When in Rome...

...say "buon giorno" to the Pope!

Wednesday, May 21st

Today, we got up early to hit up the Vatican for the Papal Audience. TIP: They hand out tickets like free candy, but that doesn't mean that you have a spot saved. Get there early, so you can snag a chair by the fence. The Pope will drive by the fence once or twice, smiling and waving and who knows? Maybe it'll be your baby he'll stop to kiss, or your hand he'll high five. Once he makes it to the steps of the church, every pilgrimage group is announced and welcomed in every language represented. This takes about an hour. Then, the Pope will give his address. First, he reads it, then he thanks his peeps. Then it is translated.  Then he thanks his peeps. And the address is translated again and again, language by language. This takes a little over an hour. We left after it was translated in English, to beat the crowds for lunch (always a good choice). However, the ceremony ends with the Our Father in Italian (or Latin? - Obviously, I wasn't there - which now that I think about is kind of sad). For the prior Popes, this service usually took place in an auditorium that seats 2000. However, Pope Francis is so popular, they do it on the steps of the church, to make way for the hundreds of thousands that gather weekly. The crowds were overwhelming. More on that later. The address itself was beautiful. I have included the translation because I can that's why:

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the seven gifts of the "Holy Spirit, we now consider the gift of knowledge. Through this spiritual gift, we are enabled to see every person, and the world around us, in the light of God's loving plan. In a sense, we see the beauty, harmony and goodness of all creation with the eyes of God its maker. As is clear from the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and so many other saints, the gift of knowledge gives rise to grateful contemplation of the world of nature and joyful praise of the Creator. The perspective given by this spiritual gift leads us to respect God's gift of creation and to exercise wise stewardship of its resources for the benefit of the whole human family. It also prevents us from restricting our vision to the persons and things of this world alone, forgetting that in their order, value and beauty they point beyond themselves to God, their source and ultimate end. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us grow in the knowledge which enables us to perceive the love with which God guides the world, to respond with gratitude and to praise him for his infinite goodness and love."
http://www.news.va/en/news/general-audience-21-may-2014

This was relevant and striking to me because A) hello - I'm in college. Acquiring knowledge is kinda my thing right now. Also, B) in the Vatican Museum, we saw Raphael's Rooms and one in particular related to the sermon. Our tour guide told us that the walls of The Room of the Segnatura, (which had once been a library), were painted (by Raphael) to represent the sides of knowledge. Google tells me its actually the sides of the human spirit. But perhaps they are one and the same. Raphael represents Truth, Good and Beauty through scenes of Philosophy, Theology and Justice. Whatever. I found new understanding of the sermon through them.

At the end of the tour, we stepped inside the Sisteen Chapel. You know, that one that Michealangelo painted as though gravity didn't exist? And I was so excited. And it was so beautiful. And I still can't believe I saw it in person. And that it was one person painted it so so long ago. And I now understand all the hype about lapis lazuli. And I was so looking forward to a moment of silent reverence.

But tourists suck.

And I KNOW I'm a tourist too. So I guess we suck. But still. It is probably more of a societal problem than an individual's problem, because this is how it is everywhere. Nationalities intermix and gather to experience a bit of the world we should all have ownership of as human beings, and instead we just can't respect each other because we get overstimulated and shut everyone out, talking loudly as though we're the only people in the world. When the Pope gave his address in Italian, all of the Americans talked like nothing was going on - just tuned it out and snapped one hundred pictures. When the sermon was in English, the Italians spoke loudly and snapped their own pictures (perhaps to get back at us). And when everyone enters the Sisteen chapel, after ceaseless warnings about having to be quiet and not being allowed to take pictures in there, everyone still pushed and shoved and talked like it was 4th grade recess. And what is this societal obsession with having to take pictures of everything always anyway? No one cares if you got a hundred pictures of the Pope. You were not even looking at the man because you were too busy trying to balance the camera higher than the rest of people shooting their arms up in the air. It is like their lives depend on being one of the hundreds of thousands of people to get to take a picture of him today. I could barely see him for the arms. Like I said - I don't judge the individuals. It is a societal problem. But part of that problem is that people's obsession with documenting experiences end up highly detracting from the experiences of others (if you come to hear the Papal Audience, you should be able to hear and see the Papal Audience). We do all have ownership of this world, but it must be ownership in a way that connects us.

