Ciao! So this will be my last post till I arrive in Bologna. I am so excited to start a new adventure in the north of Italy. I am ready for a change and for a more normal living situation. I can't wait to unpack my suitcase, buy kitchen supplies, and have a routine. Right now, I feel like Lecce is a vacation, and I like it but I am ready for Bologna.
These past two days I have been very busy studying for my final exam and writing my oral presentation. I thought the final exam was very easy. There were many verb conjugations and vocab words I needed to know but the test was very fair. For the essay questions I wrote about one of my favorite books (La canzone ulitma da Nicholas Sparks) and about mediterranean cuisine. I can write about love stories and food for hours, so the writing section was a piece of cake. Also my oral presentation went well. I talked about La storia dell mie scarpe da tennis. Basically I talked about my time in Lecce, but from the perspective of my tennis shoes. It was very funny, because I talked about how my shoes loved certain cities, ate gelato, loved to exercise, and missed playing tennis. That is another thing I forgot to mention. Since leaving the United States, I have not picked up my racket or played tennis. This makes me very upset but the minute I get to Bologna I plan on going back on the tennis court again.
I can say that I have worked out about everyday since arriving in Lecce. I walk over two miles a day or more, and I have been leading exercise classes five times a week. I love planning the class, and figuring out what exercises we will do. It has definitely become a passion of mine during my stay in Lecce. These past two days I lead exercises classes that concentrated on core, but were full body workouts. One class was similar to pilates and the other class was very similar to a old school fitness training workout. By the way, old school fitness training is by far the best place to workout. I went to their classes everyday, and within three weeks I saw results. I was in better shape, my core and muscles were stronger and leaner, and I felt amazing. I also gained a second family. The class is so supportive and encouraging toward each other. I can't wait to return next winter. Check out their website here!
Also during these past two days, everyone has been cleaning out the food cabinets, and eating food they might not have in Bologna like pasticciotto, caffe con latte di mandorla, rustico, puccia and other leccese cuisine. On Tuesday I ate gelato (yogurt and fragola) and on Wednesday I ate la puccia. I love the puccia sandwiches. I filled mine up with tons of vegetables like carciofi, melanzone, funghi, pomodorri, insalata, pepperoni, and zucchini. The bread is thin, fresh, and cripsy and the fresh vegetables with the bread is delicious. By far my favorite sandwich I have tried in Italy. After my exam today I finished up my bag of friselle d'orzo and my eggs and I only have fruit and a breakfast bar left for tomorrow. Last night, the entire group took a break from studying and cooked for a pot luck dinner. It was amazing. I cooked farfalle pasta with mashed chick peas, pesto, zucchini and red pepper flakes. It was a hit. There was also fresh vegetables, formaggio numero due (everyones favorite cheese), olives, fresh bread, pigs in a blanket, risotto with sun dried tomatoes, pesto zucchini pasta, pasta with red sauce and ricotta, fresh tomatoes, rigatoni with pecorino, wheat pasta with melanzone and funghi and pasta with red sauce. Do you think we had enough food? Everyone was so full. Of course I ate my pasta, the tomatoes and fresh vegetables. It was an amazing way to end our stay at Lecce and be together as a group one last time.
Once we get to Bologna the group will be split up into two dorms. One of the dorms is co-ed and one is only girls. I am living in the only girl dorm, and even though it is only girls, I am okay with it. My dorm is supposedly cleaner, nicer and closer to the center of Bologna and the program office. The other dorm's only perk is that it is co-ed. I don't know how many roommates I will be living with but I am so excited. I already bought them a bag of taralli and I plan on buying them evil eye bracelets in Greece.
Speaking of Greece! I am so excited! I can't wait, but I still need to pack. Also I forgot to mention that my Italian has improved so much since I have been here. Last night, my friend Moorea and I went to the centro to meet up with some Italian guy friends. They were super nice, bought us drinks and we talked in Italian with them for over three hours. Instead of cramming my studying in last night I have been studying every night, so last night I studied by practicing my Italian with them. It was so much fun! Everyone has told me I am speaking italian better, and I even notice that I am thinking less and just saying what is on my mind. I can't wait to learn more Italian in Bologna.
But it will be nice to have a break from italian for four days, and just relax, go to beach and enjoy my time with my friends. Speaking of vacation, I need to go pack now. They are picking up our big bags in three hours. I go to go! Love everyone! Talk to you in a couple days :)
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Skype and Karaoke
Today was another busy day in Lecce. I woke up thirty minutes before class and changed into my comfy gypsy pants and had a quick breakfast. Then I walked the fifty steps up the stairs to class. During the first part of class, everyone gathered in the air conditioned computer room and we watched a youtube video of a song. We first watched the video without music and then with music. The song is called Non vivo piú senza te by Biagio Antonacci. If you are interested in hearing the song click here. After listening to the song, the teachers told us to sing. Thank god they gave us a lyric sheet and no one had to hear my voice. For those of you who know me, you know that singing is not my forte. We then split into our separate classes and talked about the meaning behind the lyrics as well as the feelings and emotions that were presented in the song. Donatella, my teacher, then told us tonight we are going to have a competition between the three classes on a performance to this song. The words and music would be provided for us, but we would have to sing in microphones. It was the battle of the classes karaoke style!
Of course we also reviewed grammar, congiuntivo presente, passato, imperfetto and trapassato as well as the periodo ipotetiche. It was a very frustrating grammar class to say the least. It is another thing to learn grammar in a language you are fluent in, but to learn italian grammar, while the professor is talking only in italian is very difficult. Thank god for my Harper Collins Italian Dictionaries (Standard and Pocket size, thanks Aunt Dianne!) By the end of class all I wanted to do was to have a break from speaking and hearing italian.
After class I went to the fruttivendola with a friend and I bought my last round of peaches, apples, and red peppers. My friend Ari also purchased a bunch of vegetables so I could make her stir fry. I also went to the ATM for the first time in Italy. I was so afraid the machine was going to eat my card, but everything was fine. Then, I walked back to my apartment and made a salad with tunafish and a friselle d'rozo and I had one of my red peppers. The food is so fresh here. I hope the food is as fresh in Bologna.
