Last Day :(

This time tomorrow I'll be sleeping on a plane heading back to the states. Although I'm pretty sure it was just yesterday Abbey Road walked into the doors of San Gallo. Clocks click more rapidly in Italy, or maybe it just seems that way because we knew from the start how limited everything was. I honestly can never forget the numerous adventures Florence has created for me. After six years of vocab memorization, flashcards, and test, this month has proven to me how real it all is.

Falling in love with a culture brings more joy and less heartbreak than other types of love. I'll never forget the start of my 8th grade year, sitting in Ms. Capone's Italian class and hearing a click. no one else heard it, and maybe "hearing" is an improper verb to use for this situation. More like "feeling..." how I felt as click inside my heart as I looked from the Italian map, to my 'forza' textbook, to my favorite teacher. I realized then how cool this language was! The words themselves were spoken so smoothly that it was addicting to listen to. I would want to speak Italian all the time but with a last name of "Doyle" I'm sure you can tell my family is far from Italian. Soto all my friends who I tortured by ranting next to them in some foreign tongue at lunch, in class or where ever else, sorry about that ;)

While here, I learned another thing about love. Sure....love can come in many forms. You can find love in a view, in food, in a language but there's no love as powerful as love in families. All 72 Abbey Road students created its own family along with our 11 councilors. Our cooking group leader, Sara, was like our older sister. My friends and roommates became part of the family too...and yet...as much as I'll miss everyone....its not the same as my real family. Thats why as much as I've loved it here, I'm ready to be with my real family again. So to mom, dad, mike...I'll see you soon! And Grazie Italia!!

Last Week

Please dot remind me of the limited days left on this fantastic excursion; this month has gone by too quickly. On Monday this week we went to the Palazzo Vecchio or 'Old Palace' in the Piazza delle Signorie. We climbed a tower which had yet again, another fantastic view. The Duomo stood taller and prouder than any other monument I could see. It practically glowed against the night sky lit by what happened to be a full moon that night.

Our group also got a chance to see the Uffizi which holds many famous artworks such as the Birth of Venus. I don't know how I'm going to adapt to coming back home. Every morning when I go for a jog I pass by the Duomo, piazzas, the Arno, etc. The glorious works of art I'm exposed to while simply running by them are just incredible! I'm going to miss it so much here!

Weekend at the Beach

Apart from the last few weeks of my junior year, I've always found 'countdowns' to be rather depressing. Each number is a consistent reminder of the very few moments you have left to experience and enjoy your limited atmosphere. Which is why I always want to question the girls who find it necessary to should '11...10...9 days left!' Don't they realize that the horrific power of time does all the counting for us? All we're required to do is enjoy each moment we're given. By keeping a countdown one falls to the power of time for they can't fully enjoy themselves if they're always staring at the rapidly changing number.

The only number I like to remember is the first. I love saying 'my first trip! My first day!' Each first is a new beginning but gives no clues for a limited future. Which is why my 'first' trip to an Italian beach was to die for.

On Saturday we all woke up early for the bus ride to Le Cinque Terre in the region of Liguria. It was our first time leaving Tuscany on the trip and for me it was unbelievable. In English Le Cinque Terre literally means the 5 earths but they're referenced to be towns. In between each town there were long and tiresome hikes along the mountainous coastline.....or a fairly short train ride. While the majority of Abbey Road enjoyed the quick train, 27 of us were up for the rather long hike. Both groups would meet up at the 5th town's beach but for us it would take a little longer.

The hike was...well...long, tiring, dangerous, but completely worth it! I can honestly say I've never done anything like it. After climbing up countless of rocks, praying my feet down slip, or thinking that maybe turning back is the best route...all I had to do was look to my left. Each glance out to the ocean was magnificently breathtaking. On each side of the sparkling blue sea stood large cliffs...but they weren't threatening; they were just the oceans neighbors giving the atmosphere that much more dynamic.

When we finally made it to the beach we practically dove into the refreshing water. All I heard around me was 'its so relaxing!' but i was rather fearful at first. I was used to the smooth sand and rough waves of the Jersey Shore. This beach was much more rocky and deep than expected. But it only took me a few minutes to fall in love with it too.

