Monday, December 8, 2008. Venice
So I am sitting here, T-minus 12 hours until I get on a water taxi and say good bye to this unbelievable city, these amazing people, and the most wonderful house in all of Venice, Italy, and the world. (ok so that last one might have been a slight exaggeration).
Not much has been going on here except people frantically packing, cleaning, finalizing peoples gifts etc. I cannot believe that I have been here for four months. Sometimes it feels like so much longer, yet sometimes it feels like just yesterday that I just walked into this (now sadly empty) room. I feel like I should impart some wisdom that I have learned or something, but I am kinda at a loss of words.... All I can say is this. This has been the hardest, most expensive, most amazing, irreplaceable semester of my life and I have learned SO much. About people, myself, traveling, geography, life, boys, living arrangements, cooking, Italy, God, iPods, packing, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I missed my friends from home SO much. But now I am coming home and I can honestly say it was ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND MILLION KAJILLION percent worth it. Venice (and Italy) will forever have a hold on my heart. If you EVER see anything about Venice--be it music, picture, book, movie, postcard--PLEASE tell me because I want it. :)
Thank you to all of you who read this jumbly account of my adventures (even though sometimes I think it is just you, Mer. Ironic since you are IN most of my blog...).
I cannot WAIT to see you all, but bear with me as I try to remember to speak English again, that I must DRIVE places, that not every restaurant has gelato, that I cannot take a train to Paris tomorrow, and that I no longer live in the "Real World: Venice" house full of the most insane group of amazing people.
Fewf, what a semester!! Atlanta (via Winston-Salem for a night or two :) ) here I come!!!
Ciao ciao, Venezia. Ti amo molto!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Bleh. Exams. 1 down, 3 to go...
Tuesday, December 2, 2008.
Our weekend was pretty low key. We hung out, watched movies, snuggled, ate leftovers. (Well, I ate leftovers, Miss Picky ate chocolate and bread...) Saturday we did some shopping. Mommy sent an email of a laundry list of things "she wishes she bought" so Loff and I went on a wild goose chase for them. We found everything, though, so dont worry. We also got some wonderful gifts for the fam.
Sunday AM we got up early. You are probably thinking 7 AM or so, because when I think early thats what I think of. But no. I mean THREE THIRTY AM early. As in what time I sometimes go to sleep (well, on a REALLY late night). We got up, met up with Elizabeth--a girl in the house-- and her family who were on the same flight as Loff, and water taxied over to the airport. We would have taken the bus, but it doesnt run at such an awful hour. After dropping our respective family members off (quite teary for Loff and me...), Elizabeth and I realized that there was no express bus to take us back for the next 2 and 1/2 hours. In the words of my German friends (ok, my ONLY German friend...) WUNDERBAR. We found another bus to take us, but he ran out of tickets so we couldnt board. Cool. (By the way, how could you ALREADY be out of tickets at 6:00 AM?!?!?) I no longer have my baby sister with me, exams start tomorrow, and I have no way to get home. Oh yeah, AND its raining. Finally a bus WITH tickets arrived and we made our way home. I was back in my bed by 7:30 and slept until 12. Another day of sleeping in. I could get used to this.
The rest of the day was not quite as fun as I had to start studying for exams. Chained to my desk, I conjugated away at verbs. What is the past perfect subjunctive anyway? Even in ENGLISH I dont know....
Monday was VERY exciting because we had ACQUA ALTA! READ MORE HERE!! Not just any ole acqua alta, but the HIGHEST in 27 years!! Our Italian professor had to buy new boots on the way to class because his other ones werent tall enough!! I ventured out (just around the corner) until the water got too high and took some pictures (you have to see them!). The water even came in the house! IN MY ROOM!! At one point we had a nice little aquarium complete with FISH! Eventually the water went back down, and it was back to studying.
This morning, I got up, got some coffee, studied more, and took the exam. We will see how it went... Now I just have to decide if I want to take the Lit exam tomorrow or Saturday (people complained about lack of time to study, so he made the exam time optional). To get it over with or to have more time to study... THAT is the question.
In the mean time, I am taking a study break. I deserve it, right?!
SEVEN DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!!!
Our weekend was pretty low key. We hung out, watched movies, snuggled, ate leftovers. (Well, I ate leftovers, Miss Picky ate chocolate and bread...) Saturday we did some shopping. Mommy sent an email of a laundry list of things "she wishes she bought" so Loff and I went on a wild goose chase for them. We found everything, though, so dont worry. We also got some wonderful gifts for the fam.