Ok, there is my rant. I just hate crowds (introvert). But I guess that's what I get for visiting a place that is just so unabashedly amazing.

Anyway. There are extreme perks to being a part of a touring choir. Tonight, we sang in literally the MOST BEAUTIFUL church I have ever been in in my life. You may have heard of it. Saint Peter's Basilica? Yeah. That one. Though Pope Francis didn't end up making it to this Mass, we still had an incredible experience. We sat in the choir section, which is near the front of the church and which is also the most beautiful part. General visitors are not allowed that close - and I believe they have to pay to visit. I almost cried at least ten times. And I'm a pretty stoic person when it comes to things like this. That's how beautiful it was. And Saint Peter is literally buried underneath it. How cool is that? The literal rock of the Christian Church. And there's the Pieta of course. Wow. Michelangelo actually did these things. And they are right where I was standing. I'm not much of a materialist most of the time, but seeing these amazing pieces of history... it physically changed me.

Buon giorno!

The school year has come to a close, research papers are completed, many of my friends have graduated, and I've started rehearsal for my summer job at Bare Bodkins Shakespeare Company. However my life is on hold for a moment, giving way to music, worship, and tasty deliciousness. The University of Sioux Falls Concert Chorale has arrived in Italy.

To prepare myself for these adventures, I've been rereading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. And I found the following excerpt particularly relative to my travel experiences. The first line of the chapter is, "Truthfully, I'm not the best traveler in the world" (Gilbert, pg. 40). It is a shocking start for the reader who is thus far under the impression that this world renowned traveler and writer would have it all together. She admits her "faults" as a traveler - she often doesn't do any research prior to traveling, she lacks an internal compass, her stomach is not of steel, and she has a tendency to appear flustered when she is flustered.

Some of these faults I share - particularly in the research department. I try to cover this fault up with the face for adventure, but really I'm just kind of lazy/busy. Though I love adventure anyway - don't get me wrong! But it was nice to hear these "faults" from a fellow world traveler. My mistakes often happen to cost money. At least I've ever repeated one of these specific mistakes, per say (I think) - it just turns out that there's a lot of opportunity to make new mistakes. Who knew?

For example. TIP: When the prices for fish or steak on a European menu appear too good to be true, they are. If the fish says it costs six euros, it doesn't mean that you only get to pay six euros. It probably more likely means that you get to pay six euros per gram. Don't let your empty stomach and that spirit of adventure fool you. Woops.

But I don't let myself get upset about things like that anymore (at least not for more than an hour). You can't let small mishaps ruin a day, or even a week, when you're having an adventure (called LIFE). Pretty much I just pay the bill, learn the lesson, and move on. Also, TIP: When in doubt, just order the pizza. 

Anyway. My favorite part of the chapter of Eat, Pray, Love was what Gilbert said after she listed all her faults:

"Still despite all this, traveling is the great true love of my life. I have always felt...that to travel is worth any cost or sacrifice. I feel about travel the way a happy new mother feels about her impossible, colicky, restless newborn baby--I just don't care what it puts me through. Because I adore it. Because it's mine Because it looks exactly like me." (Gilbert, pg. 41)

I didn't realize until I read it that that's exactly how I feel about travel. You may have noticed that I have a small case of wanderlust. However, I take it one step further. Travel (and maybe this could still be compared to a baby - I wouldn't know) has not only taught me incredible things about myself, but also about the world. A few of the people I'm traveling with are first time pond crossers. Though we've only been here a day, its been cool to see these people confront the world in an entirely different culture than their own. I didn't even realize how much I've picked up in my travels by way of knowledge about etiquette, history, and language until I found myself answering questions, telling stories and simply enacting the things I've learned for them.

But the biggest thing I've learned is how little I truly will never ever know. Also, I've learned that tour groups are awesome (thanks, Dr. D-K!). Yay not having to plan things!

