Would you like some cheese with that wine?!

This past weekend I left the Emerald Isle one final time to sample the culture of France. I landed in Bordeaux, France--home to some of the most famous wine vineyards--Saturday morning. My first encounter with a French citizen was the bus driver. He kept speaking to a group of Americans and Irish in fluent french while we loaded our bags on the bottom of the bus and lined-up to board.

Just like any other bus trip, right? Nope. This bus driver (decked out in a fashionable suit and sunglasses) continued to raise his french orders an octave louder until exasperated, he took our luggage out himself and threw it back in front of the questioning and baffled looks on our tourist faces. He then waited ten minutes while we whispered to each other if anyone knew what he was saying. Upon the correct scheduled time, he reopened the bus, allowed us to pack our luggage and said "Bonjour Mademoiselle" with a forced smile as I handed him my ticket. This first experience pretty much foreshadowed the rest of my trip: an embarrassing language barrier with fashionable, proud people who have created a beautiful and enriching culture. 

hellooo French pasteries

one of the many outdoor markets in Bordeaux

streets of Bordeaux

government center in Bordeaux

I only had 7 hours before I caught my train to Paris that night, so I could not visit a wine vineyard on the outside of the city (I'll hopefully come back for that experience next go round!), but was fortunate enough to join in on the Bastille Day festivities occurring around the city. It was a beautiful day and people were picnicking, cycling, and relaxing everywhere. I walked around the city center for a few hours, just taking in the culture and the sights before sitting at an outdoor cafe by the river for a baguette and a glass of wine supplied by a local chateau. It was a quaint city that looked similar to a mini-Paris; it was all the glamourous architecture and gastronomic pleasures without the oppressing lines of tourists.

I hopped on my train that night and winded my way through a Paris lit by the fireworks of its national holiday to find my hotel. The next morning I woke up to a breakfast of a croissant and cafe au lait (a great way to start the day, I'd say!) before meeting a small group of tourists in front of the Notre Dame cathedral for a bike tour. I absolutely loved the bike tour! On a day with beautiful weather that's just the right temperature, there's no better way to see a new city. An Australian art student guided us through Paris to view not only the major sights, but also the behind-the-scenes parts of Paris that really gave it character--the Medieval section of town, the oldest buildings in the city built in the 1200s, the favorite cafes of famous artists and writers, a cannonball from the French Revolution, and down a cobblestone street that led to the oldest restaurant in the city. This restaurant was established in the 1600s and the neatest thing was it had paintings of famous people who visited before photographs became popular. After the bike ride, I had a jambon et fromage crepe before visiting the famous Angelina's chocolate shop to pick out  a few treats to enjoy in the Tuileries garden. After the divine food refresher, I made an express trip through the Louvre (somehow entering a side door where there were no lines...they need more security) to see the Mona Lisa and a few other rooms. The day closed with a Seine River boat ride and a bus tour around the city at night to see the "City of Lights" in all its shining glory! The Eiffel Tower was amazing when it sparkled every hour.

Oldest restaurant in Paris, founded in 1686

I loved the flower stands everywhere!

the Louvre 

oldest buildings in Paris, they date back to the 1200s

One of my most favorite things about Paris...along with the gorgeous buildings, rich history, and delicious food, of course....was the cafe culture. There were rows of tables set up outside each cafe and everyone drank their coffee and ate their food facing the streets so they could people-watch! I understand now why there were so many great thinkers, writers, and artists who came up with their masterpieces in the cafes of Paris. 

one of the many wonderful cafes

So, France wasn't the welcoming and friendly culture of Italy and Ireland, but can you blame them for being so proud when they have mastered the art of cooking, creating art, and building gorgeous cities?? It was all-in-all a great trip and next time I'll work on learning the major French words so as not to get the disapproving eyebrow lift from every waiter I speak with. 

I have one more week left in Ireland before returning home for a few days and then back off to school. I plan to work on last minute projects for the internship, visit the English Market every day, and soak up the things I've come to love about Cork. I'll work on a final blog before I leave, but thanks to everyone for taking the journey with me throughout the summer!

Much love, 

Hayley

The other side of Ciao: Goodbye beautiful Italia!

**Majority of my pictures are on Facebook because they were easier to upload with the bad internet connection (on this it took FOREVER)

To summarize my life in writing instead of photos for the past 4 weeks:

I have just ended my 4 weeks of non-stop, crazy, amazing, ridiculous experiences in Firenze (Florence) Italy! As you can tell by my slacking on blog updates, the month 100% encompassed every adjective just used to describe it.

I remember first flying into Italy from my week with Hayley in Ireland… I knew no one and I was a bit nervous. Also, the lovely Irish weather (rainy and cold) did not work well with my immune system and I ended up arriving in Italy with an achy body, sore throat, and runny nose. What decided NOT to arrive in Italy with me, however, was my luggage. Of course, Murphy’s Law, when one thing goes wrong everything else decides to become a total fiasco, too.

After 2.5 hours of watching the luggage belt go round and round… and round, I saw my immaculate grey luggage bag and have never been so happy to see such a sight. Everyone waiting on me to go to the hotel was extremely happy to see my luggage, too. So I started off as “that girl” who had the late luggage and made my group miss dinner… great.

