You want a PISA me?

        So after DH and Sue headed back to Belgium, Chloe, Cait, Nicole, Steve, Annie & I headed to the Amalfi Coast. We were going to be staying in Sorrento for a few nights to see the coastal side of Italy. We decided to make a pit-stop in Pisa to snap some photos with the leaning tower...

      I think the most enjoyable part of the day at Pisa was watching everyone attempt to take the perfect 'leaning tower,' picture...

Cait and I helping straighten some things out...

         

#LOLZ.

           After a long day of posing, we had a long night ahead of us. We had to stay in Pisa until 2 am to catch our train to Naples. It was a bit of a rough night, we learned Pisa isn't the nicest area. Also, being a huge group of young American girls, we weren't feeling too comfortable in the train station with copious amounts of creepy men in the wee hours of the morning, so we took refuge in a nearby bar to stay safe. The train ride itself presented an even more uncomfortable night, being all separated riding throughout the night on a 7-hour train...but the important thing is we all made it to Sorrento safe and sound. Now, onto the beauty of the coast!

The gorgeous view from our room!

Chloe & I stayed at a cozy bed and breakfast in Sorrento.
These are our wonderful hosts, Luigi and Hugo.
It was such a great place and the people were wonderful, they really treated us like family.

Our first full day there, the weather was BEAUTIFUL! 

So we took advantage and took the ferry over to the island of Capri.

No, this is not a postcard--I actually took this picture.
WOW.

I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to swim in some clear blue water,
no matter how rocky or chilly it was! There is nothing like it...

The next few days were a little rainy, so we decided to explore the ruins of Pompeii....

Annie, Cait, Nicole & I in the ruins.

Seeing things like this really put the whole site in perspective. 

       After spending the rainy day in Pompeii, we took the metro into Naples for lunch...

This is the same pizza Julia Roberts ate in Eat, Pray, Love.
If its good enough for Julia, its good enough for me!

They were so nice and welcoming to us,
I'm always up for making new friends!

Lemons were huge in Sorrento, literally. 

           The next day we took a bus to Amalfi and Positano. The weather was less than pleasant, but we made it work. It was scary taking the huge bus around the tight turns of the narrow roads on the mountains, but I suppose that just added to the experience!

Rough waters in Amalfi.
Never underestimate the power of the ocean!

        After an incredible 2 1/2 weeks in Italy, it was time to head back to Belgium. Seven trains, 2 buses, and 25 hours later, we were safely back in Leuven! 

Our humble abode... Train #5--Munich to Koln here we go!!

                                       Now time to rest! 

            JK LOL I'm going to Copenhagen in 3 days! Ciao for now!

Rome-ing Around Firenze-- Loyola Style.

              I have done quite a bit of traveling this semester, and it didn't stop until I journeyed to Italy! We had a 10-day Loyola trip to Rome and Florence where we hit every museum you could think of! I saw soooo many amazing things that I had only read about in textbooks, and I was lucky enough to see them in person!

             The trip started in Rome, where we walked to the Vatican to enjoy Palm Sunday mass with Pope Benedict. It was UNREAL, there were so many people and we were fortunate enough to have tickets. It was a beautiful day and we sat through the mass (struggling at times because it was mostly in Italian) mesmerized by the reality of our lives...I was just feet away from the most important living human being in the Catholic church.

Palm Sunday Mass with Pope Benedict. 

Tissy, Maeda, & I at the Forum.

The Leuven crew in front of the Coliseum. 

           We had most of our 6 days in Rome scheduled for us, which I didn't hate because we were able to see so much. I am going out a limb and saying Rome is potentially one of my favorite cities I have seen all year, and that says a LOT. It is so beautiful and I am in awe when I think of the great sights like the Coliseum, the Forum, and the gorgeous Trevi Fountain right in the middle of a bustling city---what's not to love? Plus, on my morning runs I ran to the Vatican...I mean, who DOES that? Oh wait, me. I have to keep pinching myself because this doesn't feel like real life!

      We also got to tour the scavi under St. Peter's Church and got up close and personal with the Sistene Chapel....casual.



 Oh yeah, and there was plenty of pizza and gelato to go around...

My first gelato in Italy...and it was fabulicious.

Soooo much pizza. It did not come in pies at "grab 'n go," places....
they actually had scissors and would cut the size of the piece you wanted.

Candy & I at the beach a train ride away from Romaaaa.

We took a day trip to Ostia Antica, an ancient ruin that was really awesome to tour. We were able to see the baths, as well as the cafe's and homes that used to be a home for so many. It was similar to the ruins of Pompeii...but don't worry, I went there too (just wait and see!).

Amazing mosaic wall at Ostia.

         After a FABULOUS stay in Rome, we hopped on a bus to Firenze (a.k.a. Florence). The Duomo, Michelangelo's David, and the gigantic leather markets all made the list of spots to hit while in Florence.

Cait, Katie, Nicole & I enjoying some authentic Italian cuisine in Florence.

Steffi, Candy, & I in Florence. 

We spent Easter Sunday in Florence and there was a spectacular fireworks display in front of the Duomo. I am talking fireworks that would not be allowed in the U.S. because it seemed a little out of control, but than again, it was unlike anything I had ever seen. In the evening we went out to dinner with the entire Loyola Leuven program to celebrate.

Its raining fire? I tried to upload a video, but there were technical difficulties...
so the photo will have to suffice.

          One of my favorite days in Florence was our wine tour of Tuscany. It was beautiful to see the country side and I really did learn so much about wine! I'm so sophisticated now....well, at least I can fake it 'til I make it. 

