Hello from New York & Italy (I started this blog in New
York and am adding to it In Italy),
I wanted to give you a run-down of what has happened so far.
First of all is a tip: MAKE SURE YOU ACTUALLY SLEEP before
your trip. Travel on about 2 hours of
sleep with a long layover is not cool or fun it sucks (I’m living proof).
My Trip thus Far:
Day 1:
After breezing through Luggage and security at TYS
(Knoxville) and a long sad, tearful goodbye to my mom. Then after going through
security I met 2 guys going the same route I was to Milan from Tennessee and
talked with them (they are traveling for wine tastings (they own Liquor stores)
and waiting for about an hour I boarded a small United Express jet headed to
Newark Liberty Airport for about an 8 hour layover by the time the plane takes
off. This is the non-fun part. I have arrived road a bus to my connection
terminal, walked to the gate I will be boarding from. Then when I got the jest
of the layout I went to go eat at a restaurant called Ruby’s Diner here in the
terminal. It was decent, but definitely
not worth the price, but it was the cheapest place to eat. I found a place to
sit and people watch down from my gate.
I have come to realize that long layovers can be a blessing or a curse. Right now it’s not so bad other than my
incredible urge to go to sleep hence why I started blogging. If I was to read I
would go to sleep. I have seen some very
weird people going by while people watching.
Which it’s a really weird time at the airport? When I arrived at 11 am
the place was busy and crowded and now at 1:45 pm it is calm and quiet and not
as crowded. I can honestly say that I
would not want to work here at Newark airport.
I’ve made it this far and I’m waiting for the next step. Planes, Planes
and more Planes is what I see, but not the one I need.
Day 2:
After waiting 7ish long hours we finally boarded. I had the joy of a window seat and got to see
some amazing views from up in the air. I
was actually lucky enough that no one sat beside me on that flight. We got fed and most tried to sleep (I did try
to but the lady behind me had nightmares and would kick my chair) so I am
running on 4 hours of sleep in 48 hours of awake time. I want to sleep so much
as I am writing this, but Jet lag can be bad. Upon the decent to Milan-Malpensa
Airport I figured I would have to go through this long intensive process to
enter the country and be here as long as I am going to be, but no it was easy
(look, check ,check, and okay). After arriving ahead of schedule I went out to
wait on my ride from the college (which
they almost left me (not because of me either)). We (a group of us) were picked up and
delivered to our rooms/apartments. Me and 2 others from the U.S.A. got here
around the same time and are living on the same floor. We unpacked somewhat and then went out to
find food and walk around and find some towels (I brought my own). Then we
headed back to finish unpacking and to hold down the fort tonight. Which I have a feeling this buildings
policies I am going to have to get use to they are way different than what I’m
use too. Any way we went to an Italian
Bar down one of the roads near the Dorm (yes they use dorm here sorry residence
life at Maryville College). It was
unique and different made for an interesting experience. Upon returning I finished organizing my room
and decided on a hot shower to help with the sore muscles and sweat of flying.
Now I am sitting here attempting to not fall asleep too early.
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| Flight Map ( It was a long flight) |
Orientation round
1:
Well the morning started out with my first trip on a metro.
It was interesting and not as bad as some say they are. We had our first Meeting today to discuss the
basics like every year and get to know each other games at the main campus
building and it is beautiful. We walked
around the city and to the other buildings of the campus to see where they were
and how far they were from our dorm and the route to take. I met some new
people today and have had new experiences all day at lunch I tried pesto for the
first time. Later then I bought my first
alcohol (Since I hadn’t had to buy my own yet) which was wine of course (when
in Italy). We went to the Market
(grocery store) and got the necessities for a few days since most Italians go
every day or so for fresh food. After
that I and some friends went to the closest Pizzeria and got pizza and
calzones. Which were fantastic and humungous.
Everything here seems that if it is cheap to make then it’s cheap to buy
and vice versa. Alcohol is way cheaper
here than the U.S. But I ate way to much
of my half pizza/ half calzone and still had leftovers. The
food here is so good and filling. It is
an amazing place and I’ve only seen probably not even an fourth of it. I hope
to go see more places this week and weekend.
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| Half Pizza/ Half Calzone |
Orientation Round
2:
Today started out much the same as yesterday. Wake up and go
to orientation and learn about the courses you are taking. Then go to lunch and eat (food is way better
than Pearsons) and come back to have a meeting on our resident’s permit (which
seems pointless as long as it takes to get it).
Then head back to the dorms. On
the way back in the Cordonna Metro Station they have a book vending machine. It
made me so happy I will try to get a picture of it when I can. Now I think it’s time for an Italian style
nap. Then to eat left overs and may be drink a little (when in Rome). Thank you to all you made this possible for
me. Side note for any future study abroad participants JUST GO! DO IT! HAVE
FUN! ENJOY IT!