Since I have been a bit of a slacker I will just group a couple stories into this post. There seems to be a pattern here. Anyway, I had a great time in Cinque Terre. It is about a 3 hour train ride, but that is only because you have to stop at approximately 389 different cities along the way. Although it took unecessarily long, it was fascinating to see the countryside through a train window.
One example are the large mountains just outside of Pisa. The whole side of the mountain looks as though it has been blown off. It looked like Mt. St. Helens but instead of the top it blew out the side. I came to find out that this was where marble comes from and after using the same place for thousands of years it is a little worn down. I tried to get a picture, but none of them turned out to be able to see what I am talking about. When I go back to Pisa I will try to get something better to look at.
After arriving in the Cinque Terre the landscape changes, as you can see from previous pictures. It was fun to walk around on all the paths throughout the region and take in the views. One afternoon I was eating in a cafe on the water and after realizing I spoke english a wonderful lady struck up a conversation. She ended up being an author and will be sending me her book when printing get done in the Fall. She had many grandchildren approaching my age and I think she was surprised by the entertainment. It was fun and just one of the strange, enjoyable encounters I have had.
On our way back to Florence we got stuck in a tiny rail station for a couple hours. We still don't know what happened exactly, but rumor was there was a firre in the engine cabin of a train and it forced all the other trains to stop and wait until the tracks were cleared. By the time we got home we were pretty tired, but felt the Jazz Club calling. Yes, in case you are wondering I am a member of the only Jazz Club in Florence. I have the member card to prove it. The duo that night ended up being fantastic and we were glad we ignored sleep and went for a listen. You can check them out at www.emiblues.com. If you go to the site make sure to check out the mp3 section and specifically the duo stuff.
So I have met a writer, discoverd ablues band and yet I save one of the best for last. Every Monday and Tuesday the local theater plays movies in their original english. I decided it was time to watch a little Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull mostly because it was unbearably hot and it is one of the only places with air conditioning. While waiting for the movie to play sitting with my ice cold Heineken in the air conditioning I met...wait for it...a voice over guy. Yep he had all the tricks and I am sure you have seen many of his infomercials on a late night channel surf. He was an odd fellow, but very entertaining as you can imagine. I am getting so much more from this trip than I could have imagined. It is a great experience and hope that each of you get to do something similar someday.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
You have missed out on so much
I am afraid to say it is my own fault, but you really have missed out on amazing sights. Since my last post I have been to a Palace and the Cinque Terre. Both were incredible wonders of Italy. The Cinque Terre is classically Italian and I think it is becoming more common in movies. It is located in the top curve of the boot and is actually 5 towns (hence cinque terre, now you too know Italian). Each of them is populated by 2,000 Italians and seems like 2,000 tourists effectively double the size of the town during the summers. All of the towns are connected through a well-kept path and to walk between the furthest two towns would take about 5 hours. The cities are some how built on top of the sea and it makes for gorgeous pictures. 
While Scott went scuba diving (I couldn't because certification was necessary this early in the season as they didn't run out novice diving tours just yet.) Although Scott saw great things under water I had the close encounter with dangerous sea creatures...
We had a great time, but I have lots of stories to share and not enough time right now. I will post again later tonight or at the very least tomorrow.
While Scott went scuba diving (I couldn't because certification was necessary this early in the season as they didn't run out novice diving tours just yet.) Although Scott saw great things under water I had the close encounter with dangerous sea creatures...
We had a great time, but I have lots of stories to share and not enough time right now. I will post again later tonight or at the very least tomorrow.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Project
I thought I would write today about the "real" reason why I came to Italy. To receive my one International Marketing credit I am attempting to establish a museum tour of Native American arts, crafts and textiles in Italy. Gonzaga has a long history of providing support to Native American's through education and the Jesuit tradition.
Around 1847 a group of approximately 150 Jesuits were exiled from Italy and ended up in the Northwest working with Native Americans. During the same period a Belgian Jesuit by the name of Peter John De Smet was traveling the same area learning from as well as ministering to Native Americans. Through all their travels the Jesuits collected many pieces of wonderful artwork and textiles. Many of De Smet's items are in a museum in Missouri next to his former base camp, but in 1887 when Gonzaga was founded as a ministering tool to the white settlers in the Northwest several pieces of art, craft and textiles were stored with Jesuits working there. Over time the collection has been added to by many donors and has become extensive in artistic media, originating tribe and collection history.
