Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Val d'Orcia!

Buongiorno! 
This past weekend the whole group traveled through Val d'Orcia. Most of the typical postcard pictures you see of Tuscany are from the Val d'Orcia region. We traveled through several picturesque cities that comprise Val d'Orcia and it was gorgeous. Our last city was Sienna, which we didn't spend much time in, so that is one of the cities I would like to visit again someday. 
In the garden of La Foce








This is the Piazza where a scene from Twilight New Moon was filmed!








Watched the Tuscan sun set and it was beautiful!


Ciao!
Meg

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Florence!

This past weekend we went on a travel excursion to Florence (Firenze) and it was awesome! I definitely would like to go back one day! We have to take an hour bus ride to Arezzo from Sansepolcro to get to the train station whenever we travel. So, first we did that then from Arezzo we took an hour and a half train ride to Florence. After arriving, we walked a good 30-40 minutes to our hotel, which used to be a monastery. It was clean and good for a one night stay, but I would probably stay somewhere else next time I go because the location was not very convenient. After we dropped our baggage off, we went to lunch and then met up with the O'Dekirk's at the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David. The David was bigger in person than I imagined and for sure worth seeing at least once. I can't imagine the time, precision and talent it took Michelangelo to create this world renowned statue. 
Us with Il Porcellino
After that, we climbed the Duomo's spiraling stairs which was approximately 450 steps. That view was my favorite part! Then we did some looking around in the Mercado Nuovo and rubbed the famous Boar. I put a coin in its mouth which is suppose to bring good luck I heard. Later that evening we ate at this excellent restaurant and then walked to the Piazza Michelangelo to see the view of Firenze at night. 
Me and David

The group that climbed the Duomo

View from on top of the Duomo

The Duomo at night
In the morning, we went to the Galileo museum and then tried to go to the gardens, but it was closed. So, there is another reason why I should go back to Florence one day! Then the rest of the day we spent walking around and shopping. I ended up finding a leather purse I really liked and got it! We planned on taking the train back, but there was a train strike going on and most of the trains were cancelled. Apparently, one of the locals said that train strikes happen about once a week! We ended up taking a taxi back to Arezzo and then the bus back to Sansepolcro. My feet were dying after all that walking and exploring in Florence, but it was so worth it!

Ciao, 
  Meg






Monday, September 15, 2014

Palio della Balestra!

September 12-14th was the weekend of the Palio della Balestra! The Balestra is a big deal here in Sansepolcro and consists of a crossbow competition between towns dating all the way back to the 1500’s. Annually, Sansepolcro and a nearby town, Gubbio, compete to see which town can hit the exact center of the target. All the members from each team shoot at the same target which makes it even more difficult to hit right in the center with all the other arrows in the way. Today, individuals still dress up in renaissance attire for the competition. Saturday, we got to dress up and helped out at the Mercado di Sant'Egidio. I was dressed as a merchant and sat at a table with spices and my job was to say hello to people who passed. The spices displayed were not for sale because this market was just for looks and remembrance of how it looked back in the day.   

Kiosha and me at the spice table for the market

I was able to shoot a bow and arrow!

One of the archers shooting during the Balestra
This is what the target looked like at the end.

Flag throwers during the Balestra. They travel all over the world!


Sansepolcro won the Palio della Balestra!
Ciao!
Meg

Sunday, September 7, 2014

La Mia Prima Escursione

Ciao!

This weekend we visited Anghiari and Arezzo. Most of my pictures are from Anghiari. The  bus ride to both cities was not that bad. (It takes about an hour to go from Sansepolcro to Arezzo.) Anghiari is smaller than Arezzo and even Sansepolcro, but has a beautiful view and the architecture has a medieval, picturesque look. Anghiari is famous for a battle once fought there back in the 1400's.  

Here are some pictures from the excursion. 


Looked out on a beautiful view while enjoying my cappuccino.







Fun fact: Italians do not drink cappuccinos after 10-11 o'clock . If you order a cappuccino after this time, they will know you are a foreigner. Cappuccinos are for the morning only to get your day started. 

Just some random tidbits: 

Another thing I've noticed is how much Italians pride themselves in everything they do. The saying is "La Bella Figura" which means "a beautiful figure"; they dress to impress, and not only that but every creation is a work of art. This is very evident in the elaborate architecture found throughout Italia. 

Things are going well here at the Palazzo Alberti. There are 10 of us girls and the O'Dekirk's and so all together, we are a family of 15. The vibes are great and I hope to keep that up because we are meshing well as a group.

I'm getting a little more comfortable now speaking Italian, but I still mix it up with my Spanish frequently. Antonio, our Italian teacher, probably thinks we are all crazy, but we have some entertaining moments in that class for sure.

My Psychology class (Memory and Memoir) I can already tell is going to be like group therapy. I think it will be good getting to know some people on a more personal level that may not have occurred otherwise. 

Until next time,
Meg