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!
Friday, November 28, 2008
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
Inside the Vatican Walls
Wednesday, November 12, 2008. Rome, Italy.
My alarm went off this morning at 6:00 AM. Well, it was Mommy’s alarm, but the point is I got up at 6:00. GAG. We ate in the hotel with our “free” breakfast, hopped in a taxi, and went to meet our tour guide at the Vatican Museum. We got out of the taxi to be greeted by a cute blonde woman who recognized the three women for whom she was looking. She introduced herself in the most impressive English I have ever heard from an Italian. There was NO trace of an accent! I asked her where she was from, and she said GERMANY! My next question was of course “So, then, how many languages do you speak?” She replied, “only the easy ones.” To me that means English ONLY but apparently to her that means German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Obviously. She studied in the US for one year, and she has perfect English. By that logic I should be half way fluent in Italian by the time I get home… yeah right.
We walked through the paining rooms in the Vatican Museum and then got to the Sistine Chapel. It was SO BEAUTIFUL! She had so many stories about all of the panels etc and for a while we were the ONLY ones in there! It was really, really cool! It was also really cool because a lot of the things that she was telling us about history/art/Italian were things that I was learning. It is so cool to be able to understand and relate to history when I am learning it! Then she called her driver (yes, she has a driver) who came, picked us up, and drove us all around Rome. We got out at beautiful views and got to walk around a little. We saw the Coliseum, a bunch of Roman ruins, the 7 hills, a bazillion fountains, the Vatican walls, etc. It was really amazing. Then back to the hotel for a quick rest (we had been up since six afterall!!!)
We went to dinner at the cutest little place called La Pina. I had a great risotto dish and berries and gelato dessert. Food, I love you.
My alarm went off this morning at 6:00 AM. Well, it was Mommy’s alarm, but the point is I got up at 6:00. GAG. We ate in the hotel with our “free” breakfast, hopped in a taxi, and went to meet our tour guide at the Vatican Museum. We got out of the taxi to be greeted by a cute blonde woman who recognized the three women for whom she was looking. She introduced herself in the most impressive English I have ever heard from an Italian. There was NO trace of an accent! I asked her where she was from, and she said GERMANY! My next question was of course “So, then, how many languages do you speak?” She replied, “only the easy ones.” To me that means English ONLY but apparently to her that means German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Obviously. She studied in the US for one year, and she has perfect English. By that logic I should be half way fluent in Italian by the time I get home… yeah right.
We walked through the paining rooms in the Vatican Museum and then got to the Sistine Chapel. It was SO BEAUTIFUL! She had so many stories about all of the panels etc and for a while we were the ONLY ones in there! It was really, really cool! It was also really cool because a lot of the things that she was telling us about history/art/Italian were things that I was learning. It is so cool to be able to understand and relate to history when I am learning it! Then she called her driver (yes, she has a driver) who came, picked us up, and drove us all around Rome. We got out at beautiful views and got to walk around a little. We saw the Coliseum, a bunch of Roman ruins, the 7 hills, a bazillion fountains, the Vatican walls, etc. It was really amazing. Then back to the hotel for a quick rest (we had been up since six afterall!!!)
We went to dinner at the cutest little place called La Pina. I had a great risotto dish and berries and gelato dessert. Food, I love you.
Roma: La città eterna
Tuesday, November 11, 2008. Rome, Italy.
This morning we left Aix for ROMA!!!! Before we left, though, we went to the market in the center of Aix. They had much nicer things than we found in Paris—at least Mommy thought so…she did take SOO LONG to get through there. And then we ended up with so much stuff that she had to give some of it to me to put in my bag. Then we headed to the airport. Once we found our check in place (easier said than done…) we got on the plane and went to Brussels. Apparently the cheapest option to get from Marsalles to Rome is via Brussels… go figure. I slept the ENTIRE way.
After an hour layover in Belgium, an uneventful flight to Rome and a dramatic baggage recovery, we got in the taxi to go to our hotel. Our driver seemed very agitated when we first met him. Mommy’s suitcase handle is broken, and he was not happy about that. Once I started talking to him in Italian, though, he opened right up. In fact, he even showed us a video on his phone of his dog singing. Yes. So now we are in our hotel in Rome getting ready for our big day tomorrow. We have a private tour of the Sistine Chapel!
