The amazing cinque terra adventure...

So yesterday I had the amazing opprotunity to go to Cinque Terra! It has 5 different villages and I hiked through the first three and then decided that I didn't want to hike that much and took the train to the 4th and 5th villages. This place has some of the most beautiful beach and villages I have seen since being in Italy! Every city I walked through felt surreal. I felt like I was walking through a movie set!

I really can't wait to show all of you picutres because I think you will be blown away, espically by Cinque Terra.

The 4th city was my favorite cause of course it had shopping! I got a really nice new leather purse. It will be good for when i go to Florence because it lays really close to my body and had many different compartments and zippers for all of them! yay!

Tommorrow (Monday) I have my second Italian test. We have learned a lot in the past week so I am really nervous! And at the end of this week, we have our final test. So my test anxiety is pretty much going nuts! Pray for me and wish me luck!

Just so you all know, I do love getting random emails and posts on facebook. It lets me know that you are still thinking of me and I don't get so home sick! Don't forget about me!!

Love you and miss you all!

Lucca and my first Italian test

So yesterday I got the amazing chance to go see the city of Lucca. What a beautiful city!!! It is a tiny little city that Florence was trying to expand to but the city of Lucca wanted to be its own so they built these really high walls all around the city. Today, you can walk on them and see all of the city. I didn't get a chance to do this but all the more reason to come back to europe later! heehee I saw many cathedrals and churches but my favorite was when we got to climb up one of many bell towers and see an entire view of the city! Oh i can't wait to post pictures! The city of Lucca also has some AMAZING shops! I found a Sephora there! Crazy huh?

Other than Lucca yesterday, today I had my weekly test in my italian class. Me having crazy test anxiety was freaking out about it. The test was only a page long and I seemed to do okay. But after looking at my notes after the test I think I got a couple wrong. I guess I will find out tomorrow. After school I sat around, walked to the post office and got stamps so some of you will be getting postcards soon if I have your address! Then had a meeting with the Resident Director to get some of my classes changed so that I am taking only 3 classes with the same credit load I was taking. When I get to Florence I will be taking Mysticsm and Magic in Medieval and Ren. Italy, History of Italian Cinema and Society and Elementary Italian 2. Right now while we are in Lido, I am in Elementary 1.

Missing everyone and just thought I would give an update!

The leaning tower adventure...

Today I had my third italian class. It is getting easier as the days go by. Class does not seem as overwhelming as it did the first day. And I am learning too! yay!

Today after classes I went on a trip to Pisa. On the way we stopped at Puccni's house and had a tour. I would have taken picture if i could but i did get a picture of the outside just to prove that I went! After that we traveled to Pisa. We saw the leaning tower and the cathedrals and monuments. I of course, got the tourist picture of me pushing up the leaning tower. It had to be done!

I just got back from having a glass of wine and desert with some friends that I have made. Pictures will be coming soon when I get to Florence. So much to show! I will be posting them on facebook!

If you want a postcard please e-mail your address to me if you haven't already to LShort@gmail.com

Still missing everyone at home but I am having a fantastic time!

The start of a new adventrue...

I have started my trip to Italy and already it has been fantastic!

I flew to London on the 16th which when I got there, became the 17th! I almost missed my flight to London because my flight from San Fran to London was running late. I ran to the terminal and ran towards the gate. I barely made it in time. In London on the 2nd day we had a bus tour of all of London. It was so beautiful! I got to see the London Eye, the Tower of London and Covent Garden. After the bus tour, my roommate for the London trip Barbra and I decided to tour Weistmeister Abbey, a beautiful church in the west part of London that still holds services today. From London I flew to Pisa and then took a private coach to Hotel Colombo in Lido Do Camaiore.

Yesterday the 19th we had our first orientation meeting and then we all walked into town and ate. I didnt realize that eating at resturant would take over 3 hours! It was quite and experience! But today we started our Italian classes and it was a bit overwhelming because the teachers teach entirely in Italian. But I am slowly learning! It has been quite a trip and cant wait to post picutes and write more!