We've Been From Yes to Si to Oui!

Last Friday we boarded a bus in Florence and headed to the Pisa Airport for a weekend in Paris! When we finally made it into Paris on our second bus ride of the day, we were surprised by Jennifer's parents waiting on us at the bus station! Then we headed to the  Hotel , which was just across the street from their hotel! That night we ate dinner and just walked around catching glimpses of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe! The next morning we woke up ready to go and see everything we could! Our first stop was Notre Dome, this church is just as amazing on the inside as it is on the outside! I will add photos when I can..  Then we headed to the Conciergerie , where they imprisoned people such as Marie Antoinette!  Our next stop was at Sainte Chapelle Chapel. There are huge stained glass windows around the whole chapel with most of them being the original from the 13th century! We stopped at Pont Nuef Bridge on our way to the Louvre , because this is the oldest bridge in Paris. At the Louvre we saw many famous paintings such as the Mona Lisa and the sculpture Venus de Milo. That night we climbed to Arc de Triomphe , to get a glimpse of the city!On Sunday morning we ventured out by ourselves we spent the morning at the Orsay Museum! We say famous paintings by Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Edgar Degas. Then at lunch we headed to the L'orangerie. This is where Claude Monet's "The Water Lillies" are kept. In two rooms you can see the painting of his famous gardens in the way it would be as the sun rises and falls from east to west! It was probably one my  most favorite things we saw the whole trip in Paris!  After we ate lunch we headed to the  Pere- Lachaise Cemetery. Our first stop was at Jim Morrison's grave which in greek reads  "true to his own spirit". Then we headed to Chopin's and Oscar Wilde's tombs. Sunday night we took a sunset ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower (sunset is usually around 10'ish) , which is by far the tallest thing we have climbed this trip. It was like being on top of the world! However, it was freezing because we were not truly prepared for the change in temperatures between Italy and France! On our last morning in Paris we spent the day taking a Boat tour of Paris and walking around the city. We even headed back to the Notre Dome hoping to the see the Crown of Thrones. However, we learned after  we went searching because no one could find it, that it is only displayed the fourth friday of every month and on Good Friday. Tuesday morning we were back in Florence ready to go! Our first stop was at the Academia which is home to the real David Statue and to a lecture on the restoration of the Sistine Chapel. The changes that were made are sad to see how they could change one of the most breathtaking pieces of artwork! Then we headed to the Uffizi  art museum before drawing class. Last night after supper we headed to the mountain top of Fiesole and painted the sun as it went down over the city! Its hard to believe that we head home in 7 days, I don't think anyone is ready to leave!

Excuse me you dropped something..... my heart!

 Yesterday morning Colleen, Jennifer,Jacklyn, and I woke up extra early on a rainy Tuesday morning to climb to the top of Duomo without waiting in the extra long lines! On our way to the top we determined by the time we reached the top and climbed down we had conquered over 1,000 steps by 10 A.M. However, all these steps  were well worth the breeze and view of Florence! But do not worry we rewarded ourselves by going to our favorite bakery. Apparently we go so much that they know our faces and even give us free food! Then we did a little shopping tour of the city! However, we had to go class to draw at the Bargello! Then we went to a local bar and heard a beatles cover band. Today we spent the afternoon watercoloring in Fiesole ! I even  got told by teacher that he was impressed with my painting today!! I might just change my major, daddy....... hahaha, it may just be a new hobby!We have 14 days left and trust me I will be glad to see everyone and get some air conditioner, but I do not think I will be ready to come back! Oh yeah to explain the title of this entry... it was by far our favorite pick-up line we have heard walking through the city!

