Connection

Internet. What a precious, rare gift you are in Cagli. A practically priceless one after so many days without email, Blogger, Facebook, Skype and other random and necessary information you might hope to seek out throughout each day. And yet, for this addict, there has been none to access. Do you miss your children? You bet! Stan? Absolutely!! But what I grieve most is my iPhone and all the access it provides me whenever and wherever I desire it. The world is at my fingertips. But now that I am out in the world, instead of facing it only through a computer screen, wow. What do people do with all this free time? Get to know the locals.

This is Cagli. Such a sleepy, peaceful town. It's very quaint and seriously this gorgeous. I swear. I heard last week it rained most of the week, but this week it's blue skies and sunny days. The days pass slowly. So slowly that you will see someone's outfit and in the morning and then look at them again the afternoon and think, "Gee, so and so is wearing that shirt again," when really it's the same day and the day goes slowly enough that you feel like you live a week every day. It's kind of nice. There always seems to be plenty of time to enjoy whatever it is that makes you happy. Unless of course it's being online. Then you need to find a new passion.

I arrived to Cagli on Saturday after a twisting and turning bus ride up into the Apennine mountains and then down into Cagli. My stomach was queasy despite the Dramamine I took before leaving Firenze. We arrived to the bus station and the landlords were there waiting for us to bring our luggage to our apartments. God bless them. Remember all that stuff I brought for my cousin? Well, I gave it to her. Then promptly filled my bag up with gifts for the family and of course, a few treasures for myself. As Arden would say, "Whoopsie."

The apartment is really charming. I haven't taken pictures which isn't a problem because I haven't loaded the million or so photos that I have taken so far anyway. That's tonight. I swear. After we head to the piazza. The piazza is where it all happens here. It's the center of town and were all the locals come every morning and every evening to share life with each other. I wondered if the locals like when all these Americans invade their space, thinking it must bother them even a little bit. We change everything, if only for a brief time. But after speaking with a few locals, it seems they think our stay here is their small taste of what it is like to be a tourist town. They enjoy the revitalization of the piazza. All the cute American girls bring out the curious Italian boys. We spend money which helps everyone. But most of all, they like to watch the world come to them instead of leaving what they think is the most perfect place in the world.

Best of all, I finally get to use my Italian. I don't know enough. All the locals seemed tickled that I can have basic conversations with them, but even they are quick to say I only know a little. No kidding! But I understand more than I thought I would and I can seem to express myself well enough to get what I want when I need it. Classes started yesterday and we have 3 assignments all due in a few days, which will force us to interact with the locals even more. I am very pleased to have so much opportunity to use what I spent all that time learning.

If I can get my pictures loaded and get online tomorrow, I would like to post a few pictures. We shall see. If this post feels unfinished, it's because I have to go Skype with the kids before it's time to go to the piazza to work more on my assignments. So much connection, so much time...that is until the Internet gets involved. Ciao!

Catching Up!

I had wanted to post daily, but sparse and intermittent internet just doesn't make such an ambition possible. There is so much I want to tell you all. Since we last met, I spent hours touring the Uffizi, multiple museums, churches and baptisteries in Florence, Pisa and Lucca. I am kind of Renaissanced out. You can only absorb so much dark and foreboding art before it just pours over and around you like a sponge filled to its limit. What can I say. I like the light and fluffy feeling I get from Impressionism. Still, I must have walked 20+ kilometers every day to see as much as these 3 incredible towns had to offer. And yes, I still have blisters. My feet hate me at this point. I don't really blame them.

Sheilah asked about the food and so here it goes... So as you know there are gelaterias on every street in Italy. I have been trying to enjoy a gelato at least every day. It's such a cool treat on a hot day. And it's been hot. I think over 100 degrees Fahrenheit the last few days. Madonna mia! So many days, as much as I wanted to eat the gelato, my feet would have preferred to buy a bucket of gelato and stick my feet in themto cool off. Oh sweet relief.

Still, it would be a sin to waste this deliciousness. I think the best part about the gelato experience is that you can buy a small cone (which is more ice cream than I really want or need) and they expect you to pick 2 flavors. Two! So much fun choosing. Today's treat was Apricot and Torroncino, which is a nougat flavor. This was my most favorite yet, the runner up being Hazelnut. Yum! I do not recommend semifreddo though, which is a "half cold" option. They mix the gelato with whipped cream. It is lighter but loses the intense taste. I want my gelato to scream what flavor it is from every taste bud.

Another interesting dish I was able to experience was Ribollita, which is Tuscan bread soup. I had my doubts when ordering, really wasn't sure when it arrived to the table, but fell in love the moment I tasted it. It's hearty and filling and quite the comfort food. I also have had some amazing risotto, excellent prosciutto and lots of wine.