Side note: Thanks for listening to my entire series of complaints, mom. This was probably the only low of the trip… other than the keys in the gutter incident. But that’s later.

FINALLY, we arrive at the hotel! I am greeted by this incredibly lively Italian man named Cosimo, who was my cultural introduction to Italy professor. And then eventually I got to meet the group of girls that you now see in every.single.photograph with me! Little did I know we would become so close so quickly -- I think being in a foreign country helps the bonding process, though.

Our group covered multiple states and colleges, majority from the South (Clemson, College of Charleston, Virginia, Georgia) but then we had a Bostonian and some Cali girls thrown in the mix, too. So interesting to get to know people from all different places, especially at this stage in life.  

You have all been updated on the Cultural week with the art garden, vineyards, city tours, beach trips, and lotssss of good food!

The blogging stopped when Florence began. By this time, we had a core group of girls from week 1 and it was nice to go into the school program knowing people this time. After day 1 of Orientation, we had more additions… Florida, Colorado, Texas, South Carolina, Canada, and some Mississippi (Ole Miss, in fact) join the group!

I can honestly say this group took advantage of every opportunity to experience Firenze… weekend trips, day museum and Duomo tours, the nightlife, Italian futbol, food… I really don’t think there is one thing we missed out on (as you can tell by the photos).

Aside from making unforgettable memories with this new collection of close friends, I think I covered everything on my list. Cinque Terre and Venice visits; Rock Jumping (that wasn’t on there…but I’m glad I did it now); Stuffing myself with every type of Panini, pasta and pizza; drinking wine like a local with the locals; seeing The David.. all 3 of them (1 real, 2 replicas) –You’re right dad, you and him look juuuust alike hahah--; learning a bit of the art and cultural history of Italy; NOT being hit by a Vespa (they seriously don’t stop or slow down for anything); having a few crazy nights; watching the sunset over Firenze; showing Italia off to sister Hayley; learning how to live without A/C, an oven, and embracing cold showers; getting lost and enjoying being lost; and picking up a few Italian phrases with the infamous dramatic hand motions used by EVERY Italian. They loooove to use their hands when speaking, yelling, eating… anything and everything can be described by a hand motion.  The grandmothers have perfected this. I have learned that no one messes with the grandmothers… Italian gmaws mean business. They look cute and harmless, but make them wait in a train ticket line for 2 hours and they take no prisoners… hand motions and Italian dramatics galore! I found it very entertaining, though.

It is so surreal to think that I am done with the first half of my European adventures and that I am about to start my tour through the cities of Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London. What an AMAZING trip it has been so far!

I will continue to update on my journeys through the second, and final, half. I hope everyone is doing well and is enjoying the American luxuries (such as A/C and not paying for water)… because I know for a fact that I will be SO thankful to have the “simple” things in life back, again. Europe has taught me so much about not only it’s culture, but our culture in comparison. The beauty and history cannot be beat in Europe, but I loooove my America, too!

Updates soon!  Love and miss everyone!

I'm going to miss passing the Duomo and Baptistery every day and night

One of the 1,000 pizzas I indulged in.

The group!

Weekend with Hayley

Until next time, Firenze!

!Firenze, Venezia, Roma!

Oh man, what a wonderful weekend!

This quick excursion to see Morgan and Italy has been my favorite so far, partly due to wandering around the loveliest city I have had the pleasure of visiting (and I think Morgan would agree)--Venice. I was amazed that every corner we turned into, every alley we walked down, every square we encountered, had absolutely gorgeous architecture accented with lush floral arrangements. 

Carnival masks

the Doge's Palace...Morgan was obsessed with the Gothic lanterns

While sitting down to about our 10th slice of pizza, we noticed one reason why Venice had such a magical,
quaint feel to it--there were no cars! In fact, there was no sign of modern noisy transport minus the boats that mostly peacefully floated along to their destinations. How long has it been since we've been in a city without the distractions and reminders of the rush, rush, rush of modern life?

The previous day (Saturday) we encountered the grandeur of Roma, which
was another incredible experience where I got a chance to view the 'must-sees' and appreciate how impressive the ancient Roman Empire was. It was also a breathtaking experience to view the statues and
artwork of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum in Vatican City. No sightings of the Pope unfortunately! 

As previously insinuated, we not only feasted our eyes on the awe-inspiring work of master painters,
sculptors, glassblowers, emperors, popes, etc. , but of course feasted
on the local cuisine. My personal favorite items were a nutella-filled cornetto, pear ricotta raviolli (thank you Florence!), Margharitta pizza, and Bellini (pear juice+ Prosecco wine from Venice).
We spent the in-between time of our day excursions in Florence where Morgan is living. Florence was another wonderful Italian city with the magnificent Duomo and streets and streets of architecture/artwork of centuries of talented, devoted artists. The world famous gelato was pretty great, too!

So basically Ireland and Italy have been the highs of my summer thus far. Whereas Ireland is a place of incomparable natural beauty, Italy has mastered manmade works between the stupendous monuments, statues, history and paintings of Rome and Florence to the buildings, boats, masks, and quaint squares of Venice. The passion Italians have for life and beauty seems to penetrate every part of their culture and I really appreciated sharing in that wonderful culture with no one better than family even if just for a weekend.
I couldn't have asked for a better trip!