I've aways loved the ocean, maybe its because of my frequent travels to Avalon or my obsession for the Little Mermaid but every beach I've ever gone to somehow comforts me. But no beach I've ever seen was as extraordinary as Le Cinque Terre.

reason number 500 why Italy is fantastic

Another reason why Italy is amazing....Harry Potter comes out two days earlier in Italy than it does in the states. The entire Abbey Road group was incredibly excited for the movie. We all pictured ourselves back at home in the dark, dirty, yet familiar american theater watching the final chapter of our childhood in film. But none of us were expecting the hysterics of it all.

Walking in to the English theater, we were all a little put off when we realized they weren't selling popcorn. We turned towards the theater in dissapointment, but our moods completely changed when we walked in. Standing in front of us was the a gorgeous Italian cinema painted gold and white with red curtains surrounding the screen. I felt like I was ready to watch a Broadway production, not a movie. My friends and I raced up to the balcony, squeezing each others hands in pure excitment!! I've realized how being in Italy makes me feel royalty, no matter what setting im in. The italian atmosphere is so appreciative, it's wonderful.

2nd week :)

Here we are at the half way point and it feels like only yesterday that mom dad and mike dropped me off at JFK. Time flies quicker in Italy than the US, proven fact.

...

No one wants to go home yet, (we'll all miss our gelatos terribly) but I've realized there's something else I miss terribly while I'm here: dance. I miss my classes and performances, especially after Monday night when Abbey Road had the privilege of seeing the Rome Ballet perform in Florence. The dancers were beyond beautiful, not to mention their incredible physique, technicality and performance qualities! The ballet performed a number of dances, from classic partnering to a dynamic tango themed group number. It was a fantastic night for everyone!

Now that its the second week, everyone seems a little more used to the Italian lifestyle. We've all adapted to the lack of a dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning....(okay maybe not lack of air conditioning on the hottest day of the summer) but for the most part we've all adjusted pretty well! Forza Italia!

Una fine settimana fantastica!

What a weekend! Both Saturday and Sunday were some of the most enjoyable days so far on our trip! Of course sleeping in is always a great way to start the weekend off....but the day really started when our bus pulled into the town of San Gimignano. Not only does San Gimignano have some of the BEST gelato we've had (and we've had quite a bit of gelato) but all along the city stands numerous towers from the middle ages. While half the group visited San Gimignano's 'Museum of Torture' the rest of us went to climb one of the towers. Although the idea of visiting a torture museum from the middle ages seemed....appealing.... I was more in the mood for a view. And what a view it was. The Tuscan valley surrounded the already beautiful city of San Gimignano. Now Mom, don't you worry I've taken tons of pictures but unfortunately no form of technology can possibly substitute a view such as this.

While our trip was rather short, nothing could prepare us for our next excursion to Siena. Our group was walking down a tiny alley way until the street opened up and we found ourselves in the middle of Piazza del Campo. The Shell shaped piazza was unbelievable, I felt so tiny compared to it's beauty. We spent most of our day in Siena shopping (mommy i got new shoes!!) but before we new it, it was time to go home.

and the adventure continues...

Florence is amazing so far! Our group climbed the fantastic Duomo the other day...panting hard as we surpassed each of the 400 steps to get to the top. While the spiraling staircase made us all dizzy, we soon realized how the walk up was completely worth it. Rooftops down below stood all close together, protecting their population from our eyes. The city was quiet....the only noises heard were those of the people around me but despite the number of tourists and citizens of this great city no honk, no yell, no sound was heard from this high up. It was amazing.

Despite our fantastic adventures in the afternoon, my morning is always taken up by Italian class. With no english conversation it's become a rather challenging course but exciting at the same time. Homework has become rather an issue, with a presentation, worksheets and a quiz all to prepare for in one day...it can be rather....stressful. Although who can complain when outside the classroom window stands an ancient church with bells ringing on the hour as italians converse below. It's too much to ask for!