Jesus, a month has gone by.

I feel terrible. I again have not updated this blog for a month, almost to the day. Well I guess that means I have been here for over a month and I can't believe how fast it has gone by. Craziness. I have done and seen so much. Where to begin. How about I list where I have been so far.

1. Lucca
2. Venice
3. Viareggio

I wish I could put pictures up from each place but it seems I either lost or left my camera cord at home... This week I am going to go buy one. I promise. I will continue to put my pictures up on my photoalbum site as well.

So Lucca was very quiet and quaint. It was pretty much a small Florence. A bit of history:

Lucca was founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman colony in 180 BC. IE this city is very, very old. I got see some of the Roman colony ruins. During the 6th century, Lucca was a very city and fortress. The whole city was surrounded by a moat and a fortress built around it. Now, around the city/fortress is a walking/running/biking trail. It's cute. I saw an ancient Roman amphitheater which had been converted into apartments. Strange. More cool stuff: the black Jesus wood carving inside the Cathedral of St. Martin, Basilica of San Frediano with its INCREDIBLE mosaic facade, Torre delle ore, which has trees growing on top (hehe), and an exhibit on Hermes scarfs during the Napoleonic Period in one of the old palaces.

Venice was INCREDIBLE. I wish I had had two days there, but I left with my friend Katie at 8 and we got back to Florence at about 10 in morning the next day. We went to Venice to see the Carnival celebrations. Venice is a very confusing city. Thank goodness it wasn't flooded when we went. The next weekend of Carnival everyone said it was flooded all over the place. In Venice, we really only walked around and took pictures. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go into Basilica di San Marco. The line to get in was very long and we didn't have a lot of time. There are no words to even describe the outside of the church. Pictures don't even do it justice. I wanted to go to the famous art museum there, but again it was a time constraint. I DID buy a handmade mask, which I will treasure forever. I didn't even ride a gonadal. haha. I am cheap though and they are pretty expensive. The coolest thing was getting to see people walking around in their Carnival costumes. These people spend a lot of money on this holiday. I will put up pictures and you will understand. I hope to return to Venice, maybe even before I leave. I think it's a beautiful city, confusing, but beautiful.

Viareggio was a whole different kind of carnival. Viareggio really looked like a cheap part of Florida. I mean the beach was disgusting and the signs were so kitsch. Seriously, it's the trashy part of Florida in Italy. Viareggio is famous for its Carnival celebrations. Each year, they build floats out of paper mache. They are amazing. The pictures will better explain. But most of the floats have a political theme. Pretty much every single float had Obama and Berlusconi. They hate their Prime Minister, with good reason. But they were brutal to him. hehe


What else is new. I am living in a homestay!!! YAYAYAYAYYA it's interesting. Definitely different from last semester. I miss Maite's cooking. hehe But my Italian is definitely improving.

This weekend I am going to Modena. This is where they make the Balsamic vinegar. We get to go and have a tasting and lunch. FOR 15 EURO!! I love NYU sponsored trips!!

Spring Break is going to be great too! Ainsley is coming from Paris and we are going to Milan, Sorrento, Naples, Capri, Pompeii, Florence, and Pisa. WOO HOO!!

Alright time for class. I promise I will put up pictures soon!!!!!!!