So what now? Coming home after your time abroad.

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us." - Anonymous 

Once you travel abroad, your perspective changes. Returning home can be a difficult process for some people, as they have become so attuned to traveling and the experiences that they have encountered. Of course we miss our family and friends, but sometimes you aren't quite ready to come back to reality yet.

There are many different ways and processes that people go through to adjust back to daily life after traveling abroad. The process of adjusting back into the swing of things is different for each individual. It is like reverse culture shock. You become so used to traveling and that type of lifestyle, even if it is for just a short period of time, that it takes time to be used to being back home. No matter what, home won't be the same...it isn't that home has changed...but rather you have. There are countless ways that traveling abroad affects your life, so bringing these aspects back home will make a difference. This post is going to look at some of the different ways/things to do to incorporate your travels abroad into your life.

First off, you are probably super excited to share all of the aspects of your trip. I found that one of the best ways for me to go back over my experiences was to make a photo album of all of the pictures I had taken. Because of this, I will have my experiences documented forever so that I can return to look at them anytime I feel a sense of nostalgia about traveling. This can be a big help for people who want to
preserve these memories.

Your friends and family are going to be excited to hear about your travels; however, as exciting as all of the small details are to you, they may be less interested in them. It is important to keep in touch with people that you meet on your trips, as you shared and encountered many life-changing experiences together. Other travelers will understand your love for talking about your trips, and it can be important for a traveler to reflect back on them.

Also, reflect on the experiences that you loved so much about your travels. This may mean reevaluating your job, or the current place that you are in your life. If there are new passions that you discovered while traveling abroad, make sure not to just forget about them when you return home. Integrate these aspects into your daily life and you will see that even though you are not traveling, you can still incorporate these activities into your routine.

Traveling abroad can also have a big impact on your future employment. Make sure to put your travel experiences on your resume. Many companies now look for people with international experience. These experiences don't mean that you have to be fluent in another language or 100% willing to move abroad for a company; instead, it shows that you have a global awareness. You have seen other cultures, have a curiosity to learn, and experienced (and hopefully embraced) cultural sensitivity. Be proud of your experiences abroad, and make sure to share them both on your resume and talking about them in interviews. Your experiences help to set you apart even more.

Overall, keep traveling. The experiences that you have encountered by traveling abroad have a tremendous impact on your perspective of the world. Traveling helps each of us to grow and change in ways that we wouldn't be able to endure otherwise. Keep the open mindset that you have gained from your experiences. Whether it be learning to enjoy more of the little things at home, meeting people who are different than you, or traveling abroad more, thanks to your travels you have a broader and more unique view of the world. Make sure to use this knowledge to make your life, and others' lives, even better.

"Di viaggiare è vivere." ("To travel is to live.")

Arrivederci!

Quick Tips On How To Pack For Italy!

"Those who travel best, travel light."

So now that you have probably researched Italy and all of the amazing places that you will visit, it is time to think about what to take with you. Depending on what the season is that you are visiting in, it will make a difference on what to pack. We will start with all of the general things to take, and then talk about clothing for Italy in specifically late spring/early summer. This is one of the best times to visit Italy, as it is warm enough to visit the seaside, but not yet too hot to spend all day walking the cities.

Essentials!!!! Your passport has to go with you on your trip....I mean how else are you planning to
even get on the plane? That being said, you will also want a copy of your passport that you can keep separate from your original in-case of theft or losing yours. Along with your passport, you will want to have a copy of your insurance information for any visit that you might need to a doctor, or for an emergency situation. It is also highly suggested to have a card that you keep with emergency numbers on it so that you can stay in contact with people easier. Always have an extra type of payment with you on your trip. It is not a fun to eat or purchase something and then find out that your bank isn't letting your card go through overseas yet. A converter will be essential to be able to charge any electronics that you will take on your trip. Italy uses a different voltage then the US, so it could destroy some of your electronics to use the plug-ins without one. Lastly, a good piece of luggage will be a tremendous benefit on your trip. Many times you run into cobblestone streets, so be wary of suitcases with wheels that will break off easy. Many people in our group had dufflebags that you could carry on your back and they seemed to work out fantastic! A water bottle is also a great idea. In many places in Rome there were public fountains to fill them up at so you don't have to spend money on water...even in restaurants you have to buy it by the bottle.

Other things to make sure to have with you include travel size toiletries...you never know what will happen with luggage and airlines. Don't worry so much about taking a hairdryer, as most places you stay will have one, or you can pick one up for cheap. Also, for women make sure that your purse zips. Cross-body purses are best, and more secure, due to pick-pocketing in some of the larger cities.

