I'm sorry. I can't finish that last entry. I have TONS of work to do and getting stuff together for next semesters classes. I don't want to leave you all hanging without Venice but here is the link to my pictures from the trip. Enjoy until next time.
http://picasaweb.google.com/emily.hana/Italy
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
When In Rome Will Never Be Cliche.
I am back from my Italian adventure- almost one week exploring Rome, Florence, and Venice. The trip began, or almost didn't begin, due to my small case of food poisneing. On Wednesday afternoon I returned from class with terrible stomach cramps. I threw up a few times but figured it was just some bug and to try to sleep it off. But I had never felt so ill in my entire life, and beccause I was more scared than anything else I took my roommate and mother's advice and went to the doctor. I could barely walk and was in so much pain I was going in and out of conscience on othe cab ride there. One of the assistant directors from CEA met me there and the doctor told me I probably had food poisening. His solution was a shot in my butt to stop me from feeling so nauseaus, pills to stop the pain, and no eating for 24 hours. After the shot I had to take a cab home, this is when I felt the worst. I got home, vomited a few more times, and then slept for 8 hours. Sorry for all the details but I don't want to leave anything from my life in Spain out.
Anyways, I was weak but I made it to the flight to Rome. I just was very careful with what I ate. Anyways, we got into Rome, found our hostel. It was a very cute, "studenty" place called Roma Inn. We made the most of our early arrival and walked to see the Colosseum. It was very cool and we got so lucky with the weather. I ran into a kid form Vanderbilt while walking through the ruins, it was really funny! The Colosseum was massive and very interesting but I think the gardens of ruins behind the Colosseum were even cooler. Here's a picture of me in the gardens (mind the fact that I was still not feeling so great):
Then we decided we would go back and take a nap because our flight left Sevilla at 6:30am. I defintely needed a nap after walking around all day. I had my first meal in a few days in the hostel, for free. They cooked us lasagna and it was delicious! The students who ran the hostel were taking everyone out for the night and I felt bad that I couldn't go but it was also nice that I could fall asleep early in a quiet hostel.
The next day we got an early start and headed over to Vatican City. We saw St. Peter's Basilica- which kind of blew the Cathedral of Sevilla out of the water. We then waited in line for 35 minutes to see the Sistene Chapel. It really was not what I was expecting at all. We walk through all these rooms with beautiful ceilings and tapestries and maps and finally, at the end, we come upon the room of the Sistene chapel. I imagined it as being one continuous image but it is really many different paintings all on one ceiling. It was still overwhelmingly beautiful but just different. Next we walked around Rome looking at all different things. We went to the Spanish steps and then the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain was beautiful, see picture below:
Then we hit up the Pantheon. It was also very interesting to learn about how the dome was erected and I still don't really understand what happens when it rains due to the fact that there is a huge hole (the only source of light for the entire church). That was our last visit in Rome because we left the next morning for Florence!
We got into Florence mid-afternoon and found our hotel. It was a cute little hotel run by two brothers. It was very nice and clean for the price, plus the location was great. We got some lunch when we got in and explored the city by just walking around. We had some great meals the first day but held off on the real tourist stuff until the next day. But because the next day was a Monday, lots of things weren't going to be open so we went to the Uffitzi gallery and saw lots of Botticelli and other religious works of art. From there we explored the Pont d'Vecchio. Grandma had told me a lot about the bridge- known for it's gold and shopping. We enjoyed a great meal for dinner, delicious Italian. The next morning we got an early start and we went to all the places we needed to go- started at the Duomo, then did some shopping (where I picked up some great presents for people at home). Later in the day, we hiked up to Piazza Michelangelo, which is supposed to have the best view of Florence. It did live up to the name, check out this picture:
Florence is a beautiful city and it really reminded me of Sevilla. Small, narrow streets, lots of plazas/piazzas, a river, ect... haha- well it really did feel similar. That night I met up with some Vanderbilt people that are studying in Florence. I still wasn't up to a night of drinking but it was definitely fun to see them. It's cool that they all are studying together but at the same time, they don't't have a great opportunity to meet other students. Either way, it was cool to visit. The next morning we were off to Venice.
Okay, so I have to go meet my friends that are visiting me for Feria. I will continue to write more about Venice later, I just wanted to get something written. Goodbye for now!
