Ciao a tutti! Sorry I haven't been on in a while , but I couldn't come on Friday.
Since I last talked to you guys a lot has happened. On Thursday, I had Italian in the morning and then we had a dinner stipend at night. At dinner, I had ravioli stuffed with truffle and covered with a porcini mushroom sauce. After dinner, of course we had gelato , but I changed up from my usual coffee gelato to a watermelon and lemon granita. The big event Thursday was the Opera! We all went to see La Traviata, it is the opera that makes Julia Roberts cry in Pretty Women. It was really beautiful , but a little long. It was set outside in Florence's Boboli Gardens and this is the first time in 16 years that this Opera has played in the summer. Aruther, founder of Abbey Road came all the way from France to see it!
Friday was our last day of classes. In Italian we had our final and then had a little ceremony in the gardens of Lorenzo di' Medici where we got our diplomas. Then my friends and I went shopping at everyones favorite store, Brandy Melville, where I got stuff for me and some birthday presents for friends back home. Friday night's activity was a suprise and they ended up taking us to a big international music festival. The booths ranged from Vietnam to Argentina to India.
Satuday, we took our usual day trips on the bus. First we spent the morning and afternoon in a small beach town taking in the sun. In the afternoon, we went to Pisa and saw, you guessed it, the leaning tower. Then we went back to the residence to get ready for our night at the discoteca! Of course, we went to Space because it is the most popular place. Also, the western civilization program was at Space too since it is their week in Firenze.
Today was a chill day and we were able to sleep in till noon. The rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning and packing for our final cleaning inspections. I also spent the afternoon recreating Bottecelli's famed Birth of Venus for our final art history project. I am sad to be packing because I have had an amazing time. I don't know if I will be able to write well I am in Rome , but if not I promise to make a post about it later. Can't believe tomorrow is our last day!
Ciao,
Kenzie
We are really becoming locals
Buona sera everyone!
On Monday night, we had art history in the evening the major and elective class together in order to go to the Piazza Veccio. We go to hear all about the frescos and which room was dedicated to each member of the Medici family. Since we didn't leave the Piazza till 11:45, we had to head straight back to the residence.
On Tuesday I really wasn't feeling well, so I didn't go to Italian class in the morning. I used my morning and afternoon, to rest and help clean our apartment for the 'cleaning competition' that happened this afternoon. It isn't really a competition, but just something to help us get an early start on the big clean up that must be done before we leave Via Sangallo. I felt slightly better at night , so I went our for our dinner and stipend and then we all went on the merry-go-round in Piazza Republica. We also got my favorite gelato place called stick house which is fresh gelato on popsicles and then hung out at the Ponte Vecchio and then got another gelato at Gram. We went in early because lightning and thunder started , but spent the rest of the night laughting at interesting Italian music videos.
Today I had Italian in the morning and then my friend Eleanor and I grabbed our favorite for lunch, a mozzarella, pomodori e pesto panino from the big mercato. Today was special though because the women asked if we wanted our 'regular', it felt pretty amazing. Then we had art history at the Uffizi where we saw famous works of Vasari, Bottecelli and Caravaggio. Tonight is cooking groups and then free time , but I haven't decided to stay in or go out. Talk to you all on Friday!
Ciao,
Kenzie
Cinque Terre
Ciao a tutti!
On Saturday we were down in the lobby by 7 am to catch our bus to Cinque Terre. Our two hour bus then took us to train which connects you through all of the 5 towns. We had the option to hike the trail to the last town or take the train straight to the beach, I picked the easier option. We arrived around 1 pm and had free time until 8 pm. My friends and I began our day looking for food, when we finally picked Trattoria di Oscar. We all had a different varation of a pesto dish because Cinque Terre is located in the Liguria region, home of pesto. Then we shopped at a local boutique and then finally headed to the beach. We then had pesto pasta again for dinner and finished off our lovely day with our favorite indulgence, gelato. We got back to Florence around midnight and headed straight to the residence to go to bed.
Sunday, as usual, was our relaxing day. We had until 2 pm to meet with the group. I used this time to sleep because I was feeling a little under the weather. Then we had the option of free time or pool , but everyone picked free time since we had been at the beach the day before. During free time, my friends and I went shopping and of course, got gelato. The night activity was Top Chef. Each cooking group was handed a bag with given ingredients and we had to make two dishes with those ingredients and had the option to add two other ingredients. Presentation, taste and creativity were the deciding factors for the judges. The two groups that won earned their prize because the 'davids' the boys all came down in just an apron of the nude david, boxers, sunglasses and a bow tie. The girls group that won because they were beyond inventive and used their fennel not just in bruschetta like everyone else , but boiled it to make fennel tea!
