Ciao Italia...and so it begins

A seven-hour bus ride later, the students of Gonzaga-in-Florence arrived in the city of Firenze!

View outside of the bus, while driving through Austria

Sam and I quickly left the bus to get to our new home for the next few months, Cordova. Our room is pretty nice. We had to do some re-arranging, but everything turned out pretty great! The room is a subtle peach color with matching drapes. The bathroom is the only thing that I think with take some getting used to. When we turn on our shower, the water shoots out in one fierce and strong stream. It’s shocking at first but I have a feeling that by December we will have gotten used to it.

Sam and I trying to rearrange our new room 

Panoramic view of our new home for the next three months

Panoramic pic of our bathroom *note the bidet inside the shower*

Our first night in Cordova, the family who runs the pensione had a welcome dinner for us. The meals here often begin with a pasta dish, followed by a main dish (often meat), and conclude with a desert. Many of us did not know this, so we stuffed our faces with the lasagna (pasta course) and were stuffed by the time the second course came. But we made the sacrifice and scarffed down even more food. Jeez, the food here is delicious, which is slightly dangerous.

Thursday was our first day of classes. I have three classes on Thursdays, so I have the flexibility in my schedule to travel Thursday through Sunday. The campus, which is more of a building (equipped with a timed bell and everything), is less than five minutes away from my pensione. I have always been a fan of the first day of classes, but I am even more so now that I am in Florence. We celebrated our first day of class with a little gelato. Yum!

Enjoying some Nutella and pistachio gelato 

Courtney and Kasey with some tasty treats

After classes, Sam, Kasey, Courtney, and I all took our laundry to be done (which is actually cheaper than doing it yourself). Most of my clothes needed to be washed because when I had arrived in Paris, the rain soaked through my bag and got to most of my clothes, which is why when I received by bag in Florence I found mold. Eww. Trying to navigate the streets of Florence with our laundry in hand was yet another humorous experience. Our clothes are now clean and smell very nice!

First day of school selfie! Courtney, myself, and Sam 

Friday we had a morning orientation where we were introduced to many of the opportunities we, as students, have to partake in school, sport, intercultural, and volunteer activities. I cannot wait for the semester to get started so that I can start getting involved in life on campus in Florence!

There is an IKEA in Florence, or rather right outside of Florence. Every Saturday IKEA has a free shuttle running from Santa Maria Novella Piazza to IKEA every hour. Sam, Kasey, and I could not resist and had to make a quick trip! I love IKEA, I could spend hours on end in there if I had the chance.

Caitlin and Courtney protecting their newly withdrawn euros

Shenanigans outside the steps of the Duomo 

Mary and I enjoying our Saturday night (Mary contemplating something very important)

Sunday was a day to relax. I’m currently reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I have heard people talk about how good the book was for quite a while, but being reluctant to read “sad” books I have yet to give it a shot. Bad decision. The book is wonderful! I was able to go out and explore Florence and get wrapped up in a new story—a perfect way to end a perfect weekend. 

Massage time in room 407 (Chris and Kasey)

Miranda, Courtney and I

I cannot wait for all of the adventures awaiting us this semester! 

Hallo Germany

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is in the southern German state of Bayern and takes about eight hours to get to via bus. Right before noon we arrived in Heidelberg to take a quick tour of the town. Our tour guide was so much fun. She was engaging and showed us fun little “secret” aspects of the town. We did not have the time to explore it, but there is a castle upon the top of the town where when the sun shines upon it where the castle begins to literally sparkle.

Beautiful

It’s mind-blowing the vast history and experience of all these places in Europe. America is so young in comparison. 

We got into Garmisch-Partenkirchen a little after 19:00. The hotel that the majority of the group were staying at was unable to provide rooms for about 20 students, so some had to stay at a different hotel. I was one of those twenty. We stayed at Hotel Atlas Post, which was ridiculously great. It is a small boutique hotel that captured a authentic feel of the German culture--past and future. I was roomed with a girl named, Kathleen, who is super fun.

A view of the mountains when walking to the other hotel

Our first night there, although it was a Sunday, the small group of 20 kids in Hotel Atlas went to explore the towns. We ran across a small group of locals who were drinking pints and dressed in traditional lederhosen. We asked if we could join them and they welcomed us with open arms. They played music for us, as well as taught us some of their traditional games that recognized strength (such as arm wrestling). It was one of those “unreal” moments when you have two completely different groups of people come together and learn how similar they truly are. I could not have asked for a more wonderful first night in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Annika and I exploring Garmisch 

The next day we went to the other hotel to meet with our pensione groups. I am staying in Cordova, which will house a little over 50 students. It is the biggest pensione. There are about seven pensiones where Gonzaga houses students. I am lucky enough to be rooming with Sam in Cordova. Many of our friends are within walking distance, which should work out really well.

