TravelStream™ news feed for member dizzybg924 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/dizzybg924 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:34:33 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218295980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218295980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218295980/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:34:33 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Now that I'm home, I thought I'd take some time to give my thoughts on this experience. Studying Abroad is DEFINIITELY an experience that I will NEVER forget - for the rest of my life.  It's an experience that everyone should have, if they are able.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to do it before I graduated, and I will be forever grateful for it!  Studying abroad teaches you a lot about yourself, being able to cope with new things, new cultures, new people, new experiences, and it teaches you a lot about the world around you.  Studying abroad helps you to realize that we, as Americans, tend to be ignorant - we know one language, we know nothing about art, we know nothing about architecture, we know nothing about what's going on in the world, just take a look at CNN, it's all American news with the 2 second block of World News...it's sad.  There's a huge world out there, much bigger than we will ever see if we stay within the walls of your 10 mile radius between work and home...and it's up to us to have the desire to see it! In my program, I got to meet some amazing people that I hope to stay in touch with for the duration of my life - and I met others who were not so wonderful...whose true colors were evident within the short time we knew each other.  As for Europeans, in general, they are a very different people - while some may take them as "rude" when they push you and don't apologize - they're just different.  They probably think that we're "rude" when we put ice in our drinks...it's just different. I will not miss the fact that Orange Soda is really yellow and that you have to pay for refills when you want one.  I will miss the fact that I don't always have to ask for "No Ice" in my drinks because it's automatic there...but I will not miss the fact that drinks are hot when served versus being actually cold in the states. I will not miss the fact that Air Conditioning is a rare-ity or that stores close and it's sometimes really hard to find what you desire.  I will never take Wal-Mart for granted again.  I will love my kitchen and cook and cook and cook because there's nothing like my own food - food that I can season to my taste! I will not miss the holes in the floors that are common in some European bathrooms, I will appreciate our toilets!   I will miss the European "free-spirit" and love of life that is not common in the States - we always seem to be on a schedule, ready to hit up the next appointment.  Europeans tend to let their kids roam free and be less worried like we are in the States.  It seems as if we always want to be worried...always have something bothering us... I may have lost my bag and spent too much money...but through this experience I have gained so much more!  This is an experience I will NEVER forget! I will travel in the future - I'm ready to go...anyone want to join me?  I think Greece is my next destination... I will appreciate my family more - I will call them and see them more regularly...because when you're across the Atlantic Ocean, it's not as easy.  You never realize how much you miss them until it's $2 a minute to call them and that taking a quick weekend trip to visit them is just not possible.   For those of you that have kept up this far reading my blog, I appreciate the interest that you have had in my travels, I love you a lot!  I hope we will now have many conversations, in person, about my travels and the experiences that I have had on this trip.  So, I really mean it...in all of the languages that I have learned... "Thank You" - English"Gracias"  -- Spanish"Merci" - French"Gratzie" - Italian"Shook Ran" -- Arabic
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218208200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218208200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218208200/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:10:58 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Miami, Florida, United States

At the glorious hour of 7 am, my alarm clock went off and I knew it was "time"...time to go back to my home...time to go back to Western culture.  Although I didn't want to get up at that time, I got up, got in the shower (which had no warm water, by the way) and got on the train (Cercancias) to Nuevos Ministerios and then the metro from Nuevos Ministerios to Aeropuerto Terminal 2.   I decided to go to Terminal 2 just to give Alitalia one more chance on possibly locating my bag.  After passing through all of the security to make it in there, I talked to the people...no bag.  Shoot.  Then, with about an hour and a half remaining, I took the bus to Terminal 4 where I had left my big bag in lockers.  I tell you, leaving my bag was the smartest thing I ever did...the smartest 19 euros I paid in Europe.  I didn't have to lug it around and it didn't get lost on the airlines.  It was great. Since my flight departed from Terminal 4, I just walked straight to the counter to check-in....there was no line...yay! ...or so I thought.  