A Day In The Life of Audrey Hepburn

As things wind down in Rome, I look back on all of the incredible memories I have made. It seems that, as I recant these experiences, my life seems as if it is a black and white film. Such perfection in every moment of my “Roman Holiday.”

To bring the trip to a close, “the girls” and I decided to spend our last Saturday together reliving the life of Audrey Hepburn in “Vacanze Romane” or “Roman Holiday.” Inspired by an Audrey Hepburn exhibit we had recently seen, we wandered the city in our best attire, seeing for one last time all of the tourist destinations such as the Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon. With Audrey as our guide, Rome seems even more picturesque.

Spanish Steps

Outside Gregory Pecks Apartment

 

Trevi Fountain

Pantheon

 

Mouth of Truth

Colosseum

Roman Forum

Paris, Je T’aime

What is there to say about the most amazing city in the world. Each time I visit Paris I find a new reason to fall in love with the city. Autumn in Paris has been by far the best time to visit, with the leaves changing colors, the brisk temperature perfect for frolicking through the city, Parisians trotting around in their best autumn attire. It truly is remarkable how magical the city is. Almost like a film, where it seems nothing has changed in the past 80 years, everything just as picturesque as it was when Ernest Hemingway or James Joyce roamed the streets during the 1920s.

First to check of the list when going to Paris is of course the tourist destinations. The Moulin Rouge, Sacré-Cœur, Notre Dame, and last but definitely not least the Eiffel Tower. What amazes me most about the city of Paris is how everything changes at night. Notre Dame goes from a majestic church to the castle of the hunchback. Sacré-Cœur during the day stands tall, while at night seems only a light off in the distance. The Eiffel tower goes from a monumental structure to one of the most beautiful sights in the city, shining brighter than the stars. Be it day or night, Paris truly is amazing.

While the typical Parisian sights are incredible, what sets Paris apart from any other city in the world is the unknown elements. Things such as the best place to get crepes, the best bookstore, which cemetery to go to, and which markets are the best. While I had been to Paris before, not all of these things had been discovered, so I made this my priority. Out of all of the things I saw in Paris, one of my all time favorites was Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Recommended by a friend living in Paris, this bookstore now holds the key to my heart. Shakespeare and Company has had some 50,000 writers stay in its midst (the store also serves as a sleeping facility, with 13 beds). People such as Henry Miller, Anais Nin, Allen Ginsberg and Ernest Hemmingway spent hours writing and sleeping in this bookstore back when it opened. The history of the store itself can be seen on the bookshelves, finding books that have been signed and dated by the author.  Right in the heart of Paris opposite Notre Dame, Shakespeare and company is a reading library as well as a bookstore, and specializes in English- language literature. With the faint sound of Debussy’s Claire De Lune playing in the background, this bookstore served as the perfect stop to sit back and enjoy a read while gallivanting around Paris.

All in all, Paris proved itself to be one of the most remarkable cities. Everything about the city was breathtaking. Every word of French spoken was perfect, every sunset picturesque. What else is there to say other than Paris, Je t’aime.

The Moulin Rouge

The Louvre

Arch De Triomphe

Versailles Gardens

Versailles

A couple from Belgium got engaged at Versailles. I was able to capture the moment.

Worlds Best Crepes

Luxembourg Palace

View from Sacre Couer

The Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame

Dancing in the Opera House

The Picture Perfect Sunset

Shakespeare And Company Bookstore

The Perfect bed in the perfect bookstore

 

Barcelona: More Than A Siesta

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To my surprise, Barcelona was quite a phenomenal city to visit in a whirlwind. I didn’t quite know what to expect, never having been to Spain before. Upon arriving at 10:30 pm, the city was still alive, people roaming the streets, enjoying a pitcher of Sangria. This is what was most notable about Barcelona. The nightlife is incomparable. Every night a new type of club, from Spanish pop to salsa, each one had its own unique flair.

The first night was a Spanish club, one of the largest in Barcelona, with the top 100 Spanish hits on repeat. While the songs were unfamiliar, the atmosphere seemed similar to those in the United States; Crowded, filled with people singing and dancing and generally enjoying one anothers company. As it came to leave for the night at 3 am, there was still a line out the door to get into the club, proving Barcelona to have the best night life out of all the cities I have seen. Night two was different from any other; Salsa dancing. At a snazzy little club called Mojito, the club was filled with people of all ages enjoying the live music and dance scene. While I struggled to keep up with the Spaniards and their salsa dancing techniques (even after asking for help from the cleaning lady in the bathroom), it still proved to be a very enjoyable evening.

The third night showed that the United States is not the only country that goes all out for Halloween. This club had hundred of dressed up Spaniards listening to, of course, American and British music, dancing the night away.

