So I guess Italy has decided that since all of my friends had problems leaving Italy then I need to have problems as well. She really does not want me to leave. I am currently in Naples when I am suppose to be boarding my plane to leave for Cambodia. Unfortunately I will have to scrap the thought of going to Cambodia this trip (my plans and list of places I am going to seem to keep getting smaller and smaller) and am trying to currently just go to Bali. When Aniello and myself arrived at the Naples airport to check in I wasnt on the list! Apparently there was something wrong with my card and when I bought my flight online I did not actually buy the ticket... And to buy the ticket there was around €3000. Not possible.
Even if I bought a new ticket for Cambodia for tomorrow I would only be able to spend one day there and that is not enough nor worth the amount of money to go. I have then resolved to just go straight to Bali and laugh away my adventures and stresses on the beach. Good plan for being positive right? I thought so but unfortunately my credit card decided that my last couple of days has not been interesting enough. I currently do not have enough credit on my credit card (since the refund from my first flight to Cambodia has not gone through and my bill pay has not either, stupid holidays) So I just got off the phone with my bank and the girl was not very nice, maybe because shes working the holiday season. I should have everything sorted out by the end of the day... Well I returned to the website that I wanted to purchase my ticket and all of my information has gone through but I currently do not know if I actually bought my ticket. The page that I got said that I must wait for a confirmation email to confirm that I indeed bought my ticket (something about confirming my ticket with the airline, thank god for Google Translate). So now everybody cross your fingers that everything works out with no more problems. I will be spending a 13hour overnight layover in Taipei but it was a sacrifice that I was willing to make so I only had one layover and less money.
I cannot say enough how much I appreciate my cousin and family. I am trying to channel the Jackie spirit and keep smiling through all the travel difficulties. So far so good. I dreamt last night about relaxing on the beach so maybe I was always suppose to go straight to Bali. There must be some reason why I am to miss out on Cambodia that I do not know why. Everything happens for a reason. Aniello has opened his home to me in Naples and will be such an amazing relative and host me for the New Year and make sure I get on a train for Rome tomorrow for my (hopefully) flight to Bali.
As I write now I just recieved a text message about my flight. SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just got my confirmation email! I should be arriving in Bali the 3 of January at 2:45 local time! Cross your fingers for me!
venerdì 31 dicembre 2010
giovedì 30 dicembre 2010
Cannot Call Me Mom Anymore...
So at the moment I am suppose to be on my way to Cambodia... Well for some reason I made the biggest traveling mistake I have ever made. I thought my flight from Naples to Paris took off at 7pm... In reality it took off without me at 12:50 this afternoon. Not to fret I called the company I booked my flight with, I will be getting a refund (in 3-4 months... that part sucks) with a small penalty, but with the new flight that I purchased for tomorrow the price evens out so it will be like I did not lose any money. I will have one less day in Cambodia but there is nothing for me to be but happy to have family that will feed me and keep me for an extra night. They say that what you are doing when it turns for the New Year is what you will be doing for the rest of the year... Well I love to travel so I think it is right that I will be in the air somewhere over the Middle East or Western Asia... It was funny I had a nightmare last night about rushing through the airport and missing flights... Subconscious?
mercoledì 29 dicembre 2010
BangEngLiano
Hi all! So Christmas was fabulous here in Bagnoli. I ate way to much food on insistance of Aniellos mother. After having a relaxing day and digesting a lot that night Aniello and I went to Montella (a nearby town) to meet up with his friends that we have been hanging out with and a few others. We drank Braccieto (I have no idea how it is really spelled) and ate crepes with Nutella of course (Jackie and Marie I thought of you! Turns out one of my cousins works for Nutella!). We did not eat anything for dinner due to the fact that it was impossible after our so called lunch to consume another meal! We just drank a couple glasses of the sweet wine and ate a couple crepes. Aniellos friends speak some english so the translation was a bit easier and they are so fun. I feel like I am a friend of theirs rather than just Aniellos cousin. One of his friends even invited me to stay with her at her house next time I come to the area since she lives alone, meaning I can eat whatever and however much I want! I think a week in Bagnoli= +10 pounds.
Yesterday Aniello took me to the top of the mountian, Laceno, since it was a beautiful day out. It had snowed the night before (unfortunately for me I did not get my white Christmas that I was hoping for) at the top of the mountian so the view was beautiful! After we ate a very large lunch, have you gotten the theme of eating yet? After lunch we went over to Aniellos cousins house, Lucia, so I could finally meet her daughter Vania who looks just like my sister and myself put together! I have heard so much about her ever since I came to Bangoli two years ago. She speaks great English, and so does her husband and brother which made it easier for me to communicate. We had a great visit and they decided to come to dinner with us and their aunt. I went with Aniello, his sister and his mother to Avellino for his mothers doctor apointment. Aniello showed me the main street of the town while we waited.