Now onto clothes. In the late spring/early summer Italy has amazing weather! Depending on where you are at in the country, you can travel from seaside to city center and be able to enjoy a vast amount of time outdoors. For the seaside places pack a swimming suit. Many Italian beaches are more relaxed than in the United States, so don't worry about trying to find one that fits exactly right...since it seems to be a dauntingly impossible task anyway. You will not see many Italians in sweats, so although you can take a pair to lounge around in, make sure not to overdue that aspect of your wardrobe.

Accessories are a big thing in Italy; therefore, make sure to pack some scarves and such. Don't fuss over taking tall high heels, as the cobblestone streets will become unbearable to try and walk long distances on. Sandals and comfortable walking shoes are definitely a much better use of space...not to mention they will save your feet from throbbing after all the walking to see the beautiful sites. A cocktail dress is definitely a plus to have in-case anything fun comes up that you have to dress up for.

Shorts are not a norm in Italy like in other places. Tourist are easy to spot in their shorts walking around the cities. Taking a pair or two for those hot days is fine, but know that to blend in you will want more long pants and/or skirts.

If you are planning to visit any religious sites while in Italy, which I highly recommend, make sure to have clothing that will cover your knees and shoulders. Many places, such as St. Peter's, will turn you away if you are not dressed appropriately.

Don't forget that you can always hand wash your clothes or go somewhere to do laundry. Also, who doesn't want to go shopping in Italy? You can always buy more clothing while you are there if you find a need for a certain outfit you didn't bring. Over packing only drags down your trip. Plus, you will want to leave room for all of the awesome souvenirs you buy to take home with you!

Of course, don't forget your sunglasses and camera...the memories that you will make are going to be amazing stories that you can tell for the rest of your life!

Esplora il mondo! (Explore the world!)

Famous Stories of Italy: Storybook Places to Visit

"Prove yourself brave, truthful, and unselfish, and someday, you will be a real boy" -The Blue Fairy, Pinocchio  

Many places in Italy look as though they came straight from a fairy tale....stunning scenery and stories going on all around. In fact, many famous fairy tales and stories do have the honor of taking place in this country. Here we will look at perhaps two of the most famous in the world, which both took place in Italy. These are the stories of Pinocchio and Romeo and Juliet. Both of these stories are commonly known throughout the world, and are still highly regarded and celebrated in the Italian culture and cities. You can visit many places that preserve these stories on your Italian travels, continuing to add another page to your own adventure.

Pinocchio 
Many people know of the Disney adaption, and movie, of the story of Pinocchio (1943). The original tale is one of the most famous stories throughout all of Italy, and around the world. Pinocchio was written by Carlo Lorenzini, who took on the pen name of Carlo Collodi. A quick recap of the story...it takes place in Italy where a man named Geppetto creates a wooden marionette puppet boy. This boy, known as Pinocchio, is searching to achieve real boyhood. Pinocchio's nose grows whenever he lies (which has become a very common thing for parents to tell their kids will happen to them if they lie, comparing it to Pinocchio). In this story, there are many other characters as well. Many of the themes center around honesty and listening to your conscious.

Even over 130 years after its origination, on July 7th, 1881, Italy is still very proud of this story and celebrates it to this day. The story was originally published as La Storia di un Burattino (The Story of a Marionette), and then made into the commonly known book The Adventures of Pinocchio two years after. Many places in Florence have been found to be influentially connected with the book, so you can see the influence and celebration of the story throughout the city. While in Rome, we saw some stores that were solely dedicated to this famous fairy tale, and even had our pictures taken with some cutouts and replicas of the character.

The main Pinocchio attraction is in the town of Collodi, Tuscany, named after the author of the story. There is a park in this town that draws in over 200,000 visitors from around the world every year. The park is full of statues and commemorations of the story around all corners. It brings in the different scenes from the book, and captures the imagination. In the park also resides the tallest wooden statue of Pinocchio in the world. People of all ages love to visit this area, so it is a great place to take children as well! The park is open everyday from 8:30 to sunset, and costs only a small fee to enter. Many times in this small town, you can find additional different variations of celebrations revolving around the story and its creator.

Pinocchio has stood for over a century as one of the most well-revered fairy tales of all time. The Italian culture incorporates this ageless story into its history, and is very proud of it. Make sure to visit all of the fun places that incorporate the story of Pinocchio...but make sure not to tell a lie while you are there or your nose might grow :)

Romeo and Juliet
Almost everyone knows the story of Romeo and Juliet, as it is one of the most powerful love stories in history. It is the Shakespearean story of two star-crossed lovers who die for each other when they are forbidden to be together; thus, after the deaths of their children, reconciling the two feuding families. This story takes place in Verona, Italy and has made the city a very popular attraction.