Your regular day at the vineyard...
We learned how to taste wine properly, as well as all the different kinds and ingredients.
Now lets just hope I can remember it all! 

Our last time all together to end off the Loyola-Italy trip!
So many great times!

Now just because DH and Sue were leaving Italy.....it doesn't mean that I am!

An Irish Wedding

     So I packed my bags and headed to the airport to catch my flight to Dublin. I was very excited to go back to Ireland because I can't seem to get enough! I was also super excited to be reunited with Granny, Joe, & Katie who would be arriving from the states.

First stop: Santry

Sophie & I
She is absolutely adorable!

        My Aunt Colette "fetched," me from the airport and I spend the first night at her house. It was nice to catch up and see Nicola and Ashley. As well as little Sophie, Nicola's daughter who was just three weeks old! It is wonderful to see how our family just keeps growing...the more the merrier as I always say!!

           The next day I made my way around on Dublin City transit take first the bus, than the Luas tram to meet up with Deirdre. It was a nice treat being in a country where English is the first language...it therefore was a breeeeeeeeeze finding my way.

To Sligo We Go!  (You see what I did there?!)

         Friday morning Deirdre, Granny, Joe, Katie & myself crammed into the car to head up north to Sligo for the wedding! I was very excited to experience an Irish wedding and see all of my relatives who I haven't spent time with in a while! It was a lot of fun and it was such a happy time! I'm so glad I was able to share this experience with so many of my loved ones. 

The newlyweds cutting the cake!
Congrats Enda & Nora!

Enda (a.k.a. the man of the hour), me, Adrienne, Katie, Joe, & Reggie.

Dinner during the reception.

The Shift performing at Cullen's 

After the wedding we heading back to Kildare to stay with Dee a few more nights. We ended up going to see my cousin Gavin's band, The Shift, play at a bar in Wicklow. It was a lot of fun, and again great to hang with another part of the family!

Always the right time for a Guinness!

She was a little overwhelmed with all of the birthday cakes
 she had over the course of the week...

The whole crew!
Granny, Katie, Gaven, myself, Rob, Gerard, Phil, Greg, Nina, Joe & Dee!

Granny and I at St. Stephen's Greem

We spent the day in Dublin city soaking up the sun and walking around St. Stephen's Green. 

You gotta love Dublin!




To Kerry We Go!

Ladies View
Lakes of Killarney

Making our way around the Ring of Kerry.

Joe at Uncle Florrie's house.

Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry
Granny's hometown

We spent Granny's 80th birthday in Ireland! It was so great to spend the day with her and there were plenty of surprises and birthday cake to go around!

Out to feed the horses with Caroline.

A bunch of the cousins at the Blind Piper.

The Abbey off the beach in Derrynane

One of the many fairy houses in Derrynane!
You can search for them throughout the park and they are all unique!

Lovely dinner at the Galvins'!

Just fakin' it til I make it!

All good things must come to an end...after a wonderful week and a half I had to start my trek back to Belgium. I was so happy I got to see all of the cousins I haven't seen in more than 8 years. I have a whole new appreciation for the beautiful country of Ireland.

As of now I have been to 20 different countries in my lifetime, and aside from the good 'ole U.S.A. (because there is no place like home) Ireland is my top pick! From the city of Dublin, to the breathtaking beauty of Kerry, there is not a place that I have been in this country that I didn't like! Hopefully I'll make another trip over here before July 1st rolls around!


 Italy is next! Bring on the pasta!

Life in Leuven

         So after the fam left I had a couple of weeks of down time. I tried to enjoy it as much as I could since my schedule is basically jam-packed until June...but I'm not complaining. My schedule consists of trips to Italy, Denmark, England, as well as some more guests just to name a few. I organized my room, did a bunch of errands and tried to catch up on my readings...joy! But I suppose I have to do some work sometimes! I also spent a lot of time with Amelie, the 5 year old I babysit a few times a week after school. I help her with English because she is speaking Dutch throughout the rest of her day.

Serving the City:

        I logged some community service hours during my free time in Leuven during iCare week when the whole city puts in time to work for the good of the community. I spent 2 days at Poverello, a local soup kitchen, that provides meals for those who face poverty. We were painting, cleaning, and helping get the place organized! It was really enjoyable because we got to spend time with the locals who volunteer there all the time and I got a real feel for what it was like to be a part of the community.

Katie and I painting at the Serve the City site.

Katie, Cait, & I also put in some time at the Oud Markt!
#soleuven

You learn something new everyday! 

 

After passing this circular plate in the groud for the past 7 months, I just realized that it raises on Thursday nights (the big "going out night" for students) to be a public urinal! If you remember my Amsterdam post, there were these urinals along the streets all day erry day, but luckily Leuven keeps it classy and hides them during daylight hours. 

The hidden urinal in front of the fak bars on Tiensenstraat.

Casually eating some lunch with Amelie in the town center.
The beautiful weather makes our walk home a lot more enjoyable!

We celebrated Tessa's 21st birthday!
 She is one the the wonderful Belgians who lives in my unit! 

(Back Row) Astrid, Lucas, Mayank, Caroline
(Front Row) Myself & Tessa

We also played this fun game in the courtyard one evening with some valuable unit 3 members! The game involved throwing wooden sticks a distance and trying to knock over wooden blocks. It has a similar idea to horseshoes...minus the horseshoes if that makes sense...
And be careful, it can get dangerous if you get in the way of the game pieces!!



Leuven is still as wonderful as ever and I can't wait for the spring!
Nothing better than a beautiful day in a beautiful place! 

Back to Ireland I go!