That night we went to Lioni for dinner with Vania, her husband, Nello her brother, Rosaria her aunt and Rosarias boyfriend, Aniello and myself. Most of the party knew english so it was a great dinner and even when they went off on their Italian discussion of Politics I still had a great time. It has been amazing how much I feel like family. Everyone is just so amazing, nice and welcoming. Sometime I feel overwhelmed with how great they are and patient they are when I try to speak Italian.
Today Aniello and myself went to the Bagnoli market. Aniello never goes but like usual since I am here he has taken me everywhere even if he does not like the activity or place. That I am much appreciative for. Domenica, Aniellos youngest niece, was over that morning and since she seems to have become very attached to me she wanted to go with us to the market. She is so adorable and such an actress at 3. She just lights up when I come in the room and held my hand all the way through the market. She likes to immatate me and sit like I do.
The rest of the day has been devoted to my salutes to the family. After Aniello and I toured Bagnoli, which by the way everyone seems to think that I am his girlfriend! we returned to his house and he taught me how to make Carbonara! I cannot wait to go cook it for my mom and friends! We of course ate much more for lunch! Aniellos mom insisted on giving me a small moka which is the machine they use to make coffee and some coffee so when I return to the states I can make Italian coffee! After lunch we spent a lot of time at Vanias house showing them pictures of my family in America and talking. I am very excited because we have decided to keep in close contact, Nello as well, and we are going to make a picture form family tree of both the Italian and the America sides. It will be a fun project and that means I get to go digging through my grandmas house for more pictures. I am so so so glad that Vania and Nello were in Bagnoli for Christmas. They are just amazing and I have very much wanted to meet them.
After leaving Vanias house we went to Rosarias house to say goodbye and to show her and her mother, who is cousins with my grandpa, my family pictures. We drank more coffee and tea and ate more cookies, maybe I will come back with more than just an added ten pounds, and talked. Rosaria got me talking in Italian since she only knows Italian and was so great because she would talk slower to me so I could understand. She gave me a book that she wrote a while back, I think when she was still in elementary school, so I can practice reading in Italian and also learn more about her part of the family. The story I believe is about her father and searching for truffles.
After exercising my ability to understand and listen to Bagnolese and Italian we have returned to Aniellos house where I am now. Soon we are to meet up with Aniellos friends so we can say goodbye and after dinner Aniello is going to take me to the church my grandfather remembered and I am going to spread some of his ashes here so he can be home.
It has been amazing being here in Bagnoli. Everyone asks when I will be returning and when I will be bringing the rest of my family. The next trip here must be in the summer since everyone says so. I will continue to practice my Italian. Aniello and I have created our own sort of language that is a mix between Bagnolese, English and Italian. I leave tomorrow evening for Cambodia. Wish me luck on my 18 hours of travel!
Ciao!
Yesterday Aniello took me to the top of the mountian, Laceno, since it was a beautiful day out. It had snowed the night before (unfortunately for me I did not get my white Christmas that I was hoping for) at the top of the mountian so the view was beautiful! After we ate a very large lunch, have you gotten the theme of eating yet? After lunch we went over to Aniellos cousins house, Lucia, so I could finally meet her daughter Vania who looks just like my sister and myself put together! I have heard so much about her ever since I came to Bangoli two years ago. She speaks great English, and so does her husband and brother which made it easier for me to communicate. We had a great visit and they decided to come to dinner with us and their aunt. I went with Aniello, his sister and his mother to Avellino for his mothers doctor apointment. Aniello showed me the main street of the town while we waited.
That night we went to Lioni for dinner with Vania, her husband, Nello her brother, Rosaria her aunt and Rosarias boyfriend, Aniello and myself. Most of the party knew english so it was a great dinner and even when they went off on their Italian discussion of Politics I still had a great time. It has been amazing how much I feel like family. Everyone is just so amazing, nice and welcoming. Sometime I feel overwhelmed with how great they are and patient they are when I try to speak Italian.
Today Aniello and myself went to the Bagnoli market. Aniello never goes but like usual since I am here he has taken me everywhere even if he does not like the activity or place. That I am much appreciative for. Domenica, Aniellos youngest niece, was over that morning and since she seems to have become very attached to me she wanted to go with us to the market. She is so adorable and such an actress at 3. She just lights up when I come in the room and held my hand all the way through the market. She likes to immatate me and sit like I do.