Verona is roughly two hours from Venice and Milan, with about 265,000 residents. The city is a sought after tourist attraction, where visitors succumb to the romantic setting of Romeo and Juliet. In Verona, for only a few euros you can stand on the balcony that Juliet was on as Romeo declared his love for her. This balcony is a main focal point of the story, and thousands of people walk out onto it every year. You can also touch the bronze statue of Juliet in the courtyard, as it is said to bring you luck with love. These attractions are located at the House of Juliet where the real-life family, known as the Cappello family, lived.

Another interesting attraction that revolves around the tale of Romeo and Juliet in this city are the thousands of letters that come from around the world addressed simply to "Juliet, Verona, Italy." Volunteers take time to respond to the people who send these letters. You can visit the wall where hundreds of letters are attached and left to Juliet, as it is an awe to see. This wall has been introduced into even more fame recently with the movie Letters to Juliet.

The city of Verona is said to be one of the most romantic in the world, as you constantly feel like you are surrounded with beautiful stories of love.

Whether you are in the mood for a fairy tale-like atmosphere, or a romantic day in Verona, Italy has many places for you to visit. The stories behind these attractions are known throughout the world as some of the best, and most prominent, of all-time. Make sure to check out these amazing attractions on your trip to Italy!

"Life is a fairy tale. But to see it, you must open your eyes." - Olianna Port

Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions :)

Popular Sports in Italy

"Sports do not build character, they reveal it." - John Wooden

With all of the focus on March Madness happening in the United States, I thought it would be fun to note some of the sports that are very popular in Italy. These are only a few of the different sports that you can find throughout the country, but they are some of the most popular and are highly followed. The fans of Italian teams stand strongly behind their athletes, and make the sporting atmospheres all the better. Make sure to catch some games while you are in the country!

Soccer is the largest and most popular sport in the country; although, in Europe it is known as football. The Italian soccer team has won four world cups..tied for the second highest in the world with Germany, only behind Brazil! Italy's most recent world cup win was in 2006. Soccer is highly followed throughout the country, and you can find fans for every regional club as well. There are twenty regional clubs in Italy, leading to fierce rivalry during the season. For example, Rome and Palermo have their own clubs that play against each other in the Serie A. You can check out this website to get news on the many clubs, including their news, matches, and rosters: http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy

2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

Winter Sports are also popular within the country. These include activities such as skiing and luge, in which the country has won many championships. Italy held the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in the city of Turin. This Olympic event was a huge success, with over 2,500 athletes and 84 events. It also added speed skating to the Winter Olympics. The sport of curling became more popular within Italy after these Olympics. Winter sports are more popular in the northern regions of the country, where the mountains offer more prominent access to participate in the sports. Popular winter sports also include ice hockey and cross-country skiing.




Cycling has been popular for many years in Italy, and is continuing to gain momentum constantly. Italy holds the second most World Cycling Championships, behind only Belgium. Every year the country holds a grand cycling event known as the Giro d'Italia, which is a long distance race that usually runs north to south across the country. The title of the event translates to "tour of Italy." This event brings in athletes from around the globe, and is a famous sporting event throughout the world. The event this year is set to start on May 9th, and end three weeks later on May 31st. This is a great event to go see on your trip! More information can be found here:  http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-ditalia-2015



Volleyball may not be a sport many people think of right away as being associated with the country; however, the sport is very popular with Italians. In fact, volleyball is the most popular sport in some regions, even over soccer. The Italian volleyball league is highly respected throughout the world, with both men and women's teams being ranked. It is sometimes said to be considered the third hardest league in the world. There are also many people within the country who play on club teams and for recreation. Sometimes you can find pick up games of volleyball on the beaches throughout the country. Catching a national team game is a fun experience for the whole family on your trip.



Basketball. Lastly, as March Madness is going on we can't forget about basketball! In Italy, the sport is known as pallacanestro. Italy has had national basketball teams since the 1950's. Basketball is a popular sport in Italy and the national team is usually ranked fairly well. Italy is considered to have one of the top basketball leagues in all of Europe. Some Italian basketball teams are Sassari, Venezia, Virtus Roma, Trento, and many others. Like in soccer, the different clubs throughout the country foster a sense of rivalry within the sport and country. You can often times find tickets to go and watch the club teams compete!


So...with the NCAA March Madness going on, and all of the hype surrounding the tournament, it is fun to find the different sports that are so highly integrated into the Italian culture. Italy is known to have a great love for sports, and it can be seen when the teams are playing. Make sure to catch some of the sporting events during your travels to make your trip an even more amazing experience!

Arrivederci!

Top Travel Apps For Your Trip!

"Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." - Ibn Battuta

Traveling can be one of the greatest adventures of your life...and sometimes also some of the most stressful. New technology has allowed us to lessen this stress by having the capability to find almost any piece of information in a handheld device. It is extremely important to put down your phone and enjoy the serenity and adventure of your travel experiences; however, sometimes the technology available to us can be a great virtue. Here is a brief description of ten great apps to ease the stress, and help you enjoy more time during your travels:

Google Translate
In a previous post I talked about the Duolingo app where you can learn the language before you go; but, what do you do if you don't know the word while you are there? The Google Translate app is one of the top translation apps on the market, and allows you to translate over ninety languages. This app is unique in that it allows you to translate via typing the word/phrase, speaking, or by using the camera and taking a picture of something like a sign. One of the key things that this app boasts is the idea of "converse naturally and let Google translate." The ease of use in this app has helped many people to better understand the language in foreign environments, and in situations when working with different people.

WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp is a great tool to have during your trip! This app allows you to stay in communication with your family and friends who are at home in a simple way....and best yet, not having to pay the outrageous international phone bills! WhatsApp lets you text and call other people who have the app when you are connected to wifi. I used this to communicate with my family while in Italy, and my sister used it when in Mexico. During both of our trips the app worked fantastically,  and even allows you to send pictures over the app so your family can see all of your adventures! Although I haven't tried the voice messaging aspect, you can send voice messages to the other person as well.


Mapquest
Most people have used Mapquest before, but what about using it during your travels in another country? Mapquest can help you navigate the unfamiliar areas in the town or city that you are in. Also, if you plug in two locations to get directions, it will tell you the fastest routes. For example, if you go from Rome to Palermo, it will give you the route option of taking a ferry/boat between the two destinations, and tell you the estimated duration of the trip. This app is a must have for anyone who will be doing a lot of their own transportation (ie. driving, etc.) on their trip.




Weather Channel
The weather can affect your travel experiences ten-fold. Knowing what to expect for the current and upcoming days will help you to better plan what adventures you want to embark on. In the Weather Channel app, you can input multiple destinations and view the daily forecast, as well as the ten day forecast, for each location. This app will also notify you if there are any dangerous weather warnings or announcements. Additionally, you can break down the weather forecast by an hourly dimension.

Flight Apps
There are many apps that have been developed by airlines all across the world. For example, United, Delta, Southwest, American Airlines, and many more have created their own apps. These apps allow the user to track the times for their flight, and if there are any delays. The arrival and departure times are given, and some will let you know when the flight has landed so that you are at your gate in time. Also, some of these airlines have developed options to check in from your phone at the airport. Other flight applications developed include companies such as Kayak and Expedia, where you can book flights straight from your mobile device.


TripAdvisor 
TripAdvisor has many different variations of apps available at the app store. The main one is called TripAdvisor Hotels Flights Restaurants. This app lets you see reviews of different restaurants and hotels that other travelers have been to, and view their opinions/ratings of them. When you don't know anything about the area, this can be a great place to start. There are also options to find airfare and "things to do" through the app. Additionally, you can download maps and reviews ahead of time so that you can use them if you are offline. Not only can you read reviews, you can also see pictures that people have posted to the site, which you can use to gauge your interest in pursuing the hotel/restaurant/place.

TripIt
TripIt is a very highly rated app with many different features. TripIt allows you to put together a conclusive itinerary for your trip. You can set up the app by forwarding emails to the app from your inbox so that it automatically includes them into your personal itinerary. The app also automatically groups the information for each trip, with the similar dates/times so that everything is in order. From flights, directions, hotels, car pick ups, and other aspects of your trip, they will all be organized into one common place. Additionally, there are alerts built into the app to let you know if any flights have been changed, cancelled, or any gate notifications. This app is a great resource for anyone who is very busy on their trip and wants to stay organized while being on-the-go. TripIt has many options including a free version, an upgraded version that you can purchase, or buying in-app purchases within the free version itself.

My Currency Converter
How many people can quickly and easily covert the currency values in their head...especially when they change daily? The My Currency Converter app is a currency and exchange rate converter that allows the user to pick which two currencies that they would like to use, and which one they are converting to the other. For example, you can convert dollars into euros or vice-versa. It is a huge benefit to be able to stick to your budget while on your trip, and can make the difference of which experiences you get to embark on in regards to financial aspects. After looking at many other currency apps, I liked this one best for its simplicity and ease-of-use. Many others have also rated this app positively for its high quality.

Hotel Tonight
Hotel Tonight is an app that is for making last minute hotel reservations, and helps the user find the best deals. The app does this by comparing the surrounding area hotels, and showing you the prices and reviews for each. Although it says that it is for last minute bookings, you can select and book a hotel as far out as seven days in advance at the lower prices and deals.




