Even though there were torrential downpours this morning, the sun decided to come out this afternoon! It is such a beautiful day, I had to take a study break and go outside on the veranda.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
I.Love.Sundays.
Sundays are by far the greatest day of the week. They just feel so calm and relaxed. Its such a wonderful feeling to wake up late and get things done on your own time, rather than rushing around and feeling frenzied.
This morning I woke up and laid in bed, studying a bit for my Cinema midterm on Tuesday. After getting ready for the day, I started to make myself some breakfast and Margherita came downstairs from her ironing. I haven't seen her in a few days and I've missed her! We are on completely different schedules; usually she leaves before I wake up and I get home after she has gone to bed (on the weekends, during the week we have dinner together). It was so great chatting with her this morning. She told me about a movie that she saw, This Must Be The Place, because I had to watch the same one for my Cinema class. I recommended it to her because it is such an interesting film and I loved it! (I highly suggest you see it. I am not sure if it is out in the United States yet because it was made by Sorrentino, an Italian director, but keep a look out for it! It is certainly different and unlike any other movie). We discussed the movie and analyzed the characters for a while. Then she told me about this great restaurant near Piazza San Ambrosio named Teatro del Sale. She explained how there is nothing like it in the city. It is a club that you have to pay 5 euro for a membership that lasts for a year, but the food is incredible. You pay a flat fee and the servers keep bringing food until you tell them to stop. Each dish that they bring out--traditional Tuscan dishes-- they announce loudly and explain what it is. She also said that you don't need to eat for three days afterward because it is so much food. I think this place would be great to take the family :)
Then Margherita showed me what she bought yesterday, a new vacuum! All you need to do it turn the button on and it does all of the work itself. It is about the size of a frisbee, has wheels and its battery operated, so it just putzes around the apartment and cleans the floor. She would buy this; she is such a neat person! I literally could not stop laughing when she pulled it out of her room. The was so pleased with herself too and I can tell this toy is going to be her new friend.
Margherita shows so much love towards me, I am blessed to have her as my host mom! When I told her that I was going to be in the library all day, she pulled out food to make a sandwich with and made sure that I was going to be home for dinner.
The day started off on the right foot! I mean, how could Sunday not? Everything is done with such a calm mentality. As I walked to school, barely anyone was out on the streets except for families pushing strollers or parents playing with their children in the piazza. The cool fall day is warmed up by the sun and I can't help but appreciate the day, even if I am stuck in the library. Also, the Packers play the Vikings today. How exciting!
Well, midterm week is coming up and that means study study study!
This morning I woke up and laid in bed, studying a bit for my Cinema midterm on Tuesday. After getting ready for the day, I started to make myself some breakfast and Margherita came downstairs from her ironing. I haven't seen her in a few days and I've missed her! We are on completely different schedules; usually she leaves before I wake up and I get home after she has gone to bed (on the weekends, during the week we have dinner together). It was so great chatting with her this morning. She told me about a movie that she saw, This Must Be The Place, because I had to watch the same one for my Cinema class. I recommended it to her because it is such an interesting film and I loved it! (I highly suggest you see it. I am not sure if it is out in the United States yet because it was made by Sorrentino, an Italian director, but keep a look out for it! It is certainly different and unlike any other movie). We discussed the movie and analyzed the characters for a while. Then she told me about this great restaurant near Piazza San Ambrosio named Teatro del Sale. She explained how there is nothing like it in the city. It is a club that you have to pay 5 euro for a membership that lasts for a year, but the food is incredible. You pay a flat fee and the servers keep bringing food until you tell them to stop. Each dish that they bring out--traditional Tuscan dishes-- they announce loudly and explain what it is. She also said that you don't need to eat for three days afterward because it is so much food. I think this place would be great to take the family :)
Then Margherita showed me what she bought yesterday, a new vacuum! All you need to do it turn the button on and it does all of the work itself. It is about the size of a frisbee, has wheels and its battery operated, so it just putzes around the apartment and cleans the floor. She would buy this; she is such a neat person! I literally could not stop laughing when she pulled it out of her room. The was so pleased with herself too and I can tell this toy is going to be her new friend.
Margherita shows so much love towards me, I am blessed to have her as my host mom! When I told her that I was going to be in the library all day, she pulled out food to make a sandwich with and made sure that I was going to be home for dinner.
The day started off on the right foot! I mean, how could Sunday not? Everything is done with such a calm mentality. As I walked to school, barely anyone was out on the streets except for families pushing strollers or parents playing with their children in the piazza. The cool fall day is warmed up by the sun and I can't help but appreciate the day, even if I am stuck in the library. Also, the Packers play the Vikings today. How exciting!
Well, midterm week is coming up and that means study study study!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Gustazione di Vino
New word of the week: Gustazione di vino. Translation? Wine tasting. I spent the majority of Saturday in Chianti, only an hour from Florence. Chianti is a region in Italy that is famous for producing Chianti wines. We spent our time in the village of Panzano, which was originally an Etruscan village and is the oldest and most populated township in the community of Greve in Chianti.
