Wealth of the Vatican

The Vatican, the center of Christianity, has over 4 million visitors each year marvelling at its interesting museums, unique art collections, and architectural masterpieces. I, too, waited since the break of dawn along the walled gates to get inside.

Although within Rome Italy, the Vatican still retains its autonomy. The population of the Vatican is under 1000 (according to Wikipedia), yet it has its own postal system, used to mint its own coins before the Euro, has its own army of Swiss Guards, and retains Latin as the official language. Althought the Vatican may be small in size and numbers, it has power and influence over millions of people worldwide.

Inside the Vatican museum

Ischia, On the Rocks Please

Ischia, a volcanic island off the coast of Naples, is known for its natural thermal waters.

Setting out to find these natural hot waters for myself, I headed to explore this rocky island. Having to descend down from the cliffs, down the winding road onto the jagged rocks below was long journey. Just as I reached the first corner, "ciao bella," an Italian man on a scooter offers a back seat ride.

Well, of course! No trip to Italy can be complete without a ride on a scooter while holding on for my dear life to an Italian man as he speeds through the streets.

In Old Napoli Where Love Is King

The streets of Naples

Naples is never quiet. The streets are booming with commotion every day and night. The energy is contagious!

Napolitains are the loudest Italians I´ve met. And even thier voices aren´t enough because for every word there is a hand gesture that goes along with it.

During one of the nights of my stay, I thought the world was ending! People were screaming out thier windows, all the cars were honking furiously, air horns torturing your eardrums, and fireworks shooting in every direction. I found out that Napoli's soccer team had a match that evening, the reason why whole city was going crazy. Mamma mia!

Near the city of Naples is the only active volcano in Europe's mainland. Eruptions in the past have wiped out thousands in the area, yet perfectly preserving the civilizations beneath with ash. Now a popular tourist attraction, people come to see the everyday life of people in 79 A.D. in the cities of Herculaneum and Pompei..

Blue Paradise, Amalfi Coast Italy

As we zigzagged through the steep terrain, the bus driver had to honk every other second on every turn because you didn't know what was hiding around each sharp corner. We drove up, down and around large cliffs and mountains to reach the coast of Amalfi in Italia. As we went higher and higher, my face was pressed against the window and my jaw wide open because of the breathtaking view.

On one side, you see the beautiful city of Sorrento and the yachts circling near its port, overlooking the shadows of islands in the distance. On the other side, you see steep jagged cliffs protruding over the Tyrrhenian Sea and little colorful houses peaking out among them.

Admiring the beauty I thought to myself "Wow! No man made structure can even compare to natures beauty." It was such an inspiring view! On the most gorgeous sunny day, the water was glistening, dancing to the sun's rays. While staring out into the distance, you can see where heaven meets earth as the deep blue water met the blue sky at the horizon.

Pitiful Attempt In Learning How To Ride A Bike Again

I don't remember the last time I rode a bike. So here is my pitiful attempt in trying to relearn it...

Step 1: Find bike.
 Inspect mechanics. 

Semester Course Schedule on the Road

Course overload? Yes, traveling is a 24/7 classroom. I've learned so much about everything and anything. Every city I visit has its own history, culture, people, language, politics, art, and more. It's incredible how much you learn just from travelling.

This Semesters Course Schedule:

• HISTORY 256: Ancient European History

• POLI_SCI 356: European Union Politics

• ITAL 150: Introduction to Italian Culture and Language

A Smile Is Worth A Thousand Words

What is the easiest and fastest way to make new friends?

Correct answer: just smile!

A big 'ol cheesy one! From one ear all the way to the other ear.  

No one can resist but smile back. And the best part is that it doesnt matter the language that you speak, because a smile is universal.

Renaissance Woman (Florence)

Walking down the streets of Florence, I think to myself, "Wow! I am walking down these same streets that once walked the brilliant and famous Renaissance men- Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci,  Machiaevli, the Medicis, Boticelli, and many more." 

You are constantly surrounded by the city's history and beauty- statues and monuments around every corner, famous art galleries throughout the city, gorgeous bridges overlooking the river, and the huge cathedral right in the middle of it all. The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and the center of European trading and banking, Florence is filled with more things to see than there is time.

When walking down the streets, you have to be careful of all the scooters that jet right past you on every turn. In this city everyone gets around on the scooters. I've seen business men in suits, grandmas with over-sized bags and even women in stilletos hittin' the gas pedals like professional racers. 

Leaning Tower of Pisa (A Non-Boring History Lesson)

After a 177 year long construction (a heck of a long time for a construction of a building) since the beginning in 1173, the Tower of Pisa began toppling over because the ground beneath it was sinking. (Whoops! Picked a great location, huh?)

Centuries and centuries passed by (along with a few wars, government changes and lots of monetary investments), the Italians were still trying to figure out a way to stabilize the Torre Pendente Di Pisa. Finally, they used cement injections in 2001that did the trick, but the Tower still leans about 4 degrees.

Presently, the town of Pisa attracts thousands and thousands of visitors each year just to see this infamous problematic Tower. What was Pisa's burden became Pisa's gold mine.

Hows that for a history lesson?

I spent a whole 2 hours in Pisa, walking across the whole town from the train station just to see the (strategically placed) Tower, made a few circles around it and walked all they way back to the train station.