The Fashion capitol

If you're a hunger games fan you might be thinking that I'm talking about the Capitol or even district 1. Lets face it they have some pretty classy people. However I'm actually talking about the fashion capitol of Italy. Milan or in Italian Milano (like the cookie). Our group sleepily walked to our bus around 6:50 am. I think this about the time most of you are going to bed (in America). The drive there was a little over three hours I think and I slept the entire way. On these long trips the bus will usually stop at a sort of gas station so we can eat our breakfast and go to the restroom. Once we got into the city our first stop was an old castle.

As we were leaving a bunch of guys selling rainbow thread bracelets came up to us. I couldn't even say no! My wrist was grabbed and before I knew it I had just acquired a new bracelet. He then asked me for money, but all I had on me was a 20 and lunch money that the school had given us. I didn't feel too bad not giving him anything though. One of my friends gave about 10 euros just so the vender would let go of her wrist. I then found a 20 cent piece that I could've given, but I decided to make a wish and throw it into the fountain instead.

We then made our way to the famous Milano Duomo! Once again my breath was taken away from me. The church was so decorated and had so much detail. To get close and see everything in detail is to get lost in a single building.

  The best part of the trip was going on top. I think I heard someone say that there were 250 steps to the top. It was a little nerve racking going up the stairs because it was very tight and there were no windows really. You could only take three steps at a time (sometimes four) then turn and go up the next three then turn and go up the next three all the way to the top. If I could I would die on top of the duomo.

On the top of every tall post thing there were Saints to watch over the entire city. I decided that on top of the world was the best place to stop and have lunch. I sat and just enjoyed the moment. The weather was perfect. It was pretty cloudy and treated to rain but while we were up there it held off. After lunch our group took some pictures then started our decent. As we were walking down the stairs it started to sprinkle. If it were to rain while we were on top the guards would've had to close it because it's hazardous. I then went into the church to see what it was like. Almost every Catholic church I've been in has been dark and gloomy. The architecture is very beautiful with all of it's detail and long rows of columns and arches. It's almost like you're walking with Gandalf through the Mines of Moria. It's all dark and gloomy and suddenly you find yourself in the great hall. You feel so small because everything around you is so large and vast. It was like this church went on forever! I didn't even see the very back of it. I did get to go downstairs and see a crypt...I think thats what it was. There was a very fancy decorated room behind iron bars and just opposite of that was a sealed off room with a glass casket. I believe it was of a previous pope. I'm not for sure, but it was a little weird. We weren't suppose to take pictures while we were there either, but I like to live on the edge sometimes. Of course my photos didn't actually turn out well, but I at least have them. I eventually wandered back outside. It had started raining noticeably more so I run with our group to shelter. We all stood in the living room of Milan and waited for the rain to subside. The living room of Milan is a glass roof mall type of place. It was built in honor of Italy's first king. The king and the architect were actually friends. Sadly the architect either committed suicide or tripped from the top of the building and fell to his death. The king died a few days later.

After the rain had stopped our group went and visited Teatro alle Scale. Inside we were able to see the opera house (no pictures aloud) ((JK I got a picture anyway!)) Every family had their own box for the theater. They were personally decorated for the person that owned the box. Inside there was a little museum I could go though. It had history of actors, composers, and my favorite part costumes. We then got a tour down the fashion block. All you could do is window shop because everything there was outrageously expensive. Eventually we all stopped for lunch and coffee in this quaint little restaurant. We also visited another church that was smooshed between the street and the houses around it. The painter had done a fantastic job of making the church look like it had more depth than it actually did. It was a real illusion to the eye of the beholder. Afterwards we were free to do what ever we wanted. I went shopping for a pair of ears and a possible tail because Halloween was the next day.  Andrea and I were the only ones shopping together and quickly realized that it was about time to leave. We eventually found our way back to the bus after some slight confusion. Once on the bus I was out like a light and thus ended my adventure in Milano (like the cookie! :D).

Part 2 of Naples

-Giorno tre
           
            Well it's been a while so I don't quite remember everything that happened the weekend I went to Naples. I'll do my best though.

            We started out on another early morning. This time we were headed to the Amalfi coast. We went to see this pretty neat church. The decorations on the outside were awesome. Inside the church we found a couple that was going to married there the next day. The bride to be didn't look too excited, but I also think she wasn't feeling very well. Most of us sat in the wooden pews just enjoying the sights around us.

