Week of Nov 10 - Nov 16

Ok, so we already went over my Paris/London trip! So that puts us at Wednesday of this week...so lets see...

I had work and it doesn't look like I did too much else exciting!

Thursday I had work again and registered for classes.

Friday I had work again and then went over to the Boy's apartment (Ben, Massie, and Dennis) for dinner with Marcela and Alison. The food was yummy and we played cards until like 4am when we took a cab back to Marcela's and Alison and I spent the night! Oh hahaha...this was the night Alison said to the cab driver "Scriviamoci!" hahaha which means "Let's write to each other!" The most ridiculous word...haha I think he was quite excited.

Saturday we (Alison, Marcela and I) decided to get brunch at California Bakery which was delicous. It serves American style breakfast and various other foods...We got served a bread basket with bagels and orange juice. Then, I had smoked salmon and a poached egg with hollandaise sauce on a ciabbatta bun. DIVINE. Haha...then as we're finishing up, this old Italian lady comes up to us and points to the empty chair at our table...
"Oh! Go ahead!" Alison says, assuming she wants to take the chair...Oh no. She sits down. Haha! We all sortof looked around and didn't know what to do. She just sat down and ordered coffee and a muffin hahaha. It was so funny. She was really cute actually, just all a bit random? So, we continued our conversation and she just sat there quietly and stared at us. Lol...Marcela couldn't get a sentence out anymore because she couldn't concentrate, it was so funny haha.

After brunch we walked around Ticenese which is a really cool area. We walked around vintage stores and found a Hello Kitty store...and then...we found Christmas Village! Which was this huge warehouse type space with a massive Christmas display! It was like a walk through store with different scenes and decorations. It was really cute! and fun and Christmassy!

Afterwards, apparently I went to the Gym haha...good...then Alison and I watched the old Italian Job and ate icecream

Sunday the weather was beautiful again! So I met Marcela and her friend and we finally did the Duomo rooftop tour which was amazing! It was so beautiful. Then we took a walk around the Castello and go some Gelato. We walked around Corso Buenos Aires and I went over to Marcela's. I was planning on grabbing some lunch and then leaving...but I realized that for once, I had nothing to do! So, I hung out and then Rachel and Jocelyn and Maureen all came home and Katie made dinner!

A nice relaxing weekend :)

Week of November 3-9

Ok...so I know I said I was going to get better at this...and I also know it's been kindof a while, that being said, I'm typing now aren't I?

So where were we...ah yes, I already blogged all about Halloween so we're at the next week! But before I get started on Monday, what did I do that weekend?

Saturday I slept. And it was lovely. Apart from that I got dinner with Ryan Amante and his girlfriend Britney and her friend. We went to this really yummy pasta place by La Scala where you could make you're own pasta...and I had a salad haha...oops. But, it was a delicious salad. (I kept the business card from this place actually, and I've gotten into the habit of picking up business cards of cool places, not a bad idea really.) Afterwards we went to Chocolat and got gelato...which was divine. It was so yummy...it is over by the Cadorna stop and was the most delicious gelato I've had to date (little did I know PECK gelato would soon wow my pants off) After this I went over to Marcela's and we watched Big Fish and I ended up staying over because it got too late and im too cheap to take a cab.

Sunday was the Brazilian GP!!! aaaand HAMILTON WON!!! Eat that Ferrari...mind you it was a bit close. Hamilton literally won the race seconds after Massa crossed the line in first. He passed Glock at the last second and secured his place as 5th to win the overall championship...well played. Lets leave a little more breathing room next time shall we? I watched it with the Italians at my collegio and they were not amused...ha but I was!! Then, like typical Ferrari fans, they whined...and said Hamilton is a cheater...are you kidding me? Ferrari...Ferrari who I'm convinced is bribing the FIA with intimate favors and Ferrari who is home to Michael Schumacher accusing people of cheating? Are you kidding me? Whatever...get over it Ferrari. YOU LOST! But they didn't really get over it did they? In fact, I had made a bet with Luca (one of the IES RA's) that Hamilton would win and he was not pleased about the results whatsoever...I remain amused.

Apparently, according to my trusted planner, I went to the gym today! Brilliant!

Ok, so now we start the next week...This week was really fun! Here's why...

Monday I had no business class again! Yippie! Sleep in! Then I had work until around 6pm...After work I met Alison and her Mom for Aperitivo at the IES place (we call it as such because IES took us there during the first week of classes...and we still don't know the name)

Tuesday I remember it POURED with rain...why do I remember this? Because I was wearing Uggs...and they got massacred. Ooh I also remember today is the day we went to La Scala and got to watch a rehearsal session for an orchestra. That was really neat actually. La Scala is beautiful and we got to sit in the cute little boxes. Afterwards, Katie, Marcella, and I went and got gelato at PECK (which I had heard about from Emelie at work) and hands down it wins best gelato of all time...it's not even a gelato place actually. It's like a fresh goods market. It has meats, fish, cheese, bread, chocolate, gelato...I think I'm going to get some items from there before I make my trip back home. Delicious.

So by this point I can literally feel the water squelching between my toes in my poor Ugg boots. They are completely drenched and I've had enough..."Ok, that's it. I'm buying boots...NOW" and I did! I checked out Mango but they didn't have exactly what I wanted so I moved onto Zara and decided I wasn't coming out until I got myself some decent shoes to wear...and success!! So now I finally have boots, and lets see...I bought them this Tuesday, which was the 4th and it's been three weeks and I have worn them EVERYDAY since...so they're actually a bit bashed up now. But well loved.

Additionally, today was US election day! And, I had found 0ut about a election party at Le Banque nightclub for all the Americans. So, Rachel, Jocelyn, Katie and I decided to check it out. I also met up with Ashley (from work) and her boyfriend there too. It was so fun! First of all it was free=awesome, second there was free food=unbelievable, and finally free wine and champagne...open bar style=what?! And if this couldn't get any better...free massages!!! It was one of the best nights out in Milan! There was rolling election coverage and tons of people. It actully went until like 6am, which after 3 or 4 glasses of wine I was totally up for. But, my friends convinced me this was a bad idea considering we all had class at 9am and it was only Tuesday...so I gave in. But, I did end up sleeping at their apt and splitting a cab which saved me even more money! Brilliant evening.

Wednesday I was tired...surprise. I had work until 5pm when I had to leave for class. We had a guest speaker in class today who was pretty interesting. She talked about her internship experiences in Milan from a few years back and it sounded strikingly similar to my own. That night I had to figure out some SCU classes with Mom and then study for a midterm...I think Gossip Girl slipped itself in there somewhere too...

