http://www.mtu.edu/current/student_abroad/
better read this article fast, the next one is about to get posted! sorry guys!
Monday, February 06, 2006
Sunday, February 05, 2006
05-Feb-2006
**this post pretty much is this week's story in "A Student Abroad"
Holy amazing day! I did a solo journey to Milano. I figured it would be a good way to spread my wings and test my abilities to make a journey on my own. I was a little nervous this morning when I stepped outside and it looked totally overcast and was way colder than the day before. But I got on the train before I could ponder it for too long and found myself in Milano in just two hours time.
Luckily, I received a sweet Italian daytrip book from Adam’s mom, Rose, for Christmas and I let it be my guide for the duration of my trip. I got off the subway right in front of Duomo di Milano, which is the third largest church in the world and the most amazing elaborate display of craftsmanship that I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, the pigeon peddlers in the square also saw my amazement and found it a prime opportunity to take advantage of my tourist-like ways. Before I really understood what was happening I had birdseed in my hands and this random guy is using my camera to take pictures of me with the pigeons. Oh yes, it’s all fun and games until the happy face goes away and one realizes that people expect money for their pigeon powers. Those were the most expensive three pictures I’ve ever had taken with my own camera. And if once wasn’t enough, I was also suckered into a bracelet pittance. I pretty much paid a euro for a piece of string. Not that I’m bitter or anything. I really got to hand it to those guys though; they know how to spot a sucker.
As for the sites, I did actually make it inside the Duomo, which can house up to 40,000 people and walked around for a while. I was more impressed with the outside though and made the venture up to the roof to see some of the elaborate work on the top. The pinnacle at the top is a golden statue of Jesus, quite amazing if I do say so myself. I also met these Italians who were from Rome and raved about it until I thought they would turn blue. Apparently it’s the greatest city in Italy, I’ll have to make that judgment for myself though.
Continuing on my journey, I ran into an astrologist who wanted to read my palm for $30. Luckily I did not let myself fall victim to this ploy. Upon hearing that I did not believe in astrology, he decided that I could save my $30 for lunch, what a nice guy, huh?
Before having my personal space bubble popped by someone else who wanted to sell me something, I went to Castle Sforzesco where the ruler of Milano called home. It was quite an elaborate display, but not quite as cool as the Duomo.
I tried to see Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper, but reservations are required and no one had cancelled their spot. I do think I want to make it back to see the painting, I hear it’s quite the experience. Next time I will have to plan it a little bit better.
As for my last site seeing venture, I toured the Basilica of Sant’ Ambrogio, which is a very ornate church that is tucked away and almost blends in with the rest of the city. Founded as early as AD 379, this church was much smaller than the Duomo but held some fascinating relics. It holds the crypt in which Saint Ambrose along with two other saints are buried.
I ended my tour in a fine pizzeria that wasn’t overly expensive, but definitely had Milano style. Even though Milano is the fashion capital of the world, I was only given several horrified looks when people saw me coming down the street in an orange hoodie. I think I had tourist written all over me. As for my adventure, it was amazing, I can’t believe all the things that I did or happened in only a few short hours. I suppose that ends my story for this week! Tune in next time for some serious Olympic revelations.
Holy amazing day! I did a solo journey to Milano. I figured it would be a good way to spread my wings and test my abilities to make a journey on my own. I was a little nervous this morning when I stepped outside and it looked totally overcast and was way colder than the day before. But I got on the train before I could ponder it for too long and found myself in Milano in just two hours time.
Luckily, I received a sweet Italian daytrip book from Adam’s mom, Rose, for Christmas and I let it be my guide for the duration of my trip. I got off the subway right in front of Duomo di Milano, which is the third largest church in the world and the most amazing elaborate display of craftsmanship that I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, the pigeon peddlers in the square also saw my amazement and found it a prime opportunity to take advantage of my tourist-like ways. Before I really understood what was happening I had birdseed in my hands and this random guy is using my camera to take pictures of me with the pigeons. Oh yes, it’s all fun and games until the happy face goes away and one realizes that people expect money for their pigeon powers. Those were the most expensive three pictures I’ve ever had taken with my own camera. And if once wasn’t enough, I was also suckered into a bracelet pittance. I pretty much paid a euro for a piece of string. Not that I’m bitter or anything. I really got to hand it to those guys though; they know how to spot a sucker.
