Italia!

My new digs

2009-09-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

I've returned to Florence for one more year. It's funny being back because it feels as if I never left, things still seem to be the same and the tourists are still in abundance.

It was a hectic time leaving Seattle, because on my last day in Seattle I was in a car accident going North on Hwy 99. It had just slightly rained, so the roads were slick, I was in the far left hand lane, minding my own business when I noticed a van cross over 3 lanes of traffic and head directly towards me. I wasn't able to stop in time, so the van hit my car and placed my up on the concrete divider and I was stuck. It was really terrifying and I know have these recurring dreams of being hit by a car, a haunting experience.

I am so lucky that I wasn't seriously injured in anyway or worse, I went to the ER and spent a good 5 hours there. This incident interfered with my last day plans, but I'm alright, just a few minor scrapes and bruises. Thank God. But on a good note, I'm doing well and it feels good to be back in Florence, and some new and exciting things happening are school started this week which I have great expectations for. I'm now living in a new apartment with two new roommates, who I know from last year. Check out a few pics of the new place

my room

the wonderful bathroom
the study area....
the kithcen
my front door

ATTENTION: Artist Hard at Work!!!!!

2009-05-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ever since I lost my phone, I've realized how much a person's word has slowly been pushed out the door. The last two days, plans have been made to meet up with friend's and it's been two no-shows. It's not a problem, but what's happened since the emergence of the cell phone to easily call up people and tell them that they either aren't coming or are running late or have made other plans.

It's been relaxing to pretend as if it were the good old days of landlines and message machines. Although my landline is my email and my message machine all in one.......can't complain.......

During the time I was waiting I found this artist working very hard in the hot heat....nap time!

Italian hospitality....

2009-05-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

I'm baking in an oven.

Florence is situated in a valley and the warm, or should I re-phrase........the hot, humid weather has begun. It's like any other city on a hot day, baking against the cement, heat-waves rising, clothes sticking to your body...damp........fun stuff!!!!

Went to the top of the Duomo, the cupola (the dome) today. A 463 step hike up, leads you outside the dome at the very top to have a 360 degree view of all of Florence from the city center. Best to rise early and be the first tourists to go in, otherwise the groups emerge, flocking to the Duomo to get inside, up and around. Chaos.

Since school has ended, it's back to enjoying the tourist life in Italy. A great form of Italian hospitality that I have learned is that of customer service. Today was perfect. I went into a clothing store to look at a swimsuit that I had passed by the day before. Maybe I wanted it......or maybe i didn't, I just wanted to check it out. So, I walk into the store, no "Hello or Welcome" -niente. A typical greeting I've found.

After browsing around for a few minutes, I find the suit, pick it up and than the salesperson emerges. Proceeds to say "oh no, e piccola" (no, it's too small) takes it away from my hands, as if I were a child about to eat food I dropped in the dirt and hangs it back up. Not good enough to enter the store or even touch the merchandise. Another instance was when I was kicked out of a restaurant, when I had a half a glass of wine left when my family came to visit, due to a reservation. Cultural difference, I understand. Sometimes it just gets to you. Few more days left of the kindness of Italian business.

Cinque Terre

2009-05-21T04:30:00.000-07:00

School has ended. My summer has begun. Moved out of my apartment and said my "goodbyes" to those who have gone back to their homes. Then I left for a few days to Liguria, to Cinque Terre. A perfect vacation full of sun, relaxation, excellent food, and beautiful towns. The 5 different towns are: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso that are all lined up along the Ligurian Coast and accessible to one another by foot, train or boat.

I stayed in the perfect place in Riomaggiore in a room situated right on the beach. One would literally walk out the front door and the water was right in front of your face. Who could of asked for anything better. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks was so peaceful and relaxing. A great change from the bustleing traffic and sound of horns in Florence. The air was so fresh my lungs were very happy.

The water was so green and clear it was if the boats were floating on a transparent surface. I took a boat one day from my town Riomaggiore to Monterosso, the largest of the five, it was so much fun to be by the ocean again. I forgot how much I missed large bodiesof water. Another day, I hiked through all five of the towns. Left early in the morning with sun behind us, and explored them all and at the end of the hike relaxed on the beach, went swimming and took in some sun. That day we encoutered little blue sail jellyfish, being washed ashore. They freaked me out. So I wimped out and didn't want to go into the water, in fear of being stung by these little buggers.

I have to say Cinque Terre may be my favorite place in all of Italy. It was a perfect end to getting out of school and enjoying the beauty of life.