You know what I jus realized, this week was not supposed to be fun...it was midterms week! Ha...well I had a great time.

Thursday we had our cooking class at the cooking school again, yessss. We made broccoli torts and some kind of meat. I really like these lessons, and we get to keep the recipes! I had to leave before I got to try the meat, but that's ok...Italians cook with a lot of oil which I'm not really a fan of...but moving on...I had to head off to my Busn class midterm, which actually went pretty well! Then I headed off to work...

After work I helped Alison move into the Collegio!!! Yippie! She finally got to switch out of her apartment and is much happier now. I'm really glad she moved in. Now we can have fun dorm parties...and such. This was actually a crazy couple of days because we were heading for London and Paris on Friday and Alison had only just moved in! Plus we had a midterm...keep forgetting about those.

Friday was LONDON PARIS DAY YAY! After our Italian midterm we headed promptly to the airport to catch our train to London-Town...

Side note.:Italians really piss me off while traveling. I mean honestly, get it together. How hard is it to wait in line? For God's sake...it really was time for me to go to England.

We got into the UK around 4pm and made our way to Bromley! Grandma and Granddad picked us up and it was soo good to see them! I love going to my Grandparents because they are so lovely and make me so happy and they also overfeed me haha.

Grandma made us some tea and brought us some cookies (see what I mean? This is brilliant...Grandma still loves to quote the time when I was little and I mentioned to Auntie Vic that "If you go to Grandma's house you get a cup of tea and a biscuit!" haha...its only because it's true! I love Grandma's) Afterwards we had a delicious dinner involving all sorts of bits (oh I love bitty dinners at Grandma's) We had lettuce, tomatoes, mini sausages, chicken, chips, cheese, crackers, grapes, apples...and more! Then afterwards we had some ice cream...I was literally in bliss. Then we watched some TV shows with my grandparents and as usual, called it a night long before they did.

Oh! This I must mention...Grandma tried to give Alison my room! No way! Haha...she suggested in her very polite and Grandma way that maybe I should let Alison have the nice pink room...Sorry Alison, I couldn't let that happen. It's my room! I'm also a bit stubborn...and bossy. Bossy Briches I used to get called...not much has changed I suppose ha.

Saturday we headed off to London! The moment we arrived I spotted Starbucks...YES...and they had their Christmas Cups!! I was so excited, I order a double-tall-nf-peppermint-latte without delay and threw a hazelnut choc chunk muffin in for good measure. Then we went to get our bus. Now, this bus tour is an excellent bus tour. I have done it before and its great because it takes you all over the city on various routes and you can get on and off whenever you please. Oh, did I mention it was pouring rain today? Right...Also, Granddad had warned us about "The Lord Mayor's Procession" What's that you ask? Well, quite frankly it's a pain in the neck. Apparently, we chose the one day out of the year where the Lord Mayor gets inaugurated into his position, which isn't even a real position mind you, he's a figurehead. Anyway, whatever he is, his procession shut down half of London...the interesting bit too. I might be a bit bitter...basically I had planned for us to hop on the bus, take it up to Trafalgar Square, take some pictures and then walk over to Lester Square to buy our Spamalot tickets (for cheap). Well, Mr. Lord Mayor, you foiled my plans. Instead of pursuing said route, our bus went AWOL and took us off in a completely different direction..."that's odd" I thought, "must be because of that procession. We'll probably just making a quick detour." By the time I'd seen the same street three times with not much of an explanation I was a bit fed up. So, as soon as it stopped raining we got off and walked about. We made our way to Lester Square and got some Spamalot tickets for 15pounds!

We sat down for lunch and plotted out the rest of our day...we decided to find the Absolut Ice Bar and then head to the London Eye before the show. This was a great idea. We walked down pretty Regents Street and found the Ice Bar! It was so much fun, I'd never been before. When you walk in, the garb you in a big fuzzy blanket-coat thingy and shove you into a giant ice room...where you get one drink with your entry fee. They let you stay in for 40 minutes and it was awesome! Additionally, we got to watch drunk old ladies break down the ice bench which was unbelievable since I'm quite sure that bench was welded together...Did I mention it was 5pm?

So, as soon as we got out we bolted to the London Eye which was really good. I've never been up it at night before and everything looked really pretty. Then it was back to the other side of London for Spamalot! Hmm...Spamalot...a bit weird really. I liked it, it was definitely funny and entertaining just a bit off the wall but not as cleverly off the wall as the real deal Monty Python. It's like they were off the wall, but then the slipped and fell or something. I don't know. It was fun either way! Then it was back to Grandmas for more tea and bliss...and soaps and murder mysteries (on TV that is).

Oh! I almost forgot to mention! They FIXED the shower! It's unbelievable! I mean, not the shower, it's still not exactly brilliant, but the fact that it can be classified as a shower v. a leaky faucet is phenomenal.

Sunday we were up early to catch our train to Paris. Again, we were foiled by the Lord's Mayor because the Victoria metro line was closed...so instead of battle time and confusion, we opted for a cab...which turns out we didn't have enough money for...oops...
"Um, is it going to be much longer? We only have about 13pounds.." I say sweetly as I watch the meter clock in 12.50.
"You've got about 5 more minutes love, but there's not much I can do about that." as the cab driver puts his foot down and we go flying off at a slightly faster speed than we'd been previously maintaining.
At this point Alison and I are freaking out and grabbing for whatever loose change we can find in our pockets. Aaand it hits on 15pounds...I had him the pile of change and apologize profusely, completely embarrassed. "It's alright love!" he says, "take care." I couldn't believe how nice he was! Good thing too...I saw that going badly.

When we got to Paris we had a battle with the metro card machines but finally got our passes and headed to our Hostel at "sdfererErfe" yeah I know...thats what the French man sounded like on the phone..."Sorry, um what was that? I asked" "sderegvfd" he repeated, a little agitated. "Oh right..." After the third try I managed to grasp "Saa...Paa" and searched the red line for anything resembling these words...St. Paul...obviously...right...my bad? (note to self sa-pa=St. Paul in French). So we got there and it was gorgeous! Really nice hostel. We were sharing a room with two other girls, but they actually never showed up...or they were invisible...which would have been wierd...but anyway.

