different. No utensils. You had this flat bread that was like a tortilla sort of to use to pick up your food and eat it. Sort of reminded me of the taste of Indian food. I really enjoyed it.
We've gotten in the habit of not ordering drinks with dinner as it's like 2 euros for water when I can have a bottle in my backpack and have it for free. It's like 16 cents for a 2 litre in the grocer.
So I haven't mentioned, but it's kind of hot around here. At least in the hotel room. We can't figure out how to work the air conditioner, so we just kind of leave the window open all the time. It's definitely warm!
Tomorrow we travel to Rome! No telling how my internet will be there, so these posts might be more intersperssed. Hopefully it'll be better, as Rome is larger.
Ciao!
Next we had some lunch and walked around the city. There was a festival of sorts going on with lots of street vendors and different foods to try and buy. It was pretty excellent. Also they had some performances including some nice belly dancing.
Finally we went to the arena. It was huge and very old! Definitely a nice site to see. We skipped the fabled "Juliet's house" from Romeo and Juliet, as most historians agree that it is not truely her house. Though the story is set in Verona.
We got back to Vicenza and had Ethiopian food for dinner. It was definitely different. No utensils. You had this flat bread that was like a tortilla sort of to use to pick up your food and eat it. Sort of reminded me of the taste of Indian food. I really enjoyed it.
We've gotten in the habit of not ordering drinks with dinner as it's like 2 euros for water when I can have a bottle in my backpack and have it for free. It's like 16 cents for a 2 litre in the grocer.
So I haven't mentioned, but it's kind of hot around here. At least in the hotel room. We can't figure out how to work the air conditioner, so we just kind of leave the window open all the time. It's definitely warm!
Tomorrow we travel to Rome! No telling how my internet will be there, so these posts might be more intersperssed. Hopefully it'll be better, as Rome is larger.
Ciao!
2008-05-10
venice part two
Yesterday was another great day in Venice. We road the water bus around for a while, and went to a small island across the channel. We went in a large, beautiful church called Basilica San Giorgio Maggiore. The view from the belltower looking back to Venice was phenomenal.
Then we went and walked around the streets of Venice. After sitting near a Gondola dock area for a while, we started talking to the Gondola drivers, and bargained with them for a while and eventually got a ride for the six of us for only 60 euros, which is much better than they usually charge. (Though I still think we could have done better... no one else in my group likes to haggle).
On to Verona for the day! (And the internet is still too slow to bother with pictures right now, sorry).
Then we went and walked around the streets of Venice. After sitting near a Gondola dock area for a while, we started talking to the Gondola drivers, and bargained with them for a while and eventually got a ride for the six of us for only 60 euros, which is much better than they usually charge. (Though I still think we could have done better... no one else in my group likes to haggle).
On to Verona for the day! (And the internet is still too slow to bother with pictures right now, sorry).
2008-05-09
train strike
Yesterday my roommate, Scott, and I woke up and began walking to the train station after some hotel breakfast. We knew the general direction, and started taking off. Deciding it was probably far, we hopped on a bus going the same way to snag a ride. The bus was packed and we didn't know much about the bus so we just kind of hopped on. After riding for about 10 minutes I noticed a sign suggesting that if you didn't have your ticket when you got on, you should give the drive 2 euros, exact change immediately. We quickly got off and walked for 45 minutes the rest of the way to the train station through the city. (It's much farther than we thought it would be).
We got to the station and met up with folks from the trip to head to Venice for the day. We were about to purchase tickets when all of the ticket buying windows closed. Odd huh? But no worries, I saw two Italian girls use the automatic ticket machine yesterday, so we headed over to it and used that for our tickets. Once we all had our tickets, we waited for a while and thought it was odd the trains weren't moving. Also it was odd that next to all of them on the screen was SOP, which evidently indicates that the trains were on strike. Or at least the workers were. After standing around confused for a while, we finally learn that they're striking until about 2pm.
We head back into Vicenza and explore the city a bit and goto a big Theatre. We also sample the gelato and have a bit of lunch. Finally we make it back to the train station and use our ticket from earlier to make it to Venice.
It's very easy to get lost in Venice. The first thing our professor does is shows us the signs that are spread our that indicate the direction to walk to get to the Rialto bridge, Saint Mark's Basilica, and the train station. We walk to the bridge which is very nice. The walk there was fun and we got to see some of Venice. The bridge is very nice and we talk for a while about the structure of the bridge (weight bearingness and other fun engineering perspectives on it), and we talk about the space of it (get the architectural aspect of the class).
Next we walk to Saint Mark's Basilica. It was beautiful. Finally we talk about the space of it and the surrounding area in Saint Mark's square, and then our professor bids us a farewell, a good luck finding the train station, and a see you tomorrow morning. My group of three wanders through Venice for the evening, stopping for a spot of pizza, and then we make it back to the train station.
Armed with a good map of Vicenza, we walk back to the hotel which only took about an hour or so. We did stop for 10 minutes while Stephen and I climbed a huge set of stairs behind an arc to go up to a hillside that overlooks the city.