Anyways, I was weak but I made it to the flight to Rome. I just was very careful with what I ate. Anyways, we got into Rome, found our hostel. It was a very cute, "studenty" place called Roma Inn. We made the most of our early arrival and walked to see the Colosseum. It was very cool and we got so lucky with the weather. I ran into a kid form Vanderbilt while walking through the ruins, it was really funny! The Colosseum was massive and very interesting but I think the gardens of ruins behind the Colosseum were even cooler. Here's a picture of me in the gardens (mind the fact that I was still not feeling so great):
Then we decided we would go back and take a nap because our flight left Sevilla at 6:30am. I defintely needed a nap after walking around all day. I had my first meal in a few days in the hostel, for free. They cooked us lasagna and it was delicious! The students who ran the hostel were taking everyone out for the night and I felt bad that I couldn't go but it was also nice that I could fall asleep early in a quiet hostel.
The next day we got an early start and headed over to Vatican City. We saw St. Peter's Basilica- which kind of blew the Cathedral of Sevilla out of the water. We then waited in line for 35 minutes to see the Sistene Chapel. It really was not what I was expecting at all. We walk through all these rooms with beautiful ceilings and tapestries and maps and finally, at the end, we come upon the room of the Sistene chapel. I imagined it as being one continuous image but it is really many different paintings all on one ceiling. It was still overwhelmingly beautiful but just different. Next we walked around Rome looking at all different things. We went to the Spanish steps and then the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain was beautiful, see picture below:
Then we hit up the Pantheon. It was also very interesting to learn about how the dome was erected and I still don't really understand what happens when it rains due to the fact that there is a huge hole (the only source of light for the entire church). That was our last visit in Rome because we left the next morning for Florence!We got into Florence mid-afternoon and found our hotel. It was a cute little hotel run by two brothers. It was very nice and clean for the price, plus the location was great. We got some lunch when we got in and explored the city by just walking around. We had some great meals the first day but held off on the real tourist stuff until the next day. But because the next day was a Monday, lots of things weren't going to be open so we went to the Uffitzi gallery and saw lots of Botticelli and other religious works of art. From there we explored the Pont d'Vecchio. Grandma had told me a lot about the bridge- known for it's gold and shopping. We enjoyed a great meal for dinner, delicious Italian. The next morning we got an early start and we went to all the places we needed to go- started at the Duomo, then did some shopping (where I picked up some great presents for people at home). Later in the day, we hiked up to Piazza Michelangelo, which is supposed to have the best view of Florence. It did live up to the name, check out this picture:
Florence is a beautiful city and it really reminded me of Sevilla. Small, narrow streets, lots of plazas/piazzas, a river, ect... haha- well it really did feel similar. That night I met up with some Vanderbilt people that are studying in Florence. I still wasn't up to a night of drinking but it was definitely fun to see them. It's cool that they all are studying together but at the same time, they don't't have a great opportunity to meet other students. Either way, it was cool to visit. The next morning we were off to Venice.Okay, so I have to go meet my friends that are visiting me for Feria. I will continue to write more about Venice later, I just wanted to get something written. Goodbye for now!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A New Experience
I realized that very few of my entries have been about Sevilla but mostly about my travels. How neglectful of me to so infrequently mention my home city: Sevilla. Now is a perfect time to capture my time here. The weather is warming up by the day. The trees that were full of oranges when I first arrived in January are now emitting a wonderful smell of orange blossom (a very different smell than an orange). People are out and about as much as possible- the daylight lingers into the night (around 8pm). I love it.
This past weekend I stayed in Sevilla. I was very excited abou this weekend, enough of this constant traveling- I could not wait to spend some free time with Sevilla. The weekends begin on Thursday night and my friend and I went out to Plaza del Salvidor.
On Friday I slept until noon! That’s the latest I’ve slept since I’ve been here. I sat by the river and browsed some street markets. It was a wonderful day of doing absolutely nothing. I headed home for a siesta before embarking on my journey to find the lone synagogue in Sevilla. In the previous week, I had found an article online written by an American study abroad student a few years back. She provided me with the address: Bustos Taverna 8 but when I went to this street, number 8 was just an office building and no emblems or markings of a synagogue. But I wouldn’t expect a large sign due to this small population. When I left my house at 7:15 I wasn’t very confident that I would find practicing Jews in this almost entirely Catholic city.
I found number 8 once again, and the street door was propped open. I walked inside .to find a staircase leading to a doctors office, a courtyard, and one large, wooden door. Behind the heavy door I saw light and heard men’s voices. I didn’t know what to do- I could knock and ask them “este está la synagogua? – if I was right they would welcome me in, but if I was wrong, well that would be a very awkward situation.
