florence baby!

Jess and I just arrived in Florence and are staying in the nicest hostel only minutes from the Duomo. Its the final countdown of our time here in Italy. I am sad. But a little happy to not be living out of a suitcase anymore!

So far I have had so much luck, I have not missed a ferry, train or bus, although it's been a near miss each and every time. Nicole, Jess and I litterally jumped onto a moving train on our way to Genova. ahhaha. Then there was the time we were running across a port with our huge packs on trying to catch a ferry. But hey, we have made it every time.

I have also been very lucky that I have not had a pidgeon poop on me the whole time here in Euorpe. With the ammount of pidgeons here, this is a small miracle. Especially in San Marco Square in Venice, where there are 500,385 pidgeons per square inch. ahahaha.

Well we are off to see the city. Ciao....

Sardinia

I am in Sardinia, Italy now. Jessica, Nicole, Justin, Valeria, and I rented a house close to the most beautiful beach in Italy. It is awesome, we walk to the grocery store every day and buy food for dinner - usually pasta and fresh fruits and veggies. We spend every day at the beach, where the water looks like a swimming pool - so amazing.

We celebrated the fourth of July eating french frys and watching fireworks on TV. We don't get any english channels, and I don't understand any Italian, but we still find ourselves watching hours of tv every night. hahahaha. After a long hard day at the beach, what else is there to do but lay on a couch and watch some Will & Grace in Italian!

It is so beautiful here:




Our beach house in Sardinia:

Back in Venice...

hey everyone!

I know its been awhile, but i was living in a small italian village which did not have any internet cafes. ahahhahaa. The name of the village is San Pietro in Vincoli. It was about 20 minutes from Ravenna which is this beautiful city know for its mosiacs. It is such a beautiful city.

So the last week in SP in Vincoli was really fun! I didnt stay with a host family this time. All eleven tutors stayed in a hotel instead. And we had the most amazing dinner every night at the restaurant across the street from the hotel. I dont think I can go back to the states after eating the food here!!!

Jess and I worked our last week at the camps. We are going to spend some time traveling and then head back home. I am in Venice right now at this little bar that has free internet. Tomorrow we are off to Sardenia. I have heard it is so beautiful there and I am very excited to just relax on a beautiful beach.

I am a little excited to come home, yet a little sad. Well...I am off...Jess and I are hanging out with some aussie friends we just met. Ciao....

The hills are alive

Jess, Carlea, Justin and I arrived at Bergamo this past Saturday. Its a town in the north part of Italy, almost to Switzerland. It is very beautiful here...just picture the Sound of Music. On Sunday we met up with the other 8 tutors. There are 12 of us here at this camp, and there are 120 kids. Can you say crazy???? We are teaching in a Catholic School and its a maze. Its huge and there are nuns running around everywhere. Yesterday while in the courtyard, Jess and I smelled pot, so I think one of the nuns were smoking in the bushes. ahahahahah

So Sunday we hiked to the top of a mountain, 'Alpa Corta'. And when I say hiked, I really mean we scaled the side of a mountain. There was one time I was actually hanging by a tree branch seeing my life flash before my eyes. Two hours later, covered in mud, and tired to the point of exhaustion, we arrived at the top. And it was SO worth it. We had packed a lunch and ate by the river. Seriously words cannot describe how beautiful it was up there. Breathtaking.

The camp is going pretty good. I am starting to get the swing of things. My class is between 6-7 years old. They are so cute and so affectionate. They are always hugging me and wanting to hold my hand. I usually have three kids per hand, and then the other four hanging around my waist. I love it! I am teaching them pretty basic english, colors, numbers, animals. And coloring a lot!

So I am trying to decide what to do next. Teaching is very tiring, and I am thinking I want to be home for my grandma and grandpas 60th wedding anniversary. So next week may be my last camp, then I will have about two more weeks to just travel and relax around Italy. This is not set in stone, but I am thinking this is my new plan.

But I am not ready to join corporate america quite yet, so Jess and I may go to South America next. We have met so many people on our journey that say it is just Amazing down there.

Well...we shall see....

My first class. These kids were AMAZING, except the girl on the far right...she just cried all the time...



This is Riccardo...which we nicknamed 'Rico Sweaty' because he would sweat so much while running, that his hair would be completely wet.



This was not my student, but she loved me anyway, so I am not to blame for the poor English!

First week of teaching...

Monday, my first day of teaching was horrible. I was so ready to quit, but I am not one to give up that easily. So I decided to stick it out. Tuesday morning I woke up and I was DREADING going back to that school. But I did. And here it is Wednesday, and things are starting to look up.

