Lovin'

This past weekend I went to Binghampton to visit Jimmy with Danny and Ella. On Friday I took the train from the city to Bard and then Ella drove us and Danny met us there. There is no greater feeling than being able to be yourself completely without reservation or fear of judgement. The weekend went by in a second and I was sad to see it go so quickly. Group stretching, cuddle puddles, late nights and afternoon naps. I spent the whole weekend either giggling or whole-heartedly laughing. It's really amazing to be with people who know you so well. This week is finals and the only thing getting me through it are all the fun memories from this past weekend!

Roman Holiday

On Friday I went to Rome with Grace, Olivia and Carmen. We took an 11 am train and got in a little before one. I'm so happy I have a eurail pass! I was able to go to the station a couple minutes before the train and just get on. I love the ability to come and go as I please. When we got in we went to our hostel to drop off our stuff. It was a tiny hostel on the 5th floor of a small building. They only had a couple rooms and because of booking I was in a single and the rest of the girls were in a triple. We went to dinner at this over-priced but delicious trattoria near the hostel. We didn't realize how over-priced it was until we got our food and the portion size was tiny! The food was delicious though and they were playing The National, one of my newly favorite bands!

After lunch we went to the Trevi Fountain (or as David calls it - the Cherry fountain) and took some pictures. We got gelato at a place claiming to be one of the best - Il Gelato di San Crispino. I got honey and coffee. It was really good! The honey tasted like unprocessed honey which is less sweet and more flavorful than regular honey. After we made our way over to the Spanish steps. We sat there for a while, looking out at the beautiful sunset and taking in Rome. Everyone was exhausted and starting to get a little grumpy, so we went back to the hostel for a nap. We were slow moving and didn't get to dinner until 10. We went to a place called Alfredo that didn't have Alfredo on the menu. Olivia asked if they could make it and they said yes. When she got her dish it was pasta with tomato sauce, sausage and mushrooms (Olivia HATES mushrooms), but fortunately I was able to switch with her. I got carbonara and it tasted purely like black pepper, which I'm not the biggest fan of. Dinner overall was kind of a bust, service wasn't good and they didn't take credit cards!

We went out that night to a bar/club called the Shark. We ended up meeting a bunch of Spanish kids on the way there (we were actually going some where else), but we decided to go out with them. It was half indoors, half outdoors which was nice! The next morning I ended up heading back to Florence early than I had anticipated. Even though my trip to Rome was short, I'll be heading back soon for a class trip so I'll get to see everything I didn't the first time! 

Dove aquacalda?

I took a day trip to Siena this past Saturday with David, Hannah and Chloe. We took the train early in the morning and were starving by the time we got in (didn't have time for the usual breakfast).  Chloe, being the navigating champ she is, found us this amazing deli/market called Gino Cucino (in the pictures it's the door surrounded with purple flowers). I got a sandwich with parmesan and pancetta...yum. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

So...we heard there were hot springs in Siena and all brought our bathing suits in preparation. We went into a tabacchi to buy bus tickets and ask which bus took us to the hot springs, or we translated it literally - aquacalda. He told us the bus to take and it was about a twenty minute ride. We got excited when we started seeing aquacalda everywhere. We got off the bus stop where the bus driving told us and walked to where the signs were pointing. We walked into a building and here is the conversation that ensued (courtesy of Chloe's blog).

David: Is this where the pool is?
Front Desk Lady: Yes.
Hannah: How much is it? 
Front Desk Lady: It's 5.20, and you can stay until 4pm.
Hannah: Only 5.20? That's so cheap.
Front Desk Lady: Okay, all of you?
David: Yep
Front Desk Lady: There are a few open lanes for swimming, and you have to wear swim caps. Did you bring your own?
Chloe: No.. what if we just want to sit in the hot pool?
Front Desk Lady: Uhm.. yes, you still need them, I might have some extras..
David: Wait, is this the natural hot springs?
Front Desk Lady: No.. this is just a pool.
.... 
David: But it's called "aquacalda"?
Front Desk Lady: That's the region. The Siena hot springs are about 40km outside Siena.

It was for all intensive purposes, a YMCA. So that's how are day went. After that we took some time to lay in the grass next the building where are dreams were shattered before making our way back to the center. We visited the duomo and then stopped at a cute market on a side street to get a beer and eat some cheetos. Strange day.

Paris: Land of the crepes

I've been under the weather since I got back from Fall Break which accounts for my brief hiatus. It's no surprise that the constant traveling, weather changing and hostels resulted in me not feeling well once I got back! I'm just happy it didn't happen while I was traveling. I went to the doctor today instead of going to class and got some medication. I feel better already and should be back to normal soon!

The day after Halloween was a lazy one spent eating crepes, using a spoon to drink the thickest hot chocolate I've ever seen, taking grass naps next to the Notre Dame, thrift shopping and eating more crepes. Francesca was a great tour guide since she took me to the interesting places, rather than the touristy onces. Plus she orders my food for me, which is my favorite thing. I met up with David at night and we had a relaxed night listening to music and talking. 

On Friday we woke up, went to the train station to make sure I could leave Paris and then had a lunch of crepes (surprise!). We tried to go to the Eifel tower, but ended up taking the train the wrong way and ended up in the suburbs of Paris. We ended up not going since we were already late to meet Francesca. We all went over to Leti's apartment a little late. David and I left for Pitchfork early since I really wanted to see Tallest Man on Earth. The metro didn't move for about 20 minutes so by the time we got there he was on his last song, which happens to be one of my favorites. I was bummed at the time, but it's just an excuse to see him again. Robyn was AMAZING. She's probably the coolest woman I've ever seen and her songs make me want to dance all night! I left kind of early since I had to make a train at 7:50 am.

Saturday was spent on the train. It was the perfect was to travel after a long trip since it was so relaxing. I got back to Florence around 5:30 pm and when I got in I received the best present - Chloe had made my bed (the worst part about coming back from vacation is putting new sheets on the bed when all you want to do is collapse in it) and left me a box of mac &cheese with the cutest note. I spent the night eating, watching tv and sleeping. On Sunday Chloe and I got delicious sandwiches, went food shopping and then we each bought socks. It's cooler in Florence now than when I left, but in comparison to other places it's still warm - low to mid 60's. Now that I'm back from fall break, I only have six weeks! I can't believe how fast this time has flown by!