Cooking Class, Roma, and The Fresh Market

Thursday night we finally got to go to the long awaited cooking class. When we got there we meet Roberto our teacher and started making our ravioli from  two eggs and flour! We even got to use the pasta maker! Let me tell you this takes some time! We also had an extra member in our cooking group from Bulgaria, she was really sweet and interesting to talk too! We made ravioli stuffed with eggplant, spinach ricotta ( what they call a naked pasta), and panna cotta (A really good dessert)!! The next morning we went to Rome. In Roma we got to visit the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, the Pantheon, The ruins, the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistene Chapel , and the Spanish steps. Everything was amazing and better than I remembered.. Oh course we added in some shopping too!!  Sunday we attend an St. Andrew's Church of Rome. There we meet people from all over the world ranging from Holland to Georgia! I was a great Service with good message and wonderful singing. If you ever are in Roma on a weekend you need to attend this church that once meet on the Spanish Steps! Today I attended the art history class, where I learned interesting things about the Duomo and other places we pass daily on our walks! Then we went to the Fresh market , which is an experience in itself! I must say they have the cheapest and best Fruit and vegetables! We even had a great lunch there, i must say i was glad to have a salad!  Then we had painting class in the worlds oldest Botanical gardens... It was beautiful and fun to paint there. Tonight we cooked dinner at home and my roomie Colleen made me tea, because I told her how I drank it with my parents sometimes at night! She is too good to me!! I will write again soon! I hope everything is great back home!!

A Little Update!

This top photo is from the last city in cinque terre and the one to the left is in front of the Duomo!  If you look closely in the back there is a gypsy, we have named her the queen gypsy because she is only out on rare occasions! We hide from them daily, especially since we caught her pointing our group out one afternoon!!Class has to really fun this week learning to watercolor! Last night Colleen taught me how to cook our favorite meal she has made for us here. Since we are in apartments we are also learning to cook here! Tomorrow night we are going to cooking class, to learn how to make two pasta type dishes and a dessert! Then early Friday morning we are off to Rome for the weekend!

Sunday.... Fun Day!

Sunday we went to Cinque Terre which is five cities along the coast of Italy that you can hike through. We hiked to the first three cities and choose to ride the train to the fourth one because of the lack of shade and how hot it truly was. The pathway between the fourth and fifth cities is closed because of rocks that have blocked it off for a the past few weeks!  On the first trail you pass places where young lovers place locks together and throw the keys off into the water! Meaning they will be together forever, as the story goes.... The view of the coast was amazing ! When arriving at the second city our guide told us that the houses are bright colors so the fishermen could see  their homes from the water! At the fourth city we had the most fun because we finally got to get in the salty water!! We swam and climbed the rocks for a few hours! Just ask explorer Jaclyn Petty , she has her battle wounds!! Then we took a boat ride to the fifth city. Which  seemed more like a honeymoon place. Monday we were not ready for the reality of class, the true reason we are here!haha.... But we did start painting finally!! Then last night after a slight case of homesickness they took me to the ever famous Mcdonald's to have  a coke with ice and some fries and to see an american movie with Italian subtitles... I am much better now!!! Happy birthday Morgan i hope you had a great day and I am super glad that you got to talk to your daddy!!! I hope ya'll have a great time this weekend!!

Piazza Dei Miracoli... The Miracle Sqaure

Today we were able to visit one of the seven wonders of the world. The leaning tower of Pisa. I must say I was expecting to get off the train and see this huge leaning building, but I was wrong.haha! After buying a map we headed to see this amazing building. While in Pisa Colleen, Jennifer, and I decided to climb this eight story building with 294 steps! Which I must say our apartment has prepared us for!! Our bodies where a little shaky at the beginning while trying to adjust to the lean as we climbed through the tight winding steps that only got more worn and smaller the farther up we went. The view was amazing, but made me a little nervous. I must say leaning in the air with a breeze was scary to me because I am not a fan of heights. We have many pictures and i am going to try to upload some on this post and even some from the trip so far!

Our day at the Winery

This morning was a chilly and rainy morning as we headed out to La Tancia Winery, after we ran a few errands. Once we arrived and got settled at the table the sky began to turn to its usually bright blue color with beautiful sunshine! I think we ate and tasted wines for almost three hours! I must say this was by far our best meal! We had a four course meal with spaghetti, then bread with cheese and meat, bruschetta, and desert! We even learned how to correct pronounce Bruschetta. We even got to watch how they bottle their own wines and walk through the vineyards. The view was amazing , just like the meal! After a long day of eating and drinking vino , we headed back to Florence through the curvy mountain roads. It was nice to get away from the crowds and hustle and bustle of the city!! Once arriving in Florence we went to Jaclyn's apartment in San Maria Novella Piazza. There we did our typically people watching as we sat in the grass and tried to look as if we ourselves were European. Then of course we went to our same gelatoria by the Ponte Vecchio! Now we are about to head to bed to get ready for a day of planning for Pisa and Cinque Terre this weekend. Oh yeah, Also hopefully for a cooking class next tuesday!