Yamas; Meaning Cheers in Greek

So excited to be in Greece! This is me Jumping on the balcony right outside our room

Nikki and I getting pumped for a day at the beach!

Sydney and I at sun set

The Pink Palace Hostel we stayed at in Cofu

Sunset. It looked like this everynight

Up on the Acropolis in Athens 

Sydney and I at dinner in Athens

View of Athens

SPRING BREAK

            I am back from spring break in Greece and have to admit this was one of the best trips I have taken in my life. It was as if we were caught in a time warp where there was no sense of what day it was or what time it was. I started by going to the Pink Palace in Corfu. The Pink Palace is a unique place that promotes the quintessential spring break experience. The bar was open 24 hours a day with a sign that said, “Cocktails are cheaper than beer which is cheaper than water.” It has a seventy-person hot tub and puts on crazy dance parties every night. Our room had a breathtaking view of the beach and the town and we were constantly surrounded by gorgeous scenery.  At the Pink Palace one could also rent and ATV, Kayak, or take a cruise around the island.  Originally my friends and I had planned on doing all of these things but once we got there we realized we would much prefer to relax after such a tough week of midterms. The very first night we were there we attended the Pink Palaces weekly toga party. Everyone gets a pink satin sheet and gets dressed up for dinner and dancing in their toga. It was a fun night filled with lots of dancing!

            After three days of lounging at the beach we made our way to Athens. Here we went shopping at La Plaka, and saw the Acropolis. The most amazing part of Athens however was the food. I tried so many new dishes like fried sardines (not actually that bad), fried squid, a fish egg dip, and octopus.  One night we also went to a dinner with endless food and drink. There were no exaggeration 19 courses to this meal.  

            I know this entry does not seem so long for a week of experience but mostly this break was about being with my friends and laughing and enjoying the simplicity of being in a beautiful place with people whose company you truly enjoy. 

San Gimignano Day Trip

The View from the Civic Tower

Nikki and Valarie my travel buddies for the day

A path we took around the town,  it was picture perfect

Tying to be artsy. 

A picture of the scenery with a bird I caught about to take off

cookies called "Ugly but Good" 

Pasta the colors of Italy!

Two If By Sea- Venice In Two Days

Venice February 26-27

            This weekend I accomplished my childhood aspiration of visiting Venice.  It was everything I hoped it would be and more!  We actually stayed right outside of Venice and so it was even more exciting when we actually got to go into Venice every morning.  To get to what everyone thinks of as “Venice” we took a bus to a train station and then took a boat from their into the main canal of  Venice!

            The first day we were there it was beautiful! The sun was out and it was only a little chilly. The best part was that it was also Carnivale.  Venice is the most known for having the oldest and most traditional Carnivale.  Here everyone gets into part of the festivities. Some get dressed head to toe, others participate in a gondola race, but at least everyone has on a mask!! 

            I actually bought my mask in Florence because I fell in love with it and got a good deal for the quality of the mask. However, it was made in Venice originally.  You can tell what has been made in Venice by a brand that is put on the inside of the mask.

            Once in Venice we got a tour of the big areas. Yet the main event was always the crowds! It was packed. Think of the sardines crammed into a can trying to move though an ally the size of a pencil. This is what pedestrian traffic was like while we were visiting.  Despite the overwhelming number of visitors Venice was still magnificent. Filled with shops and Venician glass. We even got to go to the glass blowing factory where we watched first hand a glassmaker turn a burning ember into a beautiful vase and horse figurine.  After the glass blowing factory our leader took us to the Jewish Ghetto.  While not much remains there are tons of shops all around the area selling Judaica and Kosher foods. We stopped and got Humentoshin.  

            Finally, the last thing on my Venice checklist was to go on a gondola ride! My friends and I went at sunset and it was just beautiful!  Our gondola driver told us about the history of Venice, showed us where Casanova lived, told us the mechanics of the boat, and even sang to us an Italian love song.

            We spent two days in Venice and each was incredible!  I can’t believe after all this waiting I can finally say I have been to Venice!