4/14/11
It’s been over a month since I last posted. Let’s rewind to around March 5th, my birthday. I dubbed the week leading up to March 5th “Birthday Week” in order to excuse my eating out every day, going out at night and demanding everyone be nicer to me.
The morning of my birthday, we got up early to catch a bus to Venice. It took about four hours to get there, but was well worth it. Venice was a stunning sight. On top of the surreal beauty of the city, it was Carnivale, which meant the streets were packed with people in crazy costumes. In the spirit of Carnivale and my birthday, I bought two masks, a handmade leather mask and a red glittery porcelain mask with a large burgundy colored feather attached to it. We spent most of the day walking around looking at the city and shopping for masks, we then went back to our hotel for a nap. When we went back out, it was time to celebrate my birthday! We met up with my friend Eva, who was also in Venice, and found a place to eat dinner. I had three very clear goals for my birthday night: a gondola ride, a good meal and a free shot.
The morning of my birthday, we got up early to catch a bus to Venice. It took about four hours to get there, but was well worth it. Venice was a stunning sight. On top of the surreal beauty of the city, it was Carnivale, which meant the streets were packed with people in crazy costumes. In the spirit of Carnivale and my birthday, I bought two masks, a handmade leather mask and a red glittery porcelain mask with a large burgundy colored feather attached to it. We spent most of the day walking around looking at the city and shopping for masks, we then went back to our hotel for a nap. When we went back out, it was time to celebrate my birthday! We met up with my friend Eva, who was also in Venice, and found a place to eat dinner. I had three very clear goals for my birthday night: a gondola ride, a good meal and a free shot.
Our dinner was quite good, which surprised me because the restaurant seemed quite touristy (Venice does not have a good reputation for food). Carnivale at night was glorious! It was a giant celebration! Walking through the city, there were bars set up in the street and music playing from all directions. At one point we were walking and I made eye contact with a bartender. He pointed to a shot he had just poured, then pointed to me. There was no way he knew it was my birthday, but he gave me my free shot! I had two of my three goals accomplished...
I just needed the gondola ride... The gondola ride was going to cost us around $17 euro each, which didn’t seem like that much to me, but some of my friends were less enthusiastic about it. It took a lot of convincing, but I managed to get them to go on the gondola. It was divine! I can’t imagine a better way to turn 20! The next day we went to the small islands of Murano, famous for glass and the colorful Burano, famous for lace. The weather was sunny and we had a lovely time.
I just needed the gondola ride... The gondola ride was going to cost us around $17 euro each, which didn’t seem like that much to me, but some of my friends were less enthusiastic about it. It took a lot of convincing, but I managed to get them to go on the gondola. It was divine! I can’t imagine a better way to turn 20! The next day we went to the small islands of Murano, famous for glass and the colorful Burano, famous for lace. The weather was sunny and we had a lovely time.
The next weekend Jocie’s three friends were in town. We had a great time showing them around Florence. On Saterday, I went to see Afrika Bambaataa, a famous American DJ, with Eva and Chelsea. It was my favorite night out I’ve had so far. We enjoyed observing the Florence hip-hop community. Afrika Bambaataa and his Zulu crew (who are from New York), would yell out to the crowd stuff like “now scream if you’re a lady!” and everyone would scream, because the audience did not understand English. It was hilarious. Afrika Bambaataa did not perform his famous songs, but he did a really amazing DJ set, probably the best DJ set, I’ve ever heard.
The next Friday, I left for my Spring Break in Turkey. I went alone, and met up with a student tour group. There were six other girls on the tour and a tour guide. We started out in Istanbul, saw Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Iznik Mosque.
The first night we went to a gypsy rock music club. The second night we went to a hookah bar and Turkish bath. The Turkish bath was unlike anything I had ever experienced. At the Turkish bath you lie on a hot stone until a woman comes to scrub you down, washes your hair, then sends you to soak in the hot pool. I don’t think any of us were used to being scrubbed down by strangers, but it was relaxing and felt like a sisterly experience.
We then went to the city of Bursa, where we saw a traditional Turkish shadow puppet show and a Whirling Durbesh ceremony. The Whriling Durbesh ceremony was one of the most beautiful/inspiring things I’ve ever seen, and it was the highlight of my trip by far. Maybe even the highlight of my whole time in Europe! There are truly no words that can do the experience justice, but it was beautiful and spiritual, even to watch!