A few of my friends and I booked this trip through a company and had to meet at the train station at 7:30 am. From there, we took a bus to Chianti and proceeded to hike around the area of Panzano for three hours. Words cannot describe how beautiful the landscape is. There are so many vineyards and gorgeous houses that blend into the background. It was also the perfect day: it was just a bit chilly (autumn--l'autuno-- is definitely settling in) but the sun was brightly shining. Our guide stopped along our walk to talk about the grapes and how specific ones are only used for Chiantis. After our walk, we stopped at a church, Santa Maria, on top of a hill that overlooked the entire region. It was absolutely breathtaking. After we toured the church, we proceeded to walk to lunch which was held at the winemakers house. From the outside, it looks rather simple but it is filled with so much history. Lorenzo's family, the Sassolinis, lived in Florence many generations ago. Their family was in favor of the Republic and against the Medicis, so when the troops of Emperor Charles V conquered the town, they were banished from Florence. The Sassolinis became farmers and land owners in Panzano where they inherited a villa and the land of the Petrucci, a noble family of Siena. The inside of the villa was filled with their coat of arms, old relics, paintings and objects handed down through the different generations. I couldn't help but creep around the upstairs when I ducked out of lunch to go to the bathroom. I loved how the house was just filled to the brim with history. I wish I could have toured the entire house.
Here is a little history of Chianti wine...Chiantis are predominantly made with sangiovese grapes. It is ruby red in color and as it ages it develops garnet hues with a harmonious, dry and full flavor which is slightly tannic. The perfume is intense with notes of dark fruits and violets. The symbol of the Chianti Classico region is the Gallo Nero (black rooster). The Gallo Nero label with a red border is the basic Chianti Classico wine which is released about one year after its harvest.
Anways, lunch and wine tasting was a blast. We tried four different wines and then grappa, a sweet Italian wine that is typically drunk after dinner. We started with bread, prosciutto, salami, and olive oil. With this we drank Chianti Classico which actually ended up being my favorite. Then we proceeded to the first course of pasta with pesto, drank with FerdinandoIII (a Chianti made from pure sangiovese grapes, compared to the Chianti Classico which is made from a blend of sangiovese, colorino, and canaiolo grapes). Another round of pasta with tomato sauce (fresh tomatoes, there is nothing better!) with Chianti Classico Reserve. This wine is the same as the Chianti Classico however it is left in the barrels for a bit longer than the regular classico. Once we finished our food, we were given a Vin Santo Chianti Classico --a dessert wine with which you eat biscotti. We ended the afternoon with Grappa Chianti Classico, a very strong wine that is taken as a shot ( not many people are able to sip this. It is 43% alcohol!). The winemaker said that it is acts as an aide to digestion-- It probably burned through everything in my stomach it was so strong. But it is obtained from the best dregs of grapes through a process of distillation. It is aged in wooden barrels for about 6 months, allowing it to acquire an amber color.
It was a wonderful experience and I am so happy I was able to make it to Chianti to try the famous wines. I kept thinking of my dad and wishing he was there with me--I know he would have loved it!! I also made friends with an Italian woman-- it was great to practice my Italian with her! She was so sweet and we chatted about life in Italy, movies and politics. Italy has so many political issues, it is really too bad.
Once we returned to Florence, my friends and I actually found a Mexican restaurant in Florence! I've been craving Mexican food and it was such a surprise to find one it Italy. Granted, it wasn't the most authentic but we had a blast munching away on nachos only a few feet away from the Duomo.
I was happy to stay in Italy for the weekend and not do a major trip. Although I love traveling, it can get tiring so it was a great weekend to relax and do some adventuring in the area.
A few of my friends and I booked this trip through a company and had to meet at the train station at 7:30 am. From there, we took a bus to Chianti and proceeded to hike around the area of Panzano for three hours. Words cannot describe how beautiful the landscape is. There are so many vineyards and gorgeous houses that blend into the background. It was also the perfect day: it was just a bit chilly (autumn--l'autuno-- is definitely settling in) but the sun was brightly shining. Our guide stopped along our walk to talk about the grapes and how specific ones are only used for Chiantis. After our walk, we stopped at a church, Santa Maria, on top of a hill that overlooked the entire region. It was absolutely breathtaking. After we toured the church, we proceeded to walk to lunch which was held at the winemakers house. From the outside, it looks rather simple but it is filled with so much history. Lorenzo's family, the Sassolinis, lived in Florence many generations ago. Their family was in favor of the Republic and against the Medicis, so when the troops of Emperor Charles V conquered the town, they were banished from Florence. The Sassolinis became farmers and land owners in Panzano where they inherited a villa and the land of the Petrucci, a noble family of Siena. The inside of the villa was filled with their coat of arms, old relics, paintings and objects handed down through the different generations. I couldn't help but creep around the upstairs when I ducked out of lunch to go to the bathroom. I loved how the house was just filled to the brim with history. I wish I could have toured the entire house.