Sunday AM we got up early. You are probably thinking 7 AM or so, because when I think early thats what I think of. But no. I mean THREE THIRTY AM early. As in what time I sometimes go to sleep (well, on a REALLY late night). We got up, met up with Elizabeth--a girl in the house-- and her family who were on the same flight as Loff, and water taxied over to the airport. We would have taken the bus, but it doesnt run at such an awful hour. After dropping our respective family members off (quite teary for Loff and me...), Elizabeth and I realized that there was no express bus to take us back for the next 2 and 1/2 hours. In the words of my German friends (ok, my ONLY German friend...) WUNDERBAR. We found another bus to take us, but he ran out of tickets so we couldnt board. Cool. (By the way, how could you ALREADY be out of tickets at 6:00 AM?!?!?) I no longer have my baby sister with me, exams start tomorrow, and I have no way to get home. Oh yeah, AND its raining. Finally a bus WITH tickets arrived and we made our way home. I was back in my bed by 7:30 and slept until 12. Another day of sleeping in. I could get used to this.
The rest of the day was not quite as fun as I had to start studying for exams. Chained to my desk, I conjugated away at verbs. What is the past perfect subjunctive anyway? Even in ENGLISH I dont know....
Monday was VERY exciting because we had ACQUA ALTA! READ MORE HERE!! Not just any ole acqua alta, but the HIGHEST in 27 years!! Our Italian professor had to buy new boots on the way to class because his other ones werent tall enough!! I ventured out (just around the corner) until the water got too high and took some pictures (you have to see them!). The water even came in the house! IN MY ROOM!! At one point we had a nice little aquarium complete with FISH! Eventually the water went back down, and it was back to studying.
This morning, I got up, got some coffee, studied more, and took the exam. We will see how it went... Now I just have to decide if I want to take the Lit exam tomorrow or Saturday (people complained about lack of time to study, so he made the exam time optional). To get it over with or to have more time to study... THAT is the question.
In the mean time, I am taking a study break. I deserve it, right?!
SEVEN DAYS AND COUNTING!!!!!!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thanksgiving in Venice!!
Friday, November 28, 2008. Venice.
So Loff is here and we have been SO BUSY, so I apologize for my lack of posts. Monday and Tuesday were busy days for me. I had class all day long and then babysitting all afternoon long, so I felt bad for making Loff sit around all day with nothing to do. Luckily one of my housemates had season one of gossip girl which I promptly got Loff addicted to which was great because then I didnt feel so bad for leaving her. We did have a little drama in trying to get the hostel to accept Loff one day later because as it turns out, Ana's parents (the people who had been planning to visit Venice before Laughlin was who were staying in the guest room in the house) were not coming until Wednesday, so she could stay in the house a night longer. Don't worry, though, Matteo--the hostel man--and I worked things out. The Kanes would be arriving on Wednesday.
Wednesday my Art class had a visit which was our only class of the day. So I dragged my baby sister with me to the museum and made her suffer with the rest of us. Afterwards, we went to go find the hostel. The directions were less than clear, but we found it. Did I mention there is a chocolate store right next door? We checked in, walked around, and got groceries for our fruit plate for the next day--THANKSGIVING!! We came back cuddled, watched some movies, and then went out! It was so fun to get to have Laughlin with me when we went out!! I took her back to her hostel and told her to meet me back at the house (and wake me up, becuase I wasnt setting an alarm.)
Thursday morning we got up to go walk around Venice. Am I the worst sister and tour guide ever for waiting this long to show her the city? oops. Anyway, we walked to Rialto, then up to Strada Nuova, to the train station and back home. Obviously there were a lot of shopping stops. Not to mention that while walking on Strada Nuova we made a friend Tony who wanted us to go to his bakery the next day... haha. OHHHHH Italian boys.... Then we came back to the house to shower and make our fruit plate (it was both beautiful AND delicious). We had pineapple, cantaloupe, persimmons (who knew they were so delicious?!?!), kiwi of both the regular and golden variety, and pomegranates. It was wonderful.
Then the people started to arrive. All 60 of them. Yes. It was SO crowded. And somehow I was nominated to write and read the prayer. Go me. After our FEAST of a dinner we cleaned up and went out... again. But it was again a great night! I took Loff to her hostel, then came back to snuggle with Kayla.