This morning we left Aix for ROMA!!!! Before we left, though, we went to the market in the center of Aix. They had much nicer things than we found in Paris—at least Mommy thought so…she did take SOO LONG to get through there. And then we ended up with so much stuff that she had to give some of it to me to put in my bag. Then we headed to the airport. Once we found our check in place (easier said than done…) we got on the plane and went to Brussels. Apparently the cheapest option to get from Marsalles to Rome is via Brussels… go figure. I slept the ENTIRE way.
After an hour layover in Belgium, an uneventful flight to Rome and a dramatic baggage recovery, we got in the taxi to go to our hotel. Our driver seemed very agitated when we first met him. Mommy’s suitcase handle is broken, and he was not happy about that. Once I started talking to him in Italian, though, he opened right up. In fact, he even showed us a video on his phone of his dog singing. Yes. So now we are in our hotel in Rome getting ready for our big day tomorrow. We have a private tour of the Sistine Chapel!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Mi piace la francia.
Monday, November 10, 2008. Aix, France. (pronounced EX, France)
I write to you today from a bed in a room where the walls are "papered" in the same fabric as the draperies leaving me feeling a little... dizzy. But it is indeed beautiful here! Let me first tell you about our trip to Avignon!
Saturday we were still in Paris. We got up and went to the Louvre Museum. It was SOO HUGE. There was NO way to see everything, but we DID see the Italian artists section which was so cool because that is what I am studying in my Art History class! We saw the Mona Lisa, obviously, but it was smaller than I imagined. I also felt like I was reliving the DaVinci code as I was walking through the paintings, thank you Dan Brown. After that we went to a "market" which was pretty much just like a bunch of JUNK on the side of the road for sale. After a few minutes there, we left and got some lunch. After eating, we went SHOPPING!! I didn't actually end up buying anything (minus a little chocolate) but we did run into a little booth of a lady selling white chocolate pistachio spread (similar to nutella!) which we bought. Obviously. After shopping, we went back to the hotel and went to dinner. The hotel made us reservations at a "casual" place that didn't end up so casual. So Mommy and Ms. Ellen suggested that we just get up and leave. So one MORTIFIED McKinley got up and left without even ordering anything. It was worth it though, with the dinner that we got instead. Salad for dinner and a trio of sorbets for dessert! YUMM!!
Sunday, we got up, packed up, and made our way back to the Paris train station to catch our 8:05 AM train to Avignon. We were in first class and it was a SUPER fast train! We were of course in a little cubicle with Mr.I-brought-my-dog-on-the-train. Just my luck. I napped and listened to my iPod. I have gotten to the point where I love trains! They relax me! We got to Avignon, took the bus to our hotel and wandered. We went to the Papal Palace (Did you know the pope used to live in Avignon?) and shopped around. We then went back to the hotel to rest. Dinner time finally approached and we went back into the city for dinner. We walked into a restaurant and our waiter was so rude that we, for the second time in two days, got up and left to find a new restaurant. But again, it was worth it. I had lime salmon for dinner and our waiter was SO cute and nice. Oh French boys...
It was also during this time that I checked my text messages to see one from Laughlin saying "Call Mer, she has the slate!" She was referring to the TriDelta list of officer positions that I had been waiting for. She got through a few names and then said, "McKin, you are--" then my ONE MINUTE that I had left cut out. I didn't know what I was. So I hurried home to get back on Skype with Mer to find out that I am VP Chapter Development. What does that mean? I'll let you know when I figure it out.
Then, this morning, Mommy and I went to the Avignon Bridge--LIKE THE SONG. It was such a beautiful morning, and I loved the bridge! Then back to the hotel to pack up, check out, and get on our train to Aix. Wouldn't you name a city "Aix" and pronounce it "Ex?" We checked in, got our lavishly decorated room, and went out into the city. We found some really cute shops and explored the city. Now we are back in the room and heading off to dinner soon... I hope!
We are off to Rome tomorrow for three nights! Yay for Italy! A culture that I understand and a language I can kinda speak.
Love yall!
xoxo
mckin
I write to you today from a bed in a room where the walls are "papered" in the same fabric as the draperies leaving me feeling a little... dizzy. But it is indeed beautiful here! Let me first tell you about our trip to Avignon!
