Mom and Dad did Italy! They arrived in Rome and I met them via train after my midterms on Thursday. It was so great to see them. When I got to the hotel (after taking a taxi 300 feet from the Metro to the hotel - I should have known it was within walking distance), Mom and Dad were waiting for me at the bar, being very European and drinking vino. Hugs later, we walked around and found a side-street restaurant, sat down, had dinner, and caught up on life. A good night's sleep was important, as our all-day tour started at 7:15 am on Friday.
Mom and Dad all darling-like on the Spanish Steps. I take full responsibility for the artistic brilliance so evident in this photo.
I loved being with this lady.
The residence of ze Pope. How quaint.
This is also at the Vatican - the tomb of Pope John Paul II. Carlo (our guide) explained that it is very unusual to see clergymen praying here during visiting hours. It was quite the photo-op, as I think it emphasizes how much John Paul II is missed.
One of the things Mom was most excited about seeing was Michelangelo's Pieta inside of St. Peter's Basilica. This was also one of my most favorite things we experienced during our adventures with Carlos. Mary's face is so lovely.
At the end of the day, we visited a church outside of the downtown where we saw a variety of relics relating to the Crucifixion - thorns from Jesus' crown, slivers of the cross, a nail from his hand, the sign placed above His head that reads "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews", and the finger bone from Doubting Thomas. There is a lot of speculation as to the legitimacy of relics, but it was incredible to see objects that were dated to the time of Christ.
It is exhausting to recall all of the things we saw on Friday with Carlo - the Vatican Museums, a private tour of the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, a wonderful lunch, the Pantheon (one of my favorites!), the Church with the relics of Christ, and an adventure down into the Catacombs dating to the time before Constantine legalized Christianity - around 4th century B.C.E. At dinner that night, we concluded that experiencing Rome with Carlo was a great way to get to know the city and learn of its history. (I think I could have done a similar job, thanks in part to my Antiquities to Michelangelo class and my advanced understanding of the Italian culture. I'm kidding. Carlo was a pretty smart guy.) The next day, Saturday, we were on our own.
Look at our dashing tour guide. Dad read to us from Fromers as we waited in line to enter the Colosseum. He did a great job deciding between the many sites we hadn't seen yet, and we had a fabulous day experiencing the Colosseum, the Forum, the Arch of Constantine, and the Arch of Titus. I had just studied these monuments in my Antiquities class, and I was able to point out slight details and provide contextual stories relating to each.
Inside the Colosseum
Did you know that the facade of the Colosseum was originally covered entirely in marble and painted in bright colors? This is true. And did you know that the exits of the Colosseum were called vomitoriums because of they way people poured out of the giant amphitheater? This is true as well. And did you know that because Mom and Dad were so kind to bring me Grey's Anatomy Season 2, I've decided to change my major and apply to medical school, as I feel I've learned enough to confidently perform surgery? This is not true (the going to medical school and the surgery part).
On Sunday (Dad's birthday!) before we hopped on a train to Florence, we visited a church that was right down the street from our hotel . Michelangelo was the architect behind its transformation from an existing Roman bathhouse. Later, the Meridian (above) was added - the same one Dan Brown mentions in The DaVinci Code. Here, at 12 noon, points of light intersect at an exact spot. It is really crazy and really interesting. I wish I understood it.
Our weekend adventures in Rome were really special. It was nice to have Mom and Dad to myself, and I was SO happy they were able to experience Italy. We took the train back to Florence and walked to their hotel. I instantly felt at ease when we arrived in Florence - this is the place I know better than anywhere else in Europe. We walked to the hotel, checked in, and then set off. I wanted to show them some of the city, as Sunday was the only day we would have in Florence together. We walked down to the Duomo - our destination? Chiaro Scuro, one of the best places in Florence for coffee and aperitivi. The iced cappucinos there are the greatest thing on the planet. After exploring centro, we headed back to the hotel and hopped in a taxi for 75 Gabrielle d'Annunzio, my home in Italy.