We went straight to the Eiffel Tower and got crepes! Yum Yum Yum. I suggested we go up the stairs to the Eiffel Tower (verses the elevators) since the line was much shorter...what Alison neglected to mention to me was her intense fear of heights. Actually, she did mention it...half way up the stairs. Haha...so I coaxed her up step by step and we made it to the second level before surrendering to the freezing cold and coming back down.

Once we got down we tried to figure out how to get back to the right metro. This sounds simple enough but part of the metro was shutdown and we got a bit confused...however...French people are so nice! Well, to us they were. We were standing there looking totally lost and this nice French couple came up to us, asked us if we needed help, and then pointed us in the right direction! Turns out we had to take a bus...after getting off the bus we were yet again confused and another nice French person points us where to go! I was a bit suprised to be honest! I've heard so much about the French being so rude...and actually experienced it first hand as well, but everyone was exceedingly pleasant for the most part!

Eventually we made it back to the hostel and decided to go out to dinner at the top of the Pompidou museum which was a great idea...except that there wasn't much under 30euro a person...however, it was super nice and the view was gorgeous so we both found the cheapest things we thought we could find and had a lovely dinner ha. Then we decided to call it a night and to be honest I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

Monday we decided to just get up and walk around. We headed to Notre Dame and then made our way to The Louvre. I have never been to The Louvre before and it is massive...it's gigantic...and we got lost on more than one occasion. It is also gorgeous...we spent a lot of time in the Napoleonic rooms and breezed through a lot of Renaissance art. We saw a lot of statues and of course hit up the hot spots...as in Mona and her friends. However, my favorite piece in the museum by far was this statue of a little boy squeezing the neck of a duck, because I thought it was so cute and silly and clever...haha. I have a perverse sense of humor, I'm aware. Apparently so did this sculptor which is why I like it.

After the Louvre we moved on to Montmarte and checked out the shopping and The Sacre Coeur church, got some lunch and met up with Rose!! We walked around the Notre Dame area and then got a drink at a cool piano bar. It was really good to catch up with Rose and hang out for a bit. Then we went to dinner in the Bastille area and met up with Erika whom I met in New York this summer! That was really fun since I haven't seen her in ages and it was cool to see what she was upto.

After dinner Rose took Alison and I to meet her new beau Sammy. He works at a cinema on Champs Elysee and then owns(?) the bar next door. So, we hung out at that bar for a little while and then Alison and I had to decide if we wanted to go to a French birthday party in the suburbs and stay out until 5am when we could get a train back to catch our morning flight or go home to bed...like reasonable, normal, logical people. So we went to the suburbs.

This was so funny, I really enjoyed our suburban Parisian experience.

Rose’s boyfriend and his friends were hilarious but by 4:30am Alison and I were both passed out on the coach when Rose woke up us to go the train station. So then, (it now being Tuesday) the journey home…car to train station, train to metro, metro to hostel, slept for 30minutes, metro to airport, plane to Milan airport, bus back to the city, metro to Collegio…and we made it! Got back around 2ish to Collegio and slept until my class at 5:30...yikes what a day!

I loved our trip to London/Paris…I wish I could have taken Alison to see more stuff in London but I’m glad we got to do what we could! An extremely fun and exhausting weekend!!

Week of October 20-26

This was another crazy week!

Monday thank goodness I didn't have my early class this morning, I got to sleep in for a bit! Today I had work and then Alison came over afterwards and we "studied" for Italian and watched "The Devil Wears Prada."

Tuesday I had off work and I was going to to the gym I swear! But, it was still closed so I did some sit ups in my room haha. I made some errands today and made my hair appointment. I skyped with my parents and then Alison came over again and we studied for our Italian test some more and rewarded ourselves with watching the rest of "The Devil Wears Prada."

Wednesday we had our Italian test, which I actually remember going pretty well!! I then had work and my internship seminar class.

Thursday I had class and work. Afterwards I walked to IES to meet Alison and we debated between Gelato for dinner or Aperitivo and went with Aperitivo at the place IES took us to during our first week here. Yum Yum

Friday I was late to class. Which was unfortunate because my class had left for a surprise field trip! Haha...but I managed to track them down with Marcela's help and found them at the Leonordo Di Vinci museum where we made these ceramic tiles with pear paintings on them. It was really fun actually! Then Alison and I took off after class to catch our trains from Centrale...Ha Alison got hers just in time. Actually, she was late, but so is Italy so it worked out OK....

So, this next part I am typing up from a handwritten journal I had already written on this actual Friday...

Friday , 24 Oct 08
1:15pm

So, I am on my way to Rome! Hooray! Although...about 5 minutes ago a man came up to me and old me I was in his seat...so I showed him my ticket to prove him wrong and turns out his ticket said exactly the same thing...hmm thanks Italy! But, I'm already sitting, so he found another seat, I assume.
I am really excited to go to Rome! Initially it was just me and Marcela, but now we are going with three guys as well...Ben, Dereck, and Dennis. Because I have a eurail pass I decided to take the fast train (Eurostar) at 1pm. The others are taking a slow train later. And...I LOVE EUROSTAR TRAINS...They're amazing...clean, fast, big comfy seats, totally worth everything. Aaaand my tickets only cost me 30euo because I have a pass! :) Greyson called me this morning and I cant wait to see him! I had kind of forgotten I get to see him! Yay!
However, I am really worried about getting stuff stolen in Rome. So, I am being suer paranoid about everything...So I'd actually like to say thanks to Dad because I think that's genetics! Ha. But really, I am going to be very careful and I really am glad Dad has managed to instill at least a minimal level of paranoia in me.
Hmm...side note...the person sitting next to me smells horrible. Like...real bad. I don't understand why Converse has made it to Italy but deodorant hasn't...I went to the store to get some more deodorant and 1. It was near impossible to find, hidden beind another rack of stuff 2. There were no more than 3 or 4 choices in a small corner...WHY?! Someone needs to get in touch with the U.S. deodorant companies because they are missing out on a substantial opportunity for profit: The greater part of the Italian population. Get that stuff over here, get the marketing department at work and can we please put an end to this madness?! I declare war on Italian body odor.
Well, that's all for now...I'm sleepy...AND I bought an English gossip magazine! Excitement.