Saturday we were still in Paris. We got up and went to the Louvre Museum. It was SOO HUGE. There was NO way to see everything, but we DID see the Italian artists section which was so cool because that is what I am studying in my Art History class! We saw the Mona Lisa, obviously, but it was smaller than I imagined. I also felt like I was reliving the DaVinci code as I was walking through the paintings, thank you Dan Brown. After that we went to a "market" which was pretty much just like a bunch of JUNK on the side of the road for sale. After a few minutes there, we left and got some lunch. After eating, we went SHOPPING!! I didn't actually end up buying anything (minus a little chocolate) but we did run into a little booth of a lady selling white chocolate pistachio spread (similar to nutella!) which we bought. Obviously. After shopping, we went back to the hotel and went to dinner. The hotel made us reservations at a "casual" place that didn't end up so casual. So Mommy and Ms. Ellen suggested that we just get up and leave. So one MORTIFIED McKinley got up and left without even ordering anything. It was worth it though, with the dinner that we got instead. Salad for dinner and a trio of sorbets for dessert! YUMM!!
Sunday, we got up, packed up, and made our way back to the Paris train station to catch our 8:05 AM train to Avignon. We were in first class and it was a SUPER fast train! We were of course in a little cubicle with Mr.I-brought-my-dog-on-the-train. Just my luck. I napped and listened to my iPod. I have gotten to the point where I love trains! They relax me! We got to Avignon, took the bus to our hotel and wandered. We went to the Papal Palace (Did you know the pope used to live in Avignon?) and shopped around. We then went back to the hotel to rest. Dinner time finally approached and we went back into the city for dinner. We walked into a restaurant and our waiter was so rude that we, for the second time in two days, got up and left to find a new restaurant. But again, it was worth it. I had lime salmon for dinner and our waiter was SO cute and nice. Oh French boys...
It was also during this time that I checked my text messages to see one from Laughlin saying "Call Mer, she has the slate!" She was referring to the TriDelta list of officer positions that I had been waiting for. She got through a few names and then said, "McKin, you are--" then my ONE MINUTE that I had left cut out. I didn't know what I was. So I hurried home to get back on Skype with Mer to find out that I am VP Chapter Development. What does that mean? I'll let you know when I figure it out.
Then, this morning, Mommy and I went to the Avignon Bridge--LIKE THE SONG. It was such a beautiful morning, and I loved the bridge! Then back to the hotel to pack up, check out, and get on our train to Aix. Wouldn't you name a city "Aix" and pronounce it "Ex?" We checked in, got our lavishly decorated room, and went out into the city. We found some really cute shops and explored the city. Now we are back in the room and heading off to dinner soon... I hope!
We are off to Rome tomorrow for three nights! Yay for Italy! A culture that I understand and a language I can kinda speak.
Love yall!
xoxo
mckin
Friday, November 7, 2008
Bonjour, Paris!!!!
Friday, November 7, 2009. Paris, France.
So I am sitting here on the floor of our VERY nice hotel room (well, remember that everything is relative these days--it isn't a hostel, so it is automatically nicer than anything I would be staying in without my mom) because the ethernet cord is too short and only reaches about 2 feet. Therefore, I am on the floor while Mommy and Ms. Ellen are fast asleep. Can't blame them; we did a full day of Paris and they flew all night.
First, let me recap this past week. It was CRAZY!! I had a music test that I was really stressed out about and I was just trying to get all of my housing stuff worked out for next year. So anyway, this week FLEW by. I could not wait until this weekend! I feel like Paris is such an important part of Europe, so I couldnt WAIT to go. Plus I would get to play with my mom and our good family friend Ms. Ellen. After staying up till 2 on Wednesday night and getting up at six on Thursday morning to study, then going to bed at two AGAIN Thursday (Brian's parents took me out to a FABULOUS dinner!!!) I got up at 6 to make my flight to Paris. Mommy and Ms. Ellen met me at baggage claim and we headed to the hotel.
We checked in, dropped off baggage, and went searching for food. I had a DELICIOUS goat cheese sandwich on french bread (YUMMMM!!) Then we hopped onto the Metro to Notre Dame which was SO beautiful! The stained glass windows were unbelievable and there was a service going on which was really cool to see too!! Bonus point: we got nutella crepes. Need I say more?
We hopped BACK on the metro to go to the EIFFEL TOWER!!! It was so stunning! It was amazing to see in real life something that is (a) such an important monument in Europe and (b) depicted in so many movies! We went up to the second level before we decided the line was just TOO long to go to the top, so we went back down. But it was really OK because the view from there was so excellent anyway, I don't feel like I missed out on anything. Not to mention it was pretty chilly!
Then, yep, you guessed it--FOOD TIME AGAIN! We went to an Italian restaurant near our hotel (I just cannot escape my beloved Italia!). The food was good, but more memorable was our waiter. After practicing my Italian on him for the entire meal, he gave me 2 mints and asked me (in Italian) if he could call me. ...ha ha, what? I pretended to have no idea what he said, then he said in impeccably clear Italian "I would like your number." I laughed. He didn't. I tried to let him down gently but I think he was not pleased when I said no. Did I mention he was about 40 years old?!!? Geez, what is it with these people?