Today we had Italian in the morning and then my friend Eleanor and I went to get our favorite lunch. In the mercato, hidden in the fish area is a little stand where small women with long black hair makes the most amazing tomato, mozzarella and pesto sandwich with salty bread. Then we went shopping for presents and I got some shoes! Art history is different today because it will be at night, so we had the afternoon free. I napped, came here and will go grocery shopping after this. Tomorrow, I have to do an oral presentation in Italian that I have yet to write, so wish me luck!
Ciao,
Kenzie
il secondo venerdì
Ciao everyone!
Last time I talked to you all it was Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night, I went out with some people and used my dinner stipend on a margherita pizza and then had cool night in the residence hanging out with people.
Thursday started off with Italian in the morning where we learned how to conjugate verbs in the past tense. Then I made myself lunch with my roommates and used the 'pausa' to take a nap. Everyday Italy closes down from about 1-4 for a break. Since I am not a Harry Potter fan, I didn't go see the movie. We had catering from everyone's favorite sandwich shop Lilli's and I thoroughly enjoyed how my roommates used trash bags as their caps to win the best Harry costume. For the few that didn't see Harry Potter, we went to our favorite gelato place, Neri where I had a limon granita. Then we chatted with some of the Israeli people who were playing in the orchestra in the Piazza and then headed back to the residence.
Today we had our second quiz in Italian and then headed over to Florence University to ask the locals questions about the school. Then we had lunch at Lilli's, where you will always see other Abbey Roaders and then my friends and I went shopping at the store Brandy Melville. After that, we had art history where we went to Academia home of Michelangelo's David. Then our teacher Danielle, took us to his favorite granita joint and then I headed here!
Tomorrow starts early as we have to been down at 7 am for our trip to Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is 5 cities on the coast that are all connected. I have not decided yet whether or not I will be taking the 4 hour hike or the quick train and relaxing on the beach. Beach or amazing view? Talk to you guys again on Monday!
Ciao,
Kenzie
Last time I talked to you all it was Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday night, I went out with some people and used my dinner stipend on a margherita pizza and then had cool night in the residence hanging out with people.
Thursday started off with Italian in the morning where we learned how to conjugate verbs in the past tense. Then I made myself lunch with my roommates and used the 'pausa' to take a nap. Everyday Italy closes down from about 1-4 for a break. Since I am not a Harry Potter fan, I didn't go see the movie. We had catering from everyone's favorite sandwich shop Lilli's and I thoroughly enjoyed how my roommates used trash bags as their caps to win the best Harry costume. For the few that didn't see Harry Potter, we went to our favorite gelato place, Neri where I had a limon granita. Then we chatted with some of the Israeli people who were playing in the orchestra in the Piazza and then headed back to the residence.
Today we had our second quiz in Italian and then headed over to Florence University to ask the locals questions about the school. Then we had lunch at Lilli's, where you will always see other Abbey Roaders and then my friends and I went shopping at the store Brandy Melville. After that, we had art history where we went to Academia home of Michelangelo's David. Then our teacher Danielle, took us to his favorite granita joint and then I headed here!
Tomorrow starts early as we have to been down at 7 am for our trip to Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is 5 cities on the coast that are all connected. I have not decided yet whether or not I will be taking the 4 hour hike or the quick train and relaxing on the beach. Beach or amazing view? Talk to you guys again on Monday!
Ciao,
Kenzie
il secondo mercoledì
Buona sera a tutti!
Since I last talked to you guys Monday afternoon, I was lucky enough to go with a small group of other abbey road students to the ballet. We saw the Balleto di Roma set to Bolero music and it was amazing. We then got gelato and walked back to the residence.
In Italian class on Tuesday, our teacher Mara took us to the local mercato where we asked a series of questions to the local shoppers. Then I got lunch at the major mercato in Florence where I had a mozzarella, pomodori e pesto panino, very good. The rest of the afternoon was free time, but since it was so hot outside I decided to stay in and nap and read my book. We then had cooking groups and then I picked the night activity of going to the Palazzo Vecchio. Palazzo Vecchio is a huge palace covered in elaborate art and gold once owned by the Medici family. After walking around the palace we enjoyed our usual gelato and then returned to the residence.
Today I had Italian in the morning where we learned about clothing and physical descriptions and put our new vocab to the test by playing Guess Who? in Italian. Then I made myself lunch in the residence and hung out with some people until 3 when I had art history. Art history ended early today, so my friend Eleanor and I went to the big make up store in Italy called Kiko where I bought my little sister some nail polish. Tonight is a dinner stipend and then I picked the free time out. Tomorrow is the Harry Potter night, but since I am not really a fan I think the others are going to a Flamenco show. Talk to you guys on venerdì.
