1/25/2009 Crespano

01/25/09
The market in Crespano found us today. It too is about a 20 minute walk to the next town in the other direction of Da Bessie. It is an open air market with items that reminded me of China town in NYC. We walked the streets browsing at the vendors stations. We grabbed lunch from a warm vendor. We also stopped in a bakery to sample some pastries made only around carnival. On our way out a gentleman heard us speaking English and he struck up a conversation allowing us to use what little Italian we had learned so far. From there we headed back and stopped a Alpina's once again because some wanted a cafe' then we walked to the CIMBA for some rest till dinner in the caff.
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01/24/09 Bassano Del Grappa

01/24/2009 Bassano Del Grappa
We went to Bassano Del Grappa which is about 30 minutes away by public bus. At about 11:15 in the morning Eric and I walked to the second tabacchi to purchase tickets. It was 4.20 euro for up to 20 kms there and back. While waiting for the bus we went to Alpina’s. This is a bar-not as Americans think of a bar. It severs pastries and café. It also serves vino (wine) beer. We ordered espresso. On to the bus stop. There we met Liz, Jenna, Jacky and Kris; four girls also at CIMBA. In Bassano we toured around the old walled city. We visited the Alpini, Bassano’s famous bridge due to its architecture and that it was been rebuilt several times because of flooding. We also visited a ceramic’s museum displaying a lot of plates but also neat sculptures- most were painted in neat shades of color. Lunch was somewhere in the mix. I had a panini. We also stopped for a café and relaxed in a little shop for a while-then the museum. We returned to Paderno on the 6:30 bus. After unloading our goods we ran into Dr Ringlab- the guy in charge of this whole thing and asked for a good restaurant to eat. He suggested Da Bessie’s which is about a 20 minute walk but ever so worth it. I had a pizza with ham and olives and artichokes and mushrooms- each on its own quarter of the pie- no mixing allowed. It is a really good family atmosphere restaurant. We walked back and called it a night.
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01/19/09

01/19/09

Mood: here for the ride. Time: 20:30 (8.30 pm) Location: on campus in my dorm room.

We met up in the lobby of the hotel at 10.30 for check out. They allowed us to store our baggage there while we went to the supermarket, which is attached to the building, for breakfast. After we ate on some sidewalk benches we headed back to the hotel to call a taxi to take us to the station. Once there we met up with some CIMBA (pronounced Chimba) students to travel to Bassano Del Grappa to ride the bus to Paderno Del Grappa. I settled in and unpacked before heading to dinner then to our welcome orientation. I am tired and still jet lagged so I'm going to call it an early night.

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01/18/09

01/18/09

I landed in Frankfort at about 8:30 in the morning. Wondering around a strange airport

looking for some one you have never met in person can be quite stressful. The flight had not hiccups though. I wondered around Frankfort international looking for Amy for about a hour until finally I went through customs on my own. At my gate I met a guy from U. Delaware and we got to talked. I wanted to call home so I had to buy an hour of time. I did so at a little eatery in the terminal area. The guy and I cut up a little because I used my button dialer phone. I called and checked in with the family. After I packed it all up and went back to the gate Guess who was waiting for me—Amy. The three of us took a taxi from the airport to Hotel defino. Amy and I were at this hotel and Eric was at a different one. We settled in our roomS before meeting up in her room. We went down stairs after unsuccessfully accessing the internet. There, we ran into Chealsie (Chelsea) and Diana, roommates of Amy. I Hung out with them for a while before getting ready to go to Venice Island. It was about a 10 maybe 15 minutes bus ride by public transport and the pick up and drop off was right in front of our hotel. We bought tickets at the hotel desk and walked across the street to catch the bus. Upon our arrival we proceeded to walk around a small section of the Grand Canal. The only thing open was this really small restaurant. The chef was extremely rude to Chealsie because the Americano did not like what she ordered. He also did not have a take away box for the Americano. Needless to say my first authentic Italian meal was not that great. We bussed back to our hotel. There we met a girl named Blair who was the 4^th roommate of Amy's. I said hello for a few minutes then said goodnight.

01-17-09

01-17-09

Mood: little tired, little antsy Location: Some where over the Atlantic Ocean Time: 9.38pm CST. 3.38am In Frankfort Germany.

Woke up running this morning cause today's the day. The day I fly to Italy for 3 months. I finished packing and we loaded up and headed to the Atlanta Airport. I got checked in and we headed for a restaurant in the Atrium for something to drink and rest for a few minutes. We said our good byes and security and I went in. I had to take the train to concurs "E" for international flights. By the time I had arrived at the gate I had about 10 minutes to spare before having to load. In those 10 minutes I told Kathryn good bye because I had not seen her all week. On the plane I called my parents to tell them I made it and I text Rachel good bye. I am so ready to land in Germany and get off this plane.

I'd like to say Thank you to every one who called, text, or said a few words. It means a lot to me.