i studenti

also, here's a picture of our group including two of our professors, our resident assistant and another italian guy that helps us out a lot. we are standing in front of our "centro"- the place where we take classes. it's also where the coldplay video for "violet hill" was filmed. check it out at http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=IakDItZ7f7Q -- look at like 0:44 secs into the video and beyond. However, the first part of the video was filmed on Mt. Etna, the volcano pictured above.

fai una passeggiata anyone?

so after many many miles of walking... try about 10 miles (7 miles yesterday and about 3 already today)... and lots of orientation fun, i am exhausted. but i also have done lots of exploring in Catania, which is a WONDERFUL city. It is old and a little run-down, but in a perfect sort of unique way. The walls are heavy with history. Basically, I love it and it could be my favorite city to-date. I also really like the people. They are very chill and love to help out with anything. Since I am so exhausted and have more exploring planned with friends tonight, I won't recount every detail at the moment- but more later I promise. Things I have loved thus far about Sicily....

1) If you are driving and don't have room to pass the drivers in front of you, drive on the shoulder.
2) If there are drivers trying to pass already on the shoulder and you want to pass them, drive on the sidewalk.
3) While doing these things, disregard human life aka- run over the people and keep going. (It happens. We've seen it and then when we reported it to our RA this morning, he said it's common and happens everyday in Catania.)
4) Therefore, beware of cars. :)

vivo in sicilia!

me with all of my luggage about to check-in in Nashville

So I have made it to Sicily all in one piece. The flights were a little hectic... I was the last person to board two of my flights. I had to run through two airports just to make my flights- one of which a cargo van came and picked me up and rushed me out to the plane. I also had to skip about 100 people in the customs waiting line in Rome. But some really nice people seeing the exasperated look on my face and somewhat grasping the "I have 15 mins till my flight leaves" moved aside and let me cut. Thanks random people, you made my day :) So though I made it to Catania, apparently my luggage did not so it's hopefully on its way. Meanwhile, my new -very nice- roommate is letting me borrow anything I need as I wait patiently for my stuff. (but it's only stuff after all and they have copies of our books in the library). But back to getting to the school and such. so below is a picture of the giant volcano right beside our school! it is beautiful. I think we get to go hike up it soon. i saw it out of the airplane coming into Catania.


Then we (me and a girl from the program who was on the same flight whose luggage also disappeared) grabbed a cab. Drivers here are INSANE. They weave in and out of traffic- go in the shoulders and UP ON THE SIDEWALKS if people are in the way. It was nuts. The cab driver was really nice and tried to talk to us while I spoke in Spanish/Italian muttering :) He even knocked off part of the cab fee cause I didn't have 1 euro pieces.

Then we finally arrived to school where I got my room. It is really nice and super clean. I share a bedroom with one other girl. We have two desks, two beds and two wardrobes and unlimited internet so e-mail me! I unloaded what I had took a nap and met some people as they came in. Tonight my roommate and suite mate went walking around town. There were lots of cute "bars" (American equivalent cafes) and some really good chocolate and gelatto shops. We grabbed some pizza at a pizza place which was REALLY good- probably a frequent go to for lunch. :) Now we are about to go to our "opening dinner." Hope it's good and hope there's lots of it. love and prayers.

Almost on my way...

I'm getting ready to head off to the airport in a few hours. I'm a bit nervous, but very excited! Hopefully I will post soon from Catania! Thanks for all the well wishing phone calls, text messages, etc! They really mean a lot. really. :)

Hey guys! Thanks for checking out my blog. At the moment, I am preparing for my semester abroad in Catania, Sicily by spending lots of time with Andrew, friends, and the fam. Though not much is posted now, please feel free to subscribe to my blog. a) it will make me feel especially loved :) and b) i promise to do my best to post when I get to Sicily. Hopefully I will be able to post at least once a week and best of all-- post lots of pictures! Please feel free to leave comments and write me back. Anyways, thanks again for checking it out. Peace and prayers, Allison