Italy

i got back from the great Camp Ch-Yo-Ca on Friday. This time I had Saturday and Sunday to wash clothes and pack, then leave again for Italy early Monday morning. i was gettin tired of coming and going. These are the three stages of all plane rides at this point:

This trip was for my school (Ouachita Christian School) art club. It felt like a field trip except it took 12 hours to get there.

We started our tour of Italy in "My fair Verona." This is where Romeo and Juliet is set. We went to Juliet's house which really confused me because i thought it was a fictional story, but the Italians talked about it like she actually lived there... Still confused about this...

Venice was next and it was incredible. It was almost exactly like i had imaged it except thousands of people besides me were there. i wasn't expecting that. We rode on a gondola like you have to do in Venice. Then for lunch we went to a pub which was the start of “not a single one of the menus being in English.” That was still day one so for the rest of the trip i played a game where you just point at something on the menu and say a little prayer.

The next two towns were ok but i don't remember their names. i was half asleep for both of them. Until Rome i didn't pay attention to the tour guide. If anyone has ever been on an EF Tour they know the headsets they call the "Whispers" are the quiet Whispers of Fun saying goodbye. Paying attention to the tour guide didn't last long.

i think after that was Pisa and Florence.

MK and i climbed the 492 steps to the top of the Leaning Tower. Besides the Tower, bargaining with the men selling "RayBands" for 3 Euros (seems legit, right?) is the only thing to do there. In the same day we went to Florence. MK and i went to the Duomo and climbed the 463 steps behind a large hairy man who seemed to have lost his belt. Crack kills. 

i never wanted to walk up another stair after that. "Gromm" in Florence was our favorite gelato place out of the whole trip.

The next place worth noting was Cinque Terra meaning "5 Lands". Cinque Terra’s 5 towns all very unique so you can ride the train until you find one you like. If you are ever in Italy, GO! And bring a swimsuit to jump of the giant rock. The food was the best in Cinque Terra. i really liked the mussels and clams.

The next morning we got up and drove to Milan. Milan really wasn't worth it unless you want to sell your car to even look at anything in the stores, namely, Gucci, Visaci or Prada.

Next was to Lake Como to stop by George Clooney's house and say hello.

By the way, in an old, small antique shop in the more tourist part, on the back wall, in the right corner, i put a large vintage ivory colored tobacco pipe, if somebody could buy that and get it to me somehow then you will win something! i don't know what, but it will be good! haha Seriously...

After Lake Como was a super fast train ride to Rome for the next 2 days.

Rome has A LOT OF STUFF. We did all the big stuff in 2 days. It is still just a blur.

i will tell you all i remember. The Coliseum was huge and it made me want to watch Gladiator with Russell Crowe. The Spanish Steps would have been ok if i wasn't so sick of stairs. The Trevi Fountain was closed. i fell asleep at some point in the 6 hour Vatican Tour. The only thing i remember is the Sistine Chapel because i snuck a picture when the Camera Police weren't looking.

Then possibly one of my favorite parts of the whole trip.

The plane ride back.

Things that were reinforced to me on this trip:

1. It really doesn't matter where you are, it is who you are with that matters.

2.There is no place like home.

3. There is no place like America.

4. i AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.

Pictures:

Possible future painting

A Glass Maker making glass.

Sadie on literally every tour

Daily Gelatos

Juliet's balcony. i'm still confused about rather this is real or not.

Such a tourist.

Not sure where this is.

Cinque Tera

Cinque Tera

Favorite place. Cinque Tera.

Walk into the party like

Favorite Day and favorite place. Cinque Tera

Just a Dog of Italy

Another Dog of Italy

Switzerland

On Top of the Leaning Tower.

Wildlife.

I have no idea how i took this.

Shirtless pics.

Every single place we went.

i lost 'what are the odds'

Sistine Chapel

Venice.