How I fell in love with Italy

So hopefully by now you realize how much I love all things Italian (tutte cose italiane!) But I have not shared how this love affair began.

When I was 17, I had applied for summer learning program that is offered free to qualifying students here in the state of KY. It helps prepare soon-to-be high school seniors for college. I was very confident I would be selected, but I was not. I was crushed and my ego was a bit bruised, but I am so glad I failed because what came from it was one of the best experiences of my life.

After learning I had not been selected, I remembered a brochure I had receive in the mail from Duke University about summer learning programs they offered abroad. I dug it out of my box of college pamphlets and looked through it. I was torn between applying for the Greece and Italy program, but decided on Italy since my birthday fell within the dates for the Greece trip. (Isn't if funny what we found to be so important when we were in high school!)

I applied and was accepted to the program. So I took all the money I had saved to buy my first car (because unfortunately this program was not free!) and used it to make my way to Italy.I got to spend a marvelous 2 and a half weeks traveling around with about 15 other students and our teachers. My first day I couldn't believe how beautiful and historic Rome was, and I felt like the lucky person alive to get to experience it.

We went to Rome, Pompeii, Naples, Florence and Sienna. All my class lessons took place at the actual site for what we were studying. It was as if my text books had come to life! I got to go to the Colosseum, walk around the statue of David and climb Mount Vesuvius. And thus my love of Italy (and travel) was born!


Since I went to Italy in the stone age (aka 2003) before anyone owned digital cameras (that's fotocamera digitale in Italian, because if you remember, camera means bed!) All my pictures are on film and only a few have made the digital conversion, but I will leave you with the ones that have. 

~ciao bella~

Victor Emmanuel Monument

 Della Palma

 Pantheon

 River (fiume) in Firenze

 

 Some girls from the program with me at the airport, about to leave Italy

The Vatican

regali e ricordi

So, I've taken quite a long gap from updating this blog, and I am truly sorry for that. I spent the month of September traveling, moved back to the United States, returned to work, got a new job and have been trying to readjust to life stateside in general. One of my new years resolutions though is to resume my studies of Italian, so I will be posting here again regularly once again!

I haven't started studying again yet, so instead of updating you on a fun new phrase or tidbit or on my progress, I will instead share some fun gifts and souvenirs (regali e ricordi) I picked up in September while I was visiting Pisa and Rome.

 A magnet I bought for the family who let me stay with them while in Spain. It's hard to tell here, but there are multiple layers of wood there which gave it an even cooler effect!

 Leaning Tower of Pisa leaning shot glass I got my brother

Pinocchio! I got 3, one for a niece, one for a nephew and one for me =)

I also got my friend and myself t-shirts that look similar to this one! I actually had remembered this shirt from the first time I was in Italy 7 years ago, and I was mad at myself for not buying it when I was there all those years ago, so I made up for it this trip!

These are not things I bought/did, but they made me laugh =)

 Duff beer! Haha, didn't know anyone would make a real version of the beer from the Simpsons!

Saw some guy at the top of the Vatican drinking a Guinness beer!! So funny!!

Della Palma

I have been taking a break from studying Italian because I have had visitors (and will have more visitors!) in and been travelling with them, so my free time needs to go towards school work.

So instead of sharing about what I'm learning, I will tell you about one of my favourite parts of Italian cuisine- GELATO!! =)

When I went to Italia for the first time, I was about to start my senior year of high school and was making my first international trip. It was a great experience, and I still hold the theory that the first country you visit in Europe always holds a special place in your heart.

I still love Italy, and although I haven't been able to eat gelato as often as I did on that first trip (I may have become addicted...) I still love gelato and Della Palma is still my favourite gelateria!

We often had a break from classes each night when I studied in Italy, and the instructors would usually take us to the Piazza Navona. My friends and I usually would make our way to Della Palma during this time because it wasn't too far and they have tons of choices! I remember one girl got rose flavoured gelato there. It was the best! Here is a photo I took there at the end of our trip. They probably recognized us by that point! haha =)

 So I made sure to stop in a few times while I was there on holiday! It's still just as good, and they still have tons of options (my friend got champagne gelato!) Can't wait to go back!! =)

(In case you are thinking of going to Rome and want to visit, here are some links:)
Della Palma website
Trip Advisor- check out the pictures!

~Ciao Bella~

Ciao Bella

After my recent trip to The Eternal City, I was reminded how much I love Italy. Since I was already thinking about trying to pick up another language, this trip made it pretty clear which language it should be! On this blog I will be making updates on my progress learning the language, as well as any interesting tidbits on the Italian language or Italian culture I discover along the way!

Hope you enjoy! =)

Here is what I would be able to say in a conversation so far.

Buon giorno. Mi chiamo Carolina e sono americana. Sono bene, e tu? Come stai? Vorrei imparare l'italiano. Ciao!


Translation:


Good afternoon. My name is Caroline, and I am American. I'm fine, and how are you? I would like (had to look up this next part!) to learn Italian. Bye!