Well, this is embarassing.

Here I am again, catching up on the past three weeks. Typical.

Three weeks ago, I went on an Italian adventure with my good friend Elyse. We decided to go to Siena and Elba Island. Of course we didn't do much research before we left....but I have to admit we did a pretty fantastic job considering all of our activities and sharp navigation skills. Friday morning we hopped on the train and headed to Siena. We found a great deal at a hotel near Il Campo and decided it was necessary to go on a 6 hour wine tour. We visited two vineyards and toured the town of San Gimignano. Throughout the day, we tasted 14 different wines from the Chianti region and consumed the greatest brick of lasagna I have ever had in my entire existence. Amidst all the excitement, I ended up sending home three bottles of wine to my house in the States...I guess it was a successful tour! I told myself I would not become a wine snob, but I learned so much. I can tell you all about where the different levels of grapes go, how many fingers a wine vine has, what kind of animal they use to find truffles and much much more. Overall, it was a very educational experience! The next day we toured Siena. I have to admit the Duomo of Florence is much more amazing, and complete, than the Duomo in Siena, but still amazing. After roaming the streets of Siena and eating too much Fritelle, we got on the train and headed to Piombino. From there, we planned on taking the ferry to Elba Island. Well...the train man told us we had to change trains in Montepescali...? We decided to trust his judgement. He failed to mention that the Montepescali "train station" is in fact an electronic box that allows you to travel to exactly four different places....Piombino was not one of those places. After looking at the huge train schedule on the side of the building and watching the two men riding horses along the train tracks...we decided to call my roommate and have her look up the next train station. Of course the website only gives abbreviations...so we took our chances and guessed the next station. Luckily, we guessed right! We made it to Piombino and hoped on the next ferry for Elba Island. Elba is stunning. It is gorgeous and very beautiful, something out of a picture book. While on Elba, we searched high and low for the villa Napoleon lived in during his time of exile. It was wonderful, I don't think he could complain about it. We also walked along the beach and collected numerous pieces of sea glass.

Two weeks ago, I spent the weekend in Florence! It was nice to relax and not worry about missing any trains :) On Sunday, I went horseback riding with two of my roommates and visited a Castle community for lunch and wine tasting. I don't think my horse was in a very good mood...but it was nice to ride again! It was my first time ever riding in an English saddle...I think I prefer Western. My butt was sore for a week.

Last week was spring break and I went to GREECE! It was amazing! I'm convinced I will return someday. We took a bus, and then a boat to Corfu Island and the a boat and a bus to Athens. I will tell you more about this adventure in my next post...it's time for my next class.

Pace, Yiamas, and Feta Cheese,

Kim