Teaching is hard. Planning lessons, keeping kids under control, and throw in the fact they dont speak the same language. Yeah, it's crazy. And I have these two kids in my afternoon group who are always fighting. They are constantly pushing each other and yelling, coloring on one another with permanent markers. Oh, and one of the kids is know to bite when he is mad.

Well, I won the 'biter' over today. I am always trying to make him feel part of the group. I was his partner in the water balloon toss. Balloons were bursting left and right, and it was down to two groups. Well, the other teams balloon popped and we caught the winning toss. If you could only see the look on the kids face. Priceless.

The kids really are amazing though. I have made some little friends who follow me all of the playground. One little girl is named Ilaria. She is only 8 but she is always trying to pick me up. She is so tiny, yet can lift me off the ground. I have given her the nickname 'beast'. ahahaha.

Hopefully I can make it as a teacher a little while longer. But I don't think I could do it anymore than a summer. 9 hours a day with kids is tiring. So on that note, I am off to bed....

Udine Baby

Jess and I arrived in Udine Italy yesterday (very close to Venice). All I can say is WOW....things are amazing. Jess and I are both staying with the same host family, and they are awesome. They live in a three story house and have two wonderful children. Julia is 7 and Elisa is 15. Elisa's english is really good, and she is actually studing 3 different languages besides Italian. Makes me feel stupid!

They also have four dogs. Two are puppies, only 4 weeks old. Jess and I are in heaven. They are the cutest things I have ever seen. Their names are Nip and Tuck. hahahaha.

Yesterday we got here and they immediately took us to a family bbq. It reminded me of home, except I was in an Italian countryside home and everyone was speaking a different language. It was exactly what you would think an Italian family to be like. Fun and friendly, great food, lots of food, did I mention the food? And wine and wine and lemon cello. They really know how to have a good time.

Today they drove us to the seaside city called Trieste. It was beautiful. It was once owned by Austria until WW1 when Italy took it back. We visited this castle that is now a university for astronomy. I think that will be my new major...

All in all it has been an amazing experience. Unfortunetly, Karen is not here with us to share in it. I miss her already. She was sent to work down south, and hopefully we can work together soon.

Tomorrow is my first day of work, and I think I am ready. I feel like this past week has been challenging, but I feel more confident and ready for the next step.

Miss you all. xoxo
ciao!

Still in San Remo

This city is so beautiful. The coast, the mountains, the palm trees. I love it.

Tomorrow is the last day of training, and we will find out which city we will be working in. I suppose we will jump on an overnight train, or leave first thing in the morning. Monday will be my first day of teaching. I am excited. And nervous. We have been given a lot of ideas for lesson plans, songs and games to play with the kids. But I will still have a lot to learn.

Yesterday we had several groups of Italian kids come and spend the day with us. They were amazing, and I had so much fun. But let me tell you how much energy you need to have to keep the attention of 10 kids for 8 hours a day.

Let me just say that espresso is my best friend.

ciao

Wow what can I say? So much is happening. And computers are few and far between, so forgive me if I don't update this very often....

Venice was great, the city is amazing. Only it was pretty rainy and sun would have been nice. But I will take what I can get. It was a nice little ending to my vaca. And now I am ready for work....well kind of...

I started camp yesterday, and I can honestly say I am a little overwhelmed!!!! Its a lot to take in. I mean, I have never taught a class, and I thought I'd have an assistant who knew what they were doing. hahahaha. But I will have 10 little Italian children of my very own!

This week is training, so I will have a little time before I completely am on my own. But I love kids, so I think I will do alright. It is all so different than anything I have ever done before. But I say bring on the challenge! It is very exciting.

There is still time for people to apply...any of you folks that want to work in Italy. They have another training session in August...hint hint Joey...

When is waking up at 4am fun?

When you are waking up to fly to Italy! Yep today is the day I arrived in Italy. Venice actually. So here I am, a little tired and a little loopy. But I am very excited to be here. We are staying with Josh, a friend of Karen's. He's got a great little place real close to Venice. I think we are heading over there tomorrow. Probably won't go on a gondola...since it cost 200 Euro...not worth it. Maybe I can jump into one fast enough to get a quick photo before I have to pay anyone for a ride.

Well..I am off to drink more italian coffee, and probably grab a gelato or two.

