Roma! Florence! Venice! Home!

Part 1 - Roma
Wednesday, December 9 was our final day at Harlaxton. We had our British Studies final at 9:30 in the morning and then we were done!! It was so nice to be done with the semester, but being done with the semester meant that I had to leave all my new friends. Even though I knew I was going to see them in Italy, it was really hard to say goodbye. We left to fly to Roma at 10:30 the next morning, and I fell asleep before we even took off! Our hotel wasn’t the best. We had four people in our room, and there was very little walking space, and there was never any hot water, which doesn’t help.

The first night we decided to just walk around, and we saw this huge building, but we didn’t know what building. We later realized that if we would have turned left, the Coliseum was right there. That Friday, we went to Vatican City, which I didn’t think I would like too much, but I ended up liking it a lot! While there, we went to St. Peters Basilica, which was beautiful. Then, we went to Vatican Museum, which features the Sistine Chapel. I loved it there so much! If my camera had not have died, I would have taken pictures…even though you weren’t suppose to. After that, it was off to the Spanish steps. There were also men there that would come up to you and give you a rose, and you would ask if it was free, and he would say yes, then turn around and come back and ask for money. We gave him back his roses! Next, we continued on to the Trevi Fountain, which was beautiful…and I threw a coin in there to hopefully bring me good luck. After that we went to the Pantheon, a beautiful church with a hole in the top.

Even though it was still pretty early, we decided that we would go back to the hotel and rest a little bit, and then go back out a see the Trevi fountain at night time. I didn’t think I was going to go, but I ended up going and had fun. On our way back we decided to get gelato. We walked into a random shop that sold gelato and while my friend and I were trying to decide what flavor to get, this guy who worked there walked up to us, and tried to talk to me in Italian, but I didn’t understand. So he said something to the person behind the counter and that person handed him a sample of gelato. The guy went to hand it to me, so when I went to reach for it…he said no…open your mouth. I said “what?” and he said “open your mouth; I’ll feed it to you.” He wouldn’t let me take it with my hand…so I finally just opened my mouth and he fed it to me. He also fed my friend some gelato. That was the first and last guy to feed us gelato!

The next day we went to the Coliseum, and as soon as we got off the metro it was right there. Not only was it right there; there was also many people! When we bought our tickets not only did it get us into the Coliseum, but it got us into Palatine Hill, and Imperial Forum. So we went to see all three, and they were all so beautiful. I loved the Forums the best, and they went on forever it seemed.

Part 2 - Florence
The next stop of our trip was Florence. We were all excited to meet up with the other group, they had also been there for an extra day then us to, so unfortunately we only had one full day to spend with the other group. While there, a few of my friends from the other trip and I went to Pisa to see the leaning tower. We had a great time, though we didn’t go up in it because it cost a small fortune. The next day, we went to The Academy to see the real “David” by Michelangelo. Then, we went to the Duomo, a church that was HUGE and really close to our hotel. We also went to Uffizi and saw all the renaissance art. The last stop was a gigantic bridge with tons of shops on it.

Part 3 - Venice
In Venice, we only had one full day to explore. We used our day to take a boat to the island of Murano. If you didn't know, by boat is the only way you could travel in Venice, because there wasn’t enough room for roads to be built, and it is basically sinking into the water. When we went to Murano, there was a high tide so we couldn’t go out of the port. The water came up over the sidewalks and would go into buildings. We decided to walk to another port and was able to watch glass blowers.

Part 4 - The Return Home
The next day, we left for London. We had to check out of our hotel at 9:30 a.m. even though our flight wasn’t supposed to leave until 7 p.m. With no place to go, and limited funds, many of us went to the only McDonalds in Venice. I spent about 4 hours there. When we left for the airport, we found out that our flight was delayed by 45 minutes then it was pushed back to an hour then back to two hours, because of snow in London…which believe me wasn’t very much! People from the other group were suppose to meet us in Heathrow in terminal 1, but they ended up stuck in terminal 5 and the only way you can get between the terminals is by the tube, and it had already stopped running by the time they got in, so we had to wait till 5 a.m.

