Italy Album #1
Italy Album #2
Enjoy!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Ciao Italia
Well, I just returned from Italy, where I have been since last Friday. I arrived in Rome on Friday night and met my friend Amy. We went to stay with a guy from our school that is studying in Rome. It was nice to see her as it has been awhile.
The next morning, we got up and went to the Vatican. We payed 40 Euro to get a group tour through the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Our tour guide was a 22 year old woman from America who wants to get her citizenship in Italy. Basically, she was the worst tour guide ever, getting her facts mixed up or making things up. There were several occasions where it was blatantly obvious she knew nothing. But the Sistine Chapel was amazing. Unfortunately we could not stay in there very long as it was closing and we could not take pictures either. The paintings on the ceiling were so awesome to look at. Then we went to the Basilica and it was THE most amazing church I have ever been in. It even beat out the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, although they are not compatible. But the inside was so cool. We even saw the tomb of Pope John Paul II. It was neat to see all of the people praying and crying next to his tomb because they loved him so much.
After the Vatican, Amy and I went to have pizza at this nice restaurant and then went to get gelato (which equals AMAZING-NESS!) I love gelato! We then went to the Coliseum and took the audio tour. I was so impressed by the Coliseum and its history, but I thought it was going to be bigger. But it was still cool. I am so happy that I made it there.
That night, we went out and and saw the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It was really cool to see at night. The next day, we got up and went to the train station and went to Florence. Amy and I traveled for 4 hours on this train and finally made it to Florence, where we stayed at Amy's apartment with Caitlin and all of her roommates. Florence was a really cool city. Sadly there was nothing major to do or see, except the statue of David (which I didn't see because it cost so much to see). But I went out for gelato everyday I was there, which was delicious.
On Tuesday, I went to the train station with Caitlin and Amy as I was going to take a day trip by myself to Cortona (a quaint little Italian town, as seen in "Under the Tuscan Sun"). I was really excited to see this little town. So I bought my ticket and Caitlin said, "There is the train you need to get on." So I got on it and as soon as the doors closed, the announcer said that it was a direct train to Rome! Which means that there were no stops where I need and I couldn't get off the train. Basically, I was on the wrong train. So the ticket man came around and almost fined me 200 Euro for being on the wrong train, but somehow let me slide. So I got to Rome and had to buy another ticket back to Florence. I sat in the train station for an hour and a half and finally got back on the train, which took another four hours. So I didn't get to see Cortona, and had to enjoy a smelly train for 7 hours in one day. FUN! But it could have been worse. I just had to laugh about it when it was all over. It's a great little story to tell in the future.
On Thursday, Amy and Caitlin and I woke up at 5 in the morning to take the train to Pisa and to then fly back to London. Right now, the three of us, along with the two guys from school who we stayed with in Rome are here. I am showing them around town before I start my internship this week.
Pictures will be up soon!
Cheers,
Justin
The next morning, we got up and went to the Vatican. We payed 40 Euro to get a group tour through the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. Our tour guide was a 22 year old woman from America who wants to get her citizenship in Italy. Basically, she was the worst tour guide ever, getting her facts mixed up or making things up. There were several occasions where it was blatantly obvious she knew nothing. But the Sistine Chapel was amazing. Unfortunately we could not stay in there very long as it was closing and we could not take pictures either. The paintings on the ceiling were so awesome to look at. Then we went to the Basilica and it was THE most amazing church I have ever been in. It even beat out the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, although they are not compatible. But the inside was so cool. We even saw the tomb of Pope John Paul II. It was neat to see all of the people praying and crying next to his tomb because they loved him so much.
After the Vatican, Amy and I went to have pizza at this nice restaurant and then went to get gelato (which equals AMAZING-NESS!) I love gelato! We then went to the Coliseum and took the audio tour. I was so impressed by the Coliseum and its history, but I thought it was going to be bigger. But it was still cool. I am so happy that I made it there.
That night, we went out and and saw the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It was really cool to see at night. The next day, we got up and went to the train station and went to Florence. Amy and I traveled for 4 hours on this train and finally made it to Florence, where we stayed at Amy's apartment with Caitlin and all of her roommates. Florence was a really cool city. Sadly there was nothing major to do or see, except the statue of David (which I didn't see because it cost so much to see). But I went out for gelato everyday I was there, which was delicious.
