The Spanish Extravaganza

First travel week--done! It flew by so fast it's hard to believe I'm already planning for my next travel break. Overall, a part of me wishes I had studied in Spain. I loved it so much. Every person I met had their own story and smile, every city had a completely unique culture and history. The overall energy was so vibrant and positive, not that Paderno del Grappa isn't, but it's so much more low key and extremely small. I have to admit, being back and walking into my single room only to collapse on my bed in utter silence was a blessing in itself. Travelling with girls is one thing, travelling with eight is a whole other story. I have a newfound respect for showering whenever I feel like it and using a mirror without being elbowed by 3 other people. Barcelona was much bigger than I expected and I had so much fun going out at night, visiting the Gaudi church and park, and going to the Picasso museum. Every minute was action packed. Seville I felt the greatest connection with, it reminded me a lot of Venice based on its size and architecture. We were able to go on a guided tour, visit the alcazar, journey to a Flamenco wherehouse and spend time at our first Spanish club with some people we met at the hostel. Granada was very wet and foggy, but well worth our time, if only for one night. We spent a lot of time in the Moroccan shops where I bought a tapestry and star light. Our hostel took us on a tapas bar crawl where my friend and I met more locals and bonded with their adorable pooch, Carnello. Our final day we explored the majority of the Alhambra, all the while hiding from the pouring rain. The journey back was long and tedious but I wouldn't trade my first time in Spain for anything.

The Carnivale

It wasn’t just about the canals and gondolas, glass blowing or bridges. Carnivale was about magic and mystery filled with masks and costumes. But above all, the thing that stuck out to me the most during my time in Venice was the sense of fun that every individual seemed to harbor. Whether old or young, each townsperson, tourist or student was dressed to the nines to partake in the yearly celebration. For my first trip to Venice, I sure picked a great time to go. At one point my travel group and I decided to sit down for lunch outside on Sunday when the sun was shining brightly and the spirit of Carnivale was in full force. We sat in silence after eating, just watching our surroundings and taking in the views we would soon be leaving behind. Elderly couples with coordinated outfits danced beside a violinist who played a soft song as people in the plaza gathered to listen. Smiles from ear to ear covered the crowd’s faces, or at least the parts of their faces I could see when not being hidden by an eloquent mask. I truly loved every part of Venice, but all of this was made possible because of the energy I felt from the people. The excitement and positivity that filled the air gave me no choice but to have a great time, as I did. I only wish I had more time in the sinking city, which I hope to revisit after the CIMBA program ends.

The First Snow

As I sprinted down the four flights of stairs, late to meet my friends in the library for tedious travel planning, I came to a dead stop. Laptop in hand, I quickly tucked it into my jacket in order to prevent the soft white flakes from doing any harm. Although I am from the University of Oregon, I was born and raised in sunny California, where the slightest hint of white powder brought on nothing but excitement. The occasional trips to Lake Tahoe were incomparable to what I witnessed that Friday night. Not a person in sight, I took my first step, slowly sinking into the ground until my foot hit the concrete. My Paderno peers have made it very clear that my love for snow is a result of temporary insanity. Unlike me, they have felt the wrath of cold winter growing up in states including New York, Wisconsin and Iowa. For me, snow is such a rareity and I can't help but be happy beyond belief when I see it. Walking in it made life in Paderno a bit trickier as the town does not put in any effort to clear off sideways, but I was perfectly content with sliding down icy paths to class instead of simply walking. Snow in Italy...I can think of nothing better. Until next time.