Thanksgiving

It’s very strange to be away for a major holiday, especially when that country doesn’t celebrate it. At home it would be a shortened week and everybody would make the trek back to their hometowns. Here we had to negotiate with our teacher to get out of class and take a trip to Siena, where we enjoyed a delicious meal of pasta, which just isn’t the same. No turkey, no pie, no football and no White Christmas viewing, this just wasn’t Thanksgiving. But I made it through the day with the comforting knowledge that I’d be home in two weeks and can have a T-giving redo, black Friday and all.

Parental Invasion

When I was getting ready to study abroad my parents made plans to come visit at the end of November. At the time it seemed such a distant event, I couldn’t believe it was finally here. While the visit was short and made me very anxious to go home, I was still glad to see them. We spent the days touring the countryside, with visits to Siena and San Gimignano, where sadly the world’s best gelateria was closed, and strolling the streets of Florence. We visited all the museums and sites, like the David, that I hadn’t had time to see before. It ended much too quickly, but soon enough I’ll be home.

A Hunting We Will Go

Going along with my last post, I’ve felt compelled to begin the job search in the hope of starting a career. However, this seems an impossible endeavor. Jobs are scarce and ones for recent graduates are virtually non-existent. It’s funny, all your life you are told go to college so you can get a good job, but now that I’m in the final stretch I realize that it’s a lie. The few nibbles I’ve had swam away when they found out I’m abroad and can’t do an in person interview. Oh well, if at first you don’t succeed try and try again, and enjoy some vino along the way.

Clearly Not Cleared

The future always is so far away until it smacks you in the face. I’m graduating in December, one month away. This fact became all to real yesterday when I filled out my graduation form for Northeastern. Excited at first I began answering the normal questions with vigor, but as the process progressed I began to slow down as the realization of what was happening hit me. Graduation. It always seemed so far away, like an intangible activity that wouldn’t ever really occur. While I am excited by the prospect of finally entering the real world I am also terrified. I’ve been a student for my entire life and I’m not sure how to stop. This semester has been even harder since I haven’t been home. I’ve missed being around people who are in the same situation as me, applying hopelessly for jobs, and also missed the senior activities that are a rite of passage. However, this semester has also helped me to grow. I’ve learned a lot about myself and have learned to stand on my own two feet. Not one to let things pass me by I’ve found other seniors and we are reminiscing and commiserating together and planning our own fun. So with new hopes in my head I finally submitted my cap and gown order and have come to terms with the inevitable, we all have to graduate one day and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me now.

Fall Break

It seems like so long ago that I sat down and booked fall break. A concept that I was very excited for seeing as we don’t have it back home. What could be better than a full week off from classes to relax and travel. Of course even the best laid plans go awry, which came in the form of our flight being cancelled due to transportation strikes in Italy, two days before we were suppose to leave. A planned strike like this was not something I was use to or expecting. It’s one of those things you learn to take as they come and say that’s Italy for you. However, at the time I was very upset by the whole affair and couldn’t figure out why the school hadn’t warned us earlier of the planned strike, which seems to be common here. A few weeks ago I could hear drums and protestors down the street, shouting over some other offense. Anyhow after several hours of frustration I managed to book another flight, which was more expensive, out of Pisa, which was more inconvenient. Now I had to take a private bus from Florence to Pisa because the trains and busses were also on strike. What a way to start a vacation. But, at least this was the extent of my bad luck and the rest of the trip went smoothly.

Barcelona

From the warm weather, to the beautiful beaches and lively scene Barcelona was the place to be. Deciding the best way to reacquaint myself with the city was by bus; I leapt on to the hop on hop off bus and set off on a whirlwind tour. As I sped down the streets past the high rises and out to the seaside déjà vu hit me full on as I had a moment’s panic attack that I had ended up in the wrong city. Barcelona definitely reminded me of Miami, which endeared it to me even more. The first sight I had to see was the only place I recalled from my last visit here nine years ago, the Sagrada Familia. The famous church designed by the infamous Gaudi was just as I remembered it, under construction. As I walked through the interior I marveled over the massiveness of the structure and the intricate design. Shortly after this my tour continued with a leisurely stroll through Parc Guell, which boasted fabulous views and eclectic music. The final stop for the day was Mt. Tibidabo, an amusement park high above the city where I watched the sunset on a perfect first day. Of course nothings perfect and this fully hit home with the mad dash down the mountain to catch the last bus back to the city, luckily I made it. The next few days were filled with visits to famous museums, Picasso anyone, and strolls around this beautiful city.

Having had my fill of delectable sangrias and tapas I was glad to be heading to Paris, even if our flight was at six in the morning. Arriving groggy yet excited I met the day head on. Our apartment was located a stones through from Notre Dame in the lively students section, I could almost hear the people sing. Two of my favorite stories of all time take place in Paris and neither of them are real. But that’s the thing about Paris it makes the unbelievable seem possible. So, much to my dismay there are no tours of the underground of the Opera Garnier to search for the lair of the Phantom and while you can visit the Egouts (sewers) and follow in Jean Valjean’s footsteps I decided to stay in nicer smelling areas, with the exception of the occasional subway ride. This trip marked one of the first vacations where I broke the “no castles” rule. I went on my own to visit Versailles and it was worth it. While the exterior of the Palace was definitely outshined by Catherine’s Palace the opulence and elegance of the interior and gardens were incomparable. Walking for miles you don’t even realize it because you are too captivated by your surroundings, which this time of year had an eerie beauty, since all the flowers were dead and the trees were falling from the trees. Chilly, the sun played peek-a-boo all day, teasing me as I wandered the maze of pathways. A delightful day, ended with a conversation with a local gentleman of the area who gave me even more information on the gardens. He and is friend had actually just finished a book that is about to be published on the hidden mysteries on the gardens, something I’m looking forward to reading.
Some other highlights of the trip were of course visiting the Eiffel tower, the Louvre and the musee d’Orsay. However, another side trip I took was out to Giverny (pronounced jiv) to see Monet’s house and famous gardens. Only an hour or so outside of Paris this is well worth the visit. The gardens, even in their final days of being open, are beautiful and you can see why the artist was so inspired by his surroundings. The lily pads gracing the water and the trees solemnly standing guard over the pond had everyone oohing and ahhing.

All in all fall break was an amazing event. Not only did I get to explore some wonderful places but I also discovered how independent I can be. On several occasions I struck out on my own and managed to navigate unfamiliar streets and transportation routes and have experiences of a lifetime.