Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Berlin

Faithful reader(s),

Sorry it has been so long... I have been fairly busy here in Italy. I have had my first visitors as well as lots of homework to keep me busy. If I post again this week, it shall be rather photo heavy, just like this post will be. Here are some highlights of Berlin (minus some of the best museums in the world, which I PROMISE I will get to because they are just unreal.)















Thursday, March 24, 2011

Changing of the Queen's Life Guard

They don't so much change, so much as just are done standing there for the day. They do have a cool ceremony though with lots of standing around... Plus the worlds most uncomfortable boots.

Enjoy!



Venice (part 1)

Photos from our day trip to Venice, Italy














Wednesday, March 23, 2011

London Come Calling

We got a free stay in the Forest Hill neighborhood in London with some of Drew's friends, which was amazing! We did have to commute an extreme distance to the airport but the entire trip was wonderful! We say all the major sites in several days, minus the interior of Westminster Abbey due to the Queen using it for the Commonwealth Council or something... Drew and I also partook in the local fare of fish n chips, meat pies and pints at local pubs during our stay. Our best meal though was probably the Mexican restaurant our hosts took us to... Delicious!!!




Me in the London Eye


Prince Albert Monument at Dusk

Sunset at Hyde Park

This phone did not even have a dial tone...

Victory monument at dusk.



Queens life Mounted Guard

St. Patricks Day celebration at Trafalgar Square

The Tower Bridge

The Monument...


If you are a judge in England you have to wear these... Not worth it!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sorry About the Wait...

I got back from Spring Break trips this week, sorry about the lack of posting... The good news is I traveled safely with no delays and went to many fantastic places over the break! I happened to travel to Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Milan, London and Berlin on this whirlwind tour of Western Europe! It was the most amazing time of my life! At times travel was a pain and I certainly felt homesick several times while waiting for a train or plane, but I am still enjoying my semester abroad and I am very happy to be back within the familiar confines of the Eternal City.

I am actually going to start of my spring break posts with my final destination; Milan. It is the largest city in Italy and is known as one of the design capitals of the world. Only one event was going on when Drew and I visited this metropolis; the sesquicentennial of the unification of Italy! We visited on a day when almost every museum and church was open and free to the public! It seemed as if half of the city was on the streets being very patriotic towards the Italian state.

The duomo of Milan... New favorite church!




What remains of the old city walls.

More in the duomo, Drew and I lit candles for the patron saint of the Duomo. We were one of only hundreds to do so that day as the floor was covered with wax and the tables looked like sheets of fire.


The main shopping drag in Milan. Covered walkway was full of luxury shops with massive price tag items.



The castle in Milan

Spring in Italy, every tree in England and Italy was full of blossoms!!!