Today, we were given an introductory walking tour of Rome. We threw coins in the Trevi Fountain, saw the Egyptian Sun Dial, basked in the beauty of the Pantheon, ate the best bruschetta (pronounced: brew-skeh-tah), and generally stuffed our faces with pasta, beef, potatoes, mutton, panna cotta, and wine (OH the wine!). I tried to show off my knowledge of Italian goodness and introduce my friends to the glories of Italian hot chocolate (cioccolata calda - nectar of the GODS), but apparently its out of season. I guess it is summer in the rest of the world. Maybe South Dakota will catch up while we're gone. We had amazing and worldly dinner conversations and Dannika and I practiced our Italian (and she her Spanish) with the locals. Despite my fish failure, I'd call it an over all successful day. I am so happy to be here. I also brought my devotional book. This trip will not only refresh my spirit of adventure, but also my spirit in the Lord.

Ciao, bella!

Post-Study-Abroad-Culture-Shock-Syndrome

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” 
― Robert Frost

Pay close attention to the "real feel" temperature."

I've officially been home for one month now and it's been a whirlwind of transition. At this moment, as South Dakota's temperatures have met near record lows (note the "real feel" temperature in the photo to the left), I'm missing sunny Greece more than ever.

The month before leaving Greece, I started to get really hyped up about dealing with the post-abroad-culture-shock. I tried to prepare myself in every way possible: telling myself what it would be like, talking about it, scheduling future coffee dates with friends, researching coping strategies, and reading other blogs. But in the end, it was simultaneously smoother and more shocking than I could have expected.

On the one hand, South Dakota has been my home my entire life. My body knows what it is like to live here. The cold was not much of an adjustment for me. The culture here is everything I have grown up with. My first trip back to Walmart was just like my last trip to Walmart. Whatever. But on the other hand, everything has a slight different color. The taste in my mouth is off.

My second day home, I stopped at a friend's house for a cup of coffee and to see a couple people. Everyone was very sweet, asking me to teach them a few Greek words and what it was like being back. But it wasn't long until our faces became glued to a Facebook newsfeed. Conversation turned to everything I've missed since I've been gone. It suddenly overwhelmingly felt like I never went to Greece, but like I had rather been in a coma for 4 months. I began to grasp what this particular brand culture shock would be like and I actually started to cry a little bit. We didn't talk about it though - I couldn't unscramble what was going on in my head. The next day, I went home to my parent's house for Christmas where I got wrapped up in preparing for the holidays and didn't really touch the subject of Greece again. Every other coffee date following felt like an investigation on my part to discover what all had happened since I'd been in my abroad adventures/undead coma. My friends aren't the same and I'm not the same. I dyed my hair blonde to try mirror my internal changes. Probably a horrible decision on my part, but whatever. It could be a limb.

Family Christmas. :)
Me - Matt - Liz

I had my first day back at school today and though I'm super stoked to see my friends, there is a part of me that still feels a little lost. I keep wanting to ask people how their summer was - as though Fall semester at USF didn't happen. But it definitely happened. Without me. Which is ok. Probably the best and worst way in which I changed from my time in Greece was the realization of how incredibly small I am. In my perspective, in my endeavors, even in my size (if we're looking at like, the universe I mean). I say the "worst" not because it is a bad thing, but only because it is hard, you know - letting go of one's ego. Even though it's for the better. The only negative result is that I'm finding it a little more difficult to relate to people at the moment. But I'm sure that will pass soon, once everything gets back in full swing. My roommate tells me I'm much more mature than I used to be. Another friend said I'm much more "Zen." Perhaps the two go hand in hand.

Anna and I on our last plane home.

But I'm all settled in my new lovely little apartment in which I have a comfortable bed (FINALLY) and lots of personal space, kitchen utensils, and quiet time. After living out of a suitcase for three and a half months, I've been learning a lot more about how much we actually need. TIP: It's not a whole lot. And makes moving/cleaning/organizing much easier then it has been in the past. However, I'm still struggling to simplify my daily life quite as much. I forgot how scheduled everything in the States is! Even on days when I only have a couple of errands to run, the pressure of time still makes me grind my teeth and that "Zen" quality is slowly being chipped away. No idea why that is, but I've started doing Yoga. Thanks, America.