Social Media
Of course who can forget all of the social media apps?! Don't worry, I am not going to talk a lot about each individual app right now; however, they can be important tools while on your trip. Facebook and Twitter allow you to stay up-to-date on all of the latest news, and stay in-touch with your family and friends. Additionally, these apps let you update your status to check in with your family and friends and share your adventures with them. Instagram allows you to share all of the amazing photos that you have taken during your trip with your followers. Snapchat can also be a fun app to have as a means of sending small snippets to all of your friends who are following your travel experiences!



Although you don't want to let technology overpower enjoying the "in-the-moment" aspects your trip, it can be a very useful tool to enhancing your travel experience. All of the apps above, and many more, will help you to stay in touch with others and make the most of your travels. BUT, don't forget to put your mobile devices down and enjoy the true experience of being in a new place and having new experiences while traveling.

Please leave any comments or suggestions :)

Arrivederci!

City Life: A Look at the 5 Largest Cities in Italy

Put down that map and get wonderfully lost

Well maybe getting lost, as in you don't know where you are going and can't get back to where you are staying for the night, is not a good idea. But, getting "lost" in the streets and culture of the city can have a tremendous positive impact on your trip. No matter if you are from a large city, or a small town in the middle of nowhere, the big cities in Italy are definitely worth your visit!

Let's explore a little bit more about these big cities, and a little bit about what you can expect from each of them. According to statista.com, and comparing it with other sites, the 5 largest cities in Italy (2013 population data) are the following:

1) ROME

Trevi Fountain at night

Never would've guessed that one right? With a population of roughly 2.86 million people, Rome is both the capital and largest city in Italy. The history in Rome is monumental. There are very few cities in the world today that have so much rich history, and historical sites, within a consistently growing and more modernizing environment. You can walk right from the shopping district over to the Roman Colosseum. Rome boasts many different attributes, including the Colosseum previously mentioned, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Vatican City within the roman boarders, the Pantheon, and many other sites. And lets not forget the Trevi Fountain...make sure to throw in your coins when you visit! The first is a wish to one day come back to Rome, and the next is a wish of your choosing.

View from the top of St. Peter's Basilica

The streets are also filled with many different shops and restaurants, each of which are unique in their own way. Climbing the stairs in St. Peter's Basilica is a must on your trip, if you wish to have one of the most amazing views you will ever see. It is a 551 step trek up to the top of the dome; however, it is well worth the walk up. You can look out over the Pope's garden, the Vatican City, and much of Rome. There is too much to put into one post about Rome; many books are dedicated to just this city alone. Rome was easily one of my favorite places that I have ever been! On your trip, be sure to visit this historical city that is one of the top destinations in the world.





2) MILAN
Milan is located in northern Italy, and has a population of 1.32 million people. Milan is highly known all over the world for its fashion. Much of the city was rebuilt after World War II; however, there are still many historical sites to see on your trip. Milan also is home to many different shopping centers, and is one of the richest cities in Europe. This city has the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, known as the Duomo or Milan Cathedral. The Duomo is not only the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, but also has the title of being the third largest church in all of Europe. It is a very popular attraction for people from all over the world.

Milan Cathedral (Duomo in Milan)

Along with fashion, Milan is also highly regarded for its art and art history. The art museums will be a wholesome trip for any art enthusiast. In the Santa Maria delle Grazie, you can find one of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous works, titled "The Last Supper." You can find art dating back from the renaissance, all the way up to modern art. Many art festivals are also held in this city, so be sure to check out the official Milan tourism website to find out about any exhibitions you can catch while on your trip (www.tourism.milan.it).



3) NAPLES
As the third largest city in Italy, Naples has a population reaching about 990,000. This beautiful city is the largest in Southern Italy, and sits approximately two hours south of Rome. It is a hub to other very notable places, such a Pompeii. The Naples harbor is also said to be the most important port in all of the Southern part of Italy.

The center of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which only further provides proof of its historic and modern-day benefits to travel there. Naples provides some of the best museums and statues in the country, including the Museo Archeologio Nazionale (National Archaeological Museum) where you can see a wide array of the world's best Graeco-Roman artifacts. Many of the things that you can view in this museum were excavated from the Pompeii site.

Spaccanapoli Street

Well worth the visit is the street known as Spaccanapoli, which is the center of Naples. This street goes through the historic center, splitting it in half, and is mainly a pedestrian street where you can find many little interesting shops to explore. On this street, you can still see some of the remains of the original Greek city of Neapolis. There are also some of the best pastry shops in the area, along with many stores.





4) TURIN
Not as many people have heard about the city of Turin, which is located in the very northwest of Italy. Home to 900,000 people, Turin is the fourth largest city in the country. This city was the original capital of Italy for a very brief period of time, and its monarchy was given to the entire country when it unified in 1861. The Basilica of Superga is a very prominent church to visit while in town.