This morning I woke up around 11:45. I NEVER sleep that late. I guess all of the Thanksgiving festivities WORE ME OUT! Anyway, it was raining and GROSS so we decided to keep it a cuddle day. Perfect. Movies and eating galore.
Exams are looming, though. Next week is our week of finals and I couldnt be dreading anything more. Its ok, though, because Ill be home soon enough!
So Loff is here and we have been SO BUSY, so I apologize for my lack of posts. Monday and Tuesday were busy days for me. I had class all day long and then babysitting all afternoon long, so I felt bad for making Loff sit around all day with nothing to do. Luckily one of my housemates had season one of gossip girl which I promptly got Loff addicted to which was great because then I didnt feel so bad for leaving her. We did have a little drama in trying to get the hostel to accept Loff one day later because as it turns out, Ana's parents (the people who had been planning to visit Venice before Laughlin was who were staying in the guest room in the house) were not coming until Wednesday, so she could stay in the house a night longer. Don't worry, though, Matteo--the hostel man--and I worked things out. The Kanes would be arriving on Wednesday.
Wednesday my Art class had a visit which was our only class of the day. So I dragged my baby sister with me to the museum and made her suffer with the rest of us. Afterwards, we went to go find the hostel. The directions were less than clear, but we found it. Did I mention there is a chocolate store right next door? We checked in, walked around, and got groceries for our fruit plate for the next day--THANKSGIVING!! We came back cuddled, watched some movies, and then went out! It was so fun to get to have Laughlin with me when we went out!! I took her back to her hostel and told her to meet me back at the house (and wake me up, becuase I wasnt setting an alarm.)
Thursday morning we got up to go walk around Venice. Am I the worst sister and tour guide ever for waiting this long to show her the city? oops. Anyway, we walked to Rialto, then up to Strada Nuova, to the train station and back home. Obviously there were a lot of shopping stops. Not to mention that while walking on Strada Nuova we made a friend Tony who wanted us to go to his bakery the next day... haha. OHHHHH Italian boys.... Then we came back to the house to shower and make our fruit plate (it was both beautiful AND delicious). We had pineapple, cantaloupe, persimmons (who knew they were so delicious?!?!), kiwi of both the regular and golden variety, and pomegranates. It was wonderful.
Then the people started to arrive. All 60 of them. Yes. It was SO crowded. And somehow I was nominated to write and read the prayer. Go me. After our FEAST of a dinner we cleaned up and went out... again. But it was again a great night! I took Loff to her hostel, then came back to snuggle with Kayla.
This morning I woke up around 11:45. I NEVER sleep that late. I guess all of the Thanksgiving festivities WORE ME OUT! Anyway, it was raining and GROSS so we decided to keep it a cuddle day. Perfect. Movies and eating galore.
Exams are looming, though. Next week is our week of finals and I couldnt be dreading anything more. Its ok, though, because Ill be home soon enough!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Freezing in Milan, but SNOW IN VENICE!!!
Monday, November 24, 2008. Venice--the city of SNOW!
So sorry that it has been SO long since I last posted! Last week was crazy with Mommy and Ms. Ellen here then leaving, then a week of class etc. It was sad to see the fam leave on Tuesday morning, but I knew that the week was short and MER WAS COMING TO VENICE!!! Not much to note about Monday-Thursday.
Friday AM I got up and took the shuttle to the airport. I brought my book just in case which was a good plan considering that Berlin was COVERED in snow and thus Mer's flight was delayed. I hung out in the airport and read until her flight flashed "arrived!" I eagerly anticipated her sweet self to walk through the doors. She finally did and it was great to see her! We chatted away like usual with no time for any breaks in our conversation. We walked back from the bus via Pizza al Volo where we picked up some lunch then headed to the house. It is so refreshing to show the city to someone who is not so desensitized to its beauty! I showed her the house and then we hung out for a while. Around 4:30 we decided to to Salute, a church very near by, that was having a "party" of sorts that they have every year to thank the Madonna for ending the plague. To each his own, right?
The church was really beautiful with candles (and TONS of people) but perhaps the best part was the chocolate/sweets market that was outside of it. Mer and I had an almond cookie and the most delightfully UNHEALTHY fried donut with Nutella! YESSSS!! Then we came back to the house for dinner and a house party! There were even more people here than usual because Tom had his cousin over with a bunch of his friends (they study in nearby Parma).