On Tuesday, I went to the train station with Caitlin and Amy as I was going to take a day trip by myself to Cortona (a quaint little Italian town, as seen in "Under the Tuscan Sun"). I was really excited to see this little town. So I bought my ticket and Caitlin said, "There is the train you need to get on." So I got on it and as soon as the doors closed, the announcer said that it was a direct train to Rome! Which means that there were no stops where I need and I couldn't get off the train. Basically, I was on the wrong train. So the ticket man came around and almost fined me 200 Euro for being on the wrong train, but somehow let me slide. So I got to Rome and had to buy another ticket back to Florence. I sat in the train station for an hour and a half and finally got back on the train, which took another four hours. So I didn't get to see Cortona, and had to enjoy a smelly train for 7 hours in one day. FUN! But it could have been worse. I just had to laugh about it when it was all over. It's a great little story to tell in the future.
On Thursday, Amy and Caitlin and I woke up at 5 in the morning to take the train to Pisa and to then fly back to London. Right now, the three of us, along with the two guys from school who we stayed with in Rome are here. I am showing them around town before I start my internship this week.
Pictures will be up soon!
Cheers,
Justin
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Scotland Pics
Click the link to enjoy new Scotland pictures!
Scotland #1
Scotland #2
Scotland #3
Also, I will be in Italy (Rome and Florence) until the 23rd!
Have a great week everyone!
Scotland #1
Scotland #2
Scotland #3
Also, I will be in Italy (Rome and Florence) until the 23rd!
Have a great week everyone!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Pictures from Turkey and Randoms In London
Just click the photo album name you want to see!
Istanbul Album #1
Istanbul Album #2
Istanbul Album #3
Stonehenge/Bath
Random UK Pics
Scotland soon to follow...Enjoy!
Istanbul Album #1
Istanbul Album #2
Istanbul Album #3
Stonehenge/Bath
Random UK Pics
Scotland soon to follow...Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Haggis, Tatties, and Neeps
AYE SCOTLAND!!!
Can I just say that I have a new love...Scotland. More specifically, the Highlands! You'll see why soon.
We departed King's Cross Train Station on Friday morning with a group of people who signed up through ISH. This trip was pre-planned for us and only cost us 130 pounds total. After arriving in Edinburgh that Friday, we meet our guide, Simon, who we can't really understand all that well on the first day due to his thick Scottish accent. We walk around historic Edinburgh and see some really cool sights. We then went out to a Scottish pub where we could order any Starter and Main Course free (including 2 free pints!). My roommates and I ordered a traditional Scottish meal (Haggis, Tatties, and Neeps). Haggis is basically ground up sheep intestines and hearts and livers, boiled together for hours and seasoned with chili sauce and peppers so it has a kick. Add some tatties (mashed potatoes) and neeps (mashed turnips) and you have the most wonderful meal ever. I am not lying, it was FANTASTIC! We are trying to find places to buy some in London.
After our Haggis experience, we went on a Pub Crawl offered by our Hostel. The leader of the Crawl got so smashed that she ventured out on her own, leaving all 50 participants to find her throughout the night. So needless to say it was an experience.
The next day, we got a while to see Edinburgh on our own. I'm not gonna lie, it was kind of a let down. What a boring place to be. So we hopped on our mini-bus and drove to Stirling. Along the way, we stopped at Linlithgow Palace and then the Wallace Monument (Braveheart's monument). We then went to our hostel which was an old Cemetary building. It was cool though. For dinner, we ate more Haggis! And then had roast chicken and potatoes.
On our third day, we ventured to the Highlands. This was the most exciting part. Before getting to the Highlands, however, we stopped at a very famous castle...The one from Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the French man says, "I fart in your general direction!" I thought it was great! Then we saw a Hairy Coo (cow), called Hamish. All of the people on the trip, including my roommates were fascinated with Hamish as they have never seen a cow before (or sheep for that matter) How weird. Then we traveled to the grave of another famous Scotsmen, Rob Roy. We climbed a great big hill above his grave and saw the amazing view of the mountains and Lochs below. On the steep climb down, there was a rope swing that we found and it was a lot of fun.
We ate lunch in Killin and saw a great waterfall. Then we finally made it into the actual Highlands and it was beautiful. The fog and haze over these mountains on a great Scottish afternoon was amazing. Camp Unie people -- You would have been blown away! I was thinking the entire time of how cool it would be to have an adventure trip to these Highlands! Absolutely stunning. We climbed part way up the Three Sisters mountains in Glencoe. Some more amazing scenery.
