Tonight Mahlon and I went out to the base here for the Autumn Festival. It was a nice party they put on complete with rides, music and of course food...plus, a safe trick or treating environment for kids.
One of our friends wanted Polynesian food. So, for his sake, we stood in the longest line at the festival. Even though I was hungry before we left the house, I stood in line and waited my turn. We waited OVER AN HOUR for our food (mostly b/c the Italians cut in line...it's true!)
Anyway, we finally got our food and we were starving! As we made our way through the crowd I noticed a sailor dressed up like Barack Obama. Luckily, I hid my food before he had a chance to take it and give it to the people who'd been waiting in line for 5 minutes! PHEW!
It was a close one!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
CATANIA FIELD TRIP
TODAY was our last day of INDOC together, and what better way to end our classes than to use what we've learned on a FIELD TRIP!!! We went to Catania for the first time today.
Catania is the 2nd largest city in Sicily, and one of the top 10 largest in all of Italy! We were dropped off for the day at the Piazza Duomo. Every Italian city has a Piazza Duomo. It's the square where the big church of the city's patron saint is located. Catania's saint is St Agatha.
The symbol of Catania is the elephant, because the people of Catania are all republicans. Just kidding.
The elephant was believed to protect them from any other dangerous enemies. This is the fountain that Catania is famous for:
The streets around the Piazza Duomo had plenty to see! We walked up and down Via Etnea to do some shopping. There's also a street market featuring fresh meat, cheese, fruits and veggies. The meat is so fresh, some of it's still alive (seafood only!)
The one thing that bothered me was that I REALLY wanted to get a shirt with something written in Italian on it, but those didn't exist! EVERYTHING WAS IN ENGLISH!
"ROCKSTAR" "HOT STUFF" "I <3 NY"
I'M NOT KIDDING!
That was annoying.
But all in all we had an awesome day!
Catania is the 2nd largest city in Sicily, and one of the top 10 largest in all of Italy! We were dropped off for the day at the Piazza Duomo. Every Italian city has a Piazza Duomo. It's the square where the big church of the city's patron saint is located. Catania's saint is St Agatha.
The symbol of Catania is the elephant, because the people of Catania are all republicans. Just kidding.
The elephant was believed to protect them from any other dangerous enemies. This is the fountain that Catania is famous for:
The streets around the Piazza Duomo had plenty to see! We walked up and down Via Etnea to do some shopping. There's also a street market featuring fresh meat, cheese, fruits and veggies. The meat is so fresh, some of it's still alive (seafood only!)
The one thing that bothered me was that I REALLY wanted to get a shirt with something written in Italian on it, but those didn't exist! EVERYTHING WAS IN ENGLISH!
"ROCKSTAR" "HOT STUFF" "I <3 NY"
I'M NOT KIDDING!
That was annoying.
But all in all we had an awesome day!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
ZAFFERANA OTTOBRATA!
Mahlon and I travelled to Zafferana today with the best sponsors ever, Mike and Renee for their Octoberfest (not to be confused with the official Octoberfest in GERMANY). It was lots of fun with street vendors and of course TONS OF FOOD! We tasted lots of different things, but Mahlon liked the pistacchio cream so much we brought some home.
Oh, on the way home, we saw the volcano erupt! Sweet!
Oh, on the way home, we saw the volcano erupt! Sweet!
Friday, October 24, 2008
LA NOSTRA CASA
Here's our house! I love it! We don't have any furniture yet, so I won't show you the inside. We live on via del limone...aka Lemon Street!
This is our building and our apartment is on the far left corner. There's a soccer field in our backyard, and on a clear day, you can see the volcano, Mt. Etnea!
This is our building and our apartment is on the far left corner. There's a soccer field in our backyard, and on a clear day, you can see the volcano, Mt. Etnea!
Monday, October 20, 2008
BENVENUTI A SIGONELLA
WE'RE HERE! Mi dispiace, I'm sorry it's taken so long for an update, but we just got Internet today! So far, we've been pretty busy! We got to move in to our house immediately! It's nice especially because they're now apparently out of houses for people. So we lucked out...or we just have the best sponsors ever (Mike and Renee)!
So basically we're just spending our days in INDOC classes to teach us all about Sigonella and what we're supposed to do and how to "fit in". In the evenings we're spending time visiting local restaurants, some of them out in town.
The coolest thing here so far the volcano....hands down! You may live near the ocean or the grand canyon or some pretty mountains...whatever....
WE LIVE IN VIEW OF AN ACTIVE VOLCANO!
And as if that wasn't enough...
There's a castle silouetted in front of the volcano.
It rules.
Besides the volcano, another obvious notable is the Medusa symbol for Sicily. It looks like this:
It's not my favorite thing, but it's everywhere. From what I've heard, there are 3 legs because the island has 3 sides and they used to think the island turned around. (Renee says they thought it turned b/c they were drinking too much wine, ha!)
Ok we're off to bed. We've got more INDOC in the AM. Before you go though CHECK THIS OUT CLICK HERE! It's a video we saw in driving class today, and it may help you to understand the difference between Italy and the rest of Europe! Enjoy! Ciao for now!
So basically we're just spending our days in INDOC classes to teach us all about Sigonella and what we're supposed to do and how to "fit in". In the evenings we're spending time visiting local restaurants, some of them out in town.
The coolest thing here so far the volcano....hands down! You may live near the ocean or the grand canyon or some pretty mountains...whatever....
WE LIVE IN VIEW OF AN ACTIVE VOLCANO!
And as if that wasn't enough...
There's a castle silouetted in front of the volcano.
It rules.
Besides the volcano, another obvious notable is the Medusa symbol for Sicily. It looks like this:
It's not my favorite thing, but it's everywhere. From what I've heard, there are 3 legs because the island has 3 sides and they used to think the island turned around. (Renee says they thought it turned b/c they were drinking too much wine, ha!)
Ok we're off to bed. We've got more INDOC in the AM. Before you go though CHECK THIS OUT CLICK HERE! It's a video we saw in driving class today, and it may help you to understand the difference between Italy and the rest of Europe! Enjoy! Ciao for now!
Monday, October 13, 2008
WELL, HERE WE GO!
Just checking in to let everyone know...tonight's my last night sleeping in the good old USA for awhile! We're heading to Italy tomorrow!
Sooooo, I have no idea when I'll be online again, or be able to call anyone for that matter! Yes, it will be tough...but I'll get by without phone and Internet....somehow.
Anyway, good news is, next time you hear from me I'll be in Sicily!!! And I'll know exactly why they call it SUNNY SIGONELLA!
So, ciao for now...we'll talk soon!
Sooooo, I have no idea when I'll be online again, or be able to call anyone for that matter! Yes, it will be tough...but I'll get by without phone and Internet....somehow.
Anyway, good news is, next time you hear from me I'll be in Sicily!!! And I'll know exactly why they call it SUNNY SIGONELLA!
So, ciao for now...we'll talk soon!
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