Saturday, Oct 25 2008
Got off the train and headed to the hostel (got in around 5:30pm) it was pretty easy really. Once I checked in, I met up with Greyson! We walked around and got dinner at a restaurant by The Colosseum-ish. We saw an icebar! Which I really want to go to and apparently there is one in Milan?
So...Marcela and the boys got in later...but they didn't bring their passports so they had some problems checking in. But, we finally met up with them around 11:30pm at the castle. We walked around and took pictures and finally wandered home around 2/3am...I was ery tired. Our hostel isn't bad A bit dirty bu oh well, ha, it's a hostel.
Saturday(today) we woke up around 9:30am and showered...then we went to the train station and bought a "Rome Pass" which was a great investment. 20euro= 2 free museum/attraction entrances, discounts, and free metro/bus passes. SO, we went to the Colosseum first and to the ruins. Then we walked to the E.M. II Monument and climbed up it! Greyson and I went to the very top but the other's didn't because it cost 7euro...But honestly, it was sooo worth it! I love city landscape views and it was really the best part of my day. It was gorgeous and the view was so amazing. Wow. Afterwards, we headed towards the Pantheon but got a late lunch first (yum pizza). Oooh...I almost forgot, we saw people dressed up as guards/roman soldiers at the Colosseum and took pictures with them...turns out that was 5euro each...WHAT?! Ha...oops. Anyway, then we went to the Trevi Fountain, my favorite place in Rome I think :) But, the rainclouds were beginning to move in so we made a mad dash for the Spanish Steps when it started to pour...and we called it a day and we filtered into the ridiculously over packed metro.
Also, this is funny, being here kind of makes me miss my parents. I think it's because I've done so much traveling with them it makes me think about how lucky I am! Ok, I have to jump in the shower before the German(?) girls do so I will have to finish this thought in a bit!

Sunday 26 Oct 2008
Last night was actually pretty fun! We ended up going to a hip/young area for dinner. Marcela and I split spaghetti carbonara which was amazing...and drank lots of wine. Yum :) Also, Ben made friends with this random Engligh guy at the hostel...Dave...so he came to dinner too. Haha...After dinner, Dave left, and we wandered around and went to campo di Fiori to meet Jess! (and Matt) We got some yummy nd cheap drinks and then in my slightly inebriated frame of mind, I bought some fake Rayban sunglasses for 10euro! Haha oops. Then we found Matt and Jess Yay!! We wanted to get Matt a drink because it was his 12:01 (21!) so we found another bar...Dennis bought him a shot but didn't take one with him! 'My group' wanted to leave but I wanted Matt to have a fun bday so I took a shot with him!...turns out they were doubles...of tequila...but it was his birthday so I obliged. Ha, oh well. It was fun and he seemed happy so then we walked back to the hostel.
Sunday(today) They all got up and went to the Vatican so I passed on that and decided to wander about for a bit. I went over to Piazza Cavour, another Piazza, then the Pantheon (but there was a mass so I couldn't go in again!) So then I wandered around some more and went over to the Trevi Fountain and got gelato. Then I met Matt and Jess back at the Pantheon and we actually got to go in this time! We took some pictures back at the Trevi Fountain (Oh, by the way when I was walking around the Vatican I found the most hilarious postcard for Teresa. I'm so excited...It's a big picture of Pope Benni...its great. He looks so pleased.) Then I walked up via Vorsa and saw the big Piazza at the end. By this time it was time for me to get my stuff and head to the train station. (Also, I found this really cool/funny kitchen supplies store by the Trevi Fountain. It was really cool with stuff from all over.) All in all a good trip and I enjoyed myself! It was really good to see Jess again actually. It's wierd I wont be seeing her until January...in our new APARTMENT!! :)
The guys we went with were really nice...I liked them a lot. Especially because I think sometimes it can be hard traveling with people you don't know. Or at least, with different traveling styles. Also, I've learned that I actually quite like wandering around by myself doing whatever I like ha.
It's weird. Europe travel/tourism is definitely different without my parents! I'm not quite sure how money seems to vanish so quickly and Im trying really hard! I also really want to bring my parents back lots of goodies since they've put up a lot of money to fun my trip. I really wish they could come visit! I am kind of regretting not getting that travel journal/diary from Borders. Man I'm tired. And hungry. I'm taking a Tylenolpm at 10pm tonight. I need to get some sleep and start this week off well! I'm excited for the F1 race on Sunday, my hair appt, Aperitivo on Weds, November, Grandma and Granddad again, Paris, and more!

Hmm ok. I think I'm going to write Teresa's postcard now haha.

Week of Oct 13 -Oct 19

It's a miracle! I am writing my blog! Ok...So, getting behind is an understatement when it comes to my blogging responsibilities...I'm hopeless...but I have about a month left and I vow to do better...tonight is going to be a big night...I plan on doing about 6 weeks of catchup...oh my 6 weeks...i just counted...thats a lot. I'm an idiot. Ok, here we go...

Monday I finished my Shopoholic book! Or so my planner says...ha...this is ridiculous, I can't believe I've left it six weeks to write my blog...anyway, pressing on...Today I had work as usual. After work, I went home and did some HW, chatted with Dria, watched Gossip Girl and hit they hay...

Tuesday...MOMMY'S BIRTHDAY!! YAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I sent mom some flowers and Rachel sent her some bath products. Then, I had work again until around 6 or 7. After work, I went to the girls apartment for dinner and had a fun evening.

Wednesday I had class and work again...then I came hope to pack for Madrid!! Yay!! And watch Gossip Girl obviously...

Thursday...MADRID!! WOOO!!! I was so excited to see Jessica and Rose!! I finally got into Madrid around 7pm...Ok wait, before I continueI have to share this frustration...what is it with Italians and waiting in line? I just don't understand it...It's one of the most frustrating things...lining up to board a plane. I will wait patiently (along with some others, who have obviously evolved past traditional Italian social behaviors) and then right as we're about to board...its a bloody stampede and 50 people jump straight to the front. This pisses me off a lot. Especially because half the people pushing in front of me have B boarding and I'm A. However, I have since abandoned all logical thought involving this process and have decided to "do as the Romans do" and now push my way to the front...just like everyone else does. Which is still bizarre...but effective...I suppose. So...I got into Madrid around 7pm!! And found Rose and Jess! Yay! Jess met us at the airport and then Rose and I headed off to our hotel, on the metro I ask Jess "So, do you guys have pickpocketers here?"
"Are you kidding? Definately! Watch you're bags"
"Ooh! Ok! Will do..."