Here is a little history of Chianti wine...Chiantis are predominantly made with sangiovese grapes. It is ruby red in color and as it ages it develops garnet hues with a harmonious, dry and full flavor which is slightly tannic. The perfume is intense with notes of dark fruits and violets. The symbol of the Chianti Classico region is the Gallo Nero (black rooster). The Gallo Nero label with a red border is the basic Chianti Classico wine which is released about one year after its harvest. 
Anways, lunch and wine tasting was a blast. We tried four different wines and then grappa, a sweet Italian wine that is typically drunk after dinner. We started with bread, prosciutto, salami, and olive oil. With this we drank Chianti Classico which actually ended up being my favorite. Then we proceeded to the first course of pasta with pesto, drank with FerdinandoIII (a Chianti made from pure sangiovese grapes, compared to the Chianti Classico which is made from a blend of sangiovese, colorino, and canaiolo grapes). Another round of pasta with tomato sauce (fresh tomatoes, there is nothing better!) with Chianti Classico Reserve. This wine is the same as the Chianti Classico however it is left in the barrels for a bit longer than the regular classico. Once we finished our food, we were given a Vin Santo Chianti Classico --a dessert wine with which you eat biscotti. We ended the afternoon with Grappa Chianti Classico, a very strong wine that is taken as a shot ( not many people are able to sip this. It is 43% alcohol!). The winemaker said that it is acts as an aide to digestion-- It probably burned through everything in my stomach it was so strong. But it is obtained from the best dregs of grapes through a process of distillation. It is aged in wooden barrels for about 6 months, allowing it to acquire an amber color. It was a wonderful experience and I am so happy I was able to make it to Chianti to try the famous wines. I kept thinking of my dad and wishing he was there with me--I know he would have loved it!! I also made friends with an Italian woman-- it was great to practice my Italian with her! She was so sweet and we chatted about life in Italy, movies and politics. Italy has so many political issues, it is really too bad.
Once we returned to Florence, my friends and I actually found a Mexican restaurant in Florence! I've been craving Mexican food and it was such a surprise to find one it Italy. Granted, it wasn't the most authentic but we had a blast munching away on nachos only a few feet away from the Duomo.
I was happy to stay in Italy for the weekend and not do a major trip. Although I love traveling, it can get tiring so it was a great weekend to relax and do some adventuring in the area.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Perugia Chocolate Festival
For about two weeks in the month of October, Perugia (a small city south of Florence) hosts a Chocolate Festival that brings thousands of people from all over the world. A few of my friends and I booked the trip with a company based in Florence. We left Florence around 9:30 am and arrived a bit after 11:30. We found our way to the festival which was located in the city, tents were put up right in the city and the entire place shut down. There were streets lined with different booths boasting of the best chocolate in Italy.
Little vendors and specialty chocolates were there as well as bigger brands, such as Baci, Lindt, and Milka. We were also given a "ChocoCard" that allowed us to receive free samples at certain locations. When we first entered the festival grounds, Molly freaked out and started to buy chocolate right away. This taught me one of the most important lessons at a place like this: Pace yourself! We started off getting hot chocolate. It seemed like a great idea at the time because it was so cold and the wind was blowing like crazy-- we needed something to warm us up. However, Italian hot chocolate is quite different than America's. Here it is more like chocolate syrup-- very thick and creamy. I felt like I was drinking the topping to a cake. Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely delicious. It just probably wasn't the right way to start off the day.
(HUGE BACI! They look delicious...---> )
It was a fun day. We bounced around to different booths and found very interesting combinations of chocolate. One booth had chocolate shishkebobs (I was too sugared out to try it). Every booth had something different but it was all delicious. It would be pretty hard to find chocolate there that wasn't good. The one I found very strange was the chocolate cream cheese-- not a fan. I told Margherita about it and she said she thought it was a great idea! She heard about the 'chocolate Philadelphia' and wanted to buy it. I think she is going to get it the next time she is at the store. Whenever I bring up food I think is strange, she always seems to go out and buy it just so I can try it. I should stop mentioning those things to her...
Overall, a successful day. However, I'm not going to lie, I don't want to see chocolate for the next few weeks. During breakfast on Sunday morning, Margherita brought out this box of Brazilian chocolates and gave me some to try. Granted, it was about 1pm but still! Who gives chocolate for breakfast??! She was laughing at my adventures during the festival, probably thinking I ate too much chocolate. Which doesn't explain why she gave me more chocolate... haha sometimes I think she is just too much like my Yiayia.
(The Nestle bunny in Italy?)
On a side note, Perugia is gorgeous. The city is located up on a hill and overlooks the countryside. I would certainly recommend it to anyone that is traveling through Italy. It is a beautiful city and I wish I would have been able to adventure around a bit more!
