Viaggiatrice

It saddens me.

2009-05-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

I love the art here. And the people are fantastic.
The sun is beautiful. The arno has a life of its own.
Everything here has such detail that it blows my mind.

But the thing I will miss the most is the food. The simple pleasure of bread dripped in olive oil. The saleme, the pasta, the risotto. And naturally the wine. Eating isn't just to ward of starvation. Its an experience. A soical event.

I have four days left I am attempting to eat my weight in tradional tuscan cusiene.

(Sorry about the lack of latest updates. I have pictures and cool art stuff to share. But that might wait until I get home. Its too amazing to waste my last days blogging. )

I'm in the place to be.

2009-04-13T02:52:00.000-07:00

This has been the best weekend I've spent in Italy so far.

I was in an art show and witnessed a Florentine Easter Tradition (which will get a more detailed post later).

That was great and all, but the thing that made this weekend so much better than the others was that I checked out the local music scene. I went to two venues and was the only American there. It was out of my comfort zone, and ended up being so rewarding.

Since Florence is a tourist town, nearly everyone in the center speaks English. I can get by without hardly ever using Italian. But at these shows I was forced to use as much as I know. And I had some pretty interesting half broken English, half broken Italian conversations. I even talked about American and Italian politics with one guy.

Anyways, my point with this post is people really aren't that different around the world. Yes there are cultural things and language. But you can get past that, learn from it.

If you ever find yourself in a new culture, find the people that share your passion. The language may still be a problem, but there is still an understanding.

PS. I meet the person that made it possible for me to do this on couchsurfing.com. This website connects travelers from around the world. If you want to visit somewhere new and avoid the tourist traps, its a great resource. Make a profile and find some cool people to surf with.

Personal Day

2009-03-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

I actually skipped class for the first time since being here. Well I took my one allowed personal day from the college. I did honestly feel bad when I woke up (my wisdom teeth seem to be coming in. fun stuff) but after a few more hours of rest I decided to take advantage of my free day.

I ended up wondering the Galleria degli Uffizi for hours. I know, how nerdy is it to skip class and go to a museum.

In the corridor I got acquainted with some statues from Antiquity and even did a few pen sketches. Every inch of the ceiling is a fresco. It was a wonderful day to go, the view over looking the ponte vecchio was amazing.
Then I literally walked through the progression of the Renaissance to Baroque. Giotto/ Filipepi/Botticelli/Da vinci/Michelangelo/Rembrandt/Artemisia Gentileschi/Caraviggio. The experience is truelly over welming. Now I understand how people can fall victum to Stendhal Syndrome.

A naked man is a naked man

2009-03-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Today I am in love with the city of Florence again. I seem to have a constant push and pull between admiration and annoyance here.

A large part of this is that I finally had the pleasure of visiting Galleria dell' Accademia, the home of Michelangelo's David.

I was excited about going to an art museum in general, but not particularly about David. After all, I've seen numerous photographs of the statue and every tourist trap in Florence sells mini David's so you can take him home with you. I thought I had already seen of the marble figure.

However, he is incredibly striking in person. I'm planning on going back with my sketch book just so I have an excuse to stare at the figure as long as I want.

Since I'm technically not supposed to take pictures in The Accademia, and my art history teacher would have fussed at me if I attempted to do so, I can only describe the home of David. The hall is lined with the unfinished prisoner statues that were oringially intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II. I'm told that the prisoners is a modern term for the peices because the figures seem to be trying to freetheselves from the stone.
These figures are almost like 3D sketches. The cisel marks still present are like cross hatching and they give insight to how bold an artist Michelangleo was. He went stright into the marble leaving no room for mistake.
Maybe he really was freeing these figures from inside the block.

Then at the end of the Hall is the clear star of The Accademia.
The symobol of Florence represented as an anicent god.
The light from a ceiling window dancing on his features and adding to the effect.
Breath taking.

Lesson Learned

2009-03-09T03:47:00.000-07:00

So I went to Rome on a Friday.

It was big, historical, and awesome.
Until I was robbed.

My grandmothers film camera (which I was growing quite attached to) along with my cheap wallet (containing about 30 euro, my drivers license, and my museum card).

Warning: I'm about to complain.

After initially being upset I set off to replace the card and find another camera for class.
I told my professor what happened and I rented one from the school.
Yet the thing that he gave me is confusing to say the least.
It seems to only work when it wants. And won't let adjust the exposure to my liking.
I was supposed to shot at least another roll for class tomorrow and have only been able to take 3 pictures.

Now to replace my card I enlisted the help of the front desk at school.
I could get a new card issued for free IF I filled a police report in Rome. But I didn't do this because Italian police don't really do anything. I know my things will not be replaced. And I just wanted to get out of Rome that Saturday morning (I actually hopped the first train possible).
Instead I have to buy a new one. Oh well.
But I was told to go to the wrong place. During the wrong day (Everything is closed on Mondays duh).
So somehow I have to run during my 30 minutes between classes to buy a new card so that I can meet my art history class at the Academia.