So...off Rose and I go, happy as can be...We're lugging our stuff up the stairs in the metro and I'm turning to listen to her talk..."Hmm I didnt notice Rose was wearing a big blue jacket before...wait a minute. Rose doesnt have a big blue jacket?!" I turn around and there is some punk kid with his hand in my purse! "What the F*CK?!" I yell at him and grab his hand. He looks no older than 15. I immediatly check my purse for all the essentials and then yell at him again and check his hands and pockets...He then yells random curse words at me in Spanish and then runs off with his little friend who had been lurking behind us as well. What a punk! It was actually really weird, I've never had anything like that happen to me before. So I was a little shook up, but lesson learned! I zipped up my bag, zipper in front after that. That's the one thing I like about Milan, we don't really have pick pocketers like that...lack of tourists! Plus, everyone around here walks around with these giant Louis Vuittons ....why would they steal anything out of my sorry looking H&M bag?!

So, we get to the hostel and check in. We're in an 8 bed, mixed dorm. We get in and there is a guy in there already. We introduce ourselves, "Hey I'm Jason" he says.
I ask, "where are you studying"
"Frieburg, Germany"
"Ooh! I have a friend from my program with a friend studying there. She's going to visit him next week I think...how do you like it?" We chit chat for a while, he tells me how he did semester at sea last semester and talks about his travels...then Rose and I continue unpacking...all of a sudden he goes, "You're in Milan right? Do you know anyone from USD in Milan?"
"Yeah I do!" I reply
"Do you know an Alison?"
Yeah! She's one of my best friends in the program! How funny...how do you know....WAIT...You're JASON! JASON from FRIEBURG!"
"And youre SAM! From her profile picture right?"
Haha...this was the funniest moment ever...Alison talks about Jason all the time and how she can't wait to visit him in Germany and here I am with him in Madrid, in the same room, in the same hostel. What even funnier is she mentioned he was going to be in Madrid while I was there and how funny it would be if we met up. Well, fate stepped in!

Then Rose and I got ready and met up with Jess to go to "Le Tigre" for Tapas and Giant Mojitos! Yummy...we went to a table in the back and just caught up and chatted which was nice. Then, we were planning on going out, but we were all a bit exhausted, so we walked around a bit and called it a night.

Friday we woke up around noonish and met Jess at the hostel. We got lunch at the Plaza Mayor and had Paella and Sangria haha. Traditional Spanish tourist food yay! Then we decided to go shopping! Which was both good and bad...we went to Zara and I came out with some cute goodies including a new jacket and the discovery of bird poop on my current shirt, and so therefore a new shirt...

Then we decided to educate ourselves and we went to the Prado museum (after a quick stop at Starbucks :) Oh how I've missed it...I know what you're thinking...I'm in Italy with great coffee and I love the espresso here. But, there is no such thing as a Double Tall NF SF V-Latte in these neck of the woods and sometimes I just crave my favourite coffee drink) It was raining a bit after the museum so we went back and took naps...as I'm sleeping...our power goes out in our hostel. Wait, let me correct that, not the whole hostel, just our floor... :( Hmm...so Rose and I have to shower and get ready so I decide to take matters into my own hands. I walk down to the floor below us and we end up using this random guy's shower in his room. There were 4 guys and a woman staying in the room and I decided to dominate their bathroom...Ha, i felt really bad, and a bit awkward, but it had to be done. I also felt worse after I discovered I'd used all their hot water...Soo...after we'd finished our makeup we offered a peace offering of Vodka, then nice Argentinian guy responded "No thanks, I'm drinking wine tonight." Hmm...we definitely came off as classy Americans...Ha anyway, it was funny, and we got ready.

So we went to dinner at this place called "Tapas del Mundo" and we had Mexican! Ha, it was awesome...then we went back to the room and made drinks and hung out for a bit. Then we made our way to the 7 story club called Kapital!! It was really fun, but the Spanish don't go out until sooo late...I'm talking like 2 or 3 in the morning. Then they'll stay out until like 6am when the metro starts back up again. Anyway, the club was a lot of fun, constant dancing and this crazy fog machine that would blow cool air on us from the ceiling every once in a while. Then there was the confetti..haha that was fun. But, by about 5in the morning I was crashing, and in fact i did! We went upstairs where we had more space and couches to sit down at, and i somehow fell asleep even though I was practically sitting next to a speaker ha. oops. So, we left not much after and I slept like a baby

Saturday we got up around noon or 1ish again and had lunch at an Italian restaurant by the Reina Sofia museum (the modern art museum in Madrid) After lunch we checked out the museum which was pretty cool. It reminded me of the French modern art museum I've been to. After the museum we went to Madrid's answer to Central Park, the Retiro park. It was so beautiful! It was really gorgeous and I loved it...I think I love parks because you can feel like youre anywhere you know? I didn't necessarily feel like I was in Madrid, I just felt like I was in this peaceful place with my friends. We spent a lot of time there, it was so nice and relaxing :).

So, then we went back to the hostel again and naped...I'm beginning to like naps...

We had dinner at a really cute restaurant by the bar we were planning on going to. We didn't have dinner until 11:30pm! So late, but it was really good...After dinner we went to this awesome bar with a "cave" theme. They had these giant drinks that you share called "fish bowls" ha and it was exactly that. Afterwards, we went to a club called Pacha which was really fun and then by the time 6am rolled around we called it a night, giving me time to get 2 hours of sleep in before I was off to the airport! Ha, but such a fun night.

Sunday was kindof nuts....as I mentioned...I got up two hours later and booked it to the airport! I'm pretty sure once I finally got home I slept...I missed the GP because I couldn't find the station, grabbed some dinner, and went to bed!

So, all in all a pretty good week! Madrid was so much fun and it was so good to see Rose and Jess! :)

November 1, 2008

November 1, 2008


Ah! Last night was amazing! We had our Collegio Halloween Party and it was so much fun. I dressed up as a giant baby. I borrowed Alison’s onesie and bought a binky from a Halloween store.

So, the party. The party was so fun! It started at around 11pm with mostly American students playing beer pong and hanging out. Ryan and a couple Italians bought alcohol and mixers and we had a bar set up, with a dance room, games room and chairs to hang out and talk. Everyone’s costumes were so good. We had angels, devils, cats, French maids, TopGun Tom Cruise, Risky Business Tom Cruise…my baby costume went over really well though haha. I was so impressed by the Italians costumes! They got so into it! We had doctors, sailors, phantoms, monsters…one guy dressed up as a Kamikaze pilot haha and he made his own gun! Another guy dressed up as a terrorist with water bottles as a bomb strapped to his chest! But, my favorite had to be the guy who dressed up as a shower. He had an orange robe on and had constructed a shower curtain/rack around himself. It was so funny!
We danced a lot and taught the Italians how to play beer pong and civil war. I also discovered a new drink that’s really yummy. Vodka/Tonic with a little bit of strawberry syrup…delicious!