It was a fun day. We bounced around to different booths and found very interesting combinations of chocolate. One booth had chocolate shishkebobs (I was too sugared out to try it). Every booth had something different but it was all delicious. It would be pretty hard to find chocolate there that wasn't good. The one I found very strange was the chocolate cream cheese-- not a fan. I told Margherita about it and she said she thought it was a great idea! She heard about the 'chocolate Philadelphia' and wanted to buy it. I think she is going to get it the next time she is at the store. Whenever I bring up food I think is strange, she always seems to go out and buy it just so I can try it. I should stop mentioning those things to her...
Overall, a successful day. However, I'm not going to lie, I don't want to see chocolate for the next few weeks. During breakfast on Sunday morning, Margherita brought out this box of Brazilian chocolates and gave me some to try. Granted, it was about 1pm but still! Who gives chocolate for breakfast??! She was laughing at my adventures during the festival, probably thinking I ate too much chocolate. Which doesn't explain why she gave me more chocolate... haha sometimes I think she is just too much like my Yiayia.
(The Nestle bunny in Italy?)
On a side note, Perugia is gorgeous. The city is located up on a hill and overlooks the countryside. I would certainly recommend it to anyone that is traveling through Italy. It is a beautiful city and I wish I would have been able to adventure around a bit more!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wien-- As the Viennese Say
Before I even traveled abroad, I knew that I had to visit Vienna, not because of anything I knew about the city but because I wanted to visit one of my best friends and cousin that are there for the semester. It seemed like a great idea to go to a place I would typically never consider visiting. Prior to traveling there, I had no idea what to expect. I did not do much research, other than finding it on a map and booking a train ticket.
Last Thursday I took the night train from Florence to Vienna, which is about a 10 hour trip. Let me tell you, it is certainly an experience. The 2nd class ticket, the one I booked, is basically a cabin with 6 seats that almost recline. One my way to Vienna, the cabin was filled with three men and two Indian nuns. Its hard to actually get a solid amount of sleep, due to the fact that almost every hour one of the train attendees barges in, flips the light on and asks to see your ticket. However the train ride into Austria is amazing. We traveled through the mountains and it was beautiful with the sun rising and fog gathering in the valleys. I successfully arrived in Vienna around 9am. Ivana was supposed to meet me at the train station and we were on the phone for maybe 10 minutes until we realized that we weren’t at the same train station. It turns out I booked my ticket to the wrong station (there are about 10 in the city of Vienna). Thankfully she was able to get to me in no time (That’s the wonderful thing about the city, public transportation is SO EASY. The Ubahn goes throughout the entire city and runs about every five minutes. I love it!) and we met up! Stepping off of the train was such a shock—it was about 70 degrees when I left Florence and traveled to cold, rainy, dreary weather. It was such a nice change, however I think I was wearing five layers of clothing.
Unfortunately, Ivana and Will both had classes all day. It actually turned out to be perfect—Ivana showed me a great caffe to get breakfast and then how to get to the tourist information booth. I met up with her again for 45 minutes or so, just to walk her to her next class and get a tour of their school. The building where the students from IES take classes is absolutely beautiful. I felt like I was walking through a museum—with chandeliers and wonderfully decorated. Their study room was unreal.
So for the afternoon, I just wandered around the city in the rain. The weather was intense, so much wind and rain! After finding the Parlaiment Building and the Univeristat of Vienna, I decided to find a museum. I literally just picked a building and ducked in there. I wasn’t quite sure what I had gotten myself into until I bought my ticket and found a brochure. The Kunsthistoriches Museum was built by Emperor Franz Joseph in order to house the collections of the Habsburgs. Inside is the Picture Gallery, Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection and Coin Cabinet. What a gorgeous museum! I feel like the building itself was just as gorgeous as the collections it contains. I wandered around for a few hours, then decided to find another museum in the area (which isn’t hard, Vienna is filled with endless museums). Next was Neue Burg with the Collection of Arms and Amour and—my favorite—the Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments. I had a blast in that part of the museum. When I first arrived, I was given a headset to listen to descriptions of the pieces in the museum. However, in the area with ancient instruments, I could type in a number and it would play a song of each instrument. I think I could have spent hours in that section, the music was beautiful. I loved roaming around these museums with the cold and rainy weather. Barely any one was out and it felt as if I had the entire museum to myself.
This is a clock in the city. Every hour, it chimes and there are little figurines that move around. However at noon, every figurine moves around in the clock tower. We were lucky enough to catch it then!
The Parliament building
The Kuntshistoriches Museum
Neue Burg Museum.
Neue Burg Museum.