We then made our way to our hostel, after driving through the highest point in the U.K., and arrived. This hostel was the coolest. You had to take a farm dirt road filled with potholes and cattle crossings to make it there. Basically, it was a converted barn-type building into a hostel. It was big enough for our group of 15 and was completely isolated on the banks of Loch Lochy. It was amazing to be so secluded in this amazing wilderness. It really makes me appreciate home more and Camp, too!
The next day, we got up early and went to Soldiers Leap and had lunch in Killiecrankie. Then we started making our way down towards Edinburgh for the train home, but first stopped at the Tallibarden Distillery where they make Scottish Whiskey. We got to try some and it was great. Finally, we arrived in Edinburgh and boarded the train back to London, which took 5 hours. It was a long time on that train.
In the end, I had the most fantastic time. I loved going to Istanbul, as you know, because it was a gorgeous city. Well Scotland was a gorgeous country! It is somewhere where I think I could enjoy spending a great deal of time at and not be bored. My roommates and I are even considering going back to Scotland and having our guide, Simon, take us hiking up the mountains. The downside is we couldn't go until December and we don't have any gear. But it would still be worth it. Scotland will not remain a wee memory.
Finishing my last week of classes now, and going to see Amy and Caitlin in Italy this weekend for a whole week!
Until next time,
Cheers!
Justin
Can I just say that I have a new love...Scotland. More specifically, the Highlands! You'll see why soon.
We departed King's Cross Train Station on Friday morning with a group of people who signed up through ISH. This trip was pre-planned for us and only cost us 130 pounds total. After arriving in Edinburgh that Friday, we meet our guide, Simon, who we can't really understand all that well on the first day due to his thick Scottish accent. We walk around historic Edinburgh and see some really cool sights. We then went out to a Scottish pub where we could order any Starter and Main Course free (including 2 free pints!). My roommates and I ordered a traditional Scottish meal (Haggis, Tatties, and Neeps). Haggis is basically ground up sheep intestines and hearts and livers, boiled together for hours and seasoned with chili sauce and peppers so it has a kick. Add some tatties (mashed potatoes) and neeps (mashed turnips) and you have the most wonderful meal ever. I am not lying, it was FANTASTIC! We are trying to find places to buy some in London.
After our Haggis experience, we went on a Pub Crawl offered by our Hostel. The leader of the Crawl got so smashed that she ventured out on her own, leaving all 50 participants to find her throughout the night. So needless to say it was an experience.
The next day, we got a while to see Edinburgh on our own. I'm not gonna lie, it was kind of a let down. What a boring place to be. So we hopped on our mini-bus and drove to Stirling. Along the way, we stopped at Linlithgow Palace and then the Wallace Monument (Braveheart's monument). We then went to our hostel which was an old Cemetary building. It was cool though. For dinner, we ate more Haggis! And then had roast chicken and potatoes.
On our third day, we ventured to the Highlands. This was the most exciting part. Before getting to the Highlands, however, we stopped at a very famous castle...The one from Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the French man says, "I fart in your general direction!" I thought it was great! Then we saw a Hairy Coo (cow), called Hamish. All of the people on the trip, including my roommates were fascinated with Hamish as they have never seen a cow before (or sheep for that matter) How weird. Then we traveled to the grave of another famous Scotsmen, Rob Roy. We climbed a great big hill above his grave and saw the amazing view of the mountains and Lochs below. On the steep climb down, there was a rope swing that we found and it was a lot of fun.
We ate lunch in Killin and saw a great waterfall. Then we finally made it into the actual Highlands and it was beautiful. The fog and haze over these mountains on a great Scottish afternoon was amazing. Camp Unie people -- You would have been blown away! I was thinking the entire time of how cool it would be to have an adventure trip to these Highlands! Absolutely stunning. We climbed part way up the Three Sisters mountains in Glencoe. Some more amazing scenery.
We then made our way to our hostel, after driving through the highest point in the U.K., and arrived. This hostel was the coolest. You had to take a farm dirt road filled with potholes and cattle crossings to make it there. Basically, it was a converted barn-type building into a hostel. It was big enough for our group of 15 and was completely isolated on the banks of Loch Lochy. It was amazing to be so secluded in this amazing wilderness. It really makes me appreciate home more and Camp, too!
