Beautiful Venice

Is it possible to be in love with a country? If it is, I love Italy with all my heart and sole! This past weekend a group of 14 of us hopped a train to Venice for a few days of fun in The Sinking City. What a great weekend it was – everything from the weather to the sights to the gelato. It was an overall fun-filled time!

The beginning of the trip was a little rocky since the train broke down somewhere in Italy. But have no fear, Blair had her cards and some creepy “Roll the Piggy” game and I brought out the party favorite “I’m going on a picnic, anyone want to come?” Ever played that game? SO fun! 6 hour trips aren’t so bad when you’re not driving and you’re with 13 of your fun friends! Once we finally arrived, the sight coming out of the train station took me aback. There it was – a beautiful city surrounded by water. There are literally NO cars, NO busses, NO 18 wheelers…only boats and good ol’ walkin shoes! We checked into our hotel (that’s a whole ‘nother story) and headed off for our first drink in Venice! Saturday morning we got up early and hit the streets. Cappuccinos and chocolate croissants galore! We walked all around the city, stopping only to window shop or to buy a slice of pizza or gelato. My kind of day! Wait, did I say window shop or Monopoly money shopping? Yes, Monopoly money...Euros and Swiss Francs are so colorful and fake looking – sometimes I forget it’s real money! I did a bit of both (although the second did much more damage!). I made the biggest purchase of my European adventure (other than flights/hotels)...I treated myself to a pair of Gucci sunglasses! Ciao Bella!

My favorite part of the Venice trip was hopping a boat and heading to the Venetian Islands of Murano and Burano. Murano, the first stop, is famous for their beautiful blown glass. I bought all kind of gifts and even a few rings for myself. ☺ We had a great conversation with a lovely shop owner who gave us the lowdown on how he made his pieces. From there we went to what ended up being my favorite island of them all – Burano. Burano is famous for it’s lace and it’s brightly colored houses. I seriously think they leave their laundry out on the lines to make for good photos (and I love it!). It’s impossible to capture the brilliance of this town, nor the vivid colors that adorn the walls. It was an absolute joy being in this quiet, quaint, yet vibrant area of Italy!

Despite a hotel mishap (one of our very own had 250 Swiss Francs stolen out of his bag that day), Saturday night was a great dinner at a fancy Venetian restaurant. We again took a boat to get there, and nearly missed the last one back. With 14 people it would be hard for this dinner to not be fun, and it lived up to our expectations! The highlight of the night was most definitely the portion where people began playing with their food (which coincidentally came straight out of the lagoon). I’m pretty sure there is a video of me doing my best “Italian shrimp” impression, but I intend for that to never be leaked out to the press!

Sunday was lazy and fun – more shopping and walking around the main island. We saw the Bridge of Sighs (where according to legend prisoners would be led across on their way to be executed, take one last look at the beautiful city and sigh), and the famous Rialto Bridge. I really loved taking pictures of the boats, gandalas, masks, and just everyday Venetian people hanging their laundry out to dry or selling their fruit or handmade scarves on the street. There is such a great mixture of working to live and living to work in Italy. I have a deep appreciation for a culture that works just as hard as they play. They don’t seem to take life for granted and I think we could all slow down long enough to learn from them on that front.

Sunday night I got to Skype with my Noni and John Vallie – I’m so impressed with them getting a camera and Skyping with me! I was definitely going through a hard time not getting to see them in person, so my weekly chats with grandparents, parents, siblings and friends helps me get through the week. I also had a fabulous time in “Jess’ kitchen” with the Austin girls. They all were sweet enough to come over to Jessica’s house in order to have a group Skype European planning session! It’s only a month away now before I get to see the Austin girls, and my original Italy buddies, Candace and Christen. I can’t wait, ladies!! Italy isn’t the same without you! I rounded the weekend off with a great (healthy) dinner at good ol’ Mickey D’s with Allyson and Blair Sunday night. I love Italy, but sometimes…you just need some American junk food and boy over-analyzing time with good friends!

Hook 'em Horns!

What a GREAT game that was!  Other than the National Championship game, I have never been more proud to be a Longhorn! I am so impressed by Colt, Jordan, and all of the other guys...not to mention Chris Ogbonnaya who was my friend last May that showed me and my kiddos around the UT campus (see pic!).  It was a great day to be a Longhorn!  I watched the game on my Slingbox from Eason's kitchen in London.  I had the full intention of changing into my cute party outfit for his big housewarming shin-dig, but once half-time came and went and we were doing so well, I couldn't bring myself to change out of my burnt orange!  I think some non-Americans who were there were slightly confused (or concerned, not sure which) but I didn't care!  I even got Eas to throw up the horns for me.  I think he's coming on along!!  His team, Cal, had a bye, so he happily cheered for my Horns.  Thanks, babe! :)

The weekend in London was tons of fun.  It took a lot less time to get there this time (I think I'm just learning the secrets to Euro-traveling).  Unlike in the states, you don't want to get to the airport TOO early because they won't even give you your gate assignment until 30 minutes before the plane leaves.  That's a lot of sitting around time!  You have to be a focused traveler (always get to the front of the line, run, don't walk, to the customs counter, and buy the train ticket from the airport into London before hand!  I've learned to keep my 3 currencies separate (Swiss Francs in one pouch, Euros in other, and the Queen's money in yet another) so that you don't look like a "stupid American" and pay with the wrong one (which I've so tried to do)!  Speaking of, I read an article last night that my dad sent me about how Americans are perceived around the world.  Apparently most countries were originally solely discontented with Bush, but not the American people.  After we elected him again in 2004, however, they started having discontent for American's as well!  Ha!  Can't say I blame them.  That's all I'm gonna say on the political front.  It's weird being this far from home during this important election, but I'm trying to keep up (I do get that one channel in English which happens to be CNN)!  I don't feel like people get annoyed with me being American all that much, but I try to blend in (I was paid the biggest compliment this weekend when 2 separate people in London asked me for directions on Oxford Street, where all the shopping magic happens)!  I must look like a professional shopper (imagine that!).  