*twenty four hours later*

First day touring with University Singers and it was great! Though it was weird to walk around campus later and not be recognized or know who people were. Trust me - it's a very small school to not recognize others in... though I'm sure the new hair color doesn't help much. People assume I'm a transfer student. :) However, in general, things are going much more in the up and up. But I still think it's important to share what I wrote yesterday as a resource for what post-study-abroad-culture-shock-syndrome can feel like. TIP: I'm told the best way of coping is by writing about it and talking about it. Again, I thank you all so much for reading! Perhaps I'll get around to sharing my experiences from Turkey and Epidaurus someday - I really hope I do. But for now, I'm back in the theater and choir and preparing for KCACTF and the Spring Semester. Started a new book with my sibling book club and planning on going home to see my parents much more often this semester. Things are really looking quite good. :)

All my love,
Debbi

PS: My friend Mariah made a video collage of studying abroad from her perspective. She's got some gorgeous footage if you're interested!

αντίο μέχρι την επόμενη φορά (goodbye until next time)

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” 

― Heraclitus

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” 
― Ernest Hemingway

Finals are done, bags are packed, yogurt bucket is empty, blogs are NOT finished being written, but I'm ready for one last night in Greece before we board the bus at 4am tonight. I say tonight because in Greece on a Friday night, 4am isn't even bedtime yet. I certainly don't plan on sleeping. :) I've been having a lot of trouble organizing my thoughts around the last stretch of my time here. Ever since our trip to Turkey, it's been a whirlwind of people and experiences. And I also may have been suffering from a small case of TDDD. The fact that this time tomorrow, I'll already be on an entirely different continent kinda blows my mind. Did you know the world was that small? I sure didn't.

I've heard that it's a lot harder to come home from being abroad than it is to adapt to the foreign culture. Maybe because you don't expect your home to change while you're gone. Or maybe because you don't realize how much you've changed. But I think it'll be just fine. I can at least say that I like myself much better now than I did before I left. 

So thank you, Greece, for that. Thank you for teaching me about being honest all the time. For proving to me how rewarding it can be to talk to strangers. For showing me how it's ok not to have a plan. For feeding me delicious things. For the generous and affectionate spirits who I've been lucky enough to cross paths with. For putting my legs to use. For simplifying my life. For introducing me to the rest of the world. For the sunshine that is unique to only you. For every person I've befriended and even just encountered. I'm so glad to have met you and I will never be the same. 

Goodbye Greece. Until next time. 

Upcoming Blogs  :) 

• Istanbul, Turkey - Thanksgiving Weekend
• Epidaurus - The Final Frontier 
• Welcome Back!
• What to Pack on Your Study Abroad Adventure

The Belly Button of the World

Me and the Belly Button

On November 23rd, the study abroad team took us on my favorite excursion yet - Delphi! In ancient times, this city was viewed as the center of the earth. It is said that Zeus sent his two eagles out to fly around the earth to determine the center of earth - aka, Dephi. Aka, the Naval. Aka, the belly button of the world (it's an outie)! Supposedly, when you rub the stone marking the naval, you become wise. I'll let you know how well that works when my grades come back.

The Remains of Apollo's Temple

"Pythia"
Painting by
John Collier

However, Dephi is perhaps better known by the temple of Apollo and the home of the oracle, or Pythia. The Pythia was usually a young virgin woman chosen from village of Dephi who prophesied the future (via Apollo) to rich people nine days out of the year.  Our tour guide told us that Apollo chose women to be his oracles as a way to apologize to Mother Earth or something. I used to always have this idea that Ancient Greeks had respect for women because they were the oracles. However, fun fact, the temple sits right over a chasm (note the crack in the painting above) which, long long ago, used to emit methane. Which would make the person sitting above this chasm for hours on end a little disturbed, I guess. And then, not only were the priestesses basically high while they prophesied, but their mangled up words were also then smoothed out through an interpreter. These male interpreters often just made up something vague, but leaning towards their political advantage. Supposedly, Aesop was murdered for calling the interpreters the "parasites of Apollo."

