Travel

It's been a long day of travel yet again. Left Rome early this morning and took a subway and a train to get to the airport. Aegean air treated me better for the 2 hours I was on the plane than Iceland air did when I was on a 9 hour flight to france. I literally just had pasta, bread, dessert, drink, and coffee. Thanks for the free lunch. Now off to the island! 

The Vatican. 

The view from the top of the dome 

Gelato 😋

Canoliss

Well Rome has been a pleasant surprise. The architecture is absolutely amazing here. Although it is a bit too touristy for me. I hate having to constantly be on my guard... Between the pick pocketers who follow you down the street (yes I legitimately ran away)  to the street venders and the beggers. 

I went to the Vatican today and it was a lot different than expected but still beautiful. I said a prayer and then climbed over 500 steps to the top of the dome. That's the fourth time I've felt like I was on top of the world and the climb is getting easier. We dodged a Bullet aka the huge rain cloud by about 5 seconds when we found the cutest retaurant offering happy hour. It was nice to relax with the girls and get free food for a bit since it is our spring break and everything. I even made friends with the bartender and got a free shot.. Or two. 

Well,It's been real Italy... Off to Greece tomorrow ! Ciao. 

So this is life. 

Trevi 

My spring break

So after taking a train, a subway, a bus, a plane, a bus, and a boat.... I made t to Venice. By far one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen. After spending a day there I took a day trip to Verona and saw the house of Juliet. We made it back to the hostel which was not in a nice part of town and of course we got lost. No one spoke English so directions were impossible, and my data plan obviously did not work. But we made it safe. We woke up at 5am Sunday to drop our friend off at the train station then walked back to drop off our key and checkout so we could go catch our train. Obviously they gave is a broken key and it legitimately broke in half in the door. It's been an experience. Off to Florence! 

We have lucked out with the weather conditions this week. Florence was beautiful and you would never know it was February. It was nice being able to relax and just enjoy the views. We took a day trip to Tuscany to go wine tasting and I think I am becoming a wine snob (and a food snob) because nothing was comparable to what I have in France! We were off to Rome on Tuesday morning and thank goodness we only have two more days in Italy because I have eaten too much gelato for my own good. As a bonus we got a free bottle of wine at the hostel because they were late checking us in ! It's funny because I have walked and climbed more stairs this week than probably ever before in my life. My legs have been feeling the burn and I don't think I will ever complain again about walking when I get back home... Especially when going up library hill. 

Florence 

Tuscany

Wine in Tuscany from 1904 

Climbed the duomo in Florence 

Venice

So I think it hit me today that I am studying abroad. Venice is the most beautiful city I have ever been to. I ate so much good food today (pizza, gelato, pasta, canolis). I also got to ride in a gondola and the view was something else. I cannot wait to come back with my parents. 

Wine Tasting

Even though I had 6 hours straight of class today, I never dread going because class with Benoit is my favorite. The first thing we talked about was our field trip to prowein, the wine festival we are attending in Germany in March. Let me tell you, it is going to absolutely unreal. There are 8 buildings of FREE tastings from vineyards around the world and also a building of spirits. There are conferences we can attend, many to do with prestige wines, and food pairings which I cannot wait for. He also surprised us with the fact that we will be stopping at a vineyard in Alsace on our way back to Dijon! 

The second half aka 3 hours of my day, we did wine tastings. We tried 13 different wines from the various regions of france. It was really interesting to learn the proper tasting process and how to pick out the aromas in the glass. It was easier to recognize the different aromas with multiple glasses because you have something to compare to. We also tried some old wine from 1994 that ended up being oxidized but it was interesting to recognize the difference. 

I think France is alright 👌

Switzy

Went to Switzerland for the weekend on a whim and It ended up being a really awesome time. We stayed in Zurich for valentines day and treated ourselves to a nice meal out. The ravioli and chorizo focaccia was amazing. We also sampled a lot of Swiss chocolate! Then we took a day trip to Interlaken today. The train ride into the alps was absolutely beautiful. Pictures will never do the mountains justice. I was slightly bummed (okay extremely bummed) that I didn't get to go snowboarding but we went night sledding which was one of the coolest things I have ever done. It was a 1 hour sled ride down the mountain in the complete dark accompanied by Swiss cheese fondue! Now back to Zurich and then off to Dijon! 

