un Affare Italiano

vacanze in romane.

Gabrielle — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:59:13 +0000

Ciao a tutti! I know it is late… but I spent last weekend in Rome. It’s beautiful! I’ve just booked my second trip there. There’s something about Rome that I just can’t describe, but I’ll do my best. Florence, no doubt, has beautiful hilltops and scenes, but Rome was something a bit more special. Rome was magical to me. Everywhere you went felt like a secret treasure that everyone around you was experiencing as well.On Friday, straight away, we visited the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon. All of these famous sites tucked right into the city. Spanish Steps face Rome’s most posh shopping scene, the Trevi fountain amongst discounted leather shoe stores, and the pantheon near an amazing gelateria.Aftering seeing the Campo di Fiore district and passing by Piazza Navona, the rest of the night was ours to decide. We decided to take the long walk home instead of using the Metro, and relaxed until dinner.Dinner was pretty yummy, primi piati was a pasta with a sort of carbonara sauce. Per secondi piatti, we had roasted chicken with a pomodori sauce with potatoes. It was also very yummy. What was not yummy, was having to pay for the water they had placed on our tables… not cool. Also, I tried flan for the first time. WEIRD i know becuase we have it at almost every family party, and I didn’t like it. haha see guys i told you! But then again everyone else did say it wasn’t the best flan they’ve had… it was very eggy.. and let me tell you it tasted like scrambled eggs with caramel sweet sauce.. again not cool.After dinner, we went upstairs and relaxed for the rest of the night. Amanda, Kaitlyn and I were pretty tired, and I was up late the night before putting away the clothes and stuff in my BOXX!! (it had come, just in the nic of time! by box camee yay! thanks everyone!)The next day we had reservations with a tourguide to take us through the Vatican Museum. The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica amazing, and I definitely would do it again, minus the hoards of people.Anyway, we exitted the Vatican in the piazza/courtyard where the Pope usually conducts Easter Sunday mass in front of thousands of people. It was pretty overwhelming just imagining it.The rest of the day again was for us to enjoy. We walked around and hit up all the places we had seen the day before, just because we knew we couldnt get enough. I did a little shopping and found some cute white ankle boots…. all authentic.. made in italy.. and cheap.. dont kill me mom. =)!anyway, we had dinner again at night yum.. all the dinners were good and stuff, but definitely were catered to the American tourists. anyway dessert was good this time, i think a mascarpone flan sort of deal with some berry sauce.. yum!we went out in rome to the Travestere district.. fun and had more pizza. yum! Shall tell you more about this excursion when i get home.The next day was sort of a bust. We had planned on hitting up the Colosseum and the Forum, but there was MUCH confusion. I refused to pay the 18 euros to get in with some tour guide. Myself and about 5 other girls opted not to as well. I walked around, took in the city. LOVES it. Actually on Sundays, the close down an entire street and its so convenient to see this ancient part of Rome without the hustle and bustle of cars and motorists.Anyway it was amazing.. that’s all I can say. I can’t wait til i go back, but I definitely suggest to go with people you like! or people you know .. FRIENDS FAMILY.. i dont know just not people you hardly know. .or you sort of know and should know more of, but have decided against it.. also a story to be saved for later times. LOVE you guys.. which anyone else of you were with me.. no joke. but seriously.. any one of you.. half of one of you.. all of you whichever.- gabroommates and me in the vatican gardenvatican corridorthe pantheon!trevi fountain!

an introduction.

Gabrielle — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:26:30 +0000

(written impromptu on my cell phone saved thru text messages because i had nothing else to write with)

February 12, 2008 11:00pm
Jazz Club
House Band + students from NYU Jazz School

its 2:30 am here… I wrote this because I was completely inspired by the moment. This local jazz club near our apartment… is 7 euros for i’m assuming.. a year membership.. not sure.. but a one time cover charge.. one that I did not have to pay since a passing friend left hers to us… Anyway.. it may in the end sound silly and entirely wordy… but this is what i felt.. this is what came out.. silly or wordy as it may be.. it was the most creative and inspired moment i’ve had in a long while…

An Introduction.

Something about jazz music captivates me. Sensual stories told along a string of notes that reveal secrets that would normally be swept aside.

I’ve always associated typical 90′s pop music, hits that would resurface memories from incredible years, to fill the line-up of an imaginary soundtrack I have been formulating in my head.

