18.3.14

running through florence


I don't know if it was the pasta, pizza, or paninis, but something was telling me that with the weather warming up, and my pants getting more snug that it was time to hit the pavement and see where my running shoes could take me. And let me say, it is much better than runs through the cornfields of Champaign. Equipped with my UP band and Beyonce's new album, I was off. I found that running is one of the best ways to see new parts of Florence so I thought I would share some of the beauty I have seen on my runs. Enjoy :)








More pictures to come. 
Ciao for now, 

things I know for sure (part tre)



This weeks Things I Know For Sure is dedicated to traveling, and all that I have learned through endless hours on planes, trains, and automobiles...

1. Patience is a g*ddamn virtue, and not enough people have figured that out yet.
By this day and age anyone who is traveling and not expecting a line has clearly not traveled before. Let's just all make each other's lives easier and be patient and happy when waiting in them, yelling and being rude will not make it go any faster. (This sometimes is a rule I apply to myself...)

2. If there is anyway possible to get an EU passport (including paying off the consulate), do it. It will make your life exponentially easier when traveling. I don't know if it is because EU citizens are more trustworthy than us Americans, but it takes us about 10 times longer to pass through customs...

3. Overnight train = overdose on Zzquil. 
You will be asked every hour throughout the night for your ticket, you will have pains in your neck and back, and you will not sleep without the help of meds. Do yourself a favor and pop a few pills to make life a little easier. 

4. Always carry on. 
If I have learned one thing from this traveling is that I always overpack, but given a limited budget and a camping backpack...anything is possible. 10 days to Paris, London, and Ireland in a carry on? Easy. I will never check a bag again. Mark my words. 

5. I am lucky.
Above all, the thing that I know for sure after 2 months of traveling is that I am immensely fortunate to have the opportunities to see the world. All joking aside, traveling is something that very, very few get to do in this world, and despite the long lines, security checks, and hassle of getting from point A to B, I would not change it for the world. 

Ciao, for now,
M

the 21 club

The wait is finally over. After waiting probably a little too long for this day to come, I finally am a legal adult. Although my 21st birthday was a bit anticlimactic considering you can legally drink at 18 in Europe, it was exciting nonetheless. I rung in midnight by getting drinks at the rooftop bar at the Westin hotel that overlooked all of Florence, and then on my actual birthday, Lizzie and Marikate surprised me with morning mimosas and a Nutella Belgian waffle complete with flowers and balloons! That evening we were off to Vienna on an overnight train (probably exactly where my parents wanted me to be on my 21st birthday...trapped in a train car free of any alcohol...)




Post on Vienna to come!
Ciao, for now,
M

slainte



Ireland was the last stop on the "tour de spring break" and I couldn't have been more excited to see the beautiful, green, rolling hills that I have only seen in pictures and movies. I also couldn't wait to really experience a true Irish pub in its full glory (probably a little more than the hills..). 

We arrived on Thursday morning to Dublin, a bit exhausted from all our London and Paris activities, but we we're excited nonetheless. Our gracious hostess, Dee Dee, was patiently awaiting us at the airport after landing from Chicago, and we were off! First stop? The Guinnesss Storehouse, of course. Our favorite museum thus far ;) Complete with a lesson on how to properly sip, pour, and taste Guinness, the tour was amazing. Who knew there was even a proper way to drink beer? I thought as long as it was cold it was fair game, or at least that's what my Dad always taught me. After enjoying a pint of Ireland's finest in the Gravity Bar overlooking all of Dublin, we were off to Mayo, Clairemorris to be exact, ready for a long warm shower, Chinese food by the fire, and a comfy bed. I think we could've slept for days...





View from the Gravity Bar
After we slept in quite late, we took advantage of the nice weather and headed out to Ashford Castle. Unfortunately it was under construction so we could not go in, but it was beautiful. So jealous that my parents got to actually spend the night there...maybe next time I'll get an invite... 





The Quiet Man Statue

Because we didn't make it to one in London...


We could not leave Ireland without pictures of with sheep so we pulled off on the side of the road on our way to Westport to take pictures with our furry friends. We spent the afternoon in Westport shopping around, enjoying an authentic lunch of fish and chips, and another pint of Guinness. You know what they say in Ireland..."a pint a day keeps the doctor away." 