We got up Saturday morning READY FOR LOFF!! We had both been counting down the days and were SO excited! We walked around Venice a little--probably my fave walk in the city that I have done thus far! We went crossed over the temporary bridge that they put up for Salute to St. Marks, then to Rialto, then all the way up Strada Nuova to the train station. We hopped on the bus to the airport (my second time in 2 days) to go get Loff. We got there with a little time to spare. We were standing outside the sliding doors that separate the baggage claim from where Mer and I were but we saw Loff pop her head into view and wave PROFUSELY. Typical. We picked her up and went back to Venice. How sweet it was to get to have both Loff and Mer!!! Whats not to love about a bestie and a sister?!?! She also came bearing gifts!! She brought me the Chi Rho Christmas CD from Allye (YESSS!!!!)
We made Loff go DIRECTLY to the train station where we got on a train to Milan. What, you may ask, did we do on the train for 3 and a half hours? Talk incessantly. Apparently we have no problem with finding things to talk about. I packed a lunch for everyone of pb&j sandwiches, apples, chocolate, and Bellinis--you know, a typical Italian lunch. We arrived FINALLY and checked in our hotel. There was actually a lot of getting lost in there, but we got there. Our hotel was actually pretty nice. It was 30 euro a person, but was actually nice. We even had free breakfast included.
After getting settled, we went to the Duomo area for dinner and to see the Duomo. We had pizza at a really cute restaurant then headed over to the Church to take a whole bunch of pictures. It was SUCH a great time! We laughed and laughed and laughed. After getting some Grecian boys to take our picture, we took our FROZEN bodies back to the hotel for some slumber party time.
Mer got up at the crack of dawn (o'dark thirty, if you will) for her plane back to Berlin to meet her cousin. It was SO unbelievably sad to see her go. I spent the majority of the day trying to not think about how sad I was that she left. But I had Loff, and that made everything infinitely better! We ate breakfast, and made our way back to the train station. After a quick trip back, we took the Vaparetto to the house. Loff loved it! Then we toured, cuddled, watched a movie, cuddled, talked, cuddled... :)
Anyway, now is a regular Monday except for one thing. I WOKE UP TO SNOW IN VENICE!!!!!!!!! I am lucky if I can get snow in Winston or Atlanta, but VENICE!?!? I am not sure what Loff wants to do for the rest of the day. I guess she'll come to class with me and just kinda hang out! We will just have to see.
Anyway, Ill try to post more frequently again and get my pictures up.
Love yall
xoxo
McKin
So sorry that it has been SO long since I last posted! Last week was crazy with Mommy and Ms. Ellen here then leaving, then a week of class etc. It was sad to see the fam leave on Tuesday morning, but I knew that the week was short and MER WAS COMING TO VENICE!!! Not much to note about Monday-Thursday.
Friday AM I got up and took the shuttle to the airport. I brought my book just in case which was a good plan considering that Berlin was COVERED in snow and thus Mer's flight was delayed. I hung out in the airport and read until her flight flashed "arrived!" I eagerly anticipated her sweet self to walk through the doors. She finally did and it was great to see her! We chatted away like usual with no time for any breaks in our conversation. We walked back from the bus via Pizza al Volo where we picked up some lunch then headed to the house. It is so refreshing to show the city to someone who is not so desensitized to its beauty! I showed her the house and then we hung out for a while. Around 4:30 we decided to to Salute, a church very near by, that was having a "party" of sorts that they have every year to thank the Madonna for ending the plague. To each his own, right?
The church was really beautiful with candles (and TONS of people) but perhaps the best part was the chocolate/sweets market that was outside of it. Mer and I had an almond cookie and the most delightfully UNHEALTHY fried donut with Nutella! YESSSS!! Then we came back to the house for dinner and a house party! There were even more people here than usual because Tom had his cousin over with a bunch of his friends (they study in nearby Parma).
We got up Saturday morning READY FOR LOFF!! We had both been counting down the days and were SO excited! We walked around Venice a little--probably my fave walk in the city that I have done thus far! We went crossed over the temporary bridge that they put up for Salute to St. Marks, then to Rialto, then all the way up Strada Nuova to the train station. We hopped on the bus to the airport (my second time in 2 days) to go get Loff. We got there with a little time to spare. We were standing outside the sliding doors that separate the baggage claim from where Mer and I were but we saw Loff pop her head into view and wave PROFUSELY. Typical. We picked her up and went back to Venice. How sweet it was to get to have both Loff and Mer!!! Whats not to love about a bestie and a sister?!?! She also came bearing gifts!! She brought me the Chi Rho Christmas CD from Allye (YESSS!!!!)