The rest of the day has been devoted to my salutes to the family. After Aniello and I toured Bagnoli, which by the way everyone seems to think that I am his girlfriend! we returned to his house and he taught me how to make Carbonara! I cannot wait to go cook it for my mom and friends! We of course ate much more for lunch! Aniellos mom insisted on giving me a small moka which is the machine they use to make coffee and some coffee so when I return to the states I can make Italian coffee! After lunch we spent a lot of time at Vanias house showing them pictures of my family in America and talking. I am very excited because we have decided to keep in close contact, Nello as well, and we are going to make a picture form family tree of both the Italian and the America sides. It will be a fun project and that means I get to go digging through my grandmas house for more pictures. I am so so so glad that Vania and Nello were in Bagnoli for Christmas. They are just amazing and I have very much wanted to meet them.
After leaving Vanias house we went to Rosarias house to say goodbye and to show her and her mother, who is cousins with my grandpa, my family pictures. We drank more coffee and tea and ate more cookies, maybe I will come back with more than just an added ten pounds, and talked. Rosaria got me talking in Italian since she only knows Italian and was so great because she would talk slower to me so I could understand. She gave me a book that she wrote a while back, I think when she was still in elementary school, so I can practice reading in Italian and also learn more about her part of the family. The story I believe is about her father and searching for truffles.
After exercising my ability to understand and listen to Bagnolese and Italian we have returned to Aniellos house where I am now. Soon we are to meet up with Aniellos friends so we can say goodbye and after dinner Aniello is going to take me to the church my grandfather remembered and I am going to spread some of his ashes here so he can be home.
It has been amazing being here in Bagnoli. Everyone asks when I will be returning and when I will be bringing the rest of my family. The next trip here must be in the summer since everyone says so. I will continue to practice my Italian. Aniello and I have created our own sort of language that is a mix between Bagnolese, English and Italian. I leave tomorrow evening for Cambodia. Wish me luck on my 18 hours of travel!
Ciao!
venerdì 24 dicembre 2010
Christmas in Bagnoli
It is now Christmas Eve and I am currently sitting at my Italian familys house. Aniello is kind enough to lend me his computer to check my email, etc. A lot has happened this month. Finals finished in Florence which meant the end of the semester festivities, moving out and the worst part of saying goodbye.
Florence had about a foot of snow fall the Friday before almost everyone was scheduled to fly to go home. We all thought that it was a parting gift from Florence but what we soon discovered as the airports all over Europe were shutting down that we were going to have a hectic departure. Many flights were canceled leaving people stranded and struggling to get home for Christmas. Many friend had to take a train to Rome or Venice to wait to get on new flights to the States. For some it took days for them to get home and many did not get their luggage until after they arrived. As I know all of my friends have arrived to their respective destinations safetly. As happy as I am for them to have gotten back alright it is still very sad for me. Some friends I was not able to say goodbye to them because of such short notice of the airports being shut down and flights being cancelled. I was glad that Emelie was stuck in Florence for a few extra days because it gave me more company in Florence while I waited to travel to Bagnoli. Even though it was at expense to her traveling comfortably and getting to Mexico sooner it was nice for me. Even though we still had a few friends that live in Florence it was a comfort to have her there and staying in the same hotel.
Our friend helped us move out of our apartment which was more difficult that I thought it would be. That apartment was the most amazing apartment I have been able to live in. Beautiful and large and it was home. Due to the craziness of the airports shutting down my friend and roommate Jackie was unable to take my suitcase to CA for me so I resorted to shipping my belongings home since I would be traveling and no one wants to be toting a large suitcase and a backpacking backpack around the world. After talking to my Mom yesterday I find out that I think that it has already arrived home! Its a great feeling to know that all your belongings are safe at home.
So on Wednesday the 22nd my friend helped me run to the train station to catch a 7am train to Naples that I almost missed! Again being in such a rush I was unable to say a proper goodbye. I have not decided yet which one is worse, a proper goodbye or being unable to say much of a goodbye. It was a hard feeling to leave Florence. I think it would have been even worse if it were not for being so busy. I wish I could take Florence and everyone associated with me where ever I go. Just thinking about it makes me miss it more.
I arrived later that morning at the Naples train station to be met by my cousin Aniello. The same cousin that made sure me and my friends two years ago were taken care of. We spent the day touring Naples and eating pizza. Naples has the best pizza in the world. It is a well known fact and if you can ever get a chance to come to Naples you should just to have its pizza. I was extremely nervous to come spend so much time alone with my family only because my Italian is not what it should be. But between Aniello remembering the English that he learned in school and me speaking all the Italian I know and lots of patients we have been doing remarkably well. After eating our amazing Pizza we picked up my backpack from the train station and we drove to Bagnoli.