(Left: Riomaggiore-the town I stayed in Right: Manarola-a 20 min walk away from Riomaggiore)

Il Terme

2009-04-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I went to the town of Vitterbo in Lazio. Known for it's hot springs, "il terme" or "aqua calda" (hot water). An interesting weekend indeed, first missing our transfer stop to get off the train and ended up in Rome. Then catching the right train and arriving in Vitterbo later in the evening, and getting sprayed with water 3 times by an SUV of young 15 year old Italian boys who were offended by us, just because no one wanted to talk to them. Really mature. Then finding superheroes for the night who found the hot springs for us. Amazing. So nice, in the middle of a field, smelling like rotten eggs, but warm, and relaxing.

To add on to the weekend, I bought dried figs, which had cobwebs inside, a tasty surprise. Buying a delicious looking pear and finding that it was rotten from the inside out. Fruit had a vendetta against me.

I had an awesome surprise today by receiving a grandiose package from my lovelies, Taryn and Lucy. Thank you, thank you. I put together the monkey. He's missing his feet because I got lazy, but in due time Monkey will be able to climb a tree. Thanks for the delicious treats and love. Miss you!!!!!

My Photos

2009-04-01T02:14:00.001-07:00

Bonjour Paris

2009-03-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

I returned back from Delhi, diving into mid-term week, and then spring break began. The city of lights holds a soft spot for me and of course I was dying to go back. Paris was relaxing, beautiful, and just what I needed. Selena, my roomie, and I rented an apartment in the Marais, 3rd arrondisment, and enjoyed the city.

It's funny how much it felt like my city. Ironic that I was return a few weeks later, after on our way to India we missed our connecting flight from Paris-Delhi, since there was only one flight a day to Delhi. Air France put us up in a hotel that night, so we had a free day in Paris. Then I'm back again...

It was so much fun to go to the Louvre, although it was horribly crowded, and I felt as if I was merging in and out of traffic on a crowded freeway, the best part was seeing artists set up their easels and painting. Curious to how they were able to do that, in Florence, it would never be allowed. This one guy was painting a Ruben's on a huge canvas, takes skill and impressive maneuvering to exit the Louvre with that.

I was able to go back to my favorite vintage store in Paris. It's funny how vintage in Italy, I've found is old designer vintage, which is very, very expensive. Which makes my love for vintage, not so much since I can't afford any of it. But in Paris, Free p' Star, has cheap, cute, clothes which are a steal. Great vin rouge, les baguettes, les fromages, tout c'etait tres bien!

a protest against pope benedict and his view on abortions. Go Frenchies!

A few days back from Delhi and Midterms

2009-03-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

What an amazing trip! India is something I never would have imagined but beautiful and sad at the same time. We (my professor, and some other students from my restoration class) stayed at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi, the largest Catholic Church in the city. We were working on a Last Supper painting which had the actual faces of past Priests, represented as Jesus' disciples.

We were in the "old folks" home for the fathers. So ate 3 meals a day at a certain time 8am, 12pm and 7pm, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was good, but since we were hanging out with the elderly a certain diet had to be given so no salt of too much spice. On the other hand had some awesome Indian food. Worked 6 hours a day, sometimes less, and had some chances to get out and see the city. Journeyed to Agra and saw the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and this beautiful temple in Delhi, called Akshradham.

Saw elephants, monkeys, beautiful women in colorful saris! Met some nice people from the church made friends with one of the father's and his wife and daughter. They took us shopping and to get henna done. Arrived back in Florence with some bad virus, not so fun but finished mid-terms and spring break has begun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures soon to come.

1 Day..............

2009-02-27T01:04:00.000-08:00

One more day until I embark on my trip to New Delhi, India!!!!! For those who I haven't told, I have been given an opportunity of a lifetime with the Restoration program at school, LDM, Lorenzo de Medici. My Professor Lorenzo Casamenti, is taking 7 students to Delhi to restore original frescoes (wall paintings) in a Catholic Church.

I'll be there for 2 weeks, and return back to Florence on the 16th of March. We'll be staying in the church with the nuns. It'll be like the Sound of Music, minus the mountains, musical numbers, and war......but nonetheless maybe there's a Sister Maria.......The main purpose of the trip is to finish the cleaning and restoration of the frescoes. Hopefully if all goes well and we finish up early, we'll have a few days to explore the city! Once I get back, I'll have plenty of stories to tell and pictures to show. Ciao!!!

The boot of Italy

2009-02-11T00:40:00.000-08:00

So this last weekend I went with my professor, Lorenzo Casamenti, to the southern tip of Italy in the region of Calabria. We went to the town of Nocara, situated high up in the mountains, literally at the peak looking down upon a huge valley. Worked on restoring La Chiesa di Madre, from the 15th C. I gilded for the first time, laying gold leaf over wooden moldings and figures to look like full golden figures, but they're not really, just a touch of gold. It was an amazing experience and the town was beautiful. Went to the seaside and collected rocks, ate plenty of oranges, and saw where all the lemons come from in Italy. Pictures soon to come.