Ciao,
kenzie
la seconda settimana
Ciao everyone! Hope you all had an amazing weekend, here in Italy it was pretty spectacular.
On Saturday, our group took a little adventure to San Gimignano and Siena. In San Gimignano, we had the option of climbing the tower or going to the museum of torture. I picked the tower and was fortunate to see the beautiful view of San Gimignano. After that we had lunch stipend, so my friends and I found a cute cafe where they all had lasagna and I had truffle pasta. Of course, lunch was immediately followed by gelato, but this wasn't any gelato it was the world chamption '07 and '09 famed gelato. I thought it was good ,but not my favorite. We then took the bus to Siena and on the way passed fields and fields of sunflowers. In Siena, we had about an hour of free time and then had the option of climbing the tower. This tower was much higher and steeper ,but I successfully completed the challenge. We then came home and had a family dinner, where our amazing counselors suprised us and took us to Space, a renowned discoteca in Florence. So we ended the long day by dancing the night away!
Sunday was used as a rest day, as everyone got to sleep in till noon. I slept in till about 10 am and then went with some people to the local Jolly caffè for an iced coffee. I then went out to lunch with people and again had pesto pasta. Our afternoon activity was free time or going to the local pool. I picked the pool because I cannot put into words how hot and how much you sweat here. After the pool, our amazing drawing teacher Lindsay took us to her favorite gelato place where I got my first coffee gelato with real coffee beans inside. We then came home to cooking groups where we made our own pesto pasta, and we used an italian secret to add not only pinenuts ,but also walnuts to the pesto. Sunday was a residence night so the night activities were free time in, spa night or pictionary. I picked pictionary and my team was victorious. After that it was off to bed for class bright and early the next day.
Today, I had Italian in the morning where we played sudden death verb games, very intense. After that, I went with some people to the local favorite sandwich shop called Come Va. At Come Va, you either tell the owner what you want or tell them Come Va, where they will make you whatever they want. Then we had art history where we went to Santa Maria Novella and then came here. Tonight, we are going to the ballet! One great aspect of this trip is their a suggestion box, where you can put in ideas of activities we can do. I put in the ballet and tonight we are going! The rest of the group is very excited because Abbey Road is taking us to see Harry Potter in English and we will see it before anyone else back home. Talk to you guys on Wednesday!
Ciao,
Kenzie
Venerdì
Buona sera a tutti!
That means good afternoon, because here it is 6:20 pm ,but at home it is only 9:20 am. Since I last talked to you guys on Wednesday we had the Amazing Race. This competition not only put our minds about Florence to use , but also our bodies as we ran through the entire city. Sadly my group came in second and did not win the most treasured prize of a 'fetch me a gelato' card , but we ended our game with a much deserved menta gelato (so good)!
Thursday, I made my way to Italian class early along with some other people to take advantage our their amazing wifi access and cornetto al cioccolato. After Italian class, my friends and I headed to the mercato for an amazing sandwich of fresh mozerella, pesto and tomato and then headed back to the apartment before heading to Il Duomo. We waited to get into Il Duomo and finally climbed the 426 steps to the amazing view over all of Firenze. We then finished with another much deserved gelato and headed back to the residence. Dinner became an informal dress up night as all of the girls arrived down in the lobby in dresses and wedges. My friends and I went to a cute place, where I made the horrible mistakes of choosing chicken over pesto pasta. I now understand to stick with my Italian usual, bruschetta and pesto pasta. After dinner, one of the night activites was to go to the Picasso, Miro and Dali exhibit at the museum. It was an amazing exhibit in that it connected all of the careers of all three artist and how they influenced one another. We then came home and I was so tired that I feel asleep listening to my ipod before check in.
Today we had Italian in the morning and it was by far my favorite Italian class yet. We had a small quiz on some vocabulary and grammar we have learned and then learned more about numbers and then went to a gelateria and ordered in Italian. Birthday man (dad), you would have died over the caffè gelato here. We then went back to the residence for a real lunch where I made myself a cucumber and tomato salad and actually read some of my summer hw with other people. We then met at the Ponte Veccio for art history and then I came here with another blogger. Tonight we have a family dinner with the whole group and then I choose the opprotunity of free time out.
Tomorrow we go to Siena and then Sunday is a relaxed day with blind gelato tasting! I will talk to you guys on Monday!
Ciao,
Kenzie
Mercoledì
Buongiorno a tutti!
