Ciao Bello!

Italy was absolutely amazing!  It was so beautiful.  (Words can’t even describe the pasta, pizza, and wine!)  We spent our first night at the CUTEST Italian hostel.  It was called “Bed and Breakfast Tony.”  Uncle Tony, as we liked to call him, picked us up from the airport and literally spoke no English.  He was the sweetest old Italian man ever though; he had breakfast waiting for us in the morning and he even picked us flowers.  He gave us directions on how to venture on to Venice (in Italian!) and we got there with no problem surprisingly. 

At first glance, Venice was obviously too good to be true.   

However, it wouldn’t be normal in the life of Traveling Hannah unless something went wrong!  We wandered forever looking for our hostel only to get there and receive a very pleasant surprise.  First of all, there is absolutely no sign on the door at all that says anything about it being a hostel.  We ring the door bell and an Asian man (wearing no socks) answers the door.  We say hi and ask if this is the hostel.  He waves us in, but rudely shushes us and tells us he is on the phone.  When he gets off the phone he brokenly explains that he speaks no English or Italian.  (Or German)  He proceeds to tell us that the owner of the hostel is on vacation and specifically told him not to bother him.   He then adds that they accidentally overbooked and essentially we can’t stay there.  However he can have a friend come pick us up in his van, take us to his dorm outside the city, and we can stay there. 

ARE YOU JOKING ME?  

We took our bags and ran.

Now no longer having a reservation for a hotel or hostel on Easter Weekend makes things a little difficult.  We finally found a hotel  though and even though we had to pay a lot more, it was pretty nice.  Big couches, cheesy chandeliers, pastel colors; we were basically Italian royalty. 

That was really the only negative, besides a little rain.  

Other than that I have only the best to say about Italy.  I think the beautiful pictures prove that!

St. Mark's Square

 

  

   

  

  

<3

School so far is wonderful; not what I was expecting though.  Since my German competency isn’t that great, (shocking) I’m actually only in class with other Americans/Native English speakers, and Asian kids.  No Germans :(

 So, I am not really as immersed in the culture as I thought I would be.  

But seriously though,  this language is a lot harder than I thought!  Everyone speaks so fast!  Will I improve? Yes, of course.  Will I be fluent? Hahahahahahaha.  I like my classes and teachers though, so overall everything is fabulous. 

I’m leaving for the Netherlands Thursday after class.  Amsterdam to be specific!  Should be another beautiful time. :)   

Oh and…ITS ALMOST MY BIRTHDAY!

Tschüs!

Hannah