Lita and Osvaldo laid out a spread of cookies, chocolates, nuts, and drinks for us. Osvaldo had on his special blue sports coat, and Lita looked very pretty. The meeting consisted of a lot of mad gesturing, smiling, Mom crying (ok ok - Mom getting teary), and me trying my best to translate Italian into English and vice versa. Lita showed Mom and Dad around the house - my room, where we eat, Matteo's toy room, her refridgerator. Mom and Dad brought Lita a couple magnets from California, to add to her collection. She was so excited! "Grazie! Grazie mille!"I asked Lita if she could show Mom and Dad her fur coats. In our room, there is an entire closet filled with them. (Meg and I, during our midterm procrastination craze, decided to try them on with sunglasses and take pictures.) My real parents and my Italian parents enjoyed eachother - I'm so glad they were able to meet.
Because Sunday was Dad's birthday, I made reservations at one of the best restaurants in Italy - La Giostra. We had a really great dinner - a special wine for Dad's birthday, an appetizer tray, a truffle salad, gnochi, pear and peccorino ravioli, a sea-food somethingorother, rosemary and garlic steak, balsamic steak, pork, and tiramisu for desert. The only reason I listed what we ordered is because this place is, without a doubt, so incredible. (FYI we couldn't finish it all, but we had to order a little bit of everything.) If you are ever in Florence, you must come here. It's very quaint and small, but if the Olsen Twins and Josh Hartnet like this place, then you will too. Mom and Dad made friends with the son of the chef. I'd guess he's in his late twenties and has silver bangles all the way up to the middle of his forearms, as well as a ton of necklaces. The owner/chef and his son are Dutch royalty, or so the rumor mill churns.
After a wonder 3 hour dinner, we took a cab back to the Hardoy's where I had to say bye to Mom and Dad. Like I said before, it was so great to spend time with them. I loved hearing about life at home, and I loved watching Mom and Dad together. They are a really good team, and have set a great example for me. I was sad to leave them, happy to have seen them, thankful for the jar of peanut butter (among other things) they brought from the States, and immediatly homesick the minute they left.
Now would be a good time to mention how much I miss Vinnie! We really missed him the whole time we were together. Vince - I really wished you could have been there for some things (like when Mom told the gelato guy he was rude because he was rushing her, or when I spent the entire weekend teaching them how to pronounce grazie, or how Dad said bonjour to the bellman in Rome). It was hilarious! You were really missed Vince, and I'm so excited to see you when I get home!
Anyways, if you've made it this far, I commend you. Greatly. Now commences my midterm break trip to Greece. Shan and I had a wonderful adventure.
Athens
I feel it's important to mention that all flights to Rome were canceled the day we were supposed to fly from Florence to Rome and then from Rome to Athens. So we took a bus. For three hours. And I had to go to the bathroom the ENTIRE way. I've never felt such pain in my whole life, or such relief after for that matter. But we made it to Athens and checked into our hostel Athens Backpackers. The first night, we shared a room with 2 Australian guys who were leaving for Texas the next morning. They were really funny and we all got along great. Shan made her hostel bed as if she'd worked in a hotel - hospital corners and everything. I don't really know why I think that was worth mentioning. Maybe because I was really impressed.
Our first night, we had dinner at restaurant called God's and it was there that we had our first taste of pita bread. It made an appearance at every meal following.
Our second day in Athens was spent exploring the Acropolis and walking to and from travel
agents, as we tried to sort out our trip. Because of the weather and the off-chance that boats would not be running between the islands, we decided to cancel our reservations in Mykonos and instead spend 4 nights in Santorini. But first, the Acropolis.
Grecia! This flag flew at a great look-out point at the Acropolis.
It was cold and rainy in Athens, and Shan and I bought the first umbrellas we saw. They cost 5 EURO and I'd definitly say we got our money's worth. I'd like to title this one, The Necropolis of Umbrellas.
Shan being a tour guide. She studied this Greek theater in her mythology class.
Pretty majestic, huh?
Peplos Kore! I was so excited to see her. She's beautiful!