That evening Ivana and I just wandered around the city. Actually, she led me around the city. She refused to tell me where we were headed but took me to the most beautiful places. I don’t think I could remember all of them, lets see, Mozart’s apartment, the Opera house and a million others. Even though it was a bit chilly, it was such a fun walk and wonderful spending time together. We cut our walk short to meet up with Will and his friends for a bit. I was so happy to see Will and catch up! It was so great the way that weekend worked out and how he was able to spend time with me. There is something so special about spending time with family. I just had to laugh when we first met up though, him and his friends had their musical instruments with them, just finishing up a jam session. I wouldn’t expect anything less from my cousin.
We went to a bar in the MuseumsQuartier where we sat and chatted for a bit. This place was hilarious. It had a huge disco ball hanging in the middle of the ceiling with classic American oldies playing. I wasn’t sure if we time traveled or if we were still in Vienna. Quite deceiving.
Anyways, Ivana was so sweet and let me crash at her place for that night. Unfortunately she was going on a weekend trip, leaving in the morning, so it was great to spend a little more time with her before we had to separate. I had such a great time with her on Friday and wish our cities were closer. But needless to say, she did a great job showing me the city and informing me of everything that tourists need to know about the city (She absolutely amazes me about her knowledge. I love how she just goes to a museum when shes bored. I think she has her entire Vienna travel book memorized. She has definitely inspired me to take a more educational interest in Florence and to get off the beaten path a bit).
Saturday morning I met up with Will at the Naschmarkt, which is essentially a huge outdoor market with cafes and various vendors. It is huge and stretches for several streets! I was quite proud of Will, he got up so early (I think we met at 9am on a Saturday?) and showed me around the market. We did a little grocery shopping to cook lunch, wandered around the flea market for a bit and even found him a sweater (5 euro, now that’s the way to do your shopping)!
Afterwards we wandered around the city and he took me to some famous places, such as the Monument to Empress Elisabeth and Maria Theresa Square. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Is anything not beautiful in Vienna?
Afterwards we wandered around the city and he took me to some famous places, such as the Monument to Empress Elisabeth and Maria Theresa Square. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Is anything not beautiful in Vienna?
Quite tired after our long morning, we traveled to Will’s apartment where we made lunch (well it was more of Will cooking for me, he is such an expert!)—curried chicken and vegetables with brown rice. Delicious of course, he must get his cooking genes from Yiayia. I don’t know why, we must have been really tired, but after eating we passed out on his couches for a good two hours. I honestly don’t think I’ve slept that hard since I’ve arrived in Europe. It was amazing.
The rest of the day was very relaxed, just hanging out with his housemates and enjoying a lazy Saturday. Squintz, one of Will’s friends, invited us to Mozart’s Requiem that he was seeing that night for a class. Oh my gosh. It was such an incredible performance, I have never seen or heard anything like it. Although the acoustics weren’t where they should be since it took place in a church, I was still floored from the concert. Seeing a musical performance while in Vienna was a necessity for me and I loved it. Plus, it was only a six euro entrance fee. To think, on any random night in Vienna you can attend things like this. Incredible.
Sunday was the definition of a lazy Sunday. Everyone just hung out in the apartment and relaxed. After Will made another wonderful lunch (pasta with pesto and chicken) we went to the Schonbrunn. It was such beautiful timing—the morning was freezing and raining, certainly not motivating to go out and do anything—but when we ventured out of the apartment the sun had peaked out and warmed up the city a bit. Schonbrunn, only a few Ubahn stops away, was the summer residence for the Habsburgs. I was absolutely blown away by its magnificence. The estate is enormous with gorgeous gardens and amazing fountains. It is hard to imagine that people actually lived in a place as extravagant as this. I tried to take some pictures but they certainly don’t do it justice.
Also, the weather was incredible. With the sun starting to set, illuminating the bright colored leaves, and the cool, crisp air, I felt fall surround us. It was almost like a piece of the Midwest fall had creeped into our afternoon. Needless to say, Will and I had a wonderful time together. It was great to catch up on life and simply spend time together. We wandered the estate, not quite paying attention to where we were headed. Eventually, we headed back to his apartment, made a quick dinner, and then headed off to the train station. Will was so sweet and took me to the station where I needed to catch my train. And that’s where my wonderful weekend in Vienna ends.
Also, the weather was incredible. With the sun starting to set, illuminating the bright colored leaves, and the cool, crisp air, I felt fall surround us. It was almost like a piece of the Midwest fall had creeped into our afternoon. Needless to say, Will and I had a wonderful time together. It was great to catch up on life and simply spend time together. We wandered the estate, not quite paying attention to where we were headed. Eventually, we headed back to his apartment, made a quick dinner, and then headed off to the train station. Will was so sweet and took me to the station where I needed to catch my train. And that’s where my wonderful weekend in Vienna ends.
Fall has arrived!
I don’t think I can thank Ivana and Will enough. They were such great hosts and took the time to show me the city. Their love for Vienna was quite evident and made me fall in love with the area. I would honestly recommend this trip to anyone. Vienna has a certain charisma to it. No matter what the weather or circumstances, there is always something to do or see. I was so surprised when I first arrived—everywhere I turned my head I saw the most beautiful buildings that date back to hundreds of years ago. Incredible. I know it’s a stretch, but I would love to travel back for the Christmas markets the city is so famous for. But that’s too far away to think about right now.