In the afternoon I caught up on my blog and my magazine readings on the internet. At 16:00 on the dot, my mom called me on Skype! Yes I know, my mom was able to figure out how to use Skype all by herself. I am so proud. It was only the second time I skyped my family since being in Italy, and the first time I would not count because it was during my cousins wedding. It was so nice to talk to my mom and see her beautiful face. I told her all of my stories and she updated me on all my family and friends. I even got to see my part bunny part dog Chaos! and talk to my dad. Everyone should be happy to know that Chaos is still getting fed carrots. The time flew by so fast while I was skyping my mom, and it was almost 18:00 when I said goodbye. I blew my mom a kiss through the computer screen, told her I loved her, and she pressed the red button with the upside phone. Our Skype call was officially over.
I had no time to think about how much I missed home, because immediately after my call I lead another exercise class. Grandpa please don't do these exercises at home. I named this class the ultimate arm and core workout because all the exercises use your arms and core. Everyone loved the class and afterwards we stretched out our body. Immediately after working out I started cooking the stir fry for my friend Ari and I. Even though tonight the program was providing free pizza, Ari and I wanted more vegetables and less pizza. I made a delicious stir fry using red peppers, onions, hot peppers, zucchini, garlic and a lettuce green that was a cross between argugla and spinach (it is not kale, and we asked the fruttivendola what the green was but we did not understand him). Anyway the arugula like lettuce with the other vegetables were a delicious combination and Ari and I were very happy with the outcome.
Before the karaoke and pizza started I jumped in the shower and changed into my comfy gypsy pants looking more like an Italian woman. Then it was karaoke and dinner time. I ate my vegetables and had half of a piece of eggplant pizza. I also had some aperitivi like tomatoes, and some Terrill (like a bread stick but in snack form, that are flavored). Of course there was free vino, and many people had a couple glasses before the performances. Then it was time for the competition. Our team performed second and I thought we did an amazing job. Two people danced while the rest of us sang. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. Unfortunately we got second place, but I thought we should of won.
It was then time for dessert. There was gelato ice cream cake, mostaccioli cookies and pesche nel vino. Of course I ate the peaches soaked in red wine. It was like drinking the fruit at the bottom of a sangria glass. After dessert, we danced and sung to Italian and English songs. We sang Lucky by Brittany Spears, Bohemia Rhapsody, Don't Stop Believe by Journey, I will survive, Laura non c'é by Nek, Nessuno mi puó giudicare by Caterina Caselli, Nel blu dipinto di blu by Domenico Modugno, and many more songs. It was a fun filled monday night and to top it off, there was a firework performance from the festa that we saw in the middle of the courtyard. The party lasted for almost four hours and by the time I finished my homework and got ready for bed it was one in the morning. On a side note my roommates and I also had a mini photo shoot wearing our gypsy pants. But after pretending to be a model I hit the pillow and crashed.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
Of course we also reviewed grammar, congiuntivo presente, passato, imperfetto and trapassato as well as the periodo ipotetiche. It was a very frustrating grammar class to say the least. It is another thing to learn grammar in a language you are fluent in, but to learn italian grammar, while the professor is talking only in italian is very difficult. Thank god for my Harper Collins Italian Dictionaries (Standard and Pocket size, thanks Aunt Dianne!) By the end of class all I wanted to do was to have a break from speaking and hearing italian.
After class I went to the fruttivendola with a friend and I bought my last round of peaches, apples, and red peppers. My friend Ari also purchased a bunch of vegetables so I could make her stir fry. I also went to the ATM for the first time in Italy. I was so afraid the machine was going to eat my card, but everything was fine. Then, I walked back to my apartment and made a salad with tunafish and a friselle d'rozo and I had one of my red peppers. The food is so fresh here. I hope the food is as fresh in Bologna.
In the afternoon I caught up on my blog and my magazine readings on the internet. At 16:00 on the dot, my mom called me on Skype! Yes I know, my mom was able to figure out how to use Skype all by herself. I am so proud. It was only the second time I skyped my family since being in Italy, and the first time I would not count because it was during my cousins wedding. It was so nice to talk to my mom and see her beautiful face. I told her all of my stories and she updated me on all my family and friends. I even got to see my part bunny part dog Chaos! and talk to my dad. Everyone should be happy to know that Chaos is still getting fed carrots. The time flew by so fast while I was skyping my mom, and it was almost 18:00 when I said goodbye. I blew my mom a kiss through the computer screen, told her I loved her, and she pressed the red button with the upside phone. Our Skype call was officially over.
I had no time to think about how much I missed home, because immediately after my call I lead another exercise class. Grandpa please don't do these exercises at home. I named this class the ultimate arm and core workout because all the exercises use your arms and core. Everyone loved the class and afterwards we stretched out our body. Immediately after working out I started cooking the stir fry for my friend Ari and I. Even though tonight the program was providing free pizza, Ari and I wanted more vegetables and less pizza. I made a delicious stir fry using red peppers, onions, hot peppers, zucchini, garlic and a lettuce green that was a cross between argugla and spinach (it is not kale, and we asked the fruttivendola what the green was but we did not understand him). Anyway the arugula like lettuce with the other vegetables were a delicious combination and Ari and I were very happy with the outcome.
Before the karaoke and pizza started I jumped in the shower and changed into my comfy gypsy pants looking more like an Italian woman. Then it was karaoke and dinner time. I ate my vegetables and had half of a piece of eggplant pizza. I also had some aperitivi like tomatoes, and some Terrill (like a bread stick but in snack form, that are flavored). Of course there was free vino, and many people had a couple glasses before the performances. Then it was time for the competition. Our team performed second and I thought we did an amazing job. Two people danced while the rest of us sang. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. Unfortunately we got second place, but I thought we should of won.