But jazz, this music inspires me to shoot (photos), to write… especially now as this phone finds the words I want to say… to be artistic thru whatever medium I could get my hands on. I’d want my soundtrack to speak the stories I feel in my bones… that lay dormant.. hidden in the recesses of my mind, I want it to carry the mood and set the tone to what other of future years would remember as my life.

Maybe it was the Heinekin served in that oddly shaped wine glass or an adverse effect to the loud commotion beating in my heart, but there’s positively something about actually seeing these artists wandering between the world they have constructed and the path they intend to weave so that we may too experience an escape to a world of our own, manufactured by just those string of notes.

Not even the word ‘passion’ would do these magicians of music justice… to describe the intesnity blatantly strewn across their faces.. their bodies. It’s about seeing each flick of the wrist, stroke of the key, intricate selection of strings, the angst of holding one’s breath..neither in a state of expectation or surprise when the sound that emits is the most poignant melody to what one is feeling at that exact moment.

As if prior to this moment, thoughts and memories were cluttered mess.. and as the notes journey across the room…dance in front of your eyes… and march down the tunnels of your ears, everything has suddenly all become so clear.

No, it’s not the same wave of excitement that an epiphany would elicit. Rather, a pure and utter contentment of clarity… And this clarity transcends…even as the music transports you to another time, another place… and whenever or wherever that may be… the feelings just same:and understanding of complete satisfaction.

Hello, my name is Gabby. It’s a pleasure to mee you…

la mia vita in italia.

Gabrielle — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:04:33 +0000

ciao ciao la mia famiglia..

i’ve made a new pact with optimism. we’ve agreed to be partners for the duration of this adventure… it appears that we have a strong bond and i doubt the possibility of either party being let down.

i will tell you now family, that there are things that i could and would usually have complained about, been frustrated, irritated and at my end with.. here in italy- just because of the circumstances of the way things are here… i choose instead to tell you of only the good moments and times i have here in italy. i won’t speak of anything that has rubbed me the wrong way or has made a sour impression in my mind… i’ll let you all in on the details when i get home… only to give you a background of what i was faced with.. (gosh i swear i make it sound like i entered a deadly jungle.. its not that bad…. but honestly close)

i’ve just decided that this is my experience, no one else will have the same exact experience that i am having right this very moment. i’m making of it exactly what i want… i’m so lucky to have this opportunity.. this is for me.. for my future for everything! i’m so excited.. whatever may come will come.. =)

i forgot what else i was goign to say.. but my point is … that i’m going to be optimistic.. about whatever comes my way.. i’ll deal with it.. ciao ciao

images for my fashion photography class:

me in my fashion photography class (accident picture taken by classmate.. haha seriously my expression in this class… i’ve never felt so much like a beginner. i am learning a lot and i know how to use my camera.. finally! and the most amazing thing is that we only have like 15 people in my class at most.. i want my professors to get to know me.. ooh yeah my professor for this class.. actually was a fashion photographer for some time.. has a really cool background.. he’s italian but a quarter chinese! insane.. in his family alone he has all religions muslim, jewish, christianity, buddhism.. crazy he has family everywhere.. even a brother in ny who is some high position in the nypd.. was even there the day of 9/11 really cool stories.. really cool guy .. thumbs up! oh and my other teachers i’ll tell you more its awesome.. i really want my teachers to get to know me! k bye guys on this sidenote i’m taking this way too far)

Piazze di Repubblica… where you will fine gucci, dolce and gabbana, mui mui, roberto cavalli, louis vuitton, fendi and the likes.. i will be spending many hours… window.. shopping here =)!

siena.

Gabrielle — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:49:48 +0000

a bus ride to and from siena costs 13 euros. its an hour away. it was beautiful.

my roommates were rushing me so i forgot my camera, but i’m planning on going back again.

i haven’t spent a better afternoon than the saturday afternoon i spent lying in the il campo listening to my ipod.

theres also an amazing bakery called Sinatti amazin- large sized pastries, custards, mouses and cookies for 90 euro cents or less… amazing.

i’ll be back siena, i’ll be back.

mi piace giocare al futbol, ma non sono sana! ho bisogno a correre!

Gabrielle — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:37:03 +0000

my toenail is going to fall off. no really i swear. its black and blue.

why? you ask, is my left big toenail going to fall off… perche!! i played soccer and it felt greatt. sort of.

i’m really out of shape, but i’m pretty surprised that i lasted for at least a good 30 minutes straight of some outdoor, 5 on 5 mini-field soccer. it was great. i’m sore as hell right now and its been two days since we played… every monday nights.

my roommate lindsey plays with me too, she hasn’t played in 7 years but she’s still good and fun to play with! we don’t play until 10pm at night.. and we go for an hour.. so we don’t get home till almost midnight.. haha but i’m going to do it anyway.. seriously guys.. i won’t be chubs when i get home.

mmm ho fame!