For everyone at home it is the morning , but here it is almost dinner time. Last time I talked to you it was Monday afternoon, and so I will tell you what happened that night. Monday night we had three choices in activites: Simple Minds (80's band) concert, movie at our Via Sangallo residence or free time. I had already been to two other music concerts in the plaza , so I picked free time. During my free time, my fellow abbey roaders and I journeyed for the best gelato. I got a granita del pompelmo rosa, which is like a natural grapefruit slushy, so good! Then we came back early and watched the movie at the residence, and then went to bed.
On Tuesday, we had our major class (Italian) and then we had more choices for activites. In Italian class we went to the mercato and learned how to say certain foods. After that, we had the choice of going to the pool or free time. I picked free time and went to lunch and had amazing grilled prawns (head and all) and bruschetta (which I have had about every place I have been so far). Then we went shopping ,and unfortunatly came out empty handed. Then we had our cooking groups for dinner, we had inslata e melanzane alla parmigiana. Tuesday was also our first residence in night, so we all tie dyed old clothing. My Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop teacher now has a cool addition form Florence.
Today, we had our major class again and learned how to navigate through a train station and had our elective class where we studied Brunelleschi. Then we had free time and I came here to tell you all about my day. Tonight we are having a family style dinner with all 72 of us and then are having an Amazing Race through Florence. Talk to you all Friday the 8th (aka. birthday of the best dad ever)
Ciao,
Kenzie
L'inizio
Hi everyone, sorry it took me so long to start blogging! It has been a crazy 5 days since we first landed at 1 am at Via Sangallo. Though the flying was a bit chaotic, it was well worth for how amazing our apartments are. We are located about a 10 minute walk from the center of Florence and Il Duomo. Our first day consisted of a very informative orientation and then we met our cooking groups. I am very lucky that my roommates and I, get to work with Daniele, the amazing art history teacher. So far we have cooked gnocchi and a mushroom cream sauce pasta, both so good. Our first night here we had a scavenger hunt in the Piazza della Repubblica and my amazing cooking group won, even past the challenges of finding a green vespa. Friday was our first day of classes and it started at the Lorenzo De Medici Florence Campus, where I am beginning my Italian studies. We returned to the apartments for lunch, and then had our electives. I began my first elective class of art history with Daniele at the Santa Croce, just one of the many beautiful buildings in Firenze.
Our weekend plans changed due to the gloomy weather, we went to a small town called Fiesola. Fiesola gives you an amazing view of Florence and really puts into perspective how big Il Duomo is. Sunday we traveled to this small town about an hour and a half by train away called Lucca. Lucca is one of the few cites in Italy that still retain its original medieval wall. Our departure became an adventure as 80 people ran through the quiet town to catch the train that was leaving in 10 minutes. Today we returned for our second day of class and the beginning of our first full week in Florence. We did our grocery shopping and I bought many postcards, so expect some in the mail! My time is about the run out at the internet cafe, but I will talk to you all soon.
Ciao,
Kenzie
Our weekend plans changed due to the gloomy weather, we went to a small town called Fiesola. Fiesola gives you an amazing view of Florence and really puts into perspective how big Il Duomo is. Sunday we traveled to this small town about an hour and a half by train away called Lucca. Lucca is one of the few cites in Italy that still retain its original medieval wall. Our departure became an adventure as 80 people ran through the quiet town to catch the train that was leaving in 10 minutes. Today we returned for our second day of class and the beginning of our first full week in Florence. We did our grocery shopping and I bought many postcards, so expect some in the mail! My time is about the run out at the internet cafe, but I will talk to you all soon.
Ciao,
Kenzie
Italia awaits...
As I begin to write this reflection, I think back to a movie I watched the other day, Letters to Juliet. A cute romantic film, but what really caught my attention was the beauty of Italy. Though we do not lay our scene in Verona like Shakespeare and the movie did, watching the story play out through the Tuscan sun made me as anxious as ever for our upcoming trip. I have a fascination with culture. I want to know what made a country what it is today, from its politics to its food. I am very fortunate in that this will be my third consecutive immersion trip. What intrigued me about Abbey Road is that I will get to learn a language in its native environment and within a college like atmosphere. For me, I have always loved to travel and am interested in languages, but it wasn't until my sophomore year when I had just returned from a month in Spain and beginning the rigorous yet rewarding AP European History class that I came to appreciate the history of a country. When we learned about Velázquez in class, I could say that I had seen the famous "Las Meninas" in the El Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. That was the moment my textbook came alive. Though two years have now passed, I know I will experience that same revelation seeing the renowned "El Duomo" from my window.
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