We made Loff go DIRECTLY to the train station where we got on a train to Milan. What, you may ask, did we do on the train for 3 and a half hours? Talk incessantly. Apparently we have no problem with finding things to talk about. I packed a lunch for everyone of pb&j sandwiches, apples, chocolate, and Bellinis--you know, a typical Italian lunch. We arrived FINALLY and checked in our hotel. There was actually a lot of getting lost in there, but we got there. Our hotel was actually pretty nice. It was 30 euro a person, but was actually nice. We even had free breakfast included.
After getting settled, we went to the Duomo area for dinner and to see the Duomo. We had pizza at a really cute restaurant then headed over to the Church to take a whole bunch of pictures. It was SUCH a great time! We laughed and laughed and laughed. After getting some Grecian boys to take our picture, we took our FROZEN bodies back to the hotel for some slumber party time.
Mer got up at the crack of dawn (o'dark thirty, if you will) for her plane back to Berlin to meet her cousin. It was SO unbelievably sad to see her go. I spent the majority of the day trying to not think about how sad I was that she left. But I had Loff, and that made everything infinitely better! We ate breakfast, and made our way back to the train station. After a quick trip back, we took the Vaparetto to the house. Loff loved it! Then we toured, cuddled, watched a movie, cuddled, talked, cuddled... :)
Anyway, now is a regular Monday except for one thing. I WOKE UP TO SNOW IN VENICE!!!!!!!!! I am lucky if I can get snow in Winston or Atlanta, but VENICE!?!? I am not sure what Loff wants to do for the rest of the day. I guess she'll come to class with me and just kinda hang out! We will just have to see.
Anyway, Ill try to post more frequently again and get my pictures up.
Love yall
xoxo
McKin
Friday, November 14, 2008
Florence Take Two
Friday, November 14, 2008. Florence, Italy.
It is clear who planned this leg of the trip because we had an 8:30 AM train from Rome to Florence (that means MOMMY booked that ticket...). We checked out, took a train where I napped and listened to the most recent RUF talk, and arrived in Florence. We checked in and walked around. After typical Italian panini lunches, we got some gelato (clearly). Then Mommy and Ms. Ellen went to go see the Duomo which I already saw with Daddy, so I clearly took a nap. A LOOONG nap. I was SOO tired!
I finally got up and we walked around. We came upon a market of sorts and I got a new bag! It is beautiful leather and big enough for all of my things!! I love it! Then we went to dinner (the same place I went with Daddy and Tracy when they were here!) There was a HUGE group of University of Dallas people there with some teachers (and their families). One of the adults had the most PRECIOUS little girls, maybe 2 or 3 years old. I sat there playing peek-a-boo and waving at her. She would copy everything I did. It was the most precious thing EVER!!! My cheeks hurt after wards from smiling so much!
Now we are back in the hotel, and Mommy is already asleep. I am wired after my lovely nap. Perfect time for me to catch up on emails etc!
xoxo
It is clear who planned this leg of the trip because we had an 8:30 AM train from Rome to Florence (that means MOMMY booked that ticket...). We checked out, took a train where I napped and listened to the most recent RUF talk, and arrived in Florence. We checked in and walked around. After typical Italian panini lunches, we got some gelato (clearly). Then Mommy and Ms. Ellen went to go see the Duomo which I already saw with Daddy, so I clearly took a nap. A LOOONG nap. I was SOO tired!
I finally got up and we walked around. We came upon a market of sorts and I got a new bag! It is beautiful leather and big enough for all of my things!! I love it! Then we went to dinner (the same place I went with Daddy and Tracy when they were here!) There was a HUGE group of University of Dallas people there with some teachers (and their families). One of the adults had the most PRECIOUS little girls, maybe 2 or 3 years old. I sat there playing peek-a-boo and waving at her. She would copy everything I did. It was the most precious thing EVER!!! My cheeks hurt after wards from smiling so much!
Now we are back in the hotel, and Mommy is already asleep. I am wired after my lovely nap. Perfect time for me to catch up on emails etc!
xoxo
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Once a Wildcat, ALWAYS a Wildcat
Thursday, November 13, 2008. Rome, Italy.