Now, back to Florence. Even though traveling is a blast, I always look forward to returning back to this city. I miss understanding the language (German is such a complicated language and like nothing I’ve studied before) and crazy Italian life. This week, like all of them, has completely flown by. I guess that’s what happens when every day is filled. Well, I better cut this off before I continue to ramble since I could for hours.
To end, as Ivana loves to quote Billy Joel:
"Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you."
"Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you."
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Italians and Their Food
The moment I saw the opportunity to take a cooking class, I knew I had to take full advantage of it. Gnocchi was on the menu for today, something I've only had a few times but am intrigued by it. It's actually great, the cooking program is through my school and is relatively cheap compared to other places in the city. So this evening I showed up at school, in the basement there is a fully equipped kitchen, and started to prepare the food!
This was on the menu for tonight :
Gnocchi di patate ai tre formaggi (potato gnocchi with three cheese sauce)
Gnocchi de patate alla crema de zucca (potato gnocchi with pumpkin cream sauce)
Arista al latte (pork loin with milk)
Torta di mele (apple tart)
In my past few weeks here, I have noticed that Italians cook very healthily. They are very conscious of what is good and bad for your health (olive oil vs butter). Although this meal sounds rich, there really aren't that many ingredients and all are used in moderation. As much as I would love to go into detail with every recipe, I just don't have the time. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post the recipes so you all can try them :)
My favorite must have been the pumpkin gnocchi. We gutted, chopped and shredded a pumpkin, mixed it with garlic simmering in olive oil, and then let that cook on the stove until the pumpkin was mashed. Afterwards, add a little rosemary and olive oil. Mix. Add to gnocchi. Delicious.
I"m in love with Italians and their food. It is such an important aspect of their culture. Fast food does not exist. Meals are eaten while sitting down. There is a reason why there is a good three hour chunk of the day that everything closes down! People go eat, enjoy a meal with their friends, and then return to work after a nap (well, thats what I do at least. And Margherita!) Cooking the food is just as important as eating it. Italians love their food and treat it with respect, if that makes any sense. I'm finding it hard to put it into words, but food has a completely different meaning to Italians. It is more than something to keep us alive, rather healthy nourishment and a source of care. They respect food.
So. Gnocchi is a definite must to make. It isn't very complicated, just a little time consuming. It is worth every second though!
I need to run and finish my laundry (Italians, actually Europeans, don't own dryers so I have to go hang up my clothes on the veranda to dry) but I still have so much to say! There will be a very, very long post about Vienna coming soon. I had the most amazing weekend and I have wanted to take time to write a blog that does it the justice it deserves.
Also, the weather is cooling down (finally!) and fall is finally settling in. There is nothing better than crisp mornings with cool, fresh air or walking through streets littered with leaves of different colors. This weather makes me feel alive and invigorates every molecule in my body. There is something about it that makes me feel at home, content and the most centered. Maybe the cool air just wakes my brain up and gets the blood flowing quicker than hot, muggy, summer days. Or maybe it just reminds me that its football season (GO PACK) and the end of baseball (GO BREWERS!) season. I love that sports in Wisconsin are such a big deal!! Who would have thunk.
Keep your eyes open for Vienna details and pictures!
Baci a tutti!
This was on the menu for tonight :
Gnocchi di patate ai tre formaggi (potato gnocchi with three cheese sauce)
Gnocchi de patate alla crema de zucca (potato gnocchi with pumpkin cream sauce)
Arista al latte (pork loin with milk)
Torta di mele (apple tart)
In my past few weeks here, I have noticed that Italians cook very healthily. They are very conscious of what is good and bad for your health (olive oil vs butter). Although this meal sounds rich, there really aren't that many ingredients and all are used in moderation. As much as I would love to go into detail with every recipe, I just don't have the time. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post the recipes so you all can try them :)
My favorite must have been the pumpkin gnocchi. We gutted, chopped and shredded a pumpkin, mixed it with garlic simmering in olive oil, and then let that cook on the stove until the pumpkin was mashed. Afterwards, add a little rosemary and olive oil. Mix. Add to gnocchi. Delicious.
I"m in love with Italians and their food. It is such an important aspect of their culture. Fast food does not exist. Meals are eaten while sitting down. There is a reason why there is a good three hour chunk of the day that everything closes down! People go eat, enjoy a meal with their friends, and then return to work after a nap (well, thats what I do at least. And Margherita!) Cooking the food is just as important as eating it. Italians love their food and treat it with respect, if that makes any sense. I'm finding it hard to put it into words, but food has a completely different meaning to Italians. It is more than something to keep us alive, rather healthy nourishment and a source of care. They respect food.