My apartment is freezing in Florence, because the heat doesn't work. Now I have a cold, and so does my roommate Selena. About to head to the Mercato San Ambrogio to go buy my fruits and vegetables, hope all is well! Ciao!

Back in Florence

2009-01-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

So....it's been a long, long time since my last post. Returned back home to Seattle, for the holidays and had an amazing time seeing family and friends. After a long day of traveling arrived safely back in Florence. It seems to be more of a culture shock the second time around. Moved into my new apartment with my roomie, Selena. Just wanted to say, I'm back, and I will try my best and hardest to keep up to date on my posts and blog. Boy scouts honor. School starts again on Monday, trying to get over my jet lag and get back into the swing of things. Promise.

Yo-Yo Ma

2008-12-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time. About a month. Slacking a lot. So many great things have happened in Italy and beyond. Went to Milano to go see the Black Keys play and had an amazing weekend in Amsterdam two weeks ago. Unforgettable. Finishing up with classes and getting everything in order to head back home for the holidays.

Tonight was a memorable evening at Il Teatro Pergola. Went and saw Yo Yo Ma play with Katherine Scott playing the piano. Unbelievable. An amazing Cellist and Pianist all in one room full of emotion and beautiful music. Plus, three encores! The icing on the cake to the evening was an angry elderly Italian woman telling off a rude young Italian man, because his disrespectful behavior during the concert. Talking...not allowed during the performance. "Maleducati!!!!!" The intensity of the fight was Great! Loved it and loved the concert. So many great things all in one night. Yo Yo Ma is rocks the cello.

Check out his 2nd Encore of the evening, The Swans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgRAA-ew0H4

OBAMA PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

Most exciting news of the morning! Staying up in Italy to watch the incoming returns. The moment the West Coast took over, cheers and champagne! A breakthrough in history, so ecstatic about the future of America!!!!!!!!!!!

Free?!

2008-10-24T23:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend in Florence at the Fortezza di Basso, literally, used to be an old Fort, there is a Creative Arts Festival going on. I ventured over there last night to find that the whole festival this weekend is entirely FREE! It came as a shock and a surprise, because it was such a large festival with capoeira dancers, art galleries, live djs and a huge stage with bands....best of all it was free.

Today, I'm taking the train to Roma, to meet up with the parental-units! It will be great to see them and show them around.

A Porcini and A Fresco

2008-10-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

Hey! So everything is beginning to calm down in Florence. The tourists are tapering off and it's such a relief. During the fall, Porcini mushrooms come into season and take a look at this huge GUY I bought at the Mercato San Ambrogio. It's like a small tree, granted it's a funghi. Delicious.....

Just wanted to let everyone take a look at one of the frescoes I'm working on in my Fresco Painting course. Still currently working on him, but here's a

quick peek! It's the face of God, by Michelangelo.

Siena

2008-10-11T09:04:00.001-07:00

A change of scenery from Florence is a nice way to mix things up. Only an hour and a half on train or bus, Siena is gorgeous. The lack of trees in city center forms sort of a bubble with the change of seasons. It's nice to see the trees turn color when you travel from one town to another.

A medieval town, Remus founded the city, where his brother Romulus founded Rome. Famous for the bare-horseback races in the Piazza del Campo, the sloping piazza, where people CAN NOT lay down on their backs. Odd. There's some officer who regulates who is lying down and not. If you are, then you get yelled at.

There was this crazy festival going on where Siena turned into a mix of the Middle East and Asia, walking through India, China, Afghanistan and Tibet. All the locals were dressed up ran into Osama bin Laden and the 40 theives.

The Duomo there was beautiful as well. More intricate, but smaller than the one in Florence. There was this huge glass window in the middle where it looked like the sky shone through. The view of the rolling Tuscan hills were amazing. Tuscany is absolutely breathtaking. I'm always shocked by how beautiful this country is.

Grom

2008-09-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

I found the best Gelato place in all of Florence yesterday. Grom Gelato is situated right near my house which can become very dangerous. Freshly made gelato with fresh ingredients coming from their farms that are all over the world. Sooo good! Il gelato come una volta.

Turista, Turista, TURISTA!

2008-09-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

They're everywhere. I step outside to go to school in the morning cross the Piazza del Duomo and I come to complete halt. Late for class and I can't squeeze by with the large groups all stationary listening to their tour guide chatting away in the microphone. I can't complain too much because it's Firenze of course, but will it ever clear out? I give all the props to bikers, scooters and cars. I am amazed by people riding bikes because there is no consistency in riding in a straight line, dodge and stop, dodge and stop, ring the bell. A busy city, it's definitely a change from Seattle.