As for the sites, I did actually make it inside the Duomo, which can house up to 40,000 people and walked around for a while. I was more impressed with the outside though and made the venture up to the roof to see some of the elaborate work on the top. The pinnacle at the top is a golden statue of Jesus, quite amazing if I do say so myself. I also met these Italians who were from Rome and raved about it until I thought they would turn blue. Apparently it’s the greatest city in Italy, I’ll have to make that judgment for myself though.
Continuing on my journey, I ran into an astrologist who wanted to read my palm for $30. Luckily I did not let myself fall victim to this ploy. Upon hearing that I did not believe in astrology, he decided that I could save my $30 for lunch, what a nice guy, huh?
Before having my personal space bubble popped by someone else who wanted to sell me something, I went to Castle Sforzesco where the ruler of Milano called home. It was quite an elaborate display, but not quite as cool as the Duomo.
I tried to see Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper, but reservations are required and no one had cancelled their spot. I do think I want to make it back to see the painting, I hear it’s quite the experience. Next time I will have to plan it a little bit better.
As for my last site seeing venture, I toured the Basilica of Sant’ Ambrogio, which is a very ornate church that is tucked away and almost blends in with the rest of the city. Founded as early as AD 379, this church was much smaller than the Duomo but held some fascinating relics. It holds the crypt in which Saint Ambrose along with two other saints are buried.
I ended my tour in a fine pizzeria that wasn’t overly expensive, but definitely had Milano style. Even though Milano is the fashion capital of the world, I was only given several horrified looks when people saw me coming down the street in an orange hoodie. I think I had tourist written all over me. As for my adventure, it was amazing, I can’t believe all the things that I did or happened in only a few short hours. I suppose that ends my story for this week! Tune in next time for some serious Olympic revelations.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
04-Feb-2006
Today and yesterday were both pretty mellow days. I paid the rent, did a lot of hanging out at the market and worked on more volunteer stuff.
In my Italian Culture class we have to do a group project on some aspect of Italian culture. My group is doing shopping and specifically I am focusing on open market shopping. Since I enjoy going to the market just to see it, I think it’ll be a fairly easy assignment.
Today I ran into a few random people. On the way to pay my rent this morning a guy on the bus totally knew magically that I was a student and started asking me about how I liked Torino and beautiful things in Torino that I had to do. Another guy in the market spoke English with me for a good 10 minutes. Mostly about how the best way to learn a language was to be surrounded by it and talked about his own experience learning English.
Tomorrow I think I’m going to catch an early train to Milano. Hopefully I’ll get to see the painting of “The Last Supper” and do some other cool things. I have to do some more reading before I go to bed tonight so I can figure out what I want to see in the city.
I also went to the pharmacy (farmacia) and tried to figure out my stupid disease. I got some pills, of which I can’t read the box nor the instructions, and the lady told me to take one a day in the evening. So far I’ve taken one and I don’t feel like its taking immediate action. Hopefully within a day or two I’ll see a change.
Monday starts the last week of Italian I, and then it’s onto Italian II after the Olympics. My friend Al will arrive next Saturday and plans to do some traveling with me as well as hang out for the Olympics. Sounds like we’re going to have a pretty good time. I am in charge of planning the travel destination, which I am also working on. Geez, I’m such a busy kid… ttfn.
In my Italian Culture class we have to do a group project on some aspect of Italian culture. My group is doing shopping and specifically I am focusing on open market shopping. Since I enjoy going to the market just to see it, I think it’ll be a fairly easy assignment.
Today I ran into a few random people. On the way to pay my rent this morning a guy on the bus totally knew magically that I was a student and started asking me about how I liked Torino and beautiful things in Torino that I had to do. Another guy in the market spoke English with me for a good 10 minutes. Mostly about how the best way to learn a language was to be surrounded by it and talked about his own experience learning English.
Tomorrow I think I’m going to catch an early train to Milano. Hopefully I’ll get to see the painting of “The Last Supper” and do some other cool things. I have to do some more reading before I go to bed tonight so I can figure out what I want to see in the city.