Back to the weekend in London.  When I got there sweet Eas had dinner cooked and wine on the table...and, it gets better...the Sex and City the Movie!  What a sweet boyfriend!!  Saturday we spent the day shopping for party supplies, food, and Hag clothes (as Eason puts it).  I bought a few essentials (cute shoes and an ADORABLE purple jacket!) and we did some Christmas window shopping.  Then it was game time!  Tons of people came to the party and it was lots of fun.  It's nice to know more of Eason's friends now...I don't feel like I really even saw him much the whole night b/c I was too busy socializing!  He has some great friends in London and I'm lucky to call them friends now as well.  Some of those single friends are actually going to come to Lugano to visit for Halloween (my single teacher friends are so excited)!   It should be a fun weekend and hopefully I'll be in my new apt by then!

The new apartment is coming along -- I check in on it daily.  My apartment will be rather large, so anyone who wants to visit is welcome!  I feel so lucky to have nice housing here!  My neighbors will be 3 other teachers from here and we're a fun and fantastic group.  We plan on having Grey's Anatomy parties there as soon as possible!  Random sidenote:  I miss "The Office."  Can someone fill me in on it?!  Italian classes are going well.  I find myself speaking to myself in Italian (although all I can say to myself is "Hi, what is your name?  How do you spell it?" and "My name is Hayley, H-A-Y-L-E-Y!"). :)  Today I feel a breakthrough coming in class though.  I'll just have to remember to switch back to Spanish in a few weeks when I got to Spain!  The kids here are teaching me, though.  One kid, in Pre-K, thinks I speak Italian because I was practicing the aforementioned phrases with him one day (it's much easier to freely speak Italian without psyching yourself out when the kid is 4!).  Now he only speaks to me in Italian and I'm in a heap of trouble then!  Another little Pre-K enjoys playing Make-Believe Tennis and Make-Believe Soccer with me (in high heels, no less!) during recess.  He always wins!  I love my job. :)

I've had the chance to catch up some with my friends from home which is always really nice.  I miss my Mermaid, Kristin, but I'm loving hearing about her new life in S.A.  I'm so proud of the new/fun life she is making there!!  Last night we SO watched the same episode of "Full House" together -- it was just like old times. :) This weekend is Venice for Blair and Angie's bday weekend.  We're all taking the train (big group of 13) tomorrow after school.  I've never been and I'm really excited!!  Then the next weekend is Madrid with Morgs (I have MISSED my friend!), followed by the weekend that the London visitors descend!  Should be a fun few weeks!!!  Pics of Venice when I return!  Love you all!

Lugano Fall Harvest Festival

Oh what a fun/lazy weekend I had here in Lugano. Friday night we went to the train station to buy our Venice train tickets for Blair and Angie's bday celebration in a few weeks. I can't WAIT for that trip! I've never been to Venice!! Then Allyson, Lizzie and I went to our favorite hot-spot in Montagnola called Bellavista for some yummy pizza. Friday night was a "chill night" indeed -- with a night cap of Seinfeld and Friends on DVD. I'm so glad I moved overseas after the DVD was invented. :)

Saturday morning I got up and went for a long run -- my goodness it is beautiful here! It's starting to get a little chilly, but that didn't deter me from "laying out" on my porch (very little wind) to try to soak up some rays. It's been really lovely weather lately. Finally, I decided to head downtown to the Lugano Fall Harvest Festival (after taking some pictures of St. Abbondio - the church/cemetery here in Montagnola). What a gorgeous day! I did a little shopping (bought a hair straightener, warm non-itchy blanket for the upcoming winter, and towels for my future guests)! Allyson and Lizzie met me downtown and we began the vino/gelato portion of the day. Very fun! There were drummers and live bands galore! The highlight of the day, for sure, was meeting The Flag -- a blues band that sings in English! Mind you, not many of them speak English, but they can sure sing it well! We met the band members after their sound check and they invited us back later to watch the real show, so after a yummy dinner at Pizzaria Mary's, we headed back to the stage in the piazza. The band is so good! See attached video of the amazing harmonica player! We even got a shout out at one point ("something in Italian....Hayley...teacher at Scuola Americana...Austin, TX...Stevie Ray Vaughn!").  Freddie (bass player) was so excited about Stevie Ray Vaughn - that's all he and I talked about! We enjoyed hearing blues music once again -- you forget how much you miss live music in English. I can't wait to head back to Austin now!  We are now their official groupies, so we will be catching more shows soon!

I'm so proud of my kiddos here -- we raised $603.97 (in 6 different currencies!) to help the hurricane victims back in Texas! Combined with mom's totals at her school, that's over $1,200! Now all I have to do is find a bank that will take all of these currencies and try to get it back home. :)

Stay tuned -- next weekend I'm off to London again to see Eas and go to his housewarming party at the new Compayne house! Oh yeah, and we'll be watching the Horns. Don't you worry. I'm nervous about the game, but full of confidence that my Horns can pull out a win against OU. HOOK 'EM HORNS!