This week marks my one month being in Viterbo, Italy. How insane is it to think that I have been away from my home, my job, my family, my friends, my university, my bedroom, my kitten for four weeks?! The thought of home seems foreign to me. Even though I am keeping up with most of you back home, I still feel as if I am literally miles away (shocker!!). Even though I miss my home life, I am so thankful that I decided and was able to come to Italy. This is everything I have ever wanted and I don’t know if you all can hear me say that enough!
On the flip side, I only really have three more months left in this beautiful country! I feel like by the time we get back from our week long field trip, that our time here will be going faster then ever! I just got the itinerary for this trip! Wanna know? I thought you would never ask!
Heart of Italy Tour
As Follows:
Monday
Leaving way too early- departure to Cortona. (Yep- your guess is as good as mine)
Tour
Spend the day and then that afternoon- departure to Florence.
Tuesday
Again way too early- Departure for Lucca
Arrival/ Tour
Departure for Pisa
Tour
Departure for Florence
Wednesday
Breakfast
Tour/Maybe free day in Florence
Thursday
Breakfast and the Accademia
Free day
Friday
Departure to Siena
Tour
Free lunch and afternoon
Back to Viterbo!
I figure by the end of this trip I will be completely exhausted... and probably a little stinky- but that is how the Italians do it! Pictures of my past week should be up on Facebook soon (if it will stop being so stinky) and I will probably talk to you all in two weeks... because this time next week- I will be in Florence!!
Hugs and kisses!
Katy
Tuesday, September 28
Tuesday, September 21
Just to Say Goodbye.
I took a walk last night, I needed some air. I had been doing homework or catching up with life back home the entire day and sometimes the night air seems to help me relax and refocus. I saw the moon for the first time since I’ve been here- being inside the walls prevents us from seeing the sunrise and set. I calmly strolled the cobble stones, I’m trying to be more Italian, and watched my surroundings while listening to what Art calls my whinny indie music. It was the perfect medicine for the week that I had just experienced. It is the perfect medicine for everything.
Experience, no matter good or bad, is still an experience. These were the first words that I heard when entering the beautiful city of Viterbo, Italy. This statement really didn’t mean much to me until this past week, but now I can’t seem to get it out of my head. This rollercoaster I am on never slows down, never stops turning, and sure enough will never stop! However, for the first time in my life I don’t want it to. I want to go at the speed of life and live each day completely filled and fruitful. Now is this just because I am in Italy and hope that each day is rememberable and better than the last, or am I growing up, or getting younger... or maybe just being?
I’m not sure, but everyday here seems like two, every week feels like three weeks... and I think that is because I am actually waking up before nine each day (who knew that people got up that early?!). Life is meant to be lived. Now your right, we all know this- but sometimes we need to reminded. Does this life really matter?
Life taught me the most important lesson this past week. Even though I’m in the most fulfilling city in the world (to me at least), living the dream I have been dreaming for forever, and making friends with some of the most incredible people in the world- we witnessed something tragic and simply beautiful all within a measly two seconds. While sitting at the local caffe, I got a phone call. Not wanting to be rude, I left the building and took my call in the outside sitting area. Half way through I heard a scream. A scream that I can’t even begin to describe. I then witnessed a rushed wave surround a specific area of the street. Not understanding, I got up and slowly approached the situation. Still confused I saw the crumbles of a man. Not knowing what to do, I ran back into the caffe to tell my friends what had just happened. The details are blurry, the sounds sound the same, and the images will never fade- but it was the tragic death of a person that most of us would claim- "didn’t deserve this." Screaming, yelling, and a panic arose in every SINGLE person standing by watching. EVERY SINGLE person in the stores near by ran to the street. No one had a second thought about who was watching the register, no one gave a second thought to what might be happening next on their television show. This city, the family that they are, all grieved and mourned for the sudden accidental death of this man. A man that maybe some of them didn’t know, but that didn’t matter- it was family. He was family. They are family. May I remember what he taught me. ,To be thankful for every moment. To embrace every moment. To love every moment, or experience -good or bad.
Through tragedy, I have found meaning. Through this man’s death, I have found my life. It’s beautiful and I wish that I could be more creative than that, but that’s all I can say.