Gabrielle — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:29:52 +0000

i’m hungry.. or usually when i’m hungry i dont expect to eat for at least an hour after i get into the kitchen… another lifestyle change to get used to.. but yet, still unphased.

i’ve been cooking a lot of pasta and vegetables.. meager on the oil, butter and fat.. and i honestly feel great.. i dont know whether its just the produce .. or just trying out these new dishes. .but i love what i make..

i wish i could remember some funny stories to tell you, but all i’ve got are the facts.. and that is.. i cook.. and i clean.. and i go grocery shopping.. and i love it.

i’ve always wanted to move out of the house, solely for this reason… truth be told. i’ve always wanted my own place to cook, eat healthy food and exercise.. for some reason, this is just not possible at home..

here is picture of my first meal.. i haven’t taken pictures of any other meal but here is the first

i’m planning on cooking fried rice for all my roommates when my box comes in to celebrate! … but i dont know how to cook rice in a pot.. the past two times i’ve cooked rice from the preseason packages… had not turned out so well.. although they were salvaged and still edible.. yum.

so we’ll see.. PLUS soy sauce is expensivee! its like 6 bucks for the same bottle we can find at all chinese restaurants.. i plan on sending packets of soy sauce with kevin when he visits.. it sounds like a brilliant idea.

i found an asian market.. i was so excited to see sweet chili sauce for chicken.. i opted out of buying it tho.. just because i can’t enjoy it with some rice… sad story. i know that i’ll appreciate it jsut that much more tho when i get home.

i did buy a packet of insant pancit canton (like a ramen package) didn’t turn out so well.. oh well no harm no foul.. 40 euro cents loss.

everything here is amazingly tasty tho otherwise, just expensive. so i cook often. i only really buy food at the kebab store right next door.. its the closest thing to a burrito for me and i’ve already consumed three in my 3 weeks i’ve been here..

oh and another thing to confess… i’ve fallen madly in love with nutella.. i’ve actually a considered the thought of marriage… but it actually turned down my offer… it has obviously driven me to this point of delirium.

about 4 of us girls consumed an entire bottle of nutella.. it was pretty big.. i want to say.. 1000 g? or more probably.. in 3 days… it’s pretty disgusting i know. .so i have decided to give it up for Lent.. as soon as we finish this last one (haha… i know but this one is only 400 g! and my roommates are helping me finish)

anyway as for that.. i am surely going to try out new recipes and new techniques..

i must say that watching dad cook for all these years, i’ve definitely picked up on a lot of stuff he did.. i’m glad he was around to cook for us.. i really do miss his food though!

bye all

il mio appartamento italiano

Gabrielle — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:13:20 +0000

sorry it’s been awhile..

honestly i’ve been trying to get adjusted and get comfy in my new surroundings.. it’s been a bit difficult because there was a ton of stuff to take care of for school.. lab fees, italian government permits, supplies, sign ups for activities, figuring out my way around etc. etc..

i really dont have much with me either.. the everyday necessities.. shampoo, lotion, etc. and all the stuff in my pain-in-the-ass box.. today is wednesday.. i probably won’t receive it til friday or monday.. which is unfortunate because i’m leaving for Rome for the weekend and i dont really have clean clothes.. sad story i know..

we have a washing machine.. but it takes three hours.. and just about three days to dry.. there are a lot of things to get adjusted to.. but honestly i havent really been phased by much of it.. yes a little stressful with all the deadlines and such.. but other than that i’m absolutely loving italy.. here are some pictures of my apartment

Pictures of my room:

i’m on the right

The view outside my room!

The Living room:

kitchen and front door

Madrid.. solo.

Gabrielle — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:03:24 +0000

i seriously had a really good post here.. but i lost it.. stupid girl stupid girl..

just remind me to tell you…

- boat races
- irish pub
- cat’s hostel
- katherine leaving
- Real Madrid Game. .and the fiasco
- Burger King twice in one day
- without a goodbye…
- Retiro Park
- Spanish puppies and my doggie.. and the beagle..and reading in the park
- reunited and it feeels so good
- a shit dinner but.. ben and jerry’s chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.. YUM
- metro to the airport…
- long line …checking in …
- our goodbyes…. sad story.. and the plane ride over to meridiana. .