Greek Kitty in Arachova
AKA Anna's Spirit Animal

Today was also Anna's birthday. After the excursion (and an AMAZING meal in the ski resort town of Arachova), we celebrated her golden year with bread pudding, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and the best beer ever. 

The time to return to the States is approaching faster then ever! Anna and I compiled a list of some of the things we will miss the most from our study abroad experience:

• Our friends Jess and Carissa
• Greek Yogurt
• Living with Anna
• Cooking for Eachother
• Sharing Groceries
• Learning How to Cook
• Coffee Date Mondays with Greek Friends
• Gyros 
• Freddo Cappucinos
• Year Round Farmer's Market
• Daily Devotional with Anna
• Speaking Greek
• Greek Hospitality
• Walking Everywhere
• Public Transportation
• THE WEATHER (It was 48 degrees yesterday... I was shivering)
• Living Simply with Little Stuff
• Anna will miss School/Learning - it's her last semester of college!
• Being Bums 
• Professors
• Deree's Library
• Cheap Flights Anywhere in Europe
• Not Having Data Everywhere
• Living in a Dorm?

But there are a lot of people and things I am looking forward to as well. Until then however, I'll be busy focusing on our list. Anna's twin, Sarah, has been visiting us the last couple weeks. We've showed her the magic of Greek Yogurt, gyros, and Greek Coffee and she came to Istanbul with us! Today, I'm showing her the National Gardens and Parliament. Turkey blog coming soon! Thank you for keeping up with me on this journey. :)

London

“When it's three o'clock in New York, it's still 1938 in London.” 

― Bette Midler

Some of my friends from Midwest Ambassadors of Music
Zermatt, Switzerland 2007

The first (and only other) time I've been in London was on the 2007 Midwest Ambassadors of Music European Tour. Approximately 200 of we young musicians hit up seven European countries and performed in all sorts of spaces from gorgeous cathedrals, to serene parks, to town squares, to assembly halls. An incredible experience that has changed my life and for which I am eternally grateful. And London was our first stop. After the tour, despite everywhere we had gone and everything we had seen, my (to this day) best friend and I couldn't get London off our minds. We immediately began plans to spend a post-graduate year abroad together in London.  But as time went by and the real world became, well - real - this plan sort of faded away. The last few years, I couldn't even remember why we had made that plan anyway. What was so great about London?

BFF and I at Windsor Castle 2007

TRUST ME I REMEMBERED. 

Guys. I love London. I love the culture, I love the history, I love the theater, I love the accents, I love the public transportation, I LOVE THE ARCHITECTURE, I love the breakfast, I love tea time, I love the free art museums, I love the churches, I love the cider. I could totally live in London.

When all of the study abroad students first arrived in Athens, a major topic of conversation was heritage. Funny how important your ancestors become when you are outside of the States. I'm very German, a little Irish, a smidgen of Black Dutch, and am somehow related to some sort of royalty somewhere in the Whales. But I often find myself forgetting about those things, looking right back to the Mayflower, and thinking I'm English. 

Anyway. About our trip. A HUGE shout out and thank you to Anna's sister, Amy, who studied abroad in London a few years back and practically planned our entire tour for us. You're the best! We arrived in London late at night, and took a bus and a train from Luton Airport to Kings Cross Station where Anna and I wandered the area in search of our hostel. This is actually the first time we have had to stay in a real hostel. For some reason, I've always pictured hostels as looking something like the hospital room in Harry Potter, but more like a big gym-type room, several little beds, curtains around them...

Expectation...

Reality

Now, add the bags, garbage, and other various belongings of nine girls to the second image. Anna and I arrived at our new home well past midnight, trying our best to squeeze through the rubbish, unpack a little bit, and climb into the bunks making as little noise as possible. It was a place to sleep and occasionally shower (when I was feeling brave enough) and was super conveniently located. But, the few occasions we did spend time (again, squeezing) in the community room to use the internet, we had a fascinating opportunity to observe many other travelers from all over the world - Spain, France, Denmark, USA, Japan, etc. So cool! What was weird, however, was that it seemed like a lot of the residents never really left the building.... ever. Morning and night, the hostel was full of the same people eating, drinking, watching movies, sleeping, etc. I regret never getting a chance to ask anyone what they were up to in London in the first place - something I'll just have to be curious about.