Leonardo da VINO

2008-09-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

My 2nd week of school went by quickly and smoothly. A great way to start the weekend I went to a winery/olive oil farm with my professor Lorenzo, from my fresco painting class and a few other studentessi. OF course, I woke up late and scrambled to get to school on time at 7 am, luckily they hadn't left yet... We drove to the town of Vinci, where Leonardo da Vinci was born, about 40 minutes from Firenze.

So once we arrived we were welcomed in by a sweet Italian family and the owner, a vivacious well-worn older gentleman. We were served breakfast with wine, a little early to drink wine, eh? Nah...if your Italian it's a great way to start the day at 9am. It's better to work with some wine in your system before you start the day. That way your happier to do your job. i.e drunk. But, I could get used to that. It seems to be that every Friday is Rain day. So due to the piove, rain, it restricted some of the events of the day, but we went out to the vineyards picked some grapes and ate some grapes. I didn't realize all the variations there were in size, taste and flavor.

Amused by a black kitten for quite some time. Cute little guy. Had the best 3-hour lunch yet in Italy. Stuffed to the brim, with delicious Tuscan food, freshly made vino rosso, and great company, accompanied by the accordion at the end of the meal. Eventually the rain lifted, but already arrived back in Florence. Luckily, I came back with two bottles of wine. Not too shabby.

Pisa Pie

2008-09-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend it's been a bit rainy. A nice reminder of home. Travelled out of the city today and decided to explore Pisa. It's only and hour train ride from Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence and drops you right off at Pisa Centrale. It's an easy walk from the train station to the Leaning Tower, cross over the Arno River, meander through side streets, stop and take a look at vendors merchandise and voila!, you catch a glimpse of that leaning tower. It was definitely a nice break from all the crowded streets of Florence, Pisa had quite a few people there but I didn't feel as cramped. The deal is that you have to buy a ticket to get into all of the buildings, the tower, cathedral, baptistery, and the campsanto, cemetery. The catch though is that you can pick and choose which ones you want to go into based on price. So I decided to explore the cathedral and the cemetery. During WWII the cemetery was bombed and in attempts to save the frescoes that once lined the walls they removed them and put them in safe hiding. But today you can still see some underlying drawings of where the frescoes used to be. The cathedral built by Giovanni Pisano became a model for Romanesque churches throughout Tuscany and characterized the Pisan-Romanesque style. There was a great mosaic of Christ in Majesty staring down upon you when you enter the cathedral, breathtaking. Right when I left the cathedral the rain started to fall again so I ran for cover and my shoes got soaked.

Duomo Duh Wha?

2008-09-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

Florence has been hot and humid this past week. It's slightly cooled off. The streets are packed with tourists, strollers, cars and horses. It's a maze to get through everyone. The city is gorgeous, the architecture breathtaking, and the gelato amazing.

Started school today. Going to be a great semester, first class, Drawing for conservators, so interesting. I'll be learning and using all the different techniques and tools that artists used during the Gothic and Renaissance period. Pretty cool.

Here is the view from my window:

Via del Corso seen from my room

The Duomo

If you get lost, just look for the dome.

When BUGS attack!

2008-09-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Moved into my apartment in Florence a few days ago. Nice place with nice people apart from the fact that the kitchen has some unwelcome visitors of the six-legged kind, baby cockroaches and some small unidentifiable black bugs. Told the landlord about our infestation and in came the spray cans.......thought they would do the job. Pas du tout.

The best part, is coming back at night and turning on the lights and all over the counter are BUGS EVERYWHERE! Just as they see you coming they merge in two different directions and a shoe flies at them and they are frozen in action plastered to the counter. Today we had our place bombed by professionals, alas a few there have been a few sightings of our un-welcome visitors. A fine perk to living in Florence. Can't complain to much when the Duomo is right outside your door step.

Rome

2008-09-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Buongiorno! Still trying to get my bearings with all this blog stuff. Safe in Italy after leaving Seattle on the 27th of August. It was a long day of travel but finally made it to Rome safe and sound. Everything went very smooth until I left the Stazione Termini schlepping all my luggage around for an hour looking for my hostel, Yellow. I find that sleep deprivation makes it really easy with directions.

Checked into the hostel. I have to say, probably one of the best one's I've stayed at yet. http://www.yellowhostel.com/index.php

There were so many sights to see in Rome. Funny how time plays with you even though I was only there for 5 days it felt like forever. Especially after the first. The top three sights on my list are definitely:

Trevi Fountain

Sistine Chapel (Blurred because not supposed to take a picture, had to sneek it)

This doesn't do the Sistine Chapel any justice but it's amazing. As well as the Pantheon. Ancient Rome's best preserved-building. Dating back to AD 120, it's been standing for over 2,000 years. Whoa...

The ceiling inside. The oculus, the hole in the center isn't covered. Originally built by the emperor Hadrian, dedicated to the Classical Gods, it was converted into a Christian Church in 608.

There were so many things to see I wish I could show them all, but those were just some favorites.