It was then time for dessert. There was gelato ice cream cake, mostaccioli cookies and pesche nel vino. Of course I ate the peaches soaked in red wine. It was like drinking the fruit at the bottom of a sangria glass. After dessert, we danced and sung to Italian and English songs. We sang Lucky by Brittany Spears, Bohemia Rhapsody, Don't Stop Believe by Journey, I will survive, Laura non c'é by Nek, Nessuno mi puó giudicare by Caterina Caselli, Nel blu dipinto di blu by Domenico Modugno, and many more songs. It was a fun filled monday night and to top it off, there was a firework performance from the festa that we saw in the middle of the courtyard. The party lasted for almost four hours and by the time I finished my homework and got ready for bed it was one in the morning. On a side note my roommates and I also had a mini photo shoot wearing our gypsy pants. But after pretending to be a model I hit the pillow and crashed.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
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| Model Photos in Gypsy Pants |
Monday, August 26, 2013
I am secretely a bunny
Buongiorno! So I am so glad that all of you guessed why I put up the picture with the owl in it. Yes I love owls and I hope I can find more owls throughout my journey in Italy.
After not getting much sleep these past three days, I finally went to bed before midnight and woke up bright and early at 7:30 am. with the rest of the day ahead of me. I spent the morning sitting in my bed on my computer writing for my blog and reviewing grammar for my Italian class. The house was very quiet in the morning because everyone was still asleep. At 11:00 everyone woke up, and the kitchen was filled with eight girls making brunch. I decided to peel some of my carrots and ate them with tunafish and a friselle d'orzo.
It has been really hard finding carrots here. At the supermarket they only sell five to six unpeeled carrots and if you don't eat them within five days they go bad. My problem is not that I can't finish them (everyone knows I am a rabbit) but that I have to keep going to the supermarket to buy more. I really just miss buying a two pound bag of baby carrots at the supermarket that lasts the week. I also miss my bunny in crime, my dust buster, my snuggle buddy and fellow carrot lover, Chaos. I miss seeing him run to the refrigerator the minute I open the door, and I miss hearing him cry/wine/whimper every time I chomp into a carrot, and I miss sharing my carrots with him. I hope my mom is still buying carrots for the house, just so Chaos gets some too. Every time I eat carrots I always think about Chaos, the cutest dog in the world who thinks he is part bunny.
Anyway, enough about carrots, and my part rabbit persona. What exactly did I do today? It was a very productive day but it was not very exciting. After lunch I worked out with a group of friends. We did a relatively hard workout that involved 13 exercises timed for a minute and repeated three times. The workout was leg and core intensive with some pushups and dips to work our arms. It has been very difficult for me to find exercises that work my arms, because I have no equipment. That means I have to stick to the old fashion way of doing pushups and dips to get an arm workout.
I can't wait for Bologna! I will be sharing my room with one other person, my roommates will be Italian, I will have a clean kitchen (sometimes there are ants that appear in my kitchen, let not talk about it), a bigger fridge, more space to myself, a gym close by, better internet, cooler weather, a laundry machine that works….Did I mention the laundry machines in all four apartments don't work! Well they don't work and there are no driers. So after my workout I had to wash all my sweaty, disgusting clothes by hand in a bucket and then hang them to dry. The bucket was very small so I had to do six bucket loads of clothes. Of course it is nice to have a washer and drier, but I really just miss a washer. I take so many things for granted when I am at home.
Another productive thing I did was research about the future. Everyday since I have been here, I have been reading blogs and magazines online about nutrition and fitness. This past summer I have been really interested in these two subject areas and I really want to learn more. I still am interested about possibly going to medical school, but I think I need a break after my undergraduate education to figure out what exactly I want to do. So I researched possible ideas of what I could do during this one or two year gap. I know one might be thinking., why are you thinking about this now? you are in Italy? enjoy your time. I have been enjoying my time here, and it is really flying by fast, but I had some free time, and the internet was cooperating so why not check some options out. It is always good to plan ahead, therefore I know what courses I might need to take, and what type of internship or job I should be looking for. I always like to know things ahead of schedule.
Once my eyes had enough of the computer screen, I decided to go into the centro of Lecce and see the lights during the festival. This time I had more energy and walked around for two hours. I got to sample many different types of nuts, cookies, cupeta, and dried fruit. Everything was delicious, except the dried fruit. The dried fruit at the festival was covered in sugar and too sweet. If I am going to eat something covered in sugar, I want it to be sour like sour gummy worms or sour patch kids. Unfortunately there are no sour patch kids here, something I truly miss. While I tasted the samples. some of my friends bought kabob wraps, fries, crepes and meat sandwiches. I have been trying to eat healthy when I can, and eating a crepe or fried food just didn't sound appetizing to me. Instead, I decided I wanted to have gelato, since it had been over a week since the last time I had it. (the last time I had it was the time I ate gelato twice in once day, remember?) I went outside my comfort zone of gelato (pistachio has been the flavor I always get) and instead got yogurt with mela verde (greek yogurt and green apple). It was delicious! I loved the taste of the greek yogurt with the sweet and sour apple flavored gelato. I definitely recommend trying the fruity flavors of gelato if you are ever in Italy. The flavors are natural and not too sweet.
Everyone was very full and in a food coma so we decided to walk around the festival once more, and then walk home. It was a very relaxing and uneventful day on a Sunday and I really enjoyed it. This week is my last week in Lecce, and the program schedule is very busy. We have a final and oral presentation on Thursday, as well as group dinners Monday and Thursday. I also have to pack my bags and finish up all the food I purchased by the end of the week. Then I am off to Greece with a couple of my friends before the Bologna program starts. While in Greece I will have very limited Internet, so I apologize in advance for my lack of blogging. However I plan to blog about my trip when I return. I miss everyone so much and I can't wait to find out where I am living in Bologna and give my family the address. (hint: packages :)) Ciao for now!
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
After not getting much sleep these past three days, I finally went to bed before midnight and woke up bright and early at 7:30 am. with the rest of the day ahead of me. I spent the morning sitting in my bed on my computer writing for my blog and reviewing grammar for my Italian class. The house was very quiet in the morning because everyone was still asleep. At 11:00 everyone woke up, and the kitchen was filled with eight girls making brunch. I decided to peel some of my carrots and ate them with tunafish and a friselle d'orzo.