One of the most popular things to have originated from Turin is the chocolate that we eat today....thank you Turin! Along with chocolate, this large city is known for its cafe scene. The more laid back environment allows it to be known for its cafe style town. Turin was one of the first cities in Italy to bring a cafe society into the country; therefore, it still yields some of the best cafes in the country.

Basilica of Superga

While in Turin, you can also see collections from all over the world. This city is known for having one of the largest Egyptian artifacts collections in all of Europe, and the world. The museum that houses these ancient Egyptian artifacts is known as Museo Egizio. Throughout this city, you also get a lot of french influence. This is because, the city itself is only roughly an hour drive from the boarder of France. The rich Italian culture, mixed with the abundances of other cultures, make Turin a memorable city to visit while in Italy.

5) PALERMO
Palermo boasts the fifth largest population in Italy, with numbers totaling approximately 680,000 people. Palermo is a city known for its churches, theaters, and the catacomb that is situated here. Palermo is located in Sicily, and is a major connection point for people traveling around Sicily and the islands off of the coast. We stayed here twice during our visit while traveling.

Massimo Theater

Palermo has many churches full of the history of the Sicilian culture. Many of the churches that we went into had some of the most amazingly detailed work I have ever seen in my life (picture of the inside of one of the churches shown later). Some of the churches do cost a very small fee to get into, or ask for a donation to visit. The Massimo Theater is also a large part of this city. This theater is one of the largest performing arts theaters in Italy, and a main focal point within the city itself.

Inside Catacombe dei Cappuccini

One of the most amazing things to experience in Palermo is the catacomb; although, it can be a bone-chilling experience. The Catacombe dei Cappuccini is located more on the outskirts of the city, but is well worth the trip. This catacomb is a historical site; however, unlike many other sites, you are not allowed to take pictures inside....so make sure to get a postcard to keep as a memory. As gruesome as it may sound, the catacombs are a very interesting place to visit. This catacomb holds over 8000 people, dating back from the 1500's until fairly recently (within the last decade). Some of the skeletons hanging on the walls....honestly within about an arms reach....still have visible hair, eyelashes, teeth, etc. All of these people are also still in the cloths from that time period, so it is interesting to see the actual people from those days so long ago. There is a girl named Rosalia in this catacomb who died in 1920, at the age of two, from pneumonia. Her father had her preserved, and she is nicknamed "sleeping beauty" because it literally looks like she is taking a nap. Rosalia has been the focus of many articles by big sources such as Discovery.

Lastly, in Palermo there is a very cool old world market (a picture of which can be seen in the previous blog post). In this market, you can experience how many people in Italy have come to get their food for centuries. As you walk through the market, you will hear people yelling out prices etc., and can see the different array of fish caught that morning that are now for sale.

Inside of a church in Palermo

These cities all have numerous additoinal attractions to visit and see. Make sure that if you have the chance to stop by them, you pay a visit. The big cities are a great place to see both the historic side of the culture, as well as the vibrant life of the modern day city. 

"Notti d'estate e le luci della città"

Please feel free to leave comments!

Indulge in the deliciousness of Italy: From Gelato to Octopus Salad

Italy is highly associated with its amazing food dishes. Here are some foods that you won't want to miss trying on your trip!

When you think of Italy, what foods do you think of right away? Probably pasta and pizza right? Well as amazing as those are, and don't get me wrong, definitely eat as much of each as you can....Italy also has many other different kinds of foods you may not have thought of. First, I will start with the classics, like pizza and pasta (including squid ink pasta); then, we will explore the more distinctive foods such as octopus salad, cannolis, tiramisu, and others.

So, lets start with a basic staple that is a must if you are in Italy...pizza. Italian pizza is very different from the pizza we are used to in the United States. Italian pizza has many more toppings, and is usually cooked fresh, not frozen, before hand. The pizza's toppings can range in about anything that you can think of. The most popular topping is a multitude of cheeses. Along with the cheese, are things such as the many different meats (like pastrami), large tomatoes, basil, and seafood, to name only a few. The pizza is seriously one-of-a-kind, and each place you go has a little bit of a different and unique style to their pizza. The pizza also usually has a much thinner crust than a regular pizza in the United States. In the picture to your right, you can see a slice of one of the many kinds of pizzas we tried while on our trip.

Squid Ink Pasta

Another classic Italian staple is pasta. There are thousands of varieties of pasta in Italy, and each one has its own taste. Our group's favorite pasta we had was at a restaurant in Rome called Mama Angela's. The pasta was called Trofie alla Mama Angela. This pasta consisted of small curly trofie pasta noodles that were doused in a white sauce, had sausage pieces, gorgonzola cheese, and pecorino romano. This pasta was absolutely delicious! Another popular pasta is noodles with a red sauce mixed with many cheeses and meats. I cannot remember the exact name of this, but there are many variations throughout the country. And lets be honest...spaghetti is a given to try while in Italy.