Our goal is to empower the Native American people by expanding awareness of their culture in an effort to conserve and grow their heritage. With global awareness and an extensive network opportunities for trade and new markets should expand for Native products. We still have a lot of work to do, but things are falling our way right now. Just yesterday someone pointed us toward a grant that I am evaluating and it is looking promising.
Around 1847 a group of approximately 150 Jesuits were exiled from Italy and ended up in the Northwest working with Native Americans. During the same period a Belgian Jesuit by the name of Peter John De Smet was traveling the same area learning from as well as ministering to Native Americans. Through all their travels the Jesuits collected many pieces of wonderful artwork and textiles. Many of De Smet's items are in a museum in Missouri next to his former base camp, but in 1887 when Gonzaga was founded as a ministering tool to the white settlers in the Northwest several pieces of art, craft and textiles were stored with Jesuits working there. Over time the collection has been added to by many donors and has become extensive in artistic media, originating tribe and collection history.
Our goal is to empower the Native American people by expanding awareness of their culture in an effort to conserve and grow their heritage. With global awareness and an extensive network opportunities for trade and new markets should expand for Native products. We still have a lot of work to do, but things are falling our way right now. Just yesterday someone pointed us toward a grant that I am evaluating and it is looking promising.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Posts and Videos
I am pulling my hair out with the video editing software. It seems to have ruined my whole computer, as it regularly crashes now. The blue screen of death is now a hated enemy. I am working to include a slide show of pictures instead, but it isn't the same. Hopefully I will be able to fix it.
To top that the internet didn't display text boxes yesterday, so I did not even get a chance to type on the blog. To make up for this lapse in blogging I will attempt two different topics.
First, traffic on the streets of Florence. Most of us are used to walking down the street or even through a crosswalk and feeling relatively safe while doing so. That concept has not traversed across the Atlantic. I am not sure what it is about drivers over here. Most Italians seem to be laid back and go through their day with a laissez-faire attitude, but the minute they control a vehicle they become Mario Andretti during his prime (only not as skilled). All the cars are small and most of the vehicles you see on the road are mopeds. I think this adds to the idea that if they do hit someone it will not hurt as bad as a suburban would? At least that is the only thing I can think of, because the street are so skinny they clip a lot of people with side mirrors. It must be common as no one ever stops to check to see if they have injured an innocent walker. I am getting used to using my ears to "see" around corners and behind me for when I might need to dodge out of the way. It is almost like a game now.
Riding in the vehicle is a different story. A story that is not for the faint of heart or the backseat drivers of the world. I have had the opportunity to take 3 exciting rides on taxis in the area. It is like a Disney ride only the chance of jumping a track is much more of a reality as the whole thing is operated by a human who may or may not be on a cell phone. Let us leave this topic by saying I have literally come within a half an inch of getting in 5 or more fender benders in each of my rides.
The next topic for this makeup blog is the budget situation. I have been making many of my own meals with the help of the local grocery store (which at best guess is maybe 2000 square feet). In doing so I have been able to eat pretty cheap and most trips I have taken have not been over 12€ round trip. All of this is to say my budget is holding to this point. The knick-knacks are more expensive than I thought, but I don't think that is the end of the world. I only know a couple things that I NEED to bring home and one of them is a cookie. I might get to that in a different blog.
One last note to answer a question from a loyal blog fan, Megan writes " Who are Scott and Ellen". That is a good question Megan, thank you for asking. Scott Bozman is the man in charge of my directed study and teaching Intro to Marketing for the summer in Florence. Ellen is another teacher here at Gonzaga in Florence. She teaches philosophy. Well that will wrap it up for today. Thanks for all your comments. Talk to you soon.
To top that the internet didn't display text boxes yesterday, so I did not even get a chance to type on the blog. To make up for this lapse in blogging I will attempt two different topics.
First, traffic on the streets of Florence. Most of us are used to walking down the street or even through a crosswalk and feeling relatively safe while doing so. That concept has not traversed across the Atlantic. I am not sure what it is about drivers over here. Most Italians seem to be laid back and go through their day with a laissez-faire attitude, but the minute they control a vehicle they become Mario Andretti during his prime (only not as skilled). All the cars are small and most of the vehicles you see on the road are mopeds. I think this adds to the idea that if they do hit someone it will not hurt as bad as a suburban would? At least that is the only thing I can think of, because the street are so skinny they clip a lot of people with side mirrors. It must be common as no one ever stops to check to see if they have injured an innocent walker. I am getting used to using my ears to "see" around corners and behind me for when I might need to dodge out of the way. It is almost like a game now.