Even though it took some of us longer than others, we all broke down. Completely sob fast 2010, but it was just what we needed. The bonding that happened that day will never be forgotten. The people I have found myself so close to within just a few weeks became even closer that night. The meanings in life that I found that night, have become more real. As I walk the cities outside Viterbo, as I walk through the garden of Villa Lante, aa I see the masterpieces around me- I declare to think of this man, to think of this night... to always remember that life is worth living every moment. That experiences, good or bad, are experiences. That life isn’t perfect, that life isn’t what we planned, but life is far better than anything I could possibly imagine. So raise your glass, here’s to life. Here is to everything we already knew, but for some reason it took a tragedy for me to realize. Here is to you, your health, and the hope that one day, will be the day, that you realize how much worth you truly have. Until next week, love, love, and maybe just a little more love. Be safe, be happy, no- no- no- be joyous!
Sending <3,
Katy
Experience, no matter good or bad, is still an experience. These were the first words that I heard when entering the beautiful city of Viterbo, Italy. This statement really didn’t mean much to me until this past week, but now I can’t seem to get it out of my head. This rollercoaster I am on never slows down, never stops turning, and sure enough will never stop! However, for the first time in my life I don’t want it to. I want to go at the speed of life and live each day completely filled and fruitful. Now is this just because I am in Italy and hope that each day is rememberable and better than the last, or am I growing up, or getting younger... or maybe just being?
I’m not sure, but everyday here seems like two, every week feels like three weeks... and I think that is because I am actually waking up before nine each day (who knew that people got up that early?!). Life is meant to be lived. Now your right, we all know this- but sometimes we need to reminded. Does this life really matter?
Life taught me the most important lesson this past week. Even though I’m in the most fulfilling city in the world (to me at least), living the dream I have been dreaming for forever, and making friends with some of the most incredible people in the world- we witnessed something tragic and simply beautiful all within a measly two seconds. While sitting at the local caffe, I got a phone call. Not wanting to be rude, I left the building and took my call in the outside sitting area. Half way through I heard a scream. A scream that I can’t even begin to describe. I then witnessed a rushed wave surround a specific area of the street. Not understanding, I got up and slowly approached the situation. Still confused I saw the crumbles of a man. Not knowing what to do, I ran back into the caffe to tell my friends what had just happened. The details are blurry, the sounds sound the same, and the images will never fade- but it was the tragic death of a person that most of us would claim- "didn’t deserve this." Screaming, yelling, and a panic arose in every SINGLE person standing by watching. EVERY SINGLE person in the stores near by ran to the street. No one had a second thought about who was watching the register, no one gave a second thought to what might be happening next on their television show. This city, the family that they are, all grieved and mourned for the sudden accidental death of this man. A man that maybe some of them didn’t know, but that didn’t matter- it was family. He was family. They are family. May I remember what he taught me. ,To be thankful for every moment. To embrace every moment. To love every moment, or experience -good or bad.
Through tragedy, I have found meaning. Through this man’s death, I have found my life. It’s beautiful and I wish that I could be more creative than that, but that’s all I can say.
Even though it took some of us longer than others, we all broke down. Completely sob fast 2010, but it was just what we needed. The bonding that happened that day will never be forgotten. The people I have found myself so close to within just a few weeks became even closer that night. The meanings in life that I found that night, have become more real. As I walk the cities outside Viterbo, as I walk through the garden of Villa Lante, aa I see the masterpieces around me- I declare to think of this man, to think of this night... to always remember that life is worth living every moment. That experiences, good or bad, are experiences. That life isn’t perfect, that life isn’t what we planned, but life is far better than anything I could possibly imagine. So raise your glass, here’s to life. Here is to everything we already knew, but for some reason it took a tragedy for me to realize. Here is to you, your health, and the hope that one day, will be the day, that you realize how much worth you truly have. Until next week, love, love, and maybe just a little more love. Be safe, be happy, no- no- no- be joyous!
Sending <3,
Katy
Thursday, September 16
Those Dang Bugs
CIAO!!
The first week of classes went by in a haze. First and foremost, with classes starting- my life in Viterbo has become more organized... or maybe just more structured? Not to say that I spend a great deal of time in classes because I don’t. (I have a nine o’clock Italian course Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, a Studio Art course on Tuesday that goes from nine to noon, an Art History course Thursday afternoon and a Field Study course on Friday). I have an abundance of free time, yet I feel like I am always on the go- or eating! Haha. More than anything the classes are not too difficult...yet. The language courses are taught extremely fast which is at times are hard to keep up with, but I need to know how to order gellato, right? I am really enjoying the Italian language like I have never before. I never really tried very hard in a language course (like Spanish) but with being in Italy I have found not only a reason to understand the language, but also to adore it. At times I wish that I didn’t learn Spanish first. It often makes me slur, mispronounce, and screw up my Italian- but on the other hand it helps because I already know a similar word which makes it easier to decode paragraphs! I am hoping by the end of this semester that I can at least have a good conversation in Italian with an Italian - maybe our local bartista?!?! OH- and be able to sing a rap?! Haha.
