Prior to traveling to Italy I'd watched Katharine Hepburn in the movie "Summertime" navigate through the waterways of Venice, experiencing the various people and places that make Italy so enchanting. She fell into the Venetian waterways (and got pinkeye!), fell in love with a handsome gentleman, and fell for Italy all in one trip. I myself couldn't wait for the opportunity to fall, not in the canal mind you but in love with my one and only "it" place (and if a world wind romance ensued I might not have objected to that ;o). This movie further piqued my interest in the Italian culture, I wondered how similar my experience would be to Katharine's, especially since this film was shot in the 1950's.
After retuning from Italy and watching "Summertime" again, I was surprised how similar my Italian experience was to Katharine Hepburn's character even though my peers and I were unable to visit Venice. We too had to travel by train to our final destination and struggle with our luggage and although we no longer employ the use of film, my memory card was full within 36hrs of being in Italy. Shopping in Italy we haggled prices and played "let's make a deal" with vendors as did the characters in the movie. We shared our experiences with fellow tourists many of whom were from America like us and used the five or so Italian words we had learned every chance we got. Ciao!, Quanto, etc.
Italian media mirrored American culture in that they have many of the same magazine and television programming. However there is a heavy political influence that dictates their television programming. In the U.S. we have C-Span and CNN that constantly report on government issues, in Italy there are times when stations such as MTV air politically charged programming.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Time to Go
March 18th 2011
It's the day before we depart from home and it's a bittersweet moment. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in Italia, however I'm missing home. Fear not, I shall return (hopefully) and we shall do it all again. This experience inspires me to bring others to see all that I've seen My memory cards are full with memories that I can't wait to share. My overpriced souvenirs are tucked away in my luggage ready to be distributed to loved ones. I've collected most if not all of my receipts so that when I arrive home I can calculate the sticker shock of all that I've bought. I miss my family, puppy, and television in a language that I understand. And above all else I miss my BATHROOM! USA here I come.
It's the day before we depart from home and it's a bittersweet moment. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in Italia, however I'm missing home. Fear not, I shall return (hopefully) and we shall do it all again. This experience inspires me to bring others to see all that I've seen My memory cards are full with memories that I can't wait to share. My overpriced souvenirs are tucked away in my luggage ready to be distributed to loved ones. I've collected most if not all of my receipts so that when I arrive home I can calculate the sticker shock of all that I've bought. I miss my family, puppy, and television in a language that I understand. And above all else I miss my BATHROOM! USA here I come.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Rome If You Want To
March 17th 2011
Spending the whole day in Rome has left me exhausted and much too tired to complete a thought, but here goes. Today we saw the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Vatican all on foot in the rain. Everything was breathtaking and beautiful as is everything in Italy.
We learned that if men in gladiator outfits try to take a photo with you (using your own camera) it's best to run far, far away (or just decline) unless you want to pay 5 euros (roughly $7.11) for it.
"We're men! Manly men! We're men in tiiiiiights! da da da da da da..."
And you can never, never, never, have too many umbrellas (at least that seems to be what the vendors pushing the darn things think)!
Spending the whole day in Rome has left me exhausted and much too tired to complete a thought, but here goes. Today we saw the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Vatican all on foot in the rain. Everything was breathtaking and beautiful as is everything in Italy.
We learned that if men in gladiator outfits try to take a photo with you (using your own camera) it's best to run far, far away (or just decline) unless you want to pay 5 euros (roughly $7.11) for it.
And you can never, never, never, have too many umbrellas (at least that seems to be what the vendors pushing the darn things think)!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Memoirs of a Spoiled American Abroad.
March 15th 2011
Leaving for Italy I had an idea of what to expect as far as accommodations went. I knew from the research that I did that our hotel wasn't going to be the Le Parker Meridian but after seeing my bathroom I could only wonder what it is I had gotten myself into. I don't know what was worse the wall to wall Pepto Bismol pink walls or the 2' x 2' shower! And worst of all the toilet! Can someone call the tidy bowl man? WTH?!?
Leaving for Italy I had an idea of what to expect as far as accommodations went. I knew from the research that I did that our hotel wasn't going to be the Le Parker Meridian but after seeing my bathroom I could only wonder what it is I had gotten myself into. I don't know what was worse the wall to wall Pepto Bismol pink walls or the 2' x 2' shower! And worst of all the toilet! Can someone call the tidy bowl man? WTH?!?
Monday, March 14, 2011
The European Diet
March 14th 2011
There is a reason that obesity isn't a big issue here. I've been in Italy a whopping 24hrs and I've had to have dropped at least 5lbs. You walk EVERYWHERE and the stairs that you must climb will permanently eliminate your gym membership. This may very well be the best diet I've ever tried!
There is a reason that obesity isn't a big issue here. I've been in Italy a whopping 24hrs and I've had to have dropped at least 5lbs. You walk EVERYWHERE and the stairs that you must climb will permanently eliminate your gym membership. This may very well be the best diet I've ever tried!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Farewell Lady Liberty
Spent the day scrambling to pack and make sure nothing was forgotten.
Currently aboard my flight taxing from gate, preparing for takeoff.
Please GOD bless this flight and this trip. Amen!
Italy here I come.
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