What else did I get upto this week…oh yeah! Big week this week…

Monday after work Jocelyn made dinner for everyone! It was so delicious, she made pear salad, cauliflower, garlic bread, meat and then brownies for dessert! It was such a good meal…I love going to their house for dinner. So yummy. Then we watched Under The Tuscon Sun…haha interesting movie. It makes Italy look so quaint and clean.

Tuesday I had off work and my hair appointment! Which went…well…it went. I mean, he was a really nice guy! And spoke English, but he insisted on putting dark streaks in my hair and then highlighted the underside too. It was all just very Italian. I mean the place was really nice, they had an old movie playing, massage chairs, tea/coffee and it was really cute! But, the lady who did my color would just pick bits up here and there and casually dab some color on…then Simone (the owner) cut my hair, and first of all I told him a trim! And now at least 2in are gone! But, he would just trim here, trim there, didn’t really cut it centered, he cut it based off of my side part…Oh my…It was kindof funny though. I decided to tell myself to shutup and just accept that I’m being morphed into an Italian. It’s a very Italian haircut. But, that’s ok! I’m in Italy. Haha…then came the curling. I looked like Shirley Temple…luckily it was raining and I could put on my hood until I got home. So…its workable. It looks good, the color is fine, not the best quality of highlights but its workable and at least I got my hair cut and roots done. Me and Ken are going to have some fun when I get back because he’s going to have a lot of work to do! Going to different hairdressers makes me realize how amazing Ken really is. He does such a good job. It turns out perfect every time and I miss my beautiful perfect hair!

Wednesday I had off again and hit the Gym. This needs to keep happening. I only went once this week…I’m going tomorrow…It has to happen. After class, Katie and I grabbed a sandwich to eat and then I went over to Alison’s and we made this random pasta packet a girl from the hostel in Madrid gave me. We watched Gossip Girl and thought about our London/Paris trip a bit.

Thursday was such an awesome day! We had our first cooking class! Real cooking class that is. We went to the cooking school and we made mushroom risotto and tiramisu. OMG…it was so good, and tiramisu is really easy to make! While we were cooking there was a man running around behind us setting up this beautiful table setting with water, bread, wine and cute napkins. Once we’d finished we ate this amazing meal (our risotto and tiramisu) then they brought out coffee for us afterwards! I didn’t even go to my second class because we were too busy wining and dining! But, this is ok, since she was taking us on a tour on Via Montenapoleaone...(the 5th Ave. of Milan) and I was going there to work later in the afternoon anyway and so I figured I could skip this. So, then I went shopping for a bit and headed to work. After work I went to Marcela’s and Jocelyn had made a cake to take over to the boys for dinner. (Marcela and I went to Rome with 3 guys named Ben, Dennis, and Derek…Ben and Dennis live together and invited us over for dinner on Thursday on the understanding that we would bring baked goods ha) So, we headed over to their apartment around 8/830 and when we go there, they were dressed up in shirts and ties and Dennis was still cooking in the kitchen! It smelled amazing and they’d set up a few tables together and made a big dining table. They brought out wine and appetizers and we all chatted and had so much fun! A few more girls showed up and we somehow got through 16 bottles of wine? I mean, I think there were 20 of us haha. Anyway, it was so much fun and we’ve dubbed Thursdays feast days and I am looking forward to our next dinner party!

Friday was the big Halloween party. I had work during the day and I brought in some Halloween cookies. Then I and some awesome shopping afterwards. I finally found some black skinny jeans and regular skinny jeans! Yay!!

Tomorrow is the final GP…I’m so excited C’mon Hamilton

**sidenote..I know I am missing a couple weeks here (week of Oct 13-19 and Oct 20-26 which include my Madrid and Rome trips) I will fill those in ASAP...I just wanted to put something in about this week since I had some time today!

Week of Oct 6 - Oct 12

I am once again behind again! I am not very good at keeping up with my blog, but I really want to because I know I'll regret it if I don't and I want to…I just get more and more behind and then…before you know it it’s October 28 and I’m trying to remember what I did on October 6. But anyways, it’s better than nothing so here goes…

Monday…Hmm…ah yes, Joy was still in Paris! I had work and class…Haha oh and yes worked on my blog…good work Sam…

**sidenote: I just opened a bag of Halloween peanut candy things…and emptied out a few and put the rest of the bag back…why did I do that? Am I kidding? Its just me in my room…and I know I’m going to finish the rest of them and I’m not sure why I pretended otherwise by putting them back… I have now reopened the bag**

Tuesday had class and work all day. Today I ran errands all day…or at least so it says in my planner because honestly I don’t remember really which defeats the point of me writing a blog. Hmm. Jane brought fudge into work today from England! I remember that! Haha…and Joy brought it delicious little pastries for Ilaria since she left…yummm…

After work I went over to Marcela’s and we made Risotto!! Katie taught us how to make it…and by taught us I mean, I started drinking and taking photographs while Katie suggested maybe I stir the Risotto before it burns J I love cooking…ha. Anyway, it was for our “cooking class.” Which isn’t exactly a cooking class yet…however we are actually cooking tomorrow!! Yess…(Oct 30 that is). So, yes, Risotto, turned out well, I was impressed. I will also be even more impressed if I can ever make that on my own/figure out how we got from rice and cheese to delicious. Ooh and I made decent Banana bread tonight…Success.

Wednesday I had off work! These days turn into “errands” days since I have free time during the day. I attempted to do my laundry I recall, but that didn’t go so well since they laundry machine broke. “When will it be fixed” I asked the doorman. “Ooh, maybe today, maybe tomorrow…this week…we’ll see.” “Oh ok, brilliant.” Italy. SO…I hit the gym and worked on my blog (as my journal says? I do not remember this…my God my memory is appalling). Off to class! After class Katie, Rachel, and I went to Aperitivo at Cheese…so delicious. We got drinks…and some more drinks after careful consideration…and chatted. I got home, packed for London and stayed up unreasonably late watching Gossip Girl…I admit I have a problem. I think I’m flirting with addiction. I'm aware.