This is not to say Barcelona is known solely for its night life. The architectural elements of Barcelona are unlike any other city. Known for its Gaudi structures, each building had a different structural element which made it unique. From the haunting Casa Batllo to the Sagrada Familia, the architecture of Barcelona is truly remarkable.

Last but not least, one of the most important elements of traveling; the food. Tapas tapas and more tapas! Every day was a new array of tapas and a pitcher of sangria to match. The Spaniards really know how to live it up, siesta included.

4 Gats Restaurant, where Picasso had his first public art show!

Salsa dancing at the market

Public Art Project for kids of all ages!

View of Barcelona

Samba Dancing

Casa Batllo

Olympic Stadium

A View of Tuscany (2 weeks late)

While I did fall in love with Michaelangelo’s David, the region of Tuscany offered so much more than just that. About 2 weeks ago, We were fortunate enough to stay in an incredible villa in Lucca, about 45 minutes outside of Florence. This villa is owned by friends of my professor. They had large group dinners for us every night, giving us the feeling of a true Italian family dinner.

The first day we arrived we spent the majority of our day in Pisa, a cute little tourist town, home to one of the worlds most famous pieces of architecture. On the first night, I was able to help out in the kitchen. I learned how to make homemade pasta (which, according to the Italians, means I am ready to be an Italian housewife. Guess I have no real reason to return to the United States now!). Each meal was enough food to last for days, but of course the dinners here tend to last about 4 hours and have 4 courses.

The villa in which we stayed in was located on a farm. 8 of us shared one house, 10 people in the other house. Every day on the farm included ten minutes of playing with the goats, who were not only adorable but are surprisingly intelligent and gentile animals. There was also a pool with an incredible view overlooking the mountains. The only time I was able to go swimming was at 7 am, meaning the water was rather frigid, but being able to watch the sunrise over the mountains and through the trees made it worth it. Swimming was of course followed by yoga by the pool, completing the perfect morning.

Sadly, we were only able to go to Florence for one day, which made for a rather stressful trip. It is a city which is meant to be seen over 7 days, not 7 hours. However, we made great time and got to see many of the major tourist sites Florence has to offer.

And than, of course, the highlight of my trip. Our last day in Tuscany was spent on a vineyard, learning how they make wine and olive oil. We ate lunch there, complete with delicious Tuscan Chianti and olive oil on just about every piece of food. The view from the vineyard was breathtaking, a picturesque version of what Tuscany looks like. I wish I could say making wine was my life calling, but it is an incredibly delicate process, so I am thinking my next best bet is to marry into a wealthy Italian family move to a Tuscan vineyard with them.

The best part about getting out of Rome for a weekend was that hardly anyone in Lucca spoke English. In fact, the woman who lives on the farm didn’t speak a single word of it, so when I sat down to have a cafe with her, I was forced to speak Italian (which came much easier than I thought it would). I find that my English is getting worse as my Italian gets better, which can only be a good sign.

After my weekend in Tuscany, I have come to realize that each city in Italy offers something unique. The art, the scenery, the people, the food, each element varies depending on the city, which makes me wonder if 3 months is enough time to see Italy.

 

 

Falling In Love Under The Tuscan Sun

While in Tuscany, I knew I would see gorgeous landscapes and drink phenomenal wine, but what I did not expect was to find the love of my life. In Firenze (Florence), right in the heart of the incredible art, I found the love of my life. While he is significantly taller than me, I don’t let height get in the way. When he stares off into the distance, the brooding look on his face would draw in any woman. His cheekbones are perfectly sculpted, with a jawbone similar to that of a Greek God. His usual stance, with weight shifted on just one side of his body, makes his hip pop out in a way that accentuates his lower ab muscles. All in all, he is the perfect man. Sadly, he remains in Florence and I remain in Rome. Some day, we shall be united……..

 

Did I mention he is a statue? I truly did fall in love with Michaelangelo’s David. He is the perfect man.

 

Next Stop: Assisi

This past Sunday, September 11, we were lucky enough to venture to Assisi as a class trip. Just 2 hours outside of Rome by train, this small town proved to have a large history. Home of Italy’s patron saint, Saint Francis, Assisi has some of the most beautiful and important churches in Christianity, including the Basilica of Saint Francesco, the Basilica of Santa Chiara, and the Church of San Damiano.