Anyway, what a wonderful start to this city and country! I cannot wait to see the rest of France!
Miss all of you!
xoxo
mckin
PS LOOK AT THESE PICTURES FROM PARIS!!!
So I am sitting here on the floor of our VERY nice hotel room (well, remember that everything is relative these days--it isn't a hostel, so it is automatically nicer than anything I would be staying in without my mom) because the ethernet cord is too short and only reaches about 2 feet. Therefore, I am on the floor while Mommy and Ms. Ellen are fast asleep. Can't blame them; we did a full day of Paris and they flew all night.
First, let me recap this past week. It was CRAZY!! I had a music test that I was really stressed out about and I was just trying to get all of my housing stuff worked out for next year. So anyway, this week FLEW by. I could not wait until this weekend! I feel like Paris is such an important part of Europe, so I couldnt WAIT to go. Plus I would get to play with my mom and our good family friend Ms. Ellen. After staying up till 2 on Wednesday night and getting up at six on Thursday morning to study, then going to bed at two AGAIN Thursday (Brian's parents took me out to a FABULOUS dinner!!!) I got up at 6 to make my flight to Paris. Mommy and Ms. Ellen met me at baggage claim and we headed to the hotel.
We checked in, dropped off baggage, and went searching for food. I had a DELICIOUS goat cheese sandwich on french bread (YUMMMM!!) Then we hopped onto the Metro to Notre Dame which was SO beautiful! The stained glass windows were unbelievable and there was a service going on which was really cool to see too!! Bonus point: we got nutella crepes. Need I say more?
We hopped BACK on the metro to go to the EIFFEL TOWER!!! It was so stunning! It was amazing to see in real life something that is (a) such an important monument in Europe and (b) depicted in so many movies! We went up to the second level before we decided the line was just TOO long to go to the top, so we went back down. But it was really OK because the view from there was so excellent anyway, I don't feel like I missed out on anything. Not to mention it was pretty chilly!
Then, yep, you guessed it--FOOD TIME AGAIN! We went to an Italian restaurant near our hotel (I just cannot escape my beloved Italia!). The food was good, but more memorable was our waiter. After practicing my Italian on him for the entire meal, he gave me 2 mints and asked me (in Italian) if he could call me. ...ha ha, what? I pretended to have no idea what he said, then he said in impeccably clear Italian "I would like your number." I laughed. He didn't. I tried to let him down gently but I think he was not pleased when I said no. Did I mention he was about 40 years old?!!? Geez, what is it with these people?
Anyway, what a wonderful start to this city and country! I cannot wait to see the rest of France!
Miss all of you!
xoxo
mckin
PS LOOK AT THESE PICTURES FROM PARIS!!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Lots of Laughing + a night of fear= weekend in Zuirch
Monday, November 3, 2008. Venice.
I packed up my warmest things on Thursday night after getting an email from Mer warning me that we were going to encounter a "White Halloween." Friday morning, I left for the train station ready for my 7 hour train trip to Zurigo. I was bummed because I downloaded some movies etc to watch on the train, but somehow my computer got unplugged and didn't finish downloading before it lost power, so I was left with nothing really to do on the train. So I slept. You know how I hate sleeping.... ;)
I was enthusiastically greeted in the train station by one Meredith Edrington. As we walked around the train station trying to figure out our plans, we laughed and laughed and laughed. I changed out my money (Swiss francs are so beautiful!! Click here to see how pretty! )We discussed hostel plans--we had a reservation until 5 pm with no credit card information at one hostel, but it was far away. So we found another closer one, got our sheets, and settled in. According to our map, there were 3 big churches in the area, so we went to explore. The first one we saw was the Gossmunster. It had BEAUTIFUL front doors and a TALLLLLLL tower! The tower was closed already so we couldn't go up. Then we crossed over the river to the Fraumunster. It had SUCH beautiful windows . They are quite modern looking for a church, though! Then we went to St. Peterskirche which looked more like a concert hall on the inside than a church. It's tower is home to the biggest clock face in Europe!
Then we walked around the cold streets of Zurich talking, solving life's most difficult questions, laughing A WHOLE LOT. It was delightful. We then found an Italian restaurant and split a pizza. YUM. We returned back to the hostel to find a German guy who was definitely in the possession of illegal substances... and three of the nicest Australian people ever. Between Mer and me, we can talk people's ears off, but we enjoyed staying up talking with them!