Ciao....

back to athens

Well we just arrived back to Athens. The Greek Islands were AMAZING. Everyone is so nice there. I guess waking up to the gorgeous beaches and mountains just puts people in a good mood. We visited Santorini and Ios. There are only 1000 locals that actually live year round in Ios. But during the months of June - August they get about 15,000 visitors. I think during winter it must feel like a ghost town to the locals, and they probably really enjoy it. The towns are just as beautiful as you would think...white walled buildings and blue topped roofs against the bright blue sea. It was breathtaking.

I will say that the locals drive like mad men. The guy who drove us to the port this morning flew around the corner so fast he hit this other van and ripped the whole side mirror off. It was an experience and I had to just shut my eyes and not think about flying off a side of a mountain in some beat up van... but the only other option was taking a donkey down. I think the mad man in the beat up van was the lesser of two evils...

We meet so many people while we were there. Some from America, some from Australia, and some that have decided to move to Ios and make it their home. I will say that they know how to party in the Greek Isles. They don't even go OUT till 2am. Crazy!!!

Today we are resting up since we fly out to Venice really early tomorrow morning. I can't believe that my semi-retirement is coming to a close. I am both excited and sad.

New friends we hung out with at the hostel:




Lunch in the park:



the view from the top:

just another day

Seriously this is the greatest hostel I have every stayed in....it is such a chill atmosphere and everyone here is so friendly. Anyone that wants to visit Spain, please stay at Mambo Tango. I will be their number one PR girl!!!

Today we slept in. Yesterday was a little stressful - so I think we needed the sleep. We were supposed to meet Karen at the airport yesterday, but that was the plan before we found out it was an hour and a half trip each way plus 30 bucks round trip. So we decided to call the airport and leave a message for Karen to meet us at the hostel. We just prayed that she actually did get the message. Well, it all worked out and Karen meet up with us last night.

Today we walked all over Barcelona, and had some sangaria at a little cafe in the streets. The weather here is great. We walked to the beach but I think I am spoiled by the beaches in south Florida, so I wasn´t too impressed. hahahahaa.

Also I saw a new hair style today....I call it the drullet. It´s a dread-mullet. hahahaha. short on the top, long dreads on the back. Hopefully this hairstyle catches on in the states soon!

Espana

Jess and I just arrived in Spain. We are staying in the most amazing little hostel called Mambo Tango. It´s very artsy and the owners are so incredibly nice. I love it here. Now I just need to brush up on my spanish... hola...como estas....muy bien... :)

London was so fun. Jess and I found so many things to do there and we didn´t pay a dime!!! Which is great cuz are dollar isn´t worth anything compared to the british pound!

Yesterday we went to the Tate Museum...it´s all modern art...I saw many pieces by Picasso, Kandisky, Pollack, and many others. That place is HUGE and it´s FREE. Yep...FREE.

We also checked out the Hillsong church. Its a church based out of Australia, but they have a church base in London. They meet in this beautiful theatre where the musical Queen is playing right now. It was amazing!!!

We ate at the best meditteranean restaurant. It was right by our hostel in Picadilly Circus - which is London´s mini Time Square! Anyway, this restaurant was called Jumbos, and they had homemade hummus and tabouli. Jess and I fell in love. And actually the owner fell in love with me. hahaha. His name was Rosario. He told me that I stole his heart and he will throw away the key until I come back... oh by the way, he was Italian. So I had my first little taste of the ´´italian playa´´

well i am off to dinner. hopefully i can upload some new pics soon....

I arrived in London yesterday at 8am, after an 8 hour flight + 5 hours lost in time travel space. I just wanted to sleep, but couldn't check into the hostel till 2pm (I arrived at 11am) I fell asleep for an hour in the lobby, and I think I was drooling on myself when a couple other travelers walked in and looked at me funny. I just sighed *jet lag* and they nodded in agreement.

Well today I am rested!!! And Jess and I walked all over London. Our hostel is one block from Hyde Park. And we lucked out with really amazing weather. It was sunny and breezy, perfect walking weather. Although, I think I am a little out of shape, because toward the end of the day, my hip started hurting like an old grandma!

So I am still trying to get used to the European way of thinking. Jess and I ate in this cute little cafe today. And when we finished our meals, I looked over at the waitress to tell her we were done, but she was sitting having lunch with the other staff!!! They had a seven course lunch, and 40 minutes later she came over to ask if we wanted anything else. Yeah, the check would be nice. ahahahhaa. I have to get out of the rush rush mentality!

We walked to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. And stopped for a bit in the Buckingham Palace Gardens. The gardens here are gorgeous! Everything is in bloom and the flowers smell like heaven. Every couple steps I have to stop to smell the roses!

Well, we are off to hang out in Covent Garden and see some street performers...

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

...don't know when I'll be back again!

I fly to Europe in three days!