Riding in the vehicle is a different story. A story that is not for the faint of heart or the backseat drivers of the world. I have had the opportunity to take 3 exciting rides on taxis in the area. It is like a Disney ride only the chance of jumping a track is much more of a reality as the whole thing is operated by a human who may or may not be on a cell phone. Let us leave this topic by saying I have literally come within a half an inch of getting in 5 or more fender benders in each of my rides.
The next topic for this makeup blog is the budget situation. I have been making many of my own meals with the help of the local grocery store (which at best guess is maybe 2000 square feet). In doing so I have been able to eat pretty cheap and most trips I have taken have not been over 12€ round trip. All of this is to say my budget is holding to this point. The knick-knacks are more expensive than I thought, but I don't think that is the end of the world. I only know a couple things that I NEED to bring home and one of them is a cookie. I might get to that in a different blog.
One last note to answer a question from a loyal blog fan, Megan writes " Who are Scott and Ellen". That is a good question Megan, thank you for asking. Scott Bozman is the man in charge of my directed study and teaching Intro to Marketing for the summer in Florence. Ellen is another teacher here at Gonzaga in Florence. She teaches philosophy. Well that will wrap it up for today. Thanks for all your comments. Talk to you soon.
Happy Birthday
Mom, I hope you have a great birthday and get to do something relaxing today. I will try to call you later, which will need to serve as my present to you until I get back. Love your son.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Something new
Alright here is a new link to feast on. http://www.flickr.com/photos/26669195@N05/
It is my Flickr page, which stores photos. The majority of pictures that i have taken are there, well maybe 65%. Anyway there could be some hidden gems if you wish to take a look.
I went to lunch at La Spada today with Scott and Ellen. We all took the advice of Peggy Sue and ordered a dish not on the menu called the Bruno Special. Upon doing so the waiter immediately asked if we were from Gonzaga University. We were a little frightened at this point, but continued confidently on Peggy Sue's advice since it was given to me and not Scott.
The food arrived 30 minutes later as 3 plates of pasta. One was something with eggplant, one had shrimp and the third I still am not sure what it was. All of them were delicious. (Thanks, Peggy Sue) After helping ourselves to seconds our waiter came by and asked if we were done. As we patted our belly's with a delight that only comes from being full and satisfied we nodded and waited for our check. Two minutes later the waiter showed up with a heaping plate of meat and potatoes (Chicken, Pork, and Beef). Surprised and already full we dug into the plate worried that more might be on its way. We each struggled to eat our portion, but barely made it through half the plate. Luckily for us it was the last platter, although the food was so good we would have continued to gorge ourselves with whatever they brought to us.
A wonderful day of eating, thanks again Peggy Sue.
It is my Flickr page, which stores photos. The majority of pictures that i have taken are there, well maybe 65%. Anyway there could be some hidden gems if you wish to take a look.
I went to lunch at La Spada today with Scott and Ellen. We all took the advice of Peggy Sue and ordered a dish not on the menu called the Bruno Special. Upon doing so the waiter immediately asked if we were from Gonzaga University. We were a little frightened at this point, but continued confidently on Peggy Sue's advice since it was given to me and not Scott.
The food arrived 30 minutes later as 3 plates of pasta. One was something with eggplant, one had shrimp and the third I still am not sure what it was. All of them were delicious. (Thanks, Peggy Sue) After helping ourselves to seconds our waiter came by and asked if we were done. As we patted our belly's with a delight that only comes from being full and satisfied we nodded and waited for our check. Two minutes later the waiter showed up with a heaping plate of meat and potatoes (Chicken, Pork, and Beef). Surprised and already full we dug into the plate worried that more might be on its way. We each struggled to eat our portion, but barely made it through half the plate. Luckily for us it was the last platter, although the food was so good we would have continued to gorge ourselves with whatever they brought to us.
A wonderful day of eating, thanks again Peggy Sue.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
More pictures
Michelangelo called this door the gates to paradise, they actually lead to the baptistery.
Here is the dome as close as I can get without climbing it, which I will do some other day, but on this day my calves said no to the hundreds of stairs in the tiny hallway.
This is just your average piazza in Florence. One or two fountains, 400 year old buildings, and maybe a statue for good measure. This is 2 blocks from the dome near an old orphanage.