We went this morning to the Pantheon (right outside our hotel!!!) which is so interesting because it used to be a pagan house of worship, but once the city was evacuated and only Christians remained, it was turned into a Christian house of worship. Its what the Italians call “recycling.” Later, we went to St. Peter’s Basilica. It was so overwhelming. Everything is so massive—all of the monuments, the paintings… While we were inside, the skies decided to open up and it POURED. To stay dry, we went to see the Popes’ tombs and see the tomb of Pope John Paul II. We waited as long as we could, but we eventually had to leave. We decided to come back to the hotel to change clothes etc because my feet were so wet I practically had all of Lake Lanier in my shoes. Some “boat shoes…” We waited out the rain while our jeans and socks tried to dry out. We put back on our wet clothes (we didn't need to have TWO wet outfits) and spent 20 minutes finding a restaurant the hotel concierge recommended which should have been a 2 minute walk. Such is life.
After a satisfying lunch, we came back to the hotel as the skies looked foreboding. Rome’s second deluge of the day occurred while we were safely in our hotel room (I watched a DVD on my laptop!) I felt guilty being in Rome and watching a movie in our room, but, hey, its vacation and raining. What’s a girl supposed to do?
After our evening of lounging, we went to dinner at the cutest little Italian restaurant. This is what is so wonderful about Italy—ALL of the restaurants are great because they are all family owned! This particular restaurant had only two people eating in it—a cute married couple. We were put at the table next to theirs. Our waiter told us that because things were slow that night, they would give us a free sample of olive oil his family made just last night!! IMAGINE! Can olive oil get any fresher than that?!?! The people next to us were telling us how much they enjoyed their food which lead to us chatting (imagine me making random friends…how strange… haha). We found out that they were from Atlanta (!) and the wife went to WESTMINSTER (!!!!!!!) Thus the blog post title--our high school mascot is the wildcat. How small can the world be?!?! I had a ball talking with her! She studied in Venice when she was in college (not Wake though, don't worry!) After a great risotto dish, our waiter gave us free limoncello and biscotti! I am obsessed with this country! (don't worry, that doesn't mean that I don't miss you too!!)
Now we are back to the hotel and getting up EARLY tomorrow to go to Florence. I hope that my jeans and shoes are dry by then. Otherwise, I’ll be wearing Mommy’s clothes. I hope you are all having a great week! Love you all! xoxo mckin
We went this morning to the Pantheon (right outside our hotel!!!) which is so interesting because it used to be a pagan house of worship, but once the city was evacuated and only Christians remained, it was turned into a Christian house of worship. Its what the Italians call “recycling.” Later, we went to St. Peter’s Basilica. It was so overwhelming. Everything is so massive—all of the monuments, the paintings… While we were inside, the skies decided to open up and it POURED. To stay dry, we went to see the Popes’ tombs and see the tomb of Pope John Paul II. We waited as long as we could, but we eventually had to leave. We decided to come back to the hotel to change clothes etc because my feet were so wet I practically had all of Lake Lanier in my shoes. Some “boat shoes…” We waited out the rain while our jeans and socks tried to dry out. We put back on our wet clothes (we didn't need to have TWO wet outfits) and spent 20 minutes finding a restaurant the hotel concierge recommended which should have been a 2 minute walk. Such is life.
After a satisfying lunch, we came back to the hotel as the skies looked foreboding. Rome’s second deluge of the day occurred while we were safely in our hotel room (I watched a DVD on my laptop!) I felt guilty being in Rome and watching a movie in our room, but, hey, its vacation and raining. What’s a girl supposed to do?
After our evening of lounging, we went to dinner at the cutest little Italian restaurant. This is what is so wonderful about Italy—ALL of the restaurants are great because they are all family owned! This particular restaurant had only two people eating in it—a cute married couple. We were put at the table next to theirs. Our waiter told us that because things were slow that night, they would give us a free sample of olive oil his family made just last night!! IMAGINE! Can olive oil get any fresher than that?!?! The people next to us were telling us how much they enjoyed their food which lead to us chatting (imagine me making random friends…how strange… haha). We found out that they were from Atlanta (!) and the wife went to WESTMINSTER (!!!!!!!) Thus the blog post title--our high school mascot is the wildcat. How small can the world be?!?! I had a ball talking with her! She studied in Venice when she was in college (not Wake though, don't worry!) After a great risotto dish, our waiter gave us free limoncello and biscotti! I am obsessed with this country! (don't worry, that doesn't mean that I don't miss you too!!)
Now we are back to the hotel and getting up EARLY tomorrow to go to Florence. I hope that my jeans and shoes are dry by then. Otherwise, I’ll be wearing Mommy’s clothes. I hope you are all having a great week! Love you all! xoxo mckin
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