Pretty David/David el guapo

As the Sunday afternoon rain fell and we put our shoes on to go for an unplanned walk, I wondered what was going to be in front of my eyes in the next hour or so.

La lluvia de la tarde dominguera caia, y nosotros nos poniamos nuestros zapatos para ir a caminar sin tener ningun plan. Yo me preguntaba que iba a estar en frente de mis ojos en las siguientes horas

Not knowing what to do, someone mention the idea of going to see Michelangelo's David. The thought of seeing such a historic piece of art with my own eyes seemed to good to be true... but it was about to become true (6.5 euros for admission!? anytime!)

Sin saber que hacer, alguien del grupo menciono la idea de ir a ver al David de Michelangelo. El pensamiento de ver a tal pieza tan historica con mis propios ojos parecia muy buena como para ser verdadera... pero estaba por hacerse realidad (6.5 euros por la entrada!? cuando quieras!?)

Obviously, there are many works of art at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Every sculpture or painting was better than the one before... then we passed to the hall where the unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo are. It was hard to focus on anything but that huge piece of marble in the middle of the room... it was David finally!


Obviamente, hay muchas obras de arte en la Galleria dell'Accademia. Cada escultura o pintura era mejor que la pasada... luego pasamos al cuarto donde se encuentran las esculturas sin terminar de Michelangelo. Era dificilisimo concentrarse en nada que no fuera esa semejante pieza de marmol en medio del cuarto... finalmente, ahi estaba David!


Needless to say, we stared, studied, pondered and admired the huge masterpiece. Its resemblance to a huge human being is just stunning. I could not get enough of it. After looking at him for more than I have ever analyzed any other piece of art, everything else that crossed my sight was almost a joke... Wish I could touch those 500 years of world history on his surface.


Claro, vimos, estudiamos y obvservamos admirados la inmensa obra de arte maestra. Su semejanza a un enorme humano es simplemente impresionante. No nos cansabamos de su perfeccion. Despues de verlo por mas tiempo del que he tratado de analizar y entender una obra, todo lo que vi despues de eso parecia casi una broma... ojala pudiera tocar esos 500 anios de historia mundial que se encuentran en su piel de marmol.


Gonna sleep well tonight, school starts tomorrow!


Voy a dormir muy bien esta noche, a la escuela maniana!








----of course, we had to break the rules and snap some "prohibited" pics!
----- Claro, teniamos que romper las reglas y tomar fotos "prohibidisimas"!

------

no big deal/no gran cosa

So, yesterday we stumbled upon an exhibition... Damien Hirst's "For the Love of God"! The 8 Euro we paid to get in, see the skull and also get a complete tour of the Palazzo Vecchio was worth every single cent.

For the ones who don't know, this piece of art is worth 50 million Euro. No big deal right!? and we were inches away for its shininess!  we will go back and try to take a picture of it.. or even a video (Ocean's eleven style!)

Like I've mentioned before... the city just keeps getting better and better. The adventure has just begun and I feel like time is flying by already! Gotta go to bed cause I have not gotten adjusted to the European time still.

----

Ayer nos encontramos una exibicion... "For the Love of God" de Damien Hirst. Los 8 euros que pagamos para entrar, ver la pieza de arte y ademas dar un tour por todo el Palazzo Vecchio (donde esta la exibicion) valieron cada centavo.

Para los que no saben, esta pieza de arte esta valuada en 50 millones de euros... no gran cosa, verdad? y estuvimos a pulgadas de todo su brillo! vamos a regresar un dia de estos para tomarle foto o video.. al estilo Ocean's Eleven.

Como dije anteriormente... la ciudad solo se pone mejor cada dia! La aventura acaba de empezar y parece que el tiempo ya se nos esta yendo tan rapido! Me tengo que ir a dormir porque aun no me acostumbro al horario de aca y ya es tarde.

Ciao!!

For The Love Of God-----

The first few days/Los primeros dias

We have been in Florence for roughly three days and everything is going just fine for us. We are still suffering a little bit from the jet lag, but are working on the adjustment.

The program that we are with here in Florence is so sweet, it's called Study Abroad Italy and the people who work there have treated us super nice. Their buildings are scattered all throughout the city, which can be a little demanding with all the walking that we have to do but it's totally worth it. Also, out of 220 or so exchange students that came thru SAI, 90% are girls, so the 10% of boys do not have any complaints about that!

We had a cool reception at this very sophisticated and vintage place, it looked like we went back to the 1800s and the food was very different, had a really good time meeting new people and having a free dinner. Later that night (Wednesday) we went out to celebrate our roommate, Evan's birthday, it was a blast!

More orientation meetings and more exploring Florence today!