A very unique pasta that someone in my group tried was called Squid Ink pasta. This included spaghetti-like noodles that were more hollow. The noodles were covered in a sauce that was mixed with the black ink from a squid. If you try a pasta like this, be sure to know that it does tint your teeth color for just a little bit while you eat it, but that only makes it all the more fun!

Another unique seafood dish I never thought I would try is octopus salad....sounds different right? On the pieces of the octopus you can even still see the tentacles! The octopus is mixed in with a variety of vegetables, including lettuce and celery to name a few, and had some sort of very clear dressing over it. Although it took me awhile to garner up the courage to try this dish, it wasn't bad and I am definitely glad I had the experience. The place that we tried both the squid ink pasta and octopus salad was in Trapani, Sicily. Almost everywhere you go near the coast, the seafood is caught early that morning and then cooked and served that same day! In one of the pictures, you can see an old world market in Palermo, where there is seafood for sale that was caught that day by the fisherman. Many locals come and buy there meat from these types of markets daily. I think that the fish hanging looks like a swordfish, but I don't know for sure, so don't quote me on that.

Piece of Octopus Salad

Octopus Salad

Fish caught that day at an old
world market in Palermo, Sicily,

The Kebab....might sound like the name of a dance or something huh? Well the Italian Kebab is a sandwich made usually with lamb meat; however, in some places you can get different kinds of meat like beef or chicken. The dish in itself kind of resembles eating a gyro, but in a sandwich form. This sandwich is filled with things such as lettuce, tomato, onion, other veggies, and topped with yogurt sauce. These sandwiches are popular in many places in Europe, and are very popular in Spain. The Kebab we had in Palermo was very delicious, and you can find variations of them in many places. They are pretty messy though, and you might end up wanting a fork to catch all of the extra food that falls out of the sandwich as you eat it. There seemed to be kebab stores all over, so make sure to stop into one and try this delicious sandwich during your trip!

Lamb kebab in Palermo, Sicily

NOW ONTO THE DESSERTS!!! YUM!!!

Many people have heard of tiramisu, and it is becoming an even more prominent dessert and flavor around the world. The name itself literally means "a pick me up." Tiramisu is a coffee-flavored dessert made of either spongecake or ladyfingers dipped/soaked in coffee (and sometimes liqueur). The dessert has layers of whipped eggs, mascarpone cheese, and sugar. It then is topped off with cocoa. Now if you are hesitant to try it because you don't like coffee, don't let that scare you off from eating this amazing dessert. I don't like coffee at all, not even the smell that much, but this dessert was one of my favorites! Make sure to add this to your list of foods to try.

Piece of tiramisu we had at
Mama Angela's restaurant.

The next dessert is called a cannoli. These originated in Sicily, and you can find them in many places there. We bought cannolis while in the medieval town of Erice, at a place called Antica Pasticceria. The cannolis are very sweet; I split one with another person and was full after eating it, due to the sweetness. The shell is made of fried pastry dough and then stuffed with the filling, which usually consists of a sweetened ricotta or mascarpone. They are very good, and an Italian specialty to try!

Cannoli in Erice, Sicily

Save the best for last right? You will surely encounter the last food that I want to talk about on your Italian adventure...GELATO!!! Gelato is seriously one of the best foods I have ever had. Gelato is the Italian form of ice cream, except that it is way better than any ice cream I have tasted. Plus, it is said to be much healthier than ice cream...what's not to love? There are hundreds of different gelato flavors, and you can taste test flavors at most of the shops. You can order gelato in either a cup or a dish, and in different sizes, much like in ice cream shops anywhere. The best gelato we had, in my opinion, was at Della Palma near the Pantheon in Rome. Gelato usually ran about 2-3 euros on average. I got gelato most days that I had the chance while in Italy, and highly recommend it! Make sure to try as many different flavors as you can! My favorite was the mint flavor mixed with one that kind of resembled a cookies and cream. You can see a picture of many flavors of gelato and baked goods in a store in the picture below.

"Gustare il modo per aggirare il mondo" (Taste your way around the world)

Please leave comments and let me know what you think, or about your experiences with food in Italy!

Midwest vs. Italy: How similar and different are we really?

Life in the Midwest vs. Life in Italy

Many people would say that the Midwestern states, such as Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, etc., are very different from Italy. In regards to this, yes there are many differences between the lifestyles; however, there are also many similarities that people may not be aware of.