It has been really hard finding carrots here. At the supermarket they only sell five to six unpeeled carrots and if you don't eat them within five days they go bad. My problem is not that I can't finish them (everyone knows I am a rabbit) but that I have to keep going to the supermarket to buy more. I really just miss buying a two pound bag of baby carrots at the supermarket that lasts the week. I also miss my bunny in crime, my dust buster, my snuggle buddy and fellow carrot lover, Chaos. I miss seeing him run to the refrigerator the minute I open the door, and I miss hearing him cry/wine/whimper every time I chomp into a carrot, and I miss sharing my carrots with him. I hope my mom is still buying carrots for the house, just so Chaos gets some too. Every time I eat carrots I always think about Chaos, the cutest dog in the world who thinks he is part bunny.
Anyway, enough about carrots, and my part rabbit persona. What exactly did I do today? It was a very productive day but it was not very exciting. After lunch I worked out with a group of friends. We did a relatively hard workout that involved 13 exercises timed for a minute and repeated three times. The workout was leg and core intensive with some pushups and dips to work our arms. It has been very difficult for me to find exercises that work my arms, because I have no equipment. That means I have to stick to the old fashion way of doing pushups and dips to get an arm workout.
I can't wait for Bologna! I will be sharing my room with one other person, my roommates will be Italian, I will have a clean kitchen (sometimes there are ants that appear in my kitchen, let not talk about it), a bigger fridge, more space to myself, a gym close by, better internet, cooler weather, a laundry machine that works….Did I mention the laundry machines in all four apartments don't work! Well they don't work and there are no driers. So after my workout I had to wash all my sweaty, disgusting clothes by hand in a bucket and then hang them to dry. The bucket was very small so I had to do six bucket loads of clothes. Of course it is nice to have a washer and drier, but I really just miss a washer. I take so many things for granted when I am at home.
Another productive thing I did was research about the future. Everyday since I have been here, I have been reading blogs and magazines online about nutrition and fitness. This past summer I have been really interested in these two subject areas and I really want to learn more. I still am interested about possibly going to medical school, but I think I need a break after my undergraduate education to figure out what exactly I want to do. So I researched possible ideas of what I could do during this one or two year gap. I know one might be thinking., why are you thinking about this now? you are in Italy? enjoy your time. I have been enjoying my time here, and it is really flying by fast, but I had some free time, and the internet was cooperating so why not check some options out. It is always good to plan ahead, therefore I know what courses I might need to take, and what type of internship or job I should be looking for. I always like to know things ahead of schedule.
Once my eyes had enough of the computer screen, I decided to go into the centro of Lecce and see the lights during the festival. This time I had more energy and walked around for two hours. I got to sample many different types of nuts, cookies, cupeta, and dried fruit. Everything was delicious, except the dried fruit. The dried fruit at the festival was covered in sugar and too sweet. If I am going to eat something covered in sugar, I want it to be sour like sour gummy worms or sour patch kids. Unfortunately there are no sour patch kids here, something I truly miss. While I tasted the samples. some of my friends bought kabob wraps, fries, crepes and meat sandwiches. I have been trying to eat healthy when I can, and eating a crepe or fried food just didn't sound appetizing to me. Instead, I decided I wanted to have gelato, since it had been over a week since the last time I had it. (the last time I had it was the time I ate gelato twice in once day, remember?) I went outside my comfort zone of gelato (pistachio has been the flavor I always get) and instead got yogurt with mela verde (greek yogurt and green apple). It was delicious! I loved the taste of the greek yogurt with the sweet and sour apple flavored gelato. I definitely recommend trying the fruity flavors of gelato if you are ever in Italy. The flavors are natural and not too sweet.
Everyone was very full and in a food coma so we decided to walk around the festival once more, and then walk home. It was a very relaxing and uneventful day on a Sunday and I really enjoyed it. This week is my last week in Lecce, and the program schedule is very busy. We have a final and oral presentation on Thursday, as well as group dinners Monday and Thursday. I also have to pack my bags and finish up all the food I purchased by the end of the week. Then I am off to Greece with a couple of my friends before the Bologna program starts. While in Greece I will have very limited Internet, so I apologize in advance for my lack of blogging. However I plan to blog about my trip when I return. I miss everyone so much and I can't wait to find out where I am living in Bologna and give my family the address. (hint: packages :)) Ciao for now!
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Abbraccia La Notte
Wow, so this was the longest day by far I have ever experienced in Lecce. It was productive, fun, and full of adventures! The day started at 7:30 when I woke up extra early before class to go to an outdoor market with friends. The market reminded me of Rices, the market close to home where I go to buy clothes, jewelry, sunglasses and other little trinkets. However, we only had forty-five minutes to spare, and had one mission: to buy gypsy pants. These pants are very popular in Lecce, and are light and comfortable. I decided I really wanted to buy a pair to remember my times in the south of Italy and in Lecce. We looked all over the market and found tons of gypsy pants for only ten euros. I ended up buying ones that were a darker shade of green, blue, and purple. I can't wait to rock these pants during my stay in Italy and when I get home.
After running around the market, we all walked the two miles to the courtyard and made it back with ten minutes to spare before class. It was nice because I got around a four mile walk in the morning before class even started. It was a productive day thus far. Of course while I was walking I was thinking about my Grandma and Aunt Dianne and their morning power walks in the morning. Walking is such a great exercise to do everyday and I encourage everyone to take a walk in the morning, during the day, with a dog like my cute puppy named Chaos or an evening after dinner. I haven't walked so much in my life since being in Italy. My mom was right! You walk everywhere but I enjoy walking and the fresh air.