I walk up to the counter and the sign says "Cerrado"...wtf....huh?  I have a little over an hour...  I talked to the security and they said, "why are you so late?"  I was confused...I didn't understand.  Here I was getting ready to make a fuss because I was getting on that flight, no matter what they told me and the guy felt bad for me (I guess he saw the look in my eyes) and he got me a person to check my luggage.  Phew!I know why they let me on - the plane was delayed!  Not by much...  But, who would have thought that over an hour wasn't enough time?  Here I was taking my jolly time walking through the airport...don't do it, peeps...you may be stranded! So right before I got on the plane, I bought one last Fanta Naranja from the machine and popped my Benadryl so I would have one long rest on the plane.  No can do... I was too excited.  I slept for maybe 30 minutes but other than that I was bright and awake the entire ride...the entire 9 hour journey in MIA.   So once I arrived in MIA, got my luggage and cleared customs, I went on a search for my familia.  Through all of the people staring in the window at the arriving passengers, I knew that all I had to do was look "up" for my Dad's tall head - and that's how I found him.  I saw him and I didn't even notice the welcome that I was about to get... I ran around the glass to where I could hug them and I saw that they had made this huge "Welcome Home, Kelli" sign...I ran into my Momma's arms, and then Traci's, and then my Dad's.  We were all weeping disasters...I was happy to be home!   If the welcome wasn't enough, as soon as I got to the car, my Dad's car at that, I realized that there was a tray, yes, in Dad's car (Dad doesn't allow food in his car) with my name on it...it had ox-tail, Grandma's mac and cheese, Momma's ribs, Cuban bread, and some of Grandpa's Pink Drink...it was all of my favorites...on a tray for me.  I nearly passed out!  Well, no, I didn't pass out...why pass out when you know that food's for you?  Traci told me I looked "hungry"...I don't know if that's a complement or not, but that problem was about to be fixed... I couldn't believe Dad allowed me to eat in his car...but he knew that I enjoyed it...he knew I was desperate it! We got home to Gramps and Grams for another wonderful welcome...I ate some more...celebrated Grandpa's 85th Birthday at Uncle Geoff's house...had some more wonderful food and time with my familia and then we headed back to Grams and Gramps' house...it was great to be home!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218120960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218120960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218120960/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:57:39 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Madrid, Madrid, Spain and Canary Islands

When that wake-up call happened at 7:30 AM, I considered staying in - but then I remembered where I was and what wonder there was in Rome...so I just had to get up and start my day.  I thought I was going to have that morning to go inside Vatican city until the Concierge at the desk told me that he didn't think it was a good idea.  He said that's a whole day experience - so I'm just going to have to do it again one day.  I have no problems coming back to Rome - once again, beautiful! Instead, I got on the same hop on/hop off train...with my luggage this time (the one bag that Aunty Nicks gave me so that I could hold some stuff)...and stayed on it so I could see Rome one more time before I had to say goodbye.  Then when it ended, I got off and took the train at Termini back to the airport one last time.  I thought I'd give Alitalia one last shot, I checked the bag rooms once again, to no avail.  I still had no luggage... Who would have known that I would have been such a pro once in Madrid?  I knew where to go...how to get around...how to speak to people, in their language...these 6 weeks really taught me a lot!  I can get around places, without using the Metro Map...and the city isn't exactly small...I just knew it so well!   Rather than go to check into the hotel immediately, I decided to get my Metro map and take a walk to Gran Via to get my last Mango and Zara fix.  I really wanted to go to the Reina Sofia since I didn't get to do that while in Madrid but I heard that it was probably already closed so I decided to go shopping!  I needed more clothes, anyway!  After I did that, I took the Metro to the train (Cercanias)...that was new to me, it was one thing that I had yet to experience...all the way to my hotel which was closer to the airport.  This hotel, Hotel Campanile Madrid Alacala de Henares is absolutely beautiful!  They actually have hand towels...wash rags...something I haven't had the luxury of having while in Spain. So, once in the room, I did my re-packing, just to make sure it all was in the one little bag I had and got ready for bed.  Once I was doing that I realized that I had left the small little toiletry bag that Alitalia had given me, with my deodorant, toothbrush, etc. in the Hotel in Rome.  Ahhhhh!  So, after I got a toothbrush from the desk, I walked across the street to a gas station and bought some desodorante for 5 euros...can you believe that?  But, I figured with such a long trip ahead of me, I would have been a stinky mess without it... So now, it's 1:15am and I'm desperately trying to stay awake as long as possible to avoid the jet lag that will be coming tomorrow...I want to sleep the whole plane ride and be able to stay up with my folks!!! So now I'm about to pack up my laptop, put away my borrowed adapters for the last and final time and enjoy one last night in Madrid...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218034500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218034500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1218034500/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:56:15 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Rome, Lazio, Italy

