Amsterdam Adventures

Amsterdam, a weekend full of interesting adventures. Where to begin! 

Our trip began on Friday morning at 3am. A "reliable" cab was supposed to pick us up to take us to our 

bus that would then take us to the airport and finally our destination, Amsterdam. However we had a few setbacks... The cab almost didnt make it to pick us up, and paige begged her way onto the bus for the last seat!

When we arrive after a long journey and no sleep our friend Fernando picks us up to go and get settled in his flat that over looks the city. We started our day by renting bikes for 7 euro and explored the city! We first went to the Anne Frank museum, what an 

experience. It was so interesting to be standing in her house where she and her family were in hiding for almost 2 years, it was very powerful. After a long day, Fernando made us dinner and we got to hang out with the "boyesh" (boys) for a night.

A night on the town.

Our sweet rides.

 

Thought I would document the best goat cheese sandwich I have had in my entire life. That face is pure joy.

On our second day, we headed back into town for lunch and the Van Gogh museum! Again we explored the city, admiring the beautiful architecture and interesting culture. The city reminds me of an upscale Venice. It is in area small, but the buildings are grand and industrial however they still have a certain victorian charm about them. The city is very clean, something they take pride in especially their canal water. The three of us then ended our day by returning the favor to "Nando" and making the "boyesh" dinner. It has been an experience thus far in shopping at the grocery store and not being able to read the language its written in! It is

 especially challenging with the food allergy. However if I do say so myself, we came up with a nice pasta concoction, and pear dessert. 

Outside our yummy sandwich shop.

cooking the boyesh dinner.

On our last day the girls headed to the city once again. The first of our day was spent inside a popular 7 floor, department store with an amazing brunch on the top level. Of course it was easy for us to spend a while in there! But we had to brave the cold and explore more of the city while we had the chance. The highlight of my trip was definitely this last night where we took a canal night cruise that toured the city from the water. It was beautiful at night and from a view that many do not get to see. To complete our trip, we had to see the famous Red Light District. At first it was funny and very crazy. But then after seeing the prostitutes posing in windows selling themselves as a product for the next interested customer I realized it was not funny at all but, a very sad and more than unfulfilling lifestyle. How blessed am I that I have the choice not to resort to a job like those in the Red Light. 

photo from our canal boat.

At the brunch on top of Bijenkorf department store.

Our travel on the way home was just as interesting as on the way there! We flew on a small BOUNCY CRAZY plane ride to Genova airport because of the fog in Pisa, we were unable to land. So we took a bus ride to Pisa with about 50 male "flame throwers" it was an..... experience. Finally 12 hours later we made it home safe!

I am so glad that I got to experience Amsterdam and all of its unique qualities and people! And also be able to tell others that the city believe it or not is not just drugs and sex, but full of history and beautiful architecture. All in all, a fantastic weekend.

Next stop: Vienna, Austria

Buonasera! 

Emily

(Photos by: Paige Hansen)

The first and hopefully a last

Where to begin. Rain. I am not complaining I love the rain, but somehow rain seems to come with many surprises. For instance our apartment has had  more surprises! A busted pipe. Hopefully that will  be the last time Laura comes up to tell us water was leaking from our floors. On the upside a new apartment might be in the future, one with working heat and water? Just some simple necessities. 

Last night, the first night before classes I was so nervous! I finally feel asleep to Mr. Bon Iver. I woke up to my "pimp nokia italian cell" (as stella says), and headed to espresso with the girls to start our day. My first class was Classic Film Photography, 5 1/2 hours, ouch. However things were looking up for me when I found out we have a 30 minute COFFEE BREAK. This is just the place for me. This was the best part of my day, our professor Mr. Fadigati, rekindled my passion for photography. He talked about the power of Black and White photography. How it is special, and abstract from what we see everyday. He defined photography to mean "writing with light", its a from of communication, a beautiful one. I believe these things as well, and this discussion reminded me somewhat of why I love film photos. He also said "The talent is not in the tool, but in the mind". I am very excited to see what I can learn from this professor, and to have the opportunity to capture photos in such an extraordinary and beautiful place!

I then went home to journal and sketch and listen to the rain, a great afternoon for me. However my second class of the day did not go as smoothly as the first. As I left, confident with my surroundings, I "walked with purpose" to la sQuola. Only to find out about ten minutes later I realized that I was most likely nowhere near my class, I asked for directions. I find it ironic that I am trying to ask for directions in Italian while heading to Italian class, because the only italian phrase I know is "ciao bella". I show up at 4:50 to my 4:30 class, sweating and flustered. On my way home looking forward to a warm room, I realized I forgot my keys. Luckily I only had to wait for a few minutes for my roommates to arrive and let me in. 

My day was interesting and somewhat stressful, but I got through it finally! Now at the end of the day my wonderful roommates are all sharing stories and having laughs. I appreciate that I have great girls to live with, and experience  the difficulties and enjoyable things that Florence brings with them. 

Next up: Amsterdam. 

Ciao, Emily

FINALLY FLORENCE

Hey friends and family! 

I am finally here! It is amazing and my nerves are starting to finally calm down. We live in an apartment in the center of florence on the street "Via Dei Pepi #73". If you google map it you can see our green front door! I live with 5 girls, and I definitely lucked out they are all awesome and fun! This week we have been walking everywhere, getting lost, drinking yummy espressos every morning, a little shopping, some orientation for school. But the most memorable thing we have been through this week was our interesting apartment troubles: 

No hot water for 2 days= stinky girls for 2 days. 

No working fridge= interesting food choices and shopping for food.

DIRTY comforters=paranoid sleeping.

No heat= 6 layers of clothes.

Right now we are blogging, and pla

nning trips to take in the next few months how fun! And here are some pictures of the first documented day.  

On our way to the Ponte Vecchio bridge this afternoon, we stopped in a bakery/butcher shop (weirdly common) and we met these two lovely sisters, Francesca and Giuliana! 

On the right is a new friend, Nick that hangs out with our apartment full of ladies. He just got a new pair of Ray Bans and felt the need for a cool  photo shoot! There is graffiti all the way down our street, but this garage next to our apartment seemed especially cool :) 

These are the girls of apartment Via dei Pepi! We were shopping for dinner at a cool inside market next to the Duomo. It 

was huge inside and here in this picture we were buying our first "love fern" for the apartment.

Our last stop today was the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The picture doesn't do it justice, but it was full of jewelry, and interesting people. There are "triangles" that you can climb down on on the bridge we are taking pictures from them, very scary I almost fell off! Im not clumsy or anything... but it was a fun experience.

Thanks for all the prayers! As you can see I am having a great time. There is so much more to come!

Ciao,

Emily