Comin' home!

Friends, this will be my final post.

Ugh.

We had our one final farewell hoorah at Archi's last night.

We leave tonight at midnight for Rome. Then from Rome to Frankfurt, and from Frankfurt to the the good ole' U.S. of A.

We'll get into Atlanta around 4 tomorrow.

Where has the time gone? I can't believe it's already time to come home. This has been an experience like I've never had before. I've made great connections with awesome people that I would never have known otherwise. So much laughter, food, adventure, and new experiences all wrapped up into one.

Italy is a wonderful country filled with hard-working proud people. The air constantly smells like pastries (except in Rome, it smells like pee there). The Tuscan landscape is so striking it makes your heart hurt. Everywhere you go there is an impenetrable sense of culture and custom that exudes out of every person, building, and street corner.

I could go on forever, but I have to go pack.

There is a gray cloud over everyone's head today. Lots of somber faces and deep sighs. We know our time here is up, slipped through our fingers despite our efforts to cling tight to every fleeting moment.

Lots of wandering around, trying to spend our last few Euros on last-minute souvenirs and gelato. Oh how I will miss the gelato. I'll never be able to eat Baskin Robbins again....actually that's probably not true.

I will miss this place so much. Montepulciano is now tacked on the list of places I have left a small piece of my heart. I made sure to throw a coin in the Trevi fountain, so it's official. I'll be back. I come home no different than when I left, but somehow I know I'm not the same.

I miss everyone like crazy and I can't wait to see you all!

I really hope no one forgets to get me at the airport tomorrow. That would really be a buzz kill.

Thanks friends

Thank you friends for the onset of comments and bloggerly support.

The photo presentation went spectacularly. We watched all the slideshows after dinner (and wine) so everyone was feeling festive and extra enthusiastic about seeing our photos.

After the presentation the whole group went straight to Archi's to celebrate being done with finals. There was great live music and EVERYONE was breakin' it down. We even got the bartenders to come out from behind the bar and dance. An evening for the books.

Today was our last field trip day, so sad. We stayed in here in Montie and did some local sightseeing. We lost Tempestt at some point during the day.

Seriously, I have no idea where she is.

Tonight is our farewell dinner at the restaurant "Il Trattoria" that the group eats dinner at every night. Everyone gets dressed up for the event, and I also heard a rumor that there will be cake.

I sure hope there's cake.

Anybody out there?

I'm not even sure if anyone is still reading this. But I will continue to write nonetheless, for there is a slim chance that I have avid readers hanging on my every post.

I am sitting in photography class putting together my final photos for the presentation tonight. The whole group will gather after dinner and see everyone's pictures. We have collaborated with the music class to help us put music to our photos. I'm collaborating with a guy named Greg, and he is supposed to help me come up with ideas. I told him I wanted some feel good music like Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" or Joe Cocker's "Feelin' Alright". He just stared at me with a blank look and told me he had never heard of those songs.

And then I punched him.

World Cup

Just got done watching Italy play Paraguay in the World Cup. Jam packed into a tiny covered courtyard on the side of the street with I think every single resident of Montepulciano. There were bleachers set up and the game was projected on the wall. Italian flags strewn all over the streets and clutched in everyone's hands. So much excitement, hysteria, and Italian obscenities. Although I don't understand the rules of the game, I loved watching. And for a moment felt like I was a local, cheering on my dear Italia (No offense America).

The Final Countdown

Hello Friends,

Hayley and I are packing up, we leave early tomorrow morning to head back to Montie.

Yesterday we lounged on the hotel deck stretching over the rocks of the shoreline. We lost count of the scantily clad middle-aged men in their speedos strutting about. Bellies bulging, chest hair gleaming in the Mediterranean sun. Dead sexy. I tried to convince Pawpaw to put on his speedo and join the masses, but he gracefully declined.

We ate lunch in the downtown area and did some window shopping with G and P. Later on we came back to the hotel and Hayley and I napped by the pool until dinner.

For dinner we went to a place in the old harbor that Rick Steves recommended. Great food and atmosphere, except for the Italian opera singer personally serenading (yelling in song) each table. It reminded me so much of Chevy Chase in 3 amigos. If you aren't familiar (and even if you are), PLEASE watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI5KOpv6EMg

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After dinner, wine, and a little lemoncello, we came back to the hotel and passed out.

This morning we took a ferry to Positano. Really cool little town built right into the side of the cliff with everything stacked right on top of each other. We shopped around and ate lunch, then took a taxi back. This afternoon Hayley and I watched a movie in bed before dinner. For dinner we ate at a wonderful restaurant in the square. I am officially addicted to Caprese Salads.

We have been so spoiled this weekend.

And now here we are back at the room, heading back to Montie tomorrow. And I knew this time would come -the final week- I just didn't think it would be so soon.

Oh, woe is me.

Update

I'll try to catch everyone up briefly.

Tuesday we went back to Rome to see the Colosseum, Forum, and Pantheon. Hot and sweaty day, and lots of rushing from place to place and being accosted by Italian fellow twenty-somethings dressed as gladiators.

Wednesday was class, lots of preparation for the final photo presentation next week when all the photo students present their final photos for the whole group. Better get on that.

Today (is it Thursday already?) we went back to Florence. We finally got to go and see The David. Ohhh myyyy goooodness. There is nothing like the sheer perfection and magnificence like this sculpture. I don't even like to refer to it as a sculpture because it's so much more than that. I was/am awestruck and in love.

A million pigeons, 40 Euro, 2 Happy Meals and a train ride later, Hayley and I arrived in Naples. Pawpaw arranged for someone to pick us up and bring us to Sorrento. And here we are! I am drinking a glass of red wine and Hayley is taking a bubble bath. Living the dream.

Sorry this is so lacking on details, I will write more in depth later.

I will leave you with this little nugget:

-Italian Monuments According To Temp (one of my roommates):

1. "Sixteen Chapel"- Sistine Chapel

2. "The Dormo"- Il Duomo

3. "The Forearm"- The Forum

4. "Squat Team"- SWAT Team (I realize this is not a monument but I thought it necessary to post)

Ohh Italia

Over half way done with the trip, less than two weeks left. Where has the time gone?? Ugh I'm not ready to leave!!

We go back to Rome tomorrow for our field trip. It is going to be a hot one. I had two desserts at dinner tonight. Going to have to bust out the elastic waist band sweatpants.

I love this place.