Here I am staying with Aniello at his parents house. I have a room and everything. I think I am staying in their daughters old room. I cannot express the gratitude and warmth I have received since arriving here. Dominica (Aniellos Mom) has made it her job to see that I am constantly fed and constantly eating! Manga Manga Manga! We drink a lot of Italian coffee, EAT A LOT, and tour Bagnoli and its surrounding towns. Aniello has been so great and has taken me to see much of our family and to see the wonderful women that helped me find my family and to communicate. It has been incredible that everyone has remembered me! Every home I enter I am fed sweets, coffee and tea. I try to talk in Italian with a lot of help from Aniello. Grazie Aniello! I have gone to dinner with Aniellos friends and tonight we will eat with his sister and her family. She has some gorgeous children. It is Christmas Eve and I have been well taken care of. They are constantly asking me if I need anything or want anything, if I was or am cold, if I would like to use the computer. Aniello takes me everywhere telling me everything that he thinks I may want to know and tries so hard to speak in English. His english is so much better than he thinks it is! And if we both do not know the same word we usually can figure it out.
Tomorrow is Christmas. I am happy even though I am sad about the end of Florence. I am just glad that I am being kept busy. I wish all of my family and friends a Buon Natale.
I think my next stop will be Cambodia instead of Cairo. As much as I want to go to Cairo I think that it is going to work out much better if I do not go. Everything happens for a reason and I think where I am suppose to go next is Cambodia. Cairo I will met you another day.
Ciao!
Florence had about a foot of snow fall the Friday before almost everyone was scheduled to fly to go home. We all thought that it was a parting gift from Florence but what we soon discovered as the airports all over Europe were shutting down that we were going to have a hectic departure. Many flights were canceled leaving people stranded and struggling to get home for Christmas. Many friend had to take a train to Rome or Venice to wait to get on new flights to the States. For some it took days for them to get home and many did not get their luggage until after they arrived. As I know all of my friends have arrived to their respective destinations safetly. As happy as I am for them to have gotten back alright it is still very sad for me. Some friends I was not able to say goodbye to them because of such short notice of the airports being shut down and flights being cancelled. I was glad that Emelie was stuck in Florence for a few extra days because it gave me more company in Florence while I waited to travel to Bagnoli. Even though it was at expense to her traveling comfortably and getting to Mexico sooner it was nice for me. Even though we still had a few friends that live in Florence it was a comfort to have her there and staying in the same hotel.
Our friend helped us move out of our apartment which was more difficult that I thought it would be. That apartment was the most amazing apartment I have been able to live in. Beautiful and large and it was home. Due to the craziness of the airports shutting down my friend and roommate Jackie was unable to take my suitcase to CA for me so I resorted to shipping my belongings home since I would be traveling and no one wants to be toting a large suitcase and a backpacking backpack around the world. After talking to my Mom yesterday I find out that I think that it has already arrived home! Its a great feeling to know that all your belongings are safe at home.
So on Wednesday the 22nd my friend helped me run to the train station to catch a 7am train to Naples that I almost missed! Again being in such a rush I was unable to say a proper goodbye. I have not decided yet which one is worse, a proper goodbye or being unable to say much of a goodbye. It was a hard feeling to leave Florence. I think it would have been even worse if it were not for being so busy. I wish I could take Florence and everyone associated with me where ever I go. Just thinking about it makes me miss it more.
I arrived later that morning at the Naples train station to be met by my cousin Aniello. The same cousin that made sure me and my friends two years ago were taken care of. We spent the day touring Naples and eating pizza. Naples has the best pizza in the world. It is a well known fact and if you can ever get a chance to come to Naples you should just to have its pizza. I was extremely nervous to come spend so much time alone with my family only because my Italian is not what it should be. But between Aniello remembering the English that he learned in school and me speaking all the Italian I know and lots of patients we have been doing remarkably well. After eating our amazing Pizza we picked up my backpack from the train station and we drove to Bagnoli.
