Italy Day 2... June 30th

Day 36.....

Today we had a super slow start because they wanted to sleep in, but I seemed to be too excited because I got up at 7 am today. Sadly we missed breakfast but as soon as they were ready, the three of us headed to Venice! I feel like we actually caught on to the train system a lot quicker here than anywhere else, because we had no problem this morning. Once we arrived we decided to start heading to San Marco square because we were planning on meeting the rest of our group. Of course one of the first things we actually did was get gelato on our way J We took a different route then we did yesterday because only God knows how we ended up where we did. (There are so many signs and different directions; I’m not even sure how the locals know which way to go.) We ended up shopping around some more and by the time we got to the square we needed our second helping of gelato for the day.

While we were waiting for the rest of the group, Mary, Dani and I decided to go up the bell tower right there in middle of San Marco Square by the basilica. The view from on top of the tower was incredible. You could see the entire city from it, as well as Merano and the other surrounding Islands.

We ended up not finding them today, but we did end up going to dinner again on the Channel. I think the food in Italy just can never go wrong.  We continuously watched people in gondolas, romantically riding down the river. So after dinner we decided it was a must to take a gondola ride. Most expensive ride that wasn’t in the air, but totally worth it! It would have been more romantic with a man, but Dani and Mary were pretty fun too! The gondola driver was very informative. He told us all about the different movies filmed in Venice, and I actually recognized where part of the movie The Tourist was filmed and where a 007 movie was filmed. So beautiful, I definitely want to move here!!! NO cars, just water taxis, gondolas, and water buses!!!

~Ideal Life~

Elyse

Italy Day 1... June 29th

Day 35...

On my way to Italy!!!

So the shuttle picked up the last 6 of us and headed to the airport. Ironically, my flight was with my two professors to Venice. The plane ride wasn’t bad and I slept like a baby J I needed to catch up on some sleep so it was highly needed before I went out. After landing I caught the bus from the airport almost straight to the hotel. Luckily when Mary booked the hotel, she managed to find us one right in front of the train station and right by where the bus stop is from the airport, because getting rid of my luggage was number one priority!

The hotel is pretty amazing. We only booked a two person room and i ended up having to sneak in, but it was fine by me because it meant cheaper. After I got upstairs, Mary, Dani and I left for Venice!

We got onto the train and headed for our 11 minute ride to Venice. Obviously we had no idea what, where or how to get to San Marco Square so we just wondered around trying to follow signs and slowly made our way to the other side of the island. Everyone we have talked to before our trip just said to get lost here because the maps are useless, and boy were they right, Mary and Dani both bought one and they really weren’t that helpful. WE stopped in probably 100 different little shops today and saw 1000 different little houses, shops, hotels, restaurants. It was amazing, plus zero cars, only walking or boats so it was extremely peaceful!

 We ate dinner on the Grand Canal around 7 and sat right next to the water. We watched Gondolas, water taxis, and just people on their boats go by while I ate one of the most amazing pizzas I have ever had! Earlier in the day we decided that Gelato is a must while we are here, so we got several cones/scoops, one before dinner and one after J My scoop count at the end of today is 4.

We walked around San Marco Square for a while listening to the music being played and just enjoying the night experience in Venice. When it was time to leave, we decided to take a water bus back to the train station. It was amazing to see the city all lit up at night, reflecting in the water.

It took us a while to figure out which train to take between the people working there telling us one thing and then the people getting on the train telling us another, but we made it! The train ride was hilarious, mostly because I think we might have been delusional from lack of sleep, but there was a Chihuahua on the train basically sleeping with the tongue out the side of its mouth, and for some reason all three of us just found it hilarious J

~Ciao Bella~

Elyse

Barcelona Day 4... June 28th

Day 34...

Final day in Barcelona, and I had to get all my shopping done! I kind of slept in a bit so I got off to a slow start. But I did find a scarf, earrings, and my shot glass (which is what I have decided to buy from every country I visit) Then it was off to Hard Rock Café J I have gone to one everywhere I can sense I have been in Italy, and now every one but 3 people that came on study abroad with me has gone with J

That afternoon almost everyone decided to have one last hooraw at the beach. And sense everyone is sun burnt we were the group with the most clothes on, especially sense I feel like everyone was topless. The bus we took actually took us through a different part of the city this time.

At the beach, the sun was kind to me a little more but I slightly burned my forehead, no one went swam out to far today because everyone was tired, but I stayed in the water for quite some time again today! The waves were larger then yesterday so I sort of got to body surf for like a second, but mostly just floated around and watched the sun set.

Now, time to pack for Italy, and say goodbye to those not traveling with me.

~Audios Amigos~

Elyse