Meh.
Never expect things in Italy to work out like you want.
And always keep a close eye on your things. Because having your guard down for a moment is all they need.

Carnevale

2009-02-23T05:19:00.000-08:00

The costumes are fantastic. Right at the train station me and my friends got our faces painted to fit in. There really is a certain magic about being in Venice during Carnevale. However, I'm sure the city is magically any time of of the year.We ended up just walking down random streets. Going into whatever little shop we pleased. The city is full of wonderful little places to buy cookies, candy, necklaces, and of course masks.
We even wondered into this amazing church. But unfortunately it was during mass (opps) and we quietly exited without taking any pictures.

This is definatly a city I have to visit again.

http://www.venetianmasksshop.com/history.htm
This website has some pretty cool info on Venetian Carnevale. It talks about the history and the different types of masks.

414 steps

2009-02-15T04:27:00.000-08:00

But the view from the top is worth it.

Duomo

2009-02-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower) aka Il Duomo is one of the more impressive buildings in Florence.
The whole building has this type of detail on it.

Before coming here I didn't know much about this building. But as soon as I saw it I was struck with the awesome beauty of it. When I have to pass it I usually slow down to admire it again. I assume I will continue doing this until I leave Italy.

Where I live

2009-02-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

These are a few photos of the streets I pass on a daily basis. Sometimes its like living in a dream. Then I see cuss words spray painted on the sides of building and dog crap on the sidewalk, and I remember that I still live in a real city.
It is just a very old city. The history overwhelms me. Dante lived here. He wrote about Florence in the Divine Comedy. Michelangelo's home is on the same street I live on. He is buried in the Santa Croce (the last two pictures) along with Galileo.

Sorry for the lack of posts. I am still getting used to being here. I'm finally able to walk around without getting too lost. And I'm only in my second week of classes. Sometimes its hard to remember that I need to do more than look at this place in awe.

PS. Soon I will be getting my Uffizi card which will allow me to get into the state museums for free. So after that much more academic (but totally awesome) type stuff will be posted.

The streets of Florence.

2009-01-31T03:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything new yet. I've been trying to get settled in my new apartment.
There's a lot of small differences that keep catching me off.

Yeah there's a good bit more graffiti then i thought there would be.
But it helps me not get lost.

Don't worry I'll post the touristy crap later.

Next post from Italy

2009-01-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

My plane leaves around 8ish.
Yes I found my ticket.

I also think I did a pretty good job of packing.

Still doesn't feel like I'm going.

Oh my

2009-01-24T06:05:00.000-08:00

Things to remember before you travel.

Start packing way before.
Especially if you are a terrible packer.

As your trip gets closer and closer don't forget what the date is.
You most likely still have a million things to do. And almost no time to do it.

Don't freak out.
Anything that can go wrong will most likely not kill you.
And it will make a great story later.

Don't lose your plane ticket.
This is a big headache that is easy to avoid.

Lessons for next time.

La Befana

2008-12-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

As a child you are told that Santa leaves gifts for every kid around the world.

But this is a lie.

He has helpers. Like La Befana, who visits children in Italy.

Here comes, here comes the Befana
she comes from the mountains in the deep of the night
snow and frost (ice) surrounds her
snow and frost and the West wind
here comes, here comes the Befana!

Viene, viene la Befana
Vien dai monti a notte fonda
neve e gelo la circondan..
neve e gelo e tramontana!
Viene, viene la Befana

She seems very cool.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Befana

Merry Christmas

Purpose of Blog

2008-12-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

So what type of things can you use my blog for?

Virtual field trips: So its a bit expensive to take your class to Europe for some museum touring (trust me I've already brought my plane ticket). But its free to get online and share the photos I will post of my travels. I know I will be going to many museums (I'm a bit of a nerd).

Lesson ideas: Ok, I'm still a student but I've started coming up with some lessons I might use when I begin teaching. A little inspiration can come from anywhere.

Encourage student interest: I will also provide some information on the life of a study aboard student. Everything from the excitement to expected culture shock. Maybe it will plant the idea of studying aboard in some of your students.

Feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment if there is something specific that you would like me to post.

The Foreigner

2008-11-24T18:17:00.000-08:00

Traveling isn't always fun as that illustration portrays. But I still want to do as much as possible. So far my travels haven't taken me that far. This will all change come next semester. I am enrolled at the Florence University of Arts. No, there is not an art school in Florence, SC (my hometown-or close enough). This is Florence, Italy or Firenze.
I'm still not sure just what to expect. I know some things will be great and some not so great. Over the next few months I'll fill you in on the study abroad process and some things I learn about art, culture, ect.

PS. Viaggiatrice means traveler in Italian. (viaggiatore is the masculine)