Anyway. London is amazing. Right.

Day 1 (Saturday)
First thing in the morning (maybe 5 hours of sleep?) we grabbed some pb&j's (HEAVEN), purchased Oyster cards and hopped on the tube headed towards Covent Gardens to stand in line at Cambridge Theater for £5 student rush tickets to Matilda the Musical. TIP: If you're planning on spending a few days in London, buy an Oyster card for the tube. They cost £5 and are a super convenient way to get around. AND at the end of your stay, you can sell the Oyster card back! At the theater, we stood in line behind two girls who are studying abroad in Dublin. So fun to talk to them and compare experiences! One girl is from Pennsylvania and the other from Norway. Heritage played a big part in this conversation also as Anna is SUPER Norwegian. Did you know they have three more letters in their alphabet? After a two hour's freezing wait in line, we were extra lucky and got 2 of the last 3 tickets to that nights performance - with excellent seats. Thank you, God.

Then, we hopped back on the tube and headed to Victoria Station to meet my cousin Hillary! I haven't seen her in a few years - what a blessing.

FUN FACT: London is only one square mile. We spent most of the rest of our weekend walking. From Victoria, we headed up the road toward Buckingham Palace (you know... the Queen's house) where a huge crowd was beginning to gather. Have you heard of Group Psychology? It's a real thing. We had no idea what was going on, but thinking it MUST be cool, we joined the crowd. As more and more people began to join, we started to overhear many people asking the same questions we were thinking. Somehow, the rumor began and the group decided it MUST be that the Queen was going to do something. We got excited, and spent maybe 30 minutes in anticipation.

It was the changing of the guards. Every other day during the low season from 11:30-12, the guards parade from their barracks down the road and enter the palace, one group at a time. Cool.... but not worth the crowds. It took us another 30 minutes to simply get across the street. Oofta.

Next, we explored Picadilly Circus, had some traditional English Breakfast (AMAZING), and checked out an adorable Christmas store called Fortnum and Masons. Seriously... it felt like Harry Potter. Then, Hillary bid us farewell at the British Museum. It was incredible to get to see her and learn about her experiences in England! There, we checked out some more amazing Renaissance paintings and statues and even some marble remnants from the Acropolis. The coolest thing we saw was the Rosetta Stone. Then, we checked out the National Gallery. So much beautiful art and most of the museums are free - how cool is that?! On a side note, I love going to museums with an art minor! Before the play, we explored Covent Gardens and the market - SO CUTE (and SUPER Christmasy... I love it). There were new street performing acts going on every half hour.

Matilda was freaking amazing. It felt SO GOOD to be back in the theater again (and have it be in English). Anna and I felt so at home. This entire study abroad experience has been a definite reinforcement of my calling in the theater.

Day 2 (Sunday)

Look! It's Big Ben!

On Sundays, London theaters normally either take a day off, or the show is so good that they've been sold out for weeks. So today was a day of exploring London. First things first, we checked out "Platform 9 3/4"... which was not actually filmed between Platforms 9 and 10 as they are not even adjacent to each other. However, there is a cute monument to 9 3/4 where you can take a picture pushing a cart through the brick wall for free. Then, we headed to Parliament Square, home of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Parliament.

Then, we crossed the bridge by the London Eye and stumbled upon a charming (CHRITSMASY) riverside market. Sooo many fun markets. Another reason I love London.

After some tasty street brats, we crossed back over and nature watched in St. James Park (home of pelicans, swans and other fancy birds). Then, we relaxed some more over a nice hot cup of tea, bread pudding and scones before Evensong. TIP: Getting into Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral is spendy. If you want to see the inside for free AND get an incredible spiritual experience WHILE listening to a choir sing beautifully, attend the Evensong services - daily and only maybe an hour long.

