In conclusion, if you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I was somewhat reluctant to return. I was not reluctant because I dreaded Italy, or because the first experience was horrible. Quite the contrary. I was reluctant because that first experience had been so great.
Thanks to the encouragement of my lovely wife Amy, I did return. And it worked out wonderfully. Working with Danilo Mori is always a pleasure. And this time I got to work with Mike Cinson, a relentlessly positive person. But most especially the credit goes to the students. They can make or break the experience. My students in 2010 were "da best". And somehow this trip I was blessed with students cut from the same cloth: enthusiastic, positive, caring, and really interested in what we were trying to accomplish here. Thank you
Katie Bell
Emily Cramer
Emily Craver
Gabby DiTullio
Katie Dodds
Sydney Durham
David Honeck
Aimee Jones
Danielle Morgan
Katie Moore
Amy Roberts
Henna Patel
Ciarra Ramsey
Rachel Schneider
Brandon Shannon
Aubree Simon
And a special thank you to my wife for letting me do this again. For encouraging and supporting me to do this again. For taking care of all the little problems at home in my absence. From mowing the grass and raking leaves, to taking the car into the shop, to picking up Alex at Butler, and for arranging everything in my absence so all I had to do was focus on the task here in Italy.
I am the luckiest man in "da" world!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
On Tuesday December 11th we took the students into Rome at night. We had dinner together. And then we explored some of the sights under lights.
Here is the Coliseum with its Christmas tree
And then we proceeded to Piazza della Rotondo. One of my favorite piazzas, especially at night and we have the whole place to ourselves.
The place that really surprised me was the Piazza de Spagna. We had the place practically to ourselves.
And last but not least, Trevi fountain. Time to through another coin in. The story goes that you will return to Rome if you through a coin in the fountain on your last day. It worked the last time......so.....
Wednesday, we had our farewell dinner in Castel Gandolfo. Today was spent grading papers, updating my blog and packing to return home tomorrow.
Here is the Coliseum with its Christmas tree
Below is Piazza Navona and its Christmas market
The place that really surprised me was the Piazza de Spagna. We had the place practically to ourselves.
And last but not least, Trevi fountain. Time to through another coin in. The story goes that you will return to Rome if you through a coin in the fountain on your last day. It worked the last time......so.....
Wednesday, we had our farewell dinner in Castel Gandolfo. Today was spent grading papers, updating my blog and packing to return home tomorrow.
Sunday December 9th was an uneventful but long trip back to campus. I took a taxi from the hotel to the airport in Budapest. Flew from Budapest back to Rome. At the airport, I was able to secure a seat on an Alitalia bus to Roma Termini train station. Only 7 euros. A really good deal. From Termini I caught the regional train back to campus. A taxi, a plane, a bus, and a train. I think they made a movie about my travels, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!
On Monday December 10th we had the last student led walking tour. The tour focused on Trastevere and Janiculum Hill. The students did a great job and I picked up some candid photos of the students.
our last week together
On Monday December 10th we had the last student led walking tour. The tour focused on Trastevere and Janiculum Hill. The students did a great job and I picked up some candid photos of the students.
our last week together
After warming up in the hotel it is time to venture back out into Budapest. Did i mention it was could there. If you watched the scenic video from Friday, you can hear the wind blowing.
My first task it to get some pictures of the river scene with the lights on. But even before that, I have to show you a picture of the Four Seasons hotel in Budapest. It is referred to as the Gresham hotel because it is housed in the former Greshem Palace.
Now to the river at night.
Like I said before, they have these little statues around that look almost life like.
Here is a picture below of one of my favorite stalls at the Christmas fair
Besides the stalls that sold the mulled wine. A warm wine picture with fruit and cinnamon.
My first task it to get some pictures of the river scene with the lights on. But even before that, I have to show you a picture of the Four Seasons hotel in Budapest. It is referred to as the Gresham hotel because it is housed in the former Greshem Palace.
Now to the river at night.
Like I said before, they have these little statues around that look almost life like.
Here is a picture below of one of my favorite stalls at the Christmas fair
Besides the stalls that sold the mulled wine. A warm wine picture with fruit and cinnamon.
On Saturday December the 8th my plans were to explore the Buda side of the river and to wander in the largest outdoor Christmas market in Europe which is conveniently located across the street from my hotel.
My day started with an exploration of the promenade that runs along the river before I proceeded across to the Buda Castle. Along the river walk they have these great statues. At first I thought they were real people pretending to be statues like in Rome. But no, these were actual statues.
My plan is to proceed across the bridge and climb the hill to Buda Castle. Although there is an incline trolley like Pittsburg. I decided to walk.
Once at the top the views back across the river to Pest side are tremendous.
And once again, I tried my luck at video on my camera.
In addition to the great views, there are other sights on Buda hill itself including St. Mathias church. A neo-gothic church with a colorful tile rook.
Also on the Buda side is the Fisherman's Bastion. An old fortification which reflects the Turkish or Ottoman influence on Budapest.
And now it is time for lunch, two stuffed cabbage rolls later I am heading back to my hotel to warm up before heading back out to the market place.
My day started with an exploration of the promenade that runs along the river before I proceeded across to the Buda Castle. Along the river walk they have these great statues. At first I thought they were real people pretending to be statues like in Rome. But no, these were actual statues.