Sassy sheep...baa, baaa



We spent Saturday in Galway, which was a spot unlike anywhere we've been. Pubs on every corner, steps away from the Atlantic, it was absolutely beautiful. After spending some time wandering the markets and shops of Galway we were just in time to sit at the Dail Bar to watch the Ireland versus Italy rugby match. Ireland won so of course we celebrated with another pint or two and were off back to Clairemorris to cozy up by the fire, and put our new slippers to use. 


Found your place in Galway, Nini!
The Coast 




 
Our purchase from the Galway market

We woke up early Sunday to head back into Dublin. The sun was shining and it was relatively warm so we took advantage of the weather and walked around Dublin, visiting Trinity College, before stopping in a pub to listen to some live Irish music and have a Sunday Funday of our own. Needless to say, as I am typing this on the plane after waking up at 5 am, I think I'll have to take a personal day today...I definitely need to improve on my beer drinking skills before I make it back to Ireland.


Trinity College







All in all it was a great trip, I cannot wait to be back!! Slainte! 
Ciao, for now,
M

PS. Thank you Mom and Dad for making this possible, without you this blog would be incredibly boring ;) 

17.3.14

Winning London



A hop, skip, and a jump and we were in the UK. I was in search of Big Ben, British accents, but most of all my two favorite Harrys....Prince and Styles. Unfortunately I only found two of the above (neither being Harry...), and I also found that I am completely in love with London. It was much like the USA relocated across the world but with better accents, cuter streets, more beautiful people, and of course better shopping. 

Our first night we went out with some of our friends studying in London to the most unique and um...interesting night club. Cirque de Soleil was everything you think of when you mix a night club and circus together. Face painting, fire breathing, drag queens, fortune telling, popcorn, dessert, this place was unlike anything I've seen before. We even managed to capture our night in the photo booth complete with a giant fan built in to make us look even more like models than we already are ;) 





The next morning we decided to hit the ground running and see all that we could considering we only had two full days in the city. We started off the morning in Covent Garden area eating lunch and shopping around the markets. We then took a trip to the one and only Harrods and got dessert from the most amazing food court I've ever seen (totally right Aunt Kate...).




Just one of the many FAB rooms at Harrods food court

Laduree at Harrods

Next up, the most important site of all. Da da daaaa...the home of the Elizabeth James and Annie Parker. Unfortunately the house was under construction so we made do with the identical house next door (shh...).

My future home




 After realizing that spending 30 pounds to see wax figures at Madame Tussnads was not the best use of our limited funds we decided to go see the Crown Jewels  and Tower Bridge. And let me say...if I learned anything during our time in London it's that I want to come back as a royal...those jewels....



The only picture I could snag inside the Crown Jewels 


After Tower Hill, we went on a spin around the London Eye and saw some of the most beautiful views of London. We ended the night with sushi and a movie in our cozy hostel room for three (we're grandmas...) 




Big Ben at sunset






Me and Benny Boy

Day 2. 
The only thing getting me out of bed was knowing we we're headed to one of the most famous breakfast places in London and anyone who knows me knows that breakfast is a must in my life. The Breakfast Club was hands down, 100% worth waking up for. Huevos Rancheros, I will dream about you for days to come.




Uncomfortably full we decided to walk it off along Abbey Road aka the most overrated site in London...not much more to say about it. But after many failed attempts and a few close calls with traffic we managed a decent picture.


After saluting the kings of English music we were off to see the real royals...Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens and Palace were the next stops. Unfortunately Harry didn't get the memo that I was in town, but maybe next time I'll have to make sure my people contact his people. 




Hyde Park
In the afternoon we visited Notting Hill and Portobello Market and also Borough Market near London Bridge. We ended our visit with none other than Donna and the Dynamos singing and dancing the night away to the best of ABBA at Mamma Mia. 

Colorful houses in Notting Hill


Mamma Mia! Here I go again


I'd say we accomplished a lot, but I'll also say that I'll be back Harry...I mean London ;) 
Ciao, for now! Off to the homeland...
M