We finished the night by walking the Tower Bridge, watching people skate at the Tower of London, and enjoying some delicious cider ale and fish and chips. We stopped back by Picadilly Circus to see if we maybe wanted to catch a movie, but decided to call it a night.

Day 3 (Monday) 

Globe Theater Stage

We started our day at St. Paul's Cathedral and then crossed the famous Millennial Bridge toward the Tate Modern Art Museum (FREE!) and the Globe Theater and exhibition. Apparently, it was also national field trip day - so many little school children everywhere. The Globe was the only tour we paid for and was worth every pence (ha). To our total disappointment however, we were not allowed to climb up onto the stage and recite. Boo. Fun fact: The Globe Theater and the Royal Shakespeare Company are actually RIVAL theater companies. Some day, I'll get to see both groups perform...

Note to Self: NEVER forget to pack granola bars EVER. Seriously, hangry is a real thing and sometimes, not even the English eating schedule can stop it. We headed over to Borough Market for lunch (at the recommendation of my dear friend Lizzie, who studied in London this summer) which is a more eclectic market. However, being the off season in London, it was limited mostly to fresh produce rather then food food. So, we hit up a delicious Indian restaurant around the corner. London is well known for its fabulous Indian dining. YUM.

Afterwards, it was time for the Evensong Service at Saint Paul's. Absolutely gorgeous. Then, we took the tube across town to try and check out the V&A (free) before it closed, but didn't get much time. We headed back to Victoria Station to relax over Cornish Pasties and coffee before tonight's show, Billy Elliot. It was also fantastic... I may have cried a little bit.

Outside Saint Paul's Cathedral

Victoria Palace Theater

The entire trip was so surreal. I forgot all about school in Athens... we were totally in the moment the entire time. 19 days left of study abroad. Thanks for keeping up with my experiences! 

The Two Ladies in Verona

Let's rewind a minute. March, 2013. Anna and I are sitting down to lunch in Old Chicago. We order bruschetta and pizza - half Hawaiian, half Margarita. It was this monumental meal that brought me here. When I walked into the restaurant, I never thought I'd be spending the next semester of school in Athens, Greece. In fact, I had never even heard of this school. While in Old Chicago, as we were discussing this opportunity, we mused about how we could take a weekend in Italy, order more pizza there, and muse about how awesome studying abroad is. 

Boom. Done. 

Emailing Juliet!
Wonder if she'll reply...

Verona, Italy. The setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and parts of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Local legend has it that Romeo and Juliet were real people. If so, I recited Juliet's monologue off of her real balcony, read the graffiti in her actual tomb, and ate at the restaurant that was supposedly once Romeo's house (which was merely a couple blocks away from Juliet's.... yeah, right). Rest assured, Anna and I also wrote our letters to Juliet and left them on the wall under her balcony, took a picture rubbing her right breast for good luck, and even wrote her an email while touring her house (who knew she was so high tech?!). The email read something like this:

Dear Juliet,

Do it girl. Deny thy father. That Romeo Efron is a HUNK.

Love, Anna and Debbi

PS: You do know he was in love with Rosalie, right? Can anyone say, rebound?!

Other than where we were going to sleep and how we were going to get there, Anna and I really didn't have any plans for our stay in Verona. Originally, we were going to spend the weekend exploring Cinque Terre on the coast, but the more we travel, the more we are discovering how difficult it is when you are on your own (and Cinque Terre appears to be a very difficult place to get to). When we first begun our study abroad experience, I temporarily objected to the various tours I've been on. "There wasn't time to immerse oneself within the  culture," I thought to myself. "And most people didn't even care about the monuments and sights we were touring. Isn't it much better to explore on your own?" I assure you, those idiot thoughts were brief. Though there is definitely a LOT of merit in going places on your own and a lot more opportunity to experience culture that way, I'm right back to being incredibly grateful for the knowledgeable and gracious people who have introduced me to every culture, country, and historical place I have experienced, and all at my leisure of not having to plan anything. 