When we finally met up with our friends, we had already heard that some others flights have been cancelled. I was hoping that my fight wouldn’t get canceled. So we get there and next to our flight it said inquire airline…later we found out while trying to check in that our flight was cancelled. There was a huge snow storm that was going to hit JFK, so Delta cancelled all their fights there. I was hoping to get on a flight the next day, but they said that they didn’t know if any were leaving for JFK, and all the flights to the states were already booked. So Delta put me in a hotel! I was glad to have Nicole with me, so we didn’t have to go through this alone.

We found out at dinner that we wouldn’t be booked for the next day either, but Nicole and I did get booked for a flight on Monday, December 21st from Heathrow to Atlanta then Atlanta to Kansas City, which we were even lucky to be booked on that flight, and we were able to fly business class which was awesome! I was so happy to finally land in Atlanta. I was back in the US!

When I finally returned home, my mom and friend were there waiting for me and it’s so nice to see them, and to be somewhat back home (I still had a two hour drive home). With the trip nearly at an end, I tripped on my suitcase walking to the car and hit my head on the road pretty hard. I ended up being okay though with the mark on my forehead and nose to show that I’m not the most graceful person. It was so nice to be home, and sleeping in my own bed. It took a couple days adjusting to the time difference, I found myself waking up really early.

With it all over, I’m really happy to be home, and I’m super excited to get back to Bethany and to see all my friends. I’m really glad that I did this, and that I had this opportunity. Because of this, I am changed for the better. I realized a lot about myself and am grateful for the opportunity!

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, the staff at Harlaxton tried their best to have a traditional meal. Even though the whole day it didn’t seem like it was Thanksgiving at all. We had classes Monday-Thursday, and no matter how much we tried to talk our teacher out of not having class on Thursday, we still had class. The meal was okay, though at my family dinner we don’t serve turkey, we always have ham and I missed that. I really wish I could have been home for Thanksgiving, because my mom went to Texas to visit her mom, and other family that we don’t get regularly get to see.

Friday, I went to see “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream” performed by a ballet company from Wales. It was really cool and I really enjoyed it. Saturday, I went to see “New Moon” again! The second time was better because there weren’t as many little kids freaking out when certain actors came on. Then, I went with a few friends to The Blue Pig for a drink before heading back to the manor. We had a slumber party in my room, which worked perfectly because my roommate was gone for the weekend.

Since most of my classes are over, I have no homework to do, so on Sunday I did nothing but relax! This week marks the last day of classes, and I can’t wait till they are over! The past couple of days there have been a few programs, for instances there was a choir concert that I went to, and the tree trimming where we decorated the huge tree in the great hall. That was fun!

The other day we had a briefing for the Italy trip. The more I think about it, I really just want to go home. I am ready to be stateside! Tomorrow, is convocation where we get our certificates for attending Harlaxton High School…oh, I mean College. Then a nice dinner – and the last night the bistro will be open. Then, I have finals Saturday and Sunday…wish me luck!

Costume Ball

This weekend was the costume ball, and while I wasn’t too sure if I was going to go, the more my friends and I talked about it, the more excited I got. I didn’t have a costume and no ideas about what I could be, until one of my friends had an idea…a nudist on strike! All you have to do is write that on a piece of paper acting as your sign and then your golden. So that’s what I was, even though she made the sing for me, we ended up finding out later that she spelled nudist wrong. Oh well, we still had a good time!

Sunday was work day. My term paper was due on Monday and with only my research done, I had to get writing! I didn’t want to write it in my room, my roommate was there and I knew it would be a distraction, so I went down stairs to sit on a couch. Though I soon realized that I get very distracted sitting there, too. After sitting there for almost 2-3 hours and only having about 500 words, I needed to move. I went into the computer lab with a friend who was also working on her paper - though she had not started yet and it was already 10 when I moved in there. By about two in the morning, I was a little over 1000 words and I wanted to try to finish by 3, but that didn’t end up happening. I ended up leaving the computer lab around 3:30 a.m. and all I had left was my conclusion and a bibliography.