Yes, I did say early FLIGHT.  After what I went through on the train on the way there, there was no price that would have been too great to go through what I went through on the way to Nice.  I wasn't compromising my safety.  So, Aunty Nicks took me to the Nice Cour d' Azur (I think that's what it was called) Airport and I boarded Blue-Express airlines to Rome.   Staying with Aunty Nicks was wonderful - I got the chance to see a beautiful city (or cities) with my own personal tour guide.  In addition, I had help when I had no luggage and some assistance with French since I certainly would have died without her assistance.  I will never forget my favorite spot in the city, it was horizontal on a couch in front of the window in her little house in the mountains.  It felt so good to lay there in my little sun dress - it certainly was the life! So once I got off my plane in Rome, I thought I would give Alitalia another chance - by searching in their lost luggage rooms and tagless bag rooms, just to make sure my bag didn't end up there.  Nope, didn't happen.  But I gave it another shot. After I found no bags, I got on the train to Termini train station.  I was a pro this time, I knew exactly what to do!  I went to Termini, in the day this time, and took a walk around to find my hotel.  After I couldn't find it, this lady (who appeared to be on the way to work) saw that I looked confused and she offered her assistance to me.  She was nice enough to walk around and around with me until I found my hotel and she made sure to tell me to watch my bags and keep it close while wandering in the city.  I seemed to get that advice a lot - luckily I took it. Once I checked into Hotel Pavia, I bought a ticket on the GLT hop on/hop off tour so that I could tour the city.  This was the smartest thing I ever did.  It's a narrated tour on a tour bus that stops at the various places throughout the city.  Rome is absolutely beautiful - probably the prettiest I've seen.  I got to see everything from the outside, the only place I had time to go into was the Coliseum - I spent too much time waiting to go inside.  Once inside, I finally got to touch and see what I had learned about in my history classes so many years earlier - there I was, in Rome, in the heart of it all. The only place I wish I could have gone inside was Vatican City - but it was closed at the time I was trying to go in.  So, I had to learn about it from my tour.  I did get a chance to go to Saint Peter's Basilica, however, the place where the Pope delivers special blessings to over 200,000 spectators...and I did get to see the Sistine Chapel, where the special meetings of the Cardinals are held.  This is the location that the election of the new pope took place, signified by the release of white smoke through the chimney. As I was on the bus on the final trip to Termini, Shajine called me!  So we decided on a meeting spot, McDonalds -- as typical Americans would!  Who could miss it?  So, I sat around and waited for her to arrive - and there she was - Fatima!!  We were reunited...in another city, in a whole other country...and it wasn't the US!   We walked around a little bit, caught up on our experiences while travelling and then headed back to her room to get her Mom.  Then along with her Mom we headed to do some shopping in and around Termini before getting a bite to eat at the restaurant that they ate at and loved the night before.  It really was good. Then we headed back to their room for a little bit, did a little bit more chit chatting and then decided that it was time for us to say our goodbyes so that I could make it back to my hotel in one piece.  She and her bro walked me home and we said our goodbyes for one final time before we would meet again in the states... 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217948040/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217948040/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217948040/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:55:25 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Antibes, Provence, France