So. Gnocchi is a definite must to make. It isn't very complicated, just a little time consuming. It is worth every second though!
I need to run and finish my laundry (Italians, actually Europeans, don't own dryers so I have to go hang up my clothes on the veranda to dry) but I still have so much to say! There will be a very, very long post about Vienna coming soon. I had the most amazing weekend and I have wanted to take time to write a blog that does it the justice it deserves.
Also, the weather is cooling down (finally!) and fall is finally settling in. There is nothing better than crisp mornings with cool, fresh air or walking through streets littered with leaves of different colors. This weather makes me feel alive and invigorates every molecule in my body. There is something about it that makes me feel at home, content and the most centered. Maybe the cool air just wakes my brain up and gets the blood flowing quicker than hot, muggy, summer days. Or maybe it just reminds me that its football season (GO PACK) and the end of baseball (GO BREWERS!) season. I love that sports in Wisconsin are such a big deal!! Who would have thunk.
Keep your eyes open for Vienna details and pictures!
Baci a tutti!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Germans, Lederhosen and Best Friends
When my Santa Clara friends and I booked our trip to Oktoberfest way back in March, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Of course, there have been stories and so many people offering advice, but I don't think anything could prepare us for our weekend in Munich.
Some of my best friends (who I am living with when I return to Santa Clara) and I all met up in Munich, Germany, perfectly located in the center of where we are all studying abroad. Brenna and Janey flew in from London, Stephanie from Paris, Emily from Rome, and Ivana took the train from Vienna. A while back we booked a room at the Holiday Inn so we all reunited there on Friday afternoon. I don't think I can describe how wonderful it was to be reunited with them. After being apart all summer and the beginning part of this school year, it has felt like ages! Especially since I am used to seeing them every day. Anyways, I think we all agreed that we all felt complete again and couldn't stop talking about how much we loved our abroad experiences. Friday was a great day to just chill out and walk around Munich for a while. That night we stumbled upon the cutest restaurant with outdoor seating and Christmas lights strung on the veranda. Although we knew it was going to be a "splurge." it was definitely worth it! They first served us pretzels (of course). Then I had a pumpkin soup with shrimp in it. Next was pork with cabbage and some kind of fried bread. Then, to finish off this delicious meal, we ordered an apple strudel and another type of specialty dessert which was absolutely delicious. I have to say, German food surprised me. It is a very heavy diet (lots of meat and potatoes) but delicious nonetheless. Oh! Earlier in the day I tried weinerschnitzel. YUM.
That night we went to bed relatively early so we could wake up early and to get a table at Oktoberfest. We all slept well (kind of, we smooshed three girls to each bed) and woke up bright and early to start the day off well. After a bus then a train ride, we arrived at Oktoberfest. I think the first words that came to my head were, "What the heck?" It pretty much looked like a carnival, with rides, food vendors, and plenty of games to play. However once we kept walking we found all of the beer tents. Beer tents are essentially massive tents with rows and rows of tables inside. There are beer gardens outside of the tents, which are just rows and rows of tables outside. We found our way to one beer tent (supposedly one of the best ones) and slowly made our way through the crowd inside. It was amazing. There were SO MANY people, at 9am! Every table was jam-packed with people eating, singing, and drinking. I don't think I can adequately describe the crowds of people from all over the world. It was so much fun to listen to all of the traditional songs and see everyone so happy! We luckily found a table that had a little space so we squeezed in. The rest of the day was a blast! The people at our table were from Belgium, France, and the United States. They were fun to talk to and they also taught us some of the songs that are sung during Oktoberfest. Crazy.
Before coming to Munich, I never understood the true Oktoberfest. In reality, it is a very important thing in Germany-- a celebration of their culture. So many people were walking around in lederhosen. Initially I thought only the tourists wore those to the festival, but you actually LOOK like a tourist if you aren't wearing one. Also, Oktoberfest is attended by everyone. I saw so many familys, old couples, young couples, and even pets! I would think its like state fair, but on a much, much larger scale and way more interesting.
On Sunday morning, us girls took the train into the main center of Munich to get breakfast and walk around. I just need to comment on how interesting the Germans are. It was literally 10 in the morning and people were ordering beer with their breakfast. They really love their beer.
I had to take a bus to the airport that was a good 45 minute ride. This was the perfect opportunity to see a bit of Germany and drive through the countryside. I am sincerely obsessed with this country, maybe because it reminds me a little bit of home. I now understand why so many Germans settled in Wisconsin-- the landscapes are very similar. Anywho, the houses were so quaint and the countryside was absolutely beautiful. Also, since it was the start of October and fall was starting to show, the leaves were just starting to change colors and there was a distinct crispness in the air. I have also learned that Germans as a whole are extremely friendly. We had no problems getting around because people were generally willing to help us. We weren't looked down upon for being Americans, which was a huge problem in France.
