One down, one more to go.
One Down
Well, tonight is my last night in Orvieto. Even though I haven't graced you with my kulture in the past couple days, I promise you my days have been filled with it. I've been kulturing myself by studying everything I've learned in Italy for my two finals. I took one of the finals this morning and will take my next one tomorrow morning. Right after the final tomorrow, we pack up and head out. We fly out of Rome on Wednesday morning, so we'll be sleeping in Rome tomorrow night.
Dripping Gelato To Michelangelo
Class days are usually pretty standard, but on Wednesday things were a little different than usual. Caroline and I were in our room after class, Caroline browsing Facebook. She saw an update from one of the girls on the trip that said, "Just saw Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick eating gelato in Orvieto.” Orvieto? I’M IN ORVIETO.
Knowing the city isn't that big, we immediately grab our purses and sprint to the door. We're going to find them. We decide to go to the most popular piazza in Orvieto first. Sure enough there's a group of SMU people gathered around. They immediately point and yell, "That way! Down there!" We follow the direction of their fingers. Sure enough, we see our target: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.
Caroline did not want to bother them for a picture. They looked too normal. It was Sarah, Matthew, and their couple young kids. No crowds, just walking around like normal people. I decide I need a picture. No one will believe me without a picture. After following them down a few side streets, I prepare how I’ll ask for the picture. Caroline agrees to follow along and take the picture if I go through with my request.
I walk up to Sarah Jessica Parker and nicely ask for a picture. My speech didn’t come out exactly as planned. She says, "Sure, sure as long we do it quick.” So nice about it. Matthew at first stepped out of the picture, but I said I wanted him to. Sarah said, “Come on Matthew, she wants you!” He reluctantly joined the picture. Then Caroline snapped the picture of me and my new friends.
THANKS SARAH!
I ran home to tell the whole world. Apparently, I was one of the only brave ones to ask to take a picture WITH them. Everyone else just took paparazzi shots.
My courage paid off. Thanks for being a great photographer, Caroline.
Wednesday night dinner was a fancy one with a few visitors from SMU Abroad. The visitors are traveling around to the SMU aboard programs this summer to evaluate. Our professors invited a select group of students from the program to dine with them. We went to Antico Bucchero, a restaurant the professors picked that just happened to be in the Rick Steves book. When they said they were treating, I decided tonight would be my first night to order a first and second course. Dessert was delicious, too.
Thursday the class traveled to Rome for our last field trip. We toured all day. After lunch, we spent the rest of the day at the Vatican. First we toured St. Peter’s Basilica, and then we had the option to go to mass there at 5 pm. I took that option. It was such a great experience.
St. Peter's Basilica.
After mass, we were given a short snack break before the final part of the day. Rick Steves spoke highly of a nearby gelato place called Old Bridge Gelato, mostly for its hearty portions. Jane decided she would find it with me. We spotted it quickly when we saw the line out the door and around the corner.
We saw a few people walk out with massive gelato cones and got right into line. We only had 30 minutes for our snack break. We looked at our watch every five minutes, nervous we wouldn’t make it to the front. But with every happy customer we saw, they made us drool over their hearty purchase of gelato. We were getting this gelato.
We were SO close to the front, but only five minutes until meeting time. Oh no. We’re not going to make it. WE MUST MAKE IT. LOOK AT THOSE HUGE PORTIONS. Our next option, making a friend. I saw a kind looking lady in a pink shirt near the front of the line and asked if she could order for us. Of course she doesn’t speak English.
I rejoined Jane in line to brainstorm. As we look from our watch to each other anxiously, I soon spot a side entrance. The entrance was only a small space that allowed you to look inside. There was no gelato ordering happening there. I peeked my head in and saw my pink shirt friend! She’s so close! I decided to ask her one more time, using sign language and money this time. I explained that we were hungry Americans that have waited for a VERY long time but have to go in one minute. Her friend said some words in another language, then she smiled and agreed. I gave her the money, and she prompted the man behind the counter to take my order. I ordered quick, told her to keep the change, and ran out with two huge gelatos cones, one in each hand.
The look on Jane’s face when I emerged from the inside was priceless. It was as if she had just seen God. I gave her a smile, and we took off. Jane didn’t know what was going on but knew it was a success. We heard a couple yells, but there was no time to feel guilty. We crossed a busy street and probably should have been a bit more careful. But we ecstatic from the success – ice cream dripping down each arm, tears streaming down my face from laughter. When we reached the group, all they could do was laugh at our strange arrival and snap some candid pictures. Old Bridge Gelato, you were totally worth it.
Look closely. That line of people wrapping around the corner is where Jane and I waited anxiously.
Jane and I. Gelato happy.
The reason for our limited gelato time was the most important part of the entire day. At 7 pm, our class was given a private tour of the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. We lined up outside the main doors, and the guards opened them just for us. Eight guards escorted the SMU program through the entire museum, ending in the Sistine Chapel.