We then went to Selcuk to see Epheses, then on to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is famous for it’s towering rock formations and caves. We got to ride ATV’s through the valleys of rock formations and watched the sun set. We then took a train back to Istanbul for our last day. I then flew back to Florence. I had originally wanted to go somewhere with my roommate, but for spring break we could not agree on where to go. When I read the itinerary for Turkey, I knew I had to go, even if it meant going by alone. It was a gift I gave to myself and will remain as a precious memory.
The first night we went to a gypsy rock music club. The second night we went to a hookah bar and Turkish bath. The Turkish bath was unlike anything I had ever experienced. At the Turkish bath you lie on a hot stone until a woman comes to scrub you down, washes your hair, then sends you to soak in the hot pool. I don’t think any of us were used to being scrubbed down by strangers, but it was relaxing and felt like a sisterly experience.
We then went to the city of Bursa, where we saw a traditional Turkish shadow puppet show and a Whirling Durbesh ceremony. The Whriling Durbesh ceremony was one of the most beautiful/inspiring things I’ve ever seen, and it was the highlight of my trip by far. Maybe even the highlight of my whole time in Europe! There are truly no words that can do the experience justice, but it was beautiful and spiritual, even to watch!
We then went to Selcuk to see Epheses, then on to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is famous for it’s towering rock formations and caves. We got to ride ATV’s through the valleys of rock formations and watched the sun set. We then took a train back to Istanbul for our last day. I then flew back to Florence. I had originally wanted to go somewhere with my roommate, but for spring break we could not agree on where to go. When I read the itinerary for Turkey, I knew I had to go, even if it meant going by alone. It was a gift I gave to myself and will remain as a precious memory.
My mom came to visit Florence the day after I returned from Turkey. I was so excited to see her! My dad could not come with her, so she invited her friend and her friend’s husband. I enjoyed showing them around and taking them to delicious restaurants. Halfway through their visit, I got sick and had to stop and rest. It was nice to have my mom around while I was sick to take care of me, but I really wish I could have been healthy to show her around more.
That next weekend I had planned to go to Paris to visit my friend Jordan, but because of being sick I stayed in Florence. Kira’s friend Evans was visiting Florence and we had a blast showing her around. My goal of that weekend was to do everything in Florence that I had wanted to do, but hadn’t. I FINALLY got to see David and Santa Maria Novella. The weather was perfect and it was an amazing weekend.
This past Friday Jordan and her friend came to visit Florence. I took them to a favorite gelato place and to a restaurant. Kira and I had been to this restaurant before and had a great experience, but this time was different. The service was horrible. In Italy, things are usually slower, but it took them thirty minutes just to bring us our menus. When we got our food the portions were TINY! Not what I had remembered at all. The food was still really delicious, but where was the rest of it? When we got our check, they had added 14 euro worth of food we did not order. I loved seeing Jordan and meeting her friend, but this dining experience was a fluke.
The next day I went to Sienna. It was very beautiful there and I had an amazing meal of handmade pasta. After wandering around Sienna for four hours, my friends and i went to a spa and relaxed in a sulfur water pool.
The next day we went to Perugia, famous for chocolate. We first went to buy chocolate, then to explore. We went inside of their Duomo, but it gave me a weird vibe. I told that to my friend Kira and she told me she felt the same and it was actually making her feel sick! We left shortly after. For lunch I had more amazing handmade pasta, then we boarded our bus to Chianti for a Wine tasting. We went to the Verrazzano winery and had a delightful time tasting their wines. After the wine tasting we headed back to Florence! Genova and Torino this weekend!
The next day we went to Perugia, famous for chocolate. We first went to buy chocolate, then to explore. We went inside of their Duomo, but it gave me a weird vibe. I told that to my friend Kira and she told me she felt the same and it was actually making her feel sick! We left shortly after. For lunch I had more amazing handmade pasta, then we boarded our bus to Chianti for a Wine tasting. We went to the Verrazzano winery and had a delightful time tasting their wines. After the wine tasting we headed back to Florence! Genova and Torino this weekend!
Venice Carnivale
Turkey!
Chianti in Chianti