Here I am staying with Aniello at his parents house. I have a room and everything. I think I am staying in their daughters old room. I cannot express the gratitude and warmth I have received since arriving here. Dominica (Aniellos Mom) has made it her job to see that I am constantly fed and constantly eating! Manga Manga Manga! We drink a lot of Italian coffee, EAT A LOT, and tour Bagnoli and its surrounding towns. Aniello has been so great and has taken me to see much of our family and to see the wonderful women that helped me find my family and to communicate. It has been incredible that everyone has remembered me! Every home I enter I am fed sweets, coffee and tea. I try to talk in Italian with a lot of help from Aniello. Grazie Aniello! I have gone to dinner with Aniellos friends and tonight we will eat with his sister and her family. She has some gorgeous children. It is Christmas Eve and I have been well taken care of. They are constantly asking me if I need anything or want anything, if I was or am cold, if I would like to use the computer. Aniello takes me everywhere telling me everything that he thinks I may want to know and tries so hard to speak in English. His english is so much better than he thinks it is! And if we both do not know the same word we usually can figure it out.
Tomorrow is Christmas. I am happy even though I am sad about the end of Florence. I am just glad that I am being kept busy. I wish all of my family and friends a Buon Natale.
I think my next stop will be Cambodia instead of Cairo. As much as I want to go to Cairo I think that it is going to work out much better if I do not go. Everything happens for a reason and I think where I am suppose to go next is Cambodia. Cairo I will met you another day.
Ciao!
lunedì 6 dicembre 2010
December Has Arrived
So the time has come. It is now December and the end of one of the best experiences of my life is quickly approaching. With less than two weeks left to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world (Florence) there is much to get done. There are still museums to visit, pictures to take, food to eat, more gelato to consume, and last times to spend with friends and roommates. It is a sad thing to face knowing that we will never be together again like this. This experience has not only opened my life to new places but has given me some of the most amazing people. While everyone will be departing Italy to return to the States for the holidays I will not be joining them. The end of the semester will make the beginning of a new adventure. I will begin my adventure around the world. With destinations that are definite include seeing family in S. Italia, Cairo Egypt, Cambodia and Bali. Originally the list for my four week adventure was to include many more cities that would be impossible to fund (since I am funding this adventure) and to properly give to each of the cities. I have therefore narrowed my travels down to these four locations with the possibility to add on one more all depending on the dates of travel to S. Italia.
As exciting as it will be to return to my long lost family it is slightly terrifying. I was lucky enough to have a translator (my beautiful best friend Erin) with me when we discovered them. This trip will include no one other than myself. Even though I have been studying Italian while living here my italian is very embarrassing. My writing skills have improved much more than my speaking/conversation skills. I only hope that I don't become overcome with shyness and am able to utilize my time to learn and practice more italian. An important part of this leg of my journey is to take my grandfather home. With him passing last year I have wanted to take some of his ashes and spread him around the town that he was born. With a couple scares of his ashes getting stuck in customs he is here safe with me and will be making a final trip home that I only wish I could've taken him before. My gracious cousin Aniello has invited me to stay with him in his home in Naples and will be taking me back to Bagnoli. I cannot express the gratitude that I already feel for his kindness.
This blog, even though I had meant to create this for the entirety of my study abroad, is made for everyone who wants to follow me around the world. I invite you to join me in my adventures to some of the most majestic cities that have called my name for years. I cannot wait to witness the mysteries of Cairo, the miracles of Cambodia and rest, warm up and relax in Bali before returning for my final semester at San Diego State. For those that I will not be able to see for the holidays, and for those that I have already missed during Thanksgiving, I love you and hope you have wonderful holidays.
As exciting as it will be to return to my long lost family it is slightly terrifying. I was lucky enough to have a translator (my beautiful best friend Erin) with me when we discovered them. This trip will include no one other than myself. Even though I have been studying Italian while living here my italian is very embarrassing. My writing skills have improved much more than my speaking/conversation skills. I only hope that I don't become overcome with shyness and am able to utilize my time to learn and practice more italian. An important part of this leg of my journey is to take my grandfather home. With him passing last year I have wanted to take some of his ashes and spread him around the town that he was born. With a couple scares of his ashes getting stuck in customs he is here safe with me and will be making a final trip home that I only wish I could've taken him before. My gracious cousin Aniello has invited me to stay with him in his home in Naples and will be taking me back to Bagnoli. I cannot express the gratitude that I already feel for his kindness.
This blog, even though I had meant to create this for the entirety of my study abroad, is made for everyone who wants to follow me around the world. I invite you to join me in my adventures to some of the most majestic cities that have called my name for years. I cannot wait to witness the mysteries of Cairo, the miracles of Cambodia and rest, warm up and relax in Bali before returning for my final semester at San Diego State. For those that I will not be able to see for the holidays, and for those that I have already missed during Thanksgiving, I love you and hope you have wonderful holidays.
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