Enough about classes- how about some Rome?! Chelsea, Hilda, Bailie and I made our way to Rome about 4 o’clock last Friday night. It takes about 2 hours to get to Rome so we decided that we should just go straight to the hostel (NO, I haven’t seen the movie and No, I didn’t get murdered or whatever).Our little tent can only be described with pictures- so go check them out on facebook! After having dinner, playing pool with some kids, and spending the night, we made our way out into the city of Rome bright and early. Rome is nothing what I thought it would be. I felt for the first time that I was REALLY in Italy. The sites were amazing. Undescribable, the only real answer I can give right now. As much as I want to express to you the feelings while walking into the Pantheon, or seeing Constantine’s Arch– I can’t. You had to be there to feel the presence. You had to be stand in front the artwork that I have been dying to see my entire life. I’m here. I’m standing in front of the Trevi Fountain that I know so much about, that I wrote papers about. I teared up, I won’t lie- I’m here for this reason and this reason only. I want to grow, I want to experience, I want be uncomfortable. This is exactly what I needed in my life. I’m passionate again. I’m alive again. I can’t imagine what this study abroad program has to offer- but I’m ready for this. I can’t wait to see as much as I can!
We only stayed in Rome for a couple of nights and a day. We headed back early to make sure that we actually got back (Italian trains are a little funky on Sundays). What was really strange is that I missed Viterbo while I was in Rome. I didn’t miss Reno. I didn’t even miss the thought of being home. I missed my Viterbo apartment and my Viterbo friends. I can already see myself being a complete mess when I leave this place. There is a double edged sword to every thing in my life. Life is bittersweet, but I guess that is what makes this all worth it- right?!
This next week involves: Chelsea’s and Bailie’s birthdays! My first Art History class! A day trip on Friday with my Italian Hill Cities class. And much much more! Hold on to your hats, here we go again!
<3 Katy
The first week of classes went by in a haze. First and foremost, with classes starting- my life in Viterbo has become more organized... or maybe just more structured? Not to say that I spend a great deal of time in classes because I don’t. (I have a nine o’clock Italian course Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, a Studio Art course on Tuesday that goes from nine to noon, an Art History course Thursday afternoon and a Field Study course on Friday). I have an abundance of free time, yet I feel like I am always on the go- or eating! Haha. More than anything the classes are not too difficult...yet. The language courses are taught extremely fast which is at times are hard to keep up with, but I need to know how to order gellato, right? I am really enjoying the Italian language like I have never before. I never really tried very hard in a language course (like Spanish) but with being in Italy I have found not only a reason to understand the language, but also to adore it. At times I wish that I didn’t learn Spanish first. It often makes me slur, mispronounce, and screw up my Italian- but on the other hand it helps because I already know a similar word which makes it easier to decode paragraphs! I am hoping by the end of this semester that I can at least have a good conversation in Italian with an Italian - maybe our local bartista?!?! OH- and be able to sing a rap?! Haha.
Enough about classes- how about some Rome?! Chelsea, Hilda, Bailie and I made our way to Rome about 4 o’clock last Friday night. It takes about 2 hours to get to Rome so we decided that we should just go straight to the hostel (NO, I haven’t seen the movie and No, I didn’t get murdered or whatever).Our little tent can only be described with pictures- so go check them out on facebook! After having dinner, playing pool with some kids, and spending the night, we made our way out into the city of Rome bright and early. Rome is nothing what I thought it would be. I felt for the first time that I was REALLY in Italy. The sites were amazing. Undescribable, the only real answer I can give right now. As much as I want to express to you the feelings while walking into the Pantheon, or seeing Constantine’s Arch– I can’t. You had to be there to feel the presence. You had to be stand in front the artwork that I have been dying to see my entire life. I’m here. I’m standing in front of the Trevi Fountain that I know so much about, that I wrote papers about. I teared up, I won’t lie- I’m here for this reason and this reason only. I want to grow, I want to experience, I want be uncomfortable. This is exactly what I needed in my life. I’m passionate again. I’m alive again. I can’t imagine what this study abroad program has to offer- but I’m ready for this. I can’t wait to see as much as I can!
We only stayed in Rome for a couple of nights and a day. We headed back early to make sure that we actually got back (Italian trains are a little funky on Sundays). What was really strange is that I missed Viterbo while I was in Rome. I didn’t miss Reno. I didn’t even miss the thought of being home. I missed my Viterbo apartment and my Viterbo friends. I can already see myself being a complete mess when I leave this place. There is a double edged sword to every thing in my life. Life is bittersweet, but I guess that is what makes this all worth it- right?!