So yeah. ANYWAY. We went to Verona and stayed there the whole time because it was simple and relaxing. However, fun fact, the simplicity of traveling to Verona and its marketable association with Shakespeare's tragic duo makes this city a very popular spot for couples. However, Northern Italy is not popular for speaking English. So, unfortunately, the closest thing to a friend that we made was a really adorable puppy inside a gelato place. However, we did see practically every site and museum there is to see in Verona. And drank Italian hot chocolate like it was nobody's business.

TIP: Italian hot chocolate is, in fact, the true nectar of the Gods. Screw Italian pizza and pasta and whatever else they supposedly have to offer. It all pales in comparison. If I could have spent the weekend drinking only hot chocolate and eating gelato, I would have. And I never would have discovered its glory if I hadn't Googled "Things to Do in Italy." 

The extent to which dinner customs vary from place to place kind of blows my mind a little. Before coming to Italy, I was expecting the culture to be relatively similar to the Greek culture. I mean, I've been pretty classically trained on the Italian culture from my time working at Olive Garden (ha), but it is all still Mediterranean, right? But what I actually discovered was that I had no idea what was going on. When we landed in Italy, we took a bus to the train station, the train to Verona, and a cab to our b&b (La Buchetta - highly recommend!). By the time we got there, it was 8 pm, dark and we were starving (apparently, right on time for Italian dinner!). Claudio, the owner, gave us directions to a nearby pizzeria which seemed simple enough... but resulted in Anna and I wandering around the sleepy residential area of Verona for maybe an hour before we found it. We ordered a pizza to split and a glass of the best wine I've even had in my life. We sat back, relaxed and were grateful to be here. But, when we got the pizza, I had a mini panic attack. How do Italians eat pizza?! It came to us cut in half, on two separate plates and wasn't sliced. And neither of us were sitting at an angle where we could see other people eating their pizza. My vision of relaxing and musing over Italian pizza fell apart. I wanted to eat it right - respectfully. From what I've heard, mealtime in Italy is a sacred event. 

However, looking back, I'm reminded of the wise words of my wonderful friend and advisor, Kim: "Pride'll kill ya. You aren't nearly as important as you think you are." I'm sure my pizza would have tasted way better if I had had those words in mind. Also, they appear to eat pizza with knife and fork. 

The rest of our time in Verona was much more pleasant, though we still didn't necessarily have a clear idea of what we were doing. The next morning, when Anna and I got on the bus with no idea how to purchase tickets (tickets for public transportation are similar to Greece - do it yourself and occasionally get checked), we had an adorable encounter with an old Italian man who didn't speak any English. Like I said, Northern Italy is notorious for not having a lot of English available - on signs, in museums, and in the people. So, when I asked this man for help to work the ticket machine, and he responded in Italian, I expected to perhaps just wait for the next person to come along. But no. Instead, he continued to speak to me in Italian, took my money, asked other people on the bus to help exchange our money for the correct change and showed us how to work the machine. While I continued to stand there smiling with my palms up, eyebrows raised and saying "uhhhh." It was a hilarious and incredible experience in cross-cultural communication. 

Once we got the bus system down, all of Verona was at our finger tips. We wandered into every art museum, explored the castles, recited in the arenas and theaters, lit candles in gorgeous churches, and hiked in the hills. TIP: In Verona, on the first Sunday of every month, tickets to get into most museums are only 1€. If you don't happen to visit on that day, get a Verona pass - one pass/price for all the major museums and sights. ;)

One month left of our study abroad experience. Though I'm getting ready to be home, see my loved ones, get back in the theater, and have access to the rest of my closet.... I'm scared and sad to be leaving Greece soon. Who knows when or if I'll get to come back here and see my friends and experience this culture again? In preparation for our upcoming departure, I will be spending my time eating as much Greek yogurt and souvlaki with my new friends as physically possible. If only that pesky homework wasn't getting in the way...

In other news, I'll be on my way to London for the weekend in the next couple hours. It'll be nice to have a couple days in a place where everything is in English. :) We'll be spending time seeing shows and exploring the city with my lovely cousin Hillary. I can hardly wait! We also just booked plane tickets to see Istanbul, Turkey over Thanksgiving break. Stay tuned and thank you for reading!