Le Due Torri

The Two Towers

One of the famous landmarks in Bologna are the Due Torri.  Placed perfectly in the center of town, at the end of Via Zamboni which is the University district.  Every time we walked into the center we passed these massive structures.  Weekend nights we would meet friends here, and sometimes we would even lose friends here.  Well one day we went into town for gelato, then the next thing I know we are hiking up the 500 steps inside one of the towers.  When traveling in Europe one of the things that almost every city has to offer is an incredible of view of the city, but usually they require a lot of climbing.  While at first you may be reluctant, you have to just go for it and know that it will be worth it.  Huffing and puffing we finally make it to a little more than half way.  Our common fear of heights all hit us, and we question if we should continue.  The steps are getting smaller and smaller, and look older than all of our ages put together.  It honestly looks scarier going back down, so we decided to continue up.  Before we knew it we could feel the breeze and saw the sun beaming in through the frame of the doorway to the top.  While on the stairs I was breathing heavily, but as soon as I stepped out and saw the view I was completely speechless.  I was looking over the city that I had fallen so in love with.  For miles and miles around you could see the neighboring cities and the rolling green hills.  I could see the streets that I had spent many afternoons exploring. Who knew I had walked so far?  The experience of climbing up the 500 stairs and seeing the amazing view of my favorite city was definitely a highlight of my semester.

The city center of Bologna.

Can you say amazing?

Our dorm, Alma Mater!

Don't worry we didn't count the steps, the eager little girl who passed us did.

   

Hotel Formule 1

Like I have mentioned before, I learned many life lessons during the semester.  While learning about different perspectives on culture, faith, and social justice; I also learned traveling tips.  Lesson number one: don't trust a hotel website that doesn't have pictures.  Better yet, never stay in Charleroi, Belgium.  

Back in March, my roommate Beka decided for her birthday weekend we should go to Amsterdam.  Then our friend Jacqueline decided to join, too. Since none of us had been there, we thought it would be fun territory to explore. However, getting to Amsterdam from Bologna is an adventure on its own (well through Ryanair that is).  The first step is to fly from Bologna to Charleroi, Belgium.  From that airport you take an hour bus ride to Brussels Central Station and take a 4 hour train into Amsterdam.  So that Friday after being in 3 countries in one day, we finally arrived to Amsterdam.  Because we waited really late to book hostels, we had to stay in a different place each night.  The first night we stayed in a Christian hostel a few blocks from Anne Frank's house.  The next night, we could not find a single hostel available, so we had to splurge and book a hotel room.  Even though, it was outside the city, we enjoyed our luxury for the night.  Since the airport was almost 6 hours away and a country away, we decided to book a hotel in Charleroi for the night before our early returning flight.  I was put in charge for booking the hotels for the weekend, and since we had to splurge on the hotel, I decided to go really cheap for the last night.  So a few days before we left, I just booked a little hotel near the airport.  It was only 43 euro for the three of us! 

After our long day getting back to Charleroi, we catch a cab from the bus station to our hotel.  A little delirious, we pull into the parking lot and all I can see our colorful lights in the shape of an A frame.  I look at the name and it’s the name of our hotel, Formule 1.  We paid the cab driver, and soon as the doors were shut Beka says, “Jordan, where the hell are we?”  Jackie and I finding it extremely comical decide to walk in and check this place out.  All we first see are two creepy men in the “lobby” on their little laptop.  We almost missed the reception because it was tucked away in a little corner.  I give him our name and reservation information, and as I am leaning down for my credit card I cannot stop laughing.  This hotel was the worst thing I had ever seen, and we had not even made it to our room.  We decided to pay 5 euro extra for their “Gourmet Breakfast.”  After checking in, he hands us a piece of paper and says that is our code to get into our room.  All very confused, we decide to get to our room as fast as we can to avoid any other guest.  We walked up the horribly decorated carpet stair well and finally get to our floor.  First thing we see in the hall is the bathrooms. They are like airplane bathrooms, with automatic flushers synced with door opening and closing.  Then we walk down the hall that favored a public storage unit building because of the bright orange doors.  We found our room, punched in the code and shut the door to find that the door opens just enough that it didn’t hit the full/queen size bed.  Over the top of the bed there was a small twin sized bunk that ended up being my bed for the night.  Jackie and I immediately fall onto the bed laughing hysterically.  Beka is in the corner having a minor panic attack.  We decide to open the window to see the little grass patch, and I said, “That must be where the pool is going when they get the money.”  After hearing cows mooing, we shut the window and decide to go get something to eat.