The story of Assisi is quite fascinating. Saint Francis was born in the town of Assisi to a merchant. One day, he had a vision saying he must help rebuild, which he took to mean he must rebuild the roofs of the churches which were falling apart. He started to do so, but still was not content with his life. He had another vision, and it was clarified that what Francis must rebuild was his life. He got rid of his worldly possessions and went to rebuild the Church of San Damiano, which had recently been destroyed. He helped those less fortunate than himself, such as the lepers, with the help of Chiara, also known as Saint Claire. The town of Assisi is now dedicated to its patron saints, Chiara and Francis. Our group was fortunate enough to have a priest talk to us and tell us the story of Saint Francis upon our arrival in the Church of San Damiano, which Francis rebuilt, and which later housed Saint Claire and her sister Saint Agnes upon their fleeing of Assisi.

Not only is this town historically and religiously fascinating , but it holds one of the most astonishing views. While the hike can be treacherous, the view of the town from the top of the hill is breathtakingly beautiful, well worth the hike. Assisi is truly something that everyone must see see.

View upon entering the city

Fresco on the side of a building

View from the Basilica of Saint Francis

Yet another incredible view of Assisi

Stained glass in the Basilica of Saint Francis

Basilica of Saint Francis

There was a pilgrimage from Tuscany to Assisi the day we visited

The fresco above the altar in the Basilica of Saint Francis

Portait of Jesus in chalk on the sidewalk

The view from the top of the hill

 

Un giorno nella vita di un Romano

Here is a look into my every day life here in Rome. It continues to amaze me the things I get to see every day on my way to school. Each day, I take a tram from my apartment across Fiume Tevere (the Tiber River) to Largo Di Torre Argentina, which hosts four Republican Roman temples, and the remains of Pompey’s Theatre. It also contains cats (cats used to roam free in the city, but it was soon decided that they should be contained in one area, which is now in Largo Di Torre Argentina). After that, I have the option of taking a bus, but instead I walk the 15 minutes to not only enjoy the incredible weather Rome seems to have every day, but also to enjoy the sites around me. These sites include the Pantheon, the Column of Marcus Aurelius, an obelisk, many fountains (sometimes including the Trevi Fountain). I am also fortunate enough to attend school a block away from Piazza di Spagna, or the Spanish steps. Hopefully these pictures will give a glimpse into why I have fallen in love with this city.

Largo Argentina

Fiume Tevere (The Tiber River)

The Pantheon

A fountain outside the Pantheon

The street I walk down to get to school

The Column of Marcus Aurelius

Vespas, Vespas and more Vespas

Piazza di Spagna (The Spanish Steps)

La Citta Bella

Ciao from Roma! I will be studying in the breathtaking city of Rome, Italy for the next three months, where, if I do not get caught up in the Italian lifestyle, I will chronicle my adventures via blog. I am studying Italian, religion and music at Italiaidea, the Italian exchange school through DePaul University.

Upon arrival 5 days ago, jetlagged and ready to sleep, I was able to see how people get caught up in the Italian lifestyle. After getting slightly lost on my way to my hotel for the first night, a very nice Italian man around the age of 65 walked me to my hotel. Complete with balcony and bidet, my room in the hotel was perfect for my first evening. The second hotel I stayed in, during orientation, was not a hotel but rather the apartment on the top floor of the building. The balcony overlooked the entire city of Rome, giving anyone an excuse to stay forever.

Within the first 5 days, I have stumbled upon the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Roman Forum, and so many other incredible sites. Not only that, but my school is located almost next to the Spanish Steps, which is becoming an every day site for me.

My host mother is quickly becoming family. As the group waited in a room, we were picked up one by one, giving the feeling of a puppy waiting to be picked out of the pound and taken home. It was one of the most nerve wrecking experiences I have ever had. My name was called, the hallway to the office seemed to grow longer and longer, and yet as soon as I walked in the room and took one look at my host mother, I knew I would be accepted as family. While I was being polite and speaking formally, she turned to the women in the office and started going on and on about how beautiful her new daughter was. Flattery is always the way to a girls heart.

After a few minutes my Italian began to come back to me, and we were having a basic conversation. True to the stereotype she is an amazing cook, making everything from spaghetti bolognese to lasagna. After dinner I was fortunate enough to meet her children, both grown and out of the house. It was the first time I was able to speak English all evening. After a great nights rest, I woke up to breakfast on the table and my host mom, Susanna, yelling “Ah mia bella figlia!” (translating to “Ah, my beautiful girl!)

As I was getting ready for the first day of school, she came into my room with a sandwich for me and says “for lunch” in her broken English. She than walked me all the way to school, showing me her favorite places in the city.

While all of my nerves had built up for this trip over the past 3 months, but Rom has proven to be the most phenomenal city. It could rain every single day and the city would still shine brighter than any other (although I am hoping the weather remains as beautiful as it has been for the past 5 days).

Arrivaderci da la citta bella!

 

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