Later we traveled to Munich. We had planned on going on a tour; however, when we arrived it was raining fairly hard. The Student Life staff gave us the option to go on the tour or go explore on our own. Courtney and I, although we wanted to go on the tour, wanted to escape the rain even more so. We went off on our own to grab a quick bite to eat. We ate at this traditional German pub and tried some new food. After lunch we just walked around and checked out a few sites and stores. I bought some socks at H&M! Definitely a good buy.

GIF students trying to escape the rain under a little passage way in Munich

The Munich Stadtmuseum

The skies began to clear up

I'm loving all of the fresh flower venders 

Courtney and I all ready to shop

That night a few of my friends and I headed over to Peaches, this local bar, for American dollar night. Every Tuesday night at Peaches you can bring in your American money and use it in exchange of euros. What you would usually pay four euros for, you could pay four dollars--definitely a good deal. Courtney and I split a Long Island Iced Tea and were able to talk to a few locals. The German people are quickly becoming some of the nicest groups of people I’ve met thus far.

Some old, new, and German friends

Wednesday we left Garmisch-Partenkirchen and headed to Florence. These past few weeks in London and on Opening Tour have been unbelievable. I have been able to visit three countries and various cities, while hanging out with old friends and getting to meet many new ones. 

Excitement eventually turned into exhaustion (due to all the traveling), but being around so many enthusiastic people definitely helps. I feel prepared enough now to live out of a backpack for two weeks and get along on limited funds. I could not be more happy and ecstatic with my experiences in London and on Opening Tour, but I am looking forward to settling down and getting to become immersed with Florence and everything it has to offer.  

Traveling in Eastern France

The bus ride to Strasbourg, France went really well. In the past I have had issues with motion sickness, but I have had no problem with riding any of the many different modes of transportation here, such as with the metro, tube, train, bus, etc… Maybe there is something in this European air.

Courtney and Miranda taking a nap

On our way to Strasbourg, we were able to make it to Reims, France to take a guided tour of the famous cathedral, Notre Dame (not to be confused with the cathedral in Paris). It was beautiful and our tour guide was wonderful and engaging. We learned of the different types of architectural approaches that had been put into the cathedrals building, as well as some corky aspects of it’s façade that not only creates personality but relativity. I loved it.  

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Reims

Once we arrived in Strasbourg (a city located on the eastern boarder of France, directly east of Paris) we were assigned rooms at Hotel Ibis Ponts Couverts and taken to dinner. I was roomed with Miranda, which could not have worked out better.

Pretty flowers in Strasbourg

Mary and I by one of the many rivers

More pretty flowers

 The first full day that we were able to spend there, we began it with a three hour-long tour. Although I really do enjoy going on tours of the various places I have been lucky enough to go see, this particular tour was a little tough to get through. Mary, Clara, Caitlin, and I took off about an hour into the tour to discover the city on our own.

We found bubble tea in Strasbourg!

Leaving our mark in Strasbourg (ipads provided by the bubble tea shop)

Clara, Caitlin, and myself

After a quick brunch, we headed to the tourist office to ask what we should do. With the help of a map and a very nice French lady, we were directed to a boat cruise that went along the rivers that surround the city. After, we went to visit a wine cellar that is housed in the basement of a hospital. I learned of the many medicinal qualities of wine.

An artistic approach to capturing the beauty of Strasbourg

Where Marie Antoinette married Louis XVI of France 

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg

Myself, Mary, Clara, and Caitlin about to board our boat tour

Clara and I in the wine cellar

Enjoying some of the medicinal qualities of the cellar's wine

The next day we were taken on a full day excursion to Colmar and Riquewihr. In Colmar we were taken on a quick tour of the city and given sometime to explore the town. Courtney and I grabbed a quick lunch at the market before we headed out. Riquewihr is the most picturesque place I have yet to see. The region is known for it’s vineyards and wine, but it looks like a painting or city that came out of a movie. We were told that the locals cover the town with lights during the winter, which I can only imagine how it beautiful it is looks during that time of the year.

Where Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (famous sculptor, created the Statue of Liberty) grew up

Beautiful Colmar

Courtney, myself, Miranda, and Sam in Riquewihr

Beautiful vineyards

A town frozen in time

Caitlin, myself, and Sam

Caitlin and I exploring France

Before we returned to Strasbourg we stopped off at the Gingerbread Museum. We were guided by a little gingerbread-man as we learned about the history of gingerbread making and eating. It was one of the stranger things I have done since I’ve been here, but entertaining nonetheless.