I don't actually know what this is for or if it even has a story, but I like the picture.This is a SMALL sample of the very amateur photos that I have taken. All of these were taken in the Florence Cathedral area. I will throw this next one in just to prove to you I was there...
Me in the Baptistery.
That took me long enough
Sorry about the delay. I have been getting locked out of the school. Open hours are all relative here, but soon the students will be here and the code will work to get in. I am trying to say this delay should not happen again, although I will think of another excuse if it does.
Here are a couple pictures of the apartment and the piazza across the street. The floors in a building start at zero and you press the 3 in the elevator to get to my floor, but if you take the stairs it is actually on the 6th floor of the building. I have stopped asking why things are. I just accept them as strange and move on. As you can tell the first picture is pasted together so you can see the whole living room.
Here are a couple pictures of the apartment and the piazza across the street. The floors in a building start at zero and you press the 3 in the elevator to get to my floor, but if you take the stairs it is actually on the 6th floor of the building. I have stopped asking why things are. I just accept them as strange and move on. As you can tell the first picture is pasted together so you can see the whole living room.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Just another day in Firenze
I have seen many strange things in my short time here. I would consider myself a fairly quick study, but there are a couple things that still surprise me. For instance...
Every morning I take a shower. Good, right? Well in the 4 showers that I have had I am still unable to figure out where to put the hot and cold water knobs to get a shower that I can stand in. When Jerry Seinfeld wrote his bit about 1/16 of an inch being 1000° he was in America not Italy, because 1000° is more like 1/32 of a centimeter. When I say 1000° I am not kidding! There is no cut-off to how hot you can get the water. There is a good chance that you could actually boil water straight from the tap. So, I have literally started examining the way I turn on the water. I think someday soon I will get it. In fact, today was a big break through. I found that although it takes several knob turns to get the cold water to start coming out you can turn it back down extremely close to off and plenty of cold water still comes out.
The streets are another mystery. I am pretty sure that the government thought about ways to get rid of some of the tourist and decided that naming blocks would be a good way to turn people away from wondering around. Streets here are much different than back in the states. They are similar to the confusing one block streets in the middle of Richland, but all over. You can be winding down a street and in a matter of 3 blocks the name of the street will change 4 times. I am pretty sure that this is the work of an evil genius.
Speaking of evil genius all the transportation here is similar to the game Grand Theft Auto only without the shooting. The streets are tiny and vehicles have no speed limit or even a reason to stay on one side of the road. You have to be on your toes at all times to be ready to dodge out of the way of a motor-scooter that is willing to run you over to get to the cafe on the corner to sit down and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
All of these are things that I have learned to cope with and some I might even conquer. But one thing I will not get used to or even be able to forget is the experience I had yesterday. Scott and I went to the telephone/internet store to make a couple phone calls. Unfortunately, non of my people picked up the phone (yes I am talking about you family). In fact, I blame this experience on all the people who didn't answer the phone. Because of this I left my small phone booth to pay and wait outside. After I paid my bill I began to look around the tiny store leaving to wait outside. I glanced into the computer lab area to see the setup and noticed a little elderly lady on the computer. She must have been about 65 and I was impressed she was using a web cam to talk to what I assumed was a loved one. As I was leaving the area I got a little more than I bargained for when her friend on the other end of the web cam stood up to proudly show off his goods. Although the experience taught me a valuable lesson, never be nosy in an internet cafe, the experience will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life.
After attempting to drink the image from my memory I did end up taking a ton of pictures of the Duomo area and the baptistery. I will sort through them tonight and put some up tomorrow. I will also be going to Fiesole today and will put those up tomorrow as well.
Every morning I take a shower. Good, right? Well in the 4 showers that I have had I am still unable to figure out where to put the hot and cold water knobs to get a shower that I can stand in. When Jerry Seinfeld wrote his bit about 1/16 of an inch being 1000° he was in America not Italy, because 1000° is more like 1/32 of a centimeter. When I say 1000° I am not kidding! There is no cut-off to how hot you can get the water. There is a good chance that you could actually boil water straight from the tap. So, I have literally started examining the way I turn on the water. I think someday soon I will get it. In fact, today was a big break through. I found that although it takes several knob turns to get the cold water to start coming out you can turn it back down extremely close to off and plenty of cold water still comes out.
The streets are another mystery. I am pretty sure that the government thought about ways to get rid of some of the tourist and decided that naming blocks would be a good way to turn people away from wondering around. Streets here are much different than back in the states. They are similar to the confusing one block streets in the middle of Richland, but all over. You can be winding down a street and in a matter of 3 blocks the name of the street will change 4 times. I am pretty sure that this is the work of an evil genius.