Thursday we had our fiel trip in Busn class. We went to Mila Shoen and Rachel and I ditched out on the second exhibit to get lunch instead. Brilliant idea. I had a yummy tuna salad at my favorite Bar across the street from class, and I’ve figured out that it’s called Bar Spuntino. Then I headed to work, with my bag for the UK…

I decided to go to London a bit randomly, all my friend were going out of town and I realized I didn’t want to spend the weekend doing nothing by myself. Don’t get me wrong. I love being in Milan. But, I just thought it’d be a good opportunity to visit Grandma/Granddad since everyone else would be gone as well!

After Work: YAY LONDON!! My flight was ok…this horrible Italian woman had her knee in the back of my chair the entire flight. Yes. The entire flight. Pleasant. But, I got there eventually! Uncle Pete and Auntie Deb picked me up and took me over to Grandma and Granddads. We had some tea (divine…oh the wonders that tea does work) and chatted then I hit the hay, before my Grandparents, obviously.

Friday Grandma made me an English breakfast! It was so yummy, we had eggs, bacon, tomatoes and toast J I haven’t had eggs for breakfast in way too long. Croissants…I will forever be haunted by croissants. “Brioche.” I took a shower…oh Grandma’s shower…I don’t know how they aren’t fed up with that shower. It did make me giggle though. No one would believe me unless they saw it first hand…but its dripping water. Completely and honestly, its a leaky faucet. Ha, but it worked…in the end.

Then we played board games! Which was really fun! Although, possibly more fun for Granddad since I’m sure he purposely chose games he knew he’d win at. Although we all one once and that one game where you march your four little men around the board, only to be knocked off by a lurking Grandparent just as you reach home base! Then we played Sevens which I’d never played before. It’s a card game and It’s really fun. I caught onto that by the end too and ending up winning at least once I think…then we had a grandma bitty lunch! So yummy! We had rolls, cheese, min sausages, salad, tuna, crisps, chocolate, crackers, chutney, ham, bread, all things yummyyy…and to my delight, more tea. I love Grandmas.

Then we lounged around a bit and watched some TV, Trevor called a bit later and informed us we were going to Indian for dinner…only thing was is that we were all still quite full! But, we met Nick, Trevor, and Kyle for dinner and went to Trev’s afterwards to see Nick’s bed? Not really sure what that was about…but I think it had something to do with Kyle wanting us to come visit. Oh yes…haha Granddads car. It took at least four tries for Granddads car to start, which was highly amusing because the boys were standing there waving and laughing in the window the entire time and Granddad was making loud noises as usual. Haha…it was amusing to say the least.

Back at Grandma’s we watched some funny home videos and I came to the conclusion that I was a total weirdo and Rachel cried a lot. A lot. Ha, in almost every scene Rachel would end up in tears…sometimes I don’t even think she knew why. I on the other hand was on a completely different planet. I was usually found wandering around by myself talking to no one/nothing in particular (or myself? Impossible to know for sure) or irritating Rachel. Still two of my favorite pastimes. After some Ovaltine, I called it a night, again, well before my Grandparents

Saturday we had a light breakfast, which was still yummy: Cereal and toast, and tea J We hung about for a bit and Granddad and I had a lovely chit chat. I also discovered that the UK has “Deal or No Deal” but not the flashy, sexy, high tech, fancy, dramatic “Deal or No Deal” as I am familiar with in the US. No, this one was normal people and casual conversation. The set was pretty low budget and everyone was completely laid back wearing t-shirts and drinking tea. Ha, I found this really funny since the people in the US version, aren’t actually people but Blond Robots in miniskirts. Cultural differences are funny. Then we met the Randall’s at “The Old Jail” Pub for lunch…I had been told I must have the chicken skillet, and I was also told I needed to make up my mind by the time we got there so it could be ordered in advance since it was fresh and took a half hour to prepare. Well, after all this talk about a chicken skillet, I had but no other choice. And it was really yummy! Then we went to Coolings to visit and hopefully embarrass Edward. This was Grandma and Deb’s idea. Apparently, Edward doesn’t like it when Deb comes to visit since the last time she was there she dropped a big flower pot on the ground and Edward was forced to retreat, ha. I actually wish I could have been there for that! So anyway, after we felt like Edward had served his time, we went and looked around the garden center and had some tea and cakes in the tearoom. From there I headed straight to the airport wit Deb and Pete…which was a nightmare! There was an accident and it took much longer than it should’ve to get to the airport. But, I’d checked in online so it worked out ok.

At the airport…I bought too much candy as WH Smith…not in my opinion, but in the obvious opinion of the woman at the till…she must’ve thought I was mad…or obese. However, I have no same and walked off with my $18 worth of Cadbury goodies with pride.

Sunday I slept in until 12 or so. I got lunch and played ping-pong with Kristen and Ryan…Then I watched the Japanese GP in which Massa and Raikkonen made complete idiots of themselves by driving into walls and pulling out of the pit lane with the fuel pipe engaged…whopsie daisy Ferrari!

Week of Sept 29 - Oct 5

Ok, so in order to try and keep up with my blogging, I wrote this one on October 8 and am posting it now!

This was a pretty good week! I got sick during the middle which was a bit of a bummer…still am sick actually now that I think about it. Monday was our first day of classes! I had my IB 340 (Fashion/Busn) class and that went well…we took a tour to the Cattolica library. We are going to be doing a lot of “field studies” which will be interesting. The teacher is quite nice, just a bit hard to understand her accent sometimes. Side note…people are fascinating. Some people really ask the most bizarre and unnecessary questions. Just to be difficult? Ignorance? We’ll never know…

Then I had my cooking class with Marcela! So, we get into class and one of the first things our teacher says is, our chef “e’ morto…” He died. Eight days before our class…in a motorcycle accident. We were all a bit shell shocked really, I mean, what do you say to that? So, they’re looking for a new chef/cooking school we can use. For the meantime, we have take-home cooking assignments. Actually, Marcela and I are going to attempt a risotto tomorrow night! Hopefully, this goes better than my first attempt at baking… “Baking powder” is not easy to find in Italy…so one night Alison and I decided to just have a go with self rise flour. She made chocolate chip (aka M&Ms because chocolate chips are nonexistent) cookies and I made banana bread…and I threw in some M&Ms to prove I live on the wild side. Well, turns out baking powder is pretty important. Sure, my banana bread rose, about an inch. It was more of a banana brick really…the cookies turned out ok. But, you’ll be pleased to know we finally found some baking powder and this weekend (Saturday the 4^th) we tried again with cookies and were supremely successful.