Contiki Tours. Part Deux.

Gabrielle — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:49 +0000

Hi all! as you’ve noticed.. i’ve totally lagged on posting blogs because time was really tight. SORRY! i’m actually in italy now and my computer has a problem with posting pictures up here… sorry… but i still be updating you all with whats been going on.

I actually want to recap on my post-impressions of Contiki. I really had spoke too soon in my previous praises of Contiki. I still stand by tour groups in general.. but not Contiki. I was lead to believe that I would experience a great adventure into another country/countries while meeting new people etc. What I was not aware of, what I think most Americans are not aware of .. is what Contiki Tour groups mean outside of the US.. or to those ignorant of their true image. To my Australian friends, and apparantly to the rest of Euriope, Contiki is a tour group for those who’d like to party every night for the duration of the trip… and party hard.

All in all I must have gone out maybe 4 or 5 times max. I think that was well enough to experience the nightlife in Spain. I’m here in Italy now and having no desire to go out and experience the “night life”. Others on my trip spent at least 50 euros a night on drinks.. and i would never bring more than a 20 euro bill with me… Some nights they spent more than 100.

Wow, I was duelly deceived. Honestly, I had no idea that this was in store for me. The brochures even praised the idea of traveling alone and how it’s the best way to travel, meet people and get the most out of your experience. I think traveling by yourself could have potentially been really dangerous and/or really really terrible, like I’m talking finding a ticket home terrible. If i had not met the girls on the trip it would have definitely been a different story.

Now don’t get me wrong, the partying only took place at night, but the important and meaty features of the tour.. you know the sight seeing.. was left to Optional “Additions” … i ended up spending over 230 euro on the actual Spanish experiences.. flamenco dinner/dance show.. the alhambra … walking tours of each city etc.. the taxi tour of gibralter, the real madrid soccer game.. seriously tho. everything that was substantial importnat, memorable etc. was extra not even included…. i realy truly do feel deceived… plus they even encouraged an extra tip for the tour manager and bus driver at the end of the trip…

hey alex and joao (our driver) did amazing and phenomenal jobs.. but seriously… i didn’t feel like spending another 50 euro just to tip them for what they’re paid to do… i relaly dont know how the kids and or.. antiqui contikis could afford to do all that htey ahd… well most of the older ones had computer/graphic/programming jobs that paid well but gosh damn.. one lady. and i mean lady because she was almost 40 and had a face that drooped down like a bassett hound… bought so much stuff she packed an extra suitcase and ended giving things away cuz she couldnt fit it in…other young kids just graduated from college spent over 100 dollars a night on drinks!!

seriously.. i tried to make the most of it and used all my free time to go see what i wanted to see.. but of course all in addition to what i had already paid..

seirously i lost like 7 pounds from just choosing not to eat crap food or waiting for the free meals.. that were actually pretty terrible.. i would just eat the french fries or bread provided for every meal.. imean this is how bad it is.. in cordoba we had this breast of chicken… it was served.. not even half cooked.. like a fourth.. it was sent back twice to be cooked thouroughly.. TWICE..

but i dont want to take away from the experience as a whoel.. because as a whole it was still great… i mean honestly.. the girls i met are amazing.. and had great conversations with them.. more so than i’ve had with friends back at home.. something about being around the same people for 2 weeks straight non stop on a bus, in a hotel room, at all meals.. i’m even planning on visiting them in sydney once i get the money…

places like the parc guell, the alhambra, the flamenco show, venturing out on my own in Madrid… i wouldnt trade it in for having had a different tour group….

i guess what i’m trying to say is that in the end… i’m still very happy and positive about my trip to spain… but i’m extremely happy to be in italy now… and just be weary of traveling with Contiki.. unless of course this is the kind of thing you’re looking for.

but lets just say i’ve very proud of myself for not following the crowd and going out to a lot.. even if that meant staying in my room.. listening to the most erratic snoring imaginable… point is.. every bad situation has a good side… just look for it.. its there.. i found it.. =).

later gator.

Barcelona.

Gabrielle — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:11 +0000

and it all comes to an end…

-hotel city park sant just hotel
-flamenco night
-street performers
-street artists
-desigual
- Parc Guell America’s Next Top Model!! ; the Metro and figuring it out
-Free Mini-bar
-our gal pal Tom
-Porto Olympio
-Olympic Stadium, Castle place
I LOVE Barcelona