Once again, another beautiful and wonderful morning!  Aunty Nicks didn't call me until 2 pm because she figured that was the time that I would wake but she was wrong...I woke up at 11 am.  I woke up, still anticipating the arrival of my luggage...that still hasn't shown up.  So, I took a shower, got in my own underwear this time and hung around the house a bit until Aunty Nicks got home. Once she got home we headed to Antibes, another city close by Nice.  We parked next to the port, once again with these million dollar homes...excuse me, probably billion dollar homes...and million dollar yachts.  We watched them in the distance..."One day," we thought!   We did some more walking around the city, up hills (yes, I cursed Aunty Nicks) and through the residential areas.  We saw Picasso's museum and my personal tour guide continued to educate me on many things.   When the sun started to go down we were lucky enough to find this clothing shop that was still open.  I got myself 2 little dresses and felt better that I was starting to create some semblance of a wardrobe since I had none...L.  Yes, still no bags. Then after walking through the plaza, we decided to eat dinner, with her friend Peaches, at a little restaurant in the center.  As in many other areas of Europe, we were entertained in the plaza by fire jugglers, break dancers, etc. So after a long night in Antibes, it was time to go home.  Early flight in the AM.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217861640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217861640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217861640/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:54:32 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Nice, France

My goodness was this morning wonderful...I slept in until 2 pm and really got to catch up on what I was lacking from the night before...and from the whole trip might I add.  I didn't realize how tired I was until I just couldn't get up! When I finally got up out of my bed, I plopped on the couch and started watching some TV.  I made myself some scrambled eggs...yummy!!! Once again, one of the best meals, ever!  Then, Aunty Nicks has a great big satellite that broadcasts television from England so this was the first time (other than the parties in Ashley's room on surfthechannel.com) that I got to sit and flip through television shows.  I got to catch up on some old Ricki Lake episodes...they have an entire channel dedicated to Wedding TV (Tanya would loveee this) so I got to watch some 'zilla episodes, etc.  A great morning, er, afternoon!  Well, besides the fact that after I got out of the shower I was putting on someone else's clothes and not my own... Then when Aunty Nicks got home she took me out on the town.  We headed to Cannes.  (I hope I'm spelling this right...all s's are silent).  French is definitely not an easy language to pick up - it's not phonetic.  First we went driving by the Port of Cannes, walked down the strip with the Louis Vouitton, Gucci and the likes, then we ended up on the way to the red carpet of the Independent Film Festival.  I can't remember the name, it was Palais something.  While we were taking some pictures on the red carpet, we happened to hear some music and noticed that some B-boppers were getting ready to start their show.  So, we found a seat and ended up watching them perform - they were actually really good.  They actually might have a chance of winning on So You Think You Can Dance...they should try!   The show ended just in time for Sunset...the sky turned a pinkish color and it felt cool - it was beautiful.  We walked down the coast, looking at the mountains in the distance.  It was really peaceful... We rushed back so that we would make it in time to reach the Wal-Mart type store so that I could at least buy my own underwear...and that we did.  Can you believe that everything closes at 7 PM?  That's the ONE store that remains open...crazy! We came home and Aunty Nicks and I sat on the couch and watched Coyote Ugly (I think that's what it was called)...a cute American movie.  After that, you would think that I would have a difficult time going to bed because I didn't wake up until 2 pm...ugh, no...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217775180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217775180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217775180/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:53:53 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Nice, Provence, France

What was I supposed to do?  Someone was in my seat...I didn't have a real ticket since I bought it on the internet...luckily, some other guy that heard me speaking English came over to help me.   He said, sit in my seat and we'll figure it out when the conductor comes by.  So that's what I did.  Since I was afraid to take pictures, I will describe my surroundings.  In a 6' by 6' compartment with 6 seats, no lights and a small window, I sat in a "chair" - a cushion where my butt was and a head rest on the wall...yes, my back was right on the wall.  I was sweating to death...and in close quarters with a bunch of scary people. Luckily when the train started moving it started cooling down a little bit...I don't know if the freaks on the train with me were warm-blooded or what but they kept closing the window...I said NO, you will keep that open.  They smelled bad...and it was hot.  It was late and I was cranky...I had no desire but to be off that train.  A Nigerian lady next to me signaled to me to keep my backpack close to me (it was on the ground in between my feet)...so to make matters worse, I had to sit with the backpack and my purse on my lap. To say the least, I counted the minutes and didn't sleep longer than maybe 10 minutes the whole ride.  I was wearing sneakers, jeans and had no luggage.  This was horrible.  I got off in Genova Bignoli (which I later found out was the wrong stop) and attempted to ask someone how to get to Nice.  They pointed up.  Ahhhh!  I remember the internet telling me something about getting to some city with a V (I think Ventimiglia) and then taking that into Nice.  