Venezia

        On tuesday the 24th ,I went to Venezia with my host sister. The main reason I wanted to come was because I had an appointment with the "Universita Ca'Foscari" international welcome desk, which is a service for international students that want to come study in Italy. I had a brief meeting with the coordinator of the welcome desk service, where she explained all the things I need to do and documents I need to bring if I have interest in coming here to study. But before that me and my host sister stopped by the Piazza San Marco and Ponte Vecchio, which are the main touristic spots in Venezia. Those places are so beautiful, I love it!! Visiting Venezia is always nice and I can't believe that in about a week I'm not gonna be nearly as close to it as I'm now. 

          I'm almost going home, and I can't lie is a crazy feeling... There is a part of me i wish I could stay, but also that is a part of me that is happy to come back home to  my "normal life". I really can't say how I'm actually feeling right now, is very  bitter sweet. 

                         

                             

Milano

       This last thursday me and my host sister went to Milan for the day. We took the a train at 6 from  Conegliano straight to Milano,  the train ride is about 3 hours long, so around 10 we were already there. Before I start telling how was the day, let me say how beautiful is that train station! 

    We started of visitingthe "Duomo di Milano", which is so majestic, is truly so pretty. The  "Basilica di Santa Maria Nascente" is so full of details that you could just stay there for hours looking at it and yet not see everything. From there we went to "Teatro della scala " to get there we passed thought the "Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II", which is so beautiful. To be honest the "Teatro della Scala", from out side is not a big deal. But I've seen the pictures from inside and is amazing, maybe next time I'll get the chance to see it, but  this time we didn't get a chance to visit.  From there we headed to the "Castello Sforzesco" which is also so pretty! We pretty much got it covered all the main tourist spots in Milano in about 3 hours, and then we set down to have lunch. After that we just kind of just walked around did a little bit of shopping. Also i got the chance to see one of the girls I met at orientation, Julia, it was very nice seeing her, she is such a nice girl and and I'm happy we got the chance to spend a few hours with her. 

        We headed back to the station around 7, and got in the train around 7:30. It was tiering day and I was glad to come home and rest, but I just fell in love with Milano.  I personally love the big city feeling and I would love maybe come to Milano to study and live there for a while... maybe one day. 

Venezia, Alleghe and Firenze

         I've been very lazy the last couple of days, so thats why this post is a little delayed ... but the last couple of weeks were very exciting! Starting up, on Monday (25^th)  I went to Venezia with my school. Around 8 we met up at the station in Conegliano, and less than a hour we were there. Venezia is so beautiful and we were so lucky to go there with such an amazing weather. The first thing we did was walk to the "Ponte del Rio Alto". Then at 12 we had this   –not so fun-  class about the opera we were going to see later on the day, but  the theater where we had the class as so beautiful thought. After we had lunch and  free time. Walking around Venezia is so cool, there is no other place in the world  like that city! We were suppose to meet everyone around 3 to see a opera, but we got a little lost, is kind of confusing walking around those little tiny streets. We fortunately made it to the “Teatro Malibran” in time, there we saw “Elegy for young lovers”. an opera by Hans Werner Henze.  I have to say, operas are not my thing, but  that one was very well put together. Finishing up, we headed back to the station to take the train back home.

         On Sunday (30th) my host mom and sister took me to the mountain in Alleghe. We arrived early in the morning and again, I got lucky, the weather was so great! The day was beautiful and was not cold at all.  A year ago I went snowboarding while I was in America. I did pretty well for a beginner… but I was nervous this time:  1 because is been so long since I’ve snowboarded, 2 I was afraid I was not going to be able to keep up with my host sister... But I think I can say I’ve done a pretty good job. I mean... I still have to learn a lot, but I’m able to control myself while going down and I did not fall that much. Everything went pretty well, besides the fact that I can't ride the "skileaf" for my life (which for my surprise is not that one you go sitting, is the one you take a cable and put between your legs.. sounds awful if  I explain like this, but is pretty much it) I fell like 300 times. After trying all the possible ways, the guy that worked there asked the ski instructor to take me with him. I never felt so embarrassed in my entire life, but  it worked and I finally made it to the top. My host sister could not stop laughing at me after that, it was so embarrassing but it was actually really funny.  By the end of the day I was so tired, but I had so much fun that day!

        On the next day ( Monday, 31^st) me, my host sister  and another girl from the exchange program met up at Conegliano to take are train to Firenze! We arrived there around 12 and met up with all the rest of the exchange students from WEP. From the station we walked to the hotel, which was not bad… Around 2 we left the hotel, got something to eat and went to the Duomo of Firenze. There we say the "Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore". After walking a little bit more we got to see the  "Piazza della Signoria", “Davide" de Michelangelo (the copy), the "Ponte Veccia" and some other really cool stuff. From there we headed up some really long stairs to see an amazing view of Firenze!  Then we walked back to the "Piazza della Signoria" and had some free time. Around seven  we went to a Pizzeria, then back to the hotel.  The next day we got to do a tour inside the  "Palazzio Veccio", which is magnificent, is  truly so beautiful! The rest of the day we had free time and at 4 we went back to the hotel, got are luggage and went to the train station. Are train was at 5 something, and we arrived in Conegliano around 8. Was really cool going to Firenze for those two days, but it was so tiering! 

            I'm halfway thought with my exchange program and I could not be happier here... and sad at the same time, because it went by so fast. My classmates are amazing and my host family is lovely ! Im looking forward to keep exploring Italy for the next two and a half mouths... I hope time slows down a bit ):. I already know I've made the right choice  by coming here. I'm living one of the best mouths of my life! I'm so fortunate to have been given this opportunity, is not even over yet  and I'm already missing it!