During class we talked about the Mafia. It was by far the most interesting class. We learned about famous people involved with the mafia like actual members, judges and newspaper writers. We also learned about the rituals to become a member (Fratelli di Sangue which are blood brothers) and about the different criminal organizations involved with the Mafia. We learned about La Sacra Corona Unita in Puglia, 'Ndrangheta in Calabria, La Camorra in Campania (Napoli) and La Cosa Nostra in Sicilia. Overall it was a very informative class and I really enjoyed every minute of it. I also noticed that everyday I am using my dictionary less and less to look up words, and reading passages in italian has become easier for me.
When class was over I rushed to my favorite fruttivendola guy and bought some more fresh peaches and apples because who can't have enough apples and delicious peaches. I then made two eggs with tomatoes on my friselle d'orzo for lunch. I am so happy I bought eggs at the market the other day, because I really need the protein. Then I took a very long nap, because I could not fall asleep last night. I woke up around 16:00 and felt refreshed.
Before I could workout I had to do my three challenges for this birthright competition. Basically, all the members of my group are participating in a three week challenge called Bring Israel Back. If we all compete the three challenges every week for three weeks we will get a sponsored reunion in New York City with the Israeli soldiers. We have to win! So I completed all three challenges, including making a short video about my favorite experience during the trip. Of course I said climbing Masada, because seeing the sunrise that morning was one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. I will never forget the image of the Israeli flag on top of the mountain blowing in the wind while the sun was peaking out from behind the clouds.
Anyway after reminiscing about Birthright I lead another workout in the courtyard. My friends and I did a very hard circuit called 100-5 that I made up. It involves 100 jumping jacks, 50 crunches, 25 squats, 15 pushups, 10 squat thrusts and 5 jump squats. We did this circuit five times, and after the last set we were all exhausted. Then my friend Elena showed us this great stretch called murder to improve your flexibility. It involves laying very close to a wall and spreading your legs as far as you go above your head for certain period of time. We probably stayed in the murder position for five minutes, and let me tell you it was murder. But hopefully my flexibility improves because right now I am extremely stiff.
Then at night we had pot lock dinner. People paired off into groups and made different meals and then we all shared the meals together. After working out, I made dinner with two of my friends. We made farfalle pesto pasta with eggplant, hot peppers and chick peas. The dish was delicious and it had a nice kick to it. For some reason I have been really into spicy foods since coming to Italy and its awesome that I can make what I want to eat everyday. The other dishes we had were eggplant parmesan, orecchiette with chickpeas and sundried tomatoes, rigatoni with red sauce and onion, and eggs with peppers. Of course I loaded up on my protein with eggs and ate my pasta dish. However everything was delicious.
Once dinner was over, and the wine bottles were empty, I did some of the dishes and took a well deserved, refreshing shower. Then ten people from my program (9 girls and one guy) got ready to go to Gallipoli to a discoteca right next to the beach. With the advice of my friends, I wore my black leopard dress, with spandex underneath. I let me hair air dry and one of my friends Paulina did my makeup. She did an awesome job and it was the perfect amount of makeup (not too much) and looked very natural. We left to catch the bus at 23:00 and made it to Gallipoli a little passed midnight. Once we got to Gallipoli we met these very nice Italian girls (one goes to University of Bologna) who told us which bus to take to the discoteca. After two hours of bus rides, waiting on lines, and buying tickets, the group made it to the discoteca called Praja, La bella vita, right on the beach in Gallipoli. The club played all different types of music (American, Italian and rave) and everyone in the group danced the night away. We all had each others back and especially when creepy Italian men would try to dance with us. My most used phrase of the night was non voglio ballare con te, which mean I don't want to dance with you. I ended my night laying on the beach with my friends, listening to the waves crash into the sand, and seeing the moon shine bright in the sky.
The group ended up splitting up into a group of six and a group of four on our journey back home. My group (the group of six girls) missed the early bus at 6:45 am, and waited until the 8:30 am bus in Gallipoli. During the two hours we had to kill, we hung out at a cafe, trying gelato flavors, eating pasticciottos with nutella, and drinking our morning coffee, and walking around a supermarket to buy fresh fruit for breakfast. I know this isn't an ideal situation, but I embraced the night, and the morning, and enjoyed being delirious with very little sleep. I also did not drink the whole night, so I was purely staying awake from adrenaline and the excitement of the night. Some of us felt like we were part of movie titled the hangover part four, but I truly felt like we were part of an adventure that was meant to be.
After almost eleven hours on our feet all day, four bus rides, and a ton of memories that will last a lifetime, we made it back to our courtyard at 9:40 am. Even though it was a Saturday, we all looked at the situation of being only 10 minutes late to class. So now you are guessing what did I do for the rest of the day. Well first of all, it took me two hours to finally fall asleep, but once I fell asleep, I was passed out for almost five hours. It was a glorious nap, or for what some people call sleep.
Once I awoke, I grabbed a snack to eat, and started catching up on my blog from the past two days. The time flew by and soon it was dinner time. I decided to go to one of the other apartments and catch up with my friends who were on the adventure with me. We discussed the whole night and made a list of every single thing that happened. It is too long to write all the details of the story on here but feel free to ask if you want to know more!
Then I made a quick and easy dish for dinner. I ate greek yogurt with sliced banana and some granola. It was light and delicious. Then a couple of my friends and I went into the centro of Lecce for the festival of Sant'Oronzo. I wore my cool gypsy pants into town to try to look more like an Italian and less like a tourist. Let me know if I do!
While walking to the centro you could hear the noise of the festival from miles away. The streets were so crowded and full of lights. There were a million vendors selling everything from food to kitchen supplies to more food. There was zucchero filato stands (cotton candy), mini ciambelle (mini donuts), magic ananas (magic pineapple slicer), olives, nuts, cookies, cooking supplies, bird cages, vacuums, and Native American bracelets. There was even a store called Macedonia Madness that was the equivalent to a hot topic in the states. My friends and I stopped at a Sicilian dolci table with fresh mandorla cookies, spiced nuts, marzipan fruits, and cannolis. One of my friends bought spiced hazelnuts and almonds while I bought a mandorla cookie to share between the six of us. It was delicious.