We walked across the street to the only restaurant around, which happens to be an Italian restaurant.  Reading the menu, we were completely confused to see the Italian things, but written in French.  Even ordering we would answer the server by saying, “Si….oui….shit!”  Italian restaurant in a French speaking country always leads to confusion.  Scared to go back we kill as much time in the restaurant by enjoying our pitcher of vino.  Jackie and I found the situation completely hysterical and the peak of our weekend.  Beka was ready to call for another hotel.  We decided since we were going to be there for less than 6 hours that we could suffer it for the night.  Before going to bed, we all took bets on what our “gourmet breakfast” would be.  I guessed bread, cheese, Nutella, and an assortment of juices.  Of course I was wrong by the assortment of juices; it was only an orange juice-like drink.

The next morning we are waiting for our flight back to Bologna, still laughing about the night.  Beka still is blaming me for it all, but is just glad we are out of the place.  I then decide to say, “I now understand why the website didn’t have pictures.”  She didn’t like that too much.  The important thing is that nothing bad happened to us.  We were all very glad to get back to Bologna safely, from such an adventurous weekend.  Good news is that Formule 1 Hotels are an international chain!  Who wants to join me in a world wide Formule 1 adventure?

Beka not so happy. :-(

Jackie discovers the broken stair case.

The occupied toilet.

Wait, I thought this was a hotel? Not a storage unit.

Glad we didn't loose that piece of paper.

Mangiare. Pregare. L'amore.

Eat. Pray. Love


Ever since I have been back in the States I find myself always watching movies or TV shows filmed in Italy.  I avidly watch David Rocco's Dolce Vita on the Food Channel.  It is the perfect way to reminisce about Italy; the food, wine, and sights.  My favorite thing is just to hear people speaking Italian, I can't help but to smile and even refuse to read the subtitles.  Just the other week I decided to watch House Hunters International.  I read the info page and saw that this episode was filmed in Italy.  I continue watching to see it was based in Bologna!  I squealed with excitement.  My mother rushed in to see "what was wrong" and then soon realized I was just having a not only a "I've been there" moment but a "I've lived there" moment. It still baffles me to say that I lived in Italy for a semester.  What a life I lead.


As I was watching Eat Pray Love tonight, so many thoughts came to mind.  Her time in Italy, where she learned how to just enjoy herself.  Whether it was from the sights I saw, the delicious food, or the wonderful people I met, I would like to say I enjoyed myself.  Then she goes to Indian then on to Indonesia.  A culture that I am not quite familiar with, but interests me very much.  I have heard a lot of criticism from the second half of the movie because her meditation and Hindu prayer.  However, I find the second half of the movie just as inspiring as the first.  She goes to a country and adapts to a culture far different from her own.  What courage and what an inspiring experience.  I hope that one day I can extend my travels to a similar culture.


The main lesson of the movie, is her self discovery.  It is something we all do.  Some find it a lot closer to home than others.  However, it is not a one time occurrence.  To find who you really are, is a daily interpretation of who you are from all your experiences.  Six months ago, I would like to say I was a mess when it came to future plans and what I wanted in life.  I have always been the girl with big dreams, and living abroad has been one of them.  For some reason over the years, I talked myself out of these dreams.  I became extremely materialistic and generally selfish.  With various events in the last few years, I started to realize that happiness is the key (not salary).  This led me to start questioning what I wanted to do career wise.  It killed me not having a plan, but I honestly did not know what I could do.  Then the moment comes for me to move to Italy, can you say perfect timing?