Anyway, so after class on Monday I went straight to work which can be explained in detail at a later date…


Then I went over to Alison’s and we decided to go to the “girls” appt for dinner since Jocelyn was cooking and we really couldn’t turn that down. And good thing we didn’t because it was amazing, she made us pasta with salad AND Nutella crepes!! Heaven landed on my plate that night…and I ate it. At least three times.

Tuesday I had work again after Italian 200. After work I needed a walk, and gelato…so that’s what I did. I walked to the Duomo, got gelato and walked back to the IES center where I took the metro back. I can’t walk to where I live…since I’d have to cross a freeway to do that…It would be more funny if I was joking.

Wednesday is my free day! I had class in the morning and then picked up some groceries. I got Michael’s package today which was really nice. I had lunch at the Collegio and then headed back to the bar across from IES to meet Marcela and Alex to go over our “group hw” from our cooking class that is a bit lacking since we still don’t have a chef…My other class (the internship seminar) was canceled today because Ilaria was hospitalized! So, I came home, skyped with Dad, and headed over to Alison’s to try our hand at baking. Yes, this was our first attempt that didn’t go so well! But, we ate the cookies and got Pizza OK 5 for dinner (Oh! I also discovered last night there is a Pizza Ok 6?! By Marcela’s appt…random) Oh yes…this was also the evening we decided to book a trip to Prague on a whim! Which I am so pumped about…I’ve always wanted to go and I didn’t think I’d be able to, and now I am!! Yippie!

Thursday I had work again…everyone was in Paris so I worked on Editorials all day. Today was the day I started to get a bit sick…

Friday after class, Alison and I decided we weren’t doing anything so we should just walk around! So, we did! We walked all over, we took the tram to Duomo…oh that’s right! During class there was a strike outside and our teacher let us go upstairs and check it out. It was crazy! I wish I’d taken pictures. The entire street was crammed with high school kids protesting. There was loud music and banners and police in riot gear bringing up the rear! When we got back down stairs our teacher explained they were protesting a new political leader who wants to make some changes in Milan’s high schools. She said it was probably most of the high schools in Milan marching around and that they’d walk all over the city and end at the Duomo. She then looked a bit confused, and asked us if this was common in America too? Hmmm…not so much. It’s funny because she thought this was weird. She said people go on strike here all the time, its to be expected. Anyway…so Alison and I went to the Duomo to try and find them ha. But, we failed, so instead we went shopping! We walked down via Torino and had a really yummy lunch at Caffe Torino. We also walked down via Genova. I surprisingly did not buy anything! Which is good, because I am now on a budget of 45euro a week…which is actually going well this week! I’ve spent under 5 euro everyday (so far). Getting more sick…

Alison and I decided to make omelets for dinner! Ooh they were so good…we found the two story Esselunga and it was fantastic. The aisles were so wide we twirled around a couple times. I felt like skipping. Anyway, we wanted to make fruit salad and omelets…Alison insisted on getting a pineapple haha. Which actually turned out well! We bought some other bits and I went home for a bit.

When I came back I made kickass omelets and fruit salad! Then much later we went out with Marcela, Jocelyn, Julia, Hannah Duckett and Rachel. We decided to go to Karma…And we got there…eventually…it was pretty fun, we just danced for most of the night!

Saturday I slept in! I watched Gossip Girl all day and was feeling really crappy. Definitely sick at this point. Alison and I tried our hands at cookies again, and they turned out wonderfully because we had found baking powder!! Yippie! So we made those, and then FINALLY went to diner at the yummy looking restaurant by her house…called “Seafood and Pizza” I cannot remember the Italian word for seafood…but that’s what it is. It was sooo good. I had salmon pizza and Alison picked something random from the menu which turned out to be pizza with mussels and tomatoes ha. She ate most of it and then decided afterwards she doesn’t much care for mussels. Haha…so after our little date we went over to Marcela’s to drop off some cookies and then headed home to bed…because tomorrow is GARDALAND…

When I got home the Italians were having a Collegio party! They asked me to join, but I just went to sleep...

Sunday we were up at 8am to head off to Gardaland!! Yay!! Haha…Gardaland was awesome…everything was decked out in Halloween garb! There were 5 or so rollercoaster-ish rides and we saw a show…hahaha which was hilarious to say the least! It was called Halloween on Ice and was the most inappropriate children’s show I’ve ever seen. It started off alright. Dracula came out on ice skates…it was actually pretty cool! They did some awesome stunts, had some funny Italian Halloween songs…I was hoping they would do the “thriller dance” ..and they did!! Which was great…moonwalking on ice looks sweet. So we were enjoying ourselves when a scantily clad dance waltzes out onto the ice and attaches herself to a flying hoop. She then continues to perform racy stunts and sexually charged dance moves to Evanescense and an intense rock and roll song…just as we’re thinking this show isn’t really so G rated…things got weirder…The next ice skater comes out prancing and I realized I recognize the song theyre playing…that’s because its KATY PERRY’S I KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT!! We couldn’t believe it! They played Katy Perry and a children’s ice skating show. I couldn’t stop laughing…I suppose no one there actually speaks English so it doesn’t matter…but WHAT?! This would never go down at Disney…What would Walt think?

Ha, another funny thing that happened…there was only one rollercoaster that took a long time…and that was MAMUT…oh Mamut. We saw the huge line but decided we might as well wait, we weren’t exactly busy or anything. So, we waited….and 80 minutes later I was dangerously close (literally) to causing physical harm to the italian couple behind us in line. Personal Space…this concept is completely foreign and unimportant to Italians. I cannot understand why they insisted upon standing so close to us we could feel them breathing…although, on the upside I can literally turn around and say: “You are so annoying, what the hell is wrong with you!?” and they haven’t got a clue…it is slightly satisfying at least. So by the time we get to the front we’ve waited almost 2 hours and decide what’s 5 more minutes wait to sit in the front! The ride was similar to thunder mountain so the front seats were a train! So, we skipped out turn and waited for the front row. Just as we are about to hop in, the fast pass people are let in and two little kids dive into the front…just as we’re about to crack, the man operating the ride kicks them out!! Hahaha…That’s a life lesson kids. We EARNED those seats. It was really funny.

So, Gardaland. A positive experience…except the one ride that just toggled us upside down for like 30 seconds, multiple times. That was just weird…but overall a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, we missed the 6pm train home, so we kicked around for another hour and headed back. Fun day!

Some pictures!!