The whole town was lit up, and full of life. Unfortunately, some of us were not full of life and very tired from the previous night. So I walked back with three of my friends, and we laughed the whole entire way back. It was a great ending to a night, and when my head hit the pillow I fell right to asleep. I can't wait to wake up at an appropriate time and be back on schedule. Tomorrow I plan on doing my homework, working out, doing laundry, and being productive all day.
I miss everyone and I hope to talk to everyone soon. Don't worry Uncle David and Uncle Steven, I am being safe, using the voice in the back of my head and I have been thinking about you! as well as the rest of my family.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
After running around the market, we all walked the two miles to the courtyard and made it back with ten minutes to spare before class. It was nice because I got around a four mile walk in the morning before class even started. It was a productive day thus far. Of course while I was walking I was thinking about my Grandma and Aunt Dianne and their morning power walks in the morning. Walking is such a great exercise to do everyday and I encourage everyone to take a walk in the morning, during the day, with a dog like my cute puppy named Chaos or an evening after dinner. I haven't walked so much in my life since being in Italy. My mom was right! You walk everywhere but I enjoy walking and the fresh air.
During class we talked about the Mafia. It was by far the most interesting class. We learned about famous people involved with the mafia like actual members, judges and newspaper writers. We also learned about the rituals to become a member (Fratelli di Sangue which are blood brothers) and about the different criminal organizations involved with the Mafia. We learned about La Sacra Corona Unita in Puglia, 'Ndrangheta in Calabria, La Camorra in Campania (Napoli) and La Cosa Nostra in Sicilia. Overall it was a very informative class and I really enjoyed every minute of it. I also noticed that everyday I am using my dictionary less and less to look up words, and reading passages in italian has become easier for me.
When class was over I rushed to my favorite fruttivendola guy and bought some more fresh peaches and apples because who can't have enough apples and delicious peaches. I then made two eggs with tomatoes on my friselle d'orzo for lunch. I am so happy I bought eggs at the market the other day, because I really need the protein. Then I took a very long nap, because I could not fall asleep last night. I woke up around 16:00 and felt refreshed.
Before I could workout I had to do my three challenges for this birthright competition. Basically, all the members of my group are participating in a three week challenge called Bring Israel Back. If we all compete the three challenges every week for three weeks we will get a sponsored reunion in New York City with the Israeli soldiers. We have to win! So I completed all three challenges, including making a short video about my favorite experience during the trip. Of course I said climbing Masada, because seeing the sunrise that morning was one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen. I will never forget the image of the Israeli flag on top of the mountain blowing in the wind while the sun was peaking out from behind the clouds.
Anyway after reminiscing about Birthright I lead another workout in the courtyard. My friends and I did a very hard circuit called 100-5 that I made up. It involves 100 jumping jacks, 50 crunches, 25 squats, 15 pushups, 10 squat thrusts and 5 jump squats. We did this circuit five times, and after the last set we were all exhausted. Then my friend Elena showed us this great stretch called murder to improve your flexibility. It involves laying very close to a wall and spreading your legs as far as you go above your head for certain period of time. We probably stayed in the murder position for five minutes, and let me tell you it was murder. But hopefully my flexibility improves because right now I am extremely stiff.
Then at night we had pot lock dinner. People paired off into groups and made different meals and then we all shared the meals together. After working out, I made dinner with two of my friends. We made farfalle pesto pasta with eggplant, hot peppers and chick peas. The dish was delicious and it had a nice kick to it. For some reason I have been really into spicy foods since coming to Italy and its awesome that I can make what I want to eat everyday. The other dishes we had were eggplant parmesan, orecchiette with chickpeas and sundried tomatoes, rigatoni with red sauce and onion, and eggs with peppers. Of course I loaded up on my protein with eggs and ate my pasta dish. However everything was delicious.
Once dinner was over, and the wine bottles were empty, I did some of the dishes and took a well deserved, refreshing shower. Then ten people from my program (9 girls and one guy) got ready to go to Gallipoli to a discoteca right next to the beach. With the advice of my friends, I wore my black leopard dress, with spandex underneath. I let me hair air dry and one of my friends Paulina did my makeup. She did an awesome job and it was the perfect amount of makeup (not too much) and looked very natural. We left to catch the bus at 23:00 and made it to Gallipoli a little passed midnight. Once we got to Gallipoli we met these very nice Italian girls (one goes to University of Bologna) who told us which bus to take to the discoteca. After two hours of bus rides, waiting on lines, and buying tickets, the group made it to the discoteca called Praja, La bella vita, right on the beach in Gallipoli. The club played all different types of music (American, Italian and rave) and everyone in the group danced the night away. We all had each others back and especially when creepy Italian men would try to dance with us. My most used phrase of the night was non voglio ballare con te, which mean I don't want to dance with you. I ended my night laying on the beach with my friends, listening to the waves crash into the sand, and seeing the moon shine bright in the sky.
The group ended up splitting up into a group of six and a group of four on our journey back home. My group (the group of six girls) missed the early bus at 6:45 am, and waited until the 8:30 am bus in Gallipoli. During the two hours we had to kill, we hung out at a cafe, trying gelato flavors, eating pasticciottos with nutella, and drinking our morning coffee, and walking around a supermarket to buy fresh fruit for breakfast. I know this isn't an ideal situation, but I embraced the night, and the morning, and enjoyed being delirious with very little sleep. I also did not drink the whole night, so I was purely staying awake from adrenaline and the excitement of the night. Some of us felt like we were part of movie titled the hangover part four, but I truly felt like we were part of an adventure that was meant to be.
After almost eleven hours on our feet all day, four bus rides, and a ton of memories that will last a lifetime, we made it back to our courtyard at 9:40 am. Even though it was a Saturday, we all looked at the situation of being only 10 minutes late to class. So now you are guessing what did I do for the rest of the day. Well first of all, it took me two hours to finally fall asleep, but once I fell asleep, I was passed out for almost five hours. It was a glorious nap, or for what some people call sleep.