Shopping area in Rome

In my opinion, a very cool thing that daily life in some parts of Italy includes is the idea of siestas. During the middle of the day businesses shut down for a few hours and the people that work in them go get lunch, take a nap, or go home to have a home-cooked meal with their families. Doesn't this contradict the idea of businesses making as much money as possible? Well in Italy, and many European countries, they tend to value time a lot more than many people in the States do. We are always moving at such a fast pace to bring in the next big sale and schedule the next meeting as soon as we can. In Italy, the idea is to take a break and go home to cook a nice, home-cooked meal that they can enjoy with family. Maybe this is an idea that some companies and stores in the Midwest can learn from. Now yes, the Midwest is known for strong family values; but, there is still more we could do to enjoy our time and put other things before profits. When traveling in Italy, be sure that you are aware of these siesta times...it is a huge bummer to go to a store only to have it be siesta and you didn't realize it beforehand! 

Another difference between Italy and the Midwest is the impact that the sea has on the economy and daily lives of the people. In places such as Southern Italy, everything from food to tourism revolves around the ocean and harbors. Many restaurants we went into had seafood that was caught early that same morning by the fisherman at sea, and then brought to the restaurant and served within the day. In case you didn't know...we don't have any oceans near us here in the heartland of the country. So, for any Midwesterner traveling to Italy, and especially the south and islands, the fresh seafood is a must to try!

Although there are thousands more differences between these two areas, the last one that I am going to talk about is the atmosphere walking through the streets. In the Midwest, we are used to passing people and smiling, saying a quick hello, or maybe stopping to briefly talk to them if you know the person...mostly we will not push ourselves into other peoples time or business. On the contrary, in Italy as you walk down the streets of the larger cities and shopping areas you have people shouting out prices, trying to pull you into their stands with the"deals," and hundreds of vendors with carts of every product you can think of. When shopping in these areas, you can even bargain the prices down. In the Midwest, we wouldn't imagine walking up to someone selling a product and offering half of what they are asking and expect them to accept. During your time in Italy, make sure you try to bargain with these vendors, as you can almost always get a much better price! Don't be worried about seeming too pushy tying to get a better deal then the initial price, they almost expect you to try.

Now that we have looked at a few differences between the two areas, there are also many similarities.

Agriculture is a huge proponent of life in the Midwest. Many families who live here have an agricultural background, and many kids grow up learning the values that working on a farm can instill. Like the Midwest, Italy is also very agriculturally based. Italy's top agricultural product is wine grapes, with vineyards throughout the country. Although we do not have a large amount of vineyards in the Midwest, both of these areas also grow corn. The Midwest is the top provider of corn in the United States, and Italy also produces thousands of tons of this product every year. For any Midwesterner interested in agriculture, the Italian country side has much to offer...especially places such as Tuscany, which is known for its countryside.

Fields (vineyard) in Tuscany, Italy

Fields and farm in Iowa

 Another similarity that these two geographic areas, thousands of miles and an ocean apart, have in common is family being a big part of the lifestyle. In Italy, you see many family owned businesses that revolve around all of the family members working in them. Many of these are small shops and restaurants. One of the places we stayed while in Trapani was still owned by the same family that built the building by hand many years before! Like the family life in Italy, the Midwest also holds strong family values and has family owned businesses. In some families in the Midwest, there are farms that have been passed down through decades. These families may own century farms, which means that they have been owned by the same family for at least one-hundred years. Also, there is a large amount of family unity in both lifestyles. While in Italy, I saw many families out, and they always were looking out for one another and enjoying each others presence. Like mentioned earlier, the siestas are often used as a time for the family to be able to eat a nice meal together everyday. Here in the Midwest, we also largely revolve around a strong family presence.

RAGBRAI in Iowa

Playing street soccer

Lastly, similarities also exist in the activity level of the people in these areas. People in the Midwest tend to have a more active lifestyle, and there are many large events that incorporate this into our lives. Examples include the statewide bicycle ride in Iowa (RAGBRAI) across the entire state every summer, and the multiple races that come to theses states as some of their very first locations. In Italy, they also lead very active lifestyles. Walking is one of the biggest methods of transportation (refer to the prior transportation blog post). Italians often walk many miles everyday, and some that live in the cities do not even use a car daily. Soccer is the most popular sport in Italy, along with many others that are played, helping to increase the activity level. We would see kids out playing soccer in the alleys in many places throughout the country. Here in the Midwest, we also have high involvement in sports. When you are traveling in Italy, be sure to check out a soccer game if you can! Take in all the opportunities to walk around the beautiful cities, as it allows you a much more personal view and many more options to see the local treasures.

So....as much as anyone may try to assume that the Midwest and Italy are extremely different, we can now see that there are also similarities between the lifestyles in each region. People traveling from the Midwest to Italy, and vice-versa for that matter, can find a little bit of home in the similarities, while still indulging in the differences. 

Feel free to comment or leave any experiences you have had with the topic :)

"Valorizzare le differenze, ma anche scoprire le somiglianze..." - Steffi Biester

   (Value the differences, but also discover the similarities..)