----
Hemos estado en Florencia por alrededor de tres dias y todo va muy hasta ahora. Todavia estamos sufriendo estragos del cambio de horarios, pero pronto ya estaremos adaptados muy bien.
El programa con el que estamos aqui en Florencia esta super bien, se llama Study Abroad Italy y la gente que trabaja ahi nos ha tratado de maravilla. Los edificios de la escuela estan regados por toda la ciudad de Florencia, lo cual puede ser un poco duro debido a toda la caminada que nos echamos pero vale muchisimo la pena. Tambien, el 90% de los estudiantes de intercambio aqui son mujeres, el restante 10% (los hombres) no tenemos de que quejarnos, por supuesto!

Tuvimos una recepcion super agusto en un lugar muy sofisticado y "oldie", parecia que nos regresamos a 1800 y la comida era super diferente, nos divertimos mucho conociendo nueva gente y ademas la comida fue gratis! Despues esa noche del miercoles, todos nos fuimos de fiesta prara celebrar a nuestro companiero de departamento, Evan, estuvo a todas margaritas!

Mas juntas de orientacion  y mas exploraciones en Florencia hoy!





SAI staff-------------

Arrived.. finally!

We are finally here! All the times that we said that we were coming to Florence seemed so far away. Now it is a reality and I’m so happy, this city is amazing!

The flight from Rome to Florence was pretty uneventful and short… with no drinks offered!? What is up with that Alitalia?? Not even a cup of water for these hungry and thirsty young travelers?

We arrived in Florence at around 11 am. Surprisingly enough, Delta airlines did a good job overall and I got my one bag that I checked in all intact and safe. I was the only boy amidst around 20 or so girls… needless to say, I felt very fortunate but lonely at the same time. The mini vans from the school that is receiving us arrived and loaded all our things on the vans.  After 20 minutes of hectic driving around the city, the chauffeur found the school so we could register.

After registering, filling out papers and getting our phones, we got dropped off at our respective apartments… Again, I was the only guy. Surrounded by nothing but girls and immense and countless suitcases (which obviously belonged to the females), before getting on the van to go to my new apartment where I would be meeting up with my roommates, I finally met a couple of really nice guys.

Anyways, despite the reckless driving, road blocking and dangerous crossing, we arrived at my destination. Vian San Zanobi, 37. It was 1 30 pm when I came into the room. It was a little confusing to guess which door was the one to our apartment since some of them had no number nor name; so I took a shot, and guessed right on the first try.

To my surprise, I was the first guy to arrive at the apartment. Being used to arriving late at places where there already a bunch of people who have lit the place up with life and movement, I did not know what to do. The room resembled a maze from Alice in wonderland. Doors here, doors there and little rooms everywhere. Everything Is so small and rustic, but it is a spacious enough apartment for 7 people. As I waited for my house mates to arrive, I sat down to relax for a little bit and recognize the place. After 20 minutes or so, the first of them arrived.. James, from Washington. We started talking about our experiencies, background and all the possible small talk questions you can think of. We were both exhausted, and it wasn’t long before we were snoring in front of a small t.v.

After a very necessary nap, the other guys started to arrive. Matt from Washington, Saki from Massachusetts, Justin, Chris from Rhode Island and Evan from California… it was around 6 30 when we were all in the apartment and ready to go out and get something to eat.

Of coure, we had to stop at a pizza place to start getting acclimated to our new town. Then we came back to our apartment and started arranging everything the way we want it.

This city is seriously awesome. It’s full of tradition, history, people from everywhere and countless possible activities. I love it!   Tomorrow in the morning we have orientation stuff at 9 am, so we have to walk a little bit since it is somewhat far away from our apartment.

Can’t believe that we are actually in Florence now, Yeyeah!! 

----- Nice way to enjoy a flight, huh!?

Rome!

No clue what time it might be, but I am in Rome now! I barely got any battery but I wanted to update… actually, it might be around 7:30 am.

After 9 hours of miraculously flying through the air over the ocean, I have made it to the old continent for the first time in my first 21 years of life. All it took for me to get here was:

-4 heineken beers. 2 cups of orange juice, a banana, two sandwiches, a place of chicken and rice, crackers, cheese, a muffin, water, a whole dinner, three movies and a few shows from random series which I don’t really care about.

The flight was surprisingly “fast” and comfortable.. I was very glad that everything was pretty much for free so I could get as buzzed as I wanted but it wouldn’t be so much fun while sitting by myself on the plane.  If my luggage makes it all the way to Florence without me having to get pissed and call the airline, they will have redeem themselves after losing both my bags last year when I went home for xmas.

Is it weird to say that I don’t feel tired after almost a day of traveling and not sleeping almost at all? Hopefully I’ll stay up until it gets dark tonight in Florence and then sleep like a rock and hopefully avoid the jet lag effect.

Already met people (all girls) from different parts of the US who are also going to FUA. Sweet to know new friends.

Also, I saw the most amazing sunshine that I have witnessed in a looong time… majestic!

Flying!

It is exactly 11:36 am…. And my plane seat is 11 D.. although I changed to 10 A due to some seats being open… just for me!