The next day, we got up early and went to Soldiers Leap and had lunch in Killiecrankie. Then we started making our way down towards Edinburgh for the train home, but first stopped at the Tallibarden Distillery where they make Scottish Whiskey. We got to try some and it was great. Finally, we arrived in Edinburgh and boarded the train back to London, which took 5 hours. It was a long time on that train.
In the end, I had the most fantastic time. I loved going to Istanbul, as you know, because it was a gorgeous city. Well Scotland was a gorgeous country! It is somewhere where I think I could enjoy spending a great deal of time at and not be bored. My roommates and I are even considering going back to Scotland and having our guide, Simon, take us hiking up the mountains. The downside is we couldn't go until December and we don't have any gear. But it would still be worth it. Scotland will not remain a wee memory.
Finishing my last week of classes now, and going to see Amy and Caitlin in Italy this weekend for a whole week!
Until next time,
Cheers!
Justin
Friday, October 10, 2008
Nessie
I will be in Scotland thru Monday night!
Brief synopsis will come later.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Brief synopsis will come later.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
It's Just A Bunch Of Rocks...
Hello again from London!! After adjusting back to London time after returning from Turkey, I set out on my first "real" week of classes. Now you may be thinking, "Justin, you have been having classes for 4 weeks now!" And, you're right. But until now, I haven't done a darn thing in them except show up. We haven't had any homework or anything that needed to be done. All of that has now changed. I had my first paper and first exam last week. I am pretty confident on both. This upcoming 2 weeks sees me in hyper-class mode as I have 2 presentations, 1 paper, and 1 exam. So needless to say my first month of chillaxin has now bit me in the butt. Oh well...
On Thursday night, my roomies and I went to Whole Foods for Thirsty Thursday. Again, you loyal readers are probably thinking something weird. Alas, it is a very formal event that goes on at our local Whole Foods every Thursday where you pay 5 pounds and you walk around the 4 leveled store and get samples of expensive wine and try hor'devours. It's a classy affair that was very fun. I have never really had wine before, so it was cool to try different expensive kinds.
Saturday, my roommates and I took a free trip to Stonehenge and the ancient city of Bath. Stonehenge was, well, interesting. It was cool to see it, but it's one of those things that you look at for about 3 minutes and you never really need to see it again. It's just a bunch of rocks lol. Bath was really interesting to see. We toured the Roman Baths which were built over a natural hot spring. The whole city was beautiful and I think that is what I expect Italy to look like. Pictures will be up soon.
Sidenote: Pictures from Istanbul are on Facebook, and they are not on my Shutterfly site (sorry Mom). I literally took 250 pictures and there is no way I am uploading one by one on that site. You can all see them soon, I promise.
Finally, I will be heading to Scotland this Friday until Monday. It is going to be so cool as we are staying in Edinburgh, Stirling, and the highland village of Loch Lochy (about 10 miles from Loch Ness). Anyways, you can hear all about that when I return.
Until then, cheers!
Justin
On Thursday night, my roomies and I went to Whole Foods for Thirsty Thursday. Again, you loyal readers are probably thinking something weird. Alas, it is a very formal event that goes on at our local Whole Foods every Thursday where you pay 5 pounds and you walk around the 4 leveled store and get samples of expensive wine and try hor'devours. It's a classy affair that was very fun. I have never really had wine before, so it was cool to try different expensive kinds.
Saturday, my roommates and I took a free trip to Stonehenge and the ancient city of Bath. Stonehenge was, well, interesting. It was cool to see it, but it's one of those things that you look at for about 3 minutes and you never really need to see it again. It's just a bunch of rocks lol. Bath was really interesting to see. We toured the Roman Baths which were built over a natural hot spring. The whole city was beautiful and I think that is what I expect Italy to look like. Pictures will be up soon.
Sidenote: Pictures from Istanbul are on Facebook, and they are not on my Shutterfly site (sorry Mom). I literally took 250 pictures and there is no way I am uploading one by one on that site. You can all see them soon, I promise.
Finally, I will be heading to Scotland this Friday until Monday. It is going to be so cool as we are staying in Edinburgh, Stirling, and the highland village of Loch Lochy (about 10 miles from Loch Ness). Anyways, you can hear all about that when I return.
Until then, cheers!
Justin
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
