The Sun Never Sets On A Baller...

...that explains why Mae and I tend to wear our sunglasses at night.

So once again I've waited too long to write this blog and I need to update on not one, but TWO weekends. Here we go...

Last weekend we decided to stay here in Rome. I mean, it is Rome after all, it's not like we were bored or anything.  In fact, it was quite eventful:

Mae and I decided to lounge all day Saturday at this little old place called... what's the name... oh yeah, THE PANTHEON. We sat at the outdoor patio of the McDonald's (yes, there is a McDonald's directly in front of the Pantheon, and it's the cheapest seat in the piazza.) and ate chicken nuggets in the presence of greatness. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat at a McDonald's again.  Somehow Route 66 just doesn't provide the same view as the Pantheon. I wonder why....

Since I've recently become obsessed with the book "Angels and Demons" and because I'm a giant nerd, I took notes on places mentioned in the book that sounded interesting, the first being a place with "world famous iced coffee". *sidenote* While "iced coffee" may not sound that interesting to you, ROMANS DON'T BELIEVE IN ICE. Coffee, soda, gelato, ALL HOT. okay, not the gelato... *end of sidenote* SOOO we went to Tazzo D'Oro and had the BEST iced coffee of our lives. That was a random fact, but it added to the entire Pantheon situation, plus I had to mention Angels and Demons. As stated, I'm obsessed.

Sunday we went to the Vatican and had a conversation with our good friend, the Pope. Okay, so it wasn't necessarily a "convo" because we didn't actually talk TO him, but he did speak! And we were there!!! Then we went to Mass in St. Peter's and I probably looked like a deer in headlights the entire time as I stared at the ceilings and walls. I couldn't concentrate, church shouldn't be that pretty. Sorry St. Dorothy's, but you're just... simple. Then again what isn't compared to the Vatican. Except a Rubix cube. I don't think anyone can call that simple. Except maybe Chris Gardner. 

Then we did something that we hadn't done before: We saw a movie. In English! And it felt goooood. First movie in Rome! Ohhhhh "The Wrestler". I sobbed. Then again, I also cried in "Crossroads". Needless to say the weekend was pretty fun: you can't go wrong with a Pope/Mickey Rourke combo.

onto CINQUE TERRE. I'd normally suggest that you just stop reading this because it's word vomit, so if you're absolutely bored, exit this window and google image search this place. If somehow you find this interesting and you're kind enough to keep reading (Babs, Dean, Aunt Debi, Natalie Crook and Sarah Satterberg *shoutout!!!*) I'll do my best to describe this place, but you probably still should google search any of the five towns (hence, CINQUE terre). It won't do it justice, but you'll get some sort of image rather than just my nonsense of a narration.

We got off the train in the first town: Riomaggiore, and I almost passed out. It was THAT pretty. I know what the ocean looks like, and let me tell ya, this was no ordinary ocean... Let's just say the waters of Newport Beach don't have that same "WOW" factor. The five towns are five cliffs that drop into a blue-green ocean, and you get around by hiking a trail along the outer edge of the cliffs- a.k.a. a steep drop into the ocean on your left, and a mountain wall to your right, as you walk along handmade dirt trails. Now that I think about it, it sounds pretty dangerous. Including the fact that I'm clumsy it makes for a death threat. But not to worry, I'M ALIVE! As proven by the fact that I'm writing this now.

Needless to say this weekend I hiked AND ate THREE 5+ course meals AND suppressed my fear of a giant tidal wave as I actually enjoyed the ocean. Not to mention I sang "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls at a Karaoke bar and danced in the street to celebrate the festival of San Giuseppe.  After an hour of italian techno I never knew I could be so happy to hear "All the Small Things" by Blink 182. Hi, 7th grade.

Oh yeah, and i got crushed by some 7 year old italian kids at soccer. I "lightened up" because everyone said i was being too hard on them, and look what happened! I got smoked. That's the last time I'm going easy on young children. They gotta learn someday.

Okay, I swear I'll write sooner. I think we're actually developing a fan base here, although most of them are blood relatives. Nevertheless....

Arrivaderci!

p.s. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD! ...yesterday. Thanks for being married? And creating me? ...I'm not going to think about that one too much... ick. But thanks anyways!?

Florence, Siena, Amsterdam, and my favorite city: Starbucks.

..yeah that's right. or at least it should be a city. Considering I started crying when I saw it in the Amsterdam airport (there are witnesses).  If you didn't know, Starbucks is nonexistent in Italia.  Therefore, I haven't had it in 5 weeks.  Needless to say I saw it from across the terminal, began tearing up, dragged my suitcase through crowds of people, and gladly paid about 8 dollars for a caramel macchiato. I would've paid 20. No questions asked.

2 weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting Florence and Siena.  The main thing you need to know about Florence is that it has great pancakes and great leather.  Okay, and some pretty great art, too.  Hi, Michelangelo's "David". Yeah, he's just as great in person.  Did I mention I got a picture of his butt? I did. Which is pretty impressive considering photography was prohibited... Pssshhh rules shmules. 

Here's a warning to everyone afraid of heights: DON'T, I repeat DON'T climb to the top of il duomo.. or ANY massive dome-shaped cathedral.  Or ANY tall structure in that case.  Because it IS high up there and you WILL be afraid.  My roommate, Brittany, did not take this warning into consideration.  Enough said.  However, if you don't mind heights, I definitely suggest it. I also suggest visiting Katie Warmuth and Mckitterick while you're there because they are A-mazing. shout out!

Siena is also beautiful but much smaller.  Within 3 hours we managed to see il duomo, il centro, eat pasta carbonara, walk the streets, witness pre-soccer match chaos, and see the head of St. Catherine. Yes, her actual head. Preserved. And thumb in fact. No i won't go into detail because it makes me queezy, so just google it. ...with caution.

In all seriousness, the inside of il duomo in Siena is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  You can also google that, but it won't do it justice.

Onto the next weekend, these past few days I've been in good ol' Amsterdam! Hmm... how to sum this one up... you've got the red light district in one corner, Anne Frank's house in another corner, the Heineken Museum in another corner, Van gogh in yet another corner, and "coffeeshops" on EVERY corner. I never knew they could all coexist! (For the record, mom and dad, they aren't real coffeeshops. I mean, I'm sure there is coffee there somewhere, but.. yeah.. I'm just gonna stop...don't look it up.) 

Let's see if we can sum up these two weekends in a few bullets:

1: The David has buns of steel. (actually marble. HA! get it? okay no more jokes.)

2: There are 463 steps to the top of Il Duomo in Firenze. Bring water. And a sweatband.

3: Go see il duomo in Siena ...and consider passing on St. Catherine's head.

3: Be "open minded" in Amsterdam, but not open minded enough to actually use the public urinals. 

4: Don't, and i mean DON'T, take for granted Starbucks. I miss it. And you.

I'm off to watch Harry Potter! ...because that's not random.

CIAO!