This next week involves: Chelsea’s and Bailie’s birthdays! My first Art History class! A day trip on Friday with my Italian Hill Cities class. And much much more! Hold on to your hats, here we go again!
<3 Katy
Monday, September 6
Ciao, Bella!
Ciao!!!
Honestly, I have no idea where to even start. After being in Viterbo, Italy for over a week life seems to be passing me by yet standing so still. The journey from Reno to Viterbo was probably the most stressful and intense traveling I have ever done in my life. I met a few of the USAC students on the plane and thank goodness I did– or I might still be in Frankfurt. Even though it was intense and extended over two days- I’m glad we made it all in one big chunk because the amount of excitement me and Sawny were feeling was unattainable. I hardly slept on the flight, let alone the night before I left so by the time Wednesday rolled around I probably had a total of 6 hours or maybe 7 hours of sleep. Walking zombies is just the beginning of what we all were feeling. However, Italy calls and no one can really stay in bed for too long, right?
Along with orientation, meeting new people, and getting lost in the city twice so far Viterbo is celebrating their city saint. I really have to do more research about it, but the story goes like this-- Santa Rosa was a young Saint that during the plague helped the sick and dying without getting a scratch or becoming ill herself. Giving her entire self to the people of Viterbo she ended her life at the young age of 18 by starving herself. Her life was so charitable she forgot about herself which was ultimately her downfall. After her death the city suffered a great fire where the church she was buried in was burnt to a crisp. However, her body remained- completely intact which just proved of her worth and Sainthood. In celebration the entire city, for the past week, has been in celebration. Either with random marching bands or parades, we seem to be stuck within a celebration of some sort and some point in the day or other.
Specifically for this week they have an event that happens at the end of the week which is the carrying of a HUGE tower through the city which will finally be put to rest at the catherdral of Santa Rosa. Now when I say that a tower is being carried througout Viterbo, I mean that a 100 Viterbo men dress in white clothes with a red belt carry this legitimate tower that surpasses the rooftops by probably more than 8 feet. The pictures do a better justice of describing the event and the video shows you how loud our street corner got when the tower passed us. The entire city fills the plazas and the streets of the city and some wait over ten hours just to have a great spot. The commitment and respect these people have for their city is astonishing. I have never seen, or been a part of something, that was that passionate. I mean, the only thing I can think that even compares is the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade... and it is nothing close to this festival! I was so honored and grateful that we came when we did so that I could just be a part of it. What a great way to start of this chapter of my life, no?! (for some reason blogger isn't allowing me to upload photos but if you take a look on my facebook they should be there very shortly.)
This event happens on Friday, but the days before the event, young boys from the ages of about 5 to 10 do their own tower tour- in preparation for when they will one day be able to actually be a part of the real festival. As they walk by everyone screams and cheers for them and as they pass they look so serious and in control. It’s was so fun and cute to watch them in their attempts to carry this tower throughout the town! What a great tradition!
With this festival we have been pretty busy throughout the week, so when Saturday hit (which was the first day we could sleep in) we all had plans to do something and I’m pretty sure no one woke up before noon. Completely exhausted, trying to get on Italian time, and figuring out where you are going can really take something out of someone.
Now the question we are all asking- how am I doing? I couldn’t be doing better, honestly. Of course I’m a little sad not to be in direct contact to most of you- but I’m doing well. So far I have begun the goals that I hope to achieve over these next four months. Happiness is hard to not have in this beautiful place, but we all feel a little homesick once in awhile. However, with the program and the friends that I automatically made- I’m not afraid, or sad, or even really that nervous. Of course some things are not what I expected, but the way I am handling myself and the problems I am having is astonishing- really. To be honest- I’m not quite here yet. No one really is... all thinking that we are on vacation it feels like I can walk out of these city walls and be back to an English speaking, fast food eatin place and I have to keep reminding myself that I am not on vacation! School will be starting tomorrow and I think that will help a little, and you have no idea how excited I am for that. I already have my outfit picked out and my pens in my backpack. Tomorrow will bring on a couple of new things, but I’m glad to be out of my bubble.
I already know that this will be the best thing for me. Not only will I learn and grow as an artists, but I already feel myself growing and learning more about myself as a person! Italy, here I come- bring on the blood... bring on the culture... bring on the cheese- holy cow the cheese!!!
To those back home: I have not forgotten about you in the least- I think of you all the time and just remember that I am sending my love over seas. I miss you terribly, but don’t worry about me.. I have 1 Euro pizza and banana ice cream to comfort me! Don’t forget to write and let me know how you are all doing back at home, in different countries, states, and cities!