Well, supposedly the flight is a little late so I hope I am not late for my flight to Rome. The lady who was sitting next to me before was super nice, she had a one and a half year old boy who looked like Diego from Dora the exploring… just checking the whole airplane out and loving it. We talked for a little bit about out destinations and background; she was so jealous to learn that I’m going to Italy.

I was super impressed to know that there would be wi-fi even on the darn plane! Next thing you know even donkeys and trees will have wi-fi (fingers crossed). Super pumped to go online and brag about being online while flying miraculously through the airs, I opened my computer and tried to open my home page (goal.com). Right away I found out that the promotion/offer had ended two weeks ago… Liars!!! Haha whatever.. I got more time to doodle and admire the clouds.

I’m hungry… bring me food, lady-who-works-for-Delta!

Son exactamente las 11:36 am… y mi asiento en el avion es el 11 D.. aunque  me cambie al 10 A debido a que unos asientos estaban solos… nomas para mi!

Supuestamente el vuelo salió un poco tarde, ojala no sea muy tarde para conectar mi vuelo a Roma. La dama que estaba sentada al lado de mi en mi asiento anterior era super buena onda. Con un terremotito de anio y medio que parecía Diego de Dora la Exploradora. Platicamos un ratito acerca de nuestras vidas, a donde vamos y porque. Estaba super celosa porque voy a Italia… muy linda la senito.

Estaba super emocionado porque vi que hasta en el avión hay internet gratis! La próxima vez, hasta los burros y los arboles van a tener conexión de internet grrratis o algo asi. Ya bien contento yo de que me iba aponer a presumirle a todo mundo que estaba en un avión y navegando la inmensidad de la web, abri mi compu. Inmediatamente me entere de que era una promoción que termino hace dos semanas… mentirosos!!! No le hace.. tengo mas tiempo para admirar las nubecitas y babosear un rato…

Tengo hambre, tráigame arta comida seniora de Delta!

About To Leave/Apunto De Salir

Well, the adeventure is about to really begin... I'm sitting in the San Antonio airport and as I was reading a a book I heard a little secret voice saying that they offer free wi-fi, which I had never heard of. I thought I'd write a little note just to give this thing a little more life.

Can't believe that my dream of finally visiting Italy is coming true... I had even forgotten that it was one of my dreams since it seemed so unreachable. You know, just one of things you'd like to do someday but you really don't think about seriously. Well, it's happening now and I am so happy!

I met a new friend, Andres Castro, who lived in Florence for three years. He gave me a lot of tips and names of people he knows who will be willing to help me out once I am there... pretty cool guy eh!?

Gotta go, the plane calls... Bye!

---

Bueno, la aventura esta por empezar ahora si... estoy sentado en el aeropuerto de san antonio y estaba leyendo un libro escuche una vocesita secreta que me dijo que ofrecen conexion de internet gratis aqui en el aeropuerto, jamas habia oido de eso en un aeropuerto.. a todo dar! entonces pense en entrar aqui a escribir un poco y darle un poco mas de vida a este desmadre.

No puedo creer que mi suenio de visitar Italia se va a hacer realidad finalmente... ya hasta se me habia olvidado que era uno de mis suenios porque parecia tan lejano e imposible. Ya sabes, una de esas cosas que dices que te gustaria hacer pero que nunca lo tomas muy en serio. Bueno, pues ahora se va a realizar y estoy super contento!

Conoci a un nuevo amigo anoche, Andres Castro (primo de Fabian Hdez). El me dio muchisimos tips y consejos para cuando llegue a Florencia. Tambien conoce mucha gente que me va a poder ayudar si me meto en algun problemilla o cualquier cosa... a toda madre este cuate no!?

Bueno, ya me tengo que subir al avion... bye!

 RAJI!!!!

Super Bowl!

What  a better way to start  this blog-thingy than a celebration line:

"The packers are super bowl bound after kickin' the bears' rear end!"

Watching the big game in Florence will be awesome... I'm guessing it won't be easy to find a place to watch it, but we'll figure it out.

Flying out of San Antonio tomorrow morning to Atlanta. then Rome, then Florence... it's gonna be a loooong day. Can't wait to be there! A big thanks to Fabian Hernandez and his uncles here in San Antonio for receiving such a stranger like me and being so nice.

----

Que mejor manera de empezar cone esta cosa del blog que una frase para celebrar:

"Los packers van al Super Bowl despues de darle en la torre a los Osos!"

Ver el gran juego en Florencia va a estar de poca madre... Ojala podamos encontrar un lugar para verlo. Me imagino que en Italia no todo mundo esta enteradisimo de lo que es un touchdown o una intercepcion.
Estoy emocionadisimo por llegar  a Italia. vuelo de San Antonio maniana en la maniana para Atlanta. Despues, Roma y luego Florencia! Mil gracias a Fabian Hdez  y sus tios aqui en San antonio por recibir  a un extranio como yo y ser tan buena onda.


Ciao!