Poland

My trip to Poland was a very educational and eye-opening experience. I had the opportunity to join the Auschwitz Jewish Center Study Program for Students Abroad and spent four days in Poland learning about the Holocaust. 

Due to the sensitive nature of the photographs, I chose not to post many from the Auschwitz concentration camps.

Just so you know, Poland is cold this time a year! The whole time we were there the weather was cold, gloomy, and a little rainy. 

Kraków, Poland

I am very thankful I took the opportunity to go to Poland. Before arriving, I knew next to nothing about Poland, the Jewish community there, or typical foods. I believe food is a big part in every culture I know of. It seems to me just about every country has its own typical foods. On the first night, we went to a traditional Polish restaurant and tried different types of pierogi which are similar to dumplings and they were delicious! Another food I tried was called zapiekanki or also referred to as “drunk bread”. It was also great! Zapiekanki is like a long toasted half of a sub with whatever toppings you want on it. 

Pierogi

Zapiekanki

 On Friday, we toured Kazimierz, many synagogues, and the former Jewish ghetto in Kraków. 

Some of our group in Kraków

Lunch was at this little place called Bagelmama and I would recommend this spot for some good bagels! 

Later in the afternoon, after touring the Jewish synagogues, we heard a lady from Righteous Among the Nations give her testimony at Klezmer-Hois. 

The whole group with Mirosława Gruszczyńska

That night, we went to a Shabbat service at a local synagogue. I'm glad I got to experience that for the first time because it was different than from what I expected. After the service, we ate dinner at the JCC (Jewish Community Center).

Dinner at JCC

Saturday, we took a tour of the Auschwitz Jewish Center before heading to Auschwitz I.

Group at Auschwitz Jewish Center

There is a lot to say about what I learned at the concentration camps, but I don't feel online is the best place for me to share this information. I did take a lot of pictures while visiting the camps and if  anybody is interested in hearing what I learned about Auschwitz feel free to contact me. Here is the website for those who are interested in learning more http://en.auschwitz.org/h/

Auschwitz I

It says in German "ARBEIT MACHT FREI" which means "Work makes you free".

On Sunday, we toured Auschwitz-Birkenau before heading back to Kraków. Keep in mind, many individuals died during the Holocaust at these concentration camps.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

I greatly value the new knowledge and experience that this trip gave me because I now possess a greater understanding of the Holocaust and Jewish culture. I hope my generation and future generations continue to be educated about this to hopefully prevent anything like the Holocaust from occurring again in the future.  

Grazie per la lettura,

Meg

Pompeii and Capri

Hello All,

Pompeii was a very humbling sight to see. If you haven't heard about this archeological site, I encourage you to check out this link and read about the History of Pompeii.

A view of the ruins of Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the background

A child frozen in time by the ashes and heat

It really doesn't seem right to smile in such a solemn city...

After exploring Pompeii, we spent the night in Sorrento before heading on the boat to Capri. I didn't get a chance to see the Amalfi Coast, but I hope to go back one day to experience it!

Ahhhhh Capri!

What a gorgeous place to visit! Capri/Anacapri is an Italian island off of Napoli's coast and is a popular VIP holiday location consumed by tourism. The prices are inflated on this spectacular island, but the views are worth it.
One of the most popular touristy sites we visited in Capri was the Blue Grotto. There is virtually no sunlight in this unique cave and yet, the water shines a bright blue. My camera really did not do the Blue Grotto justice. To get into the cave, you must get on this tiny little canoe-like boat with one other person and lay back as the guide pulls the boat under the narrow opening to avoid getting your head smashed against the rock.

Inside the Blue Grotto with view of the tiny entrance into the cave

With the flash on, you really can't tell the water is glowing.

Terrible picture, but it better depicts the glow.

Lido del Faro

In Anacapri, we went up to Monte Solaro via chairlift to see the breathtaking view over the island. As we hiked back down the mountain, we came across a trail and I insisted we explore to see where the path led. I am sure glad we did! We came across this small monastery and were greeted by several friendly monks who offered to show us the view from the back of the monastery. Wow just wow! It is situations like these that fuel my passion for travel! I remain grateful that they allowed us into their home and conversed with us, not many people get that opportunity.

The view from the monastery with the Faraglioni in the background

One evening in Capri, I decided to do some exploring off on my own, and I went to the lighthouse on Anacapri called Lido del Faro. I would highly recommend anyone wanting to watch a beautiful sunset to come here and enjoy the view!

Ciao,
   Meg

Venice!

I can now say I have been to Venice! 

Now, I can check riding a gondola in Venice off my bucket list!

Our gondolier, Luca! 

In Murano where most of the Venetian glass is made!

Taken from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

There were a lot of people in Venice!

Me, Jenna, and Joanna on the Grand Canal

View from the bell tower of Palazzo San Marco

View from the bell tower

Nothing like ending my trip to Venezia with some gelato and sitting on the Grand Canal!

Life in Sansepolcro right now

Ciao Everybody!

Life is going well here in Sansepolcro. I feel like time is flying by! This weekend I will be going to Venice with two other girls and I am very excited I will be able to check off riding a gondola in Venice off my bucket list! I had issues purchasing my train ticket online, so I ended up having to go to the local travel agency to buy my tickets. Now, I'm on different trains than the other girls both there and back, so that means today I will be traveling through Italy on the trains by myself for the first time. Wish me luck! 

In two weeks, I will start my service learning project here in Sansepolcro. I am placed at a local Catholic school a few blocks down the main street from the Palazzo. Every Tuesday I will help teach the 5th grade English class. I've already got my first assignment. I am going to be teaching them about the solar system and I need to figure out a fun and interesting way to teach! I will be teaching them in English, so I also have to keep in mind that I will have to keep what I say fairly simple because they are just starting to learn English. If anybody has any advice on teaching the solar system, please let me know by commenting below or you could email me!

Just for future reference to anybody interested in visiting Sansepolcro some of my favorite places eat around here so far are Goblin's Gelateria (gelato!), Chieli's Pasticceria (best aperitivo), Caffè Dell'appennino (best pizza I've had yet and it's directly below the Palazzo!), Macrobiotica (healthy, local, vegetarian food, so good! Also, you buy a membership for 5 Euro and then with the student discount it's only 4 Euro per meal!), and Le Mura (delicious calzones and reasonably priced).

I am still in the process of applying to grad school, which I really need to set aside the time to really crack down on those! I'm also still getting together my senior thesis and in the process of setting up something with an occupational therapist nearby. 

I'll try to update next week about Venice!

Ciao

Meg