Sending massive amounts of kisses and hugs from VITERBO!
<3 Katy
Honestly, I have no idea where to even start. After being in Viterbo, Italy for over a week life seems to be passing me by yet standing so still. The journey from Reno to Viterbo was probably the most stressful and intense traveling I have ever done in my life. I met a few of the USAC students on the plane and thank goodness I did– or I might still be in Frankfurt. Even though it was intense and extended over two days- I’m glad we made it all in one big chunk because the amount of excitement me and Sawny were feeling was unattainable. I hardly slept on the flight, let alone the night before I left so by the time Wednesday rolled around I probably had a total of 6 hours or maybe 7 hours of sleep. Walking zombies is just the beginning of what we all were feeling. However, Italy calls and no one can really stay in bed for too long, right?
Along with orientation, meeting new people, and getting lost in the city twice so far Viterbo is celebrating their city saint. I really have to do more research about it, but the story goes like this-- Santa Rosa was a young Saint that during the plague helped the sick and dying without getting a scratch or becoming ill herself. Giving her entire self to the people of Viterbo she ended her life at the young age of 18 by starving herself. Her life was so charitable she forgot about herself which was ultimately her downfall. After her death the city suffered a great fire where the church she was buried in was burnt to a crisp. However, her body remained- completely intact which just proved of her worth and Sainthood. In celebration the entire city, for the past week, has been in celebration. Either with random marching bands or parades, we seem to be stuck within a celebration of some sort and some point in the day or other.
Specifically for this week they have an event that happens at the end of the week which is the carrying of a HUGE tower through the city which will finally be put to rest at the catherdral of Santa Rosa. Now when I say that a tower is being carried througout Viterbo, I mean that a 100 Viterbo men dress in white clothes with a red belt carry this legitimate tower that surpasses the rooftops by probably more than 8 feet. The pictures do a better justice of describing the event and the video shows you how loud our street corner got when the tower passed us. The entire city fills the plazas and the streets of the city and some wait over ten hours just to have a great spot. The commitment and respect these people have for their city is astonishing. I have never seen, or been a part of something, that was that passionate. I mean, the only thing I can think that even compares is the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade... and it is nothing close to this festival! I was so honored and grateful that we came when we did so that I could just be a part of it. What a great way to start of this chapter of my life, no?! (for some reason blogger isn't allowing me to upload photos but if you take a look on my facebook they should be there very shortly.)
This event happens on Friday, but the days before the event, young boys from the ages of about 5 to 10 do their own tower tour- in preparation for when they will one day be able to actually be a part of the real festival. As they walk by everyone screams and cheers for them and as they pass they look so serious and in control. It’s was so fun and cute to watch them in their attempts to carry this tower throughout the town! What a great tradition!
With this festival we have been pretty busy throughout the week, so when Saturday hit (which was the first day we could sleep in) we all had plans to do something and I’m pretty sure no one woke up before noon. Completely exhausted, trying to get on Italian time, and figuring out where you are going can really take something out of someone.
Now the question we are all asking- how am I doing? I couldn’t be doing better, honestly. Of course I’m a little sad not to be in direct contact to most of you- but I’m doing well. So far I have begun the goals that I hope to achieve over these next four months. Happiness is hard to not have in this beautiful place, but we all feel a little homesick once in awhile. However, with the program and the friends that I automatically made- I’m not afraid, or sad, or even really that nervous. Of course some things are not what I expected, but the way I am handling myself and the problems I am having is astonishing- really. To be honest- I’m not quite here yet. No one really is... all thinking that we are on vacation it feels like I can walk out of these city walls and be back to an English speaking, fast food eatin place and I have to keep reminding myself that I am not on vacation! School will be starting tomorrow and I think that will help a little, and you have no idea how excited I am for that. I already have my outfit picked out and my pens in my backpack. Tomorrow will bring on a couple of new things, but I’m glad to be out of my bubble.
I already know that this will be the best thing for me. Not only will I learn and grow as an artists, but I already feel myself growing and learning more about myself as a person! Italy, here I come- bring on the blood... bring on the culture... bring on the cheese- holy cow the cheese!!!
To those back home: I have not forgotten about you in the least- I think of you all the time and just remember that I am sending my love over seas. I miss you terribly, but don’t worry about me.. I have 1 Euro pizza and banana ice cream to comfort me! Don’t forget to write and let me know how you are all doing back at home, in different countries, states, and cities!
Sending massive amounts of kisses and hugs from VITERBO!
<3 Katy
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