The next morning, Mer and I split 2 pastries that we got at a cute market, then decided since we had already seen all of Zurich (apparently there isnt much more to it than those 3 churches that we saw in the first 2 hours...) we walked around Lake Zurich. It was foggy, but the company just couldn't be beat. We talked about boys, God, family, Europe, home, life... We went to the grocery store for food for both lunch and dinner and went back and ate our lunch. There was someone obnoxiously chain smoking in the kitchen, but after we annoyed him so much with our chit chat, he left us in the smoky kitchen. After lunch, more exploring, then back to the hostel for dinner, Gossip Girl on my iPod, and bed. This is where the fear part comes in.
To make an exceptionally long and convoluted story short, one of our hostel mates was a tad bizarre leaving Mer and I uncomfortable sleeping in the room with him. This means we spent much of the night awake (some of it watching more Gossip Girl) cuddling in her bed. Luckily, our new friends Jackson and Oscar (more Australians) returned from their night out partying which made us more comfortable. We still slept little.
Anyway, I came back to Venice on the most BORING train ride ever to find 22 emails, Italian howework, literature reading, registration problems, issues with housing for the spring etc, so I was a little stressed. Everything is ok now though!
Friday I leave for 10 of traveling with Mommy and Ms. Ellen and I am so excited! Yay for hotels and no hostels!!!
OK, off to finish some work that is due in...oh... 45 minutes...
Love yall and miss you lots!
xoxo
mckin
I packed up my warmest things on Thursday night after getting an email from Mer warning me that we were going to encounter a "White Halloween." Friday morning, I left for the train station ready for my 7 hour train trip to Zurigo. I was bummed because I downloaded some movies etc to watch on the train, but somehow my computer got unplugged and didn't finish downloading before it lost power, so I was left with nothing really to do on the train. So I slept. You know how I hate sleeping.... ;)
I was enthusiastically greeted in the train station by one Meredith Edrington. As we walked around the train station trying to figure out our plans, we laughed and laughed and laughed. I changed out my money (Swiss francs are so beautiful!! Click here to see how pretty! )We discussed hostel plans--we had a reservation until 5 pm with no credit card information at one hostel, but it was far away. So we found another closer one, got our sheets, and settled in. According to our map, there were 3 big churches in the area, so we went to explore. The first one we saw was the Gossmunster. It had BEAUTIFUL front doors and a TALLLLLLL tower! The tower was closed already so we couldn't go up. Then we crossed over the river to the Fraumunster. It had SUCH beautiful windows . They are quite modern looking for a church, though! Then we went to St. Peterskirche which looked more like a concert hall on the inside than a church. It's tower is home to the biggest clock face in Europe!
Then we walked around the cold streets of Zurich talking, solving life's most difficult questions, laughing A WHOLE LOT. It was delightful. We then found an Italian restaurant and split a pizza. YUM. We returned back to the hostel to find a German guy who was definitely in the possession of illegal substances... and three of the nicest Australian people ever. Between Mer and me, we can talk people's ears off, but we enjoyed staying up talking with them!
The next morning, Mer and I split 2 pastries that we got at a cute market, then decided since we had already seen all of Zurich (apparently there isnt much more to it than those 3 churches that we saw in the first 2 hours...) we walked around Lake Zurich. It was foggy, but the company just couldn't be beat. We talked about boys, God, family, Europe, home, life... We went to the grocery store for food for both lunch and dinner and went back and ate our lunch. There was someone obnoxiously chain smoking in the kitchen, but after we annoyed him so much with our chit chat, he left us in the smoky kitchen. After lunch, more exploring, then back to the hostel for dinner, Gossip Girl on my iPod, and bed. This is where the fear part comes in.
To make an exceptionally long and convoluted story short, one of our hostel mates was a tad bizarre leaving Mer and I uncomfortable sleeping in the room with him. This means we spent much of the night awake (some of it watching more Gossip Girl) cuddling in her bed. Luckily, our new friends Jackson and Oscar (more Australians) returned from their night out partying which made us more comfortable. We still slept little.
Anyway, I came back to Venice on the most BORING train ride ever to find 22 emails, Italian howework, literature reading, registration problems, issues with housing for the spring etc, so I was a little stressed. Everything is ok now though!
Friday I leave for 10 of traveling with Mommy and Ms. Ellen and I am so excited! Yay for hotels and no hostels!!!
OK, off to finish some work that is due in...oh... 45 minutes...
Love yall and miss you lots!
xoxo
mckin
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