Today for Perugia Practicum I went to the Temple of Saint Michael Archangel, which was really pretty. And I learned how to determine the periods of which it was made. Since round buildings weren't popular around the time of the Romans this was thought to have been made by the byzantines who were around after the time of the fall of the Romans, yet still had their Roman pride. Etruscans mainly made their buildings out of wood, except for the massive wall around the city (which is why there is little evidence of the civilization); and since the building is made [View Full Entry]

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Also a cool point of interest the President of Italy came to town. It was a big deal, and there were people crowded in Piazza Italia waiting for him to come out of a building. When he did he was surrounded by guards, yet casually walked through the streets, stopping at a famous bakery and then continuing to another building for a meeting. A bunch of people swarmed around him, following and clapping right next to him. It was a cool sight. Supposedly he was here in regards to the giant earth quakes of 97', but that is just what I [View Full Entry]

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The highlight of today was the dinner, OF COURSE. All weekend during the trip to Cinque Terre Natalie was talking about her famous meatballs. Tonight she whipped out some of the best meatballs ever. I love having 4 hour meals, and I love this girl...She is going to make me a pro chef. [View Full Entry]

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After a long day of travel I woke up early again to hit the trail. I feel like I am on the longest vacation of my life...which is a great thing...but also a very exhausting thing. Anyhoo, after getting everyone moving we went to the trail head of Via Dell'Amore. It is a famous trail along through the 5 towns of Cinque Terre. The towns were: * Monterosso al Mare * Vernazza * Corniglia * Manarola * Riomaggiore And we were staying in Riomaggiore so our destination was the sandy beaches of Monterosso al Mare. The hike was very very long...Jeff [View Full Entry]

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So before it gets too cold here I wanted to get to one of the most beautiful places in the world. CINQUE TERRA!!! It was absolutly amazing. The trip started off hanging out all night and waking up at 5:30 am! Yeah, I only got an hour of sleep but what else is new. Waiting for the bus at 6:30 am I realized we were missing Kirsten and Joy! We almost had to leave, so I dropped my stuff and bolted down Piori (a really steep hill) to their apartment. They don't have phones, or a door bell so I had [View Full Entry]

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Alrighty, so after a night of excitement, concerts, art, pool, and food I slept in. I looked at my many classes and realized that homework was needed to be done. Although why sit in an apartment all afternoon!!! Hellen and I went to a small park near Piazza Italiano and read/watched cute old Italian people. The view consisted of mountains, clouds, and Assisi off in the distance. I love the old Italian couples...they are so cute! Anyway, that night more exploring led us to follow our noses into some of the best smelling bakeries imaginable. I can't even begin to describe [View Full Entry]

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Well I was running low on clothes and my laundry was piling up so I had to do the inevitable...wash my clothes. Well since the laundry mat was closed I glanced into my backroom to find the laundry machine, or should I say grande sink. I even hung my clothes out the window like a real Italian mama. I hope those pigeons don't poop on it. So after shopping, uploading photos, laundry, and some unavoidable homework it was my favorite time!!! CENA! DINNER! I made onions and rice, while hellen cooked an amazing salad, lol and Natalie made the most amazing [View Full Entry]

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I went on a trip with my foods class to Tuscany which was amazing. Although we had to leave at 6:30 in the morning! Uhg. Our bus was nice and i slept most of the way, waking up occasionally to the amazing view vineyards, and hills. Although, the windy roads did not agree with me. It was nice to get off and go to a small organic Tuscan farm. Everyone who lived on the farm worked there, kind of like a little commune. It was right out of a picture, like "Under the Tuscan Sun". We went to the cow corral [View Full Entry]

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Tonight I learned the tricks of making my favorite dish EVER!! Oh yeah by the way classes are great. I am looking forward to my photo class. My one professor is to smart for his own good. lol. Anyhoo back to food. The teacher of the class was an American lady who fell in love with Perugia, bought a house here and now teaches Italian Cuisine to Umbra Students and tourists. What a charmed life, I am jealous. She taught us how to make a delicious tomato sauce and gnocchi!!! Later that night Hellen Kirsten and I went exploring. We found [View Full Entry]

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I made reservations in Italian for a restaurant called del mi coco, roughly translated "all my friends". The food was amazing...actually it was the same restaurant I went with the girls a couple nights ago. There was delicious bread, pasta, stuffed turkey and potatoes. MMMMM we went out clubbing all night in celebration and hung out on the Piazza steps. [View Full Entry]

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