5:04 PADOVA - Don't ask why, but any reason is reason enough not to have school in this country. Yesterday was the festival of liberation - the freeing the country of communism I believe. My roommates said it was thanks to the yankees so they said thanks to me while the local communist party had a big demonstration in the piazza. It was lovely.
After my mom and my brother's left from Venice last week, I took a relatively chill weekend and week in Padova before I left again with Joe for Amsterdam. We spent our first night in Treviso with Checca and her family who made an amazing dinner and then went out and found Johannes. Amsterdam came early the next morning...
When we finally got there Joe had to do a trans-atlantic interview for an internship and then we hit the town. After a couple bars, some great food, and the Van Gogh museum we met some Danish people in our 24 person hostel room and found out what Amsterdam has to offer for the nightlife.
I'll just say this: Amsterdam is a crazy city as it is, but when the sun goes down it's even crazier. The people you can find there are really diverse. Good times.
Saturday we walked all around Amsterdam with our Danish friends and went to the Heineken museum for most of the day. That was a blast, then we had a Shoarma (kebab type thing) and chilled and drank with Jesper and Mads while the 40 year old Las Vegas dude sleeping next to us toked up and slept the entire time.
Sunday Joe and I went to the tourist office and took a trip outside of Amsterdam to the nearest tourist city with Windmills and Tulips. We were the only people under 50 I think. Complete change from the night before.
We stayed up all Sunday night to catch our plane home on Monday and its been rather regular Padovian life until tomorrow when Joe, Tisha, Kylie and I take off for Casablanca in French Morocco. More on that soon!
Ciao!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Roma with the fam
Hey all--
It's Danny comin at you from Steve's apartment. We just got off of our train from Roma and we had a great time!!
Our flight was clear, and although it was very, very long, we managed alright. We proceeded to take a nap and meet Steve at our hotel.
Our hotel was perfect--a 5-10 minute walk to St. Peter's Basilica and we got 2 nice rooms. "Hotel Alimandi was a perfect location, and an authentic Italian family-run business--I highly recommend it."
-Jean, Italian Hotel Critic
We didn't do much the first day (Wednesday), but enjoyed a great dinner right across the street from the Pantheon.
Thursday morning brought a tour of the Vatican Museum, and a bypassing of the mile-long line. We met up with one of Steve's best friends from St. Joan, and he joined us for the tour. The Sistine Chapel was sistine, and everything was really just peachy. It is just mind-boggling to see everything, it was all so beautiful!!
The food is amazing and so is the gelato. I could live on magherita pizza and ciocolatto gelato, without ever getting bored at all.
Friday brought a tour of the Necropolis from ancient Rome, which was pretty interesting. We also saw the Stations of the Cross at the beautiful Colosseum. It was long, and not being able to understand any of it didn't contribute to the matter. Bill and I cut out a little early, but the Colosseum was still cool.
Saturday we visited the Spanish Steps and most of the piazzas. We could sit and eat under 70 degree weather, enjoying some nice accordian music (typical Italy, apparently). Then, came Mass with the Pope for the Easter Vigil at the Basilica. After finding some of our friends that we met at the Colosseum, we snuck in line with them, and an hour and a half later, we were in the Basilica. Finally, three hours later, the Pope came down the aisle. We could have touched him with a golf club, we were so close!!
Anyway, we are having a great time and can't wait to tell you all about it in person. Stay warm back in MI, we'll absorb some sunlight for you!!
Talk to you guys later!!
-Danny
It's Danny comin at you from Steve's apartment. We just got off of our train from Roma and we had a great time!!
Our flight was clear, and although it was very, very long, we managed alright. We proceeded to take a nap and meet Steve at our hotel.
Our hotel was perfect--a 5-10 minute walk to St. Peter's Basilica and we got 2 nice rooms. "Hotel Alimandi was a perfect location, and an authentic Italian family-run business--I highly recommend it."
-Jean, Italian Hotel Critic
We didn't do much the first day (Wednesday), but enjoyed a great dinner right across the street from the Pantheon.
Thursday morning brought a tour of the Vatican Museum, and a bypassing of the mile-long line. We met up with one of Steve's best friends from St. Joan, and he joined us for the tour. The Sistine Chapel was sistine, and everything was really just peachy. It is just mind-boggling to see everything, it was all so beautiful!!
The food is amazing and so is the gelato. I could live on magherita pizza and ciocolatto gelato, without ever getting bored at all.
Friday brought a tour of the Necropolis from ancient Rome, which was pretty interesting. We also saw the Stations of the Cross at the beautiful Colosseum. It was long, and not being able to understand any of it didn't contribute to the matter. Bill and I cut out a little early, but the Colosseum was still cool.
Saturday we visited the Spanish Steps and most of the piazzas. We could sit and eat under 70 degree weather, enjoying some nice accordian music (typical Italy, apparently). Then, came Mass with the Pope for the Easter Vigil at the Basilica. After finding some of our friends that we met at the Colosseum, we snuck in line with them, and an hour and a half later, we were in the Basilica. Finally, three hours later, the Pope came down the aisle. We could have touched him with a golf club, we were so close!!
Anyway, we are having a great time and can't wait to tell you all about it in person. Stay warm back in MI, we'll absorb some sunlight for you!!
Talk to you guys later!!
-Danny
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
(Another) Roman Holiday
12:30 AM - PADOVA- Hey all! Tomorrow (today) I am heading down to Rome to meet my Mom and brothers. I am really stoked. Also, I took my midterm today and scored a 28/30! Life is good. Hope all is well - contact me and let me know what's going on with you!
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