And that's what I did.  I went on a whim, without a ticket and got on the train to Ventimiglia.  (My ticket was for 2 pm and I didn't want to stay in that area one more minute, I wanted Aunty Nicks...so I decided to go...).  The train was air conditioned, thank God!  I still had my bags in my hand and slept with both eyes open.  I finally made it into Ventimiglia and then found some Spaniards (who I was able to communicate with) that were also looking for the train to Nice.  Between the four of us, we were able to figure out which platform headed for Nice.  Once again, on a whim, I got on that train and headed for Nice.  (Yes, without a ticket...). 10:45 AM, I got off the train in Nice Ville and called Aunty Nicks to tell her where I was.  Thank God!  I was safe.  When I saw her, so much emotion came over me...I was with her...and all was going to be okay now, with or without my luggage. She took me to the center of the old city and we enjoyed some pizza (which was wonderful, by the way) at a restaurant.  After that, we headed to the airport to find out about the status of my luggage, to no avail...and then headed back home.  I took a shower and got in some of her clothes (thank God we wear the same size) and laid down on the couch for what I thought was a few minutes.  A couple of hours later, we decided we should get the internet to find out the status of my luggage...the calls that we kept making throughout the day weren't working. We went to her friend Tim's house who was nice enough to let me use his internet.  While on the internet, I decided there was no chance in hell I was going to take the train again...not in those conditions.  So I found a flight that left on the morning of August 6th back to Rome...at least I would have two days to look around in Rome...I would have to go back another time...but at least I wouldn't have to take the train and I could enjoy Aunty Nicks a little bit longer. After Tim's house she showed me her little village in Nice...very nice and without any other way to describe it...very "European"...high buildings, very narrow roads, windows that basically stared right into their neighbor.   We made it back to the house and Aunty Nicks whipped up what was, to me, the best meal I had had in the longest time.  She made a whole-wheat spaghetti with meat sauce (fyi...Aunty Nicks doesn't eat Turkey and they don't sell ground turkey here, so she hand grinds her turkey).  She kept saying it had no taste because she really needed some fresh onions.  It was the best meal, ever!  Whole-wheat pasta...yummm...the spaghetti sauce was wonderful...I was in heaven!  I'm not sure if it was Aunty Nicks' culinary abilities or the fact that I had been food-deprived.  Regardless, I was in heaven... As exhausted I was, it was definitely my bed time after that meal...so I got in my "Alitalia" tshirt and headed off to bed....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217688720/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217688720/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217688720/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:53:14 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Rome, Lazio, Italy

Because I was smart enough to pack the day before, I didn't have to wake up until about 30 minutes before they were kicking us out of the dorm to take a shower and head out.  Too bad I didn't make it until 9:30, I was awoken by the sounds of suitcases, drawers clanging and people screaming their goodbye's.  So, I woke up and hung out with Bashley a little bit before we got kicked out. I got my stuff downstairs, helped other people with theirs and then headed down to hail a cab.  That was the stupidest thing ever, we were all trying to get cabs on a Saturday...a day when a lot of cabs aren't operating.  But, we all did it.  I put my backpack down to walk a little bit down the street to start hailing a cab.  I finally got one and put my suitcases in the cab. I gave my final hugs and Ashley and I got in the cab to head to the airport.  Ashley and I had our final chit-chats in the cab and then we dropped her off at a hotel near the airport and then the cab guy took me down to the airport.  I didn't realize how great my Spanish was until I was having this long conversation with the bus driver, trying to figure out the best terminal to get dropped off at.  I don't know what made me decide it, but I told the cab driver to drop me off at Terminal 4 so that I would leave my big piece of luggage in lockers near my AA flight so that when I make it back to Madrid I could quickly pick up my bag and then head to the states.  I wouldn't have to worry about it all that time that I was in Rome and Nice. As I was walking to the lockers (for which I didn't know the word in Spanish), I realized my back felt kinda light and I suddenly thought about that backpack that I put on the side of the street to start hailing the cab.  OMG, I didn't have my backpack - my backpack with my travel arrangements, my sweater, but ohmygoodness, my laptop.  Where would I find it?  I was at a loss for words, I didn't quite know what to do...I had no contact information for anyone on the street - would they give it to the desk at the dorm, would they take it?  I wasn't sure.  I tried to keep my composure...walked/ran through the airport trying to figure out what to do.  I thought to myself, if someone left their bag, I would take it...or would I leave it so they could come back and get it?  