Once I awoke, I grabbed a snack to eat, and started catching up on my blog from the past two days. The time flew by and soon it was dinner time. I decided to go to one of the other apartments and catch up with my friends who were on the adventure with me. We discussed the whole night and made a list of every single thing that happened. It is too long to write all the details of the story on here but feel free to ask if you want to know more!
Then I made a quick and easy dish for dinner. I ate greek yogurt with sliced banana and some granola. It was light and delicious. Then a couple of my friends and I went into the centro of Lecce for the festival of Sant'Oronzo. I wore my cool gypsy pants into town to try to look more like an Italian and less like a tourist. Let me know if I do!
While walking to the centro you could hear the noise of the festival from miles away. The streets were so crowded and full of lights. There were a million vendors selling everything from food to kitchen supplies to more food. There was zucchero filato stands (cotton candy), mini ciambelle (mini donuts), magic ananas (magic pineapple slicer), olives, nuts, cookies, cooking supplies, bird cages, vacuums, and Native American bracelets. There was even a store called Macedonia Madness that was the equivalent to a hot topic in the states. My friends and I stopped at a Sicilian dolci table with fresh mandorla cookies, spiced nuts, marzipan fruits, and cannolis. One of my friends bought spiced hazelnuts and almonds while I bought a mandorla cookie to share between the six of us. It was delicious.
The whole town was lit up, and full of life. Unfortunately, some of us were not full of life and very tired from the previous night. So I walked back with three of my friends, and we laughed the whole entire way back. It was a great ending to a night, and when my head hit the pillow I fell right to asleep. I can't wait to wake up at an appropriate time and be back on schedule. Tomorrow I plan on doing my homework, working out, doing laundry, and being productive all day.
I miss everyone and I hope to talk to everyone soon. Don't worry Uncle David and Uncle Steven, I am being safe, using the voice in the back of my head and I have been thinking about you! as well as the rest of my family.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
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| The market in Lecce where I bought my gypsy pants |
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| Lunch: two eggs with tomatoes on friselle d'orzo |
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| Murder stretch with my friends |
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| I so happened to be positioned right in front of this painting |
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| My dish: farfalle with pesto, eggplant, chickpeas and hot peppers |
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| Eggplant Parmesan |
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| Orecchiette with chickpeas and sun dried tomatoes |
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| Paulina and I (she did my make up) |
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| All ready to go out! |
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| Andrea and I |
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| Where did the vodka go? |
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| Selfie on the bus with Alex |
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| The moon shining in the sky |
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| Selfie when the sun set |
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| Waiting for the bus after the discoteca |
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| Who knew I would have needed my sunglasses? |
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| My gypsy pants! What do you think? |
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| The streets were so crowded |
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| Everyone was pushing each other in the streets |
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| The centro full of lights part 1 |
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| Part 2 |
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| Part 3 |
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| Part 4 |
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| Spiced almonds and hazelnuts |
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| Kilograms and kilograms of cupeta |
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| Pasta di mandorla and marzipan treats |
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| The Sicilia dolci stand |
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| Almond Pasta di mandorla that we shared |
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| Another delicious dolci stand |
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| Cupeta for the festa Santa d'Oronzo |
Otranto
Salve! So today I was feeling much better compared to the rest of the week. I slept in till the latest time possible (9:00) and woke up for class. I had a quick breakfast and then walked the fifty steps to class, (very convenient). At class we discussed more about Italian film, but focused on learning about other famous Italian films, actors, actresses and directors. I can't wait to go to the movie theaters in Bologna and watch an another Italian film. I also would like to see two Italian romance films we discussed in class called "La vita è bella" and "Vacanze Romane.."
After class, I did my homework right away because we were going to Otranto for a tour of the city and would not get back till late. I also had something to eat and took a power nap so I would be well rested. At 16:30, the group boarded the bus and we headed to Otranto for a tour and a delicious dinner. The bus ride was an hour away and of course everyone fell asleep by the time we left Lecce.
Our group leader, Nella lead the tour in Otranto. Out of all the tour guides we have had, Nella was the easiest to understand because she talked relatively slow and used words that we knew. The city was gorgeous. It was right on the beach, just like Gallipoli but on the East side, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. During the tour I learned Otranto occupies the site of ancient Hydrus and was a town of Greek origin which in the wars of Pyrrhus and of Hannibal sided against Rome. Because Otranto was the nearest port to the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea it was a very important point of embarkation for the East. In the Middle Ages there was a Jewish school in Otranto and in 1480 Mehmet the Conqueror sent an Ottoman Turkish fleet to capture the city. They beheaded 800 Catholics who refused to convert to Islam and controlled the city for thirteen months until the Turks were repulsed from the city and the rest of Puglia. The city of Otranto gots its name in 1804, when the city harbored a French garrison to watch the movements of the English fleet. The french name of the city was called Otrante under the Napoleonic kingdom of Naples.
During the tour we saw three main sights in Otranto, The Castello Aragonese, the Catherdral, and the Church of San Pietro. The Castle was built in 1485-1498 and has an irregular plan with five sides with a single entrance reachable through a draw bridge. The Cathedral has a rose window, a basilica with nave interior, two aisles, columns and a fine mosaic pavement. The mosaic is representation of the Old Testament and there are bones and relics of Martyrs of Otranto who perished in the fifteen century surrounding the high alter. The church of San Pietro, was a small church in the center of the old city with Byzantine frescoes covering most of the walls. If the name Otranto rings a bell, you might have read The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole's a Gothic novel that takes place in the city of Otranto.
After the tour we had over three hours of free time to shop, eat, and walk around. The whole group split up and a couple friends and I went to a bar to have a drink and aperitivo. I had a cafe in ghiaccio and we split and apertivi plate between seven girls. Then we went shopping through the old city. The town was very crowded with many people in the streets and at the restaurants. I did not buy anything but I tried on some shoes and jewelry. I really wish my feet were normal and I could actually fit into the beautiful leather sandals here. Everyone wears them and I really like them a lot, but the ones I have tried on are either two narrow and small and uncomfortable. Oh well, before we know it, the season will change, and fall will arrive.