Speaking of evil genius all the transportation here is similar to the game Grand Theft Auto only without the shooting. The streets are tiny and vehicles have no speed limit or even a reason to stay on one side of the road. You have to be on your toes at all times to be ready to dodge out of the way of a motor-scooter that is willing to run you over to get to the cafe on the corner to sit down and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
All of these are things that I have learned to cope with and some I might even conquer. But one thing I will not get used to or even be able to forget is the experience I had yesterday. Scott and I went to the telephone/internet store to make a couple phone calls. Unfortunately, non of my people picked up the phone (yes I am talking about you family). In fact, I blame this experience on all the people who didn't answer the phone. Because of this I left my small phone booth to pay and wait outside. After I paid my bill I began to look around the tiny store leaving to wait outside. I glanced into the computer lab area to see the setup and noticed a little elderly lady on the computer. She must have been about 65 and I was impressed she was using a web cam to talk to what I assumed was a loved one. As I was leaving the area I got a little more than I bargained for when her friend on the other end of the web cam stood up to proudly show off his goods. Although the experience taught me a valuable lesson, never be nosy in an internet cafe, the experience will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life.
After attempting to drink the image from my memory I did end up taking a ton of pictures of the Duomo area and the baptistery. I will sort through them tonight and put some up tomorrow. I will also be going to Fiesole today and will put those up tomorrow as well.
First try...
Alright, this is not what I was expecting to load on here first, but something is better than nothing. The software is really finicky and I cannot do much without it freezing and erasing my work every minute or two. Needless to say this is the best I can do for now.
Sorry about the old material. If this works I will have more to load very soon! I went to the Piazzale Michelangelo last night. It is a touristy spot on the hillside with an amazing view of the city. You really get some perspective on how big the Duomo is. The Italians started building the cathedral in 1419 and finished with the final placing of the dome 150 years later. No cranes, heavy machinery, or technology just old fashioned hard work and leverage. To have it be standing hundreds of years later is impressive. Oh yeah thanks to Mr. Johnson and Curious George for the musical arrangement.
Sorry about the old material. If this works I will have more to load very soon! I went to the Piazzale Michelangelo last night. It is a touristy spot on the hillside with an amazing view of the city. You really get some perspective on how big the Duomo is. The Italians started building the cathedral in 1419 and finished with the final placing of the dome 150 years later. No cranes, heavy machinery, or technology just old fashioned hard work and leverage. To have it be standing hundreds of years later is impressive. Oh yeah thanks to Mr. Johnson and Curious George for the musical arrangement.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
No pictures just yet...
I have been working on the video and pictures, but it is still a work in progress. Mostly because I am still learning the software. Also I am still unsure how to get my laptop on the Internet. I will get some help with that later today and that could be the key to posting some pics at the very least.
Does anyone know a good video editing software? I have Roxio and it is more of a finishing tool than something that will let you cut down some video to a manageable size. If you know of one that I can download (translation: get for free) that would be ideal, but I would settle for spending a little bit on it. You will all thank me for it. Trust me you don't want to see everything I shot, there is some boring stuff in there.
I don't know if you realized but I've found the apostrophe ' pretty neat huh?
Here is a little something for your viewing pleasure. The marker below shows the corner that I am currently living on. I am on one of the top floors and have a good view of the Piazza across the street. I can even see the top of the Duomo, which is beautiful up close and from afar. You can see it to the left of the marker about 5 blocks, it is easy to recognize because it it gigantic and looks like a dome. Pretty clever, huh? I am about 5 blocks from the school and everything seems to be within walking distance, but that might be because taking the bus or other transportation seems like putting your life in the hands of strangers. (Please let me know if the link isn't working.)
View Larger Map
Does anyone know a good video editing software? I have Roxio and it is more of a finishing tool than something that will let you cut down some video to a manageable size. If you know of one that I can download (translation: get for free) that would be ideal, but I would settle for spending a little bit on it. You will all thank me for it. Trust me you don't want to see everything I shot, there is some boring stuff in there.
I don't know if you realized but I've found the apostrophe ' pretty neat huh?