One of the interesting rooms of the Gingerbread Museum 

We returned Saturday evening to enjoy Strasbourg on our own for the last time, since we left for Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany the next morning!

 Lily, Casey, Sam, Annika, Kelly, myself, Courtney, Caitlin, and Miranda dinner at Tapas 

Birthday in Paris

A 4:00am wake-up call does not sound particularly enjoyable; but when you are with your friends and are waking up to catch a train to Paris, a 4:00am wake-up call cannot come soon enough. After waking, the four of us soon found our way to the London train station, grabbed a bite to eat, and waited to board our Euro star train. The train was nothing fancy, but we were able to go take it under the English Chunnel. You don’t really realize that you are under a major waterway besides the few obvious clues such as the beautiful English countryside view from your window disappearing into darkness and your ears aching from a slight pressure change within the train.

Packed and Ready to head to Paris via London

When we arrived in Paris it was pouring rain. We braved the weather and, with our suitcases in hand, took off for the hotel. I’m just going to say it…we got lost. We are wandering around Paris looking for our hotel, lunging our luggage around in the rain. Needless to say, all of our clothes and belongings became drenched. Eventually we ran into some students who are apart of the Gonzaga-in-Florence program that were able to point us in the right direction. Turns out, the metro that we had taken from the train station had delivered us a block away from our hotel. I believe sleep deprivation, excitement, and external conditions are to blame for our confusion.

Opening Tour is offered by Gonzaga-in-Florence for all of its’ fall semester students. This is a time to see and become educated about some key places in Europe, bond with other students studying abroad, and become introduced to the European way of life. This fall, Opening Tour began in Paris.

Maddy, Sam, Courtney, and I all met up with the rest of the Gonzaga-in-Florence students who are studying abroad, at Hotel Concorde Montparnasse. I met my new roommate for the time we will be spending in Paris, Mattie, who is journalism major at Marquette University. We seem to have a lot in common and it was great getting to meet someone from another university.

The day that we arrived in Paris, I turned 21. Talk about having one of the best 21^st birthdays, ever! We had a GIF (Gonzaga-in-Florence) group dinner, and then Courtney and I walked down to the Eiffel Tower to see it lit up at night. After, we went out for drinks with a few friends at a local bar and had a great time just enjoying each other’s company. It was also fun getting to interact with some of the locals. I definitely did not have the traditional, American 21^st birthday experience, but who am I to complain….I got to spend it in Paris with friends!

The Eiffel Tower

                                         

Quick "selfie" shot with the Eiffel Tower 

The morning of our first full day in Paris, most of the students went on a three-hour bus tour that took us around the city. Similar to the bus tour we took in London, it was an excellent way to get to see a majority of the city and gage what places and attractions would be fun to return to.

A cute market that we passed on the bus tour

                                        

Miranda and Mary enjoying their tour :)

                                 

Sam and I

A pretty view that we passed on the bus tour

L'arc de Triomphe (quick fyi: photo was taken while sitting in the bus)

Notre-Dame

Myself, Mary, Miranda, and Sam in front of the Eiffel Tower

(The skies were beginning to clear up for us!)

After the bus tour, some friends and I ventured to this local crêperie. Our experience was not as enjoyable as we had hoped. …It was definitely interesting if anything else. There was some sort of meat on my plate that was grey in color and looked similar to an onion ring, which you could pull apart. It also smelt kind of bad. But we would not allow this culinary experience effect the rest of our day out in the city. We soon wandered around towards the L’arc de Triomphe, then returned back to the hotel where I preceded to take a nap that lasted well into the next morning.

Arc de Triomphe de L'Étoile

Rectifying our prior crêpe experience (Nutella and Banana)

Feeling refreshed and ready to go, a group of friends and myself made our way down to the Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Key Bridge (where couples from around the world come to place a lock on the bridge to symbolize their love), Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore (a small, English bookstore that is run by young writers who are traveling the world), Moulin Rouge, and Sacré-Coeur. For dinner we met up with the school and when to Restaurant La Coupole for dinner.

Sam, Courtney, Myself, and Clara at the Gardens

Luxembourg Gardens and Palace

The girls outside of Notre-Dame

Keys from the Love Lock Bridge

Sacré-Coeur

Courtney and I 

View from the top 

Clara and I infront of Moulin Rouge

Annika, Kelly, Courntey, Sam and I all finished our trip off with a bottle of champagne under the Eiffel Tour. It was simply magical.

Champagne and a sparkly view... Au revoir!

Although Paris is a fairly small city that can be explored by foot, I would love to come back to be able to see even more of it, such as the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, and the Musée d’Orsay.

Now, off to Strasbourg!