Today we are heading back to Venice to look at more buildings. I'm looking forward to it!
And I'm trying to post pictures but the wireless in the hotel is a bit sketchy. I might update this post later, otherwise you'll just have to imagine.
We got to the station and met up with folks from the trip to head to Venice for the day. We were about to purchase tickets when all of the ticket buying windows closed. Odd huh? But no worries, I saw two Italian girls use the automatic ticket machine yesterday, so we headed over to it and used that for our tickets. Once we all had our tickets, we waited for a while and thought it was odd the trains weren't moving. Also it was odd that next to all of them on the screen was SOP, which evidently indicates that the trains were on strike. Or at least the workers were. After standing around confused for a while, we finally learn that they're striking until about 2pm.
We head back into Vicenza and explore the city a bit and goto a big Theatre. We also sample the gelato and have a bit of lunch. Finally we make it back to the train station and use our ticket from earlier to make it to Venice.
It's very easy to get lost in Venice. The first thing our professor does is shows us the signs that are spread our that indicate the direction to walk to get to the Rialto bridge, Saint Mark's Basilica, and the train station. We walk to the bridge which is very nice. The walk there was fun and we got to see some of Venice. The bridge is very nice and we talk for a while about the structure of the bridge (weight bearingness and other fun engineering perspectives on it), and we talk about the space of it (get the architectural aspect of the class).
Next we walk to Saint Mark's Basilica. It was beautiful. Finally we talk about the space of it and the surrounding area in Saint Mark's square, and then our professor bids us a farewell, a good luck finding the train station, and a see you tomorrow morning. My group of three wanders through Venice for the evening, stopping for a spot of pizza, and then we make it back to the train station.
Armed with a good map of Vicenza, we walk back to the hotel which only took about an hour or so. We did stop for 10 minutes while Stephen and I climbed a huge set of stairs behind an arc to go up to a hillside that overlooks the city.
Today we are heading back to Venice to look at more buildings. I'm looking forward to it!
And I'm trying to post pictures but the wireless in the hotel is a bit sketchy. I might update this post later, otherwise you'll just have to imagine.
2008-05-08
the adventure begins
Well the plane ride was uneventful. We landed in Milan, picked up our luggage, ate some lunch (I had Turkish food), and then got on the train for Vicenza. We are staying in a hotel at Vicenza.
Being jetlagged, a nap on the train seemed like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, my comrades didn't awaken me until they were deboarding. I quickly gathered my belongings and made for the exit just as the train pulled away from the station.
Two very nice and beautiful Italian girls assured me it would be okay and I could catch a train back at the next station. They got off on that stop, helped me purchase a return ticket and showed me the platform I needed.
As all good stories end, I made it back safely. Now I'm enjoying free wireless internet in the hotel, getting ready to do something fun this evening, as I am no longer jet lagged from my nice nap.
If you have skype, you should add me: Skype name: wcleveland7
Being jetlagged, a nap on the train seemed like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, my comrades didn't awaken me until they were deboarding. I quickly gathered my belongings and made for the exit just as the train pulled away from the station.
Two very nice and beautiful Italian girls assured me it would be okay and I could catch a train back at the next station. They got off on that stop, helped me purchase a return ticket and showed me the platform I needed.
As all good stories end, I made it back safely. Now I'm enjoying free wireless internet in the hotel, getting ready to do something fun this evening, as I am no longer jet lagged from my nice nap.
If you have skype, you should add me: Skype name: wcleveland7
2008-05-07
packed and ready
Miraculously I am all packed up for the summer. I'll be living out of my backpack and two small suitcases.
I'm now sitting in the Atlanta airport, ready to board the plane to Milan. We'll arrive at 9:30 in Milan and hit the ground running. So I'm leaving on a jet plane and don't know when I'll be back again... no really, I don't have a return flight home yet. I'm super excited!!
2008-05-04
europe
Thanks Andy for the suggestion to blog this summer: http://wpc7europe.blogspot.com/
If you don't know, I'm going to spending my summer in Europe. I'll use this as a way to let you guys know what I'm up to, with posts of pictures and things that I'm doing.
First I'll be spending 2 weeks in Italy with the BCoE's Maymester trip: http://www.bagley.msstate.edu/international/maymester/ seeing Milan, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Venice, and Cemona.
Afterwards, I'm going to spend 2 months in Belgium at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics Research in their Short Training Program.
You should definitely leave me or email me your address! :-)
If you don't know, I'm going to spending my summer in Europe. I'll use this as a way to let you guys know what I'm up to, with posts of pictures and things that I'm doing.
First I'll be spending 2 weeks in Italy with the BCoE's Maymester trip: http://www.bagley.msstate.edu/international/maymester/ seeing Milan, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Venice, and Cemona.
Afterwards, I'm going to spend 2 months in Belgium at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics Research in their Short Training Program.
You should definitely leave me or email me your address! :-)
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