Here is a little something for your viewing pleasure. The marker below shows the corner that I am currently living on. I am on one of the top floors and have a good view of the Piazza across the street. I can even see the top of the Duomo, which is beautiful up close and from afar. You can see it to the left of the marker about 5 blocks, it is easy to recognize because it it gigantic and looks like a dome. Pretty clever, huh? I am about 5 blocks from the school and everything seems to be within walking distance, but that might be because taking the bus or other transportation seems like putting your life in the hands of strangers. (Please let me know if the link isn't working.)
View Larger Map
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
TA-DA
I made it! It took me roughly a billion hours, but I made it. As many of you know I left on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. I got to my apartment in Firenze (that is Florence for you crazy Americans) at roughly 10:30 p.m. the next day. Which is about 1:30 in the afternoon your time. It was exhausting!
I am working on a video montage and will have it up tonight or tomorrow, depending on how long it takes me to figure out how to hook up my laptop to the Internet.
Here is one cool thing before I log off and go see some more of the town. è ù à ò é § ° ç All the characters I just typed are on the keyboard. Neat huh? It is a little confusing when looking for punctuation, but I am getting it. It only took me 20 minutes to find the @ symbol, I still have not found the apostrophe. I do feel like I am getting close. Here^s hoping...oh close how about this key ì, dang it. I will find it and when I do this blog will be filled with conjunctions.
I am working on a video montage and will have it up tonight or tomorrow, depending on how long it takes me to figure out how to hook up my laptop to the Internet.
Here is one cool thing before I log off and go see some more of the town. è ù à ò é § ° ç All the characters I just typed are on the keyboard. Neat huh? It is a little confusing when looking for punctuation, but I am getting it. It only took me 20 minutes to find the @ symbol, I still have not found the apostrophe. I do feel like I am getting close. Here^s hoping...oh close how about this key ì, dang it. I will find it and when I do this blog will be filled with conjunctions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Preparing for a big weekend
I have three days until commencement and four until my plane leaves for Italy. Scrambling around to prepare for both, I am thankful for my family's time and effort. I wouldn't have completed preparation for either had I been left to my own devise.
For those of you who don't know I am traveling to Europe for an International Marketing class. A class that will move me closer to finishing my M.B.A. in Marketing, which I will already be celebrating this coming Saturday. Back to the trip...I will be spending most of my time in Florence, Italy. It will serve as my HQ for my travel in Italy. After a couple weeks exploring the Tuscan country side I will be headed to Switzerland and Germany. I will have the opportunity to wander around for a couple more weeks until I return to the States in June.
In my preparation I have been surprised by the amount of stuff you need to get going. There is always the obvious things like passports and luggage, but the little things really add up. I have purchased travel books, first aid kits, portable alarm clocks and waterproof bags, among other things. All the little requirements and the lavish luxuries (toilet seat covers) have added up to well over $250. That price doesn't even include the clothes I felt like I should buy (for whatever reason) and the new luggage I got. Which I am not counting because it will be used for a long time and many other trips so the fuzzy accounting makes me feel better about the purchase.Get off my back I'm traveling.
Needless to say I am very excited and confident about my budget moving forward. I will keep you updated about that and hopefully be putting up short videos to let you travel with me. Or at least see some of the stuff I am doing. And for my friend's who don't have much time, or don't want to read my dribble, I will post pictures with captions that will allow you to follow along. Make sure to post comments so I can keep up with the bustling Northwest.
For those of you who don't know I am traveling to Europe for an International Marketing class. A class that will move me closer to finishing my M.B.A. in Marketing, which I will already be celebrating this coming Saturday. Back to the trip...I will be spending most of my time in Florence, Italy. It will serve as my HQ for my travel in Italy. After a couple weeks exploring the Tuscan country side I will be headed to Switzerland and Germany. I will have the opportunity to wander around for a couple more weeks until I return to the States in June.
In my preparation I have been surprised by the amount of stuff you need to get going. There is always the obvious things like passports and luggage, but the little things really add up. I have purchased travel books, first aid kits, portable alarm clocks and waterproof bags, among other things. All the little requirements and the lavish luxuries (toilet seat covers) have added up to well over $250. That price doesn't even include the clothes I felt like I should buy (for whatever reason) and the new luggage I got. Which I am not counting because it will be used for a long time and many other trips so the fuzzy accounting makes me feel better about the purchase.
Needless to say I am very excited and confident about my budget moving forward. I will keep you updated about that and hopefully be putting up short videos to let you travel with me. Or at least see some of the stuff I am doing. And for my friend's who don't have much time, or don't want to read my dribble, I will post pictures with captions that will allow you to follow along. Make sure to post comments so I can keep up with the bustling Northwest.
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