Oh the wine. I overheard someone on the train to Pisa say that even the cheap wine in Italy is better than expensive wine in other countries. I would have to agree. I am not a wine connoisseur by any means. In fact, I really only enjoy Riesling and probably cheap ones at that. Still I have made a point to try wine wherever I can and it has only enhanced the overall experience and I have yet to drink anything that I haven't liked yet...as long as it is white. I still haven't developed a taste for red.

The biggest problem is the dollar is weak compared to the Euro and just buying a bottle of water is 2 euro in the center of Florence, cheaper as you move out but never less than 1 euro. Porti multi soldi or as Stan says, "Just bring money." There is plenty of shopping to do here. The leather artisans of Lucca were probably my favorite treat. Growing up in a town known for their leather gloves has given me a keen appreciation for quality. So when the vendor at the Florence farmer's market tried to impress upon me the incredible value of his $32 wallet that he would sell to me for only $25, I tried hard not to point out where the glue was still wet. Glue. Not hand sewn. Highway robbery is what it is!

But Lucca, a small town surrounded by enormous walls that kept out medieval attackers but none of the modern day tourists who descend upon the city to buy up true artisanal products. What a delight! My one regret so far is we did not spend the night in this quaint village and eat in one of the trattorias in the piazza that was once a home to an amphitheater. The energy there was calm and protective, a much needed respite from the hectic sightseeing thus far.

Still, I know we are leaving Florence on Saturday, so calm is coming soon enough. Tonight is my first dinner with my Gonzaga classmates. My trip abroad is really about taking 6 credits in 17 days with 30 other students in a Cagli, a small Italian town. I will be studying International Media and International Communications, plus a little Italian, journalism and photography for good measure. My feet can't wait!

Big Hands I Know You're The One

So my I made it to my hot date with a statuesque guy named David. And let me tell you, he did not disappoint. He has these huge hands. Enormous. I couldn't believe how big they were. Very impressive. His feet are huge too. But somewhere in between, Michelangelo must have not heard the old adage that with big hands/feet, one also tends to have a big... Michelangelo really let David down in the manhood department, relatively speaking.

Still, I never expected this statue to be almost 16 feet tall. I remember going to the Louvre and the disappointing realization upon seeing La Jaconde for the first time and figuring out it was practically the size of a postage stamp. So much hype for a little piece of art. Sure it's a gorgeous masterpiece, but the crowds to even get near enough to actually see her made it hardly worth it. Who knew size matters when it comes to viewing famous art. Now David, despite his minimal manhood, really lived up to the hype. Gorgeous and inspiring. I sat and contemplated him for quite a while.

Then I continued on to the Campanile, which to keep with our current theme, is one hell of a phallic symbol. I am proud to say I climbed the entire 412 steps to the very top. It is requested that those with heart conditions refrain from taking this journey. Still nowhere in the fine print does it suggest that those with claustrophobia also avoid the trek. Let me tell you, as you climb higher, the stairwell gets narrower and narrower. This would not be such a problem if I were the only tourist in the building. But guess what! It's practically a party in Firenze this time of year and all these gorgeous, must-see places are packed with adventurers like myself. I will say, the 6 euros, heart palpitations and shortness of breath were well worth it. The view was spectacular. I would say it was the highlight of the trip so far, but honestly, David still takes the top spot and I know it's only the beginning.

The only down side so far are the emergent blisters on my feet. I have "bought just for this trip, broken-in at work and even some various travels" shoes, which are not doing my feet any favors. Gratefully I have availed myself of the pharmacies here, which is quite a treat. There are so many awesome, only available by prescription in the US, but over the counter in Italy products that it almost makes it a pleasure to have a malady. So onward and upward Firenze tourist!

FYI - Internet is sparse between here and Thursday, when I join my classmates. I also have been taking lots of pictures which I hope to post soon. So far, finding working internet, my power cord with Italian power adaptor and my camera, including USB cord all in one practical moment seems to be quite the magic trick. It could also be the jet lag having its way with me. Chi sa? (Who knows?)

Acclimating

Hoo boy I am so tired. I slept on the plane from Chicago to Belgium, almost 5 hours. Xanax is my friend. ;)

Still, it's almost noon here in Belgium and my flight to Florence isn't for another 1.5 hours. I am starting to feel like a zombie and I can imagine I probably don't look much better. I am hoping to catch one more nap on that flight. Stan's advice to adjust to the time change quickest is to get right on the schedule where you are, meaning eat when they eat, sleep when they sleep. I am going to give it my very best and go get lunch after I post this while y'all aren't even awake yet at home. But if there are reports of ghoulish characters lurking about Florence later today, you will know why.