Aloxe corton

Today I had the privilege to go on a walking tour of the many villages of aloxe corton, home of some of the most elite and expense wines of France. I got to see the plots that my professor and his family have owned for many many years, the machinery they use to produce their wine, and a tour of their wine cellar. We then enjoyed lunch at his house with three bottles of his wine. The first was a 2011 Chardonnay regional Appalachian. The second, a 2006 Pinot noir grand cru, and the third, a 1996 Pinot noir regional Appalachian. They were all amazing and I was able to buy a few bottles to bring home. I also am so lucky to be able to take home the top of a wine barrel from his estate that his brother is going to detach for me. 

Words and pictures cannot describe the experience I had today. From the knowledge and the pride my professor has, to the views and the tasting, it was all incredible. I am so lucky to have such a once in a lifetime opportunity and today is a day I will definitely never forget.  

2006 Pinot noir grand cru 

Six rows of my professors plot of grand cru 

The cellar 

The wine 

Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard 

Big Ben from the top of the London Eye 

Big Ben at night is so beautiful 

View from the Tower Bridge 

Climbed over 1000 steps to get to the top of St. Paul's cathedral. What a beautiful view. 

A legitimate fairytale. 

I'm overwhelmed with happiness as this semester abroad is becoming so real. I had so much fun on my very first trip outside of France this past weekend in London. Despite all the rain, I got to see So much of the city and really embrace the English culture. I picked up lots of goodies and I really hope I have the willpower to wait til I fly home to open them! 

I got back from class a couple of hours ago and I couldn't be happier that I received a letter from chad and a package from my parents. I literally cried when I opened them both because they all have been so supportive of my dreams and it made me miss home a lot. Thank you so much for my making my whole week! 

This week has already flown by and tomorrow I get to spend my day wine tasting on my professors estate. I am beyond excited for such a once in a lifetime opportunity. And then on Thursday it's off to Zurich Switzerland for the weekend! Time is flying by! 

Went out to the ICEBAR in London tonight. Literally everything was made out of ice...the walls, tables, chairs, the bar, and the glasses. The drinks were all good too! 

Just woke up to an amazing breakfast. We had yogurt with cereal and fresh berries and apple raisin cinnamon hot cross buns with a variety of jams and marmalades. And of course, English tea! 

London

Today was the start of my 4 day trip to London! I am really fortunate to be staying with a host "mom" for the weekend! My friends and I had to catch a 7:25 train to Paris this morning and of course I was scheduled to be on a different train than them. When we showed up to the station we realized the two trains were connected and that we would all show up together. Well 7:20 rolled around and only my friends half of the train showed up. Needless to say when 7:24 rolled around and my half of the train did not show up, my anxiety was through the roof. Luckily, the first half didn't depart for another 20 minutes and I got to hop on board. My friends had no idea that I was even on the train or what took so long. But I made it to Paris. We then had to catch a subway uptown to reach another train station where we would depart for London. You could say we were a little unprepared as we showed up and had to go through border control and French customs. It was quite the experience but I finally got my French stamps in my passport! 

When we arrived in London, Corine was there to greet us. It was quite the experience driving in an English car on the opposite side of the road. The streets are narrow and they drive crazy because they constantly pull over to let other cars go by. But she has been so welcoming and it has been extremely comforting to stay in someone's home and not in my apartment or in a hostel. She made us afternoon English tea, which was probably the best tea I have ever drank. We were then made shepard's pie for dinner which in England is traditionally made with lamb. I have never really had shepard's pie but it was amazing. And it was nice to have comfort food. Tomorrow and Saturday we will spend the days exploring the city and going to the IceBar which I am really excited for. 

I think this is going to be one of the most memorable experiences of my European travels! 

The only significant thing I have done this week is swipe my credit card! Haha but actually. I am leaving tomorrow for my four day adventure in London, I booked my spring break trip to Venice, Florence, Rome, santorini island, and Athens, and booked my hotel and train tickets for the week chad comes to Paris! I have so much to look forward to in the next few weeks! 

Picked up a fresh baguette on my way home from class to make a sandwich for lunch. It's got the best Dijon mustard you could ever have,delice de pommard (a mustard cheese), cornichons, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes,olives, and chorizo! Bon appetite!  

This chocolate beignet was the best thing I think I've ever had. 

Chocolate tarte. 

I kind of love food a lot.... And chocolate :)