I also went to the pharmacy (farmacia) and tried to figure out my stupid disease. I got some pills, of which I can’t read the box nor the instructions, and the lady told me to take one a day in the evening. So far I’ve taken one and I don’t feel like its taking immediate action. Hopefully within a day or two I’ll see a change.
Monday starts the last week of Italian I, and then it’s onto Italian II after the Olympics. My friend Al will arrive next Saturday and plans to do some traveling with me as well as hang out for the Olympics. Sounds like we’re going to have a pretty good time. I am in charge of planning the travel destination, which I am also working on. Geez, I’m such a busy kid… ttfn.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
02-Feb-2006
Muhahaha, I definitely got to drive in Torino today. I made my first trip to the airport, but I don’t think I could find it again if I tried. It wasn’t hard to drive around here everything is just smaller. However, it was moderately difficult to find the airport just because it was so far away. We didn’t pick up anyone that I had heard of before, but I do know they were affiliated with the US ski team, not athletes, but coaches or trainers. I found out today that the snowboard team is coming through on Monday and I’m totally placing myself conveniently at the station. Oh yeah, dirty. I like it.
Other than that, I did a lot of scheduling today. I’m a pretty hard working volunteer, but it definitely gives me something to do. Plus I’ll have an awesome resume bullet. I’m excited. I’m even thinking about doing an internship with USOC sometime in the future… we’ll have to see though.
Tomorrow I’m doing more scheduling and who knows after that. I did find out that the team wants a courier in place to get stuff from the Olympic Villages in the mountains to Torino on a daily basis. I think I may have talked myself into that position. I love the Olympics. Well, I’m going to get up and go running tomorrow so I’m going to cut this one short.
Other than that, I did a lot of scheduling today. I’m a pretty hard working volunteer, but it definitely gives me something to do. Plus I’ll have an awesome resume bullet. I’m excited. I’m even thinking about doing an internship with USOC sometime in the future… we’ll have to see though.
Tomorrow I’m doing more scheduling and who knows after that. I did find out that the team wants a courier in place to get stuff from the Olympic Villages in the mountains to Torino on a daily basis. I think I may have talked myself into that position. I love the Olympics. Well, I’m going to get up and go running tomorrow so I’m going to cut this one short.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
01-Feb-2006
Can you believe that in just five short days I will only have four months left in Europe? Whoa. It feels like I have been here forever, but not nearly long enough at the same time. Today was a good day. The sun was shining, you could see the Alps and they are amazing. I am kind of worried about this city warming up since the scent of smog and dog poo has already infiltrated everything I own. If we throw body odor into the mix, I’m not sure my senses will be able to handle it.
I feel kind of lame today; I didn’t do a whole lot. We heard the sales at the stores are to be ending soon, so I decided that a shopping trip was in order. I went down Garabaldi, the street I live very close to and couldn’t find one thing that was in my price range and my style. Maybe I’m just not Italian enough for clothes shopping yet.
Tomorrow I get to play some more Olympic games, hehe. I’ll be checking in with my driving supervisor in the morning and doing some more processing after that. I am looking forward to it. Plus, I’ll be working closely with an Italian who doesn’t know much English and I’m hoping this will help me with my language a bit. Maybe we can help each other out.
Ah well, so the day goes. I still need to carry my notebook around because there is a ton of random stuff that I wish I could remember on a daily basis. But for now, it’s bedtime. Arrivederci!
I feel kind of lame today; I didn’t do a whole lot. We heard the sales at the stores are to be ending soon, so I decided that a shopping trip was in order. I went down Garabaldi, the street I live very close to and couldn’t find one thing that was in my price range and my style. Maybe I’m just not Italian enough for clothes shopping yet.
Tomorrow I get to play some more Olympic games, hehe. I’ll be checking in with my driving supervisor in the morning and doing some more processing after that. I am looking forward to it. Plus, I’ll be working closely with an Italian who doesn’t know much English and I’m hoping this will help me with my language a bit. Maybe we can help each other out.
Ah well, so the day goes. I still need to carry my notebook around because there is a ton of random stuff that I wish I could remember on a daily basis. But for now, it’s bedtime. Arrivederci!
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