Okay. I am aware I have neglected this blog but things have been crazy, and whilst I had attempted to sit down to update it several times, something has always popped up.
*WARNING - this is a text-heavy blog post. Go get a cup of tea.
So far I've seen some of the best and some of the worst of Italy and overall I am loving it. I still have moments where it hits me that I am in Italy and I just have to breathe.
Friendships are flourishing wonderfully, I still haven't met too many Italian friends, but several international ones as well as getting to know my Leicester friends better too. I now have a tandem partner and I couldn't wish for any better, she is very lovely indeed! :) I have also got to know my housemates a little better too and they are such great people!
So much has happened since my last entry I can't even think where to start on updating, my memory is like a sieve.
I think the best place to start is with the bad (although there isn't a lot) because it's always good to end on a high note.
Firstly, as many of you may know if you're a personal/facebook friend, I had my purse stolen in Verona a couple of weeks ago. It was horrific, the moment you realise it is not in your bag, your heart sinks, trying to retrace your steps, whilst inside knowing it is a futile attempt. For me, it was more the violation. Knowing somebody has all of your details in their possession, your bank cards, driving licence etc. Luckily I called my mum and she managed to cancel them all straight away, spending time on the inside of an Italian police station was not what I anticipated for my year abroad but lets say I am glad it is now over.
The only other negative I can think of is the workload. I know this year is worth 30% of my degree, and I should expect to do a lot of university work, but I am in Italy. I want to travel and enjoy myself, not worry about the stack of reading that piles higher and higher every single day. Being an Erasmus student also means you stand out, the tutors are more likely to ask you questions, get you to read out and do extra presentations. Our lectures range from around 30 - 80 people, compared to hundreds in Leicester, so it's not like you can hide at the back and hope they don't notice, which was my usual plan of action. Shame.
One more small negative is how much I am missing English things - mainly my English friends. Seeing the 'University of Leicester Freshers' pictures gets me every time...why have so much fun without me? I also miss English food, mainly toast, sausages, bacon, steak, and proper chips (drools). I also miss having a kettle, toaster and microwave, I did not realise how much I relied on them until I no longer had them.
Now on to the good :) Firstly, the part of Verona we did see was beautiful and I cannot wait to go back there and explore it properly!
The thing I love about Italy is that almost everything is a postcard. Going from the Attenborough tower, to centuries old buildings, from University Road to Via Zamboni. I can't complain about that. (see below)
I'm also eating insane quantities of Italian gelato, be prepared for that if you ever come here. I.just.can't.stop.
I've been enjoying having get togethers and meals with all my friends. Getting drunk from really lovely €2 (a bottle, not glass) wine!
I enjoyed my first trip to Ikea in 10 years.
I enjoyed my first trip to Ikea in 10 years.
Most notably, and by far, my favourite thing I've done yet, is yesterdays trip to Venice (Venezia). Oh.my.goodness. I am not too well travelled, I haven't visited many places but I was not prepared for the beauty of Venice. This place is the epitome of my earlier statement about everything being a postcard. If you have ever been, you will understand and if you haven't, you must, right now, go, book some flights.
The pictures I have just don't do it justice. The grandeur of the main squares, and the unbelievable picturesque beauty of all the little side lanes and streets. Realising at the end of the day that you haven't seen a single car all day. Having to take a water-bus anywhere. We were incredibly lucky with the weather, it was pleasantly warm but not too much and the sun was reflecting perfectly off the water.
I would go back a million times. I think it would be amazing at Christmas with all the little markets and cosy shops. Most unbelievably it only cost us €10 each way and took us less than 2 hours.
In Bologna, the weather has started to cool down. Finally. I actually much prefer cooler weather when you have things to do.
Excitingly, I am going home in 4 days! It is my birthday on Friday 26th October, and because of a mix around of lectures, I have decided to go home for one week, which covers the day of my actual birthday. My boyfriend has managed to take the day off work so we can spend the day shopping and doing fun things. I plan to see all my friends, and attend Laura's birthday party. I have missed my home friends SOOOOO much. I have known them for years and years and hate being so far away from them but I cannot wait to catch up again!
I also can't believe I will be turning 22. Oh my goodness, when did I get so old. I remember when I was 16, I thought I would have a child at 22, I thought it was still young, but quite old. LOL..that is well and truly out of the window.
I'm sure many more things have happened in these weeks but I just cannot recall them all :) Just generally living by my favourite quote 'life, laugh, love' :)
Now I must deny that quotation and go read a book about feminist readings of the body in Virginia Woolf's novels. FUN.
Ciao for now x
