Adventure is Out There!

I know, I am splitting my Spring Break post into two parts, but can you honestly expect me to condense everything about Paris, Athens, and  Santorini to one post? I already have to leave things out! Part II: Greece As sad as it was to leave Paris (because it definitely was) I was headed for Athens. There, my friend and I were greeted with sunshine and warm weather, a relief after a previous chilly day in Paris. The day after our arrival, the adventures began. We made our way to the Acropolis, which I knew nothing about (well, except for the Pantheon). It was more than I could have ever imagined. So much is hidden in the hill's nooks and crannies, like the Caves of Zeus and Apollo, amphitheaters, ruins, and old churches. Next, we wandered over to Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Zeus (or what remains of it anyway). Even though only a handful of columns remain, the pure awesomeness (in the true sense of the word) of the temple still lingers. Once we circled the ruins a

First, I just want to say how truly blessed my life is. Who would have thought, even a year ago, that I would spend my spring break in France and Greece?! I definitely would not have. I would have laughed in your face. That was my spring break though. Adventures in Paris, Athens, and Santorini. Part I: Paris I didn't think it was possible to love another city as I love Rome. Paris proved me wrong real fast. I knew I was in love as soon as I stepped into the Louvre. Let me tell you, that museum is chalk full of art. Chalk full . I could easily spend a week in there. I mean, I did spend four hours there without even realizing it. La Vierge à l'Enfant, sainte Elisabeth et saint Jean enfant dans un paysage Attribtued to Giulio Romano   in the Workshop of Raphael Psyché ranimée par le baiser de l’Amour by Antonio Canova Those are only two of the jaw-dropping pieces. And yes, I did see the Mona Lisa. And yes, of course I got a selfie! Once my friend and I l

That was the question when I finally put aside the time to book my flight. It turns out that Turin and Torino are the same beautiful city. I found myself boarding my flight bright and early Friday morning to Torino for my 1-credit field trip. Financially, I should have never gone, but when it comes to Italy, I don't really think in financial terms. I either follow my heart or my belly.  When I travel by plane, the buzz of the engines puts me right to sleep. This time, however, my face was practically smushed against the unjustly small window. We flew over the ocean for the majority of the flight with a clear view of mountains after mountains after mountains. I mean, look at this view as we were descending. Once we landed, there was no time to rest. As soon as we found our professors, we boarded the bus to adventure to the vineyard, Fontana Freda. Looking back at the trip, Fontana Freda was definitely my favorite.  Our tour took us down through the cellars and past

"Your friend has something on her forehead." "You know you have a smudge or something on your head." "What's that on your face?" It's Ash Wednesday. At the inhuman hour of 6:45 a.m. my friend and I made our way to mass at Santa Sabina. We followed in the long line of priests, chuckling to ourselves that we were the only students there.  Once the service started, I was in spiritual bliss. The ancient columns, the fresco over the alter, and the rich voices of the choir felt unreal (a theme in most of my experiences). After Mass ended, our seminarian friend Andy led us to the church's hidden gem: the oldest crucifix ever made.  It's a tiny thing. Look at the top left box. If that didn't blow my mind (don't worry, it did), then the keyhole right next door did. I had heard rumors, but didn't know if it actually existed and if so, where. Well, it does. I'm talking about a keyhole, one small keyhole, through which

Pisa. Florence. Trequanda. Three beautiful cities in a beautiful place: Tuscany. Day 1: Pisa Before the sun stretched its arms awake, we were off to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower. At least, that was my impression. Little did I know that Pisa had so much more to offer. Within crumbling city walls, there is the famous tower, but also a beautiful Baptistry and Cathedral. Inside the Cathedral, like most churches here in Italy, I was at a loss for words. Beautiful paintings and stained glass adorned the walls. Of course, after basking in the glory of the Cathedral, I spent quite a long time getting the perfect leaning picture with the tower. The sun was out, shining through the rain-filled clouds, so how could I not? After the typical tourist shot, I wandered the streets with friends and came across a dessert that had my tummy singing the rest of the day: affogato. Affogato is a genius creation of gelato in coffee. My gelato  of choice was caramel and paired with It