Trip to Rome!

Hi all,

  I've been a little quiet lately but we're currently wrapping up the semester and that means a lot of work! Anyways, two weeks ago we had the amazing experience of visiting Rome. It was magical.

  The ACM program was amazing in getting us 3 days full of important visits: We got to go to the Coliseum and unlike 99% of visitors, we had the chance to go underground and up to the third floor with a very charismatic guide. It was amazing to get to see  the whole of it and understand its significance. Later that day, we went to see the Pantheon and its interior is mesmerizing. It truly is a piece of art. We then went to  visit the Forum and ruins and it was so cool to be there!

 Next day we had the unforgettable experience of getting a tour of the Vatican (I still can't believe we went to the Vatican). We had a tour of the Necropolis with an archaeologist working there and it was so cool to see this now buried city and all the different family tombs. Saints Peter's Basilica was one of the highlights of the trip. Also, we visited the 16th Chapel!! So beautiful! The only downside: Given the fact it was a holiday weekend and we have a new Pope, there were so many people in Rome that weekend that I almost cry out of claustrophobia. The officials said that this amount of people was unusual and it felt uncomfortable at times because well, everyone likes a little space. However, it was nevertheless a great opportunity and I am so gad we did this... we are very lucky!

Life in Florence

Hello all,

     Today I am writing to you about those small yet important cultural details that make living abroad quite interesting. Me and a roommate are living with a host family for the remaining 7 weeks of the program. After being 8 weeks from home, the first thing I noticed when I met our amazing host mom, is that cozy feeling I got as I entered the flat.

      Dinner time is of utmost importance in Florence since it is family time and no one should be late! At least tell your host family you won't make it. First day I got lost in Florence and arrived 10 minutes late and our host mom could not start making dinner without me so yeah, dinner was late. Florentines usually eat big dinners late at night. In the U.S. we eat around 5-7 pm and here we eat around 7pm-10pm. Dinners incorporate three course meals: First plate can be soup, pasta, or rice; second plate can be vegetables with chicken, pork or roast beef, and the third one is dessert, most likely fruits. The food is delicious here in Italy, and yes,the pizza is great. Breakfast consists of tea or coffee and something sweet, like a pastry. One thing I keep forgetting is that a lot of Italian shops close for their siesta between 1-3 pm, so gotta make sure I do my shopping before. Also  they rarely split checks :/ Here are some photos on beautiful Florence and its art:

 The Bell Tower of the Duomo

 Donatello's Maria Magdalene

Relics

 Take care,
 Rebecca S.

Sienna and San Gimignano!

Hello all,

   Our first week here in Florence was spent eating great food, meeting our professors and program director, and being overwhelmed by the beauty and historical important of this great city. During the weekend we took a trip to Sienna and it was a very nice visit. The main Sienna cathedral was beautiful and we had the opportunity to go all the way to the top and see the panoramic view (pictures below). Also, cappuccinos are amazing. At the end of our trip we made a stop on the walled city of San Gimignano and it was the cutest town. It was on top of a hill and had a variety of interesting stores.
Here are some pictures:

 Pure beauty.

 Colors

 Sienna cathedral front facade

 Bell Tower

 Cute little houses

On top of the Sienna Cathedral!

Take care,

Rebecca S.

Firenze!

Buon Giorno!

   I am now in Florence and week 1 has been hectic but truly amazing. I have seen so much, I can now die in peace. Upon our arrival we had a walking tour of the city at night and our first Italian 3-course meal. Living with a host family can be one of the most amazing experiences ever. It truly feels like home and it's amazing to have someone care so much for us and help us learn about Italian language and culture. The city is very beautiful and the market is awesome. Here are some pictures!

 David

 The Duomo

 The Bell Tower

Happy Easter,

Rebecca S.

A little peek at Barcelona

Hello all,

   For spring break last week, I escaped the cold climate in England and made my way down to Barcelona. The climate was perfect: sunny with a nice breeze. First thing I loved: they spoke Spanish, so I felt at home. Second thing: The buildings reminded me of those back home in Puerto Rico, due to Spain owning us long, long ago. This gives me all the feels! Anyways, The first day we went to "Plaza Espana" and it was very beautiful. It sort of looks like the Arc de Triomphe avenue. There is the "Arenas de Barcelona" shopping mall and market which was very nice and we managed to eat gelatto crepes.  There is also the amazing building home to the Anthropology museum. I loved Barcelona and the people were very hospitable. Here are some pictures:

 The Anthropology Museum :)

Candy Store!

Happy Easter,

Rebecca S.

Paris Trip!

Hello all,

  Here are some pictures from my trip to Paris. I am now in Barcelona and it is sunny and beautiful. The food is great, too! The first night in Paris we decided to take the long bus ride to Trocadero and see the Eiffel Tower (duh!). Tip: don't climb the tower if you're not used to exercising like me! I almost die haha. The view form the tower is Magnifique!

   Then we had dinner at a very nice Piano Bar and the poor waitress had to explain the whole menu to us. Food was great though. Next day we went to the Louvre and it was amazing. All the paintings and sculptures were great to see and very inspiring. It was funny to see so many people in front of the Monna Lisa, which is sorta small.  The Nutella crepes are delicious. God bless Europe, they put Nutella on everything!

 View from our hotel room

 Yum!

 View from the top of the Eiffel Tower

 Arc de triomphe

 Ms. Monna Lisa

 pretty carousel

the tower at night

Bonjour!

Bonjour!

      For our second long weekend we decided to make a lil trip to Paris and I'm glad we did because it's unbelievable. Many a waiter we have asked to translate the whole menu for us. I'll upload some pictures soon.

     Here are some pictures I took while visiting the Queen's House, the Royal Naval College, and the Royal Maritime Museum. They are beautiful buildings with a lot of meaning and it was very interesting to see how navigation could have impacted a country's history in the way these did.

 The Two matching buildings were intended to appear as two cats were staring at each other.

 The group!

 The Two main buildings of the College

 Queen's House

 Some of the many navigation-related paintings at Queen's House

 Details of the ceiling at the Queen's House

The Tulip Stairs

 Dining room tables and chandeliers at the Painted Hall

 Detail of the columns at the Painted Hall

 Ceiling of the Painted Hall

 Painted Hall Ceiling

 Chapel ceiling

Chapel