[02 Oct 2003|01:56pm] I've been wandering around Florence more and have been fairly disapointed. Lots and lots and lots of touristy clothing and tinket shops. I went across the river arno because I was told that it was less touristy, but I found the complete opposite to be true. Too much! I need to travel..Rome is sounding good to me right now. Travelling is very inexpensive once you're on Europe. A ticket to Paris from Bologna is only 4,99 Euro about 5.16 dollars. If anyone wants to visit you should think of places in Europe you want to see because it's a great opportunity. I'm living with two other students in my household from Smith College. My initial impression was ooooh Smith, another dull, lesbian, all-girl, New England liberal arts learning tank. However, I like a lot of the Smith girls more than those on my program. They get a little gossipy after a while and they do talk all too much about feminism and sexual definition, but they are all friendly in a way that isn't so eager to reach a kind of pretentious authenticity. I think I could even have a little crush on one of them.....don't tell Chad.. (read:joke) I am actually missong New York even though Mark Lynn thought I would never want to come back. Maybe if I experience the cocaine I'll think diferently...No, seriously, I miss speaking English and I miss a city where everyone isn't decked out in Gucci and giving you sweeping looks of fashion approval or rejection. Milan is prpobably worse and this I can't even imagine. Italian are fashionable people. EWverything is catered to the upper class here wheras in America everything is catered to the middle class. It can be altogether overwhelming and expensive. However. it is very beautiful here everywhere you go. I have taken a million pictures and don't suspect that I will stop anytime soon. The things I am most interested in right now are going to the media library and film school. Italian flims are incredible. Go rent some Antonioni, Rossellini, Fellini, Pasolini, Bava, or De Sica you will see what I mean. I find myself getting very intropective here. Since I can't be understood half of the time I feel very isolated, but in a way more self inspired. Sometimes however, this goes to far. For instance, this morning I was so far into my own head that I reached across the table for some tea biscuits and ended up lifting the top of the tea pot and sticking my hand in the scalding water. I drew my hand back and had to laugh at the rediculousness of my self reflection. Also, on the streets I get so mezmorized that I often forget to look down and I happened to step into the hugest pile of shit I have ever seen. I stunck horribly. 2 comments|post comment

[28 Sep 2003|03:03pm] So if you read Chad's postings you would say....aye why would I EVER want to go to Maine? And well, although I get infected with heavy heavy heaving doses of depression every time I go home, I have to defend it a little y'know? I mean, it is home. So just know that while people up here think Flordia is a tourisity trap of old folks and all that is the very worst of American culture (ie. disney land, universal, water parks, malls (we only have one), condos, and E Wild On in Miami)we don't hate as much as we may first appear to. We take a little longer to get to know up here in the North. We are more reserved, we aren't as immediately trusting or friendly, somewhat guarded people. However, once you get to know us we open up and are probably more loyal than your average outgoing southerner. You just have to make the first move..cause lord knows we will not do this for you! Hard to warm up to, but the benefits are tremendous when you do. But I'm no longer in Maine, I'm in Italy. The North of Italy. I hear the North /South difference is pretty much the same here as well. People in the North are also less likely to open up right away, but as I have seen already, when they do you feel more gratified because of this. god, There is so much to say about the things I have seen and the people I have met, but I am molto stanco (very tired) and I don' t know how much longer this internet cafe is open so I will be going very quickly. Sorry if my writing is choppy. Learning a new language is making me act like I don't know my own. I am talking simpler and stuttering allora allora allora (the equivalent of ummmmm in Italiano)...... I experienced the blackout today and thought that my host family had turned off the water and electricity to conserve power...stupido reggazza! Florence has power now, but Rome is still partly without. My host mother was a little nervous because it had been so long and she kept on talking about how she was annoyed with the green party because they thougt that atomic energy was bad to keep in Italy. Italy buys their electricity from France, Switzerland and Germany. I feel so boring talking about electricity when there are soo many other (altro) things to say to everyone (tutti). But I have been trying to e-mail for the last couple of hours and am very tired. Just know that this country is beautiful, the people very nice once you get to know them, and that there are a lot of horrible American songs on the radio all of the time. You should all visit when or if you can. Such an incredible country. Caio, Rachele 1 comment|post comment

[28 Aug 2003|10:07am] Man, this thing is hilarious and quite ridiculous, but I can feel myself being sucked in further every second. I feel silly writing on here cause most of my closer friends are not on live journal and the ones that are already know wuz up in my life. But anyway, for all you passerby's or lesser acquaintances, I am leavin' the wonderful FL on Saturday to travel wid Chad back to the northern parts of I-95. We will most likely chill in Savannah GA, South of the Border and then crash in DC for a couple o daysz. Then the car will carry us to NY, Conn, Boston, Providence, Pourtsmouth, and then eventually Maine. Yes, that's right the other eastern tip of the states. You kidies forget that I'm a northern girlie, me come from lands consuming vermont maple syrup and moose. Me used to cold Falls where one must wear heavy jeans, sweaters and jackets. Me own many scarfs and gloves. Me know how to live in the toughest o da tough lands, but me scared to death of FL woods. I fly off to Italia on the 21st o de month....barely speak any Italian, but when I return I should be able to alienate all o you and correct the grammar on my summer attempts. Gonna miss you all a lot. This summer has been greater than I could have ever expected and I have met some of the most wonderful people I will ever meet. Thank you all for a great time and visit me in Italy...pleeeeaaazzzzzzz! wow. I actually wrote a real journal entry. this is the funniest thing ever. Max Wood what have you done to me? caio Rachelle 2 comments|post comment

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