When I got back to my room, my roommate was in there with a guy, sleeping, and this isn’t the first time it’s happened. And we’ve talked about it not happening again, but it seems to continue, so I had to go get an RA to have him kicked out, so I could sleep. I forgot to mention this earlier, but the night of the costume ball he was also in there asleep when I got back, and I didn’t want to deal with it that night, so I stayed in someone else’s room.

Anyways, on Monday morning I ended up sleeping through lecture and seminar, but I finished my paper and had everything finished like I needed to. I was supposed to take a test at 2, but the teacher never showed so then I turned in my paper. I was so glad that I finished my paper because that was the only big project I had to do and it was nice to be done with it.

Tuesday, I didn’t really do anything, because I didn’t have any homework. Today, I plan on seeing a play. Thursday is Thanksgiving, which I hear is suppose to be really good here. Then on Friday I plan on going to see a ballet with my meet-a-family. I can’t wait to relax!

Go back to the U.S.A!

There is a point to my title, but I’ll come back to that. Last

Wednesday we left for Paris, we took a train down to King’s Cross in London, and then walked across the street to the Eurostar station. When we arrived in Paris, we were all starving, so we ate at the Hard Rock Café. I spent way too much money on my meal, and our waiter was kind of creepy.

The next day we walked to Notre Dame Cathedral (pictured right). It was so beautiful inside!! It doesn’t look that big on the outside, but inside it just keeps going. We found out later you can go to the top, but we didn’t know at the time. Next, we walked to Musée d’Orsay. We were going to go in, but we decided we would another day because we wanted to buy a two day museum pass.

We decided we would walk down to L’Arc de Triomphe. We went to the top just in time for the Eiffel Tower (left) light show and then we walked to the Eiffel Tower. We went to the top, it was pretty cool and I recommend it; though it was very cold, and VERY windy at the top! It was extremely busy making it take forever just to get on second floor; once you get there, you have to take another lift to get to the ground floor. We were at the top when these guys cut in front of us. I told them that the back of the line was way back there, but they ignored me. On the second floor we were saying the one liners we knew in French and the same guys turned around and ask us if we knew French? We told them that we did not to which they asked where we were from. We told them the USA, and they just laughed and turned back around. They were the last ones who could fit on the lift, and right before the doors closed they yelled “Go back to the USA.” This upset a lot of us in the group, one guy even used profanity, I told them oh how funny they were. But here’s the thing, I don’t think they were even from France. It seemed like they were from Italy.

After that fiasco, we took the metro back to the hotel because everyone’s feet were killing them. The next day, we bought our two day passes and hit up the Louvre (middle) left). We spent about five hours in one wing alone, that place is huge! I got to see the “Mona Lisa”, and one of my personal favourites, “Madonna with Child.” By the time we left, it was time to eat dinner, so we ate at McDonalds - it was one of the cheapest places we could find.

On Saturday, we went to Versailles to the Chateau de Versailles (left). It was so beautiful and big! It rained on our way back into Paris. We stopped at Orsay on the way back, but we didn’t have much time because they were getting ready to close. We asked for information about the location of Jim Morrison’s grave, but she said they were getting ready to close. We could have gone in the morning, but we were leaving and I didn’t want to risk it. That evening, we ate an amazing French restaurant and went back to the Eiffel Tower to watch the light show!!

I loved Paris!! It was dirty, and there were a lot of homeless people, but I still thought it was so beautiful. I was sick most of the time I was in Paris and didn’t feel to well on Monday or Tuesday, so I stayed in my room and didn’t go to class. This week is going to be long, because we have class on Friday, because we have to make up for class we missed last Thursday.

This weekend is the costume ball and I am still searching for a costume. Next week my term paper is due and then there are only two weeks of classes left!!

London & Cadbury

On Friday, everyone had a British studies trip to London. Our group started at St. Paul’s then went to the National Gallery. St. Paul’s Cathedral is so beautiful, though we weren’t allowed to take pictures. The reason we went there was because it had to do with what we talked about last section, even though we just started a new section. I think we should have had this trip a little earlier. Then, we walked down to the National Gallery. Our itinerary told us it would only take 30 minutes, but it actually took us about 45-50 minutes, with a detour. We first went across Millennium Bridge. When inside the National Gallery, we saw many paintings that were included in many lectures; it was crazy seeing them in real life and in real size! We spent about two hours here.