I wasn't sure.  I called Shajine (who was still vacationing with her Mom and brother in Madrid) so I could find out if she had any phone numbers or if she had any recommendations.  The good person she was volunteered to go back to the dorm, I told her to hold off...she was going to look up some phone numbers for me to see if she could find the number of anyone who was still standing on the side of that street.  I was going to call her back in a few...I continued running through the airport. Suddenly I heard what sounded like the voice of God in the distance..."Kelli, Kelli"...it was Rudy, one of the guys in the program who saw me running through the airport.  He said, "Did you leave your bag?"  Yes, yes, I did.  He said "Toby has it."  Toby had my bag...thank God, now where would I find her?  I thought about our last conversation, that she said she was flying British Airways.  Kalin was nice enough to call her and to call Nicole, we found them...at the Iberia counter.  I ran up to Toby, saw her, and just burst into tears.  I had maintained my composure this whole time and as soon as I saw her with my backpack, I couldn't help it...I just started crying.  She was an angel...she held my bag and was planning to travel with it and mail it back to me in the states.  I was so thankful to her.  I said my goodbyes, with tears streaming down my face and called Shajine back to let her know that all was okay. With my backpack on my back, I took the bus to Terminal 2 to make it on my flight.  I was wayyyy early, but I made it there.  I found the Alitalia counter and checked in for my flight.  I think I was the first in line.  I checked in, called Momma and Daddy to let them know that all was well after my scare this morning but made it to my gate and sat.  I bought some of my favorite Spanish candy from the duty free shop and then hung out by the gate.I fell asleep as soon as I boarded the flight but got up and started talking to a lady sitting next to me.  She started talking to me in Spanish but as soon as she realized that I didn't understand all that she was saying, she started talking to me in English.  Turns out, she was from Mexico, her husband of 52 years had recently passed away so this was the first time she was going to be vacationing without him.  She was to meet some of her friends in Milan and hang out there for 6 weeks.  She knew she needed it.  She talked about when her daughters had studied abroad and how it was such an amazing experience for them and how I just finished one of the most memorable experiences in my life.  I agreed - despite the conditions in which I was staying.  She was soo nice. After arriving in Milan, I had a two hour layover so I tried to work my way through the airport to see if I could figure out the train situation for later.  After being told that I was an idiot for going all the way to Rome to get to Nice, I found out there was nothing I could do until I got to Rome.  If I thought I knew no Spanish and was having difficulty there, Italian was wayyyy more difficult, I had no clue what anyone else was saying besides this guy.  They talk so fast! I made it back to the gate and hung out before I boarded my flight.  After I got off the flight, I made my way down to baggage claim to get my bags.  I stood by the belt for about an hour and a half until I realized my bag wasn't there.  I made it to the lost baggage counter to see if I had the wrong belt and they sadly told me no...the flight from Milan had already emptied out all bags and they had to start a claim.  My bag was no where to be found.  I hated the fact that they were so nice and cheery in that office...I was ticked...but they gave me my little overnight kit (a tshirt, toothbrush, razor, and deodorant) and sent me on my way. Realizing that I had a little less than an hour to make it to my train, I ran through the airport to take the train to Termini (the train station in Rome).  I bought a ticket but the lady didn't tell me I had to validate it, so I had to get off the train and run to get it validated before I boarded.  I'm glad this guy saw that I looked totally lost and tried to show me what I needed to do. I made it to Termini, no offices open, just an open area with people...what the heck was I supposed to do?  I found the trains, read a sign that showed me which platform it was leaving from and then went across the street (into a very unsafe area) to get some McD's for the train.  I made it back just in time, found platform 17 and freaked...OMG, was this what I was supposed to take? I wanted to take a picture, but I was scared...creepy people...dark...yup, I was taking the night train to Genova.  I got on the train and of course, no one spoke English to tell me if I was in the right place.  I found my carriage and seat number and someone was sitting in it...in his best English he tried to tell me "seat occupied."  Since it was midnight, see August 3rd for more details...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217602320/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217602320/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217602320/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:52:26 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Madrid, Spain and Canary Islands