Margherita and her friend were joking around with me the other day, saying that I go to Germany for Oktoberfest when I should go to Berlin. After talking with them, I definitely want to go back. There is so much to see in Berlin and the rest of the country. I hope to make it back someday to fully experience and learn about Germany.
Walking into the festival...
This is the beer tent we went into. Extremely large and so many people!!
Inside. Literally packed full of people.
These are the traditional cookies that people typically wear around their necks. They are everywhere in Germany during Oktoberfest. I'm not sure what it says, we never did figure that out.
Reunited at last!!! (Plus Stephanie, she was taking the picture)
So I think its safe to say that I had a great time in Germany and was extremely surprised. Although it was hard leaving my friends, it makes me even more excited to live with them in the winter! I am also very excited to coming back to Germany some day.
Well, anyways, ciao for now!
Some of my best friends (who I am living with when I return to Santa Clara) and I all met up in Munich, Germany, perfectly located in the center of where we are all studying abroad. Brenna and Janey flew in from London, Stephanie from Paris, Emily from Rome, and Ivana took the train from Vienna. A while back we booked a room at the Holiday Inn so we all reunited there on Friday afternoon. I don't think I can describe how wonderful it was to be reunited with them. After being apart all summer and the beginning part of this school year, it has felt like ages! Especially since I am used to seeing them every day. Anyways, I think we all agreed that we all felt complete again and couldn't stop talking about how much we loved our abroad experiences. Friday was a great day to just chill out and walk around Munich for a while. That night we stumbled upon the cutest restaurant with outdoor seating and Christmas lights strung on the veranda. Although we knew it was going to be a "splurge." it was definitely worth it! They first served us pretzels (of course). Then I had a pumpkin soup with shrimp in it. Next was pork with cabbage and some kind of fried bread. Then, to finish off this delicious meal, we ordered an apple strudel and another type of specialty dessert which was absolutely delicious. I have to say, German food surprised me. It is a very heavy diet (lots of meat and potatoes) but delicious nonetheless. Oh! Earlier in the day I tried weinerschnitzel. YUM.
That night we went to bed relatively early so we could wake up early and to get a table at Oktoberfest. We all slept well (kind of, we smooshed three girls to each bed) and woke up bright and early to start the day off well. After a bus then a train ride, we arrived at Oktoberfest. I think the first words that came to my head were, "What the heck?" It pretty much looked like a carnival, with rides, food vendors, and plenty of games to play. However once we kept walking we found all of the beer tents. Beer tents are essentially massive tents with rows and rows of tables inside. There are beer gardens outside of the tents, which are just rows and rows of tables outside. We found our way to one beer tent (supposedly one of the best ones) and slowly made our way through the crowd inside. It was amazing. There were SO MANY people, at 9am! Every table was jam-packed with people eating, singing, and drinking. I don't think I can adequately describe the crowds of people from all over the world. It was so much fun to listen to all of the traditional songs and see everyone so happy! We luckily found a table that had a little space so we squeezed in. The rest of the day was a blast! The people at our table were from Belgium, France, and the United States. They were fun to talk to and they also taught us some of the songs that are sung during Oktoberfest. Crazy.
Before coming to Munich, I never understood the true Oktoberfest. In reality, it is a very important thing in Germany-- a celebration of their culture. So many people were walking around in lederhosen. Initially I thought only the tourists wore those to the festival, but you actually LOOK like a tourist if you aren't wearing one. Also, Oktoberfest is attended by everyone. I saw so many familys, old couples, young couples, and even pets! I would think its like state fair, but on a much, much larger scale and way more interesting.
On Sunday morning, us girls took the train into the main center of Munich to get breakfast and walk around. I just need to comment on how interesting the Germans are. It was literally 10 in the morning and people were ordering beer with their breakfast. They really love their beer.
I had to take a bus to the airport that was a good 45 minute ride. This was the perfect opportunity to see a bit of Germany and drive through the countryside. I am sincerely obsessed with this country, maybe because it reminds me a little bit of home. I now understand why so many Germans settled in Wisconsin-- the landscapes are very similar. Anywho, the houses were so quaint and the countryside was absolutely beautiful. Also, since it was the start of October and fall was starting to show, the leaves were just starting to change colors and there was a distinct crispness in the air. I have also learned that Germans as a whole are extremely friendly. We had no problems getting around because people were generally willing to help us. We weren't looked down upon for being Americans, which was a huge problem in France.
Margherita and her friend were joking around with me the other day, saying that I go to Germany for Oktoberfest when I should go to Berlin. After talking with them, I definitely want to go back. There is so much to see in Berlin and the rest of the country. I hope to make it back someday to fully experience and learn about Germany.
Reunited at last!!! (Plus Stephanie, she was taking the picture)
So I think its safe to say that I had a great time in Germany and was extremely surprised. Although it was hard leaving my friends, it makes me even more excited to live with them in the winter! I am also very excited to coming back to Germany some day.
Well, anyways, ciao for now!
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