Then we went to Leicester Square to buy tickets. We ended up seeing The Lion King!!! It was AMAZING!!! Probably one of the best plays I’ve ever seen! Oh, and London is rainy. You know how you see in the movies when a bus or car will drive by and water splashes on the person? Yeah, that totally happened to me, only my feet got soaked, and not my whole body.

I didn’t arrive back to the manor until 2 a.m. and unfortunately had to get up at 7 for Cadbury. It was very cold that day, but I was okay with that, because once you arrived to Cadbury World you get free chocolate!! Cadbury World was crazy! It was like a maze where you learn about chocolate, and how the Cadbury brothers started their business.

Next, it was off to the largest Cadbury Chocolate store in the world, and I purchased tons of chocolate!!! Then, we went to Birmingham, the largest shopping district in England. So we went to the Bull Ring which has over 200 shops. There were so many people that we had to sit at Starbucks for over an hour – the crowd was too overbearing.



Back to Manor we headed again for the nasty Sunday dinner that never changes. Monday was boring!!!!! Tuesday was the same thing though I only had one class, and that night I watched Hocus Pocus!! Which I haven’t seen in forever!!! Love that movie! Today is Remembrance Day. We have a service this afternoon because an air battalion stayed at Harlaxton during WWI. Today, we also leave for Paris! I’m so excited!! Just think…later today I’ll be in Paris!!!

44 Days

I am going to go on a rant so please feel free to skip to the next paragraph if you want to avoid it…Right now, Harlaxton is feeling a bit like high school and I hate it! Cliques have been formed and even my roommate seems to have fallen back into the days of high school – being nice to my face and then not so nice outside of our room. I am frustrated! I already went through four years of high school, just like everyone else here, but I left that all behind me. One of the professors here even mentioned that there seems to be a bigger divide between students this year. I guess I am ready to come home and my countdown (44 days) has begun!


This weekend, I stayed that the Manor and caught up on some homework. So far, the week has been kind of boring. Today, I had a British studies test, which I hope to do better on this one then I did on the last. Tonight, there is a Bonfire! It’s an English tradition. On Thursday, there was suppose to be a volleyball game, but it got canceled. However, it’s clue night so that’ll make up for it! Friday, is a British Studies trip to London, then on Saturday a trip to Cadbury. Can’t wait - I’m going to get so much chocolate! Then, next week is Paris!!!! I am sure November will just fly by!

Across the Universe

Friday night, I went out to eat with a couple people. Then we came back, because we had to get up early for Liverpool! On Saturday our train left at 7:25, and we didn’t get there until 11:15ish. We tried to make our way to get on the Fab Four Taxi Tour, but we got a little lost. So we stopped into an information center and booked our 2:30 taxi tour there. During our down time, we decided we would go to the Beatles Museum. It was amazing!! They had rooms set up as clubs/bars that they started out playing in. I also found out more about the inspiration for their songs and the recording process.

After the museum, it was time for the Fab Four Taxi Tour, which was awesome! We went to so many places. We saw all of the Beatles’ childhood homes, though Ringos’ house was in a dodgy place so we weren’t allowed to leave anything in the cab. We also went to Strawberry Fields, which use to be an orphanage run by the Salvation Army. John use to go there when he was younger to play with the children. It was said that since his mom and dad left him in the care of his aunt that he felt more at home there. We also went to Penny Lane, where you can find a bank, fire station and barber shop. We also got to see Eleanor Rigby’s grave. I found out that John told his aunt that he wanted to make his living playing music. His aunt told him he’d never make. She told him the story of Eleanor Rigby who tried to do the same thing, and she died along with her name; though Eleanor died several years before John was even born.

After the tour it was off to catch the train. Sunday was a day of relaxation. On Monday/Tuesday, nothing eventful happened. On Tuesday, I had volleyball practice, and I found out that our first game in on Monday…against a prison! We’ll be locked in with them…scary!! Today, I have plans to go to Newark with my meet-a-family.

Until next time!