Trip to the Swiss Alps!

This weekend was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I was able to see the Swiss Alps for the first time ever. I've always heard Switzerland was absolutely incredible and that it would be a place that would take my breath away, and this trip did just that. 

I para-glided off of the Swiss Alps. I was able to run off of a mountain and soar into the air like it was nothing. I was able to see the whole town of Interlaken from a birds eye view. I flew over trees that were covered with snow, the two rivers that split the town in half, and of course the alps themselves. Words cannot explain the feelings I felt when I was up in the air flying around and taking in every second of this once in a life time experience. I saw the most beautiful landscape of Interlaken, something I will never in my life do again.I felt so free and like nothing in the world mattered except that moment in time.

We went into the city of Bern for the day as well. I got to climb 400 stairs of the cities cathedral and overlooked the entire city of Bern. I cannot put into words the view that I saw. The water was so clear from the rivers that you could see the rocks at the shallowest parts.The cathedral had so much history behind it, and the architecture was indescribable. The lifestyle of the Swiss is nothing like that of the Italians. I felt much more excepted in their country and able to express myself as an American more comfortably than I am able to do in Italy. Not to say the Italians aren't accepting, but some of them are not. The Swiss embraced every aspect of us being in their country and it didn't remotely seem to phase them.

I tried Rosti for the first time ever in Bern, it was to die for. Rosti is the Swiss's most popular food dish. It's basically hash browns with other ingredients, depending on what you order. I ended up getting Rosti Garlic, it had garlic, cream and cheese in it. It was amazing to say the least. I had a little taste of home as well, they had a Starbucks in Bern and I had to get some because coffee out in Europe is not the same as the states, so I hear. I have yet to try it. 

More or less words cannot explain what I experienced this weekend, only my memories of it and pictures can describe some aspect of what I saw and felt. This trip is something that I will never forget for so many reasons and I'm appreciative of every moment that I had in Switzerland. It was the most beautiful place I have ever been to so far.

University of Florence visit!

I visited the University of Florence today for my Psychology class and had to talk to Italian students about their perspective of Americans in their country. It was probably one of the most overwhelming and exhausting experiences I've had here so far. Before I came out to Italy I assumed that all cultures including the Italians had embraced some form of the American culture in their daily lives. I was so wrong. Trying to communicate with the locals here is probably the most difficult aspect living out in Florence. I thought they would understand what I was saying and I was entirely wrong.


I found myself explaining myself in depth with hand gestures and detailed explanations in hopes of getting the most simple point across. I know the Italian students felt the same, they seemed uncomfortable when they had to speak English to us but they were pretty good and it made me feel a little embarrassed that I was in their country and couldn't speak their language but they could speak mine. After today, I realized that every culture is different in many aspects and I cannot assume they are all the same. It was a great experience but hard to say the least.


I learned a lot from them and I'm sure they learned a lot from all of us. Every day here is another day that I learn something new, not only about myself but about others as well. In all honesty that's one of the best experiences about being out here.

Pisa.

I finally got to see the infamous Leaning Tower of Pisa and was taken back completely. It's something I've heard about and seen in pictures for the longest time but having that feeling of amazement and astonishment as you look up and have it right there in front of you is a feeling that's indescribable. The town itself was run down and made me appreciate the life I'm living in Florence but Pisa still takes the cake over a lot of cities in the states. In Italy you can't explain the architecture and the history of the buildings or the cobble stone streets, it's something you have to experience as you take every step toward where you are going. 


Cliche, maybe but it's the truth. I thought the tower would be the highlight of the trip but it wasn't. I went into the Cathedral of Pisa and words cannot even begin to describe what I saw. Paintings dated back from centuries ago, the architecture was the most amazing architecture I have seen so far since I've been here. The statues, ceilings, paintings, floors, and walls all told stories that date back from centuries. I have pictures I'll post but it still won't be able to capture the essence of what I was able to see by standing there myself. Italy is the most beautiful place in the world  and living out here for a week and a half has made me see and appreciate a lot of things about life.

Vignamaggio.

I saw the most breathtaking place I have ever seen in my life today. We traveled to the wine country in Chianti. Sitting, walking and overlooking the scenery of the hills, the landscape and the history the vineyard was an indescribable feeling. The pictures I took could not even remotely capture the true beauty this countryside exposed. Hills for miles with the most beautiful houses that sat there as if I was looking at a painting. The landscape is something words could not describe. The only thing I can say to some it all up is that every aspect of Chianti was out of this world and beyond belief. 


In all honesty, I said to myself that I felt this was not real life. We toured the terrace, the garden and inside the winery as well. I learned about how wine is fermented and the history of the winery. Vignamaggio believe it or not was once where Mona Lisa lived. Her father owned the vineyard but had to sell it because they could no longer afford it. Mona Lisa had an arranged marriage and as a present Da Vinci painted a picture of her, however she moved away and the painting was never even seen my Mona Lisa and as of today she remains a mystery of who she truly was after she left the vineyard. 


Thinking about it now, I walked in the same footsteps as some of the most famous and well known people in the art world have walked. Mona Lisa and Leonardo Da Vinci both stepped foot in the hallways of Vignamaggio and today I got to experience that. We tasted Chianti and Chianti Classico wine, the Classico was a bit too strong for my taste but in all honesty they were both amazing. We had fresh salami, prosciutto and formaggio that was to die for. We were served fresh bread as well and homemade rossotto that was out of this world. Today was one of the best experiences of my life. Tomorrow, Pisa!