After we the church the group split up and did their own thing. Emily and I went out on our own. We walked down the coast speaking in accents the whole time. Mostly with an Irish accent because we are both two red headed pale girls. It just made sense. We almost got a boat tour, but then saw the time (and the price) and promptly decided it was time for us to head back to the bus. We walked around a bit of the tourist shops before we jumped onto the bus. No matter where you go in Italy if it is somewhat of a touristy place you will find the same merchandise. Key-chains, shirts, aprons, magnets, and a whole lot of other things that you could find anywhere else. It wasn't terribly eventful but it was nice just hanging out with friends. Our group got on the bus once again and we headed towards a town at the top of a cliff. The town is called Ravello. It's very high up and to get there you have to go up very steep, tight, winding roads. It's very scary being on a bus and going up these roads. There were several times I thought we weren't going to make it as our bus brushed against the side of a wall. At any point it looked like we could just tip over and roll all the way down. The mountains look as though they are set in layers because of the houses that are stacked all along the sides. 

While we were in Ravello I spent most of the day alone. This is exactly what I needed though. I was free to just explore the city quietly without having to make any trips or stops I didn't necessarily want to. I went from one end of the city to another. I found this beautiful villa with purple leaves covering its front gate. I was even asked if I spoke english! Ha! That was one of the best moments for me because that meant I looked like I belonged there (at least to me.) As I walked I met this Italian couple that was visiting the city as well. We were all headed in the same direction so we had a little conversation. It was very simplistic and I think I used the full extent of my Italian in that conversation which wasn't much. I also ran into the girls dean Livianna. I half expected her to tell me I needed to find a group so I wouldn't be alone. Instead she was very cool with it and even told me of a neat little place to go to see a great view of the ocean (see pic above). It was then time for lunch so, I found a nice little restaurant with free wifi. The waiter spoke english thankfully so I knew exactly what I was ordering. This is where I had my very first taste of italian red wine. It was strong, but it didn't taste too bad. I believe he called it a desert wine. I don't remember the actual name. 

 



Overall this day was very relaxing. When I made it back to the meeting point several people scolded me for going off alone. I was fine in this quiet little town so I didn't take much heed to what they were saying. Once I was on the bus I decided to take a nice nap (like always). Every time I get on that bus to go somewhere I take the whole back seat to curl up and sleep. Sometimes I even sleep on the floor. Everyone else usually falls asleep as well, so I'm not the only weary traveler.

We made it back just in time for diner. I don't remember what we had the entire time we were there, but the food was fantastic especially the breakfast. After diner I went to my cabin and got ready to go out for the night. Our group had decided to go to a discoteca which is basically a club. I was ready before anyone else so I just put sweat pants and a jacket on so I could go get wifi at the main cabin. Other people from our group were there using up the internet as well. We sat and talked with the Canadians while they played ping-pong. We found out that they were going too so we would at least know people there. After a while they left and I went to the cabin where everyone seemed to be. Once we were ready we walked down the hill to dance the night away. I love dancing. If you know me, you should know that I dance and sing all the time. We all got in for free and it was actually pretty fun. The dj was good and the dance floor didn't have too many people on it. There were a few issues with some of the guys though. A lot of them really wanted to dance with our girls. If that happened to me I would put myself in the middle of our group or go sit down. One of the Canadians came up to me and asked me to dance. It was kinda nice. I don't think anyone asks to dance anymore. We then proceeded to two step. It made me laugh, because it wasn't two step kind of music but it was fun and he was very respectful. Later when it was time to go back to the hotel they walked us back to the main cabin. After sitting and talking for a while a group of us decided to hope over the pools fence and jump in the pool. It was very cold but it was an experience I won't forget. It was about four in the morning at this point so I said good night to everyone and went to my cabin.

   Giorno quatro-

        Everyone woke up early to enjoy our last breakfast there. Today we would be going into Napoli.

Going through the streets of Napoli were chaos. There were beggars and street statues every few feet. We were very rushed while there because we were not staying the whole day and only had a few hours. We saw government buildings, a gallery, and my favorite part The Veiled Christ. 

   

The art work here took my breath away. Everything was made of marble or stone. One figure I saw absolutely amazed me. I stared at it for the longest time because I was never quite sure if there was a veil over the figure or not. I even blew on it to see if it would move. I knew in my head that it was stone, but my eyes were in disbelief. I wish we could've stayed a bit longer and I really wish I could've taken pictures inside the chapel. After this we left in a big group for lunch. Our destination we called L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele. This name might be familiar to you if you've ever seen the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Yes, I have eaten pizza where Julia Roberts has eaten pizza. It was soo tasty and cheap too. What I love most about Napoli is how cheap it is. I bought a pair of flats for 10 euros!! You can't really find that anywhere else. I wish we had another visit there, but if I want to go back I'll have to plan my own trip. This has been the only over night trip we've had so far, but it was really fun and I hope to go back to a few of those places.