I paced back and forth, I walked outside and decided to wait- someone was bound to enter or walk out of the building and then I could ask. After a few minutes the door opens. A older man walks out to get the mail – I look at him from the street, he looks back at me; almost as though we were both waiting for the other to say something. Finally, he motions for me to walk into the doorway. I ask him “estoy buscando para la synagogua, ¿está aqui?” He looks at me and says “No, this is the mosque, the shul is down the street.” I pause for a second and then laugh, and he laughs and welcomes me inside the one-roomed temple.
It was a great experience and I am very glad I went. I was worried that they wouldn’t be welcoming of an American student here for a one time thing but I was wrong, everyone was really nice and warm to me. The rabbi, a small Israeli man, starts to talk to me in English. He asked me where I am from- outside of New York city. Where?- New Jersey. What town?- You’re not gonna know it… Livingston. He laughs for a minute and then between laughs he says, “I lived in Livingston for two years.” – Such a small, small world. Anyways, the service was short. There was a guy around my age who has bene teaching English in Sevilla for two years. We couldn't sit together because men and women are seperate but he was very nice. The rabbi invited me to a pesach sedar which would be great but my mom and Lindsay will be visiting- maybe I'll drag them along? We'll see.
So the rest of my weekend was great. The weather was beautiful, and I had little work to worry me. On Sunday, my friend called and woke me up to go the beach. For a minute I thought that sleeping late would be a better option but then I decided to shut up and get my butt up and get to the bus. I'm so glad I made myself go- I had such a great time and the beach was really nice and only 1 hour away! '
So all and all, I love Sevilla. The more I travel the more I appreciate this city. Next stop is Italy which I have heard tons and tons of information on, so I am very excited. But I highly doubt it will compare to Sevilla.
This past weekend I stayed in Sevilla. I was very excited abou this weekend, enough of this constant traveling- I could not wait to spend some free time with Sevilla. The weekends begin on Thursday night and my friend and I went out to Plaza del Salvidor.
On Friday I slept until noon! That’s the latest I’ve slept since I’ve been here. I sat by the river and browsed some street markets. It was a wonderful day of doing absolutely nothing. I headed home for a siesta before embarking on my journey to find the lone synagogue in Sevilla. In the previous week, I had found an article online written by an American study abroad student a few years back. She provided me with the address: Bustos Taverna 8 but when I went to this street, number 8 was just an office building and no emblems or markings of a synagogue. But I wouldn’t expect a large sign due to this small population. When I left my house at 7:15 I wasn’t very confident that I would find practicing Jews in this almost entirely Catholic city.
I found number 8 once again, and the street door was propped open. I walked inside .to find a staircase leading to a doctors office, a courtyard, and one large, wooden door. Behind the heavy door I saw light and heard men’s voices. I didn’t know what to do- I could knock and ask them “este está la synagogua? – if I was right they would welcome me in, but if I was wrong, well that would be a very awkward situation.
I paced back and forth, I walked outside and decided to wait- someone was bound to enter or walk out of the building and then I could ask. After a few minutes the door opens. A older man walks out to get the mail – I look at him from the street, he looks back at me; almost as though we were both waiting for the other to say something. Finally, he motions for me to walk into the doorway. I ask him “estoy buscando para la synagogua, ¿está aqui?” He looks at me and says “No, this is the mosque, the shul is down the street.” I pause for a second and then laugh, and he laughs and welcomes me inside the one-roomed temple.
It was a great experience and I am very glad I went. I was worried that they wouldn’t be welcoming of an American student here for a one time thing but I was wrong, everyone was really nice and warm to me. The rabbi, a small Israeli man, starts to talk to me in English. He asked me where I am from- outside of New York city. Where?- New Jersey. What town?- You’re not gonna know it… Livingston. He laughs for a minute and then between laughs he says, “I lived in Livingston for two years.” – Such a small, small world. Anyways, the service was short. There was a guy around my age who has bene teaching English in Sevilla for two years. We couldn't sit together because men and women are seperate but he was very nice. The rabbi invited me to a pesach sedar which would be great but my mom and Lindsay will be visiting- maybe I'll drag them along? We'll see.
So the rest of my weekend was great. The weather was beautiful, and I had little work to worry me. On Sunday, my friend called and woke me up to go the beach. For a minute I thought that sleeping late would be a better option but then I decided to shut up and get my butt up and get to the bus. I'm so glad I made myself go- I had such a great time and the beach was really nice and only 1 hour away! '
So all and all, I love Sevilla. The more I travel the more I appreciate this city. Next stop is Italy which I have heard tons and tons of information on, so I am very excited. But I highly doubt it will compare to Sevilla.
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