So I move to Italy, only knowing one person in the program.  I only knew a total of 10 Italian words and had never been more than a month without seeing my family.  What a step?   When I first left on the plane back in January, I had no clue what was ahead of me.  I become adjusted to the way of life in Italy.  I found that I just adapted to the culture with no questions or criticisms.  I made friends that will last for a lifetime (American and Italian).  And, I surprisingly learned many new words in Italian (my Italian friends might disagree, but I will show them when I return to Italy).  With all these experiences, change is bound to happen.  I found my happiness, in the shape of a boot.  What can I say, the country won my heart. Sorry America.  With this new found happiness, I discovered what I finally want to do in life.  I know, I can't believe it either (took me long enough!)  So I decided that I want to fulfill my childhood dream and live permanently in a foreign country.  My parents agreed and are looking to buy a place on the Amalfi Coast and I am just going to be an Italian beach bum!   Ha, Yeah right.  I am sure you were all wishing that, so you could come and visit.  However, I do want to live in Italy.  Many people have always suspected that I would go into some type of education, and they were right.  My study abroad experience was such a intricate part in my life, and I want to share that by working with a study abroad program.  Eventually I hope to be a director, but I might do some teaching in between.  


With this new career change, the first step of education needed is a Master's in Higher Education.  This program does not require a particular undergraduate degree, so I discovered a new degree that lets me focus in on my interest that can help me achieve my dream goal of returning to Italy.  So I am now a Liberal Studies Major, basically has an intense Liberal Arts core along with your choice of 3 minors.  My minors are Business Administration, Italian, and Religion.   Some may argue how religion ties into the plan.  With my worldly interest, how am I supposed to understand a culture If I don't know what they believe.  After graduation I hope to find some short term work either with a university in Italy or a volunteer opportunity.  Then I plan to return back to the States to get my Masters in Higher Education.  After that I hope to find a more permanent job in Italy, and get back as soon as possible.  That is the plan for now, but is subject to change.  We make plans and God laughs.

There are my thoughts for the day.  I have all day tomorrow free, I am sure I will post again tomorrow.  Buonanotte Tutti!

Ancora Ciao!

So I have been back in the United States for almost 2 full months now.  I still miss Italy as much as I did when I first left.  It has been so amazing to see all my friends and family.  Everyone asks me how my trip was, and all I can think to say is "Amazing."  But that simple little word does not give my life changing semester any justice.  I think I could write a novel, and still have a difficult time describing how incredible my semester was.  If you check the post previous to this one, you will see that I have not posted since March 29.  I have had so many people ask me why I didn't finish my blog.  I do apologize for not at least blogging small updates, but I just was so caught up at the world around me, I just chose to go off and explore instead of being on my computer.  However, I continued writing, but it was my personal growth.

Lately, I have been super stressed and find myself emotionally worked up.  Everyday I reminisce about my semester.  I still remember everything like it was yesterday.  Some moments I just replay in my head hoping that it will make it real again.  So, you could say it has been a culture shock for me.  I went through similar emotional stress while in Italy, which made excellent journal entries.  One of the most rewarding things about this semester was that I started writing more.  Everything around me was inspiration, how could I not take it in and write it down.  I used to be the girl who was always analytical and scientific, but Italy brought the creative spark and now I would say I am definitely more inclined to the language arts.  So, to hopefully relieve some of my stress now, I have decided to revamp this blog and continue telling about my semester.

I warn you that the post will be random and unpredictable. One day I might write about my trip to Greece, and the next could be a funny moment that happened in Alma Mater.  Sometimes I might just pick one of my favorite pictures from the semester and tell the story behind it.  I also want to write about some of the valuable life lessons that I learned.  From views of racism, religion, to love, I hope to show you that this semester was not just a "big trip."  It was period of self discovery.