Sign In
Marisa
Ciao! I am a graduate student at Purdue who is rectifying her one regret from college . . . not studying abroad. I will be taking classes in Asolo, Italy (30 miles northwest of Venice) this summer. Of course, I will also be gallivanting around the Italian countryside! :)marisalynn
Travel Blog Posts
June 30th 2005
Hello! I wanted to let you all know that I arrived home safe and sound last night. The weather was a rude awakening compared to what I've been used to overseas -- it's so hot and humid here! Ugh! Anyway, it was a relief to see the cornfields of Indiana again. I think six weeks really was the perfect length of time to be gone. It was long enough to really feel like I was experiencing Europe, but I was just starting to miss the comforts of home as well. Yes, we Americans are definitely spoiled. I have new appreciation for AC, my own washer and dryer, bugless apartments, my car, and my closet!! No more living out of a suitcase and hauling everything I own around on my back. Yeah!! Anyway, the U2 concert was ... read more
June 27th 2005
Hello again from Dublin! My biggest news ... Beth surprised me with my birthday present last night when we arrived back to town. We are going to the U2 concert here in Dublin tonight! Talk about a brilliant (as the Irish would say!) way to celebrate being a quarter of a century old, eh?! :) Becky, I know that you are turning green with envy right now - try not to send a hit man until after the concert, ok?! The tickets were the end to a fabulous weekend out in Western Ireland. Beth and I took the train to Galway and then rented a car from there. Beth is quite the expert driver on the left side of the road! We stayed at two great B&B's - one in Clifden and the other in Doolin ... read more
June 23rd 2005
Hello from Ireland! Europe is amazing! In less than the time it takes to cross the States, I was in another country yesterday. Wow. I was greeted by Beth at the airport - it was great to see a familiar face! We didn't waste much time getting to the Temple Bar where I experienced my first Guiness. I don't plan to become addicted, but it wasn't as bad as it looks either!! I have been exploring Dublin a little today. Beth equipped me with everything I needed so this has been a breeze compared to navigating Italy on my own! I hopped aboard a doubledecker bus this morn and saw all the sights. I have been exploring the shopping this afternoon - fun! The prices seem much more manageable than Italy so far -- that might ... read more
June 21st 2005
Ciao from Roma! Let me start by saying that I would need to write a novel to get you all sufficiently up-to-date on my travels here in Italy. However, the Vatican is calling my name today -- somehow I think I should listen. :) Plus, I do want to attach a couple of photos and this computer is so, so slow. In fact, I'm currently having a minor cultural shock moment b/c these computers and keyboards are driving me insane!! I can't get anything to work. I guess I will just say a prayer at St. Peters that I don't somehow lose any pictures. Anyway, Siena was beautiful and Rome is amazing. I'm surrounded by buildings and ruins from Before Christ -- BEFORE CHRIST! It is astounding. I took a night tour on Sunday night and ... read more
June 17th 2005
Ciao to you all! I cannot believe that it is already time to say "arrivederchi" to Asolo. I'm definitely having some mixed emotions about the good-bye. On the one hand, I can't wait to be done with studying (one final down, one to go this morn!) and I'm very, very excited to get on with my travels. However, I'm also going to miss this little town so much! When most people think of Italy, they think of Rome or Florence or Venice. Now ... I will always think of Asolo. :) We all made our way down to Epoca last night for some final memories. The owner of the bar gave us all free t-shirts! My Service Marketing classmates and I have decided that he is the epitome of quality service and relationship marketing that we ... read more
June 15th 2005
Ciao! Have I mentioned that I cannot wait to be finished with classes? Unfortunately, one of my exams got pushed back to Friday and it looks like the other one will be moved to Friday too. Grrrrr. No real reason for these developments -- all I can say is that "bureaucracy" is apparently universal. Enough about that. They managed to stuff us again last night! We had a huge dinner at the agriturisomo (from the first week). Of course, this restaurant is located way at the bottom of Asolo. In other words, the night consisted of another walk up the giant hill with our bellies full. Oh, and it was raining again. :) As I've have told some of you, I am looking forward to walking the level ground of the Midwest again. I feel like ... read more
June 13th 2005
Ciao! I survived another Italian adventure! This weekend was the most challenging so far. I definitely encountered the language barrier more since I was visiting smaller towns. All in all, I had a good time and I am ready to tackle finals this week. I left for Verona on Friday afternoon and spent all of Saturday there. As with most towns in Italy, Verona is home to many, many beautiful churches. It's amazing how a town of that size can have SO many Catholic churches -- and they are all magnificent compared to anything in the States. I went to mass at St. Anastasia and a woman sang an opera-like solo during Communion. It was gorgeous. She sang without a mic and her voice just carried through the Church like an angel's. I have a feeling ... read more
June 10th 2005
Buongiorno! TGIF! :) Last night we had our "gourmet dinner" and I am still recovering (in a good way!). They bussed us to a restaurant in a castle (yes, in a castle) about eight miles outside of Bassano. It was about a half hour away so we did not get back to Asolo until midnight. The walk up the gigantic hill was lots of fun due to our sleepiness and stuffedness (how's that for a word?)! The meal was an amazing five courses. Don't worry, Bekah, I took some pictures of the food for you! And I received some verbal abuse on your behalf because of it. But I'm strong. Anyway, the wine was flowing and we had fingers foods (antipasto), risotto with zucchini, macoroni with chicken, beef with rosemary and potatoes and grilled vegetables, and ... read more
June 9th 2005
... because it is frigid here right now!! Ok, not frigid. But it's pretty darn cool for June. The situation is compounded by the fact that we all have limited wardrobes! Such is life living out of a backpack, I guess. :) Anyway, we all got dressed up to go to Asolo's "disco" last night only to learn that they weren't opening it because of the cold. We still hung out at Epoca (the local bar) until the wee hours of the morning though. Tonight we have our "gourmet dinner". But first, we have a pretty extensive European etiquette class. Should be interesting and fun! I am ready for the weekend (I think). Since classes are so crazy during the week, I just figure out my plans on the train ride there! I am going to ... read more
June 7th 2005
Yes, that's right, the world's biggest bug spent the night in my room. Eeeewww! I have named it the "monster Italian wasp". May it rest in peace. I don't actually know that it was a wasp, but it was gianormous and made buzzing sounds like a bee/wasp. When I saw it last night, I ran out to the common room to get help. But it disappeared and I fear everyone thought I was hallucinating. Then . . . this morning . . . Stephanie (my roommate) spotted the bugger on our window. THEN my roommates believed me and said they would never doubt me again! Julie (my other roommate and new hero) managed to get him with her shoe. I have awarded her the Gold Star of the month. Ah, Italy. Why are there no screens ... read more
Tot: 0.128s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 8; qc: 74; dbt: 0.0386s; 1; s:apollo w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 1; ; mem: 6.4mb
© 2013 TravelBlog.org & Bloggers