Me and my paisley umbrella.
Shan and I spent Halloween in Athens, celebrating the holiday with our fellow Athens Backpackers. They decorated the bar and everyone dressed up. I was Audrey Hepburn and Shan was, in the effort to dress up without really having a costume, water. Haha. She wore a blue shirt and my blue pashmina. The next morning, we hoped on a ferry to Santorini.
Santorini
Santorini was incredible. I fell in love with it, and I am planning on going back for every vacation from now until forever. The colors - cornflower blue, crisp immaculate white, rust reds, bright blues - were just perfect. Because we were there during the off-season, there were hardly any tourists, save the occasional cruise ship anchoring in the Caldera. It was nice having the island all to ourselves. Overall, the trip was really relaxing. We had great dinners, walked around exploring and taking pictures, and did a bit of window shopping, picking up a few treasures along the way. It was nice to be able to speak English, as most people did on the Island.
One of the many views from Aroma Suites, our hotel for four days! Fanes, the man who owned the hotel, was very nice and gave us a great deal.
I took hundreds of pictures of doors. I couldn't get enough of them.
Again, more doors.
This was the second room we stayed in at Aroma Suites. We moved after the first night, as we were staying in a larger room because of our last minute travel changes.
This was our room the first night. Shan and I agree our second room was better - it wasn't so big. All of the rooms are traditional Greek cave rooms with white-washed walls and rounded ceilings.
Shan and I took the cable car down to the Old Port and then walked up this huge path that hugs the cliff. It was a pleasant walk but it smelled pretty bad - it's also the donkey trail!
Paradiso
Shan, looking very cool.
On the way down from the cable car.
The view from Old Port looking up.
Santorini at night.
Another view point from our hotel.
Me.
I love this picture. Hello kitten.
There were tons of animals everywhere. They didn't belong to anyone. Rather, they belonged to everyone. The island took care of them. My favorite part was that all of the animals got along.
My first sunset in Santorini.
It's so beautiful.
The dogs were so fun. They were really playful - they kind of reminded me of the Lost Boys from Peter Pan.
Fancy a chat? Or some Pita?
My favorite Calico.
Here he is again.
The sky was incredible.
The town of Fira, on Santorini.
Our shower. I really don't know why I included this, or why I felt it necessary to explain our room situation. I guess I am intrigued by the homes on Santorini in general. Especially the colors they choose to paint with. I love this pretty blue.
This picture makes me laugh. I love how they're all looking different ways.
This past Sunday was our final day of travel. We flew from Santorini to Athens, Athens to Rome, and then Rome to Florence. We almost missed our flight to Florence however, as our plane from Athens landed 20 minutes before we were to leave Rome. Here's an image for you - two girls with backpacks, coats, and bags sprinting through the Rome airport, disregarding all lines and any code of conduct as far as women, children, and the elderly are concerned. We were not going to miss our flight. And we didn't. We made it, short of breath, frustrated with Alitalia our airline, but happy to be on the flight.
Like I said before, I loved Santorini. It was the perfect place to relax after a crazy week of midterms. I also loved traveling with Shan. For those who don't know, she's one of my best friends from high school. It's been so great sharing my study abroad experiences with her.
Phew. I feel zombie-like having practically written a novel. I think I'm going to head home now, do some laundry I think (I have no clean clothes and I'm not lying), maybe watch an episode or two of Felicity before dinner. This weekend is going to be a very quiet one. Mrs. Hryniewicki comes to visit Jess tomorrow, and I'm so excited to see her. I really love Italy and I am so thankful to be having these incredible experiences (considering how young I am) but seeing my parents got me thinking about home, and I must say that I really am excited for Christmas - the beach house, Onnie and Jeep, Grandma and Grandpa, Vinnie, Bella, cousins, aunts and uncles, my beautiful SCU housemates, neighbors, friends from home, and best of all, my big bed. Oh! And a dryer, I can't forget that.
I hope everyone is really really good. I'm definitly missing you here.
Love Genevieve
P.S. Next weekend is Paris!
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