Il Terme

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

Bonjour Paris

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

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..............

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

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

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.