If anyone has had an urge to travel… i highly suggest to follow that passion. I haven’t actually started classes yet, they start on lunedi (monday) and i’ve already experienced a lot.
Not gonna lie, there are so many things to discuss from the past two weeks that I don’t even know where to start.
How about the beginning.
I am traveling with Heather, a good friend from school, and room mate, at our host family’s apartment. Our journey began in Geneva where we visited our professor/friend and his wife. Helene is from Geneva and her family is still there so they stay in Switzerland for about a month during the winter time. It’s a lovely place and Prof. Kowsky toured us of modern Geneva and the old parts. I visited my first cathedral there! We climbed the South Tower and stood outside overlooking the largest lake in Europe. The name of the lake and cathedral escapes me (i’m an art history major with a bad memory, go figure). At least i’m good at research so i’ll look it up! My favorite thing about Geneva was the mountain range in the skyline. Gli Alpi! So beautiful… and I wanted to go skiing like crazy. I’ve been told by two profs and a friend in Siena that there is a mountain you can climb in Geneva and then ski down into Italy - you have to take your passport! How cool.
Speaking of skiiing, it snowed in Geneva, and i’m talking 4 inches, so the whole city went into panic mode. Now since i’m from Buffalo snow has never been a big deal, however in Geneva it can be. When it came time to call a cab to take us to the airport, everyone else in Geneva was taking them to work since the weather was “bad.” Yeesh. Our cab arrived in time and everything went smoothly.
First time traveling to Europe: The highlights
1) I paid $25 in the states to fly continental over to Gatwick airport of London because my luggage was over the weight limit.
2) Two carry on bags are allowed when flying in the states… only one is allowed in Europe. I found this out the hard way and had to pay £45 in London to fly from Gatwick to Geneva since I had to check two pieces of luggage and they definitely exceeded the weight limit. Ouch. Yay for run on sentences.
3) Cabs will RIP YOU OFF in Europe.
4) Jet lag. It isnt that bad if you’ve ever experienced a night of partying and then going to class the very next morning hungover. If you can get through that you can handle jet lag… you’re just sleepy. try to stay awake and go to bed at your usual time to get on schedule in a different time zone.
5) Even if you don’t know the language (like I didnt know french for Geneva), you can get by. Many people know English and miming techniques :)
New entries for Rome, Lena, Siena, school, anxiety, shopping will be separate because i don’t write novels on this blogg.
Ciao!
AND - if i ever take the time to actually load pics online, i’ll post the link… or possibly throw them on this blogg :) They’re great photos… i <3 my camera.
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