Thank God it's over!  As soon as I walked out of that Comparative Corporations exam, I was soooo happy to know that the "school" part of my trip to Espana had finished.  School just got in the way. After our exam, I hung out in my room for a few...trying to take a siesta...but then I realized I was just too excited to sleep!  Shajine came home from her test and I accompanied her to Puerta del Sol to greet her mother and brother who came in town to visit her.  We headed over to Sol...she was soooo excited to see them, (and I would have been equally overjoyed if my Momma and Sis (and Daddy, of course) decided to come visit me!).  We walked them around a little bit, showing them the 0 km mark (the center of Madrid...where all the roads meet) and then ate some McD's before we walked around Sol a bit more and then back to the dorm. The wonderful Bashley that she is helped me to repack once I weighed my bags and realized that one weighed a total of 59 pounds!  Thank God I was smart enough to pack another one inside the big one for emergencies of this sort... After packing, Bashley, Sandy, Sahar, Chantel and I headed on the red line to Retiro park...a classic in Madrid.  This quaint little park...excuse me, it's not little...is filled with statues, places to hang and enjoy the peacefulness of the world around you.  As we walked in, we were greeted by Mickey Mouse who quickly stuck out his hand and asked for "moneda" after we took a picture...we thought, Mickey in Disney World doesn't do this!  They're traumatizing children!  So we walked around the park a little bit more and then decided to go on a row boat adventure in the middle of the park. Since only 4 people could fit in each boat, Sahar and I went together.  Well, we didn't realize that rowing was a "skill" - we thought we were just supposed to move the oars and we would get to where we needed...ugh, that was wrong.  As soon as we were pushed off the dock, the only place we went was in circles.  (It brought me back to that time that T and I went canoeing in undergrad...oh, the memories!) But, we learned together and eventually we made it into the center...that is, after we hit a few walls... It felt so peaceful on the water.  It was hot, but the heat disappeared...maybe it was the pain in our arms from rowing...or maybe it was just the coolness coming from the water.  Regardless, we enjoyed our time out there, took some pictures of the statues and each other then raced the other row boat back to the starting line.   The jury is still out as to who "won"...but Sahar and I think we did...first, we had less people...less people who had never rowed before...second, we made it back first but there was another boat in our way that prevented us from being able to get out first.  Regardless, it was fun. We hung out and talked on some of the benches, did a little bit more walking through the park, took some pictures, watched Bashley do some of her level-11 gymnastics in the grass and then headed back to the dorm.  Definitely a great night! When we finally made it back, Sahar was kind enough to take me on a walk to Moncloa to see the view of the city and the beautiful sunset.  It was one thing I HAD to see before I headed out.  Long walk out there...but it was beautiful.  We sat there a little bit longer and talked on the benches before we started to head back to the dorm.  On our way back, Sahar wanted a little bite to eat so we stopped into this place called "Bocatin" to pick up a little bite before we headed back.  Sahar said it was great so I decided to try it --- oh my goodness, it was fabulous!  For 1,20 Euros, this sandwich was a bite of heaven.  I ordered 2 more (and a Fanta, of course) before we headed back.  In the best Spanish that I could, I told them that we were leaving tomorrow to head back to the states and that we were sad that we found this food so late...it would have been our spot every night when the food was bad in the dorm... When we got back to the dorm we got ready to head out to Club Ananda for our final night here.   When we finally made it to the club, we argued with each other for a little bit outside because it was supposed to be free...it was supposed to be better...well, not really arguing with each other, arguing with people outside.  We ended up getting played by these Spanish girls outside who were really using us to get in free, but that's how it works!  Regardless, Ashley, Chantel, Christelle, and I decided to head back to the dorm...house music was just not my cup of tea.  We said our goodbyes...and that was it! Once back in the dorm, Ashley let me use her computer to do a couple of things before bedtime (my computer was already packed) and then off to bed...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217515800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217515800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/dizzybg924/1/1217515800/tpod.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:51:39 -0400 Estudiando en Espana

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Madrid, Madrid, Spain and Canary Islands

Another test, joy!  This one was my Human Rights exam.  I finished it...thought I was going to go out and enjoy some more of Madrid...then I realized I wanted to enjoy some more of my bed and that was about it... So, that's exactly what I did.  I hung out with some peeps, again....and then went off to bed.  Once again, not a very exciting day for me.  We had to enjoy the time we had left together.
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