My plan is to proceed across the bridge and climb the hill to Buda Castle. Although there is an incline trolley like Pittsburg. I decided to walk.
Once at the top the views back across the river to Pest side are tremendous.
And once again, I tried my luck at video on my camera.
In addition to the great views, there are other sights on Buda hill itself including St. Mathias church. A neo-gothic church with a colorful tile rook.
Also on the Buda side is the Fisherman's Bastion. An old fortification which reflects the Turkish or Ottoman influence on Budapest.
And now it is time for lunch, two stuffed cabbage rolls later I am heading back to my hotel to warm up before heading back out to the market place.
On Friday December 7th I flew to Budapest Hungary looking for a new adventure. I had never been to Hungary before but I read so much about Budapest and its famous Christmas markets I decided to spend my last free weekend there. Budapest is about 1 hour 45 minute flight from Rome. I was somewhat shocked because the plane was totally filled and Alitalia has two flights every day to Budapest. As best as I could tell, the plane was predominantly Italian tourists heading to Budapest. In fact, I flew back with many familiar faces on Sunday. Many Italians had the same idea I had. A weekend holiday in Budapest.
Not sure how familiar everyone is with Budapest. It was formally two separate cities on the Danube River, Buda and Pest Hungary. Once a bridge was completed connecting the two cities, they decided to merge and become one city. There are large, expensive, and beautiful hotels on the river front: Four Seasons, Intercontinental, Sofitel, Marriot, ... etc. This is not where I stayed.
There are companies with regular or daily river boat dinner cruises on the Danube. The Danube is huge. I had never seen it before. The city is huge, but the city center like Rome is quite easy to see on foot. Budapest is also famous for its baths or spas. I did not get a chance to partake, another good reason to return. Besides the Christmas markets, I was there for the food, not the Turkish style baths.
The picture below are of the Budapest Opera house. One of the oldest great opera houses in Europe and only a 5 minute walk from my hotel.
I had checked online before I left regarding shows and tickets. All the performances for their Nutcracker were sold out, but they didn't have this scheduled the weekend I was there anyways. On Friday and Saturday evening they were going to have a performance of the opera La Boheme. I decided to check on tickets for the performance that evening. They had single seats open with obstructed views. And one seat open in the second row. I decided to buy the second row seat. Great decision.
Once I bought the ticket I decided to explore the area around the hotel more.Also within a five minute walk of the hotel was the Saint Stephen Basilica.
The most famous aspect of St. Stephen's is the the Holy Right Chapel. It contains the Holy Right (also known as the Holy Dexter), the mummified right hand of St Stephen and an object of great devotion. The area was cordoned off while I was there, so I didn't get a picture of the hand. Not sure if they would have let take one anyways. But I did get some great pictures from inside the church.
In the little square in front of the church there was a small Christmas market.
After St. Stephen's I decided to wander over by the river to get my bearings for my sight seeing on Saturday. The other side of the river is the city formerly known as Buda and it has some great old castles and views. These I planned to explore on Saturday. Here is a lttle preview.
Then back to the hotel to get dressed for the opera. Good thing I brought my suit with me. The only regret I have is that I forgot to take my camera to the opera. I have no pictures from the inside. You will have to take my word for it...it was GRAND.
Not sure how familiar everyone is with Budapest. It was formally two separate cities on the Danube River, Buda and Pest Hungary. Once a bridge was completed connecting the two cities, they decided to merge and become one city. There are large, expensive, and beautiful hotels on the river front: Four Seasons, Intercontinental, Sofitel, Marriot, ... etc. This is not where I stayed.
There are companies with regular or daily river boat dinner cruises on the Danube. The Danube is huge. I had never seen it before. The city is huge, but the city center like Rome is quite easy to see on foot. Budapest is also famous for its baths or spas. I did not get a chance to partake, another good reason to return. Besides the Christmas markets, I was there for the food, not the Turkish style baths.
The picture below are of the Budapest Opera house. One of the oldest great opera houses in Europe and only a 5 minute walk from my hotel.
I had checked online before I left regarding shows and tickets. All the performances for their Nutcracker were sold out, but they didn't have this scheduled the weekend I was there anyways. On Friday and Saturday evening they were going to have a performance of the opera La Boheme. I decided to check on tickets for the performance that evening. They had single seats open with obstructed views. And one seat open in the second row. I decided to buy the second row seat. Great decision.
Once I bought the ticket I decided to explore the area around the hotel more.Also within a five minute walk of the hotel was the Saint Stephen Basilica.
The most famous aspect of St. Stephen's is the the Holy Right Chapel. It contains the Holy Right (also known as the Holy Dexter), the mummified right hand of St Stephen and an object of great devotion. The area was cordoned off while I was there, so I didn't get a picture of the hand. Not sure if they would have let take one anyways. But I did get some great pictures from inside the church.
In the little square in front of the church there was a small Christmas market.
After St. Stephen's I decided to wander over by the river to get my bearings for my sight seeing on Saturday. The other side of the river is the city formerly known as Buda and it has some great old castles and views. These I planned to explore on Saturday. Here is a lttle preview.
Then back to the hotel to get dressed for the opera. Good thing I brought my suit with me. The only regret I have is that I forgot to take my camera to the opera. I have no pictures from the inside. You will have to take my word for it...it was GRAND.
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