While shopping, we were constantly looking at restaurant menus, trying to find a place to eat that was not too expensive but also had delicious food. We found this place called Il Profumo di Mare right next to where we had to meet the group at 22:30. For dinner I split two primo piattos with a friend, an antipasto di mare (squid with carrots and celery), and cocktail di gamberetti (fish cocktail). The meal was delicious and exactly what I wanted. I have been craving for some seafood since I have been here and I finally ordered it. We had ten minutes after dinner, to spare, and for dessert I bought a cupeta (leccese speciality). A cupeta is basically a bar of nuts held together by sugary and honey. I got a big bar filled with almonds and pistachios and I shared it with everyone. The bar was so big that I have plenty for me to eat while in Lecce.
We met up with the group at the right time and walked to the pullman to head back home. I had a great time in Otranto, and I really enjoyed hanging out with new people outside of Vassar people. I can't wait for my nights like tonight. I hope you enjoy my pictures of Otranto.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
After class, I did my homework right away because we were going to Otranto for a tour of the city and would not get back till late. I also had something to eat and took a power nap so I would be well rested. At 16:30, the group boarded the bus and we headed to Otranto for a tour and a delicious dinner. The bus ride was an hour away and of course everyone fell asleep by the time we left Lecce.
Our group leader, Nella lead the tour in Otranto. Out of all the tour guides we have had, Nella was the easiest to understand because she talked relatively slow and used words that we knew. The city was gorgeous. It was right on the beach, just like Gallipoli but on the East side, off the coast of the Adriatic Sea. During the tour I learned Otranto occupies the site of ancient Hydrus and was a town of Greek origin which in the wars of Pyrrhus and of Hannibal sided against Rome. Because Otranto was the nearest port to the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea it was a very important point of embarkation for the East. In the Middle Ages there was a Jewish school in Otranto and in 1480 Mehmet the Conqueror sent an Ottoman Turkish fleet to capture the city. They beheaded 800 Catholics who refused to convert to Islam and controlled the city for thirteen months until the Turks were repulsed from the city and the rest of Puglia. The city of Otranto gots its name in 1804, when the city harbored a French garrison to watch the movements of the English fleet. The french name of the city was called Otrante under the Napoleonic kingdom of Naples.
During the tour we saw three main sights in Otranto, The Castello Aragonese, the Catherdral, and the Church of San Pietro. The Castle was built in 1485-1498 and has an irregular plan with five sides with a single entrance reachable through a draw bridge. The Cathedral has a rose window, a basilica with nave interior, two aisles, columns and a fine mosaic pavement. The mosaic is representation of the Old Testament and there are bones and relics of Martyrs of Otranto who perished in the fifteen century surrounding the high alter. The church of San Pietro, was a small church in the center of the old city with Byzantine frescoes covering most of the walls. If the name Otranto rings a bell, you might have read The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole's a Gothic novel that takes place in the city of Otranto.
After the tour we had over three hours of free time to shop, eat, and walk around. The whole group split up and a couple friends and I went to a bar to have a drink and aperitivo. I had a cafe in ghiaccio and we split and apertivi plate between seven girls. Then we went shopping through the old city. The town was very crowded with many people in the streets and at the restaurants. I did not buy anything but I tried on some shoes and jewelry. I really wish my feet were normal and I could actually fit into the beautiful leather sandals here. Everyone wears them and I really like them a lot, but the ones I have tried on are either two narrow and small and uncomfortable. Oh well, before we know it, the season will change, and fall will arrive.
While shopping, we were constantly looking at restaurant menus, trying to find a place to eat that was not too expensive but also had delicious food. We found this place called Il Profumo di Mare right next to where we had to meet the group at 22:30. For dinner I split two primo piattos with a friend, an antipasto di mare (squid with carrots and celery), and cocktail di gamberetti (fish cocktail). The meal was delicious and exactly what I wanted. I have been craving for some seafood since I have been here and I finally ordered it. We had ten minutes after dinner, to spare, and for dessert I bought a cupeta (leccese speciality). A cupeta is basically a bar of nuts held together by sugary and honey. I got a big bar filled with almonds and pistachios and I shared it with everyone. The bar was so big that I have plenty for me to eat while in Lecce.
We met up with the group at the right time and walked to the pullman to head back home. I had a great time in Otranto, and I really enjoyed hanging out with new people outside of Vassar people. I can't wait for my nights like tonight. I hope you enjoy my pictures of Otranto.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha
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| The meeting point and center of Otranto |
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| Medieval Castle walls |
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| Medieval Castles |
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| Nella our tour guide |
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| Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata |
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| It was a big church |
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| Mosaic of the tree of life |
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| Chapel of the Martyrs |
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| The bones of 800 christian martyrs |
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| The bones of who died in the Ottoman siege of Otranto in 1480s |
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| The ceiling was beautiful |
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| I loved the fine detail of the ceiling |
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| Castello Aragonese |
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| It had a huge moat and a drawbridge |
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| The boats in the harbor |
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| Why did I take this picture? "Who" can guess it right? |
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| The Church of San Pietro |
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| The church could barely hold 22 people |
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| Byzantine Frescoes part 1 |
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| Byzantine Frescoes part 2 |
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| A little boy was playing soccer outside of his hosue |
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| The sun about to set over the harbor |
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| Row and Rows of boats |
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| Smiling for the camera |
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| Sunglasses off to see my face |
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| I want to go sailing |
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| The town was very crowded |
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| The sunset over the harbor |
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| My apertivi drink, cafe in ghiaccio |
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| Apertivi for 7 girls |
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| 30 seconds later, no really 2 minutes later |
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| A wedding in the center of town |
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| My friends posing for a picture |
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| The crowded streets of Otranto |
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| Sandal shopping, except all the sandals could not fit my feet |
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| Cheers to a great day |
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| Orecchiette in tomato sauce topped with arugula |
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| Antipasto al mare |
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| Cocktail di gamberetti |
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