The Sistine Chapel was literally empty. We were allowed to roam around the chapel, and even lay on the floor to gaze at the ceiling. Mitch, thank you for beginning my kultural journey with the puzzle of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. I appreciated this visit so much more because of the hours I spent studying it in order to complete the 1000 piece puzzle.
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. Our puzzle looks just like this.
Your Time To Shine, Mitch
Since the majority of my readers are soaking up the sun in Destin (don’t have too much fun without me, family), I don’t feel so bad for not posting all weekend. Our quaint little Cinque Terre apartment had no internet, so I’ll catch you up on the whole weekend.
Saturday, before leaving for Cinque, the class spent the day in Rome. I loved Rome this time around. We visited lots of churches (as usual) that had famous artwork. The coolest thing I saw was an ultimate Baroque artwork—Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa. Mitch, this is your time to shine. Remember, we studied this in art history? Kulture lesson: Baroque categorizes a period, after the Renaissance, when art was very dramatic. We also zoomed past the Trevi Fountain to throw our coins in before getting on the bus. I’ve never been around so many tourists in my life.
Throwing my coin in the fountain. You’re supposed to throw it over your shoulder, wishing to return to Rome. I was too concerned about the picture I forgot to wish.
Ecstasy of St. Teresa. (Look familiar, Mitch?)
From Rome, a group of us traveled to Cinque Terre for the weekend. Upon our arrival in Corniglia (one of the five towns), Cristiana was waiting for us! I rented the apartment from her, someone Rick Steves highly recommended. She met us at the train station to help us drive our luggage up the hill. What a great host. Then, she showed us to our cozy apartment.
Our apartment.
We unpacked a bit at the apartment then took a quick stroll around town before going to bed. The five of us in the apartment decided to be good tourists and wake up early to hike the next morning. Cinque Terre is known for its hiking. There is a path that runs along the coast which connects each of the five towns. At 7 am on Sunday, we started on the path in Corniglia and went through Vernazza, ending in Monterosso. The hike was tough but rewarding. The finish line of our hike was the beach. Relaxing on the beach for the rest of the day made the three hour cliff hike worth it.
Corniglia behind me.
Vernazza.
End of the hike..finally made it to the beach!
Monterosso (beach town).
We spent the rest of Sunday and then some of Monday at the beach in Monterosso. The beach is not exactly what I expected, but still very relaxing. There is no sand, only rocks. After purchasing a blow up raft, my sunbathing experience was exponentially more comfortable. Also, while lounging in the water on my raft, I met a guy from Britain. He and his friend had planned to bike around Europe. After their bikes broke, they changed plans and spent the day at the beach.
On Monday when coming back from the beach, Jenna and I were riding the train together back to Corniglia. Trains constantly run through the five towns. You just buy a ticket and hop on when you want. We looked at the schedule and picked the next train to Corniglia, leaving in about 15 minutes. After buying our tickets, we saw a train pull up. It had been about 15 minutes, it must be our train (total Sam moment). We sprinted to it, raft in hand, knocking people the whole way there. We sat down, pleased with our successful board. After the first stop, we both look at each other in confusion. “Riomaggiore? Is that what you saw?” Riomaggiore is the town PAST Corniglia. Apparently we got on a fast train that sped right through our town without stopping. Laughing at ourselves, we bought new tickets and eventually made it back to Corniglia. My Italy trip wouldn’t be complete without messing up my train ride at least once.
Monday night, even in Italy, we celebrated the 4th as best we could. Lots of American music and cigars (for the guys) got us all in the patriotic mood.
With our gelato.
For the first time the whole trip, I finally slept in today. Our train back to Orvieto left in the afternoon, and we didn’t have any plans for the day. We turned in our keys to Cristiana and made our way to the train station. We had a couple of train switching to do and lots of riding through Italy. Getting McDonald’s at the train station made the whole day of travel worth it.
Boarding the last train to Orvieto.
240 People
Thats how big the town is. Im in one of the smallest towns in Cinque Terre this weekend and its adorable. I wont be updating my blog again until Im back in Orvieto. We arrived safe and sound. Ready for a weekend of beaching and hiking. Living like a local. Ciao!
My New Favorite
I learned something interesting in class that I was going to kulture you with, but I have now forgotten. Forgive me.
Paper number two is done! Rome all day tomorrow and then traveling to the coast of Italy after that. I’m not sure what the internet situation will be in Cinque, so I might not get to kulture you until I return to Orvieto. All you’ll be missing out on are my relaxing days on the beach. Ahh.
Dinner tonight was delicious. A few of us tried a new Rick Steves restaurant called La Palomba. I got the carbonara pasta that I told you about from Trattoria del Moro. I think it’s officially my new favorite pasta.
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