My cousin Jonnel who has lived in Florence for the last 14 years is picking me up at the airport. I can't wait to meet her family and see where she lives. Jonnel and I grew up in Upstate NY until her family moved to Minnesota when we were just tweens. Minnesota seemed like a million miles away back then. Now we are an ocean apart, but thanks to Facebook we have been able to reconnect.

Oh, speaking of Jonnel. She asked me to bring over a few things, which I am thrilled to do for her. But it certainly didn't help my packing issues. So my suitcase was 49lbs. Oof! I told ya I couldn't pack light. The bag of stuff I am carrying for her was 24lbs! Ouch! I am glad to say that after Florence, I will be traveling almost 24lbs lighter, though still nowhere close to light. Rick Steves says "You can't travel heavy, happy or cheap. So pick two." I am placing my bets on heavy and happy.

Tomorrow I have an 8:15 am date with a statuesque guy named David. I hope he lives up to the hype. I also hope I don't fall asleep at his feet.

Packing Light

Packing is my nemesis. It generally stresses me out mightily. I am a homebody, mostly in the sense in that I would rather socialize in my own home than go to yours. I like my stuff where I know exactly where it is and all the control it implies. I do go out and have fun, but I don't like it as much as staying home. So asking me to decide which of my stuff that I will need most while traveling abroad makes me jittery. I can somehow justify bringing most everything I own. "But I will need to bring peanut butter. They don't have it there and I can't go 3 weeks without peanut butter." Yes, I am not kidding. I packed peanut butter. It's a staple. Really.

So when the director of my grad school program suggested we pack light, to make it easier to travel, I appreciated his sage advice. I really do. It would be so nice to maneuver easily through airports and train stations and not be weighed down by stuff that I know intellectually doesn't matter. I wish I could be less emotionally attached to having access to my stuff. Throughout the years, Stan has patiently reminded me that everywhere we have ever traveled has stores and I could buy stuff there that will do. I love to shop too, so he thinks he might actually convince me to lighten my load a bit. It never works. I love meeting new people, trying new foods and seeing amazing sights. But I would still prefer to wash my hair with my shampoo and conditioner. And for this long of a trip, I will need 2 kinds of shampoo and conditioner to choose from because only one option for that long just will not do. God bless the over-priced travel sized toiletries.

It's hopeless really. Asking me to pack light is like asking some alternate world version of myself to take this trip. I am taking this trip. This includes my adventurous spirit for seeking out new experiences as well as my quirky foibles for tenaciously needing my creature comforts. That's why traveling in a motor home makes so much sense to me. It's the best of all words. I can see my retirement future clearly. Now I just need them to build me a chunnel from the US to Europe between now and then. George Carlin would be so proud

And So It Begins

I have been wanting to try blogging for a while. A favorite grad school professor shared his belief that every communication student should try it at least once. I figured this trip to Italy deserves the opportunity to be expressed in a bigger way. So here is it.

The trip begins June 17th with 3 flights and 17+ hours of travel...alone. Most of my friends with children tell me they would fly for 30 hours straight if it means they could read a book uninterrupted. I hear ya sisters. It's funny how every mother I know wants children and has wanted them for most of their life. And yet when you have a child, you are so unbelievably grateful but still have the capacity to also want uninterrupted time to oneself. I love those kinds of complexities in life, like wanting two things that often seem mutually exclusive.

I leave from Denver and have two layovers in Chicago and Brussels, Belgium and finally arrive to Florence on June 18th. I will be spending a week in Florence, Italy and then my class travels to Cagli, Italy where we will spend most of the rest of the trip.

Cagli is an ancient town located in the Le Marche region of Italy, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino. It's home to over 8,000 people and seems largely unaffected by outside influences like tourism and modern industry.

For what it's worth, Cagli is pronounced kai-lyee. It's just one of the many Italian tongue twisters I have been learning. Another is euro, pronounced ay-ooh-row. Why the Italians must make the European currency a 3 syllable word while most other countries pronounce it with 2 syllables is just one of the many fascinations I have with this language. I have been listening to Pimsleur cds since last year in preparation for this trip. A love of languages has made this an enjoyable pastime while driving around in the car. I hope it translates into at least a basic fluency while abroad.

The trip ends with a 48 hour whirlwind tour of Rome. I wish I could spend even just one more day there. Though truly, I keep telling myself one day won't make that much of a difference in a city like Rome. Still, when this trip is over, 24 days will have passed since I have seen my children and I think nothing will be as nearly as exciting in Rome as seeing their lovely faces in Denver. Another fascinating life complexity.